Captains Meet [R, NDE]

[Zou ۞]

This thread revolves around a meeting of two loners. One, isolated by choice, another isolated by misfortune. Enma, Lord Of Hades, also known as The Devil, Enma, will be meeting the Lizard Man, Ranmyaku Youmei. Both are high level Captains, though this thread will begin in Rukongai, with Ranmyaku doing whatever. Soon however, he will be made to come across a rather interesting man, and that is when fun will begin.

[Ranmyaku Youmei]

Ranmyaku, the new Captain of Squad 8 had just finished getting settled into his position. This process required addressing the shinigami under his command, filing the necessary paperwork, and, of course, personalizing his office space. A lot of changes were necessary because of Ranmyaku’s unique anatomy, however, now that he was a captain, Seireitei was much more willing to make accommodations for the reptile. Holes were drilled into the backs of chairs for the captain’s tail, sun roofs were added to the ceiling, and most important of all, Ranmyaku was given his own sun lamp to sleep under at night. So the reptile was relieved to finally get some free time to take a walk around Seireitei and enjoy the air. As he walked down the stone road he felt the warm sun beating down on his scaly skin. Today was a good day to be cold-blooded.

The reptile walked past the 7th division barracks and noticed they had a tiled roof fully exposed to the sun. “Warm tile! Oh how delightful! I can practically see the heat radiating off of it!” thought the captain as his tongue flicked out of his mouth. Ranmyaku was unhappy that the roof of his own barracks had been shaded by the tall trees nearby. Squad 7‘s roof had been in the sunlight since the sun came up. “I’m sure no one will mind if I simply relax for a few minutes, after all, I’ve been up all night taking care of my transition into my current office,” reasoned Ranmyaku.

With a single bound the lizard leapt up onto the building. He was careful not to damage the delicate tile as he came down top of the warm, sun-radiated roof. Without a care the captain sprawled out on Squad 7’s building, soaking up the rays while he could. “There’s nowhere on earth like Soul Society,” mused Ranmyaku as his blood warmed in the heat, “Where on earth would someone like me be accepted? Where on earth could someone like me be a contributing member to their pointless society? Nowhere. Their closed minds won’t see anything except the outside of a person. That is why humans don’t deserve to come to this paradise. But alas, it is my job to make sure they do. And I intend to complete any job for this wonderful establishment without complaint. It is the least I can do.” Ranmyaku began to doze off in the hot sun. He would remain there for at least 6 hours if left unbothered.

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - 350 Points
Speed - 200 Points
Spiritual Pressure - 250 Points
Reiatsu Strength - 250 Points
Light Aura - 60 Points
Dark Aura - 40 Points
Instinct - 50 Points
Senses - 50 Points
Energy sensory - 50 Points
Healing Expertise - 0 Points

Total SP: 1,200 Points

[Enma, Lord of Hades]

Take care of yourself. You're on your own now, Setsuna. . . The words echoed over and over again, until at last, the one having the dream, the one sleeping, awoke. All at once, Enma remembered what he'd dreamed about. The last moments of his friend, Imen. His closest friends, all dead now, had left him alone. He was on his own, cherishing their memory by living. He'd been sleeping on a warm tile roof out in the sun, though no one else would be able to see him because of the location of the roof, out on the outskirts of Seireitei, very high up as well, a good solid elevation. However, when Enma awoke, he vaguely noticed someone else settling down on the very same roof. Someone had come by, but fallen to Enma's sleep aura?

That was unlikely. Enma did not have his sleep aura on, so this person wouldn't be affected. It was someone that really did just want to lay there and sleep or something similar. It appeared to be a giant lizard. In clothing. Shinigami clothing. Ah. The new Squad 8 Captain. I heard that his appearance was rather odd. Reports exaggerated it. He simply has the appearance of a lizard. They made it sound like he would appear as an enormous beast. Enma wasn't too far away from the other guy, but this one appeared to be focused on something else entirely, and so he didn't even seem to notice Enma at all up on this tile roof. It was a nice day, though. While Enma was ashamed of being seen by others, being someone that hadn't been able to protect, hiding his face with that mask as proof, this guy had a similar issue.

