Disclaimer: I don't own the works created by Tite Kubo.
A/N: I would like to thank Yumi-taichou8 for being a beta in all regards and for being a good angel when it comes to bouncing out ideas. Thank you!
Chapter 2: The Unexpected
Shining and smooth, the mahogany colored floor and wooden pillars of the assembly hall shone in the morning sunlight. The day started like any other day; sun glowing warmly, wind whispering gently, the smell of blooming flowers, and no clouds in the clear blue sky as the satisfying spring day progress harmlessly. But the fact that the Seireitei itself looked like it got hit by a giant nuclear bomb didn't flawlessly blend with that picture.
Being attacked by creatures not remotely close to Hollows at all had the members of Gotei 13 absolutely rattled. No such creatures were recorded in the Daireisho Archive or any sort of data collective. In all regards, the event triggered something. But what? What did this all mean?
The white haired Captain of Squad 10 barely contained a sigh from escaping his lips as he stood in his position in the congregation hall, waiting for the captains meeting to commence. Answers to such questions were beyond him and in turn, was causing such a major headache to pulse painfully behind his temples that he wanted to bang his head against a wall in order for him to be knocked unconscious. It didn't help that he hardly had any sleep the previous night but that was beside the point.
The constant hum from the other captains didn't help his migraine but he refused to be selfish enough to let it bother him. The details of the yesterdays attack echoed softly through the room. Bit and pieces of everyone's experiences made an unsettling picture in the young mans mind. Each had their own battles or were witnesses to the unusual creatures but each one seemed to be slightly diverse. And in the end, all lead to one thing, mythological creatures. He would have normally brushed the matter off as mere childish fantasy and nightmares if he didn't face his own fight against such a creature.
But still…mythological beings?
"Attention everyone!" even when Head Captain Yamamoto began to speak, none of the nine assembled shinigami captains bothered to suddenly terminate their conversation but slowly shifted into silence. Yamamoto was patient enough to allow this however, letting the other captains gaze at him with various looks of anxiety.
"This meeting will now commence," just for the effect, or sensing that normality would lessen the tension, the wizened old man banged his staff loudly against the floor.
No one spoke, not that any response had been called for exactly, and the silence continued for more time than was comfortable, or necessary. All knew better than to burst out all at once. Even if they could, none of the other nine wasn't sure how to gather their anxious yet disturbed thoughts to ask or say anything that could be deemed appropriate.
And thus, wither or not he was contemplating his next words, none could say but Captain Yamamoto let the silence stretch for a moment more.
"What an odd thing is fate…to bring ones such as ourselves to this time, this moment," he began, seeming to be unaware of the effect of his words were causing to his assembled comrades. Or maybe he was aware of them, for the reactions of the collected captains made him smile lightly, "We are not complete in our leadership for we are ten strong!"
Everyone seemed misplaced in their confusion, unsure where the head captain was going with the topic. Wasn't yesterdays attack a bit more important than the fact that they were ten strong rather than thirteen? None can say.
It was their confusion that hindered them from uttering an opinion or statement, however. This opening caused the head captain to continue, "As a result, yesterdays attack has caused me to consider that three new candidates need to be chosen quickly yet efficiently before any new disturbances can be taken place. The three empty positions must be filled!"
This statement, however, caused indistinct muttering. The assembly hall, silent before, soon filled with noise more accurate to one filled with hundreds of shinigami rather than just ten. Muttering that soon ceased as Captain Yamamoto banged his staff loudly against the wooden floor boards making most, if the not all, of the assembled captains wince, "A decision most wise if we have any hopes to accurately pin point the cause of the situation!"
"In all due respects," Captain Ukitake, leader of the 13th squad, began, "I understand the need for choosing new captains but should the circumstances that transpired yesterday be our main concern?"
"I understand and appreciate the seriousness of your question Captain Ukitake," Captain Yamamoto answered, "By any means necessary, we need to be at full force to tackle this situation. This is something that should not be taken lightly! All squads need accurate yet solid leadership in a crisis like this and for all situations in the future!"
