[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Rukongai

[Shinigami]

The Rukongai has always been a restless place, the hub of Souls passing through from the World of the Living. For some it was home, for others it was vast hunting grounds, the Shinigami used it as a place to refill their ranks, and for many others..it was a grave.
A century has passed since destruction was once wrought upon the hapless Rukon residents, an inexplicable explosion that decimated many districts. Prior to that there was the crimson sky that heralded the ruination of yet another district, and prior to that were the scars brought about by the Kōtotsu’s intrusion into their realm. The Rukongai has known little of peace as of late, yet for a Century there has been some semblance of calm, or so it seemed.
Within the Oki Clan’s estate a soldier turned mother hides away from her duty and oath to the military she had sworn to serve in order to fulfill her maternal duties and uphold a mother’s oath to her child. Like many of the denizens in the surrounding districts, she too has enjoyed this century of peace, even more so with her child, a final memento from a tyrant, a prisoner...a Commander. It is at this very same estate that another mother joins the Oki. Two noble women, both soldiers, both sworn to oath and duty 一 unlike the Oki however, the Gekko has chosen to maintain a balance between both duties and oaths, Akarui has not forsaken her post and all that she has sworn to protect.
In another distant estate, housed within a separate region, a far off district, the shinigami of the Seventh Division have gathered. Diligent soldiers who have worked tirelessly in the past hundred years, their Lieutenant taking command in the absence of their Captain. It wasn’t unusual for the Captain of the Seventh to vanish without a word to his subordinates or his peers, venturing out into the Rukongai on his own, performing his own investigations and stirring up his own trouble. What was concerning was the fact that there were no murmerings in the various districts. No stories or rumors or gossip of the crazed Captain’s wild antics, the thugs, the thieves, the cutthroats and criminals of the rougher and more disenfranchised districts were becoming more brazen in their acts. It seems that whatever fear, whatever leash had kept them in line in former years, had grown slack or was discarded altogether.
Lieutenant Ise understands that there was no way the underbelly of Rukongai would be so bold with their Captain roaming about, crushing any who would disturb the tranquility they strived so hard to keep. Their Captain’s mysterious absence with the rumbling and stirring of the less than reputable souls. They seek answers, needed answers...no..they demanded answers, and so they find themselves in their Captain’s abode, hoping to find either him or the very answers they so desperately sought. They know of their Captain’s reputation, of his strength and prowess yet, there was a sense of concern they couldn’t shake, gnawing at the back of their minds.
Where was Captain Asakura?

Within West Rukongai in the furthest district, the 80th district known as the Kuroari (黒蟻, "Black Ant") District a village lays in ruin. The people who call it home, lifelessly move to salvage their huts and houses. This has become routine for them, they’ve long forgotten why they even bother anymore. Sifting through the cinders and wreckage of their home, they cough from the smoke yet not a soul utters a single word. No one shouts out in complaint or defiance, no one sheds tears of loss or pain, it's as if they’ve all given up on life, themselves...everything.
Hidden within the bushes, covered by mud and filth, veiled by the darkness from the seemingly permanent overcast that haunts and torments the district are hints of a body. A poor soul who perhaps was unable to escape from the most recent violent excursion visited upon the townsfolk. What is odd however, if one was to notice this otherwise inconspicuously hidden and dirtied corpse, was the white barely peeking from beneath mud, blood and soot..and the diamonds that traced along its edges. The torn ragged material, and the black dirtied robes underneath...it was almost as if this body was that of a Shinigami Cap-

 

[Shinigami]

The unease began to swell within Signy before they had even made it to their destination. Upon arriving, she found herself in the arms of her lieutenant. A shudder ran through her body, and her own racing pulse drowned out Atsuko’s declaration that she was her new bride-to-be. She had only ever been carried like that once in her life. The night her parents forced Shori to awaken by attempting to drown Signy. Signy slid out of Atsuko’s arms and before she could even think, a pulse of lavender reiatsu shot down her arms and gathered in her hands. Alas, it only lasted for the blink of an eye, but it was just long enough for the lieutenant to notice and let a gnawing dread wash over the various unseated Shinigami accompanying them.
Signy, calm yourself. She’s not trying to harm us.
Though no one could see it, Signy felt the sensation of Shori wrapping her phantom arms around her to comfort her. Of course not, they think I’m you. Why would anyone harm the perfect Shori?

