[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Southwest Seireitei

[Shinigami]

“So, now what?”
“Uh. My body: I would like it back.”
“I mean I fuckin’ guess, but I want that other deal to be kept.”
Touching at her pink locks, Yasu scoffed, “I’m already way ahead of you. I think it’ll look great.”
Their small talk comes to an end. Yasu Yūgure has once again regained control of her body, but there was a chill running up her spine. It didn’t stop, and now that she was really looking, the depths of the marsh she sat in was rumbling.
“I’m… I’m not going to like this one bit.”
Suffocated, the beast becomes as it crumbles under the mighty pressure of the Captain Commander. It’s pinned to the broken earth by this unseen force and is struggling to keep its consciousness as it lets out a guttural roar, but even that is deafened by the force that is Shobatsu Murasaki.
CRACK!
It begins, the unveiling of those behind those masks to outsiders. Cracks double, triple, and spread across the skeletal outer frame that manifested with the lieutenant’s hollowfication. The cries of pain do not cease as the pressure only hardens. It feels as if her body is sinking into the ground, ready to make it a permanent burial site for her and her two comrades.
CRAAACK!
The protective casing of her spirit and its properties had no chance of doing their job to protect their host’s body so long as this continued. Having only seen him in passing during her searches for Head Lieutenant Oki or snacks around the grounds of the First Division, the now, bodily-conscious Yasu can no longer deny the stupidity of her actions. Since stepping foot back into the Gotei, honor-bound Yasu had only meant to do what was best for the Soul Society, and she ended up getting swept into something far out of her control. However, to die in the line of duty was honorable, and this lieutenant would succumb to her fate without question. However, the pain and process of stepping to death’s door was havoc.
CRAAAAAACK!
Experiencing the power of the Commander from afar was taxing as she had felt it firsthand three months ago; to experience it personally, and at such a close distance, the old Yasu would’ve been one of the fallen that day. However, even in her current state, the hazy look she held as it finally came to a stop. All she tasted was blood and felt nothing, and everything at the same time before she too, succumbed to the darkness once more. Bruised, battered, broken was the body of Lieutenant Yūgure, and being tossed and carried around like a rag doll was all too familiar.
As she slipped into the dark, there was only the thought of one individual. He’d be troubled without her if she slipped away. What would he do without her? Who’d else deal with the troublesome Phantom?
Watching the original fade from her point of view, the inner hollow sighed heavily and laid back in the murky depths of the marsh, listening to the silence now that her punching bag had finally left. So they'd made a deal. She'd only be relied on in the direst of situations, which was fine. She hated work. Anything excessive was just far too troublesome than what it was actually worth. The world around her was rather clear, and the light of the sun managed to peek through those clouds, a ray of light shining down directly on her.
“Tch... 'I need you' she says...”

 

[Shinigami]

“No.”
Kyomu’s world becomes shrouded in shadow as he stands now, dwarfed by the Commander. For a single fleeting moment the Captain’s eyes widen. When did he appear? How did he arrive so swiftly...so silently? How did he not notice his approach? Questions that stormed the phantom’s mind. The moment of surprise is suppressed, the stoic mask re-donned.
“You will send a message to the Twelth Division. Notify them of my impending arrival.”
Kyomu’s glare intensifies, and both teeth and fist become tightly clenched. Again his path is impeded by this man, and again he can do nothing. Kyomu stands silently, seething with rage. Commander Murasaki stands not only as a wall before him, but a constant reminder to the young Captain — that his life is, and always has been… one of rejection.
He sees the child he once was, holding and petting the soft cat that he had come to cherished — and then he stands with bloodied hands, over the cat’s dead body.
He clenches his fist tighter
The Captain witnesses the adolescent, sneaking off with his peers. He recounts the games they played, the fun they had on childishly conceived adventures — and again, there is blood..and death before him, his hands, body and sword stained red with blood.
Knuckles crack as his clenched grip grows tighter still
He recalls the strength, speed, and power he developed, born from the sacrifices of his younger self, the death of those things he once held dear.— an image now replaced with his kneeling self, strength, speed, power, ability...taken from him, halved.
Denied the joys of childhood and happiness by his clan, denied the strength he once had, and now...he would be denied the right to protect the one thing worth protecting to him — denied the right to save his Lieutenant?!

