Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2020 21:05:00 GMT -5
-Opening-
Member's Discord Name (include nicknames): Ryouzen
Password 1: Black Hole
Password 2: Moon Pray
Type: Technique Master
Squad: Squad 12
Rank: Unseated Shinigami
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-Basic Information-
Name: Shitoke Senbaith Kasumi'Oji
Age of Death: Created in Soul Society
Real Age/Age of Appearance: 31 / 30
Birthday (Month/Day): Oct 13th (Friday the 13th)
Blood Type: AB-
RP Sample (Optional):
Check out anything related to Ludwig
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-Appearance-
Height/Weight: 6 ft 2 in / 143 lbs
Physical Description:
Shitoke is something of a unique entity in more ways than one. Though one wouldn’t realize it, Shitoke's body was actually hand crafted by the Kasumi’Oji. Skilled but morally questionable life force users created it from pretty much nothing but reiatsu and their own life force. This is evident in more subtle ways than anything super drastic such as extra limbs or unnatural additions as his body is the typical human body you’d expect every soul in the Soul Society to have. That does not mean however that once his modified soul got added to the mix that some changes didn’t occur after the fact however so let’s go over those first.
So the first and arguably most striking thing that one would notice would be that his sclera are black. Instead of having white eyes, outside the pupil and iris, his sclera are pitch black. Even more contrasting are the fact that his irises are steel grey so there can be no doubt in anyone’s mind as to who or what Shitoke’s attention is focused on at any given moment unless his eyes are closed. His ears are the next point of difference when compared to the average human ear. What’s different about them however are actually far more mild than one would think considering his eyes. His ears have a pointed end where a normal human ear would be rounded. They aren’t any larger but you’d be mistaken for thinking they look a bit larger than the average.
So onto more normal parts of his face, starting with his hair. Shitoke’s hair is ashen in color with a subtle sheen to it when he’s in bright light. It starts as a more iron grey at his roots and transitions to ashen pretty quickly from there. Small known fact, Shitoke’s hair is surprisingly soft regardless of where you touch it. Seriously despite the crap living conditions he had somehow his hair defies all odds and actually ends up looking and feeling like he put Loreal in it every day. And speaking of his hair it’s usually kept free to fall and do whatever it wants, reaching down to just under his shoulders. His eyebrows and facial hair, assuming he doesn’t shave, is a similar but slightly darker color. Moving to his next most prominent facial feature we have his mouth. So for what it’s worth his lips aren’t really anything special. They're even a bit on the thin side and usually he’s got a frown, mild concern, or at best no expression on his face. What IS interesting about them is that on either side of his lips there is scar tissue that extends out 2 inches. It looks like at some point in Shitoke’s life his cheeks were cut to allow someone to open his jaw further.
Moving on from his face we look at Shitoke as a whole. The first thing to note is that his skin color is tan but it’s not nearly as dark as one would think. It’s darker than average skin tone but lighter than someone who sat outside and let the sun cook them into a nice even tan. His overall form though is what starts to concern people. Shitoke is emaciated or if not he’s not far off from it. His ribs are easy to see, he doesn’t have much muscle mass to his arms or legs, and his hip bones are visible enough. Despite this though he stands at 6 feet 2 inches and pretty confidently at that as his posture is on point. But you’d be forgiven if you didn’t really notice or even care given there’s two more important things to take note of. The first thing is that in the center of this man’s sternum and on his back in the same spot is a sigil. The center most part of it is pitch black as are the lines. The lines reach out from the initial centermass implying it is sucking in the remainder of the sigil. Outside the suction lines are several rounded squares that circle the entire sigil and then connected to the squares there are feathers.
Assuming that the sigil of what could only be eldritch shenanigans didn’t keep your attention then there’s actually a far worse point to take note of. On Shitoke’s chest there is a scar that starts from each shoulder and connects down to the center of his sigil. From there it combines into one line and that line trails all the way down to just below his navel. The implications being that at some point in time this man’s body was subjected to experimentation and pretty in depth experimentation. From here on the only other points to make note of are that on his wrists and ankles there are friction burns. They are easily seen as his skin is discolored by a couple shades and it encircles the entirety of his wrists and ankles.
(Picture of his sigil but with the center filled in completely.)
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-Personality-
Dislikes:
1. Nobles of the Soul Society:
It’s not hard to imagine why Shitoke has a dislike and more importantly a distrust of the noble clans. From his intimate experience with the Kasumi’Oji he’s seen some of the worst that people can bring to the table and been on the receiving end of it. Not to mention his entire existence in its current state is due to the shit this noble clan pulled. If they were willing to create him what are the others willing to do?
2. Scientists:
This should be pretty self explaining considering his “upbringing”. It doesn’t matter how nice they may seem, how unassuming they may appear, within every scientist is the ability to turn off or remove their humanity. And that’s assuming they ever had any to begin with. As far as Shitoke is concerned scientists may very well have no humanity remaining in them if ever at all and thus one must always be careful with them in any capacity.
3. Illogical Arguments:
This is spawned mostly from the fact that Shitoke isn’t super attuned with his emotions. Logic makes sense. It’s easy to follow and in the rare instances that it’s hard to follow logic will always make sense at the end. This is why when someone starts making arguments based around emotions or a train of thought that isn’t logical it upsets Shitoke. Especially because emotions are hard to follow and they aren’t the easiest to understand for him.
4. Zanpakuto:
They remind him of just how different he is from other shinigami. Because EVERY shinigami has a zanpakuto. And a good amount of shinigami can use them well enough to call out the spirit within. Shitoke cannot. They just feel… wrong to hold. Empty and unfeeling. The opposite from what he’s been told they should feel like. There may also be a twinge of envy at the implications a zanpakuto can have, such as an inner spirit that helps guide the wielder. Something else that Shitoke cannot have. But he’d never admit to that even to himself.
5. Long periods of time without others:
It’s not that Shitoke cannot be alone, it's that there comes a point in time where it just begins to eat at him. He’s no longer a simple tool for the Kasumi’Oji anymore who was used by others when they saw fit. He’s a person. So he’s told. And that means he can see others and interact with them because he’s the same as them. They are equals so long as rank is put aside. So he is allowed to interact with them when he so desires as long as it doesn’t interfere with his work.
6. Bindings of any sort:
They remind him of the times when he was left by himself and chained, albeit loosely, to a wall in the Kasumi’Oji manor. It reminds him of the other persons used as test subjects for the nobles. How they cried and screamed while begging to be let go. It also reminds him that the freedom he currently has can be taken away just as quickly as he got it. A lot of thoughts that Shitoke would rather not have to deal with are involved with chains specifically but once he learned about bakudo as a spell list it only heightened his fear because now ANYONE can do what happened to him onto others as well as himself. It truly makes him fear the Kasumi’Oji more than ever.
7. Not having a task at hand:
There’s always something to do. Whether that’s researching curses, the soul, whatever his captain or fellow squad mates want, etc. There is always something. Rest is important but rest is sleeping. Doing nothing and having no specific task at hand causes concern to build in Shitoke as he believes he is only allowed in Squad 12 because he has purpose and potential. If he’s not frequently showing off that he’s capable and achieving something he’s giving the captain more reason to send him back to the Kasumi’Oji.
8. His scars:
The scars on his hands and at the ends of his lips are impossible to hide. His eyes were already bad enough in drawing attention from those around him. But the scars make the looks and the attention all the worse. He becomes something pitied, something scary, something different. It brings out a lot of things Shitoke doesn’t fully understand and it makes him uneasy, especially upon first interacting with another. If he’s honest, he’d argue the scars start him out in the worst spot when meeting others and it’s upsetting when even in his own squad he still has hurdles to clear. Especially with the new additions.
