[ while gin is busy with her own personal existential crisis and memories, the door opens and--yup. there is no mistaking that messy hair but the pose is all off. and what is he trying to even do?
well, whatever, gin doesn't have time for those details. she's here because she has questions and there are things only this person who looks like him could answer. if not, gin is going to find kurosaki-san and see what he knows. ]
Exactly who are you? And how did you know my name?
Standing up straight, Naoyuki cleared his throat and briefly averted his eyes.]
Sato Naoyuki. Formerly, Urahara Kisuke.
[An audacious claim, as he was well aware. While the broader system was still unconfirmed to him, he was aware of his own personal circumstances. Perhaps too intimately for someone who shouldn't have existed in the state he was.
For all intents and purposes, he was Urahara Kisuke. What little trickle of his presence existed outside of his reiatsu-concealing hoodie was undoubtedly him, even if considerably diminished. While he didn't know what he looked like in the past, he recognized Gin clear as crystal. She barely looked any different from those shadow-ridden memories.]
...I dream of you at least twice a week. It used to be 'once in a while' but since I changed my daily routine, it's happening pretty regularly.
[ the admission is simple. delivered with such calmness, as if it is fact and gin makes a complicated expression as if she can't quite decide on what to feel at that. the instinct is that he is lying, urahara kisuke is dead. she was with him when that happened. she mourned him, there is no way this is simple. there is a trick somewhere, there always was when kisuke was involved.
pained: ] Urahara Kisuke is dead. So, Sato Naoyuki, don't go claiming a dead man's name unless you want his enemies to come after you. [ a word of advice that is delivered in an unkind tone.
a younger gin would've been flustered to hear that sort of words from someone who looked and sounded like kisuke. an older gin is not thrilled, the only betrayal of her innate shyness is the way she tucks a long strand of hair behind an ear, avoiding his eyes for a moment. ] Perhaps you should go back to your previous routine, it sounds bothersome to dream of the same face so often.
I'm Captain Akutagawa, not 'Gin'. [ not to you. ] And if you sneak into Soul Society again, I will throw you in a cell.
I'm not looking to hurt your feelings but I wouldn't say dead. There're some technical details I'd prefer skimming over, though.
[It wasn't as if he hadn't considered it. He took his most pessimistic approximations and lined them up in a row. He could have died a few days ago. Someone else other than Gin might have found him. One of Kisuke's enemies, without a doubt. Even with that all considered, it simply wasn't anything other than worth it.
And, even with everything considered, he didn't want to hurt her feelings when he heard that tone in her voice change.]
And, I can't exactly sit idly by, you see. My resonance testing shows his efforts worked to ensure Hell itself wouldn't spill over, so I should have... maybe three thousand years to make it up to you? I'd rather not waste a single moment of it.
You never look to hurt my feelings. [ you just do; more muttered to herself than an intentional answer. she doesn't want the details, she doesn't want any of this at all--of course this man could potentially find a way to cheat death in order to finish whatever work took precedence over everything including his own life and wellbeing. or to make sure his plans were working as intended. gin feels a pang of familiar fondness and crushes it down the moment it peeks through.
gin looks up at him, confused as to what exactly he means about 'make it up'—this boy is really... he is really confused. mistaken. misguided. ] Sato-san, while I am relieved to know Kisuke didn't die for nothing, this is still highly inappropriate.
More importantly, what kind of experiments are you even conducting in there? [ she leans on the side, trying to peer behind and whatever is hidden. ] Just because you're Kurosaki-san's protege doesn't mean you will get total freedom to do what you like.
There are rules for a reason. [ she is very not subtly trying to steer the conversation towards work and rules and consequences and stay far from anything personal.
she's still in love with urahara, and that's something she's learned to live with but that doesn't mean she wants to get to know a man who wears his face and voice. ]
[Her first comment stung. Surely, he'd never deliberately hurt her feelings if he could do anything but, and yet, accidents happened. Every implied bit of it in her tone of voice however gentle led him to believe it was the case.
When she tried to get a peek inside, Naoyuki leaned a little more to the side and pulled the door closer to shutting. His expression was a little sullen--nothing of it being Gin's fault but rather his excitement to meet her and getting to know her being trampled upon by that place. Soul Society. Sure, she had rules to adhere to. It might have been the main reason why she was willing to come to see him.]
I only allow close family and girlfriends in my lab.
[Clearing his throat, he tried to put a tether on that little moment of sullen vulnerability. He didn't have quite enough training to hide it. Dryly, he glanced up at the sky, right over her head.]
That said, no rule should outlive its usefulness. Everything I do is something that needs doing. I don't need thanks for it but at least pass it over to your scientists that their approach to protecting boundaries is equivalent to using swiss-cheese as a wind sock. I have quadrillions of access points available.
[A beat. Unlike his previous incarnation, Naoyuki didn't hesitate at all to actually gush over the details when given a chance.]
Did you know one of them allows you to pass whole spans of spiritual energy and matter through shadows? The absence of light really does make a lot of sense but I don't think the typical soul reaper would be able to use them... Well, except me. Maybe that one guy.
[ the reaction that follows the statement is purely gin, unfiltered and slightly—jealous: ] Girlfriends? [ she does seem to catch herself after that and withdrawing again into her preferred blankface to deal with this entire thing. can naoyuki read her with the same ease kisuke could? that is horrifying to her. kisuke reading her was fine but this-- absolutely not. she did not sign up for this emotional vulnerability, even if she does catch onto his own. brief as her own and then gone.
thankfully, business and soul society is something they can talk about without delving into rocky personal territory and so, gin favours that. except what follows, the additional details and added explanation is not something gin expected or is used to. she blinks.
she finds it a little hard to look away during his explanation because he really does look so much-and according to naoyuki, he is kisuke. a form of him. something. ] I will make sure to pass your message on to the Research Division, I'm sure Captain Mayuri will appreciate this ...observation.
[ no, he'd be livid that urahara kisuke is still making his life difficult even though he's not supposed to be alive. and perhaps naoyuki says he needs no thank you but gin has the audacity to offer a polite, distant smile and add: ] Thank you, Sato-san.
If you are not going to be a hazard towards the security of Soul Society, then my visit here is unnecessary.
[The sweet scent of blood in the water. If Gin listened closely, she'd probably hear the internal scribbling of notes. It wasn't that he spoke the way he did with a totally deliberate, planned script but he wasn't the type to speak and not think about it. When she honed in on that word?
Well, that was another subfolder in his mental file on her. He smiled, utterly catlike.]
Yes. That would certainly count for my family and if any of them decide to start dating.
[It was a deceptive smile. The one that knew everything about where her misstep came from. Even so? He'd save it for later. In his pocket, his phone buzzed and for the moment, he'd ignore it. Sparing Gin anymore embarrassment, he leveled a sigh and shook his head when he thought about answering it on the second buzz. It could wait 30 seconds.]
I think you know I'd never turn down a visit from you if you want to try again later. You're much more pleasant than what I expected of Soul Reapers and it answers quite a few of my questions, Captain Akutagawa.
[ oh no. this is a misstep that naoyuki is seemingly, very graciously, letting slide for the time but gin admonishes herself all the same. the catlike smile is all gin needs to see to know those metaphorical noises of internal note scribbling were very real and that she had been caught out.
a formal address is a relief and it still feels off. the few times urahara had used that term had been when things hadn't been going well between them; there the use of titles and honorifics was necessary to remind one another of the need for distance. but that is neither here nor there, gin cannot hold sato naoyuki to the standards or actions of his previous self. she cannot have expectations or hopes, she cannot assume.
a tentative smile, and then there is gin's pleasant, customer-service-like tone: ] There are better ways to find answers, Sato-san, but hopefully there will be no need for me to come visit you unannounced [ or at all ] in future.
[ what they're both going to find out in the next few hours is the start of the many consequences put in motion due to sato naoyuki's impromptu visit to soul society; fueled by the fact he carries the legacy of a man who was both respected and reviled.
gin does not take a step to go though she has taken note of the buzzing in his pocket. there are things she wants to ask rather than spy to find out but right now making up her mind on the subject feels impossible. and so instead she tries to soften a little because: ] If you really are him or...part of him, then I am glad. He was a very remarkable person, and deserved better.
[He didn't know what to say to that. At all. She might have been right that there was a procedure to it all but he wasn't satisfied with slow progress. Something urged him to be quick and responsive. To take every detail and bleed it of its use. He'd gotten good mileage with that line of thought. When Gin left as politely as one might in such a dire circumstance, he sighed and watched her go in silence.
He'd only seen a small piece of her and she still struck him as... something else.
Once he shut the gate and snapped his security procedures back on, Naoyuki vanished back into the warehouse and slid his cell phone free of his pocket to find... more than a few messages. The soul reaper 'pack' he established kept tabs on this around the city and someone had been asking about him. It matched another notification from his trackers. Something was poking around in Soul Society, trying to match a signal he left behind a few days before. It was beginning to come close to finding the signal's origin point.
All of it, useful data. Something that might have unnerved someone with fewer precautions taken to mind.
With a resolute sigh, he packed his hoodie with its assortment of pockets and sleeves and readied himself for a new exercise. Something he'd put the better part of a year into readying himself for. His friends had struggled just to take on a single Menos Grande but there had never been any danger of any of them actually dying with Ichigo waiting by the ring. As intimidating as the thing looked like in its file and in person, he still supposed it looked... easy.