Despite all that he had lost in his youth, he endured — through tears that had long since run dry, and pain that had long since become numb. He endures the ridicule, prejudice, the glares and hate of those who deem him traitor, judgements born from ignorance. Always the Captain endures, and always he performs, diligently, silently...without complaint. Yet, it was not enough. Had he not sacrificed enough? Had he not endured enough? Had he not given not only his clan, but the Seireitei EVERYTHING he had to give? Now, when his Lieutenant needed him, when he asks only to save her he is turned away. Did Shobatsu, did the world seek more from him? He’s sacrificed joy, friendship, and even strength on that treacherous road called duty, do they now demand he sacrifice Yasu as well? Was it not enough?!
“No.”
The words of Shobatsu echo once more within the Phantom. It was not enough, and perhaps...it would never be.
”Ku ku ku ku”
Mocking laughter, cold and dark invades the ears of only one man; those of Kyomu. The world around the Captain bleeds black, and all that becomes perceivable to the Phantom...is darkness.
”Weak”
Kyomu remains still, not seeking the source of the hoarse voice.
”Foolish”
Another voice mocks and demeans the young Captain...and still he stands, silently enduring.
”We forged you to be a blade, a weapon, a tool”
”You were raised to be free of emotions, morality, and pointless sentimentality that shackles the rest of the world...you were supposed to be perfect!”
The chastising voices of those he killed blare deafeningly in his ears — they are the voices of the elders he was ordered to kill. They were dead, this was indisputable...Kyomu had killed them himself. Still, he could feel their breath against the back of his neck and the side of his face as if they were standing there, could feel that sickening presence they exuded when gathered together.
”Is that why you killed us? You dared to bite the hand that fed you, all to protect….THAT?!”
An aged hand grips the Captain’s head with all the vigor of a young man, a violent tug forces Kyomu’s head to raise — the darkness recedes for just a bit. He is now able to perceive inside the barrier, able to witness what was transpiring...and he sees it. Though three monsters exist confined within the barrier alongside the Commander, only one gains the Phantom’s notice. Despite the bone plating that covers her body, despite the horrific mask which covers her face, that head of pink told Kyomu all that he needed to know.
”Yas-”
A second merciless tug of his hair yanks the Captain back, his vision once more obscured by darkness.
”SHE WILL DIE!”
The voice cracks down like thunder, rocking the very foundations of this world of black he finds himself in. His heart, normally calm, steady and silent is now anything but. His pulse quickens, his heart thumping violently like a war drum.
”Had you done your job properly, completed your task as told you wouldn’t need fear her being in danger!”
”Had you rid yourself of that idiotic concern you have for that stupid girl, you wouldn’t be suffering now!”
”Did you think yourself free after killing us? Did you think you or that squad of yours safe? We may have used you, but we were still your one true family.”
”All you’ve done...is trade one master for another. If you had to choose to serve an evil, than at least better the evil you know.”
You are weak, pathetic...a child. Because of your weakness and sentimentality you. Will. Lose-
EVERYTHING!!”
”EVERYTHING!!”
”EVERYTHING!!”
The voices all screamed in horrific unison, thrusting Kyomu back into the present, back into the Soul Society — back into his hellish reality.
"Do YOOOU know what's going on here!? You and yo people seem to love BAR-
”SHUT THE HELL UP!!!”
Kyomu — normally so silent, subtle, inconspicuous roars out in a voice that now challenges the dragon, as his reiatsu for the briefest of moments explodes from his body like a bomb. It is only now, that Captain Kojima’s irritating voice can be heard prattling on, and the timing couldn’t be worse. Was Maho the intended target of this violent outburst — or, was it the ghosts, the demons that haunted the Captain’s mind?
“Maho… Stay yourself.”
An older, calmer, wiser voice calls out to simmer the Dragon’s rage...and perhaps temper the equally burning fury of the Phantom. It is the voice of a Titan, a man seen as many things; elder, teacher, Captain….hero — the voice of Captain Higen Kagayaki.

