A PLACE called HOME

**Date Started:** 25 November, 2021
**Date Completed:**
**Next Role-Play**: N/A
**Users Involved:** User:Starving Skeleton, User:AbysmalShadows, User:GoldenPiece
**Setting:** Soul Society, Rukongai
**Characters Involved**:
* **Shinigami**: Akaoni Ouga, Minamoto Kuchiki, Kirumi Secho
* **Hollows**:
* **Others**:

## A Friendly Wager

*Rukongai is filled with families unrelated by blood. Perhaps that's why they amount to nothing more than guest in queue to be rebor*n.

*To live without blood relation, to exist without a foundational purpose, is to be born beneath the lowest pup. That's why you're special. You exist to continue what our grandfather's grandfather began. To pursue....to advance...to leave your marking just as my parents have done before.*

*You are the next page.*

*"But who am I?"*

*"Such a question is not worth pondering the face of our boundless spiritual power."*

Her feet slammed against cold grass. Digging deep into the soil as she ran throughout the forest of Rukongai's 19th district, Aokigahara. A forest famed for its mysterious deaths She wore nothing but the undergarments they allowed beneath that damned uniform. Soul Society's cold night air clashed against her sweat covered body, warmed by her maddened rush through each district. She struggled for air but feared stopping since they might catch her and force her back. She'd rather die fighting then let them-

"Ugh!" She blurted. Silence overwhelmed the area after her tumble down the miniature hill into a deep, brown marsh. She climbed out of the water and shivered. Maybe she *should've* brought at least her robes. But something told her not too. For every time she pushed her arm through its wide sleeve, her body reacted to the alien spiritual energy radiating from each thread.

Tracking? When she inquired about it, her elders simply smiled and praised those damned senses she inherited from her family. Looking at her as nothing more than a horse with a powerful gait. *"We can't risk one of the few souls capable of joining us falling into the wrong hands, now can we?"* They'd add. But she knew it went both ways. The brightest days are when shadows are most prominent, right?

She made the right decision leaving it behind. Not just so they couldn't track *her* but...if she wanted to leave that life behind then she'd need to dispose of everything. And besides, those clothes held a sinister purpose beyond the standard manipulation shadowy organizations are famous for. A reasoning for this hellish pilgrimage to wherever she could get too.

The white haired girl stumbled through bushes and leaned on a tree. Before her an opening to a cave. *"I need to stop and set a fire...I'll die if I keep going like this."* She told herself, wrapping her brown arm around her body and limping into the cave. *"I'll spend the night if its safe here..."*

Lieutenant. Akaoni would've never thought they'd actually do it. Hell, ever since Tsunayoshi practically dragged him from his destroyed temple...well to say its been one day in hell after another is an understatement. One would've thought that the towering, muscle covered behemoth who loved nothing more than battle would've found his home in the Eleventh Division. But Akaoni could smell their inner selves from miles away and it sickened him.

Locked away in a temple and raised by proud warriors known for appearing only when surrounding Rukongai districts were under duress instilled a strong chivalrous spirit within. ***They*** represented power. Students of martial arts who desired only the betterment of themselves in order to protect those unable to protect themselves. ***Thats*** what power is. Something meant to serve others. And yet he saw through their bravado and false sense of bushido when he first stepped into their barracks.

*"They're just marauders masquerading as warriors"* Akaoni told Tsunayoshi. *"My masters would turn in their graves if they found out I joined them."*

But rather than force him, Nishikawa simply smiled and looked at him with a pleased gaze and introduced him to the Ninth Division the following morning. A group meant to protect both Seireitei and Soul Society as a whole. ANd Akaoni felt at home home.

However it wasn't that easy. His fellow shinigami either despised or envied him at first...they just couldn't do anything about it since he was a shinigami capable of defeating several higher ranking Eleventh Division shinigami. But it didn't matter. Just like he declined Tsunayoshi's request to join and tame the Eleventh Division, Akaoni only joined this division because it represented his masters morals

And now here he stood, after countless battles and never-ending threats, beloved and supported by his squad. So much so not a single soul voiced opposition to his promotion. They named battles where Akaoni fought off hordes of enemies to allow his injured men to retreat, times when he served as a distraction, and instances where he purposely took rear guard to ensure they escaped. He always claimed that doing so served only to quench his battle hungry spirit. But they knew otherwise...

