~~~~~~~13~~~~~~
"FUKUTAICHOU"
"Tch!... Kinori! Preform tenteikura NOW! Get the 10th Squad out here Immediately!" Kaien crouched holding Nejibana out defensibly, his other hand about the side of his stomach feeling the spread of red heat "Tch"
"B-but sir, will they get here in time? Fuku-Taichou is usually strong enough to handle this but..."Kinori dipped his head glancing at his superior's wound, stepping behind Kaien feeling he had overstepped his boundaries.
"Why Kinori are you disobeying your Fuku-Taichou's order? We can fight and survive till they get here!" Kaien turned his head and flashed a large grin to the sheepish young man. "Even if I am not strong enough to deal with this many right now. Fall back, call the 10th Squad out." Kaien kept his voice steady and light but inwardly he cussed again naming at least 5 people who'd have his hide the second he was back from the field.
"If anything he'll be Hollow fodder till the 10th shows up. He's a tough old bird so don't worry Kinori, It'll take them a while to get through Shiba Fuku-Taichou" Rinda teased easing herself into a defensive position, back to the others.
"That's right! I'm tough, like raw leather. Let 'em come and try to take a bite outta me, I bite back." Kaien sneered laughing looking out towards the hovering swarm. It was odd: the sheer number of hollows appeared to be random and yet something about it seamed almost planned. 'Intriguing', there really was no other way to describe the phenomenon. All those hollows, how many where there now? Hundred? More? Yet after the initial attack they all lingered back and circled as if laughing and stalking close. The thought of holding off all those hollows wasn't putting him at ill ease, it was the lurking Adjuchas that was making his stomach twist. He hadn't seen it but could sense it's Reiatsu flickering close as the Hollows crept in one by one.
"Now, I want you to remember, we are here to help you. Utilize everyone's strengths and you'll find we have no real weaknesses together as a family." Miyako brushed off Kaien's shoulder, removing some of the summer cotton from the black kimono fussing about his appearance like a Mother or a Wife would trying to proudly display their man.
Kaien acted in kind giving an overly exaggerated sigh "Yeh yeh I gotcha." looking out to one side with his jaw jutted forward just enough to show his dissatisfaction at her fussing.
"I mean it Kaien Shiba! I want you to return. Alive. I want All our squad members to come back alive." She paused for a moment thinking he wording over very carefully. "There...perhaps is some truth in your wild accusations. If this is true, I think, whatever this is, whoever it is and why, they think you are alone. That alone is their grave miscalculation. In the 13th if you attack one of us you attack all of us. It's not cowardly but it's what a family does Kaien; fight side by side shoulder to shoulder as one." She had placed her hands folded down in front of her, speaking to her feet. She forced her head up so as to hide the shyness that was tickling her stomach. Miyako blinked, caught off guard to not see Kaien huffing or scowling at her but just the opposite grinning widely.
"Shoulder to shoulder as family. Don't worry Miyako-san, we'll be fine. We'll all come home alive. I give you my word!" Kaien laughed and gave a wave as he stepped off the porch running after the other three squad members of that night's assignment. He stopped turned and like a teenager shouting "Besides, I still owe you a date!"
Kaien cast a measured look about him, everyone forming a circle about Kinori to protect him as he sent out a message. Kinori, a good kid who's ability to preform tenteikura was impressive and easily landed him 16th seat in the squad. Quiet and did what he was told but had enough sense to keep his head about his shoulders and ask questions when needed. Rinda was a spitfire and the second member of the team. Known for her sarcastic wit and yet kind heart once you got past all the snark. Karinu was someone who was quiet, good at controlling tough situations and would, in Kaien's opinion, make a better Fuku-Taichou then himself. Though Karinu was one of those people who sat quietly in the back, a wallflower of sorts yet did seam to have the innate ability to arouse the troupes into action if he wanted to.
"I'm grateful for your help Shiba Fuku-Taichou. However, I Cant help but think you purposeless placed us here. Is this another valiant attempt to gain what favor you already have with Taichou?" Karinu teased, Zanpakutou at the ready, his eyes on the shadows of the trees as the dark silhouettes swayed and danced against the eerily red sky.
