[BSD-Rank] Rankings and Requests

[BSD]

護廷十三隊
Application: Nozamu Kyōraku

Studying the aftermath of the Shattered Dimensions Event, the Twelfth Division set their minds towards ensuring the security of the Soul Society. Through years of research and development, masters of soul science, experts and scholars all, have united to form the D.I.T, or Department of Interdimensional Travel. Putting their specializations to the test, they have spent decades to create one single device. A powerful Shinigami tool, which, even in this early stage, is meant to be capable of instantaneous re-location. By activating this device, Shinigami should be able to teleport themselves across space and time, instantly arriving at their destination, and therefore negating the need to traverse the Dangai, or even use Senkaimon. No location will be unreachable, or off limits, ensuring that the Seireitei will never experience another loss as great as when the majority of their forces became trapped in Hell. Today is the day they finally test this device, with one Nozamu Kyōraku having the honors of activating it.
The screams of what remains of the research team seem to be the only sound that echoes across the valley. Corpses lay on dead-earth, though corpse is hardly the appropriate term. Rather, chunks of flesh lay strewn about, the salt-flat like soil dyed red with blood. Those who survived the activation are rendered dazed and disoriented, their ears ringing, their eyes blurry. Some wander aimlessly in search of their lost limbs. Their surroundings are foreign, no clear indication of their location, nothing familiar, nor previously recorded. Nozamu, and the remaining quarter of the research team, appear to be trapped in some new sort of pocket dimension. Not unlike the Valley of Screams, this dimensions appears to exist within the folds of the Precipice World. An endless valley of nothingness, the salt of the lifeless world reflecting the loudless and sunless sky as far as the eye can see. What equipment the team had on them is completely fried, and no communication can be established with any outside worlds. Having no means nor connections to open a Senkaimon, for all intents and purposes, the team is stranded, alone in a universe devoid of life. It is up to Nozamu, as the senior ranking Shinigami, to save them all, and find a way back home.

 

[BSD]

