Joel Hiataka's Story

Akira stared blankly as the Shinigami kept running down the road, realizing that the Academy may not necessarily test for intelligence. "Well, Kasai, I guess it was a good thing we found you when we did." Akira jumped down off the roof, looking at the three girls with a carefree expression. "Well, the Lieutenant will likely hear the news soon and they will probably have searched parties canvasing all of Fugai looking for Shihiro. So, the reasonable thing to do would be to return to our barracks and call it a night." Akira began to scratch the back of his head, and rolled his eyes at his own notion. "Which would be the reasonable thing... if I could actually get a wink of sleep knowing that Shihiro was lost out there. I mean, Shihiro's not an idiot, so why would he go there after what happened? We nearly died when there were six of us." Akira sighed and nodded at the group. "This is my fault guys... sorry. I know that's something weird to hear coming out of my mouth, but, sorry. I know it not the smart thing, but I;m going to go find Shihiro, or help if I can. I'm not asking you to help, but please? Please help me. If you don't, I'll haunt you after I die." Akira let out a small chuckle, letting the others mull it over for a minute. With a small nod, He and those who choose to come were off, preparing themselves for whatever fate awaited them. "The 13th Barracks aren't far from here. Let's stop by and grab Joel."

A half-hour later...

The group arrived at the tree line for Fugai, but it was quite a bit different from what they remembered. A thick fog covered the forest, making it impossible to see much farther than ten feet in front of oneself. It did have one similarity to last night, however. They could sense the reiryoku of the forest, but not that of a being, Shinigami or Hollow. However, there was a pressure in the air, making it feel as if someone had taken the air right out from the lungs. Akira could feel his chest tightening, something he wasn't used to. He had felt fear before, but this was different. It felt even more primal, more vicious. Akira turned around to the group, looking to Joel and Kasai who likely had the most questions. They were in and out of the 13th to get Joel. Knowing he was the type of person to jump at the mention of helping others, it took little to no convincing. Plus, it was one of their own. Akira had filled Kasai and Joel in on what had transpired last night and this morning while they made their way to Fugai, seeing no reason to hide it from them.

For moment, Akira thought about waiting for the Lieutenant and other members of the Eighth to show up. It would certainly help with this feeling in his chest if he knew a Lieutenant level Shinigami was with them. However, that feeling people talk about overcame him and likely the others. What if we get there, and he didn't make it? What if we had not waited, would he still be alive? While these are questions no one can answer, they eat away at someones mind before and after the event. Akira preferred at least trying, even if it was the stupider of the two options. "A-alright... we're here." Akira let out a weak chuckle, realizing he was way over his head this time. "Anyone who wants to turn back, this is the last chance. I have a feeling it will be hard to find our way out once we enter, so we might be in there till sunrise. Thoughts?" Akira could almost feel the forest fog shooting up his spine. But, it was a feeling he had to ignore.

Joel woke up early on the first morning as his official start to his duties as a member of the thirteenth division. He wanted to make sure he received full physical awareness before his initiation. He started with a set of pushups with both arms and then with individual ones for a warmup. Then he put on a weighted vest and proceeded to repeat. Afterwords he practiced his drawing speed and control of the specialized sheath he was given, drawing his blade and sheathing it with wrist weights attached to his person. Last with a set of wrist weights, a weighted vest, a weighted belt, and ankle weights, he went for a sprint around the area and returned to his quarters. Their were two things on his mind. One of course being the initiation, but the thing he was mainly excited for was the celebration meeting he was supposed to have with his friends. After his morning activities he walked to the headquarters of the thirteenth division.

Upon arriving he noticed one thing.

There are sure allot more female members than male members here. On top of that most of the members look young.

He questioned if he was in the right place. That is, until a small female walked up to him. "J-Joel Hiataka. A-Are you him?" The girl spoke nervously.
Joel bowed down as a sign of respect. "Yes I am m'lady. Joel Hiataka. Thirteenth division. Unseated." He gave his proper title to the woman. Looking up he recognized her as the person standing next to Captain Hanakonawa. "I am sorry for my lateness Lieutenant."
The girl stepped back as if she wasn't used to being talked to as high authority. "Yes. P-Pleased to meet you." She bowed in return. "I was sent by Captain Hanakonawa to be your escort into the building. P-Please, come this way."

Following her into the building there seemed to be a less serious mood than what he had expected. Being left on the center floor as Lieutenant Watanabe went to her position next to the Captain. Joel knelt down on his knees and bowed his head respectably. Their were snickers to be heard around him.

"Looks like we have a go getter in our ranks now." One shinigami said.
"Yeah. It's okay kid. You don't have to be so uptight here." Another one chuckled.

Captain Hanakonawa smiled and stood up. "Calm down everyone. You should all learn from his politeness. Please rise Joel."
"Yes mam." He said as he rose his head.
"I would like to formerly introduce you to the thirteenth division. We signify hope and treat our members with warmth and kindness. I hope you too can abide by our codes and feel like you are part of our family."
"I will try my best mam." He said once again bowing his head.

