[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Rukongai

[Shinigami]

The impact from the blow that sent him into the wall had actually looked worse than it actually was. At least physically, there was no danger with him, it was more mentally that he was affected. The explosion reminded him of the attack in Rukongai many years ago that almost took his life. Slowly losing consciousness, flashbacks taking over his mind as it drifts away bringing him back to a more humble place within himself. The tension in his muscles receding back into a dormant phase, everything would momentarily go black...

Lying underneath the rubble, barely conscious and Sensing several souls who struggled to get rid of the mass of rocks that weighed him down. Their voices and faces in panic before he lost consciousness was the last thing he could remember from that moment. He then woke up in the Kiyoshi Manor with several members around him, caring for his health worried about whether he would make it or if one of their own would pass away just like many before had. For the moment, Takashi did not care if he would succeed or not because it was part of his job as a soldier. Life and death are only a small part of the job and he had long since accepted whatever fate decided for him without complaining. Until a certain person stepped into the yars where Takashi was being taken care of. Among the several souls he was very familiar with, he only noticed him, unhelpful in the current situation not out of disdain, but pity. Jibun Kiyoshi, a teacher, one of the oldest in the family and the person Takashi respected most in the family after Shusuke Kiyoshi. Although he wasn't conscious just yet, from his old sensei, just a few words are enough to arouse a will in Takashi he did not know he had before. The desire to survive everything that has happened to him.
''Why are you just lying there Takashi? Have you become this weak during my absence? Get back on your feet and continue your journey, it is far from over.''

Shortly afterwards, everything turns black for Takashi and while he is fully immersed and has become one with the rock and rubble. For himself, he thinks that he should probably rest and that the wall is the most suitable place for that task. But just before he is about to lose consciousness, a familiar voice is heard again...
"I will not have you lying there as if you have nothing to lose. The spell backfired in you because your body isn't yet strong enough to course your reiryoku through your veins. The execution was good, the harnessing is what you need to work on. Peel yourself off that wall, and come. Let's start from the basics."
The voice belonged to Jibun-sensei and the words made Takashi regain consciousness. His eyes would open the second Jibun turns around and Takashi is disappointed that his sensei has to see him like this. But there is nothing he can do about it at the moment and just say 3 words to Jibun.
”Yes, Jibun-sensei"
Barely a second later, Takashi pulls both arms off the wall while parts of it fall to the ground below. Then the legs, head and finally the whole body to stand on the ground again behind Jibun.

Only for a brief moment does Takashi stand up before going down on one knee with his right leg on the ground and the left bent and his head leaning forward, awaiting the tutelage of his teacher.

While Takashi is kneeling behind his former sensei, he hears the older man tap his wooden cane twice on the ground. Just seconds later a single Kiyoshi bodyguard appeared to kneel before Jibun-sensei. It is almost impossible to tell the difference between them because they were all equally built physically and their uniforms cover most of the body and face without leaving anything to analyze.
"Locate Michi at once. I have a task for her directly from Lord Kiyoshi himself.”
The order Jibun-sensei said surprised Takashi because it was his younger sister that it was about and he started thinking if she did something wrong. If that were the case, Takashi intends to take the blame, even if it means that himself would end up in trouble for her actions. However, Takashi can not know what it is and can only wait and see what happens when she arrives.
After Jibun Kiyoshi gave the order, the man disappeared as quickly as they appeared without leaving any traces of them. Silently kneeling, Takashi waits for his younger sister to arrive because she has been called there. While Takashi and Jibun wait for Michi, Takashi chooses to slowly stand up from the ground and is ready to follow his old teacher.
“Lord Jibun, you called for me?”
When he gets back on his feet he sees Michi and he just manages to see her go down on one knee in front of Jibun Kiyoshi and she shows him respect.

 

[Shinigami]

