Don't Look Back (OPEN)

Clouds hung low on the outskirts of the seireitei, a storm seemed to be brewing onto the quiet area of the soul society. Still, it seemed there was time before the thunder would come rolling in and the rain fell through to the ground. While most were beginning to bring the laundry in and start closing shop and head inside before the weather grew worse there was a measly group of souls still using up the rest of their energy.

Most of them a group of young children, abandoned with no real linear family. There were many of them around the Rukongai, but so close to the seireitei walls was so rare. But there was a reason they were so close to the walls. It was because of a special visitor. A thin ghost like figure was the center of all there fun. With a distinguishing scar over their eye and a mechanical arm.

The small captain of the third seemed to be enjoying their time before the storm with the group of stray cats and dogs. In a relaxed loose men's yukata, with a thin black turtle neck underneath. The captain laughed along with the children. The young ones punching at the captain, as if they were training them for a fight. Aki took the punches lightly into their hands.

"Come on! Right left right left!"

"hyah! Hyah! HYAH!"

A young boy seemed to be practicing punches with the captain under a sakura tree, which has yet to fully bloom, which is rare for the time of season, by now most have reached their peak for the year. Finally after a few punches the boy knocked backwards and fell to the ground.

"Ah. I'll never be a shinigami."

"Waddaya wanna be a shini so badly? We aint so cool.

Aki laughed helping the boy up. Before the boy could answer one of the younger girls in a dirtied kimono with a lily design bursted up in delight.

"Cause we wanna be like you Akyun!!"

"Hey! That's Captain Akyun! I mean Mifune!!"

Hazama had always enjoyed watching storms, maybe it was due to his time in 3rd Division. Though the rain was dangerous to be caught in, it was always calming. Hazama was on patrol when he felt a familiar presence, he followed it till it lead to his former captain and several children playing.

why am I not surprised, always playing and having fun even if at times you can be so cold

He smiled watching the Captain and the children play, with everything that had happened and going on it was things like this that really made it worth it. Hazama simply watched Aki and the children play putting his patrol on hold for now.

At the sudden interruption of the fun the children all turned toward the approaching captain. Aki looked up and smiled but the others were unfamiliar with this one. He's whole aura was different as well. They couldn't feel the weight of the spiritual pressure he carried but they all knew he wasn't some ordinary shinigami. All the children scurried behind Aki hiding themselves, grabbing a tight hold onto their legs and arms shaking.

"aya Hazama, it's rare for ya ta patrol the parameters, shouldn't ya let yer lackys do that?"

The children seeing as Aki was familiar with this figure began to relax a little. Still hiding some peaked out to look at the man. One began to tug onto Aki's yukata. Wanting their attention Aki looked down and grabbed a young girl and held her up and smiled.

"Dun worry he wont hurt ya"

"Enermy or Alley!?"

".... hmm..... ENEMY! ATTACK!"

The children started yelling and running towards Hazama full on with sticks. As they drew close They began to throw light punches and kicks. Nothing that would hurt at all. It was a bit hilarious though the farce. Aki stayed back with a few of the children laughing.

well normally I would let them but they have been pulling double shifts

As Hazama finished, the children "attacked" he laughed loudly and faked pain and injury as he was swarmed.

oh ow, ow it hurts you win you win I am defeated

Hazama falls to one knee looking down at the ground, he laughs as he grabs one of the closet children and hoists them over his shoulder as he starts to chase the others around. Hazama looks to Aki smiling.

I am glad that I decided to take this little detour, so is this where you spend all your free time now?

Hazama continued to laugh and make noises as he stepped down chasing the children.

"I would think da 7th had enough men for patrol. Yer ta soft as always."

The children were caught off guard by the sudden friendliness of the visitor and began to laugh along. The child upon his shoulder cheered as if he was the victor of a grand battle. Still some were shy and hung onto Aki. Aki laughed patting the children around them on the head.

"Oya, a captain should admit defeat so easily."

The children's eyes glittered at the word of a captain. Another captain decided to join them. What a sight it was. For most stray children the shinigami were just as privileged as any other so they would hate them, but Aki was the reason they loved em so much. The children being chased once again hid behind Aki in defense.

"Fight em Aki!"

"Eh, I kicked his butt way too many times, I dun wanna do it again."

"That's why yer so cool!"

"Haha. Its mah roots ya know. Ya gotta visit home every now and then."

Hazama continued to play with the children some more before responding.

well I have to make my presence known sometimes, you know lead by example that kind of stuff.

Hazama listened to the children and how they responded to Aki, it was nice to see. He had been so use to being on the inside never really venturing out except when he needed to forget things.

