ohmyarceus | January - February Test drive

a: Network | Video | un: 6thSquadCaptainByakuyaKuchiki [Some of that may or may not have been cut off...]

The video shows a rather stern-faced man dressed in Hakama, sat under the shade of a tree.]

What am I meant to do... with this?

[Right on cue, a spritely little Cherubi hops onto his shoulder, promptly falls off, and spends the remainder of the video trying its best to climb up his back once more.]

The woman insisted that it is now mine, and that these creatures shall fight our battles for us within this world. But surely, she is mistaken..

[C'mon look at it. It's a piece of sentient fruit.]

She has also misplaced my blade. Report to me if you have seen it.

b: New Bark Town

[The video ends, but Byakuya can be found still sat under a tree within the town. His focus is firmly fixed upon the Cherubi in front of him, the two of them stuck in an eternal cycle as the Pokemon springs forward in an attempt to climb up to his shoulder once more, with Byakuya instead opting to lift the Cherubi off and place her on the ground in front of him.]

What to do with you...

c: Route 29

[It is late afternoon and Byakuya can be found some distance down the road, away from New Bark. His eyes scan over the long grass, obviously looking for something particular as the eager Cherubi hops along beside him.]

...There.

[A singular finger points out to green leaves rustling between the blades of grass, the hint of pink seen between them. It is of course another cherubi, minding its own business.

Che! Ru! Bi! His own cherubi rushes in with no hesitation, effectively leaping on its foe and tackling it to the ground.]

Remember what you have learned. If your improvement is significant, I shall bestow upon you a worthy name.

[ It might look like a wild Cherubi, but it's actually Aizen's Ditto that he sent into the grass earlier for this exact purpose. The poor creature is a little too trusting of Aizen still. Ah, but in truth Aizen doesn't mind the cultivation process. His Pokemon will end up stronger and wiser no matter the outcome.

And either way he doesn't really care.

Aizen himself will therefore seem like he's alone when he steps out from behind a nearby tree. He's dressed like a modern, western gentleman in a black suit with a navy blue dress shirt and shoes that are somehow still shiny.

He ignores the ongoing scuffle and directs his attention to Byakuya. Let him wonder where and what exactly Aizen's Pokemon is--a small, but entertaining game. ]

Oh? I didn't expect to hear such easy praise from you.

[The moment that voice hits his ears it stings, like a blade upon skin. He recognizes it immediately, of course he does. It is a voice you do not forget.]

...Aizen.

[Byakuya turns towards the tree and the familiar man stood beside it. He is aware of the cherry battle still happening beside him, but Aizen is not a man you let out of your sight. He wishes he had his zanpakuto (he tried) or could use kido (he tried). Who knows what the other was planning, but it can not be good.]

Is this your doing.

['this' being literally all of this. The place, the creatures, the incessant music. Was it all an extravagant illusion?]

[ Aizen entertains that idea, rolls it around in his mind, and takes his time in doing so. His ever present smile stretches. After all, he already accomplished his goals back home for the time being and this whole thing is is simply a diversion, no matter what it really is. He might as well entertain himself at Byakuya's expense. ]

And if I say no?

[ Aizen takes a step closer. It's done intentionally to distract Byakuya with his physical presence and prevent him from thinking too much about what Aizen is saying. ]

Would you believe me?

[Aizen takes a step closer and while Byakuya does not move himself, his posture does straighten slightly. To be ready to move, if needs be.

The answer to the question is not so simple. Instinctively he wants to say no, because how could you trust Aizen after everything he has done? Some may say he helped against Ywach and the Quincy invasion but the truth in Byakuya's eyes is that he was used against them like a volatile weapon, before rightfully being imprisoned once more.

Yet having said that, he cannot figure out the reason for all of this.]

To create such an elaborate illusion would benefit you, of that I am certain. But to go so far as to fill it with these battling creatures seems both nonsensical and overweening, even for you.

[If the point was to confuse Byakuya, disarm him, fine. But Aizen rarely did anything without purpose and what would be the point in having him chasing after cherries in a field for a day? There is none.]

