From The Past! Kuroi's Old Life [Complete]

[Zou ۞]

It seems like nobody really realized that they could make this kind of thread. So, here it is. Yes, you can make threads regarding personal episodes of your character, as long as they're good enough that people will be willing to join them. Anyway, this is obviously a thread about my favorite character, the Segunda Espada, Kuroi Naito.

This takes place during a mission in Rukongai that involved bailing out some Arrancar at Kouhai's request. Kuroi and the Fraccion successfully completed the mission. However, doing so required them to maneuver past Squad 7, who at the time were holding those Arrancar. Therefore, the battle was rough. Everyone received enough injuries, especially at the hands of Enma, that they had to hide out in a random inn after sending the others back home, and also had to secret away some healing related items from a Rukongai shop. In around an hour, they'll return home via Garganta. But first. . .

Kuroi will meet his lover once again. Miharu Naito, the woman from his human life. He hasn't met her yet, but he will. That's what this thread is about. By the way, Miharu was his wife. This isn't the woman that betrayed him.

[Deleted]

Like, seriously...these weak pieces of shits should just be left here instead of being bailed out. They didn't deserve help...but what sucked even more was the fact that Squad 7 got them. They were a tough squad. Well, Enma was a force to be reckoned with and while Rin was weaker, she wasn't someone to mess around with either. Well to everyone else with the exception of Nijuu of course. Freaks.

They hid out in an inn. Miho was sitting against the wall, one knee propped up and her forearm resting on it. Her saw was propped up against the wall next to her. She was in a foul mood (as always) and wore a scowl on her face that pretty much read "Talk to me, and I'll rip your vocal chords out". They were going to return home, but for some reason, they didn't right away. What's keeping them?! What the hell! She wants to go home now. But sitting here is fine as long as no one bothers her.

[Zou ۞]

Nijuu was the first to enter the room that Miho was in, bursting into it wearing a brand new, shiny black suit. He was holding his old one, identical except that it was torn up and covered in blood. The blood of Nijuu and of Nijuu's enemies, a mix of blood. In full battle glory, Nijuu had been glorious. He'd defeated dozens of adversaries, spraying the battlefield with blood. To do so, he'd obviously had to take quite a few injuries, so this time he'd been healing up and getting new clothes. "Hey, woman. Get rid of these." Nijuu said, tossing his outfit straight to Miho. Not to. At. He threw it at her while she was sitting.

Well, granted he was still much stronger than Miho was, and if she attacked him she'd get killed, but that didn't mean by any stretch of the imagination it wasn't infuriating, and she'd probably get pissed, seeing as that was in her character. She was such a grouch. Lame. Anyway, Chisoku entered shortly after, also wearing a new suit. He tossed his old one at Miho just as Nijuu had done. "Guess it's your laundry day." he added. Well, obviously the difference between Miho and Chisoku was uncertain. While Kuroi's classification put Miho above, they were so close in power that it was really impossible to tell who would win in an overall confrontation. Kuroi's classification came from which Espada spot they could each occupy, and this was from various pros and cons, personalities involved as well.

Since it was like that, the possibility that Chisoku might win was ever present. Miho couldn't attack him in rage. However, even if there were a definite gap, and Miho had a certain strength above Chisoku, that made no difference. He was much faster than she was. He could vanish and run away, and she'd never be able to catch him no matter how hard she tried. So basically, Miho could only get pissed and say something angry, or yell, or just hold her tongue and hold her peace about this whole laundry ordeal. What would happen if Kouen came in and threw his laundry at her too? Wouldn't that be quite a shock? He was a nice guy, though. It didn't seem like the type of thing that he'd do.

Kouen suddenly came in from another door. "The Boss may need us." He said very suddenly. He filed back outside, hopefully with everyone following. Chisoku and Nijuu followed, leaving Miho with their dirty laundry on the way out. They came to the middle of the deserted road, where Kuroi could be seen, wearing a new black suit as well. He'd fought Enma, so of course Kuroi had taken some pretty wild injuries too. He appeared to have already recovered, though. However, his eyes were wide with shock, his face displaying that same shock. He'd never really shown an emotion before, let alone shock. It was because of a woman standing before them in a Shinigami's robes. An enemy?! Wait, but why was he shocked?

The woman had black robes, typical of a Shinigami, and her skin was fair, and yet flawless, pristine ivory. Her eyes were a beautiful scarlet, and her hair was long, black, silky and flowing. She was beautiful. A zanpakuto was sheathed at her side. "K...Kuroi...?" she whispered, stuttering at his name. Kuroi's eyes were wide, staring in a total and complete shock, an utter surprise that was registered with more vivid detail than anything else that had ever shown on his face. Who was this woman? Her reiatsu didn't feel tremendously special. She didn't seem tremendously strong. So then why had Kuroi's confidence vanished? What the hell was going on? "Miharu..." Kuroi whispered.

SPOILER: Click to show

She's Class 4.

Strength: 50

Speed: 150

Reiatsu Strength: 100

Spiritual Pressure: 100

Instinct: 75

Senses: 75

Healing Expertise: 100

Energy Sensory: 50

Light/Dark Aura: 90/10

Total SP: 700

[Deleted]

"Hey, woman. Get rid of these."

Miho glanced in the direction from where the voice came from. Nijuu. Get rid of it? Good. That's what she was going to do anyway. Miho caught his suit as well as Chisoku's and tossed it into a fireplace nearby. Well, that was done. They wanted her to get rid of it and she did! Job well done! Miho often did get angry but that was only at stupid stuff like smiling and children. Cheesy stuff. One mustn't forget that she's calculating and conniving, she wouldn't loose her cool at some prick who throws their suit at her when she knows she can destroy it easily. Tch. Pansies.

