Two days have passed since Abarai Renji disappeared. The paranoia of suddenly disappearing lessened as time went by.
Kuchiki Rukia was the first to even suggest moving out of the Kuchiki Estate. While the others were hesitant to agree, Rukia was able to convince them without too much trouble.
The biggest thing to combat was the sense of security inside the walls of the estate because it was where they could forget that they were the only survivors, even if only for a short time. To move out would mean having to face that reality without and sense of security to hide behind.
They decided to move to the 9th Division barracks due to Shuhei Hisagi taking up the leadership role of the group. The shinigami could understand why he chose that spot.
It was a place where he became accustomed to taking on the leadership role after the Winter War started.
Again, a bit of a safety net, but no one was going to say anything about it, just like they didn't when Rukia asked to leave the estate.
"I'm bored." complained Ikkaku while pacing the room they were all in. "I wish we had our zanpakuto. Then, we could spar or do something."
"Worrying will cause lines to appear on your face." stated Yumichika.
"Who cares about lines? We've been cooped up in this division for almost two days! At least Kuchiki-taicho let us roam the estate." Ikkaku said, not really caring that the person he was talking about was in the room, as well.
"Think what you want, Madarame. I am doing my best to keep us all alive and together. If we are all in different places, then how will we know when someone is in trouble?" replied a calm Hisagi.
"Why can't the two of you just compromise?" Matsumoto asked speaking up for the first time since the conversation started.
"Compromise?" was the simultaneous response from the two males. It was like they had never thought even heard the word.
A heavy sigh passed the busty woman's lips. "Yes. A happy medium for both of your suggestions."
"You are wasting your time, Matsumoto. Those two are completely stubborn when they make up their mind." Yumichika said.
"Perhaps." Rukia stated as she entered the room. "Or perhaps you just don't know how to change their minds."
"And where have you been? I said that we have to stay together." asked Hisagi.
"Out." replied the female.
"I didn't create that rule for fun. What if what happened to Kuchiki-taicho and Abarai happened to you?" He knew it was harsh to bring up the two, but he was trying to make a point.
"Then I would have disappeared." answered Rukia. "But, if you can compromise with Ikkaku-san then it wouldn't be an issue."
"How so?"
"Well, you want us all together that way we will know if and when something happens. That's understandable. But we all need some time apart from each other, as well. Since there are five of us, it would be that whoever needs to just move around can grab one or two of us to tag along. Which means that there will be a group of two and a group of three at all times when we are apart. If something happens, then there will a witness and can inform the others."
All are shocked at the woman's idea. It was so simple, yet they completely overlooked it. It would the perfect compromise for the group.
"Well, I guess that settles it. I guess Rukia was able to change their minds after all." Yumichika said. "Come on, Ikkaku. You were just complaining about not getting to go anywhere, and now you aren't moving at all."
That snapped the bald man back to reality. "Shut up! I'm coming." And with that, the two men left.
"I wonder what happened while we were unconscious. I mean, why would whatever took out the rest of the shinigami leave seven alone? Seven who couldn't have defended themselves against the threat at the time." Hisagi asked aloud.
"I liked Kuchiki-taicho's idea of it catching the others unaware. He had also mentioned that there didn't appear to be any fighting." Matsumoto added in.
"That still doesn't explain why we were left alone. What was it about us that spared our lives?" he reasoned.
"I'm more curious as to why Kuchiki-taicho and Renji disappeared so suddenly." said the busty woman.
"I don't know." There was a certain weariness that appeared on the man's face in that moment. "I don't like not having the answers. And it seems impossible that we will ever find out what happened before we all woke up."
The room was quiet for nearly half an hour. Each person deep in their own thoughts.
Well, until the dark haired man let out a gasp.
"Hisagi-fukutaicho?" asked a concerned Rukia.
"I… I… saw…" he tried to answered but it seemed like he couldn't form the words.
Rukia sighed. "He's next. Whatever happened to Nii-sama and Renji is now happening to him."
Matsumoto gasped. "Are you sure?"
Rukia just nods her head. "I'll go inform the others."
Twenty minutes later, all five shinigami were in the room.
Two hours later, Shuhei Hisagi had completely disappeared.
"So, what do we do now?" Ikkaku asked later that night.
"I don't know. How do you fight something when you don't even know what it is?" Yumichika responded.
"I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to go to sleep and pretend that this is all just a dream." Matsumoto said. The disappearance of the others beginning to take its toll on the woman.
"This isn't a damn dream, Rangiku. It's reality. We've got to accept that any of us could be next." Ikkaku said, saying what was on everyone's mind.
"While that is true, that doesn't mean that we should just give up the fight. That's like surrendering to an enemy. And shinigami do not surrender." Rukia said proudly.
