An Attempt at Reconciliation [ PRP: Kusaka ]

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

     Ukitake had left the room. Finally. He closed his eyes and thought over exactly how he was going to leave. He couldn't just waltz out. No, he had a better idea. Waiting for a few long moments, he waited until he felt Ukitake was truly away before the boy made his next move. He slowly stood up and began to do something rather peculiar. With a deep sigh, he took one hand and grabbed his white captain's haori and slipped it off on that side before going to take it off his other, it proceeding to fall and crumple up on the ground neatly. He looked down to it and his eyes narrowed in sadness. This had to be done. He could not be out with something as noticable as the haori, which would also make things worse for him in the long run if he was caught. Thinking for a moment, he grabbed the sheets that lay on the futon that he was just on and tied it around his neck tightly. He grabbed the back end near the head and flipped it over so that it would form a hood, covering his dove-white hair and darkening his bright teal eyes. She sheets weren't bright either, as they held navy tones to it, so hopefully this would be a more stealthy operation. He picked up the crumpled haori and neatly folded it into a square, the back of it clearly showing the kanji "10" inside the diamond that was oh so associated with the Court Guard Squads. He stared at it with melancholy eyes for one long moment before placing it neatly on the bed. Proceeding towards the other side of the room towards a window, he picked up Hyorinmaru by its purple sheath and quietly opening the window. He placed a foot on it before pausing. Well, this was it. He openened it just wide enough for him to jump through without fully extending his body and thrusted his foot to shoot him out, the window slowly closing shut afterwards.

     He was out in the open now. Now it was all one giant gamble.

     With his hands pressed against the wall of the thriteenth captain's home, his back and head leaned against it as he quickly thought of where to go next and how. The night was dark and there didn't seem to be much of anyone else. He crushed his reiatsu to nothing and darted to his left, sensing virtually no one in that direction. His quick sprint was silent and his hand gripped the makeshift hood down and the rest of the makeshift "cape" flapping behind him as he ran quickly. It was kind of strange for the Seireitei to be so... quiet tonight. Not caring about that, Toshiro figured that Kusaka wasn't within the Seireitei. Had he been, he probably would have sensed him by now, unless the dark young man had hidden his spiritual pressure as well. Oh this was like a crash course. It was only too soon until one of them crossed the other and then it would go to hell from there. Once again, he wondered why things had to play out like this. It was for the better, he supposed. If Kusaka completely lost touch, he was a lost cause, and would eventually fade away. Hitsugaya would not allow that to happen, despite all the shit Sojiro had put him through. Hitsugaya wanted nothing more than to reconcile, that is, if Kusaka would go along with it...

     An hour passed by, and still, he saw nothing for what he was looking for. Flashstepping to one of the higher buildings, he crouched low and pulled the hood down more over his face as he gazed around. No one. Not Kusaka, not a soul. You'd think Kusaka would have caused a ruckous by now, and Hitsugaya was looking for just that, He figured that the "new" Sojiro would be more inclined to use violence to flush out his target. Seeing absolutly nothing, no clues, not anything, he flashstepped to the next roof farther ahead, and the next, and the next, all while keeping his zanpakuto firmly gripped in one hand and his hood down with the other. He was the shadow of the night, ironic for someone who was named the "son of the white winter lion", something you'd think would stand out. A genius among everyone else, his age, his rank, when all combined made him stand out, but now, he was hidden, and no one knew where he was, except for himself.

     This was pointless now. There wasn't anything going on or any sight of Kusaka here, so might as well move on to the next best thing: the Rukongai, the place of their origins. He sighed once more and made a beeline for the gates, quickly using his shunpo to get there faster. Was it really that hard to find him? Was it really that hard for Kusaka to find Toshiro? A deep frown crept on his face. Why... As he reached the gate, he stopped and stared right through. He blinked only once before he began to quickly walk into the Rukongai, first district of the West. Here, buoyantly , Kusaka would be. And if not here, Sojiro had not even arrived in the Soul Society yet. If the latter was the case, he would simply wait for his black-haired friend... if they could ever be considered "true friends" at this point anymore. Even now, as he strode himself deeper into the district, he was having doubts Kusaka could ever be helped. Toshiro knew, deep down, there was possibly a way. There had to be. Despite it all, the young boy did not think that Sojiro was that weak to actually become something truely vile. No, if anything, Kusaka was just a damaged young man who needed someone to hold him up and be his crutch until he healed and was able to walk on his own two feet again. Not even a soul was out, and those who were quickly scampred away at the sight of, not so much Hitsugaya himself, but because of the long sword compared to the boy. Hyorinmaru. Something so insignifigant compared to a life, had almost cost one. Something as unimportant compared to a life had caused all this. Kusaka....


     ...please don't make this difficult.

[Sojiro Kusaka]

Stepping forward he kept his head low, for once lose hair splaying down loose from its tie to all but cover his bleeding face. He'd not bothered trying to disguise himself, his pressure was crushed, hidden and portrayed as nothing at all. In the darkness he belonged, it was his home, the essence that had tainted him into nothing but some vile demonic beast that was forever to clash with the heavenly guardian. This was where he belonged, skittering away from the light that had cast him out and betrayed him so. Everything about him made the darkness his domain, dark hair, dark clothes, eyes dimmed to the pain and anger, he was sly and used what he was to become the very thing that people forever saw him as, nothing. This was the hand he was given, and thus he would accept it, manipulate it, and then use it to dominate anything that cast itself before him as a barrier. Nothing would stand before him, not even the most minor of details that could be so easily overlooked.

Already the Vizard were of somewhere doing their own thing, yet so well he knew that it was absolutely no where near him, and that was as he intended. He wanted the soul reapers away from him, far far away. He did not by any means wish to come across one, not here and not now... Not ever. Soul reapers... Oh how he loathed them, yet it was more, something far more than that. It had become a driven in instinct to avoid them, they who'd kill him without a thought or regard to anything. It was a simple fact that if you avoided something for long enough you would fear it, when what he feared he hated beyond reason. How could he not, how could he care for what he once had after everything? He couldn't and had no intention of ever doing so, he was not here to make friends, he did not need friends, he himself was all he needed, had he seen that so long ago there was every chance he would not at present be in his present situation. Such a foolish little boy he had been... Yet not now, he was no longer that, he refused to be. After what had happened he would not let himself regress. Not when there was the blaringly overwhelming chance that once more it would happen and he'd be left behind once more.

