(Three paragraphs are more...are you insane? I CAN'T KEEP A STORY TO THAT LENGTH....(yes i yelled) damn...well i'll post it here...and I'll highlight the updates I make to it, it should take a few days or weeks to complete.)
(Uh actually...i have trouble keeping stories under 300 pages let alone 3 paragraphs)
Scroll down for the red notice of the latest update. (24th Sep)
Main Author (person who writes it):
Kenosha_KaiCo Author (Who helped plan it):
Daicho AmayaCo Author (Who helped with the fight scenes and stuff):
Takashi_KenjiCo Author (Who helped with it generally and reminded me to eat and sleep):
MitsuokiKey** = End of period (will generally say next day/month/year after or something)
Time Skips
It had been only five weeks ago that Mitsuoki had joined the team, and Mitsuoki had only just gotten his Zanpakuto. Something didn’t seem quite right to him though, his Zanpakuto had come to him slightly differently than what everyone else had reported. He’d gotten his during a dream he had. Mitsuoki looked up he wasn’t as strong as the other three, Kenji, his friend had said that it would take time. Mitsuoki sighed as he looked in the toilet mirror of a local restaurant he now frequented.
He looked about thirteen, his long white hair cascading over his headband, he lifted his hand to his head band which covered his left eye. The memories it brought back were harsh and he didn’t want to relive them any time soon. He sighed quietly and pushed the door open to go back into the main part of the restaurant. Though someone stopped him, a rather intimidating person, with his left side part of his top torn open, revealing various scars. His face was cut up pretty bad too, as if he’d been in a lot of fights.
“Sumimasen,” Mitsuoki said, which translated to: Excuse me. The man didn’t move and Mitsuoki looked at him, puzzled. Mitsuoki jumped back though the door as the man went to punch him in the stomach, “Hey…just a…” The man tossed a scroll over to him.
“Take this to Kai,” He said, punched a hole in the wall and walked through creating his own door, and heading wherever he was going.
Mitsuoki slightly fearful stumbled slightly as the scroll slipped through his fingers. He sighed and picked it up noting how it was bound with a sealing tag saying: For Kai only.
He shrugged and headed out into the streets of Inuzuri following the man. Inuzuri was a nice place, in comparison to some places in Rukongai, it could almost be classed as the rich part of Rukongai…then again, Rukongai was by no means rich. Concentrating the reiatsu into his legs Mitsuoki jumped up. Mitsuoki was fairly new to this, he remembered the first day Kai had introduced him into the concept of Reiatsu.
“Reiatsu is your energy your spirit force, it is in essence your soul, and takes much time and practice to be able to do certain things like this,” He had said and then thrown a small white lightning spark over the room. Mitsuoki had almost drop jawed at that point. Magic was….well it was unheard of yet when he had said this, Kai had not even moved, he only explained that it was how your soul was used that permitted this strength and power that gods held. Kenji had explained that Shinigami were often referred to as death “gods” merely because they had the powers of demigods such as this lightning.
From then on Mitsuoki had been training day and night with the rest of them, just to keep up with the team. Amaya, the final member of the team had been incredibly helpful even letting him share her room if he needed it.
Now Mitsuoki felt he was at least on a similar level to Amaya or even Kenji, but no Kai…he was stronger than all of them, but only due to his calmness and lack of laziness, Mitsuoki dreamed to be like him and worked hard for Kai.
He jumped down an alley way.
“Hey,” Someone called from the shadows. Mitsuoki looked around and gave a small smile and wave as Amaya came into view. Amaya was a beautiful girl, her jet black long hair neatly tied up, and even the hair that escaped look neat and tidy. She wore fine blue cloth over her shoulders, and her obi which was unusual for Shinigami, she wore with the same blue cloth, it was a large obi but she used it to keep her Zanpakuto in.
“Hi!” Mitsuoki replied.
“Where’re you going then?” Amaya asked and opened up the entrance to the aqueduct they had taken to using as their training ground. It was quite…weird down there, it was so quiet, and away from everyone, yet it provided a tricky training ground if routed correctly, with a few props of course.
“Oh, this man said I have to deliver this to Kai,” Mitsuoki held up the scroll and her black eyes widened in almost horror. She’d seen something similar before.
“Well you better get going then,” Amaya said and gestured for him to go. Mitsuoki jumped down. Then Amaya said to herself, “They’re making their move this early?”
Mitsuoki headed down the corridors, separated from the other side only by a stream of clear water. He jumped over the stream and headed into a room where Kai sat meditating.
Kai, he had ice blue eyes, and long blue hair that he kept covering his right eye. Mitsuoki had thought this unusual, but had never questioned it. He wore a normal black Shinigami outfit, with a blue Zanpakuto sheath at his side. He had often wondered why his Zanpakuto didn’t have a guard handle and had questioned it. Kai hadn’t replied only moved onto the next subject as if it were a personal question. Mitsuoki had never referred to Kai’s Zanpakuto since, neither had he seen the blade, even during Zanpakuto practice.
“Kai-sensei,” Mitsuoki said, as this is how Kenji referred to him, then he knelt before him and offered the scroll. Kai had taken it and bowed back, observing the dignities and opened the scroll there and then. He read it quietly, and then re-read it.
“Kenji,” Kai called. Kenji came round the corner just back from his run, “Get Amaya, quickly.” He rolled his eyes and disappeared around the corner. Kai didn’t move as he read the letter once more. He didn’t normally read things repeatedly, but this…he was surprised he had gotten this, yet his emotions nor his body language betrayed him, though perhaps his use of language had.
Amaya came in quickly followed by Kenji, his black hair spiked up as usual. Kenji came around the corner too, his black hair spiked up as usual, and his Zanpakuto strapped to his side. Mitsuoki had seen it a few times during practice. It was a fine Zanpakuto.
“Amaya will have had her suspicions about this already,” Kai rolled up the scroll and held it up for everyone to see. Amaya sighed, she hadn’t thought it would come to this so early.
“Is it what I think it is?” Amaya asked. Kai nodded once.
