No man's land (Open)

One often thinks a shinigami's work is to defeat hollows and lead wayward souls to Soul Society. But that is just a portion of the tasks they perform. On any given day a soul reaper duties vary. Cleaning, paperwork, cooking, even laundry, it's not always the glamorous lift people think. Another task often overlooked is the patrol into Rukongai. While the Sereitei is the place shinigami call home, the Rukongai is the place where the souls sent from the human world reside. The people that dwell there live in peace for the most part, but the further from Sereitei one travels the more lawless and dangerous the districts become. Bandits, hollows, and other dangers lurked in the far reaches of Rukongai. Unfortunately, Arawn found himself assigned to investigate such a place the Nothern 71st district. He had signed up for patrols, but had accidentally signed up for the wrong ones. Instead of going to the human world he was now off to Soul Society's lawless regions. As he packed his things he gave a sigh. From the briefing he was given, there was reports of a string of disappearances. There was a chance it was caused, by hollows. Otherwise Arawn was sure the powers that be didn't care what happened in such a place.

His packing complete he waited at the massive Black Ridge Gate. He was to be accompanied by two other shinigami.
"Two other unfortunate souls." He muttered aloud. Perhaps unlike him they had actually meant to go on this patrol. Arawn shrugged. It was possible. Like it or not his job was to help in any way he could. It's wasn't right to let his disappointment jeopardize the mission. "Where are they?"

What a pain, what a pain. How long would they insist on sending him on these feeble errands, how long had to pass before his talent was recognized and the endless slew of grunt work stopped being shoveled his way? The savory scents of a breakfast of boiled noodles in a sweet bean sauce wafted towards his nostrils and calmed his fevered temperament. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad, after all it was simply a routine trip to rukongai, nothing of any real menace ever really made it that close to the soul society, no. It was down on earth that you really had to watch your back. No matter, that still didn’t give cause to let his guard down, it simply shone a dim light of hope that perhaps this assignment wouldn’t be too taxing.

Slurping down the meal in one steady stream he strapped his katana to his side and darted out the house, tardiness was a trait he honestly couldn’t stand and he would be damned if he’d be the first to exemplify it. Having his time wasted got under his skin like nothing else, and as a side effect he had a strong policy against causing others to suffer in such a way. The blue tiled walls of the Seretei blurred past as his side as flash steps carried him down it’s twisting corridors and narrow ally’s, his uniform flapping back in the tail wind he sped his way past groups of shinigami milling their way to the barrack, mess hall and various other social hot spots.

A sigh whispered form his lips as he was finally allowed to calm his frantic pace, dropping from the top of the wall down onto the open courtyard that laid out the way to the black ride gate, one of the Seretei’s four main exits. Before it stood a lone shinigami, a short mess of brown hair on his head, light stubble on the chin and a pair of rounded spectacles that gave him the look of a stereotypical lab tech barely ever leaving their research in favor of sunlight. He’d never seen the individual before in his life, but currently the gotei thirteen were making an effort towards inter squad integration so this was likely the result of that since he knew it wasn’t the face of anyone in his squad.

“Yo” he called out, his paces carrying him ever closer to his new found comrade “You headed to northern 71st?”

Arawn had been in a slight daze standing by the gate. It was getting warmer and that made him sleepy.
"Perfect napping weather." he muttered, but knew such a thing would never come to pass. Almost to prove that point it was then that the tall man approached him. Arawn turned to examine the speaker. Something he'd noticed since coming to Soul Society; there was an usual amount of people of large height. By no means was Arawn short, he considered himself average. But it would seem the average height now was well over 6 feet. With a mental shrug he bowed and greeted the newcomer properly.
"Arawn Dan'Shir of squad 12." he spoke "Yes, I'm one of those going to the 71st." Eying the man more he didn't look even remotely familiar. It wasn't odd when you realized how many people there were in the 13 Gotei. Knowing everyone was impossible. There were still people in his own squad didn't recognize. Again a mental shrug. "Well with you that makes two, we're still waiting on our third."

He glanced skyward. It still early, but they had alot of distance to cover. Wait too long and they might not reach their destination until nightfall. One delay would only lead to another delay. Perhaps it would be best to leave now and let the final member catch up. But it would be possible the last person would instead wait thinking they were the ones being late. Ugh. He was over thinking it. Best to just relax.
"So what squad are you from?"

