There Is No Honor in Creed

**Date Started:** 20 December 2021
**Date Completed:** 25 December 2022
**Users Involved:** User:DazzlingEmerald, User:Sekiro of the mist, User:Shouri01
**Setting:** Seireitei
**Characters Involved**: Togashi Hiramochi, Ryujin Suiiki, Hikari Shiba

## There Is No Honor in Creed

Hueco Mundo. Where the sky is blue and the sand is white. Where the Hollows roam free and do as they please.

Two entities stood across from one another, each cloaked in white.

"I see. So the one behind this plot is a *Quincy*." Togashi's green hair billowed with the accompanying wind. He reached at his waist and found the handle of his Zanpakuto, securing it tightly in his grasp.

"Quick to the point, aren't we? My, my, Captain. Shouldn't we exchange names first at least?" The ebony Quincy swept a loose strand of hair back with his hand. He kept his hands hidden underneath his garb despite Togashi taking his stance.

"Captain of the Tenth Division. Togashi Hiramochi." Togashi unsheathed his blade and swung it once in the air.

"Rajput Salem," said the Quincy right back. "Now what brings you all this way? Certainly you have no evidence against my being here. As far as I'm concerned... I'm here on a vacation, mmm?" Salem mused. His eyes grew cold. "Or have you drawn your sword... simply because I am a Quincy?"

A breeze enveloped the two.

"Make no mistake. I am not going to silence you merely because you are a Quincy. I will do so simply because it is my duty as the Captain of the Tenth Division to carry out the mission which I was assigned." Togashi's eyes met Salem's. "It makes no difference to me whether you are guilty or innocent. An order is an order and I will not defy my responsibilities."

"I see." Salem's face wore no expression. It remained as blank as ever, as if what Togashi had to say was not the least bit entertaining to him. "Amusing, Captain."

Togashi flickered forward, lunging at the Quincy with his Zanpakuto, only for Salem to step towards the side at the very last moment, proving himself that much swifter than the Shinigami Captain. Togashi turned quickly and lunged once more, this time aiming to slice through Salem's neck. Salem's hand came out from the inside of his cloak and conjured a sword of its own the very instant Togashi's blade met its mark.

Salem's sword intercepted Togashi's; the two blades clashed evenly, either giving up. Salem unveiled his other hand from inside of his cloak and it spawned a new sword in it, just over Togashi's head; the Captain's eyes widened when he realized this, but he could do nothing but retreat backwards once the second sword stabbed into his shoulder.

Blood splattered from Togashi's retreating form. With his free hand he plucked the sword from his shoulder. Salem quickly closed the gap between him and Togashi, placing pressure on him with a relentless attack of his own. Back and forth, Salem swung his sword. Togashi managed to parry them all, but the grimace on his face suggested that he was struggling.

As the two swords clashed once again, Salem eyed Togashi with a dismissive look sitting deep within his eyes. In that very moment his own blade was engulfed in blue flames, overpowering that of Togashi. The Captain's sword was broken, split cleanly through by Salem; it carried longer until slashing Togashi at his waist and drawing blood once again.

"Gughh!" Togashi could only bare to keep a single one of his eyes open in that moment. He garnered Shunpo to retreat farther and farther away from the Quincy. Togashi was one of the Soul Society's best users in the craft; and yet Salem appeared directly behind him as if he knew where he'd planned to go all along.

"Your Shunpo is no match for my Hirenkyaku," Salem whispered into Togashi's ear. Togashi turned in time to intercept Salem's flaming sword with his own, but the force behind the attack sent him flying down into the sand, where he crashed into a miserable heap. Salem landed back on his feet, that same expressionless look remaining on his face. "Is that all there is... to a Captain's strength?"