"Surely you don't flatter yourself enough. Miyako-san chose you three with reason, I'm just here for the fun of it. The three of you work well as a team and your powers and strengths compliment each other. So if anyone would be able to survive such a shit storm I trust it would be you three." he paused shifting his weight admitting aloud and to himself "And lets just say that I'm not in Taichou's best of graces at the moment." Kaien chuckled standing watching the shadows as they moved. The winds played its fingers through his wild dark hair swirling away as the man crouched. "Have you noticed the number of Hollows lately?"
"Doubled if not tippled on some days. I'm ready for a vacation." Karinu sighed.
"If you do take me with you, I'm starting to think I'll leave my juban at home, less Landry to do during the week." Rinda chortled "Less chance of showing blood... right Shiba Fuku-Taichou."
Kaien clicked his teeth and consciously tugged at his Kimono tops to hide the red that had yet to spread. "Really you hens. Honestly if you... AT THE READY!" He rose with Nejibana in hand.
"And so they send wonderboy with us. Afraid an old lady and two young Kids cant handle a little patrol duty Shiba-dono?" The older woman crossed her arms, her short silvered blond pulled back from her face by two small clips. She wore a large smile that danced in those aged eyes as she walked besides Kaien looking up at the easily taller man.
"Hey I'm just here for the fun."
"Oh and it'll be fun and it'll be real but it wont be real fun. Overnight is less then glamorous and lately it's been down right grueling." Rinda snorted glancing back.
"We do our best and it seams that things have just been strangely overwhelming. I sent a request for more assistance weeks back but I didn't get a response." Karinu spoke frank a tone well guarded holding hints of an edge and yet the aggression has been removed.
"Ah. I've been working on it Karinu-san. Eh the fact that-" Kaien paused head jerking up and staring at the sky.
"Oh Hey! A shooting star! How lucky we are so rare during the day!" Kinori placed his hand behind his head watching the sky with a child's carefree nature.
"Not good." Kaien shivered looking into the forest as the the ground trembled. "Pull back from the forest!"
"What? You just insane or-"
"NOW" Kaien grabbed both Karinu and Rinda roughly behind him before turning with his hands up ready for a kido spell. Kaien's body jerked expectantly. Teal eyes glanced down to watch a withering vine like tentacle already planted in his side tear free. The white fire that shot through him spun his contentious around in wild circles.
The screams brought bumps to the skin of the Shinigami. The setting sun's golden light etched sharp shadows into the skull shaped masks of those living in deep regret. The ground trembled with every sin burdened step. Once again the hollows ventured close and yet they would slowly pad around the shinigami at a certain distance keeping sweltering red eyes locked onto their prey. There they stayed, not daring to venture closer yet refusing to leave. The hollows circled around, again and again, letting out that soul pricking scream to keep the prey on their toes.
"I don't get it..." Karinu spoke under his fear rattled breath. "I Don't get it, why don't they attack...why don't they attack! I'd be ok if they just attacked!"
"They're waiting for something... perhaps its my large stature scaring them away." Rinda snorted trying to lighten the situation with a laugh.
"You're so sweet Rinda-chan, I'm surprised they're not eating each other in attempts to have you all to themselves." Kaien continued the light banter. The question of why remained, but it wasn't...the right question. Kaien scowled, the question was who was sending the hollow to attack and yet, keeping them at bay. "You know...fuck this. Sokatsui!" Kaien Thrust his hand out the blue lightning crashing down striking into other hollows causing them to scatter and cry out in both anger and pain. The air flickered as Kaien's flash step brought him dangerously close to the hollow. An arching shine from his blade he cut through the hollow's tender flesh. The creature turned and lurched for the ignorant Fuku-Taichou. "Shakkaho " The red light exploded from his hand but before the creature could recoil a skilled thrust of Nejibana priced the mask. The hollow's form paused before it collapsed and begun to blow away with the twilight's breeze.
