Onwards To War and Change [Solo Training]

[Kaijin"Harle"Quinn]

OOC: This thread is primarily to help Harle train for the new techniques that she will be developing. In order to sharpen her skills for the upcoming conflict she must train mind, body, and spirit. As such, this thread will be used to train for technique points to be used as she develops these techniques, and sharpens her fighting style. At the same time, this will reinforce the new CIU that is going up, to include the events of Fate of the King.

[Kaijin"Harle"Quinn]

OOC: Saigo No Houmen.

IC:

Away from the prying eyes. Solitude, seclusion, all for the single purpose to better herself. Not merely in skill, but resolve. Many of times she had to endure these trials through experience. As her parents told her, that life itself was continuously teaching what must be learned. Its lessons may be harsh at times. Unforgiving and tenacious, but overall, it steeled the soul. It was an experience in which life itself can only bring about. Harle learned it through and through again. From her first mission with Kenryoku, training with Marcus, facing Kimiko and Souza in combat, to facing the greatest of the Kawadas. Each moment built the woman from a fun loving individual to someone that she could be proud of. A woman who was firm and responsible for what she was given. Her duties as Gotei 13 Captain were not so simple. Like Kenryoku taught her, that the line between good and evil can be blurred at times. And sometimes, it is required to go beyond oneself in order to secure what one desires.

Jinbei spoke of the same lesson when she confronted him. She could understand the meaning of his words. What drove her Captain to do what he felt was necessary. "Failure is nothing, but only family means all." Everything that her Captain had done, what Jinbei had done, was meant for their family and no other. A noble cause, to dedicate themselves in securing the safety of their family. However, did they not recognize that all of Soul Society was their family as well? That was what Harle thought of. What she wanted to protect. That thought came back over and over again the more time she thought of her new position as Captain. Of her home in Soul Society. Of those around her. Kisala, Kimiko, Souza, Kagami, and Marcus. Especially Marcus. She had to protect them all. As a Captain she felt compelled to do so. As a member of the family, she had to. And as a woman who became connected to so many people, she felt no other way to do so.

Harle's thoughts of her late Captain, and what had done, felt... necessary. Far away from the members of her own Squad. Separated from her Lieutenant, Kisala, and those that she felt close to, Harle meditated alone in her personal quarters that over saw the other division barracks. Harle always loved high places. Long before she became a Shinigami. From above she could see those that went about their business. The laughing, and bonds that have been made, all of them were precious. A thrill, that was what it use to be. Actually, it still is, but this time there was something more. From above, she could see around her what she strove to protect. What she had to protect. The French Captain always pondered to herself as to what she wanted in her life. She thought about it for so long. But now, she has her answer. And that answer is what drove her to this result. And she was willing to give life and limb for it. She will prove her resolve. "Noir, Blanc, can you hear Harle? Har- I needz you now."

For a moment, the sound of the world fell silent on the woman. That gentle breeze that brushed her strands of brunette colored hair no longer comfort her. This was a sensation far to recognizable to truly be fearful of. No. Into the depths she merged. One world closed off while another opened before her. Back to her sanctum of her Inner World. In the central ring she stood. Awakened from her transition she stood alone, and yet, she felt... reassured. A small globe fluttered in front of her. White, or also known as "Blanc" in her native tongue, was one of the spirits that occupied her Zanpakuto. Or rather half of it, half of her. "Here I am Miss Kaijin." the tiny spirit squeaked. Kind and gentle, Blanc always supported the Captain regardless of what transpired. Always so full of cheer Blanc brushed herself against the woman's cheek before resting her tiny bottom on her shoulder. But the other-

"What is it that you want this time, Kaijin?" Noir, or rather Black in this case, was the opposite. Decisive and straightforward, she was always the one that pushed Harle forward. The part of Harle that continued to strive for the best results possible. Also, she made up the second half of her Zanpakuto spirit. Together, they formed Tsukuyomi. And together was how the Captain was going to achieve the result that she desired. For if she there was anyone who could push Harle's abilities beyond their limit, it would be her Tsukuyomi. "I came fo strength. Ze power to defeat mi enemies. A power zat can protect everyone." The two spirits looked to each other before shifting their gaze back onto the girl.

