War to Save Soul Soceity

[Yuri Nakayama]

The day that everyone in Soul Society to prepare was now gone. The Original Six along with others had invaded and it was, well chaos. Many Captains were in battles as were seated Shinigami. As for Yuri, she was one of the captains that was fighting the Original Six. She was fighting against the third one, and she was quite impressed and surprised that he was so strong. The two fought, both getting injured. As the battle continued, it was inevitable for him to use his resurrection. Even though Yuri had used her Bankai, she was still getting thrashed around.

Against her better judgment, she knew she had to use her mask. Sure, there were risks involved, but she also knew that she had to do whatever it has to take to keep Soul Society safe even if it meant pushing herself past her limit of using her mask. Bringing her hand over her face, she quickly brought it down and her Hollow mask formed.

Now, the two were more or less equal in battle. She could keep up with him and vice versa. They were doing everything in their power to destroy the other. About two hours in, Yuri was prepared to give what she thought was the final blow, but before she could, the right side of her mask broke apart. Seeing the opportunity, the Arrancar struck Yuri down with a point blank Cero, causing her to crash down, barely conscious. She could see a shadow above her and a bright red light being formed. There was nothing she could do.

"Good riddance.. Shinigami!"

[Ryouji Onigata]

As the Arrancar was preparing to finish Yuri off with the its cero. As soon as he and Megumi exited the portal he performed flash step after flash step until he was able to grab Yuri and get away before the Cero was fired. Ryouji appeared high above the ground, standing on a Reishi platform staring down at the Arrancar.

When the Arrancar noticed he had missed he glanced up and saw Ryouji standing their with Yuri in his arms with a more serious look on his face. It seems like he and Megumi didn't get back quick enough. Judging from how Yuri looked, the battle had been going on for longer than it seemed. If she was this beat up she had to have been fighting him for quite sometime. He glanced down at her, she looked exhausted.

"Sorry I'm late Yuri...we didn't make it back in time."

He took a deep breath before flash stepping and appearing on the ground near the reserve units. He placed Yuri on the ground near them before stepping back.

"Tend to her wounds if she has any."

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri had lost consciousness for a few seconds and for a moment, she thought she was done for. She started to notice something. She was being held by someone. Someone that seemed so familiar. When Yuri opened one eye slightly, she could only see a blurry image at first, but when her vision went back to normal, she noticed it was Ryouji with Megumi. She was very happy to see them even if she didn't look like it. There was something different about him and it just wasn't the long hair. He seemed..calmer. Still, she had to warn him. Warn him to be careful if he used his mask. She could only guess why hers broke, but if it was true, then he would need to know in case he had to use his.

"It's fine.. Better late than never, huh? Seriously though.. You made it and that's what matters. I..I don't know why but..After some time fighting that Arrancar, my mask shattered.. Maybe it was from him being strong or..well, I don't know. Maybe you might understand.so I figure I would need to warn you just in case.. Not that you would need it, you know.."

After he carried her to where the reserves were and rested her on the ground, those from the fourth squad did start on healing Yuri who had lost consciousness again. Megumi then hopped off of Ryouji's back, deciding it would be best if she were to stay with the Reserves and her mother. She might not be able to do much, but she knows enough to survive.

"I'll stay with them, Mister Ryouji. I know I can't stay with you since I'll probably end up slowing you down. Still, beat him for us, okay?"

[Ryouji Onigata]

After Megumi volunteered to stay behind with Yuri, and asked him to beat the Arrancar for them, he turned back and glanced at her and sighed as he closed his eyes. He opened them again and nodded. He then redirected his attention to the Arrancar whom Yuri was attacking.

Ryouji performed a flash step of his own, and when he appeared he was swinging an even bigger scythe than usual. The arrancar whom he was aim for was cut deeply, but managed to jump back to avoid possibly being taken down in one hit. When Ryouji's feet touched the ground. He swung his scythe horizontally removing the blood from the blade.

"And just who in the hell are you supposed to be?"

Ryouji tilted his head to the side before resting the Scythe on his shoulder while staring at the Arrancar. He didn't see fit in telling him anything, but even as a former captain, it was always their way to give proper introductions. Luckily for Ryouji, he didn't care about how they did business, he only wanted to prevent more people from getting harmed or worse.

"It doesn't matter who I am...or who you are. In about six seconds, this conversation won't matter"

Ryouji pulled the scythe from his shoulder and rushed right at the Arrancar with another flash step, As Ryouji appeared he raised his Scythe high above his head. He didn't want to waste any more time than he already had by answering the question. As the Arrancar looked up and noticed where he was, Ryouji was already in mid swing of bringing his scythe down to end this battle...as the blade neared him however, two other Arrancar appeared at the last second to block and stop the attack.

[Hina Kusanagi]

Although she had permission to enter this battle, it had been quite some time since she had entered the soul society. Not since the day her adorable little niece was born. Things had changed so much since then, no longer was she a snob who rubbed her nobility in other people's faces, but she was friendly, found herself laughter and making friends.

It was The Captain of squad five and her friend and family member Shukumei Onigata who brought the information forward to the Head Captain that she was alive and freed from the tragic accidents of that day eight-hundred some odd years ago. Standing there at Shukumei's side, she filled the current Captain's in on what had happened that day and the end result in which she became a sacrifice to stop the Original Six and that the only official surviving member chose not to return because he did not agree with the things that happened.

She only had two simple requests that her and her sister's titles and nobility could be restored and that she could have free range to use whatever Kido abilities she possessed without fear of punishment. Although it took a bit of deliberation, on part of the head-captain, she was granted exactly that.

She cared not for the nobility, She merely wanted Azumi to no longer be exiled because of a mistake she made. Everyone make mistakes and it was Tessai's fault anyway for teaching it to her.

A few hours later, the Invasion happened sooner than expected. The Captain's moved into position to counter balance what damage could be brought to the Soul Society and Sereitei in general. She was given a random Shinigami to tend to her as she prepared herself mentally to enter the battle. She had to center herself and pace her self or else she would be no good to anyone. It took hours but she finally got herself centered.

When she found her center, she left the meeting hall with the Shinigami that was left to her in tow. She passed through all the damaged buildings, there were injured people everywhere. Once she reached the relief squad, she told the Shinigami to stay and assist them with healing the injured. She flash stepped and appeared on a Reishi plate above where Ryouji was standing. She could feel the change with in him. She opened her eyes slightly and stared at the two Shinigami who stopped Ryouji's attack and saved their comrade.

