Shione Kiyokawa

Shione Kiyokawa (清川 潮音, Kiyokawa Shione) is the 29th head of the noble Kiyokawa Clan, one of the four great noble families, the founder and first president of the Investigation Unit ,and is the Captain of the Seventh Division. Her lieutenant is Sajin Komamura.

Appearance
Shione is a slender, yet somewhat curvacious, tall young woman. She has fair skin, light (almost pale) green eyes, and long black hair that reaches her lower back, with three ginito musubu (a thin braid that is bound in silver thread, with a pure white feather attached) that symbolizes her nobility. Shione is considered "foxy" due to her appearance. Her right arm bears a tattoo of a lotus flower (her favorite flower). Shione wears a standard captain's haori, a kosode that tightens around her forearms with black forearm guards that attach to her matching fingerless tekkou, sleek, black boots with retractable talons in the soles, and normal white socks underneath. She also wears an expensive, silk, white sash with black wave patterns (hence her name) around her waist. She completes this outfit with blue dangling earrings. During training, Shione sheds her kosode, revealing a black, sleeveless top that halfway down her stomach, and pulls back her hair in a messy bun. When she is at home, she wears a simple, pale, gold kimono.

17 months after Aizen's defeat, Shione has replaced her normal hakama with black stretch pants (similar to Yoruichi Shihōin's). Her forearm guards now bear the kanji for blood (on the left), and honor (on the right) in white. She has replaced her tekkou with black gloves. Her black boots reach up to her knees, and consists of white vertical stripes from the point of her boots to the center of her knees (similar to the pattern of the Arrancar's shoes).

When releasing her Shikai, the iris of her left eye turns into a bright yellow (while her right eye stays green), giving the false appearance of having heterochromia. When releasing her Bankai, the iris of her right eye turns into a cyan blue (while her left eye stays yellow), further intensifying her gaze.

Personality
As the 29th head of the Kiyokawa Family, Shione's expressions are often serene and elegant. However, this behavior masks a carefree, foxy, upbeat, and comical person. Her expressions are almost always cool, yet kind, a smile or smirk plastered on her face even when she is conflicted, though she can be hot-headed at times. She enjoys teasing other people, and even has the guts to try and provoke Byakuya, or Genryūsai. Shione also likes teasing those who are hot-headed, such as Hiyori Sarugaki. Shione acts as a sisterly figure towards almost everyone, making her very popular among Gotei 13. She is extremely loyal to those important to her. Shione has a weakness for anything cute, making her look slightly childish. She is quite generous, always taking the time to visit children in Rukongai, playing, and donating to them. When angered, Shione is conceded as "dangerous", for she would usually retaliate by pulling a vicious prank, or just striking at her victim violently. She prefers people calling her by her first name with the suffix "chan" and dislikes the suffix most people give her, "sama" (which people call her anyways, despite her wishes). When Shione was younger, she had a more adventurous personality, and was also cocky, and arrogant like Byakuya was.

Even with her kind and lovable complexion, her demeanor during battle is worlds apart. Her tender smile is replaced with a cold stare, she acts apathetic, arrogant, merciless, and (if the opponent manages to anger her or push her into a corner) extremely aggressive. She proudly wears the title "Strongest Female Shinigami". Shione is exceptionally intellegent, adroit, and bright, always sensing trouble ahead of time before anyone else can. She is also known to be very capable of acting and persuasion, usually using the sympathy or empathy of others to do what she wants (though seduction works just as well). Shione is fiercely protective of her division, willing to risk her life for an unseated officer, and immediately advancing on someone for attacking her subordinate. She will protect anyone she deeply cares about, and will take even the largest risks to accomplish it. Shione deeply respects, and loves her older sister, refusing to let her sister die for her.

She is very close friends with Byakuya Kuchiki, since she had known him ever since they were children. Although their personalities are like night and day, they get along well, and almost never get into arguements (albeit they used to be very competitive when they were children). Shione respects Byakuya like an older brother and are almost always seen together, however this is often taken the wrong way by others. She was also close to Hisana Kuchiki, always concerned for her health, and mourned her death. Shione is very understanding and loving towards Rukia, and always knows if there is a situation. This has lead to Rukia looking up to her like a sister, and actually calling her sister, which Shione gratefully accepted. Shione is very popular among the male shinigami of Soul Society (to her dismay), always confessing their love to her, and trying to hug her "as a friend", earning them a kick in the face from Shione herself. Shione likes painting, playing the harp, archery, reading, sweets, poker, tea ceremonies, and calligraphy. She is a strict vegetarian and strongly dislikes sexism. Shione is infatuated with Kisuke Urahara.