When a scientist or inventor finds themselves staring into the dark abyss of failure, it is only momentary and nothing more than just a simple mistake of coding which caused their creation to not activate or maybe it made a small glitch which caused only a minor setback, but for Nozamu the failure he was staring at was far more devastating and even though they believed themselves prepared for the worst, they were not prepared for this. As his contact covered eyes motioned in every which way possible, he did his best to take in the gruesome scenery that surrounded him, the ground beneath him which was usually the stone of the twelfth division’s floor, was now nothing more than a sludge of foreign soil mixed with the blood of his fellow shinigami, many of which were either dead or needed healing and those who were in neither of those groups were either panicking or tending to the wounded, some doing both. Even the sky itself was far different than what anyone else might have been expecting as majority of the time, even in worlds completely separate from their own, there is at least one source of light whether it be a sun or moon, but this realm they were trapped in contained neither and instead when one stared into the sky, they’d find a void staring back at them, a nothingness which differed far from any normal darkness that they were used too, but for some reason they were still able to see to a certain extent. While the scenery itself was quite disturbing, it was nothing compared to the sounds of the screams and cries of his fellow researchers as the ringing in his ears finally began to subside, but soon after another sound began to echo through his mind, a rapid thud, he knew deep down it was from his heartbeat skyrocketing, though it was no surprise as to why and to quickly calm himself down all he needed to do was breath in his nose and out of his mouth a few times.
Once his heart rate began to die down a little, he was prepared to make a move, or at least so he thought, instead Nozamu felt a tug on his lab coat’s sleeve, turning around to see who it was he recognized it was a fellow researcher he had studied with precariously the past few nights and began to see as a friend named Shibito, a rather kind man who was currently holding onto his head so that his eye was not falling out of his socket. “Nozamu I..” he had to stop himself for a second as he began to have a rather harsh cough develop, at first it didn’t seem to bad as it was expected in a situation like this, but whenever blood emerged from his mouth and shot onto Nozamu’s clothing, he understood his newfound friend was not going to make it if they did not act soon. Placing his right hand gently against Shibito’s chest and lifting his free arm, Nozamu was going to help him down onto the ground, which albeit covered in blood, was still probably better for him than standing as it allowed at least some semblance of rest, as soon as he was placed down Shibito began to speak again, his voice sounding far more rough than last time. “All of our devices such as Denreishiki, Earpieces, Hell Butterflies and whatever else we travelled over with are not working no matter what we try, some of the men have even tried taking them apart in order to see if there is anything they were able to do but the circuits are shot and any attempts to open the Senkaimon are not working”, Shibito’s face, even though it was partially covered by his hand was easily able to show distress, from what he just described it sounded like they were trapped in this place that everyone was pretty much certain wasn’t known about. “Nozamu, this is the most intelligent group of researchers of the Twelfth Division, we built this device to teleport us between worlds for the Soul King’s sake, but none of us hold a candle to the amount of knowledge you have on the barriers between worlds, I am sorry to say this, but you are the only one who is capable of saving all of us”, “Silence Shibito, you need to rest, I will go see what I am able to do for now”, Nozamu looked up in the direction of a large group of Researchers and motioned them to come toward him, “Iyashi if you are able too, please place a Goyōgai around Shibito, he is losing blood fast and I need you to take care of him, can you do that for me?”, the Shinigami did not say anything, he just nodded and performed the task as he was told and in doing so encased Shibito in a translucent yellow prism of reiatsu that was going to help stave off possible death. Standing up now, Nozamu took one last look around to see the situation at hand, those who originally had ideas of what to do were now starting to panic like the others, so if he did not take control of the situation soon, there was definitely going to be more chaos ensuing, so after taking a single deep breath, Nozamu began to raise his reiatsu signature so that everyone knew to settle down and look in his direction, not much was required as he was already a respected member amongst the team.
Upon realizing every member of the research team was looking his way or at least doing their best too, Nozamu spoke loudly in a clear, calm and authoritative voice so that they understood just who was in charge for the moment, “If it is not already obvious enough, we are stranded here in this realm, I’ve never seen it, the former Captain Oramano never seen it and any of the Captains before him haven’t seen it either. Just because we do not understand where we are though, does not mean that we need to lose hope and begin panicking anymore than some of you are now, obviously using the Senkaimon hasn’t worked as I have just been told and any communication with the outside is impossible. For now those of you who still have strength need to help tend to the wounded, if you can place a Goyōgai around some of the dying Shinigami around you in attempts to keep them alive then do so now, if you are unable to perform that task then begin thinking of different ways of us to escape this realm or stand your guard, while it looks like nothing is here for now, you never know what to expect. Now D.I.T. members, let’s get to work!”.
Finishing his little speech as some may call it, Nozamu clapped his hands together and immediately began turning around, some of the members gave a small cheers knowing that at least one person was in charge now, but were still skeptical on actually getting back home, nevertheless they got to work and followed his commands, those who were able to perform the requested Kidō began to do so and those who couldn’t began thinking themselves on how to escape this situation. Nozamu himself did not have a clue in hell what to do though, not only was this whole situation a mess, the idea of getting out of a realm that no one has even heard about without any devices was going to be near impossible unless they were able to create a Garganta which was not only hard enough to do in itself, but created the possibility of having to encounter hollows, which would not help the situation at all. Moving his hand to the inside of his lab coat, Nozamu was going to pull out his notebook which was still intact, opening it up and flipping through the pages, he was going to try and find his own research over the device that they had created in order to come up with a theory on how they landed where they did and go from there.
As per usual this started off incredibly slow, especially feeling as stressed out as he did, no amount of pacing the floor, running his fingers through his hair or breathing techniques were able to help him out, so he was just going to have to tough through it no matter how bad he tried. “So the device is supposed to be used for instantaneous re-location and our original test was supposed to allow us to simply appear in the World of the Living without any trouble by manipulating the Reishi Particles that connected the two realms together, correct? Yes it seems that is so, well if that is the case we needed to appear in a more natural environment which isn’t too hard considering the World of the Living isn’t made up of so many cities that it's impossible to be in nature and I’m pretty sure there was no way a Quincy is able to know what we’re doing if they even still exist. We also certainly did not travel through the Dangai as this looks nothing like it and I am pretty sure that this isn’t the valley of screams, since it's different from this, but there are of course some similarities as I can see.”, he began talking to himself like this for the next thirty or more minutes, excluding out ideas, introducing new ones, those who have never seen the scientist at work were now going to understand that his intelligence was far greater than they might have realized and suddenly it all began to dawn on him. “Alright so the World of the Living is made up of two seperate entities, Kishi and Reishi, while the rest of the known realms we can identify are purely made up of Reishi, so by my estimations we must have had interference from the Kishi particles in the World of the Living and it switched our trajectory to here, which must mean we are now in a land of both Kishi and Reishi as well right?”
