Bleach: Swords of Lust (IC)

[Drakkwall]

My life had always been so boorishly normal and uneventful, I could count on my fingers how many times I had gone through anything exciting in my life. Oh I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Zorro del Fernando, I am a international business man who works for a powerful computer company, I am born in Spain but has spent so much time out of the country that I have no real nationality. I am traveling over the pacific for a meeting in Japan, sitting at my regular chair, bored out of my mind, when it happens, the engine on the left wing suddenly stops, the plane begins to spiral down, everybody is panicking.

The pilots try their best, but it is too late, we crash and we all die. The next moment as I awake I find myself floating above the ocean, around me are the souls of the others who had died. I am not sure what happened next but a man dressed in black robes appeared out of nowhere and began to hit us with the bottom of a katana, a japanese sword if I remember my culture enough, and soon I find myself sent to a weird old looking feudal village, obviously japanese, dressed in brown robes with nothing on me but these clothes.

Currently has it been two years since then and I have discovered some facts about where I am, apparently I am in Soul Society, the afterlife of the Japanese, since I died in Japan I was put into this part of the afterlife. There's apparently 80 districts, not sure what they are called as I am not very good with Japanese. But I know that the reapers are those who rule the afterlife, who fight hollows ,some kind of evil spirit created from corrupted emotions ro something, who are ruled by thirteen squads of reapers who are in turn ruled by 46 old geezers who need help to wipe their own asses.

Frankly I am disappointed in this afterlife and want nothing to do with these reapers in how highly they think of themselves. Well not everybody but most of them treats the regular souls like dirt and what not. Personally have I decided to not get bullied by these reapers and have been training myself with a katana I stole from a dead shinigami who had been killed by other shinigamis for being a traitor or something. I have spent two years practicing on my own and so far I think I am pretty good, of course I am not perfect with a katana, when I was a boy I used to do farm works so I am more used to using a long shafted tool or my bare hands.

Unknowingly I have created a bit of a rumor about myself, as I live in the more wild and lawless parts of the districts, taking up arms against unruly thugs and shinigamis, I had made a bit of a fame for myself. Though I am not one for rumors would it have helped me to know this so I could have managed to prepare for the group of shinigamis who suddenly appeared outside my house one morning stating. "Are you Zorro del Fernando?" In the background was a busty dark skinned woman in tight spandex watching, I didn't notice her of course as I took hold of the blade tied to my waist and asked. "Who wants to know?"

"You are to come with us to be evaluated for Shinigami training by order of the Central 46 Grand Council." I responded by turning around and entering my home. "Not interested."

I feel a hand griping my shoulder and I hear stern words from the shinigami. "That wasn't a request scumbag." As I feel his fingers dig into my shoulder to drag me out I retaliate by blowing my palm into his gut, he is flung out of the building and through a solid stone wall across the street, out cold among the debris. "NOT interested." I said again with a cool respond and the other shinigamis stared in shock before anger clouded their faces and they drew their blades.

"You bastard you shall pay for that! Take him down!" These shinigamis are more like thugs then actual warriors, swinging their weapons wildly, they have absolutely no talent in sword arts that I can tell. I do not even draw my own weapon I move forward, spinning to the side, lashing out with a palm strike to the temple, he's out cold, then a chop to the throat, another out cold, then a finger jab into the solar plexus, another down, a roundhouse kick into a ground, yet one more biting the dust, and so it repeats as I slowly walk through the shinigamis until they are all down and I walk off to see if there's any new prices at the market, not knowing the hornet nest I had just stirred.

-A Week Later-​

Ever since I defeated those shinigamis have several more of them arrived trying to get me into the academy for evaluation, though the majority has just tried to kill me for 'dishonouring' the shinigamis and Soul Society. I fought two times a day now, and it had been a week, things were starting to get way beyond bothering with these shinigamis demanding me to become part of their stupid society, which looked more like a bad copy of the late Roman Empire when the council had higher control then the ruler.

Currently I am in the woods outside area 80, a fresh battle, my sword has yet to be drawn through these fights, mostly because they have little control when fighting in groups and just hit each other without me needing to do a thing. Around twenty shinigamis are lying around the clearing, unconscious. I pick up my newly brought straw hat and put it on before I move towards the local river, I was going to get some fish with my katana, I found it to be an ideal training to stand in the water and wait until the right time comes, it gives me harmony and patience.

Alas we cannot get everything we want as when I reach the river I have to take a step back when a massive swarm of petals suddenly flies at me, but misses when I step back, the trees to my left are torn apart like lasers had cut through them. Turning my head I spot a man dressed in a black kimono with a white haori over it with a japanese number on it, though I wasn't certain what I knew this was most likely an officer of the Shinigami, most likely a seated officer or maybe even a Vice-Captain or Captain.

"You have gone too far in dismissing the Central 46 rebel, they will no longer stand for your insolent defiance of the law." Man this guy speaks like he has an entire tree up his ass, and growing. I snort and calmly turn my head a little and give the girly looking man a flat stare. "What law? The law where they stuff themselves like pigs while those of the outside with hunger have to scrap what they have because even in the afterlife they have to pay for food? Or maybe you're speaking about the law where a group of old geezers who can do nothing but sit an shit rules the afterlife and think themselves better because they have someone to wipe their asses or change their diapers? OR how about the fact that they think themselves above the freedom of others to force them to become shinigami without giving them a choice to refuse? Yeah well listen up here girly, those 'laws' can go eat the shit of those smelly old oafs cause I sure as hell ain't eating the shit of the laws."

By the end of it can tell I had pretty much made the girly boy ticked off beyond normal by the way his left eyebrow was twitching slowly, and his fists were clenching his sword. He puts a grip on his sword and turns it upside down, pointing it downwards. "You shall pay for your words insolent dog. Bankai: Senbonzakura GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!" His words ends with a loud girlish screech when I simply step forward and kick him in the balls and he falls over.

"And you can go stuff your own words up your already cramped ass you piece of shit." I then kick him in the rib and walk off muttering to myself about pricks disturbing the peace of others, not looking back at the girly man as he staggers up and flashes away... flash limping away I mean.

 

[lonely_shadow]

Red Alert! Red Alert! VIP Patient Incoming!

Yuri frowned as she glanced up from her patient. The man was of Squad 12, and as such, was lucky to still be alive considering the experiments his own captain had made him endure. She still thought it a test of her own abilities....to see if she could undo half of the damage inflicted was a daunting task indeed.....

"Who the hell could possibly be worth making all this racket for?"

An intern, not even worth ranking in seat stopped dead at the question in her race past the surgery doors.

"Makanomo-sama.....its Captain Kuchiki! He's been hurt!"

Well that set her emerald eyes to widening in sudden surprise, but not enough to make her forget about the task at hand.....much to the relief of the man beneath her touch.

"How serious is it, Mia? Do you think I'll be needed?"

A burst of sudden, girlish laughter and a slight blush....

"Not unless his ribs are broken, Makanomo-sama.....it seems like usual his pride took more of a blow than his body. There are whispers of who did this......"

A more whimsical look now from the senior Soul Reaper.

"Let me guess, Zorro del Fernando?"

An instantly girly squeal from the other told her that she was right.....and the sudden blush didn't hurt.

