[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Rukongai

[Shinigami]

Five Hundred Years Ago
“Come on, Akarui, I didn’t train for three hundred years for nothing! Look!”

Akarui Gekkō had yet to rest, and seeing the thing that was the First Division Lieutenant strut around without his top on was the last thing that she wanted to see. At this time, She was First’s Ninth Seat, which had ultimately had her working directly under him, assisting him when he needed it most. However, he had usually spent most of his time making it hard on her and bothering her, rather than needing her help. It was moments like these that the young clan head absolutely loathed, and while he was her superior in rank, the Head Lieutenant had no respect despite their age differences.
“You’re unbelievable… Put some clothes on, you look disgusting!”
“We both know that’s impossible.”
There was nothing but disgust, plain and simple etched into her expression, along with annoyance. With papers in her hands, she’d tossed them down onto his desk and stormed out, slamming the door behind her with a grandiose thud that rattled the walls and startled all of those within a fifty-foot radius. Steam billowed off of her head and she stomped her way down the steps away from his office. Face hidden by the shadows of the sun, Akarui was glad that no one would every dare try to approach her, because if they had, they would’ve been able to see just how red and flustered the little Scorpion was after witnessing what she had seen in that office of Head Lieutenant Kagayaki.
“Baka… Baka, baka, baka, baka, BAKAAAAAAAA!!!!”
Akarui screamed at the top of her lungs, clenching her fists as her body trembled, disrupting the peace within the First Division for a time.
Present Day
Quiet Times
“Tch… that bastard has never changed...”
With her right arm resting against the open window, Akarui peered outside, her chin resting within the palm of her hand. The sun was stifling, but at least the breeze was doing well to keep her cool. There is a gentle twinkle that catches her attention, hanging above her head. A small trinket, made by a gentle soul that liked the sight of his father’s crystals. Reflective shards of glass hang by a thread, jingling with every brush of wind that blows against it.

“Akarui.”
“Mother.”
“Please stop looking so glum; I’m sure Kagayaki-sama will return soon.”
A vein pops on her forehead and she slams her fist down on the seal, cutting deep into the wooden seams and molding it into the shape of her hand. Her emerald orbs narrow, looking anywhere but at her mother as she hisses practical poison from her mouth, cursing her husband’s name. After their marriage, he’d gone to perform his duties endlessly and tirelessly for just about a century, leaving her with a newborn as he followed through with his own hidden promises to the Central 46. Her mother had little information to give her, even with Kazan working on the inside, so Akarui was at a loss. Regardless, she’d raised her son, and while not having seen his father since his infant years, the boy was obsessed, and the glass shards that hung overhead was a testament to that familial love.

Akarui had always taught their child to respect the work in which his father had buried himself in. It wasn’t as if it was a choice, and she had quietly prayed that the boy would never grow up to resent Higen for doing as he was assigned to do. Being the Captain-Commander of the Gotei Thirteen was a title that held heavy bearings that he could not escape. And while Akarui knew exactly what she was getting into the moment she had said yes to the idiot’s proposal, she still couldn’t help but absolutely loathe him.
“What do I care if that idiot comes back soon or not? It isn’t as if he’s just let a son grow without his father, or let his wife rot away in solitude.” She clenches her teeth, practically foaming at the mouth as she curses the man she’d fallen in love with after centuries of his belligerence. “Hurry up and come home… Baka.”
The sound of pattering feet against the wooden floors echo throughout the house as they draw closer and closer to her bedroom. Behind her mother, Haruki Kagayaki had stuck his little head in through the gap and looked at his mother, the damage she’d made, and then up at his grandmother. With his stuffed pig that he’d received as a gift from the Former Head Lieutenant, Honoka Oki. With surprise, both she and the Oki woman had both gotten pregnant around the same time, and with luck, their children had grown together, playing and fighting all the same. However, unlike Honoka, Akarui had yet to leave the line of duty, as she now sits at the rank of Third Seat within the First Division.

The promotion had bewildered her, and she had quite honestly objected to it, seeing as that time had barely passed since their marriage to one another. With personal influence in mind, she had half-a-mind to refuse, but as the Commander, she was given no choice. Fuming in silence, Akarui was forced to work twice, if not three times, as hard as she was during her time as a Sixth seat. With time, she would unlock her Bankai in a fury, and upon her mastery, had been ordered for it to never be unlocked without his permission. It’s destruction would rain hell on the battleground, harming enemies and allies alike, so she agreed without another word.

