Nobility and Corruption [PG13, NDE]

[Sozen Kuchiki]

Quest Name:[/b] [Nobility and Corruption]

Who can participate?:[/b] [Shinigami, Nobility, Invitation Only]

Quest Time Frame (How long it takes):[/b] [Maybe 8 pages?]

Quest Setting (NDE/DE):[/b] [NDE]

Quest Synopsis:[/b] [There are few who know where she goes when she disappears, but those who know her understand that her spiritual pressure and her reiatsu are even more powerful than Sozen's. Some say she is the true figurehead of the Kuchiki, but others argue that Sozen pulls off his role too brilliantly for this. The truth is known by Captains, in that Sozen Kuchiki's wife is of the Zero Division. But, no longer. At least, not for a while.

She's pregnant. To celebrate the fact that he's having children, Sozen is throwing an enormous ball. Anyone that wishes to come is cordially invited. It's also a rare business opportunity, since all the Nobles are gathering.]

Maximum Number of Participants:[/b] [4]

Overall Goal:[/b] [Find a way home.]

Number of missions involved:[/b] [5]

BASIC Synopsis of each Quest mission:[/b]

Mission 1 - Arrive at the ball. Bring additional guests or bring a date. It doesn't matter. Show up, greet the host, greet other nobles. Have fun. It's entertaining. SOCIAL.

Mission 2 - What? Where are you? Suddenly, you're not at the party anymore. You're somewhere else. It looks like Soul Society. But it's different. And it's partially destroyed. Investigate. What is going on? Medium difficulty.

Mission 3 - Follow the masked man to his base of locations in the human world. The human world also looks quite different. Find out what's going on. You can side with or against the masked man. Learn his motivations. He may even have a way for you to get home. Medium difficulty.

Mission 4 - If you're against the masked man, return to the Soul Society and give information to the Gotei. If you're for him, help him with his mission. Hard difficulty.

Mission 5 - No matter who you are, make your way into the Seireitei. There's a battle unfolding, but that isn't your concern, unless you want it to be. Make your way to your method home. You now know where it is, after all. Hard difficulty.

Recommended Class for entry:[/b] [3+]

Shinigami RPCs who would be allowed to attend and who are invited offially:

Kazuko Shiba
Katrina Kawada
Shiki Kanzaki
Kaen Youji
Shade Kawada
Kyomei Kuchiki
Hokori Kuchiki
Iro Kuchiki
Ryuu Usagi
Kenryoku Kawada
Kenpachi Shingai
Botan Kuromori
Kotori Kawada

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

My Dear Kyomei,

As the Noble Head of the Esteemed Kuchiki Household, I am hereby inviting you to attend the Grand Noble Gala, an event which I will be hosting for the entertainment and socializing of those of noble status. It is my hope that you will arrive with the other esteemed guests, and will find both a pleasant night and perhaps new allies and connections along the way.

The event begins at dusk on the fourth night of the month, and will last throughout the night. I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Sozen Kuchiki

Kyomei read over the invitation that he had received once more. He was surprised that his adopted cousin had honored him in such a way as this. Being adopted into the Kuchiki family, Kyomei had received many a sour glance and sneer as he passed through the mansion. It had been a few months and still they liked him no more than when he first arrived. Though Kyomei wasn't completely sure, he thought that his new family had even spit into his hair on occasion. This was the first time since Sozen had adopted Kyomei that he'd been treated as a Shinigami, instead of as an inferior animal. Maybe now that he had become the Kidou Corps Commander, people would start to put more faith in him.] in the coming days.

Kyomei could not refuse such an auspicious occasion. This was his chance to act with grace and carry himself like a proper Kuchiki was supposed to do. Maybe someday soon the rest of his family would see him as Sozen did on that day where he was welcomed into the family. When the day arrived for the event, the Kidou Corps Commander was ready. Following lunch, Kyomei started the process of getting ready for the gathering that would take place in the ballroom of the manor that night. Following this night, the Shinigami hoped that there was no doubt as to his ability to act as nobility and uphold the honor of the Kuchiki.

As Kyomei bathed, he took extra care to remove any and all dirt, grease, and grime. Nobility were not dirty. Secretly, he removed a kit from his room that he had found in the Land of the Living, containing a skin product normally for females, and used it to blend the albino patch of skin with the rest of his face. Nobility did not have blemishes on their foreheads. He then proceeded to comb his hair in a very orderly fashion, then used another human product to secure his hair away from his face, in a fashion the humans called "slicking the hair back." Nobility did not have disorderly hair.

When his body was in proper order, he proceeded to dress himself in a way a Kuchiki would. He wore a simple, black silk Hakama and his Captain's Haori over top. It was a very clean, crisp, and noble looking garment that would be perfect for the gathering. After much internal debate, Kyomei decided to leave his bands in his room. They would only serve to lessen the image of nobility he was trying to create. Instead, the Shinigami would look professional and choose to wear the Kuchiki House combs. He wished to honor the Kuchiki name by placing himself under their customs and traditions, symbolically doing so by placing them in his hair, as if he was beneath the Kuchiki.

By then, people were starting to show up and his adopted family was also starting to come out of their rooms. Most everyone was far more extravagant than the Soul Reaper, so he mainly kept to himself and tried to stay out of the way. He smiled, shook hands, and offered polite conversation, as was customary for one of nobility, but he didn't go out of his way to seek the company of others. In fact, he felt quite alone in that large ballroom. Most everyone had a date of some kind, though Kyomei had never really spent any time in pursuing a woman. His training had been too important to him, and thus he felt alone at this moment. However, the beautiful violin music playing was soothing to Kyomei's wounded heart. Maybe if he was unable to find any pleasant conversation, he'd go play the violin up there himself.

It didn't take long for the Kuchiki's less than normal quirk to begin to bother him. Everywhere he looked, the chatting people were causing his brain to go haywire, seeing a plethora of colors everywhere. It was giving him a headache, staring at so many rainbow clouds everywhere he looked. Gathering his wits together for a moment, Kyomei moved over to the bar area to get away from some of the noise. He contributed to it all when he greeted the bartender, but that was a small price to pay if he was going to try to drown out the issues he was having. "Bartender, get me something strong, on the rocks please. And I'd appreciate it if you could do it with as little talking as possible, my head's pounding something fierce from all the noise."

---

My Dear Iro,

As the Noble Head of the Esteemed Kuchiki Household, I am hereby inviting you to attend the Grand Noble Gala, an event which I will be hosting for the entertainment and socializing of those of noble status. It is my hope that you will arrive with the other esteemed guests, and will find both a pleasant night and perhaps new allies and connections along the way.

The event begins at dusk on the fourth night of the month, and will last throughout the night. I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Sozen Kuchiki

Ah, this was amusing. The Captain of Squad 11 had found a letter from his cousin sitting on his desk in his office when he arrived in the morning for the more mundane portion of the day. There was paperwork to be done, reports to read, attacks to plan. As of yet, the scouts had yet to bring to him the location of the entrance to Hell, nor had Squad 12 perfected a Garganta machine, so he couldn't organize an efficient strike on the world of Hueco Mundo just yet, but pockets of Hollows in the Land of the Living still needed to be destroyed. He spent a few minutes organizing three man teams of unseated officers to take down packs of Hollows forming before coming across the letter. Iro needed a break from the busy morning work, a distraction from the imminent threat of Hollows grouping up, so with a cup of coffee he sat down to read the letter.

It was from his cousin Sozen, gathering nobility together for a ball of some sort. As it was going to be in the mansion, the Captain had little reason not to go stop by, thought it was probably going to be awkward. It's about his wife... the member of the Zero Division... He'll be announcing her pregnancy, though people already know... Do I really want the memories of... her, coming back? He'd be offended if I didn't go, so I'll just group up with Kyomei so I don't seem so out of place. Neither of us have someone dear to us anyways... Well, anyone living... The Kuchiki, on the day of the ball, went to the room of his adopted cousin, the newly appointed Kidou Corps Commander, but the latter had already joined the party. Shrugging, Iro proceeded to go to the ballroom himself, keeping on the lookout for Sozen to try and keep a little bit of distance lest bad memories surface.

