[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Central Seireitei

[BSD]

“Enough.”
It was what she had said, but clearly the damage that she had dealt had not been enough for him to stop... The events would continue to unfold, and Akarui would stand there unmoving, listening to every sound that danced around. Behind the smoke that soon began to settle, Akarui had a clear view of the boy’s silhouette becoming from the other side. She does not look away, for she admires his aspirations to continue fighting, but it ends with the fall of a fellow Shinigami nonetheless. The clouds of powder clear with a single swipe of her zanpakutō and Akarui is left alone in the courtyard, silent, chaos finally subsiding. She lets out a soft sigh, before stabbing the pommel of her staff into the ground behind her and raising her right hand in an Abhaya Mudra formation. Lowering her head, Akarui offers a silent blessing, as it is a gesture of reassurance, blessing, and protection. The air around her lifts her short locks and the flap of her half-coat that bore the Gekkō Clan symbol, outlining her body is a gentle glow of emerald green.

“Do not fear, as you are now free.”
As she returns back to the area that of where she once resided, the sizzling having come to a stop with the swipe of her blade across the air and a mental will for it to cease. Admittedly, she wished Kiku were here at the moment to clean up the mess that she’d made, but it would have had to wait until the hall’s final three occupants had vacated the premises. Rui wondered just exactly how long she would be left standing here before she could rest in her quarters. It’d been a long day, starting off with the tattered Kuchiki Manor and grounds. Then, Kiku had decided to toy around with the Kiyoshi boy that she brought along with for lunch. Upon her return to the First Division, she was met with the news of Yami returning from his mission, though unable to meet him since he had been escorted off to the Fourth. And to have received orders of a Captain’s Meeting… Grumbling under her breath, Akarui’s head tilted up just a bit, dark, emerald orbs falling upon the sky that sat above their heads, blue and endless.
In the distance, she hears the sound of explosions and turns her head in the direction of the Northeast. The Seventh Division Barracks were awfully lively, but the center of it all had the most action that a soul would never experience in a lifetime, let alone a day. In the direction of the Central 46 Compound, Rui’s eyes come to look over the direction’s horizon and wondered exactly the reasoning for the old fogeys to have called their Commander to their domain. What would they do? Imprison him again? While Akarui knew the contents of the Commander’s past transgressions, he’d done more for the Soul Society than those idiots had in their entire lifetimes, but if he went so willingly, then Akarui shouldn’t mull over any unnecessary details. She, the ever-diligent Head Guardsman, would fulfill her task to her dying breath.

 

[BSD]

