A Familiar Face Behind the Mask

[Yuri Nakayama]

A figure was standing in the air, having formed an invisible foothold of Reishi under her feet. She was watching the humans carry out their lives, oblivious to the fact that she was even watching them. It had been close to a year until she was deemed able to even make this trip. After all, she had to be well prepared on what would happen once the course of action took place. For now, she would be content in walking above the city, hands behind her back and one grasping the other. There was something about this place that had a odd sense of familiarity but she couldn't place why. She knew without a doubt this was her first time even seeing the human world. She then just shook it off and would think nothing else about it.

She finally came to a stop, taking a moment to look around as if she were sightseeing. She then let out a sigh of what sounded like frustration. Too bad such an interesting place had to be destroyed, but orders were orders. Now, where to strike..? After wandering around a little more, she found herself at a cross-way in the road. It was at this time people were crossing the intersection, either heading to work or home from school. Too bad they wouldn't be making it to their destination. The woman, whos face hid behind a fully formed Hollow mask, placed her middle finger against her thumb, allowing the Reishi to gather into a rather small, concentrated ball. With an effortless flick of her finger, the ball which became a Cerio, was flung into the direction of the unsuspecting targets. The explosion itself was beautiful in and of itself, but to see the human's lifeless bodies being sent in any and all directions (If they were "lucky" enough to be torn to shreads). A distorted, almost maniacal laugh came from her.

"I never would have thought they could fly so well! I wonder.. Are they all like that? Only one way to find out!"

She wouldn't discriminate against anything. While not the primary target, it didn't stop her from targeting large buildings to take "practice" shots at. Who would be prepared for a collapsing building? Definitely not bystanders or the people inside! Explosion after explosion, the area was starting to look like a war-field that had been fought on for at least a few good weeks. Maybe more.

While this started out to be a fun venture, the woman was beginning to grow bored. Screams and crying can only be entertaining for so long. Then, she had sensed something. Someone was coming. No.. Not just someone. It was more like... A group. From the feel of it, they weren't human. That would mean..

"I was beginning to wonder if anyone would show up. What good is a villain if there aren't any heroes to stop them?"

It would have been tempting to unsheathe her blade and make quick work on the, but where was the fun in that? As she mused over the idea, one individual, would make his presence known by shunpoing in front of the woman, his Zanpakuto unsheathed and pointed it at her. In an almost condescending manner, would would act as if she were afraid of his "threat". Before he could move, he suddenly felt the wind being knocked out of him. By the time his vision focused, he saw that she had taken the liberty of punching him in the gut. With that gasp of air, he lost grip of his weapon which resulted in it being taken by his attacker.

"This is what a Shinigami's Zanpakuto looks like? I feel disappointed, almost. I was expecting something different. Does it even cut?"

She would test out her question by thrusting the Shinigami's blade into his chest, causing the man to both cry out in pain and cough up blood. Seeming mildly impressed, she gave his gut a forceful kick which sent him off the blade and fall lifeless to the ground. She stared at the blood soaked blade for a moment, appearing to be oblivious to the fact that she had become surrounded by the remaining Shinigami. As one leaped out to attack, she quickly moved out of the way, slamming the end of the hilt into the female Shinigami's head which caused her to crash down into the ground.

"Must you be so rude? If you had just been patient enough, I would have taken care of you one by one. If you are all so eager to die, then far be it for me to not grand your wishes!"

One by one, the soon-to-be lifeless bodies would crash down to the ground, each one making a somewhat loud thud. No longer entranced by the now master-less Zanpakuto, she tossed the blade to the ground, letting it clatter against the ground. That served for a brief amount of fun. However, something caught her interest once more, turning ever so slightly to look off into the distance. Something else was coming and this time, it wasn't going to be small fry. She couldn't help but to laugh once more.

"So, how long do you think you can keep my attention? Let's hope for a lot longer than what these ones lasted!"

