The Rotator

Four file cabinets of paperwork, three overstuffed bookshelves, a complete set of furniture, someone's petrified lunch—that's disgusting—one kotatsu...

And that's just in this office. This move is going to take forever. People I know who can lift a lot, prepare to be drafted.

[Filtered to Ichigo]

Do you have some time? We should probably talk.

[Open post but directed to the 13th division]

Next month's duty roster has been posted in the main hall, with the schedule changes effective this weekend.

Those whose squads are scheduled for drills on Saturday, please remember that absences will not be tolerated; however, we've arranged things so that everyone should be able to take advantage of the festivities in the courtyard.

[ooc: 13th's not having a party, as such, more like a Halloween open house where people can hang out and bond, because this is the touchy-feely division. Also, Aino, if you want to say this new shift change sends Ichigo to the 7th, feel free or it can happen later. This ooc msg will self-destruct in one minute.]

[Filtered to Ichigo and Renji]

Just come back without too many holes in you this time. Idiots.

[Filtered to division captains and ice-captains plus bananaphone friendlies]

After performing our duties in the living world under the new procedures for around a week, I thought it prudent to issue a status update, based on squad leader reports given to Captain Ukitake and our own observations.

Once we were able to reach the living world, the main problem was the large number of souls that could not be sent here by our 'substitutes'. Instead of just being a bureaucratic headache, large concentrations of Pluses served as lures for Hollows; this was and continues to be a problem, especially in the most densely populated cities.

Many officers, especially those with experience being stationed in the living world, are fully capable of defeating Hollows without shikai, even if they cannot be purified, but the more powerful Hollows present some difficulty. Additionally, if we devote more resources to fighting instead of soul transfer, the backup won't get much smaller and will continue to attract more Hollows than usual.

Thanks to the quick work of the Twelfth Division, the manual escorts through the dangai are proceeding mostly without incident, but they're slower. To be completely frank, it's much easier to perform konso on an unwilling soul than it is to drag them through an ominous-looking tunnel. When it comes down to making a choice, that is technically an option, but it's not the ideal choice, and it still slows us down.

Right now, our plan is to continue focusing on the soul transfers and dispatch as many squads as possible to hold back the Hollows until we can reach a balance point once more. If our fellow officers and captains have ideas for procedure improvements, please direct them to me and Captain Ukitake will review them.

[Private to Ichigo]

This has nothing to do with the rest of what I wrote. Mostly nothing. I saw your father the other day, and I came away wondering if you really ought to have a talk with him.

[Let's play time travel. On his birthday, Captain Funny Eyebrows received a delivery of:

-A gift certificate to his favorite sunglasses shop
-A miniature dogwood tree to keep Hattori company
-A new set of sake cups

As close to Orihime's birthday as possible, she received:

-A new yukata set purchased in Seireitei
-A bag of sugar candu wrapped with a ribbon]

[Filtered to Ichigo and Renji]

This is only getting worse. We're stuck here and now Shirayuki is barely speaking to me at all. There's more going on here that we can't see.

Ichigo. Has Zangetsu's demeanor changed in the last few days? If it hasn't...I don't know if they'll let you back into Soul Society; the ban might go both ways. But I don't think you should even try to come back yet.

[Filtered to captains, vice-captains and bananaphone users]

Most divisions have shown admirable restraint in their responses to the unexpected appearances of our zanpakutou, but we've been receiving more worrisome reports as the issue progresses. I'd appreciate it if all of you would continue to forward detailed reports to the sotaichou's office, as well as share any possible angles of research. This is a new problem, so anything could be pertinent.

Additionally, the Thirteenth is still taking care of Inoue Orihime's safety in the wake of her abduction, but we need a better long-term solution than a personal bodyguard. I have a few thoughts regarding kidou defenses that I'd like to discuss with those skilled in its use, but other ideas are welcome.

[Private to Ichigo]

It feels a little selfish to consider, but his zanpakutou issue isn't going to make things easier for...you and me.

Captain Ukitake, the latest annotated quarterly reports have been forwarded to you. There are very few changes since the last round, but some of the instructors are seeking meetings with you. I let them know their concerns aren't going unheard, but for the moment, there's little we can do.

[Illuminati Filter]
It's nothing but helpful to have Yoruichi-san officially among our ranks, but I can't help but wonder why Aizen hasn't reacted to such an appointment, or to that of the Vizards. He has to know that they'll only benefit us in the case of eventual rebellion.

Members of the Thirteenth, let's all take a moment to welcome intern Kurosaki Ichigo back from his mission and convalescence. If he seems slightly lame that's just because he is. Due to his foot injury, I should mention.

All squad leaders should make sure to check the duty rosters; we're rotating stations this week.

[OOC Note: It is in fact not Rukia's doing that Aoki's group and thus Ichigo have {insert sucky unfun duty here} this week. It was coincidence that was prearranged. Rukia's not vengeful enough to abuse her power like that...but she doesn't care if certain people think otherwise.]