After the formalities were over he was shown around the barracks more thoroughly. He was also tasked with feeding the Koi in the pond around Ugendō Quarters. Truly this was the peaceful environment that he hoped it would be. Sadly, he would have to miss his friends gathering because of his own divisions party for him. It wasn't quite the party that his friends were having, but still, he preferred tea to alcohol any day, not being much of a drinker. He told himself that he would personally apologize to them for not showing up once he had free time the next day. To his surprise, "I am giving you the day off." Came his Captains words that very day.
"I'm sorry. I don't quite understand."
"I have just became aware that a group of new recruits went on a little excursion last night. Instead of going with them, you instead decided to stay here and honor us with your presence."
"The honor was all mine, Lady Hanakonawa."
"Still. It stands that you may not have time in the future to spend quality time with your loved ones. I want you to enjoy the time you have together."
"As you wish, Lady Hanakonawa."

With this string of good news he was more than excited to meet up with his friends. That is, until he heard the news of Shihiro. Of course with one of his friends missing he jumped at the chance to help. Even with Aki's last words of warning, he was not going to back down.
Placing a hand on his shoulder he said, "Well, when the sun sets upon our triumph we'll feel all the more better at the fact that we overcame this." He looked back at the rest of his friends and smiled. "Together."

Kasai burst out in laughter trying to lighten the mood. “Will I’m sure not backing down…so if you don’t mind let’s go and find Shihiro.” He said in tone of respect. “If we hurry and find Shihiro we shouldn’t take long to get out. Reason being that Shihiro should know the way out since he was brought in. So as long as we find Shihiro we shouldn’t have any worries.” Akira it’s your call, Kasai explained.

How did I now think of that? a bit bewildered that her thoughts had only been about the worst case scenario when all this time Shihiro could just be some place no one would think to find him. And like his friends knew the man was pretty hard to get rid of sometimes. Ryuu simply kept silent during this little exchange that brought to her attention of something she just now realized. Jin lay unconscious in a corner the corners of Ryuu’s lips twitched into an almost smile but never became the rarity.

The name of a fellow shinigami caught her attention Kasai Hayabusa, she didn’t quite like the man as he was always trying to flirt with her and the fact that he was from one of the four main noble houses made it worse. Ryuu didn’t bother thinking too much on the current subject of whether or not to go with Akira to see what information Kasai had. It’s not like she had anything better to do for that matter so why not make her night a little more exciting even if it was with someone she had very little interest in getting know better or understanding.

They walked around heading towards the Eighth Division Barracks in silence or at least Ryuu did she was lost in her thoughts in trying to figure out what her dream had meant if it had meaning at all. Looking ahead Ryuu noticed the way Akira was acting he seemed to be a bit nervous when he broke the silence.
"Guys... I'm-" Akira stopped midsentence; looking quickly to his right, the man quickly changed direction as they were moving. "Kasai is only a short way this way. I'd never mistake his reiatsu."

This concluded her previous thought and she could understand why he would be nervous if that was the correct word to describe her friend at the moment. Akira then stopped in his tracks; Ryuu being right behind him nearly crashed into him. Thankfully he was out of the way before they collided and the reason for him stopping irritated her to a degree that damn Kasai. Ryuu growled softly enough so only those who were right next to her would have heard it.

The man began speaking with excitement, at one point he even had suspicion in his voice when he first addressed Akira, the two continued chatting with one another, though in reality Kasai did most of the talking and her irritation rose in her chest but Ryuu did her best to hold her tongue. Akira then jumped down from the roof and turned to them with that carefree look of his and began to speak.

"Well, the Lieutenant will likely hear the news soon and they will probably have searched parties canvasing all of Fugai looking for Shihiro. So, the reasonable thing to do would be to return to our barracks and call it a night." Akira began to scratch the back of his head, and rolled his eyes at his own notion. "Which would be the reasonable thing... if I could actually get a wink of sleep knowing that Shihiro was lost out there. I mean, Shihiro's not an idiot, so why would he go there after what happened? We nearly died when there were six of us." Akira sighed and nodded at the group. "This is my fault guys... sorry. I know that's something weird to hear coming out of my mouth, but, sorry. I know it not the smart thing, but I;m going to go find Shihiro, or help if I can. I'm not asking you to help, but please? Please help me. If you don't, I'll haunt you after I die." Akira let out a small chuckle.

Ryuu simply stared at him in bewilderment did he really just apologize what an idiot! she managed to hold back her remark about him haunting them if they didn’t help. "The 13th Barracks aren't far from here. Let's stop by and grab Joel." This made the red head falter in her step hopefully no one noticed this. Like Kasai Ryuu disliked Joel even more so than the big flirt and she now regretted her choice in joining Akira on his rescue mission.

They were in and out of the 13th once Joel had joined them. After about half an hour of walking they reached the edge of the Fugai Forest which was covered in a dense fog. Just like the other night Ryuu could feel the reiryoku of the forest but not that of any living being whether it be that of Shinigami or a Hollow. Ryuu felt her chest tighten in a way she was not accustomed too, it was what most people called fear but this was different it was more primal than normal fear what awaits us within this white forest before us. She help her sword closer to her body her hand on the hilt ready for when metal sang and clashed against whatever had become its opponent.

"Anyone who wants to turn back, this is the last chance. I have a feeling it will be hard to find our way out once we enter, so we might be in there till sunrise. Thoughts?"

Ryuu had nothing to say and even if she did she wasn’t about to voice her unease. Joel and Kasai voiced their while Joels was rather poetic in contrast with Kasai’s who started off in a sudden burst of laughter and left it up to Akira to give them the go ahead. why do I get the feeling it won’t be as easy as just finding him. What have we gotten ourselves into?