"Where are you, I don't have time to delay." The voice of a young man was moving, and fast. Following it is the figure of a young man with white hair. A fox mask covering his face and a white haori over a shinigami's outfit. That boy was the current lieutenant of the 10th division. Ryujin Suiiki, The young man still wore his last outfit from his venture to the mountain only he did not carry his mother's sword anymore. Now was the time to reclaim the other part of his soul.

Speeding through the streets of Boston Suiiki raced towards a construction site. The same building he crashed into during the fight that occurred with Zezga. but his zanpakuto wasn't there no it was only a trace. the true location of the blade was down, looking over the edge Suiiki saw a large river. The true source of Kurayami's energy. There was no way to pull the blade out of the water. So he dived towards the water. While he flew headfirst towards the water. Suiiki pulled back his hand, extending all figures forward to make a tight palm. Charging the hand with his Strength the young man envisioned a hakuda skill used by captain Shunsui, a man who went to the illustrious squad zero.

*"Hokosaki Hira"* Suiiki's palm flew forward like a spear into the wave's surface. Piercing the water and causing a great split, he flew downwards to the bottom of the lake finally reaching his zanpakuto. The sword felt like it gave off a glow to suiiki but in his hands, the missing part of his soul felt like it returned. "Finally you return to my grasp. Now we must save the captain. Before things become too late." Suiiki said in his mind to the zanpakuto spirit. Time was of the essence, and the more he spent away the worse His captain's situation could be getting.
...

Returning to the Soul society, Suiiki made his way to the tenth division barracks. Rushing through the halls and searching for his captain, any hope he had for the man not To have left were squashed and Suiiki was about to turn right around and leave. If not for the Voice that stopped him in his tracks. Turning his head the person would only see Suiiki's mask covering any facial expression he might have shown. Had it not been for the lieutenants badge on his arm perhaps he could have gotten away with hiding.

"Hey Ryu-chan, where are you going with so much prey ? don't tell me you've already realized that that idiot left alone for Hueco Mundo, and you're going after him, coming out in the cringe just like he did, aren't you ?" The provocative sarcasm-laden words came from the mouth of the pale-skinned, long black haired woman as she sanded her nails with her expression painted by an apparent nonchalance, which soon proved false the moment Hikari Shiba unloaded her disapproval-laden gaze on her Lieutenant, and without even giving him a thought, began to mumble crossing her arms and pouting, "You two really are incredibly selfish, going off and doing whatever you want without giving the slightest satisfaction. ..., if you are so self-sufficient, why do you still keep subordinates under your command?"

It was uncommon for a person to call suiiki by his real name these days. Although the act of using it in a nickname is not entirely the same. "Selfish, in what way does rushing into a peril without risking the lives of others selfish? I would much rather die alone than drag those under me down as well." Suiiki was trying to move quickly, he new firsthand how dangerous a battle could be, to feel helpless while someone else's life drifts away because you could do nothing. These where situations he took into account every time he picked up a blade and went on a mission.

Turning towards the third seat Suiiki knew what she implied, he didn't like the thought of bringing someone else along, the risk that they could get harmed was his responsibility. Yet bringing the third seat could help his chance of aiding their captain. To this end Suiiki would put his morals aside.

"What your hinting at, it's ludicrous. However on one condition will I allow you to come, as lieutenant it is my duty to take the place of the captain should they fall, as third seat, you would take the lieutenants place. There is no doubt my captain is a powerfull asset to the gotei, even I have my use's. But should you sense we will fall do not hesitate to flee. In the state the shinigami are in we cannot afford to lose a divisions top three seated officers, in truth we can't afford to lose a soul. If it comes to that though I'd much rather you sacrifice me, even if you must choose between me and the captain, do not hesitate to choose the latter." With that Suiiki turned sharply, the haori on his back fluttering majestically as he began to rush off.

"Honey, I think that selfish perfectly defines a person who thinks and acts for himself without the slightest consideration for his companions and without giving a damn about the importance that he has and as you well said important parts like you, me and our dear captain should give us due value, and not go around risking and playing a martyr or hero who sacrifices himself for the weakest ..." Retorted Hikari, distilling sarcasm, her expression was the clear picture of derision , which made it clear that she not only disagreed but even had some contempt for the opinion.

