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The realm of Kōhai Tochi was bleak. A cold breeze blew past, as the rats scurried across the floor around. The ground was murky, and blood stained. Trails of black, and a crimson red stained on the ground like a carpet. As it appeared hundreds of thousands were dragged, and tortured. The blood itself was new, and fresh. The carpet led to a large, prison only a few blocks ahead. The daily wails exited the prison ahead, and was heard from miles away. Screams, and yells of pain and anguish. Standing not so far away, a woman with blonde hair stood. One of arms stretched across her waist in a bar, supporting her breasts. An unmoving grin across her face, as she looked at the prison ahead. Her other arm gripped her sword. A sword that layed gently over her shoulder.

"Finally, we're here." Terumi paused as she turned her head slightly, a fearless gaze imprinted onto her face. "Sakae was right. A true genius she is. The blueprints, layout and even the towers were all exact. Odd though. That one there looks like it's been attacked." She said, pointing her finger outward, to the crumbled remains of the Northern Tower. Spirit Energy of the previous battle still cloud the area. After a brief pause, Terumi looked intently at the tower. "I-Impossible! I feel Ryouiki's energy there. It's weak, but it's there." Looking behind to her companion, "Where should we start?" she asked, as memories of Ryouiki lingered in her mind.

Shigeru remained erect as his companion examined the scene. His senses were finely tuned and extended as far as he could reach out, searching for danger and potential trouble. It had been too long since he was the master of his own ship and although he was hardly free serving Sakae, it was true that he had more freedom under her than he ever did with anyone in the past. His caution was perfectly understandable, especially in light of his reputation and recent actions against the Imawashī. They were actively seeking his head after all and would raze an entire section of the city to the ground just to flush the Betrayer out. He wouldn't give up this newfound freedom, no matter how slight, for anything.

"If he was battling wouldn't it be obvious he tried to escape this hell-hole?" Looking around he could see why someone would want to. Working for the asshole known to many as Shinzō, Shigeru had saw some filth in his time; though little he had witnessed ranked as highly as this place did. And the smell to boot was simply stomach turning. "Believe it or not but I've got an extrasensory skill that lets me see traces of spiritual energy." He said finally. "Handy for tracking assholes who need their heads caved in, you know the work. Follow me." To Shigeru's eyes the man's spiritual energy was as clear to him as footprints were to a tracker and following them was childsplay to a man who did this very job when still in the Gotei 13.

"...Follow?" Terumi remained hesitant. Deep down in her, she was unwary of many. A sense of betrayal and abandonment resided inside her heart. "..Sure." She said after a brief pause. Her hair flapped in the cold, breeze as she flung her head to the Eastern Tower, in which they were expected to arrive. "I remember Sakae telling me he was in the Tower most eastern. We should start there?" The memories that lingered in her head returned. Visions of a young man with jet black hair. A warm smile comforted her, as in her vision she relaxed alongside the man, near a towering, old tree. A weak branch fell before the duo, as the young man lifted the branch effortlessly, easily impressing the young Terumi. The two then laughed as a large flash had removed Terumi from her daydream.

Shigeru took note of her hesitation though he opted to keep his mouth shut instead, deciding it was a better pursuit to concentrate on the trail in front instead of getting distracted by idle banter. "Believe me, if he's at the end of this trail then we'll find him." He surveyed the ground then with an idle eye as he moved, giving the illusion of carelessness. This was followed by a look over his shoulder, blue eyes catching the light from beneath a mop of black hair. "Trust me," So he couldn't resist saying something after all. "I'll find your boyfriend." The last was said with an increase in his walking speed. He had enough experience to know to move quickly when acting like an ass.

Terumi pause ceased, as she heard Shigeru speak. The hate still resided in her, though Shigeru was risking his life for her own goal. Her spiteful nature toward man began to fade. Nodding, she moved hurriedly behind Shigeru. As she followed Shigeru, her stare intensified as his black hair caught her view. Followed by another vision of the past. This time, Terumi was in the background watching. She could see herself, years ago. The gentle breeze blew at the young Terumi's hair as a trickle of blood fell to the ground ahead of her. In front, was a young Ryouiki. His arm bloody, and his leg near it's breaking point, as he faced a row of Hollow in front of him. "Don't worry Terumi. I'll end this quick, and I swear not one of dem' will lay a finger on you!" The past Ryouiki said gently, as he darted forward.

Terumi shook her head, dismissing the flashback. Despite her efforts tears rolled down her face, as she thought of her intentions on coming here. Before she could do anything else, two spirit energies rose from behind them. Turning around and looking sharply at the two, she saw a man with yellow hair and defined, muscular body. The other was a young lady, with pink hair. They both wore a scowl across their face. "Look at these guys, Izumi. I think they're tryin' to get in. Come on ya assholes make a move!" Akihiro taunted, which was followed by him raising his middle finger.

The two new arrivals were meet with laughter drifting from behind Terumi. Turning slowly, head down and features hidden from sight, Shigeru began walking forward without a shred of fear or even intimidation. "Is this all Sabishii can muster? This is fucking hilarious! Between you two you'd be lucky if you've pot two particles of reishi to rub together!" His laughing continued until he swept aside the hair falling about his face, finally tying it into a ponytail at the back that rested between his shoulder blades. "You idiots don't know when to be afraid. Now drop that finger before I decide to snap the arm it belongs to. And believe me, if it comes to that you'll be leaving with it rammed down your throat, 'cause I imagine there's a fair amount of shit passes those lips in a single day."

"Go on!" Akihiro said angrily, "keep on talking ya lil shit an' I'll show you who's the real deal 'round here!" Before, Akirhiro or Izumi made another move, Terumi had already swung her blade in their direction commanding a large force of wind there way. As the two guards struggled, Terumi had threw her head into the sky. "Hold on." she said simply, as she grabbed Shigeru's shoulder, preventing him from mauling the two gaurds to death, a feat which she knew he was capable of. "Sentan Hakuja!" she hollered, commanding a white cloth to ensnare and subsequently teleport both Shigeru and her to the prison, more significantly, inside the Eastern Tower.

As they left Izumi looked perplexed. "Was that that guy from before?"

"That was close. Don't need to cause any commontion." she assured, mostly to herself. Recollecting herself Terumi thought of their next plan of action. "Were in the Eastern Tower. And, I bet that those guards have already alerted someone that we're here. So should we begin searching for Ryouiki now, Shigeru?" As she ended her sentence, Terumi's voice was kind, and sweet much like that of when she was in Soul Society, and if she was talking to Ryouiki.

Shigeru unclenched his fists, for a time showing his sadness at not having had the chance to follow through with his threat. If they ever managed to find out who he was then he'd need to do just that to safe himself some face. As well as keep his reputation intact. "Damn I hate Kidō." He'd endured enough of that when his brother and he used to spar. "And now I'm thinking about my brother..." He whispered quietly before shaking his head in irritation as though the action would dispel the thoughts. They didn't and now Shigeru was stuck with the image of his ever righteous brother with that ever-present, annoying grin plastered across his face playing through his mind.

"Yeah, let's move on before you start fawning over me, pretty doll. I get enough of that in the brothels." He sealed the comment with a wink that was followed once again by quick feat to take him out from harms way. "Wait here." Shigeru said before disappearing around the nearest corner in the corridor. Several minutes passed before two thuds were heard, followed by a doors lock falling into place. When Shigeru returned he held two uniforms in his hands. "They smell awful, look awful and are as uncomfortable as the beds in Sakae's estate. But they'll do us bloody rightly." He turned as he donned his own, though he was telling himself it wasn't because he was a gentleman.

