Chapter Seven

Observation

Hiroki and the rest of the group had been walking for over an hour before they came to a single-storied, rectangular building with a triangular roof. Much like the other buildings, the walls were white and the roof was a lightish brown. There were red, wooden trimmings along the walls. Two regular-sized wooden doors marked the entrance, and they were flanked by four small windows in a vertical line on either side. Six steps led up to the door and above the door was a diamond with the kanji for "ten" in the center of it, presumably advertising that this was Squad Ten's barracks. Along either side of the headquarters ran walls, and beyond those walls, Hiroki could see trees and the roofs of other buildings.

As they had been walking, they had passed other Shinigami, and while Captain Hitsugaya appeared to disapprove of it, some members of their group continued to tell the Shinigami they passed what was about to happen. And word must have gotten around as when they arrived at the building, there was a small crowd. Shouldn't they be doing jobs or something? Hiroki thought. Surely this isn't how they entertain themselves.

Captain Hitsugaya stopped and the others did as well. He turned to Hiroki.

"It appears you'll have more of an audience than previously thought," he said.

"Um, not to overstep here, but couldn't you tell them to disperse or something?" Hiroki asked.

"I could, but I doubt they would," the Captain sighed. "Most of these people aren't even in my squad by the looks of things. Even if they did leave, they'd probably just watch from a distance."

"Okay, but you could at least tell your Lieutenant to go inside. I mean didn't you bring her back so that she could do paperwork?"

"She would watch from the window."

Hiroki hadn't known Rangiku for long, but he got the feeling that that was exactly what she would do. He took another look around the crowd. There didn't appear to be any other Captains or Lieutenants among them, yet he could swear he felt something.

"You feel it too?" Hitsugaya asked.

"Yeah, but I don't see anything."

"Those are some of the other Captains also watching, but they probably won't interfere or anything. They'd rather observe from a distance. Word has already reached them about the Head Captain's decision of releasing you. There are five of them watching, so don't think you can try and use this fight to escape."

While the thought had crossed Hiroki's mind, he had quickly discarded it even before he knew of the Captains' presence. He went to speak again, but was interrupted by a voice in the crowd. Hiroki could feel Captain level pressure approaching. Captain Hitsugaya just rubbed the bridge of his nose in irritation.

"Make way, make way," it said and the crowd parted in half as the owner of the voice stepped up.

The first thing Hiroki noticed was the man's face. It was painted black except for thin white lines going up his face as well as having a painted-white nose. He wore a long golden headdress that curved back to the middle of his own back, and his eyes and teeth were both golden. His fingernails were all blue, and except for his right middle fingernail, they were all cut short. The one that was different was unusually long. He had the normal Shinigami robes with a white Captain's haori over them along with a purple scarf around his neck. He scanned the group in front of him before his eyes settled on Hiroki.

"Is this the prisoner I was told about?" he asked.

"Yes, Kurotsuchi," Captain Hitsugaya responded.

"Oh, Captain Hitsugaya, I didn't even notice you. But as for you," he turned to Hiroki. "Tell me, is it true that you're half-Quincy, half-Shinigami?"

Hiroki glanced around at the crowd. While he had wanted to keep it a secret, he knew it would probably be revealed when he fought Ikkaku. He nodded his affirmation at the question. Captain Kurotsuchi put his hands together and rubbed them in excitement.

"Interesting," he chuckled, but Hiroki noted it was one full of insane glee. "I would really enjoy studying you. Tell you what? Why don't you agree, and I'll limit experimentation to twice a day and surgeries to three times a week. I think that's pretty reasonable, don't you?"

"Yeah, I'm going to have to pass," Hiroki responded. "But if you want to study something, I'm about to fight Ikkaku. That might give you something."

"How dare-?" Captain Kurotsuchi was about to exclaim, but Captain Hitsugaya interrupted him.

"Kurotsuchi, I have already given them my permission to fight with no distractions. He has no obligation to agree to your deal. You'll have to study his fighting if you want any information about him. That's what I plan to do."

