Shinigami
Administrator
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Time, it is both a giver and a taker. With more time one is able to do more, accomplish more — simultaneously it is a cruel thief that robs one of their former selves. No finer example and silent witness is there than Honoka in this moment.
As the elder Oki converses with the Captain, Honoka stands in both silence and conceit. The dramatic display of her abilities from her emotional outburst was witnessed by the Onmitsukido present, agents who were not ignorant to the former Head Lieutenant’s abilities and reputation. She is not pounced upon by the stealth force, nor is she immediately accosted and restrained. Believing it foolish on their part, a missed opportunity Honoka fails to perceive the truth. Like the man who she had served and aided for centuries, the same man whose child she has given birth to Honoka is blind. Unlike the now imprisoned Judicator, Honoka is blind...and ignorant.
The aged Oki, Kyomu’s elder by several folds, glances at the aftermath of the Phantom’s strike. She understands that the vestige marring the ground and now ruined gate was not the Captain showcasing his strength, nor was it meant to be some idle threat. It was a killing blow meant to split her precious granddaughter in two, if not for her timely arrival and intervention it would have been so. A quick glance towards her grandchild, the orchestrator of this whole mess reveals that she remains indifferent to both the damage dealt to the compound and the fact that such a fate was originally meant for her. Similarly Kyomu since his arrival has not glared or scowled at neither Honoka or grandmother, nor towards Akarui or the children. The Captain has not exerted his reiatsu, nor has a hint of killing intent spilled from his form even with Honoka’s disrespect and defiance, Kyomu remains relatively calm.
The leaves begin to fall, carried by a warm precarious wind passing through on this auspicious day, the fallen swaying and twirling lazily by yet another passing breeze. The leaves appear to land here and there, others appear to twirl harmlessly by. As Kyomu stands there a leaf and then another lands on the shoulders, the green contrasting against the white canvas of his Haori resting around his shoulders, touching down just as quietly, just as subtly as the Phantom’s every move. Kyomu facing off against Kazue, amber hues peering towards her as Honoka remains a silent bystander, captivated by the falling leaves that have captured the focus of her eyes. The leaf she watches seems to move as if holding a life of its own, the Onmitsukido’s stillness tells her that they have not noticed, that she is safe to continue playing puppeteer to the greenery. Kyomu seemingly remains still as well, as if awaiting a response, their expected compliance. Akarui, safeguarding the children, wary of Honoka’s mindset and whatever plants or vegetation finds itself within her proximity, quietly weaving and maneuvering away from their touch.
"It is not a negotiation. You threaten not only one, but two clan heads, as well as an entire clan? Makes me wonder if these orders are the Commander's, or someone else's."
The elderly woman denounces her actions as a negotiation. If she wasn’t seeking to negotiate or barter then was she demanding or commanding the child remain? Despite the situation already having fallen to this point? She seeks to inform the Captain that he is threatening two clan heads as well as an entire clan, as if he was unaware about the implications of the words he had spoken. In the eyes of Kyomu she is misinformed, or perhaps there was some manner of miscommunication between them. The words he spoke were not meant to be perceived as a threat...it was a promise. As she continues she is once again mistaken in her assessment of the situation.
At no point had Kyomu ever stated he was here on orders from the Commander. Kazue should well know, or be somewhat informed on the duties and structure of the Gotei 13. Each Division is assigned a specific task and is expected to fulfill their duties to the greatest of their abilities. Kyomu was the Captain of one such Division, specifically the Second Division integrated with the Onmitsukido. Within the latter organization he stands not only as the Commander-in-Chief of the entirety of the organization, but as the Corps Commander of the Executive Militia. It was a squad tasked specifically with the apprehension of fugitive and traitorous shinigami — unfortunately Honoka fell into such a category. It is because of his duties and because of her granddaughter's actions and current status, that apprehending her falls well within the scope of his authority. One needn’t the Commander’s approval to slay a hollow, to heal the injured and sick — or to apprehend a fugitive.
Honoka, still blinded by her ignorance brought about by skewed emotions, focuses on Kyomu’s action of having intended to strike her down instead of cuffing her and locking her powers. It does not don on her that not once has Kyomu shown her any hostility, but has in turn only responded to her hostility. While he had arrived in number with the Stealth Force, their purpose was hardly to assist in apprehending the Oki woman, or rather that was not the entirety of their purpose. The ulterior purpose in arriving in such numbers was to show Honoka the severity of the situation, to put things into a visual perspective for her so she wouldn’t do anything so foolish as to try and fight or attack, worsening her predicament. Kyomu arrived showing no killing intent, and no hostility towards the child, despite the strained relationship between him and the former Commander, and had specifically told her that he was escorting them back to the Seireitei to go before their new Commander; Higen Kagayaki, a hero to the people, a former colleague to her and someone she should have considered a friend. If Honoka was in a rational state of mind she would understand that Higen would not needlessly or recklessly harm her or the child, and the fact that Kyomu had stated he was there to take them back also meant that he was not there to spill blood.