When he stepped out of his third favorite konibini a couple of hours later to pick up gyoza and begin a rigorous series of field tests, he was greeted by a half-dozen men and women in expensive-looking, old-fashioned clothing. Similar shihakusho to the kind he'd seen on Gin and her men but dressed with the livery of nobles. In silence, they all drew their swords and one in front caught his eye. One young man, looking no older than himself, with sharply trimmed bangs and a bleak expression of fury. Naoyuki had been in the middle of pulling gum out of his mouth, ready to toss it in the trash when they all interrupted.]
Urahara Kisuke. You have no idea how many years I've waited--
[Naoyuki flicked his gum at the young man in front. Right at the front of his clothes. Furious, he drew his sword and cut the gum only to blink in muted surprise partway through his swing as he saw Naoyuki's wide, pleased smile. Once the blade cut the piece of gum, both halves burst and expanded well past millions of times their own size to engulf himself and three more of his group, fully entangled and rooted to the pavement. Quick on his feet, Naoyuki came to avoid the next series of sword swings from the ones who managed to get out of the way in time before getting tangled. The chase led him up to a rooftop, hands spread out as his attackers took to points surrounding him.]
Woah, woah! Please, relax! I may not be as strong as he was but I'm much less nice than he was, too! That gum was your only warning.
[A beat. Because he could never quite let it stop there.]
I don't think it is necessary to worry about this town as long as Ichigo-san is among the living.
Gin-chan, you really sometimes say such things...he's an old man no you can't just make jokes [ but the tone is teasing and gin can see the smile. ]
Hm [ she hums and adjusts her phone, visible on the other side of the screen is captain shinji hirako, his scarf around his neck as he lounges back. ] I am merely reporting that the Menos has been taken care of by Ichigo-san's...brood.
The one Sato Naoyuki is part of. [ shinji sounds knowing and gin wants to punch him and herself in the face to avoid the conversation that she knew is coming. ] Or rather Urahara Kisuke
[ and yes, gin wants the earth to swallow her whole. ] So?
It's been nearly two decades since I last saw you make that face
[ gin frowns, holding up the phone up. ] It's dark, you can't see my face.
Doesn't matter~ [ shinji's tone is teasing though he must see something in gin's expression because he drops the smile. ] You're a captain now, you don't have to look into this yourself, send your vice-captain to keep an eye on the situation.
I will, I just have to be sure he's...[ gin pauses a message popping up. ] I'll be back soon. [ she hangs up ignoring shinji's vague protests and she double-checks the location and alert she's received. how strange, when the menos has already been taken care of but--
--ah. she's grateful for yoruichi-san's training, she's quick and light on her feet. finding the first mess left behind by the shinigami trying to ambush a -for all intends and purposes- human is only slightly alarming.
she speeds up, feeling a wave of anxiety and hating every second of it until she spots the commotion on the rooftop.
voice soft, barely there:] Rashomon [ her blade splits, two wakizashi taking the place of the katana, unlike naoyuki who was nice enough to offer a warning about his gum, gin is not. she isn't looking to use her blade in a deadly manner but she isn't pulling back punches when she kicks the first shinigami threatening naoyuki in the face.
dropping one of her wakizashi onto the shadows, the blade seems to take a mind of its own within them, a dog-like shape that then swirls around to guard naoyuki as gin pauses her assault. ]
It's highly irregular for the distinguished Shimura family to show up in the human world. [ of course, hardly impossible given that they own their personal gates to travel and those aren't tracked. ]
[Gin had arrived just as the three on the roof had begun taking their turns to attack. Each swing carried its own fatal edge but he skirted by, step by step, narrowly avoiding death at every chance. Frustration welled up in them and, all the while, Naoyuki count each move they made between the three of them. He had a plan in mind. Something he wanted to practice and.
'Rashomon'?
His hood blew back, surprise bright across his face when a hound's shadow rose up and cut off the next sword swing coming from him. It snapped out and sharply cut across his attacker's forearm, earning a curse of spite when they backed off to make space.]
A Captain in action, huh? Now, that's a sight.
[None of them were pushovers but a surprise attack was rarely easy to shrug off. Gin descended and hammered the next in command in the chin and sent him back across the roof, though he managed to effortlessly fall cleanly on his feet. The Shimura clan head took in a cool breath and sheathed his zanpakuto, keeping his eyes fixed on Gin.]
Irregular? It cost time and effort to track him. Now that he's within my range, dog of the Court Guard, don't you think that I'll rest until he's paid with his life.
[Every word, laced with venom. Naoyuki recognized it for what it was worth. Not a petty call for revenge. Years of frustration and hatred turned to tar in his heart. With each word, the young man's spiritual pressure created a tangible burden in the air. The roof began to crumble under the force of it and while he wasn't burdened by the strain of it, the thought of it made him nervous. There were people nearby.]
Shape the world, Shinatsuhiko!
[He opened his mouth and loosed a deep breath that coated his sword, wrapping it in a surging cloud. With a single swing, he swung a thunderstorm forth that threatened to shred both Gin and Naoyuki.
Naoyuki drew his sword from his bag in one smooth motion and drove the tip into the roof. A bright red sheet of light spread across it, shielding the building below their feet. Not himself.]
[ though passing through the senkaimon means that all but 20% of her strength is sealed up, gin is confident enough over not needing more than that to deal with these shinigami. they're strong but that's not always the defining factor in a fight. someone had taught her that. gin just wants to sigh, all she wanted was a moment to collect herself before making decisions that can't be taken back and certainly she's showing her hand here.
she escalated without second thought by releasing rashomon to defend naoyuki, and the way she swallows at the heir of the shimura clan's words are telltale signs. ] He already paid with his life, be reasonable.
[ though she doesn't particular want the shimura to be reasonable because her frustrations are sometimes best worked out with a sword so... gin speaks, wanting him to get out of the way and let her deal with this:] Kisuke-
[ the reckless attack has gin recalling rashomon to dispel the worst of the storm aimed at them both. the edge of the building probably gets the worse of it, the ceiling beneath them threatening to crack under the storm from shinatsuhiko. (this is going to be a headache of paperwork)
except there is a bright sheet of red spreading across and-
oh, that- gin doesn't know why she is even surprised when urahara, no naoyuki, demonstrates his shikai. of course doing that leaves him open to attack, and gin tosses her wakizashi at their opponent. that leaves her momentarily without defence as she calls for rashomon's jaws to snap both arms off. ]
[Disregarding her peaceful plea, Shimura turned the handle of his sword over. Unrestrained, she could overpower him, but with her sanctioned restraints on, he could navigate the path of Rashomon's power and move the winds of his storm around it. Trails of the clouds that came from his sword handle wrapped around it, not quite clashing but pooling around Naoyuki's red shield.
Naoyuki huffed, lifting his head to see Gin had come to defend him, leaving him with a broad and appreciative smile on his face. Benitaisho's shield provided a total wrap around the roof that kept it from deteriorating but it did nothing to hinder the flexible spread of that man's shikai.]
Hey! Great teamwork!
[Naoyuki called out, beaming with amazement, as if she knew precisely how to cover him from the start. Still, the only thing stopping Shimura had been Gin's second move. When the hound-like shadow lunged for him, he responded swiftly. Withdrawing the storm in a flash, he took one step forward. Shunko. The thrown wakizashi. The hounds. Weaving between them, he unsheathed his sword once more as he closed in on the space between Gin and Naoyuki. Bringing that blade down, he brought up the clouds a second time to separate the two of them and the man in the brightest robes came up from the street to land beside Naoyuki. Still covered in heaps of gum, the older man drew his sword with deadly speed.
The Tsunayashiro clan leader's sword was met with Benitaisho, Naoyuki exhaling sharply as he had to switch from one form of defense to another. The weight of that man's sword was too much for him head to head, though. When their blades met, Naoyuki was blown away and speared through the city sky, struggling to get his bearings as the world went in all directions... at least until he very suddenly came to land, crumpled in the woods just outside of Karakura. A whole clearing of trees left behind and his eyes seeing stars. The Tsunayashiro clan head looked aside to Shimura and commanded:]
Keep our revered Division Seven Captain busy. Resist the urge to kill her.
[In comparison, Tsunayashiro was cold and distant. His restrained expression carried on as he departed, spearing through Karakura like a bolt of lightning himself, to chase down the young man and kill him with his own blade.]
[ she has no desire to kill anyone until naoyuki is hit and is sent flying, far from the protection of rashomon and her blades. there is a brief moment of panic that is tampered down before she leans on anger as a substitute: there is nothing she can do right now but defeat shimura, then help naoyuki. (how mad would the captain commander be if she accidentally killed a noble? he probably would understand why but rules are rules— she had hoped this wouldn't end in bloodshed but the moment naoyuki had been hit her decision had also been made).
inconsistent as this decision is with her previous words and wants, gin knows with stark clarity that she does not want to see a man who wears kisuke's voice, has his voice, and seems to share some of his memories, hurt.
rashomon returns to her, hounds back to blades as she tries to bypass shimura and follow tsunayashiro. she doesn't get far, her path blocked as blades crash. gin doesn't waste her breath trying to reason or ask politely. she has to defeat him to get past and that is what she'll do.
she only hopes naoyuki can keep up until then. rashomon is a blade of short range but once it pierces skin, it will find its mark. bones had be pierced cleanly or not; gin is going to make it hurt. not out of sadism but out of need; nothing deters like pain and death. and she's already making plans on how best to protect naoyuki when ichigo is not around.
another clash, she feels the storm threaten to swallow her and impede her vision.
please wait for me, i'm coming.
gin slashes, then sends rashomon forward giving up one of her blades so she can send a hound chasing in the direction naoyuki can be thrown. ]
[Tsunayshiro's head descended upon the forest, touching down softly. He found Naoyuki on his back, struggling to stand.
