Bleach: The Lament of Power IC

[Ganryu]

Link to the OOC

Bleach: Lament of Power
It was day and all seemed calm, the life in all districts of the rukongai had been much better recently, except for one. One of the districts, one that had been dubbed the 106th district, life had been especially bad. Robbery, rape, murder, and any other number of horrible crimes had been commited with its walls. Yes, walls it was so bad that the shinigami had taken action and removed them from the normal districts by a huge wall surrounding the district.

No one entered and no one exited the walls but they didn't care about a damned wall, though they did want to get out. Eventually they tried but the shinigami created a ceiling and a floor as well and so they were trapped.

Things continued with the rukongai in peace and the 106th district in chaos with the seireitei in its usual orderly state. However after 4 years something out of the ordinary happened. One man rose out from the fray of warriers and criminals in the 106th district. His name: Tenebrae, and he decimated the walls, ceiling, and floor that trapped them within. He then challenged all of them to battle and said any who survived afterwards would serve beneath him.

It took only a single hour and all but 4 had died in battle against him. Out of the thousands of people that had been within the 106th district only 5, including Tenebrae now stood alive.

Two of them were similar to Tenebrae for they both had zanpakuto like shinigami. However one of them was a quincy soul and another was something entirely different. The woman called herself a Revenseur and had...strange abilities to say the least.

Tenebrae took the four with him and each became one of his 4 generals. He did not attack soul society but had the two shinigami cast illusory kido over the 106th district. You see for no one checked on the place so it was not known that anything had happened till weeks upon weeks later. While those weeks past Tenebrae gathered more of the strongest.

Upon doing so, he headed for the Seireiti and broke down part of the wall with pure unrestrained strength. His zanpakuto smashed a hole in the wall. He and his four generals entered the Seireitei which of course was now on full alert.

--------
Sokyoku Hill became the meeting place for Tenebrae stood at the hills peak with his four generals on a point at one of the four corners. As the captains arrived he looked upon them trying to get onto the hill. However, strangely they could not, it was as if a barrier had been set up. Soon they found that one had, around them and not the hill.

Tenebrae then decreed "You shall all fight each other to the death. For those of you whom refuse, you will die. For those of you who lose, you will die. Only the strong may survive, only the strong may live to follow me to live another day and die for me another." With this he forced the captains and vice captains to fight each other till none were left and only the few who survived would serve.

However only 2 emerged from the battle grounds alive. One with nearly fatal injuries and another who was entirely unscathed but seemed tired out. One was a seated officer and the other was a full fledged captain. The captain was nearly dead, the seated officer...was tired.

He took both in and left the seireitei, crushed under his power and their own. He has disappeared since is untraceable. He is not hiding for he does not need to, but he is waiting for the appropriate time to attack, this...will be soon.
F
------
Its been 50 years since the incident with Tenebrae. Six captains have risen, two of which are join Captain Commanders. The other three have taken spots among the other divisions. One of them is the a bit strange and though no one remembers, he resembles the 6th seat who survived 50 years before.
__________________________________________________ _______________
A dark cloud seemed to descend on the Seireiti. Sitting in his office, a captain of the 13 guard looked up, he could feel something in the wind. The clouds in the distance were black....something was not right. The captain literally ran out of his officae and found his Vice Captain, grabbing him by the shoulders.


"Get the men of the 13th squad in battle positions!"
"What? It's just a calm d-"
"Do it now!"

Suddenly every head turned towards the east. A massive wave shook the entirity of the Seirieti. The dark clouds seemed to spill forth into the Seireiti itself. A reitsu of unbelievable proportions fell. It was like having an ocean fall on you. The captain looked around to see his men stumbling forward, to fall facefirst into the ground.

"Damn it!"

He looked to see even his Liutenent eyes glazed over. He managed to stand, but just barely.

The captain shouted out to him.

"Stay there, don't come out, no matter what happens!"

In a flash, he was gone, running towards the source of the clouds pouring forth. He stopped infront of Sokyoko hill. A single man stood theatretically ontop of it, looking down. The captain looked around to see his peers gathering around, several liutenents too.

"You should not have brought the Liutenents!"

The voice ontop of the hill spoke, amplified to a high volume by Bakudo #77, Tenteikūra.

"Welcome to my performance!"

The captain of earlier was the only one to immediately speak out.

"What the hell do you want?"

The figure atop a hill focused on him.
"Do NOT" the earth shook with the single word "interupt my play."

Aaron felt like he'd been hit with a heavy load. He could still move however, more than the liutenents could. The man atop the hill continued.

"I come to you today, as a diety. None of you could hope to match me. I hope I'm wrong, but looking down, I doubt it. I will let only the strong here survive, to serve me. You may know my name, Tenebrae Matus. God of the Rukongai."

Several of the more hot-headed captains start booing him. One rushes forward at the man.

"Strike fast and hard, Raiden!"

He ran forward releasing his zanpaktu into a lightning bolt like shape, only to sent flying backwards by a hidden kido. He lands with a loud thud into the ground, forming a crater. He starts to get to his feet, flinching in pain.

Tenebrae looks at the attempt with disgust.

"You are obviously not strong."

The man formed a javelin, purely out of kido, before launching it forward. It shattered through the same hidden barrier, making a rainbow of colors fall as the barrier reflected light. The javelin struck with a morbid thud before releasing it's power in a massive explosion into the air.

Horror filled the eyes of all around, a captain had been killed so simply before their eyes. The 13th division drew his zanpaktu. He whispered.

"My friend....I'll avenge you."

Tenebrae's voice sounded. "Only the strong may emerge."

