Bleach: Tales from Squad Four

[lonely_shadow]

The light flickered again, an annoyance that threatened to break her concentration......

A soft moan reached her, sole testament that the shinigami she tended to was still alive. He was young, barely out of the academy.

The Hollows hadn't done him any favors.

Thin fingers gripped the hilt of her zanpakutou, its influence spreading into him, setting every nerve alight with his body's natural alarm system. She never claimed her methods were painless.....simply effective.

"The bloodflow to the femoral artery has ceased. Please begin with sutures immediately."

"Yes, ma'am."

Auburn curls bobbed in response to the superior command. The adjutant responsible for the action never pausing for a second as she moved immediately to immerse herself in the much needed work. While the man beneath them still bled, it had slowed to nearly a crawl, a mere trickle from the spraying fountain of crimson the two of them had first been presented with.

"How much time, Yuri?"

The adjutant had noted the worried look on her surgeons face. Yet she had seen that look before, and knew that the current job wouldn't be near enough to tax the older woman's limitations.

"Plenty. Just sew him shut. You know better than to get distracted. Let's just hope we don't have an entire day of this, Mia."

A wan smile and an apologetic nod.

"I never stopped working you know. I'm hardly distracted. Like always you're welcome to check my work when its done."

For the first time in hours the serious face Mia knew so well split into a soft smile.

"We both know that's not necessary. There's a reason I selected you to work with....I'm sorry.....let's just get this over and done."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hollows.

Monsters that consisted of evil or corrupted human souls.......devouring relentlessly all other souls that proved weaker than they or easy to catch. They had always existed......but why the sudden influx now?

Whatever the reason, they were making no shortage of work for her. Thankfully, she wasn't the only one left to tend to the injured, only the more seriously hurt. And those she couldn't handle....those poor men and women.....

Well that was what her Captain was for.

The barracks were upon them before she had even fully come out of her dark thoughts, the sudden giggling of the woman at her side bringing her back to reality.

"You really are such a space case outside of the surgery, Yuri. You need to lighten up and think of other things than just work. Like.....I don't know.....getting a man maybe!"

She wasn't even sure why, but Yuri blushed hard at her friend's teasing, a blush that faded into annoyance just as quickly.

"Whatever. Its not like you have a boyfriend either, you know. Stop teasing me!"

And of course......a protruding tongue and an impish smile was the only response she got.

"I'll see you tonight again, like usual?"

The solemn, stoic look slid right back into place on Yuri's face as she brushed back a lock of her chestnut hair that had dared to fall out of place.

"Yeah....tonight."

 

[lonely_shadow]

The flash of steel, its sparking cry ringing throughout the courtyard. Twin bursts of hot breath as they moved as one, wheeling about to face each other, each in the stance they preferred.

"You're getting better, Mia."

A sudden flash of teeth as the adjutant nodded her head just enough to make her auburn locks bob slightly in the evening breeze.

"I've had enough practice!"

The sudden lunge was predictable. Too predictable. Almost enough to make Yuri retract her earlier comment as she brought her own katana around to riposte hard against the younger Shinigami's zanpaktou. The impact was felt immediately, and she doubted Mia even thought her capable of such strength until just now....as her arm flew wide, only barely hanging on to the weapon it carried. Not that it mattered, the opening was more than enough, and as the back of her blade rested gently against the throat of her friend......the fight went out of them both.

Sagging slightly, the ground looked so inviting.....cobbled stone or not, Yuri sank thankfully onto her supple bottom and chuckled softly at the sounds to her left that spoke of Mia doing the same.

"You're always so hard on me. Let me think I had you that time.....but it always ends the same, doesn't it."

A wistful smile.

"Be thankful I'm not from Squad Eleven, they wouldn't have gone easy on you. Seriously though, Mia...when are you going to learn when you're being baited?"

A scornful humph and silence.

"Are you going to be alright for tomorrow? I mean...its pretty late. The Hollows have been really active....Captain Unohana might need you again. I'm worried that this time of training is taking away from your time of rest."

Yuri's smile softened slightly. It was strange to see the two of them together. She had always been so aloof after having graduated from the Academy. But she had risen through the ranks, had been given a position of trust by her Captain, and with it....came the chance to save lives. Imagine her surprise, when she was told....she wouldn't be working alone.

And yet, she could barely remember those times now. Mia not only was her subordinate....she was her closest friend as well. And Yuri knew....when that day had come that she had been allowed to choose her own partner....that she had chosen well.

"I'll be fine. Though you're right to some degree, we really should be thinking of sleep. Let's just hope we don't have another day like today."

A soft chuckle.....

"So....who's turn is it to help the other up? Mine I suppose? Knew I shouldn't have sat down, but you're pressing me harder than you used to."

 

[knight713]

Squad 4 hospital wing recovery room

A loan man was setting in his bed looking out of the window staring at the full moon, he reflected on the mission he was on. It went wrong instead of one hallow it was a one that could split into three separate parts. They were weaker alone but once they conjoined it proved to be more of a challenge.

The man’s attention was soon caught to the sound of a female scream and the sound of breaking dishes.

“What’s going on now” he whispered as he gave a yawn and got out of the bed and walked to the door. As he looked down the hallway he saw two other members of squad 11 that were sent with him cornering a female shinigami of squad 4. She was holding up a tray close to here chest as the men put their around around her and place a hand on her chin.

“Come on missy have a drink with us” One of the men replied
“Yeah bring us sake and good food how can we recover with this slop” the other one said as he kicked a bowl across the hallway missing the man by the door head by inches.

The man could tell the other members of squad 4 wanted to do something but yet they all seemed too afraid to do anything about it.

“Come on you two leave her alone and get back to your beds.” the man replied as he walked up to the two of them.

“Who in the hell are yo…….” one of them shouted as he turned to the man walking up to them with a smile on his face.


“Ah Keiya your awake…Its good to see you” the other man replied nervously as he watched Keiya walk up to the two of them.

“If the two of you are alright then return to squad 11 and return to your duties, if not I can make your stay more permanent” Keiya replied with a smile. But this smile it made everyone around him scared with fear.
The two men looked on with fear in their eyes and quickly gave a yes and took off in a hurry to their assigned rooms.

 

[lonely_shadow]

Those squad eleven guys are such brutes!

I can't believe they came on to you like that!

I can't believe none of you tried to help us.....

At least that one guy was nice enough....but isn't he one of them too?


The chatter made her head hurt. Fortunately it faded soon enough as she her passing presence sucked the need for gossip from the room and replaced it with a hard edged need to be busy elsewhere.