You know before joining the Shinigami, I never had a home really, I mostly wandered from job to job or bar to bar. No Family either...

Hazama simply watched Aki and the children before snapping back and smiling.

but it seems like you've got quite the "family" here

Aki gave out a light whistle and slow sarcastic clap. Seemingly impressed by he's ever growing proper captain ways. Probably not the best way to put it but there was always a higher air about Hazama, he really was the ideal captain. How the gotei 13 should be. All 13 of em.

"Woo~ Captain Hazama!~ I'll follow you anywhere!"

Aki imitated a somewhat of a fangirl of Hazama. It wasn't rare, Aki's seen it around. Even in their own squad. How lower ranked members would look at Hazama with glistening eyes of admiration.

"Heh, at least you had that privilege. I had nothing out here."

Aki patted the children and watched some of them in the distance playing around. The children didn't really listen to the banter of the two captains and just did there own thing. Fighting eachother or picking flowers.

"I gotta good one now. These guys are lucky ta have them selves. Like ya I was alone too, didn't really have a fam either. Was alone scraping by, stealin and all that. I'm from Kusajishi."

Kusajishi, district number 79 of the North Rukongai district. It was obvious knowledge to anyone that anything beyong the 15th district was pure slums. Higher the number, the worser it got, 80 being highest. These areas only inhabited by violent criminals, murderers, the worst tainted souls. A glimmer of nostalgia and emptiness appeared over Aki's eyes.

"Ya must've been around 3rd district or some Hazama huh?"

Hazama smiled and laughed at Aki, there was always something about Aki that would make him laugh. As she mentioned where she lived Hazama had to think about where he was before becoming a shinigami.

Well my last job was in the 2nd District, but I did jobs all over, I was a bodyguard, hired muscle, escort, trainer

Hazama watched the children play as he tried to remember..

I think my first job was in the 60th, I was hired muscle and I was good at it too. That job did not last long as my employer was killed by his wife, while he slept. Of course he was horrible person to begin with, I don't think even his own men were sad to watch him die

Aki scooted over to the late blooming sakura tree and sat on the trunk, underneath the branches. Some of the children rested up near them. Picking flowers making crowns and starting to nap. Aki laughed a little, already knowing most of Hazama's past. Intuition? Probably just being noisy at he's files and past. The third was interrogation and torture after all, information was their forte.

"The 2nd huh? Ya probably had a nice life. Probably had shoes and stuff, a sword even."

A little girl went up to Hazama and handed him a flower crown of irises. The flower insignia of the 7th, courage. A noble one. While another put a flower crown of marigolds on top of Akis head, a symbol of despair. Fitting for both captains.

"Ehh 60th huh? I'm surprised theres men like that there. Who would weep for a man. Heh what would I know. Saw a lotta people die, never cried for one of em....."

Even from their roots the two were opposites. It was a surprise really how the two got along, and how close they were. A shock even how they worked hand in hand at one point. Aki rested back and laughed. Although he took on some not so noble jobs, Hazama has always carried his knife with honor.

"Ya never cease ta amaze Hachi. I didn't even know the feelin of a blade till the academy. Didn't know a lot of things till I met-"

Aki stopped talking, which was rare. The silence was a new moment between the two. Aki laughed, but this time it wasn't as strong. It was dry. But they looked up with that same smile they always do.

"Did ya cry for him? Yer boss?"

Hazama chuckled slightly at Aki's questions.

Well my first boss, he deserved to die. The only thing that he did that I truly appreciate is he got me my first blade. I was using a pipe when I was hired but my last employer treated me like I was his son...he was a good man honorable, I had room in his house right next to his. I was his bodyguard...he was like a father to me, a teacher

Hazama paused for a bit as he remembered the last conversation he had with his last employer.

He was the reason why I applied for the academy, If that didn't work I had enough money from that last job that I could have lived very well and opened a dojo to train everyone

Aki looked at him and smiled and laughed. He's first blade. It was probably nice that it was a gift. Maybe their pasts weren't so different after all. Of course Hazama did get a blade before the academy and served as a bodyguard that was a clear difference. But one thing was clear, they both followed a man that would take their paths toward being a shinigami. Hazama also had a good view of things. He could see the bad in people but he could still appreciate their role in the way they shaped he's life.

"I got a dad like that too. Well he saved me and I followed him around till I got ta the academy. Then I got his last name."

Neither of Aki's names were entirely theirs from birth. Akimoto or Mifune. They didnt hold a very big past for them. Both were just things adopted, even at different times.