Nozamu’s feet were quickly moving as his pacing speed increased, if right hand lightly massaged the area around his mouth while his left hand held open his notebook, scanning the original layout of the device that was used to bring them here, it seemed entirely possible that this whole incident was fixable and all he needed to do was take a look at it, so turning around to look to the group of Shinigami that were anxious for at least any sort of news as it had been nearing their first hour of being there with no real signs of progress. “Does anyone know where the device is currently that transported us here?”, the Shinigami looked and talked amongst each other before one stepped from the crowd, pulling out of his own lab coat the circular device which was looking different than how it did before in the fact that it was severely damaged, wires poking out of different areas and it ultimately seemed destroyed. Nozamu’s face did not show any signs of distress on the situation as he had to stay strong for his fellow Shinigami, but he was devastated on the inside as his original plan had been thrown out the window and as of yet there was not a step two, so he just took the device with a smile and went back to reading its original layout. As he looked between the layout and the device, there were several pieces missing or broken, so there was not a real chance in fixing it to be the way it was before, if they had put a Kishi to Reishi converter inside it, maybe their situation wouldn’t be so bad, but this was a prototype and as before no one expected this sort of event to happen.
Thirty whole minutes passed as Nozamu thoroughly scanned the device, picking out the parts which were broken and those that were somehow still working, what made it all worse though is that the reiatsu battery had only one charge left, which meant that he only had one chance to bring them all home, causing his stress levels to increase greatly. The only hope he had left in his body was the fact that he had written down a lot in his notebook the past few weeks with studies on devices that allowed for transportation and after flipping through more than a few pages, he realized what he was going to place his last hopes on, a device which was made a long time ago by a man named Kisuke Urahara a former Captain of the Twelfth Division who was able to transport the entirety of Karakura Town into the Rukongai through the use of Tenkai Kecchu (転界結柱, World-Shifting Binding-Posts). Its idea was simple, link up four different points with a device in a single spiritual ri which was the equivalent of six hundred sixty four square meters and swap everything in that area with something in another, but like everything else in Nozamu’s life, it was not going to be that simple. He did not have enough of his device to link up four let alone two different points, meaning that he was going to have to figure out a way to teleport at least two or three individuals with a broken teleportation unit, which meant he was in for one hell of a time, but if it was to save the lives of others, it was going to be worth it in the end and besides, he couldn’t risk anyone digging too deep into his research after his departure into this new realm. Slamming the book shut, a few of the Shinigami behind him peaked up to see what was going on, Nozamu didn’t turn his head to look in their direction though as he was focused on the device in front of him, “I’ve got an idea”.
What came next was a four hour long process in which Nozamu constructed and deconstructed the still left working parts into a device which took the appearance of nothing more than a bunch of dangling wires connected to an intersecting point that had a small screen that when turned on read “Return” and a faint red glow on it, this was their last chance to get home and if Nozamu failed in any way at all or broke any of the wires which made up this device, then they were going to die in this lonesome realm, with no food, no water and no way out. Holding his breath, Nozamu was going to press a single button on the top of the device which caused the faint red glowing screen to increase in brightness and turn green, suddenly the sour seriousness of Nozamu’s face began to fade away as the corners of his lip curled up and a smile had managed to creep its way onto his face, never in his life had he been so happy just to turn something on, but he couldn’t celebrate too quickly. Yes he had managed to turn the device on which showed it was at least able to do that, but whether or not it was going to send them to the soul society, heuco mundo, the world of the living or maybe a whole nother realm he was unable to guarantee, especially since he couldn’t place in any coordinates due to a lack of working controls or re-code the device itself, all he was able to do was get it to focus onto a similar signature as the one back in the lab and hope for the best, but now the question was how was he going to send more than one person back? Well the reality of the situation is that he was unable to do that, no matter what he came up with if he tried to send more than one person, there was a chance they’d become injured in their travels or at the very worst dead. Taking in a breath of not quite so fresh air he understood the decision he had to make, it was going to be hard, but he had faith in his division, turning around once again, prepared to speak in the authoritative voice as before, Nozamu let them understand the situation.
“This device I just made from pieces of our Sekaiōdan Hiyaku (世界横断飛躍, World Traversing Leap), well after a few calculations I believe it is capable of sending us back to the Soul Societ-”, an uproar of applause echoed through the Shinigami as they believed their hopes and dreams for this day had finally come true, at least until Nozamu put his hand up, “Due to the charge on the battery though and insufficient pieces though it is unable to bring us all back at once, I am going to choose one of you to go back, to understand our success, an object from the soul society will be brought back to us, but be warned I can’t decide whether you go to the rukongai or the seireitei, I just know it will be the soul society. I will entrust one of you with a higher position than myself to go, I have prepared a vial of the dirt as well as a written note to give to the head of research and development detailing where we are, from now on this land we are in will be called Yamifūkei (闇風景, Dark Landscape).” His eyes scanned across the crowd of eager volunteers eager and waiting to leave this place, but Nozamu only trusted one person to do it, Inyashi, motioning him away from the crowd as well as away from Shibito, Nozamu was going to hand him the vial and note. After doing so he was going to wrap the Shinigami in the multitude of wires which dangled from the single area, eventually getting everything situation so that the center of the device fit directly onto their chest. Stepping back, Nozamu was going to nod his head at the young man who let out a sharp sigh, “I’ll come back for all of you soon, I swear it…” as soon as his sentenced was finished he pressed the button on his chest and vanished from reality it seemed, Nozamu held his breath for a moment as nothing appeared in his place immediately, but after a few more seconds a notebook fell onto the ground, after bending down to pick it up and see who it belonged to.. It was that of a shop owner in the upper districts of the Rukongai who Nozamu only knew by visiting his shop in order to by food from, which meant that his job was complete for now, all that was left to do was keep these men and women under control and wait for help.

