Shihouin Clan Tradegy (Semi-Open - PM request)

Tatsuya sat alone in his shared office working on some paperwork. He would have rather been out on patrol, but as he rose through the ranks, so did his responsibilities. As he shuffled through page after page his attention turned to the door when he heard a knock. “Come in,” He invited in the person who was behind the door. “Good day Mr. 7th seat, are you busy?” Sumiko smiled as she peeked her head from around the door before stepping in and closing it behind her. “Hey Sumiko, just working on some paperwork. What’s up?” He smiled before putting down his pen and giving his attention to her. “Oh nothing just thought I would stop by and see if you were free. It’s almost lunch time you know.” She pleasantly informed him. Tatsuya looked down at his remaining paperwork, then back at Sumiko. “Well I’m almost done. I guess I can finish up after a bite to eat.” He got up from the desk and accompanied Sumiko to the door.

When he opened the door there was an omnitsukido member standing right outside that was preparing to knock on the door. He quickly bowed to Tatsuya and began to speak. “7th Seat Tatsuya Okibi, your presence is being requested at the Shihouin Estate.” The man announced without standing up from bowing. “I’m being requested! For what reason?” He and Sumiko both looked at each other in surprise. “The Grand Elder has requested you presence for a private meeting.” The omnitsukido member answered to a stunned Tatsuya. It took some time for Tatusya to process the information before answering the unmoving member. “Okay, I’ll be right there.” Tatsuya informed the member who then walked away. “Huh, looks like I have to take a rain check on lunch.” He smiled at Sumiko. “Do you have to go now?” She disappointedly asked. “When the nobles call, we have to answer.” Tatsuya commented with a voice of discontent. “So I guess we will get together later then.” Sumiko cheerfully suggested to Tatsuya. “I guess so. See you in a bit.” He smiled and kissed her on the cheek before heading to the Shihouin Estate.

Throughout his walk to the estate Tatsuya thought about the reason he was being summoned. Last time he met the Grand Elder, it wasn’t during the most pleasant of circumstances. He thought back to when he and Captain Saiyouko infiltrated the estate for a race. Other than that occasion Tatsuya had a clean record and maintained his distance from there unless called upon like today. “7th Seat Tatsuya Okibi here as requested by the Grand Elder.” Tatsuya announced to one of the gate guards posted in front of the large gates. “You are going to see the Grand Elder looking like that?” The guard asked with distaste in his voice. “I have my reasons.” Tatsuya replied bluntly without hesitation. “Tsk, no respect for who you are seeing.” The guard angrily glared up and down at Tatsuya. “Whatever. If you got a problem take it up with Captain Akarui. Now, are you going to let me through?” Tatsuya waited for a reply but got none as the guard opened the gate without saying a word. Tatsuya walked through the gate towards the main building. The guard at the front questioned his uniform because it had no sleeves. In fact the reason why it had no sleeves was because he removed them a day after he achieved shikai.

As Tatsuya approached the main entrance the guards opened the doors without question. On the other side an escort was waiting to take him to the center complex. The walk to the center went by without any conversation. There were several guards posted outside the doors of the center complex, just because it was a private meeting didn’t mean he would be unprotected Tatsuya thought. As he made it to the open double doors he was stopped by two guards. “Your zanpakuto sir,” one of them requested. Tatsuya hesitated for a second, but then thought of it as protocol. As he began to untie it from his sash a voice came from inside the hall. “That’s quite alright, just let him through.” The voice requested, it was the Grand Elder. The guard then hesitated for a bit not wanting to break protocol, but knew better then to disobey him. Tatsuya walked to the center of the room after being let through, before reaching the center his gaze was drawn to all four walls which were lined with more guards. Tatsuya kneeled in the center of the room and lowered his head. “Grand Elder, 7th Seat Tatsuya Okibi of Second Division, reporting as you requested.” He addressed the man sitting on one of the chairs along the east wall. "Glad you could make it on such short notice Okibi-san. I can assume that you are wondering why you have been summoned. Am I right?” Tatsuya kept his head lowered as the Grand Elder spoke. “Yes sir, you are correct.” He looked up at the Grand Elder as he answered him. “Ah, where are my manners, you can stand up if you wish. You were called here because of your skills.” He informed Tatsuya as he rose to his feet. “My skills, Grand Elder?” He looked at the Grand Elder with confusion. “Yes. You see there are few among the squads that stand out, but I like to meet with those who stand out from the Second Squad.” He spoke out intending to compliment Tatsuya, who just stood there hiding his joy. “Guards, you may leave.” The Grand Elder stated politely, but with authority causing the guards to look at each other questioningly. “Is there a problem?” The Grand Elder asked with more force in voice. “No Sir, Grand Elder.” The hall boomed as they spoke in unison before walking to their respective exits. “You may shut the doors.” The Grand Elder spoke as the last of the guards exited.