Ranmyaku was a lizard man. He was ugly, hideous to most people. No doubt, he enjoyed being less judged here, but nonetheless, people did judge him in some places. He probably didn't like being seen by a lot of people either, though for a completely different reason from Enma's. Enma, who had no other things to keep track of today, decided that instead of lulling his fellow Captain to sleep and leaving, as he'd done with several other Captains instead of meeting them, he would actually talk to this person. "Is the sun really so much more enjoyable to those of colder blood?" Enma asked out loud, loud enough for Ranmyaku to hear him even if he started dozing.

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - [100] Points

Speed - [400] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [300] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [300] Points

Light Aura - [50] Points

Dark Aura - [50] Points

Instinct - [120] Points

Senses [120] Points

Energy sensory - [60] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1400] Points

[Ranmyaku Youmei]

Ranmyaku’s nap was interrupted by the sound of speaking coming from the very roof he was sleeping on. “Is the sun really so much more enjoyable to those of colder blood?” asked Enma clearly. Ranmyaku turned over to see another captain relaxing on the same roof as him. Why hadn’t he noticed him earlier? Captain Youmei attributed this to the other captain’s quiet and clothing that seemed to draw attention away from him. The reptile noticed the covering on his face and couldn’t help but wonder if he had something to hide. Ranmyaku couldn’t count the times he wished to wear a mask, but concluded that the best way to avoid ridicule was to pretend to be proud of his unique look, even though he was jealous of others.

“Oh definitely,” exclaimed the 8th squad captain, “Imagine the sun not only radiating off your skin, but filling your entire body with warmth. We reptiles are basically solar powered, so to us it feels like recharging our batteries. It’s difficult to describe... Sort of like explaining color to a blind man,” explained the lizard. He was happy to see that people weren’t afraid to talk to him. Ranmyaku was always willing to be friendly to those who returned the favor. “I hope you don’t mind me being up here. My own division’s roof is in the shade for most of the day. I’m Ranmyaku Youmei, the new captain of division 8,” he said as his tongue flicked out of his mouth similar to what most reptiles do.

Ranmyaku was glad he’d met someone. He wasn’t sure how approachable people thought he was. The reptile’s biggest insecurity was his appearance. That much was clear. But he hoped that this wouldn’t affect the actions and thoughts of his comrades, and so far, it didn’t seem to. As long as he put the needs of Soul Society before his own wants, he commanded respect.

[Zou ۞]

Enma looked towards Ranmyaku, his eyes meeting properly with those of the lizard man. "It's fine. There's no rule against sleeping on roofs." Enma said. Then, of course realizing that he had yet to introduce himself, he did so. "I'm Enma. Squad 7 Captain." He didn't give his real name, of course. Enma was the title and nickname he went by. Not a single person was alive today that knew Enma's real name. People only knew the name 'Enma' now. His friends had died. Setsuna Hirameki was buried with all of the others. He didn't want to go by that name, anymore. It wasn't worth carrying. The name of a man who couldn't protect his friends, and who allowed all three to die.

"You're the first Captain that I've spoken to besides The Strong Man. I've caused all of the others to fall asleep in my presence, and simply come and gone like the wind." Enma admitted. Well, may as well start a conversation in that way. He might as well ask later if Ranmyaku's appearance bothered him at all. It didn't bother Enma, really. The insides mattered more than the outside, and he'd learned this lesson from Sonsaku. Many people said it, but Enma really meant it. Then again, he didn't interact with that many people, anyway. He didn't know for sure if it was true, but he chose to believe it because Sonsaku had told him.

"Being a man that has failed to protect his comrades, I choose not to include myself in the world very often, and I exist only to live my life and serve." That was what Enma had devoted his life to do. To live on, even in agony, for his friends. To help protect Soul Society, his home, even if it was the home that claimed his happiness. He would die protecting it, and he would do his job like no other could until the day when he at last met his match, and the day when someone finally killed him. Either that, or the day when age claimed him.

[Ranmyaku Youmei]

“Well, I don’t know about what happened with your comrades, but I’m sure they would have been proud of the effect they had on your life,” said the reptile as his tongue darted from his mouth, “Blaming yourself for things only leads to despair. Such negative emotions lead to negative actions, and that is a vicious cycle to break.” Ranmyaku had always liked to think he could be very philosophical when he wanted to be. The reptile stood up on the roof, gazing at the sky with a distant, content look on his face. “Do you not possess any friends among the captains that you can talk to?” asked Ranmyaku, turning to his new acquaintance.