 

[BSD]

護廷十三隊
Application: Nozamu Kyōraku

The Captains have reviewed your scenario and reached their verdict...

Congratulations Nozamu! You advance to the next round!
Your post has demonstrated enough of your writing ability, thought process, and character intelligence, to advance you to the second portion of the Captaincy Application. As of now, you are to advance to the combat portion of the test. Report to the Valley of screams by clicking the portal below.

There you will begin the first post against your opponent Captain Kyomu Mukuro. This fight will take place in-character, and be canon to the Group’s overall story. This means any actions you take may potentially have in-story consequences. Should you fail, it will become in character knowledge that Nozamu attempted and failed to become a Captain. There will be no time limit, but the amount of time you take between posts may factor into the Captain Council’s final evaluation. It is highly encouraged that you showcase the majority of your abilities, including Bankai. That said, you are free to use any means, and take any action, you deem necessary. The fight can be stopped at any point, but is permitted to continue up until the brink of death of either party.
Intelligence versus Intellect...Eh?

 

[BSD]

護廷十三隊
Application: Shusuke Mac Kiyoshi

”GET OUT! GET OUT ALL OF YOU!!”
A loud crash is heard. Followed like glass like shattering. A door swings open, and a group of four leave. The manor of the Kasumiōji Clan remains tumultuous as of late. Tama Kasumiōji, the current matriarch had lived a rather lengthy life, nearing nearly nine centuries. She lays in bed, visibly aged and weakened. She attempts to calm her labored breathing between coughs, staring out at the window, waiting almost impatiently.
Her health had taken a dive in recent times, she grows paranoid, suspicious of those meant to be friends, allies, family. She senses she doesn’t have long for this world, and so...she sends word out to the Central 46, refusing to go silently into the night.​

Quote:To you in Central 46,
As you may have gathered from the seal upon this letter, I am Tama Kasumiōji, sovereign of my clan. I will be brief in my writing, as I do not have long to live, and grow weaker by the day. Even a task as simple as scribbling on this simple parchment, robs me of vigor. Though I may die, I do not intend to go out without challenging the orchestrator of my fate. I request you send your most capable and intelligent soul reaper to me post haste. I have already sent word to expect a visit from someone from the Gotei 13 regarding a private matter.
Do not make me wait long.​

The letter entrusted to a single messenger, and delivered with the urgency their mistress expressed.
Two days go by, before the arrival of Shusuke Kiyoshi of the Sixth Division, escorted by the guards of the Kasumiōji. Curious and indignant eyes follow him as he in turn follows the guards, guiding him through step after step, hall after hall, and around corner after corner until finally he’s brought before a certain door.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
The guard’s fist taps at the door, a total of three knocks — no more, no less.”Come in...come in…” The voice of the woman bids them to enter, her voice weaker the second time. The guard opens the door, allowing for Shusuke to enter, closing it promptly behind him.
Her wheezing is loud, audible, the woman struggles to draw breath. A weakened and wrinkled hand rises from off the bed, waving the younger man over. She turns her head lazily, cloudy eyes gazing at his face, and for a moment she is lost in memory. Trapped in her days of youth, better days. Then she blinks, and the troubles of today uncloud both vision and mind.
”Finally...you’re here. As you can see, I’m dying-”
She begins, the conversation quickly growing somber, worst of all...she’s right. The room, it reeks of death, it was a wonder she managed to hold on this long.
”I believe I have been poisoned. Though many doctors and physicians after checked me, and determined there is nothing foreign in my system.. I know…I KNOW.”
Her eyes grow fierce and she moves to sit up, an act she repeatedly struggles with before relenting, collapsing back onto the bed. She stares at the ceiling, eyes watery as thin fingers coil into fists. Her head turns to the young Kiyoshi.
”I’ve gathered them all downstairs for you...all the suspects. My pig of a husband, who I’m sure is eager to see me go. As if I haven’t noticed his gawking at the maids, and the rumors of him and some younger tramp!” She practically spits out the last word.
”Mei...sweet little Mei. I remember when she was just a small girl, but...she seems fond of my husband, ever gentle. No doubt that PIG has promised her something should she help him. The two of them...together...under this roof!”
Her face grows red with the fury welling in her heart. She raises both fists, slamming them down on the disheveled comforter covering her.
”Finally...my niece. So proud, so noble...so arrogant and conceited. She probably plans to usurp the position of sovereign. The girl has always been bright, far too bright for her own good! She thinks I don’t see it but I do...the venom in her eyes.”
She attempts to lift herself up again, pushing on the bed to sit up, reaching over grasping at the young man’s hand, tears now streaming from her weakened eyes.
”Please….help me..Find out who did this to me. I-I need to know before...before I die. Please.”
Her grip weakens as her voice trails off, her hand drops as she falls back onto the bed. At first she appears dead, but Shusuke notices the subtle rising and falling of her chest.
She lives, she was simply weak, having fallen asleep.
Entrusted with her last wish, it was up to Shusuke now. Was the matriarch truly poisoned, if so then how? And by whom? Or, was this simply the wild and crazed rantings of an old woman gone senile?
Regardless three suspects, three motives, the Kiyoshi needed to tread carefully. Out of the three named suspects, two held direct ties to the Kasumiōji, a clan second only to the four noble clans of the Seireitei. One wrong step, one misspoken word could spell doom not only for Shusuke’s family and clan, but for his division and the gotei 13 as well.
Could Shusuke determine fact from fiction? How would he tread the thin rope of politics, while unearthing the truth?

