Brink

Bleach: Rise Of The New Generation

@Kalas Oh thanks dude haha, it's pretty old I've had in in my PMs for years. Feel free to steal it, just look at the raw version for all the formatting.

Bleach: Rise Of The New Generation

Jingorō Hanma

甚 悟 郎 半 間

_{The Drowned Death | The Shinshoku | The Crashing Wave}

J I N G O R Ō H A N M A

◆ Shinigami ◆ Male ◆ 233 Years old ◆ 6'1" ◆ 170lbs ◆ 10th Division Unseated

_{Squad Interests}

_{Third - Fourth - Ninth}

_{❖ A P P E A R A N C E}

The sharp, pointed nose that sits in the center of Jingorō's face is off-put by the rounded cheeks that flank it. In similar contrast his jawline is long but faint, culminating in the cleft chin that hangs beneath his dull peach lips. Large ears are noticeable to either side of his head as he often strings his jet-black hair into a tight top-knot, although some hairs stray regardless. His eyes often seem a lifeless grey at a glance as only when he stares directly does the sea-green hue become noticeable.

Tall and lithe, Jingorō wears the typical long-sleeved Shihakushō, the black robes given to all Shinigami. He adds little in way of accessory, preferring to strictly adhere to tradition. The only thing setting him apart being the mint-green silk he uses to tie his hair.

Tucked into the white sash at his waist rest his Daishō. A Zanpakutō, a similar hue of mint rayon wrapping it's handle, sits highest with a notable swirled guard spreading outwards to eight points like a nautical compass and a Wakizashi sword purely present as ornament, as is tradition.

_{❖ H I S T O R Y & P E R S O N A L I T Y}

Born into one of the noble houses, Jingorō had been a playful boy of high spirits. Somewhat mollycoddled by his mother and largely ignored by his father he grew to be kind and soft of heart.

During the early unrest after the reunification of the Gotei 13 many flash points and riots affected Rukongai and it was on one such day that Jingorō's life changed. His mother was accidentally cut down during a conflict between Shinigami and dissidents of the Rukongai, seeing such a thing affected the young boy foundationally. He remembered that day as a sunny one, but the image burnt into his mind was of the heavy rain pummeling the thick mud around the pure white outline of his mother. Only later in life did it occur to him that it was his latent power that cause it to rain in that moment.

After the riots Jingorō was the charge of his father whom after the incident grew even more distant. As a son of a noble family he was destined to become a Shinigami although he never wanted to be. He was forced to grow up quickly, too quickly for someone of his age, and the inherent trauma and added pressure his father imparted upon him led to becoming a quiet and passive person.

His initial Shinigami training went poorly. The last thing Jingorō wanted was to be surrounded by death, he had come to hate it, but his father at least gave him one poignant lesson that has driven him to this day. If he became strong enough, there wouldn't be any need for him to kill no death needs to follow him. Once a Shinigami truly masters his soul, his powers and his Zanpakutō he doesn't have to resort to such permanent solutions. It was a lesson he took to heart and from that point forward Jingorō applied himself, vowing to become as strong as he could.

_{❖ R E L A T I O N S H I P S}

Jingorō has almost always been a quiet and reserved person. He has poured himself into diligent training and has rarely had the time nor inclination to make friends or socialize. As a result he is often alone and reluctant to join in on festivities, apart from the official holidays and celebrations in the Seireitei.

P O I N T S & A T T R I B U T E S

_{Points Saved ◆ 0 Points Invested ◆ 0}

_{❖ P O W E R S & A B I L I T I E S}

Jingorō has always fought with the intent to incapacitate rather than kill. His belief is that death is inherently impure and all involved are better served should conflicts end without lost life. As a result he has diligently trained in all four major disciplines of the Gotei 13, giving each an equal attention.

In battle Jingorō is often keen to use the environment and terrain to his advantage, manipulating opponents position to better defend himself and strike precisely. To compliment this he has a well developed integration of Bakudo spells into his combat style to aid his non-lethal preference.

<sub>Hado - Average Bakudo - Average
◆ #1 Sho ◆ #1 Sai
◆ #4 Byakurai ◆ #4 Hainawa
◆ #11 Tsuzuri Raiden ◆ #8 Seki
◆ #31 Shakkaho ◆ #9 Geki
◆ #32 Okasen ◆ #9 Horin
◆ #33 Sokatsui ◆ #11 Kyomon
◆ #12 Fushibi

Hakudo - Average Zanjutsu - Average Hoho - Average
◆ Tesshō ◆ Hōzuri ◆ Shunpo
◆ Super Harisen Slipper ◆ Shitonegaeshi</sub>

Z A N P A K U T Ō

◆ Water Type

_{❖ S P I R I T & I N N E R W O R L D}

Jingorō's inner world takes the form of a tranquil bayou, moonbeams serving as the only illumination to an otherwise inky-black domain bordered by winding trees.

Following the clear path through wading water nestled among meandering roots sits a colossal toad upon an equally large lily-pad. During his early training Jingorō had to make do watching the toads gesticulations as it would not speak. Finding silence to be the better teacher, he would voice his questions in front of the Toad as if to a mirror.

As his powers awakened and Jingorō began to understand his Zanpakutō he discovered that the toad upon the lily-pad had never been his spirit. He had never questioned the depth of the bayou as it only ever reached his knees but many moons ago as he fought a hollow that had pushed him to the brink of death his mind retreated. Finding himself too weak to walk he fell through the surface allowing him to glare into the abyss he had not considered before. A few silvered beams probed the rocks beneath the toad and its giant lily-pad and gave light to his true soul.

