[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Southeast Seireitei

[BSD]

Why had she intervened? This was the captain's business she chasized herself and it was obvious from the tortured look on her frightened rabbit face that she regretted her decision of stepping up nearly immediately. Her eyes where brimming with tears just seeing her captain's eyes turning towards her and she trembled like a leaf. She had made a misstep she was going to be running laps around the soul society for weeks for this or a worse punishment? Maybe something that involved bamboo shoots and fingernails or being hung upside down by her ankles until she could no longer see anything. Her mind jumped back and forth to the ways that he would possibly punish her for her intrusion and her pointer fingers came together in front of her face pushing together and pulling apart nervously as she struggled to think of an excuse for what she had done.

"I... simply ... I mean that ... mistakes... happen... sometimes and sometimes it... it just takes... a second... a second look to see the mistakes that where made... and and ... I think... I think that what Fourth Seat.... former... fourth seat... Kazumi has done... I mean..."
she didn't like talking in front of people she didn't know well and the intimidating look, though it was just his normal look, from the captain left her more nervous then she ever felt and only then would she realized he was walking as she spoke and she clamped her mouth shut tucking her upper lip under her teeth and letting her arms drop in front of her as she stared down at her feet. She knew they thought she didn't deserve to be in the division, hell she knew it, but she wanted to belong bore then anything. Even if her demeanor wasn't what was fitting she wanted her skills to show that didn't matter. She forced her eyes to stay on the captain trying to gage his reaction... perhaps it was the lack of eyebrows that made his expression so unreadable? Was that why he didn't have them so it would make him more intimidating at any given moment? If he ever smiled it would remain that he was the most terrifying man that she had ever met. She was lost in stupid thoughts like this when she realized her name had been called to fallow as well and she jumped it not taking long before Lieutenant Yugure had grabbed her hand to pull her along with her as well as Kazumi.
She didn't want to be in a room with all that though! She had to hold back the tears of fear as she was dragged along not exactly strong enough to pull away or insubordinate enough not to fallow a direct order from her captain. She would kneel by the bowing Kazumi glancing slowly over to her wanting so badly to comfort her but she knew that wouldn't be a good idea at the moment. She wasn't so bold to do something like that in front of the Captain not knowing what would be coming next so she swallowed a large lump in her throat and returned to chew on her lip tearing off a thin layer of skin as she made her eyes settle directly dead center on the captain's forehead not wanting to look into his eyes as she waited for what he said but not wanting to be disrespectful enough not to look at him while he was obviously going to be talking. It took all her nerve not to grovel there with Kazumi but in her head she kept telling herself "I did nothing wrong, I did what I thought was right, I was given no order to stand down, I spoke out of turn... I'm lowly scum of the earth speaking to the captain of a matter that he likely already knew how to handle. I acted as if to tell the CAPTAIN what to do" her head slumped slightly sideway almost able to see her own spirit trying to escape what was going to happen to her. Shadows of unease where under her eyes. She looked as though she was going to die if he didn't get on with his announcement quickly... then again any time she was around the Captain she seemed to end up in this state.

 

[BSD]

Yasu, as always, is the first to follow Kyomu. Taking hold of the girl’s hands she guides them along, making sure neither delayed in following the Captain’s commands. They remain at their Captain’s back, shadowing his every step. When Kyomu finally does take his seat, his Lieutenant instinctively moves to take her proper place.

Kazumi hits the floor, face and eyes like her body, completely lowered. She says nothing as Sakiko kneels next to the conceding Kazumi. Both girls' lips were sealed, but their reiatsu? Their reiatsu fills Kyomu’s mind with their fears, their anxiety, their uncertainty and insecurities — thoughts and feelings, betrayed by their spiritual pressure.

