Numb ((for Shizuko and others))

[Shizuko]

The change in Masaru’s visage from the time Atsue initially entered the room until she stood before him now was remarkable. It was not only the mending of his body which had led to this new level of comfort and poise. There had been a number of concerns weighing heavily upon the man’s mind when he first awoke. It seemed that Atsue’s short time spent with the Captain had served well to ease his pain in addition to his anxiety. Unless he had the skills of a gifted actor, the man seemed almost thankful to find himself here.

Masaru’s smile was rather infectious, for each time that his lips curled into a mild grin, Atsue couldn’t help but respond in a like manner. He was not nearly so unapproachable or distant as she had been led to believe. If the woman were to base her opinion of him on this particular encounter, she might even go so far as to say that he was a charming, friendly man.

The Captain’s words regarding a shinigami’s bond with his or her zanpakuto intrigued Atsue. Of course, this was a rather well-known idea among shinigami of all ranks. Hearing him say it specifically to her, however, made the medic truly consider the meaning of the words.

Indeed there were shinigami who did not have a close bond with the spirits of their zanpakuto. It was said that there had even been some who didn’t know the name of the spirit in their weapon at all. These were shinigami who seldom found their full potential, however. Those who knew and bonded with their zanpakuto were nearly always more powerful than those who did not.

These thoughts brought Atsue to the zanpakuto that hung at her hip. She was aware of her very close ties to Moroha. She and her weapon’s spirit seemed so attuned to one another that the Vice Captain honestly believed they were one. They shared everything, including emotions and thoughts. Atsue could only assume that if something were to happen to destroy Moroha, she, too, would perish. It was a frightening and somehow empowering thought. Perhaps it really was this incredible bond which allowed the woman uncommon power. It had taken this man’s comments for her to believe it.

Her gentle smile began to broaden in time with the Captain’s own. She breathed a hushed sigh of relief when she noticed that Masaru was pleased at her statements regarding his bankai. Given how his day had been progressing, she hadn’t been sure of how he would react. Atsue gave a nod of reassurance at his words of thanks. Somehow it was nice to know that he felt he could trust her even though they had hardly interacted before today.

The Vice Captain’s thoughts remained on the short but powerful battle she’d witnessed between Masaru and his… acquaintance. Atsue still remained a little confused about something she’d seen. While it wasn’t entirely uncommon for a zanpakuto’s spirit to take a physical form and aid its wielder, the woman felt that the stately wolf that fought at Masaru’s side in that battle was somehow out of place. She saw how the two looked upon one another and the surprise in the Captain’s eyes at the animal’s appearance. While she believed that the wolf had indeed been a zanpakuto spirit, she couldn’t help but think that it didn’t actually belong to Masaru’s zanpakuto. It had been one of the factors which had puzzled her while watching the drama unfold, but now she had the chance to ask about it. This was as good a time as any, given that there was little danger of the conversation escaping the room and the Captain appeared in a rather good mood.

Atsue finished her writing and then turned her attention once more to the man in the bed. She folded her hands in front of her body and her gaze dropped to the floor as she considered how to go about making her inquiry. Slowly her golden eyes drifted upwards to the man’s own once more as she began her rather bold questioning.

“Takahashi-taichou, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I saw a wolf fighting at your side during your confrontation. It appeared as though it was related to a zanpakuto, though something about it seemed… strange,” she began. Her head tilted to the side slightly as she arrived at the essence of her inquiry. “It wasn’t yours was it?”

[Harmony]

Masaru saw the smile spreading across Atsue's features, and there was a great sense of pride. It was silly really, and he knew it was, but he couldn't help it. He didn't know how or why he made her smile... he just knew he had. He knew he was growing increasingly more comfortable with her, which was dangerous. He didn't want to tell her too much, and yet it felt good to have that with someone, even if he hardly knew her. You're growing too soft, he warned himself, don't go opening up to her just 'cuz she's friendly. He drummed his fingertips on the surface of the sheets thoughtfully... perhaps the sooner he got out the better. He could leave all of it behind in this room. Yeah, leaving would be for the best. They shared his secret now, and that confused him about the way he felt about her. He felt closer to her than he did with others even though he never really spoke with her before, outside of Soul Society duties. He didn't like how insecure she was making him feel.

