RPG Hollow-Kao no Shinigami [M-LV, maybe S]

[Raiyuu]

[font=Trebuchet MS]Rain didn't agree with Ginryu-taicho; it dampened his spirits as much as it would have dampened his dragon's flame, had it been real instead of manifested [i]reiatsu.[/i] Renji hadn't disguised his relief that the spar was ended prematurely. He was sure he'd seen Gin's lips beginning to form the word [i][b]"Bankai" [/b][/i]several times in the last couple of minutes of the match, and hadn't wanted to overexert his authority as referee and damage-controller by reprimanding the First Squad Captain, his ultimate superior.

[b]"Breakfast, Hikari-chan?" [/b]he enquired of the dripping, morose woman slumped on his floor. She looked up, a slightly bewildered expression framed by red hair plastered to her cheeks. The rain and the encounter with Utamuro-taicho seemed to have thrown out her routine somewhat; she didn't seem aware that she'd missed her morning meal.

Nozomi took the proffered bowl with a small incline of her head and stared into it for a few moments. The towel was still draped around her shoulders, but she hadn't used it. Renji dropped to a crouch in front of her and tried to manouevre his head so her could look upwards into her eyes, pulling a mock-serious face.

She looked up, meeting his eyes gazing out from under a ridiculously furrowed brow, and failed to suppress a chuckle.

[b]"More like it," [/b]nodded Renji approvingly. He rubbed the towel playfully over her dripping hair. [b]"Which is it more? The rain, or [i]Jyuu-ban taicho-sama?"[/i][/b]

He raised another chuckle with his mock-deference to Utamuro.

[b]"It's Utamuro," [/b]she replied, taking a mouthful from her bowl, [b]"the rain just made it worse. [i]Ano hentai! [/i]How long must he have had that window?"

[i]Yes! An insult. She's loosened up. No more depression for Nozomi-chan.

[/i]"If I ever catch him at it again, I'll throw him over the fence for you to take care of, deal?" [/b]grinned Renji. Nozomi nearly choked; the two of them chuckled over the image like schoolchildren hearing their first dirty joke.


[b][size=1][font=Verdana]OOC [/font][/size][/b][size=1][font=Verdana]Sorry to cut short your spar, Revelation and Kitsune, but I didn't think Renji would leave the two of you scrapping unsupervised.[/font][/size]
[/font]

[Engel]

[color=darkslategray][size=1]Akuma sighed, but waved as Nozomi-chan left for Renji's house. The rain was too slow in the fall to comfort anyone, but it still helped. His arms now on the smooth stone, he was glad that only two things here were built out of leathality stone. the Shrine of Pentinence and the underground tunnels. The bandage on his arm squirmed slightly. That...was bad...

Akuma sighed, ignored it, and looked up into the downpour. Everyone else was inside or out of the rain, seems he was the only one to stay out. The bleach in his hair would suffer for this showing the blond, black and red massacre that was left, but he didn't care. And the red was Hollow blood. That stayed, it wouldn't ever come off, even if he cut it. Besides, it looked fine by him.

The somber, amber eyes of his looked to the dark clouds. The generality of Soul Society must be unhappy. Akuma was just...preoccupied. Running his hand through his hair, he stood on the ground and then opened up a secret plate, leading into the underground caverns, where 4th squad was cleaning. How demeaning to 4th Squad, they were healers. Not cleaners, the [i]baka[/i] that couldn't get into the Gotei 13 should be doing this. He charged up his spirit power, and let out a blast, making sure all of the 4th squad were out of the tunnels first.

The 4th squad was done early. They thanked Akuma-taichio, and left. He didn't mind the the 4th squad commander got pissed off. Akuma would deal with that later. He didn't know where he was headed, so he popped up in a few places, one at Kenpachi's grave. Yachiru-chan was still there. The white, thin, ornately designed fine silk that lay over his Shinigami robes wasn't even touched by the grime down there. 4th squad did a good job.

Coming behind Yachiru-chan, he put a hand on her small shoulder. She looked at him, and gave him a meek smile.

[b]"Hey~o Akuma-taichio...."[/b] She said, still sad.

[b]"Yachiru-chan, you okay?"[/b]

[b]"...Yes, I am."[/b] She smiled at him, a real one. [/b]"Ken-chan had fun playing with you, you know! You were one of the few that could even touch him! You guys always ended in a draw."[/b]

[b]"Its a shame, Yachiru. He was a good man, a great fighter, and a friend to me. Take care, Yachiru-chan. Just ask me for anything, okay?"[/b]

[b]"Okay. Take care, Akuma-Ch~an!"[/b] She said, trying to give him a happy sendoff. Tetsu-Okami, as a Hell Butterfly, landed on her nose, tickling it a bit before leaving with Akuma. He retreated back into the tunnels. Akuma had one thought of where to go, he wanted to talk to someone he knew. Friends were scarce among him, he had maybe two. Once, three, but Zaraki Kenpachi, was dead. That Hollow faced Shinigami....

Akuma walked more, and came up at Nozomi-chan's quarters.[/color][/size]

[Onix]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Utamuro stepped into his quarters, sighing softly. It had started off as such a good day, but now it was raining and three Shinigami were out for his life. Well, maybe not literally on that last bit. But running into Sakura, Nozomi, or Tatsuki would probably result in a sound beating. Well, at least there was something good. He could blame it on Setsuko. A little.

With another depressed sigh, he flopped down on his bedroll, staring up at the ceiling. His talk with Yachiru and Nozomi had opened up an old wound...the loss of Kenpachi had been terrible for all of Soul Society. The Hollow had killed an entire battalion of 11th Squad warriors before Kenpachi arrived. The fight had lasted for hours, or so the reports said...but in the end, the great Captain just hadn't been enough.

[B]"It rained then, too..."[/B] Utamuro muttered.

Rain always seemed to be a bad omen in Soul Society. Kenpachi's death, the beating that soon awaited Utamuro, depression, sadness...

[B]"What else could go wrong?"[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[CENTER]*****[/CENTER]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]The rain...

[I]I hate the rain...

It makes the hurt so much more...

Need to kill...

Need to feed...[/I]

The Hollow-Faced Shinigami rose from his hiding place and look out towards the Court again. He could feel the power radiating from inside, like a bonfire surrounded by the candles of Rukongai. Little flames of power...they were nothing to him. It was the Shinigami he had to fight. They were the only ones worthy. The only ones that deserved to die.

Utsuro Kokoro whispered softly next to him. "Kill them," it said. "Make them pay. Feed the pain." Pain spiked through his chest, and through his bandaged arm. It compelled him more...strike now. Strike now.

