Old Evil
Shunsui Kyoraku never wanted this position. When he was a boy he had perhaps day-dreamed of it from nap to nap. But by the time he actually got to be a Captain and how much work was involved, the idea of an even higher position bored him to tears. He wished Ukitake had taken instead. He had the temperament for this kind of job.
Besides he'd gotten so used to the idea of Toshiro as Head-Captain. He had a knack for it, although of course it's because he had some good teachers.
"Head-Captain Kyoraku." Came Nanao's voice. Turning around Shunsui saw the new Lieutenant of Squad One, his little Nanao standing there. She was perfect for this Division thought, like Chojiro before her. But Shunsui could tell it was strange for her to be here, especially after everything that's happened." Should we go over the reports?" She showcased a pile of papers to him." They concern…" she paused a moment." The recent change of staff."
Shunsui took in a deep breath and nodded. He turned from the balcony and began walking towards his desk as Nanao began laying the papers out before him.
It was a hard feeling all across the Gotei 13. And those that new Toshiro still mourned his passing. And for some that mourning would never end.
Chojiro had adapted quickly to his new position. He sat at his desk, signing away at papers. Papers that finalized his position her at Squad Eight. It was his first task as Captain and he did something here and now he never thought he'd do, violate the rules. Or bend them is more accurate.
The paper work finalized not only his new position but Rangiku's. However Rangiku was still 'under the weather' as he put it. And not wanting to burden her with this Chojiro forged her signature and handed the paperwork off.
Yushiro Shihouin was sitting by himself beside the pond in the Sixth Division. The fish were Captain kuchiki's own and he was very proud of them. Some were as big as Yushiro. But the Lieutenant really enjoyed the flowers growing besides the pond. It was here that he came to think. And given everything that's happened recently he had a lot to think about.
"Lieutenant." A voice said getting his attention. Yushiro turned around to see Mihane standing there, her arms behind her back." How, How are you doing?"
"Okay." He responded glumly as he turned and looked back at the pond.
"You don't seem okay." She said taking a step closer, moving in front of him." Do you wanna talk about it?" Yushiro shook his head and gave a sorrow filled sigh. That was until Mihane pulled her hands from behind her back and showcased something to him. " I've got Ice cream."
And that changed his mood really quick. So he sat there with a silly smile on his face with Ice cream in hand with Mihane at his side with her own.
"Chocolate is my favorite." Yushiro said licking at his.
"I've got strawberry." Mihane told. She put it out before his face." Try some." Yushiro leaned forward and stuck his tongue out. But he no sooner had than Mihane pushed her ice cream up and into his face, smearing it onto his nose." HaHa." She laughed pointing at him." Lieutenant you look so silly." Yushiro was embarrassed at first but then allowed himself to laugh with her.
The two were enjoying themselves but it didn't last long. For all at once everything changed.
From each corner of the Soul Society there were pillars of blinding light, and everyone in the Gotei 13 could see it. Some turned their heads away while others looked on and tried to understand what was going on. But after a few moments the light work stopped. And with it came unexpected visitors.
"What was that Commander?" Nanao asked as she looked out the window. Shunsui looked on curiously as well. And a deep feeling in his gut told him they'd have their answer sooner rather than later. He heard the door opened behind them and when he turned there was someone standing there.
A tall man with long black hair that hung past his shoulders. His attire was all white from his thick trench coat to his boots. All except for the black coat that hung firmly around his shoulders and down to his ankles. Most noticeable was the mutton chops around his cheeks and under his nose.
And although Shunsui had never seen this face before he knew it well enough as if he had.
"Ywach." He said." King of the Quincy." A smile curled under the hairy face.
But he wasn't alone.
"What do you suppose that was?" Yushiro asked.
"I-I don't know." Mihane responded. "I've never seen anything like it." It was now that the two young Soul Reapers realized they weren't alone. Turning their heads and looking across the small pond they saw a stranger standing there.
His cloths were entirely white, his hair was slicked back and across the right side of his face were black spots.
"Soul Reapers!" he called out to them." Where is the Captain of this Division?" The two cowered down in sight of this foe. Yushiro was hoping Mihane would answer but looking at her petrified face he knew she was waiting for him to. So Yushiro gulped down his fear and rose to his feet.
"The Captain." He began." Doesn't want to be disturbed." Suddenly the enemy disappeared and reappeared in front of him.