With the mention of the battle, Masarus features darkened and he gave her a hard stare, suddenly realizing he had almost forgotten the reason he was there. He looked down at his abdomen. Only old scars remained. She had wiped away all physical trace of the battle he just experienced and somehow this was a bother to him. He was not upset with her for healing him, but rather he was disturbed by the thought that after all the blood, bones, and sweat, it could all vanish as though it hadn't happened at all. It was good to carry pain for a little longer. It was good to feel the battle lingering on him still with every movement, every breath. He needed that. He needed to feel it.

“The wolf you saw was not the spirit of my Zanpakuto,” Masaru answered with a shake of his head before realizing she was probably expecting a bit more of an explanation than that, “It was Gahrok's.” He was not entirely comfortable with sharing this with her, so he was careful with his words. He felt like it wasn't his information to give... but- No, it was his information. He was a Captain, goddammit! He refused to let his ties with Gahrok change any of that. He wasn't going to go protecting Gahrok like this. How stupid of him. On the other hand... he was entitled to withhold information as he pleased. He didn't have to answer to anyone other than the commander general and central 46.

But there was no way to deny it... at the end of the battle, when Wolfe appeared, Masaru was fighting to save Gahrok. He wasn't thinking about Soul Society or his duties as a captain. He was fighting for his friend's freedom. Was that wrong? He didn't really know. All he knew was that it happened, and there was a reason why. Could he go on pretending Gahrok was dead to him? No, no he could not. He sighed deeply before realizing that Atsue -observant as she was- would notice his swift change in behavior and he frowned a little, hoping she wouldn't question him about it. He questioned himself enough without other people making it more complicated for him.

“Where is he right now?”

Masaru's voice had grown quiet and harsh, and his eyes lingered on the off-white walls in front of him, absent of the light they held only moments before.

[Shizuko]

Atsue was quick to notice the Captain’s sudden shift in mood at her words. Where happiness and relief had just rested in his features, now only concern and uncertainty remained. The change was so abrupt and drastic that the woman was rather taken aback. His gaze had become very serious and intense and the smile had faded from his face. The Vice Captain did feel bad for suddenly thrusting the man back into the reality of what he had just faced, but at the same time she knew what was waiting outside of the peaceful halls of Gotei Four. It was likely that he would be expected to reveal the intimate details of what had occurred in his fight with the intruder starting the moment he stepped out of the building. It was only fair that he be ushered back from his hard-earned state of peace before he was released, lest he be caught off guard by his peers.

Still the woman couldn’t help but feel that she’d certainly overstepped her bounds. Why couldn’t she have allowed him a few more peaceful moments? Her gaze drifted to the ground in front of her as he spoke, an old habit adopted by many of her Division Four comrades. They often appeared so submissive to everyone else, and Atsue was no exception in this situation.

The man’s reply had a hint of hesitation to it. It seemed, as the woman listened to his words, that he was choosing his phrasing rather carefully. He was being cautious to reveal only what information he deemed relevant and nothing more. Still, he had answered her question, and gone a step further by offering up a name. Gahrok… it was a name which carried with it some sort of familiarity, though the woman had a difficult time placing it at that moment.

Even while Atsue searched her memory for the name Gahrok, her attention was called away from her musing by the Captain. He was ready to make his own query of her. The woman glanced up at him again, though there was a hint of remorse in her features. She didn’t know of the man’s exact location. Her gaze shifted quickly to the window to get a better idea of the time that had passed since she’d brought Masaru here. When it landed on the Captain again, she spoke gently with her head bowed ever so slightly.

