Northwest Seireitei
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TherosAestas
Member
Three Days Since The Invasion
Tomi Yume felt like she’d been hit with a building when she finally awoke. Every little movement ached, but she’d been recovering beautifully. She remained dressed in her torn and bloody shihakusho as she made her way down the halls of Fourth Division. One room caught her eye, bringing her feet to a stop as she gazed through the open door. The silver haired Shihoin who had saved her life was being treated, but she couldn’t tell for what because his red headed companion clung desperately to his sleeping form. She watched them for a moment before turning away and continuing her slow trek out into the rest of the seireitei. She wanted to see the destruction for herself.
With every step, she brought herself to a different decimated piece of the soul society until she stood upon the ruins of the kido corps. A lump formed in her throat as she sifted through the wreckage, looking for any sign of her brother. When there was none to be found but a few lone members of the corps offering their condolences, she quietly turned and left.
The makeshift morgue, that Eighth had become, offered her no further solace as she gazed upon the fallen shinigami of Thirteenth and one particular teal haired member of the kido corps. She had to keep moving. She couldn’t dwell on this, not now.
She’d saved her own division for last. She inhaled sharply as she took in what was left of Thirteenth Division, which wasn’t much. A few buildings and foundations on the outskirts of the division still stood but nothing else. As she stepped over rubble and bloodstains, her fingers caught a scrap of haori, stuck to a splintered beam. She had been one of the few members of the division who could wield their bankai and she hadn’t been here. Her mind ran rampant with thoughts that everyone had perished despite the fact that she hadn’t seen either Gyoja or Ren’s bodies in Eighth Division.
Venturing further in, she spotted a group of shinigami looking through the remains. Without a second thought, she sprinted toward them, the pain in her body forgotten as she threw her arms around Gyoja and Ren. Her voice was hoarse from disuse, ”I’m so sorry I wasn’t here!”
Five Days Since The Invasion
Lt. Yume wasn’t at all surprised when the new captain commander made his visit to the decimated division. She even understood his decision to remove a lieutenant from their position. It made sense in its own way because why would a division without a captain need two lieutenants? Especially one like Thirteenth. However, she had wished he would have given them more time to rebuild and settle into their new reality before asking them to settle who would step down. They both held their own merits but before she could voice this, Gyoja willingly stepped down from his role because it was what he felt was right.
It wasn’t her place to invalidate what Gyoja felt and believed so she humbly accepted him stepping down into the role of 3rd seat. Her hand gently rested on his shoulder as she offered him a surprisingly warm smile from someone who still looked like they’d had their kidney forcibly exploded inside their body. ”Perhaps someday I will be promoting you myself, or congratulating you on a captaincy, should that be what you strive for, of course!”
Two Weeks Since The Invasion
Every time the lieutenant closed her eyes to sleep she was inundated with images of the aftermath of the invasion. Tomi found herself getting used to being surrounded by destruction because of this and she hated that. The sky was still dark as her metal shoes forged faint tracks through the soot that remained of the Hoshi compound while she approached the only thing that remained, a tiered, black granite monument. Her hands trembled as she knelt before it, adding a new plaque beneath the rest.
For the first time in two weeks she allowed herself to fully feel the pain of what she’d lived through. Her body hunched over as her tears soaked into the ground beneath her. Tsukuyomi silently sat beside her, his hand on her back as he simply stared at the names that adorned the monument. What was there left for her to give? Her own life? She had tried, but a humble soul kept her here, tethered to her pain and past. The lives of what remained of her division? That she would never allow.
Shhhhhh, darling. Think not the thoughts that pain sows within one’s soul.
Six Months Since The Invasion
Tomi had settled into her role in Thirteenth well. While she would have liked to have been spending every day with her squadmates, however there were unfortunately days that she had to be solely dedicated to directing and overseeing the reconstruction of the division. The last few buildings were finally being finished. It felt strange to her every time she passed by the rebuilt captain’s office which was now void of life and personality, while her own office was like a curio cabinet of all the little things that brought her joy. Knick-knacks from the world of the living, family mementos, pictures of her with her squadmates, and even her reiatsu concealing cloak were all hung up on the walls.
