Demons Both Hidden and Plain

[Nakajima Kimiko]

In ancient times, it has been said numerous times by those which dwell the Living World that an afterlife awaits them all beyond death. It was hardly surprising to think of it as such, as even with the advent of Human intelligence, the bestial fear of the unknown and the unseen which came with the very concept of death remained. To many, the idea of simply stopping to exist in death was so terrifying that they concluded that it would not make sense, and in so doing, many stories were then told so as to reassure themselves of what awaits them once their corporeal bodies fall. In a way, one could argue that this utmost fear of death is one of the absolute pillars which holds Human religions even to this day. A few of the aforementioned stories these religions so proudly share to their practitioners describe the afterlife being two-fold: one of utmost serenity for those which have been deemed worthy, and another of absolute suffering for those which are considered to be sinful. How tragic it must have been for them to realize that their theory was only half-right.

60th District, North Rukongai, Soul Society. A place far from the benevolence of the almighty Seireitei and its many Shinigami, and consequently, also a place where poverty and arguable misery strove above all. The people here who believed the afterlife would be a place they could rest in peace and harmony with their divinities instead lived in what could only be described as a place that was slowly starting to rot inside and out. They did not need to eat, to drink or to even breathe, but it did not change the fact that they practically lived, in essence, the lives of hermits. Homes here were starting to become slightly rare, with those that were there being mostly makeshift wooden shacks. All of them were mostly in disarray, with only but enough materials thrown onto them so that they could remain standing without completely falling apart. Food would at times appear here and there to allow a few to revive their tastes and senses, but they never stayed often on the shelves for very long. More importantly, perhaps, was the lacking upholding of the law, and in so doing, the criminality level was rather high.

Indeed, the law here was flimsy at best. They knew it existed, of course, or at least some semblance of it, yet they did not often witness it. Some wouldn't even have the chance to see the law being applied in any capacity before they would find themselves killed by the criminals which roam around around the district. If anything, the Shinigami barely existed to them, with a few not even being sure of what they were supposed to be. It was just some otherworldly concept that barely interacted with them on a daily basis, and for the older folk, something to be aware of, something to fear. The only things which reminded these people of the existence of these angels of death were the towers of white which stood far in the distance, that massive enclave which formed Seireitei. It also cruelly reminded them that, unlike them, they lived in both peace and harmony. Sure, they fought those terrible demons from time to time, those "Hollows"... but at least those monsters were not as intelligent and cruel as the petty thieves and murderers rampaging about their homes.

It was this mentality that a certain band of the black-clothed warriors were unfortunately presented with on this cloudy day. Perhaps calling them a band was a bit of an overstatement; really, it was just a typical patrol. They consisted of perhaps ten or so members of the Gotei 13, all of which were branded with the distinct bravado of the Eleventh Division. Aside from their clothes and perhaps their skills as warriors, the most of them looked unimpressive at best, the usual unseated officers you would find being recruited en-masse into the Eleventh. However, two of them stood apart from them all. The first was a slim, yet tall man with exceptionally long hair that completely covered his face, a downright scary sight for those who had the misfortune to witness him. Even those who followed were slightly afraid of him, of this "Gideon". The second was a woman who was shorter than him, but still taller than most of the others in her squad. The latter's name, of course, was Nakajima Kimiko, one of the newly-appointed seated officers of the Eleventh Division, and despite this, she was perhaps the least-fitting individual of this whole party.

Her eyes moved from left to right as they headed forward into the district, but she was overall relaxed. It had been a while since she had been sent on patrol, and just like she remembered her last one going, it seemed like it was not at all going to compare to the standard missions she's usually sent to in the Living World, even if they were admittedly deeper inside Rukongai. If anything, she sort of hated patrols, mainly because it typically ends up being just a stroll around a few districts. It really doesn't get any more boring than that, and as to be expected, the others obviously agreed with her, as they mostly took the time to converse rather than check on anything in particular. Oh well, at least it wasn't paperwork. Her promotion has given much more to do in that department, and in all honesty, the more often she can get herself out of that blasted office, the better. At least if anything happens here, she and her blade will be able to enjoy a few good fights.

Still, with the others conversing with one another, she didn't really feel like she could stay quiet for very long. She was arguably already fairly unfitting in this group, and she was well-aware of that. As such, the more they moved forward, the more she felt a grip around her throat before she eventually turned her head towards her taller comrade. "So, Gideon... You come from around here, right? I... think we did talk about it once," She decided to ask in her usual quiet tone in an attempt to begin a conversation with the man.

"Close... I am from the 72nd District..." his gravy voice resonated from below the mass of hair, an eye now slightly visible behind it. As he spoke, he held a hand near his chin, seemingly openly in thought, though he did so in a way that could only be described as unsettling. "I... did not like that place... but I miss it..."

The two of them conversed like this from that point on, talking about what could only be considered to be rather random subjects, all the while the patrol moved forward into the 60th District. A few Souls gave them looks as they passed, but none of them seemed to be overtly hostile. If anything, they seemed more mesmerized by their presence than anything, as though they were watching something that didn't happen everyday. Among them, a man gave them a glare before he quietly walked away into the alleyways of the wooden shocks. Kimiko noticed this, though she paid no mind to it for now, as she believed the man to only be disinterested in them.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

3rd Year Academy Student - One Month Until Classes Resume


He had forgotten, these past few years, just how much of a damn pain it was to travel from district to district. Even with the occasional shunpo aiding him, it had taken almost a week just to make it out here on foot. Though, he supposed there were far faster ways if he wanted to pay an exorbitant price to arrive there quicker. But he wasn't in much of a mood to give swindlers the money he had saved over the course of the past three years. Besides, no individual with half a brain and even a minute amount of common sense would never travel out so far from the Seireitei. From what he'd seen as he'd left the first few districts, days ago now, the furthermost anyone would go was the 30th District and not a step more. Clearly anything beyond that was just oh so terrible, as if people did not exist and struggle to survive past that point. Bunch of self-protecting assholes, the lot of them. It was why he'd steered clear of the nobility in general, and thus far it had worked like a charm... mostly. Generally speaking very few wanted to be anywhere near a Rukongai stray such as he. Scared he might lower their prissy standards or reputation? Ha!

Their ignorance suited him just fine.

While such matters were to his benefit, his schedule at the academy had left him no time at all and now almost a year after Shin had gone, only now had he gained the free time he'd been after to return home. He supposed being placed in a few advanced classes made that much more work, it was a miracle he'd not got his ass handed to him too many times before the end of last year. He needed what strength he could find for the long trek, although a few had already helped with that. A satchel slung across his back, contained within was simply food and water, bits that wouldn't rot or lessen in quality even after days of travel, a fact he was so thankful for, he hadn't known how to react when it had been gifted to him. Only rushed away as he was shooed off to help other students. It was a nice gesture, even if one of his instructors had openly admitted to not understanding what he had to deal with in Rukongai, the thought meant something. He'd have to figure out a way to say thank you, maybe he wouldn't douse them in a bucket of glue after all, just to be nice. They deserved a break from his almost constant antics perhaps, just for this one year. He was almost certain they'd like that far more than any trivial material gift.

Though a little better dressed than he had been prior to entering the academy, it wasn't by much. A plain grey yukata hung on his form, well more accurately clung to it. But it was enough to keep him warm with the amount of moving around he was doing day by day. Thus far he'd been lucky at finding food that he hadn't used much of anything from his satchel, but the past day and a half had been grueling to say the least. reaching the 50th District, things had begun to look a little more familiar to him, the streets were the kind he knew how to duck in and out of without any issue. And those in the streets kept to themselves, away from him. A wise choice given what was attached to his hip. While he was no Shinigami, he had been permitted to take his asauchi with him, for better bonding he'd been told. While personally he thought it wouldn't do him any good, given why he was making his way out here, he'd simply nodded and brought it along. The asauchi carefully and securely tied around his grey obi, hanging from his right hip with ease of access should he need it. Doubtful, not many were stupid enough to challenge someone with a weapon so obviously on their person, but then again, common sense was in short supply in these parts.

Entering the 60th District early that morning was somewhat of a relief, if he pushed himself, he might even be able to make it to his old shack by the late afternoon. If no one was there anyways, and even if they were, he was sure they wouldn't mind for one night. And if they did, he'd just kick them out for the evening, no big deal really. It was his place originally and so it wouldn't be hard to take it back. It was with such a thought secured, that he quickened his pace a little, weaving in between alleyways, spotting a rather interesting sight even behind what seemed like a curtain of hair covering his eyes. A patrol of Shinigami, of all things. How strange, they never usually came this far out. Had something happened? Or were they just the unlucky few to be sent to a place in which they would either be looked at with awe, or simply attacked outright? Whatever the case, Seiji kept his distance and stuck to the shadows of the side-streets. They would do him far better in evading trouble than wandering down the main roads, that in his view was just asking for trouble. Especially with a blade at his side, it was like shouting that you wanted to be attacked by bandits. Better to keep his head down, remember the rules of this lawless land and keep going.

[Nakajima Kimiko]

The Shinigami patrol was unsurprisingly starting to attract quite the attention from the district's inhabitants. Both young and old folk found themselves giving a gaze to the passing crowd of black. The younger ones discussed the matter between themselves with the usual laughs and giggles you would expect from them, while the seniors merely remained silent. Those which walked onto the same road as the patrol made sure to distance themselves as much as they possibly could from these officers of the divine law, and those which were at their stalls tried their best to advertise their mere products to them. Unfortunately, the efforts of the sellers were in vain. Many of the members of the Eleventh were from those districts and, in so doing, many of them were aware that much of the products sold here were nothing more than fakes, scams, pyramid schemes and other means to steal from the unfortunate. They were not going to bother wasting their time on them.

As she conversed with Gideon, Kimiko would turn her gaze towards those who stared at both her and the rest of her patrol. Her observation yielded her with results that, frankly, hurt her. Wherever she looked, it was either ignorance, judgement, or hatred. It was such a sad place, a far cry from the district which surrounds the restaurants she typically visits with Celes near Seireitei. In comparison, those almost seemed like the heaven she once somewhat believed existed. This was just not that. In no way did she believe herself to have an easy life back at the barracks; after all, whether it be through paperwork or training, she always makes sure to do as much work as possible everyday. However, at the same time, it was hard for her to admit that those which have been unfortunately chosen by fate to remain here in these higher districts seemed bound to an afterlife of pain and suffering. Although her life would have perhaps not been so different here, there would not be so many people she could consider as comrades or even friends.

