Los Niños de Izanami: Despertar del Infierno

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Empowered Prisoners, Warden's 'Sins'
It had been a good few weeks since the attack of Yurei had been commenced, already buildings and battlegrounds once again were rebuilt, retrofitted, and once again flowing with people. While the citizens may have been overall saved due to the quick timing of both the Yurei's Police Force and the two residing 'off-duty' Soul Society Soul Reapers, everyone could feel that sense of shell shock...the fact their entire city not too long ago was part of a bloody, all out war.

One thing that had been whispered out of people's lips was why didn't the military respond quicker, or why didn't the Soul Reapers of their own city react with haste needed for this kind of crisis? The casualties were high for the Police Force, many were left wounded and out of those would not be able to return to service because them. The dead were burried and nearly a day or two of the aftermath, were given a ceremony in their honor for fighting honorably and valiantly in the face of the cult army that attacked them.

During the ceremony, the two Soul Reapers from the Soul Society attended, even Sakura who was begrudgingly dragged along, were given medals of honor, due to their presence and their participation in the battle, would not be forgotten. It also opened up a more military coordination between the Soul Society and Yurei, now revealed with the Higher Ups by Kukkyōna Hayate, that the Espada Afilado were indeed the ones behind the attack.

Despite this, Daisuke and Sakura had began to grow more fond of each other, despite their personality clashes and their own oddities, they began to spend more time talking and planning for the future events that would come of the mobilization of both the Soul Society's military and Yurei's.

It was at near sunset when Daisuke and Sakura were sparring out in the middle of a field far outside the city limits of Yurei, the sound of swords clashing and exhales of breaths could be heard for a good distance. Daisuke had just broke away a sword lock, the sparks that danced from their blades disappeared as he backward pedals a good 4 meters away. When his sandals touch the ground, his black overcoat fluttered around him as he leaped forward again, both hands on his weapon as he threw out a series of slashes of all angles, trying to be as ferocious and unpredictable as possible, not giving her an inch

His smile of glee and excitement clear on his face, enjoying every second of the rejuvinated Sakura he's come to admire and respect.

Sakura was not above enjoying herself.

Her eyes were closed, and a smile of her own was decked on her face. Her body moved naturally through the offensive barrage Daisuke threw at her, defending and counter-attacking the strikes he was making against her. Her bare feet stepped against the grounds lightly, moving at a pace that made it seem like the fight was simply a natural thing to do. She twisted, turned, and danced in order to block his strikes with her own. Despite being a Lieutenant, he seemed to hold great potential within himself as a successor to Kukkyōna.

Her own feelings towards Daisuke had seemed to change after their first meeting. Although it was clear she held opposing views, she did not mind his company. It was really a break from her usual life, what she had been back then. Even as they were clashing swords now, it was more of a friendly and competitive nature more than anything else. It was an effective escape from the commotion going on around the society.... at least, for the moment.

Daisuke chuckled, saying as she weaved to the side, noticing her attunement to the battle is so great, she had her eyes close for a brief few moments, a smile enamored onto her face, expressing her enjoyment of their friendly clash of blades. Then Daisuke grinned mischieviously, as he took advantage of her closed eyes, adding a bit more power to one of his clashing parries, one that would send her onto her butt if she wasn't prepared, using his innate strength to intentionally knock her off guard.

"Keep your eyes open, Sakura! I'm standing right here!" He yelled with a enthusiastic, teasing tone, his eyes blinked and his smile gleamed onto his face.

It was fortunate that Sakura was prepared.

But she didn't block. Instead, as he swung what would've been an off-balancing blow, she maneuvered herself and leaped over the swing, her body spinning in a full pivot. She landed expertly on her feet, taking a few steps back. "Really?" She asked in a slightly sarcastic manner. "I never noticed...." She still had her eyes closed, twirling her blade around in one of her hands in an idle manner.

Daisuke sweat dropped, before turning around, yelling at her with a rejuvinated cheer, swinging his sword again with fierce energy and relentless swings, "Show off! C'mon and take me seriously, dang it!"

"Oh, gettin' mad? I'm scared now~!"

Following this particular taunt, she raised her blade up and started to back off again, placing both hands on her blade and twirled her sword accordingly. This time, she had responded with equal power in her strikes, wrists twisting accordingly. Her blade intercepted his blade's path, sparks flying with each and every blow. She continued her tactic of staying on the defensive, though at a more aggressive and stronger angle. Even through this, her eyes maintained their current position as closed, if only to irk him more.

Daisuke could feel the power behind her counters and parries, now equal to his own ferocity, only forcing her to move backwards and around, moving fluidly with a grace only one who's been fighting their entire life. It made Daisuke wonder just exactly who she has fought, and why she fights, that small conversation they had in the hospital room gave more insight to the reality of how lost her motivations and goals have been ever since she left the Red Sun cult.

He got into deep thought within another violent strike, but backpedaled away, keeping out of range of her potentially painful blows as he inhaled and exhaled, closing his eyes before moving to sheathe his sword, "I think we should call it a draw, Sakura...I need a break." He spoke with a hidden tone, his smile still present but a little more thoughtful and softer than earlier.

Immediately upon the end of Daisuke sentence, Sakura flipped her sword around in a flourishing display before sheathing it back within its holster, placing one hand on her hip and the other to hang at her side. "Already?" She questioned, cocking an eyebrow slightly. "A real shame....I thought you would've lasted longer." This was said in a more casual air, a simple motion of teasing him. She walked over to him, lowering her other arm down to her side. "'Specially with a dad like yours...."

"Hey, I got a LONG ways to go before I reach his level. I don't even think I can ever be as gifted as he is in Zanjutsu skill alone. He's said to be a genius rivaling to that of legends of Shunsui Kyoraku or even Byakuya Kuchiki. Something like that doesn't just get inherited through blood," he said with a resigned sigh, after briefly smiling at how much he praised and thought highly of his father, regardless of his lack of fatherly emotion that some fathers would give freely.

He turned his head away, his hair and coat bristled in the wind as he looked across the field, flowing in sublte rippling patterns in a serene tranquil setting. He smiled softly, before he asked her, "You remember that time...back when you were in the hospital and I came to visit?"

She moved to stand beside him, folding her arms across her chest. "What about it?" She asked simply, her orange bangs billowing ever so slightly with the wind itself

Daisuke looked down at her face, watching her orange bangs blow across her pale brow, smiling before asking softly, "Have you considered what you want to fight for, what you want to live for now?"

"....that's not something to be decided within just a few weeks." A slight frown came across Sakura's face, and she turned her head away for a moment. "You've lived your life with friends and a family, so it's easy for you to fight for them. But I've got nothing compared to that, nothing to even think about. Compared to you...." She idly kicked her foot against the grass. "I'm practically worthless."

Daisuke turned around to cross his arms, raising his brow in a curious if not teasing-like manner, "Really? You think I found my purpose because I have a family or friends? I have a friend, part of the Deep Cover Ops himself, was nothing but a street rat when he started out his life. Before he joined the Soul Society, he was the biggest confident, if not most boastful, daredevil braggart of that side of the Rukon District. He even was apprenticed, and unofficially adopted by the Blacksmith and Swordsman who lived in that neighbourhood before he went to the Academy to become a Soul Reaper. What I'm trying to get around to is...you don't need to be rich or famous, have a big family or have great importance...I determined, on...that day...that I'd strive to be as caring, compassionate, and courageous as he ever was," he said with a distant look on his face before turning away, clearing his throat from the uncomfortable feeling he just created in his stomach. A few images of his life flashed before his eyes, making him regress his smile and replace it with a solemn look.

"What?" Sakura turned back towards him with a raised eyebrow. "Did he die or something?"

"Yes," he said softly, the wind died down, almost as if the air itself detected the lack of warmth coming from Daisuke now, as he continued with his gaze looking down, "he...he was my Lieutenant, back when I was a Seated Officer in the Division. He thought highly of me, acted like a carefree soul, with nothing holding him down, always willing to lend a ear to his fellow comrades. I thought of him almost like a brother we were that close...its just...the Mourning War happened," he said again, gritting his teeth slightly at the mention of it, the horrible grizzly images churned in his mind.

"Mourning War....?" A curious Sakura allowed herself to turn completely towards him, eyes looking at him intently.

Daisuke nodded, beginning in a whisper before raising it to a low morbid tone, "It was a war unlike I had ever seen. I had...had tasted true war for the first time I guess in this way. It started with a Hollow, a powerful one, we never confirmed its nature of origin, but we did find out that it sent out an array of parasitic spores, when inhaled by those weak of heart or bitter resentment, were instantly devoured from the inside out, but that wasn't the worst part. The spores were connected in a 'hive-mind' with the Central Nerve Center, and each time it spread its disease, it would expand its reach and also use what husks it deemed valuable as its personal soldiers or slaves, mutating its features to become almost rotten flesh hunks of what they once were. We had to cut them all down when we finally located the Central Nerve Center of the Hollow plague.

It was raining...like the entire earth was mourning the devestation the war had brough to everyone in the land, the inevitable bloodbath that was going to happen that day. We moved, most of the men under my command with others spread out among different seated Officers comprising from our Division, with our Lieutenant covering the backs of various units that fought against the onslaught of the Central Nerve Center's defenses and numerous husk-guards. After containing the threat to a degree, victory was near, I charged in with the Lieutenant towards the Central Nerve Center, then...he...I was...caught off guard," he hesitated, shame radiating his voice and quivering eyes, as he recalled the event clearly, "it sent out numerous tendrils from its core, knocking away what men I had near me, before aiming to squewer me alive right then and there. But...he saved me. Slicing most of them in his path, before moving his body to intercept the last one, spearing through his gut out his back, making a hole so wide I was surprised he still strength to do what he did next. He used a high level Kido...without incantation to destroy the tendril, then collapsed in a heap, urging me to finish it. It was then...I learned to use my Zanpakuto's greatest Shikai ability, setting the Nerve Center ablaze to the point I blasted a huge crater with such potency, it shook the earth for miles around. I emerged from it, barely conscious as I crawled towards him...he was still alive. He gave me this,"

he said, pointing to the head band, now etched with the phrase 'Remember the Mourning' in Kanji letters, "his headband he never took off for anything, saying he wished for me to inherit his will and drive to become a Lieutenant greater than he ever was, and to look out for 'our' men. He then died, in my arms, with me holding his headband. I couldn't stop my damn crying it was so bad," he chuckled, his eyes slightly watery, a tear fell from his left eye before falling down on the ground below, earning a sniff and a wipe of his eyes with his sleeve.

The morbidity of his statement sunk in within Sakura's mind. Her eyebrows were furrowed, and her eyes were shaped in a seemingly sympathetic expression. She placed a hand onto his shoulder, giving him a light pat. "At least he died for a noble cause...." She said in compliment. "He died so you, along with the rest of your allies, could live. I think he'd be proud of you as of this moment, too...."

"Thanks, Sakura-Chan," He said sincerely, turning over to her, smiling softly with his eyes slightly water-filled before he blinked, "I think he would've liked you too, y'know? Despite how we met, we make a pretty good team, huh?" He raised a hand, slowly up to her brow, brushing away her bangs, looking into her eyes deeply. He leaned in, pressing his lips to her forehead, kissing it lightly before pulling it back, smiling at her. Sighing he began to say, "Sakura-Chan...I want to ask you-"

"Ahem!" Suddenly a clearing of the throat rang out, and suddenly alerted Daisuke's attention, suddenly seeing a pair two figures standing 10 meters away, the one who cleared his throat was garbed in red and black with reddish brown hair and blue eyes, his fist balled up into a fake coughing stance, one to get their attention. The other stood calmly, his hands at his sides and perfectly standing straight and appearing stoic as he gazed at them. They were both armed with swords, and their Spiritual Pressure felt...extremely off, like mixing vile digusting trash with anger and burning hate. He didn't like their Pressure moreso than Sakura's.

Just Like Old Times
Whatever Sakura was about to make fun of him with was immediately cut off by the clearing of the throat.

"Why don't you mind your own fuckin' business!!" Was her immediate reaction. She abruptly spun around, eyes narrowed at them with an expression of annoyance. Once her eyes fell upon the two figures, she curled her fingers somewhat out of instinct, a scowl forming on her face. She could also sense the energies within them.... however, unlike Daisuke, who was unfamiliar with such, she could easily identify them as familiar. That was something she did not allow to cross into the surface, maintaining her irritated countenance while staring down at them.

The red-black garbed man waved his hands up in the air, a look of hurt crossed his features, as he responded smoothly, "Easy there, we did not come to offend. We actually came here to just chat for a bit. In a bit more private location," he indicated with a nod towards Daisuke, who's confused features turned stern and a sublte growl came from the back of his throat.

"Like hell...who are you people?! I can definitely tell you're not Hollows, but you feel as if you're something akin to Soul Reapers! What Division are you from?!"

"Easy there hot shot! Daisuke right?" he said, again feigning a hurt look, but surprised Daisuke with widened eyes showing shock clearly on his face, before the man continued, "I'm just here to ask a few questions to here miss...Sakura over here and we'll be on our way as quickly as we came. How does that sound to everybody, no?" he asked with a easy-going smile on his face, his partner remained silent and kept watching the two, observing every gesture and taking it into his mind for later reference.

"Yeeeeeah, my dad always told me not to talk to strangers." Sakura drawled, placing one hand on her hip and letting her other arm hang at her side. "Especially ones that happen to know our names before we ever told them...."

Daisuke nodded, waving his arm out indignantly saying, "I'm not fond of armed people who've been spying on me either! Tell me who you're working for-"

"Its not going to work, Jaaku," said a youthful, yet solemn voice, his eyes staring down Daisuke as he saw the contorted expression of both fear and uncertainty in his eyes, "let's just take her and kill the Soul Reaper. Quickly this time...I'd hate to call in the others because of your sick appetite for blood."

The now announced 'Jaaku' smiled wickedly, saying with a resigned shrug, saying in a nonchalant false disappointed voice, "Well, I did try, didn't I?" He turned back to the now tensed up and gritting Soul Reaper, before Jaaku put his left hand ontop of the sword pommel casually saying rejuvinatedly, "My name is Jaaku Retsurui. I come on behalf of my master to take her," he said with his right hand outstretched towards her, with a eerily familiar finger pistol form before 'pulling the trigger' back, 'shooting' at her, "back to him."

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE?!" Daisuke yelled out, his eyes glaring angrily, stepping forward, unconsciously putting his left arm out to shield Sakura from any unknown attack these strangers might dish out at them.

During this exchange, Sakura remained silent. Her fingers had clenched into fists, and her eyes narrowed to a more intense and cold level. She seemed to show no sign of distress at the turn of events. She folded her arms across her chest, maintaining defiance in her stance. Her eyes caught the finger as it "shot" at her, and the ghost of a smile flashed across her face. Had Daisuke not been right in front of her, she would've made a gesture right back to him.

Jaaku smiled at Sakura, his eyes catching the cool composure she shown despite the random, abrupt appearance of faces that should bring back memories of her 'glory' days...especially since their faces hadn't changed as drastically as their attire and bodies have.

Jaaku then moved at lightning speed, his form disappearing in a sound that resembled something close to static, yet too 'dead' to be clear, almost like a buzzing sound instead of speakers being blown. He caught Daisuke off guard, his eyes widened as an outstretched right hand struck a right hook towards his midriff, knocking the air out of him as he flew backwards with a loud clapping sound following his flight. His body flew head over heels after catching the earth behind him, the grass and dirt kicked up with him as his body rolled over in on itself, cringing from the immense pain he felt, coughing up a few specks of saliva.

"D-Damn...he's fast," Daisuke thought, scolding himself slightly as he tried to get back on his feet, one arm clutching his injured chest while the other began to push himself up, readying himself for battle.

As Jaaku retracted his fist, he moved around with a sadist smile imbedded on his features, eyes gleaming with murderous glee, turning around on the ball of his foot as he engaged a Iaido slash at her mid-riff, expertly engaging a cutting air pressure to exhale afterwards a mere moment after his attack, blowing everything out of the way, the very air itself cutting everything apart.

Sakura was not one to be outdone.

WOOSH!

As he whipped around, she had already drawn her blade, swung it out, and twisted around to barely avoid the strike aimed at her person. As she was twisting around, a smile decorated her face - one that expressed the elation of the danger in front of her. But within that smile was also amusement, almost as if what she was facing down was nothing more than a toy. A glint of that very same amusement could be seen in her eyes as she spun around elegantly with a diagonal uppercut. This would be immediately followed by several one-handed swipes; fast, lethal, and unpredictable in their pattern.

Jaaku didn't lose his vigor nor his grin, matching the blades and slashes with excitement and elation, a couple grazed his either cheek lightly, some of his hair was swiped, but he countered, launching a surprisingly swift amount of slashes. They were calculated, aimed, and perfectly timed, always making sure the moment after a counter or a slash he would follow up with another blow or jab. Their dance of blades sprung sparks and clangs of steel upon steel, and Jaaku didn't seemed the least deterred against his target.

Daisuke grabbed the hilt of his long bladed Zanpakuto, using Flast Step to move towards him, initiating a unsheathing of his Zanpakuto before he was stopped by a thin red string connected by the silent unnamed partner nearby, as he spoke in a low tone, "Don't interfere or you will die," he merely pulled his hand to the side, sending Daisuke arm yanking painfully to the side, pulling his body over in the air like a rag doll before pulled down towards the ground again, this time Daisuke braced his feet for the impact, sliding Spiritual Particles onto the soles of his feet, exhaling the impact along the earth nearby, causing a loud crash.

"Ts-Tsuzuri Raiden," Daisuke emphasized, a crawl of yellow electric energy along his long blade, before tapping the red string wrapped around his wrist, momentarily shocking him before sending it towards the solemn looking man, who simply 'let go' of the string before resuming his nonchalant pose.