A man, hanging in the twilight, feet chained to the bedrock as long wisps of hair veiled his face like thin seaweed. He could not see eyes and yet he felt seen. For someone with such a complicated relationship with death, Jingorō scorned that he had to get so close to his own. But it was here, in conversation with the drowned man, that he plumbed the depths of his soul.

清 め る , 彼 岸 花

K I Y O M E R U , H I G A N B A N A

[Purify, Red Spider Lily]

_{❖ S H I K A I A P P E A R A N C E}

Named after the flower of death used in Shinto funerals, the Shikai form Higanbana does not change much apart from two key features. A fuller, sometimes called a blood groove, completely perforates the blade, stretching the length of it's spine, ending at an unchanged eight-pointed star compass at it's hilt. And at the base of the handle drips a long silver chain often held in Jingorō's opposite hand that itself ends with a small but weighty twin-pronged hook.

_{❖ S H I K A I A B I L I T I E S}

Using the command 'Nomu' (飲 - Drink), Higanbana's blade is able to absorb water from almost any source it touches. The water trapped inside bonds with Jingorō's reiatsu, purifying it and bringing it under his control. As the sword drinks more two things happen. Firstly it salivates, thirsting for more water, multiplying the amount trapped in its blade. The sword also gets progressively heavier though this does not hinder Jingorō as to him it is like lifting his own reiatsu, but to an opponent his attacks become like crashing waves.

At a certain point Higanbana will have absorbed so much that its slaver renders its water self-sustaining. When this happens it will constantly pour from the blades hollow spine like an overflowing faucet, making each strike pulverizing and drench the vicinity in pools of its purified water.

The major weakness of this Zanpakutō is of course that it requires a source of water to be nearby to be effective quickly. Over time as he swings Higanbana, it will rip the vapor out of the air itself and so it can very slowly gain power. Higanbana cannot pull the water from an opponents body as their reiatsu is so strongly bonded to the water inside their body Higanbana cannot displace it.
_{Passive Ability}

♆

清波 - Kiyoinami (Pure Wave) - With a swing of Higanbana a highly pressurised arc of water escapes the blade, capable of slicing rock or even metal. In rare cases Jingorō has used it as a shield, splitting and negating attacks moments before impact.
_{Duration - Instant ◆ Cooldown - 2 posts}

水幽霊 - Mizuyūrei (Ghost Water) - By touching any source of Higanbana's purified water, Jingorō can command his bonded reiatsu to atomize the water creating a sudden dense mist or fog with which he can hide his intent or momentarily distract a foe.
_{Duration - 2 posts ◆ Cooldown - 4 posts}

濡花 - Nurasu no Hana (Drowned Flower) - In a single savage moment Higanbana will expel all water within it's blade. Like a burst pipe yielding to the pressure, it will explode outwards causing horrific damage to anything, or anyone, run through.
_{Duration - Instant ◆ Cooldown - 6 posts}

卍 解 , 彼 岸 花 め 葬 祭

B A N K A I , H I G A N B A N A N O S Ō S A I

[Final release, Funeral Procession of Red Spider Lily's]

Unkown

_{❖ B A N K A I A P P E A R A N C E}

In Bankai Jingorō's Zanpakutō gets significantly different, as it's name is called a giant ghostly torii gate appears behind Jingorō with a colossal funeral bell between it's pillars. A single knell reverberates in the air as a ring of blossoming red spider lily's surround Jingorō and his opponent. Great cracks of thunder inviting the dark clouds to spawn above. A mist dissipates from behind Jingorō and clouds him for a moment.

As the gate and bell fade away, Jingorō is revealed to be wearing a pristine white Jōe, the garment worn by Shinto priests at ceremonies, and in his hands are grasped two Ōnusa, the wooden wands replete with paper streamers that are used in purification rituals.

Higanbana No Sōsai is, in essence, a funeral. Jingorō is loathed to use it as he inherently sees death as impure and his idealistic view of growing stronger is such that he wouldn't have to resort to killing. But in rare cases where he feels death is unavoidable he is prepared to offer his opponent a full and proper funeral so as to cleanse them of the impurity of death and allow their soul to move on.

_{❖ B A N K A I A B I L I T I E S}

Both Jingorō and his opponent are locked inside the ring of flowers with almost all outside interference deflected or negated. Using the two Ōnusa as handles Jingorō can form pressurised water into blades of varying sizes and shapes with which to fight. Unlike his Shikai, the fact his Bankai invites the rain, there is always ample water for him to utilize. Higanbana no Sōsai retains all the abilities of it's Shikai state.

Jingorō's Shikai acts as the Misogi purification ritual and the release of Bankai serves as adoration, two of the six rites in Shinto funerals, the remaining four are completed in Bankai before Higanbana no Sōsai is able to kill any opponent. Three Norito prayers must be finished if he is to call the last rite.

神楽 - Kagura [First Rite, Dance] - Kagura is a ceremonial dance which takes the form of combat. With fluid movements Jingorō can seem to be dancing from afar and some have commented that when his blade swings the water chimes and the clashing swords echo like Taiko drums. Jingorō must engage his opponent and create a mortal dance of wills for Higanbana no Sōsai to accept this rite.