Yet all these things are lost to the woman, even Kazue in her old age, meant to be the calmer, wiser and more rational of the two is incapable of perceiving such. By showing hostility, emitting her killing intent in the eyes of others while the Captain was attempting to perform his duties, she made herself a liability. If she wouldn’t come peacefully, wouldn’t listen to reason then she would have to die, and the boy would have been safely transported to the Commander. It is for this reason alone that Kyomu moved to strike her down, Kazue’s arrival had fortunately given him justification to halt the execution, diverting the fatal strike. Yet here they stood now...at an impasse, neither side willing to yield to the other when-
Honoka who had been sitting idly by, manipulating the vegetation quietly, seemingly unnoticed clenches her fist. Bringing to life several of the fallen leaves, though half the ones meant to sprout surprisingly do not.
She causes the tendril-like bindings to coil tautly around the Commander’s form along with a portion of his entourage, blood seems to spill as the tendrils digs into flesh. A dozen of the stealth force appear otherwise shocked and dismayed at the sight of their comrade’s state and at the sight of the ensnared Phantom, yet...they stay their hands, and do not act. Was it out of loyalty? Fear that their actions may further insight the mistress of plants to take the life of their peers and their superior?
"I have no intention of fighting, Captain Mukuro."
Honoka speaks, her actions contradicting such words, and her manner of addressing Kyomu signifying the emotional distance between the two at this moment. Honoka believes her actions to be justified, believing it is in the defense of the others, whose lives were only in jeopardy should she not comply with Kyomu’s reasonable and lawful command to surrender and return with him along with the child. Her mind drifts further away from rationality. The Commander’s wife continues to spectate, and still remains silent even up to now. Unlike Honoka, she understands how detrimental Honoka’s previous and current actions are, that it is not Kyomu who is or has been showing signs of aggression — it's her. Honoka glances around, reminiscing on a familiar sight before catching the gaze of her friend, confidant and fellow mother, Akarui who only shakes her head in response.
Akarui comforts the boys, giving them short concise instructions. Honoka busies herself with admiring her handiwork, approaching the bound figure of the man who once considered her friend, one of the extremely few he had. However everything that Honoka has said and done has shown that the woman he once knew, the woman who had given him the sweets he had grown to love, who had shown him warmth as a child when all he knew was pain and death...that person was gone. When coming here, he came as a Captain of the Gotei 13 and had set aside any personal ties he had held with the woman — still, he had hoped somewhere that since it was him coming to bring her in, she wouldn’t put up a fight.
It seemed that Honoka couldn’t trust Kyomu or Higen
Honoka begins making her way towards the gate, doing nothing to undo her bindings, carrying with her the defeated and humiliated form of Kyomu.
"I believe Captain' Commander's waited long enough."
“At this point, he can stand to wait longer."
The Commander’s wife finally interjects. The difference in height forces the short Akarui to stare up at the towering Honoka, yet the fire in her eyes shows no care for such trivial things. While Akarui empathizes with Honoka, understanding her feelings, the desire to want to protect your child, one sired by a powerful individual taboo or not..but Honoka’s actions have moved well beyond what the Third seat was willing to condone.
The wind passes through the surrounding trees, causing the leaves and branches to sway. Among the many trees is one that stands taller than the rest, a single leaf falling from its respective branch, floating down.
“You're making a spectacle that should not have been made in the first place. Emotions are overrunning your course of action and they continue to blind you. Your son is not safe left behind here, especially with you constricting the members of the Onmitsukido out of fear of their retaliation from your own wily actions. You've consistently put your blood on the line in the worst way possible.”
The Gekko begins vocalizing her disapproval of her former superior’s behavior, reprimanding her for her foolish actions. Like Kyomu, Akarui sees and understands that Honoka has become blind by her emotions, blind to reason. She tells Honoka the truth, that any actions she feared from Kyomu or the Onmitsukido would only be a response to her own actions, justified retaliation, a fact that neither Honoka or Kazue could see at the moment.
The leaf continues its descent, as the other party travels silently and expeditiously with both Lieutenant Oda and Third Seat Junsui in tow. It seems that they had succeeded in safely detaining their assignment and were en route to the designated rendezvous point, everything was on schedule for them. Further within the Rukongai the Seventh Division mourns the seemingly loss of their Captain who had been missing in action without word longer than ever before. His body located in one of the lesser districts, razed and ravaged by who knows what, perhaps only those who call that forsaken place home could tell. Like Katsuo and Saiko’s captures, they too rush to return to the Seireitei, preparing to go before the Commander.
“You've become selfish. None of what you're doing is for Masahiro. Every action you've taken has put the boy in danger, and if not for the order to apprehend you alive, the both of you would be dead. It wouldn't matter how many bodies were sacrificed to complete that objective there would be nowhere for either of you two to go. Release the captives. For the boy's sake, he will come with us, and you will answer for your abandonment properly.”
