Beyond The Eternity

Chapter 5 - Dawn

Defenders of Order and Justice.

Those very words hung high above, carved into one large ceiling beam. Characters that had been etched a millennium or so ago and long before many of the people in this room even came to be.

Back at ground level, side chatter could be heard sprouting from varying corners of the room, bouncing off of red walls and smooth wooden floors worn down by the test of time and ravages of war. Marks and dents from centuries of use, yet they still shone and glistened like brand new.

It wasn't long before a palpable silence took hold of the collective. All thirteen stood at attention from a singular man's footsteps, as the soft flutter of his flamboyant cape followed him down the aisle toward his seat.

He flicked his straw-woven hat upwards, revealing a distinct black eye patch illuminated by the overhead light and a signature smirk. The meeting had officially begun.

"Don't be so tense everyone. Loosen up, it's just a captains meeting," sang the ever-eccentric Shunsui Kyoraku - the now acting Head Captain of the Gotei 13. Although his attitude would deter most from viewing him as one. He propped his arm against the armrest and spoke, "So anything new or interesting? Actually... have we heard anything from Ichigo? It's been a while."

There was a moment of unresponsiveness, with looks being sent one another's way as confusion started to rise. Until that is, one soul stepped up, "Hello, I'm Sentaro Kotsubaki, the 13th division lieutenant. Since Captain Kuchiki is away on a mission, I'm temporarily standing in for her. If I may be permitted to speak, I do have an update on Ichigo Kurosaki."

"Oh? Continue on," Shunsui said as the nervous Sentaro cleared his throat.

"Since the 13th division has jurisdiction over Karakura Town, we do try to maintain some contact with Ichigo Kurosaki every now and then. However, he's declined any and all interactions lately and has asked to be left alone. We've been keeping watch but nothing seemed suspicious."

"You're telling me that loudmouth is suddenly going all silent?" A man with long flowing blonde hair asked, his bangs reaching right above his eyes while a number 5 marked the back of his white haori.

"...While I do find it odd as Captain Hirako stated, it's not like he's required to do anything for us. He is a substitute shinigami so perhaps he's busy with his human responsibilities at the moment," Isane, the now 4th division captain, spoke up. Her usually timid demeanour had waned over the years though parts of it still peeked through.

Shunsui let out a heavy sigh, his breath filled with disappointment. "I guess that's that then... anything else?" He scanned the room, his gaze sweeping across those present. The only responses that followed the Head Captain's question were about the post-war repairs with Yhwach and the Quincies-a topic that had become the focus of nearly every meeting, much to Shunsui's dismay.

"Alright, if that's really it, we can consider this meeting dismissed," he announced, marking a record time for shortest captains meeting yet. These typically hour-long gatherings were becoming shorter with each passing meeting. Whether that was a good thing or not, however, was open to interpretation.

With captains leaving left and right, the tenth division leader was also on his way until he felt a strong slap to his back. Startled, he whipped his head back at the perpetrator who was none other than the goatee wearer himself.

"And what was that for, Head Captain Kyoraku?"

Upon being asked, Shunsui simply burst into laughter, patting Toshiro's back some more out of habit. "Don't be so stiff. I just came over to check in on the man that'll surpass me soon."