[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Rukongai

[Shinigami]

Himari just stood there and watched as the Lieutenant talked to this man with whom she knew he had known, but Himari herself didn’t have any clue who this guy was. The way everyone around the young girl was acting, Himari was able to put two and two together. And she was able to sense the mans Reiryoku well enough to know he was one of them. And the thought of whoever doing this to shinigami like herself made her skin crawl. It had upset her. And she wanted to know why.
As she would silently look around, her hand still resting on top of her Zan in a way to calm her nervousness, she sensed that they were not alone. Her red and gray eyes would finally look up to see that they weren’t. She would narrow her eyes to get a better look just to see a woman with blue hair and accompanying her was a woman with blue hair, just a little darker than her own. One look at them gave her the understanding that they were from the second division. This made her raise an eyebrow. What were they doing here? They couldn’t have been sent on the same mission as they were, of course. So why were they crossing paths here.
This made her a little bit more nervous but she made sure to keep her face emotionless as possible. ‘
Himari was brought out of her worried filled thoughts as the man before the spoke.
“So…..You’ve come at last.”
Just by looking at him, Himari knew the man had been beaten to probably his last threads. He was weak, from the way he composed himself to the way he spoke. And Himari found herself staring at the man in wonder. Wondering how this monk got himself tied up in some mess like this. Then he spoke again.
Himari wasn’t shocked that he knew Arashi. She couldn’t bring herself to be shocked. He was a lieutenant after all and she knew he would know more people than herself. And finally the people from the second was close enough for Himari to hear their footsteps, and the way this man looked at them, Himari knew he knew them as well.
”It's me, Xaolin. Had I known of your condition I would have rushed to your aid.”

Himari was a little shocked to hear pity in Arashi’s voice as he spoke to this man she now knew was named Xaolin. She didn’t know the lieutenant was even capable of feeling anything like pity. And this almost made her raise an eyebrow, but she kept her face still as she watched the pink and blue haired women approach them, her eyes not leaving them before she would glance at the man they had brought with them.
One look at him, she knew he wasn’t in their division. So why was he with him? Who was he? What was he doing with them? These questions could be seen going through Himari’s duo colored eyes as she stared him down. She would try to swallow down her nervousness, but it was not starting to get hardened to control.

 

[Shinigami]

The warmth of a hand touched upon Yasu’s shoulder and she nearly snapped had it not been for the familiar sight of Kazumi. Her anger was pushed away, now nulled with annoyance at just how riled she could get and lose sight of their objective. They’d found who they were looking for, along with their esteemed ‘“traitor”.
“We don't need it."
She was correct. Yasu was letting her emotions go awry, and if she didn't reign it in, there'd be a disaster. Yasu should’ve known better, but to have lost such an asset, and seeing the state that Xiaolin was put in, Yasu’s interest was piqued more than anything. To think that the Third Seat of the Second Division and all of the Shinigami that dangled lifelessly on the spikes that lined the path were unable to bring down the threats… If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she’d never thought it possible. Maybe it was those three months of being experimented on that dulled her senses and gave her this complete 180. Yasu hated feeling like this and letting others see her weaknesses. She felt vulnerable and to be consoled over such a trivial matter…
"Let us return the favor now, Fukutaichō."
Yasu was really losing her touch.
In her little moment of insanity, that beggar felt the release of her Shikai as it slithered back to her. At that moment, he’d run far, far from here, and no one would stop him. He’d done his job, and she’d only meant to keep him this long to make the man fear for his life. Even if she did kill him, who was to say that he wouldn’t do it again? But it was the caste system, and she couldn’t save everybody.
“No. Our objective is complete. Carry Kagewaki’s body. We found what we came for.” She directed to Kazumi.
Just behind her, she can hear the words exchanged between the 5th Division and Xiaolin, and she struggles to find her own words. For the past five months, the Third Seat of her division was labeled a traitor and a failure to his people and was to be brought back dead or alive. Here he knelt before her, bloodied and weakened, and Yasu can’t help but release a soft sigh. As much as she wanted to question him, that would be left up to Kyomu, along with his punishment.
Managing to calm herself down enough for coherent speech, the young lieutenant began to loosen up her stiff joints and make her way over to both Arashi and Xiaolin, a blank look on her face. She couldn’t even fake a smile if she tried at this moment. The situation was too dire. She didn’t even care to ask about 5th’s appearance in all of this. Being overrun with emotions was dangerous… and she needed to be as sane as possible at the risk of her other half deciding to show face. Kneeling down to level with the other two, Yasu inserted herself into their conversation. Time was a bit of the essence.
“Looks like you got the best of the draw, Xiaolin. Lucky you.”
Yasu meant it. To have survived five months of whatever they'd put him through... And then watch every single one of his comrades that came to aid or investigate meet their demise while he still lived was something no normal soul could endure. Shinigami were bred to fight, and in the Second Division, death was the most common as of late. Though while she was content with his survival, their captain would be indifferent and perform as he always had.
Yasu's attention was now on Arashi. Though the two weren’t familiar prior to the incident, their situation was the only thing that kept them close enough to keep them in friendly terms.
“Gomene. I’m sure this is a nice reunion, but the Second Division is to take him into custody. Congrats on your promotion, by the way. I hope we aren’t impeding on your division's duties, Lieutenant Suta.”

