Dark Secrets of Rukongai (solo)

It had been about two weeks, two weeks of drinking, socialising, training and at one point he met with his spirits of his zanpakuto, and they reluctantly shared another one of their abilities with him. So one whole he couldn’t complain about the past couple of weeks. But he found himself trouble sleeping at night, which was unusual, he usually went to sleep early and wake up late, so instead of tossing and turning in his tea stained, crumb filled, thin and hard mattress he got into the routine of taking a night stroll around Rukongai; this was due to the curfew which recently had been put into place. Of course many shinigami’s didn’t uphold to these rules, which was understandable, some shinigami’s just went out at night because they were told they couldn’t, strange how that happened. Squad eleven were meant to be enforcing these new laws, but they weren’t the brightest to say the least, so giving them the slip wasn’t too difficult; however they were quite skilled in combat so you would have to stay on your toes if a fight were to break out.

It only took him about ten minutes or so to escape the walls of the Seireitei. There was a full moon out tonight and no clouds in the star lit sky to obscure ones view of the luminous sphere in the sky. Bishamon took a moment to admire the sight and then began his stroll. He rested his right hand on one of the hilts of his sheathed blades and let his left arm hang letting the slight breeze sway it forward and back. He took it slow and relaxed; there wasn’t much point in rushing as he didn’t fall asleep until 4am at the earliest these days. And it was about midnight or just past it so he had plenty of time. After about five minutes or so of walking down the moonlit dirt path, he came across something odd. Lights were lit, the smell of food was in the air, and singing was all you could hear, it seemed like a large party or a small festival. But what would make the people of Rukongai so happy and cheerful. He then realized that it must be from the lack of shinigami’s around these days with the recent curfew put into place. But he hadn’t come across this the previous nights he took a stroll, although he didn’t care too much either way.

The high energy and loud noises did disrupt his relaxation and he didn’t think he would be very welcome if he just decided to join the fun, after all they were most likely celebrating because they didn’t have to deal with the shinigami’s now. So avoiding it would be best, so he took the long way around, which didn’t bother him. Although the long way took him into the small woods and there the foliage did block out the sight of the perfect sky. The sound of a branch snapping in the distance was all it took for Bishamon’s senses to kick into action, he stayed still, listening, watching for any movement but nothing, he swiftly passed it off as being a rabbit or another woodland creature that was running past. But then a shriek from the distance ended as quickly as it began. It sounded like the scream of a woman. Bishamon kept his hands near his blades as he slowly walked towards the sound. There was a large bush ahead. He then allowed himself to be swallowed by it; he scurried to the front off it so he could get a good look. What he saw both shocked and disgusted him.

As he edged ever closer to the other side of the foliage, he could hear a faint sound, he wasn't sure what it was, an animal? Or perhaps just some kids playing in the woods. A ray of light burst through the small leaves. It wasn't natural light; the sun had long since set, and the high trees blocked out the light from the moon. He managed to find a small hole, big enough so he could see clearly what was going on. He was shocked at what he saw...There were three figures standing there; one of them holding a lantern, they where all wearing black clocks which covered them head to toe, there hoods where up so Bishamon couldn't see their faces, although two of them had their back to him; there was only one which was at a slight angle so he could make out what they were wearing. But that wasn't the thing that shocked him, the three figures where all standing around a tree. And tied to this tree was a petite blonde headed girl, her mouth was covered which explains the sound he was hearing. It was the sound of this girls muffled screams. At closer look the girl looked like she had just been in a downpour, but it hadn't rained for weeks, and Bishamon didn't recall a lake anywhere near here, so how and why?

As the slight breeze was thrown in Bishamon's direction he picked up the scent of something very familiar. Something he was quite fond of, it was sake. But why could he smell it from here? Perhaps one of the men had a drink, although it was a very smell, one of them must have had a lot of the stuff to smell like that. It's almost like they've been drenched with sake...Bishamon's eyes widened as he quickly realised what was happening. The hooded figures began talking although if they were, they weren't speaking in a language Bishamon knew. It was almost taking on the rhythm of a chant no that was exactly what it was, they were indeed chanting something.

The young girls face was so drenched in sake that the tears on her face were barely noticeable. She had no chance of escaping; they knew that, she knew that. But she was kicking and screaming regardless, although the sound of her muffled scream wouldn't travel far. Then the clocked strangers stopped there chant, there was a silence for about a minute. It was tense, Bishamon didn't really know what to do, if he jumped in and surprised those, the one carrying that lantern might drop it, which with the amount of highly flammable liquid covering the girl would surely ignite. Bishamon didn't believe that they would try to burn her alive. It was probably more of a threat if anything, when people came to the Soul Society, some weren't the nicest of people, but he hadn't met any who were damn right evil. Otherwise they would have been hollow's by now; well that was Bishamon's belief anyway.

"This is for you my lord!" One of the hooded beings shouted, breaking the silence. The man then threw the lantern up, it was going to smash into the tree, and therefore setting the girl alight, Bishamon shunpo'd to the tree, at his full speed. He just managed to catch the lantern, before it smashed into the tree. He had to stretch for it, causing him to lose balance and roll forward. He quickly recovered and flicked himself back onto his feet. His heart was beating a mile a minute. If he where only a few inches shorter he wouldn't have reached the lantern in time. He took a moment to compose himself and then held the light up, letting the beam of brightness expose the dark figures. But to Bishamon's disappointment their faces where still unrecognisable as they were all wearing masks under their hoods; the masks where those cheep kind you could get anywhere really, they where all the same, white with two eye holes and a large grin. But in this light, the masks did look quite creepy.

