Winding through the Rukongai [Social]

[Arantima Kawada]

Social

It had been a VERY long time since Arantima had been out on a patrol out to the Rukongai. He was one of the few upper level shinigami who could safely do so without causing discomfort to the people in the out districts with little access to food. His spiritual pressure was completely sealed away and as such it did not bother anyone who was spiritually active. Because it had been so long since he had gone out to visit the Rukongai he Figured that it would be a good idea to go out exceptionally far this time. Normally he would pick a cardinal direction and go out to at least the 40th district and ensure that everything was being handled well out there.

He could not offer charity very often, but he could ensure that disputes were being handled and there was some form of order. But doing so for each district would take time, and by the time he had reached the 40th district it would usually be time for him to return and begin his paperwork.. Always with the paperwork, it was his least favorite activity as a Vice captain but it was a required one.. And now that he was the head of the kawada house hold as well he had paperwork for that aspect of his life to go over. So He decided that he would visit some of the districts that were neglected by the majority of shinigami unless there was a hollow attack or some such disturbance.

Arantima Stood atop the Southern gate, looking out over the rukongai and waving to the Plus souls that looked up at him and were greeting him in their own ways. His eyes were however off in the distance, getting a measure for how far was the nearest tall building and he took a deep breath and with a soft clicking of his sandal on the sekiseki rock of the gate he was gone in a flash of speed and when he landed.. He was Ten districts away.. This was going to Take a few extra Steps and some extra effort.. He Took a breath and took another step, landing on a shorter building this tone, again another 10 Districts out.

He Continued this For another short while taking a rest after the first three steps and sat atop the building he landed on, his Zanpakuto resting on his shoulder now as he looked out around the 30th South rukon district and saw the people bustling and moving about, their lives still relatively comfortable out here even if they did have some strife and were not the most well cared for. He found this place very close to his own 33rd district in the West rukongai. He Could not stay here for too long however as he had to get out beyond the 40th district..

Arantimas next step Brought him out to the 4oth district and when he arrived, the roof he landed on groaned under his weight He Quickly slipped off the roof and onto the ground to the side of it and looked around. Just Ten districts out and already things were getting built of lesser and lesser quality things.. scavenged parts and holes in walls were not uncommon already.. And he knew that there were 40 more districts out there to be assigned to. He sighed gently as he looked at some of the Plus' that looked at him with some scrutiny until they saw the Zanpakuto at his side, he could feel that they were sizing him up to possibly mug as he looked well off.. But the Shinigami airs about him quickly dissuaded any violence towards him.

He Walked from there forward and found another building that looked solid and lept up to the roof of it with a few quick hops. He looked around at the immediate area and then off into the distance.. The places he could see.. Were nearly barren and devoid of the bustle and hustle of where he had come from not minutes before. He Closed his eyes and took a single step once more.. And Then before the Next building can even Respond to his weight he steps once more and is launched forward to land somewhere in the 60th South rukon district. He Expects to land somewhere on a building but instead he is on the edge of a river..

He Looks up and down the river and Begins to walk along it, a sense of being far too close to the wilderness to be safe overwhelms him a moment but when he sees no signs of hollow activity out here he relaxes a fair bit. But the Communities out here are so far apart.. That it feels almost as if he is in a foreign land and has left the rukongai proper. However, he could see the run down and almost seemingly abandoned semblances of shelters around that he knew he was still in the rukongai proper but out here.. the population was sparse and rightfully so as these areas were limited for plus's that were not the greatest of people in their lives.

Arantima was not going to risk spending any more energy on Shunpo to get around.. he would take his time to get around now. Walking at a leisurely pace he would keep the the edge of the river and While looking into it he would not see his own reflection.. instead seeing the reflection of Tenryu in his silver clothes, with the Fan of blades hanging behind his back and arms crossed as he smirked, looking back at Tima with his Monocolor eyes and smirking knowingly.. Tenryu was being oddly silent today.. Not commenting snidely as he normally might be constantly throughout the day at what Tima was deciding to do with his energy.

-300 Reatsu for six Shunpo

1570/1870 Reatsu

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Distant memories were all he had. Since his last visit out to the far flung edges of Rukongai that used to be his home, everything had felt a little strange. Not least because of what had happened after he’d lingered there too long. Thankfully, no such events had occurred since and he’d been able to make it back without another worrying incident. At first, when returning to the Kido Corps barracks, he had barely slept that evening. Drawn into replaying days long since passed, days that couldn’t be returned to. Shin had been dead for years now, yet still the uneasiness and guilt in his chest weighed him down. Prompting him to leave once more and head back to their old home. It wouldn’t hurt to see it once more, would it?

With no new assignments, and no desire to remain and let himself be blasted into one wall then the next by the seated officers. His request was granted, due to his hard work or so he was told, much to the annoyance and frustration of his fellow unseated officers. Leaving the Shinigami with the distinct feeling that he might likely have the shit kicked out of him when he returned. But that he supposed, was a fair price to pay for such freedom at the start of the week. Who knows, it may even end up being useful training, sparring against so many. Not to mention the fact that it would likely look good to their superiors, even if the idea of facing that many at once was somewhat daunting. Still, a little challenge might do him good in due time.

For the moment however, he let such worries fall away. Getting there and returning would be a task in and of itself. Sure his Shunpo had improved considerably since the last time, but he was no master of speed that could travel that far in a mere few hours. Still as he gathered his Zanpakuto, neatly tucked to his right side and headed out, at a guess it would take him most of the day if he really pushed himself. Which he’d planned to do, given they wanted him back within a day or two, staying out there for as long as he could was the goal. And if he found a hollow out there that needed purifying, hell that was even better really. The familiar sights and sounds of his home district, coupled with staying there overnight, it wasn’t much that was for sure. But simplicity had always been more than enough for someone like him.

Still as comfortable and warm as his Shihakusho was, it was also a glaring beacon to anyone that so much as glanced his way out within Rukongai. One that spoke of not belonging, of power and of the assumption that he thought himself better than all the common souls that lingered in the Soup Society. He didn’t of course, but he’d had that exact same train of thought centuries before, when he had seen those in black robes as nothing more than a threat to his survival and potential food source for the day. So as much as he wanted to travel wearing them, he opted not to do so, changing within his quarters into something more suitable before leaving the Seireitei entirely. A simple grey yukata and light blue haori wrapped around his form to protect from the bitter cold, not least to ensure he was left alone as he wandered through the streets.

As he stepped out into the first district of South Rukongai, very little changed. Elegance and finery all around, nobility and those aspiring to be like them milling about. No one paid him any mind and that suited him perfectly fine. Who would bother with someone like him, who for all intents and purposes, appeared very much like anyone else. The fact that he was armed with a well kept and wickedly sharp blade wasn’t entirely unusual, bodyguards and mercenaries were common for those wealthy enough in these parts. And the further out he went, the more others saw him as a simple thug who got a lucky break in acquiring such a nice weapon. He wasn’t about to inform them otherwise, if it kept others off his back, all the better.

With a little speed and the odd infrequent use of Shunpo, he was out to the 40th district by the early afternoon. Not a bad pace all things considered. Although the price from that meant he’d have to walk the rest of the way, but that wasn’t so bad. He knew his way there easily enough, and few dared approach someone who carried such a lethal weapon so openly. The same with any human who carried a knife or something else in the streets, he supposed. Meandering through the dirt covered paths that led through each district was a curious sight, not because he hadn’t see it before, but because quite a few he recalled spotting on his last trip out here were absent. Due to the cold weather, most likely. Even if many souls here didn’t require food nor water, icy temperatures and no way to keep warm was a killer all on its own. Not a single hollow was needed to cause death and ruin.