"Ah, Yuri....how nice of you to make it in this morning. You'll be pleased to know that nobody has managed to put their lives in danger before sunrise, so you're free to move about the hospital and infirmary as you please."

Her braid bobbed slightly against the small of her back as she bowed low in response to the rather handsome blond man who addressed her from behind his dark glasses, acknowledging her brief freedom with her usual stoic silence. And so it came as a surprise to him as she straightened once more and spoke.....

"What happened here while I was away? The interns, adjutants, and nurses seem to be abuzz over something."

A lone finger resettled the glasses on the man's brow as the frowned softly, thinking how best to respond....

"Ah yes, well....typical squad eleven trouble. They were complaining about the food again, harassing the nurse in charge of them. Quite surprisingly, I didn't have to become involved."

A slender eyebrow cocked inquisitively.

"Didn't have to become involved?"

An almost embarrassed cough greeted her in response as he immediately looked to avoid her gaze.

"Another of their squad settled them down and sent them on their way. That is all."

"That is all."

Yet while she repeated his last few words, her mind moved much quicker, her curiosity piqued. It was fairly well known that the hospital was a place of peace and healing, yet for some reason squad eleven's members seemed hellbent to challenge the rules at every turn. Perhaps it was in there nature.....but if that was the case.......

"And the man who intervened?"

That drew a response, her superior not only stiffening suddenly behind his desk where he worked tirelessly on his medical journal, but clouding his ruddy features with a soft frown as well.

"You'll not recognize him, he's not one of yours. But then, if you're really that curious, you'll find him over there.....8th room on the left."

Her gaze followed his outstretched fingers, and without thinking, started drifting in that direction. Slowly, as if she had all the time in the world to reach her destination as she ran a calculating eye over each patient she passed. So many faces.....most with minor injuries....a member of her own squad blushed furiously at her approach as she drew closer. This one she did recognize.....he had broken his leg after falling off a ladder while doing much needed maintenance work in the Seireitei.......the youth wouldn't be much help for some time yet.....still, it was good to see him up and moving around.

And then she was there, the door opening at her touch as she sidled in quietly.....she could feel his eyes on her as she reached for the medical chart at the head of his bed.

"Keiya Tenpouin."

She glanced up impassively, noting how he watched her.

"Injured battling a Hollow. Nothing too serious, a cracked rib, some menial contusions and abrasions on the knees and elbows......and a third degree laceration on the left clavicle. Sounds like you got tossed around a bit."

There was just the hint of humor in her voice as she placed the clipboard back on its peg.

"It also says you'll be ready to go by tomorrow morning. So why did you risk prolonging your stay here to defend one of my co-workers I wonder? Against your own squad no less. I imagine I'm not the first one to ask you this, but as of yet, I've no patients to attend to.....so a good story might help pass the time. I'm Yuri Makanomo by the way....."

A soft, polite bow, a nod of respect to a warrior.......

"I'm one of the surgeons currently working here. Thankfully, your injuries weren't serious enough for you to have met me before now."

 

[knight713]

Keiya watched as the two of them hurried off and vanish into there rooms, he turned back to the female shinigami and gave her a nod before going back into his room and laying back down in his bed.

“They should learn to behave” Keiya replied as gave a sigh, it’s been a few years since he joined squad 11 and found it interesting. The members of squad 11 liked to fight; it was alright with him he got to practice his skills and abilities.

His attention was soon taken back to the door with the approaching foot steps as he looked up he saw a female shinigami walk in. He watched her as she picked up the clipboard and go over it

“Yeah it did a number on me” Keiya replied with a smile When he heard her say that he got tossed around. He was surprised that he and the others didn’t die, but it made the mistake of toying with them. It made the mistake when it took hold of his arm and zanpaktou in its mouth. This was also his dismiss as Keiya released an attack blowing it in half.

“Well I just reacted” Keiya replied with a friendly smile. “We are guest here thus we should behave accordingly” he added.

“As my chart say my name is Keiya Tenpouin” He replied softly “It’s nice to meet you” He added with a bow of his head.

“So what would like hear about” Keiya replied as he straighten himself in the bed as he leaned forward. “I take it you would like to hear more about me” he added

 

[lonely_shadow]

“So what would like hear about. I take it you would like to hear more about me.”

Yuri smirked softly, he was obviously unused to visitors, or perhaps just visitors of the female kind. Holding his gaze, she found his own smile to be somewhat disarming for a man who'd spent the last twenty-four hours in her squad's care.

"As I was saying, I was wondering why you stepped up like you did. I was under the impression that most of squad eleven didn't care much for me and my colleagues."

Slowly she moved to his left, beginning to loosen some of the bandages that enshrouded his knee. By now, those menial scrapes should be just about gone.....

"Your injuries were relatively minor, so only a day's rest for you. You should be good to go again and able to report to your Captain by the end of the day. Hopefully, he'll go easy on you for letting yourself get surprised by a Hollow."

Her voice held a hint of teasing to it. He wouldn't be punished. He had won after all. Winners win and losers die, that was how Zaraki's squad seemed to manage from what Yuri had seen of them. Though not a day went by that at least one of them ended up here. If they fought that hard while training.....watching one face down a Hollow should be inspiring indeed......

 

[knight713]

She was right all of squad eleven members didn't like the members of squad 4, and when ever one of them got sent in for treatment they would act out of line which he had heard that Captain Unohana is able to stop twomembers of squad 11 with relative ease

" I'm still knew to squad 11 and i respect every squad of the thirteen court guards" Keiya replied as he watched her loosen the bandages that enshrouded his knee. It was good to hear that he would only need to spend another day of rest.

" Many considered me an oddity in squad 11" he added as he looked at his injury which was healing nicely.

" He may let me go but he may try to challenge me to a dual to see how strong i am." Keiya replied with a friendly laugh. He was right to an extent he fought in friendly or what they call friendly duals. He was able to defeat most members of squad eleven with somewhat ease. he had face off against Ikkaku and barely held his own against him along with Yumichika. But in the end he was still defeated by them.

 

[lonely_shadow]

The bandages unwound easily, revealing fresh pink skin. A few more hours of a squad four doctor's attention, and there wouldn't even be a scar, not from an abrasion like this one.

"Well this one won't scar at least, though your deeper injury most likely will."

Yuri discarded the used bandage, a nurse would no doubt retrieve it later for cleaning and reuse. For now, it was better to let the mended flesh get a little taste of fresh air.

"You don't sound intimidated by them."

It was a simple enough assessment. Zaraki's presence was above simple intimidation for her.....she avoided the man like the plague. The Captain of Squad Eleven was known for his taste for combat.....an appetite she had no intention of being asked to sate.....ever.