直会 - Norai [Second Rite, Feast] - As is common at funerals a feast must be observed. To invoke the second rite of Norai, Jingorō must be wounded. As Higanbana no Sōsai is only invoked against the most dangerous of opponents it is quite likely for Jingorō to take damage and by doing so he can invoke Norai. By using his Ōnusa to guide the purified water that fills their battlefield, he will drink from the rising pool. In doing so his body will be rejuvenated his reiatsu bolstered and his wounds healed. He may do this only once, but it must happen and once is all it takes for the second rite to be completed.
_{Duration - Instant ◆ Cooldown - One use per Bankai}

飲み込む潮 - Nomikomushio [Third Rite, Consuming Tide] - As time passes the heavy rain Higanbana no Sōsai started will not subside. Slowly but surely within the ring of flowers a large pool will form and start to rise. It is in effect, a timer.
Representing the mourning for the deceased, Jingorō must extend the fight until it reaches at least above the knee. This means that even if Jingorō could defeat his opponent quicker he must wait for the third rite to be complete if he is to enact the funeral correctly.

All of which leads us to the last rite. As is noted in it's Shikai form, Higanbana is unable to consume the water inside anothers body. This is because the Reiatsu within their body is already bonded to that water and Higanbana cannot consume another Reiatsu other than it's own. Higanbana No Sōsai in reality is a ritual with which to break that bond so it's water may be consumed.

Much like condensation pooling water vapor onto cold surfaces, Higanbana No Sōsai interacts with a Reiatsus purity. As death is inherently impure every time a being kills another their Reiatsu is dimmed by it, corrupted. Using it's purified water Jingorō's Bankai can strip the impure Reiatsu expelled by opponents as they fight with him. Purifying them to the point Higanbana No Sōsai can drink from their body.

Doing so keeps Jingorō's own reiatsu pure. He avoids killing and in the rare cases he fights someone with whom death is the only option Higanbana No Sōsai is his method of maintaining his own purity. During the Bankai the opponent does not feel their Reiatsu being stripped, they do not grow weaker or less powerful it is a simple matter of moving where the Reiatsu bonded to their water is. This is another cause for the water level rising and further explains the inner workings of Norai. As his Bankai pulls the Reiatsu from his opponents body it pools together with his own it creates a purified Reiatsu-water he may drink from.

Once the three rites have been completed and Higanbana No Sōsai's procession has been observed, the water will glow with Jingorō's mint green Reiatsu. Clapping his hands and bowing the final adoration takes place. The ghostly Torii gate returns and one final knell of it's haunting bell takes place before several pressurised spears shoot from the water, piercing the limbs and holding the soon to be deceased in place.

Jingorō extends his hand and Higanbana's Shikai form will rise from the small whirlpool forming at his feet, it's chain wrapping around and up his arm. Lunging forward with a blast of water, Jingorō will run his opponent through before uttering his command. Nomu. Higanbana No Sōsai will desiccate a persons body so vociferously that it will begin to crumble away almost as if cremated, such is the practice in Shinto funerals.
_{Passive Ability}

♆

蛸入道 - Tako Nyūdō - (Octopus Priest) - When the pool of water Jingorō and his combatant stand in rises to an acceptable level he can invoke Tako Nyūdō. In doing so Higanbana No Sōsai can spawn several tentacle-like pillars of water with pressurised tips, much like Jingorō does with his two Ōnusa handles. These arms are independent of himself and so his combativeness multiplies in this form.
_{Passive Ability once invoked}

迷い船 の 海入道不純 - Mayoibune no Uminyūdōfujun [Wandering ship of the Impure Sea Priest] - This is an ability of Higanbana No Sōsai that has never been revealed to the Gōtei. When pressed on it's existence, Jingorō is known to have answered 'Sometimes the funeral goes wrong'.

In the event Jingorō kills someone before the funerary rites have been completed, the death will be like a stain on Higanbana No Sōsai's Reiatsu. It is incapable of removing this corrupted Reiatsu and stores it deep within his inner world. He is capable of accessing and using this power, although he has vowed never to do so. If he ever were to Higanbana No Sōsai will summon shades of its victims appearing as dead, drowned versions of whom Jingorō has killed wearing white funerary robes. He is incapable of controlling these Ghosts as they endeavor to claw and pull people down into the water, drowning them.

Doing so would add to Jingorō's corrupted Reiatsu and so it is possible that even one release of this forbidden ability could completely corrupt his soul, given enough people are killed by it. And he has been told in no uncertain terms, that if he were to become completely corrupted by this impure Reiatsu, he would not survive it either.
_{Duration - As long as Bankai is active ◆ Cooldown - One use ever}

Bleach: Rise Of The New Generation

@Brink I saw the post, thank you for your interest. Very interesting character with a perspective many don't go for, not liking killing. Diplomacy matters just as much as Combat in this RP, so I wonder how that'll affect things going forward. Accepted.

As for the Bankai, you can either PM me or add it for a later review.

@Expllo

Sweet thank you. Yeah, it's not a hard rule as in, he will kill if he needs to, but only when he needs to, it's a last resort. And it's a heavy focus of his Bankai. I'm not quite sure if he would have the same rule with Hollows? at least base hollows, I'll have to figure that out but other Shinigami and Arrancar etc I think he'd take that attitude. Still keen to have him fight etc, just with that in mind.

And sure, I'll just add the Bankai to the CS. Do you want to wait to see that before I move it to the Characters thread?

Edit: Updated the CS with Bankai. I haven't given it an edit at all from my old version so there might be some out of place things? I'm also not sure on how you'd judge the power level. But no rush, I'm quite far from Bankai obviously so plenty of time.

Bleach: Rise Of The New Generation

Hey, I posted in the IC not long ago. Hope it's alright to throw my hat in the ring. I already had a character I built a long time ago that I've edited to suit the RP, I took some things out such as his Bankai etc but if you'd prefer them to be in the CS ahead of time I can re-add them. Anyway if there are some things I've missed or any questions please let me know.