Catching sight of his cousin Kyomei wandering dazed towards the bar, Iro decided that it would be best for him to go in that direction as well. Though it may increase his chances of interacting with Sozen, as well as deaden his inhibitions, a nice stiff drink never hurt. Coming up next to his cousin, with barely more than a whisper, Iro addressed the bartender. "Make it two, good sir." The Captain of Squad 11 was aware of the other Kuchiki's issues as a result of facing Hell itself, and knew how to keep from bothering him too much. For one, as little talking as possible helped, as well as keeping the volume to a minimum. Neither were a problem for Iro, whose asthma forced him to stay in control of his body and maintain harmony within himself. It was a daily struggle, working on not exerting oneself too much, but the Kuchiki was more than used to it.

[Hokori Kuchiki]

SPOILER: Click to show

At the top of the steps with a gloved hand on the railing overlooking the guests in the ballroom, Hokori Kuchiki's eyes took in the sight before him. He had not brought a guest, which wouldn't surprise many who knew him. His glasses were polished, his hair feathered lightly and yet was still slicked back. He was wearing his best hakama, it's silk was worth more than a house in the rukongai. Over this was his haori, which bore the squad five insignia on the back with the under coloring was an emerald green. As he descended he had a servant take his Zanpakutou and place it behind the bar in a compartment for storage. It was going to be cumbersome to dance with his blade, but he was never far from it. He had notice that there would be Kawada and Kasumioji as well, he wouldn't be caught unaware when such people were in his home.

He couldn't however let his thoughts pour over this, he had an important self mission here. He was going to finally do it, he was going to ask Sozen about love. What it felt like, how it felt to have someone that important in his life. Did it make him stronger? Did it give him a source of determination even in the blackest pits of despair? Did it drive him insane to have to stay away from her for long spans of time? Hokori was insanely jealous that he didn't know or have someone like that, and he was insanely curious about her. Aoi is her name? He believed that was it, he couldn't remember. Sozen rarely talked about her, and when he did it was fleeting. As he finished descending the stairs he made his way over to the bar, he noted the servant putting away his blade. But something caught his attention.

"Hello Cousins," Hokori's greeting was genuine with an actual smile and had a hint of surprise edged in at the in as his eyes took in Kyomei's appearance. "Kyomei, You became the Kidou Corps Commander? That's interesting news, I've always wondered how the tests for that post were different from the standard captain. Are you enjoying the new amenities of becoming a captain?" He then turned to Iro. "Hello Iro, how has your health been treating you? Well I hope. Shouldn't we be on the dance floor, entertaining our guests? It wouldn't be wise for us to become intoxicated tonight, there will be Kawada and Kasumioji here soon. We need to have our wits about us."

He gestured to the band already playing a lovely orchestrated piece, in his mind it was beautiful. Hokori didn't order a drink but waited for them to finish their and respond and then made his way out to the dance floor. He asked a Noble from the shiba House to dance, her appearance to him was desirable to say the least. She was pale with short black hair cropped in a pixie cut. She had blue eyes the color of sapphires, her nose was small and her lips were small as well. She was wearing a black dress that was very interesting. Close fitting but with geometrical cut outs of the fabric that showed patches of her pale skin. She was beautiful and dancing with a man from the Kasumioji family.

Hokori felt his mouth go dry as he walked towards her, He stopped and gestured with his hand out. He looked at the man and then to her. "May I have this dance." It was strange, he was not ordinarily this nervous. The chance of rejection was both frightening enough to tighten his stomach, but the thrill of the fact she could say yes was something could make him happy. He didn't know as she looked at him whether she would accept or decline and keep dancing with the Kasumioji man. He hoped she would accept, it would be a pleasent way to start the night. In the corner of his mind he wondered where his cousin was, Sozen should be here by now. Probably playing it off again. Internally Hokori groaned, hopefully he took tonight seriously.

[Sozen Kuchiki]

SPOILER: Click to show

Sozen was watching his relatives from the corner of his eyes. He was certainly glad to see that they could group together. Iro, he knew, had a great deal of pain associated with loss. He knew people's histories. And he knew such an event must be reminiscent to Iro of that pain. He also knew that Kyomei had been scarred by his mission into the Ogatago base, and had become a good deal more somber because of it. He knew Hokori felt frustrated by what he perceived to be his weakness over a recent string of defeats. They were all suffering inside.

That was what family was for. They could all support each other, one way or another. Sozen was dressed in a black Western style tuxedo, reminiscent of the human world, and elegant beyond all measure, made of the most sleek and fine material. Aoi was preparing herself in their chambers to join the party. Sozen, holding a glass of mild wine, was socializing with a brilliant smile in the center of one of many clusters of suited, noble individuals. There were dozens who had arrived, hundreds even. They had all come to greet each other, to socialize, to take care of business, and to make alliances. Oh, and of course to dine on the free food and enjoy Sozen's hospitality and alcohol.

This huge crowd of people was contained within a single enormous ball room, spherial, with a high, white arched ceiling covered in enormous, dazzling crystal chandeliers. They were the most expensive kind, as expected of the Kuchiki Household. The ballroom was filled with various white clothed tables covered in an assortment of drinks, food, and other luxuries for the guests to enjoy. The beige marble floor was slick and shiny, so sturdy that one could shatter their skull against it without leaving even so much as a scratch on its magnificent sheen. It was a lively floor for a lively event, the black soles of black dress shoes never once marring it.

The orchestral violin music which was so typical of any noble ball was playing, with the players located in a large pit in the corner of the room so as not to disturb the guests, but clearly visible to be observed for those who ran out of things to do. New guests were arriving every few minutes. Some were famous, and some were not. There were guests from the less esteemed Yuoi household, a house subservient to the Kuchikis. There were also guests from more prominent families, such as the Kawadas. Of the Kawadas, Kenryoku, their right hand, had arrived, dressed in an elegant black tuxedo, his hands crossed behind his back, his icy blue eyes evaluating the room.

There was one guest there that was not noble, and just one. Kenpachi Shingai. He was in a black suit with a black dress shirt and a white tie, and was sitting in one of the lounge chairs that was located in a circle of lounge chairs in a random part of the room. He was drinking champagne with other, older guests, though some were young as well. Shingai had been a friend to Sozen's grandfather, Ginrei. He was sharing war stories from that generation, for that had been great wars and great battles, and he had lived through them all. He told even of a battle with mighty Shigekuni, the 33rd Captain Commander.

The bartender served Kyomei and Iro drinks. To Kyomei, he served a green drink in a small shot glass, but it did not come with ice as requested, but the condensation on the glass indicated that it had been chilled in ice. "Absinthe. 160 proof." the bartender said, keeping it straight and to the point. It was valid to say that ice could dilute the alcoholic effect of some drinks. More importantly, Kyomei had been given one of the stronger alcohols. That shot, when it went down, would be the strongest he'd had. It would feel as if his throat and brain were set on fire, and this would last a few seconds.

To Iro, the bartender served a more mild drink, since Iro looked less like he needed the alcohol. While it was more mild, it was still potent. The drink that Iro received came in a rather tall glass with a straw. It was pink and filled with ice. "Sweet Havannah." the bartender told him. "Bacardi, gin, rum, vodka, and tropical juice all in one with some fresh squeezed lime added to it." It was several strong drinks. 80 proof, 94 proof, 80 proof, 80 proof. Iro and Kyomei would be able to get tipsy on just one or two of their drinks, and completely smashed by four. That was if they had tolerance. If they had none, the first would do it for them both.

The girl that Hokori wanted to dance with smiled at him. Her features didn't light up in immediate recognition, so she didn't know his name or who he was quite, but she had a slight identification in her eyes. Hokori had a few distinguishable features, most notably attire, mannerism, and some sort of ornament on his body, which gave away that he was a Kuchiki. The same could be said of how he'd known the girl was a Shiba. "I'd be honored, Kuchiki-Dono." she said in a sweet, high octave sing-song voice. She offered her hand to him, and they began to dance.