At that point, an orderly poked his head in the door.....clearing his throat and giving her an unmistakable gesture. It was time to get back to work.

She turned and gave him an apologetic smile. It seemed that this conversation would have to be put on hold. With a soft bow, Yuri turned to take her leave...

"I'm sure we'll meet again, Keiya Tenpouin. Try not to get yourself banged up again, or it'll be sooner than later."

The door closed silently behind her as she strode with a certain amount of purpose towards her own private area of the hospital.....

Chances were....that she was in for a long day.....

 

[knight713]

" Not really, they gave me a warm welcoming ceremony, after that many of them don't really bother me" Keiya replied.

He listened to what she said about the deeper one will leave a scar, it would be another one added to his collection but his was nowhere near as Zaraki scars.

It sadden Keiya when he learned that she had to leave he enjoyed talking to her
" Till next time" He replied as he returned the bow

He gave a laugh when he heard say for him not to get to banged up or he will visit her sooner than later. " Take care then, Maybe when i'm better we could enjoy a drink with one another" he added as he watched her close the door behind her.

Keiya could tell that it was going to be a long night, it was like nights on these that he preferred to sit outside and have a drink of sake or tea and enjoy the view

 

[LeoHawk35]

Leo

Leo looked off into the distance, remembering times past as he had done so many times these last few days. Then again, these last few days had been some of his most interesting.

He was sitting on the roof of his "home". If you could call it that. More of an abandoned building he found that was rather well furnished. He didn't sleep, but he did come here as a retreat every now and again, or when he needed to do something out of the eyes of the general populace.

He found that he had very little to do these days. He didn't have people to talk to, allies to practice with, squad mates to argue with. In fact, he hadn't had a squad in quite some time, regardless that he wore the lieutenant robes for Squad Two of the Thirteen Protection Squads. But the reason is a story for another time.

Leo looked down to his hand, spinning it in a semi-circle. A small burst of crimson reiatsu appeared in his hand and formed into the mask of a hollow. This mask belonged not to a mindless hollow, but to himself. It was his mask. The embodiment of his own Hollow and what he truly was on the inside.

He was the first and only of his kind. He wore the robes of the Shinigami, and carried a Zanpakutou, but he also wore the mask of their sworn enemies: The Hollows.

He was a Vizard.

Few knew what he truly was on the inside, for few ever got close enough to feel it. It was something he had learned to hide over the years and years he had carried it. Some would consider it a curse, others a gift. Regardless of what they think of it, they had all retreated when they felt his rather unique spiritual pressure. All but one of them, that is.

Leo didn't know what to think of it. Of any of it, really. And he had all these years to dwell on it.

He dismissed his mask and hopped off the roof, landing on the ground without a sound. He looked around before walking in the general direction that he knew he would find who he was looking for. He knew that he should stay away from the protection squads, but was sure that no one would be hurt even if he was discovered. He would make sure of it. After all, there was no need to damage any of the defenders when the Hollows did a well enough job of it on their own. He liked to think that he didn't have a side.

But did he really?

That was something he couldn't answer.

 

[lonely_shadow]

At least it kept her mind off of other things......

Patients came and patients went, cycled through to her for her own special brand of expertise before being shipped off to other departments for conditions out of her hands. Yuri never smiled, never wavered, treating each case as impassively as the next, delving into the diagnosis with impassioned fervor. Hers was the job to save lives, not make friends, and very few of the men and women who came to see her were conscious enough for conversation anyway. Still, there was Mia.....but all she needed was the occasional nod of the head to know that Yuri was still going strong and not tiring.....

The day was easier on her than normal. Not as many injuries, not as many patients to mend. Still....a soft sigh escaped her lips as she washed her slender hands of the crimson that stained them. Kiritonen demanded direct contact with others....and that meant accessing their bloodstream directly if she was to be any use at all. Even now, she could hear his silent, confident hum int he back of her mind.....

For a second as the blood drained away into the washbasin, she let herself drift back to a week ago. Without really thinking about it, a gentle hand lifted to touch her firm, full lips. And with that, the thought of Leo flashed back into her mind.......his patience......his respect.......his kiss.

A soft cough brought a blush to the surgeon's face as she spun to face Mia, an impish smile decorating the younger woman's visage as she tried hard not to giggle.

"You're thinking about him again, aren't you? That Leo guy you're always talking about?"

Yuri remained silent, choosing to not answer the question even though she knew that in doing so, Mia had her answer. And if the adjutant got too snippy with her, she could always fire back that the redhead had slept through his last visit. That should be enough to mortify her into silence.

"I apologize ma'am......"

A shy, bashful male voice came from behind them both......a dark haired youth with short cropped black hair......and that was all they could see of him, having just stuck his head through the surgery doors.

"Ma'am, Captain Unohana would like a word with you....when....when you have time of course."

Yuri stiffened slightly. Hadn't she been in enough trouble lately? What could possibly be wrong this time? It didn't help that Mia had gone silent, she could feel her worried eyes following her every move.

"Please inform the Captain that I'll be there immediately."

A simple nod was all she got, and he was gone. With a soft sigh.....she reached for a nearby towel.....

"What do you think it is this time?"

Yuri looked down into the basin, thinking hard, trying to guess the next step of her suddenly complicated life. And yet all she saw was brightly colored fluids......

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Thank you for coming with due haste, Yuri."

A simple nod. Her Captain's eyes examining her with a skill far beyond her own.....if she were weakened, tired from her shift, all would be known.

"We have....a situation. One that hasn't come up for many years."

Cool green eyes narrowed as she dared to meet her superior's gaze, not missing how the blue haired Lieutenant at her side remained silent through this exchange.

"A situation?"

"We need you to go to the land of the living."

Yuri flinched as if she had been struck. It was obviously not the reaction that had been expected, as both women before her frowned slightly in response.

"As I'm sure you're well aware, there have been an increase in Hollow attacks lately. We're still currently investigating the cause. However, during a preliminary scouting mission, one of our shinigami teams came under attack by a particularly nasty Hollow. It exhibits a form of shadow manipulation in the sense that it can use shadows as an extra dimensional space to hide in as well as attack from........including the shadows of your fellow Shinigami."

Yuri stared on, her countenance taking on a certain degree of horror. She could about imagine how vicious an ambush would be from a Hollow with an ability like that.

"The member of Squad Four.....is dead. The member of Squad Ten accompanying him is still alive....but probably won't be for much longer. A third Shinigami arrived in response to their distress call, and managed to lure the monster away while he played dead. You should know.....that in a single attack, the Hollow completely severed the man's leg."

