Once in Rukongai [Closed, NDE]

[Deleted]

Well, it was ordinary day for Arhellai. He was taking his regular walk through Eastern Rukongai, carrying flask of whiskey in his hand, drinking a bit from time to time. He was rather impressive, being quite muscular, in Shinigami robes. He also had his haori with Squad 13 insignia. He was also well armed with two katana on his belt, one at each side. He also had one wakizashi at his belt, while he also had a second one hidden in his robes. Arhellai was looking like he was going to war, rather than taking a usual stroll through Eastern Rukongai.

"My, my.... It seems that I`m running low on whiskey... Hmm... What should I do?" As Arhellai walked, it became obvious to him that today, walk is going to boring as Hell. He needed somebody to whom he could talk. Of course, since Arhellai lived here for quite time in his past, he knew people here well. But, unfortunately, none of his friends were nearby. And that was inconvenient. With nobody to talk with, Arhellai was not particularly looking forward to the rest of stroll...

[Motochika Hatori]

It had been three weeks since Motochika had lost his best friend. Three weeks, and his physical injuries had healed, but the wound left when a friend as dear as Izuru was to him is taken away never fully heals. Motochika had never experienced this magnitude of loss before. Fencing matches were just drops in the bucket. Broken arms from Kendo were nothing. Torn tendons, strained muscles, broken bones, bloody wounds, were nothing compared to what he was feeling now.

In consequence, he was resorting to what he did best: practicing fencing. His body mindlessly lunged over and over again, because he simply didn't know what else to do. That's one-hundred and fifty he noted to himself, as he passed the number. Izuru he thought to himself I swear that next time I run into one of those... things... they will be the ones to die.

All at once, he saw a man walking down the street looking like he was ready for a fight. Who the hell... He thought. The man wore the same black robe as the men who had saved him, but he wore a white coat... and carried more than adequate weaponry. He looks like he's going into a war zone.Motochika thought to himself. He felt lunge number one hundred and sixty move his right foot slightly out of alignment. He recovered and began lunging again. He kept his head and body erect, but used the corners of his eyes to follow him. Of course, the fact that Motochika was lunging close to the side of the building he and Izuru used to live in, which happened to be on the newcomer's right side, meant that since Motochika was lunging right-handed, his back was turned toward the street, so his view of the stranger would eventually be eclipsed. Still, he couldn't help but wonder who this person was. He was too well-armed to be just some random person looking for a fight with him, but he wasn't a normal person. Motochika watched the newcomer with his eyes, alertly, and kept on lunging.

[Deleted]

Arhellai was officially saved. He had somebody to talk with. But then he noticed young man practicing with his sword. His skillful eye noticed that it was not Kendo or the things that most Shinigami used. That only made him curious. There was another thing too, that only increased his curiosity. This particular young man was giving out Reiatsu! Arhellai realized that he is going to pass by the potential Shinigami. No way! I`m not going to let this happen! I need to convince him to enter Academy!

Arhellai decided that the direct approach is the best approach, so he walked straight towards the young man and said: "Hey, how are you doing? My name is Arhellai. What`s your name?" Arhellai decided that the best thing is to befriend this young man, and then afterwards see what does he thinks about Shinigami and then see if here is any convincing needed. He has now focused on this young man and convincing him to enlist for the Academy.

[Motochika Hatori]

Motochika recovered from his lunge and bounced a few times on his toes to get the jitters out of his body. "Hi there." Motochika replied to the stranger with as friendly a tone as he could manage. I really hope he's not here to fight. , he thought, He looks a bit too professional for me to beat, and I'm really afraid of where he got all those swords from. Motochika decided he would keep his mental guard up, but relax his body, so as not to make the encounter awkward. He took a quick note of his position, his distance from the door, how quickly he could reach his sword just inside, and how the angles of this man's weapons could attack him. He formulated his plan inside his head If he attacks, I can duck, and the wood of the building should catch his sword. Then, I'll run inside, grab my sword, then fight him with my wrists just out of the doorway to entangle his blade in the doorway while mine can function freely. "The name's Motochika." he continued, trying to be as friendly as possible without dropping his guard. "What brings you out this way? Can I help you?" He had offered to help this stranger. But, he thought, He wears that black robe... and none of the men I saw wearing those robes have ever worn a white coat like that. He can't be normal. But, he looks friendly enough, and that bottle means he probably isn't looking for a fight, if he's drinking. Motochika kept his guard up and decided to play by ear.