She then went back to filing her nails, and taking a few firm and relatively hurried steps the Third Seat took the front and standing in front of her as a sarcastic and provocative smile, she amended, "As much as the idea of abandoning a companion no matter how idiotic he may be seems to me as you said, ridiculous, as ridiculous as surrounding yourself with people only to treat them like dead weight and appointing a partner not to put the slightest trust in him, I promise that if I have to abandon you to save me and the captain, I will do it, ... Fufufu after all, according to you conserving the division's forces is the most important thing and as tempting as it is, I won't waste any more time disagreeing with my superior."

"But leaving all that aside Ryu-Chan, how do you plan on accessing Hueco Mundo ?after all the Captain has probably already made use of the official authorization issued by Central-46 " Hikari questioned with a the expression and a slightly more cordial tone of voice , getting out of the way she started walking beside Suiiki and waited for an answer carefully examining her nails checking if they were well sanded sharp.

Suiiki was quiet for a second. He didn't expect The third seat to retort the way she did. But it made him second guess his views. "Perhaps I am selfish. still, I don't know how to express myself too well. I stay to myself fearing to open up to others. As for why I say these things. The lives of others to me are more important. I don't care if they are the lowest seat or a child. I would rather them live. After all, a child who couldn't even keep his mother from dying is a failure indeed. So no. the most important thing to me is not some military force. I just want to do whatever I can to ensure the futures of others, rather than waste it on someone as worthless as me. I owe the gotei a dept, including my squadmates. I intend to pay it in full." Suiiki said towards Hikari.

"Trust a noble to be the one to find fault in my words. I swear all nobles are a pain great clans or not." He walked on pace with her but kept his thoughts to himself. (if only she knew just how much I would give to be of use to someone for once, seems like all I've been is a failure) he thought to himself. While continued to walk silently keeping the mask on his face to hide his emotions. It wasn't like he was sad at the moment this was just how he was raised. Everyone in his clan other than his mother taught him his life was meaningless and it should only be used to aid others. With his mother being the only person to say otherwise Suiiki too thought differently. but she was gone now and so were those thoughts.

They had been walking for some time though granted it was a pace Suiiki hated. He made plans even before traversing to the world of the living seeking the 12th division's aid in the process. By the time they arrived a soul reaper was waiting for the two with a device in hand. "Ah, Lieutenant Suiiki I was wondering what took you so long. Time is of the essence. "with that, the shinigami initiated the device and opened a portal. More specifically a Garganta, the passage between this realm and the realm of the hollows. Suiiki turned towards his 3rd seat and lowered his mask.

"I'm sorry I seem selfish to you, even making you have to argue with me truly. But the captain did this because I was too weak to go with him at the time. This is my fault, and I don't want to be responsible for another captain's death. So regardless of how you look at me, I will do everything in my power. To make sure you both return if being selfish is what it takes. Then so be it." finishing his statement Suiiki put the mask back on his head and steadied himself. he didn't want to wait for her to respond. Bringing back the captain was his mission right now. even in death, he will see it done.

In one leap Suiiki lept into the portal.

Hikari at first just followed Suiiki and limited herself to listening to him in silence as good manners demanded, while she nonchalantly sanded the ones on her other hand, she raised her eyes briefly at the moment the pair met up with the 12th Division officer and nodded, making sure that she understood how they would get to Hueco Mundo, refusing to lag too far behind her Lieutenant she quickly ran towards the portal, but not before smiling graciously at the officer who had helped them and bidding him farewell with a wave of her hand.