The burning glow of the sun like Cero from what Kyomu perceives as the hollowfied Yasu illuminates the entirety of the barrier. Kyomu struggles to control his labored breathing, a venomous glare shot towards Maho. The mention of the barrier serves only to remind Kyomu of the lives lost back then to create it...and the haunting words of the Mukuro elders.
Shrouded in smoke, with face hidden behind a veil of dreads the pious Captain Kojima stands casting his judgement over his peer. Though Kyomu’s peer the Phantom does NOT consider him his equal. He prances around the Seireitei smoking away without a care in the world. What did he know of loss, what it meant to truly sacrifice?
Nothing
Kyomu knows his fellow Captain does not see him or his Division in a favorable light, regardless of who led it their very existence opposed the personality and ethics of the man who calls himself Dragon. Amber hues dance towards the towering Captain Higen, then fall briefly back onto the barrier.
”....”
As the massive burning Cero is released, Captain Mukuro’s form, presence and reiatsu...are gone. He utters no word of explanation, gives no retort to anything spoken by Maho, and issues no commands to his subordinates. He moves absent of both intent or any discernible hint of action. Scouring the immediate area or the entirety of the Southwest area would bear no fruits in finding any remnants or clues of the Phantom’s presence. One needn’t attempt to track or trace him to know his destination however. Any present during the arrival of the Captain Commander would know, the Captain moves to obey his orders, and perform his task.
Ever the dutiful Captain...ever a slave
[To Northwest Seireitei]

 

[Shinigami]

Each breath was calculated. All unnecessary movement removed. Standing in wait for any signal to proceed forward. An aura of calm eclipsed the entirety of Kyomu's massive shadow, though anyone within could feel the tension rising. Kazumi was uncertain of what exactly was happening, eyes darting about as she attempted to sum things up just a bit better. None of this made sense. Eyes nearly closed, deep inhale. Slow exhale, observe. The reactions of everyone around her gleaned no more information than she had before. She would simply have to wait. She could feel the fear pulsing from those that stood beside her. But it mattered little. Beneath the training was her loyalty.
Even she was uncertain of why her loyalty ran so deep. Betrayal had been commonplace in her living life, it would be of little surprise if this followed her into the afterlife. However, she had striven toward a Captain and a Squad worth believing in. Her only goal had been to be accepted as a member of Second and she was grateful every day that she had succeeded. What in particular she saw in these people even she was uncertain. But it lessened her allegiance to them none at all. All that truly mattered to her was her Squad. Regardless of what any others thought of them, she would stand proudly.
This meant little in the face of her true mission in that moment: observe. Eyes moving almost nonstop, she picked out the reiatsu and location of each person in the area. Some she recognized, others she did not. What mattered was their activity and movement, what were they doing? It no longer mattered what was happening precisely. She would doubtless have no hand in the larger scheme of things. However she would be responsible for upholding her role here and assuring nothing went into chaos.
The arrival of the Captain Commander was a shock. Eyes unable to stop watching the man, she heard his words to her Captain. If she had been watching for where he had gone she would have turned her head along with the rest of the squad; she alone however remained transfixed on her Captain and his location, the Commander appearing before him just as suddenly. Like flames surrounding her, a strength she had never felt so closely. Unwilling to blink she simply stared at him until he was once more invisible to their sight. It took little time to notice he was now within the very barrier her Captain was demanding access through. What is happening in there? A glance to the enormous barrier gave her little but troubling information.
The Commander was burning down what looked like a jungle inside, clearing the air almost and revealing the form of three...hollows?
There was little time to process this as with the Commander's disappearance his place was almost as quickly replaced by that of another Captain. She was uncertain of his name, though she did recognize by appearance the man that was Captain of the Ninth Division. His shouting combined with his proximity to Captain Mukuro became too much to bear and without thinking Kazumi found herself with her hand on her Zanpakuto. She had stepped forward, outside of the haze that the others formed. Just a simple step outside. Hand rested upon her Zanpakuto almost lazily. Her eyes, however, were beyond serious. She knew little of this man but none of this mattered. Speaking to her Captain in such a manner was unforgivable.