Tatsuya didn’t move as the guards exited, only turning his head as the doors closed behind them. “Now then, we can get this moving.” The Grand Elder stood from his chair and began to slowly walk towards Tatsuya. “The guards can be over protective with us, it’s annoying really. It’s like I’m a grounded child who can’t do anything fun.” The Grand Elder explained his so called burden to Tatsuya as he got closer. “So what would you like from me?” Tatsuya curiously asked while still remaining stationary. “A simple training session is all I’m asking, one where we can both probably learn something.” The Grand Elder suggested to a hesitant Tatsuya. “Well…I suppose it would be okay. What do you have in mind?” He skeptically agreed to the training session. “Wonderful. We’ll challenge each other’s skills with Hakuda and Zanjutsu.” The Grand Elder stated rather than suggested. “How would you…” Tatsuya was interrupted when the Grand Elder used shunpo and kicked at his head which Tatsuya blocked. “Good reflexes. I can be fast when I want to be.” He stated before throwing a barrage of attacks not giving Tatsuya a chance to respond. Tatsuya blocked and countered as best he could against the spry old man, both getting in hits, though Tatsuya’s hits having more effect over the Grand Elder. Without warning the Grand Elder drew a wakizashi from his sleeve and swung at Tatsuya who instinctively drew his zanpakuto to meet with the attack. Tatsuya was now on the defensive as he did not want to seriously injure the Grand Elder. “Is he trying to kill me?” Tatsuya thought as he tried to defend blow after blow from the Grand Elder, getting cut in the process as he tried to figure a way to end this session with as little blood as possible. Tatsuya took action when the Grand Elder prepared to attack once more, slicing at his wrist which caused the Grand Elder to drop his sword. At that moment Tatsuya pointed the tip of his zanpaktou a couple of inches away from the Grand Elders heart. “Looks like I’m the victor of this training session.” Tatsuya stated as both of them tried to catch their breath. “I guess so…GUARDS!!!!” He fearfully shouted out before suddenly throwing himself onto Tatsuya zanpakuto, piercing his own heart. “What…the…” Tatsuya was horrified by action of the Grand Elder as the guards busted into the room. “Murderer!!!” The guards stopped in their tracks in complete shock of what they were witnessing. “No… it’s not what you think.” Tatsuya stated in fear as the Grand Elder’s lifeless body fell off of his blade. “LET ME THROUGH!!!” Raiden’s voice could be heard from behind a group of guards. When Raiden made it to the front his initial reaction was the same as the others, but then changed to anger. “Raiden, I didn’t kill him, I swear. Please, you have to believe me.” Tatsuya tried to defend himself but was too horrified to find the right words. “7th Seat Tatsuya Okibi, you are hereby placed under arrest for the murder of the Shihouin Clan’s Grand Elder. Seize him.” Raiden informed Tatsuya and ordered the guards who began to charge at him with their swords drawn. Not knowing what to do and feeling unbelievably frightened, Tatsuya panicked and sprinted towards one of the walls. “Rise from the ashes, Suzaku. Hinote Soujuu!!” His sword disappeared and turned into his gauntlets before he released a large fireball at the wall creating a hole he used to escape into the courtyard. “SOUND THE ALARM AND GO AFTER HIM!!! DON’T LET HIM ESCAPE!!!” Raiden furiously commanded the guards. Tatsuya could hear the alarm as he continuously used shunpo through the court yard trying to get to one of the outer walls. Tatsuya ran into an open area and was quickly surrounded by a dozen guards with their swords drawn. “Tatsuya Okibi, stop where you are or you will be dealt with.” One guard stated as they waited for a response. “I didn’t do it…I DIDN’T KILL HIM!!!!” Tatsuya shouted in desperation and fear as several fireballs began forming from his zanpakuto. “Kill…” The guard’s order was cut short when he and the others surrounding Tatsuya were hit by the fireballs which set their clothes on fire. Tatsuya darted from the scene as they tried to put themselves out and continued to the outer wall. As Tatsuya got closer to the wall it erupted in flames that reached the sky. A new addition from the 12th Division no doubt to keep intruders trapped inside. “Now…He’s trapped.” Tatsuya heard from behind as guards closed in. Without hesitation Tatsuya leapt over the wall and through the flames to reach the other side unhurt. All the guards instantly stopped running as Tatsuya jumped into the flames and began muttering to themselves in surprise. Raiden soon appeared in front of them. “WHERE DID HE GO?!” He asked his guards in rage, only to be told the truth. “YOU IDIOTS, HE’S ESCAPING!!! GO AFTER HIM.” He grabbed the closest guard and tossed him into the flames. “IF YOU DON’T CAPTURE HIM, YOU’LL END UP LIKE THAT.” He made an example of the one he tossed making the others begin to frantically start running to one of the secondary gates. “SOMEONE NOTIFY CAPTAIN AKARUI!!!” He continued to furiously bark out orders. On the other side of the wall Tatsuya had already sealed his zanpakuto and started running, trying to figure out just what the hell was going on.

(ooc: this is taking place after my latest thread, so all of Kuro's personal drama is over since that thread will end my story.)

Kuro was racing towards the estate before the guards got to him. The sounds of the alarms were roaring through the usual quiet atmosphere of the second squad grounds. He had been enjoying a nice cup of tea in the garden behind his office when the sound was first heard. Fearing the possibilities of what an alarm at the noble estate could mean, he had taken off and met the guards on the way. "What's the status of the estate!?" he barked as they all raced back to the estate with shunpo.

The guards found it difficult to keep up with Kuro's shunpo and make their report at the same time. They clumsily gave their information in bits as they struggled to match his steps. "The grand elder...has been...murdered........The suspect is 7th seat, ......Tatsuya Okibi.........He managed.........to escape......and is currently running." Kuro put on an extra burst of speed after hearing all of this and left his men in the dust as he sped at his fastest the rest of the way to the Shihoin estate. He stopped using shunpo as he arrived in the courtyard and began walking with a quick pace into the main building. Guards followed behind him and others in the estate directed him towards the scene of the crime, where Raiden was waiting for him. Kuro pushed past the head guard (he had not forgotten the man's blatant disrespect for Kuro himself, and more importantly their fellow squad members) and fell to his knees in front of the elder's body.

"Old man..." Even seeing it with his own eyes, Kuro did not want to believe it. The grand elder had been more than a noble figure to him. He had been a star of hope in the dark world of nobility, standing for honor and fairness rather than ridiculous bloodline pride. Kuro had looked up to him like no other leader, and had even thought of him like a parent at some times. The sight of his blood soaked body pushed Kuro's patience to its very limits. His eyes flooded with tears that threatened to spill at any moment and his power surged forth and weighed down on the whole of the center complex, knocking many guards off of their feet. Kuro stood up and turned to Raiden, not looking for a long discussion. "Who did this!?" Raiden bowed down on one knee, and answered swiftly. "Captain, the guards left the room under the grand elder's orders and..." he was cut off as Kuro's voice roared out from his throat in a fury not often heard by many. "I DIDN'T ASK FOR A STORY! WHO-DID-THIS!!!!?" Raiden bowed his head lower and gave one name. "Tatsuya Okibi."

