The First Day in the Second Division [Nagisa, Cazador]

After fastening a small pack at her lower back Nagisa tied her hair into a ponytail so that bits of it covered her scarred eye. Before draping the white travel cloak around her shoulders though she reached for the slim file that had been prepared for her. Mommiji Kuroda. He had applied for the position of Third Seat and while he was far from filling the Reiatsu requirement that typically came with such a high rank, Nagisa willing to give him a shot based on the grounds that many things were changing in the Gotei these days. Several high ranking members had left voids that needed filling, and whether or not Momiji was capable of that, only time would tell. Time, and a little excursion.

Leafing through the pages the Chinda scanned it over. Tall, heavy, with dark skin and hair but piercing blue eyes. At his best he had been described as focused, creative and intuitive, previous teachers stressing his ingenuity. Qualities that she valued. It had also been frequently noted in his file though that he was irritable, bossy, and impulsive. Qualities for which the Chinda had little patience. However, she could use a man with strong worth ethic and flexible morals. That’s what had won him his chance.

Three sharp knocks echoed through her office just as she closed the clip that held the mantle in place. Nagisa opened the door and briefly mustered the ambitious man. She wasn’t quite used to people being that much taller than her, not since Jasper Aizawa and Genki Ogawa. The blue of Momiji’s eyes clashed sharply with the red of his Reiatsu and highlights. “Punctual,” she said her voice clear and sharp, not at all like the shy girl that had come to the Gotei two years ago. “Follow me.”

Leading the man wordlessly into the depths of the building where those skilled in Kido operated the inter-dimensional doors that the Special Forces used her brisk pace only came to a stop to check with the men preparing a fresh one. “Are we good to go?” Looking at one pale face after the other the Chinda turned around at last.

“Momiji Kuroda,” she paused after saying his name, as if weighing its worth. “We both know your file, and I am sure that you’re aware that there are several things you will have to work on if you are to persevere as my Third Seat. Nonetheless, I decided to give you a chance. Do make it count.” Nodding towards the gate behind her that fizzed in and out of existence she continued. “Today we will do a field test. We will infiltrate Hueco Mundo where you will interrogate, ideally abduct an Arrancar, in order to learn about the current hierarchy of Espada. And to learn what happened to the traitor Kionchi. Any questions? If not, check your gear. We are leaving once you’re ready.”


484

Fear and trepidation were not feelings that Kuroda was familiar with, sure, he knew what it was like to be a little unsettled when something new came about, however this situation, meeting the Captain of the division, and trying to attain a position that was the third highest in the division, that was enough to send his stomach churning. A sea of discontent dwelt within him, he wanted to be good enough, he felt he was good enough, but at the end of the day it didn't matter what he thought. It came down to whether or not Captain Nagisa was impressed with his performance. Further motivated by the fact that he would hear no end of the torment from his own Zanpakuto if he were to fail, his focus was on performing well, and he was zoned in on this goal to the point of ignoring all else, taking a couple of moments to realize that he took a moment to realize what the Captain had said when she opened the door. Looking down to her, he blinked in slight confusion when she began to walk away, but picking up the pace when he processed what she had said. 

She was...well, shorter than him, which was to be expected, but not by much, which was less expected. An approving nod was his only response as he walked behind her, hand resting on the pommels of his twin Zanpakuto. His long strides let him easily keep up, following the Captain deeper into the Second Division Barracks. His gaze wandered, inspecting the office as it passed behind them, then to the large doors that stood before them, a pair of nameless division members standing on either side, completing the preparations for whatever the Captain had in mind to test Kuroda's aptitude. 

Letting out a pent up breath that he didn't realize he had been holding in, he focused once more on the woman that was leading him as she turned to face him, looking down to maintain eye contact and nodding when appropriate. Of course his file wasn't enough to earn him the seat outright, that was why he was here now, he needed to show what he could do. What he hadn't exactly expected was to be going to Hueco Mundo so abruptly. The Human World, yes, but to go to the house of the Hollows immediately was a possibility he had only briefly considered. It was a good way to see how he acted of course, if he could survive being there and carrying out the mission at hand, but it was a little surprising to say the least. "A field test sounds appropriate. And I do believe that you will find my abilities appropriate for the task at hand. As you said, you've seen my file, so you know what my Kusari no Jiyū can do. As far as questions go, can we depart immediately?" He gave her a small grin, the anticipation for proving himself apparent for a moment.

[503/917]

The smile on his face caused Nagisa’s face to remain emotionless as she looked him over. Debating for a moment if what she was seeing was a hint of arrogance, or an expression of reassurance for himself she eventually gave him a nod. Fine, they would depart immediately. Being the first to step through the dark portal Nagisa wordlessly made her way through the dark void that awaited her, pausing only once in her step to ensure that her potential officer was not going to get lost. As the cold began to creep through her sandals she unconsciously began to rub her fingers together. The Chinda had never liked the cold.

“Suppress your Reiatsu,” she reminded Momoji, extinguishing her own so that it seemed that she had never existed: “We want to take a look around first and not draw the attention of every hungry soul in a five mile radius.” Taking the last step the crunch of sand beneath her feet was the first thing that welcomed her. That, and a gust of cold wind. Hueco Mundo. Despite being a desert the place was cold due to being tinted in eternal darkness. A full moon hung heavily in the sky as if it were mocking the sun. It also was…too close, Nagisa thought. As if it was slowly descending on crush what little life clung to the sandy wasteland.

The Captain crouched and picked up a handful of sand. Slowly she let it drip from one hand into the other and back while she stared towards the horizon, bit by bit stretching her spiritual senses in order to get a picture not only of the landscape but who, or rather what, was close by. So far she didn’t sense anything she’d rank as Espada, or even threatening. With a satisfied nod she wiped her hands of the sand she rose to look at Kuroda: “This is your show from now on. How do you want to play it?”

Pulling a scarf over her mouth and nose Nagisa waited. She could sense a trio of Hollows not too far away from them. Could he?



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