[Deleted]

There was music in Arhellai`s head, for he was plain happy. The young man replied. But since he was asked question, Arhellai decided to answer, as it only was polite. "What brings me this way? Well, I am here for my daily stroll." And to find somebody to gamble with. "Also, I noticed that you are practicing with your sword. I also noticed that you are practicing fencing. So, how bout I help you? I know it well. Fencing I mean." Arhellai was straightforward guy. He only knew that he needs to be careful.

"And also, as I help you, tell me... do you ever get hungry? Were you ever attacked by the Hollows? And.... are you aware that you are giving out Reiatsu? " Arhellai fired out questions one by one, but then he decided it was enough. Well, i suppose that he can manage only that much questions at once. But, I still need to ask him one more question, so I can lay down foundation... "Final question. Have you ever heard about Gotei 13 or Shinigami?" Arhellai hoped to make conversation go in that direction. After all, he planned to convince Motochika to enlist for Academy. That was his definite goal.

[Motochika Hatori]

Motochika frowned. He didn't know jack about most of this stuff. Shinigami? What on Earth... he wondered. "Thanks a lot, but I actually just got finished with my drills for the day." he said. Besides... your questions are a bit too numerous to practice fencing with." Motochika relaxed. This guy wasn't out to kill him. For so many questions, it was unthinkable that Arhellai was going to kill him. He leaned against a wall and thought. "I occasionally get hungry after practicing hard, running, or other training." he said. "I was under the impression that it was normal here, but since you asked so many questions, it looks like it's more significant than that." Motochika grinned. However, he grinned just as much at the number of questions and his answer to the hunger question as he did out of embarassment that he had no clue what everything else was. "As for being attacked by these 'hollows', I have to say, he continued "I've never heard of one. Although... he reflected. He wasn't good at these kinds of reflections. He's asking questions about these hollows and shinigami... I guess they're related. he thought. In any case, I have no clue what either of them are. Then the incident three weeks ago hit him. that creature wasn't normal around here, and it attacked people. Maybe that has some connection. He continued speaking. "My best friend and I were attacked by a creature with a wierd white mask about three weeks ago... It got him and nearly got me, too. That's the best guess I would have. As to Reiatsu, shinigami, and this Gotei whatever, I have no clue. Never heard of any of 'em before."

[Deleted]

He has no idea.... Darn, that will require whole lot of explanations here. Well, first things first. "If you get hungry that means that you have Reiatsu. This world is free of hunger, as it was created to be paradise. It were souls who made the paradise what it is today. The whole point is that ordinary souls, meaning with no Reiatsu, never get hungry. Those with Reiatsu do. Once they use up their Reiatsu, they eat to replenish it. But, as it seems to me, you have no idea what Reiatsu is. It is spiritual energy, the energy of your very soul. You emit it, and you can use it for various purposes. It can do many things. If I want to, i could use it to pin you to the ground. But, instead of that, let me show you one of convenient uses for it."

Arhellai aimed his palm at a nearby tree. "Hado 31: Shakkaho!" Red ball of energy flew out of Arhellai`s hand, hitting tree and reducing it fully to ash in an explosion. Arhellai smiled widely, and then said: "This is one use for Reiatsu. There are other, numerous uses, but that is not important. You also said that you never heard of a Hollow. But let me tell you one thing. You were attacked by one. Hollows are fallen souls, souls that never entered Soul Society, or succumbed to despair. They lose their hearts, and because of that, they have a hole in their chest. Their hearts turn into masks and cover their faces, hiding their identities. To cut to the chase, the point is that they eat souls. As for the Shinigami, there is one standing right before you. Gotei 13..."

