Bleach – The Heart of the Matter
By Tayla Drago
Nice way to start things off, huh? For Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, Uryu, Hayame, Rukia, Renji, Kon, Urahara, Tessai, Jinta, Ururu, Ririn, Kurodo, and Noba were all in for Yoruichi to say that they will continue with their training to aid the villagers at Sonia's adopted home. More of a home there for Richard, Maria, and Howey to live in as Alucard was caring at 'one' time. As she would handle to plan with some other help to also be joining the battle, they were all set to go from her next words they must listen in on what they'll do before leaving their homes again; also, be soon see Sonia to be cared for at her real home at the Soul Society to fight against Dracula.
"Okay, now we're back in business." she said in her cat form. "Time to plan things out before we do anything in three weeks."
The others were lost to see that they had to do some type of training a little within three weeks before leaving to take care of a few things until their real training could continue at the village. Planning first before they could be ready for the upcoming events, it was like taking a little break 'sort of'.
"Three weeks?" Rukia was confused. "That's all we have until we head on out?"
Some of them were lost – for Orihime, Kon, Ichigo, and Renji maybe for the rest get it already. So Ichigo had to ask Yoruichi for more further details to say to the rest of the team.
"Hey! What do you mean that we have until three weeks to train a lot more in the village where Sonia, Alucard, and Richard live in?"
Good question for Yoruichi will explain everything to them for her to look at Urahara to already know all about it. Of course, he does…
"Go ahead, Yoruichi, you can tell them." he said with a smile. "Let just say for you guys to work on your psychical bodies during the next three weeks normally to see your friends, family, go to school, go on dates, and such…that's it. And then, your real training like before begins at some new location to go to and be ready for, you know? With more people on our side."
"You guys in or what?" ask Urahara. "Because Yoruichi and I are, that makes two so far."
You heard Kisuke Urahara there, as Yoruichi says the rest to everyone else next.
"Listen up, everyone, here's what's going on…" Yoruichi explains it all. "In the next three weeks, you will all do your everyday thing. Such as seeing your family, hanging out with your friends, go on dates, and such while working out normal to be training a little. Once the three weeks has passed, we head out to the Belmont Village to begin the rest of the training that all of you have done with Sonia and Alucard from a while back; only for the mayor to welcome us for a few more will join us for one of them is Maria Renard herself will also be there. So besides patrolling for any of Dracula's monsters, be on high alert as always…all of you. Are we cleared on that?"
Once she said that part and for Urahara to be smiling, what do the others answer back? From Kon, Ririn, Kurodo, and Noba to put their skills and weapons from Sonia that she gave to them and everyone else to use them wisely when the big training happens in three weeks, stopping other monsters, and soon to be fighting against Dracula.
"Well, in that case…I'm in!" said Kon to be showing off his silly weapon. "Even with this girlie weapon that Sonia gave me, I shall use this wisely as Modsoul and fight more when caring for Ichigo's body when he becomes a Soul Reaper!" he then tells the other Modsouls to join with him. "Ririn. Kurodo. Noba. Please help me out to work together to win by using these stuff animal bodies or the other ones you guys use to fight back against those monsters!"
"Oh, shut up you! We already know!" said Ririn. "However, we do owe Sonia one to save her brother…oh, I mean step-brother from Dracula to stop Alucard along the way. So why the hell not? Right, boys?"
"I second that! Bring them on!" Kurodo was all fired up.
"Me too…" Noba said quietly.
Well, that's four so far – same with Tessai, Jinta, and Ururu were in as well.
"Anything you guys say, then we shall do it."
"That's right! We're going to kick some monster butt! Sonia's cool so I owe her for saving Yuzu."
"It was fun that day, so we will return the favor next."
Seven now, for that makes nine…Soon Rukia and Renji had to since they got the news about Sonia's conditions, for they owe her a lot for helping her out to see the Master Liberian from the harpy chase.
"Anything comes and goes, then so be it. We will use the Belmont powers for good to at least beat Dracula with it." she said. "Right, Renji?"
"Why not? I'm game. I also owe a lot from Sonia." he answers back.
Eleven with a few more to go to say if he or she were in or not, well they were! From Hayame, Uryu, Chad, and Orihime had something to say next.
"Count me in too! If it wasn't for you guys helping me out on that night with the tree demons, I would've been dead by now. So, I will use my powers with the Belmont weapon to save the world. And with you by my side as well, Uryu."
"That we will, Hayame, just as long as we stick together. I still hate Soul Reapers, but they are caring for Sonia to be half for me to still care about her as a friend."
The two lovers hold hands with each other there, cute. That's thirteen now! As Chad and Orihime both say something next - one at a time…
"There are good demons like Lippie was to stop his evil half both Sonia and me…so I will help her out for those creatures in that forest to live peacefully."
"And Sonia and I are the best friends to try out more foods again to do more slumber parties without the demons trying to get us again. I've become stronger thanks to her to be still be useful."
