Lost and Patrolling [Hiroe/J]

As the afternoon slowly drifted on, J found himself in the middle districts of the Rukongai and wishing he had eaten a larger breakfast. The day was a tad hotter than normal, and his insistence on wearing his family crest on the headband was not helping the heat issue. For the moment, he was grateful that it had been a quiet day for criminals, though he was looking for particularly shady dealings and asking around about gang activity. He had gotten very little information with his inquiries.

Having completed the last section, J moved onto the second area he was in charge of for the day. It was just a few streets over, but he knew the area was a bit rougher. Firstly, they despised Shinigami, especially any with an ounce of power or authority. This area was in need of some order, which J thought on as he turned onto the street and noticed multiple unscrupulous individuals. Most had yet to notice him, and those who did hid in buildings or tried to size him up. Others were distracted...

Hiroe was often warned about the dangers of idly wandering outside her district. It was a warning she typically heeded for her own sake, but a classic game of truth and dare between friends led her toward an area that could unilaterally be considered less than ideal compared to her hometown. Much to her chagrin, she was paying for her error when J entered the district. Surrounded by a host of unkempt bandits with blades in hand, it became abundantly clear that Hiroe was overwhelmed. Given her overall ability as a fighter, it was reasonably feasible to assume she could fight one or two of these men, but an entire assembly of these bastards was an entirely different story altogether...

It was the group of 'distracted' men that caught J's attention. Upon closer look, he realized he only saw half of them, as the other half were around the corner and helping surround a young woman. He took note of the knives in hand and counted six cowards before stepping forward. If Hiroe looked his way, she would easily notice the headband and his shinigami uniform, so hopefully that would put her at ease. If anything violet was going to happen here, she had backup.

"Good afternoon," J spoke up, catching the attention of the men. He had not heard what they may have been saying to her, and did not care too. He did not appreciate their obvious attempts at intimidating Hiroe by surrounding and out numbering her. "Is there something I can help you gentlemen with? Or perhaps I can assist you," J looked to Hiroe, making sure to note any hints she may give him.

The presence of what seemed to be, from her perspective, a member of realm enforcement, was a welcomed sight. His intervention was enough to suddenly draw the group's attention from Hiroe, allowing her to pantomime the movements of a woman who was on the verge of being robbed. Such a fate would thankfully never come to be as the men were perceptive enough to recognize his headband and shinigami uniform, forcing them to retreat like a pack of wounded coyotes. Exhaling as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, she turned back to J, her expression thankful.

"Thank you. You saved me from a world of trouble just now. Those guys were going to rob me blind, and since I didn't have anything to give them... I fear they might of demanded something else. Thankfully, I don't get to find out what that was----"

Golden eyes fluttered repeatedly as Hiroe cocked her head to the side, stepping forward to observe the man with a curious glance. Whoa, a closer look at this man told her one utterly undeniable fact. This man was... drop-dead gorgeous.

J was slightly surprised they chose to run off. He expected resistance with their numbers, but his uniform scared them off. The man let out a small sigh, relieved to avoid a needless battle. Looking up to the young woman, he straightened his back as she stepped closer. Though his face held the rigid calmness he normally did, he was now confused. The look in her eyes was familiar, an expression he had little understanding of. And since no one he previously asked about it answered him, with or without laughing, J never truly received the truth behind such an expression.

“I was only doing my job. Are you all right?” J asked. Complimenting his good looks was the smooth, deep voice. He spoke intently, and with strong diction and purpose behind four meager words. “I commonly patrol this district, yet have never seen you,” J said, looking a bit harder. He could sense she was not a weak plus, but her outfit was something he expected of inner districts. “Do you need an escort home?”

"Me? Escort?"
His voice was every bit as dreamy as his face. There may have been some part of Hiroe that was rattled moments ago, but any such discomfort had been promptly erased from her mind now that he was here. Handsome face? Handsome voice? What else could a woman ask for? To make it even better, he rescued her from danger and politely asked her if she required an escort home. Wherever he was heading, she would surely follow! Maintaining her composure, Hiroe crossed her arms in an elegant motion, presenting a graceful air in her posture and step.

"My apologies, sir. I usually don't wander out this far. Which likely explains why you haven't seen me before. I live in a more peaceful district compared to this place. My name is Hiroe Miyashiro. I would love to be escorted home."

J nodded, confirming he would be willing to get her safely home. The woman’s posture shifted in front of him, and even her tone of voice carried something extra with it. For now, he would leave it alone. He did not know this young woman, so asking questions about her demeanor was likely out of the question. Besides, most women did not seem to like being asked about why they behaved certain ways.

“I am J. Saionji, Fourth Seat of the Gotei’s Sixth Division,” J said and nodded politely. “It’s nice to meet you.” J held out a hand as a way of gesturing for her to lead the way. Once she began walking, he would follow her and keep alert to make sure he kept his promise. She would stay safe on his watch. However, silence felt awkward, so he attempted casual chat. He wasn’t really good at conversation.

"What brought you to the more dangerous districts?"

"Ah, what a lovely name. Mysterious, even. A pleasure to meet you, J Saionji."

There was a daringly tempting urge to call him handsome outrightly, but Hiroe maintained her faux-state of elegant composure, offering a comprehending nod in response. It was simply uncouth for a woman to reply in such a manner, hm~? Oh, she simply loved the idea of displaying herself in such a charmingly endearing way such as this. What did the letter J even mean? She wondered. Walking beside him with a firm shade of red across her features, Hiroe tilted her head to the side, feigning a defeated tone.

"Truth or dare is a miscreant's game, truly. We all merely challenged each other, and they dared me to wander outward. I, the fool, did so and unfortunately ended up here... until my gloriously charming savior rescued me from harm. I am truly in your debt, J..."

This young woman kept a rather elegant demeanor about her. As she spoke, J watched her closely. Occasionally, his eyes wandered over her in the same manner most would call “checking her out.” She was beautiful, lovely hair and eyes. He’d be foolish to not think so. Unlike many women he had been interacting with recently, she held herself like a lady too. He could appreciate true femininity.

“Truth or dare?” J raised an eyebrow. He heard of the game, but never played it. The game was something mentioned when he was much younger. “A game between friends sent you wandering into dangerous areas of the Rukongai? I cannot tell whether you need an improved selection of friends or games. It may be both.”

"I concur. Both seem the likely option. Who would dare a woman to endure something so unendurable?"

Hiroe cringed internally at speaking ill of her friends, but it was lightheartedly layered in nature. Besides, none of them were around to call her out on it, anyway. What mattered at the current moment was impressing J, and unless her smitten glee was trying to deceive her, he seemed to approve of this false image of elegance! Ah, now if only she could find a way to segue all of this momentum into a date! Patience, grasshopper. Patience. Elegant women aren't so needy. Make him view you as the prize. Yes, that was the way.

"Judging by your appearance, I take it you are an illustrious member of the Gotei United?"