Arhellai was interrupted by the cracking sound behind him. The sky cracked, and then a passage opened. Motochika had no idea what it was, but Arhellai knew, as soon as he turned around. It was a Garganta. And things got worse. Menos Grande, a Gillian stepped in. Arhellai had to react fast. It was charging a Cero! He grabbed Motochika, and used Shunpo to get them out of way. It was good that he did that, as the Cero hit the place where they standing. It obliterated nearby building, but luckily, it was empty. Arhellai, who appeared with Motochika on the roof of another building, yelled out to him: "Get out of the way! I will take care of this! Go!" Arhellai prepared himself. He needed to eliminate that Gillian soon. Gillian was big distraction. Arhellai wanted to eliminate it as fast as possible, so he could get back to his explanations and convincing Motochika to enlist for the academy.
[OOC: Don`t try to get in a fight. I will remove the hollow in next post, it`s here just for show.]

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - [150/2=75] Points

Speed - [200*1.5=300] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [200*1.5=300] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [200] Points

Light Aura - [90] Points

Dark Aura - [10] Points

Instinct - [100/2=50] Points

Senses [50] Points

Energy sensory - [100] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1000] Points

Remaining Reiatsu: 2850 (-100 for Shakkaho, -50 for Shunpo)

[Motochika Hatori]

[OOC: kk. That's fine with me. It wouldn't fit with my character anyway.]

When Arhellai destroyed the tree, Motochika had twisted into en garde out of habit, and when Arehellai deposited him on the roof, he had fallen to his right and tumbled over into an alleyway as soon as Arhellai released him.


Motochika blinked. The appearance of a gigantic creature and Arhellai's saving him were too fast for him to follow with his senses relaxed. But, what he could deduce was that he didn't want to get entangled in this battle. Instead, he ran towards the street, then took cover around the corner of a building. He used the position of the giant to estimate that Arehellai had dropped him the equivalent distance of several city blocks away. He gathered that he was in for a bit of a show. Amazing thought Motochika simply amazing. Destroying a tree, carrying me over multiple city blocks faster than even my eyes can follow, then attacking that giant... Motochika counted on his fingers as he thought of everything Arhellai had done. This guy is powerful and he knows it. Still... he looked at the giant creature. If that thing has a white mask, then it must be a hollow... and from what Arhellai said, it either never made it here, or it fell into the horrible feeling of despair... Motochika couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor thing.

[Deleted]

As soon as Arhellai released Motochika, he turned around, observing Gillian from a distance. Even from this kind of distance, it was big. And it wasn`t paying attention to them. What a pain. Why does this always happen happen to me? Well, no time to waste. Ahellai raised his voice, while he raised his index finger. "The Crest of Turbidity seeping out, An insolent vessel of madness, Boiling up, denying blinking, obstructing slumber, the princess who creeps, the mud doll; ever disintegrating, unite, oppose! Filling the Earth, know your own impotence! Hado 90: Kurohitsugi!"

A big black coffin of energy, big enough to cover a Gillian from hole and above. Then, lots of energy spears pierced it, lacerating everything inside. Then it faded a way, leaving lower part of Gillian for a moment, before it also faded into wind. Good riddance. Now it`s time to get back to work. Arehllai used Shunpo to appear near Motochika. "It seems to me that you are full of questions. Well, I`m in a good mood now, so.... Shoot." Arhellai was pulling this off carefully. He intentionally let Maotochika ask some questions, as it would only make Arhellai`s job easier. Arhellai was really into this.

Remaining Reiatsu: 2200 (-600 for Kurohitsugi, -50 for Shunpo)

[Motochika Hatori]

Motochika blinked. Then blinked again. Then he blinked a third time. No, he wasn't dreaming. So, basically... he just blew that thing into oblivion without a sword... Motochika was dumbstruck. He had been thrown to the ground by a force he couldn't see, as if a huge weight had been pressed down on him, right as Arhellai had used... whatever it was.