Lingering under some rafters for a moment he quickly scanned the area, looking for any hint of the one he was sought to find. Already it had been many hours, many hours for the boy to have found his way back to do something that was very probably detrimental to Kusaka's personal health. That was how it was though, was it not? Toshiro had made it so very clear that this was to be addressed as if nothing had occurred previously, Kusaka was a criminal, and Hitsugaya was a soul reaper, the only reason they would meet was for his execution. Sad really, he was alive so far, physically anyway, and yet already at such a young age a truer sense of death could be seen plainly within his mind. They'd haul him up, arms held wide... And then burn away every last fiber of his soul so that nothing would remain, no memories, no records... Nothing at all. It was ironic really when one thought about it, he was ice, his mind plains of rolling cold inhabited by an iced beast, all of that would be destroyed in flames, melted away to nothing, everything would be incinerated in that moment... And in the root of it all that was what he was fighting so hard to avoid.

Pausing his body went rigid for a moment before a low growl escaped his lips as he darted up onto a roof and out of sight, soul reaper. Tsk, probably up to no good or slacking off, that or it was some form of patrol, either way he didn't much care to find out. He was of course certain that he could avoid any problems with things, but the fewer people that saw him here the better things would be for him. All it took was for one person in the distance to see him and pass the word about, then he'd be up the creak without a fucking paddle, that was not a situation he had any desire to put himself in at all. It was easier to avoid many situations than clean up after you messed up. Oh he was unbalanced by anyone's standards, but that did not mean he was stupid. He did stupid things, terrible things, but that did not make him stupid contrary to what it may have seemed to anyone who had the misfortune of meeting the contorted youth. Something though, something in the distance on the street below caught his eyes. A soul reaper yes, one with their spiritual pressure totally hidden... And what were the chances of that eh? Well wasn't it his lucky day~?

Darting forward silently, pouncing from roof to roof keeping low as he did he swiftly moved closer, ignoring the sharp sting of his hair lashing against the gash. He was in a sorry state by an standards, yes the wound would not kill him, but having your face torn open only to be left exposed... Well it wasn't pleasant for anyone, soul reaper or human alike. As he neared though his eyes narrowed sharply, the small figure, the blade across his back. Indeed it was he. All it took for him to find himself before the bastard was a swift jump that would allow him to land nimbly before his once partner. “Ohhh, imagine seeing such a vile little soul reaper out here all alone,” he hissed, straightening himself up as he did, only to move a hand up and push the left of his locks behind an ear. There were so many things he could have said, yet those were his chosen words. No name used, just the title he'd never have used upon himself and had come to despise. It was true, the boy was alone, that was exactly as he'd expected though. Damn coward he was.

Narrowing his eyes at the boy his hand fell to his blade, a motion that had become as reflexive as breathing to him.“What are you doing out here in the open, eh~?” True it was open, true there were few others here, yet even so if it came to a fight that involved releasing his blade he'd be utterly screwed. Here, with so many people with the potential to sense spiritual pressure, he did not want to make himself apparent. Doing so was certain death, and so for now his blade stayed firmly in its sheath. “You could hurt someone you know,” he growled with a sharp chuckle accompanying. Neither approaching or stepping back he merely stood, he had no desire to be near the boy, and yet no desire to be apart, it was a strange notion, though one he ignored for now with such a true comment. Indeed he could hurt someone, without the training needed his hollow would run rampant, damn thing it was. If it took over here the residents would stand no chance at all... Yet here the boy stood now, hood up, apparently trying to hide himself from the world. Like that would ever work, you could not hide from such an omnipotent force.

Narrowing his eyes, a deep frown taking a place on his ever changing expression list the grip upon his hilt tightened.“I'd have thought you'd be curled up in a hole somewhere,” he grunted flippantly. Why, That was the question burning in his mind, why was Toshiro fine? How was he contending with such a thing alone? Perhaps Kusaka was simply so very flawed that he alone was unable to deal with the devastating emotion of loneliness. That or he'd just been incredibly unlucky. Who the hell knew any more? Not he, not anyone. “After all, every little child is afraid of the monsters of the night.” He warned sharply. He himself was the monster, he prowled these streets looking for his intended target, the one he had now found. All the game required now was for him to back the little bastard into a corner from which there was no escape. Once already he had, and no truer colors had the boy ever shown.

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

     His pace slowed. Now where in the world was this man-- He stopped himself suddenly, twisting his foot sharply to halt. He swallowed hard and released the grip on his hood, but tightening it on the sheath of his zanpakuto beside him. His eyes looked over the young man before him. Nothing had changed since that day, besides a bleeding wound on his face. He blinked at the notion of that. Now what kind of trouble had he gotten himself into this time? It was obvious this individual needed help, there was no question about it...

“Ohhh, imagine seeing such a vile little soul reaper out here all alone.”

     Toshiro did not move from where he was, and merely corrected his own stance. He wasn't going run, he never would. He was not afraid, but just more sicked slightly. Not by Kusaka's presence, but more of the persona he insisted on using. Well then, so be it. There was little to nothing he could do right now except stand there and think of options. Then Sojiro's hand fell upon his sword. What was he playing at? He should knew very well that Hitsugaya wasn't going to attack him so willingly. He would not, not ever, unless there was almost no choice upon the matter. Just like those years ago, when they had no choice at all. All they had was pressure and the choice of life and death. Neither wanted to end their young lives, so fight it was. He did not want to choose fight again here, not when there were other choices and possibilities. Kusaka was just trying to block those out so that he could defend his new-found personality. But it was the wrong one. Not the one that he should be using. Right now, it seemed like Kusaka was trying to break himself down, and nothing else was helping.

“What are you doing out here in the open, eh~? You could hurt someone you know.”

     He was taken back by the second comment, but he wasn't going to go off in a tangent. He wasn't here for that. "I could ask you the same question, but I already know the answer to that..." said Toshiro, evening out his voice. He could already feel himself wanting to be more morose. "Seems like we were only looking for each other." Kusaka could take it as he saw fit. "I assure you, no one will be hurt if you just could cooperate with me for at least a moment." Toshiro could already feel the nervousness arising within him that the young man was going to lash back at that. That and Toshiro was already having doubts that his Hollow would remain quiet for long either.

     All the same, Hitsugaya was also being highly cautious and wary of any movement Kusaka would make. The boy he once knew had grown into a very violent young man, almost to a point of being unpredictable. Since Toshiro was not used to or had any knowledge of how this persona of Kusaka behaves and acts except for obvious points such as deceptive and aggressive, there was nothing for Hitsugaya to really hit at to help break down the wall, nor was there any way that Hitsugaya could be totally sure of what Sojiro's next course of action would be, nor of what he would say. At this point it was all up to chance, and if anything, he did not want this to end badly either. Right now, all Kusaka was doing was trying to either seem intimidating, or trying to play at something. The young boy stood firm, keeping his eyes gazed at Sojiro's face and his sword, eyes flicking back and forth between both every few moments.

“I'd have thought you'd be curled up in a hole somewhere, after all, every little child is afraid of the monsters of the night.”

"You've got that wrong, Kusaka." He said, his speech sharp yet calm in it's down way. It then turned stern. "I'm better than any 'little child'." He then quipped more in a retort sort of manner. "I thought you knew me better."

