Trio of Bad Omens [Fate]

[Hibiki Shimizu]

"How tiresome," the Captain of the eighth division sighed, scanning over a moderately high stack of papers that had been set into his temporary office. "I suppose it has to be done one way or another, though," Hibiki continued as he sifted through more and more his squad's daily reports. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Three urgent taps. Hibiki centered himself and straightened upright. "Come in." The door slammed open instead, and there stood a male shinigami who looked very much distressed. The shinigami was part of the 8th Division, Hibiki knew this of course, but as to why he was so frantic he wasn't so sure. The shinigami hurried over towards his Captain and fell to one knee obediently in front of the man's desk. "Sir! We've confirmation of the targets you said to look out for!" Hibiki looked on at his subordinate with a bit of interest, crossing his arms as he rose out of his chair. "Its the Sayomi? For certain?" There wasn't a moment of hesitation in the shinigami's next response, "Yes sir. They carry the emblem of their clan clearly on their clothing. We spotted a dozen of them in the market." With a thoughtful sigh, the 8th Division Captain gave a nod to his subordinate. The shinigami noticed the gesture, rose to bow, and then darted out the doorway without another word.

Hibiki turned around, now facing a small window that was situated behind his desk. From it, he could see the nearby streets and rugged exterior that was the Rukongai. "Squad Five should be arriving today if I'm not mistaken. Perhaps I should ask for assitance in this matter?" the lone Captain questioned to himself, motioning to grab his haori as he prepared to leave his office.

The streets of the Northern Rukongai were infamous for their high rate of crime, and not to mention extraordinary poverty. The 8th Division had been dispatched in this same area by suggestion of its Captain, Hibiki Shimizu. And Hibiki was hell bent on improving the situation that so plagued these streets. Though patrols through all of the Rukongai are typically cycled between all the squads, Hibiki had recently required special permission to establish a small outpost near the middle of the Northern district. It was clear from day one how bad things were in this part of the Soul Society. Orphaned children sat along trash-ridden street sides, barely clothed and barely fed. Houses - if one could really call such small hovels, houses - were falling apart if not already in tatters. The worst of all, it seemed, was the growing rate of crime and violence in these streets, caused by a very infamous band of locals. The Sayomi Brothers; a group that pillaged, murdered, or stole anything they could wrap their grimy little fingers around. "Only another reason to help the populace," the Squad 8 Captain had said to himself many times over.

Walking down the street just outside the temporary headquarters that the eighth division had set up, Hibiki began his way towards the nearest patrol route. "With any luck, I'll be able to find Captain Harlaown. Hopefully she can help a bit with this mess," Hibiki reassured himself, more or less knowing the routes of the usual patrols through this part of the Rukongai. Having the force of another Captain alongside him during this operation might just give Hibiki's operation the extra push it required.

[Fate T. Harlaown]

As Fate sat up with a half-hearted sigh, looking at the pile of work that loomed before her....looked like she would need to finish some of this at least, the rest could be dealt with later. Fate had soon finished half of the last stack when she heard a knock at the door, quickly finishing the file she was doing she spoke. "Enter." A young shinigami girl entered, Fate could tell her to be as an unseated member from her squad, although new the girl appeared to be alert, she bowed towards Fate then spoke. "Captain, I just came to inform you about partrolling the North Rukon district today." Fate nodded slightly and then remembered, she had a partrol today, standing up Fate picked up her Haori putting it on, she looked at the girl and spoke. "Good, can you get two groups together in 10 minutes?" Fate spoke kindly towards the girl she always knew that shouting at a subordinate shinigami would never get you anywhere if you wanted something done. "Yes Ma'am." The girl rushed off, Fate then picking up her zanpakuto and placing it in the gap that fitted into her right glove. Fate headed out of her Captain's room and into the courtyard.

Ten minutes later the girl had arrived with two groups of shinigami all from the 5th division ready and waiting. Once everyone was ready Fate spoke to them all. "Alright everyone, I want a nice clean patrol, that means no hurting the Rukon citizens. You are all to work with each over, let's go." And with that they all entered the streets of North Rukongai.

