Southwest Seireitei

[Nobody]

SSSSSssssss​

" You kinds of Shinigami make me SICK!"​

The bumbling green haired oafs voice of disapproval drowns out the ever so feint distant hissing. Even in his uncouth manner in trying to over speak his better, Kishō seems unperturbed. Before it would have been an annoyance worthy of crippling the man, however he had more important things to deal with now. The situation had been so extremely volatile mere moments before and now it seemed that the worst of it was over. The oaf had trotted off like the hapless beast he was.
​

"I apologize for the delay, miss Kuwashii. I hope you are alright and the whole ordeal didn't shake you too much."​

Secured in their ignorance, one mongrel, THE mongrel begins placating another. As always the man works to wield both words and reiatsu as he addresses the lowly little blue haired thing. With Shizukana wishing them a fair well she along with Kishō make their way away from the area.

Thud

The sound of something loud landing on the ground disturbs the peace that had finally found this place, drawing the eyes and attention of those in the area. The sound stemmed from the very same area the Date had casually glanced towards while allowing Shizukana to address her subordinates. The distant wall behind the mongrel of a Vice Captain where previously had only a single glowing ring, now a hole matching its diameter existed in its stead. The glow within the hole was as if something super heated and circular had been used to carve it or perhaps punch through it.

Kishō however continues to walk towards where the Captain of the Tenth awaited. While he had no desire or intentions of speaking with the man, he would briefly accommodate the woman who seemed intent on speaking there in his presence.

As the members of the Tenth Division perhaps investigate the hole burned through their wall, perhaps the girl may very well notice it before the man himself, that like the wall something was amiss with him as well. Speaking of course, of her Lieutenant.

PLOP

Like the wall that had previously been positioned behind him as he faced down the Date, a hole now existed in the Vice Captain of the Tenth Division. The man, as far as Kishō was concerned had provoked him one time too many. Previously, as Kazuki had gripped his blade perceiving the Date to be preparing to strike him before disengaging upon the arrival of the Fifth Division Captain was unaware that what she had prevented was not his attack, but rather a second one.

Kishō's actions appeared as a drawl, slow and methodical not from him taking his time to attack the man. No, in reality it was as if Kazuki was watching the Date's image catching up with his actions. In this case it was Kishō pulling Mōshoishi from his side, thrusting the sheathed Zanpakutō towards Kazuki's right side, the very force ensuring that it passed through the man and reached well behind him towards the distant wall, retracting his arm to deliver another thrust, one that would have been aimed towards his lower left side next had Shizukana not arrived.

Due to the very nature of the man's Shikai, Kishō is not only a master swordsman, but a master at thrusting techniques as well. It is also his super heated reiatsu that has caused not only the wall to have a lingering glow left behind from the thrusting attack, but what also ensured that the Vice-Mongrel's wound was cauterized concurrently with its creation. Though a master swordsman himself, perhaps out of ignorance, perhaps it was lack of ability, or maybe even lapse of judgement. Whatever the reason, the Lieutenant seemed as if he was unable to follow the movements of the very man he detested, otherwise why else would the man had remained in the very trajectory of the attack?​

---

With all this transpiring Kishō, Shizukana and perhaps her lackeys have reached their destination into the balcony area. The Captain moves to take her seat with Kishō standing in the doorway, his arms resting behind him as he quietly watches her.
​

“Right then, Captain Izanagi our guests have arrived.”​

Kishō still maintains his silence, offering no greeting to the Captain hosting them, let alone showing or offering any remorse or words of consolation for the disturbance his presence has caused. No, it was as if Izanagi didn't even exist in this moment to the man. As if in his stead, Shizukana addresses Izanagi, informing him that the Date had come specifically to see her.
​

“Now, then. How can I help you?”​

.
.
.
For a moment, the Date says nothing, staring at the female Captain before him as if studying some small creature.

"During the incident regarding the Wrathful Shiba, it is purported that you had a hand along with your fellow coat wearer, in driving the Shiba into his many crimes."


The Date begins by bringing up a past incident, seemingly picking at a wound that had yet to fully heal. Had he come merely to mock her for some strange and random reason? Certainly not, while the Date can be mocking in nature, with Kishō being no exception to the rule, it is always natural. A mere byproduct in how they speak, they are not ones to go out their way to seek and mock others for the sake of doing it.


"However, you and your cohort were not deemed co-conspirators to the criminals actions despite your foolishness. Moving on, you went on an excursion to Hueco Mundo two years ago."


Kishō continues, this time bringing up her trip to the land of hollows, the trip immediately prior to her comatose state.


"Your actions once before have compromised the wellbeing of the Seireitei, and upon your return you fall into a coma for two years. Shizukana Kurayami, what did you contract in the land of hollows...what did you bring back with you from Hueco Mundo."


He locks eyes onto the woman, his tone never shifting, his voice never rising as he speaks.


"I ask you, have you once again, potentially placed the Seireitei in danger because of your ignorance?"


Having been curious why Kishō had gone out his way to see her when he had yet to do so any other time in the past, it would seem Shizukana now had her answer. As a member of the Ninth Division, their responsibility is the protection of the Seireitei as its main security force. Kishō has come within the role of the Seireitei's protector to determine if Shizukana is a liability, a danger requiring him to protect the Seireitei from her.


As always, his approach comes off as rude and disrespectful and very much accusatory. These are things he is either ignorant of or does not care about. He stands before her to fulfill his duty, regardless of her popularity, and in spite of her position as a Captain of the Gotei 13.

 

[Inkmasterru]

​

---

The smell of burning flesh and cloth will waft into Kazuki's nose as a familiar feeling will once more plague his body. The absence of his right arm and this time the absence of his right chest. His eyes will wander over to see that once more his arm was gone and now a good chunk of his right torso. An attack that has gone unnoticed or rather an attack he knew was coming and he did... nothing. He staggered in his step, but remained standing. His face stoic, his expression showing no sign from reacting to the torrent of pain that bombarded his body.

He knew that he was dealing with a Date, but now he KNEW what lines they would cross to attain what they desired. They would go as far to slaughter their own comrades to sate their rage, not just Taro, but all Date. It was clear that Kazuki was too soft in believing civility and order existed in all shinigami. Something snapped in Kazuki's mind as forever his perspective of shinigami and the gotei 13 as a whole shifted. Kisho was no longer shinigami, Taro was no longer shinigami ... the title striped from their being. He was now, nothing but impure, next time Kazuki will not hesitate to cut him down where he stands. No more words, no more mercy, impures are to stand down or be punished. Now to Kazuki, they were no different to hollows or rather Arrancars. Now the seireitei was a battlefield, kill or be killed. You are either strong or you are not, the impure to either stand down or to be cut down.

"I am sorry Shin'ichi... I can't be the shinigami you were. You were the purest one of them all, a true shinigami, if only everyone was like you. To restore the soul society, I am afraid my soul must be tainted as well as my convictions. The soul society must cleansed of the impure."​

---

160 years ago

A little kid was running in the streets as a gang of ruffians chased him. Blood tricked down his forehead, flicking off into the air as he dashed down corridors. Left, right, left, he turned to shake off his pursuers. Yet they held on until the young child found himself cornered. Nowhere to go, no where to run as the five ruffians chuckled while out of breath.

