A/N: The version of Wattpad i have is broken. So if there's any glitch, please understand that I am not at fault.  It has become a nightmare to even type on Wattpad.

Hibki is seated at the head of a mahogany table. To his right, Adohira. To his left, an empty chair. Apart from them, only Rokujo, 5th seat is present. The 6th seat onwards were exempted from the meeting due to being hospitalised or currently tending to other tasks.

Hibiki frowns. Yuusuke's running late. Katsura's missing. Half of his men are at the 4th Division. What is he going to do? How will he tackle this dilemma?

Before he could even attempt to think of a solution, the shoji door slid open. Yuusuke appears. As he takes in the entire room, he freezes. His glasses shine white with the light reflecting on them.

" Well, this is indeed concerning..." he observes.

Hibiki raises a brow at him waiting for Yuusuke to continue. Adohira does not pay him any heed. Rokujo looks at him curiously.

" Who did we rent a meeting room from this time? " Yuusuke demands while he moves towards his seat facing Adohira.

Hibiki sighs and shakes his head, " Same old, same old. "

" I somehow negotiated with them since I'm a member, " Rokujo adds, " again....Kotetsu-san said we can use this room whenever we want since we're always looking for one anyway. They have plenty others to conduct their own meetings. We've just got to notify them beforehand. "

" Truly generous of the Soul Society's Women Association. " Adohira muses. She twirls her hot pink curls around her finger.

" Perhaps if you didn't claim every little empty space you find in our HQ as part of your lab- a mini lab or blew them up we'd have a meeting room of our own, " Hibiki snaps at her. He pinches his brow, " We've relocated our conference room at least 30 times since you joined, Nozomi. "

Rokujo downs the apple juice Yuusuke poured for her like it's vodka.

" Welp, " she smacks her lips at the 'p', " Hope Katsura shows up! "

" He won't, " Hibiki announces, " Let's start right away. We have no time to lose. Adohira, Yuusuke, I trust you're caught up on the situation? "

" Affirmative, " Yuusuke once again pushes up his glasses.

" Yeah, yeah. Kyomei made sure every little piece of information got in, " Adohira huffs, " What's the plan? "

"...."

Silence ensues.

Hibiki shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

"Well, " he clears his throat, " I admit....I haven't thought that far...." He clasps his hands together, " My idea was to dispatch a team to find Katsura while we investigate the food poisoning and gather as many clues as we can. That way we'll try to be as efficient-"

" Send me on the search party, " Adohira cuts in.

" NO! " the other three yell in unison.

" Eh? Why???" the Vice-Captain stares in shock.

" Never again. I'm never sending you on a search party again..." Hibiki mumbles, wide-eyed. He is half lost it thought remembering something that seems to greatly affect him.

" You went a few years ago, yes, Adohira-san? That's enough. " Rokujo says, " We went to look for Yuusuke and somehow came back with a horde of Hollow in tow; the target barely alive and an enormous bill of due compensation! All because of you! "

" But that was only my first time- "

" Your first AND last time, " Yuusuke stops her. " We've already witnessed and experienced first hand how a search mission with you in command can go. " he shakes his head, " Once is enough. "

" Rokujo. " Hibiki says, finally getting back to business.

" Captain, " Rokujo salutes sharply. She straightens herself a bit more in her seat as she awaits his orders.

" Ryuugamine almost healed, isn't he? "

The redhead nods.

" Form a search party with him and some new recruits and start looking for Katsura. Investigate the secret tunnels Miss Yachiru made first. You know how much Katsura love hiding in there."

" Yes, they're like his second home. "

" Make sure he does not slip away this time around.

" Yuusuke. "

" Sir? " He too awaits for his Captain's next command.

" Summon Rhea-san. The three of us will investigate the mess hall. Tell Chiba to gather the cooks. We'll be interrogating them too.

That's all. This meeting is adjourned! Get to work! "

" Roger, sir! " Yuusuke and Rokujo salute before  disappearing with a shunpo.

Hibiki rises from his seat.