This answer shocked Kuro. He had hoped that he had heard wrong from the guards when making his way to the estate, but now having the name from another source, it was clear who the suspect was. He lowered his head, hiding his conflicted face behind his hair as his look darkened. "Where was the suspect last seen?" he spoke now with a lowered voice, dripping with the suppressed anger he was feeling, proving more scary and threatening than his shouts before. The guards could get out no more than "the out wall on the east side..." before Kuro bolted from the room, running in a lowered sprint with his face painted with a look of confusion and vengeance. The guards in the estate were all startled as he shot past them faster than they could react. He wove in and out of the guards and estate attendants heading for the wall. He vaguely heard a guard try to call him away from the firewall and direct him towards the gate, but he did not even pause in his sprint. Leaping up and over the wall at top speed, he passed through the flames so fast that he only felt a mild warm sensation as he went over. He landed on the other side and looked around for signs of where Tatsuya might have headed.

Junko was running full speed, her hair tied back in a ponytail, her face bruised and her body battered, Cuts, mostly minor engulfed her body, the pain of it was ignored though, and the small amounts of blood she was loosing from it was negligible. She was in the woods, alarms were sounding, presumably to chase her down and kill her.

She was in her shinigami robes, the small pack that she kept with a metal flask of spirits, a box with the remains of her armor in it, and a few other nessesities were packed in the small back pack. She was running, she knew neither where or why she was being hunted by those men, but thye had the authority to march into 11th squad barracks and… Do what they wished, and then kill her. She took a peek behind her shoulder, trying to see if she was being followed, it didn’t appear that they expected her to run.

That and she may have injured their pursuit specialist. She kept trucking, occasionally shunpo’ing to gain abit of ground. She jumped over walls, trying to throw them off the scent. Fenikusu dangled, the blade still shattered and still regenerating with the armor. She might have a chance to stand and fight with her Zanpaktou intact, not this Asauchi that she had been issued. Granted she had taken them on for a good deal of time before she had been forced to flee, but she was still angry at herself

She finally started to slow down, slowing to a stop, she took a moment to examine her self, She had fled into the endless maze of Sereitei, Her 13 year old self was easier to hid than if she was taller, being just 5’0” she could pretty much slip anywhere she wanted that was possible buy a human. Right now though she was panting, sweating, and looking around, when she heard foot steps, someone else running. And so Junko shook her head and drew her Asauchi ready to fight or flee as the situation depended on it…

((Im kinda expecting DM to be the footsteps... But whatever is kool...))

"Why did he scream for the guards after sending them away? Why did he kill himself? Why me?" All sorts of questions flew through Tatsuya's mind as he ran through the streets of Seireitei. Tatsuya instantly stopped and turned around to look at where he came from. The alarm blaring through the air and the guards trying to find him, but something else caught his attention. "Captain!" The feeling of his reiatsu told Tatsuya that Captain Akarui was enraged. Tatsuya snapped back to reality and started to run again. In his current situation Tatsuya had no chance of explaining the events to the captain or at least making them even the slightest bit believable. "What the hell do I do?" That question floated around in his mind. Too bad there was only one thing he could do at this point in time. Whether he turned himself in or got captured he was sure of his punishment... Death.

Tatsuya had lost his focus of the surroundings, he didn't realize it until he rounded the corner. Seeing a young female in front of him with her sword drawn, Tatsuya quickly drew his own. "Out of my way young miss." Fear was present in his eyes and in the way he held his zanpakuto, he didn't need to create anymore doubt about him then there already was. It took a few seconds to recognize the female, it was Junko-san of 11th squad. Though she was younger then the last time they saw each other, he definitely remembered her face. "They've already dispatched the 11th squad?!" He mind raced as he thought about how fast this was going out of control. "Please let me go. I swear on my parent's graves, I did not kill the Grand Elder." He pleaded with Junko, who had yet to say anything, as tears rolled down his cheeks. Tatsuya heard numerous footsteps in the distance, undoubtly her backup. "Please, I beg you. Let me go." Tatsuya asked one more time hoping to have just one person believe him.

"People around here are always in hurry for everything." Katsumi moved to the other side of the side walk as a squad of shinigami went running by him. "Who practices in this part of town anyways." Katsumi yelled as they passed by. As the alarm began to ring, Katsumi felt multiple reaitsu's strengthening. More shinigami went running by and Katsumi was eager to know what was going on. He had never heard the alarm sound before. All he knows about the alarm is what he has read in the academy about previous events. "Excuse me sir, what is going on?" Katsumi stopped a young shinigami who was running along with the others. "You haven't heard what has happened to the Grand Elder?" Katsumi's eyes widened as the young shinigami mentioned the Grand Elder. "I haven't heard a thing. Just the alarmed and a lot of panicked shinigami." "The Grand Elder was assassinated just a few minutes ago. We have orders to capture the man responsible for this." Katsumi knew that this would be something to go down in the records. He didn't want to be the one known for not doing his part in this historic event. Katsumi drew his Zanpakuto, "I'm guessing he went this way?"

