[IC] Bleach: Endless Abyss (Open)

[Kurisa]

IC - Open

[Phobos]

Roumenji Sendo

It was midday, the sun at it's highest as it bathed the Soul Society with its warmth. Everything was normal in the Rukongai districts, Souls going about their daily business of trade, theft and the like. Within the Seireitei, things couldn't of been any quieter. The thirteen Captains were all in a meeting within the Squad 1 barracks, going over the true conditions of the Human and Spiritual Realm. The increase of hollow activity, the presence of a new type of Hollow and a civil war going on between the Noble Families. The Head Captain would no loner sit idly by as these events occur and has decided to call this meeting for that specific reason.

Head Captain Sendo stood in his spot as the twelve other Captains were lined up in two rows. His expression was dead serious, clearing his throat and crossing his arms before speaking. "As you all know, the hollow's numbers have been increasing while ours are doing the exact opposite. Numerous unseated shinigami and seated shinigami have met their end in the Human Realm and here. We will no longer sit idly by as we let the hollow's do as they please. With that, this Captain's meeting concluded for the Captains except for Captain Yoki, Captain Mogami, and Captain Mao. Otherwise, the rest of you are dismissed to continue your duties." The Head Captain turned his attention to the Captains of Squad 5, 7, and 13. "Let us continue this conversation else where" He hand motioned the three to follow him, walking away and casually walking towards his office with no haste. As they exited the Meeting Hall, they quickly entered a long corridor with walls on the right and a railing with a view of the Seireitei. About halfway through, he broke the silence

"I summoned you five to either send you or a subordinate on a mission to two separate missions. Captains Mogami and Yoki, the two of you are to depart to Hueco Mundo with Lieutenant Osaka. The rare time in Hueco Mundo should be a good experience for him. Once within Hueco Mundo, head to the Forest of Menos and meet up with a recon team stationed by the Forest. Further orders will be given to you once you've reached them. Captain Mao, take Lieutenants Akechi and Manami to the outer south rim of the Soul Society. Once there, continue southwards until you've reached the mountains. Tread carefully once there, a new type of Reiatsu has been discovered there. Try your best to capture the source of this reiatsu but if capture is not an option, then it's death will suffice. Once your mission is done. Return the body to Squad 12 and Captain Kakashi. As for you Captains Mogami and Yoki, visit the Kido Corps with the Lieutenant and they'll send you on your way. The Captains have been notified of their Lieutenants absence and they should be waiting for you. You are dismissed." He said, continuing onwards further into the corridor. This time he was in a rush, planning to visit Squad 12 barracks. On cue, multiple Hell Butterflys were released and sought out the Lieutenants to inform them of their missions.

[Ganryu]

Villains

_{Kyogen Akechi (7th Lt) & Arina Kawagana (2nd Lt)
The Night Before}

The moon was glistening in the sky, by the time Arina and her cell had reached the village. A chill in the air nipped at her skin as she and her two comrades took cover in the trees. Because the Fourth Seat had conveniently fallen ill, and the Third Seat, Settan was out on his own mission, she had been forced to ask Kyogen to accompany herself, and her Fifith Seat, Ichirou.

"We can't let the word get out that the Gotei 13 is leveling a village..." she murmured softly, so only the two could hear her. Her eyes locked with Ichirou's, "We can't afford witnesses - in and out, I want a complete sweep," she stated coldly. He had never been on a mission with her before - and he was about to realise how true the rumors really were.

Kyogen cracked his knuckles.

"Don't care why. No witnesses, can do. You don't care if I cause some damage around here, do you? I'm not a ninja."

With that, Kyogen jumped out of his cover in the trees, directly into the village. The place was mostly quiet in the night, it wasn't going to stay that way for long. Finding the largest building in the village, Kyogen attacked it.

Hachiman

Smashing his fist into the side, the wall itself became shrapnel, killing those inside, and collapsing it downward. The sound caused somewhat of a panic around, nobody really knowing why the building collapsed, as Kyogen walked towards the gathering crowd.

Ichirou looked horrified at the loud actions of his comrade, before turning to his lieutenant, wide eyed - and she just frowned at him, "It's not like anyone will live to tell the tale of how it happened," she mused in a dismissive tone before jumping into the chaos.

She took the perimiter, cutting down all in her path, men, elderly, women - it didn't matter to her; they were all the same. Her blue eyes narrowed slightly as she slit a screaming womans throat before she turned to a man who spoke to her,

"Why?"

The words croaked out of his mouth and she didn't bother to ease his mind with a reason. Her sword easily sliced through his fragile skin as she cut him down, and proceeded to slaughter all those who stood behind him.

Screams equally came from the center.

Kyogen didn't have remorse. The world was cruel, that's just how it was. Punching down person after person, building after building. It was somehow easier on him now that he chose to be a monster, rather than find he was one anyways.

Walking up to Arina, he seemed disappointed.

"I thought someone here might be able to kill me. Seems I hoped too much.. What are we doing here?"

With cruel casualness, he punches a stone wall, sending more shrapnel into a crowd of fleeing citizens.

She turned to Kyogen and stared at him for a moment, "Sorry to disappoint," she chimed in a musical tone, stabbing a man rushing towards her. She was thankful to Kyogen for coming along.

Ichirou had never been on a mission of this scale before, nor had he ever taken a life that wasn't a Hollow. The stench of blood was sickening, it was everywhere; on the ground, on his clothes - he was sure he couldn't even see the colour of his skin anymore.

His hands shook as he yanked back on his Zanpakuto, pulling it out of a womans rib cage with a sickening crack, blood forming a pool at his feet,

And that was when he heard the cries.

His heart beat in his throat for a moment, as he tired to block the sound out. However, it drew his gaze, like a moth to a flame - to two children, hiding in a closet, their eyes wide as they grieved for their freshly killed mother.

He felt instantly ill as they stared back at him, with a mix of emotions - anger, sadness, hate... confusion. His breath hitched in his throat as he raised his blade, and the fear etched itself into their expressions. It made him want to vomit, it made him want to scream - they were begging to live.

He froze.

After a moment of pure silence, he forced himself out of the room, and out of the house, leaving the children to cry over their mother.

He jumped slightly fightened, as Arina approached him - he noticed that her kimono was drenched in blood. She didn't seem to care, as she stopped beside him with a small frown. He pleaded for the children to be silent, but a cry and a sniffle caused her head to abruptly snap to the house, before she met his horrified gaze, her eyes narrowing in realisation.

Her shunpo was too fast as he made a dash for the house, only managing to get to the door as she stopped behind the two children who were huddled over their mother's still warm corpse.

"You were going to let them live?" her voice held no emotion as she glanced at him,

"They're too young... there's no need for them to die,"

"Everybody dies. Is that not that I said? You can't just pick and choose because you don't feel like killing them," her voice was cold and he took a defensive step towards her as she stepped closer to the children - they were barely four.

"Please-"

His voice was silenced by the sickening crack of their necks, it had been so fast and cruel, he had wondered if there was really anything inside her apart from the ruthless assasian she was made out to be.

"This is what we do," her voice was so cold that he could hardly believe she was the same girl who had been playfully hitting on Kyogen earlier, "If you don't like it, you have no place in the Second Division, nor as a Shinigami," her words hit him like knives as she brushed past him, utttering one final sentence, "Next time, I won't do your dirty work for you."

Ichirou would find a (wet) hand on his shoulder.

"I know what you are thinking, and you are right. We are monsters. So is the world. Monstrosity is forced on people.

So what are you going to do? Are you going to become a monster too, and keep this quick and with few casualties as possible, or slow things down, and force us to hunt down more witnesses?