She stepped out of the office and took a deep breath of fresh air, her lilac eyes drifting over to the tree she had planted in the courtyard to replace the one that had been destroyed. Beneath the sprawling limbs of the tree was another tiered, granite structure, this one adorned with the names of the fallen members of Thirteenth. She couldn’t in good conscience let them be forgotten by those who survived and thrived every day since.
Present Day
”Uuuuuuuugh! I just want to spend time in Karakura!”
Tomi groaned as she stretched her legs from behind her desk, looking down at one of the many invitations to a dinner party that had been posted around the seireitei. Her gaze drifted as she debated whether to attend or not. As her vision refocused, she noticed Gyoja and Ren through her open door. She rolled the invitation back up and decided it was time for a break, or at least time to see what her squadmates were up to.
”Gyoja! Ren!”
Her increasingly serious demeanor immediately softened as she approached them, her hands behind her back as she held on tight to the parchment. Her eyes widened ever so slightly as she glanced around the courtyard. She’d expected to see their visually impaired comrade somewhere about the premises but he was nowhere to be seen. Her lips pulled into a momentary pout, but the mood left her as quickly as it had appeared.
”Any plans, you two? Training?”
Tomi was decently helpful when it came to aiding in training the new members of the division in hakuda and zanjutsu, but she was a tragedy when it came to kido. The two of them had even attempted to teach her but alas to no avail. She didn’t mind being trash at it though. Not everything was for everyone.
”Perhaps heading to Karakura?”
She longed to walk the streets of Karakura. Since becoming the highest ranking officer of the division, her visits to their world of the living stomping grounds had grown fewer and further between. Given Zatoichi’s lack of presence, she could only assume he himself had already departed for the land of the living. She would have preferred he informed her first but such is life. Her subordinates were all people with minds of their own and she would only command them as far as she needed to because she trusted in them.
”Or maybe thinking about attending this?”
Tomi held up the invitation between her index and middle finger. She wouldn’t be surprised if Gyoja had planned to attend given him being a member of the Kuchiki clan. Ren, on the other hand, Tomi was uncertain if she would even want to attend something as seemingly mundane as a dinner party. However, the temptation to accept an invitation into the Tsunayashiro Manor was very great, but she probably wouldn’t attend if she would be doing so alone. She’d found herself taking comfort in those around her more than she had when it was her and her brother against the world, so she would leave the decision in their hands.
Nobody
Member
Gyōja stood in the courtyard, the air was fresh yet not so for him. No, for him every breath, every inhale filled his throat and lungs with the smoldering smell of smoke, blood and destruction. With Aojūkiri tightly held in his hands he swings his blade, slicing the invisible enemy before him, birthed from his mind. The sound of destruction, screams and death throes of his fallen comrades filling his ears. Aojūkiri cleaves through the air again, cutting through the air and the scene plaguing his mind. Then he sees him, Captain Date appears before him like a ghost, a phantom conjured by his mind, reminding him of his weakness, his inability.
His voice echoes in his ears, fingers clenching his zanpakuto tighter as his every sword swing became faster, sharper, more feral. 'No! That's not me!' He denied these words, he would never place those around him in danger for something so pointless as his pride. But..was he wrong? Was Captain Date right about him, able to perceive something in him that even he couldn't see or...perhaps didn't want to see? Was he capable of so much more than he was willing to admit?
He gritted his teeth, the words striking at him like blades he couldn't dodge or remove once they pierced into him. Sweat trickled from his brow, his practice swings growing even more feral, wild and violent, yet surprisingly never sloppy. If there were an enemy before him instead of empty air, they'd undoubtedly be shredded apart, appearing mangled as if mauled. His eyes growing just as wild as these practice strikes.
Just what was it he needed to do to become stronger? The faces of those that died during the attack at the Thirteenth flashed repeatedly before his eyes. Every time he swung his sword a new face appeared, dead..lifeless. 'Weak' He slashes and a new face surfaces taking the place of the last. 'Weak!' This time a thrust, piercing through the haunted image only for yet another to take its place in plaguing the young troubled Kuchiki. Hunted by his own failures, his own weakness and inability, desperately striving for strength to never feel like this again, yet uncertain in how to proceed. He had been training relentlessly, being ruthless to his body. With members of the Fourth showing up and standing by each time he was able to be unforgiving to his body. 'WEAK!' His voice bellowed like a cornered beast.