Her feelings unfortunately was not going to resolve any of these people's problems, however. The only thing she can do right about now is move along and do the job she was told to do. That was it. The injustice obviously bothered her, but she was not going to make a fuss about it in front of all of those people. Once she gets stronger, once she gets a good foothold, she'll perhaps come back here and see that the higher districts get what they deserve, bring equality to all. This Heaven shouldn't only be for the few: it should be for everyone. Perhaps the Central 46 will listen to her once she becomes a Captain, do what really needs to be done. As it stands if this poverty and misery is still allowed to happen, then people will just keep on losing hope or, worse, hate the Shinigami... and by then, once a mass Hollow invasion occurs, the entirety of Soul Society will be then devolve into something unrecognizable, both before and after.

None of those feelings and goals ever came up during her conversation with Gideon. She wasn't the kind of person that opened their heart to everyone they've met. Really, in this spiritual realm of theirs, there were only two people that she knew she could trust enough to do something like that: Celes, the Captain of the Tenth and her mentor, and Yu, the one who by now is officially recognizing her as his older brother despite not being related by blood by any means. Despite this, even they did not know about her biggest worries, such as the terrible dreams she has not gotten used to and this being that seemingly resides within them. As such, instead of bringing about the emotions she felt about the politics of the Soul Society, she preferred to have them continue their mundane conversation. They needed the focus so as to make sure they would not suddenly become attacked by those who hated them, and so, pursuing their current task of speaking of whatever came up inside their minds was the best thing to do in her mind. She spoke of training, of her blade and her rising swordsmanship. He spoke of the Hollows he fought, of the voice in his head, and... flowers, oddly enough. It was better than just walking and saying nothing at all. The last thing the people around them need is silence.

Regardless of all of this, the conversations these Shinigami had in their boredom prevented them from noticing the figure of the boy who remained far away from the main roads the patrol was using to look about the place. Over there, the light was a bit dimmer, causing shadows to be more prominent, and the people were also much fewer. There are usually more people wandering about around here, but the arrival of the Shinigami was enough to convince them to return to whatever they called their abode, whether it be because of carefulness or superstition. To them, the knowledgeable few, there was no point in staying in the streets when the warriors in black are near, as it typically means that things are about to go south very soon either for the Shinigami themselves or somebody else altogether. The word "typically" here was not used lightly, and unfortunately, the events that would occur today would not prove to be an exception to that rule.

In the alleyway the boy wandered about were four men dressed in a green yukata. One of them was bent onto the wall of a nearby shack with his arms crossed seemingly waiting for something to happen, while the other three were sitting down onto makeshift boxes and wooden containers lying on the ground. They sat in a circle, leaving just enough space in the middle for them to throw some sort of dice onto the ground. They each held about one or two Ryo coins, and from the looks of it, it seemed like they were playing a game. On each of their faces could be seen a tattoo on their forehead in the shape of a small orb. "Ha! That's right, Alex! I'm the best!" The man with the spikiest hair among them shouted into the face of his comrade, to which the other groaned and simply gave his coin to him. That interaction was most likely enough for even a monkey to tell what kind of relationship these people held between one another.

Eventually, the one who was standing up noticed Seiji's approach, and once he did, his previously-bored eyes grew cold. Pushing himself off the wall, he slowly brought himself forward before he found the motivation to speak. "Well, well... What do we have here?" He asked, which was enough to get the attention of the others. Their gazes all grew cold too in that moment. "Look who decided to finally have the balls to show himself to us again after all this time. How's it going?"

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Maybe he could ask Shi-

The moment such a thought began it stopped, leaving his normally smiling expression to fall into that of a brief frown as he looked upon the small patrol. No, he wouldn't bother to ask nor approach them. As a student, and one so obviously not at the academy even if he had been permitted leave, was likely only to cause more problems than it would fix. Even without a uniform on, he was pretty sure that carrying an asauchi around was a damn good giveaway, if some didn't know any better, he was sure many assumed it to be a fully fledged Zanpakuto. Wrong yes, but such mistakes could come in handy if the worst came to worst. Not that he saw the need in helping those out there, they'd chosen to come out here, even if they were ordered. Whatever happened to them was none of his business or concern, he had far more important places to be over the next few days. At least three days out here would be decent before he had to begin the frustrating trip back to the Seiretei. Frankly, he'd think it a miracle if they let him back in, even if he knew it was but a certainty. Still seemed strange even now, but he'd stopped bothering to question why they'd accepted him to start with. Just because he had spiritual pressure and was quicker on his feet than many here, didn't mean shit in his mind, but it did to others.

That was what counted he supposed.

Others opinions had never been too important to him, but he'd be dammed if he was going to make a fuss about his own emotions out in public like this. Fixing his expression back into the proper state, that of a smile, he turned away from the sight of dark robed Shinigami carrying weapons that could likely destroy this whole district if they let them do such a thing. If they weren't careful, the citizens themselves would destroy them instead, he'd seen it one too many times. A few getting cocky, they had blades, whereas so few out here did without stealing them. So one too many Shinigami ended up with a superiority complex, or worse arrogance enough to call out to challenge any bandits nearby. Only to be beaten, broken and drenched in their own blood as they lay dying in the streets. A common fate for those that thought themselves better than many here that lived in the slums and the dirt. Most didn't have spiritual abilities of any kind, but they were tougher than they appeared, and life in this kind of area meant you had to be determined to survive by any means. Even if that meant taking the life of some bold enough to think themselves above anyone else. He'd never done so against those robed in black, but there had been plenty of others that had tried when he had been far smaller.

He wouldn't be caught out again.

Of course as he rounded a corner in the side-street, he came face to face with a little group he'd not seen in three and a half years. The kind that always made trouble and left him with a few bruises before he shoved their faces head first into a damn wall. His smile turning to that of a grin as for a moment, he just watched and waited until they picked up on his presence on 'their turf', keeping himself half in shadow of the alleyway for the time being. It seemed they really were quite bored and he couldn't blame them given a lack of money often led to nothing but lounging around all day trying to find food. They weren't stupid enough to attack Shinigami it seemed, how disappointing. What a shame, it would've been extremely entertaining to see their smugness get kicked down a peg or three, even if he wasn't the one doing the whacking. Still it appeared they weren't very happy to see him, though when thinking back on when he'd last had to endure their annoying existence, he may have killed one of their friends all those years ago just before he'd left for the academy. Whoops. Poor guys must be heartbroken.

"Baldy! It's been ages since I last saw ya! Aw, did ya miss me? I'm flattered."

He seemed almost excited about the whole thing, his grin widening as his pitch went just a little bit higher, sarcasm of the highest degree but he doubted all of them would pick up on that. While he kept to the shadows, he did tilt his head a little to one side. Observing, and see what if anything had changed. The scars that he'd left on the one he'd named were still there, as they were on the rest. Weapons weren't obvious on any, but he knew at least two of them had to have something, if his memory from last time was correct. He made no comment on being enough of a man to show up, he had better places to be in those last few years, and now he just wanted to pass by. But that wouldn't happen, oh no, not without a fight. He knew that and while it was a pain, he hoped he'd be able to make short work of this. He wanted to get back to his small shack before nightfall dammit. Otherwise he'd end up near freezing to death outside again, a fate he'd rather avoid, even if he could just spend money on an inn. There was no way that doing that was a good idea, they'd likely try and rob him in the middle of the night given how far out he was. Not a good idea.

Kicking their asses here however? Would be a fine use of his time. He'd have to apologize to Shin afterwards for being even later than planned. "Ya know, I think I can still see the scars I last gave ya, makes ya look real nice, in a 'I got fucked up real bad' kinda way. Betcha people loved learnin' 'bout you getting yer butts kicked, yer beatin' me into next week as I think ya put it, didn't really work. Did it? Lucky for all o' ya, I can make up fer lost time right now. Ain't that nice?" He knew it wasn't nice, and that they wouldn't like it. But that was mostly the point of it all, to antagonize and see what they ddi with it. If they'd gotten any smarter since he'd left, or if they'd just charge him and try to hit him like last time. Not much had worked then, and it certainly wouldn't now after regular meals and plenty of exercise. It wasn't that he was overconfident in his abilities, simply that he knew what people like these were capable of, with no spiritual abilities to speak of, it wouldn't be hard to manage. Or even just leave if he got too bored of them causing problems and messing up his day.

With that said, he moved slowly, stepping out of the shadows and into the light. His right wrist resting upon the hilt of his asauchi that was clearly on display, while he still wasn't the greatest fan of the length of his blade. He'd come to respect it's many uses, even if he'd prefer something smaller in such a narrow space, he could work with this. From a quick look, he had just enough room to draw the blade and use it, but it would be a tight fit. But if he ran them around the district a little to get into a more open area, well it was an idea to put into practice if he needed to. But for now he merely grinned at them, a look that Shin had once told him, could be unsettling if you were unprepared for it. And it seemed they remembered the pain he inflicted, as he saw one take a small step back. Aw, this wouldn't be fun if they were scared. Shame.

"So boys, ya gonna be nice an' let me pass? Or do I gotta hurt ya again?"

[Nakajima Kimiko]

Baldy, the one this nickname will unfortunately be attributed to for the rest of this encounter with this boy, wasn't happy about this, and neither were his friends. The cold gazes which they gave to him were forged not only by hatred, but also by experience and perhaps caution. The first emotion, experience, was because of what they remembered this boy doing to them only but three years ago. As for the caution? Well... Let's just say that what happened then was enough for them to not just attack him haphazardly. Just looking at him, at this green-haired punk who could only do so much as grin at them, was enough to cause the scars underneath their clothes to ache in remembrance of the pain that once oozed from them, with one of them even going as far as openly clenching his teeth from the memory alone. If it was anybody else than him, they would have perhaps attacked him already. However, he was an exception to that rule, a cruel physical reminder of the physical limitations they once had.

Of course, the boy took every single second that was available to him to both mock and spite them. The cruel words that came out of his mouth made Baldy's mouth twist in a mad and angry smirk. That green fool hadn't changed a bit. It was the exact same person that they heard going off to that stupid Shinigami Academy or whatever, a person who couldn't give less of a shit about the people standing before him. Worse yet, it was also a person who spoke too much and he left absolutely no possibilities for others to talk back to him. Baldy, by default, wasn't really a bright person, so to hear so many things at once made him shiver with frustration. "Tch, you little shit," he spat, having now clenched his hands into fists so tightly that veins could be seen upon his skin. Eventually, his mind was finally able to conjure some sort of response to give to the boy, and with that realization, his smirk widened. "What? Had enough of that shitty Shinigami school you were heading to? Little shit stain couldn't have good grades or something?"

