Of Kuroi: Glimpsing New Stars [R, NDE, Easy]

[Zou ۞]

Something is happening. For whatever reason, a burst of energy that caught several people, Kuroi Naito (Segunda Espada) and two or three others have been launched directly into Las Noches of the future. A future Las Noches. In fact, two hundred years into the future. Whatever happens, all are aware that this is temporary, and so while here for a few hours, they will take chances to witness what it is that Las Noches may become, and what it is that will happen to them. To find their future selves and learn a bit, that is what everyone here is doing. And yet, even in the shadows, there lurks a new and sinister threat that these past visitors can aid with, or simply watch in awe as their future counterparts obliterate it.

Disclaimer: This future is NOT set in stone, and is obviously nothing but a prediction and interpretation. Nothing here will necessarily happen to any of your characters as they develop. Also, this thread allows only 3 participants total if you exclude The Dungeon Master, that being me. And yes, I control ALL future counterparts. No one make an intro until I've done the introductory post to this thread.

[Zou ۞]

Golden, and huge. The very first glamorous stars that one could see in the night sky were three times the size of the stars visible from the human world or from Soul Society, and they were not white with faint lighting, but golden with bright and brilliant flames. Indeed, there was still no sun, but an enormous, God-like moon hung in the sky, full and blue, a glowing and somehow beautiful contrast to the golden stars that shone so miraculously. That alone was just the sky within Hueco Mundo at that time. Las Noches was an entirely different story, the change so drastic it was a shock. However, even before that, the White Desert had changed.

Desert? What was that word? Sure, there was still white sand, but all around it, somehow in the sand, there were living trees, beautiful and flourishing with sakura petals of a million different colors, not all even imagined to the regular mind. There was no such thing as "forest" besides Gillian forest, but the trees were numerous enough that one saw at least a dozen every couple of miles in total. They could be seen, even if one wandered into the farthest outreaches. And even beyond that, there were rivers of running and working water. Somehow, this was supported well. It was beautiful. Honestly stunning. How it happened was uncertain, but it had happened. There were even flowers here and there.

Hueco Mundo had become beautiful, but not nearly as much as Las Noches, which compared to Hueco Mundo was still the palace of God. Las Noches...had changed. It was no longer just a dome. No, it was a golden dome ten times larger than it had been before, massive and towering in the dead center of Hueco Mundo, surrounded by barriers and mazes of beauty in the form of drifting petals on the wind. Surrounding it, golden obelisks that reached miles in height, and miles in other size. Towers that put the tallest human skyscrapers to shape, beauty and diamonds that seemed to exist as one with the air. A glorious place, one that made Soul Society look like Hell compared to Hueco Mundo. Was this really Hueco Mundo? Was this really Las Noches?

It was on the inside that this could be believed, for the inside looked the same as the regular Las Noches, granted the feeling was different. There were many more Arrancar, going about their regular business going through hallways, and it was bigger inside. On top of that, it was also warmer. It was...more peaceful? Better in feeling? At any rate, those deposited would find themselves here, of all places, in Las Noches. In fact, they were even in the middle of some huge, but empty room. They'd just been bashed into here by a magical force that had allowed them to glimpse everything else on the way in. The first person to stand was Kuroi, who was looking around in wonder. Somehow, everyone knew this visit was temporary, and that they were two hundred years into the future. And somehow, this adventure was made all the more magical by it.

[Gen Shizuo]

Gen just sat there for a few moments, taking everything in and trying to figure out what had happened to him. The last thing he remembered seeing was some bright light and then he was here. He had seen the desert of Hueco Mundo, but it was much much different than he remembered it. He remembered seeing trees scattered around the desert. Those hadn't been there before. Even Las Noches was different. Gen was a little weirded out right now as he sat there, just staring into space. He heard movement and looked to see the Segunda Espada standing up. He then turned the fishbowl like mass covering his head to look at everyone else within the room.

Gen then returned his gaze to the Segunda and stood up casually. He dusted himself off after standing, doing so casually as well. Then, he looked around once more while he pocketed his hands. "Excuse me for speaking without permission, but where are we? Surely, this is not the Las Noches I remember and the desert out there the Hueco Mundo I once roamed as a hollow." Gen stated to everyone in the room. He was only a Fraccion, so he wanted to be as polite and respectful as he could. Then, he remembered that he had forgotten to introduce himself. Miss Asuka hadn't introduced him to any of these people since he had just recently joined her Fraccion, so he was unsure if they knew who he was or not.