10 Years Ago
With the enemy all gone, and things settled they were left with rubble all around them. They had not won, they had survived...barely at that. He returned to Ren's side, half t convene with her and get her aid in rebuilding and searching for survivors, and half to ensure she was still alive, that nothing had happened to her after he left. To his relief she was fine. As they worked together, and as he endured her complaints and foul mouth relief once again greeted the young Kuchiki in the form of Tomi. She was alive. As she embraced them he stared off into the distance. With all that had happened so quickly, so violently he had no way of knowing if she was alright, and hadn't the time to verify her status either. Like them, she too had survived. He held to her as she held to them, silently thankful that the three of them could stand in this moment together, alive.
As the days passed they strove desperately, dealing with the morale of the members of Squad Thirteen while also rebuilding, Gyōja making use of his funds to assist in expediting the process. During the course of such things they received an unexpected visitor. Yūichirō Shihoin of the Third Division had come to see him, and not just him but Tomi as well. Confused wondering what he could want with them. It couldn't be seeking their assistance in the rebuilding of the Third Division or the Academy, he and his clan were still well off all things considered. It is only once he and Tomi stood before him that they learned he was being elevated not only to the position of Captain, but Captain Commander. Revealing his new station, the new Commander had much to say, including;
With the enemy all gone, and things settled they were left with rubble all around them. They had not won, they had survived...barely at that. He returned to Ren's side, half t convene with her and get her aid in rebuilding and searching for survivors, and half to ensure she was still alive, that nothing had happened to her after he left. To his relief she was fine. As they worked together, and as he endured her complaints and foul mouth relief once again greeted the young Kuchiki in the form of Tomi. She was alive. As she embraced them he stared off into the distance. With all that had happened so quickly, so violently he had no way of knowing if she was alright, and hadn't the time to verify her status either. Like them, she too had survived. He held to her as she held to them, silently thankful that the three of them could stand in this moment together, alive.
As the days passed they strove desperately, dealing with the morale of the members of Squad Thirteen while also rebuilding, Gyōja making use of his funds to assist in expediting the process. During the course of such things they received an unexpected visitor. Yūichirō Shihoin of the Third Division had come to see him, and not just him but Tomi as well. Confused wondering what he could want with them. It couldn't be seeking their assistance in the rebuilding of the Third Division or the Academy, he and his clan were still well off all things considered. It is only once he and Tomi stood before him that they learned he was being elevated not only to the position of Captain, but Captain Commander. Revealing his new station, the new Commander had much to say, including;
When the Commander had finished all he wanted to say and left them, the room was weighed down by a heavy silence. Neither of the two had said anything in response, frozen in place like statues. Before Tomi could say whatever her thoughts were on the matter Gyōja had spoken.
"I will step down as Lieutenant." He turned to face her, his expression as it always was, making it difficult to tell what exactly he was thinking, feeling in that moment. "I will be the Third seat Tomi. It's how it should have been from the start, and what's best for the Division." He gave her a nod before turning towards the door. "I'll head out first Lieutenant, and will allow you to inform the rest of the squad as you see fit." He heard what had happened to Tomi, how she had gotten hurt and the help she had offered in taking down the enemy she had faced. Compared to her, what had he done? What had he accomplished? Stringing together low level Kido and floundering around to just barely survive? No, its as Captain Date had said...he was weak, with a pathetic showing. He was not the Lieutenant this Division needed.
"I will step down as Lieutenant." He turned to face her, his expression as it always was, making it difficult to tell what exactly he was thinking, feeling in that moment. "I will be the Third seat Tomi. It's how it should have been from the start, and what's best for the Division." He gave her a nod before turning towards the door. "I'll head out first Lieutenant, and will allow you to inform the rest of the squad as you see fit." He heard what had happened to Tomi, how she had gotten hurt and the help she had offered in taking down the enemy she had faced. Compared to her, what had he done? What had he accomplished? Stringing together low level Kido and floundering around to just barely survive? No, its as Captain Date had said...he was weak, with a pathetic showing. He was not the Lieutenant this Division needed.
