Search Me Out [Private]

[Bear]

With obvious hesitation the girl had taken his hand, the deal had been made and they were now comrades. She was subordinate and he was superior, something he swore he would never do again after everything that had happened, but this was different. They had no close relationship or bond, yes as his student he would do his best to protect her, to help her grow, but that didn't mean they were close. Not yet, anyway. Slowly she stood and after a few seconds their hands parted, his own slipping into the pockets, head turned off to the side and gazing into the distance. Why had he picked her as a Vice Captain? He wasn't quite sure to be honest, there was just something about the girl, but he hadn't quite placed it yet.

Then she asked a question about potential.

He had been there before, long ago when he had first gained the power. Many doubts had run through his head, things like 'will I be strong enough?' and 'will I be devoured?', he knew how it was. However he also knew that everyone had the potential to grow strong, to become someone that could be looked up to. To be feared. But by asking it was possible that she had placed doubt in herself, and if she wished to succeed and become strong then that doubt would need to be removed. That, and it didn't hurt that she attacked him without a second thought, that was something.

"Everyone has potential in them, Kyotei. Some can reach it on their own, while some require the aid of others to do so. I've been alone most of my life and had to rely solely on myself to reach such a strength, and it was difficult."

Turning his head he looked at her, a reassuring smile on his face aimed directly at her.

"But with my help, you'll be able to reach a new level of strength much quicker. Now.."

Using his left hand to grab the hilt of his Zanpakuto, which was also on his left hip, he drew the blade about two inches out of the sheath. Gripping the blade with his right hand he quickly ripped it across the steel, cutting his hand in the process, his blood pouring out into his palm.

"Becoming a Vizard is not easy, Kyotei. If you choose to accept the offer you must know that your life will be on the line, the moment you become infected, a battle will begin. You will be dragged into your inner world where a Hollow will reside, this Hollow is incredibly strong and possesses every skill you have. On a greater level of skill. You will have a limited amount of time to defeat him before your outside body takes the form of a Hollow, if that happens I will have no choice but to kill you."

Reaching his hand out as if to shake hers, he held it there. The blood dripping. If she was to accept and their blood mixed, his Hollow reiatsu would flood into her and infect the young girl. From there, the war for her soul will begin.

"If you understand and accept the offer, then cut your hand and mix the blood with mine. It will infect you and the process will begin."

And that was it. Now to wait and see if she accepted.

[/justify]

[ami]

Kyotei understood the weight and severity of what she was agreeing to. She was going to become a monster. But upon the transformation of a robot into a monster, was it really so bad? She was still Kyotei Sarumasa -- she would always be. The only difference was that she would be free from conforming to Soul Society. And then she thought about how it was a bit ironic at how she was looking forward to the newfound freedom. Was his school really freedom? No. It was the exact same as Soul Society, just comprised of different races and leaders.

She watched as he cut his hand and held it out to her. A blood contract? Was that what this was? She supposed to, as after agreeing her life would be forever changed and the state would be irreversible. Kyotei's cold eyes remained on his hand, watching the crimson liquid roll down the side of his palm and drip onto the ground. She supposed she had no choice. She did, of course. But thinking that way made the decision easier -- made the decision of changing who she was because a complete stranger asked her too...easier.

Withdrawing her katana from its sheath, she switched the hilt to her left hand so that her dominant right would be the one to take the blood vow. The blonde Shinigami rested the edge of the sharp blade in her soft palm. The stream of blood coursing beneath the skin and vein was more prominent in her senses than ever before, and without thinking any further on it she squeeze Akumamai tightly. The blade cut into her hand and blood seeped out. She stared down at the bloody hand with her steel-blue eyes and then back to his. She wasn't looking to make this dramatic or drawn-out in the least, and didn't wish to display the weakness known as hesitation.

Her hand rose and clasped his, their blood mixing together. His hand was much larger than hers, but it was comforting and strong -- something she could maybe one day believe in. She waited for a second, wondering exactly how everything would take place. Would it even work? As if an answer to her inquiry, her vision went black. Everything closed in on her and she lost consciousness. Her body fell forward as her mind was thrust into her inner world.