At that same time, Shimura had been conjuring a denser and denser storm to entrap Gin completely. Once he saw she sent one of her blades to chase after Naoyuki and the other clan head, he scowled and closed the two of them off in that twisting vortex, leaving them isolated. Within that space, he fought with Gin, carrying on despite the deep wound she put in his arm. He was, after all, chasing her with his rage every moment he fought. The remaining nobles rushed to give chase only to be stopped by a woman with long black hair, wearing a cute, floral dress. One of Gin's old item. Ururu, looking no older than thirty, leveled her hand in the direction of the oncoming group.
Polite, she curtsied while standing on thin air.]
It's nice to meet you. I'm Urahara Ururu.
[One of the nobles interrupted, drawing her sword and swinging for Ururu as she bowed, only to see her arm twist back unnaturally. Ururu's hand had raised and she had done nothing more than give her a 'gentle' shove in response.]
Please. Cheap shots are part of my family's trademark. [Dusting her hands off, Ururu settled into a stance.] Now, please, all of you. Surrender or die.
[Naoyuki groaned, picking himself up from the ground. The sword he clashed with had been something else entirely. Something that shouldn't have rightfully existed. When Tsunayashiro landed beside him, he could see the sickeningly angry blade clutched in his hand and could feel its malice.]
Urahara. I'll take my time to cut you into pieces, so please... Raise your sword. It won't satisfy me until I kill you as a soul reaper would.
[Naoyuki fell on his side, seemingly having trouble just breathing. His zanpakuto, embedded in a tree, wouldn't come free when he went to pry it loose. Tsunyashiro scoffed, picking up the young man by the arm, looking on as his head slumped. Naoyuki took in a breath, deep and distorted, just as Tsunayashiro lifted that evil sword to plunge into his chest. When the young man raised his head to look him in the eyes, Tsunayashiro was met with black sclera. A white mask with a fox's smile.]
Got'cha.
[Naoyuki's mask split at that smile, a bright red cero bursting from his open mouth, engulfing Tsunayashiro and burying him into the dirt. Burned over most of his upper body, the old man looked up in surprise to see the fox's mask peering down at him.]
Hollowification!? As if you could have gone any madder!
[ the jackhammering of her heart against her ribs is all gin can hear over the storm around her and shimura. he doesn't know it yet but she's already decided that, regardless of the punishment and the captain commander's stern face, she's going to kill this man. that is how the port mafia resolved issues, how gin was brought up to deal with them when she'd been but a black lizard battalion squad member. verlaine had said to make sure an opponent stayed down because if they got up again- well, this is an example of it already. giving the tsunayashiro clan time to regain enough force to do this. verlaine would tell her to kill them all.
using her blades to kill a fellow shinigami had been something gin hadn't had to do in twenty years. somehow, the fact kisuke's returning is causing all this is perfectly normal in the back of her mind. she's unhappy about it, but how many things has she not done for urahara kisuke before that have eaten away at her? not in anger but in sorrow.
at the periphery, she is certain she's spotted ururu and that's a relief. if she's noticed then it means others had to have as well. the urgency of rashomon reaching its target is less so now as gin doesn't think it's fast enough to catch up before a more severe blow is aimed at naoyuki's very delicate, very frail, very human skin. had urahara seen her at first and thought of that too? how breakable humans are in comparison to shinigami and hollows and everything else living and breathing under the same blue sky.
thankfully, ururu's arrival also means gin has one single opponent to focus on. the target of her anger and all she needs is one good blow. what would verlaine say? he'd probably ask her to curb that anger and wait for an opening but gin doesn't want to wait. she's no genius, she can't calculate the variables of this battle, of whatever else is going on outside the storm. there are guesses that can be made but those aren't good enough in this situation.
oh, her old mentors would be so disappointed. even dazai, though this is the sort of strategy he would've goaded pawns into using (gin included). rashomon whispered quietly as she lets go of the blade and the hound returns, reaching with dark, hungry jaws to tear at the storm as if it were solid cloth and not just air. she has no blade to parry the katana like this and so gin allows it to sink into her shoulder.
the pain is blinding for a moment or two, being stabbed is never pleasant. shimura's look of triumph falters when he sees gin is reaching to grab onto his hand to hold the hilt in place. there. now she's close enough. ]
Rashomon[ —from hound to blade again, she's within reach, the small slit over his throat, the artery wide open and dousing everything red. the storm goes and gin waits because she wants to make sure shimura is dead. ]
[A number of young men and women, fresh out of high school, came to assist Ururu with her targets. The soul reapers scattered, taking to the new arrivals with a deep affront, leaving Ururu to sigh, dusting her skirt off with one hand. In her other hand, a noble gurgled helplessly with her fingers closed around his throat.]
It would be rude to take away this opportunity for them to learn. A shame. I would have been able to let go of quite a lot of stress if I were allowed you all.
[Shimura had descended upon Gin with sheer force, coming to believe he could pin her at a complete disadvantage. Killing her before her power could be restored by an order would be the most practical move. It would give him a chance to assist Tsunayashiro. No matter what, he couldn't let him take Kisuke's head. Lost in thought, he chased down Gin with every intent to crush her so that she couldn't stand again. She was a Captain, after all. If he didn't obliterate her with force, then she could only stand back up.
When he came to drive his sword into her, he had been aiming for her throat. Rather than avoiding it, she re-directed him to drive it through her shoulder instead. Strong, ruthless fingers closed around his sword guard, keeping him locked in place. Before he could retreat and force the blade free? She accomplished what she set out to do. Shimura only had that one moment of frustration and shock left in his life before Gin activated Rashomon once more.]
This only buys you--
[Certainly, something she paid for and earned. He couldn't finish those words without his throat, after all, dead before he could even touch the pavement, his storms dissipating into whispers of wind while the ones in the street fought.]
[Tsunayashiro stood up, gritting his teeth through the pain that flared along his skin after being burned so thoroughly by Naoyuki's cero. He advanced and swung his blade with a roar of force. The young man put his body into parrying the blow, wincing. He was blown back, breathing hard from the pain as he splintered his way through a tree trunk. The entire thing collapsed, forcing him to dive to avoid being caught underneath it. Tsunayashiro was on him in an instant. Decoy after decoy, destroyed when Tsunayashiro unleashed Enryakoten's power. Fire. Ice. Lightning. Stone. Blades. The zanpakuto that could imitate all other zanpakuto was something deadly in the elder's hands and it took everything Naoyuki had to simply escape and slow the more experienced warrior down. Tsunayashiro advanced, unimpressed by the bag of tricks he was being shown, slicing the mask off Naoyuki's face in one stroke. In the second, he scored a blow on the young man that could be considered the last, cutting him from shoulder to hip with a master's precision. His sweatshirt burst open and with it, blood blossomed from him. For that moment, Tsunayashiro lowered his guard. He was certainly cut in two.
Naoyuki had run out of decoys. Gadgets. Tricks. Blood ran down his front freely and, in that moment of victory and elation, Tsunayashiro considered letting him fall to simply watch. In the middle of his swing, one of the black hounds of Rashomon had grabbed hold of his leg, tearing into the bone of his calf and slowing his assault but he could attest--his training guaranteed he would still finish the swing.]
How convenient.
[Tsunayashiro stirred, something in him seizing up when Naoyuki reached up and ran fingers through his hair. As if he hadn't been cut. Impossibly, he stood, the sickening slash in his shoulder knitting together through a fiery blue light that burned in the center of his chest. The light vanished soon after, his wound failing to heal any further. Even as bloodied as he'd been and so close to death again, Naoyuki smiled wide.]
'Enrakyoten'. I remember that file. It's so deadly that I couldn't possibly recover fully from that last swing but now that I have, I've recovered something important. Still, I'm even more grateful it was weakened somewhat by Captain Akutagawa's assist. Close one, right?
Truly. You really are a monster, Urahara Kisuke. Even so, you won't survive this a second time.
Sir! [Almost annoyed, Naoyuki made himself laugh and waved his sword reproachfully. His shoulder, still quite injured, wouldn't let him grip it with his other hand. Even as Tsunayashiro drew his sword once more, he still scolded his attacker.] I'd like you to keep that word out of your mouth but I won't have to worry about that for very long.
[Tsunayashiro came forward like a bullet, aiming to skewer Naoyuki's throat. He came to a halt, the tip of his family's sword stopped dead on the flat of Zangetsu. Ichigo, boiling with anger beneath the reiatsu-shrouding cloak he carried for those precise circumstances, loosed a cool breath and squared his shoulders.]
There's some things I don't tolerate. Kyoraku is just going to have to clean this one up.