Character Sheet

甚 悟 郎 半 間

_{The Drowned Death | The Shinshoku | The Crashing Wave}

J I N G O R Ō H A N M A

◆ Shinigami ◆ Male ◆ 293 Years old ◆ 6'1" ◆ 170lbs ◆ 10th Division Unseated

_{Squad Interests}

_{Third - Fourth - Ninth}

_{❖ A P P E A R A N C E}

The sharp, pointed nose that sits in the center of Jingorō's face is off-put by the rounded cheeks that flank it. In similar contrast his jawline is long but faint, culminating in the cleft chin that hangs beneath his dull peach lips. Large ears are noticeable to either side of his head as he often strings his jet-black hair into a tight top-knot, although some hairs stray regardless. His eyes often seem a lifeless grey at a glance as only when he stares directly does the sea-green hue become noticeable.

Tall and lithe, Jingorō wears the typical long-sleeved Shihakushō, the black robes given to all Shinigami. He adds little in way of accessory, preferring to strictly adhere to tradition. The only thing setting him apart being the mint-green silk he uses to tie his hair.

Tucked into the white sash at his waist rest his Daishō. A Zanpakutō, a similar hue of mint rayon wrapping it's handle, sits highest with a notable swirled guard spreading outwards to eight points like a nautical compass and a Wakizashi sword purely present as ornament, as is tradition.

_{❖ H I S T O R Y & P E R S O N A L I T Y}

Born into one of the noble houses, Jingorō had been a playful boy of high spirits. Somewhat mollycoddled by his mother and largely ignored by his father he grew to be kind and soft of heart.

During the early unrest after the reunification of the Gotei 13 many flash points and riots affected Rukongai and it was on one such day that Jingorō's life changed. His mother was accidentally cut down during a conflict between Shinigami and dissidents of the Rukongai, seeing such a thing affected the young boy foundationally. He remembered that day as a sunny one, but the image burnt into his minds eye was of the heavy rain pummeling the thick mud around the pure white outline of his mother.

After that fateful day Jingorō was the charge of his father, whom after the incident grew even more distant still. Although he never wanted to be, as a son of a noble family he was destined to become a Shinigami. It was at this point in life he was forced to grow up quickly, becoming a quiet and passive person.

His initial training under the stewardship of his father went poorly. The last thing Jingorō wanted at that point was to be surrounded by death, he had come to hate it, but his father at least, gave him one poignant lesson that has driven him to this day. That if he became strong enough, there wouldn't be any need for death. That once a Shinigami truly masters his soul, he doesn't have to resort to such permanent solutions. From that point forward Jingorō applied himself, vowing to become as strong as he could.

_{❖ R E L A T I O N S H I P S}

Jingorō has almost always been a quiet and reserved person. He has poured himself into diligent training and has rarely had the time nor inclination to make friends or socialize. As a result he is often alone and reluctant to join in on festivities, apart from the official holidays and celebrations in the Seireitei.

---

---

P O I N T S & A T T R I B U T E S

_{Points Saved ◆ 0 Points Invested ◆ 0}

_{❖ P O W E R S & A B I L I T I E S}

Jingorō has always fought with the intent to incapacitate rather than kill. His belief is that death is inherently impure and all involved are better served should conflicts end without lost life. As a result he has diligently trained in all four major disciplines of the Gotei 13, giving each an equal attention.

In battle Jingorō is often keen to use the environment and terrain to his advantage, manipulating opponents position to better defend himself and strike precisely. To compliment this he has a well developed integration of Bakudo spells into his combat style to aid his non-lethal preference.

Kido ◆ Average

_{Bakudo -#1 Sai - #4 Hainawa - #8 Seki - #9 Geki - #9 Horin - #11 Kyomon - #12 Fushibi
Hado -#1 Sho - #4 Byakurai - #11 Tsuzuri Raiden - #31 Shakkaho - #32 Okasen - #33 Sokatsui}

Hakudo ◆ Average

_{Tesshō & Super Harisen Slipper}

Zanjutsu ◆ Average

_{Hōzuri & Shitonegaeshi}

Hoho ◆ Average

_Shunpo

---

---

Z A N P A K U T Ō

◆ Water Type ◆ Kidō Type

_{❖ S P I R I T & I N N E R W O R L D}

Bordered by winding trees and spotted with lily-pads, Jingorō's inner world takes the form of a tranquil bayou. Save for a few dozen fireflies, lunar rays serve as the only illumination to an otherwise inky-black domain.

Following the trail of Easter lily's in bloom, nestled among the meandering tree roots, sits a colossal toad upon an equally large lily-pad. In his early life Jingorō had to make do watching the toads gesticulations as it would not speak. Often finding silence to be the better teacher, he would ask the beast questions with no reply leading to introspection.

It took years for Jingorō to discover the truth. When his introspection led him to uncovering his Shikai, it was also revealed to him that the Toad he had so long pondered with was in fact not his inner spirit. He had never questioned the depth of the bayou as it only reached his knees as he walked. Yet on the edge of death, fighting a hollow, he found himself too weak to stand. As he fell through the surface Jingorō glared into the abyss he had not considered before. Until a few silvered beams probed the rocks beneath the giant lily-pad and gave light to his true soul.

A man, hanging in the twilight, feet chained to the bedrock as long wisps of hair veiled his face like thin seaweed. He could not see eyes and yet he felt seen. For someone with such a complicated relationship with death, Jingorō scorned that he had to get so close to his own. But it was here, in conversation with the drowned man, that he began to plumb the true depths of his soul.