Likes:
1. Learning:
There’s so much in this world to know. Or more specifically that one CAN know. Theories on everything from how to make a wonder drug to laws of the universe. His eyes have been open to a lot of mysteries of the world as well as a boat load of wonders. It’s honestly surprising everyone isn’t at least mildly interesting in learning given there’s something out there for everyone to learn.
2. The 3 worlds:
Hueco Mundo, Soul Society, and the Human World are all incredible. No really all of them are and the fact they are all so incredibly different makes it only all the better. The human world has so many weird but fascinating things such as TV’s. Little boxes that tell stories. Hueco Mundo’s environment for lack of much else is what’s incredibly interesting. How it’s layered as well as how the hierarchy functions with and without arrancar involved let alone their transformations are something of a wonder. And the Soul Society, when you aren’t dealing with the nobles, holds a lot of history and interesting people. It’s just a matter of having the time to look into it that serves to be the problem.
3. Kido:
So bakudo aside because a lot of them. . . remind him of less than pleasant experiences. There’s genuinely something wonderful about Kido. Yes it causes him pain but the ability to manipulate one’s own energy to create a flame from nothing is simply. . . well magical. Really it’s something straight out of a fantasy novel. Truly he’s blessed to be such a quick learner with them.
4. Curses:
This isn’t in the same realm as kido. Kido is magical. Inspiring. And simply a joy to wield. Curses are. . . well let’s be honest they express the resentment that Shitoke has. For everything that upsets him, especially the Kasumi’Oji. It’s fire and it will burn him but what he gets out of them are powers that sometimes even kido alone cannot replicate. As much as he may be upset at his creation and upbringing there is one good thing that came out of it. He’s incredibly adept at learning, using, and hopefully creating curses. And they will be the downfall of the Kasumi’Oji when the time is right.
5. Movie Night with Squad 12:
It’s one of the few events that let’s Shitoke really feel connected with Squad 12. He doesn’t have to speak, sometimes there’s popcorn, and it brings everyone together. It’s really something special and he wouldn’t give it up for the Seireitei. Even if an enemy army was invading. It’s a damn near sacred time and anything else can wait until movie night is done. Besides like kido it shows him things that he’d never have thought up by himself and that alone is wonderful.
6. Hakuda:
Keeping the mind active is incredibly important. There’s no argument there. But the same can and should be said for one’s physical prowess. Especially since it seems Shinigami stay in pretty much the same state of body for a very very long time. So being physically weak probably shouldn’t be something he allows to happen. Especially if it makes him less valuable to the squad. That’s where Hakuda comes in. It’s mentally relaxing since it doesn’t always require a lot of thought on his part and it keeps him physically in shape in case he needs to use his body to fight and not his reiatsu.
7. Carefree walks around the Seireitei:
Needless to say this doesn’t happen often. Shitoke is very concerned as he’d call it but really paranoid about being out in the open. He enjoys being outside the barracks and having time to walk around but only when he’s with another or in highly crowded areas. It helps him feel at ease and it lets him get to explore more of the Seireitei. It also helps a map he’s making of the Seireitei. Sure there are others but he wants to make one of his own with all the extra notes about specific areas.
8. Animals:
They are by FAR much more simple to deal. They look him over, scars and all, and they still interact with him like they would anyone else. Whether that be aggressive, concerned, or happily. And it’s that level of normalcy that makes interacting with them special to Shitoke. Really helps him be a part of the “group”. At least in his mind it does.
Flaws:
1. Warm up period with others:
After everything he’s been through it’s a surprise to no one that Shitoke is, with only Squad 12 being the exception, wary around others. He needs to watch them, inspect them. Make sure they aren’t working for the Kasumi’Oji and in turn are worth being around. First impressions mean a lot to him and the better the initial interaction is the easier it will be to befriend him. If not, well there’s still a chance but it’s going to take far more interaction with him and a bit of nudging.
2. Active distrust in any and every “noble”:
From his interactions with the Kasumi’Oji Shitoke has a major distrust of any noble. Yes everyone has some degree of distrust but there can be no doubt that Shitoke’s transcends that. He will not trust another noble. He’ll refuse to work with them. He’ll actively run away as chances are he cannot retaliate aggressively. But if he could he’d threaten them and even go so far as to fight them to ensure they understand he will NEVER work with them. And this goes for any race that has a “noble” caste.
3. Suppressed/underdeveloped emotions:
Shitoke has emotions the same as anyone else. His problem is his ability to handle them effectively or understand anothers. Truly the only two he understands are anger and fear. But even happiness is something of a weird phenomenon for him. With time he’ll overcome this and learn how to react and what to do but as it stands he’s currently uncertain and will more than likely clam up if he has to deal with them. And if he has to deal with his own. . . well he’ll cross that bridge when he gets there.
4. Super self conscious of his looks:
Shitoke knows he looks strange. Scary even. And he also knows there’s no way to change it. And it really upsets him when others look at him like he’s strange, or foreign. He’ll actively leave that elephant alone so long as others involved will ignore it but he’s likely to get very nervous and uncertain with others if they start to show signs of fear or judgement about his physical appearance. The worst part is he’s certain he shows it but it comes out as frustration and his patience gets a lot shorter because he is worrying about it so he’ll come off far more rash and brutish. And thus get a bad rep which will only make others look at him the same way and have him react the same way. It’s a vicious cycle.
5. Ends justify the means attitude:
Depending on who you talk to, this attitude could be a great part of his personality. But when it comes to moral quandaries such as how many need to be killed or harmed to achieve a goal he views as important? Suddenly he stops being concerned. If Shitoke genuinely believes the end goal to be important enough he’ll do next to anything, barring harm to squad 12 and a small list of other exceptions, to ensure that goal is achieved. Though it never normally gets to this point as most of his goals aren’t nearly so life or death it’s important to note because he’ll stick to this mindset come any important decisions.
Habits:
1. Hovering close to people:
So this isn’t something he does with everybody. In fact to people he doesn’t know or that he’s uncertain of he will actively make distance. But around those he’s comfortable with, such as other members of squad 12 he’ll hover close by them. Sometimes to be protective as he buys into thinking of them as family. And sometimes because when he’s outside the barracks he only feels “safe” when with someone he can trust.
2. Twitching his eye if he’s stared at:
As mentioned previously Shitoke is super self conscious about his looks. Being stared at makes him uneasy when he’s not being inspected for something like medical reasons. Especially when he’s out and about outside the barracks because people always look at him. And a few stare. He doesn’t even realize he starts twitching his eye out of frustration and nervousness but it definitely gives him a more unfriendly look given he also narrows his eyes and looks like he’s giving someone a glare.
3. Fantasizing:
It’s both a coping mechanism for especially stressful endeavors and also something he just enjoys doing. Really who doesn’t enjoy playing around in a world of your own making? Where you can bend the rules and just do whatever you want without any shackles attached? So it comes as no surprise that despite it being a time burner Shitoke will engage in fantasizing stories, ideas, really anything that suits his fancy from time to time. He has to be careful though as it is in fact a coping mechanism and if he’s not paying attention he’ll head off to his mental playground while something important is going down.
4. Rub his wrists:
He’ll do this when nervous, when he sees a bakudo spell, hell he’ll even do this when he’s remembering something. It’s just something he picked up while he was locked away. And though he doesn’t feel the cold metal anymore it doesn’t mean that the scars are all that more comforting. If anything it just reminds him that he’s got to be careful to not lose his freedom. All it takes is one person and he’s back at the Kasumi’Oji manor again and maybe worse for wear.