"No... where... to run, ya brat. Now... why don't you hand over that Asauchi, doesn't belong in the hands of a welp. It belongs in the hands of someone strong, it's power is wasted on you."

The child feral, growled as he clasped tight to the asauchi. His animal eyes staring down at the ones wanting to take it from him. This child revealed to be young Kazuki. The blade still too big to wielded by the young child properly. Yet that didn't stop him as he held that sheathed blade before him. Making the bandit laugh as they lowered their clubs.

"And what do you think ya doing there, brat? You think you can beat all of us?"

The leader shook his head in dismay.

"Should have just gave us the Asauchi. Would have saved you a lot of pain, now we have to beat ya senseless."

Then they would feel it, the clamping of jaws on their throats. Fear will claim their hearts as they started to panic. All five will break into a sweat as they clasped their throats, gaze flickering to search for the source of the threat. With at least two eyes off of Kazuki, the boy will disappear and reappear behind as his asauchi smacked hard on the back of the neck. A audible crack of the spine breaking as the bandit collapsed and begun foaming at the mouth. Then moved to another, striking at the back of the knee, before spinning around to smack the bandit in the mouth. Teeth shattering as the mouth crumpled in and the fragments soared outwards. The man falling on his back, choking on his blood and teeth.

Before Kazuki could get another, he was kicked in the stomach while midair as he flew back. Tumbling on the ground, before quickly springing up into a crouch. Slowly standing as he spit blood from his mouth and stared down the bandits. His reiatsu growing slowly, the fear clutching the survivor's hearts, one dire wolf appariting by his side as it growled.

No words were spoken, but the message was clear. I may go down, but you are going down with me, I WILL KILL YOU. The eyes dull and empty, no humanity behind them, none at all.

---

For a spit second, the bandit considered a pressing attack. After all, there was still three of them, they were grown men! It was only a child... they can... take... they can... The leader looked at the spasming of one comrade and the still body of the other. Choked to death from his teeth and the blood that filled his airways. One step back was all that was needed, before all three ran for their lives. The moment Kazuki felt that they were gone, he released his reiatsu. Staggering in his step as it took almost all his strength. Slowly he shambled to the wall and begun to climb. Moving to the rooftop as he sat down, knees tight to his chest as he looked at the Seireitei off in the distance.

Something that was far out of reach, but constantly on his mind. His eyes glued to the structure illuminated by the setting sun as words wisped outward.

"I haven't forgot, Shin'ichi, I will repay you. It's my asauchi... you gave it to me, no-one will take it from me. Just a little more... I haven't forgot, I will become a Shinigami like you."

Over and over Kazuki muttered these words like a mantra, until he fell asleep. Asauchi clasped tight to his chest as he dreamed about nothing. Pure darkness until morning comes along and the day will start anew.​

---

Present

Kazuki's head was pounding from the pain, his mind flicking from conscious to unconscious. Yet he held on as his head slowly turned to look at Kisho with malice. Slowly was dying the current Kazuki as he was shifting back to who was in the Rukongai. A merciless killer, who fought for his own survival. Quickly was unraveling all the values that tamed the white wolf of the east rukongai, that made him a loyal Shinigami. Order did not matter, civility did not matter, rank did not matter, the only thing that mattered was... strength.

His eyes tunnel visioned as he searched for his arm, finding it charred at bicep. Still clutching at his zanpakuto tightly. With a swift stomp at his own wrist, the fingers loosened and he picked up his zanpakuto. Bringing it to his teeth as his jaws clenched on the handle. Ready to draw, ready to CUT DOWN KISHO. CLEANSE THE IMPURE, KILL!!!

Then a single feather fell on his nose and Kazuki snapped out of it. His head catching view of a little tern flying and chirping before him. the only fragment left by Shin'ichi as he felt Kyoki Chizuki embrace him from behind. His teeth releasing his zanpakuto as it slowly returned to his sash. The little tern happily landing on his shoulder as it continued to sing in his ear. A lullaby to quell Kazuki and return him to his senses.

Kitoku Shin'ichi... was a hopeful fool. Not even a seated officer, just a regular shinigami in the 10th. No achievements or merits to his name, never taking credit for his deeds and always helping everyone he could. He wasn't even strong, of average spiritual pressure, yet when Kazuki first became a shinigami... when he asked of him...

"Oh Kitoku? Yea, he once helped me when I sprained my foot. Carried me on his back and everything."

"That guy, he's pretty weak, but I always enjoyed sparring with him. He is always ready for training, I always saw great potential in him."

"He covered for me when I forgot my zanpakuto. Man if it wasn't for him, I would have been in big trouble."

"He saved us, when we were still fresh from the academy. It landed him in the infirmary for weeks, but we never forgot Shin'ichi senpai."

Kazuki became a shinigami to replace the man that he stole from everyone. If he becomes like everyone else... if he becomes like the Date... then the memory of Shin'ichi will be forever dead. Then he realized something, if he moved... if he dodged... Kuwashii will have been hit instead of him. Smiling he placed his left hand and ruffled her hair. His voice slightly harrowed by the condition of his body.

"I am sorry, miss Kuwashii. Looks like our training will have to wait. I am glad you are safe."

Picking up his arm, he will begin to walk towards the exit.

"I apologize Captain Kurayami, Captain Izanagi. I am afraid I may be out of commission for a while, but not for long. I will return to continue my duties."

Then looking at Kisho, Kazuki will smile. Out of the reactions or expressions that Kazuki could of thrown his way, it was a grin. And that probably would have pissed him off more than anything. In his mind Kisho was still branded Impure, but now he was also worthless. Not worth a thought, nothing but a bully.

As he stumbled the members of the division rushed to their lieutenant without hesitation. Faces of worry about his condition, faces of relief that he was alive and faces of anger at Kisho for what he has done. Yet one thing was clear...

Kisho will forever be alone and when he is dying and loses worth. There will be none to mourn him, no one, especially those of his Clan. While Kazuki will be forever immortal through those he earned the loyalty of. Even in death, He will live on.

HEADING TO THE NORTHEAST SEIREITEI (4TH BARRACKS)​

 

[Inkmasterru]

As Kazuki shambled off to the fourth division with the aid of a few subordinates. As Jushiro prepared tea for the guests and Kisho was about to interogate Captain Kurayami. A single ring of the Denreishinki will pierce the air with it's sound.

First one, then another and another as the whole barracks was consumed by the cacophony of ringing. Every single member of the tenth receiving a message. The moment they would read it, news would spread like wild-fire through the barracks as everyone dropped what they were doing and rushed to their positions. Their expressions stotic as they rushed in rank and file to the seikaimon. Ignoring the events that has just transpired, focused on what their duty of the tenth was.

"This is not a drill! Everyone move out, spread the news! The day is upon us, move it move it!"

No fear, no hesitation, they prepared for this. They will defend Naruki City and defeat the arrancar invasion or die trying.

