Built for Blame, Laced with Shame (JT)

[Deleted]

In the young Shinigami's mind, there was nothing more terrifying than the infinite, unending darkness of the Dangai. Every second she was forced to limp through it felt awful. And yet, she would've much rather have taken that over what was waiting on the other side. The very moment the exiting-side of the Garganta had opened, she was met with immediate opposition from residents of the Seireitei, as well as those both in, and out of Squad 10; Oh, great, Camila thought to herself, last thing I needed right now was a run-in with the defense squad. She let out a breath as she did what she could to hold herself up.

Those in front of her seemed to be in some sort of offensive stance, as though they were ready to kill her. Fuck, man, she continued to think to herself, can't I just get a break for a few minutes? Just to rest after all that? Camila couldn't help but sigh. Her body was wracked with pain, sustaining injuries all over that she was far from personally able to heal at the moment. She was overexerted to say the least. She felt like she was going to drop any moment after that skirmish with Ailene. No doubt she'd need to explain what had happened, but there were other priorities she had to focus on right now; primarily, how to deal with those in front of her.

Before she had entered through that Garganta, she had somehow managed to survive a fight with an Espada. Not just an Arrancar, but the Septima Espada. She couldn't help but smile at that accomplishment. This was the second Espada that she'd manage to survive an engagement with; many, many people couldn't even hope to have shared that feat. There was no doubt plenty of people that had been killed by both the Octava and the newly promoted Septima, but not her. She stood among the living, and would remember that proud feat for years to come.

[Celes Castellanos]

Today was truly a great day for Celes. It had just been a few hours ago that she was promoted to Vice Captaincy. Specifically, the vice captaincy of Squad 10. Moving from Squad to another was definitely a massive adjustment especially when taking on a duty like Vice Captain. Celes was up for the challenge, however and wanted to do her best to prove herself. Perhaps this would give her the opportunity to improve further and one day take on a fabled captaincy position.

Captains were the pinnacle of strength in the Soul Society. They were what made squads cohesive, provided leadership and overall gave focus which was important for a group to have. For Celes to perhaps one day become a Captain was a dream come true, but for now Vice Captain was a good start. After all, she believed in baby steps. It would be rash for her to try move up in the ranks too quickly, especially if she did not have the power to back it up.

At this point, the Shinigami was in her old room in the Squad 11 Barracks. She was attempting to collect some of her things as she was preparing to make the move to Squad 10. While there, she did not see any trace of her former superior, Tsukuyomi nor their Captain whom Celes had never even met. As such Celes took her time to get whatever equipment that she left behind. It seems that no matter what, Celes would not be able to get some time alone.

As she was prepping her move, a fellow Shinigami ran frantically into her room. Under normal circumstances, Celes would have been ready to kill someone, but she made an exception in this case. Not only was his demeanor representative of someone in stress, but her position as a Vice Captain means that she would have others who would report to her. Celes would turn to him and speak. "Calm yourself. I assume you have a good reason for interrupting me?"

Her fellow Shinigami would stammer wildly before catching himself and finally state, "A...Shinigami c..came from a Garganta.." Celes' eyes narrowed towards her comrade as she grabbed him to support him and set him down in her room. She spoke promptly. "I will return later. Look after my supplies." The Shinigami would with what sounded like wind, disappear and make her way towards where the commotion started. 

As Celes struggled through the crowd of Shinigami who seemed to be on guard, Celes would see what appeared to be a barely conscious Camila. It had been some time since she saw her companion in Squad 13. An immediate look of worry as Celes looked around. Turning her hand to the squad members who were prepared to attack Camila on sight, Celes would speak with authority. "Everyone stand down! As Vice Captain of Squad 10 you will stand down. I will take it from here." 

Celes then began to approach Camila as she looked into her eyes, offering a moment of respite to the Shinigami. Once again, she would speak. Her voice mixed with authority and care. "Follow me Cami. We can talk about this normally, though I will require you to answer my questions." Celes would pivot as the squad members that received Cami seemed to still be on edge. After all, she was not surprised that they feared Camila a bit at this point.

If Camila would follow her, Celes would lead her to her new quarters which were in the Squad 10 Barracks. When Celes opened the door, she would lead Camila to sit down carefully. Sitting down across from her, Celes would relax, but attempt to keep a rather professional demeanor as she speak calmly. "Okay, from the top. Why did you come out of a Garganta? What happened to cause you all these injuries? Remember Camila, I'm your friend."

[Deleted]

"Everyone stand down! As Vice Captain of Squad 10 you will stand down. I will take it from here." Hearing these words over the crowd struck immense amounts of fear into Camila. She'd known that eventually, someone higher-up would get involved. She hadn't expected it to be so damn quickly, though. She took a deep breath as to mentally prepare herself for what was to come. Depending on who this Vice Captain actually was, she could've been in for a really bad time, or even worse; potentially looking at death.