Captain Kurotsuchi grumbled and crossed his arms, but he made no move to leave, indicating to Hiroki that the Captain was still somewhat interested. Hiroki moved forward and Ikkaku did the same. While Hiroki didn't want to fight, he saw no real way out of this. If he fled, he'd be seen as suspicious and probably wouldn't get very far anyway. Hiroki and Ikkaku faced each other.

"Alright," Captain Hitsugaya called out. "The rules of this duel are simple: Fight until one can't fight anymore or I deem that the fight is over. Try not to maim or kill. Draw swords." Hiroki and Ikkaku both drew their blades though while Hiroki held his out in front of him with two hands, Ikkaku had his in one hand and his sheath in the other just like when they first fought.

"Fight."

Ikkaku lunged at Hiroki with his blade which Hiroki just barely blocked it. Then Ikkaku brought his sheath down toward Hiroki's head. Hiroki released his right hand from the hilt and used his arm to block the sheath. While the force of the hit didn't break anything, he knew from the pain, it was going to leave a decent bruise on his forearm. Ikkaku used that to push his own blade down on Hiroki's now that Hiroki only had one hand, and his less dominant one, on the hilt. Hiroki could feel himself losing the battle in strength, so he used what he could and pushed back causing Ikkaku to falter a little. Hiroki then took that moment to step to the side and back, putting distance between himself and the bald Shinigami. He put his right hand back on the hilt.

Ikkaku chuckled and then lunged again. This time, when Hiroki went to block his blade, Ikkaku quickly tossed the sheath and the blade to the opposite hand. Before Hiroki could readjust, he found himself blocking the sheath, while the blade now came at his right side. Hiroki, realizing quickly that he couldn't block it with his arm this time, used Hirenkyaku to move back. Ikkaku's blade cut through the air where Hiroki had just been standing. Ikkaku returned his blade and sheath to their respective original hand.

"That was…," Captain Hitsugaya began.

"Hirenkyaku," Captain Kurotsuchi finished. "It appears that he is indeed half-Quincy. Though, until I see this Shikai of his, I'll be reluctant to call him a Shinigami."

"But we both received the report that he does have it."

"Without seeing it first-hand, I can't just accept it. There could be other factors that make it appear to be a Shikai when it's not. But let's wait. If this battle goes the way I think it will, we'll see it by the end."

"Alright, if you two are done talking now," Ikkaku shouted before placing the hilt of his blade to the bottom of his sheath. "Extend, Hōzukimaru." His blade and sheath became the spear that Hiroki had already fought once. Hiroki decided that he would use his own Shikai as a last resort. He still didn't know the limits of it, and he now knew what Ikkaku's Shikai was capable of, so he figured he could probably put up enough of a fight against it.

Ikkaku lunged for a third time, the spear headed for Hiroki's head. Hiroki dodged his head at the last moment. Then the spear broke apart and the top third came back around toward Hiroki's head. Hiroki put up his blade to block it. When he did it, suddenly Ikkaku was beside him, the bald Shinigami's fist coming straight for Hiroki's face. He couldn't block it, and he couldn't use Hirenkyaku quick enough. The fist collided with his nose and he was sent flying backward, but right before he flew, Ikkaku had straightened out Hōzukimaru. Hiroki could feel the spear cut his left arm as he flew back.

Hiroki hit the ground, and could feel the air leave his lungs while his eyes shot open. Ikkaku was already above him, sending the spear down toward him. Hiroki rolled to his side as the spearpoint slammed into the ground. As Hiroki was getting up, Ikkaku was already thrusting his weapon at Hiroki again. Hiroki just barely brought his blade up in time to knock the spear out of the way, but then the spear broke apart and headed for Hiroki again. He used Hirenkyaku to move into the air and then he used it again to get behind Ikkaku, bringing his blade down on the Shinigami.

Ikkaku lept backward, narrowly avoiding the attack. But Hiroki was now on that offensive, and much like when he fought Sho, he was substituting defense for offense. In other words, while he left himself open, the ferocity of his attacks made it moot. Ikkaku found himself getting forced back. Suddenly Ikkaku made a move that looked very similar to Hirenkyaku and gave himself distance between him and Hiroki. That must be Shunpo, Hiroki thought. Byakuya did the same thing though I could see Ikkaku's movement, so he must not be as fast as the Captain.

