East Egg Encounters: Azumi and Sozen [R, Closed Social]

[Azumi Kasumi'Oji]

Quintessential Sozen. Azumi could see her longtime friend's hand in every aspect of the new Kuchiki Estate, and she hadn't even set foot inside. The pair had shared a bottle of wine the other night to celebrate her return and catch up on immediate business matters, but that had taken place in some small, extraneous Kuchiki property located conveniently close to the Squad 12 Barracks where Azumi spent most of her day. The massive estate - scratch, that, the massive complex (inferiority complex, probably. Kuchikis...) looming before her simply screamed Sozen Kuchiki. Its gaudiness would feel suffocating to a plebian. Azumi just cocked an eyebrow at it.


In fairness, it was rather impressive. The estate bristled with an almost military sense of ostentation, distinctive carvings etched across every inch of the walls which appeared constructed from a special, overwhelmingly expensive alloy of gold, rare earth metals, and other esoteric materials Azumi hadn't seen since her time in the pre-Kouhai Squad 12 Barracks. Those carvings, quite obviously the painstaking work of hundreds of master artisans, positively dripped with more
gold filigree than an art museum. Expensive gems, particularly rubies, studded every distinct point or node on the etchings.


Beneath the surface, Azumi sensed impressive spiritual defenses, perhaps the work of Kyomei Kuchiki and his fellows. It would take all of the Vandenreich to breach these walls without tactical intel, and she wondered what strange and malicious sorts of traps Sozen had thrown in there for the unwary, what secrets he might have lying in wait, how many lies he had sown among his own people to ensure that the spies of other families or factions would dash themselves against the rocks. Not very high-tech, but definitely the ideal of "Shinigami defenses", which is what Sozen would want unless something had seriously changed in Azumi's absence.


Azumi had enjoyed the walk here. She carried a book, of course. Human world literature, "Against the Day", something above Sozen's current readings just to piss him off. Well, 40% to piss him off. 60% it was a pretty fantastic book. Between his inability to keep himself from overscheduling, the duties of clan leadership, and raising his children, she doubted he'd kept up with his reading. The walk from Seireitei proper had taken almost half an hour, with quite a bit of that consumed by crossing the massive open space Sozen had cleared around the Kuchiki Estate for the sake of making it look cool. Sorry, accentuating its magnificence. She stood there outside the main gate, patiently reading, knowing that Sozen Kuchiki would undoubtedly have some sort of overwhelmingly expensive, gaudy, visually spectacular welcome planned for his old friend Azumi Kasumi'Oji.

[Sozen Kuchiki]

SPOILER: Click to show

{This song to start my post}

Sozen's eyes were closed within the confines of something far more sinister than his manor. Leagues beneath his manor, in the dungeons few knew about, fewer left freely from, and many felt their throats come aghast with screams within, Sozen was present. Sitting cross legged there, in simple black silk pants, and no shirt, Sozen's eyes were closed as he rested in a meditated position. And yet, despite his relaxing position, he was not relaxed. He was training in a completely different way.

Sweat poured off of his muscular torso. Athletic as he was, this was no easy task. How could it be? Reiatsu flowed around him constantly, showing that he was keeping up his aura, though few would feel it because of his presence in the dungeons. The aura wasn't the struggle either, though. It was his attempt at reaching for something more in his aura. In his mind, he could visualize himself in his own inner world, chasing after some kind of cloaked figure, but unable to catch it. The figure only looked back and sneered.

In his mind, he could also visualize himself trying to pull a different kind of essence from his own soul, and his own heart. Trying to manifest something new into the world, in his aura. And so, once in a while, his aura which was red like blood would momentarily turn putrid black, and the malevolence would be so intense that even the mightiest of all the Espada would have something to fear and be daunted by. And all the while, there was a voice in Sozen's mind, speaking the same phrase. Don't you remember how it feels...?

Ah, no matter. Regardless of training, Sozen was good with punctuality and keeping track of time. He realized that he had delayed himself ever so slightly, and so allowed his aura to dissipate, and opened his red eyes. He had business to attend to. A meeting, in other words. It took a few moments before Sozen was able to stand, so draining was this exercise. He had to pause after standing to catch his breath, and in the meantime, evaluate himself. Aka, are you alright? Sozen asked his precious Zanpakuto spirit.

I will need a few hours before I can once again assist you, but otherwise I am fine, Sozen's lovely Zanpakuto spirit returned to him. But he knew that she was not fine. This power which he was developing was far above the ordinary Soul Reaper level, and far more dangerous to both the user and the enemy than was recommended for anyone to ever dare cross into. But, if they were going to fight increasingly stronger enemies, such as Kuroi or the Vandenreich, this power was necessary.

