The day seemed to drag on forever.
After Ikkaku's news about Ichigo, Kenpachi threw himself into his work – it was the only way to pass the time until tomorrow, when the Council was being called. The Old Man himself had phoned the 11th Hour, and advised him that the meeting would be held at the Generals Headquarters, in the center of the city. Kenpachi grinned eagerly, earning a scared look from his arms master with whom he was sparring. He was looking forward to seeing some old faces.
He knew he'd have to bring Yachiru – but it would be okay, because her teacher would be there with the school Principal, Shuunsui Kyouraku. The man was a shrewd tactician, with a well deserved combat record. He wondered if they would be able to get the Mercenary group to come – the ones who had helped them the last time. The Vizard were hard to book these days, if his contacts had anything to tell him about it. He was pretty sure Soifon would show – even with her battle injuries, she was a formidable fighter. He wondered if she would bring her doofus lieutenant, or if he had finally gotten himself killed in the line of duty?
Not concentrating on the battle at hand, Kenpachi lowered his weapon in slightly, completely forgetting to block.
CRACK!
The arms masters' wooden sword came smacking down on Kenpachi's left collar bone, connecting with a bone breaking crunch. The poor man blanched deathly white and withdrew his weapon, scampering away and bowing in a submissive pose. "I'm so sorry Sir! I was using full force as instructed, but you didn't block as expected. Sir!" He risked a quick glance up to the Captains' face, wondering why the man wasn't roaring in pain.
Kenpachi grimaced, raised his left arm out to the side and wriggled it slightly, like he had a cramp. Men throughout the barracks had stopped the moment the strike hit home, and were now attempting to pick up their jaws from the floor. They all knew the reputation of the Demon Hunter – of his extreme resistance to pain, of his willingness to fight with injuries, and of his apparent invincibility. For most of them, this was the first example they had seen of that reputation – and it was already far more they had imagined. His collarbone should be shattered!
Ikkaku was sparring with one of the men who had stopped to watch Kenpachi, and gave him a sound rap on the head for his inattention. "When you're facing an enemy, you don't stop to watch everyone else!" The man turned back to him and readied his weapon, trembling slightly. Ikkaku sneered – when would these guys learn to focus! That was the whole point of honing one's skills! Once you learn to focus, things that seemed like luck, or speed, were actually just the training kicking in. Ikkaku jabbed forward with his weapon, and was quickly deflected by his opponent, which made him grin. Although, I think I may be the only one with true luck on my side… He thought to himself, twinkling his toes as he prepared for another strike.
Meanwhile, the poor arms master was still bowed in front of his Captain. "What are you apologizing for, idiot?" Kenpachi bellowed, "That's precisely what I asked you to do! Full force, I said! No holds barred, I said!" He turned to the rest of the group in the training hall – most of whom had not returned to their practice. "If you've all been watching this, you have learned two things: ONE – When I give a direction – FOLLOW IT!" He flashed a quick grin at the man behind him, who had yet to look up from his bowed position.
"And TWO…" Almost at the speed of light, Kenpachi swung around, lifting his foot at precisely the right time to clip the arms master under the chin, sending the man flying up and back, falling into a dead faint against the rear wall. "…ALWAYS keep you're guard up – regardless of who you're fighting." There was an audible gulp, then a flurry of movement as the sparring partners began striking and blocking with even greater speed and force. Kenpachi grunted in approval and left the floor, heading back to his desk.
He'd barely worked up a sweat.
That evening, the barracks echoed with exhausted and pained groans. The mood was somber, yet content, and the beige walls of the back office were dimly lit by the glow of Kenpachi's hated computer screen, as he attempted to finalize his paperwork on the Maki Ichinose case. Pfft – just because one little hand got chopped off, suddenly the paperwork stack quadrupled. Bullshit.
Night fell and the kid came home, bouncing in the back door as usual, chirping about her day at school (conveniently leaving out mention of her exam) and wanting to know everything that happened while she was spending the afternoon at the candy store. Kenpachi gave her the updates in his short, abrupt fashion – he didn't hide anything to do with the business from his daughter. She grimaced at the news about Aizen, and blanched when she heard about Unohana.