Speaking of which, her favorite pansy just suddenly barged in. Yeah, promotion. From idiot to loser to pansy. What's next?! "The Boss may need us." Miho stood up and grabbed her saw and followed after everyone. She saw the boss and a shinigami woman. Why didn't he attack her yet? Was he...hesitating? There was a tense atmosphere. Hm..the girl, oh hey..she's got scarlet eyes too. Huh, but they seem a lot nicer than her own callous, harsh pair. Miho could sense it, this girl was a sweet, goody-goody. Upon further examination, Miho would notice that her zanpakuto was still in its sheath. Two things, she either came to deliver a message or she had no intention of fighting Kuroi. Well, not like she could, her reiatsu wasn't anything worth worrying over.

As someone who's used to making people feel like crap or some sort of despair, anger, hate, blah, blah, blah...Miho could recognize the look on her face easily. She looked like she hadn't seen him in forever. Probably one of those mushy-gushy reunions. It wasn't surprising that he loved someone at one point. That's how most people end up as hollow anyway. Through heartbreak. It was the most common. She didn't know how Kuroi died or anything, but it was a possibility for now at least. She didn't even need to see Kuroi's face to know about that sudden disappearance in confidence, she could feel it. Miho's eyes slowly darted from the woman to Kuroi. She was something to him...but what?

[Zou ۞]

"I'm surprised that you became a Shinigami and managed to retain memories from your human life. It's been centuries." Kuroi said, his calm, cold atmosphere returning in an instant, the flame of confidence lit again. His eyes narrowed from shock to their regular, unmoved feature. Alright, seemingly back to normal. But what had that been? A single moment of total shock, something that not even Kuroi had been able to hold back. Alright, a few answered questions, though. This was a woman he'd known in his human life. It wasn't uncommon for hollows to remember what they'd experienced as humans. Some did, some didn't. It was the same in Soul Society. Some spirits were reborn entirely, others continued their existence.

Either way, some remembered, some didn't. Usually transferring spirits did remember, but eventually lost it if they became Shinigami. Miharu had remembered throughout all this time, even as a Shinigami. This meant Kuroi and Miharu had been close, and had meant a lot to each other. She could be a relative, or a lover even. "Does that mean Shikisan is here as well?" Kuroi added softly. Shikisan? Was that another person from his human life? It must be, if he asked Miharu, who was a human life acquaintance. It must be someone that they both know fairly well, a close friend probably if Kuroi referenced this person, asking if he was here too. Most likely, it had been three of them. Three friends, two of which seemed to have been something more.

"Kuroi...why are you an Arrancar...?" Miharu whispered. She was still shocked, and staring, even if Kuroi no longer held that on his face. Perhaps his insides mirrored what was visible on her face. At any rate, she was shocked, and Kuroi might still be. His answer was calm, though. If he felt anything, he was good at hiding it, pretty good at acting. "Because I'm strong." Kuroi replied. "I couldn't desire a so-called paradise. I found a path that turned me into a beast, and then brought me back stronger than ever as I came full circle." Kuroi was looking down on Miharu? She stared at him. "A monster that devours the innocent? You couldn't find peace so you turned into that? How is that strong at all?!"

"I don't expect you to understand. You, who didn't live with it for years after, who didn't face total betrayal even when that was finished." Neither had drawn any weapon at all. Kuroi spoke again at that moment, his voice icy, possibly even hateful. This girl really was actually getting to him. "Do you see the number on my hand? This indicates my rank as an Arrancar. Surely you must have heard of the Segunda Espada, myself, who visited Soul Society so many times previously, who attacked the Seireitei to free Arrancar, who defeated Captains and Vice Captains right and left only to gauge the Gotei's fighting ability." That was the closest Kuroi was going to get to just ranting and bragging. Calmly talking about himself to someone like this.

"Is that contempt that I hear in your voice? Arrogance, even?" Miharu prodded. "What has happened to the man that I fell in love with, then? Did he die and give way to weakness?" Kuroi replied in that moment, utilizing a voice filled with hate, filled with blood thirst. "That man disappeared." Miharu's hands were shaking. "Why don't you come with me, Kuroi? I don't want to fight you! I was always waiting, always searching! We can be reunited! Be together again!" Quite the offer. Kuroi would have to allow himself to be captured by the Gotei Thirteen for that to happen. They might even strip him of his Arrancar powers or something out of this world like that. What would happen now?

[Deleted]

[[ooc: Sorry, if I haven't been posting much. Studying for midterms as well as making preparations for spring break.]]

A shinigami that retained their memories. That's impressive. Rin knew almost nothing other than the fact that she was royalty but that wasn't much. This one remembered Kuroi. She remembered him. Now, Miho was interested. Just what was she to the capricious, carnivorous, Espada? Probably a lover. That's how it usually was. Hell. That's how it ALWAYS was.

Miho studied the girl for a bit. Her facial expressions...she looked him like he was a monsters, a menace. Miho knew that look all too well. There wasn't a moment when she hadn't received that look in her human life. "She's an abomination beyond hope of salvation." he said. Yuka said. She was destined for the hollow life. It's just what she was and she couldn't help it and if the shinigami don't like it? Too fuckin' bad. That girl's face. This was EXACTLY why Miho didn't like most shinigami. That wretched face. None of them could help it. Being a hollow was something no one had control over once they died with some kind of pain. That soul would go on a rampage for decades...centuries even, crying in agony. No one could possibly desire such a fate. It was in everyone's nature to want the good life and the hollow life has and will always be rough. Miho bet that each and everyone one of her comrades wanted to, at some point, go back to their human lives or be reborn..something!

Of course, that kind of desire dies down. The hollow life was an acquired taste after all. How fast you acquired it really depended on your personality. Or at least, Miho saw it that way. "Because I'm strong. I couldn't desire a so-called paradise. I found a path that turned me into a beast, and then brought me back stronger than ever as I came full circle." Glanced at him from the corner of her eye before looking at the shinigami's face. "Bullshit." It had to be. People in love don't seek a living hell. They seek a peaceful afterlife because of the foolish belief that they'll reunite with their lover there. People constantly strive for a way out of their misery, for a way to end it. They don't pursue it. He was a good actor though. He had her fooled for a bit..but then he kept talking. Huh, the girl's got spunk. That's amusing. Oohh..is that hatred she's sensing? The strongest kind of negativity there was out there. His voice was full of it.