“I can’t be certain of his precise location at this moment, but I would imagine that he has been placed in solitary confinement by now. Just before you awoke I was informed that his immediate medical treatment had been completed. He wasn’t expected to wake for some time, however.”

Her golden eyes dropped again to the floor as she considered whether her answer had been sufficient for the Captain. It was really all she knew about his opponent’s location, after all, so it would have to be adequate for now.

“My apologies, Takahashi-taichou. That is the extent of my knowledge at the moment. I ask that you forgive me for my probing questions, as well. I’d merely hoped to understand the situation better, as I’ll likely be undergoing a similar investigation to yours when you are released from Gotei Four.”

[Harmony]

Masaru listened to her response, his dark expression growing increasingly troubled and almost angry. "Hitotsu," he murmured, before closing his eyes briefly as he envisioned the Captain of Division Nine in his mind. Their encounters with one another were rare, but Masaru knew him well from observation and the opinions of others. He was just the sort of man Masaru loved to hate. He was no better than the filthy Arrancar of Hueco Mundo; a fuckin killing machine. He was one of the few shinigami that Masaru yearned to wet his blade with. But, he wouldn't dare... That man... that man was damn strong. He gritted his teeth before standing suddenly. He was again dizzy, but he remained on his feet, and walked rigidly to the chair that his Haori was draped over.

He looked up at Shizuko, noticing easily that his change in humor had bothered her. It made him feel a little guilty; none of this was her fault after all. But, it was done. He glanced back at his robe and Zanpakuto before picking each up gingerly. "Sorry Atsue, but I have to go. I'm feeling fine now, thanks to you." He looked up momentarily to give her a bit of a smile. She was a good person. Good people were rare these days. He had more to say, but remained silent as he slid into his tattered Haori and strapped Hiketsu to his side. "I have things to attend to..." It wasn't what he wanted to say, what he needed to say... but those words that hung so potently on his lips were not for her ears. His smile darkened as he thought again of Hitotsu. The idea of Gahrok under that man's watch... the idea of someone like Gahrok - someone so earnestly determined to protect the weak - held captive by someone so evil was enough to make him sick.

He rested a hand on the hilt of his dagger-like Zanpakuto and took a few measured steps towards the door. He wasn't sure what he planned to do but this was possibly one of the last moments of peace he'd have left in Soul Society.

He felt his arms tensing in apprehension. It was hard to believe that after so many years of struggling, it would all be for nothing. All those days training in the dust, plunging his blade into his stomach until he could hardly stand. All those nights he spent scattering white carnations in the streets of Karakura...
He loved Soul Society. He loved it as passionately as any person could love their home. He'd run to his death, he knew he would. He'd run to his death, his zanapkuto glistening proudly in the sun if it meant Soul Society law was upheld for another day. He'd die for this land. To betray Soul Society was to betray himself. But... now that Hitotsu was in the picture everything changed.

He lingered in the doorway a few agonizing seconds, suddenly hoping for some sort of opposition... hoping -almost selfishly- that she'd understand what it was he meant to do... that she knew it would mean his death, that she would try and stop him. But, that was pathetic. Such things only dulled a man's resolve.

Wordlessly Masaru stepped out of the room, and began his journey to Hitotsu's office in Division Nine.

((So sorry for how long this took me))

[ZR0 C00L]

"P...PL.PLEASE....AWWWWWW"

The anguished screams of his latest victim seemed like music to his ears. Here was someone strong enough to warrant someone such as himself to be ordered to retrieve and "Take care of" and after only a few hours of enduring the ninth division's chamber of tranquilities, hospitality. The man before Hitotsu had gone far past the point of begging for his life. He had been doing that since he had first seen the infamous dragon slayer personally coming to claim him. And instead, Hitotsus prisoner was now begging for death. Something that the ninth squad captain relished much more. the man was face down upon a raised metal platform with hooks penetrating his skin hung from chains connected to the far sides of the room. As the man pleaded, Hitotsu continued at his work, attaching the last three of nineteen hooks into the mans prone form. Hitotsu stood with the man at waist level and marveled at his handiwork briefly before pressing one of the three buttons that were on the control he held in his free hand. The chains were controlled by the device and with the push of a button the immobilized man was raised to a height of nine feet.

