[BleachITP Reborn] Episode 3: Gotei Joint-Ops! What could ever go wrong?

[Frozen_Feet]

[13th Division Grounds]

On a wide walkway leading from 13th Division towards the core of Seireitei, a varied bunch of Shinigami are gathering. In the shade of tall, marble obelisks surrounding the path, five Senkai gates stand waiting, with collapsible tables set near them. Leaning on one of them is Sato Hachirou.

The ever-so-enthusiastic 13th seat is going through a list of people assigned under him, with a decidedly displeased frown on his face. I wonder what's the reson behind this. Compared to last year, and the year before that as well, the amount of Shinigami attending is dismal. Hachirou had reviewed groups going to other locations as well, and they showed the same pattern. He doesn't need to look up from his paper to tell some Gotei divisions are utterly unrepresented among the reapers slowly forming themselves into neat rows one the pavement.

Maybe the recent loss of a high-ranking patrol had discouraged Captains from sending their people this time around? After all, rumours of increasing strenght of Hollows in the mortal realm are not completely without basis. Hachirou has also heard that the academy might have troubles finding enough students to fill the classes. Still, he certainly expected much more people to come by.

Oh well. Maybe next year'll be better. Lets get this over and done with. It's just routine - I'm sure it'll go just fine. Standing straight, the 13th seat detaches his eyes from his list long enough to catch a glimpse of people before him. "Okay, listen up. It's fifteen minutes before take off. Time for role call. If someone's not present and you know what's up with them, tell it immediatly after I say their name. Okay... Amagatsu Kazuma, 11th division, 8th seat?"

Hachirou shoots an inquisitive glare at the person in question. The superior officer is really out-of-place on a patrol meant to train people with lacking combet experience. Oh, come on! Cut the guy some slack! You know how frustrating boredom can be! Disregarding what his sword spirit might think of the matter, Hachirou resumes calling names.

"Hirako Yoshi, 20th seat of 12th Division?"

"Crossdale Allan, Unseated, 13th Division?"

"Fukui Kyou, Unseated, 6th Division?"

"Hidetsugu Iwaki, Kido Corps?"

"Sadanaka Hideuchi, Unseated, 2nd Division?"

"Shietka Alysha, Unseated, 4th Division?"

"Zaraki Nasumi, Unseated, 6th... excuse me, 3rd Division?"

[Dorizzit]

Hidetsugu Iwaki

Iwaki is off to the side of the assembled group. The massive man is currently sitting, cross-legged, his Zanpakuto resting on the ground at his side. Thoughtful eyes wander around the group, taking everyone in and making a few determinations or estimates about them. He closes his eyes and breathes out quietly. He had no real desire to be here; the thought of live combat training had little interest to him, but it was important for him to participate in order to help foster connections between the Gotei Thirteen and the Kido Corps. His thoughts are interrupted as Hachirou calls out his name.

"I am here."

Sadanaga Hideuchi

Hideuchi is also on the fringe of the group, but on the opposite side as Iwaki. He is currently leaning against one of the obelisks, conspicuously running a whetstone over one of his Zanpakutos. This action is unnecessary, as they are always razor sharp, but he does it anyway. He looks over the other members of the group, smiling cockily.

Looks like a pathetic lot. I wonder if anyone other than me and maybe the team leader are actually competent.

He listens keenly for Hachirou to call his name, and when the moment finally comes he spins the dagger around in his fingers before causing it to vanish up one of his sleeves with one of the sleight of hand tricks he is so proud of.

"Here."

Allan Crossdale

Allan is playing with his cat's cradle. Finishing a rather complex design with it, he slips his fingers deftly out of the loop of string, causing it to collapse. Unraveling it back to its basic form, he twirls it around one finger, then puts it back in one of the pockets of his Shihakusho. With the same hand, he withdraws a small container of assorted candy, selects one, and pops it into his mouth before putting the container away. Chewing, he looks around at the other assembled Shinigami.

Finally, we get some action...I've been bored out of my skull with all the stuff I've had to do to keep Hachirou off my back...for all the good it's done for me. I can't believe I'm in his patrol, of all the people.

His head snaps up as he hears his name called. He smiles somewhat cheekily gives a thumbs up.

"Present and accounted for."

[KnightDisciple]

Hirako Yoshi

Yoshi had been standing near the middle of the crowd, leaning on his staff, occasionally chatting with those around himself. Overall, he was comparatively relaxed.

Having three rather powerful Kido guns on his person didn't hurt matters, mind.

When his name was called, he turned his attention fowards.

"Present."

[Kuroimaken]

"Present and ready, sir." Kazuma responds with a polite, if militarily efficient tone. He doesn't salute or anything of the sort, but he does seem to tense slightly as though standing at attention. His characteristic pipe is not on his lips, though his shades are still present in his face.

[strawberryman]

"Hai.", Kyou responds curtly.

Why am I doing this again...

[KerfuffleMach2]

Sietka Alysha

Here sir! Alysha thrusts her hand into the air when her name is called. The keychain hanging from the pommel of her zanpakuto jingles a little when she does. She definitely seems over excited. Which, she usually is.

She doesn't seem to notice that Hachirou added a letter to her last name. Really, it didn't bother her.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Soul Society]

Nasumi stands next to Kyou, eyeing the slightly shorter woman with mild confusion. Why does she appear so grumpy?, she wonders, putting hands behind her back. We're going to see the mortal world! Shouldn't that be something to be excited about? Nasumi almost misses her own name called out due to her musings.

"Zaraki Nasumi, Unseated, 6th... excuse me, 3rd Division?"

"Ah! Present and ready, sir!", Nasumi chirps, snapping into attention and saluting at the last moment. Hachirou regards her enthusiasm with a dull look on his face, before adjusting his glasses and putting his list away.

"Everyone seems to be accounted for. Good. I'm Sato Hachirou, 13th seat of the 13th Division. I'll be responsible for you for the next eight hours or so." The officer examines the scattered bunch of people, his mouth twisting in a mild frown. "In the case you weren't told already, we're going over to Phoenix Town, Mid-Japan, to investigate increased Hollow activity. We'll be moving in groups of three. Never lose sight of those you're assigned to."

"Amagatsu-san, Sadanaka-kun, and Zaraki-kun will be Team One. Hirako-san, Hidestugu-kun and Fukui-kun will be Team Two. I will go with Sietka-Kun and Crossdale-kun, we'll be Team Three." Hachirou picks a pile of colourful papers from the table next to himself, and hands each patrol member one - a map of Phoenix Town and patrol routes they'll be using. "Team One will follow the blue path, Two will follow the red path, and Three will follow the yellow one. Red dots mark specified meeting spots - note the time marked next to each one. If you won't appear within five minutes of that time without noting me, I'll assume you're in trouble and call forth backup. Is this clear?" The red dots are placed upon cemetery, park, and a certain Furousha shop the higher ranking patrol members might well recognize.

After handing out the maps, Hachirou goes back to the table and picks up two Reiphones. As he showcases them to his patrol, the Senkai gate behind him begins opening, and a flock of Hell Butterflies blinks into existence, small black insects floating next to each patrol member. Nasumi immediatly catches her own to her hands, her mismatched eyes beaming from joy as she greets the little thing. "Oh, I haven't seen you in a while! How are you doing? You look so cuddly!" How she can distinquish a random black butterfly from all others fluttering about is beyond her perplexed superior.

"Ahem... unfortunately, we don't have enough phones for each of you. Each team will only have one. As such, I again stress that you should stay together", Hachirou apologizes. He hands the first one to Yoshi. "I trust you know how to use this", he says non-chalantly, then turns to give the other to Kazuma. "I hope you do as well. If you don't, I'll see what we can do while going through Dangai."

Taking a step back, Hachirou takes a look at his watch. "We'll be leaving in... two minutes. If you have any questions, please ask them after we reach the mortal realm." He beckons the group to begin moving towards the open gate. "It is estimated it will be afternoon, or early night, once we get through. Outside of emergency, please stay away from large groups of mortals. We're trying to be as inconspicuous as possible."

---

Meanwhile, in the Mortal World...

One currently known as Õta Yui looks over at the horizon from her office balcony. Though the sun hasn't set just yet, a bunch of heavy clouds are drifting over it, dimming its light and painting the late summer sky in a rather dull grey. Far in the distance, school bell is ringing, signing the end of first school day of autumn.

Yui's own work day is about to end soon as well, though it could be she still has more duties before rather than past her today. Beneath the calm exterior of the small Mid-Japan town, she can feel strange bustling, foreboding auras shuffling in the shadows, waiting for darkness to fall. Truly, there must be much more going on than meets the eye.

Sighing, Yui gets back in, sits behind her desk, and begins shuffling her papers around, in a weary effort to be a productive member of society. All this work is going to kill me!, she thinks desperately. Of course, whether she's alive in the first place depends highly on one's definition of the word.

Finally, she gets all her paperwork done, cleans up her desk, and after seeing that everything is neatly arranged, steps out of her office and locks the door behind her. Few of her colleagues bid her a good evening as she walks past them - tersely, as if it is some necessary evil. As far as they know Õta Yui has never hurt a fly and is a true model citizen, yet they still can't help regarding their sickly associate with an irrational fear and reservation. It's a sad state of affairs, but not one she can really blame on them. She politely tells them to have a good night as well before making her way out to the street.

Maybe hunting will make her mood better. It has been so long since she's had a truly challenging chase - it would be invigorating if, even for a moment, she could find someone not so inherently pathetic as most of the Hollows that graze the mortal realm. Maybe this town would offer that.

First she just has to make sure her body will be safe. Humming absent-mindedly, she begins strolling towards her hotel. It would be so much more practical to find an apartment of her own, but alas, housing prices are truly exorbitant these days. What happened to the days when you could just claim a spot of forest and build a house there, huh?, she muses as she skips down the street.

[Kuroimaken]

Kazuma nodded as he received the Reiphone. He was fairly well-acquainted with the thing - this wasn't his first patrol, after all, even though it was the first in which he was effectively the highest-ranking Shinigami in his particular group.

"Only one, sir. Are we permitted the use of shikai should a sufficiently troublesome Hollow appear? We probably won't need them, but you never know. That's the only restriction I could think of outside of staying away from large groups of mortals."

[KnightDisciple]

Yoshi smirked as he was asked if he knew how to handle the phone.

"I think I can manage."

He tucked it and his map into a handy pocket on the inside of his lab coat.

He turned and eyed his approaching team members, Iwaki and Kyou.

"Mm. Should be an interesting experience. Either of you have any preferences on how we go about this, beyond the already-stated rules?"

[Frozen_Feet]

Hachirou frowns at Kazuma as he tries to hurry him through the gate, but replies nonetheless. "It's not like we are Captains or anything. If they'd be worried of collateral damage, they'd place limiters on single on of us. Move along, now."

[Kuroimaken]

"Understood, sir." Kazuma replied as he was practically shoved through the gate. He didn't want to break any rules, now. He looked back briefly towards his teammates, expecting them to follow.

[Frozen_Feet]

Nasumi follows in Kazuma's wake, almost bumping onto him due to being so focused on her little butterfly. "You want to see mortal world too, right? I'm sure we'll have so much fun!", she whispers to the insect before letting it go from her hands, allowing it to do its job of guiding her through dangers of Dangai.

[strawberryman]

Kyou lets out a 'tch'.

"Just stay out of my way."

[KerfuffleMach2]

Alysha nods when she's told the directions. Seemed like it would be simple enough.

Her smiles grew a little when the Hell Butterfly came to her. She couldn't explain why, but having one around somehow made her feel better.

She goes to stand with her group, tucking the map inside of her robes.

[Dorizzit]

Hidetsugu Iwaki

Iwaki stands after he announces his presence, making his massive size known as he towers above most of the rest of the patrol. He picks his Zanpakuto up and attaches it to his waist, then approaches the other members of his assigned team. He bows politely to both of them.

"I have never done anything like this before, so I will follow your lead."

Sadanaga Hideuchi

Hideuchi grits his teeth in annoyance as his team assignment is announced.

Great. I get stuck with the Eleventh Division knucklehead and the...

Hideuchi's rather unflattering line of thought is interrupted as Hideuchi notices what Nasumi is doing with the Hell Butterfly. His mind almost cannot process her behavior, until he eventually shakes his head to clear it.

This is gonna be a long day.

He Shunpos next to his teammates and walks behind them.

Allan Crossdale

Why...oh well.

He saunters over to Alysha, smiling pleasantly.

"It looks like we're working together. I'm Allan, nice to meet you."

He extends a hand to her to shake.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Alysha Sietka

Alysha grins and shakes the hand. Hi! I'm Alysha! Nice to meet you too! She seems awfully chipper.

[KnightDisciple]

Kyou lets out a 'tch'.

"Just stay out of my way."Yoshi sighs.

"You do know this isn't a competition, right? This isn't about looking cool, scoring the most kills, or any such thing. It's about protecting mortals from Hollows. We need to work together to accomplish that."

Yoshi gestures for the two unseated to follow him through the Senkai Gate, talking as he walks.


Hidetsugu Iwaki

Iwaki stands after he announces his presence, making his massive size known as he towers above most of the rest of the patrol. He picks his Zanpakuto up and attaches it to his waist, then approaches the other members of his assigned team. He bows politely to both of them.

"I have never done anything like this before, so I will follow your lead.""I've done it a couple of times. Gives me a chance to sharpen my skills, earn some money..."

He suddenly slings his staff into an over-the-shoulder harness, letting it rest on his back as he extracts...something (http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs48/f/2009/219/2/1/steampunk_shotgun_by_avenger09.jpg) from an obviously-too-small pocket in his labcoat.

"...Test some gear. That sort of thing."

He spends several moments checking the firearm over before attaching it to a harness across his torso; it ends up somewhere near the small of his back, in easy to reach spot.

Next he pulls twin pistols (http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090516003559/section8/images/c/c0/MOR-94_Hammer_image.gif), still encased in holsters. These he attaches to rigs on his pants that had not been obvious before now.

Clearly, Hirako Yoshi was taking no chances. He looked to the others with a smirk.

"Kido is all well and good, but backup is nice. Plus, this way I can multi-task."

His face grows more serious as they near the end of the tunnel.

"Right. Stick close. Kyou, if you want point, that's fine. Iwaki, stay alert. Hollows can be tricky if they have half a brain. Let's hope we only find dumb ones."

[strawberryman]

Yoshi sighs.

"You do know this isn't a competition, right? This isn't about looking cool, scoring the most kills, or any such thing. It's about protecting mortals from Hollows. We need to work together to accomplish that."

Yoshi gestures for the two unseated to follow him through the Senkai Gate, talking as he walks.

Kyou eyes Yoshi, a vein popping above her head.

"I know. I'm telling you to stay out of my way so you don't get hurt. Stop acting high and mighty and think before you talk." Her red hand cracks as it clenches around the hilt of her zanpaktou. Kill'em kill'em kill'em

[KnightDisciple]

Kyou eyes Yoshi, a vein popping above her head.

"I know. I'm telling you to stay out of my way so you don't get hurt. Stop acting high and mighty and think before you talk." Her red hand cracks as it clenches around the hilt of her zanpaktou. Kill'em kill'em kill'emYoshi opened his mouth, then closed it.

He had the good grace to blush, his expression showing embarrassment.

"Forgive me. That was unfair of me. As I said, you can take point. Let's try to stay in a roughly triangular formation; that way we can move around a bit as needed."

He tried to shift the conversation to practical items as quickly as possible.

After all, they'd just emerged from the gate.

Yoshi stopped a moment to pull out the map, checking it in comparison to their present location.

"Right then. We need to go 2 miles that direction before shifting course. Kyou, if you would?"

Yoshi pointed in the particular direction, before tucking his map away and gesturing for Kyou to take the lead.

[Dorizzit]

Alysha Sietka

Alysha grins and shakes the hand. Hi! I'm Alysha! Nice to meet you too! She seems awfully chipper.

Allan Crossdale

Allan nods, then looks around, smile fading at the thought of being stuck with Hachirou for the next eight hours. He stretches languidly and looks around, then finds Hachirou and approaches him wordlessly.

Hidetsugu Iwaki

Iwaki follows along behind Yoshi, listening intently as he speaks. He does not speak, deciding not to intervene in the back and forth between Kyou and Yoshi, folding his arms. When Yoshi suggests a formation, he nods.

"Very well."

He falls into place and keeps up with the others.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Alysha Sietka

Alysha follows Allen, not really having anything else to do yet. She looks at the other groups, seeing who all is going.

She looks at her side, making sure she remembered to bring her zanpakuto. She's forgotten it before. That wasn't fun.

[Kuroimaken]

Had Kazuma heard that thought, he'd prove just how wrong his judgemental teammate could be.

By punching Hideuchi in the face. :smalltongue:

He didn't, though, so he simply got to thinking about how to organize things.

"Let's see. Sadanaka-kun, would you like to be in charge of communications? As a part of the 11th, my talents aren't specially suited for crying uncle. I'd offer it to Zaraki-kun, but she looks... preoccupied." He briefly considered tying a string to the Hell Butterfly and using it to guide Nasumi.

"I have to wonder the purpose of the meeting points, given that we DO have communications... Periodic reports would have sufficed for the same effect."

[strawberryman]

Kyou nods, speaking no more; with that, she hops to a roof and begins a light sprint for their destination. Time for a little pay-back...

[Dorizzit]

Sadanaga Hideuchi

Hideuchi makes a low noise in his throat when Kazuma addresses him, his expression a mixture of barely-veiled contempt and severe annoyance. He closes his eyes and breathes out, regaining his composure and placing a mask of neutrality over his face.

"First of all, it's Sadanaga. Second, as a member of the Second, my talents aren't any more inclined towards communicating in the middle of a fight. Give it to the Sixth, that's just about all they're good for."

[KnightDisciple]

Kyou nods, speaking no more; with that, she hops to a roof and begins a light sprint for their destination. Time for a little pay-back...Yoshi frowns slightly at the pace, but does not speak up.

Instead, he sets himself off at a light sprint, not pushing himself too hard, letting his breathing quickly find a pattern.

His staff an larger kido gun occasionally bumping his torso are slightly uncomfortable, but he can endure. The padded armor he's wearing under his robes helps.

If Kyou looks back, she will see that his face is calm and focused, and that Yoshi is keeping roughly the same speed she is. He does not seem to be actively trying to overtake her, but neither is he falling behind.

[Frozen_Feet]

Sadanaga Hideuchi

Hideuchi makes a low noise in his throat when Kazuma addresses him, his expression a mixture of barely-veiled contempt and severe annoyance. He closes his eyes and breathes out, regaining his composure and placing a mask of neutrality over his face.

"First of all, it's Sadanaga. Second, as a member of the Second, my talents aren't any more inclined towards communicating in the middle of a fight. Give it to the Sixth, that's just about all they're good for."

"I'm from 3rd", Nasumi corrects helpfully as they step out to the cool evening air. "My job is to decorate graves of deceased Shinigami. Oh, and clean the execution grounds." She says it likes it's the most normal, not-in-any-way morbid job in the world, and smiles cheerfully on top of it.

"I can take the phone, though", she chimes, but then hesitantly puts a finger on her lips. "Ummm... how does it work again?"


Allan Crossdale

Allan nods, then looks around, smile fading at the thought of being stuck with Hachirou for the next eight hours. He stretches languidly and looks around, then finds Hachirou and approaches him wordlessly.



Alysha Sietka

Alysha follows Allen, not really having anything else to do yet. She looks at the other groups, seeing who all is going.

She looks at her side, making sure she remembered to bring her zanpakuto. She's forgotten it before. That wasn't fun.

After seeing other patrollers vanish into Dangai, Hachirou checks Alysha and Allan are following after him, and steps into the precipipe world himself. He doesn't speak during the trip - he's busy checking the setting of his own Reiphone.

When they arrive in the world of living, he duly notes Team Two speeding off to the distance. "Well well. Seems like some are enthusiastic." He then gives another look at his phone's display. No new messages from surveillance. Good.

Glancing at his team members, Hachirou nods towards their planned direction, and begins walking towards it. He seems to be in no hurry. He also doesn't seem to consider rooftops superior to normal, established walkways. "We have long evening ahead of us. Stay alert, but no need to overdo it", he states serenely. "This thing here", he says, showing the phone to the two unseated again, "will make hell of a noise when surveillance picks up a new Hollow incursion. Before that, just focus on feeling the air and Reiatsu around you. Oh, and enjoy the scenery."

Switching his phone to radio setting as he strolls, Hachirou lifts the phone before his face and presses its tangent. "Teams One and Two, this is Team three. You copy?"

[Kuroimaken]

"...Yeah, I suppose I'll keep it, then. Apparently, hiding mid-combat isn't really good for communications for some reason." Kazuma offered with a perked brow. He was unsure why the 2nd divisioner was annoyed, but apparently it was because of his job description. He doesn't really seem all that shocked when Nasumi reveals what her own job is. I guess someone has to be in charge of honoring the fallen...

Despite this, he was starting to feel more kinship towards the girl with the hard-to-define division than he did towards Hideuchi.

"In that case then, Ganko*-kun, you'll act as our eyes." He offered, jabbing bluntly at Hideuchi.

Upon hearing the chiming from the Reiphone, Kazuma slipped it open and replied.

"Team one here. I can read you loud and clear."
Ganko means hard-headed in Japanese.

[Dorizzit]

Sadanaga Hideuchi

Hideuchi rolls his eyes and waves his hand in the air when Nasumi explains her position, turning away indifferently. Nasumi has already fallen into his "people I don't care about" category.

"Whatever."

He listens impatiently to Kazuma's job assignment for him, and although it was the position he wanted, his satisfaction does not stop him from getting angry at Kazuma's nickname for him.

"Fine. I'll take point."

He moves to the front of the group and begins leading the way, when he gets the go-ahead.

Why am I stuck with these idiots?
I believe there is an expression relating to glass houses that is appropriate here.
Shaddup.

Allan Crossdale

Allan laces his fingers behind his head as he walks, enjoying the leisurely pace set by Hachirou. He takes in the sights and sounds of the Mortal World contentedly; it's been a long time since he came here last, but it is still familiar to him. On Hachirou's advice, he stretches out his Reiatsu senses to the area around him, feeling the air. He sighs and smiles happily.

[Kuroimaken]

"Zaraki-kun, you're with me. Try not to let the pretty butterflies distract you." Kazuma began to pace once Hideuchi was cleared to go ahead with a simple nod.

[riccaru]

Hachirou will soon hear a beep signaling a call from Soul Society. If and when he answers he will hear Akio on the line. Thirteenth seat Hachirou? This is Third seat Yama. I'm taking operational control from here. Please relay all information to myself. Tell the troops if they get into hot water that there's back-up at the gates. Remember, the clock is ticking. Take it slow, and if things get bad we're cutting the mission short." Akio Yama says into his own Reiphone before sitting cross legged on the floor in the middle of the Senkai gates. Immediately he is within his inner world, the dark graveyard surrounding him.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset

All was not well in the mortal world, not for long anyway, as a garganta opens up to spill out an entire mess smaller hollows who howl, screech, cackle, and hoot as they scatter in every direction. Last was a bigger hollow who looked a bit more...frantic but with seemingly good reason. A couple of deep gouges had yet to heal yet, but with the way it's skull-like head kept swiveling to look behind it, it seemed whatever had caused them was in close pursuit.

"Hey, hey, don't make me chase you all the way here. You're just being a pain in my ass now." A bored sounding voice calls from the still open garganta, a precursor to a massive bronze khopesh swings lazily through the air the big hollow had been in moments before.

And out stepped a most curious looking woman, bronzed as if from long exposure to the sun though that seems unlikely in the moonlight covered expanse of Hueco Mundo. The barely covered arrancar tilts her khopesh against her shoulder, grumbling a bit as she steps out fully into the mortal world. The hollows continue to scatter but Auset takes a moment to run a hand through her pony-tail and gives a heavy sigh.

"Ehh, this is such a bother..." comes another grumble and a weary sigh, closing her chocolate covered eyes and focusing for a moment to send out her pesiqua in order to keep tabs on her prey...and alerting any thing with the ability to sense spiritual pressure within ten kilometers. That is if the Seireitei hadn't alerted any shinigami in the region about the explosion of hollow activity in the region outside of the town.

A large chest is carried on her back, bound to it by the same bandages that barely give her a claim towards being modest, covered in hieroglyphics.

[KnightDisciple]

Team Two


Switching his phone to radio setting as he strolls, Hachirou lifts the phone before his face and presses its tangent. "Teams One and Two, this is Team three. You copy?"Yoshi lifted his phone to his mouth, slowing his pace a bit.

"This is Team Two, we copy. Did you need something, Team-"

And then the Arrancar's pesquisa rolled over them, just as automated alerts began sounding from the phone.

"Holy crap! Team Three, did you just feel that?"

He held the phone away from his body for a moment.

"Kyou, halt! We need to coordinate!"