The Kasumi'Oji man smiled, relenting and allowing the girl to take Hokori's hand instead and dance with him. He smiled politely. He was an older gentleman in physical middle age, with short gray hair that was gelled back to look slick, and eyes gray like the night cloudy. He looked fit, but not so athletic or muscular as a young man. He had already left his prime. His smile was polite and practiced. "I'll expect her back by the end of the night." he joked to Hokori before disappearing into the crowd, probably to socialize with some of the other party guests. He was one of many that had arrived. There were others who certainly soon would.

Sozen made a point to leave his current circle by politely excusing himself. He leaned in between Iro and Kyomei while they were drinking. He smiled warmly at them with a confident smile that was inviting. It was the Soul Society's most beautiful and golden smile, a radiant one which assured anyone that he gave it to that he had been expecting only them, and that he could not be more delighted to see them. He smiled at them as if they were the most important people in the world, and there was nowhere that he would rather be than with them. Before his smile, all insecurities melted away, and all hesitance vanished. He smiled as if he knew and accepted already everything about the two men.

"Moonshine is the quickest way to the bathroom." Sozen told Iro and Kyomei, advising them playfully on how best to get drunk, and nodding at the bartender. It seemed that would be their next drink if they weren't drunk after their first ones. "It's good to see you both. We do need to spend more time with one another. Ah, how about a hunting trip? Well, more on that later. I have a different proposal first." Continuing to smile at them, Sozen had more news to say. "You can drink more in a bit, too. Come, bring your drinks. There's someone I would like you to meet." Sozen guided the two men over to the middle aged Kasumi'Oji that Hokori's current Shiba dance partner had previously been dancing with in predecession. In passing Hokori and the Shiba girl, they might overhear a snippet of conversation, her first question to him. "Would you honor me with your identity, Kuchiki-Dono?"

Sozen brought the two men to the middle aged man, who stood at a height exactly even to Sozen, six feet. "This is Ryuuken of the Kasumi'Oji Family." Sozen introduced. "He is their current Head, 20th to hold the title." Ryuuken coolly evaluated them before greeting them. "My greetings." he said, extending his hand to each of them to shake in turn. Sozen's subliminal message was also clear. This man needed to be watched part of the time. If there was anything that Iro or Kyomei wanted to say to the man that led what was thought of as a scandalous, corrupt, criminal family, they could do so freely. It was Sozen's hall. They were safe.

[Shade Kawada]

Shade had been sitting in his office at the Kawada manor when he was brought the invitation by one of the Kawada family’s many servants. Slicing the envelope open with a golden letter opener, Shade scanned the contents of the letter with silent amusement. “A gala is it?” mused the captain as he folded the invitation back up and put it back in its envelope, “What a detestable, pointless social activity... Though it would be in bad taste for me not to make an appearance after being extended this offer by the head of the Kuchiki family himself.” Shade sighed and closed his eyes, lacing his fingers in front of his face as his elbows rested on his mahogany desk. “I’ve no choice but to attend,” thought the soul reaper, resigning himself to the fact.

“Goto-san,” said Shade just before one of his servants arrived with a shunpo. “Yes, Kawada-sama?” said the male servant with his head lowered and one knee on the ground. “The Kuchiki family is hosting a gala on the fourth which I plan to attend. Find a woman to accompany me. Also buy a gift for me to bring to Sozen to congratulate him for his wife’s conception,” said the captain as he returned to his paperwork, not even bothering to look up at the servant that had answered his beckon. “At once, Kawada-sama,” ensured the servant before disappearing with another shunpo. Shade was far too busy and important to waste his time acquiring his own date. He would leave that to his servant since he was not romantically involved with anyone at the time. It did not matter to the captain who the woman was, for she would serve as little more than decoration come the night of the gala. Whoever Goto-san found would be both beautiful and undoubtedly have connections to a noble family as to not embarrass the Kawada head in front of the other guests.

---The day of the gala---

Shade arrived at the gala in a white, suit made of silk. His tie was blood red and he sported decorative sheaths covered in gold and jewels for each of his four swords. His suit’s coattails were extremely long, accomplishing nearly the same trailing effect as his usual trench-coat as he walked. On the shinigami’s right hand were three rings worn on his thumb, pointer finger, and middle finger. One was the Kawada family seal ring which showed Shade’s headship and possessed the image of a grand phoenix on it. The second ring was his ice ring which was made of silver and held a beautiful ice-blue gem in the center of it. Shade wore this one on his pointer finger. The last ring was Shade’s coating ring which strengthened any weapon when dragged across it. It had been polished and engraved with rubies along its sides to make it presentable as a decorative piece of jewelry in addition to being useful. Like his suit, Shade’s shoes were also the brightest white and were clearly new. It seemed like Shade had purchased the entire ensemble for this very occasion. The captain’s hair was sleeked back like normal and held a shine to it that showed great care by the Kawada family’s stylist. Shade smelled pleasant as well. Clearly the Kawada family had withheld no expense when preparing the head for his appearance at this event. Shade had used some very expensive cologne before arriving, though he had not overdone it as to overpower people with the smell. The amount was just enough to give off a pleasing fragrance without overpowering people in the vicinity.

Clinging to the captain’s arm was a girl in a turquoise kimono with long blueish purple hair that reached to her thighs and bangs that overlapped her red eyes, as well as a semi-straight ahoge. The woman’s chin was well defined and her eyelashes had clearly been carefully tended to with mascara before arriving. The female’s body was stunning as well. It was apparent that she was well-endowed, even under the loose-fitting kimono. She was not short either, standing just an inch or two below Shade. On her feet were well-crafted sandals to match her kimono. Her ears housed blue earrings made out of sapphire and she had been given fine perfume to wear by the Kawada family. But who was this girl? Shade himself had only just met her tonight. Her name was Koi Shihōin and she was a member of the Shihōin family that answered the captain’s summons when he required an escort to the gala.

Shade quickly sought out the host of the party who was in the middle of introducing Ryuuken Kasumi’Oji to Iro and Kyomei Kuchiki. The Kawada family head recognized Ryuuken, but he had no business with him now. “Kuchiki-dono,” stated Shade as Ryuuken greeted each of the two other Kuchiki members, “An exquisite party, as expected of your family. I have come to congratulate both you and your wife on this day.” Shade raised his arm which Koi was not hanging on to and briskly snapped his fingers. Immediately one of the Kawada family’s butlers, which had come with Shade appeared next to him with a baseball-sized box made out of what appeared to be ivory. Shade took the box and presented it to Sozen, “A gift from my family to yours. May this child be the first of many to call the Kawada family ‘friends’.”

Inside the box, Sozen would find a flawless pearl, slightly larger than a golfball and perfectly round with a white hue. The box itself was impressive as well. Not only was it made out of solid ivory, but it was engraved with the Kuchiki clan’s symbol on the lid. The pearl proved to be a very excellent symbol of Sozen’s child, for they were both beautiful things that were created in the body of another. Shade glanced at the two Kuchiki that were sitting at the bar, drinking alcoholic beverages. His eyes narrowed at the two of them, recognizing both of them as captains. The Kuchiki certainly had a chokehold on the power of Seireitei at the moment. They would make strong allies, and formidable enemies. Though Shade was not concerned about such things. He had no reason to dislike the Kuchiki family as long as Sozen was the family head. Sozen hated vizards just as much, if not more than Shade did and shared many of his ideals. The Kuchiki family would grow strong with him as their leader just as Shade hoped the Kawada family would grow with him as theirs.

Reiatsu Remaining: 1,600
Combat Posts: 0/6
Meiunatsuin: 1/13

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - 600
Speed - 400
Spiritual Pressure - 200
Reiatsu Strength - 400 (-30%) = 280
Light Aura - 0
Dark Aura - 100
Instinct - 125
Senses - 125
Energy sensory - 150
Healing Expertise - 0

[Sozen Kuchiki]

OOC: If anyone is wondering, while we're social, posting order doesn't matter. Anyone can post any time. Later we might need a posting order.

SPOILER: Click to show

Sozen's face lit up upon seeing Shade. The musicians started playing a new tune. They were not close friends, and only allies. They were partners in business and in ventures. Friendship was strained because there was so much clash in personality, though they did work very well together in missions. It was rare for them to encounter missions that they could not solve together. They had a good track record. The only time they had come across real trouble had been against an enemy who could steal Bankai. Despite this, friendship managed to elude them, perhaps because of Shade's emotional isolation.