"You cannot stop us, Soul Reaper Daisuke Hayate, Lieutenant of the 9th Division, heir to the Hayate Noble Family. Give up and leave the girl to us," he said with an almost soothing calm, as if to reassure Daisuke they wouldn't do anything untowardly.

Daisuke's pain helped him regain his composure, grabbing the hilt with both hands of his Zanpakuto, speaking aloud indignantly, "I will not stop fighting! I know you're up to something, and I won't let you take Sakura away form me!"

"How typical," the unnamed man said with a sigh, continuing with a curious gaze back at Daisuke's eyes, "do you even know WHAT she is, boy?"

"Huh....?"

Sakura's eyes widened slightly at the words of choice.

But at the same time, she had allowed her guard to fall - and that was her undoing.

A jab managed to punch through her side, and she shut her eye, a hissing noise escaping through her gritted teeth. She immediately hopped backwards in order to gain distance, a free hand clutching her now-bleeding side. In all honesty, if it were under normal circumstances, it wouldn't have affected her much. But she kept herself in a crouched position, breathing slightly hitched as she glared at her opponent. A chill of elation went through her as much as the pain did, and she had to restrain herself from smiling.

Jaaku laughed out, twirling his sword in a vertical spin parallel next to his sword arm, saying aloud with a wide gleam of sadist madness, "What's the matter?! You've gotten slower since the last time we tangled! You are after all the reason I ended up there!" He lunged again, pressing the advantage he had now, slashing at her neck before twirling around in a blinding spin to initiate a kick, powered with enough force to send her flying backwards with crushing force.

While the battle continued with Jaaku and Sakura, Daisuke's eyes opened wide, never really knowing exactly WHAT she is, just the fact she was no ordinary soul or a Soul Reaper, so she had to be something else entirely. His pause gave all the room for speaking he needed, as the unnamed man continued closing his eyes briefly saying, "She fooled you too, huh? Don't blame yourself too much, she is after all a sociopathic genius. Toying with emotions is second nature, cruel as she is, I'm surprised who in their right mind would give her that kind of power-"

"Shut the hell up!" Daisuke roared out, his body became engulfed in his Spiritual Energy's bursting aura, taking the hue of a rippling red, his eyes a fluid crimson as his concentration became fully concentrated on killing these men in front of him, his Spiritual Pressure shook the air, becoming hot and crackling. He then rushed at the unnamed partner, both hands on Zanpakuto, swinging it above his head as he came towards him to slay him here and now. Though there was a brief few seconds after Daisuke spoke as the unnamed man allowed a small smile onto his face.

"How ironic, I was getting to that part. Kyōki, Sensō," he called out sternly suddenly two green energy emblazoned figures appeared from either side of the unnamed man. One of them struck out a huge axe weapon at Daisuke to which his Zanpakuto collided with, causing a large break in the air pressure, the being's brutishly large figure matched his strength even at his peak.

The other figure taking on an appearance almost that of a corpse and a mummy, attacked him with cat claw weapons, slashing out of him, making him spin out of the way to avoid their deadly swings, catching his overcoat several times, the scratches large and apparent before them as he skidded across the ground, his feet kicking up earth violently behind him as he engaged in combat with the two beings that substituted for the unnamed man's position in battle.

"Tch....!!!"

Narrowing her eyes and gritting her teeth, she immediately rose back up to her feet in order to continue her defense. It was far too easy to shove him back, to regain offensive and break him underneath her feet. Yet, she kept herself pushed back, allowing him to gain ground over her as she continued to bat away his attacks. Sparks continued to fly as fast as they had ever been, one combatant rushing against the other.

And, even through this, she had a grim smile on her face.

Throughout the commotion, a figure a considerable distance away was observing the battle with what appeared to be binoculars. He was lying on his stomach, using the grass as a means to conceal himself physically. His spiritual presence was perfectly hidden to the point of invisibility, keeping any of them from sensing him out. After a moment of observing, he lowered the binoculars to reveal furrowed eyes and a thoughtful frown on his face. Slowly, he began to move forward towards the group.

If anything went bad.... he would have to intervene.

The brutish figure swung his axe, surprisingly quick, but still slow enough for Daisuke to counter, flip, and dodge around, the partner of his was the real trouble. He moved at blinding speeds, and slashed and twirled in unorthodox patterns that would outdo even Drunken Boxing Masters. He slashed, clashed, and repelled with physical strikes, not even taking an instant to keep himself alive against the surprisingly powerful tag-team. He knew if this kept up, not even knowing the enemies' numbers would cause him to die.

As the unnamed man kept observing the fluid, vicious fight of both pairs of his targets, he sighed out of impatience. He didn't want to cause too much commotion, and didn't really want that particular Captain involved in this battle, finding it would be much more difficult in exctracting her.

"Jaaku!" He called out to his partner, as he kept in beat with his target of choice, their slashes never ceasing, and moved gracefully, somehow also found the time to talk to him at the same time. It would almost look comical if the lethal intensity wasn't so raw in the air.

"What is it?! I'm having fun here!" He called out, his smile slightly hindered at the thought of being interrupted, enjoying the clash of his blade against hers, feeling as if he could go on and on for eternity. It was a feeling that gave him a near feeling of ecstasy.

"Use it and take her. I want to leave here as soon as possible. I don't think we should keep our master waiting much longer," he said cautiously, not wanting to upset the delicate balance of his partner's moves, while urging him to finish it up.

"Tch!" He said in a irritated acknowledgement, clashing against her one more time before reaching out and grabbing her exposed forearm, unknown to her, a tattoo was emblazoned on his palm, unltimately spelling their impromptu victory. A screaming pain would crawl up her arm and across her body, until the pain would lock her muscles and nerves, ceasing any form of movement in her body, a stunning and suprising move it certainly will be for her.

Needless to say....

A sharp gasp escaped Sakura's throat as Jakku's hand grasped her forearm.... then she let out a hoarse scream as the pain tore through her body. Because of the symptoms, she immediately lost her grip on her sword. Her muscles and nerves locked up, and she fell in a manner similar to a fainting goat's. Had it not been for the situation at hand, such a thing would've been hilarious to see the widened-eye look on the woman's face, her bent knees and arms raised above waist level.

"Ok.... s-seems the son of a bitch picked up a few new moves while we were away...." She thought to herself, a shaky smile on her face as she looked up at the man standing over her.

Beginning of the Endgame
Daisuke glanced over to see Sakura fall, apparently down for the count, even unable to keep her hand on her sword as he falls limply onto the ground, clattering audibly in the distance.

"SAKURA!" He yells out, ducking a axe swing by the brutish figure before he preforms a Kido to knock him off balance, aiming a free palm, uttering lowly, "Hado #54, Haien!" discharging a orange sphere of flame, striking the brute in the chest, causing him to howl in pain as well as stumble backwards, flailing his axe with abandon as the flames crawled up his body and set his entire being on fire. The corpse-looking partner dove in as usual, corkscrewing towards him in a spinning drill of blades, Daisuke side stepped out of the way before striking his back as it turned with the pommel of his Zanpakuto, initiating a silent Hado #1 as well as Bakudo #1 at the same time, sending him into the earth with a ear-splitting impact, as well as binding his arms behind his back momentarily stunning him.

He then turned towards the unnamed man, as Jaaku leaned down on one knee, holding his sword to delicately slice some skin on her shoulder, saying in a sadist whisper, "Why don't you scream a little for me, Punisher? Its been forever since I remember the day you made me scream as you ripped the flesh off my back, before sentencing me to eternal damnation..."

"Jaaku! Now's not the time!" He scolded tersely, his eyes glared at him, though his figure composed and not even facing the oncoming Daisuke, having seemed like he got him by surprise, to which he only turned his head towards him. As Daisuke roared out, swinging his blade, he was suddenly stunned as dozens of small blue firefly balls appeared, before forming a pattern within a blink of an eye, completely paralyzing his being in mid-air, mere feet away from his opponent, his sword a few inches from his neck.

"That was a little too close for comfort, Korosou," he said to a white coat individual, his lab latex gloved hands outstretched as if he was composing a concerto, as he bore a small confident smile of his own, walking towards Daisuke.

"You should know better than to doubt my timing, Ryūketsu-sama," he said with a proud, confident tone, his smile showing how much he enjoyed keeping Daisuke in the tight bonds he created, making sure not to underestimate the boy having seen his abilities firsthand.

"This one is a problem. Please get ready to dispatch him while Jaaku secures her for transportation," he said softly, dismissing his other partner's comeback, turning his gaze back at Jaaku who reluctantly grabbed Sakura's now tattoo emblazoned forearm viciously before hauling her inert form over his shoulder, sheathing his sword.

"Well...this was fun. Short but fun, eh, Ryūketsu?" He asks, to which he got a small smile in return.

"Yes it has, hasn't it? I can't believe the Soul Reaper over there could keep up, let alone best those two," he offhandedly remarks as he sees the brute exuded a large amount of Spiritual Energy, washing the bodily flames away, leaving a large amount of scalding for display as he walked over to the group, huffing his axe over his shoulder, while wrenching his partner from the earth as he wordlessly unbound his arms from the weak Kido.

"Well, shall I dispose of him now?" Korosou asks with a evil smile, raising his elbows up above his splayed fingers, as if he was enacting a puppet show, the star-like pattern binding grew tighter, urging a swear out of Daisuke's mouth as he glared at the leader, intent on freeing himself, even if it was hopeless.

Ryūketsu stared him in the eye, saying in a honest regretful tone, "You should've stayed out of our way," before turning back to Korosou, saying, "do it now."

He would get a definite surprise.

For the second that Ryōketsu had allowed himself to turn away, the other stranger had managed to re-appear right behind Korosou. A hand grasped the back of his shirt, another hand reached around to grasp his face, and a foot thrust itself out to strike the back of his knee. As that leg went upwards, Korosou would find himself being sent forcefully down to the ground with spiritually enhanced strength that aimed to incapacitate him as well as break his concentration on the hold he had on Daisuke.

The effects were immediate.

WHAM!!!!

The very force exerted on Korosou caused the earth to buckle underneath their feet, the power kicking up a moderately small dust storm. Even though she could not see due to her upper torso hanging over Jaaku's back, Sakura could still sense the newfound presence and cocked an eyebrow at it. "A Shinigami....? What in the hell would someone like that be here, of all places....?" She thought to herself.

Ryūketsu's eyes widened suddenly at the shimmering appearance of what looked like a Soul Reaper, one they hadn't anticipated being there, thus left Korosou completely unawares. His eyes bulged as he felt a smash and felt his body twirled over and crashed audibly into the groud, indenting it with his form, sending dirt and grass up in the excess booming sound.

Ryūketsu's eyes went back to Daisuke, seeing him suddenly freed of the binding spell, dropping down gasping for air as the tight confines had a few moments to shrug off. However, due to the interference of another unsuspected, and unplanned force, Ryūketsu decided to forgo any means of eliminating them...for now.

"Jaaku!" Ryūketsu shouted out, not even turning to face him as his left hand rested on the pommel of his sword, saying aloud as he readied himself to fight, "take the Punisher out of here now! I'll personally make sure that none of them stop you." His eyes narrowed at the Soul Reaper that incapacitated Korosou, watching his two partners, Kyōki, the brutish large one that towered up to a size that would've put former Espada #10/0 Yammy Llargo to shame, his hulking form rippling with muscle and clad in strange armor. He raised his axe, coating it with electrical violent spiritual energy before swinging it down at the unknown Soul Reaper, causing a tremendous blast, destroying a good 15 meters of landscape past the Soul Reaper.

The other one, dove in at lightning speeds, corkscrewing in a drill of cat claw blades, intent on shredding him as he dodged the blast, his apparent mummified appearance made him look like a long dead corpse, given clothes and weapons as if he's depicted as a tomb guardian rather than a warrior or real monster.

Jaaku hissed, stretching his unarmed hand towards the space next to him, opening a tear in space, a violent blue bordered red portal opens in a smaller, grimmer display similiar to a Garganta.

They were pressing themselves into a retreat.

It was something that would bring relief, for now. However, at the given moment, hope was lost for Sakura. Even she knew so, a rather irritated scowl on her face as she glared at the back of Jaaku's head. The only one available was Daisuke, and he was just freshly recovering from the newfound assault on his body. The Soul Reaper's eyes narrowed as he took to the air, using a Shunpo to evade being torn apart by the blast. His tied hair ripped in the winds he created, his head shifting down just in time to see Sensō rush towards him. For now, all they were doing was covering their escape.

For now, all he had to do was survive.

Raising his blade up and twirling his wrists, he intercepted the blows that his enemy brought against him. However, he wasn't just simply defending himself - in a manner that he counter-attacked, he was also bringing the force of Sensō's own blows against him. It was his very own style of swordfighting, one that aimed to wear down his opponent's defenses and completely dominate the duel. His eyes were narrowed, and a smirk decked his features as he fought for his very life.

Daisuke growled, pushing himself up and moving with all the strength he had left, using Flash Step to move towards Sakura, his hand outstretching to grab her inert form, his hand...all that it managed to grab was the bonnet fastening her hair back, letting now fall onto and around her head, as he retracted his movements, avoiding a nearly unnoticable edge of a sword. He leaned back, only hearing the humming of the sword cutting through the air, feeling a slight pain travel underneath his eye on his cheek before the blade completely passed above him, narrowly missing him, but unfortunately gave Jaaku enough time to slip into the portal.

Daisuke's eyes briefly locked onto Sakura's as her head was angled towards his, his right cheek bled down his face, a look of horror and fear entered into his eyes as he yelled out her name once more in futility, "SAKURA!!!!"

Ryūketsu tsked, looking at his sword, then back at Daisuke whispering to himself, "I missed...but it won't happen again," he then lunged towards Daisuke still reeling from the shock, swiping down at his right shoulder, intending to cut diagonally through towards his heart and across his arm. But the blade met Daisuke's own, his eyes burned with rage, and his Spiritual Pressure boiled in the air, a reddish hue came across his body as he growled at him, his eyes a vivid crimson.

"YOU MONSTER! WHERE DID YOU TAKE HER?!" Daisuke roared out forcing his blade to push Ryūketsu a few steps back, holding a single handed grip on his sword whereas Daisuke used both hands with his large weapon, sparks danced sporadically between their weapons.

Ryūketsu looked at him with a hidden analytical look, observing his strong emotions as something...odd that someone had been affiliated with the Punisher. "Why do you feel this way, Daisuke? Is it because you think that she's your friend? Is she your lover, your comrade at arms? Anything that she's said to you, anything she's done has been a lie! Accept it and you won't have to fight us-"

"BLAZE ETERNALLY, KYOI ABATA!" He roared out, his Zanpakuto suddenly forming two spikes on either end of his double bladed sword, also funneling a stream of flames along its edge, causing Ryūketsu to open his eyes open in admonishment of his Zanpakuto being released this close to him. He immediately withdrew his blade and distanced himself, his form backpedaled across the field 15 meters, even as Daisuke raised his Zanpakuto into the air and threw a condensed sphere towards his landing zone, causing a mighty pyrotechnic explosion in its wake, blasting a good 10-15 meters of landscape in its fiery blast.

Meanwhile, during that period of time, Kyōki and Sensō were continuing their battle with the Soul Reaper intruder, Sensō clashed his cat claws in mid-air, violently spinning and twirling his body along to propel a number of dangerous high-powered kicks at him in a spinning-top motion while jabbing out his cat claw blades at his legs.

Kyōki also took the moment of concentration off of himself to gather energy at the tip of his axe, forming what looked like a Bala if anyone was paying attention, suddenly discharging with the weapon in hand as a aiming-tool, firing it at where Sensō was forcing him backwards into. The two seemed like a natural tag-team, one pressing the enemy to dodge and outmaneuver the large destructive attacks of one partner, while the other rushed him the moment he was in the open, swarming him with an array of vicious rapid attacks, until he was open for interception by his partner again. A Deadly Pair indeed!

The resistance was only making the Soul Reaper more elated.

After he parried another set of blows made by Sensō, the Soul Reaper was in the middle of another one. But when he swung his sword down, it wasn't just a simple blow of the physical kind, but one enhanced by his spiritual energy once again. He swung the blade in an arc, making sure with the projectile attack first before the close-up opponent. As a result, a bright explosion occured within the area, the color of the energy illuminating and brilliant against its surroundings. He used this as an opportunity to land back onto the ground, slamming his sword down upon the earth. From the blade, a massive vent of pressurized air was sent in a fissure's path towards Kyouki, racing at an incredible speed.

He had witnessed what had happened, glancing down to earth to see the shocked look Sakura gave Daisuke when he had pulled her bonnet off. He had seen that very same look fade to helplessness when she was finally pulled away to an unknown location. The power of the release was undeniable, and a bead of sweat fell down his face at the blast's range. He hoped the man would get it through his head enough to allow him to explain without consequence - at least, if they could successfully force their enemies back....

Sensō cried out in a high-pitched scream, spiraling down to land onto its feet with a loud crash, covering its face with his cat claw weapons, momentarily withdrawing himself, making it look it was seriously injured.

Kyōki however lowered his axe towards the ground, near waist level for his opponent but near his shins as he was concerned. A sphere of gathering energy appeared on the tip of his axe again as the fizzure grew nearer, suddenly discharging a mighty burgundy Cero, blasting the earth apart effectively countering the fizzure of heat screaming towards him. The Cero also was setting the fields aflame as it violently rushed back towards the unnamed Soul Reaper, intending on pulverizing and incinerating him as the Cero exploded violently where the Soul Reaper would've been, causing a large mushroom cloud to exhale above the blast site, creating a good 40 meter blast radius, shaking the entire fields and a plume of smoke could be seen from Yurei's city limits as well as hear the thundercracking of the explosion.