In a flash, he disappeared, jumping from roof to roof. The city sparkled in the gloom of the rain clouds...soon the walls would drop. Was Jidanbou there? Time to find out. And as he stepped in front of the Court of Pure Souls, the walls did drop, and the giant appeared. He looked down at the Hollow-One, glaring slightly, reaching back to grab his axes.

[B]"You are the Hollow-Faced one!"[/B] he bellowed. [B]"I, Guardian of the Court of Pure Souls, will stop you in your tracks!"[/B]

The axe swung out at surprising speed. The man merely turned to look at it when it went through him. Jidanbou held the weapon high, smiling...then realized the Shinigami was gone.

[B]"You're faster than I though..."[/B]

Jidanbou turned in time to see the Shinigami resting on his axe. And to see him raising his black Zanpaku-toh. The rest happened in a flash, as lightning split the sky. Blood splashed across the walls of the Court of Pure Souls. When lightning rose again, the Hollow-One was gone.

And Jidanbou was dead.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[CENTER]*****[/CENTER]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Utamuro had fallen into an uneasy sleep when the loud knocking began. He opened an eye slowly and looked to the door.

[B]"Nanda?"[/B] he called.

[B]"Yakuta-taicho, horrible news!"[/B] the person called.

[B]"What is it?"

"Jidanbou is dead!"

"What!?"[/B]

Utamuro was on his feet in an instant, pulling on his Shinigami robes. He swiftly grabbed Juujikamaru and slipped it into his obi. As he turned, he pulled open the door to his quarters, addressing the messanger with a steely stare.

[B]"I imagine the Commander General wants to meet with us?"

"Hai, Yakuta-taicho. Hiwatari-fukutaicho is already on her way."

"Good. Alert the rest of the Squad and instruct them to meet in the training hall. Hiwatari-sama and I shall join you as soon as the meeting is over."

"Yosh, Yakuta-taicho,"[/B] the messanger replied with a short bow. He quickly ran off to the main quarters for the 10th Squad.

Utamuro turned and began running in the direction of the meeting hall. If Jidanbou was dead, that could only mean one thing.

[B]"He's here..."[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[CENTER]*****[/CENTER]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Taicho and Fukutaicho, prepare to meet with the rest. Non-taicho, just hang out with the rest of your squad. The Hollow-One is about to strike...[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Sakura]

[color=Navy]Sakura had given up the chase after it started raining. She scuttled back to her room quickly and changed out of her soaked kimono, into a dry one that was pale blue with white sakura prints and a scarlet obi.

She sat on her bed and looked at her cupboard, where her Shinigami robes hung on a hangar on the handle. She started to think about how she had become a Shinigami. She had joined because she wished to follow the footsteps of her deceased parents. Sakura was proud of them, they had died in the line of duty, doing what they had to. She swore she would be the same, sacrificing herself to complete the job needed to be done.

Sakura picked Chiméiteki up from the part of bed beside her and stroked the navy blue saya fondly, running her hand down, tracing the cherry blossom patterns on the silver tsuba and then tracing the intricate pattern on the basket handguard that surrounded the hilt. She slipped her hand in and drew the blade from it's sheath, tilting it so it caught the light. The blade shone brightly and Sakura smiled, checking the blade for marks or smudges. When she found none she was about to slip it back into it's sheath when there was a frantic rapping at her door.

Sakura rested the katana in her lap, beside it's saya.

[b]"Ohairinasai." [/b]she called.

The door opened quickly and a messenger stood there panting, bowing quickly.

[b]"Hiwatari-fukutaicho! Jidanbou is dead!" [/b]he said between pants.

[b]"Nani?!" [/b]Sakura jumped up and slid Chiméiteki into the sheath and excused herself, closing the door and changing into her Shinigami robes.

She slipped her weapon into her obi over her left hip and flung open the door, closing it quickly behind her and walking away.

The messenger caught up to her quickly.

[b]"I'm assuming the Commander General wants to have a meeting." [/b]she said before he had a chance to say anything.

[b]"Hai, Yakuta-taicho is also on his way."

"Alright, thank you, take a rest and catch your breath." [/b]Sakura nodded to him, running off in the direction of the meeting hall.

The messenger thanked her and bowed before walking off in the other direction, even though Sakura didn't hear or see him.

[b]'It can't be...can it? But if Jidanbou is dead then it must be...' [/b]Sakura thought as she rushed. Utamuro had shared his thoughts with her on more than one occassion, it meant that the Hollow-One was coming.

If anyone saw Sakura, they would see a woman with determination written all over her face and a strong will burning in her eyes. She thought that this may be her time, like her parents, to die in the line of duty, but no matter what, they [i]would [/i]triumph, she had no doubts.

[b][color=Black]OOC: [/color][/b][color=Black]Hope that's ok.[/color]
[/color]

[Raiyuu]

[font=Trebuchet MS]Running footsteps. Heavy, ragged breaths. A sharp rap at the door.

Renji stopped towelling dry Nozomi's head and walked quickly to the door, sliding it open sharply with a [i]clack.[/i] His expression made it clear to the messenger that he would rather not have been disturbed, but the nervous young Shinigami - Fourth Squad, from the device on his arm - bowed deeply and addressed him anyway.

[b]"Shitsurei shimasu, Abarai-taicho! Koroga-sama has called an emergency meeting of Captains and Lieutenants." [/b]The boy was out of breath and, Renji noticed, was trembling from head to foot, and not just due to exhaustion. [b]"Abarai-taicho ... the Gate Keeper is dead!"

[/b]Renji recoiled. Behind him he felt Nozomi freeze in the middle of tidying her hair.

[b]"Jidanbou ... dead?" [/b]he repeated dumbly. Saying the words himself allowed them to filter through the shock into his main consciousness. Unable to believe what he was hearing, he closed his eyes and probed with his mind, feeling for the familiar giant spirit force emanating from the Court's giant guardian.

It was true. Jidanbou's [i]reiatsu [/i]had been snuffed out.

Renji slid the door shut in the messenger's face and pulled his white Captain's outer cloak from where it had been airing near the window. He slipped it on over his black robes before gently removing Zabimaru from its stand and sliding the sword through his obi. He looked to Nozomi, still slumped, weak-kneed, on the floor.

[b]"Don't wait up, taicho," [/b]she told him. [b]"I'll catch you." [/b]She attempted a weak smile. [b]"Wouldn't want you to peek while I'm changing..."

[/b]Renji nodded and swept out of the door, breaking into a run towards Headquarters. [i][b]It has to be that Hollow-faced bastard. No one but Kenpachi's murderer could possibly have beaten Jidanbou. And now he's made Nozomi-chan sad again.

I won't forgive him.


