A Deal in the Shadows [social]

[Aura Kyuketsuki]

Emerging from the shadows did light shine upon them. A light that wasn't natural by any means, but of man, flickering through the alleyways with the light troddling of steps made their way down narrow paths. Their dark silhouettes along the walls counted their numbers, totaling to five altogether with each following the one in front. The the humidity of the damp solid walls were simply putrid to the nose, leaking its thick aroma even through pinched nostrils, yet it didn't bother the one who led the group. "This is the only way, correct?" the woman at the far rear questioned. The pathway opened slightly, causing the group to close their formation onto their leader. The glowing red hues of reiatsu that eminated from their pupils only signified their presence when transitioning from darkness into light. "Yup yup, this is but only one of the ways to get here, so....dun know." the girl beside the leading individual announced cheerfully, adjusting her glasses as she did so.

"We are getting close." the woman at the front declared, brushing the swaying bang that came undone from their most recent turn.

The Black Market was one many institutions that resided in Karakura, numbering in many illegal dealings to merchandise. Weapons that other factions were tending to horde for themselves, from the Ukraine to the United States. Information that was to be considered too delicate for the public, solictating personal detail of dealings among politicians. Quite a number of businesses can be done so long as one had the money, or connections to afford such purchases. To be considered a client, a player, within these grounds one would have to have such collateral to spend to be among them. Yet, what business did the group have was not of interest that resided within the world of the living. No. The interest that was sought resided beyond the physical realm.

"Do we have a description of the individual in question?" the leading woman turned, glancing at the group behind her. The lines of black hair that draped down the exposed back swayed fluidly off to the side, as her head shifted to look at her group. The pair of red eyes that reflected entire group in a single glance, awaiting for confirmation to be had. Yes yes, my Lady. We are looking for a shifty fella' ere." It didn't take the group to look around at the opening that they had waltzed into. Three other heads bouncing from side to side, from person to person that mingled silently with others. Deals, transactions were being done as they spoke. "You've got to be kidding me. That's everyone here." That was an understatement. "True, but this one is even shifty-ier. So it should be easy to find 'im. Right Lady Aura."

The veil of black that lined the womans lower regions twirled, encompassing where she stepped as her eyes pinged individual to individual. The amber linings that bordered her corset gave any consistent color when around darkened areas, even when at looming night sky over head. "Nadia, did you receive the correct information, or was this merely a waste of time?" A narrowed stare pinned the subordinate right in her place, fixing her glasses before answering back. "Not this time, Mistress. I am certain that he is here, and where he should be." The remaining Bounts behind the sailor dressed girl shook their heads in disappointment. "Should be?" they uttered in unison. Nadia merely giggled at the thought.

Despite their mongering about in a single place, the servant girl moved ahead to issue a direction to dedicate themselves to. She scampered with delight, nearly skipping without a care, passing the groups of huddled people. "It's this way guys, and not that far. After all, he's the best in the business from what I hear hehe." The "best" was the rumor, being credited by a number of sources that roused the Bounts interest. An interest in particular that could be what would allow the Bounts to forge further ahead of their goals, even down right accomplish all that they hoped to set out for. Only one way to tell, and that was to meet with him; the Devil of Dealings......

....Kitai.

[Kitai Yoru]

Kitai was someone who frequented the Black Market rather often. Be it for the strange items that popped up from time to time, to exotic materials that he used for the creation of his own items, he knew this place well. That being said, sometimes it was difficult for even him to find things, even for as frequent a customer that he was. If he was honest, the only companies he had any respect for were Shanks and Co, the Blue Diamond company, Douma's goons, and Kurotama Kokan. He couldn't stand how dirty their business was, so he refrained from interacting with them as best he could.

"What do you mean you don't have unstable neutronium!?" With that said, that didn't mean he didn't get into trouble when he visited the underbelly of the spiritual community. Because he was a person who had his own weapons shop, he was technically competition for those down here, straining their relations as of late. His requests for materials were also getting stranger and stranger. "What the hell even is that!?" The merchant yelled back, getting in Kitai's face.