He stopped at the threshold of the door, his back still to her. "Yes, perhaps one day you will." He didn't elaborate or specify on which point he meant, or if he even believed such a day would ever come. He stepped out closing the door behind him as he went to tell Ren himself. While he had left it to Tomi to tell the squad, he needed to be the one to tell Ren.
He gasps as if he had been holding his breath, or was surfacing from being under water, his fingers and palms aching. He had been moving his blade in a trance, just in time to see Ren approach. He had nearly forgotten about their scheduled meet up sessions. He was about to greet her when Tomi's voice sung out to them, drawing both of their attention.
"Ah, hello Lieutenant." He sheathed his zanpakuto as he greeted her, his manner addressing her more formal than anything. Tomi had been busy since becoming the commanding officer of their squad, though he helped best he could when and where he could. He made sure to do his utmost to show his support, to ensure no one perceived there was any tension or bad blood between them regarding the change in their respective positions. He kept his hands hidden, ignoring their throb as he listened to her ask about their plans for the day.
"I've heard about that party. I've no intention of taking part in such a thing."
He flatly refuses to entertain the notion of attending that dinner, and gives no reason as to why. "I was planning on our regular training session, and afterwards perhaps a trip to Karakura Town to check on Zatoichi, making sure he's adapting well and maintaining his cover there." He pauses as if something was on his mind. "I also considered seeing Lady Jaakuna for a bit later on to discuss a matter or two." During the course of Ten years, aside from his duties at the Thirteenth, he had at times checked in on his friends Kouei in Ninth and Danjūrō in Eighth. In between such times, the few times he was left to drown his thoughts in drink alone he had met a kindred soul in the form of Jaakuna from the Third Division. He had particular troubles that he learned she could relate to, perhaps more than anyone else he knew in the Gotei 13. In this, she had become his confidant, especially after particularly rough training sessions. He shook his head.
"Is there something in particular you would have us do Lieutenant?" Again with the formality. Those present were well aware it was not something done out of spite, nor was it a sign of passive aggression. No, the young Kuchiki was being completely genuine, not wanting to show any disrespect to Tomi in her station, and since the two never truly got to hang out together as much, he didn't wish to risk being overly familiar and thus, ignorantly disrespecting her or making her uncomfortable. His palms continued to throb and ache as he awaits orders, believing her to have some form of task for him if not both of
"Ah, hello Lieutenant." He sheathed his zanpakuto as he greeted her, his manner addressing her more formal than anything. Tomi had been busy since becoming the commanding officer of their squad, though he helped best he could when and where he could. He made sure to do his utmost to show his support, to ensure no one perceived there was any tension or bad blood between them regarding the change in their respective positions. He kept his hands hidden, ignoring their throb as he listened to her ask about their plans for the day.
"I've heard about that party. I've no intention of taking part in such a thing."
He flatly refuses to entertain the notion of attending that dinner, and gives no reason as to why. "I was planning on our regular training session, and afterwards perhaps a trip to Karakura Town to check on Zatoichi, making sure he's adapting well and maintaining his cover there." He pauses as if something was on his mind. "I also considered seeing Lady Jaakuna for a bit later on to discuss a matter or two." During the course of Ten years, aside from his duties at the Thirteenth, he had at times checked in on his friends Kouei in Ninth and Danjūrō in Eighth. In between such times, the few times he was left to drown his thoughts in drink alone he had met a kindred soul in the form of Jaakuna from the Third Division. He had particular troubles that he learned she could relate to, perhaps more than anyone else he knew in the Gotei 13. In this, she had become his confidant, especially after particularly rough training sessions. He shook his head.
"Is there something in particular you would have us do Lieutenant?" Again with the formality. Those present were well aware it was not something done out of spite, nor was it a sign of passive aggression. No, the young Kuchiki was being completely genuine, not wanting to show any disrespect to Tomi in her station, and since the two never truly got to hang out together as much, he didn't wish to risk being overly familiar and thus, ignorantly disrespecting her or making her uncomfortable. His palms continued to throb and ache as he awaits orders, believing her to have some form of task for him if not both of
GhoulBunny
Member
10 Years Ago
Ren Mikazuchi had always been an antsy person. It came with the territory of being the pink-haired girl. Restless energy lived under her skin, making it impossible to sit still for long, especially when something felt off. That feeling only worsened the moment Baldy, their newly appointed Captain Commander, arrived at the barracks and asked to speak with Gyōja Kuchiki and Tomi Yume, the Lieutenants of Squad Thirteen.