Edited (i wanted to change my icon 8hrs later dont judge me) 2022-01-24 09:54 (UTC)

[ And there it is, that added caution. Still, Byakuya is an intelligent person. Aizen will give him that. It's just too bad for him that he is so closed-minded and rigid. ]

Nonsensical? Nothing could be further from the truth. But then you also believe your zanpakutou is missing, don't you?

[ Aizen purposely avoids giving direct information and instead both sows doubt and offers advice in one move, all through telling nothing but the truth.

It has always been his favorite weapon or, rather, the distortions come with people's individual perceptions of it. ]

[His eyes narrow, ever so slightly. Most would not even notice it, unless they were studying him intently. It's true, his zanpakutou is missing. The follow-up question however, and the far more important one, is whether that was due to Aizen, or some other, alternate force.]

Kyōka Suigetsu is said to exert absolute control over the senses. If you wished to conceal Senbonzakura from me, perhaps it would take the form of that creature. Or a blade of the grass.

Yet the bond that exists between shinigami and zanpakutou is far deeper than any outward perception. It's presence would still be felt, within.

[Of that, he is certain. It is not simply missing, it does not exist here. Something Aizen should not be able to do, unless he levelled up again.]

Grrwwwaaaaahhhh!!

[something roars (cutely), and charges at Byakuya and his little sentient cherries. A bundle of blue and black fur and scales, charging straight for them.

... Except it misses by a country mile and charges on past and just keeps on going]

Oiiiiii!! Yer supposed ta hit Byakuya!

[the voice is probably somewhat familiar... Though without the distortion, it may be kind of hard to tell. Standing nearby is a pale skinned, white haired man in a spiky jacket with a scowling face that the captain isn't likely to forget any time soon]

... Geez. She just keeps goin', don't she.

[The sound alerts Byakuya quickly enough, that he can be on his fet and ready for whatever thing is charging at him. Though it appears a single step to the side is enough for the creature to miss him entirely, and his Cherubi, and continue sprinting through the grass behind him.

Byakuya glances over his shoulder to watch the creature as it passes- it seems nothing more than a wild animal that got skittish and ran. But then he hears the voice calling out, familiar yet not, that calls out his name. The fate of the creature is forgotten, for his attention is focused solely on the young man in front of him.

He's heard the voice before, but where? It's different. And he looks like Ichigo, yet at the same time, it's different. Changed. Paler, so much paler. It reminds him of the time they thought.]

Kurosaki Ichigo?

[It is questioning, he may resemble the young human but his demeanor does not.]

[Yep. The Deino just keeps going. Until she runs into another tree, which she then tries to chew on. Really, they're a perfect pair.

The young man shrugs and holds his hands up] So much for my dramatic entrance...! Thanks a lot, puffball.

[he shakes his head, then takes another step toward Byakuya, gold eyes gleaming in the sunlight and a twisted grin on his face]

Ichigo? Wrong. I'm so disappointed! You don't recognize me! Then allow me to reintroduce myself -- I'm the one who almost killed you. [he says it with a dramatic flourish. Whoever this guy is, he is far more animated than the usually stoic Kurosaki] At the time, my name was being... borrowed. But now it's mine again, and you may know it. I am Zangetsu.

[Then his memory recalled from that time was no coincidence. He remembers it well, how quickly he became overpowered, the unrelenting violence unleashed from the young man's body. The figure steps closer and he can see the differences clearer. This is not the Kurosaki he knows, but he remembers that deadly look in those golden eyes, the vicious grin, baring teeth.

The name he is also familiar with, of course, for it is the name of Ichigo's Zanpakuto.]

So that is what you call yourself? Why are you here, in this form?

[Did he manifest by himself? Take over Ichigo's body? Where is the hollow mask, like before? So many questions, it is simpler to see what information the other will give him, first.]

[Good memories. Some of Zangetsu's best! If only he hadn't been stopped so quickly... Ichigo could be so irritating. He never got to have any fun.]

Of course that's what I call myself! It's who I am! Would you expect yer prissy Senbonzakura to call himself something else?