"Hmmm?" Terumi became uneasy, however not because of her uncertainty towards Shigeru, in fact nearly all of her anger towards him had been replaced with respect. "I refuse to change in front of you. Just because I like you now doesn't mean you can't get my clothes off like that." she said, snapping her fingers along with the last word. "Besides, I've done some thinking. Now that we're in the prison it'll be much easier to just search around for Ryouiki. I give about 5 minutes before those guys come back, with that guy Sakae had warned us about, umm Sabishii."

A faint voice was heard from afar, it was indeed a different voice from before. It was a masculine, strong echo, that creeped through the tower. "Hide." Terumi said, immediately she snapped her fingers commanding both Shigeru and herself to become intangible. In her mind using more Kido was revenge for asking her to change clothes. As the voice passed, Terumi removed the Kido that concealed them. In the time she had been intangible she had changed her clothes. The new ones were slightly loose on her body, but nevertheless they fit. "Hmm? A person like Ryouiki, he's been here for centuries. And, I'm guessing that he might be at the bottom, so should we start searching in the halls, Shigeru?"

Shigeru stood quietly were he was, hidden by the Kidō spell Terumi had cast on him. As the energy suffused his limbs and afforded him invisibility to those coming close he found himself once again thinking of the brother he hadn't seen in close to sixteen years. "Still serving the Soul Society, brother? Or have you thrown your lot in with Kenji and the Order?" There were many times in the last sixteen years when Teruo's presence would have been very welcome. If he had of been there Shigeru doubted he would be in his current predicament with half of the most ruthless thieves and cutthroats in the known world actively seeking his head.

When he and his partner became tangible once more, Shigeru's eyes narrowed at the sight of Terumi fully dressed. "What? Not even a peek? I feel... cheated. Yeah, cheated." The fool smile that followed showed he meant little by it. His own clothes were donned quickly, the garment hugging somewhat tightly around his torso and stomach. "Out of all the dregs I could've knocked out-" He began complaining "-I get lumbered with a guy who could pass as a fucking bean pole. Lovely." He nodded to the far end of the corridor they were on. "Let's get looking, then. What's this fellow look like?" He asked, finally clicking that he didn't have the foggiest idea who he was looking for.

Moans, and wails from down the hall followed by a loud slicing noise was heard not to far away. A man pleading for his life before being beheaded, and following his death was grim laugh that could only belong to the man who rules this domain; Sabishii Kunsha. An slight yelp came from Terumi's mouth as she heard the laugh. "A place l-like this...Why would Ryouiki come here?" She thought. Terumi quickly became uneasy as she felt emotions swell inside of her. Some positive, many more negative. She wanted to kill Ryouiki for abandoning her, and at the same time kiss him like the old days and tell him her secret. And, then there was Shigeru, whom of which she had been sympathizing with, and a person who reminded her of Ryouiki.

"Well, I-I haven't seen him..for a while." she said lightly, realizing she couldn't conceal her emotions like Shigeru can. "He had dark black hair, and he was pretty strong. He was nice, and caring. He loved kids" Terumi was caught up in her own tears. As her cries rolled down her face, she looked back up at Shigeru. Attempting to wipe her tears, she brought her wrist to her eyes. "S-Sorry..you shouldn't..have to bear my burden. I-I'm so sorry."

The comment about this man loving kids struck Shigeru like a blow between the legs. It came very close to the past he had left behind, though anyone who spent any amount of time spying on him knew that the man known to most as the Betrayer of Hope had a soft spot for children. Heck when he was back in Soul Society he used to give out sweets and money when on patrol around Rukongai. For the first time since accepting - he says accepting. More like forced to take it by a certain women dressed in red. Terumi's words just now marked the first time Shigeru sincerely wanted to save this Ryouiki character. There were too many similarities with his old self not to try.

"... Were you born in the Seireitei, Terumi? Or are you like me and come from the outlying districts of the Rukongai?" Teruo would've been fit to fold his spiritual energy to keep out such sounds like those that moved his companion to tears. Maybe if he could keep her talking about subjects unrelated to Ryouiki he could keep her mind distracted long enough till they passed this floor. It had worked with Akiye when she was younger and more innocent so he was hoping it'd work here too. "But that voice was definitely Sabishii. Wonder how the old 'King' is doin' these days? Bet he's still trying out wacky new hair colors." Even the inner monologue held a vulgar tone.

Terumi nodded slowly, "I was born in Rukon. My parents were rich, social heads and it was pretty easy for me to get by." It was obvious to her that Shigeru had not come from a rich family, neither did he come from a middle-class family living in Seireitei. Her past life before meeting Ryouiki was always a blur, never truly full until she had chosen to become a Shinigami. Noticing her own tears roll down her face like a stream, she stood up slowly. "We should p-probably keep moving." She said dawdling, relieving herself of the topic of Ryouiki. Suddenly, a new voice arose, but this from inside the room! Creeping from the edge of the hallway, was man with cold eyes and a grim smile. Nowhere near the power of Sabishii, but also severly stronger than the two previous guards.

"Well, look what we have here." he said, walking towards the two. "I don't recognize you at all, but then again I never recognize prisoners. The man walked with a noticeable limp, and his arm was severly damaged, that much was obvious, but whom did such was a mystery. Biting his lip, the man swung out his arm. "I'm guessing that you two are new here, and therefore are trying to plan some type of escape. Well, stop. There is no salvation here." he said harshly. The walls around Terumi and Shigeru began to shake wildly. Soon the ground beneath the two intruders began to crack, and in seconds the entire floor had been leveled!

"Just like your hopes, once you enter here. Everything you believe in will come tumbling down." Katashi was enveloped by the darkness and cast out of view, as Terumi was quickly concealed by rubble of the fall. Her body sent crashing to the bottom floor of the Eastern Tower. "Damn, my arm! I can't move it. This whole building'll come down." she thought hastily, as her valiant effort to break out've the rubble failed. Unable to muster the strength needed to break free. Feeling a strong residue of energy, she immediately felt Ryouiki's spirit energy skyrocket forth, however, he wasn't in the Eastern Tower. Instead he was somewhere far off, nevertheless he was in the prison, and closer to Terumi then before. Realizing she hadn't possessed the power necessary to save herself, Terumi raised her own spiritual pressure. Amazing herself with her own power, she mustered up her energy for a large scale blast!

"Shō!" She yelled, shattering the rubble around her to mere dust. Realizing that her energy would most likely awaken many of the guards of her arrival in the prison, including Sabishii. However, for the moment Terumi was intent on finding Shigeru alive. Recollecting herself, she fired several more Shō attacks with her left arm. Unwary of the possible danger of destroying, what little remained of her arm.

Meanwhile

Far off in the citadel of the prison, the man known as Sabishii sat in his throne. Behind his throne, is swirling hole of energy that was rarely used. Drunk on his own arrogance, and power Sabishii sat grinning as he felt multiple energies arise in his prison. However, his eyes were focused on the individual in front of him. It was a large man, with dark brown hair, and a dreadful stare burned on him, all the while the large man's energy had stayed constant. The man bore newly given scars across his arms, and a gash above his right eye that bled down his face. "That energy. It can't be." The man said, as he swung his large arms back and forth attempting to shatter the shackles that bound him to the wall. "Sabishii!"

