The Fang Revealed

[Ayame Kojima]

[Note: This Thread is happening during the Cause for Concern Thread]

Having left one of her students, Shukumei in the sereitei, Ayame rushed to a vacant field off in the in order to keep an appointment with someone whom she agreed to battle one final time on this day 18 years ago. This was the day all those years ago where Ayame was practically welcomed into the family by Megumi by calling her Auntie, so the fight was postponed for many many years but today was the day she'd finally get even with her opponent. Historically speaking she was the second person to hold the title of Zetsumei. There have been three, though the third, Ryouji originally borrowed or stole the title for a mission and then retired it. While he had no claim to do so, it stands to remain that there has only been two.

The Title of Zetsumei was created for one purpose to rival that of the Sereitei's Kenpachi. While it too is merely a title, it's currently owned by the captain of the 11th squad Kenpachi Zaraki. Once she arrived at the designated battle area, she glanced around before placing her hands on her hips. She sighed and glanced toward the sky. She was waiting and her opponent was late as usual.

"Late again, I swear it's impossible for my opponent to remain on time. This isn't the first time and it won't be the last I'm sure. Hard to believe that this spot is still vacant, it was a nice field for sure. It's going to suck to tear it up once the battle begins."

She decided to sit down on the ground to wait. Eventually she laid down and placed her hand behind her head and waited comfortably. With a heavy sigh from boredom Ayame closed eyes. Upon feeling a slight shift in the wind. Ayame opened her eyes and saw a Senkaimon gate open above her. She hopped up to her feet quickly and smirked.

"Finally, I thought I was going to have to wait forever for you. I'm glad you came, this will be the one battle to prove which Zetsumei is superior after all of our years of training and experience! Are you prepared to finally lose to me?"

Ayame placed her hands upon her hips before chuckling, she was confident, more confident than ever including in their previous battles. This was her day and nothing would change that. The Fang versus The Hand or better known as The Claw, It logged in history as the greatest battle to have ever taken place.

"The rule still stands, if I beat you, you have no choice but to confess as to who or rather what you use to be. Do you agree to these terms...Azumina?"

[Azumi Onigata]

Upon hearing to the terms once again that Ayame set if she were to lose, Azumi nodded. She had no choice but to agree, they haven't changed at all since their last fight and that was a little over eighteen years ago. She hoped that Ayame knew what she was asking and how things could change for both of them. Honestly, Azumi felt that everyone was better off not knowing the truth about their past and the fact that she was the original Zetsumei. What if her future children found out and worst of all what if Yuri found out. It was because of Ayame's future self, Yuri was caused so much pain.

"You don't weigh all of the options Ayame, such knowledge would only cause more heartbreak and distrust. Such secrets are better of being left where they are. Don't forget, they don't know who you really are either and if they were to find out they would hold a great deal of distrust for both of us. I don't plan on having my own children look at me differently. We have one objective and it's Rin, nothing else matters to them and if Ryouji knew the truth about me...I don't even want to think about it. I won't lose my husband and I won't lose my children to a family secret. As far as the know I am Azumina Kusanagi, noble, wife, mother. They will never know me As Azumina The Fang, or Zetsumei, The Fang of Death, so I will beat you again so they won't have to know."

Azumi reached back and grabbed her hair and pulled it over her left shoulder she began to braid it quickly so that it would not get in the way. Once she finished she tossed the braid behind her. She reached into her pocket and pulled out two finger less gloves. She slid them over her hands individually before clinching her fists to make sure that they fit properly. She smirked before extending both her pointer and middle finger of her left hand.

Ayame watched with intent...she wondered what on earth she was going to do with those two fingers and that's when she remembered. When Azumi handed the title of Zetsumei over to her, it was right then and there that she witnessed Azumi put a seal on herself, she had no reason to continue to fight at full power, she wanted to be considered normal though no Kusanagi was ever normal. It was also probably the reason why Azumi's future self was caught off guard, if she doesn't have a chance to break her seal and release her full power, she would have been no match for the Future Zetsumei

Azumi turned her fingers on herself and thrusts them into her stomach and doubled over in pain. She broke her seal and the built up Reiatsu that she had hidden away because of it began to pour out of her like a fountain. She stood up and screamed as she clinched her hands into fists to get control over it, once it normalized she stood there breathing heavily with her eyes closed.