Fifteen…and last to be sixteen members in the group for Ichigo was more than ready to help the other Soul Reapers later, Sonia, save Richard, stop Alucard, the other monsters, protect his friends and family, save the world, stop Dracula this time, and end the curse for good in the name of the Belmont Clan from their village. Yeah! It was all good now.
"Well, Yoruichi…Urahara…you heard everyone else, we're all in. Including me!" he said. "Alright, three weeks to exercising our bodies while we train a little to protect Karakura Town and do our normal everyday life for now. And then we head out to train a lot more to stop Dracula. We'll do all of it at the Belmont Village! Hell yeah!"
Everyone else cheered for others to smile so all was good.
"Wonderful." said Yoruichi. "Your first task is to rest up to do other things little at a time. Remember, physical training until we do the real one at the village, unless we need to stop another monster. So be ready to plan things out now."
Urahara claps his hands to call the meeting to an end now with one more thing to add.
"We'll give you something to talk to Sonia later, probably in a few days. For now, we call this meeting to a close until we meet again." said Urahara.
"That is all. Good luck, stay safe, stay alert, and be careful. Good day, everyone."
Once Yoruichi said that part, dismiss for today. Everyone goes home for Orihime, Chad, Hayame, Uryu, and Ichigo for Kon and Rukia to follow. As Renji stayed put at Urahara's place with the other six and Yoruichi to rest up. So I guess we wait now for Ichigo will see Sonia soon to be patient for.
"(Sonia, we'll talk soon to then be seeing you again. Just stay strong for us, okay?)" he said to himself. "(All of us will fight side by side with the other Soul Reapers. You can trust in all of them, they're good people.)"
You got that right. Well...from Ichigo, Rukia, and Kon heading back home, the same with Orihime, Chad, Uryu, and Hayame as well; while Renji stays with Urahara at his place along with Tessai, Jinta, Ururu, Yoruichi, Ririn, Kurodo, and Noba to be ready in three weeks while doing some other things from here and there…For the news of the B-Last Band members and co-workers were killed to have a funeral to go to and to be thinking that Sonia was killed too for others of Ichigo's friends and family gather together for Don 'a little', Karin, 'maybe Isshin might know…' Yuzu 'a little', Keigo, and Tatsuki both know that Sonia was alive somehow while some of them say that Alucard was unknown to not murder her, the other members maybe to leave no trace of evidences behind. For a sad day to happen – Keigo and Tatsuki were alone to say something after the funeral was all over.
"Hey, Keigo. Keigo!" she sees him looking upset for he was worried about Sonia even if she wasn't killed.
"Tatsuki, not now…My hot idol Sonia Belmont…" said the sad Keigo. "Who knows what might've happen to my beloved…"
"Your beloved?" Tatsuki hits Keigo on the head. "Get a hold of yourself! Listen, it would seems like a few people know that Sonia's not dead. With Alucard missing and the other members of the band were, don't you find this hard to believe that she was really killed? There's no dead body of hers from the scene of the crime. Or haven't you not notice?"
Keigo was lost to try calming himself down on what Tatsuki was trying to say to him, I mean she was right about a few things to catch up to.
"Huh? Yeah, I did. Also between Ichigo's two younger sisters both had an odd look to not worry about Sonia. And I think…both you and I felt something odd from the night when the entire place was trashed. Not to mention the spider event with the other strange monsters have been showing up a lot."
"Or the ones who trashed our neighborhood to try hurting Orihime and our friends from the slumber party we had from the lizards."sShe also added. "You know something? After the both of us have seen Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, Uryu, the new girl Hayame, Rukia, Sonia, and Alucard had some odd powers for me to sense them out to stop the monsters. You notice it too, right Keigo? You sense to hear and see other spirits and monsters?"
Keigo was too afraid to admit it at first…
"Well-!"
"Just answer the question!" Tatsuki forces Keigo to answer her question to be a bit scared to say it.
"Okay! I'll talk!" he ducks in fear. "Just don't hurt me! I notice it too since I was bitten by a scary looking bug for Ichigo to save me in some weird cosplay…!"
"And me too when I witness Orihime having mysterious powers to save Chizuru, the others at the school, and myself from some octopus type of creature that one time." Tatsuki said. "Keigo, it's safe to assume that Ichigo and the others have powers that are saving our home from these things. That explains everything on how we got these powers to notice."
So those two were the first to have their powers awaken more, but a lot more for Chad and Orihime before that. They knew then on what they must think about to have seen Ichigo saving them to be the real thing.
"Whatever is going on right now than it was from the past, then it must be real. Tatsuki, if you and I can sense, see, and hear monsters and/or ghosts…does that mean the others can as well? Friends? Family?"
With Keigo asking Tatsuki that question, she thinks so for maybe their other friends might.
"Could be…Look, Keigo, just keep this between us to tell the others if they discover those powers just like us. Until then, we wait to talk to Ichigo for more answers to get from him, Orihime, Chad, Uryu, Hayame, and Rukia later." she said to be sighing. "For now, let them take care of Sonia to let the days go by normally. It'll all work out."
"Man, I sure hope you're right. I want to see Sonia again." said Keigo.