Even the captains of the Gotie 13 hesistated of what to do with this threat.

The captain commander amoung them, a rather elderly man stepped forward.

"We will not serve a lowly Rukongai scum."

Tenebrae:"Very well, then you have chosen death. Larial, Wolfe, rid him."

Two men walked out, one a quincy, and the other a race unknown. He held a set of claws on his hands.

The barrier formed around him, sealing the captain commander from the rest. He opened his eyes, and took hold of his zanpaktu.

"Ridiculous, Shake, Atlus."

The earth around him shook and his zanpaktu took the shape of a large warhammer. A blur occured as he rushed the two at speeds even captains would have trouble reacting to and following. Larial jumped to avoid the strike, while Wolfe rolled forward, under the hammer. As the hammer finished it's arc, a large shockwave rolled forward, cracking along the barrier, and heading at Tenebrae.

Tenebrae held his staff out against it, a larger impact crater forming, stopping the wave.

Wolfe started to limberly stand back up.

The captain commander turned raising the hammer again.

Wolfe:"You've already fallen."

Commander:"There is no way your puny claws can reach me."

A burst of blood then fell down the commanders chest. "What?"

His hammer fell to the side as the commander landed on one knee.

Wolfe:"Don't judge a claw by it's length."

The Commander stood again. "The Gotie 13 won't falter to OUTSIDERS!"

The 13th division Captain snapped his head at Tenebrae:"ENOUGH!"

He held his zanpaktu forward, what looked like a giant machete.

"Consume the offering, Hi no Tamashi!"

Cracks of red ran down the blade, and soot seemed to over take it, renewing it's appearance, looking like a broadsword. The blade was sharper, and more rigid rather than the flowing curved blade than before.

Tenebrae's expression had little interest in it. He looked down at his nails.

"Break through the barrier then if you have a problem. If you can."

The captain closed his eyes, focusing in his connection to his blade. He added several layers of kido to it then rushed forward. He could feel the barrier. With his sword gripped tightly in both hand he swung down in a massive strike.

Reitsu burst around the area from it, creating it's own wind as it built up. The tension rose higher and higher, before actually snapping.

Tenebrae's attention itself snapped right to his barrier being broken.

The captain was already leaping at him.

"Bureizurain!"

He slammed down with his sword at Tenebrae. Tenebrae raised his staff reflexively with one hand to block the strike.

A line of fire shot out of the blade as soon as it made impact. Flames licked the air, several actually falling on the man.

Tenebrae's expression changed to utter shock.

"You think you can actually harm me!?"

He slammed his staff upward, throwing the captain's sword to the side as he barely hung on.

"I'll see to it your world ends today. Unseal, and show the world your power, O sama no Ama no Hara."

The staff shrunk, before taking the appearance of a blade, with hollow interior. Tenebrae slammed it down, a dark reitsu licking it.

The captain raised his blade to block, his face filled with horror as the blade slammed down. Time seemed to slow as it fell. Slower and slower. More and more menacing, a blade filled with power. A blade filled with malice.


"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

A scream resounded around.

It was then that Aaron realized he was not on the battlefield with Tenebrae, but in his bed. His pupils were wide open, and he clutched his head violently with one hand. He panted in his head.

"That was the day.....the blackest day in history. I dualed with Tenebrae for over an hour but still."

Aaron's eyes drifted downward, towards his lame arm. He flinched as he slowly raised it infront of him. He gingerly touched it with his good hand, to make sure it was as it looked. Charred from Reitsu poisoning. He stroked it gently. The burns ran all the way up his arm, which was covered by robes in the day. They afflicted his right eye, which was wrapped and hidden behind a headband. They burned his face, which was covered in day by a cloth. They burned his chest, which he kept covered under his robes also by day. However at night, he lay in a simpe robe, with all of his burns looking into the air for a rare time.

"Fifty years, and that day has not even faded a glimmer from my memory. Hmph. My body couldn't forget even if my mind could."

Scuttling is heard, and his door is thrown violently open, a shinigami of the same division looking in concerned.

"Are you alright sir, we heard a scream?"

Aaron looked down still at his hand. He moved his fingers rigidly, racked with pain.

"No. It was just a dream....just a dream...."

[Pisces]

- Taiki Akimoto -
The barracks was barren, but to the new Captain, this was usual. Since the attack, before his own prime, the population had be sparse regardless of the attempts to increase the number of Shinigami. Akimoto walked around nodding and waving to those training or conversing with other squad members. The movements were smooth though he had weights on his arms, legs, and body. With this passive form of training his body, he was usually seen with odd contraptions and methods of hardening his body and further training for that day.

The mess hall was feeding a few dozen shinigami at this time. The Captain, though of high rank and personable demeanor, sat by himself today without making a sound as he knelt on the wooden floor. He began to meditate, almost like was praying, as some unseated shinigami brought him a banquet before him. "So, Mother, am I doing well today?"
"You're doing very well today, Son. I think you should keep those on for the rest of the day while you train more extensively than yesterday when you didn't have the weights, though. You are becoming stronger, my Son, and with your increasing Reiatsu levels, your blade will become heavier." The Phoenix advised atop the hill.
"Very well. Thank you, Mother."
"Thank you, Son."

The food in front of him was plentiful. 10 large platters with various foods piled on was his normal meal-time amount. He ate relatively quickly, as to not stay in a rested position for too long. The weights were heavy, as he increased it the day before due to the request of his 'Mother.' The utensil switched hands numerous times throughout the personal banquet. About halfway through the meal, the Lieutenant approached him.