Kill yourself like we did, and you might save a few. Neither of us woke up saying, 'today, I'm a monster'. Monsters are made, not born."

With that, Kyogen headed off, behind Arina. Screams naturally accompanied him.

Ichirou slumped to his knees, how were these lieutenants so unaffected by their actions? his hands were shaking and he felt sick - he wanted to run, he wanted to be anywhere other than here. The hatred and malice ran thick through the air, making it hard for him to breathe. The hurt and betrayal these people were feeling burned his eyes and they watered slightly. Kyogen's words were right, but the mentality was so twisted.

Within an hour, the village fell into an unnatural silence. The only sound heard in it at all was footsteps as the three regrouped. Words didn't seem proper, so no one spoke. Kyogen face remained indifferent.

They had made good time back to the Seireitei, and as soon as they arrived in the Division 2 locker rooms, Ichirou left to clean himself up, he was still trembling as he closed the door behind him. Arina sighed, the tension in the air completely dissipated as the Fifth Seat exited the room. With a solemn sigh, she peeled off her blood drenched Kimono and discarded it on the floor; now in her undergarments. She wrapped a small towel around her frame before she turned to Kyogen,

"Thanks for tonight," her voice was unusually soft, "This would be the sixth favor I owe you," she mused with a slight laugh. Her gaze hardened slightly as she looked to the door Ichirou had just walked out of, "For heroes to take the spotlight... we villains must exist," she murmured, before walking to Kyogen and taking a seat next to him, "I suppose he'll learn that one day..."

Her blue eyes were fixated on her blood stained hands, and she wondered if she'd ever be able to wash it off.

Kyogen couldn't help but laugh as he washed blood from his arms, continually. It seemed never ending.

"Someone can pretend to be a hero. I have yet to meet one. I've met plenty of people who claimed to be one though..."

Kyogen's face went blank as his hands shook for a minute, as 'his' face appeared in his memories.

"I'm much more apt to play villain. That member now has no choice either. He can let it haunt him, or he can go along with it, the choice isn't his now. Almost seems... cruel of you to take him. Oh well, your squad isn't known for its heroes. I suppose I'll go report to my captain. Probably asking where I've been."

With that, Kyogen threw a towel over his shoulders, and left the barracks. It wasn't long until a hell butterfly found him. Something about a mission to the Rukongai with captain Mao.

There was no rest for the weary it seemed. Maybe this time he'd find something to strike him.

[ProPro]

Just like the other captains, Unagi Tsunami answered the call to meet. It wasn't too often that they all gathered in one location like this, so it must have been a rather special occasion. That's what Unagi thought, anyway. Well special occasion or not, he wasn't going to let Seireitei and the Soul Society suffer any lack of defense or vigilance. Rather than dismissing his bankai, he instead kept the skyship crewed with his lieutenant and a number of seated officers familiar with its workings. That way they could keep an eye out for trouble and respond in an appropriate and timely manner. Of course, things were always calm in Seireitei, save for the odd bullying of the 4th division by someone from the 11th. For this reason most thought that Unagi was going a bit overboard with his constant patrol in the skies, and most of his men designated as "crewmen" saw no point in the job. As far as Unagi was concerned, they were free to disagree all they wanted. They didn't have to like it, and he'd let them express that all they wanted. But they still had to do it.

As such Captain Unagi attended the meeting in the clothing fashioned by his bankai, rather than his regular captain's haori. Anybody looking up and down the line of these esteemed men and women of the Gotei 13 could easily pick out which one of these did not belong. After all, a red coat clashed pretty strongly against the sea of white robes. Good thing nobody here had OCD. Or did they? Unagi didn't know and didn't particularly care. He was here for a big important briefing by the captain-commander, and hoo-boy was he excited for it!

Disappointment would be the end result. Captain-commander Sendo gathered them all to tell them that hollow activity was up (big woop, they already knew that) and that everyone except for a scant few were dismissed. Then what was the point of gathering everyone? Grumbling, but not daring to show his irritation to the captain-commander, Unagi left the meeting room with all the grace and decorum of a drunken octopus. Soon as they were outside the doors, Unagi spotted the captain of the 11th, the current Kenpachi, and his old buddy: Kuroda Kenshin.

"He-e-ey there, Kenny," he spat, putting his arm around Kuroda's shoulder. "You ever keep up with human world affairs? If you did then you'd know that your name has got a looot of unfortunate implications over in the Americas. 'Kenpachi Kuroda Kenshin.' KKK. They're some mean and nasty people. Sake?"

Unagi produced a small hip flask of alcohol and offered it to Kuroda. If the other captain were to accept, he'd find that it was not sake in the flask, but spiced rum.

[KabenSaal]

Mirja had snuck, sneaked, whatever, onto the roof, and was precariously balanced not to make it cave in, since they were not designed to hold twetny two stone of women across less than a foot of roof. There was some sort of meeting going on that she wasn't spying on but rather waiting for her Captain to come out of and she knew he was in there because she saw him and everyone else going in. Mirja was the sneky type, after all. Kind of came with being unable to be sensed by her Reiatsu, and all. After a while, she did see him, and so lept off the building in a Shunpo, and flying drop-kicked her Captain. It wasn't out of malace, or even an attempt to hit him with a flying drop-kick. It was simply to see if he was still paying attention. As she would exclaim 'Toes for everyone'. Which was not immidiately understandable, but mean that she liked to drop kick people so they where always on their toes. If they expected a sneak attack, then when they got sneak-attacked by someone who wasn't Mirja, and thus more engaged to kill them than she was, they wouldn't get hurty-died and then leave open seats for people to fill. She was kinda sorta maybe testing the Kenpachi for his strength and reflexes for the day she challenged him for his title - but not position, from thr way they all got called to the annoying meeting of Captains, she'd stay as a Lieutenant and make Rice Cakes, what if she was called while baking and had to make a tough call between burning her cakes and awnsering the call?

There was also the cool awesome Ship Captain Guy, whom she occasionally crewed the ship of because it was both cool and fun and he had a nice oven in the gallery. His coat was annoying, since it was like he had no sense of fashion at all, in any way, slightly or otherwise. And that made Mirja want to kick his fashion sense in the head. But unfortunately it was not quite something that was real, so she couldn't. She had positioned herself so she wouldn't hit the captain of the ship, but would face-palm her Captain, only the palm was her feet. He would be hit by the palm of her feet, and it would be amazing, and everyone would cheer.

[Hantu Kongkek]

For a whole century, Airi had relied on the generosity of the Mao family to get by. They were a minor noble house with ties to the thirteenth division, and so it was no wonder she had joined. In her early years as a soul reaper, it was with her adopted siblings that she trained. Before she knew it, Airi had become acting captain of squad 13. Airi was never pestered about it before, however, with a war between the noble families and Airi's recent claim as the official captain, it seemed the family wanted more and more to do with her. Likely, it was to elevate the family's status into something closer of a higher house. Airi, not being blood related, the family sought to marry her in, making her a more solid claim to power.

Airi had stood quiet for much of the meeting. Using a small pad and an ink quill, the captain had taken notes from the meeting. When she was called by the captain commander, she reviewed her peers. Her initial thought was that it was to be about the feuding families, though there were more families involved among the captains than just the three that were called. After hearing the information that followed, the captain of squad 13 breathed a sigh of relief. She continued her notes, writing her own questions down for later. "Permission to speak, sir?" Airi asked, looking at the captain commander, then into her notes. She took a quick but audible breath. Before waiting for the captain commander to respond, Airi had already began speaking.

"I mean no disrespect towards you or the other lieutenants. However, for this mission, would it be possible that I took my own troops out? I feel that they've spent enough time in the mortal world, it would be good experience for my men should they have to deal with problems closer to home. I will, of course, be around to supervise in order to make sure nobody gets injured too badly."

