Harmony Shackled

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

"I..." He wasn't sure what to say... But the moment he started talking, he knew he'd chosen the wrong subject. It wasn't about 'I'. This man who stood before him had aspired to something. He'd taken great risks. And he'd achieved lording over an entire plane of existance!

"I haven't left because I don't believe you're that shallow!" He finished the thought. He didn't brace in defense. It wasn't because he wasn't afraid. But because he was distracted by his curiousity. That, and if the man wanted him dead, it was an inevitability. He would save the wincing and screaming for when the pain started.

"There must be more to it." He continued. His eyes closed as he tried once again to read the man's body language. His inner chemistry. Anything.

"To have come so far, only to want to watch it burn?" He frowned. "When everything is kindling, what power is left to be had?" His frown deepened, the thought brought him low. The erasure of the most beautiful thing ever created. Life.

"I think that you are already strong enough to start such a fire. And you haven't. So it must mean that you have a goal beyond destruction, right?" Once again his words were devoid of moral judgement. He sought understanding the way Kouhai sought fear.

His hand closed tightly. As tightly as his eyes. Grasping onto a hope. "Isn't there a way to get what you need without hurting people? Aren't you strong enough to do that too?!"

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

Kouhai blankly looked at Satoshi, understanding that he was simply asking questions because he didn't know the answers. Of course he wouldn't. He couldn't possibly understand where any of Kouhai's motivations were coming from or what they meant. He didn't feel that sharing any of the personal information was worth it to him, given Satoshi's standing as a Shinigami, and ultimately decided against answering. Besides, why would he waste his time with such a trivial matter? Although, the boy was right about one thing. Kouhai did have enough power to do this without hurting people. He just preferred to. He enjoyed the domination.

"You are an entertaining young lad, I'll give you that. But in this instance, my business is purely my business. Perhaps if you were ever in my shoes, you'd be able to see everything from my eyes. I am a King. I do not require devotion. I demand it."

The conversation had gone on longer than Kouhai ever expected or wanted, so he took a few steps to walk away. Out of whatever kindness he had in his heart, he was willing to let the boy go just so he could enjoy the chase later. Unfortunately, the hint was not taken. If this carried on for much longer, he was going to be sure to introduce Satoshi to the gates of Hell. It had been such a long time since he engaged in a fight, and being able to push around someone as weak as Satoshi sounded like a simple stress-reliever.

"I said it once before and I'll say it again. Leave."

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Kazuhiko watched the man as he considered his question. He focused on him... Tried to find something resembling human. A shred of empathy. A mote of light. But no matter how hard he tried he couldn't pierce the darkness within Kouhai. He was like an obelisk. A monument built to nothingness. A void. But a void that wanted to swallow the world. His malice had its own gravitational pull, like a black hole.

Kouhai's words caused the boy's breath to catch in his throat. He took a step back as if he'd been struck hard in the chest. His answer was shocking. Not because of the words. But because they rang true. Academically, mathematically true. He was an avatar of selfish and wanton destruction. And worse, Kazuhiko was confident he had the power to execute it.

"I w-won't l-let you." It didn't sound confident even to him. His voice was buckling just as his stoicism was. His paradigm was such that all men could be saved. If given enough time, and enough chances, every being ever created could make the correct choice. Could walk the path of peace. But Kouhai balked in the face of that ideology. A beast that sought to salt the earth of Soul Society. And in doing so, damning the rest of creation. Kazuhiko was confident he would smile as he watched the final set of the sun.

He closed his eyes, biting back a tear. "I won't let you!" He declared again, louder than he needed to. The volume covered up the shakiness in his throat. "I won't let the world burn! I'll stop it... I'll save everyone!" He took a step back, his heel burying itself in the sand for leverage... He might have to run. Oh god! He might have to run! And if he did... Kouhai could catch him! His head bowed, he couldn't bear to look at him, even through closed eyes. "I will! I'll put an end to everyone's pain!"

His left hand balled so tightly with conviction that his fingernails bit into his palms, creating crescent moons of blood upon them. And then his head lifted and his eyes snapped open. They were puffy with restrained tears. But they burned bright. "Even your pain, Mr. King." He drew in a deep breath. Kouhai would probably strike him down for his defiance. "So please, wait for me to get stronger! To get strong enough to save even you!"

A bold declaration. One that was punctuated by a far less bold action. He made a sudden about-face, and began to run. He closed his eyes as he dashed, knowing that being able to see wouldn't save him. He'd let Kouhai's actions be his answer. With luck, he'd intrigued the man with how diametrically opposed he was to him. Enough to let him run. To grow as he'd promised he would. However, if Kouhai saw fit to strike him down as the threat he might one day be... There would be nothing the boy could do. So he ran. With nothing but blind hope to protect him... God help him, he ran!

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

Kouhai's eyes narrowed as the boy made his oath. What a ridiculous notion. Save him? Absolutely not. There was no need to do so. He was right where he wanted to be and anything he attempted, he would achieve. He did not have any use for some child to act as his savior. So as Satoshi turned and ran, Kouhai let him. He tilted his chin up, watching as he made the assumption that the boy was doing whatever he could to escape being an audience to Kouhai. At least now there was no need to get his hands dirty. Kouhai turned and resumed his walk. There would be time in the future for any actions of punishment.

It felt as if the world around him was growing more and more brave every day. Not once would anyone dare approach the King with such familiarity. His Arrancar are excellent examples of precisely how the expectation presented itself. They would receive an audience with the King, formally bow, and state their business. Not once would any have dared to speak so carelessly. The only thing stopping Kouhai from ending this boy's life in a single moment was the fact that he wanted to drag this hunt out as long as possible, and Satoshi would not be the only thing hunted. Intent on returning to his throne room, Kouhai plotted. It was only a matter of time.

--CLOSE--

[Camila Adaronde]

Given the context of the thread, I'll be grading it as a social 'v' if necessary to change that, I'll regrade it! Some paragraphs were a little short though, so I lumped a few together!

Kazuhiko: 50 paragraphs counted, meaning an extra 50% to your next thread with Sana!
Sana: 41 paragraphs counted, meaning an extra 40% to your next thread with Kazuhiko!