"SHOW OFF! Fuku-Taichou really with such moves one might think you were compensating" Rinda shook her head giving a snort as she joined the barrage. The first hollow swung at her, step to one side and she returned the strike with one of her own "Shake the ground and dance in the sky's! Way of destruction 21: Earthquake" She hammered her palm against the ground at the hollows feet. Sod lifted into the air with a great exploration turned the hollow over onto it's back.
Karinu flashed in and stood above Rinda's fallen hollow delivering the last piercing blow. Slipping away as the hollows jaws clashed for him one last time Karinu landing out of flash step besides Rinda. The two stood ready backs to back in front of Kinori.
"S-seki " Kinori shouted as a hollow leapt forward. A blue light flattening out in front of the Shinigami just in time for the Hollow to rush in head first into the spell. The hollow's body disintegrated Kaien standing in the wake. "F-fuku-Taichou, the message was successfully sent. I-it shouldn't be long now."
"Hiku" Kaien pulled his hand towards him as a yellow light surrounded Kinori immediately pulling younger Shinigami to him and away from a new hollow's onslaught. With blade out he caught the Hollow's attack as it shifted and followed it's target. The waraji on Kaien's feet groaned, the fibers of the sandals protesting as Kaien's whole body struggled to keep the Hollows blade like arm from crashing down upon them both. Kaien felt Nejibana's vicious blade bite into his left hand as he pressed against the soul sharpened steal.
The hollow let up without warning. It lingered watching with hell burning eyes before turning its green scaled back upon the two shinigami following the other hollows away. The four were paralyzed with confusion and wonder as the hollows went back to their slow circling march. This wasn't the first time... eighth maybe, fourteenth if one was truly counting. As soon as one Hollow was hacked down two more would melt into the march around the four shinigami.
Of all people to snap he was the last one Kaien would have expected. Karinu started to scream, his Zanpakutou still wrapped in his fists as he fell to the ground screaming at the top of his lungs. The high pitched unbelievable confused yowl of insanity. Rinda was at his side arms wrapped about her comrade. She looked to Kaien, shaken with worry at a loss and confused.
"They're toying with us! Like we were some kind of creature...some... DOLL to be ripped apart and dismantled. I CANT STAND THIS! I just... I just... WANNA GO HOME!" Karinu screamed before plunging his face face into the fabric of his sleeves while Rinda pet down his hair like a mother would to any frightened child.
Kinori tugged at Kaien's Hakuma looking up with big eyes his lip starting to tremble as well. The fear was starting to darken the once hope filled eyes. "You were... you were Right Fuku-Taichou, you knew... this... this would be too much. We're going to die arnt we? I suppose, that would be ok. Would it be ok to cry if I know I'm going to die?"
"Kaien." Rinda looked to their leader her elder face kissed by the sun and years of wisdom Kaien would never understand. He knew that face all too well, wore it himself once long ago.
Kaien knew what they were feeling and sympathized. That feeling of despair, that awful devouring feeling. Something so cold it slips into your body and coils about your heart. That darkness is quick to spread. With this situation, the way the hollows slowly crept about them, the inconsistent attacks and retreats. This...this is what they wanted. To let that cold despair pull their minds into inanity, leave nothing but a dull blade and a cry from the heart.
Kaien grit his teeth "SHUT UP GODDAMNIT!" he looked back with fire in his eyes. "Kinori stop crying you're not going to die! Have some Faith in me! Have the faith in yourself. I give you my word we'll get out of this Alive!" Kaien started to rotate his Zanpakutou in his right hand letting his spiritual energy flow through the blade letting it glow brightly. "Suiten sakamake, Nejibana! We have work to do my friend. Wake up." The blade glowed with Reiatsu slowly elongating a three bladed staff forming, the counter weight a spiraling a flower bud. A blue tassel blossomed from beneath the trident of blades. Water coursed from the tassel and the twisted bud, the crystal clear waters flowed and laughed idly about it's master.
Kaien stepped forward, a simple flick of his wrist and the water flow trickled off. Kinori followed his Fuku-Taichou coming to stand beside Rinda and Karinu. Kaien stood adjacent with his face taught, lips thin. "SHOW YOURSELF HOLLOW!" Kaien paused not feeling satisfied "You Idiot! All you know how to do is play Kagome-Kagome. Round and round you go, when will you come out you Fuckin moron?"
