[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Rukongai

[Shinigami]

At once, Himari and her team of men landed at the camp, a chill went down her spin at the silence of the area. She was suspecting some noise at least, but it seemed empty for all she knew. She made sure to move her team away from the enterence, closer to the middle of the road just for a sense of security. There was nowhere to hide or conceal themselves, so She scanned the area, hand on her Zan in a comforting way as she tried to see if there were anyone here around her. Nothing. She felt a little better about this, but she couldn’t let her guard down. Not yet anyway.
She was in her very first mission. And it was a big one. If she got to comfortable, anyone could come out and kill her faster than anyone could blink. She must remain on guard.
The sound of the dead ground cracks under her feet as she would walk into the long road. Her mismatched eyes going from one structure to the other.

” Look around the area, see if you see an ounce of life. If you see anyone, as the Lieutenant said, don’t engage. Report it to me. We shall wait for what to do once he comes until then stand ground.” she would direct this to the six men that have been following her after this time, and all the did was nod and got to work.
All of this still shocked her. Just a few weeks ago she would hide in training rooms and stay away from any and everyone. But ever since she made the careless move of helping the kido corps with that barrier, almost getting herself killed, she had been promoted to a seated officer. And now she was on a mission bigger than herself. Just the feeling of the spiritual pressure of that river scared her. She had hoped that the captain knew what he was doing when he signed her up for this.
But now wasn’t the time to doubt. She had to find the source that was connecting all of this to the river. There was no time for that.
Anyone could be here. It would be foolish to get stuck in her thoughts and doubt herself. Doubting herself would do nothing but make herself an easy target.
She couldn’t have that.
What made her get out of her thoughts was the presence of a spiritual pressure she knew so well. Arashi was near by, along with
Presence of a few others. They appeared right before her and her crew, surprising her just a little. Arashi was companied by the captain of squad 2, whom she forget their name. And another man who she had no idea who he was. That was going to be a common thing she felt, and hopefully it would change. She hated being out of the loop of things. Mainly in a big thing like this.
She was about to speak when Arashi spoke first, casting a concealing spell around them. That was smart. She knew that spell quiet well, and she made sure to keep that act in her pocket just in case she would have to use it herself. She wouldn’t speak, she would wait. But she would whistle her men over to her, and they would be behind her in a glad.

 

[Shinigami]

A new person has arrived, and Yasu comes face to face with a mocha-skinned shinigami that stands right beside Arashi. His attention is on someone behind her, and she hopes that her subordinate has heeded her orders, but her remaining presence said otherwise. Yasu would continue to look forth towards Eizoku Yugameru as he introduced himself. Just as they were beginning to depart, Yasu turns to find Kazumi, unmoving and with determination left in her face.
Looking at her blue-haired subordinate, Yasu would normally allow her to do as she pleased, seeing as that the lieutenant always held others to their standards. If they died, then that was it. However, this situation was completely different. In the beginning, their captain had allowed Kazumi to live after her request to return despite wanting to transfer. And then he had given her a chance to prove her worth under Yasu’s eye while providing Yasu a chance at leadership. And she was using it, right here, and right now, to save her subordinate from becoming a burden. Having already spent most of her time begging for forgiveness from Kyomu to stay within the Division, Yasu had given her words of warning before their departure to the Rukongai.

Quote: “You’ve made your choice to return, so don’t fall behind. Lift your spirits at this second chance. If I find out you’re still holding back, I’ll leave you behind, and you can rot in that hole you dug yourself.”