" Wait, wait, wait! " Adohira exclaims. She grabs the brunet's haori sleeve. " What about me? "

" What about you? " He repeats, eyebrow raised.

" What do I do? "

" Oh. "

Hibiki looks to the side. He pretends to think about it hard. Indeed, what shall his dear Vice-Captain do?

After a few long, long, long seconds, he gently places his hand on her shoulder. A small smile tugs at his lips. Adohira feels a shiver run down her spine.

" You, will finally take care of all the piled up paperwork. "

Adohira's eyes bulge.

" You are invited to suffer. Join. "

☆☆☆

In Yachiru's tunnels they went, the five of them.

Rokujo, Ryuugamine with a bandaged head and three of the new recruits. Ryuugamine recognised the teenager he met at the bathhouse. Copper hair, bronze skin, lavender eyes with an uncertain gaze to them. Arata is his name, the ravenette recalls.

One of the other newcomers happens to be his twin sister. She has similar features except she ties her hair in a ponytail. A black choker with a white peony design adorns her neck. An air of caution and determination surrounds her. She holds a lamp not too far from her face. The stick raised gently swings the rectangular light source to provide light to her brother too.  The flame flickers. It illuminates her almost angelic face in the pitch darkness they found themselves in. Her eyes shine brightly. Her lips curve slightly to form a heart. She has soft features even when she keeps a straight face.

Rokujo acknowledges Botan as the one Kyomei had told him about. The one who caused an uproar among the newcomers because of how they fawned over her, men and women alike.

The twins walk side by side behind their seniors. The last addition to this search party, Akechi, drags his feet. He seems perfectly accustomed to the penumbra. Earlier, he refused to take a lamp. Arata wears a monocle over his left eye. His borderline sickly white skin makes him closer to a ghost than a shinigami. The boy's short dark brown almost black hair is messy. He is dead serious; straight face, lips pressed together in a thin line.

They are in one of Yachiru's abandoned tunnels. She has discarded this one. It must have been blocked off by Captain Kuchiki or some other shinigami at some point. Hence why it's so dark in here.

They had switched out of their black and white uniforms for more causual yet simple wear. Rokujo wanted to ensure they'd be prepared for blending into any crowd if need be.

Sure, they began their investigation within the Seireitei but they was no way to know wear Yachiru's tunnels would lead. She had also prepared a number of potential excuses and alibis in case they caught up in an unsavoury situation.

The group treads carefully, all senses in high alert.

" We're looking for a squad member named Katsura, " Rokujo breaks the ice and explains," he might have a lead on this whole food poisoning incident. "

" And how exactly are we supposed to identify him? " Akechi asks, skeptical.

" I was getting to it, " the redhead sighs. " Katsura is the Construction Squad's 7th seat. He has golden teeth. Like all his teeth. "

She then proceeds to go completely silent.

" Uh....Rokujo-san...? " Akechi calls out to her.

She shakes her head.

" Sorry, I'm not sure I can give you an accurate description of that man. "

" What do you mean? " Botan finally speaks up. She frowns, doubtful. Arata has crossed his arms over his chest equally confused.

" Katsura...." Ryuugamine takes over. He ponders over his words for a few more seconds before continuing, " It's been a while since we last came across him. Roughly 3 months--"

" 3 months?! " the three juniors practically scream in unison

" Well...I know it's no excuse, but Katsura is quite the character.....An elusive and free-spirited man too. " Ryuugamine recalls as he tries his best to save some face.

" Why look for him NOW of all times?!" Akechi shouts.

" Because Katsura spends most of his time on the field. " Rokujo explains, " He's our informant. He's always preferred being in-situ than behind a desk, stuck between four walls. The equivalent of the leader of the beggar or Hao sect in the Murim world, that's how he described himself. "

" Beggar or Hao Sect? " Arata repeats, perplex.

" Murim??" Akechi adds, equally confused.

" I didn't know a squad could have it's own informants. " Botan thinks out loud.

Rokujo winks at her, " We have a little something-- " she tosses her hair back, " --EXTR--" she comes to an abrupt halt.