"Sir, some of the members are thinking of holding a concert this evening to ease the tension within the barracks. I'm asking for your approval."
"Of course! Splendid idea, Lieutenant."
"Well, I..." he tried to deny the credit.
"I haven't heard music is such a long time. I'd love to hear what you all come up with."
"Eh..." he began, "we were also planning on inviting the other squads as well. More of a bonding experience, you know...uh, sir?"
"I like the idea, Lieutenant. I'll contact the Captain Commanders about this."
"Thank you, Captain."

Akimoto only nodded as he continued to finish his meal. "Smiles would be a nice change around here."

With the plates stacked for the kitchen to clean, he left for the training room to begin the exercise regiment her performed yesterday. Five addition reps were added to each exercise along with the body-weights. The other Shinigami watched in awe while their Captain grunted and sweated through the rigorous workout. Ten laps around the barracks, double the normal.

There were the inspired Shinigami who attempted to keep up but could only watch with exhaustion while their leader blazed ahead of them with determination. This determination was not for himself, however. "'Lily of the Valley is the Sacrifice of nature. Its beauty, the envy of man, is reaped from the ground and coveted. Is this the intent of Nature? To produce a wonder to only be taken from Her without Her consent but She so selflessly allows this is definition of Sacrifice.' My pain and fatigue is not so I become stronger than others. My pain and fatigue is to protect those in need. This is only a small sacrifice I can give for the countless innocent souls that don't deserve to be conquered or controlled but to be allowed to live in their own happiness and sorrows and faiths. As long as I can die for everyone to live, I will do so with a smile." He tried to push back the feeling of his determination to prove his worth to the other Captains who knew what they were up against.

It was late in the afternoon by the time he'd finished the advice of his Mother. By now, his clothes had lessened to a loin cloth soaked in the sweat that poured over his body along with the weights tied tightly around his forearms and shins.. It seems the jugs of water he drinks throughout the day are in vain while is seeps through the pores over his body. "Just another small sacrifice." And he went to the bath with a few other men he had the pleasure to motivate. They laughed and joked and gossiped about their 'adventures' which mostly included women as there hadn't been much for them to do other than hunt hollows. They boasted about their pride while their Captain sat there, listening and relaxing. Though the weights remained on his body, the warm water was soothing.

Once dressed properly to approach the Captain Commanders, he left the barracks to the Lieutenant as he went off with his request for entertainment for one night.

"Captain Commanders, The 5th Court Squad would be willing to put on a concert for the entirety of Seireitei. Those willing to come are welcome. I'm coming to you in hopes that you approve of the festivities and are will to take part in them if only for a short while."

With this invitation, Akimoto smiled as he knelt in front of the two leaders in their thrones.


- Seichio Jusuina -
Though a week had passed since she had finally graduated from the Academy, being there longer than any of her friends she had made at the beginning of her years there, she still felt lost. Her duties were unclear other than 'Train.' And though she worked with both the men and the women, she couldn't find any use to any of the resistance training other than swordplay. She seemed to exceed those in seated positions. The ones known for their skill in Zanjutsu were the ones she would train with and learn new techniques and better her knowledge of how to wield her Zanpakuto.

When she took the time to meditate with her Zanpakuto, she would see visions of forests and plains with life abounding everywhere. Akin to her love of nature, the realization that this was the realm in which her Zanpakuto lived only made her pursue the name of her Spirit Sword that much more. But her Kido and Hoho training with her peers got in the way at times as the training would turn into intense games. Kido wasn't her strongest suit but she could keep up with the others. However, she was always one of the fastest Shinigami around. Until a seated officer came into the picture, that is.

But this day, she wanted to relax, so she stayed in the Mess Hall for a while. As she talked, the Captain entered; his famous weights wrapped around his limbs. she knew he could communicate with his Zanpakuto so easily and envied the ability to do so. The two had met in Rukongai before he left for the Academy. And ever since, she fought hard to become a Shinigami herself. The reaction to her placement in Squad of ecstatic.

She believe she had a crush on him when the 'relationship' was in its early stages. However, she soon began to realize that it was more like brother and sister or father and daughter. She looked up to him. He was a great example of everything she wanted to be. Though he didn't notice, she was the one who cleaned up after him.

"Maybe he'll notice me when I sing in the concert. I bet he'll remember my voice."
She wasn't a singer but it was a hobby and she just wanted to fill a spot with her favorite lullaby from when she was a child. She learned the entire song it originated from and would sing it throughout the day.

When the Captain left to receive permission for such a festival she helped the other Shinigami in her squad set up for the concert. She continued to become excited and nervous as they prepared the barracks for the crowd they hoped to have.

[yoshua171]

Seionyou, Naratsu

The day had been dull, he admitted, however he had enjoyed to hear that a captain would visit them today. However his co-commander said that they had to do some other errands and left the business to him. He sighed and sat in his 'throne', he didn't really enjoy the thing much, it made him especially uncomfortable. He didn't like to loom over others, or seem overly important, he liked to fit in and to make all in his care feel welcome and comfortable around him, this did not help.

As he waited for the captain he thought, a dangerous escapade for him. His thoughts took him to memories but before he began to recollect he snapped himself out of his silent trance-like state. He would not go into that part of himself, that dark part of himself that he had tried to forget. He put his head in his hands at the thought, forgetting was not so easy as it sounded, one could not erase memories so easily, they were engraved in ones being, in ones mind.

However, Naratsu would never, NEVER let his past define his present, he had changed, become someone likeable and more pleasant. What he had done in his past, was not who he was in his present and he would keep it that way no matter how hard it was to do so.
---------

Naratsu had dozed off but when he was told that a captain was visiting he woke and took a deep breath. A solemn smile rested itself upon his face and his eyes calmed, he did not remember any dreams and was grateful he had not.