"Think you can face me?" The hollows stopped and turned their ring tight into massive twisting ring of bodies. The voice laughed with a twin voice both male and female spoke with harmonious pitch. "Is that your Shikai? I've heard of them... lets see something bigger, I want to see your Bankai Shinigami. Show me that and I may deem you powerful enough to face me."
"I don't need my Bankai to finish you off." Kaien gave a grunt gloating "Would you like to know why the Shiba clan is now and always feared?" With a turn Kaien placed his hand out "Coiled about the blue diamonds. Scratching the glass of the river. Devour. Way of binding 82: Munashii See the purple moon and devour the flowers of the sun Tears from the heavens. Breaking the bones of the beast. Yellow fortune and red tears. The god of the eastern sky cries pierce through me. Way of destruction 92: Sutayonaki." Kaien returned to face the hollow's voice as a blue light filled from the earth arching about the other Shinigami, a half circled shield protecting them for the moment.
The lead hollow laughed slipping into the ring of Hollows. It was massive, two large cannons perched on either of the wide shoulders. The Adjuchas let it's Reiatsu flow freely from it's body sending Kinori into a fitful world of vertigo. The low male and high female voice cackled enjoying the fear. Opening its mouth to laugh they could see the double mouths that moved and closed independently. His two sets of hands were clawed with large boned nails falling back over its' fingers looking like some form of twisted rocket. Two large clawed feet carried it's weighted body forward. Casually it got down to it's knees menacing over the four Shinigami, one par of arms supporting the weight the second keeping himself bent. It stared down at the Shinigami who stood only half the height of his mask. "A double spell? Interesting, if they both worked." The hollow snatched Kaien up from the ground lifting him in a tight grip holding just below the arms, slowly strengthen the grip. "And yet you let me pluck you from the ground as easily as that? I'll squeeze the innards out of you as if you were a caterpillar"
"We're feared for our skills and mastery of the demon arts."Continuing with a wolfish smirk "Sutayonaki is one of those only Kamikaze and crazy men use, want to know why?" Kaien gasped out fighting for ever word the grin growing on his face. The hollows weird laugh halted as an white hot pain ripped through it's body. It staggered back looking up to discover the source of the attack. The stars shimmered brightly but were quickly falling from the heavens aimed strait for it. The Hollow lifted it's arms for protection from the onslaught of light as it rained down upon both Kaien and the Hollow. The 'stars' hit the earth with enough force it sent chunks of inflamed plants and and earth scattering. Forming a curtain of dust as the hollow staggered back with a scream.
"KAIEN!" Kinori shouted trembling behind Rinda's protective arm eyes darting to the mass of hollows surrounding them. Panic and confusion shook the shinigami. The hollows hadn't stirred, their beady red eyes seen in brief moments as the dust cloud begun to thin.
As the dust cleared from the attack aria only Kaien was seen slowly rising from the severed hand of the hollow the blue of Nejibana's tassel shining brightly against the bleakly colored dust cloud. With a step of flash he returned to the front of the team standing guard. Black fabric marred and scotched the only real bodily damage seen was the left shoulder. Shreds of the uniform flickered in the anticipating wind pealed back from the wounded shoulder, open like a flower with a bloody center. Even Kaien didn't escape his kido spell unscathed.
"F-fuku-Taichou that..."Rinda spoke breathlessly watching the back of her Lieutenant as he stood between them and most certainly death. "Kami help me, we survive and I will never breath a word as long as you NEVER use that spell again!"
"Psh I plan not to. Now stand back and protect yourselves. Your lives mean the world to me, so does the honor of our Squad. We will stand, fight and kick some hollow ass" he looked back and made a face spitting his tongue out and crossing his eyes "What? Who do you take me for? This will be a walk in the park, you'll see" He started to laugh taking a step forward Nejibana settling on his Shoulder. As the dust had parted the lead Hollow had disappeared again behind the wall of his lesser kin." So do I get to face you? or are you going to continue to hide in the shadows? COME ON WHATCHA GUNNA DO CONTINUE TO SLEEP BACK THERE COME ON BAAAAAAaaAAAKA!" Kaien presented his ass giving it a slap and a raspberry to the opponent. He stood and gave Rinda a large grin "Rinda, I leave the rest to you." The woman nodded pulling Kinori close.