The two Arrancar were siblings, and the male had some sort of obsession for her. In fact it was because of him that she was trapped to begin with. When their eyes met, the male Arrancar had begun to laugh uncontrollably. He was rather psychotic on top of that.

"It's you, how I've longed to see you again...to smell you and your fear!"

Hina took a deep breath before her eyes shot open. Her body was enveloped by a aura of Kido. She was disgusted by this creature who was obsessed with her. When he charged toward her, she remained perfectly calm. Narrowing her eyes upon setting her eyes upon him up close she extended her left hand slightly as he began to attack, she put up a small square barrier to block the attacks.

She performed a flash step to give herself some distance. As soon as she appeared, she brought her hands together and performed several sets of hand signs. It was the Kusanagi way of building spiritual pressure. When she finished, her spiritual pressure had grown considerably.

"Bakudo Sixty-one...Rikujokoro"

As soon as Hina pointed at the Arrancar, several bars of light rammed themselves into the Arrancar's midsection and pinned him place. She brought up her left hand and pointed at the Arrancar with her unused hand and six more bars of light rammed into his midsection making for a total of twelve.

"You cause me eight-hundred years of my life, creature. Not only that but you threaten the prosperity of my home...and my family so for that you must be destroyed."

She began to perform more hand signs as the Arrancar struggled to get free from the doubled binding spell. She was already over exerting herself by performing such a daunting double kido. However she wanted to ensure that he would not free himself. Even with all of it he was still managing to break free without much of a struggle, so now she had to hurry, she wanted to be done with it as quickly as possible. When she finished, the Arrancar was already free and closing the distance between them.

"Hadou ninety-one... Senjū Kōten Taihō"

Several spears of light had formed in front of him. The first one pierced his chest, the second one, his stomach, the third and fourth pierced his arms, the fifth and sixth pierced his legs, and the seventh pierced his throat. He stood their attempting to talk to her.

"This is for all of my friends who died attempting to stop you!"

She put up a barrier around herself as the spears caused a rather large and devastating explosion at point blank range. From the sidelines, Azumi glanced up and gasped instantly thinking the worst for her elder sister.

"HINA!!!!!"

It was all she could shout, even her niece shouted for her in her own unique and caring way. Their was nothing but smoke and when it finally cleared, Hina was on her knees panting heavily as the barrier she put up had cracked and then vanished. She could barely feel her limbs, her clothes were tattered and ripped in certain places and her hair had come out of its ponytail.

She did it, she defeated that sick bastard...eventually the Reishi plate she was kneeling on gave away and she fell down toward the ground, she was eventually caught by Ryouji. She grunted as she opened her eyes and saw him glancing down at her.

"Thank you...Ryouji, I couldn't take it easy after all. I'm completely out of energy but...that's one less of those bastards we have to worry about."

The relief squad came to her aid and carried her off the field as she fainted from exhaustion leaving Ryouji to face the Arrancar threat. Honestly she worried for him, but she could feel that he wasn't the same as before. Now she could at least rest to get a bit of her strength back, she knew she was still needed. In case no one could defeat the leader, she would have to seal him.

[yumiko]

So, the battle had begun. She was on the far side of the battle, but she could definitely sense what was going on. She had to get there and fast. AS she was flash stepping, a shocked look came to her face. There was a spiritual pressure that had changed.. first it was normal and now.. It changed. It was Megumi. There was no question about it. She had to be in danger. AS she got close enough but still far away to see, there was an Arrancar that had used Sonido to get close to them. She could see Ronin trying to get to them, but he wasn't fast enough. With one more flash step, she appeared in front of the Arrancar, stopping his blade by catching it.

Of course, she had spiritual pressure directed toward her hand, so it wasn't like she was gonna get cut. At least with no one to recognize her.. well..three at most, she could act how she wanted: Serious and perhaps slightly cold.

"Picking on the young one will only make your death that much quicker"

Megumi had looked up to see her saved her and when she looked back to her, Megumi then seemed to of gathered who it was. With a wide smile, she stayed in place while the 'stranger' kept the Arrancar at bay.

"So then, try to make it somewhat fun before I have to kill you."

[Adalita Cruz]

With her brother's defeat, the number two found herself ready and willing to enter the battle, not to avenge him for she always told him that his obsession with that damned Shinigami would get him killed and as usual she was right. Although she stopped the blade of the Shinigami from defeating her comrade, she was unable to save her brother, personally they never got along anyway. Now her attention was focused on the male who saved the Shinigami previously.

"We've met before have we not. In fact it was you who was there when that supposed assassin was going to attack me. Yes...you stopped the attack. You're much different than you were that day. You aren't really giving off any spiritual pressure. You've been training very hard for this day."

Flicking her Zanpakutou she forced the male Shinigami to skid back. She turned her head to her comrade and nodded saying she would take it from this point on.

"I have a wonder, perhaps you will indulge me. I'm anxious to see exactly how strong you've become. Some time ago your wife freed us from our seal. You were strong then, but with this sudden change within you...the fact that you've managed to convert nearly all of your spiritual pressure into raw strength and speed. You were able to hollowfy. Are you stronger while hollowfied as well? If so I wish to see it."

When she saw Ryouji staring at her. She raised her Zanpakutou upward and pointed it at him. The blade was pure red and glowing. This Shinigami had to know exactly what she was getting at. It was fairly obvious, if he wouldn't hollowfy, then he would certainly die regardless of how strong he has become.

"You should be aware of my rank within the Original Seis. I am Adalita Cruz...."

Pulling off her left handed glove and clinched her fist before showing it to the male. There was the number two carved into the back of her hand

"I am the Doscera. I am the second strongest Arrancar to have ever existed in any era. It should be noted that if you don't hollowfy, you're going to die here today right in front of your beautiful wife and child"

She was merely goading him into using his mask, she watched as the one he saved before. How her mask broke away. Perhaps he had a limit as well and she wanted to exploit its weakness.

"Show me the power of the mighty Vizard, or have you all fallen into obscurity."

[yumiko]

When she heard the female Arrancar mentioned hwo Ryouji must have trained hard for this day, it made her smirk slightly. She had no idea. He would be fine on his own. After all, it's what he trained for after all. The Arrancar that had been fighting Yuri tried to attack her from behind, but just as it seemed like his zanpakutou made contact, she flashteped behind and slightly above him, Putting a lot of force into a side kick to his head to send him crashing down in the ground. As she looked down, she could hear the creature swear at her. It was rather funny actually. He's actually trying and still can'y keep up.

