[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Rukongai

[Shinigami]

In silence, Takashi stands behind Jibun-sensei, with an emotionless facial expression and his eyes are focused on his former teacher. What Takashi notices is that Jibun moves his right arm to his shihakusho but what his former teacher does he can not see from the position he is standing at. Even though he can not see what Jibun is up to, Takashi can hear what the older family member is saying to his younger sister Michi Kiyoshi.
"I have a task from our Lord. He has tasked me in finding a suitable housing device for this specific crystal. It contains his reiryoku and the reiryoku of all the previous Clan Heads to this date. He has instructed me in creating a barrier around the jewel, however, his accumulated power is too great alongside the other past Lord's. We have devised a technique to release a wave of reiatsu from the jewel when crushed, calling on the dormant souls of the dead lords to aid any Kiyoshi in the thick of battle. He would like to produce three more of these jewels and turn them into necklaces for you, Takashi and the other boy, Izanagi to wear for protection, and to also protect the Purity of the souls within it, as well as yourselves.
These jewels Jibun Kiyoshi talks about sound useful but also extremely dangerous if anyone outside their family should get their hands on them. The fact that even one has already been created makes Takashi start thinking about what Shusuke Kiyoshi the family's head has for plans for all of them. But at the same time, Takashi knows that he must continue to trust Shusuke and that he knows what he is doing for a safer future for the family.
Should you also ever find yourself in an unsavory predicament, the jewels also replenish your reiryoku to some degree. I understand you are busy as a member of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, especially as an Adjudicator within the Sixth Division, But our lord requires this to be done as it is for you and your Brothers own safety. Visit the Twelfth Division if you can to return with some models or blueprints so we can get started on the building process for the jewel. I entrust this gemstone to you. Be careful, you now hold the very essence of our entire clan within your grasp."
While Jibun-sensei continues to speak, a few words get stuck in Takashi's head. '' I understand you are busy as a member of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads '' Aware that Takashi himself has not fulfilled his duties as a member of Gotei 13 and unaware of what awaits him when he returns there. Have they forgotten him, will he be welcomed back to them after all the time that has passed? Takashi has only been to the barracks a few times in the last 100 years and he knows that there will be consequences for his absence once he returns.
Shortly afterwards, he sees how Jibun Kiyoshi holds out the same arm he used to bring out this unknown jewel towards Michi Kiyoshi, who received the jewel to begin her task of bringing it to the Twelfth Division.
“Not to sound Ungrateful sir, however I'd feel like I don't deserve the necklace. It’s my duty to protect my Brother and Cousins!. However I do accept this in gratitude. And beg your pardon, I do have matters to tend to in my own division. The sixth division. I do feel a very bad hunch. So therefore I must leave. Thank you for everything”
His sister's voice makes Takashi's normally emotionless face start to smile just for a second before Michi leaves to perform her duties. When Michi Kiyoshi passes Takashi, he sees a warm smile on her face and barely a second their eyes meet for the first time in a long time. Seeing her alive and well gives Takashi a sense of pride in his younger sister. She has truly become a full-fledged Shinigami and does not need her big brother to worry about her anymore. This feeling did not last long because Takashi knows that at any second, Jibun-sensei will give him a lesson he will not forget. It can be anything from just a few words of disappointment, anger or even physical punishment.
Takashi's gaze moves forward again towards Jibun and he is met by his former teacher staring at him. Suddenly without warning, Jibun starts walking towards him and starts talking and only the voice of Jibun can put anyone in the family in fear depending on his tone.
"For Three Hundred Years I have been your sensei. For Three Hundred Years I have battered every ounce of knowledge of Kidō I have into you. For Three Hundred Years, you have held the title of the finest Kidō performing Kiyoshi…I see none of my teachings in you boy. You've grown complacent."
Takashi barely has time to take a breath to answer the words his old teacher said to him before Jibun Kiyoshi fades away from sight, leaving no trace of his presence. Just to suddenly appear in front of Takashi once again, Jibun may be one of the oldest members but he is far from the weakest. Surprised and unprepared for Jibun himself to launch an attack, Takashi having almost no time to react to what is about to happen. A kick with more power behind it than can be seen is on its way to Takashi and more specifically aimed at his face. By reflex, Takashi lifts both arms with one over the other to form a type of protection in front of his face. However, even with his guard up, he can not stop Jibun-sensei's kick from hitting him and sending him flying backwards once again. It felt like both arms would break off thanks to Jibun's kick but they both still held and managed this attack for now. This time, Takashi flew towards another stone wall, however, he was at least conscious and could not do much more than mentally prepare himself to fly into it. Suddenly he hits the wall that starts to break apart in several pieces around and even on him and the sound from the impact could be heard far from them but it was nothing that Takashi had time to think of. When the wall collapses and he begins to get buried alive, Takashi begins to wonder why Jibun-sensei attacked him. Was it because he was disappointed with what Takashi had become? Was it because Takashi did not live up to what Jibun had hoped for? What would Michi say if she saw Takashi now? These thoughts fly around in his head while the remains of the wall fall on top of him.
"If you can't best an old man, then you have no place before my presence. Fight, and fight with every ounce of your instinct to survive or today will be the day you die."
The arms ache and the weight of the wall gets heavier on top of Takashi. The words from his former teacher reach him and suddenly something snaps in his head. A fire that has been slowly burning out and remained as embers alone for several years ignited once again inside of him. Just before this happened, Takashi was surprised, worried and something he rarely is 'scared' but all that disappeared was his will to fight and prove himself for his former teacher. The words Jibun said to him re-lit the almost dead fire within him.
”It's too early for me to die, Jibun-sensei!"