Getting out to the 64th took a lot longer than he would've liked, but by the late afternoon, the young Shinigami had managed it. Taking his time to slowly pace through familiar streets and back alleys that few dared step into without being prepared. Of course, none of that really compared to the sight of his old home, still standing proudly in the late afternoon light, the lake not that far away. At first, he simply moved to the edge of the water, the silence out here was a rare thing in Rukongai, heck in the entirely Soul Society in general. So he made use of it while he could, stopping only to rest his Zanpakuto within the inside of the small shack. Barely even damaged from the cold winds, well that was something. For a while, the emerald haired male simply sat at the edge of his home, with no assignment to complete on the way here for once. Were it not for the weapon now stashed inside, he could almost mistake this for any other day, as if he had never decided to follow after Shin and become a Shinigami in the first place.

"Must be nice, wherever ya are, least it ain' gonna be freezin'. Guess I kinda forgot how bad it is, out here, maybe I'm jus' gettin' soft." Words mumbled to no one in particular, pushing himself up to stand to meander around to the back of his former dwelling. He did not linger long, not after last time, only enough to check that everything was still there. Was still as it should be and that no one had dared to disturb such a resting place, given he'd likely kill anyone who tried. He knew it wasn't much, neither of them would want anything fancy, they'd discussed that more than a few times over the centuries. But that didn't mean he would let his only family go without. Turning away from the sight of the grave he'd dug, his attention focused upon the shiver that wracked his form as colder winds blew in harshly. harsh breath outwards before he sought the meager warmth of that shack. Perhaps he could go check on a few people, before it got dark, in a little while. Maybe.

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima was Wandering his way up the River as he noticed the Sky was beginning to darken just slightly, but there was also an air of majesty to the colors of the Pinks and oranges and purples. He Stopped and watched the Sky and the clouds, The clouds were billowed and outlined in all the colors of the sky and the colors moved gently and smooth along them as the floated gently along the sky. He was brushed by a soft and yet all at once frigid wind that ate away all of his body heat. He immediately drew his Shihaksho about himself before stopping and Holding his Right hand in-front of himself.

The palm of his hand began to steam a soft golden light as he breathed a soft sigh and the golden energy-mist coalesced into a small, about the size of an eyeball, orb that glowed very dimly but it provided an extraordinary amount of heat. The orb began to hover slowly orbiting around Arantima's waist-line as he continued to walk, holding back the cold that was pressing in at him the darker it started to get. It was mid stride that Another Orb popped into life above and slightly behind his head. This Created a softly flickering Golden light that was akin to a Bright candle.

Arantima was now wreathed in a golden firelight as he approached an older looking building that was still standing on its own after being out this far into the wilds. He Looked out across the horizon and saw no one observing him and felt that there was no better place to stop and rest than inside this older building.. However He had no way of knowing that this building was actually currently inhabited. He Gave the front door a cursory knock on the Doorframe as he stepped inside of the building and called out "Hello? Is there anyone inside? I am Arantima Kawada, Vice captain of squad 12.. I was looking for a place to shelter for the night.. I offer warmth and Safety in exchange for a roof over my head for the night."

Arantima was TALL at well over Six feet but he wasn't an imposing man if his demeanor did always seem a bit disinterested.. If one actually cared to pay attention long enough it would be revealed that it was not a lack of interest and more so a reserved nature in the way his gaze penetrated the things he looked at as if he was able to see the souls of things he was observing. The Zanpakuto he wore was strapped across his back as it was far too long to carry behind himself. The Scabbard it was in was a solid black matte material that might be leather but it could also have been a sheer black wood.

The Orb floating around his Waist level immediately floated up and into the center of the room he had stepped into and was cascading its warmth into the Building like a Powerful furnace. Likewise The orb of candle-like light he was commanding wet up to engulf the Heating orb and cascade light into the room as well as heat so that he could see if there was anyone trying to hide from him or if he was well and truly alone in this building.. He could swear he had heard movement on his way up to the building but he could never be sure, he was not much for sensing out people that wished to hide their presence.

Arantima's Spiritual pressure was however.. Quite Non-existent.. Infact there was a soft breeze that blew about him that billowed his Shihaksho about gently but only if one cared to look closely enough at him to notice such a thing. The breeze did however help to bring the scent of fresh Incense and Hookah smoke billowing off of him in a heady and earthy scent that was warming and calming almost together but likewise was not a gentle scent on the unprepared nostrils of someone who was not used to the combination. Arantima seemed however quite unphased by the scent, perhaps because it was the one he chose to wear daily or perhaps it was just something he was used to.

No Reatsu spend

1570/1870 Reatsu

[Ishikawa Seiji]

As the winds howled beyond the singular door of his shack, for a moment the emerald haired Shinigami simply curled further into his own form. seeking whatever meager warmth he could get, but willing himself to not fall into a light slumber. He wouldn't remain for long, not when it was still light out. There were things he needed to do here, people he wished to see, even if only at a distance. see what had changed, how many of the children he'd witnessed darting along the streets still remained. To even help if he could, though he knew that some of them had likely already faded into nothing. Some had hunger, some didn't, but those that did without food, were destined to live for long. It was why he had taken such extreme measures to survive, done things others wouldn't in order to gain his next meal. Never would he make another repeat his choices, but with what little power he had now, he could certainly grab a few things before any of the stall owners noticed anything amiss.

It was with a tired sigh that the young male got to his feet, Zanpakuto in hand before he headed back out into the cold. Speeding up his typically languid steps in order to ward off the cold a little more. The familiar streets were easy to navigate, no one really dared to bother him. The vendors hadn't changed either, save for one new addition and a few missing. Gone out of business or run out of the district? He wondered which. Asking around, he found that some had been scared away by one of the local gangs, a name that Seiji had heard before. Well that was unfortunate and frustrating to boot. The disappointment in his stance, when after searching he'd found such thugs had fled the area at least for the past few days, was rather obvious even at a distance. That listlessness discarded by way of a path to follow now was like stepping into an empty pit of nothingness. Thin fingers running through even shorter and now messier strands of emerald as he paced along, a turn of his heel as he returned to the present.

To the stalls he once stole from on an almost daily basis. Most avoided his gaze, knowing the expression that would greet them, one of amusement and vaguely threatening if they dared say a word. He avoided those that knew his face, instead targeting one of the newer sort. Grabbed and gone before the man even had time to react, time to turn away from a customer he'd been serving. Not money, heavens no, but just food and a fair chunk of it too. Some of it tossed to kids he recalled having some small amount of spiritual pressure, the rest kept in a bag upon his right side. Fruit held in his palm, bitten into now as he meandered further, juicy despite the time of year. Liquid spilling down slim fingers and mostly ignored until he'd finished. A slightly bitter taste and somewhat odd texture, but it was better than going without anything while he was out here. He would have a difficult time getting back without any nourishment.

Slow steps gradually lead him to a nostalgic sight, though the pair did not appear to be in at present but that was fine. The garden before him, as he hopped up onto the relatively low wall, was as familiar as ever. Slightly diminished though it was due to the season and harsh weather, that did not stop the Shinigami from wandering with it, memories of decades long past of helping them. Not because he had offered to do so, but because the old woman had demanded it after she'd caught him trying to steal the mother-load of all fruit one summer. It wasn't his fault that watermelon seemed so easy to take, how wrong he had been, trying to get it over that wall had been a nightmare, and his undoing. Thankfully, she'd been kind if a little upset about it and he'd eaten well that day. Unsure if they'd simply left for the time being, or were gone for good, Seiji did little more than slip a small note under one of the doorways before he slipped away.

With the skies now starting to darken as sunset took hold of the world around him, shifting from light to dark, he supposed it would be best to begin heading home. He would hardly get back in time to return to the barracks before daybreak after all. Staying out here would be the best bet. It wasn't like he minded remaining out here, it would probably do him good, remind him why he'd started all this and recall that the luxuries he had now. No matter if others saw them as simply necessities of living. Were not always guaranteed, even if he was a Shinigami, that could just as easily be taken away by someone with far greater power. He would not tempt fate when there was still so much he had to do, not for others, for himself and to achieve as Shin might have wanted. The jury was still out on that one, but that wouldn't stop him from trying, gaining strength was all but mandatory before he tried anything reckless.