As they arrived Fate spilt the groups up one partrol unit for different sections. She lead the group on the main route, knowing that it is were crime's happening are the most likely, meaning if she was there less innocent people would be hurt.

Once walking for a little while, no one seemed to be causing trouble which was very good for these parts....but also very odd indeed. As Fate pondered to herself in her mind she spotted Captain Shimizu, "Why is he here?" Fate thought maybe needing some help from her squad? Her partrol unit continuing, they walked passed her and bowed as they did while she approached the Captain. "My, my Captain what brings you out here, it is Squad Five's turn on partrol here is it not?" Fate smiled towards the Captain, waiting for a reply and answer to her question.

[Hibiki Shimizu]

It wasn't long before all went as planned, Hibiki soon running into one of the Squad 5 patrols he sought to find. In fact, it wasn't just any patrol from Squad 5, but the very one headed by Captain Harlaown herself. Hibiki spotted her just as she recognized him, dropping to a slight bow as she asked why he was in the area. "Good to see you too, Captain of Squad Five," Hibiki replied to the woman's inquiry, his expression remaining stoic the whole time. "My apologies for interrupting your..." Hibiki looked behind the woman briefly, taking note of his fellow Captain's subordinates before turning his sight back to her, "...own operations. But I suppose word hasn't really gotten out yet about my little task here." The 8th Division Captain cleared his throat.

"I know this isn't the most usual question for one Captain to ask another, but would you care to do me a favor? I require your assistance and the assistance of your squad, if you would be so kind. The predicament I'm faced with is a determining factor for peace in this region," Hibiki explained, hoping that statement would persuade the woman in some way. "If you chose to help me, I can explain more on the way," the Captain continued, gesturing one hand to his side, pointing down the a nearby street. He awaited Captain Harlaown's response in silence, hoping she'd realize the urgency in the situation.

[Fate T. Harlaown]

Fate listened to the man carefully, then nodding once she spoke, still a little in wonder as to why he was even here. "Task?" She asks carefully, she wondered if this was urgent or not..if not she needed to continue with the patrols it wasn't always the best to send just normal members to patrol around here, that is why she came in the first place.

Fate then listens to the Captain speak again, "I know this isn't the most usual question for one Captain to ask another, but would you care to do me a favor? I require your assistance and the assistance of your squad, if you would be so kind. The predicament I'm faced with is a determining factor for peace in this region," Upon hearing this Fate nods breifly and thinks...would she need a few more memebers down here to assist her? She guessed not, listening to him again, Fate then spoke. "I will help you Captain, one moment." Fate calls on of her squad five members, they disappear, reappearing a few moments later with a katana, Fate quickly placed it on her hip then turning back to the Captain. "Now then, shall we go? My squad will continue to patrol, they are also on standby for us if anything happens." Fate started to walk, smiling slightly to herself wondering if the Captain knew about her zanpakuto if not he would soon be in for a shock.

[Hibiki Shimizu]

"Excellent," Hibiki thanked as the Fifth Division Captain agreed to help with his problem. But before they began walking, Fate had asked to wait for a moment as she called one of her subordinates to her side. Does she mean to bring reinforcements? The Squad Eight Captain guessed at first. But when the shinigami from before suddenly disappeared, and then reappeared with a zanpakutou in hand, Hibiki had a different idea. "A wise precaution. Though I would hope we don't need to use our blades today," Hibiki responded to seeing her weapon. Listening to her next comment with a nod, Hibiki began his way down the designated street.