Today was a good day for the ninth division captain, he had been informed earlier that an "old friend" was going to be spending some quality time with him soon, in response, he had been getting that old familiar feeling. Hearing that someone like him would be his new playmate,Hitotsu was almost in a trance thinking of the possibilities. He had something special in mind for him. No simple death would do, not even a session such as the one he was conducting now would suffice. It was true, he didn't plan on finishing his latest victim off this quickly, but with someone like Gahrok, a man he ached to slay being gift wrapped and handed over to him unexpectedly, he had to "clear some room" as the saying goes. speaking of which, Hitotsu had momentarily forgotten about the man who lay suspended above him. With a whimper being all he could muster, Hitotsu's new friend grimaced as his unsupported weight made the hooks bite deeper into his flesh. Hitotsu could feel it, the blood would come soon and then he would experience the release the ruby colored liquid brought with it.

A pounding at the door followed by the entrance of a portly and balding unseated member of the ninth division stayed the captains hand from pressing the second button which would tear the man above him asunder. The mans bald spot was the only visible part of the man as he bowed towards Hitotsu without raising his head to meet the captains gaze. Knowing that most shinigami let alone just those in his squad were weary of coming into his chambers, Hitotsu knew that there was a good reason he had come, but was still upset by being interrupted pre-coital as it were.

"What is it Foss?" Asked his captain.

"SIR! Captain Masaru is at the main gate and requesting an audience." Foss spat out at once, his body trembling as he did so.

"Bring him to me?" he replied simply.

Foss was up and through the door large double doors that led into the chamber and as he exited, the outer side of the doors could be made out. Around the blood red doors was a black stone dragons head that seemed to be swallowing all who entered became visible along with the heavy metallic knockers which were on the doors themselves. The chamber tranquility was the furthest that most shinigami had made it into the ninth division during Hitotsu's reign as captain. Although there were larger and more grand torture chambers as well as the barracks for the high seated and ranked members of the division that lay beyond the chamber which Hitotsu had also made his personal quarters. After being witness to the horrors that were within its walls, most shinigami concluded their tour without continuing. Foss walked quickly through the hall of reflection and even while hurrying it took him a few minutes. along its walls were glass cases filled with his captain's "prizes." Shattered masks of all different variety as well as broken zanpakuto and even body parts in varying stages of decay were scattered throughout. filling the hall with an overbearing stench of death. A smell the captain had insisted on being ever present throughout the ninth. So as to acquaint its members with what they'd be dealing with under him.

As he left the hall of reflection he made his way to the unseated barracks. These quarters were the average barracks which were the same as others found throughout Soul society. He passed through them quickly. He went through an open door and onto the regular training field that the unseated members used to train. Bordering the training area were tall pillars of steel on top of which were metallic wheels which held the disfigured bodies of defeated hollows that had yet to expire and rejoin the life stream. Whenever one of these hollows returned into a purely spiritual form and disappeared, it was immediately replaced with a fresh one. It's arms and legs snapped at odd angles so that they would fit within the wheels. It was a gruesome sight to behold.

Finally making his way to the main entrance,Foss greeted the visiting captain.

"Captain Masaru, my....My captain has instructed me to bring you to his chambers." He sputtered.

he was still shaken up from what he had seen within the chamber. there were bodies strung up or strapped down everywhere the eye could see, they were all in various stages of what his captain called "achieving tranquility", he called it being tortured to death. He never understood how anyone could get used to the sight of it. It sickened and terrified him at the same time. Foss began retracing his steps,leading Masaru towards the chamber of tranquility. After a few moments they had reached the dragons head at the gate. Foss grasped one of the large knockers and brought it against the doors three times before pulling the handle and opening the door to his captains quarters.

