M.S.A.A. pt. 83

ACK!

Omg, I'm so sorry guys!!! DDX

Yes, I am still alive, I've been so busy with school that it's taken me forever to finally finish this. Enjoy, pt. 83 

"...I want to escape...I want to find a way to get out of here and go home to the Sereitei...And to Terre Haute. I want to see Mom and Dad...even my brother and sister..I want my dog. My baby of a dog, even though he's a great big Golden Retriever. I want to hang out with Virginia, and Cree, Bianca and Kayla. I want to feel like I can smile again. I don't want to ache all over, and keep feeling my blood drip from my chin and running over my tongue. It makes me want to gag even more. It's sickening to me.  I hate the feeling of being weak, It makes me defenseless, even helpless. It's despicable...I want to go home...I just really want to...go..back...home..."

July
SOUL SOCIETY
Toshiro's Perspective
"Captain, are you about ready for your meeting?" Rangiku asks as she walks into the office.
"Be quiet Rangiku, I'm trying to think." Toshiro says as he looks over a few maps.
Rangiku blinks, walking closer.
"What are you looking at Sir?" Rangiku asks.
"Something that you helped me find." he replies.
"I helped you find?" she repeats.
"Yes, remember when you told me to look in plain sight?"
She nods.
"Well, it was more difficult then I thought it would be, but with that thought in mind, I was able to find a location where Yattamori just may be." he explains.
"R-Really? Where?!" she asks.
He replies with turning towards his bookshelf, pulling a large book from one of the middle shelves. He flips through the pages as he turns back, stopping on a specific page before laying it out on the desk over his maps, scooting it closer to her so that she can see. He taps on the picture, which shows a building. He looks back up at her to see her surprised reaction.
"The T-Tower of...L-London?" she stutters, not believing what she's reading.
He nods.
"Hidden in plain sight...they put her in one of the most popular and well known prisons in the world, thinking that we would look right over it." he says.
"Because it's walked through by thousands of people a day, how could they hide her?" Rangiku asks.
"Because unlike before, they hide her behind the plain sight, to confuse us," Toshiro says, moving the book aside before gesturing at his top map, "In the tunnel systems below it, that connect to Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and who knows where else."
"Are there any cells in the tunnels?"
"Don't know, it doesn't say anything about dungeons or anything like that in the documents I've been able to find so far. To the looks of it, they're just simple passageways." Toshiro says, "But, then again, it could just be more of what's hidden in plain sight. I did find a few wise tales about a few men that were kept in cells down in the tunnels, but it seems that there's no documents that back these stories."
"But how could they get to her without anyone noticing if there are cells down there?"
"That's the work of what I found here." he replies as he removes the top map.
Rangiku blinks in surprise at the paper, looking over the various different lines. Toshiro points to one running vertical along the middle.
"This is a sewage pipe that runs right by the Tower of London. And, looking closer, we see smaller pipes linking onto the tunnels." Toshiro says, running his finger down the line until it seems to split off into smaller ones.
"So they're traveling through the sewage... that's just gross."
"Well, looks like you'll have to get over that." he comments.
"Why?"
"You're going to be going through those pipelines with us."
"I'm WHAT?!"
"We're going to go to the World of the Living and investigate the Tower of London in search for Yattamori once Cree and the others return from their world. We're going to need back-up, and you're going to be there to help."
"B-But, when was this decided?"
"It will be decided tonight at the Captain's Meeting, I plan to suggest it and getting back up for it. Hopefully some of the Captains will be willing to allow me to take some of their Squad members along with some of Yattamori's."
"You think they'll really agree to it?"
"They better...I've got a lot riding on finding her."
"Like what Sir?"
He doesn't reply for a moment.
"...My sanity, for one thing." he trails.
"Captain..."
"There's also another thing."
"W-What?"
He sighs.
"Do you remember what Yattamori said when the Bijuus' Master intervened?" he asks.
Rangiku thinks for a moment.
"Well, no, not really, I hadn't been there for long, so I may not of heard what she said." she replies.
"She said that it was their doing."
"Huh? What did they do?"
"Yattamori believes that the Master is the one that ordered her death 14 years ago."
Rangiku blinks.
"W-What?!" Rangiku asks.
"And what is the one thing that Yattamori is doing the same from then?" he asks.
"Well...um..." she trails, before she gasps slightly, "Captain..."
Toshiro takes a moment to reply.
"The Princess, she connects it."
"You think that they-"