Despite that, Sozen smiled as if he had not wanted to see anyone in the world more than Shade. "You needn't be so formal with me. Call me Sozen. Our families go way back, after all, do they not?" He graciously accepted the gift, though it was soon taken from his grasp by a servant, to be placed with the other gifts. Everyone had broad a gift, and there were too many for Sozen to hold. He seemed reluctant to give this one up, but the servant was quite insistent, and Sozen eventually had to relent. "It's mesmerizing." Sozen said. "I'm sure my son will love having it as a token of alliance in the future." His smile was already captivating the attention of all the onlookers around them. They wanted so very badly to please him, his charm, and his wit.

Sozen threw a joke that he knew Shade would not find amusing, but it was also a challenge. "You've fallen behind me!" Sozen exclaimed in a mockingly challenging voice. "You need a wife! And you need a son for mine to be friends with." It was true that it was Shade's family duty as Kawada head. A wife was key to what was most important to the continued legacy of the Kawada family: An heir. Shade needed one. He was behind Sozen on this account. Sozen had a coming heir to his lineage and his family. It was necessary for Shade to also create one, while his family was becoming strong.

"I expect to be the first to receive an invitation to your wedding." Sozen joked. He was only partially joking. Though not recently, the Kawadas and Kuchikis had had good relations for the past couple of generations because of their predecessors. Shade's father, Kochikochi, had been a friend of Sozen's father, Mephisto. Their grandfathers had started the tradition. Ginrei Kuchiki and Jinbei Kawada had been spectacular friends, close like brothers. There was no telling what great things they had accomplished together, and this was one of the reasons that to this day an alliance still stood.

"Ah, enough pleasantries." Sozen concluded. "I've been waiting for you for a while. There's business we need to discuss. A joint venture between our families, which, if successful, would mean our final victory against Hollows." His words were clear and final, hanging in the air for only Shade to hear the echo of. They were drowned out to everyone else, for that everyone else did not have the care or part in the conversation to understand the significance of those words. However, what Sozen suggested then was that the Kawadas and Kuchikis could forever ingrain an eternity of glory, riches, and status for the annihilation of the Soul Society's greatest threat and oldest and most powerful enemy.

"I will contact you about it later. This is hardly the time to be discussing business. Aoi would be quite angry with me if she found out that I'd brought so scornful a thing as politics into the first party that our child will be attending. No, first, I have someone I would very much like you to meet. I'm certain that you have already, but this is an opportunity to engage in conversation with him." Sozen politely excused himself to Iro, Kyomei, and Ryuuken. He kept an eye on Ryuuken as he walked away, as should and probably was Shade. Everyone that was of Nobility and a Head, or even not a head, would know to keep their eye on a Kasumi'Oji, especially a man like Ryuuken.

Sozen led Shade across the room over to the circle of lounge chairs. The chairs were finally empty, as if by fateful convenience, except for one man. Sozen sat down, as Shade might as well, though it didn't seem necessary. The man was muscular, middle aged, and had a strong face. He also had a gray beard at the time, though accounts of him said that he often shaved before missions. He had not been on a mission in a while, and had instead been settling domestic issues. Of such domestic issues, he had been involved in the annihilation of the Ogatago Leader, if not the primary beneficiary of the event.

"A friend of your grandfather as well as mine." Sozen informed Shade. "Royal Guardsman and presently the most powerful man in the Seireitei, Kenpachi Shingai." The middle aged man looked up at Shade and at Sozen. He did not speak, but it was free for either of them to greet him or ask him questions. He had after all lived through centuries of experience, gathered huge power, and been considered a nearly unbeatable monster in his prime. He also had been closer to Jinbei Kawada and Ginrei Kuchiki than even their own grandchildren, and knew more about these men than even their relatives.

[Hokori Kuchiki]

Hokori smiled at the girl's voice, it was lovely. Like pealing bells, it was not a doubt to Hokori if he found out that she sang for her family. He took her hand in his left hand and put his right in the small of her back gently but with a firm hold. "I expect her back by the end of the night." As she took his hand and put her arm around him, they began to waltz to the new song that had just began to play. As they twirled it was obvious that Sozen had decided to play host. Hokori could see him every so often when they turned in their general direction. By there he meant Iro, Sozen, and Kyomei. It seemed that he was leading them to somewhere, it was at that moment that they past close to Hokori without him realizing it. For he became a little distracted, okay a lot more distracted than a little. He'd almost missed the Shiba girl's question, but thankfully he was able to absently recall what his brain had heard even if he didn't fully process it consciously.

"Would you honor me with your identity, Kuchiki-Dono?" Hokori blushed slightly and chuckled nervously. If only Kyomei and Iro could see him now, they'd never let this die. Identity? It seemed so rigid and formal, Hokori wanted it to be that and yet not so rough. He wanted for it to be easy going, effortless. His smile was uncharacteristically genuine and radiant, he was trying his best to imitate his cousin's innate ability to seem charismatic to all around him. "Identity? Well, My name is Kuchiki, Hokori Kuchiki. But I think for just tonight, you can just call me Hokori." He said with a wink, as he turned her on the dance floor. Bringing her back into his arms, he smiled again and said in a playful and almost mocking tone that if the Kasumi'Oji man heard him he'd be as red as Sozen's release. "You know, He may not be happy with me by the end of the night, I just may not want to give you back. You're incredibly beautiful and a very gifted dancer. I'd be very lucky to keep you all to myself."

The last part was an unspoken question in the form of a small joke, hopefully she didn't think he was forcing himself on her. He would never do that to any girl, but this girl had stopped him in his tracks and he was more curious then when he was able to get new reading material. He chuckled internally, Curiosity was his besetting sin everyone always told him. Either that, or arrogance. But those who knew him inside and out knew that in a contest his Curiosity always won out between the two. As they turned he saw Sozen walking in front of Shade Kawada and some women on his arm, where was Kenryoku? Normally those two were never separate if they were in hostile territory, and although politics was a blanketed form of warfare. It was warfare none the less, Sozen seemed to be leading Shade and his woman over to the tables. Probably to introduce him to someone else. That was good, Sozen was playing Host, but while Hokori noted all this his primary attention was focused on dancing with this beautiful girl.

[Sozen Kuchiki]

SPOILER: Click to show

"I'm flattered that Squad 5's Captain wished for a dance with someone as insignificant as I." the Shiba girl replied. "I'm Shiba. Tsuki Shiba." They were in a waltz, his hand on her waist, the other in hers, their arms extended out. Her other hand was around his neck, though this stretched her arm a little since he was a lot taller than she was. She was only up to his chest. She was dainty, with soft skin and warm hands. Her skin was flawless. Not a mark could be found on it. If there were any marks, makeup covered them. Her face had been groomed to perfection. She was a lady.

She giggled at his suggestion, whether from genuine amusement or practiced interest it was unclear. These women were often groomed to perfectly blend into social situations and make them a dream come true. Ladies had the advantage of being beautiful. They could win the hearts of the men of higher riches and family, and integrate their family into the larger ones through marriages and flirtation. She played the role well if she was only playing, because her laughter sounded genuine. It was like a chiming small bell, and it ran in Hokori's ears like beautiful music. She probably did sing.

"It's flattering that a Kuchiki has shown me such interest!" she said. "Ryuuken-Sama is the Kasumi'Oji Head. I admire bravery, Kuchiki-Sama, but are you sure it's wise to anger him? He's a powerful man." Ryuuken of the Kasumi'Oji Family was a powerful man. His daughter was at present enrolled in the Shino Academy, which meant that he would be the head for a great while longer. His strength was not wittled away at all by middle age, and he was a fierce politician with his hand in a lot of different people's pants. Even though the Kasumi'Ojis were called crooks and were looked upon with suspicion, they were powerful nobility.