Katsumi began to follow the rest of the shinigami as they pursued the man. As they were running, Katsumi began to inquire more information. "How is this possible? How does someone even get access to the Grand Elder?" "Apparently Tatsuya was invited to go see the Elder." Katsumi stopped dead in his tracks and looked into the distance with unbelief. "Did you just say Tatsuya?" The man looked back at Katsumi, "Yes, are you coming." The shinigami kept pursuing as Katsumi stayed behind. Puzzled, Katsumi just stood there for a while. "This has to be wrong. Tatsuya wouldn't do something like that." Not sure what to think, Katsumi began to look for Tatsuya. Not to detain him, but to get the truth out of him. Katsumi already knew the feel of Tatsuya's reaitsu. "Bakudo 19 Energy Fade" Katsumi concentrated on Tatsuya's reaitsu. "Those guys were going the wrong way." Katsumi jumped to the roofs and run from roof top to roof top. He wasn't fast enough to catch up to them, but he sure can try and cut him off without him detecting me. As Katsumi felt Tatsuya's reaitsu get closer, he began to slow down until he eventually came to a stop. "His reaitsu isn't moving." In the distanc he could see two shinigami facing each other, Zanpakuto's drawn. "Could that be him?" Katsumi made his way over to where they were, hoping he would get there before something went down between the two. "I'm not fast enough."

Junko saw the man and her body shook, her random cuts in her robes and hurt as if salt had been poured in, and her face, which her eye was starting to turn black and swell. The man that had saved her from a doom of sorts, now was going to be the source of her own, 'They've even deployed 2nd squad...', Her body shook in fear, her blade unsteady in her hands. She realized the doom that was soon to be at hand for her. The entire soul society must be looking for her, down to the last ant in the soil and snake under the rock. She was terrified of this man, it symbolized her death. The man spoke, the fear displayed on his face as well, but why...

He apparently was on the run, so distressed that he was crying, apparently trying to escape a pursuit squad for a crime he didn't commit so he claimed., at least he knew why he was being chased... At this point, and her given situation, she believed his story.

The footsteps sounded behind her, and Junko whirled around, seeing her enemies round the corner, the medium height hooded man, which she kindly refered to as brains, and a tall bulky man just behind him, "RUN! Bakuto 21 Red Smoke Escape!" She yelled this, knowing its drawbacks and its advantages, knowing that it would practically send a flare to all their pursuers, and that it would allow them to escape her nemisis unscathed... She shunpo'ed out of the smoke, down torward the tall one, ready to follow him...

Kuro sensed the spike of reiatsu as a kido was cast. Leaping up onto the building tops, he continued his search from a higher position. He spotted the red smoke puffing out in an area not far from his location and shunpoed towards it as fast as he could. When he reached the area, all he could find was chaos. A group from the 11th squad was running about in confusion while the smoke obscured their vision. Kuro knew that if Tatsuya was the one who cast it, he wouldn't be here anymore. But what were 11th squad members doing here? Had Raiden called them in for assistance? Kuro didn't have time to think about that. He leaped up into the sky above the confused shinigami and scanned the area around them, hoping to catch a glimpse of the fugitive. He was in luck. Fleeing the site were two figures. One of them was Tatsuya without a doubt. His tall form was hard to mistake. Kuro shunpoed after them as fast as he could, double checking himself to bring his reiatsu back under control. He wanted to do this without a bunch of witnesses. Tatsuya and his fellow runner's speed made it take a short while to catch up to them, and put considerable distance between them and the search parties behind them. Kuro got within earshot and shouted after them, hoping to get their attention. "TATSUYA!!!!" He had his blade drawn and was ready to use it, but he knew that the elder wouldn't want him to strike him down without getting a few words from him first.

Tatsuya gripped his sword tighter when he saw Junko's reinforcements come around the corner. He wasn't sure how he was going to get away from them, but he wasn't going to get captured. He was surprised when Junko used Sekienton, but didn't hesitate to run when she appeared in front of him. "Oh thank you!" Tatsuya was slightly relieved to find that someone believed him. He led the way out of the area as fast as he could with Junko following. Making their way through the streets, Tatsuya felt a strong reiatsu approaching quickly from behind. He tried to ignore it and keep running, until that person called out to him. "Oh no. Captain Akarui." Tatsuya's fear returned ten fold as he stopped and turned towards him. Tatsuya knew that there was no way they could out run him. He shakingly held his sword in front of him when he noticed Captain Akarui's and waited for the inevitable confrontation.

Katsumi grew angry with himself. “Everyone is so sure that Tatsuya did it. How would he have done this and I not know about it.” Katsumi saw a flash of red and smoke fill the air around Tatsuya and the other figure. “What was that?” At the distance he was at, Katsumi easily spotted the two running. Katsumi grinned, “They’re going to right by me. Maybe six blocks that way and I will cut them off.” Katsumi began to leap across the buildings, once again unsheathing his Zanpakuto. “If I’m going to stop Tatsuya and get the information I need, I’m going to have to use force.” Katsumi knew that when Tatsuya had a set purpose he wasn’t going to give it up so easily, especially if he’s running for his life. As Katsumi made progress, he began to grin. “I’ve got you now Tatsuya.” Katsumi whispered to himself as he got just a couple blocks to where they were. Katsumi was so focused on catching Tatsuya that he failed to see Captain Kuro coming in…and fast!! When Captain Kuro yelled Tatsuya’s name, the anger and rage in his voice sent a chill down Katsumi’s spine. Captain Kuro’s reaitsu was fierce and seemed uncontrollable. To Katsumi, anyone with that much reaitsu seemed uncontrollable. Katsumi refused to stop. If Captain Kuro was this raged that means Tatsuya had to have done it. “I need to know my place.” Caught between the loyalty of an old friend and his integrity to the duty, Katsumi needed to make a decision and make it fast. “I’ll find out which side I’m on when I hear some answers.” Katsumi continued towards Tatsuya, hopefully thinking rationally enough to do what’s right.

((I will get the solo preceding this up ASAP, but school has me busy))

Junko was running beside the tall man, being alot shorter, she had abit of trouble keeping up, she had to shunpo occasionally to keep up with regular running, and shunpo twice for the taller man's 1. He was alot better, or perhaps what he is running faster was giving him the edge...

