[Bleach] Little Black Cat

Within a completely different realm.

One which was undoubtedly connected with the "realm of the living" yet separated by design.

Within a large hall there was a collection of 26 individuals with half of them being one step behind the other half. At one end of the hall was an old man with a large wooden cane. Scars littered his ancient frame yet, despite being older than countries, there wasn't an ounce of weakness in his aura.

One look at that man was enough to realise he was an old man who couldn't be messed with; a fact that those in the room knew. Like all the others in the room he wore a traditional black japanese-style robe while having a white coat that only 12 others within the room had. On the back was the kanji for a number.

Rather… Only 13 people in the whole realm had the honour to wear one of those robes.

Upon the old man's back was a number one - denoting him as the leader of all those powerful figures that stood in rows for him. His squinting eyes turned to look at the captain in front of him. Not paying any attention to the lieutenants as they didn't even have the right to speak up unless spoken to.

He had to keep up the traditions he himself had implemented else these young shinigami would fall into disorder and fall into the same mistakes as those in the past. A past that he still vividly remembered whenever he closed his eyes. Allowing him to smell the steel & bloody as if he were still there.

Falling into memories of how far soul society had come since he took control of the anarchic time that he was raised in.

Only one of those in front of him fought alongside him during those days, although her role within his thirteen courtyard had changed long ago, a reminder of the dangers they had overcome. It finally seemed like he was in a time of peace. Still he didn't attend to let these kids goof off under his watch.

Opening his eyes while having his cane clash into ground - that sound echoing throughout the large open hall - announcing he was ready to speak.

Everyone was already looking at him but that didn't stop him from calling them to attention; he needed them to put in one hundred and ten percent of their effort. These kids had grown up coddled after all. They simply weren't built the same as those of his era.

"I hear that one of our own was found dismembered in the realm of the living?"

An aged voice showcased the influences of time however it came across more as one belonging to one who had ancient wisdom than a foot in the grave.

This alone commended everyone's attention but the actual contents of his words made everyone within the room completely confused. None of them would take pleasure in the death of a squad member yet it was hardly a big deal. Shinigami died all the time in their eternal struggle against the hollows.

Even the most experienced soul reaper could find themselves on their last mission should they let their guard down in a fight. Hollows all had unique abilities that could catch one by surprise. So a random unseated officer dying in the world of the was a sad story but obviously not a huge shocking one.

"Captain Commander…. Accidents are common in the line of duty."

As the captain of the eleventh squad; captain Kuruyashiki found himself a decent distance away from the old leader of those who unite together to defend the Seireitei and the balance between realms. Still his voice easily carried through. His hand rubbed through his wild black hair that fell down his back.

He overall had a shaggy appearance that made it look like he wasn't the type to take things too seriously nevertheless no one would claim that upon seeing his expression. It was obvious to anyone that talking about his "comrades" dying had influenced him. A sombre feeling radiating from his smile.

The captain commander just snorted at this brat, though, as this brat seemed to have completely missed his point in bringing that up.

"I chose my words carefully you brat."

It was the most lackadaisical looking captain who raised a brow at the old man's words - bringing a finger to lift the corner of his straw hat as he looked towards Yamamoto. Within seconds he had managed to put the pieces together. Quickly realising the big problem with the scene that old man was painting.

"Indeed it's common for us to lose people to the hollows…"

"Shunsui-"

Another captain placed his hand on the shoulder of the only captain who didn't have their number visible since he had a floral kimono draped over his shoulders and thus over his captain's haori.

The sickly white haired captain narrowed his eyes as he felt his close friend had figured something out however he didn't get the chance to ask. Soon breaking out into a fierce cough fit. One that clearly wasn't as simple as getting a bit of flem stuck within his throat.

That careless appearing captain supported his fellow who sounded like he was hacking up a lung.

"You don't think it was a hollow, do you?"

"Hollows don't dismember shinigami, they devour us, plus I have a feeling that the old man hasn't told us everything there is to know."

Narrowing his eyes as he turned back to the old man.

"Well?"

"Hahaha you really are a smart one, Shunsui!"

That jolly captain of the eleventh division wasn't light with his compliments nor his laughter - although that came to an end when the captain commander slammed his cane. Quickly calling them all to pay attention to him once again. His expression had not changed from his ever serious facade.

"You are right that it wasn't merely the case of them losing some limbs in combat; whatever killed that on duty shinigami had taken great time and effort in torturing him. We cannot be sure however the captain of the fourth had her own thoughts on the matter. So I shall let her speak on this."

Closing his eyes as if to divert all his attention to listening to their resident doctor.

"It is clear from our investigation of the corpse that they were purposefully kept alive for as long as possible. Which in turn shows that it was not merely for information gathering. Instead they seem to have been slowly broken apart, piece by piece, for amusement's sake if I'd hazard a guess."

At this point there was no captain or lieutenant who didn't have a sombre expression on their face. Each of them had their own thoughts on the situation. Many possible scenarios for such a despicable method of murder were flowing through their minds yet Unohana kept a kind smile on her face.

As if the whole thing didn't particularly bother her.

"Perhaps our little friend had a bad personality and crazy ex?"

The blonde haired captain spoke up while tapping his chin while his head fell to the side as if he lost all control over the muscles in his neck. Behind him a man with square glasses frowned. Ambient light caused his lenses to become opaque so it was hard to tell what he was thinking.

"My sixth division will comb through the streets to find every bit of information on anyone who has had any contact with the victim; we won't sleep till this murder is found!"

"Hold on a second old man Kuchiki - why would anyone wait till he was out of soul society to do the act when it would be easier to locate an on duty officer than an off duty one?"

"I am sure you would know something about the thoughts of a woman hahaha!"

His words got the mood of the hall to lighten slightly but his face did become a bit more serious.

"There shouldn't have been any other soul reapers strong enough to overpower him so readily available in the world of the living…"

"Then maybe they weren't a soul reaper or a hollow~."

The words of the dark skinned captain caused an immediate pause in everyone's actions.

How could that be possible?

Unless..

"Quincy?"

All he did was ask about a single name but the room's temperature suddenly increased to the point where those silent vice-captains suddenly felt they were in an oven. The sweltering heat no doubt was a consequence of the anger the old man felt. One that many didn't fully comprehend.

"It shouldn't be as I didn't find any reishi matching their properties… Instead it was more similar to something from beyond the gates of hell. Potentially some monster from hell managed to slip through and is lurking in the land of the living."

"Something has broken out from hell?!"

"We best hope not as we have no knowledge of what horrors exists in that place."

No one else was as vocal yet all of them suddenly went stiff with the implications.

"So we have no idea about the dangers that lurk beyond those gates…"

"How can we just let it roam around because we're blind to its capabilities?"

"Question is also whether it's a sinner or the punishment for the former."

"It does make one a tad curious what could have the power to keep those sinners under lock and key so that we have never seen any escapees… Till now. I wonder what kind of ingredients can be found in a place where nothing escapes."

"Maybe if it's a guard we could ask for some pointers-"

"Watch your tone; this is no joking matter!"

"Well they are doing a better job than us with how many hollows roam free."

Shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly to the annoyance of the older noble.

He appeared to want to continue chastising her yet was cut off by the familiar sound of a wooden cane hitting to flaw; garnering all of their attention.

"The second, eleventh and twelfth divisions should prepare to find out what we are dealing with then take it out as soon as that becomes an option!"

Clearly not willing to let his captains continue to ponder on matters concerning hell.

He could only hope that it wasn't someone they sent there themselves…

There were old enemies and friends he would rather not see.