"Seriously? You're not worth the five minutes I've just wasted on you."

It was meant to sound cocky to push her enemy even further. If he was going to fight with rage, then it was going to make things even more easier for her. After hearing her remark, the Arrancar used Sonido to get back up to her, slashing away as fast as he could. When that didn't suffice, he used his resurrection once again. Now that he was faster and stronger, he had thought the tides had turned in his favor. As he launched himself forth, Yumi grabbed his wrist when it was close enough.

"Well, I should commend you for getting this close. Still, close just isn't good enough, now is it?"

Jerking his arm forward, it caused him to lean more toward her and as soon as he was close enough, she kneed him in the stomach, using Shakkahō to knock him back once more. It was actually kind of fun toying with him, but she knew she would have to get serious sooner or later. She rarely gets to have 'fun' out on the battlefield, so this would be one exception.

"Are you seriously gonna make me come to you? That's rather boring, you know."

"Who.. Who are you?! No shinigami should be able to do this to me!"

It was inevitable for someone to ask for her name. Naturally, she couldn't give her actual name. It would ruin the surprise. Luckily, she thought of something before even arriving here.

"I'll treat your question as if it was your last request. I'm Yumiko. Satisfied?"

[Ryouji Onigata]

After 'Yumiko' made her presence felt, Ryouji glanced back, noticing that she wasn't using her Zanpakutou, I understand she wanted to keep her identity a secret, but what was the point, everyone had already met her at this point which the two of them fought all those years ago. Glancing at his weapon, he shook his head slightly. Not only did she look ridiculous, but not using her Zanpakutou was the icing on the cake

Pulling the scythe off of his shoulder, Ryouji nodded as he kept his glance upon his weapon. He threw the scythe backwards toward Yumiko to allow her to use something to defeat him before he decided to use its Resurreccion or something.

He then turned his attention to the Arrancar who he was to face. He was hoping that no one would notice how much he's changed but it was asking for to much for someone not to take notice.

"Is it that obvious that I've changed, on the two encounters where we have met previously, I didn't show you much of anything. I believe you are merely being polite and respectful as your opponent."

Ryouji looked down at his gloved hand before clinching it. She really wanted to see him hollowfy. Something was off about this one, usually Arrancar were cautious when it came to their counterparts, the Vizard, yet she was not. Was she really not concerned with how much stronger he has become? He couldn't be to cocky since he has no idea what she's really capable of. The only thing he could do was carefully attempt to gauge how strong she was and adjust to it and fight accordingly. He couldn't afford to handicap himself like he use to. He would just have to be upfront and give it his all and defeat her.

"I am Ryouji Onigata, former Captain of Squad Three. To answer your question, I am uncertain, if my hollowification is something you desire to see...I will oblige to your request Adalita Cruz."

Ryouji lowered his right hand before bringing it up and covering his left eye. He then bent his wrist slightly while looking at her. His face showed a more serious expression.

[yumiko]

As she saw the Scythe headed her way, she was about to catch it until she saw it hit the back of the arrancar's head. With it ricocheted, Yumi quickly caught it. She wanted to bust out laughing, but she could always do that when her opponent is dead. Holding it at a distance, she looked at it. She could sense the spirit within the weapon and just chuckled. For now, they were partners until she decides to give back the Scythe. Tapping the pole on her shoulder, she kept her opponent in her view.

"I'm so sorry about my friend's aim. If you think you're in pain now, let's see how you are in a few minutes!"

She flash stepped over to the arrancar and the two began to fight once more. Though she couldn't use the abilities of Ryouji's Zanpakutou, she was weilding it quite easily. It wasn't strange at all since they did train all that time together. After a lengthy battle, it was obvious who was winning. Deciding to put the playing to an end, Yumi performed a few more flashsteps, appearing in front of her opponent and slammed the bottom of the scythe's pole into his stomach. As he hunched over from the sheer force, she then took the opportunity to behead him.

Making her way to the ground, she mimicked Ryouji's previous action by slashing the weapon in the air to get the blood off the blade. As she sensed Ryouji putting on his mask she turned toward him.

"Well, I suppose you want your weapon back now, huh?"

With a strong throw, Yumi threw the scythe back to Ryouji. She was hoping for the battle to last a little bit longer. Not much she could do now about the situation, anyway. At least now she can watch over Megumi and Yuri.

[Ronin]

Ronin had decided to hang back and watch the fighting unfold. He couldn't place it but he recognized the newcomer from somewhere. He shrugged, staying near the injured to ensure their safety.

I know this Yumiko from somewhere, but I can not place it. She seems so familiar, and the fighting style too... I'll figure it out later, I need to help the relief squad right now.

Ronin was walking around the area, trying to piece together the recent events that were unfolding. Something bad was coming, he could feel it in the air.

[Shukumei Onigata]

It was hard to imagine that it was all happening now. The only thing she could think about was everyone's safety and surviving. Yuri was already down but then her brother returned and with a ridiculously strong friend. She used his scythe and defeated another one of the Arrancar, leaving the sixth, first, second and fourth now. After leaving her post at the relief station, she wanted to get into the fight as well, she has some pent up frustration that she needs to work out on an Arrancar's face. As she was moving she was cut off by the sixth Arrancar. He was much smaller than the others, in fact it made her laugh.

"You are my opponent?"

She began to laugh hysterically at that point. The small Arrancar looked up at the huge lady and scoffed. Extending his Zanpakutou. A slight smirk formed to his face

"Get bigger...GIGANTE!!!"

The laughter soon ceased and soon became one of utter shock as the itty bitty Arrancar became a gigantic, large, freakishly hideous hollow. Shukumei gulped a bit before pulling her Zanpakutou free from its scabbard.

Before she could take a step she was paralyzed by spiritual pressure, but whose was it. She tried to glance up as a large Garganta gate opened behind the enormous Arrancar.

There was no mistaking who it was, it was her damned brother. Why now of all time. Jin was coming and now there was no way in hell they would win. She turned and glanced at Ryouji, he too was looking up at the Garganta. It felt like she was being stepped on, it was hard to breathe and keep her focus...she was eventually forced down onto one knee as she continued to fight to remain conscience.