For now, I guess Tatsuki and Keigo will talk to Ichigo about the matter at hand later to see on what happens next – to see when Sonia to come back and see if anyone else had the power to sense, hear, and see ghosts or monsters 'even Hollows', the two put their fates in their other friends to see Sonia throughout this mess. I guess so. With everyone else trying to hold up until the World of the Living…we now go back to the Soul Society where Sonia will be meeting with even more Soul Reapers at the 13 Court Guard Squad meeting room; thanks to Ukitake gaining her trust to see him along with her uncle Yamamoto, Soi Fon, Retsu, Byakuya, Sajin, Shunsui, Hitsugaya, Kenpachi, and Mayuri for all of them come back after the break to get back to the meeting since Sonia woke up. Nothing to worry about from the chase for Kiyone and Sentaro to correct the other Soul Reaper, all of them but one, it did worked out in the end.
"The meeting is back as scheduled." said Yamamoto. "We the captains welcome Sonia Yamamoto to the Soul Society, for you are my only niece left in my family after your father passed away, your three older brothers are now Soul Reapers, and your mother is unknown today. For you are half human and half Soul Reaper yourself."
Once Yamamoto said that to Sonia, she was sure in a big shock to hear about herself to really be a Yamamoto to have an uncle and not a Belmont member to feel like one when she was growing up.
"Wait…me? I'm really a Yamamoto, your niece, a half Soul Reaper, not a Belmont, and…" Sonia was confused right now. "Okay, I'm so lost. What's going on here?!"
Not a best way to be completely confused right now while learning the big truth the hard way, you know? Well, Sonia's real uncle doesn't blame her about that part.
"I know, I know. This is very shocking. I'm sorry you had to find out the hard way about your real self so I'll make the story short to explain everything to you. My brother was a proud father in his lifetime to love a human woman to have three boys and you as the youngest; until a terrible flooding in Rukon District wash you away to made us all think you were dead causing the loss to make my older brother get sick from a terrible illness and died. For your brothers are proud Soul Reapers to travel throughout the lands today, but your mother…she left out of nowhere to try to find her for years without giving up until we do locate her. She will give us answers why she fled without caring her my brother's loss and yours. Lucky, Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihoin told me everything once we found you using a special power to come from the Soul Society to the World of the Living. A rare power…They said that you were saved and you were raised to become a Belmont who fights against Dracula and his monsters from a curse to come back a lot every century for you and your older step brother Richard Belmont, the real Belmont member to stop him. Many friends you must become a fighter to lose your powers by that madman! He took that away from you, bit you with a curse to make you his bride, the same to Richard, and Alucard, Dracula's half human and half vampire who once tried to stop his father, just to turned against all of us to betray you! Therefore, we will aid you, Rukia, Renji, the Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki, and any other living humans we can get to stop this curse for good and save your life with the villagers who've raised you there. That, I can promise you on. I'm sorry it had to end up like this, Sonia Dear. But you can't go back home right now, you must remain here in the Soul Society due to the curse you have until we can cure you from turning into a vampire."
Nice nickname there for Yamamoto to give to Sonia, huh? 'Sonia Dear'. Also from feeling the bite mark to feel weak for Dracula to have full control to make her into a vampire like Richard was to be his servant, this was bad.
"What?!" she believes in the whole thing now. "I can't go back to the World of the Living?! (That's right…Richard's under Dracula's spell, he has bitten me, and Alucard betrayed me and all of us. The village…Ichigo…)" Sonia remembers her friends. "But wait! I have to go back otherwise Ichigo and the others will be in danger without me-!"
"Calm yourself, Sonia Dear." he said to his niece. "It'll be all right. I promise you. Ex-Captains of Squad Twelve Kisuke Urahara and Squad Two Yoruichi Shihouin will make sure that they all pull through to be arriving soon to the Soul Society. You'll see them soon, you can still talk to them in a while with a special screening for you to use in a bit, trust me, it's for your own good until we can get rid of the curse. If you did return, the vampire for Dracula to find you will consume your Spiritual Pressure to become a vampire without returning fully to your normal self forever; as for Richard to have one for him to force to work for Dracula, there's a chance to save him still to have another evil spirit to be controlling his soul because of it." said Yamamoto himself. "If both lieutenants from Squad thirteen Rukia Kuchiki and Squad six Renji Abarai are doing well by aiding Ichigo, a Quincy boy, the other humans with special powers, and more with the other humans at the Belmont village, then we can still win this battle with us helping you. While doing all that we can to find you a cure real soon. So please, Sonia Dear, trust us."
From his strong words to understanding everything now for Sonia, she gets it to go along for now for her own good and the others to soon meet again. A promise for Yamamoto to do for his only niece in the family.
"Me, your niece…Uncle Moto." she gives him a nickname for her uncle as well. "Okay, I trust you. But I still want to help out in this battle."
"And you will once you're healed up a little longer, we just need to awaken your powers of a Soul Reaper from within you. I'll handle on that part for you in a while. Until we can begin, please rest." he then gets on to other businesses at hand to say this to Sonia next. "Now then allow us to introduce ourselves. Roll call!"