“The scroll was to initiate a challenge between me and…the resistance movement. For years the resistance has challenged Seireitei’s rule, since they know about all four of us, they will wish to remove us from their path. I cannot let this happen, and I wish for you all to stand by my side as guardians against this force.” Kai said solemnly.
“WHAT!!!” Amaya gasped in disbelief, “The Resistance will annihilate us…”
“Let me finish,” Kai said and Amaya looked as if she’d been slapped, “The challenge is a contest between two teams of four, a tournament if you will, the team that loses the tournament…if they are still alive, must back down and honour the winner’s wishes. Thus either we step aside or they back down…for good.” Amaya looked at Kai sternly. Kenji piped up.
“How do we know they won’t honour their own rules,” Kenji said rather aggressively.
“You’re assuming your enemies think that you are honour bound,” Kai replied. Amaya decided to speak up again.
“When is it, do we have any time to prepare?” She said.
“We have thirty five months and three weeks to prepare,” Kai replied, “It seems that they need to train and prepare themselves, that’s the only rule I think they are likely to abide by.” Amaya nodded in agreement. Mitsuoki looked up.
“What’s the resistance?” Mitsuoki asked. The three others looked at him and Amaya smiled gently.
“You’re definitely new here,” Kenji said before Kai could say anything. “The resistance are a group dedicated to destroy soul society and the delicate balance here, we admit, it isn’t fair, but it works.” Amaya sat down and got comfortable.
“That isn’t the only thing though, they are as ruthless as animals chasing down prey, they won’t give up easily either.” Amaya said quietly. Kai stood up and faced away admiring one of the murals he had recently completed using only his reiatsu.
“That’s the tip of the iceberg.” Kai spoke and turned his head to the left slightly. “The Resistance are a group dedicated not just to the abolition of Seireitei, but to the complete annihilation of Shinigami and everything they stand for. They often help Hollow for their own gain, and I can’t stand by and let them do this any longer. Will you all come with me?” Kai said finally.
Kenji stood up, “Yes.” Amaya too stood up.
“If it’s to take out…him…then yes.” She said.
Mitsuoki stood up finally, “After hearing that, I can’t say no…” Kai turned around.
“We’re going to train…however, I must warn the three of you that this is completely outside the boundaries of Seireitei rule. There is every chance we could all perish at their hands, and a slim chance of success…will you all stand by me if the time comes.” Kai replied and the flames of the torches in the room all flickered with the tension that was starting to creep up on them.
“HAI!” The three of them called out, and Kai smiled, pleased that he had taught such dedicated Shinigami.
”Then let us go, let us protect, Seireitei!” Kai said. Kai took out a small map from his pocket, “This is a training ground that I once used to use when I first came here as a young spirit. This is where we will go, into the Inori mountains. We’ll leave tomorrow morning two hours before sunrise…meet me at the north side of Rukongai if you still wish to come.” With that he headed out of the room past the other three and into the shadows.
It was Mitsuoki who left next slightly confused, but he had to stand up for what was right, even if that meant sacrificing his own life to protect those who had cared for him.
Amaya was the third to leave her head was hung slightly. Her dreams lately had been of this day and still she couldn’t believe that it was actually happening, it just wasn’t real, not to her.
Kenji however, stayed behind and laughed. He wasn’t laughing because he thought the whole thing was stupid, but because he was nervous and didn’t quite know what to do, he doubted he’d get much sleep tonight so he decided to start packing a few things. Truth be known he hadn’t actually left the slums around Seireitei before and he was wondering what was out there. He heard that the resistance movement had settled somewhere south, and they were heading north probably to get out of their way.
**
The next morning the stars still shone in the sky, and in the shadows, Mitsuoki waited where they had been instructed to wait, the north side of Rukongai. He’d had a rough night, and his nightmare had kept him away the rest of the night, dreams of being left behind because he was too weak. Though no one classed him as weak, he was still pretty new at being even a student Shinigami.
“You’re up early, Mitsuoki,” A voice said from just around the corner. Mitsuoki nodded
“Yes, I couldn’t sleep much,” Mitsuoki replied.
“I know the feeling,” Kenji came out of the shadows, “So you alright with leaving Seireitei this early in the morning?” Mitsuoki looked at him and smiled.
“Ah…I’m just a little anxious I suppose, sensei knows best,” Mitsuoki replied. Kenji nodded to. Mitsuoki was right, Kai often did know best, there were few times that he didn’t.
Amaya was then spotted by Kenji which he kindly pointed out, walking up towards them carrying a small rucksack. Then there was this sound…clip…clop…clip…clop. Mitsuoki looked around and saw Kai leading four horses by himself.
“We’ll take this as far north as we can, then we’ll have to walk the rest of the way,” Kai said quietly, “They should take is into the foothills of the mountains, from there we walk.” Amaya looked at the horses.
“Where on earth did you get those from?” Kai rolled his eyes.
“I didn’t get them from earth,” He said and jumped up onto his horse turned it around, “Just get up and give them a good hard kick…after that…hold on.” Kai did so and shot off into a gallop. Then Kenji raised an eye brow.
“I never knew Kai was so fun,” He jumped onto another horse and kicked the horse. The horse snorted and shot off after Kai. Amaya laughed.
“Come on Mitsu, lets get going,” Amaya jumped onto hers and Mitsuoki onto the last one. Amaya kicked and took off, Mitsuoki kicked and the horse reared up and neighed almost causing Mitsuoki to fall off. Had Amaya just given him a nickname? Then suddenly the horse sped off into the darkness that lay before them.
Kenji was enjoying himself and had almost caught up with Kai. He had heard the Neigh too…it sounded as if Mitsuoki was going to have fun with that horse and he was kind of jealous.
Amaya looked back as Mitsuoki caught up with her quickly.
”He likes you,” Amaya laughed at Mitsuoki’s almost sickly expression, “Just relax and hold around his neck, he’ll do the rest.” Mitsuoki had never ridden a horse before let alone bareback, yet these seemed to do it as if they’d done it before. Amaya galloped off again and Mitsuoki gave another kick, his horse too started speeding up and the group started to come together.