Pffftttt. Well, as much as I wish I could say that this was all part'a some grand plan and I know exactly what's goin' on... [he shrugs, and lets a lot of menace drop from his body language] I ain't got a clue! [if it's information that Byakuya wants, he'll get it -- Zangetsu loves to hear himself talk] I just woke up here in this human body and a woman who says she's my mom but definitely AIN'T my mom shoved that blue dinosaur thing at me and kicked me out. ... Speaking of.

[Zangetsu puts his fingers in his mouth and whistles loudly. The Deino charges back over towards them, and Zangetsu grabs her up in his arms before she can slam into his legs] We gotta work on your aim, kid.

[So the thing has a name, and it is his Zanpakuto? Odd. Though it's not like he ever talked to Ichigo about the whole incident, because why would he? Maybe Rukia knows, he thinks to himself idly.]

The woman is delusional. [Plainly put. She said exactly the same thing to Byakuya too. Obviously she is not the mother of either of them. The fact that 'Zangetsu' knows nothing is simultaneously relieving and a worry.]

[The happy little Cherubi does not appear threatened in the slightest, hopping after the Deino as it charges around, and then back over to Zangetsu.]

This appears to be related to the World of the Living. [It certainly isn't Soul Society.] If you are here, perhaps Kurosaki Ichigo is also present.

[Hopefully he is. Maybe he will know something, or at the very least deal with...you.]

[look, it's fine. All Shinigami should let their Zanpakutou drive every once in a while! It's DEFINITELY fine and OK! And no. Rukia won't know either. It's complicated.]

Coooom-PLETE-ly. [delusional, that is.

The Deino squirms in Zangetsu's arms, biting his ear and yanking. He seems to know this means she wants down, and obliges. Deino then finds Cherubi by scent and chews on it as well. But in a gentle way!]

This is definitely a world of the living, but it ain't the one I'm familiar with. I know you don't go there a whole helluva lot, but we don't have uh... these. [he gestures to the Pokémon] I mean, we got animals, sure! But nothin' like this. These look like monsters from a cute RPG or somethin'. [The mention of Ichigo, though, makes him pause. His expression sours and his brows furrow angrily. But underneath the anger is... worry? Concern? Nah, couldn't be] .... If he's here, I ain't seen him. He better not be gettin' into any trouble.

RPG..? An unfamiliar term. In what way is that related.

[While he does not want to ask what it is, it is not a term he knows at all but one that Zangetsu seemingly does, and that it may be related to their situation. He also appears to confirm that this is indeed the world of the living, somehow.

As for the topic of Ichigo, Byakuya notices how the expression of the boy(?) quickly turns to anger upon hearing the name, but it does not phase him. It needed to be asked.]

The two of you are one, are you not. And I am certain you were before you awoke here. Either you are now he, and he is gone, or you became separated and he exists here in his own form.

[He has been seperated from his own Zanpakuto and cannot call it, not that he is going to admit that here. And in all honesty, this seems exactly like the sort of nonsensical trouble that Ichigo and pals would somehow get involved in. Call it intuition of whatever, but he just feels it.]

[It just so happens that Grimmjow's arrival is after Byakuya's by several minutes, and as soon as he's forced out onto the step, a Cubone at his heel, he turns and slams his fists on the door.] HEY! HEY! WHAT THE FUCK? [He snarls and takes a step back, holding his arm up and concentrating his... reiatsu? Nothing happens. He can't feel his own power. He gives his hand a shake, tries again, but nothing.

The Cubone, however, notices Byakuya and Cherubi, and scampers over to peer at them from a cautious distance.] Cubone?

The sound may not have been overly loud, but the town is quiet so it does not take Byakuya long to pick up on the sound of something approaching them. He scans his surroundings, looking for the source of the noise only to find another of these strange creatures. His Cherubi, now noticing that his attention is no longer focused on her, hopes forward with a curious "cherubi~?" to look over the fellow Pokemon.

This one, however, has a head covered in bone, which can usually only mean one thing. He rises to his feet, turning to face the little beast. It's small, and doesn't seem to be that threatening, but you cannot be too careful.

"A hollow?"

January - February Test drive

Byakuya Kuchiki | Bleach | ota

Route 29

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New Bark Town

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thought=fought love catching my typos a day later lmfao

love catching typos when it's way too late. makes me feel so GOOD :')

always so good :')

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New Bark Town

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