Welcome to Gaia! ::

Nirami frowned a little as the 6th year noted that he, too, hadn't experienced this strange darkening of the moon. "Kane, Nirami." He then murmured with a small upturn of lips, politely accepting the handshake. His attention moved skyward once more, and his eyes slowly adjusted to the darkening area. He wondered if it was a common occurance- but merely one not many payed much attention to. Or maybe it was one of the captains working on a training method for them? The comment from the opening ceremonies rang in his head, and he wondered if they could be placed together.

"I'm inclined to agree with you," Makoto replied, following Tsubame in the deepening darkness. "This isn't a normal occurance. Not at this time of month, at least. It can't be a good sign."

As the various Shinigami rushed about, he felt slightly relieved. It was only slight, however, because of the sheer number of squads in the courtyard. Normally, one squad would be enough. Makoto suddenly thought back to the diminutive Captain's speech, particularly the part of multi-rounder groups. Things were not shaping up very well.

The next to arrive on the scene really surprised Makoto. The Secret Mobile Corps? What could possibly be going on?

Nir tensed as the Academy was soon overcome with Shimigami. Soul Society was there, and all seem prepared for battle. Un-nerved, the coal-eyed second year looked around at all of them, and then back up at the sky. The moon was almost completely covered. What was going on? Some bells of alarm had switched on his head, and he tried to figure it all out. Why was the moon darkening, and why were trained and graduated Shimigami gathering outside the Academy? Better yet, why wasn't he inside.

No. Nirami seemed to ignore the fact that he was still standing near Yuki as he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. The excitement was that, and nothing more. He wasn't afraid, even though all these sudden events were highly unusual. His shoulders didn't relax, though, and the male remained tense as he opened his eyes again. Curiosity shone through his confusion, however, and he wondered whether or not he should head inside, or not. Homura. What should we do? came a question, and silence was the answer.

At the ringing of the alarm bell, Makoto drew his Zanpakutou. Having never seen so many Hollows at once, he decided it was a good time to release his Shikai. Looks like we have a real battle on our hands, he thought.

Makoto ran his finger across the blade, whispering, "Brillez, Lune-de-Sang!" the main blade glowed red and began to retract into the hilt, as two others extended from it. They met in the trademark sunflower-seed shape.

The green-eyed Shinigami turned his head to Tsubame and asked, "Ready for the potential fight of our lives?"

Knowing that the sheer number of Shinigami mobilizing could only mean trouble, Yuki's nervousness manifested itself through the gradual heightening of his spiritual pressure. Upon seeing a captain amidst the gathered Shinigami, Yuki became aware of his growing reitsu. Lowering it quickly, the moon became completely enveloped in darkness. A loud howl erupted rom the moon above as trils of blackness trailed down from the black circle in the sky. Could those beams be some kind of Kidou? The oerlapping murmurs from the beams joined into a low hum. One beam, beginning to near the school, came closer. The more observant of the students noticed (as the numerous Shinigami and Captain certainly did before any of the students could) that the pillar of black was actually composed entirely of Hollows. Notiing that the captain had drawn his blade, Yuki drew Maru as the school's bell rang aloud.

Yuki then whispered, "This is it. Sever the eternal, Maru!" Tossing his blade just barely above him, the hilt and blade curled around to make a full circle. The material of the hilt became metal, creating an entirely metallic drossel. The circular blade fell and Yuki caught it with ease. Several markings on the dull inner edge of maru's blade glowed for a few moments. The sharp outer edge gleamed in what little ambient light was left as Yuki suddenly flare his spiritual energy. Thrusting forth his open-palmed left hand, the one not holding Maru, he focused on the Hollow mass's trajectory.

An orange glow and wave of heat erupted from the student behind him, and he truned to see that Nirami's Shikai was in the form of a flaming whip. Taking a step away from the Kane, he knew that this fight would be brutal. Giving only a nod to Nirami, he noticed that some of the Shinigami, of the few that weren't entirely trasnfixed upon the impending battle, were surprised at the number of students who had already reached Shikai.

