Post by Shizuko on Mar 13, 2008 23:29:18 GMT -4
The following is a document penned from the very heart of the Eleventh Squad of the Gotei 13. Here can be found our history, lifestyle, duties, and ideals, all "enhanced" with the... wise... words of the squad’s leader and Captain, Matano Nekomi.
At the very core of shinigami life is struggle. We find ourselves constantly at odds with hollows, roaming souls, and even other shinigami. Our world revolves around battle. Of course there exist other paths in our realm, though none can completely avoid violent nature of our occupation. There are some who choose the path of research, a few who elect to heal, and others prefer to keep watch over the world of the living. There are a skilled few, however, who devote their lives (though perhaps afterlives would be a better term) to a simpler task. Combat is life.
Politics, paperwork and negotiation are not exactly top priorities of the Eleventh Division. While we follow the rules just like every other squad, we delight in the heat of battle alone, regardless of the larger task at hand. Certainly, completing our assignments is of great importance, but simply enjoying the moment of matching someone else in hand-to-hand combat is of much more satisfying to the followers of this division.
As long as Soul Society has been in need of great warriors to deal with its greatest opposition, the Eleventh Division has been there to answer the call. In the past, any situation which called for great martial skill or superior battle tactics had fallen into the realm of Gotei Eleven, as our prowess in such matters was unmatched. Countless lives have been saved and problems resolved due to their protection, dedication, and ferocity. Numerous lives of its members have been lost in the process, however, a fact which serves to strengthen respect and honor within the Division.
The Eleventh Division has long been led by great and glorious men whose intensity in battle was dwarfed only by their stature. These were captains who were as intimidating as they were bloodthirsty. While it was commonly believed that members of the squad were mere brainless fighters, as is sometimes the case among the newcomers fresh out of the Academy, those who hold higher ranks have been among the most tactical and clever minds in all of Soul Society. Indeed they would have to be, as anything less would surely lead to death on the battlefield.
As one would guess, turnover within the Eleventh is rather high, given the dangerous tasks which its members are assigned on a daily basis. If ever there were a threat upon Soul Society, Squad Eleven is summoned to the front lines without fail. Its members are commonly sent beyond the boundaries of Soul Society as well, fighting battles on the home turf of others. Many fall, but those who survive go on to achieve almost limitless skill and supreme honor. Most any member of the Division would confess that these rewards along with the adrenaline rush of balancing on the brink of death are worth the risk.
The life of a member of Division Eleven is filled with countless hours of training and sparring to perfect one’s craft. Soldiers work together to make one another stronger on a daily basis. These contests are often cleverly disguised as challenges of strength, as just about any member wishes to be bigger, better, and stronger than any other. There are few things which would ever separate a member of Gotei 11 from his or her zanpakuto for even the shortest period of time, with injury really being the only obvious explanation. One never knows, in this division, when the call to combat will occur, after all. Our hearts dwell on the battlefield, whether facing one another in friendly matches or staring into the terrifying face of death itself.
In matters of assignments, the Eleventh Division is called upon by nearly any and all other squads. If ever there were a task involving protection of another party, need of brute force, or even a strong back, Gotei 11 will answer the call. Its members are always alert and ready to be assembled nearly anywhere at a moment’s notice, to be ready and waiting for the fight of their lives. We are commonly stationed within the Court of Pure Souls, Rukongai, into the living world and beyond. There is no call for their aid that goes unanswered, no matter the nature and no matter the location.
If there were one division in particular upon whom the Eleventh depend, it would most certainly be the Fourth. Even great warriors often find themselves injured in the midst of their duties, and the skilled hands of those in the Fourth Squad ensure that Gotei 11 never loses a member needlessly. Admittedly, some of the Eleventh Division’s members don’t give the healers proper respect, though those in authority within its ranks understand and appreciate their importance. Pride and inexperience make it difficult for some to admit reliance upon another squad, especially one whose appearance is so very much the opposite of our own.
While duties and training are important and comprise much of a Division Eleven member’s day, it should be known that that our skilled warriors do not lack the ability to have fun. It is quite the opposite, actually, as a long day of physical exertion is typically ended with a few drinks or simply relaxation time among friends. After all, it can only be expected that if one works hard, one should play hard!
The Eleventh Division’s current Captain would be best described as the one who broke the mold. While her predecessors were intimidating men of notable stature and relatively articulate nature, Matano Nekomi is rather different. Appearing as a young girl of barely seven years of age, her stature is hardly intimidating. Her communication is random and often a touch too blunt or crude. It would be quite easy to misjudge her skill and identify her as an obviously weak member of the captain-class shinigami, but those who have caught themselves in a fight with the petite lass have dearly paid for their underestimations.
Despite her unorthodox appearance among the ranks of the Eleventh, Captain Matano rather forcefully upholds the ideals of the past Eleventh Squad captains. Indeed, the Division’s former captain was her role-model. She learned from him the value of honor, the uselessness of fear, and the importance of all of the Gotei 13.
"Division Eleven is the best because we have cookies. You will enjoy them... OR ELSE!"