He gave a slight bow and then stood up as he began speaking again. "Forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Gen Shizuo, Fraccion to Miss Asuka Hitotoki..." Gen stated. He would have added the Noveno Espada part had he not been speaking to fellow Arrancar. Of course they would know that Miss Asuka was the Noveno Espada. He didn't want to look like a fool in front of Miss Asuka's former boss either. She had told him horrible stories about Kuroi. Never get him angry was one of the things she had told him. Gen was fearful for his life every waking minute, and to stay alive, he was going to live by Miss Asuka's words whenever in the presence of the Segunda.

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - Halved [150(75)] Points

Speed - [200] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [200] Points

Reiatsu Strength - Boosted [200(400)] Points

Light Aura - [50] Points

Dark Aura - [50] Points

Instinct - [150] Points

Senses [150] Points

Energy sensory - [100] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1150] Points

[Sokujin Akai]

Sojukin was standing next to Kuroi, the two had been having a conversation till…whatever the hell had happened. He looked around the area, confused, but delighted. The region was obviously gorgeous, I true forest and it was Hueco Mundo! His dream…some how…it had come true…he was seeing Hueco Mundo in all the glory it could be. Every flower, every tree…every piece of grass beneath his feet, this was a true EDEN! What he had longed for, for so long…now he was living in it…he was touching it with his own two hands…his own two feet. It was beyond all mortal comprehension to describe just how Sojukin was in that moment, in Cierro’s terms it would be like having seven hundred orgasms at once, in Adalo’s it would be like eliminating everything in the world besides himself. This place was a gift that he would relish in for as long as he could, he hoped it would be forever, but in his happiness, his eyes watered. Tears of joy were streaming down his face and for the first time; the primera fell to his knees and thanked everything that was holy and good in the world. “My God…it happened…Hueco Mundo is an eden…it is so beautiful…I can’t believe I lived to see it…so much…so much change, but so much beauty…there are flowers and trees where there was nothing. My god…I just…I can’t believe it…its as if my heart is going to explode from pure happiness by just being here. Asenino…this…this is a miracle…I mean we were just standing in the middle of a desert and now…this!?”

It was at that question, that Sojukin regained his composure and noted Gen, Asuka’s fraccion standing next to them. He had just asked the segunda a question and now he was extremely embarrassed at that little show, but at the same time he didn’t care. His dream had come true and his entire world had become a lush garden, Hueco Mundo was now a true home. Nothing could take away that happiness from him right now! Nothing. In response to Gen; however, he toned down the water works and wiped his eyes. After that, he spoke despite not being addressed. “It is good to meet you Gen, Asuka is a good woman, I’m sure she is treating you properly. Anyway you don’t need permission to talk, but yes as hard as it is to believe…this is Hueco Mundo. Is it not glorious? There is so much beauty here…and it is spreading…the feeling inside of this place…it has grown warm and accepting. I can not believe this, but at the same time…I never want to leave…All of this…I have dreamed of it and wanted it for so long. Gen…could imagine all your dreams coming true in an instant?”

Sojukin stopped himself from crying again, not wanting to embarrass himself any further, but it was too damn hard. This place it was paradise to him, but the knowledge that he was in the future and it was temporary was stinging in his mind; just how did he know that anyway? This was weird, but he wasn’t complaining, it was like some angel had come down and let him glimpse his own personal heaven. What else was there to say, nothing really, nothing aside from thank you and to keep moving and see all he could. On every day, he would dream of this and had even expressed this desire to several of the other Arrancar. Of course, they had laughed at him and several told him it was impossible, but here he was experiencing it for himself. God, it felt good…beyond good. It was pure bliss. “Kuroi…if we are two hundred years in the future…do you think that we are both still alive and well? Wouldn’t it be interesting if we ran into them? I mean…wow…to see how we turn out and to know things that many would die to know. This is a once in a life time opportunity, hell it is beyond that…this could be a once in an eternity chance. We have to take it…don’t you agree Gen?”