Yoshi himself stopped moving, standing for the moment in mid-air, bringing the phone back near his mouth.

"Team Three, how do we proceed?"

His voice carries...not panic, but active caution.

[strawberryman]

[Team Two]

Kyou skids to a stop (well, as effectively as you can on air), looking back with a serious look. ...Well, a more serious look.

"...Well, whatever it is, it's probably trying to get our attention... It might be a trap. But if we don't go, it'll be wandering around unchecked... so really, damned if we do, damned if we don't." She scratches the back of her head. "I say we approach carefully and get an idea of what the threat is."

"But, you guys are in charge, so..."

[Frozen_Feet]

"Zaraki-kun, you're with me. Try not to let the pretty butterflies distract you." Kazuma began to pace once Hideuchi was cleared to go ahead with a simple nod.

"Hmmm?" Nasumi blinks, a dopey smile on her face. "Pretty butterflies? Isn't it a bit late in summer for there to be that many around?" Her face becomes more serious as Kazuma's Reiphone begins beeping frantically. "What is that sound?"


Hachirou will soon hear a beep signaling a call from Soul Society. If and when he answers he will hear Akio on the line. Thirteenth seat Hachirou? This is Third seat Yama. I'm taking operational control from here. Please relay all information to myself. Tell the troops if they get into hot water that there's back-up at the gates. Remember, the clock is ticking. Take it slow, and if things get bad we're cutting the mission short." Akio Yama says into his own Reiphone before sitting cross legged on the floor in the middle of the Senkai gates. Immediately he is within his inner world, the dark graveyard surrounding him.

Hachirou notices the call, and rolls his eyes when he hears the contents. He dials back to Akio. "Understood, sir. Though I must ask you, why so formal? This is routine patrol, not a rescue mission. We're here mostly to kill time. Why do you make it sound like we have an emer..."

Hachirou is cut away mid-sentence when his Reiphone bursts into alarm, almost making his ears ring. "Gah!" The voice is accompanied by a sudden burst of Reiatsu, and soon followed by Yoshi's worried calls from the radio. Hachirou gives display of the apparatus a dull look. A Garganta opening? Okay, what is it this time? Another stray Gillian?

Switching his phone's setting back to radio, Hachirou signals the other teams. "Teams One and Two, Team Three. Avoid large Reiatsu signatures. Wait further instructions from surveillance. Prepare to engage enemy. Over."

Soon enough, dots of different colors appear on every phones' screen, giving rough direction and distance of spotted threats for the scattered teams. Technically numbers, too, but Hachirou knows from experience the number of dots is like a gross underestimation of how many Hollows actually have poured into the previously serene town. The largest one is read, meaning 'do not engage'. After checking position of other teams, Hachirou concludes Team Two is closest to where the Garganta opened, though they're all still miles away.

Hachirou gives a quick look at Alysha. He knows Allan can keep up with him in a pinch, but he has no idea whatsoever how fast the 4th division girl is. "You!", he barks, nodding at her, securing the phone in his Shihakusho with one hand while holding out his other one, "Grab my arm. Tightly, so you won't fall off." He then nods at Allan. "You, follow my lead." If or when Alysha is ready, Hachirou sprints into motion, finding his footholds in thin air with practiced ease.

---

Elsewhere...

Somewhere between the town park and cemetery, Õta Yui feels a sudden chill and casts a curios glance towards north. Well, what she thinks is north. Not that she's particularly trustworthy in these things.

Hmm? Feels like some cocky upstart has decided to pay a visit, she muses, a hint of malice flashing in her eyes, before she sighs resignedly and takes a look at her watch. Near him, a few young couples are giving queasy looks at the horizon as well. Of course, they likely just think it might begin to rain soon. Considering the clouds in the distance, not that unlikely actually.

Yui walks past them, greeting them cheerfully as if there was nothing wrong in the world, though her own stroll becomes much more brisk as she hurries towards her temporary retreat. Surely, this new adversary would not pose any real threat to herself, but same hardly can be said from normal inhabitants of her current residence. She's not too keen on letting another whippersnapper cause unwanted property damage on her turf.

[KnightDisciple]

Team Two

Yoshi looks at the dots for several moments, memorizing the rough locations of the closest Hollows.

"We have our orders; stick together and stay alert. Move!"

Speaking with some authority in his voice, Yoshi unslings the larger Kido Gun he had strapped to himself, holding it ready in both hands.

He then set off at a fast jog, his eyes casting about for Hollows, and the phone in his pocket ready to alert him of anything it detected.

[Dorizzit]

Hidetsugu Iwaki

Iwaki slows to a stop as he feels the surge of hollow reiatsu and hears the phone begin blaring its alarms. Although he he did not seem to be moving quickly based on his motions, he has been managing to keep up with Kyou and Yoshi. He remains silent during the brief frenzy of indecision after the initial revelation of the hollows, then nods as orders are received and Yoshi takes command.

"Indeed."

He follows, still keeping pace.


"Hmmm?" Nasumi blinks, a dopey smile on her face. "Pretty butterflies? Isn't it a bit late in summer for there to be that many around?" Her face becomes more serious as Kazuma's Reiphone begins beeping frantically. "What is that sound?"

Hachirou notices the call, and rolls his eyes when he hears the contents. He dials back to Akio. "Understood, sir. Though I must ask you, why so formal? This is routine patrol, not a rescue mission. We're here mostly to kill time. Why do you make it sound like we have an emer..."

Hachirou is cut away mid-sentence when his Reiphone bursts into alarm, almost making his ears ring. "Gah!" The voice is accompanied by a sudden burst of Reiatsu, and soon followed by Yoshi's worried calls from the radio. Hachirou gives display of the apparatus a dull look. A Garganta opening? Okay, what is it this time? Another stray Gillian?

Switching his phone's setting back to radio, Hachirou signals the other teams. "Teams One and Two, Team Three. Avoid large Reiatsu signatures. Wait further instructions from surveillance. Prepare to engage enemy. Over."

Soon enough, dots of different colors appear on every phones' screen, giving rough direction and distance of spotted threats for the scattered teams. Technically numbers, too, but Hachirou knows from experience the number of dots is like a gross underestimation of how many Hollows actually have poured into the previously serene town. The largest one is read, meaning 'do not engage'. After checking position of other teams, Hachirou concludes Team Two is closest to where the Garganta opened, though they're all still miles away.

Hachirou gives a quick look at Alysha. He knows Allan can keep up with him in a pinch, but he has no idea whatsoever how fast the 4th division girl is. "You!", he barks, nodding at her, securing the phone in his Shihakusho with one hand while holding out his other one, "Grab my arm. Tightly, so you won't fall off." He then nods at Allan. "You, follow my lead." If or when Alysha is ready, Hachirou sprints into motion, finding his footholds in thin air with practiced ease.

---

Elsewhere...

Somewhere between the town park and cemetery, Õta Yui feels a sudden chill and casts a curios glance towards north. Well, what she thinks is north. Not that she's particularly trustworthy in these things.

Hmm? Feels like some cocky upstart has decided to pay a visit, she muses, a hint of malice flashing in her eyes, before she sighs resignedly and takes a look at her watch. Near him, a few young couples are giving queasy looks at the horizon as well. Of course, they likely just think it might begin to rain soon. Considering the clouds in the distance, not that unlikely actually.

Yui walks past them, greeting them cheerfully as if there was nothing wrong in the world, though her own stroll becomes much more brisk as she hurries towards her temporary retreat. Surely, this new adversary would not pose any real threat to herself, but same hardly can be said from normal inhabitants of her current residence. She's not too keen on letting another whippersnapper cause unwanted property damage on her turf.

Allan Crossdale

Allan's eyes widen as he feels Auset's power wash over the city, and looks over to Hachirou when the Reiphone begins ringing. Although he still doesn't look serious, exactly, his usual flippant expression has been replaced with a more neutral look. He unlaces his fingers and lets his arms drop to his sides, balancing on the balls of his feet in anticipation of the coming action. He nods grimly to Hachirou, and easily keeps pace with his superior officer once they set off.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Alysha Sietka]

Alysha had taken the suggestion of sightseeing with much earnest. She always loved looking at the mortal world. It was all fascinating.

It was when she was reading a nearby vending machine that she felt the Reiatsu from the pesiqua. She tensed up a little, and started looking around, expecting the source to suddenly pop out and attack them. I mean, that was how these things went, right?

When Hachirou started checking the readings on his Reiphone, Alysha realizes that they weren't going to get jumped.

When she's told to grab his arm, she simply nods and does so. She knows she could probably keep up with the running at least, but she figures she can tell him that later. For now, she'll just do what he says.

[Silva Rai]

Silva had one hand in her pocket, the other holding a paper bag with a few groceries. She had gotten off work early, and grabbed a couple things on the way back to apartment. Now, she was attempting to pull the key to the building out of her pocket, and it just wasn't cooperating.

It is then that she feels the sudden surge in Reiatsu. She stops digging for her key and glances in the direction it came from. She couldn't see it, of course. But she could tell it was big.

She decides to put her stuff away, then go check it out. She finally pulls the key out, and slides it into the lock. And then she sees a figure walking down the street. One she recognized.

Silva pulls the key back out and gives a short wave to Yui. Hey. How you doing?

[Kuroimaken]

"Understood, sir."

After examining the Reiphone's readings, Kazuma turned to his companions. "Nasumi, Hideuchi. Let's get to higher ground. We need to at least get an idea what we're dealing with here, and I don't think the Hollows are pouring in from above - we'd have seen them by now."

Ho? This is unlike you, Kazuma-kun. Whatever happened to charge first, ask questions later?

Not in the mood, old man. Besides, I'm crazy, not suicidal.

[strawberryman]

[Team 2]

Kyou frowns, following after Yoshi, one hand near her zanpaktou readied for a quick draw...

[Frozen_Feet]

[Team 3]

Hachirou runs through the city with surprising ease, as if Alysha was nothing more than a backpack slung over his shoulder. "You are quite light. You should eat more", he says deadpanly, before stopping abruptly on a nearby rooftop. He pulls out his Reiphone to check his direction...

Wait...

There's some frantic beeping as Hachirou fiddles with the device. "Give me your map", he commands Alysha.

[Team 1]

Nasumi suddenly turns beet red, and pouts. Hey! You can't use my first name! That's so impolite! Her embarrasment is quickly erased by Kazuma's suggestion.

"Uh, you know I can't walk in the air, do you?", she asks, worried. "But I guess I could climb somewhere... would that house be tall enough?" She points to a six-story apartment building in the distance.

[Somewhere on the streets]

Yui is surprised by Silva's sudden greeting. "Ah... Silva-san, was it? Fine, thank you very much." She waves back to her with a nervous smile on her face. "I hope you're fine as well. Nice to see you."

[Dorizzit]

Sadanaga Hideuchi

Hideuchi smiles somewhat psychotically as the influx of hollows makes itself known. He slides his Zanpakuto out of his sleeves, and spins them eagerly around his fingers in anticipation. He also extends his senses outwards, trying to detect any nearby hollows. No luck, yet.

Finally, some action.

He says nothing, instead looking to Kazuma and waiting for him to give orders on how to proceed. Before Kazuma has finished telling the group to find higher ground, he has already flash stepped up to the top of a nearby roof.

[Kuroimaken]

"No time. I'll carry you, then."

With that said, Kazuma squatted in front of his teammate so he could give her a piggyback ride.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Team 3]

Alysha gives a smile and a small giggle when Hachriou tells her to eat more. I do. I eat a lot.

When he stops, she glances around, expecting to see their foe. Nothing.

Huh? Oh, right. She digs into her pocket and pulls out the map, handing it over.

[Streets]

Silva gives a small smile and a nod. I am fine, thanks for asking. She notices Yui's nervousness. Are you okay? You seem a little on edge.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Team 1]

Nasumi is stunned by Kazuma's offer. She realizes it isn't time to argue though, and quickly hops on his back. "Are you sure this is okay? I'm quite heavy, you know. I hope you don't break your back."

[Team 3]

Hachirou takes the map and gives it a worried look. Then he lifts the phone before his mouth again. "Team two, Team three. Large group of enemies is heading for town school. Intercept them. Over." He then gives the map back to Alysha, and waits for her to grab his arm again.

"I hope you two know what a Gillian is", he says grimly, setting his course towards the conspicuous red dot on the phone display. "I don't expect you to have fought them before, but be mentally prepared to do that now."

[Streets]

"Ah, I'm just doing my best to get back at my hotel before it starts raining. It's in the air, isn't it?", Yui replies, nodding slightly towards the grey clouds sliding across the horizon. She gives a curious look at the door Silva is trying to open. "So, you live here?" A part of her screams she shouldn't waste time on idle chatter, but she'd feel bad of leaving Silva now.

[KnightDisciple]

[Team 3]

Hachirou takes the map and gives it a worried look. Then he lifts the phone before his mouth again. "Team two, Team three. Large group of enemies is heading for town school. Intercept them. Over." He then gives the map back to Alysha, and waits for her to grab his arm again.[Team 2]

Yoshi pulls his phone out when it beeps about an incoming message.

He pales when he hears it.

"Team Three, this is Team Two. We copy. Moving to intercept. Over."

He tucks the radio away, keeping one hand on his gun as he starts to sprint.

"Double time, Team Two! We need to stop those Hollows!"

Inwardly, he's worried. They should be enough to stop any gathering of normal Hollows. But still. Unexpected things happened all the time.

[Dorizzit]

[Team 3]

Hachirou takes the map and gives it a worried look. Then he lifts the phone before his mouth again. "Team two, Team three. Large group of enemies is heading for town school. Intercept them. Over." He then gives the map back to Alysha, and waits for her to grab his arm again.

"I hope you two know what a Gillian is", he says grimly, setting his course towards the conspicuous red dot on the phone display. "I don't expect you to have fought them before, but be mentally prepared to do that now."

Allan Crossdale

"Gillians? I've eaten Gillians. Literally. They taste spicy."

Despite his show of bravado, Allan is looking more and more concerned as the situation rapidly grows more out of control. He looks around, almost expecting a hollow to jump out at them at any second.


[Team 2]

Yoshi pulls his phone out when it beeps about an incoming message.

He pales when he hears it.

"Team Three, this is Team Two. We copy. Moving to intercept. Over."

He tucks the radio away, keeping one hand on his gun as he starts to sprint.

"Double time, Team Two! We need to stop those Hollows!"

Inwardly, he's worried. They should be enough to stop any gathering of normal Hollows. But still. Unexpected things happened all the time.

Iwaki

Iwaki says nothing, but follows after Yoshi.

[strawberryman]

[Team 2]

Kyou frowns more intensely, picking up her pace. "Any idea on the count?" Her red hand tenses up, a spark of excitement jumping up to her body.

[KnightDisciple]

[Team 2]

Kyou frowns more intensely, picking up her pace. "Any idea on the count?" Her red hand tenses up, a spark of excitement jumping up to her body.[Team 2]

Yoshi reached his free hand into his coat, pulling out an odd-looking monocle (http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2009/343/b/f/Monocle_1_by_dancing_dragon.jpg). The center of the eyepiece glowed bright blue for several moments, before fading down to almost nothing.

Only then did Yoshi turn his head to look at Kyou, the monocle giving his features an otherworldly feel.

"Lots."

He emphasized this by arming his shotgun with a decisive pumping action. *Ka-chak* A low hum now filled the air as the Officer of the 12th Division turned forward once more.

"We keep this pace, we'll intercept them .75 kilometers from the school. Less than ideal, but also the best pace to prevent fatigue."

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Team 3]

Alysha tucks the map back into her pocket, and grabs Hachirou's arm again.

I kind of know what they are. A little. She holds her forefinger and thumb up, showing how little.

[Streets]

Silva glances at the clouds for a moment, not liking them at all. Then she turns back to Yui and nods. Yep. Got an apartment on the second floor. Not a bad price either. Probably cause of how close it is to the graveyard.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset

Things were turning out to be a lousy day, trudging through Hueco Mundo after some hollow scum, just for them to bail to the mortal world at the last minute and making her chase them there too! Never mind the fact there had been a faint collection of lights on the far reaches of her pesiqua, they weren't exactly her business after all.

And now she was standing in the middle of a clearing with her bloodied khopesh propped up on the ground, splatters of blood across her body, even as she contemplated the small scene of carnage about her. It always give her such a warm fuzzy feeling to her of a job well done. Well enough that it took her a bit to realize just where she was.

Smack dab in the mortal world...and nary an inclination to actually return to Hueco Mundo. One could hardly catch a good nap there, with all the attacks, plotting, and simple noise!

"Oi...maybe I earned myself some 'me' time..." She mutters to herself with a grin, the barely clad arrancar striding towards the actual light she'd had seen upon entering the mortal world. The town...it'd still take some time, but she was on the way!

[Frozen_Feet]

[Team 3]

Hachirou sprints into motion again, though slower this time - he's trying to keep track of the red dot on his phone display all the time. "Usually, when a powerful Hollow appears in Mortal World, its a Gillian", he tries to explain as he goes. "They are little more than animals, usually, and tend to just wander around - but they have a bad tendency to attract other Hollows. That's why it's important to purify or drive them away quickly."

Of course, having said that aloud, Hachirou begins to wonder - usually, in case of Gillian incursion, all local Hollows gather near them, to be eaten - but in this case, it seems more like other Hollows are running away from the red light. What could that mean.

Sudden beeping disrupts Hachirou's thoughts - a quick glance at the phone reveals the red dot is moving towards the city center. Fortunately, it' not going towards the school - rather, its current course would end it up closer to the town park or cemetery. Lets hope it stays that way.

[Streets]

"That's odd", Yui remarks, "it's such a beautiful scenery. Maybe folks here are a bit superstitious. It's nice if you got yourself a good deal - apartment prices are exorbitant..." Yui's speech is cut off by sudden rumble of thunder. Quick glance over her shoulder reveals that the grey curtain of falling rain has already descended upon much of the city.

"Oh dear. Looks like I should hurry. Maybe we can talk more later?"

[Kuroimaken]

Perhaps surprisingly, Kazuma doesn't seem to make that great an effort to carry Nasumi onto his back, though she does need to hold on tight as he shunpos his way up the wall.

"I do three hundred push-ups a day. Per arm. This is nothing."

Either he wanted to dismiss her fears, dismiss her own remark about her weight, or he was simply stating fact.

"Sadanaga-kun. How does it look?

[Dorizzit]

[Team 1]

Hideuchi doesn't even bother looking at Kazuma and Nasumi as they crest the building. Instead, he is looking intently in the direction opposite the way they came up. Rather than say anything, he points with one of his Zanpakuto at the now-visible group of hollows heading towards the school.

[Team 2]

Iwaki remains mute as he follows his teammates.

[Team 3]

Allan listens to Hachirou's explanation of Gillians, then decides to add in.

"It's also important to keep in mind that Gillian's are a lot weaker than they look and they're really slow, too."

Despite his confident words, Allan has also noticed the irregularity in the behavior of the local hollows, and he is growing increasingly concerned by it.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Team 3]

Alysha takes all of this information in, learning more about Gillians. The keychain hanging from the pommel of her zanpakuto jingles as they go.

Well, if that's true, then what is the big dot? Cause the others are moving away from it. What's bad enough to scare the other Hollows?

[Streets]

Silva also glances at the sky, seeing the coming rain.

Yeah, She turns back to Yui. Sorry if I kept you. You up for lunch tomorrow?

[Dorizzit]

[Team 3]

Allan shrugs flippantly.

"Lots of things. Bigger hollows. Mediums with hollow powers. Arrancar. Take your pick."

[Kuroimaken]

"...Well, crap."

Picking up the Reiphone, he turns it on.

"Teams two and three, this is team one. We have visual contact of the Hollows headed towards the school. Move to intercept or wait for backup?"

This mass was positively worrisome. Sure a dozen weak hollows or so should pose no problem, but a whole swarm could likely overrun a number of experienced Shinigami short of Captain-level, and they didn't have a Captain on their side.

[KnightDisciple]

[Team 2]

It wasn't long before Team 2 ran headlong into the group of Hollows headed for the school.

Thankfully, they were all smaller, weaker samples of their kind.

Yoshi smiled just slightly as he realized this. His face went serious as he raised his Kido Gun...

*A short time later*

The last of the Hollows in the path of Team 2 was purified by Yoshi's trusty gun. It packed quite a kick for such a comparatively small weapon.

Yoshi pulled up the information on the surrounding Hollows on his monocle display, bypassing the need for his phone's screen.

"Damn. Team 2, we've got trouble. Looks like most of the fodder is gone, but that blasted big one is still headed this way. It looks like Team 3 was slightly delayed. That Hollow, whatever it is exactly, is hittin the edge of town closest to us. Let's move!"

With that, he took off at a dead sprint, interspersing his movement with a couple of precisely-timed shunpo.

Assuming Kyou and Iwaki kept the same pace, they would likely intercept the "red dot" very soon...

[Dorizzit]

[Team 2]

During the battle, Iwaki devoted himself mostly to interference, holding several hollows down for easy purification by his teammates. He had avoided contact with the Hollows, preferring to let his teammates do most of the actual fighting. At first, this had made it seem like he wasn't particularly skilled, or was actively unskilled, at melee combat. A hollow had picked up on this, and tried to attack him from behind.

Iwaki ripped it apart with his bare hands.

Post battle, while Yoshi is checking the map, Iwaki looks around at their surroundings to ensure that no hollows were missed. Satisfied, he takes off after Yoshi, easily keeping pace.

[strawberryman]

[Team 2]

Kyou is not quite as courteous. Taking her blade in both hands, she quickly cleaves through Hollow after Hollow, displaying her above-average strength with gradually increasing glee. Her purely offensive style does net her a few cuts and bruises, but she seems to completely ignore them in her battle frenzy...

...And, as the group turn to intercept the source, Kyou darts ahead bits at a time with frequent shunpo, not even stopping once she begins to get out of sight...

In fact, she doesn't stop until she's directly in front of Auset, grinning at the Arrancar with dangerous eyes and an aggressive stance.

"Hello, beastie."

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset

The arrancar blinks as the shinigami hops out of the air to land in front of her, already looking tired as she yawns slowly, her free hand reaching up to cover her mouth.

"Eh? Shinigami? When did you get here?...did you just call me a beastie?" She says surprisingly calmly, resting her blade atop her shoulder once more, letting the blood drip off it unto the ground at her feet. "Don't you have lost little pluses to escort or something? Go on...shoo!"

The audacious order was accompanied by an apathetic wave of her brown hand, as if she honestly expected the shinigami to comply with her wishes.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Team 1]

Nasumi frowns at the scattered bunch of evil creatures. "There are so many... weren't most supposed to go for Team Two?", she whines. Multiple malicious eyes turn to look at the Shinigami on top of the tall building - a choir of snarls, hisses and barks fills the air as they cry challenge to their mortal enemies. Some of the less courageous monsters sink into the ground, or melt into the walls of nearby buildings, planning to go around the patrol team. Stopping them all will not be an easy task...

[Team 3]

Hachirou frowns. "That we can't tell until we see it As said, I think it is a Gillian." As far as thinking and hoping are the same thing, anyway.

Hachirou stays quiet for most of their trip, focusing on his Reiphone and running as fast as possible. He replies shortly to Kazuma's call. "Team One, Team Three. Move to intercept. Alert me again if you need backup. Over." He'd have to catch a glimpse of the main threat before alerting a strike team - if it really is just a Gillian, then he could take it out on his own...

He's alarmed, and has to break his silence again, when he notices Team Two's marker getting dangerously close to the red dot. "Team Two, Team Three. Wait for us before engaging the red enemy. Do you have visual of it?"?

[Õta Yui]

"Ah, yes. Sure. See you at noon, then", Yui replies, before giving another worried look at the cloud behind her and hurrying off. Unfortunately, her stride is not long enough to get her out of the rain's way, so she's soaking wet when she makes it to her hotel.

Argh! I'll catch pneumonia at this rate! Like I don't have enough troubles already, Yui muses, annoyed. Shivering from cold, she closes her suite door and begins undressing her drenched suit. It would be so nice to take a warm shower before going out again, but there isn't much time to waste. After hurriedly hanging her clothes to dry and switching to pink pajamas, she throws herself on the hotel bed. So much work...

Downstairs, the hotel receptionist suddenly shivers and glances upwards. She feels as if someone had just poured cold water on her, but there's nothing out of the ordinary above. She whips her head around to see if someone had just come in and it had been a cold breeze doing tricks to her, but the door is firmly closed and there's no-one around. Puzzled, she resumes her duties.

Just outside the hotel, standing good dozen feet in the air, a pallid, monstrous form glances over its shoulder, looking through the window at Õta Yui's now lifeless body. Surely, it'd be safe here. Then, it turns its attention on the rest of the town. Now freed from the constraints of a mortal guise, it can perceive its goings on with much greater clarity.