He allowed his eyes to wander while also keeping the two before him in his immediate peripheral, it wasn’t particularly hard because they were such large figures. Very shameful to let either of them out of his sight for any reason. When was the last time he had really escorted someone to Central Forty-Six grounds, he wondered. This might have actually been his first time, and what a person to have been keeping an eye on. He was[[ slightly miffed about the Lieutenants presence however, but her demeanor did not seem as if she would go against the direct orders of the only group that her superior takes orders from. The clicking of her heels were incessant, wearing no tabi nor sandals but wooden geta accompanied by the echoing sounds of her travel. He truly wondered how he never heard her coming from around the corner, these clicks were nothing he was surely like to forget anytime soon. More so, the news that she bore was also greatly concerning, and maybe she wasn’t here to potentially protest her Captain’s arraignment but to simply perform her duty just as he was. Armed with seemingly nothing more than her clipboard, she quickly listed off the current occurrences taking place outside of the Soul Society. News that seemed to be particularly troubling.
”Certainly. As of now, we have two reports of Togabito in the world of the living. One in Naruki, engaged by Tenth Divisions Hyouzoku Shizuka, Yakimono Kuro, Abarai Ryuga…”
”Togabito…? What on earth is going on in the World of the Living…? he voiced to himself. Suddenly, in the same moment that the Lead Lieutenant trailed off in her speech, he felt an aberration of violent spiritual energy that made Shusuke senselessly clutch the hilt of his weapon to be armed at the ready. Was it a perpetrator looking to stop the escort? No...The flows were multiple, belonging to different individuals locked in what seemed to be deathly combat. But where? The feeling of the pressure burned into his back like a hot rash, spreading to his shoulders and hips, then finally giving him a cold shiver down his spine. This however tightened the grip on his sword, only for him to look back and see that it was simply just the door of the meeting hall that was opened. The Captains appeared to have been locked into some form of wild combat with one another, he felt the bloodlust radiate off the hinges and seep into the air like bad news. He found one Captain Maho Kojima and Captain Yu Nakamoto outside with Akarui. The three were now relatively far away now, but it was still very easily distinguishable as to who was harmed and who was not. Captain Nakamoto who had made short work of Shusuke so long ago came out bloodied, from what? that remained a mystery. But the might he saw from the Fourth Division’s Captain, to be met with such brutality within that hall...maybe, just maybe. Shusuke wasn’t ready to have donned that haori in the first place.
He turned his head back forward and released the grip upon his weapon. No threat was in the vicinity, but whatever lies beyond that door...One was sure to find their demise.
”- and the assistance of Fullbringers. As for Karakura, Thirteenth Division is on site, under command of Fourth Division's Lieutenant Hageshi Omoni, with Quincy on the scene as well. It appears that the Quincy are currently assisting in the battle against the Togabito. I've approved requests for the removal of the Gentei Kaijo, for Third Seat Shizuka, as well as Lieutenant Omoni. So far, this is all the information that is currently available.”
The events that were transpiring in the Living World sounded truly troublesome...Togabito appearances with the aid of Quincy and Fullbringer alike...He’s heard stranger reports but to him it sounded like things were as handled as it was really going to get. He could only hope the Lieutenant and Third seat would be enough. And return home safely. He looked away while trying not to make it seem like he was eavesdropping, although it was entirely what he meant to do. For good reason.
”And while, this is not dire information, I summoned Lieutenant Nozamu of Twelfth Division to my office for a meeting not only to learn more on Hell, but to perhaps shine light on how one may escape Hell, given Yami's return and his own verbal report on the God King's escape from Hell as well. Regrettably, he failed to arrive in my office..”
She pauses a moment before continuing on. Quite a thoroughly worded report for a quick stroll. Quite obvious as to why she is where she is. They were now nearly there.
”This is far too coincidental for my taste. The God King's reappearance, Yami suddenly able to return, and worst of all, the escaped Togabito in the world of the living. While I only have reports of two, there may be more on the loose wreaking havoc. Lieutenant Nozamu, given his Hell expertise, could very well have been the only one to give me the information we need to take more decisive actions, his untimely disappearance in itself could mark something troubling for us."
”Nozamu is missing…?” he thought. He spent some time in Twelfth as a researcher some odd hundred years back and had gotten to know the Lieutenant, not intimately as the workload in the Division is arguably one of the highest of any Division but they worked some small projects. Stranger times boded for the Seireitei indeed, and a wind was blowing in change of all kinds lately. How would we deal with these changes…? How would Shusuke deal with them? The Commander himself was silent as a gargoyle throughout the entire report, probably weighing every last word said, envisioning the outcome, then trying again for another possibility. He walked like his physical age, this was true, but he knew that great gears turned this behemoth of a man who shadowed the Thirteen Divisions. But he had pondered enough, and simply spoke in his baritone command. Shusuke could tell the Lieutenant was trying to get his eye contact, but her superior's speech soon overpowered her very possible action. They soon shortly arrived before the great gates of the governors. But the Commander paused before taking his leave to enter. Shusuke nodded to the two guards on duty, as they would await his final instruction to his Lieutenant before opening the gates. What choice did they have?