[Infinite Cosmos]

@ProPro@KabenSaal

Visibly yawning, he was quite bored with the meeting. Sure, there were some disturbances in Rukongai and the Human World. Sure, he would go if the captain commander said "Hey, Kenpachi, go kill them." However, he was not told to do so and thus, for the time being, he is to remain in Seireitei and do nothing. Sighing, he supposes that he will just spend this time training, and drinking... He would wait for an official order before he was to order his squad into action.

Sighing, he stepped out of the conference room, his haori hung so loosely around his shoulders that it looks like a breeze can take it off of him. Noticing the already-drunk-in-the-morning Captain Unagi, he tried to make his way back to his barracks before any nonsense happened. To no avail, Captain Unagi approached and spoke to him. "Eel-san, I told you years ago to not call me Kenny... Literally no one calls me that.. and yes, I'm aware enough in human affairs to know the meaning behind KKK, thats why I just go by one of the three words, not all together... Sure, I'll taste your swill, of course nothing compares to my personal herbal concoction.." He said to the captain, taking the flask offered and offering his own flask produced from the loose sleeve pockets of his haori.

After having a taste of what Captain Unagi offered, he handed it back with a stern expression on his face. "I taste...distinct spices of some tropical islands in the human world... Were you venturing off with your crew again Eel-san?" He said, chuckling and waiting for the critique of his own herbal concoction. If a mortal man were to taste it, it would without a doubt knock them flat on their back as the base of the concoction is aged sake, passed to him from his father, who brewed it along with his mentor aeons ago.

Just after he had handed the flask back to the other captain, he saw an imposing shadow approach him from the sky. As he turned, he was met with a pair of feet. Planted squarely on his face, most would expect the captain to be knocked flat on his back. However, upon closer examination, one can see that just before the feet connected with his face, he had leaned back with the incoming momentum of the kick to soften the blow. While doing so, he also planted his sheathe into the ground, offering him another point of stability. His innate strength also played a part in this in that his upper body absorbed the entire weight of the woman and thus he was able to stay upright.

"Mirja, what are you doing here..." He said with muffled voice. Using his free hand, he shove-pushed his mischievous lieutenant away from him before dusting himself off. He knew she was sort of testing him, in a underhanded, nonchalant way. He answered her question in the same fashion. When he pushed her, he grasped her ankles firm enough that she would feel like they were going to snap, but didn't. He also pushed her hard enough that she would realize if she did not have her weight and reiatsu behind her, she would be flying towards the Sokyoku Hill by now. "If you weren't at the barracks, who is tending to the grounds for training later? Don't you remember? Today is zanjutsu and stamina day...So.... You should probably tend to that yeah?" He said with a smile, backed with a slightly murderous aura...

[AbigailTenshi]

"Hm"

With his right index finger outstretched and tilted, a Hell butterfly drenched in the colour of midnight and accented with a cherry-red swirled pattern on the bottom wings, planted it's thin legs in the middle of the perch offered. A message from the Head Captain was relayed telepathically and ended with the butterfly re-taking flight into the Soul Society's clear skies. A Captains meeting was commencing soon and required all of the Thirteen Captains to attend in order to highlight a grave matter.

As with all the other Captain's, Youta Hantaisoku - Captain Of The Fourth Squadron - too attended. He was dressed in the attire meant for the Captains; His Haori the standard bleached-white with black detailing and an insignia stitched into the back to signify the role and status of the ones who's duty is to wear it. Youta stood in his usual spot within he two rows, lending the Head Captain his undivided attention, as to be expected. Saddened by the announcement of the decline in Shinigami numbers, Youta held a straight face, however deep down sighed in sorrow. It was his job-no, his purpose-to heal and retain the souls of all Shinigami... Unfortunately not all could be reached in times of need so those abandoned souls are left to death. He continued to focus on the meeting, now was not the time to reflect. The Head Captain wanted to actively halt these tragedies and do something about it. Youta felt a spark of liveliness light while hearing this. Wallowing within the suffering wouldn't help any soul! What needed to be done was action! His role meant that his responsibility was to Captain and guide the Fourth Squad. He refused to stop spending every single day helping his members, and those outside of his squad, to reach their goals step by step and give them the strength in skill to defend themselves when the time called.

After the meeting, the Captain gave a small bow to his superior; the Head Captain, unlike a few of the other Captains. They might of not felt it was necessary, which Youta wouldn't argue, but personally he felt that respect should always be shown when it was due. The Head Captain deserved utter respect from his Captains for all that he had done, not only for them but for the whole Soul Society.

Turning towards the door, Youta casually walked out, in no rush. He spotted a couple of the other Captains conversing, and then the Squad Eleven Lieutenant appeared out of no-where to strike the Eleventh Captain. As expected, the Captain had displayed incredible control and thus amazing skill. Youta couldn't help himself, he had to chuckle. 'What a wonderfully-spirited Lieutenant, trying to help her Captain stay sharp. Not that he needs the help clearly. Fascinating~' He thought to himself as he chuckled while he walked. There were so many interesting personalities within the Gotei Thirteen, each and every day was always different which made Youta's life rich with experiences. He wasn't one to turn down an experience after all.

[yoshua171]

Yōki, Kōunora

Theme I /|\Theme II /|\ Theme III

---

Her eyes closed, the room lined with captains in two rows, Kōunora remained silent throughout while the Captain Commander spoke. It had been a short meeting, she noted as all, but a few were dismissed. She opened her eyes, the motion of the Commander's arm, notifying her that she and Airi were to follow him. Falling into step with Airi, she let the silence hang, smiling slightly as they reached the middle of their journey to his office, having counted the seconds till the Commander spoke. Right on time, she thought with a small upwards quirk at the edge of her lips. The man had always commanded attention and respect, and Kōunora not only valued this, but quite understood why it was so. The man understood the power of silence, tone, and timing very well, in her experience, and he used this to make himself out as the most important person in most scenarios. Of course, that was not to say that he wasn't, after all the man was the Captain Commander for a reason.

Noting the reason for her summoning, not to mention Airi and the others, Kōunora listened in stark silence, while Airi scratched notes into her book. So diligent, she thought to herself, having glanced at her fellow captain briefly before turning her attention back to the captain. She nodded her head as she was given her task, happy to be assigned to the same mission as her friend Yuka. As, much like Airi and her who, while not in total agreement in regards to philosophy, worked together rather well, Kōunora was friendly with the 5th division's captain.

Her attention again shifting as the Commander dismissed them, she half turned to leave, before Airi's question stopped her progress. Turning back and watching with one raised eyebrow, interest in her eyes even as she considered whether or not Yuka would have questions of her own.

A smile crossed her face, as she heard Airi's request, though Kōunora's attention swiftly refocused as she glanced to the Captain of the 5th division. While she had nothing to say to the Commander, perhaps Yuka-san might. As such she remained where she was, but spoke up, her voice quiet, but intense, as she spoke directly to Yuka, the tone not meant to catch the Commander's attention. "Mogami-san, do you have any requests of the Commander, or shall we get to work? I am interested to see Hueco Mundo again after so long." There she stopped, falling silent again, her gaze locked on her friend while she waited. Her red eyes were bright with focus, and sharp in their intensity. She hoped they could move on to their duties quickly. As while she did not crave conflict like perhaps Kenshin or a member of his division might, she could feel her sword spirit humming in her inner world, the sound one of anticipation.

The spirit was begging to be used...and soon. With their agreement, the captain could not very well deny her zanpakuto his amusement.