Arriving back to that comforting place, was a relief, just as the sun fell beyond the horizon. The chill in the air only growing worse as the minutes passed, his own steps now more frequent in pace. To step inside the shack, to gently place his belongings within the small space, a candle lit within the center of the room, encased in glass, to ensure the place wouldn't set alight while he was outside. To keep it burning to be transferred to the pyre in a short while. He'd gathered everything before heading out, set only a few feet beyond that door. Yet still, as the emerald haired Shinigami set his bag down, Zanpakuto resting by the door, he left it once more. Heading out to the expansive lake, in which moonlight would soon reflect upon the surface. Another light source, it would do. Bathing out here was hardly the most comfortable in winter, but it was manageable after so many centuries doing just that.

Stepping out just a few minutes later, was enough to leave him shivering and sneezing a fair few times as he rushed to dress once more. At the very least, he felt a fair bit cleaner, even if he now felt as if every bone in his body was slowly turning to ice. There were no luxuries out here, not a warm bath to be found at the end of a long and tiring day. Just the harsh reality of finding new methods and answers for the most basic of problems. Everyone did so differently, but this was the best method thus far that he'd found, even if it meant enduring the biting cold water and chill in the winter months. It was worth it. Besides, the fire would fix that in due time, some food and constant heat would be more than enough for a few hours. It would tire him out enough, lull him into getting at least a few hours sleep. This much, he'd learnt from experience across the years. How to best drift off during the worst times.

Of course, what he wasn't expecting when he stepped into his small shack, was for someone else to be there. More importantly, for a Shinigami to be there. The space itself barely enough to move in with two present, the candle remained in the center and off in the corner furthest from the door lay a single futon, worn and cleaning having seen better days. But that didn't matter. The Zanpakuto once left by the door was now in his hand within an instant, left hand already laid upon the hilt of the blade, ready to be drawn. "I dunno who the heck ya are, but get the fuck outta ma home. Now, 'less ya wanna be run through. Ya got ten seconds ta get out." It was not anger, nor did he stop smiling, but the threat was there. Plain and simple. This space, despite being away for a while, was still his and he'd be dammed if he was giving it up without a fight. Shinigami or not, didn't they understand that things worked differently out here?

[Arantima Kawada]

It was no great surprise that Tima was face to face with someone who was a bit more hostile than they were welcoming.. Being out this far from the seireitei meant that souls were far less.. Savory in their lives or were tied to souls that were less than savory. He However could feel something less, violent in this boy before him, and more Bristle. Arantima held his hands up and open, a sign of surrender, though there was a presence around the Man that.Swept through the air around him in a tangible way that wafted the scent of petrichor around the space and blew at the Shihaksho he wore in a way that was unnatural that spoke of something about the man that stood before Seijji now that was not to be toyed with.

"I Do not mean to intrude. As I said when I stepped inside. I am Arantima Kawada, Vice captain of squad 10. I was looking for a place to shelter for the night.. I offer warmth and Safety in exchange for a roof over my head for the night. I Bring little food out to these places so as to experience hunger once again while out here. If I am still to be sent away that will be the end of it." Arantima's voice was steady and gentle, he even smiled while he was speaking, as if he either was unbothered by the previous threat, or knew that it was par for the course out this far into the Rukongai. He let his hands drop back behind his hand and clasp together behind his neck after he had finished speaking. The overall stance of Arantima was one of comfort, not arrogance, nor was he afraid overmuch of the situation..

He had stated his intentions clearly and concisely and was going to wait for the answer, He either did not anticipate a violent response, or he was not worried about one. He Looked around the room they were in now as he waited for Seijii to hopefully introduce themself as he had done. He seemed to be non-judgmentally appraising the buildings interior and assessing whether there was in fact enough space for more than one person to even exist in this space comfortably at a time. There was a soft glint of Gold in his eyes as he looked back toward Seijii but it only lasted for an instant.

The World of misty grey and an endless horizon spread out around his vision as he sits cross legged at the top of his ocean.. the grey cloud covered sky letting in tiny beams of golden sunlight to glitter across the waters that are perfectly calm and still. The clouds above roil and shift but there is no lightning in them, only the murky grey color. Here, Arantima wears only a pair of pure white Hakama pants and nothing else. He stands and steps along the surface of the water and moves gently across the top without disturbing it even with a ripple.

He Chuckles softly before laying back atop the water which cradles him like a fluffy cloud instead of water.. And he sinks beneath its surface. Down, further and further he sinks until he is a crushing depth below the waters surface, where there should be no light and yet from the open door of a Temple there spills golden firelight. Arantima rolls over and strides into the open door and the water leaves his body as he passes the threshold into the warm air of the temple.

He moves to the Shrine at the center and claps his hands before kneeling and placing his hands atop the shrine to help himself stand once again. "Tenryu..  You do not often call me so suddenly from a conversation.. What did you wish to say to me in person that you could not have said in a quick flash?" Arantima tilts his head curiously towards Tenryu who was stepping down from a staircase that lead to his personal antechamber. Tenryu tapped his black claws along the banister as he descended and kept hsi eyes cast down towards his feet. He did not look over towards Tima as he began to speak

"This place you are in is much more strange than where you came to.. is it not? And this boy you are speaking to now.. Seems to belong here, So I merely wished to drive it home that you should be very wary of what you tell this boy. Or to put it more properly.. be careful of how much about yourself you let him know before it is time.. He may react poorly to it." Tenryu had reached the shrine by that point and pulled one of the fire sticks to light a small block of incense and when he blew out the Firelighter Arantima was back in reality without barely a passing second having passed.

Arantima's gaze while it had flashed over golden for a moment was no less soft and gentle as it had been before that flash, but there was a strange change in his jaw setting and shoulder tensing that spoke of a man settling into a more serious state. Was it the Sitation he was in settling in on him or had something occurred to him to that made him think he needed to seem more serious? He was already a hard man to read but this subtle but noticeable change in him made it even all the more difficult to read because he was not tensed and ready to spring.. nor was he defensive but he was suddenly more closed off.. Perhaps emotionally, perhaps he was holding his tongue from speaking any further and sounding like a Jabberjaw, whatever it was would probably remain a mystery for the time being.

1570/1870 Reatsu

[Ishikawa Seiji]

He just wouldn't take the hint.

So many within the depths of Rukongai knew to keep a safe distance, and even since becoming a Shinigami himself, Seiji had always heeded well to that unspoken rule whenever he stepped far beyond the Seireitei's walls. A rule that spoke of looking out only for yourself, of never trusting another with anything remotely important unless they were family. But even then he'd witnessed it happen, groups torn apart over a disagreement. It was always the youngest that stuck together, younger than he and even similar to him, given his resemblance still to that of a child - even if he stood at the height of a grown man - fighting against the shitty adults and running for their lives in order to ensure they got something to eat each day. Some faded from hunger, from a stray hollow or even from random fools with blades who thought themselves to be at the top of the food chain. They weren't, they could barely swing a sword but this far out it was enough to intimidate many of the souls living here into complying. Into listening and obeying less they be struck down and returned to the soul cycle.