”Lieutenant Hageshi was dispatched on a mission to procure a Hollow. The Hollow is here. Lieutenant Hageshi is not. Retrieve her. Send orders to Captain Nakamoto. The Fourth Division will be escorted by Lieutenant Uekū to assist the Tenth and Thirteenth Divisions in the World of the Living. Upon Captain Kagayaki’s return, inform him of the situation. He has authority to act on my behalf.”
“Have Lieutenant Kyōraku stripped of his title, and seize his assets. Promote the Shinigami Researcher capable of retrieving and deciphering his research, then you will look it over yourself to report.”
“These instances confirm Mochizuki’s report. If simple Togabito are capable of manifesting Hell Gates, then it is indeed possible for the God King to have escaped. Locate Mochizuki. Dispatch him to Hueco Mundo. He will not return until the creature known as Vincent Bauttista is dead. Should he encounter Hibiki Maeda, he will bring him back dead or alive.”
Nearly upon the final word, Shusuke gives the signal to open the gates and the guards do as they are instructed. With great creaking effort, the doors were open revealing a black expanse. Void of anything within immediate eye view. He could only imagine what could take place now. The walls were reinforced by Seki-seki, spiritual energy is incapable of penetration or overpowering it's brute defense. But the Commander lived to awe. He slowly began walking again, leaving the shinigami behind with simple words.
Tap.
Tap..
Tap...
”Dismissed.”
The doors soon shortly closed behind him, the creaking still present upon their closing. How old were these damn doors anyway? Regardless, he had performed his job delivering the Commander to the Central Forty Six. He soon would turn to the guards, gesture a good-bye to them then turn to the Lieutenant if she was still around and bid her farewell with a simple silent bow. Taking his leave in the other direction. However, his attention was quickly diverted to a large echoing...
BOOM
”Well. That didn’t sound good. You gonna go check that out?”

The manifestation of his sword within his psyche had reared itself. En'enra knew this man intimately, and would often act as his 'conscience' in situations such as these. Shortly after, gripping his hips in disappointment and letting out a heavy breath of exhaustion, this wasn’t something Shusuke wanted to do. The emanating explosion came back from the same location as the meeting, his thoughts then rang to the bloodthirsty Captains and the bloodied Fourth Division Captain outside the doors. Hadn’t there been enough bloodshed? Shinigami fighting against one another wasn’t prohibited but even Shusuke could feel the destructive force behind that deafening blast. Bad intentions? Maybe. However, there was only one way to find out, and it was the last thing the Kiyoshi wished to do.
Find out.

 

[BSD]

Seemingly living in blissful ignorance of everything going on around him, Nibui simply thinks about and lives in the moment. Finding his own display of ‘humour’ to be quite a treat he thinks back on it for a moment, missing the wave of expressions that pass over Kiku’s face in the moments following his salute. "You really let that dumb ass beat you?" For a moment those words are lost on Nibui as he thinks it through to himself. Wracking through his memories the smaller of the two tries to recollect what he can. Beat me? I- I can’t remember being beat.. Unless he means… Could he be referring to Jubokko? Surely not, the only other two who had known of the true events beneath the earth were Jinnosuke and Captain Yu, and trusting those two, Nibui soon dismissed the possibility that they had spread those words. Then who was he referring to? ”A dumbass that fought me?” A little longer passing over as he thinks it through thoroughly before finally arriving at his realization. “Does he mean Jinnosuke? That’s a bit harsh, he’s not quite so dull, just a bit extravagant..”
A solid minutes passes as he progressively becomes more and more lost in his thoughts until he finally returns to the reality before him. His voice leaving him in an inquisitive manner as he finally speaks up to answer the question. ”Are you talkin’ about Jinnosuke? If I’m being honest I don’t remember losing, I did make him Lieutenant afterwards though. The Eleventh needs someone like Jinnosuke, not someone like myself.” Despite the outcome of the battle between the two, Nibui had always felt that he had made the right call in leaving his position to the muscle bound pompadour sporting Shinigami. The man looks to be basically made for the position. From attitude to ability, he is a perfect fit.
This reminiscing is soon cut short however, as Kiku begins to speak once again. " You doing anything in particular or know of any interesting spots? I can feel the Reiatsu in Seventh. Must be a party." At this point Kiku was essentially pointing out the colours on a painting to a blind man. " We could go be nosy and see what that's about. What do you say, Nibui?" Nosy? Being both curious and simultaneously lazy, Nibui finds himself internally conflicted. Does he have any business interfering in whatever is going on, does he even stand to gain anything from it other than sating is curiosity?
Yes… No… Wait, yes… Ah, maybe not. Bringing his Zanpakuto up to his head, he begins tapping the handle against his temple lightly as he shifts back and forth between his answers. He was stumped, completely and utterly stumped at this dilemma. Perhaps the studying had taken more of a toll on him than he thought? Eventually however, he finds his answer, a long internal scream and a breathy few words for Kiku following.
”I’m not sure what I want to do, I’ve been studying for too long. Make the choice for us… If you don’t mind of course.” As he speaks, there’s a certain frustration hidden among his words even in his happier demeanour. The last few months proving to be quite transformative as the previously blank slate of a boy begins to express himself now. The blockhead Jinnosuke and the shy little Captain Yu had taken their toll on the emotional walls present within Nibui.