Still the leaf falls, its journey from the top is a long one, with nothing to catch it, nothing to stop its descent. Akarui continues on, still having much to say to her friend. Her words, though true, are sharp like daggers, seeking to pierce through the selfish veil of ignorance clouding Honoka’s eyes and mind. She speaks reality into the ears of the Oki, demanding the release of those who she has captured and siding with the Captain regarding the fate of the boy. Finally, that lonely leaf completes its journey, touching down softly onto the ground. If only Akarui had spoken up sooner, intervened faster perhaps things wouldn’t have turned out this way…
She stands firm, furious and resolved as she stares down the foolish mother. There is silence between them, no birds chirp or sing, there is no rustling of leaves as if the wind itself had stopped, waiting with baited breath for Honoka’s actions. The forest had grown quiet in this moment stretched towards eternity. No..it wasn’t just the forest that had grown quiet, the entire Oki compound was silent, in both sound...and reiatsu. Scanning the compound reveals no reiatsu other than those of Kazue, Akarui and the children. Consulting the plants around the compound and within the homes further reveals no signs of life save their own.
A swift walk or quick shunpo reveals the worst case scenario. Bodies sprawled along the ground, slumped against the buildings that make up the compound, blood flowing freely on the earth, seeping into the ground, pooling beneath its victims. These bodies do not stir, and are void of a pulse, a breath..there would be no saving these souls. Unfortunately these were not the last of the victims.
Venturing into the various homes, more bodies are found. Like those outside, their blood spills freely, bleeding into the walls, staining the wooden floors as they lay lifelessly. Men, women and children, the young and the old — all dead. Should one examine their wounds they would find that the injuries on their bodies varied. There were some whose throats were cut, others whose bodies showed an incision in their chest indicating the puncturing and severing of their hearts. There were others whose bodies appeared otherwise intact, the blood spilling from their mouth, nose and eyes however indicating an internal injury. Should one be able to perceive through their flesh, they’d undoubtedly find their hearts bisected inside their very chests while the rest of their body remained untouched. The precision behind each cut were the trademark signs of a professional, a virtuoso in the art of killing and assassination. Even more peculiar was the timing of their deaths, perhaps only recognizable beneath the scrutiny of an expert such as Captain Nakamoto, but it was safe to say that every person was killed nearly moments from one another — almost as if they were cut down simultaneously. An impossible feat as each person was separated not only by distance, but by the walls of their homes and buildings. Further, the fact that not a single person screamed out in alarm, or showed signs of fleeing or fighting off their attacker meant that they were killed before either them or anyone else could notice. This implied that either over a dozen master assassins had launched a simultaneous attack on the residents of the Oki compound, or a single person was able to traverse the entirety of the compound, enter into the homes of each person, deliver a killing blow without a single soul being none the wiser. For those bodies that appeared physically untouched on the outside, this also meant one needed to have some method or tool capable of being able to launch an internal assault without causing any harm to the body or the surrounding organs inside.
The bindings that surround the captured members of the Onmitsukido suddenly and sporadically break apart, severed in such a way that grants freedom of movement to those that were captive, allowing their colleagues to help distance them from the Oki woman while simultaneously removing and discarding any lingering pieces upon the bodies and persons of those once captured. There was one exception, Captain Mukuro remained bound by Honoka, ensnared by her voracious trap.
”I truly hope you intend to comply this time, Honoka.”
Kyomu, absent of his Haori, walks from behind the homes of one of the fallen Oki, sheathing Genzoken in the process. As always his feathery steps cause no tremors on the ground he treads on, no reiatsu or sound escapes from his form. Another glance at the captured bleeding Captain ensnared by Honoka shows Kyomu still ensnared, and then...it is only his haori that sits trapped beneath the coiled constricting plant.
Honoka believes the Onmitsukido were foolish in not restricting her movements or abilities, something they had done to the young Oda elsewhere. She didn’t and perhaps still does not understand the reason why, and that is...respect. They appeared before Honoka, and had made no immediate moves to physically detain her, made sure not to show any signs of hostility towards her despite her status of being a fugitive out of respect for her former position as the Head Lieutenant. The entirety of this trip was meant to be a simple and peaceful one, in truth they were glorified escorts to ensure the swift, safe and discreet travel from the Oki compound back to the First Division barracks for her to speak with the Commander. Honoka has squandered and insulted the respect they tried to show her every turn.
She reminisces easily capturing the Onmitsukido, and to the ignorant this is a praiseworthy feat considering not only their training, but the Captain whom they serve as well. In both instances where Honoka has captured the Onmitsukido however, neither one was a case where they were given orders to attack. Back at the Seireitei their roles were simply to keep everyone in the other Divisions inside their barracks grounds, it is why they had made no moves to attack anyone back then, or openly showed any signs of hostility. Now they march on the command of their Captain to apprehend a fugitive once greatly respected by her peers, subordinates and many of the Captains as well. They were not instructed to assassinate Honoka, the child or harm anyone, their job was to safely secure all parties and ensure they were properly escorted back.