She didn't see the man, behind her, but she felt him, and when he stopped, a panic struck her core. She stood and turned, her eyes searching for the body for which the voice was attached, and as expected, it was Captain Kuro, his sword drawn, and a fearsome look on his face, why she did not know, perhaps for associating with a target, or perhaps for he murder he is blamed for.

Either way, she took a brief glance at the taller man, who Kuro-taicho had called Tatsuya, and she saw that he was fear stricken, and probably would die if it came down to fighting. The captain's reiastu calmed, but junko still readied herself, her Asauchi in her grip, and she lowered her stance, she was afraid, afraid that he was going to just kill her out right, already being targeted by would be assassins, and just take Tatsuya as a prisoner. She heard a voice behind her, and she took a look behind her, a single squad member stood there, apparently trying to box her and Tatsuya between Kuro and himself.

Junko took a step between the captain and Tatsuya in response to the squad member's arrival. She looked at the captain, a scared look in her eyes, perhaps overshadowing the intent to defend herself and Tatsuya from him...

She said as she moved, over her shoulder in a fashion that she kind of looked like she was talking to air, "I don't see anyway out of this, other than surrender, or death." She directed the words at Tatsuya, but she may have spoken them abit to loudly so the others could hear them...

Kuro noticed Katsumi's presence and prepared to move in and strike. But something stopped him. Something about the fear in Tatsuya's eyes was calming Kuro down even further than his thoughts on the elder's preferences. Perhaps it was that Tatsuya's eyes didn't look like the eyes of a wrong-doer caught in the act. He seemed to be just as confused as Kuro was by the whole thing, for Kuro was still finding it hard to accept that this loyal member of the squad he loved and led could be the culprit. Kuro's power was at a lower level now, and starting to weaken in focus as the confusion and second guessing built up inside of him. Not being able to stand doing nothing, he shot forward with a shunpo and went around Tatsuya and Junko, ending up on the other side of Tatsuya, between him and Katsumi. He spoke before attacking, giving Tatsuya a chance to locate him and defend himself so that they could have a chance to talk while fighting. "How did this happen? Why did you do this?" Kuro started the inevitable fight with a straight forward attack with no deception behind it. Only a small fraction of his full strength was behind it due to his unfocused power, making it a large possibility that Tatsuya would be able to match him for now.

"This is it, I'm done for." Tatsuya thought as he stared at Captain Akarui for what seemed like an eternity. Tatsuya had no idea what Captain Akarui would do to the man who supposedly killed the Grand Elder or more importantly the captain's friend. Tatsuya could feel Captain Akarui's presence weakening, but it did nothing to relieve his out of control fear. He failed to notice the captain's own doubts about the incident and even failed to notice his own friend, Katsumi, behind them. Tatsuya could barely follow Captain Akarui's movements and thought he would die on the spot, until the captain spoke. Tatsuya quickly turned around and found the captain. "Katsumi!!" His eyes focused on his friend for only a split second before Captain Akarui attacked. Tatsuya brought his sword up to meet the captain's just in time. Though it might have been weak coming from Captain Akarui's perspective, it still had enough force behind it to make Tatsuya slide back a bit before coming to a stop. "I didn't do it." Tatsuya ignored the first question out right wanting to choose his words carefully before answering. He then did the unexpected and willingly dropped his sword. "I don't know how or why it happened. The Grand Elder ordered his guards out of the room and then wanted to have a training session with me. Next thing I know, I'm in a sparring match with him and then he draws his sword. I disarm him by cutting his wrist and then claim my victory. He then screams for the guards and impales himself onto my sword." Tatsuya explained the truly unbelievable true story to the captain with fear and confused stricken eyes. "Believe it or not, it's the truth. But I won't fight you." Tatsuya had tears rolling down his cheeks. If Captain Akarui wanted to take his life, Tatsuya would not move or even blink. "Just leave her alone, she had nothing to do with this." Tatsuya turned his head and looked at Junko, before returning his gaze to his captain.

Katsumi was taken by surprise when the Captain came in so quickly. Cutting off his path to Tatsuya, Katsumi knew that the Captain wanted to take care of this. All he could do now is watch and wait for orders. As Tatsuya began to explain himself to the Captain, Katsumi grew even more confused. "Why would the grand elder to something so stupid", Katsumi thought. Katsumi continued to watch as Tatsuya dropped his Zanpakuto and refused to fight the Captain. Katsumi knew Tatsuya do well. There was no way he would drop his guard. Feeling inclined to do something Katsumi began to walk forward. "Lie to yourself not to us Tatsuya. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard you say. Do you really want to go out like this?" Katsumi tried his best to hide his fear for interrupting the Captain but the vibrations in his throat made it obvious that something was wrong. Katsumi couldn't believe everything that was happening. Katsumi stopped beside Captain Kuro. "Don't make me choose sides."

Kuro's mind raced as he listened to Tatsuya's explanation. He had no reason to lie to Kuro, so what did all of this mean? Kuro couldn't figure it out, and there was no way that a charge like this would give them time to sort it out. The way Kuro saw it, there was only one choice if he didn't want the real culprit to win. He dropped his stance and looked Tatsuya fiercely in the eye. "If you swear that that is the truth, then run! Escape and protect that truth with all of your being. Do what you can to evade us and discover the truth about who killed our elder. It is the only way you will be able to return to serve with us again." Kuro turned and walked a few paces back towards where the other search parties were. "I have received no information or orders concerning Junko-san, so I have no reason to do anything to stop her. I'll leave you to make your own decision Katsumi-san." Kuro shunpoed back towards the estate, intending to impede the progress of the search for Tatsuya so that he could have enough time to escape.

