Chapter 5: Light and Justice
Baiten was up early, but that was the norm among their Cell. Tairos had insomnia, but he usually drifted off to bed after midnight and woke up late in the day. Jaice didn't sleep.
"Shit," Jaice greeted Baiten.
"What a nice way to say 'good morning,'" Baiten said back, a sarcastic tone in his voice.
"I meant this coffee," Jaice said, motioning to the cup in his hand. "As much as I hate to admit it, Tairos is the only person I know who can brew it right."
Baiten chuckled a little. "Yeah, too bad he's been sleeping three-quarters of the day since our last mission. I think it took a lot out of him."
"Yeah, and for the few hours he is awake all he does is eat and brag about his Shikai," Jaice replied curtly. "What he doesn't realize is if he spared with me, Sangren would rip up his little Librar!"
Baiten got silent as Jaice finished. "What's the matter with you?" Jaice asked, as Baiten walked back into their living quarters.
"I...I...I'd better get breakfast," Baiten mumbled as he opened the screen door.
"Answer me, damn it!" Jaice growled, rushing after Baiten. "We're a team, and that means telling your team mates what is the matter!" Baiten continued to be silent as he poured himself a glass of orange juice. "Selfish bastard," Jaice muttered as he turned away and stepped back outside.
I'm always getting the short end of the stick, Baiten thought as he munched on a bagel. I train harder than Tairos yet he still masters his Shikai before I do. At this rate, Jaice and Tairos will be upgraded to more difficult missions while I get left behind. I guess I shouldn't complain, things have been like this before. His musing were cut off by a long, loud yawn coming from the bedroom adjacent to the kitchen.
"Wow, so the lazy bum finally decides to rise and shine," Jaice joked as Tairos stumbled into the room. Jaice thrust his coffee mug into Tairos's hands. "I take mine black, as you know."
"What the f...?" Tairos mumbled as he rubbed his eyes, not even finishing his sentence as he yawned again. Jaice's mug slipped from Tairos's tired fingers and shattered on the floor.
"You stupid clumsy jackass!" Jaice cursed, smacking Tairos across the back of the head. "That mug was a gift from my girlfriend!"
"Ex-girlfriend, loser," Tairos shot back, waking up more fully after the blow. "She broke up with you, remember?"
It wasn't mutual, Baiten thought, so you know it's a bad idea to bring it up Tairos. Why do you always have to say things like this? Now they are going to fight...again...
"Only one way to settle this!" Jaice yelled, stamping his foot. "You versus me, right now, in a fight. First one to draw blood, knock the other out, or cause the other to surrender wins."
"Uh...no," Tairos yawned again. "It's back to bed for me." Tairos disappeared again into the bedroom and fell asleep despite Jaice's angry cries.
"Who does he think he is, anyway? Not making me coffee, breaking my mug, and insulting me!" Jaice moaned. Baiten continued to eat his bagel silently. "You could respond!" Jaice shot at Baiten.
"You guys need to fight less," Baiten said as he finished his meal and placed his plate and glass in the sink for later. "I'm going out. Send me a call if you need me."
Baiten wandered various streets in Seireitei for several hours. He was silent, only giving the occasional greeting to Shinigami he passed. Then, the cellphone, which all Shinigami carry, in his pocket began to shake. Baiten looked at the screen, read the message, and cursed mentally:
You idiot, did you forget about the new law? We need to stay home unless we are on official business! Get back now! Oh, and if you can, pick up some cookies on your way back.
-Tairos
P.S. Jaice says "hi"...
Baiten seized the moment and began to walk quickly back towards their household. Luckily, he did not encounter any members of the 7th Squad on his way home. Baiten cursed inwardly again as he entered the front door of the house: how pathetic, I can't even remember a simple law! If it wasn't for Tairos I would have probably be incarcerated! Maybe I don't deserve my Shikai...those two are obviously more on the ball than I am...
Baiten's moping was cut short by a loud cry of, "You didn't get the cookies did you?"
"No...Tairos..." Baiten mumbled as he headed back into his room. "I need some time alone." With that he shut the door, leaving Tairos and Jaice outside, puzzled.
Baiten lay on his bed, closing his eyes and letting out one long, slow breath. He began to flashback to all the missions his team had accomplished, remembering the times he had actually been of value. Then, a scream cut short Baiten's musings.
"Baiten, your services are required!" Jaice's voice cut through the door.
"In a minute!" Baiten called back, forcing himself out of bed and walking into the other room. He noticed a Hell Butterfly perched on Jaice's finger.
"Translation please?" Tairos joked.
"Why can't you do it, Tairos?" Baiten snapped. "You have much higher reiatsu than I do, and better control at that."
"Slow down buddy, it's just a task you seem to be suited for," Tairos answered.
"Suited for? Is this all I'm good for anymore? Oh I see now," Baiten fumed, "you need me for the menial things, am I right?"
"No need to get so damned defensive!" Tairos yelled. "I didn't mean anything by it!"
"Yeah, Baiten!" Jaice agreed. "You usually are the one to do this, Tairos wasn't saying you have no other skills or anything!"
"Fine, but I'm doing this because I have to, not because I want to," Baiten grumbled, extending the pointer finger of his right hand so the enchanted insect could land.
"Are we going to Montreal again?" Jaice asked, eagerly anticipating the cold weather.