Yamamoto saying that out loud to confuse Sonia for some introduction to be happening for all the captains 'but 3, 5, and 9' resent themselves one by one.
"Ah, roll call…?"
From Yamamoto, Soi Fon, Retsu, Byakuya, Sajin, Shunsui, Hitsugaya, Kenpachi, Mayuri, and Ukitake.
"I am the Head Captain of Squad One, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. I keep my team in check to give or have an order to bring peace in both of our worlds from any dangers like Hollows, to save the other souls to bring here to live a whole in life."
"Captain of Squad Two, Soi Fon of the Stealth Punishment Force. Both my men and I have been trained to kill and destroy on those who break the law or who are dangerous criminals not to be mess with…or they will die by them or my hands."
"Captain of Squad Four, Retsu Unohana of the Medical Apartment. For our skills is to save and heal the wounded ones from any wars or illnesses they all go through to make sure they all make a full recovery."
"Captain of Squad Six, Byakuya Kuchiki, who's also the older step brother of my sister-in-law Rukia and my lieutenant Renji who works for me. For we in the proud Kuchiki Clan do what we must to follow the code of honor to stick with the family of ours to never back down from any battle we come across."
"Captain of Squad Seven, Sajin Komamura. Though I may look like a wolf, I do follow the orders to aid my team and to crush on those who stand in my way."
"Captain of Squad Eight, Shunsui Kyōraku. I love to drink, see beautiful women, and hang around with doing some of the work or you could hang out with me one day, to also get the job taken care on other things look serious by Old Man Moto's orders that is…"
"Captain of Squad Ten, Tōshirō Hitsugaya. Don't mistaken me for a child, for I am smarter than I look who can freeze my enemies while carrying out any missions with a plan before attacking first."
"Captain of Squad Eleven, Kenpachi Zaraki. I look for strong people to fight with because I'm stronger to make things more fun for me and my men, I also want someone on my team too. Even if you're a girl and to be as powerful as I am, I like to fight with you or for you go out with me."
"Captain of Squad Twelve, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, of the Research and Developments. We study on things to learn so much in the name of science the easy way or the hard way for I wish to study upon you carefully, my dear, if you like."
"And Captain of Squad Thirteen, Jushiro Ukitake, who also have Rukia on my team as my lieutenant. I care for others to fight with them and never alone to make sure we all bring peace after our battles, even if for Yamamoto Sensei for the task to be done. Also, it's very nice to meet with you, Sonia."
From everyone saying who they were from squads, names, and what they can do for Sonia to understanding it all…she also gives 'some' of them nicknames to call them by. She does that for some of the people or other things sometimes.
"Uncle Moto, Soi Fon, Retsu, Byakuya, Sajin Wolf, Shunsui, Toshiro Kid, Kenpachi, Dude Mayuri, and Jushiro." said Sonia. "Captains of all Soul Reapers…Ah, question. What happen to captains 3, 5, and 9?"
Well, that question is best not to be heard just yet after what did happened with those three. I guess Yamamoto would have to explain to his own niece about it sooner or later...but not right now.
"Ahem!" Yamamoto clears his throat. "Please, allow me to explain that part later to you. There are some…issues to talk about. Speaking of captains, Sonia Dear, you will be guarded and protected with our help while choosing one of the 13 squads you wish to live with during the time for this is your home after all." he said to his niece. "Now choose which of these captains you'll live with. No need to worry on not choosing the rest, we will be here to protect you including me."
For Sonia tries to decide on who she should live with to heal and then to fight either way to get to know her uncle a lot more of trusting Ukitake already. Still, for Soi Fon, Byakuya, Mayuri, and Kenpachi were scaring Sonia but the other captains…she runs up to stay close to Ukitake to have her mind made up.
"Ah…Ah! Jushiro please…!" she said while holding him in fear. "Sorry, I owe him for saving my life and all. I still need to get use to this entire place and all…Sorry, everyone! It's nothing to do with all of you, it's me."
Well, this moment made Ukitake's face to turn complete red for Sonia was still shy and confused to start feeling weak for her to be with him.
"Captain Ukitake?" Soi Fon, Sajin, Kenpachi, and Mayuri were shock on what they were seeing.
"I guess she has made her decision." said Retsu.
"It would seems like it." same with Byakuya.
"Agreed. We just need to protect her now." and Hitsugaya.
For Shunsui to pat his friend Ukitake on the back to be smiling for getting a girl like Sonia to be on his side.
"Well, Well, Jushiro, look at you. Out of all the girls, you've chosen this one."
"Shunsui…" Ukitake was embarrassed. "Don't say that in front of the other captains. You want to start a scene?" he checks on Sonia. "Sorry, Shunsui's a lady's man himself, but he really is a very good person once you get to know him better. I'm very happy you get to come live with me. I promise to take good care of you, Sonia."