"Quiet down." Sabishii said loudly, as he gave Ryouiki a threatening glare. Sabishii quickly looked at the blade near his throne - the same blade that had been used but a week ago, by the same person shackled to the wall ahead - assuring that even if Ryouiki had broken free, that he wouldn't cause any harm to Sabishii. "Well, Ryouiki. Looks like I found some new playmates." Glancing at a small device in the wall, a screen that displayed nearly every inch of the prison. "Even with Katashi's little outburst I still am able to watch those fools scurry around." The voice from before was indeed Sabishii's, however it hadn't been directly from him, but from the camera. "Unfortuantely, I can only speak into the cameras, and for now all I can do is watch those fools struggle."

Ryouiki's eyes became wide, as he stared at the blade on the ground, and then back at the moniter at Sabishii's side. Slowly the battered man looked away, unable to maintain the stomach to watch anyone suffer, all the while knowing that he would either die on this day, or taste freedom once again. Either way, he knew he wouldn't allow Sabishii to continue breathing!

Elsewhere...

Shigeru formed a thin layer of reishi beneath his feet the second he saw the cracks forming which enabled him to remain afloat even when this unknown idiot blasted a hole in the floor, which Terumi promptly fell through. "Fuck! Don't die on me. I'll be down in two seconds." Afloat, the black-haired Excavado took two quick glances around his position, with one look for left and right.

"Poor move," He said as his head turned to face the one responsible for separating he and Terumi. "You see, it doesn't take much to piss me off-" He had a short fuse for most things lately "-which means something bad for you." He then ripped off the prison garb he had been wearing, which also cast the fringe away from his face, revealing the usual garb he favored worn beneath. "I've already matched your master once or did he refrain from divulging that little fact? What chance do you think you have?"

Katashi observed Shigeru, his eyes careful. Immediately Katashi could tell Shigeru was trutful, or atleast what he said was true. He in fact did fight agianst Sabishii, and for the most part come out with a victory. Katashi smirked, as he felt two spirit energies come toward him. " 'Bout time. Izumi, Akihiro. Get ready." He assured, already recognizing The Betrayer of Hope. "You think I don't know you. I'm well aware of you, Mr. Betrayer." Akihiro and Izumi quickly came to Katashi's side. "Well, well. Looks like I found ya again." Akihiro sneered with a confident smirk., followed by Akihiro raising his middle finger.

"It's three against one. You should surrender." Izumi said, shyly. Though what she said was true, her tone revealed that she truly knew that even though the odds are against Shigeru, he still could kill all three of them. Akihiro was the first to dart forward, his fists wailing as he headed for Shigeru. Meanwhile, leaping aside Izumi had lifted her palm and prepared to fire a large Byakurai at the Betrayer of Hope!

"Surrender?" Shigeru scoffed, shaking his head with a large, mocking grin set in place. "I've fought stronger folks and lived." Averian came to mind. "The Imawashī couldn't contain me, so what chance do you three think you have?" The large sheath set across his lower back fell away in unison with the sheath of the more slender blade he drew from his back. Twisting in place once, the flat side of Shigeru's large zanpakutō blade defended against the Byakurai while the more slender blade's flat side impacted the incoming mans fist. With a second twist, he deflected both and was in the air; his larger blade cutting a hole in the roof. Debris threatened to fall atop Akihiro even while Shigeru moved on the floor above.

"Is that it!?" He roared as the roof above Katashi and Izumi broke apart to reveal Shigeru descending like a demon. Bouncing off a larger piece of falling stone, the Betrayer vaulted and struck with both blades; one aimed for each target while his spiritual energy burst from his body like a torrent of water breaking through a dam. "This is nothing!"

Realizing that had been put in a corner, Katashi pushed at Shigeru's being, attempting to send the Betrayer flying backwards. However, Katashshi dreadfully underestimated the man's power and had been pushed back by sheer spirit energy as a result. Meanwhile, Izumi had taken her turn. Shooting a Byakurai toward the ground in an attempt to dash off and escape from the battle. In truth she had been terrified of Shigeru, hearing stories of the powerful man from the prisoners. "Get back." As she attempted to escape, her plans were ended by the sudden darting of Akihiro. Using his Rapiditas, Akihiro had grabbed hold of Izumi and thrown her back into the fight. "No one's leaving. We fight to the death!" he declared, as if he known he would win. Akihiro darted once again, this time with his blade in hand.

Several floors below, Terumi felt the spirit enery flood out. "Shigeru!" She thought as her head swung up. "He's fighting, I should go help." Immediately, Terumi began to fly up, only to stop nearly half-way through. "No. We're here to save Ryouiki and thats what I'm going to do. Besides, Shigeru can take down those three no problem." she assured aloud. Nodding, she shot off down the hall with amazing speed. "Ryouiki! Hang on just abit more!"

A cheeky and mocking little grin spread across Shigeru's face, which promptly disguised the fact his eyes momentarily looked to the floor beneath him. "Save your man, Terumi. I've got this." He thought even as that smile deepened into something truly horrifying. "I do pity you three morons. You couldn't have picked worse turf to try and take me on. We're in Kōhai Tochi you idiots!" Their zanpakutō meant little in this realm, yet for Shigeru's whose powers were closer to an Arrancar's power than a Shinigami's, the limitation had little meaning. With a ripping motion followed by the uttering of "Awaken" a fox mask formed on Shigeru's face. "This is gonna be fun."

As she sped down the hallway with amazing speed the walls themselves began to crack. Her hair flying back and her eyes could barely stay open. Despite breathing heavily, she only sped up. Ryouiki being her entire motivation. Once again, Shigeru stepped into her mind. Currently the two most important man in her life - one a demon with a heart, and the other, with a heart strong enough to overcome a demon. Ignoring the wails that could be heard so easily, Terumi grabbed hold of her blade. Clinching onto it with much force, as if her life was hanging by a single thread. Completely aware that she must fight in order to save Ryouiki, and that it wouldn't be easy to do so. She must have no imperfections, and no hesitation. Meanwhile, Ryouiki's will was gradually rising. His fears had come to realization - the one he cared about most, was in pure danger. He was certain that he had to save Terumi, yet she was certain that it would take all her willpower and then some, to save him.

Shigeru v. Guards
"We aren't push-overs! We fight because Lord Kunsha orders us to do so. And so we will. All for the victory of Sabishii. We must fight and win." Izumi explained with a sudden rise in her voice. Her petite figure, and usually shy demeanor vanished. All she had in mind was too win, for the glory of Sabishii and to be accepted by him. As Akihiro dashed off into battle, though he was confident, he knew all to well who he was fighting. He wasn't fighting a man, nor an Arrancar, nor a Shinigami. Something that had the power of all, something that was ominous to be near, and would strike bone-chilling fear into any who had seen him.

"You two. What's wrong with you two. H-He's the Betrayer of Hope... The one of legend. The stories you heard in the streets are real, and its staring us in the face." Katashi calm and cool demeanor was shattered beyond repair. His usual in control attitude had faded away, as he layed knelt in the corner. Just by the spiritual pressure emitted by Shigeru was enough to terrify him. Though Katashi was willing to fight the greatest of battlers, the stupid tales that had been passed down were real and he hadn't believed it until now. His very mind was shocked, as he surely believed that his comrades would die. The white haired guard was smart, much more than the other two guards. He immediately knew that fighting would lead to an untimely demise. Meanwhile, Akihiro had a menacing grimace across his face, as he swung his blade at Shigeru's torso.

