"There's been a development." All noise in the meeting hall stopped, eyes turning to the front. "The Twelfth Division has finished installing their cameras in the Districts to try and monitor the odd disappearances of the souls," said the Head Captain. "We have managed to capture little until earlier today." A low murmur ran through the room. "Captain Kurotsuchi."
The crazed scientist and his Lieutenant stepped forward, the man pulling forth a miniature cube from his robe. "My team has been conducting research on the growing developments in the Districts," Mayuri stated. "Granted when the teams are sent out, we are always too late with little to nearly nothing to go off of. So we decided to create these devices that would activate if there were any movement in the forests. Finally, we've caught something." He set the cube on the ground, tapping the top as a projection of light shot out and illuminated a clear picture of a dense area.
The Soul Reapers watched as there was a disturbance in the underbrush, a young man stumbling before falling to the ground. He scrambled to stand when a Hollow pounced on his back, dragging the soul into the shadows as his screams disappeared.
"So it is now safe to assume it is Hollows," Byakuya stated.
"Hm, now that is a statement," the scientist mused. "But as you can clearly see this one is quite intelligent. Others would've merely devoured them on the spot. We cross referenced his profile to our records and reports say that he disappeared nearly a month ago."
"They are keeping them alive?" Ukitake asked.
"So it seems. For how long we cannot be certain. But it appears these Hollows are collecting souls. But that was not our most interesting find." Mayuri held up a second cube, pocketing the one that was on the ground. It was another section of the forest, the audience watching as a figure rushed through the low branches, ripping away from them when their clothing was caught. A Hollow came in for the kill, the soul whirling around and tugging on a branch before letting it fly. The wood smacked into the creature, causing it to drop to the ground and whiter in pain.
It was a young woman, due to the long, tangled locks of hair that whipped around at the speed she was running. The Soul Reapers' caught on to a few beginner worthy flash steps that were used every now and again. The camera angles began changing the farther she ran, hiding from Hollows that combed the woods for the escaped soul. She was on the run again, the others realizing she was getting closer to the edge of the District. Glancing over a shoulder to determine if a Hollow was following, the screen paused.
"This was our last surveillance camera to capture this soul's escape. I must commend her for making it farther than the others."
"Where is she now?" Sajin questioned.
"A team from the Eighth Squad brought her in. She is currently resting in the Medical Division."
"We are waiting for her to wake up," Yamamoto stated. "In order to question and run tests on her soul. See if it was damaged in any way."
Momo glanced over, noticing how tense Izuru had become his eyes trained on the frozen image in the hologram. "Is everything alright?" she asked under her breath.
"Lydia," he breathed. The name caused all heads to turn and look at the Lieutenant, who continued to stare at the panic-stricken face. "It's Lydia."
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Izuru was still in shock, standing beside the young woman's bed. He couldn't quite believe that she was here as he reached forward to lightly caress a cheek to be sure this was not an illusion. "How do you know this soul?" Yamamoto asked. He had escorted the young man to the Medical Division, wanting answers.
"When I used to live in the Districts, before becoming a Soul Reaper, we were neighbors and helped look after each other since it wasn't one of the nicer ones. But when I developed spiritual pressure and she didn't, I went off to the Academy. We see each other from time to time if missions allow it, but Lydia went missing over nine months ago. An elderly woman told me when I found her hut abandoned."
"Did they say how that happened? Her capture?"
His head shook. "Only that it occurred when the market in the District over was taking place and there was a disturbance."
The old man nodded. "I will leave you two. But if she wakes up, let me know. Then we can discuss if Soi Fon needs to be involved in the questioning of this investigation or the Second Division can see themselves proving more useful in the field."
Izuru took a seat, gripping the young woman's hand. It didn't appear too much harm had come to her, most of the scratches and bruises most likely coming from the escape than anything else. Looking at her peaceful face all the Lieutenant could think of was what happened in that time she had been missing.
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"How are you feeling?" Unohana asked, removing the IV. Lydia sighed, having woken the next morning dazed and confused as to where she was.
"Better. But I still don't understand how I got here."
"You passed out from exhaustion on the outskirts of the Fifty-Fifth District where the Eighth Division came to your aid."
"But how did they know I was running?"
"The Research Division planted cameras in the forest from the mysterious disappearances and happened to capture you. You are a very lucky individual, Lydia."
"I can't say that makes me happy. The others..."
The Captain placed a reassuring hand on her leg. "It was for a reason. The Head Captain will be in here shortly to question you. Hopefully, we'll be able to save those who were not fortunate enough like yourself."
Lydia nodded, watching the woman leave before settling back against the propped-up bed. Though it wasn't long for the door to open again. Though the young woman was in shock by who stood in the doorway as the Soul Reaper instantly rushed in upon seeing the soul awake. "I-Izuru?"
The hug he had engulfed her with had been returned, his hold tightening upon hearing his name. "You're alive," he whispered.
"Barely," she answered. Pulling away just enough so the Lieutenant could examine her face the blonde sighed.
"I was so worried when I found out you were missing. What happened?"
"I just... blacked out. There was a lot of screaming and something was rushing to the crowd. People began falling over and then... I woke up somewhere underground surrounded by Hollows. Izuru, they are building a nest."
"But what did they want with you? Why were souls being kept alive?"
"Reserves. We were reserves for them, feeding off of us occasionally if they grew weak."
"Why?"
"There were a few theories. About how they are starving themselves until they decide to attack the Society if they believed they had enough power behind them. By absorbing that much power at once their bodies would've had a positive reaction. Being starved for that long and then overdosing on it, it would be near impossible for the Soul Reapers to take them down easily.
"Or how we were going to be used to lure Soul Reapers into traps because we were desperate enough to try and get away."
"That's crazy."
"But we can't take the chance to rule it out. They are unpredictable in the first place."
The Lieutenant nodded. "When the Head Captain comes in you have to tell him everything you just told me."
"I have heard enough," a voice came from the door. The two pulled away quickly, seeing Yamamoto. "I will make a report to the Second Division. A task force is already being assembled to search the forest. Now that we know their hideout is underground it will be taken into consideration. I will come by later when the tests are completed by Captain Unohana and Kurotsuchi."
The Head Captain left, Izuru scratching the back of his head and turning to Lydia once more. "We will catch them," he reassured. "You're not going back to Rukongai either. I've talked with the Head Captain and he agrees that staying within the walls of the Soul Society will be for the best. They could come after you again."
"Where will I be staying?"
"With me. I-It's not much, but-"
"I'm sure it will be fine," she smiled. She reached forward, tugging on his pant leg to make him come closer. "You don't have to worry. And... thank you."
He shyly kissed her lips, having missed the feeling of her presence. This would not work, her having to go back to Rukongai after this matter had been handled. Izuru could not bring himself to allow the young woman to be put in danger again. He could detect the slight presence of spiritual pressure, meaning the Lieutenant could figure out some way Lydia could be useful in the Society, but never placed on the battlefield. Because he didn't want to let an incident such as this one happen ever again.
Their lips pulled away just barely, staring at each other under hooded eyes. Those Hollows would never take her away again.
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