At the very core of shinigami life is struggle. We find ourselves constantly at odds with hollows, roaming souls, and even other shinigami. Our world revolves around battle. Of course there exist other paths in our realm, though none can completely avoid violent nature of our occupation. There are some who choose the path of research, a few who elect to heal, and others prefer to keep watch over the world of the living. There are a skilled few, however, who devote their lives (though perhaps afterlives would be a better term) to a simpler task. Combat is life.
Politics, paperwork and negotiation are not exactly top priorities of the Eleventh Division. While we follow the rules just like every other squad, we delight in the heat of battle alone, regardless of the larger task at hand. Certainly, completing our assignments is of great importance, but simply enjoying the moment of matching someone else in hand-to-hand combat is of much more satisfying to the followers of this division.
"Our legacy could probably be traced to the moment that alcohol was invented.”
As long as Soul Society has been in need of great warriors to deal with its greatest opposition, the Eleventh Division has been there to answer the call. In the past, any situation which called for great martial skill or superior battle tactics had fallen into the realm of Gotei Eleven, as our prowess in such matters was unmatched. Countless lives have been saved and problems resolved due to their protection, dedication, and ferocity. Numerous lives of its members have been lost in the process, however, a fact which serves to strengthen respect and honor within the Division.
The Eleventh Division has long been led by great and glorious men whose intensity in battle was dwarfed only by their stature. These were captains who were as intimidating as they were bloodthirsty. While it was commonly believed that members of the squad were mere brainless fighters, as is sometimes the case among the newcomers fresh out of the Academy, those who hold higher ranks have been among the most tactical and clever minds in all of Soul Society. Indeed they would have to be, as anything less would surely lead to death on the battlefield.
As one would guess, turnover within the Eleventh is rather high, given the dangerous tasks which its members are assigned on a daily basis. If ever there were a threat upon Soul Society, Squad Eleven is summoned to the front lines without fail. Its members are commonly sent beyond the boundaries of Soul Society as well, fighting battles on the home turf of others. Many fall, but those who survive go on to achieve almost limitless skill and supreme honor. Most any member of the Division would confess that these rewards along with the adrenaline rush of balancing on the brink of death are worth the risk.
"What do we do? That's a silly question.
We win!"
We win!"
The life of a member of Division Eleven is filled with countless hours of training and sparring to perfect one’s craft. Soldiers work together to make one another stronger on a daily basis. These contests are often cleverly disguised as challenges of strength, as just about any member wishes to be bigger, better, and stronger than any other. There are few things which would ever separate a member of Gotei 11 from his or her zanpakuto for even the shortest period of time, with injury really being the only obvious explanation. One never knows, in this division, when the call to combat will occur, after all. Our hearts dwell on the battlefield, whether facing one another in friendly matches or staring into the terrifying face of death itself.
In matters of assignments, the Eleventh Division is called upon by nearly any and all other squads. If ever there were a task involving protection of another party, need of brute force, or even a strong back, Gotei 11 will answer the call. Its members are always alert and ready to be assembled nearly anywhere at a moment’s notice, to be ready and waiting for the fight of their lives. We are commonly stationed within the Court of Pure Souls, Rukongai, into the living world and beyond. There is no call for their aid that goes unanswered, no matter the nature and no matter the location.
If there were one division in particular upon whom the Eleventh depend, it would most certainly be the Fourth. Even great warriors often find themselves injured in the midst of their duties, and the skilled hands of those in the Fourth Squad ensure that Gotei 11 never loses a member needlessly. Admittedly, some of the Eleventh Division’s members don’t give the healers proper respect, though those in authority within its ranks understand and appreciate their importance. Pride and inexperience make it difficult for some to admit reliance upon another squad, especially one whose appearance is so very much the opposite of our own.
While duties and training are important and comprise much of a Division Eleven member’s day, it should be known that that our skilled warriors do not lack the ability to have fun. It is quite the opposite, actually, as a long day of physical exertion is typically ended with a few drinks or simply relaxation time among friends. After all, it can only be expected that if one works hard, one should play hard!
"Does this haori make me look fat?"
The Eleventh Division’s current Captain would be best described as the one who broke the mold. While her predecessors were intimidating men of notable stature and relatively articulate nature, Matano Nekomi is rather different. Appearing as a young girl of barely seven years of age, her stature is hardly intimidating. Her communication is random and often a touch too blunt or crude. It would be quite easy to misjudge her skill and identify her as an obviously weak member of the captain-class shinigami, but those who have caught themselves in a fight with the petite lass have dearly paid for their underestimations.
Despite her unorthodox appearance among the ranks of the Eleventh, Captain Matano rather forcefully upholds the ideals of the past Eleventh Squad captains. Indeed, the Division’s former captain was her role-model. She learned from him the value of honor, the uselessness of fear, and the importance of all of the Gotei 13.
"Stop asking me questions now. It doesn’t matter if we impress Division Eleven hopefuls or not. Division Eleven will be here and fighting as long as Soul Society stands.
Now… Let’s go stab something!"
Now… Let’s go stab something!"
