Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Bleach, that's all Tite Kubo. I own only my original character. I am doing this simply for my own enjoyment and hoping that others might enjoy it as well. If you do, please review. Thank You!
Recurring dreams were not something that he was normally plagued by. Yet for several nights in a row now, he had been seeing the same fleeting images - a young woman whose face he could never quite see, a strange marking almost brand-like in nature against a pale backdrop and a semi blurred shadow figure that was almost like some sort of animal. He had to wonder if this repeated dream was some sort of portent. He suspected the perhaps prophetic nature of it because it never changed and prior to this occurrence, he'd never had a dream repeat. He shook his head gently to clear it... At least it was not disruptive he would never have tolerated such a thing.
Still he was curious as to what it might mean. Other Captains had been granted almost prophetic dreams before... They were never simple, always almost as riddles to be figured out before their true usefulness could be gleaned... but it was still not a common occurrence so he could not begin to fathom what might be on the horizon... Something was coming at any rate. The air was almost heavy with it.
He rose and went through his daily ablutions and then settled into his office to finish the small amount of paperwork that was currently upon it. He was glad things had calmed, and the former mountain of paperwork they'd all had was finally diminished. He set his brush aside and rose, smoothing his haori... He slipped from his desk and out into the courtyard. He looked around... it was a pleasant enough day....
He began his rounds... He appeared flawless and impassive as usual. Of course that noble's mask of neutrality had long been ingrained in him and seldom ever slipped. He paused in his rounds to watch some of the younger, unseated squad members working through their forms. He corrected a few and then continued on his way.
His rounds were interrupted by the arrival of a Hell Butterfly. He allowed it to perch upon his hand and relay its message. He was being summoned by the Captain Commander. He quickly made his way to the compound of the first squad. The 1st squad's lieutenant greeted him and bid him enter, then led him to the meeting room.
With his back straight and head high, he bowed respectfully to the Captain Commander. "Captain Kuchiki, I have asked you here because there is a delicate situation brewing in the real world. Strange energies have been gathering in one particular section of Karakura Town. Aside from sensing these energy anomalies, the shinigami we have in the area has found nothing. I believe that perhaps your more subtle nature will be of use. You know the valor of discretion and you can be trusted to do what is best for both Soul Society and the inhabitants of Karakura town. This is why you have been selected for this mission. Until you are able to fully assess the situation we will not be sending anyone to help you." Yamamoto explains.
"Of course, Captain Commander. Is there anything else I need to know?"
"This scroll has all the intelligence that has been gathered thus far. Sadly due to the strange nature of the occurrences there is little information..."
"When does the mission start?"
"The senkai gate will be opened this evening. You may go and prepare." Captain Commander said in order to dismiss the Captain of the 6th squad.
Captain Kuchiki bowed once more and took his leave. He informed his own lieutenant that he would be in charge of things until the mission was completed. There were questions of course, but one well placed look and any questions Lieutenant Abarai might have had were stilled. There was nothing to tell anyway... There was far too little information.
He did wonder why the second squad wasn't being sent... Why send one lone captain when there was a squad devoted to such things? Still he was not one to question his orders. If Captain Commander felt that he was more well suited to this assignment then there was a very good reason for that and there was nothing more that he needed to know.
He finished his arrangements and dinner and then made his way to the gate. Soon, he was through it and in the shop that Uruhara owned... A gigai was ready and waiting for him... He settled in, being in a gigai after so long away from one was always strange... At least there were better clothes available this time. He would have to thank his sister for her foresight. Black slacks and a blue button down shirt... much better than whatever hellish thing Kisuke usually had on hand.
The only thing that struck him as odd was that even Uruhara seemed to have no idea as to what was going on... and he might have doubted the validity of the claim had Uruhara not seemed genuinely annoyed by that fact... He decided he would do a cursory scan of the area... He could walk around freely as it was a better area of the town... Which was somewhat unusual for any anomalous activity.
Still initial scans showed nothing out of the ordinary. Things continued in much the same way for the next week and a half. He made regular progress reports and kept in contact with Soul Society... While he had yet to gather any concrete evidence, he had noticed something out of the ordinary... He was still attempting to locate it. It was frustrating to sense and not see, to know but not be able to prove. He would not allow such a thing to continue any longer...