It happened so suddenly that Ren did not even have time to say a word to Gyōja before he was gone. One moment he was there, the next he was being pulled away into a private meeting, leaving her behind with nothing but questions and a half-finished report.
She tried to focus. She really did.
“AGHHHHHHHH!”
The shout echoed through the room, freezing everyone in place as they turned to stare at her. No matter how long people spent around Ren Mikazuchi, they never truly adjusted to her dramatics.
“Uh… Mikazuchi?” a fellow officer asked as he approached, concern etched across his face. “Are you alright?”
“HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TA FOCUS WHEN BALDY TOOK PURPLE HEAD LIKE THAT?!”
Ren collapsed back into her chair, sending the parchment she was supposed to be finishing fluttering to the floor. The report was meant to be done by the time Gyōja returned, but the waiting was unbearable. The suspense gnawed at her nerves.
Some believed nearly dying would have changed her. Made her quieter. More serious. Instead, it seemed to have the opposite effect. Witnessing death so closely made her louder, more unfiltered, her emotions spilling out whether she meant them to or not. There was only one person who could rein her in even slightly, and that was Gyōja.
He was not just her friend. He was her mentor. Somehow, unbelievably, he had the patience of a saint when it came to her, and Ren could never be thankful enough for that. Even if she repaid him with constant headaches.
When Gyōja finally emerged from the meeting room, he was alone. That alone felt wrong. Ren had expected him and Tomi to come out together, and the sight of him by himself sent a quiet unease through her chest. Then he told her what happened.
He had stepped down as Lieutenant.
The knowledge hit harder than she expected, sparking anger she had nowhere to put. Gyōja deserved that title. He had earned it through every lesson, every moment he spent guiding her when no one else would. Even before Taro Date, the Captain of the Eleventh Division joined their fight Gyōja had done everything he could to lead. But at the same time, Tomi deserved it as well.
It made her furious.
But she said nothing. She was unseated, barely holding her own in battle, with no authority to protest. All she could feel was a heavy mix of sadness and anger for her friend, emotions she swallowed down without knowing what to do with them.
Present Day
“YOOOO PURPLE HEAD!”
Ren waved both arms as she jogged toward Gyōja, her voice cutting through the training grounds. Since the invasion, training sessions had become routine, and she had definitely called his name when she arrived. He just had not responded. Screaming usually fixed that problem.
Ren skidded to a stop and lifted a brow, turning her attention toward the other purple-haired presence nearby. Tomi Yume walked up to them. Ren liked her. Even though in a childish sense, in the beginning, she gave Tomi the cold shoulder because of Gyōja stepping down as Lieutenant. Showing loyalty to a friend. But that could only last so long. Tomi always allowed her some extra time to enjoy the things she loved in the world of the living and surprisingly trusted Ren enough to let her enjoy those things as long as she stayed out of trouble.
“Oh! Hiya, Tomi!”
The contrast between Gyōja’s respectful greeting and Ren’s casual one was almost comical.
Ren squinted, leaning forward to try and read the paper between Tomi’s fingers, but the words blurred together. Gyōja, however, seemed to recognize it instantly.
“A PARTYYYY HOW—”
“—HOW BORIN!” Ren laughed, coughing as she rubbed the back of her neck. She was not shy, but she would rather go to a party with someone she was comfortable around than go at all. Honestly, the World of the Living sounded far more appealing. There was a new comic out, and she was dying to get her hands on it.
“Yea, Lieu Lieu,” she said brightly, flashing a grin. “Tell us what you want us ta do! I’m really hopin’ it’s got somethin’ ta do with goin’ ta the World of the Living thoughhhhhh! LETS GO SEE ZATOICHIIII!”