For a moment nothing was said. A moment of silence before the spirit in black broke it. "You already have all the power that you seek, so why continue in pursuit for more? You have acquired everything that we could offer you. As such, leave at once and never ask of such a thing again." Noir almost sounded irritated if not discontent with Harle. That wasn't it. It was exactly it. Usually Noir wouldn't turn her back away from Harle, unless the French woman was beaten down. That wasn't the case. Like a concerned parent Noir desired to brush the entire subject away, and leave it as is. Blanc ceased contact with her Master, as Noir leaped from one catwalk to another. Harle followed. I can not. I need your help Noir. Please. I need your help."

But the spirit refused, whistling away with each step taken. "Noir, please. I need you- she had been cut off. The spirit turned about in a hundred eighty degree angle to lash out at the Captain. With talons drawn Noir swiped at the woman, knocking her off the small wooden bridge and back down to the trio of rings below. Harle caught herself naturally, using brief bursts of reiatsu below her feet to lessen the rate of her descent. Those sapphire eyes turned up, locking eyes with her rebellious spirit. "Why Noir? Tell me. Why not y- "Because it means the end of everything that you are fighting for!"

She couldn't believe it. But, just in case, she had to truly understand what Noir meant. "Wh-what do you mean by los- "It is exactly as I said you dope." the spirit lashed out once more. Her words slashed beyond what Harle could muster in her moment of confusion. Pinning her words to the floor that she stood on, Noir had no sense in withdrawing from her decision. However, their connection was strong. For one to muster up Bankai was no simple feat. The result of manifesting the Zanpakuto's true form meant that the bond between Zanpakuto and Wielder was something beyond the average Shinigami. From that accord, she knew what her friend felt. Fear. The anxiety. These were the chains that bound Noir to her decision.

That same anxiety filled the spirit's eyes, causing her to break away contact from her Wielder. "Kaijin, this is a power that causes you to forfeit everything that you've done up until now. It is a power that will end your existence here in Soul Society. Once it has been done, there is no going back. Your powers, rank, and strength that you wield now will all be lost. Everything will come to an end." Harle wondered. All that she has done will come to an end? The Captain thought about it, what those words meant. The immense weight that they held on her. Looking back, caused the woman to tremble.

Working her way through the Academy. The knowledge that she accumulated over the course of those years, learning of the war beyond her own awareness, to better herself in order to protect the people around her. That urge pushed her up the ranks to that of Lieutenant of Squad 2. The level of responsibility that the position carried with it. Harle pushed onwards along side Kenryoku to better the Squad, and that of Soul Society. She learned what it meant to push herself, and to truly manage what she had to do to achieve her goals. The loss of her Captain. Without her Captain, the role of leadership fell onto her. Inexperienced, Harle had to learn the responsibilities of leadership. Its burdens, and the honor. Becoming Squad Captain of the Second Division. With her late Captain's depature, Harle became the most suitable option as his replacement. Little did she achieve to earn her the rank, but as Kenryoku's protege, she was the natural choice.

Beyond that point the challenges were constantly staggering. Each one forcing the woman's eyes open to a much larger picture. The assault on Soul Society was the first of many pieces that were to be discovered. She was part of a game. A game of shadows. And for the longest time, she had been losing. She lacked the resources and the power to truly attack these shadows. But now, now was the first step towards shedding light onto those shadows. However, when taking Noir's words into focus, with all that she has achieved, and yet to do, the idea sank in. Everything that she has done would mean nothing if this power was used. Her mission would fail, and those that lurked in the shadows would be free to wander about once again. Everything would be for naught.

