Ochitsuki, having been given his command, acknowledges the order while rising to his feet, approaching the woman to be taken under his wing temporarily, to be
broken by him so that she may be remade. To Himari the ordeal will be a nightmare, for her superior...it is a dream to live out his twisted and depraved fantasies. He calls for Himari as if one would call to a pet or animal, sparking the aggravation of the blue haired woman.
This was good, that anger, that aggravation — she would need that to see her through, to focus her through the pain and misery to come. The fear that had temporarily subsided would return to her in waves when taken into that place..that dungeon...that
hell where Ochitsuki resides, where he performs his works. His steps are brisk, yet at a pace manageable by the woman not yet moulded. Unbeknownst to her, the torment has already begun. Ochitsuki’s pace is intentional in nature, forcing her mind to race towards her imminent fate, to allow her imagination to carry her towards those dark corners where terror and madness collide.
”She has spirit, different yet similar from the other girl you took in. The one who now parades under the banner of the Oki.”
A calm aged voice emanates from within the room several minutes after the departure of Ochitsuki and Himari. The room seems to have grown darker in accordance to this mysterious voice, anchored to no particular direction. This matters little, as it is a voice Kyomu is well familiar with.
His steps, just as soft, just as silent as the Phantom’s himself carry the aged man towards the Captain. Today, or at least in this moment he is lightly dressed, appearing as just another shinigami of the Gotei 13 despite being anything but such. His arrival at the Second Division is one that has gone unnoticed by not only the agents under Kyomu but the other twelve Divisions as well as his peers of the Central Forty-Six. It is impossible to tell just how long the elder has been within these sealed gates, and what is even more curious is this does not seem to be the first time of his clandestine visit. The Captain turns, his cold gaze towards his superior, his elder...his grandfather. He is silent regarding the mention of his former Lieutenant now turned peer. He’s heard of her flashing the emblem of the Oki, making use of both their name and their authority. It is an affront to him, who has raised her and even broken procedure and protocol, the tradition of their clan by bringing her to the Mukuro compound. Yasu does not understand that by using the authority of the Oki she is at the same time denouncing the Mukuro.
”Speaking of the Oki, don’t you think you’ve delayed the matter long enough? Naoki has done her best to hide the matter and shift the attention and gaze of the others elsewhere.”
Koshi speaks on matters that Kyomu is well aware of. From the moment of Honoka’s unexplained stay of isolation at the Oki clan compound the elder has been curious..suspicious. The woman who had served under the tyrant, been the voice and hand of his will, was simply..gone? Known for her loyalty and duty as the Head Lieutenant it was odd that now, instead of aiding the new Commander in maintaining the stability of the Gotei 13 and Seireitei she would just up and leave. Naoki, when addressing the matter, spoke in a tongue most familiar to the Mukuro, it was one of ambiguity — the language of liars and those with something to hide. The Hoshi and Kiyoshi may very well have noticed it too but both are beyond caring of such matters. Then there was the Oda, the cousins of the Oki, were they aware of the truth? Perhaps, even if the chances of that being the were small...it wasn’t beyond the realm of probability. A one percent chance was still higher than zero.
While there are few who can call themselves close to Kyomu, Honoka was counted among that number. When Koshi first voiced his curiosity of Honoka’s suspicious behavior Kyomu had silently shelved the thought. Honoka was a woman of loyalty, duty and honor, whatever was the case she was certain to return soon enough to lay the matter to rest, to dispel any rumors and answer any questions. That day never came.
With each day, each week that passed the matter became increasingly more suspicious. Even their Commander has been silent, unable or unwilling to address the matter. It causes the Phantom to recall that Honoka was once a member of the Second Division and the Onmitsukido, that secrets, lies and deception are as much a part of her nature as they are his.
Kyomu closes his eyes. Was it hesitation, meditation, or was he simply reminiscing? The Captain’s thoughts remain unreadable, even to Koshi. His eyes open as he walks past his elder, remaining silent even to this moment. His feet carry him from his office, trudging down the hall, his direction opposite of the path taken by Ochitsuki and Himari.
”Gather the men.”
His voice is calm, barely above a whisper as he seemingly speaks to no one, or...at least no one that could be visually perceived. There is no response, there is no need for one.
The Phantom’s steps are silent, his gait is calm..slow..relaxed. As he walks the steps of many concurrently move, guided towards a single direction. They are equally silent, disciplined..united. Kyomu’s mind focuses on what is to come, his expression more stern than it’s ever been.
Scores of men clad in black migrate towards the designated meeting and rendezvous point for the Onmitsukido when called upon for a mission. They are hive like in their movements, each step in perfect cadence with one another. There is no idle chatter, no whispering among each other or questioning why they’ve been called and in such number. Those from the past might recall a similar incident, the one that had painted their division and organization as traitors in the eyes of the other Divisions and groups of the Gotei 13. Prior to their squad’s culling and reconditioning a hint of fear may have crept into the minds and very bones of those being called on this day. Was the Captain going to wage another attack against this new Commander? Would they once more be called upon to point their blades towards the Gotei 13? If that was the case then surely they would all die should they fail again. No such thoughts however invade these tools of murder and death shaped in the form of man. Their minds are empty as they prepare to hear and execute the command of their Commander-in-Chief.