The primera had no trouble asking a fraccion his opinion, hell he had no trouble with anyone, though Gen’s appearance was freaking him out a little. Maybe it was all the scarves and that weird suit, but nothing Sojukin could do about it. So he ignored it; despite, wanting to tell him that it looked weird on him. Sojukin couldn’t see any of his skin and it was confusing him, the kid was covered all over and damn, it was so hot out here…how could he stand it? He had to ask himself, before turning his attention to Kuroi waiting for him to speak.

[Zou ۞]

Of course, Kuroi was supposed to respond. But, he didn't. That was because his eyes were staring, dumbfounded, at a man that stepped forwards, almost in a solemn, graceful instant. He was fast, and he gave an aura of confidence, command, and strength. Perhaps the face looked different, but despite age, for the man appeared to be 50 physically, he had powerful biceps and muscles, he was strong. This guy had strength, and he had good lucks even despite his age. The black beard, well kept, even added to how good he looked. His short black hair played a factor in it too. However, it was the eyes that really got people. Those eyes, no one could fail to recognize who this guy was. Sure, his clothes were different.

He was wearing a black unzipped leather jacket with a white t-shirt inside, and black leather pants, with black dress shoes. That was different. And yet, the aura, the reiatsu, it was impossible to not know who this guy was. This guy, who looked to be 50 in physical age, was Kuroi. Future Kuroi, who was older and stronger. He looked somehow...calmer. He didn't even look surprised when he saw his younger self. "Ah. I remember a time when I encountered my older self." he said at last, keeping his eyes on the normal Kuroi. "I was less forgiving, and I was hostile and cold. Dark. It made me weak." Whoa. Future Kuroi just insulted normal Kuroi. He called him weak. Instantly, he was set off. Normal Kuroi's Zanpakuto was out, and pressed against the Zanpakuto held by Future Kuroi.

"Weak...? Don't make me laugh. Old Age has corrupted you. An unforgivable sin." Kuroi was pissed. Future Kuroi smiled however, looking on at his more aggressive counterpart with a patient wisdom. Was that smile actually...kind? Kuroi was supposed to change rather drastically it seemed. In his right hand he held the zanpakuto, though it had some kind of hook at the bottom of the hilt, making it different. In his left, he held a tiger hook sword with three hooks instead of one, and a jagged, sharp edge for slashing. A more unique fighting style than what Normal Kuroi employed, which was use of Daisho by wakizashi. "Do you still use Wakizashi?" Future Kuroi asked. "They were a weak weapon, and a flawed style."

Normal Kuroi pressed forwards, his blade crushed against that of his future self. Naturally, powerful reiatsu could be felt from nearby also. Sokujin's could be felt. Maybe he'd want to go meet his future self. Gen might even be able to sense himself, a floor under. He should go meet himself too. Kuroi was probably going to stay here, dueling against Future Kuroi, who was so much stronger, and so much wiser, it was hard to believe. When they exchanged blows...was Future Kuroi faster? His strength seemed to be higher too. And his style was kinder, more open, and yet somehow even more deadly because of this. His eyes were unfocused, and he was rather accepting of his past self's aggression. What kind of fight was this?

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Rio regarded the area. This was indeed quite interesting. "Huh. Well this oughta cure some boredom for a bit." He admitted with a grin and began to move around, inspecting the area in the near vicinity. It certainly was a change, but the place was still identifiable as Los Noches, no matter how changed it had been. It had a vastly different feel. "So.... what's happened then... in such a short time?" Rio mused.

Then his eyes fell onto his company. The Primera Espada and some useless Fraccion. Rio could stand the Primera, no problem. The Fraccion though, was likely in for a rough time. He heard the Fraccion begin speaking and gave a short sigh. "So you're the shit that follows around some low-level Espada?" He stated to Gen, clearly not impressed with his introduction, though he did pay attention to Sokujin when he began to speak.