"Now do you see the weight that this power carries with it? What it would for you to learn it, and then use it? It would be end of everything." Noir's gaze found her Wielder once more. Filled with spite and fear, she could only stand at a distance as the conflict inside her swirled. She knew what Harle would say. She knew her answer to the spirit's growing anxiety. "That is why you should give up on seeking this power. That is why you shoul- -why I should learnz zhis power."

Noir's eyes widened. Blanc followed suit. They couldn't believe they've just heard. Beyond what was described to Harle, they still couldn't believe it. Harle didn't care if she threw everything away, and for what? What was it that forced Harle to push herself to such an extent that she would be willing to lose everything? Noir grew angry. Her contempt for her Master expanded. The desire to feel the woman's neck crushed within her own grip made her talons tremble. A sensation she had the urge to see come to fruition. "Why? Why are you so stupid?! A Captain who is willing to throw away all that allows her to fight and protect, to safeguard those she hold dear to her, all for what? TELL ME!" A storm came, blowing violently against the heavy drapes that surrounded them.

Harle knew the reason for its sudden arrival. There was no need for signs, flaring of lights, or a storm, Harle knew why her inner world was facing such a torrent. But that didn't sway her. This was the path she chose to walk, and her reason was the same, just as it always has been. "It iz because I am un Capitaine iz ze reacion zat I want to do zhis. It iz because I want to protect zhose zat I love and care fo- iz ze reacion zat I need zhis power. Even if it takes everything zat I have- in order to give zhose zat I care fo a better future." The Captain's were fixated. Her eyes met with Noirs.

Her being within the inner world to convey her feelings to her spirits. To her partners that stood by her side from the very beginning of her indoctrination into Soul Society. Perhaps even before then. Harle had to convey the duty that she was upholding as a Captain among the Shinigami, and as a woman who cared for those of her Squad, and those who were to come. This power, was but a means to an end when it came to it. The final strike against those that sought to do her and her people harm. That was a power that she required to fulfill that desire. As for the storm, its thrashing slowly ceased, turning from a violent tundra to a gentle breeze. Harle and smile as Noirs eyes fell, defeated.

"So, that is your decision. Regardless of what we say, isn't it?" The woman nods, responding to what her partner's anxiety was forming into. Harle made her decision. And she wasn't going to budge from it. She knew it, and so did her Zanpakuto spirits. Of course, they were unsettled by the decision but still, she felt their desire to help. To see that those that dwell in the shadows brought forth into the light, and cease from existence. "Noi-" A sharp pain shot into her back. As if a long needle had pierced through her skin and struck her spine. Throbbing in wretching pain the woman cried out as her blurring vision caught Noirs descent.

From her subtly shaking gaze she saw her. Blanc had struck her from behind. Her tiny palm concealed by the shadow that was her shoulder, she couldn't move. She couldn't speak. "Bl-Bla-anc.." Her eyes could not be removed from the sight, at least until the other of the two came to Harle. Her trembling vision crawled back to its set position to bear witness to Noirs talons stab into her chest. Its sharpened edge making a small incision into the vertical scar that lined down to her abs. Both of her Zanpakuto spirits stabbed her. What was thought to be betrayal couldn't be further from the truth. From their connection she felt something unlike before. A complete union with her spirits.

What she felt from them was their anxiety and fears. But at the same time, the hope of what of could be. That was the mutual feeling that the three shared. "We pass this onto you Kaijin, so please, do not let it go to waste. This, we entrust unto you, Kaijin." she said softly. Something came to her, an image of a silhouette that remained vague against the setting sun. It was blurred, but clear at the same time. This was the power that she sought out. This was what it shaped itself into. Together with Tsukuyomi, it was the final stretch to her strength as a Shinigami. And with it, she could go beyond that of what any Shinigami knew.

[Kaijin"Harle"Quinn]

This will be training for CTP, including to be applied for Saigo No Houmen, which will be added to the upgrade section.