[BSD-RP] Soul Society: Rukongai

[Shinigami]

Katsuo was busy breaking apart buildings to get people who were stuck in them and still alive out, before he stopped hearing slightly the words of captain Kyomu saying something about him being powerless to stop it, to get out and away himself. He pulled one headphone off his ear to hear him, but… Kyomu didn't know powerlessness was not in this Oda's vocabulary. There was still something he could do for these people that hadn't made it completely out yet. He nodded to Kyomu in understanding before the man left, but stayed behind anyway, leading the people he once knew as family before the oda to a safer spot further north toward the Soul Society.
"Keep going further north, very fast now! Spread the word, start going north!"
He'd tell any stragglers. He'd look to Arashi before he started to go back too. He did have a shield ability that would protect survivors for a limited time.
"Arashi! Take the injured, old, or sickly with that cool ability of yours alright? I'll protect the back end if the blast comes back toward them, just make sure everyone keeps moving north."
Katsuo knew it was brash and dangerous, that his plan could probably kill him, but lives were at stake already, the needs of many out weighs the needs of a few, so on and so forth. The Oda would understand, what better way for one to make a stand than to make one the way a warrior should… a Hero should.
"Katsu… is this how people will remember me?"
He smirked at Eikogitsune's words for a moment, and reminisced on just why she loves it when she is remembered. *Being remembered, is just as important as being loved. Nobody can love you if they don't remember you.* her words during one of their sessions made a little bit of sense to Katsuo. If you want to be loved by others, they have to remember that you are there first.
He wouldn't tell her the part that they are very likely not going to see any more action today because they are far enough from the fall out that they wouldn't be affected, but if Arashi and the other people were ahead of him he'd protect them anyway by raising his Shikai ability.
"Sōseijigitsune Tate!" (双生児盾, “Twin Fox Shield”)
By crossing his blades, the hot and cold of Eikogitsune combine and force the poured Reiatsu to take the form of a shield that shined like a yellow tinted mirror, with which Katsuo enlarged with a lot of his own energy to cover everyone he and Arashi saved, hopefully including Arashi from the blast's aftershocks.
He didn't see the initial blast from concentrating too hard on his own shield that would hopefully protect those who avoided the blast with he and Arashi from further harm. He did however feel the power being exerted by captain Kagayaki, even with his eyes tightly shut everything was white, bloody bright from his eyes being kept shut.
After the blast he opened his eyes to see what had happened, and stood in shock and fear as everything was gone. The pork dumpling restaurant he walked by for a bite everyday at, the street kids used to play games on.. everything. Even the people he couldn't help or save in time. His former home was just gone. His friend's grave on the hill and the Old rusty Tanto they shared. It was no longer there either. It's not like he wasn't thinking about it, but in front of these people and other shinigami he felt the need to stay strong and not let them show it got to him. This point in his life for the first time he felt they did more harm than good… a slight bit of anger welted up inside him as well as the sadness he felt. Whatever caused this was going to pay. He'd have to work that much harder. Not that he'd let Eikogitsune know he wanted to. She'd work him to death.
Soon though his own Reiatsu would drain from the size of the shield and shatter on it's own before his Shikai faded and he fell on his posterior, with a tired sigh and a pull down of his headphones. He would keep his thoughts to himself about his former home and how destroyed it was.. perhaps everyone who survived could find homes further north until things are rebuilt? Maybe. For now though he felt things needed to settle down.
"Even I think this is enough exercise for one day. I wanna go home now and nap. Long. Two weeks maybe…"
He said, giving a dazed smile before fully falling over. The smile hid what he was thinking, but the raising of the shield did wear him out. It used nearly all of his Reiatsu in one go.
"Sleep?! You'll do no such thing Toshiyuki Oda! You're gonna train so hard, a Sōseijigitsune Tate that size will become the easiest thing you perform!
Eikogitsune vibrated on the ground her voice Echoed in his mind but he ignored it to steal some Z's. It had been a long day.
"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?! Oh you are so gonna get it when you get back in here!"