The reptile’s tail swayed back and forth as he spoke. “There seems to be more to this man then meets the eye,” thought the lizard, “Someone who has seen his fair share of trials and tribulation. Maybe he’s looking for someone he can talk to. Maybe he doesn’t care about my appearance.” As Ranmyaku waited for a response his long tongue flicked out from his mouth in the same way that lizards do.

[Zou ۞]

"Friends? I no longer have any such thing." Enma said. Which of course was true. He had no friends. He was a recluse that talked to almost no one. The fact that he was even talking to this guy was a miracle. Maybe he talked to him because it was a lizard man, someone that didn't receive grade A marks for appearance, and so was forced to be reclusive in a similar way to how Enma isolated himself. Or maybe he'd just gotten desperate and lonely for someone to talk to. Loneliness was a horrible pain, after all. But, either way, it shouldn't matter. Since Enma was talking to Ranmyaku, they'd of course be carrying this conversation for a while, meaning that Enma would probably have to turn on his sleep aura soon.

That way, no one would see him. If he stuck to one place too long, someone else might see him. Enma did not want to be seen by anyone other than his Vice Captain, and by this guy Ranmyaku and the Captain Commander too. For now, he'd keep the number of those who had actually seen him down to three. Three was a rather good number for this. "Maybe what you say is true, but as I was unable to protect my friends, I can't live to forgive myself. I have to make it right in my own eyes, not just theirs, and atone for that. I don't blame myself, I simply curse myself."

[Ranmyaku Youmei]

“Friends? I no longer have any such thing,” said the captain with a tone of voice which was hard to decipher for the reptile. Was he depressed or was he simply stating it bluntly as a fact? Ranmyaku’s tongue escaped his mouth again and he blinked at Enma with black eyes. Maybe what you say is true, but as I was unable to protect my friends, I can't live to forgive myself. I have to make it right in my own eyes, not just theirs, and atone for that. I don't blame myself, I simply curse myself," continued Enma. Ranmyaku snorted as the seventh division captain said this. “You just don’t understand how much I envy you... You’ve been granted a normal body, yet you spend your days in solitude concealing yourself? It’s almost insulting...”

Ranmyaku’s hand drifted to his zanpakutou, “Not even my zanpakutou talks to me. Sometimes I wonder if it thinks I’m a monster as well.” Ranmyaku sighed, his tongue flicking yet again from his mouth. “Man... What I’d give to live one day in your shoes,” smirked the reptile. Why was he telling this captain about his secret jealousy regarding humans? As a captain he was supposed to be above such things.

[Zou ۞]

"I'm unable to have faith in my own ability to protect those close to me. My body is useless if it can't even do that much. I'd gladly throw it away again and again if it meant I could keep safe those dear to me." Enma didn't understand this envy of looks, honestly. He didn't think a human body was so great. He spent his time avoiding people because of his own personal shame. He didn't believe looks mattered. Ugliness on the outside was nothing compared to horrifics that some people might have on the inside. Of course, he'd never been a lizard, so naturally he couldn't relate to a lizard man. On the other hand, Enma did indeed have a zanpakuto that he rarely talked to as well.

"I am unable to properly communicate with my zanpakuto. Perhaps it is ashamed of me for letting my loved ones die." Enma said, drawing his blade out. The sunlight reflected off of the elegant blade, but also revealed other things. It was completely sparkly clean. Not even unused blades were as clean as this one. The only explanation for the well refined sharpness, the cleanliness of the blade, was that the blade saw a lot of action, and as a result Enma constantly had to clean it and sharpen it again, and constantly had to have it taken to a smith and worked with and the like. He probably never went more than two days without having his blade fixed up completely and polished and everything.

"Or maybe Tomoshibi is ashamed by the sheer number that I have killed. In my years as a Captain, I've stopped all that would threaten even little sections of peace in the Soul Society. I've killed hundreds with my blade, and even more than that with the release itself. They call me 'The Devil' because of the things I've done." That was true too. Enma had two nicknames "The Devil, Enma" and "Enma, Lord of Hades" were the titles people gave him. He didn't particularly like those titles, but they were accurate. Rather, they were a ways too accurate.