清 め る , 彼 岸 花

K I Y O M E R U , H I G A N B A N A

[Purify, Red Spider Lily]

_{❖ S H I K A I A P P E A R A N C E}

Named after the flower of death used in Shinto funerals, the Shikai form Higanbana does not change much apart from two key features. A fuller, sometimes called a blood groove, completely perforates the blade, stretching the length of it's spine, ending at an unchanged eight-pointed star compass at it's hilt. And at the base of the handle drips a long silver chain often held in Jingorō's opposite hand that itself ends with a small but weighty twin-pronged hook.

_{❖ S H I K A I A B I L I T I E S}

Using the command 'Nomu' (飲 - Drink), Higanbana's blade is able to absorb water from almost any source it touches. The water trapped inside bonds with Jingorō's reiatsu, purifying it and bringing it under his control. As the sword drinks more two things happen. Firstly it salivates, thirsting for more water, multiplying the amount trapped in its blade. The sword also gets progressively heavier though this does not hinder Jingorō as to him it is like lifting his own reiatsu, but to an opponent his attacks become like crashing waves.

At a certain point Higanbana will have absorbed so much that its slaver renders its water self-sustaining. When this happens it will constantly pour from the blades hollow spine like an overflowing faucet, making each strike pulverizing and drench the vicinity in pools of its purified water.

The major weakness of this Zanpakutō is of course that it requires a source of water to be nearby to be effective quickly. Over time as he swings Higanbana, it will rip the vapor out of the air itself and so it can very slowly gain power. Higanbana cannot pull the water from an opponents body as their reiatsu is so strongly bonded to the water inside their body Higanbana cannot displace it.
_{Passive Ability}

清波 - Kiyoinami (Pure Wave) - With a swing of Higanbana a highly pressurised arc of water escapes the blade, capable of slicing rock or even metal. In rare cases Jingorō has used it as a shield, splitting and negating attacks moments before impact.
_{Duration - Instant ◆ Cooldown - 2 posts}

水幽霊 - Mizuyūrei (Ghost Water) - By touching any source of Higanbana's purified water, Jingorō can command his bonded reiatsu to atomize the water creating a sudden dense mist or fog with which he can hide his intent or momentarily distract a foe.
_{Duration - 2 posts ◆ Cooldown - 4 posts}

濡花 - Nurasu no Hana (Drowned Flower) - In a single savage moment Higanbana will expel all water within it's blade. Like a burst pipe yielding to the pressure, it will explode outwards causing horrific damage to anything, or anyone, run through.
_{Duration - Instant ◆ Cooldown - 6 posts}

---

---

卍 解 , 彼 岸 花 め 葬 祭

B A N K A I , H I G A N B A N A N O S Ō S A I

[Final release, Funeral Procession of Red Spider Lily's]

_{❖ B A N K A I A P P E A R A N C E}

In Bankai Jingorō's Zanpakutō gets significantly different. As it's name is called a giant ghostly torii gate appears behind Jingorō with a colossal funeral bell between it's pillars. A single knell reverberates in the air as a ring of blossoming red spider lily's surround Jingorō and his opponent. Great cracks of thunder echo in the sky inviting the dark clouds swarming above. It always rains on sad days.

As the gate and bell fade away, Jingorō is revealed to be wearing a pristine white Jōe, the garment worn by Shinto priests at ceremonies, and in his hands are grasped two Ōnusa, the wooden wands replete with paper streamers as are used in purification rituals.

Higanbana No Sōsai is, in essence, a funeral. Jingorō is loathed to use it as he inherently sees death as impure and his dedication to his training has been such that he would never have to resort to killing to stop someone. But in rare cases, he is prepared to offer his opponent a full and proper funeral so as to cleanse them of the impurity of death.

_{❖ B A N K A I A B I L I T I E S}

In Higanbana no Sōsai, all water in the vicinity becomes Jingorō's Zanpakutō. Using the two Ōnusa as handles of sorts he can form pressurised water into blades of varying sizes and shapes with which to fight. Both he and his opponent are locked inside the ring of flowers with almost all outside interference deflected or negated. However the true ability of Higanbana no Sōsai is the procession itself.

Whilst it's Shikai acts as the Misogi purification ritual and the release of Bankai serves as adoration, completing two of the six funeral rites, the remaining four are completed in Bankai in order for Higanbana to accept the purification and kill his opponent. Three Norito prayers must be finished if he is to call the last rite. They may be completed in any order so long as the requirements are met.

神楽 - Kagura [First Rite, Dance] - Perhaps the most nebulous rite. Kagura is a ceremonial dance which in the case of Higanbana no Sōsai takes the form of combat. With fluid movements Jingorō can seem to be dancing from afar. Some even swear that when his blade swings the water it sprays chimes, and the clashing swords echo like Taiko drums. It is not entirely known when this rite is considered complete, but Jingorō must engage his opponent and create a mortal dance of wills.

直会 - Norai [Second Rite, Feast] - As is common at funerals a feast must be observed, yet this one is different. To invoke the second rite, Jingorō must be wounded. Through the fighting he will expel a lot of his strength and will inevitably take damage if he is facing an opponent strong enough to draw out his Bankai. When he teeters on the edge of that surface so reminiscent of his inner world, Jingorō invokes Norai. By using his Ōnusa to guide the water he will drink from the rising pool, in doing so his body will be rejuvenated, his reiatsu bolstered and his wounds healed. He may do this only once, but once is all it takes for the second rite to be completed.

雨の中の涙 - Ame no Naka no Namida [Third Rite, Tears in the Rain] - The third rite is perhaps the only one Jingorō has no control over. As time passes the rain his Bankai started will not subside, slowly but surely within the ring of flowers a large pool will form and start to rise. It is in effect, a timer.
Representing the mourning for the deceased, only once it reaches the knees can it be considered complete. This means that even if Jingorō could defeat his opponent quicker he must wait for the rite to end if he is to complete the funeral correctly.