"Do you see the number on my hand? This indicates my rank as an Arrancar. Surely you must have heard of the Segunda Espada, myself, who visited Soul Society so many times previously, who attacked the Seireitei to free Arrancar, who defeated Captains and Vice Captains right and left only to gauge the Gotei's fighting ability." Miho remained expressionless but she had to admit, the conversation was certainly interesting. "Oh come on...what does showing off to a shinigami like HER prove? She's getting to you. Tch..And if he really did disappear, you would've killed her by now like you probably would have with any other shingami." she thought as she readjusted the strap on the holster that held her saw to a more comfortable position. "Why don't you come with me, Kuroi? I don't want to fight you! I was always waiting, always searching! We can be reunited! Be together again!"

Wait, what?! She just JOINED this little dysfunctional pow-wow. Miho blinked and looked at her boss from the corner of her eye. Was he seriously going to go off with her?

[Zou ۞]

"Come with you...?" Kuroi asked, almost dumbfounded. Was he considering it? That wasn't a normal reaction for Kuroi, to be dumbfounded that is. "Yes. We can live together, wed again! We can be happy!" Kuroi continued to stare. What he said in response probably showed the others a little more of what kind of a person he was. "And give up all of my power?" Before Miharu could respond at all, a tall black haired man materialized instantly from out of nowhere, flames dancing around him as his blade crashed against Kuroi's instantly. Kuroi had drawn his blade in a split second to defend against this sudden assailant. The black man had the exact same thick crop haircut as Kuroi.

His eyes were blue, and they looked fierce, even if they had confidence and kindness in them as well. He had similar eyes to Kouen, actually. The flames faded from around him, but his blade stayed locked against Kuroi's. His reiatsu was rather impressive. He was stronger than Miharu. He could probably fight at the level of a low tier Espada, the Noveno most likely. Of course, this meant that he was still no match for Kuroi or anyone in the Fraccion. However, he wasn't as weak as Miharu was. "Shikisan?" Kuroi mused. "Does this mean that you also maintained your memories?" Shikisan, for that was who this man was, smiled coolly. "You've fallen, Kuroi. The man I knew in my human life would never put power over love."

That was odd. For Shinigami to maintain their human life memories was very rare, and especially two who were connected by so much. Perhaps such significant events as Hiroshima being bombed had caused them to remember. Things like that were hard to forget, and that was the time period Kuroi and the other two had really come from. "Much has changed." Kuroi replied. "I am strong, and therefore can no longer be a victim as I was in human life. Power is superior to all things. The weak will be crushed by the strong, that is the inevitability of all life. I was once weak. My friends, my family, my home. All of these were annihilated because I was weak. I was betrayed and tortured because I was weak. I am strong now. These things can never happen to me. I am strong enough to prevent all of them. But you...where did love get you? You are still weak, even now. If those things threaten you, you can do nothing but die."

Shikisan backed off, jumping away with a skid. "Don't even try to make me laugh. That's so pathetic it's not even funny." Shikisan said. Kuroi didn't respond to that one. He didn't attack his former friend, just yet. "What good is power if you have nothing else?! Huh?! All you have is power! You don't have happiness! Your life is meaningless! All you have is power! You don't have friends, you don't have family! Power is to protect your loved ones, to stop those fates from consuming them! Not for helping yourself! And yet, you have no one to protect. You strut around and brag about your power, but for all your power you have nothing at all. You bastard, you have no regard for your former wife, even. I don't care what stupid morals you may have developed because of your own weakness."

Shikisan aimed his blade at Kuroi. "I'm going to beat sense into you. I'll bring you back. At the end of this, I'll make you come back, or I'll kill you and leave your head at your Fraccion's feet." Kuroi, if he had a sense of humor, probably would have laughed. As it was, he just continued to stare down Shikisan for a few moments before speaking. "You? Kill me? Impossible." Shikisan shifted in his place. "We'll find out." Miharu cried out as the two instantly rocketed off. "NO! SHIKISAN! KUROI! DON'T!" In a burst of flames, Shikisan flew at Kuroi. Kuroi vanished with Sonido, and they met in the middle of the area, their blades slamming together as winds flew all about, carrying small sparks. Shikisan hadn't used shunpo. He'd used a step technique that produced flames.

Suddenly, Shikisan's blade shattered, revealing that he'd put something on it to hide its true form earlier. He was already in shikai. His blade looked like an ordinary katana, except that it was covered in a glow of slightly transparent flames, similar to what happened to Kouen's hands when he released fuori. This guy had a similar ability of using reiatsu based flames. The difference was that this wasn't a "cero flame" like what Kouen used. This was an actual fire. The flames were dancing on the blade, and this was what allowed Shikisan to continue facing Kuroi head on. Kuroi wouldn't be able to take a hit. Normally he could just use hierro, but in this case, those flames were really hot. Not just that, but if one did some sensing, they'd notice that Shikisan really did have some pretty top notch reiatsu strength. It was on par with Kuroi's. That made the flames even deadlier. In shikai state, he could probably wipe out Kouen's hierro.

Even from over fifteen meters away, even with the flames existing only on the blade, the sparks should be enough to get those in the Fraccion to realize Shikisan's power. His heat was top notch, and it must be tough to be near. Kuroi was directly near it, and it must not be particularly pleasant, even if he was fighting it head on. Kuroi disengaged very suddenly, shoving the butt of his guard towards Shikisan. Shikisan grabbed Kuroi's wrist, and aimed to chop down on it. Kuroi lashed out with his free hand, grabbing Shikisan's chopping wrist. Both held each other by the sword wrist. Shikisan bashed his forehead into Kuroi's, drawing blood from both of them. Kuroi took a heavier blow, seeing as Shikisan was the one who generated the force. The two stumbled away from each other. Kuroi's hierro, luckily, helped him out against the damage. He took a heavier blow, but less damage. Shikisan drew blood from his own forehead.

