Now to Clear Things Up, Right!?

[Kageshinobi]

Tsurai listened quickly to what Meimei said before she departed him. Only then did he gaze with some observation the newcomer human before he greeted the incoming Captain.

He turned with folded hands towards the two who came about them. At the moment, he had things to say, however he allowed the grace upon the other. In a rather nonchalant tone, he said, "Well, would you like to emphasize on what Meimei said? And explain why there is a living being in our realm?"

He waited for some reply as he tapped his foot with piercing eyes.

[Michael-sama]

Thoughts mixed in a whirlwind of confusion. A young man with bright crimson hair, yanked from his norm, into something very different. Loss of Suki, loss of his home, and placed into another situation where the confusion was ever so high, so what was he to do? What possibly could he do? After all, the realm he lived in seems so mundane and bland, but with the addition of these Shinigami it trusted him into a drunken stupor of bewilderment. What had happened? His eyes tried to picture the world around him, but it was on another plane.

Kuji was on the spiritual plane. He could feel the residence of spiritual energy here, all around him in fact. Perhaps it was the people, the world, or both actually. Whether he was allowed to speak or not a set rule, hopefully he could.

“Um…excuse me good people, but what is going on here and why am I here?” Kuji asked politely.

[Kageshinobi]

Tsurai shot narrowed eyes at Kuji almost expecting him not to speak, with the slight interest of shock that he dared he speak. Then again this was just some idea of traditions and oddities that he was contemplating. It is not usual to have humans here, even if what happened some time ago could have started a fad or so. In one way to say, this newcomer was an unexpected guest.

The 3rd Division Captain shrugged. Things are never the normal progress anymore. "Well, you probably are in a stupor, dear boy, but I was not there to totally explain the situation to you, and not to mention, my division member just left, so she cannot explain. BUT~ I am sure..." His eyes once again glanced at them with a flash, observing all with keen interest. "... I am sure... Captain Matsuri and Vice Captain Kanashii of the Tenth Division would have something to say for clearing up this matter."

[Michael-sama]

Before Kuji was about to speak another figure appeared in the room. The old man appearance looked just like Kuji’s grandfather. That same kind of stance and walk, it was incredible the resemblance, since he lost that reddish hair that the Shimoto family carried with them. Still retained the deep black eyes, but his gray hair and eye brows spoke his age, which was another factor he was interested to know about the world. Do people age here in this world? Well, the man was in a monk like uniform, slightly differed from the other Shinigami.

“Or perhaps I can handle something,” the kind old man came with the words and smile to follow. “It is, after all, my main mission besides serving as support to the Second Division.” He chuckled hardy before he glanced down. “Shimoto Ita of Second Division, Third Seat, at your service Kuji-kun, my ancestor.”

“N-no way, I-Ita-jii-dono, m-my decendent,” Kuji responded.

“In the flesh, so to speak,” he replied. “I am sorry that you had to met Tsurai-san first, not much of a warming welcome; however, your case is the same as mine, hundreds of years later. The reason I am here now, but I am, as the others, at a stump. You have powers that do not belong to humans nor are humans suppose to have access.”

“B-but, you don’t understand Ita-jii-dono, I only did it because Suki was in danger!” he countered back. “I couldn’t help it. It just happened.”

“Hmm…interesting, so you cannot control it voluntary,” Ita nodded his head. “Well, I don’t see how he is a big threat to ‘us.’ Tsurai-san, let’s be nice and let the kid go. After all, the only problem is he’s in love with Suki.”

He began to laugh, all the while Kuji’s face turned beat red. It was just like family to embarrass him, even in the ‘afterlife.’ Man, doesn’t that beat it all. Kuji guess it is true that family will always be there, no matter the circumstance. Ita just enjoyed the laugh, while the matter was serious, but he was his family. Maybe he too would have had a since of humor if his parents did not place wool in front of his eyes, while they told him what the world was like.

[Kageshinobi]

Tsurai glanced over at the old man. What a party they started to have on the roof! And now, an added reunion. He stood tall with only a tilt of his head, now almost glaring down with an ironic smile on his face. Then a spin is in order, the captain rearranged his plans and then said with emphasis, "Ita-JII, you do hurt me with your words. Am I such a cruel tyrant as you portray me to be?" Then his tone lightened like a butterfly as he hooks an arm around Kuji's and exclaimed, "THEN~ we'll hear your tale, dear boy; just to be fair - exclude no details, will you."

