Parental Bonds (NDE, R)

[Francis Grin]

Name: Parental Bonds

Participants: 3-4 Class 4 to 1 Non-Captain Shinigami, pending approval by myself. Send a link of your character sheet to me in PM before posting your intro so I can tell you if you'll be able to participate or not.

Location: Hong Kong

Difficulty Level: Hard

Setting: NDE

Plotline: A problem has been occurring in Hong Kong recently. It first came to the Gotei's attention when the Hollow population began to drop. Normal investigation programs prompted investigation by unseated officers. When both teams sent to the area disappeared, the Gotei determined that it was time to send in a more experienced team to invesigate, and eliminate the problem if possible.

Estimated Enemy Strength: Class 4-1

Estimated Time Until Completion: Eventually.

Starts: Post Intros, and adventure will actually begin when 3 or 4 people have been reached.

Special Conditions: Just be able to deal with moderately slow posting at times, and we'll be good.

[Taien Hadohou]

"Taien Hadohou, Vice-Commander of the Kidou Corps, reporting in. No signs of abnormal spiritual activity detected yet, continuing investigative-reconnaissance."

Taien spoke in to his Soul Pager, before stowing it back in one of his pockets. Wrapping his Shihoin made cloak back around him, Taien flipped up the hood, and continued to patrol the area he currently was in. Along with completely concealing his spiritual presence, the cloak was also a good insulator of heat. Perfect for patrolling on a chilly morning. Though, Taien certainly wasn't expecting to be up patrolling at this hour... 'Ell, he had only gotten there six hours ago, and it was only six in the morning! Taien had been woken up in the middle of the night by a messenger, stating that Kyomei-San had required his presence and his aid on a matter. Quickly suiting up, Taien had made his way to the Kidou Corps main barracks, and had found Kyomei-San awake and ready for him, sipping on some sort of hot drink. Taien wasn't really paying attention; he was a little sleepy at the time.

Waking himself up with a bit of tea the good Commander had steeping in his office for the occasion, Taien inquired as to why he was there. Responding, Kyomei-San relayed the current predicament the Seireitei had. It had all started when the Hollow population of Hong Kong started to decline, and at a far more rapid pace than was normal for the region. Normally, if the population of Hollows began to drop like that, it either meant a Quincy or some other sort of spiritual entity was destroying them. Which meant a Shinigami wasn't purifying them. Which meant that the souls were destroyed, instead of placed back into the cycle of death and rebirth. While it was acceptable on a small scale, if the rate increased too much, there was a chance for Death to start spilling over in to Life. Which wouldn't be good for anyone.

So, the Seireitei had sent out an investigative squad, partially to assess the threat. It wasn't an under-prepared squad by any means, and there were some seasoned officers in it. In fact, there were two squads launched, both with the same specifications. The rate that the Hollows were declining at suggested that whatever it was, it wasn't quite powerful, yet. Two teams of Shinigami, even if they were unseated officers, should have been able to handle whatever the problem was. Except the teams just... vanished. Gone, without a trace. Spirited away you could say. There had been no contact with them after that, and any attempts to re-establish contact with them had met with failure. So, the Gotei Thirteen had seen fit to release a third division, this time composed of Shinigami ranking from the stronger unseated officers, to Seated Officers, and upwards.

That was where Taien came in. The Kidou Corps, while allied with the Gotei Thirteen, wasn't actually a part of it, so they couldn't force them to send anyone. Ergo, Taien would volunteer his aid. While it wasn't exactly uncommon, it still was a show of good faith between the two organizations. Taien had accepted the task, went back to his room to gather up the rest of his equipment, and had left for the staging area. A brief explanation and a reaffirming of facts later, and Taien was on a one-way express Senkaimon to Hong Kong. It was early in the morning for the World of the Living as well, it had seemed, and Taien was grateful for his Shihoin made cloak. It really was a masterpiece, even concealing his massive spiritual power. Well, it had to contain less of his massive power this time. Taien had a Limiter on, which reduced the power of his Reiatsu by about a third. It was necessary though. Sections of Hong Kong couldn't just up and be vaporized during fighting, yeah?

So, that's why Taien found himself there, in Hong Kong, at six o clock in the morning, patrolling the chilly dawn. Back to patrolling, then...