"-know something about the Princess that we don't. They're hiding something that they know Yattamori found eventually discover if they left her alone. They're targeting her to protect it." he explains.
"But why do they care about the Princess?" Rangiku asks.
"That's the mystery, the only thing that I think may connect them is one person."
"Who would that be Sir?"
"The Bijuu's master."
Rangiku blinks in confusion.
"The Bijuu's master?" she repeats.
"Yes." Toshiro replies.
Rangiku sighs.
"Alright, so let me see if I have this right in my head. You believe that the reason she is indeed in London is because of the fact that the Princess has a connection to England, and the possibility that the Bijuu's master may be targeting Yattamori because of the fact that she is close to discovering something about the Princess that the Master doesn't want her to know."
Toshiro nods.
"That's about right." he answers.
"Well, I hope they see it your way Sir."
"Me too..." he trails.
He looks up, seeing the time.
"Damn it, I have to go." he says, walking around his desk.
Rangiku watches him, saying nothing until he gets to the door.
"Captain."
He turns, surprised as she puts up a thumbs up.
"Good luck Sir."
He stares for a moment, before he chuckles, turning away.
"Thanks." he replies, walking out the door.
----
"So, you really believe that Captain Yattamori may actually be in London, England?" the Head Captain asks.
Toshiro nods.
"Yes Sir, all research, and prior knowledge of how the Bijuu and their leader act point to the possibility that she may be there." Toshiro replies.
"Hmm..." the Head Captain sighs, "Captain Kurosuchi, have you found similar findings in your own research?"
Captain Kurosuchi chuckles.
"To my amazement, I'm shocked to say that my research has indeed come up with similar possibilities that Mariya Yattamori may indeed be in the London or other large European cities." he answers.
Toshiro grins a bit, feeling a bit better about his findings.
"And, is it also true that they're may be something that they know about the lost Princess that we do not Captain Hitsugaya?" Aizen asks.
Toshiro nods.
"Yes, it seems to point to the idea that the Bijuu's master may have knowledge of Mahinahime, which is why they've been targeting Yattamori."
Mumbling begins to sound through the room, though it ends quickly as the Head Captain clears his throat.
"So, Captain Hitsugaya, what do you want us to do in the situation given?" the Head Captain asks.
Toshiro sighs.
"I would like to have back-up given and the allowance to go and investigate the Tower of London in search of Yattamori." Toshiro asks.
Aizen, Unohana, and Ukitake blink in surprise as the others whisper among themselves. Toshiro looks around, hoping that their talk is for him, not against.
The Head Captain looks around, his gaze shifting from person to person. As if they know, the Captains quiet down, looking back at the Head Captain to hear his decision for Toshiro's request.
"Captain Hitsugaya, I cannot allow that."
Toshiro's eyes widen, looking up at the Head Captain with shock. Staring, his eyes seem to loose their light as most of the Captains also look in shock at the decision.
"What?" Toshiro asks.
"I am sorry, but at this time we cannot send out a group of Soul Reapers to find Yattamori. The security of the Soul Society is at risk because of these Bijuu. We must ensure the safety of the people of the Soul Society before one single person." the Head Captain says, "Please do not think bad of me Captain Hitsugaya."
"But Sir, we can't just let them get away with this, Mariya's life is on the line!-" Toshiro begins.
"I am aware of that, so was she." the Head Captain interrupts, silencing Toshiro, "Mariya Yattamori may be only a bit older then you Captain Hitsugaya, but she definitely is not naive or unaware. She knew very well going into that attack that there might of been a chance she would of had something happen to her, and she also knows the policy of the people before the one."
Toshiro stands there, speechless.
"B-But...Mariya..."
The Head Captain sighs.
"Trust me when I tell you that this is not an easy decision for me, Captain Hitsugaya. I've always been very fond of Captain Yattamori, and I hate to know she's been put in this situation. But, this is what must be done Captain Hitsugaya."
Toshiro doesn't respond, just nodding, looking down at the wood floor.
"Besides Captain Hitsugaya, didn't you make a promise to Captain Yattamori that you would protect her friends?"
Toshiro's eyes widen, looking up at the sound of Ukitake's voice.
"Remember that Mariya is not the only one at risk here. Now that Captain Yattamori is missing, she is no longer able to protect her friends, which makes them all, especially Miss Virginia, a sitting duck." Ukitake says.
"Which is probably one of the other reasons she was taken, to make them vulnerable." Kyouraku adds.
Toshiro blinks.
"Captain Hitsugaya."
He turns, looking back at the Head Captain.
"I am sorry for this." he says.
Staring, Toshiro watching as the Head Captain looks over the other Captains, then looking back at him.
"With that, I call this meeting to a close."...
-----
"They what?!" Rangiku asks.