"Ohhh it's really very similar to what they describe at the academy ..." Hikari then broke the silence babbling dumbfounded as her purple eyes gazed into the matte black that surrounded them, and her surprise was not in vain after all this was the girl's first time at the border between the Hollows' home and the other dimensions, which until then she had only heard about in the Shin'ō Academy classes, classes that also taught her to accumulate Reishi under her feet to create a balance point in that turbulent scenario and once she could guarantee its instability she ran again close to Suiiki and finally returned to conserve with him, " It is good to see that you are not an asshole who only cares about people's strategic value, at the end of the day we are all a bit selfish, especially when it comes to our own philosophies and goals, I myself am not very apt to judge someone's selfishness , after all for the most part I joined Gotei-13 only to improve my reputation and that of my family. "

The look that Hikari directed at Suiiki, seemed much more understanding and respectful than it once had, her expression was now void of the disdain and sarcasm of before, the Third Seat seemed to finally be acting with due consideration towards her Lieutenant, Perhaps that was the woman's true face or she was just repaying him for his sincerity, the fact was that she maintained a decent tone before amending, "No problem Ryu-Chan, I also crossed the line with the provocations, fufufufu I don't run away from a good fight even if it's verbal... Well I don't know much about you, nor do I know your past, but if you accept the advice of a companion, I would say to value life a little more, if not for yourself at least do it for the people you want to save, after all the more you live the more lives you will be able to protect, and maybe even survive long enough to feel the rewarding feeling of witnessing the futures you protected unfold."

A faint smile appeared behind Suiiki's mask. Hearing someone tell him words such as those was nice. "Thank you, it's been some time since I heard someone encourage me in such way. Once again I do apologize for my earlier words." His tone had also shifted. the words came out like a soothing wave. Washing away any bad blood between them. Suiiki knew full well most wouldn't know his past after all it was a request he made before officially joining the shinigami.

## Captain, Oh Captain

The two had been traveling along the sands for a while. There weren't many hollows bold enough to come near them if they were fast enough. but by the time the desired location had been reached. the image both of the Shinigami saw was a man dressed in white robes. Standing tall without any hindrance to gravity on his body. On the ground another figure. Wearing the black colors of the Gotei, a direct contrast to the latter save for the white haori that matched Suiiki and Hikari's own. Under the fox mask, Suiiki's eyes widened as the realization that his captain was the one on the ground dawned on him.

"CAPTAIN!!" Suiiki called out revealing their position, not like the Quincy couldn't sense their approach. Suiiki looked Around the man to see what could have been used by the man in battle. Then he saw it, a Sword enshroud with dazzling blue flames. He was a swordsman. Able to take out Togashi by the looks of it. "Suiiki was the best swordsman in the tenth division let alone the entire Gotei. More than likely being in the top three at most. But Togashi was a captain-level shinigami. What insane strength did this man have.

Hikari observed the exotic environment surrounded by the white sand that contrasted with the deep black sky as the symbol of Yin-Yang with a contemplative gaze, however her contemplation disappeared the moment her purple eyes collided with the figure of her captain lying in the middle of that desert scenery, her gaze became sharp and the instant she hit her eyes on Quincy wielding a sword bathed in blue flames and he immediately took a guard position.

Bringing her hands to the Zanpakuto at her waist preparing to draw it, Hikari stepped firmly forward ready to intrude into her captain's battle, but before she could do so she stopped as she realized the enormous spiritual pressure her captain's antagonist was emanating, She could recognize immediately that this opponent was not at all coming against Togashi and this made her swallow dryly and with her confidence and certainties shaken, she asked herself in her heart, "*So this is the level of opponent the Captain is facing, ...Did he make the right decision in leaving us behind, after all if he who is a captain is having difficulties, wouldn't we just be dead weight? Should we step back so we don't get in the way?*"

"No, we've come all this way to help you and that's what I'm going to do !"Exclaimed Hikari loudly, stifling hesitation with her stubbornness and fortitude, she stared at Togashi lying on the ground and, trying to help him in her own way amended, "Come on Togashi, you're going to stay there lying like a piece of shit, that's why you came alone, to embarrass yourself ?! Stop embarrassing yourself and sullying the name of Gotei-13, get up and show this little shit what Captain Tenth Division can do!!!"