In the horizon, fires are burning. Not of matter, but of spirit. Some are strong and bright - surely belonging to Shinigami. Others are twisted and languishing, just heightening the shadows around them instead of driving them away - telltale of miserable, grief-maddened spectres called Hollows. Nothing out of the ordinary - indeed, their absence would be of a larger concern.

But one of the warped flames - it shines like a beacon, almost seeming to consume the lesser flame right next to it. It is this that catches the monster's attention. Narrowing its black eyes, it sprints towards it, causing a fell wind in its wake as it runs across the sky. Who are you? You have no right to be here.

[Dorizzit]

[Team 1]

Hideuchi smiles with blood thirst when he sees the mass of Hollows approaching their position. He flicks his Zanpakutos into the roof of the building they were standing on, and they stick upright into the concrete. He cracks his knuckles, then kicks his Zanpakutos back into his hands.

"Who cares? We can think about it later. Let's show them why we're at the top of the food chain."

He flips his daggers into reverse grips, pressing the blades against the inside of his wrists.

"Kill. Kuro Yougu."

The daggers morph into a pair of long bandoleers wrapped around each of his wrists in their released state. Hideuchi snaps his arms to his sides, and a pair of long, thin swords slide out into his hands. He flips them around his hands.

"If you guys take the ones in the center, I can deal with the ones that are trying to sneak around us."

[Kuroimaken]

"Sounds like a plan."

Drawing his own zanpakutou, Kazuma slung it over his shoulder, then flipped it like he were whirling a chain.

"Chissokuse yo, Sazan'ou!"

With that, the sword turned into what seemed to be an impossibly long kusari-gama.

Leaping into the air, Kazuma whirled the chain like a tornado, and hurled it forward towards the center of the mass of Hollows. It seemed to accelerate in mid-air as it became attracted to their combined Reiatsu, creating a much larger impact than usual.

[KnightDisciple]

[Team Two]

Yoshi, who was nearly to Kyou and Auset's position, pressed a button on his monocle.

"Can't, Team Three. Cleared our Hollows out. Creature moving in a line for several heavily populated buildings. Have to intercept."

He ceased speaking, but left the radio link open.

Another precise flash step left him to the right and slightly behind Kyou. His gun was already pointed at the Arrancar.

"Arrancar! This is your only warning. Turn around, leave the Mortal World, and you will be unharmed. Return to your home dimension. Failure to comply brings consequences."

The ominous hum coming from that gun emphasizes his point.

[strawberryman]

[Team 2]

Kyou's concentration is snapped by the Arrancar's carefree dismissal of her. "T-the hell? Do you think I'm going to scurry away like a rat because you told me to?"

[Dorizzit]

[Team 1]

Hideuchi's slasher smile widens at Kazuma's affirmation of his request. He spins his blades once more, and extends his spiritual senses out to find the various Hollows that were attempting to move through nearby buildings or even the ground. Locating his targets, he vanishes into a Flash Step. He reappears in front of a Hollow inside a nearby building. Dozens of limbs extend from its body, acting as both hands and arms. Before it can react, Hideuchi lunges and plunges both blades into its mask, killing it. He vanishes, this time reappearing behind a large arachnid hollow. He kills it with an assassination technique. It dies without ever noticing his presence. This process repeats itself over and over again as he hunts down every hollow in his way.

[Team 2]

Iwaki appears around the same time as Yoshi. He remains apprehensive of the situation; the fact that the Arrancar is totally unconcerned about the presence of Shinigami did not bode well for her level of power. Exerting caution, he takes up position about ten feet away from Kyou, Yoshi and Auset, mentally reviewing his list of Bakudo and searching for a suitable spell should things turn violent.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset

"I was hoping so, then I wouldn't have to spend the time fighting you when I could be eating..." the arrancar says with remarkable honesty, but then again her slow dry voice makes it difficult to tell, "'sides, isn't there better stuff you could be doing?"

Then more shinigami started popping up, like a bad rash, drawing another exasperated sigh from the barely clad arrancar. Auset lazily appraises the new arrivals, but it only makes her sigh again.

"This is so tiresome...after all the trouble I went to, just to get here..you think I'm going to just go?" she drawls lazily, stifling a yawn as she hefts up her massive khopesh and begins to saunter towards Yoshi, "Hold still and it'll be quick, eh?"

[KnightDisciple]

[Team Two]

Yoshi's only verbal response is a single word as his monocle's glow increases to a bright blue.

"No."

Of course, at the same moment, he pulls the trigger on his gun.

A blast roughly equivalent to a level 30 Hado rockets out of the barrel. Its speed is surprising, approaching that of a mortal shotgun slug.

Yoshi has already started moving from his previous location. He racks the slide on the weapon, beginning the charging process again.

Then, as soon as that is started, his left hand whips up and performs two quick motions.

"Hado 20: Force Missile Storm."

20 small blasts composed of raw kido force rocket out from his open palm, flying towards Auset with great speed. If she tries to move, the missiles will keep tracking her.

Yoshi's hand gestures again.

"Bakudo 15: Spider's Web."

This Kido is aimed at the spot Yoshi predicts Auset will move to in an attempt to evade his force missiles.

Another set of quick gestures.

"Hado 5: Force Missile."

This time, a single missile flies from his palm, behaving very similar to his earlier Hado.

The whole time, Yoshi has been moving about, trying to present a more difficult target to Auset.

"Assistance would be appreciated. Keep up the assault. No mercy."

[Frozen_Feet]

[Team One]

Nazumi watches nervously as her team members jump into the fray. As she can't walk on air, she doesn't dare to to just jump off from the heights. Instead, she pulls out her zanpakuto, letting its many colored fumes to pour out. Taking a careful step over the edge of the roof, she wreathes herself in green smoke, before deftly running down the buildings side. She dispels it just a few feet away from ground, dropping down and continuing towards the crowd of Hollows.

She sees Kazuma's weapon strike through one of the creatures - it lets out a pained howl before evaporating and turning into a harmless glint of light. The others around it aren't too keen to share its fate, running, flying or burrowing away from the place of impact - though some brave ones leap straight at Kazuma.

Nasumi has to change her focus soon, though, as she spots a large, dog-like Hollow looking at her. It gives out a playful bark - before running through a nearby wall and disappearing inside an empty shop. "Ah! Come back here!"

[Team Three]

Hachirou isn't exactly pleased to hear Yoshi's words. First, if the team didn't see what the creature was already, it is bound to be smaller than a Gillian - which can only spell trouble. Second, he hopes the team has enough sense to stall the creature with Bakudo from hiding, rather than confronting it face to face. Oh well. We'll see soon enough.

"You two! Start chanting Bakudo - any spell that is used to hamper an enemy's movement. Even the weakest one will do! Shoot them at the target immediatly when you see it!", he orders Alysha and Allan. As he's close enough to net need any more directions, Hachirou quickly pockets his Reiphone. Then he, too, begins chanting.

"Fence that divides reality, guardian of the hundred steppes, nail your foes to the world tree and let them forever languish..."



Unbeknownst to themselves, struggles of Team Two have earned them a spectator. Crouching on the roof of a nearby highrise, a pallid form observes Yoshi's movements, raindrops trickling down its silver-adorned scales.

The Shinigami is surprisingly fleet of foot and mouth, but as far as the creature's limited knowledge of Kido allows it to say, he's overexterting himself - so many spells without a chant, in so little time, could not be more than a nuisance to the towering dark woman before him.

Speaking of which, what on earth is she wearing? [I]Such an immodest attire - is she begging for those rags to fall of at just the wrong moment? Youth these days... Of course, technically the beast is naked itself, its hide just looks close enough to armor or clothing that no-one ever picks it up.

Silently, it wonders what to do about this possible rival. The fighters are too close to human settlements for it to invoke most destructive powers of its own. It's too early in the fight to really tell which side will end as the victor. I'll just watch for now...

[strawberryman]

[Team 2]

In tandem with Yoshi's assault, Kyou charges forward, taking her blade in her left hand and swinging powerfully, at least for an unseated.

[InyutheBeatIs]

[Team 1]

(OOC: I'm HERE!!! Am I doing this right?)

A small group of insignificant (and stupid) Hollows leap at Kazuma in a foolish attempt to bring him down.

Meanwhile, a spider-like Hollow with a harpoon for a head drops down on Nazumi's head, trying to attack her from above.

[Dorizzit]

[Team 2]

Iwaki does not believe that immediately engaging the Arrancar is the best, or even a good move, but he has been assigned to this team and he will perform his duties and watch the backs of his allies. He places his hands together in front of his chest and begins chanting, narrowing his concentration down to Auset. The spell he plans to cast requires total focus. Quietly, he begins chanting, the words impossible to make out over the sound of Yoshi and Kyou's attacks.

[Team 3]

Allan suppresses his instinctive desire to protest Hachirou's order, as his Kido skills are less than sub-par. He shakes his head. Placing one hand on the hilt of his Zanpakuto, he begins chanting under his breath, closing his eyes so as to focus better.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset

"Ehhh, you must be soft in the..." Auset's eyes widen the tiniest bit as the kido gun is fired, the blast taking her right in the chest. She's blocked by the smock of the blast, even as the twenty orbs fly through the smoke to hammer against the arrancar. Or so it seemed, because she doesn't leap out of the smoke like Yoshi had predicted.

Kyou leaps into the smoke after her, slashing down and drawing a satisfying splash of blood and thud when the dismembered arm hits the ground just as the final kido sets the Privaron spinning about brokenly. The damage done is...ghastly. As if such attacks had been done against a normal mortal instead an arrancar or even a normal hollow! The corpse, and it has to be one with that kind of damage, totters for a moment...giving a brief surge of victory in those that had accomplished the deed...Until Auset's remaining arm lifts to grab tight around Kyou's throat, squeezing tight.


"You bunch of idiots..you're supposed to strike at the head first.." Comes the wet gurgle before the heavily damaged body lifts up Kyou and throws her at the chanting shinigami with beastial strength. With a put-out groan she reaches down to grasp her severed arm, holding the two stumps together, "Geez..this hurts like hell you know."

The arrancar was actually grumbling as new heavily tanned flesh forms to rejoin the arm to her body, the various craters in her flesh beginning to stitch themselves back together before the shinigami's eyes. Before too long...she only had a couple of superficial scars quickly disappearing. But it seems the barrage of attacks was enough to shake the torpor off of the arrancar, before she lunges at Yoshi, sweeping her khopesh down in a brutral vertical arc.

[KnightDisciple]

[Team Two]

Vicente's eyes widen fractionally as Auset charges at him.

He speaks no words...

But he does suddenly point the Kido Gun right at Auset's head, trying to wait until almost the last moment to let the blast fire, hopefully right in her face.

If it does not stop her momentum enough, Yoshi will place the gun between her sword and his body.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Team 3]

Alysha gives a nod Hachirou. Oh crap! I don't know too many spells! Just the healing ones. Crap!

Never the less, her expression set, she starts chanting. She also places her hand on her hilt, in case she needs to actually use her zanpakuto.



Silva was walking outside. She's wearing a dark raincoat, since it was quick to grab and throw on. She had to check out what was going on. Had to know what threats could be around here.

She made her way to the edge of town, one hand on the hilt of her dagger the whole way.

[I]Yes...this should be interesting...

And upon arriving at the scene, she quickly finds a place to hide and watch. This was big. A bunch of shinigami against...what was she? Couldn't be a normal Hollow. Maybe a Bount? No, she didn't fit that either.

Silva continues watching, hand still on her dagger.

[Dorizzit]

[Team 2]

Under normal circumstances, Iwaki would be grimly gratified by the clear showing of Auset's immense power. In this instance, however, his focus is absolute and inviolate, allowing no room for emotion or conscious thought. His focus is so great, he does not even acknowledge Kyou's presence as she is thrown bodily at him. One arm instinctively snaps out, catching her in a meaty hand. The catch isn't gentle, but it arrests Kyou's progress and allows Iwaki to continue casting. Iwaki's chanting moves faster, then reaches a peak and he whips his other arm out at Auset as if throwing something at her. When his arm is fully extended, he clenches his fist tightly.

"Bakudo 63: Sajo Sabaku."

A blazing red chain of Kido springs into existence in front of Iwaki, and hurls forward, wrapping immediately around Auset.

[riccaru]

Akio's eyes open as one of the patrolmen mentions 'arrancar'. Immediately he snaps his head to one of the 13th division members standing within earshot. "Get Vice-Captain Karite. NOW! I don't care if he's busy. Break in if you have to, just get him here. I'll deal with any consequences." He then stands, putting his sword back in its' sheathe and bringing the phone to his ear to listen more closely.

Do you have the courage to press on when others fail, young one? This will be a test of great mettle, be prepared for the worst, Akio.

[Kuroimaken]

With a yank of his chain, Kazuma sends it spinning overhead towards a couple of other Hollows, then writhing his arm to get the chain to shift direction mid-air. With the accumulated momentum, it undulates like a snake, then spirals in a whirlpool-like motion, picking up speed as it goes.

A lone Hollow breaks through the maneuver during its execution, being a little farther ahead of the others. A calculated risk, however; Kazuma merely tosses the kama end of the chain upwards for a moment and fires a quick but potent jab to halt it in its tracks.

[strawberryman]

[Kyou]

Kyou fights her way to the ground from Iwaki's grip as soon as possible, rubbing her neck. Hmph... strong... Might as well take this opportunity, though!

As soon as the towering kido corps officer finishes his casting, Kyou charges forward again, taking her sheathe in her right hand (and her zanpaktou still in her left) to block any interference with her next strike towards the Arrancar's neck. "Time to return the favor, bitch!"

[InyutheBeatIs]

Nasumi has the harpoon-headed spider Hollow drop on her head. Something that causes her to freak right out. "IIIIIYEEEEEEEEE!!!!! SPIDERSPIDERGEDDITOFFGEDDITOFF!!!!" After a second or two of running around like a maniac, the poor Hollow perched on her head is thrown off. This causes Nasumi to start stomping the poor thing like it's the cause of all pain and suffering in this world. As for the Hollows who were thinking about attacking her...they decided to go over there right now. There's free sake over there you see...

Kazuma makes short work of the horde, the one hit by the kama taking it to the chest, hissing impotently at it's killer before dissapearing. Now, there are a few not-so insignificant Hollows staring him down, this time trying to surround him and use hit-and-run tactics instead of just gang-rushing him.

Hideuchi might find that his "sexy shoeless god of war" skit is interrupted by a worm-like Hollow attempting to take a bite out of his backside, along with some Hollow that looks like a chameleon.

[Dorizzit]

[Team 1]

Hideuchi senses the incoming Hollow at the last second, and agilely dodges out of the way with a hiss of surprise. He lands on one hand, then springs back onto his feet, only to be attacked by a chameleon hollow. He also manages to avoid its attack, but the dodge is more awkward and one of his swords is lost in the attempt. Invoking his Zanpakuto's power, Hideuchi draws slides five razor sharp blades into his hand, and hurls them at the worm hollow. He then flash steps above the chameleon hollow and stabs downward with his sword.

[InyutheBeatIs]

[Team 1]

Hideuchi senses the incoming Hollow at the last second, and agilely dodges out of the way with a hiss of surprise. He lands on one hand, then springs back onto his feet, only to be attacked by a chameleon hollow. He also manages to avoid its attack, but the dodge is more awkward and one of his swords is lost in the attempt. Invoking his Zanpakuto's power, Hideuchi draws slides five razor sharp blades into his hand, and hurls them at the worm hollow. He then flash steps above the chameleon hollow and stabs downward with his sword.

The worm hollow hisses at Hideuchi's dodging him, burrowing underground. Just before he dissapears however, a couple of the blades take a large chunk out of its tail. As for the chameleon, Hideuchi succeeds in stabbing it, the hollow screeching in pain. It turns its head towards Hideuchi in what seems to be an impossible angle, sending out its tongue to wrap around the shinigami.

[Dorizzit]

[Team 1]

Hideuchi leaves the sword buried in the hollow's flesh. Snapping his arm out to the side, he whips a long stiletto out of his Zanpakuto, then spins it into a reverse grip. He dodges just out of the tongue, then tries to stab his knife through it and pin it to the Chameleon's back. Regardless of success, he flips back off of the chameleon and lands in the air, waiting for his opponent's next moves.

[InyutheBeatIs]

[Team 1]

The chameleon's tongue is stabbed through and pinned. When Hideuchi flips off of its back, the Hollow litterally rips its tongue off of the pin, making it forked at the end. It then tries to rip itself off of the sword and turn around to face Hideuchi. It is visably angry, as well as severely injured.

As for the worm, Hideuchi might feel a few tremors before...BANG!! The worm breaks out of the ground right under Hideuchi's feet, attempting to eat him whole with his many-toothed mouth.

[Dorizzit]

[Team 1]

Hideuchi jumps straight up into the air and flips so that his head faces the ground. He smiles unpleasantly.

"Big mistake."

Using his Zanpakuto, Hideuchi creates a short, thick metal rod with jagged blades on both ends. He dives down and shoves it into the worm's mouth, forcing it to remain open. He flips around and kicks the worm in the back of the head before landing on the ground and turning to face the irate chameleon. He extends one hand at the demon.

"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Hado 31: Shakkahō!"

A brilliant beam of energy flashes from Hideuchi's palm and surges towards the chameleon.

[InyutheBeatIs]

[Team 1]

Hideuchi jumps straight up into the air and flips so that his head faces the ground. He smiles unpleasantly.

"Big mistake."

Using his Zanpakuto, Hideuchi creates a short, thick metal rod with jagged blades on both ends. He dives down and shoves it into the worm's mouth, forcing it to remain open. He flips around and kicks the worm in the back of the head before landing on the ground and turning to face the irate chameleon. He extends one hand at the demon.

"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Hado 31: Shakkahō!"

A brilliant beam of energy flashes from Hideuchi's palm and surges towards the chameleon.

The worm lets out a hissing roar of frustration at Hideuchi's intrusion. It is kicked to the ground for a second before getting back up and flinging itself at Hideuchi.

The chameleon lets out a screech before being hit by the beam of energy. When the smoke clears, the chameleon is no more.

[Dorizzit]

[Team 1]

Chuckling in satisfaction at finishing the chameleon off, Hideuchi produces a long, sturdy chain from his Zanpakuto. He waits until the last second, then flips over the charging worm and wraps the chain around it. Planting his feet on the hollow's back, he pulls the chain as tightly as he can.

[InyutheBeatIs]

[Team 1]

Chuckling in satisfaction at finishing the chameleon off, Hideuchi produces a long, sturdy chain from his Zanpakuto. He waits until the last second, then flips over the charging worm and wraps the chain around it. Planting his feet on the hollow's back, he pulls the chain as tightly as he can.

Hideuchi can probabl here a few things snapping as he tightens the chain. All of a sudden the hissing stops, now the worm is thrashing around madly, rolling around and doing everything in its power to take out Hideuchi before he chokes it to death.

[Dorizzit]

[Team 1]

Satisfied with the tightness of the chain, Hideuchi jams a spike through two links in the chain to hold it in place, then leaps from the hollow's back, eyeing it warily.

[InyutheBeatIs]

[Team 1]

Satisfied with the tightness of the chain, Hideuchi jams a spike through two links in the chain to hold it in place, then leaps from the hollow's back, eyeing it warily.

The worm thrashes around for a few moments, probably hitting a couple of things and knocking them down, before finally going limp, and fading into nothingness.

[Kuroimaken]

Kazuma makes short work of the horde, the one hit by the kama taking it to the chest, hissing impotently at it's killer before dissapearing. Now, there are a few not-so insignificant Hollows staring him down, this time trying to surround him and use hit-and-run tactics instead of just gang-rushing him.

"...You don't deserve to be cut down."

With that said, Kazuma reseals his Zanpakutou, sheathes it, then drops into a barehanded kamae. It ends with a birdflip that extends into a "bring it on" gesture.

He still hasn't smiled, and his glasses are still on.

It's fairly obvious he wants to bring these down with his naked hands.

"You'd best make the first move, because if you don't, you won't live to regret it."

[InyutheBeatIs]

"...You don't deserve to be cut down."

With that said, Kazuma reseals his Zanpakutou, sheathes it, then drops into a barehanded kamae. It ends with a birdflip that extends into a "bring it on" gesture.

He still hasn't smiled, and his glasses are still on.

It's fairly obvious he wants to bring these down with his naked hands.

"You'd best make the first move, because if you don't, you won't live to regret it."

At this, all four of the Hollows laugh loudly at Kazuma's apparent arrogance. One of them seems to become a ball of blades with legs, one is an odd Hollow with his head on his back, wielding two spikes for arms. The other two are gargoyle-like, lifting themselves up in the air. In an instant, the two gargoyles lunge down at Kazuma, the other two looking on.

[Kuroimaken]

Gouhaouken Ryuu Kongou Isshiki...

Kazuma seems to await the moment that the two gargoyles come the closest to act. Then, his outline blurs; the Hollows find that where they strike nothing stands. Even more alarming, almost at the same time, they might feel that something not unlike a wall is rushing towards them - their faces, specifically. It comes at them with blistering speed.

Kazuma's form "reappears" a few meters above them. His legs are spread open in a V-like motion, his left hand's palm resting above his lap while his right hand rests atop it in a sign not unlike prayer.

Souga Taihou!

Explaining what he actually did: Kazuma basically used Shunpo to accelerate at close range and violently kick them both in the face as he rose.

For those interested in the translation:

Fist of Hell's Conqueror Style First Destructive Method:

Twin Fang Great Cannon!

[InyutheBeatIs]

Gouhaouken Ryuu Kongou Isshiki...

Kazuma seems to await the moment that the two gargoyles come the closest to act. Then, his outline blurs; the Hollows find that where they strike nothing stands. Even more alarming, almost at the same time, they might feel that something not unlike a wall is rushing towards them - their faces, specifically. It comes at them with blistering speed.

Kazuma's form "reappears" a few meters above them. His legs are spread open in a V-like motion, his left hand's palm resting above his lap while his right hand rests atop it in a sign not unlike prayer.

Souga Taihou!

Explaining what he actually did: Kazuma basically used Shunpo to accelerate at close range and violently kick them both in the face as he rose.

For those interested in the translation:

Fist of Hell's Conqueror Style First Destructive Method:

Twin Fang Great Cannon!

[Team 1]

The two gargoyles seem confused for a second before being hit in the face by what feels like a brick wall. The force causes them to fly backwards for a moment before balancing themselves back in the air, their masks cracked to reveal a bit of their faces in life. They both shriek horribly, cursing Kazuma with every note. One of them jets above him, aiming to kick him to the ground as the other one flies from below to catch him.

Meanwhile, the ball of blades with legs Hollow seems to be charging up something, his blades glowing for some reason.

[Kuroimaken]

Gouhaouken Ryuu Kongou Sanshiki...

Kazuma flips in midair, then his hand snaps forward to grasp at the gargoyle coming from above. It grips onto his neck like an iron vice, a strength that seemed ill-suited to his physique.

And then the world seems to spin around for the Hollow - almost sickeningly so.

Tenhaguruma!

Soon the first gargoyle finds itself hurled towards its companion, after describing a circular trajectory many times over.

Another move with the use of close-range shunpo. This time, Kazuma kicked his legs at an angle, in order to send him spinning with the Hollow at the circle's axis. With that, he would gain momentum to send his foe flying back, hopefully without giving it much time to restablish midair stability.
Translation again:

Fist of Hell's Conqueror Style Third Destructive Method:

Heaven-breaking Wheel!

[InyutheBeatIs]

Gouhaouken Ryuu Kongou Sanshiki...

Kazuma flips in midair, then his hand snaps forward to grasp at the gargoyle coming from above. It grips onto his neck like an iron vice, a strength that seemed ill-suited to his physique.

And then the world seems to spin around for the Hollow - almost sickeningly so.

Tenhaguruma!

Soon the first gargoyle finds itself hurled towards its companion, after describing a circular trajectory many times over.

Another move with the use of close-range shunpo. This time, Kazuma kicked his legs at an angle, in order to send him spinning with the Hollow at the circle's axis. With that, he would gain momentum to send his foe flying back, hopefully without giving it much time to restablish midair stability.
Translation again:

Fist of Hell's Conqueror Style Third Destructive Method:

Heaven-breaking Wheel!


The gargoyle in the iron vice squeeks as he is gripped, before being thrown head-first into its companion. Both of them hit the ground with a loud thud, the first one pretty much a wreck. After a moment, its revealed that the first gargoyle can't fly, and the second one is just barely in better condition. So, the second one latches its jaws onto the first one, the first slowly deteriorating into nothing as the second (and soon only) gargoyle heals almost completely.

The ball-of-blades now shoots its blades at extremely fast speeds, the blades shooting off like a rocket towards Kazuma! If one were to look at the hollow, they might find that it has holes all over its body where the blades were, the holes smoking. The back-headed one starts to spark as well, forming arc lightning between its spikes.