As the two Captains proceeded down the stretch of dirt road, flanked by shanty houses on either side, Hibiki began briefing his comrade on the situation. "I appreciate you deciding to come along, Captain. This plan I've hatched should run more smoothly with you and your squad here to lend a hand." Hibiki's pace began to quicken into a fast walk. "Before I tell you what we're up against, I should inform you a bit of our stationing here," the Captain reasoned as he continued to lead the way through the next portion of the town, around one bend and down a much wider and sparsely populated street. "Only recently has my Squad been dispatched to this area of the Soul Society. And by 'dispatched' I don't mean on extended patrol or basic guard duty. I'll spare you the details, but after a personal request to the Head Captain, my squad and I have been allowed to establish a stronger presence in this district." The Captain stopped abruptly as a small group of children ran in front of him and Captain Harlaown, the lot of them pretending to play some kind of game where they acted like shinigami. Hibiki remained transfixed for a moment, lost in his old memories of the Rukongai.

Just as abruptly as they had stopped, Hibiki gestured to pick up the pace again. "I've assigned only a dozen or so members from my squad to be at this new outpost. Although we try to help in as many local matters as possible, we're just spread too thin. This growing tension with whatever Hueco Mundo is brewing up seems to have everyone on edge," By this time, the 5th and 8th Squad Captains would have now reached a small waterway that ran through the center of that part of the district. In actuality, the water was what separated this bad part of the Rukon from the really bad part of the Rukon. Before they would cross the bridge though, Hibiki stopped his companion. "From this point on we should use shunpo to get to our destination. Traveling otherwise might cause some problems,"

With a confident nod towards Captain Harlaown, the division eight Captain disappeared in a flash. He made sure that his path was easy enough for the woman to follow, as he wasn't sure whether or not she was familiar with this part of the Rukongai. As they traveled at their high speeds, across rooftops and over other obstacles, Hibiki wondered just how he would explain the next part of their predicament - the actual threat. Just then, a rather rowdy group of around a dozen men strode their way down the road, that the two Captains would be soaring over. Hibiki gestured for another stop, using flash step to move onto the closest and most sturdy looking roof. Looking at the ruffians carefully from above the rooftop perch, the Captain looked wherever Harlaown might be and gave her a signal to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

[Fate T. Harlaown]

"Excellent," Fate heard the Captain speak, one speaking she heard him and nodded. "As do I." Fate speaks kindly nodding towards them as they prepare to leave. Her group then bowing quickly to her continue there patrol.

Fate and the Captain began to walk down the dirt road, with only half-build houses around them, as she listened to the Captain speaking she gave a breif nod. "It's no trouble at all, we're here to help after all." Fate gave a warm smile, her right gloved hand then sending a small static of lightning around her hand, Fate quickly clenched her hand together into a fist to stop her reaitsu trying to make sure that the Captain did not see. Fate reminded herself that she really needed to seal that off, even with a limiter on in the world of the living it still wasn't enough Fate had found, she may need to visit the 12th Division later but back to the matter at hand. Hearing the Captain speak again she nodded, listening carefully then speaking. "I see....well if ever you need help with this at another time just come by my barracks and I'm sure my squad will be glad to help you Captain." Fate smiled as they continued on, then seeing children run by Fate smiled softly to herself....she was once like that....happy and uncaring.....

Returning to the present, Fate glanced at the Captain as he continued talking while they walked. "Yes I heard about that, I'm considering investagating about that myself.. but that is another matter for another time." As she spoke she saw the Captain stop, haulting her own pace she looked forward, listening she nodded. "Very well." Fate smiled as they moved forward, making sure to keep any eye out for anything unusual.

Fate then disappearing in a flash following the Captain, it was true she knew her way around pretty much all of runkongai with ease, she had to know being a Captain. Seeing the Captain stop so did Fate on a nearby roof, already knowing what needed to happen, she masked her reaitsu quickly, keeping an eye on the men that were coming down the road, she wondered what this Captain had planned for this task of his, and if it involved these men nearby.