Honoka believed herself to be always with the advantage due to her zanpakuto being a constant release type, and the versatility of the abilities it grants her. While on paper this is true, she forgets that using the powers of her zanpakuto also meant that before a master of Reikaku, her actions would always betray her. Any plant life being manipulated by her concurrently meant that she needed to exert and manipulate her reiatsu, and the flow of her reiatsu and reiryoku would always announce she was on the move. Perhaps she assumed Kyomu was distracted, preoccupied with her grandmother who had intervened. Unfortunately, Honoka had showed her hostility early on, erasing any chances of deceiving Kyomu into believing she would be quiet and obedient. Honoka had bared her fangs at him once, he couldn’t trust she wouldn’t do so again. Speaking with Kazue he was simultaneously surveying his surroundings, scrutinizing those in proximity to him. He could feel Honoka’s spiritual pressure impregnated within any and every leaf, plant, tree she was actively manipulating. Her covert acts were bared open to the Captain.
Kyomu had already informed both Kazue and Honoka, that by sheltering and hiding Honoka for the past century, they’ve become illicit in her crimes. Who within the Soul Society does not know about Commander Murasaki? He was a man that believed in balance and order in all things, something that Honoka who had served at his side knew better than anyone else. He was not a man to engage in relationships, especially not with his subordinates. If Masashiro was truly the son of Shobatsu, it was impossible, inconceivable that Honoka would have been impregnated by the Judicator during his tenure at least..not by Commander Murasaki. While the Commander would not have engaged in such a relationship, the imprisoned War Lord perhaps would.
To enter the Muken without permission, fraternizing with a prisoner was a serious offense that endangered the entirety of the Soul Society, for what if Shobatsu had escaped and in his maddened state drenched the Soul Society in blood? Her actions were selfish and placed every Soul in danger. Despite the ignorance she has shown thus far, Kazue should begin to realize the folly in not only the actions of Honoka, but of her clan as well, especially those who sat upon the council of the Central 46 and aided in hiding the younger Oki’s actions. For OneHundred years Honoka and the Oki have maintained their silence, kept their secret. If their concern were those who would attempt to misuse the child, they had all the more reason to inform the Commander whom Shobatsu had trusted, and who Honoka was also meant to trust, the two sharing the last moments of freedom of their now former Commander. They did not. The new members of the Central 46 were chosen due to the corruption of its former members, who misused their status for their own gains, their own benefits such as the Kuchiki clan. Naoki had done her best to use her position to defend her daughter, swearing fealty and loyalty to the Soul Society. By deceiving not only the Commander but the other members of the Council as well, they have betrayed their oath.
For One Hundred years they had time to bring the matter before the Council of Central 46 and the Commander, to plead their case on Honoka’s behalf, or to have her come in and plead her case while supporting her, yet they did not. Instead they choose to hide Honoka and the child away upon one of their clan’s compounds while saying and doing….nothing. They have proven that when it comes to the crimes of one of their own, they will seek self preservation over upholding the laws and morals of the Government they have sworn to serve. They have proven themselves to be a liability and thus, a danger to the Soul Society, especially housing a potential threat. There exists a place for such dangerous individuals.
Staying true to his word to the Oki women, when Honoka sprung her attack, Kyomu took a single step, employing one of the disciplines of the Onmitsu, allowing Honoka to busy herself capturing and mutilating his cast off shell before a single leaf could move beyond his haori to breach his Shihakusho. When he moved to slaughter everyone in the compound, it was as if time stood still for him alone. Currently, the only ones alive were the Onmitsukido who Kyomu had brought along, Akarui, her son Haruki, Honoka along with her son Masahiro and her grandmother Kazue, and of course Kyomu himself. Despite his actions, Kyomu still exerts and has not exerted an inkling of murderous intent, nor does he show anger or annoyance at Honoka’s actions. He’s curious about Akarui’s behavior, as she seems more than just Honoka’s collateral damage. If the Captain did feel anything currently, it was disappointment. Like that sole little leaf that drifted down to the ground, Honoka had continued to fall further and further from grace. She has disgraced herself, her clan, and the legacy of the man whom she had fallen for. She has betrayed her oaths and in her desire and pursuit to protect something, she has destroyed nearly everything. Kyomu was her people’s killer, but their deaths were on Honoka’s hands.
”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.”
Again, when he spoke it was a casual matter of factly tone. While others may perceive it as yet another threat, Kyomu saw it as another promise he’d be forced to keep. Honoka has forced her son to endure quite a bit today, would she continue in her foolishness, and force him to witness her death as well? Hopefully The Oki women understood their mistakes and the foolishness of their actions, along with the severity of the situation. Before it was simply Kyomu and his entourage she needed to worry about, now...she would have to factor Akarui into the equation as well. If she truly surrendered this time, then she would be physically detained and placed in proper restraints. She could have traveled freely with them before, in custody in name alone..she had lost that right. Once detained their journey back to the Seireitei would be a silent but swift one. Akarui, who had been monitoring Honoka in the Child, would now have to amend her report. Before it was just an innocent boy who knew nothing, now she needed to factor in the possible effects of seeing his mother’s actions and the repercussions of those actions it would have on him, along with the increased weight of Honoka’s own sins.
How the mighty have fallen….
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2021 07:12AM by Thanatus.