"Not this time," Baiten relayed, "we're headed to Texas actually, Galveston to be precise."
"Okay guys, let's move out," Tairos said, drawing his zanpakuto and twisting is like a key to open the door to the human world. The three shinigami stepped through it, and arrived at their destination.
The city was of moderate size, with a large seafront and port in contrast to most cities in Texas. There were no skyscrapers, and few buildings towered more than four stories. It was only a few hours after midnight, so no people were on the streets. The waxing moon was almost half full, and managed to cast a decent amount of light upon the city.
As usual, the three did not have time to admire the scenery. A serpentine Hollow rushed from the water and lunged at the Shinigami. The three narrowly dodged and drew their zanpakutos, readying themselves for combat.
"Bleed, Sangren!" Jaice declared, unwrapping the machete across his back. The green acid oozed down the blade as he slashed at the Hollow. The creature dodged, but the force of Jaice's swing sent some of the acid flying into the air. The Hollow writhed in agony as the acid hit its skin, but it jumped back into the water, washing off the deadly liquid. "Damn it all! A water-based Hollow! Unless we can draw it away from water my Shikai is no good!"
"Let me try," Tairos said, readying his zanpakuto. "Balance, Li..." He was cut short as the Hollow rushed from the water and slammed with its tail. Tairos flew head first into a crane on the pier, and lost consciousness.
"Damn," Jaice cursed, jumping into the way of the beast's second blow. "Baiten, do something!"
Baiten stood stock still, his zanpakuto held loosely at his side. He watched in shock as the Hollow's tail raced at Jaice.
"Come on, you hideous snake," Jaice snickered, as the monster's tail slammed him into the crane as well, along with Tairos's limp form.
Baiten was paralyzed with fear. I let them down, he thought. They are going to die...we all are! If only I wasn't so weak I could do something! No, I'm not weak! Not having a Shikai doesn't make me weak, not saving my friends makes me weak! Baiten, with new resolve, rushed to block the third blow of the Hollow. Luckily, his was quick and managed, with remarkable skill, to deflect the attack.
The Hollow roared wrathfully, and wheeled around in the water to face its head towards Baiten. This time it lunged face first towards Baiten and his unconscious companions, its mouth gaping wide to reveal three rows of monstrous teeth beneath its pale mask.
I can't block this attack, Baiten thought, Nor can I dodge, as that would leave my friends to their deaths. There's only one chance. Baiten whirled around and slashed madly at the crane that was above his friends, just before the Hollow reached them. Surprisingly, Baiten was able to sever the crane which toppled onto the Hollow, temporarily stunning it.
Baiten used the moment he had to sheath his zanpakuto, grab Jaice and Tairos and move them behind a building where the Hollow would not find them. Baiten panted hard as he walked back to the pier and again drew his katana.
The sea serpent-like Hollow had managed to shake off the crane as Baiten returned, and prowled around the bay, gnashing its teeth as if in challenge to the Shinigami. Baiten nodded, and rushed at the creature, sword held at the ready. Baiten narrowly dodged as the beast bit at him; he replied by driving his zanpakuto into its side. It doesn't seem like it can dodge after I leave its line of sight, Baiten realized. Its eyes are on the very front of its head, so it shouldn't see side attacks coming.
Baiten was wrong. The Hollow seemed pleased that Baiten had fallen for its trap, as it whirled its tail and smash him away from its body before he could do any more damage. Obviously, his eyes have a better range than I expected. I have to blind him...but how? He can see where I am attacking from.
Baiten could not continue to think; the Hollow was once again rushing towards him. He tried to dodge, but still was hit by partial force which knocked him to the ground. Baiten rose and slashed at the monster, but his attack was in vain, missing the Hollow by a wide margin as it dodged. The Hollow then brought its tail around and Baiten was again smashed into the earth.
By this time, Baiten's body was bloodied and beaten. He let out long, difficult breaths and coughed up blood as he forced himself to stand. "Hollow, I am Baiten Seisha of the 9th Squad, and I will kill you!" The Hollow took no notice of his words as it rushed at him. Suddenly, Baiten felt a surge of power coursing through his body, in his mind words began to tell him what to do. "Judge, Justare!" Baiten's katana morphed into a long, elegant rapier. The blade was thin, but keen, and the handle and hilt were inlaid with gold. As Baiten's blade transformed, Baiten held it sideways so that the blade was parallel to the ground beneath him. The morning sun began to rise behind the Hollow as it raced towards Baiten, ignoring his new sword. The sun's light seemed to be absorbed into Justare's blade, and Baiten held it steady. As the Hollow came closer, Baiten once again declared, "Judge!" The light of the sun that had been absorbed into the blade flew forth towards the Hollow. There was no way the beast could dodge such an attack, and it writhed angrily as the light went into the eye-holes in its mask.
Now that it's blind, time to make my move! Baiten noted. I'm not sure if my Shikai's effect is permanent or not, so I'd better make the most of the time I have! Baiten ran faster than he ever had, and stabbed his rapier through the center of the Hollow's mask. The monster continued to scream as it dissipated, into nothingness.
Baiten watched, pleased, as Justare returned to being a katana; he sheathed his blade and walked back to the building where he had left his friends. I don't think I should tell them about my Shikai just yet, Baiten thought. I dislike bragging, and I'd rather they be surprised when they see it.