Seiji was not such a civilian and the sight of a Zanpakuto at this man's side did nothing to concern him, not for the moment at least. With hands raised, the emerald haired young man knew many would suspect that the other truly meant no harm, but he wasn't buying it for a single second. No one that came out here, so openly armed as he was and with Shinigami robes like his own, ever truly meant no harm. It simply meant they hadn't yet found something worth slicing in two with that blade. It was this thought, that left the younger with his guard still up, even as the man reintroduced himself. The damn title was even more of a reason to stay away, to keep the other at a certain distance. Though he couldn't deny having someone of such status around for the night would work as a nice deterrent against those that might try to sneak around here during the quiet of the early hours. Tempting an idea for sure, but that still did not mean Seiji removed his hand from the hilt of his own Zanpakuto, far from it. Even with a spirit dwelling within it that he could not yet hear, that did not mean he could not rip someone apart with it, as he had to a handful of hollows at this point.

Thankfully his own robes were hidden for the moment, tucked neatly beneath one of the two blankets he kept here to keep out the chill. It wasn't terrible of course, with the winter months waning, warmth was easier to find and he rarely lacked for safety so far out. Few bothered him, and many did not bother if they did approach, having a very sharpened weapon was a wonderful deterrent he'd found. No wonder Shin had always kept his close. Even so, the stance of this man was not one of confrontation and that told a lot, or at least it did not seem to be at that moment, changed rather swiftly. Suddenly deeming him as a genuine threat? Or perhaps this Shinigami had already grown rather bored of dealing with someone who seemed to be for all intents and purposes, a civilian. Such an idea wasn't too surprising, the name given to him was all he needed to know of the elder's opinions. Nobility, always thinking themselves above others. How damn typical.

While knowing comparatively little about the inner workings of the nobility or even much of the recent happenings within each, Seiji considered the fact that he did not need such information, not when all such people acted in the same way. Spoilt, entitled and often thinking themselves far above others. Be it the thousands of souls within Rukongai, or even Shinigami. It did not matter, they were born into privilege and wealth, and that was all many needed to take advantage. To put themselves and their entire damn name on a pedestal that looked down upon all. He certainly wasn't about to allow himself to be threatened or intimidated into giving the man before him a roof over his head, if he was oh so powerful and wealthy, he was sure the man would find other methods of working around it. Without needing to involve him, or shove his way into his plans for the limited days he was here before he had to begin the long journey back to the Seiretei.

There were people he knew, without a doubt, even in a district so far out. That would gladly take someone of noble birth in for the evening, with the right amount of money of course, nothing came free or even cheaply here. Either stolen or bargained for and even then your chances of survival were unlikely unless you learnt how to run and fast. Swifter then any of them could dream of catching anyone, but he frankly doubted the one before him would have any trouble with that, with finding a way to help himself. But no, instead he'd chosen this place, his former home to come and bother him. Rather than make his own way, he threw his title around and expected it to grant him something. In the Soul Society? It would without a doubt. Here? Not at all.

Mind now made up, his smile only widened. Not to be nice or even polite, but to purposefully set the man on edge. To ensure he got out of his space all the quicker, though the safety would be nice. A compromise could be offered, but he knew this Shinigami wouldn't like it, frankly Seiji found that he couldn't care less if it bothered the other or not. He wanted to rest for the evening, not deal with this. "Ya know, I don' give a damn 'bout no title ya got out here an' neither will anyone else. Ain't interested in helpin' people like you, I'm sure ya have plenty of wealth to find somewhere ta stay. Not here. Ya wanna stay 'round here? Ya can damn well sleep outside, sure ya got plenty o' ways ta do that. Don' need yer warmth nor yer damn protection, as ya can see, I ain't fuckin' helpless. Now ya either step outside, or I'll start usin' this. Last chance." Warning enough, he hoped, if he wanted to stay he could do so outside, not where he slept. He would never trust a stranger anywhere near him during his most vulnerable hours. His left hand tightening the grip he held upon the hilt of his blade, one foot shifted back, either to step to the side to ensure the male left or to draw his weapon. Which happened? Well that was for Arantima to decide.

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima's gaze didnt leave Seiji's own, and yet he never seemed frightened of the boy. He could however sense that Seiji was instantly on edge when he revealed himself to be a Kawada. "I never said that you were helpless. As a child of the Outer Rukongai myself, not quite as far as this, but what is considered the outer rukon.. I understand the way things work, I had hoped to find someone with some heart out here, but it seems it is still Keep yourself first and take what you need." Arantima doesn't turn his back on Seiji as he ducks his way out of the room.

The interesting thing, is that his Warmth orb doesn't move from where its position was remaining inside of the room at the top and not casting light. It keeps the room a comfortable temperature as Arantima sits outside somewhere nearby. He Wraps his Shihaksho around himself tightly as he slides down into a cross-legged meditation stance. His breathing slows down as he slips into a meditative state, not going to be the one to escalate things with another soul who does not know who they were talking to, no matter how badly Tenryu wanted to burst out and show him how clearly outmatched he was... but none of that mattered. what mattered is that he was told no.

He sat there where he sat and would probably fall asleep here just as he had meditating under the tree that he called his home in the Rukon many years ago. He looked inward, not outward at his small community. there were people there that helped each other and the community defended itself when needed from new people who didnt know how it worked there. The community in the 33rd Rukon was tough and surly but were out to protect each other because no one else would. It seems as though it was not the same out here in the Far reaches where there was little life at all, it seemed there wasn't enough faith to start a community. He sighed gently as he let his mind wander to the days of the 33rd rukongai.

Arantima back in these days could barely see.. Could barely stand let alone walk.. His body was heavy enough without having to do manual labor. But he didn't have to eat and that was good. It was when he started his spiritual training for entering the Shinigami academy that things got hard for him. He had to find a way to make money to afford food and with his body being physically weak he had to leverage his mind. He would play games like Go and Shogi with small wagers at times until he got enough of a name that he started to be able to teach others how to play the game instead of using it to gamble.


When he was confident enough that he could stand and walk around without struggling he eventually used his ability to produce simple reatsu tricks as entertainment and protection when it was needed, after-all a gun doesn't have to be loaded to look scary. He Was a friend to just about everyone in his District that frequented the common area under the tree. He looked after the young children on occasion and even tried to keep up when they would play games. He would get tired very easily back then as well.. Now knowing that it was because his soul was not only immensely heavy but that he was infected by a corrupted zan spirit it made sense to him now.

He had no clue how long he remained focused on his meditations, but he did know that he kept the concentration on that warmth orb going for as long as he could. In meditation he found that he could rest without ever attaining a full sleep like state but while getting the physical rest that was required of him. He was unsure of how long had passed since he sat down only that at some point the cold air had gotten only ever colder and it was quite frigid. but he would not allow that orb of warmth to leave the room he had placed it in.

When the sun had once again warmed his skin with its light he finally opened his eyes, having meditated through the night and thought long and hard about his time in the 33rd rukongai.. He stood and brushed himself off gently as the warmth orb finally died off before it caused the room to get too warm with the days sun. He stood outside of the door, waiting for the one inside to emerge as they would need to perhaps have a different conversation now that it was morning and the belligerent man had had a chance to sleep in peace, at least hopefully with the advent of some modicum of warmth through the night.

1570/1870 Reatsu

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Frightened or not of his threats, that wouldn't stop him, it hadn't in the past and he was not about to start backing down now. His pride as one who had survived this place, for centuries alone bubbled beneath the surface. Some would say such was nothing to be proud of, and maybe to some degree they were right, but even so he wasn't about to let some damn nobleman worm his way into his home just because he'd decided to ask nicely rather than threaten him to ensure he relented. No matter the shit little sob story he was presented with, the emerald haired Shinigami didn't move an inch. Fingers still gripping tight to the blade at his side, not in panic, but in readiness to strike if need be. A calm unlike that typically seen in regular Rukongai citizens. He had used a blade for decades before, a Zanpakuto blade or not, he still knew how to fight. No matter who he might be up against or how slim his chances actually were of success.