[Kuroimaken]

"...!!!"

Having found himself somewhat disoriented after that last attack, Kazuma reacts a fraction of a second too late to avoid the full brunt of the blow. Turning defense and evasion into offense, he kicks towards the sky in an attempt to shunpo back to surface level, plummeting elbow first towards the newly regenerated Hollow.

At first glance, even as he speeds, he doesn't seem to be hurt, but the blade-wielding Hollow knows that he must have at least grazed his sides, and probably his arms.

[InyutheBeatIs]

[Team 1]

It appears regeneration isn't all it did, as the gargoyle seems to leap away from the blow, although Kazuma does manage to pin one of its wings down. All the gargoyle notices is a rip, looking at his wing with disgust before leaping at the now prone Kazuma, aiming to claw it.

The backwards-headed hollow fires a blast of lightning directly at the spot where Kazuma is, not caring that the gargoyle is attacking. The now smoking ball of a hollow is slowly reforming his blades, grinning at the relative success of his attack.

[Kuroimaken]

Kazuma's reflexes allow him to react faster than the Hollows antecipated, though his injuries prove to be more burdensome than he expected. Despite the early start, the lightning bolt seems to singe him slightly as the asphalt bursts into a veritable hail of rock, sending things flying all over the place. For a brief moment, a dust seems to settle over a small area. Like an arrow, something pierces through that at intense speed.

Gouhaouken Ryuu Kongou Nisshiki...

It's Kazuma, flying feet-first towards the gargoyle-like Hollow, intent on planting them onto his face. If successful, he breaks momentum by wiping the asphalt with its back - literally.

Kinjuugoroshi!

And then to add insult to injury, and perhaps more damage, he somersaults with a shunpo off his fallen foe's face.

It is positively frightening to see him sustain the ability to use shunpo under injury. It's hard to tell whether he's working through the pain or ignoring it completely - his facial expression has barely changed.

Into half a smirk.

[InyutheBeatIs]

Kazuma's reflexes allow him to react faster than the Hollows antecipated, though his injuries prove to be more burdensome than he expected. Despite the early start, the lightning bolt seems to singe him slightly as the asphalt bursts into a veritable hail of rock, sending things flying all over the place. For a brief moment, a dust seems to settle over a small area. Like an arrow, something pierces through that at intense speed.

Gouhaouken Ryuu Kongou Nisshiki...

It's Kazuma, flying feet-first towards the gargoyle-like Hollow, intent on planting them onto his face. If successful, he breaks momentum by wiping the asphalt with its back - literally.

Kinjuugoroshi!

And then to add insult to injury, and perhaps more damage, he somersaults with a shunpo off his fallen foe's face.

It is positively frightening to see him sustain the ability to use shunpo under injury. It's hard to tell whether he's working through the pain or ignoring it completely - his facial expression has barely changed.

Into half a smirk.

Between the hail of rock, the lightning, and Kazuma's mopping the asphalt with its back, the gargoyle is pretty much dead. All Kazuma had to do was stomp in its face and it was a goner.

Of course, the hollow that sent the lightning in the first place seems rather irritated that its attack did nothing. So, it reverts to plan B, which is light its entire body up with lightning and charge at Kazuma. As for the ball hollow, its blades are now back in place, charging another battery of blades.

[Kuroimaken]

"Physics 101."

With that apparent nonsequitur, Kazuma goes for the ball of blades. He leaps forward, grasping firmly at the base of each rather than the end (given that blades of most kinds are sharper at the end than at the base).

"What happens when you clash metal and electricity?"

With that, he attempts to swing his enemy in a wide arc, sending him like a bowling ball towards the more irritated Hollow.

[InyutheBeatIs]

"Physics 101."

With that apparent nonsequitur, Kazuma goes for the ball of blades. He leaps forward, grasping firmly at the base of each rather than the end (given that blades of most kinds are sharper at the end than at the base).

"What happens when you clash metal and electricity?"

With that, he attempts to swing his enemy in a wide arc, sending him like a bowling ball towards the more irritated Hollow.

[Team 1]

The hollow just seems to grin. "You die now, scum." Then, Kazuma might notice the sounds of the blades rocketing at him.

He might be blasted off from the hollow, to find that the irritated hollow covered in electricity about to run him over.

[Kuroimaken]

"Really? Point-blank firing? THAT'S your ace in the hole?" Kazuma seems to have the time to reply as the Hollow fires.

Unlike the first time, right now he's fully prepared for the premature detonation. Kazuma's intent when he went for the blades was to use them against his electricity-wielding foe - not toss one against the other. Shunpo-powered or not, that move had a great potential for failure.
Instead, he managed to position himself just right so any blades fired wouldn't do much more than scratch him.

While the 8th seat rockets towards the electric Hollow, he grunts with effort as he skids his feet against the concrete. Just as he's a few feet away, he spins on the balls of his feet, and takes one hearty step forward as he focuses the end of the centripetal force at his palm - adding in a half-powered shunpo for good measure.

In essence, he redirects the projectiles from one foe to another, with added speed at close range.

"See, THIS is how you do it."

[InyutheBeatIs]

"Really? Point-blank firing? THAT'S your ace in the hole?" Kazuma seems to have the time to reply as the Hollow fires.

Unlike the first time, right now he's fully prepared for the premature detonation. Kazuma's intent when he went for the blades was to use them against his electricity-wielding foe - not toss one against the other. Shunpo-powered or not, that move had a great potential for failure.
Instead, he managed to position himself just right so any blades fired wouldn't do much more than scratch him.

While the 8th seat rockets towards the electric Hollow, he grunts with effort as he skids his feet against the concrete. Just as he's a few feet away, he spins on the balls of his feet, and takes one hearty step forward as he focuses the end of the centripetal force at his palm - adding in a half-powered shunpo for good measure.

In essence, he redirects the projectiles from one foe to another, with added speed at close range.

"See, THIS is how you do it."

The electrified hollow gets a couple of blades stuck into his body. It roars in pain as it does so. It starts reeling for a second, obviously disoriented, before gaining its ground again and bracing itself. As for the rocket hollow, he's snarling in frustration. He decides to charge at Kazuma.

As for that gargoyle, I think he's still alive isn't he? No reason. :smallamused:

[Kuroimaken]

Not really. Kazuma DID, in effect, stomp on his face. :smalltongue:
And then to add insult to injury, and perhaps more damage, he somersaults with a shunpo off his fallen foe's face.

But the bespectacled shinigami ain't quite done.

Oh, no. Not by a long shot.

What he does is rush towards the now-impaled Hollow... and then slam both palms against the blades to drive them in further. Then he grips them and start spreading them apart like a pair of forceps.

THAT, of course, is when Kazuma hears the other Hollow charging. Not one to be caught unawares, the shinigami tries to plant his foot on the chest of the electric Hollow and yank the blades out of his body - to turn them against their original source.

[InyutheBeatIs]

Not really. Kazuma DID, in effect, stomp on his face. :smalltongue:

But the bespectacled shinigami ain't quite done.

Oh, no. Not by a long shot.

What he does is rush towards the now-impaled Hollow... and then slam both palms against the blades to drive them in further. Then he grips them and start spreading them apart like a pair of forceps.

THAT, of course, is when Kazuma hears the other Hollow charging. Not one to be caught unawares, the shinigami tries to plant his foot on the chest of the electric Hollow and yank the blades out of his body - to turn them against their original source.

The electrified hollow notices Kazuma's attempt to rip it apart. The attack works for a second, before the hollow wraps its pike-like appendages around Kazuma in an attempt to shock-fry him.

Kazuma might succeed in yanking the blades out and using them against the ball-hollow, but he'll probably have to deal with the above attack first.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset

It was as her khophesh comes down that the red chains wrap about her body, anchoring her down to the ground and pinning the bronze blade up against her body. For a couple of minute she wiggles about, but then Yoshi and Kyou are on the move.

The blast from the kido gun takes her directly in the face, rocking her head back, even as Kyou's sword begins to slice through her neck, just to be stopped when it hits the arrancar's zanpakuto.

"Hey, hey! Don't do that! Decapitation is such a major pain..." the arrancar mumbles past broken teeth, lifting her head up to expose her ruined (but rapidly healing) face. In just a couple moments she's hole again and has likely trapped Kyou's blade in her neck if the shinigami wasn't quick about things!

In any case, the arrancar experimentally strains her muscles (and more) against the kido binding her body, hearing a satisfying creak even as she looks down at the ground and sticks out her tongue.

"Cero! A glowing sandy brown orb forms at the tip of her tongue, but there were more immediate dangers to be had...like escaping the big explosion about to go off as Auset set about trying to destroy the bakudo.

[KnightDisciple]

[Team Two]

There was no pity in Yoshi's eye, or the glowing blue lens of his monocle.

"Too bad it didn't work."

He dashes backwards as soon as the Arrancar begins attempting to break her bonds. He quickly tucks his shotgun away behind his back, then places both hands in front of himself.

His hands begin moving as he quickly runs out the chant for a Kido...

"Bakudo 31: Beak-Piercing Triple Beam!"

As soon as the spell fires off at Auset, he dives to one side, rolling in the air, before he comes up in a crouch...

Holding a pistol (http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090516003559/section8/images/c/c0/MOR-94_Hammer_image.gif) in each hand.

He frowns, not pulling the triggers just yet until Kyou is clear, or at least at a better angle...

[Kuroimaken]

The electric Hollow might be surprised to find that Kazuma seems fully intent on taking the shock as he yanks the blades out of it - apparently in an attempt to ground the electricity against its own source.

Whether he's successful or not remains to be seen, but once he DOES yank the blades out, he fully intends to slash at one of the pike-like appendages so as to interrupt the flow.

[Dorizzit]

[Team 2]

Iwaki's eyes widen as Auset begins to break through his Kido. He had heard of the power possessed by some Arrancar, but in person it is still very impressive. One Kido is not enough to restrain her, but Iwaki still has plenty of power left. He draws one of his hands back and then thrusts two fingers forward at Auset.

"Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini! Look upon yourself with horror and tear out your own throat! Bakudo 9: Hōrin!"

A red rope lashes out of Iwaki's extended fingers, and coils around Auset, increasing the power of her bindings.

[Sucrose]

The electric Hollow might be surprised to find that Kazuma seems fully intent on taking the shock as he yanks the blades out of it - apparently in an attempt to ground the electricity against its own source.

Whether he's successful or not remains to be seen, but once he DOES yank the blades out, he fully intends to slash at one of the pike-like appendages so as to interrupt the flow.

The charging rocket hollow, on the other hand, has to contend with a new impediment: specifically, continuing after taking a barrage of spiritual arrows to the side.

On a building a hundred meters away, the sender of the arrows frowns. She'd been aiming to scrape off the mask. She really was out of practice.

[strawberryman]

[Team 2]

Unfortunately for Kyou, she didn't quite get her blade out quick enough. Her eyes widen as Auset prepares a cero; as she frantically pulls to the side, her strength proves barely effective.

"...Oh, shi-" Forgetting her zanpaktou, she jumps out of the way just before Auset fires.

[Elsewhere]

...Out of nowhere, the rain falling from above forms into a huge wave, crashing down upon the Hollows headed for Team 3. Each Hollow is bound in a block of solid water, with their masks being the only thing able to stick out.

Hibiki stands in a tree, looking upon the Hollows with disappointment. "Hmph... I'd thought they'd be tougher than that..."

(Hope you don't mind interference. :smalltongue:)

[Frozen_Feet]

[Team One]

Nasumi wipes her brow and lifts her ever-shifting nodachi on her shoulder. "Phew! Who's next?" She casts a quick glance around, noting that Kazuma and Hideuchi are doing quite well. But wait - what are those things flashing through the sky?

Nasumi whips her head around, catching a glimpse of someone standing on a building quite a distance away. Hmm? Is that a hollow? Unfortunately, it's too far to see clearly - Nasumi turns back at the crowd of Hollows closer to her, and charges to help Kazuma. Not that he really needs that much help. Shinkagenja's multi-coloured clouds follow after her like a long, flowing tail.

[Near Team Two]

The sight of the scantly-clad Arrancar charging a Cero alerts the pallid beast lurking on the roofs. Surely, if an explosion will go off at ground level, it will cause great damage to nearby residences. It bursts into motion, jumping down beside her just as spells cast by Iwaki and Yoshi strike at her body.

"Hey! No breaking my city!", the scaled beast shouts in rage, grasping the glowing binds holding Auset in place. "Off, you!" Straining its long arm, the beast hurls the Arrancar as far into the air as it can. Auset's Cero blooms into a sandy nova just above the rooftops, the shockwave rustling the clothes and hair of the nearby Shinigami.

Sato Hachirou sees it as well. The frown on his face deepens as he grits his teeth. "Bakudo 62: Hyapporyankan!", he hisses. A glowing blue rod, made of crackling spirit energy, appears on his hand. For a moment he hesitates - where should he best aim it? Then, he throws it at the waning explosion. In a moment, the sky is filled with blue rods, seeking to nail Auset on thin air, if nothing else.

Meanwhile, Yoshi, Kyou and Iwaki find themselves staring at the back of a tall, humanoid form. Shards of bone, like the remnants of broken wings, cover its lower back and shoulder plates, with some naked skin visible in the middle and around the hole going through its abdomen. The rest of the creature's body is covered in white, triangular scales, with eye-like silver patterns on each one.

The creature seems to disregard them, focusing on searching the skies for their shared enemy.

[Dorizzit]

[Team 3]

Allan is right beside Hachirou as they converge on Auset, Elder, and Team 2. He is still chanting when they arrive, and looks between the two available hollows. One was already restrained, but clearly not helpless. The other...was ignoring the Shinigami? Didn't see that every day. He decides to wait for Hachirou to attack, taking guidance from his superior. When Hachirou releases his Hyapporyankan, Allan extends one finger towards Auset.

"Bakudo 4: Hainawa!"

A light blue lash of light whips forward to further entangle Auset.

[Team 2]

Iwaki has already begun chanting his next Bakudo, planning to gag Auset, when Elder appears suddenly and attacks the other Arrancar. Iwaki is so surprised by this that his concentration is disrupted, and his Kido chant dies in his throat. After a few more seconds of surprise, he turns to look at Yoshi with a "what do we do now" expression.

[InyutheBeatIs]

The electric Hollow might be surprised to find that Kazuma seems fully intent on taking the shock as he yanks the blades out of it - apparently in an attempt to ground the electricity against its own source.

Whether he's successful or not remains to be seen, but once he DOES yank the blades out, he fully intends to slash at one of the pike-like appendages so as to interrupt the flow.

...I have no idea how to react to the grounding part, as I don't fully understand that. BUT, the hollow is definitely shocked (pun not intended) that Kazuma is taking the electricity. It might take a few seconds for Kazuma to yank the blades out, as they are in there pretty deep. When he does slash at one of the arms, the hollow will find that he has distinctly less arm to use. The appendage lands on the ground with a thud, while the hollow roars in pain. Now, the hollow will try to pry Kazuma off of him with his remaining arm, attempting to stab him when he's off.


The charging rocket hollow, on the other hand, has to contend with a new impediment: specifically, continuing after taking a barrage of spiritual arrows to the side.

On a building a hundred meters away, the sender of the arrows frowns. She'd been aiming to scrape off the mask. She really was out of practice.

The rocket hollow stops as it gets hit by arrows out of nowhere. It grunts as they hit, a few more holes in his side thanks to them. He turns to the source and snarls, revealing its armadillo-like form. He then crouches and prepares another rocket barrage. This time, however, the hollow seems to be glowing due to heat.


[Team One]

Nasumi wipes her brow and lifts her ever-shifting nodachi on her shoulder. "Phew! Who's next?" She casts a quick glance around, noting that Kazuma and Hideuchi are doing quite well. But wait - what are those things flashing through the sky?

Nasumi whips her head around, catching a glimpse of someone standing on a building quite a distance away. Hmm? Is that a hollow? Unfortunately, it's too far to see clearly - Nasumi turns back at the crowd of Hollows closer to her, and charges to help Kazuma. Not that he really needs that much help. Shinkagenja's multi-coloured clouds follow after her like a long, flowing tail.

The poor spider never had a chance...:smalltongue:

As for Nasumi, she gets intercepted by what looks like a praying mantis on stilts. It seems to snap in front of the air, using it to cut at her from afar.

[Kuroimaken]

The grounding part was meant to use the Hollow's own electricity against itself.

"Oh, come on now... is that all you've got? A couple hundred thousand volts of electricity? ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!"

Despite the fact he looks positively burned from the shock, Kazuma doesn't seem any worse for the wear as far as his strength is concerned. The Hollow finds that his other arm doesn't quite reach its intended target as the bespectacled Shinigami parries. Then, spinning on his heel, he brings the other blade to bear against the blocked pike, before completing a full turn and slashing at its mask a couple more times in an X-like pattern.

Kazuma's breathing seems a touch more labored now, but he looks perfectly capable of working through the pain.

That's odd. The other Hollow should've already attacked by now...

That's when he notices the arrows sticking out of the armadillo's body. He tries not to lose focus, but his expression changes into one of anger when he realizes his fight has been intruded upon. He doesn't locate the interloper, however, having still a pair of hollows to deal with - or at least the armadillo.

[InyutheBeatIs]

The grounding part was meant to use the Hollow's own electricity against itself.

"Oh, come on now... is that all you've got? A couple hundred thousand volts of electricity? ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!"

Despite the fact he looks positively burned from the shock, Kazuma doesn't seem any worse for the wear as far as his strength is concerned. The Hollow finds that his other arm doesn't quite reach its intended target as the bespectacled Shinigami parries. Then, spinning on his heel, he brings the other blade to bear against the blocked pike, before completing a full turn and slashing at its mask a couple more times in an X-like pattern.

Kazuma's breathing seems a touch more labored now, but he looks perfectly capable of working through the pain.

That's odd. The other Hollow should've already attacked by now...

That's when he notices the arrows sticking out of the armadillo's body. He tries not to lose focus, but his expression changes into one of anger when he realizes his fight has been intruded upon. He doesn't locate the interloper, however, having still a pair of hollows to deal with - or at least the armadillo.

The blocked pike now has a huge chunk out of it. As for the mask...its on the creatures back, along with its head. However, there is now a pretty deep X-shaped gash in its chest. Its obvious that the hollow is severely injured, as well as very frustrated at the fact that this guy just won't quit. The electricity dies down for a second, before beginning to rapidly accumulate, especially around what's left of the pike. It looks like its going to try and fry Kazuma, probably taking itself down with it. In the meantime, the hollow tries to break out of the block and pummel Kazuma.

[Sucrose]

...I have no idea how to react to the grounding part, as I don't fully understand that. BUT, the hollow is definitely shocked (pun not intended) that Kazuma is taking the electricity. It might take a few seconds for Kazuma to yank the blades out, as they are in there pretty deep. When he does slash at one of the arms, the hollow will find that he has distinctly less arm to use. The appendage lands on the ground with a thud, while the hollow roars in pain. Now, the hollow will try to pry Kazuma off of him with his remaining arm, attempting to stab him when he's off.



The rocket hollow stops as it gets hit by arrows out of nowhere. It grunts as they hit, a few more holes in his side thanks to them. He turns to the source and snarls, revealing its armadillo-like form. He then crouches and prepares another rocket barrage. This time, however, the hollow seems to be glowing due to heat.



The poor spider never had a chance...:smalltongue:

As for Nasumi, she gets intercepted by what looks like a praying mantis on stilts. It seems to snap in front of the air, using it to cut at her from afar.

The Quincy grins at the instant that the armadillo-like hollow turns to her.

"That's right. Smile for Momma."

With that, one more arrow is launched directly at the mask that now presents itself as a direct target, rather than in profile. She follows it up with a pair of arrows in the most likely dodging directions, then keeps an eye on the rockets, preparing to shoot them down if the Hollow manages to fire against her.

[InyutheBeatIs]

The Quincy grins at the instant that the armadillo-like hollow turns to her.

"That's right. Smile for Momma."

With that, one more arrow is launched directly at the mask that now presents itself as a direct target, rather than in profile. She follows it up with a pair of arrows in the most likely dodging directions, then keeps an eye on the rockets, preparing to shoot them down if the Hollow manages to fire against her.

This particular hollow likes to think its smarter than his brothers. Thus, he takes another option...inward. He curls up as the arrow flies, protecting his mask from the arrow. The plate of skin that protects it, however, wasn't so lucky. Now there is a fairly large crater by his neck, but at this point it doesn't matter. A few of the rockets launch below him, propelling him into the air. His now red-hot form fires of a few more rockets to propel himself forward, releasing the rest in a spread everywhere. What the Quincy might see now is a ball of smoke and fire hurtling straight at her.

[Kuroimaken]

The blocked pike now has a huge chunk out of it. As for the mask...its on the creatures back, along with its head. However, there is now a pretty deep X-shaped gash in its chest. Its obvious that the hollow is severely injured, as well as very frustrated at the fact that this guy just won't quit. The electricity dies down for a second, before beginning to rapidly accumulate, especially around what's left of the pike. It looks like its going to try and fry Kazuma, probably taking itself down with it. In the meantime, the hollow tries to break out of the block and pummel Kazuma.

If he couldn't see it from the front, then all he had to do was strike THROUGH it to get to the other side.

Utilizing the crosspoint of the X-shaped gash as an entry point, Kazuma stabbed forward with all his might, seeking to impale the Hollow as cleanly through as possible, then leaping out of the way so as to not get caught in what would undeniably be its last blast.

[InyutheBeatIs]

If he couldn't see it from the front, then all he had to do was strike THROUGH it to get to the other side.

Utilizing the crosspoint of the X-shaped gash as an entry point, Kazuma stabbed forward with all his might, seeking to impale the Hollow as cleanly through as possible, then leaping out of the way so as to not get caught in what would undeniably be its last blast.

On the other side, one might see a small bit of the blade coming through the mask. As it cracks and begins to fall off of its face, it unleashes its electricity in a violent manner, looking for an instant like a ball of lightning. When the ball fades, there is nothing left but quickly fading scraps.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Near Team Two]

Alysha also arrived with Hachirou, eyes wide at the sight of their foe.

Dang! She looks strong.

Then Elder appears and tosses the Arrancar. Alysha's jaw drops.

She shakes her head, getting her thoughts back.

Probably best to wait to fight. I'm not much good in a fight anyways. She looks at the other shinigami present, looking for signs of any injuries.

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

Silva watches the fight continue from her spot behind a tree. She is a little surprised by the appearance of Elder, and by how easily it threw the Arrancar.

Silva...we should join...

She sighs a little.

No, Medric. No reason to. We'll just draw unwanted attention. Don't worry, I'm sure we'll get a chance to fight somebody soon. Just not today.

[Sucrose]

This particular hollow likes to think its smarter than his brothers. Thus, he takes another option...inward. He curls up as the arrow flies, protecting his mask from the arrow. The plate of skin that protects it, however, wasn't so lucky. Now there is a fairly large crater by his neck, but at this point it doesn't matter. A few of the rockets launch below him, propelling him into the air. His now red-hot form fires of a few more rockets to propel himself forward, releasing the rest in a spread everywhere. What the Quincy might see now is a ball of smoke and fire hurtling straight at her.

The Quincy doesn't falter, but takes the same approach she would have with the missiles: shoot the assaulter out of the sky. A dozen arrows fly into the approaching Hollow, trying to pierce the rolled-up form, and strike the mask, before she's forced to dive out of the way.

[InyutheBeatIs]

The Quincy doesn't falter, but takes the same approach she would have with the missiles: shoot the assaulter out of the sky. A dozen arrows fly into the approaching Hollow, trying to pierce the rolled-up form, and strike the mask, before she's forced to dive out of the way.

The hollow is hit with the arrows, a few grazing him, most of them hitting him head on and causing him to slow down, the rest probably running into the rockets, which then blow up rather violently. At this point, the hollow impacts near the location of the Quincy, the arrows having taken it off course. It then unfolds, revealing several new holes in it as the smoke clears, trying to find the pesty Quincy with a growl as it regrows the blades.

[Kuroimaken]

Kazuma finds himself relieved that he didn't stay around for the fireworks. But that left the other Hollow to contend with. As it rockets out into the sky, the Shinigami finds the location of the interloper from before.

It's... a mortal?

Not being particularly well-versed about the Quincy, Kazuma is a little more confused than normal. But this was a battle, and he couldn't afford to have a mortal injured on his watch - specially since the time he'd taken to deal with those Hollows would likely have been much shorter if he hadn't decided to fool around and play with his fists. Running up towards the armadillo Hollow's new position, Kazuma begins to chant.

"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!"

"Hadou 31: Shakkahou!"

With that utterance, Kazuma sends a ball of reddish energy flying towards the downed Hollow.

