My pain is real!

Senshi's reaction came as no surprise to Hao. He had seen others before react in a similar manner to the eerie feeling his sword gave off. It all had something to do with the way his powers seemed to work. The sword had absorbed all of his experiences, all of his inner darkness and negative emotions. What he created was negative energy. A force that drew in even more power from the negative feelings and memories of others. In a way his Zanpakutou was more than just his true power sealed away. Well, such a thing was very hard to explain with a words. But he hadn't expected the man to react so strongly. Sheer fear expressed for moments. Replaced by an unusual calmness as the male unsheathed his sword. Pointed down on the four feet long nodachi he had left lying in the corner. A surprising development, the usually calm and collected male was intending to try and destroy the weapon. The male had no worries for the fate of his dark-natured 'partner', but still thought it would be good for the male to calm down. Kemiko's hands no wrapping over the swordsman.

The words of the other male were heartfelt. Apparently the whole ordeal left a strong impression on him. Hao scratched the back of his head, not wanting such an experience to ruin things between the group. "It's not only mere blood thirst... There is a lot more to it than that. It's sort of hard to explain. Anyways, don't feel too alarmed. The sword is not after blood, nor is it out to cause destruction. It just rejects others that touch it, the way it is right now", the way he spoke was very cryptic as well. There were things he couldn't explain about himself, and the way his sword worked. Not even if he wanted to, for his own experience too was still sort of vague. In any case, it seemed like the gentle touch and speech of the female managed to settle him down. Much to his surprise, the great and mighty dragon being the calmer of the two. Then again, being quite a threatening being himself, Byoga didn't have much to fear for. The Shinigami and her spirit sticking close for about a minute more. Then, the male clad in red was ready to let go, being his usual self once more.

They were now set face to face once more. Eye contact resuming between the warrior and the Arrancar. Kemiko having walked over besides his side once more. Like a proper warrior, he shoved the utmost of manners despite his earlier shock. Hao himself liked doing stuff his way, rather than following the rules of good manners exactly to the point. But it was only right, and he had been taught well. So he took a small bow as well, right after Senshi did so. Listening to his introduction, before introducing himself. "Yeah. The pleasure is mine. I am Hao Aokami..." the male spoke before stopping. He wasn't too comfortable about sharing his rank, if only because such things held no meaning for him. Rather, he was a very loose member of the order. Perhaps the reason why he had been the sixth Espada during his whole stay there. Others above him got killed, yet he always stayed there. But, he lifted his head, a brightness within his two yellow optics, "... The sixth Espada of the order established within Las Noches. But please, pay no attention to such a thing. The title doesn't hold much meaning to me. I am myself, nothing more, nothing less"

"An espada who speaks his rank as if it meant nothing to him, dislikes pointless fighting and has begun to develop feelings for a shinigami vice captain...you really are a unique being, espada..". Even through the dragon still referred to him as espada, it was clear that he had changed his opinion about him, for now at least, it didn`t take much to throw Byoga off his nerves, and sometimes all the beast needed was an angry look from Kemiko or Senshi and then he would calm down. "An honor to meet you, Aokami-san..", the armored man said in a respectful voice, using Hao`s last name in the traditional way. Kemiko let out a little sigh as Hao`s last words were spoken, for once she had to give Byoga right, he was an..unique man. "You and your honorifics, Senshi...if the eleventh division knew how much of a pansy you were, it would make master a joke..", "the two of us are the same being..so basically you just called yourself a pansy. You should try to think over your insults before you say them..". As Senshi spoke he only briefly turned his head towards his companion, returning his attention to Hao and Kemiko rather quickly, a amused smirk being displayed over his face. For the proud swordsman to insult the lizard back, giving in to his teasing, it showed he had a bit of personality. Like Kemiko, it seemed like both Byoga and Senshi had a wide personality, making them just as unique as their wielder.

"They say that the zanpaktou`s personality and appearance reflects the true nature of their wielder..its very rare for a zanpaktou to not have the same gender of their wielder, so when i first saw these two i got very surprised..", the female said with a light laughter emerging from her lips, lifting the slightly tense air in the room. Kemiko looked at Hao again, her smile remainning on her soft lips for a change. "The zanpaktou spirit lives in the inner world, its a world that is located inside a shinigami`s soul, not one is the same. The inner world can be affected by the emotions of the wielder, like when im sad the fire and sky in my world turn blue and cold..". The two zanpaktou`s looked at their master again, a sudden spark of surprise being located in Senshi`s eyes, as if he had just realized something.