The Primera seemed quite absorbed with the new world, taken in by its beauty. Indeed, even Rio could acknowledge it. It was a place of stunning beatuy compared to the dull place from before. But his question raised a similar question in Rio's own mind. Yes. The Espada. He wondered what they were like now. Was Rio himself still alive? While the Espada was constantly willing to accept the possibility of his death he might hope... no. His own life wasn't important. Was Kouhai still alive? Was he? Would Rio have to endure the bastard's reign another century or two? He looked about. "Well.... I doubt we're gonna find the answer to that question sittin' around here, Primera." Rio stated to Sokujin. "Why don't we explore a little?"

But Rio was interrupted by the appearance of a newcomer. There were some changes. But it was inevitably the Segunda Espada. Rio's eyebrows arched. This was gonna be interesting.... and his face split into a bit of a savage grin when he saw the two suddenly cross blades. Were they gonna fight? Oh, what paradoxes that would create! The old vs the new! Had the Segunda ripened or rotted with the years? Rio felt he was on the verge of discovering that answer.... And it excited the Espada.

[Zou ۞]

OOC: Okay, I'll post in between people in this thread. The order is Gen, Sokujin, Rio. But, skip my next two posts so there's time to have Gen and Sokujin either go looking for their future selves, or stick here to watch Kuroi vs Kuroi like Rio is doing.

[Gen Shizuo]

Gen turned towards the Primera as he spoke. He asked him if he could imagine his dreams coming true in an instant. Gen wasn't really sure. He dreamed of having power. He wanted enough power so that he could stomp any tyrant that tried to rule over him. He wanted enough power to be able to stop hiding. If he had enough power, he could stop wearing all of these clothes to hide him from that which was going to take away his power. It didn't really make sense, but he also thought that if he had more power, power beyond his imagination, it could no longer be stolen from him. He could continue living on forever. Those were Gen's dreams, but he didn't think that they could all come true in an instant. Power was something that had to be gained over time, like wisdom. Gen didn't believe that one could have power instantly. That kind of quick access power always had some kind of drawback. True power came with experience. Sure someone could be born with incredible strength, but without experience, how would one know how to use it to call it power? It wouldn't be power because that person couldn't control it.

"I'm not sure...my dreams couldn't come true in an instant..." Gen said simply. Then, he turned his fishbowl like head, or what everyone thought to be his head, towards Rio, the Sexta Espada who had just spoken to him. It wasn't the fact that Rio had insulted Gen that made him turn around. It was the fact that Rio had insulted Miss Asuka. Gen couldn't tolerate anyone disrespecting the one who had saved him from certain doom and helped him to become an Arrancar today."Excuse me Sexta. I know I don't hold any sort of power over you due to my rank, but I do ask if you could please refrain from speaking ill of Miss Asuka within my presence. You may speak ill of me all you want, for I am a simple Fraccion, but of Miss Asuka, I ask that you do not for she is my master, and as her Fraccion, I will defend her pride whenever she is not around..." Gen spoke in that soft monotone of his. Each and every one of his words echoing within that mask fragment of his. He truly hoped that the Sexta didn't respond in a hostile manner towards him after that speech of his. He wouldn't be strong enough to take him on.

Gen then turned back to the Primera to answer his second question as if he hadn't just been speaking to the Sexta in the way that he had. "I do agree. An opportunity like this is one that I could not miss out on. Seeing the future the way it has. It has changed so drastically. I only wonder as to what has happened to myself of the Future.' Gen spoke. He noticed the fight between present Kuroi and Future Kuroi, but Gen wasn't very much interested in it. He was never one to oggle over a fight. He didn't like to fight much himself. He only reacted to certain actions pushed upon him. He would surely report to Miss Asuka about the change he could feel from Kuroi, but other than that, he wanted to know more about his future self. Was he stronger? Did he have more power? Was he still hiding the same way he was now?

Then, he felt it. He could feel reiatsu all around, but there was one that seemed incredibly familiar. Gen walked off, hands in pockets in an attempt to find his future self. He walked at a fast pace, hoping to get out of the room of all of those Espada. He was incredibly fearful of being there with all of them, though he didn't show it. Being under all of those clothes helped to relax him despite all of his fear. With that, Gen continued on, trying to find a way to get down to the floor under this one. Maybe he should look for some stairs. "I wonder what my future self will be like. Will I be more powerful? Will I understand more of this world?" he asked himself out loud as he walked. Gen liked to talk out loud to himself whenever he had questions. That was just how he was, and that was another reason why he was thought to be a weirdo by most.