"Can you imagine?! He beat a Captain, Yuri! He must be really strong! I wonder what he looks like....oh my god....I wonder if he's SINGLE!"

A soft throaty chuckle ended the younger medic's jubilation, instead choosing to focus a careful eye on the older shinigami as she worked to restore her patients kidneys to working order......

"Beat Captain Kuchiki? Not likely. Its extremely unlikely that an untrained soul, even one with as much potential as this del Fernando seems to have......could beat a Captain. It's much more likely that he used cunning and dirty tricks to take the Captain by surprise, isn't that what you're not telling me?"

The younger girl blanched, openly surprised....her mouth working open and shut as she struggled for words.

"Just remember that if I ever meet this Zorro del Fernando that you seem to admire so much. He'd better have an answer for why he seems so bent on making more work for me!"

Her gaze softened once more as she turned to the man on the table.....his breathing slowly decreasing in speed back to normal. Yuri was pleasantly surprised to find this one conscious.....her treatments were not known to be painless. Yet given that his captain was Mayuri Kurotsuchi.....she supposed it was likely that this had all just been a walk in the park for him.

"Your kidneys are no longer in risk of failure. Your liver has been cleansed and is no longer at risk of hardening in spots. Your spleen has been purged of all toxins. I am transferring you to the neurotics department......spinal injuries are outside of my expertise, though I hope you appreciate all I have done to ease your pain. Might I suggest putting in a transfer to a different squad after this has all resolved?"

A silent nod and a soft groan was all the response she needed. Mia winced as she drew her hand back, fingertips glistening scarlet.....like usual. An aide hastened to sew shut the place where they had occupied just seconds before. Glancing to her left....she allowed herself her first smile since the interruption as she calmly guided her right hand and the blade it held....back into its sheath....

"My shift is over, Mia......let's go home for now. We'll sort through the rest of this tomorrow."

 

[LeoHawk35]

Leo Kage

Leo walked calmly through district eighty. He wasn't exactly sure how it was that he was so close to Seiretei and not having every shinigami all over him. He suspected some sort of corruption, or someone overlooking him. At any rate, he moved along quietly, not saying anything to any of the passing souls he encountered. There were a few whispers as he walked by, and they seemed to part before him. He gave off a curious energy. The standard shinigami blue, but mixed with a dark red due to his...unique condition.

You see, Leo had indeed been a shinigami before he came through all of this. Second seat of Squad 2. He had been stripped of his rank after a certain incident, and then sent to Hueco Mundo to die fighting. While he was there, he had started being turned into a hollow. During the process, however, he mastered his inner hollow and forced it to obey his own will. Thus, he because the first, and only, Vizard. Later on Aizen will conduct experiments to make artificial Vizards, but Leo was the first natural.

He doesn't remember any of that, obliviously. He lost his memory from everything before being a Vizard. After mastering the inner hollow, Leo had fallen unconcious and woke several hours later, not remembering anything. He escaped from Hueco Mundo and is now inside of Soul Society, looking to find out exactly what had happened and who he is.

Whether he finds out or not, remains to be seen.

 

[lonely_shadow]

"Oh come on, Yuri-sama.....you don't have to keep doing this!"

It was annoying as usual to have to hear Mia's complaints, but for some reason, the intern never left her. And for that.....Yuri would suffer anything, would give her the respect she was due regardless of any other behavior.

"If Captain Unohana found out....."

"She'd probably praise me for my efforts."

It was the same argument as every other time. And this had been doing on for centuries....

"Who's turn is it this time, Mia?"

Scowling, the short haired redhead looked down at her own shuffling feet.

"District 80.....I think."

The direction of their walk changed instantly. That meant leaving the seiretei from the West Gate, and the instantaneous nature of it all left little room for argument. The soft clinking of the jars and utensils she kept in her bag was the only thing to break the silence.

"It's so quiet out.....do you think its because of Zorro del Fernando?"

A soft humph, "Not unless he's decided to start taking courses at the acadamy. No, if he were here, I think we'd be pulling double shifts right now."

That brought out a laugh from the younger girl.

"So why do you do this anyway? Don't you do enough, expend enough energy healing shinigami?"

It was the same discussion....one she'd heard at least a thousand times.

"Souls get hurt too. And its unfair to have all the skilled healers in one place and all the people in need of medical attention in a completely different place. So I do what I can. Besides....I've seen your face after we heal some poor street urchin from a scrape or worse. Can you really say what we're doing is wrong? Or unappreciated?"

Mia pursed her lips for a moment.....then shook her head.

"Right then.....let's get to work."

The passed the remaining distance in silence, ignoring the true length of the walk.....and the stares they got for their black kimonos. Their arm badges proclaimed to all just who they were, and it was unlikely they would be attacked here.....not when so many knew who they were, and what they had come to do.....

Before long they were up to their sleeves in work......and the throng around them only seemed to be getting thicker. And while she would have preferred the clean conditions of her hospital, she had given up on them here long ago, knowing that a simple straw mat would suffice for most of the wounds bothering the meek that sought her aid today.....

"Alright Mia....let's start cycling them through. Abrasions and light contusions you handle.....I'll handle internal organs, broken bones, and other injuries you're not able to heal yet."

A grim smile.....there were lots here.....there always was. She would work until she passed out again.....

Like she always did.

 

[LeoHawk35]

Leo Kage

Leo continued to quietly walk along the slightly crowded streets of district eighty. He looked up and saw a crowd gathering around what appeared to be two shinigami. Healing wounds, so most likely squad four. He stopped. He didn't want to get overly close to shinigami on purpose. Any one of them might see him for what he was. He turned and lightly lept on top of a nearby building. He sat on the edge with his legs hanging over the side as he watched the young shinigami heal the souls. It was interestingt that they were here instead of tending to the other shinigami. He looked down at his hand and waved it in a semi-circle.

A sort of crimson energy pulsed briefly from his hand and a white mask began to form. He watched in silently and then held it when it was fully formed. He always liked to look at it when he was feeling troubled. This is what set him apart from any other. This...mask. It was his darkness. It made him who he was.

And it had saved his life on more than one occasion.

 

[dryfter]

*Sorry*

 

[lonely_shadow]

Time passed unnoticed.....only the comings and goings of the crowd meant anything to her, that and the sharp tang of her own sweat as it threatened to seep through the fabric of her kimono.

There were so many......there were always so many......every time she attempted something like this. And she had known.....even before she had stolen away from the Seiretei......that there was no possible way she could heal them all.

Vaguely Yuri felt the undeniable sensation of being watched. But as long as that voyeur didn't try to cause harm here.....well, he could watch all he desired. He could watch her work herself into a coma. That was what Mia was here for after all.....a little light work, and a safe trip home.

"There you go. Now no putting weight on it just yet. Have your brother here carry you home on his back if he can, and its straight to bed with you. I think you'll find it much improved by morning, but you'll still need to be careful."

A small boy nodded silently, tears long spent having streaked his dusty face. The setting of the bone had been painful, yet he had borne the pain better than most adults would have. Turning, Yuri's heart lifted for just a second as the boy presented his "brother" with a dazzling smile as he was helped up into a piggyback ride. The shinigami really doubted that they were actually blood related.....but in the Soul Society.....a family was what you made it out to be.

"You can't do this much longer, Yuri....."