"It seems we're pretty evenly matched right now," Ikkaku laughed, holding his spear which was broken apart at this point. "Why don't you use your Shikai again? Then it'll be even more fun of a fight."

"Not unless I have to," Hiroki replied. "Right now, I see no reason to release it."

Ikkaku grinned wickedly, "Then why don't I give you a reason."

"You don't think he's going to…," Captain Hitsugaya began to ask, causing Hiroki to glance at him in confusion.

"I think that's exactly what he's going to do," Captain Kurotsuchi replied. "It'll be interesting to see it since it's been awhile.

"He's going to do what?" Hiroki asked, but neither Captain answered. Hiroki turned back to face Ikkaku, readying his blade for what was about to happen. Ikkaku put the spear, still broken apart, in front of himself. Without hesitation he slammed it back together.

"Bankai!" he yelled. There was a massive release of spiritual pressure. It was so strong it was as if it created its own wind, blowing past Hiroki and the crowd that had assembled. Hiroki put his arm in front of his face while there was some yelling from the crowd. The two Captains, Yumichika and the two Lieutenants seemed unfazed. When the dust settled, Hiroki was able to look back at the bald Lieutenant.

Ikkaku's appearance hadn't changed, but his Zanpakutō had a significantly altered appearance. In Ikkaku's right hand was a giant Chinese Monk's Spade, and in his left hand was an equally large standard guandao. They each had a red horsetail tassel at their hilts. A black chain stretched from the bottom of each hilt to an upward-facing axe blade that was bigger than either other weapon and appeared to be floating behind Ikkaku. The axe blade had a parallel handle on the bottom and a chinese dragon crest on one side.

"Ryūmon Hōzukimaru," Ikkaku said, getting back into a fighting stance.

"That's a Bankai?" Hiroki asked.

"Of course it is," Ikkaku shouted back. "Look at it."

"I guess I just expected…more?"

"Well, let's see how you feel after this." Ikkaku jumped toward Hiroki, taking the nineteen-year old by surprise. Ikkaku brought both of his weapons down, and Hiroki had to put his blade up to block.

He should not be able to move that quickly with the size of that thing, Hiroki thought. While he was struggling to block, Hiroki's eyes widened as he noticed that where his blade and Ikkaku's met, his sword was starting to chip. He used Hirenkyaku to leap into the air behind Ikkaku a few meters, but before he could recover, Ikkaku had thrown the guandao at Hiroki as he followed quickly behind with the spade. Hiroki didn't have time to block, so he moved again, down to the ground. Once his feet touched, he moved a third time as he had a hunch of what was about to happen. His guess was correct as Ikkaku came down where Hiroki had just been standing.

"You're going to have to use your Shikai or you'll lose this fight," Ikkaku yelled. "What are you hesitating for? This fight won't be fun if you just give up."

Hiroki sighed. While at first, he didn't even want this fight, he was now at the point where he didn't want to lose. He knew he was always slightly competitive, but between the multiple fights had been in during the last few days, he had come to realize that maybe he was a bit more competitive than he had realized. He put his blade in front of him, horizontally and pressed the tips of his fingers from his left hand on the flat of the blade.

"Yes!" Ikkaku shouted. The entirety of the crowd was quiet as they looked on in anticipation. Even the two Captains seemed more invested now. Hiroki noticed that Captain Hitsugaya's hand had strayed toward the hilt of his own sword while Captain Kurotsuchi seemed to stare in excitement.

"Bless, Kamihime," Hiroki said, his eyes closed. The two white ribbons wrapped around his wrist. On the blade, glowing, golden letters appeared which read, "Hinoken". Suddenly Hiroki's blade was enveloped in a blue flame. Hiroki could feel the reishi from it, and he realized that it wasn't exactly fire, but condensed reishi. This was the third blessing he had received and he began to wonder how many there actually were.

"That looks alot like the pillars of fire the Quincies used against us," Captain Hitsugaya said.

"It was actually condensed Reishi," Captain Kurotsuchi replied. "That's how it was able to burn the ground and buildings. But it's quite interesting. I've never seen a Zanapkutō like this before. If it indeed manipulates Reishi as it appears to then that would be an entirely new type. It would be worth studying along with its wielder. Though, I am curious to see how it fares against another Zanpakutō, especially a Bankai."

