Inheritance -closed-

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Jan 29, 2014 23:35:14 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Jan 29, 2014 23:35:14 GMT -5

The state of my home had become appalling. Souls of the alleged highest caliber were falling left and right. Our entire world had been plunged into a state of total disarray what with the recent downfall and disappearances of several top tier positions. Squads three, four, seven, eight, and twelve were without commanders; squads three, seven, eight, and nine were without lieutenants.

Was this how it was supposed to be?

An invasion led by the scum of the White Sands left the Nana’s, Hachi’s, and Ju’s commanding positions void, though one Seiryuu would escape with his life. Just how long would it take the captain to return to the line of duty, if at all? And what of the two captains and lieutenants that had gone missing?! Not a single meeting was called to inform the squads what had become of them, nor even when they had gone MIA. No one talked about it. No one seemed to know. I knew; I knew because of Ashton. The red-headed fukutaicho – my friend – had suddenly vanished from my sight.

To believe the words of those 46 wretches would be suicide. Any word passed along from that group of spineless monkeys would simply flow through my ears like a breeze over a hill. And what of the Captain Commander; praised goddess and leader of our forces. PFFT. The damned “queen” of our spirit army hadn’t bothered to join alongside the battle that crippled two captains. Had our famed war god entered the fray things would surely be much different.

Whatever~

All I could do was get stronger. I had to since our enemy was obviously so much more powerful than we had thought. We were fighting a battle on two fronts: aggression escalated with the masked trash alongside the looming threat of the archers lurking in the shadows. We were fighting two enemies and we were losing miserably. Albeit the struggles my race faced, I’d ascend. I’d have to if it meant the preserving my beloved Seireitei.

Without a doubt alone and followed by none, I traversed the battered lands of Northern Rukons higher districts. Donning my shihakusho along with favored fedora, Sabishihime rested in the warmth of my obi. I put my full faith in the sword as I casually strolled my way through the darkness. Tiny eyes stared out at my figure from the shadows – the residents of this shattered district. The 70th or rather…my true home. I knew and cared not if they knew my identity; the presence of my reiatsu was surely more than enough to keep the lower life forms at bay.

Time seemed to stretch as I trekked on through the desolate area. Huts on either side of the road became less frequent and eventually the path opened up to fields of grass. It looked like a spec on the horizon, alone. The figure was so foreign to my eyes, but all the while it was a place I knew with every inch of my soul. It was my first home, the first of many stops on my train to power. The site of my birth, my father’s death, and the place where I’d witnessed countless battles…countless deaths, and my lone reason for coming to such a place was knowledge.

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Jan 29, 2014 23:35:44 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Jan 29, 2014 23:35:44 GMT -5

Everything looked just as it had back in those days. Kiyohara Kuzashi owned nothing worth stealing; all of his belongings having been buried with his corpse the day Kariya dealt the finishing swipe. Nothing remained in the room save for a lone cross on the wall opposite the door, the only thing I needed to see.

Uprooted planks of wood and fallen boards from the roof were all that lay in my immediate path of the shed. Memories hailed through my optics, my figure crossing the wreckage of the dingy room. We’d slept together on the hard floor; my father had managed to construct a makeshift wooden floor out of masses of wood he’d scoured the land for. Warmth only came from each other, fires only very rarely, food…always scraps. From birth – no, even before birth it was like a constant darkness towered over my parents, keeping them from any true happiness.

My eyes were dark mirrors, reflecting the battered symbol of faith that hung on the wall. Old, caked with the dust of a century, and cracked down its ebony center, the cross was the key to my strength. I grabbed for it with my left, turning it clockwise 180 degrees, then counter clockwise 180 until it was back to its original position.

CLICK!

A faint click sounded from just behind the cross and slowly it sunk in, pushing all the way into the wood with a swish. Never really one to get agitated, I found myself counting the seconds that passed by, wishing with every ounce of my afterlife that the passage to my power hadn’t been found out. Without warning the entire room shook with fury. The entire hut was composed of old wood and makeshift metal, so how was it standing tall to such a beast as this violent quake? Easily was how, because my Kiyohara Kuzashi was a genius.

Withered planks of dried wood crumpled below my feet, every inch of the entire floor opening to devour my soul. Plunging through the darkness that had become the ground, I allowed my body to free fall through the depths of the pitch abyss. Kiyohara Kuzashi…had he been reborn yet? Gray orbs shut momentarily as I shot through the dark tunnel like a bullet. How far the pit below my old home stretched was beyond me – what baffled me even more was how my father managed to construct such a thing.

I’d allow my eyes to reopen just as my body gently floated to the ground, touching down on soft earth. Mangled boards of wood and debris lay in scraps all about the shadowy dirt, though I could hardly see a thing. Out of pure instinct I urged forward, a torrent of cold wind inviting me into the darkness. How in the hell did that man manage to create such an underground hideout, and if he didn’t then how did he stumble upon it? Such a mystery he was, but thankfully he left behind a message before he passed from this plane of existence.

”When you seek my strength, look to the place without stars”

He instilled the directions in my head as a child: clockwise one-eighty, then back, but I never knew just what the fuck they were for. Centuries seemed to pass as I marched, the pitch black tunnel closing tighter as I continued, but tiny holes above allowed damp moonlight to filter in. Half an hour passed before I came to what I believed to be my destination, the grave of my inheritance.