→ Inner World → Real World

Kyotei looked around. The warped environment wasn't new to her, and was oddly comforting. She glanced around the blurs and swirls of pastel colors, landing on a figure she'd never seen before. It resembled herself, but in all the wrong ways. The facial and body structure was the same (save for the flat chest the hollow possessed), but it was as if everything was in reverse. Her hair was black the same length and style, and her black eyes were just as cold. Her skin was pale, and she remained expressionless. There was something about the hollow, though. It was very...androgynous.

"[white]Where is Akumamai?[/white]" Kyotei inquired.

"Where is Kyotei?" it responded.

Kyotei's eyes widened slightly when she heard its voice. The depth and darkness it had was definitely not that of a female. And the look in his eyes reminded her too much of Akuma than she would have liked. Confused and unaware, Kyotei stood silent. She withdrew her zanpakuto, and the hollow mirrored her. She watched as the hollow wielded her only companion. A tinge of possessiveness cascaded across Kyotei's eyes, and they became livid.

"[white]Who are you?[/white]"

"Call me Ryotei. I came up with it myself...do you like it?"

Kyotei's body started to move slightly. Her fingers wiggled slowly before her entire body jumped up into action. Her eyes were black and sharp like a raven's, but nothing else changed. A smirk slid across Ryotei's lips, which looked odd to anyone who knew Kyotei. The possessed body stood still for just a moment. Ryotei was itching for a fight, and the Vizard in front of him emanated strength and power -- something he craved. Gripping the hilt of the zanpakuto, Ryo raised the blade to his tongue and licked Kyotei's blood from it, all the while keeping his dark eyes on Kisho. He lashed forward without any warning, aiming the point of the sword straight at the Vizard.

[Bear]

[maroon]Why was he so easily able to trust this girl? Aside from the potential he had seen in her, there was no real reason to offer her such a position. To be his right hand, to serve directly under him, and yet up until this point they had never met before. Perhaps it was the desire and longing for a companion once more, to have someone at his side like before. He was alone for most of his life, but once he met Sayomi things changed. And he hated the emptiness he felt when he was to wander alone, like now. But with the finding of Kyotei, and the fact that she had agreed to become his right hand, that all changed. He was glad when she had cut her own hand, and placed it within his. His own poisonous blood mixing with her pure and previously untainted blood, she was his ally. His comrade, his companion.

The process would be quick because it came from a direct and corrupt source, he watched as her eyes slipped close and her body began to fall forward. Switching his grip he would catch her before she hit the ground, lifting her upright. Looking over her shoulder he saw the door that led to the roof the building they saw on, surrounded by two walls and a roof. He gently carried her and placed her against the wall, taking a few steps back and staring at the 'sleeping' body. It would not be long until the Hollow began to surface.

"Do not allow it to devour you, Kyotei. I do not wish to slay another one of my companions..."

He closed his eyes and simply waited, but it was not a long one at all. Moments later he heard a quiet shuffling noise and with a now open gaze, the form of Kyotei stood, Zanpakuto out and at the ready. Watching as the creature rose the blade and licked the blood clean off, a definite freak. It reminded him of his own Hollow, then again hers had been created from his blood so it made sense. Saying nothing and not making the slightest movement, he just allowed the Hollow to rush forwards. The blade pointed directly at him, but it would never meet flesh. A gloved hand raised and grabbed the blade, allowing it to slide through his grip until his hand was placed on the middle of the steel, his body leaning to the side. Not that it mattered. It would never cut him.

"And so it begins. Good luck, Kyotei."

With a swift motion, his left hand shot out in an open palm strike, directly at the chest of Hollow Kyotei. It was enforced by reiatsu but nothing more, nothing that could be fatal or seriously damaging. He would hold back until she had fully hollowfied, and if she failed then he would be forced to kill her. But for now, he had to wait, and toy with it.

