(Day 3)

Karin hadn't expected much when she returned from her first mission to the World of the Living. Probably her lieutenant would be there to welcome them back. Rangiku wouldn't miss out on such an occasion if she could help it-for it was a legitimate reason to skip out on paperwork.

What she didn't expect, was that there would be another lieutenant waiting for them.

Ōmaeda Nikkōtarōemon Yoshiayamenosuke Marechiyo-or just Lieutenant Ōmaeda of the Second Division because who can remember that word vomit of a name-awaited their return along with Rangiku.

'Shiba-san,' Rangiku addressed her upon her arrival. 'Captain Soifon asked for you. Lieutenant Ōmaeda and I will chaperone you'.

'O…kay?' Karin pointed at the barracks, 'Can I take a quick shower before I go?'

'No, Captain Soifon wanted to speak with you as soon as possible', Marechiyo said.

Must be pretty important then, Karin mused. With a shrug, she walked over. 'What's it about?'

'Captain will tell you'.

'Alright then…lead the way'.

Marechiyo took one step to the left and vanished. Karin blinked once and took off in pursuit. It wasn't hard to catch up to the lieutenant. In three steps, she was at his six and had to slow down. Rangiku was behind her, completing the escort.

There was no urgency in Marechiyo's pace. The man had a casual shunpo going that both Karin and Rangiku could easily keep up with. They leapt in silence, neither captain or lieutenant spoke and it began to grate on Karin's nerves. Had she done something wrong? Did something happen while she was away with her family? What could be so serious that even Rangiku didn't try to strike up a conversation?

They arrived at the entrance gate of the Second Division fifteen minutes later.

'Thanks for the assist, Lieutenant Matsumoto', Marechiyo said.

'It's the least I can do for our Sixth Seat', Rangiku replied. She then turned to Karin, placing both her hands on the other's shoulders. 'Everything will be alright, Shiba-chan. Once this is over, we can go out for a drink. My treat'.

'Uhm… o-kay?' Karin said, eying her lieutenant curiously. 'Did something happen while I was gone?'

Rangiku gave her an apologetic look, 'I'm sorry, Shiba-chan. I'm not allowed to say. Captain Soifon will explain it to you'.

'You're starting to worry me here a bit, lieutenant', Karin said with a breathy chuckle.

'You have nothing to worry about', Rangiku said with so much confidence Karin had no choice but to believe her. 'You will be fine'. Giving her Sixth Seat a double shoulder pat, she left her in the care of her peer.

'You go first', Marechiyo told. 'I'll tell you where to go'.

Karin nodded and began to ascend the stairs.

The Second Division was surprisingly modern. The doors opened up automatically and it was a comfortable temperature inside. The floors didn't creak and there was proper lighting.

'Wow'.

'Impressed?' Marechiyo asked. 'I used some of my personal finances to upgrade this place. Only the best is good enough for m-my subordinates'.

So he did this for his own comfort, Karin deducted.

The lieutenant guided her through the hallways. Karin tried to keep track of where they were going but after the fifth turn, she was lost. After a seven turns they went down some stairs then went up one and then another down.

Eventually, the came to a stop before a steel door. Karin threw her senses out but couldn't sense anything beyond the door. Probably made with Seki Seki.

Marechiyo moved to stand beside her and knocked on the door.

'Come in'.

Lieutenant Ōmaeda opened the door for her and stepped aside, signalling to the Sixth Seat she was to enter. Karin quirked an eyebrow but complied.

'You wanted to speak to me, Captain Soifon?'

'Correct'. The captain of the Second gestured to the chair across the table from her, 'Sit down'.

Karin's unease grew. Still, she kept her cool and did as instructed. Once she was seated, she asked, 'Is this about that prank on Captain Zakari? If so, I swear I—'

'No', Suì-Fēng cut off. 'What I want to question you about is of a much more serious nature'. She reached over to a small device and pressed a button. 'Case 8576. Date: 20th of July. Location: Interrogation room 2. Captain Suì-Fēng interrogating Shiba Karin, Sixth Seat of the Tenth Division'.

'Interrogation?'

Suì-Fēng let her hand vanish below the table. When it reappeared, it held a plastic bag. The captain slid it across the metal surface, 'Evidence A is being shown. Do you recognise this?'

Karin scowled as she looked down at the bag. Her eyes narrowed, taking in the small, colourful pieces. It was familiar. She reached over and - when she wasn't scolded - brought the bag closer. 'Wait... this is—' Karin looked at the captain. 'Why is it broken?', she demanded.

'Do you recognise it?'

'It's my brother's', Karin glowered. 'What happened? Why is it broken?'

'That's what we like to figure out', Sui Feng stated. 'What do you know about it?'

'I am not telling anything until you tell me what happened to my brother!' Karin shouted, raising from her chair.

A weight slammed down on the Sixth Seat, forcing her back into her seat. Suì-Fēng levelled her with a cold glare, 'I am the one who asks the questions and you will give me their answers. Do I make myself clear, Sixth Seat Shiba?'