Sozen soon left the dungeon, washed himself, and dressed in proper attire. This was essentially a black tuxedo with a white frilled shirt, black tie, and impeccably polished black shoes to match it. His buttons on the tuxedo were gold, and he also had a gold brooch on the chest of the outfit. In his hand, he carried a book he hadn't had much time to follow up on, but had nearly completed now. A relic of the human world, Howzard Zinn's A People's History of The United States was interesting in itself to Sozen, who had recently delved more into other human world cultures besides the Asian continent.

And so, as his childhood friend arrived, Sozen could be seen greeting her. As Azumi was permitted through to the front entrance of the Kuchiki Manor, she would find Sozen calmly awaiting her, standing at the front entrance, waiting. With him was an enormous gray wolf he kept as a pet, and wandering around in the manor behind him, clearly visible through the open door, was an enormous lion, three times the size of an ordinary one, also wandering around. Sozen did have many extravagant things.

As Azumi approached, Sozen and his wolf moved to meet her, and he smiled a haunting smile as they came within speaking distance. "It is certainly good to see you again," Sozen greeted. "Long lost Head of the Kasumi'Oji Family, Azumi..." he greeted her with an almost mocking title, simply out of playfulness. As children, they had often discussed what would happen in a familial clash, albeit teasingly. A clash in actuality was unlikely between the four noble houses. If they were to go to war, it would be in subtle ways.

Worth mentioning, hooked on Sozen's front pocket, a pair of black rimmed rectangular shaped glasses which he himself did not even notice were there.

[Azumi Kasumi'Oji]

Stepping through the gates, Azumi felt an overwhelming number of Reiatsu signatures, concealed by the manor’s security measures, rush out and assault her energy sensory. So many old souls that she hadn’t seen or spoken to in centuries, and so many more that she didn’t recognize… dead friends and mentors woven together into children, students, and a supersaturation of emotional content permeating the grounds. Whatever Sozen had done with the Kuchiki had worked; he had truly built a clan to remember, a massive, almost militaristic extended family unit that commanded the most power of any one group in Seireitei. Azumi wondered sometimes about the possibilities of restoring the old Kasumi’Oji leaders from their stored souls in the Garden, growing them new bodies and implanting the souls. She had admittedly already begun one such experiment, but that would take time to bear results…

Naturally, Sozen approached her with one of those oversized animals designed by some old Kasumi’Oji leader long ago. Azumi remembered a lazy childhood day spent reading the papers that had first discussed engineering these creatures. She’d found quite a few errors, dropped investigatory threads, and preferable courses of study to those detailed by the authors in the conclusion, but she couldn’t blame people for falling short before her scientific standards. Even then, she’d known that such behavior would lead to a miserable life.

"It is certainly good to see you again," Sozen greeted. "Long lost Head of the Kasumi'Oji Family, Azumi..." Azumi grinned at that, a rare honest and unbridled smile from the noblewoman that spent her days carefully analyzing and calculating every expression and communication. It was different around her childhood friend, though. The duo had a more extensive history of pointless needling than most Middle Eastern nations. “’Long lost’? Ah. You people did miss me.” Azumi noted Sozen’s choice of book approvingly. “Howard Zinn, Sozen? Adorable…” Habitual chuckle. “Will need to borrow that when you finish, though, if only for corrections.”

Before Sozen could respond (unless he used his full physical speed for a conversation? Possible, Azumi saw him do it a couple times before… they’d once left a target helplessly drunk, then convinced him his perception of time was being manipulated by some sort of strange Hollow art. Fun, profit, etc.), Azumi, noticing the massive lion looming on the other side of the courtyard, would flash step across to inspect the beast. “Magnificent,” she murmured, reaching out to stroke its fur. The animals around the Kuchiki household generally recognized her as an ally, and she wasn’t worried about protecting herself.

As Azumi stroked the lion’s fur, she would turn her head to speak with Sozen. “Gods around, Sozen. Leave for a couple centuries, everything goes to hell. Kurotsuchi, Azeru, Sonken, and Sayuri all dead or worse, dozens of Captains dead, Shihoin and my family tried to revolt, Seireitei’s strength gutted, Quincies and Akki rampaging across all three worlds, nobody but you and Kawada running the place… What happened?” Azumi did have her own hypothesis, but she wanted to see what Sozen had to say first. She had a business proposition for him, a remix of the way the duo used to run the show together. Seireitei deserved a better class of oligarch, and Azumi intended to give it to them…

[Sozen Kuchiki]

Sozen noted Azumi's first remark, referring to the book by Howard Zinn as adorable. As expected, she had maintained a personality with which he could interact. Well, of course. It was no fun at parties without someone to banter and gossip with, and it was even less fun when people didn't know the social cues of the nobility. For instance, Shade or Kenryoku. To place no value whatsoever in courtesy was what caused their reputation to suffer. Then again, some people liked that. Last Sozen heard, Shade was having an affair with a Spanish Quincy...