Takashi shouted out from under the wall and he released his Reiatsu as an explosive burst, sending the mess of tile and quarried stone flying away from him as he raise from the ground. The reiatsu would fill the entire space around him with its presence as it continues to rise for every passing second. When he finally stands up, his gaze is locked on Jibun as his former teacher throws his cane to the side and then, as before, disappears from Takashi's field of vision. The second Jibun Kiyoshi disappears, Takashi begins to move back-and-forth and side-to-side with his knees slightly bent as he moves around a few inches at a time. As he moves his feet, he lifts both arms with his both hands loosely cup formed, he places both the hands about six inches in front of the face at eye level. In this stance, it looks like he's ready to fight but it's just a stance to protect oneself at the moment. Another attack was on the way and Takashi knew the only thing he could do now was try to figure out from where Jibun would re-appear. Will it be to the left or the right or the front or perhaps from above? All Takashi can do now is wait for the moment when Jibun will re-appears again and act then.

 

[Shinigami]

Death was the easiest price to pay, and by the hands of the Mukuro boy, no less. Akarui had made sure that with her free hand she had covered both of the boys as much as she could from the sight that was before her. Even from where she stood, the spurts of blood that stained her field of vision were nothing that she wanted the children to witness. Far too young but yet not unfamiliar from the stories in which their respective parent informed them of, they had yet to be able to properly process the lives in which those of their stature lead.
Akarui closes her eyes, out of respect for those that had just perished under the hellish hand of the Phantom. The smell of blood wafted in the air and she could only push the children further behind her, her face stoic, but her body was tense as she did everything to at least spare the boys from the bloodbath that now plagued the Oki, save for Kazue and Honoka. Kyomu Mukuro makes his entrance as he approaches the duo, freed from his bindings as well as the haori that signified his rank.
“It didn’t have to come to this...”
Akarui Gekko was as informed as the boy before her, yet was moving under the hand of the Commander. After his rise to the top, Akarui was placed under strict orders to observe the former Head Lieutenant who had abandoned her position in lieu of her transgressions. While a potential danger, she was still a potential asset. Much like the Vizards whom he despises so, even Higen sees the value in which they provide as weapons of the Gotei Thirteen. Honoka was seen in the same light, serving for as long as Higen had been in the Soul Society if not more. Having been at her side for centuries, the new captain-commander would not let her slip so easily through his fingers. Aware of the relationship that these women had, he had entrusted Akarui to convey her surveillance details and determine whether or not the woman or the offspring would become a threat to the balance in which they were sworn to protect.
She looks at Honoka in disappointment.
A mother so hellbent on saving the boy had turned into the very monster she wished to protect him from. It was a grim fairy tale gone wrong, and the boy would be scarred. Every course of action taken had ended in the bloodiest outcome, and how could he ever forgive her for making it all happen? The life as the boy knew it was over, and he had no one to blame but his mother. Fear was instilled, and Akarui could feel the trembling touch of his hands as he grasped at her skirt, his tears bleeding into the fabric. In a gentle surprise at consolation, Haruki had taken the hand of Masahiro and looked at him. Both were shaken to their core, but with the information drilled into him from his militant mother, Haruki could stand to protect someone that desperately needed it, and his fellow friend was in dire need.
“Th-they had nothing to do with this...”
Honoka is in a panic as she runs to see the massacre that hid behind those walls and Akarui takes this time to turn, covering both of the children in a heavy embrace, lifting both up and into her arms. Children half her size squeezed the little body she possessed as tight as they could. If not for the unfortunate circumstances, the sight of this would truly be peculiar. The woman’s wails shake the foundation as her prowess ruptures through the ground to no avail. There was no one left to save. She’d felt the significant drop in spiritual pressure and its beholders one by one. Akarui may as well have been a volatile distraction, and she was only sorry that it had to be taken this far before she surrendered.
“Look away and cover your ears. This is not something you should witness.”
Her voice comes in like a harsh whisper, and they comply.
“I truly hope you intend to comply this time, Honoka.”
Akarui catches the sight of the Oki woman, reaching out in an attempt to cater to her child, but he only curls closer to her body instead, and Honoka seeing this, retracts her hand. The shackles follow.
“We’ve wasted enough time as it is. Let's hurry back to see the Commander, I’d rather not spill any more blood today...but I will if I have to.”
What the Captain says is no threat, but a promise. Born of the Mukuro, they learn nothing else but to kill and feel nothing. A definite product of his environment, Kyomu is a spectacle of perfection save for the mishaps of a century ago. The Third Seat releases a soft breath that she didn’t know she was holding, and they begin their travels to the Seireitei. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees a member of the Onmitsukido approaching her and she continues on.
“Don’t. The boy is complying, as am I.”
The path to the Commander was a bloody one, and she could only pray that it would go no further than what it already has.
Rukongai ———————————— traveling to ———————————— Central

 

[Shinigami]

