Chapter 2: Astounding Announcement: The Murder Mystery

"Where are we going?" Tairos moaned as he raced behind Baiten and Jaice towards the 9th Squad meeting area. "I was enjoying such a nice nap…"

"Your sleep can wait; we have bigger matters to attend to!" Jaice snapped, ignoring Tairos's constant complaining. After serving together for a few years, Jaice had grown accustomed to Tairos and his whines about anything that involved work of any kind.

"We've been running for at least 10 minutes and you still haven't told me why we are rushing to this meeting!" Tairos shot back.

"There's been some sort of emergency," Baiten said between pants as he wiped sweat from his brow. "The Hell Butterfly didn't tell us much more than that, so we're basically as much in the dark as you are."

"Why is it I can never get a straight answer?" Tairos whined as he sped up his pace to catch up to Jaice and Baiten. Jaice, however, had stopped running since they had reached the meeting area, and Tairos had slammed into his back. The brown-haired Shinigami turned and raised an eyebrow.

"Don't piss me off," Jaice muttered before turning back around to face the other members of the 9th Squad who had gathered for the meeting.

The Shinigami of the 9th Squad had formed a circle around a dais situated in the center of the meeting area. Atop the dais stood a dark-skinned Shinigami, his hair hanging in dreadlocks and a visor over his eyes. He also wore an orange sash, and the handle of his zanpakuto was purple and had a small ring on the end. This Shinigami was Tousen Kaname, the Captain of the 9th Squad. Tousen raised his left hand to silence the crowd of Shinigami who were all speculating on the purpose of the meeting. As the noise died down, Tousen began to speak.

"Shinigami of the 9th Squad, out meeting today is a dire one." Tousen said calmly, his voice low and ominous. "Earlier today, three Shinigami, two from the 10th Squad and one from the 3rd Squad, were found slain in western Seireitei. Though there is no culprit as of yet, closer inspection of their bodies by the physicians of the 4th Squad has revealed that the damage to their bodies was caused by," Tousen paused for emphasis. "A zanpakuto."

Murmurs erupted through the crowd as this information was displayed. "What is going on?" "Who would do such a thing?" "Has Seireitei been infiltrated?" were just some of the many shouts that flew at Tousen. The captain again raised his hand for silence before continuing with his speech.

"As I said, no culprit has been identified, but because of the slash marks found on the victims' bodies, the murderer could be any Shinigami in Seireitei. In order to prevent further murders, 10th Squad Guardians will be posted across Seireitei to watch for suspicious activity." Tousen again paused before continuing. "Also, every Shinigami is under strict orders to remain in his or her quarters unless he or she is on a mission. Shinigami found violating this rule will be imprisoned for interrogations. Any further questions?" The crowd was silent, and after a minute Tousen went on.

"Captain Komamura, a personal friend of mine, has informed me that his 7th Squad will be the heads of the investigation into this crime." Tousen stated. "He has also requested that other squads stay out of the way of his investigation team, who has orders to arrest any Shinigami exhibiting strange behavior or violating the laws. Now if there are no further questions, you are all to report back to your quarters and await further instructions." The Shinigami filed away in clusters, and Tousen himself disappeared in a flash, using one of the many captain level abilities that allows for rapid movement.

"What a load of crap," Jaice growled, spitting on the ground to emphasize his disgust. "There are more BS rules in this place than I care to deal with."

"We'd better hurry back," Baiten said. "If we get caught by the 7th Squad we could be in deep trouble."

"I agree," Tairos said. "It's best not to risk any problems."

"I bet I could take those 7th Squad bums if I wanted to," Jaice sighed as he and his friends headed back to their home.

"Take us, eh?" A voice cut through the air from behind the three Shinigami. They turned to see another Shinigami, obviously from the 7th Squad. He was shorter than Jaice and Tairos, but still several inches taller than Baiten. His hair was dark brown, and he had his zanpakuto hanging from his right hip, a sign that he was left-handed. "It appears I've caught you three violating the rules. Since I'm a nice guy, I'll let you off with a warning, but I'll remember to keep an eye out for you. Next time I won't be so kind."

"There won't be a next time you pompous bastard!" Jaice roared, drawing his zanpakuto.

"Jaice, don't!" Baiten yelled.

"Fighting him will only give him authorization to punish you!" Tairos shot back.

"Screw that! This asshole thinks he can push us around and I won't stand for it!" Jaice charged forward, swinging his zanpakuto at the 7th Squad Shinigami. Faster than lightning, the Shinigami dodged Jaice's attack and drew his own zanpakuto, holding it parallel to the ground in his left hand.

"You've drawn your zanpakuto," The 7th Squad member chuckled. "I not only now have license to arrest you, but also I have the right to kill you if need be."

"Bring it on, windbag!" Jaice yelled, rushing at the 7th Squad Shinigami and jabbing at his seemingly exposed right shoulder. The 7th Squad member chuckled a bit as he again dodged the wide attack, and delivered a light kick to Jaice's back. "You bastard! If you fight me use all your strength!"

"It isn't necessary, I don't need to bother using all my strength because I really don't want to kill you," The 7th Squad member answered.

"Don't patronize me!" Jaice charged again, and this time the 7th Squad Shinigami stood stock still. He raised his zanpakuto to block the incoming attack and began to speak.

"Earlier, you called me a windbag, but you were wrong," the Shinigami of the 7th Squad began. "A more accurate epitaph would be lightning-bag. Shingai, Denkou-doki! (Translation: Shock, Lightning-Wrath!)" The Shinigami cried out, activating the Shikai, or Initial release, of his zanpakuto. The katana became slightly elongated, and wreathed in electricity. It was too late for Jaice to stop his attack, as his own zanpakuto collided with the electrified weapon of the 7th Squad Member.

The electricity conducted up the blade, and coursed through Jaice's body. He screamed and fell to the ground, the skin on his palms charred from the attack. Jaice dropped his own zanpakuto, as Tairos and Baiten rushed to aid him. The 7th Squad Shinigami sheathed his zanpakuto and walked over to the defeated Jaice.

"That was an entertaining fight," the 7th Squad Member said. "Sadly, I need to take you into custody, because of your attempted assault upon me." The Shinigami raised his hands and did a strange sign before pointing them at Jaice. "Way of Binding Number 1, Restrain!" Instantly, Jaice's arms shot behind his back. Tairos sheathed Jaice's zanpakuto for him, and handed it to the 7th Squad member. "Thank you for your compliance," he said to Baiten and Tairos. "Sorry I had to rough up your friend. My name is Shindou by the way, and I hope this little misunderstanding won't lead to any hard feelings. Let's hope your friend can be released, eh?" And with that, Shindou led Jaice away.

Baiten and Tairos rushed home, startled by what had happened. "Jaice is in deep crap this time," Tairos said. "I always knew he'd end up doing something like this."

"Well, perhaps the court will let him off," Baiten answered. "If he makes a testimony that it was self defense…" Baiten thought for a moment and then shook his head. "Then again, that isn't' Jaice's style."

Tairos sighed as he lay on the tatami mat of their Cell's room. "What are we going to do? Jaice me be a bonehead sometimes, but we still need him for missions." As if to answer Tairos, a Hell Butterfly flapped its way through an open window and into the room. Again, it chose to land on Baiten who began to relay the message.

"Baiten Seisha and Tairos Neix of the 9th Squad, you are hereby ordered to attend a trial concerning Jaice Gandaime, a member of your Cell. The trial will commence in two hours at the courthouse in northern Seireitei."