Daisuke shielded his eyes from the violent flash from the Cero explosion, briefly worried about his newfound ally's fate, before he heard a voice emanate from his own explosion's site, "Just what I'd expect from a Lieutenant wielding one of the strongest Fire-based Zanpakutos. Truly," he said revealing a slightly marred form of Ryūketsu, his right hand outstretched suffering a few burns across it, but the rest of his body remained unharmed if not a bit toasted, "you and your father's Zanpakuto are the only ones of its kind, 2nd to the legendary Ryūjin Jakka, still to date as the strongest Fire-based Zanpakuto."

"H-How do you know all this?! Who the hell are you?!" Daisuke roared out, waving his brightly lit Zanpakuto, hissing and growling subtly for blood.

"Ryūketsu ōtamu," he responded calmly, letting down his scalded arm to rest unperturbed at his side, still clenching his sword, "Hantā, as well as the leader of these Hantā, who serve my master, Bōkyaku, a Demon of Hell."

Daisuke's eyes suddenly widened in shock, feeling his neck choke and his body shake. He suspected them being some form of renegade Soul Reapers on a stretch, Arrancars, or something, but not errand boys on the beck and call of a Demon! Which means...

"Why? Why did you take Sakura to Hell?! What do you want from her?!" Daisuke yelled out, his desperation clearly in his voice, but his rage boiled around his Zanpakuto, growing hotter and more flamboyant in its production of fire, hissing slightly louder now.

"Vengeance, for she was the one responsible for sending us into Hell, her Daetenshini, her underlings, inflict far more pain and suffering upon us than Hells' Will could. She is, after all, a Shinsei with the ulterior title, "Punisher" after all, though, I didn't think she sunk so low as to drag another one of 'you', like that," he said with disgust, his face rarely showed any emotion, but a small sneer was present along with a burning anger in his eyes.

"I can't believe what I'm hearing...," Daisuke trailed off, at first looking like he was going to stop fighting. to break down into tears. No...the tears came down his face were hot, even sizzling against his skin, as he raised bright red eyes encompassing his pupils, a dark voice of anger filled himself and his Zanpakuto howled in rage at Ryūketsu, his eyes open and widened with the sudden climb of even higher Spiritual Energy bursting from him.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE ANYTHING YOUR TELLING ME YOU BASTARD! YOU'LL DIE FOR SPEAKING ABOUT HER THAT WAY!" His body bathed in a bloody cloak of violent Spiritual Energy, setting nearby grass and earth on fire, crackling the very air around him as he raised his Zanpakuto up towards him, intending on killing him here and now.

In the case of the massive beast....someone else did.

From the sky, a murder of giant, red birds overtook the air. It was an air squad sent by the police in order to investigate the situation from above and effectively neutralize it. The explosions and blasts had drawn attention to their position, and now action was appropriately being taken. The unit sent in was a flock of "dragonbirds", named affectionately by their owners and farmers. Unlike the white doves that managed transportation, these types of birds acted as an effective air support by unleashing fire upon the hapless enemies down below. They were a strong breed, and their flames could melt even through solid steel. It was time to put that power to use.

Riding on the lead bird was none other than Kenta himself. His eyes were looking down upon the giant, and one of his hands had just clicked on his earpiece. "Focus all your concentration of the big one and make sure to check your fire. There are friendlies down there!" He radioed in to the other bird units, before lowering himself in to begin the attack. Upon his command, his own personal bird opened its mouth and breathed outward, a steady stream of fire wide enough to envelop the torso of Kyouki. Two others followed suit, creating a concentration of destruction at the position.

One such member that had secretly recovered among the cohorts of Hantā, Korosou. Slightly injured, his lips and head were caked in a few droplets of blood, though a look of haste and small smile crawled onto his lips as he made a clap of his hands before forming a square of blue energy, pushing it out to form a large cyan barrier between the incoming fire that would've hit Kyōki, who raised his axe in mid-preparation to repel the blast of incoming fire.

"Time to retreat I'd say," Korosou said with a knowing smile to his compatriots, whom they simply nodded as the blazing fire storm outside of the shield would only hold for so long, quickly forming their own portals, slipping into them quickly before disappearing, whisking back to Hell away from their enemies.

Ryūketsu stood his ground though, seeing his compatriots making their escape he was satisfied he could say one more thing to the now shocked, and slightly less furious Daisuke, "Pay heed to my words, Daisuke. If you follow us, I will show no mercy to you, and you'll end up locked into the same Hell I suffered inside of. She's nothing to you...forget about the Punisher," he then formed a Hell portal behind him as he walked backwards into it, finishing as he was enveloped in the dimension tear gate, "she'll only enjoy your bitter suffering in the end."

Daisuke fell to the ground, his Zanpakuto defused and reverted to its sealed form, clattering out of his hands, as he gripped the earth below,and he began to cry out in mourning and frustration, once more calling out, "SAKURAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!"

Immediately, the birds descended downward in order to land themselves. As they did so, the Soul Reaper approached the desolate man with furrowed eyebrows and a frown. He had taken some damage, as well - his left arm was covered in blood, and a trickle of it was running down from his forehead. His sleeve had been ripped somewhat, revealing a slightly burned arm. Regardless of this, he appeared to be in good condition. He calmly approached, his gait slow and deliberate. "Daisuke, is it?" He asked coolly. "Crying won't solve anything.... and it won't save her. Come on, get up." He stopped once he was close enough, folding his arms across his chest and waiting.

Daisuke grit his teeth, fisting up the grass underneath before ending his sobs with a low growl, "What the hell...did do...just watching this entire time?!" Daisuke in a fit of frustration and anger, whirled around, reaching out and grabbing the young man by the collar, bringing his face close to his, tear stained eyes staring at vehemently at the man.

"What in the--"

Needless to say, the soul Reaper was not expecting that.

Instinctively, he gripped the hands of the man who gripped his collar and shoved them off, giving a rather irritated glare towards the other man. "For your information, I was trying my best not to get killed by those other two brutes!" He snapped. "Now get yourself together! Time is wasting, and the sooner we stand around and do nothing, the more time they'll have to spell our demise!!"

However, before he could elaborate on that very fact, Kenta's voice came to the two. "Lieutenant Hayate!" He called out, approaching the two quickly. "What's the status? Is everything all right?"

Daisuke growled at him, saying, "You have some nerve, disappearing like that, then reappearing and only helping when we're nearly beaten to a pulp!" He then pushed Braeburn away, looking over at Kenta, his face full of frustration and grief, as he noticed the man was concerned for another reason entirely.

"They took Sakura...they...they called her a 'Punisher' which I have no bleeding hell idea why they did, but they said she's a Shinsei...I don't know half the stuff they say is true or not, but I do know their Spiritual Pressure is not that of a Hollow's or entirely of a Soul Reaper's. Its like something foul, mixed with death and suffering, while melding the traits of either a Soul Reaper or a Arrancar into their body. Its...repulsive and terrifying," he looked at Kenta, wondering if he had any idea what he was talking about.

The revelations had immediately caught the police officer by surprise. His eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, his voice had caught itself within his throat. "Punisher....Shinsei....?" He repeated in confusion, looking away and folding his arms across his chest. "Honestly, I've never really heard of those particular terms before. I could've sworn I heard them a while back, but...."

The Soul Reaper immediately chose this time to speak, causing Kenta to spin his attention back towards him. When he spoke, his voice as well as his expression was slightly pleading. Notably, it held a moderate Australian accent. "Listen.... this isn't the proper place to speak about this. I can explain everything, but we'll need to move to another spot. You should find your respective commanders and take them with you.... it's imperative that they know, as well...."

"And you are....?" Kenta questioned, raising an eyebrow.

The Soul Reaper bowed out of respect. "The name's Braeburn McTavish, sir."

"He's coward who left his duties as a Soul Reaper from the Soul Society," Daisuke said with disdain, spitting the words out like they were poison, as he glared at him before walking over to Kenta.

"Let's get out of here while we still have time to plan a rescue for Sakura," he said in a slightly more solemn voice to Kenta, not even wanting to look at Braeburn, knowing exactly who he was.

"...." Behind him, Braeburn remained silent. However, he did slap a palm to his face out of frustration. Of course, the emotion that ran high still existed. But it didn't mean that the reprecussions irritated him to no end. Hopefully, his father would be much more of a reasonable man....

In front of Daisuke, Kenta merely nodded, a slightly solemn expression on his face. "Follow me. I'll take you to Captain Kukkyōna and contact the commander along the way." He answered, turning around and walking briskly off to his own bird, which had been perched a good few steps away. Braeburn silently followed, the expression of irritation still clear on his face.

Regrouping and Planning
As Daisuke and company flew towards the headquarters, he could see his father standing on the assigned 'hellipad' for the specific Dragonbirds flying towards them, his Haori, scarf, and Soul Society garb now donned since the reveal of his position and negotiations with the higher-ups in Yurei. His gaze unreadable, his eyes narrowed at the oncoming battle group as they landed, their steeds' wings flapped powerfully and sent a few gusts of wind to flutter the coat of the Captain of the Soul Society of Japan.

He stayed still as Daisuke leaped off, breathing heavily as he looked knowingly at his father, before he dropped his head in shame and bitterness.

"I-I tried to stop them...I wasn't...wasn't strong enough-" he began to say until Kukkyōna cut him off by walking past him, placing a simple empathetic tap on his shoulder before walking past him, wordlessly comforting his son in his own composed way.

However, he was more concerned of the appearance of the known Soul Reaper climbing off his own steed, a few troopers followed but backed up as his gaze turned icy as he spoke coldly, "Explain yourself, former 3rd Seat Braeburn, of your knowledge of the captors and tracking of them, and untimely interference. If you come quietly now, I won't report you to the Stealth Force."

Clearly, Braeburn himself was not pleased with the apparent threat.

Angrily, he threw up his hands. "For bloody fuck's sake-- Ugh!" He snapped in agitation, throwing his hands down. He took in a deep breath, exhaling and inhaling in order to calm himself. "I'd argue with you about the authenticity of that statement, but honestly, we've got bigger problems here than me." He did not pay attention to Avaron and Kenta as they approached, continuing to speak directly to the elder Hayate.

"Those assailants you and that woman encountered...." He explained, re-gaining a calmer edge to his tone. "....are known as Hantā. If you're aware of the regular Sinner, the term for the doomed residents of Hell, then you'll have no problems figuring out that Hantā are a step up from that. My time here's allowed me to research on such. The libraries of Yūrei are extensive archives for information." While this was going on, Kenta had taken to spinning one of his revolvers around on his finger in an idle motion, keeping his eyes on Braeburn. Avaron had her arms folded across her chest, looking over at the man with a furrowed gaze.

"Before anyone else starts asking any questions, let's get one thing out of the way...." She stated, turning a questioning gaze towards Kukkyōna and Daisuke. "Where do you know this guy from?" This caused Braeburn to scowl once again, but he didn't allow himself to object to the question.

Kukkyōna spoke first, not letting Daisuke butt in tersely as he spoke off in a matter-of-fact tone, "Braeburn McTavish, 3rd Seat Officer of the 5th Division of the Soul Society's Gotei 13. Serving after many years was suspected of conflicting theology that disalluded him from his duties. Before being confronted by the Stealth Force, he had already left, fleeing from the Soul Society. He is a minor priority of the Stealth Force's to bring into custody, alive if possible, and brought before the Central 46 Court Chambers to be judged for dereliction of duty and abandonment of post. What he has done in between his dereliction and now has been...unclear," Kukkyōna then turned to look at him finishing, "until now. Apparently from reports of the Deep Cover Ops that were responsible for alerting us in the first place of the invasion of the Yurei had suspicious activity of someone under the profile of Braeburn McTavish, from which they had been tracking him until they untimely deminse. It is unlikely he's responsible for death, but the extent of his abilities improving from the time of his dereliction and now has also been, unclear."

Daisuke just glared at him, hissing at him with a frustrated accusing tone, "Why the hell would you be researching that?! What's your interest in Hell anyways?! That place is supposed to be monitored and not interfered by the Soul Society for nearly any reason or another!"

However, his hissing tone only caused Braeburn to smirk, raising his arms up in a "come on" shrug. "You don't know my reason for leaving, but that was one of the reasons I decided to stay away. You see.... because of that refusal to get involved in Hell's matters, the Soul Society has been allowing themselves to become ignorant of the events that take place there." He raised a pointing finger to Daisuke. "However, people like me manage to keep enemies from obtaining advantage of that. If I hadn't did what I did...." He raised a wagging finger. "You would have no idea what those Hanta have in planned for your precious Sakura."

Daisuke growled, instantly reaching out to grab his wrist to pull him over to grab his collar, using his impressive strength to raise him off his feet as he nearly yelled at him, "WHERE IS SHE?! What do you know about her?! How long have you been following us?! Did you just watch the city burn apart in the invasion?! Did yo-" he was cut off by Kukkyōna grabbing his hand, not applying much force at all, but the mere touch sent warning signs in Daisuke's mind, suddenly snapping him out of his rage.

"Calm down, Daisuke! He won't cooperate if you try to kill him," he said tersely, raising his voice, making Daisuke loose his grip on him and back off, his father's mere raising of his voice made him cringe at the possibility of being shamed in front of him.

Kukkyōna turned around, narrowing his eyes at him before speaking lowly, "Speak of what you know now, and quickly. I may be collected but witholding information of this critical importance will further label you as a traitor to the Soul Society. I'd be forced out of duty and justice to interrogate you, which I'm sure would be not in our both's best interest."

"I dislike the bloody wankers as much as you do...." Braeburn said bluntly, passing an agitated glare at Daisuke as he dusted himself. "So I've got no reason to keep any secrets. One: The lady that they took out of your care.... that wasn't just any person. That was the form of a deity whose power has yet to be realized and whose purpose has yet to be fulfilled. She strikes fear within those that oppose her rule and is the driving force for most of my violent brethren. Those who believe are saved from her wrath, even those who do not shed blood in the name of her. Her name.... is the Punisher, and she is the ultimate decider of who is saved and who is forever doomed to the depths of Hell."

Kukkyōna crossed his arms, closing his eyes saying, "Its as I suspected. She is indeed a Deity...I did not know of which group she belonged to. I didn't know she was 'the Punisher' reveled in their extremist cults. Her...graphic representations on the radical posters strung up in converted towns have been...disconcerting, and not all to inaccurate. According to legend, her birth started with barb wires strung all over her body, screaming in pain. She eventually became attuned to the pain, then had a thrill for it, eventually able to feel the sheer pain of others giving her an almost feeling of ecstacy. Although, most of it has been exaggerated, and I haven't seen Sakura act too much like it, save for her sadist and cold nature," he finished with a shrug.

Daisuke stood silent, letting everything Braeburn and Kukkyōna said churn inside himself. He suddenly turned over at him, asking, "You worship the Red Sun though, right? That would explain why you left the Soul Society...but, how come you know about the Hantā so much? Have you traveled to Hell yourself? And another thing," he then raised an accusatory hand at him, outstretched at him, asking aloud, "why would the Punisher involve herself in the affairs of Hell?! That place is supposed to be monitored by the Soul Society, and the Zanpakuto of every Soul Reaper sends corrupt Hollows with past living sins as well as pluses to Hell, so why would she take charge of a duty that's a Soul Reaper's?!"

"Hah!" Braeburn mocked, his tone clearly incredulous. "You are such a naive fool. I'm telling you right now: the Soul Society may monitor Hell on its own basis, but she keeps the hell within it! There's a difference between simply watching it all go by and actually making things happen, you know! So I would think twice before assuming that it's all your responsibility. Besides, if it is, you clearly aren't doing a very good job, are you?"

Daisuke growled, but knew better than to anger his father again, about to retort back when Kukkyōna narrowed his eyes at Braeburn, making his own comment, "Of course only a man with narrow-minded views who thinks the laws of the Soul Society inadequate would retort quickly and unworthy of remarks. Regardless," he looked back at Daisuke, then Kenta, then back at Braeburn as he spoke, "I think its fair to say we've chatted idly long enough. Tell us what you know of their plans and how to enter Hell. The only gates I am aware of is the Kushanada Hell gate that spawns every time a Sinner is exposed without disguise in any world they are in or when someone is sentenced to Hell, by Zanpakuto or, apparently the Punisher. The only gates besides that is one in the Soul Society, guarded heavily by the Kido Corps, even inspected by the Kido Captain himself every so often. The other, is...dangerous to use. Its in the World of the Living...and I'd think its fair to say no one wants to open it too often either."

Daisuke then looked unbelievingly at Kukkyōna, his father, before he asked him in a disbelieving tone, "Why didn't you say anything about this earlier?!"

"I don't know where the gate in the World of the Living is, Daisuke," he simply said, before he finished, "and the Head Captain, no matter the reason, would never let us use the gate in the Soul Society. Its simply off-limits."

Braeburn scowled, shaking his head a little at what appeared to him as an insult. But he bit back the urge to fight back; everything about them would have to wait. "Well, as of their plans...." He said, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath. "I don't know. Vengeance.... using her as some sort of conduit for a summoning.... the possibilities are endless, as far as I'm concerned. It could be anything, and it could happen at any time. Fortunately for all of you, I've got a way to freely enter into Hell without such outside assistance. All I need is for you to gather up who you want, gather the equipment you need, and prepare yourself in any way you can."