His eyes flick between Kazumi and Sakiko before his attention is fully focused on Kazumi in its entirety. What was he thinking? What was he feeling? How angry was he, was he even angry at all? Would this be the end of her short life, cut down by the Phantom’s blade? Just a few of the thoughts that bounced between the two girls. As small as they were, in this moment they undoubtedly felt several times smaller under the Captain’s steeled gaze.
”If your comrade is being defeated, perceive it as an opportunity-”
Kyomu speaks, though the tension lingering in the air is not abated in the slightest. Instead, it increases further, incrementally with every word, every fleeting second.
”Do not stand in the way or forefront, rather...you should stab the enemy in the back. If the enemy is so far above your level that even that is above your ability...then leave your comrade…..to DIE. That is how we operate, that is the way of the Onmitsukidō.”
Kyomu lists off the tenants of their organization, the modus operandi of the Stealth Force. Theirs was a cruel world, filled with secrecy, lies, deception and betrayal. It was not a place fit for the faint of heart nor was it a place for the innocent and light hearted.
”It was Five Months ago, that I entrusted with you a task, with the responsibility of a Corps Commander. I believed you up for the challenge, I believed that you could set aside your emotions and handle the task at hand...that you were stronger than you let on.”
He pauses, then proceeds to lean back, arms folding over his chest.
”I was wrong. You were not ready. Your mind, your heart was and perhaps still is...more fragile than I thought. So, I will rectify this error on my part.”
He takes a breath, and closes his eyes. From the moment she had approached him and spoken up, he studied her words, seeking any crypted message..there was none. He listened for any change in the octave of her voice whether it be subtle or otherwise, there was none. He sensed and observed her spiritual pressure, observant of its flow, scouring it for any signs of deceit, any signs of evasion in her body language — he dissected the woman from head to toe with his thoughts, his eyes and reikaku seeking any sign of deception on her part. He found none.
”Kazumi Fujioka. As Captain of the Second Squad, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force...I hereby strip you of your title as Corps Commander of the Interrogation Unit. Starting now you are Kazumi Fujioka, Sixth Seat of the Second Division, assigned to the Patrol Corps under the supervision of Lieutenant and Corps Commander Yasu Yugure.”
She was soft, gentle, as she was now...unfit for the duties of the Second Squad, and certainly not fit to lead a Division. Keeping so fragile a person in his ranks, it was a gamble. He should have turned her away, convinced her to seek refuge in another squad, helped her escape this world where one was forever distrusted by their peers and comrades outside, so...why didn’t he?
Kyomu remains seated, and explains nothing. Though he says nothing, his stare alone said what could not be conveyed through words. He was giving her a second chance, not unlike the one he was given those months ago. She would start anew, refind herself within the squad, climb and work her way back up. From here she was left with only two options: stay and work hard to grow, to become stronger in mind, body, heart and soul….or stay and remain weak and die. Rather she rose or fell from here, would be up to her. Whatever her fate, she could not complain.
”Now...there are more pressing matters to address. Kazumi, brief Yasu and Sakiko on all that you discovered two months ago. I want everyone here on the same page.”
With that the matter is settled, and he hands the floor over to Kazumi. It is her turn to speak, and perhaps this moment is but the first of many tests of loyalty and strength to come.

 

[BSD]

Gaze shifting over to Sakiko as she was dragged along as well, Kazumi tried her best to avoid her gaze being spotted. How long had it been since she had last seen her? She did not know where she had been all this time, though had received no concerning reports on her. "Training". At the time, these memos left for her were confusing. It made sense now. Striding beside her, Sakiko had obviously grown a lot. Her outburst had been typical of her, a situation that i different circumstances would have made her laugh. However, since that time she held herself higher it seemed. Maybe more confident? She looked stronger than before.
This concept was slightly upsetting. In the same amount of time she had gone from getting promoted to having what she could only guess was some sort of mental break. Turmoil began to break lose once more. Shame. She was so completely ashamed of herself. And she wasn't sure how to cope with it.
"Ushiro no shoumen dare?"
The sudden but calming voice soothed her frayed nerves immediately. Singing songs of her childhood. Happy memories. The one phrase sung to her gave her resolve. As he knew it would. Now he would return to his normal silence. Closing her eyes she felt the slight brush of the flooring beneath her face as she wavered ever so slightly. Spread. Outward, her senses took in those that now surrounded her. Trying her best to not pay too much attention to Kyomu's almost overpowering reiatsu.
Tension. Silence. Sakiko had sat next to her, not showing or needing to bow in apology. She hoped that she would not be punished for a remark simply slipping out in such a way. Nearly jolting when the Captain finally spoke and broke the empty air. Managing to contain herself she kept to her same position, awaiting his words of judgement.