Mia's voice was strained, she had done admirably as well. There seemed to be a never ended stream of minor injuries, and the acolyte attended each one with none of her prior complaints. She only hoped the younger shinigami knew just how proud Yuri was of her in moments just like this one.....

"It's time to go home."

A light touch on her shoulder, and the world spun crazily......several onlookers gasping in alarm as it looked for a second like she might collapse face first onto the cobbled road.

A strong arm wrapped around her core.....steadying her. A second later.....and Mia came into view.....her worried eyes scanning her colleague, the crowd around them murmuring softly as they began to disperse.....some with obvious disappointment that their needs had not, could not, be attended to.

"Ungh.....I overworked myself again."

The steadying embrace around her never faltered. And for an uncomfortable moment.....Yuri realized that if Mia was right there in front of her......then she couldn't possibly......

"Thank you......for catching me."

Slowly her head lifted to look upon the face of a man.....stoic and strong, one of the first she had healed upon coming to this district. Gently, he released her into the watchful care of Mia.

"Anytime, lady. And might I speak for us all when I say we deeply appreciate your visit today. Good health to you, and may we meet again."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Slowly they made their way back, in no short part due to her current state of exhaustion. And though Mia allowed her shoulder to be leaned on just a little, Yuri could tell the other woman was tired as well. They would both do well to get their rest.

If they made it there safely that is.

There was still the nagging sensation......of being watched.

 

[Drakkwall]

I came walking from my regular fishing trip, a thin metal ring with around twenty large fishes, it was a good haul for me, half the fish would go to the homeless kids in the area while a quarter goes to the local inn and the remaining five is for me to eat. Roasted, smoked or maybe even sushi, I didn't eat fish when I was alive, I was allergic, though that ended with my death and now I can enjoy it however I want. I dropped off ten fishes at the kids' hang out, then went for a stroll where I handed five to the inn keeper before taking the rest with me home.

But as I passed into the open street I saw a pair of shinigami women surrounded by forty armed thugs, leering at their bodies, while people might think I hate shinigamis so is it only partially true, I hate how they keep submitting to the orders of some old hard headed goats, but I do not hate reapers in general. And with the way these men were preying on two weakened shinigamis are they just as bad as those reaper thugs I have endured these past weeks.

I stepped forward and I drew my blade, a stab through the neck, followed by a whirlwind like movement of my entire body, my blade flashing around in a circle twice, ten heads falling. A swift slash of my blade cuts a man in half by the stomach, followed by a kick to another's head, crushing it against the ground. Using the head as a footstep I leaped up and brutally kicked two men in the faces and smashed their skulls into the ground as well, I moved again, appearing to disappear and appear as my blade flashed like a bolt of lightning. And then I appeared in front of the two women and calmly sheathed my blade, as it clicked into place all the thugs' bodies erupted with blood, creating a rain of sakura shaped blood drops, which was not intentional as I had no clue blood could even do that. "They have been taken care of, I suggest you return to your own kin reaper." I then calmly shouldered my fish and walked away, humming the star wars theme song as I left.

 

[lonely_shadow]

She had been right. They had been watched.

Yuri scowled as the men encircled them both. Far too many to be easily fought, especially in her condition, and far too well armed to mean them any good.

"Leaving us so soon? But we haven't thanked you yet."

"C'mon ladies....let's have some FUN."

"That kimono of yours is looking pretty sweaty, pretty girl.....maybe you should take it off. No worries, we'll hold on to it for you."

She could feel Mia press closer, no longer just for support. Not that it was needed, anger and adrenaline would hold her for now.

"Leave us! We've tended to your wounded! How dare you accost us in such a manner!"

And yet there were too many. Too many for those gentler souls who had come to her to dare coming again to her rescue. She would have to rely on herself. And if that were the case......this was about to get messy.

splat....splat

First the odd sound.....then a strange warmth. The senior shinigami's emerald eyes widened softly as slender fingertips reached to her own cheek, coming away stained crimson....

Blood.....mine? No. Not mine....then.....

The man before her fell like a rock, spraying scarlet like a fountain from the sudden and unexpected hole in his neck. Vaguely, she could hear Mia gasp as Yuri barely sidestepped in time to avoid being caught beneath him as he fell.....dying hands reaching to clutch the hem of her kimono, not fully realizing there was no hope left for him.

And then it began, and there was little she could do even if she had wanted to. A swordsman, plain of clothes and rugged in appearance, set upon their assailants. Twice more she was splashed with the fluid of the lives he was taking....yet unlike Mia.....Yuri stood stoically, mesmerized at just how quickly death claimed them.....

"Stop."

Mia had already stepped forward, hands trembling as if she dared to check for survivors. A routine action for a member of Squad 4.....but Yuri knew it was completely unnecessary.

"They're dead. All of them."

"All....of....them?"

A simple nod. Her glittering eyes coming to focus on their rescuer, daring to step before him when he turned to leave.

She brought her hands before her so that he could see her blade remained in its sheath, bowing instead....a deep and respectful bow. Formality aside, her voice held just a hint of amusement....

"Is it polite to walk away from a woman before she can thank her rescuer? Or would you have me scouring the district for the name of the man I owe?"

She straightened slightly, wiping away the rest of the stain on her cheek with a black sleeve.

"You fight well. Thank you so much for coming to our aid. I am Yuri Makanomo, 8th seat of Squad 4, and this is my assistant Mia."

The other girl followed in a similar bow while Yuri ran a practiced eye over the man before her. Had he really taken all those men on by himself? He had to have.....there wasn't a single soul around now, most of them having been frightened back into their sad little hovels. And how long had he been holding those fish over his shoulder.....the whole time?

She waited to see if he would introduce himself, though she had a deep suspicion....especially if the reports were true. Many of those she had treated lately had come from this district......and it wouldn't take much research at all to figure out how many men were powerful enough to take on as many thugs as this one had just defeated. No....men like that tended to stand out.

"You're Zorro del Fernando, aren't you?"

There was no condescending tone to the question, just flat and straightforward. She didn't know enough about this man if she even was correct, to be able to judge him either way. And she certainly wasn't about to ridicule a man who had just saved her from a fate most definitely worse than death.

All she could do was wait for his reply, and hope he didn't kill her on the spot for asking.

 

[LeoHawk35]

Leo Kage

Leo looked down at the two women as they stood, apparently to leave. He stood as well, and followed them along the rooftops. He considered all things as he did.

Why did he follow them? Unknown.

What would he do when they reached their destination? Also unknown.

Would he save them from the group of souls intent on raping and doing otherwise nefarious things to them? Probably.

He had actually been about to drop down to do just that when the other soul did the job for him. It wasn't a shinigami. Didn't have the right soul thread. It was just a normal soul with a zanpakutou. He had some skill, yes. That only meant it could be the one everyone has been looking for. Zorro del Fernando.

He vaguely considered taking the man in himself, right then and there. But something told him not to. Something...

He was yanked back into his inner mind and confronted once again by his inner hollow. Great. he thought to himself.

Suprisingly, though, his mirror image simply stared at him and handed him his own mask. Leo looked down at. It was different. It now had three crimson slashes along it. Curious. Leo looked back up and was sent back to his own body. He stumbled forward slightly before righting himself. He looked down at his hand.