Same goes for Ryuugamine who suddenly goes quiet and alert. He readies himself, hand already on the hilt of his zanpakuto

Confused, Arata is about to say something but is silenced by a 'shhhh!' from Akechi.

The air grows still. Rokujo lowers her lamp.

Murmurs. Extremely faint but still indicates that something's up.

" I can hear laughter, " Akechi informs the group.

" From this distance? " Rokujo answers incredulously, " I can't hear anything. How did you- "

" I smell alcohol, " Ryuugamine adds in a whisper. He can be heard sniffing the air, " and...udon...?"

" How!? " Rokujo looks at him bewildered. " I know you have a good nose Ryuugamine but I didn't think it'd be THAT good. "

Ryuugamine shrugs off her reaction.

Akechi can feel her gaze linger on him.

" Anyways, " she quickly witches into work mode, " let's investigate this group now we've found. Who knows maybe Katura's here. He stands out. Always dressed in expensive fabrics, has got golden teeth and short curly black hair. "

"Quite the guy, huh? " Arata remarks

Botan quietly took mental notes.

Akechi fidles with the handle of his katana.

" Katsura is a bit of an unpredictable guy, " Ryuugamine warns them.

" Only at Captain's beck and call. " Rokujo adds, " If he ever asks you who sent you, feel free to abuse of the Captain's name if need be. "

The three juniors nod.

" Let's go, " Rokujo motions as she walks stealthily as she follows Ryuugamine who's already some distance away.

Soon enough, the group arrives before an exit hidden behind lush greenery. It's a small opening so they have to crouch and crawl though it. As tey cautiously proceed to leave the tunnel, Ryuugamine shields his as light filters down through bamboo leaves. He observes his surroundings. Nothing suspicious.

He nods and the others exit one by one. Ryuugamine glances over his shoulder as Akechi makes his way out of the tunnel. The ravenette notices that the exit of the tunnel goes almost unnoticed under all the vines. He moves to touch the stone wall. His hand lightly brushes the surface of one of the bricks while he leaves a barely perceptible trace of spiritual pressure.

" If we're ever separated, " he breaks the silence, " and if any of you need to go back through here. "

Rokujo nods. She wouldn't normally choose this methods but appreciates her colleague looking out for them in his own way.

" Over there, " she directs her gaze to their left," A path. "

" I can't see anything, " Arata fiddles with the hilt of his zanpakuto as squints, searching for the aforementioned path.

" I have extremely good eyesight. The glasses are just for show, " Rokujo explains, smirking. She walks ahead.

Faint cooing of birds are heard as the group advances. The air is cool and fresh. Leaves crunch softly under their feet. After a few minutes, they indeed reach a path. It seems to lead deeper into the forest.

Rokujo frowns at the observation. Ryuugamine stares into the distance where the path disappears behind bushes. Akechi seems to be listening to something. Botan can feel her her drop. She doesn't know why but her gut is warning her that beyond this path lies something mysterious. Nothing good. She senses Arata moving closer to her. He tugs on her sleeve and she feels his apprehension.

They lock eyes. Her brother's gaze is dark. Fear flashes in her lavender eyes. Memories threat to surface but she drowns them.

The tense atmosphere shatters as they hear footsteps.

" We'll split. " Rokujo orders, " Ryuugamine. Botan. " Ryuugamine nods. He motions for the girl to follow him. They dive back into the greenery." Akechi, Arata. You two stay with me. We'll engage and try to find out where's that damned Katsura. "

Rokujo's shoulders relax as she begins to walk leisurely along the path. Lost, Arata does not do anything but as he sees Akechi follow their senior's wake, he quickly understands and resumes walking.

They round the corner and come across a Lone woman travelling the path. Her eyes widen as she sees them. Her hand flies to cover her mouth, agape in surprise.

" Oh, my! " she exclaims in delight. She rushes towards them with small, graceful steps. With a hand on her heart she asks, " Are you perhaps the guests Katsura-san has been waiting for?"

In her momentary shock, Rokujo nods. Out of all people this woman could mention, she spoke of Katsura.

The woman bows with a smile.