Soon the captain and lieutenant will receive the same message. One that they both came up with, to be used when the supposed invasion is upon them. A code easily to write, even when on the verge of death.

CODE: GLUTTONY

A code referencing the warning, the arrancar Estarossa threw towards the four shinigami there that day. Kazuki tisked, but there was nothing he can do, he was injuried. A mistake the Kisho will come to regret as now he was left at mercy of Captain Izanagi.

This arrogant Date in his anger, injuried one of Izanagi's strongest subordinates at a critical emergency? That won't do... how will the captain proceed with this grave issue?
​

 

[LucianRedgrave]

Despite all the commotion amidst the interaction between their collective departure and Kazuki coming to realize what had actually befell him the moment they decided they were going to join the captains meeting. He knew all too well what combat was really like. This impromptu scuffle between tenth division and Kisho proved to merely be a drop in the bucket. Oyuki often wondered how people couldn’t see the looming threat of another on the horizon when faced with a potential suitor for combat. Even as they came to be seated amongst the captain’s Oyuki’s sense of an ennui was apparent, his captain was well known for her ability to fall asleep at the drop of a dime, yet Oyuki seemed to be on the verge of joining her in such an endeavor. He never had a problem being amongst these kind of interactions but today was turning out to be quite the special case. Kazuki, foolishly standing in the path of a roaring blaze, Kisho showing just why the Date carried such pride, and moreover why Oyuki was so unamused by the entirety of the interaction. He was craving something a bit more exhilarating from the day as a whole despite his return from Hueco Mundo. His breath was heavy with each passing moment, soothing his body into a sense of chilling calm as things began to unfold in the meeting. Kisho’’s interrogation was just as swift as the wind as he promptly addressed captain Kurayami. However, just as his interrogation began to unfold and everything became more apparent as to why he was so adamant about seeing the captain of the fifth division, a sense of alarm leapt from the depths of the tenth division. The sound of shouting amongst its division members was apparent now that Kazuki was being tended to.

Oyuki was still standing by the time the alarm had gone full circle. His boredom now fleeting as things began to unfold he could sense the tenths division scurrying like rodents to find their burrow as even his cold eyes seemed to fill with flecks of life. As far as Oyuki was concerned they were ill prepared even though winter prompted animals to prepare for its arrival. How was this any different? The fervor that filled the air of the tenth division was surely one to fix their mistakes of the past as things began to unfold. Oyuki no sooner took a step closer to his own captain not intending to give Kisho the impression of interrupting or even perceiving him as a threat. The two of them were likely the calm before the storm in regards to the very power they wielded seconded likely only by those of a status quo above their own. They were the fangs the many shinigami kept to themselves in hopes of maintaining the fragile balance that was the very spiritual world. Oyuki’s words were soft and yet even in the presence of Jushiro’s himself they carried a heavy steam to them. The difference in temperature from Oyuki’s presence alone seems unwavering in the face of his ability to control temperature itself.

“I’ll see that you don’t have to sully your hands…”[/b] His voice a cold caress to captain Kurayami’s ear as he spoke. His image no sooner gone in a flurry of motion, his form becoming a subtle smudge on the air itself as if wiped away by an artist's thumb.

The members of tenth division would likely already be on their way to opening a senkaimon in hopes of bridging the gap between realms. However Oyuki didn’t stop to wait for them to clutch their pearls and pull their proverbial shit together in order for him to make his way to the world of the living. Even as he danced throughout the crowd of hustling shinigami in order to make his way to fifth division he could pick out the subtle details of the situation at hand. Each face passing by as the chill of winter touched their very being upon his departure. He had come to the conclusion that it was a necessary evil that he arrived in Naruki city amidst all the commotion. His gaze seemed to soften his approach to the fifth division. His own subordinates falling to a single knee upon his arrival their gaze just as intense as the passion Oyuki carried for the idea of combat.

”Lieutenant Oyuki! You’re back so soon?”[/b] Oyuki’s gaze shifted down to his subordinates before he spoke again the ever present chill encroaching on their forms causing them to shiver. “ I’m going to Naruki city..” his words were cold and his gaze sharp as they looked between one another. He could tell they weren’t exactly sure what they should do as the world of the living wasn’t their jurisdiction. His brow furrowed and he spoke once more like a stern father “Open it.” In the end they would do so with a practiced urgency yet they seemed to be so collected in doing so. By the time they Opened the bridge that would inevitably connect the fifth division with the world of the living he was sure that the other divisions would be dispatching their own soldiers to handle the impending invasion to come. The very structure of the world the arrancar had come to know as their feeding grounds was about to change in its entirety.


[Location: 10TH DIVISION >>>> Naruki City]
​

 

[Hyoroshi Iwamura]

---

Iwamura heard the loud thud behind him, smelled the wretched stench of charred flesh as he ascended into the Tenth's barracks. It was a pungency he was well-acquainted with, well enough to discern that it was a clean burn; Kazuki's wounds were seared over as quickly as they were blown open, a small mercy--an unwilful mercy, no doubt--but a tick of grace, nonetheless. Such platitudes were similarly seared into Hyoroshi's head, a reminder of the fact that until about two months ago he too had been fighting for survival in Hueco Mundo, his coat growing in sanguine and his soul flooded with a strange anguish he had only experienced once before, a passive sort that only thrust its blades after the adrenaline dried and full power of mind returned. At times Oyuki's howling, gelid aura had been at his back as they settled the treachery around them, a perfect complement to Iwamura's suffocating hellfire...yet from the beginning he'd detected that there was something more insipid in his Lieutenant going on, something that went beyond even his relentless, unfeeling behavior in battle. It seemed as though Oyuki viewed the affair as a mere game of predator and prey, wholly disinterested in the tormenting remorse that had fueled Iwamura's every swing of Yoake no Taii.

Approaching the table that already housed Jushiro, Iwamura briefly glanced at Oyuki. He considered the walking ice cube his blood brother in multiple respects of the term, a fellow survivor of a sort of Hell. As the only one capable of withstanding his frostiness, perhaps the only one capable of thawing through, such had become Iwamura's objective upon his own return from Hueco Mundo.

Iwamura's attention shifted to Kishō. As the one bringing up the rear of the quartet, he could not tear the simmering disgust on his face from the back of the Date's skull. The vitriol in his veins threatened to bleed into his Reiatsu, but a slow blink and an exhale was enough to quell his righteous indignation. He had taken his position at Shizukana's left flank. No sooner had he settled in when chaos began to erupt, first with the chainsaw that was Kishō's rending inquiry.

"Now hold on, what's your basis..."

Hyoroshi started with a glare, opening his mouth to continue, but he managed to cut himself off. He found the Dates' tendencies detestable; though he knew its members were far from thoughtless, a quality that made them three-dimensional fiends, they were still Shinigami. There was, at the very least, a blunt honesty in Kishō's words.

Iwamura was about to speak up again when a nervous rush swept through the barracks that prickled the hairs on his neck. All around the group was a storm of Shinigami clambering for their stations and preparations, and Iwamura picked up on why. His eyes widened with the news.