Sig-
Before Shori could finish, her voice shattered into oblivion. The phantom embrace was gone, and Signy was alone with her thoughts once more. Her attention quickly snapped back to what was going on around her, and she look where Atsuko was pointing.
"That is the Asakura Compound.... It's where the Captain likely resides at times. I doubt he is there now, that would make the search for him a little too easy."
Her head cocked to the side as she looked over the compound. It was something to behold, but she didn’t care. To her it only paled in comparison to the Hoshi compound. She followed silently behind Atsuko and Sanyu as they followed the housekeeper into the tea room. Signy peered down into the tea that was offered to her and took a hesitant sip as she watched Sanyu sniff around, looking for a scent to follow, but that didn’t last long as the housekeeper returned with a letter from their captain. She eyed the letter with curiosity and whispered under her breath.
”What a peculiar man, this captain is.”

 

[Shinigami]

Listen Here!

It was evident that Atsuko was taken aback by the sudden level of information that the attendant had given them. Her eyes widened as the words rolled off of the woman's lips. There was something that wasn't adding up quite yet. She was fully aware that the Captain was known to go off and perform all sorts of antics, but him leaving a message for them was rather peculiar. As quickly as her eyes filled with surprise, they had reverted back to their normal state. Given the circumstances, there was bound to be quite a bit of information that was delivered in varying methods. But why hadn't Captain Asakura simply sent a letter to the Lieutenant? Perhaps he was aware that she would eventually come to his residence. But if that were true, then the woman would have likely told them straight away.

