A new dawn [PRP]

[Yoruichi Shihouin]

Wasn't it just a day like any other? The sun had risen and was now on its way to setting, one of the first of winter' ever so harsh storm had closed in, sleet and rain being kicked up all over... And of course life had gone on. Perhaps in so many aspects this day had been like so many others, yet in so many others this day was something far more, it was something new after over 100 years. All of it centered around a soaking black cat, one simply walking down the street as cats do, not a care in the world, head and tail held up in a dominant charge. It looked like any other black cat, a long tail, whiskers, fur, claws... This was without a doubt a cat... On the outside. What every individual here would fail to recognize, living or dead, was this was no cat, at least on in terms of the being it was on the inside. This was a soul reaper, or once had been, this person was once a captain, once the princess of the noble Shihoin house, the flash goddess Yoruichi Shihoin. As she was none would be liable to recognize her, for on it had been near enough 100 years since last she'd been with a soul reaper, and another there were many black cats, she was just another stray wandering the streets looking for a kind old woman to take her in.

Or rather, she was looking for a rather eccentric shopekeeper. After so long she was once more looking for this man, Kisuke Urahara. Over the past years strange things had been afoot, things that even she was having difficulty unraveling. Call it resources or instinct if you will, but she was near sure this was all relevant to her old friend and something he'd so long ago created. She could have been wrong, and idea that was actually preferable after what she suspected may have happened... May already be happening. It was this that had caused her to draw herself out after so long, to once more reveal herself, all be it in an altered form. Things were stirring up after so long, and she didn't much like it. Of course she'd been aware odd things were coming about during the hollow attacks, having observed the first it was so very safe to say there was something far more to it than a bit of graffiti and a coincidental hollow attack. It was to organized, and certainly not the style of the one they'd had so many issues with in the past. This was the work of something new, something even she'd been yet to track down for the moment. This was not something that would last though.

Rain picking up she tilted her head up slightly, gold eyes watching the sky as she continued on as the cold storm pelted her. She was close. She didn't need to feel it in her gut, she just knew she was close, for one this location had been set to her memory, and once something was there it did not get forgotten so quickly, if ever. As she approached it was partially clear as to why this was. the sign was hardly easy to miss, exuberant as ever it seemed. Picking up her pace to the door it became perfectly clear that as it was closed she had a small problem known as no thumbs, in her present form it was liable to be hard opening the door without messing around for a while, and frankly she had better things to do, two of which being getting out of the rain, and finding the shopkeeper. Despite the door issues it was highly likely that she'd have few to no issues in actually getting in, it was very frankly in her nature to be within places she was unwanted, or unexpected. And of course this time was no exception. It would be foolish to ask how she actually got into the place, especially considering the lack of open windows, yet if one were to ask it would be found as unanswerable as the question of life. The only answer present was that this was Yoruichi, if she wanted to be somewhere there was a very high probability that she'd get there, regardless of how accessible the place actually seemed.

"Hey Ururu, you made a mess! Clean it up!"
"I didn't do anything .... uh."

In the slender black figure stalked through the building, water dripping from her and leaving small puddles as she went, were one of Urahara's three partners to spot her they'd no doubt raise the alarm to the fact there was a stray in the building, unless of course they were Tessai. Either way she'd keep walking, the man was here somewhere, of course he was it was his own shop. The matter of the fact though was discovering where exactly said place was, though not a viably huge shop on the outside there was far more to it, though again for her it would be no hard task to find the man. However hearing the squeaking of children she turned her head back the way she'd come... Ah, perfect~ Turning fully she turned off back in her previous direction, tail flicking slightly at the tip to send out a small arching spray of water. These two would no doubt attract the attention of the man she was hunting for, and hey, she wouldn't even need to do anything, just sit there tilt her head slightly. They'd no doubt yell about a cat having gotten in, and that was exactly what she wanted. The louder the better in this case~

"Whaaaaat?"
"It's a cat."

Standing there she simply watched the pair of them with golden eyes, no part of her moving say for the frequent drips that were by now forming a puddle below her. So now she waited , that was all there was to it. After near 100 years all there was to it was sitting and waiting. Oh it was of course her own choice to have done such, she could have come before now. Yet she had not done so. Then the time had not been right for this reunion, however now it was. Things were happening, whilst she was unaware of the full picture she did have many parts of it, and the image she was able to produce from these notions was not a good one. Now was the time to once more join forces, whilst this was not what she had originally been waiting for it was still... It had to be done, this new issue had to be stamped down before it were able to inflame the current issues that lay just below the surface. This was why something so simple looking as a cat would seek this man out, and this were also why she was something far more than just a mere cat.

[Kisuke Urahara]

The bickering of the two young ones seemed to echo through the whole building. They never seemed to get along, he grinned slightly to himself. He strode down the almost silent hallway. Or atleast it was, until he heard the sound of feet along the wooden floor.

‘Mr. Urahara.’

He blinked and looked as the small girl came through a door. “What is it Ururu?” His voice was calm as ever, as if the incident a year ago had never happened. The only reminder was the tenderness of his shoulder. When he had hit the ground he likely shattered something, but Tessai refused to tell him. All he knew was even the slightest bump could cause him pain.

‘There’s a cat.’