[Jin Onigata]

[This will be a combined post of Sorts and rather lengthy]

After stepping through the gigantic Garganta, Jin stood high above the battle, apparently all eyes were on him and he wanted it that way. Behind him, followed Luna who had a rather large smirk on her face. She was happy and for good reason, they only came for one thing and it wasn't to fight with the original six or the Shinigami...Jin had come to reclaim something that was lost to him quite some time ago. He tilted his head to the side upon staring at all of the carnage. The Shinigami were holding their own. They were to be applauded, He turned his attention to Ryouji whom was staring at him angrily. There was a different aura about him, nothing that was significant however to be trifle over.

There standing below him was who he truly sought, the person whom was more closer to him in everything, his own sister, Shukumei. The look on her face and eyes told him a story all on its own. She was terrified of him, as she well should be.

However there was a big problem standing before who he sought and himself. The enormous Arrancar who had released its Zanpakutou. When it turned to face him, Jin remained as he had always been, emotionless and unworried.

"You are in my away Arrancar."

When the Arrancar did not move Luna saw fit to take the stage, but Jin held at bay by extending his arm to keep her from being rash, sure it was a day to be happy for, but he would deal with the rather big Arrancar himself just to have it done quickly. Luna enjoyed playing with her food, Jin did not but however this wasn't about them for once, today marked a glorious return for someone everyone on this battlefield should fear and even if they don't...they will.

Jin raised his scabbard slightly before gripping the hilt of his Zanpakutou. He pulled it free and held the blade upside down before using sonido. At that point he had appeared and disappeared several times over at different points along the large body of the Arrancar. Once he reappeared in front of the Arrancar.

"Bakudo number Nine: Geki"

A large red light engulfed the large Arrancar, paralyzing his entire body. Jin didn't want to kill the Arrancar, but merely keep him from getting involved. Now he was finally able to do what he came to do.

"As you know, Shukumei, I have transcended all spiritual beings. You, the Shinigami, The Arrancar/Visored and all things hollow. There is another member of our 'family' who too is able to transcend. All things in existence. You don't have to worry, sister you've served your purpose well. As it stands now, your part in my plan is now over."

Jin saw the look of horror on her face, but it wasn't because of him, but because of the extra soul she was harboring within her body. That very soul who has been eating away at her every single day since the two of them rejoined.

"You understand now don't you. You foolishly took her back without realizing all the consequences. You knew it a long time ago that she was much stronger, harder for you to control, so you purposely avoided fighting because you knew if you lost control you would never get it back. She's to strong to be housed within you, and with her I will eradicate the Shinigami from existence."

Jin returned his Zanpakutou to its scabbard before pointing down at his sister who looked more terrified now than ever. The realization was there, and now she helped moved everyone and everything she loved closer to extinction, under the guise of attempting to protect them all.

"SHIVARIEA!!!"

Upon hearing everything Jin told to her, she played right into his hands, why didn't she realize it sooner, how she was willing to rejoin with her even knowing how badly this said individual hated the fact of rejoining with her. As soon as Shukumei heard the name, she dropped onto her knees and began to regurgitate the very same white substance her hollow mask was composed of. She tried to stop it by covering her hands with her mouth, but no matter what she did, she couldn't stop herself.

It continued. Her skin color became pale and her spiritual pressure decreased until there was nothing left. She collapsed as the pile of 'vomit' began to move and shape itself. Once it finished molding itself. It began to harden forming a statue of sorts. Eventually the statue began to crack and there stood whom Jin was referring to.

Shiva...had returned and left her 'mother' completely powerless in the process. All of her mother's power was now her own, Shukumei was nothing more than her former shell...

[Rin Onigata]

After returning to this material world. Shiva stood their glancing down at her hands. She had begun to laugh hysterically as she stood there, having been returned to her body, at long last, after years of waiting, the moment had finally arrived for the Primera to stand on her own once again. Bending her arms slightly she ran her fingers through her hair, fluffing it before turning to her attention to all of the Shinigami who had been watching.

She could feel them staring her, angrily in fact and she was enjoying every bit of it. Her eyes floated downward slightly as she glared at her mother as she laid there on the ground, gasping for air...the spiritual pressure must have been to much for her, the poor thing. Shiva knelt down near her mother, caressing her face ever so gently. She always said her mother was the most beautiful person she had ever laid eyes on, and she meant that.

Shiva gently lifted her mother off of the ground...before wrapping her right hand around her mother's throat and lifting her off of the ground and had begun to choke her.

"Mother, I thank you for allowing me to feed off of your spiritual pressure for the past three years...you had so much of it to give and its because of you that I have become stronger. I love you, for without you, I could never have become what I am."

Shiva released her mother's throat and lowered her onto her feet. She was shaking and fighting to stand up, Shiva wrapped her arms around Shukumei and embraced her. In her daughter's arms, she was nothing more than putty, she didn't have the strength to talk or try to fight anything...she was just a body on the verge of collapse.

She kissed her mother's cheek while she kept one arm around her mother to keep up on her feet. It wasn't far to long before Shiva drove her own hand through her mother's chest.

"Goodbye...mother"

It was always said that the two of them had a bond, if one would die then so would the other, and driving her own hand through the chest of the very woman who gave her life, proved that no such bond existed at least not anymore. Pulling her hand free of her mother's chest cavity. She released her from the half embrace she had her in and watched as she collapsed to the ground.

Shiva watched as her mother laid their twitching and coughing up blood. This was the end of their relationship as of this moment in time. Now there was no anchor holding her back, she was as free as the wind and she planned on keeping that way for all eternity. Her eyes widened as she saw a looming shadow approach her from behind, she turned her head slightly seeing Ryouji with his scythe in hand, she didn't feel him at all until he was right there. As he swung the scythe, she used Sonido to dodge the attack and appeared above the ground. The look on his face showed that he was beyond pissed off, he was fuming with hatred, he loathed her, honestly she wasn't at all shocked to see him acting that way.

How he was feeling however didn't matter. She used Sonido and appeared before the sixth Arrancar. She was disappointed in the lot of them, for years she longed to free them only for them to be shown up by a bunch of worthless vagabonds. She poked the red light and broke it down, shattering it allowing the giant to move again.

"I didn't free you for your benefit, but for my own. It its time for you to realize your true potential Gregorio Perez. Your strength shall become my own...you will become an instrument of my power."