The surgeon blanched, just what was being asked of her?

"Emergency field aid has been used.....though don't ask me how. What I need from you is to go there, stabilize the Squad Ten man, and get him out of there. You are not to engage the Hollow, you are not to see combat if at all possible. Yuri, I'm not about to lose any more than I have to on this mission."

Finally, the Lieutenant stepped forward.....keeping her voice low and calm as if sensing her stricken mental state. And yet, Isane couldn't help but smile as Yuri nodded.....silent affirmation that she would accept the mission. She had to, or she would live the rest of her life knowing that she left someone out there on their own to die.

"Mia will take over surgery in your absence. She will not be coming with you."

"WHAT?!"

"But neither will you be allowed to go alone. You're free to choose your own entourage, but you must understand that you need to make your choice NOW. There isn't time for dallying."

Her eyes narrowed again, cold and calculating, and more than slightly pissed now as her mind raced. Of course Mia would be left to run things while she was gone, she was the natural choice, but dammit....she could have used having her best friend there!

"Fine. I'll take Hana Hikari."

Eyes widened as both women took a moment to look at the other.....but none of them were prepared for what came next.

"And I'll be taking Leo Kage."

The room went dead silent. For the first time in the centuries they had known each other, Yuri felt like she could have reached out and knocked her Captain over with a finger. Fortunately.....Isane's suddenly worried laughter broke the two of them out of their state of shock.

"Yuri....that name....ummm.......there is no Leo Kage in the Shinigami anymore. He....he died......centuries ago."

And yet as the Lieutenant looked and her subordinate, she couldn't help but be rocked back a little on her heels by the fierce cold within those emerald orbs, the surgeon's lips drawn into a tight scowl.

"I don't have time for this. Do I have the authorization or not?"

Again an exchange of glances, before Captain Unohana sighed softly.....folding her hands before her captain's jacket.....

"Very well. But humor us, Yuri. So we don't think you're going into the front lines guarded by just a ghost. I'm ordering you to take a member of Squad Eleven with you. For your own protection."

Squad Eleven. She should have guessed this was coming. They were the most militant after all.....and this Hollow would cause problems if encountered.

"Keiya Tenpouin."

And again that shocked look, though this time it was received with a lot less pleasure as Isane's face colored bright red.

"He just got healed from his wounds! You can't expect him to go back out there!"

A soft smile and a nod.

"How about this then. I'll ask Captain Zaraki if he's good to go. If he's not, I'll take whomever Zaraki suggests. Remember, we don't have time for dallying."

The lieutenant scowled softly at the gentle rebuff.....her own words used against her.

"There won't be a need for that. I'll send a hell butterfly to Zaraki. You just worry about finding Hikari."

A soft, sly smile as she regarded the pair for what could be the last time.....and hand drifting down to the katana at her side for reassurance as her heart pounded.

"Do that please. Leave the finding of Leo to me as well. We'll meet by the Senkaimon in thirty minutes or less."

And with that, she turned and strode from the room....not giving either of them the chance for reproach. She knew exactly where Hana worked.....and if she was lucky......she had a pretty good idea where to find Leo too.

The vision of where the two of them had first met flashed into her mind......

She could only hope she had time to reach him.

 

[AngelLightheart]

Hana Hikari

Hana looked around the room as it bustled with activity. Surgeons tended to the wounded and moved about the room. Her own work had been more now than it had been in the years she had been with Squad Four.

And it was all because of the Hollows. Nasty beings that liked to feed on souls. She honestly wanted them wiped clean. But then again, what would the Shinigami do if they were?

The Hollow were one of the main reasons they existed. To protect souls and the living world from the dark forces of the Hollows.

Hana sighed.

She had just been relieved, and as such stepped out of the room, moving to the open courtyard. A stretcher with a wounded shinigami was rolled past. She watched it enter the building and shook her head. Something was up. The Hollow had never been so active before now.

She took a seat on an open bench and stared at the ground between her feet. This past week she had felt something was off. Something...

An orderly moved past her and stopped, looking over at her.

"Hey Hana. How are things?" he asked with a smile.

Hana blinked, looking at him. One of the few who talked to her, though she assumed that it was because they worked together often. She didn't even know his name. Odd.

"Same as always. The injuries never seem to stop." she said with a shrug.

He chuckled.

"I hear you. Best get back to work, then." he said and left.

Hana looked back down to the ground. She knew she should probably get some rest, but she didn't bother. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift.

 

[knight713]

Zaraki just laid on the floor in squad 11 barracks it was a boring night nothing fun for him to do. Yachiru was on the floor drawing a picture ikkaku and yumichika were outside on the porch looking at the moon.

" captain Zaraki " "look" Yachiru replied pointing at a hell butterfly approaching them.

" Captain Zaraki we request your permission in assigning one of your members Keiya Tenpouin to assist with a squad four members in a mission to the world of the living"

" What keiya..??? Tenpouin...." Zaraki replied a little puzzled " The're talking about Kei Kei the new member to our squad" Yachiru replied jumping onto Zaraki's shoulder.

" Him... he's the one of the few who survived that hallows attack a while ago" Ikkaku replied turning to the captain.

" He must be strong i'll allow it" Zaraki replied with a smile " If he survives this mission i might have to test him" he added with a wicked grin as he got up and took off with Yachiru on his back.


Keiya was enjoying himself somewhat he was still kinda of bored he wanted to do something. but he had to make sure that he didn't hurt himself or he wouldn't hear the end of it.

" Well i could do one thing" Keiya replied as he got out of bed and sat on the floor in a meditating position. He could sense the approaching of two spiritual energy both of which he could recognize one was the Captains and the other was his Lieutenant Yachiru.

" I wonder why they are here" Keiya whispered as he opened his eyes, " what ever it was it could prove to be interesting" he added with a smile

 

[LeoHawk35]

Leo

Leo shook his head, staring out the window.

He had changed directions back to his own house a few minutes after he got started. That's how it had been for the past week. He had always started in that direction, intent on seeing her, and then stepping back before he really got started. He knew that he couldn't be bothering her, so he reasoned that she would find him if she needed him.

His mind wandered back to that night. In her quarters.

He could still feel her skin on his. The soft touch of her lips to his. That look in her eyes and the moan that had split her lips during their last kiss. He remembered it all.

One of his fondest memories.

"Thinking about her again, are we?" a voice asked him.

Leo didn't bother looking around. He knew who it was.

"Yes." was the simple reply he gave the voice.