[ gin is not usually stained in blood, hers or others. sneaking in behind targets to slit throats meant she is out of the way of the arterial spray. she misses her mask in this moment, using a free hand to wipe the lower part of her face, and there is something utterly dark and pleased about what she has just done.
she waits, sure that shimura is very much dead before taking a step back. she's aware the other part of rashomon should be near naoyuki's vicinity if not already there. there is the urge to go chase the other conspirators and dispatch them all. (and where did she lose that touch of kindness she had? somewhere after her human death or much later after urahara's?). adrenaline though is doing a great job in keeping the wound at the back of her mind as she turns towards ururu and the teenagers that had come in.
gin doesn't care for the humans, surely naoyuki's friends? ichigo's brood and successors once he retires, yes? but she does smile at ururu, warm. ]It's nice to see you, Ururu-chan. Can you please make sure there are no more surprises around? [ she looks well and that dress is perfect on her. ]I'm going to find Kisuke. [ the slip of the name doesn't even cross gin's mind as she turns, heading off.
ichigo's reiatsu is cloaked so she can only sense tsunayashiro's and naoyuki's, more faint than before but present. gin tampers down on panic, on concern.
but apparently she need not worry because that is very much ichigo and she's--well, there is a reason why soul society owes him so much and why he's feared by many and respected by the rest. man, oh man, the captain commander is going to have such a mess to clean up here. ]
Of course. [Ururu curtsied once more, though much more out of gratitude than the way she had taunted her enemies earlier. She was in the middle of cleaning her hands with a kerchief, freshly stained pink. A little flush came over her cheeks when she saw Gin's injuries but she knew better than to press a soul reaper on those things. Instead, she pinched a syrette between her fingers and tossed it to Gin before she took off. An injectable to help seal her wounds for treatment.]
It's good seeing you, Gin-san.
[Gin had already turned away when she made her mistake, prompting a more somber expression from Ururu. She shook it off, feeling guilty over her silence over the past few years, knowing she hadn't been brave enough to reach out to her to bring up Naoyuki. Hearing his name from her only deepened that guilt. Not that it lasted long.]
Urahara-san! One of them got past us and Oono went to help! Can we trust that Soul Reaper?! Naoyuki won't be able to take a guy like that by himself!
[One of the students in the group on the street called out. Their little trio had been a little beaten up but were otherwise fine, a few of Naoyuki's attackers laid out and bleeding from superficial injuries. Unlike the more seasoned warriors, they weren't as eager to take someone's life if they weren't a hollow. Ururu frowned deeply, watching Gin disappear over a rooftop before she could warn her. On the other hand, Oono would be a problem all by herself.]
[Ichigo and Tsunayashiro met swords, the two old men contrasting deeply. One, worn down and still dignified, met the other, brash-looking and quite healthy. For his age, Ichigo didn't show a hint of stillness in his hand. When he met blades with Tsunayashiro, he was more than ready to retaliate to each follow-up swing. Tsunayashiro, feeling he was being toyed with, began unleashing more of Enrakyoten's stored abilities. Various powers from the Captains of the Gotei 13 manifested, Rashomon included.
Naoyuki hadn't stuck around. Enrakyoten was terrifying but Zangetsu would require some geographical restructuring. That was going to be a busy weekend for him. Loosing a breath, he came to a halt in the street just below the mountain trails, tossing off his ripped hoodie. His tee was smudged with mud and blood, the long cut in his clothing showing bruised, burned skin. Even with automatic regeneration, he wasn't going to recover from an injury made by soul cutter that strong so easily. As it stood, he couldn't move more than two fingers on that hand
Just in time for the last of the nobles to arrive. This one looked pristine though he didn't carry the same imposing presence as Shimura or Tsunayashiro.]
This doesn't have to be a failure. I still have a chance...
[Naoyuki could feel Oono and Gin as they came close, though Rashomon was still quicker. The shadowy hound had trailed him even down the path, lunging forward and locking down on the last noble's shoulder to keep him from drawing his sword. He fell back, ripping the hound's shadow free before darting toward Naoyuki who drew his own. There was a scuffle and a moment's retaliation. Oono landed first, her sword half-drawn, expecting Naoyuki to be defenseless. She could intervene and give him time to escape at least, even if she'd be hurt. Always in his lab, he never followed along when they...
Rather, while she did draw her sword, she didn't take any further step. There was something unnervingly cold about the look in his eyes when he ended the last noble's life with a single stroke, flicking blood free from his blade once his enemy fell, perishing. His head was swimming with pain and exhaustion so much he couldn't see anyone but the dead man lying at his feet. He lifted his hand to touch his chest, right along the long string of bruises.]
Too easy. Do I really feel nothing about doing this?
[ a quick nod of thanks at the offered syringe and gin tucks that into a sleeve before heading off. there are many things she doesn't like in this moment but those will be dealt with once kisuke is safe. gin would have protected naoyuki for the simple fact he is human (but that is all about to go out the window once she realises a few things) as that is her duty as a shinigami. of course, she wouldn't have felt her emotions slip their leash if the target had been a stranger.
torn skin stings, the muscle having taken the brunt of the blade but gin knows there are worse injuries than a clean stab. this is nothing in return for a life. a future threat to kisuke eliminated with the usual practicality that she's known for. as a captain, gin is frighteningly practical, and while earlier on she had been a tad harder, she's softened up in the sense that she has a kind word here and there. that she is not to be disobeyed but that she can be reasonable if the facts are presented.
however, she's also unapproachable, a 'distant beauty' as some of the new 7th squad recruits whisper when she's not around. she stops only briefly to inject and feels the instant relief, it'll hold until it is properly treated and he flexes her fingers.
what a mess. ] Fuck.[ not fast enough, she should be moving faster. once this is over she's going to find yoruichi-san and ask for further training. she has to be stronger this time, she can't allow anything to happen to him again.
once she feels the seal lift she can feel her hounds draw strength, a direct extension of her: mad, hungry, loyal.
there's no hiding the utter relief when she spots a dead body that is not naoyuki's and the one hand nearby comes back around to circle its mistress, curling around the shadows of her captain's white haori, like a shadow. a command given with a twitch of her hand and one of the hounds is now turning to stare at oono while the second slips into the shadows, just to be sure.
gin doesn't know what to call him, so instead she treads lightly but there is no mistaking the brisk pace, the way she cuts the distance between them as quickly as possible while trying to hide the concern.
fuck it, if he doesn't care about taking a life it's unimportant. gin doesn't care, he's still breathing.]
[A heavy gust of wind came from the mountains. Ichigo was done. With the last of the hostile presences either subdued or dead, Naoyuki had his time to breathe. Looking up to the cold, grey sky above and finding it beautiful as one appreciated more things once they returned from the brink of death. That elated feeling was only masked by the sheer exhaustion that rolled over him all at once. He had his moment to appreciate life. Next, he had to take in everything and be ready for the next time. It would be worse. He'd need more tools at his disposal. Truthfully, had he been alone, he might have been able to take out Tsunayashiro but not the whole group.
Already, despite how he could barely move one hand, he was thinking about the next battle as if it would break out in the next few moments.
Oono had already come to him, looking to check his face but something made her stop and come to slide. Naoyuki, hand still clutching his sword, looked pensive. Focused. Gin touching down had caught his eye in the middle of his thoughts and he recognized her. There had been a moment in which he noticed her seal had been removed. It changed the frequency of her spirit once the floodgates were loosed and kept him vaguely aware that there could still be danger if even she were on still on her guard.
Gin would see something familiar in him. Careful, active observation. For only just a moment, he was reading her. Once he understood it had all ended, he smiled wide but it was something a little hollow. As if he still hadn't quite left the fight. Oono was already beside him, checking him carefully. She was closer to their strong arm than a medic but she insisted on trying to look over and decide how to handle his bruises. She had stirred earlier when Gin arrived but caved and went after him the moment that strange feeling cleared. She had seen Gin fighting earlier.
Trying to kill him? Of course. ]
That would be a reasonable assumption. That, or they were the strongest muggers I've ever come by.
[Said cheerily even despite the pain and despite how he hadn't put away his sword.]
[ they aren't alone, gin is keeping half of her attention on oono and the familiar way she stays by his side; so she doesn't laugh even though there is a flicker of amusement at those words, betrayed in the way she tilts her head a little. naoyuki will probably have a complete dictionary to gin-mannerisms soon enough, she's stoic compared to her younger self but perhaps she's coming to accept that naoyuki is urahara. what that will mean later is another issue entirely but while she's still on guard, she is letting rashomon take point in keeping track of anything that might have escaped.
the hollowness of that smile though...] I told you this would happen, Sato-san. [ there was no way gin would permit herself too much familiarity in an open space like this. a quick glance in oono's direction again, and she feels unreasonably annoyed. ] Do you even know what you're doing? The wounds aren't as superficial as he's trying to make them appear.
[ she's not fourth but she knows those bruises go deeper, those cuts sting more and that tomorrow he's going to be hurting and ought to stay in bed. will he? if he's kisuke, then certainly not. ]
[By his proper name. Was it because of Oono? A little of his smile withered at the thought but it was bound to vanish anyway. He'd been prepared for injuries of that kind already but feeling them was something else. The pain still rung in his head. Using the hogyoku for more than a few moments at a time was risky, so his recovery was incomplete.