[Sokujin Akai]

He heard Gen’s response, but he had ceased to listen when future Kuroi arrived. He could not believe it…his pressure was so intense and so much different from his Kuroi. Already he could tell he deserved the utmost respect and bowed as soon as he arrived, sweat beading on his brow as he came closer. The younger Kuroi was crazy for getting into a fight with this man and he wasn’t going to stick around to watch them duke it out, hell they were probably going to level the place within a few moments. “Asenino…I think you are making an error in judgement, firstly if he is your future self…then he already knows all your moves before you make them. After all…he did them the exact same way when he was here. As for that…Kuroi-sama…it was a pleasure meeting you.”

He halted just before he left however; instead, he locked his eyes dead onto Rio’s the primera was not amused with what he had just said. “Do not talk to me like you are my friend until you can show proper respect to everyone, basura. Gen is just as valuable to our race as you or I am, the same goes for Asuka. Just because some is not as powerful as you does not mean they won’t become stronger; perhaps you’ll discover yourself here…much weaker than you imagined yourself to be. Sexta Espada, do not insult another arrancar again…next time I hear of it. There will not be a fight between us, you’ll only find yourself scarred with a more intense flame than even Ryujin Jakka could produce.” Sojukin said this coldly, leveling the threat directly at Rio’s very soul, he had no issue with this, but of course he was being figurative when he said scarred by an intense flame. He was not a flame-based arrancar, but his fury had been compared to that of the sun when he finally entered an enraged state. Only one person in existence had survived that state, but his was a righteous anger, never striking down those that did not need to die for their sins. Turning his back to Rio, he left him there, as he spoke to Gen once more. “You are free to come with me if you wish Gen…I have not heard from Asuka in some time, so any news would be appreciated.”

As Sojukin turned to the leave the area, with or without Gen, there was something bothering him. He could feel his own reiatsu signature…stronger…sharper…more intense than ever. It seemed almost to drown him, but he knew it was because of the identical nature of their reiatsu; he could feel it all, strangled him, wrapping the steely knife like fingers of itself around his neck. So many familiar presences, but all of them had grown and become more powerful; just…how much further had they come in these two hundred years? He paced down the corridors, the place had changed, but he could still recall everything. What had once been bland, white and devoid of any life and emotion had become beautiful, thriving and complex. People were friendly now, waving to him as he walked by, they seemed to already know where he was heading, which he supposed was natural. They might have been told it was going to happen by others, maybe Kuroi’s future self, or his future self or any of the others had told them. At this point…he couldn’t tell, all he wanted was for his curiosity to be sated. Already, he knew he was still alive…but what had he become? Had he stuck to his morals and stayed a sane man, being all he could be…or was he something else. Could it be that he had snapped, become a murderous monster and was now restrained so he couldn’t harm anyone? These ideas had silenced him as he moved down the corridors, finally arriving to the place where his reiatsu was coming from.

Tentatively, he reached for the handle of the door, turned it with the utmost care and stepped into the room. The presence washed over him in a rush, it was crazy! So much power in one location..how was this even possible!? He saw himself then…and matched eyes with a pair that were far more beautiful than his own.

I don't believe it...I survived....and...look at me...

[Zou ۞]

Instantly, Kuroi's Zanpakuto blade was torn from his grasp. It flew into the air, and all seemed to flow into a total slow motion. This guy...this Future Kuroi...he was fast...! His speed was beyond the current Kuroi's, and his palm was already driving into the solar plexus, bypassing Kuroi's hierro with utmost ease. Could it be...His reiatsu was stronger too? Should that kind of development even be possible? How could it be that even someone as strong as Kuroi had improved so much? Even if it was two hundred years, for this amount of improvement, it was shocking. It wasn't just prediction, it was something more. Maturity, power. A small smile had made its way to Future Kuroi's face, a smile that was nothing like the current Kuroi's cold, casual, calm, confident one. This one was burning with charisma and brimming with gold.

