[BitP:R] Soul Society 2

[Viera Champion]

And Kyasarin is standing right behind him. An evil look on her face.
Gambling, eh?

[Kuroimaken]

Seiko sighed. Wasn't one of the main tenants of the 11th division to give one's all against all opponents? Of course, such behavior was not uncommon from Kazuma. Seiko stood up (he had been leaning down to speak to Kazuma) and looked with an odd mixture of pity and sympathy at Kazuma.

"I'm a little disappointed in you, Kazuma-kun. Actual battle situations such as the one you were in are not the proper time or place for experimenting. I'll let it slide this time because I've made similar mistakes myself, but I don't want to see this happen again. And once you've recovered, I want to see you in the 4th sparring ground in our division grounds. There I'll see for myself if this was just you being careless, or if you've actually gotten rusty. Dull blades are of no use in our division, Kazuma-kun."

Seiko's tone seemed a little harsh, but it was easy for Kazuma to tell that this came from genuine concern. It was odd, and rather unprecedented in the 11th division for someone high in the ranks to actually care for their subordinates, but that was what the 11th division had become under Michiko-taichou.

As unusual as it might be, Kazuma was able to recognize it for what it was.

"Understood, sir."

He knew Seiko didn't mean to simply berate him for his wounds. That wasn't like the 11th either, after all.

[Moon Wolf]

Ehehe.... Yuuki looked at Kyasarin. I'm fine, I just can't help thinking that you're probably going to beat me like a rag doll.

[Kayne650]

As unusual as it might be, Kazuma was able to recognize it for what it was.

"Understood, sir."

He knew Seiko didn't mean to simply berate him for his wounds. That wasn't like the 11th either, after all.

"All right then. Now, if you give the 4th division any more trouble, I will personally come here and sever the tendons in your limbs to keep you still. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" It was impossible to tell if Seiko was joking or not. "I would hate to do that, it would keep you bedridden for so much longer.

[Viera Champion]

Ehehe.... Yuuki looked at Kyasarin. I'm fine, I just can't help thinking that you're probably going to beat me like a rag doll.

What? No! I just paid for a very hefty party/ drinkig contest bill with your personal salary.

[InyutheBeatIs]

Sigint preemptively holds his arm out to block Kyasarin from getting any closer to Yuuki. "Not now, Kyasarin-sama."

"I wanted to report that, while you were unconscious, I took the liberty of overseeing the duties that your Corps. was assigned, as well as the others who were unavailable. Of course, I only did this when Kyasarin-sama was also unavailable as well. The paperwork should be on your desk. I tried to be as non-invasive as possible."

[Terry576]

Karite looks left.

Then right.

Then it hits him..


"Oh no oh no oh no oh no! I can't be in the hospital for the next few months! It'll ruin all my plans! Like finding my sword! And not being in the hospital!

LET ME OUT!"

[Kuroimaken]

"All right then. Now, if you give the 4th division any more trouble, I will personally come here and sever the tendons in your limbs to keep you still. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" It was impossible to tell if Seiko was joking or not. "I would hate to do that, it would keep you bedridden for so much longer.

"I would have to work by dragging myself with my teeth, sir. But if it isn't much trouble, could you sever Karite-fukutaichou's voicebox instead? His screams are giving me a headache..."

[Moon Wolf]

You WHAT?!? Yuuki shouted, nearly losing his balance and falling again. D-define hefty for me, how much did that cost? He said, trying not to let the annoyance that bordered on anger creep into his voice. And thanks-Sigint-kun. He sighed.

[Viera Champion]

Hmmm well over all I think we had about seventy five drinks. Plus the repairs to the walls.

[Kayne650]

"I would have to work by dragging myself with my teeth, sir. But if it isn't much trouble, could you sever Karite-fukutaichou's voicebox instead? His screams are giving me a headache..."

Seiko laughed at that. "I suppose that I could, but he isn't my subordinate, and it might cause some problems if I go around severing things in the middle of the 4th division. And there are so many witnesses..." Seiko said a little wistfully.

"But actually, Karite-san seems a bit louder than usual. Where is Udeoshi-taichou? Karite-san's condition seems to be worsening."

[InyutheBeatIs]

"Basically, Captain," Sigint started, "you might have to take a loan to pay it all."

He said all that in a completely straight man kind of way.

[Kuroimaken]

"He seems particularly distraught by the loss of his sword. I can't say that I blame him. But he's in no position to go gallivanting around looking for it... I hoped there was a Bakudou for silence." Kazuma noted. "Sazan'ou is right here by my bedside, and it seems fully intent on lecturing me at length for my actions. Damned old man can't leave well enough alone, it seems."

[KnightDisciple]

The tapping of a staff on the floor announces...someone...is coming.

