Beyond The Eternity

Chapter 9: A Reunion with Death

Clamoring voices in distress, and grim faces marred with palpable tension — the fragile balance of order had been thrown into chaos.

" It's outrageous that those Espadas refuse to take accountability for this!"

" But how can we be sure that it was their fault? From what know and what they've told us, she'd left Hueco Mundo long before."

" Respectfully, Captain Isane, do you seriously believe that they're telling the truth? "

Soifon whipped her head back, eyes ablazed, directing the conversation to the man just across the room. " Captain Kuchiki, this should be affecting you the most. Are you not going to take action?"

The 6th division captain stood still as a rock with a grave expression, " Captain Soifon, please do not overstep."

" That's enough." A resounding command shook the room. Their attention whipped to the front and center of the room, " Right now, we can rest assured that Captain Rukia Kuchiki is safe. We have Kurosaki to thank for finding her."

The murmurs and chatter settled down with the head captain's statement. Although it wasn't even enough to appease the singular question swirling in the back of their minds.

What exactly happened?

Rukia Kuchiki was a well respected Captain, and her war efforts against the Quincies proved her capabilities. So, it was unbelievable to hear she had been found on the brink of death in the world of the living. Without Orihime's intervention, this emergency meeting would've taken a much darker turn.

" There's many holes in this case. We have to wait until Captain Kuchiki wakes up to tell us the full story." Shunsui announced, " For now, we'll touch base with Kurosaki and the shinigamis already stationed in the world of the living on the next steps. We'll also send delegates to Hueco Mundo to investigate on their end."

"Clearly, whoever this enemy is, they have the means to take down one of us."

The last sentence left many of the Captains unnerved. They were the face of the Gotei 13, representing the pinnacle of strength just below the Royal Guards. Yet, somewhere out there, roamed an unknown entity with powers that potentially rivalled theirs.

Toshiro felt his headache worsen. He knew not to expect any good news from an emergency meeting, but this on top of the situation he had back in his office was not making his life any easier.

Right as the meeting was coming to a close, Toshiro suddenly sensed a distinct wave of spiritual pressure just outside of these doors.

Panicked, he shot his eyes across the room. Due to the commotion and active discourse, no one else had picked up on it yet. However, it was a mere matter of seconds before that would change.

The Head Captain, who had been focused on the conversations at hand, shifted his gaze elsewhere. His eyes trailed down the aisle formed between Captains and towards those very grand doors.

" ...It seems like we have a guest, don't we?" Shunsui sang playfully, rubbing his stubble with a threatening smile. Those words struck like cymbals, and before anyone could draw their next breaths, Shunsui brought forward the supposed eavesdropper.

With his hands placed firmly on either side of her shoulders, he leaned in from behind and said, " Mind telling the class the reason you were hiding out there?

Stuck between those domineering hands, a jittery figure cloaked in an ill fitted black shihakusho stood silently before the hall of captains.

" An officer?" One captain said aloud, expressing the confusion that was on everyone's mind.