Ryuuken was said to have at least a dozen Central 46 members on his payroll, but no one could confirm or reject the rumor. Ryuuken had been the Vice Captain of Squad 1 for a long time, and had only retired two or three decades ago to better run his family. No one knew where his family's wealth continued to come from, but they knew that it continued to grow. No one knew how so many of the Kasumi'Oji family's desires were realized, but they were. It was a dangerous family, and Ryuuken's father had been the originator of the Bakkoto. Sozen's policy with the Kasumi'Oji was caution. His brother's policy had also been caution. His father's policy had been to isolate them entirely.

[Shade Kawada]

“You needn’t be so formal with me. Call me Sozen. Our families go way back, after all, do they not?” said the Kuchiki head as he accepted the pearl from Shade. His words were true. Shade was well-aware of his grandfather’s friendship with Ginrei Kuchiki, the friendship that brought the Kuchiki and Kawada houses closer than they ever had been in recent years. Shade observed as a Kuchiki servant came and took the gift away. The two family heads were left standing next to eachother, Sozen in his black suit, and Shade in his white one. They looked ready to star in a movie together about secret agents or something. “It’s mesmerizing. I’m sure my son will love having it as a token of alliance in the future,” remarked Sozen as they both watched the box be placed with the other gifts.

Shade slowly blinked, cocking his head slightly at the Kuchiki’s comment. “Why is he so sure that his wife was pregnant with a boy?" mused Shade. Was she that late in her pregnancy that they were able to do an ultrasound? Typically procedures like that were done after 18 weeks of gestation. Shade was over-thinking things again and quickly jerked himself back to reality as Sozen opened his mouth yet again. “You’ve fallen behind me! You need a wife! And you need a son for mine to be friends with,” came the Kuchiki’s words, “I expect to be the first to receive an invitation to your wedding.” The humor was lost on Shade, who took the entire accusation seriously. Crossing his arms and closing his eyes with a serious expression the Kawada bluntly replied. “You forget that I have not even lived my first century. Plenty of time remains before I am unable to hold this position,” he spoke as his blue-haired date still grasped his upper arm without saying a word. In actuality she was more like a living decoration for Shade than an actual guest. While indeed she possessed ties to the Shihōin clan, she was not exactly a part of the main branch and would not have been invited under normal circumstances except as someone else’s date. For these reasons she held her tongue and would rarely speak unless spoken to.

Shade continued his discussion with stifling seriousness, “Besides, unlike the Kuchiki family, the Kawadas have gone through recent hardships that require my focus to be on restoration rather than reproduction. I’m sure I don’t need to elaborate on my family’s situation to you.” It was true that the Kawada family had lost a lot of power since the murder of its family head over fifty years ago. It was relatively common knowledge, especially among nobility. Bringing it up, however, might make things awkward at a party; but Shade was unaware of such social taboos and was simply following his train of thought as he verbally laid things out for the Kuchiki head. Changing the subject, Sozen replied, “Ah, enough pleasantries. I’ve been waiting for you for a while. There’s business we need to discuss. A joint venture between our families, which, if successful, would mean our final victory against Hollows.” Needless to say, this piqued the Kawada’s interest. Was such a feat possible, and if it was, what kind of plan did Sozen have in mind?

Sozen continued talking without giving Shade a chance to reply. “I will contact you about it later. This is hardly the time to be discussing business. Aoi would be quite angry with me if she found out that I’d brought so scornful a thing as politics into the first party that our child will be attending,” said Sozen, “No, first, I have someone I would very much like you to meet. I’m certain that you have already, but this is an opportunity to engage in conversation with him.” Sozen excused himself from Iro, Kyomei, and Ryuuken and led Shade towards a circle of loungers. All seats were empty except for one which was occupied by a man whom Shade recognized immediately. “A friend of your grandfather as well as mine. Royal Guardsman and presently the most powerful man in the Seireitei, Kenpachi Shingai,” said Sozen, introducing Shade to one of his grandfather’s best friends. The captain glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw his brother, Kenryoku off on the other side of the room. Their eyes briefly met, as if acknowledging each other's presence at the party, then Shade turned to Kenpachi Shingai who was looking up at him from his seat.

“Grandfather sends his regards,” said the captain as he nodded his head slightly, “He regrets not being able to attend, however my duties as the Kawada head would have kept me home if grandfather had not taken over for the night.” Shade took a seat in the circle of recliners, crossing his legs in front of him and leaning back against the backrest as he did. The Kawada didn’t exactly know how to keep his date entertained, and hadn’t wanted one in the first place. However, not bringing a date to the gala was something that lowlifes who stole other people’s dates like Hokori did. It was simply not a gentlemanly thing to do. Showing up with a partner was the easiest way to keep the ratio of men to women relatively equal. Borrowing someone else’s date to dance with without contributing a woman of your own guaranteed you were putting someone else in the same lonely predicament you started in. “Would you like me to fetch you and Shingai-dono some drinks?” asked Koi in a delicate voice befitting of a lady. “I think that would be a good idea. A glass of sparkling water for me, and did you want anything?”” asked the captain in a voice devoid of emotion as he turned to Kenpachi Shingai.

After hearing what Kenpachi Shingai wanted, Koi headed over to the bar in her turquoise Kimono. She sat next to Iro and Kyomei and ordered the drinks that Shade and Kenpachi had requested. Perhaps the pair of captains would take notice of the stunning girl next to them and perhaps they wouldn’t. Whatever the case, Shade continued conversing with Kenpachi Shingai. “I’ve been told much about you, and have seen you visit grandfather on many occasions, but this is the first time we’ve actually been able to sit down and speak to one another. I don’t believe grandfather has actually graced me the story of how you two met and became friends with Sozen’s esteemed grandfather,” said the shinigami, making smalltalk as he waited for Koi to come back with the drinks. In reality, Shade was quite curious about the circumstances of Jinbei and Kenpachi’s first meeting. He knew that Jinbei, Ginrei, Kenpachi, and the 33rd Captain Commander were very close at one time, though he had not heard how that friendship had begun.

Reiatsu Remaining: 1,600
Combat Posts: 0/6
Meiunatsuin: 2/13

[Sozen Kuchiki]

SPOILER: Click to show

The maestro and his orchestra started to play different music when the subject shifted to Shingai's time with Jinbei Kawada, Ginrei Kuchiki, and Mighty Shigekuni. It became a sad, slow song. It was reminiscent of a snake in the grass. The notes were waves echoing from the center, except for a singular flute, which slithered through the air, piercing the veil of sound cast by all of the other instruments. The sound was not only beautiful. It was sinister. It sang of a time when the days had been shorter, and the nights longer. It sang of when the alcohol had been the only crutch of the weak, and the defenseless the only bribery.

Shingai looked up at Shade's date as she offered to get them all drinks. "Whiskey." he told her curtly and with a nod. After she was gone, he relayed brief details about the beginning of his friendship with Jinbei and Ginrei. "We were all under the same instructor at the academy." Shingai explained. "Back then, the Shino Academy was the Iron Academy, and it used a system of masters and pupils. There were experienced Shinigami who took on and trained several students at the same time, usually four. We were just one of many teams." He seemed to have more to add to the story, but he dropped it and moved on to another topic.

"It's a sad time. Both of your grandfathers lost their sons and heirs far too early. Mephisto and Kochikochi were strong men. It is a shame that the two of you, so young, must bear the burden of being head during so ravenous a time as this. There was turmoil in my time, to be sure, but the storm brewing now on the horizon dwarfs the climax of what was then." The conviction in his words rang true, for the troubles of the new generation were bigger, stronger, more affluent. From the Vandenreich to the new Espada, the Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads were fighting stronger opponents than they had in thousands of years.

A familiar face suddenly appeared next to Shade, continuing with icy blue eyes to quietly observe the room. His brother, Kenryoku, had arrived before he had. He had left his date somewhere with another man early on, and had come instead to gather information. As the head, it was Shade's duty to attend these things out of civility, tradition, and formality. Kenryoku, the right hand, had no such duties, and could do the dirty side of things for Shade. This was one of them. Instead of socializing, he investigated to see who was there, and if any plots were being schemed.

"Brother..." Kenryoku murmured in Shade's ear. "The Kannogi family members are all leaving the party, but leaving their dates behind..." Kenryoku had a good nose for this sort of a thing, a gut sixth sense that only a dirty, underworld kind of man would have. His duties had led him to develop this sense. He could detect danger. Besides, it was suspicious for a family to suddenly clear out, yet leave people behind that they had brought along. The untrained would suspect bombers, but the Kannogi would never resort to the use of something trivial such as bombs for a very simple reason.