[/b][/i][b][size=1][font=Verdana]OOC [/font][/size][/b][size=1][font=Verdana]All okay with you, Imi?[/font][/size][/font]

[JJ]

[Font=Arial][Size=1]Orihime and Seto had been walking through the rain and talking when a messenger from her squad came running. ?Orihime! Get back to camp now. I can?t tell you more now, but get back NOW!? He shouted, running past her.

Orihime looked at Seto questioningly, and shrugged it off. ?Looks like we?ll have to end it here.? She said, smiling.

?Looks like.? Seto said, starting to wave. ??Till next time??

??Till next time.? Orihime said, turning towards the camp. She began to jog, and arrived in no time. Everyone was standing around in a circle talking, worried looks on their face. Orihime walked up to Reika, the fourth seat holder, and asked, ?What?s going on??

?You haven?t heard yet?? She asked her eyes full of fear. ?He?s here. He killed Jidanbou!?

?Oh my..? Orihime said, covering her mouth. The Hollowed One. He had made it. Orihime, silently hoped Tatsuki and Seto were safe. She didn?t want anyone else to die, but there was so little she could do.

Reika suddenly broke down in tears, and Aichio, the seventh seat, took her in his arms and began to rock her. Orihime sat down on the ground, and tried to keep herself from sobbing.

A comforting hand placed on her shoulder, caused Orihime to turn and see no one. She looked around, and realized that it was Tsubaki and Lily. She nodded at them, and stood up. She walked to the middle of the throng of people and sat down. She began to breath, in meditation to try to set an example. She watched as Aichio and Reika joined, and other followed them. Within minutes, the entire squad had calmed down, and Orihime then stood up.

?We?ve got to keep ourselves together. Now is not the time to panic. Yes, it?s possible that the Hollowed One is here in the Soul Society, and that?s why we have to stay on our guard.? Orihime said, trying to stay calm.

?Where are..? One of the lower ranked members asked.

?I?m assuming they?re at a meeting discussing this. I?m hoping they?ll find an answer, to help us, and maybe even him.? Orihime said, keeping her face calm.

?Why would you want to help him? He slaughtered the 11th Squad!? Isura, the fifth seat yelled out.

Orihime didn?t know why, but in a sense, she pitted the man. Something had obviously driven him to done a Hollow mask, and Orihime didn?t even want to start to imagine what that was. ?Sometimes, one can?t always judge on first appearances.?

The uproar of the squad was then heard as everyone tried to interjected their opinion before someone else. ?Please let the others have a better answer.? Orihime thought, as she continued to stand in the middle of it all.[/font][/size]

[Orcus]

[color=#990000][SIZE=1]Gin stood over Jidanbou's body. He couldn't believe it. Jidanbou's enormous power...he was undefeatable. To be defeated...It would take the strength of a demon. A [I]Hollow-Faced[/I] Demon. He leaned down, holding his firend in his arms. Tears streamed down Gin's face as he shook. [I]Damn! Damn! That monster![/I] He gripped Kuroenkou. [I]Damn you, I'll kill you myself.[/I] He stood up in rage, but a hand rested on his shoulder. It was Kane, she had stayed with him after their spar. She looked at Gin sternly, but tears were in her eyes.

[B]"No."[/B] Gin clenched his teeth and sheathed Kuroenkou. He put his hand over Kane's, and turned to face her.

[B]"We need to gather all of the taichos and fukutaichos. Immediately."[/B] Gin grabbed Jidanbou's body. They were going to give him a proper burial. They walked off together and assigned messengers to inform all Captains and Lieutenants of what had happened. Gin placed Jidanbou's body into the finest casket made in Soul Society, asking Kane to bring the casket with to the meeting hall. As painful as it would be to see him dead, the Captains and Lieutenants needed to.

Gin then made haste the meeting hall, to wait for his subordinates to arrive. He did not have to wait long though, for almost immediately Abarai-taicho, Yakuta-taicho, and Hiwatari-fukutaicho had arrived. They were all out of breath, and were shaking. All of their eyes looked so desolate, so grief-stricken. Sakura spoke first.

[B]"Is it true, Koroga-taicho? Is...Is Jidanbou really dead?"[/B] Gin could barely utter yes as he stood up and opened the casket holding Jidanbou's body. Sakura put her hand over her mouth, while Utamuro and Renji gripped their blades with anger. Renji looked towards Gin.

[B]"So what is are plan of action? He caught us off guard. TWe were all so sure he couldn't get in! We shoudln't have let our guard down..."[/B] Gin walked over to Renji and Utamuro.

[B]"I'm not sure what our strategy will be. We still need to wait for Shikyo-taicho, Yozen-taicho, and Hikari-fuku--"[/B] Gin was interupted by rapid footseps at the door. It was Nozomi. She was soaked from the rain, but it was apparent she had been crying. She walked in, bowed, and walked over to Jidanbou's casket upon notcing it.

She stood gazing over his body for a few moments, before Renji walked over, put his arm around her, and tryed to comfort Nozomi. Sakura, Utamuro, Kane and Gin continued to speak. Gin adressed the three.

[B]"The rest of our squads will not react well to this news. Their will be panic and disorder and we cannot allow that. Chances are...that's what [I]he[/I] wants."[/B] Gin could feel the others emotions at the mention of The Hollow-Faced Shinigami. Gin retracted into thought.

[I]This Hollow-One has killed two great men now. Two men who meant everything to us, especially the Captains and lieutenants that knew them well. He's ridden our hearts with sorrow. For all he has done...He [B]will[/B] die.[/I][/SIZE][/color]

[SIZE=1][B]OOC:[/B] I hope that's alright.[/SIZE]

[Ezekiel]

[SIZE=1]Nozomi shook slightly in Renji's one-armed embrace. She looked at Jidanbou, but didn't really see him...a strange feeling had taken over her body, that kind of mild-shock before the real stuff. The harsh pain and sadness that would come in a few hours once the initial shock had faded.

[B]"Nozomi...we cannot dwell on his death, we must be strong now in this time of danger." [/B] Renji's voice was quiet and seemed to be the only thing that was getting through to Nozomi at the moment. She merely nodded and closed her eyes, two tears leaking out from under her makeup smeared lids.

Eventually she shook Renji's arm off of her and he stepped back to give her room. Nozomi turned and walked to where the group of four Shinigami were, her expression still sad and vacant. Sakura patted her shoulder, an equally sad expression on her generally happy face. [B]"Hikari-fukutaicho, you must collect your Zanpaku-to."[/B] Gin's voice was low, but not stern, he could see the pain in Nozomi's drooping green eyes and he had been fond of her when she was still in training.

She nodded and drifted off towards her quarters as he heard Gin addressing others who also needed to collect their Soul Slayers. On the way, Nozomi was met by Akuma, who looked torn between so many emotions she doubted he even registered her presence.