     No, there was nothing humorous about what was occurring right now. At the moment, everything was set in a sort of tense atmosphere, one wrong move or word and someone would snap and go all out. Hitsugaya knew he had to keep self-control. Not only had he been missing for so long, but if caught out here then it was all going to go downhill. He could not be found by anyone, not yet anyway. He needed to get a handle on his Hollow before anything so that he could not be caught with the thing. Being caught with an inner Hollow meant death, and that was not something he wanted to be faced with, especially when there was so much to be done. Toshiro did not move from his position. he merely stood there, holding his sword, sheath and all in one hand, and kept his right hand free by his side. His expression was frozen into austere countenance and his eyes were only focused on Sojiro, nothing more. Something came to mind.

"What are you doing here?" asked the young boy, his voice bordering on either demanding or just strict. "Is it just to find me, or to get your revenge?"

     Both were either the answer or not. With this new Kusaka, he wasn't sure about what the answer would be, or ever be. He knew both of his answers were correct, or close to being so. Even if he did not know this side of the young man well, he knew enough to base his assumption on and almost get it right. Though this was all such a edgy ambiance that Toshiro didn't think at all that this was going to go well. Of course, he already made the assumption that there were going to be difficulties, some major and some not, but he did not want this spiraling into something that one of them were to get hurt or caught, or include any of the residents. The last option was the last option he would want. This was a problem between them to, not anyone else. He intended to keep it that way. That and meaningless bloodshed was, well, meaningless. He made sure not to move, as he didn't want to make the wrong one.

[Sojiro Kusaka]

"I could ask you the same question, but I already know the answer to that... Seems like we were only looking for each other."

All such mindless talk, all of it meaning nothing. The last comment though made him bristle, he really had some nerve didn't he? “People don't look for what they discard.” It was all he needed to say to that, nothing more, nothing less, just one sharp statement that summed it up nicely. No one had any right to walk away and then walk back trying to reconcile, he'd not accept it. Toshiro wanted something, and frankly Kusaka had a sneaking suspicion that he really wasn't going to like whatever it was. Then again, was it possible to name anything. All that resided in him was a paranoid suspicion that it would be something incredibly negative, something that would do him no good at all . Of course his reason for finding the boy were less than admirable, however he was not the one that had left, he was not the one who had turned and walked away. He merely stood and forced, he yelled and slashed, but thus far he had not walked away.

"I assure you, no one will be hurt if you just could cooperate with me for at least a moment."

Such a vile little promise, such a cruel little boy to play with what was not his to touch, he had no right and yet he did it all the same. “Oh?” He questioned dimly. “So you're saying you can protect them, hmm? You who very clearly is less to trust than any other,” he spat out, voice a sharp snapping that cut out so violently. “What is this, some kind of damn exchange, I do what the little captains says and everyone gets to move along fine?” Jerking his head back slightly his lip pulled up into a snarl. “So if I don't cooperate what? You'll swing at me until I do? How far are you willing to go to get me to bow to you?” Shaking his head slightly his eyes dragged down to the boy's sheathed blade, he had little doubt that he'd draw it, that he'd try and thrust it deftly through the violet eyed youth's heart. “I refuse to bow to you,” he snapped bitterly. “You or anyone.” He'd break before he bent, he'd shatter further and turn to dust. The people here meant nothing to him, nothing at all, their safety was not his concern and nor would it ever be. They were here, and if they got in his way, then they were dead. It was very much that simple.

"You've got that wrong, Kusaka. I'm better than any 'little child' I thought you knew me better."

Scoffing slightly he shook his head, fool. “No, I forget, you're a soul reaper, a captain no less,” he hissed venomously. That was all the reason Kusaka needed to try and rip the boy's damned heart out, he was a soul reaper, a high ranking one, he stood for everything Kusaka hated, he protected what had destroyed him. Yet more than that, more than that he showed Kusaka so many painful things without even knowing it, he stood there so proud, head held high with the Seireitei looming behind him. Yet what was behind Kusaka? Decay, darkness, poverty, everything that darkened the world was behind the violet eyed youth. Toshiro showed him what could have been, yet never would be, he showed him every grain of normalcy that he would never be permitted to touch for fear he'd taint it into something terrible. It hurt. Seeing the boy at all with everything, a life, people there, seeing him with that hurt so very much and yet he probably didn't even see it. Tsk, oblivious little bastard.

“Frankly a child would be worth more,” he growled. “At least they know no better when they lie, when they murder, when they destroy so many people in the name of their justice that can hardly pass for anything at all close to the word.” Soul reapers were vile, the claimed justice and delivered nothing but pain. Their balance was one sided, they held nothing but contempt, as he now cast out before. “I have no desire to know you, I don't need to know you.” So badly a part of him just wanted to cut away from the boy and have done with everything, but he couldn't, once more he was shackled... Now though there were just so many chains. So many chains binding him, pulling him down, it was crushing, the weight of it all was forcing him down and making it hard to breath. Soon he would suffocate and that would be it, death in it's ultimate form would be his and this time there would be no coming back. It was a notion he hated, death... Most would perhaps think he'd find it easy, after all, what did he have left to lose now?

"What are you doing here? Is it just to find me, or to get your revenge?"

Making a tutting noise he snorted sharply at the demand. “Why should I answer you? Hm? What have you ever done that would entitle you to answers from me.” Walked away, turned his back, thrust a blade in and twisted. All he had given was agonizing pain, all he offered was darkness, all he promised was further pain. Why would Kusaka trust something like that? Why would he bother to explain to something like that? “Nothing.” He stated flatly. He did not want the boy getting in again, not after he'd damn well left. On their prior meeting he'd been distraught, his actions so confused, now though he was absolutely furious. He'd been hurt, more than he'd anticipated, and so shoved anger up to force the boy away from him. He'd not allow it to happen again, yet already he supposed he was. He could have simply attacked now, ignoring the boy's presence, he could have done as he'd pleased without Toshiro even knowing he was alive. Yet he'd done none of that, every time he'd found Toshiro first, both times he'd found the boy before everything. He wanted him there, needed him there, and for that he was innately doomed to fail. He was not permitted to have others there, not allowed to have anyone around him... He had no right to. He had no right for compassion in his life, only ever hate.
Shifting on his feet he simply shrugged. “Why the sudden interest though, scared I'm going to try and pull down your dear soul society? Or what, slaughter a few innocent children~?” With a barking laugh he shook his head. “And then what when you one of your dear captain pals found me, aye?” With a snort he tapped the heated flesh just under his wound. “Fighting however many people of that of that level isn't fun with blood in your eye, or did you really think I was that stupid?” He did, of course he did. It didn't take much to see. He'd been smart enough 50 years ago, smart enough to constantly dog Toshiro, keeping up far better than most, if not all, had. That had not suddenly vanished, it was still there, just under everything it was there, simply being used for a different purpose. He was not here to fight, that would have been suicide, right now, at this moment in time, he had not yet fallen that far. Soon enough... There was perhaps a chance. Yet right now his views were not twisted enough, once the weights he held became to heavy... Perhaps there would be a time then when no crutch could hold him up.