Today it seemed however, that no such clashing of blades would occur. He did not believe such a sob story for even a second, but his warning seemed to be enough to get the other to give in. To give up this hopeless ask, he would never agree to it, and seemed to finally understand the message that leaving him the fuck alone and leaving the area would be best. "If ya understood as ya claim, ya wouldn' be so persistent 'bout it 'gainst someone with a weapon. Get lost." Firm and brisk, to the point, he wanted to aid, no reassurance that the night would pass safely. He knew the dangers out here and he had come for a purpose then to return to his work, boring though it may sometimes be. Instead he had gotten this fool full of wealth and arrogance assuming that he could stay where he wanted simply from status alone to bother him, to hold up his damn schedule when he had such little time to spend out here before he was called back. Was it too much to ask for a little peace and quiet out here?

Helpless or not it didn't matter, as finally despite all this talk of almost agreeing yet watching this damn Shinigami continue to stand there regardless of whatever bullshit spewed from his mouth. Of this man looking as if he may truly dare him into attacking, into fighting back just to show his damn superiority and power above a Rukongai stray like him, he began to back away. Hidden though they were Seiji kept his eyes fixed on the man, not relaxing for even a second while he remained in his line of sight. Even as he left the space completely, his home, Shin's own home for fuck's sake, it took a good full minute before the muscles in his body began to ease up. White knuckled grip that he'd held his Zanpakuto within gradually released. His other hand moving to soothe the joints even as he still stared at the entryway, barely a few steps away from his own place standing. Grateful at least, that he'd been left alone in here. Though if the other would leave the area entirely he still wasn't sure about that.

Unease crawled up his spine at the mere idea, he knew most Shinigami he'd met were the determined sort. Some were stubborn on top of that, rarely as much as he could be, but this bastard seemed to be the exception to the damn rule. With a sigh and carefully reaching to sense with his reiatsu, pitiful yes, but it was still enough to tell when someone was in the area around him. Given there was next to no spiritual life out here beside him usually, and of course, it gave the emerald haired male the answer he hadn't wanted. That the damn noble was still out there, not right next to his home, he'd have heard that. But nearby enough that he clearly intended to wait. But for how long? All night? All day tomorrow as well? He couldn't be sure, and he certainly wasn't about to go out there and ask. It was tantamount to simply giving in, of saying he'd be fine with the other's presence another time. He wouldn't, certainly not here. Lieutenant or not, he had things to do.

But such tasks had to be done in the early light tomorrow, which meant he had to try and sleep. A cautious glance back at what amounted to his bed out here, an old well used mattress, beaten up when they'd found it but good enough. It would do for an evening. If nothing else, he could be thankful that the other hadn't decided to snoop around in here, or that he'd been walked in upon while storing his uniform. He had no need of it out here and besides, it showed him to be something more than he was in this district. To him, even if he had moved past this life and living on the streets daily, it simply did not feel right wearing it while he was in this place. A blade, he had always had access to and so that was far less of a bother to bring along and keep at his side. There was after all, no one out here in their right mind that would be foolish enough to walk these streets without some way to defend themselves.

Running a hand across his eyes tiredly, Seiji moved across the small space, lifting up the mattress briefly to check beneath it to ensure everything was still as it should be and only once sure did he set it back down. The trouble now, was waiting. Grabbing food he'd brought along from his small satchel in the corner, he began nibbling on what would have to suffice as his meal for the evening. As little as it was he would manage, not sleeping quite yet, passing time to see if the other did anything out there or if that vaguely frustrating spiritual presence left his senses. Unfortunately, everything appeared to remain exactly as it was, including that one outside. Grumbling to himself, shoulders tense even still as he finished eating, and knowing sitting up all night would do him no good. He relented, he would have to at least enough to sleep for a short while, even if the thought of another - someone so unknown to him - barely a few meters from his damn front door unnerved him a little more than he'd like to admit.

It came down to his base instincts he supposed. Having learnt long ago to never lay near those you did not trust, not without a method of easy escape or a weapon, or even a tactic for a quick kill if you had to in the most dire of circumstances. The Shinigami wasn't in the room yes, but that did not mean having him a short distance away outside made things any better for the way his mind reeled with potential possibilities. For a part of him that said he either had to make this man leave properly sooner rather then later, or to get away from the area completely. To find somewhere safer. But no matter what his body told him, this place had been their home, he wasn't about to abandon it for some noble who thought he could lay where he pleased simply because he'd tried to be nice. No one would share such a space with him again, not this one, he'd sooner see it destroyed entirely then let another live here as they had for so long.

Yet instead of that, he focused on the other object in the room. The only thing left that wasn't his or of his own creation. That orb. He knew what it was of course, basic kido that had been covered at the academy during his stay, something simple and used to keep warm. Not meant to harm in any conceivable way and that made sense for those that were just starting out. The problem was just why it had been left here. Of course, Seiji knew he could likely assume it to be a gesture of goodwill. But such things were a double-edged sword out here, nice one moment, a dagger in your back the next. As much as others might hold onto a fragile sort of hope that they could trust someone out here, he'd had such faith shattered too many times and tossed aside like glass far too easily to trust a word out of this noble's mouth. Shinigami alike or not, trust for one such as he would always be hard one, and a few nice words and simple little kido wasn't about to change his mind.

With careful hands he reached up towards the orb, taking it in one hand as he sat down. Easing his weight onto the mattress without dropping it, smooth and soothingly temperate in his palm. Certainly something that had been cast before plenty of times then, no rough edges or instability in the form created. Though he supposed if the man was a Lieutenant as he claimed, then if there were such flaws, he ought to be even more concerned. Not just of his presence but of such a blatant lie as well. Still his gut told him if nothing else, he hadn't lied about that. The rest? Well he'd have to wait and see to figure it all out. Thin fingers reaching out, beneath the sole pillow left atop the mattress, one he'd actually brought with him, there were no such luxuries kept out here anymore, it wasn't safe. All to remove a small, yet polished dagger, the sheath of it glinting bright in the barest hints of moonlight that now peeked through the shack.

How often had such a weapon saved his life? Protected him from those who sought to do him and Shin harm in their earliest years? At first, it had been his brother that had wielded the weapon in question, older and knowing more of this place then he had at the time. Until he found something better, then what lessons he could impart were passed down to him. How to hold it in a way so as to not harm himself, how to ensure his strikes were quick and accurate enough that whoever it was focused more on their new injury then they did on him. For centuries it had worked, both as a weapon and as a tool to be used, to scare, to intimidate against some who thought their bare fists would be enough. It never was. Even throughout the academy he had brought it with him, managed to sneak in the weapon at least into his dorms, if not on his person when he wasn't in active sparring classes. A way to keep himself safe and a comfort, even now he found it difficult to sleep without some kind of defensive weapon nearby.

A weary sigh drawn from him, as memories flashed against the back of his eyes like spurts of light. The sheath was carefully removed from around the blade, eyes closing fully as he focused. Uncaring if that man beyond his walls could sense what he was doing, a small gathering of reiatsu on the edge of the blade, to sharpen it further to a point greater than what it might be normally capable of. Enough to cut through weaker kido such as the one held in his right hand. The barest hint of white along the edge of the blade, faint but stable, as a single slash was all it took. Swift and brief right down the middle. But there was no explosion, no blast of power, just a fading of light and warmth into nothingness. Such a foreign power, unlike his own removed from existence. If nothing else, that would be felt. Yet even as he sheathed the blade and returned it to its proper place, while laying to sleep, he found that he did not care either way. He was here to do something important, and no Shinigami would stop him.

His sleep that night, as expected, wasn't really the restful sort. How could it be when his own reiatsu could, even passively, sense and know the presence of another nearby. Untrusted, unknown of his abilities or just what kind of person he was morally. Alone he had learnt to sleep well enough, as much as he was used to another at his side, that wasn't possible anymore. So he made do. Yet he had always made sure he was utterly alone when he slept, no one else in the room, or even in the same living space apart from his bedroom. But out here it was different, always. Adjusting was more of a frustration then anything else, out here he was safe, until he wasn't. Until someone decided to linger nearby. To test his limits. Hell, even his dreams were disturbed though they had been that way long before Arantima had shown himself this evening. Flickers of images, of people he did not know, of a voice washing them all away on the wind. Imperial and calm, yet impatient, he could never hear through the storm, not even once.