Then, the captain: Akimoto arrived. He walked in and knelt and this, this made Naratsu frown slightly and he shook his head. "Please Rise, I don't like to feel superior, we are equals." He smiled that same solemn smile of his, it was both calming and warm, however the look in Naratsu's eyes, was old, worn and beaten. He seemed so alive and well but the look in his eyes told of age beyond his years, he had lived through many horrible things but did his best not to show them.

He rose from his 'throne' and walked towards Akimoto with a smile and held his hand down to help him up. "There is no need for formalities, it is just me. The co-commander had some business to deal with." He paused a moment after helping Akimoto up and then turned from him walking away towards the throne and then diagonal away from it and Akimoto. He nodded his head and turned back around looking at the captain. "Yes, a concert, that would definitely raise the spirits. Don't you think Akimoto-kun. I give consent, you may hold your concert, it would be ideal to liven up the place a bit, its been so dull recently."

He seemed to dislike the dullness, but it was more a feeling of slight, and I do mean slight, irritation at the atmosphere of sorrow within the seireitei. He knew that the incident of 50 years ago had been bad, and he had played a horrible role in it himself, however he thought that it was not so good to dwell so much on the past. Something had to change and quickly or this dark and down atmosphere would drag his soul down, down to the places he feared to go.


Artori, Sentio

Training, Training, Training, and more Training. It was Artori's life to train but he wished he could have a mission, or something to occupy his time. He sighed and then he decided to head out.

Immediately he left the training grounds and headed towards the 13th division. He wanted to talk to the veteran quite a bit, the Crippled Phoenix he had been called. He shook his head, it saddened him to see someone with such powerful skills and experience who had been crippled.

It would take him a bit to get to the 13th division, it was quite far away from 11th division. He shook his head and as he walked he began to attempt at contacting his spirit, again.

[Fieryfly]

Kiyomura Ran

The Second Division Barracks lay quietly in the morning sun just as normal. There was no sign of movement near the entrance; no words were spoken in the halls. All members moved silently - only talking when necessary - and focused through the corridors busy with their work. From the Training Grounds came occasionally shouts from trainers and trainees and in the dining hall was a comfortable buzz of chattering people. When one would get closer to the captains quarters one could see more guards, all dressed in the standard second division clothing, and one could expect a serious aura surrounding the door that lead towards the captain.

People were always taken aback when they heard laughter coming from those quarters. They didn’t expect the captain of the stealth division to laugh out so loud and so often. But the fact remained that the captain was probably one of the most unserious members of the whole division. Veteran members sometimes had difficulties with it, but there was nothing they could do about it. A captain was a captain and although this captain was not so serious most of the time she was exceptionally qualified to be leader of the second division.

Today there was no laughter coming from the room this for the simple reason that the captain was not inside. Leisurely Ran was strolling through the silent halls. Her goal was unknown even to herself. Members who approached her quickly halted and bowed and Ran returned the bow with a quick nod. Her haori fluttered as she turned around a corner and was faced with the training hall. Unintentionally her footsteps had brought her to one of her favorite places in the barracks.

The Training hall was big and spacious with lot of tree’s and other hiding spots. Perfect for learning how to move silently and strike from behind. Second Division members bore no honor in fighting. They didn’t fight for pleasure like those from the Eleventh Division. They didn’t fight for hope like thirteenth squad members. No, they fought because they were ordered too. So simple was life.

In the middle was a great open dusty space were some wooden figure dolls were standing, waiting to be ragged off by a sword of a hand. The members hadn’t noticed their captain yet and with a quick flash step Ran disappeared to one of the nearby trees and sat down. Silently she watched the others below her train. She knew that all of these men and women would throw their lives away for her or her orders. It was the way this division worked.

Not the least surprised she cocked her head to the side as a figure appeared next to her.

“What is it Fujika?” She spoke before the figure had even properly finished his flash step.

The man in front of her bowed down and lowered his head. His black hair that was turning grey near his temples fell over his eyes from which Ran knew that they were light brown. “Taicho there are some matters waiting for you in your office.” He spoke in a soft and nasal tone.

“I know.”

“Then let me escort you back taicho.”

“There is no need for that. I’m sitting here perfectly fine.” She noticed how Fujika sighed although he probably thought that she didn’t see it. Fujika was her third seat and one of the veteran members of this division. For some reason he had always bared some sort of grudge against her. Of course she had some ideas as why that could be though she had never played to it. If he wanted to hold a grudge that was fine as long as he did his job. And that he did. He was one of the most skilled members around.

“Taicho I really have to ask to come with me. As captain you have duties to perform.”

Ran pulled her eyes away from the training people and looked to the man. “I am performing a duty. I’m watching my members train so that I might help them where I can. When looking from a distance one sees the bigger mistakes that one sees not when he is close by. For example,” she cut Fujika off as he opened his mouth, “that girl,” she pointed to one of the girl practicing kido, “her stance is too weak to fire a proper hado. She is trying to be careful, but forgets the basics of a hado. You want to destroy something with it. If you don’t dare to destroy something you should use it.”

Fujika was quiet and inwards Ran smiled. He had probably thought that she was slacking off.

“Well let’s go then shall we,” she said suddenly as she stood up and dusted of her pants, “to the joy of serious matters.” She gave a soft chuckle to Fujika’s expression and disappeared.

[Ganryu]

A calm breeze blew through the training fields of the 13th division. Tension could be felt building in the air all around it.

Aaron stood in the middle of the field holding his Shikai, his eye scanned around him. A single crystal stood braced on a stand in the field.