[/justify][/maroon]

[ami]

→ Inner World → Real World

Kyotei, for some reason or another, felt oddly more at home in her inner world than she ever had before. She didn't particularly abhor this hollow, but she knew an affinity for the man would never grow. The self-proclaimed Ryotei felt familiar to her somehow. She supposed it was only natural, being that it was a part of her. She could only assume from Ryo's earlier remark that Akumamai and Ryotei were one...but it didn't make sense. Perhaps Akuma couldn't exist in an inner world where a hollow did. Perhaps Akuma and the hollow conjoined together. And yet, even though Akuma was cold and mean, it didn't sound like him. But Kyo knew she had no time to try and figure this out now. She could ask that man--Kisho--about it when--if--she survived. For now, she had to focus on defeating this beast who seemed to be looking at her like she was something to eat.

She was.

"What's the matter, Kyoyo? You're staring at me but you're not looking at me at all. You should--," He used a burst of speed to appear next to Kyotei, "pay more attention to me, you silly little bitch."

Kyotei's eyes narrowed and she rose her blade, the tip pointing downward as she positioned it at her side. His own replica clashed with hers, and when she noticed that his strength was matched evenly with hers, she knew something was wrong. Kyotei's forehead was collecting sweat while he only smirked at her. This meant that Kyotei was exerting more effort than him. And this meant that he was stronger. She dispelled the thought from her head momentarily. If this battle turned out to be one of brains versus brawns, she had to do some quick calculation on her part. Ryo having the physical upper hand, she would have to compensate. Kyotei lifted one finger slyly from her hilt as she struggled to fend him off and pointed it at the hollow.

"[white]Hadō Number One: Shō.[/white]"

In joint with firing the Kidō spell, Kyotei pushed her blade against his and used the momentum to jump backward, increasing the distance between the two even further. But to her dismay, he only followed up as soon as his feet landed on the ground and came at her with a slash of his blade, which she parried with her own. He used his right hand to wield the katana while Kyotei used both. The hollow seized her wrist and squeezed tightly, jerking it to the side and causing her to drop the zanpakuto. Her eyes didn't follow the flying katana as she knew the lost blade was the last of her worries. The hollow still clenching her wrist, she avoided a direct hit from his own blade, however it snagged on her sleeve and left her right arm exposed. She pushed off the ground to pull against his wrist and kick him in the face from the force, but he only moved his body below her own and then pushed up once she was above him. Her body flew up into the air from his fist jamming into her back, and he followed her closely. Quickly arriving above her, he drove a foot into her stomach and sent her plummeting into the ground below. Ryotei landed with his feet on either side of her, staring down at the injured girl.

"What's the matter Kyo? Oh, that's right. I forgot." He bent down and lifted her up by the front of her Shinigami robes, his sword resting at his side. "You like the oppression, don't you? You like being the one that gets used, abused, and tossed to the side. You're not fit to be the leader of this world. You're just a dirty little runt who can't even find the killer of the only person who ever loved you!" His words came out condescending and as if in laughter. He raised his sword hand and punched her in the face, not allowing the blade to touch her.

"[white]Don't.[/white]"

"Don't what? Don't beat the fuck outta you?" He threw another punch, drawing blood from her bottom lip. "Kyotei would never ask for the pain to stop. So don't what? ...Or is it that...I struck a weak spot? Little Kyo doesn't like when I talk about that dumb fuck? The one you let get killed? Haha, don't talk about him? Don't talk about Kur--"

"[white]DON'T SAY HIS NAME.[/white]"

Ryotei's head bucked back as she gave him a sharp uppercut to the jaw. He rubbed his chin and stared at her, his smile gone and his eyes even darker.

"You're weak. And I'm not going to let someone like you control me."

Kyotei wiped the blood from her lip with her remaining sleeve. She bent down and picked up her fallen zanpakuto. Her eyes steadied on his.

"[white]Sajin, Akumamai.[/white]" [Murder, Sweet Devil]

"Heh. Sajin..." He raised his blade and pointed it at her. "Akumamai."

