BSD
Administrator
Tensions remained high and heavy within the barracks of the Second Division, its members restless as they turned over every leaf and stone to find something that could possibly appease their Captain upon his return. The relief previously found from the revelation of the nature of the courier’s visit and the contents of the message delivered was lost in the waves of dread, recalling that though they were spared the fangs of one beast, nothing would spare them from the beast that was their Taichou. There had to be something, anything that would point them in the right direction, eyebrows knitted — they were anxious of what fate lay ahead of them should they fail.
It was a fear that wasn’t unwarranted
BOOM
The explosive sound of the barracks gates being burst open jolted everyone within the courtyard, startling the already stressed out souls. Had the Captain returned? He’d already be furious from having to have proctored another exam, it was too soon! They hadn’t found anything to offer up to temper his seething rage. Eyes cast towards the gate, a black streak comes sweeping through, it wasn’t their Captain. Though relieved they move to find out the identity of the one that dared to enter their grounds so brazenly, perhaps a scapegoat offered to them by the Soul King.
Their approach brings them towards one of their own, a young girl with eyes of a deep purple, eyes that told tale of its own stress and worry separate from their own. They swarmed her, and bombarded her with questions.
”Hey what’s going on?”
-
”Did something happen?”
-
”Is it the Captain, did he tell you something?!”
-
”Just give it to us straight, the First Division is coming here aren’t they?!”
Each question unveiling the askers own worries and apprehension. The girl’s purple orbs dart from person to person, she attempts to maneuver around them, trying to avoid leaking the news of their Lieutenant, but her peers are insistent, her every turn met with a body blocking her retreat. She glances down in thought, hesitant to speak….but speak she does.
“None of this leaves this division.
She begins, a fact that was already well understood amongst those within Second. The consequences for anyone disclosing information was practically a death sentence. Who among them was so bold to dare test those dark waters?
“Lieutenant Yūgure confronted Shirogane Kuchiki and was arrested for interfering with noble affairs, but things have gone awry. Her current situation is unknown, but it’s not looking well. We need to find Captain Mukuro to let him know.”
For a second time, their bodies jolt in surprise and worry, quickly growing stiff. The Lieutenant did what? And what happened to her?! With every word spoken the situation got worse, and everyone present immediately regretted their curiosity, regretted hearing this unbearable news.
Captain Mukuro was already furious; furious with Xioalin for having abandoned his post and fled, furious with them for having not noticed, then further annoyed from being forced to proctor, now this? They cursed the Lieutenant in their heads and beneath their breath, her antics were already a headache to deal with, but now…..Once the Captain got word of this, it would certainly send him over the edge.
The courtyard was immediately consumed whole in a ghostly silence as every mind imagined in its own way, the height of the Captain’s wrath, and the extremes in which he would respond.
“C-captain Mukuro was summoned to test a new applicant. W-we don’t know whether he’s finished or not.”
Finally, one of many shadows speaks, breaking the wall of silence. The news pierces the burdened messenger like a blade, her hands racking and running through her dark hair.
Fuck…
Fuck!...
“FUCK!”
From such an extreme reaction, it was evident that the situation was far more dire than what even they could imagine, they unconsciously step back as though she were a plague. The act is lost to the woman as she steels herself and tries to salvage the situation best she can.
“Find Fourth Seat Fujioka and tell her to wring out any information from the Kuchiki Matriarch, and to use any method necessary.”
They stared on in confusion, they were to expect a visit from the Kuchiki Clan’s matriarch? No, that couldn’t be right, from the way she worded it, it almost felt like she was implying they had allegedly taken the matriarch prisoner.
NO
That couldn’t be the case, it SHOULDN’T be. If the Lieutenant truly had been arrested by the Kuchiki clan, then taking its matriarch prisoner and worst….interrogating or torturing her was out of the question! Their Squad could not afford to offend one of the Four Noble families, especially not now! They gazed at the woman with incredulous eyes. This woman...was a bad omen. They gazed back towards the barracks gates, yet no sign of an imprisoned matriarch ever came. The woman continues addressing the crowd, still expectant of the arrival of the special “package”, a package named Kuchiki.
“The High Priestesses have issued an order on the arrest of any and all shinigami that dare to infiltrate the Sixth Division to be sent to the Maggot’s Nest immediately. There are several operatives waiting as we speak, but be prepared for retaliation. Everyone already sees us as traitors to the Soul Society. Handle them accordingly.”
CRRAAAAACCKKK
An adjacent pole cracks under invisible pressure, its structure, compromised. The pole begins its fall, swinging down towards the courtyard of the Second Squad.
The heads of the Onmitsukido swing like a swivel, scanning the immediate area. As the bumbling Jiroshizo scurries off, fleeing from both the searching stealth force, and his responsibilities regarding the destruction of the pole, a shadow swoops over him in passing. It is the returning Captain of the Second Division, Kyomu Mukuro.
He lands quietly upon the courtyard, and glances around at his subordinates, crowded and gathered in one area, on high alert. He notices the tension is double...no, triple what it was before his departure.
Something had changed
Amber colored hues glance at the fallen pole, then swings to the Stealth Force, and finally lands on a young woman who seemed to be the center of attention prior to his return. The Captain approaches the girl, standing before her he silently studies her expression, and sees the worry, the concern almost clawing in those purple orbs. He breaks his stare, and gazes once more at those around them, giving the crowd a once over, observing the turning of heads and the lowering of eyes as if to hide from his passing gaze. His focus is once more fixed on the dark haired girl.
”Do not delay, do not idle, and do not hesitate.”
The Captain begins
”Tell me, what has happened.”