Kuroi was already stumbling back from the heavy hit, and the tiger hook sword was already raking its way into his chest, yanking a strip of flesh off while Future Kuroi's blade stabbed into the left shoulder, and jammed Kuroi into a wall, pinning him there as blood dripped from the tiger hook sword wound. Kuroi stared, dumbfounded. And, even as all of this happened, one could see it. With the hair flowing, with the eyes glimmering, Future Kuroi's palm became visible for just an instant. The number on it was different. "1." Future Kuroi was...The Primera?! He was there, his lips next to the present Kuroi's ear, a warm breath exhaled. "I'm sure you remember saying it. The average genius can train for 12 years, and yet the improvement they gain from that pales compared to even just one day for you. Well, if that really is true, you must realize what is also true. It has been 200 years, I believe. I'm light years ahead of you. My power is galaxies above yours."

"I...Impossible..." Kuroi whispered. He was shocked by the strength displayed by this friendly, kinder future self. This guy that had taken the Primera spot, and this guy that was charismatic. He was acting good. His aura wasn't dark anymore. It was a light aura. "What...happened...?" he asked. Future Kuroi kept his charismatic smile. "It's not good to know about your future." he said. "But I'll give you some advice here. Those that you share bonds with and care for, defend them with your life! Never let harm or death come upon them. Never."

Meanwhile, Sokujin's future self was vastly different as well. From a single glance, someone would be able to tell. His hierro...where was it? It wasn't on his body. A closer look, and...black markings? Tattoos in mid air? They were surrounding Future Sokujin. Was that...his hierro?! It had evolved! Instead of being blades on his skin, it had changed to become bladed black tattoos revolving around him, surrounding his body. Capable of changing and shifting. Though they stayed around him, it seemed plausible that he could send them away. They were more long range, now. The tattoos however, were tattoos for a reason. The idea that they could merge with his body again to grant him the original power, basically what Present Sokujin had, was plausible as well. He wore an eyepatch, presumably from a lost eye. His left eye was still open, and this had vastly changed. It was a deep, glowing violet.

The rest of his body looked relatively the same, outfit and all. The only real difference to his face was the eyepatch, the eye, a new X shaped scar on the cheek, and age. He looked at least 20 physical years older, just like Kuroi did. When he saw Sokujin, he smiled. His smile hadn't changed. Though only one eye was visible, that hadn't changed either. He hadn't turned dark. He'd stayed the same. A number was visible on his throat. He kept his number there now, apparently. "X." A letter, not a number. Why? Did he have that? Was it some new rank? Sokujin had changed a lot over the years. Was there anything that this present Sokujin wanted to ask his future self?

Meanwhile, Gen had also changed quite a bit. Rather, the Future Gen had no visible number. If he had a number, it was either covered, or in a place that generally it wouldn't be seen. However, he was no longer covered in clothes or wrapped in bandages. Instead, he was wrapped completely in what appeared to be chains. He'd placed his body in these, and his breathing was audible. Whatever had happened, he'd really changed. However, he looked bulkier in addition to the chains. Bulky...? Was he fat? No, maybe muscular. Or maybe he really was fat. It was hard to tell if he was fat or muscular because of the chains. Maybe Gen should ask Future Gen if he was fat or muscular.

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Rio ultimately seemed satisfied with the results he had witnessed here. The Primera's admonishments meant nothing to him. Nothing at all. Oh, he certainly respected the Primera. But he respected the Primera for the same reason he disrespected Gen. Power. It was the only thing that was important. The Primera was powerful, but that very statement he had just made, caused Rio to realize something else. He was weak. Perhaps not in real strength, but weak nonetheless. He didn't have the attitude of a warrior. Just like the former Sexta Espada. He was not the kind of man Rio sought in his new order of arrancar. Rio wasn't strong enough to finish him yet. But when the day came he was strong enough to do so, he made a vow that Sokujin would be eradicated like the failure he was.

Seeing as the Segunda's battle had been decisively ended, Rio finally turned away, intent on investigating matters for himself. Was he looking for anyone in particular? No. While he was filled with the natural curiousity to see what had become of himself in this era, it wasn't the most pressing. Indeed, he was more interested in how the arrancar order itself had changed-- and especially what had become of Kouhai. Rio's destination was what had once been the meeting room in Los Noches. What would become of his visit here, he wondered? What indeed.