She glanced up as she saw someone pushing through the crowd of Shinigami, and she felt her heart flutter. Not once had she ever been happier to see Celes in her life; she had actually started to tear up; she was safe, for now. She couldn't bring herself to communicate at the moment, what with the pain, the stress, and the confusion of everything going on. She did what she could to try to hint at that, and thought Celes had picked up on it from her words; "Follow me Cami. We can talk about this normally, though I will require you to answer my questions."

Not once would she ever see herself being so willing during any kind of "interrogation" ever again. She felt that she needed to get everything off her chest that had just went down; the Espada, the fight, and the destruction. However, she'd need to avoid anything regarding her previous interactions with Ailene; coming clean about something like that, even to a friend, would surely damn her. She needed to choose her words carefully; while she wasn't killed on-sight, her life still rode on whether or not she chose the right or wrong words.

Further exerting herself by spending most of her remaining reiatsu, Camila did what she could to staunch the bleeding thanks to her regeneration. Though, it likely wasn't going to be enough. "Celes," she groaned, "I think I'm gonna need a medic." In truth, it wouldn't take a PhD to realize this; Camila looked awful, and completely riddled with wounds that could've easily gotten to the point where they'd be considered severe. She'd survive, but she needed medical care.

"Okay, from the top. Why did you come out of a Garganta? What happened to cause you all these injuries? Remember Camila, I'm your friend." Cami took a deep breath, getting ready to address what had happened. She knew it wouldn't be easy to explain it all without accidentally saying something incriminating, so she took a few moments in order to gather her thoughts. When she finally felt like she could say something, she took a deep breath. She was only going to get one chance at this, so it needed to be as perfect as possible.

"Well," she started, "I was in the middle of a mission that Captain Ludwig was supposed to take on, but seeing as he's been absent for quite some time now, I volunteered in order to cover it. Well, during that mission, I had met someone horrifying; someone who I don't think I could ever even think about fighting again; you're familiar with the Espada, right? Those Arrancar that are supposedly the strongest of the strong? Well, all of these injuries are from the 7th-seated." 

She was genuinely hesitant to say more than what she had already said. She wasn't sure how Celes was going to take it. That being said, even she had said the two of them were friends. She could trust her... right? Surely she wouldn't sell her out! Even then, the information was eating away at Camila, and she needed to get something heavy like this off her chest for a while. "Also," she started, looking away from Celes, unsure how she was going to take it, "the reason I came through a Garganta was... because the Espada had spared my life, and given me a way to get back... home. I had conversed with the Espada once before, and we, uh, weren't exactly on negative terms."

[Celes Castellanos]

As Celes sat down to talk with Cami, the Vice Captain would take note of Camila's injuries, especially after her immediate comment. "I think I'm gonna need a medic." Celes nodded in response as she stood up and opened the doors to the rest of the barracks. She noticed a few people running around frantically. For what reason she was not entirely sure, but her eyes immediately fell upon someone. A male Shinigami. Celes pointed at him and exclaimed. "Hey! You there. Come here for a moment." 

The male Shinigami hesitated for a moment, most likely worried that he had gotten into some form of trouble. Celes would smile, however as she put her hand on his shoulder. The atmosphere changed from a tense one to one of relaxation as Celes calmly spoke. "Do me a favor. I need you to go to the Squad 4 barracks and get someone who can treat her injuries." Celes pointed at Camila rather clearly who the male Shinigami could see was riddled in numerous cuts and other various injuries.

With a timid nod, the Shinigami ran off, looking to get a Squad 4 member. That being taken care of, Celes closed the door to her office. It seemed that Vice Captains upon promotion received a decent workspace. Not as robust as the Captain's, but it came pretty close. Alternatively, Celes could have taken Camila there as well since to her understanding, Squad 10 didn't have a Vice Captain. Or they did at one point at least, but she was missing in action.  

Hoping that this would ease any tension between the two, Celes sat down across from Camila once more as the Shinigami began answering her questions. "I was in the middle of a mission that Captain Ludwig was supposed to take on, but seeing as he's been absent for quite some time now, I volunteered in order to cover it. Well, during that mission, I had met someone horrifying; someone who I don't think I could ever even think about fighting again; you're familiar with the Espada, right? Those Arrancar that are supposedly the strongest of the strong? Well, all of these injuries are from the 7th-seated." 

Hearing this truly made Celes' eyes widen. Camila had really fought a member of the Espada. Not just that, the Septima Espada. Not that Celes knew the Septima Espada personally. She had just rumors here and there about an Espada who encountered Ludwig, the Captain of Squad 13. Whether or not this was that same Espada was certainly a question her mind, but for now, it was important to address the situation at hand.

Celes sighed visibly and chuckled. "Well that must've been one hell of a fight. I can tell based on your injuries that they must have certainly given you a beating. I would have loved to be there and see it happen. After all, what better way to get to know someone than through fighting them..." Celes would pause and switch gears. "The Septima Espada though. You are very lucky to even be alive at this point. The Espada is not something that anyone just walks away from after facing one in combat."

Celes would continue to listen as Camila seemed to continue with her train of thought. "the reason I came through a Garganta was... because the Espada had spared my life, and given me a way to get back... home. I had conversed with the Espada once before, and we, uh, weren't exactly on negative terms." This was a bit more interesting piece of information. After all, how did they originally met. This is something that Celes would have to get to the bottom of.