Shiva raised her hand slightly before thrusting it into the giant's mask. Their bodies had begun to glow brightly. Shiva laughed but only for a moment before stopping. She opened her mouth and had begun to inhale deeply. The ground began to quake with her powerful inhaling, she had begun to break down the body of the sixth original seis member and ingesting him through her inhaling. Once it was finished. Shiva hunched over as she began to scream.

Her body had begun to change significantly...the remnants of her mask that rested at the base of her neck had begun to crack and break away revealing more of a fleshy style hierro. Once the change had ended she tilted her head back and sighed heavily. Her spiritual pressure increased slightly, but it wasn't enough.

[Yuri Nakayama]

After the relief squad was done healing her, Yuri's eyes slowly began to open. Being helped up to her feet, she thanked those involved in healing her and soon flash stepped back on the battlefield. It was then where she saw tis Yumiko defeat the Ararncar that gave her so much trouble with little effort. Hell, she even used Ryouji's zanpakutou. That must have been some indication that they were close friends or something. As she was going to ask, the sudden increase of reiatsu left her frozen in place. When she found the source, it was none other than Jin.

What she least expected was to hear that Shukumei had taken Shiva back within her. Perhaps she thought it was the best way to deal with the situation. Regardless, she had to help the now injured captain. Flash stepping over to Shukumei, Yuri had helped her up by moving one of her arms around her neck and lifting her up. she was still to see Shiva in the flesh, and seeing Luna appear with Jin didn't make her feel any better. There was so many mixed feelings, but she knew now wasn't the time. All she could do was curse her powerlessness.

What made things worse was that she just consumed one of the original six. The sudden increase of her spiritual pressure made her feel really nervous. No, she couldn't give into her fear. She had to get Shukumei to the relief squad.

"Hang in there Shukumei.. I'll get you to the others."

[Rin Onigata]

She still hungered for more...much more, she would not be satisfied until she consumed every single thing in sight, however that was much less of a reality than anything else. She learned a great deal about who and what she was while being locked away within her mother. She watched as Yuri hurried to get Shukumei the relief she so desperately required.

"You poor little idiots, Shukumei Onigata is as good as dead!"

Shiva threw her head back and began to laugh. She was beyond proud of herself for leaving her mother to die. It was by far her most defining moment. Yet there was more fun to be had, she made plans to consume all of the original seis but was woken up to late. It mattered not, there was only one of them she was truly after and his power would allow her to grow one step closer to her true form.

"Where is he hiding Adalita Cruz...there is no point in protecting your fearless leader, he will die at my hands eventually, so why spare him? He is to become apart of me!"

When she and Adalita locked eyes, a slight smirk formed to her face, she was such a pretty little thing, but as fragile as the seal she was placed behind. Nothing would please her more than removing her spine from her little frame.

It was then Shiva felt the spiritual pressure she sought...but it was behind her. She narrowed her eyes and quickly turned around and was quickly stricken with 'his' Zanpakutou. Blood coated his blade and Shiva gasped as she fell down to the ground, creating a rather large crater from the impact. He cut right through her hierro. He was as she was told...ridiculously strong.

She tried to sit up but as she moved, the original one pointed his finger at her and began to form a cero at the tip of his finger. As released it, Shiva heard her uncle shout to his pretty little bimbo of a wife. A large barrier separated everyone from Shiva and the blast.There was silence on Shiva's end...only a thick smoke from the cero hitting her and the ground beneath her.

[Ryouji Onigata]

Once the blast had hit and the barrier stood tall after the initial impact, Ryouji saw this as his chance to finally do away with Shiva all together. It was time to put all those years of training to the test. He turned to Azumi who was already out of breath from attempting to keep the barrier up as is. If Hina was up on her feet, she could help Azumi maintain it, but that was no longer an issue. He wasn't able to perform Kido on such a scale, in fact he always thought Kido was for sissy's though he wouldn't dare admit that out loud.



Ryouji performed a flash step and appeared high above the ground with his Scythe in hand. He brought his hand up to his face once again and began to gather the energy he now required to hollowfy and once he was finished, his mask appeared over his face. He raised the Scythe high above him, while keeping a firm grip on it.

The blade on the scythe had begun to emit its own trail of spiritual energy as he swung it around in a huge circular motion. Before he could release the attack however, The Elder Shizune appeared beside him. He turned his attention to him.

"She hurt Aunt Shukumei and I want in on this dad and I'm not taking no for an answer!"

Shizune followed in her father's footsteps and conjured her mask. The Father and daughter stood tall beside one another and the duo was eventually joined by the number two member of the original six as well. This wasn't the time to worry about the fact that she was assisting with her own Cero. Shizune opened her mouth and began to gather the energy required for a huge Cero. The fact that the three of them together were attacking could very well harm more innocent people. It was a risk he did not want to take but had no choice if they were to be rid of Shiva forever.

Shizune and Adalita both fired their cero's and when they hit, Ryouji followed up with swinging his scythe downward, releasing a enormous wave of spirit energy which hurled down toward the ground. After the attacks collided with the ground respectfully, Azumi's barrier shattered and a strong wind swept across the area as a result. Ryouji kept his eyes locked on the ground wanting to see if she survived.

"She was always over confident. She did get that trait from her mother, unfortunately..."

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri quickly got Shukumei to the relief team before both father and daughter started their..onslaught for a lack of a better term. She stayed with them and Shukumei, intending to keep them from getting anymore injured than what they were. Still, though she knew she had to protect them, what could she do? If she struggled to keep up with one of the Original six, then how could she possibly keep up with Shiva? Out of nowhere, Yumiko flashstepped in front of her, glancing back to her a little.

"Go on and help your friends. I'll take over watching these few."

Yuri nodded, feeling sort of relieved. After the explosion had settled down, she flashstepped to where Ryouji and Big Shi was at, Zanpakutou already unsheathed. She wasn't going to let them fight just by themselves. They were going to need all the help they could get.

"I honestly can't sense Shiva's Reiatsu or the other Arrancar's.. It would be easy to say that they must have been destroyed..but that would be naive, wouldn't it? No harm done thinking it, right?"

She knew she couldn't assume either were dead. If she did, it could very well cost her her life. Still, there seems to be nothing in sight.

[Ronin]

Ronin had arrived at the relief squad, helping tend to the injured. As he saw his former Captain among them, he narrowed his eyes. He had been away on a recon mission when he heard about the attack and hurried back. Apparently he was not fast enough as there were so many injured already. He saw the mystery person, still having the feeling he knows her. He waited, making sure that nothing happened to the injured while he was there. He caught the mystery person looking at him a few times, raising an eyebrow. He decided to pass it off, leaning against a wall as he watched over the fallen people.