"Captain!" Hyoroshi, thoughts rocketing, spun to Shizukana as Oyuki vanished from the scene. "There's a chance they're hitting more than just Naruki City. I'm heading to Karakura Town to provide support."

His lips pursed right then, and he brought his Captain into a short hug.

"I question Kishō Date's delivery, though his concerns aren't entirely unfounded. I'm not sure we ever pinpointed what exactly put you under in the first place. Regardless of what you talk about from here, it might be wise if you checked in with the Fourth or Twelfth."

Iwamura stepped back and bowed to both Izanagi and Kishō. Before vanishing with Shunpo, a final remark left his bittersweetened face:

"I'm happy you're back, Shizukana."

---

Hyoroshi arrived to the Fifth's Barracks in a matter of minutes, opting for the tight-knit cohesion of his fellow compatriots to sling him where he needed to go. Lingering tongues of Oyuki's frost glanced his lupine nose as he strode inside; where the group dropped in teeth-clattering respect of the Lieutenant, a wave of warmth spread throughout the main hall that swelled their hearts and brought them to a collective bow for the Third Seat.

"At ease, everyone!" Iwamura pronounced as he strode to the opened bridge. The division watched him at attention.

"I know Oyuki's headed to Naruki City, but I have my suspicion that that's not the only location being attacked. The Hollows don't pull their punches, so I'm headed to Karakura Town to check on the situation and provide support if needed. For all of you--recalibrate for Karakura, then standby for Captain Kurayami's orders when she returns! She's in a meeting at the Tenth at the moment, but she'll be gone for a while longer at either the Fourth or Twelfth to verify her condition."

"Yes, sir!"

Several of his division-mates had already rerouted the gateway by the time Iwamura finished his announcement. Exhaling, he turned around with a hand on the pommel of his Zanpakutō. A heavy foreboding was starting to settle upon his shoulders as he stepped through to the Human World.​

 

[Adonai]

*THUD*

Eyes widen with horror as the Lieutenant approaches her, speaking casually despite the grievous wound he has. Is her Lieutenant a monster who can shrug off such an injury or does he not know of its existence? Furthermore, when did Kisho strike!? She saw him drawing his blade then retracting it, what could he have done in those few moves to leave such an injury? Kuwashii is no master or expert of Zanjutsu so the technique of Onibi is lost to her entirely. As Kazuki is taken away to the Fourth Division she remains standing, idle and silent looking at where he was and then to the location where Kisho was. Everyone was scattering, alerts going off about Hollows attacking the human world. These individuals are so used to combat that they don’t think twice about what just happened and hurry off to fulfill their duties. Her eyes look towards the ground, scanning it for some semblance of understanding, she finds nothing. Her Denreishinki continues to ring and she continues to ignore it.

She paces over to the hole made by the Date man, the searing heat left by it is obvious upon approach, but searing heat is something the girl is familiar with. She places her hand on the cooling ring, looking back to where Kisho had been standing, then back to the ring.

”What was it that he had told me… Something, something, true to its nature…”

She tries to remember a lecture Otokogi gave at the academy, one of the rare days where he didn’t feel like teaching in a traditional way but instead chose to speak about personal experiences instead. The lesson had been lost deep in her psyche for a long time until today, seeing how everyone was so tense and ultimately doing nothing, or so she assumed. That man, that Date, did do something. He put an end to the building hostility by striking first and with how everyone dispersed it seemed like the tension had been lifted. She walks away from the hole in the wall and over to where her Lieutenant had been standing. Kazuki is strong, strong of mind and strong of will, to face down someone like Kisho who was, for the most part, a walking volcano. He sensed this man was hostile, that he could erupt at any moment and he still chose to stand up to him and against him. Her phone continues to ring, and she still ignores it.

”Something about a tempest…”

She mumbles to herself as she now stands where Kisho stood, looking forward to seeing the trajectory of the attack he used. She thinks and tries to mimic his stance, it is shoddy at best since it is not a stance she uses at all but she wants to understand. She draws her blade, not fully, but enough to imitate Kisho. She tilts her head, still unable to understand how he did what he did, was it Reiatsu based? A silly question, yes, she knows that the heat isn’t natural but she questions if the technique is inherently unique to Kisho, if it is something all Shinigami can learn, or is it both. Being both in the sense that anyone can learn the technique but Kisho put his own twist on it. As she grapples with the intricacies of this technique she has never seen her mind split off to another thought, if she could perhaps use her flames in a similar manner, combining them with the very few techniques she knows.

”True to its nature…”

The words Otokogi spoke that day in class are becoming more and more clear to her. She stops trying to mimic Kisho’s stance, understanding that what happened was beyond her understanding anyway. Her heart begins to pound, some sense of excitement building within her, she is on the cusp of understanding something by remembering a lesson. She squeezes her fist tightly, trying to remember and like a moment of euphoria it returns. Her eyes widen as the memory replays in her head like a recording…

---

Some Time Ago…

”Now, answer me this, class. Is a tempest inherently evil? Does it act out of evil intent?”

The class collectively says no in response to his question.

”Ah, but you see a tempest destroys buildings, takes human lives. Families torn apart. Loved ones are lost and some people can never recover, never return to their way of living for the rest of their lives. Long term physical, emotional, and mental damage can be done by a tempest sweeping in and destroying all in its wake. Now, I ask again. Is a tempest inherently evil, does it act out of evil intent?”

The class is silent, grappling with the lesson, Kuwashii included. The majority answer yes, some shyly say no given the louder vocal majority and some remain silent, unsure of how to answer.

”I’m hoping those of you who answer thought about your answer critically and aren’t just agreeing with the loudest bunch or with your friends. The answer is no, the tempest is not evil, not in the slightest. That is what a tempest is, it is a destructive force of nature. Inherently we know this, just by looking at it we can surmise that it is bad. A primal feeling in our bones. We seek shelter from the tempest, defend ourselves against it because we know it is a force of destruction. A Tempest will be just that, a Tempest. Nothing more, nothing less. Not evil, nor good. So, the point of this conversation? Be what you are, be just that. It doesn’t have to be related to your Zanpakuto, or combat prowess, it can be a personality trait. Kindness, if you are kind, be just that.”

He puts his arms behind his back, pacing for a moment as he lets his words sink into the students which gives him time to recount another personal story of his.

”This tempest analogy, it is not my own, it was spoken to me- no not me a large group of us before the Unhallowed Wars truly began. Umm, I was a younger man then, more violent and reckless… A man- A Captain, imparted that analogy to us in a more cryptic manner, his way of speaking I suppose. His words… I didn’t fully understand them until the war was reaching its crescendo…”

His tone becomes worried, speaking as if he isn’t supposed to talk about this or worried that someone may hear. There seemed to be no sense of respect for the Captain he was speaking about, but rather a hesitant fear of them.