Blood red energy ignited upon the edge of Shigeru's Kuroigisei while an even more depraved smile fell about his face. His eyes were the usual hollowfied yellow, his aura dark and sickly, his voice - even his very breathe - seemed infused with that of an Inner Hollow long since brought into line. There was no difference in the strength of the two energies he expressed: they were as equal as they possibly could be. No side attempted to overcome the other. There was no conflict. No friction. Just perfect clarity and understanding between the two forces Shigeru's mask brought further to the fore. He was the epitome of evil. And he loved it.

Shigeru met Akihiro's strike with an Itonamisakezuki enhanced strike, which he partially released upon contact to force his target back. With that accomplished, Shigeru vanished! It wasn't Shunpo. It was too fast for that. With his mask donned, Shigeru preferred the Hollow variant of Sonído and used it expertly. His target was the two others. For the woman intent on challenging him, Shigeru fired the remaining energy of his Itonamisakezuki as a blood-red wave, while he set his gaze on the cowering Katashi. "Break the weak link and the chain becomes useless," His larger Kuroigisei flashed through the air, barely missing the ceiling above, as Shigeru brought it down!

As a result from the enhanced strike, Akihiro was sent flying! In that instance, Akihiro felt the wound across his torso, and the broken sword in his palm. His eyes filled with rage, as he did. The overwhelming spirit energy had remained, Akihiro could feel the evil within Shigeru's spirit energy, and he had finally felt fear. Crashing into the wall, Akihiro broke through the walls and fell to his doom, unable to move a muscle after Shigeru's strike. As for Izumi, she watched in amazement, her eyes wide and her mouth open. "A--Akihiro" she whispered. She hadn't ever made bonds with any of the other guards, as she only had love for Sabishii. But, like any other person she cried. Tears of sorrow swelled in her eyes, and as they did, her fists became tighter. Suddenly, Izumi attacked from behind the at the moment, extremely fast Shigeru with a Senka!

Watching in horror, Katashi trembled. He was indeed afraid, but the guards weren't one to just give in even if they were battling one like Shigeru. Alone their power paled in comparison, but maybe together they could atleast harm Shigeru or somehow hold him off until Sabishii came into the frey. Using his own manipulation Katashi pushed himself to the left, averting the attack. Though fear still remained in his heart, Katashi was unable to feel Akihiro spiritual pressure and with that, he knew that it was up to him to fight or die as he stood. "Reign Over, Kankatsu!" he shouted, his voice still wavering as a result of fear. Darting toward Shigeru, Katashi sliced down at the Betrayer of Hope's arm.

Shigeru didn't make a move to stop the strike. The blade tore through the flesh like a hot knife through butter, yet aside from a few seconds of pain and a stifled growl, Shigeru made little other recognition that he had felt it. "Is that it?" He asked. "Pathetic." Spiritual energy rushed to his severed stump, which soon began reconstructing the limb he had lost. In little to no time at all, Shigeru had a wholly working arm, which he flexed to loosen the muscles. "But I've played tag with you three enough, I think." That depraved smile returned as the Betrayer of Hope ignited yet another Itonamisakezuki. "You all know an attacks stronger when you name it... right? Well, that energy wave also grows in strength under certain circumstances." Adding a small amount of his own life-force to power the forming energy farther, Shigeru swung downwards while declaring aloud "Itonamisakezuki"! The energy completely pulverized the floor they were on.

Leaving his foes to contend with that, Shigeru dropped down four whole floors by cutting the ceiling before he began running off towards Terumi, intent to help her rescue her friend. For if Sabishii's followers were here that meant the master of the prison himself couldn't be far away...

Wails down the hall could be heard. It was obvious that with the addition of the powerful Betrayer of Hope into the frey things could favor to Terumi's side. However, Sabishii wasn't one to take anything lying down! A single scream could be heard for miles, and maybe, even outside the prison, and followed by the scream the loud weeping of a grown man. Surely, many different things were passing through Shigeru's mind as he heard such horrific sounding terrors. On the floor, barrerling into the wall, Terumi slammed against the wall. Hovering above her limp body, Sabishii chuckled, as one eye looked steadily at Ryouiki and the other looked intently at the entrance of the hall. Sabishii payed no mind to Terumi; he was by far much stronger than any power she could ever hope to muster. And as for, Ryouiki, well he was in chains that binded his spirit energy. It would be impossible for him to escape. As for Shigeru, Sabishii felt him long ago and was well aware that he was coming close. "About time. A true battler worthy of my might!"

"You've came to stop me? To defeat me, and somehow make my prison come crashing down to the ground?! Wow, you aren't doing such a hot job, babe." Sabishii said mockingly. Followed by his sentence, Terumi threw her fist up to no avail. Sabishii quickly grabbed her wrist and tossed her into the sky. "Leave her.. alone!" Ryouiki yelled, continuing his meaningless struggle to freedom. Seconds later she fell down to the ground with a thud, followed by a raise of dust. Ryouiki repeated himself once again, but louder; shouting paled in comparison to him. Ryouiki continued his cries. Tears of pain, and sorrow rolled down his dirt covered face as he watched his beloved come closer to death. Overwhelmed by emotions entirely, the chains that held him had no power over his next move! With a shockingly terrifying growl Ryouiki didn't break the chains, but the wall. Large chunks of the sekkisekki wall lay attached to his arms through the chain. No words were needed, or more realistically; no words could possible express how Ryouiki felt at that instant. In a flash, Ryouiki flew toward Sabishii, and at that same moment, Terumi brought her head up, her eyes slightly watery watching her man dash to her defense. Though, Terumi and Sabishii had just began there battle Ryouiki was already completely ferious. The few wounds that Terumi had meant nothing to Ryouiki. Watching Sabishii put his hands on his beloved had sent a stream of rage flowing. A stream that wouldn't settle until his hands were coated in blood!

"..R-Ryouiki..., " suddenly, Terumi felt an incredible crashing sound which was followed by the large output of Hollow-like spiritual pressure! "Shigeru's coming. And Ryouiki..is right there. We can win!" Knowing that she could help greatly, Terumi ran over to Ryouiki's Zanpakutō by Sabishii's throne chair and at the same moment, pulling out her own. As she came to the chair, she grabbed hold of a small dagger on the ground, and a second katana next to it in the same hand. "This must be it. Great! With this much power...we can't lose!" Completely ready for the battle ahead! Or as ready as a person could be, when battling one with such strength, speed, variety of techniques, and with such a harsh and dark persona that at times it could become impossible what to predict.

As Sabishii and Ryouiki impacted each other with there fists, they each held a different regard of this battle. For Ryouiki it was a battle for pride, freedom and finally, revenge. For Sabishii it was for pleasure. A feeling of pleasure in his own power that Sabishii could, for some reason, never attain. Sabishii held a mishevious grin with eyes dishonest like a snake. His eyes shot daggers as he stared at Ryouiki's eyes. At that same instant, Ryouiki bolstered his resolve. For the first time, Ryouiki hadn't took in the disgusting smells or the bone-chilling screams that could be sensed in the prison, but now, he focused everything into winning. Our hero's eyes were hate-filled and wanted a single thing; vengeance! "I've been through strife. I've had hellish days and even worse nights. And, Now!....You'll pay with your life, "Warden"!"

''Meanwhile... Elsewhere in the Prison...''

