The Dragon's Festival

The night air was crisp and cool in Sereitei. The air shook with explosions of sound and bright colors as fireworks erupted in the night sky. Hiroshi smiled breathing deep taking in the night's smell along with the small hint of sulfur from the fireworks. He sighed relaxed leaning against a wall in the middle of the downtown streets a large stage set up with the 11th squads banner hanging up behind it and a picture of the new years Zodiac. It was the year of the dragon.

Perhaps it was childish of him to think so, but Daisuke always thought that fireworks were a lot like flowers. They bloom beautifully in the air in a limitless pallet of colors, but soon wither away into the black of night.

He shook his head. He thought too much.

Looking around, he could see the festivities going on around him. Shops were selling little trinkets and masks, children laughed and ran though the streets, people tried their luck at games with various results.

Daisuke had missed this.

While the criminal wasn't paying attention, he accidentally bumped into someone. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean too.....” he looked up at their face and his eyes widened in recognition. “Hiroshi-san?”

Hiroshi chuckled taking a a small swig of the drink he now had clasped in his hand. He had wandered over to the sake tent where he was enjoying a few relaxing drinks "Ohh Criminal-san" he smiled chuckling and raised his cup to Daisuke his Haroi falling back a little bit revealing the three hilts of the separate blades. "How are you on this fine festive night Daisuke-san?"

"Um, it's Itsumoto Daisuke, Hiroshi-san." 'Criminal-san' reminded him. His nose wrinkled at the smell of alcohol. He had never been a fan of the stuff, having seen what it could do to people. The criminal gave a bow. "I am very sorry for bumping into you, I had not been paying attention to where I was going."

Hiroshi chuckled and waved him over to a nearby table "Mind it not. Come sit have a drink. I myself prefer a simple green tea with a small hint of lemon" he tipped his glass towards the criminal throwing back his drink with a sigh of relief as he sat himself down almost gracefully.

Daisuke blinked in surprise before nodding and sitting down next to the other shinigami. It was odd, he would have thought that the man would be holding a slight grudge against him. He then paused. He had no idea how to start a conversation.

Oh well, here goes nothing.

"Um, so, are you enjoying yourself tonight, Hiroshi-san?" Daisuke asked, hoping he didn't sound like a complete and utter moron.

He did.

Hiroshi chuckled sitting up right "I actually am. Nice to unwind from everything going on recently." He looked around " Though I am curious about what the surprise from the 11th squad is"

Ah, so the festival was organized by the Eleventh Division? He hadn't known. Daisuke wondered if the captain of that squad had changed as well. "So they're planning something? If it's them, I must admit I'm a bit worried."

Hiroshi shrugged watching the stage as the lit up Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Shaider all walked onto it from off on the side. A few drunk 11th squad members cheered and screamed happily. The 3 sqaud members smirked Ikkaku barked "ALRIGHT!". Everyone went silent Yumichika stepping forward "Welcome one and all to the New year festival. This years Zodiac sign being obviously the year of the dragon" Everyone cheered Yumichika waving for people to calm down "Now as for the events this year" he turned Shaider walking forward "This years theme shall be all out brawls"

The criminal's eyes widened. All out brawls!?! But the civilians would get hurt in the process! What were they thinking!?!

He clenched his teeth, unsure if he should call this out. It was possible that they had a place separate from Rukongai to hold this brawl. It was also likely that if he spoke out it was possible that the brawl would break out simply in anger to his protest. With the way the Eleventh Division was already calling for blood it didn't seem too far off.

Daisuke was also a huge idiot when it came to social situations, and would probably make things worse if he spoke up.

He focused his attention on the three speakers. It seemed that he would simply have to hope they knew what they were doing.

Ikkaku sneered pointing his sheathed blade out at the on lookers "Thats right everybody. All events this year are based around competitive clashes placing you against an opponent(s) in all out brawls! The first contest will be held tomorrow any and all competitors report tomorrow for the first competition outside the 11th squad barracks." He raised his fist to the air the crowd roaring with excitement the three walking off.

Hiroshi nodded "ah, Well then things should be rather interesting this year"

A sigh in relief was given and then followed by a nod. He was truly thankful that the brawls weren't going to be held right then and there. Daisuke had seen a few big brawls before and the aftermath had not been pleasant.