“Hey Kai, how long do you think it’ll take to reach the foot hills,” Amaya called. Kai seemed to consider this for a moment.
“With horses, about a day at full canter, I don’t want to push the horses that hard though, so lets say two days,” He finished and pulled slightly on his reigns until his horse slowed down to a canter, everyone else did the same.
“There’s a stream not to far ahead, with plentiful grass, that’ll be our last stop for a few hours,” Amaya said to the rest of the team. Kenji laughed again.
“You sure know a lot about these parts.” He called. Amaya poked her tongue at him. Mitsuoki almost fell off his horse he was laughing so hard.
UPDATE!!! 7:37 (GMT) 19th SepThey had been riding for almost an hour when the four of them came to the fields that Amaya had spoken about, with the stream, no make that a huge river separating them from the other side. Kai jumped off his horse and turned to the other three.
“Alright, I’ll find something to eat, Kenji and Amaya lead the horses to the water, Mitsuoki scout around make sure there’s no one following us,” Kai said before heading off into the tall grass. The grass here was tall, because no one came here normally, and it provided a safe haven for animals of most sizes. There were usually sheep around this part too, and since it was spring he was hoping that he’d get hold of a lamb.
Kenji back at the camp looked up and sighed, “So this is the great outdoors…” He said starting to take two of the horses towards the water.
“You don’t like it?” Amaya asked, she loved the outdoors, better than anywhere else at least. It was calming and patient..
“Not saying I don’t like it…I’ve just never been here…” Kenji said slightly in confusion as he spotted fish swimming around in water instead of being on his dinner plate.
Mitsuoki climbed a tree figuring that it was the best way to scout the whole area at once, he had always liked the outdoors, but he liked the clouds more than anything…it was so calm up there, so effortless.
“I’ll get a fire started, the horses should be okay,” Amaya said and started gathering a small amount of dried wood up that had fallen from nearby trees, and various reeds.
Kai however had found a lamb and was bringing its now dead body back to camp as something to eat, “Some of you may not want to watch this.” He said as he took what looked like a hunters knife from his pocket and began preparing the animal for spit roasting.
Update: 2:18 19/9/06Mitsuoki was perhaps the only one who hadn’t turned away but nonetheless he was fascinated by the work that his Sensei was putting into skinning the animal and empting it of it’s guts. Kai looked around for a moment before grabbing a stick and shoving it straight through the animal until it pierced out of the other end.
“Mitsuoki, hold this a second,” He handed the animal to Mitsuoki who took it tentatively, he’d never seen a lamb in this state before, “Kenji.” He called suddenly, “Tie the horses up and come over here.” Kenji sprung into action and started his small task. Then he started walking over, meanwhile Kai prepared two large sticks and shoved them at opposite ends of the fire, then he came back.
“Good I think it’s drained enough now,” He said and looked down to the large puddle of blood that had formed on the ground. Kai took the lamb and slipped it on the two poles, effectively spit roasting it, “Mitsuoki, fetch me a leather skin from my horse.” Mitsuoki obediently obeyed and headed off in the direction of Kai’s horse. Amaya looked around and jumped into the tree, just to check if there was anyone following which Mitsuoki may have missed, seeing nothing she jumped down.
Kai looked around, it was barely getting light even now, but already they were preparing a meal and getting ready for the long journey ahead of them. He was unsure whether some of his companions would make it through his toughened up training regime. Amaya was probably expecting an assault course of some kind that he used to make up, but that wasn’t going to be the case this time, he had something much better planned ahead.
Mitsuoki came back with the skin, “I’ve got the skin Sensei.” Kai took it from him and nodded his thank you, before turning to Amaya, “Mitsuoki, take your horse and ride three hundred east, and ride to edge, from there you will see Seireitei and the route we have travelled, come back and tell me what it looks like.” Mitsuoki looked up slightly puzzled but headed for his horse just as Kenji made his way over.
“You think we’re being followed don’t you,” Kenji asked in the darkness. Kai stood straight and looked at Kenji.
“There may be some commotion if anyone discovers we have left on the northern trail, it may hinder our training if that happens, and perhaps even lead the enemy to our location.” Kai replied, though that wasn’t his true motive for sending Mitsuoki away like that, but it seemed to suffice for Kenji as he awaited further instruction, “Turn the spit roast every five minutes by ninety degree’s. Returning his gaze to Amaya he gave her an assignment too.
“Amaya, keep watch over Mitsuoki,” He gestured to the tree she was near. It was an easy task, but one that needed to be done, she climbed the tree quickly.
Update 21/09/06Everything suddenly quieted down for the moment and Kai was sure that something wasn’t quite right with the challenge. He looked around, everyone had brought their Zanpakuto with them, so there wasn’t going to be much of a problem if a wild animal attacked…however he was still concerned. A challenge from The Resistance with an almost four year gap was odd, were they overestimating him and his abilities through rumours or did they think that he wouldn’t answer to the challenge and thus step aside leaving the gate open for them to attack as and when they pleased.
Mitsuoki came galloping back at full speed and stopped at a pant in front of Kai.
“What is it?” Kai said looking up at Mitsuoki.
“Someone’s noticed, there’s something happening at the northern gate,” The white haired student replied, even with one eye covered he had the eyes of an eagle.
“Kenji, it should be done, wrap it up in this,” Kai said and threw the leather skin over to him. In truth the meat would have been done a few minutes ago but he decided to let it cook at bit more just in case, “Amaya, get the horses ready quickly, and Mitsuoki, help me get the fire covered.” Kai put his hand to the fire.
“The first destructive art, Spirit Ball,” Mitsuoki said firmly and exploded the small ball the size of a pea which obliterated the fuel the fire was using. Kai then started scattering the still hot ashes using a fallen branch.
“The horses are ready,” Kenji and Amaya said together. Kai nodded.
“Good work both of you, let’s move out,” Kai jumped up onto his own horse and the others did the same suddenly taking off, leaving very little trace of them behind.