Junko had turned to face the Capitain, he was fast. No doubt about it, if he wanted, he could kill both of them outright and be done with it. But he attacked Tatsuya, they deadlocked bringing and Tatsuya slid from the power of the strike to her side, where she readied herself for the killing blow on tatsuya, and ready to try and prevent it.

However it was just a deadlock, leading to Tatsuya dropping his sword, as it clattered at his feet, he begged for death after telling his story... Then the squad member, who at first impression seemed very annoying, called out Junko's own throughts, that the story was ludicruous...

She waited for Kuro to attempt to run him through, but he dropped his stance... and told the both of us to run... He is off his rocker, she thought, before proceding to actually follow his orders a first from this captain, Before he found out a reason to stop her...

Tatsuya watched in surprised relief as Captain Akarui dropped his guard. "I swear no matter how long it takes, I will return with the truth of this day." Tatsuya had the fires of determination in his eyes. "Captain, I hope you understand the possible consequences for what your doing." Tatsuya thought as the captain disappeared towards the estate. He then looked at Katsumi who was still trying to understand what was happening. "Look Katsumi, I know this is all hard to believe. I really don't even believe it myself, but its the truth." Tatsuya looked hard into Katsumi's eyes. "Think about it, think about who I am. Do you really believe I could kill someone without substantial reasoning behind it?" Tatsuya asked Katsumi in order to get him to remember the type of person he is. "Think back to when I saved you during the earthquake. I gave up my life for you and I did so without thought or hesitation. Is that the kind of person who would murder anyone?" He asked Katsumi forcing his personality past any doubts. All of a sudden a loud booming voice could be heard through Seieitei.

"Attention! Attention! All squads are to find and apprehend Second Squad 7th Seat Tatsuya Okibi for the murder of The Shihouin Clan Grand Elder. Repeating! All squads are to find and apprehend Second Squad 7th Seat Tatsuya Okibi for the murder of The Shihouin Clan Grand Elder."

"Damn it, it just got unbelievably worse." Tatsuya could here the squads scrambling in the distance. "We don't have much time. Listen, I'm going to try and get to the living world. I need you to be my eyes and ears here. If you find out anything, let me know." Tatsuya was rushed as he tried to explain. "Watch yourself and Captain Akarui. And watch after Sumiko while I'm gone. I don't want any of you to get hurt." Tatsuya requested from his friend before he picked up his zanpakuto. "Please forgive me for what I'm about to do, but it is for your own good." He stated before he used shunpo to move behind Katsumi and swing the back of his zanpakuto at Katsumi's head to knock him out. Tatsuya needed him to maintain his innocence.

After seeing the Captain take off the way he did, Katsumi was even more confused. He didn't want to believe that Tatsuya was the one responsible for this horrendous act. After hearing Tatsuya explain himself to Katsumi, Katsumi was inclined to believe what he was telling him to be true. Katsumi remembered everything that had happened in the real world and the death of Tatsuya. What would draw this man to do such a thing. Katsumi bowed his head as Tatsuya explained his case. Katsumi was just getting to become proud of his accomplishments and the fact that an old friendship had been restored. A tear grew in his eye and he dropped to his knee. In a calm voice Katsumi said, "It needs to be done. Farewell Tatsuya." As Tatsuya's hilt hit Katsumi in the back of the head, Katsumi dropped to the floor. A warm sensation came over the back of his neck and his cheek. A few seconds later, Katsumi was out.

"Did you hear that?" Simone asked nudging Arawn's arm, making the tool miss the target and damage the circuit. He let out a groan.
"Hear what?" he put down the tool and examined the damaged board.
"The alert just now!" she was as excited as ever. "A grand elder was found dead."
"Really now?" he wasn't paying attention, he wondered how he salvage the circuit board. It was beyond repair, it would set back his project another week or more. He sighed.
"We got to go!" she squealed, grabbing his arm and nearly pulling him from his chair. "There's a criminal on the loose. Catching him might mean a promotion.
"Go where?" he asked finally listening. "I want to move on to the testing phase of the scatter gun." He pointed at the newly created rifle. They were working on a supplementary circuit to boost output when the alarm came.
"We can do that later." The bug eyed woman yanked again this time succeeding pulling Arawn to the floor. He lay there scratching his head. She was too excited for words.They had been working in shifts for the past 3 days. Bryce had left barely an hour ago, and she was restless then. Taking part in some chase might calm her down and let him get some work done. Still he wondered why there was all points alert. Shaking himself he stood up. An elder dies and everyone has to drop what they're doing? What a pain.
"Okay, let's go. but first let me put the weapon away." He grabbed the rifle, but she quickly snacked it from his hands.
"No, we'll bring it with us!" he beamed. This was no time to make jokes. It wasn't wise to use an untested weapon.
"Don't be silly_"
"Think about it, not only will we get a promotion if we capture this guy, but we can show off the new tech we made." Before he could respond she slung the weapon over her shoulder and raced out the door. Arawn sighed again , and ran to follow her.

Junko was running yet again, left, right, left, right, footfall after footfall, she was advancing, The announcement, which was heard no doubt within every corner of the Soul Society, ordered to catch her Conpainion. She noticed he wasn't following yet, she turned to see him appear around his Squadmember, hearing none of the exchange. She turned and went back, asking as the thought crossed her mind, "you want to leave soul society, but do you actually know a way out, other than the gates that are no doubt covered already?" She didn't actually sheath the Katana, rather she let her guard down, but it would be more or less faster than making a draw if nessicary...

She thought on the question she asked, hoping he had an answer...