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats & Abilities}

Strength - [50] Points

Speed - [350] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [200] (600) Points

Reiatsu Strength - [400] (1200) [800] Points

Light Aura - [100] Points

Dark Aura - [0] Points

Instinct - [70] Points

Senses - [70] Points

Energy sensory - [60] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1200] Points

Abilities

• [Reiatsu Control Mastery] {2}
  
  
• [Charisma/Leadership] {2}
  
  
• [Learning] {2}
  
  
• [Analyzing] {2}
  
  
• [Battle Analysis] {2}
  
  
• [Mental Incantation] {2}
  
  
• [Strength of Will] {2}
  
  
• [Pain Tolerance] {2}
  

SPOILER: Click to show

{Item List}

Ice Gun x2
Frosty Fedora
Convert-A-Weapon
F.O.R.M Overwatch
Water Aura Orb x2
Flip Belt
Hidden Blade (Glove)x2
Reiatsu Orbs (Two Large Orbs, One Medium Orb)
Soul Gauge
Shihoin Reiatsu Concealment Cloak

[Deleted]

To say that Kubi liked the Human World would be like saying the Captain of Squad 7 is somewhat mysterious; a gross understatement of facts. So it went without saying that every time an opportunity came to travel to the Human World - on the man's dime, no less - he snapped it up without a seconds hesitation. This particular instance was no different. Honestly, he couldn't remember just why he was here; something about Hollow Activity and missing soul reapers, he knew, but details eluded him.

As he stepped out of the Senkeimon, his customary smirk on his face, the second part of the briefing came to him. 'Taien is here too, huh? Good to have back up.' Kubi was certain this was another case of the Soul Society overreacting. The officers probably dropped their Soul Phones down a hole or something. Just in case though, back up was always appreciated, especially when said backup is as talented with Kido as Taien is. Despite having many talents, Kido was not one of them.

'Still, those bastards didn't have to make me wear this fucking limiter. I hate this shit." The limiter was plainly obvious, the stylized butterfly placed over the vein on his neck. He growled. "Tch. What the fuck ever. Ain' shit I c'n do about it now. Time t' find the magic man and get this fuckin' show on th' road." For just a brief second, he let his reishi spill out of him, signaling his arrival. He wasn't too good at finding people, and what limited energy sensory he has wasn't finding anybody. So, he hoped, that that would attract Taien. And maybe a hollow, he could use a fight.

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - 400 (640) [600] Points
Speed - 300 (480) Points
Spiritual Pressure - 200 (150) Points
Reiatsu Strength - 200 Points
Light Aura - 50 Points
Dark Aura - 50 Points
Instinct - 150 Points
Senses - 100 Points
Energy sensory - 50 Points
Healing Expertise - 0 Points



[Street Fighting] {3}
[Battle Analysis] {3}
[Mastery of Body] {3}
[Sex] {3}
[Lack of Fear] {3}
[Pain Tolerance] {3}

Equipment on hand:
Metis
Diana
Joo Bachi
Zola
x1 Dagger
Utility Belt/various clips

[Francis Grin]

Both Taien and Kubi would be able to feel the reaction to the Squad 9 Vice-Captain's pulse of reiatsu. It would occur a few scant seconds after the man's attempt at drawing in attention, and would be next to impossible to miss. It could only be described as a sudden ripple that spread throughout the air of Hong Kong, as if a sudden wave of ice-water just washed over the two of them.

The cold feeling would persist for a moment after the ripple, and both the Vice Captains would be left unharmed. Even better for Taien, he would be able to gauge a rough location of where the pulse had possibly originated from thanks to his analytical skills, leaving him with a solid clue. Or possibly the bait for a trap. Honestly, who knew which it would be?

Meanwhile, Kubi would still be in much the same position as he had started out with.

[Taien Hadohou]

That'd be Kubi, then. Hmm, he's a little la-

While Taien was musing on Kubi's entrance, and being a little, ah, tardy, something happened. Something big happened, the biggest thing since Taien had gotten there. When Kubi had released his Reiatsu, letting it pour out from him, something in the city reacted to it. Like a cold, frozen wave, a sensation not unlike water, or perhaps a ghost passing through a living person, the feeling stretched and grew from the city, tinging the air with its presence. And then it past, and the feeling, the frozen, freezing feeling, stayed but a moment longer, before it too vanished in to the air.

