When in Need | JT - NDE |

[Deleted]

Ba-bump ba-bump ba-bump went Raygins heart as he stood staring at the Kido Corps facilities entrance. Raygin felt like his heart was about to beat out of his damn chest he was so nervous about this. How long had it been since he'd actually seen Kyomei? He was here today to meet with the King of Kido himself, Captain of the Kido Corps, and somebody that Raygin considered both a mentor and a friend. Years ago when Raygin was an official member of the Gotei Thirteen and still possessed Zeroshiki as a Zanpakuto the two had spared together. It wasn't surprising to say that Kyomei had completely crushed Raygin, but did so in a way that didn't destroy Raygins confidence or pride. They spent a few weeks afterwards training together, until their duties had separated them.

But now Raygin was here to meet with Kyomei yet again. He had questions he needed to ask him, he had things he needed to learn. Things had been happening to Raygin that he needed to ask questions about. Why was it so easy for him to learn Kido all of a sudden? Why did Raygin suddenly start to feel pain when he used reiatsu? Why wasn't a Zanpakuto developing for him but his reiatsu was getting stronger? Raygin was coming to Kyomei not just because he was the Kido Master Supreme, but because Raygin had a feeling he was becoming something similar to the Kuchiki. If this was the case then Raygin wanted to know what was happening to him earlier than later. So the Kawada sat in the waiting room of the Kido Corps facility, one of the many officers already on their way to let Kyomei know that Raygin was here, without notice, wanting to see him.

I wonder if he thinks I'm here to talk about his daughter.. Raygin wondered, a silly, small, smile drawing itself on his features at the thought of it. Raygin doubted Kyomei knew anything about how Raygin had begun to feel about Ajraka, hell the otter herself didn't even know how he felt considering how hard she was trying to set him up with Rose, but the thought of talking to the father of someone he had begun to develop a romantic interest was still a little funny to him. But he needed to keep his head clear. Raygin wasn't here to talk about Ajraka, he was here to talk to Kyomei about himself. Get some questions answered and try to figure out what was happening to him. And, hell, if Raygin could learn a kido or two while he was here that would be great.

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

Kyomei sensed him as he arrived. A long lost friend. Well, for the Kuchiki it had been years since he had seen Raygin. The time spent in the Dangai, locked away at the hands of the Vandenreich had taken much from him. But it hadn't taken all of his friends, it seemed. The man that Kyomei saw as friend had decided to pay him a visit today of all days, which was joyous. The Kidou Corps Commander was finally starting to feel like himself again due to the Las Arenas Fragment he kept underneath his cloak close to his heart, and now there was a long lost friend coming to see him of his own will. What a happy day indeed!

"Raygin! How long has it been for you? For me it's been years. Please, let me give you a quick tour! The Kidou Corps is always happy to entertain guests."

If the Kawada consented, Kyomei would walk him through the small area that was set aside for the Corps. It was mostly outdoor facilities, as the Seireitei always had good weather and the study of Kidou often needed a bit of space to avoid messes. There were a few buildings such as libraries and other paperwork facilities, but the majority of the small space was set aside for the training of Shinigami of all squads in the proper use of kidou. After all, the Corps goal was to study, create, and teach the magical arts.

"What brings you my way? It's always good to see a friend, especially in days such as these."

[Deleted]

"Raygin! How long has it been for you? For me it's been years. Please, let me give you a quick tour! The Kidou Corps is always happy to entertain guests."

A smile as warm as a fireplace painted itself on Raygins features when he not only heard his name but also saw Kyomei...at least he thought it was Kyomei. The last time they had seen one another Kyomei looked younger, thinner, and nowhere near as intimidating. It wasn't that Kyomei looked intimidating at the moment, but he now possessed a face that was befitting for one of the strongest Captains of the Seireitei. Raygin stood up, grinning from ear to ear as he bowed his head in respect and greeting to his old friend. "It's so good to see you again after two years, Captain Kyomei. You look like you've been through a lot. I hardly recognize you!" Raygin laughed, his Light Aura and Charisma bleeding through making the young mans smile shine like Kyomei was looking up at the sun at noon in the summer.