5. Makes lists:
As stated earlier Shitoke has a dislike of not having something to do. A goal, a task, something. So what better way to solve that issue than to make a list? He’ll have his list of things to do for any given day to any given task. Hell even in his free time he has a list of things he’ll want to do or accomplish. It keeps him at ease when he’s following it and it gives him purpose when he can’t see easily. And let’s be honest, he’ll go pretty specific to the point it has times for everything including eating and sleeping.
Fears:
1. The Kasumi’Oji:
First and foremost he is utterly terrified of the Kasumi’Oji. They can and will try to get him again. He’s certain and there will be hell to pay if he ever returns. The kind of hell that he’ll never leave from and that he’s not even certain they’ll allow him to wake up from once they're done with him. There’s a lot to be fearful of with them involved.
2. Experimentation on living beings:
Having been on the opposite end of a live dissection Shitoke’s not too keen on actually doing anything that could be harmful on a living creature. At least not in the name of research. This will no doubt be a problem since he’s in squad 12 but if he can make due with a dead body or ensure that someone isn’t going to wake up during an experiment he’ll be. . . hopefully ok with it. But really he’d rather just let someone else do the experimenting than him specifically.
3. Bindings:
This can be anything from Bakudo, to chains, to something paralyzing him, literally anything that keeps him from doing anything or moving. It scares the shit out of him because of how it reminds him of his time with the Kasumi’Oji manor. In all seriousness he will without another’s help or a means of quickly calming himself down start having a flight or fight response.
Goals:
1. Get revenge on the Kasumi’Oji
How this needs to get done is beyond him. It could be as simple as evading them forever. It could be from having a particular power needed to destroy them. It could even be just showing them that Shitoke will NEVER be under their control again because he’s protected by someone or something else. But as long as he has something to flip them the middle finger that’s what matters to Shitoke.
2. Get close with Squad 12
It’s not possible to be friends with everyone. That’s simply a fact. But Shitoke damn well wants to be with Squad 12. He’s bought into the idea that they are a family. How? He’s no idea but it doesn’t matter because since he’s joined they are his people. And since they are his people he wants to be as close to them as possible. Without causing any weirdness or concern. His looks and lack of understanding about emotions will hinder him but he’s determined to make it so that he can become a friend to everybody.
3. Learn as much as he can about himself
He’s fundamentally different. There’s no getting away from that. His eyes, his blood, hell his reiatsu is different. Darker than anyone else’s at least that he’s met. If he’s to even try and attempt to fix himself he needs to understand what exactly he is and what separates him from another shinigami/human soul in the first place. And if he doesn’t or can’t fix himself then he needs to figure out what his strengths and weaknesses are so that he can protect himself from any further manipulation and or corruption.
Alignment:
Chaotic Good
Overall Personality:
If Shitoke’s background wasn’t curious given the Kasumi’Oji’s “morally questionable” choices then it’s no surprise that Shitoke has a bit curious of a personality as well. So let’s start with how he is with regards to squad 12. For better or worse Shitoke has decided that squad 12 is about as close to a family as he’s going to get. The whole squad 12 is a “family” hit home to him very early on and thus he takes it very personal if he’s not doing his best both for the squad. It’s them who shield him from the Kasumi’Oji thus he must in turn repay them with hard work and, hopefully, success in his fields of study. And if he can, he’ll readily help pretty much everyone in squad 12 with whatever their personal flavor of study is. Obviously he has preferences that don’t specifically focus on the soul, namely his soul, as well as live experimentation on a sentient creature. But if he can help, preferably on the sidelines in these specific instances, he’ll do what he can. If success is to be achieved in any real measure it’s because the squad works together thus even though he still has nightmares and paranoia he'll put his best foot forward for the sake of his squad in their endeavors.
There is however a dichotomy that exists in the squad just due to the nature of the squad. They are scientists. This now includes Shitoke. Shitoke has an avid paranoia of distrust and fear towards scientists, one he can push down with more mainstream research such as how to make agricultural advances. But the more obsessive and questionable they get the more it unnerves him. Distrust builds despite his best attempts to push it back and refocus his view of the squad but he cannot disregard what they are. And the fact is he is a part of the group he fears the most. And if he’s not careful he’ll follow in the footsteps of his “creators” and enact the same cruelty and suffering that he’s endured. And on the Kasumi’Oji that’s fine with him. Let them feel the pain of being on the receiving end of the experimentation table but to anyone else who just got drafted or worse yet, forced into it, he wants nothing to do with it.
Now taking a step back from his “family” and looking outwards how Shitoke handles people is sort of streamlined. People can be alright and like him they have skeletons in the closet. His skeletons happen to be draped over him so it’s hard to really hide those. Which is why he isn’t surprised when he sees the looks others give him. Varying from pity, to concern, and even disgust in a few situations. It’s painful but it’s not something he isn’t used to, he just tries to not let himself get too worked up by it. Which is why though if someone manages to break the ice with him and push past his social barrier they’ll quickly find he’ll be a steadfast friend. But they can’t be all good with nothing bad showing either. Shitoke has a major paranoia with the Kasumi’Oji and thus always believes until proven otherwise that outside of Squad 12 people who work for the Kasumi’Oji are trying to get him back. So he has to stay sharp and protect himself. If he’s not he’ll lose everything and go back to being less than a slave, but a tool. And that is something he’s not about to let happen.
So a brief view of his social interactions aside Shitoke is as a whole a pretty docile character. Until comfortable with someone he tends to be reserved, speaking only when spoken to, looking away from someone even while talking (unless told to look them in the eye), and remaining a bit on the quiet side. Though quiet is sort of hard to be when he’s a 6ft dude with a deep voice so speaking quietly still makes it easy to hear him. He does this to remain or make his way to another’s good graces as he simply analyzes and learns more about the person in question. However that’s more of a defensive mechanism. Shitoke on the internal level is a tad more complex. He wants to be normal more than anything. He doesn’t want to stand out in the crowd, he’d much prefer to be the fly on the wall. He can stand out later once he’s blended in and become less of an anomaly and more “normal”. This isn’t really possible with his physical looks so he aims to be as unassuming as possible in what he does to ensure he’s viewed as normal as can be. But again that speaks to a more mental defense mechanism. If he’s normal no one will come after him anymore. He’ll be safe and people will become less uneasy with him.
At his core, Shitoke is something of an angry child mixed with a sociopath. His emotional understanding of others as well as his understanding of his own emotions is not impressive. In fact it wasn’t until recently that he truly started to understand human emotions and namely those are fear and anger. Prior to his escape he simply existed and was content though something wouldn’t seem right about the experiments he watched. He didn’t understand why people were as scared and didn’t understand how they could be so upset. He’d always been told that the experiments were to help others and that everyone was a volunteer. How could they be as upset over it when they’d asked to be a part of the process? The pieces of the puzzle never fully clicked until he was on the receiving end. Until he finally realized he was going to be killed or worse. That’s when fear set in. A fear so deep that Shitoke has nightmares over everything he’s seen but instead is now the receiving end.
Anger however didn’t make itself known until he started to realize how he was viewed after he was attacked. Their words sinking in slowly but surely and turning into a caustic liquid that seeped into his core. He was nothing but a tool to them. A means to an end and if he defied them they’d just as soon get rid of him. Just like the others he watched. Just like when they experimented on him. It only gets worse the more he realizes what they’ve done to him. That his soul’s currently twisted nature was produced by their actions. That they mutilated the body of another tool they’d made so that his corrupt soul would work in tandem with the body. And that’s when he started to understand anger. Anger against himself for having sat back and done nothing but also anger against the Kasumi’Oji for playing god and casting aside others like disregarded toys once they’d lost interest. This anger is subdued most of the time by simply not acknowledging it but it cannot be fully ignored. His anger towards himself, what is, and what he didn’t do is still there. It’s partially what spurns him to do better with Squad 12.