He was a man of average size, with an olive complexion. His hair was pulled back tight braid, reminding Kitai of a pineapple. The man was extremely average, aside from the long scar across his nose, and the three piece suit he was in. That, and the company he kept. A girl who clearly thought pink was the best color, a ten foot tall giant of a man, and an actual werewolf. He couldn't eve tell if that was a beast clan or not because of all the mechanical augments covering its body. These four always showed up when he gave them a visit.

"It's matter comprised entirely of neutrons! It's about as dense as you are, apparently!" He towered over the man, raising his voice to match the man. His entourage bristled at this, the wolfman doing so quite literally, teeth bared like daggers. HE got the distinct feeling he wasn't welcome here. "Why the hell would we have something like that? We sell guns and ammo, not science bullshit!" The wolfman wasn't the only one snarling, as this man was doing his best impression of the werewolf behind him.

Kitai threw his arms up in exasperation, as if he weren't the unreasonable one here. "Fine! Plutonium! Uranium! Anything like that?" He demanded, more than asked. A none-too-happy smile was stretched across his face, right eye twitching. The man, Shanks if he remembered correctly, opened his mouth to yell further, when the giant interupted with a cough. All eyes were on him in an instant. "Actually boss." He said, voice as rough as sandpaper. "We actually have a case of depleted uranium shells leftover from overseas." Even still, he sounded like he regretted speaking up in the first place.

Kitai's grin stretched across his face, looking like the cat who ate the canary. "Hehehehe, none of that 'science bullshit', hmm?" An angry vein threatened to burst out of Shank's forehead, as his face took a reddish tint to it. "A hundred thousand!" He nearly yelled through gritted teeth. Kitai looked almost offended. "You want to sell leftover munitions for top dollar? Twenty-five." They bantered back and forth for a bit, before a deal was struck at seventy thousand, and access to Jack for an upcoming mission they had planned.

The wares were moved through a gateway, via his doorknob, and Kitai continued exploring anything new that might have popped up in this little bazar-like marketplace. While the main players of the Black Market were always popular, there were the occasional freelance seller, trying to pawn off whatever less than legal thing they happened to acquire, accidentally or otherwise. Sometimes the desperate trying to get rid of something cursed, sometimes the wealthy selling things that look important than they actually are and ripoff prices. None of them usually last too long, as the staples of the market tend to get rid of the competition when any pops up. Kitai was in the middle of examining a monkey's paw, in possession of a man that was obviously possessed by the thing, if the twitching wasn't an obvious enough sign.

[Aura Kyuketsuki]

The marketplace bustled with life, and not the savory sort either. The deals that were ongoing were consistantly for the wares that no one would be able to procure by any means legal. Fragments of a Hollows mask came into view, preserved within a glass container. On the parallel, a broken Zanpakutou carrying with it traces of reiatsu that was resided its owner, but now dissipating with the passing days. The unusual ran amok here as it should be, yet the trinkets here were not what the Bount had sought out. Rather..

"Here we are~" the school girl announced cheerfully, looking onward towards the central area through fogged glasses. Aura didn't take long to search the area to only spot, eyeing but only one figure that stood out from those of similar peers. Reiatsu that far surpassed anything that the Bount was accustomed to, at least in terms of the World of the Living, what was standard to them. An omninous aura at that. Dreadful. Dark. Aura couldn't exactly tell what the nature of the aura was, yet, it gave her the indication that he was beyond the physical world. "Is that him?" she questioned to her choir. The Bounts turned to look over towards Nadia, being the one with the information on hand, or rather on mind. Aura didn't have much time to spare with her antics, glaring with annoyance at the girls aloofness at the situation.

"Sorry sorry mi'lady. But yeah that is him alright. Crazy lookin' and clothes to match it."