The retort sounded much better in his head, and upon hearing it come out of his mouth, he winced. Even his friends sort of passively sided with him on that one, not bothering to say a word to help him out. The spiky-haired one was particularly disappointed, as he was the one who usually came up with clever words to insult people. Fortunately, their anger towards the student was much too powerful for them to care about. The aforementioned spiky-haired bandit was definitely the angriest of them all. His gaze was much wilder compared to Baldy's, and his head already seemed about to reach out for something underneath his yukata. The reason? He was able to figure out rather quickly that the green-haired swordsman had partially forgotten what had happened back then in their little conflict, and who was harmed during it. No, "harmed" was an understatement. That was not harming someone: that was outright killing them.

Tension rose further once the green one quite literally threatened them. A vein could now be seen on Baldy's temple, as though it had spread from his knuckles right to his head. The spiky one's eyes were now starting to become bloodshot for being widened for so long, and the two others were now shaking in anger. Or was it fear? It was hard to tell. They had slowly risen up from their seats, but one of them unconsciously took a step back rather than forward. "Don't think that's gonna happen," the bald huffed as he stared right into the swordsman's eyes, "not after what you did to the Rukon Reapers." He then took a step forward, upon which the vein on his temple somehow grew bigger and his eyes grew sharp. You would think this guy came right out of a cartoon. "Usually, we ask for a fee... but we won't do that for you, oh no. There's no point in doing that. What we're going to do here is beat the shit out of you until you have to crawl all the way back to that school. Coming here was the last mistake you've ever made."

By now, it was becoming increasingly clear that this alleyway was soon going to explode in a small-scaled battle. The four thugs very much knew what it was going to entail, especially near a squad of Shinigami officers that was just passing by, but they did not care. All of them wanted to avenge their fallen brethren in one way or another, and they were going to get it however they can. They had all grown stronger ever since that last time, bringing their bodies into better shape solely to take down this person who took their comrade away. They couldn't wield whatever spiritual energy that apparently exists in this realm, and they couldn't do fancy magic, but they didn't need that. All they needed was their muscles. No one was going to take that away from them, not even those stupid men in black. If one of them comes here and attempts to stop them from beating that boy to death... then they'll just have to get out of their way, else they'll get it too.

Their logic was incredibly flawed. It was all based on emotional outbursts. Despite this, these emotions were what brought them forward towards the man all at once, with every single one of them letting out war cries as they headed towards him and attempted to attack him at the same time. Baldy was still very much so a specialist in hand-to-hand combat, specifically boxing, and so attempted to deliver a one-two towards the man's chest followed by an uppercut to his chin. The spiky one had unsheathed a large kitchen knife from his pocket and was attempting to slash at his legs to impede his movements. The other two, with one of them presumably being this "Alex" the previous bandit named earlier, each were more freestyle and less focused than the other two. Although they were all much faster than back when they first fought, it was very clear that their coordination has somewhat barely changed. They still all binged on the idea that overwhelming the enemy was the best way to win a fight. It wasn't necessarily wrong to think this way, but it was hardly going to work without the appropriate muscle to back it up.

In the meanwhile, the noise that emanated from the alleyways was so loud that it caused the Shinigami patrol to briefly turn their attention towards it. All of them were able to identity it as the sound of an ongoing battle, which made a few of them smirk and laugh at the thought. They should probably do something about it, but if there was one thing that was valued most in the Eleventh Division, it was one's ability to fight. They were not going to stop a skirmish simply because of some stupid law they have to adhere to. That is not their thing, and Kimiko made sure to remember them of that every now and then with the honor she shows to her opponents in spars and battles both. In fact, the noise made her hum. She almost wanted to see the battle unfold. Almost. Man, how many of them are in there...? She thought absentmindedly then as her eyes lightly looked over the alleyways which could be seen on the sides of the main roads. Must be a pretty good fight.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Oh how very predictable.

The same hard gaze, the same way as all those years ago. It felt much like deja vu for him, as if nothing had really changed and to be frank, it hadn't. They still looked at him in the same way, only now was it perhaps with a touch more fear? Well either way, a little bit of unease never killed anyone, not that he knew of at least. Still it seemed they had grown at least a fraction smarter. Good for them! Judging by the clenched fists and anger no doubt building, they hadn't immediately jumped him on sight, which told him that they were either worried about the Shinigami not too far from here getting involved and in turn spoiling their so called fun against him. Or, that they had actually learnt to be cautious for once in their lives, now wouldn't that be a nice change? Certainly doubtful, but he could hope for some small spec of improvement in these past three years. While Shin would have likely scolded him for going as far as he had last time, his sibling was no longer here to control and tamper down his more... cruel impulses. Besides he had asked them nicely if he could pass. If they said no, it was their own death warrant they were signing.

A shame too, he was wasting time being here.

"I know ya don't care, but I'll tell ya anyways jus' ta be nice. 'Cause even by yer standards that was awful Badly. Out here on a lil' break ya see, get away from all them exams and trainin' for a bit. Easy enough for ya to understand? They were even kind enough ta let me take this with me 'fore I have ta go back. O'course, that means ya lot are bein' awful rude interruptin' ma free time." As a show of explaining, he even tapped the hilt with his right hand, slim fingers drumming absentmindedly upon the surface with no real pattern to be followed. It hadn't taken long to get used to the weight and motion asauchi being on his hip as he moved and ran, hell, he'd even been working on drawing the blade as is and using it with his other hand. Slightly weaker than his left yes, but if he could work with both, it would grant him a huge advantage in combat should the worst happen. Or so he'd been told, plus, the challenge of doing so alongside regular drills did spark his curiosity. So he'd kept up with it, maybe if they had improved, he could even test it out. No better time than when someone was about to attack you.

The tension in the air was difficult to ignore and really he was getting rather bored just standing here watch them huff and puff at him in frustration and anger. As fun and entertaining as it was to tease and taunt these four, he wasn't about to spend all day wasting his time with them. Just because it kept him amused, did not mean that he didn't have other bigger priorities at the moment. Schooling at least, had taught him how to prioritize a little better and simply leave somewhere when he knew staying would not benefit him in any possible way. This was one of those situations, but the young student was also aware that these four would not take no for an answer, and as such energy had to be expended to deal with them. What a complete pain. Seiji had hoped that their memories of their prior encounter with him would be enough to make them leave, clearly he needed to leave a larger impression on this gang of thugs. Better he do it, then leave and let them attack the local children and vulnerable souls who had just arrived in Rukongai. Well, might as well get it over with.

"Ya know, ya said that last time, didn't work. Gonna end the same way boys, ya know that don'cha? Don't tell me I gotta kill one o' ya again. Makin' it such a hassle ain'cha?" He hadn't been fond of the idea then, even if taking a life was nothing new to him, but they just hadn't relented despite being throughly beaten. If these four played nice and ran when given the chance, he wouldn't need to repeat the same actions as three years ago. If not. Well, then he supposed he'd have a lot of cleaning to do this evening. Yet as he watched all four charge him at once, at first he could only sigh and shake his head, so they were doing this after all he had said. They really were idiotic. But if they wanted to start a fight, he was quite fine with being the one to finish it.

The first thing Seiji noticed, was how slow they all seemed, compared to back then. He supposed that training really had helped, and with that same grin spread wide across his features he darted forward into the fray. Ducking straight under Baldly's fists and reaching his left hand up in the same motion, to just barely graze a hand across his side. It was barely a touch, but that slight contact was all he needed, reiatsu already build up from the moment he'd begun rushing towards the four of them. "Sai." Simple and effective, spoken clearly before he seemed to vanish from thin air and in turn, leave the spiky haired idiot to completely miss. Shunpo leading him behind one of the two a little further back, the pommel of his asauchi shoved straight into Alex's gut, before one leg swept outwards to knock him even further off balance. The harsh landing should be enough to knock him out, if he was right about the amount of force he'd applied. Hopefully so.

With two out, he ran at the third, what ever flailing attempts were made to attack him were simply weaved around. It might almost look as if he were dancing, but eventually, the third would meet the same fate as Badly. Or perhaps even worse, a punch to the face that might have even broken something, he couldn't be sure, and another spell released to bind him and leave him helpless on the ground. Only then, did he turn to look at the spiky haired fool, all this and they hadn't even made him draw his blade yet. It really was rather boring. "So, ya wanna give up yet? I really would rather not hafta kill any o' ya, it's jus' a real big pain ya see? So if ya wouldn't mind just leavin' that'd be great." Unlikely, but it was worth a shot, even if spiky was the last one left standing, surely seeing his friends around him unable to do much but struggle or groan in pain would be enough to jolt some common sense into him. Enough to make him accept and leave? Wishful thinking sure, but getting blood all over his yukata would just be gross. And he hadn't traveled out here just to have to spend an evening washing his clothes of blood in the river.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Combat}
Current Reiatsu: 530 / 630

• Used 2x Bakudo #1: Sai (Restrain).
• Used Shunpo once to move at a speed of 1,000.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Techniques Used}

SPOILER: Click to show

{Bakudo #1: Sai (Restrain)}Technique Name: Bakudo #1: Sai (Restrain)

Class: 7

Technique Type: Kido

Technique Element: None

Technique Reiatsu Cost: 25

Technique Description and Effects:

Causes the target's arms to lock in place behind their back.

Incantation and Effects:

Incantation increases the strength behind the technique by 10%. (I.E. A reiatsu strength of 100 would instead be valued at 110 for this technique.) "Man, shaped by Divine hands, revert to the form before limbs, clutch at your own throat and be afraid!"

SPOILER: Click to show

{Shunpo (瞬歩; Flash Steps)}
Technique Name: Shunpo (瞬歩; Flash Steps)

Class: 7

Technique Type: Kidō

Technique Element: None

Technique Reiatsu Cost: 50 / Per Step

Technique Description and Effects

A movement technique that allows the user to move faster than the eye can follow. The focal point that determines the basis of this technique is speed. As speed is the main point of the technique, the method is best characterized by how fast one can get from Point A to Point B in the least amount of steps. Training and skill are what determines how fast a user of Shunpo can move. Those of little skill in the technique or those who haven't used it for an extended amount of time would obviously be out of practice, causing those individuals to be considerably slower. This requires the use of more steps to move the same distance and become tired more easily in a shorter amount of time. A single step magnifies speed for that step by ten times. Shunpo uses fifty Reiatsu per step. This one is automatically learned in the academy. All Shinigami know this when created. This technique does not take up a technique slot.

How to use technique

Focus of Reishi around the feet area and launch off into a single blurring step. It is not unlike teleportation in appearance, but it is simply extremely fast movement. It is often used to gain an edge in a single moment of combat or to dodge incoming attacks.