Avaron turned her gaze towards the two Hayates, giving a slight frown and a cock of the eyebrow. "I'd come with you, but I've still got to monitor the evacuation plans. From what your intel has deciphered, another attack's supposed to come in two days, this time in a much more massive number. We've got a good thousand civilians and counting within the old underground resistance network right now, with military troops moving in to take patrol positions. Though, I would be happy to send a squad in order to assist--"

She was abruptly cut off by Braeburn's voice, which immediately earned him a slight glare of annoyance in his direction. "I don't think you'd be able to, ma'am...." He answered, eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Once you step into Hell, it's going to take reiatsu above the norm in order to navigate the realms. People with normal reiatsu like yours would immediately go insane from the aura that the dimension permeates. At the very least, the Hayates and I should come along."

Kukkyōna nodded towards Avaron, respectfully saying, "Anyone with low Spiritual Energy would immediately fall unconscious, and those average would indeed go insane, easy prey for Hell's Will to ensare them forever. I do appreciate the gesture however, but from what you're telling me now," Kukkyōna said, narrowing his eyes speaking in a low tone, "makes this all the more reason to find Sakura and save her from Hell before the invasion arrives. I want to be the first to intercept the enemy this time around."

Daisuke snapped his fingers on his right hand as he pointed over to his father and back at Avaron, "I know who we could bring along! Deep Cover Ops can send her right away, and she's the best they have!"

"I wouldn't recommend it. Captain Kaze wouldn't let her loose on a unsanctioned rescue mission into Hell for no apparent reason that would benefit himself," Kukkyōna said, crossing his arms, sliding them inside his billowed sleeves and looked at Daisuke with somewhat disinterest.

"Not unless we can convince him otherwise! We owe her that much," Daisuke said with determination and steadfastness in his voice.

Kukkyōna gazed at Daisuke for a few moments, it dragged onto a silence for a good few minutes. He sighed, relenting with Daisuke's tenacity, unfolding his arms as he responded, "We'd need to contact him from the Police HQ...though I'm not too sure he'll be happy by the request, regardless of who it comes from."

"And just who are you talking about....?" Braeburn questioned, folding his arms across his chest and tilting his head to the side a little.

Daisuke crossed his arms, Kukkyōna filling Braeburn in this time, "Deep Cover Ops is a Joint-Division Program that sends a new and secret line of Soul Reapers behind enemy territory, deep within unmapped dimensions, and tracks certain persons of interest, among other classified things. Needless to say, this program was initiated 10 years after the Winter War, and has been in constant development and improvement ever since, all members who meet the quota are extremely capable, only terribly lethal enemies can ever hope to kill them. Captain Kaze Sasayaki was the founder of this program, and one of his prized agents is under his care, more than qualified to partake in this mission. However he's very particular on where he sends her...peculiar, but no one questions him due to his status and the authority he holds over his own program."

"I've sparred with her. She's one of the most lethal fighters I've ever met, and her potential to eventually outclass any Captain in the 13 Court Guard Squads is inevitable," Daisuke said somberly, a slight grin crooked on his face as he remembered his own times in the Deep Cover Ops.

"Hmph....well, hopefully that can be put to the test and not turn out to be some sort of bullshit you just pulled out of your ass." Skeptical of the promise, Braeburn unfolded his arms and shifted his gaze away from them. "After you're ready, when do you think you'll be set to move?"

Daisuke shrugged saying in a bemused tone, "If we're lucky, several hours...if not...well, perhaps sooner perhaps much later."

Kukkyōna turned to Avaron, saying aloud, "Please lead the way to the Police HQ. I'd like to procur temporary use of your communications equipment to contact Captain Kaze, if you don't mind."

"In a situation like this, who would I to mind?" Avaron questioned, giving a smile as she turned herself away from the group and walked towards one of the birds. In turn, it turned its head in order to catch her with its gaze - a sign that this particular bird was one of hers. "Just let me doing the setting up, and you'll be all good to go." She stopped by it, placing a hand on its head and turning towards an approaching Kenta. "Sergeant, I want you to go back to the area with an investigation unit and find any traces of the spiritual residue left in order for future reference. I don't want to risk any more surprises than necessary."

At that, Kenta gave a nod, raising his hand up in a brief salute. "Yes, ma'am!"

Kukkyōna turned to Braeburn, narrowing his eyes at him before turning his head back forwards, "Come! We haven't any more time to delay!"

Daisuke glared at Braeburn momentarily before following his father to the bird Avaron was at, moving quickly in hopes this venture isn't a gamble, and that Sakura still had time left.

"And so the tense alliance begins...."

A toothy scowl on his face, Braeburn allowed himself to move with them. As he passed by Kenta, he couldn't help but spare a glance at him as he lowered his hand and walked off. However, he quickly turned his head back and continued walking. His notions alone would be hindering, especially in the case of those who considered him to be an enemy. It was all he could do in order to keep the balance stable between him and his former comrades.

If he played his cards right, maybe he could get off of their rap sheet.

....maybe.

Punisher's Punishment:
Ryūketsu walked ahead of the escort of Hanta, his steps measured and reverent, not taking steps out of pride or fear, but out of sheer respect for the place he tread upon. The soles of his shoes walked with sounds of crunching, ashes kicked up in minority as he walked, like sand but with a much more morbid origin.

Behind him, Ryūketsu looked back to see Jaaku still holding the unconscious Sakura, moreover aptly named 'the Punisher', according to them, her inert form was limp as Jaaku walked casually with one arm holding her in place while the other rested casually on the pommel of his Zanpakuto.

Beside him walked Korosou, his grin crooked and present, knowing that victory in his mind was good as theirs, and their vengeance will be his own as well as the others'. Both him and Jaaku's feet crunched as softly as Ryūketsu's, their stances nearly mirrored of each other, showing that they were used to traveling with each other and working together.

Meanwhile, behind them walked a fair distance from them was the grotesquely unusual pair, Kyōki and Sensō, the former's stride much larger and kicked up a large cloud of ash in his wake, while the latter moved at a unusual angle, his body slanted and his arms slumped forward one with each leg, as if he was a walking puppet.

The group traveled across the Valley of Ashes till they saw a group of ruins in the distance, old structures of a once powerful empire now simply sticking out and clinging to the ash-sands, like rotting wounds and bones of old wars long forgotten. The very air, if not accustomed to, would cause one to cough on air equivalent to that of a smoke-hued landscape, as far as the eye can see, making this the least favored area of gathering for anyone or anything, even Hell's Will.

Jaaku then asked aloud, after they were all silent for some time since arriving back into Hell, then navigating to the elusive and nearly-toxic Valley of Ashes, "Hey! What do you think Master wants with her? Torture her in public? Kill her over and over again?"

"His plans are far more intricate than mere revenge we seek. You should know that by now from his methods of increasing our powers, Jaaku," Ryūketsu said with a smooth, knowing tone, looking back ahead, not turning back to look at Jaaku's amused reaction.

"Certainly seemed a little overkill to send all of us to capture her," Kurosou suggested, looking over at the inert body, swaying slightly in step of Jaaku as he carried her.

"Quite...if it wasn't for those Soul Reapers, we could've pummeled her into the ground and then taken her. Stupid Yurei Police Force had to show up and ruin things when everything was getting fun," Jaaku complained, though a smile was plastered onto his slightly scarred features, slightly healed up since the encounter with the Punisher already.

"The Soul Society's reach is much longer than what we realized it seems," Korosou said with a shrug, waving his hands dismissively as they continued their trek.

It was here that they would recieve of the voice of their captor.

"G...aaaah!!! Haaah! Hnnn... hnnn...."

Immediately, Sakura, now fully awakened to their surroundings, was instantly hit with the pain of the seal that bound her. At first, her expression was shocked, and Jaaku would easily feel the furious heartbeat as her nerves were enflamed in the effects. Out of reflexes, her body began to jerk around in his grip, making it harder for him to maintain control with her erratic movements. Her eyes were shut and her teeth were gritted in the expression that clearly showed the agony that she was feeling.

Jaaku knit his brows in a sign of irritation as he felt the thrashing of the awakened Punisher, now having to tighten his grip on her side, purposely taking some of her skin underneath in his fist to remind her position, "Hey! Knock it off! I'd thought you would've been used to this kind of pain before...when did you turn into such a whiny bitch?!"

Korosou just chuckled at the writing and gritting Sakura, his eyes gleamed down at her with a malicious intent behind them as his smile spread thin and tightly, raising a hand towards her face, sparking lightly, "I soooo want to rip your face off the urge is almost too great..."

Ryūketsu just sighed at their antics, but did not stop them, keeping himself walking a smooth and steady pace towards the ruins in the distance they're approaching.

However, at that moment, Sakura stopped her struggles as soon as she realized what it was. She opened her eyes, expression immediately contorting to a mixture of mirth and amusement (though it was somewhat difficult to tell since she was being carried with her back to the ground). Even as the pain continued to course through her body, her muscles twitching occasionally, she was actually putting on a grin, almost as if they were putting her through something more humorous. "Oh, right! I'm STILL under the effects of whatever the hell the guy put on me...." She realized. "I got myself panicked for nothing!!"

When his hand touched her face, and his words reached her ears, she immediately fixed her gaze onto him. Her dangling hair's bangs gently slapped him, almost as if in retaliation. "Then....what's keeping you.....?" She managed to say, although she was still breathing hard due to her body's reaction from the pain. To her, these were nothing more than side effects. "Go on, make my day...." Though her voice was slightly shaky, the taunt and malevolence that she had within herself came to him full-force.

Korosou grinned before retracting his hand, his fist trembling slightly at the thought, before saying, "Not yet...you'll wish I had once our Master is done with you," he spat at her face, his saliva burning onto her cheeks, finding it more acidic than liquid.

"You really shouldn't keep up the bravado considering we're your top fans...or moreover, the ones you've inflicted the most pain and torture on before sentencing us to Hell that is," Jaaku said in a relaxed, nonchalant tone, though his grip on her side was ever so more painful, making sure to inflict even more pain on her as he finished, "its time you find out what its been like for us in this world."

Ryūketsu then snapped his fingers on his left hand, making Jaaku shut up as he stopped walking, finding themselves standing before a large pillar, just beyond it, lied a number of ruins before leading up to a makeshift, black castle, with marks of war and decay everywhere, as well as a fine coating of ash on it.

"We're here," he spoke lowly, his voice carried over the group as they gathered closer now, a howling wind came over the place, shoveling the ash-sand away, showing a number of skeletons, both humanoid in nature and something else entirely, before being barried once again, the howling reminiscent to that of a screaming banshee to anyone else's ears. To them, it sounded like home.

To Sakura, it was home.

She took in a deep breath in the potent air and coughed a little, maintaining her tooty grin. The aura of the place brought a familiar, frightening chill to her bones. It was nothing compared to when she had first seen and experienced it, but it brought about a feeling of nostalgia nonetheless. "Beautiful...." She whispered, her voice only showing slight pain in contrast to what she was actually feeling. "I guess even with what happened, you boys were kind enough to keep things the way they were while I was gone. I'm almost flattered...."

Jaaku grind his teeth together, throwing her across the ash wasteland, causing her body to sprawl past Ryūketsu, his clothes fluttering slightly as her body would kick up some ash-sand, before she would stop several meters ahead of them all.

"Pay your respects, Punisher," Jaaku said with a malicious smile, not regretting a thing he's done, as he waved his hand towards her, in order to gain her sight, saying, "you're going to meet our Master, and know of your demise as well as grace your eyes upon him."

As soon as he said this, a ghastly cold wind was felt, something that would be rare in Hell considering the wretched heat that was everywhere, intoxicating and torturously uncomfortable, save for those who lived long enough to cope with it. This presence could only be felt by the unnaturally residents of Hell, ones no one would see unless they made their presence known purposely, beings of ungodly strength and power, something that not even Sinners nor Hollows, not even Soul Reapers could understand. A Demon was amongst them, his mere presence not even a normal Spiritual Pressure, felt as if one could freeze to death in his presence.

The being was draped in a dark black cloak, his appearance currently unseen and his voice as chilling as ice of the polar opposite of Hell's flames would be, "Welcome back to Hell, Punisher. Or do you prefer to be called by your other name, Sakura Kojima?"

"Ooompf!"

When Jaaku had thrown her, she could only allow herself to fly because of the effects of the spell. She grunted as she tumbled along the ash-ridden ground, settling to a stop. Now she was covered mostly in ash. Yet she only blinked once she hit the ground, taking in a deep breath and coughing a little at the putrid air. However, her ears immediately perked up at the sound of the voice, and a smile once again returned to her face. She tilted her head up a little, the attunement of the pain-induced binds being displayed.

"Please...." She answered, her tone less shaky. "We all know that I am no Sakura Kojima. Do call me by the Punisher, if you don't mind...."

"Well 'Punisher'...it doesn't seem you're in a position to pass out punishment right now, does it?" The cloaked figure said, waving a dark gauntlet hand towards her incapacitated body.

"Just as I thought...my Seal does work on Deities, even your kind. Fascinating...this means I can probably reuse this Seal to incapacitate even Soul Reaper Captains and even Vasto Lorde Menos with this Seal, I thank you for satisfying my curiosity in that area of interest," he said in a scientific-attitude, his dark tone fairly pleased and quite excited from the results his Seal used on Sakura.

"....oh. That's what you were trying to do....?"

The Punisher, as she called herself, had a rather unimpressed and bored tone in her words. She raised her head in order to notion over to the seal on her arm. "Because in all honesty, I thought this was only supposed to give me a ride." She rested her head against the ground, closing her eyes as she continued to speak. "I mean, that actually worked too.... for the first few minutes. Now it's becoming more and more of a boring factor...."

"By what my Hantā have told me, I'd expect you to retain your pride and arrogance, even amidst the pain I purposely left in the Seal. However, that's my Seal, and if I wanted to make it more painful," he snapped his 'fingers' on the visible black gauntlet hand, and suddenly the Seal flared up, crawling up her arm were characters similar to that of the Seal's patterns, and the pain became violently more painful, 2x, then 5x, then 10x more painful, as her entire arm was now covered in the markings originated on her forearm, even her fingers were covered, "I just make it happen. You really should pay attention to what I'm telling you, Punisher, because that big mouth of yours will bring a world of hurt you've never felt before upon you."

"NNNNNNGH~!!!!"

Instinctively, the Punisher's back arched in a reflexive, violent manner. She shut her eyes and grit her teeth, the artificial gangrene crawling up her flesh. Chills raced up and went down her spine. However, that snarl immediately turned into a smile. Her pained sounds immediately were converted into a laughing fit, one that would've been maniacally excited in anyone else's eyes. Her eyes opened wide, her irises and pupils having shrunk. "Th...that's w...what...you think.... hah...is it??!" She jeered him, expression nothing short of frighteningly excited. "''"Y...you....mere, pitiful excuse for a DEMON.... would n...NEVER understand....with...THAT kind of logic....!!''"

"Hmmmm," he hummed an eery tone as he kneeled down, showing he was garbed in a black, skeletal-looking armor, his gaze still hidden, his voice still as cold as Hell was hot, "I believe I forgot how much of a...thrill this gives you? Its only natural for you to feel that way, being born of pain as it were. My plans involve something far greater for both of us, you and I."

The Punisher was breathing heavily, sweat falling down her face. Despite the intense agony that accelerated throughout her person, it only served to fuel her. "Really...?!" She managed to question him. "I'm pretty sure.....they're not TOO....great for me...!!" This was followed by a bit of violent thrashing, her body having the opposite effect of her mind.

The Demon chuckled, but it broke out like grinding glass and hissing, his breath frosty and chilling to the touch as it graced in a frosty hue over to the Punisher's sweat-covered, contorted face, "No my dear...something that you wished you always had. A life purrrrrpose," he purred out the sound, reaching out a metalic gauntlet-hand and cupped one of her cheeks, stroking underneath her eye with his sharp edged thumb, "you will help me become a being that transcends any being known. It will transcend your kind, it will transcend Soul Reapers, Hollows, even the Soul King will be dwarfed in our power."

"A life....p...p...purpose....?" The woman grunted, her eyes narrowed at the man as he continued with his motions. Beside the intense pain that was eating at her, disgust moved in to join it. Despite the obvious threat and ability of cutting out her eyeball if she happened to say the wrong thing, it was as if he was petting her, treating her like some sort of helpless victim! That only drove home an urge to throttle him, to rip him apart where he stood. Her teeth gritted into a slightly feral snarl. "Sounds like...you're just using me for your own personal tool...!!" She bit out. "It sounds to me as if you prefer to play with fate...and that's something beyond your hands, demon... There are bigger things here than you... and I.... something that you could never hope to understand with your current knowledge.... if you continue on as you are.... then the consequences that will befall you will be far more than what I could've ever done to you....!!"

"Well then...I'll just make sure when that 'punisher' seeks to right my sins, I'll make him regret it," the Demon responded cooly, scraping his metalic fingers off her skin, leaving cuts the absence of his touch before rising to his full height. He looked over to Ryūketsu, saying in a cool commanding voice, "I want you to take her to the chambers. Time is of the essence, and from what I know, we will have unwanted company trying to stop us. Its rather...heroic if not entirely naive of them to rescue something like her," he said pointedly, looking down at her, the statement made it all clear that he held no real respect for her in the slightest, before raising head back to his servant, "do this and halt them at all costs."

Ryūketsu bowed his head, before returning his gaze back at the Demon, "It will be done, my master."

Jaaku, however, didn't like the secrecy. He bit down on his lip to the point of blood trickling down his face, the anxiety clear on his face.

"I'd like to fucking walk now, if you don't mind...."

Through her pained tone, blatant annoyance and sarcasm was clear within Punisher's words. Her body had fell victim to numbness once again, and she was now laying on her back. She didn't mind the seal... but it was rather annoying to have to deal with the fact that she couldn't move herself at all. She doubted they would grace her with such a thing, but it was worth a shot. She was honestly sick of lying on her side or on someone else's shoulders, and she was pretty sure they were already tired of carrying her.

As she was turning her head to the side to look at her side...