So like every time before, he woke up with a start. Bolting upright, half out of bed with a thin sheen of sweat covering his whole form. Oh, ew. That was gross. His breathing ragged and uneven before he took a moment, and a deep breath to calm down. No one else was in here with him, he would be fine. Cleaning himself up and moving from the meager warmth his mattress and thread-bare blanket provided him, told him more than enough, it wasn't even light yet. The sun's rise about an hour or so away at a guess. Regardless, the emerald haired shinigami knew for a fact that trying to return to the depths of his dreams would be pointless, and only grant him further suffering that would haunt him throughout the day. He didn't need that. Not one bit of it. Experience however, granted him the means to move about in the tiny shack he once called home with very little light to work with. No matter how slow he had to go.

Once he had tidied himself up as much as he could, given he hadn't brought all that much with him for a trip that was supposed to last only a few days up to a week, he slipped out the door soundlessly. Zanpakuto perched once again on his right hip, not that he would need it so early, but it was a precaution best taken, along with keeping his regular uniform hidden as well. A rush of cold air hit him the moment he stepped outside, leaving goosebumps along his skin forming the longer he just stood there. Though he moved, grateful that his footsteps, heartbeat and a gentle breeze was all he could hear, it wasn't all he could see. No. Far from it, for a short distance away under one of the few trees overlooking the lake, was the same idiot from hours before. Still here, meditating by the looks of it. Well this was just fucking great. Why was he still out here, not looking to freeze to death obviously, communicating with his Zanpakuto spirit perhaps?

Whatever it was he was doing, Seiji sure as shit wasn't about to go anywhere near him and risk awakening someone who he wanted gone. That he was being totally silent for now, was enough. It would allow him, hopefully, enough time to do as he needed in peace. The first of which began with rather reluctantly leaving the shack and that same man behind to head into the district proper. Quiet streets greeted him, not truly unsettling in a place he still knew after a few years like the back of his hand, but the worry of leaving that damn Shinigami alone near his home remained no matter what he did to dispel it. Even grabbing some breakfast from the few stalls setting up early before the heat began to set in, as simple as that had been to weave a distraction and take what he wanted, hadn't been enough. A grumble drawn out as he meandered his way back towards that lake, juices flowing from the fruit in his hand.

Munching on what he could on the way back kept him at least mildly out of his head, far more focused on seeing the district wake up all around him, to see it come to life again in a way that he hadn't gotten to witness in years. Busy sleeping or working, making it out here wasn't the easiest to accomplish these days. A fact he would have to apologize for later today, once he could get rid of that fool that was. Left hand saturated with sweet and stickiness by the time he got back with nothing but a singular sucked dry pit in hand, he headed straight for the lake to wash it off both hands and let such remains float away slowly, now marginally more filled, it would last a good few hours at least. That same figure remained exactly as he'd left, thankfully, yet otherwise undisturbed still. Well that was something. A hidden gaze had barely spared a glance as he passed by, but certain of it as he neared his shack once more, he continued his pace.

Let the fool sit there. He would not aid him. Instead he made his way around to the back of what used to be his home, the Zanpakuto at his hip removed and placed against the steady wood that held up the home. Just beside that, sat a small gravestone, one the emerald haired Shinigami sat before without a word. Quiet and contemplative for a moment, before he found his voice, soft and considering with no accent to be found here. Not for him. "Hey, sorry I took so long it's been... difficult. I'd say more but we've got unwanted company, typical right? But once he's gone, I'll come back, promise." Near soundless words, soothing as he sat there for a few minutes, it was why he'd come here. As hard as it had been to create back then, he was thankful for it now, for the reminder and the strange sense of comfort that it brought him. Regardless, he was a man of his word and he would not have another here while he spoke his mind so openly to one who might not hear him, but it helped. Right hand pressed to stone as he stood once more, Zanpakuto in hand as he moved back towards the main part of his home and the sun that reflected upon the lake, now slowly risen.

What he soon came to witness was, safe to say, not an entirely strange sight. But a rather unnerving one. A gut instinct ever so suddenly thankful that he had not still been sleeping when this man had clearly woken. He had heard faint movement a few minutes prior, but had not bothered to check. Already long since suspecting what had happened, no one else was out here after all. Yet the thought he could have stepped out, only to be immediately confronted by a man that had only hours before seemed more than ready to let him strike out with his blade. Concerning was perhaps an understatement, no matter how nice he might have tried to be, Seiji would not trust such false promises of kindness. Of niceness, of trying to talk sensibly, not even for a moment. He would lose much from it and the other would gain information, about him, that he simply wouldn't allow. Knowledge that could led him to be found within the Kido Corps. No, that could not happen.

Knowing that, for such a moment, he hadn't appeared to be noticed. The emerald haired Shinigami simply waited and watched, did he plan to stay there all day? Would he at some point grow tired of it all and try to walk into his home? Or perhaps leave altogether and chalk this whole experience up to a fruitless venture against a citizen who refused to budge. At least one part of that line of thought was correct, whatever the other might expect or want to say about what had occurred between the two of them yesterday evening. Well, he wasn't about to give him the chance to worm his way out of leaving him alone for the rest of the day and preferably never come near him again if he could help it. Of course, Seiji made a mental note that a few of his plans and usual routes might need to be changed because of this, to avoid encountering him within the Seireitei. But the slight alteration would save him an unneeded headache.

Nothing would be done without speaking to him, as frustrating as the notion was, he stepped out regardless. Moving in a wide arc and approaching the other from the right hand side, right hand casually resting atop his Zanpakuto. A subtle warning in reality, he had been taken by surprise last night, that would not happen again. And if pushed, he'd have no trouble cutting off a few nerves to make sure he was left in peace. Still for the moment he did little more than that, though should Arantima try to speak, he would find himself halted. Left hand raised palm facing towards him to cut whatever words might spew out short and to an abrupt halt. "'Fore ya say anythin' I don't wanna hear it, 'kay? Mind ain' changed, now leave." The last word subtly hissed between smiling teeth, as he stood there relaxed as could be. He would not be convinced, nor would he budge from his position, but he was all but certain that this noble would certainly try again before giving up. Hell, he expected it.

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima's Meditation was not simply a restful way of staying alert while in a strange place it was a way for him to recall and recollect the way things had gone and the way that things had been. "It is not one or the other Arantima. They are both the Same Creature, the white cloud and the black storm cloud. Two sides of one single being that shows itself in different Forms, carrying Solace and shade in one, and harsh cold unforgiving rain and pressure in another. They are one .. and the same creature. The Violent Storm and the gentle Cloud. They can not change what they are, they can only be." His Mind was squared as he Went back over how he had come up to his situation.. Calm and meek, content with allowing Seijii to feel as if they were in control, hoping that it would calm them enough to speak but he was met with naught but a wall.

He Thought about this longer and harder.. How should he treat this situation. How should he continue.. "You should take the boy to task.. He is a whelp with a complex." "Yes. But he clearly has something against either shinigami or nobles. I do not want to taint that further." "You should know better than that.. Still trying to be better to people than they are to you Tima? You forgot how you were sent here didn't you?" Arantima stiffened, it would be imperceptible to anyone that wasnt right up on him.. And that wouldnt be for a short while yet.

