I already said I'd do it. So don't worry about it. This is the END for most of us here (Except Ulquiorra's part).
They returned to the basement of Urahara's shop with no more incidents, cold and deep in their own thoughts. Even the gate imploding and fading into nothingness didn't do much for them. Juushiro told Tessai and Yoruichi that Toshiro was dead, and most people believed it to be by Kita's hand. Kisuke offered no further comments on that, telling Tessai he was in charge of the shop, and exchanged a look with Yoruichi. He locked himself in his lab.
In the backroom of the shop, Juushiro reminded Tsukiro that it was still dangerous to return to Soul Society with Sousuke after his head, a fact that had largely been forgotten at this point. The boy argued, but the captain changed his words into an order for him to stay there, softening his words a moment later. He would take Tsukiro back when Yamamoto announced Toshiro's death. Tsukiro asked him when that would be. Juushiro didn't have a chance to reply, coughing fiercely into his hand and his vision going fuzzy. Tessai and Yoruichi intervened, sending him to his bed.
When Tessai walked in later to heal his arm further, he found the captain sitting with his head in his hands. He walked back out, closing the door.
Tsukiro glanced again to the ghostly face of his captain, fiddling with the earring in his hand. He highly doubted that Hitsugaya-taicho would leave him something like this merely as a memento. The captain always had a reason for everything. He believed that held true for him, even in his dying moments. If the earring had a purpose other than what Hyorinmaru assumed, he would most likely find out soon.
Regardless, he raised his hand to his left ear, feeling for the piercing there that had been vacant of an accessory for quite some time. He pinned the dragon earring there and touched it one last time before raising to his feet.
He wanted to ask Hyorinmaru if he would allow him to take the captain's haori back to Soul Society and give it to the lieutenant, but he decided against it. The dragon wanted his master to be left alone and Tsukiro would not anger him any further by asking. He would just have to go back with his eyewitness account and his word.
Tsukiro bowed his head in respect. I'm sorry, Hitsugaya-taicho. I promise that Kita will pay dearly for her sin by my hand. For both yours and Hyorinmaru's sake.
I'm done! Someone else can edit, cause I ain't doin' it! This has gone on too long for me to be picky. Plus I did the last, maybe three? IDK. Anyway, Le fin~!!!
What a book this is turning out to be, and I'm one of the worst contributers. So many long replies. xD
Juushiro watched on as Kisuke argued succinctly and walked towards the exit with the sheath, the determination in him to clear Kita's name clear. The captain sighed, feeling his haori's weight of responsibilities and promises laying heavily on his shoulders. He turned back to Toshiro's lifeless form. It would be a difficult and, if it couldn't be done, a thankless task. However...
"Kisuke has proved to be the mastermind of the impossible before, Hyourinmaru. If there is something that only Gods should know about what happened here, he has a much better chance at unveiling it than anyone else. On the other hand, if his search yields nothing but dead ends, he will be the one who suffers for doing it.
Kita was a friend, but if she has turned traitor, justice then will be served to her. That being said, I will not dissuade Kisuke from his search. Blind justice nearly killed someone innocent already. I should not be a part of it," he declared firmly, looking both to Tsukiro and Hyourinmaru.
After a few moments of silence, he turned back to the zanpakuto. "What are your wishes in regards to your master's resting place? Do you have any objections to us retrieving his body to rest back in Soul Society?"
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 5:37:50 PM EST on December 3, 2013.
Kisuke said nothing to Hyourinmaru as he spoke to him. He still walked toward the mouth of the cave. He let him believe whatever he wanted. Toshiro was dead; it was not like Hyourinmaru would leave Toshiro’s side to seek out Kita. It was the others he worried about; the ones that can, and would seek her out. He had to prove her innocents beyond a shadow of a doubt. A feat that was not going to be an easy one since it seemed to be the gods that played in this game of life and death. Kisuke propped himself against the icy wall examining the sheath of the dagger. He rolled the sheath in his palm to look at the backside. There. On the back of the sheath were words scribed in black.
He examined them closer, but was unable to translate. However, he was not able to give up that easily.
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 4:51:13 PM EST on December 3, 2013.
Kisuke looked to Juushiro, listened to Hyourinmaru's reasoning then picked up the sheath after Juushiro had completely melted the ice.
"The dagger that belongs to this sheath is the cause of Toshiro Hitsugaya's death." He looked to Hyourinmaru. "You said it yourself. It controlled Kita once and I will prove it to you all that it controlled her again."
He said no more to them. Just turned with the sheath in hand and awaited for the others exit at the entrance of the cave.
Tsukiro knelt down and picked up the earring. It was simple but pretty--made from ice and in the shape of a dragon. He fingered it before turning to Hyorinmaru.
"What is this for? What am I supposed to do with it? And what do you mean I know what happened? I mean, sure, I put two and two together, but..."
Tsukiro caught Hyorinmaru's eyes, hoping that the slight, barely noticeable dark gleam in them was enough to convey to the dragon that Kita was as good as dead to him. She would pay for her betrayal with blood, and Tsukiro would be the one to draw it.
Last edited by Tsukiro Ashimitsu at 12:22:40 PM EST on December 3, 2013.
"Her mind was her own soul reaper. No one else was in the cave and I sensed no disturbances in reitsu. Except in my master when he was struck down. As far as the dagger, that was given to her by the phoenix. It had taken control of her after the gods did something to my master."
Hyourinmaru walked over to the sarcophagus of ice and slid his hand over it. "They used my master to give that girl a heart. He was put through so much pain!" A small blast of frozen wind emanated from him as anger surged.
"That girl is not innocent. If you do not destroy her, I will, and I dare you to try and stop me!"
An instant later, a flash of red flame lit the ice. Juushiro knelt with the warm ball hovering in his hand. "If you think that can help solve why this happened, then we have no reason to delay." He lowered his hand and the flame to the ice, slowly melting the thick coating away.
Turning to his friend as he worked, he inquired in a low voice, "Kisuke, are you saying - that Kita is innocent?" He couldn't deny the small glimmer of hope that rose in his voice and he pushed more of reiatsu into the ball of flame, speeding up the melting process.
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 1:12:19 AM EST on December 3, 2013.
“Hyourinmaru. I know what happened in here and I know what you saw, but you also know Kita is the seraph. The seraph is not allowed to kill. What happened in here--” Kisuke paused looking at Toshiro, Tsukiro, Juushiro and Hyourinmaru once more. “Yes. It was Kita’s body you saw. But it was NOT Kita’s mind that was controlling her. I will find out who was and I will deal with them accordingly. I promise you that.”
He turned looking down. There on the cave floor frozen in the ice a sheath to a dagger. Kisuke quickly kneeled down then looked to the others in the cave with him.
“I need to get to that.” He pointed to the sheath in the ice.
Hyourinmaru walked over to Tsukiro and place his hand on the boy's shoulder and pointed to the earring with the other. He could sense all the turmoil the boy was in. He replied to Kisuke, "Ask this boy, he already knows."
Once they arrived, Tsukiro followed them into the back of the cave. He kept his mask on, revealing nothing. If not for his current state of mind, he would have glanced around at the cave and admired the brilliance of it.
Upon first glance, the scene was beautiful. Stalactites and stalagmites and every inch of the cave was clad in sparkling, glittering ice. The pond in the middle of the cave was frozen solid. It was like winter had come and touched this one specific area of existence. But all that beauty faded and became a nightmare when their eyes focused on the figure by the pond--still, cold, stained red with blood and unmoving.
Simultaneously, Tsukiro's heart dropped and his blood boiled. He could see a bloody stab wound through his chest. He never had a chance to survive. Kita had stolen the life from his body almost instantly.
It finally sunk in.
Toshiro Hitsugaya was gone.
All that was left was the empty shell Kita had left behind, lifeless, cold and pale. Tsukiro's own shell almost cracked as he gazed upon the captain's pale face, his white hair falling over it. He looked upon the captains dead body and instantly his mind traveled back to that night. He saw his brother's face, replacing the similar face of Hitsugaya's. On the inside he choked, screamed, and cursed Kita's name to the deepest, fieriest, pit of hell.
He looked to the tall, teal haired and lavender kimono clad figure of who he assumed to be Hyorinmaru. In truth, he knew that he was feeling less than half of what he knew the dragon was feeling right at this moment. But he also knew that it hurt worse than any physical pain one's body could endure. It was a pain worse than dying. In fact, he would almost go as far as to say that Hitsugaya had it easy compared to what Hyorinmaru was going through. Hitsugaya was merely dead. Hyorinmaru on the other hand was very much alive, for a zanpakuto, and suffering deeply.
Silently, he prayed his apologies to the dragon spirit and swore on his master that Kita would pay in the worst way possible for this.
Then he saw the message, written in blood.
"I'm sorry Tsuki."
"Why...?" he asked, allowing his voice to quiver, but only in the slightest. "Why is my name included in his last moment? What have I ever done to deserve that? Doing the lieutenant's paperwork? That hardly counts. We barely spoke to each other, except for when he gave me an assignment or I was turning in completed files. So why..."
Tsukiro's voice broke off and he threw his gaze away from the captain and to one of the frozen, icy walls.
Not satisfied with this but whatever...
Last edited by Tsukiro Ashimitsu at 4:35:20 PM EST on December 2, 2013.
"I'm sure you will, old friend," Juushiro murmured to himself.
The captain managed a faint smile at Kisuke's declaration and resolute pace, letting him lead. His smile faded once more as he watched Tsukiro pass, his eyes narrowing. That one's silence deeply troubled him. Starting as a brutal pressure seized his throat, he increased his pace as the small group made their way to the cave, coughing quietly.
Kisuke took his hat placing it back on his head. He then stood offering his hand to Juushiro to help him up.
"I will get to the truth. I won't rest until I do." He told Juushiro helping him to his feet.
He then looked to Tsukiro. "Then lets go. I have work to do when we are finished here."
Kisuke turned from them both and started walking toward the cave once more. He was going to find out what happen in that cave and if it meant capturing Kita so he can talk to her then so be it.
Juushiro didn't know what worried him more, Kisuke's screaming into the storm and falling to his knees or Tsukiro's fierce demand followed by stillness. It was clear that Kita's betrayal, whether it be due to Gods or Sousuke Aizen, had pushed them far beyond their limits. And this was far from over. How much more pain and suffering would he bear witness to before the end of this conflict?
When would he finally break?
"I want to see him. I want to see my captain."
Tsukiro's words were spoken in a deliberately neutral voice.
I'll have to watch both of them, he decided. His own grief would have to wait. They were far more important to this struggle than himself.
And he was already marked by one of their opponents.
Juushiro nodded quietly to Tsukiro before kneeling in the snow by Kisuke, setting a hand on his shoulder and speaking in a low voice. "I can't answer your question, old friend. No one can. But we can do as you have done before. Continue our own actions and counterplots to their destruction, be it Gods or Sousuke Aizen. We don't stop fighting and finding loopholes to the disasters set before us."
He picked up Kisuke's hat and held it out to him. "Don't blame yourself, old friend. No one could have done better than you in these circumstances. You protected and prepared them both to the best of your abilities, even more so than Soul Society. Now, we release Kita by letting her go, remembering her as she was, not as she has become when broken, and we add one more reason to the list of why we stand against wrongness. For Kita and Toshiro."
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 2:12:15 PM EST on December 2, 2013.
Tsukiro, despite being the bratty, loud and rambunctious child, had learned as he grew up to keep his negative feelings rolled into a ball and bottled up. He kept that bottle deep within the recesses of his mind, locked away and hidden so that the potent, harmful feelings could not hurt those around him.
This was no different.
As Kisuke roared at the air and Ukitake silently brooded, Tsukiro's mind first put the last few pieces of the puzzle together. Kita, who was the only one with Hitsugaya, sealed behind the barrier, had taken the life from his captain. She had taken his deep trust in her and killed him with it.
Once his mind finished with the puzzle, it clouded over--became dark and black. This was just like when his mother and brother were killed. However, back then it had taken some time and growing up before his mind had darkened with the most potent negative emotion of all: revenge.
He was going to kill her when he finally met her in person. In his dreams she was stubborn and iron willed. But she had cared deeply for his captain. Now, she deserved no better than what he had planned for the bastard who killed his family. Worse even. The man who destroyed his family was a stranger. She was someone he had come to trust. She had betrayed him when she betrayed his captain.
And she would die for it.
By his hand and his hand alone. He didn't care who tried to stop him. Anyone else who dared to interfere with it would be cut down.
Tsukiro remained quiet and emotionless. No one who looked at him would be able to calculate what dark thoughts clouded his mind. He remained just as he had been for a century now: stoic, cold, and mysterious. Never showing exactly what he was feeling.
"I want to see him," Tsukiro demanded. "I want to see my captain."
Last edited by Tsukiro Ashimitsu at 11:25:13 AM EST on December 2, 2013.
His brain racing his emotions at an all time high, Kisuke stepped forward. He would not believe Kita did this. He did not care how much profe they brought to him to prove she did. His mind screamed above all his thoughts.
"It was not Kita!"
At least. It was not the Kita he grew to love so dearly. It was not the young girl that he held close to heart. It was not her. He would not believe it until Kita herself told him she was the one that pierced Toshiro's heart with a blade. He shook his head and mumbled aloud.
"Toshiro meant too much to her. She trusted him even more than she trusted me."
Kisuke raised his hand to side of his head, rubbing his temple. Then suddenly Kisuke stopped walking again. His fists clenched tightly and raised above his head as he looked to the heavens screaming.
"WHY!? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!? YOUR SICK GAMES ARE WEARING THIN! EITHER KILL US ALL OR LEAVE US THE HELL ALONE! WE OWE YOU NOTHING!"
Kisuke dropped to his knees lowering his head. His hat falling to the snow below.
"Kita, Toshiro. Whos next?" Kisuke whispered into his hands as they covered his face.
Hyourinmaru changed to his human form walk walked back over to the coffin. He solemnly place his hand on it and gazed down at Toshiro. He memorized every feature of his master:
His white hair that sometimes revealed the lightest shade of blue on a sunny winter day, his bright turquoise eyes that always expressed how much he cared for his friends and subordinates (they were now dull, lifeless, and empty), his small hands that were beaten up from endless hours of training in order to protect everyone he could.
His eyes fell on the gaping hole in his masters chest. It turned his skin and clothes the most horrifying shade of crimson red. It represented a broken trust, betrayal, regret, failure. A zanpakuto's purpose is to grant strength and protection to it's master, and he, Hyourinmaru: the strongest ice zanpakuto, servant to the Guardian of Heaven, failed.
Tears froze on his cheeks as he stared at the wound. "I am sorry, my master. I couldn't......" the words got stuck in his throat. The pain was far too much to bear.
Kisuke grabbed his hat pulling it off his head. His head shaking slowly his voice mournful, angry, and hurt. He lowered his head looking at the snow below his feet.
"I have no clue, but some of the things Aizen has done to Kita since he has gotten his hands on her--" He paused taking a deep breath, "I can't guarantee anything with Kita."
He looked up to Juushiro. "But everything he has ever done he could never override her morals in killing. Its not in her. IF. And I stress the 'if' Kita did this. It was not of Aizen's doing. The Gods are behind this."
"Then tell me, Kisuke, is there a way -" Tsukiro's cry interrupted Juushiro's shaking voice, the boy's demand riding over the captain's pressing question.
He sighed, watching something break within another he'd hoped to protect, deepening his own sorrow, due to the machinations of Sousuke Aizen. Faces he recognized and knew flashed before him. Rangiku, Kira, Abarai. Those closest to him. Rukia, Kaien. The strange laugh echoed out. His throat burned, recalling the attack that had hindered him. Hyourinmaru's long stare. Toshiro's death. Kisuke's horrified denial. So many souls had and continued to be broken, wounded.
All for what, Sousuke? What makes it worth it? he cried out inside.
... -it'll be on my shoulders to tell his other subordinates."
Those last words shook Juushiro back from his own dark thoughts once more. Back to his vow when it had begun. When he had seen Rukia start to fade from the toll of Kaien's last choice and farewell.
He had already learned that he couldn't be the key to bringing them out of the abyss from Sousuke's actions. No, he couldn't heal them. That had to come from within. But he would continue to do the little he could for those most hurt.
Juushiro walked over to Tsukiro, setting a hand on his shoulder. "You won't be alone when you tell them. That wouldn't be fair to you or to the others."
Tsukiro continued to glare up at him, his reiatsu spiking and spinning around him. Juushiro continued. "Toshiro Hitsugaya is gone from this world. I am sorry, Tsukiro. We should have acted sooner to aid his mission."
His reiatsu finally died back down, but Juushiro could hear his teeth grinding from gritting his teeth too hard.
"Breathe, Tsukiro. He left something for you."
He turned back to the stiff shopkeeper. "Kisuke, forgive me, my friend, but it must be asked, is there a way, with your research and time with her, is there a way for .... Kita to stab Toshiro.." His throat closed, but he forced himself to continue, "through the heart, for him to be alive even if his own zanpakuto believe he is gone?"
The two turned around to see a piercing aura in Tsukiro's eyes. His hands were clenched tight but inside his heart clenched tighter.
"Don't act like I can't hear. I heard you say 'she can't kill.' So tell me what's going on. If it's about my captain, don't you dare keep anything from me, because if he's dead it'll be on my shoulders to tell his other subordinates."
Tsukiro stared down the two of them, refusing to break his gaze until he was told what he wanted to know.
Shock took over Kisuke's body. His legs would not allow him to take another step. He was frozen in place as his mind tried to process the information he just heard. His hand slowly went to his eyes as he rubbed them.
"No. She can't." He lifted his other hand placing it to Juushiro's shoulder stopping him as well. "She can't kill, Juushiro. It's not possible."
Something was wrong, Kisuke could see it on Juushiro's face and hear it in his tone. When he turned and started walking away Kisuke stepped up to him walking beside him.
"Its as we feared. Am I correct?"
He did not even look Juushiro's way as he spoke to him. He knew the answer already, but needed to hear Juushiro confirm it to make it true.
Juushiro's figure appeared in front of them, nodding and speaking in a curt tone, hoping to hide his sorrow. "We are to hurry. Hyourinmaru seems to be expecting someone else to try to come through the weakened storm." He paused, as if wrestling with himself, then added in a lower voice, "His rage is stayed for the moment. There is a message for Tsukiro." He turned back around, leading the way, letting his hair whip around in the wind and hide the bitter mask on his face.
