Author's Note: It's been a very long time, hasn't it? Well, here's my way of saying "I'm back on the case". I've done a little bit of rework on some of the earlier chapters to make them match up better with the new canon timeline revealed in the recent Turn Back the Pendulum backstory arc in the manga. There may be a bit more rework in the near future as well.
Other than that, things are full steam ahead. This is only one among my many writing projects (which include one piece of original fiction intended, eventually, for wide publication), so I can't promise to update on a consistent schedule. But for those with an interest, Pull Down the World is officially reactivated. Look forward to some more of Gin and Rangiku, coming soon to a monitor near you!
And for the moment, please enjoy a brief interlude with a character who will, shortly, become very important.
Pull Down the World
Omake 2
If there was one thing Aizen Sosuke hated, it was paperwork.
Aizen had plans. Big plans. And big plans took time: time to strategize, time to prepare, time to execute. But how was he supposed to find time for all these things when every waking moment seemed to be taken up with paperwork?
Captain Hirako poked his head into Aizen's office. "Hey, Sosuke! How's that requisition for new uniforms comin'?"
Aizen sighed, meeting his Captain's impatient gaze. "I don't know, Captain. I'll get to it once I've finished…" He thumbed through the documents on his desk. "The training reports for last week's hollow-hunting excursion; the transfer orders for Shimode Jiro, our fourteenth-seat; Captain Hikifune's request for a shunpo specialist to help her run training exercises with the Twelfth Division; the cost estimates for Captain Otoribashi's welcome party; the repair request for our division's auxiliary mess hall – the one you and Hiyori destroyed after you called her-"
"Okay, okay! You don't have to get all uptight about it, Sousuke. I just think our division could look a bit snazzier, is all."
Aizen returned his attention to the papers in front of him, dipping the nib of his pen in his inkpot. He scratched out a few more lines, finishing his description of the training exercises, and set the report aside to let the ink dry. As Aizen pulled out the personnel file on Shimode Jiro, he noticed a shadow fall across the desk and looked up again. Hirako Shinji was looming over him, his blank eyes trying to burrow into Aizen.
"Is there something else I can help you with, Captain?"
Hirako danced back a step. "Mmm? No, no, 'course not. Carry on, Sosuke." Turning on his heel, Aizen's captain attempted a dignified, graceful exit. It was only ruined when Hirako cast one more inquisitive glance over his shoulder from the doorway.
When he was sure his captain must be out of earshot, Aizen let out a long sigh. It had seemed like such a good idea, accepting Hirako Shinji's offer to make him a lieutenant. Captain Hirako was inherently suspicious of Aizen, sure he must be up to no good. The man could be quite blatant about his distrust at times. But Aizen had long ago learned to choose the enemy you know over the enemy you don't. Hirako's suspicion of Aizen had made the captain myopic, unable to recognize anything strange or sinister unless it could be laid at Aizen's feet. And, of course, Aizen's talents made it easy to manipulate other shinigami into doing all his work for him.
All his work, Aizen amended, except this paperwork.
But why couldn't they do his paperwork, too? Aizen tapped his chin thoughtfully as an idea occurred to him. Filing reports and filling out requisitions really wasn't difficult work. It fell to the division lieutenant, more often than not, just because it was the sort of work that required the signature of someone with some authority. But there was really no reason why a lesser-ranked individual couldn't do the work. A fourteenth-seat, say.
Aizen opened Shimode Jiro's personnel file and scanned through it quickly. Nothing to distinguish him from all the other mid-ranked shinigami in the Gotei Thirteen. No family to speak of. Only two documented friendships, and those with members of other divisions. No, Shimode would not be greatly missed.
Aizen lifted the transfer orders off the desk. He touched a corner of the paper to one of the candles illuminating his work, and the paper caught on fire. Aizen watched as flames rolled upwards, consuming the words of the transfer orders. He continued to hold the paper even as the flames boiled around his hand, but Aizen was careless of his own burning flesh. Pain was an illusion, and if there was one thing Aizen Sosuke understood, it was illusion.
With the burnt hand, Aizen opened one of the drawers of his desk and drew out a death certificate. He completed the form quickly, ignoring the stiffness in his fingers. The last blank on the certificate asked for the time of death. Aizen glanced at the clock hanging above the door to the office. 2:17 pm. Two and a half hours should be enough time to get everything in order. Jotting "4:47pm" in the final blank, Aizen laid the certificate on top of the now-dry training report.
Aizen stood and hurried from his office, pulling the door closed behind him. On his way out, he passed Captain Hirako's office. The door was shut and Aizen thought he could hear faint snoring sounds coming from within. Perfect.
He found Shimode Jiro training a team of new recruits in the practice yard. The young shinigami were engaged in kido drills, with Shimode providing nominal supervision. Most of the recruits knew the drills backwards and forwards, though, so Shimode was left to pace between them, occasionally providing little snippets of advice when one of the traineess did something wrong.
"Jiro," Aizen called, making his voice friendly. "Your transfer has been approved. You'll be leaving for Ninth Division tomorrow. I was wondering if you'd like to get one last drink with me to celebrate?"
The man, bald with close-set eyes, looked excitedly at his lieutenant. "Really, Sir? That would be wonderful!"
Aizen nodded and turned his attention to the trainees. "Recruits," he shouted. "Practice is suspended for the day! Go back to your quarters and get some rest!"
The trainees bowed to him, happy for the excuse to take a break. As they hurried away, Aizen turned back to Shimode, who was staring at Aizen as if seeing him for the first time. The sudden spark of loyalty in the man's eyes surprised Aizen – he hadn't realized before just how powerful kind words could be. Aizen made a point of remembering that fact.
"Well then, Shimode, shall we? There's a nice bar I know in South Rukongai, second district. It's only a little walk from the gate. So, what do you plan to do, now that you'll be working with Ninth Division?"
Shimode fell to answering the question at once, but Aizen tuned him out immediately. He waited until they were clear of Seireitei, clear of any seeing eyes, and then Aizen released Kyouka Suigetsu.
Hypnosis this strong, making Shimode imitate every one of Aizen's reactions and mannerisms, would probably cause irreparable damage. It was like writing over Shimode's personality with a weak copy of Aizen's own, in a way. But then again, what did the damage matter? As far as anyone else was concerned, Shimode Jiro had died in a freak hollow attack.
Aizen checked his watch.
At exactly 4:47pm.