[Phobos]

@Hantu Kongkek

Roumenji Sendo

Roumenji stopped in his tracks, the Squad 13 Captain request to speak slightly peaking his interest. But before Roumenji could even give him permission, the Captain decided to continue to speak on their own. Such insolence. The Head Captain thought to himself, listening to the Captain with an eyebrow raised. He let out a heavy sigh "Does the new generation not know how to respect elders?" He rhetorically asked with a serious tone, his eyes glaring at the Captains's "Very well then, instead of Lieutenant Akechi you may take one of your own Squad members. But Lieutenant Manami's presence is absolutely vital tot his mission, without a Squad 12 shinigami on the squad this mission will be pointless." He turned his attention to the other two captain's who seemed to be waiting as well "Is there anything else you two will like to address?" Just like before, his tone had a bit of harshness to it. However, the tone was common with Roumenji as he always made sure to keep a distance from his subordinates to avoid any personal relationships with them.

[Tarquin]

Yuka Mogami

Yuka had spent today's meeting somewhat wrapped up in her own thoughts. Her chief distraction was the ongoing conflict among the noble houses over the controversial proposal to change certain laws regarding Hollows and Rukongai citizens. No matter how it was dressed up in pretty rhetoric, Yuka and the rest of the Mogami family were incensed to hear that other nobles were lobbying to treat other Souls so callously. The Mogami had naturally waded in on the side of the opposition to such changes, and were often among the more vocal opponents. While Yuka would have it no other way, it still made her worry; such conflicts could easily evolve into a broader political fight between factions. A house divided could not stand, and with the increase in Hollow activity, the Seireitei could ill afford such internal weakness. Try as she might, Yuka could not think of any way the conflict could be de-escalated.

Her concerns would have to wait, since it seemed she was to be sent out on assignment to Hueco Mundo. Being paired with Kounura was fair enough, but she had to wonder why they were being slapped with someone else's lieutenant. She would have expected either Karma, her own lieutenant, or perhaps Kounura's lieutenant, Kyogen. Either one would surely be better prepared to work with their superior, though Yuka was quite glad not to have Kyogen Akechi to deal with. Yuka could tolerate a great many weird and annoying personalities, but she couldn't stand someone as malevolent as Kyogen. But she wasn't the type to complain about such small concerns. She would be content in the knowledge Karma would be on hand to keep her division running in her absence at least.

Yuka witnessed Airi's request to the Captain Commander. Two things went wrong here; first, it seemed she had raised the Commander's ire a touch, and she ended up freeing Kyogen from her own mission. Only shortly after Kounura had approached her, he ended up asking them directly if they had anything to say. "Ah, no sir, nothing on my end. I believe the two of us will be getting to work post-haste. Farewell, sir..." Kounura had already said she was eager to go, so Yuka assumed there would be no problem in hurrying the two of them out of the room. She didn't want to risk ticking off the Commander any more than he already seemed to be, and she didn't want to risk having Kyogen assigned to their mission. "So, Yōki; any idea where we can find this lieutenant Osaka?" Yuka knew nothing of this other lieutenant, so she could only hope either Yōki knew him or that he would find the two of them on his own.

[Oblivion666]

Mitsunari Osaka

He observed the training grounds where he was holding the seated and unseated members kido lessons for the day. Normally the captain was suppose to do this, but the captain was sometimes unreliable and off putting, and for once not here. He was at a captain meeting so he and the other lieutenant were in charge while he was gone. "Kira don't release too early won't get the full powerful effect, Monaka don't hold it too long it will bl-" And before he could get the warning off it did indeed blow up with the woman flying to her back. "blow up.... You okay?" He asked her who just jumped back up and brushed the dust off her. "Yep just a few bruises!" She said before going back to her spot and resuming, to which he shook his head but smiled. "Well.. if you feel any pain just go to squad four. Don't want any risks now do we?" She looked over and gave a thumbs up before resuming, and he would continue to gaze at their progress. "Okay keep it up I'll be back in a few minutes. No slacking or else!" He said before walking off.

He was walking to another training field when a hell butterfly appeared in front of him giving him a message from the Head Captain himself, stating he would be going on a mission with the captains of squad five and seven to Hueco Mundo. He kept a calm composure on the outside but he was cheering on the inside. Yes!!! I get to display my skills to not just one but two captains! When Mayu hears of this, the water bitch will be crying her own river without her shikai!! He thought to himself and would go around the training fields and tell them he was needed and to direct questions to the co-lieutenant or Captain if he came back soon. After making sure they got this message he shunpoed off to the Kido Corps, assuming he would meet them there as the message said for them to arrive there. So once he was there he would wait outside until they arrived.

[malmshodes]

The moon hung low and lazy like the single glowing testicle of some strange god from outer space. It's soft white light reflected on the still dark waters. The night was so still, the tiny waves couldn't do anything to mask the soft sound of the feet that left shallow prints in the soft sand. At the end of this trail there was A lone man, standing on an empty beach. He couldn't remember the last time this hadn't been the case. Had only a week passed since the last time he'd been with someone else? A month? A thousand years? He couldn't tell! The lack of certainty brought on the old rage, but without anyone to direct it to, it just foamed over the top like boiling water over the rim of a steel pot. For a moment he....

Captain Jynmi Imsar stopped and turned his attention to the hell butterfly with the message for him. "What's this?" He blinked again; no reason. "Hmm." Without wasting any more time he lightly put down his pen, and stood up, making sure everything was in order. His desk was a mess, yes, but it was the kind of mess that he could work with. "Sword? Check. Sandals? Check. Am I wearing pants? Check? Alright. I'm good to go." The image changed. The room stayed the same but its sole occupant wasn't. He vanished and wouldn't reappear until he was standing in a group of his peers, listening to the Captain Commander go over the details of a rise in trouble.

Jynmi waited patiently as the captain Commander spoke. He kept his hands behind his back. His eyes focused tightly on his leader's face, making sure he didn't miss a word. At the end everyone, but for a few were dismissed. It was tempting to ask questions, or at least try to get a better understanding of what was going on, but something told him there was either no answers to be shared, or they weren't free for sharing. So he hung back and watched their leader, and a few chosen Captains, disappear into the deeper reaches of his domain.

"Curious." He said to himself, anyone listening. "Why are the hollows increasing in numbers now? Things have been so docile and suddenly there's trouble." He rubbed his chin and looked around the room.

[ProPro]

Unagi happily exchanged drinks with Kenshin, and took a deep gulp of the man's "special herbal concoction." Strong, just as he knew it'd be. Unfortunately Kenshin didn't react to the spiced rum quite as much as Unagi had hoped. It figured, really. The two of them drank like a pair of fish, so no matter how badly Unagi wanted to knock his friend's socks off, it probably just wasn't going to happen. He deluded himself into believing that he might have had a chance to catch Kenshin off guard by claiming the drink was something as weak as sake, but really it just wasn't going to happen.

"Very nice. It reminds me of a raging ocean storm, followed by a calm rain." Unagi handed Kenshin back his drink just in time to ignore a surprise attack by the 11th division lieutenant upon her captain. He had known she was there for some time, after all. He had the best sixth sense in all the Gotei 13, it'd have been a shame if he couldn't sense her there, despite her condensed reiatsu. After all, there was always a soul ribbon one could look out for, if they knew how.

Mirja dropped down to assault her captain, while Unagi merely stood there, screwing the lid back onto his flask and barely paying any attention. Kenshin, as always, handled the situation like a skilled master and took no offense to the attack. Good for him. She was a spirited one, alright. Annoying too. Like a gnat she'd always come aboard Boken no Tensen and raid the galley. Those provisions were stocked for himself and the 9th division! Ah, but how could he turn down a hungry soul? He'd certainly be well within his right, but he just didn't have it in him. However that never stopped the captain from reporting her antics to Kenshin, that it did not. As long as he was fine with it, Unagi would allow her to remain onboard his bankai, so long as she proved to not be disruptive.