"A tour would be great!" Raygin responded happily, following after Kyomei as he lead the way for the Kawada to see the remainder of the facility. "I'm sorry I haven't ever been able to visit sooner, I really wish I could have, but I'm sure you know I wasn't in a condition to ever make the trip here." Raygin explained, his voice softening a bit when he brought up the fact that he had been critically injured and crippled until very recently. "But all of that is water under the bridge, and I've been working to try and reenter the Gotei." Raygin wasn't sure if Kyomei had ever heard about what had happened to him following the Vandenreichs invasion of the Seireitei, but if he didn't then Raygin wouldn't mind explaining to him what had happened.

"I'm sorry to say that this visit is a little bit more than just me stopping by to say hello.." Raygin began, putting his hands behind his back as he walked. "There's something I need to talk to you about. Like I said, I've been trying to rejoin the Gotei Thirteen and have been training myself to do so. But even after two years and training my Zanpakuto Spirit, Zeroshiki, has failed to return to me. In his absence something is...happening. Despite the fact that my body is still frail from two years of being stuck in a bed and not moving, I can feel my reiatsu strengthening at an abnormally fast rate.

It might not relate, but I've even had an unnatural affinity for Kido suddenly pop up. I'm learning Kido in days that others take weeks." Raygin continued, raising one of his hands up and looking down at the palm of it. "What concerns me though is when I use and focus my reiatsu, like when using Kido, there's stings of pain in my body..." He said with a lowered voice, worry creeping along the edges of his words. "I wanted to bring this to you because I remembered that you, yourself, don't have a Zanpakuto. When we first sparred you pretended that you had one, but you really can't all the stories and rumors about you." Raygin chuc

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

Kyomei put his hand to his lips as his eyes focused in concentration. Was it possible that the attack from the Vandenreich had wounded Raygin's soul as well? Or was this a different phenomenon like Taien? Whatever it was, it was clear to the Commander that the Kawada he knew from the past was developing to be like him. "Yes, it has become impossible to hide any more. I'm no longer ashamed about it, though. My soul was wounded in the failed invasion of Las Noches. I took a glancing hit to my Hakusui from an Arrancar there and my Zanpakutou Spirit was shattered along with any chances of my forming a Zanpakutou."

Kyomei, though talking about something very somber and sad still seemed calm. He was accepting of what had happened to him and who he was. "It must have been weakened when we met the king of hell in the Ogatago base in the Wilderness. I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but the Hakusui is one of the primary targets of the Hoho attack Senka. It's the source of one's spiritual power and if it had been broken I wouldn't be able to even use Kidou. Now that would put me out of a job. It's very possible that you are developing the same way I am, especially if you feel that pain in your soul when you cast spells."

[Deleted]

Raygin was awfully quiet as Kyomei gave him a information dump that began to enlighten the younger Shinigami a bit. Raygin brought a hand to his chin, stroking it a wee bit before finding a question to ask once Kyomei was done talking. "So...does this mean I won't ever be able to develop a Zanpakuto again?" Raygin asked, looking at Kyomei as he waited for an answer. He knew about the Hakusui, though not so much about Senka, and was well aware of what it could do to someone if damaged. Was that what happened to Kyomei to make him this way? Kyomei briefly touched on that if Raygin was feeling pain down to his very soul from using Kido, then it was an absolute fact that he was becoming a Shinigami with the same condition as Kyomei.

"So...what do you do? About the pain? About the reiatsu? The end result of this isn't going to be me becoming an Unstable, right?" Raygin asked with hurried worry, referring to Failures with that name. He didn't much like the word Failure, as he didn't seem them as such things. Sure they were living bombs, but they had access to any ability from any school of power. Raygin blinked, before bowing his head a bit. "Sorry, I got carried away a little. I'm nervous about all this, and worried that without a Zanpakuto I won't be accepted back into the Gotei." Raygin explained. But then he snapped his head right up and turned to look at Kyomei. "But if you're in the Gotei then that means it's possible doesn't it? And...and if anything I could join the Kido Corps once I'm back to being strong enough, couldn't I? With you being my Captain I'd have someone who knows just what exactly is happening to my soul and how to manage it!" Raygin exclaimed with renewed hope and excitement in his voice.