[Hibiki Shimizu]

Watching the group of armed men pass by, Hibiki grew more and more anxious. This is the group alright, but not the one's we're after...for now, the Captain thought with a frustrated sigh. He knew that this group passing them would likely start trouble somewhere, sometime. But there was a bigger issue at hand. Hibiki used shunpo to make his way closer to his fellow Captain, appearing at her side a moment later. His voice in a whisper, Hibiki gave a warning. "These are the scum we're after. Not specifically them, but the same lot nonetheless. They call themselves the 'Sayomi'. But come, we must make haste to our current objective." Hibiki gave one final look towards the band of men below, and then disappeared from the rooftop.

In a few moments, both Captains would arrive at the designated location - a small square that had been recently renovated as a marketplace. There were a fair amount of stands lined about the market, most of them barely half-stocked with any merchandise. It seemed as if a single gust of wind could blow all the stands over easily too. Despite the miserable looks of the area, many scores of people dotted the nearby streets, obviously the spot being a place of common commute. Villagers bought and sold goods, bartered with one another, mingled in the dusty streets, and altogether appeared to enjoying the prosperity of their locale.

"Here we are," Hibiki stated at last, leading his fellow Captain to the highest rooftop that overlooked the marketplace. "One of my reconnaissance squads reported Sayomi activity in this area. And with any luck..." the Captain's gaze moved around the scope of the market, carefully studying each specific social scene that occurred below. Then he finally spotted them, at the far end of the square. Six men, clothed in little more than rags, all wielding katanas and other melee weapons. They were arguing with an elderly couple, probably over a protection debt no doubt. It was common for gangs like the Sayomi to claim certain areas of the Rukon as their 'turf', and use force to make the locals pay up for protection from rival gangs. Of course, not adhering to their extortion usually leads to a severe beating, harassment and many, much worse, punishments.

Hibiki clenched his right hand into a fist. "That is our target," the Captain pointed out clearly. "The man at the front - doing the arguing - he's the son of one of the leaders of Sayomi. Capturing him needs to be our first priority, especially before this situation escalates any further." The eight division Captain kept his gaze set on the scene happening on the far end of town while he spoke. It was clear that all the villagers near the group of ruffians were all extremely nervous, like they were expecting something to go awry. "We should split up and meet the group at their flanks. When and if they realize they're cornered by two Captains, they should give themselves up." With a quick nod, Hibiki looked to Captain Harlaown. "Or do believe we should take another course of action?"

[Fate T. Harlaown]

Watching the Captain carefully Fate followed, now fully aware and alert of the group of men before her as the Captain spoke. "These are the scum we're after. Not specifically them, but the same lot nonetheless. They call themselves the 'Sayomi'. But come, we must make haste to our current objective." Fate nodded at the Captain's statement and quickly followed along not wanting to water useful time that could be vital. As she dissappeared from view of the high rooftop with the Captain, Fate thought to herself. "I wonder if we will need an ambush set up....." Fate wondered if it was neeed even so it was an idea useable for this situation....

As Fate and the Captain arrived in what looked to be a new marketplace she glanced around a soft wind blowing....although if a storm came along Fate doubted this place would still be standing after. The breeze picked up letting Fate's hair fly upwards and around a little in the breeze, once then seeing the Captain move upwards she followed suit heading up onto the tallest rooftop there was in the area. "Here we are," The Captain spoke as Fate then turned towards him. "One of my reconnaissance squads reported Sayomi activity in this area. And with any luck..." As he spoke Fate looked over and down towards were he was also glancing around, then seeing six men around an elderly couple who looked fairly distressed by the whole thing.

Looked closely Fate nodded as the Captain spoke. "The man at the front - doing the arguing - he's the son of one of the leaders of Sayomi. Capturing him needs to be our first priority, especially before this situation escalates any further." Fate nods speaking quickly and calmly. "Very well, lead the way." Fate looked down seeing many villagers looking uneasy, as it knowing something bad will happen. Listening to the Captain's plan she nodded then spoke. "Yes that will work....however." Fate pointed to to her back, with her haori. "I suggest we discard these to not arouse others." Once speaking a shinigami from her squad appear, taking off her haori she handed to the shinigami that then disappeared. Breifly nodded towards the Captain she jumped off the roof, heading around to the right, knowing the Captain would approach from the left and provide backup if needed.

