There was a dense forest on the outskirts of the Seireitei, which would prove to be his home for the next couple weeks. The trees were magnificently tall, their roots curving up out of the ground making small caves, providing protection for whoever needed it. Shuuhei sure did. About an hour walk into the wooded area, he decided to stop and make camp. He had no problems seeing thanks to the light of the full moon glittering in the treetops.
Before anything he took Kazeshini from his side, setting the sword beneath an enormous root, figuring that would be the best place to stop. He pushed the blade farther back into the makeshift cave, setting his other belongings down. He was used to being out in the elements having been one of those children who ran away constantly. Not that he was running from anything, quite the contrary. He was a curious child; maybe too curious since it seemed to get him into quite a bit of trouble – you know, running into restricted areas and Hollows and whatnot.
"It was easier back then." He muttered, starting a fire the old fashioned way. He hadn't lost his touch and in no time there was a roaring fire for him to star into. He leaned back against the large trunk of his shelter, propping his right leg up to rest his arm on.
His mind swirled with different thoughts. A Zanpakuto was a soul inside of a Shinigami. So that means Kazeshini is part of Shuuhei. Even in just his Shikai form, Kazeshini was deadly, a weapon meant to kill enemies. Everybody knew his command was 'Reap' for crying out loud, did nobody else find that a little off-putting?
It was completely distressing to think something that feels so… blatantly evil is apart of his soul. Of course, in a fight Shuuhei will always fight until the necessary end, whether that's leaving the enemy battered and broken, or completely dead. A fight was a fight, and he took every fight as serious as the last one was and the next one will be. But he wasn't a killer. That was the difference. Right?
Regardless how terrified he was of Kazeshini; he needed to work to get better. This was his Zanpakuto, his responsibility.
"Wake up."
That voice…
"Wake up, Shinigami."
Steel gray eyes opened slowly. He tried to move his arms, to no avail. Where the hell was he? He lifted his head, eyes lying on the man before him. A red and black figure who looked like a man wrapped in a shadow. Pale blue eyes regarded him with interest.
"You finally let me in, eh?"
"Who are you?"
The man scoffed, shifting the enormous blade resting on his shoulder. "'Course you wouldn't remember me. You've said my name… what? Once or twice."
Shuuhei eyed the blade, recognition slamming into him like a battering ram.
"Kazeshini…"
"Got that right." The man stood up, striding over to crouch down in front of Shuuhei who was now in the same position Kazeshini was in earlier. "I chained you up so you could feel what it's like living with you as a master." Kazeshini's mouth split into a wicket grin. "Now. We needta have a little chat."
Fear raced through Shuuhei's body, shaking him to his very core. This was his Zanpakuto. This… creature.
"You listening? I ain't gonna repeat myself." Kazeshini gripped Shuuhei's chin roughly, forcing the young man to give the Zanpakuto spirit his attention. "You're really pissin' me off with all this fearing me bullshit. You keep me locked up in this fuckin' hellhole for years and years on end. It's driving me insane, do you hear me, Shinigami?"
"Shuuhei" he answered, browns drawn together in somewhat of a glare.
"What? You think I'm gonna use your name when you never use mine? Hell no. This is how it's gonna work." He leaned in close, running his tongue over Shuuhei's cheek.
"You let me out… and I don't rip your mind to fuckin' pieces."
Shuuhei sat up quickly, gasping for breath. For a moment he forgot he had left and let his surroundings startle him. Drawing his knees up, he curled into himself, hugging his head with his arms like the movement would block out the world and protect him from that demon living inside his sword. His cheek brushed against his arm, making him stiffen.
His cheek was wet.
Disgust twisted his stomach. Rising to his feet, Shuuhei grabbed some soap, running quickly to the nearby river. He took off his hakama and stepped into the river stark naked, rubbing his body furiously with the small bar of soap. No matter how vigorously he scrubbed at his quickly reddening skin, he still felt completely disgusting. He tossed the soap onto the grass, taking handfuls of water to splash on his face. He opened his eyes to see Kazeshini grinning up at him from the water.
Let me out! The spirit launched his hand out of the water, knocking Shuuhei back against the bank. The red and black hand receded back into the water, all trace of the man gone. Shuuhei turned his head to the sky, gritting his teeth against the urge to scream.
It took hours to regain his composure. He was reeling with memories from when he was a little boy and completely scared of the dark. He feared the monsters that could pop up out of nowhere and attack him. Just like Kazeshini proved he could do. So he paced around, collected himself and turned towards his discarded sword. Silence fell on his tiny little area. No birds chirped, no wind rustled the leaves; even his breathing became quiet.
Mustering up what courage he could, he stepped forward, leaning down to scoop up Kazeshini in his hands. He took the sheath off, leaning it against the trunk of the tree, feeling a tremor run up his arm and down his spine. Kazeshini was laughing again.
Taking a deep breath, Shuuhei steeled himself. "Reap." He muttered. "Kazeshini."
His reiatsu skyrocketed, swirling around him like a solid white tornado, engulfing him completely. When the wind finally settled down, a more unfamiliar-than-not weight rested in his hands. Dual swords adorned with pinwheel-shaped blades shone in the sunlight. He wrapped part of the long chain around his wrist, taking a few test swings before giving himself a decent workout. Shuuhei needed to feel comfortable with Shikai before he tried anything else.
Release me.
Shuuhei landed on the ground, crouched with one leg extended out to his side. He straightened his body slowly, holding both swords out to his side. Closing steel gray eyes, Shuuhei concentrated. His reiatsu swirled around his feet, came up his legs and torso, scattered over his arms and hands to engulf the swords.
Once gray orbs opened, red, black-rimmed eyes glared at the forest before him.
"Bankai."
A/N: Okay, I hope you guys dont think that I think Shuuhei is like. some scared little thing. 'Cause I dont. I think he's a BAMF but ANYWHO. CookieReviews and all that jazz. :] Thanks for reading!