[B]"Akuma-taicho..." [/B] her voice was barely above a whisper as she addressed the captain. He lifted his head with an unusually distant [B]"[I]Nani[/I]...?" [/B] and recoiled slightly at she sight of the drenched Nozomi. "You were at my quarters?" Nozomi inquired, a part of her curious as to why the Third Squad Captain was in the Sixth Squad area.

[B]"Anou...I wanted to check up on you but-"
"I wasn't there, I know, I was with Renji-san."[/B]

Akuma nodded slowly, [B]"So Jidanbou is dead." [/B] it was more of a statement than a question and Nozomi merely nodded, seeing as Akuma already knew the answer. [B]"I must get my Zanpaku-to...that[I] bastard[/I] hybrid is behind this."[/B] her anger was seeping through now and Nozomi thought it best to push past Akuma before she done anything she might regret in front of her superior. She merely muttered her apologies when she knocked hard into his shoulder, almost sending his sprawling on the slippery floor.

She left without turning around again, rushing to her small quarters to get re-dressed and fetch her weapon.[/SIZE]

[Engel]

[color=darkslategray][size=1][i]Clear your head, Akuma, now is not the time for romance and grief.

You're right, Tetsu. My heart is in chaos...the rain falls...at least my inner world has a soothing rain, not the angry bullets and stabs of that outside.

I thank you for that. I love the rain.

I know, friend. For Jidanbou, for the 11th squad, and for Kenpachi...I will fucking [b]kill[/b] that bastard![/i]

Akuma's spirit energy flared in a red and silver aura, as Nozomi stepped out, dressed for battle. She could feel the immensity, and was almost driven to her knees by his immense, emotion-kindled spirit energy. Noticing her, he slowly diverted it into Tetsu-Okami, and she soon stopped shaking.

[b]"We better go, Nozomi-chan."[/b] Akuma told her coldy. She understood Akuma's battle mode. He just knew three words in that mode. Kill. Defeat. Protect. He had begun to slip into it. Opening the door for her, he stepped out, not noticing if Nozomi had begun to follow. He used the flash step to get on the other side of the wall separating him from continuing.

[i]Akuma, do you think you have a chance against the Hollow Faced Shinigami?

I've got more chance then Kenpachi. Remember the last duel we had with him? I didn't use your power nearly as much, and I still won. I miss Kenpachi...that bastard had to go off and fight the Hollow Faced Shinigami, didn't he...Kenpachi, you stupid bastard. Yachiru needs you. Rukongai needs you. Soul Society needs you. We can't do it all. [/i]

Akuma broke into a run, the rain slickened floor no obstacle. Jumping from building to building wall, he soon came to his destination, opening the doors. The massive casket of Jidanbou, the Gatekeeper, and Akuma's only friend, stood in the middle. He lay a hand on the casket, tears mingling with the rain. He had slipped from battle mode on the way.

[i]Jidanbou...No...You can't leave me all alone here...You were the one guy that understood me...Whatever the next life may hold, carry your head high. Carry it damn high, Jidanbou-chan.[/i]

Akuma retreated into the ranks of captains, letting everyone think the tears were rain. With some amount of humor at what his name, Akuma, ment, he whispered,

[b]"Devils never cry."[/b][/color][/size]

[Revelation]

[size=1][color=#191970][i]Damn him. Damn that hollow bastard.[/i] Kane placed a hand to the edge of the casket and looked to Jidanbou?s face. It was strong, even in his moment of death, and even more, he still held that expression of enjoyment, that expression he had when he fought. This had made Kane even more sorrowful. She couldn?t bear it but she had to, for it wasn?t in her nature to release such emotion. [i]For you, Jidanbou, I?ll protect Yachiru, I?ll protect the Gate, I?ll protect Rukongai, and above all, I?ll protect Soul Society from that Hollow-Faced Shinigami. For you, I?ll destroy him and show him what a true demon is.[/i]

Still keeping her eyes to Jidanbou, Kane felt a presence behind her but she paid no attention. She was too focused on Jidanbou, on how valiant he was to protect the Gate. Even as she looked to her dead companion?s body, tears did not fall from her eyes. She held it back in and replaced that sadness with rage, anger, and ferocity. She held that emotion in and bottled it within; suppressing everything until the moment she would see the Hollow-Faced Shinigami.

?I?ll inform the squad, Koroga.? As Kane left, Gin?s hand fell from her shoulder. His eyes were filled with sorrow but he knew that Kane was filled with a pain deeper than most. Kane stopped before she left and looked ahead. ?...Do the best for Jidanbou. He fought for us all, you know.?

Walking into the rain, Kane went to gather the 1st squad. The information given to them would bring panic and disorder but she had to make sure that they were on guard and, less or more, ready to defend themselves and push back the Hollow-Faced Shinigami. One false move and the lot of them could become the Hollow?s next victim, whether they be 6t h seat or Lieutenant.

Seeing that the 1st squad gathered themselves and were ready to take orders, it was going to be that much more difficult for them to apprehend the situation at hand, although they were the most competent group that Kane had ever seen. Sighing, she closed her eyes and put her hands behind her back.

?Kane-fukutaicho! Is it true that Jidanbou-taicho is dead?!?
?Is it true that the Hollow-Faced Shinigami killed him?!?
?Fukutaicho, is [i]he[/i] here, with us, in Soul Society??

Several of the squad members spoke up before Kane could speak and it was obvious that they had heard things from the others squads. Kane opened her eyes and looked to each member, knowing that they were filled with horror and fear. This new information would surely panic them and bring them to an utter dismay but it was what must be done.

?1st squad, calm yourselves. This is not the time to distressed or dismayed. Yes, Jidanbou is dead and the Hollow-Faced Shinigami killed him. The Hollow-Faced Shinigami is within the courts. Be on the lookout and do not go far without someone else. If you see this demon, do not attempt to fight him, run as far as you can and find the closest taicho or fukitaicho you see. Is that clear?? Murmurs and mumblings were heard amongst the squad. They were unsure of all of this. Kane repeated herself, knowing well that she has told them once that she despised repeating herself. ?Is that clear, 1st squad?? They nodded and replied with a shout. ?You are dismissed.?

Kane watched the 1st squad leave their places. She couldn?t bear it and walked to the courtyard, where it rained heavily and drenched her clothes. She leaped to the top of a column and stood there, overlooking everything in sight.