"Hey, wasn't it different last time?" Ikkaku shouted.

"It certainly was," Yumichika responded from the crowd.

Hiroki got into a stance, holding his sword down at his side with both hands, the blade edge facing down. He took a breath and used Hirenkyaku to get behind Ikkaku though his back was to the enemy. While he spun around, he moved his sword in an arc toward the axe behind the Shinigami, and small flickers of flame moved behind the sword.

"Behind you!" someone yelled from the crowd, but Ikkaku was too surprised to react. Hiroki's blade connected with the axe head, and while Hiroki tried to force his blade past it, he found that he couldn't. He backed away after realizing he couldn't go further. Ikkaku turned to his opponent and chuckled.

"I thought you would have gotten me with that," he said. "Oh well, that just means the fight can go on."

"Umm, Ikkaku?" Yumichika spoke up suddenly. "You might wanna turn around and look at your weapon." Ikkaku looked slightly confused as he turned to look at the axe. His eyes widened in shock as where Hiroki's blade had met his own weapon, blue flames began to flicker. Then they began to spread.

"Revert," he commanded, and through some struggling, his Bankai went back to its sealed state. Unfortunately, the flame was still there, now covering the top half of his blade and still growing, moving downward toward his hilt and hand. Before it could reach his hand though, Ikkaku dropped it on the ground.

"Fine, I'll just fight you with my fists," Ikkaku said, getting into a boxer's stance, his fists clenched in front of him.

"I'm calling it," Captain Hitsugaya loudly ordered. "This fight's over. The winner is Hiroki. Now, if you can actually control Reishi, put out that fire before it spreads further."

Hiroki nodded, and concentrated. The Reishi that comprised the blue flames began to soar over to Hiroki where it disappeared back into the flames that still surrounded his own sword. This went on for a few seconds until the entirety of the flames were gone.

"I can still fight!" Ikkaku yelled.

"Not without your sword," Captain Hitsugaya replied. "And besides, we don't know what would happen if his blade made contact with you. For all we know, you could burst into flames leading to your death. And I already said, 'No killing'."

"But-."

"I also said that I have the right to decide when the fight is over. I decided."

Ikkaku grumbled some, but relented. He picked up his blade and resheathed it. He turned to Hiroki.

"We'll fight again, so don't get comfortable," Ikkaku yelled before heading to the crowd which was already dispersing. After a minute, the only ones left were Captains Hitsugaya and Kurotsuchi as well as Rangiku. Ikkaku, Yumichika, and the other Lieutenant Shinigami that they were with had also left. Hiroki had reverted his blade back to his sealed state and resheathed it as well. He walked up to the trio before him. The other Captain presences that he had felt before the fight were also gone.

"So what do you think?" he asked Captain Hitsugaya.

"I think that was awesome," Rangiku happily shouted before her Captain could respond.

"Paperwork," Hitsugaya replied, quite clearly irritated. "Now."

"But Caaaptain," she groaned.

"Now!"

"Fine," she reluctantly agreed and sullenly made her way to the entrance of their headquarters. She opened the doors and walked in, closing them behind her. Captain Hitsugaya turned to the other Captain.

"Is there anything you'd like to say, Kurotsuchi?"

"I would still like to study you, especially now that I've seen what your Zanpakutō is capable of," the odd-looking Captain replied.

"The answer is still no," Hiroki said, gripping the hilt of his sword tight in case the Captain wouldn't take the denial. Kurotsuchi glanced between Captain Hitsugaya and Hiroki, seemingly thinking about something.

"Oh, very well," he finally spoke, sounding irritated. "I guess I'll have to just observe for now. But my offer still stands." And with that, he walked off. Once Kurotsuchi was several meters away, Hitsugaya turned to Hiroki.

"Why don't we go inside?" the Captain offered. "I'm worried about your safety. Even before the fight, people knew there was a stranger here, and now they're probably telling who they can about your Quincy heritage. While it's been over a year since the invasion, I guarantee there are plenty of people that are still hurting from it."