The more she thought, the deeper the intricacy of their missing Captain had grown. The Rukongai would swallow up those that weren't prepared. Out of everyone that she knew, Itsuki was one of the few that could thrive in such a cutthroat environment. Surely, Sanyu or Shori would need to be trained even further before they could even think about attempting such a task. Even Atsuko was unsure of whether or not she could stay within the underbelly of the Rukongai for such an extended period. She had done so all of her life as head of the Ise Clan. The best decision she had ever gotten the chance to make was the one to become a Shinigami. She knows all too well that she didn't really have a choice, though. Had she not taken the option presented to her, she would have been forced to accept it. Such is the duty of the one who bears the clan's Zanpakuto. Of course, she just so happened to be born into such a powerful position. The weight of the expectations put upon her was something she carried at all times. Only when she was with her Captain and crew did she feel lighter. With such an integral piece missing, it was hard for her to feel like herself. They would get to the bottom of this, surely. Her right-hand cusps her chin slightly as she rubs it gently—it's evident that while perplexed, she's doing her best to think through the situation.
A quick breath is taken before the Lieutenant elects to speak once more: "I understand, please continue, if you will." Being too forward or rude in such a delicate situation was not something that she wanted. Any clues that she could get were absolutely necessary. Any chance to obtain information couldn't be squandered by her ego or the actions of the others. Without speaking, she was certain that the members of her Division were aware of this. In the event that they spoke out of tune, she would be quick to correct them.
"Far & few have hunted deeper than deep. We are the dogs who seek out conspiracy, now hunt in a pack & never be alone. The shadows grow larger only in the presence of light."
Of course, it wasn't going to be easy. The moment that she was presented with the riddle, Atsuko was able to narrow down the potential districts that the man had traveled to. Hundreds of districts meant that there were bound to be similarities, but it also meant that there were bound to be even larger differences. These differences and the specific wording were barely sufficient, but there was a reason that he had left them such a message. It was a sign that he trusted her deduction skills. Pausing briefly, Atsuko closes her eyes and begins to feel the environment around her. Without her vision, she can tell how many souls are within the area. While in this state of sensory, her body mentally appears to detach from its physical form. Like a puzzle, she can see the districts of the Rukongai before her. Taking into account what the man said and what she can feel, two hundred districts are eliminated.
The shadows only grow larger in the presence of light... Another hundred districts fade from her mind as she begins to narrow it down further. The district in question isn't one that is overly bright, but it isn't overbearingly dark either. It is cloudy, clearly, the Sun is just barely piercing the clouds. It's overcast and this is a typical condition of the district. A minute passes before she opens her eyes. Altogether, she has managed to narrow hundreds of districts down to ten possible places. As she opens her eyes, the vision that contains her spirit's detached form dissipates as she comes back to the visible reality before her. Opening her mouth once more, she speaks to the residence's caretaker.
"Miss, how long has it been since Captain Asakura has visited?"
The woman pauses briefly, tapping her head a couple of times before speaking back to Atsuko: "That is a good question, Lieutenant. The lord has not been in his study a few months... perhaps even years." A gentle sigh comes out before she picks up where she left off "Time has a way of slipping the mind when Asakura-dono is around, you know."
She is all too familiar with this feeling. Every hour spent with their Captain feels like minutes. His presence certainly had a way of accomplishing this. From his interesting stories to words of advice, it seemed as if he was a bottomless well of knowledge. The Ise often enjoyed testing the depths to see how deep they actually were. To her surprise, she hadn't managed to stump him once.
Standing up, Atsuko quickly assumes the posture necessary for bowing and makes a humble request of the servant.
"If you would allow me to, I would like to allow for my squadmate, Sanyu, to accompany me into the Captain's study so that he may identify the Captain's scent. With this, we may be able to track his location down."
With that, she awaits her answer while bowing. It's evident that this question makes the older woman a bit nervous. She isn't sure if she even has the proper authority to allow such a thing. But she, too, misses Itsuki. Even if it wasn't her place to allow for such, she was going to make an exception for Division Seven.
"I-I suppose that would be alright. Please be careful while in the Lord's study. He will know if anything is out of place and I'll never hear the end of it."
She had received the permission necessary to search through their Captain's study. With that, she motions for both Sanyu and Shori to follow her into the study while the other members remain in the tea room. Sliding the door to the study open, Atsuko is not surprised to see a wide variety of investigative tools spread out. Connections are made on boards and there is a plethora of jargon written on items throughout the room. The Lieutenant speaks up, specifically towards Sanyu.
"Sanyu, I've managed to narrow down the Captain's possible location to ten districts. Using this information in tandem with your ability to track a scent should prove useful. This room has remained untouched since the Captain's last visit..." Her left index runs along the desk and she lifts it up to reveal that dust has indeed accumulated since the man's last visit.
"You catch this scent and we'll head directly for the other districts. It's time for this game of cat and mouse to end."

 

[Shinigami]