They were soon riding through a deciduous woodland, it wasn’t all that big from what Kai remembered since the last time he was here, and the paths seemed no different than before. They were cantering in single file heading for the Inori mountains still.
“Hey sensei,” Kenji called as he overtook Amaya to take his place behind Kai. Kai looked back.
“Yes?” He said.
“How far do you plan to take us into the Inori mountains, I read in books that they are treacherous even to those who know the mountain paths.” Kenji said and Kai laughed out loud. Amaya spoke up to reply.
“The Inori mountains were dangerous to anyone affiliated with the Shinigami because that was where Sensei and me were based when we were part of the Resistance,” This seemed to frighten Kenji as he spoke up once more.
“We’re going into enemy territory?” He gasped.
“Not quite, the Inori mountains were abandoned once I left the resistance. I was the only person who could hold a decent defence in those mountains. It is true they are dangerous, but…we never used the mountain paths, at least…not directly. They were guides to tell us roughly were to go, the Shinigami took them literally, even the guides that they hired followed the paths.” Kai replied just to reassure him. Though Mitsuoki wasn’t quite as confident.
“What makes you certain that they didn’t get someone else in there?” Mitsuoki called.
“It isn’t easy to hide a large battalion in the mountains, which means they could only put small groups up there, that makes it very disadvantageous to the Resistance,” Kai said, looked forwards, and thought about what he had just said. Everyone became quite again and the only things that could be heard were the pounding of the hooves, and the snorting of the horses.
They rode for what was soon known to be hours, when they emerged from the other side of the “woodland” the sun was high in the sky indicating it was about noon now
update: 22/09/06This meant that either they would have to find shelter and risk being tracked and possibly ambushed, or riding through the darkness letting the horses stop every two hours for a half hour break. It was unlikely that the Shinigami, if they wanted to track the team would think that they would use horses, which was the one reason why Kai selected it as the mode of transport.
They raced across the vast plains, and before them loomed the foothills, and beyond the Inori mountains. The foothills themselves were not that bad to trek, but the mountains were going to be harsh. Kai rode up to each of the team members and handed out cold meat, even though no one had particularly used their Reiatsu it was still something to keep a taste in their mouths. Kai took a small piece for himself and set off again, setting the pace once more.
“Can’t they track out Reiatsu?” Kenji said when they had to get off and start walking their horses through a split in a mountain. Which was rumoured to have been sliced by a menos trying to get into Soul Society, the damage had supposedly been caused by a gigantic Cero.
“You’ve seen the big white tower in Seireitei haven’t you?” Amaya said. Kenji nodded, “Then you know what it’s made of.” He nodded again.
“Lethality Stone,” He added to enforce his nod.
“Lethality Stone blocks spiritual power and even saps it away when refined to a high degree. These mountains are covered in unrefined low intensity Lethality stone,” She said brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“How do you know that?” Mitsuoki asked. Kai stopped and looked slightly upwards.
”Because of this…” Kai said and looked up at a huge statue engraved into a wall of Lethality stone ahead of them, at the end of the blast, it had its hand raised as if to top something, and it was a statue of an ancient Buddhist monk, and indeed the blast stopped there. “This was created by a tribe of warriors who used to live in these mountains, whom the Shinigami exterminated, they hid behind the statue in a series of tunnels, many Shinigami died trying to follow them in. They were saved, but when they emerged…”
“A menos broke through the barrier with an extremely powerful Cero, a blast that even shook Seireitei, it annihilated every living thing in it’s path,” Amaya said quietly, “Including my family.” Amaya when she had first arrived here, had been taken into the warrior tribe and had grew up supporting the resistance.
“This is why they can’t track us…because the Lethality stone?” Mitsuoki asked.
“Yes, it disperses all of our Reiatsu, so we won’t be able to use it for a while at our current level,” Kai said. Then he stopped again and turned around, “Welcome to the Inori mountains.” He said and started unloading his horse, “We send the horses back home now.” Everyone else followed suit and Kai whistled. The four horses cantered off together. The team looked around seeing that they were surrounded by walls of low density lethality stone.
“Where to now?” Kenji asked. Kai looked up at the statue, “This is one of the few entrances that will lead us to the mountain paths, very few entrances will let you in on foot alone. We head to the top of the statue, there used to be a decent training ground on the top of it….there is one more item I should tell you: Training here in the Inori mountains will either make you stronger, or it will kill you. The gravitational density at the top of the statue has increased by twenty five percent more than average gravity thanks to the Cero blast. Now we’ll start at the bottom and work our way up. Up on reaching the top we should have increased in power.” Kai swung his bag over his shoulder, “Lets get our camp set up.”
After hearing that, the group didn’t seem to be up to talking that much, but they all knew that this was one stand they would have to make against the resistance if they hoped to prevent the fall of Seireitei and perhaps all Shinigami.
At the base of the statue of the Buddhist Monk between it’s feet they started setting up camp.
“Isn’t all the Lethality stone dangerous,” Kenji asked once the tents were set up.
“The Lethality stone blocks Reiatsu and saps it only when heavily refined this won’t sap your energy, however it will put a heavy burden on your reiatsu. All of you, show me the first Destructive art,” Kai replied.
“Hado #1: Spirit Ball,” The three of them yelled out and held out their balls. Kenji’s wavered and then flickered out. Amaya’s stayed firm but shrunk a lot. Mitsuoki’s decided it wasn’t going to do either and lost it’s colour. Kai held out his hand and performed the same technique however, his ball hadn’t seemed to have changed from the training sessions they used to have back in the Aqueduct.
“How?” Mitsuoki asked.
“I haven’t shown anyone my full potential, I have trained in the nights when the three of you have slept just to become that little bit more controlled so I could teach you all what I had learned,” Kai said quietly. He lectured on, “Lethality stone preys on the weakness of your Reiatsu. Kenji, you are weak on form, Amaya, you have weak control, Mitsuoki, your strength is lacking, all of these must be increased. Now there are seven floors in this tower which means training is of priority in order to pass each room. Waraku, my Zanpakuto will set up challenges for us on each floor. It is no longer about me teaching you any longer, we all have to learn together, and help each other.” Kai drew his Zanpakuto, held it before him and then plunged it into the earth below. A gush of water emptied from the hilt of the Zanpakuto running straight down the blade and into the ground and then into the tower.
