You could cut the tension with a sword.
"I said," that screeching voice came from Mayuri Kurotsuchi, "Why are the Vizard attending this meeting?!"
Shinji Hirako, the 'leader' of the famed Mercenary group turned his legendary toothy grin towards the CSURWD director. "What? Saving your butts last time wasn't reason enough to be included?"
Hackles bristled around the table. Kenpachi observed all this with interest – noting that the only ones who were offended seemed to be the people who sustained little to no injury. Ichigo walked towards the table, and opened his mouth to voice his obvious opinion about Mayuri's objections – but he was interrupted before he could begin by a loud and commanding tone:
"They are here at my invitation, Mayuri Kurotsuchi."
Heads turned and bowed in respect to the old man who appeared at the head of the table – as though melting through the back wall itself. He trained a stern eye on the director, who averted his gaze with clenched teeth.
"Do not think to question my judgment on this matter!" He barked, ending any objections. The room fell silent as the general took his seat at the head of the table, wooden cane tapping the floor to announce the beginning of the meeting. He was not alone – his constant companion and lieutenant, Chojiro Sasakibe, was close behind him – his heavily lidded eyes missed nothing in the room as he stayed close to the rear wall, behind his captain.
The main focus of attention, Genryuusai Shigekune Yamamoto (or, as Yachiru called him, Gramps) looked out sternly across the assembled mass. His bright, intelligent eyes were nearly hidden beneath his heavy brow, but not one person in the room would dare to hide from that gaze – the first and oldest of them all.
"As you have all been informed, an old threat has returned." His voice was like heated thunder, rumbling through the room and scorching the ears. "The criminal, Sosuke Aizen, has made moves towards our city – and for better or worse, we are the defending line. You are all here for your contribution in the last war. You skills, courage and knowledge of the enemy and his tactics were successful in ridding him from our city – but were NOT successful in the taking of his freedom... or his life." Bodies shifted nervously at the implied failure of the group as a whole.
"But, Sir – The Division Five Captain was equipped with a weapon - and an army - that we were unprepared to fight. Not to mention, his, and his associates' treachery was completely unsuspected." That voice of reason was Komamura, his eyes were dark and troubled – Kaname Tousen had been his closest friend, after all. "Given those circumstances, you would berate us for not defeating, let alone killing those who were once our comrades?" Jyuushiro was to the left of the big man, and placed a gentle hand on his arm, hoping to calm him. The fire chief was a gentle man, and many people outside these walls thought his physical weakness applied to his mental prowess. Nothing could be further from the truth.
"Ichigo Kurosaki." The old man barked out the name suddenly, bringing the young man up to attention. "Please begin." The strawberry haired man stood tall and addressed the assembled party in the same manner he always did – with no honorific's, but for the Old Mans'.
"Secretary General – sorry," He smiled wryly, and there were a few indulgent grins around the table. "Governor Yamamoto and everyone… uh… else?" The room was such a mix of different professions that to try and group them would be incorrect under any circumstance. "A week ago, I received word that our enemy, Sosuke Aizen, had returned to our home. His strength and goals were unknown – but this much was said: He arrived with old allies." A murmur spread around the outside of the room. Allies? Aizen still had allies? Who would want to be willing to themselves with such a wanted man? Ichigo continued "Yesterday, these allies broke into Seireitei General Hospital and released the criminal psychopath Grimmjow Jaegerjaques. In doing so, they injured Chief Medical Officer, Retsu Unohana and got away without a shred of security footage." The room erupted with angry outcries.
"There is more." They fell silent as Ichigo indicated for Shinji and Urahara to step forward. "Our allies have gained more information since the attack at the hospital. Kisuke and Shinji will take it from here." He left the spotlight and returned his spot against the wall. Urahara stepped forward and began his report. "Through my own sources, I have discovered that Aizen has come here for one reason, and one reason only: Revenge. After his failed attempt to take control of the city, he retreated to an unknown location. We must assume it was there that he reunited with his current 'pals'. They have been identified as the trio of assassins 'Tres Bestias', their leader Tia Halibel, Nnoitra Gilga," Kenpachi twitched, "and… Yammy Riolga."
All eyes in the room shifted towards Kenpachi, then to Byakuya Kuchiki.
Kenpachi's look of surprise, and Byakuya's bored glare, were enough to tell everyone that the two men didn't realize they hadn't killed Yammy two years ago. They had both watched him fall into the sea while they were fighting on Aizen's private yacht. They had both laid killing blows upon him. And they had both immediately turned on each other in a vicious battle for superiority, from a long standing feud. To this day, they had spoken to no-one of the outcome - nor had they discussed it amongst themselves at the rare times they had met for business meetings. Curiosity raged on the topic - but the threat of injury was too great to ask either man.
