The 7th One Leaves Us (Bleach: Jūchin)

I almost forgot...
It was a rare day in Soul Society. The clouds had become overcast as though something ominous was about to happen.

"Hikaru hasn't come back from the meeting yet," complained Saya, again.

"Stop it now," drawled Mizu. "Can't you find something else to say?"

"But I miss him!" defended Saya, waving her arms comically. "I don't like letting him out of my sight!"

"Ever since we met that priestess in Kagezenmura?" asked Nodoka.

"Quiet, Nodoka," said Sayuri frantically. "What if someone hears you?"

Nodoka held a blank gaze at Sayuri. "They can't. I speak through my mind, remember?"

"Yeah, but what if someone can read your mind?" inquired Sayuri anxiously.

"Wouldn't happen," spoke a voice just a little deeper than Hikaru's. "Nodoka's mind is more secure than the Maggot's Nest."

"Vice-Captain Mizu," said Sayuri with some awe in her voice.

Nodoka nodded, though a small look of annoyance came across his face in his brain being compared to something with 'maggot' in its name. Which even then, you'd have to know Nodoka well enough that the boy rarely exhibited any emotions whatsoever.

"So you're saying Nodoka's mind drop-kicks any invaders of his mind?" asked John mischievously.

"I'm saving a roundhouse kick for you, John," said Nodoka bluntly.

All but the protagonist and dupe chuckled at Nodoka's threat to John.

"I'll block it," countered John.

"No you won't," responded Sayuri and Saya harmonically.

John glared at his superior officers. "Gee, thanks for the pep talk."

The comedy was interrupted by rapid footsteps coming from the hallway. "Excuse me, is Vice-Captain Mizu Kurosaki here?"

"Speak," commanded Mizu.

The door opened. "I am Gonsuke Fujikawa, 13th Seat of the . I have an urgent message about the status of Captain Hikaru Kurosaki."

Saya jolted. "What happened to Hikaru-kun?"

Mizu cast a glare her direction, but she did not heed it. "What's happened to my brother?"

Gonsuke swallowed. "He has been...exiled."

Even Nodoka's face was rife with shock.

Mizu stood completely still. The messenger before him trembled slightly. "He was not the only one."

Mizu looked down to Gonsuke. "Stand up." The messenger did so. "Who else was charged?" asking the question he already knew the answer to.

"Captain Seireitou Kawahiru of the and Captain Hibiki Asakura of the  have been declared traitors of the Soul Society and have been exiled. Additionally, Captain Raian Getsueikirite and Vice-Captain Mashū Getsueikirite of the 10th Division have been promoted to the Zero Division."

Calling Mizu's gaze forlorn would be the weakest descriptor. Sorrow, anger, and hopelessness melded into the darkest and saddest emotions that the man could have visible on his face.