Ryotei was thrown back by the force of the palm, skidding all the way to the other side of the rooftop. He stood up, and the initial signs of hollowfication began to make itself apparent. Ryotei ran his--Kyotei's, more accurately--along his lips and grinned widely at Kisho. He was like a fly drawn to a light; he wouldn't stop attacking. It was in his blood to cause destruction and kill anything that breathed around him. He turned his head to the side as a more interesting sound caught his ears. The sound of a little girl's soul sobbing sounded from the street below. As if like a hungry animal, Ryotei ignored Kisho and used a burst of Shunpo to jump off the building. He fell downward, head first, aiming right toward the helpless little soul.

"Gotcha."

[/justify]

[Bear]

[maroon]He had skidded back but even the strength gap didn't seem to intimidate the Hollow, in fact it looked as if he enjoyed it. Made sense actually, Inner Hollows had the opposite personality of their host but because Kisho actually infected her, chances were that Hakku had a slight influence on her own. No matter, he would toy with the beast until Kyotei won or lost, whatever the outcome this Hollow would be subdued. Tilting his head slightly he watched as the thing actually looked away from him and towards a new sound, a sobbing soul. Damn his luck. The Hollow took off with a Shunpo but Kisho was right behind 'him'.

"Yuragidoku [Tremor Step]."

The creature would never meet the soul, and Kisho would stand between the two. Why would it never meet the child? Because his tremor step interrupted all forms of Shunpo, and Sonido. Instead it would be stopped mid air, only feet from the Vizard and little girl. He simply looked up and towards him, he didn't take kindly to those sorts of things. Going after a little girl when he was right there? Despicable. Then again, it was a Hollow. Reaching out with his right hand he would attempt to grab the Hollow by its face, if successful 'he' would be tossed through the building and to the other side.

"Going after little children? Tell you what, if you can beat me then you're free to devour my body and whoever else you please. But for now, I'm your target. I suggest you aim for only me."

A threat to a Hollow, not like it would work. However if he coaxed him into aiming for only Kisho then it would be far better, he could give the little girl a soul burial after this was dealt with. Not like her chain would erode anytime soon. Hopefully.

[/justify][/maroon]

[ami]

→ Inner World → Real World

Both zanpakuto transformed, but there was a stark difference between the two. Akumamai was an oddly shaped blade when in Shikai, black rubber-like material hanging off the blade. However, Ryotei's zanpakuto had an opposite color coordination. The blade was pure black while the odd substance on the blade was white. Kyotei thought it a bit of a cliché that their battle was like one of black and white. While her hair was blonde, his was black. Kyotei had little femininity about her, but Ryotei was even more androgynous than herself. His facial features were a little less soft and a little more sharp than Kyotei's, making his gender a bit more believable. But in Kyotei's eyes, this person was genderless. It was a monster and monsters had no humanistic--or even animalistic--traits such as sex. Maybe that's why Kyotei cut herself off from things like love; she viewed herself as a monster, after all.

"You silly whore, you aren't worthy of wielding that sword. I will take it and your hands with it! ...Miboujin Burakku."

Roytei stood with a distance of about ten feet in between the two. The white spikes melted off the edge of the blade and pooled on the ground below. Able to craft the white puddle of matter into anything he desired, it started forming upwards like a slow fountain with a sharp tip. Using only his mind to raise the sharp lance in the air, he hovered it in front of him before thrusting it forward. Before it came in contact with Kyotei, he separated the matter into dozens of smaller spikes, leaving Kyotei unable to dodge and likely to be pierced in many places. His lips seemed to be melded into a permanent smirk, but his eyes were dark and narrow, piercing her far sharper than those white spikes ever would. Part of him wanted to toy with his little prey, and the other part wanted to quickly get her out of the way and completely take over. There was absolutely no way he was letting the weak woman before him even have an ounce of control over him.

Kyotei knew the technique he would use as soon as he recited its name. It was hard to prepare for such a technique except to use the same one. Reciting the same name, she formed her dark matter into a shield. As soon as she has seen the sharp tip of what he was forming, she knew he would use it offensively to try and penetrate her. However, she didn't expect the hollow to split the spike into several smaller ones, meaning that she had needed to make a bigger blockade, which she had failed to do. The black surface protecting her only stretched from the top of her head down to her waist, leaving her legs vulnerable. Since the spikes were broken down, each one would be weaker then when they were all combined. However, even one still hurt like a bitch. One slices right through the side of her calf, drawing blood and ripping the clothing. She was glad it hadn't gone straight through, but it still took a good chunk--and inch maybe--from the side calf.

