Code of the Noble
New Member
Kago - Himself
Senesati - Moi
Senesati - Moi
~Common Places~
(2270)
(2270)
His royal robes fluttered behind him as he made his way toward the front of the Anenokoji Manor. The nobleman passed right by his sister in one of the long hallways.
That's odd, thought Kana. He did not even nod to say hello or anything. I wonder what's got him in such a focused mood?
The Ashanti heiress took a single step in Senesati's direction and calmly called, "Brother,” to the man.
Senesati paused with his back to his sister.
"What's on your mind?” she inquired. "And please don't tell me it's nothing.”
"I am going for a walk,” he answered in monotone.
"Did it have something to do with the telegram you received from that messenger earlier?”
The nobleman closed his eyes with mild irritation. The only one of his siblings to know him so well was Kana. The thing that irritated him the most was that he knew if he did not give her a straight answer, she would continue to pry until she got enough information in regards to her inquiries. He decided to drop the loner act and answer her question. "I am going to the Takimoto Manor.”
"That's more than a walk,” she replied.
"I'll be fine.
"Excuse me,” the noble concluded as he continued his stride.
----------------------------------------------
A carriage ride and several hours later...
He arrived at the House of Takimoto to only find the gates heavily guarded with soldiers. Senesati immediately frowned at the display of security. The expression fell from his face as he exited the carriage and approached the gate.
"I am here to see Kago Takimoto.”
"We are unable to permit your request, Anenokoji-taichou," a member of the Keigun announced as he emerged from behind the collection of soldiers. Her radiant carnary eyes honed in on the long haired captain and she focused her entire attention directly on him. "I have strict orders to deny anyone access to or from the premises."
Reaching inside the narrow bust of her uniform, the woman pulled out a piece of parchment containing the orders and handed it to the noble. "As you can see, these orders come directly from the highest members of the Central Forty-Six."
The nobleman opened the document, browsed it briefly, and then handed it back to the woman.
"Yes it seems that you are correct. However,” he began, "I simply stated that I am here to see Kago Takimoto, not gain entrance to the manor, nor did I request for him to leave in order to gain that audience.”
The calm noble stood firm and awaited the woman’s retort.
Narrowing her eyes, the Keigun member spoke in a calm, steady voice. "I am sorry. I forgot nobility believe that they are above the rules of the Central Forty-Six. Let me explain this again,” she said, starting to slow her speech and raise her voice slightly. "I, a member of the Keigun, am not allowed to let Takimoto Kago, the man you want to see, or anyone else within these walls to speak or visit with anyone currently not inside the premises. You can try again after this restriction has been lifted.”
Upon her words, the crowd of soldiers standing behind her fell silent. Whatever they were talking about became meaningless; they could potentially see a captain of the Gotei Thirteen face-off against a member of the Keigun. None of them wanted to take the chance to miss this exchange.
The nobleman was partially irritated from the journey, the questioning of his sister, not to mention how hot it was outside. And with the lip of this Keigun officer, it was clearly the cherry on top of the sundae.
Senesati sighed, temporarily relieving himself of some of the frustration.
"It appears you've also forgotten your manners when addressing a superior officer as well as your lack of reading comprehension. That document clearly rules against anyone leaving or entering the premises, not visiting.
"And before you add another witty comment to your retort, let me remind you that I am aware that I am not your captain and am barred from disciplining another soldier that is not within the walls of my division. However, you are directly insulting me and my intelligence, which would constitute something else entirely. So if I were you, I'd be careful of the selection of words chosen in the next series of responses.”
As the female keigun officer opened her mouth to speak, a soothing baritone voice carried over the collected guards and enveloped the two disputing soliders.
"Calm down, Tilek,” a dark skinned man instructed, taking only two strides in order to reach her side. Towering over the pair, he continued. "Anenokoji is correct; our orders only restrict anyone from coming or going. And you and I both know that these orders are more to restrict the deserter from leaving than to prevent high ranking officials from visiting.”
Casting his massive arm over the flat-chested woman’s shoulder, Saru lowered his voice. "I seriously doubt you and I could stop one captain-class shinigami, two would be out of the question.”
"Exactly!” Tilek shouted back, sliding out from underneath his arm in utter disgust. "Why should we let him enter if we can’t stop them when they try to escape together?!”
Shaking his head, the towering officer sighed. "Since we have arrived, that piece of trash hasn’t made a single peep, let alone tried to escape. And Anenokoji-taichou is one of the most honest and morally upstanding captains,” he explained. Turning to Senesati, he asked rhectorically, "You wouldn’t help him escape, would you?”
The fact that the man posed such a question was another insult to the noble's well-being. "I'd say by the looks of things, even if I came to aid in an escape, there would be very little either of you could do about the situation.” The nobleman did not even glance up at the towering man as he added, "Surely you don’t believe that I would be so careless as to have used the front gate to complete such a task.”
The giant of a man laughed. "Of course not, Anenokoji-taichou!” he shouted. Stepping aside, the towering man motioned past his body toward the main house. "Go ahead inside.”
Tilek glared at her superior and folded her arms across her chest in disapproval.
The nobleman passed through the gates without minding the female officer. Once inside, Senesati realized he had never been to the Takimoto Manor before today. With that, he did not know where to locate the fellow nobleman and ex-captain of the Twelfth Division.
Should not take him long enough to notice my presence, though the sword-shaman.