That would be Oel. His Hollow. It wasn't until just last week that he could hear him outside his Inner Forest. He didn't speak much, so Leo didn't particularly mind. He mostly just spoke out whenever Leo thought of Yuri, which was fairly often, to be quite honest. But aside from that, he actually gave good advice on occasion.

On occasion.

Usually he just muses over things, always curious about something or another. Always asking questions and very rarely answering them.

"How are you holding?" asked a different voice.

"Making a habit of talking to me, aren't we?" Leo asked, curious.

"Yes." came the simple reply.

Tenebras. His Zanpakutou. Usually quite silent. Easily the closest person to Leo that you could find anywhere else. They were both very suited to the squad they had been chosen for. Squad Two.

Leo blinked again. His mind had wandered back to Yuri. He found himself recalling every moment they had spent together. The time in this very room, under the stars, in her quarters.

He remembered seeing her across his couch, devoid of any clothing. He remembered how nice her body had looked. A corner of his mouth tilted into a smile: The closest he every came to a smile.

Another blink, and he waited. Something was different about today, he could feel it.

 

[lonely_shadow]

Her sandaled feet clicked softly to a stop, prompting a glance from the woman before her.

Good, it seemed that she was on a small break from her work. This would be perfect.

"Hana Hikari? We met before......in district 80?"

A wan smile, Yuri's own nervousness draining away the warmth she wanted to feel as she addressed her colleague. The surgeon did her best to keep her voice calm and unwavering, succeeding for the most part save for some gentle tremors that threatened to unravel her facade of professionalism.

"Please report to the Senkaimon in thirty minutes. This is the command of Captain Unohana. You are to bring your zanpakutou as well. You're....you're going to need it."

That was as close to breaking down as she came, and Yuri quickly spun away in a desperate attempt to avoid her seeing the dread that swept across her own face.....

She would have to explain the mission later. Yuri just wished she had the time to explain.....explain why the woman she had just left behind......had to go to the world of the living.

----------------------------------------------------------------

More than one set of eyes were drawn upward as she moved from rooftop to rooftop. Gone were her white surgical robes, replaced instead by her black kimono, her rank insignia displayed openly on her left arm like any other shinigami officer. With any luck, she wouldn't be stopped and interrogated by the other squads as to why she was in their designated areas of the city. She had to move fast......and she didn't have time for such delays.

Yuri bolted west....as fast as her slender legs could take her, until the passing wind of her travel whipped her kimono about her womanly frame. Only when the west gate appeared did she begin to feel a little relief. There was still plenty of time......the dark haired surgeon only hoped that her guess was right.

Papers shown and inspected in a flash, none contested her Captain's seal. Just as quickly, she was through. They had met in district 80, after a severe beating at the hands of Squad Eleven's captain......but Yuri knew she wouldn't find Leo there. Not when the grass she had lain on remained so vivid in her memory.....the fire in the fireplace, its warmth felt immediately upon returning to consciousness.....its shadows casting light upon and even deeper shadow......

Leo Kage.

By now, she was well recognized in district 80, and many took care to stay out of her way as she raced through its streets. She obviously wasn't here to heal this time. It only took the local souls one look into her dangerously narrowed eyes to know that.

It felt like she had travelled forever, and yet, with one hand gently resting on Kiritonen......she knew she could literally run until her body tore itself apart. The adrenaline she coaxed from her own glands drove away the fatigue she should have felt, spurring her onward until she finally found what she was looking for.

A run down looking house, on the edge of two districts, as if not really belonging to either one. Lonely in its appearance, with nothing but tallgrass for as far as she could see. And yet, for all its apparent squalor, Yuri knew full well that its interior was so much more than one would expect.

The last time they had met, it had been him who had visited her. She truly had no idea the risk he had taken to do so.

A dainty hand reached upwards slightly to rap gently on the weathered surface of the door.

"Leo, it's me......"

She only hoped that he was here, that he would see her once again, and that he wouldn't think she was completely out of her mind when she moved, shivering and scared, into his arms again.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We meet again....."

And just like that.....Yuri's day just got a lot worse.

"What I'd like to know.....is why Keiya?"

The grinning, muscled body of Squad Eleven's Captain nearly filled the hallway. He had obviously been waiting for her return. Worse still, was her own Captain silently standing beside him, patiently waiting for her reply. Worse still, when Zaraki's grin only widened at he met her suddenly fierce scowl. Just like the last time......it was a struggle to even keep her legs from shaking. She and the Captain were the only two shinigami even near him, all others had rushed off elsewhere.....immediately having found other pressing matters to attend to.

It was a losing battle, and she knew it. The man was holding back his riatsu for her own benefit....just as he had the day he had shattered her zanpaktou and nearly killed her.

"I was informed that Keiya Tenpouin had been wounded battling a Hollow, a Hollow that he subsequently bested in combat despite his injuries. He also appears to have a level head, unlike some of your other squad members. What I need on this mission is a bodyguard. Not some nihilistic maniac who seeks to prove himself by looking for a fight. My Captain clearly stated that we are to avoid combat if at all possible. But should it find us......well let's just say that I'm confident in the people I have chosen."

A soft, gentle nod from her Captain nearly quelled the turmoil in her own heart. A good answer. One that was approved.

"Isane is sending a hell butterfly to Tenpouin now, Yuri. Zaraki wanted to return to issue him orders, but well.....his lack of direction sense is a problem."

A fierce scowl.....yet not even Zaraki seemed willing to rebuke the female Captain.

"I just hate waiting is all."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Wait...wait.....she WHAT?!"

Mia stood dumbstruck, shocked that she had to hear this news from her colleagues and not her best friend.

"The world of the living?! You're kidding me! Do you recall what happened the last time she was sent there?"

A soft nod from the shy looking youth who had summoned Yuri away to begin with.

"As I recall, she handled herself well."

"SHE WAS ATTACKED BY A HOLLOW!"

That was enough to prompt a slow backing away, or maybe it was the dangerous color of Mia's face.....

"She performed admirably though. She defeated the Hollow, and managed to return on her own! Besides....should you really be acting like this? I mean, you're in charge of surgery now!"

"Get out of here before you become my first patient!"

The twin doors shut again a heartbeat later and she was alone......alone.....

"Oh Yuri....."

 

[AngelLightheart]

Hana Hikari

Hana blinked and those green orbs turned to look up and the surgeon who had walked up to her. Was that Yuri? It was. She spoke a brief couple sentences before leaving quickly. Had something been wrong with her? She seemed a little...off.