Last Edit: Jan 29, 2014 23:36:36 GMT -5 by Inagaki Yūsuke

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Jan 30, 2014 0:26:44 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Jan 30, 2014 0:26:44 GMT -5

Though bits of moonlight littered the dark cavern, the shadows were still too thick to see through. A white digit rose, pale blue light emanating from its tip. My skill in the demon arts was laughable for one of my rank simply because I sought the path of the sword, but erecting light was a simple task. I traced my finger along a hard surface just before my frame, cool to the touch, smooth as well like cold stone. In the blink of an eye the entire room combusted into light, two miniscule candles blazing to life in what were the eyes of an immense serpentine figure.

Light died away from my tip and I scanned the massive statue with mild awe. Had he made this too or simply found it? Faint traces of reishi imprints could be felt from around the cave, coming to light as if they’d been in hiding for centuries.

I can hear them. Her echo – so serene, so beautiful, so filled with sadness. Come to me.

Sabishihime gave no warning, she never did; when she wanted company she TOOK it. She threw me from consciousness, the selfish bitch. Some found it laughable though that within my soul was a little princess.

Thousands of years of weight crushed my spirit, keeping my figure pinned to the ground. It was as if a gigantic boulder had been dropped on the entirety of my body, my breaths coming out ragged and frail. Eyelids were sewn shut by the strongest of threads, my attempts unyielding no matter how hard I tried, but then her voice drifted through my ears once more.

Rise, you look pitiful.

And just like that my burdens were freed. Gray pools shot open to see the endless abyss of blackness that stretched in every direction.

There's not been a single time I've come to this world that you've been able to restrain my movements. The fuck do you want? I spat venom, there was business to attend to.

I've company.

No shit she had company, I was here. When my eyes had fully opened I’d rise to confront my inner spirit who’s loneliness was always evident in the way she acted.

I’m here, of course you have company.

Look closer fool.

What was there to see in this endless darkness that was MY inner world. Pressing harder, I attempted to gaze past the beautiful bitch of a princess that talked down on me. Wisps? There were faint forms separated in the shadows, grayed and blurred whenever my optics tried to focus. Such an odd sight indeed; unable to be directly looked at, but seemingly holding form in my peripheral.

What are those? Are you not my power, you’re supposed to be the only thing in this world.

Sabishihime turned away from me, her creamy gown fluttering minutely with a brief wind. It’s this place. It feels like dozens of souls have died here, leaving their spiritual remains everywhere. I’ve allowed them to come here to teach you something…

She didn’t turn back around after she’d finished talking, but by the way she trailed off at the end of her sentence there was something she wasn’t telling me. What was the wench leaving out. Sandaled feet began to step toward Sabishihime but before I could reach her slim form a huge blast of wind knocked me to the ground. As I lay, her form scattered to dust and before my vision faded I could swear there were three sets of sandaled feet lying before me.

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Jan 30, 2014 1:40:15 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Jan 30, 2014 1:40:15 GMT -5

Why was it that she felt the need to keep taking my damn vision? When I managed to wake again the room around me was not that of my inner world but one I’d never seen. I stood dead center of an enormous field of green. Beautiful flowers spread out as far as the eye could see, colors of plenty dazzling my optics.

Scents of many tricked my nostrils, willing me to stay forever. It was so tranquil, a sight of pure awe. I gazed up at the endless blue; not a single cloud blocked the wondrous rays of sunlight. Warmth filled my limbs, rejuvenating the strain Sabishihime had laid upon my muscles. I began to relax.

YOU!

Cast from my absolute bliss, my body instinctively whipped around, loosing my blade from its hilt as I did so. Seven men garbed in elegant samurai armor stood semi-circle in front of me, my eyes widening in horror as soon as I saw their faces. Dead center of the group was the only familiar face the Ryuugamine. Kiyohara Kuzashi.

For a brief second…I nearly faltered. Saliva slid down the back of my throat as I gulped what little emotion I felt away. Whatever it was I felt in that split second was gone, replaced with mild curiosity for what I was witnessing. Who were these other figures, these samurai who didn’t don the attire of a Shinigami. Kuzashi stepped forward, drawing his blade as he closed the space between us to ten feet. So this was what he was here for.

FEEL MY POWER INTRUDER!

Had he not recognized me? When he darted forth in attack I began to retreat backwards, parrying his initial slash. Intruder? Last time I checked this was my own inner world…but then again Sabishihime’s presence was felt nowhere. Grasped between my white palms was the sword I called Sabishihime, but nothing more. She’d abandoned me, or so it seemed.

Although I tried to keep space from the attacker he pressed on, his speed clearly leagues above my own. Stepping forth, I’d switch to a one handed grip, slashing my blade horizontally; if he attempted to parry my sword it’d disappear, reappearing as I’d slash vertically, though the speed of which wouldn’t allow him time for defense. He pounced directly into my game, my sword slicing directly through his person from the top down, but instead of blood or even a cleave, shadows spewed from the opened body and his entire form dissipated.

Before I even realized I’d been fooled he was upon me, this time from above. Cold steal met pale skin as his blade sliced through the right shoulder of my shihakusho. Had I not flash stepped to the left several feet it would have been my head. Blood stained the fabric around the shoulder, but I could feel nothing wet where I touched the wound. Kuzashi flicked blood from his blade, his eyes blazing with a fury seen only by those who’ve met with Satan himself.

I was ill-prepared to fight this beast of a man: a man who had slain countless before my eyes. For a moment I felt like a child once again, ready to drop to a knee, abandoning my sword, but suddenly he’d charge. Slash after slash the man delivered at my frame, every strike backed with a demonic aura that sought to truly kill me. In truth I’d never known fear in battle – never faced an enemy that outclassed me so very much – but inside I could feel my very bones quaking. Every slash was parried, but I could feel my limbs growing numb. Kuzashi gave off no spiritual presence, nor did any of the other men who he arrived with, but some unseen force backed the warrior’s essence, sending chills to my very core.