The Kannogi, a very minor nobility, were funded by the Kasumi'Oji, the master forgers of the Soul Society. While Sozen had invited much nobility, had it not been for their status under the Kasumi'Oji family's protection, the Kannogi would never have been invited. The Kasumi'Oji insisted on bringing the Kannogi everywhere as bodyguards, and this was why any had been there. Sozen had not personally invited them. Only those of larger and more prominent families were invited directly. The Kannogi had become simply too obscure and too small, and they also served the wrong family to change from either. However, since they were funded by the master forgers, the Kannogi would never have to resort to bombs.

SPOILER: Click to show

Suddenly, all over the room, different hostages were seized. Assassins had been hired. There were several detonations of smoke and gas in the room, probably poisonous fumes. Most people got that idea, because they stopped breathing and tried to plug their noses. The thin, white, wispy gas allowed everyone to still see what was going on all around the room. In the room, several hostages had been grabbed. One of them was Hokori's date, who had a knife held to her throat. Another was the Head of the Kasumi'Oji family, Ryuuken, who to his credit kept a very calm face.

Several nobleman and Central 46 members had been seized as hostages with knives held to their throats as well. Another brilliant puff of smoke, this one green, gave entrance to a man with a hollow's mask on his face and a black cloak. However, he was no Vizard, and the mask was only a wooden replica. He was watching the whole spectacle unfold with bemused eyes as if waiting for the right moment to speak, the correct silence. He soon found that silence. "Good evening!" he announced to the party. "Tonight,you are all going to be part of a sort of scientific experiment."

[Hokori Kuchiki]

"It's flattering that a Kuchiki has shown me such interest! Ryuuken-Sama is the Kasumi'Oji Head. I admire bravery, Kuchiki-Sama, but are you sure it's wise to anger him? He's a powerful man."

Hokori turned in step while listening to the words that Shiba-chan had said. Sozen's words of warning played through Hokori's mind, there was always danger when dealing with Ryuuken Kasumi'Oji. He seemed like the type of man that didn't care the consequences of his actions when it came to playing their parts in both Soul Society and in nobility. He was only looking for the advancement of his Family through means that were clearly illegal and despicable to say the least. Hokori was a cautious man when it came to the chess game of nobility, he was clearly fighting his natural instincts when it came to that caution because of this girl. he felt a tugging sensation. His eyes scanning the room instinctively. People were leaving, all of the people were from one Family and they were leaving their dates behind.

In that moment he was distracted and his date was grabbed from him, bombs scattered around the galla went off in quick succession. Hokori looked over at the people in the Gala, worried. Was it an inhalent poison? Was it just smoke? while there was no time to figure out people were trying to hold their breath and make, makeshift gas masks out of strips of cloth. However from around the room assassins identical to the one that grabbed Tsuki had grabbed other nobles and members of Central 46. Hokori's arms were still in his dancing position. He even held that position when a new explosion of smoke this time green appeared. The man, adorned in a hollow mask stepped forward and spoke. "Good evening!" he announced to the party. "Tonight,you are all going to be part of a sort of scientific experiment."

At the end of that sentence, the assassin holding Tsuki was dead. Hokori had not even moved. Suddenly, mentally he had cast Hado 4. Byakurai and supplemented it with Speed Hana 5 To. He didn't supplement anything else, however from his hand that was holding hers in the upward hold. He fired the beam at a downward angle. Past Tsuki and through the assassin's temple and through his skull killing him instantly. This attack moved downward and impaled the floor harming no one else. Instantly moving at his maximum speed he beated away the knife from Tsuki's neck and spun putting her behind him. He threw up and hand and snapped his fingers. Even through the panic, the bartender plucked his blade from the bar and tossed it back to the Kuchiki he drew it and pointed it right at the mask man from across the room.

Hokori was not happy, he was in fact seeing red. His breathing was heavy and he was having trouble forcing himself to calm down. If this is what sozen saw all the time Hokori was starting to see that he would enjoy the ability to get angry turn everything red... and turn people to mush. "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe." around his body reiastu was spinning turning the air and pushing the gas away from the two and the few party goers that were around them. If the masked man were smarter he'd have grabbed the captain, he'd made the wrong move. "You were not invited to this gathering, I suggest that you and the filth you brought leave immediately."

Remaining Reiastu: 3175/3500

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - [100] (50) Points

Speed - [400] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [350] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [400] (800) Points

Light Aura - [50] Points

Dark Aura - [50] Points

Instinct - [150] Points

Senses [150] Points

Energy sensory - [50] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1600] Points

That's all for the template. There are a LOT of stats, but don't get choosy and just give some to all. The result could be quite negative.



Abilities


-Add more if necessary

To add more, use

[/li][li][Insert Ability #X Here] {Insert Level Here}


[Weapon: Sword] {4}

[Martial Arts: Hakuda] {3}

[Intellectual Skill: Memory] {3}

[Physical Skill: Acrobatics] {3}

[Intellectual Skill: Imitation] {1}[/spoiler]

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

Iro sipped on his drink while Kyo just slammed the shot that he had been given. Their cousin Hokori walked up and just started rambling on, causing nothing but a growl from the new Kidou Corps Commander. Iro placed his hand on Hokori's shoulder and led him aside for a moment. "The Ogatago base messed with his head, all this talking is causing massive headaches. If the room starts to clear, then he'll be more responsive." While Iro was doing this, the other Kuchiki at the bar was letting the burn of the absinthe tear at his throat and wreck havoc on his head. With trauma already caused by the experiences with Hell and its King, alcohol had a profoundly pleasing effect on the battered brain of Kyomei's. Sozen caught up to the two Captains and led them to the head of the Kasumi'Oji family.

The absinthe had worked its way through the Kidou Corps Commander's system, so he was feeling a bit tipsy, but Iro was much more reserved and still fully in control of himself. "An honor to mee...""Do you like PISTACHIOS?""...t you, Kasumi'Oji-sama." Without even missing a beat, Iro continued right through the interruption from Kyomei, ignoring the slightly above normal volume at which he was talking. The Captain of Squad 11 added a courteous bow with his address and held his hand out to be shaken. Though the Soul Society was very Japanese in its traditions, living in England for most of his life made Iro very accustomed to a more western way of greeting. Whether or not Ryuuken took his hand was irrelevant, for assassins joined the fray, grabbing the man as well as others That absinthe was probably not a good idea... These assassins are an issue, but I can't just let fly without harming innocents. I'll save Ryuuken first, the Kuchiki guards can take the rest.

Even when drunk, staying calm was easy for Kyomei. Entering a zen state to clear his head of the distractions and the talking dude, Kyomei used a Kidou fusion silently. Through the bottom of his feet emerged a tendril of Horin that snaked under the ground and emerged into the foot of the assassin holding the Kasumi'Oji head. This Horin was laced with Rikujokoro, so that it would completely paralyze the assassin, making him unable to do anything to harm Ryuuken. "Let go of him. Oh... yeah... Nevermind." Iro, instead of focusing on the assassins focused on the man who pretended to be a Vizard. "Enlighten us. How does taking hostages put you in a good position? Can you feel the power in this room? You won't get away."