"So the Quincies did invade," Hiroki answered. "Your Head Captain implied it, but never outright confirmed it. If I may ask, how bad was it?" Captain Hitsugaya stared a little past Hiroki, and Hiroki recognized the look of reflection that was on the Captain's face. It was the same look that Sadao had had when Hiroki had asked him about the Splintered's past.

"You don't have to answer," Hiroki said, snapping Hitsugaya out of his trance.

"Let's just say it was bad, and leave it at that," the young looking Captain responded. "Let's get inside."

Hiroki followed the Captain toward the building. When they entered, they were in a waiting room of sorts. A table was set in the middle with a couple of chairs and a couch situated around them. Hiroki then followed Hitsugaya through a door to their right, and they walked into what Hiroki assumed was his office. The opposite wall of where they entered was lined with filled bookshelves as well as a ladder set against it to reach the higher shelves. In front of the wall was a gray chair behind a wooden desk. And in the center of the room was a rectangular table flanked by two couches on its two longer sides. Papers were scattered across the table and on the desk. Four windows were on the right-side wall. Laying on one of the couches, just about to take a sip of the drink in her hand, was Rangiku. She froze in surprise.

"What are you doing?" Hitsugaya asked.

Rangiku slowly lowered her drink from her mouth, though she did not let go of it. She then chuckled nervously while rubbing the back of her neck, "Oh, you know. Just something to help me get through the paperwork." Hiroki could tell by Hitsugaya's expression that the Captain was not convinced.

"Oh, come on Captain, live a little," Rangiku shouted, jumping up. Hiroki, being a nineteen-year old boy, couldn't help but notice the bounce. He quickly averted his gaze, feeling his cheeks reddening.

"Put the drink down," the Captain demanded. Rangiku glanced at the drink, at the Captain then back at the drink. Suddenly she downed the whole thing in one gulp.

"Damn it, Rangiku," Hitsugaya shouted. "What did I just say?"

"You said for me to put it down, but you didn't say where to put it down. Also I already poured it, it would be a waste not to drink it."

"I am your Captain, and when I say-" Hitsugaya's shouting was interrupted by a voice behind them.

"It seems I'm missing out on some fun," the voice said. Hiroki recognized the voice and they all turned to see the Head Captain standing there smiling warmly. Behind him was another Shinigami who Hiroki hadn't seen before.

She was slim and appeared youthful looking though Hiroki wasn't sure what Shinigami ages were like. She had long black hair pinned back with flat bangs that hung over a part of the right side of her face. She had light blue eyes with a tint of violet which were covered by a pair of slightly oval-shaped glasses. She wore a standard Shinigami outfit. Wrapped around her left arm was a Lieutenant's badge with the kanji for the number one and a Chrysanthemum symbol underneath it.

"I wouldn't mind a drink if you're having some," Shunsui told Rangiku.

"Sir, we're not here to have a drink," the Lieutenant behind Shunsui said. "We have other business to attend to."

"Oh, it's alright, Nanao," Shunsui replied. "Besides, I think everyone should sit down anyway for what I'm about to say." He walked over to the couch Rangiku was standing in front of and sat down. Rangiku, who looked a lot more poised than she did a second ago, poured a cup for Shunsui who then took a sip. Nanao went over and stood behind the couch and the Head Captain. Hitsugaya and Hiroki sat down on the opposite couch while Rangiku sat down on the same couch as the man for whom she just poured a drink. Shunsui took another sip before moving some of the papers and setting down his cup.

"I looked into what you said about your group," Shunsui started. "About how they were turned away. You said it was twenty years ago, so I checked our records from then and even up to a decade before then, just in case."

"You mean I checked the records," Nanao's input caused Rangiku to snicker a little. She quickly calmed down after Hitsugaya threw her a look.

"Alright," Shunsui continued, chuckling. "I had Nanao help me check. While I can't speak for what the Quincies may or may not have done, I can tell you that there is no record of the Seireitei being asked for help by these…Splintered."

"What do you mean?" Hiroki asked, though he was afraid that he already knew the answer.

"Either our records are incomplete, which I highly doubt though it wouldn't be the first time secrets were covered up," Shunsui answered. "Or the leader of your group lied to you."