Swallowing down her emotion she remained in her almost neutral stance, though her gaze rested directly on the man who was speaking to her Captain in such a way. No emotion ever crossed her face, though even such a minor gesture as what she had done spoke volumes. It was not her place to either challenge the man nor do so when Kyomu stood right before her and could defend himself. Even still, it bothered her immensely. There was little time to dwell on any of this. Senses picking at every sensation around her, she recognized the flare of a Zanpakuto release. It hid beneath the stronger reiatsu before her, but there it was. Like a shining beacon calling to her, that faint gleam in the sea of uncertainty was her cue.
It took little effort to spot the location of the one who had done so. Pink haired, someone she had yet to meet and knew not even the name of. It was obvious to an observing eye that he was planning something, though it was difficult knowing how to react without knowing what sort of powers his Zanpakuto possessed. A flash. Movement so quick it was difficult to tell she had moved at all unless one was watching her. The air whistled faintly, Kazumi once more with her hands to her sides in a prideful but proper stance. The clasp on her leg bag made a small click, having not been fully closed. Her eyes now stared directly to the man with the pink hair. The man with his schemes.

Three black throwing needles landed in a neat row before the man's feet. Her eyes boring down upon him as she dared him to continue with whatever tricks he was planning. She had no wish to fight with anyone. Disrespect to her Squad and her Captain would not be tolerated. It could not. Their Lieutenant was somewhere within that barrier as well. Who knew what had been happening within all this time? She cursed herself for not getting answers faster. For not realizing such things were happening without her knowledge.
Not a word was said, there was nothing to say to him. She had sent her message, a simple enough warning. She was watching him closely. But beyond that, another message buried deeper; that she was watching everything around her Squad closely. He was surrounded, unable to even complete whatever words he had begun to speak. Kazumi looming before him, the area beneath the many feet that followed her trampling the ground. She found herself knocking some poor soul down when she had moved at such speeds to approach the man, and now the other lie on the ground with no true injuries but stunned all the same.
The instant of her arrival her target would find Onmitsukido would appear as well. The simple act of opening her bag and throwing the needles had told them everything they needed to know and how to react. Swords drawn they stood in a circle about him, blades pointed at his throat as the many blank faces watched him from every angle. Taking a step forward Kazumi glanced down at the fallen man before golden orbs looked back up to meet with the pink haired man's. Staring for a few moments her expression suddenly changed.

Despite her silent observing of the entirety of her surroundings, she allowed a brief wave and smile to the man as if she held not a single care in the world. As if the situation was not near as volatile as it truly was. She wished to bring this down, however, not enhance it. Threatening the man would do little good and would likely stir others into action, creating more of a situation than there already was. The departure of her Captain once again left her responsible for the black mass behind and around her, and she could not fail them nor risk them coming to harm. She wished for no violence. Just a simple resolution to a problem they all seemed to share; whatever was happening within that barrier. Though her voice came out in a cheerful tone, friendly and inviting, there was no question of the resolve beneath her grinning face.
"I'll have to ask you to please not attempt releasing your weapon again. This situation is dire enough without us starting any unnecessary fighting among ourselves, right?"

 

[Shinigami]

[click every time ^]