The party they threw him was magnificent. Drinks. Food. Stories. Songs. It felt like his first birthday back at the temple. Before the night everything ended. When *he* attacked and obliterated everything Akaoni held dear. Akaoni let his peers drink and engaged in some activities, a hilarious sight considering his monstrous frame.

Yet why did he run away when everyone fell asleep? Why did his heart race? Something propelled him out the window. Swiftly leaping from rooftop to rooftop. A silent beast riding among the slightest breeze, flying farther and farther with each stride. No. He isn't running away. Akaoni knows this feeling. He's hunting. But what? The monster whose face he had his signature mask crafted after? It makes sense. The last time Akaoni felt this much joy...it came and took it all away.

Surely its still out there!

It has to be...

Akaoni stood over a lake in the 19th district. A familiar area. Known for its peaceful and serene forest....some say that a vast cave network webbed beneath its entirety. But its where Akaoni went to train...or recompose himself whenever those manic attacks came. He kneeled down and looked at the reflection.

But it wasn't his face that peered back. A white mask with long horns that curved into the heavens. A sheen bone construct with pieces which puled the corners of his mouth into a devilish grin. The thing that took his loved ones away stared back at him. And until Akaoni took its actual head, he swore to wear this replica as a memory.

"Bun?"

A voice called out beside Lt. Akaoni. Out of the corner of his eyes he would see the visage of one Minamoto Kuchiki. He was an enigma among Shinigami, given his status as a member of the Kido Corps, he seemed to be everywhere, always doing something. Chances were, if he appeared before you, something was going on and he was in the thick of it.

Visually he was a shinigami dressed in a more modernized shihakusho with a buttoned up waistcoat and a stylized outer haori, not a Captain's but one personalized to his taste. Split down the middle, one half was burgundy red and the other geometrically patterned squares of colors ranging from yellow, orange and green.

His voice carried the tilt of an amused question but his rather expressionless face was a dichotomy he would not have expected from such an uplifting tone. In Minamoto's outstretched hand was a indeed a rice bun filled with a red-bean paste. Judging by the smell, it was likely locally made.

"Sometimes, the answers we seek are not from the questions we ask. But from the questions we dared not to even think of, though most often its from the ones we never even thought to ask in the first place." Minamoto extended his hand as if to further emphasize his point, as the pleasant aroma of the bun filled Akaoni's nose.

Akaoni felt his spiritual power...or better yet, smelled the food as he approached. His face would've turned into a smile if not for his sinister mask. Instead he reached out and took the bun. Biting into it slowly yet finishing the treat within two swallows.

"The only answer I need is where to find the monster that took away my masters from me." Akaoni growled. "Then I'll be free from the shackles of this mask." his spiritual power was tranquil yet grand. Akaoni Ouga. A man famed for his swordsmanship and extremely potent Reiryoku. Thankfully the golden bracelets on his wrist helped regulate the vents located on all shinigami. But even still, his power made Akaoni appear bigger than he was to those who couldn't control their own spirit.

"Free to live my life and become the greatest swordsman...just as my master desired of me."

"Guilt is the most insidious of prisons." Minamoto said after a pause. "It is not the mask that shackles you, but your own self-loathing and your weakness." He turned to Akaoni, his expressionless face showing the tiniest bit of emotion. Sympathy perhaps?

"To rectify this, you sought strength, and strength you achieved. Yet it is not enough is it? Will death be enough?" Minamoto posed a slew of questions, each one digging deeper to the heart of the matter. What did Akaoni truly desire? Was it the death of the creature? Or to absolve his weakness at a time when he needed the power to vanquish the beast and avoid the suffering he's endured?

"Revenge has an insatiable appetite. Tread carefully lest it turn its maw upon you as well Lieutenant." Minamoto was content to finish his piece and once again stare out towards the lake in a bout of nostalgia himself. Finishing his own bun, Minamoto cut through to the heart of the matter.

"I'm sure its crossed your mind about why I am here Lieutenant. I too am in search for our wayward comrade, and it would appear you have the better luck of it in tracking her. So for the moment, our interests align. When we find her, allow me to speak with her before you take action. Is this amenable to you?"

Vengeance. Death. Weakness. Akaoni heard all of this before. Revenge leads men down roads undesirable. The best vengeance is to grow and live freely. All of that good stuff recycled by those he held dear to him. However, Akaoni wanted to deliver retribution not just for his own guilt...but rather to, and he hated admitting this. protect those losers he called his family tonight.