[Sucrose]

The hollow is hit with the arrows, a few grazing him, most of them hitting him head on and causing him to slow down, the rest probably running into the rockets, which then blow up rather violently. At this point, the hollow impacts near the location of the Quincy, the arrows having taken it off course. It then unfolds, revealing several new holes in it as the smoke clears, trying to find the pesty Quincy with a growl as it regrows the blades.

The hollow doesn't have to look far. Out of the dust in front of it, another five arrows lance at the mask region, the same attack pattern as before, along with two more to strike at points its mask would pass through in its curling motion.

However, the distance has been closed, and both the hollow and the shinigami that was first fighting it finally get a decent look at the Quincy. Light brown hair, eyes as cold and blue as the Arctic Ocean, and... a floral-print dress with an apron over it. In the instant that it sees her, she's in the process of drawing out another arrow to fire.

[InyutheBeatIs]

First, the ball of energy from Kazuma explodes violently, leaving a giant crater where his arm and a good chunk of his side. By now, the hollow is absolutely furious. As for the arrows, it is found that they have done quite a number. Unfortunately, this hollow seems a cut above others, as all that the arrows have done is create craters around his shoulders, and a dent is in the mask, but the hollow itself still lives. It yells in rage as it turns its remaining side, now with fully grown blades, and launches them at both the Quincy and the Shinigami.

[Kuroimaken]

For all the injuries he'd gone through, Kazuma was still fairly able to deal with the incoming projectiles. He was slowed down, however, as he had to choose carefully which way to dodge that didn't have him impaled in another blade, all in a split second. He ends up mostly unscathed - that is, compared to before being targetted. The upside to his current situation?

No surprises.

No moves left.

In one last burst of speed that has him coughing blood by its peak, Kazuma shunpos directly above the Hollow, hands clutching the blade he had left and aiming straight for its mask.

[InyutheBeatIs]

For all the injuries he'd gone through, Kazuma was still fairly able to deal with the incoming projectiles. He was slowed down, however, as he had to choose carefully which way to dodge that didn't have him impaled in another blade, all in a split second. He ends up mostly unscathed - that is, compared to before being targetted. The upside to his current situation?

No surprises.

No moves left.

In one last burst of speed that has him coughing blood by its peak, Kazuma shunpos directly above the Hollow, hands clutching the blade he had left and aiming straight for its mask.

The blade splits the mask in half. The hollow freezes in pain, before it starts to fade. The mask slides off, revealing its face, a fairly homely man. Before it fades entirely, the face cracks a smile. "Thank you, scum."

And then, its gone.

[Kuroimaken]

Between the painful reminder of just what it is they're fighting, the interference, and the blood loss, Kazuma has definitely stopped enjoying himself.

So he does the only rational thing: turn his anger on the nearest bystander - not entirely by accident, part of the reason he's pissed.

"I don't know who you are or what you're doing here. But you should know better than to get in the way. Go home. I'll only tell you once."

And the work day wasn't over.

Kazuma leaped down to ground level to turn his rage on the remaining weakling Hollows.

[Sucrose]

Between the painful reminder of just what it is they're fighting, the interference, and the blood loss, Kazuma has definitely stopped enjoying himself.

So he does the only rational thing: turn his anger on the nearest bystander - not entirely by accident, part of the reason he's pissed.

"I don't know who you are or what you're doing here. But you should know better than to get in the way. Go home. I'll only tell you once."

And the work day wasn't over.

Kazuma leaped down to ground level to turn his rage on the remaining weakling Hollows.

The Quincy woman nodded calmly as Kazuma raged. As he leaps to the ground, she sighs, then heads over the rooftops, moving by Hirenkyaku where necessary to avoid eyewitnesses. Several weaker hollows are annihilated all along her path. By their deaths, her route eventually becomes clear: she's fighting her way around a wide circle around the high school.

[Kuroimaken]

"Teams two and three, we have a mortal archer of some kind headed for the school. Just thought you should know." Kazuma cracked in over the radio in a weary voice.

[KnightDisciple]

"Teams two and three, we have a mortal archer of some kind headed for the school. Just thought you should know." Kazuma cracked in over the radio in a weary voice.Yoshi responds.

"Team Two busy."

He narrowed his eyes at Elder. The creature was obviously some form of Hollow...but it had driven the other one away.

Yoshi decided to keep a tight grip on his pistols and wait.

"Team Two. Hold position for the moment. If the other one returns, resume hostile action. Follow Team Three's lead."

His monocled eye never left Elder. Might as well record as much data as possible...

[Kuroimaken]

"Team one. Regroup and assist team two. I'm on my way."

Despite the fact his body clearly says otherwise.

It then occurs to Kazuma that the rest of his team is deprived of Reiphones. So he has to locate them by sight, and signal them somehow, which he does by sending a Hollow flying in each of their respective general directions.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset

An entire mess of things started happening at once, most of which Auset couldn't notice fully before she abruptly finds herself launched into the air like a rag doll. Most of it she didn't even really notice, aside from the fact there was still a zanpakuto in her throat which simply healed around it...or the small horde of purplish pillars that abruptly began to pound against the sky-flung arrancar before the cero exploded.

"Huhnn..." the dark-skinned arrancar grumbles before she comes to a halt in mid-air, testing the bounds of the new bakudo (and old) still binding her. They hadn't been blasted away quite like she planned...so she focused, gritted her teeth.

While the attention of the shinigami were focused on the new arrival...who Auset wasn't entirely sure where it came from...the Privaron Espada focused her power and surged her arms outward, breaking the glowing chains apart to scatter into sparks. Slowly she stretches out her muscles again, sighing even as she reconsiders the situation and holds her khopesh lightly..best to just watch for a moment to see how the situation develops.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Team One]


As for Nasumi, she gets intercepted by what looks like a praying mantis on stilts. It seems to snap in front of the air, using it to cut at her from afar.

"Eeek!" Nasumi jumps to the side, the blade of air shredding her Shihakusho and leaving a small, painful scratch on her shoulder. She brings her sword to a clumsy, downward slash. Of course, the slash itself goes wide by a mile, but its followed by a swirling cloud of colors that snaps towards the mantis like maw of some serpentine beast.

"Wait for me, Amagatsu-san", she cries as she tries to sprint past the mantis and the other Hollows still lingering around. Her eyes search frantically for Hideuchi - hopefully her other team mate is also doing well.

[Vicinity of Team Two, where everything is going to hell in handbasket...]

Hachirou is about to sprint after Auset, but is distracted by the Reiphone calls. Hurriedly, he digs out his phone, keeping track of Auset as she's flung through the air.

"Team One, Team Three. If your positive it's a mortal, let it go. Regroup and focus on the lesser Hollows." In gross violation of radio protocol, he says these words almost on top of Kazuma's proclamation of help. Cursing in his mind, Hachirou grasps the hilt of the Asauchi on his belt, preparing to draw the sword as it becomes apparent his Bakudo won't hold.

On the ground, the pale form glances over its shoulder at Yoshi, flashing a skeletal grin to him. Then it snorts, and leaps to the sky, quickly making its way between Auset and Hachirou.

The 13th seat blinks at this unexpected turn of events. Two... Arrancars? What the... why didn't the alarm...?

"Can you walk on air? If so, get off", he mutters to Alysha, a feeling of dread growing in his gut. He checks his phone is on the right frequency, then calls to Soul Society. "Surveillance, this is Sato Hachirou. Send backup immediatly at my position. Bring a medical team to attend teams one and two. Over."

[Terry576]

[Soul Society]

For Karite Mitsukai, the Vice Captain of the 13th Division, it was an average day.

It was about to stop being average, as he enters his quarters, hearing Hachirou's message. A strike team runs by, and he stops the leader.

"Stand down, I'm taking this one."

The Shinigami looks shocked, not believing what just happened.

"But sir! Taichou said-"

"I said stand down Red Leader. I'm taking the Strike Team."

The Shinigami nods, and watches in awe as the Vice-Captain commandeers his team.

Karite glares as he exits the Soul Society...

And enters the Mortal World.

"Alright, I want three of you to scout the school, two of you to search the main area, and I'll scout out the signal. Move."

Karite vanishes from sight, as the team darts in various directions, looking for something, anything, that could be dangerous.

Karite's expression turns icy as he feels the Hollow Reiatsu.

"That feels like... the Reiatsu on that day when Captain Magalhães was... turned."

He prefers not to talk about that day. A sly grin comes over his face.

"Perhaps it's the same one. Perhaps I can avenge the Captain. Perhaps... I can prove to myself that it wasn't my fault."

He begins to flash step his way towards Team 2.

[InyutheBeatIs]

[Team One]


"Eeek!" Nasumi jumps to the side, the blade of air shredding her Shihakusho and leaving a small, painful scratch on her shoulder. She brings her sword to a clumsy, downward slash. Of course, the slash itself goes wide by a mile, but its followed by a swirling cloud of colors that snaps towards the mantis like maw of some serpentine beast.

"Wait for me, Amagatsu-san", she cries as she tries to sprint past the mantis and the other Hollows still lingering around. Her eyes search frantically for Hideuchi - hopefully her other team mate is also doing well.


The mantis on stilts is eaten. Nope, no struggle. Just eaten and crushed in one snap.

Why? Because I think my involvement in this particular episode is ending, that's why. :smalltongue:

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[KnightDisciple]

[Team Two]

Yoshi sees Hachirou trying to further restrain the beast, and frowns. He then shunpos up near the 13th Seat.

"Do we target one, or both?"

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Near Team Two]

Alysha stares at Hachirou for a moment, then gives a short nod. Then, she takes off, getting out of the way.

She gets the idea of seeing about grabbing anybody else with her. Anybody who looks like they shouldn't be in th fight as well.

[riccaru]

Akio stands silent, awaiting Karite's appearance. When the Vice-Captain arrives Akio immediately steps through a gate, appearing on the other side at the hill. "Thirteenth Seat Hachirou, this is Third seat Akio, I'm coming to run interference, we're packing up here, come to the hill with anyone who can make it here themselves." He says into a Reiphone before flash stepping in the direction of Auset and the others.

[strawberryman]

[Team Two]

Yoshi sees Hachirou trying to further restrain the beast, and frowns. He then shunpos up near the 13th Seat.

"Do we target one, or both?"

Kyou eyes Yoshi, then looks up. "I've gotta get my sword." She does a series of high jumps, heading towards Auset...

[KnightDisciple]

[Team Two]

Yoshi turns as Kyou speaks...

And curses as she dashes for the two warring Arrancar.

"Damn it! Kyou!"

He turned to Hachirou.

"Back us up. I'm going to give her cover fire."

With that, Yoshi also began dashing higher into the air. He lagged a bit behind Kyou, and started to drift over to her right. He just needed a few more feet...

And there. He had a clear shot. His voice rang out in the wet night.

"Covering your approach!"

And he opened up with both of his pistols, each blast equal to about a Level 10 Hado. But he was firing about a blast a second, and his aim was shockingly accurate. If nothing else, Auset would have to put notable effort into avoiding each shot.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Team One]

Nasumi hurries to Kazuma, still casting quick glances around the battlefield. "Amagatsu-san! Are you okay?", she asks worriedly, noting the older Shinigami's injuries. She tries to think of any first aid Kido she was taught in the academy, but all of them escape her mind. Fortunately, she should still have a roll of gauze tucked somewhere in her robes.

"Do you know where Sadanaka-san is? I haven't seen him since he disappeared into one of those buildings..." The Magenta-haired girl feels a sting in her conscience - didn't the leading officer say they should always keep track of each other. Oh no! If Sadanka-san is dead, it's all my fault! Kazuma might wonder why her face suddenly goes so pale as she keeps searching her baggy clothes.

[Teams Two and Three]

Hachirou is about to reply to Akio, but Kyou's action throws him off. What the hell does she think she's doing? He's about to shout her to stop, but Yoshi cuts him off before he can spit out a single word. Dammit! I was hoping to keep the stand still untill we had more capable people here...

Hachirou slams his hand together and begins focusing for a Kido. His eyes dart from Yoshi and Kyou to the pale form standing a dozen feet before him. Why is it here? What will it do? Cold sweat begins running down Hachirou's spine as his mind flashes through all the ways their next move could go horribly wrong. "Carriage of Thunder. Bridge of a spinning wheel..."

Meanwhile, the monstrous humanoid itself regards the unfolding scene with mild wariness and hesitation. Should it get out of here, before the Shinigami decide they should attack it as well, or should it wait and see how things will pan out? It looks over its shoulder at Hachirou as he begins chanting, then looks back at Auset. "This really isn't your day, it seems", it says out of the blue, crossing its arms before its chest with a vaguely amused glint in its black eyes.

[Kuroimaken]

"Hideuchi is a big man, he can take care of himself. And if need be, he's probably not stupid enough to forget he can run away." Kazuma responds as Nasumi approaches and questions him. "Of course, it'd probably help if he were around. But we don't have time to worry about that now, Team two needs our help." Of course, just as he's about to rush to their aid, his injuries make his body "think" twice. They seem to have finally caught up with the 11th divisioner, whom up to now had used his anger and adrenaline to keep on fighting. "DAMNIT! Not now!"

[Dorizzit]

[Team 1]

"Right behind you."

Sadanaga is, in fact, right behind Nasumi. No telling for how long he's been there. He then walks around the larger shinigami and looks at Kazuma.

"I don't need to run anywhere. You, on the other hand, look like you could use a break."

[Kuroimaken]

"That's my body speaking, not me." Kazuma retorts.

That's the second division for you. I never sensed his presence.

"Doesn't mean I have to agree with it." To demonstrate his point, Kazuma musters a bit of strength to stand back up, as he'd been forced to his knees by the injuries and blood loss. A commendable effort, to be sure, but he doesn't look like he'd be useful in this shape.

[Dorizzit]

[Team 1]

Sadanaga gives Kazuma a disapproving look.

"Do you want to die?"

[Frozen_Feet]

[Team One]

"Ah, no-one's going to die here. Right?", Nasumi chimes in, having found the gauze roll she was searching. She's visibly relieved to see Hideuchi alive and well, though it's clear she doesn't approve the course of discussion.

"Here, let me take care of your wounds, Amagatsu-san", she says cheerfully, placing her hand on Kazuma's shoulder - and then forces him back down in a sudden display of strenght. "You've lost quite a lot of blood. If we don't prevent you from loosing more, you might suffer an acute case of fainting or death."

[Kuroimaken]

"I've been through worse than this. If I can still move, then I ain't dying anytime soon." Kazuma retorts. It doesn't take THAT much strength to push him down as he is, but that doesn't make Nasumi's display any less impressive.

"*sigh* Fair enough. I'm counting on you, Zaraki-san. But let's try to be quick about it. Team two could be in some seriously hot water while we're here. Sadanaga-kun, since you seem to be in prime condition, go on ahead to lend them support. We'll catch up, promise."

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset

"Oi, it's not looking good for you either, who are you?" Auset asks slowly, gazing down at all of the buzzing motion with something akin to distaste, even as the shinigami begin to go into action once more. Including the one coming up to get her sword back.

Is it fair to kill her if she didn't have a weapon? Ehh...do I care if it isn't?

Turns out Auset wasn't so opposed to the idea of a dishonorable killing because in the next moment she was dive-bombing towards Kyou even faster then the shinigami rising up towards her...and circling to keep Kyou between her and Yoshi, which wasn't particularly difficult. It was the only time that she's taken a single action to avoid an attack though.

"I tried to warn you to run." Auset says in an idle tone of voice, making a slow pass of her khopesh that Kyou would find laughably easy to avoid and left the arrancar open to counterattack...or just grabbing the zanpakuto sticking out of her throat.

[KnightDisciple]

[Team Two]

Yoshi's voice echoes over Hachirou's phone.

"Support appreciated ASAP."

He holsters his pistols and pulls his staff from his back, twirling it in one hand.

"Bakudo 9: Horin!"

The string of energy erupts from the end of his staff in his right hand, zig-zagging through the air even as Yoshi reverses his previous movement pattern, giving himself an opening as Auset continues her previous course.

Even as the first Bakudo homes in on the Arrancar, Yoshi's left hand flies up, and he cries out again.

"Bakudo 9: Horin!"

Two strands of energy now fly towards Auset, one trailing slightly after the other. Both spells guided by Yoshi's iron will.

[Dorizzit]

Team 1/2/3

Sadanaga appears next to Yoshi, ending a flash step. Two hand crossbows snap out of his Zanpakutos, and he lifts them up and loads them with his thumbs.

"Yeah, yeah, we heard you the first time."

Pointing both crossbows at Auset, he releases a slow but steady stream of bolts at her. Each one is coated with a weak poison that induces numbness and paralysis in the affected area.

Iwaki, meanwhile, has been chanting for a significant length of time. Sounds like he's planning something big.

Allan turns to look inquisitively at Hachirou.

"Sir. Permission to engage?"

[Terry576]

[Karite]

Karite glances down at Auset, and raises an eyebrow.

He picks up his Reiphone, and asks a question,

"This is Vice Captain Karite, back-up has arrived. Everyone within a ten-foot radius of the arrancar should move."

He watches as Auset dive-bombs Kyou, and snarls.

"Alright, that's it. Unseated Shinigami, retreat to a safe distance. Thirteenth Division, status report."

Strangely, he merely watches the arrancar dive-bomb Kyou, possibly assuming that one of the Thirteenth will help her.

[strawberryman]

[Craziness]

"You don't take what isn't yours!"

Kyou doesn't falter as Auset dives. Whether she's really fearless or just crazy is hard to judge. ...However, she does let out a cry as she turns at an awkward angle, the khopesh raking her side as she grabs a hold of her zanpaktou, then pulls.

...And falls.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Teams 2 and 3]

"... with light, divide this into six!" Hachirou finishes his chant. Almost immediatly, six pillars of light appear from nothingness and slam against... the monstrous figure that is standing before him.

"Hmmmh?" The pallid figure gives a bemused glance at its sudden restraints. It'd been sure the Shinigami would aim at the other Hollow. Bah. This is what I get for letting my guard down. It's been so long since I last fought his kind, I must be getting rusty.

Hachirou glances at Allan, then nods at the imprisoned creature. "You take care of this one." Then he dives down, after Auset, aiming to kick the Arrancar away from Kyou.

[KnightDisciple]

[Team Two]

Yoshi's eyes widen as Kyou falls.

His left hand whips downwards, the Horin attached to it veering suddenly off-course to race after the unseated woman.

He only hopes it can catch her before she hits the ground, or a building.

His other Bakudo is nearly on top of Auset by this point.

[Terry576]

[Karite, Teams 2 & 3]

Karite closes his eyes for a second, and opens them, muttering something.

"Toss away your fear... Clear your mind... Let the sword do your work for you."

He glances down at his zanpakuto, unreleased.

He calls out, in a flat tone, towards the Arrancar.

"Arrancar. You are trespassing in the Mortal World. You are breaking the code. Leave now, and I won't do anything. If you don't obey my request... It will end badly for you."

His stance suggests nothing about what he will do, his tone holds no anger, no fear, nothing.

He conveys a sense of serenity, which, he remembered thoughtfully, he didn't have on the day that Hannibal was turned.

[strawberryman]

[Team 2]

Kyou is caught by the energy rope, limply hanging downward.

Bahahaha... That voice echoes in Kyou's head as she loses consciousness.

...d-don't... laugh at me...

[Elsewhere...]

Hibiki looks on from a tree, frowning. Other Shinigami all over... no point in broadcasting my location, being a deserter...

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Alysha]

Alysha had been off to the side for most of this, afraid to join in the fight. Partially because she thought she'd get in the way.

She sees Kyou get hurt and fall, and she just can't have that. She rushes over to try to catch her.

However, Yoshi acts quicker. Alysha is a little glad for this, but also a little disappointed. Somebody else did it faster than her. She'd have to work on that.

In the mean time, she closes the gap to Kyou, and starts to check on the wound.

[Silva]

Silva continues watching, now with some amusement. The fight was starting to get good. And good fights were always good to watch.

That one...intrigues me...

Silva glances over at the monstrosity that came from the roof. The one that is now held by the pillars of light.

Wanna bet she makes it out?

The voice of her doll laughs. I would...if I didn't agree...

[Dorizzit]

Hachirou glances at Allan, then nods at the imprisoned creature. "You take care of this one." Then he dives down, after Auset, aiming to kick the Arrancar away from Kyou.

[Team 3]

Allan is equally surprised as Hachirou targets Elder.

"Yes, sir?"

Allan dashes down and runs around until he is facing Elder from the front. In a lightning fast motion, he whips his blade out.

"Honestly, this offends my sense of fair play. But I can't let you live. Really, I'm sorry about this."

Taking his Zanpakuto in both hands, Allan rams it forward, trying to impale Elder.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Nasumi & Kazuma]

"Good. Now stay still, Amagatsu-san", Nasumi chimes, and begins bandaging her superior's wounds. It soon becomes obvious one roll of gauze will not be enough, so after brief consideration, she cuts off sleeves of her Shihakusho with Shinkagenja and tears them to strips. When it becomes apparent they won't be enough either, Nasumi bites her lip and starts tearing a strip from the hem of her robes as well.

Meanwhile, some lowly Hollows lurk around them in a wide circle. The smell of blood of their mortal enemies sure is alluring to them, but they don't dare to cross the clouds of smoke that float around Kazuma and Nasumi in seven differently couloured rings.

So they wait, snarling and hissing at the two death gods, hungry eyes gleaming as the rain continues to fall on the mortal realm.

[Allan and his enemy]

At first, the monstrous humanoid pays only cursory attention to the young Shinigami, focusing on straining against its bonds, muscles of its thick scaled arms bulging as it strugles against the solid light. Its dark eyes only fix on Allan when he makes his proclamation about 'fair play'.

As he lunges at it, it defies the spell as much as it can, though it still doesn't stop the blade from hitting. Allan feels just a smidgen of resistance before his blade pushes through the creature's flesh, just an inch below where its heart would be if it was a human.

Almost the same second, right hand of the being rends itself from between the pillars of light, and grabs the guard of Allan's sword, halting it with an adamant grip before he can pull it back.

"What are you apogozing for? You're just doing your job", the monster says, a small trickle of blood flowing down from between its teeth, its skeletal grin barely a feet away from Allan's own face. The creature gives a quick glance past him, ensuring there's nothing of value behind him. "Survival demands you play dirty every once in a while. Though next time, you really should aim for the head."

Its flayed jaw snaps open, and Allan finds himself staring at utter blackness. At least, untill the drops of blood surrounding the creature's mouth start falling upwards and join a trancsulent ball of energy forming at its throat...

[Kuroimaken]

[Patching up]

When Kazuma notices Nasumi reaching for the hem of her robe, he stops her. "Hey, hey! Don't give them the satisfaction of seeing you half-naked. Use my shihakusho instead." With that said, Kazuma tore at the parts that weren't soaked with blood and offered them up to Nasumi.

"Tch. Looks like I won't have the luxury of checking who deserves to become rust on my blade and who doesn't." He notes upon watching the circling Hollows. "We'll have to make sure none of them can go after us. I'm counting on you, Zaraki-kun."

[Dorizzit]

[Allan and his enemy]

At first, the monstrous humanoid pays only cursory attention to the young Shinigami, focusing on straining against its bonds, muscles of its thick scaled arms bulging as it strugles against the solid light. Its dark eyes only fix on Allan when he makes his proclamation about 'fair play'.

As he lunges at it, it defies the spell as much as it can, though it still doesn't stop the blade from hitting. Allan feels just a smidgen of resistance before his blade pushes through the creature's flesh, just an inch below where its heart would be if it was a human.

Almost the same second, right hand of the being rends itself from between the pillars of light, and grabs the guard of Allan's sword, halting it with an adamant grip before he can pull it back.

"What are you apogozing for? You're just doing your job", the monster says, a small trickle of blood flowing down from between its teeth, its skeletal grin barely a feet away from Allan's own face. The creature gives a quick glance past him, ensuring there's nothing of value behind him. "Survival demands you play dirty every once in a while. Though next time, you really should aim for the head."

Its flayed jaw snaps open, and Allan finds himself staring at utter blackness. At least, untill the drops of blood surrounding the creature's mouth start falling upwards and join a trancsulent ball of energy forming at its throat...

Allan Crossdale

Allan actually almost doesn't seem surprised when Elder rends through the Bakudo and grabs his sword. Normally such a feat would be impossible...but with hollows it was always difficult to tell. Unfortunately for Allan, the fact that it broke free also means he is totally outclassed by his opponent, at least in terms of power. He sure isn't going to let Elder know his thoughts on that, though. As Elder prepares a counter attack, Allan smirks confidently.

"Wrong move."

Using his immobile sword as leverage, Allan flips up and over Elder, "landing" on the air behind the monstrous hollow.

"See, you picked the one shinigami that doesn't rely on his Zanpakuto."

[Frozen_Feet]

[Nasumi & Kazuma]

Nasumi flushes. Many smaller hollows are scared away when the iridescent rings suddenly twitch and rustle like the bulk of some great beast. "I... I was only going to tear off a small strip above my ankles..." Nasumi stutters. She gives a quick glance at the Hollows skulking around. "Half-naked? Why would it matter if those..."