Finally, a means to put the Bount race ahead. Some sliver of hope grew at the bottom of the womans heart. Something that she did need after looking over some other intel of possible methods. With what knowledge that the Bounts under Eris had turned up, not much was actually capable. Door ways without some means of accessing, at least not without a key, or reiatsu that can match the frequency to do so. Thinking about it, what they required something, or someone, capable of such a talent would be difficult to locate, if not obtain. The odds of such a thing were close to zero. Then came to another idea. Simply taking a Shinigami hostage and force their way into the Seireitei through the use of their Zanpakutou. Torture was the best method to do so, but would be fruitless. The method of utilizing such practices will invetibly lead the Bounts into an all out assault from the moment they stepped into the Seireitei.

In other words, they would be announcing their presence with a big ass "We are here" sign.

What the Bounts were here for was of another method to enter the Seireitei, and a means to enter without being detected. Aura gave the signal to spread their numbers out, pacing herself onwards alone. Each of the Bounts mingling among the crowds and the deals that were taking place. Each one blending into the crowd to watch, and listen. Aura didn't know exactly whom Kitai was as a person, so a level of caution was on mind. Each step that the woman took in her heels only made the embrace with the mans aura all the more suffocating. Was he even human to begin with? Were the Bounts going to be enough to even resist if the man decided to fight? No. She couldn't think that. What was important was the deal. That was all.

So, when coming into ears proxmity, Aura commenced with the pleasantries, "Good evening, Mr. Kitai." Aura began with a soft tone in her voice, pinching the edges of her dress. "I am Aura Kyuketsuki. And I have come looking for you, and your services. I do hope that you can make time for such business here." the Bount added with a simple introduction, for her reason of being presented in the manner as she dipped her form in courtesy. "Business, I believe, that may be something that no other would be able to procure in this world."

[Kitai Yoru]

Kitai was cracking the knuckles of the paw, watching the man spasm in weird ways. It was rather fascinating, all things considered. He wondered if he could make the man breakdance... Those thoughts were interupted by a voice, calling out his name. He turned his head to spot whomever the voice belonged to, finding what looked to be a young woman, dressed like a schoolgirl. She introduced herself as Aura Kyuketsuki, curtsying to someone like him. For some reason, that amused him. he couldn't quite place why, though.

"Why of course! I always have time for a potential customer!" He replies, laughing cheerfully. He wondered; was this was some sort of elaborate setup for her to try and kill him? It wouldn't be the first time, as he remembered the paper Quincy that had stalked him for a few weeks before approaching. Oh had that fight been a fun one. Or even that Akki that destroyed the oil rig he had been scouting out. Filthy Akki. Oh, or even that time Keira stole his coffee. Was approaching him as a customer her bit?

Still, it would be rather boring if he just wasted her efforts by attacking first. Where was the fun in just spoiling the punchline of a comedian's joke? You know, other than to watch him get upset. No, no, that wouldn't do. It would be much more fun to go along with whatever game she was playing. Maybe she would use the crowd as cover to hide behind, or intentionally get the other Black Market leaders to show up and blame him for the whole mess. That would damage him, even if she couldn't kill him!

So, with a smile on his face, he continued, eager to see what the setup for this was. "But are you sure you'd want to talk business out here, in the open?" He waved his hand at all the people around them. He wondered how the various merchants here would react to a fight breaking out. He was sure the werewolf guy was itching for a chance to rip him to pieces, double that for the man with the scar. "Not that I mind! Hehehehahah! Stealing customers from other venders in front of them is always hilarious to watch!" He received a number of scowls at that, but it only caused his smile to grow wider.

Even if he was expecting for a fight, there was the slim chance there wasn't going to be any. As slim as a needle, sure, but the chance was there. He didn't know why she wouldn't have shown up at his shop, if she was looking to buy something, as opposed to calling him out in a crowded area, but some people were picky as to where they did business. Like those mobster's who only did meetings over dinners at fancy restaurants. Either way, he still had to wait to see how she'd respond.