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

"I honestly don't know."

The Kuchiki had no answers, unfortunately, for the question about becoming unstable and if Raygin could ever wield a Zanpakutou again. "I would like to think that it is possible for a soul wound to be healed, though there are benefits to this wound. Relying more on the Saketsu has given me incredible spiritual power and the ability to wield a wide variety of kidou. More than any regular Shinigami can keep trained in their muscle memory. We learn quick, too, as you've noticed."

The tour had led them to one of the outdoor kidou ranges. "As for your question about joining the Corps, I'd be more than happy to have you. Though as a reminder, we don't answer to the Gotei 13, we answer directly to the Central 46." Kyomei waved a few unseated members away so that Raygin and he could have the range to themselves. The unseated Shinigami would find somewhere else to practice and study, the land the Kidou Corps owned was large enough for that. For now, the Commander wanted to just have some space.

"Is there anything that you'd like to learn, while you're here? If you're going to be a member of my Corps, then you'll have access to much knowledge to better yourself."

[Deleted]

Raygin was learning quite a few things on this short tour with Kyomei. Sure, the Captains answer about being unsure if Raygin could ever reforge another Zanpakuto within his soul didn't do much to alleviate the young mans worry, but Kyomei did what he could to convince the young Shinigami that their soul wounds were not the end of the world for them. In fact, there were benefits to their condition as Raygin was learning. The young man smiled up at the Captain, feeling better from this short conversation he was having with him. Though Raygin didn't actually know that the Kido Corps was not technically a part of the Gotei but was instead something owned by the Central Forty Six. You learned something new every day.

Being lead out into an open section of the facility, Raygin was presented with an opportunity to be taught something while he was here. Raygin stroked his chin for a minute, wondering what it was he needed. An idea suddenly popped into his head! "I still have a number of Hado and Bakudo scrolls that I kept from when I was in Squad Thirteen. But there is something I was hoping to learn that I can't find in my scrolls. I'm hoping to find a Kido, or something, that lets me get in contact with people from anywhere in the Seireitei. I've been hanging out with your daughter, Ajraka, a lot lately as she's been helping me to train and regain my strength and...well...it might be a good idea to let Captain Rose know early that I could be coming in with burns and broken bones!" Raygin laughed, and if Kyomei had been paying attention he would have noticed the burn scars Raygin had beneath his chin and on his neck...remains of a sparring practice with the otter. "Is there anything like that?"

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

A raised eye met Raygin's comment about his daughter. Though Kyomei was more than aware that she could take care of herself, he was still a little bit skeptical. But Raygin was a good friend to the Kuchiki so he passed over that and flipped through his internal catalogue of kidou to come up with an answer. "Yes, I do remember reading about a communication Bakudo. It's quite complex, but I have a subordinate who helps me with those sorts of Kidou. My repertoire is made up mostly of combat techniques in case I'm called by the Central 46 to eliminate a Human World threat. Let me see if I can find the scroll on that particular technique."

They would walk into the adjoining library which held three main sections: A section on Hado, a section on Bakudo, and a section on Kaido. Strolling to the section on Bakudo and looking at the tags, the Commander soon found the one he was looking for. "Here it is. Tentaikura. From what it says here, the incantation alone is not enough to memorize. One must also memorize specific patterns of marking on one's self. Come, let us practice. We can do this out of the sun here in the library, since it won't blow anything up after all."

[Deleted]

"It doesn't require a virgin sacrifice or anything does it?" Raygin asked jokingly as Kyomei made a mention about the Kido Raygin was looking for was actually rather complex. As Kyomei explained that his Kido library was made up mostly of attacking spells, he was lead to a library within the Kido Corps facility and the search for the spell began. His eyes danced between the three shelves, widening at the storehouse of knowledge and power they were just so casually walking through. If Raygin did end up joining with the Kido Corps he could see himself spending so much time here reading up on everything he could. He blinked when Kyomei began speaking again, his attention shifting back to the Captain.