His mask was the same as it had been in his inner mind. Interesting. The hollow had changed it. Leo looked back up at the three and waited. He had always been waiting. What for?

Only time will tell.

 

[Drakkwall]

Taking a deep breathe I just stood there looking up t the sky before I turned my head around and spoke up in a calm manner to the woman. "That's my name, I am Zorro del Fernando, and I have no knowledge of the old ways of respect from Japan seeing how I was no born upon your soils, I just died here." I then scratched my neck a bit in embarrassment before I gave a light smile. "And you're welcome, even if you're a shinigami are you people just like the rest of us, you have your bright and dark sides just as we do. But please relay this message to your captains and those old farts who think they can cage me to their stupid rules because I have soul energy while others here live in poverty. Tell them to leave me alone, I'd ask you to tell them to go fuck their own shit stained ass cheeks and eat the combined mixture but I doubt that will break through."

I took one of the fishes and threw it in a lazy manner to the shinigami and she caught it swiftly. "You shouldn't tax yourself healing others without eating properly, you will just end up a walking skeleton and deteriorate your body's stamina and muscles." Not telling her how I knew about her medical aid to the locals I just take a swift step forward and disappear down the road, making it seem like I phased out of sight, while I just wanted to get home before my fish went bad.

When I got home I had a fire put on in my fireplace and the fishes hung over it, roasted and smoked, and I found myself thinking about the woman who I had rescued not even an hour ago. There was something about her. I could feel my blade resonate at my thought and I just patted the handle. "Hmmm while I cannot hear you do I believe you are trying to tell me to trust her right? Hehehe well... it would be nice to be able to trust someone not of the Ghettos." I then stabbed one of the finished fishes and began to make some warm sushi, may people prefer raw fish to sushi but I like it hot, though the wasabi is a bit weak in flavour unless I use a good amount of it.

 

[lonely_shadow]

"Easy Isane."

The command was soft, yet with the hardened edge of command in its undertone.

"But Captain! Yuri engaged the pursued, and did NOTHING to bring him in for questioning!"

She stood there, silent as always as the two women before her debated her fate, images of the man she had met that evening drifting into her mind despite her better judgement....his words ringing in her ears......

"You shouldn't tax yourself healing others without eating properly, you will just end up a walking skeleton and deteriorate your body's stamina and muscles."

Only reflex had kept her from being struck in the face by the fish he nonchalantly tossed her, yet no complaint was voiced. She was hungry, and she new Mia was too....though like her, the woman would never complain.

They had shared the meal as soon as they had reached the barracks, neither really minding sushi, but preferring their meal cooked if possible. Still....there was more than just the gift that bothered her....perhaps it was the way he just turned from them and left them there. Or perhaps.....

Even if you're a shinigami are you people just like the rest of us, you have your bright and dark sides just as we do. But please relay this message to your captains and those old farts who think they can cage me to their stupid rules because I have soul energy while others here live in poverty. Tell them to leave me alone, I'd ask you to tell them to go fuck their own shit stained ass cheeks and eat the combined mixture but I doubt that will break through."

At least he understood. Not only could she not relay such a message to her captain without severe retribution....but she wouldn't. She didn't believe in it. Even now, as she vividly recalled his ruggedly handsome face.....she saw a man.....one that wanted nothing more than to do good in this world.....as she did. Yet one that couldn't quite see the full picture just yet. And yet.....his eyes saw far more than most shinigami.....

"Do you have anything to say....8th seat, Makanomo?"

Yuri bowed deeply before the gentle face of Captain Unohana, careful to keep her face passive and submissive.

"I have no excuses, ma'am."

That garnered her a strange look from Lieutenant Kotetsu....while her Captain nodded thoughtfully.

"Still, he didn't seem eager for a fight, did he Yuri? In fact, if your report is correct.....he managed to save you from a mob of ruffians most probably bent on doing things to you that are very much outside of the law. Am I correct?"

For the first time, a blush crept into the young officer's face....a silent testimony.

"I wonder why that is. Why a man who hates shinigami so much, and has no desire to utilize his considerable spiritual powers to become a shinigami himself....would help a shinigami in distress."

She wished she could say something, instead Yuri remained silent. In truth, she had been wondering that very thing since the incident had happened. Nobody had been more surprised than her when the stranger actually acknowledged her guess to be correct....that he was who she had surmised.....

"You are confined to your quarters for tomorrow and the day after."

Her head shot up, a look of alarm clear on her face.

"You and adjutant Mia are to rest and recover. Your actions went beyond your normal call of duty, but we've had this talk before, haven't we?"

A slow nod. How well would surgery function without her? Suddenly she felt dizzy. She must have swayed slightly, because the next thing she knew, Isane was close.....steadying her with a simple touch even as she whispered softly into the brunette's ear.....

"The Captain is being kind, Yuri. You're exhausted. And as such, you're of no use to anyone in this condition. Please go home and rest, you know its the best course of action."

Her eyes watered slightly....had she really gone too far this time? She needed to be relieved of duty just to give herself a chance to recover? It wasn't like she had much of a choice in the matter now. Nodding softly, she could feel their eyes upon her as she turned and shuffled out of the Captain's private quarters and began to make her way to the Squad 4 barracks.

-----------------------------------------------------------

The fish was done by the time she arrived. Eating it was much easier than telling Mia of their sentencing.

Two days passed easily enough, though the boredom was staggering. How long had it been since she'd had to fill her days rather than have them filled for her with what seemed to be a non stop flow of patients in need of her skills. And when she wasn't healing, she was constantly working on her swordsmanship, secretly trying to further the bond with her zanpakutou......yet she could do neither now. Not without raising the ire of her superiors.....not without further taxing herself.

-------------------------------------------------------------

"You will return to District 80."

Yuri and Mia both looked on stunned. And yet, this wasn't just the orders of her Captain. The weight of the Kuchiki clan bore heavily on the shoulders of the shinigami as its scion scowled, seeming to weigh her talents and find them lacking in a single glare that made her own normal stoicism seem almost petulant. Yet she was not his.....he had no right to speak here......and so he watched silently as her Captain gave her orders.

"You will seek out Zorro del Fernando....and you will attempt to "convince" him to report to the Academy for proper training. We believe he would be a great asset to the 13 Court Guard squads should he complete his training. Seeing as how he didn't harm you in any way when you met, its believed that he might react more....favorably towards you."

Favorably? He hates shinigami. Hates what we stand for, and most of all....he hates the current hierarchy. What can I do? What.....what can I do?

She was sweating lightly.....the pressure in the room, while contained, was still felt acutely. She had no doubts....that if both of them were to release their true power.....

She would be crushed.

How did he? How did Zorro deal with just the one of them? Never. Not even with all her skills could she do such a thing. Skills that they were both no doubt aware of.

There was nothing she could do.....but seek him out again and follow her orders. Perhaps there was a loophole she could find.....they were fairly loose orders after all....

Convince him. Yeah right.

She'd be lucky if he didn't spit in her face outright. But still....she had to try. And so she found herself treading familiar ground once more....this time alone.....and more than ready for anyone who remembered enough of her to try and pick up where the last rape attempt had failed.