With a beat to his rhythm, he started off with Kuji in hand, poking at the human to speak clearly. He thought the old man probably would come, and slowed the pace just a tad in respect to it. He waved without looking at the ones he left behind with a "Ta-ta~."

Again, with seriousness, he exclaimed last of all, "Kamoku-kun, if your captain allows, I would like a word with you. Matsuri, we'll speak later."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OOC: Shouldn't Ita refer to Kuji as his descendant? A little mix-up there, perhaps?

By the way, for just this once, let's go with this flow to separate the storyline so we can continue on upon other matters. So, Michael, follow along and have your characters say and do as they will. So Senjin, let's say your Captain gave you permission, so please come along.

[Michael-sama]

Ita tilted his head, as if to give a notion of relief or annoyance. Kuji could not read him, but the other person he could certainly tell that ‘they’ wanted an explanation. What more would he reveal to them and now possibly more of them will show up? Do they have a court of his peers in the afterlife and who honestly would be his peer in the afterlife? No time for idle moment, he would have to tell his story. He turned to his decedent, a lively older gentleman, with an aura of happiness Kuji wished he had.

“Go on boy, I have no more authority beyond this point,” his voice solemn. “I may be in charged with the investigation of the Shimoto power, but I am still only a Third Seat in the Second Division.”

A small batch of empty air leaped from his throat, but he cleared his fears away to mark the path for his story. No reason to lie. “Basically, I have been following a particular abnormal figure I saw in my window a while back,” Kuji began. “Of course, later I found out it was a Hollow. It was seeking me out, now I realized why. It was also after a little ghost girl, but I haven’t seen her since. I continued to search for the creature and the hospital always seemed to be active with ghost, no surprise. Therefore, I used to go on the roof tops at night to look for that creature and then I met Suki.”

He forced all of his energy to conceal his blush, which heavily wanted to break free. The most joyful moment of his entire life, of course it would make him redden like a cherry. “For some reason, for a moment, it began to rain. I leaped to Suki’s side and sheltered her from the rain. When she awoke, the rain stopped, and the chase began. There was this Shinigami woman would I did not trust, I think I attacked her because I felt Suki was in danger.” He rubbed his reddish hair. “I can’t remember everything. It’s kind of blurry at some parts. I do remember Suki’s Third Seat guy, like you Ita-jii-dono, helped us out despite his wound. He was really brave or too proud to admit defect. Anyhow, the chase continued for this one ghost person.”

“I cannot remember much about that, but he departed or actually disappeared. I know that person had two friends that were flesh and blood like me. After that, Suki followed me home. She stayed with me in my apartment to watch over me, as that Hollow might come back. It did and attacked Suki. I searched for my bokken to strike it, but I could not find it. I wished for it so badly it came from my arms, a blue wave of energy and I struck it down. The monster fled somewhere, but it threatened to harm my family. I stayed with Suki until you guys pulled me here.”

“I see…” Ita replied to leave it open for others.

[Kageshinobi]

The captain had to say, he was taking this remarkably well. Or he could just be too stunned and overwhelmed to know his situation well in detail. Afterall, they were strolling on the top of a steep roof in the realm which he was not familiar with. A person would think this young man would be in some ways awed more than he appeared.

It didn't bother Tsurai though. He was just amused as he listened on carefully with closed eyes. Once Ita said his short answer, Tsurai snapped open his eyes and flashed Kuji a deceptively warm smile. They met eye to eye. Perhaps on this basis, they knew they have not come to an understanding yet, and Tsurai had far more to go on as he broke the eye contact. "I understand what you're saying so far, but I have to question some actions. I'd rather not dive into the questionable affairs, but did you ever consider how reasonable your actions may have been?" In a lower, musky voice, he said carefully out of the others' range, "I know my words are harsh, but you do NOT know the rules of Soul Society."

