Part Five: Dance to a Skirmish – Brother to a Freak
"Item number eight on today's agenda..." Captain Yamamoto, the practical King of the Japanese Soul Society, was sitting in his throne room (the captain's meeting room) reading items off a long list he'd prepared after last month's meeting. It was just the way of things that there should be a review every month, after-all, some captains had no control over the issues affecting their squads' performance. What annoyed the General was that Captain Kenpachi Zaraki of 11th Squad had decided he was bored with an hour-long lecture and not turned up. It meant an extra complaint would be added to his additional list, currently being scribbled by his forgotten lieutenant, for next month. "The Sereitei will require a new Restaurant Area for the arrival of un-captained soul reapers to prevent mixing with those already in squads. This item was brought up by Captain Kuchiki last month and has been executed. A new cafeteria had been built between thirteenth squad and twelfth with access to outside the Sereitei. Therefore it will service the Rukongai nobles and the members of the Sereitei."
There was a sigh of relief from the seemingly meditating figure of Byakuya Kuchiki, captain of 6th squad, who'd been annoyed last month because Ichigo Kurosaki had been ram-sacking his Mansion's kitchen with help from Byakuya's chef who'd assumed Ichigo had been a favoured squad member, if only because of his address to Captain Kuchiki. It had been a rather localised complaint of course last month, but the other captains had passed it readily as it allowed for additional meetings points compared to barracks and pubs. But Byakuya was alone in his enjoyment of the review, as most of the other captains were falling asleep on numb legs.
There was a noise of surprise and anger from the guards outside the hall. Everyone perked up and strained toward the doors, curious to know what was going on. There were a few clangs, some sounds of what they assumed to be pain, and then there was silence. It was an expectant silence.
"AGH!" CRASH! The front door had a new feature. Ikkaku Madarame's head had just been pushed right through the door with a loud smash and a look of agony upon the 3rd seat. The other captains began to blink with confusion, then with a groan Ikkaku's head was pulled back in. Just as it seemed the chaos was over, he was then bowled through the doors, opening them, and left cart wheeling into a corner of the room. He was left to whine in pain as the captains stood up, grabbed their swords, and stared in horror at a stranger stepping into their meeting room.
"Excuse my rudeness, Captains of the Sereitei, but Mr Madarame and myself were having an argument about who was allowed where. Unfortunately the guards brought up the same points and have been tied up, along with Mr Ayasegawa outside on the steps. My name is Captain Rin Ninel, I'm from the Eurasian Soul Society and I have a plain and simple little message for Head Captain Yamamoto from Lord Schatzstein. My apologies for the delay in delivery."
Blink-blink, it was a strange silence that was mixed with the shock of the stranger appearing, and the odd way this person was dressed. Mix this with the fact that the stranger had a Russian accent, claimed to be from an unknown soul society, and was quite confident in their actions - nothing made sense.
"Mur... Der.. Er?" Ikkaku mouthed through a swelling mouth, a few of his teeth lying beside him forlornly. At this, Captain Ninel rolled his shoulders, snorted gently, and then marched forward between the lines of captains. His four followers stepped inside and stood at the ends of each row, ready to protect their leader. There was still silence and Captain Ninel paused in front of Head Captain Yamamoto and began to fish through his robes and cloak. Captain Kuchiki growled with annoyance and looked at the stranger, his eyes suddenly peeling towards the stranger's buttocks, making him shudder in fear of what he was doing. As he flicked his gaze to the others, even Captain Komamura was sniffing about in curiosity, seemingly just as embarrassed. But the stranger removed a folded piece of paper, held it in both hands, and went onto his knees, lowering his head in proper respect as he presented the message. The captains breathed a slow sigh, maybe this was not as dangerous as it had started to be.
"I still think you should have used the 'This is Sparta' line when you kicked him back through the doors..." The larger of the intruders grunted as he nonchalantly ignored the strange array of captains. He looked to his comrades who nodded their heads but then he realised something. The members of he meeting were looking like fish at feeding time, the same look he'd had when he'd first heard his captain speaking Japanese that day. He had only just realised that the captains present did not understand their language and grimaced. Luckily his captain, turning back to speak German, reassured him.