The young woman sighed and stood. The Senkaimon, huh? Alright then. She made her way to her quarters. Of course, she already had her Zanpakutou on her. No shinigami left without it. She patted the handle affectionately before idly fixing her hair.

She shook her head, cast one last glance around her room from the doorway, and stepped out of her room, not knowing it could be the last time she sees it.

"Hana." a voice greeted her politely as she made her way towards the Senkaimon.

Unbeknownst to her, people liked her a lot more than she thought. Guys talked about her in that way males do, and she didn't even know.

"Jaida." she said with a nod.

"Time to talk?" he asked.

"I'm afraid not. Things to do."

"Oh well. Maybe later?" he asked hopefully.

"We'll see." she said dismissively.

Another nod and a smile and she headed towards the Senkaimon, arriving in a few minutes. She cast a glance around before waiting to find out what was going on.

 

[LeoHawk35]

Leo

Leo blinked again.

And again.

Memories drifted by, just in front of his eyes. He snagged one and looked into it.

It was back in the forest. The Menos Forest. Not a very nice place at all. But it was where Leo had learned to control himself. To control Oel, that is. He was a rather interesting fellow back then. Always talking about blood and war. He was much calmer now. Granted, the two had to throw each other around for a few hours, but it did the trick. Leo learned to control him, and it was much easier to work with him after that.

Easier, yes. But not easy.

He remembered first seeing his mask, lying just a few inches from his hand when he opened his eyes. It was the first memory he had. He still didn't know how he knew the mask was his. He just did. It wasn't something that he could explain. It was just as much a part of him as Tenebras was. A tangible connection.

Leo had come to his feet and picked up the mask. He remembered the shock he had gotten when he picked it up. The clamor of voices around him. Screams. Evil, feral screams. He didn't want to remember what exactly happened that night, but he knew that mask was the only reason he had survived. All the Hollow that had tried to kill him that night...

It was by far the worst night of them all. But he had survived.

Oel had given him the name for what he was. He was no longer one of the Shinigami, nor the Hollow. He was a mix of the two: A shinigami who obtained a Hollow's powers. He was a Vizard. The one word defined who he was. What he was.

He hadn't even remembered his name. Tenebras remembered. Everything.

Or so he said.

He told Leo his name. What squad he had been in. His rank. He had taught him how to fight again. His own lessons, coupled with Oel's, kept him alive in the forest. He had also learned of their best friend: The Shadows. The shadows belonged to Tenebras and Leo. Tenebras was and is still the strongest shadow-based Zanpakutou in the Thirteen Protection Squads.

It was ironic that his own inner mind was a forest very similar to the Menos Forest.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

Leo was snapped back to reality at the knock on his door. He looked over to it and walked over silently. But he realized he knew whose reiatsu that was.

He opened the door.

It was her.

"Yuri." Leo greeted her, his voice holding an uncharacteristic emotion.

A hand started to drift towards her, but he quickly stilled it.

 

[knight713]

Keiya just sat there for a short while still meditating, his attention was soon taken when he saw a hell butterfly enter the room and started to fly around his head trying to get his attention.

“Yes” Keiya replied as he looked up at the hell butterfly fluttering about his head.

“You are to report to the senkaimon and accompany Yuri as well as two others in a mission to the human world. Your zanpaktou and new uniform will be brought to you in a moment” the voice told him.

“ Well this is interesting” Keiya replied as he stood up saw the door to his room open up, in the door way was a strange looking kid. The way he looked at Keiya made him look like he was afraid of him.

“Um here you go” He replied handing keiya his uniform as well as his zampaktou and took off running.

Well he was a member of squad 11 he would expect nothing less from the members of squad 4. But yet again the boy was not really afraid of him as he didn’t lower his gaze like the others have.

“Well I take it I have about 15 minuets to get to the Senkaimon” Keiya replied as he changed into his clean uniform. “Well are you ready for a mission eh Kuzuryūshin “Keiya asked his zanpaktou as he put the gauntlets on his arms. The red stones suddenly glowed with an eerie crimson as if it was answering him. “I’ll be careful” he replied as he straightened his uniform. His uniform was different from the others of squad 11 it was his own unique style.

“Well I’m off” Keiya replied as he jumped put of his room’s window. The moment he hit the ground he quickly vanished from sight. He soon appeared on the roof top of an adjacent building before vanishing from sight again. He knew he was cutting it short if he ran thus he opted to use shunpo. He would get there faster and hopefully with a little time to spare.


“ Keiya should you be going out on this mission wouldn’t it be better for you to train” Kuzuryushin asked keiya as he neared the senkaimon.

“That’s what this mission maybe about’ Keiya replied as he stopped for brief moment

“I mean train with me to unlock my true power” Kuzuryushin added somewhat angrily it also sounded he was smirking.

“I have plenty of time “Keiya added in a whisper

he quickly arrived at the senkaimon the moment he landed on the ground he could see a female figure but it wasn't Yuri it was someone else.

" Well hello there " Keiya replied with a friendly smile on his face, it was his smile that bothered them many have said it was like Gin but few have claim that its a false smile.

" so are you also on this mission" he asked her as he approached her

 

[lonely_shadow]

Things were happening so fast, and just when she had needed them to slow down the most. The hollow attacks, the flooded hospital, the land of the living, and the way Leo's arms folded around her as she rushed forward to press her face against his chest.

For some reason, she didn't feel the need to hide from him.....no need to conceal her true emotions or feelings for the mission she was given. She would be ok....but she could feel Kiritonen's worry like a tangible thing. She needed to vent.

But there wasn't time.

"I'm so glad you're not a ghost."

If he had a reaction at all, she didn't notice, nor would Yuri have cared. He couldn't have known about his naming to her escort. But as much as she dreaded doing so......she had to tell him.

"I'm being sent to the world of the living.....for the first time in over seventy years."

This time, she peeled away from him just enough to see how he reacted to the news....

"It's a critical affair.....and I've little time. However, my Captain allowed me my choice of available shinigami as my escort. I was hoping that you would be part of that escort."

And from there, the floodgates opened.....and the whole story rushed out in a high stressed blur. The squad 10 man whose life might very well depend on them all, the strange hollow and its ability to traverse and strike from shadow.....and worst of all, the critical nature of time itself.

"You might find this hard to believe, but I have Captain Unohana's approval to take you with me. Of course....she doesn't believe you exist, but that's beside the point. You have a Captain's clearance to be part of this mission......but its not something I'm going to force on you, Leo."

Her face pressed tight against him once more, and for a moment, she languished in his masculine scent before seperating with a smile that was much stronger than it had been a moment before.