Yachiru had been too young to be by his side last time. She had forgiven him for being left behind, but she hadn't forgotten. Just as she hadn't forgotten the men they'd lost, or the haunted look in the eyes of the survivors. Not everyone was like them, she understood that - but those that were different shouldn't have that look.
"But she's ok? Yes? Should I go visit her? What candy do you think she likes best?" The girl prattled on – her way of coping with bad news. Kenpachi gave her a warm look, which most would mistake as a cold stare. "You 'n me will see her at the Chiefs meeting tomorrow." Yachiru nodded, eyes bright with excitement and anticipation. He hefted himself out of the office chair and left the office through the read door, feeling Yachiru jump onto his back and hang on for the few steps it would take to get them both to their house next door. One of his men would close up for the night, he supposed.
Tomorrow would be the decider… if they would be going to war again…
The sun rose slowly the next morning – too slowly for Kenpachi Zaraki. Today was the 'Council of Chiefs' – and he was anxious to get moving. Running eager fingers through his hair, and hefting the kid on his shoulder, he made his way out the door, stopping for a moment to appreciate how quiet the world was at this time of morning. He wouldn't miss this quiet world – not when there was fighting to be done. The light finally breached the top of the buildings across the wide street in front of his house, touching on his loose black trousers, black button up shirt and a sleeveless white coat with the Japanese symbol for '11' on it's back. He always loved the way that symbol looked – like a grave marker over a fresh kill. The coat was a gift from the Old Man himself, and he was required to wear it to show his position, and loyalty to the city. The purple inner lining, and the symbol on the back were his own additions though – to show he wasn't entirely bought, and that he would make his own rules as he saw fit.
Sliding on his dark wrap around sunglasses, and hefting the kid on his shoulder, he headed towards the black SUV idling on the side of the road – their ride to the General Headquarters. Makiyosuke was their driver again today, and he nodded deferentially as they opened the back door and slid in – Yachiru instantly bouncing into the front passenger seat, much to Makiyosue's concern. He gripped the wheel a bit tighter and pulled out from the curb, heading into the city center.
The drive was easy, as they missed most of the morning traffic – Yachiru kept pointing out her favorite stores to the driver, demanding that he pull over so she could go shopping. Makiyosuke would sweat, and apologize profusely, telling her that their meeting was starting in 15 minutes, and the stores weren't opened yet, anyway. The banter went on like that until they reached the sidewalk in front of General Headquarters, where a very relieved Makiyosuke dropped them off, and a completely uninterested Kenpachi grunted at him to be back at midday.
The Captain let his gaze fall upon the towering white structure ahead of him, the way it took over the entire city block with its sprawling mass of high walls, dark glazed tile roofing and excess of black suited security personnel that looked like secret service wannabe's. The city traffic passed by this building without really recognizing it – to the general populace, this was just another art-deco designed, Government Building. They avoided the block altogether, and instead kept to the sidewalk on the other side of the 8 lane main road, where there was couture and high retail shopping. Indeed, people barely seemed to notice the building, the security – even the amount of high-end cars and their bizarre passengers pulling up into the designated drop off zone.
"Kenpachi!" That voice could only belong to one orange haired person.
Turning his head towards the caller, he stared in open disdain at the small group heading towards him from a long black limousine. Yachiru bounced up and down on his shoulder in obvious excitement.
"Ichi! Rukia! Pineapple!" Yachiru cried out as the group came to a stop about 6 feet from where they were standing. Ichigo Kurosaki slowed with well-deserved caution at the sight of the small lieutenant, and gave them both a smile and a nod. The Kuchiki girl grinned at Yachiru and nodded respectfully towards Kenpachi. Renji gave a sly grin and bowed slightly, showing his respect for his old training master.
"Abarai," Kenpachi growled suddenly, making the red head look up at him in surprise, "You and I are going to have a few words after this is over." Renji audibly gulped and stuttered "Y-yes, sir." His confusion was evident in every tattooed line on his face.