Her voice would retain its friendly tone, though she would become a little more stoic. "I see. Well that explains the Garganta incident and I have no reason to not believe you. That being said, I do have to ask about this prior encounter with the Espada. I am not privy to your reports, even now. Yet I am forced to wonder what you were doing with an Espada who allegedly almost killed you on the second encounter. Camila...what were you doing the first time?" Celes would give Camila a moment to explain herself. Celes, while she did not like this tense situation, needed to do since she was for now, one of the highest ranked members of internal security. 

[Deleted]

The situation at hand was getting progressively more dangerous as each second ticked on, and each word had been spoken. Camila had now faced an important decision; did she share with Celes - someone who was now a significant superior to her - information that could potentially put herself in danger? For how long would these ties between the two girls last? Would it be worth it to confide in her? Would Celes be more willing to protect her friendship with Cami, or would her beliefs align with her newfound rank?

Say. Nothing.

A voice ate away in the back of Camila's mind. If Celes was perceptive enough, there was a chance she could've picked up on a fairly traceable amount of panic running through Camila's mind at the moment. She didn't want to deal with Aldwin right now. What was up with him? Why had he acted out during that fight with Ailene? Why had he been showing up now of all times? There were too many questions that Camila just wasn't going to get answers to at the moment. She had another problem at hand; a Vice Captain that was likely growing more impatient with each passing moment.

"I, uh," Camila started, fumbling over her own words, "I was on a personal mission in the Human World in order to better myself and... Ailene saved my life." She chuckled. She felt absolutely awful lying to her friend, though this was perhaps the most believable story she could've gone with. She'd need to elaborate. "I was under attack by a super strong hollow, and the Septima - Noveno at the time - had cut it down and saved my life from there. She let me escape, and said that if we met again it wouldn't be on good terms, as what you see here." She motioned toward her still beat-up body. 

Good enough.

Camila let out a sigh of relief upon hearing Aldwin's voice in her thoughts once again. As long as he was alright with what had went down, she didn't particularly fear for her life. She had hoped that Celes would believe her story, but what could she really do if she didn't? The rank advantage she had over Camila put her in a dangerous position in general. Camila was effectively fighting for her life through manipulation tactics at the moment, and she wasn't proud of it at all. She simply had to await what Celes had to say about all of this.

[Celes Castellanos]

Despite her stoic demeanor, Celes was actually someone who cared for others. Especially those she deemed friend or ally. Camila was both of those, but the Vice Captain was a little suspicious. After all, few walk away from an encounter with an Espada alive and even fewer report acts of kindness from Espada. Celes decided to give her the benefit of the doubt for now and made sure to listen. After all, Camila wouldn't try to lie to her...right?

"I was on a personal mission in the Human World in order to better myself and... Ailene saved my life." This elicited a little bit of a raised eyebrow from Celes. This told Celes a few things about the Espada. Not only was their name Ailene, but she had allegedly saved Camila's life. It wasn't necesarrily out of the ordinary if by accident, but Celes would continue to listen. "I was under attack by a super strong hollow, and the Septima - Noveno at the time - had cut it down and saved my life from there. She let me escape, and said that if we met again it wouldn't be on good terms, as what you see here."

The story just didn't seem to make sense given what sounded like discrepancies. After all, what reason would an Espada have to kill a Hollow outside of self defense or displays of power. Yet according to Camila, not only did this Ailene save Camila from a powerful Hollow, but it also resulted in her being threatened and later pummeled by the same Espada. Parts of this story just weren't making sense, no matter how cruel or kind the Espada was. It almost seemed like two different individuals.

Celes straightened her back. It seemed that she would need to get serious. At least until the Squad 4 member would arrive to assist Camila with her wounds. Leaning forward, Celes' expression grew darker. "Camila..I will be honest with you here. Your story doesn't make much sense. I can understand wanting to improve, but meeting an Espada who saves you from a Hollow and then does a complete 180 and threatens you. I'm sorry, but it just doesn't seem very believable. I need you to be honest with me here. This incident will require a report after all." Celes sighed and leaned backward, waiting to see Camila's reaction.

[Deleted]

"Camila... I will be honest with you here. Your story doesn't make much sense." These words caused Camila's heart to drop. Nervousness seemed to wrack her as she started to panic. She did what she could not to show it. "I can understand wanting to improve, but meeting an Espada who saves you from a Hollow and then does a complete 180 and threatens you. I'm sorry, but it just doesn't seem very believable. I need you to be honest with me here. This incident will require a report after all."

Camila contorted her mouth into a smile as she forced a laugh. "I know, right?" she exclaimed, "I didn't believe it either at first but here I am! Alive as can-" her words were cut off by a throbbing pain, as she winced, and held her hand to her forehead. She felt an immense amount of pressure, as her reiatsu seemed to slowly, but surely flare. She looked up to Celes, in a rather uncomfortable amount of pain at the moment. "Alright, that was just poor timing," she groaned, still holding that same fake smile.