The ray of light bounced off the three figures. Their white masks covered their face completely, there were two small eye holes, but Bishamon couldn't pick out any distinctive figures with these guys. "A...A shinigami?!" One of the men stated as he backed away, the one on the far left turned to the one in the centre "I thought you said shinigami's wouldn't be patrolling at night!" The one in the centre of the three was the one who threw the lantern; he seemed like the ring leader. Bishamon glanced at the girl, she was okay, obviously in shock, her eyes were rapidly moving side to side, as tears continued to stream down her face. "What the hell do you guys think you're doing!?" He roared, the two men on the flanks backed off somewhat, however the one in the middle didn't, he stood tall and proud; although his facial expression couldn't be seen, for all Bishamon knew it could have been just a front.

The one in the centre took a step forward with his arms wide open "Shinigami, we have no quarrel with you, we simply would like to continue with our business..." Bishamon swiftly interrupted before he could get in another word "If setting fire to children, no anyone for that matter, I think you do have a quarrel with me!" He drew his blades. Bishamon was hardly recognisable, perhaps he was overworked, but his usual calm and lenient nature had been pushed far too much as of late. Lately he was extremely short-tempered. However in this case how could he not?

The man didn't lower his arms, or even take a step back, it was odd to say the least; he didn't even get into a stance at all, nor did he look ready to fight, but Bishamon didn't care if he was ready or not, he was about to attack. However before he could the man started speaking again. "I can't expect someone who calls himself a 'God' of death to understand. There is only one God in this hell and he will protect us from the pretenders...I assure you he will be most displeased with you for interrupting our ritual." The man preached. Is he insane? He sounds a bit too smart to be insane. He wasn't sure what to think, so instead he didn't, he dashed towards the man. But one of the others; the one on the right, fired a fired a fireball, heading straight towards the girl. "Shit!" Bishamon skidded to a halt and leaped towards the girl. But he was stopped; the man grabbed a hold of him.

Everything seemed like it was in slow motion for a moment, Bishamon could see the terrified look on the girls face. The fire ball hurdled towards here. The flaming sphere was only a foot away, but it took just a small spark to set the girl alight. She was kicking and screaming as her skin began to melt, the flames were raging due to the flammable substance. Bishamon's mouth hung open; he was in what seemed to be a trance. "...Forget your troubles Miwatasu Kyoudai!...Surasshu Wo Mou Ken Ka!" The blades quickly changed form; longer, darker. Without skipping a beat he tapped the right blade against the man grabbing hold of him, and made a quick cut on his own thigh. And then he vanished; or that's what it appeared to the man who was holding onto him. Out of surprise he let go, the next thing he saw was the ropes which tied up the girl, fall to the ground.

Bishamon ignored the roaring flames and grabbed the girl, he tried to block out the pain as he quickly dived away from the flames. The man was still looking around bewildered. The other two men could see Bishamon but they wouldn't come close now with those flames. Bishamon quickly tore the top half of his shihakusho off, he then threw it over the girl, trying to cut off the oxygen to the flames, therefore putting them out. Luckily the girl was small, she only seemed about 7 or 8, so the top half of his shihakusho covered her completely. His arms and hands were singed and his chest had a few small burns on it. He didn't want to uncover the girl...He didn't want to think about it, but she was more than likely dead.

Bishamon spun his body to face the three hooded men, he was overflowing with rage. He didn't know what would happen; some people could use their anger as strength in a fight, but then again there are some whose decisions are clouded by their anger, making them sloppy and considerably weaker in a fight. But Bishamon had never really fought whilst full of anger. So he didn't really know what the outcome would be either one he couldn't sit idly by and watch them walk away after what they had done. He would try and take out the one in the middle first; he appeared to be the ring-leader, hopefully Surasshu Wo Mou Ken Ka would still be in effect.

These guys didn't appear to be normal souls, one of them fired a fireball, which was most likely a kidou, so were they shinigami's perhaps? Or were they using some sort of weapon? If he would compose himself he would be able to sense the obvious differences in the spiritual pressure between a shinigami and anything else. But in his anger he didn't. He grabbed both of his blades, his head slowly began to rise; to face the small group "...I'm not going to hold back." His head snapped up. And his eyes flung wide open...They were gone, he didn't even realise when or what way they ran off to. "You bastards!" He shook his head, and started scouting the area, but only the thick vegetation. Without a second thought he darted straight ahead; he didn't know whether or not this was the way they went, but he needed to burn off his anger somehow. However after about 5 minutes of running forward at full speed, it was clear that they didn't come this way, or were long gone.

All he could do now was head back...He decided to take the girl and leave her at the edge of the forest, still wrapped in the top half of his robe; if he was walking past people whilst carrying a body they would more than likely think he done such a heinous act. The festival was still commencing, at least this way he hopefully wouldn't be recognised. He could now see the entrance to the Seireitei, but he bumped into someone, a rather large bulky man. He was clearly drunk, that was apparent due to the way he fell to the ground so easily. The man slowly got to his feet and didn't look happy at all. "OI! You're a shinigami!" The man clenched his fist, and pulled his arm back, preparing to punch. Rather than avoid it Bishamon shunpo'd right in front of the man, and delivered a hard right to the man's stomach; he flew back instantly and crashed to the ground, rolling around holding his stomach; moaning and groaning. Bishamon had a heartless look in his eyes, "Don't get up..." He said trying to hold back his anger from earlier.

The man stayed on the ground, not that he could get up if he wanted to after that blow. Bishamon strolled passed him, heading for his barracks where he would do the only thing he could do to get rid of his anger; have a lot of sake, and then some more sake.