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

“People don't look for what they discard.”
"Kusaka... you've got it all wrong." He said, keeping himself from using loud tones. "I had a reason. It wasn't to get away from you, not at all." It was truth.

     He wondered if Kusaka would understand, even if Hitsugaya were to explain. Though there was doubt, and Kusaka would likely retaliate. Toshiro wasn in the best of shape to stick around, nor could he, and while as much as he wanted to, he just couldn't stay with Kusaka. He did not want to be part of whatever plan he had up his sleeve, but Hitsugaya wanted nothing to do with it. He did not count on really hurting Kusaka this much. He knew it would hurt, but, what else was he to do? He had his own saftey concerns as well. Just so many factors contributed to him leaving, none of which included purposely leaving Kusaka just for the sake of it. No, Hitsugaya wouldn't do that if there were no other choice then, but there were so many, and he took advantage of them. At the young man's words, Kusaka frowned a bit, but all the name furrowed his white brows, not irritated or angered, but, frustrated.

“So you're saying you can protect them, hmm? You who very clearly is less to trust than any other. What is this, some kind of damn exchange, I do what the little captains says and everyone gets to move along fine? So if I don't cooperate what? You'll swing at me until I do? How far are you willing to go to get me to bow to you? I refuse to bow to you,” he snapped bitterly. “You or anyone.”

He rubbed his forehead as a small sigh escaped his lips, followed by words. "No, of course not. I just want you to..." Great, wording this was hard. He began to use calm tones now. "...to listen to me. That's all." That was really all he wanted at the moment. "Just hear me out. No arguing, none of that, just... listen..."

     He took a small step forward, feeling that at least a bit of distance should be closed. It was a small step forward. He knew though that Kusaka would perhaps react negativly to being in close to distance to Toshiro, but, he felt closing even a small portion of that gap could be a bit beneficial. He did not want Kusaka to do something stupid, or say anything that would throw everything off. He had a feeling the dark-haired youth would, that feeling itching at him... or he was sure that was what was bothering his mind at the moment. He ignored it for now. His eyes were locked on Kusaka's violet ones. The only emotion his teal eyes showed was something close to stiff, but at the same time, calm and somewhat saddened. It always saddened him to see Kusaka like this. Alone, reduced to a level, a way of thinking, such as the one he currently he had. And yet, he could never blame him. This wasn't Sojiro's fault in the least, nor was it his own. It was just the way things were.

“No, I forget, you're a soul reaper, a captain no less. Frankly a child would be worth more. At least they know no better when they lie, when they murder, when they destroy so many people in the name of their justice that can hardly pass for anything at all close to the word. I have no desire to know you, I don't need to know you.”

The white-haired youth felt hurt, yet once again, no blame was put on the other. He closed his eyes. "I get it, you're angry, but you're contradicting yourself." He said, his tones even and flat. "If you don't want to know me, or want anything to do with me, then why come all the way out here, with a bleeding eye, for what seems to be me?" Well it was a damn good question.

     If Kusaka didn't want to know the young boy, then why did they become friends half a century ago? Why did Kusaka call out Hitsugaya that night? Why did he come back for him? It wasn't making much sense, then again Kusaka probably had a very good reason for it. Nonetheless, it didn't appear like Kusaka wanted be away from Toshiro either. Had that been the case, wouldn't Sojiro have attacked by now? Have done something utterly vile or foolish? Something sneaky and dastardly? No, Kusaka currently did none of that, or anything that would hint it besdies hateful words full of spite and venom. And Hitsugaya ignored the tones used, and listened to just the words. He could not be paying so much attention the feelings Kusaka's tone would ensue or deliver. They delivered sadness and most of all regret. But what could Toshiro possibly regret? He could regret a lot. He could regret ever staying withe the Court Guard Squads, he could regret leaving Kusaka after being hollowfied. Yet here he stood, feeling none of that at the moment
.

"Why should I answer you? Hm? What have you ever done that would entitle you to answers from me? Nothing.”

He couldn't help but shake his head. "Then why come all the way out here? You hate this place, yet here you are... you're not making any sense..." Well he wasn't.

     Was Kusaka forgetting the past? All they've been through before his exile? Was he trying to forget that? If anything, that was an important memory they both shared. The good times, before all this. When they weren't at eachother's necks like this. Though Sojiro's next set of dialogue made him somewhat angry. What the hell was he playing at? None of what he mentioned was a damn joke, so how could he say it so loosely like that? Hitsugaya grit his teeth a bit.

“Why the sudden interest though, scared I'm going to try and pull down your dear soul society? Or what, slaughter a few innocent children~? And then what when you one of your dear captain pals found me, aye? Fighting however many people of that of that level isn't fun with blood in your eye, or did you really think I was that stupid?”

"What is this, some kind of joke to you?" He said, his voice raising a bit with an annoyed ring to it. "Why do you even have that wound in the first place? And if you knew, why are you here?" His questioning could come off as somewhat interrogative, but he needed to know. He wasn't making sense. "I'm worried you'll do something stupid, is that not enough for you?" His own tones starting to carry the same aggression Kusaka's had, but never would it be to his degree.

     It seems as though the rising aggression was affecting him in negative ways though. This was strange. That bothersome feeling increased in the back of his head. Blinking, he paused and thought about it. It felt like a multitude of thoughts were running through his mind at once and he couldn't keep track of them all. But that's what it felt like. What it really was something else. Something that lived in his mind. That resided in there like a parasite, Toshiro Hitsugaya as it's host. Not a zanpakuto, for zanpakuto were not malevolent. No, not at all. This was his Hollow. For some reason, it desired to take over. But why now? If it did, Toshiro's efforts at getting through Kusaka would be tarnished, and once again he would be at risk of not only himself, but to Kusaka, and the residents around here. Not only that though, he was risking his cover as well. It was one thing to have his spiritual pressure rise as a Soul Reaper, but to have it fluctuate-like it was now-, like a Hollow's, was a different story. The boy grunted slightly. For one reason or another, he was more anxious than ever to take control. It was coming in a fast rate, pressing against his conscious hard, his head now throbbing. He placed a hand on his head, trying to suppress it. His eyes were diverted to the ground and the grip on his sheath tightened. Why now? Just why now? Why did he have to be damned with this bastard thing? His eyes returned to Kusaka's. What was he going to do now that the captain was in a state of vulnerability. Pray it wasn't something vile.

[Sojiro Kusaka]

"Kusaka... you've got it all wrong. I had a reason. It wasn't to get away from you, not at all."