That monster. If it came to Seireitei, sure there would be enough reinforcement to protect his loved ones. Yet whose to say it wasn't out here getting stronger. Training just as Akaoni spent these years. He remembered the xplosion of crimson. Enveloping every ounce of the temple before completely incinerating it.

Leaving only Akaoni completely unscathed.

"Then I'll become strong enough to break its jaw." Akaoni responded to his previous sentiment. "Anyway, you have the wrong idea. I came here because this si where I go to train. But I won't mind helping you find your missing girl. These forest are dangerous and vast with endless cave systems spread beneath. Its a breeding ground for hollows...Some say an Adjuchas found its way and has been feeding."

"Then we'd best hurry, I fear my machinations may have led her astray. She has such raw potential. To err as I have done, I pray nothing happens to her." He sighed and looked thoughtful. "If time permits," he stood to his full height and cast a glance at Akaoni, "I would like to exchange swords with you once this is over Lieutenant. A part of me is curious to know the depths of that conviction of yours."

"Pardon my intrusion, I am Kirumi Secho of the Sixth Division and I was instructed to make my way to this location." The bland and calculative voice of Kirumi echoed across the lake as she carefully made her entrance before browning respectfully towards both Akaoni and Minamoto, both people she had heard about but had never officially meet until now.

"It is my pleasure to be working alongside you both today, Lieutenant Akaoni, Kuchiki-Sama." She continued to greet as she knew it was the correct stance when meeting people whom were considered your superiors in both Abilities and Rank.

Minamoto turned owards the Shinigami, and drank in her appearance. She was quite the beauty, and Kirumi would no doubt notice his eyes roaming across her form. Yet it was not sexual in any manner. Rather, it was the eyes of someone looking to determine something's worth... or potential? Whatever it was he found, his expression betrayed nothing else beyond that. When he spoke it was with a light tilt, as though he was happy to see her.

"I'm pleased my request was honored. You have my thanks, Kirumi for arriving on such short notice. Have you been appraised of the mission details?" He asked.

“Hell why wait till this over-“ Akaoni was about to reach for his blades when the young shinigami appeared. Anybody who knows Akaoni is aware of his inability to turn down a challenge. Not for the same vain reasons as those Eleventh Division morons. Akaoni was a soul who simply saw battle as art. And more importantly, the most freest being in existence is one unrivaled. For who can stand against a king besides a God?

Besides, the chance to fight someone who belonged to the division that reign over the magical arts is a chance he’d regret missing. The four shinigami arts are often spoken in balance. A powerful Shinigami existed in its center. However, Akaoni lived his life as a warrior first and foremost. He respected the arts yet lacked both talent and desire when it came to magical education.

Especially since Akaoni swore to become a swordsman able to cut through sword, soul, flesh and magic. But he pulled himself out of the excitement. “Well it seems like my midnight stroll became a job. Ms Secho, it’s a pleasure. I’ll help you Teo find this missing girl or whatever.”

“Minamoto, do you have any ways to track her? Or did you find anything Little sister Secho? These forest cover the entirety of the Rukongai and there’s a giant cave system beneath or feet. Simply smelling her scent won’t work here.”

The caves were a bit warmer than the outside. However, Mamori still felt chill radiating down her spine. Whether due to the darkness so thick she could hold it in her palm or the fact she could’ve sworn eyes followed her… she didn’t know. All Mamori could do was proceed. She snapped her finger and a small flame came to life between her thumb and index finger. It fought off several feet of distance although firing this spell with more Reiryoku would bring daylight to this seemingly never ending cave.

“They have to be here by now.” She said to herself. “I need to limit my spells to avoid them finding me.”

*Grrrrrrrllll*

Mamori held her stomach. She didn't know what made this worst...the fact she *hadn't* eaten in several hours or the fact that damned seal survived off her nutrients. She buckled to her knees. Stomach violently rumbling in her palm.

Eyes continued to appear. Slowly surrounding her...

Minamoto shrugged helplessly. "Apologies, but if I could have tracked her down with magic, I would have done so by now." He looked wistfully in the distance. "She is quite skilled in the magical arts, and protecting herself from magical tracking is well within her abilities. I'm afraid we're going to have to rely on old fashion methods."

Turning to face both of them, Minamoto prepared a spell. He began the ritual for what appeared to be Bakudō #58. Kakushitsuijaku, but with added steps. It was clearly a modified spell. "What I can do is create a map." He said as the spell began to unfold, the energies forming the circle rendering a rough image of the terrain in a three-dimensional model. Once it was complete he held his fist below the map causing a bead of light to emanate out.