 

[Shinigami]

Quite a bit of time had passed since the man's departure from the Kido Corps headquarters after his interrogation pertaining to the whereabouts of the seated members of his division. The results of his inquisition had led him to a location further out within the Rukongai, the 77th district to be specific. Eizoku was knowledgable of the fact that the further one strays out from the center of the Rukongai, the worse the living conditions and way of life in those areas tended to be, this division in particular would be no exception. However, Eizoku had been no stranger to this being that he himself had experienced similar conditions during his youth, this had been nothing more than a reminder to him of how far he had come from his beginnings, without giving into the social norms of killing, stealing, and falling in line with the criminal masses.
Tap, Tap, Tap
A muffled, nearly silent patting emitted from he soles of the man's feet as they made contact with the ground with each stride that he took while he utilized the art of shunpo to cover rather impressive distances during his journey to his targeted destination. His shihakusho flailing silently in the wind due to the slight wind resistance he was facing, his face experiencing the same brunt of the winds as the garment which cloaked him as he continued transversing, becoming slightly irritated by the gentle force of the winds, yet disregarding it and continuing on despite this. The man's emerald green eyes meticulously scanning everything they landed upon within the area, his heart sensing what his eyes failed to capture by means of sensory through use of Reikaku. One could never be too precautious when in foreign areas, especially while being alone, and he for one would not be the individual to be caught lacking nor off-guard. Coming to a sudden halt and examining the area with more of a steady eye, Eizoku had come to the conclusion by means of his observation and sensory capabilities, that he was currently alone, the area had not been occupied surprisingly – not a single soul in sight. However through his further analysis, he would take note in the footprints that had been lightly embedded upon the barren ground in the area beneath him, some created from the disruption of the light debris of dirt and dust that had lightly been attached to the rock like ground, whilst others made an actual solid imprints within the actual dirt of the area that remained in scattered locations. Just from looking at these prints alone, Eizoku was able to analyze that they had been created fairly recently, meaning he had been on the right track. Clearly there had been a rather large party, meaning that others besides the two seated members of his division had been present, and determined by manner in which they were left, there served to be no sign of struggle, resistance, or potential battle – the individuals with them had been allies.
Faint traces of spiritual pressure emitting and lingering in the area quickly caught the man's attention, the more he walked forward from his original position, the stronger it grew, yet he was still unable to sense any individual in particular. It was as if it had been emitting from something else that hadn't necessarily been living, not a Shinigami nor a resident. The sound of streaming water would draw his attention, increasing in volume with every step forward that he took, his thoughts running wild as he began analyzing the situation before what lied ahead of him even came into sight.
"How can the land be so dry, barren, and lifeless...with a natural stream of water being present within the area...?"
From the growing sound of the flowing waters that lie ahead alone, Eizoku could already determine that it was indeed quite a notable amount of water, a source which hadn't been stagnant nor still in the slightest, most likely a river. It only heightened his suspicion and ccuriosity pertaining to the current surrounding condition of the grounds. He quickly took note that the closer he drew towards the body of water, the higher the amount of spiritual pressure being emitted had become – this river itself had been the source of it all. Quickening his pace towards the river ahead for a better view in examination of such an usual situation, Eizoku would nearly be stopped in his tracks upon seeing that the river had flowed a crimson blood-red color. However, he was quickly able to tell that this wasn't simply the result of some form of common pollution or spilled blood for that matter. It was evident from the feel alone that this river had been so imbued with spiritual power that it had bathed and dyed the very waters of the river red.
"Exactly what the hell is going on..?", he verbalized, his face remaining expressionless despite the slight shock that had temporarily overtaken him prior, before his attention was attracted by a sudden scene that caught his attention from what appeared to be occurring from what he deduced to be the source of the water's flowing.