 

[BSD]

x

Honoka's sentimentality might very well be the reason for her own untimely demise. Allowing herself to become distracted by not only by those outside the Captain's Hall, but more so by those within it, still in the midst of battle. To be the one closest to him at all times often put her at the brunt of such calls for attention. A bad habit of hers no less, to not only want to know, but need to know everything as it happens. Unfortunately for her, she was not omniscient as the Captain Commander. Needing constant intake of information and knowledge. Despite her ability to multitask, this was not the moment for it. This much is clear as the Captain of First Division turns his gaze on his Lieutenant.

Her shortcomings illuminated in the single instant his reiatsu focuses solely on the Oki woman, mercifully sparing those around them. Even she, his very own lieutenant was not above reprimation, in fact, the bar was far higher. How could it not be? She was chosen amongst what was left of of the Gotei Thirteen to be his right hand, and second in command. She would act accordingly, or she would suffer the consequences, as she did now. Honoka has been well aware of this since the very beginning. This was not without it's benefits, in doing so, not only did she grow stronger under his unorthodox treatment many would probably deem cruel and savage, she did not perceive it in such a way. In fact, she was even grateful. Not only that, there was only a handful that would bravely accept such a daunting position. Even fewer to survive this long. And while her body shows no strange tells to the effects of the Captain Commander's reiatsu, her eyes tell a different story, if only for a second. They open in realization at her mistake to allow herself to become distracted, after being allowed to accompany him in this short walk to report to him.
It seems she has far more pressing matters this day than to waste her time with those past the pillars they stood before, despite her desire to stand beside her captain in such a ridiculous trial. In time, she would get her chance.

“Lieutenant Hageshi was dispatched on a mission to procure a Hollow. The Hollow is here. Lieutenant Hageshi is not. Retrieve her. Send orders to Captain Nakamoto. Fourth Division will be escorted by Lieutenant Uekū to assist the Tenth and Thirteenth Divisions in the World of the Living. Upon Captain Kagayaki’s return, inform him of the situation. He has authority to act on my behalf.”
She stands at full attention, not unusual from the tall beauty given her grace and poise. It is muscle memory. She listens intently to each and every one of his words, not diverting her attention as he begins listing her orders one by one, each to be carried out perfectly. She does not interrupt him, she doesn't dare. She knows better. She's seen the consequences of such an action, and she wasn't ready to die just yet.
“Have Lieutenant Kyōraku stripped of his title, and seize his assets. Promote the Shinigami Researcher capable of retrieving and deciphering his research, then you will look it over yourself to report.”
The consequences of one's actions were dire, more so in light of the situation, in addition to ignoring the summons of First Division. There was no pity from her for the demoted lieutenant. She needed information, he had it, and his disappearance impeded her work, and by extension that of the Commanders, so far to say even possibly jeopardizing the balance of the Soul Society and Word of the Living. She would see to this.
“These instances confirm Mochizuki’s report. If simple Togabito are capable of manifesting Hell Gates, then it is indeed possible for the God King to have escaped. Locate Mochizuki. Dispatch him to Hueco Mundo. He will not return until the creature known as Vincent Bautista is dead. Should he encounter Hibiki Maeda, he will bring him back dead or alive.”
The heaviness of the doors is evident as they open. Her emerald eyes remain fixed on the captain, even as he finishes speaking and turns away to walk inside. She stands, undaunted by her list of orders. She instead awaits her final one. The last order that will allow her to set these plans in motion, and maintain the delicate balance. Her peripheral allows her to see the doors begin to close behind him, the entrance only illuminated by the natural light of the outside slowly dims, casting the darkness of the room upon Shobatsu, it is then, when she finally hears his voice bellow from the darkness...
“Dismissed.”