[Hibiki Shimizu]

"Oh - of course!" Hibiki replied when Harlaown suggested they remove their haori so not to arouse suspicion. "Or better yet," the Captain began as he trailed into thought, "I'll keep their attention centered on me, by wearing the haori." Hibiki nodded to the woman as she took a route that would lead her to the right of the group. So he wouldn't draw any unnecessary suspicion too soon, the Captain waited a short while before departed, making sure that Harlaown had enough time to chose her position. "We'll need good timing if we want this to go smoothely," Hibiki concluded as he jumped off the rooftop and landed quietly at the edge of the marketplace.

The villagers were all focused on the group of Sayomi thugs in the other corner of the place to even notice the shinigami Captain striding through their midst. But after a short while, the few people that noticed the shinigami began to whisper and point.

"What is this, old man?!" The thug in front of the group shouted, one of his hands firmly around the shirt collar of the elderly resident, and the other around his katana which he kept visibly resting at his shoulder. He brought the old man off his feet and pulled him in close so that they were face to face. "Ya gotta give us that money, old guy!" the thug shouted, his tone turning very sly-sounding then. "Or else something...uhh...bad, might happen to your home," the thug threatened with a wide smile. "Please, sir. We don't have any money. None of us do! Why else would we be living in this part of the Rukon?" The old man was visibly shaking, not sure if his excuse would prove helpful at all. "What?!" The thug shot back, looking over to his other ruffians with a chuckle. "No money? NO MONEY?!" the thug released the elderly man from his grasp by throwing him violently on the ground. The old man stumbled and scrambled in an attempt to stand, but the lead thug's sword was aimed right at his throat. "You think I give a damn about your excuses? Hahaha! That's rich!" The thugs all shared a chuckle and then with a simple gesture the lead thug quieted them all. "We have other ways of making you pay, moron. In blood maybe? How about we just take your house instead?"

Hibiki approached the group then, having made his way through the crowd, hoping that Harlaown was now ready. Just as the thug's sword seemed to be ready to draw blood from the elderly resident, one the other thugs came up and tapped the leader on the shoulder. "Boss. Huh?" The Eighth Division Captain was waiting there before the group, arms crossed and a cold glare shooting straight at each of them. "Heheh! Just what the hell are you supposed to be?!" the lead thug laughed, his fellow ruffians not seeming as carefree as before. The leader might've not been too bright, but they all recognized Hibiki's haori as being that of a shinigami Captain. "Kichiro Sayomi, under authority of the Gotei 13, I'm placing you under arrest. Will you comply peacefully?" The lead thug - apparently known as Kichiro - waved his sword around wildly, and his expression turned sour. "Like hell I will! Kill this bastard!"

The five other thugs drew their weapons if they hadn't already at that time, yelled crazily, and all charged at the Captain. Meanwhile, Kichiro picked up the elderly man, who had been sitting on the ground perplexed during the exchange, and pushed his way through the nearest house.

[Fate T. Harlaown]

After watching all this occur quite quickly Fate had remainded very well hidden, seeing the gang shout and draw there weapons. She then saw what appeared to be the leader - Kichiro they called him - run off with the old man, Fate quickly thought, "Your not going anywhere." Moving as quickly as her nickname would expect, she flash stepped forward, appearing in front of Kichiro, ducking down Fate kicked the man in the shin's then helping the old man away. Once safe Fate moved towards Kichiro again, but walking calmly this time, she spoke as deadly as ever in battle. "Bakudo #61 Rikujokoro." Fate spoke quickly, readying her hand on the hilt of the unused katana she had been given by a shinigami of her squad, she didn't need to use shikai for a simple gang of thugs, after all they were not worth it.

ooc: sorry its soo short but i wanna get to the action!