“It has begun,” Amaya said melodramatically.
“So it has.” Kai replied, “I don’t know what tests Waraku will hold for us but I am certain, that we will be stronger once we reach the top. Inside, the tower we will all face tests of our weaker halves we this isn’t going to let us exploit our strengths easily.
Update: 23/09/06Looking around them the sun had already began to set and Mitsuoki tapped his water skin. It sounded almost hollow.
“Is there a water supply around here?” He asked suddenly once the tents were completely up and camp was ready.
“There should be some behind the statue, but that’s a long way as you can see…” Amaya said looking back at the statue, it wasn’t a normal sized statue it was a bout as wide as a few foot ball pitches and most likely the same in depth. Kenji looked up in awe.
“How did they build something so big?” He said looking straight up. It was as high as a mountain, and yet still carved with intricate detail.
“I don’t know,” Amaya said, “Come on Mitsu, let’s go find some water, if we’re lucky we might find a small spring somewhere.” Kai nodded to them as they both headed off into the distance he gathered small pieces of wood here and there from dead tree’s and built up a small fire and lit it with a small byakurai.
---
It had been awhile since Amaya had been away from both Kenji and Kai, she hadn’t really spent much time getting to know Mitsuoki, and all she knew of him was his name, he was generally quiet about everything, she caught a glimpse of Mitsuoki watching her before flicking his eyes away.
“What is it?” she said, not in annoyance, but as a question. Mitsuoki didn’t reply for a moment, then he tilted his head back up.
“You…like sensei don’t you?” Mitsuoki said and carried on walking.
“I-I-I don’t know what you mean,” Amaya stuttered, her ears turning slightly pink.
“Oh, my bad,” Mitsuoki said heading off around a corner. Amaya blinked, she’d expected a line of questioning.
---
Though back at the camp, things hadn’t particularly developed in anyway, since the two had left, however, Kenji was eager to start training as soon as possible, he didn’t want to be weak, at least not for long, the weak didn’t survive and he wanted to win any challenges set down before him. He had started trying to control his Reiatsu, Kai had obviously been studying on his own, yet that meant he was surviving on less rest than the rest of them, did this mean he was more dedicated?
Kai himself sat patiently, considering his options. Waraku hadn’t returned, and she’d probably only return once all the preparations were complete. He took a book from his backpack, it had been the same book he had started reading three weeks ago, about how to tune your Reiatsu, that was part of the only reason why he was able to maintain such a high degree of Reiatsu control here. Although he’d completed the book many times and memorized most of the pages, there was still the odd one or two sections that he didn’t quite understand. He closed the book after half an hour of reading, and since the other two weren’t back yet he decided to get something exciting moving.
“Kenji,” Kai said stepping up, he grabbed two dead sticks, about four feet long, and tossed one over. It landed at Kenji’s feet, “Let’s start with some Kenjutsu training.” Kenji looked up, swordsmanship was his speciality almost and he didn’t want to appear weak thus he picked up the stick and stood readying himself in a particular stance, with the stick over head in right hand, and horizontal. His left hand was outstretched with his palm facing Kai and he was stood with his feet apart, well balanced. It was an offensive posture clearly meant for a single blow to the enemy that would incapacitate them, however, it was fairly covered from most openings.
Kai stood, he hadn’t taught Kenji this style and was fairly impressed that he’d come up with it, however his own style was far more defensive and therefore, he stood normally, his feet shoulder width apart and his stick in his hand fairly relaxed, held mostly by his thumb and fore finger with the rest to support rather than grip.
Kenji charged suddenly and Kai didn’t move at least not until the tip of Kenji’s sword was two feet away and then he made his move, and rather elegantly at that. His hand had moved over to his left still down and then straight up to a point just above Kenji’s head, parrying the incoming blow to Kenji’s left and Kai’s right. Then he quite simply gripped his stick with both hands and sent his slash straight down Kenji’s blade towards his arm. He jumped back just in time.
“What the hell?” Kenji muttered. That move, it was perfect…yet blocked.
“Speed,” Kai said loud enough for Kenji to hear, “The technique was perfect, however the horizontal edge to my throat is full of openings if you’re not fast enough.” Kai locked eyes with Kenji and decided not to show him how to do the technique. If he had started learning it by himself, he should master it by himself. Kenji assumed a more natural stance, with his sword in front of him. He charged again, using both hands to bring down a fury slash, from Kai’s right shoulder to his left hip.
Kai watched, Kenji was faster and more confident in this style and it wouldn’t be such an easy win. Kai stepped forwards and slashed straight up to his left shoulder, and sprang forwards into the attack. The sticks met in mid air and pushed both of the opponents back before they ran at each other again. This time Kai took the offensive and brought a ground to sky slash in a simultaneous blow as Kenji brought in a sky to ground slash. Kenji jumped back and Kai bowed backwards narrowly avoiding the slash. The two went at it again clashing here and there, and in the occasional blocks, they both twirled around on the spot trying to find the others weakness.
Amaya and Mitsuoki had since returned from their trip only to see the two battling it out still. Amaya had skilfully caught lunch for today and tomorrow having spotted a mountain hare. There were very few of them around this area so she made the best of it. .Mitsuoki was slightly bewildered at the speed the two were battling at, it wasn’t normal.
“Sensei, should we prepare dinner?” That clinched it and Kai decided to end the battle on the next move.
“No,” Kai said, “I will.” With that he started spinning as he charged at Mitsuoki, and then he jumped leaping over Kenji’s downward slash, before somersaulting in the air and landing behind Kenji. Kenji didn’t exactly anticipate this and spun round with a horizontal slash, Kai switched movement, and remained kneeling on the floor, before palming his stick straight up from his knelt position into Kenji’s chin. Then with the power that Kai had put behind it, he didn’t move, since the blow hadn’t connected, “Good.” Kai said taking his staff away from Kenji’s chin. He had grabbed it at the last moment before contact. Kenji gulped, his Sensei had almost gotten serious.