Tsukiro easily kept up with Kisuke's speed. Such acts of speed were second nature to him after training with the Flash Master. Still, as he ran next to Kisuke, the feeling in his gut became more of a rock. As they ran further still, the rock became a boulder. In the end, he had to force himself to look at things from the Onmitsukido Perspective, as he liked to call it.
The words of his father echoed in his mind.
Emotions are hindrance in the field. They make you sensitive to the things that go on around you. When you're sensitive, you hesitate. When you hesitate, you're dead. And when you're dead...
"You fail," he whispered to himself, thankful that his words were lost in the howling storm.
And I refuse to fail my captain, or anyone else that relies on me...
So for the moment, Tsukiro just prayed that once they got there, Hyorinmaru was in a talking mood rather than a "bite your head off in one chomp and use it as a dragon chew toy until it turns to dust" sort of mood.
He clenched his jaw tight, steeled his eyes over, and pressed on.
Kisuke turned when Tsukiro finally stepped forward and the two bolted out of the cave like it was ready to collapse on them. Kisuke through on his cloak as they ran. Even though the storm was at about half the wind and overall surroundings had the temperature still well below freezing.
He did not slow for a second as he shunpo'ed over halfway to the cave following the direction of Juushiro's reiatsu.
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 5:47:56 PM EST on December 1, 2013.
"WHAT!?" Kisuke glared at him as he stood firmly in his place. "The storm has lowered we need to move now. We don't know what kind of window we are going to get here. COME ON!"
Tsukiro grabbed his cloak and Kotaishi and leaped to his feet, getting ready to bolt out side with Kisuke. Suddenly he stopped.
"Kisuke," he hesitated.
A feeling rose inside his gut. It smoldered and grew. It rooted his feet the ground. Something was slightly off about this. Why would it just suddenly calm down? Obviously Ukitake had made it and consoled the dragon somewhat, but... if he had consoled him enough to weaken the storm, why not just drop it all together.
Kisuke was still pacing, but paying close attention to the storm outside. When he turned back toward the mouth of the cave he saw the storm had let up. He grabbed his things calling to Tsukiro.
Hyourinmaru's warning resounded in the captain's mind. Had someone attempted to pass through before them? Aizen? No, he would have found a way past the dragon. But then... The details of what had happened in the cave truly needed to be asked.
Juushiro nodded. "I will return shortly." He turned around, retrieving his zanpakuto and left the cave, hping to intercept and prepare his friends for what awaited them.
Sougyo no Kotowari offered one muted comment on the storm dying down, knowing it would be harder than that to restore their master's smile.
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 5:22:03 PM EST on December 1, 2013.
"It is my masters will that the one this message is for was meant to be here. I grant you safe passage with your comrades, but no one else. If I sense another the storm will increase again." Hyourinmaru calmed the storm only a little to let him pass. "Make haste."
Juushiro walked over to the place, looking down at the note and the dragon earring. "I believe he is referring to Tsukiro Ashimitsu.. and couldn't finish the note." A moment of silence passed. "Will you lower the storm so he can see his captain and receive this? It had to be important since he ... wrote it in blood... with his last breath."
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 5:19:13 PM EST on December 1, 2013.
Hyourinmaru was silent for a long moment just looking at Juushiro. He walked over to where his master had fallen and stared at the spot. "Who is Tsuki?"
Juushiro spoke evenly and clear, eyes dark, sad. "If not for a terrible attack of my illness, it would have been my duty to kill my leiutenent Kaien Shiba. Sousuke is an enemy of all Soul Society and the seraph of his ranks has already been marked as the prey of the Gotei 13. Now that she has killed a captain, there is little hope she will be shown mercy. Furthermore, if I would end the life of one of those in my closest protection, I can destroy a new friend who has shown to be broken and gone from us."
"You will seek the revenge I crave?" Hyourinmaru questioned him. "Do you have the strength to slay the one who slew my master? The courage?" The gazed down at the shinigami trying to measure his resolve. "Prove this to me and I shall calm my storm."
"It’s a fact we need to face. Even if we don't know the truth right now. Prepare yourself for the worst case scenario, Tsukiro. Hyourinmaru is being too revengefully for Toshiro to be just injured.”
Kisuke drew both hands to his face and rubbed. “WHY? If that damn portal would have worked--”
Tsukiro sighed and pulled his knees to his chest, pressing his palms into his eyes. "If Captain is... dead... Gods, I don't want to see the look on the lieutenant's face, nor the other officers for that matter."
Flashes of his brother's cold, pale face covered in crimson danced before his eyes. He didn't want to go through something like that again.
Narrows eyes. "Bad news or not. It needs to be talk about. Make it clear Toshiro was not a traitor. Especially if he has past on.” Kisuke now paced with annoyance in his steps. “Old man Yama and his orders.” A growl escaped him as he adjusted his hat.
Despite huffing irritably, Tsukiro slumped down onto the cave floor and leaned against one of the stone walls.
After a long moment of saying nothing, Tsukiro muttered, "I hope Hitsugaya-taicho is okay. I really don't want to have to go back to the squad barracks with bad news that I can't talk about on my shoulders."
Looking at Tsukiro Kisuke shook his head. "We wait. I have faith in Juushiro. If anyone can talk some sense into that dragon he can." He paused. "Sheath your sword, sit and relax."
Kisuke looked to Tsukiro as he grabbed his zanpakuto. "Calm down. He went to consoul Hyourinmaru. We figured one of us would be less threatening to him than all three of us."
He stood and started to pace the cave floor again. "He has been gone for awhile now and the storm is still raging out there." Kisuke shook his head. "I hope sending him in there was not a mistake."
Tsukiro woke up feeling at least mostly rested. However, the worry for his captain was still there and they hadn't gotten any closer to making it to the cave where Hitsugaya and Sumi were.
He sat up slowly to and glanced around to find that the cave was filled with only himself and Kisuke. No Ukitake.
He panicked.
"Kisuke, where's Captain Ukitake?" he shot to his knees, reaching for Kotaishi.
Sorry I didn't get to this till late. Family happened.
Juushiro followed the dragon as he led them deeper into the cave and towards.... Toshiro's tomb. Even through the protection of the ice, the crimson bloodstain on his chest was plain. With no other signs of a struggle on his young body, it stood out like a brand, not as Aizen's defeat of Toshiro in battle but a swift, painful and ultimate betrayal.
Juushiro lowered his head. "How many lives will you soil and ruin, Sousuke? How many will you change, destroy their bright light?"
Was Kita the stubborn girl he had met but twice finally gone? Carrying an horrendous burden, she still had fought against her capturer. Until now. Wasn't the proof of that before him? Kita was broken, gone. Only what Sousuke wanted remained.
Kaien's face, twisted and horrific from the hollow that had defeated him, swam before the captain's eyes, replaced a moment later by Hinamori's tearful, frenzied gaze before Yamamoto Sensei had forced her back into blissful sleep. A terrible scream echoed in his ears. A warm smile from a sliver haired girl as she squeezed his hand. Toshiro's wound remained.
Juushiro took a deep breath and spoke, faltering, the answer the dragon had asked for at the entrance.
"I see one. fatal. blow, and I know from Tsukiro's dream interaction with her- that Kita shared the caved with him. I am ... sorry, Hyourinmaru. Death like that... to be killed by one you trusted.. no one should have to go through it." He let his hair cover his eyes. "And I have seen too much of it recently."
He didn't know how long he stood over Toshiro's tomb, silent and miserable. When he did raise his head, he turned to his guide once more. "Please lower the storm, friend. There are others outside... who tried to help him... and especially one who should say farewell."
Farewell, Kita Miyamoto. When I take Sousuke's life, I will... do what must be done. For Soul Society and for yourself.
I am sorry, Toshiro Hitsugaya. We didn't come for you soon enough. Forgive me.
He hoped Kisuke had the courage to ask for the details he knew must be asked. He didn't know if he could do it.
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 2:48:28 PM EST on November 30, 2013.
Hyourinmaru appeared before Juushiro, not in human form, but in his true form. The dragon god of ice and water. He could sense the solemn respect from the shinigami. "Look upon my master and tell me who you think caused this."
"Take care of Tsukiro," the captain replied, pouring his reiatsu into the stone. It slowly began to glow. He looked to Kisuke, nodded, and a moment later, vanished.
Juushiro appeared just beyond the frozen cave entrance. The wind whistled outside, banging on the wall in front of it. The wall of ice didn't break. Cold silence issued inside. Nothing stirred. Juushiro sighed deeply and withdrew Sougyo no Kotowari, laying his zanpakuto on the ground before him, showing that he was no threat. He waited then took a step forward.
Juushiro appreciated beauty and Hyourinmaru's powers had turned what once was a dark cave into glimmering sculptors of ice. The reflective light of his sheathe danced among the sharp stalagmites and stalactites like some kind of fairy or living fire. Lumpy boulders were nearly invisible in the dim light, altered and shaped to blend in with the sleek icy walls. However, for all its beauty, the stillness permeating the surroundings affected Juushiro more. He could sense nothing of Toshiro's reiatsu.
With the chill of foreboding growing in his heart, eyes on a symbol carved into wall nearby, a mark he knew very well, he sighed deeply.
"Hyourinmaru, I invade your sanctuary not as a warrior but a friend. I beseech you to tell me what caused this tragedy. Try to calm your rage with the tale and pass your revenge onto another's hand, to rest with your master."
Kisuke nodded. "Well here is to hoping," he tossed the stone to Juushiro. "That the dragon is not has hard headed as his master."
He gave a soft chuckle as he watched Juushiro catch the stone. Kisuke then walked over to him placing his hand to his shoulder and giving it a firm grip.
"Good luck old friend. And I guess to let us know it is clear. Have Hyourinmaru drop this storm. We will head your way the second we see it give way."
The captain chuckled, pulling his haori back over his kimono. "If we had learned this right after Hyourinmaru's attack, I wouldn't have been, but now, I have had time to recover enough to handle this. I don't plan on fighting and there are ways to use my uninjured arm if it does come down to a scuffle before a talk."
"He needs a good swift kick in the set of the pants is what that boy needs." He looked back to Juushiro, adjusting his hat. "Don't take this wrong, but are you up to this? You know what kind of power that dragon possesses."
Juushiro turned his head to the boy sleeping, sighing once more. "I think you should stay, Kisuke. You've known Tsukiro longer than I have. You're more likely to keep him from doing something foolish when his exhaustion wears off and turns back into his reckless bravery."
"Yes, that is what I was thinking. Also if we show up inside the cave we can see for ourselves what is going on. If Toshiro is hurt badly or --"
Kisuke drifted off with his words. He did not want to think of the fact that Toshiro might be dead, but it was a grim truth they had better face. He looked to Juushiro.
"How do you want pick who goes?"
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 2:32:46 AM EST on November 28, 2013.
Breaking from his own dark thoughts, Juushiro nodded in agreement. "One of us should. It is too important to be left as it is... no matter what may lay ahead for who enters the cave." He glanced at the stone. "One person may be less intimidating than three, as well."
Kisuke paced the cave floor trying not to think the worst possible things that could have happened to Toshiro. If they did then what of Kita? Is she dead too? Or was this the doing of Aizen and his Espada Ulquiorra and they took Kita back to Las Noches with them?
He paced for what felt like hours. Finally, he stopped and looked the ceiling of the cave sliding his hands inside his pockets. There he felt the transportation stone. Lifting it into view he looked at the stone for a few second then looked to Juushiro.
“What if one of us goes there and talks to Hyourinmaru?”
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 2:19:41 AM EST on November 28, 2013.
Juushiro sighed. The cave had become quiet after Tsukiro had relayed his information and had allowed himself to fall asleep as the captain had recommended before. Kisuke and Juushiro hadn't spoken to each other, though both were still awake. Sometime, while they had been waiting for Kotashi to return, Kisuke had found the teleportation stone. After a couple choice curses, he had pocketed it.
Phoenix looked down on the ice dragon and laughed.
"Your powers are limited against me. The only reason you are allowed to remain here is because you bring change to the droll lives of the gods."
She watched him as he dematerialized blocking the cave entrance as she shook her head.
“For a zanpakuto you’re not that intelligent are you? You clam this all to be for your master, but you fail to realize -- he still lives. You’re so wrapped into defending him and keeping him safe you have missed that fact. Open your eyes, Hyourinmaru! It was the seraph that took the prodigy’s life! Not Kita that took Toshiro Hitsugaya’s life!”
She flapped her wings, rising higher above him and the cave; her words falling down on his ears.
“Dwell on that thought while you lay here in wait for him to resurrect -- Which will never come in this case of death.”
Hyourinmaru merely looked at Phoenix as she pierced his tail. Did she think it hurt him? He was experiencing a pain far more terrible than physical. He watched as the two souls who invaded retreated through the garganta. Finally they were gone.
He looked back at the phoenix with dead eyes, "If you are determined to protect these creature, then keep them away from my master. I will not let anyone disturb his peace. Not even a fellow God. I will destroy you if I must and freeze you ashes to keep you from being reborn. Stay away from this place and all will be fine. Leave my master and I alone." Hyourinmaru dematerialized into his human form and sealed the cave mouth with his body turning all to ice.
Ulquiorra wasted no time in reveling over his regenerated arm. He summoned a gate and stepped through with Kita in tow. It was time to report to Aizen.
Kita pounded on the ice watching her master as he slowly started to freeze in this hell of Hyourinmaru's. She was totally unaware of his tail waiting to impale her flesh and at this point was feeling rage boil up in her.
“Not like this! NO!” She screamed.
At that point she noticed the walls of her ice trap melting and a burning light above them.
“Phoenix!” She exclaimed.
Watching she saw her master become free of the frozen death that had taken him over and the walls of her icy prison melt away. She made a mad dash to her masters side as she watched him stagger to the cave wall for balance to keep him on his feet. She grabbed him quickly and sonido’ed them away from the on coming fight she knew was about to burst forth before their eyes.
Trapped like the proverbial rat in a trap. Phoenix shook her head as she watched the enraged Hyourinmaru play with his pray.
“Shameful. All of them.” She thought aloud, “but I cannot allow them to die. They are still needed in the game.”
Before Ulquiorra and Kita the phoenix appeared. The large bird of flames flapped its wings melting all that surrounded them, covered them and tried to destroy them. The fiery eyes of the phoenix watched as Ulquiorra's limb grew back and Kita emerged from her ice trap.
“Go!” Was all she told them.
Then seeing the tail of Hyourinmaru laying in wait, Phoenix’s fiery talon grabbed hold, piercing it deeply with her claws. Her screech was piercing as she reared her head and pulled Hyourinmaru forth to face her.
“Return to your masters side and remain there; or the next time you see me I will destroy you myself.”
She flapped her wings again rising above him. The ice dripping and melting quickly, screeching again she watched and waited for Hyourinmaru’s next move. Wondering if he dared to attack a god.
Last edited by Phoenix Whisper at 7:44:15 PM EST on November 24, 2013.
Seeing an opening the dragon sent very thin but strong ice towards Ulquiorra's limp arm slicing it clean off. He then froze the severed part so that it would not grow back. The ice began to creep through Ulquiorra's veins freezing the blood and all other fluid it came in contact with.
He sent thousands of ice shards at Kita that practically created a wall in front of her. Hidden in them was his tail which was just as sharp as the ice hiding it. He was going to impale her!
"You were not brought up to be weak, Kita." Ulquiorra allowed his arm to hang limply by his side while the organs repaired themselves. It was true what Kita had said. It seemed as though Toshiro had played them smoothly into his trap. It was sickening, really.
Last edited by 4EspadaUlquiorra at 6:15:41 PM EST on November 24, 2013.
Kita could not move. She was frozen against the outer cave wall. Her air supply cut off. She closed her eyes and stayed calm. She hope her master saw or felt her reiatsu being engulfed by the ice. It was only a second and she was free again. As the ice broke around her she fell to her hands and knees gasping for her next breath. Quickly regaining her air supply she looked to the cave entrance.
Relying solely on sight, Ulquiorra carefully forged his path. In the brief pockets of visibility, he caught sight of Kita stepping through the elements like a dancer. Impractical, but effective.
Ulquiorra's back slammed hard into the wall, but at least he was relatively safer than before. He brushed away snow that had collected on his eyelids and spared a look at Kita. Indecision was written across her face.
Opprotunites are missed by idle hands, he thought. Even in his own mind, he could hardly hear himself over the din Hitsugaya was creating. What a bothersome boy.
It was then he saw the ice that encased her body. It writhed and twisted until it had her in an indefinite choke hold.
No.
It would not end like this.
Ulquiorra swung his elbow back and brought his weight behind it. The two forces met with a bone crushing impact. The sinews in his elbow snapped like twine and the bone crumpled like used tissue... but she was free.
Last edited by 4EspadaUlquiorra at 6:00:31 PM EST on November 24, 2013.
The Ice from the wall against her back quickly surrounded her, sealing her, stopping all movements, all breath. As it did a giant dragon made of ice and water materialized blocking all entrance to the cave.
Getting a brief second before the next wave of frozen hell, Kita lifted from her hands and knees trying hard to catch her breath. The sub zero temperature just dropped again as her hot breath froze; falling to the ground like a pebble tossed to the water. Hearing a noise she looked up.
Nothing.
She knows she heard something and it was coming quickly.
But what?
What was coming from the sky to destroy them? Finally, one fell to the earth no more then a foot from her.
Ice?
No. It was hail. Hail the size of her head and more was coming. Kita allowed her ears to lead her as she pounced, dodged and jumped from the soccer ball sized hail. Her breathing hard and shallow, if this kept up she was bound to pass out from lack of oxygen. However, she was not about to get knocked out by what was falling from above. Finally, she found her back against solid ice. She turned seeing the cave opening no more then a few hundred yards from her.
A mad dash and she was in the lions den. Did she dare?
Last edited by Kita Miyamoto at 5:21:53 PM EST on November 24, 2013.
Hyourinmaru dropped the temperature another twenty degrees, and sent a hailstorm that would crush any being in one hit. The beauty on it is that they would never see the soccer ball sized hail coming since visibility was zero! He also kept up the barrages of ice and wind.
Kita felt the winds pick up and heard Hyourinmaru's ferocious roar, turning her head she saw shards of large glaciers and frozen trees coming quickly their way. The force of the winds and Hyourinmaru's roar kept her from hearing her master call her name. She just felt him grasp her arm and jerk her back and away from the massive force of fury coming their way.
Throwing up her arms Kita blocked the shards of ice from hitting her in the face; however, the back of her arm was not so lucky as she was pierced and stabbed by the pieces that hit her.
Last edited by Kita Miyamoto at 4:50:09 PM EST on November 24, 2013.