Don't. Get. Caught.

Aldwin's voice had seemed more hoarse than before. Was this something he was doing? Like some kind of punishment for getting stuck in this situation? She'd done what she could to ignore the pain for now, while the Squad 4 member continued to patch up her wounds, and treat any open cuts. She kept her attention on Celes, deciding to give up the act. "You've got to trust me here, Celes," she groaned, a look of fear in her eyes, "that's all that happened, nothing more. You... you believe me, right?"

She had a lot riding on Celes' trust. Trust that she hadn't deserved, especially after lying through her teeth like that. And for what? To save her own skin? The guilt of that thought had been eating her up over the last minute or two. She sighed. "Celes..." she started, "there might be one or two 'unimportant' details I may or may not be leaving out. If you want me to... try to remember them, give me a day of rest, and then let's meet somewhere in the Human World. Off the record."

[Celes Castellanos]

As Celes' questions drew to a close, it was clear to the Vice Captain that Camila was in a bit of a difficult situation. For as much as she tried to hide it, Celes knew that Camila was in absolute shock. Despite her belief that what she tried to sell Celes was an elaborate and believable story, Celes could not help, but peer at Camila in a rather stoic manner. If she was lying, then she had just lied to a superior officer, no matter whether she was in her Squad or not. 

Seemingly trying to justify her original intentions, Celes would see her comrade hold her head in pain. Yet despite the fact that there was no indication of her powering up an attack, Celes could sense a bit of reiatsu flare. At this point she was equally concerned yet also curious over what was going on here. Was there more to Camila right now then she was letting on? Did this Ailene poison her or use any other reiatsu weapon to infect her? Celes was not sure anymore at this point.

As she recovered and the Squad 4 member really was trying her best to help with that, Camila seemed to now want to prove her word to Celes. "You've got to trust me here, Celes," As Celes leaned backward, she continued to listen to Camila. "that's all that happened, nothing more. You... you believe me, right?" Now leaning forward, Celes gave a small sigh. She shook her head somewhat in contemplation.

Celes would then speak. "I'm sorry Camila. You will have to give me something that I can work with soon or this will get a lot more serious. We've been through quite a bit, you and I. I don't want to claim that you are lying, but you aren't giving me much else of an option here. Now I am forced to wonder whether you are in involved with this Espada in something that could risk to threaten the Soul Society. Do you see the predicament this puts me in?" 

After her little heart-filled comment, it seemed that Camila was hoping to confide a little more in Celes. Was she ready to truly tell her what is going on? "there might be one or two 'unimportant' details I may or may not be leaving out. If you want me to... try to remember them, give me a day of rest, and then let's meet somewhere in the Human World. Off the record." This just caused Celes to sigh and she looked around once more in contemplation. 

She would tap her fingers against the table between them and Celes would give in. "Squad 4 will look after you for the next few days. They will treat your wounds, but for now I am forced to put you on house arrest. You will remain in the Squad 4 Barracks until you are totally treated. You will be watched at all times just to confirm that nothing is going on for now. After a few days, you will meet me by Uzaki Enterprises just so I can make double sure that nothing will get out of hand. Am I clear?" 

With the way that Celes' voice was gaining inflection, Camila would be able to tell that this was in fact not a question, but an order. Celes would then nod at the Squad 4 member. As she helped Camila up, she would proceed to escort Camila to the Squad 4 Barracks. Just before they would leave, however, Celes spoke once more. "And Camila. Just so we are even clearer. You better be telling the truth then. I am now a Vice Captain of Squad 10. I have a duty to uphold and you are a potential risk to the security of the Soul Society. Don't force me into any positions..." Sighing, Celes would look back through a window. "Dismissed" With that the Squad 4 member would now escort her. 

---

                                                                                    [Days Later]

Celes would be found by Uzaki Enterprises. Wearing her Shihakusho and keeping her Zanpakutou close, she had by this time already notified Uzaki Enterprises of her and another Shinigami's proximity. In the case that something would go wrong in her meeting with Camila, she was hoping that the organization would have her back. She did not want to resort to these measures, but Camila was giving her little choice. At this point, she was just waiting for Camila to come to the designated location. 

[Deleted]

"Squad 4 will look after you for the next few days. They will treat your wounds, but for now I am forced to put you on house arrest. You will remain in the Squad 4 Barracks until you are totally treated. You will be watched at all times just to confirm that nothing is going on for now. After a few days, you will meet me by Uzaki Enterprises just so I can make double sure that nothing will get out of hand. Am I clear?" These words were effectively a saving grace for Camila. Her life was effectively saved, if for a little longer at the very least.

She understood the predicament she was in, and as such, had no real choice but to agree with the stipulations Celes had decided to put up. Even then, spending time with Squad 4 wasn't exactly a bad thing! She'd been there somewhat frequently, what with her going out and getting injured rather constantly, she ended up knowing a lot of the squad members by name at this point. "Crystal, Celes," Cami finally responded, "I understand why you're doing this."