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-Powers-
Fighting Style:
By his soul's nature Shitoke is a spiritual specialist. Anything using reiatsu is the main way that Shitoke will fight with someone. And it makes sense, his reserves are massive and his actual level of control and potency of his reiatsu would make him a fool not to capitalize on it. The downside to this style of fighting however comes with the other aspect of his soul. It’s damn near physically harming for him to use his reiatsu. Casting even the simplest spell harms him in the process and it’s something he still has to overcome. Despite this setback this does have one benefit. It keeps him very acutely aware of what he’s doing and sort of acts like a last second question. “Is this the right answer? Is there something else I can do?” and if the answer is yes then he needs to reconsider his current course of action.
This brings us to the genuinely odd method of fighting that Shitoke has. Hakuda. He’s not the strongest and never will be however Hakuda does one thing that spells and curses alike cannot do. It helps him reserve his stamina and bypass the pain of using reiatsu. Which is massive. Being able to avoid that setback makes his combative prowess that much more potent and allows him to strive for an unexpected versatility others like him wouldn’t have. Not to mention it enables him to make the most of his curses ironically as many of them need a material component from his opponent or himself. And if he can be physically durable enough as well as quick enough to steal the material he needs without using his spiritual energy all the better then. Hakuda though not his strongest aspect does give him a solid foundation to fall back on and without it he’d be just as run of the mill as any other highly spiritual shinigami.
The real curiosity that catches his opponents off guard however is his array of curses. Shinigami are either wizards or brutes. Some rare few specialize in their releases and bring those to new heights and even rarer are the noble shinigami who utilize their house’s specialties. Not one soul in the Soul Society specializes in curses. That is until Shitoke came into the picture. Curses, as malevolent and potentially subtle as they are damaging, is nigh unheard of in the Soul Society let alone the other worlds. Shitoke’s sometimes tedious and varied curses however will tear apart unsuspecting opponents because they simply couldn’t have seen it coming. One minute the opponent may simply have a cut on them and the next it may be oozing ichor that eats away at their flesh like battery acid. Another might notice themselves growing more fatigued only to realize that their limbs have started to grow disfigured and that the fatigue they felt was their body resisting the forced contortion that Shitoke invokes on them.
This alone will be his greatest strength and greatest weakness. As there is no other power like it in the Soul Society but also because each curse will have its own setbacks. Though Shitoke may not be the one to constantly deal with the curse, no weapon so malevolent can be ignored completely. Thus between his curses, reiatsu induced pain, and whatever drawbacks will come from utilizing kido or other spiritual techniques to start with, Shitoke will have a lot of managing to do. Hakuda is a means to an end and a greatly appreciated reprieve but no fight Shitoke will ever be involved in will simply be won with hakuda straight out. His spiritual specialities will win the fight but only with careful consideration for all the hindrances that come with them.
Inner World(Optional):
So one would think that despite Shitoke’s inability to actually gain a zanpakuto spirit that he has no inner world in which one could reside. This is where you’d be incorrect however instead of housing a zanpakuto spirit Shitoke’s inner world instead houses various curses, maledictions, and other spiritually malevolent energies. Thankfully though just like a zanpakuto spirit they aren’t harmful to Shitoke. However that does not mean they have no power here, quite the opposite as the various maledictions have in fact altered Shitoke’s inner world to be something twisted and foul just like they themselves are.
So to start Shitoke’s inner world is limited, it’s a large valley. This valley on either end has two waterfalls that spew forth pitch and other foul liquids into the valley. The things that are in this liquid cannot be accurately described as the waterfall is so dark that to see anything other than shining black liquid falling down would be a near impossible task. So you might be wondering then what lies above since clearly this is a valley in between two bodies of rock but the fact is there is no ledge, no cliffs, or shoddy buildings that reach high enough to even try and go out of the valley. Hell part of the reason one cannot even see the ledge is because the ledge is covered by a thick miasma that slowly falls down the sides for about half a mile before fading. So it’s impossible to tell where the ledge is and given none of the foul foliage even attempts to grow there it’s safe to say it’d kill anyone who’d try to find out.
Thus bringing us to the top section of the valley, this section is criss crossed by shoddily crafted bridges and buildings built into the sides of the valley. It’s easy to see that these buildings are built from wood but what kind no one could tell you. Especially considering that the foliage that one finds isn’t by any stretch a tree. The foliage you’ll see are molds, fungi, and occasionally some plant life that attempts to be a bush or seaweed equivalent that stands up of its own accord. This grows on the buildings, the cliffs, and quite possibly anyone that stays in this realm long enough. Oh and to make matters worse it’s very humid so all the gunk and rot that exists in this realm is very very potent and would take someone without the ability to smell to ignore it.
Despite this abhorrent smell and seemingly abandoned collection of shacks there is a surreal peace and near utter silence barring the distant echoes of the waterfalls. The only time this differs is if it rains, which is not an infrequent occurrence. However if it’s not raining then the sky can be seen if one were to look up however the moon, which is always full, is black barring the outside ridge. This ridge is bright white and shines a comforting yet eerie light upon the valley. This however is the only object in the sky, barring the occasional cloud or blanket of clouds if it’s raining, as no stars exist and the sun never shines in this world.
If one were to go deeper yet into the valley one could even find a basin of sorts that collects all the pitch colored liquid. Down here there are rock formations that sprout out all throughout the basin and are covered in the pitch liquid and whatever other gunk and “plant” life that grew on the walls and buildings above. Though here a majority of the rocks have fungus and mold so thick and stringy that it looks as though the rocks have grown hair. Bright side though more of the seaweed and bushes grow here though they grow into random shapes and curve in odd ways with some of the same stringy mold growing on them. No buildings exist at this level in the valley but there are edges to this basin where the pitch flows down further into and if one isn’t careful near the valley walls it’s very easy to fall into these holes. Shitoke has yet to explore these area’s.
Last but not least at the opposite side of the basin is the one other point that the wall of the valley connects to the basin. And there lies a great cave that goes yet deeper into the valley with a relatively safe means of travel. Safe being if you slide off the wet mud/grime/etc you will land on another platform eventually as there is a bottom one can see. Though make no mistake water from the basin trickles into this cave and can be seen at either end of the cave exiting to fall to the heart of the valley. At this heart there is a great ledge and below are rocks that are dark rust in color and jagged. The water is somehow even darker with oily shades on top of it’s surface and glints as the light of the eclipsed moon shines down. In fact despite the water flowing into this pool it does not move aside from where the water drops down from the ledge. This allows for a perfect reflect of the moon which against all odds is visible from the hole in the ceiling.
The seaweed, mold, fungus, bushes, and other corrupt plant life thrive here and at the edges of this pitch water, from the rocks in the pitch water, over the walls and just everywhere in general thrives here. The soil and rock is far less wet and the humidity that was so apparent is lessened greatly here. Even the stench that accompanied the basin and higher levels of the valley doesn’t exist here. Here the only thing that exists is the sound of the waterfall, a small breeze of wind that flows throughout the heart of the valley, and whatever sounds the user produces.