However, he did separate the two of them. That had probably been his plan. He was a very skilled fighter. He certainly wasn't weak. He had a similar level to Kuroi in terms of battle skill. His powers weren't as strong, but he did have a lot of skill. He'd practiced. He'd learned a lot in his human life, too, just as Kuroi had. It was impressive. Miharu materialized with a shunpo, using it to get in between Kuroi and Shikisan before they could attack. "DON'T EITHER OF YOU SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN?! IF YOU KEEP FIGHTING, YOU'LL JUST KILL EACH OTHER! WHAT'S THE POINT IN THAT? BEST FRIENDS KILLING EACH OTHER IS USELESS! WHERE WILL THAT LEAVE YOU?!"

Kuroi looked at Miharu. A small, calm, confident smile lit his lips. He slashed towards Shikisan, and Miharu whirled, blocking Kuroi's slash, and forcing against his blade, even with her inferior power. Miharu's blade cracked against Kuroi's mighty reiatsu strength. "I remember now." Kuroi said. "I remember why my human self fell in love with you, Miharu." Suddenly, he gasped. Dozens and dozens of blades had pierced into him. The same was true of Kouen, Nijuu, Chisoku, and Miho. Where had the blades come from?! No, wait. There were no blades in Kouen. They'd tried to stab, but shattered against him. Shikisan took this as his chance, and rushed in. Miharu took this shot to block Shikisan's strike, so that their blades clashed. "NO!" she screamed. "DIDN'T EITHER OF YOU HEAR ME?!" Suddenly, a terrifying exhaustion consumed Miho and the others. It was a huge, blacking wave.

Kuroi seemed to fell it as well, and more and more blades pierced him. He'd been captured by some sort of illusionary attack, taken by surprise while distracted by these two. A single figure materialized near him, and a dull bell sound was heard as something tapped him. All at once, Kouen grabbed his three Fraccion friends, and shot a Cero to blast everyone out of there, straight into the sky. The exhaustion lifted, the pain vanished, the blades disappeared. Kouen fired one more Cero, just to propel them while they were in the sky, far away from the scene. However, what had happened was obvious. Shikisan and Miharu had already blacked out, and a figure held Kuroi's unconscious form. Enma, Lord of Hades. The Squad 7 Captain had captured Kuroi! He'd probably taken them by surprise while using Bankai. That was how he'd snagged Kuroi. They should have known he was coming, he was the strongest Captain. They'd underestimated Enma, assuming they could waltz in and it would be easy. When Kouen got the other three to another random lodging where he got a room and they took refuse, he was panting. It had been tiring to get all three of the others here. He exhaled. Kuroi had been captured. What now?

Shikisan's Remaining Reiatsu: 1600 Reiatsu

Enma's Remaining Reiatsu: 2100 Reiatsu

Miharu's Remaining Reiatsu: 950 Reiatsu

Kouen's Remaining Reiatsu: 3600 Reiatsu

Kuroi's Remaining Reiatsu: 2900 Reiatsu

SPOILER: Click to show

This guy is Class 3. Here are his stats.

Soldier Type.

Strength: 100 (50)

Speed: 300

Spiritual Pressure: 200

Reiatsu Strength: 250 (500)

Instinct: 100

Senses: 100

Healing Expertise: 0

Energy Sensory: 50

Total SP: 1100

His zanpakuto is called Shien. "Rise, Shien." It's a flame based power, obviously. He doesn't have the ability to control flames. The flames just add burn abilities to his attacks. That's his power. It isn't to control flames. It's to coat his power with flames. Not just coat it with normal flames, but use high level flames. His flames are extremely hot, around fifteen hundred degrees Celsius. Normally, it's just his flames coating the blade. However, two more things of his are coated.

Whenever he uses shunpo, it's a 15x increase instead of 10x, and it's coated by a burst of flames that appears with his shunpo. "Flame Shunpo." That's his first technique. It also costs 100 reiatsu. His second technique costs 200 reiatsu per use, and it's called "Flame Hado." It allows him to shoot some flames out of his blade like a solar flare, for up to ten meters in front of him. This is a devastating projectile technique, obviously. It's his counter to things such as Cero.

[Deleted]

Whoa, he scared her for a second. Miho honestly thought the boss was going to give his powers up for new life with what's-her-name. Huh, some bond they had. Didn't even wanna go for the girl. Yeah, that's right, make her feel like crap. Miho was honestly amused at the little discussion in front of her. Both of them were in emotional turmoil..and she wasn't even the cause of it! Sweet, saves her hands from getting dirty. Now, if only she could release and kill some bitches..

Though, the boss might kill her if she got involved so she just stood there quietly, with arms folded. Any time now, boss. You can kill her now, boss. Can we fucking leave already, boss!?? Ugh. Pointless, he was going to want to stay and sort things out. Whatever. In any case, it would seem that his other friend, Shikisan showed up. He was much stronger than Miharu. She was able to tell that much. Miho didn't move from her spot and continued to look on. She wasn't going to get involved, there was no need to. The boss could handle himself. She wouldn't have wanted to join his fraccion if he couldn't.

Despite being farther away, Miho could feel it. The heat. Huh, for a weak shinigami, he sure had bite. She imagined that it must be tough taking him on with all that heat. Of course, that didn't mean he'd be able to kill her or any of the other fraccion. No way in hell! Miho then suddenly felt something sharp, painful...piercing. "What the...". Miho doubled over in pain. It felt like she just got skewered fifty times! Though, that was not the case..but it certainly felt like it! Before she could even react to anything, everything started to fade to black. She fell to her knees first and made an attempt to fight the sleepiness and the pain. Unfortunately, it was futile. She finally collapsed, blacking out.

The next thing she knew, she was in the air. She could see the boss on the ground. Oh damn, Squad 7 Captain. Chisoku and Nijuu had blacked out as well. Kouen rescued them. Tch. Pansy. When they made it to the lodge, Miho sat against the wall. They captured the boss. Are we back at square one here? Their mission began like this...augh, fuck. "....What now?" she asked.