[Aura Kyuketsuki]

The eyes of onlookers were glued to them, scowling at the man that the Bount had come into contact with. An issue that wasn't at all disruptive to what the woman wanted with the man, but problematic if they had to interfere. Time was of the essence, as the Humans would say, and one that Aura didn't want to stall them for what business had to be conducted. Glancing at the corner of her sights, the Bount nodded in agreement as per the saidless idea about their current situation. "Indeed so. I do believe it to be too populated to conduct business, so, if you do not mind that we change such scenery." the woman dipped her head. The signal was announced, and the members of the party were already at work.

Several reiatsu sprung to life, mentally drawing a formation around the area around the pair. No flashing lights or heat came about their activities as it served to arrange the setting for the pair. Only the Bounts were capable of such a thing, drawing a secluded area in shadows that the two would be left uninterrupted as the shadows came from beyond their own, and formed a barrier of darkness. The onlookers vanished. The light only keen on the pair that were left within the dome of shadows. A place meant to keep those outside the realm from hearing, from acting, while to those on the outside, watching as the pair were engulfed into the floor beneath them. This was how Aura wanted to keep their words unheard by those that would want to spy.

"I do hope this is more to your favor, as I do not wish to have any interruptions as to what I would like to discuss with you." Aura began speaking, resting the palms of her hands over her abdomen. An eery silence remained around the two, with nothing that resembled the night life of the bazarre that was filling their ears moments ago. Utter silence beyond what the two would have to say to one another. Just the two alone. "I came here seeking you, hearing of such stories of a man who could forge anything, take particular individuals anywhere, or to more specifically, beyond the realm of the living, and to the land of the dead; to where those that guard the souls reside in." They were few in words, but the rumors were what drew Aura to seeking Kitai in the first place.

A mastery of weapons, and foreign goods. Services that were more than what most governments only wished they had in their possession that could truly tip the scales in their favor in terms of domination. Such an individual was certainly black listed as a wanted man dead or alive, yet, for those who can pay for such services there was only one man to go to. "I am here to request your services Mr. Kitai, if seeing if the rumors and stories about you are true. A desire to enter the depths of Soul Society; the depths of the Seireitei." the Bount explained. There would but a few moments for inquires to be formed mentally before the girl pushed onward. Something to decide whether or not the risk was too great to take, at least until further details were given. And that was what Aura did.

"If this is possible, what I am aiming for resides near the heart of the Seireitei, a place that their most precious information is kept among the Shinigami. What I seek, asking for, is a means to information vault hidden within the Seireitei."

[Kitai Yoru]

Kitai 'ohhh'd at the sight of the world around them being consumed by darkness, replaced with an infinite void, black as pitch, and radiated with a dull silence. It was quite the ability, and, if nothing else, confirmed that this person wasn't trying to fight him, as this simply puts them into a worse position than if they had simply attacked. A tension he hadn't realized was there, suddenly eased from his shoulders. Oh well, maybe another time then.

The two were alone in this strange abyss, with no one to see or hear this conversation. Kitai laughed, clapping his hands together. "Yes, yes, this is much better." He said simply, slightly perturbed at the ambiance of this place. He wondered if this was a different place altogether, or if she had simply coated the area between the two with this potent shadow? Questions for later, maybe. He wasn't about to demand an explanation for something like this. Not when she was flattering him.

Clearly his reputation had proceeded him, though when that had happened was beyond him. 'Probably the invasions.' He thought to himself briefly, listening in on what exactly his reputation was. A master crafter he certainty was, though he'd had his fair share of failures over the years. Not that he would admit that to anyone, but still, they were there. And his ability to move between worlds was something he'd acquired from the Black Market, so he hadn't exactly considered the ability to be all that special.

