Okay, everybody. I know it's been a while, but my internet's been down and it's finally back up. I hope the next chapter lives up to your expectations.

Chapter 16—Follow the Trail

A few weeks passed, but Jin had not lost faith in his strategy. He knew that Atsuya's knowledge of the Yami was probably limited, as he had not even had access to many of the restricted files before his defection. He knew that, eventually, Atsuya would reveal himself.

And he did.

It had taken a short while, but Atsuya's actions were starting to be noticed. First, Mayuri Kurotsuchi noted a strange anomoly—a spike in the amount of Hollows leaving Heuco Mundo. Not long after, he noticed another anomoly—Hollows being executed as soon as they appeared. It had taken a short while, but when he reported it to Captain Yamamoto, an immediate meeting was held in the First's barracks. Knowing that this was his chance to stop his brother, Jin hurried to the meeting, being the second one there besides Yamamoto.

When everybody was assembled with their lieutenants, Yamamoto cleared his throat and spoke, reciting the already-known facts. Then, what he said surprised many.

"I want nobody to interfere with this individual until we know who he is and why he is attacking Hollows."

"What? We're just going to let this random person go on this little killing spree?" Kyoraku murmured in amazement. "Don't we at least want somebody to see this guy's face."

"We have already mobilized members of the Stealth Force to investigate," Soi Fon explained, "and they'll report with any information they happen to have."

"But what if they're killed in the crossfire?" Jin suggested. "What if he kills them because he doesn't want them to report back." They all stared at him and Jin's resolve faltered briefly. "I know I'm a new captain, but I've got to ask if you'll allow me to investigate these anomalies. Lieutenant Hisagi can accompany me."

"Why so insistent?" Yamamoto questioned, analyzing Jin with those same, observant eyes.

"I'm concerned," Jin continued, lying through his teeth, "about the welfare of the humans and souls in the vicinity of the recent Hollow attacks. The Hollows have been appearing in frequent numbers and increasing class as they've done so. It was not so long ago that a Gillian-class Hollow had appeared in one of the sightings."

"The Hollow was not a Gillian," Kurotsuchi interjected. "It just had a strange amount of power that could've rivaled a Gillian."

"That's still worrying," Komamura countered, "simply because whomever is doing this extermination of Hollows has the ability to fight off a Menos-class Hollow. Truthfully, we cannot allow this to simply go unobstructed. We know nothing of who this person is or how this person operates."

"True," Unohana agreed. "Normally, it takes a high-ranking Soul Reaper to be able to defeat a Gillian on their own."

"What if they're not alone?" Jin suggested, "but working in a small group? There is strength in numbers and I've personally helped defeat a Gillian before I was ranked in the Second Division. We had been deployed for that very reason."

"Yes, I selected him to go," Soi Fon admitted, "and the group finished the job successfully and all of them came back with minor injuries."

"And," Jin continued, "I've grown stronger now. Whoever this is, if they can battle toe-to-toe with a captain, they're too dangerous to simply be allowed to roam freely."

"What aren't you telling us?" Captain Kuchiki asked suddenly. They all looked at Byakuya in surprise, but the noble captain did not falter nor did he change his icy stare. "Captain Narukami, you speak as if you have knowledge of who this person is and as though you have some personal stake in this person's capture."

"I have... a theory," Jin admitted, "but it's just a theory until I can confirm it and I can't confirm anything while I'm here in the Seireitei."

"Who do you believe it is?" Byakuya asked.

"I believe... it's a rogue who was once part of the Eleventh Division."

"That can be any number of Soul Reapers," Hitsugaya noted.

"Many Soul Reapers from the Eleventh have left service, just as for any other Division," Ukitake added. "Can you be a little more specific?"

"No. I'm sorry, but I just need time to confirm my suspicions," Jin stated. "I just need your permission, sir." He gave a small bow-like movement directed to Captain Yamamoto who replied with a small hum.

"Unfortunately, I cannot bring myself to trust you if you cannot trust your equals with information," Yamamoto stated after a few seconds of silence. "If I send someone, I will send somebody whom I can trust without question."

"Then send me," Komamura suggested, "along with him."

"No. There is no need to send two captains to handle a single delinquent," Yamamoto intoned. "One captain seems almost excessive."

Jin felt his resolve weaken considerably. Stubborn as he was, Yamamoto's wisdom and intellect made his decisions very difficult to argue against. And, while he appreciated Sajin's attempt to intervene, it was pointless. Somehow, he knew that breaking Yamamoto's will would be as impossible as it was for him to match his physical strength.

"Then why not send my son, Koji?" Komamura offered. "He has proven himself skilled enough to handle himself. Send Koji along with Captain Narukami."

"No, Sajin," Jin sighed. "There's no point in debating this, is there, Head Captain?"

"My decision is made simply because of what has been presented to me," Yamamoto said. "I mean not to alienate you."

"I understand, sir," Jin answered, "but I must ask one more time if you'd let me go. Please, sir, I'll explain everything when I return."

"Why can you not explain everything now?"

Jin did not immediately answer. "Sir, this is something that I feel I have to do. If you can't trust me to do this by myself, then send someone along with me. But I'm going. I just... I have to."

"Should you leave without permission, I will have no choice but to strip you of your rank," Yamamoto warned. "Insubordination is something that simply cannot be tolerated."

Jin frowned then did something he thought he'd never do; he took of his haori, and walked over to set it at Yamamoto's feet. "Then I hereby resign my post as the captain of the Ninth Division."

He did not give any of them a chance to stop him. As fast as he could, he left.

Am I really going to do this? Am I really going to throw away everything I've worked so hard to attain?

The question played across Jin's mind as he approached the Senkaimon silently, his zanpakuto sheathed across his back. He had dispensed with his shihakusho, replacing it with the familiar uniform that he had worn when he had been a member of the Stealth Force. He approached the large doors and put his hand on them. He knew how to open them, but was he going to?

"Jin!"

The voice came from behind him. He could see Komamura approaching, not smiling, yet not frowning either. Something was draped over his arm, and Jin could see that it was a captain's haori... yet Komamura still wore his own. By Komamura's side was Koji, who looked ready for a fight and beside Koji was Shuhei, in his usual stoic manner.

"Don't try to stop me, Sajin," Jin stated. "I'm going this. I have to stop Atsuya."

"I wasn't going to stop you," Komamura answered. "We are coming with you."

"I won't have you lose your ranks because of me."

"There's been a change of plan," Koji explained, his voice bright and happy and cutting through the uneasy tension. "Captain Yamamoto didn't want to lose another captain so quickly, so we convinced him to change his mind. He's allowing us to go with you, on the condition that we report everything that happens while we're in the World of the Living."

"Really?" Jin gasped.

"Really," Komamura assured him. "Jin, we're coming with you. And we'll stop Atsuya together."

Aw, sweet! Hope you like it. Ladies and gentlemen, please read and review. I really like to know what people think of my work.