 

[Shinigami]

“Mmgh…”
Why was the ground so soft? Why was it warm? Everything hurt, but right now, her neck proved to be in the worst position. Slowly, she managed to pry her eyes open, and her world was turned upside-down. A familiar voice reached her ears, and as her vision cleared, and her senses slowly came to, she let out another pained groan and lifted her head to get blinded by the sun that hung over her captain’s head.
“Leave. Now. You are powerless to do anything against this. Leave it to Captain Kagayaki.”
That’s what she had last heard when she finally came to. She had yet to say anything as Kyomu continued to travel farther and farther away from ground zero, catching the other shinigami who had attempted their aid in one way or another; from Thirteenth’s Oda and Suta to Twelfth’s Yamato to Tenth’s Hyouzoku, Fifth’s Oda, and Eleventh’s Lieutenant Ueki — relaying the same message as a tape recorder.
Move. Leave it to Kagayaki-taichou. Hurry.
Though, as fleeting as these moments were, Yasu was all the more curious. With her head falling back naturally, she could see the image of the Tenth Division’s Captain front and center, with his vibrant green aura expanding tremendously around him. And his battle cry to those around him would surely have them rolling now. The mighty roar matched his tenacity and ferocity as he dealt with the threat at hand. From the crystalline spires that exuded off from his release to his natural otherworldly presence, Yasu was in awe. Gazing upon his retreating figure as both she and her captain drew farther from the zone, her tired eyes just managed to keep themselves open long enough to watch the spectacle in front of her.
So this is what the captains are all capable of. Selfless sacrifice, and a pool of hidden potential that I can barely touch the surface.
CRASH
Earth-shattering and thundering it sounded when he lashed out with his ending script that from where they were, Yasu could feel the vicious trashing of the wind given from the initial burst and its aftershock. What was once a beautiful display of perseverance and strength turned into something more frightening that it struck fear right through her tiny heart of hers. What was revealed through the many cracks had sent an ice-cold chill through her body, and there was a cold sweat already forming. If she could feel this way from this distance away, Yasu could only imagine how Higen might have felt at that moment. This experience was ominous, and Yasu was scared. She felt suffocated from the overwhelming presence of these things that Higen had brought to light. And one of them nearly took over that light with such ease had it not been interrupted.
When everything broke down, and things had returned to what it once was before, Yasu didn’t know how tightly she was holding onto her captain’s clothes and arms. Nor did she notice just how close she flushed herself against him during the entire endeavor. It took a bit for her to snap out of her demeanor to look at her captain. The lieutenant was breathing hard.
What was that? What else existed outside of this dimension?

“T...Taichou.”
Her voice was so small and uncharacteristic of the usual boisterous girl. She felt as she did during Honoka’s tea time earlier in the day. Frail, and lost in her position within the thirteen court guards. There was newfound wetness on her face, and she reached up to touch her cheeks. Tears? Ah, what was she crying for?! Try as she might’ve, they wouldn’t stop. Maybe she was relieved that this was finally over, but… far from over. Maybe she was crying because her captain was fine to an extent. She could tell of the significant change in his presence, but that was a conversation for another time.
They’d survived this round. What else would come their way… and when?

 

[Shinigami]