”SHUT THE HELL UP!!!”
the words cut through Maho's own like the infamous blade at Kyomu's hip, severing through Maho's rant. Clearly his words struck like many of his mighty hands, enough to draw a retort from the specter. Maho stays his ground, however, only visually surprised by the nature of his reply. it was uncharacteristic, to get such a grand reply from him. The picture within the barrier must have struck a chord with him. Maho was more understanding than most led him to believe. He takes a glance at the three within, recognizing neither of them upon that first look. Their spiritual pressure collides for a moment, before Higen's words, loud and direct, seems to quell their sudden fury. Like a silencing flame, both seem to calm then flicker out.
“Maho… Stay yourself.”
Tch.. He remarks, sliding his hands back into his pockets. His black case is brought out again, He inspects the insides, his eyes more so caught onto what is occurring in the barrier. One, housed in a head of blond hair, stood surrounded by numerous black hands. How Ironic he thought, peering at the next, long bony limbs housed in ahead of pink and the last completely unrecognizable. If he had to guess, Tenzen must have been the blonde one, recalling the distant look of the man who had saved his Haori. To have fallen to such a state. What could have occurred?
Yasu's pink hair and grotesque form gave Kyomu's response some palpability now. He saw now the extreme in his initial reply but knew the man would get over it after some time, that is if his Little LT. survived. Whew knew what the externally cold man would be like should her life be spent so soon. He could only wonder.
Silence fills the space between Higen, Maho, and Kyomu. What else needed to be said. Before long, the Phantom disappears. One can only deduce that he was given some sort of order. Why else would he leave her behind?
These thoughts quickly brought forth a realization. His eyes dart up, left and right, before singling out on the familiar presence of Jiro's spiritual pressure. What trouble had Maho's own head of pink gotten into now? He stares over, to see him surrounded by several of Divisions two's lackeys. The rest, faceless, hidden behind veils left one with some sense of recognizability. A blue-haired woman who sported stealth garb. He doesn't move to where he is, and whilst keeping his hands in his pockets, motions his right, subtly to the left.

This minuscule act remains undetected by any attempt to observe him through sensory alone. With his spiritual pressure having already been flexed, it would have been indistinguishable from his current actions. Most would be too focused on the events within the barrier to pay it any mind. Slowly, Jiro would feel a cold metallic sensation. Black steel melding into view underneath his clothing, a flat palm sliding snugly against his back. The cool steel causing a shiver to crawl up his spine, with blades drawn on him he would do well not to move too much. Though for now, Maho doesn't act, instead of giving his Third seat a way out. He simply needed to know where he was. With this hand now connected to Jiro's flesh, it began taking in trace amounts of his spiritual pressure. Maho could tell with the consistency and flow of his spirit energy how he was feeling, and the general emotional state of his mind. Jiro would, or should be able to tell what was occurring, If he had eyes on his captain, he would notice him staring off toward the barrier, his right hand now free from his picket it places a newly lit cigar between his teeth. Two fingers raise and begin a series of complex, mostly unnecessary motions. They pretty much mean nothing, though it was enough for him to realize that his Captain's watchful eyes were on him and that for now, there was nothing to worry about. The moment he came under any real distress, Maho would know.
A sigh of relief escapes him, as he ignites the tip of his cigar once more.
"So Higen Senpai. What do you make of This...?
Now, before them a large cero of condensed flame forms from Yasu. It encompasses a large portion of the barrier. The Head captain stands before these creatures unafraid of the consequences as if he knew there would be few. That sort of confidence when combined with such terrible spirit energy always made Maho uneasy. At those times, he envied those less perceptive than him. The weight of the Commander's soul often weighed heaviest on his very body, simply because of how clearly he could see it. Was it fear? Was it the dragon's raw instincts telling him to stay away? Such strength...
"S-should we help? Or is there no need?" The answer to Maho was Obvious, but somehow he still felt the need to ask.
His words are now only loud enough for his Fellow Captain to hear, not wanting to unsettle anyone else. His Haori shakes in the turbulent winds that echo from within the barrier, the insignia for 9 flailing about helplessly, as helpless as many of the shinigami felt right now. Very few moved to act, though one, another blue-haired woman offers her help to the Kido corps. Maho takes note of this as well, he hears the pleads and cries of one detained. Though everyone, no matter what they are doing, Watches on, as the Commander Makes his stand.

 

[Shinigami]