[Rin Onigata]

[This will be a combined post between Shiva, The Original One, Ryouji and Future Shizune]

After being ambushed by the two original seis members and her 'uncle' and his daughter from the future, Shiva welcomed the attacks, they were playing right in to her hands, giving her a reason to hide so that she could truly do what she has sought to do since returning to this ridiculous world. She wasn't without injury, once the attacks had hit her, amidst the smoke and debris that followed she performed sonido and waited patiently. Once the smoke was clear and the group realized she wasn't there, she appeared behind the original one with her head lowered. It was already to late for anyone to prevent what was to follow.

An aura of sorts covered Shiva's body as she slowly raised her head and her spiritual pressure wanting to alert everyone to where she was. When they took notice of her position, Shiva raised her head slightly and a rather wicked smirk formed to her lips.

"You're mine!!!"

Shiva grabbed the Arrancar from behind and wrapped her legs around his waste and her arms around his upper body. She then sunk her teeth into the Arrancar's neck and began to consume him in a more physical manner. Naturally the original one struggled to free himself, but eventually the struggling stopped and his body went limp within her embrace. She tightened her hold on him and had begun the process to break his body down into a more suitable delicious form. She had opened her mouth and had once again begun to inhale with a vengeance.

The Original one's body had begun to break down completely before vanishing completely and Shiva inhaled every drop of his spiritual essence into her body and when the process was completed. She stared at the worthless bunch. The spiritual pressure she was originally releasing had increased dramatically and her body was swallowed up by a wall of spirit energy.

Ryouji shouted for her to stop, but as if she would ever listen to him to begin with, the process was automatic. The more spiritual energy she consumed, the stronger she would become and for the lack of a better term, she just hit the jackpot and consumed the strongest of all Arrancar to have ever existed. Now the evolution of Shiva had now begun and there was no hope of stopping her now.

"Dad we have to do something now!" Shizune shouted while watching all of this take place. Ryouji turned to her and nodded and together the father, daughter duo went on the offensive. As the neared The wall of spiritual pressure, both of them went to attack but their blades were repelled and it sent them skidding backwards. Once they stopped skidding the wall of spiritual energy vanished and there Shiva stood in her new form. Whatever remnants of her mask had vanished completely. She looked human if that's what one could call it.

After taking a deep breath, Shiva opened her eyes and glanced at herself. She had truly become the anti-Shukumei and now she had gained what power she had sought for so long. The power to transcend all hollows and Shinigami. She glanced down at Ryouji and smirked before pointing at him.

"Do I look as you imagined dear Uncle? You expected me to become so giant hollowfied monster...no not at all. I too am surprised. I had no idea what to expect, but I am satisfied. No longer am I plagued by the remnants of a hollow mask, or a giant gaping hole through my thigh. I look just as you do. Tell me, do I look exactly like her, do I look exactly like my mother?"

She could feel the anger he was emitting. She could even smell it. Why be angry. It is the natural process of evolution. She was destined to become something more than a mere Arrancar and now thanks to the long term plan, she has done just that.

"You don't need to answer that Ryouji, the simple answer is...is that I am Shukumei! I am everything she was and could ever hope to become."

She began to laugh loudly. Ryouji has had more than enough of listening to her compare herself to the woman who created her. He rushed toward her, in a rage. With his Scythe drawn back he went to attack her, but the attack stopped when Shiva raised her hand and blocked it with the back of her fist. Her eyes slowly moved over to the direction where her uncle was.

"Heh..."

With her bare hand, Shiva wounded Ryouji. The handle of his Scythe broke and his mask shattered as he fell backwards and hurled toward the ground. Shizune witnessing this yelled and went after Shiva as well. Shiva's eyes floated over to Shizune as she moved closer to where she was standing. As Shizune attacked. Shiva gripped Shizune's Zanpakutou and pulled her in closer and rammed her knee into the girls stomach. Shizune bent over and blood spilled from underneath her mask before she was swatted down to the ground like she was nothing more than a common housefly. As Shizune continued to fall. Shiva vanished and appeared beneath her. She quickly rotated her body around before planting her foot directly into her lower back which sent her hurling off to the side before she crashed into a pillar.

Shiva tilted her head to the side as the pillar cracked and crumbled from the impact before turning her attention away. Her hair danced in the wind as she set her sides on another one of the mighty Visored.

"Long time no see...Yuri Nakayama!"

A slight grin formed to Shiva's face as she glared a hole through the third squad captain of the Gotei Thirteen.

[Yuri Nakayama]

Note: Got permission to do what I'm gonna be doing in this post.

Yuri was in utter shock when she watched both Ryouji and Shizune drop down from their injuries. She was completely enraged. Transforming her Zanpakutou to its Shikai form, also bringing her hand over her face, calling back her mask. She couldn't let her anger get the best of her, but how could she not? Her mentors and Shizune was taken down so effortlessly.

"I suppose this was to happen. Even if we did 'bond' during our training sessions, Shiva, deep down I knew this would happen. Still.. Why.. Why?!"

As she was getting ready to do a flash step, but was stopped in her tracks when Shiva released a large amount of her reiatsu. The air was thick, it was hard for her to breathe. If it wasn't for her mask she would be down on one knee. Why.. Why did this all have to happen?

"Why are you still here, Shiva? You got what you wanted, didn't you? I'm assuming this is why you did everything that you did. It did seem kind of strange for you to release something you, at first, couldn't control? The pieces finally fit now.

[Rin Onigata]

Upon seeing how enraged and talkative Yuri was to her, Shiva merely tilted her head and extended her right hand in her direction before pointing at her. Is that was she truly believed that she wanted to control her egotistical little hollow.

"Poor little Yuri is angry, whatever am I going to do? Don't spout random nonsense from your mouth in order to make sense of anything. Our bond was purely fictional. It was a bond in your head but to me...it was just another day of the week."

Shiva lowered her arm and placed both of her hands on her hips turning her nose into the air, it was meant to be an act of total disrespect, for she didn't take Yuri seriously at all, nor has she ever for that matter.