"Either way.....I'm due back at the infirmary to see how my other summons are coming along, and from there......"

The smile wavered, but only slightly......

"I have to be at the Senkaimon in fifteen minutes. There and ready to go."

Slowly she drifted away from him.....her eyes lingering as if she didn't want to turn away......in truth, she didn't. Nor could she bear to hear him deny her request if that was his want to do.

"I know you have your ways.....somehow.....just like you slipped into my room that night. I'll meet you there......I hope....."

And just as quickly as she came, she was gone......

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Keiya.....Hana.....thank you so much for coming. Both of you."

Yuri bowed deeply, a true show of her gratitude.

"I'm sure you're all wondering what this mission is about, so I'll tell you while we wait for the gate to be opened."

And our last member to hopefully arrive, she added mentally.

"This is an emergency rescue mission. Squad Ten member Yusuke Kiraname has been critically injured on a recon mission. His partner for the mission, I'm not going to mention, for obvious reasons. He's deceased. So our man is all alone and dying with a very angry Hollow still on the loose."

She watched their own reactions as her face took on a grim countenance of its own.

"Somehow, Kiraname not only managed to stabilize himself for the time being, despite losing his left leg to the hollow......but has also managed to cloak his riatsu from the enemy. Another thing I might add is that the Hollow in question is believed to be engaged currently with another Shinigami who sought to lure it away from his injured comrade. This Shinigami was unnamed in the report. All I know is that he was not a part of the original recon team."

Again, a soft pause for breath. The surgeon found herself tapping her foot nervously as they all waited. The gate would be open soon.....

"Our mission is simple. Hana and I are to ensure that Kiraname is stabilized and no longer in danger of dying. We then are to transport him back to the Soul Society for immediate treatment. Keiya.....we are both trusting you with our lives should the Hollow attack. Apparently the monster has the ability to shadow jump, using shadows as an extra-dimensional area in which to attack. Kiraname lost his leg when the creature attacked from his own shadow..

She couldn't stress the last few words enough. In truth, her mind had been racing for the last half hour almost.....how to beat such a thing when it essentially had a perfect ambush attack.

"In short, your reaction time is critical. You won't get second chances. We all need to be fully aware of what is going on around us at all times. Kiraname lost his leg......his partner was decapitated before he even knew there was a threat."

A soft cough to ease the tension.....she had only been drawing a worst case scenario after all. It was very possible that this mystery shinigami had defeated the Hollow by now.

"In any case. We are to engage only if attacked, to avoid combat by any means necessary. Our priority here is getting Kiraname back safely......"

 

[LeoHawk35]

Leo

Leo felt the body press into his. The form he had wanted to hold for so long. His arms closed around her.

A slight tilt of the head. A ghost? That was the second time she had said something akin to that. He pushed it aside. Technically he had been dead for some time, so it was quite alright.

Reality stated otherwise, because he was standing there with Yuri in his arms.

He listened silently as she said what needed to be said. He could sense her worry. Not that it was hard to do so. She didn't seem to be even trying to hide it from him. Did she trust him so much that she would allow him to see her like this? He was certain that she allowed no other to do so.

And then she was gone, though it seemed she didn't want to leave.

Leo stood there, looking at one spot, eyes unfocused. Exactly how he stood when he was in deep thought. Should he go? He had already been told that he wasn't being forced to go. Then again, he had nothing to do. And he was given a Captain's permission to go on a Shinigami mission.

But none of that mattered to him.

The only words that he heard were his own. A promise he had made.

I'll be there to protect you.

The danger meant nothing to him. He had lived in danger for as long as he could remember. And he would not be leaving Yuri on her own in the living world with just two shinigami at her side.

He stepped out and closed the door behind him. He reached back and pulled Tenebras out exactly three inches.

"Live Silently, Tenebras." he murmured.

And then he was gone.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------​

Leo blinked and listened to Yuri's briefing of the two shinigami. Hana Hikari and Keiya Tenpouin. Squad Four and Eleven, respectively.

Leo strode forward as the Senkaimon opened.

He had been standing in the shadows next to the Senkaimon. As he stepped into the light, the shadows melted off of him, almost as if he had been made of shadows, to reveal him in his Squad Two Lieutenant robes.

Which, technically, he had been made of shadows.

He stopped several feet from the small group, eyes looking over each of them as he waited. His body language and facial expression gave away nothing.

 

[knight713]

“So it’s a rescue mission” Keiyz thought to himself he had to watch out for the two of them and protect them from any hallow attacks. But there was something strange about the hallow attacked and injured Kiraname. But it then went after a unnamed shinigami, which it may have been defeated by this unamed shinigami.

But there was something about it that didn’t set with him at all. It could be a trap set up by the hallow. He continued to listen to Yuri but at The moment he saw the shadowy figure emerged from the shadows he flexed his hand slightly. He looked at the man who appeared from the shadows he didn’t act like he was an enemy not did he look it either. But by the clothes he wore he looked like he was form the second division and the way he held himself Kieya figured him to be a lieutenant. But the face he didn’t recognize it at all. Well in fact he had been locked p until recently, thus he had yet the time to see who were new to the 13 court guards.

Keiya watched him for a moment the way he stood it reveled nothing about him, it was as if he was ready to attack and defend at the moments notice.

“ This man is strong” keiya told himself as he watched the senkaimon slowly opened up

Well it was a good thing it put another set of eyes to watch Hana and Yuri and protect them from attacks.

" hello its nice to meet you" Keiya replied as he gave the man a slight bow

There was something else that was gnawing at the back of his head but he figured that it was his zanpaktou that allowed him to mask himself from them and appear from out of the shadows.

It wouldn't be that strange for a hallow to have a similar ability, he has seen hallows with unique abilities. Which they used to there advantage and with deadly results.

 

[AngelLightheart]

Hana Hikari

Hana listened quietly as Yuri spoke, taking it all in.

Interesting. murmured a voice in her head.

She tilted her head slightly.

How so? she asked.

The voice hesitated.

Doesn't this hollow sound familiar?

She paused, about to reply. She realized that it did sound very familiar. Eeerily familiar. She just couldn't place her finger on it.

The perfect ambush hollow. Able to come out of their own shadows. She couldn't help but cast a glance at her own shadow even now.

She even jumped slightly at the man that came out of the shadows and watched as they seemed to melt off of him. She had never seen anything quite like that, and she instinctively shied away from him, taking a half-step away when he approached. Everything about him seemed to frighten her. The way he looked at them calmly, his robes, the way he had his zanpakutou across the back of his waist, and the fact that he revealed absolutely nothing about himself.

