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Shinzou sighed as he rested for a few minutes. He had been through a lot today and did not know what was driving him to wander so deep into such a large forest, but what ever it was he had become tired rather quickly. He supposed it might be from the transition between moving and sitting, and thus he stood and pressed deeper into the forest.

The strange thing he thought, though it was completely rational considering where he was, was that there were no animals visible while he strode through this forest. It was perfectly still and unmoving in every sense. It was calming yet unnerving at the same time and made him wonder about the creation of the forest, and the entire Sereitei to be exact.

He stood for a moment, looking up into the canopy, before he decided that he would rather travel up there than down her and began climbing. It took him a couple minutes to get up to the top, but when he got there he could feel an air of freedom and another of being far too small for his own good. Before him stood the Sereitei, and all that he had just come from, rather small and distant at this point. He had remarked at just how far he had come, at least until he had turned around.

Before him the forest stretched out to the horizon in every direction. A few lone birds soared above it, but aside from that, yet again, there were no animals to be seen. This sight was beautiful and breath taking in every sense and it had the effect on Shinzou of causing him to wonder why it was so large. Something so large surely would not be in a place like this unless it was hiding something of great value. This thought, though likely unfounded and inane, spurred him deeper into the forest, despite the fact that he was now only barely able to see Squad XIII's grounds. He dropped down to the larger lower branches and began vaulting through the trees, deeper and deeper into the sea of green.

Shinzou returned to his travels in the forest, having to start over. He figured he might as well do some training here, but didn't even know where to start. So, instead of stopping and doing anything remotely worth while, he continued on back o where he had been when he left. He climbed a tree and looked back at the Sereitei trying to think of what he could train.

(Don't get mad at me for multi posting, no one is here anyways so it doesn't really matter all that much. Besides, everyone else is kinda wrapped up in their own little PRPs or the Tourney.)

Walking out towards the forest, Hibiki anxiously glanced back over his shoulder. He wore his travel cloak over his usual shinigami's uniform, that he usually took with him on missions to earth, but decidedly wore today because of the morning chill. His straw sandals padded softly along the earth as he walked on, satisfied that no one was behind him. He didn't like to leave his back open here in the forest, because it was so easy for someone to shadow you using the tree trunks to cover them. Whatever silent enemy was lurking could easily take cover. Ah, but I'm just being paranoid, paranoid...

Finding a spot that was more dry, less dew clinging to the ground, he stopped. Drawing his katana, he drove it into the ground there. Nephele would bother him less often when she was further from him, as he learned in the past. Walking past his weapon that stood upright like Excalibur, stuck in its stone, he made his way to a nearby tree and leant his back against it and with a sigh slid down to the ground. Landing with a thud on the soft topsoil surrounding the tree's massive roots. Scooping up the litter of leaves, dirt and needles, and then letting it sift through his fingers, the shinigami looked up towards the sky nostalgically. His long orange bangs fell in his face as he tilted his head back down. Brushing the hair out of his eyes, he brought his knees up, folding his arms atop them, and rested his on them, watching the peaceful forest silently, thoughts drifting aimlessly.

Okojo sighed softly as he approached, and entered, the Endless Forest. The peace it brought was a comfort, though it wasn't quite like the relaxing feeling of what he and Tenri shared between them. He smiled lightly, resting his hand on a tree for a moment. It was a good place to train, too, because it could help one focus...

Stepping away from the tree, he turned to face a small clearing area and wandered to it. He was supposed to meet his captain here. He hoped he didn't mind that he was going to train a little beforehand. Drawing Tenri carefully, he smiled as his muscles flexed. Having one arm was a difficult thing to get used to, but he'd achieved it well enough. But everyone had room for growth, and he went through a few movements while he waited, listening to the whispers of his blade as he moved her through the air.

In the haze of thoughts, noticing the music drifting out of the woods as well finally. After searching the trees a bit with his eyes he spotted the shinigami against a tree a bit further than him, playing a stringed instrument he didn't recognize. It was a lovely tune though. Very gentle and soft, making the gloomy forest a bit warmer. Drumming his fingers on his knee to the beat, he turned to see two others approaching the cover of the trees and canopy's roof.

These two he recognized. First came Okojo, that blonde shinigami he sparred with at a point if her remembered correctly. Next was Mock-taichou, who walked towards the first comer only to keep walking passed him and towards Hibiki and the musician. Scrambling to his feet as he was waved at, he answered, "Nice to see you as well, taichou. Of course I have the time, one m-moment." He then stepped over towards his sword sticking, and with his right hand heaved it out of the earth and slid it back into its sheath. Dusting himself off, he hurried over to where his captain stood, stopping about two and half metres off to leave space.

Okojo glanced up when he felt his captain's reiatsu, though he kept going to finish up his maneuver. When the other male spoke, he pulled Tenri back and turned to give a bow to MockaDash. "I am well, thank you, Taichou." he murmured. He glanced up when the other continued walking, and he nodded as he was beckoned to follow the other. Tenri was sheathed as he moved to walk behind and beside his Captain.

Arriving at a spot, the Captain called to Hibiki and Hishida, two shinigami Okojo had sparred with before. When they came toward them, the bleach-blond shinigami gave them each a bow of greeting. He remained quiet, curious to what his captain had planned, and wondered if it had anything to do with the training he hoped to receive that day. He fiddled with the small sleeve that covered the stump that used to have an arm attached, showing his minor nervousness and anxiousness.

Hibiki flinched not even meaning to, only to turn red in the face at the fact that he did so at such a light punch. Served his own paranoia right. Managing a joking a smile, he answered his captain's first remark, "Ah, sorry taichou..." Procrastinator-kun... classic. He ignored the jab in his head by Nephele, told himself it was just her poking fun at him since he'd been ignoring her lately.

Turning his attention back to his captain, he saw that he was being given a duty to train with Okojo. Well that wouldn't be bad, at least he knew him, and at it was definitely good it wasn't a girl. As Mock spoke with Okojo, Hibiki smiled again towards the blonde shinigami, a little less forced. It would be good for him to get some fighting. He was getting rusty only training with Nephele lately. The fact that the other shinigami had lost an arm had been a noted observation before, but Hibiki hadn't commented. It wasn't his place to say anything. About to speak again, he stopped as Mock whispered continued instructions. Gradually eh? Hibiki nodded, and said quietly, "Got it, taichou."

With that was settled, Hibiki looked to Okojo, and said, almost apologetically, "I guess I'll be your sparring opponent for today. So, here's a good a palce as any, the trees will make a good simulated settling as a possibly battle field and all." Pacing a little whiles away from where Mock and Hishida, as he learned his name then hearing the taichou say it, were standing. Turning as they reached a free area, Hibiki drew his blade, and waited for his opponent to do the same.

"Ah, I've been good, though I guess I should get out more," He answered, scratching the back of his head with his free hand. I really do need to get my head out of the clouds and pay attention more... In his right hand he felt a faint hum of excitement, of anticipation from Nephele. But she's have to hold it in, at least until training was underway. Tightening his grip on the hilt he swung it back, resting its blunt side on his shoulder. He looked relaxed, but was actually quite alert, quite prepared to see to anything coming his way.

What was he to focus on? Footwork? Timing? I guess it doesn't matter until we start... He glanced down to Okojo's sword as drew, and he held it low, much like the last time, only it seemed much more practiced and habit.