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The kitten smiled quite happily.

"Ohhh, well Grimmu's prey raaaarely says 'okay, kitty! Kill me!'" he said with a giggle. His reiatsu fluctated in a way that could only be described as flippant, which affected him in the air as well. While most spiritual beings of his power stood upon air as a platform, he was too much of a childish creature--to put it lightly--to be expected to stay standing still. Even when he stood still, he had this habit of slouching, making himself seem weaker and less innocuous.

The point of the matter though, was that he actually sat back, looking like a damn fool, and gripped at his feet, tail swishing back and forth below him.

"You've got pretty flamies coming from your feet," he observed keenly, ears turned forward, but the rest of him quite relaxed. If she didn't attack, well...neither would he, ne? "Those flamies hurt though!"

A pout crossed his feature as he said that.

"Grimmu's got burns all over his body. So mean, Miss Taichou-chan. So mean to the Grimmkitty..."

Echigo grinned. every move the arrancar made revealed its shape to the captain. the rush of parting air as the tail shot towards his leg told Echigo EVERYTHING that he needed to know. A simple Side step to the left, a quick step onto the rushing tail, and Echigo was set. as the tail shot past to where Echigo had been, he was already moving up the tail, Driving his knee at the Arrancar's plated head. as soon as he felt the knee connect, he would use the arrancar's torso to spring back off and away from his opponent. his scarf flowing behind him every step he took, like a gray tail of his own. Echigo was no push over when it came to fighting.

" you are too slow, and far too noisy, Arrancar-san. I can hear everything you do, every move you make. Hell I can hear the mole crawling in the ground twenty feet below you." Echigo grinned. Unless Sai could make Echigo deaf, he had no hope of ever surprising him. A blind man, with a veritable arsenal of battle wisdom.

" if you thought this would be an easy win, you thought wrong, but, from what I here from your mouth, you dont have the capacity to think at all."

Hakumen continued his search of the area, though he was quickly realising the search was fruitless without Baltazar. without the Taller arrancar, he wouldnt find the shard. He was going to have to settle for a little Mayhem. Grinning as he drew the long sword from his back mounted sheath, the Arrancar got ready to let loose. Leaning back, a charged, and then released a large Cero, leaving a swath of devasted buildings, trees, and land in its wake.

" AHhahahahahahaha! Its been so long since I could do this kind of damage to souls! God I feel Great!"He roared in delirious laughter. He slammed himself to the ground, the rock path cratering around his feet. He laughed as he watched all the wholes in the area start to realie his presence and begin to try and flee. he couldnt have that now could he? in almost a minute, A dozen had fallen to his blade.

He was surprised that he was still going unmolested but the shinigami, when he detected a faint presence. It was weak, and coming fast, but it didnt feel like a captain. Then again, captains could disguise their spiritual presence.

Yaro could feel the massive release of energy as the Arrancar fired its cero. He could also feel the lives winking out of existance. the arrancar was allready causing destruction. he could allow the trespass no more. he sped up his pace as he rushed to interfere before more lives were lost to the espada. as he approached he could feel the sheer malevolent will of the arancar, the same evil feel that hollows had when he had faced them, only stronger. When He arrived, the arrancar was in the process of running a young man through. Yaro cringed, but held his pace, and when he was close he let loose with a hado spell.

" Hado number 33 Sokatsui!" he shouted, dousing the arrancar with pale blue flame.

"Hnnn . . . tha's true," Suzuran allowed herself a few moments of contemplation upon Kira's last remark before she bounced back to her regular, robust self. "Ah, y'mean Yaro? Ain't seen th'kid. If'n I had, I wouldnae b' wit'cha righ' now."

He was too nice and worried about his bantai. Then again, that was one of Kira's assets, but with long experience of Yaro's temperament completely jarring against her own, the Kyuubantai sanseki wasn't quite as compassionate. Sensing his slight change, grey-flecked chestnut eyes slid over to gaze at the blond in a sidelong look.

The Sanbantai's marigold signified "despair" - that war was no glorified battle, but rather a long desolate history of death and bloodshed. In a sense, it was similar to her own bantai's flower: the buttercup, representing the "oblivion" that war ultimately becomes, both in the world and in the hearts of those in it. A snarkier part of her found it ironic how suited her own taichou and the former taichou Tousen Kaname fit this symbol. Oblivion of sight, oblivion of the heart. Even Kira himself fit his bantai's blossom . . .and he was most likely reflecting on it now.