He could feel a reiatsu from his destination. More than one. He could feel at least two, one undeniably familiar, the other, not. Whose was it though? Rio expected Los Noches in this age to be full of surprises. He approached the doors of the former meeting room and placed his hand on it, pushing it open. A stream of light flowed into the room from the open doorway, casting Rio's shadow onto the floor. He scanned the room as he entered to detect the source of the reiatsu's which he had sensed. A small grin had worked its way onto his face. His curiousity was rising, and it was certainly keeping him amused, rather than bored like he usually was!

[Zou ۞]

Kuroi was dropped by Future Kuroi, and landed on all fours, shocked, beaten. Future Kuroi...was strong. This guy was unbelievable. Kuroi, who otherwise was still supposed to be the strongest Espada, and who otherwise had beaten countless high level enemies, and who lost rarely to never. Just like that, ever so easily, this one had crushed him. Yes, it was probably good that he'd ripen even more with age, rather than rot. However, the fact that he became so strong was a shock. How could he have improved to this extent? Was it even possible, really? It shouldn't be. And yet, here it was. An absolute proof of his changed power.

Meanwhile, over where Rio went, two figures stood. One with familiar reiatsu, Asuka. The other, unfamiliar, was someone new. First, one must look at Asuka Hitotoki, who had greatly changed. Her eyes blazed with a new confidence, and a large "7" was on her left arm upper bicep. She wore a turquoise tank top and white khaki pants, baggy. Unlike Kuroi and Sokujin, age had not affected her as much. In reality, she looked around 28 now, rather than 19. She had matured more into an adult form of body, and had reached the peak of her prime. This meant in looks, she was still "very sexy." The Shinigami to whom she was wed was probably a happy man. However, there was a newer darkness under her eyes, bags, and a scar on her cheek. She'd seen battle and war. She also had failed to attain her goal of Sexta Espada.

The other new one was who was most interesting. This man, he was definitely a new one. His hair was black, spiked out and medium length. His eyes were cold as steel, and his skin was without tan, but not white as a ghost either. Those cold eyes of his were black, and his physical body was around 18. He wore a white zipped up jacket with spiked collar, and black jeans. The jacket was a short sleeve, and more like a polo shirt than a jacket, but still fit a jacket definition. This guy had his number located on his chest, which was visible just enough to show the center, where the number lay. "3." He was the Tercera Espada. So then, where had Yuki gone? Had she fallen to this guy?

[Gen Shizuo]

When Gen reached the place where his future self was, he just stopped walking and stared. Stared at the being that now stood before him. So many questions ran through his head as his eyes scanned over this Future Gen. It seemed he was still covered up, even 200 years into the future. That meant he hadn't become as powerful as he would have hoped, or did it mean that becoming stronger made him more afraid of those around him? What had happened to make him decide to wrap himself within chains instead of clothes and bandages? Gen was so full of curiosity during this moment. He was like a child, wanting to know so much about the world. He stared for a few more moments before finally speaking.

"You're me of 200 years into the future?" Gen asked in that echoing, soft monotone voice of his. He looked Future Gen up and down before speaking again. "What happened? Did I not attain enough power to rid myself of the fear that I hold? Why are you so covered up even now 200 years into the future? Why are you so bulky? Is that muscle or have you gained weight?" Gen asked. He wasn't being nice with his questions either. It was asked in that nonchalant monotone, which made them seem even more mean than he was actually intending them to be. "Tell me, what did the future bring for you, well technically, for me..." Gen asked.

He continued staring through the eye hole of the vertical eye etched into that mask fragment that covered his head. His red eyes could be seen glowing within the hole, while Future Gen's own eyes couldn't be seen at all. Did Future Gen even make it into the ranks of the Espada? Was he still a Fraccion under Miss Asuka? Wait, Miss Asuka! Was she still alive? Gen's thoughts trailed off, and he began thinking of Miss Asuka. The questions he had of his Future self were now roaming within his mind along with questions of Miss Asuka. He continued observing this Future Gen while he thought of whether or not his boss was alive even now in this future and if she had reached her goal. He wanted to report to Miss Asuka what became of her as well.