[Nakajima Kimiko]

Bandit groups of the higher-numbered districts of Rukongai often tend to roam in packs of at four to five members. They do not necessarily need to be part of a larger group, though most of the time, they typically are. The reason why that is is, well, because the vultures that they are tend to strive in their numbers. It is a known fact among the civilians of these districts that the higher the numbers of a bandit group, the stronger their influence is. Their sizes prevents them from showing compassion for anybody that dares to not stand alongside them. Naturally, since their forces are so overwhelming, they tend to not be shown any opposition to their activities. In turn, this has made their combat skills rather poor, as they never really needed to train or even better their combat skills to beat down others. Even the most powerful bandit swordsman often tends to be a rather poor fighter. Why bother getting stronger if you can simply recruit new members? It was a question that was often asked by bandit chiefs and leaders.

Ironically, the greatest answer to that question was very simple: to fight spiritually-inclined fighters. Although rare, there are times in which these bandit groups need to face people that were granted the means to manipulate spiritual energy, and in those times, it is rarer still to see the higher-numbered force come out of any battle with them unscathed. Even a person unable to manipulate their spiritual energy very well can downright decimate more than a few bandits so long as they are willing to do the deed. The reason why that is true is because the mere presence of spiritual energy within one's body greatly influences their physical ability to the point of possibly granting them supernatural power and ability. Of course, if the bandits are prepared and sufficiently trained to take down one of these spiritually-inclined warriors, they can take them down, but they typically do not possess the patience nor the motivation to do so. There is no better representation of this fact than this little skirmish between our green-haired ruffian and the four thugs currently assaulting him.

Baldy and friends have trained hard to prepare for this moment. They usually never lost against an opponent, even the sharpest tools in the shed that is Rukongai. Every battle that they faced, they would win without any problem at all solely through power and dominance. Baldy would punch, the spiky-haired would slice, and the other two would fill the gaps in-between. In a place like this, they were hardly the worst fighters around and, in a way, they were most perhaps among the greater representatives of the Rukon Reapers. The problem in this particular instance was that they strove... against physical opponents only, not spiritual ones. Due to the sheer rarity of spiritual warriors, it was only normal that they were not at all experienced in taking them down. This was why they had suffered such heavy losses back then against the green demon who stood before them, and unfortunately for them, it was why they were going to lose against him yet again right now.

The bald bandit's rush was right and true, with his iron fists blitzing forward towards their target with shocking strength. The air would whizz as they punctured through it, causing a light "Woosh!" to be heard across the area. If they would have hit anyone, they would have most definitely severely harmed them. However, they did not hit their target, and unfortunately for their owner, they would not hit anything again for the rest of the skirmish. "What?!" He shouted in disbelief as his arms were suddenly pushed behind his back by some sort of invisible force, one that was strong enough to make him cry in surprise before he fell onto the ground below. It took him a moment to understand what had just happened to him, but once he understood what did happen, he turned himself on his back and tried to call to the others. "Damn it! Shit stain's using Shinigami magic!" He warned aloud, attempting to get everybody else's attention. Unfortunately, his warnings fell on deaf ears, for by the time he had fully turned himself towards, the gravity of the situation was then put on display.

It all happened so quickly. About maybe a few seconds at best passed after the first swing was swung, but it was all it took for the entirety of his group to be laid to waste. He and the nameless fourth bandit had more or less been completely disarmed, Alex had been knocked out, and the last unnamed bandit had not only been disarmed, and now, only the spiky-haired one stood. The sight was both horrifying and infuriating. That's all it took. All their training, completely laid to waste by some fancy parlor tricks. If it wasn't for his sheer inability to do so much as even punch anything right about now, he might have actually tried to do something... yet even so, he doubted he could have done much. The last time they had seen the green demon, he was strong, yes, but unable to use magic. Now that he could, even he had to admit that there was no way they were going to beat him. Not even a squad of ten of the Rukon Reapers could possibly beat him fair and square.

The spiky-haired one nevertheless held his ground. He was intimidated, that was for sure; however, his emotions kept him standing there and clenching his teeth angrily. Among the four, he was obviously the one that was the most motivated. His eyes were still bloodshot, and his gaze was still bloodthirsty, something which is not typically seen in the common bandit. It was not insanity, for despite the rage, there was also sadness. The person the green demon has murdered must have been someone close to him. "D-Damn it, you fucking wuss!!" He called out as he kept his knife up with a shaking hand, his eyes gazing deep into his opponent's. His voice was perhaps shakier still. "You can't even fight us without some stupid spells now?!" Eventually, the words were lost to him, and with one last war cry, he took a few steps forward before then going on a mad dash towards his target. If he ever happened to come closer to his opponent, he would then immediately to deliver a flurry of slices to the man in an attempt to at least land his knife once. It was doubtful he was going to achieve that goal, but it was the only thing that he could do to defend his pride and the pride of the person he lost.

By the time this happened, the Shinigami patrol had fully stopped to listen to the commotion. The words "Shinigami magic" that previously emanated from the alleyways was enough to spark some interest in the members of the group, with some even showing concern. It was probably just something one of the fighters had unconsciously said, but the thought of possibly having a rogue officer on their hands going around Rukongai came to mind rather quickly. None of them were worried, however; in fact, the most of them were actually getting a bit excited at the prospect. Kimiko was one of those people. She had fought shady Shinigami before in the Living World doing illegal businesses, and although some of those were definitely cowardly, they all had shown good fights in the moments they actually fight one another. If this was really some malevolent force going about Rukongai, it could actually make this patrol a little bit more interesting. "Stay here with the others... I'm gonna go check it out," she told Gideon then with legitimate interest in her tone of voice before she started walking towards the alleyway. Maybe she'll find something good in there.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Seconds. That was all it took.

All in all, it seemed rather pathetic. These people, and many groups like them spread throughout Rukongai, it made him wonder why he'd ever been afraid of them. Of the power they held, rushing out of sight if they were nearby. Always telling Shin to keep his distance and sighing in a mix of disappointment and reluctant acceptance when his brother returned that same day covered in bruises from fighting them. Likely punching the ever loving crap out of them, would've been fun to see but he'd known better back then. Keep his head down to survive, don't cause trouble unless you knew you could get out of it mostly unscathed. Yet now? After so much time, and centuries alone that fear had faded replaced with simple caution until a few decades ago. He never could stay away from trouble for long, but he really had expected better than this. More from those that inspired fear in others, sure they weren't always in the 64th, but they were present enough that he'd stayed away and told young children to do the same.

How sad.

There had been rumors, when he was still a young soul, of the Rukon Reapers. A fearsome band of thugs and miscreants that did as they pleased and kicked the shit out of anyone that said a single word against them. Perhaps they had been truly great and fearful back then, or maybe it was his own youth that had clouded his judgement and made him see only what those whispered words wanted him to see. Now, they just seemed useless and while he understood the reasoning behind such fear. Those souls who had no spiritual pressure to speak of, had every right to be concerned, given they could easily be beaten down. It was a pity, knowing that and being unable to stop it, he was still just a student after all. But this he supposed was a good start, Shin surely wouldn't mind him putting a few thugs from their days together in their place, it was a valid enough excuse for no doubt arriving far later than he had planned to.

As much as the shout amused him, it was already done and over with. Too late to stop. "That'd be Kidō ya moron." He commented idly, tone almost a hum of syllables as he was preoccupied with finishing this up, the pommel of his blade quickly connecting with Alex's gut - dead center too - and left him out cold. The loud thud as he hit the ground reverberating within the enclosed space. He wondered briefly, even as his feet took him forward with speed he had grown used to moving at, if there had been more of them here... would he have had any trouble? Possibly, and it was rather a shame that they weren't. Send a message to a larger number of these fools would've been nice. Still, he worked with what he had and that meant leaving at least one of them alive. If not all of them, as long as they were smart and didn't try stupid crap after he'd beaten them down. Unlikely that any of them were truly intelligent, but maybe one of them had grown enough brain senses to ensure the rest didn't just try to charge him again.

Now facing Spiky as the last one standing, he couldn't help but smirk. His posture completely shaken, full of so many openings it wasn't even funny, His grip on that blade so loose it looked as if it may simply fall from between his fingers at any moment. Even as a weak insult was thrown his way, Seiji could not help but chuckle. Low and brief, rumbling up from his chest at the sight of it all. They had caused him trouble before, so payback was only right, yet this one still insisted on fighting him after all he'd seen. The one that had screamed at him the most the last time they'd fought, yelled and raged as one of his friends was left face down in a pool of his own blood, he hadn't wanted to really. But they had just kept going, and it had been the only way to shut them up. He just hoped history wouldn't repeat itself, just this once. "Oh I think ya know I can Spiky, see I'm doin' this real nice thing of tryin' not ta hurt ya idiots an' ya pride too bad ne? But if ya wanna lose an arm, I'll fight ya head on, sure!" It was a warning, the last one he'd get and perhaps even the last thing spoke as he merely watched the other yell once more and charge at him. Slow, once more.

Were once fingers had idly tapped random patterns along the hilt of his asauchi, now that stopped, that same hand wrapped around the hilt and drawing it out. He knew he wasn't skilled enough yet to strike this fool down in one blow. So, he did not bother to rush the male and just let him come forward. Katana held in one hand as he both parried and stepped around each strike thrown his way. Sure, it wasn't as swift nor as forceful as he was when using his left hand, but he knew you had to work at being ambidextrous, especially when considering using such a sharp weapon. Even if he was holding that same amused grin throughout, he did not let his guard down, this was rather good practice after all. A blade shorter than his own, well it certainly helped with understanding why so many preferred this to something like a tantō in combat. Still the other's reckless flailing around did start to get rather dull after a little bit, despite the rage in his eyes, this fool never seemed to change up his tactics whatsoever, despite the fact that it should be clear that it just wasn't working.

He would never land a hit like that. After jumping away from another strike, he tossed his asauchi, a quick movement from right to left. Adjusting his grip a little as he caught the blade, instead of just simply being reactive, he supposed it would be much quicker to go on the offensive. Parrying another blow before swinging upwards at full force to hit and rip the blade from Spiky's grip, flying through the air only to embed itself into the nearby wall. And in the process, catch the edge of his blade on his palm, it wouldn't be a deep cut, but it would certainly bleed and hurt like all fucking hell. "Now, take yer friends and get outta here, preferably far enough away so I never gotta see ya again. Cause next time I ain' gonna be so nice, ya hear? Now scram." He waved them off with his free hand before flicking the blade, a small trail of blood spraying against the ground. Only then did he reach for his scabbed to sheath the asauchi. The moment he did, his Kidō would fade and leave them, well the two that weren't unconscious, able to move again. Hopefully they listened to reason.

