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| - In a well-lit room in the upper heights of Horiwari, Zieg Ishi is receiving a report. "... That's the jist of it," A long-haired woman with clear blue eyes and a nice tan said from the opposite side of her Captain's desk, dropping the paper-work on the shining varnished top. Her back was straight, her posture professional; but her eyes failed to mask the tiredness she was feeling. "Send up the witness... and afterwards you can go and get some rest," Zieg said, waving her away; the young woman nodding her head in thanks and respect. This was the last thing he needed, he thought with a quick shake of his head. Unknown figures and strange creatures stalking the lands near Horiwari? It sounded like a nightmare, and if Zieg had come to expect anything after serving for a time as a Captain in the Order, it was act on mysteries fast and ask questions later. "Are we going?" A deep voice laced with serious undertones sounded to Zieg's left, the figure in question tall with silver-grey-colored hair, piercings on his ears and eyebrows and a light skin tone. He wore the average Shihakushō of the Shinigami and a white Captains haori draping his shoulders. The man was Kensei Muguruma, former Captain of the 9th Division of the Gotei 13 and now full-time member of the Ryū Order; and Zieg's trusted partner. "Yes. We can't let this go unchecked." Zieg replied with a casual tone without the hesitation many showed the serious ex-Captain, showing he and Kensei were well used to one another. He gave Kensei the report who scanned it briefly, getting the basic idea before handing it back again. His features betrayed nothing except for the aggressive set of his shoulders that was always present. A knock came at the door and a small, lean-built young man with shoulder-length black hair and brown eyes stepped in and saluted with fist to heart at Zieg's okay. "Captain. Sensei," He remarked formally, with a brisk nod that indicated some form of familiarity with those he addressed. "You wanted to see me, Captain?" Slight nervousness filled his tone and danced across his features. "Yes. Sit." Zieg beckoned, returning to his own armchair. The brief comment sounded very much like a whiplash. "You were the last person to see these... walking corpses," He said the word carefully, not really sure of how he was to refer to the things the previous Shinigami had reported. "So maybe you could shed some light on what it is we are dealing with." Kensei sat expectantly, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees as he inspected the man as though he were a soldier and he were the drill sergeant. What he saw didn't impress him, though few things tended to. The look Kensei shot him was the type that made most go lose tongue, which was exactly why Zieg had wanted him here. The ex-Captains commanding and no-nonsense presence worked its magic quickly on almost anyone Zieg ordered to his office in the upper heights. "T-they looked like the walking dead, sirs. Slow and cumbersome, but somehow... aware of one another. They didn't bump into each other once, and the group I observed were a h-hundred strong at least." That got a raised eyebrow from both Zieg and Kensei who shot one another a quick glance before focusing the full weight of their stare on the young Shinigami. He gulped visibly before continuing on at their impatient nod. They might as well have shot the ground near his foot for the way he jumped in place. "They were chasing someone up the slopes of Monte Rosa, as I recall sir." Sweat beaded on his forehead and his voice was a stutter from nervousness. "And you didn't help?" Kensei snapped. "If they were as slow and cumbersome as you say you could have helped this stranger escape and then questioned him yourself! We wouldn't be in this predicament then!" Zieg forestalled his allies next question with a brief shake of his head and a slightly raised hand, making it look like Kensei obeyed him. Their act was working wonders, for the little man; while scared half to death of Kensei, felt a greater desire to answer Zieg's questions to ensure his continued protection. In no time at all the young man had spilled everything he knew, with the classic bad-cop-good-cop scenario working fantastically. He even admitted to be the one stealing the female squad members underwear off the washing lines, which earned him a vicious reprimand from Kensei about "idiotic jokes" and how much he hated them. By the time Zieg and Kensei had allowed the little man to leave - Kensei practically hurling him out the door bodily - they knew exactly where they would need to go and the general area they needed to investigate. Zieg was surprised it wasn't the nearest window the little man had gone through. "That was fun." Zieg remarked with a fool grin. Kensei only harrumphed, still hating jokes as much as he had in the past. It took the two little time to organize themselves and set out with fifty-nine others of Squad 6 and Squad 8, the column headed by the familiar figure of Shuhei Hisagi. He was the same as usual. Confident and in control, every inch the Captain Kenji had appointed years ago. His white haori billowed in the wind behind him and his hand rested lightly on the hilt of Kazeshini with none of the hesitance he once showed over his zanpakutō. "We're ready," He said simply, acknowledging Kensei with a respectful nod the ex-Captain returned in kind, expression still the serious mask he favored.
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