Unlucky Thirteenth

**Date Started:** 28 November, 2021
**Date Completed:** 13 December, 2021
**Next Role-Play**: N/A
**Previous Role-Play**:Yellow Trumpet
**Users Involved:** User:Dal101, User:TheCheeseMeister, User:Sir Ice Man
**Setting:** Seireitei, 13th Division Barracks
**Characters Involved**:
* **Thirteenth Division**: Touwa Kashiwaeda, Tetsuyama Kobushi, Yamato Takeru, Sakata, Shiho (Mentioned), Ichijou Tomohide (Mentioned)

"Three More and that doesn't even count the fiasco in Akatani... This can't go on any longer..." Touwa Kashiwaeda sighed deeply as he looked through the reports once more. The former instructor had been pulled out of retirement to once again take up the mantle of Shinigami. He'd been given acting command of the Thirteenth Division, along with the rank of Lieutenant, the division whose primary job was to patrol the human world to send souls onto the afterlife. While other divisions participated in this task considering it was one of the main purposes of the Shinigami, the Thirteenth handled the lion's share of the work. And it was not going well.

Touwa grabbed an armful of scrolls and papers before heading out of his office. A meeting had been called for the Thirteenth, Touwa had brought back every officer who could be spared to talk over the situation.

## The Meeting

Walking into the meeting room, his eyes rolled past the smattering of officers already in the room. A few he had instructed at the academy, some like Tetsuyama he hadn't. Far less than what should be in the room, but there was no helping that. A lot of Shinigami had disappeared in the wake of the vanishing, and he was doing everything he could to replace them. There just simply hadn't been time to fill out the ranks in full once more, especially with the other divisions competing hard for able bodies to replace their own losses from the events of last year.

Touwa sat at the head of the meeting table as the last few officers walked in. He cleared his throat before announcing, "Well, I think this is all that's going to show up for now, so we'll get started. We'll start off with any reports or concerns you have, then move onto the main topic." He looked down the table a minute before adding, "Even if you submitted it in writing already, it's better to just discuss matters at hand to make sure everyone's on page." He finished before looking expectantly down the table once more for the response.

Sitting composed in his seat; his hands folded underneath his head, third seater Yamato stares attentively at Touwa as he begins to explain the agenda to the attending officers who had gathered for the meeting of the Thirteenth Division. Raising his hand as a polite gesture towards the lietenant, Yamato raises his topic of choice to start the discussion.

"Sir Kashiwaeda, I would like to propose that we as a whole should operate in the human world with exceptional caution, as during some of the patrols that I have partaken of, we had came unto intense conflict with Menos Grande-class Hollows regardless of where we patrolled. This is something most concerning which I hope I shan't have to explain why." Yamato decidedly folds his arms after his short speel, his face a cool mask set in a mild frown. Thinking to himself about how he must have brought down the mood of the meeting by a somewhat noticeable amount by starting with a disheartening topic as the beginning point of the division's discussion.

“I have the feeling that someone mentioned that that are all that are gonna show up today, and that is simply not true,” the husky voice echoed through the barracks, and thus entered the division's seventh seat, the woman operating under the codename Sakata. She continued, “I do not know what you all are talking about right now, but I hope — Oh, I hope! — it is about the most rapid disappearances of our officers in the human world, specifically in Delhi, India.”

Sakata took a large puff of her pipe, and spoke again, “I cannot stress enough my desire to investigate the matter myself. Unfortunately, I could not, due to my assignment at Akatani, but the case has taken up by a most capable volunteer, Soichiro Tenma, the Lieutenant of the Fifth Division. Now, I happen to know that he reports back today. We need a response team to continue the investigation that Lieutenant Tenma has started.”

Sakata took her seat, but did not stop speaking, “Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. Shinigami dying in conflicts against Hollows? What else is new? This is not simply a matter of Shinigami dying in conflicts against Hollows. I can assure you all that cause of disappearance of our officers is not Hollows. The level of Hollows conducting activity in Delhi, India is simply not strong enough to take down our officers to the seventh seat. There is a more significant threat at large.”

"Once upon a time Menos-Class hollows were virtually considered a myth. They were encountered that rarely. The fact that they are so active is indeed concerning," Touwa agreed grimly, "In my five hundred years or so in the first division, I can not recall a time in which so many were active. The only incident I am aware of with this many was Aizen's Rebellion. And considering the scale of the Vanishing, it is quite likely he vanished as well, though I'm afraid I can't confirm that one."

"But Seventh-Seat Sakata does bring up a point, our rate of casualities is severe. Including the loss of the entirety of Team Six in Akatani and the missing Shinigami in the human world, we've lost thirty-seven members of the division within the last six months, having only picked up nineteen recruits in the same timeframe." He paused for a second before continuing, "This includes six officers who should be at this table today, such as Ninth-Seat Yone." Touwa stated coldly. He was not a fan of losing his subordinate shinigami, let alone promising officers who represented the future of the Gotei Thirteen. "Something is going on, driving the hollows to be this aggressive. But to put it frankly, the Thirteenth does not have the resources to maintain it's primary mission, let alone investigate the root cause of the current conflict."