"You want to go again? Feel free to try, my body isn't so weak I can't handle it."

He seemed to be talking to no one, but suddenly, whisp of fire started to float across the field. They danced around him, forming a circle, then started condensing into single points around him. They formed what looked almost human, though they still were only but flame. Each of them held a sword of flame. Aaron was surrounded by every side.

He stood still for a second, waiting. A few of them rushed in, attacking him on all fronts.

He jumped forward at three of them at the edge of the closing circle, not letting them get him at every angle. He aimed for the one in the middle who cut down with both hands. Aaron parried it with a fierce slash, knocking the weapon out the way. Aaron's blade twisted it's direction, slamming straight into the fireman's head. The flameman crumbled to the floor before dispersing.

He snapped his blade to the right, dispatching one more of the three through the chest, then swung around in a left, reverse direction, routing the last of the three in the neck, forming an X infront of him.

Aaron wasted no time turning around to his assailants on his rear. Flames erupted on his sword and licked it.

"Kaen!"

He let a curved slash follow his sudden turn. The flames erupted forward from his blade, extending it's range, and engulfing the multitude of flaming soldiers behind him.

Aaron heard a chant, and snapped his head to see on of the ones who had not rushed him preparing an attack like kido. The voice was not human, but seemingly mystic.

The flame man held both hands out, letting loose a torrent of flames at Aaron.

Aaron pulled his sword back, then flung it, going straight through the torrent dispersing it with a greater strength, and lodging itself in the skull of the flameman, who also dispersed.

"Is that all you got?"

Suddenly he heard a twig snap behind him. Aaron turn was abrupt. Behind him an last flameman had snuck up, raising his sword and swinging down. Aaron instantly swiped his hand infront of the sword strike.

"Bakudo #37, Arc shield!"

A red barrier formed behind the fingers, protected Aaron from the swing. The sword hit the barrier full force. The barrier cracked throughout, almost crumbling, but had enough defense to bounce the sword to the side. Aaron's fingers on his right hand curled, save for the index and middle finger, pointing at the flame man on the other side of the shield. They glowed white.

"Hado #4, Byakurai."

White lightning shot through the shield, striking the man through the eyes, dispersing him too.

It was with that final kido that the full precision of Aaron's style was revealed. He hadn't been any more flashy than was needed to get the job done. The barrier he had created was purposely weak. He could have constructed one to take all the attacks that the man of flame could dish out, but to attack, he'd either have to remove it, a waste of Reitsu, or move to the side, a waste of movement. Instead, his shield had blocked the attack to Aaron, and crumbled allowing Aaron to counterattack in an instant. The blow wasn't anywhere at all either, it was straight to the head.

Aaron pointed his hand at the crystal, and spoke directly to it.

"Is that all Hi no Tamashi?"

The crystal flickered red hot, and then actually responded.

"For now yes. You are too tired to continue if you allowed yourself to be snuck up on like that."

Aaron didn't respond immediately, that much was true. He'd never let an opponent get that close to his back if he could avoid it. In a fight, he fought to dispatch his opponent, that was all.

Aaron sighed. "Lack of sleep contributed to that, but as I tell my students, there are no excuses in battle."

The crystal flickered. "Your getting back to where you used to be."

Aaron:"Not soon enough, not soon enough."

The crystal flickered, and then disappeared. Aaron's blade sealed itself. He sheathed it one handed into it's sheath.
__________________________________________________ ______

After sheathing his sword, Aaron called out to the tree.

"It's safe to come out now Quincy Archer, I know your there."

A woman did indeed jump out of the tree. She didn't look surprised at all that he had noticed her.

She walked forward towards him, holding a letter in her hand for him.

He sighed, looking at the the flower on her clothes, slightly above the chest. She was a quincy, but seemed to be allied with the Gotie 13. That was odd, but not too surprising. The Seireiti had been moving to unite with them for years.

"1st division eh? What's the kid want with me now?"

She offered him the letter, he seemed to already know what it was about.

He didn't bother to open it, just put it in his robes.

"Being summoned again, eh?"

He looked at the quincy, from head to toe.

"I've never seen a Quincy in the Gotie 13 before. What's your name?"

She finally spoke, it was a bit soft spoken, but easy to understand.

"I'm Tamara Draco, quincy of squad 1."

He looked up and down before turning around. "It's odd to have a quincy soul, but I'm not too surprised. You'll keep up, I can see that look in your eye."

"I'm not a soul."

Aaron's eye widened in surprise. "Your human!?"

He actually let out a bit of a laugh. "That is interesting. No intention of being rude there. A quincy soul I could have expected, but a human, that's completely new to me. Heh. What do you say to a bit of training before I go?"

She pulled out her Quincy bangle. "Alright. Of course only if you have time."

Aaron:"Would I ask you if I didn't? The kid can wait a few minutes for me. What's your experience."

"I'm a trainee." She didn't seem embarrassed or try to hide her low rank in the least.

Aaron pulled out his sword again, activating Shikai without command.

A whisp of fire formed another fireman infront of her.

Aaron:"I only use these for training. This one right here is about 8th seat, it's stronger than you. How will you react?"

Tamara's bangle seemed to fly into her hand, before collecting Reishi capable of forming a bow.

She wasted no time pulling back, and firing a shot at the whisp, aiming for the Soul Chain would be on a normal being.

The whisp held up the flame sword to it, blocking. The sword was pushed back a bit.

Aaron: She's got good power behind those arrows. Well, for a trainee. She also aimed for the exact spot to disable it. She's a no nonsense fighter, I like that. But she's too soft, she aimed for a non-fatal spot.