Ultimately, she’d failed the single order that Yasu had given: to watch each other’s backs. Now, the three-man cell dwindled to two, and would now part ways. Yasu could sense the uneasiness that exuded from the girl, and as much as she wished not to repeat herself, she turned, and--
“Kazumi, was it?
Yasu is stopped from addressing Kazumi once more as Arashi takes the lead. She is unsure whether to allow him to continue, but having the backing of another high-ranking officer would solidify her train of thought.
“You are scared, that much is clear. However, you have been given an order by your superior. It is best that you follow and complete the task that has already been given. Trust in our ability to see this through. Please, take your leave, we do not have time to spare for feelings, and my subordinate is waiting. Hurry back as soon as you can. The two of you are dismissed.”
He offers a bow, and Yasu scratches at her cheek before casting another look at Kazumi.
“Go.”
It was her final warning.
The lieutenant’s attention then turns to Arashi as he begins to explain the contents of the Fifth Division’s mission within the Rukongai. Arms crossed, Yasu’s brow perks up at the mention of the Soul King’s Blood, and to have an entire river blessed by it? The possibilities were endless in the contents of consuming a blessed morsel of the King. It was clear and apparent in the line of bodies that paved the path they stood within. After assigning Eizoku with his set of attendants, Arashi’s attention fell on her.
“That leaves three of my subordinates with you. Thank you, for staying, I owe you.”
“Nai, naiiiii.~” She waves her hand dismissively. It took a lot of pride to ask for help, especially from other divisions. Looking at the three that would be assisting her, Yasu bowed and gave them a small grin. “The faster we get this done, the faster we go home.”
“I will be securing the location where the source of the Soul King’s blood is with the four Blue-Coats from Head Quarters. If you two would, place a hand on my shoulder so we can catch up with Himari and her men.”
Yasu does as she is asked, placing a hand on his shoulder, and suddenly finds herself where the Himari and the others now reside. Their sudden transportation was by the use of a kidō spell, one of the four methods of combat that she was severely lacking. A gentle pat on the shoulder is what Arashi would receive, as Yasu began to stretch out the muscles in her arms and back.
“Let’s party.”

 

[Shinigami]

The world became insufferably silent. Everything became muted aside from the swirling thoughts in her head. This had been the wrong decision. There was no need to look at the ireful gaze of Yasu. The detached appearance of the other present Lieutenant. Their words and planning was not meant for her, only half listening as her gaze wandered to the retreating back of the Fifth Division member who had moved on with no complaints despite the two burdens he carried.
Her decision had changed almost simultaneously with the calling of her name from the one called Suta. An empty expression upon her face she listened to his words though they reverberated hollowly within her. Was she afraid? She supposed so. But she held no fear for herself. Was it not her duty to watch over the well being of those she shared a squad with? Her thoughts returned to the harsh words of their Captain before they had disembarked. The concept of his words were easy to comprehend, yet still a foreign idea.
Her guilt had dissipated. Despite what had happened to the three members, she had had no hand nor opportunity to change any of these situations. They were indeed sad events, but not within her control. A bow to the man when he finished she turned to Yasu within an instant. The words had barely left her lips before Kazumi bowed deeply. Sustaining such a low bow for a length of time that did not waste her superiors time but showed her respect and sorrow.
"Apologies for the delay, Lieutenant. I wondered if you would like me to send back up once I've given my report."
Looking about her for a moment, she considered the situation she had put herself in. She had allowed pure ego to blind her from the insult she had given to Yasu. In multiple ways. Not only having questioned her direct order, she had also behaved as if the woman could not handle herself without some sort of babysitter. She'd held and displayed so little faith in the woman. And this was not simply her truth, but the truth.
A smile forming on her face, confidence in not only her squad but her Lieutenant, she gave her parting words.

"Though my Lieutenant doesn't need back-up."
With that she was gone, chasing after the man who had been sent along with her. Relieving him of Kagewaki's weight she resumed holding him in a protective manner, urging her companion to move along faster now. She would have faith, and do what she needed to on her own side. She hoped her true message how shown through to not only Yasu but Arashi as well. They could face this alone, without the aid of their empty counterparts. Any fear blinding them to such could end in disaster, the only fear she harbored now.