" We have been awaiting your arrival esteemed guests! " she says, " The banquet has already begun but I'm sure Master will not take offense to your tardiness. Katsura-san's precious guests are like his own after all. "

" How did you know it was us? " Akechi asks. This whole situation felt awfully suspicious.

" Katsura-san sent me to wait at the base of the mountain. He said friends of his would attend the banquet. Friends I cannot miss, for one of them is a woman with beautiful red hair. " The woman's gaze falls onto Rokujo who raises an eyebrow. " I was on my way there but other matters required my attention. Hence why we ran into each other here. "

" Pardon my rudeness. I have yet to introduce myself. " she continues, " I am Asami. I am here to guide you to the banquet hall upon Master's request to tend to Katsura-san's acquaintances. Please, follow me.  "

Asami turns around. She leads the way, pressing on at a brisk pace. She is wearing a well sewed kimono with cherry blossoms patterns. Her hair black as ebony shine as light fall onto them. Her lips look as if they had kissed rose petals due to her faint pink lipstick that made her more mysterious. Her dove grey eyes combined with her pale skin made for an unnatural yet attractive vibe. Asami kept glancing back to make sure all three followed her and did not stray. Rokujo counted three minutes for them to reach their destination.

So they really weren't that far.

When she meet their gazes, she'd smile in a way that would only reinforce the idea that something was amiss.

They eventually reached a traditional japanese manor. The sounds of conversation spilled into the air from within the structure. It was not as grandiose as the likes Rokujo had seen but she caught Akechi freeze in awe at the building's size and Arata clenching his fists as Asami expertly navigated through a maze of corridors. Rokujo could feel Ryuugamine struggle to keep up.

At some point, Rokujo sensed that Ryuugamine and Botan's presence had vanished. Her eyes narrowed. They must have lost themselves within the twists and turns of this manor. All the corridors resembled each other. Bare white walls. Wooden floor. An endless amount of shoji doors. Laughter. Laughter coming from all sides. Glasses clinking. Music.

Something was definitely up here.

She noticed Arata hugging himself as they walked. Rokujo was about to turn around to tend to him when Asami's voice rang loud and clear through the cacophony.

" We're here. " Asami announced as she halted in front of double shoji doors adorned with intricate paintings of amarillys flowers. It gave on a courtyard with a pond and a small bamboo forest that ran across the estate.

The partying grew into an intense calmour as they stood in front of the door. Asami asked them to wait, went in and came back a few minutes later.

" Do come in, " she welcomed them once again. She stood on the side and bowed as the three shinigami passed her. They reached another door, this time decorated with cherry blossom trees.

" Katsura-san's  guests have arrived! " She announced to the partying crowd as soon as the doors slid open on their own accord.

The room fell quiet and all eyes were on them as Rokujo, Arata and Akechi stepped in.

A faint yet visible mist lingered across the room. In the far back, at the center of the room, dressed in expensive silk was a an elderly man. His grey hair was neatly arranged in top-knot. He nodded as his gaze feel onto the group. On either side of the hall were six rows of tables, each at least 10 meters long and filled to the brim with guests. To the old man's diagonal right was a a lone table where a young man was seated.

" Finally! " he exclaims in a deep, measured voice, " I've been waiting to meet Katsura's companions. You sure took your time! " The old man laughter and as soon as he did, the partying resumed.

" Bring them here. Let me have a closer look! " he laughed again as he ordered the man sitting on his right to take action.

The young man leisurely took a sip of sake before slowly standing up.

His shoulder length curly black hair was shifted gracefully as he moved. She was dressed a green haori and black hakama whose quality rivalled that of the old man. He approached them and forcefully pulled Rokujo into a hug; not giving her any room to react.

" You have no idea how long I've waiting for this reunion! " he said dramatically.

Akechi and Arata quickly assumed a fighting stance as Rokujo struggled to free herself.

The man's grasp tightened around her wrist and then lightened. Bewildered, she looked up only freeze as the man offered them as toothy grin; one where he showcased his golden teeth. His rich blue eyes screamed mischief.

The man standing before them.....

Was none other than Katsura himself!