With regimented rigor and a discipline that can only be drilled through years of experience the man began their meeting by systematically stating his name and squad. It was a rather formal greeting and the shinigami was forced to wonder if perhaps this was going to set the tone for the entirety of their time together. He could only hope not, and plead with some far away deity that he ensure that not be the case. Yes admittedly being a foot soldier could become incredibly dull rather rapidly but that was never helped by poor company, it was exactly that which could turn and undesirable situation unbearable.

Ahhh well, no profit worrying about what if’s and future possibilities, he hadn’t even taken the time to reciprocate the mans greeting yet, how impolite. “Jin Yagami of Squad 6” he uttered already a little irked at the news their final member was late on arriving, was punctuality really such a rare trait in this day and age? “Tch, if they’re gonna keep us waiting we’d be better of leaving without them, someone so unreliable would only be a liability” the condemning words said without remorse. “So how did a member of the research and development division end up on foot patrol?”

Squad 6? He knew practically nothing about that division. Of course Arawn didn't know anyone in the squad, that wasn't what he was thinking about. Most squads had some kind of rumor or stigma that hung over them. Nothing came to mind when he thought about the sixth. This man must be a mind reader he said to himself with a raised eyebrow. Or just of like mind he too wished to get things underway. He gave a small grin at Jin's question. A mind reader indeed. he thought. To answer he gave a small shrug and smiled. "Happenstance." was the reply. He moved from the wall and looked around. There were plenty of shinigami coming through the gate. But not looked like they were waiting for someone or looking for an assigned group. "Perhaps we should take our leave now, and hope he catches up." Arawn stated. As Arawn thought deeply about it a third figure approached the two men.

"My, my I thought you looked familiar." came a voice from behind Arawn. "My how you've grown." Turning he came face to face with a blonde haired man. Apparently he knew Arawn. There was a faint glimmer of recognition, but then it was gone. The man smiled as Arawn scrunched up his face trying to remember. "You're hurting my feelings, but it has been awhile." He gave a small wave. "It's me Solun, I was the first person you met when you first arrived in Soul Society." Arawn's eyes were as big a saucers. The man was quite right, it had been quite awhile since he'd him. Arawn examined Solun trying to commit the face to memory. He looked quite young maybe in his late 20s, but that was fairly common. He was an ageless shinigami. Half of his long blonde hair fell about his face, while the rest was done in a braid which wrapped around his neck. Solun hung the end of it over his shoulder like a scarf. He stood only afew hairs taller than Arawn, 5 inches at best. Yet another tall one He commented to himself as Solun held out his hand to shake. Grasping the hand Arawn felt chill as he felt the other man's spiritual power. Impressive.
"So what are you two doing here?" he asked noticing Jin for the first time. Arawn grimaced. He wanted to stay and chat, but really wished to finish their patrol. Talking would have been a nice way to pass time to wait for their third, but Jin surely wouldn't wait for that.
"Well, we're going for a patrol." Arawn answered honestly "Someone else was supposed to join us, but he's still missing. We were about to leave when you just showed up."
"That's a shame, I was hopping we could catch up." Solun said still smiling and then Arawn had a thought.
"I know it's might be asking too much, but could you wait here for our companion?" he began. "If we stay any longer it will be too late."
"Hmmmmmm" The blond man stroked his beardless chin. "I don't have anything planned at the moment. I can spare afew minutes." Arawn bowed low to the man and nodded to Jin.
"Let's head out now." He said to his traveling companion, and then turned back to Solun. " Thank you so much, Solun." Arawn bowed once again "When I get back; we can sit and talk maybe grab some lunch." He really was curious what the man had been up to this whole time. He hadn't seen him since his academy days.

Their ability for small talk was admittedly appalling, it seeme dit was no more than coincidence that had brought them together and it was purely this chance of fate that bound them, Jin had no real interest in the sciences which put them at a disadvantage when attempting to scout some common ground, but lets face it, they were both shinigami there had to be some talking point on which they could both draw experience. It seemed his remark had left his mouth a little too loud as his team mate heard and suggested they leave some way for him to trace them, why even bother, if he couldn’t even make the effort to turn up on time what should he care weather the man was scolded for missing them or not, tardiness was a cardinal sin.