Light exploded forth popping and whizzing by like fireworks blinding most but not Kaien. As the clawed hand reached out from the light Kaien stood his ground and gave a light flick of Nejibana's handle knocking the hand to one side. A strange secondary light behind him cast a strange orange glow upon the battlefield as Rinda put up a second protective shield. The Adjuchas slowly stood up towering above Kaien letting it's Reiatsu flow freely from it's body. "I am known as Petardos and I will be the one to feast upon your flesh Shinigami. No need to tell me your name, you are insignificant and will di-" The hollow stumbled back as Nejibana whipped back past the face "H-HEY! I'm in the middle of my introduction! What kind of asshole are you?"
Kaien wiggled a finger in his ear as if he wasn't paying attention "What? oh.. did you want something?" He stepped forward a quick twist of the blades of Nejibana and they sung out biting for flesh.
Petardos recoiled with a shout clawed fingers jutting forward as the tips shot out swirling wildly for the Shinigami. It laughed bringing it's second hand in from the left side almost assured to catch the Shinigami off guard. Instead the hand was stopped by the singing tri-blades of Nejibana. "W-WHAT?" The hollow swept back swishing it's tail forward catching Kaien with a mere glance pulling up beads of crimson from the Fuku-Taichou's cheek. Anger replaced the hollow's surprise as it lashed in for a second desperate attack.
Kaien rolled with the strike coming to a skid as he pulled an object from inside his juban, mischief sparking in his eyes. "Look, if you wish to fight someone of my caliber at least know what they're capable of. Besides your tricks... they are quite literally with me... childs play." He grinned over the four small round lit bombs laced between his fingers. Kaien threw them forward with a gleeful grin.
"Fireworks? HAHA BOY The irony do you truly think your little game will-" The fireworks went off, light flashing in a dazzling dance of colors little flames whizzing past and exploding in every direction. Pulling the attention of even Petardos from Kaien. It was long enough for the Shiba to slip in and slide his blade through of the of three remaining hands returning to his protective position through Shinpou.
Kaien gave a hearty laugh "I am one of Soul Society's Greatest Firework makers! How else do you think three Shibas in a room full of Dragon candles spent the time? now... Get serious and fight like you mean it!"
A tail shot out again, Kaien stepping to one side to dodge as a second tail shot towards the group of Shinigami. With a howling double laugh hollow watched as the blood slipped down his own tail, the appendage withering through the thick of Kaien's Thigh. A quick flash step between the hollow and his squad mates, the blades of Nejibana pierced through the spiny tail pinning it from moving further. "How many times will you do that Shinigami? How many holes will you get in your body, how long will you bleed before you fall? Give it up now so I can devour you. Cannon fodder, that's all you are."
Kaien twisted and with a simple rotation of his wrist severed the tail tip and earned a well deserved scream."And how many body parts are you going to lose before you decide it's time to call it a night?"
The screaming turned to laughter as the hollow thunder the ground with it's heavy feet, hands forward with the fireworks at the ready "You will become my prey, just a matter of time. Don't you see this? Either way you are not getting out alive shinigami. I'll swallow you whole and your little friends as desert! Ether way you all die" Fireworks exploded from the Hollows fingers sharp hisses before sinking into the ground exploding into blossoms of fire. Water raised up devouring the better aimed attacks, twisting and rotating as Kaien twirled Nejibana on the defense.