“Okāsan, are you angry at Otōsan again?”
Akarui manages to turn and look at her son who stood there so cutely and held her arms out to him. In an instant, he’d jumped into her arms and she held onto him tightly, burying her nose into his viridian green locks that mimicked his father’s. A foreign, gentle smile sits on her painted lips and she rubs his back. He curls up against her, basking in her warmth as he simply comforts her and dulls her frustration. He was a kind, gentle child, and considering just who his parents were, it was a strange outcome compared to the couple that had created him.
“Not anymore, now that you’re with me, Haruki.”
“Ne, can we visit, Oki-san? I wanna go and play with Masa-chan...”
With those big, blue eyes of his, he stared into the emerald gaze of his mother and her bottom lip twitched. He was very spoiled… and she couldn’t help but feed into it. Tilting her head back, Akarui picked herself up and the boy with her before settling him down beside her. With a hand on her hip, she nodded and he jumped around in joy. The both of them had gotten ready, however, Akarui would have to simply drop him off. There were things that she would have to do later on back at the office. Perhaps she would meet with the Head Lieutenant Kasumi for some reports to record into her own library.
“Hai… Let’s go then.”
It is not a long walk to the Oki Compound. Holding Haruki's hand, Akarui would occasionally glance at the boy that was already more than half her size. The thought of her son eventually becoming taller than her earned his mother's ire and she wept in her mind. He was growing very quickly, and soon she wouldn't be there to hold him like this anymore. In her silence, Haruki had looked at his mother here and there, watching the series of expressions she went through while thinking just how weird his mother is. The two of them had eventually arrived at the Oki compound, with a few bento boxes in hand that they had picked up along the way. Upon being allowed inside, Haruki had immediately rushed in, giving the bento in his hand to his mother to look for Masahiro.
“Masa-chaaaaan. Masa-chaaaaaaaan, I wanna plaaaaaay.”
“HARUKI! GO AND GREET YOUR ELDERS BEFORE YOU PLAY.”

 

[Shinigami]

100 Years Ago – A Clan Destroyed
100 Years ago, Hideaki Shinomourin, a 6th Division Shinigami and at the time the 4th seat of the Division, had responded to a call from the former leading 3rd seat of the 6th Division, Shusuke Kyoshi, about an incident that had occurred within the 7th Division. That day there were three members of the 6th division who had responded to the call to what turned out be a vicious murder of 3 Shinigami within the 7th Division. Now, during all this commotion, another event had been happening of which Hideaki was one of the first Shinigami to relay a message of a massive ripple in the sky, that had then appeared to be a Garganta, of which had crashed down upon The Rukongai, creating massive devastation.
Just a bit of time had passed by when there were 4 Shinigami on the move. Hideaki, Sora, Shusuke and Enso. Enso was being accompanied to the Maggot's Nest on the suspicion of murder of the three Shinigami at 7th Division. As the four moved, the Denrenshikki X had gone wild with another message from former Second Division Shinigami, Yasu Yugure. Who had demanded immediate assistance toward the location where the giant ripple had crushed upon The Rukongai. It was then that Hideaki's priorities had changed. More than being the law of and making sure that justice was served, he entrusted those morals to his colleagues. The man shifted his weight, turned around and headed straight for the Rukongai. It wasn't that Hideaki broke the law, but where the Garganta had crushed upon the Rukongai also happened to be where his entire clan was situated, it was a matter of making sure that the Shino Clan had survived.
Upon arrival, Hideaki's silver eyes had widened at the mere sight of devastation. Buildings weren't just destroyed, they were flattened. Think of pancakes in a pan, except for a sweet scent coming forth from a pan, you had the stench of blood and it was visible everywhere you looked. Hideaki kept his reiatsu as concealed as possible, making the search for his beloved family his priority. Arriving at the clan's headquarters, there were no words that could explain what Hideaki had arrived at. The fact that the man who never cried, or despaired had founded himself to be upon his knees, in tears and absolute despair. One of the buildings to have been crushed by the Garganta was the Shino Clan's headquarters, along with his entire family. All you could make out were the remains of limbs here and there. Nothing else was recognisable. What really broke him then was the first thing he saw. The hands of his siblings, his three younger sisters and little brother. All of them holding each other's hands, it looked like they were all crushed together in the same spot.
After spending about 10 minutes of hard sobbing and gathering what little remained of his precious siblings, Hideaki simply vanished. The once proud leader of the Shino Clan had left no trace. Nothing was mentioned of him, only that the entire family of the Shino had met an untimely demise and that Hideaki was possibly one of those casualties.
50 Years After the Incident
Somewhere within the eastern part of the Rukongai, in a very dense forest, the sounds of a voice can be heard along with the swishing of a blade as it swings downward, ''HAH... HAH... HAH!'' The firm step of a foot forward, plunging firmly onto the ground. Meanwhile the chattering and giggling of little ladies are heard behind the bushes as they stare at the exposed, inked back of a tall dark haired man. Hair almost long enough to cover most of his ink. Ink that was not there before. The ink was almost upon his entire upper body starting from his arms and finishing around his back. The only part that was not inked was his abdominal. The arms where inked with skulls on both sides, whilst the right side of his chest was inked with the head of a black wolf to the left side of his ribcage, another massive skull. Upon his back he had a serpent, though most of that was not visible due to his hair.
In just 50 years Hideaki changed dramatically. His physique was far more refined and so was his physical strength. All he did in 50 years was swing his sword, every day seven days a week and only stopping for short breaks, a bath and a good night's rest. His shihakusho had been completely tattered, the top part of it was completely torn off. During his rest he'd sleep in a cave, it felt comfortable to him as it reminded him of his zanpakutou's spirit world. It helped Hideaki deepen his bond with Amakaze.