Reaching out, Suzuran patted the older man on the head, ruffling his hair slightly as she did so. Even though her tone was light, her expression held an underlying seriousness to it.

"Oi oi, dun'cha go emo-in' on m'nao. Buck'rrup, neh? We'll pull through. It pro'ly ain't gonna b'pr'tty, bu' we'll pull through."

We have to. For Dad. She didn't say that out loud . . . but however much she wanted to be able to fight side-by-side with her father, a part of her wanted to let Shuuhei awaken into a Seireitei that had obtained a peace in which she had fought to make and protect. Just as he had fought to protect the relative peace she had had in her childhood days in Rukongai.

Any further conversation was cut off when the dark-haired woman felt a reiatsu that was definitely not Shinigami nearing the Seireitei. Every fibre of Suzuran tensed as she focused on that reiatsu. Was it an Arrancar?! Had it gotten past the taichou? But how?! What had happened to Mikoto? Was she still alive? Or was she preoccupied in a battle, and this one had seen a chance to slip away? Then another reiatsu appeared near the Arrancar one . . .

A long and loud string of rather colourful unprintable language spewed from her lips as the Kyuunibantai sanseki's hand flew to her back to ensure her two wazikashi were there. Her eyes flashed to Kira as all easy-going demeanour went out the window to be replaced by one that acted on the instinct of experience in battle.

"Kira, git'cher bantai t'geh'r now! Tha' idjit Yaro's ou'thar, an' if'n I know th'kid, 'e's gonna git'is arse kcked t'igh heav'n!!"

Without another word or glance to the fukutaichou she'd been with, Suzuran disappeared into a Shunpo, racing to her own bantai.


"VOOOOOII! ALL'UV YE, GIT'CHER ARSES INT'GEAR, NOW!!"

The unmistakable sound of Hisagi Suzuran's voice rang through the Kyuubantai barracks. Normally reacting out of sheer fear of the pugnacious woman, the tone of urgency in her voice told those in her bantai that it wasn't just some mood of hers. Even as they assembled themselves, Suzuran was rapping out orders.

"I wan'che all on 'igh 'lert! If'n anythin' 'happens, I'm 'spectin' y'all t'be th' firs' ones ou'there rousin' up th'othe' bantai, y'hear?!"

Hearing unanimous acknowledgement, Suzuran turned amd vanished once more, this time making a beeline for the place where Yaro and the Arrancar's reiatsu were locked dangerously close . . .

The ripple of reiatsu that spilled forth as she neared made Suzuran grimace. Damn it. She'd heard from Mikoto about Yaro's Shikai. It was essentially a freaking oven. A very hot oven. There . . . f--! The rest, being unprintable language, spilled from her thoughts to her lips as she skidded to a halt, quickly masking her reiatsu. Luckily she was still out of hearing range, but she could make out the area of . . . arid barren wasteland was the only thing she could describe it as. Not to mention, the area closest to Yaro had turned to flipping glass. Oh for . . .

"VOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOIIIII!!! YAAAAAROOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"

Bellowing like a charging rhinoceros, the Kyuubantai, ignoring all heat and whatnot, charged into the fray, her Shunpo eating ground easily. But instead of the Arrancar, her ferocious kick aimed straight for the other Sanseki, with every intention to knock the man unconscious. If Yaro's eyes had been livid, then Suzuran's glare as she glowered at the younger man could boil hell twice over.

"VOOOOI!!!! YE STUPID SHITTARD, DID'JE 'AFTA BOIL 'ALF TH' F--KIN' PLACE UP!?!?!?!?!?"

And promptly ignoring the other Sanseki, she whirled her withering glare at the white-masked Arrancar, her hand making a rather rude gesture as she pointed accusingly at him.

"An' you! I've gotta bone t'pick wit'cha too! Damn f--kin' tards . . . y'all've s**t timin'! Geez!!" Blowing a frustrated sigh, she got into a fighting stance, so very similar to her father's own, and crooked two fingers at the Arrancar. "A'ight, y'f--ktard whitey. Th' kiddo's Shikai migh' be'ah damn frikkin' p***k i'th' neck wit' it's hella 'nnoyin' 'eatwave, bu' tha' dun mean I ain't gonna kick th' s**t outta ye!"