He blinked, there was only one cat he knew that could break into this shop. He laughed slightly and tipped his hat. “Well let’s see who it is.” He followed the small black haired girl, sandals clapping with each step. Sure enough, there sat the pure black cat, eyes innocent like nothing in the world mattered. But for this cat to show up, something was very wrong. But he knew that if she was in this form, then he would have to play along. Though, he did feel genuine joy in seeing his old friend. “Yes! It’s Yoruichi!” He almost ran towards the cat. “You’ve finally come back to me! Hahah!” He scoped his hands under the felines forearms, lifting it into the air. Despite the dripping wet fur he laughed and bounced them slightly. “Come here you furry little rascal!”

He could tell that the two younger ones were staring at him, it wasn’t every day you saw a full grown man shrinking to the maturity of a child over a cat. But this was more than just a cat, this was his former captain and best friend.

‘Kinda feel sorry for him …’

The young girl wouldn’t say anything, not wanting to insult the shopkeeper, or make Jinta angry. “You little devil, who’s your daddy.” He hoisted the cat into his arms, stroking it behind the ears. One might think it awkward, considering the cats true identity, but he didn’t feel that odd. He had seen her in this form before, and she played the roll of cat very well. Looking to the children, who seemed more than a little shocked he was holding a dripping wet cat, he grinned slightly. “This is Yoruichi, an old friend of mine.”

Flicking some water from his hands he sighed. “We need to get you dried up before you catch a cold.” And he needed to see what was up, away from the others. “Just finish up for the night, okay?” His voice was calm as ever, but a hint of joy was ever present. He wouldn’t use this time to catch up, but more to find out why she had come out of hiding.

[Yoruichi Shihouin]

“Yes! It’s Yoruichi! You’ve finally come back to me! Hahah! Come here you furry little rascal!”

Snapping her head to side in apparent shock her fur fluffed up slightly as the man ran toward her. Frankly it was exactly the greeting she'd expected, it really didn't shock her in the least. Nor did him picking her up. As he did she curled her tail up toward her stomach, letting out a yowling meow of greeting she rested her paws him his arms for better support. His addressle of her was strange yes, but not something that at all bothered her, rather she just let it slide as the man crooned over her in apparent affection. Whilst his arms gave a slight bounce she lifted her paw and tried to push it against his face in an apparently curious greeting to him. Any who know what she really was would have perhaps found this all to strange, she was a fully grown woman, and yet here was an adult male bouncing her in his hands. Something about it all just seemed, well it seemed wrong. Yet it really wasn't, there was a reason for behind this strange act that likely only the pair would get. To Yoruichi this ruse was important.

“You little devil, who’s your daddy.”

As she were lifted further she lowered herself down into a laying position, tail curling up around her rump as she rested her head against his upper arm, simply watching the two children. They looked utterly baffled, a look that amused the strange feline. It was a strange habit of hers to be involved in any events that caused strangely shocked faces, though of course it was this man's actions toward her that left them confused. Only them though. Despite how awkward this should have been it wasn't, this whole thing was a bluff for the benefit of any watching, she was a cat who'd apparently just brought joy to a strange old man's life. And as a cat as soon as the hand touched her behind the ear she pushed her head back toward it slightly and purred, apparently content at it. Had she been any other this would have been humiliating, she was after all a fully grown woman by all natural terms. Yet she didn't care, she'd spent near 100 years now acting this role all but constantly, acting as she appeared now was anything but difficult. It was perhaps as simple as breathing to her now, as such hardly something to fuss over.

“This is Yoruichi, an old friend of mine. We need to get you dried up before you catch a cold.”

Tilting her head slightly at the two children she let out a slight mew, apparently in some form of feline greeting. Looking up toward Kisuke as he spoke she flicked her tail slightly, water once more flicking off almost emphasizing the man's point. Being dry wasn't something of great concern to her right now, no, what she needed was to speak to this man to determine if what she suspected were true, and also to give details regarding some rather... disturbing information she'd come across. There was a lot to say and yet still this game had to go on, for now the matters could wait as this rolled out. It was all a great dance and right now the pair of them were in utter unison. Each step one took the other took in the same manner, both hiding the truth well. This was the aim of the game, and they did it perfectly. Of course they did, each of them was near as odd as the other in their own way, it made this utterly simple and yet oh so very vital. These two children, yes they were trusted, but it was more her worry as to who else may be listening, all she had to say was not for the ears of any but this man. They were for he and he alone.

“Just finish up for the night, okay?”

Watching the two little ones scamper off she waited for the ever so subtle signals that they'd gone. Once given she merely leaped down out of his arms and turned to face him. “We have things to discuss.” Oddly for the fact this was female the voice was deep, very much that associated with an adult male, not a female feline. To any not knowing of her original form she would likely immediately be presumed a male, something she would actually approve of if given half a chance. It was all in the name of a cover, and all of it served her so perfectly. This form really was the perfect disguise for her, even when forced to show the fact she were no ordinary cat there were still few to none who'd know it to be her. Nothing about her seemed as it should have done if she were acting as the woman she was below all this, nothing but the personality at least. Regardless of her form Yoruichi would always be a rather eccentric person, yes someone deeper than just that, but she was always odd no matter how you looked at it really. All you had to do was ask near anyone that knew her and you were likely to get a resounding affirmative. Ahhh the joys of being loved, it was so hard being a being a beautiful young woman~

[Kisuke Urahara]

Games, it was quite obvious the shopkeeper was fond of them, but some were more than just simple play. This game was like a skit, for the benefit of unwanted ears. He chuckled as the soft furred feet swiped at his face. This game was a simple one to play, but only those who knew the rules could join in.