As the bodyguard himself took off on the task the respected elder had given him, he looked on to the unconscious Kiyoshi, laying about in the dirt and rubble of his own making. He looked on with a sincere lack of sympathy, his face told no lies nor hid any truths. He laid dormant until the boy he knew the boy he trained to be far superior than the man before him today, just as Shusuke did long ago. The servants and attendants of the Clan clamored to Takashi's aid, Jibun scoffed at such an outrageous tableau. His muscles were far denser than what was previously displayed, additionally he even managed to reduce the kickback nearly significantly had he been more experienced in the technique he was looking to learn and perform. With his deep purple globes Jibun-sensei saw it all. Unwavering in his watch to see the boy finally take to his feet.
Almost without warning, Michi had arrived at the back area training yard at the request of the elder. He had trained her too, the first female he had the pleasure to teach in nearly Four Hundred Years, the lady prior to that was Shusuke's own eldest sister. He saw great potential in Michi, greater than the late Infinity. While she had much to improve, Jibun still feels a great sense of pride over her, however, he never allows his students to know he harbors such deep seated feelings as they would simply not benefit from his teachings otherwise. He felt her presence long before she announced herself, even knowing the exact second in which she would kneel to greet the humble master of Purity. She'd greet him just as she had before on many occasions; with nothing but respect.
"Lord Jibun, you called for me?"
A soft breeze blew between the two souls before he pondered an answer. Still waiting to see Takashi lift himself from the pile of shame he created for himself. His eyes never even bothered to cross her gaze, he never glanced upon the Young Kiyoshi whatsoever. She would be used to this however, it was how he was, nearly devoid of every emotion, or so they assumed. He slowly finally made a move, taking his right arm and reaching into his off-white shihakusho to get an item. At this point, Takashi had already pulled himself from the rubble and kneeled before Jibun-sensei just as his sister had. "Hmph. Finally…it would appear...the boy has lost his nerve." The wise one thought. He knew that he would have to recapture the essence within Takashi, but first he must tend to Clan matters under the orders of Lord Kiyoshi himself. His arm finally, slowly, is pulled from the white garment, and in his fingers was a small, purple gem the size of a game piece on a Shogi board. It was rather beautiful from first glance, it bore some black detailing around the edges, a form of mineral seemingly to keep the gem harnessed as it possessed the very reiryoku of the Clan's Lord, Shusuke. It's purpose was currently unknown.
"I have a task from our Lord. He has tasked me in finding a suitable housing device for this specific crystal. It contains his reiryoku and the reiryoku of all the previous Clan Heads to this date. He has instructed me in creating a barrier around the jewel, however, his accumulated power is too great alongside the other past Lord's. We have devised a technique to release a wave of reiatsu from the jewel when crushed, calling on the dormant souls of the dead lords to aid any Kiyoshi in the thick of battle. He would like to produce three more of these jewels and turn them into necklaces for you, Takashi and the other boy, Izanagi to wear for protection, and to also protect the Purity of the souls within it, as well as yourselves.
Should you also ever find yourself in an unsavory predicament, the jewels also replenish your reiryoku to some degree. I understand you are busy as a member of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, especially as an Adjudicator within the Sixth Division, But our lord requires this to be done as it is for you and your Brothers own safety. Visit the Twelfth Division if you can to return with some models or blueprints so we can get started on the building process for the jewel. I entrust this gemstone to you. Be careful, you now hold the very essence of our entire clan within your grasp."
He held his arm outward, although he faced the opposite of her which he was still well aware of. He expected her to come before him to accept the item, he had no words left for her aside from what was said. All up until this point, he was unwavering in his disposition, until his head suddenly snapped to the left, bringing his gaze to the warm sky that blessed the day. He felt multiple disturbances afoot both within the Rukon and far beyond the walls of the Seireitei. His sensory skills knew no bounds as he was a walking radar for reiryoku. Without words he just simply looked back forward, hopefully with Michi taking the stone and carrying on to her duties within the Seireitei.

Bringing him back to Takashi, who would have been silent all this time awaiting the word of Jibun-sensei. What was he left to teach his student? The greatest Kidō user to ever grace the family. He stared at the boy for quite some time before finally addressing him directly, this also would be nothing new from Jibun as Takashi knew exactly what to expect from him. A no holds-barred lesson. With no warning, he walked up to him, just as slowly as it took him to arrive outside. The clacking of wood promptly began once more upon the pavement.
"For Three Hundred Years I have been your sensei. For Three Hundred Years I have battered every ounce of knowledge of Kidō I have into you. For Three Hundred Years, you have held the title of the finest Kidō performing Kiyoshi…I see none of my teachings in you boy. You've grown complacent."
Upon his last word, complacent, there was still measurable distance between the two of them. The gap was ever so suddenly closed when the high teacher finally used his own training, appearing directly in front of the dark one, delivering a kick with the force of any hardened and experienced Hand to Hand Combatant, directly aimed for the face to send him cleanly into yet another stone wall with irrefutable force and strength. Such an anomaly, an oddity, but not for this old man. He was still in his prime! His clothing unfazed by his movements, as if he hadn't moved a single muscle, aptly clutching his can as he did before when he stood before the young Kiyoshi members. Silent as stone, he then took his gaze to where Takashi would have ended up, underneath a mess of tile and quarried stone. He would await movement from him, but his words waited for no man.
"If you can't best an old man, then you have no place before my presence. Fight, and fight with every ounce of your instinct to survive or today will be the day you die."
Tossing the cane aside, he'd vanish once more, be it the left, right or center of Takashi, he had better be ready.