[Nakajima Kimiko]

Baldy could only sit there in shame as he could not do anything to stop his spiky-haired comrade from rushing onward towards their opponent. From the way he clenched his teeth and was focusing his gaze on him rather than the Shinigami student, it was clear that he was aware of what the outcome was going to be of this battle and that, consequently, he couldn't be but very worried about his fellow bandit's fate. They had been thoroughly defeated while fighting as a group, so what could one of them do on their own against him? What could a simple man with a simple knife do to take down someone who wasn't even considerate enough to not use Kidō, or whatever it is supposed to be called? Even worse still, what could that man do against that same opponent if the latter clearly is not showing any sign of effort? No amount of skill with that thing, especially at his level, could top someone who could literally teleport around the area and strike him in the back if he so much felt like it.

Unfortunately for him, none of those questions were on the forefront of Spiky's mind when he raised that weapon of his and attempted to unleash that wild barrage of slices. In a way, they were present, and obviously, he was well aware of what the answer would be to all of them, which was a resounding "nothing". He knew that he was not going to beat a Shinigami on his own, not even a student of that Academy; after all, he didn't even have any experience in handling spiritual foes, unlike the ones which are above them in the Rukon Reapers. There was no hope here for victory, not even a smidgen of belief that could press them onward towards success. Even so, he was pressed to move forward and attack. The memories of the dead one they had to bury that day, their fallen friend, could not be moved on so easily, and seeing his killer standing before them now was worsening the process ten-fold. They were what pushed him forward, what blanketed his eyes with the familiar red sheen of rage, and what made him not care in the slightest for the outcome of the battle.

What the man did not understand in his emotional burst would lead to his defeat. In battle, it is always important to maintain balance between one's emotions and one's skill, as emotions can cloud the mind with sordid decisions and judgement. Here, Spiky was unable to fulfill that balance. His blinded rage caused his cleverness with the knife to be reduced to nothing more than the wild flailing of an wrathful animal. The tactics disappeared in lieu of a plain wish to completely overwhelm, and in so doing, he became akin to a demon. For anybody without skill and without power, the view would have perhaps been terrifying, as although his cleverness disappeared, he instead became faster and more difficult to follow. However, those among the contrary group would find it all pitiful, as the disappearance of his skill made him painfully predictable. His slashes had no variety, no diversity, and in so doing, a patient being can easily take their time to find the right opportunity to strike. So entails the dangers of flailing a weapon about like a maniac. It can certainly bring one to victory against the unaware and inexperienced, but it cannot bring you that victory against the knowledgeable.

The demon was thus thwarted fairly quickly. In his impatience and rage, he did not realize the meaninglessness of his actions. Each one of his unvaried slices were either parried or dodged by the green-haired student, and worse yet, they were granting his enemy information. After a rough estimate of about four of five slices, he had given everything his enemy needed to take him down: his strength, his speed, his range, and his complete lack of will to even so much as consider the threat that was just given to him a few minutes ago. That was not even mentioning the myriad of openings that could lead him to instant defeat, as his wild flailing would prevent him from defending himself against any sudden attacks that would be sent towards him during his offensive. With all of this, his opponent was able to deduct the exact time in which he could beat him, and so, not even a moment later, a swing of steel was heard then followed by the light gushing of blood, and it was the end of that.

It took a moment for Spiky to understand what had happened when he felt the pain suddenly explode in his hand. He was not holding his knife anymore, as it had flown about towards an area he could not perceive at this point in time, and in place of it now stood a cut which bled onto the ground below. The adrenaline and shock both kept him unaware of the pain for a moment, but soon enough, it came. Once it did, he let out a cry as he took a step back, holding his bleeding hand near his chest almost instinctively. "Shit... Shit!" He whimpered, a sign that he had perhaps not been cut like this in a long time. While he did so, he raised his gaze towards his opponent. His blind rage had now disappeared and now, only utter hatred remained. He had understood that his spirits had been broken and, in so doing, there was no going back to the state he once was in just yet. He could not have looked any weaker now compared to the others. "G-... Go fuck yourself..." he said behind clenched teeth before he then turned tail and went on to help Baldy stand up from the ground. They could not say any other word as they left with their unconscious comrade hanging onto their shoulders, unable to even so much as find any more insults to throw at him. They had been thoroughly defeated.

Rather ironically, it was fortunate that they had not decided to continue this fight any longer, for by the time they started leaving, Kimiko had arrived to the scene. Her footsteps were loud enough for the Academy student to hear her coming. She had appeared from the entrance to the alleyway which was furthest to the west, where Spiky's knife could be found stuck into the wall. While she was walking towards the area, she had seen glimpses as to what was happening, but was not able to witness all of the fight unfold. She did hear the familiar noise of Shunpo resonate earlier, but that was it. The only thing she could do as she arrived to the area was simply guess that the man had beaten four men without even but the smallest of scratches, something which she had to admit somewhat impressed her. Obviously, she was aware that those people were probably normal Souls without spiritual power who wanted to act tough, but even so, it's not every student out there who can bring themselves to fight against a larger group of enemies at once.

"Nice... Looks like you had a good fight here," she eventually let out, feeling as though it might be better for her to eventually make herself known so she wouldn't surprise the green-haired one. "Using that binding spell was a bit lame... but, they were Rukon Reapers... You can't be any lamer than a Rukon Reaper." After she made her presence fully known to him, she then stepped forward into the alleyway. Her gaze went from one end of it to the other, something which was rather surprising considering which squad she is a part of. Most of the people which come from it are not very perceptive. In her analysis, she found traces of blood here and there alongside some rocks that had been pushed against the ground rather unnaturally, signifying that someone had fallen onto them. From the amount of the red liquid spilled, she could tell that it was not at all enough to prove that someone had died here, which was a bit of a relief. At least she won't have to fill up any paperwork recording the deaths of some random Souls on her watch. "I'm surprised to see a student of Shin'ō here... Is it the holidays there at the moment? I just wanna ask, since, uh... I can't say I've seen a lot of students during this time of the year outside of the school."

[Ishikawa Seiji]

They really were pitiful.

That was the first thought that passed through his mind, as he watched the frankly embarrassing sight of Spiky only growing more and more enraged as his friends, mostly bound and completely helpless, watched on from the ground below. Half shoved into the dirt, well at least they weren't unconscious. He had hit a little harder than intended, but it had gotten the job done. Plus, a little fear factor running through all of them never hurt, it would make sure they didn't try so again anytime soon. Perhaps they would all even leave the rest of the district alone for today. That would be the ideal, licking their wounds and pitying themselves rather than causing trouble and destruction wherever they went. Like he did, he supposed some may say, but at least he wasn't a brute about it. no, he had always enjoyed the more subtle methods of achieving his goals. It was always far more satisfying in his view, to gain the upper hand through well placed words and careful skill, far more than simply using brute force and strength. It seemed foolish and sloppy. So this? Spiky's terrible attempts at an rapid offensive as he rushed him?

Was like watching a train-wreck in slow motion.

From left to right, it felt as though he were observing an injured and scared wild animal fighting for it's life, not some soul that was trying ever so desperately to end his existence then and there. It wouldn't work of course, but he supposed he should commend the other for at least trying to hit him, to cause him harm after he'd bore witnessed to the easy with which he'd dispatched his friends. Was friends too strong of a word for these fools? He couldn't be sure, gangs out in the higher numbered districts never seemed very friendly even to each other. More of a half formed and rapidly thrown together business arrangement that was mutually beneficial as long as everyone did as they were told to. If they didn't, then whomever was stupid enough to disobey was killed. It certainly seemed simple enough, but the reaction he was getting from these four. Rage, grief and anger all rolled into one, told him otherwise. Perhaps it was just the Rukon Reapers that were this way. Either way, such things weren't his problem. They were better scared and running from him, then ruining others lives, that was for sure.

A few moments was all he really needed to spot an opening, really though he took a few moments more. To see if the other bothered to change tactics, he didn't and it made him seem even more useless because of it. Maybe he was just too used to fighting others who actually had common sense and some minuscule degree of strategy when they went against another. With a sigh, he did as he hoped, blade arcing outwards and catching Spiky's hand, the man's own weapon thudding faintly into the wall. To be removed later, he knew he'd made the cut deep enough that it would bleed for quite a while. Not to mention the difficulty in doing just about anything with it for quite a while, perhaps even a general loss in dexterity if they had no one to help heal them. Either way, he had been kind really, he took have taken the arm entirely. Instead, all Spiky got was a little nick on his palm. Wonderful in comparison, but he doubted any of these four would see it that way in the months to come. He was sure they would likely curse his existence for weeks. That was fine by him.

With a rather satisfying click of his blade returning rightfully into the scabbard at his right hip, the sound of another voice didn't really surprise him. It wasn't those four, he'd seen them rush away moments before. But he had expected at least some of those Shinigami patrolling to notice all the noise and sound of shouting and clashing blades alike, no matter how brief it was. "Ya might call it 'good' I'd call it a waste o' time." Normally he wouldn't mind drawing a fight out, but he had important places to be, and those idiots had stopped him. Even if it had been an amusing diversion, with that now over, it was about time he start getting the fuck out of here and make pace towards the 64th. He'd be lucky to get there before nightfall now, maybe he if used a little Shunpo he'd manage it. He could always sleep at his old shack and wake early to do what he'd come for. Yeah... probably better than trying to do so in the pitch black.

"Fine way o' talkin' to people ya got there Shinigami. Ya call everyone ya meet lame after ya first meet 'em? Or am I jus' real lucky?" He asked conversationally, amusement clear in his tone even if his constant fixed smile did not already make that obvious. Sure, all of those out on patrol here were likely at least twice his current strength and that was fine. He wasn't here to fight them, only to go about his own way as everyone in Rukongai wanted to do. He doubted that would change when he graduated either. "As fer that 'lame' spell o' mine, think I'll keep it, despite yer oh so helpful commentary." As if to prove his point, he wiggled his left hand a little, there was no spark of magic atop them, but his reiatsu was still relatively high after such a fight, he could throw around a few more today if he had to. The young woman certainly stood out, tall compared to most that she was almost his height, from what he could gather even at a slight distance. Perhaps she just wanted to watch what he'd done, rather than participate, he wouldn't blame her for that.

It had been somewhat tedious.

He supposed the fact that he was openly carrying an asauchi made it rather obvious to Shinigami that he was a student, well that was a damn pain wasn't it? Guess he'd have to find a way to hide or conceal it when he came out here. Unwanted attention it seemed, had come right to his front door. How nice. Although the better question was why she was alone, he knew others in her group had to be nearby. Were they hiding somewhere? Or just didn't care enough to follow this one to check things out? Maybe that was it, he doubted they were waiting for a chance to kill him when he'd done nothing wrong. Scraps and disagreements that led to all out brawling was so common and frequent in the rougher Rukongai districts, that all but the most devout Shinigami ever bothered to stop it. And even if they did, the locals would often drive them out for trying. It was lawless out here and people liked it that way for good reason.

