Don't own Bleach. Well here's Chapter 10. If you're still here I commend you for you perseverance with this story. I'd like to point out that this has been done without a plan. The characters are writing this story for me I'm just posting it and hoping it's making some kind of sense.
It was early in the morning when the messenger arrived. Kyoraku still asleep when he heard the knocking sound. He got up lazily and headed to the door. It was a messenger explaining that a Captain's meeting has been called. If Kyoraku was honest he was expecting this sooner. They still hadn't filled in the empty Captain and Lieutenant positions haven't been filled yet. That's what he hoped it was.
Kyoraku met up with his oldest friend Ukitake before heading to the meeting. They were the last to arrive and Kyoraku gave a quick response in saying that Uktake was feeling under the weather. Kyoraku wouldn't admit it but that was one of the reasons why he meets up with Ukitake before meetings, to use his illness as an excuse if they are late. It wasn't right but it has a better result that the Head Captain's rage.
The Head Captain began, "I have called this meeting to follow-up with the Squad Captains after the events of the last few months. Missing Shinigami and souls from the Rukongai cannot and will not happen again which is why all of you are going to accept more recruits for your squads to bolster numbers. This means heavier workloads and more hours with your subordinates. However it will also mean that our numbers will increase so we can put out more patrols around the Rukongai." he said.
Kyoraku didn't like work and now that his Lieutenant and third seat have gone, he's going to have to do all the work. He needs to find a new Lieutenant or at least a new third seat. He could keep up with the work and the training easily, it's just going to cut into his nap time. "Head Captain, is that such a good idea? We are already multiple Captains short, adding more subordinates with less Captains seems short-sighted." he would have carried on however a loud crack resonated through the room as Yammamoto hit the floor with his staff.
Yammamoto opened an eye to regard Kyoraku, "Short sighted? You're Lieutenant was a traitor and your third seat has deserted, to be with the traitors!" He exclaims shutting his eye. To his credit Kyoraku didn't flinch.
A warning whisper from Ukitake, standing across the room, "Shunsui!" made him hold his tongue.
Yammamoto continued, "This brings me to the next topic of this meeting, "The deserter, Third seat of Squad 8 Utsumi Kaito. He has abandoned his post, his Squad and the Soul Society. He should be treated as a traitor. This is not a high priority given his rank but if you come across him at any time, he is to taken into custody." he said with finality dismissing the Captains.
They all walked out, leaving Kyoraku relieved it wasn't an execution order, however, if Aizen becomes aware of Utsumi's suspicions then would he try to kill him? No, surely Aizen isn't that arrogant to think he can kill a Shinigami who has been ordered to be taken into custody. If what he thinks is true, Kyoraku will need to keep an eye on Aizen and Gin. Also he is going to his senses and check for Utsumi's Reiatsu to see if he returns to the Soul Society. Although Kyoraku would want Aizen to pay for his supposed crimes, there isn't anything proving he's involved. Just the word of a now disgraced Third seat. He wasn't sure if the exile Urahara would put his voice forward.
Kyoraku checked in with Ukitake to make sure he was actually feeling alright before heading back to his barracks. He found Ukitake standing on a bridge over looking a small river. Kyoraku came to stand next to him leaning on the rail. "How are you feeling Jushiro?" he asked to his commonly sick friend.
Ukitake was in good spirits today, at least before the Captain's meeting. "I'm fine, Shunsui, but I got to know, why did your Third seat just leave?" he asked.
Shunsui shook his head, "Utsumi has always had a strong sense of right and wrong, like you and me and I guess he couldn't stomach the amount of wrong that came with this mess." he said.
Ukitake nodded, "I understand that, some people can't get over their own values for duty." he began, accepting his friends explanation before continuing, "What are you going to do? Two traitors in you squad alone, fingers will pointed, you know? I will be here to help in any way I can." he finished.
Kyoraku just stared into the river, "I appreciate that Jushiro." he sighed, "I know that fingers will be pointed. I know accusations will be coming my way. I don't care." He said nonchalantly. Ukitake's expression turned to on of disbelief. Shunsui chuckled before continuing, "I only care about who is the one doing the finger-pointing. anything is of no consequence." He finished with a classic Shunsui smirk.
Sosuke Aizen stood in front of the open portal with a promising Shinigami in the same Squad as Aizen named Tsukino Hideki. Tsukino was average height and had a high forehead and sharp features, with dark grey eyes. Aizen turned to him and said, "You are to kill the deserter and only the deserter. By no means are you to engage anyone else who maybe with him." He spoke calmly. Aizen's complete serenity was just another way to mask his guilt among the other Captains.
Tsukino nodded, "I understand, but what if he is with other exiles?" He asked. Tsukino wanted to cover his bases before starting a mission whether it was hollows or this.
Aizen smirked, still looking as calm as the night sky, "I assume he is with them. Or at least some of them. You will have to be careful, however if you are caught what are you to tell them?" he asked.
Tsukino's face became serious, "I will tell them that I am there to apprehend the prisoner and if they shall interfere then they will be taken as well." he said as if he was reciting from a script he had been forced to memorized.
Aizen nodded at him and bid him farewell heading back to his barracks while Tsukino headed through the portal.