[Zou ۞]

The man in chains had a raspy voice, filled with longing, filled with torment. It was as if he'd suffered during some point in time. And yet, when he spoke, the voice radiated with an aura beyond Gen's own. It was crushing to someone like Gen, who was unaccustomed to the kind of feeling given off by his future self. "You...petty fool..." he said to Gen, his booming and yet raspy voice, metal as the steel claw dragging across a stone floor, painful as the shriek of a thousand birds, turning unto itself and doubling over, an echo double tone like the alpha of a pack. Whether or not he'd accomplished any of his goals was uncertain, but he was much stronger than the current Gen, at the very least.

"As if I'd answer...something like that. Only...a fool...would take knowledge of their own future's events. Knowing about your future...is the dream of a man who dies young..." There was a certain heavy age to the voice, revealing that Gen himself had physically probably accumulated quite a few years. However, despite this, he had a presence that the current Gen could not match. This one was solid in what he said. He appeared to have no plans of telling Gen anything. Future Gen was stoic, stone and icy. He was like the steel of an enemy's new blade, unyielding, unbending, cold, and without resonance. Gen would learn nothing from him.

Meanwhile, Future Kuroi turned from his defeated past self, his smile fading as his back came to face the one that he had once been. "I'm not going to tell you a single thing about your future." he said at last. "But you can certainly be as strong as me. And certainly, if you learn to love, if you learn to guard your comrades, you will surpass me." Kuroi stared in shock at his future self, slowly clambering to his feet, ignoring the blood that dripped from his chest. "What...is that supposed to mean...?" Kuroi asked. Future Kuroi's face was stone cold this time as he spoke. "That will come to you along with the rest of the experience."

[Sokujin Akai]

Sojukin walked forward, felt himself and reached out weakly…he shined with a confidence and a power he could not…there was no comparison between them. As he moved he felt the strength in his legs fail, every step becoming more and more arduous. As he approached, he fell to his knees only a few feet from his future self, that floating hierro…those black marks that had freed him. When would those become mine? When would this curse be lifted and when could he live freely as this Sojukin did; would it even happen? Could I possibly die before it happened…all of my dreams a reality and all it had cost me was one eye…something so insignificant in the grand scheme of things. What, just what had occurred in these two hundred years that could have turned me from what I am into this. Sojukin looked up at himself, his eyes ablaze with the beauty, the grace the mere presence of his two hundred year older self. Yes, he had aged and he had matured, the youthful glow somewhat gone, but that age had been put to good yes. His beauty was in wisdom and knowledge and he still was easy on the eyes. The level of similarities were staggering and he could tell it was himself just by looking at him, a smile spread across his face. He could no longer hold it back…all of the tears, every single one he had held before…all the pain that had been his erupted from him. All in this bliss…of knowing that his curse would end some day. It poured from him, poured in such a way that made any other cry he had seem dull. Unable to halt the flow, he sat there awestruck as he tried to wipe his eyes carefully. His speech was no slurred, his eyes were simply running due to the extreme happiness he felt.

“You….you have matured so much…I look at you and realize that you are me, yet so different. Beyond anything I can hope for at this moment…I have so many questions, but what could you tell me? I only wish to know what a few things mean…the journey is all of the fun…otherwise the life you lead to this point would be meaningless. Sojukin-sama…I am amazed…utterly enthralled at you…what is it like to be free of our curse after so long and where are you now? You bear not the marks of the espada…instead you have an X on your cheek. What does this mean?” Sojukin asked attempting to gain some knowledge of his surroundings, why else would he ask? Everything was new and beautiful to him; a completely brand new world that could not be measured by any means other than Eden or Heaven. What could he possibly say to himself? How could he respond. He smiled, but stayed on his knees, his body limp from all the joy he felt. Emotions had exploded in him and he could not continue to move as he was…he was so afraid his heart would demolish itself out of pure happiness.

“This place is a dream come true…our dream came true…Hueco Mundo is an Eden….our world has become grand. We are free of our curse and beyond all else…the arrancar finally seem to be united. This…this is all just too much…it is just too good to be true. If I did not feel the grate of my hierro on my skin…I would know this to be fake. Instead, I am witnessing the complete metamorphism of a desert into a garden. Dear Lord, I am rambling…even in front of my future self. I am truly pathetic.” Sojukin laughed, let it boom out across the room as he stayed where he was…he wanted to hear himself speak…to know exactly what he was now.