[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Rukongai

[Shinigami]

"You have a beautiful Zanpakuto, Sanyu."
His eyes gleamed with a bit of pride and confidence in himself, and his own clan, as his Lieutenant spoke those words. Still, he crossed his arms and continued listening to her intently.
"Yes, let's have you do that. Allow for Kami Taigun to search the ten districts in question. We will need all of the help we can get. An aerial view is always an edge, no matter what the scenario is. The Captain did recruit you because of your skills, yes, but also because of your intellect, Sanyu. Never forget that. We'll search through ... and Kuroari."
Sanyu nodded, and went to the front yard of the Asakura compound to do just that. As he walked down the steps and into the yard he began by concentrating. He closes his eyes softly, and brings upon several generations of Komamura knowledge in himself before drawing Kami Taigun from her bamboo sheathe.
"Fold, Kami Taigun!"
(Lit.紙大軍) Meaning; “Great Army of Paper” Sanyu's blade burst into beautiful hues of Blue, as the Reiatsu he holds in his body ignites the blade, it transforms before those witnessing it, into a sword that looked to have been folded from paper, paper which begins to flutter off the zanpakuto's edge one by one. Each paper that flutters off begins to fold themselves into tiny, swallow size origami birds that form in a circle all around him. He'd only need 10 for the job required of his lieutenant, there was little need to waste his reiryoku on more.

Just as Atsuko requested, the seated shinigami sends out these birds to the requested districts, including Kuroari. Once the deed is done, Sanyu's Shikai remains activated, with reiatsu infused papers flying around him he looks back to the women and nods. Sanyu, however, would be fine on his own. He wasn't as fast as Atsuko of course, but he did have a.. Zanpakuto that was capable of using massive numbers of sheets of paper to create origami objects.
This time he created an origami sailboat, which could fit everyone going to Kuroari, and the more Reiatsu he put into it the faster it would go. Shori and Atsuko, and the unseated officers of 7th could hitch a ride on the seemingly magical boat, which really wasn't that large. As Atsuko fled off toward Kuroari, the mini-sail boat would follow along a bit slower behind, but would make it there next to her at a reasonable pace. She really needed to practice patience. Upon arrival the Origami sail boat would poof in a flutter of papers, and Sanyu would catch his Origami bird he sent there. Unfolding the paper, he would look at the visual contents recorded on it from a visual level.
"oh, Lieutenant, asking people might be hard.."
He said, handing the sheet of his own Zanpakuto to her to take a look at the area from an Aerial standpoint like she'd asked. The paper would not harm her, unless Sanyu willed it to. For now, his sheets are harmless pieces dancing about. It was good in fact, that they were, for they could form a paper wall and protect their teammates from possible incoming sneak attacks, should that happen.

 

[Shinigami]

One hundred years have passed, one hundred years since the Souk Society last saw Takashi Kiyoshi. He survived the attack in Rukongai, more specifically District 78 Inuzuri. Even though he was close to being taken again by the cold hands of death, he escaped thanks to pure luck and the help of those who found him unconscious, being taken in and cared for by the neighboring rukongai citizens. Without their intervention, Takashi would undoubtedly have died from the injuries inflicted by the attack. During these years that have passed, he has since devoted his time to training his body, mind and obviously his spirit but also obtaining a deeper knowledge of Kido and its natural properties. Most of the time, Takashi has moved between the barracks of Fifth Division to which he belongs and in the Kiyoshi mansion, trying to fulfill both his tasks in life. More than his job as a shinigami, he also has a duty as a member of the Kiyoshi family to perform. Which is to make sure that the next family head is ready to take over if the active family head would either die or not be able to lead anymore. Since returning home to the Rukongai to Heal from his injuries Takashi has entered a certain state of calm and appears to also gain a worldly amount of wisdom after subjecting himself to the re-teachings of the Kiyoshi elders.
Not too long ago, he met his friend from his years at the academy, a young woman named Junko Izumi, a shinigami from the Fourth Division. How Takashi would describe her is a person always with a happy smile on her face and radiates joy in its purest form. During their latest meeting, Takashi received a gift from her in the form of a ballerina made of glass though she had to explain to him what it was. It may have been small in size but it did not matter to him because it came from her, it became one of his most valuable possessions. It was difficult to say whether or not Takashi cared deeply for Junko more than he let on, a Kiyoshi male struggles with their internal emotions fighting much deeper battles than anyone could ever imagine. While he would like to opportunity to see someone, how they'd respond to him is an entirely different scenario.

With a goal in mind, Takashi is fully aware of what he seeks, which is to become one of the best in the art of Kido in the entire Seireitei. During the 100 years he attempted to invent his own style of combat by adjusting the spells he planned to use for new and devastating effects. Although, even though he has a long way to go to fully create this new style of fighting, he does not give up to reach the goal. He has been slowly harnessing and gathering kido energy form spells during meditation and spreading it throughout his body like a pulsating wave of raw energy. Coursing through his veins with reckless abandon, empowering not only the physical but spiritual psyche of his body, he intended on creating a perfect weapon, becoming the most honed and sharpened sword the Kiyoshi or the Gotei Thirteen have to offer.