[Ranmyaku Youmei]

Ranmyaku was surprised to hear he wasn’t the only captain who had difficulty speaking with his zanpakutou. However a certain amount of relief came with this realization. If Enma was fit to be a captain, then maybe he was too. Ranmyaku gazed at the other captain’s sword. He noticed the state in which Enma kept his Tomoshibi. It was clean, sharpened, and ready to be used at a moment’s notice. The reptile made a mental note to begin maintaining his blade more regularly, after all, he was a captain now and he was expected to fulfill certain duties. “Or maybe Tomoshibi is ashamed by the sheer number that I have killed. In my years as a Captain, I've stopped all that would threaten even little sections of peace in the Soul Society. I've killed hundreds with my blade, and even more than that with the release itself. They call me 'The Devil' because of the things I've done,” spoke Enma with a collected tone.

Ranmyaku wasn’t sure what to say next, but his curiosity got the better of him and he blurted out, “S-so you get a lot of fighting in as a captain?” Being new to the job, the reptile wasn’t sure what to expect. If there was anything Enma could tell him about the job he was just beginning, then Ranmyaku would welcome it with open ears. “I mean, I was always observing the actions of my previous captain, but I never got a feel for the kind of fighting he did,” he said, trailing off at the end. Ranmyaku was worried that he wouldn’t be able to hold his own against the kind enemies that captains fought. “Surely just having a bankai isn’t all that is expected of a captain, right? I mean, what’s power against someone who’s more experienced?” asked Ranmyaku. Right now all the lizard cared about was learning all he could from the more experienced captain. He was new to this whole captain thing after all.

[Zou ۞]

"I fight more than any other Captain in the Gotei Thirteen. My job is to maintain security and peace within Soul Society." Enma said. Oh, right. He was the Squad 7 Captain. His job was to do that. He backflipped a few paces away from Ranmyaku, though, and held his blade out. He was tensed, and all at once Ranmyaku would probably see it, Enma's eyes. They were dark red, and his pupils were not pupils, but rather black "X" marks in the middle of his iris. He was in a cold battle state, now. He was icy, cold. Enma was calculating in that moment, a true Captain.

"But, if you so desire, I will show you more about this kind of fighting." He was being rather generous, showing Ranmyaku this. "However, I will not release. My release is impossible to use in an ordinary spar. I can't stop it from killing my enemies." What he didn't add as a warning, since that would sound boastful, was that he was considered to be the strongest of the Captains. Enma, as the strongest Captain, had skill and power far beyond what Ranmyaku was most likely aware of. In the event that he was powerful enough to decimate, he didn't want Ranmyaku to feel weak about it. In reality, Enma was just very powerful.

[Ranmyaku Youmei]

Ranmyaku observed Enma draw his sword and backflip a few paces away. A different feeling fell over the area as the captain held his blade out at the reptile. “But, if you so desire, I will show you more about this kind of fighting. However, I will not release. My release is impossible to use in an ordinary spar. I can't stop it from killing my enemies.” The reptile stared at the shinigami for a few seconds, shocked at how the conversation had taken such a sudden turn in the last 5 seconds. Just a moment ago they had just met, now they were about to spar. His tongue flicked out of his mouth and a smile crept across his face. The next moment Ranmyaku tossed his head back in a hearty laugh, “Hahahahahaha! I suppose it’s true that captains face only the elite tier of fighters. But I imagine that happens once in a blue moon, so I can see why you’re eager for some practice.” The reptile’s sharp teeth were visible as he laughed. To those who didn’t know him personally it would appear that he was ferocious, but underneath his frightening exterior Ranmyaku was as much a shinigami as anyone else.

Ranmyaku spun his blade in his hand and pointed it at Enma, “Alright, I’ll accept your proposition. It’s about time I stepped up to the next tier of opponent. So come, show me what my new standard is.” The reptile’s tail swayed excitedly as he squared off with his fellow captain on top of Squad 7’s roof. Ranmyaku’s eyes locked on Enma. He didn’t know what kind of abilities his shikai possessed, but now that the captain had told him he wouldn’t be using them, that made the lizard want to make him release it all the more. So the reptile stood, ready to defend against any attack Enma would begin the fight with. He was eager to see what this new tier of fighter was capable of.