"I think I'll take you up on that offer..." Motochika said, recovering from his amazement and getting himself back in order. His mouth was still slightly open between words. "So, let's see... firstly... when you used that... thing... to destroy the other thing..." Motochika floundered for the right word. Having no prior knowledge, he was unfortunately without vocabulary to describe what he just saw. He decided to simply get to the point. "Something knocked me down, momentarily. You said that Reiatsu is the energy of the soul, which you could pin me to the ground with, if you wanted to... was my falling down related to whatever you just did?"

[Deleted]

Damn it, I was sloppy. I should focus myself more next time. Arhellai was officially sorry. When he was performing Kido, he overdid it a bit, and that resulted in pinning Motochika to the ground. But, since Motochika asked Arhellai about i directly, Arhellai felt obliged to answer. "Well... I`m afraid it was. It was unintentional. I did not focus enough while i was performing Kido. A bit of my Reiatsu fluctuated without any control, and that is what pinned you to the ground. and, while I told you that I could use it to pin you to the ground... Reiatsu can be used to kill, only if the difference between the executor and victim is even greater than difference between you and me."

But also, Arhellai noticed one thing that Motochika said. Motochika said that Arhellai destroyed Hollow. And that was only partially true. So Arhellai decided to explain that. "And for the record. Shinigami do not destroy Hollows. We purify them. Once a Shinigami destroys Hollow, it is purified, and that soul as well as other souls that said Hollow devoured enter Soul Society as Pluses. However, if the soul that became Hollow committed mortal sins, gates of Hell will open, and that soul will be taken in for the rest of eternity. But, that is for regular Hollows. Among Hollows, there is a group of Hollows known as Menos. They are different. You see, some Hollows have greater thirst for souls. It is so great that they will start attacking and devouring their fellow Hollows. These Hollows will group and while devouring each other, they will eventually fuse into a Menos. To be more precisely, they will fuse into a Gillian, kind of a Hollow that I just disposed. They are foot soldiers. They all look the same, and they have no individuality. One is strong enough to challenge a Vice Captain of Gotei 13. However, while strong, there are levels even above that. But, that is not important right now. The whole point is, that I purified whole lot of souls just now, few hundreds, if not more. But... You said once that your friend saw killed by Hollow. We Shinigami fight Hollows. So... What if I told you that you could become Shinigami?" Arhellai was carefully aiming this whole little speech towards this one question. Now, this was out of his hands. The ball was in Motochika`s yard.

[Motochika Hatori]

Motochika took a few seconds to register exactly what Arehellai had just said to him. He had just been told that he had the potential to not only seek vengeance for his friend, but also to help other souls make their way to Soul Society. This is it... Motochika realized, dumbstruck. This is my opportunity to turn myself to a new purpose! Motochika's only delay was in comprehending what Arhellai had said to him. "Done." He said. "I'm in. What do I need to do? Tell me everything. Shinigami, Hollows, Gotei 13, all of it... Please."

[Deleted]

SUCCESS! Arhellai wanted to sing and dance to his heart`s content now. He was officially happy. This day turned out to be complete success. However, since Motochika asked him for knowledge, Arhellai had to do nothing else that to answer. "As for the Hollows, I explained a lot to you. The only things that I did not say is that they are two levels of Menos above Gillian, but that is something that you will be taught elsewhere. But, us, Shinigami, we are different than other souls. We have powers. Powers that we use to do good. We have two duties. First is to perform Konso, to send souls here, to Soul Society. Second is to cleanse world of Hollows, purifying them. All that is done to keep the balance. We Shinigami have four abilities, four branches of our powers. Hoho, Hakuda, Kido, Zanjutsu. Hoho is movement. Because of it, I am able to move at such high speed, which you experienced yourself. Hakuda is bare handed combat. Kido is the art of demon, some kind of magic. The thing I used to defeat that Gillian was Kido spell of high level. And final, most important is Zanjutsu. It`s the art of Zanpakutou. It is the way to use it. Now, you must be wondering what Zanpakutou is. It is the very core of your power, the part of your soul that is materialized, that lets you fight strongest of your enemies. Every single Zanpakutou is unique weapon. Every single one has different powers, the powers that vary on users. However, once we attain it, Zanpakutou is sealed, usually in a form of katana or something. However, once you learn it`s name... You can unlock it`s true form and it`s powers. As for Gotei 13... We are the Shinigami organization. Something like an army. Gotei 13 consists of thirteen Squads, hence the name. Each Squad has it`s own specialization. Each Squad is led by Captain, while Squad 1 is led by Captain Commander, who leads Gotei 13. each captain possess huge amount of power, and every single one of them can use the final form of Zanpakutou, Bankai. But, this is also something that you will be taught elsewhere. What you will want to know is that I am one of Captains, and that this haori I wear signifies that. I am Arhellai Lagross, Captain of Squad 13. And you, Motochika... You are to become student of Spiritual Arts Academy. Any questions?"