A thoughtful silence followed his statement, allowing the words to slowly sink into the minds of the assembled shinigami. Yes, yesterdays event shouldn't be taken lightly but at the same time, the time used for testing new candidates could be used for finding answers. And new possibilities for defense. Yet no one could rebut the logic in the decision for new captains. The prospects for mishap and danger of both lives and souls in the Soul Society, and the World of the Living was to great to over look. If requiring new captains for the three leaderless squads would indeed help such an event from happening and be beneficial in the long run than so be it.
"The captain proficiency test will be taken over the course of a week starting tomorrow," the Head Captain began, banging his staff against the floor to snap the assembled shinigami from their respective thoughts to refocus once more, "In the mean time, strengthening our defenses in both worlds should be our top priority in case of another assault and finding those who are responsible!"
Looking over his comrades in turn, the Head Captain banged his staff against the floor once more as he bellowed, "This meeting is now dismissed!"
Whispering fabric and low muttering erupted from these words as the assembled captains began to take their leave, an action soon halted as the loud ringing voice of squad one lieutenant, Chojiro Sasakibe, boomed through the room as he entered, "Head Captain Yamamoto! I apologize for interrupting but there's an incoming report from the World of the Living that you should hear!"
"Proceed!" Yamamoto commanded, leaning forward slightly on his staff.
With these command Lieutenant Sasakibe raised his left hand, showing all of those in the assembly hall the Hell Butterfly resting upon it. A slight flutter of its black wings, the insect hovered slightly as the individual on the other side began, "This is Rukia Kuchiki, member of squad 13, reporting the mass outbreak of unfamiliar beings in Karakura Town. Unable to accurately pin point and contain them. They're seem to be everywhere….."
"Continue with your report, Rukia Kuchiki!" commanded Yamamoto after a moment of silence on her end and through the surprised chatter of the fellow captain members.
"Something abnormal is going on sir!" Rukia replied but it wasn't just her voice that was brought through. A loud wind was overriding her voice and it hushed the captains, for it wasn't the sound of a normal wind or squall made by nature but a gale brought forth from something else. The static energy heard was most likely brought forth from something…
"What the…?"
Before the member of the 13th squad could utter another word, her connection to the Soul Society was cut abruptly off with a loud screech of static and an animal like wail.
Standing in his place, Toshiro cringed slightly as the those around him became astounded with the sudden turn of events. Mayuri Kurotsuchi began to pant a series of incoherent muttering, Sajin Komamura shifted his weight in awkward equilibrium, Kenpachi Zaraki grunted uncharacteristically, Jushiro Ukitake and Shunsui Kyoraku uttered a surprised statement in unison, Retsu Unohana expressed a gasp, Byakuya Kuchiki glared stoically, if that was remotely possible, and Soi Fon sputtered loud statements. The soft tap of sandals somewhere outside the Assembly Hall were drowned out by the noise and Toshiro had to wonder of the thoughts of those working outside. He didn't have to wonder long as another member of squad 1 dashed into the room.
"What's the meaning of your appearance?" demanded Yamamoto.
"Pardon my rudeness Captain Yamamoto but we just lost communications with the World of the Living a few minutes after confirming that Karakura Town and various parts of the World of the Living was under siege."
Captain Yamamoto stood silent for a moment as those around him erupted in surprise chaos, a brief moment he use to get his thoughts in order.
"Silence!" he roared, cutting off the loud and chaotic muttering of those before him. "Captain Kurotsuchi, I want you to establish new communication with the World of the Living. Captain Unohana, make the necessary preparations for incoming casualties, and Captain Soi Fon, I need you to take the Stealth Force to the World of the Living, provide assistance. Everyone else, go to your barracks and prepare yourselves for further orders."
Everyone nodded in response before leaving. The sound of sandals against the floor boards, the rustling of fabric, and the muttering of voices soon faded as the captains left the assembly hall. The only ones left were the head captain and his lieutenant. A moment of hushed quiet soon followed the absence of the other captains, a silence that didn't last for very long.
With an uncharacteristic sigh, the head captain uttered, "I have a bad feeling about this."
A/N: For those who have a great interest in this story so far, please let me forewarn you that it would take me at least two weeks for each update for corrections, research on myths and so forth. Thank you!