"And now," Shinji took up from Urahara – all eyes snapped back to him instantly, "There's been some news brewing in the underground. We haven't personally been approached, for obvious reasons, but I know of several other merc Squads in the country that have been offered a pretty hefty sum to join Aizen's little crusade. Mostly, they're just what we call Hollows – empty, but the need for money and blood. But a couple of stronger groups have been contacted – you all know the Arrancars. Looks like a few of them might be against us again."
"I thought Halibel, Gilga and Riolga were members of the Arrancars?" Shuuhei piped up, brows furrowed. His boss had rebelled, but he'd been an information source only - too busy keeping the city running to be involved in any fighting. His work had been essential, though he still held the guilt of not realizing Tosens' true motives.
"They were." Shinji responded, "But the Arrancars are the group as a whole. The Espada - whom those three were members - was the elite division. There were 10 in all, and all of them followed Aizen during the last war. Grimmjow was also an Espada. Three were disposed of-" His eyes flicked to Kurotsuchi, Byakuya and Ichigo "- But that still leaves three unaccounted for. Presumably, they have returned to lead the Arrancar, and if that's the case... well..." He didn't need to continue. Every person in the room understood what it took to fight a single known Espada. Having three wildcards out there was terrifying.
"Division five was disbanded immediately after Aizen's treachery." Komamura interrupted - as the Police commissioner, he had been charge of disintegrating the infamous Vice division. He had taken great care to eliminate every trace of the squad, and the drug they had created. "Kyoka Suigetsu and its formula were destroyed, leaving Aizen with no weapon this time. If he is coming – he is coming unarmed." Soifon scoffed loudly, and the large Scotsman glared at her.
"And what of his secretary - Hinamori?" The question came, surprisingly, from Kira. Hitsugaya scowled at the man, but waited for an answer.
Komamura growled - a surprisingly deep sound. "I had one of my most trusted officers on her tail. We had her place bugged. Eyes on everything she did." Across the table, Hitsugaya clenched his fists, refusing to look at the big man. "He was found in a dumpster with his throat slit, 24 hours ago. The woman is missing." Bodies shifted in chairs as they ramifications of this news rolled through the room. Hinamori had an eidetic memory, and as Aizens secretary, she had covered everything that came through his office - including any references to the formula 'Kyoka Suigetsu'.
"Regardless," Urahara picked up quickly, "You must all be made aware. An attack could come from anywhere at anytime, against any one of us. He wants revenge against us all, for one reason or another. And we need to be prepared until further intelligence come to light of his true motives." The silence was deafening as Shinji and Urahara retook their seats. Mayuri's eyes followed Urahara the entire time.
Ex-Secretary of Defense and Governor of the state, Yamamoto, stood up from his chair and addressed the assembled group. "This is as serious as it gets: I am immediately issuing orders to all here, that we must locate and detain Aizen as soon as possible. Any and all means of capture are approved. Only direct interference with civilians is disallowed. Begin your preparations – we are going to finish this!" His fist came crashing down on the hard table, echoing throughout the room – war was upon them.
Kenpachi's grin as he exited the meeting was maniacal. Any and all means… and Nnoitra has survived... he couldn't be happier. After the general had left the Hall, the various captains, chiefs and higher level personnel had trickled out one by one. Others had stayed to discuss possible security weaknesses and infrastructure liabilities. Yachiru, knowing Kenpachi would want to leave immediately, had already called Makiyosuke to bring the car around earlier than advised.
They were just exiting the building, and heading to the black SUV waiting for them, when Ichigo jogged out and called to Kenpachi, stopping close enough for a private conversation. The big man stopped, turned and raised raised a brow at the younger man. "Whaddaya want?"
Ichigo had that serious look on his face, the one that made Kenpachi itch to pull out his sword and go toe to toe with the guy just one more time...
"You need to be careful."
Kenpachi rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses, scoffing. "Tcha. You think some piss ant on Aizens B-Team could take me out?"
"You thought you'd killed Nnoitra."
Kenpachi stiffened and turned fully to face the brat. He glowered, lips pulled back slightly - Ichigo couldn't miss his sharp canines when he stood this close. "I did." He growled. Then his expression shifted to something like dark excitement. "But if he came back, then that means I get to have fun with him all over again." Ichigo swallowed, intimidated by the mans pure ecstasy for fighting. Yachiru peeked over one shoulder, grinning hugely. "Kenny had so much fun last time! It's my favorite story!" Ichigo grinner weakly - the small girl was nearly as scary as her father.
