Searching for Answers: Echo meets Kai

Rain. It was coming down hard in the small temple at the edge of the desert. It seemed so odd in the middle of a heat wave, yet in a place of so much mystery one couldn't predict everything. One of the monks had jsut finished his praying and left on an errand to pick up some supplies in a near by village. He peered through the thick drops that blanketed the atomsphere to notice a small speck miles away. A droplet hit his eye, causing him to wipe his eye involuntarily.

When the blurry side effect diminished the speck had vanished and there was a figure in a black overcoat standing before him. his glanced into figure's eyes to see the most terrifying bombardment of evil energy he'd ever seen. He sielntly prayed that the figure would be spared by God, for he saw the sin within him.

The figure, apprently a teen, was completely dry despite the torrent of rain. "Hello."

~

Boom! The monks inside the temple turned to see one of their own blast through a stone wall, a hole in his throat and bulging veins all over his scarred body. His eyes were melting, smoldering with steam. The teenaged figure walked a couple steps into the temple. "I have a few questions, answer and your end will be quick."

"Good sir." Said perhaps the head monk. "Please, ask and leave us in peace."

The young man turned to the elder, cuasing the man to shiver slightly. "I'm looking for a place, a sacred place in which all forms of land unite. It houses a special plant that can instantly unlock one's abilities."

The elder looked at the teen like he was crazy. "My boy, there is no such land to our knowledge, you must be confused."

Echo sighed yet kept the same composure. "Wrong answer."

As he said this Echo drew his sword and attempted to slash the man in half. But his attempt failed as a figure in a black cloak appeared out of nowwhere and blocked the attack with a blade that oddly looked like a key.

Echo folded his arms as his sword was already back in its scabbard. "I suppose greetings are in order."

The figure shrugged, his sword having disappeared into light, "Not really... you don't need to know who I am Echo..."

"Fair enough," Echo wasn't surprised, the popularity of his name was growing among inhabitants of the Soul Society. "But if you're going to interfere with my business, it's my right to know who you are and why."

"Why do you seek the Hatsu Plant?" asked the figure quietly. "Yes I know what you seek... I know how to get there... but the only thing I'll tell you is the name... Riku no Hatsu... the land of hearts..."