Then, for a brief moment, she considers Hollows are sort of people too, behind those masks, and goes even deeper red. Aiee! What am I thinking! I must focus on saving Amagatsu-san! Pouting and biting her lip even harder, she takes on Kazuma's offer and resumes binding his wounds.

[Allan's enemy]

Seeing it can't turn its head enough to face Allan, the monster closes its mouth and swallows "Oh? Then you probably won't mind if I borrow this", the monster says, draws the blade from its own chest, flips it over in its hands, and then strikes the pillars of light with it, causing the solid radiance to crack.

In but a moment, the creature yanks two of the pillars off of itself, their glistening remnants falling mournfully to the ground. It casts a coy look at Allan - it's clear he has but a moment to act before it frees itself completely.

[strawberryman]

[Alysha]

Alysha had been off to the side for most of this, afraid to join in the fight. Partially because she thought she'd get in the way.

She sees Kyou get hurt and fall, and she just can't have that. She rushes over to try to catch her.

However, Yoshi acts quicker. Alysha is a little glad for this, but also a little disappointed. Somebody else did it faster than her. She'd have to work on that.

In the mean time, she closes the gap to Kyou, and starts to check on the wound.

Kyou's wound is slightly worse than one would expect for a graze; given her opponent's reiatsu was still fairly above her own, the gash is wide and bleeding pretty profusely.

[Dorizzit]

[Allan's enemy]

Seeing it can't turn its head enough to face Allan, the monster closes its mouth and swallows "Oh? Then you probably won't mind if I borrow this", the monster says, draws the blade from its own chest, flips it over in its hands, and then strikes the pillars of light with it, causing the solid radiance to crack.

In but a moment, the creature yanks two of the pillars off of itself, their glistening remnants falling mournfully to the ground. It casts a coy look at Allan - it's clear he has but a moment to act before it frees itself completely.

"<Crap!>"

Allan jumps straight up and over Elder. He spins in the air, delivering a two handed blow to Elder's face, then almost immediately lashes out two powerful kicks into Elder's wrist, in an attempt to weaken its grip on his blade. On the way down, he grabs his blade by the hilt and tries to tear it free.

[Frozen_Feet]

The creature is send reeling by Allan's first punches, but it also inadverdantly serves to free it from the rest of the Bakudo. The remaining four pillars crash together as their prisoner is knocked away, then crumble and fall down like dead leaves.

The kicks hit their target, but when Allan tries to yank his blade away, he finds his adversary is considerably stronger than him. The creature notices this, and pulls him closer - before detaching its other hand from the hilt and pushing the blade towards Allan. He might realize he's a split second away from having his throat slit by his own sword.

[Dorizzit]

Allan

Allan yelps wordlessly as his Zanpakuto comes towards his neck. Using all of his strength, he desperately ducks out of the way of Elder's attack. Having avoided the initial threat, Allan twists out of Elder's grip and hops back a few feet. He takes up an unusual fighting stance and pauses for a few seconds to try and come up with a strategy.

Alright, he's way stronger than I am and he has my sword. On the plus side, it looks like I don't need it to get through his Hierro.

Crouching low, Allan rushes towards Elder. At the last second, he slides and stops air walking, spinning below his opponent. He rebounds up, trying to get behind the Hollow, but doesn't take advantage of it and instead keeps moving. He begins rapidly circling Elder, looking for an opening to strike.

[riccaru]

Allan and the others may feel a large burst of reiatsu before Allan is grabbed by his shirt from behind by Akio Yama. Akio's eyes are cold and hard as he looks at the young shinigami and then to Elder. "Find the other strike force members and get them to the gates, I'll hold this one off." he says quietly. His blade is already released, a thin chain attaching the sword to a large hourglass in his left hand.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq_j8A1__NA&feature=related)

Unsurprisingly, the arrancar did little to dodge the rope of kido, eyebrow twitching when it finally wrapped about her arms as Kyou fell down towards the ground below. The mocha-skinned woman grits her teeth, baring them in a scowl as her pall of sloth finally seems to be rising off of her.

"This is starting. To. Tick. Me. OFF!" the arrancar growls out, even as an actually powerful opponent makes it's presence known on the battlefield as well!

"Baile con el muerto, Alma Herida!" Auset began to radiate an aura of darkness around her body, a cloying and ancient blackness that began to obscure her body and the bakudo spell wrapped about her. But when it fades...It hardly looks like the same creature. Her nearly nude body has been wrapped from neck to foot with spools of linen bandages, and where it did expose skin it looked shiny and hard. Like stone had replaced flesh and blood, but that was hardly the most noticeable change. Wealth drips from Auset's body in innumerable golden bracelets, armlets, gemstones, and various other things to amount to a ransom for a pharoh himself! To top it off, a bejeweled headdress hids her face and throat completely, though the stylized golden 'face' of the headdress seems to match her face beneath.

Two bandages rise like serpents from Auset's shoulders, reaching down to lay flat on the bakudo spell which begins to flicker and dim at their touch. It didn't take long before it shattered, it's energy drained away, but it wasn't enough for the Privaron either.

"All I wanted was same tasty souls to hold me over on the trip back, but noooo. Well now you all will serve as replacements." The mask says ominously as more bandages begin waver up from her body then streaked out like white lightning, seeking to coil about whatever they could get their 'hands' on. Kyou, Karite, Elder, Yoshi, and others were all targets, even as the two bandages that had soaked up the energy from the bakudo were ripped off and eaten. A small taste, but a good one.

[KnightDisciple]

[Yoshi]

Yoshi cursed as his Bakudo started to fade. He released his hold on Kyou, leaving her in Alysha's care.

"Get her out of here! Hado 10: Force Blast!"

The raw energy strikes the bandage heading for Yoshi himself.

"Hado 20: Force Missile Storm!"

The missiles group around the bandages heading for Kyou and Alysha.

Yoshi blurred away in shunpo, reappearing about 10 yards further back, his staff held in both hands, pointing at Auset like a lance...or a gun. He began to chant.

"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man!-"

[Frozen_Feet]

The creature observes non-chalantly as Allan darts and tumbles around it, noting his moves but not moving to strike. "My, aren't you fast. Nice to see youngsters today are healthy", it says dryly and tenses in preparation to strike... when Akio stops Allan on his tracks.

Putting its left hand on its waist, it points Allan's sword at Akio. "Oh, don't be such a spoilsport. He was doing just fine. It's not like I was going to kill him..." Then, its attention, and likely everyone else's too, is caught by Auset's transformation. The monster regards the display dispassionately, letting the sword slump on its side.

"Oh, so now you decide to dress up? Really, the nerve of you..." Its gloating is cut off when the bandages shoot forward and begin to wrap themselves around its body. Alarmed, the creature slashes at them with the stolen zanpakuto, severing them and tearing the shreds from its skin - but its clear that even the brief moment was enough for the binds to do something. Where ever they touched, the scales of the beast are wrinkled and dry, and flake off as it suddenly leaps upward, out of the bandages' range.

"What a pesky little upstart you are!", the figure shouts at Auset from the heights. "Daring to try and steal my life force! You should learn to respect your elders!" Then, it stops, seemingly to think.

"Say, where did you get all that gaudy jewelry?"

[Dorizzit]

Allan and the others may feel a large burst of reiatsu before Allan is grabbed by his shirt from behind by Akio Yama. Akio's eyes are cold and hard as he looks at the young shinigami and then to Elder. "Find the other strike force members and get them to the gates, I'll hold this one off." he says quietly. His blade is already released, a thin chain attaching the sword to a large hourglass in his left hand.

[Allan]

Allan makes a choked noise as he is suddenly halted by Yama. At his command, Allan shakes his head.

"Not until I get my Zanpakuto back. That thing took it."

Before he can say more, he is forced to dodge out of the way of Auset's bandages.


Auset (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq_j8A1__NA&feature=related)

Unsurprisingly, the arrancar did little to dodge the rope of kido, eyebrow twitching when it finally wrapped about her arms as Kyou fell down towards the ground below. The mocha-skinned woman grits her teeth, baring them in a scowl as her pall of sloth finally seems to be rising off of her.

"This is starting. To. Tick. Me. OFF!" the arrancar growls out, even as an actually powerful opponent makes it's presence known on the battlefield as well!

"Baile con el muerto, Alma Herida!" Auset began to radiate an aura of darkness around her body, a cloying and ancient blackness that began to obscure her body and the bakudo spell wrapped about her. But when it fades...It hardly looks like the same creature. Her nearly nude body has been wrapped from neck to foot with spools of linen bandages, and where it did expose skin it looked shiny and hard. Like stone had replaced flesh and blood, but that was hardly the most noticeable change. Wealth drips from Auset's body in innumerable golden bracelets, armlets, gemstones, and various other things to amount to a ransom for a pharoh himself! To top it off, a bejeweled headdress hids her face and throat completely, though the stylized golden 'face' of the headdress seems to match her face beneath.

Two bandages rise like serpents from Auset's shoulders, reaching down to lay flat on the bakudo spell which begins to flicker and dim at their touch. It didn't take long before it shattered, it's energy drained away, but it wasn't enough for the Privaron either.

"All I wanted was same tasty souls to hold me over on the trip back, but noooo. Well now you all will serve as replacements." The mask says ominously as more bandages begin waver up from her body then streaked out like white lightning, seeking to coil about whatever they could get their 'hands' on. Kyou, Karite, Elder, Yoshi, and others were all targets, even as the two bandages that had soaked up the energy from the bakudo were ripped off and eaten. A small taste, but a good one.

Hideuchi

Hideuchi's eyes widen as Auset releases, showing off her true power to the assembled company. He prepares to keep shooting, but looks at the armaments in his hands and tosses them over his shoulder. They won't be useful anymore. Instead, he slides two short, curving swords out of his Zanpakutos. Whirling them in a blur, he slices apart the bandages coming for him.

Iwaki

Near to the back of the assembled Shinigami, Iwaki finally finishes his chant. He surges forward, "landing" in front of the other Shinigami scattered around. He slams both hands together in a loud clap, then thrusts them both forward at Auset.

"Hado 58: Tenran."

A tremendous tornado whirls from his hands, blowing towards Auset with tremendous force.

[Kuroimaken]

It's not that he particularly needed saving; Kazuma was still conscious and very capable of thinking of his companion's modesty even before his own care. Though that isn't saying much, given that a moment ago the very same Shinigami thought of going up against their opponents as-is.

"Relax. I may not look it, but I am pretty much fine. It kinda aches, but it's pretty dull." For all his bravado, however, even the hardened Kazuma has to strangle a yelp when Nasumi needs to bandage a particularly sore spot.

"That ought to be enough. Looks like the big guns are here." the 11th divisioner noted as he gazed over to where Auset's rather oppressive Reiatsu pored from. "We shouldn't waste much more time. They don't deserve this, but here we go."

"Chissokuse yo, Sazan'ou!" Releasing his shikai for the second time since the fighting began, Kazuma put the blade end to his back, making the chain dangle straight down, as he tugged at a chain ring.

"Fourth sinner: release!"

With a brief glow, the kusarigama changed into a nodachi almost as tall as himself. He didn't draw it, however; it remained slung onto his back.

"Come get your just reward!" He bellowed out to the surrounding Hollows.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Alysha]

Seeing the damage, Alysha starts her work on Kyou. Little bit of Keikatsu here and there, and she should be good shortly. Still goo for her to get some rest though.

Which, with what Auset's doing now, that probably isn't going to happen any time soon.

Alysha's eyes widen at the sight. This wasn't good.

She nods at Yoshi. She holds Kyou on her back, fireman style, and starts to move away. Slower than her max, since she's carrying somebody.

Crap crap crap crap! This is her thought process as she runs.

[Silva]

Silva is glad she hiding behind the tree. Keeps her from being seen by Auset, and keeps those bandages away from her.

No. Wait. Seems one of them found her.

She quickly draws her dagger and slashes in the air, cutting the cloth as it dived for her face. The piece floating down smokes just a little.
Damn! How'd it know I was here?
Can we get involved now?

Silva grits her teeth, dagger in hand.

[Terry576]

[Karite]

Karite's cold eyes glinted slightly.

"Very well then Arrancar, prepare yourself."

He vanishes from sight, and reappears closer to Auset.

"Arrancar, I'm giving you one last chance; go now, and I won't need to destroy you."

The bandage touches his sleeve, ever so slightly.

So slightly that he doesn't even notice.

So slightly that it could change his destiny...

Forever.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Nasumi]

"Ah! Amagatsu-san, you really shouldn't over-extert yourself!", Nasumi chides Kazuma as he stumbles back up. Her eyes are wide from concern - surely, if her superior gets fighting again, his wounds will reopen and he'll surely keel over from bloodloss. She still has to admire his determination, though. Grabbing Shinkagenja's twisting form from the ground, she stumbles back up herself, eyeing nervously the pack of Hollows surrounding them.

"You can... uh, just leave them to me, I guess?", she says, shivering a little. There are so many of them! The two of them really don't feel like enough against such a varied lot. Sensing the weakness of their enemies, or maybe just overcome by their hunger, the Hollows finally muster courage to cross the barrier formed by Shinkagenja's colorful funes. Howling and screeching, they leap over the clouds, charging at their foes. "Eeek!", Nasumi yelps, barely batting away a few small wraiths with a clumsy swing before being forced backwards as the battle begins anew...

[Hachirou & Yoshi]

The 13th seat regards Auset's transformation with vague dread. He manages to bring his Asauchi to strike at the bandages with a clumsy draw, but the blade isn't sharp enough to cut the cloth. Instead, they just wrap around the blade and then the hilt, tying his hands together. At first, he just braces for being yanked downwards, but then to his horror he realizes his strenght is being sapped by the cursed binds!

Yoshi doesn't have much better luck. "-Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Hado 31: Shakkahō!", he finishes his chant, sending a ball of crimson energy flying towards Auset. Unfortunately, instead of hitting the Arrancar, the spell stops at a cluster of bandages, obscuring Yoshi's location briefly with its blooming explosion. Even worse, as the courageous 20th seat tries to get further away under the cover of the effect, it becomes apparent the bandages weren't stopped by the spell! The wrap around his ankle and stop his advance with a sudden tug.

Then Iwaki casts his spell. Hachirou's eyes widen and he tries to shout something as a protest, but his voice is lost in the howling winds. Since they are firmly tied to their opponent, both officers find themselves whisked away by Iwaki's tornado, where ever it might take Auset...

[A certain Arrancar]

The pale monster chuckles at Allan's comment, even as it takes few steps more to the sky to best avoid the stormy winds howling below. "But you said yourself you don't need this!", it shouts to the hapless Shinigami, stopping on a rooftop some distance away and turning to face Allan. Other hand still casually resting on its hip, it lfts the blade before its face to appraise its quality.

"Surely you shouldn't mind if I hold it for a bit longer. It's been a while since I trained with a sword, you know. This one seems like it might be good for some practice", it taunts. Allan might notice the creature's scales have moved to cover the puncture wound he caused, and the bruise he left on its cheek is already fading away. "Though it does feel rather light and flimsy. I'm not sure if it will hold together in my hands..."

[Dorizzit]

[Hachirou & Yoshi]

The 13th seat regards Auset's transformation with vague dread. He manages to bring his Asauchi to strike at the bandages with a clumsy draw, but the blade isn't sharp enough to cut the cloth. Instead, they just wrap around the blade and then the hilt, tying his hands together. At first, he just braces for being yanked downwards, but then to his horror he realizes his strenght is being sapped by the cursed binds!

Yoshi doesn't have much better luck. "-Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Hado 31: Shakkahō!", he finishes his chant, sending a ball of crimson energy flying towards Auset. Unfortunately, instead of hitting the Arrancar, the spell stops at a cluster of bandages, obscuring Yoshi's location briefly with its blooming explosion. Even worse, as the courageous 20th seat tries to get further away under the cover of the effect, it becomes apparent the bandages weren't stopped by the spell! The wrap around his ankle and stop his advance with a sudden tug.

Then Iwaki casts his spell. Hachirou's eyes widen and he tries to shout something as a protest, but his voice is lost in the howling winds. Since they are firmly tied to their opponent, both officers find themselves whisked away by Iwaki's tornado, where ever it might take Auset...

Iwaki

Despite the fact that Hachirou's voice is lost, Iwaki notices his problem. Pushing his hands closer together and focusing, he narrows the windstorm tremendously. Hachirou would still be dragged with Auset, but wouldn't be in any danger from the windstorm itself. This is very fortunate, as it is now that Iwaki reveals the second half of his plan.

"Hado 20: Shuiro Senjigusuri."

With a great roar, the Tenran ignites in brilliant, crimson flames.


[A certain Arrancar]

The pale monster chuckles at Allan's comment, even as it takes few steps more to the sky to best avoid the stormy winds howling below. "But you said yourself you don't need this!", it shouts to the hapless Shinigami, stopping on a rooftop some distance away and turning to face Allan. Other hand still casually resting on its hip, it lfts the blade before its face to appraise its quality.

"Surely you shouldn't mind if I hold it for a bit longer. It's been a while since I trained with a sword, you know. This one seems like it might be good for some practice", it taunts. Allan might notice the creature's scales have moved to cover the puncture wound he caused, and the bruise he left on its cheek is already fading away. "Though it does feel rather light and flimsy. I'm not sure if it will hold together in my hands..."

Allan

Allan hisses at the Arrancar's flippant turnaround of his previous remark. His fist clenches at his side; he seems to be getting annoyed, at the very least.

"I said I didn't rely on it, <a**hole>. Now give it back!"

With that, Allan dashes forward. He is extremely fast, even without using Shunpo, and closes the ground with Elder in a few seconds. He somersaults through the air above Elder and lashes out a swift kick at the hollow.

[Kuroimaken]

"Then I guess I'll just have to make sure I don't overexert myself, right?" Kazuma replied simply. "So I'll need to count on you." This feeling of camaraderie was something fairly new to the 11th divisioner. Being of a segment of Shinigami that, by nature, favors individualism, he wasn't used to having someone worry about his well-being.

"Don't worry. I'm not fighting with only my fists anymore."

With that said, the Hollows leaped. A brisk wind followed as Kazuma's hand quickly reached for the nodachi on his back - and as soon as it ceased, one could hear the 'chink' of the sword's guard hitting the sheath.

A good observer would have noticed that what Kazuma just did was a battoujutsu technique. He slid the back of the sword against the sheath to gain momentum and used the added speed to slash harder against his foes. That he'd be able to use such a technique with a sword almost as tall as himself - from the back, no less - hinted heavily that he wouldn't be so badly injured had he chosen to employ Sazan'ou against the four Hollows he faced previously.

Why do you hesitate on making use of my blade so, Kazuma-kun?

I can't deny that you have great power, old man. And I can't deny that you are a part of me either. But I can't rely on your power to do everything. It wouldn't be mature of me.

I didn't know you held my opinion in such high regards, Kazuma-kun.

I don't. I'm not doing this for you.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset

The bandages prove surprisingly resilient to being cut, preferring to simply give way and bend around the swing then to go rigid and get sliced. That is...except for the people they managed to coil around, such as Hachirou and Yoshi, who find their bindings tightening to draw them closer and closer towards Auset, giving them more slack to coil around the two in the beginnings of mummification...though there is far more danger in the energy rapidly being stolen from the two.

"Huh? I don't know, it shows up when I release my sword. Never really thought about it before." the arrancar comments off-hand, even as the bandages begin to quest out Elder once more until the Privaron unexpectedly finds herself caught up in the fierce windstorm and thrown back. That proved problematic, especially considering how it dragged the two shinigami along for the ride too. Along with burning.

The fire proved useful however, burning through the long bandages connecting Hachirou and Yoshi to the arrancar and stopping that incessant draining for the moment. But as the badly burned, and rapidly healing, Auset picks herself back up off the ground, she glowers at Iwaki and Karite.

"You people just don't know when to give up, do you?" She accuses, calling back the bandages that had been holding the two (and sending new ones out to snare them) just to...eat them? Auset loudly chews behind her mask, glowing for a brief moment before two swathes of bandages explode off of her body (only to be replaced) and taking the shapes of two tall and muscular mummies. Mummies which quickly launch themselves at the two, swinging boulder like fists to smash at them.

Auset herself seems more focused on the two she had already caught once, sauntering towards them with khopesh raised to behead Hachirou.

[riccaru]

[Nasumi]

[A certain Arrancar]

The pale monster chuckles at Allan's comment, even as it takes few steps more to the sky to best avoid the stormy winds howling below. "But you said yourself you don't need this!", it shouts to the hapless Shinigami, stopping on a rooftop some distance away and turning to face Allan. Other hand still casually resting on its hip, it lfts the blade before its face to appraise its quality.

"Surely you shouldn't mind if I hold it for a bit longer. It's been a while since I trained with a sword, you know. This one seems like it might be good for some practice", it taunts. Allan might notice the creature's scales have moved to cover the puncture wound he caused, and the bruise he left on its cheek is already fading away. "Though it does feel rather light and flimsy. I'm not sure if it will hold together in my hands..."

"You're fighting me now, but feel free to hold that sword. You'll be missing your arm in a moment anyway. Let's see what you got, Hollow." Akio says before firing a blast of his reiatsu from his blade toward Elder, the power seeming to be a ball of sand moving rapidly. He then uses Shunpo to appear near Elder and stabs at her left shoulder.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Nasumi]

Nasumi fights her own fight some distance behind Kazuma, using her basic zanjutsu skill to their best extent, but it soon becomes apparent she isn't really skilled enough to effectively use such a large weapon as Shinkagenja in such close range brawl. In few moments, it starts to look like she's abandoned the sword all together, using it merely as a crutch as she focuses to kicking, punching elbowing and... biting, it seems, her enemies.

"Aiee! Get off of me!", she howls to a Hollow trying to choke her, before sinking her teeth deep into the warped creatures foul flesh. Enraged and in pain, the creature can't retain its hold of her, and its soon send flying by a strong kick from the young Shinigami.

That particular Hollow isn't the only one speeding through the air. Missing Kazuma by barely a foot, a horribly confused rat-like Hollow encased in a green cloud smashes against its kin, few others ending caught up in the noxious vapors and send merrily falling sideways through the battlefield as well. Others stumble around, distracted or bogged down by the other vibrant clouds. Kazuma can only wonder what the odd whisps of smoke might be doing to their poor victims.

[Yoshi & Hachirou]

With their binds reduced to ashes, the Gotei officers are send flying to opposite directions, hitting the ground roughly a dozen feet away from Auset each. Hachirou rids himself of the remaining cloth as fast as he can, though it proves surprisingly difficult. His arms feel brittle and powerless, and when Auset starts heading for him, he finds he can't bring his blade to bear against her kopesh.

"Bakudo 39: Enkosen", he utters, a golden shield forming before him to block Auset's strike. Certain that the barrier won't hold up for long, the 13th seat leaps backwards, dodging the bandages slithering past his defensive incantation. Seeing that he doesn't have all that much time, Hachirou lets go of his Asauchi and weakly points a finger at Auset's approaching form. "Ye who rule over the skies! Lend me thy strength...", he begins.

Meanwhile, Yoshi stumbles up leaning on his staff. He takes a few experimental steps forward, but finds it hard to put weight on his feet due to it being so drained. As quick escape doesn't seem like a possibility, he adopts a grim expression and points his palms towards Auset, disregarding the new bandages slowly but surely snaking towards him.

"Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Truth and temperance..."

[A certain Arrancar]

Much to Allan's indignation, the pallid Hollow blocks his kick - with the flat of his own blade. "Excuse me? What did you call me?", it questions mockingly, its dark eyes casting a contemptous look at the young Shinigami. "It was you who drew first blood, yet I haven't said a bad word about you! You should be ashamed."

Hearing Akio's boast, the Hollow fixes its eyes on the oncoming ball of sand, leaping out of its way just before it hits, letting the blast roar past between it and Allan. Unfazed by its adversary's skill with Shunpo, it brings Allan's sword down in a casual one-handed block, but still in time to deflect Akio's stab.

"You want to take my arm? Go ahead", it says playfully. "Only condition is that I get to take yours after that as well." Pushing Aki's blade away, it takes a step backward before turning the sword in its hand and slashing upwards towards Akio's torso.

"I can always regrow mine. How about you?"

[Kuroimaken]

[MOAR fighting]

Nasumi will soon find that Kazuma is fighting a little closer to her. The technique he's using appears to have a fairly good reach - a good guess might be about 3 meters. That said, it can be very disturbing to occasionally feel a ripping gale, knowing that a very long sword was there mere fractions of second ago. If Kazuma is overexerting himself, he certainly doesn't show it - or at least is doing his best not to.

"You don't wanna bite these bastards. You don't know which of them aren't poisonous. Zaraki-kun, would you mind trying to make a 'wall' of sorts so they have more difficulty getting close? I'll cut anything beyond that range."