He glanced in the direction they had gone off in, ears waiting for the sound of their footsteps to be nothing but silence. So had his furred companion it seemed. As soon as they where fully out of earshot she jumped down, leaving him free to rest his arms at his sides. A turn, and then seating, and it was clear she was ready to speak.

‘We have things to discuss.’

The blonde tipped his hat slightly, eyes shadowed. “I had a feeling that was why you came out of hiding.” He crouched down, arms on his knees. He cringed, eye squinting slightly as he put a bit of weight on his arm. It was a reminder that he would have to mention the unnamed boy with the same blade as the tenth captain. While they had abandoned their posts long ago, they were by no means done with the seireitei. In fact, by leaving they seemed to be woven further into the mess. Though, he had a feeling that with the hogyoku stolen their attention would quickly shift to the merchant. He sighed and rubbed his head gently, with his left hand, looking at the black feline once more.

“I’m assuming you’ve caught wind of the hollow attacks.” He glanced around the shop, he could almost picture the boy walking through like he owned the place. “I met the boy behind it.” It was strange, that he had changed his tone once again. All joking gone, not even a playful bounce. This was serious, and even though he was talking to a cat, it had to be treated as such. This topic was, quite tender as it were. He could weave together every detail, and likely figure everything out. But even now, he lacked details.

His grey eyes began to trace a line on the floor. “I could tell you why … but even I’m not sure about that. But, one thing I know for certain.” His eyes returned to her, an almost saddened look upon his features. “He has the hogyoku, and the vizards.” She knew, likely better than any one (except perhaps Tessai) the pain that that day brought him. It was worse than any bodily harm, this was deeper than any sword could cut. Despite this boy not wanting to involve Urahara at all, by taking the path he did, he wove the shopkeeper right into the middle of his plans. He had also successfully made the man a wee bit paranoid. Even sitting here now, he had the cane slipped through the fabric around his waist.

It was amazing this was the same man who a hundred years ago stood before the gotei 13, wondering if he could come in. He gained so much confidence, perhaps from his experiences as a captain, and the one hundred years in between. He grinned slightly, the same goofy grin he wore before the first captain had thwaped him. Some things never changed, Kisuke was still a strange man who would much rather meddle with his ‘toys’ than interact. But to say he was anti-social would be the biggest lie. He was very much a changing person, but his core would never change. That much was certain, no cocky, revenge bent brat could change that.

He ran his fingers through his hair and looked up. “What have you to tell me, Mr. Yoruichi.” There was a sly tone to his voice, and his grin seemed almost evil. Even in the middle of a conversation such as this he couldn’t help but be a fool. It was in his nature, telling him to stop would be about as useful as telling a cat to bark. It might work, but chances were slim. But under the jokes, his grey eyes held the serious tone. He knew this was important, and would treat as such.
No matter what nonsense he pulled out, he was oddly on task.

[Yoruichi Shihouin]

“I had a feeling that was why you came out of hiding.”

She’d expected him to understand, it was what he did after all. What made her stop for thought though was the shift in his body, trying to compensate for something apparently. At the core of it there seemed to be a cringe. “Then you are very correct… Are you hurt?” Trying to hide anything from this feline was stupid, and also near impossible, she was about as perceptive as they came with these things. If he’d expected her not to notice then more the fool him, though she had a feeling he’d probably suspected she would all along. What made her wonder though was how it had happened, he was by no means a careless man, odd granted, but not the type to walk into a door or fall down some steps… Hopefully anyway. No, she had a feeling there was more to it than that, and she did indeed expect him to explain if this were so. As well as coming to give information she had come to retrieve it, as smart as she was she was hardly omnipotent, she did need to be given a majority of the facts before she could suitably work something out. If this was important she needed to know, besides which she was also concerned for her old friend.

“I’m assuming you’ve caught wind of the hollow attacks. I met the boy behind it.”

Tail flicking, her whiskers twitched slightly. “I was present for one of them.” What surprised her was that he’d met the boy though, as of yet even she’d not been able to catch hide nor hair of him. It was strange, and also frustrating. “Did you discover anything about him?” Pausing for thought quickly she surveyed the area, water still falling from her. “I was wondering who had them so organized.” She’d known all along that there were no way it was Aizen, this was not his type of game, not at all. In a manner this was lucky; if her suspicions were true then it would have been far worse if it were actually that man. Whilst this whole situation were by no means ideal it was by far preferable to any alternative, this she could probably handle, this was something that could probably be resolved fairly quickly as long as the right paths were taken. Then again, wasn’t that the case with everything? All you ever had to do was take the right paths until you found the correct ending. The difference was that some paths were far easier to take than others.

“I could tell you why … but even I’m not sure about that. But, one thing I know for certain. He has the hogyoku, and the vizards.”

Nodding, evidently wanting him to do so regardless, a frown crossed her face. The first fact did not at all surprise her, the second however did. Contrary to what many people would do when shocked she did not answer with a ‘what?’ he’d told her and she understood, there was no point giving repetition of the fact. “I was already very sure he’d retrieved the former from you,” she stated seriously, that masculine voice giving a sharp edge to her voice. Urahara had very likely not just handed it over; he’d have fought back with all he had to keep that item. So the question was how had Kisuke lost to a boy? Surprise would have had to come into the equation somewhere, and if her old partner knew he had the vizards then likely they too had been involved with this loss. It was a pain, yet it was the past and it was done. All they could do now was fix it. “I take it he’s manipulating them via their hollows?” There was no way at all they’d join someone who seemed as this boy did, and if he were using hollows in other aspects then this was very likely similar. She could see though very well that this fact hurt Urahara, even after all this time those old wounds were still raw, and she understood perfectly well why. Of course she did, this was her and he were Urahara, she’d have understood without words, as she did with many things in life. “They’re strong,” she concluded. Comfort and a subtle order to simply look forward for the time (yes the order seeming strange coming from a furred animal to a man, but it still stood). She remembered perfectly how frantically desperate he’d been all those years ago, that were not a mindset he needed now. Admittedly though, he was a somewhat different individual to that person from all those years ago, in all likelihood he’d not fall to such.