Togashi's condition was far from a proud sight. A man who had earned his respect in the Gotei 13 through a series of successful missions was now in miserable condition. When his second and third seats arrived through a portal he did not yet comprehend, Togashi was on his knees, using whatever was left of his Zanpakuto to hold himself from falling over.

To say the least, he was shocked to learn that both Suiiki and Hikari had managed to enter Hueco Mundo and further more, uncover his whereabouts. But the calm Captain withheld his surprise; he addressed them as if he had ordered them to come himself. "Suiiki... Hikari..." he took their names, the blood dripping from his lips still wet.

"Oh?" Salem's cold eyes looked between the newly arrived Shinigami. He didn't look at them directly, but rather in their general direction; his eyes peeled further beyond, to the sky of Hueco Mundo. "Are they going to be joining the fight along with you, *Captain*?" Salem's tone was meager. He addressed Togashi in a mocking fashion.

"Three on one... wouldn't you say that's a bit unfair?" the Quincy continued on. Then his head raised slightly so that the soul reapers could see his eyes. "For *you*."

Togashi gritted his teeth. He pushed his broken Zanpakuto into the sand and forced himself to his feet. He looked over his shoulder at his subordinates to address them. "Maybe it is for the better that the two of you found me. Listen and listen well. I cannot use my Bankai without first reforging my Zanpakuto with my spiritual energy. I will need you both to hold him off until then-"

"Captain. A bit of advice." Salem, in the blink of an eye, closed the distance between him and Togashi. "You shouldn't turn away from me." Salem swung with his sword; somehow, Togashi narrowly managed to parry it.

Now Salem was in close proximity of all three Shinigami --it was their best chance to attack him together.

"Cloud."

Arriving within the ears of Salem the lone word masked the approaching shadow which was Suiiki. His presence marked the arrival of darkness, as he appeared behind the Quincy. The boys appearance was cloaked in a blacker hue than his shihakushou. and silver eyes gleamed through the openings of his fox mask. The very same mask he always wore at his hip. Suspended in the air with his zanpakuto drawn. The shinigami learned from his previous battles Waiting to allow his strength to naturally acclimate during a fight would be suicide now. Not to mention his captain gave orders to stall the quincy.

"The Sea Of Shadows"

"Kurayami-Kaito"

A dark shimmer of light followed his words as the Zanpakuto morphed into its shikai state. Revealing the polished aikuchi that was the signature blade of Suiiki. Its ornaments swaying as Suiiki's own body moved through the air at a blinding speed. All in one powerful slash the shinigami brought the sword down through the air. Sliding effortlessly through the stream of wind caused by his sudden down force. The wind howled upward and the sands below split before Suiiki's Display. He intended to land a clean cut through the quincy's arm. Ridding him of it completely

"Fufufu, look if it isn't you I'll solve it myself by asking for our help..." Murmured Hikari with a sarcastic smile on her face, then supporting the edge of her scabbard with one of hands Hikari finally brandished her Zanpakutou, exuding sharp fighting spirit through a wild smile and the remarkable Reiatsu emanating from her body ,which while not comparable to that of someone of Togashi's level was still fearsome enough to reaffirm her Tenth Division 3rd Seat Status.

"Light up the Sky, Hibana !!!" Bradou Hikari bellowed causing her Zanpakuto to be covered in an orange glow and take on a new shape, the curved blade has now become rectilinear and gained slashing on both edges,the guard has expanded and frames itself in the pattern of flames departing from a yellow gem protecting the Officer's hand as a whole, the sword that was once a Katana frames itself in an elegant saber. Then looking with a sarcastic look at her captain, she teased . "Just don't take too long with it Togashi or we'll end up stealing your prey."