From Central Seireitei
After covering a great distance, using Shunpo multiple times, Taro finally arrived at the barracks of 13th Division. The last time he was here it was devastated by the Arrancar attack with its members scuttering about like roaches when a light turns on. He can’t tell if things have changed from the outside but he honestly doesn’t care, he is here for a singular purpose and that purpose is to spread the truth. This was a day that was going to come eventually, the ascension of a Shihoin to the rank of Captain Commander moved things up on the Date time table. As of right now, Taro is no longer acting out of self interest, he is but a Cog in the Date machine.
The plans of the Date are simple, at this point, fill the void left by the Shiba clan. With one of the four greats gone it makes sense that another clan steps up to replace them. The Kasumioji clan is the only clan in position to take the spot, however, they have been rather silent and inactive since the Civil War. Reasons why is unknown, but with that said the Date would have ensured they remained quiet, unless they want the Soul Society to know the sort of items they have been creating in secret. The Date clan does not have to strong arm anyone to get what they want, that is their secondary method. No, they use blackmail, they use their secrets against them as weapons and thanks to the Civil War the power of these secrets have snowballed in terms of strength.
Using these secrets they will pull themselves out of the shadows of these “Great” clans and establish themselves as their equal. The first move they are making is small, but will spread like black ink in clear water. By telling a random Kuchiki about the true fate of their clan, that it was not culled by a former Commander but instead by order of the Tsunayashiro and Shihoin, will cause a domino effect, a chain reaction of events. If both clans wish to show the Soul Society that they have changed they will admit to what happened, and open their records to the Kuchiki. In conjunction with this the Date will dangle more of their secrets in their face and reveal to them that it was the four clans that divided the Soul King into fragments, those same fragments which returned to assault the Seireitei eons later, fragments they have no way of locating outside of waiting for a Fullbringer to spring up.
Applying this level of pressure will allow the Date to take a seat amongst them, in exchange for keeping their secrets safe, as they have for eons. This is not a plan that was concocted over the past ten years, no, it began nearly over hundred years ago when The Great Degradation began, when the Great Clans began grasping for a bit too much tangible power. Now, today, in the Thirteenth Division Barracks, Taro seeks to knock down the first domino.
Taro has developed enough of a reputation for the other Shinigami not to bother him when he is in another barracks, people give him his space and do not question what he is looking for. Scanning through the Division he began his search for Gyoja in the training areas of the barracks, stopping at each one, one by one. He assumed he would be honing his strength, if he finds Gyoja idling around the Kuchiki will find himself at Fourth Division recovering from injuries. He finally finds him, surrounded by his Lieutenant Cog and some other welp. He approaches the trio and glances at the other two briefly.
Taro typically only threatens to harm people, but for him to threaten to outright kill is another matter altogether. He looks at Gyoja, sensing his Reiryoku and chuckles.
TherosAestas
Member
The difference in the way her subordinates addressed her elicited a chuckle from the lieutenant. Tomi knew it took Ren a while to warm up to her after the Kuchiki stepped down but she didn’t hold that against her. She rather enjoyed the loyalty they had to one another, it reminded her of how ride or die she’d been with her brother. However, she was glad that Ren now felt comfortable enough to address her solely by her name. There was no need for Gyoja to be so formal with her but she supposed she hadn’t had a chance to reassure him of that. She’d hoped he would have realized her never correcting Ren meant she had no qualms with them calling her by her name rather than her rank. Perhaps she simply had to give him permission herself, and there was no better time than the present.
”You can just call me Tomi, Gyoja. I may be a lieutenant but I’m no more important than the rest of our division.”
Both of their reactions to the invitation told her all she needed to know. Though she suspected that had it been a normal party that Ren would have been more than ecstatic to attend. However she would take them at their word as she waved away the thought of the dinner party and slipped the invitation into her obi.
”I had intended for us to train today, but seeing as how Zatoichi departed before I could tell him, I think we will make today a Karakura day.”
Her painted lips stretched into a bright smile. This was most definitely a selfish decision because she was craving the freedom of walking amongst the living. A freedom she wouldn’t be afforded as often as she once was. Her hand came to rest gently on his shoulder as she offered another smile. Her mind immediately wandered to the bankai training. She’d wanted to recommend Gyoja for it, but wasn’t allowed to as a lieutenant. Perhaps she would find herself in the presence of their captain commander once more and make a case for him. Or perhaps she would just force that chance encounter.
