The newest tale from Tommo2304, Bleach: The Half Moon Murderer. Please, rate and review. Enjoy :)

Two captains are out for a night time stroll. Uncertainty fills the air after Aizen's betrayal and now, something else stirs in the mist...

Prologue

The Seireitei, Midnight

8th Division Grounds

The wind was rustling through the cherry blossom trees which lined the 8th Division's grounds. Their elegant pink petals were in full bloom and fluttered to the ground as the cold air blew past. The moon was bright in the night sky, no clouds were present. Only the tapping noise of two people strolling up the stone path to the Captain's Quarters rang out through the sleeping Seireitei. Eventually they came into view, their shadows dancing as they walked slowly beneath the lanterns dangling above the path. Fireflies could be seen floating about, their glow piercing the darkness.

'It's cold out…' the first man said, shivering. The second figure, also a man, simply nodded in response.

'Would you quit worrying?' said the first man again, looking up into the sky as they walked.

'That's easy for you to say, you never worry about anything…' replied the second man quietly. The first man's face came into view underneath one of the lanterns, his face covered by a shadow created by a straw hat, a lazy look in his eyes partnered with neatly cut and cropped facial hair. '…Kyoraku.' The wind rustled again, almost at the mention of his name. They continued to walk, the captain's flowery pink haori flapping behind him.

They continued their walk. There was a deathly silence hanging in the wind until the other man, a captain like the first, with long white hair and a rather calm, but tormented face spoke up.

'Can you really believe it?' he asked the laid back captain known as Kyoraku. The man raised an eyebrow.

'Believe what, Ukitake?'

'Aizen…Ichimaru, Tosen.' he said, a tone of disgust striking his voice. 'Their betrayal…it just seems so unreal.'

Kyoraku scratched the back of his head.

'I have to admit, it has made things pretty awkward down at the ol' Captain Hall. No one trusts anyone now.' he sighed, shaking his head, his brown ponytail flinging back and forth.

'It certainly seems to have taken a toll on their squads though…' he continued.

'What do you mean?' asked Ukitake.

Kyoraku looked at him oddly.

'Do Hinamori or Kira look any better now? No, it will take them a while.' They reached the large, red oak door.

'You wanna come in? Have a quick drink?' he asked Ukitake. The captain shook his head.

'No, I'd best not. Kiyone and Sentaro can barely cope without me, even though they are the ones who are supposed to be helping me.' he laughed, shrugging his shoulders. Kyoraku shared the chuckle and tipped his hat to Ukitake.

'Okay then.' he smiled. 'I'll see you tomorrow. Ol' Yama-ji probably wants us up and early to help with those new guys.' Ukitake's face dropped at the prospect.

'Ah no…I forgot about that. What of Kurosaki Ichigo? Were we not meant to bring him here?' asked the captain in confusion.

'I dunno, something about Aizen might go after him.' Kyoraku shrugged lamely, turning to the door, his hand on the golden arch that was the handle. He stared at his reflection in the shine and noticed clouds beginning to form slowly around the glowing moon.

'Hmm…' he mumbled to himself.

'Kyoraku?' Ukitake piped up and the captain jumped. He held onto his hat sheepishly, laughing to himself.

'I'm sorry…' he smiled. 'Yes, it's probably best we bring him here.' Ukitake raised an eyebrow at the captain before brushing it off and turning down the path, his hands in his sleeves.

'The wind sure is picking up…' said the captain solemnly, staring out over the Seireitei.

'Yeah, well I noticed some clouds gathering over there.' Kyoraku said, nodding towards the sky and pointing out. Ukitake followed his finger and nodded in agreement. He gave the captain a friendly wave before turning and trudging down the path, looking out into the sky. Kyoraku took a last look at his friend before he vanished round a corner and continued to open the door. However as it creaked openly the captain stopped and took a quick look behind him. Nothing. Just darkness and the odd lantern, blowing around in the wind. Grunting with satisfaction, he removed his straw hat and closed the door.

Just outside the 5th Division grounds, a snap was heard. It racked the night silence, and the grass slowly stained red under the moonlight.

Bleach: The Half Moon Murderer