Ah, yes. This was the double-edged sword Ulquiorra could face. One in which he could sink his cold hands into and warm them in the burning fury of Toshiro Hitsugaya. But he was not here to entangle in the business of the dead. Only to sate the curious mind of Aizen.
"Kita." Before his words to find their way to his fraction's ears, they were torn away by a ferocious gust of wind. Too bad it would take more than wind and forces of nature to stop him.
He took Kita's arm in his grasp and dragged her forward. Sharp icicles tore at his skin, but had little effect. Each cut was repaired within seconds only to be replaced by another.
Hyourinmaru sensed a new disturbance in his storm. Two more spiritual pressures coming towards the cave. He knew both, but one he hated more than all. Instead of focusing the storm's rage on the first three he switched it to the new two.
His primary target, the one who caused it all, he vowed to destroy that one. Even though the storm still blew all around, the main system focused on Ulquiorra and Kita. He roared in a painful rage that could be heard even over the storms ferocity, and he sent blistering winds, 40 below temperatures, and millions of shards of large glaciers and frozen trees. He was going to eradicate these two, even if it meant destroying the heavenly realm and all inside.
Kita followed behind matching his every step. She had nothing more to say. She was fully aware of her surroundings and stayed that way. She could not defeat the zanpakuto, but she was not about to go easy if and when he came at her.
The bitter winds whipped around her like a haunting voice. She hated the feeling she had and the silence that draped over them did not help the heavy feeling of guilt she carried within her heart. She wanted to get in and out of that cave as quickly as possible. She did not even want to look at Toshiro’s still emotionless face. Her heart started to ache as she fought back the on coming tears. She spun quickly away from her master and pulled herself together with taking a deep breath and telling herself it could not be avoided it was something that had to be done.
Kotaishi flew back several feet into his own world and landed in a huge pile of snow, the white stuff flying everywhere. He sat up, sighing.
"Well. That went well."
Kotaishi? What happened? The storm isn't letting up. Did Hyorinmaru agree?
"No," Kotaishi stood and dusted himself off. "I am sorry. He will not let you pass safely. However, I did find out one thing before he threw me out."
What's that?
Kotaishi looked up at the moon shining in the black sky. "He told me that we cannot help his master. He told me that it was beyond our abilities..."
----------
Tsukiro sat in the cave with his head in his hands. He had just relayed what Kotaishi had told him to Kisuke and Ukitake. He was to the point of which he felt they had no choice but to turn back. It would be nearly impossible to beat back Hyorinmaru's wrath and make it to where Hitsugaya and Kita were.
Like a practiced burglar, Ulquiorra stole into the dead lanscape. Nothing moved. Nothing spoke. Nothing breathed.
How precious this silence must be to the deaf ears of the 10th captain. Perhaps he could appreciate its beauty if he were still alive. But he was not. He was dead. His only companion in the frozen terrain was the mournful keening of his zanpaktou.
The sword's anguish could be felt in the biting wind and heard in the roaring silence.
Ulquiorra inclined his head towards Kita and studied her face, but there was nothing to be found. She was as silent and stony as a corpse.
Hyourinmaru loosened his grip and thought for a while; then he reply "You can not help my master. You lack the ability." He chomped down on Kotaishi and flew to the gate he entered from and flung him back through. His last words, "Do not come back to my realm or I will devour you."
As Kotaishi snarled out in pain, his bones creaking, he wondered for a split second if this was truly worth it. His master could be freezing out there in that dragon's storm and here he was playing Hyorinmaru's chew toy.
Then he remembered that this was his own idea. It would be shameful to back out just because this oversized reptile was in a bad mood for whatever reason.
"N-no," Kotaishi gasped. He decided to keep his manners in check for once. He gave the dragon a the best grin he could manage in his present state. "I forgot to say please." He laughed humorlessly.
He grunted under the force of Hyorinmaru's tail, Kotaishi said, "Look. I know you are worried and raging mad and maybe even scared for your master right now. I am a zanpakuto as well, so you know that I feel the same for my own master right now. He's suffering the wrath of your storm as we speak. And the other Soul Reapers, Kisuke and Ukitake. Can you imagine the pain Sogyo no Kotowari and Benihime are going through?
"We can help your master. He called to us--to my master--through you. He wanted Tsukiro to come for whatever reason. Do your master the service of letting his subordinate come to his aid as he ordered... Please, I beg you. One zanpakuto spirit to another. Please let them pass safely and we will help you and Toshiro Hitsugaya."
Kotaishi couldn't muster anymore words. He was out of breath and Hyorinmaru was not letting up on his grip, disallowing him to replenish his air supply. His head spun and his eyes rolled back into his head.
Kotaishi growled low in amusement. "Oh I may not win, but I'd sure as hell put up a fight." Kotaishi turned serious. "But I'm not here to fight you. Let in my master and his friends. Then, after they've gotten their answers, they will leave. Or if nothing else, give me the answers they desire and they will leave you and your master be."
Hyourinmaru lowered his long neck down and around the leopard. "Do you really think you really stand a chance? You are puny. I could eradicate you in one bite." He nipped at the small cat as a warning.
Kotaishi jumped away from the glacier, appearing now in leopard form. "Alright then. How about now? You ready to listen, or do we have to fight first?"
"You think that gives a pathetic little being like you the right to invade my world. You even disgrace me by appearing in human form!" He flapped his wings again sending him into a nearby glacier.
Kotaishi stood firm. "I do!" Kotaishi shouted to the dragon, "My master and the others only wish to help your master! Do you not remember that it was you who told us he needed my master?!"
A deafening sound was heard in the distance. As it approached closer and closer the landscape beneath it seemed to be crushed by an invisible force. Strong wind with below zero temperatures accompanied it. As the giant dragon landed before the intruder the ice below the two cracked and strained. He flapped his wings to balance himself almost sending the man before him back hundreds of feet.
Phoenix looked at the three and stood quietly from where she was leaning against the cave wall. She pulled from her pocket a small object that looked like a cats eye marble and set it to the rock where Juushiro had his haori laying to dry. She was sure Juushiro and Kisuke would know what to do with a teleportation stone. Sadly though they could only use it once. So they had better be wise in the fact of using it. She snapped her fingers and was gone from the cave.
Kotaishi looked to his master who looked back at him. "The moment Hyorinmaru becomes more trouble than he's worth, you get out of there immediately. If you can't handle him, get out of there."
Kotaishi transformed into his human state and knelt to his master. "Yes, Master." Then, before disappearing completely, he looked to Kisuke with an ice cold glare that would have shot Kisuke down in his tracks if looks could actually kill. "I'll show you 'weak and fluffy.'"
With that, he was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back in his own realm, Kotaishi mentally prepared himself for what lied ahead of him in Hyorinmaru's realm. He had never visited or met the zanpakuto, but he knew of his reputation for being the strongest among their shared element. Though Kotaishi would never admit it aloud, not even to his own master, he knew exactly how drastic the difference between himself and the ice dragon was. On a scale, Kotaishi no Kori was between Sode no Shirayuki and Hyorinmaru.
Kotaishi decided to leave his sword unseen as he entered Hyorinmaru's realm. He would only use it if the dragon prompted him to. It would be better that way.
Kotaishi raised his hand and flourished it through the air, holding it like a knife. Also like a knife, it sliced a void through space and before him, though the rip in space, he saw the ice covered, barren wasteland of Hyorinmaru's realm. Instantly, ice, snow and brutal winds cascaded out of the rip in space. It pounded into him with twice the force of the storm Hyorinmaru had generated to force back his master and his friends. But Kotaishi was a zanpakuto, and so this was manageable for him. However, it was still very uncomfortable and difficult to face.
Kotaishi lept through the void and the rip closed behind him, leaving him trapped in Hyorinmaru's realm until he gave Kotaishi an opening to create another rip, or Hyorinmaru expelled him. Kotaishi threw his arms up in front of him to block some of the storm that was blocking his vision. He cast his eyes around the barren, frozen plain searching for any sign of the dragon.
"Hyorinmaru!" he called. "It is Kotaishi no Kori, zanpakuto of Tsukiro Ashimitsu, your master's subordinate! I wish to speak to you upon their behalf! They do not wish to harm you or your master! They only wish to help him!"
"You should also get some sleep now that you are warming up, Tsukiro. Your body is not used to long campaigns and Hyourinmaru's assault on us has been a harrowing first experience in such."
Kisuke looked to Tsukiro. "It's your call. The worst that could happen is Hyourinmaru pummels Kotaishi. I doubt he would kill him, but if he pushes him too hard he just may."
He then looked to Kotaishi, "Don't press your luck with Hyourinmaru. If he don't tell you anything then walk away. Don't upset him anymore than he already is."
Juushiro halted his healing Kido over the deepest gash. "I agree with you, Kisuke. It would be dangerous for Kotashi to approach Hyourinmaru in this state." He started and coughed for a few minutes. "However, if Tsukiro is willing to allow it, he may learn something from the dragon before Hyourinmaru expels him."
The captain rubbed his throat before continuing. "Hyourinmaru's actions are congruent with my few past experiences with a violent zanpakuto. When something drastic enough has occurred to give the zanpakuto life of their own to protect their master or themselves. Unfortunately, I don't know how - and I don't want to - but it may be important to theorize why Toshiro would be incapacitated... " he paused and forced himself to finish, "or worse."
He took a deep ragged breath. "If Sousuke had managed to create the gate before us and laid in waiting, he would have attacked when we were weak from Hyourinmaru's assault. If, however, he decided to do what he has done before, strike and watch the breaking, ... Many nearly died from that manipulation the first time.
"Even if it isn't him, we have to be cautious from here on. Hyourinmaru doesn't know friend from foe. Anything that's not his master is a threat and he won't stop at injury if we press him too far."
He looked to Kotaishi. "If Tsukiro decides to send you, good luck."
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 5:38:43 PM EST on November 20, 2013.
Kotaishi eased up from underneath Tsukiro. "It doesn't matter what anyone thinks. I'm going whether you all agree or not. If my master forbids me from going, then I'll stay, but otherwise, none of you have any input on this."
Kotaishi looked to his master who didn't say any words of opposition. "Then that settles it. I'll go through my inner world to Hyorinmaru. Meanwhile, you guys can do what you will on this end."
Kisuke nodded, "Yes, they can. You can also send Kotaishi out to where Hyorinmaru is with Toshiro. However, I believe that would be dangerous in this fact, but there is no guarantee Hyorinmaru will speak with Kotaishi. There is a great difference in powers here."
Kisuke looked to Juushiro where he was sitting. "What do you think of this idea?"
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 5:06:16 PM EST on November 20, 2013.
Tsukiro thought before taking a deep breath and saying, "Okay, so the best way to get through to a zanpakuto is through the master. However we have to assume Hitsugaya-taicho is... incapacitated as of right now. How else can we get through to Hyorinmaru to let him know that we only want to help? If one of us can calm him down, maybe he'll let us in no problem."
Kotaishi spoke up again. "Zanpakuto can communicate with each other."
OOC: Is it safe to assume this? Cause I don't see any other ultimatum than to calm Hyorinmaru down and ask what happened.
The group looked at the leopard in disbelief. He rolled his eyes and huffed. "I can go through my inner world to Hyorinmaru's and speak to him. Of course, since we are both ice zanpakuto it will be easier than if I were to do this with another zanpakuto type."
"Kotaishi is right, Tsukiro. The power of his attacks are too much for just being over protective. Given we are in the godly realm, but they there is no need for a god to travel to the cave in such a manner. A snap of their fingers and their there. Not to mention Hyorinmaru would not stand a chance against a god if they really wanted in there.”
Kisuke sighed adjusting his hat, “We need to rethink our plan of entry and defense. If we attack; Hyorinmaru will only fight back harder. Making it harder on us in the end.” Sitting to the ground in the cave Kisuke went into think mode.
Once the wet clothing had been removed, Tsukiro settled back into the warmth of Kotaishi's fur. He wrapped the haori he brought with him--which had somehow managed to remain mostly dry--around him and tried to stay awake.
Kotaishi piped up from his position as his master's pillow. "For any zanpakuto to react like this," he said, "one's master must be in great peril. We are not here to react and cause chaos as Hyorinmaru is right now. We exist solely to protect, serve, and fight for our masters. This storm Hyorinmaru created means that Toshiro Hitsugaya is unable to protect himself. That would mean one of two things: he is either severely injured, or dead."
"Kotaishi," Tsukiro snapped. "That's only an assumption. Let us make confirmations when we get there. Then, hopefully, we can try and calm Hyorinmaru and find out what is going on and why he's been trying to drive us away."
The leopard snorted. I figured you all would benefit from some experience, he said to Tsukiro in his mind.
In truth, Tsukiro didn't want to acknowledge that Kotaishi could be right. He wanted to believe that the captain was at least alive and that Hyorinmaru was just being over protective for Hitsugaya's sake.
Kisuke was doing the same. Removing the wet clothing that he wore and laying them flat over a large rock to dry. He was down to one layer when he saw Juushiro dealing with Tsukiro. He walked over giving him a hand.
"You go tend to that arm. I have Tsukiro."
Kisuke then turned his attention to Tsukiro helping him remove his cloak and anything else that was soaked with water.
"Something is wrong. Its not Toshiro trying to keep us out. Its Hyorinmaru. he is protecting something or someone."
Kisuke was not talking to one person he was speaking to each one of them in the cave.
As soon as the frostbite in his hands had been dealt with, Juushiro reached up with his good arm and carefully pulled the water-logged cloak from his back, hissing as the fabric pulled at the ice crusted on his wounds and reopened a few of the deeper gashes along his arm. Pulling off his haori came next, draping it over some rocks away from cloak. The warmth of Phoenix's spot began to seep into his two remaining layers. Starting to pull at the tie of his kimono, the captain halted, seeing Tsukiro's shivers worsen further. He sighed. Setting his bad arm in the sleeve of his kimono for later care, Juushiro pushed back his own exhaustion and strode over to the boy and Kotashi.
"Thank you, Kotashi," the captain murmured before kneeling down beside them. "You did well." He pet the leopard with his good hand for a moment before turning to his master.
"Get up, Tsukiro Ashimitsu," he ordered, tone firm, setting a hand on his shoulder. When Tsukiro started from his daze at his voice, he continued in a softer one. "You need to take some of your layers off to let the warmth get to your body."
Pain radiated from his arm and blood dripped from his sleeve; however, Juushiro continued to coax the boy. "Lean on me if you need it, but resting without tending to your lack of warmth will only harm your captain and yourself." He removed his hand and offered it to him. "It will be painful, but it will help." His eyes narrowed. "Now, move," he ordered in the same voice once more.
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 3:47:28 PM EST on November 20, 2013.
Tsukiro curled into a tight ball on the cave floor, not caring that the ground was made of rock and very hard and very uncomfortable. He shivered violently, almost appearing that he was having a siezure. The fact that his clothes were wet did not help. Just as his eyes drifted shut, Kotaishi leaped from his sword in leopard form and jolted him awake.
"No, Master! Do not fall asleep!" Kotaishi curled up against Tsukiro, warming him with his fur. "You have to stay awake until you warm up."
Tsukiro sighed as Kotaishi's warmth seeped through his wet clothes. The storm was not only taking a toll on him physically, but mentally as well. "Hyorinmaru wouldn't just lash out like this. Something must have happened to Hitsugaya-taicho and Hyorinmaru is protecting him."
Phoenix fanned her wings lifting her body upward. She grabbed the three below her and whisk them away to another cave where the weather was warm and sunny. Landing outside the cave she set them safely to the ground and transformed back to human form. Kisuke was helping Juushiro as Juushiro was helping Tsukiro. Phoenix sighed shaking her head and rolling her eyes. She then walked over taking Tsukiro off Juushiro's hands and helped Tsukiro in the cave while Kisuke helped Juushiro.
Once inside Phoenix conjured up some food for them and started healing the ones with frostbit. When she got to Kisuke she looked him in the eyes and stated.
"If you or any of you go dying on this mission. Don't mention my name and the help I gave you when you get here. I'll deny every word of it."
She heard Kisuke chuckle under his breath as he told her 'thank you'. Phoenix softly smiled and finished up on his hands.
Juushiro coughed hoarsely, holding Tsukiro up with one arm. "Somewhere dry, and I don't care if it's father away. Tsukiro doesn't have the endurance for this brutality at all. We are going to have to come up with a new attack pattern." He stopped speaking, doubling over and coughing louder. Clenching his fist, he continued. "This one isn't working, and Kis-suke, you, I, need to talk - later - before we do," he coughed, stuttered, voice dropping further.
The captain glanced to Tsukiro. Luckily, it seemed wrapping the Fire Whip around Tsukiro had saved him from the worst of Hyourinmaru's assault, if only just. That was a reason to be glad he had held onto the Kido spell for as long as he had. It had broken sometime during the second phase of the attack, but thankfully for that, Tsukiro's hands were the only ones not blue. For the moment.
Phoenix nodded to Kisuke. He was right. The three of them were at their limits. It was time to retreat and tend to the injured. She slapped her hands together. Her arm extended out growing in length and size like wings, but there were no feathers only flames. Her head bowed changing shape as well as her body. When she was done the Phoenix they knew by name was truly the Phoenix. She expanded her wings as a great warmth wrapped around them.
Kisuke fell to his knees. The extreme cold and the amount of reiryoku he was using finally taking a toll on him. He looked back to Juushiro, his cloak wet and ice hung from various spots, the one arm covered in frozen blood. Kisuke could not tell who was shivering the worst he or Juushiro both their hands were blue. Looking to Tsukiro as he shivered as well, frostbitten and soaked from the water. He sheathed Benihime looking to Phoenix.
“We need shelter and we need it now.” He spoke loudly over the raging snow and ice storm that raged around them.
Phoenix literally froze in place with the sneak attack from behind. Since Kisuke had the frontal attack she turned taking care of what was coming from behind. She placed her palms downward toward the ground shaking uncontrollably. A warmth started to grow around them, what was seconds seemed liked hours with the extreme cold they were fighting against. Finally the water thawed enough for them to break free; however, their bodies did not thaw quite that fast. Phoenix pushed out more power so to warm them faster.
Distracted by the push from the front they didn't notice the water soaking the ground from behind, it pooled around their feet, and at the precise moment he willed it cold air rushed from the water. The water lashed at their bare skin, freezing in the plummeting temperatures. This is where the frostbite attacked. It focused on their legs and Achilles tendons.