“SHUT THE HELL UP!!!”
After the violent outburst of reiatsu that could only be felt for a fragment of a moment, not a sound could be heard, the echo of the phantom’s howl bellowing outward throughout the area’s entirety, a silence before them all. Not a soul had seen Kyomu reach this point, to display such a vast amount of emotion. Captain Kojima’s stubborn and belligerent nature at times was common knowledge, and it was the Commander of the Omnitsukido who was famed for his normally unphased demeanor. The barking of dogs was drowned out by his arrogance, often showing little to no care for the words of others, especially the likes of Maho. But here, but now, he exploded. Had Captain Mukuro reached his limit? Even after his failed Coup’, even after being humbled and diminished to a fraction of his former self by the Captain Commander, this was what caused him to snap? It caught Higen completely off guard, and his mind wandered to the distant possibility that in the fit of all this chaos these two Captains exchanged blows with each other. That reality would force his interference, something he hadn’t looked forward to.
Even still—like he did with most—Higen attempted to understand Kyomu, just has he had grown to understand Maho. There were many parts about the man that Higen deemed unfavorable, but his respect remained. No one unworthy of the Captain’s cloak would feel its cloth while Commander Murasaki remained. Despite his actions of treachery, when it was all finished and done, the Captain Commander judged the Assassin, and maintained his status of a Captain in the Gotei 13. Shobatu’s will was law, and to Higen—even more so than anyone else—it was absolute. For that reason, and that reason alone, Captain Mukuro would continue being treated as the Captain he is. Higen would not have two Captains skirmish before him, and even after Kyomu’s outburst, nothing followed. Those darting orbs of topaz looked toward Higen, who remained unmoved, before returning to the barrier before him. A gust of wind swept through silently, and with it the Omnitsukido’s commander had vanished too.
Hm? Why had such a fuss been made just to leave? What was more important than the catalyst to Kyomu’s rage? And then it struck him, that absolution he was so familiar with. It was the only explanation, and its memory drew Higen’s gaze back to the barrier where its adjudicator stood. The angle of their approach had limited a bit from view, at first, but it became clear, then clearer, then-

.
.
.

A chill runs up Higen’s spine, hardly reminiscent of anything he had felt before. The area around him begins to fade, Maho’s words being drowned out by a state of shock. Higen’s eyes widened far past their initial range, his iris’ dwindling as his body begins to tremble with frustration? Anger? Fear? All of them at once?
“What a- ”
A whisper at first, rolls over the Captain’s lips, Maho would hardly be able to distinguish words, yet Higen’s knuckles begin to fluster. His fists tighten; if he had nails they’d have drawn blood by now.
“What are thes- ”
Louder now, the Shining Captain fails to complete his words still, his hand traveling slowly over to the surface of his zanpakuto. His fingers shake, his index trailing the flesh of the weapon’s wrappings, and then he pauses. The trembling stops, his grips loosen, before it all returns in a single spurt-
“What.. are.. these… Monsters??!”
Like the dragon, Higen roars, his voice traveling throughout, unheard by none.
His gaze never leaves, he never blinks, and assimilates all that transpires inside the barrier into his being. A slender elusive creature prowling about, specs of light shining through. A yellow-haired monster, cursed with a multitude of additional appendages. And the chimera-like creature, casting its breath into a singular speck of flame, expanding and folding against and within itself getting larger with each second, until a supernova-like blast makes a large portion of the barrier its home. It was unmistakable, these were hollows, but there was a familiarity about them, one that made Higen sick. He didn’t think, he couldn’t think, he hadn’t made sense of anything yet, but still…
“Hit- ”
“Don’t. You. Dare.”
A voice strikes through his skull like a mighty spear, stopping him dead in his tracks as he attempted to pull his blade from its saya. A quick glance through his peripherals reassures him that only he could hear it, and its tone and pitch all-too-familiar confirmed that it was Hitsumishi himself. Had he known Higen’s intent? Had he stopped him for that very reason? Had he possibly just prevented destruction on a scale that Soul Society hadn’t seen since the likes of the Kototsu? What was Higen thinking? It was just that; he wasn’t. Hitsumishi was more than aware of Higen’s plans to ensure the erasure of these creatures by any means, and would even put the two of them at odds with each other to prevent that horrible outcome. This was the first time, in the centuries of their partnership, that Higen’s lifelong comrade had denied him. It was unheard of, and caused a brief moment of reflection for Higen in his fit of shock. The image of the Head Captain rears Higen back slightly, reassuring him that under no circumstance would these creatures walk free. The old man wouldn’t allow it.. Would he? Maho’s words reach Higen with an unmistakable delay, but he responds still.
“We.. we will remain here. No matter what happens inside, we will be here when that barrier comes down.”
There is a stern surety to his words, but in truth Higen was angry. More than anything, he wanted answers, just before the last bit of life was squeezed from these foul creatures.