(Reference picture of the basin)
Other Techniques:
Class: 7, 4, and 2
Technique Type: Curse / Reiatsu
Usable By (Technique is available to which races?): Shinigami, Vizards, Rouge’s
Technique Element: Curse
Technique Description and Effects (Explain appearance, powers, and effect):
If Kasumi’Oji are known (Or vilified) for one thing it’s Bakkoto. This noble house created and even still attempts to perfect their art to create the best bakkoto possible. This technique hails from the Kasumi’Oji’s inherent ability to create bakkoto as well as manipulate their own life force in order to achieve something of a pseudo bakkoto. It is not quite “alive” as a fully fledged bakkoto due to the fact that the emphasis is on temporary sentience as opposed to a completely sentient and living spiritual object. If anything it’s sentience is really only that of a wild animal, a hungry wild animal. Which can and will turn on the user if it’s not fed so this technique must be used with care lest the user become the victim as opposed to the opponent.
This brings us to the actual power of this technique. With this cursed technique one can create any melee weapon one so desires. And even if one doesn’t inherently know how to wield it normally this technique grants the user insight into how to wield it. More accurately it grants the user an instinctual understanding of how best to use the weapon. In gameplay terms this utilizes the user's Curse skill and allows the user to allocate unused skill points up to the user's current skill level unless the level of this technique says otherwise. For class 7 the maximum is 1 point, for class 4 the maximum is 2, and for class 2 the maximum is 3. Lastly the durability for this weapon is equal to the users RS. Unless the user is proficient or mastered, in which case the durability is 1.25x or 1.5x the users RS.
But that’s not all this weapon does, because as mentioned earlier it is effectively a proto-bakkoto. It must feed because if it doesn’t feed on the opponent it will feed on the user. How this weapon feeds is that upon coming in contact with another entity it consumes their reiatsu. Per instance of contact it consumes 50 reiatsu. This increases to 75 for the class 4 version and 100 for the class 2 version. This reiatsu however does not go to the user but simply feeds the weapon. However to “satiate” the weapon the user must feed it the equivalent of the reiatsu cost again. If the user cannot manage that in 3 posts the weapon will forcibly consume the reiatsu and life force cost again from the user.
There is however one final property that is locked to the class 4 and class 2 version of this technique. That is upon the user hitting the opponent with the weapon they can mark their opponent. This mark is the equivalent of a leech and will consume 50 reiatsu for the next 2 posts before fading away. This mark can be applied multiple times however to apply this mark the user must pay 50 reiatsu per instance of contact and it cannot be applied to anything that isn’t sentient or spiritual. (I.E. a summon isn’t normally possible to mark unless it has its own pool of reiatsu or uses their summoner’s pool. A bount doll however can be marked as it has its own reiatsu pool.) And at class 2 there is yet another facet to this and it’s that this mark can nullify a reiatsu technique if a mark(s) can equal or exceed the cost of a technique. This however consumes the mark and any excess reiatsu that the mark could have absorbed is not taken from the opponent. This ability can only be used at class 2 and only once per post, assuming the number of marks is met.
How to use technique
To use this the user must collect reiatsu into their hands. Then envision the weapon they desire and form it with their hands. This takes a second or two at most. Afterwards the user must section off a portion of their life force, imbue it into the weapon and awaken it. If done correctly the weapon will give off it’s own reiatsu signature.
Technique Drawbacks
To start with this lasts 3 posts regardless of the level of the technique used. The way to increase this however is by levels of mastery. The TTP required to master this technique is class 4 equivalent for proficient and class 1 equivalent for mastered.
If the user cannot harm the opponent enough times to satiate the weapon then the weapon will consume the users life force and reiatsu equal to the level utilized again. This weapon can be reiatsu or physically flexed against to prevent harm.
If the opponent has 1.25x the user’s OS then the reiatsu consumed upon coming in contact is halved. And should the user have class 4 or 2 active then the mark loses a post that it can be utilized. If the opponent has 1.5x the user’s OS then they are immune to the reiatsu consumption aspect of this technique and the marking ability.
This weapon also cannot be deactivated and it cannot be changed once created. It will last the maximum posts able and the form will remain until refreshed. The cost for this technique is dependent on the level used. Regardless of what level is used the user will pay an equivalent life force cost.
Incantation and Effect: N/A
Made By: Shitoke Senbaith Kasumi’Oji
Reserved?: Yes but it can be taught to others
3. Sho - Proficient
4. Technique Name: Surrogate Vessel - Learned
Class: Cinematic / Variable
Technique Type Curse
Usable By Shitoke Senbaith Kasumi’Oji
Technique Element: Curse / Reiatsu
Technique Description and Effects:
This is a curse among curses. Forbidden, highly unknown, and nigh impossible to cure. This is a curse that completely alters the soul of the user and makes them the ultimate target of any and every spiritual malediction one could possibly imagine. From a glance the only defining feature this has on the user is a sigil forms on their body over where their spiritual core resides. This taints the core and instead of allowing the soul of the user to produce energy it instead forces it to become an empty vessel, not unlike a hollow’s hole, that continues to consume all spiritual maladies that the owner of the soul comes in contact with. This is the ultimate means of transferring anything spiritually harming or damning from one individual to another without fail. The only requirement is that the individual marked by this sigil must come in physical contact with the host of said malady.
From there the user’s soul acts like a vacuum and draws forth all inherently malignant energy that produces a spiritual malady. This includes but is not limited to poisons, curses, status debuffs, spiritual bindings, etc. This technique can draw forth any spiritually based malady and apply it to the user. While this can without a doubt save the original host it does not reverse any damage done by said malady. So if one was poisoned and has had their heart damaged from the poison, that damage does not get healed. The poison is merely transferred to Shitoke and he takes on the poison’s negative effects from henceforth.
The only major upside to this technique is that it enacts a clash between Shitoke and the spiritual malady’s OS. If the user meets the requirements to hinder, neutralize, or otherwise overpower the malady as mentioned in the malady’s text then it becomes hindered, neutralized, or overpowered. However if Shitoke doesn’t meet any of the requirements specified by the malady then he will suffer it’s effects from it’s starting point. Shitoke can only become the new host for a specific number of spiritual maladies and that number is equal to his current level of mastery for this technique. Learned is 1 spiritual malady at a time, Proficient is 2, and Mastered is 3. This is assuming he doesn’t meet the requirements to prevent harm to himself from the spiritual malady.
This technique also has a unique ability which is in turn the cinematic version of this technique. If the user has permission from the DM (in the case of an Adventure or Quest), or the RPC (in the case of an Osen or other permanent spiritual malady) then Shitoke can permenantly take on the malediction. If this technique is used in this way then Shitoke does not suffer it’s inherent drawbacks as he becomes akin to a vessel and simply houses it for him to use. This will then prompt Shitoke to convert said curse into a special reserved curse technique for him to learn and utilize at a later time.
How to use technique
First place your hand upon the currently affected individual. Then focus your reiatsu inward around the sigil. Once the sigil is charged the feathers will darken completely and extend outward to their respective sides arm, tracing it down until it reaches the back of the hand. Once there the tendrils merge and become a hole on the palm. From there the user simply allows their soul to act as a vacuum and draw in the spiritual malady.
Technique Drawbacks
First and foremost this technique does not cure or inherently fix a spiritual malady, it transfers said malady to Shitoke. Shitoke can only “cancel” it out if he meets the malady’s requirements for cancelling it out. If he cannot he will suffer the same drawbacks the original afflicted suffered.
He cannot, in the event he can take on multiple maladies, take on the same malady twice. He must overcome the original or allow it to take its course prior to taking on the same affliction again.
He cannot transfer any physical malady such as a broken bone, or physical disease, physical poison. This affects spiritually based abilities/techs only.
This technique auto matches the class of the affliction. Class clashes are impossible with this technique and will force Shitoke to pay the equivalent reiatsu cost to the class of the malady.