Kenpachi stood to his full height, nodded and turned towards the idling SUV. He waved a hand over his shoulder in a casual farewell as Yachiru beamed from her perch, waving merrily. "Bye, Ichi! We can't wait for-"
He words were cut off, when the SUV was suddenly lifted into the air by a violent explosion, sending a concussion wave that blasted super heated air in every direction. Makiyosuke was a charred, barely recognizable lump in the drivers seat, hunched over the melting wheel. Flaming debris began raining down. Traffic on the main road had come to a screeching halt as several cars had collided from the blast. Kenpachi held his ground, face impassive as he stared at the wreck that was clearly meant for him. Ichigo staggered back, arm over his eyes as Kenpachis body inadvertently shielded him.. Several security guards, however, were thrown back from the force of the explosion and hit the front stairs and walls with dull thuds – knocking them out cold.
The next few minutes happenedso quickly - people came rushing out from all exits, yelling inexplicably and shouting into cell phones. Jyuushiro was already arranging fire trucks, while Unohana and her aide, Isane, were attending to the injured. Komamura and Shinji were barking orders, making their people search surrounding cars, civilians and alleyways - was there a trigger? Was there a second bomb?
Ichigo gripped Kenpachi by the arm - was the man in shock? He hadn't moved a muscle - one of his men had just died! "Kenpachi! Are you OK? What the hell was that?!"
The bigger man stared down through his sunglasses at the young Private Investigator. "Well, that's obvious, ain't it? Someone's tyring to kill me."
Taking a cab was no picnic for Kenpachi. Most of the time, they were either too small for his massive frame, or they didn't want to go all the way to the edge of town to the barracks. This particular cabbie happened to be an unfortunate combination of both.
"This'll be far enough. That's $22.50. You'll have to walk the rest of the way."
Kenpachi didn't say a word – he didn't have to. He just stared in the rearview mirror. Yachiru just started to laugh. And laugh. And laugh. "You're are SO funny!" She gasped to the cab driver, trying to catch her breath.
"It's not a joke, girl. Now give me the fare money and get out of my cab – it's too risky to go any further. Besides – four blocks won't kill you." His voice was firm, but there was a slight tremor when he looked into the rear-view mirror at Kenpachi.
Yachiru quieted down and tried again "I know we gave you the address, but we didn't give you the business name, did we? We're going to –"
"-I don't care where you're going-"
"- the 11th Hour. You know that place, right?" Yachiru's cheerful grin, and Kenpachi's ominous silence had the cabdrivers' foot on the gas pedal before he'd realized he'd moved. They arrived with a small squeal of the tires in front of the barracks. The driver didn't say a word, and he didn't ask for the money. He roared away before the door was fully closed.
The captain entered the barracks to joyous cries of welcome – Kenpachi must be the most beloved commander in the city. Thing was, he really didn't care – he just wanted to sit down and discuss the day's events with his men. Which was going to be interesting, as there were a few fresh faces in his squad. He gathered together Ikkaku and Yumichika and together with Yachiru, he told them everything that had happened, and was about to happen in their city.
"Ikkaku, address the men – tell 'em about the war on Aizen, about how prepared they need to be – I don't want 'em dying until I say so, you hear me? Then we start training – hard. All bounties barring Aizen and his groupies will be forfeit until I say so." Ikkaku nodded. "After that, I'm going to let them know exactly how 11th is going to prepare this city for war." His lips curved up in a predators grin. Yumichika gulped audibly – he hoped Aizen knew what he was in for.
"Sir - the bomb." Ikkaku paused, not needing to ask after the mans wellbeing, but feeling a need to address the incident - especially because of the death of Makiyosuke. He was a good man. "Any leads? Suspects? Worms to be crushed?" He smirked, keen to be the one to hand out justice against his Captain.
Kenpachi shook his head, uninterested. "Nothing immediate - but Komamura says he'll keep us updated." He snorted in amusement, inviting the men to join in the joke "Bastard says he'll post a few men for... 'protection'." Ikkaku guffawed loudly, Yumichika laughed in his gentle way and Yachiru just grinned, giggling about the silly doggy and his silly offer. "But I'm not gonna worry 'bout it. If someone wants me dead, they gotta try harder." They all nodded, drinking in silence for several minutes, before Kenpachi raised his beer in a tiny salute and took a sip. Ikkaku and Yumichika lowered their eyes, murmured 'To Makiyosuke' and lifted their own drinks. To die in battle was an honor. To die in service to the captain was an honor.
But the members of 11th Hour did not mourn the dead.