The whisp jumped forward at her. It swung down as it approached.

She jumped back, firing another shot at it. Again it blocked, and chased after her, looking like would quickly catch up. It jumped again at her with it's sword.

Tamara: He is stronger than me. If I fight normally, I won't win. I've got to nail it by surprise. Even a captain can be taken by surprise.

The flameman's sword fell down. Tamara threw her brown leather cape in the way, obstructing the view. The sword caught the cape, and only the cape.

The fire man charged forward, expecting Tamara to have jumped back again to fire more shots, creating more distance. Instead, Tamara's foot caught the top of it's head as she jumped over it. Her foot burned slightly from it, but the man was indeed solid, she jumped in the air. She turned, pulling back the bow string, and firing at it's back before it could turn around. She landed her shot in where the soul chain would normally be. It dispersed.

She landed a bit rough, one of her feet hurting from the jump, she was on one knee.

Aaron was behind her.

"That was risky to say the least. You'd better be glad that worked out."

Tamara didn't respond.

Aaron knelt down where she was, putting his hand over the burn, a healing kido forming over it. "You did good. If you don't mind, I'll leave you to your own devices. You delivered your message, and I have somewhere to be."

Aaron started walking towards the 1st division. He was in no hurry.

[Pisces]

- Taiki Akimoto -

The fact Captain Commander Naratsu didn't want formalities was concerning for Akimoto. This made him think the position was undesired or that he felt undeserving of the title. It puzzed the 5th Squad Captain for he knew the Captain Commander was strong enough to be called such. But Aki could only smile and treat him as an equal, as was requested. Regardless of the reason for such embarrassment or shame must have been a good one. Modesty was not a common thing among Shinigami, after all.

"Thank you very much, Captain Commander Naratsu," he saluted by bowing low as he pondered in the corner of the room about something. "We will be awaiting your presence. Do you know of the attendance of Captain Commander?" And he thanked the Captain Commander with another exhaustive bow before leaving the barracks.

Though his Flash Step was sub-par, he arrived to his own barracks soon. The Shinigami had torn down and rebuilt some facilities and a grand stage with over-hangings for acoustics were set up. Some were rehearsing for vocal performances while others tuned their instruments or practiced routines for dances. It looked like it was going to be a grand concert. "I wonder how they found the time to come up with all of this."

He returned to his Captain's Suite to change out of the formal attire that he only wore for the Captains' Meetings. The Haori was an abundance and the pants weren't too his liking. Suneate with slim pants and a loose, sleeveless tunic with a deep V and tucked in loosely was much more comfortable. The suneate held the leg weights and his glove-less kote held his forearm weights that he wore for the entire day. Even during the meeting with the Captain Commander, Akimoto bore the excessive weight. His mother said 'the whole day' and he was obedient to the one he trusted completely.

And with his change in clothes, he decided to meditate in an open patio with no vegetation around. In Jinzen, Akimoto sat before the small, statuesque Phoenix which he called 'Mother.' The cause of this is unknown and tends to throw off opponents which don't understand him or his mannerisms. The Phoenix always called Aki 'Son,' however. Some speculate it is because he was motherless, either in this life or the one he lived before died.

"Akimoto. You are doing well but I fear you can't control my power at the level you are now. You don't have enough Reiatsu to be able to contain my Spirit Energy. Though you are progressing well, I don't want you going into battle with my praises in your head with the confidence that you can use Shin Seikatsu in it's full potential."
"Yes, Mother."
"How about we try it now? One of the best ways to get better at something is to practice it outright."
"I know, that's why I'm on the patio."
"Which is why I knew you wanted to try."
"Then why did you ask?"
"To test your self-doubt."

And then he unsheathed the Zapakuto with the blade glowing orange and yellow as his grip tightened. He rose, the Phoenix watching intently. "Uingugado," he uttered. The guard flew off and fluttered to his left arm, already weighted, and formed a shield. It glowed similarly to the blade, but less so. With his muscles tensed all around his body, the Phoenix gave him a command. "Now, stay there for a while until I tell you to go into Bankai." As the evening around his outer world approached, the sun in his spiritual world stayed sunny and bright.

A half hour passed and his strength never faded.
"These aren't the original weights, are they Akimoto?"
"No, Mother. They are the 40 kilogram weights."
"Good," she said pleasantly. "Now you can go into Bankai."

His outer world body burned while his inner world body became enveloped in fiery reiatsu. "Moeru Tsubasa," he chanted while swinging his left arm forward, away from the barracks in the outer world. The large sun shot forward and then up to explode into a fantastic flare.
"Okay, Akimoto. Stay there for a while and exert much of your Reiatsu until I tell you to use Hai Fukkatsu Seru."

So he stood there, Fire flowing from his body. During this, the sword was tossed between both hands. Another half hour when 'Mother' gave the command. "Hai Fukkatsu Seru," he yelled and the blade became a brilliant purple, blue, and yellow flame that covered his body. When it was done, he was covered in soot, but the Phoenix was gone from the inner world. She uses her own Reiatsu to heal her Son. "Shin Seikatsu," he said with a strained and guttural voice.

The heavy hilt turned to ash as he sprouted flashy Phoenix wings. His hair caught fire from his own Reiatsu and his eyes turned yellow. His shirt tore off and his pants were doing the same as down began to grow on parts of his body. His muscles bulged as if they were going to burst but were harder than steel. The weights remained on his body from the will of the Phoenix. Since she gives him her own Reiatsu, she has some control over the power he exudes.