[Hibiki Shimizu]

The five thugs charged in a haphazard manner, obviously not the best coordinated fighters Hibiki had ever faced. The Captain took a step back to dodge an overhead swing, ducked to avoid another slash, and sighed as he used shunpo to appear behind them all. "I'll advise you once more. Drop your weapons and surrender yourselves," Hibiki offered as the thugs all turned around to see where the voice was coming from. "How did he-? Stay still!" one of the thugs barked as he lashed out with a swing from his hatchet. "As you wish," the Captain replied as he reached into the folds of his haori and drew one of his sheathed blades. The hatchet smacked down against the scabbard of the katana that Hibiki had drawn. Apparently, the Eighth Division Captain hadn't the patience to draw his blade in full, which only angered the thug more. The ruffian raised his hatchet again and went for another strike against the raised scabbard, but quickly found the butt of the same sword smashing his ribs. With a cough and a squeal, the thug with the hatchet dropped his weapon and fell to the ground.

Okay, I just gotta get back to the--- Kichiro thought as he dragged the old man behind him, katana drawn as he looked behind him at the scene of Hibiki taking on his subordinate thugs. There was no way he could have anticipated that another Captain was watching from nearby. And indeed he didn't. A painful force suddenly smashed against his legs and Kichiro couldn't keep up with the momentum of his run, sending him head over heels falling into a nearby wall. It was after all, a hovel of a house, so Kichiro didn't just stop at hitting the wall, he went straight through it and fell into the alley on the other side of the building. As the man stood up, cursing to himself quietly, he turned to see his attacker - a tall woman with blonde hair. "You wanna die too?!" he yelled, not hearing that what the woman was chanting was actually a kido spell. Sword at the ready, Kichiro charged straight at the woman. But, he was inexplicably stopped before he could get more than ten feet from the person, six slabs of glowing energy surrounding his body and keeping him from moving at all. "What the hell is this?!" Kichiro gawked, struggling as he may but ultimately to no success. "Let me out right now! Do you know who I am, wench?!"

Hibiki dodged an incoming chop of an axe, and then another sword thrust, with complete ease in his footwork. Fighting thugs such as these wasn't anything cumbersome to a Captain of the Gotei 13, and Hibiki meant to show that to his opponents. As another overhead axe swing came down towards the Captain's head, Hibiki swatted it aside with his sheathed weapon, pivoting around and replying with a jab to his attacker's face. "Too slow,", the Captain added just as he retaliated. The thug howled in pain when the scabbard smashed in his nose, but the man surprisingly kept his calm and continued his attack. Another thug was approaching from Hibiki's flank, occasionally lending a sword slash here or there in the course of the battle. The two other thugs seemed to have ran over to assist their boss, Kichiro, who was being apprehended by a strange, blonde-haired woman that had just appeared out of nowhere.

[Fate T. Harlaown]

Out of the corner of her eye Fate spotted the Captain handling himself well, she knew she didn't need to interfer with him. Turning she saw two men coming towards her, katana's drawn looking more like they wanted to save there "boss" and not come anywhere near her, although they had to get through her to get to him...and that of course was never going to happen. Fate let her hand fall to the side, she would not need to draw her blade for this, Fate stood very still waiting until the thugs came within reach for her to strike. Fate pulled her hand into a fist a small spark emitting from it as she lay in wait.

The thugs came closer, the first aiming to punch her right in the face, insted of ducking or flash stepping away, Fate caught the punch dead on. It wasn't very hard...well not compard to how hard she would hit...but not bad for a thug. When this thug saw his attempt fail he became enraged and shouted at her, "Die! You dammm woman!" Fate just shook her head once, then in one motion Fate was behind the man, jumping she side kicked him into a wall near his boss, then speaking as she landed. "Rikujokoro" The kido once again took effect, stopping the thug from moving any further.