100 Years Later – The Lone Wolf Never Dies
One hundred years had now gone by. Hideaki changed up his training regime, after the 50 years he spent swinging his sword. His training consisted mainly of knowing more about his own reiatsu and how to utilize it effectively and also trying to get Amakaze to teach Hideaki more about his zanpakutou. Hideaki felt he was ready for the next step, and that was to achieve Bankai. But he had a lot to still learn and Amakaze has been a little relentless in teaching Hideaki about it. A few more months passed and Hideaki was now ready to move back into the 13 Court guards, that is if they would allow his return.
Waking up from the final night's rest in the cave, Hideaki yawned lightly, sitting up and stretching his arms upward, his gaze turned to look at the entrance of the cave and the exit, ''Well.. let's see how they react..'' he spoke in a soft tone, standing up, wearing his tattered shihakusho, or at least the dress part of it. His sandals had been long destroyed, and thus he was barefoot. Hideaki picked up his zanpakutou and made his way toward the Southern entrance of the Gotei 13. Passing through the streets of the 78th district Inuzuri of the Rukongai. Receiving plenty of stares and looks from many around within the district. Some had recognised Hideaki despite his very long hair and tattoos. Hideaki could hear some of the talks between the inhabitants of the district, 'Wasn't he dead?', 'The Shino Clan's leading member is still alive?', 'Is that Hideaki? Where has he been all this time?' and the rambling kept going as he walked along the streets.
Finally arriving just to the Southeastern part of the Sereitei, and finally taking that close step to being back within the 13 Court Guards, Hideaki is met with massive wall, the Seireiheki which comes crashing down around the Sereitei, sealing it and stopping Hideaki from entering. Now the man stood in front of a large gate, huffing almost annoyed at the wall for believing the man to be a threat, ''Well.. then.. here comes a guardian..'' Hideaki said with a hint of nuisance in his tone, hoping he would be recognised at least.

 

[Shinigami]

As one of the four guardians, Akuyaku Taiyo was meant to have protected his particular gate with his life, just as the other three would, and these four guardians are known as the Four Great Seireimon Gatekeepers (四大瀞霊門門番, “Shidai Seireimon Monban”). It was a standard procedure to have shown a form of identification before the passage was allowed back into the Seireitei. The Rukongai would always have run rampant with thugs trying to get in, but the youngest, and smallest of the four guardians would always perform adequately and send them flying back into the holes they crawled out from, and the man that stood before him.
Akuyaku was the keeper of the Red Hollow Gate (朱洼門, “Shuwaimon”), and had protected it for well over a century. After the installation of a new captain of Ninth Division after its unfortunate circumstances, Yasu Yūgure had done everything in her power to arm each of the four gates with capable shinigami that would lay down their lives and deal with troublesome tasks of hapless intruders causing trouble in order to try to get in or for much larger threats. Each of the guardians had their distinct styles, and compared to his peers that liked to show off their skin, he was more quiet and shy, covering up his body with a traditional shihakusho top that was open to his right side that donned a silver sleeve and shoulder-cap held by a red sash. His style resembled his captain, inspiration clear and cut.
For all the guardians knew of, Seventh Division’s Captain had spent most, if not all of his time in the Rukongai since his ascension, so there was little contact with him. He seemed very keen on diving deep into his own jurisdiction and handling the runts that the guardians had hardly found any trouble otherwise. If Seventh’s Dog was content with that, then they would simply focus on their own positions. The last line of defense against intruders. If they had managed to get past these gates, they would pay with their lives.
Each of the guardians had their distinct styles, and although he stood at a total of twenty-seven feet tall, Akuyaku was and his three comrades towered over all of their fellow shinigami and looked down upon many, including the little one that stood at his feet now.
“State your rank and division.”
Akuyaku had always been complimented for his memory, however, the one that stood before him had managed to light no match in his head and he was unable to place him otherwise. Upon getting the intended response, hopefully without trouble, Akuyaku would lift the shinigami up by the scruff of his collar and take his picture before sending it to the corresponding officer of his stated division. Sora Yoshima of Sixth Division would have received his text with Hideaki’s image and the following text:

 “This one says that he belongs to Sixth. 
Are you familiar with him? 
I have no recollection of his person, but maybe you do.”