Oono raised her head, wheeling on Gin only halfway. Her hands were bathed in green light, her healing kido flaring to a massive extent. It was something powerful and well-controlled and still, the bruising was hardly going away. Oono looked a solemn mix of panicked and furious over something he couldn't quite see. Deciding to move beyond it, Naoyuki lifted his broken hand a bit shakily, offering them both a smile when she interjected.]
I know what I'm doing! His injury, it's too--!
Please go easy on Oono-san, Captain Akutagawa. Her healing kido is really up to par but I was dealing with a cursed soul cutter.
[Oono stilled at the words, not understanding the implication fully but the word 'cursed' contained something obviously troubling. Combined with his damaged state and the fact that he was carrying his own soul cutter, she was worn down with all her questions.
He was sure to make neither of them any happier with his words--especially not the next few. As if his injury simply didn't matter to him. As if he were completely pleased with the whole outcome except for one wrinkle.]
I think I lucked out! I got so much valuable information, today but... I'm sorry it came with you being hurt, Captain.
Cursed. [ because that's the word that is worth repeating out of that entire sentence; gin isn't mean enough to bully a human girl for lacking proficiency in the healing arts. and in gin's opinion, she does but that is neither here nor there. as long as naoyuki isn't bleeding to death this will do.
rashomon, now satisfied that there is nothing to fear in the vicinity dispells, gin's sword returning to her hand before she sheathes it away. ] Why are you running around with a cursed-
[ but then he has to say that and she's speechless that he can be so flippant about everything he's doing. this man is an idiot, just like kisuke was.
gin looks murderous despite the fact she's not frowning nor yelling, the trademark akutagawa glare that spelt violence, if looks could kill, there would be a significant body count behind. ] It's nothing, unlike your own injuries, Sato-san.
[ however, how to deal with this? if she accepts that he is kisuke's reincarnation what does that mean? aside from his old enemies, what else did he inherit? gin can't help but feel apprehensive about his well-being, his happiness, the fact that his life could be cut short through no fault of his own.
because if she accepts that he is kisuke's reincarnation, and she has mostly done so, then it also means he's not exactly the same person and shouldn't be burdened with the weight carried by his predecessor. gin doesn't want him to suffer anymore than she wanted kisuke to suffer.
and though the familiarity is plain to see now that she's spent more time observing him, there is enough of a difference from the wary, worn-down man she knew compared to this man who is recklessly confident in a charming way. who isn't scarred in the way kisuke was.
gin glances at oono.
besides, he's human mostly, correct? ] Either way, if your companion's skills are not sufficient, I can ask someone from Four to help.
[ it is also that moment that akutagawa gin decides that she's not getting involved with this person. she will help and protect him, but that's it, and that decision being made causes something in her to relax; if she won't get involved then it won't hurt. he can't leave her again.
and then it is much easier to help prevent whatever disaster he's clearly heading towards. ] As for cursed objects, we need to contact Twelve.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-01-19 04:25 am (UTC)well, whatever, gin doesn't have time for those details. she's here because she has questions and there are things only this person who looks like him could answer. if not, gin is going to find kurosaki-san and see what he knows. ]
Exactly who are you? And how did you know my name?
no subject
Date: 2023-01-21 07:49 pm (UTC)Standing up straight, Naoyuki cleared his throat and briefly averted his eyes.]
Sato Naoyuki. Formerly, Urahara Kisuke.
[An audacious claim, as he was well aware. While the broader system was still unconfirmed to him, he was aware of his own personal circumstances. Perhaps too intimately for someone who shouldn't have existed in the state he was.
For all intents and purposes, he was Urahara Kisuke. What little trickle of his presence existed outside of his reiatsu-concealing hoodie was undoubtedly him, even if considerably diminished. While he didn't know what he looked like in the past, he recognized Gin clear as crystal. She barely looked any different from those shadow-ridden memories.]
...I dream of you at least twice a week. It used to be 'once in a while' but since I changed my daily routine, it's happening pretty regularly.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-21 08:26 pm (UTC)pained: ] Urahara Kisuke is dead. So, Sato Naoyuki, don't go claiming a dead man's name unless you want his enemies to come after you. [ a word of advice that is delivered in an unkind tone.
a younger gin would've been flustered to hear that sort of words from someone who looked and sounded like kisuke. an older gin is not thrilled, the only betrayal of her innate shyness is the way she tucks a long strand of hair behind an ear, avoiding his eyes for a moment. ] Perhaps you should go back to your previous routine, it sounds bothersome to dream of the same face so often.
I'm Captain Akutagawa, not 'Gin'. [ not to you. ] And if you sneak into Soul Society again, I will throw you in a cell.
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Date: 2023-01-21 09:41 pm (UTC)[It wasn't as if he hadn't considered it. He took his most pessimistic approximations and lined them up in a row. He could have died a few days ago. Someone else other than Gin might have found him. One of Kisuke's enemies, without a doubt. Even with that all considered, it simply wasn't anything other than worth it.
And, even with everything considered, he didn't want to hurt her feelings when he heard that tone in her voice change.]
And, I can't exactly sit idly by, you see. My resonance testing shows his efforts worked to ensure Hell itself wouldn't spill over, so I should have... maybe three thousand years to make it up to you? I'd rather not waste a single moment of it.
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Date: 2023-01-21 09:59 pm (UTC)gin looks up at him, confused as to what exactly he means about 'make it up'—this boy is really... he is really confused. mistaken. misguided. ] Sato-san, while I am relieved to know Kisuke didn't die for nothing, this is still highly inappropriate.
More importantly, what kind of experiments are you even conducting in there? [ she leans on the side, trying to peer behind and whatever is hidden. ] Just because you're Kurosaki-san's protege doesn't mean you will get total freedom to do what you like.
There are rules for a reason. [ she is very not subtly trying to steer the conversation towards work and rules and consequences and stay far from anything personal.
she's still in love with urahara, and that's something she's learned to live with but that doesn't mean she wants to get to know a man who wears his face and voice. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-01-23 02:01 am (UTC)[Her first comment stung. Surely, he'd never deliberately hurt her feelings if he could do anything but, and yet, accidents happened. Every implied bit of it in her tone of voice however gentle led him to believe it was the case.
When she tried to get a peek inside, Naoyuki leaned a little more to the side and pulled the door closer to shutting. His expression was a little sullen--nothing of it being Gin's fault but rather his excitement to meet her and getting to know her being trampled upon by that place. Soul Society. Sure, she had rules to adhere to. It might have been the main reason why she was willing to come to see him.]
I only allow close family and girlfriends in my lab.
[Clearing his throat, he tried to put a tether on that little moment of sullen vulnerability. He didn't have quite enough training to hide it. Dryly, he glanced up at the sky, right over her head.]
That said, no rule should outlive its usefulness. Everything I do is something that needs doing. I don't need thanks for it but at least pass it over to your scientists that their approach to protecting boundaries is equivalent to using swiss-cheese as a wind sock. I have quadrillions of access points available.
[A beat. Unlike his previous incarnation, Naoyuki didn't hesitate at all to actually gush over the details when given a chance.]
Did you know one of them allows you to pass whole spans of spiritual energy and matter through shadows? The absence of light really does make a lot of sense but I don't think the typical soul reaper would be able to use them... Well, except me. Maybe that one guy.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-23 03:05 am (UTC)thankfully, business and soul society is something they can talk about without delving into rocky personal territory and so, gin favours that. except what follows, the additional details and added explanation is not something gin expected or is used to. she blinks.
she finds it a little hard to look away during his explanation because he really does look so much-and according to naoyuki, he is kisuke. a form of him. something. ] I will make sure to pass your message on to the Research Division, I'm sure Captain Mayuri will appreciate this ...observation.
[ no, he'd be livid that urahara kisuke is still making his life difficult even though he's not supposed to be alive. and perhaps naoyuki says he needs no thank you but gin has the audacity to offer a polite, distant smile and add: ] Thank you, Sato-san.
If you are not going to be a hazard towards the security of Soul Society, then my visit here is unnecessary.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-23 04:33 am (UTC)Well, that was another subfolder in his mental file on her. He smiled, utterly catlike.]
Yes. That would certainly count for my family and if any of them decide to start dating.
[It was a deceptive smile. The one that knew everything about where her misstep came from. Even so? He'd save it for later. In his pocket, his phone buzzed and for the moment, he'd ignore it. Sparing Gin anymore embarrassment, he leveled a sigh and shook his head when he thought about answering it on the second buzz. It could wait 30 seconds.]
I think you know I'd never turn down a visit from you if you want to try again later. You're much more pleasant than what I expected of Soul Reapers and it answers quite a few of my questions, Captain Akutagawa.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-23 05:11 am (UTC)a formal address is a relief and it still feels off. the few times urahara had used that term had been when things hadn't been going well between them; there the use of titles and honorifics was necessary to remind one another of the need for distance. but that is neither here nor there, gin cannot hold sato naoyuki to the standards or actions of his previous self. she cannot have expectations or hopes, she cannot assume.
a tentative smile, and then there is gin's pleasant, customer-service-like tone: ] There are better ways to find answers, Sato-san, but hopefully there will be no need for me to come visit you unannounced [ or at all ] in future.
[ what they're both going to find out in the next few hours is the start of the many consequences put in motion due to sato naoyuki's impromptu visit to soul society; fueled by the fact he carries the legacy of a man who was both respected and reviled.
gin does not take a step to go though she has taken note of the buzzing in his pocket. there are things she wants to ask rather than spy to find out but right now making up her mind on the subject feels impossible. and so instead she tries to soften a little because: ] If you really are him or...part of him, then I am glad. He was a very remarkable person, and deserved better.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-24 03:47 am (UTC)He'd only seen a small piece of her and she still struck him as... something else.