[i]Two men were killed by a man, no, not a man, a demon. Kenpachi and Jidanbou. Why did they have to suffer such a fate? Some might have said they were foolish to him; others would have digressed and said that they were brave to challenge him. But in my opinion, Kenpachi and Jidanbou had no other choice[/i] but [i]to fight him. They were merely protecting othes from a monster. They were merely doing what they were supposed to do, destroy hollows and send their souls back to Soul Society and send wandering souls to Soul Society through soul burial. It wasn?t that they were foolish or brave; they knew that the Shinigami was dangerous and had to be dealt with. In the end, he was too much for the two and they both suffered.[/i]

Unsheathing Hantorayasha, Kane held it parallel to her face and then swung it elegantly around. She jumped back down to the ground but didn?t stand. She was down on the ground on both knees with both hands to the ground, one holding her Zanpakutoh and the other slowly curling into a fist. The rain drummed against her back as she raised her fist and smashed it against the ground. So many thoughts ran through her mind that she could not compensate.

Blood and rain mixed against the ground as Kane still punched it. She let a final blow against the ground before she curled her left hand around Hantorayasha?s hilt and changed it back to its first form. She closed her eyes and stood up slowly, a bloodied hand stiffened beside her.

?What is the price of death if you can?t even handle others dying?? Kane knew someone was watching her, watching her as she released a bit of her grief, a bit of her hurt, just a bit of everything that she held in.[/size][/color]

[Cambrian_Explosion]

[COLOR=DarkGreen]Setsuko ran down a side alley, heart hammering, and breath coming in gasps. [I]I don?t know what?s going on,[/I] he thought, [I]but it can?t be good.[/I] He veered left, feet pounding out a desperate drum roll, leaped over a wall, dashed along a main road, didn?t matter what section of the Court, just get to the training hall.

Flash of movement.

Setsuko stopped dead and looked down a connecting alley. Lightning flashed, revealing nothing but a blank wall and an empty alley. He dashed off again; cold rain and colder fear numbing any pain left in his mild injuries, legs pumping like pistons, took a sharp right and almost collided with one of his own squad. He?d arrived at the training hall without realizing it.

The whole squad was abuzz. Setsuko soon found out the impossible truth. The Hollow-Faced One had killed the Guardian of the Court, the undefeatable Jidanbou. [I]Dead.[/I] That one word echoed in his mind. [I]Dead.[/I]

??and he?s in the Court of Pure Souls now, who knows when he?ll strike.?

?He?ll slaughter us all!? wailed Suzuki, a young Shinigami.

?No he won?t!? Setsuko shouted with equal volume. He wouldn?t let himself or anyone else give in to panic. He couldn?t.

?How do you know? He slaughtered an entire battalion of warriors from the 11th Squad??

Setsuko cut him off. ?And how many battalions are in the Court of Pure Souls now? Mark my words, this time the bastard?s bitten off more than he can chew.?

?Nice bravado,? whispered Chieko in his ear, ?but numbers aren?t everything.?

?You?re right. The rest is hope.?[/COLOR]

[JJ]

[Font=Arial][Size=1][Color=DarkBlue]The entire squad fell silent as Retsu Unohana and Isane Kitetsu entered the circle, a solemn look on their faces. Orihime didn?t want to hear the news, because she already knew, but this was no time to ignore her taichu.

?Yes, the rumors are true.? Unohana began, her hand trembling. ?The Hollow-Faced Shinigami has entered the Court of the Pure Souls, and killed Jidanbou. We are instructed to stay together as a group, and a message will be sent as to whether or not we?ll be joining together as a group.?

Orihime darted her glance around at the Squad, and everyone had a look of pure fear, or pure anger. Her speech earlier was obviously shot down the drain now, as everyone?s emotion was focused on him, the Hollowed Face Shinigami.

Orihime began to feel her worry for Tatsuki and Chad creep back. She forced it to the back of her mind, as she walked up to Unohana. ?Retsu-taichu, are all Squads and their respective members accounted for??

?Hai, Orihime-san. Now, I need to make one more announcement.? Retsu said, sighing. ?I figure none of you are this big headed, but if anyone spots him, please, run. Find the nearest Fukutaichu or Taichu and have them handle it. There is no one here who could even begin to think they were ready to face him.?

Orihime still couldn?t believe that things had come to this. She knew that she had died due to him, and she had ended up a Shinigami because of it. Orihime sighed, and started to walk towards her quarters. She knew that they shouldn?t separate themselves, but she needed a minute of quiet. As she sat on the small step, she laid a hand on Eiei. It seemed that since Tatsuki and she couldn?t protect each other as much, they had to rely on their Zanpakutohs more and more.

Orihime hoped that it would start to rain again. The rain could hide her tears and fears. It could wash her fake exterior away, and let her true feelings show. She wanted to be terrified, she wanted to be angry, she wanted to want to kill him. For some reason though, all she felt was resonating calm, which to some degree was comforting.

Orihime walked back to the meeting ground, and walked over to Reika and Aichio, who were talking quietly. ?Any more news??

?Of course not. Messengers can?t afford to be traveling around alone, and in groups isn?t very speedy.? Reika said, tears still in her eyes. ?We?re like sitting ducks!?

Aichio hugged her again as she broke down. Morale was not a forerunner here, and to Orihime, that was what needed to boosted. She walked over to Unohana and asked, ?Is there nothing we could do to try and take everyone?s mind off the Hollowed Face One, but still keep us alert??

?We could run a couple of practice drills. That?s actually not too bad of an idea.? Unohana said, clapping her hands. ?OK everyone, we still are a functioning squad, as since that is so, we shall practice. Zanpakutohs at the ready!?

The sounds of 20 swords escaping their scabbards filled the courtyard, and seemed in harmony, sending chills down Orihime?s spine. This was what they needed. To stay truly together, they needed to be in harmony. Orihime smiled as they began to swing. Things may turn out right afterall.[/color][/size][/font]

[Kamuro]

[SIZE=1]Hihei walked silently in the rain, the dirt path below him becoming soft and giving slightly to the sole of his boots. He was anything but fond of his memories of rain, but it did help him think, and as he walked he looked to the sky, observing the dark clouds. [I]A sign of some sort?[/I] he thought to himself. However, he shook his head, the lengthy black hair wet to the core and splashing lightly against his shoulders.

He sat upon a nearby bench, his lower coat brushing against the wet marble as he leaned back and closed his eyes. A pulse of power within caused them to open just as fast. He looked down towards Aka Doragon, sitting quietly at his side, where it always slept. He took pride in never having to worry about being alone, his sword was the only companion he needed. He drew the sword from his belt, running his gloved fingers along the edge. "Your time will come soon," he spoke quietly, bringing the blade closer. "I can feel your pain my friend, but it will pass," he spoke again, twirling the blade and tapping it against his shoulder, the damp blade pressing against his moistened coat.