In the event that Shitoke cannot pay the reiatsu cost or someone intervenes mid-transferral the malady will remain in the individual. Physical contact must be maintained throughout the process.
The TTP cost to learn the Proficient and Mastered version of this technique is equal to class 1.
Cinematic version is only usable with permission from those stated above. If permission is not stated it cannot be used.
Incantation and Effect: N/A
Made By Shitoke Senbaith Kasumi’Oji
Reserved?: Yes.
5. Technique Name: Deathtouch - Class 6 Learned
Class: 6 and 3
Technique Type Curse
Usable By Shinigami, Vizard, Rogue
Technique Element: Curse / Reiatsu
Technique Description and Effects:
Normal reiatsu supports life. It fuels an individual's techniques, techniques, and the very essence of an individual. That is how reiatsu is meant to function. However reiatsu is malleable and thus can be bent towards any direction the user wants with the applicable knowledge. (I.E. creating a flame via a kido.) However what this curse does is inverts the users reiatsu to the opposite direction. Instead of supporting life, it consumes it. Corrodes it away until it alone replaces the reiatsu naturally present. This effectively turns reiatsu into necrotic energy that upon contact with anything considered “living” eats away at it.
The class 6 version of this technique is simple. By invoking this curse the user is able to change their reiatsu into necrotic energy. This in turn makes any form of contact with the user or any weapon they are holding onto deal additional necrotic damage when either harms an opponent. The way this functions is simple. If one harms an opponent then the opponent over the course of two posts has the inflicted would increase in size and fester. The increase in size equals half the size of the initial damage inflicted. So if an opponent is cut an inch then the cut grows to an inch and a half by post 2. The festering aspect is simply to show that the wound has been afflicted with this necrotic energy and will show where the injury will increase to if not stopped prior. This lasts for as long as the user is willing to pay the reiatsu cost. Which at this level is 150 per post.
The class 3 version takes the initial level and cranks it up to an eleven. So long as the user has the class 6 version invoked the user can utilize the class 3 variant. What this does is mass inject a large amount of necrotic reiatsu. This in turn upon coming in contact with anything animate or inanimate will eat away at the point of contact in a 3ft by 3ft sphere. This costs 300 reiatsu.
If an individual's limb is less than 3 feet in diameter then this will detach the limb. This is not however instantaneous. It takes 2 posts to achieve as the necrotic energy must eat away at the point in question. So if an individual can use a technique to heal themselves and they can prevent this detachment from occurring. Regeneration in any form that does not stem from a technique or release is not able to heal this until after the fact 2 posts have passed. And so long as the user’s OS is stronger than the OS of an opponent then regeneration based on a technique or power cannot heal this until after 2 posts have passed.
There is one last benefit to this technique that affects both the class 6 and class 3 variants. If the user has this technique mastered then either level of this curse can be imbued into a reiatsu attack (I.E. Kido). This however requires the user pay 1.5x the cost of the technique for the class 6 version or in the class 3 variant to pay it’s cost on top of the reiatsu cost.
How to use technique
Stand still and focus on your energy. Then will the curse to awaken and allow it to spread throughout the body.
In the class 3’s case the user must condense a large amount of their already corrupted reiatsu into a single point. Once that’s done they simply need to fire it off once they come in contact with the target.
Technique Drawbacks
Since the user’s reiatsu becomes the antithesis to life it slowly eats away at the user. This is gradual and every 2 posts the user starts to show more signs of necrosis starting at the hands and feet.
0-2 posts: No signs of damage.
3-4 posts: Mild pain can be ignored with 1 Pain tolerance or 1 in SoW. Minor splotches of purple show on hands and feet.
5-6 posts: Hands and feet change to black with some swelling. Up to the elbow and knee are purple and starting to swell. Pain has grown and using either from this point on requires a 2 in pain tolerance or 2 in SoW to ignore. Fighting can still occur albeit with some difficulty.
7-8 posts: Hands and feet have swollen and turned black up to the elbow and knee. Remainder of limbs are turning purple and swelling. 3 in pain tolerance or 3 in SoW is required to do anything including standing up. Assuming anything is attempted they respond sluggishly. (I.E. 25% reduction to speed.)
9 posts: Limbs have turned black and will not respond without a 3 in pain tolerance and a 2 in SoW or 4 in SoW. User is in agony and all movement is slowed further up to 50%. Their torso is now swelling and purple in color.
10 posts: Limbs are unresponsive and the torso area as a whole has turned black. Fighting is no longer capable.
Using the class 3 version at any time increases the post count by 1 on top of the reiatsu cost.
If the opponent has an OS equal to 1.25x the user’s then the increased damage is reduced by half for both levels. If the opponent has 1.5x the user’s OS then the necrotic energy is useless and imposes no further harm.
Incantation and Effect: N/A
Made By Shitoke Senbaith Kasumi’Oji
Reserved?: Yes but can be taught.
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-History-
Birthplace:
Soul Society, Kasumi’Oji Manor
Current Residence:
Squad 12’s basement
Memorable Figures:
Sekinari Kasumi’Oji - Current head of the Kasumi’Oji
Takahashi Kasumi’Oji - Lead scientist and life force expert for the Kasumi’Oji
Hideoki Kasumi’Oji - The man that initially created his body
Anthony Mortifero Kuchiki - Unknowingly the man whose room he passed out in and would be his saving grace.
History:
Shitoke started his life as any normal soul would. Having died at some point in it’s mortal life, whether as a hollow or as a human. It doesn’t really matter for either because prior to his entry into the Soul Society he was nothing special. However what’s important as far as his starting point is where his body came from. His body was created long ago by Hideoki Kasumi’Oji. Hideoki was a scientist, albeit one dedicated solely to the family’s use of life force arts. He wasn’t even a shinigami in rank; he was simply a spiritually powerful noble. One so powerful in fact that he was able to generate his own homunculus via the knowledge of an art called Genesis Art: Deius II. Armed with this knowledge Hideoki spared no effort in producing materials that would allow him keep himself safe as well as heighten his creation to be to a higher standard than any before. He wanted not only the ultimate guardian but also something closer to human standards so he could have more than a pet. God willing a colleague.
Ultimately he succeeded in his endeavor and created a being unlike any other and so close to a normal shinigami that it likely could have passed off as one had been able to give off a spiritual signature. Alas though his efforts were beyond 100% Hideoki still was not able to breathe true life into his companion. But he had given it sentience and thus had enabled him to get at least most of what he wanted. The two spent the next 50 years together learning as much about the homunculus as was possible and seeing how Hideoki might endeavor to give it the last thing it required, a soul. Tragedy struck the two however as Hideoki was found out for not only gathering the forbidden knowledge of Deius II but having utilized it. And thus he was killed privately with no other person that wasn’t a member of the Kasumi’Oji finding out. One could not simply allow the other Noble houses to find out now could they? Squad 12 had a bad enough reputation for the . . . Dubious things that lurked within their confines. A Noble house couldn’t dare have their name besmirched by such rumors. However that left one thing to take care of. The homunculus crafted by their now very dead Hideoki.
If we’re being honest there really was no question about what to do. They needed to kill it. The thing was an “abomination” anyway as it had no place in the soul cycle. It couldn’t even really be called “alive” without a soul after all. Thus the heads all decided to kill Hideoki’s creation until one man spoke up. This man was none other than Takahashi Kasumi’Oji. This man was a genius in both the spiritual world and the life arts and best yet he was a prior member of squad 12. One who, curiously enough, still had access to all of their data despite having left them decades prior. Though he was no head of any branch of the Kasumi’Oji his words carried a far great weight in matters that he was involved in or that he could be involved in. And with the matter of this “rampant” homunculus his words could have very easily swayed the heads in any direction he wanted. And they did. He spoke of how killing his deceased member’s creation would limit their knowledge as a whole for generations. In fact if the heads had allowed for more qualified individuals to utilize Deius II they could have potentially made not only an army but real living entities. And possibly much more.