"That's 'cause most of 'em wanna go back to their pampered lil' lives or stay at the school ta be lazy, ain' many that used ta be out here." He shrugged as he walked across the small space, just barely passing the young woman, before reaching up to pick the weapon left behind from out of the wall. No blood on it, and he could probably use it for something, even just to store as a tool back at the shack. If he was the only one there, if not, well he was sure others could make use of it. Tucking the blade carefully between the folds of his obi, he turned and moved past here the way he'd come. "Now if ya don' mind, I got places ta be." She could follow for all he cared, but he wasn't about to linger just because she wanted to have a nice friendly chat with him.

[Nakajima Kimiko]

The four Rukon Reapers had made sure to leave as fast as they possibly could to distance themselves from the green-haired demon. They had been humiliated, utterly defeated, and there was no way they were going to fight him again for the time being. It pained them all to admit it, but there was simply no way they were going to be able to beat him, let alone harm him. Back then, when the swordsman was still nothing more than a child of Rukongai, they could have perhaps beaten him if they had taken the time to train as much as they did prior to meeting him. Their enhanced musculature would have coupled well with their overwhelming tactic, and thus, they would have easily won. Better yet, they would have not last their comrade in the way they did. However, now that the boy has gone to school and learned new tricks, not even the fanciest knife could bring him down. You cannot beat an opponent who can downright vanish in and out of reality whenever he wants to without a plan. You just can't.

As they fled, their luck at least allowed them to avoid the Shinigami patrol. The alleyways of the 60th are not as numerous compared to the ones located in the lesser-numbered districts, but they allowed for enough cover to allow them to leave without getting spotted. However, even if they would have been spotted by the patrol, it was doubtful that the officers forming it would have done anything to them. There is a saying amongst a few of the soldiers of the Gotei 13 that those who are part of the Eleventh Division value strength and honor in battle more so than any other division. This is most likely the reason why most patrols formed of members of the Eleventh Division tend to be less punishing towards petty fights, especially when the instigators of the fights can't even find the strength to win. The worst thing that could have happened to the bandits if they were spotted by the patrol would have been public humiliation, really. Better that than the fines and investigations they would have received from any other patrol.

Kimiko was really no exception to that rule. She would have perhaps not outright laughed at them for their inability to win, but she would have said nothing to defend them. Although she was unable to properly see how many people were fighting the student, she could tell that there were more than just one of them, and that matter alone irked her quite a fair bit. To fight a single opponent who does not have the means to match your numbers is inherently dishonorable and unfair, a great disadvantage for the lone fighter. It is a great affront to any warrior code which have been conceived over the course of history, especially the Bushido Code that the Shinigami now holds so dearly. In a way, this was why she considered the student's fight against them to be great, as he was able to defeat something that most other students would have had trouble dealing on their own. If she would have been in her place, she would perhaps been a little proud of her achievement.

Perhaps rather shockingly to the swordswoman, the green-haired one actually thought nothing of it in comparison. There was no pride to be had, no joy; in fact, he openly considered it all a waste of time. It was an attitude that the young woman did not see occur everyday, and quite frankly, she almost wanted to say something about it. Before she could do so, however, he then spoke of her attitude towards his use of Kidō. It did not take long for her to understand that he seemed more preoccupied by how she perceived his use of the spell than anything else. "I mean, I wasn't calling you lame... just the spell," she specified with a bit of a tone in her voice, making sure that the intent of calling him lame if he keeps talking like that to her would be there for him to be wary about. A long time ago, she would have perhaps made sure to soften the blow, but at this point, she made sure to make her hatred for magic very much known to others. It was petty of her and she was very much aware of it, but she just could not stand it anymore.

In any case, she wasn't going to get mad over something like this. Despite how annoyed she was at the man's sarcasm and insistence on proving some sort of point, she wasn't necessarily angry at him more so than just outright curious. This student was definitely a good one, one that rose above the ranks rather quickly. She couldn't exactly say how far he was in his studies, but given his expertise of Shunpo and Sai, she guessed that he was pretty far ahead. Well, either that or he's some sort of prodigy like her. So then, if he is so skillful, why would he come all the way here? Why would he risk being taken down by a superior foe or an opponent that he simply could not handle? Students are stronger than most Rukongai bandits, yes, but some of these bandits - especially the strongest ones - can definitely take down a spiritual opponent with ease. Is he doing this because he's trying to prove himself to them? Is it because he wants to avenge someone? After all, it did sound like those bandits had history with him.

She eventually received a sort of answer to the majority of her questions, even if it wasn't a complete one: the student was apparently a native of these parts of Rukongai. The thought made the Shinigami blink quietly in consideration. This clearly made his history with those Rukon Reapers understandable, as the people who live here tend to interact with bandits quite frequently. It did not totally void the earlier assumptions she has had of the guy, but it at least cleared some things up. Maybe he was coming here to see his family or friends. "I see..." she said then in response to his answer, slowly positioning herself away from him as he picked up the knife from the wall and stored it in his obi. His apparent lack of care for his Asauchi was prominent, but she didn't find the need to criticize him about it at the moment. Instead, she merely allowed him to pass by her, then shrugged. "Well, alright. I'm not gonna bother recording this or anything, so... just be careful out there."

It was true that she was maybe making a mistake here; after all, Shinigami law stipulates that those who are part of the Gotei 13 and the Academy must be protected at all costs from any assailants. Despite this, she did not find the need to defend this young man. He seemed to be capable enough to defend himself properly without even getting harmed, and his attitude would most likely make him uncooperative. Not only that, but she also quite simply did not want to be his babysitter, and the rest of her patrol probably shared the exact same sentiment. If another patrol comes to pick him up and escort him back to Seireitei, it will be their problem, not hers. With that in mind, she simply returned to her patrol, told them that the battle was over when she arrived, then lead the others forward into the deeper parts of Rukongai just as they were told. It was a fun distraction, but like the green student, they had much better things to do and places to be.

And so, time passed by, and life went on.

---

Traveling between districts of Rukongai can take a fair bit of time. Depending on the number of districts which one wants to cross, it can take from merely a few hours or so to complete days. For example, heading to Seireitei from the 40th district can take at least take a week on foot if one assumes the traveler to be maintaining a constant walking speed, all the while also assuming that the traveler is but a normal Soul who is on the good side of the law. For those who are more spiritually-inclined, it can take even longer. The need for both sustenance and rest typically associated with them can coerce them into spending money for food at an inn, a type of establishment which is not always available, especially not in the higher-numbered districts. Knowing this, it is easy to assume that it took the Shinigami patrol the rest of the day to continue their patrol onward from the 60th. By the time the night had come, they had reached the 64th.

In hindsight, the differences between the 60th and the 64th districts were very slim and unnoticeable. They are both places in which the poor and unfortunate remain to battle over the rags they call their riches, and although they are certainly more pleasant than the districts which are categorized over the 70th, they are both places where people would prefer to avoid. The only difference there seemed to be here was the greater presence of trees and nature, something which at least gave the towns located here and there a bit more life compared to the rather arid environment of the 60th. There was even a great lake nearby in which some of the inhabitants could gather water from. Some of the more ambitious inhabitants even went as far as to construct tree houses in which they can live inside. The grand majority of these houses would eventually fall into disrepair onto the ground below after about a few years... but it was the thought that counted.

The Shinigami patrol made sure to stay at the first inn they encountered once night had fallen. They needed to continue up to the 66th before heading back to the barracks of the Eleventh, but it was quite clear that everyone was starting to feel the weight of the journey press onto their shoulders. Gideon was exempted from this fatigue somehow, able to keep watch over the others like a sort of scarecrow as they would pay the inn's owner and head off to sleep. As for Kimiko, the boredom she felt during the travel had made her want to at least conduct her daily Jinzen session, and so she had decided to head off outside of the inn to perhaps find a place in which she could proceed with the ritual in peace. A bit of trees here, huh? That's nice, her thoughts ran as she walked around the district, unconsciously heading closer to the lake as she did so. The people paid her no mind, but she had to admit that she did not enjoy the stares. It made her feel unwelcome, to say the least.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Publicly humiliating groups of thugs was nothing new.

Not in this district or any other, he supposed those four just got lucky that he happened to like lingering in the alleyways as opposed to using any sort of main street to drag them out onto. Doing so out here was just asking for trouble, something that while he'd happily indulge in, today he wanted to avoid. Unlike him, but family had always made him so uncharacteristically nice things. Like not slicing off Spiky's arm for one, he was sure Shin wouldn't have glared at him too much if he'd just barely cut a man as opposed to one losing an arm. Or their life. He rather distinctly remembered his brother being extremely unhappy with him on that day, killing was normal and accepted for survival. That was a fact of such places, but doing so to a member of a gang, no matter how small, could land him in a world of hurt and many broken bones. At the time he'd come out mostly unscathed and wondered why his sibling had cared so much about it. Watching the fools flee with a smile upon his lips, he could see why now, without the training he'd had. Well, the fight would've gone far differently.

Still it had been dealt with and that was all he cared about. regardless of how 'great' or wonderful this Shinigami seemed to think it was, the whole thing was an annoyance. As most fights in Rukongai were, they were never for food or a space to sleep. Oh no, most fought simply because they good, to assert their dominance and prove themselves to be better than all others. Nothing but a display of arrogance really, one he'd rather avoid and he really had tried over the years. Quite frequently in fact. But some were persistent like that lot, attacking as soon as they sighted him and well, he couldn't run forever. Nor would anyone else bother to help him defend himself, not anymore, so he had to learn the hard way. Just as everyone living out in this mess did. Based on that alone and the uniform, like most like her, this woman at least in his eyes, seemed out of her depth. Very few came out this way on any kind of patrol period, let alone were even born out here to begin with. The fact that she'd even bothered to come and look told him that her curiosity had outweighed whatever sense of unease she may or may not have being here.

Yet she still felt the need to insult not only his Kidō, but his very being, even if she hadn't quite meant to. "Implication." Was the only word he answered her with, he was the caster of such a spell after all. Although he knew she had not intended it to be said in such a manner, her tone told him all he needed to know. Quick to temper maybe? Or maybe she just didn't like being messed about, too bad for her then running into someone like him. Still the fact that she hadn't yet just decided that, given he was a student, to start trying to drag him back to the Seireitei given they were in a "dangerous" area was a nice touch. Danger was everywhere, but out here he could handle it, and the tales told from place to place were a load of bullshit anyways. If you were quick and smart, you could survive out here, otherwise you might just end up fading into nothing. It was why he'd done just about everything imaginable to be able to get some food into his system to live for one more day, it never mattered what he'd done, the people he'd hurt, or even damage to himself. Living was always the goal.