 

[Drakkwall]

I sighed as yet again I am surrounded by black robed shinigamis, these were higher ranks then the regular riff-raff I beat up around here, these are dressed like ninjas, must be one of the special focused squads, assassin section if I am not worng. "You're starting to become too much of a problem for Soul Society you infidel. And seeing how you keep beating us with your bare hands shall we, the Onmitsukidō, teach you the true way of a fist fight before we end your life in the name of the Council." Rolling my eyes I just spin my left arm, not even moving my body, and backhand him as he flashes behind me and attempts to punch me in the back of my heads, my backhand splits his middle ribs and he is sent flying into a stone wall, crumbling down like a broken doll.

"I could care less if you were part of the King of Fighter tournament on earth while you were alive, talk how much you want but a fancy title doesn't make you a strong fighter. Talk got no place in a fight unless you have doubts of yourself or your own purpose to fight. So either shut up and fight or leave in your self doubt." The men fiddled a bit nervously but then took stances and they all flashed towards me, I reacted by my honed instincts and I jumped up, avoiding a barrage of punches, my feet pressed together and I fall-down with my heels first and I hit the back of one of the men, causing him to get buried into the sandy road.

Dropping my chest to my knee I roll along the road and let gravity carry me away from the coming kicks at my chest, I then press my hands against the earth as my neck is against it and with a spring like movement I leap up fro tmhe ground and kick a female shinigami ninja in the chest, which was rather well developed, and land on top of her with my feet, her unconscious body lying prone beneath me. They try a pincer move, attacking me from left and right and above. I jump up over the one attacking from above and kick him downwards, so he gets punched by his teammates. I then spin both my legs and give a wide whirlwind kick to the other two's cheeks and they end up unconscious on the roadside.

Then the remaining opponents drew their swords and began to call out names. "Grind/Split/Shatter/Bury/Kill/Strike/Pulverize/etc" I just darted forward and with a strike to everyone skull knocked them unconscious before they could release the powers of their soul cutters, they seriously need to learn to not do that they leave themselves way too open like that. Turning my neck a little I walk away from the unconscious shinigami ninjas, I can already feel others coming, mostly medics to gather the downed. Taking a walk towards the market of the district I decide to see if there's any fresh food products to buy, I felt like red meat today.

 

[lonely_shadow]

"So stupid."

The words were barely mumbled, muttered under her breath as she watched in silence. He certainly hadn't been hard to find. Especially now that the Stealth Force had put in an appearance. What had Captain Fon been thinking? Perhaps they would have succeeded if she had led the attack, but once again it seemed, she had more important matters at hand and had left it to her subordinates.

And once again, not a single one of them had been killed. Yet he hadn't left any survivors amongst those who had dared try to rape her just days ago. What was the difference? The connection? Was he actually enjoying the pursuit? And what was this King of Fighters that the Stealth operative had spoken of?

So many questions it was starting to make her head spin. Thankfully, it didn't take long for her own squad to show up.

"Leave this one to me, tend to the rest."

He wasn't far off, had ducked inside a store for something, or so she had hoped. If she was quick and to the point she wouldn't lose him....and it wasn't as if he was going anywhere in a hurry as nonchalantly as he seemed to deal with her fellows.

"Ma'am."

He was beaten badly, his face already beginning to swell from bruises and abrasions. Not surprising seeing as how the man he had hunted had stood on his head several times as he danced amidst the clash of steel and riatsu.

"You have failed. And no you must report to your Captain. Please inform her that the captains of Squad Two and Squad Four have conferred and are currently pursuing alternate means of acquiring your target. Any further hostility will not be permitted, understood?"

The man's eyes flew wide in incredulity, and seconds later when words finally found him again, it was exactly as she knew it would be.

"How dare a lowly EIGHTH seat talk to me in such a manner! Do you know who I am?! I'm -"

"I don't care."

"Wh-WHAT?!"

"I said I don't care. As things stand here, you're nothing more than a fool who chose to engage a foe in combat that you know nothing about. Brute force has not worked, why did you think it would work again? Come to think about it....this doesn't sound like Captain Fon's work at all.....does she even know of this attack?"

What little skin she could see behind the man's dark mask suddenly blushed a dangerous color of scarlet....

"N-I mean-We...."

"So it wasn't ordered. You acted on your own, hoping to curry favor with her, is that it?"

The squad leader's shoulders slumped suddenly in defeat, nodding silently.

"Well since you've been honest with me, I'll see to it that my squad heals your wounds. Believe it or not, I have considerable pull as eighth seat. I would have hated to tell them to let you suffer."

Again that shocked look. It was getting old....fast. Turning, Yuri steeled herself.....turning her back for the first time on the injured and hurt.

She had a mission to do.

----------------------------------------------------------------

"We meet again."

She kept her voice demure and quiet. The last thing she wanted to do was to be perceived as a threat, especially considering his latest run in with shinigami. Silently, she ran her eyes over his body.......he wasnt' bad looking.....though it was bruising and cuts she initially looked for.....finding herself admiring more than usual as she scanned him openly.

"You don't seem too bad off after your tussle with the Stealth Force. Are you hurt?"

Full lips frowned softly. It had never occurred to her until just now.....but confronted by a shinigami as she was.....would he even bother telling her of injuries he may have sustained? She'd have to watch closely from a distance.....

"It's so stupid."

She saw him pause for a second......

"There is no law saying you must become a Soul Reaper. Just....an unwritten law pretty much. Those who gain spiritual power generally leave their area to train as shinigami to see a better way of life."

Was that a look of disdain? Or did she imagine it? Inwardly she flinched at the look he gave her, not knowing its meaning.

"Yet they all forget. Forget that each one of us had a reason for becoming what we are. You haven't found that reason yet, perhaps never will. Is that so bad?"

She blushed a little, embarrassed for a moment that she was talking this much. It was unlike her. Completely out of character for her to think so much about a single man she had met, and outside of her surgery at that.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not here to force you to do something you don't want to. That's not Squad Four's way, and its not my way. I did however.....want to thank you properly for the other day.....now that I'm not stumbling around like a complete drunkard and can face you as I am."

Her palms settled softly together before her as she bowed deeply.

"Thank you for you aid. I have spoken with the leader of the squad that attacked you, and they will not be returning. May I be of service in healing any injuries you may have sustained in battle?"

 

[Drakkwall]

I stayed silent through her entire speech as I held the warped piece of beef meat in my left hand, she had a lot on her mind so I just let her let it out. As she asked me for injuries I just shook my head. "The most injuries I get are from my training and even then do I heal rather fast." Walking out of the store, knowing she was following, I just walked down the street in a passive phase. "I have seen how Soul society works and while you people consider it to be something of great virtue and honour so is it very similar to the middle ages of Europe where I come from over five centuries of people ruling over others because of their rich families, blood lines and so called divine patronage. I find it to be nothing more then a corrupted piss-hole where the old, fat and arrogant rule over those they consider beneath them."

Raising a hand I motioned for the beggars and street rat children, all with the slightest of spiritual powers, not enough to be considered worthy by the 46th Council. They were running around the 80th district, running errands for local yakuza and their own survival. "To me soul society is not some grand place for people to chase dreams or ideals, it is a place where Mafia mobster like nobles recruit promising young people into their circles while leaving those who are not strong enough to survive out here to rot, isolating themselves by giant gates while leaving those outside without much aid. And I will have no part of it, the only way for them to get me past those gates, is either in chains or in a coffin." I then pushed open the door to my small house and got next to the fireplace in the centre of the room where a bright fire was burning, I would just slice some meat and veggies and fry it in a wok. "Care for some food? You seem hungry."