History
Shione was born into the Kiyokawa Family and grew up in the Kiyokawa mansion in Seireitei. Her parents were killed by a rival clan when she was just a baby, and her older sister Sayeko, was forced to take leadership. Her sensei, Kisuke Urahara would often visit her when she was young, and they would read together under a tree after her work was done. Slowly, Shione had started to develop feelings for Kisuke, but decided to keep it a secret due to her shyness. During this period, Kisuke gave her an expensive white sash with black wave designs as a gift. Shione would regularly visit the Kuchiki Manor to visit Byakuya, in which they would spend countless hours training in preparation for their futures. Yoruichi Shihoin would often visit during these hours to play tag with them. On one such occasion, approximately 110 years ago, she was presented to them during their training by Byakuya's grandfather, Ginrei Kuchiki. Shione watched with Ginrei as Yoruichi started to tease Byakuya, giggling when she ridiculed him. She then dismissed herself politely to Ginrei, and used Shunpo to catch up with Byakuya and Yoruichi.

9 years later, Shione was the 8th seat of the 12th Division. She was told about Yoruichi and Kisuke's sudden betrayal, and disappearance, and desperately ran to the 12th squad barracks. Upon seeing Kisuke's room completely deserted, she immediately became depressed. Genryūsai Yamamoto found her sitting in Kisuke's room, and told her that justice can only be determined with our hearts, not our eyes, and ears. This instantly cheered her up, giving her hope that Kisuke isn't a traitor, and looked up to Genryūsai ever since. Soon after, Shione started to study psychology, to learn how to understand others (including enemies).

Roughly 4 years later, the mansion was attacked by the same clan who had killed her parents. Determined to end the havoc for the sake of her younger sister, Sayeko set out to kill the head of the enemy clan, and forbade Shione from leaving her room. However, Sayeko was defeated. But before the enemy could deliver the final blow, Shione (who was wandering the the mansion in search of her sister, despite her orders) grabbed a nearby dagger and stabbed him, killing him shortly after. Before long, the clan retreated, leaving the mansion in peace. Sayeko managed to survive, but fell into a deep coma. Wanting to prevent this from happening ever again, Shione goes to Retsu Unohana, and asks her to teach her how to heal. She was taught the basics of healing, and a few tricks Unohana used (including "the glare"). Sometime after, Shione was promoted to lieutenant of the 2nd Division, and became fairly close to

55 years ago, Shione supported Byakuya and Hisana's wedding, saving the Kuchiki Family from disgrace. Shione and Hisana quickly became close friends, often sneaking out to Rukongai in search for Hisana's younger sister, Rukia, whom she abandoned as a baby. Before Hisana's death, Shione promised her that she would find Rukia, protect her, and be the older sister Hisana never got to be. After her death, Shione was often the target of Byakuya's frequent outbursts of rage. Later on, She had to support Byakuya again, to accept Rukia into the Kuchiki family. Shortly after Rukia's arrival, Shione found her distressed sitting by the koi pond in the Kuchiki Manor. Rukia told her that she was uncomfortable with the new sudden luxuries she was given. To cheer her up, Shione gave Rukia a simple plushie as a welcome gift, and Rukia was brightened up right after. Shione spent a lot of time with Rukia, teaching her things that were needed to be in a noble family. Rukia started to look up to her, and on one occasion, Rukia subconsciously called Shione "nee-sama" (Big sister). This had surprised both Shione and Byakuya, but she gratefully accepted the name.

Not long after Byakuya became captain, Shione became the Captain of the 7th Division.

Agent of the Shinigami Arc
Shione first introduced when she visits Rukia in the Sixth Division barracks. She advises her to eat something before sighing and tells Rukia not to lose hope so easily, and that she might be pardoned. Byakuya later informs them that Rukia will be executed in twenty-five days’ time and tells Rukia that they will not meet again until the execution, insisting that it is their final conversation. This momentarily surprises Shione. Byakuya turns to Shione and advises her to get back to work, and that a captain's job isn't to loiter. Shione gives one last glance to Rukia before leaving with him. After they leave the room, she proclaims to Byakuya that she is surprised that he didn't try to commute Rukia's sentence. He replies that following the law is what he does and will always do. Shione sighs and answers to him that she knows, before leaving.