3rd seat and above, despite those that held more value than the position beneath, it took more than just strength and a combative will to uphold to the high standards that these ranks hold. Arashi's did not look for gratitude, praise or a even a simple thank you from those he carried to safety. Though he would receive, his smile and natural expression would be the only thing they see and show his acknowledgement. They had no time to sit there, once released they needed to move and so they did, heading towards the north, far from path of the Kokotsu. In the midst of his work, that surely felt as though he had been standing there for hours to no end, Katsuo had finally arrived. Though there was no sign of Oyama in the wake.
So where is she?
Now, is not the time to lose face, Ashi. Please, stay focused."
Hoshizora is right, Oyama would be fine. He hoped for everything to be fine... It be foolish for anyone to believe that he is content or well along the worlds of calm. Stress embodies him, his will slowly diminishing. To be hard at work, it took a lot and for this long. What will come of him? Will he be able to escape once things got worse? Would there even be room for escape? Running just lengthen the inevitable wasn't escaping. Katsuo made a request, returning his focus for the time. In response, Arashi released the young female safely to her mother along with more people that he had been moving far away from the devastation. From just a glance, Arashi could tell that the Kokotsu had been pushed far above the clouds and into the heavens! The works of fine shinigami accomplishing this magnificent action, but, it was simply the ingredients for an even greater threat. A direct promise to annihilate all things below and though the Kokotsu could not speak, make no mistake, all beings with in the afterlife surely felt the weight of the situation. Even so, Arashi could not falter and allow for any more innocents to perish. Even with the clouds separating above him to allow the Kokotsu to exude is presence once again, but this time, as a meteor of gargantuan proportions. Changing the color of the sky, eclipsing even the sun or even the moon. The world would turn dark and not even Arashi's light could even come close to vanquishing such darkness.
The now heated and unstoppable Kokotsu approached as an act of GOD, as the Soul Society and everything around it would be punished for all transgressions and sins committed with in the plethora of centuries that the afterlife has been around for. Arashi could only look up and reveal a face no longer painted with an infinite smile, but one of fear. Stuck, he could not believe the sight. That everything was about to be wiped away. Then approached Captain Mukuro, who would capture the look of despair upon his face, as his head falls to focus on he and his Lieutenant. His exact words both the same to him and Katsuo. It was an understatement to say that both were powerless, but his warning held value, despite the actions from earlier today. He still wore the Haori and carried the rank of Captain. Whatever happened, happened and if the Kokotsu makes impact none of what happened will matter anyway.
In the midst of this, Shirogane had hopes of utilizing his shikai in a way to alter the location of the Kokotsu. That would not work, and would surely kill him having to exhaust all his spiritual energy in one go like that. A fools plan that was far from fool proof. Even though asking for help in the time of need, Arashi could not leave all these people so casually.
"Ashi! Please focus!"
He shook his head to the screaming voice of his Zanpakuto spirit. Yes it was time to move, but he needed to continue working to secure the safety of anyone else that was left in the Rukongai. By now he had easily saved upon thousands and thousands of individuals making short work of this rescue operation. Katsuo had made efforts to protect him and others from the aftershocks from the Kokotsu and even those with more than violent spiritual energy outbursts. Commendable and deserving of rest whether it be through death or a nice cozy bed to curl up in. Once Katsuo collapsed, he would be encased in the same light that saved lives today, carried as Arashi moved further north and to a safer location. The orbs of light in the sky held many, and continued floating following Arashi's path, but as he moved, a booming voice matching the sound of Captain Kagayaki. From one who once stood still with an understandable doubt and un-sureness to the situation, has broken these chains and rises to the occasion as one who wears the Haori and rank of Captain should. Creating tower far taller than any skyscraper seen, his shikai showing a light show that made Arashi's look more like a slowly fading night light... The Shimmering Knight, brings forth effort that is beyond him, surpassing limitations, doubts, fear, worry, all things that would bring even a man of his stature to their knees in total despair.
Arashi's wanted to stand and watch, but has instructed by Captain Mukuro and even Captain Kagayaki all needed to leave or die. Already on the move, watching as his power illuminated the world around, erasing any doubt for simply a moment, but Arashi's a fool. This power he exhibited it was tearing him apart, as oh so grand as it may be. Still, it is the only power seemingly able to break the Kokotsu and as if all hoped would be lost, Captain Kagayaki opened the doors to a formidable force that should be able to contend with the cataclysmic that is the Kokotsu. Those with in the orbs of light, watched with awe, fear, suspense to the outcome. It wasn't long before the world breaks, as if one could hear time and space shatter like glass at the collision of two unfathomable forces...
For Arashi, the world stood still...
However, with such a sacrifice came victory... Captain Kagayaki take the win for all of us, but at what cost? The tower he once stood upon creates a calm and bitter-sweet feelings as the materials of it rains like snow. There were lives lost today. Too many to count, but they were a lot of lives saved. Arashi held his hands out, as he allowed for all the orbs of light to touched the ground and release all that were held. All the specs of light he released moved with speed, rushing back towards his side to reform the sealed form of Hoshizora.
"...."

 

[Shinigami]

She moves with the greatest of urgency, hand gripping her zanpakuto tautly. Captain Higen had always believed in her, even when she didn’t believe in herself. His faith in her was unshakeable, enough so to trust her as his Lieutenant, his right hand. She could not betray such blind faith by abandoning him to whatever ill fate awaited him. As she travels with the others behind her, she whispers a silent prayer, heard only by her slumbering zanpakuto.
”I-I don’t ask for much. Just...grant me the strength to protect what is dear to me. You’ve been my strongest ally, my closest friend throughout these years. Give me strength...give me strength.”
Now, closer than she was before, she notices the sun blocked out by the massive object rocketing towards them, she along with most if not all of rukongai and the southernmost wall of the seireitei eclipsed in darkness. Fires erupt, roar and sway in mocking dance to their impending doom. She stops, fear freezing her steps. She stared on in horror at the plummeting meteor, her hand gripping her zanpakuto shaking. Her eyes widen, pupils dilate as she is no longer in the Soul Society.
The cackling of flames dance in her ear as she is returned to the temple she was raised in. The destruction wrought by the bandits surrounding her. The screams of her sisters as they were slaughtered. She blinks and then, finds herself pinned down, impaled by a spear the world around her encased in flames. Her nightmare had returned, her demons resurfaced. The meteor, even without touching down, had brought Fuyuko to hell.
”Kekekek, is this it? Will you surrender here, and now and die surrounded by flames once more little priestess?”