Once he shut the gate and snapped his security procedures back on, Naoyuki vanished back into the warehouse and slid his cell phone free of his pocket to find... more than a few messages. The soul reaper 'pack' he established kept tabs on this around the city and someone had been asking about him. It matched another notification from his trackers. Something was poking around in Soul Society, trying to match a signal he left behind a few days before. It was beginning to come close to finding the signal's origin point.
All of it, useful data. Something that might have unnerved someone with fewer precautions taken to mind.
With a resolute sigh, he packed his hoodie with its assortment of pockets and sleeves and readied himself for a new exercise. Something he'd put the better part of a year into readying himself for. His friends had struggled just to take on a single Menos Grande but there had never been any danger of any of them actually dying with Ichigo waiting by the ring. As intimidating as the thing looked like in its file and in person, he still supposed it looked... easy.
When he stepped out of his third favorite konibini a couple of hours later to pick up gyoza and begin a rigorous series of field tests, he was greeted by a half-dozen men and women in expensive-looking, old-fashioned clothing. Similar shihakusho to the kind he'd seen on Gin and her men but dressed with the livery of nobles. In silence, they all drew their swords and one in front caught his eye. One young man, looking no older than himself, with sharply trimmed bangs and a bleak expression of fury. Naoyuki had been in the middle of pulling gum out of his mouth, ready to toss it in the trash when they all interrupted.]
Urahara Kisuke. You have no idea how many years I've waited--
[Naoyuki flicked his gum at the young man in front. Right at the front of his clothes. Furious, he drew his sword and cut the gum only to blink in muted surprise partway through his swing as he saw Naoyuki's wide, pleased smile. Once the blade cut the piece of gum, both halves burst and expanded well past millions of times their own size to engulf himself and three more of his group, fully entangled and rooted to the pavement. Quick on his feet, Naoyuki came to avoid the next series of sword swings from the ones who managed to get out of the way in time before getting tangled. The chase led him up to a rooftop, hands spread out as his attackers took to points surrounding him.]
Woah, woah! Please, relax! I may not be as strong as he was but I'm much less nice than he was, too! That gum was your only warning.
[A beat. Because he could never quite let it stop there.]
Although, I do have more gum.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-25 10:30 pm (UTC)Gin-chan, you really sometimes say such things...he's an old man no you can't just make jokes [ but the tone is teasing and gin can see the smile. ]
Hm [ she hums and adjusts her phone, visible on the other side of the screen is captain shinji hirako, his scarf around his neck as he lounges back. ] I am merely reporting that the Menos has been taken care of by Ichigo-san's...brood.
The one Sato Naoyuki is part of. [ shinji sounds knowing and gin wants to punch him and herself in the face to avoid the conversation that she knew is coming. ] Or rather Urahara Kisuke
[ and yes, gin wants the earth to swallow her whole. ] So?
It's been nearly two decades since I last saw you make that face
[ gin frowns, holding up the phone up. ] It's dark, you can't see my face.
Doesn't matter~ [ shinji's tone is teasing though he must see something in gin's expression because he drops the smile. ] You're a captain now, you don't have to look into this yourself, send your vice-captain to keep an eye on the situation.
I will, I just have to be sure he's...[ gin pauses a message popping up. ] I'll be back soon. [ she hangs up ignoring shinji's vague protests and she double-checks the location and alert she's received. how strange, when the menos has already been taken care of but--
--ah. she's grateful for yoruichi-san's training, she's quick and light on her feet. finding the first mess left behind by the shinigami trying to ambush a -for all intends and purposes- human is only slightly alarming.
she speeds up, feeling a wave of anxiety and hating every second of it until she spots the commotion on the rooftop.
voice soft, barely there:] Rashomon [ her blade splits, two wakizashi taking the place of the katana, unlike naoyuki who was nice enough to offer a warning about his gum, gin is not. she isn't looking to use her blade in a deadly manner but she isn't pulling back punches when she kicks the first shinigami threatening naoyuki in the face.
dropping one of her wakizashi onto the shadows, the blade seems to take a mind of its own within them, a dog-like shape that then swirls around to guard naoyuki as gin pauses her assault. ]
It's highly irregular for the distinguished Shimura family to show up in the human world. [ of course, hardly impossible given that they own their personal gates to travel and those aren't tracked. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-01-26 01:24 am (UTC)'Rashomon'?
His hood blew back, surprise bright across his face when a hound's shadow rose up and cut off the next sword swing coming from him. It snapped out and sharply cut across his attacker's forearm, earning a curse of spite when they backed off to make space.]
A Captain in action, huh? Now, that's a sight.
[None of them were pushovers but a surprise attack was rarely easy to shrug off. Gin descended and hammered the next in command in the chin and sent him back across the roof, though he managed to effortlessly fall cleanly on his feet. The Shimura clan head took in a cool breath and sheathed his zanpakuto, keeping his eyes fixed on Gin.]
Irregular? It cost time and effort to track him. Now that he's within my range, dog of the Court Guard, don't you think that I'll rest until he's paid with his life.
[Every word, laced with venom. Naoyuki recognized it for what it was worth. Not a petty call for revenge. Years of frustration and hatred turned to tar in his heart. With each word, the young man's spiritual pressure created a tangible burden in the air. The roof began to crumble under the force of it and while he wasn't burdened by the strain of it, the thought of it made him nervous. There were people nearby.]
Shape the world, Shinatsuhiko!
[He opened his mouth and loosed a deep breath that coated his sword, wrapping it in a surging cloud. With a single swing, he swung a thunderstorm forth that threatened to shred both Gin and Naoyuki.
Naoyuki drew his sword from his bag in one smooth motion and drove the tip into the roof. A bright red sheet of light spread across it, shielding the building below their feet. Not himself.]
Wake, Benitaisho!
no subject
Date: 2023-01-26 02:41 am (UTC)she escalated without second thought by releasing rashomon to defend naoyuki, and the way she swallows at the heir of the shimura clan's words are telltale signs. ] He already paid with his life, be reasonable.
[ though she doesn't particular want the shimura to be reasonable because her frustrations are sometimes best worked out with a sword so... gin speaks, wanting him to get out of the way and let her deal with this:] Kisuke-
[ the reckless attack has gin recalling rashomon to dispel the worst of the storm aimed at them both. the edge of the building probably gets the worse of it, the ceiling beneath them threatening to crack under the storm from shinatsuhiko. (this is going to be a headache of paperwork)
except there is a bright sheet of red spreading across and-
oh, that- gin doesn't know why she is even surprised when urahara, no naoyuki, demonstrates his shikai. of course doing that leaves him open to attack, and gin tosses her wakizashi at their opponent. that leaves her momentarily without defence as she calls for rashomon's jaws to snap both arms off. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-01-26 04:16 am (UTC)[Disregarding her peaceful plea, Shimura turned the handle of his sword over. Unrestrained, she could overpower him, but with her sanctioned restraints on, he could navigate the path of Rashomon's power and move the winds of his storm around it. Trails of the clouds that came from his sword handle wrapped around it, not quite clashing but pooling around Naoyuki's red shield.
Naoyuki huffed, lifting his head to see Gin had come to defend him, leaving him with a broad and appreciative smile on his face. Benitaisho's shield provided a total wrap around the roof that kept it from deteriorating but it did nothing to hinder the flexible spread of that man's shikai.]
Hey! Great teamwork!
[Naoyuki called out, beaming with amazement, as if she knew precisely how to cover him from the start. Still, the only thing stopping Shimura had been Gin's second move. When the hound-like shadow lunged for him, he responded swiftly. Withdrawing the storm in a flash, he took one step forward. Shunko. The thrown wakizashi. The hounds. Weaving between them, he unsheathed his sword once more as he closed in on the space between Gin and Naoyuki. Bringing that blade down, he brought up the clouds a second time to separate the two of them and the man in the brightest robes came up from the street to land beside Naoyuki. Still covered in heaps of gum, the older man drew his sword with deadly speed.
The Tsunayashiro clan leader's sword was met with Benitaisho, Naoyuki exhaling sharply as he had to switch from one form of defense to another. The weight of that man's sword was too much for him head to head, though. When their blades met, Naoyuki was blown away and speared through the city sky, struggling to get his bearings as the world went in all directions... at least until he very suddenly came to land, crumpled in the woods just outside of Karakura. A whole clearing of trees left behind and his eyes seeing stars. The Tsunayashiro clan head looked aside to Shimura and commanded:]
Keep our revered Division Seven Captain busy. Resist the urge to kill her.
[In comparison, Tsunayashiro was cold and distant. His restrained expression carried on as he departed, spearing through Karakura like a bolt of lightning himself, to chase down the young man and kill him with his own blade.]