It is ironic that, only once Honoka has committed to her actions brought about by her selfishness and ignorance, once she has seemingly succeeded in flaunting her power against the Captain that she chooses to truly think. Confident that she had held the upper hand, that the advantage was always hers due to her zanpakuto being constantly released, the perceived results were merely an inevitable outcome to her before. It is because of her selfishness, because of her arrogance that things spiraled so quickly out of the control she sought to clutch to. As someone who has served in at least three different Division’s during her lifetime, the meticulousness required for two of them is abandoned in the moment where she needed them the most.
Her mind shifts from believing that she had caught Kyomu off guard thanks to her sly movements in manipulating the falling leaves to believing Kyomu has allowed himself to be caught. With the wavering of her confidence comes the expansion of her vision and spiritual perception — desperately scanning the area.
While she cannot detect Kyomu she can detect the reiatsu of everyone else within the compound. Honing in on a particular home she is alerted at the sudden disappearance of their spiritual pressure. While Honoka is blind and has, as of late, been foolish, she is no fool. She knows that the disappearance of their reiatsu is a direct result of Kyomu, and that his actions by default are directly linked to her own actions. She expands her spiritual power through the compound, sprouting forth plants designed to relay any and all available information to her. In her eyes, she perceives their slaughter in an almost domino effect, and it forces her to a standstill.
"Th-they had nothing to do with this..."
She chokes out a whisper to herself as the ground rumbles in response to her reiatsu, guided by her emotions yet again. She sees the slaughter, this bloodshed as senseless due to only a handful of Oki comprised from the main household being privy to the identity and origins of her son. Such naivety is only further proof of how far her skills and ability as a Shinigami has degraded. Perhaps she has forgotten during her time playing mother, of the one hundred and thirty four souls extinguished by her hands. The people were innocent bystanders, merely collateral damage of the Kuchiki Killer’s actions. While it is true that a majority of those in the Oki compound may have been ignorant to her actions and thus, innocent of any true wrongdoings, they are the unfortunate collateral damage of the disgraced Oki’s actions and behavior.
Kazue who had been equally as foolish and naive as her granddaughter, arrogant in her own right by trying to negotiate the terms of Honoka’s surrender is taken aback by the change in her descendant’s demeanor. Something was wrong. A swift shunpo takes her to one of the homes of the compound, she opens it and gazes at the Captain’s promise fulfilled. She staggers back, shocked perhaps by not only the fact that her kin were dead, but that Kyomu had actually dared to do so. She turns to try and address Honoka, something she should have done prior to her granddaughter having attacked Kyomu and his men. Perhaps then, if Kyomu saw that she at least was actively working to assist him in bringing Honoka down from the ledge she had climbed, he would have spared her people. Her inaction brought about by her confidence in both her and Honoka’s status and abilities, her decision to allow Honoka to brandish her blade against the agent of the Seireitei is what has caused this to happen. Like Honoka, she too must live with the blood of the fallen Oki on her hands. Two clan heads present, both equally responsible for the demise of the very clan they flaunted and represented.
Honoka collapses to the ground, once more letting her emotions go, her reiatsu responding in kind, fracturing and cratering the earth beneath her. Akarui continues to shield the boy as he is forced to listen to the pained wails of his mother, ignorant to the reason behind her pain. Crimson crackles and sparks around her, staining her tears in a red tint. The ground continues to shake and shudder, the magnitude of the quaking is followed by the splintering of the earth, buried roots jutting up towards the sky. While one may believe there is no pattern to the areas they sprout from, Honoka is in truth strategically or..rather subconsciously targeting the homes of those she perceive to be alive. With the roots strength and durability enhanced by her own robust spiritual powers this should at the very least spare them from the same fate of the others.
This is merely another act from the disgraced that comes too late.
While one may believe tracking or catching a flash or glimpse of the Phantom to be a praiseworthy feat, a testament to Honoka’s skill and ability, it is in truth a testament to Kyomu’s. If the mother had failed to notice the Captain’s evasion, entrance into several homes to deliver a killing blow before she noticed — what then made her believe that she could or rather, was perceiving Kyomu as he was committing the horrible act of genocide? No, what Honoka perceives is merely the echo of the Captain’s actions. She fails to realize that having perceived the death of one household, was the same as witnessing the death of all the others, every soul cut down nearly simultaneously. As the Phantom had delivered only a single killing stroke to each individual along with the speed behind each step that made it seem as if there were multiple assailants, the intervals between their respective deaths were nearly nonexistent.