Taien grinned.

SPOILER: Click to show

{THE GAME IS AFOOT!}

"This is Taien Hadohou, reporting in! Spiritual anomaly detected, moving towards estimated position! Will copy when able to deduce what it is. If it's a trap, well, you'll know if it's a trap!"

Taien quickly stashed his Soul Pager, after silencing it, and, running a few variables through his mind, figured a rough guesstimate of where the feeling had come from. Felt like... North-west? Something like north-west. It was a guesstimate after all, Taien's energy sensing skills weren't the best in the business. That being said, though, when combined with his analytical skills, even Taien's meager energy sensing abilities were of use. Such as the vague-ish direction from whence the blast of frigged Reiatsu came from.

Keep it up, Kubi-san! If it reacts to Reiatsu, I might be able to get a better pin on it. Don't wish to reveal my position quite yet, though.

Taien headed off in the direction, launching in to a Shunpo to speed him towards his destination. Whether or not there would actually be anything there would be another question, and whether or not it would be friendly or hostile... Would be an entirely different one. Taien would continue on foot when he got close to his destination, slowing down a bit to cut down on the noise.

Remaining Reiatsu: 5950/6000

[Deleted]

Of all the things to happen, an icy cold reception was way way down the list. Right there with Vladimir Putin taking him out for ice cream. Kubi looked around in surprise. "What the fuck." Kubi was annoyed ... and just a little creeped out. What kind of weirdo would just flex their reaitsu randomly like that? '... Well, fuck. I just insulted myself.'

It wasn't long before the chilling aura faded, leaving Kubi in the middle of China with no where to go. And he didn't like this. "Oh, Hell nah. You ain't gonna be fuckin' throwin' that chilly shit around and then leave! Who the fuck you think are, Jack fucking Frost?" This was shouted at quite a considerable volume, his massive chest echoing across the area. His reishi poured out of him again, the golden-brown light shaking pebbles on the ground. It was quite the impressive sight, made more so at the veritable giant hurling insults at "Jack Frost."

A stop sign was the first fatality of Kubi's wrath, torn out of the ground to be used as a drum stick against the nearest building. He didn't enjoy little cowards hiding in their holes, trying to scare of the big bad wolf trying to blow their house down. He was daring him, taunting him to show himself. And if he didn't, if he insisted in hiding, Kubi would seek him out. Even without the ability to immediately understand a situation by staring into the distance, even he would eventually be able to follow the signs.

[Francis Grin]

"Ah, ah, ah. No throwing childish temper-tantrums. Mama wouldn't appreciate that."

Those were the words Kubi would hear in between one of his beatings of the building. If he turned to look at the source, he would see what was almost certainly going to be a surprising sight. It was a boy, one who was possibly thirteen or so, if one had to guess by appearance. He had brown hair that appeared to be kept mostly short, barring a long rat-tail that reached all the way to the ground behind him. A long bang covered his right eye, one that would occasionally drift out of the way thanks to the light breeze within the air. This drifting hair would reveal a ring-like burn scar that appeared to be some sort of writing, though Kubi would probably not be able to fully make it out due to the slight distance between the two of them.

The left half of his face probably held more interest to the man, however. It was a bone-white mask, one that started on his lower jaw and wrapped around behind his ear following the line of his jaw and skull around to his brow over his left eye. Thirteen leonine teeth lined the jaw, stretching up to the joint connecting his upper and lower jaws, and a wicked horn projected forward from the section of his brow, spiral shaped and sweeping backward and down slightly, before twisting around sharply near the hinge of his jaw so it points straight forward. A further testament to his heritage was a Hollow Hole that went straight through his neck, which oddly seemed to be accompanied by a scar that suggested decapitation at one point.

While the individual in front of him may have been a child, there was no doubt that the weapon at his back was dangerous. For lack of a better term, it appeared that he was wielding a giant ring. It was roughly twelve feet in diameter. Attached to the base and wrapped firmly around the boy's waist was a chain, hanging from which were half a dozen skulls.