”I… I remember when he spoke those words to us, his eyes seemed to look through us all as if he could see our true nature with but a glance… Heh, my buddy, Densagi Shiba, his true nature must have looked like a raging storm in his eyes haha! Ah, but yes… umm… In that Captain’s words… he said:”

---

”Disputing one's intentions invites discourse. A Tempest will be true to its nature. Discard your delusions, striking at random to grasp an answer will fail you. You will merely become a victim of your own certainty. Therefore you cannot leave room for doubt. The tempest will be blameless in its actions. So try as you may to understand or impart reason or rationale to such a thing, know that doing so is meaningless. The words you speak to give meaning can easily be undone, but the damage of the tempest cannot.”

---

The class was puzzled by what Otokogi recited and he saw their puzzled looks and laughed, shaking his head.

”Haha, that's why I made it simple for you all! A tempest cannot be blamed for what it is. A tempest is a tempest, no more, no less. I am saying be true to yourself, understand and KNOW what you are above all else. No one can blame you for who or what you are, so long as you don’t hide it. That leads into another topic of wolves in sheeps clothing, but we’ll save that for another day haha!”

The class collectively groaned until one student asked about the Captain who gave him that wisdom and Otokogi chuckled and glanced upward for a moment then back to class.

”You know, for the life of me I can’t remember. Must be old age haha!”

Another collective groan followed up by laughter… The memory fades…

---

Present once again

Her True Nature

”True to its nature a Tempest must be. Blameless, the Tempest will be.”

She points at where Kisho was standing, then “draws” a line in the air, the path of his attack.

”Don’t try to add reasoning to the Tempest because the Tempest will be just that.”

She frowns remembering how everyone was behaving, the tension and hesitation in the air that ultimately lead to someone striking. She is learning a lesson from everyones reactions here today and they are fortifying her mind. An old lesson she thought was lost returns to her mind helping to burn it all in for good. She picks up the phone at last, it is her human friend Akamichi Akazawa, or Aka as Kuwashii calls her. She calls in a panic, first letting Kuwashii know that she is safe and her family got out of the city, then asking her where her people are. Kuwashii smiles a bit, the first time she has smiled since this confusing mess in her Division courtyard began.

”Don’t worry, we’re on the way. I’ll be sure to burn away everything that gets too close to me. It's only natural that a Star would do such a thing.”

”NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR STAR PUNS DUMB ASS OUR CITY IS BURNING!!”

”Right! I have to go talk to my Captain to see where I need to deploy!”

She hangs up the phone and rushes over to where Captain Izanagi and Captain Kurayami are having their talk with Kisho Date. She knocks on the door, surely interrupting the meeting but she must be true to her nature. A Star cannot help but to be noticed by others.

”Captain! This is Kuwashii Hakunetsu! Where should I deploy!?”

---

​

 

[Jushiro Izanagi]

False Sense of Security.​

Away from the drama was the Captain of the tenth division, and left to his own devices to have a moment’s peace. The masked one had tasked Shizukana with intervening with the group in his own unique way. And for a moment everything appeared to be civil but that civility came after the fact. A rather peculiar situation which almost had everyone fooled. A thing of cunning it was, and on the other hand was a matter of pure carelessness. It appears that Kazuki wasn’t paying attention to his potential foe. Meanwhile his foe sought to prey upon him for his transgression. A pity.

For a few moments the tenth division had become a school for a bunch of misfits. And where there are misfits, trouble is sure to follow. Remaining unknown were the various personalities and archetypes which graced the tenth’s barracks. Izanagi has yet to have any interaction with the majority of the visitors. However, he could sense that these Shinigami were perhaps of a certain breed. Shizukana the stunner who commanded the attention of the male figures. Kazuki the wolf that was always on the prowl, not realising that he sometimes strays too far from the pack. Kuwashii is the future star, one waiting for her moment to shine. Then another one that was just too cool for school, so cool even Izanagi recognized that dude was cold(Oyuki). The loud and the restless oaf, but was still that friend everyone needed(Jinno). Another one which seemed the opposite “Why the hell does it smell like wet dog? Fucking weird”. The man thought while maintaining his seated position. Never minding the charred hole of which its forebear did not reach his position. And finally, another one of ‘them’. A Date, who was fast becoming some of his favourite creatures.

Kazuki getting his arm blown off felt so surreal. Even more suspicious was the fact that Captain Shizukana and everyone else seemed oblivious. It’s either they saw it happening and pondered if Kazuki would do something about his dilemma. And on failing to do so, they carried on like it was just another day at the office. The mask peeled away every so slightly to reveal his lips. This way he’d be able to at least have a sip of his tea. Watching as Kazuki retrieved his arm, the previous words spoken to him by Shizukana were ignored. Kisho’s mannerism, actions and words were noted. The masked one breathed in while also allowing the pleasant aroma of the tea to caress his nostrils. Exhale.

“Don’t lose your shit”
“Go on do it”
“I don’t want to”
“Yes you do”
“You’re not helping”
“I know, I’m just bored”
“Stop being a cunt”
“Well shit, looks who’s talking”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Shut up”

In situations like these, who could ever blame Izanagi for feeling slighted? A stranger had caused severe injury to his Lieutenant, it was only right that he sought revenge. And yet, the man continued to sip on his tea. The grin on Kazuki’s face was enough for the Captain. Not only that but the circumstances meant Izanagi looked at things from a different angle. His Lieutenant had a lot to learn and more importantly, it wasn’t a fatality. While sat in his seat contemplating the happenings. The masked one was curious to see how Shizukana would reply to Kisho. It was almost as if the incident with Kazuki was already forgotten. That was of course a lie. As Kazuki got ready to leave the barracks, an alert came about. One which prompted the tenth division to spring into action. Jushiro’s Denreishinki relayed the message of the troubles plaguing the world of the living. Immediately his squad members sprung into action. And soon enough his agents in the world of the living will do the same.

Karakura town could eventually become a bother. However, he will have to keep a close eye on things. Kazuki and Kisho’s shenanigans couldn’t have come at a worse time. He now didn’t have his Lieutenant to handle certain tasks. The silver haired fox smiled as the mask went back to his normal state. Glancing over at Kisho and Shizukana, his interest in their conversation will have to wait. Duty calls. Adding to that, Izanagi finally figured out why his vicinity smelled like a wet dog. It was because of the ‘frostbite’ guy and not the overgrown pup. Without a word, code Gluttony would go into effect. The alert prompted Shizukana’s own squad members to take action. They were quick to put their bodies on the line, despite not being responsible for the world of the living. Oyuki and Iwamura were different in temperament, that much was clear to see. The masked one nodded in approval to Iwamura’s bow with a gentle wave of the hand to send him on his way.

Izanagi finally rose from his perch and shook his head. For perhaps one last time the man decided to make himself another cup of tea. Shizukana and Kisho will have to help themselves if they want a taste. Kuwashii arrived just before the man began to pour the tea. Her words did not fall on deaf ears, he simply wanted to pour the perfect cup of tea before responding.

Turning now to face Kuwashii’s position, Izanagi gave the little star her instructions.

“Kuwashii chan, it seems we will have to postpone your training session. This is now the real thing and as such I’m counting on you. Please head to Naruki City, where you’re mainly stationed. It’s simple, rescue, protect and contain. Do not engage in unnecessary fights with opponents above your station. Deal with lower level hollows and hey if you’re feeling brave then maybe a mid level one for good measure”. A grin finally appeared on the surface of the mask while addressing Kuwashii.