Soul Society Arc
Shione is present during the emergency captain's meeting called by Captain-Commander Yamamoto, where she comments on how loud the other captains are. She spies on every one of Ichigo's fights, analyzing his movements and abilities.

She then appears with Byakuya when they interrupt Ganju Shiba and Hanatarō Yamada's attempt to rescue Rukia from the Senzaikyū. She watches Byakuya severely injure Ganju, and reaches to stop him from hurting Rukia, before Jūshirō Ukitake beats her to it. Shione informs Ukitake of the special war time orders that have been activated, lifting the ban of releasing one's Zanpakutō. The three captains sense the arrival of a strong spiritual pressure at the level of a captain. Ichigo arrives and engages Byakuya in combat, making her smirk. Byakuya fails in an attempt to use his shunpō against Ichigo, surprising her. Yoruichi arrives before Byakuya can activate his shikai. Shione recognizes her immediately, and attempts to say her name, but is too consumed in bewilderment. She watches as Yoruichi knock Ichigo out. As Byakuya comments that she will not be able to escape easily, Shione instantly gets into position to attack, and tells her no hard feelings. Yoruichi then asks them if they ever even won against her in a game of tag. The three engage in a test of speed using Shunpo with Yoruichi carrying an unconscious while staying one step ahead of both Shione and Byakuya. She quickly moves to the top a nearby building, and flees with Ichigo. After Byakuya leaves, Shione tells Jūshiro to take care of the rest and departs.

On the morning of Rukia's execution, Shione arrives at her lieutenant Sajin Komamura's quarters, asking him if he was done with his preparations. Komamura, humbly answers by apologizing to her for being so slow. Showing her lenience and respect towards him, she stops him from saying any more, saying she understands that he needed time to think.

Later, Shione, Sajin, 9th Division Captain Kaname Tōsen, and his lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi, bump into Tetsuzaemon Iba, who warns them about the 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki. She replies saying that she already knows. The five shinigami stop Kenpachi and his men in an open courtyard from aiding the Ryoka. After an exchange of words, Shione, Komamura, and Tōsen deal with Kenpachi, while their subordinates take on the 3rd and 5th seats of the 11th Division. She unleashes her shikai after her lieutenant, while Tōsen follows up on his own. Despite their unmistakable advantage, they end up on the losing side of the battle. Kenpachi advised Komamura to activate his Bankai, since he was a former captain (emphasizing the word "former", further provoking him). Shione watches as Tōsen activates his Bankai. After Kenpachi defeats Tōsen, Shione watches as Sajin releases his Bankai. She runs after him as he rushes to Yamamoto.

Before they reach Yamamoto, Shione and Komamura hear the message of the 5th Division captain Sōsuke Aizen's and Tōsen's betrayal and rush over to Sōkyoku Hill to intercept the real traitors. Upon arriving at the hill, Sajin attacks immediately. Before Aizen is able to strike at him, Shione blocks his attack. However her Zanpakutō snaps in half due to his strong reiatsu, giving him the chance to cut her multiple times, severely injuring her. Seeing his unconscious and injured captain on the ground, Sajin becomes enraged and attempts to attack again, leading to his defeat as well. She is seen again unsconcious being treated by the 4th Division officers.

A week after the incident, Shione barges into Byakuya's room in the 4th Division, interrupting his and Renji's conversation. She frantically looks around the room, looking for a place to hide. When Byakuya asks what's wrong, she replies that the Captain of the 12th Division Mayuri Kurotsuchi, is trying to inject a strange liquid into her. She spots the window, and quickly climbs onto the window sill, preparing to jump when Mayuri shows up with his lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi, and a unusually large syringe. Shione says a quick goodbye to Byakuya and Renji before jumping out the window, leaving a very angry Kurotsuchi behind. She, along with Sajin, Renji, Byakuya, Ukitake, and Unohana see off Ichigo and his friends when they return to the World of the Living.