Karin could do little more than nod her head. The spiritual-pressure eased up, allowing Karin to sit upright but not stand.

'I will give you an incentive for your cooperation', the captain said. 'I will tell you what happened to your brother. As a sign of good faith, I will tell you now that he is alive'.

At the news, Karin relaxed significantly.

'What do you know about it?' Suì-Fēng asked again.

Karin let her eyes fall down to the table, looking at the colourful pieces as she spoke. 'It was a birthday gift. I gave it last week'.

Hesitantly, she reached for it. When she wasn't reprimanded, Karin began to fiddle with the bag. 'I usually don't give jewellery but it was just the perfect gift for him, you know?'

'What about it made it perfect?'

'It's some kind of special memorabilia'. Karin pointed at a purple gem. 'People can store their spiritual pressure into these gems'. She then pointed to a gem that was facing down, the white side up. 'The backside is made of Seki Seki. When worn correctly, only the wearer will be able to sense the stored spiritual pressures'. Karin's eyes turned sombre. 'Ichi-nii has been under a lot of stress lately. He's been getting home late and frustrated ever since he has graduated from the academy'.

'Do you think he is unfit to be lieutenant?'

'No', Karin said. 'Whether or not he is doesn't even matter'.

'Care to elaborate?'

Karin shifted, an uneasy look on her face. 'His lieutenant-ship is met with a lot of resistance', she told. 'There are people who refuse to acknowledge his status. Some hate him for going through the academy so fast. Others accuse him of using his noble heritage to skip years and for his high position upon graduating. There is even a group that actively tries to get him court-martialled him because he is born with hollow powers'. Karin fisted her hands. 'They don't know half of the struggles he has been through, yet they paint him to be this egotistic monster!'. She sighed. 'There are a lot of members of his Division that are filing for transfer. He and Rukia sign it but the Head Captain often declines. Which leads to Ichi-nii being the one to break the news. You see what I am saying?'

Suì-Fēng nodded. Honestly, she was shocked. She knew Shiba caused friction but she had no idea how hostile the opposition was against the young lieutenant. To have to live through that, day in and out... For someone like Lieutenant Shiba, that must be like swimming up a waterfall.

She gestured to the broken bracelet, 'It is indeed the perfect gift', Suì-Fēng noted.

'Thanks'.

'You mentioned jewellery wasn't your kind of gift to give. How did you come up with something like this?'

'A friend of mine told me about it. I'd mentioned to her how Ichi-nii was missing his friends and family and she suggested it to me'.

'Who was this friend?' Suì-Fēng asked.

Karin shook her head, 'Fumori Rin. She... she was killed during her last mission'.

Writing down the name, Suì-Fēng looked at her information. 'Do you remember where you bought it'

'The Golden Circle. It's a goldsmith that mostly provides his service to the Noble families', Karin told. 'The guy running the place helped me make the choice best suited for Ichi-nii. Even gave me a discount'.

'Why did he give you a discount?'

'He said he owed my brother, since he defeated Aizen. I tried to wave it off but the man persisted'.

Placing down her notepad, Suì-Fēng gave the other a stern look. 'I will have you placed in holding for now'.

'You think I would harm my brother?!' Karin snapped. 'It was a gift! If I had known it could harm him, I would have never bought it!'

'That's what you claim. Yet, we know you have motive', Suì-Fēng said.

Karin paused, thinking about what the captain could possibly be referring to. 'You mean- I don't blame him for that! It was my decision to sacrifice myself for my sister, not his'.

'You made that decision under the assumption your brother would save you', Suì-Fēng countered.

'I did not!' Karin shouted.

'A little too late'. Suì-Fēng opened up a file. 'That is, if you consider six hours a little'.

'He had to prepare and fight his way down, that takes time'.

'By the time he reached the fourth level of Hell, you had already been reborn twice. Don't tell me you never doubted him'.

The fire left Karin as she slumped in her seat. 'I don't hold it against him', she maintained. 'Sure, dying sucked. But, I am here. Ichi-nii made sure I would never have to spend a day in the Rukongai. He gave up our mother's maiden name so that I had a roof over my head and wouldn't starve'. She closed her eyes, 'I can never repay what he has done for me'.

Suì-Fēng frowned. It didn't appear the youngest Shiba was lying. Her spiritual-pressure fluctuated exactly how it should, reflecting the emotions she was showing without delay of reservations. Either she was honest or a better liar than Aizen. Considering who the girl is, Suì-Fēng staked her career on the first.

'This conversation is over'.

She had to go back to the drawing board.

#

TO BE CONTINUED

BLEACH – Tite Kubo

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My apologies for the drop in quality for this chapter. I thought I had all chapters already finished before I started uploading. When I checked this chapter last Monday and found it wasn't done yet. I managed to add 600 words to make it flow a bit better but it still isn't to my liking. I will revise it at a later date, until then this will have to do.