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Time, it is both a giver and a taker. With more time one is able to do more, accomplish more — simultaneously it is a cruel thief that robs one of their former selves. No finer example and silent witness is there than Honoka in this moment.
As the elder Oki converses with the Captain, Honoka stands in both silence and conceit. The dramatic display of her abilities from her emotional outburst was witnessed by the Onmitsukido present, agents who were not ignorant to the former Head Lieutenant’s abilities and reputation. She is not pounced upon by the stealth force, nor is she immediately accosted and restrained. Believing it foolish on their part, a missed opportunity Honoka fails to perceive the truth. Like the man who she had served and aided for centuries, the same man whose child she has given birth to Honoka is blind. Unlike the now imprisoned Judicator, Honoka is blind...and ignorant.
The aged Oki, Kyomu’s elder by several folds, glances at the aftermath of the Phantom’s strike. She understands that the vestige marring the ground and now ruined gate was not the Captain showcasing his strength, nor was it meant to be some idle threat. It was a killing blow meant to split her precious granddaughter in two, if not for her timely arrival and intervention it would have been so. A quick glance towards her grandchild, the orchestrator of this whole mess reveals that she remains indifferent to both the damage dealt to the compound and the fact that such a fate was originally meant for her. Similarly Kyomu since his arrival has not glared or scowled at neither Honoka or grandmother, nor towards Akarui or the children. The Captain has not exerted his reiatsu, nor has a hint of killing intent spilled from his form even with Honoka’s disrespect and defiance, Kyomu remains relatively calm.
The leaves begin to fall, carried by a warm precarious wind passing through on this auspicious day, the fallen swaying and twirling lazily by yet another passing breeze. The leaves appear to land here and there, others appear to twirl harmlessly by. As Kyomu stands there a leaf and then another lands on the shoulders, the green contrasting against the white canvas of his Haori resting around his shoulders, touching down just as quietly, just as subtly as the Phantom’s every move. Kyomu facing off against Kazue, amber hues peering towards her as Honoka remains a silent bystander, captivated by the falling leaves that have captured the focus of her eyes. The leaf she watches seems to move as if holding a life of its own, the Onmitsukido’s stillness tells her that they have not noticed, that she is safe to continue playing puppeteer to the greenery. Kyomu seemingly remains still as well, as if awaiting a response, their expected compliance. Akarui, safeguarding the children, wary of Honoka’s mindset and whatever plants or vegetation finds itself within her proximity, quietly weaving and maneuvering away from their touch.
"It is not a negotiation. You threaten not only one, but two clan heads, as well as an entire clan? Makes me wonder if these orders are the Commander's, or someone else's."
The elderly woman denounces her actions as a negotiation. If she wasn’t seeking to negotiate or barter then was she demanding or commanding the child remain? Despite the situation already having fallen to this point? She seeks to inform the Captain that he is threatening two clan heads as well as an entire clan, as if he was unaware about the implications of the words he had spoken. In the eyes of Kyomu she is misinformed, or perhaps there was some manner of miscommunication between them. The words he spoke were not meant to be perceived as a threat...it was a promise. As she continues she is once again mistaken in her assessment of the situation.
At no point had Kyomu ever stated he was here on orders from the Commander. Kazue should well know, or be somewhat informed on the duties and structure of the Gotei 13. Each Division is assigned a specific task and is expected to fulfill their duties to the greatest of their abilities. Kyomu was the Captain of one such Division, specifically the Second Division integrated with the Onmitsukido. Within the latter organization he stands not only as the Commander-in-Chief of the entirety of the organization, but as the Corps Commander of the Executive Militia. It was a squad tasked specifically with the apprehension of fugitive and traitorous shinigami — unfortunately Honoka fell into such a category. It is because of his duties and because of her granddaughter's actions and current status, that apprehending her falls well within the scope of his authority. One needn’t the Commander’s approval to slay a hollow, to heal the injured and sick — or to apprehend a fugitive.
Honoka, still blinded by her ignorance brought about by skewed emotions, focuses on Kyomu’s action of having intended to strike her down instead of cuffing her and locking her powers. It does not don on her that not once has Kyomu shown her any hostility, but has in turn only responded to her hostility. While he had arrived in number with the Stealth Force, their purpose was hardly to assist in apprehending the Oki woman, or rather that was not the entirety of their purpose. The ulterior purpose in arriving in such numbers was to show Honoka the severity of the situation, to put things into a visual perspective for her so she wouldn’t do anything so foolish as to try and fight or attack, worsening her predicament. Kyomu arrived showing no killing intent, and no hostility towards the child, despite the strained relationship between him and the former Commander, and had specifically told her that he was escorting them back to the Seireitei to go before their new Commander; Higen Kagayaki, a hero to the people, a former colleague to her and someone she should have considered a friend. If Honoka was in a rational state of mind she would understand that Higen would not needlessly or recklessly harm her or the child, and the fact that Kyomu had stated he was there to take them back also meant that he was not there to spill blood.