"And Camila. Just so we are even clearer. You better be telling the truth then. I am now a Vice Captain of Squad 10. I have a duty to uphold and you are a potential risk to the security of the Soul Society. Don't force me into any positions..." Camila sighed softly. It seemed she now knew where the Vice Captain's allegiances lie; to her job. Of course. How she didn't see this coming she had no idea. "Dismissed." And with that, Camila wordlessly left with the Squad 4 representative.

Upon arriving at the barracks, everyone she seemed to have known quite well gave her nothing more than short responses, and dirty looks. Seems word gets around quickly when you enter the Seireitei though a Garganta. She couldn't help but ponder whether that had been the right decision or not; to take help from Ailene. Accepting help from an Arrancar? What on earth was she thinking? That had to have been an absolutely awful decision, right?

Even with that thought, she couldn't help but disagree with herself on that one. Sure, Ailene was an arrancar, an Espada even, but her intentions were good toward the end. Sure, the two of them had gotten off on the wrong foot, but even thinking back to their first encounter, she hadn't meant any ill will upon her; at least, none that she could remember. It seemed like she was genuinely looking out for her. She chuckled to herself at the thought. How about that? An Arrancar looking out for her more than her supposed comrades in the Seireitei?

She couldn't help but continue to ponder these thoughts. Everyone in the Seireitei seemed to resent her now, over this stupid choice she decided to make; nobody was really willing to even talk to her. She felt herself grow angry over the thought. She couldn't help but feel outraged over the fact that people had been actively turning against her all day long, and after all she'd done in order to help the Soul Society over the years; the constant hours of work she had put in to make up for her Captain's absence, the missions she'd been willing to take on even though they would've potentially costed her life.

Maybe she would've been better off without them all. Maybe she would've been better off forgetting anyone of them ever existed to begin with, and surviving on her own. Would she be able to? What kind of challenges would face her if she decided to do that? There was so much she didn't, nor had the time to consider. Her meeting with Celes was fast approaching, and she'd need to decide what her course of action regarding that meeting was. Either way, though, one thing was for certain; she felt betrayed by someone she deeply considered her friend.

---

Days had passed since the two girls had originally met, and both likely had things on their mind that they needed the time to think over. Camila definitely knew she did. As the Senkaimon slid open, and she stepped out into the Human World, she let out a sigh. Uzaki Enterprises was just down the street from where she had arrived; exactly where Celes had requested to meet. Interestingly enough, though, Camila had shown up to the Human World in a Gigai.

The Gigai was of a standard appearance compared to Camila normally, and maintained all of the same features she traditionally had. She had been dressed in a pair of black jeans, a black and blue tee shirt that had been repping Panic! At the Disco, and a black leather jacket; reminiscent of her old style back when she was alive, but this time with a more modern twist to it. The only thing that wasn't normal, however, was a buckle on the right side of her hip, neatly holding her sheathed Zanpakuto.

Slowly but surely, she made her march to the UE headquarters, unsure of what was going to happen, but taking proper precautions nonetheless. She fully expected this meeting between the two of them to escalate. Someone as dutybound as Celes likely wasn't going to understand what happened, nor was she going to take the time to justify herself. She'd made up her mind about her future days ago, and there was little that was going to change. Upon spotting Celes, and seeing Celes spot her, Camila held up a hand as if to greet the girl while keeping the other tucked neatly in her pocket.

[Celes Castellanos]

While waiting in the near Uzaki Enterprises for Camila, Celes would begin to reminisce about how she met Camila. After all, it was a unique meeting. She was sent to support a group that was aiming to infiltrate a lab in France that was working on some rather controversial experiments. It was there that she met Camila who was trapped in a Chrysalis. Ever since that day, Celes had looked upon Camila as a sister. Someone to confide in and trust with her life. As of late, Celes had some doubts, however. 

The street lamps began to flicker a little bit as Celes sighed. It was then that she would see Camila who would wave at her. Celes proceeded to wave back as she leant against the wall. Naturally dressed in her typical Shinigami clothing, it was odd to see Camila in non-standard uniform. In fact, she had clothing that most would see as typical for the Human World. This caused Celes to raise an eyebrow. What was she planning?

After all, others could rarely see them. Or atleast a small amount would be able to see them. Additionally, Celes felt very little spiritual pressure from Camila. Either she was hiding it which wasn't possible for her nor needed, or she was in a Gigai. This even moreso worried Celes. Nevertheless, Celes gave her word to keep this off of the record for now. She began to draw closer to Camila and Celes would give a genuine smile.

Celes, while standing before Camila would speak. "Okay here we are as promised. You are recuperated and in a better state of mind I hope. Now you do you owe me an explanation Camila. This will be off of the record, but I do need to know these little "unimportant" details that you were discussing. As you know, when discussing the security of our people there is little that is unimportant, but I am willing to listen and understand." Celes slowly eased herself back into a nearby pole and waited to see how Camila would respond. 

[Deleted]

Upon closing the distance between the two of them, Camila took a deep breath, and slowly began to sigh, as though she was trying to calm herself. If Celes paid close attention to the girl, she might've been able to notice she was trembling. In truth, she was scared. She wasn't ready for the possibilities and ramifications of the choice was was about to make, but felt wholeheartedly this was the best decision for her to make for herself. She desperately needed everything that was to come from it.