Today, Takashi is at District 32 Hokusei kawa (北西川 , lit. "Northwest river") at his childhood home. One of the few places he has so far been able to get peace and quiet for his thoughts to calm down. On the outside, he shows no real feelings, but after the attack, he feels disappointed in himself for being so easily taken out. After all, he is a Kiyoshi and even though he has heard that it is okay from both members of the division and the family, he feels that something needs to change. At the training ground outside the house, Takashi stands alone and he is very familiar with the ground, because this is the place he was trained on in his youth. Several generations of both living and fallen Kiyoshi's have been trained here over the years and marks or more specifically the memories of those moments have left traces behind. Under Takashi's feet is something he sees as sacred ground, watered with blood, sweat and tears and to even stand here is an honor in itself. Not a sound can be heard either from the streets or from the house itself, not even the birds that usually sing at this time can be heard. A perfect environment to start training in peace and quiet and that is exactly what Takashi intends to do. Slowly his Reiryoku begins to flow towards all parts of his body with perfect control before it is released around him. The Reiatsu around Takashi increases further as it grows in strength while slowly lifting his left hand forward with his palm open. Suddenly the pressure of his reiatsu disappears which just filled the entire space around him with its presence can no longer be felt. Small flashes of energy begin to form in front of the palm of the hand before generating an orb of yellow lightning. As more energy accumulates, the orb becomes larger and stronger with each passing second and begins to make a bright light from it.

”Hadō 63. Raikōhō! "
Normally, the spell should be fired with enormous force and create devastating damage, but Takashi keeps the orb at hand instead. An easier thing to do for a master of kido and control but he tries to take it a step further. Slowly he begins to move his arm and the orb follows shortly after he begins to use Shunpo to move quickly around the yard. Forward, back , right and left yes all possible directions Takashi moves and with focus he can continue to keep the spell from being fired. Suddenly he sees a small head looking out through one of the windows of the house. Then he stops on the ground and interrupts his spell completely, which dissolves. A pair of curious and questioning eyes look at Takashi as Takashi stands still and looks back at.

The eyes meet and Takashi immediately understands who is 'spying' on him. It's none other than Sōma Kiyoshi, the next in line to become the head of the Kiyoshi family and the son of Shusuke Kiyoshi, the current head of the family. The young soul shares much of his appearance with his father. His short jet black hair and piercing purple eyes but lacks facial hair, further accentuating his adolescent appearance. Not a word is said but only eyes staring at each other between the older and younger Kiyoshi. This silence lasts for only a few seconds before Takashi uses one last time of shunpo to suddenly end up in front of the window and surprise the young boy.

”Young Sōma boy, you should focus on your studies instead of spying on me. Hurry up and leave now before Jibun-sensei sees that you are avoiding your homework."
Sōma's eyes blink in surprise before giving a big smile to Takashi just before he leaves and all Takashi can do is take a deep sigh. After that, he stands again in the same place as before to continue his training and hopefully make progress.

 

[Shinigami]

He hears Honoka reply back to him, it's been a while since he actually heard her voice. Actually, over 100 years to be exact.
"No need to be so formal, and he actually just ran off with Haruki, but I can take them off your hands. I'll be sure he gets them once he's done playing Haru-kun for today."
Katsuo blinks rapidly trying to process the information, and lifts the device and his old headphones to give to her.
"Ahhh… no biggie. Alright. Less formal I shall be. Uhm.. Its not much, just a small hand-me-down gift. There's little games on it and some music from the living world I thought would be safe for him to try out and see if he liked it!"
He smiled.
"Play is a healthy part in a growin' boy's life! Teaches him how to survive if ya think about it. He's a good kid, Honoka-san. You're a good mom. Heh."
He'd say folding his arms and watching the kids play. He fell silent if only for a few seconds.
"We've finally gotten a break in hollow attacks in the world of the living for a while, this is my first break in a long time. Yurui's not appeared, and I doubt he'd follow me in here. Mom says hello. Tenzen's been off training with Higen though. We hardly seen him at the Oda house."
He rubs the back of his head, after watching the boys play.
"well… I better get back to work, Honoka. You take care of yourself. Don't be afraid to hit me up if ya need anything, ya know. Seeya, hope he enjoys them sick beats."
The younger shinigami saluted her a farewell. Katsuo left the compound and found himself in the Rukongai again.
“Excuse me, what on earth are you doing? There should be no fighting in the streets.”
Saiko? He stopped running back to his barracks hearing a familiar shinigami trying to break up a fight in the Rukongai… why? That's not her job, that's 7th's…
"what on earth are you doing, Saiko?"
He'd say, raising a brow and smiling at her in inquiry. He'd let her settle the unusual dispute, because people in the Rukongai respected Katsuo, despite being a noble, he used to spend time solving similar problems. He'd go pat Saiko on the back.
"You ready Junsui-san? I have a little task for us at Division 13, I could really use a hand. You feel like helping?"