[Ryouji Onigata]

Ryouji looked to the woman hiding her face behind a hollow mask. This one was so familiar but yet she was concealing herself. It was as if he knew who she was but didn’t know her at all. Still he could remember the training he has gone through in order to prepare for the moment he would step out on his own again. There was all types of fighting and yelling, except from Shizune. She was of course, no where to be found. It didn’t matter, she was a grown person with her own Squad and everything. Ami helped him train, when en she didn’t have to. Doing so helped make her a hell of a lot stronger as well. She was instrumental in helping her father to pick up his Zanpakuto again. Of course it goes with out saying that his sister was his driving force it helping train and restore the use of his Bankai. Shukumei was also the reason why his Bankai needed to evolve. She went with him to make sure he got what he needed.

Now all that was left was how he got to this exact point in time. It was not without yelling...

<Enter Flashback>

Everyone was standing around in a circle of sorts with there arms folded. There was sighing, and frowns and all types of everything being thrown around. Mainly his own fight was not only with his sister, but his wife and daughter as well. No one wanted him to come but they were at a stalemate.

“Look Ryouji, you can’t go. You have been training for a year nonstop. Honey I love you more than anyone in the world but I can honestly say that you are not ready for this. Even if you were, I still wouldn’t let you go.”

Ami chimes in as well saying that his time has passed and he should step aside and put up his Zanpakuto. Shukumei was being a pain in his side as well. None of it mattered though, he was still going regardless.

“Fine! One game of Paper, Rock, Scissors. If I win I will get to go, no questions asked. If you win, I will retire right now. Ready?!”

Azumi stood across from her husband. She was going to win this one, she knew it. The two balled their fists. Together, the two of them shouted rock, paper, scissors, shoot! Upon yelling shoot, Emi and Shiori made their way down the ladder and over towards the group of family members.

“Mom, what are you doing? Who are you playing against?”

When Azumi gathered her thoughts and realized that she wasn’t playing against anyone she sighed realizing that Ryouji got away from her yet again.

<End Flashback>

Now he was kneeling down and staring over to the person who was talking to him. He stood up and unsheathed his blade. Finally all of the years he slept was finally over. A year of training vigorously had passed. The moment where their blades where going to cross had come.

To answer her question, the answer was...nothing. He drew his Zanpakuto all ready. If that wasn’t the answer, she was due a new teacher.

[Yuri Nakayama]

The woman just tilted her head to the side. While he wasn't much of a talker, his action spoke volumes. Unlike the ones before him, she could tell he was in a different league. She wouldn't be able to play around like she did before hand. A hand soon flicked some of her long hair behind her shoulders. When she spoke, it would now reflect a more serious tone.

"The silent hero, eh? No matter. I'm sure things will work out just fine. Fine for me, that is. For you.. That's left to be determined."

She wasted no time unsheathing her own Zanpakuto. She didn't stop there, however. She then removed the empty sheath from her sash, holding it somewhat lightly. The hole in her hand dis make it quite awkward to hold it, but it didn't matter to her. She held the blade in front of her while holding the scabbard in a reverse manner. This particular stance concerned Ryouji. Not too much as in the fact of how does someone he never met know a stance similar to his? If that isn't strange enough, he got a good look at the Zanpakuto his opponent was wielding. Without a doubt, he knew that blade. It was Mijitsuhana. What was she doing with it? Was she the one responsible for taking Yuri?

Where did you get that weapon? It doesn't belong to you!

She glanced at the blade for a moment, seeming confused although he couldn't say it. What nonsense was he rambling? She's always had this blade for as long as she could remember. It was formed when she came into existence.

"Pardon? Stranger, I don't know what you're trying to do, but you're mistaken. This is my blade. Now, if you're done trying to confuse me, let's get to the main point, hm?"

The two, seemingly out of nowhere, had already clashed their blades together. Sparks came from the contact, both at a stalemate in an attempt to push the other back. When she attempted to strike him with the Scabbard, he blocked it with his own. It was proving to be quite annoying, really. The two jumped back from each other, just staring the other down. For a brief moment, she was distracted by someone. A memory of sorts. This man.. His stance.. They were familiar for some reason. Seeing the moment of hesitation, Ryouji took advantage and began his assault. He managed to even break off a piece of her mask that was covering her right eye before shunpoing behind her to deliver a strong kick to the back which sent her crashing to the ground.

As she began to stand up, she heard her mask crack a little more. It didn't matter to her, really. If it broke, it broke. It was just a means of fun as it would terrorize her victims as they could never see the true face of the one who ended their life. Soon, she gave a small chuckle that soon became a full-blown laughter.

