Karakura Recovery

I listen and close my eyes. "I see" I nod and look at you both intensely. " I am appointing you as Captainof the 12th division Miss Yukino and you as lt Sir Kyosuke. your first orders are to find out Why Koga Wolf defected from the Soul society and speak with honjo minamoto about his experience in teh human world. Report to me when you believe you have recovered enough information."

*Rizu finds herself slightly shocked by the Head Captain's words, cooling her face with slight amounts of reiatsu as her cheeks blush. She bows her head deeply in response.* Th-thank you, Head Captain, sir. We'll work hard to get to the bottom of this.

He couldn't say he didn't see that coming, but Kyousuke had half-hoped that he didn't have to hear those words as he glanced away from the Head Captain in uncertainty. With still too much left to be done, he finally turned and abruptly exited the chamber, power-walking his way outside the barracks as though he were trying to avoid running away.

He pulled the doors apart, stepping out into the fresh air. He then approached the balcony railing which overlooked the courtyard below, and leaned himself heavily against it...

'Lieutenant?! Why? I've only been here a few years!' He thought to himself, 'How could he do this to me?!?' His fingers began to curl into his palms, creating a pair of fists as Kyousuke struggled to calm his frustration.

"Koga," he muttered quietly, raising his head to peer into the distance, "What have you done?"

*As Kyousuke exits, Rizu frowns and bows one last time to the Head Captain and turns around to chase after him. Seeing him distraught, she approaches slowly and stands beside him.* Kyou-kun. What's troubling you?

Having been busy in trying to organize his thoughts, he never felt Rizu approaching until she was standing right next to him. Kyousuke's eyes shifted to his new Captain before returning to look straight out into the infinite.

"It's nothing," he insisted, pulling himself up into a straighter position. "So - seems we have work to do. I think it would be best if I went after Koga, while you spoke with your father about what happened."

*Rizu places her hand gently on Kyousuke's shoulder once more and tilts her head, looking up at him.* Kyou-kun...I know that this is all very sudden and a lot to absorb. I'm having a hard time with it myself...but don't give up. I can't think of anyone else better for the position after me. Okay? *She smiles softly, turning her head to look out in front of her.* You're probably right...though, maybe you could accompany me to see papa? Since you saw what you reported first hand, it might help.

Kyousuke wanted to believe that. He wanted to think he was strong enough to fill the role of a Lieutenant, and he wanted to be a true asset to the Soul Society. But it was simply too dangerous; his spirit energy was becoming more dangerous the stronger it grew. He was genuinely surprised they hadn't decided to arrest him and throw him in the Maggot's Nest, considering the harm he could unconsciously inflict.

He didn't want to think about it anymore. He needed time to himself. Time which would not be permitted. There were still things that needed to be done...

"By your orders, Captain," he replied softly. "If that is what you believe should be done, I will gladly accompany you."

*Sensing that his aura was still uneasy, Rizu smiles up at Kyousuke.* I would greatly appreciate that, Kyou-kun. But until then, perhaps you and I should spend more time together to become as confident in your strengths as I am. We haven't sat down to meditate in years, it might be good for both of us.

Kyousuke merely nodded his head quietly as he continued to focus on the scene in the distance; a glistening red-orange sky awash with a sea of green beneath it, where scores of forested areas grew. The air was warm with a mild push; a very relaxing, serene display to be sure. Something to distract his mind.

Unknown to others, his sword whispered at him - calling him. It was almost maddening. He knew what would happen if he listened. He had to maintain control. Still needing a stronger distraction, he pushed off the rail, and began making his way towards Squad 13's Barracks.

"Let's get this over with then, shall we?" he suggested to the Captain, again moving more swiftly than what he thought.

*Rizu nods absently, frowning with concern as Kyousuke walks quickly away before following shortly behind him.* Okay, Kyou-kun...we'll go now if that's what you'd like. *She studies Kyousuke's aura briefly and sighs, turning her head to look at the sky.*

"I just wanna know what drove Koga Wolf to doing this, and find out why he abandoned the Seireitei," Kyousuke said, which was partly true. But the whole truth was that he was simply trying to keep himself busy, so as not to lose his focus, "Given his past connection to Captain Minamoto, he might be able to shed some light on our former Captain's recent behavior."

*Rizu nods slowly, crossing her arms across her chest as she walks alongside Kyousuke.* Whatever his motivation, he's not coming back willingly. Something is going on that caused his behaviour. *She shakes her head slowly to herself.* I'm not sure if Papa will know, but maybe the two events are connected.