But the opportunity for a reply was not given as a voice from ahead called out to the 12th squad member, dripping with nostalgia. A blonde haired shinigami approached, locks braided back into a golden tail that wound around his neck, but despite approaching with the entrance of one revisiting an old acquaintance the only thing Jin could read of arawn’s expression was confusion, had this perhaps just been a misunderstanding? The question was not long left handing as the newcomer also noted the bemused expression the death god held and reminded him of the fact they had graduated the academy together, or something of that nature. It wasn’t really his business so his attentiveness had dropped considerably.

But something did catch his ears, an idea that could not have sounded more appealing, Arawn suggested the man wait for them in their stead for their ever later missing third member, that suited him just fine, anything to get this show on the road. He was tempted to verbalize his agreement but it seemed they had already reached a conclusion before the opportunity even arrived.

“thanks, your helping us out of a tight spot” he chimed in agreement, just glad the early obstacle was finally removed.

OOC: Fixed some of the sentences, sorry about that. Made lots of errors and missing words.

With Solun waiting for the missing member the two were free to begin their trek through Ruknogai. Many times he had walked the dusty streets that made up the town around Seireitei. This close to the city the town was quite lively. There were shinigami that came to these places to buy things. It was an interesting thing Soul Society. For a world of spirits it was filled with plants, trees, animals, and water like the Human world. So there was food and drink to be found, but only those that had strong spiritual powers had need of it. Some in Rukongai took it upon themselves to provide such things to all. But it was the shinigami that frequented such places. This place was so much like the human world except for there was no skyscrapers and cars. It was almost relaxing in a way. Of course 13 Gotei wasn't so primitive. There were computers and various other luxuries at their disposal.
"So tell me about your work in the 6th squad." Arawn said hoping to take his mind off the distasteful difference in living. It was going to be a long trip, a little talking could make it easier. Of course they could quicken things by using shunpo, but if not careful they might exhaust themselves. Honestly Arawn would be the one exhausted. Using it too many time and he would certainly be on the ground gasping for air.

OOC: sorry for the delay, doing exam resits currently so a little strapped for time.


Life. It filled the grubby outskirts that surrounded the seretei. In their tall walled kingdom the shinigami were safe, a structured community that revolved around order. Protected and docile where the biggest threats were chores and paperwork. But out here it was different, the shinigami called themselves guardians but they were not without flaw. Daring hollows willing to bet their life against the chance to indulge a gluttonous appetite ravaged the small villages that were left out here every so often and the death gods were not always fast enough to respond without casualty.

It was a shame but it was a hard truth, not everyone could be saved. Yet in the face of this, in the face of overwhelming adversity, widespread poverty and the crime that came with it, still these people managed to smile. Still they filled their hearts with joy and whistled a happy tune to their work. It was mind boggling, it would not be a stretch to say they cherished life to a far higher degree than the shinigami who lived in safety.

They began the hike to the mission destination along the way Arawn questioning what the young shinigami’s duties were. “Here it’s a fairly solid split between paperwork, Patrol, and keeping dicipline within the squad, our captains a real stickler for order, such a pain. About 3-4 times a year I get assigned to earth which is always a highlight, no one there to catch you sleeping on the job.” He replied with a wink and a girn “So what do you guys get up to down in squad 12, if im honest I wasn’t sure you guys could handle sunlight.”

OOC: No worries. I'm in no rush. Hope the testing goes well.

It would seem the 6th squad sounded fairly normal. Still there was probably more to it than the man was telling. Arawn wondered what happened during the "assignments to earth." But it would seem Arawn himself was now privy to the stigma of the 12th division. Indeed the squad has it's oddballs. His willingness to go on patrols was what made him weird even among the self-modifying mad scientist. He didn't see how having an active body as well as an active mind was strange.
"It's not that we can't handle sunlight." Arawn double tapped the metal bar on the bridge of his nose. The small field that covered his eyes shifted to shade of gray. "We just don't like the brightness." he returned the man's smile. "Truthfully we go through more paperwork than you can imagine. You'd think I was carrying a stapler not a zanpukto at times. When we're not fixing something, we're trying to improve communications and radars systems. As someone that frequents the human I'm sure you notice our hollow response time is less than stellar." He said the smile now gone. It was true. At best it was like how weathermen tried to predict storms. It was all down to percentages. Possibilities and maybes. Nothing could completely predict the workings of a hollow's mind. Nor could they hope to preempt them in any way. Still if they could detect and send out squads quicker they could reduce casualties. Such a system would be beneficial in Soul Society as well. It was rare, but some hollow had attacked Rukongai before. "Otherwise it's alot of long hours in front of a computer. Hardly interesting stuff."