He was interrupted by Kuro, equally as wet, approaching him from the road. "The blade pulsing again?" he asked, taking a seat on the bench beside him. "It's never felt like this before, I can feel it's hunger. Something big is coming," Hihei returned, sheathing the blade once again and turning to his partner. Kuro new him better then anyone, even without a weapon as complex as the Red Dragon, he could sense it's power, and Hihei's pain when the desire became to overwhelming. Sometimes he thought it was Kuro that kept him sane, his mind at ease in the partner's company.

"Jidanbou has passed on, the shinigami attacked him," Kuro spoke quietly. "I know, I could feel it somehow, these clouds are not ordinary ones," Hihei motioned, his gaze of the utmost serious. Not much was known about the lone captain, but it was times like this Kuro was lead to believe that he was much more deep then he put on. He wasn't one to pry, but he could feel layer upon layer within his friends mind, a book waiting to be opened and a story waiting to be told.

"We've been called back to the training hall, I believe it's best we go to accompany the others," Kuro spoke once again, his large body rising from the bench and stretching wide under the splashing rain. Hihei rose as well, nodding and beginning his walk back towards the road.

As they entered the hall it was cluttered with fellow taichos and those of higher rank in the society. Hihei took a step to the side and leaned nonchalantly against the wall. "I always feel so out of place around here, everyone's so tense," he said, brushing the hair from his face. Kuro stood tall over the rest of the crowd, "I know what you mean," he said, laughing a bit at his great physical difference. "But what would they do without us?"[/SIZE]

[Onix]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1][I][B]Jidanbou's soul...so powerful...[/B][/I]

Blood dripped from the Hollow-One's arm. The Gate-Keeper had struck him just before he had been finished. But...the power of his soul was more than enough to heal the minor wound. The Hollow Shinigami could feel himself grow stronger still. Still, pain throbbed in his chest and arm. He needed more. Someone stronger than Jidanbou. Someone like...

[I][B]A fukutaicho...[/B][/I]

The Hollow-One looked down from the roof were he was hiding. A group of lower-level Shinigami, at least ten, were marching, presumably, towards their headquarters. And in their midst was the Juichiban-Fukutaicho...Sado Yasutora. His spirit pressure leaked out...the Hollow-Faced Shinigami could almost taste it on the air. So much power just waiting for him to take it...

In a flash he was arcing through the air. He landed in front of the 11th Squad warriors and slowly turned to face them. Terror spread across their features as the horrible truth struck them: they were about to fight a monster. Some drew their Zanpakutoh, but some were too afraid. Chad just staired at the Hollow-One from beneath his thick, dark hair.

[B]"You're...him."[/B]

The Hollow-One chuckled darkly.

[B]"Glad to see you recognize me, Sado-fukutaicho. Or should I say...Chad?"[/B]

Chad paused in drawing his Zanpakutoh and stared at the Hollow-One in shock.

[B]"How did you - "[/B]

[B]"Isn't that what your friends call you, Sado-fukutaicho?"[/B] the Hollow-One leered, drawing his black Zanpakutoh. [B]"No matter...I'm sure they'll know what to put on your memorial. Just like Kenpachi's...just like Jidanbou's..."[/B]

[B]"Bakemono ka!"[/B]

A muscular Shinigami lunged forward, swinging his weapon at Hollow's head. He simply stepped back and brought up his own blade, stabbing it through the Shinigami's chest. Blood sprayed the warrior's behind him and dripped onto the Hollow-One's hand.

[B]"Such foolishness will not..."[/B] The Hollow one brought up his foot and kicked the Shinigami off his sword. [B]"...Be tolerated!"[/B] The corpse fell back, sprawled onto the cobble-stones. [B]"Either release your Shikai, or just run away. I have no time for weakness."[/B]

The squad members hesitated, but Chad's voice rang out loud and clear.

[B]"Kyojin no Ude, nuguru!"[/B]

The weapon glowed as it warped, moving back to wrap around Chad's arm. As the glow faded, it took the shape of an armored gauntlet, red and white, with prongs jutting behind his wrist. The Arm of the Giant.

"I will be your opponent, Hollow-One," Chad growled, causing the crowd to part in front of him.

The Hollow-Faced Shinigami threw his head back and laughed. Slowly, he tilted his head down to stare at Chad. When he spoke, his tone was harsh and mocking. [B]"What's the matter, Chad? Don't remember my name?"[/B]

[B]"Why would I know your name, you monster?"[/B]

[B]"Utsuro Kokoro, musaboru!"[/B] the Hollow-One snarled.

His sword warped into the serrated, black-bladed weapon that had slaughtered so many. The chains wrattled ominously as Hollow raised it, pointing the tip at Chad's heart.

[B]"Why, Chad? Well, maybe I'll tell you before I kill you!"[/B]

The Hollow-Faced Shinigami lunged forward, bringing his weapon back. Chad brought his arm up defensively, and when the stab came, he blocked it with Kyojin no Ude. A loud clang rang out, and the two warriors glared harshly at eachother. Chad quickly pushed his arm forward, sending the Hollow-One back. The rain was still heavy, and the lightning still crackled around them. And both knew, then and there, that this fight would end in death.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[CENTER]*****[/CENTER]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1][B]"Taicho-sama! Taicho-sama!"[/B]

The various taicho turned to face the shouter. It was a low-ranking warrior from 11th-Squad. He was obviously out of breath, but paused only long enough to take another deep breath.

[B]"The Hollow-One, he's here! He's fighting Sado-fukutaicho!"[/B]

[B]"N-nanda!"[/B] Utamuro cried. [B]"He's fighting Yasutora, now?"[/B]

[B]"H-hai, Yakuta-taicho."[/B]

[B]"Take us to him immediately,"[/B] Ginryuu said sternly. [B]"We have no time to lose."[/B]

[B]"Hai...the monster must be stopped,"[/B] Kane replied.

Akuma grinned coldly. [B]"So, we finally get to meet..."[/B]

[B]"Anou...follow me!"[/B] the 11th-Squad member said, turning to run off.

The taicho followed quickly. The battle had begun in earnest...[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[CENTER]*****[/CENTER]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Honor dictates that Chad must finish his battle, and as Shinigami, you should respect that. And I will end it soon, I promise. Just...get to the battle field, and prepare to join in a big ol' battle royale.

Oh, and for those who care, Chad's Zanpakutoh is Kyojin no Ude, meaning Arm of the Giant. His call-out is nuguru, meaning "punch." And anyone who's seen much of the series knows what it looks like and what it does. Oh, and he does have a Bankai, the Kyojin no Yoroi or "Armor of the Giant." You shall see what it does very soon.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Revelation]

[size=1][color=#191970]The group of taicho and fukutaicho followed after the low-ranking Shinigami and soon found them selves watching Sado battling the Hollow-Faced Shinigami. Several people readied their Zanpukutoh but knew that they had to allow Sado to finish his battle with the Hollow one for it was honor and pride. Koroga, Yakuta, Inoue, and several other taicho stood with Kane as they watched Sado become a rag-doll for the Hollow-faced Shinigami to play with. Fists curled, eyes flared with rage, and the lower-ranking warriors trembled with fear. Of all the creatures that should enter the courts, it had to be the Shinigami.