 “He looks familiar, but ask him his name;
if he says ‘Hideaki Shinomourin’ then let him go on through.
 He's got 100 years' worth of explaining to do if that's him.”

Akuyaku looked at the reply and then back at the one in his grasp.
“Hm… Are you Hideaki Shinomourin? From your superior’s message, you’ve been missing in action for a large amount of time.”
As he spoke, Akuyaku would pull at the left sleeve of the small idiot, catching sight of the division emblem and number sitting inside of the black kosode. With his verbal confirmation of his identity and his division also confirmed, Akuyaku would begin walking away from the gate. Surely causing the idiot to panic, Akuyaku’s grip would not have lessened and would have probably tightened to keep the shinigami from wrestling out of his hold. After making some distance between him and the gate, the gatekeeper would raise Hideaki into the air and rear his arm back, taking the position of someone about to launch something out of the atmosphere. Being one of the Monban would mean that he would possess monstrous strength in order to be able to lift the gate at any point shinigami were required to reenter once more. However, this one would not receive the luxury of being able to walk through this place once more.
“Safe travels to you.”
Instead, Hideaki would find himself being flung through the air at such a high velocity the skin of his face would grow weary and stretched thin as the force of the wind would rush against him. This was not Akuyaku’s first time, and the other members of the Ninth Division that patrolled the walls of the Seireitei would watch in amusement as the idiot would unceremoniously land in a gap made by the other shinigami of Ninth to prevent damage to their own persons. After receiving the package, they would escort Hideaki to the Sixth Division by force. Akuyaku had alerted them of his status as M.I.A. according to Sora Yoshima. Upon his departure, Akuyaku Taiyo would once again stand guard and do as he had always done, dusting his hands off and rolling his shoulders back.

 

[Shinigami]

Listen Here

As they arrived in the Rukongai, it became more apparent that Atsuko's behavior was a facade that she set up in order to hide her current feelings. Within her body, a storm was brewing. Every moment that they spent looking for their Captain had her stomach turning and twisting. While her nerves were bad, this was not something she could deal with. Suppression wouldn't be the right word to use when one referred to what she was doing. There were telling signs, but they lasted for a fraction of a second before they were replaced by her bright and somewhat stern personality. Above all, she made it a point to continue on with her somewhat perverted actions in order to hide the pain and angst. With every step, she felt herself seeping further into the depths of emotional turmoil. Reaching her hand out, it was met by another version of herself. The part of her that decided it was necessary to cover up these issues began to reach for her hand. Clasping it, this version of Atsuko looked at the part of her that so desperately needed help. While their fingers were locked, it began to push her down even further. Refusing to allow her any grace, it intentionally stepped into the depths with her, locking both hands now. They would both drown together, neither would be alone. This state of distress would reach an equilibrium that made it harder to even notice the signs that she was conflicted even more. The split seconds of vulnerability had vanished altogether.
Arriving in a double-digit district of the Rukongai, the group would not quite yet know their destination nor why they were in this district. Shori would quickly find that her hesitance to grab the Lieutenant's hand was well deserved. During their transition to the Rukon, the Ise had hoisted the Hoshi up and now held her like she was a bride. The hand that held Shori's own now rested on her side as the remainder of her arm held up the woman from the top of her back. Her other arm occupied the space behind her knees. Truly, this was a sight to behold. Smiling in a devilish way, the Lieutenant spoke aloud to Sanyu, Shori, and the remaining Division members that had joined them on this endeavor.
"Behold! This is Shori Hoshi, my bride-to-be!!!" A light giggle followed her words as she put the woman down after lifting her further into the air for everyone to see her beauty.
Atsuko's violet orbs find themselves set on the seated officer that she had just harassed for a brief moment. To say that she was expecting retaliation of some kind would be an understatement. While she could endure varying levels of pain, a slap or punch from a pretty woman was something she did not enjoy. It was bad luck if anything. Anyone even remotely similar to the perverted Ise knew that bad luck in relation to women was not something to take lightly. She was fully intent on dodging some sort of mini assault that she would likely fling at her. In fact, her index and middle finger on her right hand glowed bright blue for a brief moment. In the same instant it flashed blue, it extinguished itself. This did not mean that whatever she had planned was canceled, but instead, she was concealing it from her fellow Division members. It's likely that nothing will come of this Turning her head, the Ise looks forward and surveys the district that they are now walking in. She is able to quickly discern which building they are looking for. It is the largest within the district and its colors are reminiscent of those that their Captain is seen wearing. In particular, the colors are reminiscent of Itobeni. It is a beautiful sight to behold. The hand that was just about to go into action now points to the building as Atsuko stops and speaks.