Foss motioned for Masaru to enter and did not follow. The darkness of the room which was only partially lit by torches along the walls as well as one large one over the center of the room revealed some of the horrors abound in the room, but it took a moment for a persons eyes to fully adjust to take in the room in its entirety. Torture devices of all kinds, sizes and shapes could be made out, most were occupied at the moment and the sound of constant wailing and suffering gave the room the feeling of being in hell when standing in it. Hitotsu stood underneath his victims body as small droplets of blood onto his head and neck from the wounds the hooks holding him inflicted. His eyes met with Masaru's. Hitotsu's eyes were wide and a maniacal smile was spread over his face. When he was sure he had Masaru's full attention, Hitotsu hit the second button on the remote pad and the chains pulled taught and ripped the man who had previously been screaming for someone, anyone to save him apart. Hitotsu was showered with blood and viscera and a look of pure fulfillment came over him as he stared at the other captain.

"Now that I got that out of the way, how may I help you?" He questioned without managing to hide his delight in the preceding events that led to him being drenched in fresh blood.

In truth he knew the reason that had brought the captain to his chambers. But hitotsu wanted to milk this experience so that it would make torturing Masaru's former superior all the sweeter. The excitement of the day was palpable and Hitotsu could taste the captains desperation, it drove his blood lust even harder. Oh how he reveled in other peoples suffering.

[Shizuko]

Feelings of guilt at driving Masaru’s thoughts back into reality and other less pleasant things were quickly replaced by concern within Atsue. Even as the words left her lips, his reaction to her statements was defined by a look of agitation. For a moment, the woman wasn’t entirely sure if he was agitated with her and her words or if the look that had crept across his features was one that stemmed from another cause. Regardless, Atsue maintained her submissive stance and fell quiet.

As her gaze lifted to meet his, a rather feeble smile met her eyes. Masaru gave the healer his thanks and she perceived that he was doing his best to appear polite, but it seemed as though there were other concerns on his mind at that moment. Regardless, Atsue obediently bowed her head to the superior officer in understanding.

“No thanks are necessary, Takahashi-taichou,” she answered meekly.

The captain quickly moved to assemble and don his personal effects. The medic’s guess at the man’s anxiety was somewhat confirmed at his confession of having other things to do. Atsue found no words with which to respond. She believed it best for him to stay and allow his body a bit more time to recover. She’d forced him into healing at a very rapid rate, after all, and it was only fair that he permit himself some time to deal with the shock of the injuries as well as the quick recuperation. Still, she knew that it was not her place to give orders to a captain. He now had no apparent injuries and was free to do as he wished.

Masaru paused in his exit, appearing deep in thought. Atsue had only just opened her lips to ask him to stay and rest, but seeing the symbol on the back of his robe made her stop short of actually saying anything. He was a captain and had more responsibility than most other shinigami in all of Soul Society. The number six proudly displayed on his back reaffirmed the healer’s belief that she shouldn’t stop him from going about his business. He had his own division to oversee as well as a criminal (or friend?) with whom to deal.

The man appeared for a fleeting moment as though he was waiting for something to happen or something to be said, but Atsue had neither the words nor the confidence to address him further. He stepped over the threshold of the room in silence and was gone as quickly as he’d arrived.

Atsue was left alone in the room and gave a heavy sigh. She couldn’t help but think that she should have said something to the man before he left, but she’d already conversed with him more than necessary.

She turned her attention back to the tablet on the table. She picked it up and quickly scribbled a few additional notes before taking it with her out to Gotei Four’s main hall.