Sumiko dropped the tray of medication on the floor when she heard the booming announcement of Tatsuya's criminal act. "Miyamoto-san, are you okay?" Asked a concerned squad member who then started to pick up the medication. "That...that can't be true. They made a mistake." Sumiko shockingly uttered in response. "I don't think so ma'am. I don't think anyone is allowed to make a mistake with something of this magnitude." The squad member stood back up after collecting all of the medication. "But you don't know him like I do. It's not in his nature to commit cold-blooded murder." Sumiko tried to defend Tatsuya. "Well maybe because I don't know him like you do is the reason why you can defend him. It's because of your relationship that you fail to remember just what kind of person he is. He is trained to kill, efficiently, I might add." The squad member explained key points. "SHUT UP!!" Sumiko shouted angrily, surprising the squad member. "I...I'm sorry," Sumiko apologized to the now speechless squad member. She was never one to get upset or yell at anyone, but she didn't want to hear anymore. She quickly walked out of the room and began to run out into Seireitei.

*Meanwhile*

Tatsuya watched as Katsumi's unconscious body hit the ground. "Take care, my friend." He softly spoke before turning towards the direction Junko fled to and using shunpo in that direction to catch up. He kept his zanpakuto in his right hand as he caught up to Junko. "Sorry to say that is the only way out that I know of. Either way, we don't have any other options. Regardless, if we get captured or we surrender, I'm sure you're aware of the outcome." Tatsuya stated the hard truth of the matter. "The good thing is I have plan. The gate is not too far from here, so maybe we can get there before too many shinigami show up. And no doubt 12th Squad has already locked the gate." Tatsuya stated the obvious points to Junko before continuing. "So we are just going to have to blow through it. The easy part is that we are gonna have to hit it at the same time with our strongest attack. The hard part is still trying to get away from the others and making it to the living world in one piece. Once we get there we should be okay. I don't think too many of them will follow simply because of the possible risk of drawing out hollow where ever we may land." Tatsuya explained the basic points of his plan as they ran.

Simone ran out of the barracks and into the streets of Seireitei. She was faster than anticipated. He would have had an easier time catching her if not for the flood of shinigami that she merged with. It seemed like everyone had joined the chase. Arawn was nearly trampled the the rush of black robed people. Simone was easy enough to spot, she was still wearing her white lab coat. As he struggled to push it was to her more people joined the crowd as it snaked through the streets. With a grunt he manged to jump free of the hoard and landed on a rooftop. The white lab coat was getting further and further away. He ran along side the mass of shinigami, slowly closing the ground between him and his target. Closer and closer once the gap was closed, he shunpo'd. In an instant he appeared before Simone, grabbed the surprised woman and leaped upwards onto an adjacent roof. The brunette smiled as he he carried her like a princess.

"Why Arawn, I didn't know you cared." she said sweetly. He rolled his eyes. The way he held her he could feel the untested weapon still on her back. He was afraid she might have lost it. Once they landed he quickly stripped her of the unit and examined it.
"Alright let's head back." his exam finished. Simone pouted. He stared at her. "Well you can stay, I'll head back. I'm not about to let this prototype get damaged."
He turned away to begin the return trip.
"Well if you leave I guess I'll have to destroy this firing circuit." He spun around. In her pale fingers she held one of the firing cartridges, she dangled it over the edge of the roof. He looked at the gun. It was still loaded she must have taken the extra. Arawn growled. While true he could make another circuit the time and expense. He could try to overpower her, but it could damage it in the process. A kido? She might drop it.
"Damn it!. Fine, we'll chase him, but there are plenty of shinigami here, why do I need to help?" He could hear the shouts of the crowd below as they continued their sweep of the area.
"We're going that way." she pointed using the cartridge, obviously to tease him further. "They'll head for the gate."
Arawn was skeptical "Why not just hide out in Rukongai?" Why would they go deeper into Seiretei and risk capture? The gates would be heavily guarded by now.
"Despite how huge Rukongai is. Hiding in the Human is their only chance of escape." She might have a point there. Still he didn't think he'd make much of a difference in the fugitives' capture.
"Alright let's go." he said. Simone held up her arms, Arawn raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Carry me." she smiled. With a sigh he picked up and then slung her over his shoulder like a bag of flour. She squealed in delight "You're so rough." Arawn sighed again and jumped heading in the directions of the gates.

Junko was adjusting to the pace they were making. Tatsuya didn't really have a good plan, nothing special, the grunts of her squad could have made it. In a nutshell, kick ass, blow stuff up, don't die.

No doubt, they would be expecting it.

She was following/leading to the gate. They both knew where it was. Junko sprinted to the end. She knew she would be in for a fight. And without Fenikkusu no Tenshi, or it as a stub dangling from her side. Activating shikai was pretty much out of the question. Her most powerful attack... That could present problems. She decided on what to do, a Hado 24, and Hado 21 simulatiously.

As she approached the gate, she began to feel the presense of other shinigami, her own squadmates for the most part, she recognized a few, but she didn't have personal attachment to them. The bad part, they knew her, and they hated her.

She stopped around the corner to the gate, "These are mostly my squadmates, not nessicarly the strongest members, but they're no pushovers." Junko said camly, as she loosened the pack on her back. She needed to be unhindered in battle...

Tatsuya stopped just behind Junko as they drew closer to the gate. "It's a good thing that it is mostly 11th squad since they don't rely on kidou to often. They'll just charge at us without too much thought." He whispered softly as he tried to think of a decent way to head in. His eyes were drawn to the dangling trinket at Junko's hips. "Kidou takes a bit more time to conjure than ones zanpakuto ability." He stated knowing that the "trinket" was actually her broken zanpakuto. "Once you start to cast the kidou, our cover is blown." He quietly began to unsheathe his zanpakuto and prepared to step out into the open. "I'll keep them busy with "Something Crazy" while you gather the energy." Tatsuya suggested with determined eyes without much thought. "Besides, it'll take more then a few 11th squad grunts to take me down." He had a faint smirk on his face as he started to walk around the corner. "Do or die... Hurry." He finished speaking softly before drawing the attention of the squad with a whistle.