"Tentaikura?" Raygin asked, repeating the name so it would get stuck in his head. With a short explanation on the spell, Raygin agreed that there was no reason for them to leave the library to practice. "May I?" Raygin asked, holding his hand out for the scroll. If it was given to him, Raygin would open it up and begin to look over the details of the spell himself. "Transmits a message to anyone the caster knows up to two miles huh.." Raygin mumbled, wondering just how far the Squad 4 Barracks were from where he often trained with Ajraka. "Black and white net. Twenty-two bridges, sixty-six crowns and belts. Footprints, distant thunder, sharp peak, engulfing land, hidden in the night, sea of clouds, blue line. Form a circle and fly though the heavens." Raygin repeated the incantation to himself, but without any power put behind it there would be no effect.

"So the markings are like this huh?" Raygin questioned, dragging his fingers along the length of his arms in imitation of what the spell required. "Do you need to speak what you want to say or is it purely mental?" Raygin asked.

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

The commander watched as Raygin muttered the incantation and drew the lines on his arms. He could see the all too familiar curiosity, that spark that was often in his own eyes. "Both, from what I know. For example, I could transmit a message to someone through you once you have activated the technique. You would be my voice to an entire Squad at once. Additionally, you could use it to send discreet messages through your own mind. At least, that's what I believe. I've not studied it intensely. Why don't you give it a try? I'll stand on the other end of the room." Kyomei was positive that Raygin would be able to learn the technique quickly enough to give it a try, especially given he had a detailed scroll in front of him.

[Deleted]

"Oh...I see." Raygin commented upon receiving the explanation from Kyomei. Looking down at the scroll and back up to Kyomei, then back down at the scroll, Raygin nodded when the Kido Captain suggested that Raygin try it out. As Kyomei relocated himself to a different end of the hall, the young Kawada let out a sigh to focus his mind and spirit. "Alright...let's give this a try.." Raygin whispered to himself. Once Kyomei was on the other side of the room, Raygin reached out with his left arm and began the incantation with a low whisper. " Black and white net. Twenty-two bridges, sixty-six crowns and belts. Footprints, distant thunder, sharp peak, engulfing land, hidden in the night, sea of clouds, blue line. Form a circle and fly though the heavens."

As Raygin focused his reiatsu, the markings that were required for the Kido began to form across his arms which then resulted in a square like image appearing before Raygin's out stretched hand. But then just like that it popped like a balloon, and resulted in Raygin yelping in sudden pain and grabbing at the arm he was focusing the Kido through. There it was again. That pain that resulted from using his reiatsu rose its head again, but this time it was much worse than before. Raygin winced, grabbing at his arm and clenching his jaws together. But he had to fight through it. This was a test for him. He needed to prove he could do this.

Raising his arm up yet again, Raygin spoke the incantation again and activated the Kido once again. The pain felt like his arm was about to explode. Looking at the floating square shape object of magic, Raygin let out a "Can you...hear me?" Before he cancelled the spell and held his in pain arm. Did it hurt so much more because it was a high level Kido, therefore required both more reiatsu and finer control? On top of that was the hit to his stamina from using a 70s level Kido at his current level.

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

Kyomei could see the pain on Raygin's face as he clutched at his arm after cancelling the spell. The Kuchiki nodded in response to the question. "Yes, I heard you. Good work. The pain will get better in time, I promise. It may still hurt, but you'll get used to it." It was confirmed without a shadow of a doubt that Ray had suffered a similar wound as Kyomei or was in some way altered in the same manner. He would grow immense spiritual power at a cost to his own physical well being. Only time would tell if he persevered and grew from it or slowly grew insane as the Kidou Corps Commander had done.

If it hadn't been for his mental breakdown in the Wilderness and the crystal gift from his daughter, the Kuchiki may still be as unstable as he had been before his imprisonment by the Vandenreich. The fragment of Las Arenas had calmed him significantly. Allowed him greater clarity even when he was under the intense pain of his daily job. He wouldn't wish this pain on anyone, but he could help and encourage Raygin through this process. "Whenever you're ready to join the Kidou Corps, if ever, just let me know. You will be welcome as a friend and I have a great need for officers to lead and guide others. I'm confident that you're up to the job."