"Adorable?" Sozen repeated with a coy smile in response to Azumi's first comment. "I can't quite agree...The dissonance of opinion in the human world is quite distressing. They might destroy themselves, you know. That would be terrible for us, no matter how amusing." He was obviously going to let her borrow the book later, but first he wanted to finish it himself. Sozen laid the book down in the hands of one of his nearby servants, who took it away. The benefits of nobility. Servants. Then again, Sozen made sure they were treated like nobility themselves, in a way. It was, after all, good to be the 1%.

Azumi's disappearance to gaze upon one of Sozen's lions didn't come as a surprise. Indeed, it had been a project he recalled she'd held interest in. She'd left before completion, though, and it had been left to Kurotsuchi to finish it for Sozen's brother, the previous Head, Onuya. Sozen had been thrilled to have giant lions upon his return to the Kuchiki family, nearly two years ago. Was it coincidence that Azumi had returned relatively soon after Sozen? Or was it fate, telling their enemies that doom was near?

"I'm glad you like it," Sozen said as Azumi admired the animal. "It could not have been done without your help. If you'd like, we can have an animal of your own choosing presented to you later, and we of course will pay for it. Consider it a return gift." Oh, that was another thing about nobility. Gifts. They were always giving one another extravagant gifts, even though they all had the money to get these things themselves. Hey, a gift is a gift. As discovered by mingling with some of the other nobles, Sozen found few of them had actual taste, anyway. They were glad for his gifts. Especially Kenryoku and Shade.

Azumi was speaking then about some of those lost. Azeru Cho, Sozen had never known. Sozen had left before Azumi, and his centuries abroad had started before Azeru Cho was even out of the academy. Possibly before Azeru Cho was even in the academy. But he had known Kurotsuchi. A criminal condemned to the Maggot's Nest, whom later Sozen heard by rumor had become a Captain. Funny how that worked. Bokuga Sayuri, a sadistic monster, Sozen had also known a little bit, though he'd been genuinely pleased later to hear such a genius had become a Captain, and displeased later to learn of Sayuri's disappearance.

Sonken Kouhai, on the other hand, Sozen had known quite well. He had been Sozen's junior in the academy. When Sozen had been a fourth year, Sonken Kouhai had been a first year. And how unusual it had been as well. Sonken Kouhai, a child by any standards. Sozen himself had been exceptionally young in the academy, but Kouhai had been even younger, only the physical age of around nine. He'd been exceptionally talented. Sozen had even mentored him a little, and had taken him on missions after they'd both graduated.

Sozen had always recognized the brilliance and potential behind Sonken Kouhai. And even then, he had understood Sonken Kouhai would one day be a man to be feared. But, Kouhai had a timid nature, and he had never expected him to become who he was today. The timid man, who loved his mother beyond all things, and who wanted only to make her proud, had been content to spend centuries as an eighth seat, and then later to spend time as a Lieutenant. All while holding more power than the average Captain.

Power-wise, it was no surprise that Kouhai had become the King of Las Noches. Personality-wise, Sozen could not help but wonder how that timid child had become the King of Las Noches, capable of subjugating all of those Espada, and other Arrancar. He'd even heard rumors of horrible monsters called Akki who had begun to reside there as well. One such monster, a demonic beast calling itself Grimoire Acero, had done a great deal of damage to Sozen's cousin. A crime which would not be forgiven.

Azumi broke Sozen's thoughts, however, by suggesting something unusual. Nobody but you and Kawada running the place... was what she said.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Now we start music}

"Me...and Kawada...?" Sozen asked, emphasizing the and to stress how ludicrous the notion was that any part of the rule was shared by the Kawadas. "Are you quite so certain?" And for a moment, Sozen's coy smile became something closer to that of a demon. Behind amused, yet menacing crimson eyes, and a smile to be dreaded by even the strongest of the Vandenreich, there was Sozen Kuchiki. And for a moment, his reiatsu could be felt, as if he was anticipating a conflict with someone.

Azumi might, at that moment, become privy to the feeling of Sozen's reiatsu. It had matured from what she had known before. It had become refined. Because Sozen had become stronger than ever before. Servants who were nearby backed away upon sensing Sozen's reiatsu flux even a little bit, understanding how dangerous he was. And...the level his reiatsu was at. He had become powerful. None of the Captains had the same level of reiatsu as Sozen did. He was unique among the Captains.

Suddenly, a hawk dove down onto the ground nearby to snatch up a mouse that had been running through the grass nearby. Seeking prey, it dove down, only to find a horror awaiting it. Immediately, the lion near Azumi turned with a snarl, and in a single, graceful motion, so fast as to be a blur even to a Soul Reaper's eyes, the lion grabbed a hold of the hawk in its mouth and crunched down on it in one bite. These things, aside from being bigger, had a much more voracious appetite than normal lions.