"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." A sigh escapes from her mouth as she begins to move again towards the compound. There is something unique about it that calls to her, which keeps her eyes from wandering away.
Reaching the gates, she is quick to notice an elderly housekeeper coming up to their envoy. Nothing is unusual about the woman. She has likely worked in service of the Asakura Clan her whole life and is now in service of Captain Asakura instead of other former heads of the clan. Her assumption is that the Captain may have siblings and perhaps even his parents are alive, but his word is absolute. Given his capabilities and prowess, anything else would be silly.
A meek tone calls out to the 7th from behind the gate
"Good morning, Soul Reapers. May I ask what business you all have at this residence? While her voice is not strong, it is not weak, either. The way she speaks is neutral and not demanding. It is truly up to them to decide how to answer.
"Good morning, miss. I am Atsuko Ise, Lieutenant of the 7th — Captain Asakura's Division. If you would have us, I ask that you allow for us all to enter the residence. We are in search of Captain Asakura."
The woman's eyes widen ever so slightly. It comes as a surprise that someone would actively seek out Itsuki. The woman herself has not seen him in quite some time, but she figures that if his second in command is looking for him, it is worth allowing them in.
"Of course, Lieutenant Ise. Please, come in and follow me. I will seat all of you in our tea room. Before you do anything else, it is worthwhile to indulge in some tea. Tea often clears the mind, so it's never a bad idea, at least." The elderly woman unlocks the gate and allows the members of 7th in. After doing so, she motions gently for them to follow her to the room she mentioned.

When they arrive, Atsuko is quick to notice how beautiful the tea room is. In fact, the whole estate is quite luxurious. It is not imposing in any way, in fact, it is nothing short of elegant. Typically, elegance comes at the cost of looking snobby, but this residence has stricken a balance that does not rub her the wrong way. Atsuko sits on the tatami mat properly, shifting here and there for her own comfort. While waiting for the woman to come back with the tea, she figures that it's good to ask the two seated members that came with her their thoughts.
"Sanyu, Shori, what do the two of you think? I figured visiting the Captain's residence would be worthwhile to find a clue or two as to where he is. The housekeeper mentioned that he hasn't been back in quite some time, which makes me uneasy, to be honest." She is blunt yet not rude or hopeless. He is somewhere within the hundreds of districts, perhaps closer than she is even aware of, even. The woman waits to hear their responses and eventually the housekeeper comes back in with tea, setting it on the table, allowing them all to take part should they decide. Silence fills the room as those who decide to drink do so, Atsuko included. This silence is broken by the housekeeper and it causes the Lieutenant's eyes to shoot open as she almost spills her tea.
"I have a message from Asakura-dono."

 

[Shinigami]

Ahh, the Rukongai. As Sanyu stopped running and finally caught up to Atsuko and Shori, the dog man crouched and slid across the dirt covered ground slightly kicking up dust. He shook it off, and his hair fluffed out like a cat who was air dried rather quickly. He wasn't standing but rather squatting for a moment as he took a look at Atsuko, and the way she was carrying Shori.
"Behold! This is Shori Hoshi, my bride-to-be!!!"
This made Sanyu fall over on his back and faint comedically for a moment before his eyes turned white and he jumped back up with angry marks on his head.
"HARDLY THE MOMENT FOR THAT LIEUTENANT!"
He sighed. Poor Shori… Atsuko gave him a headache and he wasn't even a female. He shakes his head as Atsuko gets more serious and tells them something that Sanyu didn't know, as he turns and takes a look at the compound.
"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."
Oh really? No wonder he smelled the faint, familiar scent of their captain. As they were let into the gates and asked if they would like tea. Sanyu denied it, and took his nose to the ground, and surrounding surfaces, to try and get a scent trail. All of them were so faint and old, he really didn't know if he could track Itsuki from this scent alone. Perhaps if they could find where he has been more recently…
He stopped, hearing the woman speaking to them, mention a message from Itsuki to them, and looked to Atsuko, then to the woman, and awaited listening to the message in hopes this little game of hide and seek would be over, and they could go about their duties as Shinigami.