The heads intrigued by this listened in as Takahashi wove a tail about all the wonders this creation could still hold. How did it function? Could spiritual powers be impressed upon it? Could perhaps a recently deceased or dying Kasumi’Oji transfer their soul into it? Was this perhaps their key to immortality or power that not only superseded the other noble houses but also the Soul Society as a whole? Takahashi left these questions hanging and asked the heads to reconsider how much left there was yet to learn with their newfound test subject. The heads once returned to themselves, argued for days on end. Split between where their already morally grey line was and if they should even consider crossing it. What if Takahashi’s words were true? Could he engineer a means of soul transfer from one body to another? Could he bring the family more power than they’d seen in generations? Or would this be down a path they could never return. Was he playing them all so he could have another plaything and access to more forbidden lore than he already had? Ultimately it was decided that they would allow the homunculus to live but under one condition. It had to be lobotomized and have any remaining sense of self removed. Effectively it still had to die but mentally as opposed to physically to ensure it would not retaliate against them.
It was not the preferred choice for Takahashi but at least he could correct the effects later once the heads had calmed down and were no longer giving their entire focus to this “potential breach of their secrets”. Takahashi promptly informed the homunculus of it’s fate and that at some point it would get corrected but that he’d likely never remember anything prior to that point. Taking even Takahashi by surprise, all the homunculus replied with “I understand. Please take care with Hideoki’s creation. He could not rest easy if he were lost completely.”. Takahashi merely chuckled in response and told him he’d ensure his survival regardless. But strictly physically. Anything more was simply out of the question. And thus ended the homunculus’s brief existence. Dead at the hands of Takahashi while now being the equivalent of a dead body despite his body having never died. This marked the first transition in the body’s life, from sentience to a mass of flesh.
For years after Takahashi experimented. Tried various serums, spiritual techniques, and various other experiments on the unresponsive body. Things were learned, theories were made, and ultimately though the being in question was no longer present there was still quite a few things left to be learned about the body. Eventually however the heads of the clan changed just a bit, only two having been replaced but that was all Takahashi needed before he could get to the real reason he wanted this homunculus. He wanted to engineer a soul inside of it but the heads at this point had been adamant about never crossing that line. That is until Sekinari Kasumi’Oji came into the picture. This woman was something unlike any of the other heads at the time. Young, beautiful, daring, and 100% willing to cross any lines necessary to achieve power that was not already hers. So when Takahashi proposed the idea of an army of soldiers that would rival the Soul Society’s she jumped on it like white on rice. She’d get the other heads to agree, willingly or not, but in return Takahashi would give her the reins to the army and work for her solely.
As a man of highly questionable morality and perceived power he agreed with all intents to produce an army yes but an army that would follow him once he was done with Sekinari. Thus started the process of the body’s next transition into a living entity yet again. However with as much fervor and dedication as one mortal entity can muster. Except powered by a determination akin only to unholy obsession. Years, decades even were spent trying to produce a soul. A legitimate soul that could be warped and manipulated to Takahashi’s whims. Yet the soul as always was something more, more than just a collection of energy. More than simply a personality evoked out of personal experience. And far more than simply the base instincts any creature is imbued with at birth. No, a soul was something far far more subtle, far more difficult to achieve and ultimately life’s greatest mystery for a reason. That is why Takahashi had to eventually give up on the endeavor as a whole. Decades almost a century had been spent trying to artificially produce a soul. And no not something akin to a Mod Soul was just an engineered copy of another. No, a true genuine soul one that could grow and become something so much more than just a clump of energy and a copy and pasted personality.
Thus brings us to Shitoke finally, 230 years after his body’s initial creation. This random unimportant soul that was Shitoke was ripped from the soul cycle and brought to the Kasumi’Oji manor for one express purpose. To reanimate this body, to give it the life that was previously unable to be gifted to the currently inactive flesh. Takahashi had ages ago already undone the lobotomy previously completed on it, so it’s brain was perfectly capable of regaining a personality and growing again. But that spark, that key component that makes the body work wonders was still missing, the soul. Takahashi with a soul in hand was almost able to reanimate the body of the homunculus. However there was a larger problem Takahashi had to manage first, a problem currently afflicted damn near the entire clan. The fools had decided to give up their morality years ago and had become more bold and less cautious in their endeavors. Many were ending up on the wrong side of spiritual afflictions. Curses, sicknesses, debilitating maladies, you name it the many were beginning to suffer the price for their actions and slowly it was starting to show to the outside.
Sekinari had come to Takahashi tasking him with finding a means to end the series of maledictions. Fully aware that it was each individual's foolishness in the first place. But foolishness aside they were still a clan and this was affecting more than a few simpletons. Takahashi begrudgingly agreed and began research into the nature of these afflictions. Some were simple enough, a simple cure for a disease. Or a mind wipe there. Hell some were so far gone it was obvious even if a cure existed they’d never be the same and thus were mercy killed. But most still remained without a cure. Curses, maladies, and many other odd spiritual phenomena were present with no signs of receding. Takahashi spent months agonizing over just what he needed to do in order to fix these confounding maladies so he could return to his ultimate goal. That was when an idea struck him. He needed a vessel. Something that could store away all the problems his kinsmen were afflicted with and place a lid over so that it would affect them no further. And that’s when he looked back at the soul, Shitoke’s soul that he currently possessed.
It’d be no simple matter but if he could twist the soul, remake it even, so that it would be a nearly limitless vessel then he could prevent something like this from ever occurring again. And better yet having since learned the Deius II technique for himself decades prior he could use his new vessel to store any annoying problems or failures he came across. Not to mention he could create an even better vessel for the next soul he came across. It was perfect. And he was going to keep at this until he finally found the answer or the soul ceased to exist. Whichever came first. A few years came and went in what could only be described as a flash for Takahashi and as the maladies were reaching their height Takahashi showed his newly crafted vessel, Shitoke to Sekinari. Unimpressed initially, Takahashi showed her how he would transfer the various maladies and prevent even his vessel from coming to harm by them. Still doubtful but obviously intrigued, she allowed Takahashi to test it out, specifically under her guidance and on a head of the clan.
This is where Shitoke finally came into being and the very first memory that would haunt him from here on. His body was bound to a table, the sigil on his chest and back still burning into his skin with an agony unlike one could imagine and his first action upon coming to life was to scream. Scream until his voice went hoarse and the sigil finally cooled to an unearthly chill, like he had nothing short of a hole in his chest. Afterwards with a few honey covered words he was calmed, caressed even and eventually guided to the head he was meant to heal. His initial attempts were unsuccessful. Waking up not even 5 minutes before and being prompted with a task he could barely understand and not even reply to was difficult. One of the most difficult things Shitoke would have to do. Eventually though, with the help of some divine entity, he managed to draw out the curse from the head that had been sitting in front of him and drew it into himself. A new wave of pain coursed through him unlike anything else, but just as soon as it had come, it left and all he felt was a void and with a distinct feeling he had gotten dirtier. He managed not to scream this time around and once he was allowed to rest promptly passed out.