"It sounds as though you have duties to attend," Unagi said to the lieutenant, pulling out a second flask and drinking from it. "You're not going to catch Kenny unaware, but trying while you're supposed to be someplace else is a good strategy at least. I'd recommend attacking him in his sleep, if you want to have even some hope of a chance. Until then, best to do as he says, yeah?"

[KabenSaal]

@Propro@Killbox

Mirja pouted playfully as she was thrown off the Captain with more force than most would use on any save their enemies. But Mirja was used to it, after all she did need a lot more force than most for her to even notice someone was trying, which led to a distinct lack of holding back whenever she was involved. The reason for her pouting became clear a few seconds later as she rose from the ground and set her silver eyes on Her Captain.
"Captain~ You failed! If I was really kicking you, your head would have asploded, and nobody can live without their head. One must always have toes and assume their attacker can cause serious injury"she lectured, a coy smile and a stern glare sending mixed messages, but then she was always glaring, so maybe not so much for people who knew her. It then because a monkey-esque grin when he mentioned the training, a usual tick when she was planning to lie, or not tell the truth about something. "I did the training. Everyone is exhausted, so I thought I'd come see if you were done yet. Beowulf wants you to read him a bed time story" She was, as usual, shifting the topic with some nonsensical comment, since obviously it wasn't bed time yet.

Mirja then waved at Unagi, and wondered if she should tell him about the galley on his ship being filled with food-shaped crap. She could hardly work with what he had on board, and it was annoying. But, it seemed a thing for later, and instead she anwsered his sleeping thing.
"Nope. Sleep is sacred. It mustn't be disturbed by anyone except those who get their balls frozen to a large block of ice, and then said block thrown off a cliff" She had such a graphic mind, made even more fun by the cutie way it was delivered. At least, with the Captains she knew. With others....she wasn't so fun. "And anyway, I'm bored! Everything goes poof when I punch it, and I haven't even took my Fores off!" She exclaimed, brushing a hand through her hair, said Fores in clear view. Designed to reduce callatoral damage when she was doing anything at all - control came slow and hard to her - the Fores absorbed and dispursed kinetic energy as it was channeled though her arms, making every punch weaker than it could be, to prevent accidental deaths, and daily masonary work from being enacted. Despite their name and location, it affected all of her body, not just her fists, which was good, because she liked kicking people.

"So, what was the meeting about?"

[ViviSigma]

It was a bright day as far as anyone else was concerned, however for those visually challenged by the lack of optical orbs, eyes as the rest the rest of soul society and humanity called them. Xie wandered around the world in darkness, the only color she knew since her origin story being the sanguine fluids that now were her portal into this world. However, that luxury came at a cost, a blood cost which was paid each time to see the crimson world. The woman honestly had lined up for today but there did appear to be a large group meeting in the main district which all of the captains had been gather. Sighing she realized this meant all her worthy adversaries were probably caught up in the talks which meant it would only be seated squadron shinigami to meet in combat with. Standing her ground she began to cast her eyeless gaze toward a baron section of the district before catching a few sounds of others talking.

Xie never appeared even when asked to in her formal kimono as she now stood there her hands outright before her feeling the stone walls of the building. Instead in her rebellious phase she wore a black dress and stocking to still blend with the monochrome pattern of soul society, it helped mask the blood stains. “I have to admit after all these years it still more comforting to have on hand on the wall even if I do know this city like the back of my hand.” She laughed at this remark as she didn’t even know what the back of her hand looked like as she never thought to smear her own blood on her pale skin. As she stopped in the middle of the street she let out a rather stunted sigh arching her neck and back so it would seem like her covered face would be cast to the sky in contemplation. Her scarred tissue covered by the ebony cloth she had wrapped not twice but thrice. Xie heard a few feet up above her as she now imagined someone was on the roof the spiritual pressure of someone she hadn’t conversed with openly or much in that regards.

Leaping up from her grounded state she now perked her ears and rested a hand on her hilt as she pointed her face in Mirja’s direction. “You have not seen the Lieutenant or Captain of second Division around have you?” She said rather solemnly not intending to strike up a longer conversation she was in search of either of these two individuals and neither of them had been in the barracks of Second division that or maybe they were standing quite still and masking their presence she hated it when people did that it was inconsiderate as she never could see people in plain site.

[Yvain]

K U R O M I Y U K I M U R A

Silence...

For a moment, there was an absence of sound within the assembly hall of captains. In this very area of two rows before the Head Captain Sendo, the main 13 captains and lieutenants of the Soul Society had stood face to face with one another, side by side next to each other. On this very day, it was clear that this sort of quietness was more apparent than it usually was. Perhaps it was out of politeness, perhaps it was to show discipline, Perhaps it was the ongoing tension underlying within some captains. Not a single word, let alone even a single breath had been exchanged amongst each other it seemed. Stubbornness, nobility, arrogance, even boredom or simply going on with the day -- here on this day most seemed to be at the edge one way or the other. No one had seemed to speak a word about anything, and there was some sort of strained tension in the air. This tension was surely not apparent, however it was there and subtly known {especially among the Noble families} and finally a booming voice without effort had seemed to snap the divided captains out of their strained silence.

It was the Head Captain himself, averting everyone's attention to his voice. On one side stood a woman with her hands folded behind her back. Golden locks of hair framed around her angular face, and per usual her expression was neutral and dull as if nothing seemed to interest her in particular. Kuromi’s hands were folded behind her back, a usual posture she took which meant nothing in particular, and her eyes slowly rolled off to the side -- eyeing not the man who spoke but rather the space behind her. Despite the voice of Sendo alerting everyone, her gaze had shifted over her shoulder momentarily before choosing to slowly look back at the main speaker of importance. Already, she had mentally reminded herself of her lieutenant, a child who was also a warrior and pondered for a moment while staring ever so slightly at Sendo, listening to only what stuck out as important. Because his voice was so casual despite being stern, she naturally assumed that there was simply nothing to discuss.

“... We will no longer sit idly by as we let the hollow's do as they please. With that, this Captain's meeting concluded for the Captains except for Captain Yoki, Captain Mogami, and Captain Mao. Otherwise, the rest of you are dismissed to continue your duties."

Of course, after all the situation had been discussed countless of times from what Kuromi had gathered. Once dismissed, she was the last to move from her spot as her ‘curiosity’ had been piqued only for a moment. She took a few steps from her spot, walking towards the exit before slowly coming to a stop and listening in on the head captain for a moment as everyone else interacted while they were dismissed.

"Let us continue this conversation elsewhere" she heard, her lips only curving into a sneer of amusement. It wasn’t even a sneer which displayed a troubling suspicion, but rather a true smirk of amusement. She was entertained that few of the other captains had been pulled aside, and with those words from the head captain she concluded that her eavesdropping was surely not needed for this case indeed. After all in the end, the woman would find out one way or another, however it seemed as though it was a strict case and thus she decided not to dabble in on it as of now.

Seeing as nothing needed to be fulfilled, Kuromi wondered for herself what should be done as she randomly began to walk around the boardwalks, zigzagging a few corners and even circling around an area at one point. The woman had this peculiar habit of exploring without a thought, something which was deliberate. She enjoyed exploring without thinking, it always lead her somewhere new and sometimes even sparked interesting conversations with anybody who just happened to come her way, so it was hard getting a proper hold on the female captain without knowing her whereabouts but never too stressful.