And, that speed...had it used some form of a flash step? As it came back down onto all fours, blood dripping from its mouth, Sozen spoke. "Anyway, the Soul Society is stronger than ever before, dear Azumi. The recent difficulties were all tests, and we passed them. You've come back at a good time. You've arrived just in time to see our counterattack." She had arrived to see the retribution which would be faced by their enemies, from the Vandenreich to Las Noches. And behind it all, there lay the crimson eyes of the crimson king.

[Azumi Kasumi'Oji]

Ah, Sozen. Flaring his reiatsu, which had grown quite impressive, to scare a mouse out of the bushes, luring in that hawk for the lion to kill. “You time your metaphors well,” she chuckled, laughing as much at the silliness of the Kawada’s pretensions to power as at Sozen’s orchestration. The Kuchiki lion devouring the Kawada hawk… Nobody grew any phoenixes these days. How many centuries had passed since great creatures flew Seireitei’s skies? Azumi wondered about selling them to the Kawada or, perhaps, designing animals for the Shinigami to deploy in battle. A dragon for the Kasumi’Oji… Just imagine, a Seireitei filled with mythological creatures.

Azumi wished she shared his certainty in the strength of Seireitei. Perhaps spending time with the Zero Division, fighting alongside Urahara, and… well, and everything involving Monarch had skewed her perception of power. The current crop of captains might outclass its predecessors by some margin, but Las Noches had grown in leaps and bounds, and Soul Society’s enemies had only multiplied. Seireitei was powerful, yes. But it was hamstrung by feuding nobility, old-world traditions of racism and inflexibility, and a lack of technological modernization.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Music}

“Sozen, I’ve run the numbers.” Azumi expected that her friend would trust her calculations – immaculate and perfect, as always. “This war ends, all of us dead, the moment Kouhai starts actively capitalizing on the Emperor’s offensives. We both know he’s that smart.” Azumi held up a hand before Sozen could begin to speak. “Yes, the Zero Division could help us. Can’t lean on them forever. Weird happenings around the galaxy.” She shook her head. “Need to clean up Seireitei. Update. Empower.”

Azumi turned away from the lion, giving Sozen a serious look. “Jinbei’s birdies might pale beside you, Sozen, but I’ve been digging. Kawada men tailed me and Okami earlier. Involved in the rebellions somehow. They came for Shihoin, then for Kasumi’Oji…” She trailed off a moment. Sozen could fill in the rest. “You can fend them off, but not at the same time as Kouhai and Quincies, and they will strike at our weakest moment.”

Azumi began to pace around the courtyard. “Remember the old days, Sozen? Remember how we orchestrated everything, moved the pieces around, planned out whole decades of conflict and collaboration?” She smiled at the recollection. “The world has changed, but our combined ability to gut whoever gets in our way hasn’t. I have a… business arrangement to propose to you.”

She turned to Sozen. “You control Seireitei’s military movements in all but name. I can access and manipulate more of Earth’s criminal networks than anyone else in Soul Society. I engineer collaborations, you engineer competitions. I set up targets to test Seireitei’s strength against and turn them against our enemies, you use them as target practice for our military. Earth is growing strong and technologically advanced. I can control and steer that growth, making it all the easier for us to knock down if and when the time comes.”

Azumi stepped toward Sozen, extending a hand to shake. “I’ve fallen behind in strength, but I can catch up quickly. I’m already gathering the Kasumi’Oji together, rebuilding the family. If we work together, we can make Seireitei literally the greatest it’s ever been, a new golden age of technological advancement, influence, and power. Nobody would ever be a threat to the Kuchiki or the Kasumi'Oji again.” She cocked an eyebrow at the Kuchiki head, glancing down at her extended hand. “So what do you say?”

[Sozen Kuchiki]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Play this}

Sozen liked the idea of further empowerment, but still he exhaled. Yes, empowerment was good. It was the right choice, and her idea was good. The smile never left Sozen's face as he took a few steps back and leaned against a railing behind him, which fenced in beautiful flowers that could not be found anywhere but the Kuchiki gardens. His cool hands rested on the deceptively cold metal of the golden bar, and his fingers tapped ever so lightly, in some sort of a beat that only the most musically informed would recognize.

"At least in concerning Jinbei Kawada, I do wish you wouldn't underestimate me like that," Sozen said. "My pieces have already moved. The Kawadas will never be a threat." Sozen had already manipulated the game. He had been aware that it might be Jinbei's machinations which led to the disgraces of the other families, and that the Kuchikis would have remained untouched because of Jinbei's long term friendship with Ginrei. That said, Sozen and Jinbei were not on good terms, and thus Sozen had no problem with not returning the favor.

