Snippet #2563872

nock. Knock. Knock.

The sound of banging was actually slow and steady. Of course that was to be expected at the time of night Joel had awaken. He actually was shook awake, not because of the volume of the sound, but mostly the vibration. Like a vibration hitting the wall of his emotional barrier, he reacted to the thumping, unable to move at first without shaking. Soon however, he realized he was still in his own room inside of the barracks where it was supposed to be safe. Safe was good for him. It meant no one had to get her, but mostly it meant that he wouldn't have to lose control again.

The wandering thoughts of sudden fear did seem to fade once he was fully awake and he stood up, making his way to the door to see who it possibly was. One thing he knew about his division was that the shinigami in it were social folk. Just a day ago he'd recieved over ten visits from different people. Most of them were the kind who told him to keep his head up. Then of course there were the people who sternly talked to him, but at the same time, didn't seem seem to be all that made. Lastly, well some people just knock on doors for no reason sometimes. It wasn't what Joel was used to, but he reckoned that he could get adjusted to the lifestyle. Though, he had to admit, knocking on someones door when the moon was highest in the sky was a big turn off. He couldn't complain. After all, he able to do whatever he pleased while on probation and the time was used to sleep and train anyway, so it wasn't like he was tired at the moment.

"Hello," he said opening the door to see his captain standing in front of him.

"Joel. Come with me. We must talk," she said calmly, turning away.

He followed her in silence and wondered what she was going to say to him. It was actually the first time he was able to have a good talk with her since the whole mess with the hollows. Of course, that may have been do to her overgrowing work. She was one of the ones at the scene too. Noting that, it was possible that she had to write a report or something. So, without seeing her since the day after he was allowed out of hospice, he quietly followed her, hoping she wouldn't have a good yell at him.

It was a suspenseful walk that was heightened by the silence of the night. He could barely here himself breath, though he was sure the sound of his heart was louder than anything else. She brought them to the flower bed that he was in charge of the week before. Once at there supposed destination, she turned to him and stared into his eyes, almost into his own soul.

"Joel, do you hear it? Your Zanpakuto? I believe it's time I tell you how certain spirits could control you if you're not strong enough to control them."

"My.... Zanpakuto?"

"Yes. Now listen carefully."