A sigh of exasperation escaped her lips. Who was she to pester in the meantime? Everyday was such a bore-chore to her, and per usual she was always diligent enough to finish all sorts of tasks and paperwork as soon as possible. This had caused a great amount of free time, at least a little more than what the usual captains would have in their busy schedules and the blonde stood there with a rather blank expression.

[yoshua171]

Yōki, Kōunora

Theme I /|\Theme II /|\ Theme III

---

Taking in the scene, and restraining any further comments or even the telltale expressions from crossing her face, Kōunora allowed her friend to address the Commander, before she bowed her head to him in deference, then allowed Yuka to pull her away. Once they were safely away from Airi and the Commander respectively.

Continuing to exit the meeting hall with her friend, Kōunora let a small smile slip as she glanced at Yuka. Then, she responded, taking a breath before she did so. "Well, give me but a moment and I think I can answer that," She said, before closing her eyes, exhaling, and drawing in another breath. Her awareness expanded and she could feel rather than see thin strands of reiryoku and reiatsu wavering in the air around her, invisible unless one truly focused. After but a moment she opened her eyes, smile returning as she spoke, "It appears he has already been informed and awaits us."

She glanced at Yuka, before pointing in the direction of the Kido corps, "He'll be there, probably speaking to their lieutenant. They're rivals, if I remember correctly." Tilting her head she let her eyes slip closed for half a second before chuckling, "It seems I was right." She turned to Yuka again, "Shall we?"

[Kurisa]

海象 戦い
K A I Z O T A T A K A I

_{S Q U A D 2 C A P T A I N}

Kaizo listened to the Head Captain talk, mentioning things that all the Captains already knew...or at least most would have. As it stood he didn't really see why this was just a Captains meeting but regardless he was glad it was over quickly. Kaizo watched as the a few of the Captains were called away by the Head Captain which caused Kaizo to let out a sigh as he thought to himself Squad 2 aren't getting anything interesting then... With that thought Kaizo left the meeting hall and made his way back to Squad 2, he had some work to do there anyway...just nothing exciting...he'd really have to try come up with some interesting training exercises for his Squad to do otherwise they'd end up sitting around doing jack all.

After a short walk Kaizo arrived back at Squad 2 and instantly made his way to his office, walking and closing the door behind him, he walked to his desk and sat down on his chair and looked up...letting out a sigh "I'm probably going to have a headache by the end of this day..." Kaizo looked back down to his desk and to the pile of paperwork he had to do..."I hate paperwork..."

---

Kaizo Tatakai & Arina Kawagana

_{A few hours later}

Once upon a time, Arina had briefly wondered how much stronger Kaizo was than her. Ninety-seven years and seven-hundred and eleven sparring matches later, the answer was obvious as he all but crushed her into the ground. Struggling to stand from the crater they had just created in the ground, she felt her back pop and she weakly fell to her knees before him.

Her hand shot out, silencing him before he could even speak. She slowly stood and brushed the dust off her body, “One more time, and if I can pin you down, I win,” she suggested with a crooked and hollow grin. Arina was far more competitive than she cared to admit, and if Kaizo hadn’t already realised, he was about to.

---

Kaizo rubbed the back of his head as he watched Arina slowly make her way to her feet, listening to her as she spoke before replying "You know that's being hopeful, I wont let you pin me down. If you want to go again then I'm not going to deny you" Kaizo prepared himself, waiting on Arina to make the first move "Come at me then"

---

A small smile graced her featured before her thin hand stretched out and grasped the hilt of her sealed Zanpakuto. She didn't speak as she took a step forward into a Shunpo, throwing the blade into the air, hoping to draw the Captains attention to it. She would stop directly in front of him and reach up to catch her blade, however - her other hand would also raise, and swing, open palmed, in the form of a slap across the face...

Whatever worked.., right?

---

Kaizo watched Arina's movements, lowering his stance in preperation for what was about to come. His eyes were fixed on her as she moved closer to him with Shunpo, throwing her Zanpakuto into the air, yet Kaizo kept his eyes on her as she stopped in front of him, Kaizo watched her movements and prepared for her to swing her blade down at him only to see an open hand flying towards his face. Kaizo thought to himself for a moment before reaching out with his right hand to grab her left wrist as he then twisted his body to the right, bringing his left leg around in attempt to slam it into Arina's right side.

---

Arina frowned slightly as he caught her wrist with ease... it had worked so easy on Pachid the other day. Then again, he was a Third Seat... and this was a Captain. Her eyes watched cloesly as he twisted around to her left, and she could only guess what he would do next. Using her small frame to her advantage, she hoisted herself up, using Kaizo's grip and, flipped over his oncoming kick, landing directly in front of him once again - making sure she was up close and personal, inches away from his face - up on her tippy toes so she could get closer,

"You wouldn't really hurt me, would you, Captain?" her voice was innocent and flirtatious, as he placed a hand on his chest, while her other arm crossed her body - still in his grasp. She was trying to make him uncomfortable.

---

Kaizo's eyes followed Arina as she hoisted herself up and flipped over his kick, by this time he had brought his left leg back as she landed in front of him, getting very close to his face as she spoke. Kaizo gulped before focusing, he released his grip on Arina's left wrist as he raised his left hand slightly, pointing his index finger at her stomach before speaking "Hado one...Sho" Kaizo used the Hado to push Arina back as he then spoke "I wouldn't seriously hurt you...doesn't mean I wouldn't give you a bruise here and there." Kaizo took this time to take a deep breath, that was just uncomfortable in more ways than one.

---

Arina's eyes widened slightly as Kaizo used his Kido - she should have totally seen that coming. She hunched over slightly, placing two fingers on the ground to keep her steady as she slid backwards. She coughed slightly, almost completely winded. After a moment of pain, she stood straight, narrowing her eyes slightly, "Point blank... that was cold, Captain," she whined childishly.

Her eyes glanced around the area, her sword had been carelessly discarded long ago, and she couldn't imagine she'd win this without it. Then a thought entered her mind, and she watched her Captain for a moment, wondering if she'd be crossing the line or not...

It didn't matter too much... she crossed the line every day.

With a small huff, she placed a palm in front of her, "Hadō #31. Shakkahō,"

Using Kido on someone more versed in Kido than she wasn't the best of ideas; however, as she sent it flying towards him, she would Shunpo towards him once more, in the shadow of her attack. If all went well, she would end up close and personal once more - but this time, she would plant her lips firmly on his. She was trying to throw him off, and she hoped it would work.

---

Kaizo had a quick stretch whilst he watched Arina slide back and stop, he listened as she stood and spoke to which he responded with a shrug "Hey if you want to play that game then you've got to be prepared...I'm not that easy to mess with!" Kaizo's eyes then narrowed slightly as he watched her prepare and fire a Hado #31 at him, and from some distance...yet Kaizo's eyes caught her shunpo, after all...she was a lot slower in comparison to himself. He couldn't help but grin a little as he used Utsusemi, leaving an afterimage behind before appearing high in the air "If you want to play kiss chase then you'll have to try a lot harder than that!"

---

Arina puffed out her cheeks as she scowled up at him with a childish glare, "No fair, Captain!"

She was just mad that she had used her last dirty trick for nothing.

"Fine" she muttered, still not taking her eyes off him.

She childishly stalked towards her sword and yanked it from the ground and pointed it up at him, "Get back down here and fight me~" she whined, flailing her sword around.

---

Kaizo continued to grin as he then spoke "As you wish~" Kaizo dropped down to the ground, bending his knee's as he did, he then disappeared with a swift shunpo, appearing behind Arina as he reached out slightly with his right hand, extending his index and middle finger to press against Arina's back as he then used Tsukiyubi to send her flying, however he had at least given her enough time to react...this was a spar after all.