"Shall we head inside, Captain?" Rukia suggested politely, breaking the awkward silence. Rukia always paid her respects to people of seniority, regardless of their social class – a fact that didn't escape Kenpachi's sharp mind. The girl may be nobility, but she wasn't high-born, and she wasn't a coward. He respected that, and, nodding him agreement, the group approached the large glass doors the immediately opened for them. Security guards in the foyer stood to sharper attention as they passed – and so they should. All of them had to pass basic and secondary training with The 11th Hour to even be considered for a role in the 'Big House'. Kenpachi was as much their Captain as Yamamoto. Ichigo led the way, focused entirely on the meeting.
Besides being hidden in plain sight in the center of the city, there were other uniquely strategic design to this tower. The upper floors were all administrative and storage office. The ground floor, however, was where the most important events occurred. The small group walked in a beeline down an elongate corridor. footsteps echoing off the cathedral ceiling that compounded the first three floors. There were several shiny elevators lining the walls, and the usual reception area directly by the entrance, of course - but there was only one meeting room on this floor, and it was infamously known as 'the Hall'. The large, decorative double doors that served as the entrance to the Hall opened for them, pulled by invisible hands. The room itself was wide and empty with piercing white walls and dark paneled wooden floors. The main focus was the huge oaken U-shaped conference table in the center of the room, curving towards the enormous monochrome tapestry that dominated the back wall. Two dozen black leather arm chairs were placed evenly along the length length, with numerous smaller chairs and tables lining the walls for secretaries and subordinates.
The Hall was already filled with a variety of colorful characters. Yachiru instantly grabbed Rukia's hand and dashed off to say hello to her teacher, Ise Nanao, who was there with the school Principal, Kyoraku Shunsui. The man always dressed in such a flowery way. A baby pink suit, which was set off nicely with soft grey shoes and tie, while his long dark hair was tied neatly down his back. In complete contrast to this, Ise Nanao was wearing a strict dark grey and white dress suit and shoes. Her ever-present agenda diary and blackberry were in hand as she smiled politely at Yachiru and Rukia, while throwing sideways glares at her Principal. They had obviously had another spat on the way over - probably over the Principals 'after school agenda'.. which often involved late nights at Hitsugayas bar, and even the odd drink with rowdy crowd at the 11th Hour barracks.
Renji had immediately strode to his employer, Byakuya Kuchiki, who was conversing quietly with Toshiro Hitsugaya. Byakuya glanced at Renji, acknowledging his presence, and murmured something to him. Renji scowled, but nodded quickly and stood to attention a few feet away, his eyes scouring the room. Kenpachi noticed the way he stood, balanced and ready, and gave an internal grunt of approval. Looks like he was stuck on Body Guard duty, but he hadn't forgotten everything that was taught to him. Rangiku Matsumoto was nowhere to be seen – probably looking after the bar while the boss was at the meeting. That, or too hungover to attend.
He saw the Fire Chief, Jyuushiro Ukitake sharing a laugh with the Police Commissioner (and Ex-Bomb Squad Captain), Sajin Komamura. Well, it looked more like Ukitake was the one enjoying the joke, as Komamura's trimmed red beard was tilted in a polite smile. That man had always worn his bomb squad uniform and helmet to almost every meeting, until he realized people accepted him for his skill, not for the way he looked. At a towering 7'2", he capped Kenpachi's 6'7" by over six inches. It wasn't that the Commissioner was ugly, he just had numerous scars along his face which gave him a distinctly… vulpine look. That, and he was a born Scotsman – covered in red hair, rough brogue and filled with a ruthless sense of justice. Which was one of the reasons he had such a bone to pick with bounty hunters like Kenpachi.
His Lieutenant, Iba Tetsuzaimon looked expectantly towards Kenpachi, obviously hoping his best drinking buddy, Ikkaku had joined them. Not seeing his bald head anywhere, Iba frowned, and returned to his conversation with the temporary director of the city's Power Grid, Shuuhei Hisagi, and the well suited gentleman who was the temporary acting chief Editor of the cities' largest Media company, Izuru Kira. Kenpachi raised his lip in disgust – that company was just a cover for organized crime, and everyone knew it. Shuuhei was the real media mogul – running the largest online news website on the eastern seaboard, all the while trying to keep the Power on in an increasingly demanding city.