 

[BSD]

A soft autumn breeze could be felt running through the barracks of the Sixth Division, the cherry blossom trees were especially radiant this fine mid afternoon as they swayed back and forth in the winds that blew throughout the Seireitei. The weather was fairly agreeable, something it had not been in some weeks as there were many controversies and problems that arose in that time period stemming from the World of the Living and Hueco Mundo. Despite these issues, one Shinigami in particular has been keeping up with his training, an oddity for him since he would usually be taking his afternoon cat nap in the one area of the Sixth’ library where the books aren’t tended to. Shusuke could be found in the quad area of the barracks, underneath the glaring sun as he performs his 500 pushup warmup. Heat blazing down upon his exposed tattoo ridden shoulders as his uniform doesn’t have sleeves, he still resonates with his shihakusho from his Second Division days. Oh how things were much simpler...his legs were beginning to tire, just upon getting to four-hundred eighty-seven. But he could not stop now, he had done it so many times before he would not falter today. Suddenly allowing his spiritual energy to leak out, trying his best not to allow it to increase the difficulty, he soon calmed his inner broiling Reiryoku and began to finish the rest of his set.
As he finished, he kneeled and looked upright, sweat beading from his shoulders and face he soon mopped it up with his white obi sash around his waist holding up his black hakama. His jet black hair damp as a swamp rock, he ran his fingers through it once and shook it to his satisfaction. Now standing to his full six foot frame, Shusuke was now finished his workout warmup and now ready to unsheathe his blade and perform some simple technique exercises. He walked over to his paired zanpakuto which he leaned against the tree prior to his push ups, he always felt a certain energy before he even touched En’enra’ hilt, the bond was that great. He soon paused just short of his sword and stood there frozen as a picture frame. Seeing this from afar without any context you’d think he was mad. Until he spoke. “Planning on telling me why we’re skulking around the barracks and awaiting my next action? I could move a lot faster than this.” he said flatly, he knew whoever was around would hear him. He doesn’t appreciate people who don’t present themselves properly. Soon, two individuals would appear from the main gate standing side by side in official uniforms he recognized, and was immediately turned off after realizing the type of business this was. “The Kasumioji...What do they want with me…?” he pondered. It had been some time since he had sat down with Tama, the current matriarch of the family. Word was that her health was declining and that a new person must succeed her. He had a respect for her, as far as any young Clan head could have for another so old and tenured. If she sent her henchmen directly to Shusuke’s place of business without informing any members of his household retainer, then it must be an urgent matter. He soon picked his blade up and tucked it away in his sash. He wiped himself off with a towel he brought and awaited the guards to greet him properly. Upon arrival, they without haste bowed and greeted Shusuke with the proper honorifics, and did not waste time in telling him that the Lady Tama Kasumioji had summoned him directly to her estate. He rolled his eyes and palmed his face but not without reluctantly agreeing to go without a second thought. “Wonder what the old bird wants...maybe someone is trying to kill her…” he thought. Many different scenarios popped into his mind at the time but there was only one way to play it out and it was to go see her.
It was a lot of walking from the Seireitei to the Kasumioji manor, Shusuke could’ve been there in half the time but he decided that it’d be rude to run off without his escorts, not to mention show up without them. He knew Tama to be rather sharp witted woman and was keen to sense a slight. Nonetheless, he planned on being on his best behavior fearing the reputation of his clan could also very well be at stake. As he passed the corridors of the manor to get to the inner sanctum of the estate, guards stood silently and servants watched closely to Shusuke’s slightly unkempt appearance, just by looking at him you’d never know he was in charge of an entire clan. But his diplomatic skills were impeccable and it helped that he had small rapport with the lady in question. As they rounded the last corner, the guards stopped and both knocked heavily on the large door before them. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! they went but did not go on for too long. Shusuke assumed it was out of fear Tama would tongue lash them, he smirked at the thought but kept his laughter to himself. Soon a voice could be heard beyond the door, bidding them to come inside. Soft yet frail, but wise and authoritative. The guards would open the door, one on each door allowing Shusuke passage into her chamber, he stepped inside and it was promptly closed just as he stepped inside enough. It didn’t take long to see that she was unable to get up from her bed So Shusuke respectfully removed his weapon from his sash and placed it to the ground out of respect and walked to the bedside of the elder matriarch. She was not one to mince words, she wasted no time getting to the point of his being here. “As you can see, I’m dying.” she said flatly. Shusuke chose not to respond with neither wit nor humor, but instead chose to listen. “I believe I have been poisoned. Though many doctors and physicians after checked me, and determined there is nothing foreign in my system.. I know…I KNOW.” she spoke. He could visibly see that she was hurt, and fury swelled in her fragile voice. She wanted to hit something he could tell but he feared she would only damage herself. She tried sitting up in bed but only fell back down into the pillow with failure. Her wrinkly fingers coiling into fists, she turned to Shusuke and stared into his purple hues with intent. She goes onto explain that her husband has been suspected of adultery with a maid in their service, a classic plot in Shusuke’ eyes. The maiden herself was also under suspicion because she would then eventually become the next Lady Kasumioji through her future husband. “Mei...Hmm…” he pondered as he listened more as lady Tama explained the situation. Her niece was the last to be under the looking glass, as smart as her niece was, the power would turn her corrupt and Tama has always feared for the Clan’s future if she were at the helm. She has voiced to Shusuke on a separate occasion during a clan head gala that she feared for her nieces headstrong demeanor. Before falling into a slight coma, she urged Shusuke to find out her poisoner and to bring them to justice before the Clan. She grabbed hold of his wrist while asking this of him and his grip soon slowly started to fade as she dozed off. Shusuke stood there for a moment and placed a hand on hers then gently placed it over her stomach. He asked to be released from her chambers to begin his investigation.