"It's been such a long time...I'm sorry it took so long for me to normalize my Reiatsu...but now I am ready."

Azumi stood there, because of the amount of Reiatsu that she was now able to put out, her hair had changed color from it's usual light green to black as it always has when she unsealed herself. It would also help with her disguise in case the two of them were discovered by their family.

Azumi opened her eyes and revealed that her Kisagara had been activated. She was now truly ready to face her opponent. Yet before they begin, she wanted to ask one final question. Mostly out of morbid curiosity.

"Before our battle, I wish to know why you want me to confess so badly. You have stake in this too, remember. How do you think everyone, including your own pupils, my husband and sister-in-law would feel if they knew who you really were too. That Kojima is actually your father's surname, but in actuality you are my sister? Forgiveness is not your style Ayame, you've killed in order to get to my husband when it wasn't he who killed your step-mother. Ryouji doesn't have it in him to betray those he cares for. Even when he pretended to switch sides, it was merely only to help Yuri become stronger, he gave up his role as a Captain, just to be with me. Not even he knows who you really are. Would you betray them both to clear your conscience?"

Ayame nodded, it as what she wanted to do. She didn't feel the need to hide it any further and while Azumi could see where she was coming from, she would not allow her to blow her cover, not now, and not ever. She was happy the way things were and even though they are her family, she could not hurt them, she could never imagine telling them such a thing. It was dangerous knowing that her family was aware of Zetsumei's existence. That's all she wanted them to know at this point. Maybe a day would come where she could tell them, but as it stands now, Rin is the only thing everyone should be focused on. Then she had a thought, Rin Onigata...she knew everything about the two of them as well. Rin could use that information to demoralize their entire group.

"That's why you wanted to have this fight so suddenly...because of Rin...the fact that she knows about our family and about us. You want to break it to them to keep her from doing it. Now it is clear sister, I understand. We haven't a choice in the matter then...we will tell them when this battle is over, but we still have this battle, Zetsumei, The Fang of Death versus Zetsumei The Claw or rather the hand of Death."

Azumi smirked before sliding into a fighting stance, this would not be a battle of Kido, just pure strength and skill and even if Ayame some how managed to get the upper hand, she still had her ace in the hole to guarantee her victory.

"Since we're in a confessing mood, there is something you should know about our family. We have another secret in our veins. It also caused more harm than good to the soul society in general. It's easy to understand why I've never viewed myself as a noble. The atrocities that we've committed against others can not be forgive nor should they. Shiori will bring honor to our family name again....but that's neither here nor there. The ability that my daughter's possess, to conjure those white masks...hollowification if you will...it didn't come from their father at all."

Ayame's eyes widened she didn't know about that, but her future self did and used it against them at one point. She understood, she remembers when she saw Ryouji dawn that mask in their little fight, it terrified her and if Azumi was saying that it didn't come from Ryouji, it meant that it actually came from her...

"You mean..."

Azumi raised her right hand placed it in front of her face, before bending her hand slightly at the wrist. A rather sadistic grin formed to Azumi's lips as she stared at her younger sister. The look she wore, showed one of worry and perhaps even sheer terror. Azumi put her hand down...she had no need to use it now nor did she ever in all honesty.

"Don't worry, I won't be using it. Judging by the look on your face, you were afraid. That secret will remain a secret. I doubt Rin truly knows about that and that's the way it will stay."

Azumi clinched her fists and stood across from Ayame now ready. Ayame took the same stance as Azumi and the two sister stood ready to do battle with each other one final time.

[Rin Onigata]

A Garganta, tore itself open and as if being summoned, the one called Rin appeared at the opening and smirked as she dragged an a silent and near lifeless body with her by the collar of a robe. The half-sisters glared at Rin as she came to a stop right before the two of them with a smirk on her face. So here they were once again just like in the old days only this time it was far more interesting. The Original Zetsumei...Azumina the Fang had finally shown her teeth after so many years. Nothing has changed about her at all. Still so very determined it was like she was a totally different person, no longer hiding behind the wife and mother schtick. Even if she was her sister-in-law they've had their problems over the years.