“This bit is important, do not come near me voluntarily while I’m fighting. Unless it is absolutely critical, I can’t have you getting caught up in whatever happens around me. Enter the city from the north, rendezvous with other squad members and remember. Rescue, protect and contain. Let’s move out”. Kuwashii was given her marching orders as Izanagi too gathered himself. Zanpakuto on his right hip and a cup of tea in his right hand. The Captain moved past Kisho and Shizukana while leaving some parting words.

“I trust you two to behave”. And with that he was gone, a few flash steps taking him to the Senkaimon gate. Other squad members were already making their entry into Naruki City at various points. Appearing at the Senkaimon gate Izanagi said nothing, he need not say anything. He would hope that everyone understood the assignment and knows what role they would play in all this. He entered the Senkaimon while using his left hand to unsheathe his Zanpakuto. Off to the world of the living he went.

[Leaving 10th Division for Naruki City]​

 

[GhoulBunny]

The Seireitei was rather strange for many today, an air of uncertainty creeping through the white stone streets. For others, it was downright chaotic, as peace had been systematically stripped away from them, one division at a time. The cause? An impromptu inspection led by a red-headed madman with little patience and even less regard for etiquette. Where there had once been routine and order, there was now disruption and agitation—flaring tempers, tense conversations, and exhausted sighs from officers who had barely caught a break before being subjected to scrutiny.



The result? A restless and uneasy atmosphere.



Something moved through the streets, weaving quietly and effortlessly between the legs of passing shinigami. Its fur, a sleek purple, blended easily into the shadows as it prowled forward, tail flicking in an idle rhythm. Occasionally, its golden eyes flicked up, sharp and alert, watching the chaos unfold. It was a cat, surprisingly enough. This small creature, seemingly lacking any inkling of spiritual power appearing misplaced in the grounds of the shinigami.

It stopped for a moment, stretching out its front legs in a slow, indulgent arch, yawning wide enough to reveal small, sharp fangs before continuing on. The rooftops were calling. With one smooth leap, then another, it landed lightly atop a wall, its claws scraping stone. It settled down, curling its tail around its paws, ears twitching as it observed the people below, the division's wall it rested on belonging to that of the Tenth.



It sat there waiting almost lazily.

.

And waiting.

.

And waiting.



Its tail flicked again, the only outward sign of its growing impatience.



Then, he appeared...Kishō Date of the Ninth Division.



Its tail that had been swishing stopped mid-swing.



The moment it saw him, its ears flattened slightly, golden eyes narrowing as the red-haired Date strode through the gates as if he belonged there. The cat let out a low, drawn-out hiss, not loud enough to be heard but just enough to express its annoyance or agitation.



The waiting was over.



Reflected in its golden eyes, were the images of Kisho Date being blocked by the Division's Lieutenant. The Cat's head shifting between the two, as slowly the two became two, then three, then five. Its nose twiched, watching as the atmosphere was quickly shifting, three members of the Tenth Division were gathered, and despite his face, it was clear that Kisho was becoming angry. The members of the Fifth Division who had gathered seemed to be hanging back. It was hard to tell what was going to happen.



The tension thickened as the Reiatsu of both the Tenth Division Lieutenant and that of Kisho flared violently. Its golden eyes widened, hands gripping swords, the situation appeared to be worsening by the second! Its ears perked, its tail going stiff as it rose onto all fours, body lowering into a crouch. A shiver of energy ran through the air, like the seconds before a thunderstorm cracks the sky open.



MEOW!



With Kisho grabbing his own blade, the cat let out a meow almost as if to say No! The small creature's cry drowned out by the tension of the area and its distance from them. Almost at the same time that the ring appeared on the wall, the cat seemed to almost jump into the air. It seemed things would devolve into a blood bath until a reiatsu swept into the area, a sixth person arriving. It was Captain Shizukana, she had come quickly setting things. It looked like things were settled, reiatsu becoming tempered and lowering, blades being put away. The Cat however still stared at the Tenth's Lieutenant, its small mouth slightly agape. The Cat was immobile, with the exception of a twitch of its ear and tail here and there as people conversed and the Lieutenant turned to speak to the blue haired girl. Still the Cat stared.



When Kisho, Captain Shizukana, and the members of the Fifth left, then everything returned to motion, the Lieutenant's injury seeming to manifest out of thin air as a hole in the wall was formed.

'THAT CRAZY BASTARD!'


EARLIER

Underground in Squad 9’s training hall, the air was thick with sweat and dust, the walls lined with deep cracks left behind by relentless strikes. Each impact of Yūgure’s palm against stone sent vibrations through the room, the solid resistance of rock giving way to her focused blows.

Crack!

Stone split beneath her fingertips, the force controlled, precise. Not a strike wasted. Not a movement unnecessary. Power wasn’t her concern—precision was. A mistake, even by a fraction of a second, meant an enemy had time to retaliate. And she wasn’t interested in giving second chances.

With a final exhale, she peeled away the cloth wrappings from her hands, flexing her fingers as she rolled out her shoulders.

That was enough for now.

Stepping out of the dimly lit hall and into the barracks, her mind was already on her next move. Usually, after training, she’d track down Kishō. Maybe annoy him. Maybe drink with him. Maybe even throw a punch at him if she was feeling particularly energetic. But as she moved through the division, checking the usual places—the training areas, the mess hall, the armory—she found nothing.

A small frown settled on her lips.

She had a feeling he wasn’t here. But still, she asked.

“Oi. You seen Date?”

One of her squadmates barely looked up before answering.

“Oh, Yūgure-san. Yeah, he left.”

Her jaw tightened. “Where?”

A shrug. “Didn’t say.”

Of course, he didn’t.

Her fingers twitched, a brief flicker of irritation passing through her before she exhaled, rolling her shoulders. This was starting to become a habit. And she hated bad habits.

Kishō had a way of disappearing without warning, slipping out when no one was looking, only to reappear as if nothing happened. And every time, she let it go. But this time?

No.

Not again.

She moved without thinking, her body shifting in an instant—dark purple fur replacing skin, golden eyes sharpening, limbs shrinking into a sleek feline form.

She wasn’t chasing him.

She was tracking prey.

The Present

Now, yūgure crouched on the Tenth Division’s wall, eyes locked onto the scene below.

she sat there, frozen.

The air was thick with tension, remnants of something violent clinging to the very walls of the division. Even from here, she could smell the faint scent of blood.

She couldn't believe him!

it was going to be a reflection of Squad 9. Which meant it reflected on her as well.

Yūgure's claws flexed against the stone.

She had seen enough.

With a flick of her tail, she turned and leapt down, slipping away into the shadows, moving swiftly to position herself outside the gates.

She would wait.

And the second Kishō stepped through, she would get answers.​

 

[KagiSenkō]

"Wait."

