Gallows Pole [spectating Time Stands Still] [closed]

It was not with discomfort that she watched the proceedings in silence from her position on the dais—she understood the necessity of this, of making it public—but Hazuki didn’t much like it. The jeering from the gathered crowd was unsightly and vile, testament to how few Shinigami in Seireitei really understood what it was they were doing. It was no different to how she had always remembered it being, but still it bothered her. These were men and women who clumsily wielded their Zanpakutō giving very little thought to why: the Academy for them had been little more than combat training, a place where they learned how to swing their swords and shoot fire from their fingertips, but for Hazuki it had merely been a formality. Her education had started long before she had first donned the red and white trainee’s uniform, and in many ways it continued still.

All she had really learned at the Academy had been disdain. It was why she was so insistent on leading by example, so insistent on her shows of force to keep people in line. So many Shinigami were complete strangers to discipline, and today was a perfect example of that.

She pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ears—she was wearing it in a French twist today, exposing the pale skin on the nape of her neck—and her cold grey eyes fell on the Espada her captain had captured. Segunda Espada, one of only two of the Hollow king’s swords who could call themselves Hollow-breeds in good conscience. The third—well, the third was a mockery of a man, and the reason for this distasteful spectacle.

The Invasion had been the golden standard as far as Hazuki was concerned: captains facing off against Espada on the field of battle, fighting to defend their city and fighting for their very lives. Executions were for those who had made the mistake of betraying their kind. Shinigami were not supposed to take Hollow-breeds prisoner. What Shun was putting the Arrancar through now was like putting a wolf on trial for killing sheep. It was absurd, and it was no wonder Rania felt suffocated.

But Hazuki understood the necessity, and so she remained silent.

She crossed her arms and winced slightly, a slight pain in her sword arm making her look down. Another bruise, she thought, the shape of it striking her as odd: it was as if someone had roughly grabbed hold of her wrist and twisted, and she pondered where it might of come from as she erased it with a glowing palm. Maybe it had happened during the Commander’s tour of the newly erected spire behind her. It didn’t really matter, she supposed.

Something off to the side caught her ear and she turned her head just in time to meet Chinda’s eye, and Hazuki’s gaze grew even chillier still, the corners of her mouth drooping ever so slightly into a scowl. In retrospect, she was glad the Hell Butterfly had arrived when it had—a sentiment Chinda no doubt shared, but for entirely different reasons—but she still found it difficult to tolerate Kiriko’s younger sister. Rumor had it she had chosen Shinpei, of all people, as her lieutenant, and Hazuki noted he was conspicuously absent. She had hoped to see him here today, given that they hadn’t met since she had dropped him off at the Fourth what seemed like eons ago.

For a moment, it seemed almost as if Chinda would simply go back to talking to herself and leave Hazuki in peace, but Hazuki could see the Vaizard’s eye catching on her waist. Her greeting came a moment later, and Hazuki closed her eyes, a slightly pained expression touching her face as she willed herself into an inner calm.

Of course I look impeccable, was her first reaction, of course, but the question that followed made her eyes open ever so slightly, peering at Chinda from under heavy lids.

‘As it happens, I do mind you asking, Chinda.’ Hazuki didn’t bother with any honorifics or titles. ‘But if you must know, I found it.’ She wasn’t lying. She also wasn’t being entirely forthcoming. Sakurazuki had warned her against it, of course, but Hazuki had found the benefits outweighed what her Zanpakutō spirit was convinced were risks.

She decided to attempt to change the subject. ‘I didn’t expect to see you here today. Didn’t think this was anything you would want to be involved in, given your... Condition.’ In truth, Hazuki didn’t really want to be here, either. Had it been up to her, this entire ordeal would have been entrusted to Captain Kohara.

Her eyes wandered back to the prisoner and she saw that their objective had finally arrived, as expected. The Commander offered some empty words, and Hazuki’s arms uncrossed, her left hand gently finding its way to Sakurazuki’s polished black saya. Her thumb rested lightly on the tsuba and she was certain Chinda wouldn’t miss it. She only hoped she wouldn’t misinterpret her intentions, though there was little chance of that.

She attempted another distraction, but her eyes didn’t leave the men surrounding the prisoner even for a second. ‘Will your new lieutenant be joining us today?’


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