"To bare your teeth again...it must feel quite amazing. It's been a long time...Azumina. You must be quite worried if you've decided to show yourself what has it been now? It's not that it matters. If you're here, that can only mean one thing? You're worried that I'm going to tell your family who you really are. A berserker with a high tolerance for pain. They called you the fang for once you bite you don't let go until your prey dies. Tell me Azumina, are you still the same savage that you've always been? I'm curious to find out."

Azumina glared at her without saying a word. Rin laughed as she tightened her grip around the collar of the motionless individual she brought with her. She slowly raised the individual up and revealed who it was that she was carrying with her. Upon staring at the bruised and bloodied face, Azumina's expression changed completely to one of horror and shock...for the individual she had beaten up was none other than her eldest daughter.

"Ry..Ryoko...?"

Rin laughed again before tossing Ryoko to the ground in front of Azumina. She knelt down and stared at her daughter as she laid motionless...and pale. Her breathing was slowed but she was still alive...what did Rin do to her. Ryoko began to move as Azumina pulled her into an embrace.

"Hi...mommy..."

Azumina's eyes widened as she passed out in her arms. The expression that Azumina wore had changed to one of shock and worry to one of pure anger. This was the expression Rin was hoping to receive from her sibling by marriage. This was the True Azumina...the one who fought on rage and strength alone. To bring one of her children into this was unforgivable and she knew that she would fight to attempt to absolutely destroy her. She would fail, but it would be an interesting fight nevertheless.

Ayame grabbed Ryoko and pulled her away from the impending battle that was to follow after Rin crossed the line and hurt her niece. She's never seen Azumi this angry...she didn't know if this was a good thing or a bad thing, it didn't matter, she wasn't going to listen to reason.

"Yes...that's the way Azumina...feed on your hatred...attack me for I nearly killed my own niece just to see you still have what it takes to be what you once were."

Rin laughed again as Azumina's reiatsu began to climb tremendously. Rin's laughter ceased as she watched Azumi's rage consume her very being. Not because she as intimidated but because she felt something different...she's had this feeling with Azumi once before but she can't remember where it was from. She even smelled...odd.

"For hurting my child...I'll kill you. I WILL KILL YOU!!!"

Lunging forward with everything she had...Azumina wrapped her hand around Rin's face and attempted to push her back. Rin left her feet as Azumina pushed her back before slamming her down onto the ground. Even while being slammed, Rin couldn't comprehend where she's smelled that scent Azumi carried. Azumi raised her free hand and it began to glow brightly as she began to pull reishi from the area and formed it into a red ball. Rin's eyes shifted to Azumi's had and she quickly placed her hand against Azumi's to extinguish the kido spell.

Azumina tightened her grip around Rin's face and pulled her up to a sitting position before slamming her head back down into the ground. She lift her up again and slammed her a third time...followed by a forth and again with a fifth. As she lifted Rin up again, Rin Shifted her weight and wrapped her arms and legs around Azumi's arm, putting her in an arm lock to stop her. Azumi's expression did not change in the slightest, it was like she wasn't even their. Azumi's eyes shifted and the two stared into each others eyes. Azumina's kisagara transformed. Her iris took on a different shape as the red grew darker. Rin tightened and began to shift more weight into her hips as she tightened her grip on Azumi's arm. If she continued to apply pressure, there was no doubt in her mind she would break her arm.

Azumi roared loudly as she lifted Rin off of the ground as she still held on with the arm lock and with all of her might she slammed Rin into the ground causing her to break the hold. Azumi rotated her arm and opening and closes her hand to make sure she could still use it and had feeling in it before lunging at Rin again. That's when Rin came to the realization of what was happening and why Azumina seemed so different. They've had this talk once before, during the time where she initially blackmailed Azumi into releasing the Original Seis (six) from their seal.

"Azumina...you need to seal yourself immediately!"

Azumi didn't want to hear anything she had to say, she only wanted to tear open her chest and stab her heart repeatedly until it stop beating. There was no reasoning with her now, she broke the cardinal rule...you don't hurt her children...ever!

"DIE!!"

As Azumi reached her with the Lunge, Rin grabbed Azumi by the throat and began to choke her...but released her suddenly...she couldn't go through with it...not now. This fight no longer had meaning to her and it needed to end before things got really out of control.