When he released it, he would grasp the air as if holding something and turn his hand from side to side demonstrating that the map would move or even zoom in or out for a birds eye perspective. Satisfied with his work he let go gestured to the construct by his side.

"It's a bit rough but perhaps you and Secho can devise the most probable trail she would have taken and we can go from there."

"I was briefly notified on the parameters for the mission however I wasn’t fully briefed with all the details other than this would be a tracking mission." Kirumi replied towards Akaoni respectively as she briefly ran over the information she was giving in regards to the current situation.

"While I’m not fully aware of the circumstances I am sufficiently proficient in the usage of a Kido spell that we can use to track our target." She suggested as an option for their situation. "It might not be able to directly track a person but it is enough to give us a generalized point of location."

Akaoni looked at the map with...well what would've been an impressed gaze if not for the bone mask hiding his visage. "I see. It looks like she's found her way into one of the underground tunnels. We need to hurry..." He noted the smaller dots moving throughout the tunnels. Moving closer to a central location.

"Rumor has it that the surrounding districts have seen an explosive increase in hollow attacks. Its almost strategic at this point." Akaoni turned away. "I know the closest entrance to where they seem to be going. Which is probably here."

The towering samurai wasn't versed in Kido. And barely did he understand the art of Shunpo. Only capable of using his spiritual power to float and step through the air. However anyone who knew Akaoni knew this lack of knowledge was simply because he didn't **need** fancy tricks. Just a step and his powerful legs launched him explosively. He stepped through trees towards a waterfall. Hoping that the other two followed him.

Minamoto looked at the quickly vanishing figure of Akaoni, before leveling a bemused expression at Kirume Secho. "Do you think you can keep up? Come, I'll show a technique they didn't teach you at the academy. It's something the Shihouin like to keep hidden, but I think I'll make an exception for you."

Aside from Minamoto's rather blatant attempt at revealing a Shihouin hijutsu, his demeanor was rather sincere. Without waiting for a reply from Kirumi, Minamoto delved into the technique. As one who is proficient in Shunpo, Kirumi understood that at its basis Shunpo was a high-speed movement technique with an emphasis placed on the distance traveled from one point to another. Thus the fewer number of steps a Shinigami uses to reach a distance the greater their apparent mastery.

"What you know from the Academy is this." Flickering from his position, Minamoto blitzed across the lake, his form visible at random intervals before flickering back next to her. "I call this, the One-Step method. What I'll be teaching you is the Three-Step method. Observe."

Once again he blitzed across the lake, however he was only briefly visible at its edge before reappearing next to her. The increase in speed was... astonishing. It may as well have been a different level. "In the One-Step method, all of the technique is performed at once. You kick off the ground, as you approach your next step, you catch the ground, then you grip the ground, and then you kick off once more."

This much Kirumi knew by heart. It was essential to train your lower body, especially the flexibility and strength of your feet to accomplish this. You also needed to cycle your spiritual power throughout this entire process and once mastered you could wield Shunpo.

He continued his lecture, "In the Three-Step Method, we actually spread this technique out over three separate alternating foot-falls, each encapsulating one step. This is a trick the Shihouin tend to use, and is a technique you would have developed naturally with experience. But this lesson should let you skip such an arduous step."

He paused and glanced in the direction Akaoni had disappeared into. No doubt closing in on their lost companion. "If you can learn this technique, I guarantee that you'll be able to catch up to the Lieutenant in no time. Now," He turned to Kirumi and looked at her expectantly. "You know the basic's, you've seen how it works. Now show me that you understand."

"Shunpo" Kirumi mused in thought, she was very well aware of the technique having seen it utilized by members of the second division on various occasions. "You are willing to show me the methods of achieving Shunpo?" She further questioned in a skeptical tone of voice.

"Forgive my hesitation but what benefit would you garner from passing on such a technique to me?" She couldn’t help but ponder the situation, while yes she was interested and had grasped the basic of the movements of what she believed was called **Hohō**.

"Do not misunderstand me, I am grateful for your tutelage I am merely curious of your reasoning for reaching someone from a different division and a rookie at that."

Minamoto's sharp eyes looked at her appraisingly. "There are two things you should understand. As someone who has given themselves to the Gotei 13, you must always strive for greater heights. Never allow yourself to be complacent with the "you" of yesterday."