"As for the Delhi area specifically, talk to me once the meeting is over Sakata, We'll figure something out."

"Bakudo #64. Hishōmeyorisuna," Touwa casually stated as he pulled a handful of sand from his pocket and threw it along the table. The sand scurried down the table, spreading out evenly before it began to raise off the surface. It eventually settled in mid air, the handful of sand forming a near perfect replica of the thirteenth's patrol zone in the human world. Small dots of light were spread about, each one representing a shinigami that the thirteenth had assigned to a particular district. More than a few areas had none at all.

"As you can see, we don't even have the manpower to patrol our entire zone at is." The lieutenant continued, "So I'm going to ask your feedback for this next part to make sure where on the same page." Touwa waved his hand for a moment as the dots of light began to move, multiple dots inhabiting individual districts while near half of the total surface was unlit due to his reassigning of the shinigami. "We'll be doubling up our shinigami, with strict orders not to engage, and even actively avoid, menos class hollows. This should hopefully reduce our casualty rates, albeit some souls may be lost. To help cover the gaps, I plan on asking the other divisions to assign shinigami to the areas we're pulling out of, they may be hard hit as well, but no other division is as thinly spread as we are from what I can tell. So thoughts?"

“I have no thoughts,” spoke Sakata, eyes wide open. She narrowed her eyes, “Alright, I will get some thoughts going.”

She sighed, and spoke, “We need response teams comprising of officers from any and all divisions. I agree that our low-level officers should be asked to pull from engaging high-level Hollows even if it results in losses in human lives. A big price, but one we have to pay. Any human killed by a Hollow? We can safely rely upon a low-level officer to rescue Pluses. Any human consumed by a Hollow? We need to deploy high-level officers to rescue such souls.”

Sakata took a puff from her pipe, “Back in our heyday, we used to send lieutenant-level officers to, like, the Karakura town. We need to make some of such maneuvers now, even though we have a manpower shortage. We need to request lieutenants, even captains, to patrol human world, even if that means, and it will, to put Seireitei's operations on hold indefinitely. We need to drive hard bargains — *very* hard bargains — for those. But we must not take no for an answer.”

She paused, and then spoke again, “As tempted as we may be, we must not acquire help from Quincys. Exceptions can be made for those Quincys who swear, and can be relied, to not kill the Hollows. Any Hollow causalty has to — I repeat, *has* to — occur at Shinigami's hands. The finishing blow has to be dealt by a Shinigami hand, even if the blow has to be dealt by a low-level officer. Speaking of low-level officers, we may even need to deploy unseated officers to work. That is right. From the captains to the unseated, everyone has to work together.”

Sakata then gave words to just about everyone's thoughts on the situation, “This *will* put us in double jeopardy. A blow to the pride of the captains, and the responsibility of reeling in Quincys being given to the low-seated, even the unseated. These are the problems that I, unfortunately, have no solutions to.”

"The issue with sending high level officers to hunt down any hollows who have consumed souls is that we simply don't have enough to go around unfortunatley." Touwa sighed at Sakata's comments. "With the death of Yone, we have few officers above tenth rank, and maybe a dozen or so lower-half seated officers." he continued as he looked down at the less than a score of shinigami seated at a table designed for fifty. " And trust me, I'll put everything I have into securing the other division's assistance. The dead are owed that much."

"As for the Quincy, I don't think any of us will go seeking their help. Everyone here remembers the Blood War," Touwa added darkly, "That being said, as long as they aren't actively interfering in our work or attacking members of the Guard Squads. Ignore them. The laws of Soul Society are absolute. No harming humans who you have not been ordered to kill. And that will stand unless the Central 46 hands down an order stating otherwise."

"Anything to add, Takeru, Tetsuyama, Sakata?"

"Nothing to add Sir Kashiwaeda, I do believe all that has been needed to be discussed from my point of view has been mentioned and spoken of already. Although I do wish everyone the best of times in their future, Soul King knows we will need it." Takeru replies, his voice as monotone and polite as it was when he first spoke during the meeting between the members of the Thirteenth Division.

"All right then, if no one has anything else. Then I suppose this meeting is adjourned." Touwa stated out loud as he allowed his spell to fade, the sand falling to the table before he cast another minor spell to return it to its bottle. "Anyone who doesn't have a pre-existing assignment I'll have your next one by the time the week is out. Have a good day."

## The Delhi Discussion

Touwa watched everyone file out of the meeting room after the conversations had wound down. But he had one more discussion to be had. "Sakata, do you have anything specific in mind for Delhi? I know you mentioned having Lieutenant Tenma head there, but frankly reports aren't enough to accurately discern the situation. I can have a squad of unseated assist if need be, though you might have to wait a bit for the full squad, they're in contact but running a bit late."