"I know you're angry but you need to listen...you need to seal yourself and become normal again immediately...if you don't you'll..."

Azumi walked forward as she was released by Rin. Rin backed away slowly to keep her distance....at this rate she wouldn't stop until she either won and killed her or died herself and she couldn't kill her. At least not today...or anytime in the future. Azumi performed a flash step and appeared behind Rin and quickly wrapped her arms around Rin's neck quickly...she was truly attempting to choke the life out of her.

"SHUT UP!!!"

Rin grabbed Azumi's arms and slowly pried them appart before liquifying and turning to ice right on the spot, trapping Azumina. As she began to rise from the ground so to speak. Now that Azumi was trapped for the moment, she could perhaps tell her what was going on and why this fight needed to end quickly.

"Now before you break yourself free, I need you to sit still and listen to me... You know my sense of smell is uncanny. Think back to when I manipulated you into freeing the Original Seis...why I didn't allow Luna to attack you!"

Azumi broke free of her make shift bindings and turned to face Rin. Rin quickly appeared directly beside Azumi and rammed her elbow into Azumi's neck forcing her down onto her knees. She then appeared behind Azumi and wrapped her arms around Azumi to keep her from moving again. Only this time it wasn't to restrain her in a harmful way but merely to keep her from continue continuing. She merely placed her hand on Azumina's tummy. Azumi instantly stopped struggling and lowered her head slightly and glanced where Rin's hand was.

"You are unable to defeat me now Azumina. It was good to see you as you once were but if you were to continue at this rate...you'd lose something else to me and I cannot allow this..."

[Yuri Nakayama]

Yuri was sitting on the top of the mansion she calls home, staring into the distance. She had a lot on her mind. It was funny. She was missing Luna along with her deceased husband. She had hated Luna for taking him away from her. The Captain looked down to her hands, recalling the incident very vividly. She held him in her arms where he drew his last breath. Then it was Luna's turn to die in her arms who had apologized for everything she had done. It just left a rather.. empty hole. Such circumstances can leave a negative effect on people and that's exactly what was happening. If it were anyone else, would they understand? who knows? Yuri was snapped out of her thoughts as she sensed a rather strong Reiatsu for a moment before it died down. Most peculiar, the captain thought. Forcing herself up to her feet, she began to shunpo to the location. She wasn't alone, however, as a second figure followed behind but some distance back as to keep from being seen.


Eventually, Yuri did show up on the scene after what seemed like ten minutes or so, seeing several figures in front of her. One was Ayame, the other was a masked individual. The other was..her Just seeing Rin made Yuri's blood boil. She was trying to keep from lashing out but a lot of memories that came flooding through her mind quickly changed that. She had no idea why she was holding the masked individual in the rather peculiar way that she was, but during her seething anger, she didn't see the murderer's hand on the masked individuals stomach. All she could think of was tearing Rin to shreds.

The other future version of Megumi caught up, staying back to carefully observe the scene. She could see that her mother was getting ready for an attack. She watched from the shadows as Yuri unsheathed her Zanpakuto, running at full speed. She was about to stop her herself until she saw an unexpected visitor get in away. It was Shiori of all people! Well, no, that's not surprising at all. For right now it was a tight cling huggle, hopping to talk some sense into her auntie.

"Auntie Yuri, Shiori needs for you to calm down! You can't attack just yet!
"Damn it, Shiori! Let me go!"

No matter how much Yuri struggled to get free, Shiori refused to let go and soon.. well, glomped her Auntie right then and there, sitting on her and refusing to get up. This time, she wasn't going to get up no matter what her Auntie said. She wasn't going to let that happen again! Megumi just watched, unsure how to react, honestly. Being on the run and having to deal with everything on her own has made her rather numb and didn't quite understand why Shiori wasn't letting Yuri do anything at all.

"Shiori will not let you up so stop squirming! I will keep you safe, Auntie Yuri! You don't think clearly when you're angry!"
"I don't care! Let me go!"

Shiori just shook her head which made Yuri sigh in frustration and just.. rested there. To be detained like this by a child was embarrassing in and of itself but it was more frustrating that she was right.This would probably make the second time Shiori has saved Yuri from probably getting killed.

[Shiori Onigata]

[Combined Post between Shiori and Azumi, featuring Yuri, and Ayame!]