Oh the little sod, he just didn't stop damn well pushing, did he? It didn't matter to Kusaka what that reason one, not at all, all he cared about was one fact, Tohsiro had left. He had damn walked away, and yet here he was trying to make out that that was okay. It wasn't, not by a long way. Hitsugaya seemed to be under the assumption that having some lame ass reason would make it better, he was wrong, so very wrong. Kusaka... He longer took reasons to mean anything, their reason had been balance, yet he saw none, and so what reasons were there for anything? It was so very clear that one moment in his life had changed so many views, pulling them out into something vile, something that wasn't right at all. He didn't care. “Reason or not the fact remains the same, you walked away,” he hissed. He really had no idea how much it hurt Sojiro, truly he didn't. Being alone was devastating, it was a notion that constantly hung above his head, something that was as inescapable as memories. The dove haired boy had pulled that out, he'd pulled something already straining out even further, to the point Sojiro'd have near sworn there was a physical pain to it. Toshiro thought he knew what isolation was, what it was to be alone, he didn't, he knew nothing of it... Nothing at all.

"No, of course not. I just want you to... to listen to me. That's all. Just hear me out. No arguing, none of that, just... listen..."

Listen listen listen, that was what he wanted? For now perhaps, but then what? Then what would he be wanting? People were greedy, you'd give them the smallest glimmer of what they wanted and then they'd want more, Toshiro would be no different, no different at all, he asked for something small now... But then he'd want answers. Answers that Kusaka did not want to give, prove him wrong. “Fine,” he growled. In the end he did much care what the boy had to say, not at all, no, his only concern was more over of a test. That was what everything was about though, every move he made around this boy was an experiment, a test, he was judging, cogs constantly turning. Thus far Toshiro had done everything wrong, the way he acted, the way he spoke, every move he made was simply going to prove Kusaka's theories to be true. He thought the world was broken, dark, vile, full of dirt and monsters. All the wrong moves people made simply solidified this view, making it so very much easier for him to show himself as this. People were the key, one that was continuously turned in the wrong direction, if the continued to turn as they were then it would snap or jam. Either way it would be far to late then. Far to late.

Frowning as the boy stepped closer a foot went back near enough followed though for now did not, eyes narrowing as lips pursed he growled. The hell was he playing at?! People walked away, stepped back, they shunned and rejected, forced him away through utter disgust at the mutt he was. No one wanted some broken stray, no one, the only reason they ever came closer was so that they could cause further damage. So that they could pull and kick, so they could try to shatter what was damaged enough already, they had no right. He could not believe there was anything good behind such actions, all he could see was the potential threat, one the made the grip on his hilt tighten, head jerking back in disgust... That and fear. He was uncertain, and that made him dangerous, that made him unpredictable. A single step could ripple and spread out into him trying to rip the others heart out. It was best to tried with care, for one never knew when the ground would gave in to consume you.

"I get it, you're angry, but you're contradicting yourself. If you don't want to know me, or want anything to do with me, then why come all the way out here, with a bleeding eye, for what seems to be me?"

Why did he continue wit this?! What was he trying to gain from this, what did he hope to pull from this? “You don't 'get it', you never will!” He snapped out, anger bristling, pushing at the control he was forcing himself to maintain. “Now shut the hell up, it has nothing at all to do with you now!” It wasn't that, that wasn't the answer... More, he didn't know, or if he did he refused to accept his own weakness. He pushed him away because it hurt, yet it was also for that very reason that he tried to pull him closer. He'd become accustomed to everyone seeing him as something lesser, and so he fulfilled that roll, finding himself now utterly unable to view anything as being better. The boy was right, he had come here only for he, that and that alone, there was nothing else he at present wanted... Nothing he was currently able to take at least. Toshiro seemed to automatically think that he was entitled to such answers, he wasn't. He'd never been there, other than the time so long ago when it had suited him and he'd wanted something. Friendship... What the hell was that anyway? In his eyes it was not what he had once believed, Toshiro... Was just making that view worse.

"Then why come all the way out here? You hate this place, yet here you are... you're not making any sense..."

How could anyone be so oblivious?! Pulling his foot back to it's original position his head lowered, hair falling, draping down around the sides of his face, giving an almost animalistic look. “Hate this place?” He growled out. “No, I hate the people in this place, this is not the world I hate you damned bastard!” No, the place he hated was the world of the living, that place that had been his prison for far to long now. Toshiro just didn't understand, and oh how that dug at him. He wanted understanding, he wanted someone to see, someone to see him as a person without things being pointed out to them, he longed so badly for the day that people would see. That was not today... And the sad thing? It was unlikely to be ever. “You're so blind, you fail to see things right in front of you,” he hissed out, voice bitter and cutting. “When your world falls apart you'll have only your ignorance to blame.” It was a statement and a warning, but also more if one were to look, if one were to truly see then they would be able to find another meaning bound within it, one that meant more, one that held so many answers.

"What is this, some kind of joke to you? Why do you even have that wound in the first place? And if you knew, why are you here? I'm worried you'll do something stupid, is that not enough for you?"

He always seemed to think it was some kind of joke, he seemed to think that the making tones meant Sojiro was enjoying himself, whether he was or wasn't there was little he's say on it. The second question though, that was simple. “Everything bites back.” A statement, one so flat, one that was a warning as well as the answer he had been asked for. His words had removed themselves from the simplicity they'd once had, instead simply fostering so many riddling contortions. It was simply another mask, by keeping people focused on the words they remained away, focusing their attention on the other feature of it all, the one that was the least important feature of all. Any with experience with others would have known quickly that the words upon the surface meant nothing, people wore many guises, everyone did it without exception. Soul reapers and humans alike all lied, every last one of them trying to cover something up that they did not wish others to see. The matter here though was that something was everything. Alas though it seemed that once more his genius of a 'friend' was being utterly moronic. “Why? You said you already knew.... Or did you forget already~?” It was a simple fact that in the eyes of the raven haired youth Toshiro had such a nasty habit of forgetting, such a cruel little boy. That last point though, all he could do was blink, and snort, hooking bangs out of the blood as he did. “Enough?” Giving a barking laugh his chin lifted, a grim smile on his face. “It would have been enough fifty years ago, but not now, you're to late~” So very late, and at the same time right on time.

Something nudged at his senses though, something he'd expected though at the same time wanted nothing to do with. “Moron!” Damn it, the last thing he needed to contend with was that damn hollow, for one he loathed the thing, and for another it had about the common sense of a flea, if it were to raise it's spiritual pressure, which it would they'd be totally fucked. By any means that was not a position he wanted to be in at present, not in the slightest. “You really are stupid.” He'd honestly been stupid enough to come here without any idea on how to tame the thing, how quaint. Of course he himself knew that aggression made it worse, making it easier for the hollow to come forth, but it seemed the little captain had yet to catch on to that, sucked to be him by any stretch of the imagination~

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

“Reason or not the fact remains the same, you walked away.”