Where once there were flames, now only darkness reigned supreme, the mocking tone surrounding her along with the familiar sound of rattling bones. Fuyuko found herself encaged in an ivory prison; large skeletal fingers surrounding her. A massive skeleton towered over her, glowing crimson within empty sockets. It was Hibiki-kotsu. He stared at her as if waiting for her response. She hesitates to answer.
”It seems...history is repeating itself...I cannot go against the wheels of fate.” She laments quietly, her voice a hushed whisper. The massive Gashadokuro lowers its massive skeletal head, staring at its “Master”. Though it held no flesh the look of disdain was clear even to her.
”And you had the gall to ask me for strength? What a joke, to be frightened by something like fire. RISE UP, SWALLOW YOUR FEAR AND MOVE FORWARD..or leave your comrades to die. Do not disappoint me Fuyuko...or I will consume you til not even your bones remain.” The ominous voice lingers as the massive skeletal form fades from view.
Fuyuko gasps, as time resumes for her, and she is once more standing idly by, surrounded by the four subordinates. They stare at her, clearly confused and concerned. She prepares to speak when she is temporarily blinded, their eyes forced to avert as the world is encased in green tint. Ghoulish flames smothered and encased in crystal as a familiar reiatsu continues to swell, growing to magnitudes she could not begin to fathom. Massive emerald stalagmites jut from the earth, forming a massive spire, spearing towards the meteor. The Lieutenant’s heart began to beat rapidly within her chest. Was the Captain really going to..no! He couldn’t! He shouldn’t!
She wishes to move forward but is stopped as the sound of cracking reverberates within not only her ears, but all ears still present on ground. The cracking grows louder, and louder until it is replaced with the thunderous sound of shattering glass. She is too late, too late to try and reach her Captain, to stop and deter him knowing they more than likely had no other means to resolve this issue. The fractured remnants of reality breaks off into many fragments. Many scenes, foreign sounds, places, and faces shown briefly in the skies. A dark feeling scrapes along her spine, and an explosion destroys anything, everything and everyone unfortunate enough to be too close.
Fuyuko braces herself along with those charged with her protection. As the scene eventually quells itself, Soul Society becomes the scene of glowing mint green snowing down upon them. She blinks as the reality of what has happened catches up with her mind. ”Follow me! Hurry!”
She rushed, repeatedly calling her Captain an Idiot, berating him within her mind as she races with all her might, towards the ever growing silhouette falling from the sky. Though Soul Society is now calm, the same can not be said of her heart. She knows not the fate of her Captain, but prays nonetheless. She arrives in time to witness a massive ebony hand securing the weakened body of a mighty man. As he’s rested on the ground she hastens her steps, rushing to his side with the others.
”Stupid Taichou! WAKE UP! You’re not allowed to die! Not like this you old fool! Showing off like that..now look at you.” She chokes her words out, eyes watering as she looks over his battered form. She reaches inside her uniform, hand fumbling in search until finally retrieving her personal Omamori. It glows with a soothing warmth, she rests it upon her Captain’s chest. She motions the four who followed her over, instructing them to carefully support and carry their Captain. They move with the greatest of care, Fuyuko herself rests her hands on Soul Society’s hero, calming herself applying the basic of treatment afforded to her from her understanding of Kido.
She turns to Captain Kojima, who looks no better off than her fallen Captain. She stares at the weakened Captain and mouths a quiet thank you his way as they begin carrying Captain Higen towards Fourth Division to receive treatment.
[To Fourth Division]

 

[Shinigami]