Could I die here?

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Jan 30, 2014 3:09:35 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Jan 30, 2014 3:09:35 GMT -5

Death was knocking at my door, but I didn’t feeling answering just yet. There was too much left undone in the Seireitei, Sojiro’s plans had to come to fruition. Killing intent was the death dealers only friend and yet I never felt as if my spiritual power was so insignificant. Biting down the dread that swelled in my gullet, I sped to the side, hoping to draw him away and just like I planned he darted in a direct line to cut me off. Midway through my dash I flash stepped to intercept Kuzashi, thrusting out my blade as if to impale, the man’s ribs.

Sparks flew with rage as he knocked my blade from its course, slashing out across my torso the moment my blades point faced the sky. Just as his blade would’ve found flesh once again I arched my body back, narrowly avoiding his swipe. Another shunpo would put me just out of Kuzashi’s reach, and again he followed. It was as if I was prey and he the hunter, unable to allow me to escape.

Breaths came out in loud clouds, mouth as dry as a desert. His skill with a sword far outclassed my own, his speed even more so, but there was something I was missing. Something I held within myself was superior to the warrior I called my father, it’d allow me to take him down, I just had to find it. On the defensive, I shielded myself from each slash that came my way. Every movement of his sword was perfect, no movements wasted. I could do nothing but continue to block and back away from my attacker, his seemingly endless onslaught of attacks really starting to wear me down.

Just be faster than him the voice called in my head.

Gray eyes widened in alarm as my body moved before I could think. I slashed at the man instead of defending, why I have no clue. It was as if that feeling in my gut was beginning to erupt outwards, forcing my body to move in a way that was almost foreign to me. For a moment the very air was fearful of my blade, moving out of its path as I parried his strike away. He immediately darted to retrieve the blade, but something urged me on with a swiftness I’d never known. My next movement was faster than even my flash step, disappearing in a split second only to reappear just in front of Kuzashi, my blade pointed at the samurai’s throat. Stopping abruptly in his defeat, Kuzashi simply stood tall, his wily jet hair dancing with a breeze.

How did I get faster? What happened? I questioned no one in particular.

Expecting no one to answer me, I was surprised at the voice that spouted from the sky. You did no such thing Kosuke. You merely slowed him down.

With what force could I have possibly slowed down the demon man I called father? Sabishihime was the one who answered my blank question, but she was nowhere to be found. Kuzashi evaporated in a flurry of shadowy wisps, retaking his spot in the center of his band. For the first time since Kuzashi attacked, I peeped a glance at my raised blade, nothing was out of the ordinary save for the hilt having become darker and sprouting bells. Now that I had finally taken a decent look at the blade I'd also come to notice it was about a foot shorter. This was shikai, but how the fuck did I draw it forth without calling for it?

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Jan 30, 2014 4:07:51 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Jan 30, 2014 4:07:51 GMT -5

Dull navy light gathered on my blade as it fell from my grasp. Billows of smoke rose from the earth the moment Sabishihime touched the soft flowers of the meadow, obstructing my sight. When the smoke had finally cleared there, standing in her beautiful glory among the flowers was the very zanpaktou I had thought abandoned me mid-battle. Why did she leave my side in the first place?

As if she read my thoughts, Sabishihime opened her mouth, time coming to a stop as the wind stopped blowing its breath through the flowers. Even the samurai in the background completely froze, though none of them really moved before.

Why'd you abandon me?

Time stayed still. All shinigami were masters of their zanpaktou and inner world, but with Sabishihime I never felt this to be more false. For years I’d tried my hand at meditation, at letting myself into the inner world, but never to any avail. It wasn’t until the lonely princess dragged me into the world at her own will was I able to enter. Entering the world on her terms wasn’t even the worst part; the girl had total control of EVERYTHING in the world, including myself. Master of my shikai? Hell no. I couldn’t even tame a bitchy princess.

You're good at wielding me, not gonna lie on that one, but you don't know fear. You've used my power countless times over to get the upper-hand but you've never truly fought an enemy without hindering them first.

And you came out because…

Two reasons! She raised both index fingers to me, a dry expression plastered to her face. You've been cocky lately, you needed to see that with your current skill you cannot win without me. And second, I wanted to show him to you, I think it is why there were so many traces of reishi in that cave. Let me show you…

Kiyohara Kuzashi, father, husband, and lone slayer of hundreds. The melancholy princess rose a digit to my face, tapping my noggin. Before I could even utter a word, images began to speed through my psyche like a hurricane. A torrent of pictures, my mind whirled with memories, but these memories weren’t mine, they belonged to my father. I saw everything; I finally learned who he was.

Kuzashi had been born and raised in the Junrinan district. He lived a rather humble life, going on to become a great Shinigami and Captain of the Hachibantai. When the pact was forced upon the quincy, Kuzashi wished for the race to simply be wiped away, but instead they were allowed to live. Seeing the captain commander as weak, Kuzashi left the squads, six other Shinigami following behind him. The Seven Swords of Death as they were called, were Kuzashi’s troupe of soldiers. These Shinigami scoured the districts, eradicating filth in the places the Shinigami would never travel.

In these travels the band came upon a tribe of female nature spirits. These spirits were all beautiful, but Kuzashi fell madly in love with the princess of the tribe; Anthousai. Unfortunately for the former captain, these spirits were unable to take husbands and so the two fled to another plane where they could live happily together. Not long after Kuzashi left with Anthousai would the two come to realize her tribe of nature spirits never left their kingdom because a sickness would take the life of those who set foot outside their grounds.