“It will indeed.” He murmured. The criminal then looked at the dark-haired shinigami. “What will you be doing, Hiroshi-san?”

Yumiko, watching from farther away, sighed and shook her head. Being anywhere near a member of the eleventh division (excluding herself and Yachiru) was like drowning in testosterone.

"Seriously," she grumbled, shaking her yukata sleeves to cover her fingertips, "You'd think they can't go one day without fighting..."

~The Next Day~

Hiroshi sighed standing outside the the 11th squad barracks. Ikkaku stood before him and the rest of the people gathered. He sneered reaching into the bag announcing to the "ALRIIIIGHT! The first event" He pulled out a soccer ball "A game of Soccer! Here are the rules. All can compete there are four goals and your all on your own team. Ten balls will be distributed for all to use. The goals are set at the four gates into Sereitei sooooo at the sound of the gong LETS GOOOOOOOO!"
The gathers errupted in cheers. Hiroshi smiled "This should be interesting..."

"Its called FOOTB-Ah screw it.." sighed Isao to himself as he took a gander at the view from a rooftop. He shrugged at the random outburst from his mouth and span on his foot, throwing a smoke bomb down. He was gone in a matter of moments, only leaving a rather amusing air behind him.

&&&&&

OOC: I couldn't help it. Simply ignore this, I just wanted to chuckle a bit XD

Daisuke gave a glance over his shoulder. He could of sworn that he had heard something from the roof.....ah well. It wasn't like he hadn't been wrong rather often recently.

Turning his head back to Ikkaku and crew, he shook his head. Soccer? That certainly wasn't what he was expecting. At least this would be a lot less violent than a massive fist fight.

Actually, considering that this was the Eleventh Division, he couldn't be too sure of that. It might end up more like football than soccer.

The criminal gave a small sigh. He didn't think he was actually going to even come here, but his mind kept wandering back to this contest and eventually his body followed. Daisuke would probably just end up trying to follow the competitors and keeping civilians out of harms way. If he could. It was very likely he wouldn't be fast or strong enough to.

He sighed again. This was going to be a very long day.

Yumiko rolled her eyes as the men of her division (and others) stampeded across the Seireitei. Laying back on the roof of the barracks, she put her hands behind her head and propped her leg up over her knee. Next to her sat Hikari, who was currently babysitting Yachiru.

"Heym hey, piggytails!!!" the small child cried, bouncing over to Yumiko. Yumiko twitched.

"I don't even have pigtails!" she groaned before lifting her snowy head, opening her weary violet eyes, and glaring at the pink haired hellion. "What is it, Yachiru?"

The small lieutenant paused her bouncing for a second with a tiny frown, but she soon started up again. "Hi!"

With a groan, Yumiko let her head thump back against the roof. It wsa gonna be a long day.

The Gong sounded the balls launching outward into the crowd everyone making a run for the nearest one. Hiroshi smiled dashing past a 5th squad member and sent the ball rocketing into the air with a mighty kick darting after it in small bursts of low level shunpo. He smirked bouncing the ball on his knee kicking outward the ball rocketing towards the west gate. He grinned darting after it many in hot pursuit..

"Grow, Hōzukimaru!"

Hiroshi ducked at the burst of spirit energy ikkakus spear slashing past his head. He turned to see Ikkaku's daring grin "By the way squad 12 set up some barriers around the city so it cant be damaged by shikai abilities. LETS PLAY BALL!" Hiroshi sneered Ikkaku slashing again with his extended spear which he deflected with a flick of his katana.

"Just what in hells name are they doing...?" Saikah muttered suddenly next to Yumiko, putting her hand over her eyes as she tried to see what the shinigami were doing.

Hiroshi slid to a halt panting Ikkaku chuckling "Whats the matter can't keep up with the pace?" Hiroshi calmly smiled turning slashing his katana at the soccer ball with the back edge of his blade watching it soar off smacking into the western gate a siren going off announcing Hiroshi's goal. He smirked Ikkaku looking throughly upset "You bastard" With a small pop the ball vanished after touching the gate. Ikkaku growled "After each goal is scored the balls are relocated. Ill deal with you later pretty boy." Hiroshi smiled watching the 11th squad member dart off.