An immense amount of heat then began to overflow from her Shikai, wrapping itself around the blade causing it to flicker in an orange glow like the surface of a star, which even reflected as it illuminated the whitish sand of Hueco Mundo, that is until next to Hikari the glow disappeared , she shimmered, displaying all her Shunpo Specialty in a direct and dizzyingly fast strike, aiming a flaming slash at Salem's leg, synchronizing her movements with Suiiki's, taking her swing at the exact moment her Lieutenant did, in order to force Quincy to choose a single one to defend.

"..." As his subordinates advanced, Togashi had no choice other than to maximize upon the time that they could buy for him. He took a backwards leap, shimmering away with the use of Shunpo. It was rather remarkable --not many users of the craft could employ it backwards-- but now was hardly the time to marvel at the prowess of the Shinigami Captain. Resting down onto his knees, he sealed his eyes, entering a peace driven state to try and resurrect his Zanpakuto as fast as possible.

On the battlefield, the strongest fighters from the Tenth Division had made their move. Both Suiiki and Hikari launched a coordinated attack. Salem, who was moving forward, was forced to halt in his movement. He stammered, foot digging into the sand beneath. He stood there, unable to evade both strikes at once. Matter of fact, he was unable to move away from the scope of even one of them, enabling both Shinigami to meet their mark.

*Clang!*

Both Zanpakuto reached their target. Yet not a drop of blood was spilled.

"Oh," remarked Salem, standing firm. He moved up his arm and slid down his sleeve to show tightened veins at the surface of his skin. "You almost tickled me there, I think. Well. I wouldn't know since I didn't feel anything. I wonder. What is it supposed to feel like?"

Cold eyes gleamed at Suiiki and Hikari. "Pain. How does that feel?"

"*Damn, it didn't even scratch, so that's the power of his Blut*" She ensnared herself slapping her tongue against her teeth as she realized that her blade had not penetrated a single millimeter of Salem's skin.

Wrapping the entire length of her body in the Reiryoku that leaked out of her raising her already accentuated strength and endurance to a new level, Hikari firmly wedged her feet into the white sand and flexed her knees making her stance much more solid,having grabbed the handle of her shikai making even more pressure against Quincy's hardened skin, crossing a sharp gaze as he did, giving a wicked grin after growling "So you don't know what pain is anymore,you'll remember soon you bastard, I'll make sure of it ! !!"

"**Hanabi**!!!" Hikari shouted, expanding all the infernal heat that enveloped her blade into an explosion comparable to a point-blank anti-tank shot at Quincy in order to break the Blut Vane's defense with all its physical and thermal power or at least repel and destabilize him.

Suiiki's eys widened. The fact that the quincy had tougher skin than the arrancar he faced was astonishing. Still he knew to be Conservative with his strength while imploring masterful techniques.

Loosening his left hand from the Hilt, Suiiki switched it to grip the blade in the reverse grip. Following this by releasing his right hand, The shinigami fell downward while his left hand slid around his sword. Even with this his sword still hung to the quincy's skin. Working against the sudden explosion of Hikari's Technique. Suiiki brought his zanpkuto into his body at such a speed it caused him to spin like a corkscrew through the air. Combined with the added force of the explosion he whipped through the air. Causing gust and sand to blow through the air.

In contrast to the vibrant orange dome that arose around them. A black sheen enveloped his body and the dome that surrounded the quincy. As it crept into existence the shinigami's form warped and vanished. This was the ability of *Kage kōkan*. The ability to vanish into the shadows and move around them. In a night realm like Hueco Mundo, his Zanpakuto Abilities where heightened. Almost Swiming through the black void Suiiki moved around to the position of Salems Shadow. Emerging with a shimmer of movement. Suiiki lunged forward with a Stab attack. Focusing his spiritual energy around the blade and its tip. This was to ensure the attack made its mark and ran through the Quincy while not breaking his and Hikari's combined rhythm.