(beware not to take a step or it will tear. that tendon can not be repaired. you will be paralyzed for life))
In a downward slash Kisuke brought Benihime, "CRY BENIHIME!" She stopped at his side as a wave of red came forward and swallowed the shock wave that advanced toward them.
Phoenix could feel the energy of Hyourinmaru's power pushing against them; however, this made Phoenix push even harder. She spread her arms wide then thrust them forward quickly causing a great gust of hot wind to surge forward. She watched as shards of ice pierced Benihime's blood shield, but Benihime did not budge she stood strong fighting Hyourinmaru's rage that came toward them. Phoenix then heard Kisuke calling out to his sword again.
The raging storm lashed out at them weakening their barriers just in time for the shock wave to hit with the force of a Cat 7 hurricane. Bringing with it millions of shards of ice and negative 20 and below temperatures. Not to mention wind chill.
Last edited by captainofsquad10 at 10:09:19 PM EST on November 19, 2013.
Juushiro let Kisuke speak for all of them all as he cancelled the Kido spell, letting the cloak lie heavily on the bleeding arm until he tended to it. For now, he increased his pace and kept a hand on this zanpakuto.
HIs eyes widened as Hyourinmaru's power rose back to meet Phoenix's intervention. "KISUKE!" he hollered in warning, "Get Benihime up now." He grabbed Tsukiro and pulled the boy to him. "Blazing Beacon. Phoenix's wrath. Hado. no. 125 Kojin no Ibuki! "
He winced as the spell, gratefully still leaking from his wounds, ripped the Kido warmth out of him, reawakening the shield just as ice dragon's roar cascaded over them, gritting his teeth as the rope squeezed tighter on his arm.
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 9:36:52 PM EST on November 19, 2013.
From inside his resting place Hyourinmaru sensed a disturbance in his storm. He manifested himself and focused on the area it was coming from. Far from the cave he sensed four different spiritual pressures coming towards him.
How dare they try to disturb his master. Out of rage and to protect his master's peace Hyourinmaru focused his power around them. Increasing the storm's ferocity, making the air around them burn cold, frostbite was for certain! He made the storm far worse than even a God could handle! He also let out a tremendous roar that sent a shock wave of frozen air to greet them. It would definitely knock them back and hopefully deter them from pressing forward.
Appearing in front of them Phoenix stood, hands on her hips the storm cleared around her. Nothing but the calm of a summers days circled around her. She looked at the three of them shaking her head.
"I told you I would give you safe passage there and back, but still you soul reapers tread out on your own like you could defeat the world."
She spread her arms out dividing the icy fury of the storm around them. They too were now safe from the Winter's Touch.
"This way to the cave." She stepped forward, the warmth she created followed. "Don't fall too far behind. My power will only allow me to calm so much." She told them not looking back, pushing ever so on ward.
"Don't spend all your reiatsu on the storm, Tsukiro," Juushiro called out to him over the howling wind, before the lad could do it again. "Kaibuchi!" he hollered, lashing the Fire Whip up high, where a large flame arched like a dragon and sped through, fading into the storm. The wind calmed before slowly whistling back up to speed. "Spend the attack wisely and coordinate with my whip. That will tire us both less."
They continued to walk on, leaving the gate behind.
Juushiro caught Kisuke turning to him for a moment with an evaluating look a second time before facing forward again, his face tighter than before. The captain sighed. If they had faced anything but the absolute power demonstrated in this storm, he would have chosen a different level of Kido than the old chants that used blood as well as reiatsu to fuse them into being. However, the volatile blizzard's howling around him just went further to prove that he had to do it. He winced as the rope tightened, forcing more blood down the coils, the wing opening briefly in response and maintaining its fan of warmth. A headache built in his head, and although it could be from his spell, he wondered how much originated from the chaotic whirls of power in the wind.
"Too much and I already know that," he murmured below his breath. It felt too close to Yamamoto Sensei's reiatsu at Shikai, a level of power to force submission or, in this case, he suspected, to keep far away. To shut out the world.
A strange laugh echoed in the recesses of his mind. He banished it back where it belonged, wrapping a hand around his zanpakuto, hoping for reassurance.
Their silence only served to further tighten the knot in his stomach.
Why was Toshiro's, no, Hyourinmaru's power erupting at such great rates?
He didn't want to know but knew he would find out.
Tsukiro threw ounce after ounce of his reiatsu at the storm, following Kotaishi's lead and in turn leading Kisuke and Ukitake through the storm. By the time they had made it to.bbthe end of the gate, Tsukiro had spent nearly a quarter of his energy.
Once they were through the gate, the ferocity of the storm had almost doubled. Tsukiro stepped up his game.
"Tsuranuku Hyotsumera!"
Arrow like shockwaves of ice and reiatsu surged forward and parted the storm. Then he repeated his previous process to keep it back.
Kisuke fell into the group as they walked along. Hopefully it would not take them long to get there. He hated the fact of them exerting so much in getting them there, but he knew his time was drawing near to have to do the same. If his gut feeling was right they were walking straight into the wreath if Hyorinmaru. Why he was not sure, but he knew the fact of the matter was not going to be a good one. He looked to Juushiro as he thought to himself.
"Juushiro and Sōgyo no Kotowari I am sure could have held Hyorinmaru back, but not after this. Not with the energy that Juushiro is putting forth into that Hado he is doing." His head slightly turned now looking at Tsukiro.
"Tsukiro, even with the display of his Bankai just now has no chance in standing against Hyorinmaru. So that leaves me and Benihime."
They would have to stand against the furious ice dragon and if something has happened to Toshiro. That dragon was not one that was going to be easy to talk to. Kisuke pushed forward hoping they arrived soon to their destination.
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 6:20:46 PM EST on November 19, 2013.
"Worry about your part, Tsukiro. I'll handle the crossfire," Juushiro replied, voice firm. Setting aside his mixed surprise and amusement, the captain stepped back so both his companions were to the front of him, placing his hands together, palms facing outwards.
"Tempest's wings," he mumured. His own reiatsu spiked as a tiny golden ball of Kido appeared with the words and whirled in front of him.
Juushiro took a breath.
"Tempest's wings and strength of iron, a king dragon's lament turns into tears of winter," he chanted. A golden rope burst out of the ball, thickening and waving in the harsh wind. It snaked its way around his first arm, drawing blood through the cloth. Juushiro closed his eyes, drawing more of his reiatsu into the Kido spell woven with his words. "Fire of summer's heart, blood of the land's fool," he opened his eyes as the bite of cold threatened his work, "return once more, blazing beacon, phoenix's wrath." A golden flame leapt from his hand up his back as wide single wing, faintly tinged crimson.
"Hado No. 125: Kojin no Ibuki!"
Hissing like a snake the rope wrenched into Juushiro's arm, spraying blood, and the wing flared, opening wide. Warmth fanned out from his position. As the storm pummeled them, the warmth dimmed and settled in lukewarm tempertaures. The wing half-closed. Juushiro breathed deeply and lowered his hands.
"Kojin's Breath will continue to radiate warmth as long as I don't pass out from feeding it reiatsu and blood." he stated, blunt and to the point. Another coil of rope formed through the glare. Juushiro wrapped it around his uninjured arm, holding it in his good hand. "The offensive side of it will break wind peaks in the storm at my command for a short while."
He frowned slightly. "I can't be exact as this is the first time using it like this."
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 5:01:59 PM EST on November 19, 2013.
Tsukiro rolled his eyes at Kisuke then positioned Kotaishi in front of him.
"However," he sighed. "This storm is much too strong for just my Shikai. I'll have to..." The words died on his lips, but he had already made his decision.
His cape flapping around him wildly, he closed his eyes and released every ounce of reiatsu that he could.
"Ban... kai!"
Tsukiro's icy reiatsu erupted around him. Clouds and flecks of snow and ice swirled around him, almost completely indistinguishable from the storm around him. At first, it just seemed to make it worse...
But when the miniature storm around Tsukiro died down, he stood before Kisuke and Ukitake clad in royalty style robes of blues, violets, lavenders and white. The decorative chains and jewels clinked and chimed in the violent winds. His gauntlets and on his forearms glinted like dull silver. Tsukiro's hair was now long and stark white with blue streaks, pulled up into a high ponytail by hairpins and more jewels. When he opened his eyes, they were violet-blue.
At his side, Kotaishi no Kori was a brilliant display of a sterling silver hilt, a violet guard, and a pure sapphire tinted blade. Lavender ribbons trailed out from the end of the hilt. In his left hand was the silver bladed kunai knife.
"Hyorikka Gyokusho." ("Snow Leopard King/Emperor") Tsukiro raised his sword in front of him. "Stand back. If you get caught in the crossfires of my reiatsu and this storm, you might not be in good enough shape to tell anyone that you saw my Bankai."
He swept his sword back out to the side, calling out, "Issen Koritsurugi!" ("One Thousand Ice Blades")
The kunai disappeared from Tsukiro's left hand and the curved katana blade in his right straightened out to form a chokuto, a Japanese straight blade. The ribbons disappeared as well. The color of the blade changed from silver, violet and sapphire to completely silvery-white like ice and snow. It glinted and sparkled dully. Replacing the kunai in his left hand was a second chokuto blade, exactly like the first. Tsukiro spun them both then rested them by his sides. As he flourished them downwards, five more appeared in mid air behind him.
Tsukiro closed his eyes once more. Kotaishi, I need you to help me find where all this is coming from.
Yes, Master. Hyorinmaru and his master are strong together, but so are we. I will do what I can.
With the help from his zanpakuto, Tsukiro opened his mind and threw his consciousness out of the end of the gate, into what lay ahead of them. Immediately, the storm got worse and it battered against Tsukiro and Kotaishi's joined senses. Together, they gradually overcame it and pushed their consciousnesses forward. The forest surrounding the end of the gate was completely frozen solid. Every inch of flora and greenery was now covered in several inches of rock solid ice. Here, the storm was worse than in the gate. But when they pushed further, it got even worse than that. Finally, their senses reached the eye of the storm: the cave. And here it was at its worst.
So much so it rejected Tsukiro and Kotaishi and forced them back to their present position. Tsukiro was forced to one knee. This is bad.
You focus on beating back the storm, Master. Lead Kisuke and Ukitake through the storm and I will lead you to the source.
Tsukiro nodded and stood back up. "Alright, let's go," he said to Kisuke and Ukitake.
As he spun the two blades in his hands in front of him, two of the replicas shot forward and imitated him several feet in front of him. Tsukiro released enough of his reiatsu into the swords to create a vortex that sucked in the storm and flung it back the other way, creating a gap in the storm big enough for the three of them to travel a bit more comfortably.
"Follow me, and again, don't get caught in the crossfire."
Agh. This took forever, but I did it. haha! Take that blizzard!
Juushiro sensed his unease and set his hand on his shoulder. "You escaped Aizen's death trap with your friends. I think you can manage a blizzard, old friend, no matter how.. unusual it is." He looked back out at the storm. "Tsukiro, is there anything we can do to help you with finding the source?"
Kisuke nodded, "I think you're right. I believe Tsukiro could lead us straight to Toshiro. If you can create some warmth and Tsukiro can find the source I can lead us there." Kisuke looked to Tsukiro. The look on his face was uncertain, but his eyes told a different story.
Juushiro nodded. "No, it is not. It's too .. violent," he murmured a moment later. He shook his head. "We don't have the time to wonder about it. We have to do something. Kisuke, do you have a plan if I can create some warmth against this plight?" He turned to Tsukiro. "Can you sense the origin of the storm with your own zanpakuto? I think we would find Toshiro there." He looked to Kisuke for confirmation if his theory was correct.
Kisuke looked around the pathway luckily finding a few heavy capes with hoods. He lifted them from the ground as a few bones fell from them. He shook them well and handed one to each of his comrades. "Put them on. It will help block out some of that cold." Kisuke flung his over his back pulling it closed in the front and lifting the hood. He smiled at both of them, "I am glad you decided to come along. I am worried about what I might be walking into. This is not normal for either Hyorinmaru or Hitsugaya. Something is wrong."
"I am never in top health yet I have not stepped down from my role as captain," Juushiro retorted in turn, letting loose some of his reiatsu in hopes of beating some of the storm back. He continued, "I may not be the best person to go into the thick of this, but that doesn't mean that I am turning around simply because you say so, Kisuke. You are not doing this alone." He winced at the immensity, but at least he had been exposed to Yama-ji's awesome reiatsu before. The captain narrowed his eyes. "I can provide warmth, but it is going to cost me. I also won't be able to be help further. Can you think of way through this with the two of you if I create a momentary pathway through? Tsukiro unfortunately made a point. We may need him."
Tsukiro grabbed ahold of Kisuke's kimono and vice gripped it. "If you think I'm turning tail now when Hyorinmaru said Hitsugaya-taicho needed me, you're completely insane."
He shook his head and gave Kisuke a stern look. "I'm an ice wielder too. I can handle this."
Kisuke stepped back to get away from the bitter cold that swept into the gate but to no avail. The cold was just to immense. "I think you and Tsukiro should go back. I will do this one alone. The cold is just going to be too much for Tsukiro and your still not in top health." He crossed his arms rubbing his arms briskly with his hands. "There is too high of a risk for frostbite with this level of power."
1) I guess my mind wasn't in to it.
2) Tite Kubo didn't write/draw it, therefore he's not actually dead. (no offense Kita, you did very well. *thumbs up*)
2) This is a no kill rp therefore he's not actually dead.
3) I didn't write it myself, so it's not personal.
OR
I'm a horrible Toshiro Hitsugaya fan. (Which is virtually impossible. *sarcastic laugh*)
Just thought I'd tell you this Kita. (All this wouldnt fit on Skype)
Last edited by Tsukiro Ashimitsu at 2:43:02 PM EST on November 16, 2013.
Damn... no wonder someone was crying while writing this. What the HELL IS GOING ON??! Is it Aizen, Gods, AggghHH! Amazing post, guys. I am rarely surprised to the extent I was when reading this. We are going to have a very hard time getting through this.
*narrows eyes, won't believe Kita did such a thing*
OOC: What I want to say I can't say on here and I can't say it as Kisuke. So all I have to say to you two is -- 'Look Out' when I finally do get on Skype. I will say this much. This SO FAR is one of the better ones written in this RP. Kudos to you both no wonder Kita was crying last night.
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 10:26:15 PM EST on November 15, 2013.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 12/04/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
I already said I'd do it. So don't worry about it. This is the END for most of us here (Except Ulquiorra's part).
They returned to the basement of Urahara's shop with no more incidents, cold and deep in their own thoughts. Even the gate imploding and fading into nothingness didn't do much for them. Juushiro told Tessai and Yoruichi that Toshiro was dead, and most people believed it to be by Kita's hand. Kisuke offered no further comments on that, telling Tessai he was in charge of the shop, and exchanged a look with Yoruichi. He locked himself in his lab.
In the backroom of the shop, Juushiro reminded Tsukiro that it was still dangerous to return to Soul Society with Sousuke after his head, a fact that had largely been forgotten at this point. The boy argued, but the captain changed his words into an order for him to stay there, softening his words a moment later. He would take Tsukiro back when Yamamoto announced Toshiro's death. Tsukiro asked him when that would be. Juushiro didn't have a chance to reply, coughing fiercely into his hand and his vision going fuzzy. Tessai and Yoruichi intervened, sending him to his bed.
When Tessai walked in later to heal his arm further, he found the captain sitting with his head in his hands. He walked back out, closing the door.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/04/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Tsukiro glanced again to the ghostly face of his captain, fiddling with the earring in his hand. He highly doubted that Hitsugaya-taicho would leave him something like this merely as a memento. The captain always had a reason for everything. He believed that held true for him, even in his dying moments. If the earring had a purpose other than what Hyorinmaru assumed, he would most likely find out soon.
Regardless, he raised his hand to his left ear, feeling for the piercing there that had been vacant of an accessory for quite some time. He pinned the dragon earring there and touched it one last time before raising to his feet.
He wanted to ask Hyorinmaru if he would allow him to take the captain's haori back to Soul Society and give it to the lieutenant, but he decided against it. The dragon wanted his master to be left alone and Tsukiro would not anger him any further by asking. He would just have to go back with his eyewitness account and his word.
Tsukiro bowed his head in respect. I'm sorry, Hitsugaya-taicho. I promise that Kita will pay dearly for her sin by my hand. For both yours and Hyorinmaru's sake.
I'm done! Someone else can edit, cause I ain't doin' it! This has gone on too long for me to be picky. Plus I did the last, maybe three? IDK. Anyway, Le fin~!!!
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 12/03/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
"My master is to remain here. In this tomb that best fits him, I will not have his body turn to reishi in the Soul Society."
Captain Hitsugaya
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 12/03/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
What a book this is turning out to be, and I'm one of the worst contributers. So many long replies. xD
Juushiro watched on as Kisuke argued succinctly and walked towards the exit with the sheath, the determination in him to clear Kita's name clear. The captain sighed, feeling his haori's weight of responsibilities and promises laying heavily on his shoulders. He turned back to Toshiro's lifeless form. It would be a difficult and, if it couldn't be done, a thankless task. However...
"Kisuke has proved to be the mastermind of the impossible before, Hyourinmaru. If there is something that only Gods should know about what happened here, he has a much better chance at unveiling it than anyone else. On the other hand, if his search yields nothing but dead ends, he will be the one who suffers for doing it.
Kita was a friend, but if she has turned traitor, justice then will be served to her. That being said, I will not dissuade Kisuke from his search. Blind justice nearly killed someone innocent already. I should not be a part of it," he declared firmly, looking both to Tsukiro and Hyourinmaru.
After a few moments of silence, he turned back to the zanpakuto. "What are your wishes in regards to your master's resting place? Do you have any objections to us retrieving his body to rest back in Soul Society?"
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 5:37:50 PM EST on December 3, 2013.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/03/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
Kisuke said nothing to Hyourinmaru as he spoke to him. He still walked toward the mouth of the cave. He let him believe whatever he wanted. Toshiro was dead; it was not like Hyourinmaru would leave Toshiro’s side to seek out Kita. It was the others he worried about; the ones that can, and would seek her out. He had to prove her innocents beyond a shadow of a doubt. A feat that was not going to be an easy one since it seemed to be the gods that played in this game of life and death. Kisuke propped himself against the icy wall examining the sheath of the dagger. He rolled the sheath in his palm to look at the backside. There. On the back of the sheath were words scribed in black.
He examined them closer, but was unable to translate. However, he was not able to give up that easily.
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 4:51:13 PM EST on December 3, 2013.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 12/03/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
"No, the dagger did not control her. The one called Phoenix did. My master had already been weakes by what they did to him.