Atsue had done all she could do for Takahashi Masaru. She could only hope that it was enough

[Harmony]

Masaru stood, lingering silently in the entrance of Division Nine, his stomach churning from the stench that heavily blanketed the air. The sounds of death echoed in the dark halls, and Masaru bowed his head slightly, as though staring only at the ground would make things seem better, if only a little. Here it was that he contemplated the sensation he felt from being in two places that had such stark contrast to one another. Division four was the most peaceful of divisions. The long white halls contained people of a gentler breed... people that lived to restore and refresh others. How easy it was to be swept away within those walls... how easy it was to pretend that darkness did not exist. Atsue, thought Masaru, his mind momentarily trailing to the young woman who showed him so much kindness that very same day, Don't ever come here... For a reason beyond his comprehension, Masaru felt his stomach twist with the idea of Atsue being exposed to Division Nine. This place... this hell... was not meant for those gentle golden eyes. Her innocence was a quality so rare in shinigami that it was admittedly beautiful to him, how she so easily cared so earnestly for those around her... he would never allow her to come here. He would journey here for her one thousand times if it meant she would never have to see such things. He wanted to preserve that innocence, that youthfulness he so painfully discarded in himself.

He did not envy those condemned in the name of Soul Society law... they were thrown out and forgotten here, entirely at the mercy of Hitotsu's devices. He never allowed his mind to dally about the nature of Division Nine for very long, lest he question the morality of Soul Society's judgement. But here, encompassed so completely by the sounds and smells, his mind could not settle on any other matter. Death was so painfully apparent here... more-so than on any battlefield Masaru had ever witnessed. It was unbelievable how unreal it all felt. He kept urging himself to discover some deeper truth... that this somehow was a mirage, a nightmare... anything but reality. But, this was not to be. If he were to touch one of those lifeless bodies, he would feel the stiffness of their muscles, the gelidity of their flesh... Bile rose into his throat again and again, and all Masaru could do was swallow and pray that he wouldn't vomit. He hated it here. Even for one that experienced so much, Masaru was heavily affected by the environment in which these people died and decayed. It was a manifestation of every organism's deepest fear, a fear heavily integrated over millions of years. But, this fear was now brought to light in such a way that this man, Hitotsu, could make a dark mockery of it. Death knew not individuality. Here surrounded by death no person was greater than another. Kings and peasants alike screamed the same screams, suffered the same pain, and then were left to die, hanging side by side upon the same wall... an indifferent collage of death and decay. Their dreams, hardships, and victories in life were all for nothing: they all ended up here, faceless and lost. The concept was incredibly profound, but Masaru could never understand... and he never wanted to. It sickened him to know how powerful Hitotsu must perceive himself to be... what a sensation of ascendancy he must feel each time another body underwent the stages of death. Did Hitotsu believe himself to be a god?

What disturbed Masaru most of all was that his friend was left to wait... he was waiting for his judgement, waiting for the same fate as the other nameless wretches. Masaru would not have it. Gahrok wasn't a nameless object, he didn't belong on that wall of indifference... Masaru would NOT have it! He knew then... Masaru knew that whatever the consequence, his actions would focus narrowly on Gahrok's release before his life became nothing more than another paragraph in the volumes of time. He was not made to die here.

And so Masaru stood, waiting for the return of the balding officer, waiting for an audience with this harborer of death.

Eventually Foss did return. Masaru could hear his plodding footsteps amidst the moans and screams of the condemned, and Masaru remained motionless, his head still bowed slightly. He had once before made the regrettable trek to Hitotsu's office, and he had sworn to never do it again. That... 'Chamber of Tranquility' place was just too much. It was like some sort of nightmarish museum gone horribly awry. Body parts on display... like works of art...

"Captain Masaru, my....My captain has instructed me to bring you to his chambers."