Through the entire progression of the battles, the Sanbantai taichou had remained in the background, watching over the entire scene. Sanzo-soutaichou would probably have her head for taking such passive measures, but she didn't want to cut into anyone's battle, not that she felt that compelled to do so anyway.

During the battle, she noticed the arrival of her sanseki. If the redhead could recall correctly, everyone else was to remain back at their designated barracks and await further orders. However, the woman decided to let the young man have his battle. Judging by the reiatsu of the arrancar he was facing, he didn't have that much of a chance. He'd probably last for a while, but all in all, he could tell that the other was more powerful.

Should I really stand back and wait for my third seat to fall in battle before I step in? she wondered as her hand went to Girochiin's hilt.

Just before she was about to move to the young man's side to tell him to step down, he'd released his shikai. That damned inferno of his was a thorn in Mikoto's side. She wasn't one who loved the heat and that just made things even worse. That was it, she needed to step in. She was the one who was supposed to be fighting in the first place.

After stepping into a Shunpo, she ended up halting herself or risk running into the dark-haired blur that flew in yelling obscenities. The taichou's lips twisted in amusement as none other than Hisagi Suzuran flew in, fangs, swords, and swears baring full force.

It was then that Mikoto decided to remain in the background for just a bit longer. It was best that she not interfere now that there were two shinigami there. However, she began to second guess herself when she overheard the chant for the bakudo. Was he really going to fire off a binding spell while someone else was in front of him? Knowing her third seat, he was most likely aiming for the one who had just interrupted his battle. With one foot forward, she moved to stop him. She was too late, he had completed the chant and, just as she predicted, Yaro fired the spell off at Suzuran.

The woman hoped that the raven moved in time.

(( Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Brain hated me~ ))

Hakumen had been so enthralled and ammused by the squabbling third seats, that he had not even thought much of it when the female had dissapeared. He then thought alot of it, once she had reappeared, INSIDE his gaurd and proceeded to launch her lead lined foot into his torso. He flew back from the force of the young shinigami's kick, the air leaving his lungs in an explosive grunt. He should have been able to see this coming, but he had thought she had focused her assault on the other soul reaper who had tried to bind her.

As his surprise left him, the blank faced arrancar decided which target would fall first. the boy. though he had released his weapon's true form, both himself, and the raven hair seemed to consider him a...less than skillfull fighter. He would likely be the easiest to finish, so as Hakumen flew through the air, he righted himself, and launched forward with a speed that would be considered ungodly, considering his size and stature. Air born attacking was Hakumen's speciality after all. he closed the gap between Yaro and himself in a record time, Long straight sword aimed directly at the gray haired sanseki's left side, 3rd rib down.

The speed at which the arrancar crossed the field was astounding, and Yaro could feel him move simply by the malicious intent of the long sword in its hands, the weapon could be described by a feeling of pure hate, a Toxicity that seemed to ooze from every molecule of the dark steel, but Yaro didnt have the time to be pondering such useless things like that on the battlefield, and not with such a mighty foe on the offensive. time to play a game that very few thought Yaro was actually capable of. Yaro never thought himself a good fighter, he always felt awkward on the field, even against lower level hollow forms, but when Hito-Furukizu was released, It was not ENTIRELY Yaro doing the fighting.

The scythe the color of molten steel came up in a flash of heat, and connected the the edge of Hakumen's blade, an action that caused flames to splay across the evil weapon like a blast from the hottest forge, tinging the dark metal to a searing red, as it absorbed the atrocious heat of the scythe's blade. As the fire flared, the furious heat skyrocketed, reaching its full Tempurature in seconds. Yaro could feel the arrancar recoil from the heat as they clashed again and again, and Yaro wondered if he could use this to his advantage. If not, well, the Captain watching him would likely be dissaproving of his disobeying orders. He just wanted to be useful to the bantai...

" Miss Hisagi...I dont know what came over me..!"Yaro called out as blade met blade again and again." But please dont assist me...! I want to prove to Mikoto-taichou that I can still be useful even now that she has Lieutenant Kira!"He shouted as steel rained down on steel, a cacophic Symphony of hammer blows.