“What have you to tell me, Mr. Yoruichi.”

Flicking an ear slightly her brow rose, both slight signs of her amusement. The reference to her gender did not so much bother her, which as it was very much the wrong gender probably should have. Many times though it were something she herself would enforce if given a chance, and thus there was simply no offense in his sly words. “The tenth captain is missing,” she deadpanned, her own serious voice contradicting his previous one. “A riddle of sorts was left, similar to the ones pre-empting the hollow attacks, it called for him specifically.” All skeletal facts, she still didn’t have the flesh to make it complete, this was a matter she was yet to fully understand. “When I arrived he was nowhere to be seen, though there were rather large amounts of blood, his or not I cannot say, along with traces of rather high levels of reiatsu from at least two individuals.” Each trace had saturated the other, making it hard to discern whose was whose, had this not been so she’d have no doubt been able to work out far more on the matter. As it was she could not, and thus was only given raw details, and right now she needed specifics.

“They’ve legally declared him missing in action, presumed dead, or traitorous if still living.” Whether he was or not Yoruichi could not say, without knowing what this unknown boy’s motives were frankly the possibilities were endless. This whole thing made her feel uneasy, there was something very wrong here, and right now she couldn’t work out what the actual answer was. For all she knew the young captain could indeed have fallen from his path with this new opponent, if there were more to this than she were seeing then this was something very possible. Even so, that idea didn’t fit to her… But then, so many people were wrong about Aizen were they not? “Either way he's obviously involved with this boy,” she continued after a moment. She supposed in some rather twisted way it was possible that the young protégé had turned coat so to say. This was something that only time would tell, none would cause to come to a conclusion, not unless they were able to present solid facts to her about it. “I’m sure you already know we must retrieve the hogyoku before any other can get to it.” Any other being the one who’d been seeking it after all these years, waiting for the perfect opportunity to get it. This could prove to be that if they were not in fact careful, if they moved to slowly all would be lost, and frankly moving slowly was not something this feline much liked. And it was here she stopped with her talk, waiting for him to give his thoughts, opinions, and those ever so valuable ideas.

[Kisuke Urahara]

‘Then you are very correct… Are you hurt?’

He rested a hand on his shoulder. “Heh, can’t keep anything from you.” He lowered it down once more and sighed. “It will heal.” Truth was, at least now he could move it all the way around. After it had happened he could have sworn he had no arm. But the fact he was injured at all was impressive, considering he once prided himself of being a captain and leader of the Punishment Squad. No matter, the past was behind him. And he was slowly getting over the pain.

‘I was present for one of them.’

So like her, to always be there when not wanted.

‘Did you discover anything about him? I was wondering who had them so organized.’

He nodded slightly. “He gave me plenty of information to work with, whether he realized it or not.” He flicked the brim of his hat so it lifted slightly. “His motives, are fairly clear … but I can’t work out what he wants to do. A large piece of the puzzle is missing.” He put his hand on his chin and let out a deep breath. “The boy never gave me his name, claiming he had none. Maybe it’s just me, but I can only see one reason why he would do that. Banishment.” Not every one acted the same, the merchant had of course kept his name, but he felt on shame in it.

‘I was already very sure he’d retrieved the former from you,’

He lowered his gaze, he knew she was not blaming him, and yet it felt like it was once again settling on his shoulders.

‘I take it he’s manipulating them via their hollows?’

He nodded. “He had Hirako with him. And even with out the mask I could tell his brain was functioning like that of a hollows.” He rubbed under his eyes and dragged his hand back down too his chin.

‘They’re strong,’

He looked at her, a faint grin spreading. It was much better than a hit to the head, that’s for sure. He just bowed his head for a moment, letting it all settle in his mind.

‘The tenth captain is missing,’

With that he jolted upright slightly. The tenth captain, Toshiro Hitsugaya. The owner of the ice zanpaktou Hyorinmaru. He clenched his fists slightly, could this be the missing puzzle piece.

‘A riddle of sorts was left, similar to the ones pre-empting the hollow attacks, it called for him specifically.’

This was it, it had to be. This was the final piece that would fit it all together. He would allow her to finish before he spoke what this must mean.

‘When I arrived he was nowhere to be seen, though there were rather large amounts of blood, his or not I cannot say, along with traces of rather high levels of reiatsu from at least two individuals.’

He let out a sigh and looked at her. “Thank you for telling me this …” He pulled his hat up, blonde hair falling over his eyes before he settled it down. “The boy, the one who attacked me was quite … unique. I didn’t understand his motives until now, but it makes sense.” His gaze was now focused on her, attention hardly wandering. “The boy also held a zanpaktou by the name of Hyorinmaru.” That alone should be enough, for she had been a captain much longer than he and knew all to well the ways of the seireitei.

‘They’ve legally declared him missing in action, presumed dead, or traitorous if still living.’