Masaru looked up, his face surprisingly calm despite the turmoils of his mind. Cold hazel eyes perforated the officer for what seemed like an eternity before Masaru straightened, his arms crossing his chest. “Thank you,” was Masaru's forbearing reply. He didn't understand how others could stand to serve such a maniac, and Masaru's dislike for division nine only escalated with the thought that no one questioned Hitotsu's methods... no one stood against him... no one left... He glared down at Foss as he followed him towards the Chamber of Tranquility. He hated Foss more than he hated Hitotsu. Hitotsu relished in his pleasures... he was a man doing what he enjoyed. Foss -on the other hand- was a spineless underling... he bowed under Hitotsu's displays of violence and gore....despicable. As much as this place seemed inescapable, Masaru could see glimmers of sunlight if he glanced over his shoulder... there was a way out. This was just another Division in the Gotei thirteen... no Division was a true prison. Foss could leave if he tried hard enough. Foss was unforgivable. All of them were.

They rapidly passed through the hall of reflection, not a word exchanged between the two. There was nothing to say. Masaru stared straight ahead of him, feeling a little like livestock being led to the slaughter house. There was something extremely chilling to see those of the same species strung up like dead cattle. He ignored as best as he could the jarring sound of those still alive, pleading with him to save them. It was like poison in his stomach... he could hear the sudden faint spark of hope in their voices when they saw him, when they saw an outsider... a possible rescuer. His eyes traveled to the ground in shame. He was no better than Hitotsu in that regard. He was no better than Foss. It's out of your hands... just keep it together... there's nothing you can do for them... not anymore. Masaru's lips pressed together in a firm line. Just remember what you're here to do...

When they reached the entrance to Hitotsus office, Masaru watched as Foss opened the door and motioned for him to enter. Masaru obliged and took measured steps, already forming mental images to better prepare himself for the horrors he was sure to find within Hitotsu's office. These images however did not act as any buffer for what it was he would be forced to witness upon entering. Even in the dimness of the room (Masaru mused that it had grown cloudy from the stench) he could easily make out the various devices of torture Hitotsu had strewn about the room, and despite how he tried to ignore them, he could not help but feel every wail, every cry reverberate in his bones. It was madness. His eyes were rapidly drawn to the center of the room, where he, Hitotsu stood. Above him like some sacrificial lamb was his victim, suspended by hooks. Blood rained down on the man's skin, and Masaru only stared, too perplexed to wince. A great bestial grin pervaded Hitotsu's features and Masaru met his gaze, his own hazel gems burning with intensity. He knew... he knew before Hitotsu even pressed the button what was going to happen, and Masaru could do nothing. All he could do was watch in disgust as the victim screamed his final scream before being ripped to shreds. He could actually hear the sickening sound of muscles being torn as the body seemed to dissolve there in midair, his skin hanging in ribbons. It was all too much. Masaru could feel his hands shaking... they were anxious for Hiketsu. That's how bad he wanted to kill Hitotsu... his hands were quivering...

His eyes fell again to Hitotsu, who was now visibly covered in gore, and Masaru's eyebrows drew together in a dark scowl as he continued to stare -unflinchingly- at this demon of a man. What was he...?

"Now that I got that out of the way, how may I help you?"

That bastard. He could hear the joviality lacing his voice and Masaru was reminded of a child after playing his favorite game... soaring spirits... pure uncensored joy... how did someone like Hitotsu even come to being? He thought of Atsue once more. He thought of how nuturing she was, how she relished in other people's happiness... what was it that made a person feel the way they did about suffering? How could Atsue remain so sincere? How could Hitotsu find such joy? It disturbed him.

“I've come because I hear Gahrok is possibly in your keeping... and you and I both know he will end up here eventually...” Masaru's voice was flat, stoic... greatly contrasting the unbearable urge to draw his slayer... the need to purge soul society of this evil that was Division Nine, “He has not yet received judgement. Until then you have no right to him...” Masaru's voice trailed... there was more to say Goddamn! There was so much more to fuckin' say right now! “...Hear me, Hitotsu...” Masaru knew now that he was pushing it... but he couldn't stop himself. His voice escalated in a barely concealed growl as his emotions finally began to spill out into his words, “He will not be your next plaything.”