Yet all these things are lost to the woman, even Kazue in her old age, meant to be the calmer, wiser and more rational of the two is incapable of perceiving such. By showing hostility, emitting her killing intent in the eyes of others while the Captain was attempting to perform his duties, she made herself a liability. If she wouldn’t come peacefully, wouldn’t listen to reason then she would have to die, and the boy would have been safely transported to the Commander. It is for this reason alone that Kyomu moved to strike her down, Kazue’s arrival had fortunately given him justification to halt the execution, diverting the fatal strike. Yet here they stood now...at an impasse, neither side willing to yield to the other when-
Honoka who had been sitting idly by, manipulating the vegetation quietly, seemingly unnoticed clenches her fist. Bringing to life several of the fallen leaves, though half the ones meant to sprout surprisingly do not.
She causes the tendril-like bindings to coil tautly around the Commander’s form along with a portion of his entourage, blood seems to spill as the tendrils digs into flesh. A dozen of the stealth force appear otherwise shocked and dismayed at the sight of their comrade’s state and at the sight of the ensnared Phantom, yet...they stay their hands, and do not act. Was it out of loyalty? Fear that their actions may further insight the mistress of plants to take the life of their peers and their superior?
"I have no intention of fighting, Captain Mukuro."
Honoka speaks, her actions contradicting such words, and her manner of addressing Kyomu signifying the emotional distance between the two at this moment. Honoka believes her actions to be justified, believing it is in the defense of the others, whose lives were only in jeopardy should she not comply with Kyomu’s reasonable and lawful command to surrender and return with him along with the child. Her mind drifts further away from rationality. The Commander’s wife continues to spectate, and still remains silent even up to now. Unlike Honoka, she understands how detrimental Honoka’s previous and current actions are, that it is not Kyomu who is or has been showing signs of aggression — it's her. Honoka glances around, reminiscing on a familiar sight before catching the gaze of her friend, confidant and fellow mother, Akarui who only shakes her head in response.
Akarui comforts the boys, giving them short concise instructions. Honoka busies herself with admiring her handiwork, approaching the bound figure of the man who once considered her friend, one of the extremely few he had. However everything that Honoka has said and done has shown that the woman he once knew, the woman who had given him the sweets he had grown to love, who had shown him warmth as a child when all he knew was pain and death...that person was gone. When coming here, he came as a Captain of the Gotei 13 and had set aside any personal ties he had held with the woman — still, he had hoped somewhere that since it was him coming to bring her in, she wouldn’t put up a fight.
It seemed that Honoka couldn’t trust Kyomu or Higen
Honoka begins making her way towards the gate, doing nothing to undo her bindings, carrying with her the defeated and humiliated form of Kyomu.
"I believe Captain' Commander's waited long enough."
“At this point, he can stand to wait longer."
The Commander’s wife finally interjects. The difference in height forces the short Akarui to stare up at the towering Honoka, yet the fire in her eyes shows no care for such trivial things. While Akarui empathizes with Honoka, understanding her feelings, the desire to want to protect your child, one sired by a powerful individual taboo or not..but Honoka’s actions have moved well beyond what the Third seat was willing to condone.
The wind passes through the surrounding trees, causing the leaves and branches to sway. Among the many trees is one that stands taller than the rest, a single leaf falling from its respective branch, floating down.
“You're making a spectacle that should not have been made in the first place. Emotions are overrunning your course of action and they continue to blind you. Your son is not safe left behind here, especially with you constricting the members of the Onmitsukido out of fear of their retaliation from your own wily actions. You've consistently put your blood on the line in the worst way possible.”
The Gekko begins vocalizing her disapproval of her former superior’s behavior, reprimanding her for her foolish actions. Like Kyomu, Akarui sees and understands that Honoka has become blind by her emotions, blind to reason. She tells Honoka the truth, that any actions she feared from Kyomu or the Onmitsukido would only be a response to her own actions, justified retaliation, a fact that neither Honoka or Kazue could see at the moment.
The leaf continues its descent, as the other party travels silently and expeditiously with both Lieutenant Oda and Third Seat Junsui in tow. It seems that they had succeeded in safely detaining their assignment and were en route to the designated rendezvous point, everything was on schedule for them. Further within the Rukongai the Seventh Division mourns the seemingly loss of their Captain who had been missing in action without word longer than ever before. His body located in one of the lesser districts, razed and ravaged by who knows what, perhaps only those who call that forsaken place home could tell. Like Katsuo and Saiko’s captures, they too rush to return to the Seireitei, preparing to go before the Commander.
“You've become selfish. None of what you're doing is for Masahiro. Every action you've taken has put the boy in danger, and if not for the order to apprehend you alive, the both of you would be dead. It wouldn't matter how many bodies were sacrificed to complete that objective there would be nowhere for either of you two to go. Release the captives. For the boy's sake, he will come with us, and you will answer for your abandonment properly.”