Before giving birth to me it became apparent that Anthousai would die, so in an attempt to save the life of his beloved, Kuzashi returned to the Seireitei seeking help. Because he had abandoned his post as captain, the captain commander turned the man away and forbid him to ever set foot in the Seireitei. Anthousai’s health continued to deteriorate to the point where she could travel no longer so the two took refuge in the 70th district of Northern Rukongai. Had they managed to pass the remaining districts Kuzashi would have been able to return his ill wife to her kingdom. During birth, I pilfered a massive amount of her reiatsu, worsening her condition even more so…I guess that would explain the high amount of spiritual power I owned as a child. Not much time would pass before Anthousai had passed and later my father fallen to the blade of Kariya.

As I blinked the rush of memories from my eyes, the view of the meadow returned to me, Sabishihime’s solemn azure orbs gazing intently into my own.

She looked exactly like my mother...

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Jan 30, 2014 4:48:59 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Jan 30, 2014 4:48:59 GMT -5

How was it even remotely possible that the very thing I called my zanpaktou spirit looked exactly like my mother? My mind reeled! Fedora tumbled from atop my head – my pale fingers clawing at my skull while I racked my brain for answers. Was my zanpaktou spirit my mother?

Settle down young warrior, I am not what you think...but in some ways I am.

I had fallen to my knees, my face staring down at the crumpled flowers which spread out beneath me. Sabishihime – no, Anthousai, took to the ground with me, cupping my face in her perfect creamy hands. Once again time slowed, but this time a sense of relaxation swept throughout my body. I knew this feeling damn well, it was one of the abilities available to me in shikai, though this felt different. It was if my very soul was being relaxed as opposed to my muscles.

It was the touch of a mother.

Your mother’s tribe never took husbands because the princess of the tribe can break off parts of her soul to form an entirely separate spirit. Each spirit in that kingdom was created from your mother’s very own soul. You were the first to have ever been naturally born to one of these nature spirits. I gazed into her blue pools, crystals of cold that filled my spirit with a bit of happiness. Instead of using a small bit of her soul to make a new spirit, you stole most of princess Anthousai’s spiritual essence. Because of this -

You are the spirit that dwells within me…a chunk of my mother’s soul. Do I call you Anthousai?

Sabishihime gave her head a slight shake, my body still filled with warmth albeit the fact her face was eternally aloof.

I am Sabishihime the Lonely princess, because I live alone in the abyss that is my kingdom. Your mother was the first and only princess and so I am alone, without another of my race. I am an entirely separate being from Anthousai; had I not been passed into you I’d have become a nature spirit just the same as those who thrived in your mother’s kingdom.

We both rose from the trampled flowers at the same time and for the first time I noticed the gigantic kingdom of gold that resided just on the other side of the field. Had that been in the distance the entire time? A brisk wind kicked up, returning time to its motion. Plucking my hat from the ground I rose to find Sabishihime had returned the sword to my sash, though she herself stood by my side. I had traced my roots, but in retrieving my father’s memories and learning the true identity behind Sabishihime, I hadn’t accomplished what I had come to the underground shrine for. Power.

I now had a greater understanding of my zanpaktou, but I’d have to find a way to use it in order to find my goal.

I’d come here for my bankai.

Last Edit: Jan 30, 2014 4:56:07 GMT -5 by Inagaki Yūsuke

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Jan 30, 2014 13:39:30 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Jan 30, 2014 13:39:30 GMT -5

Voice direct, will unwavering, I’d make my intentions clear to my zanpaktou’s princess before she had any further say so in the matter. Whenever I lusted for power or needed her assistance it was such, always on her time and never mine. Learning her name in the first place had been a huge bitch, taking nearly my entire waking life; not even unveiling the secrets of my shikai until sometime into my occupancy of the fukutaicho position.

Sabishihime -

I know what you seek, you must start by facing each of them without my aid.

With the point of her finger I looked back to my father’s band of rogues. From the sheer power Kuzashi held in his sword it wasn’t hard to figure the other warriors held near the same power or damn there close to it. Immediately my mind was plagued by one simple face; if I hadn’t managed to win the fight against my father without Sabishishihime intervening then how would I be able to best all seven of demon swords.

Pink lips parted to protest the princess’s orders but before a single word was uttered she scattered to the wind once more. Time remained in its frozen state as I knocked my head to and fro about the meadow. Turning my attention back to the seven I’d be stunned to realize one of the warriors was missing! A pale hand shot to my swords hilt as I readied myself for attack but just as I grasped my hilt would an icy touch clutch my hand, stopping me from unsheathing.

The only sword you'll need for this fight is the sword of your mind.

The gentle smile that greeted me when I turned my shoulder threw me off just a tad though I wouldn’t show it. Deep down I was itching for a rematch with Kuzashi but it appeared as if I’d have to wait. Swerving around to face the rogue, I couldn’t help but feel a ting of awkwardness seeing as he had yet to remove his hand from my shoulder.

I simply blinked.

Gray pools opened agape in astonishment at the vast change of scenery. Where bountiful flowers had once roamed, snow-capped mountains shot from the earth. Raging snow blasted the icy tops of the mountains, a blizzard whipping the earth from the sky. My name is simply Tatsu and I will be your guide a faint whisper sounded in my head. I pierced through the dense blizzard that beat at my body but I could see no one. Snow began to soak my sandals, but strangely they didn’t feel cold…actually not a single drop of white that fell upon my person felt cold. What was happening?

Let’s sharpen your mind’s eye. Catch me. And with that I was flung to the ground.