 

[Shinigami]

Jibun pulled out an item, which caused Michi’s gaze to adjust to see the item. It was beautiful, the item was a gem as it appears, the color of the jewel was purple much like the Clan’s signature color. The Gem sparkled in brilliance, which caught Michi’s eye, she squinted to see how big it was. The size was similar to a shogi board piece, though you could also see some black edges around the Gem. This seems like a harness for a reiryoku of some sort, perhaps it harnessed the Clan’s leader? Who knows. Only people would know that it was Jibun and possibly Shusuke. Nobody also knows what it’s intent purpose was for.
“Woah...it’s so beautiful”
Michi thought in her mind, analysing the extremely rare purple gem of the clans. She looked away for a few minutes to see her brother on his knees as well, pretty much battered up like expected. She sighed in relief that he was able to move, the wall hit must’ve been pretty hard for him. Especially all the rubble that fell from the wall. Once again Michi’s gaze fell to the ground in respect before looking up to Jibun with no expression on her face, she carefully listened in on what the elderly man had to say, or more likely to give orders to her, or perhaps to tell her off for trouble or hassle she may have caused despite not doing anything wrong by the laws.
”I have a task from our Lord. He has tasked me in finding a suitable housing device for this specific crystal. It contains his reiryoku and the reiryoku of all the previous Clan Heads to this date. He has instructed me in creating a barrier around the jewel, however, his accumulated power is too great alongside the other past Lord's. We have devised a technique to release a wave of reiatsu from the jewel when crushed, calling on the dormant souls of the dead lords to aid any Kiyoshi in the thick of battle. He would like to produce three more of these jewels and turn them into necklaces for you, Takashi and the other boy, Izanagi to wear for protection, and to also protect the Purity of the souls within it, as well as yourselves.
Should you also ever find yourself in an unsavory predicament, the jewels also replenish your reiryoku to some degree. I understand you are busy as a member of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, especially as an Adjudicator within the Sixth Division, But our lord requires this to be done as it is for you and your Brothers own safety. Visit the Twelfth Division if you can to return with some models or blueprints so we can get started on the building process for the jewel. I entrust this gemstone to you. Be careful, you now hold the very essence of our entire clan within your grasp."[size]
The Kiyoshi family receiving a necklace with this gem inside to protect, sounds interesting to the young female kiyoshi. She had a light smile on her face as she steadily began to get up after she heard the purpose or the intent for the gem to be made into a Necklace. Though she doesn’t feel like she deserves this proposed gift, she is thankful to Shusuke. Couple seconds in before she spoke, she felt a bad hunch about her own sixth division and should tend to the problem immediately. When she took another look at the elderly man it seemed like he got the same sense,In a serious tone of voice that Nobody heard in a long time, not at least the clan. She eyed up the elderly in a serious look, she said.

“Not to sound Ungrateful sir, however I'd feel like I don't deserve the necklace. It’s my duty to protect my Brother and Cousins!. However I do accept this in gratitude. And beg your pardon, I do have matters to tend to in my own division. The sixth division. I do feel a very bad hunch. So therefore I must leave. Thank you for everything”
And at that Michi saw his hand extended outwards towards her, though opposite directions she turned around smoothly and gently took the gem in her delicate hands and settled in a pocket of her skirt, which she modified herself. She felt glad she did the modification earlier on due to it might’ve come in handy, which in turn it did. With no more words to speak from their mouths she took off to the 6th Division barracks, which was situated in southwest of seireitei, to get to the barracks more faster she used one one of her Hoho techniques she learned from Shusuke, which was Shunpo, with this she can get to her barracks quicker. Her hair flew past Takashi, she turned her head and smiled at brother before she officially disappeared from the scene.
Rukongai ------> Southwest Seireitei.