[Zou ۞]

"Let's rescue the Boss!" Chisoku exclaimed. Kouen laughed a carefree laugh, as if he couldn't take this situation seriously. What? Their Boss was captured! How could Kouen take it so lax? "He's an Espada of highest caliber." Kouen said with that familiar confident smile. "No matter the emotional test, no matter the prison, he will escape and find us." Kouen stood up then, standing tall and signaling for the others to stand. In reality, Kouen was by far the strongest there. As a result, if Kuroi was not present, Kouen was the definite Leader until Kuroi returned. So, it was Kouen who would be giving the orders. He was strong, very strong. He was also smart. It wasn't a bad choice to follow him.

"We're not going to rescue him. We're going to rendez-vous with him. We just need to get into Seireitei to make it easier for him to find us. After that, we just fight and wait." Brilliant plan! Or something. Locate a good spot in Seireitei near the white tower, for that was where they'd most likely keep Kuroi, and then wait for him. He could escape, it wouldn't be hard. Kouen started walking, leaving their hiding place. Next moment, he was gone, taking off into the sky, across the air ground, and heading for Seireitei. Of course, the walls were high, and the only way in was through the gate guards. However, that shouldn't be a problem for high level Arrancar like these four. The larger probably of course, was getting past some of the higher level Shinigami.

Meanwhile, Kuroi was already shackled to a wall, dangling without his shirt from the wall. His eyes were closed. He'd bee sedated while unconscious. On a table outside the cell, his ring and wakizashi lay. He hadn't brought his C-weapons today, so of course those weren't on the table. His shirt was there, though, just in case it had hidden surprises. Kuroi was there, and the one standing guard outside was Shikisan. Red wristbands were also on Kuroi's wrists, and they were sealing his reiatsu so that he couldn't do battle. When Kuroi's eyes opened, Shikisan could probably tell, because that was when he spoke. "What happened to you to make you so bitter, Kuroi?"

Kuroi looked up, his vision obviously slurred by whatever drugs they'd pumped into his system. "I...survived...." he said. Shikisan glanced back at Kuroi. He kept the serious look on his face. In Shikisan's eyes, obviously, Kuroi had become a monster. Shikisan had become a Shinigami that saved innocent souls. Kuroi had once been the monster that consumed those souls. He slaughtered only to attain power, and the blood of many was on his hands. Of course, he didn't kill innocents nearly as much as most of the other Espada, since he just ignored most people. However, he still had some rather unforgivable sins on his plate. "I'm sorry that we couldn't help you through it. I can't imagine the shock of being a survivor of Hiroshima. Everyone you knew died, and you had to live with that, even though the rest of us just went on to become spirits and live in peace here in Soul Society."

"Don't...apologize." Kuroi hissed. "You...know...nothing." Shikisan turned around, obviously frustrated. "THEN TELL ME! DON'T SHUT ME OUT, AND DON'T SHUT OUT MIHARU! SHE LOVES YOU! DON'T YOU GET THAT?! WE JUST WANT YOU BACK! I WANT MY BEST FRIEND, AND SHE WANTS THE MAN SHE LOVES! DIDN'T YOU ONCE SAY ALL THAT MATTERS IS BEING TOGETHER WITH THOSE IMPORTANT PEOPLE?! ARE YOU JUST A WEAKLING AND A LIAR WITHOUT ANY REAL MORALS?!"

"Is that...what I said...?" Kuroi whispered. "How stupid...Of course...those words...had meaning..." He raised his head, exhaling slowly. The drugs were strong in his system. He was trying of course to recover from them. "I still...have...ties to both of you...That's why...you aren't dead..." Kuroi raised his head so that, even from across the room, even with bars in between them, Kuroi and Shikisan's eyes met for that moment. "Power...is able to attain it...." He said. Shikisan lowered his head, breaking the gaze and turning away. Of course, he had tears. He wasn't cold the same way that Kuroi was. Miharu came out a few moments later, opening the door to the cell and rushing in. She'd heard their conversation. Embracing the shackled Kuroi, Miharu kissed him lightly just once.

"Come with us..." she whispered. "When all of this is done..." Kuroi dropped his head and his gaze both, his eyes closing. Had he lost consciousness against the drugs, again? Those were some rather powerful toxins, obviously. Miharu kissed Kuroi again, and then left, closing the door behind her. Then, she ran off, unable to do or say anything more. When she was gone, and Shikisan had his back to Kuroi again, on guard once more, Kuroi's head raised, his eyes opening with a burning ferocity.


Shikisan's Remaining Reiatsu: 1600 Reiatsu

Kouen's Remaining Reiatsu: 3600 Reiatsu

Miharu's Remaining Reiatsu: 950 Reiatsu

Kuroi's Remaining Reiatsu: 2900 Reiatsu

[Deleted]

"What. Is. There. To. Smile. About." Miho hissed at Kouen with clenched teeth. He was smiling again. Naturally, she was pissed off at that. Scarlet eyes were locked on their temporary leader with a predator's glare. The fricken' smile pissed her off tremendously...and scared her at the same time. He had a point though. Kuroi could escape on his own. Even if they were going to make up a rescue plan, Miho would take herself out of it. Unlike the others, she wasn't loyal to Kuroi in the slightest. Loyalty killed her style. She was loyal to Yuka..but he was dead in her book so it didn't matter anymore. Not only that, but that loyalty was long gone. Trust begone! Anyway, she wanted to go back to smashing things. With that thought in mind, she got up and followed after everyone.

She held her saw in hand and took off for Seireitei alongside the others. She'd soon make it to the gates. Even if she released, she could only fly up so far. It still wouldn't be enough to scale the walls and break in. Ah, gate guards. Miho could tell already, this was going to be a long, frustrating, annoying day.