"[white]Watatsumi Kuro.[/white]"

Kyotei panicked slightly (had she ever felt panic...?) and used the ability without thinking of who she was up against. Immediately, a dark shade spread across the world, leaving nothing but darkness in its wake. Kyotei's eyes were blind, but she relied on the sonar-like ability she possessed when this technique was in effect. She could tell exactly where Ryotei was as if her eyes worked perfectly. Kyotei could feel a tiny wave of relief wash over her when she thought about Ryotei being left in the dark and her having the advantage over him. This would have given her a chance. But she didn't think things through. Hearing the crackling of Sonido, she tracked Ryotei easily. He seemed to be dancing across the arena as if searching for her, and she stayed steady, trying to suppress the pain in her leg. But she didn't realize he was only toying with her.

"Silly woman. I know this technique...it isn't new!" Ryotei appeared behind Kyotei and wrapped his left arm around her throat, pressing her back to him and choking her. "I'm using Akumamai too, you stupid woman! I can see you just as you see me -- even better than you can see me! Are you really that dumb? Can you really be so retarded as to think your silly little black blanket would even hinder me in the slightest?! You're making this too easy on me, Kyotei! You're not making this any fun! Where is the killer in you? Where are those blood-craven eyes I know you possess? Have you really gone soft on me, Kyoyo?!" He squeezed her to him tightly and then wrapped his right arm around the front of her torso, under her arms, still wielding his sword as she still clutched onto her own. She was trapped against him and couldn't speak, trying to take in quick gasps of air whenever his grip slackened in the slightest. "I'm stronger than you. It's not me being arrogant. It's the cold, hard truth." He paused and leaned his head down, lips pressed to her ear. "But even then, you have a difficult time with the truth...don't you?"

Ryotei felt her go limp in his arms. His face breathed an unamused aura, lips falling into a faint frown. His black eyes were dull as he let go of her, watching her body drop to the ground in front of him. Twirling Akumamai around his hand by the hilt, he took a step forward. She was a disappointment.

"Not worthy. Not at all."

Kyotei kept her eyes closed, cheek pressed against what felt like cold dirt. She had never lost consciousness, but thought feigning a blackout might work. It did, much to her delight. Ryotei had forgotten that the user of this technique was required to hold their breath while it was in effect. Therefore, his choking did nothing to her air supply that she wasn't doing herself. She stayed as still as possible, waiting for an opening. The dark blanket still surrounding her, but she could see him behind her, something she wouldn't be able to do had this technique not been in effect. He had taken a step closer to her, and she simply waited for his defense to drop. His arm raised. And there it was. With a flash of Shunpo, Kyotei was on her feet and slashing Akuma at him. The edge caught his stomach, but his reflexes were quick and the depth of the cut wasn't fatal. He still bled profusely, but didn't clutch or hold his stomach. Kyotei sucked in air and the black matter dissipated around Kyotei and Ryotei, and he smirked at her.

"You're a clever girl sometimes. Oh how fun."

"[white]This isn't a game.[/white]"

As if on cue, he spoke immediately after she did. "Oh but it is." He walked toward her and she walked back, maintaining the distance between the two which was already minimal as is -- five feet maybe. "It's time for the Kyotei I love to wake up already."

Kyotei's eyebrows furrowed slightly in confusion.

"Kurai."

Kyotei's grip on her hilt tightened.

"Kurai."

Her eyes narrowed.

"Kurai. Kurai. Ku...rai."

"[white]I told you not to speak his name![/white]" She ran forward with her blade ready to slice across him, but he dodged by leaning back and dove a foot into her stomach, sending her flying. She landed on her feet, skidding back.

"KURAI KURAI KURAI. THE MAN WHO LOVED YOU AND YOU COULDN'T AVENGE. KURAI. KUUUUUUURRRAAAAAAIIIIIIIII...-sama."