 

[Shinigami]

A feeling of intense anxiety washed over the Lieutenant as she waited for Signy to appear. It was not her pitstop for sweets that caused this uneasy feeling within the woman. No, she could not shake the feeling that she would be met with resistance from the gate guard, Zen’no. A fearsome tower of physical strength—one that she did not want to engage while carrying the body of her late Captain. However, she was not opposed to a squabble if that was what needed to happen to pass. More than anything, she hoped that he would comprehend what the Haori and body meant. Surely, he had not seen Itsuki for quite some time, just as they hadn't. The back of the Haori was draped over the front of the dirtied corpse, giving anyone who could see it a clear indication that this was the Seventh's Captain, not anyone else's. Even though she could easily follow her own line of logic and reasoning, she was always prepared for others to be unable to do so.
Before they had left, Sanyu had already taken a great course of action that she herself was going to employ. Instead of her giving him and the other members of Seventh that had come with them their orders, the young Komamura had managed to direct his unseated squadmates in the proper way. Giving relief and medical attention to Kuroari would be the first step in a long process of healing for the district. She wanted nothing more than to gain their trust. With her recent actions, it was evident that such a thing would take much longer than gaining the trust of other districts. Perhaps she was wrong to assume this, though, rumors were quick to travel and Itsuki's tyrannical reign over the Rukongai would not be forgotten so quickly. The soft voice of Sanyu echoes throughout her head—his last words to her were impactful, to say the least.
"I'll stay and look after things, Lt. Atsuko. No worries, I will defend our members with my life, and protect What is left of Kuroari. Please, Hurry back."
A tinge of worry is added to her unease as she hopes that leaving the 4th Seat in Kuroari is safe. Shortly, she will send more members of the Seventh to aid in relief, but also to keep an eye on the district. Whether or not Captain Asakura met his end there is still undetermined. However, what is clear is the fact that something is lurking within the many districts of the Rukon. That something is strong enough not only to kill a Captain-class opponent, but it is also well hidden. There was not an inkling of a unique and uncataloged presence that she could sense while they were out on their expedition. With so many variables, she was unsure about what to make of this situation just yet. Unfortunately, she would not have much time to assess the situation further. Whenever she got through the gate, she would immediately head to the Fourth Division with Signy. If anyone could perform a proper autopsy, it would be Captain Nakamoto. There was a high level of faith she placed in the Fourth as a whole, but given the dire circumstances, she would let no one aside from the Fairy perform the examination. As Signy arrives, Atsuko offers no resistance to her less than timely appearance. Her words reach her and are met with a nod towards her. Since it is now the two of them, the Ise Matriarch finally looks at Zen'no and begins to speak in a relaxed, yet forward tone.
"Lieutenant Atsuko Ise and 5th Seat Signy Hoshi. We are requesting entrance into the Seireitei. In my arms, I hold Captain Itsuki Asakura's body. With no identifiable culprit and the rare phenomenon that is a Captain's death, we must report this to the Captain Commander and have the body examined."
Her words were short and sweet, yet informative enough to ensure that he would understand the scope of the situation without outright denying them entry. Though her unease had not vanished, she was sure that this would be sufficient enough.
And if it was not, she would surely pass through these gates anyway.

 

[Shinigami]

"You're making a spectacle... ...For the boy's sake, he will come with us, and you will answer for your abandonment properly.
The Gekko woman's words reiterate what deep, deep down she already knows. That her own selfishness, desires, wants, whims... could never hope to oppose the military might of the Gotei Thirteen. Exactly how much she is willing to sacrifice to stand her ground is soon put to the test.
It was as if she had regressed to her time in Eleventh division, selfish and reckless, where she got what she wanted one way or another. This was no longer the case, in her rise through her ranks, she certainly overcame that simple-minded way of thinking. Yet none of that development is shown here today. Surely she knew that her bubble would come to burst sooner or later, and that she nor her clan would be free of consequences. Yet she never stopped to think just how severe these consequences would come to be. How it will come to affect her and her son... as well as Akarui's son, Haruki. All witness to her lashing out.
Too easy. Far too easy. She thinks, turning away from the Kyomu in her grasp. Her brows burrow as she reminisces, thinking far back to the time before he was captain, before she was ever admitted to the prestigious First Division. Back to the time she too was in Second Division. The times she chased him relentlessly through the barracks in hopes of catching the assassin child, coming close, and seldom succeeding. Having more chances of landing the sweets by throwing them at him as if they were deadly projectiles. Why would it be any different now? Why would the man known as the fastest in the Seireitei let himself be captured so easily? Without a fight? She was hindered by emotions she allowed herself to feel, but she was not entirely stupid.
She expands her vision, sensing and searching vigorously for the phantom. The flickering energy of reiryoku housed within each living person finds itself suddenly extinguished by the phantom's swift blade. She can see the single instant flash of his energy as he slips into each home, but with no discernable pattern to his indiscriminate execution, she cannot pin his location. It is here where she makes the mistake of using her shikai once again. In an effort to find out what exactly is occurring while the omnitsukido remain in her grasp, Akarui at her side, and seemingly Kyomu as well.
Her reiryoku is felt spread through the entirety of the compound as she causes the growing of thousands of observative and auditory plants, popping out within each alley, garden, and home in the entire compound; giving Honoka the necessary tools to bear witness to the carnage happening as she walks towards the gate. It takes her a second to process the massacre occurring around them, a bloodshed that those standing nearby are currently oblivious to. Her movement ceases as her heart drops, her teeth biting down on her lower lip as each second that goes by, more and more Oki fall lifelessly to the floor. The ground rumbles once again as the vegetation throughout the compound is strained by the effects of the woman's volatile energy.