 

[lonely_shadow]

Yuri nodded silently at his invitation to come inside. As they had walked she had listened intently at his words, cringing slightly at the bile he spat as he talked about her colleagues. Was this what he thought of her as well? Was she really like that? Easily swayed by those with power? A Mafia of sorts?

The kind face of Retsu Unohana floated before her eyes, and the dark haired girl shook her head softly. She couldn't believe that.....and neither would this Zorro should the two of them ever meet. But all he had known so far was force......

Still....it was disturbing enough to make her want to change the topic. Yuri had no intention of provoking this man.

"Yes."

Her head bowed demurely at the mention of food, and her possible state of hunger, yet her eyes drank in her surroundings, not surprised to find him living in as simple of accommodations as anyone else in this district. Was that why they had such a hard time finding him? He certainly seemed to make an effort to not stand out despite his spiritual pressure......and the shinigami had a suspicion that she had yet to feel the full extent of that too.

"I have training in cooking as well, sir. Do you have vegetables I could tend to while you prepare the meat? Or would you like me to double back to the market and purchase some? I have funds of my own, I'd hate to impose on you."

For the first time since entering she smiled as he turned, greens already in hand. It seemed she had good timing at least.

"May I?"

Silence reigned for long minutes save for the sound of chopping. Yuri's mind raced for something, anything, to end the awkwardness. To be honest, she was amazed he was tolerating her presence as well as he did. She had half expected to be ignored or even cast aside. Suddenly....something from earlier piqued her curiosity, and before she could think better of it, the unbidden question broke free from her normally pensive lips.

"The men from before.....said you won some sort of tournament?"

 

[Drakkwall]

"Back when I was alive I travelled a lot, I learned how to fight as many different areas of the world are not very safe if you do not know how to fight. I have learned many different martial arts, not very deeply but I have assimilated them and made them into my own style." I stated as I sliced the meat with a knife while handing her a knife of her own so she could slice the greens. "My company were part of some shady stuff, I got drafted into a fighting tournament where people have been known to die. I only entered once and that time I won the title King of Fighters, but that title meant little, it is nothing but a sham for some rich men trying to gather strong subordinates and gaining more power for themselves. So I left before they could recruit me, taking up my work again, everybody forgot my face after a year when the tournament began anew and I prefer it that way."

Putting the meat into the wok I began to fry it, only a spoonful of oil to moisten it, soon she poured the cut vegetables into the mixture and I added some dry spices, the juices of the fruits and some yoghurt made the mixture into a fine green curry as I added some chilli peppers. "Those fighters were tougher then any shinigami I've ever meet, I even had a onenighter with one of the women of the tournament, though it wasn't intended, she was frustrated with her boyfriend who kept distancing himself from her and never proposing even after four years. Long story short, she and I got drunk and we ended up together in the bedroom, waking up naked with each other next morning. It was an enjoyable thing but we never felt deeply for each other and separated as friends with benefits."

 

[lonely_shadow]

Yuri smiled and nodded, pleased that he was talking. Perhaps he wasn't the silent brooding type she had at first taken him for. It was even more pleasing to her when he acquiesced and allowed her to help him with the preparation of their meal. She was careful enough with the knife to not cut herself as she found herself lost in his story.

"It seems no matter where you go....where you live, there is always some manner of corruption."

She stated it matter of factly. Her time, though much older than his, hadn't been much different.....what little she remembered of it. Diamyo's and shoguns, feudal lords constantly at war with each other for the barest scrap of land. Willing to sell out their own countrymen for the barest gain in power if it gave them a percieved advantage over their neighbors......

And yet there had always been heroes.

Yuri wasn't sure if he was testing her reaction, telling her about his tryst with the other fighter. If so, he'd be deeply disappointed. It wasn't as if she were a virgin either, though she doubted Zorro would be nearly as impressed by hearing of how she herself had passed on to the Soul Society. She had no idea how much just the memory showed on her face as she paled softly and couldn't reign in a gentle shiver.

Yuri's voice was almost ghostlike in its hollowness....her eyes distant and unseeing as she poured the diced vegetables into his mixture, the delicious aroma not even enough to pull her from this sudden nightmare.

"Neighbors from the east. Samurai warriors bearing the standard of war."

Her left hand dropped gently to the hilt of her katana, as if seeking some inner strength.

"The wounded and the dead were everywhere. It seemed everyone was screaming and hurt. My parents, my sister.....I went looking for them."

Before her, the buildings still raged aflame....the sounds of life being snuffed out filled her ears with its screams. How long had it been since she'd allowed herself the chance to remember, since anyone had made her think back to her own passing?

Her dreamlike state ended instantly as her consciousness recoiled, almost as if not wanting to confront the past yet again.

"When I found my sister, she was being forced to.....entertain. They were brutal, and before I knew it, I had picked up my first blade and I rushed to her aid."

Her soft tones dropped further, almost to a whisper as the shinigami suddenly looked all too vulnerable, hugging her arms to her chest.

"I can still feel it sometimes, when I close my eyes. The feeling of the blade that killed me. I can still hear them....some of them laughing, others scolding my killer, my sister's screams drowning them all out."

A weak smile as she finally dared to look at him and face his own gaze.

"I'm sorry. No stories about tournaments won, or great battles decided by my own abilities. I failed my sister, my family that day.....but I died knowing that at least I tried to do something. And I've been trying to do something every day since I found out that death in the living world isn't the end of it all."

 

[Drakkwall]

"Yeah... in a way you had a far more satisfying death then myself. My family were more like a bounce of strangers to me. I die while on a trip for Japan on business, while I had enjoyed fighting so was my life very empty, no ambitions, just a guy acting as a branch across the world for others to speak through with business deals." As I finished I filled a bowl of curry and patted her shoulder while offering it to her. "Death is meant to be a new experience, the good and the bad things you experienced in life will haunt you but you grow acceptant and subdued, getting new goals and dreams that you couldn't achieve while alive. I? I will defend my rights for freewill, my right to act as my own person, to not let anyone chain me down again. Thus I can died in death knowing I at least stood p for myself, something I couldn't while alive."

I then took a bowl of Curry myself and sat down on a pillow, she is huddling and staring at her bowl, shivering, it is painful to see and I just curse my own softness as I warp an arm around her waist and hug her to my side and whisper into her ear. "Time heals any wound and in death, time is something we all have." I then patted her shoulder and released her waist before taking a sip of my curry, she doesn't stop leaning against me as she too eat her food, we're silent.

 

[lonely_shadow]

Yuri jumped softly as she felt the arm slide about her gently. Looking up, she scanned his face, seeing only worry, warmth and perhaps even a little compassion in his face. The food they had prepared was a little foreign to her....but not unwelcome. The smell of it filled her senses with its slightly spicy aroma, but even that couldn't distract her.....not yet at least.

It was a little unsettling. This wasn't at all what she had expected from this man. And yet, she couldn't bring herself to ask him to remove his arm. Not when it felt so good to be held for a change......she had stood alone for so long.....