"I don't care what he wants!" He let out. "I've come here to kill him. Now get out of my way or will kill you too!" He pushed Yushiro into the dirt and walked past him, paying him no mind as he made his way into the barracks.
Yushiro was scared. Someone had just managed to invade the sixth Division. And as Lieutenant it was his job to stop him at all costs.
"Stop!" he yelled. Shaz tilted his head back and glanced at the boy." My name is Yushiro Shihouin." He said drawing his sword." And I am the Lieutenant of Squad Six." That stopped Shaz in his tracks.
"Oh?" He said turning fully to Yushiro. He slowly slid his hand inside his coat." The Lieutenant." When he pulled his hand out two large knives, with the handles like a five-pointed cross." Then you will be my warm-up."
Next door at Squad Seven.
Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon exited his barracks.
"What's all the noise?" He commented. But outside he saw nothing. But not for long."Wow!" he jolted. Standing in the entrance to the courtyard just under the gate was an ape-like creature. He stood just under the gate leaning forward on his knuckles, with razor sharp teeth and rapid eyes that scanned all the division.
"Lieutenant." He heard the voice behind him. Captain Kommamura put his hand on his Lieutenant's shoulder and gently moved him aside. Then Sajin walked into the courtyard alone.
The rapid creature continued to scan all around until his eyes finally came to rest on the giant walking his way.
"Who are you?" Sajin asked. The creature gave no reply except for a few low growls." I am the Captain of Squad Seven and this is my Division. Explain yourself!" And the sound of that got the beast's attention.
He reared back on his legs and began beating his chest furiously as he let out a rapid roar. Sajin knew what this meant. He slowly reached to hit sword rested at his side.
Then the monster continued to roar and lunged forward. Jumping across the courtyard and at the Captain.
Meanwhile back at Squad One.
"What simple security." Ywach said." So much so that such a great foe as I could march through Squad One without being noticed." But it wasn't as simple as he said. The presence of the Quincy had been noticed. But as soon as any had become aware they soon became dead.
Nanao watched as several masked men with similar long white coats and black masks stepped up besides Ywach.
"A foe?" Shunsui repeated. He took a step forward with his arms crossed." I surely hope you're joking." Ywach cocked his head sideways slightly at Shunsui.
"I hope you are." He responded." No doubt you know your history." Shunsui nodded the round edges of his straw hat covering his eyes.
"That I do." He answered." But don't tell me you carry around a thousand year old grudge." He motioned to the room around them." As you can see dear old Yamamoto has passed away. And the Gotei 13 is drastically different than what is was a thousand years ago." He took another step forward." So please. Let's not get mixed up in another bloody mess. After all what's the old saying. 'Those who don't understand History are doomed to repeat it'?"
"Then it appears you don't know your History Commander." Ywach said. It was now suddenly Shunsui released something.
"Oh please forgive me." Shunsui said." I introduce you but I never introduced myself." He took a deep breath and prepared for his Grand Opening. But just as Ywach had his own introduction made he would now make Shunsui's.
"Third Generation Captain of Squad One and Captain Commander of the Gotei 13, Shunsui Kyoraku." Shunsui stood back with sagged shoulders, he had been looking forward to making that entrance. But that wasn't the part that alarmed him so.
Chojiro had been alerted from his work by the sound of battling outside. He could feel Captain class spiritual pressures all around fighting. Captains Kommamura, Zaraki, Soifon, even Head-Captain Kyoraku.
One hand was already at his hip and with the other he pushed open the door to the courtyard. There might have been fighting in other Divisions but in his own there was nothing. Nothing but silence. But Chojiro was not alone.
He turned his head and saw four women standing on the rooftop of his Division. They were the ladies of the Sternritter. Lilotto Lamperd, Meninas McAllon, Candice Catnipp, and Giselle Gewelle.
"Well, well." Candice commented." Look what we have here."
"We've found the Captain." Giselle added. Chojiro said nothing but stepped out into the light.
"Excuse me ladies." He said." But if you wouldn't mind removing yourselves from my rooftop. You'll damage the paint job." The foursome looked at him confused. Together they all looked at their feet, seeing if the orange color had covered the bottom of their shoes.
Then they turned their attention to the Captain. Disappearing from the top of the roof and onto the ground beside him, surrounding him in a square.
Yushiro was on the ground and badly injured. There was two of Shaz's knives in his right leg. One in his shin the other his thigh. Not to mention the other scares and cuts he'd received.
