Convergence of Espada [R, NDE]

The black tear in the air started off as nothing but a black line, but gradually it expanded, this gradualness of course being covered in a matter of seconds, before of course the tear itself ripped itself open, and a foot touched down on the ground. Segunda Espada, Kuroi Naito. Black dress shoes, black dress pants, purple fancy polo shirt, buttoned up. Black three button blazer. His hair moving in the wind, his eyes icy and cold as the poles of the human world, empty and black, devoid of proper feeling, he arrived. It didn't take long for his arrival, either. He was there within thirty seconds of Shinda, though of course it was said that there were to be other Espada arriving.

Kuroi generally arrived earlier than most, but in this case he'd done so second to Shinda, since Shinda had obviously arrived early in an anxious attempt to meet all of his piers, and to please them as well with his precision. Of course, Kuroi had never met this Cuarta before, though he was well aware of what had happened to the last one, though not many were privy to such knowledge. For it was Kuroi that had dispatched the previous Cuarta, defeating and murdering him in cold blood for absolute weakness. That man's greatest power had been nothing more than to turn into a large wolf. What good was that? Kuroi had simply cut him into many pieces as a result, leaving wolf parts scattered around Paris as he defeated the former Cuarta, who had taken the name Sesshomaru.

Would Shinda meet a similar fate? Step on the wrong side, and it was possible. It was even possible that if Shinda got too weak, he'd be swept to the side. Drago, Izuki, and Cero had all been forced into places as Privaron, for they had been unable to keep up with the tiresome life of the Espada. Kuroi had a feeling that both Cierro and Asuka were inevitably doomed to fall to such a path as this, for both were rather failing as Espada. On one hand, Cierro was nothing but a lecherous pervert better at running away than anything else. On the other, Asuka was a weakling who couldn't even manage a half decent release, and who was buddy-buddy with her Fraccion, would probably be the first to go.

In the meantime, as Kuroi's Garganta closed behind him, for he had brought no Fraccion on this day, he approached Shinda slowly, casually. It was different from approaching a Low Tier like Cierro or Asuka. It must be more respectful, but at the same time harsher and more testing, for the High Tier Espada were all supposed to be brutal, and were all supposed to be strong. Kuroi had been cautious with Cero at first, gauging her before deciding that she was weak, useless, nothing. He'd gauged Yuki Ayumu as well. He still wasn't sure what to think of Ferdinand. "You are the new Cuarta." Kuroi decided to say at last. "In this case, what is your name, and do you understand the chain of command within Las Noches?"

This guy knew how to talk a bit, so that was good. As far as personality, he was serious as a High Tier Espada should be, but clearly was holding his respect for one that outranked him in both strength and actual rank. However, the test would be what would happen when the lower Espada got here too. How would he respond to those that he outranked? Kuroi, being among the top 3, typically just bossed them around and chose to punish them, kill them, make examples of them. He kept the Espada rankings strong in doing so. As the Cuarta, Shinda was less obligated to do something like that, and falling short of the top 3, he was closer to a middle than anyone else. The weakest of the High Tier Espada so to speak.

"The others will arrive shortly." Kuroi said. "Or they will face consequences for being late." He gestured at the air, as if expecting a Garganta to open up and appear right then and there. It was only natural that one should, because Kuroi had basically commanded it. If the others didn't show up now, meaning at least Asuka or Cierro, the both of those weaklings, who had specifically been commanded to appear here by Sonken Kouhai, would face Kuroi's wrath. He wasn't going to settle for just a beating this time. He was probably going to sever at least one limb on each of them, or do something even worse. He was aware though that severing a limb on an Espada that couldn't regenerate it was as good as reducing power and removing someone from the Espada. He'd disgrace them like that if they were late.

Shinda was glad to see the power that Kuroi obviously commanded to talk about other Espada like that. Though it wasn't expected of someone in Shinda's position, he didn't show remorse for Low Tier Espada, especially ones who don't deserve their position or power. Some one given the right to bare the name of Espada, should command respect and also be willing to show it. However, what he studied about Asuka made him worry slightly if they were truly able to uphold their own titles. However, that wasn't his worry right now. If he eventually had issues with the weakness allowed in their ranks then he would deal with them when the issue arose.

For now he was just eager to get on with the battle or meet yet more Espada. Not long after Kuroi spoke a rather odd looking Arrancar emerged. Most people will tell you not to judge a book by its cover, but its rather difficult when said book makes a fool of itself like so. Honestly, what self-respecting Espada dresses or acts like this on such an occasion. Shinda showed little concern when Cierro spoke but would not be made a fool of. "Shinda Crusinik, Cuarto Espada." His voice was cool and relaxed, Shinda was more so waiting for someone who could at least act like they were something.

Shinda listened to Kuroi, completely ignoring the 8th besides the slight hand shake he was offered. It was actually pretty odd after Shinda realized, but where had that hand been. Shinda was well aware of Cierro's issues. He was perverted and questionably unstable apparently. He seemed pretty slow in the head. Though when Asuka finally arrived she looked and seemed different then everything he had been told. Odd, perhaps he would eventually like her. Though she obviously made no effort to show respect, Shinda didn't mind.

After Kuroi finished Shinda moved instantly. He had unsheathed his blade and took off in a dash. Not towards but to Cierro. "Obey your commanding officer. . .attack." His voice wasn't cold nor frightful, he was simply calm. His blade was hanging at his side, his hand tightly gripping it. A moment later he had moved again. This time he was heading towards Kuroi. He had every intention to strike though hardly expected to land. Kuroi obviously had the advantage, probably even in a two or three on one match.

Kuroi glared directly into Cierro's eyes with a murderous glare. Next instant, he was directly next to him, his mouth moving close to Cierro's ear. His speed far outranked Cierro, and so Cierro would probably have seen Kuroi disappear, even if Kuroi hadn't. He'd just moved in reality. Cierro, a bit closer, but still outranked in speed, would see a blur moving, and then realize what had happened as Kuroi touched down. Asuka would be able to keep up with the whole thing, being on even terms of speed with Kuroi. Despite Cierro's running speed, his regular speed, which included all speed of all things non running, was inferior to Kuroi's. This meant that Kuroi was the fastest of the three to first arrive. There, at Cierro's right side, Kuroi's mouth whispered in Cierro's ear.

"Motivation? I'll carve the organ between your legs in the same instant as I tear your throat if you do not attack me." A cold, evil smile played on Kuroi's lips. He was serious most of the time, but sometimes people could see it, the "bloodlust phase", which was Kuroi's most evil aspect. This was the part of him that sadistically enjoyed brutally slaughtering everyone. His fast movement had allowed him to dodge Shinda's strikes before, and this meant that Shinda had missed completely while Kuroi was whispering to Cierro. Of course, before Cierro could take that chance to attack, or Shinda could recover, or Asuka could try something, Kuroi moved away instantly. He distanced himself from the three by a few meters, and looked around.

Kuroi was practically inviting them to attack. But honestly, how could they possibly hope to attack Kuroi? Shinda had just been easily outsped, and Cierro, even if he didn't have such obvious disadvantages in power, had no brain other than instinct of the sexual variety. Asuka herself had the most disadvantages. Training with her for a month, Kuroi knew everything about her battle style and powers. In reality, she knew little to nothing of his, for he'd gone easy the entire time, slacking off and delivering random attacks and style types to throw her off, and stop her from ever learning what his true battle style and true powers were.