"I could feel it, you know. I could feel all of you, even with as many people as there are here in the city. But I could feel you most of all. How hard it must be, to hurt like you do. Your wife and child, murdered by Kuroi. The Soul Society refusing to take you seriously... The constant sting of defeat...." The boy would sigh, shaking his head sadly. "Mama said to take care of the other one first, but I can't stand to let such pain remain in the world. After all, a world without pain would be a much better place, would it not? And I love people too much to let them hurt so. So please... Let me end your pain."

Taien, for his part, would be able to sense the energy of both Kubi and the newcomer, the newcomer having simply seemingly appeared from nowhere. Perhaps he had been concealing his energy, and had just now revealed it for everyone to feel. But regardless, he was within range of the two of them, and could probably reach the area if he diverted from his current course. Of course, that was up to him and him alone.

SPOILER: Click to show

{The Boy, Level 3 Prodigy Arrancar}
Strength - [250] Points

Speed - [400X3=1200] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [400/3=133(Rounded)] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [400] Points

Light Aura - [45] Points

Dark Aura - [55] Points

Instinct - [200/3=67(Rounded)] Points

Senses [75X3-225] Points

Energy sensory - [175] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1900] Points


[Special Power-Pain Sensing] {Level 3}

[Weapon-Sword...kinda] {Level 4}

[Street Fighting] {Level 3}

[Pain Tolerance] {Level 2}

[Special Skill-Lying] {Level 2}

[Deleted]

For a brief second, Kubi's muscles strained to stop the repetitive slamming of the now-mangled bit of metal clutched in his fists, his entire body struggling to stop the motion. Stopped suddenly as it were, no normal human - or even Shinigami or any living creature in three worlds - would be able to stop such a fully dedicated motion. Kubi is the exception. An inch from slamming again into the wall, the sign grinded to a halt, held perfectly still by the absolute mastery Kubi demonstrates over his body. The makeshift drumstick clattered to the floor, the sign now reading "So." The "t" and "p" were embedded somewhere in the wall of the nearest building.

"So. Ya've decided to fuckin' come aft'r all, ya rotten fucking-" He spun to face him, his mouth racing to form what was shaping up to be quite the creative display of cursing, when he stopped, his mouth held first open in shock, then tight in a thin line of anger. '... tch. A child. An arrancar child.' That such ... filth would putrify the body of an innocent child, and one so wide-eyed ... equal parts rage and sorrow welled within Kubi's heart. He savoured the innocent lives of children. They were they future. They did not know better than to follow others. They are stupid and naive and don't deserve any better than complete, undying attention.

"You fucking filth." Gone were the slurred words, the pretense at barbarism. His aura poured from him, the golden-brown wave reminding one of long nights at a gym, of sorrow and of never giving up. His eyes burned with undisguised rage. He hated Arrancar more than anything in the world, more than racism, weakness, or that tiny piece of corn that always gets stuck in your teeth. "Shut your mouth." Though his voice was a growl, it wasn't the smirking smirk that was customary to him. It was low, guttaral growl, uttered only by a few species of mammal. "Don't you dare - don't you FUCKING DARE - talk about Masuri! Even her fucking memory from a being such as you is an insult."

It was somewhat of a childish fit he was throwing; through the dim haze surrounding his vision, he was aware of this. But he couldn't help but feel slightly better as the words left his mouth. "You work for the Segunda bitch, don't you? Well, give him a message for me." Suddenly, a quick flash step flung him forward. But as he came out of it, it would be obvious that it wasn't a normal Shunpo. A large blast issued forth as soon his foot touched the ground. This was Shunpo Eichi, the infamous explosive Shunpo. "I haven't forgotten what you've done to me." Then his fist blurred, Shunpo Karin activating, aiming straight forward to the child.

It's not as if it's words didn't affect him; on the contrary, each word was like a hammer blow on the anvil of his ego. But the dig to his wife and child, and the mention of the Dark Knight himself ... it drove Kubi crazy. His normally discplined, if untrained, fighting style was let unrestrained, every punch fully committed to destroying the child in front of him. And that, perhaps, was the truest indicator of his rage, of how deeply some wounds go. It wasn't the absolutely murderous feel of the golden-brown wave of reaishi surrounding the area, nor the lack of remorse in every iota of his being. It was the simple fact that Kubi, Guardian of the West Rukon and someone who underneath all the splendor and the grand-standing, was simply a big softy, was trying to murder a child.

Remaining Reaitsu: [-250] 1250/1500