Takahashi on the other hand smiled widely, so much so it was damn near devilish as he was showing all his teeth. But still frowned some as the effects were not quite as intended. The curse was removed but the damage it had wrought was not. Alas there was only so much he could do. Still he now had a means to cure his kinsmen, one that Sekinari had seen for herself and was greatly impressed. This heralded the next few years of Shitoke doing just that. Cleansing the clan by taking on the maladies into himself, becoming a vessel for so many maladies that even his energy signature changed into something far more malevolent than he ever was. And he could tell how it changed with every new malediction he took on. He became more and more corrupt with each new malediction. Strangely enough however he never felt “full” the hole in his chest only seemed to remain constantly empty. Like no matter how much he could take on would ever fill the void he was left with. But being the equivalent to a babe as he was he relied on Takahashi to help him in all his endeavors. One which he was only all too willing to do. With various profane means of dealing with them.
The worst was just when he might have started to feel something Takahashi used some manner of reiatsu to hinder it and crush it under his will. Never a painful event but it always felt like he’d just been forced full body into a pool of antarctic water. And something about it deeply unnerved him however as this kept happening he continued to experience this more frequently until Takahashi simply made an object to give the same effect to him. . . permanently. Thus years went by as Shitoke went unfeeling emotionally and eventually even became unfeeling to a degree physically. The cold water being the only feeling he knew. Days blended into one another, and before he could even count how long it had been it’d already turned to the very night Shitoke had decided to escape the manor.
It was a day not unlike any other. He’d been waiting for further instruction in his room, well more accurately his cell. Albeit a nicely padded cell but still a cell. Takahashi came in, spoke his sweet honeyed words and told him that they would be helping out the current head of the clan Sekinari. She’d finally fallen victim to one of the retributions for her morally questionable actions and thus wanted to promptly be rid of it. Takahashi was simply playing doctor for her and thus Shitoke came into play. With no real will of his own currently he simply nodded and followed Takahashi to the chambers of Sekinari. Once he arrived he informed Shitoke he’d remain outside. Apparently Sekinari wanted to remain under no one’s observation for her removal. Shitoke couldn’t have drudged up any reason to care and simply acknowledged the facts laid before him before entering. There at her personal vanity and looking out to the moon was Sekinari. Had Shitoke had any emotional capacity he might have been stunned at how her silk robes flowed down her body and how despite her seemingly frail and thin frame she gave off an aura unlike anyone else Shitoke had ever encountered.
She simply smiled at him and requested Shitoke to come closer. He approached without hesitation and that's when he noticed her malady had taken place under ner neck but above her chest. There was no means barring a great deal of clothing that could hide the sickly almost necrotic wound. Shitoke raised an eyebrow and she simply nodded. By this point Shitoke had done this same thing for years on end. Time immemorial as far as he was concerned. The process was nothing new. However what was different was how much pain this curse inflicted upon Sekinari despite his usually painless removal. This must have been a curse unlike any other. But credit to Sekinari’s will she did nothing but shed a few tears despite the utter agony she was enduring as Shitoke removed the curse. And once he’d finally removed it all she could do was thank him before passing out onto the window seal. This was when things took a turn for the strange. The curse Shitoke had taken hold of was eating away at something. Something important. Something he couldn’t identify until it was already done.
He could feel warmth again. He could feel concern, surprise, hell even a bit of infatuation for Sekinari’s form. And that’s when he realized. He too had been cursed and his ability to transfer maladies hadn’t been able to take a hold of it prior because it affected him as an individual. And worse yet he hadn’t even realized it was afflicting him he simply accepted the fact he was cursed without realizing what it was. This was when he started to feel the tendrils of fear creep up. An emotion he’d never felt prior but suddenly knew all too well. And that’s when it hit him, everything he’d done. Everything he’d experienced. The people he’d watched die without a care and the fact he’d been so far gone he’d allowed Takahashi to experiment on him while he was awake. He couldn’t remain here. This manor, this clan, this “family”, was cursed. And if not something was fundamentally wrong with it. And if he didn’t leave he’d return to that same unfeeling state, being a tool. An object for the family to use. He couldn’t let it happen. He had to escape but how?
Looking out the window there was only one way. He had to run out and keep running until he eventually found somewhere to hide. Somewhere they couldn’t find him. So without another thought or even a look behind he squeezed past Sekinari and jumped out the window seal. All in all an hour had passed before Takahashi realized something was wrong. Something was very very wrong. Without any hesitation he opened the door to Sekinari’s personal quarters and found her on the floor. Wound on her chest still present but without any of the former necrosis eating away at it any further. Calling for a doctor he laid her upon her bed and quickly took stock of the situation. Shitoke was gone. The head was unconscious. And he was the only one left that could have caused this, yet none of the clan realized her condition. Even the other heads weren’t allowed to see her for the past several weeks. He glanced at the stupid woman. She’d single handedly forced his own at this point. Shitoke would need yet another reset once he was found assuming he could even convince the rest of the family to NOT kill him outright given the original condition was meant to prevent this. He swore loudly and cursed the woman who laid unconscious beside him as well as the prior heads.
Shitoke on the other hand had managed to get past the gates, with some difficulty. He’d had to hurt them. . . maybe kill one or two as they were getting violent. He tried to aim for non-vital areas and ensure they would recover but one tripped and landed head first into his bakkoto. The other he’d gutted on accident letting the bakkoto guide his hand as to where it should strike only to strike home. Shitoke had to take a few minutes to vomit into the grass near the manor’s entrance. Covered in blood, some of his own vomit, and fear pulsing through his veins as he realized just what was going to happen to him he ran. Ran as fast and as hard as he could. Hell he even managed to shunpo on accident because he was so focused on running. And that’s when he ran into them. The personal bodyguards for Sekinari. He recognized them only because he’d caught a glimpse of one of them talking to Sekinari a long time ago. Their uniform had never changed apparently.
They didn’t speak. They didn’t even move initially. They stared at him. Heartless. Cold. And their killing intent so damn near physical Shitoke could have grabbed some out of the very air and made it into a weapon. The only thing he saw was a glint of steel before he shunpo’d away. By now he’d shunpo’d enough times to get the gist of it and thus started a game of tag to the deadliest degree. He found himself getting hit in non-vital area’s thanks to near nonstop shunpo’s and sheer dumb luck. But he was getting tired. Fatigue was seeping into his bones and his legs were getting heavy. He couldn’t keep avoiding them by simply jumping from rooftop to rooftop. He needed a place to hide. He needed to get away. Now. And that’s when he saw it. The sign to squad 12. He gave a silent pray to any god willing to listen and begged this would be the place he’d find safety in. And promptly took the dive. Running head first into the main building and shunpo’ing in any direction that had a long hallway. This continued as he ran down stairs. Further and further until he finally stopped hearing footsteps and started to smell dust in the air. But he kept running.
He couldn’t stop now. If he wasn’t certain he’d be safe he’d get caught by them. He’d be killed. Killed for killing those men. Killed for not being a subservient tool anymore. Killed for being him. He couldn’t let it happen. He wouldn’t. His legs could break and he’d still tell them to move. He could have been bleeding out and he wouldn’t know anymore with how much adrenaline and fear were pumping in his veins as his heart continued to beat against his body. Time was lost on him as he finally found the very dead end of a hallway with one door. He didn’t even bother reading the label plate saying what room it was he just entered and locked the door behind him. He took a minute to let his meager sensory faculties prob the area. Search for anything. Literally anything that told him he was fucked. That they were there. That he’d be killed in a matter of seconds. And there was nothing. Nothing but darkness. Nothing but quiet. Nothing but the cool air in the room he had locked himself in. And finally, after what felt like a small collection of eternities did he finally pass out on the floor. Unknowingly having awoken his first companion to be in his new family. One that while fucked up wasn’t anywhere near as irrevocably malevolent or violent as his old residence.
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