I don't see your ship, Captain~
Characters: Kira Izuru, Wabisuke and Ichimaru Gin
When: September 19th
Where: Soul Society, 3rd Division training grounds, where the smell of persimmon is strangely absent for this time of year.
Rating: PG-13. If it needs changing it'll be changed.
Summary: After going to Hueco Mundo to retrieve another dead officer, Kira isn't in the mood for anything like what's coming his way. Cue a despairing sword spirit and an ex-captain with a bone to pick with him.
He'd heard the alarm from a frightened squad member who'd run to find him at the behest of an officer -- apparently, while he'd been off in Hueco Mundo with Renji fetching the Third's irritating new squad member, and the remaining body part of someone who had once been an officer in the Third -- the zanpukutou spirits had returned to Seireitei, and amongst them Wabisuke.
The spirit had waited for him to return, it seemed, and now he was testing his division members, his despairing aura bringing them to a blind desperation. Wabisuke had finally caused enough of a stir that word had reached Kira, and he had set off toward the Third Division training grounds, where they had studied together for so many years - for decades - perfecting Shikai and Bankai, and where the spirit now waited. Several squad members were curled up, shaking, and Kira motioned to onlookers to help them away, one eye on Wabisuke as he gave the orders.
"Please clear the area," he said. "I want a perimeter set up around the training grounds - three hundred feet in every direction, at the very least."
Wabisuke watched, quietly, the released blade held out to one side. There was no point fighting with a sword - a strike or two from Wabisuke would render it completely useless. No, he would have to fight with his mind, and with kidou. He had to be faster, smarter and strong, both emotionally and physically, for the spirit of the blade would undoubtedly try to weaken him in any way.
It began immediately. "You've cut down the fruit from the trees since I left, Izuru. I'm surprised; you considered destroying them so often, but you choose to do it when you're defenceless?"
"I'm not defenceless, Wabisuke," Kira countered. Determination was etched in his features now, both eyes settling on his opponent. "I have never relied on your powers alone to win my battles. Why are you doing this?"
"Why? For the oppurtunity to test you, I should have thought that it would be obvious. This, Izuru, is my true form; not that which I take when I am shackled with your self doubt and misery. You carry the weight of the world on your shoulders; the weight of the Third Division. You claim Ichimaru Gin's treachery as your own, and wear it like a heavy mantle about your throat, and when I was a part of you, that was inflicted upon me. I am curious, Izuru, as to whether you are capable of bearing that great weight without my aid, or whether you will buckle and fall at the first hurdle. That is why I am here."
Wanly, Kira smiled. He hadn't had much chance to speak to Renji, or to think about what they'd discussed the previous day, but he did know that he was stronger now. He knew he could, even if the path wasn't entirely clear. He would find it, even if he had to claw his way in the dark.
"Allow me to show you what I've learned since you left, Wabisuke, and then you can decide whether I am better without you or not."
He unhooked the scabbard from his hip, tossing the useless katana aside, and straightened up again, waiting for Wabisuke to begin.
When: September 19th
Where: Soul Society, 3rd Division training grounds, where the smell of persimmon is strangely absent for this time of year.
Rating: PG-13. If it needs changing it'll be changed.
Summary: After going to Hueco Mundo to retrieve another dead officer, Kira isn't in the mood for anything like what's coming his way. Cue a despairing sword spirit and an ex-captain with a bone to pick with him.
He'd heard the alarm from a frightened squad member who'd run to find him at the behest of an officer -- apparently, while he'd been off in Hueco Mundo with Renji fetching the Third's irritating new squad member, and the remaining body part of someone who had once been an officer in the Third -- the zanpukutou spirits had returned to Seireitei, and amongst them Wabisuke.
The spirit had waited for him to return, it seemed, and now he was testing his division members, his despairing aura bringing them to a blind desperation. Wabisuke had finally caused enough of a stir that word had reached Kira, and he had set off toward the Third Division training grounds, where they had studied together for so many years - for decades - perfecting Shikai and Bankai, and where the spirit now waited. Several squad members were curled up, shaking, and Kira motioned to onlookers to help them away, one eye on Wabisuke as he gave the orders.
"Please clear the area," he said. "I want a perimeter set up around the training grounds - three hundred feet in every direction, at the very least."
Wabisuke watched, quietly, the released blade held out to one side. There was no point fighting with a sword - a strike or two from Wabisuke would render it completely useless. No, he would have to fight with his mind, and with kidou. He had to be faster, smarter and strong, both emotionally and physically, for the spirit of the blade would undoubtedly try to weaken him in any way.
It began immediately. "You've cut down the fruit from the trees since I left, Izuru. I'm surprised; you considered destroying them so often, but you choose to do it when you're defenceless?"
"I'm not defenceless, Wabisuke," Kira countered. Determination was etched in his features now, both eyes settling on his opponent. "I have never relied on your powers alone to win my battles. Why are you doing this?"
"Why? For the oppurtunity to test you, I should have thought that it would be obvious. This, Izuru, is my true form; not that which I take when I am shackled with your self doubt and misery. You carry the weight of the world on your shoulders; the weight of the Third Division. You claim Ichimaru Gin's treachery as your own, and wear it like a heavy mantle about your throat, and when I was a part of you, that was inflicted upon me. I am curious, Izuru, as to whether you are capable of bearing that great weight without my aid, or whether you will buckle and fall at the first hurdle. That is why I am here."
Wanly, Kira smiled. He hadn't had much chance to speak to Renji, or to think about what they'd discussed the previous day, but he did know that he was stronger now. He knew he could, even if the path wasn't entirely clear. He would find it, even if he had to claw his way in the dark.
"Allow me to show you what I've learned since you left, Wabisuke, and then you can decide whether I am better without you or not."
He unhooked the scabbard from his hip, tossing the useless katana aside, and straightened up again, waiting for Wabisuke to begin.