Even when worrying about food was no longer an issue at the academy, he still ate whatever he could when they were allowed to do so. And he knew he'd likely be lugging a few foods to eat on his way back, and some for within his dorm as well. The hunger hadn't yet seemed to stop, maybe it was all the constant training and draining of his reiatsu that had caused it even after three years. Or because he hadn't reached his peak yet? Not a clue. But he wasn't about to deny himself eating if he could help it. Luckily he knew of more than one place to grab something from once he was in the 64th. A little permanent borrowing never hurt him. What did make him a touch uneasy however, was the fact that this girl seemed to be watching him like a hawk even as he stepped across the alleyway to retrieved the discarded weapon. They'd been too scared to bother grabbing it, and that was their loss and his gain. Spoils of victory perhaps was the best word for it.

"Good ta know, have fun bein' glared at by everyone!" His tone was far too chipper and upbeat considering what he had just experienced, but as he turned his back to her, he knew that was what her patrol would get and so it was better to leave on something at least sounding positive. Right? It was exactly the same if he went along the main roads with a blade clearly on display. Just asking for hatred really. He'd have to hide it to be treated like one of the average citizens again and as long as he was careful once he got back, that wouldn't be a problem. It was making sure he got there on time that was the issue. And so without a word more to the Shinigami behind him, he disappeared around the corner, into another ally before he picked up the pace a little.

Time to get home.

---

Travelling wasn't too bad. At least he'd been mostly right on his timing. No one had given him anymore trouble as he'd wandered from one narrow alley to the next, the slip drip of water from low hanging roofs the only real sound that accompanied him. but that was fine, he could use the time to think and figure out just what in the world he'd need to find before sleeping tonight. He knew he'd kept some things stored in his shack, smaller weapons and some supplied buried just beneath the small home itself, though even without that he knew it was rather likely he would have to do repairs on the wooden exterior itself before he could even think of settling in for the night. He never much enjoyed working in the pitch black, certainly not when the temperature at this time of year often dropped to below freezing during the late hours, maybe if he was quick it wouldn't be too late. A fire just outside would be needed, but that wouldn't take long. As long as he could get at least some rest, he'd be happy enough with that. It wasn't like he had classes in the morning anyways.

Meandering into the 64th district brought back plenty memories. The last time he'd been here, Shin had still been alive and had if he recalled rightly, recently promoted to the 4th seat of the 13th Division. An impressive feat to many, but that was just his sibling all over. Always excelling for as long as they'd been alive. A hand loosely tugged through soft emerald strands as he paced slowly forward towards that familiar lake. He knew stalls would still be open, so he took the back streets, a few faces he even recognized, briefly nodding at him in welcome as he passed but they kept quiet. Just as he did. Safer that way. Seeing his old home was a nostalgic sight yes, but he was correct about it needing repairs. Goddamit. Peeking inside showed no one seemed to have been there for a while, and if anyone had stayed here, it hadn't been in quite a while. Well that was something and checking his stores found what he left still there, even better.

Setting everything he'd brought with him to one side within the shack. He got to work.

It didn't take more than an hour really, the repairs after three years were, surprisingly minor. Then again, they'd put a lot of work into making it last that first time, so maybe they had just been better at it than he recalled. It only took as long for a reason Seiji chose not to dwell on. Better to just to get on with it. Luckily it left him with more than enough time to go and grab some food. Not buy with gold that no merchant here would accept from him or any Shinigami either, but quite literally grab. Slim pickings given the time of year, seasons fading into one another. It wasn't that he minded, but it did meant he was sprinting back with far less than he'd like. But food was food and he wasn't about to complain. He wouldn't say no to cured meat after all. And after he'd gotten a fire starts a short distance outside, after a few tries, rather embarrassingly - he was out of practice - he settled down as the night fully drew in.

Only as he finished eating did he return to inside the shack, his breath drawing out slight frost. Well that wasn't great. Still, he knew he'd stored away a blanket at least on the thread-bare remains of a futon they'd found decades ago. It wasn't much, but neither smelt that awful, and it would keep him warm enough to rest for a few hours if he curled up enough. Of course, he wanted to clean that knife first in the lake and even his own asauchi as well if there was enough light left. Getting there wasn't difficult, only a few minutes walk away really as he sat by the edge of the expansive body of water, using a cloth he'd brought along to clean what he could of both the blade and handle. Sharp enough to be used to cut firewood even, that would be handy come tomorrow. Perhaps even good enough to help him mark out a hole and dig a little.

With his task for tomorrow in mind, he set the knife inside his home once more, safely buried away. Before retrieving his asauchi by the scabbard to head back out. Only to see someone in the distance, his sensory capabilities were far from amazing, but it was someone with a definite reiatsu strength for sure. Rather unusual out here. Though careful in his approach, with the shadows of the evening mostly around him, it was not difficult to keep a low profile until he was near enough to see who. Oh. Her. Just wonderful. Had he been followed? He didn't remember seeing anyone. Hm. Still with the fire near to his home not that far behind him, he supposed even if he sunck away, she'd find the place soon enough. What a pain. "Twice in one day huh? I should prob'ly be creeped out by ya bein' here. Do tell me ya ain' jus' followin' me." The reassurance would be nice, although he was pretty sure she wasn't, he still did wonder why she was here of all places. Shouldn't they all be asleep by now? Or safe and warm in a cosy little inn room that they could afford with no trouble or struggle? It was strange.

[Nakajima Kimiko]

Jinzen, quite literally translated into Blade Zen, is perhaps one of the most important techniques to be learned by the Shinigami of the Gotei 13. In essence, it is the act of attuning one's Soul with the spirit located within their Zanpakuto, a process which connects what they are to what they wield. For those who do not wield the spiritual sword, they might think of the act as nothing more than simple meditation or a sort of religious practice held by those who rule Soul Society. However, for the warriors of black, this technique allows for the forging of a deep bond between themselves and their weapon, which can intrinsically lead to a better understanding of themselves and their limits. For this reason alone, all officers which were capable of leaving the Academy with a Zanpakuto are heavily advised to at least conduct the technique every once in a while, most preferably once per week at the very best, to gain counsel from the spirit of their blade. In that aspect, Kimiko could thus be considered as being a person who is greatly connected to her Zanpakuto.

Once per day. For almost three years now, the girl has made sure to conduct Jinzen at least once every single day. It did not matter where, did not matter when: she would always make sure to conduct it even if the times do not. The number of people which have seen her downright skip her daily ritual is rather few, for the number of times she actually did such a thing is even fewer. Even within the Eleventh Division, this squad so addicted to bladed weaponry and the means to use them. the dedication to understanding her blade and the sheer respect she has for it outmatches many of her peers'. Some naturally see this as a strange thing that is to be avoided, an addiction that should not be nurtured or encouraged amongst the rest of the Eleventh, though many others - especially those above her - see this as being somewhat inspirational. It is a sign that this officer, a woman who has only just officially joined the Shinigami, is already about to become something greater.

It was thus why she was searching for a place to conduct her ritual here, in this rather-cold and inhospitable place far beyond the barracks she had by now grown so comfortable to. The small rooms which the members of her patrol had been given back at the inn were too cramped to allow for any kind of proper ritual to be made, so much so that she couldn't even so much as position herself properly to even start it, and so she had convinced herself that moving outside would just be better for her. Despite the darkness which by now covered the skies and the frost which left her lips, despite the many risks in even going outside, this wish made this Shinigami move forward in hopes to reach a place in which she could speak with Shizukakane. The thieves and murderers of Rukongai be damned, she was going to make sure she could speak with the spirit and tell him how boring her day had gone. Perhaps his tea will be able to make her forget the cold, even if it is merely an element of her Inner World.

She walked by the many trees that covered the nearby lands for some time, passing by a few buildings that had been built here and there onto the branches above her. Since it was night, there were unsurprisingly not a great amount of people wandering about, and those that were unsurprisingly shot at her the coldest glare they could possibly muster. The lack of hospitality was the price the Shinigami patrols had to pay for wandering about these lands forgotten by the Gotei 13 and those which govern them; after all, how could the people who were abandoned by the literal demi-gods of this world ever appreciate their presence? Again, Kimiko was slightly hurt by the glares, as she herself had done nothing to this people, though there was nothing she could do about it. She understood their pain and their hatred, and she was not going to openly argue with them. The last thing she wants to deal with right about now is to fight those which she is supposed to protect.

Only when she was able to reach a clearing that the glaring stopped. It was about a few minutes after she had crossed the most-populated area of the forest. Although it was nothing really special in hindsight, the girl couldn't help but be taken aback with pleasant surprise as she slipped by the last few trees and ended up near what seemed to be a lake. The darkness of the night unfortunately made its view rather obscure, but she could tell that it was surprisingly expensive, just enough so to cause the air to become more humid. Nevertheless admiring the briefest sight that was given to her, she remained still before she eventually smiled to herself and moved forward. This is perfect, her thoughts rang as her feet led her to the body of water. There was no sound but the noise of small critters and the tiniest waves here, no one to glare at her, no imminent dangers. Shizukakane too thought the same thing from the way the thought appeared in Kimiko's mind.

As she approached the lake, however, something caught the corner of the swordswoman's eye. Now that she was close enough from the waters, a single figure was popping up from the darkness. At first, the faint traces of reiatsu surprised her, and for a moment, she almost believed that she was about to fight this person. However, once it was close enough, "it" became "he", and "he" became a familiar face that she saw not too long ago. "You're... that guy from the 60th..." she muttered in visible surprise. What was he doing here in the 64th? His presence in the 60th was already shocking enough, but this was downright unprecedented. A part of her downright wanted to ask him if he had any answer to her question, though soon enough, the possible theories she had in mind about it made her keep her mouth shut. Earlier on, he told her that he had "places to be". Maybe this place was exactly that: the final destination of whatever journey he's had from Seireitei to here.

Perhaps fortunately for the best of them, her surprise eventually turned into slight annoyance once the man somewhat accused her of following him. "What...? No, I wasn't following you. My patrol just ended up stopping here for the night," she immediately reassured so as to try her best to put that idea to rest as soon as possible. That subject was just way too creepy in her mind. She allowed a bit of silence to pass after the subject has passed before she turned her head towards the lake and sighed. "I came here to perform Jinzen... That's kinda it. I didn't have enough space back at the inn, so I decided to look around and... yeah, here I am." Her explanation was a bit rushed and rather bad, but it was at least somewhat direct. She just hoped that her awkwardness and bad social antics wasn't going to push this guy away. Whatever deity is up there knows how much she hates the idea of appearing socially weaker than someone who's supposed to be her junior.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

The quiet of night was something he'd always preferred.