[ZR0 C00L]

“I've come because I hear Gahrok is possibly in your keeping... and you and I both know he will end up here eventually...”

At hearing these words, Hitotsu let out a long, throaty laugh. Just hearing Gahrok’s name uttered caused him elation. He envisioned what was to come once the disgraced captain was handed over to him. It had been a long time in coming. Decades had passed since Gahrok had openly shown his disdain for Hitotsu and shed light on his more questionable practices. and in turn making others to keep a closer eye on his activities. Many times he had hoped that the contract to go out into the real world and claim his would be persecutors head. Gahrok, he who would seek to impose some unequivocally redundant and antiquated sense of rule and order upon those around him, he who Hitotsu saw as someone who had deemed himself above others and thereby given the right to judge those who were not like in mind to himself. Yes, he had wanted this, to hear the anguished cries of Gahrok. To rend him slowly from limb to limb, to feel the warm blood of one of the only people in this world he considered an enemy. And now this whelp, Masaru thought he could tip the scales of destiny by being Gahroks advocate. Hitotsu would never allow it.

“Yes, he certainly will end up here. Haven’t you heard? Your………. hero has killed a shinigami, or does him being your former superior make him immune to judgment in your eyes. He is a killer. Gahrok is now out of your hands.”

“He has not yet received judgement. Until then you have no right to him...” Masaru replied hastily.

“What you say is true, and no he has not received judgment. If he had, rest assured that I would not be wasting my time with this frivolous chatter, and instead I would be seeing to it that your murderous friend was made to pay for his crimes. It is only a matter of time until his sentence is handed down and when that time comes……….” Hitotsu started before being cut off by his visitor.

“Hear me, Hitotsu...” Masaru said before a brief pause before resuming, the pent up hostility within Masaru making itself apparent. “He will not be your next plaything.”

Hitotsu let a maniacal smirk appear on his face, not unlike the one he wore as Masaru first entered his chambers, but now his face displayed an even more depraved look than before. All this talk about Gahrok was rousing the ninth division captain’s blood lust to levels he hadn’t felt in a century. He was loosing what little hold he had over it.

“Then I am assuming you came here to take his place. Do not presume to have the authority to tell me what I can and can not do in my division, lest you find yourself lost on your way out. You see, the thing about ninth division is, sometimes insolent whelps such as yourself NEVER find their way home.” came Hitotsu’s thinly veiled threat in response.

“Since when did you fancy yourself to be someone of import? Surely it must’ve been after receiving that white robe you seem to be so fond of. As I remember it, you were nothing more than a pathetic fledgling Vice captain the last time we met. Hanging off of Gahroks coattails because you were too weak to stand on your own. He took you to his bosom because he knew the truth, the same as I. The truth is that you were never fit to be a captain, or be someone in a position of power. Your mind is not strong enough to survive on the strength of your own convictions, so instead you clung to his philosophy even after he abandoned you and played like a good little boy and did as you were told. Had Gahrok not disappeared, do you really think you would have been granted the title of captain? I think not, and I think you know it as well as I do, your status as captain was given at a time when there were no promising shinigami who wanted to associate with a division whose previous leader had fled so cowardly from his post, leaving such a pathetic squad in his wake.” Hitotsu let a moments silence pass between the two to let his words sink in.

From the moment he entered the room, Hitotsu could feel Masaru’s resentment towards him. And as he spoke, although he truly believed all that he had said, he was hoping that it would be enough to prod the young captain into loosing his self control and attack him. Forfeiting his life on the spot, even if it would be frowned upon if ever discovered in the dark depths of this dungeon killing someone in self defense was not a crime. With this in mind, he gave a more subtle jab towards Masaru.

"Tell me boy. Do you really consider yourself my equal?."

[GoldenKitten]

Moved to Dead RP's.