"Would've been wasted anyway... They don't get out much." Captain Ninel snorted gently and looked back to the stunned faces, waiting for a response and tapping his foot continuously. He was eager to leave already, but something told him there would be no easy retreat from hell. General Yamamoto was flicking through the piece of paper and nodding his head carefully. Rin knew that this meant everything was sorted and calmly stood up. He bowed again then turned around, but the General felt a need to introduce everything to his captains.
"This here is Mercenary Captain Extraordinaire, Captain Rin Ninel, a Russian of astounding fame within Europe. A resident in the German section of the Eurasian Soul Society, the lord there has requested our help due to some political assignation attempts. Fritz Schatzstein is an old friend of mine and I will not refuse a chance to once again unite the soul societies again. But I will need you all to cooperate with this squad." Everything seemed in order, but why did he make motions for Rin to stop trying to run off. Then Yamamoto continued to say something that made Rin's teeth grind in irritation. "But in order to make sure that Lord Schatzstein is kept in good health, Captain Rin's squad will remain here a month in advance and identify any potential hazards... Or spies. So why not hang around and have some of my famous Green Tea?"
Rin's stomach twisted and his face almost turned green at the thought. He was not that stupid and quickly began to explain that they needed to bring the equipment through before they thought of staying. Rin's hope was to be permitted to leave before something might happen to reveal anything more. He had a sneaking suspicion that the letter had probably said more about the squad then was wanted, and the fiery gleam in the old man's eyes made him more nervous.
"I must refuse, we have to return and gain our equipment first. But within a week we will return. We also have personal matters to settle before departing, you understand don't you?" Though Yamamoto nodded, Kuchiki stepped forward and glowered at Captain Ninel. He was trying to gauge whether Ninel was a fraud, friend, or annoyance. His eyes focusing on Rin a little too crassly made teeth grind more and fingers tighten. Rin needed to go now, before he put Byakuya's smug ass through a wall. Turning around and heading out, the comment that swam at him made Rin growl.
"Mercenary? Disloyal creatures that were banned in this Soul Society because of their personal intentions. Perhaps Head Captain Yamamoto wants you to stay so we can see if you are a threat to our harmony..."
"What did you just say, Smug Prick!" Zander snarled, lurching forward and gripping his sword. Though Byakuya did not understand his words, all the better for Zander, he spotted the threat and gripped the handle of his own Zanpaktou. But Rin raised a hand and Zander snorted before nodding and leaving his sword alone. The four companions turned to form a line behind their captain, but Igor spotted the block and was about to speak when Rin moved forward and turned his head at the same time.
Bonk! A great big chest, built with sinew and muscle that would have made some of Rin's old friends Blanche in upset, met his nose. He stepped back, is body visibly shaking and the captains delighting in unnerving the intruder. But Rin continued to back away, crouching slightly to keep away from the being in front of her.
"Thought I felt a curious power in the area... Maybe I should have turned up earlier for the meeting after-all." Captain Zaraki grunted gently, but he was confused by the being shuddering in front of him that had been so confident only seconds before...
Rin wished he had run into Mayuri instead, a sick-twisted-psycho but like an idiotic brother, Rin could have handled it. He'd shown restraint against smashing Byakuya up, but now the demon had come forward. Rin wanted to run away or hide - anything to stop the uncovered eye of the monster staring at him. He felt naked, cold, and tortured!
It had not always been like this, once Rin had wanted nothing more then Kenpachi to stare at her with such a curious attention.
Next: Part Six - Secret Wish of a Dead World
Kenpachi is here and Rin must confront the demon of happiness in her memories. Though not stuck in a loop of flashbacks, Rin will dig deep inside and dare to think of what she wished could happen and to arrange a scenario in her mind of what would have saved her all those years ago. Insight into a woman's fantasies, this is the smoochy part of the story... If only it were not just Rin imagining things!