 

[Shinigami]

The seemingly unnecessary bickering and reprimanding brought about by the disobeying of issued orders from an official by Kazumi, had done nothing more than waste precious time, which could have been used to advance further within the territory of their assignment – and there had been nothing that Eizoku hated more than lingering without cause, time is the most precious aspect in life after all. He almost instinctively glanced back towards the blue haired girl with his seemingly eternally blank expression, yet despite his lack of displayed emotion, it could clearly be read as irritation, perhaps due to the lack of respect...shown by a second division member no less, it was rather...shocking. However, from simple observation and keying in on the dialogue occurring between the three, there was clearly something more behind the somber visages of the surrounding individuals, something which was causing obvious internal conflict within Kazumi and both lieutenants, as if they all held within them personal vendettas.
Their feelings would become sensible, and his analysis of the situation would prove to be true as his eyes fell upon the path which lied ahead – dismembered, mutilated, and piked bodies lay limp and lifeless along the entirety of the path. Dried blood staining the soil path and the sharpened rods which impaled them. The corpses draped in tattered shuhakusho similar to the ones both he and his lieutenant wore...along with the other two women, members of their division were amongst the deceased. A truly grotesque and inhuman scene to behold. Yet even still, not enough to shake or unnerve the man, his face still devoid of expression for he had sadly become callused to scenes of violence and death well within his younger years. Yet the reasoning behind the hesitation of Kazumi became clear, he felt for their situation as he was not one to trample or cast aside emotions. He turned his back towards the group until their discussion had come to in end, continuing to observe the scene ahead until his focus had been interrupted.
” Understood, Lieutenant Yugure. Also, welcome aboard, Eizoku Yugameru. Sorry that we have to meet under such dangerous circumstances…”
Upon hearing mention of his name he would return his attention towards his superior with his head bowed out of respect, refraining from speaking out of turn in such a situation. Although this had been the first time the two had formally met, Eizoku had been very well aware of the shut eyed man, and had developed a heightened form of respect for both him and his status, he looked up to him albeit from a distance, his training endeavors fueled by his desire to raise his rank and become acknowledged by the man. There had been no other individual whom he had admired more, with exception of his own Captain. Although he would never actively admit such a thing, or rather, he was unaware of how to do so without coming off as awkward due to his lack of social skills. His lieutenant continued on...
”I will hear your report after we are finished, Eizoku. In any case, the 5th Division has been tasked with the destruction of a river that has been, blessed, by the Soul King’s blood. The source is at the end of this road, according to my subordinate from Head Quarters. I am sure you can feel the immense concentration of it from here as well as a lot of souls that are working near it. You are to partner up with Himari and two other subordinates, from the squad. It will be foolish of you two not to use your Shikai. Hold nothing back, the capabilities of our opponents are unknown."
Taking in the information being presented, the entire scenario seemed rather...perplexing, but the only certainty to it all was that this would be no minor task, the corpses of shinigami which lined the road only served to solidify the danger that they would face. To be able to take down this many shinigami, all no doubt skilled in some sense to be sent to this district to the same location, and with the sheer number of shinigami present, no doubt their abilities varied greatly, So just how did a group of individuals manage to consistently and successfully overcome these circumstances? With such questioning in mind, the lieutenant was wise to recommend observation and analysis before blindly jumping in, surely a lack of tact in their approach could quite possibly seal their fate and place them all in the same position as the other deceased soul reapers had they been careless.
“I will be securing the location where the source of the Soul King’s blood is with the four Blue-Coats from Head Quarters. If you two would, place a hand on my shoulder so we can catch up with Himari and her men.”
Without hesitation, the man complied with the provided orders as he reached his right hand to grab his left shoulder clutching it a bit to secure its location, for it was obvious that the man was about to transport the three towards a designated location at an expedited speed. Shortly after doing so, Eizoku along with the other lieutenant would find themselves at the location which Himari was sent to prior to his arrival. Releasing his grip from the man's shoulder the mocha skinned male would distance himself quite a bit from the two as he unsheathed his blade, holding the hilt in his right hand before gripping the blade itself with his left hand and seemingly crushing it within his left palm causing it to shatter without a single sound being released, not a drop of blood spilled from grasping the blades sharpened edge. Spinning his right hand in a clockwise motion, and his left hand with the shattered blade in a counter-clockwise motion, revealing an entirely new appearance for both blades, as they took on the appearance of two straight blade swords with a square tip, not ideal for penetrating or cutting, with a golden fork like spacer stemming from the hilt securing the blade in place. The hilt turning completely black with a yellow strike down the middle, falling into a hole near the end. Within these openings resides two orbs of light that radiate the colors of yellow and blue. He had activated his shikai as instructed, whilst verbalizing,
"Warp time, Kuronosu...Shall we begin..?"
The world around him seemingly significantly slowed as a result of his shikai's ability, whilst his actions to onlookers appearing as if he had been moving abnormally fast. In this state, there was nearly nothing was beyond the comprehension of his sight, and it would be extremely unlikely that anything would be able to actively catch the man off guard in any sense regarding immediate impending damage. He looked towards his lieutenant as he awaited further instructions.