He couldn’t help but curse their ignorance. “They are gravely mistaken, what awaits him is not his choice. And is a fate, far worse than death.” He clenched his fists and put them on the ground, as if bowing. “This boy has gotten himself into something larger than he could possibly imagine.”

‘Either way he's obviously involved with this boy,’

“Perhaps … But I do not believe by his own free will. Captains don’t just throw away their titles.” His tone was darker than normal, the anger and frustration he felt towards them boiling up inside. Would they honestly just throw away their captains? Did they mean that little? And worse, another captain possibly lost to hollowification.

‘I’m sure you already know we must retrieve the hogyoku before any other can get to it.’

He sighed and released his anger. “Of course … It has to be hidden away, much further away than before.” An idea began to form, often soul reapers came to him for gigai’s, supplies and such. Perhaps the next gigai he crafted could be fused with the device once retrieved. Because if they were desperate enough to come to him then they likely wouldn’t be returning to the soul society any time soon. That would have to work, but that wasn’t the matter at hand. They had to get it back first. He found himself gripping the curve of the cane, knuckles turning white.

He released his grip and shook his head. “We wont be able to do this alone. If he has the Vizards, we will need all the help we can get. I have one boy in mind …” He shook his head. “There is no guarantee, but Kurosaki’s boy. Not to seem like a creeper, but he is one of the few that can see souls, and recently, hollows.” He folded his arms and sat down. “At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if he started leaving his body at regular intervals.” At that he laughed and rubbed his head. “But with the incidents … I have a feeling the soul society is going to turn their attention back to me, so I doubt they will be helping much.”

He seemed almost friendly as he turned to the cat. “Let’s hope you have at least kept your one title.” He made a dramatic pose, one hand on his chest, the other extended slightly. “Goddess of the Flash.” He knew that the cat likely didn’t need an ego boost, but it had been a long time since she had been anything but Yoruichi. Even Shihoin had since been abandoned, it was good to have a reminder of the past.

[Yoruichi Shihouin]

“Heh, can’t keep anything from you. It will heal.”

Perhaps under a more normal set of circumstances she would have made some remarkable comment, instead what she said was simple and to the point, even if it were true. “No, you can't.” She stated, ear flicking slightly. “Good, we can't have you out of the picture now, can we?” Despite how serious it all was and the fact there was worry in her there was something mischievous about the way she said it, even now that eccentric personality of hers showed through. Oh she could fit her mood to anything, take things on a more serious level, but even a were-cat couldn't change their deep set personality. At your heart you didn't often change, the pretenses around you did, that she knew well enough. She'd seen many examples of people changing who they were on the outside, even the man before her was a very good example. She'd been there as his personality quirks had changed, the outside of who he was had changed in many ways since she'd first met him so long ago. On the inside though he'd remained pretty much the same for the most part. This was indeed a fine example, and was as said something that pretty much held true for most beings you'd come across in life. It was simply a natural part of life, and a damn good survival technique too.

“He gave me plenty of information to work with, whether he realized it or not. His motives, are fairly clear … but I can’t work out what he wants to do. A large piece of the puzzle is missing. The boy never gave me his name, claiming he had none. Maybe it’s just me, but I can only see one reason why he would do that. Banishment.”

Hmm, no, what he said sounded right enough. Those banished often tended to suffer a loss of identity when alone, the name was a part of your identity. To a degree she too had lost something similar, she'd given up her title as captain, her place within her family thus her name in it, yet she'd done it all by choice and had retained who she was, she was not banished, she'd simply left. “Very likely, it's not uncommon to lose yourself in some circumstances of that.” It was only to be considered lucky that none of the group she knew had lost themselves, oh each of them had changed in some way for the most part, but in essence they were the same, all having kept their identities. There were a few reasons on this subject as to why someone would say they had no name, weak minds, regrets, innocence, lack of understanding, loneliness, the list was very near endless in this topic. It however was hardly important, no, what mattered now was getting the hogyoku back from him before anything utterly stupid could be done. This was her goal, not working out some rouge's problems. No doubt they would be linked to his goals and motives, but it was in finding these out that the issues would be discovered, not the other way around.

“He had Hirako with him. And even with out the mask I could tell his brain was functioning like that of a hollows.”

This wasn't something that overly shocked her either, if it were through the hollows this boy was manipulating then of course that trait was going to become far more dominant in them. “I see, then it seems like he may be augmenting the hollows and then using it to control them...” Flicking her tail in a mild irritation for a moment she gave a pause for thought, if this were so then all may not be lost. “If this is so then having them redominate their hollows may prove a viable solution. Of course to do this though we'd need to capture them, and keep them away from his influence whilst we follow it through.” She could be wrong, whilst she did understand the logistics of hollowfication it was not entirely her forte. Smart yes, omnipotent no. This was new, and so she was still working things through to come up with a suitable solution that may end some of the troubles they had before them. “Though of course if they meet him again they may simply relapse.” It was all such a bother, but it had to be dealt with regardless. There was a solution, that much the black feline knew, now all that needed to be done was finding it. To do this she and the man before her could no doubt put their knowledge together to come out with something acceptable. Hopefully they would not find their answer to late.

“Thank you for telling me this … The boy, the one who attacked me was quite … unique. I didn’t understand his motives until now, but it makes sense. The boy also held a zanpaktou by the name of Hyorinmaru.”