Arantima's memories of how he had gotten lied to and forced to witness something he should never have had to see.. And then his mothers death and then feel his own slow and agonizing one was a harsh slap in the metaphysical face from Tenryu. He Opened his eyes and let out a soft sigh. He looked up just slightly and looked up towards Seijii as he approached. He Watched the Boy as he spoke, and only nodded as he heard the boys ultimatum. He stood to his full height and not once until he stood did he meet Seiiji's gaze. He Looked down at the boy with a hard gaze and let a soft sigh cross his lips, as if to say Thats how it is going to be hmm? Without actually saying those words.

He Didnt Speak, not at first. He didnt even move to draw his own blade, he drew an arm up and as it was drawn upward there was a blade of shimmering gold energy being held in Arantima's hand. It was four feet long from end to tip with only a six inch handle meaning the blade was three and half feet in length making the blade just four inches shorter than the smallest two handed blades and a few inches longer than the long end of one handed blades. The blade formed nearly instantly and the strange thing that was paired with the creation of the blade was a sudden and violent in rush of air pressure into the blade that was finally formed with a loud clang, like that of a black smith hammer on red hot steel.

Arantima's gaze was heavy, as he stared down Seiiji with a force of will and stalwart resolve that was like looking at a man who had walked through death and came out the other side. There was another sudden sucking rushing wind gust at Arantima's side followed by that sound metallic sound and if Seijji looked he would see an identical blade being held at Arantima's side. A wave of pressure came off of those blades that could be felt most easily off the one that was pointed directly at Seijii's face. He let out another sighing breath before he spoke "My patience only extends so far. So let us see then if you are actually as willing to die for your beliefs as you claim to be. I understand what it is like to fight and scrape just to survive.. Just to Breathe. If you look everywhere and when you do you sneer at all of creation because you say you had it harder? You understand nothing of the world and will always be alone."

Arantima's jaw was set when he spoke that last sentence, he did know what it was like to resent others for having something that you might perceive to have handed to them. To not even want to listen to someone elses story becuase there is no possible way that they had it hard, not like you.. They deserved nothing from you and that was just a fact.. They could all die and get fucked by a rabid hallow with a cactus dick becuase they would never understand and never wanted to.. Arantima knew what that felt like but was he the guy to try and talk that down? No, and he never would be.

Arantima was doing what he was doing now becuase it was time to see how far this boy would go to prove himself.. Arantima wanted to see if this was all bluster or if he would really step up and draw that sword at his hip. If the kid would draw that blade against him and accept the possibility that he would be fighting a shinigami to protect what was his.. He would Leave. Would he tell the boy that? No. Would he even give off the air that this was fake? No. Arantima would defend himself if he needed to but he likewise would only go so far as to defend himself, he wasnt going to harm Seijji he was going to see if he was truly resolved to fight someone who was clearly strong just to drive him away, even after they had parlayed for peace.

Arantima had tried to genial way, the gentle way.. And that had obviously done nothing. He wanted to see if there was anything interesting here or if this boy was going to buckle.. If he buckled he would give him a small lecture and leave him alive.. If he didnt.. He would nod, maybe say something to acknowledge the boy before leaving swiftly. If he didn't buckle, he might recommend the academy as well, it didn't take much to break his warmth orb but it would take enough to enter the academy with. His eyes didn't leave seijii's own, knowing that if seijii was going to act his pupils would shift before anything moved on his body, it was a natural response to stimulus to focus in on a target.

Tenryu was looking through tima's eyes as he did this, and if Seijii was aware enoough he would see the gold hue that glowed very faintly at the edges of Arantima's eyes as it appeared just after the Blades formed. "Alright Sleeping dragon.. This is the answer I was expecting. He poked the dragon, now you've shifted.. But I wonder if you would go so far as you open an eye and glare at him hmm? If it came down to it, would you Bind against him? I know you wouldn't dare release me.. But would you show him the true gap in power?" Arantima thought for a moment as his Zan spirit spoke in his mind.

He looked up and down seijii as he thought and awaited his response a moment only. "I don't think so. No. If he is strong enough to force me down that route I would rather leave than do that against someone that I am not certain is strong enough to withstand that difference in power. There is a place an enemy can be where they are too much for me now.. but our bound form is too much for them.. It is a fine line but I would not risk it on a Shinigami let alone a Plus. And i cant be sure if this boy is one or the other." Arantima felt Tenryu simply nod at that answer from within, satisfied enough.

1570/1870 Reatsu

[Ishikawa Seiji]

From the moment he approached this man again, stepped near him after a fitful sleep the night before, he knew with something close to certainty that there might be an issue or two in getting him to vacate the immediate area. A real pain in the ass to deal with, quite frankly. It appeared the other was here to stay, if only to run his damn mouth a little more first and frustrate him, before this noble decided if he was likely going to dare continue to remain in the presence of someone like him. Frankly the sooner he was gone the better while he tried to stay as relaxed as he could. Arm raised then lowering as Seiji spoke up, voice clear and firm. It was not a suggestion or a request, but a command, one the other better damn well heed. Seated officer of the Gotei, Lieutenant or whatever the fuck he might be, no such title held any weight whatsoever out here. Not with anyone in this district worth a damn or who wasn't spineless, and most definitely not with him either.

Yet as he spoke his piece, waited for this fool to show some sort of understanding and damn well leave without causing anymore problems, well that didn't happen. In fact the opposite appeared to be true here. Where once the Shinigami slouched a little, likely in boredom from waiting, now he saw the other at his full height. And frankly? He wasn't impressed. Whatever the damn noble was trying to do, intimidate or whatever, it would not work. Try as he might to look down on him, being the same height made that all but utterly ineffective. The seeming disappointment did not help to quell Seiji's own frustration at the situation, what did he think him merely a boy of barely a hundred, like a parent unhappy with a child. Did the idiot not know that not a single soul out here looked their age, it was hard to tell, some like he had lived centuries while others had barely resided in the Soul Society for more than a few years. Never could you assume.

What caught his attention the most however, beside the unhappy undercurrent between them, was movement. The grip on his own Zanpakuto tightening for just a moment as he watched between a hidden gaze, a blade of golden reiatsu formed and pointed straight at him. Rather then leave, he would try this again? Did he not possess any damn common sense or sense of safety? You only got one warning out here, and he'd given that out hours ago. There was no way he would be so merciful or kind a second time, not to someone like this who would not leave his home or him alone. Yet as it formed, air rushed around him, not like the gentle breeze he was getting used to feeling every so often, a sign of his own deepening bond with the blade at his side he had taken to assuming. Another blade on the man's hip, was he planning to draw that one as well? If he did, well it would be his undoing. He'd damn well drive him out of here by any means necessary.

No matter what rank this Shinigami was, powerful or not, that was not suddenly going to make him turn tail or run. Or back down for that matter. Hell no. From the moment Shin had begun helping him centuries ago, showing him how to fight back and control his at the time meager reiatsu reserves, he had refused to run from a fight ever since unless his life was on the line. For the most part it had worked, though he had always returned plenty of times with many a bruise and the occasional cracked rib that his brother had looked at him very unhappily for obtaining before gesturing him closer to patch him back up. Truthfully he knew his sibling hadn't really minded, and it were those lessons along with many more that he was thankful for now as he stood his ground. No matter how the other looked at him, his gaze crept to the blade still at the man's hip before it focused back upon the one pointed at him. Not wavering.

A smile widening upon his face, all the more sinister even as he stood there before a roaring pressure that years before would have sent him to his knees and made him nearly want to vomit every meal he'd ever had up from the sheer force. Now he stood there, carefree as could be, his own still tamed and tightly wrapped about him. Not yet unleashed, he saw no need to. Personally, he was fighting the urge not to laugh at it all. Practice paid off after all. "Ya know, if I wanted yer advice, I'd fuckin' ask fer it. Don't go spoutin' some pretentious bullshit like ya know me. Lil' late ta try an' be understandin' when yer pointin' a sword in ma face." Yet still he didn't move, sounding almost amused at the utter foolishness of it all and so early in the morning too! What kind of person tried to offer reason and compassion while pointing at dangerous weapon at someone? Okay so maybe he'd done that once or twice before gutting someone, but that was entirely different. He hadn't been trying to be nice, he had been lying through his teeth. This one wasn't, that much he knew for sure.