At first it was almost easier to not listen. However she could not force herself to do something as shameful as insult him again; especially in her dying moments. When he began his words seemed a bit odd but she would not argue the words that would speak to her death sentence. As he continued on, confusion rose in her. Conflicted with herself. She did not want to allow herself to feel hope. His next sentence placed the last nail in her coffin. "I will rectify this error on my part." Yes, he had made a mistake in overestimating her and by expecting so much from her. He received none of it. Her accomplishments in the months she had been there were none. She had done nothing for the squad but be a burden. No wonder they want you dead.
Nearly nodding along to each word as he spoke, announcing his name in an official manner and stripping her of her rank. Rightfully so. Failure that she was. At least she could not tarnish the rank she was leaving behind when she met with the end.
By the end of his declaration she had experienced a roller coaster of emotions that had landed her in a dull silence. She could only stare forward ahead of her on the floor, mumbling a meager:
"Yes, sir,"
Though his words had ot yet sunk in, her training remained strong. Her automatic and nearly involuntary response to him speaking was a testament to her commitment to him and the entire squad. But she was going to die....No...she was going to live. And..remain within Second? Hands gripped into fists on the floor, body still as she choked down her reactions. Relief. Sadness. Regret. And briefly: death. For an instant she wished to have rather faced the sword than continue to feel this way. But I won't, right? The internal questions she asked of him was greeted with silence, giving her all the answer she needed.
"Sir,"
She spoke once more when he gave her her order, still too numb for the events to fully sink in yet. Raising her body just slightly, nose no longer pressing the floor. Words no longer mumbled into the ground. She was able to speak loud enough for both Yasu and Sakiko to hear her by simply raising her upper a few inches. Still not daring to look them in the eye, she began her tale. The bald man who had interrupted her training and took her for a mission with a significant prisoner. She had never gotten his name. The exact methods and dosages he was given of each of her concoctions. And finally his confession, urged alone with a truth serum.
Immediately after she had gone to the Maggot's Nest and had found that indeed, there were escaped prisoners. And they were attempting to start a rebellion using the common souls in the Seireitei. Scouts were immediately sent out to the location the prisoner had given her as well as surrounding areas.
After some days passed she had still not received word on either the prisoners nor their runaway Third Seat, Xiaolin. It wasn't long afterward that she had applied for her transfer.
"After that...everyone stopped talking to me and telling me things. I was no longer to be reported to by them. So I have no further information on either subject. I apologize for failing you all once again."
Concluding her statement thus simply, she returned her nose to the floor in her low bow and kept her ears open for further orders or information.
Why am I alive?

 

[BSD]