Pausing her ears pricked forward. So there were two Hyorinmaru?! The ice dragon, the blade that blessed the soul society rarely... It was a twin. Even to here this was something close to astounding. She understood it, of course she did, twin zanpakuto were rare but not unheard of. So this was why the boy had been banished? His soul had manifested in the same way as the tenth captain. “I see...” Things were beginning to make more sense now, there were still details missing, but the picture was coming together nicely. “Do you believe this is all some form of revenge on the tenth captain then?” It were possible this boy blamed Hitsugaya for his banishment, it was after all something odd to be banished for. As far as many would be concerned there would have been no crime, each party being totally innocent in their own eyes and that of others, it was not after all the best known of all laws. This though did not give the newcomer any right to commit the no doubt coming actions. Whilst she could understand she did not agree, and nor would she ever.

“They are gravely mistaken, what awaits him is not his choice. And is a fate, far worse than death. This boy has gotten himself into something larger than he could possibly imagine.”

She understood perfectly, and it did not settle well. This was all falling apart, all they could do now was catch the pieces as they fell and hope they weren't impaled as they did so. This game was becoming all the more complex, but Yoruichi certainly did love a good challenge. “It is no doubt to late then, there were traces of something I've never felt before lingering.” It was all to probably that the hogyoku had been used, whilst she'd seen it she'd never seen its use, thus never felt the energy it gave off. No doubt that vile presence she felt was it though. “Indeed, it seems a personal quarrel is going to escalate things in ways unimagined. No doubt Aizen knows, he'll already be incorporating this into his schemes I fear.” The man was smart, he'd have already come up with ways to use this faster than a mathematician could solve a complex algorithm This was a problem, a very big one, thus it needed to be solved, and soon. If left to long then things would go so very wrong very quickly, this needed to be solved now, as soon as possible. The more time given the worse it would be in the long run, this was not a good thing, most the opposite really.

“Perhaps … But I do not believe by his own free will. Captains don’t just throw away their titles.”

Not strictly true, in a manner she had, she'd given it up from her own free will and hardly regretted it at all. Some captains did give up their titles. “Some do given the right reasons.” The reasons changed from person to person, though of course doing so was incredibly rare. For the most part captains were that for a reason, they were reliable, or at least presumed to be. The occurrence of a captain's abandonment was something incredibly rare, it didn't happen often. Yet in a twist they had 3 who'd no doubt soon fall from the ranks, with Toshiro gone this meant the loss of 4 captains in such a short time, something that happened in a very long while... And under the circumstances something that could prove to be utterly deadly to the soul society in the long run, their power was in having all the captains ready to fight, with four missing... She was honestly beginning to dread how things would actually turn out in the end. Still, there was hope yet. With that hope they'd find a way to utterly crush Aizen down, there were allies in this world stronger than most would suspect. With them there was a chance, it would be taken and they would win. There was no other option.

“Of course … It has to be hidden away, much further away than before. We wont be able to do this alone. If he has the Vizards, we will need all the help we can get. I have one boy in mind … There is no guarantee, but Kurosaki’s boy. Not to seem like a creeper, but he is one of the few that can see souls, and recently, hollows. At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if he started leaving his body at regular intervals. But with the incidents … I have a feeling the soul society is going to turn their attention back to me, so I doubt they will be helping much.”

True enough, all of it. Thinking for a moment she no doubt suspected what he said about this boy was true, and with the right guidance he could very easily prove to be the upper hand they needed in this puzzle. “Are you surprised with his heritage?” His father was a highly powerful soul reaper, there was very little surprise that the boy was already displaying such skills. “We should bring him to us soon and give him proper guidance.” They could make something from that boy, something that could perhaps cut Aizen down where he stood. There would be a lot resting on the shoulders of one so long, but they would train him to hold that weight and turn it into a great weapon. The final comment though held a sad truth to it, this was likely gong to go so very wrong for her old friend if he wasn't careful, he was going to need to watch his back else suffer having it stabbed by the very group that had misjudged him all those years ago. “You'll have to be on your guard... More so than usual.” They could not afford to lose him, if that were to happen then a crown piece would have been taken, something that could little be afforded here.

“Let’s hope you have at least kept your one title. Goddess of the Flash.”

Watching his odd actions she cocked a brow, a sly grin spreading across her feline face, a rather odd look in all honesty. “I don't plan on giving that up for a very long time yet~” Indeed that was the only one she'd retained, the only one she'd been able to keep after she'd left. That was hers, and she'd be damned if any could take it. As the title suggested she was the fastest, even after 100 years of peace she'd still out pace any and all before her. By no means was she egotistical about it, this was all simply a fact of the matter, she was who she was. Very thing would soon be pulled together tight. New enemies, old allies, it had all been set in motion and now they simply only had to follow the paths laid out for them. For over a hundred years they'd had a set course, now there was a jink in the path. It had to be fixed so that they could push on and continue. It would be done, this would be resolved and soon. What other choice was there? None.

None at all.

[Kisuke Urahara]

‘No, you can't. Good, we can't have you out of the picture now, can we?’

He let out a small puff and grinned, shaking his head slightly. “Kisuke Urahara wont go down that easily.” His face held a strange mixture of kidding and serious. It was hard to tell what the merchant was truly feeling.

‘Very likely, it's not uncommon to lose yourself in some circumstances of that.’

He nodded slowly, that was exactly what he was thinking. How long has this boy been alone? He likely had plenty of time to brood his thoughts and hatred. He feared for what the boy had turned himself into.

‘I see, then it seems like he may be augmenting the hollows and then using it to control them...’