It happened as fast as the emerald haired Shinigami could possibly manage, one moment he was standing there talking, stance relaxed. The next, one arm had dropped and another had replaced it, blade swiftly drawn in one motion from his left hand in a mirror of the famous iaijustu technique. Though not quite fast enough yet, he was still getting the raw speed down without flinging his blade out of his hand, but it would do for now. His own reiatsu in that moment flared to life, a silvery flicker that surrounded him and his blade, raging and pressing against the other as he stood there. Not so different now as he aimed to knock the blade from the other's grasp, though even if he didn't succeeded he would not falter or back down. His own blade now pointed forward, gleaming and reflecting the rising sun. This bastard wanted a fight so badly? Oh he'd get one alright, one he hadn't fucking bargained for.

"Ya want ta prove yer point so bad, c'mon then! If ya won't leave normally, I'll make ya leave." Another flare of reiatsu from around him that pressed around the limb that pointed that blade at him - tightening - a last warning. With another smile so wide it almost showed his teeth, like a wild animal bearing it's fangs. Not to be trifled with and if he still stood there, well he'd get burnt as well, Seiji was not above using Kido as much as he needed to get this man out of his life. Even so, a golden gaze concealed though it was, watched each and every movement like a hawk. Even the gold that reflected in the other Shinigami's gaze went ignored, a curiosity for later. For now, he would not drop his guard, he could not afford to. No matter what, no matter how much he may talk or either of them, he would not underestimate one who had drawn a blade so casually. No matter how much he might be tempted to, he would control such an urge. So close to home, he couldn't afford to slip up.

No matter what the other Shinigami did, no matter his power or whatever the heck he dared to try and throw at him, his stance did not shift an inch. Rather, his right hand raised from his side, open palmed and facing towards the morning sky. This was however, not in a gesture of acceptance or to offer out a hand in compromise. No, they were beyond that now at this point. Instead, a blue flame grew softly. Slow at first, from barely more than an ember dancing across his skin, gathering reiatsu before blooming like a flower and bursting light and heat into his hand. Another warning. He was proficient at more than just swordplay, and if Arantima truly intended to go down this route, then he was not about to hold anything back. He wanted his privacy back, just for a few days dammit! "Last chance. You've got thirty seconds 'fore I start throwin' fire. What'll it be?" An ultimatum. There was little else left to say.

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima was not shocked by the speed of the boy's movement, he was used to fighting people faster than he was. The other sword that was in his hand at his side was being raised as soon as he saw Seiji's movement to draw his blade. The tip of Arantima's Free pressure blade was pressed into the flesh at Seijii's throat, And the blow made to knock the blade from Tima's hand was met with a solid grip and while Tima did notice that the blade of this boy was sharp enough to bite into his own he paid it no mind. He Looked down over to the fire forming at Seijjis hand and smirked gently at first before moving to lean across the gap between them.

He looked into Seijii's eyes and he was not shaken in the least by this boy, Arantima had seven hundred years of existence in this place.. there were few that matched his seniority in this place. "That you have not yet backed down.. I would have told you to try the academy.. But that Charging kido tells me you already have. You don't know what you stood against, and hopefully, if we meet again you will learn. For now, consider this a small victory." Arantima shifted his foot back swiftly and was gone with not just a standard shunpo, but there was a outpouring explosion of pressure that would feel like getting shoved with a full human body.

Arantima's Body was gone when the Pressure wave subsided. He left nothing in his wake but a perfect circular impression on the ground where he had stood not a moment ago. The breeze that had been there in his presence was suddenly gone and when Arantima finally landed he was at the edge of the village at large. He looked over his shoulder and sighed gently, had he wished it could go differently.. Yes but he acknowledged the fact that you cant deal with everyone and some people are going to be set in their ways and the best thing to do is left them do what they are going to do unless it is going to cause problems elsewhere.

Arantima looked around at the village and sighed again as he rolled his shoulders. He had rested for long enough that his return trip was going to be fine enough. He could rest up enough when he reached his office. He Used his Shunpo steps to Blast his way out of the Rukongai and back to the Gates of the Seireitei, he walked through the gates and once he was beyond the entry gates he used one final shunpo and landed just outside his office. He Opened the door and stepped over towards the nearest couch where he promptly laid down in and waved a hand to draw over his Hell butterfly and sent it off to summon one of his Kawada Attendants to bring him some food and drink.

Arantima waited for the attendant to come back with the tea and tea sandwiches. He Stays resting in the Couch as he drinks and fills out paperwork from the week, His attendant left him to his own devices. Arantima took his time filling out the paperwork on the length of his stay in the outer districts of the rukon. He sighed as he sat up and leaned over the paperwork as he was hovering a pen over the entry and he looked at the tea sandwiches on his plate. He reached over and took one as he continued to flounder over the possibilities of what he would fill out and admit to.. He was all finished with the standard village survey.. But he was trying to ponder on weather or not he was going to mention meeting a possible shinigami.

He tapped the pen and looked over the rest of the form and he sighed as he signed off of the sheet omitting the meeting with the Strange boy he met on the farthest outskirts. He leaned back onto the couch and lounged about as he tossed his clip board over onto his desk and sighed. He thought about the Meeting and how it went even more and made sure that he would remember them. He closed his eyes and laid back as he finished off his tea that had now gone cold.. He let himself drift off into his own inner world. He opened his eyes and felt the cool salt-less ocean lapping around his skin.

He looked up into his sky and sighed gently as he looked across the grey rolling clouds and lets himself sink down into the water, taking a deep lungful of water as he did. the water of his inner world did not drown him as it might anyone else, it was breathable to him just as easily as air was. He let himself continue to sink until all of the light disappeared from his vision, he stopped himself from sinking any further as he let the cool water suck the natural heat out of his body. He let himself grow cold and relaxed in that feeling before he finally went out and could let the water flow into the Temple that was deep under the water.

He looked across the way at Tenryu looking over some scrolls in the library and Tima stepped into the temple while letting the water draw away from his body by the power of the doors of the temple. Arantima Looked over towards Tenryu and moved across the way to stand across from Tenryu and when he did Tenryu looked over at Arantima with a soft smirk. "Well then Sleeping dragon.. you are here. So tell me what you want. or is it because you are curious about something I think you noticed?" Arantima looked at Tenryu and sighed gently and sat down at the table, waving for Tenryu to do the same.

"You are an assassin.. Yet your Power shows nothing about being an assassin. Why is that? There is something you are waiting for me to catch on to.. And you woke me up to that when you interfered against the boy. You hide only until You are close enough to the dragon.. You cant fight a dragon by hiding can you? Not really.. So you used stealth until you were close enough to actually threaten the Dragon." Arantima smirks at Tenryu across the table as Tenryu sits down and nods to his master. He looked pleased as he nodded towards Tima and let out a soft breath.

"I think it is time to teach you how to hide.. I have been hoping you would wise up and understand that hiding yourself and your presence when you are in your sealed state is the smartest path to ensuring you can get close enough to release your full horrifying power. Not only that Sleeping dragon, if you are unable to be found or sensed.. You can avoid conflict entirely sometimes, and i know how you enjoy trying to avoid conflicts that you can side step." Arantima smirked at Tenryu and nodded. "It is not something i would have considered honorable just a year ago but I can see the benefits now Tenryu.. So.. Teach me."

2680/2680 Reatsu

[Kitai Yoru]

Arantima Kawada: 50 paragraphs, 50% bonus awarded

Ishikawa Seiji: 50 paragraphs, 50% bonus awarded