That boy was a workaholic, and unfortunately, to Kenpachi at least, he was also a weakling and a coward. His boss (that lying sack of shit, Kaname Tosen) had also been a Power plant workaholic, and in his early days had lost his sight and his best friend to an exploding transformer near the edge of the city. He had always said that he would continue to run the company – it was what his friend 'would have wanted' – but now they knew he had planned the sabotage of the plant all along, and it had backfired on him. The guy was a damn arsonist who maintained a pacifist way of life to hide his darker desires. It was one of the reasons he had been so drawn to Komamura – his expertise of explosions whetted the bastard's appetite.
Ichigo had wandered away towards the shadowed back corned, where Kenpachi could clearly see the outline of a well dressed exotic woman, and her mysterious companion. Yoruichi Shihoin and Kisuke Urahara– he wasn't surprised they had shown up – but he was curious as to why they were sticking to the shadows. Seeing Ichigo's shocked look of surprise and happiness, and the way the woman smiled as her dress bulged in the front gave it away for him. They were trying to keep the pregnancy quiet. After all, a lot of people, some of which were in this very room, would love a chance to cause trouble for those two – and a child is the perfect weapon – for the ones who play dirty. He growled low in his throat, earning a sharp glance from Abarai.
As Kenpachi mulled over the ramifications of Yoruichi's pregnancy, he noticed a small dark splotch against the wall behind her, about two meters away. So – Soifon had shown up after all. He couldn't see more than her silhouette, but he could tell she was guarding the senator closely – that woman had a serious honor code when it came to the ex-senator. He couldn't see her second-in-command anywhere, but he hoped the guy was in retirement – working in special forces just didn't suit him – he would have been better under Komamura.
He let his eyes drift over the rest of the crowd, and realized he was the last one to arrive after all. There was Unohana in the far corner, chatting serenely with her number two, Isane Kotetsu. He didn't wait for her to notice him – the contempt in the corner of her eyes was enough for him to realize that she knew he had entered.
Closer towards the entrance, and to his left was his one of least favorite people in the room – Mayuri Kurotsuchi. He was quiet, observing the gathering with his usual wide-eyed 'evil-genius' expression, completely ignoring his smaller companion and subordinate, Nemu. Though she was his daughter, he never failed to openly discuss how she was a test tube baby – brought into this world merely to push the boundaries of science. Just as he never failed to openly criticize and humiliate her at every opportunity. However, the small girl merely took it all in calmly – almost creepily – and acted like a complete android. No expression. No fear. No personality. The two of them were both in their CSURWD white lab coats, with Mayuri wearing a pair of large, blue ear protectors around his neck. Wierd.
The room buzzed with activity as people began to head towards seats and settle in. Yachiru came flying towards Kenpachi, who grunted at her to sit down and shut up in the chair against the wall behind him. The girl grinned, settling herself at the smaller desk with a giggle. Only Ichigo refused to be seated – instead choosing to stand near the entrance, as he would be presenting the latest intel, no doubt. The Old Man had yet to make his appearance, so the room was full of quiet whispered conversations and speculation. News was passed in Chinese whispers among the subordinates along the walls, and water was poured into numerous glasses by the small trio of wait-staff that entered the room to attend to the delegates.
Suddenly, the relative quiet was broken by the creak of the large double doors opening. The seated crowd turned as one, questioning who else could possibly be attending – wasn't everyone here? Eyes widened and jaws clenched around the room as one by one, they recognized the new intruders entering into their 'private' meeting. Long legs, short legs, casual and arrogant - the group entered and spread out to cover the entrance, leaving only one to stand before them.
The large, toothy grin of the leader was aggravating to say the least. But it was Mayuri who broke the shocked silence of their entry, with his loud, screech:
"Why are the Vizard attending this meeting?!"