Freezing clumps of snow filled my mouth and shihakusho, a mass of ice flying into the air and falling down all around me. Bouncing to my feet I reached out through the frosty air but there was no one; it was as if the man was the blizzard itself.

How could one catch snow in a blizzard

As soon as I threw my hand out to grab at another wisp of air, a shove from behind tossed me forward, then another back. Another push came from my left, then my right, and in seconds I was being knocked around on the top of the mountain. Anger swelled in my eyes, blood surging between my ears. Every time I was shoved another shove would come from another direction, after the first bout of shoves they became random. There was no way of knowing where the next push came from, hell, I even felt a hand swipe my forehead.

Last Edit: Jan 31, 2014 19:58:10 GMT -5 by Inagaki Yūsuke

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Jan 31, 2014 21:38:33 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Jan 31, 2014 21:38:33 GMT -5

PAT PAT PAT PAT!!!!

A shower of blows rained down upon my body; no longer pushing me around, Tetsu had begun to attack. Flurries of strikes pummeled my body from every direction. Fist after fist connected with my face, a medley of kicks finding their mark all along my torso and back. Simply covering my face was all I could do to stand against the savage assault of the snow beast. Ghosts weren’t supposed to be able to inflict such crippling damage were they? None of the seven warriors had originally been a part of my soul so how was this hakuda demon able to torment me so horribly.

How could one see what had no form?

Fearsome winds tore at the caps of the snowy mountain as my figure bathed in a brilliant cascade of blows. Every inch of my being hurt but nothing felt cold…at all. Strange how at the top of a frosted blizzard the only sensation I felt was pain rather than cold. What was it he said earlier…right when he began to pummel me with punches…

Let’s sharpen your mind’s eye~

This entire time I had been straining my vision ever so much without taking into account the words of the spirit. Unfortunately my sense of abilities in the field of spiritual sensory was near shit. More fists, more feet, more hurt, more pain…I COULDN’T TAKE IT. It was near impossible to form thoughts in the maelstrom that was an invisible spirits fists.

Power coursed through my legs as I sprung from the ground, spreading my spiritual presence over the mountaintop. Kariya managed to instill the essentials of keeping a clear mind and yet irritation swelled in the depths of my person. All there was to do was focus, but it was damn there impossible with the tremendous amount of attacks that came my way.

Your princess commands you…focus Kosuke.

Mind’s eye…that’s what he said. I’d allow my vision to narrow forcing each of my senses as exhausted gray eyes came to a close. Tetsu didn’t relent in his resolve, keeping on the hail of his full bodied arsenal, but as my eyes shut a strong sense of realization lanced through my thoughts. He wasn’t hitting me as much as I thought he was, in fact most of the blows that landed felt like bursts of wind.

Snow was cold, but I felt warm; and some of the attacks had simply been the wind.

Focus. Shadows. Snow. Blackness was the only thing I could see in any direction, but I was amazed to see just how much more I could hear: two heartbeats – his and my own – his breaths... HIS MOVEMENTS. I could hear them, but just barely in the blistering wind. Each of his steps became clear in my head, but I couldn’t see any punches. Attacks continued to hammer away at my shape, but I stood tall against Tetsu. The invisible man did his best to hide his presence, but he couldn’t hide the subtle sound of each of his flash steps. At this point the bruises had begun to set in, far less than I thought, and Tetsu slowly came closer to meeting his end. My senses had been trained by one of the best in the Seireitei though how I momentarily forgot the training I’d undergone was beyond me.

It was time.

I could see him clearly, elegant emerald robe and all as he flew circles in the snow. Another strike came speeding for my pearly whites, but this one wouldn’t find its target for Tetsu had been found out. A pale hand shot up in immediate reaction, triumph radiating from my body as the fist of my punisher lay clutched between my digits.

Last Edit: Jan 31, 2014 21:39:59 GMT -5 by Inagaki Yūsuke

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Feb 1, 2014 15:50:41 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Feb 1, 2014 15:50:41 GMT -5

Well done Kosuke-san.

Brilliant sheets of white exploded from existence like a child popping a white balloon. All at once the monster blizzard had screeched to a sudden halt, the true monster behind it all clearly visible in my line of sight. As fast and clever as his abilities were, Tetsu came up quite short when he failed to muffle his footsteps – without that it would have been nigh impossible to track the snow demon. Letting go of the skeleton white fist in my hands, I retreated back a step, eyes never once leaving from the rogue spirits visage.

What I witnessed next was truly odd, an occurrence of which I wasn’t braced for at all. Like a statue of sand, the man standing before me swiftly began to scatter into a swarm of dust, each particle being absorbed into my sheathed Sabishihime. When Tetsu was no more, I blinked my eyes to an entirely different landscape; the mountains and snowy caps having receded the moment my vision wavered.

Greenery surrounded me as far as the eye could see; armies of trees and plant life all gathered around my figure. Trees climbed to the gates of heaven themselves, my keen sight unworthy of scratching at their tops. Dead center in the middle of this astounding jungle, my jet shihakusho stuck out like a sore thumb, though I was skeptical as to what my next challenge would be.

YOU'RE IT!!! a shrieking cry shot my ears.

I whipped around in the direction of the sound, but just as I craned my head to the sky would a slap on the back knock me to the ground. At my core it was seriously starting to piss me off JUST HOW MUCH SPIRITS LOVED TO FUCK WITH ME. As soon as my hands touched the ground, a quick somersault would take me to my feet, just barely picking up the shape of something dashing into the dense treeline.