Now that her Auntie had stopped squirming and attempting to get free, Shiori stood up and pulled her Auntie up with her! She then began to brush the dirt and grass stuffs from her Uniform and giggled. She then noticed that her Auntie Aya was here too but why? Then there was that weirdly dressed masked person who was being held by her Auntie Rin. Everything about that image was just weird. You have a mega evil woman holding some masked person who could be a woman like they were having some weird romantic picnic or something.

Rin stood up and helped the masked individual to her feet. Rin's eyes slowly floated over to Yuri as she was standing their. Their eyes met and she could feel the fire burning from within her for not only what happened to her husband but her former best friend as well. Today wasn't the day for their squabble. Soon their time to dance would come and Yuri could have her revenge and be destroyed like the rest of her family.

"Remember what I said...Zetsumei. You no longer have a place in this battle. As it should be this battle will be between myself and the others as it should be. Do not interfere any further."

The masked individual wasn't happy with this in the slightest. She wanted a piece of Rin as well but now with the baby she was carrying inside of her...it was no longer an option she couldn't fight and wouldn't at least not with Rin. She could only nod upon hearing what Rin had to say and agree to it. This was bound to be trouble regardless of Rin's Presence. Her daughter and Yuri were here and Yuri was out for blood. If it were not for Rin...she wouldn't know about her condition and felt that she owed her one final favor.

"Go on...get out of here..."

Yuri could not believe what she had just heard. This person was letting Rin escape, after everything she had done? Murdering her best friend and husband...just who in the hell was this masked woman anyway and what are her ties to Rin and why was Ayame here with them? So many questions but none of it mattered, Rin had to pay for what she had done to Luna and her husband. Shiori wouldn't allow her to fight without having a clear head. Anger was a hindrance on the battlefield.

Rin opened a Garganta behind her and stepped into the dark passage. She stopped her walking and turned around and glanced at Yuri over her shoulder before smirking. To mock her further she even blew a kiss at Yuri.

"You don't have to worry Yuri, the time will come when you and I have our battle. When we do...rest assured that you'll be joining your foolish husband and best friend in death. Until we meet again...kitten!"

With a laugh the gate closed and there she went...fleeing from the scene again. The masked individual turned to Ayame and tilted her head quickly in Ryoko's direction. Ayame nodded and picked up her niece and left the area leaving her masked sister and Yuri and Shiori alone. Shiori upon watching this noticed that she could not see anything coming from the masked individual, Reiatsu or anything...it was as if she was just an empty husk.

"Auntie Yuri...I can't see anything coming from this person. I can see that she is a woman but...there is nothing there but I could sense her Reiatsu earlier!"

It didn't make any sense to her, she can see everything with her Kisagara...everything but what flowed from this person. How this person manipulated reishi...there was nothing. Just a hole. Then her Auntie Rin called her Zetsumei but she thought the only Zetsumei was her Auntie Aya but she just left and she couldn't make clones like she and her father could. That was really her!

"What are you? You are empty..like nothing is there?"

She couldn't let her imagination get the best of her in this situation. She had to figure this out or else she wouldn't be any real help to her Auntie.

Azumi narrowed her eyes and and stared at her hand before putting it over her face. Azumi knows that look quite well. Shiori was attempting to understand why her Kisagara was absolutely useless. Shiori's eyes widened. That hand gesture...she could do that mask thing like everyone else could in her family. The masked person disappeared into a well of Reishi and Reiatsu before it vanished leaving her in a hollowfied state. Now Shiori could see everything. She wasn't manipulating reishi at all. She was bleeding it much like her mother told her that she does.

"What's the matter Shiori? Haven't you figured out why your Kisagara doesn't work on me?"

Shiori jumped back upon hearing the masked hollow person say her name. Then again her Auntie Yuri did say her name earlier when she was glomping her so that she remained safe. It wasn't the fact that she said it, but the way she said it and the fact that she knew exactly what she was doing. This person had way to much knowledge. Did Rin warn her about the Kisagara or since Zetsumei is an assassin of sorts, has she done her homework.

"How do you know about the Kisagara and even worse how do you know that Shiori's kisagara isn't working...wait a minute."