"It's been a long time since I've felt a pain like this. It's ironic, in a way. When I was found by my Master, he told me that it was you Shinigami who were responsible for it. The cuts, bruises, and a loss of self.. It was all your doing. To think I would have my revenge this soon. The pain you've just caused means nothing compared to what I've gone through before! I don't care if you weren't responsible. All Shinigami must be dealt with!"


She than began to focus her Reiryoku in her blade, it turning an almost dark blue in color from the power it was storing up. With a slash of her blade, a "blade" of energy soon came from the blade, heading straight for her opponent. A smirk slowly formed as it teared through her victim with ease. However, when it faded away, she was slowly beginning to realize what she was fighting was nothing more than a decoy.

"It's a bit too soon to celebrate, don't you think?"


The next thing she knew is that her head was being grasped as tightly as it could be in order to prevent her from escaping. No matter how much she struggled, she just couldn't get free.

"I'll ask you one, last time. Where did you get that Zanpakuto?"

"Are you that hard of hearing? I already told you! This weapon belongs to me!"

Ryouji just shook his head from side to side. Why do they always have to be so stubborn? With a Shunpo, they were parallel to the ground, with the woman just beneath him. With a strong thrust, her head went face down into the ground, her body appearing motionless. Wanting to make sure it was over with quickly, he prepared to finish her off or would have until a sudden release of her Reiatsu stopped that and caused him to jump away for safety's sake. Once again, she found herself getting up from the ground. She was becoming quite frustrated with all this.

"I'm growing tired of this exchange."

Any willingness to play was gone. He had pushed her to the point to where she just wanted him dead as soon as possible. So, she would begin her own onslaught. Closing the distance between them, she began to attack. Blow after blow, all Ryouji could do for the time being was to guard against them which only served to frustrate the woman more. Once more, she would jump back again, preparing for a Cero.

"Just die already!"

She then fired the Cero, waiting to see how this would end up. Hopefully, it would be the last of her opponent.

[Ryouji Onigata]

After she fired a Cero, and the smoke was rising Ryouji felt as if he he was getting no where..So it was time for him to perhaps put the battle in his favor. It has been seven years since he has put it on, but he doubts that anything will change. He placed his hand over left eye. Ryouji brought his hand downwards.

The smoke turned black and was drawn in at a much faster rate than was usual. When it cleared Ryouji was standing in silence. He opened his eyes and glared at the woman. He roared loudly and jumped towards the woman. She immediately pulled up her Zanpakuto to meet his strike. When their blades crossed, the woman’s blade was pushed back due to Ryouji’s strength.

She used Shunpo in order to create some distance between Ryouji and herself. When she glanced up Ryouji was no longer standing there. Ryouji appeared behind her and spoke “Over here!” So that she knew where he was. There blades met again, both of them almost matched equally.

“I have to apologize, I’m never one to take it easy on opponents. I promise to take this battle much more seriously from now on.”

[Yuri Nakayama]

After their blades met, it was taking everything she had not to lose ground. Eventually, she did jump away once again. Something about him putting on a mask just caused her to be more concerned about how he was even able to do so. From the one eye that was visible, it was evident that she was a little distraught. If that wasn't enough, she was having flashes of... Memories? Why was he in them? She doesn't even know him!

"How did...?"

This was unexpected. She was even beginning to panic. Why.. why did he have to show up here? It wasn't before a Garganta opened up behind her as an individual walked out from it to stand directly behind her. A hand was soon placed on her shoulder to bring attention to himself. As he got a good look at the man in front of them, he was beginning to see the reason of her anxiety. He has made so much progress with her and he will not let her former mentor ruin everything.

"I think it's time to go, my dear. You're not yet ready to take this Shinigami on quite yet."

Without a word, she places her scabbard back in her sash as well as sheathing her blade. Ryouji was about to take another step, but the man behind the woman raised up his hand as if to stop him.


"Wouldn't want to hurt a friend, right?"

Was he referring to himself or the woman? After all, there was a time where Ryouji was in Hueco Mundo. Who knows? Regardless, he and the woman walked into the Garganta, heading back to "Home".