"I didn't have a name when I entered the academy, so i made one up for the sign up sheet. Heh, I'm surprised they let some snot nose kid in the academy! I got Mifune years on from someone, used ta be a cappy too."

Aki motioned for Hazama to sit with them under the tree with some of the kids. It was weird talking to him, looking up at the sky as if they were god. Maybe it was their complex growin on them, not wanting to look up to anybody. Figuratively and literally.

"Ya would have gotten in no matter what Hazama... Probably took you a lot quicker ta pass than me I'll bet ya that."

Hazama moved and sat next to Aki and the children, he rested his Zanpakutou next to him treating it like a friend.

Whats funny is that for as long as I can remember the one thing that I always knew was my name, there was something else too, something that I did or was doing. Its like a word on the tip of my tongue but I can't figure it out

Hazama scrunched his brow and laughed...

It took me two tries to get in, I almost didn't try again after I failed the first time but I couldn't live with the idea that a simple test was going to stop me after everything that I had been through

Hazama played with the flowers that the children had given him, such a simple gift and yet it was the one of the best that he had ever gotten.

Aki played with the flowers as well making a small crown of daises for the girls around. With their skill they made crowns in lightning speed. And even a small bracelet for Hazama. The petals of the the nearby sakura trees blew in their direction landing on their hairs but no one seemed to mind at all as what was more important were the word's between the two captains.

"Probably that's grumpy old mans name."

Aki jokingly said while looking at Hazama's blade. Although it wouldn't be a joke at all. A zanpaktou's spirit has always been in the strong spirit's mind. For some who are really strong it isn't rare for them to hear it before the academy. Aki suddenly stopped and looked at Hazama shocked.

"ehhh!!! No way. Yer probably joking. I though ye got in the first time! Ah I did see through your records but I guess I skipped over that part."

Aki did looked at him pleased afterwards. A strong will, another good part about him. Aki would have called it quits after the third and just went rogue. Or not, there was someone they had to follow after all.

"I took two tries as well. First time couldn't get any reiatsu going. So second times I cheated the paper and b.s the reiatsu part. They really need ta get that system fixed up lettin in some guys like me. How could ya take two tries though? Da entrance exams really dont matter but that reiatsu part trips people up."

Hazama laughed slightly as he continued to move play with the flowers.

I was stubborn, the thought of failing, of not doing what was asked of me by a man on his deathbed. I couldn't let that happen. Do you not remember how I was when we first met? that night you caught me wandering around in the rain chasing shadows. I was arrogant and over confident of in my abilities, I failed the first part of the exam, horribly

Hazama looks up toward the sky as his fingers fall to his zanpakutou, he grabs the handle firm like friends shaking hands.

thankfully I passed the second time and met you and this guy

Aki began to recall to the past and thought about it. Oh right, she was walking around the grounds when they found the lost puppy. Aki let out a heartfelt laugh which startled the kids a little for a bit before they too began to laugh along at this joke only the two captains shared.

"Hahah! How could a I forget the lost puppy. I couldn't figure out if ya were crazy or stupid hanging around that area, no idea where yer were even standin! I was surprised ye didn't die at that point."

Aki leaned back again, their laughter slowly disappearing. What a good laugh, a first in awhile. The memories with Hazama are all good. Well for the most part. They were fond things Aki actually liked to look back on.

"Ye thats right where would ya be without me! Probably following people like Suki and stuff. Ya turned out the complete opposite of me though."

Aki began to fiddle around with the flowers once more making a chain of them, one of the girls took one end of it and added to that end making along rope almost.

"I didn't really end up like my former cappy though. We all gotta find our own path, our own way ta lead."

Hazama snorted loudly at being called a lost puppy and then began to laugh his head falling back against the tree.

well to be honest I probably would have ended up getting drunk, wandering out into the rain and passing out. Of course then well there wouldn't really be much left now would there?

Hazama's tone was playful and slightly sarcastic, there was never much time for relaxed conversation let alone relaxing somewhere that wasn't his office. Hazama watched Aki and the children.

well it seems like I was destined to be opposite of you

I smile on his face as he grabbed his zanpakutou and moved it into view.

The whole fire/ice thing in all, but I think that we complemented each other very well, I even have that rabbit charm you gave me

Hazama nudged Aki's arm with his elbow in a playful manner as he reached into his robes and pulled up the charm that Aki had given him that first night in 3rd Division.

As the two powerful captains and the young innocent children were distracted and were passing e time talking and enjoying themselves, the rain began to fall heavier, loud slapping noises could be heard as the rain would fall on the different surfaces.