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Date: 2023-01-26 02:41 pm (UTC)inconsistent as this decision is with her previous words and wants, gin knows with stark clarity that she does not want to see a man who wears kisuke's voice, has his voice, and seems to share some of his memories, hurt.
rashomon returns to her, hounds back to blades as she tries to bypass shimura and follow tsunayashiro. she doesn't get far, her path blocked as blades crash. gin doesn't waste her breath trying to reason or ask politely. she has to defeat him to get past and that is what she'll do.
she only hopes naoyuki can keep up until then. rashomon is a blade of short range but once it pierces skin, it will find its mark. bones had be pierced cleanly or not; gin is going to make it hurt. not out of sadism but out of need; nothing deters like pain and death. and she's already making plans on how best to protect naoyuki when ichigo is not around.
another clash, she feels the storm threaten to swallow her and impede her vision.
please wait for me, i'm coming.
gin slashes, then sends rashomon forward giving up one of her blades so she can send a hound chasing in the direction naoyuki can be thrown. ]
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Date: 2023-01-27 04:23 am (UTC)At that same time, Shimura had been conjuring a denser and denser storm to entrap Gin completely. Once he saw she sent one of her blades to chase after Naoyuki and the other clan head, he scowled and closed the two of them off in that twisting vortex, leaving them isolated. Within that space, he fought with Gin, carrying on despite the deep wound she put in his arm. He was, after all, chasing her with his rage every moment he fought. The remaining nobles rushed to give chase only to be stopped by a woman with long black hair, wearing a cute, floral dress. One of Gin's old item. Ururu, looking no older than thirty, leveled her hand in the direction of the oncoming group.
Polite, she curtsied while standing on thin air.]
It's nice to meet you. I'm Urahara Ururu.
[One of the nobles interrupted, drawing her sword and swinging for Ururu as she bowed, only to see her arm twist back unnaturally. Ururu's hand had raised and she had done nothing more than give her a 'gentle' shove in response.]
Please. Cheap shots are part of my family's trademark. [Dusting her hands off, Ururu settled into a stance.] Now, please, all of you. Surrender or die.
[Naoyuki groaned, picking himself up from the ground. The sword he clashed with had been something else entirely. Something that shouldn't have rightfully existed. When Tsunayashiro landed beside him, he could see the sickeningly angry blade clutched in his hand and could feel its malice.]
Urahara. I'll take my time to cut you into pieces, so please... Raise your sword. It won't satisfy me until I kill you as a soul reaper would.
[Naoyuki fell on his side, seemingly having trouble just breathing. His zanpakuto, embedded in a tree, wouldn't come free when he went to pry it loose. Tsunyashiro scoffed, picking up the young man by the arm, looking on as his head slumped. Naoyuki took in a breath, deep and distorted, just as Tsunayashiro lifted that evil sword to plunge into his chest. When the young man raised his head to look him in the eyes, Tsunayashiro was met with black sclera. A white mask with a fox's smile.]
Got'cha.
[Naoyuki's mask split at that smile, a bright red cero bursting from his open mouth, engulfing Tsunayashiro and burying him into the dirt. Burned over most of his upper body, the old man looked up in surprise to see the fox's mask peering down at him.]
Hollowification!? As if you could have gone any madder!
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Date: 2023-01-28 01:08 am (UTC)using her blades to kill a fellow shinigami had been something gin hadn't had to do in twenty years. somehow, the fact kisuke's returning is causing all this is perfectly normal in the back of her mind. she's unhappy about it, but how many things has she not done for urahara kisuke before that have eaten away at her? not in anger but in sorrow.
at the periphery, she is certain she's spotted ururu and that's a relief. if she's noticed then it means others had to have as well. the urgency of rashomon reaching its target is less so now as gin doesn't think it's fast enough to catch up before a more severe blow is aimed at naoyuki's very delicate, very frail, very human skin. had urahara seen her at first and thought of that too? how breakable humans are in comparison to shinigami and hollows and everything else living and breathing under the same blue sky.
thankfully, ururu's arrival also means gin has one single opponent to focus on. the target of her anger and all she needs is one good blow. what would verlaine say? he'd probably ask her to curb that anger and wait for an opening but gin doesn't want to wait. she's no genius, she can't calculate the variables of this battle, of whatever else is going on outside the storm. there are guesses that can be made but those aren't good enough in this situation.
oh, her old mentors would be so disappointed. even dazai, though this is the sort of strategy he would've goaded pawns into using (gin included). rashomon whispered quietly as she lets go of the blade and the hound returns, reaching with dark, hungry jaws to tear at the storm as if it were solid cloth and not just air. she has no blade to parry the katana like this and so gin allows it to sink into her shoulder.
the pain is blinding for a moment or two, being stabbed is never pleasant. shimura's look of triumph falters when he sees gin is reaching to grab onto his hand to hold the hilt in place. there. now she's close enough. ]
Rashomon[ —from hound to blade again, she's within reach, the small slit over his throat, the artery wide open and dousing everything red. the storm goes and gin waits because she wants to make sure shimura is dead. ]
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Date: 2023-01-31 03:38 am (UTC)It would be rude to take away this opportunity for them to learn. A shame. I would have been able to let go of quite a lot of stress if I were allowed you all.
[Shimura had descended upon Gin with sheer force, coming to believe he could pin her at a complete disadvantage. Killing her before her power could be restored by an order would be the most practical move. It would give him a chance to assist Tsunayashiro. No matter what, he couldn't let him take Kisuke's head. Lost in thought, he chased down Gin with every intent to crush her so that she couldn't stand again. She was a Captain, after all. If he didn't obliterate her with force, then she could only stand back up.
When he came to drive his sword into her, he had been aiming for her throat. Rather than avoiding it, she re-directed him to drive it through her shoulder instead. Strong, ruthless fingers closed around his sword guard, keeping him locked in place. Before he could retreat and force the blade free? She accomplished what she set out to do. Shimura only had that one moment of frustration and shock left in his life before Gin activated Rashomon once more.]
This only buys you--
[Certainly, something she paid for and earned. He couldn't finish those words without his throat, after all, dead before he could even touch the pavement, his storms dissipating into whispers of wind while the ones in the street fought.]
[Tsunayashiro stood up, gritting his teeth through the pain that flared along his skin after being burned so thoroughly by Naoyuki's cero. He advanced and swung his blade with a roar of force. The young man put his body into parrying the blow, wincing. He was blown back, breathing hard from the pain as he splintered his way through a tree trunk. The entire thing collapsed, forcing him to dive to avoid being caught underneath it. Tsunayashiro was on him in an instant. Decoy after decoy, destroyed when Tsunayashiro unleashed Enryakoten's power. Fire. Ice. Lightning. Stone. Blades. The zanpakuto that could imitate all other zanpakuto was something deadly in the elder's hands and it took everything Naoyuki had to simply escape and slow the more experienced warrior down. Tsunayashiro advanced, unimpressed by the bag of tricks he was being shown, slicing the mask off Naoyuki's face in one stroke. In the second, he scored a blow on the young man that could be considered the last, cutting him from shoulder to hip with a master's precision. His sweatshirt burst open and with it, blood blossomed from him. For that moment, Tsunayashiro lowered his guard. He was certainly cut in two.
Naoyuki had run out of decoys. Gadgets. Tricks. Blood ran down his front freely and, in that moment of victory and elation, Tsunayashiro considered letting him fall to simply watch. In the middle of his swing, one of the black hounds of Rashomon had grabbed hold of his leg, tearing into the bone of his calf and slowing his assault but he could attest--his training guaranteed he would still finish the swing.]
How convenient.
[Tsunayashiro stirred, something in him seizing up when Naoyuki reached up and ran fingers through his hair. As if he hadn't been cut. Impossibly, he stood, the sickening slash in his shoulder knitting together through a fiery blue light that burned in the center of his chest. The light vanished soon after, his wound failing to heal any further. Even as bloodied as he'd been and so close to death again, Naoyuki smiled wide.]
'Enrakyoten'. I remember that file. It's so deadly that I couldn't possibly recover fully from that last swing but now that I have, I've recovered something important. Still, I'm even more grateful it was weakened somewhat by Captain Akutagawa's assist. Close one, right?
Truly. You really are a monster, Urahara Kisuke. Even so, you won't survive this a second time.
Sir! [Almost annoyed, Naoyuki made himself laugh and waved his sword reproachfully. His shoulder, still quite injured, wouldn't let him grip it with his other hand. Even as Tsunayashiro drew his sword once more, he still scolded his attacker.] I'd like you to keep that word out of your mouth but I won't have to worry about that for very long.
[Tsunayashiro came forward like a bullet, aiming to skewer Naoyuki's throat. He came to a halt, the tip of his family's sword stopped dead on the flat of Zangetsu. Ichigo, boiling with anger beneath the reiatsu-shrouding cloak he carried for those precise circumstances, loosed a cool breath and squared his shoulders.]
There's some things I don't tolerate. Kyoraku is just going to have to clean this one up.
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Date: 2023-02-04 08:26 pm (UTC)she waits, sure that shimura is very much dead before taking a step back. she's aware the other part of rashomon should be near naoyuki's vicinity if not already there. there is the urge to go chase the other conspirators and dispatch them all. (and where did she lose that touch of kindness she had? somewhere after her human death or much later after urahara's?). adrenaline though is doing a great job in keeping the wound at the back of her mind as she turns towards ururu and the teenagers that had come in.
gin doesn't care for the humans, surely naoyuki's friends? ichigo's brood and successors once he retires, yes? but she does smile at ururu, warm. ]It's nice to see you, Ururu-chan. Can you please make sure there are no more surprises around? [ she looks well and that dress is perfect on her. ]I'm going to find Kisuke. [ the slip of the name doesn't even cross gin's mind as she turns, heading off.
ichigo's reiatsu is cloaked so she can only sense tsunayashiro's and naoyuki's, more faint than before but present. gin tampers down on panic, on concern.
but apparently she need not worry because that is very much ichigo and she's--well, there is a reason why soul society owes him so much and why he's feared by many and respected by the rest. man, oh man, the captain commander is going to have such a mess to clean up here. ]
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Date: 2023-02-12 06:19 pm (UTC)It's good seeing you, Gin-san.