His eyes immediately shifting towards the right as he analyzed the spectacle as if they were drawn by force. The apparent formation of a barrier, one massive in size. Although seeming to be transparent, before the full formation of it had occurred, if one was vigilant enough they would be able to temporarily distinguish the difference between the unformed areas of the barrier and the natural environment around it until fully formed. That, along with a spike in Reiatsu by what seemed to be three individuals bought upon by them initiating the formation of the barrier, made it evident to Eizoku exactly where and how far these individuals had been positioned from him, only before they had seemingly been erased, or rather concealed, moments later. Nevertheless, this was still a lead for Eizoku. Following against the flow of the river, towards the area where the barrier had been formed, Eizoku immediately departed to his targeted location, hoping to soon encounter the division members of his squad.

 

[Shinigami]

Why did you say that?
Golden orbs lifted only to meet with those of the missing Third Seat. The various and subtle changes in his eyes as his emotions lurched from confusion to a relief. She was still uncertain of exactly what to make of any of this situation, but she could not believe the man that was kneeling before them had arrived of his own will. The harsh words spoken to Yasu, the venom she felt as she looked upon the trail of fallen comrades that surrounded them. Why had she reacted with anger with no consideration to this scene? This surprised even herself. She had contained her emotions well enough but had been unable to with her anger.
What else are you hiding?
Her Zanpakuto adorned the fingertips of her right hand and yet beneath her obi, hidden within the folds, sharp points continued to prod at her.
Yoru Onkyō was silent once more, finished with his advice. A strange metal object she had received at some point. A dark blue gem embedded in the center; although she could not picture it that way at the time. To her mind's eye she saw it as it currently was. White wisps marring the gem, clouding it into a lighter blue. Though she could not comprehend why this was relevant she had no time to discover the reason. Snapped back to reality with only short seconds lost she returned to attention as Yasu finished with the others and gave her her orders.
However, the name of the man gave her pause. Something that one would hardly notice. Continuing her pace she approached the both of them. She had heard many stories about this man. He had been almost an urban legend in Academy. Few spoke of him though none believed it. This had changed when she had joined Second, though who he truly was remained a mystery until she had been promoted. Every story of him differed in details, though the truth blazed through to those who would listen. The man who had given his life to the lowest of those within crime ridden Districts. Helping so many from the shadows without them ever knowing he had existed. The death of such a man, even to one who knew him little or none at all, would have a huge impact on the Seireitei.
Bowing her head she felt those around her, their conversations almost distant yet still distinct. A newcomer was arriving within where she was able to sense. His intentions were not difficult to feel, leaving her to disregard him. Pulling the man's hooded robe down to cover his face she scooped him up. Bracing herself on one knee she stood, holding him securely before her.

It was unclear exactly what had happened to the man, though he seemed more frail than one of his size should have been. Daring not to disturb the folds of his robe that covered him in fear of it falling she simply faced Yasu and prepared to depart. His weight was like nothing to her. Was this her strength alone? How small had he grown? Finding it difficult to keep emotions away from her with her sole focus on the limp comrade in her arms, she looked the woman in the eyes and gave a small head bow. She was ready- no matter what it took to get home.