"Is that it Lieutenant?" Shaz asked standing over him. "Is that all?" Yushiro grimaced as he tried to get a better hold of his sword and try to get to his feet. Shaz slowly turned away from him and instead turned to Mihane. A devilish smirk went across his lips." Fine." He said." Then you'll be my next victim."
"No." Yushiro groaned. Shaz raised his arm and swung his knife forward. Mihane did nothing more than cover her face, but to her surprise the knife did not come. When she picked her head up she saw it was sitting there hovering above her face.
"What the?" Shaz said confused. But he'd soon have his answer.
"Step away from them." A stern voice came from behind him. Shaz turned around to see the goal of his attack.
"Captain Kuchiki." Yushiro groaned in surprise. Shaz smiled once more.
"Ah. The Captain." He said drawing two more knives.
"These two are under my protection, Quincy." Byakuya said." Step away from them."
"Whatever you say. I was looking for a bigger challenge anyway." He took a step forward and prepared to lunge across the courtyard at Byakuya.
But what Yushiro saw first was his Captains stepping down and before him, seemingly ignoring the foe.
"Are you alright Lieutenant?" Yushiro was about to voice his concern for the enemy but then he saw Shaz hit the ground, dead as a doornail." Lieutenant?" Byakuya said getting his attention again.
"Yes, Yes sir." He answered.
"Sixth Seat." Byakuya called." Help the Lieutenant to his feet." Mihane quickly rushed over and to Yushiro's side. While the Captain began looking around." Get ready Lieutenant. This is only just beginning."
Meanwhile at Squad One.
"How do you know that?" Shunsui questioned." How do you know I'm the Third?" The malicious smile on Ywach's smile grew.
"We have been aware of you all for some time. Watching from the shadows of history when you thought us nothing more than a myth. Oh yes, we've been watching for a long time. We remember when Hitsuguya was nothing more than a boy about so high." He leaned down and motioned to this thigh in comparison for younger Toshiro's height. Shunsui could remember as well." Then one day he's this tall." Ywach motioned now to his own head for comparison." And the successor to Shigekuni Yamamoto, the 2nd Commander of the Gotei 13!" Shunsui watched the Quincy King with narrowed eyes. He didn't like the sound of where this was going. "That's right." Ywach said." It is we." He raised his hand and put it on his chest." Who are responsible for Young Hitsuguya's passing." His smile grew wider and his subordinates even chuckles.
Nanao was frightened. If these foes were powerful enough to kill the previous Head-Captain then there be little she and her Captain could do. What frightened her even more was when her own Captain started to chuckle with them.
He picked up his head and starred at the Quincy across the room. He continued to chuckle but upon further inspection Nanao could see his eyes start to water.
"You shouldn't have said that." He said. Slowly his hands moved away from his sides and towards his hip. Towards his swords." Because now I won't let any of you leave here alive." He took both blades in his hands and yanked them from their sheaths.
"Take him!" commanded Ywach. His henchmen stepped out from beside their master and into the center of the room to the Head- Captain. But they hadn't taken more than a step each before they were in pieces and the room painted red with their blood.
Nanao looked on shocked. She hadn't seen a single move of it. But Ywach let out a great smile, showing some white teeth under those black hairs.
"Very well Commander." He said." We will settles this mano a mano." He reached into his belt and pulled out his own sword. But unlike Shunsui's two kitana's the King Quincy had more of a broadsword with a golden eagle for a hilt.
By the time he had drawn his blade Shunsui jumped at him and clashed both swords against him, pushing with all his might against the bigger man.
Then with his right hand still pushing against Ywach he reared back with his left and swung at Ywach. To avoid the blade the Quincy leader jumped back and out of it's reach. But Shunsui continued his assault, this time raising his arms up and swinging both blades.
He came crashing down but Ywach held his sword up and blocked. But Shunsui would take any advantage he could. He kicked out his leg and hit Ywach right in the stomach, sending him back out the window and into the courtyard below.
The Quincy Leader was hardly shaken by the blow and instead prepared for the next.
"Nanao." Shunsui said over his shoulder.
"Yes, sir?"
"Send word to everyone. War's come to us. And these are the one's responsible for Shiro's death."
"Of course." She nodded." But what about you?" Shunsui turned away from her and looked down at Ywach. Shunsui crossed his swords together before him and without a spoken word he pulled them apart, releasing his shikai and his blades true form. The sight please Ywach.
"I'll be fine." He answered. Then he disappeared from Nanao's sight and reappeared only several feet from Ywach.