....she was instantly hit with a surprise.

Sitting right beside her was a black-cloaked figure, arms resting on his knees, and a casual position about himself. From the looks of things, it seemed as if he had been sitting there the entire time. She could only blink her eyes a few times as he continued to sit, not regarding her. However, she only managed to eye him for a few seconds before he dissipated into ash. None of the others would have seen him or sensed his presence; he was simply a ghost that went along with the wind.

The Demon then turned to the rest of his Hanta, saying aloud to them in a commanding, cold voice, "This is my final command before I begin preparations. Do NOT let the enemy, neither of Hell or of beyond, stop the process I will start, for once I begin, I cannot lend you any personal strength towards your fight. The enemy is going to be powerful and in near equal numbers no doubt when they arrive. Hold them, and for your faithfulness, I will grant you even greater power than you have, enough to join me in my conquest in Hell and beyond!" He raised a fist, clenching tightly into the air, causing the rest of the Hantā to raise their own fists in salute, even Jaaku, who's suspicious glare gone unnoticed by all as he began to have doubts about his charismatic and enigmatic leader.

Ryūketsu bowed his head once again, his master mysteriously disappears, with a silent scream in his wake, before moving to pick Sakura up, unaware of the strange vision she had as he hauled her up in a bridal style of carrying, any other time than this might've looked quite comical and would spark jealousy in Daisuke's heart for sure. "Sensō, Kyōki, Korosou," he spoke to the three, immediately gaining their attention, as he sideglanced at the three, giving them orders, "you will meet the our 'guests' at the 2nd Level of Hell. With luck, the Kushanada will slow them down enough to buy time, maybe bind one or two to Hell's Will. If not, then they will naturally meet you in the 2nd level. Make sure to kill them, if possible, and stall them for time. Jaaku and I," he said as he looked over to a less than pleased Jaaku, making Ryūketsu give pause slightly before continuing, "will stay here and take on any remaining invaders, kill them where they stand. FAILURE is not an option, understand?"

Each of them gave a nod of knowing, fearing the wrath of their master if this plan goes awry as well as the pain of death itself quite unpleasant. He then moved away, saying under his breath, "Jaaku...I will speak to you after I deposit the girl in the chambers," he said before he began a aganozingly slow trek towards the chambers, in between steps he would initiate a blur of motion, causing him to move at accelerated speeds to gain distance, before halting at the last 100 meters before a large dungeon-looking infrastructure...the last remnants of a obsidian ruined castle.

Once again, the pain had numbed her body back to a somewhat immobile state. It was the only source of satisfaction she could get from her situation, even if anyone else would've given their very life to avoid it. She breathed heavily, unconsciously leaning on the man's chest as he carried her (much to her resentment). Her hair blew against his face slightly as he sped. When he halted himself, she made no indication that she was aware of it, continuing as she was.

With what voice she could muster up, she whispered, "Ryūketsu.... I thought that, despite your crimes to man.... you would have much more sense than this."

Ryūketsu stayed silent for awhile, almost flinched at her words, something he'd rarely do around anyone. Even his master. "Punisher...you're a great source of my pain and suffering. Despite what I've done in life, the real irony is that the pain and constant death, rebirth I've had as a Sinner here was not the real greatest pain. It was the sheer, utter, isolation...I was constantly alone. Its the one thing I find in any life I live to actually fear or look down upon is being alone again. What I find ironic about what's going to happen to you, Punisher, is that you won't be alone...you're be reborn and whether or not Master succeeds, you will become something that the Red Sun has always meant you to be. A god of wrath and judgement," he then looked down at her face, a look of slight pity and almost regret. But the sign of long hardship and loneliness outweighed the prior emotions seen, and it showed the conviction to punish her as much as he been punished.

"....reborn, huh....?"

The woman looked away from him, the light lost in her eyes for a moment. Then, she closed her eyes and smiled weakly. "If I didn't know you all for who you are...." She whispered. "I would've taken that as....well.... comforting and of good fortune...."

Ryūketsu stayed silent, not wanting to respond or gloat, nothing of the sort mattered but ferreting out his judgement to her. As he entered the dark obsidian ruined castle, he walked down...farther down than anyone would've liked. There was little to no light, save for a torch every 20 meters, and he moved with effortless grace through the darkness, moving from one corner to the next, taking a good 10 minutes before they approached a large dome ceiling room.

There was a large crimson stained satanic star drawn on the vast, cracked tiled floor, various stains of blood were shown in isolated corners of the room, as well as a chopping block in the center of the satanic circle. It looked like a executioner's room that she entered.

"I have brought her here, like you've asked, master," Ryūketsu spoke aloud, his voice carried into the room and it appeared deathly empty. Then the Demon reappeared, emerging from the shadows of one corner of the room, his heavy footsteps took one step after another forward, his nearly transparent, fluid cloak fluttered about him despite the void of wind in the castle.

"Good, Ryūketsu. You've done well, despite difficulties that you've encountered. Now, place her ontop of the block," he pointed a metalic hand towards the chopping block. Ryūketsu did so without hesitation, walking slowly over before laying her in a quite uncomfortable position of the middle of her back onto the block. He then stepped back, as the inner ring of the circle around the block glowed vibrantly, nearly a dozen tendrils of energy reached out and tied around her limbs, making any attempt she would've made, regardless of the Seal on her body, futile.

"....oh, for the love of Mother...."

The falsely orange-haired woman looked around at her bindings, wincing slightly as they latched around her arms and legs. However, the wincing look immediately turned to one of disdain, and she glared at her bindings in annoyance. "You must really love going out of your way to practice the art of "overkill", don't you?" She questioned sarcastically.

"I must take no chances. Especially with the likesof a Hankami," the Demon said before walking towards her prone, unmoving body, before pressing a metalic hand onto her face, caressing it coldly and chillingly, anyone feeling it would swear their blood grew cold underneath his touch.

"Ryūketsu. Leave us. You're job here is done," he spoke commandingly and swiftly, ushering Ryūketsu to bow swiftly and disappear with a blur just as well. The Demon then began raise his metalic hands up and took the edge of his hood before lifting it back over his head, showing his true face before her, smiling a wicked fang bearing smile, but otherwise handsome and intimidating.

"Now we can speak freely as our final moments as individuals fades before we become one, unfathomable, god-like entity," he spoke in a more sultry, seductive voice than the one he had before, his eyes told a familiar story to Sakura, like as if she'd seen him before....

This earned Sakura's head turning itself away from him under his touch, her teeth gritted and her eyes narrowed. However, it wasn't an expression of anger as it was an expression of annoyance. "Oh shit no...." She said vehemently in a whispering, hissing voice - well, as much as she could while still trying to fight off the seal's effect. "I told you before, Bokyāku, that damned tone you're taking with me isn't going to get you anywhere.... it wasn't the thing that saved you from that whirlpool in the Level of Lust, and it won't be the thing that's going to help you here...." She paused for a moment, closing her eyes abruptly and taking in a deep breath. "I'll tell you again... you don't know what you're doing.... quit now, while you are still the tormentor...."

Bokyāku just smiled, chuckling as he heard her bring that up again, "Oh you tease...its such a shame such a woman of fiery spirit has to treat me in such a way...we could've seen this as allies rather than unwilling partners in this arrangement. But I'll spare you the preaching for I'll tell you what is really going on in here," he said as he raised a hand towards each of the similiar satanic star patterns, each of them moving a different position every other second, small clicking and hissing sounds was heard, "can you hear that? The spell is already in progress...this particular spell has been long forgotten amongst my kin. Its an old and very powerful spell that binds two individual entities into one, godly being. This being will far surpass the Head Captain of the Gotei 13, or that ridiculous female leading the new Espada Afilado. This power, will match that of the Soul King himself! If not immediately, but with time...we, as one being, will rule ALL of creation! Its something I once offered you once, wasn't it, Punisher?"

He scraped his hand, now in the form of a surprisingly warm and soft hand, rubbing gently and tenderly over the scrapes he made with his former hands, now slowly healing them himself. He smiled disarmingly at her, lowering his head down so his face was mere inches from hers, a few dark bangs drapes over her, as he whispered in a sweet, promising, seductive tone, "I can make all the pain disappear...I can let you give the universe a new definition of pain, for all that you suffered from being merely birthed into existence. Isn't that why you've done it? Toying with your victims and preying on their pain? Isn't that what you want to prey on all of existence? You know I'm right," he said with a smile, his breath breathed warmly into her nostrils and along her face comfortingly, "you don't care about duty. You care about being the harbinger of wrath and pain itself, to make everything 'guilty' feel as much pain as you do. Now," he then let his lips grace hers gently, knowing the spell allowed a fraction of movement, but not enough to be hostile, allowing her to feel and respond in kind, as he kissed her slowly and tenderly, cupping the left, now healed side of her face in a warm hand. As he broke off, he asked, "what do you say to that?"

It was a guilty pleasure - something that the Punisher was not accustomed to having.

It clearly wasn't kindness. She understood that perfectly, despite all of the touching he was doing. She squirmed a little, not able to do much about it due to her bindings. The kind, sweet, and rather lady-killing tone was picking at her defenses, and with each and every move that he made, she was feeling more and more vulnerable by the second. The pain, having formerly been seen as a gift, was now serving as a negative aphrodisiac in order to drive her further and further down. Oh, how she hated feeling such things! If only she had one hand free, she could push him off, punch him in the face, something in order to make him stop!

Then his lips met hers.

"Oh, god, please stop...."

She unconsciously shut her eyes as he kissed her, cupping his hand onto her face. Now he was hitting at her, making an effort to break through her shell. His way of comforting her....these feelings....it was torturing her more than any efforts of pain could've ever done. She had never felt such things before, and he was using that weakness to his very advantage. She was trying hard not to allow herself to break.... but these new feelings were pushing, pulling, and kicking at her. A chill raced through her body, created from the sudden warmth that he gave her, only to vanish once he pulled himself away. There was an emptiness left behind, one that she had been eager to avoid.

It hurt more than anything in the world.

"Th...this...." She began to speak, then shut herself up immediately. Her face was slightly flushed, and the discomfort that she had felt was now expressed on it. That, as well as the shakiness in her voice, made it all too clear that he had succeeded in wearing her down.... at least, to an extent.

"Tell me you want to never feel empty, and I'll never leave your side. Tell me you want to inflict horrors upon mankind like you've never have thought possible, and I'll make it happen. Tell me you want to be reborn not out of pain, but out of joyous incredible ecstacy of sheer godhood, and I'll make it happen. Doesn't that sound like something," Bokyāku asked, smiling disarmingly once more as he breathed a arousing and intoxicating breath into her face, swirling unnatural pheromones and twisted words flowed around, into her, and allowed her to feel his comforting words and promises, even as he was again mere inches of her lips again, "you desire?"

"I-I....." She couldn't bear it any longer, immediately turning her gaze upon him in pleading resignation. "Yes!" She finally allowed herself to say, a passionate shamelessness within her words. "Yes....everything you say is true....what I have now.... it's nothing! Humans.... Shinigami.... whatever! They're all too wrapped up in the world of sin to realize their wrong-doings. All of them must pay the price...!" The final dam had broken, and now she was willingly putting herself within his hands.

Bokyāku smiled greatly at this, letting those words of acceptance and resignation sink into his mind, having to restrain himself from laughing in joy for this moment finally coming. He then flourished his cloak in a large billowing motion, his unseen body draped her around in a surprisingly intoxicatingly burning embrace, his body meshing with hers, and his hands cupped her face, smiling expressing a knowing joy as he caressed her face, whispering to her, "And pay they shall. If they think they all can escape the clutches of Hell, then they are wrong. As one being, we will accomplish what either of us individually could not. We will be Harbinger...the emodiment of Wrath and Pain, cursing the Universe for their sins and condemning them all to Hellish nightmares for existing," he then pressed his lips against hers in a passionate display of mutual lust and relishing of power, now inwardly laughing as things were set in motion, and no one could stop him now.

Driven by his influence, Sakura closed her eyes and allowed him to kiss her, returning the favor with the mutual feelings that she now shared with him.

The deal was sealed.

Unbeknownst to both of them, however, there was a figure within the shadows of the chambers, arms folded across the chest, and back leaning against the wall. Because he was in the shadows, it was virtually impossible for him to be seen, and his energy was perfectly cloaked to make him invisible to both of them. However, piercing blue eyes were staring at them, particularly at the back of Bokyāku. He studied them for a bit longer, not moving in any way or expressing any form of reaction to what was happening in front of him.

Then, within a second, he had vanished from the area.

Eve of Battle, old faces and new crisises
It had taken a little while to get back to the Yurei Police HQ, making Daisuke all the more anxious, something that had been giving his father a bit of a migrane, having to glare at him from time to time to keep him from causing any more embarassment or trouble for them both, as well as their allies.

Once they arrived, it took all of Daisuke's will to keep from barging into the HQ like a bull in a china shop, letting Avaron lead the way again to the HQ's computer systems. Once there, Kukkyōna took over and began to transmit a series of complicated, yet memorized codes back and forth between the nearest buoy, of course the location of it was also encrypted. Needless to say, it took a great deal of time for Daisuke to keep himself under control, moving his gaze to rest uncomfortably at the composed and beautiful Avaron, then to glaring at Braeburn whenever he had the nerve to glance at him, finding himself too worked up to even retort anything for fear of disgracing himself again.

Kukkyōna said aloud, "It should only be a few minutes now...they're connecting me to the Captain now."

Daisuke sighed, muttering under his breath, "If the Deep Cover Ops had any specialization, it would be in making it a pain in the ass to contact them. Period."

"So, just for the sake of reference and to be prepared ahead of time...." Avaron had her eyes half-lidded in a rather casual manner, cocking her eyebrow slightly. Her arms were folded across her chest, and she stood patiently in front of the massive screen that would project his image. "What's this man like?"

Nearby, Braeburn rolled his own eyes at Daisuke's tension, walking over to one of the nearby terminals and sitting himself down. He reached over to turn it on, waiting boredly as it exited standby. However, his eyes widened at what he saw, immediately fixating himself on the screen. With a set of clicks, he was within a computer game and playing away.

Daisuke shivered, immediately casting his eyes at Avaron, saying, "He's not exactly you'd want to get on his bad side. Overall, he displays a sense of composure to the rest of his...'comrades' in the Gotei 13, though he's not nearly as kind to the residents in the Soul Society, mostly the Rukon District citizens. His mere presence...would send shivers down your back, his voice make your blood freeze. He's a terrifying man, truly, and he's very reclusive and secretive when he's inside his Research and Development Department, always studying and tinkering. He's a man who developed the Deep Cover Ops before he became Captain and Head of the Department of Research and Development. His genius truly rivals that of the previous generational heads of his Division and Department."

"He's also the sole creator and inventor of over 90% of Deep Cover Ops' equipment and gear, as well as their own personal style of combat, teaching, and training. Even their method of recruitment is unorthodox, selecting people that the Captain alone has seen fit or capable of going under the program," Kukkyōna followed up Daisuke's rhetoric, not missing a beat as he kept awaiting the said Captain to appear on the screen.

"So he's the "mad scientist" type." Avaron summarized, closing her eyes and letting out a light sigh. "For once, I'm glad I'm not the one that has to do most of the talking here...." She unfolded her arms, shifting them so that one hung at her side while the other hand its hand resting on her hip. "Will this be much of a problem if we don't manage to convince this Sasayaki person to let us borrow one of his subordinates?"

"We'll be down one powerful ally and entering unknown territory for most of us," he glared at Braeburn's direction as he said 'most', before returning his gaze back to Avaron, saying, "but yeah, if our mad scientist Captain doesn't agree, not only will we have 'wasted his time' we'd wasted ours in not entering Hell sooner," he said, initiating fake finger-quotes, before suddenly a omnicious voice, surprisingly deep voice, emanated from the speakers before a ghastly pale, red bags, pale complexion, and a icy blue glare.

"What is it? What could possibly be the ma-...ah, so its you, Captain Hayate," Kaze made a thin smile, his eyes fixated on the stoic and calm Captain before him, his face leaned back some to show himself reclining in a large leather chair, his pale hands clasped his fingers, his white Haori garbed around his form gave him the definitely apt 'mad scientist' appearance.

"Captain Sasayaki," Kukkyōna said, nodding tersely at him, before getting straight to the point, "I'm using the Deep Cover Ops secure channel because we're currently compromised here in Yurei. We're facing a now revealed enemy and element that could threaten both Yurei and the Soul Society as a whole perhaps greater than the one we face now."

Giving off a slightly bored yawn, but keeping a wide smile of enjoyment that they came to him for help whereas he basked in his power and prestige. "Exactly what could be more interesting than deciphering secret codes the Adhijados have been ferreting in the streets, or finding out the exact location of the Espada Afilado's forward base, allowing us opportunity to launch a counter-strike against them before they've attacked Yurei OR the Soul Society again?"

"It revolves around the affiliation of Hell, if you must know," Kukkyōna said in a nonchalant manner, averting his gaze in a suggestion he might close the channel, feigning fear of wasting his time. He cleverly bated the scientist, now leaning forward, resting his chin on his 'bridged-clasped' hands.

"What are the facts? I'm assuming the Yurei Police Force can give some details of their own, can't they?" He said, giving off a slight tone of presumption, underlying with boredom that the Police had anything useful to give them at all as he sideglanced Avaron past Kukkyōna.

Daisuke rolled his eyes, crossing his arms, "How typical," he muttered.

"Details, huh....?" Avaron muttered to herself, allowing herself to look at the scientist. "Well, if you have to know.... then I'll be as quick and explanatory as possible. From what intel we've gathered up courtesy of an outside contact--"

"Boom....headshot." Braeburn interrupted briefly.

