Zach Fross Industries Presents,
Bleach -
Shadow Era, Farewell Our Angel
Chapter One - In Memory of Our Fallen
Dawn hit Soul Society, the weather mildly cold and the winds blew restlessly as if it too grieved for the death of so many heroes like the Shinigami and their close allies were this melancholy day. The recent attack by the Quincies left the members of Heaven in a confused and vulnerable state, unsure about Soul Society's future... scratch that... about simply the possibility of a future . The remaining soldiers of the serene city where the dead rested peacefully stood at attention on the ground where many events involving Kurosaki Ichigo took place, once known as Sōkyoku Hill, now renamed Memorial Cliff. Basic Shinigami were all lined up at the back, followed by the seats descending from fifth, fourth, third and then next in line were the lieutenants, with their heads held high with pride and finally the Captains of each squad. Ichigo, Byakuya, Renji and Rukia were absent because they were guests of his royal highness the Spirit King, for this reason they were excused.
Captain Commander recently placed in charge of Soul Society and Captain of the 1st Division, Shunsui Kyōraku, remained in front of his allies, facing towards them. Behind him was a statue intended to replace the Sōkyoku and honour those who lost their lives in battle. The statue appeared tall, at least fifteen metres high, four metres wide and resembled a fluorescent green female angel holding a glowing white ball safely in between her hands (Intended to portray the souls of the dead now resting in a protected place).
Captain-Commander: "Today we have gathered in this memory enriched part of Soul Society, to pay our respects to the brave and powerful warriors who gave their lives to protect our world and more importantly to protect those who rely on us Shinigami"
Ex-lieutenant of the 4th Division, Isane Kotetsu, slowly knelt onto her knees and began to cry hysterically as she watched the floating corpse covered with a white cloth ,in between the Captain-Commander and the Memorial Statue began to dissolve into Spiritual Energy. Lieutenant Momo quickly ran to her peers side and placed both arms on Isane's shoulders.
Hinamori: "Kotetsu-San, please don't cry anymore.
Captain Unohana will become very sad if she witnesses you like this"
Isane replied, crying: "why didn't she take me with her? She was like an older sis... she was a mother to me!"
Hinamori began crying as well, as she witnessed her friend suffer from a great deal of pain. Lieutenant Rangiku could no longer maintain her strength either and let several sympathetic tears loose.
"Grab a hold of yourself Matsumoto... this is no time to cry!", complained Capatain Hitsugaya, in reality trying to convince himself to stop the tears that flowed down his face.
Rangiku continued to cry, agreeing with her Captain: Hai... Hai!
The rest of the gathering shook in their socks as they witnessed the sadness that emitted from their upper-class leaders. Captain Kyōraku paused to honour the tears his friends, of the people closest to the Shinigami that had passed on. He himself conjured all the strength in his system to prevent his anchoring mourn from arising into the open. Captain Ukitake stared deep into his adoptive brother's eyes as if to say "I can see your pain and I'm with you every step of the way".
For the first time in history, an unusual and unsightly scene took place, the 11th Captain Kenpachi looked down in humiliation and let loose a single but immensely meaningful tear. Only but a few could have seen it but only that few would understand Kenpachi's feelings, the loss of someone he considered a true equal and a role model.
Kotetsu filled up with anger as she watched Kenpachi, her silver hair flowed with the wind covering her eyes for a short while.
Isane: How dare you show your face Captain Zaraki!? You murdered the one person I could rely on! You're a murderer! The countless times I had tended to people you battered through your ruthless fighting, I never questioned your actions! I thought maybe you had your reasons! But you're exactly what people say you are... A BRUTE! A blood thirsty, animal with no sense of morals!
Normally, Ayasegawa and/or Madarame would have rushed to defend their Captain 's honour however even they were unable to move a single muscle in this situation for even they could not understand why Captain Unohana died by their Captain's hands.
Suì-Fēng: Watch your tongue Ex-Lieutenant! Whether your words are justified or caused by pure emotion, speaking to a Captain Class Shinigami in that inappropriate manner will not be tolerated!
Sajin: Captain Suì-Fēng is one-hundred percent correct Isane Kotetsu-San, this is no time to turn against one another. You understand don't you why Captain Unohana is not here today! Don't you!
A short girl with dark-blonde hair pushed her way through the lieutenants and hugged Isane tightly with one hand and patted her silver hair with the other.
Kiyone: It'll be okay big sister, you're going to be okay.
Isane finally clicked to the words of Captain Komamura and calmed herself down, relieving the angry hatred built up inside. At this point she could not forgive Captain Kenpachi but she also knew her condition was not suitable for speaking directly to the person who took the life of her "mother". All she could do now was soak her sister's kimono with tears.
Once everyone had settled down and shed their worth of tears, the Captain-Commander resumed his speech for the dead war heroes.
Shunsui : "I would be lying if I said these warriors would be the last to die in our ferocious war against the newly surfaced Quincy army. Our enemies have catastrophic abilities and now possess some of our strongest Bankai powers too. We've drawn the short end of the stick my friends, what a dull way to start the bloodiest most fearsome war Soul Society has and probably will ever confront. But the worst thing we can do right now is lose hope. This world has faced its share of danger and always found a method to resolving the problem. I probably shouldn't say this but I hate the Quincy! They took our loved ones from us! They slaughtered our friends! Our Families! The last thing you will ever hear me say is I don't blame them for their actions. But, I do understand their feelings. Even if our actions all those years ago were justified in exterminating the Quincy, it won't change the truth that we took their loved ones away. In this war there is no right and wrong, there is only battle and the side with the strongest resolve will win! We will avenge the death of Yama-jii! The death of all our loved ones! through nothing less than victory in this battle of vengeance!
Entire Shinigami gathering: Yes Sir! Yes Sir! Yes Sir!
Jūshirō: "Let us grieve in silence for the next hour in respect to our fallen comrades"
Will Be Continued...
Chapter Two - The New Captains make their Entrance, A Shocking Turn of Events
Coming Soon