Shiori had an epiphany after thinking about it. There has been but one person that she could never truly sense anything from. Shiori in all of her awesomeness always assumed that it was because her Reiatsu was so much stronger than this individual...and never took her seriously because of it. The fact that she knew exactly what the Kisagara was and what it was used for made her realize it even more. Shiori's face went from one of confusion to that of fear as she realized who it was she was actually talking to. Her only reaction was to hide behind the one person she knew could keep her safe...her Auntie Yuri. quickly flash stepped behind her Auntie and knelt down behind her and held on to her waist and buried her face into her back so that she couldn't see the person.

"Shiori knows who you are now...mommy!"

Upon hearing Shiori call her mommy...there was no point in hiding it anymore...the energy she burned to hollowfy and further conceal her identity meant nothing. Shiori figured it out almost immediately. Then She realized that she did call her Shiori and refer to the Kisagara by its name. With a Heavy sigh, Azumi forced her mask to disappear by touching it and reconverting it into reishi and she pulled off her mask revealing her face.

"I always knew you were smart Shiori...I didn't expect you to figure it out so suddenly..."

With a three sets of hand signs, Azumi poked herself in the chest and resealed herself, causing her hair to return to is wonderfully awesome green color. Her Kisagara also vanished and her eyes returned to their normal color. Yuri was just as shocked as her niece was, not only was she here but she allowed Rin to escape as well.

[Azumi Onigata]

The cat was definitely out of the bag. Shiori figured out who she was almost immediately after thinking about it. This would make things difficult as she now would have to explain her actions to everyone. She wasn't happy that she allowed Rin to escape but in the grand scheme of things, she did owe her a favor considering it was twice that she revealed that Azumi was pregnant and spared her or saved her from harm. They were even now and the next time they met, she wouldn't be there to prevent a fight from happening, be it between Yuri and Rin or someone else and Rin. Snapping out of her thought process, Azumi glanced over to Shiori who was hugging on to her Auntie Yuri's waste and hiding her face from her so they couldn't see each other. Azumi found this odd, then again perhaps it was because Shiori knew that Azumi wasn't just the happy house wife but a former assassin and a master of Kido.

"Shiori...you don't have to hide, I have no intention of hurting you or making you pay for being so rude to me over the years. I'm certain your Auntie Yuri would like her waist and back to herself."

Shiori peeked through the space between her Auntie's hip and arm before returning to hiding again. Who could blame her, for an eternity she's believed herself to be the very best Kusanagi to have ever existed, Azumi could feel that Shiori would be, if she isn't already the strongest Kusanagi to have existed. If it came down to it, Shiori would obliterate Azumi, sealed or unsealed. Yet she couldn't and wouldn't tell her this for it would go to her head and her ego didn't need anymore air as it was inflated plenty already. Yuri however hasn't moved an inch, the anger was there, it didn't take a rocket scientist to see what she was so peeved about. She wanted vengeance for her best friend and husband, both who were taken away from her by Rin.

She just wanted to hug her and tell her that her time was coming to face Rin, but she owed Rin a favor that had to be repaid. Yuri reminded her of a teenage version of her husband. How quick he was to anger, now the only thing that he shows emotion for is the family itself, nothing else grabs him or bothers him any more. Yuri couldn't do this for a number of reasons, Ryouji hasn't lost anyone with the exception of the Future Ayame and the fact that Yuri could be quite the emotional woman. She was still young so perhaps in time she would come to understand, but that doesn't change anything that happened in this moment.

"Yuri...I know you're angry with me for allowing Rin to walk away and that you didn't have the chance to avenge your husband and Luna...I owed her a very large favor and this is how I chose to repay her. You may not wish to hear this now but, your time will come and you will have the chance to fight with her, one on one like you wish to do and I have every bit of faith that you will beat her. For now however...as much as it pains for me to say it, if you were to touch Rin...you'd be joining them and your girls would not have their mother here today. I can't imagine how hard they would take it. Emi especially! I know you don't want to hear this now but perhaps we can talk at another time, I have to get home to check on Ryoko and find out where my sister has disappeared to."

A senkaimon gate appeared as she turned away from her daughter and Yuri as it opened one of her maids was there waiting inside for her. She entered into the gate and turned around as it closed before sighing and staring down at the floor. It vanished soon after leaving her daughter and Yuri be...at least for the moment.