"...as well as you and the Deep Cover Ops...." Avaron was almost tempted to roll her eyes at the sudden and somewhat humorous interruption made by the defector, but she let it slide. "....it's been made pretty clear that this is just more than just some attack or a beginning of a war on both our sides. This is the start of a sort of movement, an attempt at world destruction and recreation. Under normal circumstances, I would've hardly believed that it would've been possible for such things to happen....at least, until what happened today...."

She moved herself over to the terminal in front of the large screen, typing in a few codes. On Kaze's side, it would show a photograph of Sakura. "This...." She explained to him. "....is the high-value target the Stealth Force of yours had been hunting down. Her alias was Sakura Kojima, but her real identity is the Punisher - one of the deities prominent in the Red Sun scrolls. She was captured by a group that came from Hell called the Hantā and effectively taken prisoner. From what I can tell, these individuals were souls that the Punisher had sentenced to Hell and want nothing but vengeance. Now, I'm no expert in the field of this culture.... but when all the facts point to Red Sun being real, I'm willing to bet that if this "Punisher" individual dies.... she's most likely going to bring a good chunk out of the damn universe with it... if not all of existence."

"So I see," he smiled widely, narrowing his cold blue eyes hungrily at the picture of Sakura on his screen, also displayed on theirs for reference, tapping his fingers together as they lay flat and clasped together, mulling over what he had just been told.

After just a minute or two, he said with a heavy drawn out sigh, "You know...this might've not happened if we transferred said 'Punisher' to Stealth Force after the Ahijados' battle. THEN she would've been confined at worst, and protected from such forces at best," he looked at Avaron coldly, then turning to Kukkyōna lightly growling before continuing, "BUT! Seeing as things have already been set in motion, time is of the essence, yes? I'm already coming up with theories as we speak as to what their plans are, and IF they are linked to our enemy's as of now, then it would definitely be my duty to see this through personally," he said as he straightened up on his seat, looking them all over a few scrutinizing times.

This gave Daisuke chills, but also alarmed him by what he said. "Wait a minute! You're actually-"

"-Intending to leave my laboratory? Young Hayate...you have much to learn. If all a Captain had to do was sit around behind a desk or in a dark dungeon all day long, we'd grow weak and fat, purposeless and without identity, something that our dear Central 46 is already doing pretty well," he scorns, lightly smiling but frowning at the mention of the his personally dreaded set of politics.

"Are you sure you can make the trip?" Kukkyōna asked quizzidly, crossing his arms as he wondered if the Captain could usher such a journey or not, being one who wasn't present at his Captain Examination nor knowing the full potential of his skill or prowess beyond his intelligence.

"You wound me, dear Captain Hayate," he said with a low chuckle, flashing perfectly set pearly white teeth, before standing up before them on the screen, saying proudly, "if I'm not Captain of the 12th Division, 3rd Generational Head of the Department of Research and Devlopment, as well as President and founder of the Deep Cover Ops program, then I'd be a fool not to miss a wonderful opportunity to preserve all mankind, both mortal and soul alike! I'll be sure to bring her along, since that is what you were requesting in the first place," he chuckled, eyeing up Daisuke a few glances, muttering, "she'll be certainly glad to see you, young Hayate."

"I can't wait," Daisuke chuckled back, but felt a chill run up his spine as he rubbed his wrists together uncomfortably in the gaze of the eery Captain.

Bristling a little at the clear insult towards competence, Avaron couldn't hide the scowl that crossed over her face. She opened her mouth to speak, a slight skepticism within her tone. "Yes, well--"

"DOMINATED! Take that, ya twinkle-toed Barry Bonds muppet!!!"

"--...." Avaron slapped a face to her palm, lowering her head down in sheer embarrassment. "I'm going to kill the one who convinced me to install that on the network...." She muttered lowly, shaking her head at Braeburn's antics.

Daisuke sighed, before flicking his middle finger at the turned back of Braeburn, ushering a silent Hado #1 at the back of his head in order for him to faceplant on the computer console he was messing with, saying aloud, "You sure you're going to be alright without us, Avaron?"

Kukkyōna then concluded his conversation with Captain Kaze, turning around to the group, crossing his arms, saying, "We can expect him within a few hours. Don't ask how he can, just know due to the wide reach of the Deep Cover Ops, his reach is even farther as well as his transportation around Soul Realms. We should get prepared in the time being."

"OW!!"

The technique worked. Braeburn's face automatically hit the keyboard, eliciting the yelp of pain from him. Immediately, he jerked himself up from the screen, eyes comically swirling in a dazed manner and his hands gripping the sides of his temples. The display caused Avaron to chuckle a little at his misfortune, but she immediately turned her attention back to Daisuke. "I've lived this far into my career, I'm pretty sure some more dramatic hours wouldn't kill me." She answered easily. "And as for you, Captain Hayate...." She smoothly turned herself towards him in order to give him her undivided attention. "You happen to have anything in mind on how we should do that, specifically?"

Kukkyōna answered without skipping a beat, "I know Yurei has access to Soul Reaper resources of your own. Bring whatever equipment and medical supplies we can carry on a light load with us, as well as possible weapons or gear that would be manageable that we'd be accustomed to."

Daisuke snickered at the sight of Braeburn's antics, before moving back over to Avaron, saying, "It'd be pretty funny if we had some tech of yours that would make any that the good Captain Sasayaki had brought irrelevant."

This caused Avaron herself to grin out of slight cockiness, and she even added in a short laugh. "I wouldn't be surprised if he brought anything just to purposefully outdo me. After all, I did crack what was supposed to be next to impossible-to-crack encryption keys...."

Daisuke grinned back, chuckling as he wagged a finger, saying, "To be fair, the dear Captain's decryption codes are a bit of a prototype. He only put them into production, or so they say, about 6 months ago, hence all the bugs and kinks in decrypting the information."

Kukkyōna sighed briefly before letting his arms drop, saying, "I'll leave you to that. For now, I'd like a moment to commune in tranquility. Is there a place with little to know thru-traffic and little sound, Captain Avaron?"

Avaron shrugged lightly. "Well, there is the library. It's usually quiet, and the number of people who go there daily are pretty much little to none." She answered immediately.

Kukkyōna nodded to her, before saying to Daisuke, "I'd think it best if you meditate as well, Daisuke. The mission we are about to undertake is one of the most dangerous you ever will face. Failing in Hell, means not only your personal damnation, but possible collapse of all delicate balance in the universe of both the Living and Spiritual Worlds."

Daisuke looked down, grasping the hilt of his Zanpakuto, before saying aloud, "I know, father. I'll...find my own solace with him as well."

Kukkyōna nodded to him before swiftly walking out of the computer area, with Daisuke left with the Avaron and Braeburn.

Daisuke then asked Avaron briefly, but hesitantly, "Is there...another place where I can take some time to meditate with my Zanpakuto?"

The sudden change of tone made Avaron cock an eyebrow in confusion for a split second. Clearly, the hesitation and the desire to meditate someplace else had taken her off guard. However, it was only for a split second - by then, she had managed to regain her composure, thinking for a moment. "Hmmm....well, it honestly depends where you're thinking of." She explained carefully, wishing to give him the best out of what he had. "We have an old "meditation" room for those select few who were capable of manifesting a Zanpakutō in order to prepare them for...well... only reasons that the old general would've known. The project's been long closed, but we still keep it up for reference's sake. It's a rarity for people to visit anymore, so you'll basically be alone and with your own piece of mind." At this, she gave a rather encouraging smile. "I can tell you this, too: The atmosphere does work wonders on the mind...."

At this, Braeburn put on a rather quizzical expression, shifting over in his chair as he listened to the conversation.

Daisuke takes it all in, his features were solemn, almost mirroring a youthful composed appearance of his father. He nodded to her, asking, "Can you take me there? I think I'd get lost even if I have directions," he added, lacking any awkward or sheepish nature he usually has flamboyantly displayed. His attitude is withdrawn and now trying to find peace with himself.

"Of course, Lieutenant. Follow me...."

With that, Avaron gave an understanding nod towards him and turned around, leading him out of the room. As they exited, Braeburn continued to watch them all the way until the door shut behind Daisuke. He waited for a moment, before slowly getting up and pushing in the chair behind him. Then, he minimized the game he was playing and brought up another program. He reached into his gi, pulling out what appeared to be a small disc. He slid it within the drive, waiting until it finished processing. When it was done, his eyes peered at the window as it began the introduction prompt:

Accessing Sector 3 CMD.

Subject: Kenta Sonoda....

Status: Green....

Entry Access In Progress....

As Daisuke followed Avaron, he didn't pay heed at leaving Braeburn alone, thinking he shouldn't possess the capability to do any REAL harm against the Police Force, or pose a threat other than spread his Red Sun cult trash around. If he did pose a threat, Daisuke inwardly prepared himself to strike him down without mercy.

As they walked however, he turned his gaze back at Avaron, no longer troubling himself over her appearance at the moment, but more of the place she currenly leading him towards the area mentioned for mediation.

"You say that there were few Soul Reapers in Yurei, which I understand, but what do you mean the Old General used it? Is there something unique about it?" Daisuke asked lowly, slightly curious as to what the did the 'air' in the room got to do with meditation. Climate control perhaps?

"For the people who were meant to use it, it could only be described as "the mind's own playground". Once in-tuned with the so-called "aura" of the room, it would change and adjust itself in order to meet the user's needs. It was completely up to the level and kind of distress the targets had at that particular moment, a sort of sentience, if you will."

Daisuke nodded his head, gesturing a hand up to his headband covered forehead, tapping it, asking, "So it has to do with the reflection of thoughts and subconscious? Or does it have to do with something about helping a Soul Reaper adjust to his Inner World better, communicating with his Zanpakuto or manifestating, and the like?"

"The former would be more appropriate." Avaron looked over at her shoulder for a moment to look him over curiously.

Daisuke let his hand down, before giving Avaron a raised brow, looking back curiously as they continued their walk.

"What? You've never had many Soul Reapers ask this kind of question, or is this about something else?"

The orange-haired woman cocked an eyebrow in return. "Well, what would you expect, considering that it's a relic within itself?" She questioned him casually. "Of course there's not going to be much speaking about it compared to the common things we attend to." She turned her attention back towards the front, as they were approaching what appeared to be a set of blackened double doors. "Sometimes, we even forget that the room's even there due to the lack of mention so much!"

Daisuke chuckled, regaining some of the vigor that he lost, stroking his chin while scratching the back of his neck, asking with a sheepish grin, "So should I be honored or intimidated by using such a hallowed, if not 'ancient' relic? It sounds like you would rather forget it than remember it exists," he commented as she pushed the doors open to the said room, one he inwardly braced himself of some eery, disturbing feeling he might face.

It was black.

That was the first way anyone would've described what they saw. It was like a dark void, with nothing but a massive blue ring engraved into the ceiling and the floor. On the ground ring, there was a small blue circle with enough size for anyone to sit. Throughout its confines, an aura of ease and natural calm dominated space - something that was usually overwhelming to newcomers. "That...." Avaron answered smoothly, stepping aside and allowing him to enter. "....is for you to decide."

Daisuke almost felt the difference immediately. It was like the feeling was replicated off of the Central 46 Chambers when a Academy Student attempts to sign the contract with their Zanpakuto. However this was much more different. It was like the tipping point of both a dark feeling and a joyous sensation. In other words, Daisuke could not think of a more tranquil and isolated place in the world now.

He took slow, purposeful steps, not feeling fear, but more of uncertainty, as if he was really alone and cut off from the world in here. Though he wasn't a claustrophobic, he didn't exactly feel too at ease with how the walls seemed uncertain if they were vast or very constricting. It was definitely a very tranquil place indeed.

He turned around after breathing in and out heavy breaths of air, now feeling a bit more acclamated to the atmosphere in the room, turning around, he spoke to Avaron, "You can go now. Just make sure to knock very loudly on the doors when its time. I don't know how long my...conversation between me and my Zanpakuto will last. Time gets funny when meditating with him," he added with a crooked smile, before redonning his solemn face, turning back around, waving back at her as he walked towards the center of the room.

After a quick look around, he sighed, getting down onto his knees before getting lower into a cross-legged stance, unsheathing his Zanpakuto and then resting it horizontally onto his lap over his extended open hands. He then began to meditate...he just didn't know how long it would take for him to come out this time.

With an acknowledging, respectful nod, Avaron turned around and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her to leave Daisuke within the darkness. She put her hands within her pockets, whistling a tune as she stepped with a professional, yet informal gait.

Daisuke breathed through his nostrils in a near unrecognizable speed, it was so slow and deep. The room itself seemed to help a great deal of him concentrating on nothing but his meditations, but the process was still an undeterminable one. He tried getting contact with his Zanpakuto for awhile, he couldn't tell time due to the meditation and even the silent empty room held no trace of passing time. It could have been a few minutes, few hours, days, years, he couldn't tell for all he concentrated on was getting in contact with his Inner World and his Zanpakuto.

"Yo!"

His eyes suddenly opened, and found himself squatting in the same stance on a bed of ash, surrounded by a subtle rain of ash that has been coming down covering him in a thin film of soot and black stain. He stood up, groaning slightly as he felt the strain of the stance, even in the Inner World, as he turned around and noticed that the volcanoes nearby were booming and thundering, signaling his rage and inner wrath boiling within him, drawing closer to a boil, to cover the ash covered wasteland with its fiery contents.

Daisuke then looked over to see his Zanpakuto, smiling toothily at him. His white teeth a stark contrast to his midnight black hair parted between the middle of his head to rest on either side of his brows. His blackened, burn colored complexion hinted at his anticipationg for battle compared to his usual tan complexion when he's at ease and casual. His dark red eyes burned into Daisuke's, flexing his leather gloves that matched his soot covered leather jacket, fitted loosely over a white, black stained muscle shirt, equally stained as the dark jeans and black boots he wore. Daisuke often wondered why he looked so modern, but the question never crossed his mind to ask...

"Hey yourself," Daisuke said with a crooked grin, resting his sword's flat side onto his shoulder casually, looking at him with both fondness and trepidation. There were few things Daisuke had come across that had both delighted and intimidated him more than his own Zanpakuto.

"That's it? That's the response I get after two weeks of no talking?! I'm hurt," Kyōi Abāta said in a feigned hurt expression, before grinning back at him his hand flaunted from his chest back to stick it into his jacket pocket.

Daisuke chuckled, shrugging, "What do you expect? You scalded my hands pretty good the last time I released you," he showed his hands up, slight discolorations of how much burns still remained on his hands, twirling his sword while doing so casually.

The Zanpakuto merely waved dismissively, "Hey, you made a bet, you lost it, you know how it works. Despite how much I enjoyed cutting loose on that Arrancar, you had to pay the consequences for going all out before he did. You play with fire, you get burned."

"True at that, true at that," Daisuke agreed, sighing heavily before the conversation drifted heavily in the air into silence, only the cascade of booming and rumbling of nearby volcanones and the pitter-pat sounds of the ash rain hitting the 'soil' below and the two individuals kept it from becoming too awkward.

"This about that girl, Dai-kun?" Kyōi Abāta asked knowingly, a somber look crossed his features for once, showing a hint of the wisdom actually beheld in the spirit.

"Can't lie to you, sense you're my Zanpakuto. You've must've felt the fire and passion flowing through her as we spar. She's...amazing," Daisuke said blissfully at first, then his eyes knit firmly into a frown, his fists tightened into balls, nearly cracking audibly with the rage now boiling within him, "I'll enjoy scorching the flesh off the bones of those...things that dare take him away from me!"

The Zanpakuto shrugged, scratching his chin, saying in a indifferent knowing tone, "That's good and all, glad you found a girl besides that 'Hana' chick, that gal who had no real connection with her Zanpakuto, but let's talk buisness shall we. Let's talk about why you're really here," he crossed his arms at this, looking at him with a upraised brow, asking him, "are you going to try it again?"

"What choice do I have?! If I'm going to stand a fighting chance against them, against their master, I'll need all the power I have, and that means getting it, or else...I'd let her down," gripped his fists tightly as he swung his sword down to his side, staring boldly at his Zanpakuto, shouting out, "I promised him I'd never let anyone down! I keep my promises!"

Kyōi Abāta grinned toothily, his white teeth almost predatorial in its look as he eyed him, saying, "You do realize I'll have to burn you head to toe if you fail right? Earning that kind of respect is not something easily attained without consequences...you sure you want this?"

"I wouldn't be asking if I didn't know there'd be consequences far greater than what you can inflict upon me!" Daisuke shouted back, pointing his sword at his Zanpakuto, saying, "Let's do this!"

The Zanpakuto spirit chuckled, materializing a mirror image of his sword form's sealed image into his hand out of a blaze of fire, before shimmering out of view, reappearing in front of Daisuke, their blades clashed into each other, sparks and hums of blades spun into and around them. The ash flew around them in a gust of wind caused by the power exerted by the two of them, the volcanoes burst forth fire and boomed loudly in exclamation of Daisuke's determination and boiling blood has erupted.

''Hold on, Sakura! I'm coming for you''!

Traitor on a Leash
"....son of a...."

Braeburn gritted his teeth slightly at the data he was recieving. On-screen, there was an overhead map of the entire region of Yūrei, some points were marked with an illuminating red dot, similar to that of a target being painted. These were various throughout the picture, but the prominent one was the one resting on the location where the capital rested. As he continued to peer at the screen, his mouth formed into a rather loathing scowl.

"I should've known he would be the kind to go back on his word....lying snake...!" He hissed underneath his breath, immediately exiting the program. "If I don't get this to the Hayates right away, he's going to get away clean with not only the destruction of this city, but also the innocent lives of several!" He ejected the disk, immediately allowing himself to stand up. Thankfully, the room was empty, his presence the only one within. He immediately turned around, eyes set--

"Going somewhere?"