After a few moments, it's revealed as Yoshi, walking into the area holding Kazuma. He appears tired, but uninjured and at least moderately energetic.

"I'll see what I can do about that, Kazuma. Vice-Captain Seiko, a pleasure."

He gives a small bow, further emphasizing his almost "under-dressed" nature. No labcoat, no weapon belt, nothing but the normal Shinigami Seated Officer clothing that he wore, and the staff of his Zanpakutou at his side. He walks a bit closer.

"Sorry to hear you're going to be out of commission for a while. I was "lucky" in only being heavily drained; they got me up to about half my optimum, and said if I take it easy, I'll be able to get the rest on my own."

His smile falls a bit.

"Sorry I or the others didn't back you up. That whole operation turned into one giant furball of disaster. I don't blame you for not showing up, though. The few glimpses I got told me you seemed to keep attracting the attention of the "small-fry" Hollows. Which tend to be deadly in groups. Anyways, I'm just visiting a few people here and there before I leave. Good day."

He gave both Seiko and Kazuma a small bow before turning and walking away...towards Karite's bed. When he was at that section, just a couple feet from the bed, he stopped. His face was set into something of a scowl.

"How dare you talk about plans? Hachirou's still in horrible shape, they can't even properly heal him yet! Kyou's not even conscious yet, and I'm only in the "good" shape I am because I had my gear with me. We were fighting tooth and nail for our lives against that Arrancar. You were there, Vice-Captain Karite. You saw that we couldn't even retreat, because retreat would have opened one or more of us to attack.

You should know, since you stood by and did nothing while we fought for our lives!"

His voice raises in volume and intensity, and he slams his staff against the floor.

"You didn't need to do anything flashy, or release you shikai, to help. Just using some kido and your sword could have given us an opening to escape. Then, you could have released, and maybe even beaten that creature! Instead, you stood by, asking the the beast to calmly go off somewhere else with you so it could die. What, did you think she was an utter moron? What sort of Hollow would do that, when they had easier meals in the form of our patrol group! But no!"

He starts pacing, his eyes never leaving Karite's prone form.

"You complain about "ruined plans". About your sword not being at your side. Well, I'm sure we'll recover it. Give the 12th some time, and I wager we can find it. In fact, I'll be generous and actually helpful and start the process when I get back to 12th myself. But not until you listen to me."

He stops and points one finger at Karite.

"I hope you stay here for months. I hope Natsuko doesn't pay you anything for that whole time. Because that's still nothing compared to watching you stand there like some spectator at a sporting even while we fought for our lives. Just so you could look a little better in your fight. I say fie to that. I hope it takes us weeks to find your sword. I hope you appreciate what feeling nearly helpless feels like. Then maybe you'll show yourself worthy of being a Shinigami, let alone a Vice-Captain. I'm not sure what you had to do to get that rank, but I'm starting to doubt you earned it honestly."

With that, Yoshi turns and walks out, heading for Hachirou's room.

[Terry576]

Karite lays coolly, unphased.

He's heard worse. He's had worse. It's hard to compare being yelled at by a seated officer to losing his sword.

"Hey, you don't have to take that from him... You're a Vice Captain aren't you? So why are you just sitting there?

Che. Weakling."

Karite looks around, searching for the voice that wasn't there.

But of course, there's nobody around.

He lies back down, and closes his eyes.

"What's going on with me these past weeks...? I'm out of practice, but I nearly killed four Shinigami.

Maybe I should ask Natsuko for some lessons on how to deal with my bloody sword after I find it again..."

[Moon Wolf]

Yuuki stared at her. Now he really was mad. Do you have any idea how stupid that was, Kyasarin?

[Dorizzit]

Kido Corps
Grounds

Iwaki strides through the grounds of the Kido Corps, taking his time as he progresses. He has been lost in thought recently, thinking about the mission several days ago. It had been his first combat mission for the Shinigami. An interesting experience. It had also been a violent and dangerous one. Iwaki had been very lucky and avoided harm, but several of the others had received injuries of varying levels of severity. He had made very brief visits to some of the others who were hospitalized, but he tended to get in the way in the Fourth Division buildings due to his size and he had avoided staying for long. It was something, though. Sighing lightly, he continues on towards his destination.

[InyutheBeatIs]

Yuuki stared at her. Now he really was mad. Do you have any idea how stupid that was, Kyasarin?

Sigint held his hand up. "Captain, if I may, can I please ask to delay any disciplinary action towards Kyasarin-sama long enough for me to inquire about something and leave you two alone?"

((This is during the timeskip, where Karite is laying on a stretcher right now, right?))

[Moon Wolf]

Yuuki sighed. Fine, Sigint-kun, ask away.