"..Kemiko-sama...your hair is fully down, your gaiga is wearing clothes that hug your curves and outline your chest...you speak so relaxed and loose about your emotions to this espada, that you have known for a few hours, you even call him by his first name and allow you to call him by yours". The man`s words caused the female shinigami to raise her thin eyebrow slightly and cross her arms directly under her chest. "..Were are you going with that?". As Senshi was about to speak, Byoga interrupted. "He is asking if you have gotten soft hearted, no wait let me put it more simple. Senshi wants to know if you have fallen in love with this arrancar or not..". The question itself caused a brief blush to come across her creamy colored cheeks, making her appear slightly younger for a moment. "I`m disappointed, you two really see this world through narrow glasses. Just because i have finally found something, sorry someone, who can keep me from being bored, the two of you assume that i have found new love". Kemiko looked at Hao, her eyes hinting that she found this scene amusing.

Well, it seemed like Byoga finally began warming up towards him. Hao was sort of relieved that such a development took place. Despite the personality of the dragon still showing strongly with his words. The male seriously felt like dropping a large sweatdrop, if only for effect. Perhaps he had given such an image to the spirit. But the Arrancar himself certainly wasn't a soft hearted person. Most of the time he was a rather dark person after all. Kemiko was just someone who he synced with, a person who didn't awaken a sense of contempt within him. And it wasn't as though he looked at conflict as a pacifist. He had to fight quite a lot, and did so without complaints. The point stood, that he didn't like things that seemed to lack a purpose. Many of the fights against him had proven futile endeavors. Something that gave him a very bored and apathetic view towards exerting himself while fighting. He brought his right hand softly towards his lip, letting out a very soft and silent chuckle. The arguments of the two Zanpakutou spirits proving an amusing sight.

The female decided to join the conversation as well, shedding even more light behind the mysterious connection of a Shinigami and her Zanpakutou. Telling him about the gender and form of the spirits of the sword, and inner worlds as well. Showing the true nature of the wielder. He could barely see a resemblance. Senshi was certainly alike to his owner. They both were silent and a bit mysterious, with a serious aura, yet a gentle heart. Yet he showed off more sensitivity, an odd contrast, perhaps showing off parts of her feminine side as well. While Byoga was. Well, Byoga. The only resemblance he could see was the light of the fight. The dragon gave off the same feeling constantly that Kemiko gave off at times while fighting herself. What interested him more was the tale of the inner worlds. A faint image coming to mind. "Inner worlds huh... Perhaps. Mine would be that dark field. The ocean of darkness where only a slight light glimmer downs somewhere from above. Or that field of purple flares I keep seeing", he spoke thoughtfully, referring to some dreams of his that recurred to him at times.

He had also noticed a change in the female's expression. Her smile remaining over her face this time. Yet lost in thought all the same. Before Senshi came in with a comment. Hao wondered why the spirit began listing down her features and the way she was acting. Was he perhaps trying to aim at something? That is, before Byoga decided to put it bluntly. The male himself raised an eyebrow at this. He didn't think that anyone would actually fall for him. But perhaps the spirits knew their owners better than anyone. He took a look towards the female from the corner of his eyes. For some strange reason, she seemed to be blushing. Looking back, the two had been very close to one another the whole day, despite not knowing one another that well. Despite her reaction, she began denying it. True enough, any fine lady would find it awkward, being asked such a thing. The male sighed, rubbing the back of his head. Yet the look on his face remaining as positive as he normally could look. "That's right. Just because you enjoy the company of someone, doesn't automatically mean you're in love with the person. It's the same with me. Kemiko seems so different from the rest who I have spent my time with in the past", he spoke with a happy-ish tone, quite different from how he usually sounded. Going along with the female. But then again. Those two were a part of her. Maybe even knowing her just as well as she did.

"Darkness with a lot of floating lights? Sounds beautiful..i assume the lights you created here resembles them?", she said and reached out, catching one of the yellow eyes carefully between her fingers. "My inner world is what most people would call the castle of hell...the sky is always dark, only a few times i have seen a red moon behind it. My world consists of a castle with a endless amount of corridors, halls, rooms and stairs. If you look out of a window, all you will see is tall towers engulfed in fire. The only place that`s different from the rest is the throne room, were Senshi and Byoga mostly resides..even through Senshi has a habit of wandering the halls and Byoga loves flying around the towers...like the castle, the sky is endless, giving him all the space he needs..he is rather big, so that`s only a good thing-". "I`m not that big!", the dragon roared, oddly enough being moved by the female`s words. "You are big because you are a dragon...", the swordsman remarked, once again showing a more warm side of himself, yet anthoder thing he had in common with Kemiko.