The air around him caught on fire and as his wings flapped to keep him afloat, feathers continued to fall and turn to ash like the rest of his Zanpakuto. "Keep it up. Match my power. Focus," she demanded of her Son.

Only five minutes passed before all the feathers fell. And with that, he felt to the ground as well, slamming into the patio. It was built to not crack or crumble by his weight or reiatsu. The material used was much like that of the walls surrounding Seireitei. Akimoto was panting heavily but was not sweating. When he composed himself, he returned to his wardrobe to put on another tunic as he had many replicates.

The festivities were well on their way and he had missed most of it. But with the amount of noise Akimoto could rest knowing he wasn't much of disturbance. It was also a relief of the act which took place as he walked out. Jusuina Seicho, if I remember correctly. A lone lyre play by her side and as she opened her mouth, a trained voice exited and covered the barracks with a sweet lullaby that was familiar to all but was her own.


- Jusuina Seicho -
The preparations went up quickly and she secretly rehearsed once more with her lyre partner while everyone else was tuning and practicing themselves. The rest of the night went lingering by. She was nervous for her performance and secretly wished her Captain was present, as others had arrived. But with the flare in the evening sky, she knew he was training more.

She met with the present Captain Commander just for formality's sake but also because he looked pleasant to speak with. "Welcome Captain Commander Naratsu Seionyou. I'm glad to be able to perform for you tonight. I hope you like it, though I'm not very good," and she bowed hastily as she forgot, being too nervous to remember formalities.

[yoshua171]

Seionyou, Naratsu

Naratsu saw it, the concern, though it was only portrayed through subtle body language he still noticed but he left it to the captain. He might address it if Akimoto ever felt the need to voice it but he disliked to intrude. He only smiled and nodded calmly, though all the bowing was a bit unnecessary in his eyes. He loitered about, and did a bit of his work for a while.
------------
Finally he was able to go to the concert and as he arrived he smiled at the various members of akimoto's 5th division. He nodded to them and showed his pleasure and approval quite openly to them, he treated them all equally. It was likely comforting that he did not think of himself as some godly force, in fact Naratsu had barely any ego, however he did have pride but not in himself.

Naratsu was not one who was self centered, quite the opposite really. It was said that he was the heart and soul of the seireitei. His co-commander filled the other role, something he could never do. He was almost entirely incapable of being strict and liked to think things over and make decisions that were morally right and fair in most respect. He chuckled slightly, why was he going over such minute details, he should be having fun!

It was then that one of the 5th division members approached him and welcomed him quite politely. He smiled at her letting his eyes glow a bit with pleasure at her greeting. As he saw the nervousness in her stance he put a friendly hand on her shoulder and smiled full heartedly "and I am glad that I had the time to come and see you all. I am grateful that you greeted me, thank you I anticipate seeing your preformance and I am sure it will be splendid." He then gave her a small pat on that same shoulder and nodded to her appreciatively.

He turned from her after that and recalled her name just then. He turned looking behind himself at her and called back "good luck Jusuina!" He waved and then turned walking through the crowd, he did wonder where the captain was....


Sentio, Artori

Finally he arrived at 13th division, however the only person he found there was a peculiar looking women. She reminded him of something quite vague that his former mentor had mentioned to him, then the light dinged in his head and he smiled. Quincy, thats what it was, she must have been one. She was in the training grounds and oddly he could feel the 13th division captains reiatsu, though only small traces of it, he must have been here recently.

It was then that he decided to ask the women and he walked forwards to approach her. "Excuse me?" he called to her lightly in a friendly and bit insistent manner. "Would you happen to know where Aaron is?" He was polite and friendly but there was an insistence behind his words and in his eyes.

Strangely there was something odd about Artori, though no normal shinigami, or soul, or even quincy for that manner, could place it. It was just an odd aura that kind of surrounded him, it was neither good nor bad but did have a slight feeling, though incredibly small, of foreboding.


Resu-fu, Aria

Where was he? Aria wondered. She had been looking for Ran some time now but after she had disappeared from the training grounds Aria simply couldn't find her. She now wore a small frown on her face, the rest of her was covered in her usual garb and finally, she gave up simply not knowing where Ran-chan was. So she collapsed onto a stair sitting down with her chin in her hands and a face of utter disappointment.

She was a bit sad, ran hadn't even greeted her on the training field, how depressing. Of course now at the thought of her captain her eyes glossed over a little bit and a warm feeling welled up in her chest. Unwillingly she smiled and forgave her immediately, how could she ever be mad at Ran for any period of time, she was simply too amazing.

So then and there she bounced back o her feet, her eyes bright again and ran off to attempt at finding her captain again. She simply couldn't help herself and as she ran off happily Aka glared at her from his inner world.

"So damn cheery" he said and the voice reverberated in Aria's head. She squealed in fright and hid behind something glancing around, and then realized that it had just been Aka again. The sound of his voice always gave her a fright and made her think that some scary man was dwelling near by ready to whisk her away against her will. "Don't do that" she complained to him in a bit of a whiny, slightly frightened tone and he simply scoffed and turned from her walking away into the inner world that they shared. she then shook her head and went along her business, her mood a bit dampened by the ever annoying Aka.

[Gothpuppy95]

Alex had approached the hill where his captain trained and saw the quincy fighting a fire man. When the match was over he approached from the oppisite side as Artori and remarked. "As these fake souls attack they become weaker look for an opening in the left side based on how he holds his sword the right hand on top reveals his weak point is on the left so he can just push up on the swords handle to try and stop an attack from the left." He knelt and offered a hand ot the quincy and smiled he didnt want to appear threatening. "And Aaron went to see the Captain Commander." he said to Artori hoping he would go away.


