Lost Lamb

[Satoshi Fuuko]

Fuuko nodded, eager to get things going. She was glad everyone else was too, but there was something nagging at her. A thought that was tickling the back of her head. She inhaled and looked at Kaen as he asked if they had anything of Kazuhiko's. Fuuko shrugged.

"I didn't think I was gonna need anything like that." She stated with an annoyed furrow of her brow. "But I can stop by his barrack and grab somethin. I mean..." She rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "I already kicked the door in, so it shouldn't take long. Heh." She then glanced away from the two of them. "I, uh... need ta stop by my place too, just real quick."

She looked at Kaen. "So, I'll meetcha at the squad two barracks then, right? We're talkin to the captain? I'm sure you can show me." She was more reaffirming than asking. "Anyway, thanks! again. Honestly... I don't think I can ever repay ya." Fuuko lowered her head in a bow to Kaen and then pivoted.

"See ya soon, Sis!" She said as she hopped past Iroka and then bent her knees into a crouch. With a grin, she turned and swatted Iroka on the butt and then disappeared as she shunpo'd off, leaving only a fading image and lingering cackle.

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen sighed deeply as Fuuko departed, and glanced at Iroka. "Kimiko's Zanpakuto takes the form of a pack of wolves. They have incredibly keen senses, including smell. If it's only been a day, I expect they'll be able to pick up Kazuhiko's trail very easily as long as they can get Kazuhiko's scent. Might not be a lot if he's out of Soul Society, but it'll cross an item off our list. If he's in Soul Society, Kimiko will know. If he's not, then that leaves the Human World and Hueco Mundo. And I have a contact that can confirm or cross off the Human World too." Kaen stated, heading down the hall. He smiled at Iroka.

"You seem to understand the gravity of the situation better than she does. I'm counting on you. I know I can't stop her without physically restraining her. And that won't do any of us any good. I think she'll listen to you though. More than she will to me. Good luck. I'll meet up with both of you soon." He stated, beginning to move ahead of Iroka. "I'm going to make for the second division and see if I can't get things started." A quick sigh. "Oh man... This is going to be an awkward conversation..." This would probably be the first time Kaen had spoken with Kimiko since their all out war in the Squad 7 training grounds, that had ended with Kaen leaving a solid blood trail that could have doubled as road lines from the Seventh to the Fourth Division, while Kimiko had been left unconscious and near crippled in the sands.

Still. Kaen had to do it. He couldn't let an awkward conversation stay between himself and another person's safety. He'd just have to deal with it, and hope Kimiko was in a talkative mood with her former Vice Captain.

[Munemasa Iroka]

Iroka jumped reflexively, a yelp emanating from her lips as she felt and heard the report of the slap on her backside. She spun, a protest on her lips, but Fuuko had already taken her exit. She gave an exasperated snort, as she regained her composure. Fuuko could really be childish at times. But then, she was manageable, as far as Iroka was concerned. She had met worse people, and none of them had been as friendly towards her as Fuuko. Iroka could always somehow sense that they had ulterior motives (she wasn't sure what those were). Fuuko, for all her lack of awareness of personal space, was forthright.

As Kaen began speaking, the orange haired Shinigami turned her attention towards him. The captain of the Second Division seemed to have an interesting zanpakutou. Iroka wondered idly whether these wolves were physical entities with blood, muscles and nerves. If so, she would very much like to examine them, though she was sure that the Captain might not approve. Well, the second best thing was to see the technique in action. It did sound like a rather useful ability, though. Iroka suddenly realized that the Seventh Division Vice Captain was smiling at her. She returned the gesture, though a bit uncertainly.

Even though Kaen was reiterating what her major task would be if the two Yonbantai Shinigami entered Hueco Mundo, Iroka already knew that this was the only reason she was coming: to try to ensure that Fuuko did not do anything that would ensure her death. "Good luck to you as well, Kaen-sama," she replied. "I'm sure we'll all need it." She allowed the Vice Captain to move on ahead of her, as it seemed she would be a third wheel if she followed him to the Second Division. There was also something else she had to do.

Because, why did it feel like Fuuko was going to do something she would advise against?

[Kitai Yoru]

Satoshi Fuuko: 38 Paragraphs, one 30% bonus towards a thread with Kaen or Iroka
Kaen Youji: 23 Paragraphs, one 20% bonus towards a thread with Satoshi or Iroka
Munemasa Iroka: 26 Paragraphs, one 20% bonus towards a thread with Kaen or Satoshi