"Looking for someone." He had a confident smile on his face that only covered his fear. "Look, he came to surrender to us. No surprise, since none can best the 11 squad." One of the members boastfully asserted. "Heh. Your squad is always so full of itself. Because of that, you will only fail." Tatsuya confidently retorted and brought his zanpakuto in front of him. He was definitely outnumbered by at least twenty men, but that did little to discourage him. Several of them began to charge towards Tatsuya, and Tatsuya followed suit. As the gap between them closed Tatsuya threw his zanpakuto horizontally spinning towards them causing some to take their eyes off of Tatsuya and dodge the oncoming blade. He used shunpo at that moment to move between the distracted shinigami and just slightly off to the left in front of his zanpakuto. "Idiot" One member in front Tatsuya commented at the action before him, thinking that Tatsuya would get cut by his own blade. Without turning Tatsuya chuckled and gripped his zanpakuto in his right hand, in a reverse grip, and swung at the squad member in front of him. "WHAT THE..." The squad member shouted as he swung his sword straight down to meet Tatsuya's.

Just as their swords clashed other members closed in from behind and prepared to attack Tatsuya, but he did not stop pressing forward when the swords clashed. Tatsuya released his grip on his sword causing the momentum of the member's downward strike to swing Tatsuya's sword hilt towards his face. The member swayed back out of instinct with wide eyes of shock, but was unable to anticipate such an unorthodox tactic. Tatsuya expected his reaction as his right hand followed right behind the sword hilt and struck the member square in the face with his palm, sending him soaring into the air. Tatsuya then turned around to his left to face the others attacking from behind and grabbed his sword right out of the air with his left and in a traditional grip. Just as Tatsuya gripped his sword, he tossed it directly in front of him in a high speed counter-clock wise spin causing the would be attackers to stop in their tracks and rethink their situation. Tatsuya reached for his sword with his right hand and snatched it from the air in a traditional grip. The members held their swords out in front of them, confused by what they witnessed. No one had ever seen of or heard of such a tactic. One would fight either by hakuda or by zanjutsu, but Tatsuya just used both at practically the same time. Tatsuya grinned at his predicament as they murmured to themselves. "I'm waiting." He stated out loud to the members while thinking to himself. "Don't make me wait too long Junko, I don't want to hurt them more than necessary."

Carrying Simone he leaped from roof to roof and then to a high wall. He ran above the squads as they scoured the city looking for the fugitives. It almost seemed like everyone was up in arms looking for them. They were all in a frenzy. Would they really be captured? The more he watched the people below the more it looked like a lynch mob. If those running put up any resistance they would only meet lethal force. It all made Arawn wish he was back in the lab even more. He could hear Simone yelling hellos to the men below. This was her fault. The sooner they reached the gate and no one was there the better.

As they approached the area Arawn let out a groan as the shouts he heard. There was fighting going on just ahead. Unfortunately Simone was right. They had headed for the gates and planned to escape to the Living World. Within three jumps the actual fighters came into view. Arawn dropped Simone from his shoulder. She fell to the ground with a grunt.
“Hey I don’t like it that rough!” she said rubbing her backside. Arawn didn’t hear her. What the hell was Tatsuya doing fighting all those men? Simone looked at the fighting dejectedly. “Looks like someone beat us to it. We could wait until they get tired then attack them.” she joked rising to her feet.
“Wait, he’s the criminal!?” he turned to face the woman. “This has to be a mistake! When did this happen? What proof do they have? It’s some kind of trick!” he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her quite violently. Simone just stared too shocked to respond. Arawn didn’t know too many people, but of those few he knew Tatsuya well enough to call him a friend. That alone made the thought of him being a criminal wanted for murder somewhat unacceptable. It felt like the air was getting thin, it was hard to breathe.

There was no mistaking the form of Tatsuya, the tall man he had met not long ago after joining the 13 Gotei. The gentle giant of a man that everyone feared as he walked the grounds. Sure they had spent little time together, but there was a kinship that he felt from those experiences. The honorable man was now a disgrace. And now he battled a score of opponents in an attempt to run from Soul Society.
“I can’t lose a friend like this. I’ve got to help him.” Arawn muttered and took a step forward from the corner that hid them. He was yanked back by Simone.
“You can’t!” she hissed as he turned to face her, she slapped him hard across the face. “What good can you do!? Look at them out there, those men want blood.” she said pointing around the corner. “If you go out there the only thing you’ll do is become a liability him.” as stunning as the hit was, the words were just as quieting. “If you do help, you’ll only suffer the same fate he’s trying to avoid!” she had never seen Arawn so unnerved, but she couldn’t let him walk into the middle of the fray. He placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I know this may sound morbid, but he’s going to die one way or another. If not here, then after they capture him. As his friend you can either watch or send him on his way.” She held out the disintegrator weapon that had he had dropped without noticing.


It was the oddest of logic. He had recalled such a thing when living, people dying painfully being killed by a loved one. A small consolation to their painful existence. He watched the mighty man fend off the attacks of several others and press the attack. Admiration for such skill was shadowed by the regret that he was only digging his own grave. Even if it was a misunderstanding there was no way to defend his actions. Attacking squad members, resisting arrest, and running to the gate all spoke volumes towards guilt. Arawn took the weapon from the woman and grabbed the back up circuit from his hand. He leaped upon the wall and moved to a better angle. He didn’t want others to be caught up in the blast. Arawn pressed the button and the system lit up. He could feel the hum as the power ran through the device, his heart jack hammered in his chest. Could he do this? Should he do this. He heard a shout and noticed a figure by the gate proper. It would seem Tatsuya had an accomplice. Fire flared from the second person. His breathed through his nose and lined the site along the barrel towards the target. Tatsuya would break through the men and head toward his companion. Arawn’s finger hovered in front of the trigger.