Helplessly, the others had to watch Sado fight against this powerful enemy, watch as he was brutally beaten by a monster that was once someone?s confidante, someone?s companion. Several others gasped and hid behind others, while most faked their outer appearance with courage and stood there, watching everything but Kane knew that they all feared the most. She could see it deep within their eyes and more so, she felt it.

[i]Here you are, once again, within these walls. I wonder how you must feel deep within that mask. I wonder if you feel anything at all or if you?re just nothing but a hollowed beast that walks amongst the souls. Whether you feel, know, or sense it, your time is nearing, your time will soon end.[/i]

?Will he be alright, Miyami-fukutaichi?? Inoue stood beside Kane and watched. The Shun Shun Rikka floated beside Inoue and watched as well. ?Miyami-fukutaicho, do we stand a chance against him??

?It?s hard to tell. Sado is strong but the exiled Shinigami is quite powerful.? Inoue looked on with a teary-eye. She hated seeing anyone that she loved in pain above anything else. She had a kind soul and all knew it. Kane didn?t know what else to say except, ?Shinpai shinaide, Inoue. We?ll defeat him. Even if everyone is badly hurt, I?ll fight till my last breath and protect this Society, just as Kenpachi and Jidanbou did, I promise you that.?

[I]If all else fails and there are only a handful left, lend me your strength and I?ll fight this monster till death. I?ll help the others and we?ll become the last line of defense that Soul Society has. In my power, I promise, not a shred of soul will be left of the Hollow-Faced Shinigami. He?ll pay for the pain that he has caused in all of us.[/i][/size][/color]

[Orcus]

[color=#990000][SIZE=1]Gin watched the ensuing battle bewteen Chad and the Hollow One. Chad was holding his own, and was doing a remarkable job. But Gin knew better than to be hopeful for his victory. Though Chad was extremely strong, so was Jidanbou. So was Kenpachi. They were skilled warriors, and both were [I]dead[/I] now. Still, Gin had to have some faith in his friend.

[B]"Kick his ass, Chad!"[/B] Chad nodded slightly, then landed a square hit to the Hollo One's chest, knocking him backwards. The other taicho's and fukutaicho's cheered him on as well, even the lower-ranked warriors did. Gin grinned. [I]He's bit off more than he can chew here. We're all right behind Chad. We won't allow him to be slaughtered by the Hollow One's hand. And he can't possibly defeat us all.[/I]

It seemed that Chad had the upper hand for quite a while, but then the Hollowed one unleashed an onslaught of strikes, severely injuring Chad. Gin found himself being stopped from intervening in the fight. Kane and Utamuro's hands had grabbed his sleeves. Utamuro spoke first.

[B]"Leave Chad with his honor, and have faith in him. Chad's heart is with him as he fights, can't you see that?"[/B] Gin looked at Chad. His eyes were lit with a blazing fire. But it wasn't one of pride, lust for battle. It was a flame of determination and vengeance. Kane moved beside Gin and watched the fight once more, speaking to him as she looked.

[B]"Do not worry. Though Chad's chances are slim, he is a pwerful man, and deserves our faith. And even if he falls, I know you feel as I do, and will battle this monster until your last breath."[/B]

Gin clenched his teeth together. He didn't want to watch another of his brother's fall. But Kane and Utamuro were right. [I]Whatever happened in this battle...this would be the Hollowed One's last stand.[/I] Gin gripped Kuroenkou, a fiery passion lit in his soul.[/SIZE][/color]

[Kamuro]

[SIZE=1]Hihei ran closely with the others, Kuro following in suit behind him. If it was up to him he would've brought the squad, of course the shinigami was powerful, but the younger ones must learn. Until they had felt the true fear of battle they would not be able to progress to a higher level. No fight with a mere teammate, or even Kuro could prepare them for the likes of the strongest Hollow, and certainly not the Shinigami.

And so they arrived, everyone haulting abruptly at the sight of Sado-fukutaicho and the Shinigami already engaged in battle. Among the sound of clashing swords he could also hear Kuro, gritting his teeth angrily. Hihei couldn't quite understand it, but his partner thirsted for this man's blood more then any he'd seen before. Despite Kuro's brash looks, he was an intelligent man. He must know that this was no ordinary opponent. Yet that made no difference in the matter anyhow. The fight had already begun and it was not their place to disrupt the sanctity of battle. Of course the firey fukutaicho wished for his comrade to win, but a little peice of him hoped for the defeat of his friend. So that he himself might have a chance to do battle with the Shinigami.

As Hihei watched he found it hard to concentrate. The air was full of energy, some of the strongest he'd felt in a long time. Both Chad and the Shinigami's aura filled the air, along with the eager essence of the rest of the team. But not only that, there was another evil force in the area, hidden somewhere. With so much dormant energy becoming active at the same time it took a toll on one's spirit just to breath. Luckily he embodied the Red Dragon, and their bond one of the strongest among the fellow Taicho.

He could feel the force pulsating within him. His friend felt the energy as well, and enjoyed the taste of strained essence. Hihei moved his hand to the blade, gripping it tightly and taking control. [I]You can feel it to, I know[/I] he thought calmly, regaining his composure. [I]You desire this Shinigami as well[/I] he echoed again. It was strange, even though Hihei had no real passion to kill the man, his other half desired it so. What was this ominous obsession from those around him towards this Shinigami? It just didn't seem right...[/SIZE]

[Onix]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Chad fell to one knee, panting heavily. Several deep cuts were gouged in his dark skin, and the blood dripped down with the rain water. He looked up at the Hollow-One, who seemed to still be fine. Blood was smeared across the demon's Zanpakutoh, and some was splashed onto his skull-like face. The rain slowly caused the gore to fade from his body as he called out to his opponent.

[B]"Giving up, Chad?"[/B] the Hollow laughed dryly.

[B]"No...I will not lose to you!"[/B]

With a loud cry, Chad charged forward, pulling his fist back. As he swung forward, a full foot short of the Hollow, a bolt of energy rocketed out, colliding with the monster's shoulder. Blood sprayed into the air as he wrenched to the side, his robes tearing open. As he turned to face Chad again, his eyes burned with reknewed fury.

"Clever..."