For Ukitake was being nice to Sonia, she started to feel a bit better now to get to know everyone else, become stronger to fight again somehow without her Belmont powers, and living in the Soul Society to learn more about herself so far.
"Ah, yeah…Thank you, Jushiro…" said the shy Sonia.
For Yamamoto allow her niece to trust Ukitake to watch over her and the others himself.
"Then it's settle. Sonia Dear will be accompanied by Captain of Squad Thirteen, Jushiro Ukitake." Yamamoto announces to the others. "The rest of you will watch over Sonia until we can cure her from the vampire curse as well. So Captain Unohana and Captain Kurotsuchi, please get to it. Sonia Dear, you'll talk to your friends soon to be seeing them for the upcoming battle for you to become a Soul Reaper; once you rest up first while you're living with Captain Ukitake will take you around the Soul Society in the area. Please remain by her side. Is that understood?"
Sonia accepts it to begin to trust in everyone else 'little by little'.
"(I want to learn more about myself then, so I can fight back differently without my Belmont skills. By becoming a Soul Reaper.) Understood, Uncle Moto, I'll do my best. Thank you." she said.
"Good, now then…this meeting is over. Protect Sonia Dear as you do with me or anyone in battle. Dismiss."
Once Yamamoto said that for the others to understand, they leave back to their posts to make sure that Sonia will be well guarded besides staying with Ukitake's squad now to show her all over the Soul Society for a nice stroll in the area. For her to see the rest was amazing for her eyes to know that everything was real. And for the other Soul Reapers 'for some to know her soon enough', while others stared at Sonia who was half human and half Soul Reaper to know that she was really Yamamoto's niece and only one in his family. Ukitake will make sure for Sonia to feel more welcome as one of them without looking like an outcast.
"Come on, Sonia, I would like to show you around this area while we get to the court yard squad of mine, you'll love it." Ukitake takes Sonia's hand to show her a tour. "It'll be fun."
"It will." she goes along with it. "Alright, then leave the way. (Still, I can't believe for someone like Alucard to do this to me and the rest of us…Why…? Betraying us to work for his own mess up father? There just no way.)" said Sonia to be thinking about it. "(I want to fight to save my Big Brother to still be part of the family to me, and it's hard to fight a friend I once knew, or loved maybe…This is hard.)"
And so, the tour begins for Ukitake to show and tell Sonia all about the area, for me to say what's what for Sonia to see it all. It's a very big place, that's for sure…anyways, here's what we all wish to know 'all you Bleach fans out there so I'll describe it the best I can':
The Soul Society
This initially describes Soul Society as something of a paradise, where nine out of ten times it is better than the living world and hunger is never a problem, Soul Society is far from sublime. In fact, aside from the slowed aging and lack of hunger, life there is much like that in the living world.
Soul Society consists of the Rukongai ("Rukon District"), where souls live when they arrive in Soul Society, and Seireitei (Court of Pure Souls), which is at the center of Soul Society. The mode of life here closely resembles that of feudal Japan.
The Human World and Soul Society are parallel to each other and are two sides of the same coin. Families separated by death are rarely reunited in the Soul Society unless they arrive in Soul Society together. People live nestled together like a family of strangers. One never gets hungry (if she or he doesn't have spiritual powers) and aging is slowed, with lifespans of 2000 or more years not being unheard of, though such ages are limited to Shinigami or other Soul Society dwellers with high spiritual power. Children can be born as they are in the Human World. People can also be killed as regular Humans are, though they are capable of surviving wounds that would normally be considered fatal. A soul that dies in Soul Society is reincarnated on Earth as a new Human with no memories.
Laws
The ultimate law is to maintain balance.
It is against the law for a Shinigami to give their spiritual power to Humans.
It is against the law for a Shinigami to use forbidden Kidō.
It is against the law for any citizen of Soul Society to create weapons of a dangerous nature not sanctioned by the feudal government. To do so is treason.
It is against the law to attack a captain. To do so is treason.
It is against the law to commit terrorist action(s) or attempt to overthrow the balance of Soul Society. To do so is treason.
It is against the law to commit murder.
It is against the law to kill a Human that a Shinigami has not been ordered to kill.
It is forbidden for a Shinigami to acquire or attempt to gain Hollow-like powers.
It is a crime for a Shinigami to remain in the Human World longer than a certain time limit.
It is against the law for the Gotei 13 to meddle in the affairs of the noble families unless the family in question breaks one of the laws of Soul Society beyond a shadow of a doubt.
It is by ancient law that two Shinigami cannot hold the same Zanpakutō. They must fight for the honor of bearing the spirit, with the spirit going to the winner, and the loser being executed.
It is forbidden for a Shinigami to intervene in anything that is related to Hell.
It is a crime to lose a sacred treasure.
It is against the law to alter the Dangai records.
All Modified Souls must be scrapped.
Punishment
Exile: Certain crimes allows for the punishment of exile, commonly stripping a Shinigami of their powers and banishing them to the Human World.