”We can train when we return.”
Before she could say anything more her lilac gaze shifted in the direction of the presence of a captain on the hunt within the walls of her division. Her fingers flexed against Gyoja’s shoulder almost imperceptibly as the smug Date appeared before them. She’d never had the displeasure of meeting the man herself, but she’d certainly heard about him. As he called both her and Ren cogs, her eyes narrowed and her demeanor shifted, but she would remain respectful for now. As he dismissed them, she simply bowed and responded, her jaw clenched:
”Of course, Captain Date.”
Her hand slipped away from Gyoja’s shoulder as her arm fluidly hooked around Ren’s. She offered her a reassuring smile. If the Date wanted them out of ear shot then that was where they would be. However, she would not let them out of her line of sight.
”Ren, I wish to discuss something with you in my office.”
She expertly steered the younger shinigami toward and into her office, closing the door behind them, but she made sure to keep the blinds open to the window that overlooked the courtyard. Her eyes narrowed once more as she observed their exchange.
”What can you tell me about Captain Date, Ren?”
GhoulBunny
Member
Ren was in high spirits. It felt like everything was finally coming together, and if the cards played right, she’d have the comic she’d been hunting down in her hands before she knew it. She could almost smell the bookstore already.
Of course, things never really went the young girl’s way.
The hairs on her arms stood on end the moment she noticed a familiar presence entering the training grounds. The creepy riding-fish Captain. Even though she knew his name was Taro Date, that was all he’d ever be to her. The last time she remembered this asshole, he’d been talking down about Gyōja. They’d been in the middle of a battle back then, and she’d been too far away to do anything about it.
But she remembered it. Clearly. She hadn’t said anything then. Ten years changed a lot, though. And she wasn’t scared of him anymore.
“Make yourself scarce, Cogs. I have something important to say to this Kuchiki Cog. Out-of-earshot levels of scarce, because if you hear what I have to tell him, I will kill you.”
Cogs?
What did he just call her?
Anger flared instantly as she glared up at the Captain.
“Still the same wet, weak dog you were ten years ago. Maybe with—”
“Is he a captain or a bully?” she muttered under her breath, eyes narrowing.
Screw respect. Gyōja was one of the strongest people she knew. How dare this… this asshole talk to him like that? Wasn’t he a captain? Wasn’t he supposed to lift people up instead of calling them failures to their face?
How can she do this is the most respectful way possible?
“Floating Fish Sir, Purple Head is not weak. He’s been working really hard,” she snapped. “And I’m not a Cog… whatever the hell that is—”
“Ren. I wish to discuss something with you in my office.”
Ren didn’t notice the looks thrown her way. To everyone else, she probably looked insane. The Captain had just threatened to kill anyone who didn’t leave, and here she was talking back to him without a shred of fear.
Was today the day Ren Mikazuchi finally died?
Shockingly, it wasn’t.
Tomi moved quickly, whisking her away before things could get worse. Normally, Ren would’ve thrown a fit, but she’d said what she needed to say. She didn’t want to drag Gyōja into more trouble. Instead, she pouted, letting the purple-haired woman guide her toward the office.
She glanced back once, unease settling deep in her stomach as she looked at Gyōja and the Captain left behind.
What did he want?
And why couldn’t he say it in front of Tomi, at least?
“What can you tell me about Captain Date, Ren?”
Ren blinked. Once. Twice. Three times.
What could she even say? She didn’t pay much attention to anything outside her own Division. Between nonstop training and the obscene amount of comics she read daily, she barely had time to care about anything else.
Then her eyes lit up.
“uhhhhhh….he rides a huge floating fish?”
She paused. Then sighed.
Everyone probably knew that already. Blurting it out didn’t exactly help.
“Zilch. Nada. Not much,” she admitted. “I kinda wish I did now that he’s here messin’ with Purple Head. I wish I could be more helpful… I just know he is down right rude. What the hell is a Cog?”