Stopping abruptly and skidding beneath the outstretched blade of a prison guardsmen, Shigeru proceeded to cave his entire ribcage in with a swift strike as he passed beside him; knocking the latter clean through the wall to his side. A gaping man-sized hole was left in the stonework which allowed a pleasant and refreshingly cool breeze to blow its way throughout the corridor. Shigeru's skid turned into a forward roll which brought him past another guardsmen who promptly fell to a full-powered kick to the back as the Betrayer impacted the floor with his free hand so he could lash out with his leg. Landing lithely on the floor like some large cat, ragged cape billowing in the wind around his neck and shoulders; Shigeru lifted his head to regard the other three guards looking towards him. "Bo." They all turned tail and ran. "Cowards," He said simply as he shook his head.

Hefting his large zanpakutō so it rested on his shoulder he began moving forward at a quick trot, all the while slashing in a continuous X shape as he went. His blade cut into doors and walls, freeing those lucky enough to be in the corridor at present. Others standing too close to were he cut weren't so lucky. "Come on, come on! Rouse yourselves!" He roared as he passed them by. Hopefully they'd give a diversion when he tried to escape with Terumi and this Ryouiki character. So he kept running and freeing those he could until he eventually donned his Hollow mask again and blasted forward with one powerful leap which took him straight through the wall and around the towers outside before he once again barreled into the stonework at breakneck speed!

He twisted and rolled before eventually coming to a skidding halt which brought him to a halt mere meters from Terumi's position and only feet from Ryouiki's. "Good, you're safe." He whispered to Terumi before rising slowly to address Sabishii. "And here I was thinking your prior invitation would be a little more courteous... Blue Hairs." A certain excitement played its way across his tone and even though his fox-like mask hid his smile from view, it was obvious he was smiling one of his usual cocky little half-smiles. "Oh yeah, almost forgot! Your exalted majesty will be just delighted to know that, even as we speak, your precious prisoners are busy making a bee-line for the nearest door... or hole in the wall in some cases." He made a very disrespectful flourish, deep and mocking. "And I seriously doubt those assholes you call underlings will be arriving to help, either. Last time I saw them they were buried neck-deep in rubble. Dead or alive I'm not sure." And that only furthered the smile, though by far the greatest showing of his overconfidence was the casual wave of his fingers that told the self-titled "King" to bring it.

The Warden Strikes!
Gritting his teeth, Sabishii barreled forward sending Ryouiki back slightly, however his willpower was much more than that of his opponent. Digging his heel into the ground, Ryouiki lifted, and tossed Sabishii back with all his might. With a deep inhale and a small grunt, he turned to look at Shigeru. Nodding slowly, he turned back to see the shock and joy in Terumi's face. "..guess your on our side...Good. And it seems Terumi has taken a liking to you..." he hesitated abit, thinking about his past with Terumi. " Hmph. This makes it all the easier to kill, Warden. And it would seem us have entirely different nicknames for this guy." Turning his head slightly, Ryouiki stared intently at the rubble that fell upon Sabishii. "See this, Blue Hairs" he said mockingly, condescendingly, and most of all with a harsh scowl upon his face. "You're will die here!"

Terumi jerked forward, rushing toward the capable duo until she was comfortable beside them, or at least as comfortable as she could be while her life was in mortal danger. This moment of comfort, a fleeting one. "Ryouiki...its nice to see you. This is Shigeru...him and I have came here to rescu---" Suddenly, Sabishii leaped forward and quickly preformed a series of flips before landing behind our hero's. He wore a disgusting grimace on his face, followed by the tight squeezing of his palm. "It would seem that my previous battle has come to haunt me. I would never pick you as the type to save people...Shigeru. Nor would I ever think of you as stupid enough to defy my kindness, with treachery." His tone quickly changed to a bellowing, screeching roar. "How dare you all. Killing my guards I can see, but releasing prisoners. You must be damn cocky to come in here and do this. None of you know the concept of "King". You disrespect me and don't know how to succumb to authority. For that, you die. No! no! no! No more! The king will personally thrust his blade into all of your damn skulls!"

Completely ignoring Terumi, Ryouiki focus remained on Sabishii, who had been releasing a constant heavy amount of spiritual pressure. Looking at the Betrayer he sensed a rapport, that he hoped his comrade felt also. Terumi frowned as she noticed Ryouiki's face. It was gruesome and sent an immediate wave of fear into her. Slowly, she handed a katana to Ryouiki, not even looking in his face as she did so. Grabbing onto the hilt of the blade, Ryouiki dashed off immediately. Dragging his blade on the ground, a torrent of rubble and debris was sent hurling into sky. Quickly, Sabishii summoned his own blade to combat Ryouiki. The sudden clash of metal created a clang sound. It was loud and abrupt, and following it, an orb of spirit energy began to engulf the two.

"Please, Shigeru. Ryouiki is strong, but he can't beat Sabishii alone" she pleaded. "Here, Sabishii can't use his powers, but you can."

"I never recalled swearing my sword to you," Shigeru replied abruptly to Sabishi's statement. His tone was dangerous and laced with venomous undertones. "So how in blue fuck can I betray you? And I didn't save anyone." He pointed out as he made good on his previous commitment to help Terumi, by slamming his zanpakutō down between Ryouiki's and Sabishii's, successfully parting them both while Shigeru himself slowly stepped back to stand close to Ryouiki: but still close enough should Sabishii angle around to attack Terumi he could intervene. "And besides, the only person who saved anyone today was Terumi, not me. This was her idea. I'm only hired muscle with a sharp tongue." And he took pride in that little fact. Ryouiki could take the comment whichever way he wanted.

Shooting forward, Shigeru attempted to keep the zanpakutō spirit off balance so he couldn't use whatever other abilities he had seperate from those he couldn't use in this realm. They were still largely a mystery to him after all, so for the moment caution governed his movements and guided his hand. He landed close to his target and aimed a strike for the floor, namely the stone-work in an attempt to break it utterly.

Stepping back with his left foot gingerly, yet firmly, he used the power attained to leap upward. With the added boost from his left foot he stepped his right foot atop Shigeru; using his shoulder blade as a stool. Standing in the sky above his assailants, he growled while observing each slight movement and twitch made by those beneath him. Meanwhile, Ryouiki gritted his teeth and clinched the sword in his hand until it bled. "Whatever the meaning. No one is safe and I'm not saved yet. Not until this bastards head is rollin' by my feet!" He shouted, pointing his blade at Blue Hairs. Releasing his spiritual pressure; atop the hollow spiritual pressure and the Zanpakuto spiritual pressure also being emitted, the prison nearly collasped upon itself, much to Ryouiki's pleasure. Noticing this rather quickly, Sabishii somersaulted toward Terumi, and grabbed her around the waist immediately. "...come on, Ryouiki. Save your girl..You come to, Excavado. I'll slaughter you both..."! Blue Hairs overwhelming strength quickly subdued Terumi, making the young woman succumb to unconciousness. Dropping a small, sickly dagger as she did, Sabishii quickly fled the scene, leaving into a small whirling portal behind his throne chair.

"Coward! Come back!" Turning to Shigeru, Ryouiki briefly looked at him before following Sabishii into the whirling portal. His face - at that brief moment - was confident in his own abilities, but also showed his fear, of the person who thought himself to be an army in one. An incredible, growing fear that has been gradually increasing ever since he was first introduced to the many horrors of prison. On his face, one could easily tell that he was clearly at a disadvantage if he would face, the Zanpakuto Spirit of the Collective Vices, Sabishii Kunsha! Before he went to pursue the man he knew as Warden, he grabbed hold of the small dagger on the ground, quickly placing it in a self-made pocket by his thigh.