My need for speed was high as I jumped into hot pursuit of the bastard, body flying through the fauna to catch my assailant. I leapt over trees, bounding from trunk to trunk, allowing the fleetness of my feet to carry me through the air. Exotic smells wafted through my nostrils from the odd plants and fruit that filled the wild jungle. It wasn’t long before the figure crossed my line of sight and as soon as it did I picked up the pace, a great burst of a flash step springing me forth to near my target. From what I could tell it was a small blonde haired boy, a blur of blue which must’ve been his garbs.

He landed on the ground like a feather, his head barely turned to show the edges of a sly smile. Had I not have had the proper training from Kariya that would’ve pumped anger through my veins. Touching the ground just after the kid, I was beginning to grow tired of this game of cat and mouse. One massive flash step placed me perfectly in the runners’ trajectory, his small body with a tree as he tumbled to the ground. I reached out a hand to snatch the little blonde haired runt up, but the moment I stretched a digit I’d immediately notice movement in the corner of my sight.

BOOM! CRASH! BOOM! BOOM!

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Feb 1, 2014 16:26:05 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Feb 1, 2014 16:26:05 GMT -5

I was quick enough to retreat a distance, flash step taking me to a low hanging branch on a nearby tree. A mushroom of dust had erupted from the ground, but through the dense cloud I could point out four shapes standing where I had stood around the base of the trunk. I placed my left upon my tree’s trunk, focusing my eyes on the explosion that would have been my body.

You won't touch him one voice called from cloud. The voice was brief, full of spice.

But you must touch him in order to succeed. This voice was far less filled with emotion than the first, dry to the bone.

Splendid, a game of tag! You're it so all ya gotta do to proceed to Kuzashi is touch the boy!

So this was my task? A game of tag, but with a twist…simple enough. When the cloud dispersed, the four shadows were gone, leaving only the boy standing in front of the tree. We are the hunters and we shall be your guides! After uttering those words, the blonde haired boy darted away, but I wouldn’t hesitate as I rocketed from the tree in chase.

Passion gave my legs the will to run, doing well to keep just behind the boy. I was easily faster than the damn kid, but for some reason I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Thoughts flew before my eyes at the statements that had been provided to me, though nothing seemed off in terms of wording. I kept on, easily closing the distance to ten feet. With a massive leap I’d be on top of the child, the game would be won almost as soon as it had started, so I lunged. Mid-lunge it finally occurred to me that the four shapes had vanished as soon as they had come, but in Tetsu’s test he had been the only spirit present. My mission was to face each of my father’s men, but I suddenly came to the realization that Sasbishihime never said I’d face them one at a time.

A flicker~

Movement again in the corner of my eyes averted focus from my prey. Sabishihime was drawn in an instant as metal met metal in a dance of sparks. Hair as white as paper, body clad in red, the man had caught me by surprise but luckily I’d notice him at the last moment. Shrubs shifted behind as another body sprung out to join the fray, a blade in his hands as well.

A swipe of my blade would send the warrior out of my reach, spinning on my heel to parry the blade of a dark haired man garbed in black. I delivered a series of slashes to the shadow warrior, each strike blocked, but on my final slash he’d leap back into the shroud of the jungle. Not forgetting the red warrior, my head spun for combat, but he too was gone.

Tag with a twist!

I didn’t sheathe my Sabishihime, to do so would be ignorant as it looked like the shadows from before were gunning for me in this match of tag. They’d protect the boy with their blades, doing their best to bar me from winning the game. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t let these long gone fucks keep me from power, so I sped off in the direction the child had gone.

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Feb 2, 2014 1:00:00 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Feb 2, 2014 1:00:00 GMT -5

Chasing after the runt had become quite the tedious task; these “hunters” definitely didn’t make it an easy game. Whenever I’d come within ten feet of the blonde sprinter a few of them would materialize from the dense wood and sneak attack. Though my sword skill far surpassed theirs the hunters made up for lack of power with numbers. The damn ambushers only ever stayed long enough to provide the little blonde rat time to widen the distance.

These distractions were beginning to become the bane of my existence as I thundered over the thick underbrush. Dirty green earth stretched beneath my toes as I had given up on running, opting instead to simply shunpo from branch to branch. From high up in the air I’d spot the creature scurrying along the ground like he was in a marathon.

Be smart

From trial and error it had become apparent that the closest I could get to the child was five feet before the hidden group made themselves known. Formulating a good strategy to reach the brat was key with those lurkers out in the shadows. About fifteen meters below me, I decided to leap to the ground, which would have landed me atop the blonde if not for the warrior donning white that intercepted me mid-air. Our swords met in a collision of power. Flashes of sparks filled the tree line with each strike he blocked from my sword. In order to take the child it’d be necessary to first remove his protectors, so I’d fight each of the four until there were none.

Snow white robes flickered in the wind as I sent the warrior spirit crashing through a massive dead trunk, but just as he’d touch the ground would the damn pest rebound to his feet. The second my figure touched the ground would the white warrior attempt to jump back into the camouflage of the dark forest, but I’d pursue. A blinding flash of speed placed me directly behind my target, a wide vertical arc from my Sabishihime meeting the brunt of his block as the warrior twisted his body in defense. By this time I had fought each of the warriors individually – there was no getting away now.

Post-initial slash, I retreated my blade to deliver several more, all blocked by the rogue. Each warrior boasted skill with their weapons, but I had become a master of the sword in my life in the squads. To have my art of swordplay go outmatched by the likes of some amateurs of the way would have been appalling. I broke into a run for my prey, hoping to end his being with one move; switching to a one handed grip. Pointing my sword to the ground, I’d slash upwards to cleave from his left hip to shoulder, but he’d motion to block.