Shusuke decided to start with the maid. Just to see where her head was wrapped around all of this entire chaos. While on his way to find her, He wondered why the Husband wasn’t at his lady’s bedside upon his arrival. At such a dire situation, you’d think he’d be spending his time doting on her even throughout his supposed infidelity. His absence made him sick but he then remembered a certain responsibility that he isn't tending to day to day as he should be so he figured that he was the last or should be the last to cast judgement. This also brought his attention to the niece as well, her absence was noted by Shusuke from the very moment he stepped onto the estate. She could always be seen running around making everything perfect for the lady in her stead to show initiative, but was nowhere to be seen as of yet. “The distances between certain individuals that would otherwise be close is rather abyssmal...having known her to be a sharp witted, but family oriented monarch among her clan it was a surprise to see so little people at her bedside.". After all she had done for them, it made Shusuke a little angry to know that she was held in such little regard when it was all said and done by her clan. Soon, he reached the kitchen, and saw many mice at work. Maids running around with platters full of half-prepared food, and cooks with large pots, woks, pans and knives. Everyone was busy. He tried to stay out of the way as much as possible so he could observe the ongoings of the estate’s kitchen, clearly they were preparing for a large meal tonight. “Wonder what’s the occasion…” he thought. After a few more minutes of mental logging and noting. He noticed a young girl not being particularly helpful, but yet rather clumsy. She had failed to skin potatoes, cut the carrots, and skewer the beef and was simply sitting in the small corner of the kitchen on a stool looking depressed. Shusuke deduced that she may be his quarry and acted quickly as he sauntered toward her with a certain swagger. He introduced himself to her and she revealed her name to him. It was Mei, the suspected current affair of the Lord Kasumioji. He began to ask her some simple questions. “Busy kitchen and your not pulling your weight, everyone must be your biggest fan at the moment.” he joked. He wanted to hear how she would respond to his questions, related and unrelated to his investigation. She blushed, easily looking ashamed that he had noticed her lack of participation. Now blushing, she’d look away from him, and begin to have a nervous stutters. “Ah, um...You see. I’m not good in the kitchen...My mother never really showed me the ins and outs so when i do have duties in the kitchen the days usually end up like this. I’ve accepted that ...” she said softly. Mei looked away from Shusuke after finishing her sentence. He wondered if shy girls turned on the Lord Kasumioji because she was dull in comparison to Tama. He followed through with more questions. “How long has the staff known about Lady Tama’s condition, and how long ago did it occur?” he asked bluntly. He was the same when interrogating a criminal, merciless, straight to the point, without haste are all terms other would describe Shsuuke when performing his duties. After finishing his sentence he could see that question had caught her attention. She immediately averted her line of sight, and she was never looking at him. She paused before answering, he analyzed her face to see if there was any sign of deception, he could not spot any. “The Lady’s condition is truly tragic...so suddenly oncoming...No one could have foreseen it. We’ve known about it for a couple weeks, but they say she’s been diagnosed for much longer. Her husband has been fairly distant since before the news broke, although he has known longer for sometime as some would say…” she spoke. Shusuke studied the rhythm of her response, looking for any breaks or pauses and staggers in her answer but found her to be quite sound. Or very well rehearsed. He figured that digging a little deeper with her may unearth some hidden fruit, he continued on. “How distant has m’lord been? How often has he been seen at her side? Conducting clan business must fall under someone's responsibility. Lady Tama cannot lead in her current condition, who has been running things around here?” he asked. He feared he may have bombarded her with too many questions, overloading her on which to answer and which to try and dodge, but this was also another good way for him that he’s learned to find inconsistencies. Maybe not now, but later on. Another pause was had, he looked at her and his gaze never left her. She avoided his snare at all costs but she knew that she would eventually have to answer. “I cannot say...I do not see him very often so I cannot tell you. As far as I know the inner council has been heading larger decisions while they are still grooming Lady Tama’s niece as the possible successor. Everything is very uncertain right now and it was feared by Lady Tama that something like this would happen without the clan being properly ready. I suppose she was right like always.” she said. She soon turned back to Shusuke and looked into his eyes, this time with confidence. It was at this moment he knew that she wasn’t behind any of this. Still foggy on whether or not she was still being used as a plaything for the Lord but she was a very small part in this machine and he would not get the answers he needs from her. He decided to leave her with one last question before moving on. “Do you believe that Lady Kasumioji’s current condition is by fate, or wrongful doing?” He was interested to see how she would respond. “Lady Kasumioji has devoted her life since her inauguration as clan head and had spearheaded this clan into a renaissance in which all Kasumioji members are respected and admired by all within the Soul Society. I am proud to have been a member of her household. I do not believe anyone in our clan has the gall to perform such an unthinkable action.” she said adamantly. Shusuke shook his head with slight awe for her sudden tenacity of loyalty to her Lady and then took his leave on that note.