[Zou ۞]

Enma had ceased to speak, and instant, the wind drew a small howl across the air. In that moment, with the terrifying look in his eyes, the swaying of his haori and the slightest shift of his mask, Ranmyaku would realize, Enma had not been kidding when he'd proclaimed to be the strongest Captain in the Gotei Thirteen. And the way he'd find that out was simple. Enma's attack, put simply, would explain it completely for Ranmyaku, who would probably be shocked, at the very least devastated, by the amount of skill that Enma possessed. It was a simple attack, though.

He is partially lizard. He has control of an extra body part. That tail, he might be able to strike with that. However, I doubt it can extend all the way to his front. On the other hand, he probably has some impressive physical abilities, seeing as he is an animal man. This means I will be blocked or dodged rather easily at first. Perfect.

Enma's thoughts processed all of this in an instant, and he moved forwards. His blade was slightly twisted to the right side as he stabbed towards Ranmyaku's heart. He was opening with that kind of move, in full confidence that Ranmyaku could defend against it. He did it with that slightest twist of the blade, which might make the angle a little bit hard to defend at, meaning that Ranmyaku would have to adjust his block, or he'd put his defense next to the attack, instead of in front of it. It was an attack that took advantage of what others would think to predict, and instinctively know how to defend against. They'd have to defy instinct and correct themselves, slowing their reaction time. It was an effective attack, that slight twist of the blade.

[Ranmyaku Youmei]

Enma began with a simple attack. He closed the distance between him and Ranmyaku in an instant and stabbed at the lizard’s heart. As he made such an attack, however, the captain twisted his hand so that his zanpakutou would change position ever so slightly as it shot forwards. The attack was a quick, simple, and an effective one. However, it was easily blocked by the lizard’s blade as he swept it in front of him like a windshield wiper. With his hand that wasn’t holding his zanpakutou, Ranmyaku thrust his arm out at Enma, his sharp claws threatening to cause considerable damage to the other captain. Ranmyaku was doing Enma the courtesy of returning a simple attack with one of his own. They were both still testing each other's ability.

Ranmyaku hoped that he would get Enma to release his shikai. He wanted to not only prove that he could handle his new positon it to another Captain, but he wanted to prove it to himself. He would demonstrate his skills enough to beat Enma or make him release! Those were going to be the other captain’s options! When this was over Enma would be impressed with him! When this was over he would have the self-confidence to perform his job without fear! The lizard fought with a fire in his eyes. This wasn’t about winning or about training. This was about proving a point. This was about Ranmyaku’s own validation!

[Zou ۞]

Enma's eyes flashed dangerously, and in that single instant, Ranmyaku would see it, that Enma wasn't kidding around when he referred to himself as the strongest Captain. He'd see, in that instant, the true purpose of twisting the blade. He sweeped his blade into the way to block, rather than deflect as he should have done. The blade had been twisted because it had been in a continuous twist. It was one of Enma's most simple battle strategies for bladework, and it was one that he'd learned while fighting an Espada. At any rate, Enma's blade, already twisting as it impacted Ranmyaku's blade, simply drove past it, sliding off of it and past that blade, driving into Ranmyaku's chest. Another reason he'd twisted. Enma had actually twisted more than usual. It was an inch from the heart. He'd missed on purpose. Killing another Captain was prohibited. Enma wouldn't kill Ranmyaku even if it wasn't prohibited.

He had his blade pressed in Ranmyaku's chest, but luckily Enma was a fast man. He tore his blade out, and disappeared in an instant, gone. Ranmyaku was only half of Enma's speed, giving him the tactical advantage for this kind of maneuver. He didn't use any form of step technique, but instead simply moved away to dodge Ranmyaku's technique, getting several meters away. What stopped Ranmyaku from preventing that earlier slash was actually simple. He'd had the chance to stop it. His defense had failed. That was why it hit him, and that was why Enma had blood on his blade. "You're letting pride drive you right now." Enma said. "But I've told you, I'm the strongest. No other Captain is at my level. As it stands, I'm probably much stronger than you in sealed state. My release in addition is capable only of killing. It's no use, I won't use it against you unless your death becomes the objective, which it will not."