He whispered within their thoughts as they could not fathom the display before their eyes; they couldn't perceive what had happened. Being ordered for a particular task, they found themselves in the barracks. It couldn't be helped that they grew curious about all the spiritual energy manifesting within this division. Tons of people were around until suddenly, one sorry son of a gun got his torso a HOLE new one, blown out by another shinigami.

"HOLY SHIT!" He yelped loudly in his thoughts, and it slightly escaped his mouth for everyone in the area to hear at the sight of the shinigami, who was now one arm short.

He couldn't believe it, and yet no one did anything. His eyes and mouth expanded wide as they could go where he was not expecting to see what happened. Everyone went on about their business; he nearly gasped for air to refrain as much as making a single word to blow his cover. After all, he did not belong to this division, let alone being here was not on his bingo card. He quickly ducked away underneath the shrubs to hide and not be seen.

"Control yourself."

"Keep it together. No one saw you."

"What the hell! This is bad man! REAL BAD!"

"If I'm busted, that could be me! I don't want a hole!"

"And buddy got up like it was nothing and walked off!"

"This is my first day! WHAT THE HELL DID I SIGN UP FOR!?"

His mind continued to race, panicking manically while so many voices were questioning all at once, speaking to himself mentally without even realizing that he was talking loudly. But then he brought his hands to his face with so much force.

"Get it together. You are okay."

After a few seconds, he realized he had smacked himself so hard that his face turned bright red.

"Ow! Shit!" he shouted.

"I have to report what I saw to Captain. Mhm! And then he will say..." He paused, imagining his conversation with his Captain.

"I shall make you Lt. for an excellent job well done. You sacrificed a lot for this information." He gave his best impression of his Captain, as this imaginary scene was the Captain towering over him with a big smile. He blushed, rubbing the back of his head.

"Ah, it was nothing, Cap!" His imagination motivated him so much that he had to report what he had witnessed to the Captain.

"Move out the way Lt. Kinko Sir! I am going to take your place! I'M COMING CAPTAIN!"

---

---

---

​

---

 

[Lovely Lady]

---

" During the incident regarding the Wrathful Shiba, it is purported that you had a hand along with your fellow coat wearer, in driving the Shiba into his many crimes. However, you and your cohort were not deemed co-conspirators to the criminals actions despite your foolishness. Moving on, you went on an excursion to Hueco Mundo two years ago.”

It seemed she had her answer to her question indeed. As Kisho spoke, every word stabbed the woman in her heart, and earned him her somber expression. As he casually read the list of her misdeeds, Shizukana was once again confronted by the PTSD stressors she’d developed as a result of the times he was bringing back from what she had thought was dead. Like being struck by lightning in her soul, her heart’s rate began to rise, sweat grew on her brow but the esteemed mental health professional maintained her conscious breathing. These were exercises she’d taught herself and countless others to regain her calm in moments when it would be lost, this quickly proving to be one of those times even though she was one to rarely lose her sense of serenity.

He spoke of Densagi and Otokogi as if he knew them as well as she did. Impossible, and something she was certain Kisho did not care about. Though he was just doing his duty as a member of the ninth division which meant he was likely in charge of order and justice, he spoke callously of the moment that they needed her help and she made a horrible mistake that cost them all more than they should have been required to pay.

It made her resentful. It made her sad. He talked as if the council in charge after the disaster hadn’t declared her innocence beyond a shadow of a doubt, but this made perfect sense considering that he was a creation cut from the same cloth as his brethren and everyone knew what the Date were known for.

The benign accusation was not what tested this woman’s saint-like patience, it was how cold his tone was when he opened his mouth to speak about things that had kept her writhing in the dark for centuries. It was how unfeeling his eyes were when he looked at her, a failure in them as well as in her own. It was how he rattled further on about the real reason he’d come there that day without giving her a second to process all of the pain he was unearthing that she’d just as painstakingly put to rest and buried that disturbed Shizukana.

“ Your actions once before have compromised the wellbeing of the Seireitei, and upon your return you fall into a coma for two years. Shizukana Kurayami, what did you contract in the land of hollows...what did you bring back with you from Hueco Mundo. I ask you, have you once again potentially placed the Seireitei in danger because of your ignorance?"

"Now hold on, what's your basis..."

Had her actions done such a thing? Was it not common for many to fall ill or even into comas for this reason or that after particularly dangerous battles or circumstances? Pondering this led to more pondering but now she wondered how many people he accosted on a daily basis for falling into deep slumbers or for perhaps napping one or two hours too long. It must have been a pain to be the subordinate of Kisho Date and so she could not help but feel a semblance of sympathy for those who routinely suffered what she suffered now. However, just as she had come to the conclusion that Kisho was against all things sleep and recovery, the validity of his count struck a chord within the Captain and demanded her to refocus. Was it possible that she had something inside of her that could pose a threat or be a danger to the whole of the Seireitei?
The thought admittedly never crossed her mind, mostly because when she had abruptly woken up she had also just as immediately left all medical personnel in charge of her recovery behind. Granted, with the time she had given them to inform her of such a terrifying concept, none of them mentioned anything of the sort or hinted something like this could be a possibility. This led her to believe that she was previously tested and perfectly fine because she was sure that the first thing they would have told her was that she had contracted some kind of foreign parasite or illness that could be a contagion. Now, if someone was trying to send her messages about this ‘sickness’ she would not have received them due to also forgetting her Denreishiki back in her chambers. So, with Kisho’s inquiry made clear, there was only one or two things left for her to do.

Honestly, if she really thought about it, putting aside all uncomfortable feelings, he had a point and one that she wanted to investigate and address for herself as a fellow protector of the Seireitei and leader. In the end, Kurayami knew that he was only doing his job and she was mature enough to comprehend that and also to avoid flying off the handle like many others in her position, slightly prouder than she was, were likely to have.

Having said this, she also had a take of her own and she had a mind to share it with him when all of hell appeared to have broken loose.

“I’ll see that you don’t have to sully your hands…”

The uproar around her did not unsettle Shizukana. As a Shinigami, she’d never been a jumpy person because she had been conditioned, like many of the stoically performing tenth officers, by life in the soul society as well as a student and later as a functioning shinigami and was always prepared to respond when she was called upon. It was also to be expected that there would be action within the halls of the tenth and by extension the thirteenth considering that they were almost always on the move for this reason or that. As she would have predicted and without her prompting, her officers reacted in the way they had been conditioned both in accordance with their shared ‘code’ and their own morality.

Oyuki, forged forth as if he had not recently returned from a harrowing mission in the vast wastelands of Hueco Mundo; considering this just another job that his Captain needn’t bother with and she was as confident in his abilities as he was. She had no love for Hollow kind but part of her felt sorry for the icy desolation that now approached them. A gentle sigh escaped her lips once he had gone, and just as quickly Iwamura indicated to her that he’d be departing as well for the same reason, and so she accepted his hug. Shizukana was always put at ease when she pressed her face into her third seat’s unique fur, likely because it was soft and warm and many people like herself found animals to be cathartic so there were very few if any embraces she would refuse from him. As he spoke, her eyes did not leave Kisho’s, she looked on in metered silence.