Still the leaf falls, its journey from the top is a long one, with nothing to catch it, nothing to stop its descent. Akarui continues on, still having much to say to her friend. Her words, though true, are sharp like daggers, seeking to pierce through the selfish veil of ignorance clouding Honoka’s eyes and mind. She speaks reality into the ears of the Oki, demanding the release of those who she has captured and siding with the Captain regarding the fate of the boy. Finally, that lonely leaf completes its journey, touching down softly onto the ground. If only Akarui had spoken up sooner, intervened faster perhaps things wouldn’t have turned out this way…
She stands firm, furious and resolved as she stares down the foolish mother. There is silence between them, no birds chirp or sing, there is no rustling of leaves as if the wind itself had stopped, waiting with baited breath for Honoka’s actions. The forest had grown quiet in this moment stretched towards eternity. No..it wasn’t just the forest that had grown quiet, the entire Oki compound was silent, in both sound...and reiatsu. Scanning the compound reveals no reiatsu other than those of Kazue, Akarui and the children. Consulting the plants around the compound and within the homes further reveals no signs of life save their own.
A swift walk or quick shunpo reveals the worst case scenario. Bodies sprawled along the ground, slumped against the buildings that make up the compound, blood flowing freely on the earth, seeping into the ground, pooling beneath its victims. These bodies do not stir, and are void of a pulse, a breath..there would be no saving these souls. Unfortunately these were not the last of the victims.
Venturing into the various homes, more bodies are found. Like those outside, their blood spills freely, bleeding into the walls, staining the wooden floors as they lay lifelessly. Men, women and children, the young and the old — all dead. Should one examine their wounds they would find that the injuries on their bodies varied. There were some whose throats were cut, others whose bodies showed an incision in their chest indicating the puncturing and severing of their hearts. There were others whose bodies appeared otherwise intact, the blood spilling from their mouth, nose and eyes however indicating an internal injury. Should one be able to perceive through their flesh, they’d undoubtedly find their hearts bisected inside their very chests while the rest of their body remained untouched. The precision behind each cut were the trademark signs of a professional, a virtuoso in the art of killing and assassination. Even more peculiar was the timing of their deaths, perhaps only recognizable beneath the scrutiny of an expert such as Captain Nakamoto, but it was safe to say that every person was killed nearly moments from one another — almost as if they were cut down simultaneously. An impossible feat as each person was separated not only by distance, but by the walls of their homes and buildings. Further, the fact that not a single person screamed out in alarm, or showed signs of fleeing or fighting off their attacker meant that they were killed before either them or anyone else could notice. This implied that either over a dozen master assassins had launched a simultaneous attack on the residents of the Oki compound, or a single person was able to traverse the entirety of the compound, enter into the homes of each person, deliver a killing blow without a single soul being none the wiser. For those bodies that appeared physically untouched on the outside, this also meant one needed to have some method or tool capable of being able to launch an internal assault without causing any harm to the body or the surrounding organs inside.
The bindings that surround the captured members of the Onmitsukido suddenly and sporadically break apart, severed in such a way that grants freedom of movement to those that were captive, allowing their colleagues to help distance them from the Oki woman while simultaneously removing and discarding any lingering pieces upon the bodies and persons of those once captured. There was one exception, Captain Mukuro remained bound by Honoka, ensnared by her voracious trap.
”I truly hope you intend to comply this time, Honoka.”
Kyomu, absent of his Haori, walks from behind the homes of one of the fallen Oki, sheathing Genzoken in the process. As always his feathery steps cause no tremors on the ground he treads on, no reiatsu or sound escapes from his form. Another glance at the captured bleeding Captain ensnared by Honoka shows Kyomu still ensnared, and then...it is only his haori that sits trapped beneath the coiled constricting plant.
Honoka believes the Onmitsukido were foolish in not restricting her movements or abilities, something they had done to the young Oda elsewhere. She didn’t and perhaps still does not understand the reason why, and that is...respect. They appeared before Honoka, and had made no immediate moves to physically detain her, made sure not to show any signs of hostility towards her despite her status of being a fugitive out of respect for her former position as the Head Lieutenant. The entirety of this trip was meant to be a simple and peaceful one, in truth they were glorified escorts to ensure the swift, safe and discreet travel from the Oki compound back to the First Division barracks for her to speak with the Commander. Honoka has squandered and insulted the respect they tried to show her every turn.
She reminisces easily capturing the Onmitsukido, and to the ignorant this is a praiseworthy feat considering not only their training, but the Captain whom they serve as well. In both instances where Honoka has captured the Onmitsukido however, neither one was a case where they were given orders to attack. Back at the Seireitei their roles were simply to keep everyone in the other Divisions inside their barracks grounds, it is why they had made no moves to attack anyone back then, or openly showed any signs of hostility. Now they march on the command of their Captain to apprehend a fugitive once greatly respected by her peers, subordinates and many of the Captains as well. They were not instructed to assassinate Honoka, the child or harm anyone, their job was to safely secure all parties and ensure they were properly escorted back.