"I dropped you on your head for my sweet Luna. I know of your past with her, its impossible not to. Every time she slept she wept for you. Or rather your hollow. She wanted you to belong to her for all eternity and I was merely speeding up the process. It failed but it isn't to late you know. You can swear eternal loyalty to me and remain with Luna for all eternity or there is the alternative."

Appearing behind Yuri, Shiva gently wrapped her arms around Yuri's neck and held her from behind while resting her chin on her right shoulder her grin went from ear to ear as she continued to stare at her.

"There really isn't an alternative for you. Quite frankly I find you to be helpless and lost. You are nothing more than a failed student to Ryouji. You are entirely helpless. Why is it that every time you're in trouble...Ryouji is right there to bail you out. When that foolish boy captured you, who came to rescue you hmm? Ryouji. Whenever your hollow went berserk in the human world...who came and stopped you and carried you back to the sereitei for your treatment? Ryouji. Without him Yuri, you are absolutely worthless. You can't even function on your own without wondering if he'll be there to save you when you fall. Your own squad doesn't take you seriously, they are merely waiting like the captains before you who had abandoned them."

Shiva moved her head and gently rested it against Yuri's while sighing. It was such a shame, she does have potential, but not nearly enough to stop her at this point. It was funny with the two of them talking like this. Shiva was toying with her on purpose to provoke a specific reaction out of her. Shiva wanted Yuri to get so angry she couldn't help but to attack her.

"My little Yuri...everything about you...." Shiva nuzzled her cheek against Yuri's before turning moving her lips closer to her ear in a very light whisper, she merely spoke the truth about her feelings when it came to Yuri.

"Disgusts me..."

[Yuri Nakayama]

OOC | | Moooore permission xD

She wanted to say something. She really did but the words just wouldn't form. Again, it was brought up.. Her past with Luna. As Shiva wrapped her arms around her, she could only stand there. It wasn't like she could move even if she wanted to. It was like every fiber of her being was frozen and wasn't allowing her to move. Then.. It began.

She mentioned how she was hopeless and how Luna cried for her. She felt completely guilty and was probably playing right into Shiva's hands. She was right though. When everything turned out to be wrong, he was always there to keep her safe. Deep down, she depended on him.. She always has. He was there for her in the beginning when she first came into Soul Society. In a way.. he was like her father. She knew he wouldn't be disappointed, but with the way Shiva was making it seem, he was. It was hard not to think like that.

"It's...It's not like I asked for any of this.."

It was all she could say. She was trying not to let Shiva's mind games get to her, but how could she not? She's pulling out all the stops. With her mentioning to just leave everyone and go wit them. It was either that or being forced to go through hollowification. It made her think to the confrontation she had with Luna and how upset she was that she was just minutes away from making her a hollow.

To be honest, if she didn't meet the people she did, then there would be nothing to hold her back to take her..'generous' offer. Now.. Now she has people that are important to her. Most of all.. There was Ronin and Megumi. She couldn't give up. Not just for them.. but herself and everyone else.

"I regret what happened in the past.. but now.. I.. have others that need me. Most importantly.. A little girl...that needs me most. Your words cut deep Shiva.. I won't lie. But.. for her sake.. I must not give in or give up."

It was easy to say it, but hard to believe. At least for her anyway. Even if Ryouji was there for her in her times of need, He didn't do it because she was powerless. They've known each other for a long time so it's only natural for him to know her limits. Glancing back slightly to shiva, Yuri could only think about what was said. looking away, she took a deep breath before Exhaling. With her free hand, she placed it on one of her arms resting it there for a moment. It looked as if she was trying to take comfort in Shiva. That was far from the truth.

Moving her arm down while keeping a moderate grip, she let herself fall forward so Shiva would fall with her. It gave her enough force to more or less toss her from behind. Shiva, of course, skidded to a stop. All she could do was glare at her. For her to say all that, she must be wanting something from her. To be emotional. All she can do was act along with what she wants. Hopefully, it wouldn't backfire on her. At the moment, she let her reiatsu flare wildly. She didn't really have to act all that much. She was pissed at all the damage she has done. With a few flash steps, Yuri closed in the distance, ready to strike Shiva down.

"You will pay for what you did, Shiva! I'll see to it!"

The only thing that concerned her is that Shiva would probably know she's just faking. Knowing her, it probably wouldn't matter if she was actually mad or acting. all she can do now is see what will unfold.

[Rin Onigata]

Hasn't she learned anything from watching her precious mentor and his daughter? She wasn't strong enough to inflict a serious wound upon her, at least not yet she wasn't. In due time she would grow to become strong enough to one day do battle with her, but it would take her at least another three-hundred years before Shiva considered her a viable threat and that was if she were to train without stopping. As Yuri began to swing her Zanpakutou, Shiva used Sonido to avoid the attack. Once Yuri Regained her composure, Shiva appeared behind her with her arms folded loosely across her chest.

Shiva raised her head slightly as she opened her eyes. She was actually rather sad that it had to come to this. They were her family of sorts. She knows them just as well as Shukumei does. However her feelings meant nothing in the long term. She would eventually have to kill them all anyway to keep them from interfering with her plans. Shiva drew back her elbow, ramming it into the back of Yuri's neck before turning around slowly.

Gripping her by the haori, Shiva raised Yuri from the ground and held her in the air. One guessed that the little girl she mentioned that needed her wasn't going to need her for much longer. Shiva's smirk grew as she began to form a cero with her free hand. As she was preparing to fire it, Shiva's forearm was gripped tightly causing her to cancel the Cero. She glanced over, seeing who stopped her and giggled.

"I never would have guessed it would be you who stops me from killing her..."

[Luna Cortez]

When her mistress glanced at her and made her statement about stopping her, Luna lowered her head before releasing her mistress's forearm. She didn't know what came over her. In that brief instant, she feared for Yuri's life. She made it clear during their last meeting that she would choose Shiva if she ever had to make a choice. Part of her had forgotten that.

"Forgive me my mistress. I must have lost control of my feelings again. Why should I care about saving a shinigami...when it has been clear to me all along that she had no intentions of returning to me. It won't happen again...this I swear to you."

She really was struggling to make sense of all of this. She hates Yuri more than anyone or anything else that could exist. Yet she still feels very protective of her. Those bonds must be severed if she is to truly serve Shiva.

"You forgot about me...you betrayed my trust...and my friendship...you have to die. If you never met him...if you were never rescued, you would be all mine. You aren't worthy of my affection...or of my friendship, so you have to die!"

