Neji and Chiaki made their way towards Kamenoya for dinner but stopped when they noticed the others talking amongst each other. Shuhei was in a heated discussion with Renji about something. Within minutes Chiaki had yelled at them, "Enough, both of you! I won't have two Lieutenants going after each other as if they were rabid dogs!"
The two men ceased their argument and looked to her. Renji rubbed the back of his neck as he approached her, "Uh—Chiaki-"
"Have a lovely dinner with Neji," Rangiku interrupted as she attempted to move Renji away from her.
A vein popped in Chiaki's forehead as she barked out, "Matsumoto! Treat your fellow Lieutenants with the respect you'd anticipate from them!"
Rangiku grimaced at the tone but nodded in understanding. Renji turned his attention back to her, while Shuhei joined him and disclosed, "There's been an incident. Nanao's alright, but we can't find Tetsuya or Suzume."
Chiaki's eyes widened while her hands began shaking uncontrollably. Neji pulled her into his arms as he assured her, "Tetsuya is skilled, Suzume knows Rukongai. They'll be alright. Whatever's happened, if they're together they'll get through it. However, I would feel better if you returned home and I joined in the search."
She numbly nodded, Rangiku's shoulders sagged as she observed the Kido Corps Chief Commander, recognizing the fragile look. The woman was on the verge of breaking. "I'll take care of her, Neji," the 10th squad lieutenant offered as she wrapped her arm around the trembling pregnant woman.
"Pregnant women can't drink, Rangiku," Renji reminded her.
"I'm not that much of a drinker," the blonde objected.
"Uh-huh," came a response from the men in unison, the monotone hinting at their lacking belief of the statement. Chiaki gave Rangiku a blank expression as she inquired, "Matsumoto if we did a deep clean of your office and quarters would we find enough empty sake bottles to open a distillery?"
"Ehh—I –uhh," the busty blonde stumbled over her words.
"Case and point, there's no alcohol in my home, Matsumoto or you'll get a standing ovation. Understand?"
Rangiku screeched while Neji's shoulders shook with silent laughter. If not for the fact that stress could cause early labour, he'd have no reason to be concerned about Chiaki on her own. Pregnant or not, she could defend herself effectively. That's one of the perks of being with the strongest kido practitioner in Soul Society.
He gently placed a kiss on Chiaki's cheek, and rubbed her baby bump with a promise of returning with the children, before headed off noticing a few strands of dark brown hair against the snow. "Don't worry Aki, we'll watch his back for you," Shuhei offered.
"Don't bother. He's remembered most of his combat techniques from when he was alive—and as a human he was one of the strongest Shinobi I met in his world," Chiaki revealed and jokingly hinted, "he just might be the one to save your necks if it came to it."
At this Shuhei, Renji and Ikkaku exchanged glances before shrugging and heading off.
In the 54th East Rukongai district a boy knelt down and examined the dark brown strands of hair that were on the ground. The same as it had been for the past 54 districts, there was one set of prints of someone with bare feet. The single track of prints told him that whomever had taken her was carrying her. They were likely restraining her so she couldn't get away and every so often she'd manage to drop a few strands of hair onto the ground without them noticing. He scowled as he continued on through Rukongai, taking to the roof tops and occasionally landing on the ground whenever he spotted the dark hair against the snow.
He almost scoffed, bare feet in the snow, whomever had her was likely to receive frost bite. The thought gave him a sense of satisfaction which quickly turned to guilt for wishing ill against someone else. Even if they had kidnapped Suzume, they were still a citizen of Soul Society. A person he'd sworn upon his graduation from the academy to give his life to defend. However, they were also a criminal, and he was also sworn to defend other Soul Society civilians from criminals. He was well aware that the outer districts were less lawful, and destitute. Even still, he couldn't excuse this.
True she was annoying. She'd have nightmares and come to his room of all places and ask to sleep in his room. He'd always be annoyed at the request but those sorrowful doe eyes of hers won him over every time. As much as he'd hate to admit it, he'd grown affectionate and protective of the brat. They weren't blood, but he cared for her more than any of his friends.
He briefly thought for a moment about if he'd be doing this even if he didn't have Shinigami powers and it didn't take long to realize that yes, he absolutely would. Blood or not, she was family. Neji thought of her as family, so did his Aunt Chiaki. He wasn't sure if he viewed her as a cousin or a sister but he knew one thing for certain: just as Neji had intervened to protect her before, so would he.
He continued on, and was vaguely aware of where they would end up. In all likelihood this kidnapper was the very same person that Neji had previously fought to defend Suzume. If that was the case they'd likely end up in the 77th Eastern District. He kept moving, his Zanpakuto, a standard katana with a black handle and circular guard attached to the left side of his obi. He knew his Zanpakuto's name, something he hadn't revealed to anyone yet. However—he was uncertain of whether or not he should use it in this situation. Time would tell, hopefully he could just threaten this person as a Shinigami and that would be the end of it. No matter what the means though there was one absolute certainty: he was going to get Suzume back.