Even should that not be the case perhaps the fallen Oki has forgotten — there exists nothing that Genzoken could not cut through. There were no trees, roots or plants that she could manipulate or conjure up, no construct that she could augment or empower that would be able to hinder or block the blade of the assassin. The root composed barrier...was useless. No, the only thing that would have spared her clan was Honoka’s compliance, something her pride refused to give.
"I surrender! Please..."
The foolish and senile Kazue, the frightened Haruki and Masahiro, the dutiful and protective Akarui Gekko, along with the captured Onmitsukido — these are the souls, the only ones capable of hearing Honoka’s anguished surrender. It is only after she has retracted her spiritual pressure, only once she had fallen to her lowest, does the haoriless Kyomu appear within their field of vision, the bindings holding his men simultaneously splitting apart, allowing them to aid one another in removing the tendrils from their comrades. The woman says nothing, merely nodding helplessly in response to the Captain’s words. While it is good she seems willing to actually set aside her pride and stubbornness, Kyomu remains skeptical. He had given Honoka every chance to quietly comply, and she has attacked him at every hand, every opportunity. He no longer trusts her, no longer believes her words and so he maintains a cautious approach. His steps still do nothing to disturb the ground he treads on, and he stops his advance at a distance that would allow him to either sever her head from her shoulders, or retreat back in a single, reflexive step. He scrutinizes the woman, the fugitive while simultaneously keeping a spiritual watch of his surroundings.
Though he does not say it, he determines Akarui to be the most reliable and trustworthy of those present. The Oki are considered to be compromised and beyond trust or redemption in his eyes. The change in her status with the Captain is easily perceptible to Honoka. Her people slaughtered, a friendship ruined, she turns to reach out to the last strand of hope she had, the only thing left to her — her son. The boy sees her outstretched hand and shrinks back, away from the woman he cannot recognize as his mother in this moment.
Kyomu once more encourages them to hurry on. The trip has taken far longer than he anticipated it to take. As Akarui had said earlier, it didn’t have to come to this. Honoka turns her focus to Kazue as her wrists and consequentially, her spiritual powers are bound and restrained. Kyomu appears to make no attempt to grab, detain or harm the elderly woman. Was this some final act of mercy from the heartless killer? No, this was strategic. Kazue remained untouched because Kyomu needed to be capable of keeping his word. If Honoka continued to let her pride, ego and emotions to guide her in warring against Kyomu more blood would spill. Next time, it would be her grandmother who had to pay the price for her actions. Kazue served as both a hostage and a warning to others, as the sole person able to inform the residents of the Rukongai and any others once reliant on the Oki on what had happened.
The Onmitsukido move towards Akarui to take further precautions, still wary of the woman that they perceive to be with Honoka.
“Don’t. The boy is complying, as am I.”
They pause, turning towards their Captain who merely closes his eyes and shakes his head in response. They look towards the Third seat and nod their heads, stepping back from her and the children. One agent retrieves the Captain’s haori, dutifully inspecting and ridding it of any splinters or foliage that may be used against him. It is only after they’ve meticulously gone over it, traced and inspected every inch do they carefully present it back to its rightful owner. Kyomu stares at the haori, the mark on the back of the white cloth reflected in his amber hues. He silently takes it from his subordinate, and nods to his men. They take off, traveling in a manner that separates Honoka from Akarui and the boys, Kyomu taking up the rear to keep everyone and everything within his field of vision. The speed in which they traveled, and the particular paths they took ensured their movements remained hidden from the random onlookers of the Rukongai.
Their journey sees them rendezvousing with the party that had captured and detained Lieutenant Oda along with his subordinate Saiko Junsui. Once all gathered they continued on their path, the parties remained separated from one another by the bodies of the Onmitsukido. The next person to see was the Commander himself. This meeting meant different things for those present, its weight varying between them.
What fate awaited those who placed pride, self and clan over duty and honor? For those with authority who abandoned that same authority so needlessly? Whatever lay ahead, one could only hope that in the end...it was worth it.
Rukongai ———————————— traveling to ———————————— Central