In the time it takes for Kyomu to walk the halls and turn the several corners before stepping out into the barrack grounds his men have all gathered. The Captain is greeted by his summoned men, all equally spaced from one another while divided into two groups. Their arms rest behind their backs, hands balled into fists. The eyes of each man stares ahead, and while they do not move their breaths are perfectly synchronised with one another. Despite being many, it is as if they are one being, a single entity. Kyomu’s amber eyes scrutinize each group, each individual as he inspects them. They feel his gaze, his glare and despite its intensity, remain unflinching.
”There is..a prisoner on the loose. This prisoner is being sheltered by former Head Lieutenant Honoka Oki, who has been AWOL for over a century now.”
His men do not react, do not even twitch at this news. The realization of their mission donning upon them all simultaneously, revealed through every word spoken and left unspoken by their Captain. He studies their expressions, and it isn’t until he is satisfied does he continue.
”The former Head Lieutenant is to be considered a fugitive, she along with the prisoner are to be detained and brought back to the Seireitei. Along with them are their co-conspirators First Division’s Third seat Akarui Gekko, and Thirteenth Division’s Lieutenant Katsuo Oda. The three shinigami will be brought before the Commander to answer for their crimes, should they resist...we will kill them.”
By now, Akarui within the Oki compound in the Rukongai is addressing Honoka. Irony sees her asking her former superior how much longer she believes she can protect the child born out of wedlock. How long could Honoka keep this a secret? The question is answered by the mobilization of the Onmitsukido. While Naoki had believed herself and her clan to have covered their bases with their
favors and glib tongues, nothing remained a secret forever. Akarui, a mother in her own right, frequent and blatant in her visits to the Oki compound with her child no less, and Katsuo the good natured happy go lucky fool, though not an Oda by blood he is still an Oda. The familial ties between the clans have placed him in a position where he has become privy to the child of the tyrant, the
prisoner. Ignorant to the implications of this child’s mere existence, the young Lieutenant — a radical in his thoughts and opinions towards the stern and unbending militaristic standards of the Gotei 13, visits the fugitive and taboo child.
His correspondences back and forth between Honoka have been known by both Koshi and Kyomu for some time, yet the young Oda brings no news to either the Commander or the Captains. He shares nothing with his superiors regarding the woman whose absence has gone unexplained even to now. It is only through this first visit that there is further confirmation regarding what had long been suspected, confirmed and now reaffirmed. Agents from both the Onmitsukido and the Mukuro clan, under the joint command of Koshi of the Central 45 and Kyomu shadow the naive boy as they have shadowed the Commander’s wife. Did they believe their actions to be secret? Did they believe their behavior to be beyond suspicion or consequence? Why else would Akarui visit the Oki compound if not for Honoka? Katsuo, an Oda in name alone visiting the clan of their estranged cousins, he who has ties with no one other than Honoka herself? Their actions were not as furtive as they should have been, and those in proximity to them not as tight lipped as those under the thumb of the Oki.
The fallout behind their actions would undoubtedly be unimaginable. The Commander’s own wife implicit in Honoka’s actions which could be perceived as treason to the very organization she swore fealty to. If brought to light it could very well bring others to question if these actions were known and tacitly condoned by Commander Kagayaki. The very ironclad rules, laws and regulations in which they are meant to abide by..broken, ignored, easily dismissed. It is the makings of a storm. Kyomu steels himself as for the final time he reminisces on his meeting with Honoka, of his first taste of both kindness and sweets. For that brief moment, he allows himself to feel, to be that boy he was all those centuries ago in thought alone. He closes his eyes as cracks form within the image before it is ruptured and torn completely, buried and repressed. When his eyes open, it is without the burdens and shackles of familiarity or emotion. He stands as Captain, Commander-in-Chief and if need be today...executioner.
”We make for Western Rukongai, towards the Oki compound. Again, our priority is their detainment yet do not allow that thought to dull your blade. Remember, if resistance is met every strike should be made to kill….lets go.”
Kyomu, along with every gathered member before him, seem to vanish simultaneously. Their movements are muted, their steps hurried as they make their way from their barracks towards Honoka’s location. While Katsuo has already departed, it does not change his fate or the Phantom’s orders. Methodical in thought and action, he intends to leave no room for error, no loose pieces, turning anyone and everyone within proximity to the designated parties..liabilities and collateral damage. Honoka, who has not seen the Captain since his departure from the Captain’s meeting injured and bleeding, will be greeted by Kyomu for the first time in over a hundred years.
A pity it wasn’t under better circumstances.
[
From Southeast Seireitei to Rukongai]