All of which leads us to the last rite. As is noted in it's Shikai, Higanbana is unable to consume the water inside of someones body. This is because the Reiatsu within their body is already bonded to that water and Higanbana cannot consume another Reiatsu. Higanbana No Sōsai is in reality a ritual with which to break that bond and strip the opponents body of it's inherent Reiatsu so it's water may be consumed.

Much like condensation, pooling water vapor onto cold surfaces, Higanbana No Sōsai interacts with Reiatsu purity. Death is inherently impure and every time a being kills another their Reiatsu is corrupted by it. Using it's pure water Jingorō's Bankai can strip the air and pull from the skin the impure Reiatsu expelled by opponents as they fight with him. This is the funerals cause, to purify the opponent to the point Higanbana can drink from their body.

Doing so keeps Jingorō's own reiatsu pure. He does not like to kill and in the rare cases he fights someone that requires his Bankai, almost exclusively, a lot of death has lead them to their current status. During his Bankai the opponent does not feel their Reiatsu being stripped, they do not grow weaker or less powerful it is a simple matter of moving where the Reiatsu is. This is another cause for the water level rising, as his Bankai pulls the Reiatsu from his opponents body it pools together with his in the water. This is how Norai works, as he is able to drink purified Reiatsu from the water they wade through, rejuvenating his body.

Once the three rites have been completed and the Bankai's procession has been observed, the water will glow with Jingorō's Reiatsu. Clapping his hands and bowing the final adoration takes place. The ghostly Torii gate returns and one final knell of it's haunting bell takes place before several spears shoot from the water, piercing limbs and holding the soon to be deceased in place.

Jingorō extends his hand and Higanbana's Shikai form will rise from the depths to his grasp, it's chain wrapping around and up his arm. Running his opponent through he will often offer last words before his command to drink. Higanbana will desiccate a body so voraciously that it will often crumble away as if cremated, as is the practice in Shinto funerals.

♆

海入道不純 - Uminyūdōfujun [Impure Sea Priest] - This is an ability of Higanbana No Sōsai that has never been revealed to the Gōtei. When pressed on it's existence, Jingorō is known to have answered 'Sometimes the funeral goes wrong'.

Bleach: Rise Of The New Generation

Hey, I haven't RP'd in many, many years. But just popped on out of nostalgia to see what's around. Bleach was always my go-to when it came to RPs so I'd like to give this a go and join if there is still space, I recognize it's late but the OOC wasn't posted too long ago so I hope it's alright.

Brink's Bustling Box of Brisk Blooming Briefs

The Dinner

♆

Wading through the flooded tarmac, the old black car came to a halt with a high-pitched screech. Dressed in red and black with tasseled ropes of gold, a bellboy stepped out into the downpour. Rushing to the car door he opened an umbrella in a dark flash as the gull-wing door pivoted open revealing a pitch black world inside. The two floating reflections of light from Maximillians eyes peered from the inky black as his lithe figure glided out of the car. Protected by the attendant he fastened his fine suit jacket to the echoes of incessant rain, surveying his final destination.

Inside the restaurant sat his host. An impeccably groomed man clad in a pinstripe suit and waiting patiently at the table, hands clasped together. To his left sat Maximillian’s partner, a dumpy man that in contrast took very little care of himself. Upon observation one could tell there was an attempt to tame his wiry shoulder-length hair. But despite the intermittent pats with a fresh napkin, the beads of sweat still gathered on his brow.

With long strides Maximilian, under the safeguard of his aide's umbrella, approached the glass doors of the restaurant. Opening before him and as he stepped inside he took pause. Something felt off. It wasn’t an internal feeling but something…else. Something in the air perhaps. He persevered, shaking the feeling best he could as he followed the manager to their table. Circular and nestled in the restaurant's corner, a single dim light illuminated the setting from above. Bouncing from the white tablecloth it offered some semblance of identity to both his partner and the man they were here to meet.

He raised a hand, indicating to his squat compatriot there was no need to stand for his arrival.
“I am late. My sincerest apologies, Abraham.”
The man sat eerily still, like a granite gargoyle eternally tasked to keep watch,
“Not at all,” he finally said, “We are only discussing our future. What importance would a few minutes hold?”
Maximilian slid onto the buttoned leather banquette, to Abraham’s right and across from his partner.
“I hope you don’t mind, but we have ordered for you.” He spoke. Maximilian smiled back, the kind that’s absent from the eyes.
“Not at all.” He was a tall man and he sat with a straight back. Uncoupling the gold buttons of his jacket he settled into his seat resisting the dull glow from touching his face which only sharpened the flash in his eyes.
“So, I’ve talked with the partners. We are capable of supplying the Deuterium. We’ve done our research and the hydrogen nucleosynthesis…well we have a green light.”
The faint shadows of his curled mouth and warped eyes suggested that this time his grin was genuine.
“Excellent. Once we have the station online, you and your partners will have stock options. Limited at two percent of course.”

The trio were interrupted as waitresses filed one by one to the table, laying glasses and utensils in quickfire fashion. Sat either side of a service plate, Maximilian stared at the knife and fork with a gaze of pure hatred. His fixation was quickly broken by a plate of food being placed in front of him. Inspecting the meticulously prepared dish he did not sense anything he did not like.