Powers and Abilities
Master Swordsmanship Specialist: Shione is an extremely skilled swordswoman, known for her deadly strikes and equally excellent precision and speed. Her fighting style is unique from others, often sliding her sword on the opponent's sword's surface towards them during collision, not only giving her the perfect opening, but stunning the opponent as well. Her main focus in swordsmanship is speed, although she also prefers combining it with her other skills. Shione is capable of fighting with our without her Zanpakutō, rarely ever relying on one skill. Shione is famed for her fatal slashes, being able to halve 10 people or more with one sweep of her arm.

Shunpo Master: As a former lieutenant of the 2nd Division and commander of the Patrol Corps of Onmitsukidō, Shione is also required to be highly proficient in Shunpo. Taught by, but never beating "Goddess of the Flash" Yoruichi Shihōin, she is still one of the fastest beings in Soul Society. She has been shown to be capable in keeping up with her former captain Suí-Fēng, being able to hit her and avoid being hit herself during their sparring sessions. Shunpo is her main focus in combat, excelling in evasion from both close quarters as well as distance. Her Shunpo's sound is unlike others, rather than the common swishing or silent sound, hers sounds like more of an electric surge. Hakuda Master: As a former unit commander of Onmitsukidō and lieutenant of the 2nd Division, Shione is exceptionally skilled in unarmed combat. She prefers "Using one's movements to her advantage". Shione is able to rival against Suí-Fēng, beating her once in a while during sparring sessions. Shione can effortlessly defeat several armed shinigami with her bare hands.
 * Senka (閃花, Flash Blossom): a special Shunpo technique where one moves to their opponent's back, directly attacking and sealing one's "Saketsu" and "Hakusui" in two rapid strikes (effectively cutting them off of their spiritual energy flow). Shione only uses it when she wants to end a battle quickly. The movement is so fast that an opponent may not be able to tell whether he was attacked from the front or the back and even an outside observer may find it impossible to tell what the movements are
 * Utsusemi (空蝉, Cicada, referencing their molting): Way of Onmitsu, 3rd of the Shihō. It allows for a movement at great speed, leaving an afterimage behind. It is a technique taught to her by Yoruichi Shihōin.
 * Amenbo (アメンボ, Water Strider): A special Shunpo technique where one combines their Reiatsu and speed and spreads it into their surroundings to hide both their Reiatsu, and Reiryoku. Shione often uses this technique. It also decreases their weight, increasing their speed intensely. This method gives off an image of the user creating a ripple everytime they touch the ground.

Kidō Master: Shione has demonstrated her skill and knowledge of high level Kidō, being able to perform several competently with a considerable amount of power. She can cast a level 88 Kidō without incantation, but seems to struggle with spells level 90 or over. She usually only uses low level spells, though it creates just as impressive destruction. Shione often resorts to high level Kidō when she is unable to defeat an opponent.

Immense Spiritual Pressure: As captain of the 7th Division, Shione boasts extreme amounts of Spiritual Pressure. She is capable of exerting massive Spiritual power, enough to paralyze and petrify weaker individuals. Her unusual power makes her the strongest female shinigami in Soul Society. Her Spiritual Pressure is bestowed as electricity, managing to electrocute others just by being too close to her, and/or force them back with or without impact. Shione is able to concentrate her power into an arm, leg or even a finger, to intensely increase it's attack power.

Master Strategist & Tactician: Shione is incisive and dexterous, almost immediately figuring out her opponents attack patterns, weaknesses, and even their movements. She can comprehend one's motives and abilities and use them against her opponent. She is able to make weighty decisions even in the most dire situations in utter calm. Shione is capable of sensing danger before Yamamoto can, and is able to set up complicated traps that can take years to unfold.

Genius Intellect: As president of the Investigation Unit, Shione has always been exceptionally intelligent. She has a wide knowledge of psychology, allowing her to analyze almost anybody's motives and psyches. She catches on rather quickly, noticing the faintest of clues, and deciphering a complication in minutes. Shione scientifically calculates her opponent's movements, predicting on where they will stop or land, using that to her advantage. She is also adept at apprehension in technology, being able to get past Kurotsuchi's firewall and access his information.

Master Assasin: As a former high ranking member of Onmitsukidō, her prowess in the art of stealth combat is exceedingly high. She can completely hide her presence, being able to stay hidden and unseen for countless hours. She is capable of killing 12 shinigami in less than 5 seconds without a sound.