A shocked expression came over his face as he saw Kenta holding his revolver at hip level, barrel aimed for the Shinigami's chest. The police officer held a solemn look to his features, but within his voice carried clear and smooth amusement. Braeburn's mouth curled into a slight snarl, his eyes glaring at the weapon the Sergeant was threatening him with.

Kenta was unphased, stepping into the room and shutting the door behind him quietly. With one simple motion, he locked the door and lowered the gun. "I had the feeling you would attempt to use that disc in order to do something like you did...." He commented, turning and walking over to the nearest shelf. "You always were the impulsive one, after all...."

"You gave me your word that you wouldn't touch this city....!" Braeburn snapped, raising an accusing finger to point at Kenta. "Do you even realize what you're doing?!"

"Indeed." Kenta pulled out a folder, sheathing his gun once again to hold the folder with both hands. "What I'm doing is liberating this society, as well as the worlds of both spirit and life, from their chains. You, of all people, have to realize that everything...everyone... has become too pretentious, too arrogant, and too corrupt for their own good. What was meant to be a paradise has turned to nothing more than another occupation for our sins. What I'm doing will revolutionize it all, shift the evil and turn the demons away from our souls. None of you seem to realize that, hoping it will come just by waiting. That's what we've been doing for far too long....."

Braeburn immediately shook his head, refusing to accept Kenta's words and fixing him with a harsh stare. "You want to sacrifice lives that are not yet ready for Reconstruction?!" He demanded. "This time is not prepared to be integrated and converted! Only the gods can decide that, not you!!" Abruptly, he turned around and away from Kenta, walking towards the door and grasping the handle. "I'm informing the Hayates of this. Maybe you'll learn the price of betrayal in a cold, god-damned cell...."

"Are you really willing to risk that?"

The sound within Kenta's words made Braeburn stop and turn around, eyes staring with an angered curiosity. In turn, Kenta simply held up the folder for the defector's eyes to lay on. "You seem to forget that I still hold all the cards.... as well as your leash." He threw the folder onto the table, and its contents spilled out onto the wood. All that had been inside was several pictures, laying in full view of the two.

Braeburn's demeanor immediately shifted into a more horrified and shocked one. "Wa...wait a minute....but....how....?!" He started to say, but was unable to form the proper words.

"Let's just say I'm a traveling man...." Kenta said smoothly, a smug smile on his face. "If you don't want these pictures getting out to the public, then I suggest you keep your mouth shut and keep playing your tune. This isn't your field anymore, where you can simply levy time against me as an enemy. This is my game, and you're nothing but one of my playing pieces. Got it?"

If anything, the spirit within Braeburn was now defeated. He closed his eyes in misery, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Good...." Kenta said, clearly satisfied.

A God's Blessing
Some time later... Daisuke was still in a deep trance within the chambers. His forehead had collected a thin sheen of sweat, occasionally dropping a thin sweatdrop down his cheeks and chin on a small puddle forming on the small space in between his legs, sometimes striking his Zanpakuto causing a strange hissing sound as the blade itself grew hot.

Though this was mere byproducts of being trapped inside the meditation, suspended inside his Inner World, making all things happen within slightly appear on his physical body without. Whether he would be in mortal danger of losing to his Zanpakuto or not...well, that depends on the nature of the 'exchange' they had between each other.

Daisuke, within his Inner World, was heaving and panting. He did not know how much time had passed between the time they started this 'deal' but he knew it was long enough for him to feel it taking a toll on him.

Despite having fought with and against his Zanpakuto before, the stakes were raised, high enough so he could achieve the full power he wanted. The only problem is, Kyōi Abāta had no intention of letting him win easy.

Daisuke's hands were steaming off his crackling, fire-emblazoned sword, resembling his Shikai form back in the conscious world, but now, his Zanpakuto also flourished a mimicked one of his own, twirling it with ease, though he too had a few burns and wears on his form, showing that he indeed had been successful in wearing him down as well.

"You're stubborn as hell, Dai-kun," his Zanpakuto chuckled, grasping his sword with both hands, ready to charge back at him again, having his Soul Reaper chuckle back in response, "I could say the same to you!"

"Y'know if you keep this up, you actually might not be able to make the trip to Hell," the Zanpakuto said warningly, though a gleaming smile of assured victory on his own part was clear, hoping that would goad him further, "sure you're up to it?"

"OF COURSE I AM!" Daisuke roared out, grasping his sword's hilt with both hands again, fire blazing from the blade once more as he leaped up and attacked his Zanpakuto once more, hoping that their fight should be over soon enough, and he could rescue Sakura in time. With luck...he wouldn't have to be burned at all...

They were not alone.

Within the confines of the mental dimension in, standing a few ways off from the two, was none other than the stranger that had confronted both Kukkyōna and Avaron on the rooftops earlier. He had his arms folded across his chest, his hidden eyes staring at the two as they continued to fight it out against each other. His aura was restrained, keeping the same effect that had nearly broken Avaron from happening for them. As usual, he remained a silent observer, a visible ghost within the mindscape.

Soon, both combatants within the Inner World skidded in opposite directions across the ash covered soil, both of them seen as near their limits. Daisuke heaved and panted, too on guard and focused on the battle at hand to notice anyone within his Inner World, but got a feeling of strange eery feeling. However it was dismissed when his Zanpakuto lifted his sword towards Daisuke, calling out to him.

"Oi! I don't know if either of us can go any further if we keep duking it out like this," he said with a chuckle, heaving and panting on his own, admiring Daisuke's tenacity and strategies, using only sheer swordsmanship and skill in utilizing his available Shikai techniques to counter Kyōi Abāta's own incredible skill and strength.

Daisuke nodded, saying back with a firm grip on his sword, "Let's finish this ... with one blow," he then raised his Zanpakuto towards his midsection, pointing it at his Zanpakuto, fire began to howl around and began to cross the horizon along the tip of his sword, signaling the beginning of Jogoku Hashira.

The Zanpakuto laughed aloud, assuming a similar stance, raising his own sword and initiating the beginning of the technique himself, "A fitting technique to see if you're capable of mastering your true power. If one of us hits the ground first, will be the loser!"

Both combatants' eyes locked, the air grew still, and the rumbling suddenly ceased into one, unanomious explosion of fire in every volcanoe, as they both shouted out, "JIGOKU HASHIRA!!!!"

Twin Pillars of fire then discharged towards each other, roaring mightily and howling as they crossed quickly towards each other, colliding into each other, causing a large twister of pyrotechnic power. The two of them increased their Spiritual Pressure outputs, their Spiritual Energies at an all high, and suddenly, Daisuke roared out, saying in declaration, "I WILL WIN! NO MATTER THE COST! I'M GONNA WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!!!!"

Suddenly the twister turned around, despite the output by Kyōi Abāta's Zanpakuto, it barreled towards him before causing a huge, fiery napalm explosion, spherical in nature and pushing out a giant shockwave, shaking all the volcanoes and the ash soil blasted away from the intensity of the techniques being overpowered and redirected.

Flames encompased around Daisuke's person, and he closed his eyes as he slammed his Zanpakuto sword into the soil below to hold himself up, totally at one with the flames around him, unknowing to himself that the flames did not burn him...no even felt the heat. Even his appearance began to change rapidly, and Daisuke looked upon himself. Was...was this his true power...?!

The stranger seeemed satisfied with with the results displayed.

Unfolding his arms across his chest, he extended one of his arms out to the side. Within that particular hand, a beam of energy began to form, molding and hardening itself. At first, it appeared to be some sort of rod. However, when he grasped the bottom part, it immediately solidified itself into a straight-edged katana. He lowered the katana down to his side, keeping it in an idle stance as he slowly walked towards the two.

"Dai-kun! You've finally mastered our true power!" A congratulatory tone came from Kyōi Abāta's location, still swirling with flames, though his appearance has now changed drastically as well. It was the form of a young teenage boy, younger than even Daisuke was, however he bore what looked like a fire-emblazoned cloak, his hair a fiery red and eyes matching, though his face was paler and fair toned, almost bearing a borderline-feminine look both in voice and stature. However his glare was even more menacing and animalistic, showing just how frightening his Zanpakuto spirit truly was.

Daisuke smiled at him, waving back at him, discovering that he wasn't holding his sword anymore and found himself in a similar fire-cloak form, his own hair burning of flaming embers, sparks flying form atop them, saying to himself in a echoing, yet childish tone, "This is cooooooool!~"

The newly transformed Zanpakuto smiled back in return, childishly giggling in return, before saying aloud with arms across his chest, saying in the most professional demeanor he could, "Now, you should know the name of this form, so you can take upon it anytime you wish. This is our Bankai form, our true form, though wouldn't be surprised if the true extent of its abilities are still lacking, you're currently about 5x stronger than what you were before. And MY full name, is Gyakushū Kyōi Abatā," he proclaimed proudly.

"Really?" Daisuke asked blandly, saying in a dry tone, "I didn't know 'Kyōi' was your middle name..."

The child-form Zanpakuto shot back a violent tone, quite comical in appearance, "Shut up! My first name is not one I hand out often..its cool and one of respect and power-"

"Don't you think you should be older with a name that means, 'Blazing Avatar'? Daisuke interrupted again, still not convinced that it was a smart call giving out his Middle name instead of his first name.

"Why don't you just-?!" The Zanpakuto stopped as well as Daisuke as they felt the Spritual Pressure...no, something far more menacing and terrifying than a mere Spiritual Pressure. No doubt if they haven't been in their Bankai form, they would surely fall prey to the waves of depressing waves sent their way. Daisuke's and Gyakushū Kyōi Abatā's eyes widened at seeing something that definitely didn't belong in their Inner World. The cool composure it held, the sword it held by its hand, the dark red robes...it felt almost like similar to Sakura's?!

"THE HELL ARE YOU?!" Both of the partners shouted in unison, their Spiritual Pressures flared violently, fire blazing all around them, and their glares unanomiously intent on evicting him from their property.

Had it been anyone else, the response would have been immediate submission to their will

He only responded with two words, He tone inhumanely deep and raspy.

"Daisuke.....Hayate....."

It slowly raised its hand up, thrusting outward with a motion that would've otherwise seemed pointless - and all Hell broke loose.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~

Daisuke, as well as the Zanpakutō, would feel splitting pain within their heads as his very mindscape was altered, re-written under the overwhelming and terrifying power that had been unleashed. Their vision was immediately turned tunnel, everything so warped and twisted within their eyes. The environment around them seemed as if it was being sucked into a black hole, the colors a mixture of black, white, and grey. Throughout this, a loud, ear-shattering and unearthly howl drilled at their ears, as if the very winds generated were attempting to kill them all.

Then, it stopped.... and they were within a new environment.

It was a ground, with nothing but wild flames to be seen for miles. The sky was a blood-red color, the clouds racing continuously across the sky at a moderate, unnerving speed. Through the flames, the invader could now be seen, his blade pointed at the three in a clearly threatening manner. It was a nonverbal challenge in order to make them fight, to make them realize that he was a threat that wanted to destroy them. He wanted to push them to the inevitable battle to the death.

Looks could always be deceiving....

Daisuke and his Zanpakuto did indeed clench onto their heads, nearly brought to their knees by the intense wave of pain and foreign input and scrambling with their brains. Then it all stopped...their once vast landscape of ash and volcanoes was now consumed in a endless flames all around them, the sky was blood red, and clouds not soaked in ash and soot anymore moved at a eery pace. Their opponent challenged them with a simple raise of his sword towards their direction.

"D-Dai-kun?...What is he?!" The Zanpakuto who was nearly a person with nerves stronger than steel, and always eager to do battle even with opponents impossibly stronger than them. However, he was taken aback...pausing...trying to figure out HOW THE HELL did someone else other than them reached their Inner World.

"I don't know, could be a mute," Daisuke responded with a shrug, before he gripped both of his fists, snapping sounds could be heard, and sparks flew from the clenched hands, "but right now, I really want to roast him alive for that last...mind-fuck he gave us!"

The Zanpakuto chuckled, nodding in agreement, walking over to stand next to him, snapping his right fingers and summoned a blood-red katana with flames hissing off of them, the circular guard remained but a red flaming tassel that didn't burn up, "Then let's get to it then. The advantage we have here is not only we can fight together, we get to test out our Bankai now!"

"Let's make a bet," Daisuke said, now getting into the swing of things, summoning his own tangible Zanpakuto sword, saying, "first one to burn or cut him, wins, and the loser has to do a lap around the nearest Volcanoe...for 3 hours!"

"Oh Dai-kun...you know how to tempt me," the Zanpakuto spirit said in a devilish grin before chuckling in a creepy child-like voice, saying, "Alright! Let's do it!"

"Right!" Daisuke immediately stepped off of the fiery ground below him, shimmering out of view, followed by his Zanpakuto, totally disappearing from view in the fiery battleground.

Suddenly, Daisuke appeared above the intruder, swinging downwards, a violent howl emanated from his sword as it swung towards its target at incredible speed, aiming for the Monitor's left shoulder downwards to strike through his heart. While striking, the blade would hiss, capable of cutting through even a sealed Captain's Zanpakuto, while also exhaling a large amount of flames, causing a large 10 meter radius blast of intense heat, devouring the flames around it to further its own power, momentarily showing the ash soil below their feat before the flames crawled back.

Accordingly, the Monitor twisted his blade in order to intercept it.

When blade and blade clashed, the fire absorbed in the attack was released full force, and the two seemed to be enveloped within the hellish blaze. Yet, under the ferocity of the strikes, even as the flames seemed to lick at him as well as Daisuke, the Monitor did not allow himself to move an inch. On the contrary, he stood stock still as if what he was doing was nothing more than a natural movement. His completely hidden face turned to direct itself towards Daisuke, and if his head was revealed, he would've been looking straight into the other man's eyes.

Then, he released his own energy, hitting Daisuke with a concentrated and relentless barrage of his killing intent. It struck at his very soul, smashing at his resolve and aimed to break him down as he had done to Avaron. With a simple push of his blade, he forced Daisuke not only away from him.... but into the sky. It was clearly a fraction of his strength.... but in displaying such, he exhibited a force that threatened to crush them both where they stood.

With a fluid and unhesitating motion, the Monitor positioned his sword and made a thrusting motion towards where the Zanpakutō spirit was positioned. In turn, this created a shockwave of intense, concussive winds that would hit him full-force. It didn't matter if the Zanpakutō had moved before the attack.... because once within the field of the Hankami, it could never escape his senses. There was no hiding from the one who overwatched the very fabric of the dimensions.

Never....

Daisuke felt himself open his eyes widely to see that his opponent took the surprise attack with ease. Daisuke admitted to himself that he held back a bit, not knowing exactly how much strength to put into the attack and chose more for speed than strength, but ultimately he regrets the decision now. He felt his entire being struck mentally and emotionally by a sinister wave of pure malice and killing intent. Daisuke was giving pause to the brutal emotional attack, he couldn't counter his move to actually push him not just away, but enough to feel the wind kicked out of him, up into the sky!

Daisuke's Zanpakuto's widened up in alarm, about to scream out his name but then saw the intruder launch a rapidly-deployed shockwave at him, causing him to buckle head over foot backwards, skidding across the fire covered landscape, violently swearing as he tossed and turned before halting a good 15 meters away. His summoned sword stabbing into the gorund to halt his futher drag across the Inner World, before glaring vehemently at the Monitor, "You think its over?! Well its not," he growled, but held himself back, trying to think of a way to get through the intruder's defenses and awareness, it almost seemed like a form of 'Pesquisa' but he knew all too well this was much more than that.

"DAMMIT!" Daisuke cursed as he clawed onto the spiritual planes to halt his ascent, a wave of sparks exited his fire encompassed hand as he was far high up above where he originally planned to be. He then thought up a plan...he didn't know if this would work, but it worked in Shikai, maybe he could do something more with it...

Daisuke raised his katana up above his head, gathering a large man-sized sphere of fire before uttering, "Kami Kizu Shawā Moyashi!~" He had no idea why the words came out the way they did, but it seemed natural as he hurtled the sphere towards the earth below, before it multiplied 10x, 50x, then a 100x more than it was before, all of them aiming towards the Monitor, like a meteorite shower of death, it struck the ground causing 10 meter gait pyrotechnic explosions, resulting in a large billowing pillar of fire to form after the carpet bombing expanded and took on a great deal of the landscape along wtih the intruder's area specifically with the majority of the firepower aimed at, to destroy him.

Gyakushū Kyōi Abatā made a low whistle at the technique's effects, making a mock binocular movement with his left hand, trying to peer at the intended target to see if it had any affect at all on him, "Daaaaaamn...that was a neat trick."

It was a truly devastating power.

If anything, it seemed as if the very landscape was consumed even more by the flames that surrounded them, the fires climbing higher and feeding upon the destruction as their very own source of sustenance. Within the Monitor's location, there was nothing to be found, not even the slightest bit of cloth or ash. What had once been a person was completely gone, apparently annihilated by the sheer power of the attack unleashed. There was silence for a moment, and in that very same moment, Gyakushuu would be most satisfied with the results of Daisuke's actions.

That is, until he looked up....

....and saw the intruder standing stock still and back-to-back with Daisuke, sword still in hand....

Gyakushū Kyōi Abatā did indeed think that the guy was roasted, now a part of the ash that covered the Inner World, currently consumed by flames, also giddily giggling with joy at the sheer encompassing fire that climbed higher fueled by the Inner World's chaotic energies.

However, he suddenly felt his presence, causing his eyes to widen in shock, looking up to him standing back-to-back with Daisuke.