"Celes," she started, after listening to what her superior had to say, "I apologize for wasting your time, but after thinking for the last few days, I don't really have anything I can say. Truth be told, that Arrancar had been friendlier to me than, well, ninety percent, if not more of the Shinigami I've ever met; let alone how I've been treated over the last few days. People won't even talk to me at this point. Over the Garganta incident, all of the relationships that I've spent the last thirty years trying to form have gone to shit. I can't do this anymore, Celes. I really can't."

Camila rested the hand outside of her pocket on her sheathed Zanpakuto's pommel. "Do you know what it feels like to be betrayed by everyone you hold dear? To be cast aside like a rabid dog, despite decades of friendship and effort in order to keep your comrades alive with little self-preservation? Do you know what it feels like to be treated like you're worse than fucking dirt, with all but one person making absolutely no fucking effort to understand what happened!?" Camila was shouting at this point, as tears began to run down her cheek. "Well, the last few days have certainly opened my eyes quite a bit! I've learned who I can, and who I can't trust; and every other Shinigami isn't deserving of any kind of trust I could potentially lay out!"

She took another deep breath, as a last-minute attempt to calm herself down. "I apologize for shouting there, Celes. I mean nothing against you by doing so. In fact, while I don't come with information, I come with a proposal; let's leave. Surely you've had those who have wronged you? Those who make you want to throw everything behind and run with it? Well, let's capitalize on that and run away from Soul Society; together. Just you and I, looking to take on the world together!" A slight smile rose to her cheeks, as she thought about the idea.

After a few moments, though, her face went somber. "I'd very much like to spend the time in your company, Celes. Please don't think otherwise. That being said, though..." As she paused, she drew her sword, and held it to her side. Once again, she was trembling. "Please don't think for a minute that even if you disagree, and decide not to take this golden opportunity, that I'm not going to still go through with this. And please keep in mind that none of this is against you. You truly are the only Shinigami I can say that I still trust through all of this. I don't want this to be the end of a friendship between us, but if that's what needs to happen..." With this, she'd point her blade at Celes, "Then so be it."

[Celes Castellanos]

When Celes asked her question to Camila, she really was expecting Camila to open up to her about the truth of what had happened. While this would happen to an extent, Celes would still listen. "I apologize for wasting your time, but after thinking for the last few days, I don't really have anything I can say. Truth be told, that Arrancar had been friendlier to me than, well, ninety percent, if not more of the Shinigami I've ever met; let alone how I've been treated over the last few days. People won't even talk to me at this point. Over the Garganta incident, all of the relationships that I've spent the last thirty years trying to form have gone to shit. I can't do this anymore, Celes. I really can't."

The vice captain just raised an eyebrow at how Camila seemed to believe that Ailene had been friendlier to her than any of the Gotei Thirteen. In truth, Celes was a little taken aback, even shocked by this. Was Camila being influenced by the Arrancar in some way? Was she promised something by Ailene? Or was this just truly the way that Camila felt. Celes had a difficult time wrapping her head around all of it. After all, hadn't Celes treated her well at minimum? Sure, Celes had shown Camila that she owed a duty to the Soul Society, but it wasn't that bad. Was it? 

Celes, being fixated on Camila, would notice how her hand was slowly descending to the pommel of her blade. This meant a number of things to Celes. Was Camila truly ready to fight her way through this? "I apologize for shouting there, Celes. I mean nothing against you by doing so. In fact, while I don't come with information, I come with a proposal; let's leave. Surely you've had those who have wronged you? Those who make you want to throw everything behind and run with it? Well, let's capitalize on that and run away from Soul Society; together. Just you and I, looking to take on the world together!"

Now this is where Celes raised an eyebrow. Camila wanted her to join her in rebelling against the Soul Society? Going rogue? In truth, this isn't the first time that Celes had made heard this kind of proposal. When she had originally met Shizuka and Celes wanted to learn from her, Shizuka did mention to her that she would most likely be seen as a traitor to the Soul Society. That she would be possibly hunted down. Breathing calmly, but a little taken aback, she gave Camila a melancholy look. She had just attained a higher rank in the Gotei 13. Vice Captaincy. Could she really throw this all away? 

It seemed that Celes would soon be given a choice. Camila continued to speak. "I'd very much like to spend the time in your company, Celes. Please don't think otherwise. That being said, though..." As she drew her sword and held it to her side, the look on Celes' face could only be seen as one of betrayal. Camila dared raise her sword against her? Vice Captaincy aside, she would raise her hand against a friend? Someone who had taken her in and attempted to mentor her. Celes gritted her teeth as she relaxed herself. She would draw her sword immediately as she promised to hear Camila out before she herself would speak. 

"Please don't think for a minute that even if you disagree, and decide not to take this golden opportunity, that I'm not going to still go through with this. And please keep in mind that none of this is against you. You truly are the only Shinigami I can say that I still trust through all of this. I don't want this to be the end of a friendship between us, but if that's what needs to happen..." As Camila's sword was now pointed at Celes, it would be clear to her that something had to give here. Either Celes' dedication to the Soul Society or her friendship to Camila. "Then so be it." 

