Up to Your Neck in it [Shio/Unohana]

Shio's movements were absolutely precise today, down to the last detail.  He walked with stiff legs, as if he were a robot, as if his legs had been replaced with pistons.  His back was ramrod straight, hands hanging at his side.  There was absolutely no expression on his face, the most guarded expression anyone at all could manage.  To all the people nearby, they almost could've believed this wasn't Shio; seeing him acting this serious, this professional, was almost...unsettling.  He was always the one best known for having some soothing remark, some kind gesture to come up with out of nowhere.  Shio was the man who put such little stock in the standards and practices that he seemed to make a lifestyle out of treading just on the line.

Shio knew all of this and more, of course.  Because Shio knew the rumors.  He knew each and every one, kept a very close eye on them for the slightest, faintest sign of anything changing.  For people who may have started to figure out that there was something else behind the cool smiles and the easy jokes.  And much like a ship that was only just beginning to fathom the shadow of a fatally large catch, coming straight at them, Shio could feel the changes in the nature of the rumors.  They flew around behind his back, but Shio listened far more than people thought.  It wasn't so hard to listen, as a matter of fact.  So many of his peers spoke about so many topics so openly.  As if not a one of them had even the slightest concern of being overheard.  As if not a single one of them realized just what the impact of their actions would be.

That is why they aren't your peers, child.  Peers are equals.  Those with whom you share a common feature.  Your peers are the captains of the Soul Society.  You belong among them.

Just this once, Shio didn't even try to rebut or silence her.  There was no point, anymore.  His peers were starting to catch wind of the inevitable, and Shio could almost feel the ground around him turning into sand.  Could feel his body threatening to collapse with each step.  It was only through perfect technique that he could even walk towards the fateful residence he'd been called to, the place that he had been ordered to report to before he had even awoken.  How long ago had it been, when this all started?  A week?  Two?  Since that stupid fucking bitch Meilin had walked into his life.

God, Shio wished he had never even decided to step in during that spar.  But there was no fixing it now.

He knocked on the door in front of him, waiting in absolute silence, hands by his side.  Had it been any other day, any other reason, he likely would've tried opening it just to call in.  But he wasn't even going to try it, today.  Shio had no intention of giving this conversation a chance to get away from him, like the last one did.

"Captain Unohana.  Shio Mora, division one.  You wanted to speak with me."