Kuchiki manor. Walking on the ground was like walking on eggshells, only the eggshells are worth more than my uniform and my salary. The entire building seemed to exude the aristocratic sophistication of one of the four noble clans. A mere seated officer of a brute Division would be met with less than welcome. But I had to try, I had to get Byakuya's opinion. Even if this task consumed me, I would learn more about Central 46 and their sudden change. With a deep breath and a resolute face, I stepped onto the grounds. The air, the very pressure was stifling, as though only accomplished shinigami were allowed to breathe in the Kuchiki's presence. Fortunately, I was no pushover shinigami. My movement and my breath were stifled, though only for a moment, and I continued, swallowing hard, refusing to let the resistance show. Perfectly maintained grass lay on either side of the smooth stone path, and the building at the end felt like the end of a long run. I continued, my hands clenched in my pockets.
Only when I heard him speak did I recognize Byakuya Kuchiki was already standing behind me.
"What misfortune brings a maggot into my midst?"
My breath was ripped from my body. I couldn't move, even if I wanted to. His reiatsu was similar to Captain Zaraki's, so massive and concrete it was overwhelming, but he was focusing it on me. He only saw me, and I only felt him, his presence, his arrogance, seething over like spilled blood.
"Captain Kuchiki," I said calmly, removing any hint of disrespect as I turned and bowed as deeply as my sore back would allow. "I am Treu, of the Eleventh Division."
"No maggot, then, a rat," Byakuya said with a subtle scowl, his eyes piercing mine though I avoided them. "What do you want?"
"I've come seeking... your opinion, sir."
His reiatsu calmed. Like a storm, I knew it would come again, and I knew the power it held back, but for now, it subsided. I stood up straight and looked him directly in the eye. A light, elegant green scarf was flowing in the slight wind behind him, but otherwise he would have been mistaken for a statue. He studied me curiously, his face showing no sign of change, and inclined his head very, very slightly. I felt a relaxation flood through me; he might as well have told me he was going to let me live.
"How can I help?" he said slowly.
"Have you been observing Central 46's actions, sir?" I asked bluntly, extending my hand as I spoke. "Lately their activity has narrowed and pinpointed."
"Central 46..."
"Yes. Their orders involved minor shinigami, seated officers like myself, new recruits, academy students, hardly ever dealing with captains or even lieutenants. Hell butterflies are only passing dreams and when they are seen, it is an order of the utmost urgency. Captain-Commander Yammamoto has absolutely no opinion on this, and the other captains are too aloof or ignorant to help me. You're..." with a literal swallow of my pride and a brusque kneel, I dropped to the tile. "You're the only source of insight I can seek."
"As a Captain, I would tell you not to seek to question the orders of Central 46. They are above the law and, thus, above our judgment. They are the unbreakable foundation, support, and roof of the soul society."
"But, sir-"
"But, personally, I agree."
I looked up. Byakuya wasn't looking at me. He was facing the other way, his arms folded. "Central 46 has indeed changed their ways. I've already begun to look into it, but I can't be bothered with such things. However, I can surmise that one of two things is occurring. Either there is a threat so great that Central 46 is taking unusual steps to solve it, subtly weeding out the issue and confronting some unknown enemy without our knowledge, or..."
I stood. "Or what, Captain?"
"Or something has occurred within Central 46 itself, and usurped their command."
If not for the heaviness in his already laden voice, I would have laughed. Captain Kuchiki kept staring out, away from his manor, and shook his head slightly.
"Is something wrong, Captain?" I asked to break the silence.
"Someone is watching," he said, a hand grasping his sword.
He's not really going to release his zanpakuto...
"Well, hiya there, Cap'n Kuchiki." said a voice from behind me. Byakuya was already halfway through with turning as I spun to face Captain Gin Ichimaru. He was smiling, but at me, just barely taller than me, his pale white hair almost covering his closed eyes. With a cheerful skip in his step he walked past me and put a hand on Byakuya's shoulder.
"How ya doin'?"
"Gin..."
"Y'know," he addressed me. "You shouldn't put so much worry on Cap'n Kuchiki like this, kid. He's got enough to worry about, what with his sister and all."
What? "I'm... sorry? I don't understand?"
"It does not concern you," Byakuya said, swiping Gin's hand from his shoulder.
"Ah, well, it seems little Rukia-chan has been convicted of a serious crime in the real world!" Gin told me, standing between me and Byakuya. "Central 46 is still mullin' it over about what to do with her, and it's got Cap'n Kuchiki here all tied in a knot."
I looked at Byakuya over Gin's shoulder, despite a cold uneasy settling into my chest for looking away from his gaze- the same feeling I might get for turning my back on a beast. "Captain?"
"It's nothing. Both of you, leave here," Byakuya said. He straightened his scarf, and disappeared in a flash step.
"Captain Ichimaru..."
"Oh, it looks like I gone and hurt the Cap'n's feelings." Gin frowned, and put his hand on my head, ruffling my hair. "You should get some rest, kid, you look a little tightly wound."
And he disappeared. I was alone outside the Kuchiki manor, and with two Captains gone, the reiatsu had almost taken the air out of me. I struggled to keep on my feet, clutching my chest, and left. My sword pulsed on the back of my waist, as if eager to be released. It hungered to fight, much unlike me, and with strong opponents nearby, it was willing to go against my wishes.
Stepping away from the manor and back near the winding labyrinth of the Seireitei outdoor corridors, I felt something strange. Someone was, very poorly, concealing their reiatsu. I didn't blame them. If anyone with any sense of control could sense everyone else, there would be no privacy. My face drooped slightly with sadness; I felt sorry for the poor soul merely trying to conceal their presence. However, even with such poor skills, it was close. A little too-
"EXTEND, HOZUKIMARU!" I spun in time to see Eleventh Division's Third Seat leaping from one of the rooftops, spear in hand, coming down toward me. I was barely able to draw my sword in time to keep from being impaled. The loud clang of wood against white steel echoed- it felt- throughout all of the soul society.
"Ikkaku!" I grit my teeth and tried to push him back. His Shikai gave him strength, strength I didn't know he had, and I was weakened, tired, and stressed.
"Don't worry Treu, I promise not to kill you."
"You're a... bad liar," I coughed, gripping the worn handle with both hands. "You're not going to let me go, are you?"
Ikkaku just grinned.
I nodded, regretfully understanding the heaviness of the situation. There was no other way now.
"SHIFT, OMNIS!"
Author: Woo, yeah! Byakuya, Gin, and a pinch of Ikkaku. This chapter was short but at the same time... not short. It's really a bridge chapter, a transition of one thing to another, so you might just breeze over it. Seeing as how this is a Bleach fanfiction, we have to have some action, so if you've been expecting some fight-fight-fight, then the next chapter should appease your appetite nicely. I don't know if I'm going to just update tomorrow or wait two or three days, but I'm definitely writing this with everything I've got. Treu's zanpakuto, especially, I hope you like D. Enjoy!