[Zou ۞]

Kouen stopped smiling, and his eyes glanced over Miho briefly. "Selfishness in a time like this is nothing but a sign of weakness." Kouen said. Oh, crap. He might just be calling Miho weak! But, what could she do to him, honestly? His hierro was tough. His reiatsu strength was so far superior that without releasing, not even Kuroi could cut Kouen. Miho's blade would crack and snap or shatter if she attacked Kouen. That had actually happened before, in fact. There was nothing she could do if he called her weak even directly. She couldn't prove him wrong. He had probably sensed something about her thoughts. That, or he just knew her. He probably didn't like that part about her.

Near the gate, Nijuu stopped for a moment to glance back at Miho as well. "Hey, scum. If you try to deviate or if you try to backstab, I'll kill you." Well, nothing she could do about that either. Nijuu was stronger than Miho. Significantly stronger. In a full on fight, she'd be annihilated completely by Nijuu, no doubt about it. The same was true of Kouen. Chisoku had made no threats, but Miho wouldn't be able to kill him either. He was too fast. Even if he failed to bring her down, he could just run away and she'd never be able to catch him. That was why she wasn't going to be able to argue with Nijuu now that he'd made a death threat. He'd been able to tell too. The direction in which Miho's thoughts had been going.

As they got down to the gate guard, it became apparent that someone was waiting for them. They should recognize him from the reports and data in Las Noches. He was rarely seen, but he was still there. Dr. Griswald P. Lorilad, the Squad 4 Captain. He was smiling at them, and he was holding some kind of black orb. "Hey, hey..." he said calmly. "Would you guys care to back off and leave? It won't be pretty if you try to fight us..." He seemed like a pretty laid back and chill guy, almost as if he was all mellowed out from smoking weed or something along those lines. Anyway, Lorilad wasn't someone to be underestimated either. He was a Captain, even if he was only a healer. There was a reason he was here. They'd been expected. He was the one guarding the gate, today.

Meanwhile, in his cell, Kuroi slowly moved his hand so that his fingertip pressed against one of his shackles. He had a thin white/pink thing that was sharpened slightly, and he inserted it. It took at least ten minutes of skilled fidgeting, but Kuroi opened up his right shackle. That was his nail. He'd filed and sharpened it against his shackle and the wall both for a while, and then went to the trouble of using it to pick his first shackle. That was a trick learned in Cantonese Eagle Mimicking Kung-Fu. Shikisan didn't notice just yet. Kuroi was being very quiet about it. Then, he bit into the red wristband, slowly sliding it off of his wrist. He grabbed the second one, his power returning, and ripped it clean off.

Kuroi fired a Bala into his shackle, obliterating it with a mighty blasting sound, rubble and dust flying everywhere as Shikisan was alerted. Instantly, the door was open, and he was flying towards Kuroi. Kuroi used Sonido while Shikisan was flying, getting past and behind him, and taking hold of his weapons on the table. In an instant, Kuroi had a wakizashi in one hand, and his zanpakuto in the other. In a single series of swift and effective movements, Kuroi's daisho disarmed Shikisan, and brought Kuroi's elbow to Shikisan's temple, knocking him out. Kuroi quickly returned his zanpakuto into the storage ring form, and put on his suit shirt and whatnot, slipping both wakizashi in. He started walking away, out of the tower, heading off to freedom while dusting himself off.

Kuroi's Remaining Reiatsu: 2750 Reiatsu

Kouen's Remaining Reiatsu: 3600 Reiatsu

[Deleted]

He called her weak? That's amusing. Granted she was weaker than him, but she wouldn't be here if she was weak. She firmly believed that she was strong and no pansy was going to tell her that. But when his smile faded, a small grin of amusement would work it's way on to her face. Sweet, he stopped. Now if she had to fight, she could do so knowing that he was angry at her for her selfishness. Like really, did you expect her to be any other way? What was bad for others was very good for Miho.

"Hey, scum. If you try to deviate or if you try to backstab, I'll kill you." Well, someone finally figured her out already. In all honesty, she though Kouen would have beat the rest of them to it seeing as knew "what was inside her heart" and bullshit. She only looked at him with sheer amusement. "Sharp senses, cupcake. Too bad I haven't actually thought of anything.." she said before moving past him. She definitely wasn't thinking up a plan at the moment...but now that he mentioned it, it was a good time. Then again, these three would come after her and that would be even more annoying than ever. That and, she honestly couldn't think of anything at the moment. She wasn't a power seeker. So as long as she got to destroy something, you've won her over. That still didn't mean she was loyal though.

As they got to the gate guard, they noticed that there was only one person there. Squad 4 captian. She'd seen him in the reports. If he's here, then that means they expected them here. They broke out the big guns already. Miho looked over his scrawny figure. She eyed the orb he was holding. That looked dangerous. Better to keep a safe distance, right? She flicked a bala at the orb itself. What would happen if it hit?

Miho's Remaining Reiatsu: 3150/3200

[Zou ۞]

Dead on, the bala hit the orb that Lorilad held. He looked down as the smoke cleared, revealing absolutely no damage whatsoever. "Hmmm?" he mused. "Trying to damage this? Not going to work. It's indestructible." What? An indestructible object? Then what was its purpose and ability? "I had Squad 12 develop it. Our gate guards are big, but they're barely at a seat level. This may one day assist them. Get ready." What on earth was Lorilad going to do? "You Fraccion are going to help beta test this." He threw the black orb, and it soared outwards towards Miho, Nijuu, Kouen, and Chisoku. Just what was coming out to attack them?

It exploded out instantly, the orb transfiguring into a giant. The giant appeared to be made of black armor, metal, and shiny. The armor was kind of squarish, and the helmet was like a knight's, the visor layered by a green strip of glowing light. The giant was easily twenty times the size of a normal human, even larger than the gate guardians. It held an enormous single grip custom katana, one easily as large as a gigantic pillar. The black knight swung, smashing its blade down on the ground. It wasn't particularly fast, but it was strong. The instant that the blade impacted the ground, a huge explosion of dust, debris, and rubble flew everywhere, throwing everyone aside and off balance. Oh, crap. One hit from this thing might just be death.