Not wanting to appear suspicious to any of the house’s employees or family, Senesati came to a halt at the bottom of a large staircase and waited for the captive to reveal himself.
The Takimoto heiress appeared at the top of the stairs with Kuzlo at her side. "Ah, Anenokoji-taichou, it’s a pleasure to see you again!” Sophia greeted the noble captain as she descended the stairs, making sure to hold the banister handrail as she took each step.
Upon reaching the bottom, she nodded with a slight bow and smiled at Senesati. "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?”
The nobleman nodded, acknowledging the heiress’ presence. "I am here on an invitation from your husband.
"Is he near?”
Sophia nodded gently. "Indeed, he is this way,” she announced, before turning toward the bay doors at the back of the mansion.
Leading the visiting noble out into the back gardens, the graceful maiden inquired curiously as to his appearance. "Anenokoji-taichou, why does my husband require your presence?”
With a solid calm expression painted on his face, the nobleman replied, "That’s what I am about to find out.”
Frustrated by the lack of information she received, Sophia led the eighth division captain to the hedge maze. Just before they stepped inside the entrance, however, she caught sight of her husband underneath the japanese blossoms.
That’s quite unusual, she thought to herself. Lately, he’s been so obsessed with that hidden lab that he barely emerges for meals. But it is strange that he is standing in that exact spot. The last time I remember seeing him underneath those tress was when he confided the truth to me about guarding me.
A feeling of unease swept over the noble heiress. Turning towards the blossoms, Sophia apologized. "I am sorry, Anenokoji-taichou; Kago is over there,” she informed him with a graceful motion. "If you will excuse me, I have other matters to attend to now.”
The nobleman turned and acknowledged Sophia with a cordial nod. "Thank you,” he remarked and captured the ex-captain in his scopes. Continuing on with a not-so-urgent pace, the dignified captain neared the other noble and then he came to a sudden stop several feet away from the man.
"Mind telling me what's going on?”
"No pleasantries?” Kago remarked with a smirk.
Turning to face the noble captain of the eighth, he opened his eyes. "Though seeing how cryptic my message was and then meeting with Keigun at my entry, I’m sure we’re quite passed that point, aren’t we Senesati?”
The nobleman closed his eyes. "I gather I can let formalities slide, seeing as though you are of high noble status as well, Kago Takimoto.
"As for these pleasantries you speak, such term was lost back at the gate when I had to come to a verbal battle with one of the Keigun.”
Senesati turned his glare onto the ex-captain, exposing his sapphire orbs once more. "Again I ask you: what is going on?
"And please... don’t make me ask a third time.”
The humorous look faded from the Takimoto heir’s face. "I won’t waste your time any more than I already have.”
Walking over to the base of a nearby tree, Kago sat down and leaned back into the roots. "I asked you here to ask a favor. Before I do that, however, I want to give you some answers.”
Motioning towards ground near him, he welcomed his guest. "Please, have a seat.”
The dignified spell-sword captain said not a word, but instead followed the other noble to the seating area within his garden and took a seat.
"Alright, let’s hear what you have to say.”
Recalling the past few days, Kago jumped right into it. "Well, I was recently able to reacquire my memory from my disappearance during the assault on earth. While trying to execute my orders, I was captured and drained of my reiatsu by a former member of the House Takimoto, Katsuo. He has teamed up with a rogue shinigami by the name of Saruwatari Takumi, along with a third man whose identity remains unknown to me.
"With the exception of trying to ruin every aspect of my life, I do not know what their plan is and whether or not they are working with any known threats or factions.”
Adjusting himself to a more stiff position, the former captain continued. "When I returned to Soul Society, I discover that I was stripped of my rank and all resources. Several days later, those lovely Keigun agents appeared and barred me from leaving my premises to conduct any sufficient research into the matter.
"This brings me to the favor I wanted to ask you: with the twelfth division without a leader and Mizuki’s disappearance, I have no official position nor leader to report to currently. I would like your permission, I would like to join the eighth division.”
If anyone knew what it was like to be pursued by a former noble of a house one currently resides in, it was Senesati.
Intrigued by the nobleman's words and interested with aiding him in his search for, not only the answers the heir sought, but perhaps Senesati could learn something of his affair from helping Kago with his. And what better way to keep watch than to be a subordinate under the captain's protection.
"I don't see why not,” the nobleman answered.
"However I have one rule.
"Do not dishonor me, the division or your house any further than you already have. This is a new day for you Kago Takimoto and you are not alone. I offer you my aid as well as a place within the Gotei. I will also keep your affairs between us as they are not matters for the Gotei.
"I understand you are fighting for your honor and I will not rob you of that.
"As long as you can meet those terms, you are welcome in my division.”
The nobleman rose to his feet and said, "Make sure to contact my secretary and make yourself an appointment to meet with me for your initial interview.”
The spell-sword captain nodded to the new recruit and concluded, "Good day to you, Kago Takimoto.”
With his back turned as he sought the exit the noble added, "And one more thing,” he humorously smiled, his face hid from the other noble. "I will be called by my rank, Captain Anenokoji.”
Senesati then fled the gardens of the Takimoto Manor.
Kago stood and followed his new captain as far as the entryway to the mansion. As he watched the man leave his estate, the unseated shinigami looked back into the house at his adoring wife. I have more to protect than just our honor, Senesati... he thought silently.
Casting his gaze back to the noble archway, the former captain noted something was off. Senesati was gone, but so were the Keigun.