Detention: A punishment not well known among the citizens of Soul Society is the detention of Shinigami. It is commonly reserved for those who have either broken the law, quit the Gotei 13, or those who just seem dangerous and mentally unstable (as per the government's interpretation). This is carried out by the Onmitsukidō.
Imprisonment: The Central 46 can sentence a Shinigami to be held in the Central Great Underground Prison for a set amount of time. The prison has eight levels which prisoners are confined in based on the severity of their crimes. For the use of forbidden Kidō techniques, Tessai Tsukabishi was sentenced to be confined in Shugo(Gathering Group), the 3rd level of the underground prison.
Sealing: If a renegade Shinigami is resisting arrest and proves to be too powerful to be restrained or executed, they would be opted to be sealed away to prevent further damage.
There are two known forms of execution in Soul Society:
Spirit-Sealing Pit: The Spirit-Sealing Pit is an ancient form of execution in which Shinigami criminals are thrown into a pit walled with sekki sekki rock – a type of stone that absorbs spiritual power, preventing those nearby from using their powers. Hollows are then thrown into the pit with the criminals as the means of execution. The practice was considered too barbaric and discontinued, and the Spirit-Sealing Pits were converted into garbage dumps.
Sōkyoku (Twinned Punishment): The "ultimate punishment", Sōkyoku is a form of execution usually reserved for those with extremely strong spiritual powers, namely Shinigami captains. The Sōkyoku is a giant halberd that destroys a soul on contact. When released, Sōkyoku takes on the form of a phoenix, its true form, called Kikōō. The Kikōō has the destructive power of a million Zanpakutō, and that power is multiplied by a factor of 10 at the moment it pierces its victim. It was destroyed by Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku.
Rukongai is divided into 320 districts (80 in North Rukongai, 80 in West Rukongai, etc.), each numbered in descending order on how far they are from the center; this results in the higher-numbered (and farther) districts decaying into slums. Thus, while District 1 is peaceful and lawful, much like the antiseptic lifestyle of early-Edo Era Kyoto, District 80 is a hardscrabble, violent, crime-infested area that more depicts Heian era Kyoto. The duties of the Gotei 13 Divisions include defending allocated districts of Rukongai. However, which Division is responsible for which district has not been stated. The living standards in Rukongai decline sharply beyond the fiftieth district, with an increase in people wearing rags and no footwear. According to statistics from the last 550 years, no Rukongai resident wears sandals beyond District 59.
Rukongai is full of families that are not related by blood. People die at different times and places, and it is rare for a person to find their real family in the vast Rukongai. When a soul arrives in Soul Society, they are given a ticket according to the time they died and are sent off in different directions. Even if two people were to die together, if they do not receive tickets at the same time, they will not know where the other is.
Seireitei is a circular shiro with four main entrances, ten days walk apart, each guarded by one of the Gatekeepers. These gates are collectively called the Four Great Pure Soul Gates: these gates are made up of the Northern Black Ridge Gate, the Eastern Blue Stream Gate, the Southern Red Hollow Gate, and the Western White Way Gate. The gates are so heavy that it takes the full might of Jidanbō Ikkanzaka to lift one, while during the Bount-led attack on Seireitei, siege machines were needed to open the gates. There are, however, doors within the gates, as seen when Momo Hinamori first entered the Shin'ō Academy.
The walls of Seireitei are made of Sekkiseki (Spirit Reducing Stone), a rare type of stone known to negate all Reiryoku, similar to magnetic lodestones. The stone also forms a spherical barrier around the city, extending above and below, stopping anything spiritual from breaching it from ground level, from the sky or from underground.
The wall that surrounds the Seireitei is commonly held up, only closing when there is an emergency. When it is not down protecting the Seireitei, the wall protects the Soul King Palace, located in an inner dimension.
Information about the Seireitei is confidential. What is known is that in the center of the Seireitei is a white tower known as the Senzaikyū, where criminals are imprisoned; on the hill adjacent to it is the Sōkyoku, where prisoners are executed. Those permitted to live in the tranquility of the Seireitei are Shinigami and the Noble Houses. Shinigami live in the Division barracks, while high-ranking officers commute from their own homes.
The majority of the residents of Seireitei, nobility and Shinigami alike, do not interact with the citizens of Rukongai. However, residents of Rukongai, like Renji and Rukia, are allowed to apply for the Shin'ō Academy, which is often the only escape from the poorest conditions of Rukongai.
Noble Houses
The Noble Houses of Soul Society have an unclear role in the culture, social and governmental aspects of that dimensions existence. The Four Noble Families ("Four Great Noble Families") carry the most weight and appear to have some influence over the governmental institutions (i.e. Central 46 Chambers) and even institutions outside of the government (i.e. Shin'ō Academy). The military (i.e. Gotei 13, Kidō Corps & Onmitsukidō) have no authority to act against a noble family without evidence that their actions are treasonous to Soul Society.
Four Noble Families
Shihōin Clan
By tradition, the head of the Shihōin family leads the Onmitsukidō. Also known as the Tenshiheisōban (House of Godly Gears), they are the Caretakers of the Hōgu ("Treasure Tool") and Bugu ("War Tool") said to have been bestowed on them by the gods.