She wastes no time, upon her dismissal, her frame flickers, unable to afford any attention to the Third Seat of Sixth Division, this appears to be the only time her manners are put on the back burner. After all, Shusuke was present to hear these orders from the Captain Commander himself.
The distance the trio walked from the Captain's Hall to the gates of the C46 compound was retraced by Honoka in a single step. With her prowess, such a miniscule distance was nothing to her. She is once again at Akarui's side, this time, in wait of Captain Higen Kagayaki's emergence from the inside. Until then, she began her own preparations to carry out her orders. Time to put you to work, Higanbana. She calls out to her very own zanpakuto spirit as she closes her eyes, listening, searching, and watching, this time far beyond the grounds of First Division. She sees everything from the ants walking on the stalk of a daisy, to the birds soaring above the sky, even as far out as the reaches of the Eleventh Division barracks, Third Division, and even the Kido corps. The training, studying, those in ignorance of the events currently happening throughout. Every plant within the gates of the Gotei Thirteen is at her beck and call.
She doesn't disturb Akarui in her guarding duties, and the seriousness of Honoka's expression on her face, tells Akarui to do the same. She searches for a handful of particular signatures, faint trails allow her to follow them to their locations. In the Northeast, Honoka sees the ruckus in the Seventh Division, unfortunately for them, she does not deviate from her orders. Her search continues, in a matter of seconds, she zeroes in on the Fourth Division and those in their care. Potted plants in offices and rooms used to liven up the environment now allow Honoka to see those buzzing about. She precisely pinpoints the people she must relay these urgent orders to. The very orders she is entrusted with. Summoning someone and sending them would have been more time consuming and The Head Lieutenant will not waste her time with messengers in these urgent times. From these very potted plants, something begins to sprout and form rather quickly. The green stalk twists and sways, leaves flop and a bud opens to reveal peachy and yellow petals that taper off to a point, on it's receptacle, a large slit is visible, a pair of lips, which in fact, open to reveal teeth-like growths and a tongue. Oshaberihana a creation through the use of her zanpakuto that allows her to use these particular flowers as speaker phones to communicate through vast distances and at high octaves. Fast and efficient.

