TST - Survival Training

[piscestruth.livejournal.com]

Jyuushirou looked around their drop-off point with a certain amount of trepidation - while he had grown up in the city, he was at least passingly familiar with the forests that sprawled on the outskirts, and this was nothing like them. They were truly in the middle of nowhere. This had been the exercise he was fearing the most. He couldn't beg off, of course - not if he wanted to be seen as equal to the other cadets. It had been a hard enough fight just getting in to the academy, and he didn't want to push his luck any further. Still, two days would be pushing his endurance. The last few weeks had been relatively good - they hadn't hit really hit the season for colds quite yet, for which he was very thankful - but he wasn't quite comfortable with the thought of just relying luck alone out here.

He glanced over at his partner for the training. They hadn't really spoken on the flight over - none of the class had, partially because everyone was nervous, and partially because the instructor overseeing it was one of the more notorious ones. Still, he knew the name - and the reputation. Shunsui Kyouraku, academy flirt. He suppressed a small sigh. He was probably not going to be the most helpful person to have along here. Still, it didn't hurt to at least try to be friendly. He forced a smile and glanced over at the other cadet. "Look familiar to you?" he asked with a hint of amused irony.

Comments

[pinkflowergod.livejournal.com]

Shunsui didn't know this kid personally, but he knew his reputation. Supposedly, he was super-smart, but not so good at the physical stuff. Which Shunsui thought was a good way to get killed damn quickly if the other boy saw any real action, but that was Ukitake's business, not his. "Can't say I do," he said, pulling a flask of sake out of his clothes and taking a deep drink from it. He gave Ukitake a lecherous grin. "Most girls don't like to go this far in." After all, going just a bit past the treeline offered plenty of concealment for a quick one. And then there were always closets, empty classrooms, storage areas...

But he digressed.

Yawning, he stuck the sake bottle back into his shirt. "So...what are we supposed to be doing out here?" The teacher had explained it, but that sensei was dead boring. If only he'd been matched with one of the girls in their class, instead of Ukitake. There was a really cute blond with a fiery attitude...

[wavesandthunder.livejournal.com]

Ukitake resisted the urge to bury his face in his hands. They were off to a fantastic start here, really. The middle of nowhere with someone who didn't even know what they were supposed to be doing. And while he probably had the strength to take care of himself, but to fend for someone else as well - unlikely.

He allowed himself a small sigh, normally cheerful expression falling a bit. "Trying not to get ourselves killed for the next two days." He managed to bite back any particularly acidic comments about how much Kyouraku had learned inbetween making eyes at the female cadets in their classes - picking a fight on the first day, even as frustrated as he was, wouldn't help.

[pinkflowergod.livejournal.com]

"Well, that shouldn't be hard," he said easily. "I've managed not to get killed for almost eighteen years now." He let out a huge yawn. "Well, if that's all, then I'm going to take a nap." Sit out in the middle of nowhere and do nothing? Well, apart from the fact that he was stuck with another guy and not a hot woman, it shouldn't be too bad.

Shunsui settled down on the ground beneath a tree, pulled a flowery pink cloak out of his equipment and pulled it over himself. Napping in the afternoon was one of his favorite activities. Next to drinking and having sex. The ranking of which was his favorite depended on the day and time.

[wavesandthunder.livejournal.com]

Ukitake took a deep breath and slowly counted down from ten in his head before saying anything. Kyouraku was trying his patience in a way seven siblings never had, but he couldn't afford to lose his temper. He knew this exercise was a teamwork challenge as well as being a test of how well they could fend for themselves. It was just his luck to pull the class slacker.

"I strongly suspect most of those eighteen years weren't in the middle of the woods," he said finally, a clear edge to his voice. "And I'm not sure you've noticed, but it's starting to get pretty cold at night - and they didn't give us blankets."

[pinkflowergod.livejournal.com]

Shunsui shrugged his shoulders and closed his eyes. "Got any suggestions?" he asked. He figured Ukitake was overreacting. It wasn't really that cold out yet, and the sun was pleasant and warm. Sure, it'd probably be a little chilly later on, but even he knew you could survive a couple of days without eating or drinking if you had to. Besides, with all the trees around here, there was probably water pretty close.

The real pity was, that this was going to to ruin his weekend--and he had had plans. He understood, Ukitake wanted to do well and impress the teachers. That was fine, but to Shunsui, it really wasn't worth it. It wasn't like he wanted to be here in the first place, and if he did well, they might actually give him a job.

[wavesandthunder.livejournal.com]

Ukitake sighed and ran a hand through his shaggy white hair in frustration. This was probably going to be the best he'd get out of such a slacker. At least he was listening.

"We should find some water," he said at last. "And then...find shelter, I guess. Or make it." It wasn't much of a plan, but...it was a start. As clearly he was going to have to be the one in charge here.

[pinkflowergod.livejournal.com]

He sighed himself and got up slowly. He supposed he'd better play along, or else he wasn't going to get his nap. "Shelter and water," he said. "Anything else?" Not that he had any idea where to find those, but at least if he seemed to go look, then Ukitake would probably leave him alone for a bit--probably even for a while. And if there was one thing Shunsui Kyouraku was good at, it was escaping work.

[wavesandthunder.livejournal.com]

Ukitake thought for a minute before responding. "Probably food, after that. A fire would be nice, but...I don't think I've got enough control over my magic to light one, and I know they weren't helpful enough to leave us with matches." Well, at least Kyouraku finally seemed to be willing to help. Even if he wasn't terribly enthusiastic about it.

[pinkflowergod.livejournal.com]

"Fine, fine," he said, wandering off half-halfheartedly.

Shunsui didn't really want to be in the Academy. His father said (often and at length) said that he had no ambition. That wasn't entirely fair--he did have some ambition--they just all involved women. Or sake. Or women and sake. But after a scandal involving a noblewoman--that was something Shunsui hated about his family--no one cared how many commoners or servant women he slept with, but 'deflower' a noblewoman, and suddenly, it was a big deal, regardless of the fact that she agreed to the liaison--he was told it was military academy or being shipped off to north nowhere with a stodgy old uncle who was morally opposed to alcohol.

Well, it could be worse most of the time. There weren't any servants watching his every move, and he didn't have to put up with the constant nagging of his relatives. And it wasn't that hard to get out of classes and avoid homework (or get certain ladies to do it for him). But little excursions like this were a real pain.

[wavesandthunder.livejournal.com]

Ukitake took the opposite direction - he knew they should probably stick together, out here, but he wasn't sure he could stand any more of that idiot's presence without giving in to shouting at him.

A few minute's walk, and the land began sloping downhill, slightly. He followed it, and not long after, came to a small stream - narrow, but fast and clear. Well, there was water, at least. He backtracked his way back to the clearing they'd started in, and waited for his companion to return.