Kuchiki Clan
Members of the Kuchiki family have been known to wear Kenseikan ("Star-Pulling Insert") in their hair, which symbolizes their nobility as one of Four Noble Families. The Kuchiki family also has a white scarf made by the master weaver, Tsujishirō Kuroemon III. The scarf is made from the Ginpaku Kazahana no Uzuginu (Silks of the Silver White Wildflower), a silver-white, windflower light silk, and is a family heirloom that is handed down from generation to generation and is given to each Kuchiki family head. The scarf alone is worth enough to buy ten mansions in the Seireitei. By tradition, the family has been charged with compiling and protecting the history of Soul Society. The family resides in the Kuchiki Family Manor.
The Central 46 is comprised of forty wise men, gathered from all over the Soul Society, and six judges. These men are in charge of trying all Shinigami crimes, whether they were committed in Soul Society or the Human World. The Central 46 are also within their jurisdiction to order the use of deadly force by the Gotei 13, the Onmitsukidō or the Kidō Corps. Once a decision has been made, it is rarely overturned. While Soul Society has its own royal family and king, they reside within a distinct dimension outside of Soul Society and their rule is not felt by Soul Society's residents. The Central 46 receives a mandate from the Soul King to act in his place and so are considered for all intents and purposes as the royal and the ruling class of Soul Society. However, the Central 46 have no jurisdiction over the Royal Guard or the Shin'ō Academy. Upon their deaths at the hands of Sōsuke Aizen during the Ryoka Invasion, Captain-Commander Yamamoto has taken over their normal duties. Sometime later, the Central 46 is reassembled and resumes performing its judiciary duties.
General Operation
The Gotei 13 does not normally operate as a cohesive unit. The command of the divisions is generally left to the discretion of its Captain, who commonly runs it whatever way he or she sees fit, allowing for the change of a division's traditional duties to an entirely new set and even the creation of a separate institution connected to the division. The Gotei 13's main duty is to defend the Seireitei, but they are allocated districts in Rukongai to defend. In addition to these duties, Shinigami have to deal with the business of being assigned to the Human World.
The only general authority to call forth a combined front is an edict from the Central 46 Chambers, or more often the Captain-Commander. It is not uncommon for captains to not see each other group for long periods of time, except for cases involving a threat to all of Soul Society, a captain's punishment, or, to a lesser degree, a captain's promotion. On a regular basis, the captains are spread out across Soul Society doing their divisions' duties, whatever they may be. They are so far spread out, getting the captains together as a group, or even getting their lieutenants together as a group, could normally take a day to accomplish.
Unless specifically ordered by the Captain-Commander, captains can choose whether to attend meetings (at their own risk) or not even involve themselves in the daily situations of Soul Society. Captains are not allowed, without permission, to carry out activities outside of their normal jurisdiction or their division. The captain of one division cannot punish the subordinates of another captain.
Officially, the Kidō Corps and Onmitsukidō are not part of the Gotei 13, but since Suì-Fēng is both the captain of the 2nd Division and the head of the Onmitsukidō, the Onmitsukidō is effectively under the control of the Gotei 13. Additionally, the captain of the Kidō Corps has been known to obey summons and orders from the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.
Although by nature an organization separate from the Gotei 13, the clan which possessed superior abilities as Shinigami among the Four Noble Families, the Shihōin Clan, filled the role of the Commander-in-Chief throughout the generations, while also having their clan leader take the post of division captain within the Gotei 13. Having served her post as 2nd Division captain, the then Commander-in-Chief, Yoruichi Shihōin, had strengthened the image of the organization's direct influence of the 2nd Division, as every head of the five divisions have all been ranking officers within the 2nd Division.
The Kidō Corps is a group of specialists presiding over spiritual law. It is one of the organizations within Soul Society that is allowed the use of force along with the Gotei 13 and Onmitsukidō, and is also a special organization comprised of experienced Kidō users. Even the Gotei 13 put their trust in their skills.
The Kidō Corps takes students from the Shin'ō Academy that excel in Kidō and trains them to further their abilities in said area. Its operations are executed in absolute secrecy. During an incident one hundred years ago, Jūshirō Ukitake noted how rare it was to see anyone from the Kidō Corps, especially the captain.
History
Not much about the history of the Kidō Corps is known. 102 years ago, Tessai Tsukabishi was the Kidō Corps Commander and Grand Kidō Chief of the Kidō Corps while Hachigen Ushōda was the Vice-Kidō Chief.
Mission
The Kidō Corps is responsible for opening the Senkaimon between the Human World and Soul Society.
The Kidō Corps is responsible for releasing the Sōkyoku seal during executions.
Organization
Ranks
The full rank structure of the Kidō Corps is unknown.
Kidō Corps Commander: denotes control over the entire Kidō Corps.
Grand Kidō Chief: denotes the most powerful Kidō practitioner in Soul Society.
Vice Kidō Chief: the second-in-command of the Kidō Corps.
