Spectre of the Past: Dawn

Part 1
, . Summer evening.

Two years had passed since the brief but intense Dark War. Even though with the enemy leaders eliminated and the bulk of the army decimated, small groups of s were repeatedly assailing the World of Souls. The walls constantly lowered, life within the Seireitei remained largely peaceful, and only occasional outbreaks in the reminded the  of the bygone threat.

"It's wonderful Mewokuramasu-dono has invited us to the meeting", declared Fourth Division Lieutenant,. "If there's a single good thing which has resulted from the war, it's the fact it's encouraged closer relations between the Divisions."

Walking unhurriedly beside her her Captain,, smiled tenderly.

"That is the way the Gotei 13 operates. Normally our duties prevent us from spending our spare time together. However, in times of conflict, the Divisions unite again to defend the Soul Society abreast", she said.

Kotetsu smiled, but then an expression of grief suddenly replaced her good humour. She looked quietly to the side, brooding. Captain Unohana glanced at her inquisitively.

"Is something wrong, Isane?"

The Lieutenant turned to her slowly, still dispirited.

"I'm worrying about Mewokuramasu-dono", she explained after a moment's hesitation. "She still has not appointed a new Lieutenant after Sasuyōna-kun's passing. I'm afraid she cannot accept his fate."

Unohana nodded.

"I understand your concern. If you wish, we may discuss the matter with her", she replied with a gentle smile.

Somewhat comforted, Isane nodded and cheered up. Then, as she was turning her head, she noticed a bright glow overhead. She stopped to watch it more closely.

"What is this, Captain Unohana?", she asked with uncertainty.

The Fourth Division Captain halted and lifted her head. Subsequently, she frowned almost imperceptibly.

"Something is coming, Isane", she stated austerely.

The shining point far above the Seireitei gleamed bedazzlingly, apparently approaching the city rapidly from the sky. A group of the Ninth Division members partrolling the area stopped nearby, Lieutenant Norio Nishimura amongst them.

Throughout the entire capital of the Soul Society, Shinigami and civilians alike were suspending their activities, curious and anxious about the mysterious light.

"It'll hit the any moment now!", exclaimed Nishimura, placing his hand on Zanpakutō's hilt.

His subordinates promptly following suit, they all gazed at the incoming object attentively. The entire Seireitei seemed to freeze momentarily in anticipation.

All of a sudden, the glowing sphere collided with the protective barrier, emitting a blinding flash upon impact. The observers averted their eyes for an instant; there was a loud thunder, and bolts of electricity erupted from the spiritual shield.

Then, the ground quaked feebly and the barrier gave up, letting the mysterious light inside.

"It's coming right at us!", shouted Nishimura whilst drawing his sword.

Before his subordinates were able to unsheath theirs, the glowing sphere plummetted with tremendous speed and halted right above the ground several metres opposite to them. Isane took a step backward, while Unohana was observing the situation with an arcane expression.

Subsequently, the light vanished, and a single man emerged from the dying shine. He was a remarkably tall, broad-shouldered individual with long jet black hair; grey streaks grew from his temples. Wearing a tattered Shihakushō consisting of a black ' and white ' and , and wielding a sheathed katana by his side, he was presumably a Shinigami.

However, Isane could not sense his.

None of the Shinigami present moved. The newcomer eyed all of them closely with an indifferent expresion on his face. Noticing two long, large scars crossing below his right eye, Kotetsu shivered; his eyes were bright yellow, cold and piercing.

The man turned to Captain Unohana and stopped. A sign of recognition appearing in his eyes, his face expression changed slightly.

"Good evening, Yachiru-san. We have not seen each other in a long time", the man spoke in a deep, cold voice.

Unohana frowned visibly, surprising Isane. The Lieutenant began glancing alternately between her and the mysterious individual.

"Who are you!?", exclaimed Nishimura suddenly, pointing his Zanpakutō at the man. "Identify yourself at once!"

"There is no reason to hurry, young one", replied the newcomer without even turning to face the Lieutenant. "I shall introduce myself at a more suitable time. For now, goodbye."

Then, he vanished instantaneously. The Ninth Division members looked around, shocked, and then promptly spread out to seek the man on Nishimura's order.

"Who was that, Captain Unohana?", asked Kotetsu, perplexed "Why did he call you like that?".

Retsu lowered her head, gazing intensely at the ground. Her face expressed a surprising level of apprehension, further disconcerting the Fourth Division Lieutenant.

"Captain Unohana?", she asked silently.

"Maebure. Hikari Maebure-dono", responded the Captain solemnly.