Kyotei let out a long and high-pitched scream that came deep from her diaphragm. Her eyes went wild and she bared her teeth at Ryo and rushed forward once more. She sliced Akuma at him, drawing blood each time until she cut up his clothing enough that she could see patches of bare skin and wounds. He began to parry her own zanpakuto with his. The blades clashed repeatedly, and Kyotei's eyes were wide and angry. She growled like an animal.

"[white]Tsubame Naibun![/white]"

A tornado rushed forth with immense power and Ryotei sent his own tornado of white matter forward to clash with hers. His destroyed hers, but his own dissipated almost immediately after. Before he could do anything again, she was on him again, slashing and clashing. He smiled wickedly at her. "Now this is the Kyotei I love!" She raised her sword high in the air, both hands on the hilt, screaming as she was ready to bring it down on him. But he was quicker than her and shoved the tip of Akumamai through the right side of her stomach. She froze, hands still in the air. Kyotei coughed up a spurt of blood and stared down at the sword inside of her, then back up to Ryotei's black eyes. He smiled down at her.

She smiled back.

Ryotei was stopped mid-air by Kisho's technique. His tongue hung out of his mouth at the soul down below who cried and run. The hollow's face contorted slightly as he tried to figure out what happened. He saw Kisho blocking his way from getting to the soul. Faster and faster now, Ryotei was transforming. The body of Kyotei now had longer hair and a mask bubbling on the sides of its face. The hollow squealed and shrieked loudly as Kisho grabbed its face and sent him flying backwards. Ryo crashed through a building and rubble and debris fell onto him. Shaking the pieces of the building off, he used Sonido to get back to his attacker. The hollow's eyes were livid.

Ryo heard his words, and it sounded like a good plan to him.

"Heh. It's not much longer until I have complete control. A soul and a...whatever you are...will do for a treat to my victory."

Ryo pointed his finger at Kisho and started charging a cero. It blew up like a balloon in size and the hollow then released the red beam of negative energy at the Vizard. He knew it would fail to miss his target, but fried food didn't appeal to him anyhow. It was more or less to serve as a distraction for the being. He dashed forward, chasing behind the Cero to try and attack Kisho with his sword after the Cero either dissipated or was parried some how.

[/justify][/color][/color]

[Bear]

[maroon]Throwing him through a building proved to be a success, but she was transforming too fast. Longer hair and mask fragments were beginning to show and even the Hollow's intelligence was raising, it was able to register and comprehend his words. Damn, she needed to hurry up and defeat the damned thing, otherwise he would be killing another companion. No, not again. He had to have faith, he would not have made the offer had he not seen her potential. She was strong and looking deeper, had a heart full of strength. In more ways than one. Watching as he used a Sonido to appear back in front of him, he even spoke to Kisho. This transformation was quicker than he thought, but he nodded. He took the bait, and that's what he wanted.

Seeing the Cero charging he simply opened his arms wide and stood there waiting for the impact, welcoming it. He had no need to dodge, even if he did there was risk of it hitting civilians and stray souls. A risk he did not want to take. And it was released, keeping his eyes open he was enveloped by a red cloud. It slammed into his body but no pain was felt, and no marks were left. He was unharmed. Looking down Ryo had tossed himself and his blade forward, the sword also slamming into his body but it would crumple and it would not pierce. Slowly lowering his arms he looked at him.

"That's right, you are unable to sense what I am. Allow me to demonstrate."

In that instant a purple haze would erupt from his body and Hollow reiatsu would be felt, it was not damaging to the Hollow before him but it would make both sides of his reiatsu apparent. Reaching out he would grab at his arm, at the same time aiming a knee to Ryo's stomach. If successful he would send a chain of punches to the side of his face, over and over. And regardless of whether or not these made contact, he would speak.

"Kyotei, I am unsure of whether or not you can hear me but if you can, you need to hurry up. Time is running low and I do not wish to kill you. Just... win."