All of this seemingly happening in a matter of seconds the second thug, now looking as if he had lost all decent thought and just wanting to hurt her, charged forwards. The thug sent may punches at her, all of which Fate dodged with basic footwork, he threw a punch to Fate's skull. Fate ducked quickly, then sending a hard uppercut to the thugs stomach. He quickly doubled over, flying into the other two who where in a pile, one next to them the kido attached itself to the last thug surrounding Fate. Sighing ever to slightly to herself she walked over, then speaking towards them while looking down. "Kichiro Sayomi, under authority of the Gotei 13, I'm placing you and your thugs here under arrest, you will be told of your rights when we arrive." Fate clicks her finger, four shinigami appearing then taking the two thugs away. Fate then picking Kichiro up and practically dragging him, then stopping slightly to wait for the Captain to finish this up so we can head back.

[Hibiki Shimizu]

Looks like we're nearly done here, the stoic Captain mused to himself when he heard the muffled grunts and roars of protests from the men that Harlaown had intercepted. "Let's finish this," Hibiki said aloud, straight-faced to the thug that kept swinging his axe towards him. The thug stopped for a moment, wondering what kind of mediocre bluff that have passed off as. But before the brute could utter any kind of witty response, Hibiki moved into action, swatting the thug's axe to the side once more as he lunged his scabbard into the thug's chin. The ruffian was soon unconscious on the floor, no doubt without a fractured jaw now. Hibiki cast a cold stare at the remaining thug, and the thug was caught speechless in shock. The man dropped his weapon and made for the nearest route of escape, panting heavily already. "Simple-minded," the Eighth Division Captain sighed in disappointment. "Shitotsu Sansen."With that brief naming of the kido he was preforming, Hibiki traced an image of a triangle into the open air, aimed directly at the fleeing thug, and fired. A bright light emitted from the Captain's fingertips as he completed the circuit, then soon changing into a burst of light that pursued the thug into a wall, effectively pinning the man. With that, Hibiki nodded to himself resolutely, believing that a hard day's work had finally come to an end.

A small crowd had gathered around the spectacle of the two shinigami Captains disposing of the local trash by that time. Even though the battle seemed done and over with, there were few cheers of joy or excitement. The villagers only cast interested glances towards the captured thugs, then quickly resigned and went back to their duties. Lingering too long around the scene might cause trouble with the Sayomi later, after all. "So the shinigami have made their move?!" a man whispered in awe, peering over at the display from a few vendors away. The urgency in his voice was apparent and he quickly rose from the seat he was in and started a brisk jog through the crowd of villagers that mingled in the plaza. "I have to send word."

Hibiki remained still as his fellow Captain approached him, Kichiro in tow. "A fine job," Hibiki complimented Harlaown's swiftness in her action. "With that man under our custody, we might get the leeway to bargain with these ignoramuses." Just as the Captain was about to explain what they should do next, a small group of shinigami policed their way through the crowds in the market. Hibiki regarded the incoming group with a raised brow. There were three shinigami, all from squad eight. "S-sorry sir. We tried to get here as fast as possible. But well..." the lead of the three shinigami began to explain between panting breaths. "Its quite alright," Hibiki was quick to reassure his subordinates. "Our exchange is over and Mr. Kichiro Sayomi has so kindly submitted himself to our authority," the Captain continued by pointing out the man in question. "As for how useful you three can be now - I would suggest restoring order to this section of the market. Clean up this debris and restrain the rest of these gentlemen." With an obedient "Sir!" from all three of the shinigami, Hibiki nodded and turned his attention to Harlaown once more.

"Right. I believe my men and I can handle it from here Captain Harlaown. I thank you once again for your assistance," Hibiki commented suddenly with a bow. "I'm sure you have other duties to attend to and I wouldn't want to waste any more of your time. I can take Kichiro from here and ensure he doesn't get into any more...trouble."

[Fate T. Harlaown]

Fate watches carefully, seeing the Captain dispatch the last of these thugs with ease, using a fairly powerful bakudo. As Fate moved forward she heard many people muttering about the shinigami....she knew shinigami from the Gotei 13 were not always very welcome around these parts of rukongai..but still. She turned to face the Captain, hearing him speak. "A fine job," he had said. Fate nodded, slightly smiling to herself, at least it's over now. She could rest easy for a while at least....although she never looked forward to more paperwork, even with everything else she never liked doing it...but oh well.