Daisuke himself knew he failed to destroy him the moment he didn't feel his Spiritual Pressure, and when he felt him this close behind him, he could only shudder at being this close. But Daisuke decided to act cooly about it, despite a sweatdrop of anxiety of being this close to the being, "I wouldn't stand so close to me if I were you," he twirled around swinging his sword in a blur with the same speed he used earlier to clash blades with the being, but this time a wide gait of flames burst through towards him with blazing hot heat, the sword itself aimed for his mid-section but was primarily aiming to hit his whole body with the wave of flames.

"Kasai Kawa Kushiyaki," he spoke lowly as the flames stretched for a good 200 meters past the position, continuing to cook and crackle in the air, as if it needed no prompting to keep burning in the air at the constant blazing heat.

The Zanpakuto looked on in awe, but then thought of something. HE could do the same things Daisuke has been doing. He growled at himself, placing his left palm against his face to slide it off to show irritation for him just watching like an idiot. As soon as the flames were let loose from Daisuke's sword, the Zanpakuto made a blurring dash towards the being, appearing right behind where the being was, letting loose his own Kasai Kawa Kushiyaki, surrounding now both Daisuke and himself in flames that would be only searing hot to the Monitor within, a special ability of the previously hazardous flames of the Zanpakuto. The blade of the Zanpakuto's as well made a aim for his mid-spinal section, aiming to incapacitate him, knowing that he'd get blocked, his real focus was burning him alive.

"Did we get him?!" They both asked each other in unison among the fire and flames of their ever-still burning techniques.

They would get their response soon enough.

For his first movement at getting away, the Monitor had simply used speed in order to evade the attack. However, when Daisuke unleashed his second attack, he did not allow himself to move. Under normal cirumstances, the horrendous blow delivered onto his person would've made it of severe consequence had he allowed himself to stay still. But even as the flames consumed him, their tongues and teeth nashing away at his body, they could not burn him. Even as his cloak was made the dancing floor of the flames, it, as well as he, remained unharmed. His body was made invisible to their eyes, and his spiritual presence was hidden once again to ensure that they believed he had truly been killed.

Then, holding back the full strength of his own body (for it would've surely destroyed the target), he unleashed a diagonal swing aimed to rip through Daisuke's chest cavity and bring him down with one swift blow.

Gyakushū Kyōi Abatā and Daisuke Hayate both felt his Spiritual Presence vanish, but they knew better to be fooled a second time. If the flames surely killed him, or did him damage, they should've heard screams or something registering damage from their attacks.

Suddenly, the Zanpakuto saw the enemy reappear before Daisuke, at the same time intiating a swift strike towards his chest, knowing it would be too late to respond and call out in warning to Daisuke. Luckily for Daisuke, he expected an ambush, not exactly up front, but he knew he would attack again.

Daisuke then swiftly struck out his Zanpakuto sword with a violent crackling blur, meeting the Monitor's blade with his own, pushing all his newfound strength into it, the air itself crackled and caused the air to rupture, causing his Zanpakuto to hold his arm over his face and plant his feet on the air, even as the clouds dissipated from the force of the blast and the fire below funneled away and flew up to dance around the 3, giving them only a 15 meter space before closing overtop. The pillar of fire if seen from the outside, almost looked as if it was the Shikai technique, Jigoku Hashira...!

"D-Didn't expect that, did you?!" Daisuke asked with a strained smile, his Zanpakuto sword funneling fire in erratic directions as it sparked like mad against the blade of the Monitor's, continuing, "this technique is a special technique I thought up, but couldn't master it in Shikai. Its called Jigoku Hashira Kangoku, its fire is condensed with my Spiritual Energy to a such a high temperature that nothing but myself and Gyakushū Kyōi Abatā can withstand its power. Its a prison technique, one of the strongest of my techniques, and now," Daisuke smiled with a malicious gleam, "you're wide open for attack!"

Gyakushū Kyōi Abatā got the gist of it, flying high above the two as he spoke with the Monitor, charging up his technique, the fire spread out from the edge of his Zanpakuto sword, before he uttered lowly, "Jigoku Hashira!!" Discharging a mighty, volumed pillar of flame, spreading the edge of the nigh unescapable pillar prison of fire, before charging downwards within moments, swallowing both Daisuke holding his sword against the Monitor's, the fire flowed off of him harmlessly while the flames would intend to incinerate him without a trace.

As it howled downwards, hitting the ground below, causing a chain reaction with the fire around for a good mile, as both the prison fire pillar and the one striking the ground consumed the fire and caused a massive pyrotechnic explosion, spreading out almost akin to a nuclear mushroom cloud of fire, sending a shockwave that obliterated the hidden volcanoes nearby into dust and molten flames.

The Best of Intentions
The entity could not feel the emotion of surprise.

It could not feel fear.

Even if he was not protected by the grace of gods (literally), he wouldn't have been able to feel the pain.

Once again, the flames washed over him like a raging river, and all he could see was the orange-red color of the tongues. Once again, he did not allow himself to move. It was a prison he could've easily blown away, a futile effort that could be made to show the error of his ways. However, there was more ways than one to do so. What would be more effective - forcing an attack back, or allowing it to connect, only to have it do no damage? Either way, Daisuke would have to understand what he was stepping up against when he fought in Hell.

The Monitor.... would see to that.

When it all cleared, the flames that threatened to burn him subsiding, the creature known as the Monitor was still standing, still unphased by his ferocity. It was clear that the Hayate had power.... but it would take more than power if he wished to save Sakura in the end. He stood still, waiting patiently for their reaction.

Daisuke panted, for the first time since engaging in battle with this thing, he felt the toll slowly begin to take. He knew he couldn't repeat it too many times, and that's why when he saw a totally unphased and undamaged being in front of him.

He gasped aloud, saying lowly to himself, "Its...not possible...no...no...," Daisuke slowly felt the waves of depression slowly sink into him, and he fell to his knees in the middle of the air, looking into the faceless entity that stood before him, feeling like all was lost. Then...something else became enraged, burning high above the entity and Daisuke, shouting.

"F***ING HELL! You'd think he'd dodge that?! You taunting us?! HUH?! I will show you! I WILL SHOW YOU WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU F***K WITH OUR WORLD!!!!" he shouted madly like a enraged child, but his aura was now bathed in killing intent, his body shook, the world shook from the rage he felt by losing a bet, worse, stalemate with his partner and master. He couldn't stand it any longer. He bathed in flames itself, an aura of a giant demon, a avatar of fire overtook him, first a samurai-skull mask took form, sheer Spiritual Energy taking appearance right around and above the Zanpakuto spirit. It roared loudly, but not before out of the mouth of the energy manifistation came forth a large, 'solid' flaming fist, aiming for the Monitor, enough power to crack open the landscape below for miles.

Daisuke shook out of his reverie, moving backwards to dodge the Kushanada-sized fist coming towards the Monitor, not sure how his own Zanpakuto had this sheer energy, all from not killing the intruder...in their world, "K-Kyoi?" He asked lowly, looking up uncertainly and awe, still seeing fighting strength in his own Zanpakuto, he marveled at how powerful it still was becoming.

It was a futile effort - and the Monitor was not one to play games for long.

Allowing a bit of his own true potential to show in order to demonstrate the full extent of their futility. Without hesitation, he swung his own blade in a wide uppercut before the fist could connect with him. It seemed like a futile effort, considering such a simple movement would normally not have a lot of power to counter the attack aimed to decimate him. However, as soon as he made that lone swing, time seemed to stop. Within that second, it seemed as if the entire world they were in shook with a single heart-beat, one that range within all of their ears. It was a sound that would emphasize the heart-stopping reaction that would take place.

Time unfroze.

That very swing had dismantled the entire foundation of the offensive energy, dismantling it with an ease only displayed by the tremendous power of the Hankami. But that was not the only effect. The power of the slash would also rip cleanly through the Zanpakutō itself....not enough to kill.... but enough to leave it in a greviously wounded state. That blow was enough to signal the end of the fight, the end of the test that the Monitor initated. With non-existent eyes, he stared at the depressed figure of Daisuke and dissipated his sword. It was a test to see if Daisuke was truly willing to go against the odds in order to save the one he loved.

He failed.

The Monitor would not have any more than that.

Without pause, he turned around and began to walk away, his sandals covered in the ash that permeated the ground.

Daisuke snapped out of his dazed reverie totally when he saw the attack broken apart, the cut in the air itself so powerful, it cut deeply into Kyoi's chest. A flow of fire-covered blood flowed, blood spilled out of his mouth, and Kyoi struggled to keep on his feet before he began to fall.

"D-Damn...," he uttered before Daisuke reached for his smaller-child body, catching him instantly, catching only a glimpse of the figure, only guessing as he disappeared as if he was testing his strength. He knew he disappointed it, and he disappointed himself.

"Kyoi! Are you alright?-" he suddenly recieved a slap across his face, making him yelp before angrily twitching at him, as he got out of his arms, slightly wobbily, but stuck out his blood-soaked tongue.

"Stupid! In the Inner World, we don't receive life or death injuries as easily...the fact you didn't recieve any serious injuries means I'll be back to full strength by the time you're done training your Bankai," He explained matter-of-factly, hissing with a grimace on his face as he sealed the deep cut with a fire-edged forefinger, a long scar formed on his chest, but the mark itself began to slowly and gradually fade.

"P-Practice my Bankai? I just did that!" Daisuke growled at him, exasperating on how he failed, "Didn't you just SEE that guy?! We fought him in Bankai, and FAILED to even scratch him! How are we ever going to accomplish something as futile as trying to fight the forces of Hell itsel-?!-" again he was slapped, earning another yelp and growl, as Daisuke grabbed his pissed off Zanpakuto.

"IDIOT! Didn't you just tell me not more than 30 minutes ago WHO your fighting for?!" He yelled at him, making Daisuke release his grip, which had his Zanpakuto brush off his flaming attire, before crossing his arms.

"You're dense sometimes, you know that?! Dumb-ass...you promised HIM you'd die fighting for your comrades, and you'd die fighting FOR HER too, am I right?! Use that determination and your rage, and you'll be able to master this Bankai, and I garuntee you, the more you fight, and the more confident you are, the more resolve you have, you WILL beat them!" He said in a chiding tone, not belonging to a child's voice but that of an old man, chiding his student for screwing up.

Daisuke bowed his head, gripping his hands, fire built up around him, his eyes glowed, and he remembered his promise to Sakura. He looked up, now flaring with resolve and blazing spiritual pressure, summoning a blazing katana, asking Kyoi, "You up for some practice? I don't think I'm done fighting just yet...that was, after all, a "warm-up"," he added, making his Zanpakuto giggle in a creepy tone.

"Nice, glad to see you back to yourself again," he summoned his own sword, both of them still in Bankai, the two clashed once again, shaking the Inner World once more, a cataclysmic orchestra of explosions of nearby volcanoes spewing forth his rage and determination into the air in the form of raw fire.

The training continued on...

Unbeknownst to the two, the Monitor had not disappeared.

As he was walking away, he stopped several meters from their position where another figure was standing, hands on his pockets. A smile was clear on his face, and a calm, serene look was in his eyes as he watched the two fight it out. "I see you've had yourself a change of heart while in contact with the lesser beings...." He commented casually, shifting his gaze over towards the Monitor. "You and the Punisher have always had the habit of overstaying your welcome, even in times like this....." He gave a light shrug. "Well, can't help that now, can we?"

The Monitor remained silent, simply listening to his brother - and what would be known as the Slayer's - words.

"At least you made sure that our sis's in good hands..... though I wonder if she'll take that into consideration once it's all over...." With that statement, the Slayer turned around and walked off. "C'mon. Your job here's done...."

The two abruptly vanished from the mindscape as mysteriously as they had left - quickly and without warning, as if they were never there....

The Ties That Bind
Meanwhile...outside the Inner World of Daisuke Hayate, Kukkyōna sat in a meditation stance on his legs instead of crossing them. His eyes closed and his breathing barely noticed. Placed in front of him was his his twin identical Zanpakuto, their hilts and ends of their scabbards pointed in opposite directions, the blades kept sheathed, lying a mere inch in front of the Captain's knees.

His meditation had been a bit more of a routine, as he was more of a master to his Zanpakuto than a comrade-in-arms, though he didn't mistreat them. He would never do such a thing. The twin entities would always think of him in a admirable way, for commanding and respecting them the way he did. He however, if ever interrupted, would be immediately on guard in the case an enemy tried to take advantage of his meditations.

It was fortunate that the next presence to grace him was not that of an enemy.

The figure of Avaron stepped into the rather empty room, and she allowed herself to move quietly. Her expression was quite positive, a rather cheery smile on her face as she moved herself through the setup and near where Kukkyōna was. She stopped once she could view his meditative figure, the smile fading into split-second curiosity, and then realization. ''"So this is the art of Jinzen..... nothing but complete concentration on communing inside the mindscape...." ''She thought to herself. "Seems like it takes quite the willpower to block out everything else...." It was most likely he did not detect her, even if she was not being quiet about her approach.

Remaining silent as she could, Avaron approached him and stopped next to his side, shifting herself so that she could sit beside him, her legs crossed Indian style and her hands resting on her knees. She passed another curious glance in his direction, her mind pondering. To her, it seemed so obvious that he was a man loyal and steadfast to his duties. His leadership and command was undeniable, and he carried himself with the grace and dignity of how the nobles always acted. Despite his status, he never acted out of arrogance, only discipline and composure. Had she been the young fool she had been back then, she would've fallen head-over-heels for the guy!

A short chuckle of amusement escaped her lips, before she closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax.

Kukkyōna meditated a good few minutes after Avaron approached him and sat down, imitating a mediation stance of her own. Only disturbing or conflicting Spiritual Pressure surely would've forcefully broke him out of his mediations, but he was bound to his Zanpakuto to a degree where its was not easily broken out of. However, he did end it wtihin the end of the good 15-20 minutes that Avaron entered.

His eyes remained closed, but his breaths became slightly more audible, and graced a smirk on his face, something rare and quite genuine of amusement, letting it sift into his voice as he spoke lowly, "Come to join me, in my meditations, Captain?"

"I may not be able to speak to my inner spirit like you can....." The police commander commented, the amusement within his voice keeping her own spirits in a positive manner. One of her eyes opened up in order to look at him. "But I think meditation calms the soul either way....captain." The last word was taken in a slightly playful shot towards his own tendency to refer to her by her rank instead of name. Honestly, she did not mind him showing his respect, but still, the notions were somewhat humorous to her.

"My apologies, Avaron-san," he added with a amused smile of his own, his proximate eye nearer her form opened, looking humored at her, before continuing in a light-hearted tone, "I've been the Head of the Family only for a good few centuries. I often forget what its like to speak informally with another person, let alone a competant woman such as yourself," he even added a playful wink, though it wasn't lude in the flirtatious sense, but more of a playful and complimentary towards her in his regards of how he thinks of her. In all honesty, had she been in the Soul Society, he would've fallen madly in love, long before he became Head of the Noble Family.

"That tends to happen when you have to keep up a certain image for the public, doesn't it?" Avaron commented. "Hopefully, you being in Yūrei'll change things for the better for you and your son, eh?" She paused for a moment, mulling over her next words. "Considering your position.... would you happen to have anyone you consider a "friend"?"

"Perhaps," he answered her prior statement and question, chuckling a little bit. He then thought about what she asked, pondering what she could insinuate or mean in this particular query of hers.

"Nobles aren't always restricted or prohibited from having "friends", but its always discouraged. The Hayate family has not been as constricted in that sense, and I have let Daisuke have many freedoms as his own person, seeing he has made quite a reputation, a likeness that not many heirs or members of Noble Houses can say the same. I was like him once...had friends, comrades, peers without too much care in the world...But," he looked over at Avaron with both eyes with a unreadable expression, saying, "not everyone can have that "friend" forever, especially one of high authority and respect. I don't have anyone special as of now, that I can think of," he looked back over, staring ahead to the wall of the room, waiting for her to speak or think on what he said.

"Oh."

Though she kept herself on a curious and conversational facade, her eyes opening at the revelation, she could feel slight hurt at the statement. Of course he wouldn't consider her, at the very least, to be friends at this point in time, not with everything going on. Still, the statement felt as if he had simply pushed her aside, her presence rather meaningless in his world. She knew it was nothing that could remain permanent, however. She would just have to be patient and take her time. For now, she could accept him as he was.

She continued as she were in response to his statement, after a pause. "Maybe not forever....." She commented softly. "But you know what I think? The things that last forever would be taken for granted by the people of today, and such things wouldn't really hold much value to anyone. It would be too common, too generic, too.... grey. If anything, it's a good thing that bonds have a finite time, whether it be short or long.... so that we'll be able to treasure them as they were a part of us." She allowed her head to turn slightly in inquiry, wondering what his own response would be.

"Take things for granted," he said aloud, mulling the words around like a foreign taste in his language, before he turned to her gaze, his piercing eyes softened slightly, responding, "I often have to remind myself that, when I see my son, bonding with a girl as socially repulsive begin to bond with him, smiling and chiding him in a manner only he could understand. Or when I meet people as unique and special as you, that I might not meet someone as attractive or commanding at once. Its a shame I haven't met you sooner, Avaron-san," he smiled softly at her, letting his eyes rest on hers, finding that he really shouldn't take her company for granted, never finding someone outside the Soul Society both with skill, cunning, and command, but not without her sense of charm and attraction.

"Hmph, you just had to go and steal the words right from my mouth, didn't you?...Kukkyōna." These words uplifted the minor hurt she had felt from her consience, replacing it with hope. Her smile was more obvious, but not overly done, just within the right boundaries. Her last word was emphasized by a slight tilt of her head downward towards him and the closing of one eye in a wink. It would've been reminiscent of a greeting from a cowboy or saloon girl in a scene from a sphaghetti Western movie. It was a rather subtle hint of where she herself came from, as well as an ironic trait comparing who she had been back then and who she was now.