Enhanced Strength: Shione is strong enough to take down several men twice her size without effort. Her kicks are fatal, able to launch an opponent through a six story building. She was able to stop a kick from Hiyori with one hand, causing Hiyori's ankle to start bleeding from the sudden and strong impact.

Enhanced Durability: Tremendously durable, she is capable of being kicked through walls and punched multiple times without any outward injuries. Since she was a former Onmitsukidō member, she was highly trained in fighting. Shione can take large amounts of abuse without losing composure, or leaking any vital information while being interrogated.

Zanpakutō
Raichō (雷鳥, Thunder Bird; Thunderbird) is the most powerful female Zanpakutō. In its sealed form, it is the standard katana with a grey sheath held under Shione's sash. It has a circle-shaped tsuba with a zig-zag design in it and a silver hilt-wrapping. The end of the hilt has a retracting silver wire with a ring on the end (which Shione often uses to twirl her Zanpakutō).

Shikai: triggered by the command "Electrify the Adversaries" (敵対のでんか, Tekitai no Denka). Holding Raichō horizontally, an electric current runs down Shione's arm and down to the tip of the sword. The blade remains in the form of the katana but is made of solid electricity. The hilt-wrapping and tsuba turns black, the narrow guard bending in opposite directions (a somewhat appearance of a vertical "Z"). Three long, silver electric wires with silver tassels on the ends hang from the base of the sword. Her iris of her left eye turns a bright yellow shortly after the Shikai is activated.

Shikai Special Ability: In its Shikai, Raichō's blade can harm its opponent with 10,000 volts or more whenever it collides with another, or whenever it makes contact with the opponent. Although it is mostly used for close combat, it can also be used for distance. The blade becomes 10 times sharper, and increases its precision rate by 20.

Bankai: Raich ō Byakuren Saikuron  (雷鳥 白蓮 サイクロン, White Lotus Cyclone Thunderbird): Draws in a severe thunderstorm, that envelopes Shione with a large mass of electricity. To activate it, Shione accumulates all of her Spiritual Energy into her Zanpakut ō, drawing storm clouds into the surrounding area and tosses it into the air. The sword flies in an arc, then fades into the sky. Shione is able to use all of the electricity in the area for both offense and defense, making it impossible to escape. The electricity moves in large masses, however does not affect its speed, making her attacks extremely destructive and swift. They are capable of moving at the speed of light, giving the opponent very little time to react. The attacks have an appearance of heavy currents, giving an impression of water. The power can severely burn someone within 30 metres. It is not considered safe to even be within a 10 mile radius. After the Bankai is activated, Shione's iris of her right eye turns into a cyan blue, while her left eye stays yellow.
 *  Kaminari Disuku  ( 雷ディスク, Thunder Disk): This technique launches 4 large disks of electricity that continuously pursues the opponent until it manages to cut, or even crush them. They have no time limit and can be joined together to increase its attack rate, or multiply to increase its speed. Shione can control its speed and target at will. To activate this ability, Shione slices the air with her sword in the shape of a star. The edges are extremely sharp and can leave a deep cut just by grazing it. The disks are able to cut through a skyscraper.
 *  Jinsoku Muchi  ( 迅速鞭, Swift whip): A technique in which Raichō's blade extends, allowing her to use her Zanpakutō as a whip. The blade can retract and expand at Shione's will. The technique is capable of splitting the ground in 2 by striking the it with her blade. Though rarely, the technique can be used for torturous reasons, by wrapping the sword around the opponent, electrocuting them.
 *  Shōgekiha  ( 衝撃波, Shockwave): This technique fires large, annihilative waves of electricity. The energy flows out of the blade and fires usually in the arc of the swords swing. This attack is capable of deflecting Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō, and still conflict damage to him (albeit Ichigo wasn't in his Bankai). Shione can charge-up this attack to increase its damage.
 *  Rēzā Kabe  ( レーザー壁 , Lazer Barrier ): This technique forms a circlular-shaped electrical barrier in front of the blade for defensive tactics. To activate it, Shione draws a circle with the tip of her sword, forming the shield. The shield can also be used for offense, if its command is called out be Shione, "Hōden" ( 放電, Discharge). In offense, small pellets of electricity (resembling lazers) rapidly fire out of the shield.

Bankai Special Ability: Shione's Bankai consists of 5 stages, significantly increasing her abilities and attacks as the stages pass.