Then his attitude changed as he slowed his skip and beat, saying aloud, "Now! Perhaps, I can clear your mind of those nuisances that stops you from recalling, hm? I hope you can land." And with that, Tsurai stepped off the ledge they had gone to, dragging Kuji quickly along for him not to react in time.

Let's say - it was a rather tall building too. However, it wasn't like Tsurai would let him go splat anyway... and least, 'we' don't suppose so....

[Senjin]

"Kamoku-kun, if your captain allows, I would like a word with you."

"Osu." Replied Kamoku, followed by a short bow.
He silently followed Tsurai and Kuji from a small distance.
How could such a trivial matter turned out this chaotic? Damn it...This whole thing has gotten way out of hand He thought to himself.

[Michael-sama]

“Maybe you can help me, because I don’t understand the rules of ep—!” Kuji’s voice was caught off mid-sentence and his red hair flew.

Surely he could have explained more or maybe they should have asked more questions. They sure love to push around, well at least ‘he’ did. Suki was different and certainly not this forceful on the rules. She saw his power, but did not directly engage him on rules. Perhaps she was trying to protect him from this the whole time, but it was too late. Kamoku, that was the man’s name, he followed them too.

He was crazy, to just jumped all of the sudden as if that was just a normal thing to do at the time. He placed his fears away, as Kuji feared more than this, to be lonely was far worst. The Shinigami would not kill him, so he calmly took the fall. The buildings around them passed by in a flash and gentle was not exactly what he called it when they landed, but maybe his flesh and blood had to much fear of heights and gravity made it appeared worse than what these Shinigami could basically care less about our mortal rules and laws of nature.

Ita continued with them, off in his own world. Perhaps the information that has come to light about an escaped ghost and awaited power have some similar connection. Kuji happened to be in the particular area at night at the name exact time. Kuji held answers, so they cannot erase his memory. They should not at all if it was up to Ita. Kuji could prove to be a valuable ally to help this case.

“Tsurai-san, I believe that was a bit harsh,” he decided to bring up. “Remember, he’s still a fragile mortal. I believe in time his memories will mend. Until then, we should have him under guard. I will take personal responsible as Third Seat and chief in the investigation about the Shimoto to obtain information related his power, the escape ghost I heard about, and the Hollow if need be.”

[Kageshinobi]

Well, Tsurai had a tendency to take advantage of this very perplexing law of nature on this plane. If anything, he really earnestly meant it when it cleared the mind. Plus he loved the rush and blast of air, despite the steep descent. It tossed his silvery locks up and pushed against his clothes as he also pushed aside unnecessary thoughts and settled on what to do. Things were more solid in a short organized way almost.

Part way down, he slipped a hand into his robe to pull out a small, white cube, which he tossed down quicker before him. It met its target and poofed with white smoke, which transformed there as an oversized, fluffier pillow. Kuji landed on it just fine, but rather in a disheveled manner when Tsurai touched down with his own style to slow down on the ground, partly on his hand and feet. It felt quite good.

However, Ita butted into his thoughts when he spoke. Tsurai was nonchalant through the whole short speech. "You mean... he's human. Correct? And we're shinigami. There's an obvious difference... both physically and mentally, then? You know, it makes me wonder at your story then, Ita-jii. Where does this place you?"

He cut in abruptly to continue. "Do as you wish as you have authoriy in the Shimoto investigation. Otherwise, I don't really care. I'm only curious in the events that happened, it's peculiar," he repied softly. "ANYWAY, I guess, um, what's-his-name-human-boy could tell us how the rush was.... Not that I thought it so bad. He didn't land on his face, I think."

Tsurai glanced at Kamoku, and gestured him closer. "Again, a word with you if I may. If he is so dazed as to be unable to remember, I would like your half. Asides though, I don't think I did the human any real harm - nothing broken... physicly."

[Michael-sama]

Ita murmured softly and turned away. Kuji and he, what did they acquire? Human, what does it mean to be human? Does every human have some soul connection and Ita was the first to bring forth the power that was hidden beneath the skin? If so, then Ita was very much human before, just as Kuji is now. The old man dressed in priest like robes turned to the young man, his black eyes observed him. A cross hanged from his neck, but Kuji was raised Buddhist. Surely there was good reason for this, Ita decided to pry the boy’s mind for information.