A part of 6 six shinigami from what appeared to be Fate's squad, arrived before her bowing their heads low. "We're very sorry Captain we-" The leader of the group spoke in a sad tone, almost ashamed that they could not help, however Fate cuts them off from speaking with a raise of her hand then speaking herself. "It's alright, don't worry, I want you six to help with clean up, any damage done report it to me and I will pay the costs. If anyone from rukongai wishes to speak with me, please show them to the barracks or come find me. Alright? Go." Without another word the six nodded, rushing off to do as I ordered them to.

Turning Fate heard the Captain speak towards her. "Right. I believe my men and I can handle it from here Captain Harlaown. I thank you once again for your assistance," Fate nodded but then spoke calmly. "It's no problem my squad are already helping out as it is. As you can see." Fate nodded in the direction of her squad members starting to clear up. One of the six shinigami I sent quickly ran back, handing me my haori then disappearing to help agan as I nod to them, putting it on. Seeing as there was no point in hiding I was a Captain now this was over. "I might walk back with you, if you'll allow me Captain. There is not much for me to do at the barracks to be honest." Fate spoke giving a slight smile towards the Captain that was currently facing her.

As Fate started to walk back she remebered to come back a little later to keep an eye on things, she didn't want trouble starting again.....although....right now...she just wanted to rest...and be truly alone for once...

[Hibiki Shimizu]

A little surprised by Harlaown's request to follow him back to the Squad Eight headquarters, Hibiki's gaze widened for a moment. "Of course. As you wish," the Captain was quick to respond, truly appreciative of the woman's continued assistance, but a bit flustered. Hibiki sighed and looked around the scene of the marketplace, taking one last look at both his squad, and Harlaown's squad, help with the clean-up. "If you would follow me," Hibiki offered with a slight bow, extending one arm out to designate the proper route to take.

"You bastards! Let me outta here, already!" the grumbles, complaints and curses from Kichiro seemed to finally become somewhat of a noticeable annoyance. "Hold that thought," Hibiki walked up to the thug with a stoic glare, but all the while Kichiro continued to struggle against the bakudo that held him and curse at the shinigami that had put him there. "My father will have your head!" With a quick chop from the side of his hand, aimed at the thug's neck, Kichiro was soon much more quiet. "It'll be much easier to move him while he's unconscious," Hibiki sighed, taking a step to the side as the thug fell over and the Captain caught him with one arm.

With that, the Captain led Harlaown to the Eighth Division forward command center. It was a fair sized two story building - the only of its kind in that part of the Rukon - but it didn't appear as vibrant and sound as any of the structures within the Seireitei. "Here's our little home away from home," Hibiki explained as he pointed out the building, leading Harlaown towards the front door. As the two approached the structure, two shinigami from Hibiki's command ran up, coming up to assist with the unconscious thug. "Thank you," the Captain said to his subordinates as they took away the thug into custody. Turning to his fellow shinigami Captain, Hibiki cleared his throat. "I'm surprised that we had no other encounters along the way. Though that seems to put me more at discomfort than ease." The Captain remarked as he looked up and down the street with a very relaxed gaze. "If I may," Hibiki asked, turning to Harlaown, "A warning is what I have to offer as a parting gift." The man's voice then turned somewhat more serious than its usual stoic tone, and it was barely more than a whisper. "Keep your wits about you and watch the shadows in the shadows."

What Hibiki had offered definitely sounded out of the ordinary, but it was the best advice he could give his fellow Captain. Besides, he could feel a few prying eyes looming over them - and not just the normal feeling of being watched that was so common in the Rukongai. There was something more malevolent and dangerous out there than thugs. "It's been a pleasure, Captain Harlaown. Until we meet again. Have a safe trip back your barracks," Hibiki abruptly said goodbye as he bowed.