Honestly? She couldn't feel his reiatsu. Not even a trace. Keiya hadn't acted very different aside from a twitch of the hand when he had approached, but she knew that most of the shinigami from Squad Eleven had trouble sensing another's reiatsu.

But she was rather good at detecting it, and she couldn't feel it at all. Hana glanced over to Yuri.

Just who was this man?

 

[lonely_shadow]

She felt him long before she saw him. Indeed, it all happened behind her as she was explaining things to the rest of them. But Yuri didn't miss the soft pulsing of Kiritonen as her hand rested ever so softly on its hilt.....like a living thing softly coursing between her fingers. There was no mental link, no words spoken between them....she just knew.

Leo Kage had arrived. And with him, their odds of survival just tripled.

Yuri finished up the briefing with a flourish, spinning on her heel and giving him a once over with her eyes. He hadn't changed at all. He was exactly as she had left him at his house. She didn't have to ask him if he was ready to go.....the fact that he had shown himself here spoke everything needed to know.

"Keiya....there's always a chance there will be more than one. Considering what's been said about your last mission, I'm sure that goes without saying."

She waited for him to advance a few steps, her breath catching as she watched the mists of the Senkaimon softly swirl as the gate began to open before them.

"Introductions later, everyone.....the gate is opening. We're going to need to be prepared to move as soon as it does."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The darkened tunnel of the gateway was just as creepy as the last time she remembered. For all the darkness and seeming oppressive nature, Yuri wished nothing more than to just push her tired body the rest of the way and run as hard as she possibly could again......but that could mean leaving the others behind. Unacceptable for the one supposedly in command of this mission.....another fact that made her heart quail slightly. What had the captain been thinking.......?

No. I won't have to give commands. Every member knows their part. Commands only happen if something goes wrong. Nothing is going to happen.

The steeling of her heart showed on her face, grim and resolved as she plunged ahead with the three of them. If anything did happen, it didn't matter what her Captain said, she was responsible for the safety of each one. It had been her choice that they were here after all.

Nothing would happen. They would retrieve the downed man, and they would leave. The Hollow was occupied. The Shinigami it pursued wasn't dead, it was buying time. Precious time.

The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Yuri wondered if she was the only one to breath a soft sigh of relief as what seemed like an insanely long time ended in a rush of bright light as they emerged to stand on air itself, looking down at a bustling Japanese city.

The world of the living. For a split second, it took her breath away. Just how different everything was. The buildings, the style of clothing the inhabitants wore as they bustled through the streets, the strange steel transports that carried them about......

She wasn't sure if entering the place had any effect on the others......but just being here......

Yuri's heart raced.....her breath quickened noticably......and adrenaline flooded her veins unbidden. It was no longer a foreign feeling, though one she hadn't felt in over seventy years. This was the reason she had been sent, and the reason her Captain had entrusted this mission her.

The Soul Society was a world of riatsu, a world where spirits gained strength and souls found peace. Every building, every cobblestone, was composed of spiritual energy. The world of the living however......was a world of life. And even just being here....she was drinking it like a plant drank in the rays of the sun. Her voice was strong and steady, devoid of its uncertain quavering from just moments ago. There was no time any more for fear and doubt.....

She reached into her robes......procuring a transmitter for each of them to pin onto their own kimonos. As the she watched the last one fall into place, Yuri slipped a slight headset on, testing the microphone for errors....

"Alright.....we'll probably have to fan out in two teams to find the stricken. The reports said he was in the northern sector of the city, so we'll focus our initial search there."

She turned and gave a soft smile to the Keiya as they all waited on her.

"Keiya, I put you in charge of protection, so I want you to assign teams. On a side note, though it may be morbid, if anyone comes across the bodies of fallen shinigami.....please make note of their location for future squad burials."

Eyes narrowed as she regarded him, and awaited his own decision. They would all have to work together to make it out of this unscathed. And she...for one....

Wasn't about to fail.

 

[lonely_shadow]

They were here.

She could feel them. More of them than just the shinigami she was having fun with at the moment.....though she couldn't say that it wasn't an amusing chase. The Lieutenant was proving to be a rather bothersome foe, and neither had yet to score a deciding blow.

Two members of Squad Four. That makes their purpose here rather transparent doesn't it? A member of Squad Eleven? Protection. My my.....what's this?

Whatever their fourth member was, she took an instant dislike to him. Strong riatsu wafted off of him. Strong, but cloaked. Nothing she couldn't pick up, but it was annoying to have to try to feel something that should have just been apparent from the moment he had appeared.

And now just who are you, cutie? Squad Two Lieutenant, huh?

This just might be fun. Might just be fun enough to make her put in a personal appearance. Playing with her Hollow pets was only amusing for so long......

 

[knight713]

“ Agreed” Keiya answered when he heard yuri saying that there maybe more than one hallow. And to the point that he stil hadn’t fully healed from his last mission but he was still able to fight and defend when the need arises.

Keiya watched as the senkaimon fully opened and one by one the others entered it followed by him. As he moved with the others he could see a small light getting bright with each step he took. Soon enough he was bathed in the light and soon appeared in the sky with the others over looking a city that was full of life.

The world of the living, he had been here a few times before and each time proved to be a interesting encounter. He couldn’t yet detect the hallow or the other shinigami that led it away from the other shinigami who was injured.

He took the transmitter and placed it on the collar of his uniform and watched as everyone else did the same thing. He watch as she checked it to make sure they were in working order which they were.

Keiya listened to what Yuri said about splitting into to teams, she was right it would let them have more ground to cover. She also said that if they find any more fallen shinigami to remember there locations for future burial.

“ right the most logical teams would be one member of squad four with me and him” Keiya replied as he listen to Yuri say he was in charge of protection. He was right in his judgment if he split them up with him with and the new guy and they find the injured shinigami then they wouldn’t be able to offer him the best healing abilities.

“ You and Yuri are in one team me and Hana will be the other team” Keiya ordered, as he looked at the shinigami that came with them. the man looked able to defend both of them thus he wouldn't happen to worry about the two of them. But also there was something else when he saw Yuri look at him when the man first arrived it was as if she knew him. so it was better to put her with a person she knew then a stranger whos skills were not known
“ we should also stay in radio contact ever few minutes to know of each others location he added quickly

He had been keeping his Reiatsu to a minimal level almost to the point were he would appear to be a weaker shinigami, but in the back of his mind he could hear Kuzuryusen tell him not to mask it, but to release it and let the hallow come after him. But the way he was doing it was better if the hallow did attack it would think he was weak thus letting its guard down and allow him to attack the hallow.