It was also particularly deadly for another reason. These four hadn't been around to experience the Ogatago Invasion, and so of course they knew nothing of the thread known as The Guardians, which had been the soldiers in the Ogatago Army. This black knight resembled a Guardian from that time period. This was what Squad 12 had developed. They were attempting to create an unmanned copy of the Guardians. It was much larger, and obviously clumsier. It probably didn't even have any propulsion speed capabilities, or long range projectiles. All it could do was swing a sword and similar basic moves. However, it had massive strength, one hit would kill. It also had the deadliest aspect of all. Unlike Guardians, this one had no weak spot. As it was, this one was literally indestructible.

Meanwhile, halfway out, Kuroi was intercepted by Shikisan. He'd supposedly knocked him out, but Shikisan had obviously recovered very quickly. He drew his zanpakuto. "Rise, Shien." Instantly, the flames ignited, and he flew towards Kuroi, their zanpakuto meeting in a mid air clash. Flames danced around the blade, and Kuroi drew back, backing off. Shikisan followed, pursuing Kuroi as he started slashing wildly. Kuroi moved his blade with a similar ruthless efficiency, blocking Shikisan's strikes before grabbing his foe's wrist, and delivering his own. Shikisan took a slash across the chest, but no blood sprayed out. The robe parted slightly, revealing a metal chain mail and a leather cuirass.

"I already know you're faster than me, and I know that your skills with a sword are better than mine." Shikisan said. "That's why I've got this advantage. With it, I'll kill you." Kuroi didn't respond at all, he only moved forwards again, and kept it coming, letting his blade rain blows down on Shikisan. Every now and again, as expected, a flurry got through Shikisan's guarding, and slash marks formed all across Shikisan's torso, which, luckily, was guarded by armor to stop him from really taking any damage.

SPOILER: Click to show

"So tell me something." Shikisan said as their blades continued to meet. "Did you feel anything when Miharu kissed you a few minutes ago? Did you recall how it felt to be in love? How the physical contact felt?" One of Kuroi's eyes twitched the slightest fraction, and in his mind, it could be seen. Miharu's foot rising into the air as her back arced, her beautiful face illuminated by candle light as she moaned, their physical joining an ecstasy that was one of Kuroi's most treasured memories. He missed a slash, and was forced into a duck to evade being struck across the face by Shikisan. "Was that hesitation just now? Or just a simple mistake? You don't seem like the guy that makes mistakes, Kuroi."

"Silence." Kuroi responded, his blade slashing across the ground, sparking as it struck against Shikisan's. They clashed again and again, and at last Kuroi moved into a kick into Shikisan's chest, knocking the latter backwards. "Do you still love her?" Shikisan asked. Kuroi whirled, delivering an elbow to Shikisan's forehead, missing the nose. Shikisan used this opportunity to slash at Kuroi, who barely managed to spin to evade. "What's wrong? Messing up, Kuroi?" Shikisan asked. Kuroi shoved his palm into view, and a Cero charged. Shikisan aimed his blade tip at it, and as the Cero fired out, a large blast of flames roared into the Cero, the two exploding in a brilliant burst of flames and smoke, canceling each other out. Kuroi rushed out of the smoke, his blade meeting Shikisan's again. "There is no confusion." he said simply.

Kuroi's Remaining Reiatsu: 2700 Reiatsu

Kouen's Remaining Reiatsu: 3600 Reiatsu

Shikisan's Remaining Reiatsu: 1300 Reiatsu

Shikisan Shikai: 1/10

[Deleted]

Well shit. Good thing she shot that bala. She wouldn't have known about the sorcery that is that black orb. Next thing Miho knew, she was watching something that literally felt like it came from a Transformers movie. There he was, the massive decepticon, Optimus Prime...or something like that. Did it really matter?

The size of that thing...it looked like just a mere hit from this thing was enough to kill. Staying at a distance was probably the best idea. Nijuu probably couldn't do anything if she was in his way and the same goes for Chisoku. Kouen might propell himself into the air and seemed pretty agile so maybe she wouldn't get in the way? It was best to take to the skies for now. Miho would use sonido to get high into the air and plant her feet on the air-ground thing as it started to swing it's weapon downwards. Robots had to be dismantled piece by piece. Bala probably did nothing...but she didn't want to use Cero for fear of not being able to dodge it's attack in time. Then again, with what was going on the ground, it would probably be distracted. Miho used another Sonido to get to it's other side. Speed was on her side. It was probably too slow and clumsy to keep up. Miho held out her palm and aimed a cero at the arm holding the katana. She figured that she should focus on one point at a time. Well, here goes?

Miho's Remaining Reiatsu: 2850/3200

[Zou ۞]

A heavy hand flew out, smashing through the Cero and slamming Miho while she was firing it, blasting her out of the air, and sending her to the ground with a heavy smash. This bruised her all over, and broke the arm that had fired the cero, right at the joint. "I did say it's indestructible." Lorilad commented while observing the fight. Kouen, Nijuu, and Chisoku hadn't even bothered to attack, that was why the thing hadn't been distracted and had struck Miho. They already had gotten the message that it was indestructible, and hadn't been willing to bother trying to take it out. "Hahahaha, dense minded scum!" Nijuu exclaimed as Miho got hit.

"Usual reaction to this kind of enemy?" Chisoku asked. Kouen looked at it. "Yeah. Chisoku, do it." Chisou picked up Kouen, and aimed him so that his palms were aimed at the floor. A Cero charged on Kouen's palm, and fired out. Instantly, Chisoku began running around the black knight, evading all strikes with his superior speed. Nijuu began smashing the ground with his feet, using his strength to cause cracks and shatterings and whatnot in it. Within seconds, the Cero ended, and a large circle was left in the ground from Kouen's Cero. The ground in Soul Society was relatively thin since the underground housed a few secrets. Instantly, it caved in underneath the black knight. However, it was only deep enough that the black knight got stuck instead of going all the way through.