And then he was slipping away, reaching for his own bowl after whispering into her ear and her heart skipped a beat as her eyes followed his own. Blushing softly at her own behavior, she raised a steaming spoon to her own lips, humming softly as its flavor teased yet another of her senses.

At least he hadn't gone far. Leaning to her left just a little, she could feel him against her shoulder once more, and for some reason, took comfort in the presence. He hadn't hated her after all, hadn't thrown her out or called her some pawn.....

She rose to her feet as the meal came to an end, dutifully collecting the dishes before them and carrying them back to the kitchen to wash. It was a little different, Yuri had never had to be accustomed to washing dishes at the hospital......rarely set foot outside of her own surgery when working. But times had been slow on rare occasions.....and Mia had always seemed busy enough to need a hand.....

"I hope you realize I'm not here to force you into doing something you don't want to do."

It was the first time she had spoken since before her nightmarish recounting of her previous life. And as he no doubt looked at her, she turned and gave him a soft smile.

"I am here to study you. Most of the more level headed shinigami are curious as to why you resist becoming one when others would jump at the chance."

She watched his reaction closely. For better or worse, she would not lie to him. Though it may make her naive in a small sense of the word, her own pride had kept her truthful through her stay in this world.....she wouldn't give up on that practice now.

She chuckled softly, knowing that doing so would most likely draw an odd look from him. Especially when it wasn't as girly sounding as perhaps a giggle might have been....but this was who she was.....

"Captain Kuchiki wasn't happy about it, you know. You wounded his pride badly by kicking him in the balls like that. He wouldn't even take himself to squad four for examination....though considering the location of the injury, I can't say that I blame him."

Her shoulders shook softly. She had never liked the man and the way he had always looked down on her, even when she had treated his myriad of wounds in the past. Now, it was all she could do to keep from laughing outright....a battle she eventually lost. Both hands dropped to Zorro's countertop in a last effort to restrain herself....if Kuchiki heard her laughing, it would surely be the end of her......

The small house filled with the tinkling music of her laughter.....humor that had been locked up for days in the stuffy hospice now erupted, and it seemed she cared little that the source of her amusement was still behind her......had held himself so close just a moment ago.....

That thought sobered her up just as quickly, blushing again as Yuri realized how foolish and undignified she must look right now. Not very becoming for a shinigami of the thirteen court guard squads.

"Not all of us are so heavy handed, Zorro. Please try and remember that."

When she turned, the twinkle of amusement still glittered somewhere deep within her earth toned eyes....

"Something about you is confusing however. Your riatsu is different somehow."

That brought an interesting look to his face.

"It's similar, but its not quite the same as a shinigami's. I can't quite put my finger on it....."

Yuri shrugged softly, turning back to the dishes and dismissing it for now as unimportant.

"I appreciate your hospitality and you're a very good cook, dinner was wonderful. Healthy too, which is important."

Her voice softened just a little as she realized that the evening was rapidly coming to a close.

"I don't know what to make of you, Zorro del Fernando. Nobody does. Each had their own way of reacting to you. I'm not sure if you realize this, but the Stealth Force that attacked you this afternoon wasn't even under orders to do so. I learned as much from their leader."

The last of their dishes set aside to dry, she turned once more to face him.

"You've only met a few of us, so do try and keep an open mind?"

Her smile broadened once more as she bowed deeply in appreciation. She wouldn't burden his thoughts anymore with her presence, at least....not tonight.....

Moving towards him, she graced his rugged brow with a brief yet warm brushing of her lips, blushing openly as she did so.....turning, and sweeping away black kimono and all....the door closing silently behind her departure.

"We will meet again.....Zorro del Fernando"

 

[Drakkwall]

I felt my heart skip a beat at her words and affection, when was the last time I enjoyed the attention of a woman? Someone who could listen to me, to let me speak out my mind without need to keep my heart sealed shut and flooded with despair... Not even when I meet Mai have I had a truly close friend or lover, heck Mai had been my first and only. I can feel my blade vibrating against my side, as if to tell me to go after her. but why? She was a shinigami, even though she was a kind and caring one she was still under the hand of corrupted nobles and military officers, I had escaped a life of oppression and loneliness... would it be worth removing the loneliness and keep the oppression...

No... it shouldn't be worth it, someone's freedom is something nobody can take from you, your freedom of choice is what makes us human, we have a choice... and I choice... to go after her. Just for a bit, to make certain she gets back home safe... yeah that's it. Standing up I silently follow her, my blade is vibrating again, as if speaking to me, and I subconsciously follow its command... it is as if an hollow echo is ringing in my ears. The ringing begins to turn into a melody, a sweet voice, a woman's, singing in the old tongue of the Spanish, my people, I can feel the music flowing, it is vibrating with my blade. I keep walking, not noticing how my eyes starts to glow red as shadows starts to shape around my body.

 

[lonely_shadow]

"Well, well....what have we here."

And with those words.....Yuri's night just got a whole...lot....worse.

Her already pale face took on a ghost-like countenance as she stopped dead in her tracks. A deer before the headlights that was this man's wicked and toothy smile as he peered at her through his mess of battle scars with one eye.....

"C-Captain....Zeraki..."

A loud humph.

"What business does a Squad Four weakling like you have in District 80? You should be running home to quiver beneath your bed and scrub toilets like the rest of your weak squad....."

This was not good. This was not good. This was not good.

"I'm on orders to be here, sir.....Captain Unohana and Captain Kuchiki's orders."

"I see...."

The pause in his speech was deafening as his gaze swept over her. How could anyone man possess so much muscle? The Captain of Squad 11, the most militant of them all......was a mountain of physical strength. If that wasn't enough, he wasn't even releasing his true spiritual pressure either.....and she was doing everything she possibly could to avoid quaking visibly in his presence. Her legs hadn't started shaking at least.....yet.

"That means you're here to find that rebel too, doesn't it?"

If there was any one thing she was good at, it was remaining impassive and keeping a neutral face. And yet, that very act, the steeling of her soul against him....told him everything he needed to know.

"Really. You shouldn't make things tough on yourself. Just tell Kenny what he needs to know!"

And just like that, her perfect calm was shattered, the lesser shinigami startled badly by the sight of a smiling, pink haired child's face appearing with ease from over the enormous Captain's shoulder.

"Lieutenant....Kusajishi."

A happy smile and a curt nod.

"Hello Makanomo! Nice to see you again! You wouldn't happen to know where this Zorro guy is, would you? Kenny is looking for him!"

Dumbstruck, Yuri slowly shook her head....not willing to tell either of them anything, not when such an act would most definately compromise her own mission.

"Awww....you're not very good at not telling the truth, Yuri. You wouldn't want to make Kenny unhappy would you? He's been looking to make good friends with Zorro for a while now!"

"I won't....I won't tell you."

The lone eye of the Captain widened slightly as he regarded the shinigami before him, the lieutenant on his shoulder pouting openly in her usual childish manner.

"Now woman....you know what the penalty is for defying a Captain, don't you?"

Severe punishment. Enough that it should make her cringe at the very thought. And yet....instead she found herself growing more and more upset and angry at the position she had been put in.

"I won't. I won't tell you! And I'm not in defiance, I'm obeying my captain's orders. You hold no jurisdiction over me!"