Sure pretty much everything was twice as dangerous during these dark and foreboding hours, leaving the few that decided to wander during the evening all the more exposed to being robbed or slaughtered by the gangs that made it their business to prey on those foolish enough to step from their homes. No matter how meager that may be. As a far younger man, he had learnt to heed that warning well. Made all too real when his sibling had returned on more than one occasions with bruises and cuts covering his whole body, he listened to Shin's warnings after that. But time and a growing swiftness on his feet had made him a little more reckless, ever since his hundred and fifty year he had taken to wandering. At first not far from their shack at all, and eventually walking across the whole district and back. There was something calming about the quiet, the gentle breeze in the warmer months and the harsher biting cold during the winter that reminded him that he was, very much alive and freezing his butt off. He knew mother nature would be just as dangerous out here, but the reminder always helped to ground him.

Tonight was no different.

Except for perhaps the circumstances in which he found himself here to begin with, no longer just a stray anymore. Though he was certain there were plenty back at the academy that would disagree with him, just a nobody really, someone not worthy to even step foot into the Seiretei. Yet here he was, barely a few years from graduating and already having had a rather uncomfortable encounter with a Captain of the Gotei 13, let alone the frustrating amount of bullying he had silently tolerated. It was not time, not yet, always the word. Yet. He was not yet strong enough to put such fools in the place. To show them that regardless of their blessed births, such fortune and being waited on hand and foot would do them no good on the battlefield. In time, he would ensure they got the message, but he would have to bide his time. Wait in the shadows until he had gained enough power to ensure it struck a permanent cord with them.

But he had not traveled all the way out here to ruminate on his current progress as an eventual Shinigami, or on the snobbish nobility that seemed to litter his entire class like a bunch of sewer rats. If he had, he could have just as easily taken a walk outside the academy then returned to his dorm, instead he'd come all the way out here with his asauchi in tow. The reality of it was, there was only one reason and one person, he'd make the trek back here for. And since he knew his brother would never be able to make that trip again, it felt right to do so in his place. Even if he probably would've been waved off, told not to make such a fuss over him, and like always he wouldn't listen to a word of it. Doing as he pleased regardless. That much at least, would never change between them. No matter if he was the only one still living and surviving, maybe they would even laugh about it when he passed on too. Until then he'd carry on, swallowing down his meal with renewed vigor.

As he washed down such a meal with clean water, one of the few luxuries he'd brought along from the academy cafeteria over a week ago. It wasn't long before he sprawled out on the ground beside the fire, the warmth to his right soothing as he let hidden eyes slide completely shut. The crackling of fire burning and cooling scent of the frost bitten air was a combination he didn't mind and were it a little warmer, he would have likely just slept beside this campfire. Instead he laid simply laid there for a few minutes, the silence in Rukongai was so different to that of the academy. Back there, occasional footsteps, the the flickering of torches and even the quiet voices of nightly patrols were near constant. Here there was simply nothing. In truth, he hadn't realized how much he'd missed it, being able to relax and listen to nothing but the pushing of waves and soft breath of chilling air around him. No people, no movement, just nature around him.

Of course after some time, he did have to get up. Staying there was just uncomfortable for too long, a quiet sigh as soft steps pushed him up to his feet and led him back inside his home. Gently rummaging through his satchel to put away what he'd used and dig out a fresh cloth. One he could get rid of any small splatters of blood left on his asauchi before he turned in. Flicking the blade as he had, did not guarantee it was all gone, as Shin had once told him. So a quick look in the moonlight wouldn't hurt. Though before that, he did take the time to do the same to that knife he'd retrieved, a simple task and he was back within only a few minutes before grabbing his actual weapon. Wondering briefly, if he could have won without it. Now wasn't that a thought. A pattern in his mind that was soon interrupted when he stepped beyond his home and into the shadows, only to come across a familiar figure and reiatsu presence.

That girl again.

It wasn't too surprising, he knew the patrol hadn't been heading in the opposite direction to return to the Seiretei. So seeing them again wasn't entirely unexpected. What was however, was the fact that she seemed to be alone again. And out here by his home of all places. Okay, so that was just a little weird. The plus was, at least she recognized him and hadn't decided to cut him down on sight. That was always nice, a rarity out here too, more proof that the little patrol didn't belong. But he wasn't going to speak up about that. Much too political. "Sure am! Though I can' quite tell if that surprise means yer happy ta see me or not." Probably not, they barely knew each other, not even a name to go by for the both of them. It looked like he had interrupted something, judging by the blade in her hand. But maybe she always carried with her whenever she went on an evening stroll. Sensible out in these parts for sure, or maybe she was just the sentimental time. He wouldn't know.

Awkward wording and explanations aside, it made sense. She appeared a little uncomfortable, at least to him, but he was used to such a reaction. Though if it was just him being there, or interacting at all that caused such a floundering of words he wasn't sure. Nor was he going to ask. "Ah, must be real nice gettin' to sleep at an inn. Real luxury out here ya know? But if ya don' wanna freeze ta death while yer doin' that, I'd find a fire if I were ya. Ain't fun to sit still an' wake up not feelin' yer hands." He spoke casually, as if he knew her better than he really did, as if giving some friendly advice was nothing new. A sweep of his left arm and in turn, the blade he carried gesturing towards a small light source in the distance. The fire near to his own home, he'd put it out eventually, but for now he needed to clean up. Couldn't do that without a water source. Quiet steps moving him closer to the water as he knelt down on his right knee, covering one side of the cloth in water before removing his asauchi from it's scabbard to wipe the blade over. Just because she was here, didn't mean he was going to deviate from his original intentions.

[Nakajima Kimiko]

Despite being a bit annoyed by the fact she was more or less almost accused of stalking the student, Kimiko couldn't help but understand why he felt this way. It is somewhat rare for people to meet the same individual more than once in the same day, and even rarer still to meet the same individual in a place that that are not familiar with. As such, meeting this young man all of a sudden here by some lake in the 64th district after having met him earlier today at the 60th district was a rather shocking coincidence. It was almost funny, in a way, that they happened each other alone again, as she once more wasn't even with her patrol. It was as if fate itself had carefully made sure that they would cross the same path again. Whatever the reason fate decided to do something like that was completely out of the swordswoman's knowledge, but whatever it may be, it sure has a lot of time to waste to make it all happen, just like how she has a lot of time to waste thinking about any of this.

Her reflections aside, the officer had to admit that she was rather neutral about all of this. The law would have most likely compelled her to hate seeing him here instead of back at Seireitei, but emotionally, she didn't really mind seeing him again. Why would she be happy or angry? She barely knew this student. At best, he was a very flimsy acquaintance, one which she didn't even have a name for. He was a good fighter from the way he was able to handle himself against whoever attacked him, and for that, she respected him; however, she wasn't going to act all friendly because of that. Even so, she was at least somewhat glad that she didn't get in any more trouble ever since he left the 60th District. "I'm just... surprised to see you here, of all places, really," she nevertheless answered in her own awkward way, which almost came out as an automatic blurb. It wasn't really a proper answer to his question, to say the least, but it sounded honest enough to make her point clear enough.

She hoped that he didn't take her awkward tone badly. It wasn't that she hated him or anything like that: she was just like that with everyone. Even after all these years getting used to Soul Society, the antics of its people, of the Shinigami, and of the members of her Division, it was still difficult for her to converse with people. Back then, while she was Human, her social antics weren't much better in comparison to the ones she had now, but they certainly allowed her to be more confident. She was happier with Shizukakane, of course, more talkative, more expressive. However, he was her Zanpakuto's spirit, the one person in this entire world that she could truly speak to without fearing the worst repercussions on her life. Not even Celes, her very own mentor, allowed her to reveal herself as much as possible like that, and if she can't allow her to do something as simple as that... well, needless to say, no one else will, not even her closest friends.

It was thus fortunate that the student did not seem to really mind Kimiko's awkwardness. He did not speak of it or accused her of anything; instead, he merely moved on to another subject altogether. The swordswoman was glad to hear that he wasn't fixating on the matter at all. At least she wouldn't be worrying about it or how he perceived her. The way he spoke of the luxury of the inn was a bit odd, as it almost seemed as though he was being sarcastic about it, though she didn't pay it any mind. "Yeah... it looked like a nice place to us," she concurred, moving on from her past awkwardness as she tried to fit herself into this new casual atmosphere this conversation was taking, "but I had to ask one of my squadmates to guard our rooms. There were a lot of rumors about the owner working for a gang of thieves or whatever... so I had to take precautions. I kinda feel bad about asking him to do this, to be honest... He really should get some sleep."

As paranoid as that statement may be, it wasn't something that could be considered as a wrong thing to do. The 64th is almost on the edge of Soul Society, and so, there are a lot of thieves and brigands wandering about to steal from those who do not take ample care of their possessions. As such, given that the patrol consists of roughly more than a dozen soldiers, it was not a bad idea to make sure they would not be attacked in their sleep. Having their Zanpakuto and their Ryo stolen to be used later for criminal activities is going to get them in serious trouble with both their Captain and Vice-Captain Kawada. In all fairness, that is perhaps never going to happen, as the one thing the common thief should not mess with in these parts of Rukongai is a Shinigami patrol, regardless of if they are sleeping or wide-awake. However, given the world that they are living in, anything is possible, and Kimiko was not going to take her chances in hoping for the best to occur.

The talk of the cold and how she was probably better off finding a light source so as to not freeze the death while performing Jinzen made the swordswoman briefly look towards the ground in consideration. It was true that it was getting colder now that she was closer to the lake... Being in a state of Jinzen will allow her to practically ignore the outside cold, but once she returns to reality, it is possible that she may attract frostbite. The pain she would most likely feel from that aside, considering that they are very far away from Seireitei and that none of the people in her patrol group has any healing expertise, such self-harm really should be avoided. With that in mind, it was thus only natural that she would find herself gazing at the light in the distance which the student gestured towards. She wasn't quite sure of what the light was from where she stood or if the young man man was even offering her to go there, but it did seem as though he was indeed doing just that from the looks of it all.

"... You're right," she acquiesced quietly as she made her decision, making sure to point out the light the student gestured to in the distance. "That one over there looks alright..." If the young man wasn't a student of the Academy, she would have perhaps been more careful as that fire seemed to be his, but there was hardly any reason for him to lead her into a trap of sorts. At best, it only proved her earlier theory: that this place was the final destination of his journey and, therefore, his home. With a light breath, she took one last look at the lake. It was truly a shame she couldn't conduct her Jinzen here, though unfortunately, both the view and the sounds emanating form this place are hardly worth the frostbites she'll receive if she stays. After things were made clear, she then started walking towards the light, her pace being slow enough so as to make sure the young man would be able to reach her once he's done cleaning his blade. Trap or not, she can't bring herself to enter someone's home without its owner.