"Th-they had nothing to do with this..."
She mutters softly, as the only ones privy to the origins of Masahiro were a handful within the main family branch, not the side branches, much less those adopted in. Most, if not all around were under the impression she had began to bear children in an effort to have a successor, as many do in noble clans, thusly excusing her absence from her duty. Such was not the case, she, nor her mother or grandmother, thought it was information the outer branches need know, keeping them in blissful ignorance to Honoka's criminal status. Kazue turns to the rogue, watching as the woman's face contorts into a pained expression. Alarmed by the woman's silence and expression, she suddenly flash steps to the nearest home and bursts through the door, laying eyes on the lifeless bodies of her extended family. Staggering backwards in complete shock, Kazue turns back to her granddaughter, opening her mouth to address her, only to watch her fall to her knees. The fugitive's loosened reigns on her reiatsu not only causes a crater to form around her as her knees hit the ground, but the ground to rumble once again, only this time much louder than when the surrounding foliage was affected by the effects of her reiatsu.
The disgraced Oki wails, never having experienced this level of loss at once. Distressed by the blood of her family on her hands, more and more strands of her blue hair turns white, further aging the woman. Masahiro, still unaware of the slaying of his own family, is shielded by the distance and Akarui, all he can focus on is his mother's pained cries. The boy, in silent tears long before his mother, now sniffles louder and cries loudly with his mother in a combination of his own emotions, confusion, and heart wrenching pain at the sight of his mother looking so... distraught and defeated.
The tears in her eyes glow red as they refract the light from her eyes, while energy crackles around her. The rumbling beneath their feet intensifies, growing louder... stronger.

Roots that moved and grew beneath the ground suddenly burst from the ground, high into the heavens. Overgrown and strengthened by the woman's powerful reiryoku, they spear clean through the floors of every remaining living Oki households, after nearly three quarters of the clan had fallen victim to the assassin's blade. They form a thick barrier between killer and civilian. Perhaps easily circumvented, not so easily sliced, while the thickness of this made it impossible to pierce directly through to the other side of the enhanced plant. They stare at the overgrown root in anger, wondering why there was suddenly such a thing in the middle of their homes, some in confusion, and others in awe, as they all trace the handiwork to Honoka.
"I surrender! Please..."
Soon after loudly exclaiming to the winds, she reigns in her spiritual energy one final time, resulting in her eyes' color to finally return to their normal forest green irises. The tree roots remain, unlike the spying flowers, which shrink until they disappear as if they never existed. Now she can no longer see the carnage unfold before her very eyes, nor hear the sounds of the victims as they bleed out in their own homes. A tragedy that soon, any remaining Oki will soon discover, and seek who to blame for such actions. An answer they would not like to hear. After all, it was all due to the naïve actions of the newest clan head that caused the execution of countless Oki.
"I truly hope you intend to comply this time, Honoka."
She turns her head slightly, having her ear towards the direction of his voice, as she watches him approach from her peripherals. She closes her eyes, giving a slight nod as she affirms him that indeed, she will go without protest. Her silence continues as she becomes lost in thought, in thinking how her only son, who had never seen her so much as scowl, now looked at her with fear in his eyes. She glances back at the boys, her hand trembles as she slowly lifts it, extending it to Masahiro. All in hopes that he will take it and she can embrace him one final time, but the boy is frightened and conflicted, and clutches tightly on to Akarui's arm, who throughout all that transpired, acted with the wellbeing of the boys in mind. Perhaps in time he will try to understand her course of actions in an attempt to keep him safe, but he was simply too young and traumatized. She lowers her empty hand and stands, aware of the encroaching Omitsukido.
"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."
Swiftly shackled with cuffs as soon as her hands raise together, she glances back to the elderly Oki, who is forced to retake the the matriarchal position within the clan. How could a criminal be the head of the clan? Or remain so after all the blood of their own people stained her hands? This will be the last time Honoka will see her home and what's left of her family for a long time.