In fact, he had already moved all his pawns into place. While before Sozen had appeared, Jinbei Kawada's scheming had done well, Sozen's entry into the game had ended all of Jinbei's progress. Here was a Kuchiki Head who knew how to play better than those rusty elders at that antiquity of a round table in the manor. And now...the Kawadas...had come to a sudden dead end in their growth. What previously had been monumental and continued growth was now stagnation, and eventual, slow decline. But it would pick up pace soon. The last cracks were already forming, according to Sozen's plan.

"As for the rest of your proposal, I do like it," Sozen said. "However, I would like to disagree that we would die should Sonken Kouhai take advantage of our war. My spies indicate that Las Noches is in the middle of its own war, with a tyrannical super Arrancar they are calling Amoguerra." That was the recent news from all three worlds. Threats presenting themselves simultaneously. In Soul Society, it was the Vandenreich. In the human world, it was a demonic presence calling itself Lord Discord. In Hueco Mundo, Las Noches was under siege by Amoguerra. Sozen had even heard the Arrancar had sought out Satsujun's assistance in dealing with it.

When Sozen took steps away from the railing, and walked toward Azumi, it was with something different from when he had walked years earlier. Sozen in his youth had always projected confidence and power, but here, when walking, he had all the more. It was an aura of enigmatic self assurance. There was something off about it. Something unreadable. As if Sozen were hiding things. And he was. Sozen was hiding many details from the world. Approaching Azumi, he looked at her, and in such a way as to knock the breath out of most who saw him, not because of his attractiveness, but because of his intensity.

Sozen's gaze was intense. Only a couple of feet from Azumi, it would feel as if he had reached out to cup her chin in his hand, and yet he did no such thing. It was because of this feeling, coupled with the actuality of the distance he kept, that his gaze was made all the more electric. It was like being naked, not physically, but emotionally. To be gazed at by Sozen was like being stripped of clothes, body, and reiatsu, and left only a soul in a tank to be gazed at. "I'll accept your proposal, Azumi," Sozen said calmly. "How do you propose we begin?"

[Azumi Kasumi'Oji]

OOC: Keep the music. It’s perfect, actually.

Azumi waited a moment while Sozen spoke. Seeing him energized like this fascinated her. Excepting the time at the Zero Division, it was rare for her to meet somebody that challenged her, that actually made her feel driven to keep pace like Sozen did. It was also nice to have a conversational companion who could During her time away, the Kuchiki head had grown into the strongest. Even the greatest of the Espada and Vandenreich would struggle against the Kuchiki head, to say nothing of the skill with which he commanded Seireitei’s combat resources. Azumi hadn’t gained power like Sozen had, but she had something arguably more useful, especially to her.

Where Sozen was the strongest, Azumi was the smartest. Azeru, Urahara, and Kouhai all set high standards, but she knew she could surpass their minds… and none of them had spent centuries researching with the Zero Division. The Shinigami may be angels, but the great minds of the Royal Guard’s research arm were outright gods, and Azumi had spent more time working intensely with them than Earth’s greatest had even spent alive. The experiments they had performed, the worlds they’d created…

Azumi intended to raise Seireitei to the ecstatic glories of those cosmic intellectual gods. It actually quite depressed her, the way they basically let a few talented scientists in Soul Society fiddle around with what seemed like major advances while hoarding all of the knowledge that they gained. Everything Azumi had learned before going there, all the incredible spiritual scientific truths that seemed so far beyond what Earth had, were barely even table scraps besides what the Zero Division knew.

In a sense, Azumi had bigger plans for the worlds than perhaps any other living being. The Royal Guard didn’t really give a shit, they were too busy making sure Parvulo Tutors didn’t punch Earth out of existence and dealing with other comparable matters. The Spirit King himself often seemed quite lost in thought, and besides, Azumi was the closest thing to an agent of the Royal Guard that Soul Society currently had except for the Captain Commander himself. To realize these plans, though, she needed to crush Seireitei’s enemies.

As he asked how she proposed to begin, the Kuchiki head stepped what was probably meant to be seductively close. Oh, well. Sozen’s proximity didn’t faze her. “First. Earth. With Redemption broken and Death-Sama dead, we steer the rise of those filling the power vacuum. Bount leader has potential. Make an alliance, bury the hatchet, make him strong and steer him against our enemies. Between Araidasu and my agents, we’ll control the underworld.” She paused a moment. “As to the corporate, we need a business partner. I can share data, get the Earthlings to start manufacturing weapons that can perform Konso and banish Hollows properly instead of making our jobs harder.”