CHECKMATE!

A nasty trick of the sword, my deft digits were like lightning as the hilt instantaneously switched to my left hand in a position over the white warrior – or so it had seemed. His eyes were alight with alarm as I split him from shoulder to hip, his body disintegrating and attracted to Sabishihime just like the body of Tetsu.

My next targets would be lurking in the depths. I’d have their heads as well.

Immediately I’d jump back into pursuit mode, blasting my way through the forest like a comet. Feet didn’t even touch solid ground as my body moved with fierce determination to finally achieve my power. Catching back up to the boy was easy as I re-entered the hot zone. I wouldn’t even try to touch him as my focus was cast on the forest around me, waiting for the attackers that were sure to come. Just as I predicted, two warriors bolted from the dark forest, one draped in red and the other in blue. The red warrior swiped at the blind spot at my flank, while the other attempted to cleave my body at the waist. They wouldn’t stick around long so it was essential that I get into a good position to chase. Sheer power radiated from my being, viciously shaking the ground of the vast landscape. Both attackers were thrown off by the quake, finding their bodies on course for the ground, but the red warrior would find the tip of my blade protruding from his chest. The work on the red warrior finished, my attention returned to the blue warrior who in my quick work of the red rogue had begun to retreat. There was no way in hell I’d let him get away.

Jerking my body to life, I removed the blade from the red soldiers back, slashing out at the rogue as a huge leap of flash step placed me directly in the azure rogue’s path. He blocked my initial strike, returning the favor with an easily dodged thrust at my collar. From here we traded blows, my power pressing the old spirit as he marched backward with each hit. Nature couldn’t have loved me any better as the blue warrior took a step back, his foot locking under a thicket of brambles that sent him falling back through the air. Time was of the essence so with one fell swoop my prey had been reduced to ashes that gathered on my sword.

Finding and finishing the last rogue would be no tedious task. I’d catch back up to the boy then leap back in surprise as the final warrior, cloaked in black, descended from the heavens to split me in half. As soon as I fell out of his swords range he closed the distance in an instant, a deadly thrust from the warrior found its mark as metal pushed through my left shoulder. He moved to retreat from me, pulling the sword from my wound, but I wouldn’t relent, hauling after the bastard that’d defiled my skin. The battle that raged between us was far more severe than the ones I’d already fought. This guy was pretty damn skilled with a sword. We traded wounds, parrying each other’s strikes and dealing decent damage to our opposition. Blood trickled into view from a gash over my left eye, his right eye shut from a cut I provided earlier. We made for each other, everything riding on one last move. Sword clutched in both hands as I ran, we both gave one final slash that would finalize this battle.

Victory

Seconds felt like hours. Every breath was ragged like a dog that roamed the streets. My body battered and beat up while my uniform lay in black scraps over the forest floor. I didn’t turn to see what had become of the dark warrior, but by the silence it was easy to tell. I’d won. I wasted no time in returning my attention to the blonde child, but as soon as I turned he stood beneath a gigantic oak; hands atop his head as he simply stared intently upon me. Sheathing Sabishihime, I sluggishly crossed the distance to the kid and gently placed a pale left upon his blonde mane. Game over.

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Feb 2, 2014 1:30:45 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Feb 2, 2014 1:30:45 GMT -5

Nothing would stop me from this moment. Nothing. Kuzashi truly was a genius. By leaving imprints of their reishi all about the cave under in the shrine under our home, the shinigami would be able to give their presence on any that stood in the room. Of course, a regular spirit wouldn’t be able to do a thing with the reishi lying about – no, it’d take more – it’d take a zanpaktou spirit. Sabishihime was the bridge that allowed the energies of the spirits to enter my inner world, essentially allowing spirits that should have been long gone to rejoin someone’s existence if even for a few minutes.

I itched with power, I craved it, but even more so could I could feel it within my reach. After absorbing the blonde boy into Sabishihime, the view of the world changed once more, but back to familiar ground. The meadow. My wounds had been completely healed when I blinked back to the spread of flowers, but a growing sense of anticipation built up within. I had grown from the trials of the six warriors that I’d overcome, but was I yet strong enough to face Kuzashi the sword demon? My time in this world hadn’t been long, but in the plane of existence it’d probably been days. Days since my consciousness would have been taken by my own spirit, but moments before I’d get it back.

A brisk breeze brought an eerie chill that arced up my spine. Every hair on the back of my neck stood on end as Kuzashi slowly rose from a kneel in the flowers, his body not even having been noticed by me. I couldn’t peel my gaze from the man I called father. Donning blood red crimson armor as he rose from the ground, Kuzashi’s already unsheathed sword glistened with the blaze of the beaming sun. Every fight I’d ever seen, every man I’d ever seen Kuzashi slaughter up until his death flashed before my eyes. I hadn’t realized it earlier, but I did have an advantage over my father – I’d seen him fight hundreds of times.

Are you ready then Kosuke? I turned to my flank, a familiar serene voice approaching me for the first time in what had felt to be ages.

I am.

Are you so sure? You didn’t just think this last trial would be to defeat the wandering reishi of your dead father did you?

What did she mean? The whole reason I’d been plunged into this ridiculous montage was to be trained by the leftover imprints of a band of fierce warriors. Each warrior was to give me power in order to unlock the eventual power of my bankai, so was this not the case? My gray gaze stretched to pits as Sabishihime’s blade form materialized in her palm. I’d have to fight my parents.

Quiet. I uttered no sound. The hardest trial of all was upon me and I couldn’t muster up the gull to speak.

