Grave news.

It was only when the news of Ikkaku’s defeat at the hand of a single Ryoka reached the office that the meeting to on a more serious tone. With the efforts now getting more concentrated me and the lieutenants weaved in and out of the office in an effort to keep orders flowing.

Then two of the intruders just vanished. “What the hell do you mean by that?” Kiba slammed his hand on the table, causing Kotetsu, vice-captain of the Gotei 4, to wince. “Last we know they took one of our people captive, after that they vanished from the area.” My mood darkened, part of my division was working there so this was either partly my fault or they had found a way to fool all of us.

“Omaeda, I’m sure you can handle things from here.” I said and stepped out of the office without waiting for an answer. If they were still in the area I would find them, no dishonour would come to Gotei 2 this day.

Well, I didn’t find shit. I scanned the whole area, nothing at all. Just holes in the walls, sand and the sight of the battle between Ikkaku and the Ryoka. But I wasn’t about to give up. Together with my unit I searched the rest of the day. “They are gone.” I finally said my unit looked at me, “There is no use in this, they have escaped somewhere somehow. We will wait for new information tomorrow, let’s sleep for now.”

I dismissed them and ran back into my quarters as well. As I said there was no use in continuing the search but I still sat in the darkness of my room for way too long, pondering over how a handful of intruders got us into this situation.

When I eventually laid down I thanked whatever power may listened for my ability to fall asleep so quickly.