Azumi raised three fingers. “Three candidates. One, Google. Drones, infrastructure, corporate god complex. Useful, but lacking an edge. Two, DARPA. Smart, disciplined, well-resourced, but…” A sly look. “Do you really trust the Americans? Anyway, three. Uzaki Enterprises. Dealt with the father. Very smart.” Strong words from Azumi. “Son’s a budding fullbringer. They have all the best of both other candidates, scope, ambition, all the rest. Make deals, share tech and data to win them over. Kouhai, Quincies, and Xcution can’t win hearts and minds like we can. We make Uzaki the corporate titan of the human world and use them as an instrument against our enemies.”

She turned away from Sozen and began to pace around the courtyard. “Second. Soul Society. Jinbei will never threaten us, but his pride will make him try. Wastes time and bodies. Cut off the head, install Kenryoku. More importantly, I need access to the Kasumi'Oji grounds. Old secrets, tools we could use.” She gave Sozen a meaningful look. “Old Kasus buried wild, powerful things in the Archives. Scary things. Things that win wars. Some of them started to get out, so as you know, the place is a haunted, quarantined mess right now. I can go clean up the grounds myself, and then we can start unleashing powers better left untouched, but I need the property back first.”

She continued to energetically pace around the courtyard. There was no stopping Azumi when she got into these states. “I’ll kick up Squad 12 activity, get the research really churning out good content and training better scientists instead of using it the way Sayuri did, as an apparatus for my own curiosities and poison manufacture. Our divisions should take over the prisons. Fits the skillsets. Not Maggot’s Nest, the real one, the one for bad Captains and real enemies. Maybe start a special war prison. Love Enma to death, but he can’t bury the bones he fetches like we can. Oh, and by the way. I picked up some fun prisoners for us to start working over recently. It could be our new project.”

This next one might surprise Sozen. “Third. Power. I definitely need to play catch-up on strength. We should start training together regularly. Develop new techniques. Stratagems. There’s no reason the two of us as a team shouldn’t be able to cut down the strongest Las Noches has to offer. I miss the days of the Blood Bonded. Let’s bring that back.” An amused fanaticism gleamed in her eyes. “The tricks I learned with the Zero Division… We could become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.”

“Soul Society slowed down badly, Sozen. Heard stories from the Guard. Read things I probably shouldn’t have. Back in the old days, before Kawada and Shiba burned all the books about this system, it was our families and the Shihoin running the show. Always a triumvirate. They’d call us Light, Dark, and Shadow. Kuchiki conquered war, Kasumi’Oji conquered peace, Shihoin conquered the space between. Everything went all sour in the past couple millennia. Racist fools in the upper echelons, poverty in Rukongai, disgusting lack of technology. Imagine how much more Soul Society could be.”

Now Azumi’s reiatsu flared. Not as powerful as Sozen’s, but scarier to some. Where Sozen projected assurance and strength, a sort of divine elevation beyond the weakness of the mortals, Azumi radiated hunger and ambition. Those who sensed her power would feel a sensation as if she wanted to skin their soul just to see what was inside. Sozen carried the power that people worshipped in their gods, but Azumi’s was the raw, savage fire that burned the first humans’ way into swords, shelter, and skyscrapers.


“We’re not feudal lords, Sozen. We’re not knights, or kings, or any of those broken shells of power that we bring with us from our human days. We’re angels. Let’s start acting the part.”

[Sozen Kuchiki]

Ahhh, she hadn't forgotten how to speak in large monologues. Azumi talked quite a lot. Often it was too much. That was part of what made her good to bring to other social events, because the other nobles were left silent while she was speaking. In one on one, it needed some work. Replying to each of her points in turn would make for too long winded a conversation. It was like attempting to verbally hold three conversations at once, which, while doable, was taxing, and also just not enjoyable. The Kuchiki Head would have to simplify this conversation a little bit, and then address everything one step at a time rather than all at once.

Sozen placed his finger to Azumi's lips softly as she was speaking, and he spoke himself. "One at a time, dear Azumi," Sozen said, commanding the conversation to simplify. "I can return your grounds to you, and work out the details of your family's basic restoration with the Central 46." One subject at a time. This was a complex issue in itself. The Kasumi'Oji were known traitors and criminals at this moment. It took the social acclaim possessed by the 29th Kuchiki Head, and higher power even still, if they wanted to give the acclaim back that the Kasumi'Oji had once had. Even then, it would be years before it was looked upon in the same way by other nobles, even when it had lands, titles, and deeds back in its name.

"However," Sozen continued to his old, childhood friend. "It would be foolish, even among old friends, to demand nothing in exchange. Even in the days of the Blood Bonded, I demanded a great deal of those who asked me for favors, if you'll recall..." In Sozen's mind, there was a brief flashback to a time when a lesser noble had asked him for mercy after being captured for the murder of a couple in the Rukon districts. Sozen, in kind, had severed the man's genitals, hands, feet, and tongue, and left him alive, and put him under surveillance. He had kept tabs as the man grew to about a seated officer level, planning revenge. And then, when they met once more, Sozen killed the man and all of the man's allies.

