Chapter Fourteen
The large figure that landed before them turned bloody-gold eyes to look around them, assessing each person before him.
He was easily taller than Ichigo, almost even with Zaraki. An open leather jacket flowed down the lean, yet built, body into tight black jeans, ending in shiny black boots. Red markings decorated the right side of his body. But the most interesting thing about this figure was the fact that he was indeed a wolf.
He turned his attention to Ayame, his expression stoic.
"Are you alright Ayame?" A deep voice rang in the air.
"I'm alright Cerbrenaru. There's no need for you to worry."
Cerbrenaru adjusted his zanpakutou into the dark brown belt on his hip, tail swishing to rest against the back of his right leg.
"I never worry about you. It's the humans protecting you that concern me."
"Hey! We were doing just fine without you." Ikkaku shouted.
Bloody gold eyes shot to the third seat, narrowing to slits. Spiritual pressure suddenly filled the air, choking many, even captains stumbling. Falkina tsked, moving to stand in front of the wolf man.
"Now now there's no need for this Cerb."
"They might as well whip'em out and compare." Snakey stated.
"Pretty sure the boss would win." Haineko giggled.
"Boss? What's going on?" Rangiku asked.
"It's kinda like this: The head captain is your boss and Cerbrenaru is out." Monkey explained.
"But Cerbrenaru isn't technically the head captains or Lady Ayame's'." Momo pointed out.
"Please don't tempt him. He's not in a good mood at all." Tobiume noted.
"So…now that you've made that entrance, how about someone explain how you gave have regained physical form." Shunsui asked.
"Weren't you listening at all you idiot? Cerbrenaru gave us all enough spiritual pressure to manifest." His zanpakutou said.
"And by the looks of it with your own free will." Nanao added.
"That would be correct: I have no need of mindless zanpakutou when I can easily allow my allies to manifest with just a sliver of my power." Cerbrenaru noted.
"He sure is a cocky bastard." Zaraki stated.
"I would say just overly confident." Falkina replied.
"Now now everyone, there's no need to get uneasy with anyone. After all its partially my fault as well." Ayame stated.
"I'm sure you're not to blame my lady." Rukia offered.
"Actually she speaks truth Lady Rukia. Our Lady Ayame spiked her spiritual pressure in fear and that allowed Cerbrenaru to tap into his own power to allow us to manifest." Sode no Shirayuki explained with a smile.
The arena became silent, many trying to understand Sodes' simple explanation.
"Now I see why you idiots had a rebellion from our kind. You all are nothing like your masters." Cerbrenaru noted.
"Yes, we all can agree to that…" Rujiro sighed. "But we can agree to disagree on that as well."
Cerbrenarus' ears pricked a little at that.
"We're still two halves of a whole after all. And besides, there's no one I'd rather team up with than Rangiku." Haineko said, throwing an arm around her masters' shoulders.
"Wait a second I thought Cerbrenarus' powers were forbidden? Doesn't that mean he can't use them?" Orihime questioned.
"What do you think the red markings on his body are? War paint?" Kazeshini asked.
"Uh…kinda?" Orihime sweat dropped.
"Allow me to explain: When Cerbrenaru came into existence, his power was so overwhelming he killed his master and became known as what we call rouge zanpakutou or Tōjū. Central 46 deemed his forbidden for this and used a very strong kido to try to keep him from manifesting." Falkina started.
"All it did was give him wicked awesome tattoos that make him look even more badass than before." Snakey said.
"Watch your language." Monkey added, hitting him upside the head.
"Regardless of that, in order for him to have access to his abilities, Ayame has to release quite a bit of spiritual pressure." Falkina finished, nestling into Cerbrenaru's side.
"Quite extraordinary I must say." Miyori stated, moving to stand before the giant wolf.
"Ask whatever you want scientist but try anything…" Cerbrenaru warned.
Nemu glanced at the two spirits before turning back to her father.
"Scan complete: spiritual pressure undetected."
"You won't get any from these two while they stand together." Ayame explained.
"Can you explain?" Miyori asked.
"As you know Falkina and Cerbrenaru are two separate entities but when I call forth bankai, they combine to form Falkenaru. It's like Snakey and Monkey, except these two are their own zanpakutou now. As long as they stay side-by-side they balance out each others' spiritual pressure becoming neutral."
Ayame smiled.
"Life and death remember?"
"Interesting…can you perform bankai?" Miyori pushed.
"I believe you've asked enough questions for now." Cerbrenaru said.
"On the contrary I'm just getting started…
"Captain Kurotsuchi."
The group turned to allow Byakuya to move forward, Senbonzakura following behind.
"You've felt the power of Cerbrenaru and all he did was narrow his eyes. You must remember it also drains Lady Ayame as well."
Miyori looked at Ayame, who was leaning against Falkinas' shoulder.
"Of course, of course, so silly of me. Another time perhaps."
He then began to leave, Nemu right behind and his zanpakutou bringing up the rear. Ashisogi Jizō stopped and faced Cerbrenaru tilting his head to the side.
"I will call if I need you." The wolf spirit stated.
Ashisogi made a noise and followed after his master.
Monkey shuttered.
"I don't know how you can understand him."
"Lady Ayame, you seem weak." Sode mentioned.
The young woman blinked and gave the zanpakutou spirit a weak smile.
"Perhaps you are right. Sleep is quickly becoming my friend."
"Go get some rest Little Lady. Meanwhile, we'll check out where our new friends came from." Shunsui explained.