Suddenly, Ryouiki was thrusted into the Human World. A small opening in the sky above, was most likely the portal from before. Flying down from the sky, Ryouiki came crashing down to a huge, jagged, and flat sided mountain. Landing atop it, he landed upon the thin top of the mountain and began to use his senses to better understand his surroundings, the smooth plateau around him, the feeling of gentle breeze on his jagged and scarred body and the calmness of ocean to the west. He quickly looked up at the sky, as if he had been suddenly calmed by seeing the Human World, it was, in fact, true. The repetitive torture he had felt was gone, the anger, sadness, regret. All of those emotions were briefly overwhelmed by the World of the Living. The sky was a dark, hazy, black color. Very few clouds and even less, stars could be seen overhead, as if a constant depression flew over this area. The air was clear, yet and aura of battle grew, and with it, the intensity level. Immediately, Ryouiki looked around intently, until feeling the spiritual power of Sabishii. Dismissing the nature around him, he placed his focus back upon the reason why he was in the Human World. "Damn it... Where are you, Sabishii! Where's Terumi! Show yourself!" Suddenly, spritual energy encompassed Ryouiki's being, and followed by it, the ancient aura of the area and the depressing night sky made a slight smile come across the prisoners face. Aware that this area was incredibly similar to how he has felt for the past several hundred years, but now, he would become the illuminate beacon and cast away the darkness that has clouded him for so long.

Shigeru watched his foe flee as well as his partner in this battle take charge after him, noting at the same time the fear reflected in that quick glance. It was enough for Shigeru to shake his head and sigh, for he knew this wasn't going to be easy. Before he did anything however the Betrayer took note of the means by which Sabishii had fled, before following through only halfway. There he followed the zanpakutō's footprints all the while suppressing his reiatsu the point that his Hollowfied cloak and Hollow mask vanished as Shigeru began sneaking.

He performed perhaps the quickest flash step he'd ever performed the second he exited the portal, energy still masked as much as he could manage. Following his targets footprints through his own extrasensory tracking skill, Shigeru finally came upon Sabishii hidden away from view. Once there he exerted the full ferocity of his spiritual force, the surprise factor allowing him to pluck Terumi from the mans grasp and subsequently vanish with a series of flash steps that took him to rest lightly beside Ryouiki, all the while carrying her bridle-style.

"Fighting him with her as his hostage would get us nowhere... 'cause I seriously doubt you'd kill her to kill him." Why he had went out of his way to save her was largely left unknown, though Shigeru truly believed what he had said a moment ago and the gaze he cast towards his sudden battlefield partner told as much. Perhaps he'd done it to save Ryouiki from the choice itself.

"I suck at Kidō," He remarked finally as he set her on the floor some distance from where he had landed. "If you don't want her in trouble then erect a barrier around her... one that has plenty of clean air." He remembered his last battle with Sabishii. "And for the love of god, don't let that anger cloud your outlook or it'll be your head rolling at his feet." The warning was well meant really.

Nodding back, Ryouiki formed a slight frown. Shigeru was in fact right. If Ryouiki had fought with anger, the fight wouldn't end the way he wanted. Taking notice of his comrades hollow spiritual pressure he smiled. "Its nice to know that even someone like you; an outcast, and most likely exile of Soul Society would go through such strife. You reasoning may be different from mind, but I assure you. I will pay you back one day." That was followed by a welcoming smile, that made Ryouiki feel at ease, atleast for the time being. "I've known you have probably seen your own horrors in this world, but for the time being, Sabishii must die" much different from before, Ryouiki took Shigeru's advice. His voice was soothing, and calm in nature. Looking back down at Terumi, a tear drooped down his face and kissed the pleateau ground beneath them. "I'm sorry for getting you in this, but for now, please stay here. I swear to you, Sabishii won't touch you." Ryouiki grinned, "I never let down on my promises."

With a snap of his finger, a barrier formed around Terumi, and with it, a green hue began to encompass her and the barrier. The healing process slowly began, and with it, Ryouiki changed his attention to ahead of him, and his focus back onto the battle. "I know Sabishii. He's probably getting ready to attack us with something big. And if that doesn't work he'll strike us in our weak-spot, and when we least expect it." The air quickly became heavy, and the katana in Ryouiki's hand illuminated a brilliant orange-red hue. Suddenly, Sabishii revealed himself overhead, and accompanying him was a cloud of purple that made its way downward. Swinging his sword upward, a column of fire shot upward causing an explosion to occur overhead. The exuberant flames overwhelmed the poison, and allowed a small opening for Shigeru to strike.

Rolling his eyes at Ryouiki's words to Terumi, Shigeru spread his legs wider and adopted an even more serious expression than he had before as the same fox-like Hollow mask fell about his face with a ripping motion. Blasting through the opening, the Betrayer began spinning like a large spin top before abruptly stopping as he declared loudly "Cero" which produced a black-as-night blast not unlike Cero Oscuras! But he was nowhere near finished, for he was already moving. His Sonído took him to Sabishii's right-hand side where he fired off another Cero. If only one struck there'd be an opening Shigeru hoped Ryouiki would exploit.

As the Betrayers cero made contact with Sabishii, immediately an explosion occured followed by a plume of smoke concealing Blue-Hairs. Just like his comrade, Ryouiki wouldn't hesitate; not even for a second! Cocking his elbow back, Ryouiki pointed the tip of his katana directly into the sky before muttering something under his breath. A bolstering boom, followed by exuberant sparks in the sky welcomed the entrance of Guren, the katana that Ryouiki weilded. An orange colored phoenix with an orange tint was flying overhead. His very presence overbearing; incredibly hot flames and the destructive power of over a million Zanpakuto. Beads of sweat rolled down Terumi's face, as her draw nearly broke the earth as it opened wide. "To be burnt asunder, is to all the enemies of Guren" Ryouiki said with gleam in his eyes. The phoenix hurriedly flew down onto the plume of smoke, and with it, the phoenix easily devoured the smoke and with that it appeared to be the death of Sabishii - his spiritual pressure faded - followed by it, a loud, beckoning chirp emitted from the pheonix. "Thats the power of Guren! Now come and face us, you damn coward!" Ryouiki declared with, now, his elbow and knees bent, aware that he had done minimal damage to Sabishii, and that the Warden was still somewhere near, waiting. Terumi watched Ryouiki immediately knowing what he was waiting for. Disgruntled by this discovery, she readied herself to heal either Shigeru or Ryouiki if they happened to be harmed.

The danger in the air was thick, the intense pressure of battle could be easily smelled by veteran fighters. From what seemed like every angle, a plume of purple smoke shot inbetween Shigeru, Ryouiki and Terumi. In seconds, the group was seperated by a large wall of deadly gas. Echoes of his maniacle laugh were heard by all, his twisted idea of fun would be tortuous to deal with indeed. "Divide and conquer and kill" Sabishii said with a chuckle at the end.

This was what Shigeru had feared happening. He remembered the gas from his previous encounter, though he still didn't know its effect. And he couldn't hold his breathe forever, nor could Terumi or Ryouiki. Plugging his nose by pinching either side with his free hand, Shigeru proceeded to entwine his Hollow cloak around his face; resulting in a make-shift scarf that covered both his mouth and nose, though it was obvious it wouldn't keep the gas out long. Realizing the predicament he and the others were in, Shigeru calmed himself quickly. What was the rush? If he jumped to their aid then he'd be picked off, just as they would if they rushed to his. If he waited and focused on their spiritual signatures then he could spring a trap of his own if there were any sudden changes in their feel. So he kept still, closed his eyes and simply observed his surroundings through his senses. The signatures of Terumi and Ryouiki sprang up nearby, though Sabishii was hiding himself well. So he waited, content for now simply to wait and watch.