     No, it was quite obvious now that Kusaka would not understand. It was clear. The way Kusaka said it, the tones he used, the words, the way it was worded. Hitsugaya knew that he could not push him into speaking. Why was Kusaka being so resistant? He was so steadfast to his own beliefs, not willing to change. Then again, Hitsugaya did not intend of changing the boy, rather, help him see into a better light. Look at things in a more positive perspective to hopefully stop all this madness. Things were just so difficult now, he could fathom why but, it wasn't something that was necessarily convenient. Though thank the heavens above Kusaka was willing to listen now.

“Fine.”

This was it "Kusaka... I want to help." He said evenly, knowing the words he were speaking were probably going to get a a less-than-favorable response. "If you want me to be by your side, I will, but this, this isn't worth it." Kusaka was alone in a world he despised, and here he was dragging Hitsugaya down with him. He would not have that. Instead, he wanted to bring Kusaka up from the gutter. "The things you've done aren't right, and you know it, so why don't you go with who you truly are?" He had this feeling he was going to get hanged for uttering those words.

     The words Hitsugaya had uttered... he was going to get bit by them so hard. He had more than likely hit all the pressure points and that was going to stir up some ill-will. While it was not the boy's intention, no doubt he would slandered and beat, but, Hitsugaya would stand by his own beliefs and morals, just as Kusaka was right now. They were both very different people if you looked at them. Not by just appearance, but by watching them behave, you could see, that in this point in time, they were two complete opposites. Once upon a time they have been a bit more similar, a bit more close. But now, they were changed for the worst, and miles apart. But maybe the distance can be shortened. If only Kusaka could see, not the error of his ways, but more change the way he looked at things. It was quite obvious his views were dark and violent, but is Toshiro can flip the coin and show the good side of Kusaka was that was there before once more, then, all would be better, hopefully. That was his only intention. at the moment. To fix things was why he was here right now, knowing exactly how hard it would be.

“You don't 'get it', you never will! Now shut the hell up, it has nothing at all to do with you now!”

"Then let me understand!" He said. "Whether it's about me or not, let me hear you out!" This was frustrating now, but he had to calm himself.

Kusaka was being so stubborn. He had closed off his mind to any opinion so that no one could change him. His mind was almost like a mule, not moving or changing for anybody except himself. He did not want to enforce any change, just bring out that latent persona that was within him. The Kusaka that Toshiro had once knew and had come to befriend. He did not befriend this... this twisted version. Nor would he willingly want to. He didn't feel right about it. It would be so wrong on so many levels.

“Hate this place? No, I hate the people in this place, this is not the world I hate you damned bastard! You're so blind, you fail to see things right in front of you. When your world falls apart you'll have only your ignorance to blame.”

"I'm blind, you say...." He said. "And what about you? You're not blind?" He said, a bit of spite coming through. "You don't see what I see, and I don't see what you do. What right do you have to say that?" Anger began to surface slowly, this Hollow that was pressing wasn't helping in the least.

Kusaka, Kusaka. He really had no words to really describe how he felt right now. It was all too mixed and rambled for him to really feel a specific emotion, except for the feeling that he was being pressured. Why did he feel such? Because if he said the wrong thing or got the wrong idea across, he was utterly screwed. Toshiro was trying to make amends even with a Hollow pushing on at his mind. A third time though, Hitsugaya had at least an idea on how to keep it at bay. He was just trying to shove it down bit by bit. He was too busy thinking of other things, and keeping a watch on Kusaka as if he was going to strike at the next moment. Horrible thing to expect but it was true. Had Sojiro not made the wrong impression that day, then maybe these thoughts would not have to be brought up or even conceived, but alas, what was done was done.

“Everything bites back. Why? You said you already knew.... Or did you forget already~? Enough? It would have been enough fifty years ago, but not now, you're to late~”

The boy said nothing to that. No, he did not forget. It was clear one what he said, but, what if Hitsugaya was wrong? What if the intentions he thought Kusaka had were actually not his true intentions. He had to know for sure. But alas he did not respond, the second statement kind of hitting home. Kusaka did know what buttons to press, didn't he? It wasn't rude, but more of a harsh fact of reality. Sojiro seemed to be hurting more than he let on, and his words proved it. It was very evident in his words and tones, and yet, here Toshiro stood, trying to change the way Kusaka thought. Foolish, he knew, but, he needed to make things right. And this way, the Soul Society wouldn't be affected either, hopefully. Right now both Hitsugaya's connections with Kusaka as well as the preservation of the Soul Society was on the line, and without realizing it, was being put on the line by the Hollow within his soul. Now it was pushing against whatever barriers Hitsugaya had. they were weak and frail, but they were keeping the monster at bay... not really. It was buying a small amount of time, to be more precise.

“Moron! You really are stupid.”

"Like I knew it was going to try and come out now!" He snapped back, his anger making it worse. "This is more important to me Kusaka! I wouldn't have come out had this not been!" He paused before snarling. "You gave me this burden, or did you forget that?!" He snapped.

And it was very true. Had this not been something Hitsugaya had to do, then he would not have come out at all. He was pushing it not staying with Ukitake, and now he was really passing the line with the Hollow trying to emerge from the depths of his mind. He though Kusaka could see that. He thought it was obvious. Toshiro was risking everything for Sojiro, and yet, the violet-haired youth pressed on, shutting Toshiro away, making this seem pointless. But despite it, it was important the young captain, and that's all that mattered at the moment. Kusaka could disregard everything, have it go in one ear and out the other, but, still, Hitsugaya would remain standing. He winced badly as the Hollow broke through, and now he was using his raw strength of will to keep it down. That alone was hard to do, and he bent to one knee, his pressure shifting from Soul Reaper to Hollow, his hand gripping his head with the desire to keep it away. He looked at Kusaka before wincing and closing his eyes once more. Hope he was happy.

Though despite it all the Hollow was just as strong, and had just as strong a will. If only Hitsugaya knew why it was trying to emerge here and now. Now of all times. Why? What about everything was so, provoking? Was it his anger? Was it Kusaka? What, what? Whatever the case, Hitsugaya could feel his mind slipping away, a black spec appearing in the corner of his range of vision and slowly spreading. No, no, not yet, not yet! He still had much to do here! Slowly standing his covered his left eye and looked at Kusaka for a long moment. What to do now? He swallowed hard. He wanted to say something, something important. He needed to complete what he came here to do. He couldn't do so as a Hollow! But it pressed on regardless of Hitsugaya's efforts to keep it at bay, and soon enough, the black speck spread through his left eye and began to show up in his other. No no no! This was going so wrong! Damned thing!