Moving on with his informal interrogations, he had begun to process out Mei as she had a shy demeanor but loyal underbelly proving to be a great asset to this clan. On the outside. He doesn’t know who she really is just from one conversation. He wandered the manor studying and taking in all of those around him and their daily routines, looking for anything seemingly unusual. Shusuke found that all noble manors worked the same fundamentally with a few house differences, through seeing the intricacies and daily schedules of his own household services, he can easily relate them back into a household in which there are in or around the same number of servants. Based on the patterns of movements by the amount of people seemingly busy doing something, tonight was a special occasion but he couldn’t figure out what seeing as how the matriarch is currently bedridden and would’ve told Shusuke about any form of event taking place at the manor purely out of respect for his status of office. Something was amiss.Soon after reaching the courtyard, he stumbled upon the niece of Tama, Uzma. She was headstrong, fierce and calculated. There was s time Tama joked to Shusuke’s father about arranging a marriage between the two, much to his chagrin. They knew each other well enough, but found each others eerily annoying as they both passed down different paths, whereas Shusuke ran from his clan duties, Uzma embraced hers. She turned around to see him in full shinigami garb. She scoffed and did her best to pretend not to notice him. He walked toward her with little fear, and with a job to do he had no intention of quarrelling with Uzma about anything. “I see someone hasn’t lost their resting bitch face. Happy to see me darlin’?” he asked her aloud. They had a very transparent dislike for each other and would not hesitate from saying anything rude to one another. Shusuke knew he had to be careful treading such waters with her, but her knew he’d be able to get what he needed from her without trying too hard. After getting her attention, she turned to him with attitude and stared him down with intensity. Obviously annoyed she decided to rebuttal with a response of her own, equally as rude. “Well look who it is, the most irresponsible Clan leader in the Soul Society. Mindlessly kill any hollows lately Lord Kiyoshi? To what do I owe this friendly visit in your busy Soul Reaping schedule?” She responded with sarcasm. Raising his eyebrows and rolling his eyes Shusuke stopped walking and focused his gaze upon Uzma while trying to figure out how to get her to talk. She would soon roll he eyes and began to walk off without a word until Shusuke demanded her to stay put. “I wouldn’t go anywhere if I were you, Uzma. I’ve been called to this manor because your aunt has suspected her health to be compromised from outside forces. I’m here to talk with you more about that, and as much as I’d like to I’d really like to avoid getting into a debate with you about this. Tell me about all suspicious activity taking place in your eyes from around the estate.” deciding to be very direct and adamant in his approach knowing the risks that were before him after his words he needed to be direct with her otherwise she wouldn’t partake in this conversation with him. Even he realized how busy of a woman she is. “...Since when do you care, Kiyoshi? My great-aunt has been sick a long time and some would say it was a matter of time that her health deteriorated. I know She had close ties with your clan but i don’t see why your here investigating in our personal business.” she said as she slowly stepped toward him. He stood his ground unafraid of her and awaiting to see where she was going with this. Analyzing the flow of her sentence and patterns of speech looking for hidden malice. The truth was that Uzma loved her great-aunt and as much as she has annoyed her in her older age, she would do anything for her. He could see that she was just looking to protect their families privacy. Now standing face to face with him, looking into his purple hues with the malice he was looking for, she spoke. “Do your best to finish your investigation by the turn of our estate dinner. I would not like to see you before I am forced to be within the same airspace with you before long. And stay out of our business.” and on the turn of her heel and with an extra second to really stamp her meaning into those words with a deadly look, she walked away from Shusuke. Unfazed by her expected response even he could see that she wasn’t behind this conspiracy either. From a young age he loved her aunt and that did not change as she grew into the bitter woman that she was today. Shusuke ruled her out. For now.
Time passed and Shusuke had spent the last hour in a tree pondering his current leads and information, from what he knows, Neither Mei nor Uzma had a hand in Tama’s health change. But one person who has been eerily absent throughout his investigation was Tama’s husband, Kurogane. As he racked his brain on the current possibilities of who may behind the alteration of Tama’s health, a loud noise blared from outside the estate as their gates were opened for a returning clan member of high ranking, it would seem Kurogane has returned to the manor, nearly an hour before the dinner was to start. “Eerie timing…” he thought, getting to his feet, standing on the highest tree branch, he could see Kurogane being greeted with fever and delight, it made him wonder if it was him behind the poisoning. He climbed down to continue his investigation, silently. After silently following Kurogane throughout the manor as he was greeted by his retainers, Shusuke skulked behind them as Kurogane was being harassed by them with documents, clan news, and among other things. He did his best to see to the things that could easily be fixed but otherwise was quiet in his walk to his chambers. Upon his arrival there, he rushed off his servants as he entered his solitude. Shusuke slipped inside the room without being spotted as there were no bodyguards or other household members in sight and began to stehfully take refuge behind a large oriental pillar to the back end of the room giving him a good view of what was going on. He watched Kurgane pour himself sake and undress himself into comfortable clothes and sat in his lounge chair. Soon a secret compartment in the wall to the left of the room opened and out came Mei. With a smile on her face, she was greeted by Kurogane with a kiss and an intimate embrace, solidifying his suspicions of infidelity, and throwing Mei back into the category of a serious suspect once more. The two giggled and laughed in the others presence, obviously it has been a while since one had seen the other. Shusuke remained silent