“Dinner time?” Kenji beamed nervously. Kai tossed his stick away and headed over where they all helped prepare dinner, no matter how gruesome it might have looked. They ate what they good with the few supplies they had brought along.
“Since there’s a stream, Mitsuoki and I were going to go down stream a little and see if that field is still there,” Amaya said breaking the ice after a period of silence had settled in.
“Actually this time Kenji is going to go with you, Mitsuoki will stay here.” Kai said with an affirmed voice.
Update 24th Sep
Days past, Amaya and Kenji had found the garden, that they had nicknamed the secret garden since it were hidden in a small valley and was covered in edible plants whether they looked nice or not. Even the flowers themselves were edible. However, even though it had been almost a week exactly, there had still been no sign from Waraku at all, not even a glimmer that she might return.
Although the others had made certain comments about her being a deserter, Kai had not and placed absolute faith in his Zanpakuto.
Update: 24th SeptemberKai awoke with a start, sitting bolt upright in his tent. He checked the time on a sun dial he had set up outside so that he could track what he was doing from one moment to the next.
It was barely even four o’clock in the morning and he wasn’t due up for another hour. It was then, even as he climbed out of the tent that he noticed it. His Zanpakuto, was hovering in mid-air, no longer pointed vertically into the ground, but pointed at a wall far back, way far between the ankles of the great monk.
They had done only basic training up until now, going over and over what they had learned, so much that they were dreaming about their training as he heard battle cries in the night from Mitsuoki as he clashed in his imaginary duel with an unknown foe. Yet now the training would move to the next chapter in their lives. Kai prepared breakfast, which consisted of half an apple, a pear and an egg each, the eggs came from mountain birds and were hard-boiled. He himself wasn’t that hungry and ate himself an apple and that was it. They had been subsisting on a diet of fruit and vegetables for only a week and already their body shapes had developed, especially with the task of maintenance that Kai had set out. They had all gotten stronger and faster, and improved on the techniques that they had already learned.
“Kenji, Amaya, Mitsuoki.” He called and apart from Kenji they awoke from their beds. Kai waited for a moment before he heard a light snore. Kai twitched and both Mitsuoki and Amaya sighed in mock desperation as Kai took a stick and charged forwards.
A few moments later and Kenji came out rubbing his head.
“We’re packing up,” Kai gestured to his previously packed tent.
“Huh why?” Kenji said rubbing his eyes. Kai gestured to his Zanpakuto that was still hovering in mid air.
“It’s time to go.” He said proudly, he knew that the hadn’t betrayed him, but she had most likely gone and developed the hardest course of training in order for the team to become stronger. He had noticed with much satisfaction over the training that all three of his students were quick learners, with varying degrees in what they learned best. Kenji was a quick study with his Zanpakuto, Amaya was best with offensive kidou, and Mitsuoki he was primarily defensive although the others didn’t know that, they thought he was just weaker.
The three with Kai’s help quickly put the tents into bags and then Kai stood just slightly back from his Zanpakuto.
“Lets go,” He said and took his Zanpakuto. He knew what he had to do it coursed through him instantly the moment he touched the Zanpakuto. He suddenly started sprinting and others sprinted to catch up with him, cutting through the air, he ran faster slightly that he was thrusting his Zanpakuto and in the same manner Kenji had just before he reached the wall, thrust it straight in, never letting go. Three lights shot down the hilt, down the blade and into the wall and then three pulses went through the wall before it separated, revealing a stair case.
“Remember we are all going to be tested in here and it will get harder,” With that Kai headed in. Never looking back, always looking forwards.
Kai expected to be in here for an incredibly long length of time, there hadn’t been a resistance member who had gotten out of her in under two decades, and yet they had only four years to defeat it completely.
The first floor in the Tower of Hao
When the resistance had first discovered this tower it was a very long time ago, and they discovered that inside there were a series of tests depending on who it was that entered. They tested everything about you that you had learned and even forced you to learn more.
It had been common place to bring resistance members here to train them up beyond a certain rank, at least, until the Shinigami decided to do something about the rebels. They crushed them enough so that they wouldn’t be much of a problem in the future, however, as it sounded the resistance had built up their forces again, and currently Shinigami were in short supply.
Kai came up into the first room, and looked around. He was in a large room about thirty by forty feet. The standard size of a large hall, he couldn’t quite fathom what he was supposed to do with nothing, and he seemed to be alone, they had probably been all separated but most likely given a task with the same effect, and the outcome would most likely have to be the same in order to progress to the next room.
A man walked in clad in Samurai war garbs. Instinctively Kai drew his Zanpakuto from his sheath and waited. Then suddenly the two clashed, they were equally matched in skill, speed and strength and it was just a question of endurance, or so Kai thought as he battled against his opponent trying to get the samurai to exert his energy and expose a gap.
Amaya came to her room. The others had disappeared and she too was alone. Her room wasn’t plain, in fact it was a small village in which she was asked to do various chores to help with a family, she too had no idea what this was about and it didn’t seem to help that the family were making her welcome letting her eat their food and share their thoughts. All in all Amaya seemed to be having a good time getting to know them.
Kenji walked into his room and was a little surprised by what he saw it was a dance room, more to the fact ballet. He couldn’t do this…this was just to girly.
“What the hell? Why isn’t Amaya in this room…this isn’t my thing.” With that he headed out of the door to find that he was in a town filled with people who thought that ballet was also for girls. Thus, only the girls did ballet, yet however it seemed, that Ballet was also the only thing that earned any kind of respect in this place, which was why women were first class, and men second class in this room. He had to keep reminding himself it was just a large room because the place was huge, it was far bigger than he had anticipated.
He glanced around, even all the attractive girls were only interested in people who could perform ballet.
“This is sick,” Kenji muttered as he punched someone who was trying to rob him, “Right time to find a way out of this hovel.” With that he set off searching for the exit.
Mitsuoki looked around his position, nothing but large and long cave that was lit by candles every so often. There was a large rumbling deep in the cave and it sounded big like some kind of monster with it’s roaring and growling. Quickly he set off searching for the exit of this place.