[B]"Wait until I go all out! Kyojin no Yoroi...Bankai!"[/B]

A flash of light suddenly surrounded Chad, causing most of the Shinigami to shield their eyes. The Hollow-One looked on, unphased. As the light faded, Chad stood coated in armor in the same color as the Kyojin no Ude, with prongs jutting off his shoulders and forming horns atop his head. He slowly slid into a battle stance, the red shimmering like blood, white glittering in the flashes of lightning.

[B]"Impressive, Chad,"[/B] the Hollow said, softly. [B]"But I think I'll stick with my Shikai."[/B]

The Hollow-One was on him in a flash, sword swinging towards his chest. Chad raised his arms to block, and was pushed back by the force of the cut. The teeth left dents in his armor where they struck, but didn't pierce. The Hollow let out a low growl, but it was quickly drowned out.

[B]"Go, Sado-kun!"[/B] Orihime cried. Her enthusiasm was echoed by several others. However, the taicho continued to stare on grimly.

The Hollow-Faced Shinigami moved forward again, raining fierce slashes down upon the fukutaicho. Scratches appeared upon the armor, but never once did Hollow's weapon break through. During one powerful swipe, Chad swept out with a hand, catching the blade between spikes. The Hollow momentarily caught off-balance, Chad brought his fist forward, driving it into the monster's stomach. Energy exploded around him, tearing open his robes around his waist. The demon let out a loud cry of pain.

[B]"Did...did he finish it?"[/B]
[B]"It's dead!"
"Yatta, Sado-fukutaicho!"
"It's over!"[/B]

[B]"Yes..."[/B] the Hollow-One suddenly croaked. [B]"It [I]is[/I] over!"[/B]

His hand shifted suddenly and Utsuro Kokoro's chains shot out, wrapping around the giant. The blade swung down, tearing through Chad's hand and going down into his shoulder. Blood sprayed out upon them both, and Chad slowly fell back, the spikes tearing loose from his flesh. Blood dripped slowly from the weapon, and leaked onto the stone ground. The Hollow slowly shrugged off his shirt, baring scarred, pale skin.

And a thick, circular scar in the center of his back, right were a Hollow's hole would be.

He slowly turned to face the crowd of Shinigami, an identically placed scar on his stomach. He glared at them with glowing scarlet eyes, and pointed the tip of Utsuro Kokoro behind him. Whisps of energy curled off of Chad, slowly being absorbed into the Zanpakutoh. His wounds began to sizzle, and the bleeding stopped as they sealed shut.

[B]"Ah...so much power..."[/B]

The Shinigami watched in horror, and the Hollow began to laugh.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[CENTER]*****[/CENTER]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]As you can see, the Hollow-Faced Shinigami is extremely powerful, and more than a match for a Fukutaicho. However, just about every taicho and fukutaicho is here, so he shouldn't stand a chance...right? He is strong, fast, deadly, and (at the moment) refuses to use his bankai out of simple pride. You lot are in for a tough fight, and so am I.

The Hollow-Faced Shinigami is not dying any time soon.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Cambrian_Explosion]

[COLOR=DarkGreen]Sato Setsuko stood rooted to the spot, horror and icy fear freezing him in place. This was the first time he had seen the Hollow One kill with his own eyes. And the laugh indicated it wouldn't be the last this day.

Setsuko had sneaked out of the training hall when he heard the news of the battle. He wasn't alone; a large crowd representing all the squads had gathered. And now, the silent crowd watched as yet another brother-in-arms, the indomitable Sado-fukutaicho, fell to the abomination.

He glanced down at his hands. They were pale and shaking like leaves in a gale. He clenched his hands into tight fists, wincing as fingernails bit into his palms and thin streams of blood flowed off his hands, washed away by the rain. At least they stopped shaking. Then he heard it.

Over the steady drumroll of rain on rock. Over the chilling, inhuman laugh of the Hollow One. Between crashes of thunder. The ring of steel on steel, katana drawn from their saya. Setsuko and Denkou Yaiba joined in the music. Nobody would face the Hollow-Faced Shinigami one-on-one now, not as long as he had a say.[/COLOR]

[Raiyuu]

[b][font=Trebuchet MS]"Hoero, Zabimaru!"

[/font][/b][font=Trebuchet MS]The growled command had left Renji's throat before the last of the Hollow One's cackles had been swept away by the wind. Rain hissed into steam as it struck the glowing red blade - Renji could hardly remember drawing it - which morphed rapidly into the giant sawtoothed shape of his Shikai.

Renji had always possessed a strong reckless streak. Faced with extreme danger or adversity, a part of him would always be urging him onwards, urging him to combat the problem with brute strength. That instinct had caught many enemies off-guard; it had also put Renji in considerable peril on numerous occasions.

It was that part of him had had released his Zanpakutoh, and once he would have given himself up to it and attacked his adversary without mercy or any thought to his own safety. But over time, once the responsibilities of captaining a Court Guardian Squad had been laid on his shoulders, Renji had grown, learning when was and wasn't a good time to let go.

This wasn't. He swept aside the rage that had called out to his sword, replacing it with icy calm. He would still attack the Hollow One without mercy. But he would do it with restraint, and he would win.

The crowd had drawn back from Renji as Zabimaru transformed, and he strode down the corridor of black robes towards the bone-faced Shinigami and his victim. He stared hard at the empty eye-sockets of the skull mask.

[b]"What do you want?" [/b]he asked evenly.

His enemy took his time in replying.

[b]"Power," [/b]he said. [b]"Great strength. And a challenge for my blade in the process!"

[/b]Renji nodded. He broke eye contact with the black sockets and looked down to the lifeless body of Chad, his blood mixing with rain in rivulets around the cobbles of the street.

[i][b]Yachiru ... you should not have had to replace both a taicho and a fukutaicho in such a short time. You shouldn't have lost so many friends.

[/b][/i]Renji stooped and picked up Chad's massive body, before turning and carrying him back and handing him to some Fourth Squad members. He could feel the Hollow One's lifeless eyes watching him all the way.

[b]"I will challenge your blade," [/b]he told him, still with his back turned. Then he disappeared, Flash Stepping up to one of the roofs flanking the street. Zabimaru snaked out, extending to full length and swishing through the air where the Hollow-Faced Shinigami stood.

Renji turned and faced the figure standing on the opposite rooftop.

[b]"Neither of us has a problem reading each other's Flash Step, Renji," [/b]shouted the Hollow. [b]"How about we fight fair, or we'll be Flashing around Soul Society for weeks!"

[/b]By way of an answer, Renji lowered Zabimaru to his side and closed his eyes. Releasing what he normally kept pent-up, he unleashed the full force of his spirit power. The air seemed to shimmer, droplets of rain hissed into steam and several of the less advanced Shinigami clutched at their heads in pain.

[b]"A fair fight it is," [/b]grinned Renji, and leaped towards his enemy.
[/font]