Sakata put aside her pipe and adressed Touwa, “My activity will be largely based on the report that Lieutenant Tenma brings, but you can be most assured that I will be heading to Delhi myself very soon. I have a lot of paperwork to be done, because the last man who was supposed to it, well, died in Delhi, but I will, no doubt, wrap it up as soon as Soul-ly possible. I will get it done in about two weeks, in fact. In the meantime, how many people do you plan to send, sir?”

Touwa sighed for a second as he did the mental math. "I can send one this week, Shiho got back last night. If you give me two I can probably get three more. People are heading back out on missions as fast as they come home. I can't really spare more," He paused before continuing, "If you need to leave earlier just give me the paperwork. I'd rather you stay more in time with Lieutenant Tenma than focused on formalities. Better to have safety in numbers than risk defeat in detail."

It took Sakata a while to register her superior's words. With her eyes wide open, her mouth agape, she spoke softly, “One…”

She recomposed herself and spoke again, “I see. If that is the case, sir, then there is indeed no time to waste. I am afraid I will have to depart for the Human world much sooner than I had planned. I leave in three days, sir. I am sure I can trust you to delegate my paperwork. Thank you.”

Sakata politely nodded, and left the Thirteenth Division barracks. Outside, she took her pipe, but instead of smoking, she crushed it and threw it away and took out her cigar instead. With a snap of her fingers, she lit up her cigar. She took several puffs, as many and as much as she could before coughing. After a bout of coughing, her eyes were wet, though that was not the only reason. *One person!* Her face contorted. This was a bad situation. A very bad situation.

She sat down, cross-legged, and placed her Zanpakutō on her lap. *Three days to get my affairs in order, and then I am off to almost certain death. You never know when a couple of weeks become just three days, now do you?*

A voice of a man echoed in her mind. *I will be with you… always… but answer me, you bitch, will you be with me?*

Sakata clenched her eyes tighter. *I do not want you or your power, my dear friend, by my side. Power is meaningless.*

The man's voice echoed in her mind again. *Your power will save others, and first and foremost, it will save you. Oh, just what thing could have meaning greater than the thing that saves lives?*

Sakata opened her eyes. *Power does not save lives. Those who are going to die will die anyway, regardless of my or anyone else's power. You, old pal, should know that I know this better than anyone.*

She stood up and walked away. As she walked she crossed the Sixth Division barracks on her way. She suddenly remembered that Kurome Kuchiki, the 3rd Seat of the Sixth Division, was going to hold the next day a training session, one that Lieutenant Tenma was also going to attend. Sakata tightened her grip on her hilt, and heard the man speak again.

*You do desire power. Search your feelings. You know it to be true.*

Sakata sighed, and walked away.

## A Lieutenant's Blues

It was nearly three in the morning by the time Touwa finished the stack of paperwork at his desk. Every report, every request, every assignment came across his desk at some time or another. And that wasn't even account for the backlog that had built up between the Vanishing and his appointment as the Lieutenant of the 13th division. He was only mostly through that paperwork. Normally he'd have moved some of it off ot his subordinates, but frankly other than potentially Takeru, whose monotone expression always caused Touwa to question just how much he was paying attention, Touwa wasn't sure how suited the others for it. Ichijou seemed to do his best to avoid doing work whenever possible. Sakata was headstrong enough Touwa was pretty sure she hated the concept, as seen by her being all too eager to get out of it when he offered to take it before. Albeit any eagerness he was pretty sure had been crushed when Touwa revealed just how shorthanded the division was. He just hoped that Lieutenant Tenma would stick around on the Delhi debacle long enough that Sakata and Shiho would be fine. If not well... he just hoped he hadn't signed the two's demise.

Touwa could see his breath in front of his face as he walked to his quarters, a small complex near his office on the outside of the barracks. It was cold in Seireitou tonight. So Touwa could only smile as he mentally called out to the freezing wind.

"It's been a while since you've visited me, old friend." Touwa said out loud to seemingly no one. The chilly air coalesced into the form of a monstrous bear, nearly seven feet at the shoulder when on all fours. "I haven't seen you outside the inner world in over eighty years."

"Since the sealing," the bear rumbled softly.

"Aye, since you were sealed, Shimotsume."

"A lot has happened since then, Touwa. Especially if they brought us back."

"Aye, things have gotten so out of hand. Old Man Yama would be furious if he saw the state of the Gotei today. Albeit, in this case it wasn't their fault. No one expected the entire leadership structure to vanish overnight. It wasn't something that could be prepared for."

"No it was not. But that's in the past, and the past doesn't matter now."

"Indeed, no matter how unlucky we may be. All we can keep doing is dilligently moving forward. Then who knows, one day maybe Thirteen will be a lucky number after all."

*~fin*