"Terumi! Shigeru!" Ryouiki roared with sudden anger. Suddenly, figures of Sabishii swept in like a bird catching its prey; swift and lethal. Unaffected by his own poison, what seemed like hundreds of needles were hurled - originating from Sabishii - all from multiple directions. The technique itself was intent on causing fatal damage to the prisoner. Noticing the large, hovering bird above him, Ryouiki grinned devishily. Meanwhile, Terumi was caught up in her own predicament. Upon her, the gas was closing in incredible quickly. Frantically, she erected a barrier around her person, and with no hesitation, she searched for Shigeru and Ryouiki's spiritual pressure. As the attacks were closing in on both, Terumi and Ryouiki, Sabishii had taken his time. Picking out, what he believed to be, the most capable of the trio.

"Ahh, just like before, huh...Shigeru" he said slyly, noticing the make-shift scarf once again. Appearing from Shigeru's peripheral vision Sabishii gripped his blade heartily; ready to be entertained. Purposefully, keeping the poison around Shigeru at a good battling distance, he swiftly and precisely made his move. From his attacks stance, Sabishii thrusted his blade at Shigeru's torso!

He had been studying the various reactions of Terumi and Ryouiki enough to know that Sabishii had decided to come after him personally, which couldn't have pleased Shigeru any more had he tried. He was practically beaming and from that face, that outward expression of cruelty that was present despite his actions, Shigeru looked demonic. He twisted around on the balls of his feet the second he felt the wind was disturbed in time to see Sabishii's incoming strike. But the Betrayer made no move to dodge, instead allowing that blade to pierce through his torso! But he didn't allow Sabishii to pull away or withdraw the blade, which effectively allowed Shigeru to plug the wound with Sabishii's own zanpakutō! The result was much less blood than one would expect, because the steel running through him restricted it to a mere trickle at the point of entry and the exit.

"And now I've got you," Shigeru said through his makeshift scarf, which was slowly being stained by the blood trickling down from Shigeru's mouth. The wound must've been worst than he had originally hoped, but he showed little sign of worry. His free hand was gripped around Sabishii's hilt while his right was slowly bringing his own zanpakutō up. The area around the twos immediate vicinity was suddenly overran by the illusion of crows, the carrion flyer's squawking continually as a dark shroud of infinite blackness outlined by a blood red moon descended around them - the expression of Shigeru's spiritual force. "This time you won't slink away." The energy of his Itonamisakezuki ignited upon his zanpakutō's edge, the twisted look in those red eyes shouting the Betrayer's intentions.

"W-what the hell is this! Answer me goddammit!" Sabishii relentless and arrogant nature was still present, but well hidden by his fear. He barely survived his last encounter with Shigeru, though he wouldn't dare say that aloud. Noticing how Shigeru released his zanpakuto from before, and the number of blades that were embedding into his own skin, he managed to a fake a chuckle. "Another suicidal technique eh?" he murmered, as he ceased struggling. The dark crows and the menacing aura that followed as a result from the outpour of Shigeru's spirit energy, was terrible to feel up-close and surely a rude awakening to Shigeru's comrades. "Shigeru! His energy is so dense, dark" Terumi said with wavering fear. Both from her impending doom, and fear of just how much evil was in the center of Shigeru's soul. Wanting to assist him, Terumi's hand glowed a brilliant yellow hue and began to consume her just as the poison reached her, she vanished.

Meanwhile, the attacks that enclosed upon Ryouiki successfully made contact. He hadn't possessed the immediate speed to avoid the barrage of onslaughts. Sporting a number of wounds upon his body, his clothes were hanging by threads, revealing his smudge covered torso. Blood began to trickle down from his chest and down his body gradually becoming more annoying to the prisoner. "Bleeding is a sign of weakness; faltering. I refuse to lose to that man. He must die." The hovering bird above let out a second beckoning chirp, proving itself as a crow not a swan. Balls of fire around the size of a fist began to fall to the ground, flickering about as it made contact with the poison causing explosions all-around, effectively dispersing the poison. At Ryouiki's whim, the bird began to cause grave damage to the landscape. A series of explosions occurred, eating away at the battlefield. Noticing, Shigeru's spiritual pressure, he avoided that area, instead he entered the vicinity hastily. "S-Shigeru..." Ryouiki said quietly, as he observed Shigeru's attack with close eyes, but from a decent distance.

To go along with the sheer dark sense Terumi felt from Shigeru's being was a little curled up smile, both mocking and incredibly confident. The energy of the Itonamisakezuki began to pulsate as Shigeru's spiritual energy began to infuse it. It resulted in the area clearing of the crows and the blood moon illusion, though that same reddish moon seemed to glow in Shigeru's Shirushi effected eyes. The black tomoe seemed to spiral in the eye, yet another illusion, while the Itonamisakezuki sprung forth from his blade as he set it upon Sabishii's own blade: the cold steel now resting between the two. "Is that fear I see, Blue Hairs?" The man who thought himself a King was amongst those type of people Shigeru truly despised, even though he respected the mans fighting ability. Shigeru believed that he thought himself better than others, which was why his smile only deepened. "What does it feel like, King? Knowing a mere commoner from the Rukongai is going to kill you? I bet it's fucking infuriating! Itonamisakezuki!" A blood red wave of energy erupted from the blade, fueled bu spiritual energy as well as hate, which blasted Shigeru clean through the air as he released his grip on Sabishii's zanpakutō. Both were lost amidst the ensuing energy which, after burning for what seemed like hours when it was truly only seconds, dispersed in wisp of black smoke. Shigeru landed amidst a pile of rubble, the result of that unleash of energy, unconscious and unmoving. Maybe dead. If he survived that then he lived up to his second moniker of the Lord of Luck.

Darting toward Shigeru's unconcious body, Ryouiki immediately began to heal the injured warrior. "Your bravery is admirable" he murmered as his hands radiated with a bright, green light. Wasting no time at all; as every moment would be vital to Shigeru's survival, a large amount of Ryouiki's spiritual power was forced into his palms,and by relation, his Wisdom energy also. Whether he felt it or not, a torrent of life enegy flooded into Shigeru's being. From nature; each body of water and towering bulky tree to the single damp blade of grass on the ground. Realizing Guren was holding him back, Ryouiki threw his blade aside commanding the hovering pheonix to vanish. At the same time, Terumi revealed herself. Drooping beside Shigeru, she held him close as she aided his healing. Her eyes were wet with tears and her face damp at the touch. Though she only knew him briefly, his bravery and heroism left her stunned. His actions were awe-inspiring to her, and she wished only to repay him. Losing all concern over the enemy - a fatal mistake - the romantic duo focused all there intention all healing there comrade. Terumi bellowed Shigeru's name, while holding him near her chest. All the while, Ryouiki stared at Shigeru's limp body with careful, cautious eyes as to see if there was any sign of life. However before he could see such a thing, a quiet ominous murmer of a single word was heard from afar...Bankai.