 

[Shinigami]

“Haru-kun! Haru-- Ah! Hello Gekko-sama!”
“Hello, Oki-sama.”
Haruki’s greeting is short and curt with a deep bow. Akarui says nothing towards the child, but offers him the bow of her head. Her expression is still, quietly observing the boy. His stark black hair and pale skin was gently reminiscent of a former entity, yet not a single lick of his spiritual prowess seeped from him, and the Shinigami woman was sure there was something placed on him to hide it from the world. Honoka surely didn’t think of Akarui as a stupid woman. The two had worked tirelessly together for well over four hundred years, and was one of the closest people that had spent the most time with both her and the former Captain-Commander. For her to leave without a word and for Shobatsu to have gone to the Muken, Akarui had felt just as she had when she’d lost her Captain and Lieutenant those eight hundred years ago: helpless, confused, livid all at once, left to stand there, and do nothing, because she had no power to do anything. She would never get the answer that she wanted if she ever decided to ask the Oki woman why she did what she did because Akarui also knew that she would never understand. There is a certain empathy that she lacks as the short-statured woman casts a hauntingly, empty glance towards the children as they play with one another and then returns to look at Honoka.
While clearly coming to the Rukongai for protection from the people that would threaten what she wanted to protect, she had let two of those people into her home, albeit one of them being oblivious to the entire situation at hand. The former head lieutenant would have surely been aware that the consequences of her actions would soon come to claim her and what she desired to hide from the world. The power of these clans could only protect her for so long. Akarui was well aware after having dealt with her own people in such a way that no Shinigami would have been able to have stepped a single centimeter into a clan’s business…
As hidden as the Oki Matriarch would have liked to be, or rather should have been, it was her own fault for being so open arms to her guests. From behind, the Lieutenant of the Thirteenth Division comes, bearing gifts to the secret in the Oki Compound in an attempt to make amends for all those years lost. From what she knew over the hushed whispers of clan politics, the Oki had an estranged child that wed into the Oda Clan, effectively entwining their clans whether or not they had liked it. Both this former head lieutenant and the current Fifth Division captain were essentially cousins, and by proxy, this rukongai mutt was as well despite having no blood relations… Just a simple adoption.
“Haha, Akarui, thank you for bringing him over, Masahiro really enjoys playing with Haruki-kun.”
“Yes. Children should have a healthy relationship with those their age...”
It was rather timely that the two of these powerful women would give birth to their own offspring nearly at the same time. Although she came to find that Masahiro was older than Haruki, the two were the best of friends despite not knowing their future predicaments. Akarui hands over the bento she’d made for the children once they tired themselves out but made no motion to rest beside the other mother as she addresses the lieutenant and his basket of gifts for the young Masahiro. Although she accepts it, the look in her eyes says otherwise and Akarui does nothing to address the lieutenant even as he tries to talk about his daily bouts and reports to her as if she is still the Head Lieutenant. The boy was clearly delusional, far too hopeful regarding the life in which Honoka now leads. After the lieutenant’s departure, Akarui faces Honoka with her brows furrowed, a serious expression painted as she looks upon her former superior.

“How much longer do you think that you can protect him, truly?”
Akarui's voice is level. She wishes not to stir anything out of the ordinary, quiet and keeping only to themselves so as not to have any on-lookers or eavesdroppers. Emerald orbs match those of the Oki woman's. There had to be something... Akarui was loyal to no one other than the system in which she devoted her life to, and perhaps her husband and child. She was more so disappointed that such a woman as her would suddenly fall so low. Perhaps if she understood, then there would be less of a hardship when it came to the inevitable outcome that the both of them knew would happen.

 

[Shinigami]

Signy thought being a part of the world again would be glorious, but so far it had only been bothersome. Her cold, obsidian heart yearned for the warmth of her siblings, instead it was only met with the warmth of her blood, like lava in her veins. She supposed that was why her zanpakuto pulsed with the power of a volcano. The movement of Lt. Ise from Sanyu to Signy struck her as peculiar. While it was true the Atsuko sometimes moved slow enough for other track her movements with ease, it was rare. This filled the eldest Hoshi with a sense of unease. Signy was sure to say nothing as Atsuko began to speak to her, her eyes never once leaving the Lt.’s.
Her head cocked slightly to the side as Atsuko spoke of them being three in one. What a way to word that. Her eyes began to sparkle at the mention of battle. Something deep in her gut told her that Atsuko was aware that Signy was playing dress up as Shori, but she was unsure. Her eyes flicked over to Sanyu to make sure he was occupied his zanpakuto before she leaned in close to the lieutenant and whispers in her ear. ”I thought you were the keen one. Shori would never be won over by talk of battle.”
Signy leaned back against the wall and smiled pleasantly at Atsuko. The mask of Shori was firmly fastened back in place. Her attention quickly snapped to the origami boat Sanyu had crafted with his zanpakuto. ”That’s pretty neat, Sanyu!” Her smile widened as she strode over to Sanyu and reached up to scratch behind his ears.
Debating for a moment whether to lag behind a bit and ride in the boat or to hitch a ride with Atsuko again. Her stomach twisted at the thought of what happened the last time she let the lieutenant take her to their destination. Letting out a gentle sigh, Signy decided to trust in Atsuko once more and took hold of her hand for their departure.