 

[Shinigami]

Deep within the belly of the Revolutionaries base a single interloper arrived, they arrived well before the other Shinigami who flocked like birds of a feather to the fated Hellscape. This goblin-faced man draped in the long tattered white cloak of a Captain’s haori seemed to stroll by the defiled corpses of Shinigami without a care in the world... this was none of than the infamous Smiling Reaper… Captain Asakura Itsuki of the Seventh Division the man almost impossible to be angry around… the Shinigami whose essence alone intoxicated & disarmed those around him.
“H-HALT!”
Both of the sickly thin guards shouted with a stutter as if rehearsed, their trembling hands clutched at their rotted staves, Itsuki rumbled with a deep hearty chuckle as he continued forward without so much as batting an eyelash, the guards attempted to rush the Captain and yet soon found themselves helpless when he suddenly baptized them in the light coral mist of his reiatsu; his energy bubbling from his person & quickly filling the entire base in a thin pink haze. Within moments of taking in Itsuki’s reiatsu these guards, no fiercer than starved dogs, and dressed no better with their raggedy mismatched armors, buckled under the weight of Itsuki’s sedation. They fell to the ground giggling before Itsuki, and he treated them as nothing more than a part of the trail—stepping on them without a hint of remorse or care in his eyes—just an ear to ear grin. He treated these guards the same as he did the Shinigami corpses; those bodies left mangled and bound to the gate at his back… the very ones Itsuki deemed unimportant to the mission at hand.
Did this disregard for life make Itsuki an evil man? Many a people may think so, even Itsuki could sense the sliver of life in Xiaolin. Itsuki is however a man of strict discipline… and in this moment the mission took priority over the safety of a single Shinigami who he couldn’t even guarantee would survive long enough to make it home. Itsuki had spent so long… so many months tracking these revolutionaries down to this bizarre ravaged wasteland… and Itsuki would not let this moment slip through his fingers by succumbing to his own bleeding heart. Itsuki was confident he made the right choice and smiled… Unfortunately, though the Captain’s impishly giddy face soon soured as he gazed upon what was supposed to be the mighty stronghold of these infidels… it was impossible.
“Wha…”
Itsuki snarled, his eyes shrinking to mere bluish embers in a sea of red. It was moments when he became suddenly stressed that wrenched open his old wounds… his eyes bleeding a rage that his soul dares not as he quickly pieced together what this hollow base before him meant. Itsuki clutched his beloved Itobeni’s handle as it slept in the red obi he wore beneath his shihakusho. Itsuki was… frustrated. But he sought comfort in Itobeni, stroking the stout handle as he wondered aloud to calm his own nerves.
“Kakakaka… Got us a fakkin’ rat in our ranks, don’ we?”
Someone had to have told the insurgents that Itsuki was closing in on them… and the only person the Captain had been in contact with were other Shinigami. He may not know who betrayed him yet… but when he finds who impeded justice… it will not be a happy ending for whoever did. As Itsuki looked around, he couldn’t help but crinkle his nose in disgust… it was a pitiful scene. He expected legions of tents and weapons… He expected rations able to feed an army ten times the size of his own Division. The ruined grey earth instead dotted with four shabby mustard colored tents that seemed like the hand-me-downs of Neanderthals & the equipment they used to defile the swelling crimson lake saddled with the apparent force of the Soul King swashed in dust. Even the shipment boxes and bins he’d noted coming in and out of the base for weeks were just empty boxes at this point. Itsuki looked to the equipment… his eyes narrowing as he found the source of industrial roar heard from beyond the camp. It was a sputtering generator that seemed to give their all, powering machines that were not even being used by these few stragglers who remained.
“Hey! Who are you?!”