Though Mitsuoki noticed since he had stood in one place of a few seconds when he started that he was running around in circles because he was starting to see foot prints, his foot prints.
“If I haven’t come across the exit this way,” Mitsuoki thought out loud. He took his Zanpakuto and turned around facing it towards the enemy…or so he had believed until a small wolf came out barking and growling not because it was angry but some other reason. He barked at Mitsuoki and then turned the other way. Mitsuoki frowned but followed only to find a young boy who needed help. Mitsuoki gave him a little help with what ever he could provide. The boy only looked about eleven and appeared to have sprained himself.
“Thanks mister,” He said before scarping off. The dog however stayed behind for a moment and barked. Suddenly a door opened below Mitsuoki and he fell through into the darkness.
The second person to solve his problem two weeks later was Kenji. Kenji had given up on embarrassment of ballet, since he found that if you didn’t know at least something about ballet you were frowned up on and not accepted in society. Even the bandits didn’t like you if you didn’t like it.
Kenji went back to the dance room, and it appeared he was early for a class because the teacher wandered in followed by a group of girls. The teacher was a young woman who he had seen in the town, he’d wanted to talk to her but she’d always been out of ear shot or something had taken her away. However as Kenji started to partake in one of his lessons, a particular spin sent him into darkness.
Kai had been battling for what seemed like years, which turned out to be five months with regular intervals to get something to eat, drink, and a few hours sleep. The enemy was still going strong and he’d never fought anyone like this before and he’d been quite surprised that the Samurai could block one or two moves that he knew and were usually techniques that wouldn’t miss. Now he woke up, battered and bruised, and he stood up, took his Zanpakuto and headed out into the room where his opponent stood waiting. The Samurai charged forwards and Kai lifted his hand from his Zanpakuto and extended it forwards. The Samurai stopped, puzzled by his movements.
“I don’t want to fight today, and I’d just like to shake your hand, you’re an unbelievably strong adversary,” Kai said but even as he finished that sentence darkness had engulfed him.
Finally only a week after that, with the others waiting for her although she didn’t know that, she had grown attached and had developed a training routine around her new family. Waiting for something to happen, but of course it never did and she had almost started a relationship with a boy in the village, however she picked up on a slip of info that she had to leave because if she didn’t the village would turn against her. This wouldn’t have been a problem normally, but she’d grown attached to a young girl by the name of Rosa, who was a her new family’s youngest daughter. She had to leave without telling anyone or they would find her and surely kill her and the family she had been with.
That night she left into the forest saying she had to collect firewood. . Darkness engulfed her.
The four now engulfed in the darkness met in the darkness and shared their stories with a man who looked oddly familiar, yet none of them could place the image. The man just nodded thoughtfully as he listened to their tales of how they fought, how they overcame their problems, and ultimately how they ended up where they were.
Update: 25th SeptemberThe next thing that any of them remembered happening was a small light engulfing each of them and then they spiralled down into another room each, it seemed that yet again they were all alone and had nothing to do but fight on their own through the next task.
Amaya looked up to what seemed to be an assault course, however it wasn’t horizontal, it was vertical. This wasn’t going to be easy, she couldn’t jump through hoops upwards…could she? She latched onto the rocky face and started upwards after noting with satisfaction that there was food and water below her.
Mitsuoki had a completely different problem, the task in front of him was one that had been linked to his previous exercise. One of the soldiers were stood at the other end of the room, between them were Suburito, a bokken, however almost three times the weight. The man spoke.
“In order to pass this test you must be able to follow this technique at the exact same time I perform it,” The man spoke, “Do not look for weaknesses for there are none, only look for possible counter attacks in the technique. Once you have learned it, you must defeat me with all the power, strength and skill you will have learned.” With that Mitsuoki began a test pf physical training.
Kenji was a little different still, and placed into a scenario much like Amaya had been in, in a small village. Though he didn’t have an assault course or a master, he was assigned chores from a Noble family in the village and was told that in order to complete this room he must complete all the tasks set. He frowned when he was told to take a barrel up the mountain, fill it with ice and roll back down, before pounding it to pieces to make it liquid enough to have a cold bath. Yet he had to comply.
Kai was though confused as he found himself dragging a huge rock up a mountain, this involved pure strength and body limitations something he wasn’t too clever with, he had always been taught a clever mind overcame a strong body. Yet here he was…dragging a rock up a mountain.
Mitsuoki notably passed his task first, his mind quick to respond to the brutal attacks that were rained down up on him by his tutor. It was more of a test of speed than it was strength and with this speed he had to include precise attacks in order to defend himself. From what the tutor had said, he found true there were no open weaknesses yet, only after three months of battling and constant training had Mitsuoki developed the path of leading your enemy and then destroying them. He had started leading his trainer by opening his defence in certain areas, and then as he opened himself for the last time the tutor gave a downward slash, revealing himself for a brief moment. Mitsuoki struck forward seizing that gap and pointed his Suburito straight at the mans chest. The tutor then turned to dust and Mitsuoki was left in the room battered and bruised, however he was engulfed in darkness and given the rest of the time to recuperate.
Kai was second, although severely tested as the mountain got steeper and steeper he completed the task just after the forth month planting the huge boulder he was towing up on the very tip of the mountain and congratulating himself on a job well done. It was a straight forward task, which he could say, unlike Amaya who passed her task third, three days after Kai.
Amaya had been climbing so much that her body thought that gravity was now vertical instead of horizontal and had been jumping through the first few hoops quite well, it was when she had to climb in a horizontal fashion using only her fingers to grab onto the rocky ledge that was just above her literally. Yet she some how managed to swing round using her arms to yank her round and up into darkness.
Kenji was last, his list of tasks had been far easier, however there had been an almost endless list and he was there for his second week over his fifth month when he was told he had completed his tasks. Not only was he relieved, but he felt the tension in his body just flow out. He was thankful for that at least yet when the darkness engulfed him he was happier still.