Astonished Terumi threw her head toward the voice, her eyes still wet from crying. Unlike her, Ryouiki was entirely enraged. He had lost everything from his life in prison, and refused to lose to Sabishii in this encounter. Refused to lose Shigeru or Terumi. "Terumi you are a much better healer than I am. Finish healing Shigeru. I'll take care of him." Ryouiki's tone was harsh, and demanding. He was clearly at a disadvantage when compared to Sabishii, but rolling over and surrendering isn't an option for the old-timer. From a black plume of wispy smoke - nearly thirty feet away - a silhoutte of a figure could be seen. A faint voice was also heard. However, all was blacked out by the prisoner. "I'll crush you with all my power, Blue-Haired bastard!" With that, a dark, terrible grin grew across Ryouiki's face. Terumi immediately quivered,'' "...not again. That look..those facial expressions. Once made, Ryouiki is thrusted into immediate bloodlust." ''

Sealing Terumi inside a small blue barrier, he ensured her and Shigeru's safety for the time being. The seal was durable and could only be shattered at Ryouiki's whim with the word "break", a command that he wouldn't dare utter. His face was clearly rage-filled. No sign of fear from before, nor impassiveness that he usually instilled was entirely gone. "Till death do us part. To love bond us together through the hellish nights. You kept me fighting through the suffering, and know we will both finally have our burdens lifted. With my..and" pause for paticular and loud emphasis, "your death we will both finally be free. I love you Terumi. Always have and always will." With his quiet speech finished, Ryouiki was engulfed into a large column of spirit energy and before a moments hesitation a cloud of purple smoke fogged the sky. Changing the sky before him into a bleak, and hazy one. Suddenly, Sabishii's power could be felt; a wave of power surged through the area like a stinging whip striking the bare back. However, time was on Ryouiki's side - maybe the Lord of Luck's power was working - as a colossal creature gradually drifted to the ground below from its previous hovering postion. With a thud and a brief shock onto the earths crust, a large beast towered above all things in the vicinity with a menacing gaze and a ferociously dark aura. "...Shizenshi!" 

Thought was distant, as was his pain. Though he could still feel something. Though what that something was was beyond Shigeru right now. He felt like an outsider in his own body: everything was alien and unfamiliar. His muscles were far away and unmoving, his thoughts slow to form. Where was he? A problem for another time, when he was more alert. Where was Terumi and Ryouiki? Again, a problem for another time. Where was Sabishii? That was something he couldn't simply leave alone. Was the zanpakutō spirit dead, or simply wounded? Alive and kicking and incredibly angry, or had he retreated? His finger moved. Slightly. It was something. More than before. "Get on your feet." Shigeru couldn't believe what his eyes - he wasn't even sure they were his eyes - showed him. Teruo Yūdai, his elder brother and only family stood in front of him with the sourest look Shigeru had ever seen. Teruo was usually more calm and sensible than that.

"... I'm dreaming, aren't I?" It had to be a dream, though why did it feel so damn real? "Not a dream." Teruo answered. "A precaution I wove into your amulet a long time ago. I was always better at Kidō than you were." The image of Teruo sounded pleased at that. Shigeru merely kept his mouth shut. "I instilled a small part of myself - my own soul - into your Reitekieeto a week before you left the Soul Society. It's only good for one use, but it will keep you from dying by kick-starting your flagging reiatsu with my own: plus whatever you had stored within the amulet itself." So Teruo had known? It wasn't surprising. "You've always looked after me...". Teruo's reply was simple following that. "We're brothers... Now get up!" Shigeru didn't need to be told twice. His eyes snapped open and his hands clenched tightly into blood-soaked fists as a pained groan escaped his lips. "I feel... like shit." But he was back and Terumi was healing him, only with Teruo's gift, the process wouldn't take quite as long as it would have...

Shocked by Shigeru's defiance of death and what seemed to be sheer willpower Terumi cringed back after hearing him speak. "He..should be dead..I'm happy he isn't" she said silently, before looking onward to Ryouiki. With her palm face-down she placed it on his chest continuing the healing process at a much faster rate. Meanwhile, the flickering spiritual power of both Sabishii and Ryouiki clogged the area. Glancing back from the corner of his eye, Ryouiki said nothing and allowing his eyes to speak for him. He looked up and down, observing Shigeru's current state. "You did good comrade...I hope that I won't die before you can help me again." Puckering his lip upward, Ryouiki bent his knees and lowered his level before slamming his fist down to the ground, which slowly commaded the towering beast overhead to throw his fist down to the pavement also. The fist of Shizenshi crushed the plume of smoke thirty feet away. Small murmurs could be heard before a ear shattering boom sounded from afar, and slowly afterwards, a flash appeared before Ryouiki. Suddenly, the warrior was sent hurled back several feet, his legs dragging in the ground as he was pushed back by an unseen force. "..S-Sabishii..IS HE THIS FAST!" Ryouiki screamed in his mind as he fell to the ground, unable to force himself up from the previous strike.

Staring up with dazy eyes, Ryouiki looked into the menacing gaze of Shizenshi before the beast stomped down near Ryouiki, sending a torrent of dust and debris flying in spherical direction in the vicinity. For a brief moment while Ryouiki was sent back even more - as a result from Shizenshi's attack - he could see the outline of Sabishii's figure. With a slight grin, he fired a Byakurai at the ground before carrying the beam of lightning into the figure.

In a flash, the figure faded from view once again and within seconds a large slash appeared down Ryouiki's torso. The hero had taken fatal damage to the battle, though not immediately fatal, he would slowly flater throughout the battle as a result. A wave of blood streamed from the open wound, from his right shoulder to left hip. Laughter could be heard directly in his right ear, and just before Ryouiki could swing and attack in that direction, he was struck once again, this time much worse then before. A bellowing yelp could be heard before the terrible screeching noise of a tear could be heard from Ryouiki's kneecaps. All in a moment, the once confident warrior was down upon his knees in anguish. Ryouiki inhaled hurriedly as he fought his own pain to get to his fight. It was as if a unskilled child was being struck down by a veteran warrior. "BASTARD!" Ryouiki shouted, and with a tremendous display of willpower, and skill, he purposefully exploded a Haien in a circle around him. With ease, anything making contact with the flames will be caught up and incenerated in that instant, surely if Sabishii was there he would be no expection. Meanwhile, the powerful demon from above reeked havoc; stomping about in a flurry, it threw its huge clawed paws to the ground below attempting to shred anything apart in its path. It just so happen that inside the circle of purple flames, both Ryouiki and Sabishii were prime targets for Shizenshi's attack.

All within what seemed like seconds, several minutes had passed and to Terumi the events unfolding before her passed by at incredible speeds like a blur. "I'm not finished Shigeru, but the blood has stopped and for now the wounds are all closed up." she said, however, unlike before she chose not to sit and watch. Standing before Shigeru, she chuckled and then proceeded to reach into her white robe revealing a white katana. "Meet Suiyodōke...Now come on Shigeru, we won't kill him by sitting down and waiting, now will we!" she said urgently. Within the purple blaze ringing clangs and clings of metal beckoned aloud. It became louder and louder as the two collided, both of them unconcerned with Shizenshi. And, just then, the demon struck down upon the irate duo and as it did, a plume of dirt, debris and brown smoke rose concealing the aftermath of the attack. All that lay is the large crate imprinted on the earth from the previous attack.

"Hmph, good effort. But not good enough.." Sabishii's voice sounded ominously from behind Terumi and Shigeru. Without hesitation Sabishii bent at his knees and swung his blade horizontally at Terumi's waist at a incredibly fast rate. All the while, his blood smeared face had a sinister, and somewhat wholehearted grin. In that moment, a flash of blood bursted forth; Terumi had been bifurcated! Her limp body fell to the ground with a silent thump. The blank stare on her face and the cold touch of her skin were enough to explain what had happened.

Next Story > The River Converges Home Part II