" Captain! There's a chance they're hitting more than just Naruki City. I'm heading to Karakura Town to provide support. I question Kishō Date's delivery, though his concerns aren't entirely unfounded. I'm not sure we ever pinpointed what exactly put you under in the first place. Regardless of what you talk about from here, it might be wise if you checked in with the Fourth or Twelfth. I'm happy you're back, Shizukana."

As their leader doubt in their skill and their ability did not exist. As their friend, she worried for their safety and prayed for their survival. Arguably, the fifth division were in possession of some of the most ruthlessly powerful men and women with fearless hearts able to jump into the jaws of certain death and return. The response to what had to be quite the incident honestly wasn't much different than that from her own division, though the fifth was significantly more quiet and less populated due to its members often being somewhere in the vast barren of Hueco Mundo rather than the soul society or the land of the living. The Captain of the fifth, being asleep for as long as she had been, was unaware that there was a possible invasion everyone but she had proactively planned for because she had been incapacitated for the length of time that she had.

“I trust you two to behave”.

The true victim of all of the hubbub was none other than the poor tenth division captain who had truly only wanted to share a cup of tea with his beautiful, illustrious and mysterious co-worker who had just happened to finally wake up from her scary coma. They were intended to trade silly stories and get to know one another better but with all of the interruptions and involvement of so many other people she was saddened to have watched those happy possibilities drain away before the final nail in the coffin being a call that he had no choice but to answer. She offered him a gentle nod in response but in this nod she vowed she’d find time to invite him to a meeting where they may finally be able to converse about what he’d wanted to converse about and also she wished him luck.

Watching the soldiers march off to battle, it wasn’t long before the entirety of the barracks that had once been lively and filled with people had become akin to a ghost town. Then and only then did Captain Kurayami finally answer Kisho Date.

“ Zzzzz….you look like a rooster…zzzZzz.”
​

---

“Ohhh dear.”

“ Well, well well little sister. The young master Date won’t find this to his liking at all. I must say I am always pleasantly surprised by how easily you seem to choose the wrong place and the wrong time to fail spectacularly.”

Shizukana had fallen asleep. As simple as that, she’d been fighting the lull of her narcoleptic brain for some time now and, like everyone else, Kurayami had a limit. Unbeknownst to most, it was actually very difficult for the Captain to remain “awake” for more than four or five hours at a time but depending on how much stress she is undergoing, that expanse of time can greatly decrease as it had in this particularly important moment. Kisho had once before served in the same division as she had and though they didn’t spend much if any meaningful time together, he was likely going to be able to tell that Kurayami’s narcolepsy had gotten the best of her before he could.

At this point, the captain was in control of herself and she wasn’t at the same time. When it pertained to her fine motor skills, capability to see and hear she was perfectly able but it was the ability to speak where a hiccup presented itself. As if there was a brief disconnection between her brain and her mouth, Shizukana wanted to say something related to the current situation befalling her but most unfortunately, that was not what came out. This was not concrete and actually very unpredictable however, in the event that she did spout nonsense, she swiftly corrected herself after recovering her lucidity. Her eye lids were slightly hooded with a far off gaze replacing alarmed pupils was a telltale sign to those perceptive enough to notice.

Far away from it all, eons off into the discord that was her soul…Shizukana sat in a single pewter pew with her head cradled in her small hands. Architectural spires decorated this awful place that sat shrouded in a horrific purple smog as faceless figures covered in long black hooded robes chanted amongst themselves and sauntered around the churchyard’s walls. The congregation took their places and remained standing in solidarity while a truly gruesome figure appeared in a black cloud of dust at a single twisted podium.

First to lift into the air were his hands. Long and crooked, they were outstretched and this was a grand gesture that caused the ghoulish crowd to begin to sound their ancient voices, at first as a low and long note. They held this single note with no intention to stop even as the sermon began. The priest’s frightful face that could only be described as a mixture of a clown and a specter leered down at his flock and parted jagged rows of sharp teeth to both begin to shout and release more of the deadly toxin that appeared to be his breath.

“RISE, the LOYAL and DEVOUT of my pious flock. Bring forth your minds, your hearts and souls and SUBMIT THEM TO THAT WHICH IS RIGHTEOUS! THAT WHICH IS STRIVING TO MAKE ALL IMPURE, PURE! See HERE!”

Shizukana flinched, she looked up from the ground to glare at the crowing priest only to find herself surrounded by the wraiths from before. They did not touch her but Their note they held was increasing in volume and intensity which was the last straw for Kurayami. Her attempts were to get a hold of her lucidity so that she could focus on whatever VERY important things she might have been saying or NOT saying but with all of the Zanpakuto spirit's preaching she wasn’t having much luck. Their presence was one of oppressive judgement, heavy and thick, like the numberless times that she had been and attendant of Yurusarezaru’s exhortations it made it impossible for the woman to physically move around the church itself. She was fixed in one spot, every time and always at the feet of the phantom priest.

“SEE THIS DEMENTED FOLLOWER. SEE HOW SHE BLASPHEMES OPENLY AGAINST THE TRUTH AND LIGHT OF PURITY?! WITNESS HOW SHE FALLS BECAUSE SHE SEES NOT THE VALUE OF WHAT SHE HAS BEEN GIVEN. Look on at how she cowers before her own kind instead of taking control of her fate with the power that she has been given! IT HAS BEEN OFFERED TO HER free of any charge AND YET SHE SPITS IN MY FACE…TOO IGNORANT TO SEE THE PRICELESSNESS OF THE GIFT THAT I BESTOW HER. BOLDLY EVEN NOW SEE HOW THIS WENCH, THIS REPULSIVE ROTTEN SINNER REFUSES TO CALL UPON MY GRACE! ”

He could be such a jerk. The drumming of their discontent threatened to drown out Shizukana’s senses but still she sealed her eyes shut and once again attempted to reconnect with her sleepwalking self. Yurusarezaru’s mocking laughter echoed out, alongside his ghostly goons and though the invasive sermon persisted, dealing every damage possible, she held her ground and always went back to attempting to regain her composure and concentration. It was a constant battle of attrition once Yurusarezaru decided to make himself known and this struggle would continue until his thirst for her strife and struggle was satisfied.
​

---

Not even a half a second went by before her currently won consciousness was able to correct herself.

“ ZZzz…! I mean- Youuuu could be right! Bit odd that no one mentioned this to me when I woke however, I did leave in quite the rush….Zz..zzz”

Her tone was void of it’s usual charm now, replaced with a version that was slightly more monotone when Shizukana used her words.

“ZzzZZZ… I know! I shall go to the fourth division right now and request that they perform the necessary tests and should it help to assuage your concerns I shall even go to the twelfth division to have more extensive tests done….Zz—zzz… So you can stop croaking like a grumpy frog - So you can put your affairs in order!”

Slowly, Captain Kurayami lifted her hand and pointed gingerly at the direction they had come. It was as if she were suggesting that they leave and that they leave together.

“ZzZZZzzz....care to join me?...Zzz....”
​

---

Posting Order: << Shizukana --> Kisho --> ??? >>​