Celes just sighed and once again, relaxed her stance to prepare in case Camila was going to throw any attack against her. Celes then spoke in a calm manner. "Camila...I would caution you against raising your sword against me. I've notified Uzaki Enterprises that I was meeting with you today. In case something would go wrong in our conversation. Now, not only do I find that you are looking to rebel against the Soul Society, but you are also threatening me? Have you truly gone mad?!" Celes voice would be filled with sorrow and a bit of anger as she felt that this was the ultimate betrayal.

She would continue to speak. "You really expect me to just give up what I've worked so hard for. I'm a Vice Captain, Camila. Both you and I have pledged our souls to the Soul Society. Purifying Hollows and making the world better. Then you meet an Espada who beats you to a bloody pulp and then you rationalize that as friendship? I'm sorry, but that seems ridiculous to me." Celes sighed and slowly drew one of her Zanpakutou. Breathing out just as calmly as her stance was demonstrating, her voice was breaking a little at this point. "I'm sure you expect me to attempt to slash you down? To murder you in the name of the Soul Society. After all, you would be a threat knowing what you know about the Society and just being allowed to walk free." 

The Shinigami at this point tried to keep her cool. Duty demanded that she stop Camila. Honor demanded that she raise her blade against what was obviously an opponent. After all, Camila made the first aggressive move and in her past statements, Celes made clear that she was not willing to step down from the Soul Society. Yet...she just couldn't attack a friend. Someone whom she looked at as a younger sister. With her strength, Celes pushed her Zanpakutou into the ground. With a heavy heart, she began to speak in a rather melancholy tone.

"Honor demands I defend myself. My position in the Soul Society demands that I assess you as a threat. Though I do not share these same grievances about the Soul Society so I am unable to join you in this Camila. That being said.." Celes would at this point turn around, showing her back to Camila. "You are left with three options. Either return back to the Soul Society and we can find a way to fix this. Stab me in the back and leave me for dead so there will be no trace of your absence. Or let me live, but as you said, our friendship dies with it. I will leave it up to you. Though it seems that you've already scratched off one of of those choices. So I wonder what you will do." 

[Deleted]

"You are left with three options. Either return back to the Soul Society and we can find a way to fix this. Stab me in the back and leave me for dead so there will be no trace of your absence. Or let me live, but as you said, our friendship dies with it. I will leave it up to you. Though it seems that you've already scratched off one of of those choices. So I wonder what you will do." So, this was it. Camila had just been given an ultimatum. Realizing this, she closed her eyes. "Three choices, huh?" She took a second to slow her breathing, before glancing around the area.

"Celes," she said, "it's truly unfortunate that it had to come to this. I didn't want something like this to happen between us. That said, I can't go back. I'm not going to go back. If you're going to take my distaste for that corrupt organization as a personal attack, then so be it, Celes. I'm not going to talk down to you for formulating your own opinion. I expect you to do the same for me. If you're looking to kill the bond we'd formed together..." With that, she gripped her blade tightly.

Camila stared at Celes, her eyes continuing to water, and her body trembling. After everything she'd been through with her friend, she hated to see everything end like this. Holding her blade at her side, she used her free hand to wipe her cheek with her thumb. "...Then I hope we can be friends in the next life." Camila sheathed her blade, and turned away from the Shinigami. "I'm sorry for putting you through all of this, Celes. I truly am. I'd hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me sometime down the line."

With that, she prepared to set out, though couldn't find the will to move away from the situation. Truth be told, her friendship with Celes was quite literally the only thing holding her back from leaving. She'd felt that she was making the wrong choice, but at the same time the right one. It was a confusing mess for her, to say the least; while it wasn't something she inherently wanted, she knew that this was the only way that she'd be able to pursue greater paths in her own life.

"So, I guess this is goodbye?" Camila said, despite facing away from the girl, "just know that I hope the day never comes where we have to raise our blades against one another. I don't think I could truly do so. Though, Celes..." She paused for a moment, before resuming after contemplation. "I'll miss you." With those final words spoken, Camila walked out into the night, doing what she could to press through the raw emotion, the tears, and her regret for making a decision like the one she had.

[Celes Castellanos]

As Celes stood there, with her back facing Camila, she was actually half expecting Camila to do the deed. It would make the most logistical sense after all. Sure, Camila would have the potential death or assault of a Vice Captain pinned on her, but she could dissapear without much of a trace. On that note, however, Celes would hear Camila speak."it's truly unfortunate that it had to come to this. I didn't want something like this to happen between us. That said, I can't go back. I'm not going to go back. If you're going to take my distaste for that corrupt organization as a personal attack, then so be it, Celes. I'm not going to talk down to you for formulating your own opinion. I expect you to do the same for me. If you're looking to kill the bond we'd formed together..."