He let out a loud yelp before he fell forward, his arms catching him and his face sided to the ground. He panted roughly, baring his teeth and his iris the same sharp blue color that had been shown when the Hollow's mask would possess him. He curled his fingers into the ground before facing up at Kusaka, a loud reptilian shriek emitting from his throat. Hitsugaya was gone for the moment. Now the Hollow was in play. It looked over Kusaka quickly before lowering it's pressure to nothing and closing it's mouth, a low growl still being sounded. This was the same man from that night. This man was that Soul Reaper he was supposed to be subordinate to, was it? Yes, the features and all were the same, except for the bleeding at the side of his face. Random but okay. The thing took a step forward and screeched, trying to see if Kusaka would react. The white substance that formed the mask was beginning to slowly but surely form on the side of his face. It was amazing how wrong things would go.

[ ooc: SHITTASTIC but whatever 8C ]

[Sojiro Kusaka]

"Kusaka... I want to help. If you want me to be by your side, I will, but this, this isn't worth it."

That was perhaps the biggest lie he'd heard thus far, if the boy had at all wanted to help, or to be there as he so said, then he'd not have left. It was a simple fact that his words were saying one thing, whilst actions entitled a totally different view. Knowing which to pick would have been hard even at best, now it was impossible. Perhaps that in itself was yet another twisted tail though, another contortion of a truth that should have been very much clear. Before he'd have know which was the truer reasoning, now he simply took the negative one, the one that cut him. Everything he did simply seemed to hurt him further, placing scar upon scar, bitter violations upon parts of his mind that really shouldn't have ever met such things. He'd bring himself down and a part of him full well knew that, it was utterly aware of the damage he was doing himself, and yet all at once it really didn't matter to him. Life was always all the more bearable if you had a weaker pain to take your mind from the greater problem. "Not worth it? It's easy to say that stood there~" It was worth it to him and that was why he continued. Toshiro simply didn't understand what it meant to have nothing, to face the position of not even existing. He didn't know that, and so he could hardly judge what was worth it in the eyes of one like that. Such arrogance really would be his downfall~

"The things you've done aren't right, and you know it, so why don't you go with who you truly are?"

And there was the proof. He'd known it would come to a question like that, yet that... Hadn't exactly been the specific one he'd expected. All he could do was laugh, not of joy, not even of some sadistic amusement, rather it was simply something, a mask, a layer, a lie. "Even if I wanted to be that stupid boy do you reaaaally think I could~? How can an idealist hold up from something like that, wouldn't you think such thoughts would be changed and questioned?" Shaking is head he sighed. Even if he tried, and by hell he'd have to try, to be that person, the utter fact that the people he'd trusted would do that would once more overwhelm him. He'd never let that happen, no matter how hard Toshiro tried to push him. There was no one alive or dead he'd suffer that for, at least this way he could say it hurt him less. Lie or not that would always be his reason. "This is very much who I am, deal with it," he spat, voice a bitter snap.

"Then let me understand! Whether it's about me or not, let me hear you out!"

No no no! No one listened, people did not listen to what was not there, they didn't here anything besides their own personal ideals. If it clashed with what they wanted, if they believed it should not be there then it very simply wasn't there. He was not. The boy didn't want to understand, he didn't want to listen, he didn't care. All he wanted from this was to the the sick satisfaction of saying he tried, of saying that at least he'd put in some effort. he didn't want to help, not Sojiro anyway, no, the damn thing only wanted to help himself, nothing more and nothing less."Like you even could." No faith, he had none at all that the boy would actually make any attempt, in his view this was all just some damn ploy to gain atonement. He'd not have it, he'd not be used for some damn game that Toshiro wanted to play. He was sick of games, utterly sick and tired of them

"I'm blind, you say.... And what about you? You're not blind? You don't see what I see, and I don't see what you do. What right do you have to say that?"

He bristled, every right to say that was his, every damn one. "And whose fault is that!?" He barked angrily. Whose fault was it that these things were not seen? It was a stupid thing to say, stupidly cruel, and the so called genius probably hadn't even though of it in that right, such a fool. He simply ignored the comment on blindness though, it wasn't worth going into it. He saw exactly what he was doing, what he'd become, what he'd never have as he was nothing more than a pest. He saw all of that, every damn thing, he was far from blind, yet all he saw was misery and pain. The things people saw in their darkest of nightmares were his reality, they were his day to day life, they were nothing new, they were no longer even abnormal to him. More than anything they were a strange normalcy to him, when everything else failed him those darkened woes were always there, always there and so very welcoming to him. It had become so easy for him to just fall into it, to just let himself sink into bitter emotions. It was a comfort in its own way.

"Like I knew it was going to try and come out now! This is more important to me Kusaka! I wouldn't have come out had this not been! You gave me this burden, or did you forget that?!"

The first part meant nothing to him, it was simply brushed aside as if it were nothing, as indeed that was all it would ever be to him. "Burden?" Rolling his eyes he snorted, so he thought he knew what a burden was~? What an utter joke. "A burden as oh so terrible as yours can be fixed like that," fingers snapped in emphasis. "If you weren't so stupid you'd have tamed the damn thing and then waddya know, no more problems and your life goes on exactly as it was before." It would, and that was the thing about it/ As soon as the boy dominated it that was it, things for him could go back to the way they were. He called himself burdened. it was nothing more than a minor inconvenience at best. "You have no idea what a burden actually is, this is nothing, so stop your damn bitching already, it's getting tedious." He was losing his patience, but more than that Toshiro was losing his mind... How very sad. Tsk~

As the boy bowed, vision falling to him Kusaka simply looked away, he'd watched once, he'd given that. Now there was nothing to be given no reason to, no desire to, he wanted nothing to do with this. He knew well enough that the boy had lost, his pressure shifted, eyes flickering with black before a sharp cry rang out and he fell forward.He wasn't surprised when a reptilian shriek rang out but a moment later, indeed he merely moved his hand from his blade, arms folding. It wasn't though any notion that he at all liked the mutt, rather he felt far safer around this thing than he did it's host. With Toshiro there was so much uncertainty, but with a hollow you could guarantee that no matter what it would be a hollow. "What?" He questioned in a dull voice, one portraying little of the utter loathing he had for this thing. At least it was freaking hiding it's pressure damn thing, it really wasn't that god damn bright, and really? What the hell was it trying to accomplish by taking a step towards him? Intimidation? Quaint. Very much so. Alas the only thing it would get in response was a cocked brow. It was worth nothing more.

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

"What?"

     Now wasn't he blunt today? It had not been long since he had last seen the world. Before he had to let Toshiro take over, but now that the old man wasn't here, his rules did not apply. he looked at the dark haired young man before it and hissed. Unfortunately for the Soul Reaper, he needed to understand body language and use common sense when dealing with this Hollow. If he didn't get the message, than that was fine. The message was all but a way to get attention. A simple what didn't suffice. Unlike Hitsugaya, his Hollow actually liked attention. Talk about opposites. The mask continued to form on the side of his face, now taking up a good third of it, fangs beginning to quickly form. This dark haired man wasn't as interesting as he was the last time he saw him, on that night when it became a something, when it was created from the boy's soul.