The dragon narrowed its eye on the other spirit, and then a odd thing happened. Both Senshi and Kemiko began to..laugh? Kemiko`s laughter was one that came from her belly, the sound of it seeming to lighten up the whole room for an instant. Senshi`s was more calm, but you could see on his smile that he found the dragon`s anger very amusing. After a few moments of the uplifting laughter the female returned to the window frame, this time sitting halfway in it. "It is weird to see snow...in the seireitei, we do have spring, summer and autumn, but winter is something we don`t have. The last time i saw snow in the seireitei, was when one of the seated officers displayed his shikai`s ice abilities". She placed a hand onto her chest, grabbing the fabric of her uniform a little tight. It had been awhile since she laughed so much...was Byoga right and had Hao made her soft? Or was it simply her true nature shinning through for once? She wasen`t sure on an answer, so she stuck with that being freed from her boredom, made her happy.

She remained in the window for awhile, being brought out of her thoughts by Hao`s response to the spirit. The shinigami lifted her eyebrow a little over the happy tone of his voice, did he really enjoy her company this much? With a light sigh, and a little smile, she walked over to the large eye. "And Hao seems so different from the other arrancar i have faced in battle and heard about..so don`t get jealous your old lizard..". She reached inside the flames and began to move her hand in a stroking manner, oddly enough not being damaged by the flames. "I`m not jealous or old, woman..", the dragon spoke in a relaxed tone, enjoying the petting that its master gave it. Its eye was half closed now, making it clear the beast was relaxing. Under the whole scene, Senshi remained silent, watching the lizard and his master with a small smile over his face..that dragon never changed. They knew everything about Kemiko, and she knew everything about them...except their bankai powers.

Hao listened carefully to what Kemiko had to say about her inner world. It was always interesting to hear new stories he hadn't head before. Gathering more info and experience like he usually did. But he did have one more thing to add, rubbing the back of his head once more. Looking a tiny bit bothered, but not in a bad way. "Eh... I guess the realm of my dreams is sort of beautiful in ways. But it's mostly just lonesome and gloomy. Not like I would mind it though, I usually like the time I spend alone by myself, as long as it doesn't get too boring", he commented with a sort of thoughtful tone before returning his arms to his sides again. This time listening to what her inner world was like. Despite it having certain. Dark and maybe even depressive features to it. The world sounded very royal and even beautiful in it's own way. It was all a matter of preference after all. Endless corridors, halls, rooms and stairs huh. Now I see how it is... he quickly thought to himself, this quick trail of thought hidden by his valiant eyes. Despite the nearly transparent hue they had to them, it was very hard to see behind the optics of the Arrancar.

Then, an amusing thing happened. The jokes and remarks passed. Followed by a short silence, before two of the people there began laughing. It was sort of strange, yet comforting as well. Both Kemiko and Senshi were laughing to their hearts' content. Hao joined in as well, giving off a quick semi-chuckle to show he was having a bit of fun himself. While it meant no offense, his way of leaving out such a quick chuckle seemed a bit sarcastic. Now noticing his new companion sitting against the window frame once more. Talking about the place where she lived in. A quick tone of amusement ringing through his lips silently. "It's a pity it doesn't snow there, but it certainly sounds better than Hueco Mundo. We have nothing more than endless deserts, coupled up with the eternal night. The unusual sights make it a beautiful place as well. But the place is so unchanging one will eventually grow bored of it", he commented again, with another quick chuckle. Shaking his head a bit afterward. Laughter was contagious. Oh well. It was all good, so long as they were enjoying themselves. The male still standing in front of the window frame, with Kemiko sitting right next to him.

Another thing that caught his eye happened next. The female now walking over to the large eye that was seemingly the current manifestation of Byoga. Reaching her hand inside of the flares while speaking softly to the dragon. The response of the being as rough and grumpy as ever. Yet judging by his voice, he was getting quite relaxed. He was just keeping up the tough-guy act. The dragon too was an okay person, so long as he let his doubts and temper go. The male himself found himself relaxing a bit too much as well, his eyes gradually starting to close. Once they were closed, he opened them again, taking a look around. Bringing his right hand in front of his mouth to let out a yawn. He was still quite tired after all, having stayed up for such long times. "This evening and night has been surprisingly eventful. I didn't expect things to go like this when I came back to Karakura earlier today", he spoke with only a silent tone, letting another yawn escape his lips. He could still stay up for a while easily, but it was apparent that he was getting more tired by the moment.