@Tsukiro
"I do not know. My master could not say anything. Perhaps it is just for you to remember him by. You should honor him by wearing it always."
Captain Hitsugaya
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/03/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Kisuke looked to Juushiro, listened to Hyourinmaru's reasoning then picked up the sheath after Juushiro had completely melted the ice.
"The dagger that belongs to this sheath is the cause of Toshiro Hitsugaya's death." He looked to Hyourinmaru. "You said it yourself. It controlled Kita once and I will prove it to you all that it controlled her again."
He said no more to them. Just turned with the sheath in hand and awaited for the others exit at the entrance of the cave.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/03/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Tsukiro knelt down and picked up the earring. It was simple but pretty--made from ice and in the shape of a dragon. He fingered it before turning to Hyorinmaru.
"What is this for? What am I supposed to do with it? And what do you mean I know what happened? I mean, sure, I put two and two together, but..."
Tsukiro caught Hyorinmaru's eyes, hoping that the slight, barely noticeable dark gleam in them was enough to convey to the dragon that Kita was as good as dead to him. She would pay for her betrayal with blood, and Tsukiro would be the one to draw it.
Last edited by Tsukiro Ashimitsu at 12:22:40 PM EST on December 3, 2013.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 12/03/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
"Her mind was her own soul reaper. No one else was in the cave and I sensed no disturbances in reitsu. Except in my master when he was struck down. As far as the dagger, that was given to her by the phoenix. It had taken control of her after the gods did something to my master."
Hyourinmaru walked over to the sarcophagus of ice and slid his hand over it. "They used my master to give that girl a heart. He was put through so much pain!" A small blast of frozen wind emanated from him as anger surged.
"That girl is not innocent. If you do not destroy her, I will, and I dare you to try and stop me!"
Captain Hitsugaya
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 12/03/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
An instant later, a flash of red flame lit the ice. Juushiro knelt with the warm ball hovering in his hand. "If you think that can help solve why this happened, then we have no reason to delay." He lowered his hand and the flame to the ice, slowly melting the thick coating away.
Turning to his friend as he worked, he inquired in a low voice, "Kisuke, are you saying - that Kita is innocent?" He couldn't deny the small glimmer of hope that rose in his voice and he pushed more of reiatsu into the ball of flame, speeding up the melting process.
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 1:12:19 AM EST on December 3, 2013.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/02/13 | Reply
“Hyourinmaru. I know what happened in here and I know what you saw, but you also know Kita is the seraph. The seraph is not allowed to kill. What happened in here--” Kisuke paused looking at Toshiro, Tsukiro, Juushiro and Hyourinmaru once more. “Yes. It was Kita’s body you saw. But it was NOT Kita’s mind that was controlling her. I will find out who was and I will deal with them accordingly. I promise you that.”
He turned looking down. There on the cave floor frozen in the ice a sheath to a dagger. Kisuke quickly kneeled down then looked to the others in the cave with him.
“I need to get to that.” He pointed to the sheath in the ice.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 12/02/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
"Yet he already understands perfectly, but you do not. Why?" Hyourinmaru turned to look at Kisuke.
Captain Hitsugaya
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/02/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Kisuke looked to Tsukiro, but was speaking to Hyourinmaru.
"How would Tsukiro know what happened in here? He was not here. You were." Kisuke looked back to Hyourinmaru.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 12/02/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
@Urahara Kisuke
Hyourinmaru walked over to Tsukiro and place his hand on the boy's shoulder and pointed to the earring with the other. He could sense all the turmoil the boy was in. He replied to Kisuke, "Ask this boy, he already knows."
Captain Hitsugaya
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/02/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Kisuke looked to Toshiro then shifted his gaze to Hyourinmaru.
"I have to know. What happen?”
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/02/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Once they arrived, Tsukiro followed them into the back of the cave. He kept his mask on, revealing nothing. If not for his current state of mind, he would have glanced around at the cave and admired the brilliance of it.
Upon first glance, the scene was beautiful. Stalactites and stalagmites and every inch of the cave was clad in sparkling, glittering ice. The pond in the middle of the cave was frozen solid. It was like winter had come and touched this one specific area of existence. But all that beauty faded and became a nightmare when their eyes focused on the figure by the pond--still, cold, stained red with blood and unmoving.
Simultaneously, Tsukiro's heart dropped and his blood boiled. He could see a bloody stab wound through his chest. He never had a chance to survive. Kita had stolen the life from his body almost instantly.
It finally sunk in.
Toshiro Hitsugaya was gone.
All that was left was the empty shell Kita had left behind, lifeless, cold and pale. Tsukiro's own shell almost cracked as he gazed upon the captain's pale face, his white hair falling over it. He looked upon the captains dead body and instantly his mind traveled back to that night. He saw his brother's face, replacing the similar face of Hitsugaya's. On the inside he choked, screamed, and cursed Kita's name to the deepest, fieriest, pit of hell.
He looked to the tall, teal haired and lavender kimono clad figure of who he assumed to be Hyorinmaru. In truth, he knew that he was feeling less than half of what he knew the dragon was feeling right at this moment. But he also knew that it hurt worse than any physical pain one's body could endure. It was a pain worse than dying. In fact, he would almost go as far as to say that Hitsugaya had it easy compared to what Hyorinmaru was going through. Hitsugaya was merely dead. Hyorinmaru on the other hand was very much alive, for a zanpakuto, and suffering deeply.
Silently, he prayed his apologies to the dragon spirit and swore on his master that Kita would pay in the worst way possible for this.
Then he saw the message, written in blood.
"I'm sorry Tsuki."
"Why...?" he asked, allowing his voice to quiver, but only in the slightest. "Why is my name included in his last moment? What have I ever done to deserve that? Doing the lieutenant's paperwork? That hardly counts. We barely spoke to each other, except for when he gave me an assignment or I was turning in completed files. So why..."
Tsukiro's voice broke off and he threw his gaze away from the captain and to one of the frozen, icy walls.
Not satisfied with this but whatever...
Last edited by Tsukiro Ashimitsu at 4:35:20 PM EST on December 2, 2013.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 12/02/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
"I'm sure you will, old friend," Juushiro murmured to himself.
The captain managed a faint smile at Kisuke's declaration and resolute pace, letting him lead. His smile faded once more as he watched Tsukiro pass, his eyes narrowing. That one's silence deeply troubled him. Starting as a brutal pressure seized his throat, he increased his pace as the small group made their way to the cave, coughing quietly.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/02/13 | Reply
Kisuke took his hat placing it back on his head. He then stood offering his hand to Juushiro to help him up.
"I will get to the truth. I won't rest until I do." He told Juushiro helping him to his feet.
He then looked to Tsukiro. "Then lets go. I have work to do when we are finished here."
Kisuke turned from them both and started walking toward the cave once more. He was going to find out what happen in that cave and if it meant capturing Kita so he can talk to her then so be it.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 12/02/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Juushiro didn't know what worried him more, Kisuke's screaming into the storm and falling to his knees or Tsukiro's fierce demand followed by stillness. It was clear that Kita's betrayal, whether it be due to Gods or Sousuke Aizen, had pushed them far beyond their limits. And this was far from over. How much more pain and suffering would he bear witness to before the end of this conflict?
When would he finally break?
"I want to see him. I want to see my captain."
Tsukiro's words were spoken in a deliberately neutral voice.
I'll have to watch both of them, he decided. His own grief would have to wait. They were far more important to this struggle than himself.
And he was already marked by one of their opponents.
Juushiro nodded quietly to Tsukiro before kneeling in the snow by Kisuke, setting a hand on his shoulder and speaking in a low voice. "I can't answer your question, old friend. No one can. But we can do as you have done before. Continue our own actions and counterplots to their destruction, be it Gods or Sousuke Aizen. We don't stop fighting and finding loopholes to the disasters set before us."
He picked up Kisuke's hat and held it out to him. "Don't blame yourself, old friend. No one could have done better than you in these circumstances. You protected and prepared them both to the best of your abilities, even more so than Soul Society. Now, we release Kita by letting her go, remembering her as she was, not as she has become when broken, and we add one more reason to the list of why we stand against wrongness. For Kita and Toshiro."
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 2:12:15 PM EST on December 2, 2013.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/02/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Tsukiro, despite being the bratty, loud and rambunctious child, had learned as he grew up to keep his negative feelings rolled into a ball and bottled up. He kept that bottle deep within the recesses of his mind, locked away and hidden so that the potent, harmful feelings could not hurt those around him.
This was no different.
As Kisuke roared at the air and Ukitake silently brooded, Tsukiro's mind first put the last few pieces of the puzzle together. Kita, who was the only one with Hitsugaya, sealed behind the barrier, had taken the life from his captain. She had taken his deep trust in her and killed him with it.
Once his mind finished with the puzzle, it clouded over--became dark and black. This was just like when his mother and brother were killed. However, back then it had taken some time and growing up before his mind had darkened with the most potent negative emotion of all: revenge.
He was going to kill her when he finally met her in person. In his dreams she was stubborn and iron willed. But she had cared deeply for his captain. Now, she deserved no better than what he had planned for the bastard who killed his family. Worse even. The man who destroyed his family was a stranger. She was someone he had come to trust. She had betrayed him when she betrayed his captain.
And she would die for it.
By his hand and his hand alone. He didn't care who tried to stop him. Anyone else who dared to interfere with it would be cut down.
Tsukiro remained quiet and emotionless. No one who looked at him would be able to calculate what dark thoughts clouded his mind. He remained just as he had been for a century now: stoic, cold, and mysterious. Never showing exactly what he was feeling.
"I want to see him," Tsukiro demanded. "I want to see my captain."
Last edited by Tsukiro Ashimitsu at 11:25:13 AM EST on December 2, 2013.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
His brain racing his emotions at an all time high, Kisuke stepped forward. He would not believe Kita did this. He did not care how much profe they brought to him to prove she did. His mind screamed above all his thoughts.
"It was not Kita!"
At least. It was not the Kita he grew to love so dearly. It was not the young girl that he held close to heart. It was not her. He would not believe it until Kita herself told him she was the one that pierced Toshiro's heart with a blade. He shook his head and mumbled aloud.
"Toshiro meant too much to her. She trusted him even more than she trusted me."
Kisuke raised his hand to side of his head, rubbing his temple. Then suddenly Kisuke stopped walking again. His fists clenched tightly and raised above his head as he looked to the heavens screaming.
"WHY!? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!? YOUR SICK GAMES ARE WEARING THIN! EITHER KILL US ALL OR LEAVE US THE HELL ALONE! WE OWE YOU NOTHING!"
Kisuke dropped to his knees lowering his head. His hat falling to the snow below.
"Kita, Toshiro. Whos next?" Kisuke whispered into his hands as they covered his face.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Meanwhile back in the tomb:
Hyourinmaru changed to his human form walk walked back over to the coffin. He solemnly place his hand on it and gazed down at Toshiro. He memorized every feature of his master:
His white hair that sometimes revealed the lightest shade of blue on a sunny winter day, his bright turquoise eyes that always expressed how much he cared for his friends and subordinates (they were now dull, lifeless, and empty), his small hands that were beaten up from endless hours of training in order to protect everyone he could.
His eyes fell on the gaping hole in his masters chest. It turned his skin and clothes the most horrifying shade of crimson red. It represented a broken trust, betrayal, regret, failure. A zanpakuto's purpose is to grant strength and protection to it's master, and he, Hyourinmaru: the strongest ice zanpakuto, servant to the Guardian of Heaven, failed.
Tears froze on his cheeks as he stared at the wound. "I am sorry, my master. I couldn't......" the words got stuck in his throat. The pain was far too much to bear.
Captain Hitsugaya
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
Kisuke grabbed his hat pulling it off his head. His head shaking slowly his voice mournful, angry, and hurt. He lowered his head looking at the snow below his feet.
"I have no clue, but some of the things Aizen has done to Kita since he has gotten his hands on her--" He paused taking a deep breath, "I can't guarantee anything with Kita."
He looked up to Juushiro. "But everything he has ever done he could never override her morals in killing. Its not in her. IF. And I stress the 'if' Kita did this. It was not of Aizen's doing. The Gods are behind this."
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
"Then tell me, Kisuke, is there a way -" Tsukiro's cry interrupted Juushiro's shaking voice, the boy's demand riding over the captain's pressing question.
He sighed, watching something break within another he'd hoped to protect, deepening his own sorrow, due to the machinations of Sousuke Aizen. Faces he recognized and knew flashed before him. Rangiku, Kira, Abarai. Those closest to him. Rukia, Kaien. The strange laugh echoed out. His throat burned, recalling the attack that had hindered him. Hyourinmaru's long stare. Toshiro's death. Kisuke's horrified denial. So many souls had and continued to be broken, wounded.
All for what, Sousuke? What makes it worth it? he cried out inside.
... -it'll be on my shoulders to tell his other subordinates."
Those last words shook Juushiro back from his own dark thoughts once more. Back to his vow when it had begun. When he had seen Rukia start to fade from the toll of Kaien's last choice and farewell.
He had already learned that he couldn't be the key to bringing them out of the abyss from Sousuke's actions. No, he couldn't heal them. That had to come from within. But he would continue to do the little he could for those most hurt.
Juushiro walked over to Tsukiro, setting a hand on his shoulder. "You won't be alone when you tell them. That wouldn't be fair to you or to the others."
Tsukiro continued to glare up at him, his reiatsu spiking and spinning around him. Juushiro continued. "Toshiro Hitsugaya is gone from this world. I am sorry, Tsukiro. We should have acted sooner to aid his mission."
His reiatsu finally died back down, but Juushiro could hear his teeth grinding from gritting his teeth too hard.
"Breathe, Tsukiro. He left something for you."
He turned back to the stiff shopkeeper. "Kisuke, forgive me, my friend, but it must be asked, is there a way, with your research and time with her, is there a way for .... Kita to stab Toshiro.." His throat closed, but he forced himself to continue, "through the heart, for him to be alive even if his own zanpakuto believe he is gone?"
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
"Who?" Tsukiro's voice rang loud.
The two turned around to see a piercing aura in Tsukiro's eyes. His hands were clenched tight but inside his heart clenched tighter.
"Don't act like I can't hear. I heard you say 'she can't kill.' So tell me what's going on. If it's about my captain, don't you dare keep anything from me, because if he's dead it'll be on my shoulders to tell his other subordinates."
Tsukiro stared down the two of them, refusing to break his gaze until he was told what he wanted to know.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Shock took over Kisuke's body. His legs would not allow him to take another step. He was frozen in place as his mind tried to process the information he just heard. His hand slowly went to his eyes as he rubbed them.
"No. She can't." He lifted his other hand placing it to Juushiro's shoulder stopping him as well. "She can't kill, Juushiro. It's not possible."
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
"Worse," Juushiro replied quietly, for his ears only. "Kita killed him."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Something was wrong, Kisuke could see it on Juushiro's face and hear it in his tone. When he turned and started walking away Kisuke stepped up to him walking beside him.
"Its as we feared. Am I correct?"
He did not even look Juushiro's way as he spoke to him. He knew the answer already, but needed to hear Juushiro confirm it to make it true.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Juushiro's figure appeared in front of them, nodding and speaking in a curt tone, hoping to hide his sorrow. "We are to hurry. Hyourinmaru seems to be expecting someone else to try to come through the weakened storm." He paused, as if wrestling with himself, then added in a lower voice, "His rage is stayed for the moment. There is a message for Tsukiro." He turned back around, leading the way, letting his hair whip around in the wind and hide the bitter mask on his face.
In the end, he couldn't say the blunt truth.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Tsukiro easily kept up with Kisuke's speed. Such acts of speed were second nature to him after training with the Flash Master. Still, as he ran next to Kisuke, the feeling in his gut became more of a rock. As they ran further still, the rock became a boulder. In the end, he had to force himself to look at things from the Onmitsukido Perspective, as he liked to call it.
The words of his father echoed in his mind.
Emotions are hindrance in the field. They make you sensitive to the things that go on around you. When you're sensitive, you hesitate. When you hesitate, you're dead. And when you're dead...
"You fail," he whispered to himself, thankful that his words were lost in the howling storm.
And I refuse to fail my captain, or anyone else that relies on me...
So for the moment, Tsukiro just prayed that once they got there, Hyorinmaru was in a talking mood rather than a "bite your head off in one chomp and use it as a dragon chew toy until it turns to dust" sort of mood.
He clenched his jaw tight, steeled his eyes over, and pressed on.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
Kisuke turned when Tsukiro finally stepped forward and the two bolted out of the cave like it was ready to collapse on them. Kisuke through on his cloak as they ran. Even though the storm was at about half the wind and overall surroundings had the temperature still well below freezing.
He did not slow for a second as he shunpo'ed over halfway to the cave following the direction of Juushiro's reiatsu.
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 5:47:56 PM EST on December 1, 2013.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
I was speed reading and read something wrong. Sorry. TT^TT I read at college level and I can't even read for an RP. What's wrong with me. *emo corner*
Tsukiro shook his head, I'm being paranoid. Or maybe I just don't want to get there and find bad news.
With shaking bones, Tsukiro ran out of the cave, gripping Kotaishi tightly.
Captain, please be okay. I don't want to have to watch tears fall from my fellow squad members' faces if I have to tell them you're dead.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
Kisuke turned looking at Tsukiro.
"WHAT!?" Kisuke glared at him as he stood firmly in his place. "The storm has lowered we need to move now. We don't know what kind of window we are going to get here. COME ON!"
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Tsukiro grabbed his cloak and Kotaishi and leaped to his feet, getting ready to bolt out side with Kisuke. Suddenly he stopped.
"Kisuke," he hesitated.
A feeling rose inside his gut. It smoldered and grew. It rooted his feet the ground. Something was slightly off about this. Why would it just suddenly calm down? Obviously Ukitake had made it and consoled the dragon somewhat, but... if he had consoled him enough to weaken the storm, why not just drop it all together.
"Wait. Something's not right about this."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
Kisuke was still pacing, but paying close attention to the storm outside. When he turned back toward the mouth of the cave he saw the storm had let up. He grabbed his things calling to Tsukiro.
"Let's go! Now!"
Kisuke took off running out of the cave.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Hyourinmaru's warning resounded in the captain's mind. Had someone attempted to pass through before them? Aizen? No, he would have found a way past the dragon. But then... The details of what had happened in the cave truly needed to be asked.
Juushiro nodded. "I will return shortly." He turned around, retrieving his zanpakuto and left the cave, hping to intercept and prepare his friends for what awaited them.