Who decorated the Thirteenth Division's barracks with toilet paper last night?

I know it wasn't any of our own ranks. They were too intent on seeking revenge against the unknown vandal.

[ooc: ...I have no idea. This isn't attached to a plot, I just thought it would be amusing. Take credit if you want.]

Officers, please be aware that I'll be out of the office frequently this week. There are a number of tasks outside the division grounds I need to oversee, but I'll be reachable by hell butterfly.

Kurosaki Ichigo will likewise be away from his usual duties. Not with me. He's volunteered for a mission in the living world. Sorry, Renji, you'll have to get into trouble on your own for once.

[Filtered to Ichigo, Orihime and Renji]
Let me know if this filter works. I accepted a phone from Urahara, but I don't entirely trust the greedy bastard, and I want to make sure his extra security measures really work.

Also, Inoue...if you've got time, perhaps I could visit sometime soon? I don't want to impose, of course. But it has been a while.

[Filtered to all captains, vice-captains and all shinigami of sufficient rank]
I'd like to report that earlier today, three unseated officers of the Thirteenth and myself encountered the Sixth Espada Grimmjow Jeagerjaques in Rukongai, East Third. It appears he was seeking a fight out of boredom, not on any mission on behalf of Aizen or Ichimaru, but we can't be certain. I managed to persuade him to leave Soul Society, but I recommend that everyone remain extra-alert in case of further encroachments.

[Private to Ichigo]
He was looking for you in particular. Watch yourself.

After receiving a butterfly from Captain Unohana early this morning, I'd like to announce that the quarantine on the Thirteenth Division is officially lifted. Officers may now come and go as they please--however, I expect all of you to exercise good judgment, and if you do manifest any symptoms of illness, go to the Fourth immediately.

Finally.

[In the morning, sitting at the top of Captain Ukitake's inbox stack will be an annotated copy of the Academy's quarterly report; it has been thoroughly marked up in a system devised by Rukia to alert the captain-commander of what important items he should devote his attention to. Of significant note is the rate at which shinigami-in-training have learned the names of their zanpakuto and manifested shikai, which has dropped to a level never seen before in recent memory; further investigation is necessary.

This report is soon forwarded to all other captains and vice-captains.]

The quarantine continues, but Captain Unohana and Vice-Captain Kotetsu, if you've got any updates, I'd be grateful for them. Especially about my brother. Captain Ukitake is resting in bed today, but I want to assure everyone that it's simply a bout of his normal illness and no cause for alarm.

[Private to Ichigo]
Check the assignment board when you can; I've updated your schedule for the next week or so.

[Additionally, Byakuya will receive a hell butterfly today in which Rukia explains her reasons for not coming to see him yet and expresses her concern for his health. All very politely, of course.]

[To all members and staff of the Thirteenth division, notifications copied to other captains and vice-captains shortly thereafter]

Given the worrying news about a second illness-related fatality, Thirteenth division is on quarantine as of now. No one leaves or enters the grounds without express permission from Captain-Commander Ukitake or myself. This includes all officers, seated or unseated, and all staff and representatives.

We are all likely to be fine, but this is a necessary precaution.

My team and I have returned from our mission to the living world. I'll submit a report later but apparently some family business has occurred that's extremely urgent, so I'll have to cut this short--

Captain Ukitake, after taking some time to recover, I've finished the report on our expedition to Hueco Mundo and left it on your desk. I tried to make it as informative as possible, but please let me know if you have further questions.

Additionally, one of our officers currently on assignment in the living world has reported strange disturbances with the hell butterflies she's sent, both as messengers and konso. It's as if there's some barrier or instability in the spiritual particles of the area that's preventing proper transmission to Soul Society. With permission, I'd like to take a team to investigate the matter myself.

[Private to Ichigo]
I know you've got Nel to deal with now, but if you can afford the time, I'd like you to be part of that team. This sort of problem is well out of your area of expertise—I think it would do you some good to be part of solving it. But it's up to you.

[Private]
I've been trying to keep a brave face for my friends and focus on the fact that Inoue's freedom is what really counts, but all that planning and secrecy and for what, if they didn't want her anyway? How effective are we if our greatest efforts mean nothing to them?

I understand that a late training session on our division's grounds last night turned into something of a party. As your vice-captain, I'm not against forms of stress-relief, but I am against party games that result in officers' pants being left at the scene.

Whoever these belong to, you can come and claim them in the main office.

[Filtered to the Rescue Rangers]
After further checking, Captain Ukitake confirmed to me that the mission will take place tomorrow, as previously estimated. I trust you're both ready; I'll see you then.

[Private to Ichigo]
So there's a rumor going around I heard you broke up with Thank you for the chocolate. It's lovely.