Fair skies covet a darkened veil, whose constant twinkling provided a perfect wanderers' scene. Winds were calm yet cool, it was discomforting; this individual never had a knack for the winter. Thoughts of previous encounters, that one with those strange Vizards in particular, vitalized the tides inside of his mind. If things were to proceed then an example needed to be set. Leaders always found themselves impressing their underlings for the sake of a good-natured reputation; today was no different. It wasn't for them that he applied himself, however his gesture would in turn eventually satisfy the needs of him and his new "comrades." A revolution never amounted from but a solitary rebellion, separations would have to be entwined for aspirations to realize. There was something churning and surfing upon the narly tides of his mind. Swiveling this way and that, the idea procured violence, nevertheless all the people of the universe were much too senseless to merely speak; power could simply suppress and provide, rather than oh-so-terrible word known as "compromise." a war was to be hosted and regrets could be vanquished with victory, as could just about everything else it seemed.

Contemplating this idea in the prime of night, the male had taken a leisurely stroll upon the sky itself, looking over the city and its play of lights. Not too far off two shadows could be seen, frolicking daintily round and about. One was obviously much faster than the other, nevertheless the two stopped as if something brought the two to cease their game in order to speak. One of them had suppressed their spiritual pressure expertly, yet the man was at a close enough range that whatever still leaked could be identified. An arrancar and what might be a shinigami. There wasn't too much concern for either, but if one of them truly was an arrancar then that one could prove useful. He had no way of travelling from one world to another anymore, for his mask did not provide the ability of garganta. It happened that Ichijouji now needed to travel, and so if this arrancar would be kind enough to oblige then the results of this compliance could dramatically affect the future. Approaching the two conversing folks, Ichijouji did not hide his face beneath his hood, although the expression he had on was cold and suspenseful; it exploited a premonition... A vision of annihilation, that would soon come. Shaggy blond streaks of hair drifted with the draft, and only the Vizard's crimson eyes turned towards the hooded figure that was presumed as the arrancar.

"I apologize for interrupting your conversation, Mister and Misses. It is usually unlike me to be so intentionally rude, however.. the circumstances in my manner of lifestyle have recently changed drastically."

He sighed again, at the thought that he had been given so much responsibility through such a sudden bestowing of leadership.

"So, I will not distract the two of you for too long. My name is Ichijouji Takanashi, leader of the Vizard. If you, sir, are in fact an arrancar as I have assumed, then I would like to ask a favor. I have business concerning your leader, the Cero Espada. If it is possible, I would like to know his where-abouts and perhaps inquire about a garganta to the Land of Souls. I assure you my intentions with the Cero are purely tranquil."

"An unchanging battleground were those who fight, only live by the old rule "eat or get eaten"..it sure dosen`t sound interesting, its no surprise to visit this town to get some more excitement". The female walked over to the window yet again, this time placing her hand onto Hao`s cheek, rubbing her thumb softly against his chin in a gentle manner. "A arrancar who laughs warmly...once more i have to agree with my zanpaktou, you really are an intresting man..Hao-san". Her words was followed by a little smile, her eyes displaying amusment once more. She removed her hand from his face and let it slide down at her side again. Kemiko sat herself into the window frame again, crossing her arms under her chest out of habit. Her gaze once more returned to Hao as he began to speak, saying that the evening and night had been very eventful. The female nooded to this, finding herself smiling again.

"Anyways..before Hao-san falls asleep, the two of you should get back into the swords..", she said, having noticed the male`s small yawn. "Hai, hai...master..", the calmed voice of Byoga said, the ball of fire returning into the small flames of the candle. Senshi walked over to Kemiko and Hao, his eyes being focused onto the male. "Its been an honor to meet you Espada-san-...Hao-sama". With a light bow towards each of them, the swordsman faded away. Kemiko placed her left hand onto her chest, letting out a little sigh. "Well, what do you think about them?-". Kemiko stopped in the middle of her sentence, looking towards the hodded figure who had arrived. Out of reflexes, she went over to the bed and took out her shinigami badge, holding it close to her chest.