((Yes, this is after/during the time skip.))

[Viera Champion]

Kyasarin is preparing to run.
I can guess.

[InyutheBeatIs]

Yuuki sighed. Fine, Sigint-kun, ask away.

((Yes, this is after/during the time skip.))

Sigint glanced at Kyasarin, then looked at Yuuki. "I was wondering how we should react to the incident with the Joint-Patrol that went out to the mortal realm three days ago."

[Moon Wolf]

Yuuki already has his suspicions on where this is going. And what are you proposing that we do?

[Viera Champion]

Kyasarin sighs, and sits down, knowing she should hear this too.

Also, Inyu, go ahead and start the plot Noe. The Chris one.

[Kuroimaken]

Kazuma barely got the chance to collect his thoughts as Yoshi presented himself. He was about to reply and say that he couldn't blame Yoshi or any of the others for not coming to his aid, considering the monster they were up against.

Perhaps more shocking to the 11th divisioner was to find out that there were a number of people demonstrating actual concern for him. Alysha, Yoshi, Seiko, Nasumi... They all showed they were worried to see that he had injured himself, despite it merely being the nature of his duty to fight. It was a very unusual feeling for him.

I shouldn't worry everybody like this. I guess I'm going to have to take it easy with my training for a couple of days...

He couldn't rationalize why so many different people were worried. Alysha was in the 4th, it was at the very least her duty to worry about the health of other Shinigami. Seiko had to make sure his subordinates wouldn't go gung-ho and get themselves killed.

But neither Yoshi nor Nasumi had any particular reason for caring, duty-wise. Well, maybe Nasumi, she probably wouldn't want to have to place flowers on a new grave. But even so.

Camarederie. What a strange concept.

That's when he heard Karite getting another dressing-down, this time from a companion who WAS there. Despite not having been in their shoes, Kazuma would have a few choice words for that behavior. But he wouldn't say them. It seemed punishment enough that all others were taking the time to address the Vice-Captain's behavior.

[InyutheBeatIs]

Yuuki already has his suspicions on where this is going. And what are you proposing that we do?

Sigint shakes his head. "I'm...not sure. This incident...brought back the warnings Taganjuu gave me around the same time the patrol left. I can't ignore it. I think this is a metaphorical warning shot. The next one might not be so easily mended."

"As for action, I was hoping you could tell me what needs to be done. But, I am inclined to suggest using this as a foundation for reinforcing our defenses."

[Moon Wolf]

Yuuki sighed. Sigint, I am well aware that the patrol engaged in combat with arrancar. And I know that the arrancar, or at least one of them, was quite strong. I know you've got only the best in mind, but don't be too eager. I'll make sure to bring the issue of defence up at the next captain's meeting, and see what the CG and the others have to say about it. And if we do end up moving into a position where we need to take action of some kind, I'll make sure you get your fair share of it. Sound like a fair trade?

[InyutheBeatIs]

Yuuki sighed. Sigint, I am well aware that the patrol engaged in combat with arrancar. And I know that the arrancar, or at least one of them, was quite strong. I know you've got only the best in mind, but don't be too eager. I'll make sure to bring the issue of defence up at the next captain's meeting, and see what the CG and the others have to say about it. And if we do end up moving into a position where we need to take action of some kind, I'll make sure you get your fair share of it. Sound like a fair trade?

Sigint looks down. "My concern isn't that I am a part of this so much as it is that we are safe. I don't want us to have an enemy we can't fight back. However, if you feel I am adequately prepared for the job, I will be honored if you do decide to have me participate." Sigint sounds sincere. In fact, he truly is. "...Captain...is it right of me to be worried about Karite-fukutaichou's actions and how it applies to the situation?"

[Moon Wolf]

Well, if he's really been acting as strangely as everyone says, then yes, you have every right to be suspicious. But he isn't our enemy. Not in the slightest. If he starts acting up, you've got my full permission to monitor him, though. Same goes for you, Kyasarin. Yuuki told her without giving her so much as a glance.

[InyutheBeatIs]

Well, if he's really been acting as strangely as everyone says, then yes, you have every right to be suspicious. But he isn't our enemy. Not in the slightest. If he starts acting up, you've got my full permission to monitor him, though. Same goes for you, Kyasarin. Yuuki told her without giving her so much as a glance.

Sigint bows, apparantly satisfied. "Very well. That is all for now. Thank you for listening, Captain. I shall see you later, then." He then turns and bows to Kyasarin. "Kyasarin-sama." He then walks out, and closes the door behind him, going about his duties as usual.

[Moon Wolf]

Yuuki waved to him. Later, Sigint-kun. He then turns to Kyasarin. Well, have you given it some thought?