And that's it…For seeing things, learning of history, what is what, and such for Sonia heard the whole thing from Ukitake himself. A lot of history from it too, wouldn't you say? Yeah…Anyways, she has made it to Squad 13 area where Ukitake, Rukia, Kiyone, and Sentaro work at 'and other Soul Reapers from it'.
"Pretty great so far, huh Sonia?" Ukitake ask with a smile.
Sonia was surprise to learn so much so far and a lot more to come for her.
"I still can't believe you guys have been around over centuries since time began. I'm amazed. And me, a half human with Soul Reaper powers who can travel from the World of the Living to the Soul Society." she was left speechless. "So much for me to learn to become a Soul Reaper. And from this curse mark that Dracula gave me, no way will I become a vampire or his bride! Gross! I will fight back no matter what it takes."
"And you will too with Old Man Yama to make sure of it. My teacher as your uncle, it's amazing indeed." he said. "Now come on, Sonia, we're here."
That they were in the squad thirteen area of Ukitake and the other members to be staying in. It was a nice area of a good-looking house style from an old time Japan type of thing and a garden with a lake and a little house, it was pretty. As Kiyone, Sentaro, and the other lieutenants greet their captain of his return.
"Wow! This is amazing! Are all the thirteen squads of Soul Reapers have places like these?" amazed Sonia while questioning about it.
"Something like that." answered Ukitake. "I'm glad you like it, Sonia. Anyways, you already know my other two lieutenants already…Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu who helped us out from earlier. And I told you of Rukia who's another member in our group, right?" Ukitake greets his members. "Hello, everyone, I'm back. Sentaro. Kiyone. This will be our newest member to be care for as the Head Captain's only niece, Sonia Yamamoto."
For Sentaro and Kiyone to bow to Sonia and then saying hi 'and fighting with each other again', Sonia says hi back to learn about Rukia work for Ukitake as well.
"Oh, she does? Who knew…" she then says hi to everyone else. "Hello. I hope to do well to help me out while I do the same too and for us to be friends. I'm Sonia Yamamoto, who's surprisingly Uncle Moto's only niece, I guess…So please to meet with all of you. Same with you two, Sen and Kiyo. You two don't mind if I call you two by those nicknames, do you?"
Looks like Sentaro and Kiyone don't mind those nicknames for Sonia to give them there, to welcome her with open arms to respect her 'like they do a lot to their captain and due to his condition'. No worries, you guys, he of course lives. Duah! HA!
"Are you kidding? Sonia, any friend to our Captain is a friend of ours!" Sentaro said to be friendly to her.
"Call us whatever you want! Just as long as we can be helpful in protecting you-!" Sentaro hits Kiyone on the head.
"Hey, give this girl a rest, Kiyone! You idiot!" hut she kicks him back.
"I am, you dumb ass! You're not the boss of me!"
Oh, boy…here we go again. Those two will never learn, won't they? For Sonia to look at Ukitake for him to smile at her to let Sonia know that this was normal in his squad for Kiyone and Sentaro to fight at each other like this a lot.
"Nothing to worry about, Sonia, this is how they get along."
"Oh…" she said. "I think I'll do my best living here."
For that Ukitake was happy to have Sonia in his squad now.
"Good for you. Come on, I'll show you around and then your own room to be in next." Ukitake takes Sonia on another tour in his area for him to be smiling a lot. "(Sonia Belmont, wow. She's cute. I might be falling for her.)"
Well, you heard that part. As Ukitake was happy, the other Soul Reapers to welcome Sonia, more to see, meet, and such for Sonia to heal up a bit more until she can become a Soul Reaper to stop Dracula, free herself from the curse, ending the nightmare, seeing her friends again real soon, get back at Alucard, save Richard, and so much to come for her training will be happening to become her half Soul Reaper from within her to happen soon enough. Back in the family of the Yamamotos was only the beginning of it all.
"(Right, just need to rest up for a bit. Soon Ichigo with everyone else will come while training too like I will. I bet that Maria and Howey will aid them real soon, we're going to need a lot of help we can get from here.)" she said calmly. "(I'm a bit scared, but I'll do my best to awaken more of my Soul Reaper powers soon. Like Ichigo did for I must be brave to hang in there like he did. Ichigo, Orihime, Uryu, Hayame, Chad, Rukia, Renji, Maria, Howey, Master Liberian George, Big Brother, Sensei, Yoruichi, Urahara, Ririn, Noba, Kurodo, Tessai, Jinta, Ururu, and…well, I guess Kon too…I'll see you guys soon and train hard by using those Belmont powers that you have if you can. For this battle will come to an end for my people who helped me and for the Soul Reapers in this world to aid all of us. We're going to need all the help we can get. Dracula! Alucard! You two and your other monster bastards better look out because all of us and myself, we're all coming for you! This I swear…!)"
Good speech there, huh? Oh, yeah. So that was going to happen soon enough. A new world to stay safe in, Sonia will fight against Dracula's curse while becoming a Soul Reaper. More to come next time – getting good, huh? 😊 Yep!