Luna turned away from both Yuri and her mistress, leaving Shiva to do as she pleased with her former best friend. Regardless of how hard she wanted to fight it and leave Yuri unharmed, she knew that there was no returning to what they once had.

[Yuri Nakayama]

All Yuri could do was to turn her head back to the people that were behind her. When she saw Luna had saved her, a part of her was very happy. Well, not just a part of her. All of her. Maybe she understood that she didn't intentionally did all the things she did. Then, when she heard what Luna said, Whatever happiness she had seem to have shattered. Memories of the two of them together came to mind. They were always with each other and always did everything together. They were such good friends. If only that Hollow hadn't of come and destroyed everything they both had.

Was she truly hat fault? Was it her fault that Luna came into being? Sure, the Hollow was the one who turned her into a Hollow who eventually became an Arrancar but.. Was it really her that formed the personality she sees now? A..Sadistic person who only cares about Shiva? She could only lower her head in shame.

Megumi, who was worried for her mother's well-being, had gotten as close as she felt comfortable which was just close enough to be in shouting distance so Yuri could hear her.

"You can't let them get to you! You have to be strong! I know you can do it as does everyone else does!"

Yuri could hear Megumi's words, but just couldn't make any sense out of it. How could she not let them get to her? What they spoke of, at least Luna anyway, was true. Despair had a strong grip on her and it was proving too strong to free herself. If she wasn't rescued.. She would be with Luna and Shiva. However, since she was, she met wonderful people and found out that sooner or later, she was going to have such a beautiful daughter. Glancing up slightly to see Megumi, she could see the worried look on her face. If everyone else could of figured out who Megumi was, why couldn't these two? In a way, she was glad.. at least for now they wouldn't be targeting her.

As she moved her hand toward Shiva to use a Kido to free herself since she was distracted, Yuri more or less froze in that position. Something was going on deep within her. It was her Hollow, fighting for something.. Not necessarily control.. She didn't know what it wanted. She thought after that huge fight they had before would of meant she finally had control over it. Apparently not. Perhaps this is what they wanted. To provoke a Hollowification out of her. If that was the case, they got what they wanted.

Due to Yuri's initial struggle, it couldn't really do much. Just half of the Hollow's mask was able to form. At least it was nothing too serious. Regardless, it knew what had happened. Maybe hearing Luna's voice so up close was the reason why it awoken.


"My, hasn't it been a while? A few good years for Shiva, I'd say.. But You.. Luna.. Seems like an eternity. So, mind telling me why you're gonna off my host? After all, I'm sure it's not little Yuri you were trying to save, now was it? I suppose I should feel honored that you still remember me."

[Luna Cortez]

After sensing the change in Yuri as her inner hollow came forth, it felt as if time had stopped completely for her. She stopped and glanced back over her left shoulder and saw the hollowfied Yuri staring at her. The spiritual pressure was different. The way it spoke...even the way she smelled wasn't the same. It couldn't be a trick. Why now, why did she have to show up now when Luna wanted nothing more to do with her.

"Why...why did you have to show yourself now. Where were you when I wanted to see you! You make yourself known now that I want nothing more than to serve my Mistress."

Luna turned around completely and faced "Yuri". Regardless of what she said prior to their meeting, she was happy to see her, the real Yuri, not the helpless whiny inconsiderate Shinigami.

"I want...to hate you. I want to loathe you, I want...to despise you but I can't. All those years of friendship...the night that I killed you and removed you from your mortal shell. All of it was so that we could remain together as friends...maybe even more like sisters."

Wanting to resist the urge to continue speaking to her, Luna found herself slowly moving toward 'Yuri' As she walked passed Shiva, she stopped and glanced down seeing that incomplete mask, made it harder to deal with, if she had only a second more...then their friendship would have been much better, much stronger.

It just wasn't meant to be however. No matter how much she truly loved Yuri, they were just to different and it was a fact she was going to have to accept. Even though she caused Yuri's hollowification all those years ago, this is the Yuri she wanted, but it wasn't the Yuri she remembers most.

"My lady Shiva, I have a request...despite what I said...let Yuri live...for now. When the time is right, I will personally handle the situation myself. As for now...I must get away from her...I find myself slipping back into a more emotional state. I actually feel sorry for her... I must leave at once."

Upon receiving the approving nod from her Mistress, Luna turned to Yuri. She was...torn or at least partially. She slowly raised her hand and placed it on the Yuri's cheek.

"When we meet again Yuri, I want you to be in full control of the gift and curse that I gave to you and on that day...when you are at your strongest, we will fight and I will kill you. Consider this the last civil conversation you and I will ever have...as friends...and as enemies"

Luna lowered her hand and performed Sonido, leaving Yuri, her mistress and her master Jin behind. There was nothing more to say, or do. She would use this time to become far more savage and sadistic than she ever thought possible. Their next meeting would decide it all for both herself and for Yuri.

[Yuri Nakayama]

The Hollow wanted to talk to Luna more, but it was too late. She had already left. Who would of thought things would of turned out like this? There had to be a way to fix things and it wasn't going to give up nor let Luna give up. For the time being, it would have to accept 'defeat'. When the time comes for them to fight, it'll let all the reasons be known. For now, they would serve better to be hidden. The mask slowly broke away, allowing Yuri to gain control over her body once more. The poor thing was torn up about everything. In some twisted way, she believed that if she didn't struggle against her Hollowification, things wouldn't be this way. That thought was quickly tossed away when she glanced over to Megumi. She wouldn't do anything that would cause her not to be born. It was thanks to Big Shi that she finally understood what Megumi was to her.

Still, it was a surprise that Shiva actually let her down. maybe it wasn't too surprising since Luna and Shiva appeared to be so close..close like Luna and her used to be. There was nothing that could be done now. All She can do is make sure that those she cares for stays safe and to get control of her Hollow. Luna did give it to her as a 'gift' and it would prove to be an important key in ending this nonsense once and for all.

All the thick spiritual pressure was now gone. It was easier to both breathe and stand without any struggle. Yumi had came over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, but didn't say anything.It was her way of supporting Yuri for she knew what was coming next. The others had to be careful and watch her for this was going to be a dark time for their friend and fellow captain. Yumi stepped over to Ronin, leaning in to whisper something to him.

"If you have any feelings for her as you say you do, then watch over her carefully. She's going to need you more than you could imagine.

For now, the battle was over. They could all relax..sort of. All they could do now was live and hope to put this war behind them.