~Daimein~
He was walking to the first division barracks when he bumped into Arron. He was curious as to why even the crippled pheonix was being called to the first division barracks. Maybe i did something to upset him. "You know that if i ever do something to make you angry just tell me no need to bring in the Captain Commander." I hope that he isnt trying to have me removed from my position as captain of the 9th squad i may not like having all this responsibility but its best for the squad if they have a captain.

Daimein began hearing a voice in his Head and that voice was that of the voice of his zanpakuto spirit Hanae "Trust your heart your head is a pointless tool. You became captain by following your heart and you discovered my power and youve only scratched the surface. but your heart will guide you where your mind will lead you astray."

[Pisces]

- Jusuina Seicho -
The call of the Captain Commander lifted her spirits drastically. He had even remembered her name and bothered to use it. She wasn't familiar with either of them so this was just an empty assumption, but this assumption made her night. She was practically skipping backstage to get ready for her song after she waved back enthusiastically to Naratsu.

The acts before hers seemed to drag on forever but were still too short. She was excited now, but with nervousness, she didn't know how to handle the flood of emotion. To combat this, she watched the dancers that were right before her act. They were majestic and sleek. The music was whimsical and ornate as well as dramatic. They were from Squad 13.

And then they stopped. She could see those around her ushering her onto the stage, but she stayed there as if dumb. Eventually, her legs began to move her forward and she was sitting on a stool on the stage. The lyrist sitting on a rug next to her. She looked at the fellow member of Squad 5 who nodded and started playing.

When she looked out into the audience, he could see the Captain Commander with a smile on his face. Looking around some more, he caught the eyes of Captain Akimoto, and she blushed with wide eyes.

She took a breath and opened her mouth, letting out the first lyrics of the song:
"Nighttime has come,
Gone is the sun,
Dream sky is spun,
Stars, one by one..."

She had composed the song to feature her range, though not spectacular, and control of her voice. It was dexterous but flawless, nonetheless. It still sounded like a lullaby, something a mother would sing to her child. However, one could tell it was still a performance.

The Lyrist strummed odd cords in such a way, it seemed like he was concentrating hard to play such a soft song. However, the key was awkward for him to play but beautiful to hear in such a song.

"Hush, hush, hush
Hush, hush, hush..."

She ended and the crowd was silent. She looked out to see faces of awe. Whether they were because they liked her performance or hated it, she didn't know. She walked off stage after bowing and giving the stage back to her instrumentalist.

Once offstage, they knew of the cause of such awe. The backstage crew congratulated them and praised her for such a talent. The crowd stood to give a strong applause without vocal enhancement as to keep the classic etiquette of such a classic performance.

Before she got out from backstage, the next act was performing. An orchestra played a lengthy symphony while the concert members rose to get more drinks and food. She got herself something to eat as well because the nerves seemed to vamp her metabolism for those four minutes she was on stage; making her feel as if she hadn't eaten for a week.

A few of her peers, those she tends to train with, invited her to sit with them for the rest of the concert. They grabbed a few drinks when she finished her plate and sat back down on the lawn and watching the comedy skit from some Squad 7 members. Everyone shared a few laughs and some more intense music played so the attendees could get up and dance.

She didn't see her Captain or the Commander at all, but she didn't mind as they were both there to see her perform. She could get to sleep knowing she had done well and felt accomplished to conquering her insecurities.


- Akimoto Taiki -
The song was beautiful and he could remember her singing this song to him before he left for the Academy. But this was so long ago he'd forgotten. But when the song ended, an unfortunate realization came to mind, and he gestured toward the Captain Commander to meet with him in his suite.

"Do you think this is giving them a false sense of security? What if the threat attacks tonight?
Speaking of the threat: is there anything more we should know about these demons or is the only information we have on them that little folder we got describing Tenebrae?"

He was a little more than concerned, his conscience really catching up with him. Though he heard nothing from his 'Mother' that said anything negative about the concert, he never bothered to ask her. She was sort of his built-in conscience so it was difficult, at times, for him to use his own. It wasn't that he didn't trust it but, rather, because it's so hypersensitive there was better assurance going to his Zanpakuto than going into himself.

[yoshua171]

Seionyou, Naratsu

Wow, as the others clapped so did he, but he clapped 1st though she likely wouldn't know it. He was a bit proud, such was his way for even though the girl was not of his division she had seemed to nervous before yet had pulled off a song of such beauty. He sighed with a bit of contentment, however it was then that Akimoto caught his eye, the look he saw was a bit unpleasant and it made him frown.

The captain beckoned him to follow and he did, they were equals and could request as much from each other.

When they arrived in the captains suite that Akimoto had, and the 5th division captain asked him the question his frown deepened and the look of happiness completely drained from his eyes. He turned away from Akimoto and shook his head, it was obvious that he had been hiding his worry over such matters from everyone.

"No, there is not much we know. However, there is one general of whom interests me slightly." He turns back towards Akimoto and now the look on his face was grave, and serious. The solemn look in his eyes had returned but there was no smile accompanying them this time. "Have you heard of the 12th divisions legend about Shin'ya(Midnight)?" He said looking Akimoto in the eyes, now he knew it may have sounded ridiculous and there was no proof except the eyewitnesses which were few, and the amount of dead from the incident 50 years ago.

However, Naratsu trusted his intel, his informants, and of course his intuition. He trusted his intuition 1st and foremost, always being thought up before speaking on any matter or asking anything of his informants. Another thing that had always gotten him about the legend was the fact that it was so adamantly believed even though there was no documentation of the person who they spoke of, it was just too strange.