Hao nodded in a silent agreement at the words Kemiko spoke. She was very right about what she thought of Hueco Mundo. The lively parts of the so-called realm of emptiness were mostly filled with nothing more than conflict. The weaker trying to make do with whatever they had, the strong dominating over those daring to cross their path. That one simple rule applying with everything. Eat or get eaten, kill or be killed. Simple reasons behind of this ever-present conflict. Evolution of an individual, and extinguishing one's pain and sorrow by cutting loose the chains holding back the instincts. The male didn't think his laughter came out as warmly as it did. Only noticing the difference in his tune after Kemiko decided to mention it. He was fine with it, so long as she thought that part of him really was interesting. Such a thing was uncharacteristic of how he usually was. Then again. He was the kind of person who adjusted well with the people he was dealing with, and the situation as well. The hand of the Shinigami brushing through his cheek and chin gently once more...

Her comment sounding through the room, showing a certain amount of consideration towards Hao. It wasn't that surprising, considering how quickly they bonded in the first place. Their young bond growing with each passing moment. The large flickering of the flames disappearing as Byoga was the first to make his exit. Soon followed by what Senshi still had to say. Much to his surprise, the honorable swordsman using a suffix of great respect towards him. Fading away just as he appeared in the first place. "Thank you for the consideration. I think I could still stay up for a bit longer though. Those two seemed like--" he began responding, cut off mid-sentence as his ears twitched. Footsteps could be heard from behind the door. In preparation, taking out his Zanpakutou and returning it to his side. Another special 'presence' entering the room, noticeable despite his own methods of suppressed reiatsu. If only for a moment, Hao's eyes widening in surprise. Before narrowing down to his usual uncaring glare.

The disposition of the male turned as it usually was in an instant. Somewhat uncaring and seemingly distant. Yet his sights still set on searching for something interesting. This new presence proving very uninteresting and much more of a bother to his current situation. The hooded figure ceasing his approach, more than three meters apart from them on the opposite end of the room. He couldn't contain his tension, a large flicker of white flowing constantly through his hands. His gaze aimed directly at the eyes of the male with blond hair. The feeling of premonition around of both of them. You could cut the mood with a knife, so deadly the tension was. At least the tension coming off from Hao. He was the kind of person who would be easily alarmed. Especially by such mysterious lurkers. Right about then, the new person began explaining himself. The charge from before set forward. You could see the sparks flying from the expression and even the hands the Arrancar had at that time. He didn't hide his distaste with the situation, not one bit, shoving it all straight at the face of the one who decided to disturb his peaceful evening

Indeed, it seemed like Hao had managed to make a successful run for it. But what about Ichijouji, the so-called leader of the Vaizards? He had failed to respond to a certain movement the Arrancar had made. A flicker of white, a great tension, a charge of lethal energy moving towards his face. As he finished talking, and began making plans on what to do next, the release hit him square on his face. The flare of white starting to burn all over his head. From the neck, all the way up to his forehead. Completely covering it in the lethal veil of destruction. For a short while, the male would experience a pain unlike anything before. His eyes the first ones to be ruined, being such fragile soft tissue. First degree burns immediately shrouding his face, gradually growing more lethal. Upon inhaling, and otherwise too, a stream shooting up his nose. Instantly vaporizing some of his inner canals and veins, before reaching up his brain. Vaporizing a part of it as well, continuing to work its magic. The male would lose all control over his body, having suffered neural damage. Soon enough, the degeneration reaching a point where he would die within less than a minute. He couldn't even exit the room, so harsh the suffering would be before the end came. The energy would just remain there, burning. Nothing to control it, for the owner had left, and was intent on letting it flow freely. There was no way the male could even remove it. Trashing around, trying to get it off would all be in vain, such a clingy thing it was. Even a strong release of reiatsu proving futile, for it didn't react much to simple spiritual signatures. The body of Ichijouji wouldn't disintegrate right off the bat, rather remaining there while the decomposition was still under way.

A familiar setting. The lustrous white sands. The sky eternally dyed in black. The stars glimmering faintly, and the moon looming ominously over the horizon, giving the land its holy silvery shine. Another presence having entered the outskirts of Las Noches. A mysterious being not known by life nor understood by death. A man cloaked in black, and part white, a hood pulled over his head. Only a faint smirk showing to the habitants of the desert. A depressing feeling covering him. This aura of darkness radiating itself for the others to see. He was expressing an excitement, or so it seemed. This person making sure to keep his reiatsu hidden well enough. His true power remaining a mystery. Indeed. The Espada known as Hao Aokami was back in town. Having just completed one of his frequent secret assignments. He was an ideal person for such jobs anyways, since he often loved changing sceneries. A futile attempt at alleviating his usual boredom. The man already having felt something interesting. Another one of his kind, a being barely surpassing the usual hollows.