Remaining Reiatsu: 15825/16000 (-25 Horin, -150 Rikujokoro)

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength – [150] Points

Speed - [400] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [400 (x4)] 1600 Points

Reiatsu Strength - [400 (x4)] 1600 Points

Light Aura - 75 Points

Dark Aura - 25 Points

Instinct - [250] Points

Senses [125] Points

Energy sensory - [75] Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points

Total SP: 1800 Points

• [Special Skill: Kidou] {3}
  
  
• [Special Skill: Kidou Combination] {3}
  
  
• [Calm mind] {3}
  
  
• [Battle Skill: Other: Acrobatics] {3}
  
  
• [Battle analysis] {3}
  
  
• [Weapons: Sword] {1}
  
  
• [Leadership] {1}
  
  Total SKP: 17
  

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength – [200 (x.5) 100] Points

Speed - [400] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [250 (x3) 750] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [400 (x3) 1200] Points

Light Aura - 50 Points

Dark Aura - 50 Points

Instinct - [175] Points

Senses [125] Points

Energy sensory - [45 (x4) 180] Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points

Total SP: 1595 Points

Abilities

• [Weapons: Sword] {4}
  
  
• [Acrobatics] {3}
  
  
• [Analysis] {3}
  
  
• [Special Knowledge: Weaponry] {2}
  
  
• [Calm Mind] {2}
  

[Sozen Kuchiki]

SPOILER: Click to show

Ryuuken's hand had been clasped tightly in Iro's for a solemn handshake when he had been grabbed by the assassin. However, he had not panicked or said a word, and had stood there, glaring back at the assassin that had a knife to his throat. It was possible that Ryuuken could escape, but no one knew anymore what he could or couldn't do. For all they knew, he could also just be an ordinary civilian, despite being the head of the Kasumi'Oji nobility. Rikujokoro then uprooted the assassin simultaneous to Hokori's Byakurai killing another one. Ryuuken nodded at Kyomei to give his thanks.

In other places around the room, the assassins began dying off, and not one by one. Different Kuchiki members that had been present in the room were quick to kill different assassins, and there were other powerful nobles who did the same thing. An assassin had almost gotten within six feet of Shade to attempt to take him hostage, but had suddenly found himself without his hands, and shortly thereafter without his head. Kenryoku had killed him before the assassin even got the chance to face Shade. The only two Kawadas that had joined the party were not going to allow themselves to so easily be taken hostage by the likes of these.

One assassin tried to take Kenpachi Shingai hostage, and successfully held a knife to his throat. This only lasted until Shingai glanced backwards at him, and his eyes met with the assassin's. Immense pressure began to crush the assassin, who dropped the knife and began to hack and cough, gasping for air that he could not achieve. He dropped to the ground and started writhing in pain, and by the way he struggled it looked like he was a fish flopping around on earth. Within seconds, his very life had been extinguished by the mere glance of Kenpachi Shingai, who solemnly returned to drinking his whiskey. All assassins had been killed, leaving the masked man alone.

His mask covered his facial expression, but his body language betrayed his confusion. "You think I came here not knowing that I am outmatched? There are five Captains in this room. I didn't come here to kill any of you. Any one Captain here is strong enough to kill me alone. I told you why I'm here. Tonight you're going to be part of a scientific experiment." The masked man pulled down his hood and disrobed, revealing tight black pants and a shirt, both of some stretchy material, almost like a full body leotard. It hugged his slender body, showing that he was skinny. He had a man's voice, but he could be mistaken for a woman. His hair was long, silky, and black as well. The orchestra had stopped playing.

Play This

The masked man reached to his face, and pulled off his mask, discarding it onto the floor. His face was also very feminine, but a few scars made him look a little bit more like a man. He was young, probably at the age of his prime. His expression was calm, and he regarded them all with black eyes and a mocking smile. "I'm sure some of you know who I am. My name is Musashi, and to those who do not know me, I am a sword for hire. Today I have been hired to conduct an experiment. You would be wise not to stop me. If you kill me, I won't tell you where the explosives that I planted in the four main noble mansions are, nor will I give you the antidote to my toxin."

As if on queue, Hokori, Iro, and Kyomei would start to feel dizzy. Their vision would blur, and they would start to feel pain in their chests, like heartburn. It was a deep seated feeling of fire welling up in their hearts. Their veins began to feel as if they were boiling as well. None of them had dispersed the toxins, and all had spoken, allowing for breathing to follow. Hokori particularly had been panting before his reiatsu had started pouring out to try to disperse the toxin around him, though even if he had not done that, it was a foolish maneuver. Random, fluctuating reiatsu couldn't knock away the air someone breathed. Many of the other guests had also been introduced to the toxin.

"I'll be right back." Sozen said suddenly, his voice echoing through the halls. "I'm checking on Aoi." Sozen smiled coyly at the assassin. "I'll be back, though." He started walking toward the door. However, when he tried to open it, he found that it was locked. "No one is leaving until my experiment concludes." Musashi declared. Some may notice, but Kenryoku had disappeared from Shade's side. Shingai was still drinking his whiskey calmly. Almost everyone in the room had probably inhaled the toxin, but he seemed confident that he would be able to live through it. Sozen, gritting his teeth, but keeping his smile, turned to Musashi.

"I told you that I would return." he said. Musashi fired back at him, though. "Everyone in this room that inhaled my toxin has only an hour to live. If you want to live, you will participate in my experiment." Sozen, his eyes narrowing in annoyance, started to let his reiatsu burn forth from his body. Musashi, unperturbed, held up both of his hands. "Bakudo #-12: Kurokiri." A black glow of reiatsu started to fill the room. It was fast, it was instant, and it was probably unavoidable. However, it had no damage properties. It was very fast, but the glow that bathed everyone did no damage.

SPOILER: Click to show

"FOCUS: CAPTAINS." Musashi said. Suddenly, Hokori, Iro, Kyomei, and Shade were glowing white, and white orbs of reiatsu surrounded them. They would start to feel strange. Their bodies started to feel very hot and jittery, almost electric. They would also feel as if something was stretching them. They started being pulled in every direction by an invisible force, and all of their senses shut off for a second. When their senses turned back on, they were enveloped in a white glow and could see, hear and feel nothing around them, except each other. Suddenly, their bodies started to get hotter and hotter, as if they were on fire. Finally, the fire faded with a huge explosion of black in their world of white, and they lost all of their senses again momentarily.

Now this one!!!!

Their senses started to gradually return after a few minutes, revealing them to be standing somewhere new. They were no longer in Sozen's large party, and it was just them four. Those who had inhaled the poison were still feeling hot effects in their veins, so they would know that they were still poisoned. They were not in the party anymore, though. Musashi was not in sight. What was in sight was where they were. They appeared to be in the Seireitei, but at the same time, they weren't. It looked very different. The corridors and everything looked the same, though there were fires in a lot of places, and a lot of destroyed or caved in walls and floors, and piles of rubble everywhere.

Where the barracks of each squad should be, there were huge towers that reached up toward the sky. All of them were enormous buildings, and they had the insignia of different squads on them. However, some of the buildings were demolished. Squads 1, 3, 7, 10, and 13 were all missing half of their buildings or more, and had a lot of rubble and debris caved around them. They were also partially on fire. There was a smell of smoke and phosphorous in the air. There were sirens blaring, and loud voices everywhere. Something had been happening before the four Shinigami arrived here.

"I asked you who you are." someone said. This would capture the attention of the four Shinigami, whose senses were just then fully returning to them. There was someone standing in front of them, and it looked like he had been trying to get their attention. He was wearing a black Shinigami's robe, like they were, and a white Haori. However, since his front faced them, and there was no visible insignia on his front, they wouldn't be able to tell who he was. His hair was long, and slick black, with a few spikes up top, and it was ornamental too. His eyes were narrow, cold, and yellow. He had a gaunt face, and looked familiar. Something about him was very very familiar.

"I asked you who you are." was what he had said to them. After saying that, he said another thing. "Identify yourselves, or I will destroy you in the name of the Soul Society and the Kuchiki Family." He drew his Zanpakuto, a subtle guard and hilt mechanism with a blade that was black as night. He pointed it toward them. There was no shine from the blade. It looked very sharp. It was a weapon meant for killing. Whoever he was, he was serious. For those of the four who could sense reiatsu, they would detect that he was extremely powerful. He was a Captain level opponent. However, since there were four of them, they would probably be able to defeat him. However, he looked like a Shinigami, though this didn't look like their Seireitei. They had to figure out what was going on as well.

SPOILER: Click to show

SPOILER: Click to show

He's Class 1, Rank Level 4, 1800 SP. Leader type.