 

[Shinigami]

The milling of those around her was much less interesting than the movements of the Onmitsukido near-by. This did little to urge her forward to see deeper into the area they had infested. A large complex boasting high walls nestled in the center of the roaming members of Second. She would not push her luck to drive deeper into the area or peer beyond its walls. Once again her previous Captain's warning filled her ears. There was no rush in her mind to see how he would react to her possibly disturbing a mission, despite the fact that those moving without were more for back-up and intimidation than having a real actual involvement. The area she had followed them to was secluded, hidden away from the prying eyes of the group she had left before.
Able to see bits of what appeared to be some sort of root tendrils poking out above the walls in random areas, squinting somewhat to get a better look without stepping any closer. It was familiar to her, though she wasn't sure from exactly where she remembered it. It mattered little, her thoughts interrupted as the many glimmers of reiryoku housed within the large compound were snuffed out. Rapidly. One by one but in quick succession. No longer concerned for just herself she moved forward, hiding herself the best she was capable of to allow her a glimpse into the gate. The device on her belt still recording, forgotten long ago. Choking back a sound as her eyes could finally capture some of the sights within. Though these did not last long before the woman in the center of her vision, the former head Vice Captain, once more released her powers accompanied by a loud scream. It seemed to her not an attack but more of a cover for those that had fallen, though at this point it did them no good.
Perplexed by the sight before her, the heavy sensation of death that now filled the compound which only moments before was brimming with the life of many souls. Now it housed only a handful, nearly all within her sight line. The Oki woman yelling her surrender. A First Division woman with two children staring up at her. And the Captain of Second. Little time passed before the woman was shackled and they were all on the move, going from their initial preparations to a sudden movement between them all that left the compound empty in seconds. All that was left behind was a singular person. Why they alone had survived whatever had just occurred was a mystery to her. It was apparent the Oki woman was the one who had demanded such attention from Second Division, though why the entirety of the compound's occupants being involved seemed unlikely. There was more to learn yet for the moment Kazumi could only chew on the inside of her lip in consideration. Perhaps she would receive some answers from the one who had been left behind. Perhaps they would lash out at her for her prying eyes. Regardless, it pained her to consider asking someone such questions immediately after the massacre of their family.
Stuck for an answer she breathed out deeply through her nose in consideration. Without any further thought she felt her feet moving her forward, taking her to stop just at the gates of the compound. Lost for words she was silent, putting together any motivation she could have to make them speak with her. This was not just a story, it was a tragedy. An awful tale that deserved to have both sides told. Yet the words died in her throat as she continued to wonder how they would even react to her arrival if at all, or if she should simply leave and return to her barracks.