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Alysha]

Kyou's body lying behind her, Alysha stands with her zanpakuto in hand, facing the oncoming bandages. With her blade being shorter and wider than the average zanpakuto, Alysha has a slightly easier time blocking the bandages reaching for her and Kyou.

[Silva]

Silva quickly twists away from a bandage, ending up behind a tree. She presses her back to it, her dagger still in hand.

You know...you could let me help...

Silva peers around the tree. With all these shinigami here? Yeah, right. That'd be a great idea.

She quickly withdraws her head n time to dodge another bandage.

[Dorizzit]

Iwaki

Iwaki is satisfied, if grimly, by the success of his flames. He keeps them going for as long as the Kido can last, but Tenran is not one of the continuous Hados and the firestorm quickly wears itself out and dissipates, revealing a burned but regenerating Auset. He prepares to begin another Kido, likely fire based as well, but he is thrown off by Auset's odd behavior. When she summons the mummies, he is taken by surprise for long enough that he is unable to chant a Kido before a mummy reaches him. Taking a few steps back to prolong the time he has left, he draws his Zanpakuto.

"Forge. Katanakaji."

As the heavy gloves of his released Zanpakuto form around his hands, Iwaki lunges forward to meet the mummy head on. He grabs its hands with his own, matching it for a minute in physical strength. After a few seconds, a brilliant crimson glow shines out from the palm of his hands, bleeding through his splayed fingers and under his palms.

"Bellows flame."

With the command word, flames are released from Iwaki's Zanpakuto, directly onto the mummy's arms.

Allan

"But...that's..."

Allan indignantly flails for words, annoyance and anger interfering with his normally sharp wit. He flips back to totally avoid the blast from Akio, then jumps high up into the air above Elder. While the arrancar is distracted by Akio's attacks, Allan tries to do an elbow drop aimed at the shoulder of the arm holding his Zanpakuto.

[KnightDisciple]

[Yoshi]

Yoshi gritted his teeth for a split second against the strain of this kido.

"-upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws. Hadō #33. Sōkatsui"

The wave of blue Kido energy (http://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/S%C5%8Dkatsui) raced through the air at Auset, pushing back and eventually burning away the bandages that had been heading for Yoshi.

[Terry576]

[Karite]

Karite stares coolly at Auset.

"Arrancar. I would prefer not to hurt any of those around us, might I suggest we take our fight... Elsewhere?"

His expression indicates this is not a request.

[riccaru]

[Akio]
"You'll not match me in the blade, Hollow." Akio says abruptly as the blade is swung at him. A simple shift of his left arm imposes the hourglass between himself and sure death, his Zanpakuto hopefully blocking the stolen blade. He then uses Shunpo to regain ground, running toward Elder with his sword behind him for a powerful but wide slice at her side.

[Suzume]

A flicker in the rain reveals a shapely figure with purple hair.
The air shows the goings on, old friend.


It does that, young one.

Overlooking the battlefield is a female soldier, a white Haori around her shoulders drenched in the rainwater. Her dark purple hair clinging to her thin face, and her left shoulder ending abruptly. On her left side sits her Zanpakuto, a red ribbon tied to the hilt.

As simply as she had appeared, the woman flashes out of view, reappearing closer to the battle to help the Shinigami for reasons unknown.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset

The two bandaged mummies lunge forward towards Karite, reaching out with rotten decrepit hands try and tear him apart. These creatures would only be a nuisance to a Vice Captain, but to others like the low seated, they could be a credible threat, especially in large numbers.

"Why? I mean, I lose potential hostages if we leave where they are." the arrancar asks, soundly honestly confused even as she leaps up above the Sokatsui, leaving the blast to rush towards Yoshi's companion before landing back behind the glare of light from it.

"And then you get to fight better because there's no one around you need to protect. It's a losing scenario for me.."

Well at least she stopped attacking for the moment.

[KnightDisciple]

[Yoshi]

Yoshi fell to one knee, trying to catch his breath after finishing the kido. His right hand tightly grasped his staff, as if reaching inside for strength.

Sadly, today he would not find it, nor would it have mattered against such a foe.

For the moment, he simply rests, observing the situation, watching for the Arrancar's next move.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Nasumi & Kazuma]

Nasumi isn't sure if she gets what her superior is saying, but nods anyway. Lifting her sword and waving it in a large arc, she summons all the clouds back to herself and causes them to lash all Hollows in a wide circle around her and her companion. The serpentine fumes don't do much damage to the horrid beasts, but they do by the pair some time to think.

[Hachirou]

Hachirou is gravely surprised by the sudden agility displayed by the priorly lethargic Arrancar. He stops mid-chant and tries to say something while darting out of the blue fire's way. After that, he isn't visible in quite a while, obscured by the blast and probably cowering somewhere to avoid it.

[A certain Arrancar]

The pallid creature prepares to block Akio's rush, but is disrupted when Allan's elbow strikes its shoulder. It's pushed downward and its counter fails, causing Akio's blade to leave a shallow gash on its sword arm.

Then, there's a loud hum, and the creature disappears from between the Shinigami, reappearing high in the air some distance away from them and those fighting Auset. It regards its wound with dull surprise, even as its flesh sews itself back together, leaving no trace of injury. "My, aren't you troublesome. You almost had me there. I almost get the feeling I should take you seriously", it taunts.

"Almost."

[Terry576]

Auset

The two bandaged mummies lunge forward towards Karite, reaching out with rotten decrepit hands try and tear him apart. These creatures would only be a nuisance to a Vice Captain, but to others like the low seated, they could be a credible threat, especially in large numbers.

"Why? I mean, I lose potential hostages if we leave where they are." the arrancar asks, soundly honestly confused even as she leaps up above the Sokatsui, leaving the blast to rush towards Yoshi's companion before landing back behind the glare of light from it.

"And then you get to fight better because there's no one around you need to protect. It's a losing scenario for me.."

Well at least she stopped attacking for the moment.

Karite grabs one of the mummies and tosses it aside.

he then punches the other one.

"For one, it's very hard for me to create large scale attacks when this squad refuses to leave, even though they know full well I can handle this. But I don't mind. I merely have a statement to make before I fight. I like to know my opponent's name, so as to put a name to the face. I, for example, am Karite Mitsukai, Vice Captain of the Thirteenth Division in the Court Guard. And you, arrancar? Before we begin this dance of death, what are you called?"

His sword is being held loosely in one hand, almost barely held. His other hand appears to be wrapped in... A kind of bandage. Strangely, it didn't impede his fist striking the mummy.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Alysha]

Alysha, for one, is glad that Auset has stopped her assault for the moment. Gives her a chance to check on Kyou's condition.

Good, she's doing good. Alysha moves Kyou over to get her out of the rain better.

Rough day?

Alysha smiles just a bit at the voice. All in a day's work, Tetsu. I might need your help in a bit. Not sure how long till she attacks again.

[Silva]

Silva is still behind the tree, dagger in hand. She tilts her head a little, trying to hear what's going on. The rain filters through the branches above, falling in odd ways to the ground around her.

Aw...over already? I didn't even get to join.

Quit complaining. Probably just a pause. The...thing...will probably go again soon.

[Dorizzit]

The pallid creature prepares to block Akio's rush, but is disrupted when Allan's elbow strikes its shoulder. It's pushed downward and its counter fails, causing Akio's blade to leave a shallow gash on its sword arm.

Then, there's a loud hum, and the creature disappears from between the Shinigami, reappearing high in the air some distance away from them and those fighting Auset. It regards its wound with dull surprise, even as its flesh sews itself back together, leaving no trace of injury. "My, aren't you troublesome. You almost had me there. I almost get the feeling I should take you seriously", it taunts.

"Almost."

Allan

Allan doesn't let up, charging after Elder as soon as the Arrancar reappears from its Sonido jump. He runs into the air until he is higher up than Elder, then takes a high jump at it, flipping into a flying kick aimed at Elder's head.

[riccaru]

[Nasumi & Kazuma]

Nasumi isn't sure if she gets what her superior is saying, but nods anyway. Lifting her sword and waving it in a large arc, she summons all the clouds back to herself and causes them to lash all Hollows in a wide circle around her and her companion. The serpentine fumes don't do much damage to the horrid beasts, but they do by the pair some time to think.

[Hachirou]

Hachirou is gravely surprised by the sudden agility displayed by the priorly lethargic Arrancar. He stops mid-chant and tries to say something while darting out of the blue fire's way. After that, he isn't visible in quite a while, obscured by the blast and probably cowering somewhere to avoid it.

[A certain Arrancar]

The pallid creature prepares to block Akio's rush, but is disrupted when Allan's elbow strikes its shoulder. It's pushed downward and its counter fails, causing Akio's blade to leave a shallow gash on its sword arm.

Then, there's a loud hum, and the creature disappears from between the Shinigami, reappearing high in the air some distance away from them and those fighting Auset. It regards its wound with dull surprise, even as its flesh sews itself back together, leaving no trace of injury. "My, aren't you troublesome. You almost had me there. I almost get the feeling I should take you seriously", it taunts.

"Almost."


Allan

Allan doesn't let up, charging after Elder as soon as the Arrancar reappears from its Sonido jump. He runs into the air until he is higher up than Elder, then takes a high jump at it, flipping into a flying kick aimed at Elder's head.

As Allen flies high above Elder, Akio flashes under her, and again to bring himself up at high speeds. His hope is that Elder won't be able to get both fighters. He forgoes his sword as a precaution to Elder dodging and tries to grasp at the Hollow's leg.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Nasumi & Kazuma]

Nasumi notices an odd, one-armed woman entering the fray. It makes her freeze for a split second and almost costs Nasumi her life when a dog-like Hollow lunges at her. At the last moment, she falls backwards and sends the creature flying over her, before quickly rolling back up.

"Wait! Who are you?", she shouts to Suzume, not sure if she's a friend or foe.

[A certain Arrancar]

The pallid creature has its eyes fixed on Allan as he dashes upward. Fast and strong as he is, the creature reacts calmly to his kick, bringing its off hand up to guard against the blow. However, just when the kick connects, it notices Akio coming from underneath. So, instead of using the block created opening to cut Allan in halves, it shifts its position slightly, grabs his ankle, and then yanks the young shinigami downwards, intending to redirect his momentum and use him to bludgeon Akio.

[riccaru]

[Nasumi & Kazuma]

Nasumi notices an odd, one-armed woman entering the fray. It makes her freeze for a split second and almost costs Nasumi her life when a dog-like Hollow lunges at her. At the last moment, she falls backwards and sends the creature flying over her, before quickly rolling back up.

"Wait! Who are you?", she shouts to Suzume, not sure if she's a friend or foe.

[A certain Arrancar]

The pallid creature has its eyes fixed on Allan as he dashes upward. Fast and strong as he is, the creature reacts calmly to his kick, bringing its off hand up to guard against the blow. However, just when the kick connects, it notices Akio coming from underneath. So, instead of using the block created opening to cut Allan in halves, it shifts its position slightly, grabs his ankle, and then yanks the young shinigami downwards, intending to redirect his momentum and use him to bludgeon Akio.


Suzume
"I'm no one of importance to you, Shinigami. Just watch your little head, kiddo." She flashes over the girl and destroys the hollow easily. "Hado Number 4!" She yells as she fires at another hollow.

Akio
"Crossdale, get out of here. Go help the others hold of the weaker hollows. You're getting in the way." Akio says calmly as he rolls out of the way of the shinigami, barely missing their heads colliding. His movement takes him out of position for an attack, however.

[Kuroimaken]

"It's our problem if you intend to interfere. Looks like this operation is getting weirder and weirder."

He then turns to the Hollows themselves, and roars mightily.

"SHUT THE HELL UP!!"

There, that oughta do it.

"Your name and intent. We won't get in your way if you don't get in ours."

We've got bigger problems to worry about...

[Frozen_Feet]

[Nasumi]

The young Shinigami blinks in confusion as the Suzume cuts through the mass of monsters. What's happened to her arm? How can she fight so well with only one hand?, she wonders, feeling a bit embarrassed about her own, less impressive performance. She's so big and clumsy compared to the lithe assassin! How has she learned to fight like that?, Nasumi thinks bitterly, half-heartedly blocking and kicking away another small, bestial Hollow trying to bite her ankles.

[A certain Arrancar]

The pallid creature lets go of Allan's ankle, sending him flying through the air. It turns its blackened eyes to stare straight at Akio's, blade ready to exploit the opening he left. However, the strike never comes. There's just an unspoken statement transmitted by the dark orbs.

I could've cut you down where you stood.

Then, the creature again leaps backwards, climbing higher to the sky and getting even further from the other fight raging below. "I hope this isn't the best you can do", it says, "otherwise the state of afterlife must be sad indeed. Come on, Reaper - either kill me, or leave me alone. You don't have time to dawdle, your real enemy is still waiting below." It points Allan's blade at Auset.

"Quickly now - make your choice", it chuckles. "I'm a busy woman, I can't have you ruining my schedules."

[Dorizzit]

Allan Crossdale

After Allan is released, he is thrown away from Elder. He quickly twists in the air, spinning gracefully around and landing in a crouch. He sighs frustratedly as he tries to determine his next move.

Zanpakuto stolen, had to use kido, and then I got used as a human club. Yep, this day couldn't possibly get any worse.

While Elder taunts Akio, Allan circles around behind it, moving surprisingly stealthily, and leaps at it. If Elder doesn't react in time, he jumps onto the arm holding his sword, grabs it with his hands and plants his feet on it, and tries to snap it.

[Frozen_Feet]

Unnervingly enought, the creature doesn't even turn its head towards Allan, preferring to keep its eyes fixed on Akio. It only crooks its arm so that Allan can't immediatly overturn its elbow, and then keeps resisting his attempts with armstrenght alone. To Allan, it feels like trying to straighten a bent steel construction beam.

"My, aren't you persistant", the Arrancar remarks, lifting its other hand closer to Allan, pointing a black claw at his torso. "And impatient. Didn't I tell you I need this sword a while longer? Off you go!" The air vibrates, raindrops in the air floating together to combine with a flickering whisp of energy before its finger. Then there's a brief flash of silvery light as it shoots a bala against Allan's chest.

[Dorizzit]

Allan

Allan sees what Elder is doing and quickly flips himself so that he is leaning more steadily against Elder's arm. He crosses his arms over his chest as the Bala launches at him, allowing a direct hit. He grits his teeth against the pain and uses the impact of the Bala to momentarily increase his pushing power.

[Frozen_Feet]

The creature is yanked out of balance due to Allan's stubborn insistence to keep hold of its arm. For a moment it just stumbles in the air, before reaching over its shoulder with its free hand in attempt to press Allan's eyes and nose painfully. "Stubborn child. Didn't you hear me? Off!"

[riccaru]

The creature is yanked out of balance due to Allan's stubborn insistence to keep hold of its arm. For a moment it just stumbles in the air, before reaching over its shoulder with its free hand in attempt to press Allan's eyes and nose painfully. "Stubborn child. Didn't you hear me? Off!"
[Akio]
Akio fires off a reiatsu blast at the hollow before moving up to engage. A downward stroke is followed by a wide stroke to Elder's left side.

[Dorizzit]

Allan

Allan smiles maliciously and slides out of the way of the grab, releasing Elder's arm only to slide onto the hollow's back, where he clings determinedly. He looks around carefully for anything resembling a weak spot, while keeping wary of any retaliation from Elder.

[Frozen_Feet]

[A certain Arrancar]

The monster's response to the blast of Reiatsu is simple - it stops trying to reach for Allan's face and instead grabs his leg so he can't just jump away, then turns in the air so that it's Allan's body that takes the bulk of the blast. Unfortunately, with so much extra weight dangling from its back, it can't move quick enough to dodge the two sword blows very well - both leave long, shallow gashes on its body.

[Dorizzit]

Allan

Unfortunately for Elder, Allan thinks quickly and puts his flexibility to good use, bending backwards and folding his body nearly in half to avoid the attack. He still takes a hit from the energy blast, but Elder shares the damage.

[Frozen_Feet]

Frustrated, the beast takes whatever advantage it can of Allan's move and wrenches its arm back to a natural position, so now it has at least some chance to block Akio's upcoming blows. With its offhand, it elbows Allan to his side, hoping the pain will make him loosen his hold.

[Dorizzit]

Allan

Elder's plan seems to work, and Allan's grip loosens...but only so that he can slide away from his current position, leap up in front of Elder, and try to headbutt the Arrancar.

[riccaru]

Akio

The long katana barely is blocked by Elder, Akio having to slow his attack because of Allan being in the way.

"Crossdale, move. I can't fight with you here. Go help Hachirou!" He says as he swings at Elder again, the short but powerful strokes looking to overpower the Hollow.

[Dorizzit]

Allan

Allan springs off of Elder, flipping agilely back and off to the side. He glares at Akio.

"I'm not going anywhere until I get my Zanpakuto back."

Despite his defiant words, he seems to heed Akio's admonishment about Allan hindering him, and stays back from the fight. Instead, he closes his eyes and bows his head, muttering something under his breath.

[Frozen_Feet]

[A certain Arrancar]

Stunned by Allan's headbutt, the monster stumbles backwards, glaring at the young reaper even as it moves his sword to hurriedly block Akio's strikes. To get itself back into balance, it disengages from the melee and vanishes in a short burst of speed, again appearing a bit further away from the other Shinigami. Absent-mindedly, it wipes off some black blood trickling down from its nose on its bare teeth.

"Well, if he's not going to leave us adults alone, we just have to leave him, correct?", the Arrancar muses out loud, pointing its sword towards Akio, dark eyes gleaming with defiance. "If you're so certain you can take me alone, then prove it!"

Then, its form blurs as it speeds away again, moving so fast it's hard to follow with naked eyes. If Allan tries to run after it, he'll find it's too exhausting for his battered form to keep up for long with his infuriatingly tireless adversary. Akio, on the other hand, should not have too much trouble running after the Hollow, or even outpacing it.

The Arrancar seems to be headed for the town park, where it will be more open...

[Dorizzit]

Allan

Allan looks up at Elder's proclamation, mutters a number of curses under his breath, then pursue, pacing himself and soon being left far behind.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Karite grabs one of the mummies and tosses it aside. He then punches the other one.

"For one, it's very hard for me to create large scale attacks when this squad refuses to leave, even though they know full well I can handle this. But I don't mind. I merely have a statement to make before I fight. I like to know my opponent's name, so as to put a name to the face. I, for example, am Karite Mitsukai, Vice Captain of the Thirteenth Division in the Court Guard. And you, arrancar? Before we begin this dance of death, what are you called?"

His sword is being held loosely in one hand, almost barely held. His other hand appears to be wrapped in... A kind of bandage. Strangely, it didn't impede his fist striking the mummy.

Auset

Auset yawns as one mummy is tossed aside, the thing surprisingly nimble as it scrambles to it's feet...and rushes towards the downed Kyou. The other isn't quite so lucky, being pushed right back at Auset who irately cleaves it in two before the 'corpse' can touch her.

"There you go again, making all kinds of demands. You talk more then my replacement does." she grumbles, even as various bandages stab their way into the ground...and do nothing. Or at least nothing that can be overtly seen. "I am Auset, Privaron Espada. Number one hundred and three."

And then she was flying forward, bringing her khopesh down in several heavy-handed over-head chops at Karite's head and shoulders, seeking to end this little 'fight' quickly and brutally.

[Terry576]

Karite fades as the blade passes through his body.

A strike comes down towards Auset from behind.

"My, you didn't think about my skill level did you? A flat out attack? As a Privaron, Auset, you should know about the Shunpo after-image."

[KnightDisciple]

Yoshi's eyes widen as the mummy dives towards where Kyou is being tended.

The 20th Seat grits his teeth and executes a shunpo. He arrives at a point roughly halfway between the mummy and Kyou.

He's holding his 6-foot staff like a baseball bat; as soon as the mummy is close enough, he will give it a hard swing with all of his strength, then quick-draw one of his pistols and pour fire into the creature.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Alysha]

A mummy gunning for Kyou. Alysha standing guard over Kyou.

Alysha quickly puts two and two together, and doesn't like the result.

Alysha bites her lip. Here goes nothing. Then she holds her zanpakuto out in front of her horizontally, holding her right arm with her left hand.

Stand and Defend, Tetsu no Ishi!

The sword suddenly glows, and the blade quickly shrinks. There's a quick flash, and suddenly Alysha is no longer holding a sword. She is instead holding a silver and gold buckler with a three circle design on it.

Alysha concentrates and channels some of her reiatsu into it, creating an invisible barrier centered on the shield itself.

When the mummy hits it, odds are very good it'll be like a person running into a wall.

[Silva]

Silva sees Elder take off. She glances at Auset, currently charging Karite. She wanted to watch one of them, very curious about this situation. But, which should she choose?

Moments later, Silva's running down the streets, the dagger back in its sheath. She keeps glancing up, making sure she doesn't lose sight of Elder.

[riccaru]

[A certain Arrancar]

Stunned by Allan's headbutt, the monster stumbles backwards, glaring at the young reaper even as it moves his sword to hurriedly block Akio's strikes. To get itself back into balance, it disengages from the melee and vanishes in a short burst of speed, again appearing a bit further away from the other Shinigami. Absent-mindedly, it wipes off some black blood trickling down from its nose on its bare teeth.

"Well, if he's not going to leave us adults alone, we just have to leave him, correct?", the Arrancar muses out loud, pointing its sword towards Akio, dark eyes gleaming with defiance. "If you're so certain you can take me alone, then prove it!"

Then, its form blurs as it speeds away again, moving so fast it's hard to follow with naked eyes. If Allan tries to run after it, he'll find it's too exhausting for his battered form to keep up for long with his infuriatingly tireless adversary. Akio, on the other hand, should not have too much trouble running after the Hollow, or even outpacing it.

The Arrancar seems to be headed for the town park, where it will be more open...

[Akio]

Akio indeed follows Elder quite easily, though he is readily wearing down from the Shunpo bursts. "Tell me, Hollow. What is your name? I have my theories, but it would be good to know my attacker's true name. I am third seat Akio Yama of the thirteenth division." He is confident and calm, assuming Elder will wait to attack as she has so far.



Suzume
Just make yourself useful and relay a message, kids. Tell your friend Nagamichi Soushi that he's needed in the Zaraki district. Anything else is my own business." Suzume frowns as she kills an other weak hollow. She then vanishes with shunpo, leaving the fight as mysteriously as she had entered.

[Frozen_Feet]

[A certain unlucky officer]

"Hado 4: Byakurai!", someone coughs some distance to Alysha's side, sending a narrow bolt of pale blue lightning towards the mummy being stopped by Alysha and Yoshi. The spell is too weak to even strike a hole throuh the monster, but sparks it strikes should be enough to set it in fire...

"Admirable *cough* effort, Alysha-san", Sato Hachirou rasps. His robes are covered in soot, the left lense of his glasses is cracked, and he seems to have some bad burns on his face and hands, and his arms are hanging limply beside him. Hopefully they aren't broken! "I did not know you had... achieved Shikai already. You have the makings of a great officer in you", he states matter-of-factly. He then nods at Yoshi as well.

"Fine effort from you as well. Lets get out of here before we get caught back in the Vice-Captain's fight..."

[A certain bemused Unseated]

Nasumi blinks when their mysterious benefactor vanishes in the rain. While the fight is still going on, Suzume's efforts might still have saved them from certain death. "... who is Nagamichi Soushi?", she blurts out absent-mindedly, Shinkagenja's iridescent form swirling into existence beside her to devour a Hollow that tries to sneak on her. And why aren't I half as cool as that woman!?!

[A certain Arrancar]

"Hahaha! Not falling for that old trick again!", the Hollow shrills as they run, the rain-soaked town flashing by under them. "Why should I give you any clue how to prevail over me?"

The beast keeps running, unhindered by their mad pace. Just when it starts to gain more ground over Akio and it seems it might escape from his sight, they arrive in the park and it slows down, skidding on the air and turning to face Akio, still leaving a good distance between them. They're considerably ahead of Allan and Silva - they should take a good while to arrive.

"Third seat, you say? That means you aren't just any whelp then", the Arrancar muses out loud, assuming a defensive stance, dried blood still decorating its sides and face. "Either you have some merit, or your parents had a lot of spare bribes for your captain. Wonder which one is it?"

Akio might notice water isn't falling down quite right around the Arrancar's blade and it seems to glow with faint light, but it's hard to say for sure through the rain. "Tell you what, that grating blast of yours packed quite a punch", it shouts, "but now that I don't have a jealous child clinging to my back anymore, it should be no problem to me at all."

"Come, Shinigami. Try to hit me with it. Lets see if you still can."

[Kuroimaken]

"I... think he's a Vice-Captain. The 8th Division's if I'm not mistaken. But what does that woman want with him?" Kazuma pondered quizzically as he stared down a few Hollows.