Monkfish, kohlrabi, dates and several small florets of cauliflower. He scrutinized each element one by one until he was satisfied with its construction. In a swift motion he slid a hand beneath his jacket towards a hidden chest pocket, revealing gold plated cutlery as he retracted it.
“I hope you don’t mind. The silver, it irritates my skin.”
Abraham gave an accommodating gesture as Maximilian eyed his partner who was already slicing into his food, unresponsive to a trait he must have known well by now.
“The plant. Is it already in place?” he enquired.
“It’s still under construction. We have the materials in orbit and it shouldn’t be longer than a couple months.”
Maximilian smiled, “What are a couple months. It’s only our future.”
Abraham stopped his knife midway through his thick steak for a brief moment, before continuing with the cut.
“So it seems we have a deal, Mr Lazarescu.”
“Please, call me Max,” he said in riposte.

Slicing into his own meal, he slowly raised a stuffed fork to his thin mouth. He was a true epicurean, taking his time mulling over flavors dancing together in unison or clashing in an excitement of contrast. But it wasn’t long before a slight crease formed in his brow. His tongue began to sizzle, the gums along the edges of his teeth set alight and in a sudden explosion his mouth burst in a conflagration. And yet he sat still.
With the darkness his only aid in hiding his expression, he very calmly placed his utensils down and did not rush in picking up the freshly poured glass of wine sat ahead of him. He swirled it in hand his eyes burning more intensely than before. He tipped the glass forward, his head back, and swilled the admittedly glorious Richebourg around his mouth as silently as he could. Glancing to his companions he was relieved that they were consumed by their own nourishment. He took a deep gulp and swallowed. The burning sensation was still present but had been tempered, and whilst it continued down his throat, he kept the glass in hand. Ready at any moment to put out another fire.

“This will revolutionize the energy market. I am sure you are aware but Striga currently has a fourteen percent market cap. With this new plant, and our ability to synthesize deuterium on Triton we will, at minimum, triple that.”
His host allowed his glasses to droop down his long face, peering over them at Max.
“Why do you think we’re going for this?”
The question was rhetorical in nature but it served as confirmation to him that the porcelain mask covering his unease remained unbroken and uncracked.
“What a fine restaurant you picked, by the way. I appreciate the food you ordered, what did you say it was?”
“I didn’t. I asked the girl there for the chef's specialty.” Abraham retorted.
He pointed, fork in hand, to the waitress standing nearby. She wasn’t facing the table but she was its shepherd, always within earshot ready at a moment's notice to fulfill the guests wishes.
“Excuse me, yes. This dish, I believe it’s the chef’s specialty?” She approached the table and nodded.
“Yes sir. It is Monkfish, kohlrabi, cauliflower florets with date puree topped with ramsons.”
Max forced a smile into his face. The waitress was not at fault but he nevertheless unnerved her with his stare.
“Ah, wild garlic. Really rounds out the dish. Please, give my compliments to the chef.”
She broke eye contact with him, looking down to the floor before retreating away from the table and, presumably, headed to the restaurant kitchen.

Max kept hold of his wine, feeling a pain grow in his stomach. He intermittently took sips as he investigated the restaurant walls. Various paraphernalia littered the stone walls, tapestries, stag heads, the…crucifix. Max averted his eyes immediately, gaining the attention of his hunched partner who took a rare moment away from stuffing his face with porcini mushrooms.
“Yes, it is rather nice isn’t it. My family has been coming here for generations. It’s where I’ve always liked doing business. Used to be a chapel, you know, the Order of the Holy Sepulchre I believe, or so my grandfather told me.”

Max’s eyes flicked from one corner of the room to the next, his panic growing larger than the pain. It was only through gritted teeth as he tried to compose himself that he noticed. His compatriots had stopped eating, and were staring at him. His partner with a destitute expression carved into his face and his host, Abraham, who was unsuccessfully holding back a grin.
“You don’t look so well. Something in the food?”
Max clumsily placed his glass on the table, wiped his lips with the napkin and slid out from under the table.
“Excuse me.”
The strained words added new cracks to his already crumbling visage. His partner dropped his fork, bracing himself to slide himself out before Max threw a wave.
“No. Stay.”
With stumbled steps he made his way from the table, one hand clutching his throat, the other across his own belly. He made his way to the glass doors he breached earlier, spotting the large stone lintel above them inscribed with Latin phrase.

‘Acta deos numquam mortalia fallunt. Mortal actions never deceive god.’

“Striga!” came the shout from behind him.
Max spun to meet it. Watching Abrham, not ten feet from him, click a bolt into place of the ornate crossbow held in his grasp. He grinned, raising it to eye-height.
“To the future.”

♆

_{Prompt - “You are the CEO of a successful energy company. You’re invited to a business dinner, and if the deal goes well, it could revolutionize energy as we know it. Only one problem. Garlic’s in the food, utensils are silver and it’s held in an old chapel. And you’re a vampire.”}

Brink's Bustling Box of Brisk Blooming Briefs

A repository for prompted short stories as practice. Please don't post on this thread but if you have questions or thoughts feel free to PM me. These stories are mine but if you wish to use one in some way please get in touch, if you're just perusing I hope you like what I've got!

【Bleach: Souls Unguided】

太 郎 山 田

T A R O Y A M A D A

---

_{// L E D B Y B U T T E R F L I E S}

"Hai." Taro gave an honorable bow to his head captain before he spun on the spot towards the door. As he left he grabbed Mitsue in an embrace that was as friendly as it was controlling, shuffling him along by his side the decision was made for the pair to travel to the living world.

They soon arrived at the Senkaimon, the last blasts of soul society sun beating their brows.
"Vasto Lorde. This could be dangerous, Mitsue." the words lingered in the air a moment as if the sunlight weighed them down, preventing their escape. Taro was not actually worried about their patrol, he was confident in the two of them, especially together, but he had always enjoyed exaggerating the trials ahead. He peered forward as the portal opened.
"Maybe once it's over we could visit that cake shop again" his verbose smile contrasted the previous omen in a way only Taro could. Tucking his arms into the sleeves of his uniform Taro proceeded forward, led by butterflies to the world of the living.