Shrieked a sunken waxy face that peaked out from one tent that encircled the swelling pool of blood in the center. Itsuki assumed his own lack of tact had caught her attention, and before her body could even dash out from her tent, the menacing figure of the dark-skinned ginger giant would greet her. He had effortlessly flash stepped the ten yards it takes to reach her, and with an almost hungry predatory stare sized up her threat… Without so much as a warning Itsuki had run his finger through her throat like a spear; her blood spraying from the gaping wound like paint from a can. She frantically clutched her own throat, desperate to stop her own fleeting life from pouring out… but Itsuki wouldn’t have any of this nonsense. A second hole appeared… in the center of her forehead; before she could even react the fear of her last moments washed away… her eyes now reflecting only the cold emptiness of lifelessness as she crumbled face-first into the ground in a pool of her own blood.
“Tch… can’t be dat nice wit’ da next one”
Itsuki scoffed as his tongue lapped up bits of her own blood that splattered onto his lips during her struggling final seconds, and then he kicked her… Itsuki kicked her corpse to the side like a broken toy, her crumpled and lifeless figure splattering against the walls they had built the base inside of… decorating the wall with her insides.
“Now, now whose gon’ come out and gimme some answers?”
Before Itsuki spoke, the heavy thud of the corpse against the wall had captured the attention of the other stragglers who had been in their own tents. Even behind the veil of his glasses it became apparent that Itsuki was wide-eyed, his brow stretched out almost cartoonishly in awe as he finally saw who he had here. Six men…? No… five and a young teenager. As they circled like wild dogs Itsuki couldn’t help but to stroke his chin and wonder… Why? Itsuki’s curiosity was on the rise, and the brazen defiance to someone adorning the iconic haori of a Captain only made Itsuki even more eager to figure out what was going on behind the scenes. The empty camp… the equipment left to unused… the empty storage… something was foul here and Itsuki planned to ‘interview’ these vagabonds until he had answers he was content with.
When the two Lieutenants and their caravan had arrived & untangled Xiaolin from his bindings, Itsuki would have been within the base for hours… and at this point… Itsuki was the ONLY person alive in the pit turned camp. The Captain had taken his time ‘interviewing’ those six who remained behind… and it showed. The corpses of all six now covered with shallow cuts that numbered well into the thousands across the entirety of their bodies, dried blood trailed from their eyes & ears, and dozens of punctures dotted the lengths of their bodies— the holes no bigger than those made from Itsuki’s finger thrust into that poor women’s throat. Perhaps Itsuki had gone too far with some of them—their jaws wrenched clean from their skulls, but the Captain had received a great deal of information from his intensive ‘interviews’. The only issue now was… Itsuki had to comb through the information and figure out what is true & what had been the mere ramblings of a person whose mind crumbled under the cocktail of sedation & torture. Itsuki sat atop one of the many empty cargo boxes that littered the camp and cackled… his guttural giggle now the sole sound coming from the camp since Itsuki used the remaining power in the generators for some ‘entertainment’ during his interviewing process.
“Kakakakaka”
If the Shinigami tried to peer in with their assortment of sensory techniques… they would sense only the laboring force of a mere villager as Itsuki forced his own stormy might to a lull. Captain Asakura could easily tell that the reinforcements he had requested arrived moments ago but he just as quickly noticed their presence disappeared. His brow furrowing as he figured it was perhaps a technique? Itsuki was unsure… though he wasn’t too concerned. Itsuki was more than willing to sit back and wait, the Captain needing a moment to himself… his hands still trembling and his heart still aflutter from the excitement of spending the last few hours torturing these poor souls.