"Uhuhuhuuuu....Uhauahuahuuahaaaaa!" Pandora Loved The Sound of His Own Voice. The Sound of His Own Laughter. Eyes Uneven. One Opened Far Wider then The Other. That Was Based Into a Squint Almost. Looking At the Soutaichou With Such AFFECTION. "Got Lot'a Fetishes My Dear Blondieeeeeee." He Mused, Swinging those Bloodsucking Blades At the Other a Few More times. The Blades Clashing together with Such Force. It Wasn't Surprising that the Hits Were Sending Shocks Along The Sanzo's Arms. Hell, They Were Probably Rattling The Cero Espada's Entire Frame. "But They Ain't Imporrrrtant Righ' Now.~ All Tha' Mattahs Ta Me Izzat, I, Being Me, Pandora-sama, Gets ta Cut off Yer 'ead an' Swim in yer ********' Intestines. Bet'cher Blood Tastes Like ********' nectar... Ya Know What they Say About Things That're Well AGED. I Kind'ah Imagine It Like Fine ********' WINE." He Cackles Again, Moving Back a Bit, Holding Out one of those Blades when Sanzo Moved Out of the Way, Half-Sitting in that Crouch.

"Damn 'ollows, Damn 'ollows. Yer Like a BrOkeN ********' rEcOrD, BlOnDiE-cHaMa." His Voice Bubbled Over with Something Wicked. His Arms going Limp at His Side. Looking Very Much like a Marionette again, A Tree Blowing in the Wind. Loose Red Clothing Flicking Ever So Slightly. "Ya Know, You Should Quit Bein' A Shinigami. Lemme Eat Yer Soul. Ya Know... Ya Might Make One 'ell of a Hollow... Uhuhuhuhuuuu.... Sort of Makes Me Curious, It Does... What Kind'a Monsta Yah Would Become... Uhuhuuuuu... Oh, 'm Gettin' All Excited JUST Thinkin' About it... Chigaru's Thirrrrrsty. It's Not Faaaair. Just wants a Taaaaaste. Hows About Ya Bleed For Me, Pretty Purple Eyes.~"

A Burst of Sonido, A Inwards Stab With those Barbed Blades. Tongue Hanging out Like a Wild Dog.

If the dark-haired brawler heard her fellow sanseki, she totally ignored him. Though the truth was, she hadn't heard him at all. Right now she was in full-on beserk mode; anything that moved or tried to stop her was a target. Her own target had disappeared off somewhere . . . there. The clash of metal ringing against metal drew her attention to the two people locked in combat only a few feet away. If she'd been in calmer mind, she would have known them as people, but right now both of them were very nice dummies for her to kick the daylights out of.

Her enraged roar was left behind as she stepped into Shunpo at full tilt, battle-lust radiating off her like some kind of deadly reiatsu. The woman was a blur, staying in one place just long enough to lash out a limb made powerful by both her speed, her fury, and her countless years of training. Suzuran didn't care who or what they hit, nor did she seem to care if she got caught in the crossfire, both men's Zanpakutou leaving lines of crimson on her body when they cut into flesh. It didn't matter what the damage to herself was. If she got her point across with her storm of punishing blows, each and every one with her iron-willed resolve behind it, and emerged out alive in the end, that was fine with her. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

In the swirling darkness, footsteps could be heard. The single source of light that was a bridge of reiatsu illuminated the wavy fawn-brown locks that bounced with every step and the glossy large lollipop clutched in a tiny sleeve-enshrouded fist. The small figure hummed as he skipped along the dim path. He'd been allowed to go, and he was excited~

The sensation of a different air, a different reiatsu. The miniscule being smiled to himself, feeling the buzz of anticipation and excitement. This would be his first time to Soul Society, and in fact, his first time out of Hueco Mundo. Though the mission itself was of great importance and should have been taken with all seriousness, the childish Arrancar couldn't help but feel like it was a field trip. So many new things awaited him beyond this dark expanse. And he wanted to be of use . . .

Tongue out in thought, the boy-child stopped walking, cocking his head to one side like some inquisitive bird. He could sense some of the different reiatsu on the other side, faint though they were because of his location. Well, at least he couldn't be yelled at by anyone for getting lost. Picking up on one particular one, he hurried towards it.

A little ways behind Pandora, the telltale sound of a Garganta opening could be heard. The sky yawned open to reveal the writing shadows. But rather than opening up for a figure, a white blur shot out like a bullet from a gun, heading straight for the Cero Espada's exposed back. A loud, bubbly cheer followed the speeding mass.

"GRIMMJOW-SAMAAAA~!!!"