Still, he felt his mood elevate at the words. "Aw stop, you're making me blush." He said, mostly in jest. He quickly got over it, as she asked for his services, to act as a guide, or sorts, to infuriate the Soul Society. It wasn't that difficult, heck, he'd done it several times before for the heck of it. He was usually rebuffed before too long, but that was neither here nor there. The tidbit about the vault had him interested, however. "So what, you're trying to break into the Central Forty-Six like the last guy? He tried it, and nearly got my employees killed via Captain Commander. Or are you trying to do things stealthy?"

He palmed the paw between both of his hands, and pressed. The hand began glowing red, as it was consumed by the light, completely obscured by it. It was a matter of moments before it faded. What came out of it, looked like Kitai's head, albeit chibi, with a winking eye, making a peace sign with his fingers. It was seven inches wide, and an eighteenth of an inch thick. Kitai tossed it towards the woman. Aura was her name, right. He'd have to remember that.

"Once upon a time, a couple of people commissioned me to make that, and didn't pay for the rights to it. I named it the 'Reiatsu Scrambler'!" He made a motion with his hands, emphasizing the importance of it. "They used it to journey to the Soul Society as well. The device harmonized with your reiatsu, making it appear to be that of another race, in this case, Shinigami." And if she had sufficient enough energy sensory, she'd notice. Otherwise, she'd have to take his word for it.

"It can still be seen through should you be good enough at sensing reiatsu, but it's probably possible to upgrade it. Depending on your wallet, anyway." He wasn't exactly the best salesmen, he usually left that to Jack, but results always spoke for themselves. "I can bring you past the gates to the Soul Society, heck, you can even hire my bodyguard for the job. So long as you have either the money to pay the both of us, or something interesting to barter with." Kitai knew wealth could only do so much. Limited recourses were just as valuable, if not more so that cold hard cash.

[Aura Kyuketsuki]

The man was certainly rambunctious for being an Arms Dealer of sorts. Yet, that was to be expected when forging a reputation that he had. It was well deserved for him to be tooting his own horn as he did. His words bounced about, exerting his past accomplishments with prior entrance into Soul Society, describing as to what his gadget actually did, and wjat was as possible so long as no one of superior sensory wasn't in proximity of them. Going in guns blazing wasn't the idea of this mission, requiring a bit more finnesse when looking for something on the sensitive side. As such, what was required was the means of Stealth that Kitai believed was better. There were quite a few individuals that Aura would best want to avoid when in the Seireitei, and one being an absolute.

"I do seek to enter Central Forty-Six to retrieve of something mine that is quite valuable. One could consider it to be a one of kind in this world, or the next. Truly, could expand what is known about designing in general." the woman explained. The explaination itself was also an introduction as to what Kitai required. Certainly a fair transaction, expressing more on the fact that a trade could be made something of equal value, or more. Money was what could be utilized should Aura have not already invested the funds into the Covenant, leaving an opportunity to share what the Bount knew to fulfill the requirement. And so, Aura began.

"Unfortunately, as pleasing as it sounds to add further security to this operation, I regret to be unable to pay for your services." Aura said, pacing towards the man she spoke to. "I do not have the funds to pay for what you offer, however, should you obtain what I am offering to you may cover for your assistance, and perhaps, there some.


...What I wish to barter off to you is a copy of the Bount Research Data. The methods that led to our creation and weaponization."

A form of data that has never once left Soul Society. Information that pertains to an entire race at the finger tips from point of conception to later years of development. The creation of Dolls and the Bount, precious data that no other would ever have in their possession, in the palm of Kitai's hands Truly, a one of a kind that no other but himself, and Aura would be in possession of. "I can only imagine someone with your expertise, and knowledge can do with such information at their disposal. Someone who is in possession of a copy of one of Soul Societies most protected projects, and how my kind came about. The wonders that such information can be used for, yet, this still may not be enough considering a library of data waiting to be pillaged by someone with a taste for knowledge."

This was what Aura was offering to Kitai, being that a wealth of knowledge, and being an individual who could very much take what they wanted within the vault.