 

[Shinigami]

WEST GATE
The dark giant yawns so deeply that his bellows startles those Rukongai citizens close to the gate as he exhales, scratching away at his bare stomach. It had been an otherwise uneventful day, watching the sun rise and set, day in and day out. Zen’no Kaminari was the Keeper of the West. The giant of the White Road Gate (白道門, Hakutōmon) stands among the tallest of the four brothers, a whopping thirty-eight feet tall. A former worshipper, Zen’no had plans to retire from his life as a wandering priest within the Rukongai when Yasu comes to discover him and his adept spiritual prowess. Although looking quite burly and intimidating as he did with his stature and tattoos, the man was one who did his best to keep true to his values of peace and order. Assigned the role as the Gatekeeper, Zen’no understood that he was what was in between the outside world and the sanctity of the Gotei Thirteen that rested just behind these walls. Order was necessary to keep the Balance of Souls intact.
Just then, his phone pings several notifications, the red alert messages catching his immediate attention. Even on such a small phone, Zen’no is still able to operate the Denreishiki rather well as he observes the contents that the message possessed. Eyes racing past every word of text, he could only exhale as he finished reading and placed the device back in his pocket. The report had come from the Western Rukongai, and if they were fastly approaching, the closest gate they would arrive at was his.
What a dark day… Unfortunately, he would be unable to open the gate due to the dire circumstances. Without a proper escort, Zen’no could not open the gate and provide aid if someone were to interfere and create havoc from the numbing situation that entailed the members of the Seventh Division. And while there were Ninth Division members just on the other side of this wall, something as extreme as this required the eye of his superiors.
In the distance, Zen’no catches sight of a duo with something being carried. Just before their arrival, his phone rings and Genmaru is on the other side. Zen’no confirms that he is aware of the circumstances but because of the severity of the situation, he can not make a proper move until either his Captain or his Lieutenant is here to oversee the process. If there had been any confusion as to why to them, then he would make it clear as to why. From what he was told, Lieutenant Kiyoshi would be here to do so since Captain Yūgure was still indisposed with her duties in Central still.
Atsuko approaches him and he towers over her, waiting for an address that comes very soon and wuite curtly.
"Lieutenant Atsuko Ise and 5th Seat Signy Hoshi. We are requesting entrance into the Seireitei. In my arms, I hold Captain Itsuki Asakura's body. With no identifiable culprit and the rare phenomenon that is a Captain's death, we must report this to the Captain Commander and have the body examined."
“I am aware of who you are and your purpose, Lieutenant Ise. I apologize for the unfortunate situation, but I regret to inform you that you will be unable to pass through at this time. I am unable to oversee this properly, and with the danger that killed your captain still unknown and existing in the Rukongai, this has become a dangerous situation. You have no knowledge of these whereabouts nor the identity of the spoken offender, you will not pass until a viable escort arrives.”
The guardian is immovable, a wall all on his own. He did not deny them entry outright, and instead asked them to wait. They had to understand that without the culprit in tow, it was a danger to allow them in. Something or someone had killed a captain-class Shinigami. It mattered not if he was considered weaker than his peers or an outcast or a bully to those he was assigned to protect and patrol. The man was still recognized as a captain regardless of his transgressions, someone that was strong enough to possess that title… and now here he lies, dead. A wasted corpse that dangled from the arms of his… loyal lieutenant. If Zen’no were to allow them in and bring in the terror behind them at a crucial time, there was very little Zen’no would be able to do on his own. For now, they could only wait.