”Everyone! Get as far away from here as possible, not a single soul needs to be here or you all will die! You WILL die! Allow me to receive this burden...allow me to show the same knowledge of sacrifice as you have all shown me! Leave, Now!”
The titanic Captain’s words bellow out to all those beneath the sound of his voice. The last warning afforded to them. Those who did not heed the words of the “traitorous” phantom, had no choice but to bend to the voice of the Shining Captain. Kyomu moves without doubt, without delay, without guilt. He had warned those he could, and aided those he could. Now he had one concern, seeing that his Lieutenant lived on.
The world around Kyomu is but a blur as he moves, the flames cackle and roar on buildings lit aflame from the meteor’s approach. Despite the distorted image and blended colors of the passing scene, even he becomes aware of the bright green that paints the world. The roaring of Captain Higen’s reiatsu floods the senses, blinding even the mind’s eye of those observant few.
It begins
Kyomu presses on, he needed to be further away. A crystal castle emerges in the distance behind the fleeing Captain, its glimmering and luminous tint and finish causing the light to become tinted by the emerald prisms of the crystal, further illuminating the world. The tower of emerald continues to jut heavenbound, the Knight atop his javelin as it races towards the falling meteor that dares to destroy all he was sworn to protect. There is a heavy collision, crystal battering against stone as the meteor’s fall is temporarily halted.
And then, the indestructible, is destroyed. The emerald glimmering constructs shattered into many fragments as the Kototsu continues its fall. Captain Higen exerts all his might, emerald spires birthing constructs meant to contest the power of the Kototsu, to delay its fall if even for a moment. In that regards they succeed, the meteor’s descent stalled.
And then that moment passes.
Crystals crumble into fragments, and then dust as the comet continues roaring towards the Soul Society. That moment earned however, is more than enough. With a single word, Captain Higen discards his “shining armor”. The kind, warm and gentle knight becomes anything but such, the protector now a destroyer.
His already daunting reiatsu continues to skyrocket, rising ever higher. As if unable to contain such power, reality begins fracturing at the seams, cracks webbing out, tracing the air; and then it shatters. Loudly. Violently.
The many fragments become windows into other worlds, other timelines, other planes of existence. Windows for viewing yes, but windows work both ways. As those present dare gaze into that which should not be seen, they too fall beneath the scrutiny of a power most foul. From a distance, and due to the light their vision is slightly obscured, unable to see the monster that gazes down at their pitiful forms, yet they can feel it. Some become unnerved, feinting on sight, Kyomu witnesses others lurch and hurl over from the dark feeling bubbling inside them.
Even Captain Mukuro cannot help but to tighten his grip, deeply concerned at what this could mean. He unconsciously tightens his grip on his Lieutenant, and is lost to the fact she has stirred awake. His focus, captivated by both the power displayed by Higen...and the implications of that which he had seen and felt on the other side.
With one final push, a thunderous crash shattered the dimensional windows, each scene now lost, fragmented further. The Kokotsu is no more, with its absence comes the falling of emerald snow sprinkling down on them. They were saved, peace was finally truly found, a peace that was lost to those who’s lives could not be saved. Having upheld his duty, and fulfilled his task the destroyer ceases to be, and the weakened knight returns, his armor of brilliance tattered and fractured as he plummets towards the ground.
With everyone having fled to the furthest regions away from the Captain who among them could reach him in time? Where his fate appeared sealed, a dark tinted hand swoops in to scoop up the falling hero, ensuring the Seireitei did not lose their beacon of hope.He would not die this day.
”T...Taichou”
The weak whimpering voice of his Lieutenant draws his eye. Yasu appeared so small and fragile in his arms, smaller than normal. Her cheeks wet with tears, tears that cascaded ceaselessly down her face. He can only stare at her, the words to console her lost to him. The images of Captain Higen’s brilliance replays in his mind, and Kyomu is reminded once more of the scene with the Commander...and at his current state. His eyes narrow as he suppresses the pain, pain that pierced his heart, but greater still was the sharp throbbing pain to his pride.
The Lieutenant of the tenth squad appears no sooner than Higen was brought softly to the ground. The concern she shows speaks volumes of the bond between her and her Captain. They work to lift the great hero, carefully ushering him towards the Fourth Division barracks.
Kyomu stares on as they depart, the fires of resolve stoked and burning faintly within his amber painted hues. ”Lets go Lieutenant. We have much to do.” He speaks without sparing Yasu another look, walking off towards their own barracks, with her still held within his arms.