Those Who Can't be Seen

[Kimiko Shihoin]

Getting into Las Noches was perhaps the biggest stumbling block with the plan that Kimiko had developed for both herself and Aevus. She was delighted to see the look of excitement in her friends face. She had seen that Lumina wasn't very welcoming to her and didn't look to be on board with the idea of breaking into the stronghold of the Hollows. "Perhaps she's his reason and logic." Kimiko thought to herself thinking over how Lumina being a part of Aevus's soul just the same as Haunzu were apart of her own soul then perhaps Lumina possessed the aspects of Aevus that Kimiko had seen so much of when they had only just met one another. Though that didn't seem to matter as Aevus was by all appearances more than willing to hear out the plan.

When Aevus finally asked the question that would be addressed first at least in one form or another she grinned. "We don't need to go hunting today." Kimiko grinned as she brought her right hand up to her mouth placing her pinky and index fingers into the corners of her mouth in order to produce a loud nearly ear spilling whisper. After she kept it going for a few moments she stopped and then realized she hadn't given Aevus fair warning. "Sorry bout that. Just give him a few seconds." Kimiko crossed her arms beneath her bust as she began looking around her as if expecting something to happen or someone to appear. After only a few more moments suddenly reality itself looked to be opening revealing darkness. An entity stepped out who was broad yet short and immediately turned to Kimiko and got down on to its knees.

"Yes, yes. Mistress you called me. How Claw help mistress?"

"Claw I need you to do something very important for me got it. Good. Now you're going to take us into Las Noches. Once you do I want you to return home and wait a whole day. This time tomorrow go back to Las Noches. We'll be in the same spot waiting for you got it Claw?"

"Yes, YES Mistress Claw understand. Claw ready bring you right away."

Kimiko turned to Aevus to see if he was ready along with his reaction. Claw was an Arrancar which would be obvious, but why he was calling her mistress would be a mystery. Although the fact that Claw was rushing over his words while avoiding eye contact with Kimiko would give both Aevus and Lumina an idea of why this Arrancar seemed to do whatever he was told. It was actually quite repulsive to think about as Claw's skin at least what was visible which in reality was only his face and hands both areas though looked to be virtually all scar tissue. His mask was gone!

"Are you ready to go Aevus?"

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

"We don't need to go hunting today."

Both Aevus and Lumina looked at their Captain clearly perplexed. He was about to ask how in the would were they gonna get into Las Noches? Without following some stray hollow inside? And just as his lips parted he heard that ear splitting whistle release from the woman. He winced, covering his ears for a moment. Lumina’s ears perked at that, a small whine escaping from her muzzle. ...she could have warned us Aevus let out an approving sigh.

"Sorry bout that. Just give him a few seconds."

And like that, it only took a moment for whatever Kimiko called to appear. Lumina sensed the foul creature before it even arrived. Narrowed silvers drew onto the Arrancar. Like a sharp blade onto flesh, Lumina couldn’t hide that rising snarl. It lifted from her throat violently so. Aevus nearly grimaced as that strange creature approached the three. Instincts overcame him and his fingers danced to the handle of his Zanpakuto. He moved on his sandaled feet, taking the stance he had so many times before. And just as he was about to pounce upon his prey, he stopped.

The foul creature had dropped to its knees and it began to apologize... What in the hell? The Arrancar was acting like a servant, but more so a beaten slave. And that’s when the Shinigami noticed it. Its mask fragment... It was torn completely off the creature. It was also covered in scars... Lumina still disgusted stood beside Aevus rather defensibly. His Captain had brought this thing into Soul Society? Narrowed blues fell to his Captain as she spoke to the Arrancar. He was clearly disturbed by this entire situation. They were supposed to cleanse their souls... not torture them.

A memory stemmed back to his time in the slums of Inuzuri. Oh how he detested the very nature of Shinigami back then. And as his eyes narrowed upon his Captain. He thought perhaps things hadn’t completely changed. At that moment he couldn’t recognize her or just maybe... he was seeing her in a different light. “I’m not trusting that thing to bring me anywhere.” Aevus’s voice darkened. He was serious as he spoke. “And I don’t think you understand what you've done Kimiko... or how wrong this is.”

His hand never left his Zanpakuto. He almost couldn’t control his anger. He was furious. This isn’t what Aura would have wanted. This wasn’t what a Shinigami was supposed to be. “Now stand aside, i’m gonna put that thing out of its misery.” He stood by a code. He may have became a hunter of both hollow and now Shinigami... But he wasn't one to sit by and let his prey suffer. He wasn't that sort of monster. "I wont ask you twice, move aside Kimiko."

[Kimiko Shihoin]

This definitely was something that Kimiko had seen as a potential outcome for certain individuals yet it has seemed so out of place for Aevus that now as he declared his intention so much that he began to threaten Kimiko herself the Shihoin reacted in a way that most other Captains never would, she smiled. This was proof that although he was a member of the Onmitsukido he was still a kind soul despite everything he had been out through. It was splendid to know her friend was still the same kind person that wouldn't stand for such cruelties as what he believed to be before him now.

The prospect of facing off against Aevus right now although alluring to Kimiko who in all honesty had been wanting to face off against perhaps one of the best swordsman and assassin's in Soul Society in the last few centuries. The challenge of facing down her own Vice Captain who in many ways was better suited to the position that she herself currently occupied. Today though there were more pressing matters than an exhilarating challenge. "Please wait. Let me explain on behalf of my mistress." the Arrancar spoke calmly despite the situation his voice unappealing as the lazy manner of his soul seeped into his everything.

"Mistress Kimiko didn't do this to me. I used to be a member of the Espada centuries ago. My time had come and gone and my value along with it. After repeated failure I was ostracized within Hueco Mundo. I was desperate to be relevant and feared once again. To have my value returned to me. Arrogant. I came here to Soul Society and challenged one of the captains. Needless to say I was defeated." Claw stopped speaking for a moment and a longing sorrowful expression painted his face. It was obvious he regretted that choice whether it was because he lost or not though was unclear.

"I didn't even get to fight the captain. . . I was beaten by a third seat. Damn that man." Again he paused now it was obvious that he resented whoever had beaten him yet if Aevus felt for his soul or aura he'd feel the fear that Claw had wrapped around his heart, mind, soul and body towards that man. "I'm not sure anyone really knows about me or remembers me whether they be Hollow or Shinigami. I was kept prisoner by your Shinigami's Division Five and tortured every day since my capture. They did this to me. I managed to break out only a few months ago. It's only because of Mistress Kimiko that I still live. She found me in the sewers and instead of killing me she listened and heard me out. She's like you.

"I'm alive right now because of her. She's allowed me to stay the way I am despite being a shinigami. She's given me purpose again. Centuries ago I would have never served a shinigami especially a Captain. I live hoping to one day repay my lady. If you're mad about what was done to me than please remember it was Division Five not your Captain." It was reassuring to hear Claw speak the way he did explaining everything in his own words. It wasn't often that Kimiko received thanks for anything so when it did happen she couldn't help, but feel happy when throughout most of her life positive reinforcement on her decisions was lacking.

"So Aevus you've heard it from Claw himself. I'm not the one to wound him nor am I one to judge him for simply being an Arrancar. He's more than a mere Hollow that attacks out of hunger. Arrancar's possess reason just as we shinigami do. Although he may have taken action against Soul Society in the past that doesn't dismiss his willingness to now aid Soul Society against those that have all forgotten him."