Sougyo no Kotowari offered one muted comment on the storm dying down, knowing it would be harder than that to restore their master's smile.
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 5:22:03 PM EST on December 1, 2013.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
"It is my masters will that the one this message is for was meant to be here. I grant you safe passage with your comrades, but no one else. If I sense another the storm will increase again." Hyourinmaru calmed the storm only a little to let him pass. "Make haste."
Captain Hitsugaya
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Juushiro walked over to the place, looking down at the note and the dragon earring. "I believe he is referring to Tsukiro Ashimitsu.. and couldn't finish the note." A moment of silence passed. "Will you lower the storm so he can see his captain and receive this? It had to be important since he ... wrote it in blood... with his last breath."
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 5:19:13 PM EST on December 1, 2013.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 12/01/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Hyourinmaru was silent for a long moment just looking at Juushiro. He walked over to where his master had fallen and stared at the spot. "Who is Tsuki?"
Captain Hitsugaya
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/30/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Juushiro spoke evenly and clear, eyes dark, sad. "If not for a terrible attack of my illness, it would have been my duty to kill my leiutenent Kaien Shiba. Sousuke is an enemy of all Soul Society and the seraph of his ranks has already been marked as the prey of the Gotei 13. Now that she has killed a captain, there is little hope she will be shown mercy. Furthermore, if I would end the life of one of those in my closest protection, I can destroy a new friend who has shown to be broken and gone from us."
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/30/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
"You will seek the revenge I crave?" Hyourinmaru questioned him. "Do you have the strength to slay the one who slew my master? The courage?" The gazed down at the shinigami trying to measure his resolve. "Prove this to me and I shall calm my storm."
Captain Hitsugaya
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/30/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Tsukiro couldn't say anything at that point. He knew Kisuke was right, but it was too painful for him to admit it out loud.
Why do people keep getting hurt and dying around me?
Then become strong so that you won't have to watch people die. Become strong so you can protect others, Kotaishi told him.
Yes. That was what he had to do. Become strong again, so that no one around him would ever have to die again.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/30/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
"It’s a fact we need to face. Even if we don't know the truth right now. Prepare yourself for the worst case scenario, Tsukiro. Hyourinmaru is being too revengefully for Toshiro to be just injured.”
Kisuke drew both hands to his face and rubbed. “WHY? If that damn portal would have worked--”
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/30/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Tsukiro sighed and pulled his knees to his chest, pressing his palms into his eyes. "If Captain is... dead... Gods, I don't want to see the look on the lieutenant's face, nor the other officers for that matter."
Flashes of his brother's cold, pale face covered in crimson danced before his eyes. He didn't want to go through something like that again.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/30/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
Narrows eyes. "Bad news or not. It needs to be talk about. Make it clear Toshiro was not a traitor. Especially if he has past on.” Kisuke now paced with annoyance in his steps. “Old man Yama and his orders.” A growl escaped him as he adjusted his hat.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/30/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Despite huffing irritably, Tsukiro slumped down onto the cave floor and leaned against one of the stone walls.
After a long moment of saying nothing, Tsukiro muttered, "I hope Hitsugaya-taicho is okay. I really don't want to have to go back to the squad barracks with bad news that I can't talk about on my shoulders."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/30/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
Looking at Tsukiro Kisuke shook his head. "We wait. I have faith in Juushiro. If anyone can talk some sense into that dragon he can." He paused. "Sheath your sword, sit and relax."
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/30/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Tsukiro stood up, Kotaishi in hand. "Then we should try and go after him. If he's out there by himself he could be in trouble."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/30/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
Kisuke looked to Tsukiro as he grabbed his zanpakuto. "Calm down. He went to consoul Hyourinmaru. We figured one of us would be less threatening to him than all three of us."
He stood and started to pace the cave floor again. "He has been gone for awhile now and the storm is still raging out there." Kisuke shook his head. "I hope sending him in there was not a mistake."
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/30/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Tsukiro woke up feeling at least mostly rested. However, the worry for his captain was still there and they hadn't gotten any closer to making it to the cave where Hitsugaya and Sumi were.
He sat up slowly to and glanced around to find that the cave was filled with only himself and Kisuke. No Ukitake.
He panicked.
"Kisuke, where's Captain Ukitake?" he shot to his knees, reaching for Kotaishi.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/30/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Sorry I didn't get to this till late. Family happened.
Juushiro followed the dragon as he led them deeper into the cave and towards.... Toshiro's tomb. Even through the protection of the ice, the crimson bloodstain on his chest was plain. With no other signs of a struggle on his young body, it stood out like a brand, not as Aizen's defeat of Toshiro in battle but a swift, painful and ultimate betrayal.
Juushiro lowered his head. "How many lives will you soil and ruin, Sousuke? How many will you change, destroy their bright light?"
Was Kita the stubborn girl he had met but twice finally gone? Carrying an horrendous burden, she still had fought against her capturer. Until now. Wasn't the proof of that before him? Kita was broken, gone. Only what Sousuke wanted remained.
Kaien's face, twisted and horrific from the hollow that had defeated him, swam before the captain's eyes, replaced a moment later by Hinamori's tearful, frenzied gaze before Yamamoto Sensei had forced her back into blissful sleep. A terrible scream echoed in his ears. A warm smile from a sliver haired girl as she squeezed his hand. Toshiro's wound remained.
Juushiro took a deep breath and spoke, faltering, the answer the dragon had asked for at the entrance.
"I see one. fatal. blow, and I know from Tsukiro's dream interaction with her- that Kita shared the caved with him. I am ... sorry, Hyourinmaru. Death like that... to be killed by one you trusted.. no one should have to go through it." He let his hair cover his eyes. "And I have seen too much of it recently."
He didn't know how long he stood over Toshiro's tomb, silent and miserable. When he did raise his head, he turned to his guide once more. "Please lower the storm, friend. There are others outside... who tried to help him... and especially one who should say farewell."
Farewell, Kita Miyamoto. When I take Sousuke's life, I will... do what must be done. For Soul Society and for yourself.
I am sorry, Toshiro Hitsugaya. We didn't come for you soon enough. Forgive me.
He hoped Kisuke had the courage to ask for the details he knew must be asked. He didn't know if he could do it.
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 2:48:28 PM EST on November 30, 2013.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/29/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Hyourinmaru appeared before Juushiro, not in human form, but in his true form. The dragon god of ice and water. He could sense the solemn respect from the shinigami. "Look upon my master and tell me who you think caused this."
Captain Hitsugaya
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/29/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
"Take care of Tsukiro," the captain replied, pouring his reiatsu into the stone. It slowly began to glow. He looked to Kisuke, nodded, and a moment later, vanished.
Juushiro appeared just beyond the frozen cave entrance. The wind whistled outside, banging on the wall in front of it. The wall of ice didn't break. Cold silence issued inside. Nothing stirred. Juushiro sighed deeply and withdrew Sougyo no Kotowari, laying his zanpakuto on the ground before him, showing that he was no threat. He waited then took a step forward.
Juushiro appreciated beauty and Hyourinmaru's powers had turned what once was a dark cave into glimmering sculptors of ice. The reflective light of his sheathe danced among the sharp stalagmites and stalactites like some kind of fairy or living fire. Lumpy boulders were nearly invisible in the dim light, altered and shaped to blend in with the sleek icy walls. However, for all its beauty, the stillness permeating the surroundings affected Juushiro more. He could sense nothing of Toshiro's reiatsu.
With the chill of foreboding growing in his heart, eyes on a symbol carved into wall nearby, a mark he knew very well, he sighed deeply.
"Hyourinmaru, I invade your sanctuary not as a warrior but a friend. I beseech you to tell me what caused this tragedy. Try to calm your rage with the tale and pass your revenge onto another's hand, to rest with your master."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/28/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Kisuke nodded. "Well here is to hoping," he tossed the stone to Juushiro. "That the dragon is not has hard headed as his master."
He gave a soft chuckle as he watched Juushiro catch the stone. Kisuke then walked over to him placing his hand to his shoulder and giving it a firm grip.
"Good luck old friend. And I guess to let us know it is clear. Have Hyourinmaru drop this storm. We will head your way the second we see it give way."
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/28/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
The captain chuckled, pulling his haori back over his kimono. "If we had learned this right after Hyourinmaru's attack, I wouldn't have been, but now, I have had time to recover enough to handle this. I don't plan on fighting and there are ways to use my uninjured arm if it does come down to a scuffle before a talk."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/28/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Kisuke looked to the Tsukiro shaking his head.
"He needs a good swift kick in the set of the pants is what that boy needs." He looked back to Juushiro, adjusting his hat. "Don't take this wrong, but are you up to this? You know what kind of power that dragon possesses."
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/28/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Juushiro turned his head to the boy sleeping, sighing once more. "I think you should stay, Kisuke. You've known Tsukiro longer than I have. You're more likely to keep him from doing something foolish when his exhaustion wears off and turns back into his reckless bravery."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/28/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
"Yes, that is what I was thinking. Also if we show up inside the cave we can see for ourselves what is going on. If Toshiro is hurt badly or --"
Kisuke drifted off with his words. He did not want to think of the fact that Toshiro might be dead, but it was a grim truth they had better face. He looked to Juushiro.
"How do you want pick who goes?"
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 2:32:46 AM EST on November 28, 2013.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/28/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Breaking from his own dark thoughts, Juushiro nodded in agreement. "One of us should. It is too important to be left as it is... no matter what may lay ahead for who enters the cave." He glanced at the stone. "One person may be less intimidating than three, as well."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/28/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Kisuke paced the cave floor trying not to think the worst possible things that could have happened to Toshiro. If they did then what of Kita? Is she dead too? Or was this the doing of Aizen and his Espada Ulquiorra and they took Kita back to Las Noches with them?
He paced for what felt like hours. Finally, he stopped and looked the ceiling of the cave sliding his hands inside his pockets. There he felt the transportation stone. Lifting it into view he looked at the stone for a few second then looked to Juushiro.
“What if one of us goes there and talks to Hyourinmaru?”
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 2:19:41 AM EST on November 28, 2013.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/28/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Juushiro sighed. The cave had become quiet after Tsukiro had relayed his information and had allowed himself to fall asleep as the captain had recommended before. Kisuke and Juushiro hadn't spoken to each other, though both were still awake. Sometime, while they had been waiting for Kotashi to return, Kisuke had found the teleportation stone. After a couple choice curses, he had pocketed it.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@Phoenix Whisper :
As he watched her fly away he spoke softly to himself, "You underestimate my powers and my intellect. I am following the will of my master."
With the cave entrance sealed by a thick layer of ice and no more disturbances in his storm he returned his blade. Waiting.
Captain Hitsugaya
Phoenix Whisper
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Phoenix looked down on the ice dragon and laughed.
"Your powers are limited against me. The only reason you are allowed to remain here is because you bring change to the droll lives of the gods."
She watched him as he dematerialized blocking the cave entrance as she shook her head.
“For a zanpakuto you’re not that intelligent are you? You clam this all to be for your master, but you fail to realize -- he still lives. You’re so wrapped into defending him and keeping him safe you have missed that fact. Open your eyes, Hyourinmaru! It was the seraph that took the prodigy’s life! Not Kita that took Toshiro Hitsugaya’s life!”
She flapped her wings, rising higher above him and the cave; her words falling down on his ears.
“Dwell on that thought while you lay here in wait for him to resurrect -- Which will never come in this case of death.”
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@Phoenix Whisper :
Hyourinmaru merely looked at Phoenix as she pierced his tail. Did she think it hurt him? He was experiencing a pain far more terrible than physical. He watched as the two souls who invaded retreated through the garganta. Finally they were gone.
He looked back at the phoenix with dead eyes, "If you are determined to protect these creature, then keep them away from my master. I will not let anyone disturb his peace. Not even a fellow God. I will destroy you if I must and freeze you ashes to keep you from being reborn. Stay away from this place and all will be fine. Leave my master and I alone." Hyourinmaru dematerialized into his human form and sealed the cave mouth with his body turning all to ice.
Captain Hitsugaya
4EspadaUlquiorra
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@Kita Miyamoto:
Ulquiorra wasted no time in reveling over his regenerated arm. He summoned a gate and stepped through with Kita in tow. It was time to report to Aizen.
Kita Miyamoto
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
Kita pounded on the ice watching her master as he slowly started to freeze in this hell of Hyourinmaru's. She was totally unaware of his tail waiting to impale her flesh and at this point was feeling rage boil up in her.
“Not like this! NO!” She screamed.
At that point she noticed the walls of her ice trap melting and a burning light above them.
“Phoenix!” She exclaimed.
Watching she saw her master become free of the frozen death that had taken him over and the walls of her icy prison melt away. She made a mad dash to her masters side as she watched him stagger to the cave wall for balance to keep him on his feet. She grabbed him quickly and sonido’ed them away from the on coming fight she knew was about to burst forth before their eyes.
Phoenix Whisper
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Trapped.
Trapped like the proverbial rat in a trap. Phoenix shook her head as she watched the enraged Hyourinmaru play with his pray.
“Shameful. All of them.” She thought aloud, “but I cannot allow them to die. They are still needed in the game.”
Before Ulquiorra and Kita the phoenix appeared. The large bird of flames flapped its wings melting all that surrounded them, covered them and tried to destroy them. The fiery eyes of the phoenix watched as Ulquiorra's limb grew back and Kita emerged from her ice trap.
“Go!” Was all she told them.
Then seeing the tail of Hyourinmaru laying in wait, Phoenix’s fiery talon grabbed hold, piercing it deeply with her claws. Her screech was piercing as she reared her head and pulled Hyourinmaru forth to face her.
“Return to your masters side and remain there; or the next time you see me I will destroy you myself.”
She flapped her wings again rising above him. The ice dripping and melting quickly, screeching again she watched and waited for Hyourinmaru’s next move. Wondering if he dared to attack a god.
Last edited by Phoenix Whisper at 7:44:15 PM EST on November 24, 2013.
4EspadaUlquiorra
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
The ice bit painfully into Ulquiorra's arm. It cauterized the wound on its own, yet brought a burning agony that could not be ignored.
He could no longer see. Hear. Feel. React. He was only a shell. A hollow shell slowly being consumed by a cold fire.
Pathetic. That's what he was. A waste of space and an exclusive joke to the gods. He'd rather die than face the dishonor.
And so he patiently waited to expire.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@4EspadaUlquiorra:
Seeing an opening the dragon sent very thin but strong ice towards Ulquiorra's limp arm slicing it clean off. He then froze the severed part so that it would not grow back. The ice began to creep through Ulquiorra's veins freezing the blood and all other fluid it came in contact with.
He sent thousands of ice shards at Kita that practically created a wall in front of her. Hidden in them was his tail which was just as sharp as the ice hiding it. He was going to impale her!
Captain Hitsugaya
Kita Miyamoto
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@4EspadaUlquiorra:
Kita stood dusting ice and snow from her person as she looked at the cave entrance. She looked to her master and gave a slight laugh.
"Do we die today entering the cave? Or do we turn here and go back and report what we lived through?"
4EspadaUlquiorra
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@Kita Miyamoto:
"You were not brought up to be weak, Kita." Ulquiorra allowed his arm to hang limply by his side while the organs repaired themselves. It was true what Kita had said. It seemed as though Toshiro had played them smoothly into his trap. It was sickening, really.
Last edited by 4EspadaUlquiorra at 6:15:41 PM EST on November 24, 2013.
Kita Miyamoto
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@4EspadaUlquiorra:
Kita could not move. She was frozen against the outer cave wall. Her air supply cut off. She closed her eyes and stayed calm. She hope her master saw or felt her reiatsu being engulfed by the ice. It was only a second and she was free again. As the ice broke around her she fell to her hands and knees gasping for her next breath. Quickly regaining her air supply she looked to the cave entrance.
"He sealed us out, master. Now what?"
4EspadaUlquiorra
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@Kita Miyamoto:
Relying solely on sight, Ulquiorra carefully forged his path. In the brief pockets of visibility, he caught sight of Kita stepping through the elements like a dancer. Impractical, but effective.
Ulquiorra's back slammed hard into the wall, but at least he was relatively safer than before. He brushed away snow that had collected on his eyelids and spared a look at Kita. Indecision was written across her face.
Opprotunites are missed by idle hands, he thought. Even in his own mind, he could hardly hear himself over the din Hitsugaya was creating. What a bothersome boy.
It was then he saw the ice that encased her body. It writhed and twisted until it had her in an indefinite choke hold.
No.
It would not end like this.
Ulquiorra swung his elbow back and brought his weight behind it. The two forces met with a bone crushing impact. The sinews in his elbow snapped like twine and the bone crumpled like used tissue... but she was free.
Last edited by 4EspadaUlquiorra at 6:00:31 PM EST on November 24, 2013.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@Kita Miyamoto:
The Ice from the wall against her back quickly surrounded her, sealing her, stopping all movements, all breath. As it did a giant dragon made of ice and water materialized blocking all entrance to the cave.
Captain Hitsugaya
Kita Miyamoto
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Getting a brief second before the next wave of frozen hell, Kita lifted from her hands and knees trying hard to catch her breath. The sub zero temperature just dropped again as her hot breath froze; falling to the ground like a pebble tossed to the water. Hearing a noise she looked up.
Nothing.
She knows she heard something and it was coming quickly.
But what?
What was coming from the sky to destroy them? Finally, one fell to the earth no more then a foot from her.
Ice?
No. It was hail. Hail the size of her head and more was coming. Kita allowed her ears to lead her as she pounced, dodged and jumped from the soccer ball sized hail. Her breathing hard and shallow, if this kept up she was bound to pass out from lack of oxygen. However, she was not about to get knocked out by what was falling from above. Finally, she found her back against solid ice. She turned seeing the cave opening no more then a few hundred yards from her.
A mad dash and she was in the lions den. Did she dare?
Last edited by Kita Miyamoto at 5:21:53 PM EST on November 24, 2013.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@Kita Miyamoto:
Hahaha you think they are little
Hyourinmaru dropped the temperature another twenty degrees, and sent a hailstorm that would crush any being in one hit. The beauty on it is that they would never see the soccer ball sized hail coming since visibility was zero! He also kept up the barrages of ice and wind.
Captain Hitsugaya
Kita Miyamoto
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@4EspadaUlquiorra:
Kita felt the winds pick up and heard Hyourinmaru's ferocious roar, turning her head she saw shards of large glaciers and frozen trees coming quickly their way. The force of the winds and Hyourinmaru's roar kept her from hearing her master call her name. She just felt him grasp her arm and jerk her back and away from the massive force of fury coming their way.