A final punch would be aimed at Ryo's face, and if any of this had been successful he would stop the pummeling of his face, grab his arm with both hands, spin and toss the Hollow into the sky. He could not damage him too much, Kyo would feel every bit of it when she won, and her body would definitely be sore. That was bad enough, and he definitely didn't want to chop off a limb.

[/justify][/maroon]

[ami]

→ Inner World → Real World

Are you sad that this is your end, Kyotei?

Kyotei.

Kyotei, answer me.

Are you sad?

Would you cry for me?

You're dying for me Kyotei, so you better be damn willing to shed tears for me, Kyotei.

Kyotei.

Kyotei...

Are you dead yet?

Ryotei stared down at Kyo, his blade still in the side of her stomach. He ripped the blade out of her flesh and then snatched her up by the front of her torn clothing like he had done before. Her eyes were dead and hazy, a glaze of soft, dead liquid over her once uniquely colored irises. And there they stood, amongst the vibrant and pastel colors, amongst the swirl of livelihood and deadness. It was a morbid scene in a chocolate factory, as Ryo stared into her cold and lifeless eyes in the midst of all the colors. Kyotei always wondered why her world was the way it was...so blurry yet pristine, so dull yet luminescent... The irony baffled her. Such a beautiful place for such an ugly personality. Did she deserve something like this? No. Did she deserve that man? Did she deserve the death she was enduring?

...did she?

"Oh Kyo. Your blood smells...disgusting." He held her up to him, watching as her breaths became slower and slower. He ignored the zanpakuto clutched tightly in her hand. She probably lacked the strength to raise it even an inch. He grasped her clothing tightly and then raised his zanpakuto so the tip was digging into her shoulder. A dry, course wince came from her open mouth as he slowly stabbed into her. He was getting tired of waiting. He wanted her dead now.

"[white]Bakudo 30...,[/white]" she whispered so faintly that Ryotei couldn't make it out. "[white]Sh-Shitotsu Sansen.[/white]"

Three rods slammed into Ryotei, and Kyo fell to the ground. His eyes widened and he turned livid, outraged at her last-minute trickery. He struggled against the rods and knew it would take a bit of effort to break free of the Kido spell.

"[white]Tsubame Naibun.[/white]"

The tornado rushed forth and engulfed the trapped Ryotei. She lied on the ground, wanting to put all of her strength into consciousness and using her Shikai, and not bothering to stand or walk. She knew that she wouldn't need a defense and now that he was caught in the tornado, all she had to do was use her follow up ability...the final technique of her Shikai. It wouldn't kill him, but it would deal wounds that bordered fatality. He would be incapacitated, but first she would let her current tornado toy with him a bit. She could hear the screams and wails from the hollow, high-pitched shrieking as the insides of the sharp tornado tore him up.

"[white]Nigiri Zetsume.[/white]"

The tornado began to close inward, shrinking around Ryotei. He howled and went wild trying to break free, but his outrage was getting the best of him and he wasn't thinking logically enough to figure out any weak spots. It crushed against him, cutting deep into his flesh. Blood spurted everywhere and once it dissipated, he fell forward and onto the ground. Ryo lifted his head up and glared evilly at the blonde Shinigami lying a few feet away from him. He began crawling toward her with a hiss, and once he reached her, he moved his blood-drenched hand toward her and grabbed at her injured leg. He started laughing as she stared back at him, her head lifted from the ground as she tried to shrug her injured leg from his grip.

"WHAT WOULD KURAI THINK OF YOU?"

Kyotei's eyes darkened and gained a bit more life in them. Her eyelids narrowed into slits as she made sure she held his gaze evenly. "[white]I don't care anymore.[/white]" Enduring the pain, she jerked her head back and then back down, driving a kick right into his face. She used her zanpakuto as a crutch to push off the ground and limped a few steps toward him. He probably had more energy than her, and since he was stronger the tornado had not cut him so deeply that it would kill him instantaneously. However, it cut him deep enough in enough places so that the blood loss was too immense for him to not be sick from it. His eyes jerked slightly as he clung onto the world, grasping for the owner's key to it. She rested the tip of the blade on his throat, blood leaking down from her stomach. She held it tightly, trying to stop it from seeping out so profusely.