---

"Crap-baskets," she had barely seen him coming, and although he had gone easy on her, she had been too busy complaining at him to realise what he was doing. Before she could blink he was behind her, and instead of running, she tried to turn, but didn't get the chance as his Hakuda technique blasted her across the landing.

She skipped across the concrete, like a stone, before rolling to a stop. Her eyes were closed tightly, as her rigid body lay still for a moment or so. A small groan escaped her barely parted lips as she placed a hand on the ground, propping herself up. Much to her dismay, the back of her kimono had been burnt, resulting in the front falling uselessly at her waist.

She ignored the screams of her limbs, begging her to stop, and the faint feeling in her head from so many sleepless nights and too many days with only alcohol and no food. Her eyes widened slightly and her face tinted pink as she folded her arms over her chest, staying on her knees,

She knew she'd fall if she stood.

Her blue eyes gazed up at her Captain for a moment, "You happy now, Captain?" she asked in a dry tone, "You singed my clothes off..."

---

Kaizo watched as Arina flew across the grounds before coming to a stop, this resulted in him rubbing the back of his head and speaking to himself "I was sure I gave enough time for her to dodge..." He watched as she got herself onto her knees only for her Kimono to fall to her waist which caused Kaizo's eyes to widen as he suddenly and sharply looked to his right, his face too becoming pink as he continued to rub the back of his head as she spoke. Kaizo gave a nervous laugh before replying "Uh...well yeah sorry about that...must have put a bit to much into that attack..."

Kaizo then proceeded to remove his top, walking over to Arina whilst still looking away and holding it out to her "Uhm...here take mine"

---

She raised an eyebrow for a moment as Kaizo offered his shirt, and with one hand, she reached out for it - narrowing her eyes on her fingers as they trembled slightly, indicating the weakness in her body. But as soon as the look came, it was gone - her eyes flickered up to Kaizo's for a moment as her fingers grasped the material.

She pulled the shirt over her head, not really caring for turning away from him, and as her head popped out she muttered a quiet insult,

"I never realised you were such a pervert, Captain..."

---

Kaizo continued to look away and could only hear what was going on, the only time he looked at her was when she spoke...calling him a pervert "Wait what? Hey! it's not like I did that on purpose!...I've got better things to do than strip women of their clothes with Hakuda techniques! Sheesh...if I wanted to see you nude, I'd go about it in a much sneakier way"

---

"Or you could just ask..."

Her tone was still dry as her pale hand reached out for his, she pulled herself up off the ground - her legs shaking slightly as she did so. Her porcelain brow creased slightly as she steadied herself, still using the Captain as a beam.

---

"Uh...well...yeah, well...I don't do that stuff" Kaizo at this point felt a little awkward, however this was replaced with concern as he observed Arina, his expression becoming a bit more serious "You've been pushing yourself too hard...when was the last time you slept?"

---

"In between getting back from our mission and coming here with you after your meeting with the Head Captain," she murmured, averting her gaze to the ground - that was a blatant lie; she hadn't even been home since she got back from her mission. She couldn't actually remember the last time she closed her eyes and actually fell asleep,

She then looked up at him with a closed eyed smile that held no emotion whatsoever, "I'm not pushing myself too hard at all, Captain - I'm perfectly fine... my body is just in a bit of shock from that last attack is all,"

---

Kaizo listened to Arina speak, watching her face as she did...the fact that she looked away made it obvious that she was lying "You know you're meant to be sleeping right?...you can't keep going days on end without it, it's unhealthy." Kaizo then let out a sigh before continuing on "I'm going to have to keep an eye on you from now on...last thing I want is this affecting your work, especially on a mission...Come on let's call it a day, you need to rest"

---

With a small sigh, she nodded and turned to walk with her Captain; however, she forced herself to trip and stumble into him, pressing herself against him - with a small smirk, she would place the sheath of her sword behind his legs in the hope that he would step back and fall.

---

Kaizo began to walk with Arina when he felt her suddenly fall into him which caught him a bit off guard, this caused him to stumble a little, only to find she had placed the sheath of her Zanpakuto behind his legs which caused him to fall, bringing her down with him. He then stretched out his left arm as he twisted his body slightly to hold himself up, his right arm holding Arina as he then spoke "The hell you playing at? I would have took that as an honest fall had you not placed the sheath of your Zanpakuto behind my legs"

---

Arina had been weak, but the fall was intentional. It was her last hope of getting him to fall and allowing her to win... Unfortunately, it backfired. She closed her eyes and puffed her cheeks out in frustration, "Damnit!" she cursed, she was however greatful that he had the decency to catch her, only because she wasn't sure if she'd be able to get up off the ground at this stage,

"You always have to ruin my fun!"

---

"Well it's not by choice...this stuff just happens" Kaizo pushed himself up with his left arm, holding Arina steady with his right till he was in a standing position "Well...you can't be trusted to walk!" Kaizo crouched slightly, his right arm around Arina's back as his left tucked under her knee's, lifting her up and holding her almost like a baby "Now you can't try any tricks to trip me up again!" He then chuckled as he began to walk, taking her inside the barracks and to her room where he'd let her down onto her feet before speaking "So...onto something more serious...I want you in bed by nine! No more late nights!"

He then laughed a little, obviously joking "No but seriously...you need to sleep more. We also need to talk about this mission of yours...how did it go?" Kaizo's expression became more serious as the mission itself was one even he wouldn't want to do...he wanted to make sure it wasn't messing with her head, after all that could be.

---

The only complaint Arina made about being carried was childish whining, but when they got back inside, she sprawled herself over a large armchair she had placed in the corner of the room as he asked her about her most recent mission, her eyes hardened for a moment as she thought back on it for a moment before she met her Captain with a nonchalant gaze,

"Well, considering Xie and Settan were both busy," she stated in a sour tone, ruling out the Third and Fourth Seats, "and we haven't replaced our Fifth Seat... I was forced to take Sixth Seat Ichirou and Seventh Division Lieutenant, Kyogen," she stated.

"Overall, the mission went well... The village was leveled, and nobody ever knew we were there. However, Ichirou seemed to have a hard time understanding, the words 'no one left alive'. Needless to say, it was dealt with and he will be dealt with as you see fit,"

Her voice was emotionless, and her gaze was empty.

"Aaandd, that was my night..." she mused, but she then changed the subject, "How was your meeting with the Head Captain? Is the Soul Society falling into ruin yet?" a mischievous smile graced her features as she pulled her knees to her chest, she liked to know what went on in the Captain meetings; she liked to know as much as she could about the happenings around the Seireitei in general.

---

Kaizo listened as Arina spoke, nodding when she mentioned Ichirou...seemed he hadn't fully taken onboard just how dirty the job was. Kaizo then rubbed the back of his head as Arina mentioned the Captains meeting...to be honest it was kinda pointless in his opinion, it was stuff they already knew...or at least most did. "Eh...nothing exciting. To be honest I'm not sure why he exclusively called a Captains meeting, it was only about things we already knew...the increase in hollows, noble families getting at eachother...that sort of stuff. Only interesting part was when he hauled off 3 Captains to talk to them in private and that's probably just to assign them missions for them and their Squads"

---

She glanced out the window for a moment before looking back at Kaizo, "So we've been benched then?" she asked in a bored tone, "What are we supposed to do in the meantime?" she asked with a slight sigh - her eyes suddenly narrowed on her Captain, "If you say paperwork, I'll murder you via paper cut."