(Update: 27th September)Again their stories were listened to by the man who was dressed in his formal, yet loose clothing, and still none of them could put their finger on who he was. It was then that they were engulfed a second time and transported to their individual scenario’s.
Kenji was put in a room, a small room with a small boy in front of him. The boy was dressed in loose white robes, and his head was shaved.
“Welcome to the third floor Takashi san,” The boy said and bowed slightly his hands together under his loose sleeves. Kenji bowed back and prepared himself for what was to happen next, he truly had no idea, and everything just seemed to be getting harder, especially since he was starting to feel drained at this point from an intense force that he was barely standing up against it. He bowed back to the boy.
“Who are you?” Kenji asked looking around the room.
“I am your test Takashi san,” The boy smiled, “You feel drained?” Kenji looked at him with suspicious eyes.
“Is that you’re doing?” Kenji asked reaching for his blade.
“No no, that is not my task, that is from the Statue itself. It is made of lethality stone and it not only saps your reiatsu constantly, it also increases the pressure the further you go up,” The boy said his demeanour never breaking from his calm collected self. Kenji on the other hand was getting a little worried by this point yet calmed himself.
“So what is your task?” Kenji replied with his endless barrage of questions. The boy didn’t speak only let one hand extend forward and then he raised it as if lifting a light object in front of him. A pedestal from the ground rose up between them, and behind the boy and Kenji rose a stool each.
“My task is to test your mental skill, you must beat me three times before you can proceed to the next room. Each time you beat me, I will raise my strategy,” Then in front of Kenji on the pedestal a chessboard appeared, followed by a coin that flipped up into the air, “You should call.”
“Heads,” He said and the games began.
Kai however considered himself lucky in this task as the problem before him was a riddle. The riddle written in glowing lights before him spelled out:
- In a street there are five houses, painted five different colors.
- In each house lives a person of different nationality
- These five homeowners each drink a different kind of beverage, smoke different brand of cigar and keep a different pet.
Thus who owns the fish
These are the clues:
1. The British man lives in a red house.
2. The Swedish man keeps dogs as pets.
3. The Danish man drinks tea.
4. The Green house is next to, and on the left of the White house.
5. The owner of the Green house drinks coffee.
6. The person who smokes Pall Mall rears birds.
7. The owner of the Yellow house smokes Dunhill.
8. The man living in the center house drinks milk.
9. The Norwegian lives in the first house.
10. The man who smokes Blends lives next to the one who keeps cats.
11. The man who keeps horses lives next to the man who smokes Dunhill.
12. The man who smokes Blue Master drinks beer.
13. The German smokes Prince.
14. The Norwegian lives next to the blue house.
15. The Blends smoker lives next to the one who drinks water
Kai looked up at the riddle. He had barely even thought about it, but it was just something in the clues that had been given, the only one who didn’t own a pet was the German, thus the answer was:
“The German,” Kai spoke clearly and his test was cleared, engulfed in the black shadows Kai awaited his next task.
-----------------------
Plan ahead...mweheheheheh
----------------------
Tower of Hao
3rd Floor: Strength of Mind, anything to do with the mind, complex physical puzzles, mazes etc. Each has a complex puzzle to complete, no two are the same. Riddles, Mazes, Tricks, Knowledge. Are all used.
4th Floor: Strength of Leadership. Three drones attack in the same attack pattern continuously, a plan must be devised to thwart it. The drones are capable of Shunpo at this point, and through the strength, the team must continually use Shunpo just to appear to be moving at normal speed.
5th Floor: Battle Technique. Learning how to attack, guard, counter attack, parry, make simultaneous attacks etc.
6th Floor: Reiatsu/ Kidoh(Advanced Kidoh Learning/Shunpo/Reiatsu Development/Zanjutsu Techniques (And styles)/Hakuda Techniques)
7th Floor: Zanpakuto Control/Understanding
Final Floor: Test/Ambush
However, they are ambushed by a team of Resistance members who are intent on destroying the group for their goal to succeed. They get in the way of the training, and they are far superior in almost every way, speed, technique, strength, stamina. However, each one is also weak in a particular area, and Kai and his team must pit themselves against the opponent in the mountainous terrain, which often becomes clouded. (1)
The team finds out that in order to beat their boss, they must become stronger and develop their Reiatsu by discovering a means of using their Shikai. After a few months of training, they discover it is futile and go into the dark caves to learn more about themselves and why they are fighting. (1:3)
Even in the caves the group is attacked by an enemy who uses the vibrations in the caves to confuse his enemies into attacking each other. After a length of time in there, of surviving on nothing but bat meat, and water from a mysterious flowing stream, they must either learn how to Shikai, or remain in the caves, trapped forever. 2:3
The Shikai's are learned in time and it takes ages to train in order to get the Shikai, only when they are able to use their Shikai at will are they able to progress. They all finally manage to get out and head further north into the mountainous range in the hopes of getting away from any enemies, however they fall much to Kai’s amusement straight into an enemy trap in which they are forced to rely up on each other in order to escape a rather deadly maze of levers, buttons and monsters, 3:3
They return to Seireitei, far stronger than they were before thanks to the resistance movements idiotic attempts to kill them. (Training up until the last day) (This should be the day before the last however)
However the boss sends out a machine to do his dirty work (South Rukongai there’s an uproar as the machine giant machine heads towards Seireitei), with himself in the heart of the machine. It is a large machine and completely hidden in an underground complex where Seireitei doesn’t even know that it could be annihilated in a single blast if completely activated. The machine turns out to be a biomechanical monster. A soul altered from a research program in which it was designed not only to wipe out all hollow’s, but all of Hueco Mundo. They find this out because a scientist runs in on them and tries to stop the team from killing the weapon.
The weapon self destructs, on itself as it still has a mind of its own, even though it was used, it could not bare to let itself be used for the annihilation of so many Shinigami if it came to that. The boss of the resistance movement is drained in the process by the monster and he dies.
The team return to Seireitei finding that they had gone for four years and quite a few things had changed since they had left.
Conclusion: Thus everyone has their Shikai by the end.
(Thanks Amaya)
Reply