He flickered disappearing from her sight, and in the same moment it took for her to register that he had even disappeared he was behind her, back to back. He shifted his head slightly so that his voice would carry over.

"Secondly, do you really have time to question advice freely given? You are a Shinigami, aiding in the search of my companion who is no doubt lost and likely being hunted as we speak. Offering you a bit of knowledge to increase your power to help ensure her safety is obvious don't you think? Does that satisfy you? Enough talking. We need to catch up to the Lieutenant. If you can perform this technique then you can do so."

With that, Minamoto disappeared, the soft rustling of leaves in the air and the whisper of the wind at his heels. No doubt, he was quickly gaining on Lieutenant Akaoni, leaving Kirumi to her thoughts and his answer.

"I understand the situation but being impatient will only lead to disaster." Kirumi mumbled to herself as she mentally began going over the steps that she was shown, trying to grasp the concept mentally to represent it physically. Glancing towards where Akaoni once stood for with a blank stare due to the ignoring of her earlier suggestion at her usage of **Bakudō #58. Kakushitsuijaku**. One of the few Kido spells she was confident in her usage of.

"I’m aware that We are on limited time but perhaps my earlier suggestion might have been able to reduce our search time." She mumbled a bit as she quickly moved to catch up with the duo.

## Wayward Spirits

It didn't take them too long to catch up to Akaoni. After all, how much faster could someone really run when compared to the Shiohin mighty techniques. Akaoni's own vanishing tricks were nothing more than results of squatting mountains and pressing boulders with a single leg. Akaoni landed behind a gigantic tree. How many years did he spend in the Rukongai's forest? Someone with his level of Reiatsu couldn't just train without restraint.

Since doing so without his special mask and two bracelets regulating the amount of spiritual pressure his body releases could result in him hrming those closest to him or attracting the *wrong* attention. Massive forest allowed him to swing his blade freely. But Akaoni found himself coming here for deeper reasons. One which he keeps to himself to avoid putting his underlings in trouble.

"We can enter from here but keep in mind...This is probably the worst place for someone to get lost without guidance or protection." Akaoni looked at Kurumi. "There's a growing hollow nest in the underground cave system. I've used it as my own personal training ground..It keeps the surrounding districts safe and I have unlimited targets."

Akaoni opened the tree and started down the somewhat man-made pathway. It dug deeper into the dakness until they were inside total darkness.

"She should be nearby."

Minamoto glanced towards his female compatriot. "Kirumi, once Akaoni has gained the attention of the Hollows, I want you to act as his support." Most other Shinigami in his position would have had her rescue the damsel. So it was quite the shock to have Minamoto choose otherwise.

"It would be a good test for your new technique. Perhaps you will master the essence of Shunpo in the midst of deadly combat?" He mused. "I will attend to my companion. It is my error to fix." Minamoto wove an illusory spell for himself and disappeared from view. All traces of his existence vanishing.

From out the emptiness of the save his voice echoed in both Akaoni and Kirumi's ears. "I will move behind you and seek her out when the time comes. The rest, I leave to you."

"As you command Kuchiki-Sama." Kirumi replied with a nod as she gripped the hilt of Zen'nō Shihai-sha in a slightly nervous manner for the task that stood before her. While she was confident in her abilities, this would ultimately be her first real experience with an actual enemy. Even with all the preparation she had done over the years, all the sparring and mock battles couldn’t ever compare to the real situation.

Steeling her nerves, Kirumi turned her eye upon Akaoni as she awaited his further instructions on how they plan to approach the situation. She was to be the main support for the mission so she truly needed to listen carefully to the strategy so that she may be able to diverse the perfect way to support her superiors without messing up her first actual mission.

"I just hope I don’t mess this up and embarrass the Captain." She muttered to herself with a bland grimace before refocusing her attention on Akaoni. "I am yours to command lieutenant."

Akaoni chuckled. "My mentor used to tell me that battle is fertile soil to one's potential." Yes. The days where they'd leave the temple only to hunt down those who caused troubles or rogue hollows that escaped the Gotei 13's watch. They were protectors of the innocent. But more importantly, they believed that one's ultimate form is achieved only when they reach their fullest potential.

"It's the only place where you'll grow. So don't worry about it too much. Also I'd fail as a lieutenant if anything happens to you." Those words didn't fit coming from the behemoth's mouth. In fact what should've been soft reassurance was distorted by his mask. Which turned them into a deeper, gutteral growl. "Fight not just to survive but to better yourself."