He was almost positive that was the case. Shinji’s mind normally wasn’t jelly that could be moulded so easily. But with even a small hint of the hollow deep in his soul, it could be scooped and rebuilt. He hated the boy for that. If only he had removed their hollows when he had the chance. But even with all his knowledge he had been powerless. He had simply created some strange hybrid they now call the Vizards.

‘If this is so then having them redominate their hollows may prove a viable solution. Of course to do this though we'd need to capture them, and keep them away from his influence whilst we follow it through.’

“Two of us, and it took two forbidden kido spells to capture them before.” He rested his forehead between his thumb and index finger. “Not to mention, they aren’t just mindless hollows now. They retain small traces of the vizards emotions. No hollow has the will to fight like that.” He hardly looked at her as he spoke. His tone had taken an empty ring. “They fight like soul reapers, with the murderous rage of hollows.” At least he had freed them of their hollow like nature, and this boy seemed to be prying all those safe guards away.

‘Though of course if they meet him again they may simply relapse.’

His eyes cold as he looked at her again. “Then I will keep him away, even if it kills me.” The icy determination in his voice was something not many people saw. Every one knew the goofy, laid back merchant, but only a select few knew the solid resolve to protect those he cared about. “He won’t catch me off guard again.”

‘I see... Do you believe this is all some form of revenge on the tenth captain then?’

He nodded slowly. “It would make the most sense. He likely blames the captain for being banished, yet likely it wasn’t his fault at all.” He pondered for a moment, letting the thoughts roll around. “But that likely happened before the tenth was a captain, so this happened ages ago. Perhaps fifty years or so. If that is true, then his opinions are likely twisted beyond repair.”

‘It is no doubt to late then, there were traces of something I've never felt before lingering.’

A silent understanding poured over him, the small drips had all come together into a downpour. The boy had used the Hogyoku to turn the captain into a hollow dominated Vizard. There was not a doubt in the merchants mind.

‘Indeed, it seems a personal quarrel is going to escalate things in ways unimagined. No doubt Aizen knows, he'll already be incorporating this into his schemes I fear.’

He shook his head and looked up again. “He has taken it way too far.” He pulled the green striped had further back, grey eyes almost unreadable. “No doubt Aizen’s eyes have been drawn. He seems to know much more than we give him credit for.” He exhaled deeply. This wasn’t good, the man who caused the banishment of eleven well seasoned, and trusted, soul reapers.

‘Some do given the right reasons.’

Sometimes he forgot that she had given up her position to save them. She had truly given up everything so they could have a chance at a life outside of the soul society. Of course.

[/b]”[/color]

‘Are you surprised with his heritage? We should bring him to us soon and give him proper guidance’

He almost laughed. Of course with his father, it would be surprising if the boy couldn’t see souls at all. He bowed his head again, they would have to get him soon if they wanted to keep his mind on their goal.

‘You'll have to be on your guard... More so than usual.’

He grinned a bit, hand now rested gently on the cane. “Trust me, I will not be caught unprepared.” He wouldn’t let Benihime out of his sight. Even if it meant that he had to sleep with the thing, he would. With out his zanpaktou he only had kido, and in his state kido would be quite taxing. But Benihime would always be strong, as long as his heart was on the right path, and his mind was clear.

‘I don't plan on giving that up for a very long time yet~’

His grin grew a bit. “Good, we will be needing your speed.” Not every battle could be won with strength and strategy alone. They would need more people, each with a defined strength. Even if they could only get one Vizard, then they could easily get the others. And he already had one in mind, the short temperamental blonde that he knew almost as well as the back of his hand. The soul reaper he had had the pleasure, or perhaps displeasure, of calling lieutenant.
Hiyori Sarugaki.[/color][/center][/blockquote][/font]

[Yoruichi Shihouin]

“Kisuke Urahara wont go down that easily.”

Oh she knew that well enough, however even when surprised she wouldn't have suspected he'd have lost in the first place, it just didn't seem right. “Make sure it stays that way then,” she offered firmly. It would no doubt, for all his strength even he could not stand alone in this fight. It was time for his comrades to gather their arms, to pull together in every preparation for the war that would come. The tides were turning, waves rising and falling, swaying with the motions of time. Again they would have to move with the pendulum or suffer for it, an outcome the feline found to be most unacceptable in the grand scheme of things. This time Aizen's treachery would go unpunished, and this new boy would certainly not stand in their way. If he were a hindrance he would be removed, though either way there would be a confrontation of sorts with him. He'd lose. The Hogyoku was a huge risk and simply could not be allowed into the hands of any but Urahara, even she herself would never want it in her grasp. Not for fear of missue, rather for the fact it was simply not her own. He reasons were complex, though that simplistic idea was perhaps as close as you'd ever get to understanding.

“Two of us, and it took two forbidden kido spells to capture them before. Not to mention, they aren’t just mindless hollows now. They retain small traces of the vizards emotions. No hollow has the will to fight like that. They fight like soul reapers, with the murderous rage of hollows.”

That was true, however they had the means, and a way could always be found, this the werecat knew perfectly well. “We always have Tessai,” she added. It almost seemed as if he'd forgotten the kido master, with him they had three, that was potentially enough if they handled the situation carefully. “We obviously don't need to do them all in one go, picking one of at a time and taming them would prove the most effective method. As we progressed we'd obviously have someone else to fight with us, making it easier each time. Besides, we know more now than we did then.” Logic, she had it. Urahara was smart by any standard, and whilst she certainly didn't surpass his intellect she matched it in her own way. Oh she could never create the things he did, frankly she wouldn't want to, but she was smart.... Despite what her weirdly eccentric personality may actually suggest about her. Granted though this was only common sense, a simple notion the should have come to even the most unintelligent of people. If she'd come to that then he no doubt would have to, regardless though sometimes it was worth giving a simplistic opinion. Complexity was not always the way forward~

“Then I will keep him away, even if it kills me. He won’t catch me off guard again.”