That rocked the larger man back on his heels, if only to give her that crazed grin again.

"Well then, if the two of you have gotten to be so close of friends....perhaps if you scream enough, I'll get to meet him then. As far as I'm concerned, you're practically spoiling for a fight.....though I must say, finding someone even willing out of Squad Four.......it's nice."

The streets....so full of evening strollers.....were so deserted now. And yet, she could feel the eyes upon her.....everywhere.....windows, barely cracked doors.....

"Flow freely, Kiritonen."

It was against the law to draw one's zanpaktou while in the Seireitei.....or against a superior. And yet...he had all but announced that he planned to fight her.....perhaps the council would go easy on her soul......if Zeraki left anything left of it to be judged that is......

Nothing changed as her katana left its sheath, and yet she knew Kiritonen had awakened at her command.....just as the increase of her own riatsu surely make the man before her aware as well.

"That's it?"

A scowl and a soft look of disdain, a soft pink haired girl whispering something Yuri couldn't quite make out.

"You don't need to worry about that, Yachiru. A weapon of that strength can't cut me."

He drew his own weapon slowly.....no name called, yet Yuri could feel the malice radiating from him as his lieutenant jumped nimbly from her perch to give him room.

"This is boring. You shouldn't even be here. I guess I'll have to make an example of you to make sure the captain's of Squads Four and Six stay the hell outta my way."

Eyes narrowed as he came, her blade screaming sparks as it parried his own perfectly, the Captain's devilish face leering at her over their crossed blades.

"Not bad! You've got some form at least!"

Again and again they met, the sound of ringing steel resounding through the streets and emptied alleys. She would not betray her Captain, she would not betray the man who had shown her kindness twice now! Zeraki would learn nothing!

He came again, and she riposted hard! His own nicked and battered blade flying wide for just a second....an opening!

She came in close, dipping within his attack range in an instant and striking hard. All she needed was one blow to turn this fight!

The sound of neatly sliced cloth as his officer jacket parted easily beneath Kiritonin's razored edge.......

"Nice. That was real nice. You're a much better fighter than I'd have taken you for. It's just too bad you can't cut me."

Yuri spun in surprise, her eyes seeking out the place of her own attack......

Nothing! And at the same time....a dull ache in her shoulder that she knew all too well. When had he.....?

"So its true then. The 8th seat of Squad Four doesn't bleed....not even when she's cut. Tell me....just how long can you hold that power, girl?

"I know all about it, Kenny! Should I tell you?!"

Yuri silently cursed the sudden appearance of the re-emerging Lieutenant. What bad luck!

"Kiritonen's ability is biofeedback! In short, Makanomo's not bleeding because her zanpaktou is allowing her to reroute her bloodflow through other ancillaries and capillaries. It gets even more nasty when used on her opponents, but then, she can't cut you, Kenny!"

That laughter was so damned annoying! Dark brows knit in frustration even as she assumed a defensive stance again.

"Oh stop. You know you can't beat me!"

He lashed out once more.....

Her world exploded in pain......every nerve violently exposed.....every vein threatening to be overtaxed......

Zaraki never attacked her directly.......instead.....he had unleashed all his strength.....

On her now shattered zanpaktou......

I won't scream. I won't....scream. I.....won't.......sc.....

It seemed like an eternity before darkness rushed in to claim her.....

"I take it back. You're a fool after all. What kind of idiot would allow such a bond with their zanpaktou.......weak......"

"But she didn't scream, Kenny. How are we going to find Zorro now?"

"We'll find him....now hurry up and find his riatsu trace....which direction?!"

"Ummmmm.......that way!"

And with that, the strange pair were gone.....leaving her broken, useless......and bleeding......in the dirty streets of District 80.

 

[LeoHawk35]

Leo Kage

Leo waited on that rooftop the entire night, thinking to himself. He didn't sleep anymore. Just not how things worked. He idly wandered the streets and then waited more until he saw what he was looking for.

That woman from Squad Four had come back. It made sense that she would be back to look for that Zorro fellow. And she found him. They went and ate dinner together, and then she left. But that wasn't all that was interesting about that night. Leo followed her idly. She intrigued him, and that was very hard to do.

Captain Zaraki Kenpachi. How interesting. This night just got better and better.

They clashed blades, which was also very suprising, and then Zaraki left after the woman gave him bad directions. Leo turned to leave, but stopped.

There was something about her.

He didn't care for people. He hated them. And yet...something...

Leo flash stepped from the roof and stopped next to her in a kneel. He looked down at her.

"Are you alright?" he asked in his low voice.

He was no medic, so he didn't know how to help her with wounds that grave. The best he could do was get her back to Squad Six. But they would surely sense what he was, as he was sure this woman already did.

He slipped his arms under her and picked her up gently. He was sure she had the bleeding under control, as was her unusual ability. He moved at a steady pace, still not believing what he was doing.

 

[lonely_shadow]

How long had she lain there?

"Are you alright?"

Her mouth opened, but no words....only an agonized moan. Eyes flickered open, yet it was hard to distinguish this newcomer from the blackness of the deepening night. It was impossible for her to focus on anything.....

"Kiritonen..."

Lax fingers flickered softly.....only now was she aware that the blade's hilt had fallen from her grasp when she had collapsed. Vaguely she was aware that she was bleeding out from the wound on her shoulder, yet Yuri knew there was nothing she could do about it.

This voice.....at least her sense of hearing wasn't failing her. Just as she knew it wasn't Zorro that had come upon her first.

"Give....please....help."

It felt like her mouth was filled with dust, each word, each syllable slowly and carefully formed before being spat out with the forcefulness of someone desperately clinging to life.

"Kiritonen...."

It was just inches away! And she couldn't even bring herself to move that much....every attempt met with blinding pain until she felt the tear ducts in her eyes overflowing....spilling silvery trails of moisture down her face to shimmer in the moonlight. What would Captain Unohana and Lieutenant Kotetsu say if they found her now? Would she be scolded? Punished for stepping outside the bounds of the Soul Society?

Gently she felt the hilt of the blade ease into her palm, placed there by someone......

Something felt....different....about the man who had come to her aid. And she knew....she knew.....she should know what it was. But as the ornamental hilt of her zanpaktou settled into place between her clutching fingers.....a strange tranquility settled over her face.....the agony dulled by the re-emergence......of oblivion.

A soft sigh escaped her lips as it claimed her once more....only barely aware, somewhere in the deepest recesses of her mind......that she was being moved.

 

[AngelLightheart]

Hana Hikari

Hana Hikari. That was her name.

She was seated on a bench in the main plaza for Squad Four. She had often sat by herself, out of lack of people to talk to. She had just come from the infirmary where she treated many of the victims of Zorro, the newest slugger. She didn't see why they kept going after him. There wasn't a point. Unless they finally sent a captain after him, he would continue getting away.

She sighed softly and stood. She had heard that Yuri Mokamono had gone searching for Zorro earlier that day. She wanted to help. She went to District 80, where most sightings of the man had been. She had heard enough about him that she would recognize him when she saw him.

She moved out of a side alley in a rush and bumped into a solid form. She started to fall and reached out, catching herself on whatever she had bumped into. I have terrible balance, she thought to herself as she looked up...and suddenly gasped.

She was looking into the eyes of Zorro del Fernando himself.