Sozen's menacing eyes narrowed on Azumi's, and he continued to smile. Oh, how could he not? He was happy to have a childhood friend return, but even moreso to be given the opportunity to barter with her. If there was one thing Sozen loved about the job of being Kuchiki Head, it was negotiating with the elders of his family, and with other nobles. It was one of his favorite parts of the job, because no matter who it was, it was Sozen who always got what he most wanted. All others may receive what they had wanted, but it wasn't for free. Nothing in this world was free. Despite the riches he had grown up with, Sozen understood this well.

"It goes without saying that I want unlimited access to Kasumi'Oji secrets and to the grounds themselves," Sozen told Azumi blatantly. "That much, you certainly expected. However, what I want of you more than anything is a favor from you." This too was part of a larger game. If Azumi were to go through with this deal with Sozen, she herself would gain some reputation and acclaim within the Central 46 and the rest of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. And, more importantly, Sozen would be able to gauge her power level, and would also have for himself a much desired subject in his dungeon of torture, within which the most sacred of information would be shared.

"I want an Espada, captured alive, and brought to me," Sozen said. "There is much I wish to ask of the Espada, in a secluded environment without any light, and without the frustration of battle or exhaustion." Sozen had encountered a few Espada, but never had ample opportunity. The Septima had been in a rage, and Sozen had had to practically kill him. The Espada had then escaped with Saigo No Houmen. The Cuarta had been a mindless berserker, incapable of actual conversation. The Segunda, Sozen would never have been able to interrogate. Not only would Kuroi never have broken even under torture, but Sozen was not powerful enough to win AND to achieve all he desired.

But, most importantly, it was a challenge. It was a test of Azumi's character, to see if she would rise to the occasion and accept. They would discuss all other things later, but for the moment, Sozen was focused on this much. He wanted to see what kind of a person Azumi had become, and if she would be willing and capable of bringing in an Espada for Sozen. So, looking at her, and smiling, Sozen spoke for confirmation. "What do you say, Azumi? Can you do it?" The Kuchiki had risen to become the most powerful of all the noble families long ago. But, since Sozen had taken them over, they had become their strongest ever. And it was clear to see why.

[Azumi Kasumi'Oji]

These conversations always behaved so strangely. Multiple threads emerging, monologues firing back and forth… Azumi indulged Sozen’s desire to slow the conversation, waiting while he stated his terms. She laughed a bit as he mentioned working out details with the Central 46. Sozen may as well be the Central 46, what with the overwhelming control he exerted over them. The rest of the terms certainly interested her. Classic Sozen, using a barter to manipulate someone in the direction he wanted, killing flocks with a stone in the process.

“You’ll get the access you want anyway, just ask me first. The Blood Bonded don’t keep secrets,” she joked. Azumi figured there would be no need for complication of power dynamics between the two, not when their partnership would soon be restored to its former glory. Pretty much everything he’d even want that access for would fall within their shared goals regardless, so Sozen was just bargaining hard as nobles tended to. “And of course I’ll bring you an Espada, Sozen. Anything for a friend.” Azumi spoke rather casually, but her mind raced under the surface. From what intel told her, none of the Espada but the high tiers would prove too troublesomefor her. Quinta or Sexta had more pull in Las Noches and might make better choices than the Cuarta, especially since Sozen had encountered Kalte Ignus in the past. Ideas already came to mind for new experiments she could test on those Arrancar, ways to leverage that battle to steer the flow of the war at large and manipulate allegiances. Oh, yes. She already had an idea. She would pull a stunt that would surprise even Sozen.

With that squared away, it was time to move the conversation on. “Now, then. Thoughts about the humans?”

[Sozen Kuchiki]

"The humans?" Sozen asked. "Indeed....there is the matter of the humans."

Several days later, Central 46 Meeting Room

"Preposterous," an old woman by the name Lisa Kuchiki said. A Kuchiki Elder, and thus a member of its main council, and not to mention now a member of the Central 46's highest ranks, Golden Five, spoke. Despite Sozen's standing, there were always those who opposed his ideas, even within the Kuchiki family. The Kuchiki Head had his opposition, but...Well, he did always have a way of getting his way. It was truly unfortunate to be meeting opposition here. They should have learned by now that it did them no good...

"Such involvement in the human world is unnecessary, foolishly wasteful, and certainly reckless. Your grandfather would never have approved of such a plan..." Lisa Kuchiki. Wife to Ginrei Kuchiki. Sozen's grandmother. While oftentimes on Sozen's side, and often ready and willing to give good advice, she did also hold one of the more conservative views of the Kuchiki family, and was very orthodox. She did often oppose many of Sozen's ideas. To make matters worse, she was vocal, and she was informed.