Sanyu was already sniffing and snooting about as the attendant and Atsuko spoke upon the whereabouts of Captain Asakura. Sanyu hoped to find him soon. The young seated officer of Division Seven thought back upon what the last one hundred years were like exactly. 70 years prior he graduated from the Shino Academy, with his entire family present and cheering him on… all except for the man he lost 20 years into his academy training.
100 years ago
"Sanyu? Hug your father before he goes! He's transferring to 7th today. He's going to need it."
His mother. Akemi Komamura. Although the curse didn't affect those that married into the clan, it affected their children. Akemi was a beautiful woman, and if the curse was non-existent, things would be so much better. Sanyu was in the courtyard learning family Hakuda techniques with his grandfather, Sanyu's father, and the grandson of Saijin Komamura. He flickered his ear upon hearing the voice of his mother and wagged his tail, dashing to the arms of his father.
The Komamura man picked up his son, for what would unknowingly be the last time.
"Ah hahaha… you be good for your mother, I'll be back tonight when I am off."
Sanyu wished him goodbye, and that was the last time he would ever see his father again.
70 years ago
At Sanyu's graduation ceremony, he and his family were confronted by Captain Itsuki Asakura. As soon as he graduated, Captain Asakura asked for his skills immediately. Sanyu was a bit hesitant at first, given what happened to his father in this man's squad… but to work in the Rukongai and save others from rogue shinigami… this was his father's dream, to make the Rukon a better place to live. Perhaps with Itsuki he could make that first step. Eventually he learned to like Itsuki, and Atsuko, and Shori. It felt more like a second family where they all looked out for each other like a pack. Atsuko was like an older sister, Itsuki like a proud papa, and Shori was like another sister.
Present day
Sanyu looks back at Atsuko who addresses him and breaks him from his memories. He listens intently on the clue as to where Itsuki was, and then waits for Atsuko's answer.
"Sanyu, I've managed to narrow down the Captain's possible location to ten districts. Using this information in tandem with your ability to track a scent should prove useful. This room has remained untouched since the Captain's last visit..."
Mmm… considering how many years it had been since Itsuki had been here… he wondered if following a scent trail this cold was even possible. He looked to be in deep contemplation about how exactly to look for their captain.
"Lieutenant; I'd hate to burst your bubble but if he's been gone for several years as the attendant says; there is no tracking him this way; the scent would be too far degraded and gone. There is however another way."
He sighed.
"But you disapproved of it before hearing my explanation, and I kept quiet as you are my Superior. However, if you'd like to hear my reasoning now, I'd like to try again."
He said, putting a hand on his Zanpakuto again.
"Kami Taigun, can create Origami figures of anything I desire. The birds I suggested previously can fold to become paper-thin, and completely invisible when folded at an angle. You name off the Ten Districts you think he might be, and I can use Kami Taigun to fly birds out to each of those Districts and scout them out from above. Any information they come back with will be written or recorded on their wings due to the reiatsu the paper is surrounded by. It's their sole purpose; Captain Itsuki recruited me straight out of the Academy due to my skills, and I intend on using them, if it is alright with you, Lieutenant."
Sure, he was Komamura and had higher senses then the two of them, but even a world of the living trained blood hound wouldn't be able to track a scent that old.

 

[Shinigami]

From 13th division

Today was the day perhaps? He'd kept in contact with Honoka-san for a while. He understood what it meant to be friends with her, and, by some distance they were cousins anyway. Tenzen and his mother had Oki blood running through them but being adopted, Katsuo didn't. Would they allow him to visit anyway? The Oda and Oki were not entirely on decent terms either, considering his mother was disowned.
As he walked toward the gate with his old soul phone and headset as a first meeting gift to the child he heard Honoka left her post to raise, he stopped daydreaming about his day currently to see a green haired boy dart past him and toward the gate, then yelped and was startled by what appeared to be the boy's mom, whom he might or might not have seen around first Division every once in a while? Boys will be boys however, and unconcerned about greeting his elders, dashed forward, looking forward to meet this "Masa-chan" and playing with him.
Katsuo couldn't help but chuckle and smile about it; it reminded him of the days in his own youth when he wanted to play with Tenzen and their cousins so bad, he forgot to greet his own elders but, his ended more violently, though he learned quickly. Yurui was the worst with it, like he enjoyed it…
"Good Day, Ma'am.."
He'd say, bowing lightly to her before moving on into the residence himself. He was a bit nervous, considering he was an Oda, and it was his first visit here… he'd hoped none of Honoka's clan members wanted to start things, for he really didn't want to tear an even larger rift between the two families; even though he wasn't visiting them, but Honoka herself and her child, the one she's talked about to him before. He did promise once things settled more in the living world he would visit.
"Good evening Lady Honoka? It is I, Lieutenant Oda of Division thirteen, I've come to visit like I have promised!"
He waved in the courtyard, inside he was smirking, if only a little bit. He did say Oda. He was not here to stir trouble, but he would definitely defend himself if the Oki clan house was anything like the Oda's. From what stories their mother had given, it wasn't, but Katsuo was prepared, and stayed Vigilant.
"I bring gifts for my little cousin!"