Strength - [200] (100) (50) Points

Speed - [350] (700) Points

Spiritual Pressure - [350] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [400] (1000) Points

Light Aura - [50] Points

Dark Aura - [50] Points

Instinct - [200] Points

Senses [200] Points

Energy sensory - [100] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1800] Points



[Analysis] {2}

[Biology] {2]

[Weapon: Swords] {3}

[Battle Analysis] {3}

[Hakuda] {4}

[Leadership] {2}

[Weapon: Tri-Section Chain Staff] {4}

[Shade Kawada]

Shade listened to Kenpachi Shingai’s words with masked interest. The captain’s facial expression did not change during his conversation with the Squad 0 soul reaper. One might think that the Kawada family head did not care about what the stronger soul reaper had to say, but everyone would know that this was simply the way that the Kawada head carried himself. As if on queue, Kenryoku appeared next to Shade, whispering something in the captain’s ear. “Brother...” he said, “The Kannogi family members are all leaving the party, but leaving their dates behind...” Shade slunk into his seat and laced his fingers in front of his face at receiving this news. “Interesting...” mused the Kawada family head, “Perhaps there will be more to this gathering than meets the eye.”

As Shade said this, around the room hostages were taken. Smoke filled the ballroom and coughing could be heard throughout as the live music was cut short by the outburst. Instead of looking at the new arrival in the hollow mask, Shade stared at Sozen with a half-hostile half-expecting look. Security had been his responsibility and now that he’d failed to prevent something like this from happening, whatever happened next was on him. It was his duty to take care of the problem that had just arisen, and Shade expected some sort of action on part of the Kuchiki head. Oddly enough, Shade didn’t move a muscle from his seat as the commotion was going on. As it turns out, the first assassin that attempted to hold him hostage was swiftly dealt with by Kenryoku before he’d even gotten a chance to approach the Kawada head. The two brothers had come prepared for an event such as this. The day that Kenryoku and Shade put their lives in the hands of someone else’s security was the day that hell froze over.

However, it wasn’t long before the Kuchiki responded to what was going on. It was like an all-out battle in the gala with Kuchiki servants and officers clashing with the assassins throughout the mansion. The cannon fodder were eventually dealt with, leaving only the head honcho in the mask. Still seated in his lounger, Shade leaned forward and glared at the intruder out of the corner of his eye. “You think I came here not knowing that I am outmatched? There are five Captains in this room. I didn’t come here to kill any of you. Any one Captain here is strong enough to kill me alone. I told you why I’m here. Tonight you’re going to be part of a scientific experiment,” said the man as he tore off his cloak revealing a full body elastic suit and long, black hair. Then, unexpectedly the man took his mask off and dropped it to the floor revealing a scarred, yet petite face with a calm, professional gaze. “I’m sure some of you know who I am. My name is Musashi, and to those who do not know me, I am a sword for hire. Today I have been hired to conduct an experiment. You would be wise not to stop me. If you kill me, I won’t tell you where the explosives that I planted in the four main noble mansions are, nor will I give you the antidote to my toxin,” he said with confidence.

At this, Shade instinctively brought his fingers up to his neck to regulate his pulse. The Kawada family head knew that it was too late to do anything about any poison they might have already breathed, however by regulating one’s breathing and trying to keep one’s pulse down he might delay the dispersal through the body if only by a few minutes. This was not the time to panic. Shade was the epitome of collected as he sat back and listened to Musashi. The Kawada head observed in silence as Sozen attempted to leave and check on his beloved, however he was denied that privilege by the intruder. What caught Shade’s attention more was the fact that Musashi stated they all only had an hour to live. The next thing Shade knew, Musashi used a bakudo unknown to Shade that targeted the captains in the room. He and three other captains belonging to the Kuchiki family were suddenly transported away from the party to a place that appeared to be Seireitei. However, Shade knew that it could not be the same world he was used to. This Soul Society had been ravaged by some unknown force leaving squads 1, 3, 7, 10, and 13 practically in ruins.

“I asked you who you are,” came a voice from nearby. Shade looked to see a man with long black hair and his zanpakutou drawn. “Identify yourselves, or I will destroy you in the name of the Soul Society and the Kuchiki Family,” came the man’s voice a second time. Looking around, Shade gathered that clearly something disastrous had just happened or was in the middle of happening. It was imperative that the next words spoken to this man were chosen carefully. If they slipped up, they could snap the patience of this person who was obviously under a lot of stress due to the situation unfolding around them. Shade decided that instead of putting his fate in the hands of lesser minds, that he would be the one to speak first and get first impressions out of the way. “We are allies of both Soul Society and the Kuchiki family. My name is Shade Kawada, a fellow shinigami,” he said, not revealing his rank, squad, or position within his own family. If this was another universe, as he thought it might be, then none of that would apply here. Maybe he wasn’t Squad 13 captain of this world and maybe there was a different Kawada family head. He hoped that his fellow Kuchiki captains would also catch on to the vagueness purposefully injected into his words. Saying that they were part of the same family as him when he clearly didn’t recognize them might be grounds for him to call them impostors.

“Supernatural circumstances have brought us here against our will,” calmly spoke the Kawada head as he looked around the destroyed Soul Society, “I do not believe this to be the Soul Society that we are from. I firstly assure you that we are not insane. Each of my colleagues will support my claims. The last thing that any of us remember is being at a gala when an intruder broke in before using a kidou named Bakudo #-12: Kurokiri to send us here. That is why we are dressed in the clothes you see us in and why some of us reek of the alcohol you undoubtedly smell. Now with that out of the way, what year is it and who is the Captain Commander?” Shade approached the Kuchiki and was now speaking to him as someone who was intent on getting to the bottom of what was going on. There was no hostility in the shinigami’s voice, so it was unlikely that the Kuchiki would feel threatened. The soul reaper naturally let the other captains speak, but he didn’t feel comfortable allowing the partially drunk one too many words nor the Kuchiki who held himself higher than his intelligence warranted. Iro, however, was was the only captain of the three others with him who he was comfortable allowing to speak.


Reiatsu Remaining: 1,600
Combat Posts: 0/6
Meiunatsuin: 3/13

[Sozen Kuchiki]

"Shade Kawada?" the long haired, distinguished individual repeated incredulously. There was a moment's pause. An uncomfortable silence lingered in the air after Shade introduced himself, and before he explained. "That's impossible." the Kuchiki member continued. "Shade Kawada is dead." That was another pause, and one which would be more than surprising. Shade Kawada was dead. What kind of circumstances they had been transported into had just become more enigmatic than they had been only moments before.

After Shade explained his presence, the wide-eyed Shinigami's gaze narrowed again, nearly to slits, and he breathed outward a sigh of exhaustion. He was weary, and this made him all the more so. "I don't have any knowledge of this Bakudo, but I believe what you have said, that you are not from here." He was very stern about his manner of speaking, and he had a serious look on his face. A second examination of him would show any expert that he had a few injuries, some recent, some older and still healing, and that his present state of body was at about half its remaining reiatsu.

"We are in the 34,245th year of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, under the 36th Captain Commander of Squad 1." he told all of them. "I am Souza Kuchiki, 30th Head of the Kuchiki Family, and current Captain of Squad 6. The Captain Commander, my father, is Sozen Kuchiki." That was a name that all of them would recognize, for it had been Sozen's gala that they had just been a part of. That was very confusing. Not a thousand years previously they had been his guests at a ball for the pregnancy of his wife. Now, the child, who was indeed a boy, had grown into a man, and one that they now spoke to.

It appeared that they had traveled around eight hundred years into their future, into a future where not only was Shade Kawada dead and the Soul Society under great peril, but where Sozen's son had assumed the position under which they knew Sozen, and Sozen had assumed the position heading the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. Whether or not his leadership was any good was a question that could be asked, since the Soul Society was under peril and was in a state of mass destruction. Either Sozen was not a competent leader, or Soul Society had met an extremely capable and powerful enemy. No matter what time it was, Soul Society was under attack. It was constant and forever.

"If you are indeed who you say you are, then I must have you report to my father." Souza told all of the Shinigami that had journeyed from the past and into their future. "But first I must know. Who are all of you? I do not recognize any of your faces, but I am certain that I would recognize all of your names." He sheathed his sword to ensure them that he meant no harm, and instead continued to analyze them with his eyes. Maybe they should never have felt threatened since he was at around half strength, but eight hundred years into the future could also have heavily influenced the power curve. For all they knew, his power could exceed their wildest dreams.