He shouldn't have in the first place, however mistakes were made. The main issue in life was that some mistakes were all to fatal, as long as this one could be fixed then it would be fine. This could not be allowed to progress, whilst she did not blame the man before her he probably would himself, she did not need him like that, nor did she wish to see her friend in such a way. “You can't help anyone dead, don't do anything rash.” She warned carefully. Would he? He had all that time go. She didn't mean he'd saved them, more that she hadn't told her. She knew why, of course she did, and thus she knew why he would this time. Hopefully though he knew better, whilst not a totally different man to what he was back then he was more experienced, something vital to anyone. Intelligence was good and all, but it was nothing at all if you couldn't couple it with experience, as he could. He was hopefully now not going to repeat anything, she hoped he knew by now that she was always going to be there butting her whiskered little nose into whatever he was doing. If he was planning anything she wanted to know.

“It would make the most sense. He likely blames the captain for being banished, yet likely it wasn’t his fault at all. But that likely happened before the tenth was a captain, so this happened ages ago. Perhaps fifty years or so. If that is true, then his opinions are likely twisted beyond repair.”

Still dripping she nodded slightly. It was odd in a way, the soul society's council were causing their own problems that could have been easily avoided, they really did cause so much damage, it was such a foolish game really. A deadly one. “Very probably. Either way he must be stopped, one way or another.” Curling the tip of her tail slightly in thought for a moment golden eyes closed. “So this boy is able to control hollows like our old friend... If that is so...” She paused to think. Yes... And that made this all the worse. Opening her eyes once more she fixed them upon Kisuke. “It's indeed possible he wishes to use the captain to destroy what he strives to uphold.” Or turn all soul reapers into Vizards, at which point from what she knew he'd have control over them. This was all becoming so much darker, she didn't much care for it at all, this could very potentially be a disaster in the making. Worse when Aizen got involved, huh, he was probably already sat plotting away with one of his cohorts. This was going to be difficult, but not impossible.

“Good, we will be needing your speed.”

Nodding slightly she lifted a paw, tilting it slight;y to inspect the pads, claws unsheathing slightly and flexing before she retracted them and placed the raven foot back down. “Just tell me when and where~” She was pretty much ready for anything he threw at her. She could honestly say she already in effect knew a lot of what he was likely intending, and it was fine. This could be done, this may not have been what they'd be working or training toward, but it was another bump in the path they'd come to, it could be corrected and thus they would. His thoughts were right now doubt, by asking such he was no doubting coming to ideas other than violence, and this suited the feline well enough. Violence wasn't always the key, rather sometimes it could and did inflame things to a degree that was absolutely catastrophic, violence should only ever be a last resort, and even then something only to be used in a reserved fashion. If worked correctly this could be done with minimal ruckus, which would in turn no doubt be a positive as it would leave Aizen perhaps somewhat unsure... Or not, probably not actually. Somehow that man seemed to know about everything going on everywhere, something that was an utter pain in the ass to be honest.

[Kisuke Urahara]

'Make sure it stays that way then,'

Despite his relaxed tone, he gave a firm nod, blond hair brushing over his nose.

'We always have Tessai,'

He paused, true. He had been the one to originally bind them, but with some effort. Would he still be able to reproduce those kido's after so many years? He shook away any doubts, of course he could. He hadn't been the Kido Corps captain for nothing.

'We obviously don't need to do them all in one go, picking one of at a time and taming them would prove the most effective method. As we progressed we'd obviously have someone else to fight with us, making it easier each time. Besides, we know more now than we did then.'

This part troubled him deeply. He had also been younger, and well, in one peice. It could work. But could he? "True ... but if he has them in his grasp, would they be seperable?" He shook his head again, so many thoughts, all rushing through his head at stelar speeds. "And who first ..." Old ties held him closer to a few, but they all held great importance. Dragging a hand over his brow he exhaled deeply.

'You can't help anyone dead, don't do anything rash.'

He let a small nervous laugh pass his lips and glanced at the black feline. "But who better to help the dead, than a dead man?" It was a bitter joke, and he knew it. He would never fake his own death, not even for good reason. Atleast not unless forced into a situation the required it. And to the soul society, the vizards where dead. But if this boy did anything extreme, that would be ripped apart.

'Very probably. Either way he must be stopped, one way or another.'

That was a given.

'So this boy is able to control hollows like our old friend... If that is so...'

Friend, that word burned his throat. He felt nothing but loathing for that man, but also a twisted respect. That he could go so long undetected was truely amazing. But any respect was not for the man himself, but for what he was capable of.

'It's indeed possible he wishes to use the captain to destroy what he strives to uphold.'

He bowed his head, rested his chin in his now folded hands. "Only bloodlust will result." He sighed and straightened a bit. "Revenge begets revenge. Killing will only lead to the desire to kill again." A never ending cycle.

'Just tell me when and where~'

Ah, that was the woman he knew. His smile was genuine as he glanced over to her. "As always my friend." In a gesture that would be normal between a man and his cat, he put a hand ontop her head, scratching gently. "Just like old times hmm?"