"Don't...care?"

"[white]Nn... That's right.[/white] She coughed up a bit of more blood. "[white]And you... I own you, hollow. And I also want this world.[/white]" Her face was blank of any emotion, and she felt dizzy on her feet. "[white]But I'll allow you to live in it out of generosity.[/white]"

Blood leaked from under the blade's tip as it cut into the skin of his throat. He stared up at her with a wicked smile. "Heh... let me, huh?" He closed his eyes and reached up, removing the blade from his neck, cutting his hand in the process. "The moment you slip... The moment you let the tiniest slips of control go... I'll be there. And I won't hesitate to kill you."

Ryotei endured all the beatings from Kisho, because it was the only thing he could do in reality. When he let both of his natures' reiatsu leak out, it confused him even more. Both a Shinigami and a Hollow... This man was truly a monster, but there was something oddly familiar about it. Something oddly familiar that he could sense in himself somehow. Were they the same? He wasn't sure. But quite frankly, he didn't care. He smirked at Kisho trying to talk to Kyotei.

"It's useless! She's dead! Ahnnn--!"

He could feel hurt all over from Kisho's dealt blows. And before he knew it, his body was in the air. Something was happening. He felt himself changing, but not the way he planned. Kyotei had won by a hair, and Ryo was convinced it was because he let her... Just to save some fun for later. He would accept her as ruler for now. But he would be there to usurp the throne of their world as soon as she messed up somehow. And if she didn't get stronger, he wouldn't stand for it. But for now, he would go with it. Perhaps she had learned something from his torment anyway... His thoughts started to fade solely into the inner world, and the consciousness he held over Kyotei's body was fading. The transformation process was ending, and Kyotei saved herself from completely hollowfication.

Kyotei took control of her body again, mid-air. Her eyes stayed closed for a moment and her body fell back down to the earth quickly. As her body plummeted downward, she winced in the pain from the wounds Kisho had dealt her body. Her face and stomach stung the most, and she could feel a trickle of blood on her lip. She was tired and sore, somewhat unaware that she was falling down. Right now, she was just relieved that she was able to maintain control over herself. She never thought she would feel this way... She never thought she cared about living or dying, being conscious or not. It felt nice.

Really, really nice.

[/justify][/color]

[Bear]

[maroon]It had all come to end. He could tell just by looking at the Hollow, the transformation had suddenly halted and Ryo was 'screaming' in pain. He knew this sound all too well. She had subdued the beast and gained control of the new power, one that would need to be trained in order to be used properly. Another thing he could aid her with. Watching as her body reverted back to the appearance she approached him with, the mask breaking away and falling from the sky. He smiled softly underneath the mask, his eyes softening in conjunction with the smile. She had been damaged by his punches but that was nothing compared to what could have happened. And her body began to plummet.

Swish

He had appeared underneath and caught her before she could reach the ground, one arm under her knees and the other around her back. Gently floating to the ground he looked at her, the smile still hidden from view. Finally, a companion he did not have to kill. They had just met but even still, he was happy she had come out victorious, that he had a Fuku-Taicho. A friend, even if she did not yet see him as one.

"Congratulations, Kyotei. You did it, you came out alive."

His voice was soft and comforting, much different than before. The tone was no longer serious, he was relieved that she had survived. Slowly walking forwards he headed towards the outskirts of Karakura town, the bruises and blood from his constant punches apparent on her face. He felt terrible about it but she would recover from it, they were not fatal nor too serious. No broken bones and no internal bleeding, nothing severe enough to worry about.

"I apologize for the wounds I inflicted, but you'll recover."

Looking straight ahead he could see the trees in the distance, his base of operations was deep within them. It was a large area and he had to make sure it wasn't too close to the town, but it was still close enough that getting to Karakura didn't take too terribly long. With that he Shunpo'd towards Hidenseido, he would take Kyotei to the top of the pagoda where his own quarters were. The next time she awoke, it would be within his chambers and he would waiting. They had a lot of work ahead of them.

[/justify][/maroon]