     Catching his senses a scared young boy shuffled on the sidelines, somewhat tattered clothes garbed him. Just a young boy. He froze staring at both the Soul Reaper and the Hollow-dominated Soul Reaper. Black and sharp blue eyes flickered to the younger boy, who gasped in shock as he noticed movement within the eyes of the Hollow. A deep, rolling hiss was released as the Hollow slowly turned his head in the direction of the young boy, and twisted his body following. The boy backed up in fear and hit a wall. Now he was thinking on how to beat this thing. Impossible. The Hollow is and forever will be stronger than some mere soul from these parts. The boy threw a rock at the Hollow-dominated Hitsugaya, and in turn, it reared back and became aggravated. Oh, now it was on. The Hollow crouched down and chased after the boy, who was trying to sprint away. With a simple flashstep, the Hollow appeared in front of the Rukon boy and shrieked loudly, terrified, the boy skidded and tried running in the other direction. Too late.

     The Hollow tackled the boy from the back and pinned him, it's palm forcing the child's head down and it's other pinning his arm, it's body perched on his so that the boy did not struggle as much. With half the mask now formed, the whole side of the mask was fully formed, especially the long saber tooth. Now what it was about to do to the boy was rudimentary Hollow instinct: killing him. It may seem strange, that Hitsugaya that was also a boy, was about to kill someone even younger than him, but of the same age. Oh, how ironic. The Hollow was the one doing this, not Hitsugaya. Oh hell, let's get this over with. The rest of the mask was forming quickly, but not as quickly as the lunge of it's jaws to the back of the boy's neck. The boy shrieked and hollered, tears running down it's face, but no sympathy was there, no sorrow was there in the Hollow's mind. Just the desire to rip apart, that was all.

     The Hollow pulled back on the boy's neck, wanting to rip out what was indeed the neck, but something was holding it back... The Hollow let go in a loud shriek as Toshiro was once more trying to regain control. the boy kicked out and thrashed and shoved, and lucky he manged to get the small form from off of him before running away, leaving a rail of blood behind. The Hollowfied Soul Reaper rolled back and continued to yelp out. Damn it Hitsugaya! This boy was ruining everything! Thrashing his head, he shoved Hitsugaya away again, panting with jaws agape, a full mask now bestowed, some of the fangs painted crimson from the blood of a youth. Youth shedding youth's blood. How quaint. Screeching in irritation, it stood quadrupedally and shaked it's head in an irritated fashion. Now what? It had lost it's pray, and the young man of a Soul Reaper was still there. Oh what to do? It looked at the sword that he left in front of said Soul Reaper. A zanpakuto, huh? Well, while it was useless to the Hollow that didn't fancy being like a human, it would be best to keep it by it. Walking toward it, it picked it up by it's jaws and flicking it upwards so that the sash was opened and quickly slipped it on by forcing itself quickly through the moments of an opening that physics left. The hood flopped downward, covering just up to where the eye holes of the mask were, giving an ominous look with those sharp, narrow iris of its, the horns pushing the hood back somewhat. It kept its place in front of Kusaka, waiting for something interesting to happen.

[Sojiro Kusaka]

As it hissed he simply gave a sigh. Well what was it being so pissy about? Pft, hollows, the lot of them were an utter pain in the ass, in his books life would be damn well better without the things skulking around. Of course they were often a time useful to him, as one who controlled their very being of course, but he felt near enough the same loathing for them as any soul reaper. Toshiro's though, that one he loathed. Strange? Oh god yes, he hated something he'd made, something he'd made not only to control the boy but also just how... Hard... It was when you had nothing and when you were alone. The thing was though, this seemed to have failed anyway. Toshiro had come running back here, something Kusaka had never been able to do, he'd been tied into a world he'd not wanted to be in. A world he was not wanted in. In the end all he'd done was royally screwed things up. One could argue that's all he was good for. Whatever it came to though he just plain hated this thing, fully and wholly, he'd not say why though. Like everything else it would be hidden under the mask he'd made himself. Like everything else about him it would not exist.

Blinking shifted, eyes casting to the side. A boy? A for the love of, what the fuck was anyone doing out at this time? It'd have been a problem for Kusaka if he could actually be defined, unlike his snowball of a friend you'd be hard pressed to pick out anything specific about Kusaka, that was really all he needed. However it seemed his pet mutt had other ideas as it mowed down the child, perching on his back before taking a grip on the back of its neck. Well, he could safely say that was going to hurt in the morning... If he even survived. Honestly he shouldn't say he cared either way, really he shouldn't have been creeping around like this, he had no one to blame but himself. And yet in the end of it the blame was also Kusaka's. Had he not hollowfied the captain then there would not have been this problem, he didn't much care for the consequences it had on others though. In his mind they meant nothing at all, what was one less person anyway? The life of this small boy, this small insignificant boy, who would care if he was lost? His parents? Friends? Who of them would care at all? None. In this place, in this world there was only ever concern for your own health.

It seemed though would swing differently. The hollow reared back with a screech, the boy freeing himself. Hmph, so he'd survived this? So what? The wound on his neck was deep, damage had been done and in this place an open wound like that would quickly become infected. Then it would blacken, spreading tainted blood about his body only to slowly kill him. It'd hurt, it'd no doubt be the most painful thing he'd ever feel in his short life. Who cared though right? Just a boy, alone out here for whatever reason, wrong place wrong time. In the end who really cared about someone like that? None, and that was the very point of it all. In this place you stood alone, if you couldn't support yourself then you died, if you had nothing to give, you died. There was nothing more to it than that. The world was so brutally simple in its being, it worked in one set way, if you deviated from that then you were fucked. One way or another you'd be dealt with in a way you'd most certainly not wish, what could you do about it though? Nothing, and that was the key to life. You could do nothing, be nothing, have nothing, feel nothing. In the end you were nothing, you existed if you were lucky, but you had no fucking purpose at all, you never would.

Watching the thing take the blade from before him, flicking it into the sheath he folded his arms and watched as it lingered before him. Waiting? It seemed~ “Huh, well, you're hungry or something?” He laughed. “Why waste your time on something so week~?” Walking forward, towards the large wall, a grin crawled onto his face. “Come oooon, this is where you'll find something better to gnaw on.” There was little doubt the thing would follow. Of course there was a chance it wouldn't, but that was a slim option that he doubted would be taken, besides, did everything that was hollow not wish to fulfill itself with something? Yes, and in regards to a hollow it would do that via consuming souls, the stronger the better, that's exactly what Kusaka was offering it. It was offering to give it what every hollow wanted on a silver platter. Now wasn't he such a kinda and caring person? Oh hellz yeah.