---

Kaizo shrugged in response and then spoke...trying to hide his very slight smile "Guess we will have to do paperwork..." Kaizo couldn't hold himself and let out a chuckle before he continued to speak "Sorry, Sorry...couldn't help but try wind you up. Seriously though...train and get through the few missions we have...it's not very exciting so if anything we will be relaxing quite a bit since with few missions comes little paperwork...may have the lower seats clean the barracks up and repair damages but that's about it really..." Kaizo then let out a sigh, he did hate not having things for his Squad to do...

---

Arina streched her arms above her head for a moment before resting her chin on her knees, "Sounds boring,"

For a moment she inspected the shirt she was wearing and then her burnt Kimono, "You realise that, now I have this... You're never going to get it back. I hope you've resigned yourself to that fate,"

---

Kaizo nodded then listened as she spoke, looking down at himself then back up to her "I can go topless for a while till I can get another...those aren't cheap though! Best take care of it if you intend to keep it" Kaizo said with a somewhat jokey tone...in truth they were kinda cheap but still, he knew good people.

---

"Think if it as payment for my new Kimono that you ruined - I spent a fortune on that," she didn't know why she insisted on paying so much for them... she ruined at least two a week... and now it was two in a day. Her irises glanced back up to him for a moment, seriousness taking over her gaze, "Imma sleep in it,"

---

Kaizo rubbed the back of his head then spoke "I suppose that's fair..." he then listened as she said she was going to sleep in the top he had given her as payment "So you're going to use it as sleep wear? If it gets you to sleep more then go for it...you seriously need the sleep"

---

She waved a dismissive hand at his comment, "I'll be fine, Captain, really," she stated in a soft tone, but her hollow face and dark eyes said otherwise. "You have more things to worry about than me," she mused, "I'm fine..."

---

"Sure sure...regardless you're my Lieutenant, it's my job to worry about your wellbeing...Can't have my second in command falling ill, that'd mean more paperwork, missions and worrying about your ass so I'd rather keep you in a fine condition" Kaizo did feel a little crappy though, after all...he'd only just noticed that she hadn't slept in a while and the signs were pretty obvious.

---

"If you hadn't noticed, Captain," her lips quirked upwards into a smirk, "My whole body is fine," she mused, looking down at her breasts for a moment before looking back up at him with a raised eyebrow.

---

"W-Well yeah that's...wait...nevermind! I know you're trying to trick me again" Kaizo was actually unsure if she was saying her body was actually fine or if she meant it in the way that her body just looked good.

---

She chuckled slightly, "It's okay, Captain - I wont tell anyone you're a pervert... but I might not need to - considering the length of time you've spent in my quarters. After all, you did carry me in here... shirtless," her voice held amusement, "Can't look good..."

---

"B-But...wait...woah! Hang on there! I aint a pervert and you know it! I haven't done anything perverted anyway!...but they'd likely believe you over me" This caused Kaizo to look left and then right before looking back at Arina "I know it wont look good...last thing I need is people thinking I'm some sort of pervert...what is it gunna take to make sure this doesn't become some bad rumour?" At this point Kaizo was willing to make a deal to ensure he didn't seem like a pervert...it really wouldn't do good for his reputation and he was unsure if Arina was the kind who'd spread a rumour or not.

---

Arina tilted her head slightly... did he honestly think she'd speak of their encounters to others? She would have been offended... if she didn't already have a deal in place, "A year of no paperwork."

She said it before she could even think... she hated paperwork and she'd do just about anything to get out of it. And as it just so happened, Kaizo had given her the opportunity of a life time.

---

"A Year?...I mean I suppose I could dump it on the 3rd seat...wait...damn you!" He'd just remembered who the 3rd seat was and so it looked like he'd have to do it after all, he hated paperwork just as much...now even more "Fine you have a deal..." Kaizo was less than happy about this but if meant he wouldn't be wrongfully branded as a pervert then it seemed fair.

---

Arina smiled at her Captain as she stood up and saundered over to him, she extended her hand to him, "Shake on it,"

---

Kaizo extended out his hand and shook hers as he then spoke "Well...plus side is you don't need to do paperwork so instead can spend the time sleeping, I know you need it!" Kaizo was going to ensure she slept properly from now on.

---

Arina smirked slightly, "To be fair, I'd never dream of speaking ill or spreading rumors about my Captain... but you shook on it - so the deal still stands," she stated, folding her arms over her chest. "But if you really want... we could give them something to talk about..."

---

"What?...dammit!...Well I'm a man of my word so yeah, I'll stick to this deal" Kaizo's curiosity was then peaked...mostly because he wasn't sure what she meant and so took it as something entirely different to perhaps what was being offered "Oh? what's that?" Kaizo genuinely had no idea and was all but clueless at this point.

---

Arina was thrown off... her brow scrunched up in confusion and her head tilted to the side as she opened her mouth to speak but was rendered speechless, "Well, the kind of thing that involves..." she cut herself off - it wasn't funny anymore, "You know what..." she was lost for words again as she placed her middle finger and thumb on either temple. "You need to get out more - for the love of... you're a man are you not?!"

She sighed, letting it go as she looked at her Captain with a bored gaze, "You're no fun,"

---

Kaizo rubbed the back of his head as he looked at Arina, listening to her speak...the last part kinda got to him but he shrugged it off "You've got a point...perhaps I should get out more, it's been awhile since I've done anything exciting...Perhaps you could show me what you call fun sometime" Kaizo grinned a little then turned and made his way to the door, opening it as he spoke once more "Make sure you get some rest... you're going to need it" with the Kaizo exited Arina's room, closing the door behind him.

[Infinite Cosmos]

@ProPro@KabenSaal

"Ahahaha, well said. Perhaps thats what I'll name this blend. Taizen Arashi, the calm storm. Per usual, you give me the best names for my blends. I've been waiting to taste your next concoction as well, whenever you feel like making it that is.." He chuckled. His fellow captain, while dutiful, have been known to be rather lax on the matter of producing quality alcohol. Kenshin, on the other hand, routinely produces some of the finest wine known to man, according to himself that is.

"Well, Beowulf will have to wait. As you know, Hiryu reads him his bedtime story, not me. Right now, Hiryu is busy being a little girl and not paying attention to me. So Beowulf will have to wait." He said to his lieutenant. Usually, when she requests that there to be a bedtime story read to her zanpakuto, she is asking for a spar. Right now, Kenshin is not feeling up to it. He can, but he just doesn't want to. "Oh? So the training is all finished? Hm. It would seem I made it too easy... Is my mead ready? I want to have a taste while cooking up the next training menu. I think I'll add a 100km run to it. If you guys were able to finish the daily training regiment in the time it took me to have this meeting, it was too short....Hmmmm....." He pondered. The menu for the day consisted of 1000 practice swings for both right side and left side attacks of the sword, 1000 sword thrusts, 2000 push ups, 2000 crunches, a 25 minute shadow-spar session, 100 quick-draw practices, 2500 body weight squats, a 50km run, along with a standard warmup and cool down session. If his squad can finish the training in a few hours, either they were bullshitting during the training or it was too simple. Now, with the soul butterflies he had placed in the training grounds, he thinks it was the latter of the two situations. "In any case, I think I'll be heading back to the 11th, Eel-san, feel free to drop by whenever." He said to his fellow captain with a smile and ended with a half bow. Walking towards his barracks, he said to his lieutenant "Come along Mirja, lets go. Oh the meeting? I mean, the old man just told us that the hollow numbers were increasing and that there were incidents in the rukongai. He is sending a few people out to investigate. We're not a part of that group so we're not leaving, you hear me? " He said in a nonchalant tone. However, he expected his lieutenant to take what he said as an order, in the fact that he was not tasked with anything involving the current situation at, so his squad is to stand down for the time being.