To get what you want you’ll have to subdue us both, as is my rule. Do know this Kosuke…if defeat is not dealt to me and the spirit of Kuzashi…you will die.

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Feb 2, 2014 2:24:32 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Feb 2, 2014 2:24:32 GMT -5

I took to my stance. There’d be no more words, no more teaching. It had become a dance of blades, myself versus the two strongest opponents I’d probably ever face. Sabishihime the lonely princess knew my techniques in and out, her own abilities deadly to even me. Then there was Kuzashi the sword demon who needed no explanation beyond his own title. Fear gripped my belly. There was no promise I’d leave this world alive, but for the sake of power I’d have readily thrown my neck onto the edge of a blade. I couldn’t be stopped. Resolve gripped my hilt with the a seriousness I had never known before; I was ready.

The white robed princess had taken to a position beside Kuzashi, her sun-kissed locks of hair dancing on the breeze. Powerful winds began to devastate the area, sounding like the shrill cries of ghosts as they glided over the hills. Power surged from my opposition, bright energy swirling around the two figures as they stood side by, joined in arms against me. Altogether, blackened clouds filled the once beauteous blue sky. All around my figure the flowers had begun to wilt, my eyes firm upon the visage of Sabishihime, her loneliness corrupting the beauty of the world. It was time to begin.

Like wisps of smoke on the air, apparitions that hadn’t existed, we moved with blinding speed. Time came to a screeching halt as the first sounds of battle were heard. Extravagant bursts of power resonated over the meadow as all three blades collided in a dazzling show of lights. Just as soon as our blades became lovers, they were separated once more when I skirted away to my left. Both attackers zigzagged in unison, swords raised at the ready to cut me down.

I wouldn’t be intimidated

Launching myself back into the fray, I threw a horde of thrusts to impale my foes. With water-like finesse, my enemies dodged every attack, Kuzashi’s crimson armor seeping beneath my rain of attacks and throwing a slash at my right knee. Princess lonely had sunken to my left, aiming a cut that would slash out my throat. Neither enemy would find success as I contorted my body from the ground, Kuzashi’s horizontal slash barely grazing the bottom of my shihakusho while the princess’s horizontal slash found the air over my airborne body. As I rotated mid-air I scooped my sword arm in a bullet thrust that’d stab the sword demon in the shoulder.

Metal barely missed the demon warrior as he narrowly avoided my strike, retreating outside of my range. When my feet found the ground once again I instantly held my blade to block the vertical cut of a princess that would have halved my being. I repelled her blow, her sword bouncing back into the air, a perfect opening, but as I readied a diagonal slash at her abdomen blood filled my peripheral and I stopped mid-strike to shunpo away. Kuzashi stood beside my inner spirit, his red armor sparkling in the sunlight where I had just stood. Had I been one second slower he’d have surely took advantage of my openness.

Ten meters away from my enemies, I had only one card to increase my strength.

Kussun, Sabishihime

Artificial

Inagaki Yūsuke
Juubantai-Taichou

I JOINED ON January 1970. I'VE MADE 122 POSTS. I AM A SEXY person.

Inheritance -closed- Feb 2, 2014 23:41:00 GMT -5

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Post by Inagaki Yūsuke on Feb 2, 2014 23:41:00 GMT -5

Releasing the full strength of my zanpaktou would bring about the true battle for as soon as I’d unleash the powers of my sword, the lonely princess would do the same. Power devastated the wilted flowers of the meadow, rapid winds slicing through the hills. She and I both knew damn well that while I was immune to the effects of her abilities, Kuzashi was not and would fall to the effects of any song played by either of us. The sword demon held the disadvantage.

A demonic smile

If only for an instant it was there, I know for sure it was! In the split of a second a dry smile slid to one edge of my father’s mouth, but in the same breath it disappeared so did they. They returned with blades, the first blade swinging directly over my form as I bended my body back under the swipe. My princess was next, appearing above me the exact instant I bended back, crashing down the full brunt of her body upon me. A storm of dust shrouded the entire field as I escaped her royal drop kick, backing several feet from both warriors.

They were out for blood; coming for my head. Resolve pounded between my ears the moment a relieving those in the immediate area. There’d be no escape for the demons no matter where they stood amid the confusion of the dust cloud. Grit swarmed through my pores, my vision dulled from the cloud filled battleground. With a lack of vision, it’d become essential to use the fruits of my previous labors. Guide my blade Tetsu. Tetsu may you guide my blade. Eyes full shut to rule out the particles of dust that kept them dull while my opponents flowed in and out of the chaos that was the dust storm.

Breaths. Footsteps. The clank of metal…I could hear them both. Kuzashi, the demon, his steps were heavy, but light for his size; the sound of his rougher hair flowing in the cloud filled my ears with the sound of his barely audible breaths. TO MY LEFT. I dropped to the ground, easily dodging the blade of my father as it charged for my chest.

I’m sorry my king.

Everything stopped when the dust settled. I felt nothing, not even the void that would fill my chest. Time wasn’t even a concept to me, my eyes sliding down my chest to see the blade protruding from my stomach. How, with all of my previous trials, had I allowed myself to be caught so off guard by the princess who’d completely hidden her movements. Where did she even go in the disarray that was the dust storm? Dropping to my knees, the blade was removed from my stomach, my vision blurring as Kuzashi stood tall over my crumpled form. Sabishihime had taken to just beside him, both visages of my parents looking down upon me as if they were both disappointed in their failure of a son.

Blood began to flow from the wound I’d been dealt, the faint blurs of the two demons towering over me being the last things I’d see before my vision completely faded to black.

I’d lost.