"They vetoed it Rangiku, we aren't going to London." Toshiro replies, walking back and forth through his office.
"But why?! Every bit of information you ran by me was proof to send a squad-" Rangiku starts.
"-It's now a matter of the people vs. the one in the eyes of the Head Captain. No matter what I said, I would never be able to convince him with that floating over my head." Toshiro interrupts.
Rangiku falls silent, watching him pace.
He grits his teeth, clenching his fists.
...This isn't right....Yattamori is in mortal danger, and they're just letting it by!...I know that because of the People vs. the One, I can't go and investigate...but...
He's pulled from his thoughts as he feels something hit against his skin, looking down. His eyes widen, instantly recognizing the object as Yattamori's necklace, the lime green pendant reflecting the light. He tightens his grip around it.
...I also had orders to keep her safe...
He turns, looking through the calender near his desk.
"Rangiku, how long have Cree and the other's been gone?" Toshiro asks.
"Oh, uh, about a week Sir." Rangiku replies.
"So they should be here within a day. Good, that will give me some time to prepare-" Toshiro starts to himself.
"Sir, what are you talking about?" Rangiku interrupts.
He turns towards her.
"I'm not allowed to go and investigate because of a principle set thousands of years ago, but not going would also mean I'm defying my orders to keep Yattamori safe."
Rangiku blinks in surprise.
"Sir, are you saying that you're..." she trails.
"I'm not one to usually go and bend someone's words, especially the Head Captain's, but this isn't just a matter of the People vs. the One for me." Toshiro says.
It falls quiet for a moment, Toshiro walking past Rangiku towards the door.
"....Then...what is it?" Rangiku finally asks.
He stops, turning back to look at her over his shoulder.
"For me, it's a personal matter of either letting my best friend die, or save her before I loose her again." Toshiro replies, opening the door, "And I won't loose her."
Rangiku blinks, watching him walk out, shutting the door behind him. After a moment, she gives out a sigh.
"Oh...Captain." she trails.
The only sound he now hears is the tapping that his feet make on the wood floor, a slight breeze causing his haori to fly out a bit as his hair blows around some.
...Think...what is the best way...to get to the World of the Living without being noticed?...
He sighs, looking up to the starry sky to see the moon full overhead.
...The moon...Mahinahime...her name means Moon Princess...nobody knows why she was named that, other then she's said to rival the Moon with her beauty...
The winds blows again.
...A rival to the Moon...it seems a little stretched to say that...Though, it does make you curious...about what she looks like.
He blinks, realizing something.
There have been no photos of the Princess found in any of her records. That is strange. Usually, with such an important person, there's tons of pictures, drawings, or even paintings to take from in research, but for Mahinahime, there is none.
Toshiro scratches his head.
"Maybe I should ask for pictures the next time I'm at the-" he starts.
Suddenly, he hears something crack, sounding like a twig being stepped on. He whips around, looking into the dark for a shape, to no avail. In precaution, he takes hold of his hilt, prepared to attack. He jumps over the railing to the grass, using stealth to watch all around him.
"Who's there?" he calls
No answer, just more noise coming from infront of him.
He readies himself.
"Show yourself!" he yells.
"N-Ngh..."
His eyes widen slightly as he hears the slight groan, something inside him telling him not to attack.
Watching, he finds himself frozen, a figure limping from the shadows.
"...No...way..." he breaths.
The being coughs, blood dripping from their chin as they pant hard. Their hair is all over the place, freely blowing in the breeze as they hold onto their left arm, a trail of blooding flowing slowing down to the tips of their fingers, dripping at a constant rhythm. The uniform is singed and bloody all over, parts of the sleeves and pants in tatters. And the haori missing.
He releases his grip on the hilt, stepping closer.
At the sound of his feet rustling through the grass, the being looks up, proving his beliefs.
Her hazel eyes are lifeless, without their usual warmth, and as she spots him, a relieved smile crosses her lips.
"...T-Toshiro..." she trails, reaching out her hand that she had been using to hold her injured arm towards him, "I thought...that I'd..."
Suddenly, she stumbles, her consciousness evaporated as she begins to fall forward.
With a small gasp, he instantly reacts, taking hold of her from around the waist, letting her fall into him as he comes to kneel on the ground. Her breathing is rough and forced, little bits of blood escaping her lips each time she exhales.
He tries his best not to tremble, too overwhelmed for the first few moments to realize what just happened. He looks down, looking over her.
"Mariya..." he trails, pulling Yattamori closer, "You're so weak..."