[Gin had already turned away when she made her mistake, prompting a more somber expression from Ururu. She shook it off, feeling guilty over her silence over the past few years, knowing she hadn't been brave enough to reach out to her to bring up Naoyuki. Hearing his name from her only deepened that guilt. Not that it lasted long.]
Urahara-san! One of them got past us and Oono went to help! Can we trust that Soul Reaper?! Naoyuki won't be able to take a guy like that by himself!
[One of the students in the group on the street called out. Their little trio had been a little beaten up but were otherwise fine, a few of Naoyuki's attackers laid out and bleeding from superficial injuries. Unlike the more seasoned warriors, they weren't as eager to take someone's life if they weren't a hollow. Ururu frowned deeply, watching Gin disappear over a rooftop before she could warn her. On the other hand, Oono would be a problem all by herself.]
[Ichigo and Tsunayashiro met swords, the two old men contrasting deeply. One, worn down and still dignified, met the other, brash-looking and quite healthy. For his age, Ichigo didn't show a hint of stillness in his hand. When he met blades with Tsunayashiro, he was more than ready to retaliate to each follow-up swing. Tsunayashiro, feeling he was being toyed with, began unleashing more of Enrakyoten's stored abilities. Various powers from the Captains of the Gotei 13 manifested, Rashomon included.
Naoyuki hadn't stuck around. Enrakyoten was terrifying but Zangetsu would require some geographical restructuring. That was going to be a busy weekend for him. Loosing a breath, he came to a halt in the street just below the mountain trails, tossing off his ripped hoodie. His tee was smudged with mud and blood, the long cut in his clothing showing bruised, burned skin. Even with automatic regeneration, he wasn't going to recover from an injury made by soul cutter that strong so easily. As it stood, he couldn't move more than two fingers on that hand
Just in time for the last of the nobles to arrive. This one looked pristine though he didn't carry the same imposing presence as Shimura or Tsunayashiro.]
This doesn't have to be a failure. I still have a chance...
[Naoyuki could feel Oono and Gin as they came close, though Rashomon was still quicker. The shadowy hound had trailed him even down the path, lunging forward and locking down on the last noble's shoulder to keep him from drawing his sword. He fell back, ripping the hound's shadow free before darting toward Naoyuki who drew his own. There was a scuffle and a moment's retaliation. Oono landed first, her sword half-drawn, expecting Naoyuki to be defenseless. She could intervene and give him time to escape at least, even if she'd be hurt. Always in his lab, he never followed along when they...
Rather, while she did draw her sword, she didn't take any further step. There was something unnervingly cold about the look in his eyes when he ended the last noble's life with a single stroke, flicking blood free from his blade once his enemy fell, perishing. His head was swimming with pain and exhaustion so much he couldn't see anyone but the dead man lying at his feet. He lifted his hand to touch his chest, right along the long string of bruises.]
Too easy. Do I really feel nothing about doing this?
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Date: 2023-02-16 01:58 am (UTC)torn skin stings, the muscle having taken the brunt of the blade but gin knows there are worse injuries than a clean stab. this is nothing in return for a life. a future threat to kisuke eliminated with the usual practicality that she's known for. as a captain, gin is frighteningly practical, and while earlier on she had been a tad harder, she's softened up in the sense that she has a kind word here and there. that she is not to be disobeyed but that she can be reasonable if the facts are presented.
however, she's also unapproachable, a 'distant beauty' as some of the new 7th squad recruits whisper when she's not around. she stops only briefly to inject and feels the instant relief, it'll hold until it is properly treated and he flexes her fingers.
what a mess. ] Fuck.[ not fast enough, she should be moving faster. once this is over she's going to find yoruichi-san and ask for further training. she has to be stronger this time, she can't allow anything to happen to him again.
once she feels the seal lift she can feel her hounds draw strength, a direct extension of her: mad, hungry, loyal.
there's no hiding the utter relief when she spots a dead body that is not naoyuki's and the one hand nearby comes back around to circle its mistress, curling around the shadows of her captain's white haori, like a shadow. a command given with a twitch of her hand and one of the hounds is now turning to stare at oono while the second slips into the shadows, just to be sure.
gin doesn't know what to call him, so instead she treads lightly but there is no mistaking the brisk pace, the way she cuts the distance between them as quickly as possible while trying to hide the concern.
fuck it, if he doesn't care about taking a life it's unimportant. gin doesn't care, he's still breathing.]
They were trying to kill you.
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Date: 2023-02-19 02:39 am (UTC)Already, despite how he could barely move one hand, he was thinking about the next battle as if it would break out in the next few moments.
Oono had already come to him, looking to check his face but something made her stop and come to slide. Naoyuki, hand still clutching his sword, looked pensive. Focused. Gin touching down had caught his eye in the middle of his thoughts and he recognized her. There had been a moment in which he noticed her seal had been removed. It changed the frequency of her spirit once the floodgates were loosed and kept him vaguely aware that there could still be danger if even she were on still on her guard.
Gin would see something familiar in him. Careful, active observation. For only just a moment, he was reading her. Once he understood it had all ended, he smiled wide but it was something a little hollow. As if he still hadn't quite left the fight. Oono was already beside him, checking him carefully. She was closer to their strong arm than a medic but she insisted on trying to look over and decide how to handle his bruises. She had stirred earlier when Gin arrived but caved and went after him the moment that strange feeling cleared. She had seen Gin fighting earlier.
Trying to kill him? Of course. ]
That would be a reasonable assumption. That, or they were the strongest muggers I've ever come by.
[Said cheerily even despite the pain and despite how he hadn't put away his sword.]
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Date: 2023-02-21 01:51 am (UTC)the hollowness of that smile though...] I told you this would happen, Sato-san. [ there was no way gin would permit herself too much familiarity in an open space like this. a quick glance in oono's direction again, and she feels unreasonably annoyed. ] Do you even know what you're doing? The wounds aren't as superficial as he's trying to make them appear.
[ she's not fourth but she knows those bruises go deeper, those cuts sting more and that tomorrow he's going to be hurting and ought to stay in bed. will he? if he's kisuke, then certainly not. ]
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Date: 2023-02-22 02:58 am (UTC)Oono raised her head, wheeling on Gin only halfway. Her hands were bathed in green light, her healing kido flaring to a massive extent. It was something powerful and well-controlled and still, the bruising was hardly going away. Oono looked a solemn mix of panicked and furious over something he couldn't quite see. Deciding to move beyond it, Naoyuki lifted his broken hand a bit shakily, offering them both a smile when she interjected.]
I know what I'm doing! His injury, it's too--!
Please go easy on Oono-san, Captain Akutagawa. Her healing kido is really up to par but I was dealing with a cursed soul cutter.
[Oono stilled at the words, not understanding the implication fully but the word 'cursed' contained something obviously troubling. Combined with his damaged state and the fact that he was carrying his own soul cutter, she was worn down with all her questions.
He was sure to make neither of them any happier with his words--especially not the next few. As if his injury simply didn't matter to him. As if he were completely pleased with the whole outcome except for one wrinkle.]
I think I lucked out! I got so much valuable information, today but... I'm sorry it came with you being hurt, Captain.
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Date: 2023-02-24 04:52 am (UTC)rashomon, now satisfied that there is nothing to fear in the vicinity dispells, gin's sword returning to her hand before she sheathes it away. ] Why are you running around with a cursed-
[ but then he has to say that and she's speechless that he can be so flippant about everything he's doing. this man is an idiot, just like kisuke was.
gin looks murderous despite the fact she's not frowning nor yelling, the trademark akutagawa glare that spelt violence, if looks could kill, there would be a significant body count behind. ] It's nothing, unlike your own injuries, Sato-san.
[ however, how to deal with this? if she accepts that he is kisuke's reincarnation what does that mean? aside from his old enemies, what else did he inherit? gin can't help but feel apprehensive about his well-being, his happiness, the fact that his life could be cut short through no fault of his own.
because if she accepts that he is kisuke's reincarnation, and she has mostly done so, then it also means he's not exactly the same person and shouldn't be burdened with the weight carried by his predecessor. gin doesn't want him to suffer anymore than she wanted kisuke to suffer.
and though the familiarity is plain to see now that she's spent more time observing him, there is enough of a difference from the wary, worn-down man she knew compared to this man who is recklessly confident in a charming way. who isn't scarred in the way kisuke was.
gin glances at oono.
besides, he's human mostly, correct? ] Either way, if your companion's skills are not sufficient, I can ask someone from Four to help.
[ it is also that moment that akutagawa gin decides that she's not getting involved with this person. she will help and protect him, but that's it, and that decision being made causes something in her to relax; if she won't get involved then it won't hurt. he can't leave her again.
and then it is much easier to help prevent whatever disaster he's clearly heading towards. ] As for cursed objects, we need to contact Twelve.
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