Throwing up her arms Kita blocked the shards of ice from hitting her in the face; however, the back of her arm was not so lucky as she was pierced and stabbed by the pieces that hit her.
Last edited by Kita Miyamoto at 4:50:09 PM EST on November 24, 2013.
4EspadaUlquiorra
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Ah, yes. This was the double-edged sword Ulquiorra could face. One in which he could sink his cold hands into and warm them in the burning fury of Toshiro Hitsugaya. But he was not here to entangle in the business of the dead. Only to sate the curious mind of Aizen.
"Kita." Before his words to find their way to his fraction's ears, they were torn away by a ferocious gust of wind. Too bad it would take more than wind and forces of nature to stop him.
He took Kita's arm in his grasp and dragged her forward. Sharp icicles tore at his skin, but had little effect. Each cut was repaired within seconds only to be replaced by another.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@Kita Miyamoto:
Hyourinmaru sensed a new disturbance in his storm. Two more spiritual pressures coming towards the cave. He knew both, but one he hated more than all. Instead of focusing the storm's rage on the first three he switched it to the new two.
His primary target, the one who caused it all, he vowed to destroy that one. Even though the storm still blew all around, the main system focused on Ulquiorra and Kita. He roared in a painful rage that could be heard even over the storms ferocity, and he sent blistering winds, 40 below temperatures, and millions of shards of large glaciers and frozen trees. He was going to eradicate these two, even if it meant destroying the heavenly realm and all inside.
Captain Hitsugaya
Kita Miyamoto
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@4EspadaUlquiorra:
Kita followed behind matching his every step. She had nothing more to say. She was fully aware of her surroundings and stayed that way. She could not defeat the zanpakuto, but she was not about to go easy if and when he came at her.
The bitter winds whipped around her like a haunting voice. She hated the feeling she had and the silence that draped over them did not help the heavy feeling of guilt she carried within her heart. She wanted to get in and out of that cave as quickly as possible. She did not even want to look at Toshiro’s still emotionless face. Her heart started to ache as she fought back the on coming tears. She spun quickly away from her master and pulled herself together with taking a deep breath and telling herself it could not be avoided it was something that had to be done.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Kotaishi flew back several feet into his own world and landed in a huge pile of snow, the white stuff flying everywhere. He sat up, sighing.
"Well. That went well."
Kotaishi? What happened? The storm isn't letting up. Did Hyorinmaru agree?
"No," Kotaishi stood and dusted himself off. "I am sorry. He will not let you pass safely. However, I did find out one thing before he threw me out."
What's that?
Kotaishi looked up at the moon shining in the black sky. "He told me that we cannot help his master. He told me that it was beyond our abilities..."
----------
Tsukiro sat in the cave with his head in his hands. He had just relayed what Kotaishi had told him to Kisuke and Ukitake. He was to the point of which he felt they had no choice but to turn back. It would be nearly impossible to beat back Hyorinmaru's wrath and make it to where Hitsugaya and Kita were.
4EspadaUlquiorra
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/24/13 | Reply
Like a practiced burglar, Ulquiorra stole into the dead lanscape. Nothing moved. Nothing spoke. Nothing breathed.
How precious this silence must be to the deaf ears of the 10th captain. Perhaps he could appreciate its beauty if he were still alive. But he was not. He was dead. His only companion in the frozen terrain was the mournful keening of his zanpaktou.
The sword's anguish could be felt in the biting wind and heard in the roaring silence.
Ulquiorra inclined his head towards Kita and studied her face, but there was nothing to be found. She was as silent and stony as a corpse.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/23/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
Hyourinmaru loosened his grip and thought for a while; then he reply "You can not help my master. You lack the ability." He chomped down on Kotaishi and flew to the gate he entered from and flung him back through. His last words, "Do not come back to my realm or I will devour you."
Captain Hitsugaya
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/23/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
As Kotaishi snarled out in pain, his bones creaking, he wondered for a split second if this was truly worth it. His master could be freezing out there in that dragon's storm and here he was playing Hyorinmaru's chew toy.
Then he remembered that this was his own idea. It would be shameful to back out just because this oversized reptile was in a bad mood for whatever reason.
"N-no," Kotaishi gasped. He decided to keep his manners in check for once. He gave the dragon a the best grin he could manage in his present state. "I forgot to say please." He laughed humorlessly.
He grunted under the force of Hyorinmaru's tail, Kotaishi said, "Look. I know you are worried and raging mad and maybe even scared for your master right now. I am a zanpakuto as well, so you know that I feel the same for my own master right now. He's suffering the wrath of your storm as we speak. And the other Soul Reapers, Kisuke and Ukitake. Can you imagine the pain Sogyo no Kotowari and Benihime are going through?
"We can help your master. He called to us--to my master--through you. He wanted Tsukiro to come for whatever reason. Do your master the service of letting his subordinate come to his aid as he ordered... Please, I beg you. One zanpakuto spirit to another. Please let them pass safely and we will help you and Toshiro Hitsugaya."
Kotaishi couldn't muster anymore words. He was out of breath and Hyorinmaru was not letting up on his grip, disallowing him to replenish his air supply. His head spun and his eyes rolled back into his head.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/22/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
"Are you giving me an order?!" He slammed his tail down next to kotaishi, then wrapped it around the kitten. Threatening to crush him.
Last edited by captainofsquad10 at 8:24:09 PM EST on November 22, 2013.
Captain Hitsugaya
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/22/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Kotaishi growled low in amusement. "Oh I may not win, but I'd sure as hell put up a fight." Kotaishi turned serious. "But I'm not here to fight you. Let in my master and his friends. Then, after they've gotten their answers, they will leave. Or if nothing else, give me the answers they desire and they will leave you and your master be."
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/22/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
Hyourinmaru lowered his long neck down and around the leopard. "Do you really think you really stand a chance? You are puny. I could eradicate you in one bite." He nipped at the small cat as a warning.
Captain Hitsugaya
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/22/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Kotaishi jumped away from the glacier, appearing now in leopard form. "Alright then. How about now? You ready to listen, or do we have to fight first?"
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/22/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
"You think that gives a pathetic little being like you the right to invade my world. You even disgrace me by appearing in human form!" He flapped his wings again sending him into a nearby glacier.
Captain Hitsugaya
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/22/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Kotaishi stood firm. "I do!" Kotaishi shouted to the dragon, "My master and the others only wish to help your master! Do you not remember that it was you who told us he needed my master?!"
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/22/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
A deafening sound was heard in the distance. As it approached closer and closer the landscape beneath it seemed to be crushed by an invisible force. Strong wind with below zero temperatures accompanied it. As the giant dragon landed before the intruder the ice below the two cracked and strained. He flapped his wings to balance himself almost sending the man before him back hundreds of feet.
"Who dares enter my world without permission?"
Captain Hitsugaya
Phoenix Whisper
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
@Juushiro Ukitake:
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
@Kisuke Urahara
Phoenix looked at the three and stood quietly from where she was leaning against the cave wall. She pulled from her pocket a small object that looked like a cats eye marble and set it to the rock where Juushiro had his haori laying to dry. She was sure Juushiro and Kisuke would know what to do with a teleportation stone. Sadly though they could only use it once. So they had better be wise in the fact of using it. She snapped her fingers and was gone from the cave.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Kotaishi looked to his master who looked back at him. "The moment Hyorinmaru becomes more trouble than he's worth, you get out of there immediately. If you can't handle him, get out of there."
Kotaishi transformed into his human state and knelt to his master. "Yes, Master." Then, before disappearing completely, he looked to Kisuke with an ice cold glare that would have shot Kisuke down in his tracks if looks could actually kill. "I'll show you 'weak and fluffy.'"
With that, he was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back in his own realm, Kotaishi mentally prepared himself for what lied ahead of him in Hyorinmaru's realm. He had never visited or met the zanpakuto, but he knew of his reputation for being the strongest among their shared element. Though Kotaishi would never admit it aloud, not even to his own master, he knew exactly how drastic the difference between himself and the ice dragon was. On a scale, Kotaishi no Kori was between Sode no Shirayuki and Hyorinmaru.
Kotaishi decided to leave his sword unseen as he entered Hyorinmaru's realm. He would only use it if the dragon prompted him to. It would be better that way.
Kotaishi raised his hand and flourished it through the air, holding it like a knife. Also like a knife, it sliced a void through space and before him, though the rip in space, he saw the ice covered, barren wasteland of Hyorinmaru's realm. Instantly, ice, snow and brutal winds cascaded out of the rip in space. It pounded into him with twice the force of the storm Hyorinmaru had generated to force back his master and his friends. But Kotaishi was a zanpakuto, and so this was manageable for him. However, it was still very uncomfortable and difficult to face.
Kotaishi lept through the void and the rip closed behind him, leaving him trapped in Hyorinmaru's realm until he gave Kotaishi an opening to create another rip, or Hyorinmaru expelled him. Kotaishi threw his arms up in front of him to block some of the storm that was blocking his vision. He cast his eyes around the barren, frozen plain searching for any sign of the dragon.
"Hyorinmaru!" he called. "It is Kotaishi no Kori, zanpakuto of Tsukiro Ashimitsu, your master's subordinate! I wish to speak to you upon their behalf! They do not wish to harm you or your master! They only wish to help him!"
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
"You should also get some sleep now that you are warming up, Tsukiro. Your body is not used to long campaigns and Hyourinmaru's assault on us has been a harrowing first experience in such."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
Kisuke looked to Tsukiro. "It's your call. The worst that could happen is Hyourinmaru pummels Kotaishi. I doubt he would kill him, but if he pushes him too hard he just may."
He then looked to Kotaishi, "Don't press your luck with Hyourinmaru. If he don't tell you anything then walk away. Don't upset him anymore than he already is."
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Juushiro halted his healing Kido over the deepest gash. "I agree with you, Kisuke. It would be dangerous for Kotashi to approach Hyourinmaru in this state." He started and coughed for a few minutes. "However, if Tsukiro is willing to allow it, he may learn something from the dragon before Hyourinmaru expels him."
The captain rubbed his throat before continuing. "Hyourinmaru's actions are congruent with my few past experiences with a violent zanpakuto. When something drastic enough has occurred to give the zanpakuto life of their own to protect their master or themselves. Unfortunately, I don't know how - and I don't want to - but it may be important to theorize why Toshiro would be incapacitated... " he paused and forced himself to finish, "or worse."
He took a deep ragged breath. "If Sousuke had managed to create the gate before us and laid in waiting, he would have attacked when we were weak from Hyourinmaru's assault. If, however, he decided to do what he has done before, strike and watch the breaking, ... Many nearly died from that manipulation the first time.
"Even if it isn't him, we have to be cautious from here on. Hyourinmaru doesn't know friend from foe. Anything that's not his master is a threat and he won't stop at injury if we press him too far."
He looked to Kotaishi. "If Tsukiro decides to send you, good luck."
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 5:38:43 PM EST on November 20, 2013.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Kotaishi looked like he wanted to bite and maul Kisuke, but Tsukiro only laughed as best he could considering he was still cold.
"Kotaishi, be good."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Kisuke looked to Juushiro and smirked. "I think I hit a nerve with fluffy here."
He then looked back at Kotaishi and Tsukiro.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Kotaishi eased up from underneath Tsukiro. "It doesn't matter what anyone thinks. I'm going whether you all agree or not. If my master forbids me from going, then I'll stay, but otherwise, none of you have any input on this."
Kotaishi looked to his master who didn't say any words of opposition. "Then that settles it. I'll go through my inner world to Hyorinmaru. Meanwhile, you guys can do what you will on this end."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
@Juushiro Ukitake
Kisuke nodded, "Yes, they can. You can also send Kotaishi out to where Hyorinmaru is with Toshiro. However, I believe that would be dangerous in this fact, but there is no guarantee Hyorinmaru will speak with Kotaishi. There is a great difference in powers here."
Kisuke looked to Juushiro where he was sitting. "What do you think of this idea?"
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 5:06:16 PM EST on November 20, 2013.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Tsukiro thought before taking a deep breath and saying, "Okay, so the best way to get through to a zanpakuto is through the master. However we have to assume Hitsugaya-taicho is... incapacitated as of right now. How else can we get through to Hyorinmaru to let him know that we only want to help? If one of us can calm him down, maybe he'll let us in no problem."
Kotaishi spoke up again. "Zanpakuto can communicate with each other."
OOC: Is it safe to assume this? Cause I don't see any other ultimatum than to calm Hyorinmaru down and ask what happened.
The group looked at the leopard in disbelief. He rolled his eyes and huffed. "I can go through my inner world to Hyorinmaru's and speak to him. Of course, since we are both ice zanpakuto it will be easier than if I were to do this with another zanpakuto type."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
"Kotaishi is right, Tsukiro. The power of his attacks are too much for just being over protective. Given we are in the godly realm, but they there is no need for a god to travel to the cave in such a manner. A snap of their fingers and their there. Not to mention Hyorinmaru would not stand a chance against a god if they really wanted in there.”
Kisuke sighed adjusting his hat, “We need to rethink our plan of entry and defense. If we attack; Hyorinmaru will only fight back harder. Making it harder on us in the end.” Sitting to the ground in the cave Kisuke went into think mode.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Once the wet clothing had been removed, Tsukiro settled back into the warmth of Kotaishi's fur. He wrapped the haori he brought with him--which had somehow managed to remain mostly dry--around him and tried to stay awake.
Kotaishi piped up from his position as his master's pillow. "For any zanpakuto to react like this," he said, "one's master must be in great peril. We are not here to react and cause chaos as Hyorinmaru is right now. We exist solely to protect, serve, and fight for our masters. This storm Hyorinmaru created means that Toshiro Hitsugaya is unable to protect himself. That would mean one of two things: he is either severely injured, or dead."
"Kotaishi," Tsukiro snapped. "That's only an assumption. Let us make confirmations when we get there. Then, hopefully, we can try and calm Hyorinmaru and find out what is going on and why he's been trying to drive us away."
The leopard snorted. I figured you all would benefit from some experience, he said to Tsukiro in his mind.
In truth, Tsukiro didn't want to acknowledge that Kotaishi could be right. He wanted to believe that the captain was at least alive and that Hyorinmaru was just being over protective for Hitsugaya's sake.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Kisuke was doing the same. Removing the wet clothing that he wore and laying them flat over a large rock to dry. He was down to one layer when he saw Juushiro dealing with Tsukiro. He walked over giving him a hand.
"You go tend to that arm. I have Tsukiro."
Kisuke then turned his attention to Tsukiro helping him remove his cloak and anything else that was soaked with water.
"Something is wrong. Its not Toshiro trying to keep us out. Its Hyorinmaru. he is protecting something or someone."
Kisuke was not talking to one person he was speaking to each one of them in the cave.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
As soon as the frostbite in his hands had been dealt with, Juushiro reached up with his good arm and carefully pulled the water-logged cloak from his back, hissing as the fabric pulled at the ice crusted on his wounds and reopened a few of the deeper gashes along his arm. Pulling off his haori came next, draping it over some rocks away from cloak. The warmth of Phoenix's spot began to seep into his two remaining layers. Starting to pull at the tie of his kimono, the captain halted, seeing Tsukiro's shivers worsen further. He sighed. Setting his bad arm in the sleeve of his kimono for later care, Juushiro pushed back his own exhaustion and strode over to the boy and Kotashi.
"Thank you, Kotashi," the captain murmured before kneeling down beside them. "You did well." He pet the leopard with his good hand for a moment before turning to his master.
"Get up, Tsukiro Ashimitsu," he ordered, tone firm, setting a hand on his shoulder. When Tsukiro started from his daze at his voice, he continued in a softer one. "You need to take some of your layers off to let the warmth get to your body."
Pain radiated from his arm and blood dripped from his sleeve; however, Juushiro continued to coax the boy. "Lean on me if you need it, but resting without tending to your lack of warmth will only harm your captain and yourself." He removed his hand and offered it to him. "It will be painful, but it will help." His eyes narrowed. "Now, move," he ordered in the same voice once more.
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 3:47:28 PM EST on November 20, 2013.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Tsukiro curled into a tight ball on the cave floor, not caring that the ground was made of rock and very hard and very uncomfortable. He shivered violently, almost appearing that he was having a siezure. The fact that his clothes were wet did not help. Just as his eyes drifted shut, Kotaishi leaped from his sword in leopard form and jolted him awake.
"No, Master! Do not fall asleep!" Kotaishi curled up against Tsukiro, warming him with his fur. "You have to stay awake until you warm up."
Tsukiro sighed as Kotaishi's warmth seeped through his wet clothes. The storm was not only taking a toll on him physically, but mentally as well. "Hyorinmaru wouldn't just lash out like this. Something must have happened to Hitsugaya-taicho and Hyorinmaru is protecting him."
Phoenix Whisper
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Phoenix fanned her wings lifting her body upward. She grabbed the three below her and whisk them away to another cave where the weather was warm and sunny. Landing outside the cave she set them safely to the ground and transformed back to human form. Kisuke was helping Juushiro as Juushiro was helping Tsukiro. Phoenix sighed shaking her head and rolling her eyes. She then walked over taking Tsukiro off Juushiro's hands and helped Tsukiro in the cave while Kisuke helped Juushiro.
Once inside Phoenix conjured up some food for them and started healing the ones with frostbit. When she got to Kisuke she looked him in the eyes and stated.
"If you or any of you go dying on this mission. Don't mention my name and the help I gave you when you get here. I'll deny every word of it."
She heard Kisuke chuckle under his breath as he told her 'thank you'. Phoenix softly smiled and finished up on his hands.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/20/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Juushiro coughed hoarsely, holding Tsukiro up with one arm. "Somewhere dry, and I don't care if it's father away. Tsukiro doesn't have the endurance for this brutality at all. We are going to have to come up with a new attack pattern." He stopped speaking, doubling over and coughing louder. Clenching his fist, he continued. "This one isn't working, and Kis-suke, you, I, need to talk - later - before we do," he coughed, stuttered, voice dropping further.
The captain glanced to Tsukiro. Luckily, it seemed wrapping the Fire Whip around Tsukiro had saved him from the worst of Hyourinmaru's assault, if only just. That was a reason to be glad he had held onto the Kido spell for as long as he had. It had broken sometime during the second phase of the attack, but thankfully for that, Tsukiro's hands were the only ones not blue. For the moment.