Maru screeched out to only Yuki mentally, yearning for contact. The high-pitch ring ounded throughout Yuki's head and he had to lean over from the distraction. Just as the tone ended, he vaguely heard, "Listen, Yuki Daruma."

((Okay guys, everyone should rally to the backyard of the school. That way, we can all meet up))

Tsubame's brain immediately shifted into leader-mode. Her personal sense of duty would not let her leave the students who couldn't protect themselves alone. Somehow, she had to buy time for them, even the slightest of seconds could help them and allow them to run away. Her six-winged hawk companion circled high above her head, urging her to stay and fight. She pulled out Yumiharizuki from its sheath once again and switched her grip to her left hand. She pulled at the metal chain hanging from the cog-like shape at the end of the handle, releasing her shikai for the second time tonight.

"Hayameru . . . Yumiharizuki!", she said with resolve, immediately drawing on her reiatsu when her bow formed completely. The sheath once again morphed into her variety quiver of arrows. She yelled at the other students to keep moving and get to a safe place. Tsubame called on those who were willing to fight to stay and defend the school. Her plan to buy everyone some time to get away or prepare was something she had never attempted before, but it was something she had to try and do. Her instincts told her so.

Taking an arrow from her sheath, she spun it around her fingers while reciting a chant for a Kidou spell quickly, but surely. Her eyes closed with concentration made it easy for her to focus her reiatsu into the spinning arrow. It started to glow a bright blue aura, imbued with pure energy. Tsubame took a stance and nocked the arrow on the string carefully, she then pulled it and aimed the trajectory flight path of the arrow straight in the middle of the black pillar. She released it with finesse, hoping that she had not screwed up the spell by chanting quicker than usual. From in front of her, Captain Kuchiki stopped a little to gaze at what she was doing.

"Fuu-o Kekkai!" She said, as the arrow flew into the sky to meet the pillar. Only it didn't. It disintegrated some ways before actual impact and formed a massive blue barrier that seemed to shield the school. The black beam of hollows hit with a force that caused the energy infused into the barrier to crackle visibly. Several more seconds and it burst through it completely.

"Crap, oh well . . .", she sighed as she readied another arrow.

Waiting for the hollows in front of Tsubame, Captain Kuchiki Byakuya smiled, either from her attempt to protect the school, or from her feeble attempt to do so.

'Now, Nirami. Start walking. You need to get to a better vantage point, or you won't even do much of any damage.' Nir's head was buzzing as Homura instructed him in what he needed to do. Glancing around, his attention was once again caught when some form of shield seemed to form above the school, only to be broken. Shaking slightly, he continued swinging Homura about his head as he worked on moving his limbs to join others who had their shikais released.

It took a few moments, and it was a little difficult for Nir to get moving while keeping an eye on everything, and making sure Homura didn't hit anything that he didn't want to get burnt. Among the nearing pillar of hollows, he watched while he neared a few others, and noted a captain. 'Kuchiki Byakuya... Division 6...' traced through his head, and he suddenly felt even more nervous and panicked. His face was a stone wall, but the inside of him was crumbling. Only a few growls from Homura kept him in line as he found a place he might be able to fight from without damaging others, and buildings.

Once stopped, Nirami received more instructions from his manifestation, quickly working to learn how to use his newly-found Shikai. 'Keep your head up, and your back straight. Don't wave the whip-end around like a mad-man: Keep it going in even circles.' the 2nd-year student complied. 'Now... When the first one comes at you, aim for its' shoulder. You should've had practice before this. It may take a few tries, but if you aim right, my whip will wrap around their neck, and we can burn and strangle them.' Nir couldn't miss the pleased growl from his manifestations' voice.
'What happens if I miss?' Nirami couldn't help but show a little of his discomfort within his minds' voice.
'Hope you can dodge the return, for now. Later, if we survive this, we will train you better.
Nirami gulped lightly to himself.