[Motochika Hatori]

Motochika grinned. "Actually..." Motochika ran inside to grab his few belongings... his sword, a few random tricks he had, and the candle he kept lit in memory of Izuru. As he collected these items and came back out, he continued his speech. "I had one question about all of this: when do I start... sir?" Motochika really didn't care too much about this place. He didn't really have anything left here. He and Izuru had spent too much time roaming Rukongai to really set up anything resembling a close group of friends. The only people they had really known were other fighters whom they brawled with and against on occasion, and a lot of the fighters Motochika had met when he first came had disappeared... Motochika finally had a clue as to one place they might have gone. Aside from that, Motochika was done with this place. There was nothing he could do here, and as far as he was concerned, Arhellai was more than just the captain of a military organization: Arhellai was HIS captain. Somewhere far away, a copyright lawyer felt like he had work to do as Motochika decided that even if he wasn't a 13th squad member by rank, he was one in spirit. Those few things and a spare set of clothes were all of the possessions he had in soul society, and with them packed into a bag and slung over his shoulder, he was ready to go anywhere at the slightest bidding of the captain.

[Deleted]

"Good. That`s the spirit." Arhellai really succeeded. Motochika was not only wanting to become Shinigami, but he was anxious to do it. Now he needed to explain few more things to Motochika. "But, two things are important. First, next time you call me sir, I will cut your tongue off. Second, I think I can arrange you entrance exam in about a week or two. Third, that time you will spend in Squad 13 Barracks, preparing. I will not let you to enter Academy on the level of other students. I want you to become part of Advanced Class. Now follow me." Arhellai turned, and started walking towards Seireitei. He knew that he played cards right, and he knew that Motochika would follow him.

11 days later

Arhellai was sitting in his living room, in his manor. The bottle of whiskey and a glass were on his working desk, but he wasn`t drinking. He wasn`t filling out his paperwork either. Instead, he was thinking. Motochika turned out to be good kid. He was doing any kind of training he was told to, with joy. For the past 11 days, he was taught a bit more of Kendo, and a bit about Hakuda. Arhellai did not approve idea of trying to teach Motochika Kido. He was going to learn it anyway at the Academy. Arhellai smiled. Motochika truly had potential. But, Arhellai needed to tell him something now. So, he called out: "Ryumi!" The said Shinigami, nonseat, entered room. During time when Arhellai was on duty, there was always at least one Squad member , so they could assist him with whatever was necessary. After all, it was a bit inconvenient for Arhellai to go to Barracks personally, and stop work for that. Arhellai`s office was at his manor, not in the Barracks, even though his manor was in Squad 13 complex. Arhellai looked at Ryumi and said: "Bring me Motochika. There is something that I need to talk to him about. Where is he?" "He is resting now. He practiced Kendo for nearly whole night." "Hmm.... What do you think of him, Ryumi?" "Motochika? He is friendly, well-mannered, and whole Squad likes him so far. It may be bold from me to say something like this, but I believe that he would be a great addition to the setup here." "Well, it is bold, but I expect nothing less form my Squad members. As for Motochika, I feel the same. Now go Ryumi, bring him here."