"Or perhaps he just finally snapped," suggested Kyousuke as he strode side by side with his squad's newest Captain. "I don't think it would be a stretch to assume he could've been driven insane. I remember as a student, there were whispers he was even more dangerous than his predecesor, Mayuri Kurotsutchi."

*Rizu smiles softly, thinking about Koga as her Captain, him taking her into the squad and training her. She shakes her head slowly.* I find that very hard to believe...even in the face of adversity, Koga was always collected. He may have been harsh, even cold at times...but he was always reasonable. I believe with all my heart that there is a reason for the way he acted. We could be in for something. *She lowers her eyes and smiles still, whispering.* Koga-taicho always knew how to go out with a bang.

"I don't know your story, Captain, but I can't really find much to honor about a man who makes sport of those weaker than himself," stated an irked Kyousuke, "I still remember how he almost killed me before I graduated from the Academy. Nevertheless, he did warn everyone to evacuate the area before the explosion. I suppose it's that we're being left out of the loop that's getting to me."

*Rizu nods and smiles half-heartedly, patting Kyousuke on the shoulder.* I understand your frustration, Kyou-kun. Though Koga was the first shinigami who paid any attention to me outside of my papa. He took me into squad 12 when it was all I wanted to do. He even came to my graduation. There's a reason my papa saw him as a brother. I'm not saying that his actions were by any means excusable...but I suppose I'm a little biased, he's been my mentor for a very long time.

Kyousuke glanced momentarily at Rizu. He could see the admiration that she had for their AWOL Captain. There also appeared to be a twinge of sadness behind her delicate smile. Was Koga truly so noble to her? Perhaps, she had seen things about him that he never did. Perhaps, how Koga expressed himself in public was contrary to the person he actually was.

"I'm sorry. I didn't intend to speak ill of him," Kyousuke corrected himself. "I suppose I'm just frustrated is all. This isn't the type of place I was expecting."

*Rizu slowly comes to a stop and nods, almost to herself as she whispers softly.* Thank you, Kyou-kun. I know you meant no harm... *She lowers her eyes as she goes off into her own thoughts, her hair covering her eyes, thinking of the people she cared for and had ultimately lost. How close she had come to losing her father. She stood there in silence.*

Noticing the Captain falling behind, Kyousuke came to a halt and turned to find her. She was just standing there with her head in her chest. This wasn't good.

"Captain, are you all right?" He asked as calmly as he could.

*Kyousuke's voice seemed like a distant echo as Rizu stood, her eyes dark and vacant as she stares at the ground. She mumbles to herself quietly under her breath.* She...she didn't...and he... *She remains still, the wind the only thing moving her gently like a leaf as she relives her mother walking away once more and Koga leaving her behind.*

Kyousuke could see her lips moving, but couldn't hear a word she was speaking. Looking a bit worried himself now, the newly-appointed Lieutenant stepped closer to her.

"Captain Yukino?" He whispered cautiously. She still wouldn't respond though, seemingly drowning in grief. He tried again; this time uttering a different name as well as reaching out to gently touch her arm, "Rizu?"

They...they're... *Rizu repeats herself a few more times, seemingly stuck where she is. Kyousuke's presence remains background noise to her until he touches her arm. She flinches slightly but doesn't pull away, looking slowly up at him with blank, darkened eyes.* They're gone...

It was the same sensation he had been feeling before; that sense of coldness and distance which seemed to separate her from the person he knew before.

"Who's gone?" He asked her calmly. That dark, clouded gleam in her eyes made him feel increasingly uneasy, however he wouldn't budge.

*Rizu keeps her eyes on Kyousuke, unblinking as she mumbles.* Mama's gone. Koga's gone. They left and ignored me when I called. Like I wasn't even there. She...didn't even know I was there...

Kyousuke wasn't sure what to say to her. She had been through so much in such a short time; first, it was the demons and her family, next their former Captain mysteriously abandons them. This most certainly wasn't his territory, but he did want to help in some way.

"Don't show fear," he said to her, "You are Captain now. You must be strong for your squad. And you must be cold to your enemies that would seek to use your fears against you. Your mother, your father, and Koga all know you're strong enough to get through this. This is why you were trained. So stand, Captain Yukino. Stand tall, and let no knock you down."

Kyousuke eyes were glowing with a fiery golden brilliance, and his voice was stronger than usual; as though he were speaking to her as an entirely different person. His words dripped out as smooth as honey, with warmth as humid as the sun. The breeze splashed against them like a calming sea.