BLEACH
Beginning of the End
Chapter One: The Illusions of The Occurence
The soul...what would we use to describe such subtle, yet powerful part of our being? A force? A Mind? Maybe it could be seen as an extension of all that we are...it is irrelevent in the long game, as some would say.
But, what would happen if one soul...or many for that matter...were to gather in one location and settle?
The Seireitei, a place of souls and salvation. Here stands the Gotei 13, thirteen squads of those who ferry the souls of the dead. These Shinigami stand as a symbol of power and benevolence, protecting both their world, and the living realms.
Created by the King of Souls, each squad has it's duties to fulfil, duties that aid in each soul that is saved.
Squad One; sits at the top of power. They focus on leadership and tactical observations. By commanding the rest of the squads, One allows the others to fulfil their duties without fail. They are lead by Head Captain Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
Squad Two; Stealth ops. The hidden blades of the Gotei thirteen. formerly lead by Yoruchi Shihoin, Now lead by Soifon, their job is to hunt down betrayers and criminals within the realm of Souls.
Squad Three; Focusing on organizing task forces for individual operations, Gin Ichimaru follows a very lax command structure with a nack for keen intuition.
Squad four; Headed by Retsu Unohana, this squad focuses on the healing arts...aiding those who have fallen and can be saved. Though with each smile, a wicked blade steadies itself.
Squad five; Here is where this part of the story starts...This squad has a specialty for discovering talent, but that is on the surface...within the white walls of the main hall, lies a room of discovery. Sousuke Aizen heads the research in Harnessing the power of hollows.
Sousuke Aizen...a man of distinct cunning and swiftly climbing intellect...powerful in every right, he is well known for his flawless strategies and thinking. One day, the mind of one so powerful, can easily be tested.
"Yes, i'd like you to send second squad, third seat to squad five's grand hall please."
Sousuke set down the reciever and glanced over his notes. So much to do within the deadline.
Research how hollow power interacts with a Shinigami host. easy enough. the tool he and his cousin; Kisuke Urahara had been working on would more than suffice for such a task.
Log all relevent data with Squad twelve, and all casualties with squad two. the second would be easy enough. if Konjiki Ise is present, then all lives involved would be more than protected...his Zanpakuto was well above average in terms of power after all.
"It makes one wonder...how would a tool for execution have ever chosen a young man like Ise?" Sousuke's thoughts stirred as he glanced for the request from squad twelve. He scowled.
"Of course...squad twelve wants every inch of Data to go to them...ever since the Kurotsuchi took over it's been one hellish experiment after another..." He sighed heavily and adjusted his glasses. Sweeping his hand through his slick, brown hair, Sousuke stood and left his office, making his way to the grand hall.
Footsteps eventually fell in line behind him. Each footfall was soft and gentle...yet careful.
"May i help you lieutenant?"
He heard a soft squeak as Hinamori Momo peaked at him from behind, a sheepish smile on her face.
"I can never sneak up on you Captain Aizen..."
A small smile.
"Next time perhaps?" she nodded and fell in line with him.
"Third seat Konjiki Ise has arrived in the grand hall and is awaiting your orders sir. Also,i was hoping to put in a 'Time off' request for all of next week." Aizen took a moment to let his gentle expression fall a moment before his smile returned.
"Whatever for? I was under the impression that your family meeting was the week after next?"
she had the audacity to look sheepish again. "well, you said that last week as well...and I believe i explicitly said it was going to be on the third of next month."
They stopped outside the grand hall and he turned to her. Placing a hand on her head, he smiled a bit more.
"Consider it done. You've put in so much work hours for the squad, that it's only right that i give you some time off..." He leaned down to her level, with a slightly mischievious grin. "How about this...take the next two weeks off. that way you can spend time with your family for a bit longer than simply the event."
The girl's eyes widened as she beamed brightly.
"T-thank you Captain!"
"Of course, now then...i believe we've left our visitor waiting long enough, no?"
XXXXXX
Konjiki fiddled with the hilt of his sword, mumbling random words to himself...One has to keep all possible occurences in mind after all.
"Third seat Konjiki? Captain Aizen has arrived as per the summons."
Konjiki glanced over, his black hair obscurring his left eye.
"Captain."
"Ise."
"Squad two is ready to provide any assistance you require for this experiment. I assume Former Captain Urahara will be present?"
Sousuke nodded. Konjiki adjusted the glove on his right hand snapped to attention. "Then let us be on our way, at your leave of course."
"Of course."
XXXXXX
"Captain, I believe it is protocal to bring up any alterations of barracks with Squad 9 before following through?"
They descended a long stairwell that was hidden within the Captain's Office of Squad five.
Sousuke Glanced back. "I have taken care of the paperwork. What Captain Tosen does, or takes time to do after the files arrive is up to him."
"Obviously."
Momo kicked Konjiki's leg. "Hey, Captain Aizen has a point, Ise!"
"I'm well aware of that Hinamori, doesn't mean he can just follow through without word from Captain Tosen first...Idiot!"
The two glared at each other as Sousuke mentally sighed.
"Next time, i'll get Squad two's FOURTH seat for this...she's much more reserved..."
XXXXXXX
in the depths of the wastelands...a soft glimmer...an ember glistened against the eternal night. in a sudden flash...flames covered the barren wastes as far as the eye could see. Hollows were consumed and burned to nothing. Amidst the flames...a bright red bird hollow stood tall...it's pitch black mask hiding piercing red eyes behind it. At its waist sat a gleaming red sheath. In a burst of fire...a man stood in the birds place, observing the world of fire.
His eyes shone with excitement.