This is when Celes expected it to happen. After all, Celes would give no resistance. This was simply a test. One to see if Camila really had it in her to cut her former ties. But Celes was met with half disappointment and half relief. Hearing the sheathing of a sword, Celes breathed calmly as she listened to Camila. It would be at this point she would begin facing Camila once more. "...Then I hope we can be friends in the next life." At this point it was clear to Celes. Despite being a member of the Soul Society and choosing to remain one, Camila still wanted to be friends with Celes. Though at this point...was it still a possibility? 

Yet despite the past few days, Camila would seem to offer her apologies to Celes. "I'm sorry for putting you through all of this, Celes. I truly am. I'd hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me sometime down the line." Celes' eyes narrowed as she peered at Camila. After all, she was effectively just letting her go. Celes would have to decide whether to write up a report about this situation or whether to just let it go and allow Camila to seek her own path. In some ways, even despite her loyalty to the Soul Society, Celes still believed in free will and part of her couldn't drag Camila back in chains, to be looked at like some animal. Sometimes the path to victory involved no bloodshed whatsoever and Celes was not about to start now. 

Watching Camila turn her back to her, it seemed that this was not all that Camila had left to say. "just know that I hope the day never comes where we have to raise our blades against one another. I don't think I could truly do so. Though, Celes..." Despite her being a tactical and brutal combatant, these next few words would utterly disarm Celes. "I'll miss you." Celes couldn't say anything in response. What could she say that would make amends to the situation. With a sigh and allowing Camila to walk into the night, Celes grabbed her Zanpakutou and drew it from the ground. Just before sheathing it, Celes would slide it through the air almost as if it were a key. While the air before her rippled, she would proceed to sheath her Zanpakutou. Walking through it, Celes was met with the sheer darkness of the Dangai.

As she did her best to make it through quickly, Celes would end up near the Squad 10 Barracks. She definitely needed this time to relax and quite frankly, she was not sure if she would ever recover. An eternity was a long time to reminisce about Camila and how Celes could have stopped all this from happening. Where did she go wrong? It ate away at her, but she would need to tread on. Walking through the Barracks slowly before she got to her office, Celes was met with the well-lit ambience of her office. Placing her Zanpakutou near a couch, she proceeded to lay down and close her eyes, wanting to get some rest.

Though it seemed that rest would not find her yet. In fact, Celes found herself in her inner world. Just as before, it was still a split realm and Celes looked around frantically. She was sitting under a tree as she heard rustling in a branch just above her. With a sudden jump, Yunorashi was hanging from the branch looking at Celes with her childlike grin. She couldn't help, but giggle as she looked at Celes. The Shinigami just wondered why she was here. How she was drawn into her inner world. Could Yunorashi really feel the sorrow that plagued her soul? Was she here to comfort Celes?

Before Celes had another moment to think, Yunorashi would speak. "You know, I'm not suprised that she decided to leave. After all, from what I caught of that conversation, she really wasn't happy here. Yet...there is one thing that does make me feel puzzled." Celes looked at Yunorashi with confusion. "What do you mean Yunorashi?" Her Zan spirit giggled and spoke rather plainly. "Well you have her no resistance. In fact, you were willing to sacrifice your body to prove a point. You were willing to give your life. Why?" Of course Yunorashi knew the answer, but she wanted Celes to get there of her own volition.

As Celes pondered for a moment she sighed and chuckled. "Well. Who am I to enforce myself or the will of the Soul Society upon another sentient soul. I may be the Vice Captain, but bringing her back or even killing her did not feel right..." Celes thought about it more, visibly pondering. "Sometimes...direct combat and bloodshed may not be the only way to disarm or defeat an opponent. We have to go about this both strategically and sensibly. If we don't follow our hearts and simply obey orders, then how can we ever prove to be different from that which we seek to defend the world from." Yunorasi just smiled at her response. 

Giving Celes a rather serene smile, Yunorashi would then follow up. "I didn't think I'd ever see the day where you would choose to give in to ideas such as that. Here I thought that we would force anything into submission." She smiled, obviously teasing the Shinigami. As she stood up and Celes looked at her, Yunorashi just giggled and tapped her on the forehead before finishing her final thought. "Keep on this path Celes. We will find greater avenues of strength together. Then maybe we can bring her back into the fold. Don't lose hope and never forget. I am with you...always." 

This comment got a smiling reaction out of Celes. She was very fond of Yunorashi. Not just as her Zan spirit, but as a sort of mentor. After all, the only one who knew Celes as well as she did herself was Yunorashi and nobody could ever take that away from her. Though as Yunorashi finished and tapped her forehead, Celes would feel her vision waver once more. As she woke up frantically, Celes looked around. She was in her office just as before and sighed in relief. Was this just a dream? No. It felt too real and Yunorashi may have dragged her in to talk. Nonetheless, Celes felt a bit better as she then laid back down and closed her eyes, enjoying the rest that she had earned. 

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

I don't see literally any training having occurred in this thread. It appears to be just a series of conversations. A Social. It's a heartfelt, greatly character developing thread, but I can't logically give it Joint Training status. Interested to see where it goes from here though. Especially once Camila's desertion is reported and/or discovered by someone else.