Saki didn't dare to speak while the captain did she wouldn't dare interrupt him again. She bearly could breathe as she watched what he spoke to the former fourth seat. She felt for the girl, she could feel the uncertainty and anxiety thicker than her own as it radiated off of her in her reietsu. As cruel as his words might have seemed though she knew he was right, He wouldn't say them if they weren't. Their captain was at least merciful, where she could tell that Kasumi expected to die he did not deliver the blow to her.
The look of Kazumi made it difficult to tell if she thought of it as a boon or a curse, however. She looked and sensed that in at least Kazumi's mind she might have rathered has the sword brought down at her. It was just a brief instinct she felt off of the girl but it came out loud and clear for that moment.
Finally, Kazumi lifted herself up enough to do her duty and explain what she knew to them she listened intently, she had to, even without the muffle of the stones it was difficult to understand someone when they were talking to the floor instead of to you. When she finished she let out a small sigh and rubbed her hand over her face. She wasn't upset with the little knowledge that was supplied or how she was once again down on herself it was the rudeness of not looking up at them while addressing them that was bothering her and it showed in the way her brow twitched as she listened. This girl with her nose in the floor was pardoned, she wasn't in any danger of the sword but she remained there.
She understood that the third seat had been missing for some time and she understood about the state of the escaped prisoners. It was all worrying and she made sure she rolled Kazumi's words in her head a few times before she allowed herself even the notion of letting her anger seep but still it did manage to. She wanted to talk with the girl wanted to know more ask questions and such but she couldn't do so with her like this.
"Sixth Seat Kazumi Fujioka... " each word was hard-pressed and to the point punctuating her words. "it is incredibly difficult to understand you with your head in the floorboards... I got most of it... I would rather you keep the rest of your conversation at face level if you would be so kind, do you not agree Luitenant?" she would cast her gaze over to Yasu and her reietsu would almost be boiling with her annoyance a shadow falling over her eyes as she cast it back to Kasumi. She was always raised to not forgive rudeness after all. Her patients was limited to it at all. When she bowed before the captain that was one thing but this was a report to a possible companion to the mission and the likely leader of it, she wasn't sure exactly what it would be as of yet but Kazumi was her superior still and seeing her groveling in front of HER? That was utterly ridiculous.
"A proper conversation requires that much" her unnerving pleasant smile remained plastered in place like she was trying to keep the girl calm despite her anger though it was simply out of habit more then anything.

 

[BSD]

“If your comrade is being defeated, perceive it as an opportunity-”
Kyomu had started. Drilled into her head since the day she stepped into this division, she silently recited it along with her captain.
Do not stand in the way or forefront, rather...you should stab the enemy in the back. If the enemy is so far above your level that even that is above your ability...then leave your comrade…..to DIE. That is how we operate, that is the way of the Onmitsukidō.”
As he continued to rip his words into Kazumi’s kneeling figure, Yasu spared no words. Not that she could. Interrupting her captain was the least of things to do, especially when he was so serious in his address. Once more, she begins twiddling her fingers. Unusually paying close attention, the bubbly lieutenant was particularly focused, especially in Kyomu’s next words. Upon Kazumi’s sentencing, he didn’t exactly banish her as what others may have expected. Instead she was demoted to their sixth seat, and was placed under her care.
“...”
A subordinate under her care, huh? Directing her attention back down to Kazumi, Yasu was all ears for this report that she was expecting. Hand resting against her open palm, Yasu’s eyes hadn’t wavered away from Kazumi as she gave her report. Towards the end, the lieutenant was still processing the information when Sakiko, once more, broke the silence. Purple orbs flickering up to the bright shinigami, her brows furrowed at the sudden change in expression as Sakiko gazed down at Kazumi.
“I would rather you keep the rest of your conversation at face level if you would be so kind, do you not agree Lieutenant?"
“Nothing to get angry over, Sakiko, so get rid of your annoyance.”
Standing up from her position, Yasu reached her hands up into the air and stretched out her sore limbs. Knowing her captain, being told this information wouldn’t just be for the knowledge alone. With the absence of the fugitive Xiaolin and the escape of several prisoners that began a rebellion using Rukongai citizens to join their unnatural cause, it was clear that she would have to jump into the fray immediately. Yasu knew that the Second Division was currently the joke of the Seireitei from the incident between her captain and the commander. Adding onto the mishap in the Sixth Division, it only dug them deeper into the disapproving eye of their peers.
But both she and Kyomu could care less. She would follow her captain soundly, without question. Turning to her captain, Yasu adjusted her sleeves and blade sitting snugly beneath it.
“What are your orders, Taichou?”