"We have looked into this 'Uzaki Enterprises,' and it is nowhere near compatible with our Soul Society, Sozen. I have no doubt that you as well have seen this much..." Lisa had a point in that Sozen did not believe Uzaki Enterprises to be the correct option. Azumi had suggested it, and the past couple of days, he had researched it in depth, and felt that it was not appropriate to ally with them. Rather, he would prefer interactions with a different organization he had begun to see surfacing. Regardless, Sozen was still going to get what he wanted out of this. His goal here was, in fact, not to advertise the humans.

"Tell me," Sozen requested. "Is your refusal of this alliance because you find it unwise, or because of your distrust of Azumi, and the Kasumi'Oji family to begin with?" Sozen was blunt, and to the point. To make matters more pressuring, Azumi was right there in the room with him. In fact, at the end of their last conversation, he had told her they should just have a bit of fun, which they had through some basic sparring, and put the conversation on hold for a bit. He had asked they take it to Central 46 first, to convince some of the Elders.

So, here they were, convincing these old coots to lighten up. They all looked taken aback by how blatant and honest Sozen chose to be before them, calling them out for their mistrust of the Kasumi'Oji Family. Their lack of trust was not misplaced, and had a foundation, but Sozen himself felt that even if Azumi were to betray them, which in itself was extremely unlikely, that he could contain it. But...that wouldn't even be necessary. It wasn't that she was trustworthy here, though she was. It was that their teamwork was so perfect that they could practically read one another's minds anyway.

"Indeed, I do not trust them," Lisa Kuchiki admitted. "And you understand that this is for good reason. The Kasumi'Oji family is ingrained in dozens of highly illegal activities. The Bakkoto, the black market, and worse. Their corruption and scandal come with a price, and part of that price is trust. You must understand this, yes? We would be fools to trust them again so easily, just because Azumi has returned. Sozen, you have made many unexpectedly wise choices as Kuchiki Head, but...You are still young...."

SPOILER: Click to show

{Music now}

Sozen's eyes fell upon Lisa immediately, cold, red, and yet still amused, but all the more menacing. Many had described in Sozen's youth how his gaze could haunt onlookers for the rest of their lives with nightmares of his stare alone. Menacing, malicious, and malevolent were the bloody rubies in the sockets of the mighty Kuchiki Head's skull. Regardless of being his respected grandmother, and a well contributing member of Soul Society and the Kuchiki Family, her challenge was not appreciated.

Sozen, for all the mirth and menace in his gaze, did not drop his smile, which only served to make it even more unsettling. Anyone in the room could feel the sudden drop in the temperature. It was as if it had grown a full fifteen degrees colder. For a moment, there could be no doubt. This was the man responsible for defeating the Vizards, numerous Espada, and the Ogatago. This was the man who could call himself the most legendary and lethal of all the living Thirteen Court Guard Squad Captains.

"I appreciate your honesty and your wisdom," Sozen told his grandmother. "However, I ask that you be reminded that my efforts in these past two years have given rise to a line-up of Captains that can face Las Noches and the Vandenreich simultaneously, and to a bureaucratic system which, for the first time in six generations, is efficient and continues to pass many laws and reforms to improve the Soul Society." It sounded great, but when looking around the room as Sozen was doing, one could see that his addressing the entirety of the room made what he said a threat, rather than a brag.

He was emphasizing that five Captains were Kuchikis, and more than one other high rank position as well. He was reminding them that they were efficient because of his nudge, and that, in fact, many of them held not only their positions in the Central 46, but their lives as well, because Sozen was the one supporting them. Even Lisa Kuchiki was a member of the Golden Five because Sozen had dismantled several scandals from the old days which could otherwise have damaged her reputation.

I am the one in control, Sozen was telling them. I bring issues to you as a formality, but you and I both know that I make the decisions, and that you have no way of stopping me. Lisa Kuchiki's eyes betrayed no emotions except to Sozen, who could see her fear at the clear disadvantage she held versus her grandson. While she seemed reluctant and benevolent in her sudden exhale, and acquiescence, Sozen knew the truth. She wasn't "being swayed." He had forcefully changed her mind by use of fear.

"Very well, we will reconsider..." Lisa said. Then, looking at Azumi, she spoke to the Kasumi'Oji's Head. "Tell me, then, Azumi of the Kasumi'Oji. Your family has been charged with ninety six separate crimes, all of which are at least class 3 offenses. Tell me, why should we trust you? What circumstances would drive us to allow you the return of your grounds, and to trust any plans that you suggest?" She said this, but the truth was evident here. Sozen had already won the negotiation. The rest, Azumi's answer included, was formality.