Nobody
Member
Gyōja stared towards Ren and Tomi, the three of them made up the cornerstone of the Thirteenth Division, something Ren may disagree with given how new she was. Still, in the short time she has been with them, she has displayed courage to face an enemy far stronger than herself, trust in her squad mate whom as far as she was concerned, she barely knew, and lived to be able to tell the tale.
"Understood Lieutenant Tomi."
Despite her giving permission to speak casually it seemed too tall a task for the Kuchiki. Perhaps his familial roots were dug far too deep in the young man, perhaps he was still broken, fractured from his own perceived ineptitude. He listens as Tomi informs them on her intentions for group training, or rather her previous intentions.
"Actually, I think training would be be-"
He stops mid-speech, frozen like a deer in headlights. He swallows as a bead of sweat travels down his face from his brow. He was familiar with the owner of this reiatsu, far more than either of the other two were. Captain Date, it was him who saved them from perhaps certain death, as well as the one who's haunted the Kuchiki's every waking moment during his training sessions. It was as if the ink fish of the Captain were nipping at his heels, pushing him to train harder, longer.
Gyōja slowly turns to face the Captain. His face bears a mixture of emotions, confusion, shock, anticipation. Captain Date was there to see him specifically? Not only that, but he had something important to discuss with him? His brain was racing with what it was that was so important, and not only that but could the Captain tell how hard he had been training and pushing himself?
His body immediately tenses. He unconsciously held his breath as the weight of the Captain's words landed heavy on him. 'Still the same wet, weak dog you were ten years ago.' The words continued to echo in his mind, stuck on replay again and again. His pulse began to race, while within the confines of his inner world Aojūkiri raged like a caged beast. Gyōja couldn't believe it, despite all his efforts it amounted to nothing..nothing. He had accomplished nothing in ten years, he hadn't grown stronger at all. He hung his head down, a shadow cast over his eyes.
Ren may as well had been a mute or he deaf, her every word to his defense unregistered by the Kuchiki, still frozen in place, the beast within him, his inner repressed instincts clawing for freedom.
While Ren may have been ignorant of the danger of the Captain of Eleventh, Tomi was not. Whisking away the young soul the grounds were now clear of all but Captain Date and Gyōja. It is only after they left that he slightly raises his head, lifeless eyes barely staring ahead.
"Sir..."
He stands before the Captain, acknowledging his presence and standing ready to hear what the Date had to tell him.
Taro scoffs, almost laughing because despite everything he has just said to the Kuchiki he only has a singular defeated phrase to say to him. He leans his neck to the left and right, cracking it both times before bearing his teeth with a most sinister grin.
Taro shakes his head, playing it up as if he truly believed his own words. He opens his eyes to look at Gyoja properly.
The Truth
He lets this hang in the air for a moment, to merely see, not gauge, Gyoja’s reaction to these words. He wants to feed off of the raw, negative, emotion that may be born from hearing such a thing.
Taro Date is an antagonist through and through, so much so he is wishing Gyoja would lash out at him just to remind him how he and his clan are as powerless as ever. Taro places his hands behind his back and begins pacing in circles around the Shinigami. It feels so freeing to tell someone such a secret, to dig up the truth and show it to someone else who doesn’t know it. But Taro is not finished, he has more to say to the young man.
Taro stops pacing, now keeping his back to Gyoja and remaining silent to let more of this information seep into his mind. He does not repeat himself and certainly Gyoja knows better than to make him repeat himself for any reason.
He turns to face Gyoja properly now, his ever present smirk on his face but his eyes are wide open.
With that Taro leaves via Shunpo, not sparing a moment for Gyoja to retort, not that he could, given all he was just told. In Taro’s place remained a small effigy, a wood carving of what seemed to be a right hand, curled into a soft fist, on the back of this hand was a singular eye. Perhaps this tool is used to call upon the Date when he needs them or maybe it is a badge to show his new connections. Only time will tell what it truly is. With his task complete Taro sends out a Jigoku kuishinbō to his clan to let them know the first Domino has fallen. Things are now set in motion that cannot be undone. While there may be peace on the battlefield there is a war raging within the political sphere of the Soul Society that will affect all tied to nobility.
To Southwest Seireitei: 11th Division Barracks