The tails lashed out and with a simple twist of his wrist the waters crashed down. Kaien's eyes went side as the water landed low. The clawed hands from two of the lesser hallows reached for him. A rotation of the staff and a side step resulted in the the blows deflected. The shield on his left arm All but falling from the shreds of flesh and twill. A simple arch thrust and the waters swelled to Kaien's Command ripping through the two standing hollows rendering them into half's. Kaien panted to keep the grimaces away. Each breath and grip he could feel the tattered flesh quiver sending sparks of white light through his head. Kaien kept his eyes now on Petardos and the ring of hollows cursing silently to himself. The reality of it all... even if he defeated the Adjuchas the lesser hollows would come flooding in now out of his control. Petardos winning would also be the same effect, the hollow played its hand, Kaien and his team on the unlucky side of the draw.
"Quit Barking Shiba Fuku-Taichou Show him some bite! We need you too so don't make me go drag your ass back from death and kick it a few times!" Rinda shouted from the side lines.
"Time to cut some teeth Rinda-san? Hrph alright. Suijin no shinsei!" Kaien gripped Nejibana, eyes locked on Petardos. He stabbed the trident like blades into the ground with a solid slunk. For a moment the blue tassel of the weapon fluttered and fell silently to the ground laying limp and lifeless, the water in the air falling as if all spiritual energies has ceased their manipulations.
Petardos Laughed mouths opening wide pointing a clawed finger at the Fuku-Taichou "So Pathetic! That is it? No more Reiatsu to fuel your little trickery. Come here Shinigami, you and your friends can feed my power." With a shriek the Hollow started forward.
"Odori ni Neji" Kaien let the words slip from his lips. The world held its breath before the tears fell from heavens. The sky wept in thick gray sheets, the waters collecting and churning forming a ring around the valiant Fuku-Taichou and his squad members. "Gomen... gomen Nasi Kinori, you wont like this"
Petardos yowled with laughter not giving up. Charging through the rain and with one last leap laughed, jaws open.
Kaien's Reiatsu flowed out in a deep blue like water forcing those behind him to the ground with a startled cry. The water shot up like a screen, the powerful torrents shaking the ground roaring loudly. From the heavens a second screen fell as Petardos reached in for the Shinigami. The arm reached for them but the churning waters twisted and pulled like gears in a machine twisting Petardos into their currents. One flowing one direction, the other just opposite. The waters howled with glee the crystal hues tainting black as it stripped flesh from body and ground bone into fine sand. The two spirals twisted and fell at the top with a relentless raw power.
"Threaten me, that's fine, Threaten my Squad, that's not acceptable. Threaten to break down any last shred of hope we have and you will find yourself drowned out by our voices. Benevolence once, Wrath twice. Together, we cry out as ONE! Of the Gotei protection squads, we are Squad 13, lead by Taichou Ukitake Jyuushiro, watched over by me, Kaien Shiba! My rank: Fuku-Taichou! And I will always be standing guard."
Rinda blinked and stared at the Fuku-Taichou, his waraji no longer golden yellow but mixed with brown and red. The white tabi displayed the crimson as it slowly spread devouring what little white was left. The uniform was splattered in mud, the Fuku-Taichou badge had been colored in red, part of the snow flower refusing to be hidden under the ripped kimono sleeve. She looked up and found herself staring in awe as the raw power. They were encased in quick rotating funnels of water collapsed in at the top from where water dripped on them like rain. Kaien gripped tighter onto the pale staff of his spiritual weapon, eyes glazed over as he threw himself recklessly into Nejibana's powers. The dark purple hair hung in her vice captain's face framing the determined eyes and the fatigue sunken cheeks.
"Kaien-dono... How long can you keep that up?" She sounded doubtful, watching the blood slowly dripped from his fingertips as he clutched the pole ever so tightly, never once the stance wavering.
"Forever, if it means your lives."
Kaien could feel the air grow cold. His damp skin collecting with ice. He heard the waters of Nejibana groan, the silence of ice devouring the water's voice. A warm hand rest on his forearm a steady young voice calling out. "Shiba Fuku-Taichou. Let go. You're duty is finished. Rest now." The voice was soft and trust worthy. Kaien's grip faltered on Nejibana and he fell. He felt the weight of someone hand and heard the shouts as Nejibana shifted back into Zanpakutou, the familiar wrapped hilt lingering in tingling fingers. Kaien smiled and relinquished himself to the darkness.