"Captain Nakamoto, you and your division are to prepare to enter the front lines immediately and assist as necessary. Lieutenant Uekū, you are to escort Fourth Division safely to the cities of Karakura and Naruki. These are orders from Captain Commander himself, failure to comply will result in dire consequences."
The flowers resonate through the entirety of the barracks of fourth division. Every capable and incapable body would hear these orders relayed by the strange colored flowers. Her tone is serious, unusual for the Head Lieutenant, yet these are unusual circumstances. She has no time to waste on formalities. Honoka needs this situation resolved immediately, yet the relay of orders does not end here.
"Lieutenant Hageshi is engaged in a fight with a Togabito, her orders were to return and heal Lieutenant Uekū, she failed to do so. That is inexcusable. Remedy this."
This time, the flowers closest to the shinigami of First Division turn their attention to him, addressing him directly.
"Yami Mochizuki. You are to seek the help of Fifth Division to enter Hueco Mundo dispose of the God King. Should you encounter Eleventh Division's Hibiki Maeda, you are to bring him back dead or alive. Under no circumstances are you to return empty handed."
With this, she finishes her business with those in the barracks of Fourth Division, the flowers begin shrink until they are no longer present in the soil, as if they never existed. A one way radio, and an blatant reminder to those of the frightening abilities of the Head Lieutenant. From here, she withdraws her attention, and shifts it to the Northwest, focusing on those housed in the Twelfth Division. While one may think that plant life to be scarce in a division of research and technology, if not for those of her own household in the pursuit of research in botany, medicine, herbalism, and horticulture, her job could have been just slightly more inconvenienced. That not being the case, the very same flowers begin to sprout and grow, reaching their full size in a matter of seconds. Once again her voice fills the rooms and halls of the barracks, to be heard by every member in the barracks.
"Effective immediately, Kyōraku Nozamu no longer holds the rank of Lieutenant. His research and findings are to be gathered, and anyone capable of deciphering this is to report to me immediately. Otherwise, the entirety of his assets are to be surrendered to First Division. Failure will not be tolerated."
Akin to the flowers in Fourth, once her message is completed, the flowers diminish in size, until they no longer exist.

With the majority of her orders dispatched, she now must wait for Captain Kagayaki to emerge and receive his very own orders from the Captain Commander through her, unusual, yet unavoidable circumstances. She opens her eyes, sighing softly. She turns to the side to face Akarui and smiles kindly, finally able to address her directly.
"My, my. What a busy day, wouldn't you agree, Akarui-chan? I do wish for them to finish soon, we have quite a bit of work to do."
Her eyes shift back, taking a view of the mess on the ground in the distance. Regrettable, but no sympathies come from the Head Lieutenant. Maho Kojima had his orders, as did Akarui, while one disobeyed, the latter followed them perfectly. This is what it means to be of the First Division. This is Honoka's sense of duty. It was certainly a shame to lose a promising young light, snuffed too soon.
"It seems you have been quite busy yourself. Admirable as ever, Akarui."

 

[BSD]

”Are you talkin’ about Jinnosuke? If I’m being honest I don’t remember losing, I did make him Lieutenant afterwards though. The Eleventh needs someone like Jinnosuke, not someone like myself.” The Shinigami introduced as Nibui would say, after a while of pondering could be seen worn over his face. He would look quizzical for a moment. Kiku's eyes would tilt up at this. ' Huh interesting, Shinigami usually don't opt out of things like that. Guess that's why you shouldn't listen to idle talk and gossip.' Kiku would shift his weight and lean a little as Nibui continued to respond.
”I’m not sure what I want to do, I’ve been studying for too long. Make the choice for us… If you don’t mind of course.” Kiku would look puzzled, and then a little confused. He wasn't expecting this today. A change of pace that's for sure. He would look around a little longer. Before shrugging his shoulders a bit and sighing.
" You know, i'm really bad at this sort of thing. Why don't we just go for a walk and see what happens. Maybe we'll run into someone that knows what's going on around here."
Kiku would then crouch and leap onto the rooftop of a nearby passage way. He would then look down to Nibui and smile.
" You look fast! I'll race you passed Central."
Kiku would then compress himself further, before jolting off against the vertically lain tiles of the roof top. Each precise step clacking with the signature ceramic sound as he dashed off towards Central. He hoped Nibui would at least keep a running pace with Kiku. It would be a shame if he couldn't even Shunpo a little bit. The clouds would blur together slightly as Kiku would increase in speed. Using purely his physical strength and endurance. Kiku would start to gain distance on Nibui. Leaping from the current tile top to another, and then another. Kiku would start to make an increased haste right back near the area he thought he had ended the days note on. Wondering if Nibui would even play along, Kiku slowed himself a little, Each leap coasting in the air as he increased his wingspan, by fanning his arms out and letting the drag of the wind pull him back slightly. The second he saw Nibui however, he would dive back into a sprint. Baiting out how fast Nibui is.