and focused on uncovering the truth. He soon pulled out his microphone recorder to record the conversation for later analysis. “There was a Shingami who came by today asking many questions...He was looking into the Lady’s health, and other things. I did my best to get him to look in another direction…” she said after a pause. Kurogane’s face changed instantly after hearing this. He was all smiles before but strictly business now. He looked to her and scoffed. “Bah! Tama is always relying on those Shinigami to do her bidding, I doubt he’ll be tactful enough to even figure out that she’ll be passing come dinner time. There is nothing to worry about.” he said cockily. Obviously a plan was hatched and he had found its main contractor. He waited for Kurogane to continue. “After tonights dinner, and when we poison that fucking old broad Tama to death, nobody will be the wiser after you weakened her spiritual energy months prior with that life form you stole from the Twelth Division. The parasite is eating away at her life force making her appear weak, and once we use the poison to get her to choke on the food, No one will be the wiser as we take on the clan for ourselves. Once that happens we’ll move onto phase 2 and rid ourselves of some Shinigami, I already have a few waiting on my word.” he continued. Unearthing his entire plan unknowingly to Shusuke, it was now up to him to stop him come dinner time. Shusuke managed to slip out of the room after hearing everything he had to hear. All that he needed to do was to game plan and pray that he would be there in time to stop Tama from eating the poison Kurogane was set to give her. It was clear what he wanted, control of one of the most powerful clans in the Soul Society and to eventually rest control of the Gotei 13, the top military power against supernatural forces.
He raced from his Kurogane's chambers to the kitchen to spot any of the cooks preparing Lady Tama's personal dishes that she alone will be eating this evening. If he could stop them and carry out his plan without Kurogane getting a whiff of his actions before then, he could save Tama's life and allow her to continue resting control over the clan for another century or so. He eventually returned to the dining hall, seeing all the food being placed onto tables and being organized in a manner where it would look simply exquisite. He made it to the kitchen just in time to witness a servant carrying off a dish In the opposite direction of the dining hall. He soon followed the server to a room where she would obviously plant the killing poison, he peered around the corner to wait a little bit and pulled out his Soul Pager and turned on the camera function so that he could catch her taking the poison out and applying it to the dish. He witnessed her pull it out and he quickly snapped a good picture of her just about to point the lip toward the dish and quickly used his shunpo skills to catch the girls wrist. He looked down to her and shook his head then motioned his finger to his lips, signaling her to be silent. She was in no position to dispute him, he soon thought of a great idea and it required the use of this girl. "Tell me. Do you love Lord Kurogane?" he asked blatantly. He assumed her to be another one of his hussies, and she wasn't afraid to admit it either. "Going to turn me in to Tama now? Do your worst, that old bread doesn't frighten me. Kurogane has already promised me his favor." she spat at him. Shusuke smirked and then proceeded to tell her the true nature of Lord Kurogane and who he truly did favor. It didn't take long after that to convince her to help him in his plan to sabotage Kurogane.
An hour or so passed and it was finally time for the long awaited dinner. All family members were to be seated in the main dining hall and Shusuke was even invited as a special guest of the Lady Tama, he wanted to finish his investigation and return back to the barracks to get started on the report. He was seated at a small table on his own at his request, he didn’t like having to eat with people he didn’t want to eat with, plus it allowed him to have free range of movement for when the plan finally went down. The head Kasumioji members were present at the head table, Tama, Kurogane, and their children were seated beside them much to the chagrin of her niece Uzma as she was older and much more fit to lead than her children were. Soon everyone who was required to attend was in attendance and the dinner began with a small prayer, a song then the feast had begun. Shusuke planned from the very moment of the waiters handing out the dishes, to the very moment Tama would receive her dish. Shortly, Tama was escorted out of the dining hall after being whispered something by her personal guard. She was in on the entire plan and Shusuke had asked her to not be in the way when it was happening. Kurogane immediately looked confused, and asked if she was feeling ill and if he should accompany her, she declined and smiled as she walked away. His food soon reached him and he didn’t waste time to dig in, he was a fat man you see. Surely enough after his first several bites Kurogane had started to cough every so slightly. Thinking nothing of it, he kept drinking water. But his throat became ever so raspy and dry and he would soon eventually feel the need to scratch and claw at his throat as he struggled to breathe. His guards behind him now concerned, started patting his back profusely to rid their master of his affliction. He soon turned to them and looked as if he was asking what was going on. Shusuke soon made his way up to the table and feined acting like he was trying to help by performing CPR, But in reality he was serving Kurogane for his malicious intent. As he finished one round of CPR he leaned closer to Kurogane’s dying lips and said “Try not to heat up hell too much before I get there. I still have a bone to pick with the devil.” he said quietly. Shortly after, Kurogane was dead.
After a few weeks and a revealed autopsy, Kurogane died of a parasitic poisonous lifeform stolen from Division 12. After revealing his recorded conversations with Mei and photographic evidence of the other mistress about to perform the killing act of setting the poison for the Lady Tama and after detailed confessions made by Mei and the other mistress this case was an open and shut masterpiece. Shusuke received praise for his deductive skills and reasoning behind the conspiracy. He and Lady Tama’s relationship going forward between the Kasumioji and Kiyoshi's has been strengthened for the long term, and are now active allies of one another.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/2020 09:41AM by Sukato.​