---

The pair found themselves walking alongside a winding canal. It wasn't as sunlit as the Soul society, in fact the grey skies gave the day a muted, ponderous and ill-fated atmosphere. Taro walked on as subtly as a man his size could, he seemed lost in thought, not paying attention to the cars nearby or the people whom couldn't see him. In actuality Taro was alert, he conversed with his friend but all the while he was sensing spiritual pressures, checking corners and rooftops in his peripheral vision.
"Mitsue. If we find this hollow, we will need to protect the city first, then fight it."

【Bleach: Souls Unguided】

太 郎 山 田

T A R O Y A M A D A

---

_{// A N E W E R A}

In a most serene manner the butterfly with a message landed neatly atop Taro's head. His wide smile turned to a look of curiosity as his gaze couldn't quite match the curvature of his forehead. The sun was rampant, stretching along the floor as if trying to reach Taro's bent leg like a pining child, thankfully he was sat just out of reach, in the cool calm shade. Lowering his new winged friend in a gentle grasp he was notified of the meeting, a cursory glance at where the sun was in the sky, he had time. He rested a pen on the paper and stood from his chamber desk, allowing himself a moment to watch the flutter of his messenger make its way out of the window.

So strong was the sun's glare the contrast between the hall and it's boundary to the outside world obscured any arrivals. To those inside it must have seemed like the devil himself approached, a strong bright sun blotted from existence by the appearance of one very large silhouetted beast, the warm summer rays snuffed out like candles in his shadow. And yet in walked Taro, his haori settling as the wind struggled to follow him inside with a smile etched across his flat features as if carved in permanently, breaking any tension.

It was a quiet residence. Not many had arrived and those that had were either lost in thought or entertaining themselves. Feeling he should not to usurp the placid tone Taro took his place in the inevitable line-up and mused to himself about the writings he had left unfinished before he was called for.

【Bleach: Souls Unguided】

太 郎 山 田

T A R O Y A M A D A

---

_{// B U I L D I N G A M O U N T A I N}

Running through the pathways outside of his barracks, Taro was searching for some semblance of reason. Plumes of black smoke filled the night sky with an inky rash and at their base the fires that fueled them emitted a frenzied glow. A thunderous crack exploded into the alleyway not five feet from where he stood, boring a hole into its left wall. Taro could only shield himself from the blast, batting away chunks of brink and plaster. He soon sped towards the hole, seeing another Shinigami crawling out from under the rubble. Jumping to his aid, Taro wrapped the mans arm around his shoulder to bring him to his feet.
"Go! get to safety" He didn't truly know where safety was but there wasn't time nor mind to ponder it. "What the hell is going on..." he muttered to himself, not sure of which way to turn. He could feel so many spiritual pressures at once that he could barely single one out, yet his attention was quickly caught by the sound of clashing blades. "The barracks gate!" Leaping into the air Taro skipped from wall to wall, his wooden sandals clacking upon each impact.

His billowing kosode flapped in the rush of air before settling with a thud as Taro arrived. The gates Honden stood above its surroundings, the bright Tenné colour signaling its locale to the area. Taro could hear voices, interspersed with several clangs of steel. As he scanned the space for movement, his eyesight focused on a figure passing through the gates aperture. He sighed in relief, recognizing the man as his captain, Mizushima. Taro let go of his swords hilt, allowing the cold air to chill his sweaty palms. There was something amiss. Staggering backwards the full extent of Mizushima's condition came to light. He was visibly wounded, the usual snowy white of the captains haori was blotched with blood and overflowed in places so badly that it had begun to pool on the tiled floor below. Everything got quiet. Taro could only watch as Mizushima strived to stay upright. In a sudden movement, a blade caught the light, forcing a flinch out of Taro as he witnessed his captain yield to a mortal blow.

Instinct took over. He drew his Zanpakuto, and charged forward with an sturdy cry. Vaulting to his mentors aid, Taro turned to face the gate, ready to take on any and all assailants. But he could only spot the silhouette, springing above the barracks arched canopy as they departed. Taro grimaced at the sight, highlighting his rugged features.
"Captain!" as it dropped, the metallic skid of his sword was followed by a panicked pant. "W-Who did this!? You're a captain, who has that kind of power!" the dying man still held his Zanpakuto, in its released form it was an angular sickle with an elongated haft still loosely clasped in his ash-laden hand. With what he could muster, Mizushima raised his hand and placed it by Taro's heart.

"That's not important now, Taro." he did well to fight off the spluttering cough building in his throat. "What is, is that you become what you were meant to be." he gave an honest smile, curling the corner of his mouth in a regret he owned. His hand fell into Taro's, passing his last gesture to him before his reign ended.

"Captain..." a solemn reality deadened Taro's face. And as his hand fell away, it revealed the armband of a seated position in squad nine. Taro climbed to his feet, a single tear dampening the armbands tightly woven fabric. It was in this moment that Taro made a promise to himself, and among the anarchy, managed to crack a smile in remembrance for his teacher. Taro began to remove Mizushima's haori, brushing dirt from the insignia imprinted to its back. He carefully laid it over captain Jiro, and in one last subdued moment, said his goodbye.

Reaching across he plucked Mizushima's Zanpakuto from his grip, as well as his own sword still laid behind him. Not knowing who or what to seek out, Taro began to wander away, further into the pandemonium that had engulfed the Seireitei.