Phoenix Whisper
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Phoenix nodded to Kisuke. He was right. The three of them were at their limits. It was time to retreat and tend to the injured. She slapped her hands together. Her arm extended out growing in length and size like wings, but there were no feathers only flames. Her head bowed changing shape as well as her body. When she was done the Phoenix they knew by name was truly the Phoenix. She expanded her wings as a great warmth wrapped around them.
“Where to?” She asked them.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Kisuke fell to his knees. The extreme cold and the amount of reiryoku he was using finally taking a toll on him. He looked back to Juushiro, his cloak wet and ice hung from various spots, the one arm covered in frozen blood. Kisuke could not tell who was shivering the worst he or Juushiro both their hands were blue. Looking to Tsukiro as he shivered as well, frostbitten and soaked from the water. He sheathed Benihime looking to Phoenix.
“We need shelter and we need it now.” He spoke loudly over the raging snow and ice storm that raged around them.
Phoenix Whisper
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Phoenix literally froze in place with the sneak attack from behind. Since Kisuke had the frontal attack she turned taking care of what was coming from behind. She placed her palms downward toward the ground shaking uncontrollably. A warmth started to grow around them, what was seconds seemed liked hours with the extreme cold they were fighting against. Finally the water thawed enough for them to break free; however, their bodies did not thaw quite that fast. Phoenix pushed out more power so to warm them faster.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Distracted by the push from the front they didn't notice the water soaking the ground from behind, it pooled around their feet, and at the precise moment he willed it cold air rushed from the water. The water lashed at their bare skin, freezing in the plummeting temperatures. This is where the frostbite attacked. It focused on their legs and Achilles tendons.
(beware not to take a step or it will tear. that tendon can not be repaired. you will be paralyzed for life))
Captain Hitsugaya
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
In a downward slash Kisuke brought Benihime, "CRY BENIHIME!" She stopped at his side as a wave of red came forward and swallowed the shock wave that advanced toward them.
Phoenix Whisper
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Phoenix could feel the energy of Hyourinmaru's power pushing against them; however, this made Phoenix push even harder. She spread her arms wide then thrust them forward quickly causing a great gust of hot wind to surge forward. She watched as shards of ice pierced Benihime's blood shield, but Benihime did not budge she stood strong fighting Hyourinmaru's rage that came toward them. Phoenix then heard Kisuke calling out to his sword again.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
The raging storm lashed out at them weakening their barriers just in time for the shock wave to hit with the force of a Cat 7 hurricane. Bringing with it millions of shards of ice and negative 20 and below temperatures. Not to mention wind chill.
Last edited by captainofsquad10 at 10:09:19 PM EST on November 19, 2013.
Captain Hitsugaya
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Drawing his zanpakuto Kisuke called out.
"Scream Crimson Princess, Blood Shield!"
At that Benihime rushed forward helping Phoenix block Hyourinmaru's attempt in pushing them back.
Phoenix Whisper
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@captainofsquad10:
Phoenix threw her hands in front of her palms out.
"Oh no you don't you pain in the hinny ice dragon."
She forced her powers outward as she yelled at the three behind her. "Shield yourselves it is going to get cold for a bit!"
The warmth that was around them rushed forward wrapping around the fury of the ice dragons. She looked to her left seeing Kisuke draw his blade.
((Glad I text you Kisuke to work this out, lol))
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Juushiro let Kisuke speak for all of them all as he cancelled the Kido spell, letting the cloak lie heavily on the bleeding arm until he tended to it. For now, he increased his pace and kept a hand on this zanpakuto.
HIs eyes widened as Hyourinmaru's power rose back to meet Phoenix's intervention. "KISUKE!" he hollered in warning, "Get Benihime up now." He grabbed Tsukiro and pulled the boy to him. "Blazing Beacon. Phoenix's wrath. Hado. no. 125 Kojin no Ibuki! "
He winced as the spell, gratefully still leaking from his wounds, ripped the Kido warmth out of him, reawakening the shield just as ice dragon's roar cascaded over them, gritting his teeth as the rope squeezed tighter on his arm.
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 9:36:52 PM EST on November 19, 2013.
captainofsquad10
Otaku Eternal | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@Phoenix Whisper :
From inside his resting place Hyourinmaru sensed a disturbance in his storm. He manifested himself and focused on the area it was coming from. Far from the cave he sensed four different spiritual pressures coming towards him.
How dare they try to disturb his master. Out of rage and to protect his master's peace Hyourinmaru focused his power around them. Increasing the storm's ferocity, making the air around them burn cold, frostbite was for certain! He made the storm far worse than even a God could handle! He also let out a tremendous roar that sent a shock wave of frozen air to greet them. It would definitely knock them back and hopefully deter them from pressing forward.
Captain Hitsugaya
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@Phoenix Whisper :
Kisuke shook his head an irritated look on his face under his breath he spoke.
"You arrogant bitch."
He moved forward to keep from get outside her power.
Phoenix Whisper
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
Appearing in front of them Phoenix stood, hands on her hips the storm cleared around her. Nothing but the calm of a summers days circled around her. She looked at the three of them shaking her head.
"I told you I would give you safe passage there and back, but still you soul reapers tread out on your own like you could defeat the world."
She spread her arms out dividing the icy fury of the storm around them. They too were now safe from the Winter's Touch.
"This way to the cave." She stepped forward, the warmth she created followed. "Don't fall too far behind. My power will only allow me to calm so much." She told them not looking back, pushing ever so on ward.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
"Don't spend all your reiatsu on the storm, Tsukiro," Juushiro called out to him over the howling wind, before the lad could do it again. "Kaibuchi!" he hollered, lashing the Fire Whip up high, where a large flame arched like a dragon and sped through, fading into the storm. The wind calmed before slowly whistling back up to speed. "Spend the attack wisely and coordinate with my whip. That will tire us both less."
They continued to walk on, leaving the gate behind.
Juushiro caught Kisuke turning to him for a moment with an evaluating look a second time before facing forward again, his face tighter than before. The captain sighed. If they had faced anything but the absolute power demonstrated in this storm, he would have chosen a different level of Kido than the old chants that used blood as well as reiatsu to fuse them into being. However, the volatile blizzard's howling around him just went further to prove that he had to do it. He winced as the rope tightened, forcing more blood down the coils, the wing opening briefly in response and maintaining its fan of warmth. A headache built in his head, and although it could be from his spell, he wondered how much originated from the chaotic whirls of power in the wind.
"Too much and I already know that," he murmured below his breath. It felt too close to Yamamoto Sensei's reiatsu at Shikai, a level of power to force submission or, in this case, he suspected, to keep far away. To shut out the world.
A strange laugh echoed in the recesses of his mind. He banished it back where it belonged, wrapping a hand around his zanpakuto, hoping for reassurance.
Their silence only served to further tighten the knot in his stomach.
Why was Toshiro's, no, Hyourinmaru's power erupting at such great rates?
He didn't want to know but knew he would find out.
He hoped he would bring all his friends home.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Tsukiro threw ounce after ounce of his reiatsu at the storm, following Kotaishi's lead and in turn leading Kisuke and Ukitake through the storm. By the time they had made it to.bbthe end of the gate, Tsukiro had spent nearly a quarter of his energy.
Once they were through the gate, the ferocity of the storm had almost doubled. Tsukiro stepped up his game.
"Tsuranuku Hyotsumera!"
Arrow like shockwaves of ice and reiatsu surged forward and parted the storm. Then he repeated his previous process to keep it back.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
Kisuke fell into the group as they walked along. Hopefully it would not take them long to get there. He hated the fact of them exerting so much in getting them there, but he knew his time was drawing near to have to do the same. If his gut feeling was right they were walking straight into the wreath if Hyorinmaru. Why he was not sure, but he knew the fact of the matter was not going to be a good one. He looked to Juushiro as he thought to himself.
"Juushiro and Sōgyo no Kotowari I am sure could have held Hyorinmaru back, but not after this. Not with the energy that Juushiro is putting forth into that Hado he is doing." His head slightly turned now looking at Tsukiro.
"Tsukiro, even with the display of his Bankai just now has no chance in standing against Hyorinmaru. So that leaves me and Benihime."
They would have to stand against the furious ice dragon and if something has happened to Toshiro. That dragon was not one that was going to be easy to talk to. Kisuke pushed forward hoping they arrived soon to their destination.
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 6:20:46 PM EST on November 19, 2013.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Tsukiro nodded and leaded them forward. He sighed "Let's hope this works or we'll all be popsicles."
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@Tsukiro Ashimitsu:
"Worry about your part, Tsukiro. I'll handle the crossfire," Juushiro replied, voice firm. Setting aside his mixed surprise and amusement, the captain stepped back so both his companions were to the front of him, placing his hands together, palms facing outwards.
"Tempest's wings," he mumured. His own reiatsu spiked as a tiny golden ball of Kido appeared with the words and whirled in front of him.
Juushiro took a breath.
"Tempest's wings and strength of iron, a king dragon's lament turns into tears of winter," he chanted. A golden rope burst out of the ball, thickening and waving in the harsh wind. It snaked its way around his first arm, drawing blood through the cloth. Juushiro closed his eyes, drawing more of his reiatsu into the Kido spell woven with his words. "Fire of summer's heart, blood of the land's fool," he opened his eyes as the bite of cold threatened his work, "return once more, blazing beacon, phoenix's wrath." A golden flame leapt from his hand up his back as wide single wing, faintly tinged crimson.
"Hado No. 125: Kojin no Ibuki!"
Hissing like a snake the rope wrenched into Juushiro's arm, spraying blood, and the wing flared, opening wide. Warmth fanned out from his position. As the storm pummeled them, the warmth dimmed and settled in lukewarm tempertaures. The wing half-closed. Juushiro breathed deeply and lowered his hands.
"Kojin's Breath will continue to radiate warmth as long as I don't pass out from feeding it reiatsu and blood." he stated, blunt and to the point. Another coil of rope formed through the glare. Juushiro wrapped it around his uninjured arm, holding it in his good hand. "The offensive side of it will break wind peaks in the storm at my command for a short while."
He frowned slightly. "I can't be exact as this is the first time using it like this."
Last edited by Juushiro Ukitake at 5:01:59 PM EST on November 19, 2013.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/19/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Tsukiro rolled his eyes at Kisuke then positioned Kotaishi in front of him.
"However," he sighed. "This storm is much too strong for just my Shikai. I'll have to..." The words died on his lips, but he had already made his decision.
His cape flapping around him wildly, he closed his eyes and released every ounce of reiatsu that he could.
"Ban... kai!"
Tsukiro's icy reiatsu erupted around him. Clouds and flecks of snow and ice swirled around him, almost completely indistinguishable from the storm around him. At first, it just seemed to make it worse...
But when the miniature storm around Tsukiro died down, he stood before Kisuke and Ukitake clad in royalty style robes of blues, violets, lavenders and white. The decorative chains and jewels clinked and chimed in the violent winds. His gauntlets and on his forearms glinted like dull silver. Tsukiro's hair was now long and stark white with blue streaks, pulled up into a high ponytail by hairpins and more jewels. When he opened his eyes, they were violet-blue.
At his side, Kotaishi no Kori was a brilliant display of a sterling silver hilt, a violet guard, and a pure sapphire tinted blade. Lavender ribbons trailed out from the end of the hilt. In his left hand was the silver bladed kunai knife.
"Hyorikka Gyokusho." ("Snow Leopard King/Emperor") Tsukiro raised his sword in front of him. "Stand back. If you get caught in the crossfires of my reiatsu and this storm, you might not be in good enough shape to tell anyone that you saw my Bankai."
He swept his sword back out to the side, calling out, "Issen Koritsurugi!" ("One Thousand Ice Blades")
The kunai disappeared from Tsukiro's left hand and the curved katana blade in his right straightened out to form a chokuto, a Japanese straight blade. The ribbons disappeared as well. The color of the blade changed from silver, violet and sapphire to completely silvery-white like ice and snow. It glinted and sparkled dully. Replacing the kunai in his left hand was a second chokuto blade, exactly like the first. Tsukiro spun them both then rested them by his sides. As he flourished them downwards, five more appeared in mid air behind him.
Tsukiro closed his eyes once more. Kotaishi, I need you to help me find where all this is coming from.
Yes, Master. Hyorinmaru and his master are strong together, but so are we. I will do what I can.
With the help from his zanpakuto, Tsukiro opened his mind and threw his consciousness out of the end of the gate, into what lay ahead of them. Immediately, the storm got worse and it battered against Tsukiro and Kotaishi's joined senses. Together, they gradually overcame it and pushed their consciousnesses forward. The forest surrounding the end of the gate was completely frozen solid. Every inch of flora and greenery was now covered in several inches of rock solid ice. Here, the storm was worse than in the gate. But when they pushed further, it got even worse than that. Finally, their senses reached the eye of the storm: the cave. And here it was at its worst.
So much so it rejected Tsukiro and Kotaishi and forced them back to their present position. Tsukiro was forced to one knee. This is bad.
You focus on beating back the storm, Master. Lead Kisuke and Ukitake through the storm and I will lead you to the source.
Tsukiro nodded and stood back up. "Alright, let's go," he said to Kisuke and Ukitake.
As he spun the two blades in his hands in front of him, two of the replicas shot forward and imitated him several feet in front of him. Tsukiro released enough of his reiatsu into the swords to create a vortex that sucked in the storm and flung it back the other way, creating a gap in the storm big enough for the three of them to travel a bit more comfortably.
"Follow me, and again, don't get caught in the crossfire."
Agh. This took forever, but I did it. haha! Take that blizzard!
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/18/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
"Then what are we waiting for?" Kisuke said stepping toward the opening of the gate.
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/18/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
I am not sure, but I'll try the best I can,"Tsukiro said, pulling out Kotaishi.
OOC: Unfortunately, im out of time, so i will do a detailed post tomorrow.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/17/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Juushiro sensed his unease and set his hand on his shoulder. "You escaped Aizen's death trap with your friends. I think you can manage a blizzard, old friend, no matter how.. unusual it is." He looked back out at the storm. "Tsukiro, is there anything we can do to help you with finding the source?"
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/16/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Kisuke nodded, "I think you're right. I believe Tsukiro could lead us straight to Toshiro. If you can create some warmth and Tsukiro can find the source I can lead us there." Kisuke looked to Tsukiro. The look on his face was uncertain, but his eyes told a different story.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/16/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Juushiro nodded. "No, it is not. It's too .. violent," he murmured a moment later. He shook his head. "We don't have the time to wonder about it. We have to do something. Kisuke, do you have a plan if I can create some warmth against this plight?" He turned to Tsukiro. "Can you sense the origin of the storm with your own zanpakuto? I think we would find Toshiro there." He looked to Kisuke for confirmation if his theory was correct.
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/16/13 | Reply
Kisuke looked around the pathway luckily finding a few heavy capes with hoods. He lifted them from the ground as a few bones fell from them. He shook them well and handed one to each of his comrades. "Put them on. It will help block out some of that cold." Kisuke flung his over his back pulling it closed in the front and lifting the hood. He smiled at both of them, "I am glad you decided to come along. I am worried about what I might be walking into. This is not normal for either Hyorinmaru or Hitsugaya. Something is wrong."
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/16/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
"I am never in top health yet I have not stepped down from my role as captain," Juushiro retorted in turn, letting loose some of his reiatsu in hopes of beating some of the storm back. He continued, "I may not be the best person to go into the thick of this, but that doesn't mean that I am turning around simply because you say so, Kisuke. You are not doing this alone." He winced at the immensity, but at least he had been exposed to Yama-ji's awesome reiatsu before. The captain narrowed his eyes. "I can provide warmth, but it is going to cost me. I also won't be able to be help further. Can you think of way through this with the two of you if I create a momentary pathway through? Tsukiro unfortunately made a point. We may need him."
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/16/13 | Reply
@Urahara Kisuke:
Tsukiro grabbed ahold of Kisuke's kimono and vice gripped it. "If you think I'm turning tail now when Hyorinmaru said Hitsugaya-taicho needed me, you're completely insane."
He shook his head and gave Kisuke a stern look. "I'm an ice wielder too. I can handle this."
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/16/13 | Reply
@Juushiro Ukitake:
Kisuke stepped back to get away from the bitter cold that swept into the gate but to no avail. The cold was just to immense. "I think you and Tsukiro should go back. I will do this one alone. The cold is just going to be too much for Tsukiro and your still not in top health." He crossed his arms rubbing his arms briskly with his hands. "There is too high of a risk for frostbite with this level of power."
Tsukiro Ashimitsu
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/16/13 | Reply
As OOC:
Okay, I have a lot to say as a fan... so...
*Looks at other people crying and points*
Reasons why that is not me right now:
1) I guess my mind wasn't in to it.
2) Tite Kubo didn't write/draw it, therefore he's not actually dead. (no offense Kita, you did very well. *thumbs up*)
2) This is a no kill rp therefore he's not actually dead.
3) I didn't write it myself, so it's not personal.
OR
I'm a horrible Toshiro Hitsugaya fan. (Which is virtually impossible. *sarcastic laugh*)
Just thought I'd tell you this Kita. (All this wouldnt fit on Skype)
Last edited by Tsukiro Ashimitsu at 2:43:02 PM EST on November 16, 2013.
Yamamoto Shigekun
Otakuite+ | Posted 11/16/13 | Reply
*sighs bowing head* This is what I feared would come of this.
Juushiro Ukitake
Grand Otaku | Posted 11/15/13 | Reply
*pales* I can't believe it...
Damn... no wonder someone was crying while writing this. What the HELL IS GOING ON??! Is it Aizen, Gods, AggghHH! Amazing post, guys. I am rarely surprised to the extent I was when reading this. We are going to have a very hard time getting through this.
Sousuke Aizen
Senior Otaku | Posted 11/15/13 | Reply
*smirks* That's my girl. Come home Kita. Ulquiorra is anxiously waiting for your return. As am I.
Phoenix Whisper
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/15/13 | Reply
*knew it was only a matter of time and Sumi would respond to her natural instincts*
*Bawles like a baby* YOU KILLED TOSHIRO! OMG KITA I HATE YOU! *sniffles* I can't stop the tears. This sucks and hurts! OMG!!! Toshiro!
Urahara Kisuke
Otakuite++ | Posted 11/15/13 | Reply
*narrows eyes, won't believe Kita did such a thing*
OOC: What I want to say I can't say on here and I can't say it as Kisuke. So all I have to say to you two is -- 'Look Out' when I finally do get on Skype. I will say this much. This SO FAR is one of the better ones written in this RP. Kudos to you both no wonder Kita was crying last night.
Last edited by Urahara Kisuke at 10:26:15 PM EST on November 15, 2013.