"There. Neutralized." Kouen said as he moved away from Chisoku, Chisoku letting him go. Impressive, even if Miho had gotten hurt during this whole thing. "Aaahhh..." Lorilad murmured. "That's why those Guardians were smaller and had the boosters. Situations like this." He exhaled slowly. "You should probably scram. The Captain Commander is considering taking action. He's been dying to test something out, you see." What? The Strong Man? Okay, a Captain, the Fraccion could probably handle all together. They were strong, after all. Kuroi had picked them for it. However, the Captain Commander? No, that guy was stronger than Kuroi too. Kuroi was stronger than his Fraccion. It took no stretch in logic to figure out that they'd get annihilated if they fought against the Captain Commander.

Meanwhile, Kuroi's blade was locked against Shikisan's. It wasn't looking like a one sided fight as it was supposed to. It looked even, even if no one was watching the fight. "Did my words hit home? Do you still love Miharu? Is that why you can't slay me?" Shikisan asked coolly. Kuroi did not respond, only kept his blade locked with Shikisan's. The two disengaged, and then re-engaged, entering into a large flurry of slashes, stabs, parries, and retaliations, their blades flying everywhere with mighty metallic clangs. Their power seemed equal during this exchange, only because of Kuroi's current confusion. The images were filling his mind, images of Miharu, of her in all of her beauty. Her nude form when they made love, her beautiful face as they watched the sunset.

Everything was there, her perfect lips, the feeling whenever he kissed her. But then, a new image came to replace that one in his mind. Another woman, this one blonde. This one had betrayed him. He'd trusted her, he'd given up a lot for her. And she'd betrayed him for money. What was stopping Miharu from doing the same? She was a Shinigami, he was an Arrancar. There was no reason logically to believe she wouldn't betray him. She could well have been sent specifically because of her ties to him, specifically to capture him. She'd come to visit him and kiss him, but still. It was entirely possible that this was all a plot, and he'd already been betrayed. Kuroi's resolve sharpened in his mind all at once. Instantly, his blade scaled the ground once, bringing sparks.

It slammed into Shikisan's blade, knocking it aside. Next moment, Kuroi shoved his fist into Shikisan's throat, Shikisan gasping as Kuroi turned from that movement, using momentum to form a round house kick straight into Shikisan's head, right on the left side. Shikisan stumbled, banging into a wall. Kuroi took this opportunity to grab the armor, and ripped it over Shikisan's head, straight off of him, tossing it away. It hadn't been fastened on very well. Kuroi shoved his blade into Shikisan's stomach, stabbing him and backing him into the wall. Blood spurted out of both stomach and mouth as Kuroi wounded his old friend. "This is where you see it. Where you see me becoming heartless." Kuroi said.

Suddenly, a huge portion of flames ripped up, and Kuroi had to tear his blade out and jump away with a mighty skid. What had happened?! Shikisan was...changing...? Impossible! No one improved so instantly! What happened?! "I...feel it..." Shikisan said. "My powers awakening on their own...SO THAT I CAN BRING BACK MY FRIEND! BANKAI! SOUEN SHIEN!" His body became encased in flames, a huge behemoth made of flames and shaped like a human coming to surround his body. "OOOOOOHHHHHHAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" He punched forwards, the flames moving with the punch. Kuroi jumped towards the wall, ducking low as the flames hit. The wall exploded, and Kuroi flew out of the white tower, heading for the ground.

In mid air, he steadied himself, and kicked off of a building, landing on the ground floor, skidding back. Shikisan slammed down onto the ground, flames and rubble flying everywhere all at once. "Urrrggghhhh...." he hissed. Kuroi backed a few paces away, his blade held up. Strong. Shikisan was too strong for him to deal with right now. Those flames were dancing everywhere, and Shikisan really wasn't fucking around. "So be it..." Kuroi hissed. "Silence, Hora." Instantly, an explosion of black reiatsu echoed out, and Kuroi was put in his skin tight scale suit, and the black leather jacket. He ripped the jacket off instantly, tossing it aside since it was unnecessary. Kuroi's hair elongated and spiked, his eyes becoming hollow eyes once more. Kuroi's hands and feet were clawed.

Kuroi exhaled, and rushed forwards. Black bone-like substance hilts slid into his palms from his wrist slits, and he ignited them, instantly letting them settle into their steady forms, meaning the stable white reiatsu blades. As Shikisan punched, Kuroi hacked through his flames, and then continued hacking forwards towards Shikisan. Then, he pressed a button to change one of the blades to the wild form, and pressed the self destruct button, tossing it into Shikisan's flames. "Silencio Hazo." Kuroi said, a transparent, constantly rippling dome materializing over himself and Shikisan, slowing Shikisan. Kuroi dove away, using Sonido to escape as the hilt exploded. Slowed, Shikisan could do nothing as the explosion rushed outwards, a huge white detonation consuming everything.

In a single instant, the flames disappeared, defeated by Kuroi's explosion. He rolled, getting back up as Silencio Hazo faded, and he exhaled slowly, observing. Shikisan was on all fours, burns covering his body, coughing up blood. His flames had been strong. He was still alive. And yet, his reiatsu continued to rise. "I'm not done yet." he said. "Not by a long shot." Instantly, his reiatsu consumed him, and what came out was Shikisan, unwounded, standing there fully upright. His robes had turned white and silk, and his zanpakuto was bound to his arm by a dark red ribbon that wound its way up the right arm. "This is my strongest power, Kuroi. The one I'll bring you back with. Saigo No Houmen."

Kouen's Remaining Reiatsu: 3400 Reiatsu

Shikisan's Remaining Reiatsu: X Reiatsu

Saigo No Houmen Stage 1: 1/6

Kuroi's Remaining Reiatsu: 2350 Reiatsu

Ressurection: 1/16

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength: 600

Speed: 850

Spiritual Pressure: X

Reiatsu Strength: X

Instinct: 200

Senses: 200

Healing Expertise: 0

Energy Sensory: 50

Total SP: 2550 SP