“Kuji-kun, what’s that cross from?” Ita asked calmly.

“Oh, this,” he said as he clasped the cross around his right hand. “It was a gift from a friend. I tried to refuse, but it was for good luck. Actually, he said, ‘It would protect me from harm.’ You know, good luck charm kind of thing…”

At the very mention, Ita frowned. His arms crossed and his brow furred in frustration. So, that the cross became the answer? “Kuji-kun, that cross is no normal cross, that’s a Quincy weapon,” he made the statement purely on observation. “I believe the feeling of wanting made the spiritual power of your own connect with the cross and then to focus your energy back to your palm. That’s merely observation. I need to meet with this individual.”

He turned to Tsurai. “I need to take Kuji-kun into custody, as I believe we have Quincy involved in the matter,” he said to the other Shinigami. “Will that be allowed while I investigate this new found information further?”

[Kageshinobi]

"Huh, not so swiftly, Ita-jii." Tsurai stepped forward and offered his typical grin. "Otherworldly affairs are my subject also. If the Quincy are involved, then these matters are also in hand. I have acquired permission to lead an investigation upon this situation - the one started by that 'ghost'. If I may say so, we believe that Hueco Mundo may be stirring more than normal activities. Therefore, I must say that Kuji shall be under my temporary custody for interrogation - if that is the correct terminology."

He took a skip, and turned to look at Kuji thoroughly again before turning around once again. "You could do whatever you wish, Ita-jii, but you may have to wait."

The 3rd Division Captain took a step towards Ita until they were side by side, facing opposite directions. Speaking low enough for only the old man, he spoke, "And do not think you can assimilate 'him' into this society."

The shinigami abruptly turned there. "We'll move on if there's nothing more to say." He started walking off towards the walkway, gesturing them along irregardlessly.

[Michael-sama]

Ita scowled at the comments, turned his face away in disgust. Nothing has changed, over four-hundred years later and still acceptance will not suffice. Kuji was born different than others, but because of that he was shunned by his parents, society, and even the Soul Society. Poor Kuji, but there was nothing Ita could do for the boy. In ranking and power, the Captain surpassed him. However, Kuji, power wise his potential was greater than he, but the rules of the Soul Society was about rule and not power.

“Kuji-kun, come on,” he said and began to follow the captain. “We are still on a ghost chase, so to speak.”

“Hai, Ita-jii-dono,” he responded slowly rising to his feet.

[Senjin]

"We'll move on if there's nothing more to say."

"As a matter of facts…" Kamoku spoke with a slight hesitance.
"About Hueco Mundo… We encountered some strange Hollow’s while in the material world. Not only did they target the human, they also were able to disguise their reiatsu perfectly. I couldn’t even notice their presence until they attacked." He paused.
"And then there’s also that ghost that obtained Shinigami powers. That matter still hasn’t been resolved, but that’s partly cause of my own failure as a Shinigami…"
Kamoku lowered his head a bit, as he continued to follow Tsurai.

[Kageshinobi]

Tsurai stopped dead in his tracks, turning particular towards Kamoku after hearing his say. He looked a bit grim, and slightly a bit more pale than usual. "That reminds me - I'll have to check if those security spheres were around there. Maybe we caught footage of the whole thing, or at the very least, segments. Fractures."

He paused a bit as he resumed his walk. "Still, you can't say who is particularly at fault for the whole event - except maybe those who did absolutely ridiculous things. And even those of Vice Captain of the 10th Division. They're only partial faults for the whole event, but for such high-ranking and experienced officers, they've acted a bit out of order. Is it not for us to follow some sort of means like it?" He asked blankly, and scoffed at himself. "I'm a horrible hypocrite."

With a sigh, he said, "The events so far is enough to spin our heads. A runaway ghost with abnormal status (not sure if he's even ghost anymore), abnormal amount of Hollows with irregular behavior, officers acting 'funny', humans involved (one with these odd powers), a love story (my gosh), and paperwork - the most horribilest thing of them all!" He ended with an exasperated tone.

He pulled towards Kamoku with a whisper. "Could you detail me a bit more on this abnormal ghost?"