Akaoni stopped. Something spiked east of his left horn. And without further explanation he started down the path. Expecting the other two to follow behind him.

The group ran until they entered the maw of a gigantic cavern. A massive space filled with stalagmites and glowing crystals. Its ceiling rose high until it vanished into a thick darkness. Lakes flowed throughout the ground and into a massive lake which surely crept deeper into the vast system. Holes littered the walls of the cavern, leading into darker tunnels exactly like the one where they stood. However, before they could take it all in, they'd notice a peculiar scene.

A young brown skin girl wearing nothing but a black cloak on the ground. Surrounded by tens upon tens of hollows. Humanoid and animal-like monsters with various mask that showed nothing but hunger.

"I'm guessing that's our girl." Akaoni smirked. He looked at Mamori...their eyes connecting but for a second before a massive fist came crashing down upon her. "Let's go Kirumi!"

***"Yotsugiri Iainuki: Kasou Onibi"***

Zanjutsu, defined as "the fighting style for the Zanpakutō", is one of the four Shinigami arts. It is an ancient art and considered the first and most basic. An art anyone is able to excel at and everyone must at least understand. But there exist those who surpass this fundamental comprehension and pursue a specialty. They climb one of Zanjutsu's endless branches or even graft their own. Embodying what it means to be a swordsman.

Akaoni embarked upon this path well before first donning his shihakusho. He eventually became a prevelant studant of Iaido and Gotei 13's most praised pracitioner. He earned fame for his quick-draw style swordsmanship which allowed him to react to the most spontaneous attack. But what stood out the most was the precise, controlled, unwasteful movement. How he stood still...waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Holding his stance while manuavering about...

*A lightning strike which danced between the treetops to only ignite a fallen leaf.*

He danced between the seemingly endless hollows. Twisting. Turning. Stepping into nothingness between their arms. His hand wrapped gently around Tekketsu Shoujo's hilt. In an instant his grasp tightened. His feet dug into the ground. Akaoni's muscular back yanked his arm explosively. Slamming Tekketsu Shoujo's kashira against the approaching fist before he brought the blade back into the sheathe. A quarter draw. But to the world Akaoni would simply appear before Mamori.

*Clang*

The hollows entire arm erupted into a mushy concation of blood and flesh. Its entire right side vanishing into nothing as its body tried moving forward. Another clang and its mask sliced into peices.

"Are you alright?" Akaoni asked.

"W-who are you?" She asked while gathering herself.

"Akaoni. Lieutenant of the Gotei 13's Ninth Division." As he spoke more hollows started to surround the two. "Kurimi, clear us a path out of here."

Minamoto chose that moment to reveal himself as his illusion dissipated. He stood landing softly beside Mamori. Who upon gazing upon the Kuchiki however, Mamori's expression paled, and the tension rose sharply. Especially when she saw the talisman dangling out from beneath his personal haori. There was no denying who he was.

Mamori didn't even hesitate, she scrambled back nearly tumbling over herself just to get out of his reach, for all the good it would do. Her eyes darting all over trying to find some place to escape, while each of her breathes was heavy and ragged. Not even the Hollows surrounding her had elicited such an extreme reaction.

Before she could say or do anything else, Minamoto quickly uttered an incantation, his voice barely above a whisper before the two were surrounded by a translucent golden-orange square barrier. Shifting himself so that he faced Akaoni he said, "This barrier should keep us both safe, and with me behind it, I can maintain its integrity until the end of the battle. But you and Kirumi will have to deal with the Hollows. My advice? Use this as a teachable moment for Kirumi. She needs to wet her fangs on fresh blood if she's to grow stronger."

Looking back towards the terrified woman on the ground, Minamoto's features grew soft and regretful. "You need not fear from me Mamori. I only wish to talk once this is over. Nothing more. I ask only that you grant me this mercy."

Heeding to the order that was bestowed upon her by Akaoni and nodding in agreement with Minamoto’s suggestion, Kirumi took a deep breath to steady her nerves and calm her disgruntled conscious as she pulled free her blade from its sheath in preparation. She was nervous even if the feeling didn’t reflect upon her blank visage, this was the moment she was waiting for ever since she decided to become a Shinigami.

"I am prepared to do whatever I can to see this mission succeed." She stated with conviction as she tightened her grip on her blade ready to unleash its power at any giving moment.