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset

The strike cuts through flesh much like a sword is designed to do, prompting another gout of blood from the Privaron.

"Jeeezzz...talk about talking too much. Course I know." the Privaron grunts out, looking particularly slothful...as numerous tendrils sprout from the ground at Yoshi's, Kyou's, and Hachirou's feet to quickly strike at their ankles or legs, seeking to tug them back down to the ground.

Close a dozen others spring up from behind the source of the strike, seeking to entwine Karite in the reishi-draining bandages as well.

"What do you take me for? An idiot?"

For it's part, the mummy did seem like an idiot, because it doesn't try to avoid the fire at all despite lacking the regenerative abilities of Auset herself. The hail of attacks is quick to reduce it to smoldering, shapeless bandages that spatter against the shield as momentum carries them forward.

[KnightDisciple]

[Yoshi]

Yoshi jumps into the air as the tendrils grasp for him. He flips his staff into its custom holster, and draws his shotgun with his now-free right hand.

"Damn it! Alysha! Take Kyou and run! Fast! Hachirou, fighting retreat!"

Yoshi began peppering any nearby tendrils with his pistol, occasionally firing the larger blasts from his shotgun, which he braced against his side. Sweat poured down his face as he worked to keep himself and his comrades safe. The shotgun's recharge rate truly worked against him here. Something to correct in the labs.

"Move it!"

As he spoke and fired, he moved closer to the 13th Seat, to assist him if need be.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Alysha]

Alysha's eyes widen at the sight of her team leader. Hachirou! You're hurt! Oh, hold still.

She moves to start healing him, her zanpakuto resuming its sealed form.

But, then the bandages attack.

Alysha lets out a yell of surprise, then starts trying to keep them from Kyou, who's currently lying on the ground.

Alysha looks to Yoshi when he gives her the order and nods. She grabs Kyou in a fireman's carry and takes off, a determined look on her face. She heads towards the rooftops, hoping that being off the ground will help.

[Silva]

The creature definitely pulled ahead of Silva as it went. I mean, Silva can't perform Shunpo or anything similar, so all she's got is the power of her two legs.

However, she does know what direction it was going, and she can still sense its presence up ahead.

Are we just going to be spectators again?

We'll see how it goes, Medric.

[Frozen_Feet]

[A certain unlucky officer]

Hachirou curses under his breath as more bandages strike from the ground - wait, cursing? "Walls of ironsand... a priestly pagoda, glowing ironclad fireflies..." That isn't cursing!

Painstakingly, he lifts one fist before his chest while Yoshi buys him some with his kido gun. "Standing upright, silent to the end... Bakudo 75, Gochūtekkan!" A strong wind billows his battered Shihakusho as five whisps of light escape from his knuckles and form a pentagon in the air above him - then, he drops to his knees and lets his hand limply strike the pavement. This maneuver lets one of the bandages grab his wrist, but the 13th seat still quirks a faint smile.

Above Auset, a blinding white flare comes to being, and she'll feel a stange force compelling her to stay still... then five, massive iron pillars connceted to each other with thick chains crash down from the heavens towards her, as tall as the buildings around them. "Chew on that for a while, lazy wench", he mutters as he tries to get up, yanking the bandage along. He's starting to feel dangerously light-headed, but with Yoshi's help he should be able to get off from the ground and stumble to safety...

[Kuroimaken]

Kazuma was starting to get impatient. He could almost sense the situation deteriorating the closer they got to the fight with Auset, one painstakingly murdered lesser Hollow at a time. And then there was the mysterious one-armed woman.

"Zaraki-kun, we need to either provide the other seated officers with support or make sure to get our wounded out of the way. I'm... not sure I can do anything noteworthy in the state I'm in, though. And from the looks of it, we've got people that need immediate attention. We need to distract that bastard to get them out of the way. Can I count on you to create a distraction?"

[Terry576]

Auset

The strike cuts through flesh much like a sword is designed to do, prompting another gout of blood from the Privaron.

"Jeeezzz...talk about talking too much. Course I know." the Privaron grunts out, looking particularly slothful...as numerous tendrils sprout from the ground at Yoshi's, Kyou's, and Hachirou's feet to quickly strike at their ankles or legs, seeking to tug them back down to the ground.

Close a dozen others spring up from behind the source of the strike, seeking to entwine Karite in the reishi-draining bandages as well.

"What do you take me for? An idiot?"

For it's part, the mummy did seem like an idiot, because it doesn't try to avoid the fire at all despite lacking the regenerative abilities of Auset herself. The hail of attacks is quick to reduce it to smoldering, shapeless bandages that spatter against the shield as momentum carries them forward.

Karite sighs as he dodges more annoying bandages.

"Know, I'm merely stating the fact that I've yet to release, and you're beginning to bore me. If we moved elsewhere, I'd like to go back to being entertained."

[Callos_DeTerran]

Auset

"Released or not, dead is dead." Auset says pragmatically as some of the bandages are beaten back, some of them even getting shot despite the surprisingly small target. But continued to press forward even as the iron pillars slammed down to pin the lazy arrancar down to the ground. Not that she tries to get away from it, or even fight against it, but rather gives a long yawn. Bandages unwrap from her arms to entwine about the base of the pillars, even as others continue to drain Hachirou of his strength.

By the time the pillars have crumbled away, Auset is looking better then new and gives a flippant smile at Karite...just as another wave of bandages slip out of the ground to hold his feet against the ground. Even that drain was little of a problem compared to the ominous black orb gathering in Auset's hand.

"Cero." she says simply before blasting the area where Karite is with the black energy.

[Terry576]

A flash, an emission of power.

A voice from the light.

"Crystallize, Kuyashinaki."

The sword vanishes in a flash, and a enormous amount of ice slams into the cero, as Karite reappears elsewhere.

"I'll admit that surprised me Auset. But did you really think it would stop me? Did you really think that I didn't have a way out?

did you really believe you could win? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1-TrAvp_xs)"

[KnightDisciple]

Yoshi grits his teeth in frustration at the bandages. He keeps firing his pistol as he dashes through the air to Hachirou's position, the focus of his fire being the cloth strips already holding the officer.

"Hachirou! Grab on!"

If and when the 13th Seat does so, Yoshi will try to propel both of them higher and higher into the air, performing the last couple of Shunpo that the 20th Seat can manage by this point.

Once they've reached that point, and the bandages seem to be stretched out, Yoshi will pull the trigger on his fully-charged shotgun, sending a collection of 10 golf-ball-size spheres of searing energy out at the collection of bandages. His intent is to burn or weaken them enough to break Hachirou free, so that the two officers can fully retreat.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Hachirou]

Hachirou gives Yoshi a quick glance when he hears him coming, yanking his tied wrist towards him so he has easy time shooting a hole through it. Then the 13th seat grabs Yoshi's hand and pushes forward with his body, the last bandage tearing and finally giving away under the strain.

"Forget about the rest, we can outrun them!", Hachirou barks to the lower seat, dragging him along somewhat as he sprints forward at the end of Yoshi's Shunpo. Sparks fly across Hachirou's vision and taste of bile and blood enters his mouth as they run, but he knows he can't give in to exhaustion just yet. His arms are completely numb and feel like wet logs weighing down, but the tries not to think of it at the moment. He'd have time to check his injuries later.

"Sietka! Sadanaka! Hidetsugu! Here! Follow us!", the officer booms, hoping to catch the attention of the remaining unseated... he lost track of them few moments ago. He then nods at Yoshi. "Hirako! Grab my reiphone! Call Amagatsu! Tell to regroup at the school!" Behind them, pillars of Hachirou's Gochutekkan crack and crumble away.

[Nasumi]

The plucky girl bites her lip. The flock of lesser Hollows had mostly dissipated... they are almost alone now. "Yes, Amagatsu-san! I will do my..." she begins hesitantly, when five iron pillars fall down from the skies not too far from them. She spots Alysha (and Kyo on her shoulder) jumping from amidst the buildings. "Look! There they are!", Nasumi shouts, then lifts her zanpakuto over her head and waves it around. A spiritual wind picks up the many-colored clouds and makes them billow upwards. "Hoi! Over here!"

[Dorizzit]

Iwaki

Iwaki, busy blowing flames at the bandages around him, hears the call and sprints after Hachirou and Yoshi, reaching their side in a few minutes. He doesn't even seem winded, but with the stoic man, it's difficult to tell.

Hideuchi

Hideuchi hears Hachirou's call as well and follows after him, launching into a series of flash steps that quickly places him a bit in front of the group.

[KnightDisciple]

Yoshi

Yoshi's face was running with sweat as he helped Hachirou move along. He'd holstered both his weapons, and now reached for the 13th Seat's phone, before stopping.

"I'll just use mine."

A hand reached up and activated his comm system attached to his eyepiece. He quickly voice-dialed Amagatsu, and any other phone-holder he couldn't immediately see.

"This is Officer Hirako Yoshi. Please fall back and regroup at the mortal school. Repeat, fall back and regroup at the mortal school. No one gets left behind, but leave the officers to their battles."

He hung up, though the line was open for return calls. His focus now was on getting to their destination.

[Kuroimaken]

"Understood, Hirako-san. Resistance on the way to school should be light - I'll try to cover your retreat as best as I can."

Kazuma realized he would fare better with a ranged-capable weapon.

"The first sinner: release!"

And with that, he reversed his nodachi back into a kusarigama.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Alysha nodded as she heard the order. She readjusted her hold on Kyou and quickly followed.

She figured this would be the time where she would be most useful. Looked like she'd be a little busy.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Hachirou]

Hachirou sighs in relief as he notices his charges are all following him (he's too tired to notice Allan is missing...). After they've a good half a mile away from Auset, he opts to slow down to ease the burning in his lungs. Good grief, I haven't been this worn out in years, he thinks wearily, panting heavily as they continue to run on thin air.

This mission will be an absolute bitch to report. So many things blown all to hell, it'd be easier to report just the few things that went right... but Natsuko would never accept such a report... Hachirou's vision starts to blur, and he shakes his head vigorously to keep his wits about.

Who the hell thought it was a good idea to engage an Arrancar in close comba- Oooh! I know! It was that cute girl form si- If so, I swear I'mg goint to strangle that w- My My, didn't know you were into that sort of th- Jin, what the hell are you- Hey! I have the right to speak my- Why can't you be nice and shut up like- This never would've happened if you'd let me out, you kn- all other good guardian spirits...

Around them, the rain clouds start thinning, and afternoon sun casts its glimmering light on them. The school is already in sight. Hachirou smiles absent-mindedly at the sight. Oh well. It's over now. I'll be happily sleeping within confines of the 4th soon enough, no need to dwell on this disaster for- Hey, is that a rainbow? It's been so long since...

Despite his contempt for his sword spirit, Hachirou finds himself turning his head to look at the object in question. Sure, Jin. It's beautifu- A loud crack, like the sound of ice given away under his weight, makes Hachirou open his eyes wide in surprise. He feels a sharp pain in his right ankle as his self-made reishi platform supporting his weight shatters to pieces due to lack of energy sustaining it, causing him to trip and tumble. Mind too blank from shock and exhaustion, the 13th seat falls... (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9410646&postcount=79)

[Nasumi]

The apprentice Shinigami quirks an eyebrow at her superior's attitude. "Amagatsu-san, I'm not sure if you're fit for that right now...", she mutters. The pillars in the distance crumble, and the other patrollers speed over them as they stand in guard.

Then, a terrible flash of darkness blooms behind the buildings, countered by what Nasumi can only describe as an iceberg. She pales in dismay as she senses the increase in spiritual pressure, subconsciously releasing quite a bit of her own to cope with it, much to Kazuma's discomfort. The last few Hollows still skulking about flee from the might displayed by Karite and Auset.

"Uh... maybe we should just go after the others now?"

[Kuroimaken]

Kazuma didn't expect to feel this way after so long.

It was... fear. More than that. It was beyond dread and gloom. He couldn't describe what was coming over him.

What he knew was that this fight would be way out of his league if he were well. As he is now...

"...Agreed. The others have made good on their escape anyway."

Returning his Zanpakutou to its sealed state, he unceremoniously moved next to Nasumi and proceeded to kneel so she could ride his back.

"You can't use Shunpo, right? I'll carry you."

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Alysha]

Alysha is close enough to her squad leader to see him lose his energy and fall from the sky.

Hachirou!

As quickly as she can, she chases after him. She knows that she won't be able to catch him, what with her not being all that fast in the first place, and the fact that she's still carrying Kyou. So, she just hopes he won't be too banged up from the landing.

The fact that Yoshi chased after him made her feel a little better.

[riccaru]

[A certain unlucky officer]

"Hado 4: Byakurai!", someone coughs some distance to Alysha's side, sending a narrow bolt of pale blue lightning towards the mummy being stopped by Alysha and Yoshi. The spell is too weak to even strike a hole throuh the monster, but sparks it strikes should be enough to set it in fire...

"Admirable *cough* effort, Alysha-san", Sato Hachirou rasps. His robes are covered in soot, the left lense of his glasses is cracked, and he seems to have some bad burns on his face and hands, and his arms are hanging limply beside him. Hopefully they aren't broken! "I did not know you had... achieved Shikai already. You have the makings of a great officer in you", he states matter-of-factly. He then nods at Yoshi as well.

"Fine effort from you as well. Lets get out of here before we get caught back in the Vice-Captain's fight..."

[A certain bemused Unseated]

Nasumi blinks when their mysterious benefactor vanishes in the rain. While the fight is still going on, Suzume's efforts might still have saved them from certain death. "... who is Nagamichi Soushi?", she blurts out absent-mindedly, Shinkagenja's iridescent form swirling into existence beside her to devour a Hollow that tries to sneak on her. And why aren't I half as cool as that woman!?!

[A certain Arrancar]

"Hahaha! Not falling for that old trick again!", the Hollow shrills as they run, the rain-soaked town flashing by under them. "Why should I give you any clue how to prevail over me?"

The beast keeps running, unhindered by their mad pace. Just when it starts to gain more ground over Akio and it seems it might escape from his sight, they arrive in the park and it slows down, skidding on the air and turning to face Akio, still leaving a good distance between them. They're considerably ahead of Allan and Silva - they should take a good while to arrive.

"Third seat, you say? That means you aren't just any whelp then", the Arrancar muses out loud, assuming a defensive stance, dried blood still decorating its sides and face. "Either you have some merit, or your parents had a lot of spare bribes for your captain. Wonder which one is it?"

Akio might notice water isn't falling down quite right around the Arrancar's blade and it seems to glow with faint light, but it's hard to say for sure through the rain. "Tell you what, that grating blast of yours packed quite a punch", it shouts, "but now that I don't have a jealous child clinging to my back anymore, it should be no problem to me at all."

"Come, Shinigami. Try to hit me with it. Lets see if you still can."

"I asked for your name, creature. Tell me who I'm killing then it will begin. I will not attack you before that." Akio's sword is pointed at the ground as he speaks these defiant words.

[Frozen_Feet]

[Nasumi]

Nasumi stares at Kazuma's back. The same man who only a dozen minutes ago had found it hard to stay upright is now offering to carry her again, and even talking about using Shunpo while at it. She sheathes her sword, thinking. Is this man for real? While some part of the 3rd divisioner finds her superiors unyielding attitude admirable, at the same time, it's makes her feel dreadfully inadequate. A pout begins creeping on her face. "Amagatsu-san..."

"... I refuse to be carried by you in that condition!", she shouts with volume that rattles his eardrums, face red as a strawberry. "Your body is not in shape to carry anyone, let alone do it in superhuman speeds! You should stop and think of your own well-being for a moment!"

Before Kazuma has a chance to protest, the girl kneels beside him and grabs his arm, then hoists him over her shoulder. She stumbles a bit and they almost fall down before she finds her balance - then she begins running after the rest of their group along the ground with steadily increasing speed. They should catch up with them in five minutes or so.

[A certain Arrancar]

"Hah! And here I thought you'd appreciate being given the iniative", the creature mocks in reply. "Why should I? You aren't really interested in who I am, none of your kind are. It's not like I could give a name meaningful to you anyway."

"But if you're not going to fight me due to formalities, well, that suits me just fine", the arrancar says and turn to leave, lifting its borrowed blade to its shoulder. Its other hand raises lazily to wave as farewell. "See you around, Yama-kun."

[Kuroimaken]

Kazuma was positively shocked at Nasumi's words.

He didn't expect her to care. Not after such a brief period.

The shock is more than enough for her to do as she likes. The 11th divisioner doesn't even seem to register that he's being carried. The pain of his wounds is apparently lost in the moment.

To see her work so hard in his stead makes his heart ache a little.

"Nasumi-san..."

[Dorizzit]

[A certain Arrancar]

"Hah! And here I thought you'd appreciate being given the iniative", the creature mocks in reply. "Why should I? You aren't really interested in who I am, none of your kind are. It's not like I could give a name meaningful to you anyway."

"But if you're not going to fight me due to formalities, well, that suits me just fine", the arrancar says and turn to leave, lifting its borrowed blade to its shoulder. Its other hand raises lazily to wave as farewell. "See you around, Yama-kun."

Allan

"Yeah, no."

Elder will find that its turn puts its face directly in the path of Allan Crossdale's rapidly advancing foot. Regardless of the success of the surprise attack, the unseated shinigami flips backwards away from Elder, giving it a wide birth while still blocking easy retreat. He extends a finger at it.

"You still have something of mine, and you're not leaving until I get it back."

[riccaru]

[Nasumi]

Nasumi stares at Kazuma's back. The same man who only a dozen minutes ago had found it hard to stay upright is now offering to carry her again, and even talking about using Shunpo while at it. She sheathes her sword, thinking. Is this man for real? While some part of the 3rd divisioner finds her superiors unyielding attitude admirable, at the same time, it's makes her feel dreadfully inadequate. A pout begins creeping on her face. "Amagatsu-san..."

"... I refuse to be carried by you in that condition!", she shouts with volume that rattles his eardrums, face red as a strawberry. "Your body is not in shape to carry anyone, let alone do it in superhuman speeds! You should stop and think of your own well-being for a moment!"

Before Kazuma has a chance to protest, the girl kneels beside him and grabs his arm, then hoists him over her shoulder. She stumbles a bit and they almost fall down before she finds her balance - then she begins running after the rest of their group along the ground with steadily increasing speed. They should catch up with them in five minutes or so.

[A certain Arrancar]

"Hah! And here I thought you'd appreciate being given the iniative", the creature mocks in reply. "Why should I? You aren't really interested in who I am, none of your kind are. It's not like I could give a name meaningful to you anyway."

"But if you're not going to fight me due to formalities, well, that suits me just fine", the arrancar says and turn to leave, lifting its borrowed blade to its shoulder. Its other hand raises lazily to wave as farewell. "See you around, Yama-kun."

As Allan attacks, so does Akio, sliding through the air with a flash step and makes an attempt to stab Elder in the back, while trying to grab her by the hair at the same time.

[Frozen_Feet]

When Allan kicks the Arrancar, there's a loud splash, and his foot slows down as if it'd hit water, allowing his enemy to easily move its head out of the blow's way. Its dark eyes gleam with contempt - if it's surprised by his sneak attack, it doesn't show it. "So hasty. Didn't I tell you to stop worrying? I'm only borrowing this", it turns the glowing blade in his hand, "You can trust..."

Akio's attack is thrown off course when he collides with something that feels like a mass of water. His own speed works against him as the viscous liquid pushes painfully against his eyes and into his mouth. Almost in slow-motion, it seems, the Arrancar steps to the side, Akio's blade missing its side by mere hair's breadth. Then it blurs from sight, appearing behind Allan before he can even blink an eye, leveling the stolen blade towards the 3rd seat.

"... me to return it..." the Arrancar whispers to Allan, a disturbingly playful tint to its weary voice. Reiatsu it has so far worked to suppress is now pouring on the two Shinigami with all its might, grey waves flowing around and submerging them.

And as if that isn't bad enough, at the same moment the creature lets loose a Cero towards Akio's chest, energy flowing from Allan's blade and surging out like a spiritual river, the short distance between them giving nearly no time to dodge. Time seems to freeze as the blast roars past Allan, only an inch away from his left cheek.

"... when I'm done."

[Dorizzit]

[Elder Battle]

Allan's face flashes an "oh crap" expression as his foot is arrested by Elder's thick Reiatsu. He struggles to move faster, but even by the standards of his unexceptional rank Allan lacks raw power, and he is held nearly immobile despite his best efforts. He lands after a few seconds, but is still helpless to move as Elder continues to taunt him.

Crap, this thing is too strong...

When Elder lands behind him, Allan shudders with effort as he slowly spins to face it. He can't move anywhere near fast enough, however, and can only watch as his own sword is used to direct a Cero from Elder at his superior.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Silva]

Silva continues running, hearing the sounds of the battle draw closer. She isn't entirely sure what's driving her. She just knows that she has to see it, has to watch. Something about this creature didn't sit right with her.

She rounds a corner and looks up in time to see Elder fire the Cero at Akio.

[riccaru]

When Allan kicks the Arrancar, there's a loud splash, and his foot slows down as if it'd hit water, allowing his enemy to easily move its head out of the blow's way. Its dark eyes gleam with contempt - if it's surprised by his sneak attack, it doesn't show it. "So hasty. Didn't I tell you to stop worrying? I'm only borrowing this", it turns the glowing blade in his hand, "You can trust..."

Akio's attack is thrown off course when he collides with something that feels like a mass of water. His own speed works against him as the viscous liquid pushes painfully against his eyes and into his mouth. Almost in slow-motion, it seems, the Arrancar steps to the side, Akio's blade missing its side by mere hair's breadth. Then it blurs from sight, appearing behind Allan before he can even blink an eye, leveling the stolen blade towards the 3rd seat.

"... me to return it..." the Arrancar whispers to Allan, a disturbingly playful tint to its weary voice. Reiatsu it has so far worked to suppress is now pouring on the two Shinigami with all its might, grey waves flowing around and submerging them.

And as if that isn't bad enough, at the same moment the creature lets loose a Cero towards Akio's chest, energy flowing from Allan's blade and surging out like a spiritual river, the short distance between them giving nearly no time to dodge. Time seems to freeze as the blast roars past Allan, only an inch away from his left cheek.

"... when I'm done."

A rapid spin of a blade puts Akio in a slightly better position to take the hit. Holding the blade backhanded he fires his own blast of reiatsu into the cero, slowing it slightly to lessen the damage it will cause. Unfortunately it's still a powerful blast, exploding into Akio's blade and body with enough force to push him down into the ground below.

Debris rises from the crash site as Akio flares his reaitsu as well, firing another of the blasts toward elder before immediately going back to the attack. A flash step into the open and another to reach Elder, attacking her rapidly if she blocks with the sword.

But between the flashes one can see tattered clothing and blood stains. Also seen is smoke slowly coming off Akio's body as his sweat is burned off. "I. Will. Not. Lose. To. A. Hollow!" he yells, each word louder than the last and punctuated with a sword slash or stab.

[Callos_DeTerran]

A flash, an emission of power.

A voice from the light.

"Crystallize, Kuyashinaki."

The sword vanishes in a flash, and a enormous amount of ice slams into the cero, as Karite reappears elsewhere.

"I'll admit that surprised me Auset. But did you really think it would stop me? Did you really think that I didn't have a way out?

did you really believe you could win? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1-TrAvp_xs)"

Auset

There didn't seem to be anyone to hear just what Karite had said (despite the admittedly bad-a** way he had done it), the blow back from the blocked cero being surprisingly fierce for an arrancar of Auset's ability. In either case, frozen gibbets lay scattered about the clearing with non-frozen ones, the remains of a shattered arm and leg that left Auset sprawled in the dirt.

For once, it seems like the arrancar's regeneration had been hampered, likely because of the frozen 'caps' of ice blocking the opening to her damaged limbs. Still...the bandaged arrancar wasn't moving or even healing like before.

[Frozen_Feet]

[A certain Arrancar]

"Ugh. That's such and ugly word", the creature mutters, launching itself away from Allan, easily avoiding the grating blast of bone dust. It swims through the grey bubble made of its own reiatsu effortlessly, though at first it seems to move too slow to dodge Akio's charge - but then he collides with the viscous substance, and there's a distinct feel of wading through cold water again.

"Fine then! If not Hollow, what about a Demon?", it snarls, carefully deflecting each of Akio's furious blows. "Angel? God? I've been called all of these. Which would you accept as your defeater?" It pushes forward, locking their blades and halting Akio's advance.

"That is your sword's true form, isn't it?", it taunts. "Is that blast all it can do? Tell me, Reaper - what can you do to win..." the beast detaches its offhand from its blade's hilt and points it index finger towards Akio. "... if your ability amounts to mimiccing an ability every other Hollow can use by instinct?"

[Dorizzit]

Allan

Allan manages to push out of Elder's Reiatsu field as the powerful hollow moves away from him, then closes his eyes, bows his head, and begins speaking under his breath.