The clouds above grew a dark grey to the point where some black clouds appeared, a few lightning bolts could be seen up above a different streaks of lightning would pass through each of the clouds and at times some of the rays would crash down onto the ground a fair distance from the group. No damage would be done to the ground as the ground would absorb these single streaks of lightning.

The gravity in the area slowly but continuously began to get more heavier, eventually the gravity of the area wouldn't be enough for non high level members to withstand. The gravity was followed up by a vicious feeling, a presence that seemed dark and somewhat fearful for some, this feeling was riatsu it seemed to be coming from the clouds.

The clouds above began gaining more streaks of yellow riatsu, passing rapidly through the clouds but this riatsu had not yet reached the ground. It was on stand up, subtle. It seemed like it was waiting.

The sounds around we're from the small group by the tree talking followed by the rain and thunder crackling and crashing down in various separate locations.

"Passing out? You woulda fallen into the flood and died! All we woulda had is ya bones.... maybe!! Hahaha i guess it was destiny. The squad was pretty happy to see a calm face like yers."

Aki let out a laugh. All the children begun to gather around as the clouds only grew darker. They weren't afraid. Yet something nawed at them. Aki looked at the charm and couldn't believe their eyes.

"You still got that old thing? I dont know if itll still bring ya luck though. Only really works in the third... Maybe yer a special case though as always."

As the rain fell Aki opened up their umbrella and covered most of them. But still it wasn't normal rain. Aki stood up and shoo'd the children away.

"Y'all best go home now."

The children nodded and ran away, hoping to the captain again another day soon. Aki looked beyond and frowned.

".... maybe we should go too..."

[OOC:sorry for the late response worked 72 hrs last week]

Hazama laughed as at Aki's comment as he put the charm back into the folds of his robes.

Maybe this little trinket has more magic in it than we know, of course I did lose an arm so maybe not too much magic

Hazama had forgotten about the impending storm that was on the way in but as Aki opened the umbrella and the kids ran off home, he looked to Aki as he reattached his Zanpakutou..

I agree maybe we should go too, if there was one thing that I learned from my time under you it was that a little rain can kill you

(Sorry, was trying to think about what I could write. Hope this is good enough!)

The wind begins to pick up speed and blows the rain about making it slam against oncoming objects.

A large beam of thunder and light fires down from above. The vicious roar of pure energy splitting the dark grey clouds apart followed by a wave of sound that could be heard from miles away.

The beam of pure energy crashes down, splitting the ground causing large chunks to crack and fly about the place.

Once the light clears the sound of electricity is all that could be heard, a hooded figure stood before the two mighty captains, his face covered by his long hair.

The man seemed like a giant standing at around 6"8, the electricity would race throughout his entire body. A glow of blue electricity could be Sen through the small gaps of his hair in the location of his eyes.

The man was breathing heavily and due to the cold weather his breath could be seen as white steam.

A growling sound could be heard coming from this man, he lifts his face so that it is in the direction of the two.

"Where is he!?" He said viciously.

"Pythia... WHERE IS HE!?"

The man speaking was Michael Shichirou, former Captain of the Sixth, destroyer of the 11th, brother of the 2nd and the reason why Captain Aki is missing an arm. He was the definition of a Tyrant, he is a neutral being who usually appears when things go wrong.

An echoed laughter could be heard, it sounded as if it was circling the area. Michael would viciously turn his head about trying to find the source of the laughter.

"WHERE ARE YOU!?"

"over here... No! ... Over here! ... Come now... You really think that you can find me? ... Haha... Please..."


Michael looks to the two captains as his breathing begins to get heavier

"over here... You call yourself strong?... You are weak... You are a fool! You are a mere recruit! You are no God! You are weaker than Zeus!"


"DONT COMPARE ME TO THAT WEAK BASTARD!"

Michael rubs his eyes. "Urgh... I can't take this no more...get out of my damn HEAD!"

He looks to the two captains however his vision seemed to be distorted, an illusion began to appear before Michael.

"I forgot Pythia... You can clone yourself so that there are two of you!"

Michael quickly unsheathes his two blades and begins to quickly charge towards the two captains.

"I WILL KILL YOU PYTHIA NO MATTER HOW MANY OF YOU THERE ARE!"

Pythia managed to place an illusion in Michael's head, so that whenever he looks to any shinigami or any other being other than himself he sees Pythia.

Michael charges and then jumps up high into the air, he turns his blades so that they are pointing the ground. Michael was falling in the direction of the two captains and was prepared to stab the two.

Michael thoughts were being played with, he was being enraged and the only way to stop him was to either trap him, or kill him.

(Go crazy! :))