 

[Shinigami]

The bowls of hell call to him. The taste for vengeance is sweet and Arashi had already begun to long for it. He awaits his friend to speak, in hopes for his information to guide him and his team, also, may his words fuel the anger that continues to swell. Neither would happen, as Xiaolin’s eyes flutter and his body leans to both directions before falling towards the ground. Both himself and his subordinate successfully brace him, catching him. Arashi backs off, standing with his left hand immediately attaching itself towards his Zanpakuto, grasping with a tireless grip, veins bulging at the back of his hands, knuckles turning white. His eyes were truly open at this moment, staring towards the road ahead. A flicker of darkness licks at the corner of his eye.
Yes, his Hollow counterpart begins to shave at the wall that holds him back, impeding his chances to control. Arashi’s once staggering and unyielding resolve, slowly begins to crumble. Just a few more pushes. Just. A. Few. More.
However…
Lieutenant Yugure’s approach grasped his attention.
“Gomene.”
His face became visible, the lurking darkness in his eye faded as quickly as it showed, as if in fear. His eyes naturally closed nearly completely, his signature smile plastered on his face to assert his “eternal” expression. She’d see the same old exterior, but the famed Assassin of Squad Two, second to her infamous Captain, had eyes that could pierce through the vale. See between the lines...
“I’m sure this is a nice reunion, but the Second Division is to take him into custody. Congrats on your promotion, by the way. I hope we aren’t impeding on your division's duties, Lieutenant Suta.”
Of course, they would not be here if not for the call to duty. His head turned to the other that accompanied her, her hands now filled with the body of the other. Even towards the man that had runoff. Was it wise to let him go? Not his place to speak, it was her captive after all. One more time.
” I understand, but to propel the success of our mission to greater chances. I ask for your help, Lieutenant Yugure. Not for vengeance, but to honor our comrades and to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.”
In hopes to persuade, he wasn’t sure that even he was capable of doing such a thing. Having gained the same rank as her, her experience as a Lieutenant far exceeded his own. She understood the values, what it took to hold such a rank. Its flaws and all… Indirectly, it may have seemed that he held doubt towards his Squadmates. No, that is simply not the case. He only feared the worse may come. The more capable hands they have in helping, the possibility to succeed will likely increase.
” I will send one of my men to assist your companion in taking Xiaolin and the other back to your Barracks.”
Continuously, his comrades await his orders, more so Himari than anyone else. Arashi knew he could not remain here long, without any information to go one, there wasn’t any say in what was beginning to transpire down the road ahead. What exactly will they be walking into? Doubt towards Lieutenant Yugure’s assistance had already surfaced, he had to develop a contingency plan for that possible chance. At this point, she is faced with the choice of helping a comrade and ignoring her duty for the time being or continuing with her orders leaving Arashi and company to handle the situation. Whether they joined once more against a common enemy or not, Arashi would ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Suddenly, one of his men in blue coats approached from the side. The other started to support Xioalin’s weight, placing him over the back of his shoulders, wrapping his arm over his leg and the other over his backside in the anticipation of him departing with Squad Two.
” I do not mean to intrude, Lieutenant Suta, we need to advance soon.

Turning his head slightly…
”Right. Please move on ahead with Himari, I will catch up with you all shortly. You are not to engage, only reconnaissance.”
HAI!
A slight bow then turned swiftly to approach both Himari and his other compatriots. The call to leadership once again rings for Himari. Once Himari took charge and set out, Arashi pressed his thumb against the guard of his Zanpakuto, revealing a couple of inches of his sword. Concurrently, his sword had vanished, releasing his Shikai instantaneously without even calling its name.
”Hoshizora: Hoshi Senkō(Star-Flash).”
His spiritual power remained contained, with seemingly no spike in power whatsoever. Inconspicuously, a very small ball of light moved through the air, attaching itself to the fabric of one of the members of his Squad. As for his blade, he no longer had one, or though it seemed. Unusually, he would allow the handle to click against the scabbard as if he still had a blade to draw. Camouflaging into rays of light gifted from the sun, his Zanpakuto floats in insurmountable specs of light, invisible, unable to be seen. Noticeably, the sky above would seem a little brighter than usual.
While the call to his ability was inaudible, Lieutenant Yugure had been given time to contemplate her choice and he hoped her decision would be in aiding him, but he would hold no grudge if she decided otherwise.
He stands…
He waits…
His facial expression never changes...