Honoka believed herself to be always with the advantage due to her zanpakuto being a constant release type, and the versatility of the abilities it grants her. While on paper this is true, she forgets that using the powers of her zanpakuto also meant that before a master of Reikaku, her actions would always betray her. Any plant life being manipulated by her concurrently meant that she needed to exert and manipulate her reiatsu, and the flow of her reiatsu and reiryoku would always announce she was on the move. Perhaps she assumed Kyomu was distracted, preoccupied with her grandmother who had intervened. Unfortunately, Honoka had showed her hostility early on, erasing any chances of deceiving Kyomu into believing she would be quiet and obedient. Honoka had bared her fangs at him once, he couldn’t trust she wouldn’t do so again. Speaking with Kazue he was simultaneously surveying his surroundings, scrutinizing those in proximity to him. He could feel Honoka’s spiritual pressure impregnated within any and every leaf, plant, tree she was actively manipulating. Her covert acts were bared open to the Captain.
Kyomu had already informed both Kazue and Honoka, that by sheltering and hiding Honoka for the past century, they’ve become illicit in her crimes. Who within the Soul Society does not know about Commander Murasaki? He was a man that believed in balance and order in all things, something that Honoka who had served at his side knew better than anyone else. He was not a man to engage in relationships, especially not with his subordinates. If Masashiro was truly the son of Shobatsu, it was impossible, inconceivable that Honoka would have been impregnated by the Judicator during his tenure at least..not by Commander Murasaki. While the Commander would not have engaged in such a relationship, the imprisoned War Lord perhaps would.
To enter the Muken without permission, fraternizing with a prisoner was a serious offense that endangered the entirety of the Soul Society, for what if Shobatsu had escaped and in his maddened state drenched the Soul Society in blood? Her actions were selfish and placed every Soul in danger. Despite the ignorance she has shown thus far, Kazue should begin to realize the folly in not only the actions of Honoka, but of her clan as well, especially those who sat upon the council of the Central 46 and aided in hiding the younger Oki’s actions. For OneHundred years Honoka and the Oki have maintained their silence, kept their secret. If their concern were those who would attempt to misuse the child, they had all the more reason to inform the Commander whom Shobatsu had trusted, and who Honoka was also meant to trust, the two sharing the last moments of freedom of their now former Commander. They did not. The new members of the Central 46 were chosen due to the corruption of its former members, who misused their status for their own gains, their own benefits such as the Kuchiki clan. Naoki had done her best to use her position to defend her daughter, swearing fealty and loyalty to the Soul Society. By deceiving not only the Commander but the other members of the Council as well, they have betrayed their oath.
For One Hundred years they had time to bring the matter before the Council of Central 46 and the Commander, to plead their case on Honoka’s behalf, or to have her come in and plead her case while supporting her, yet they did not. Instead they choose to hide Honoka and the child away upon one of their clan’s compounds while saying and doing….nothing. They have proven that when it comes to the crimes of one of their own, they will seek self preservation over upholding the laws and morals of the Government they have sworn to serve. They have proven themselves to be a liability and thus, a danger to the Soul Society, especially housing a potential threat. There exists a place for such dangerous individuals.
Staying true to his word to the Oki women, when Honoka sprung her attack, Kyomu took a single step, employing one of the disciplines of the Onmitsu, allowing Honoka to busy herself capturing and mutilating his cast off shell before a single leaf could move beyond his haori to breach his Shihakusho. When he moved to slaughter everyone in the compound, it was as if time stood still for him alone. Currently, the only ones alive were the Onmitsukido who Kyomu had brought along, Akarui, her son Haruki, Honoka along with her son Masahiro and her grandmother Kazue, and of course Kyomu himself. Despite his actions, Kyomu still exerts and has not exerted an inkling of murderous intent, nor does he show anger or annoyance at Honoka’s actions. He’s curious about Akarui’s behavior, as she seems more than just Honoka’s collateral damage. If the Captain did feel anything currently, it was disappointment. Like that sole little leaf that drifted down to the ground, Honoka had continued to fall further and further from grace. She has disgraced herself, her clan, and the legacy of the man whom she had fallen for. She has betrayed her oaths and in her desire and pursuit to protect something, she has destroyed nearly everything. Kyomu was her people’s killer, but their deaths were on Honoka’s hands.
”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.”
Again, when he spoke it was a casual matter of factly tone. While others may perceive it as yet another threat, Kyomu saw it as another promise he’d be forced to keep. Honoka has forced her son to endure quite a bit today, would she continue in her foolishness, and force him to witness her death as well? Hopefully The Oki women understood their mistakes and the foolishness of their actions, along with the severity of the situation. Before it was simply Kyomu and his entourage she needed to worry about, now...she would have to factor Akarui into the equation as well. If she truly surrendered this time, then she would be physically detained and placed in proper restraints. She could have traveled freely with them before, in custody in name alone..she had lost that right. Once detained their journey back to the Seireitei would be a silent but swift one. Akarui, who had been monitoring Honoka in the Child, would now have to amend her report. Before it was just an innocent boy who knew nothing, now she needed to factor in the possible effects of seeing his mother’s actions and the repercussions of those actions it would have on him, along with the increased weight of Honoka’s own sins.
How the mighty have fallen….
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2021 07:12AM by Thanatus.
