An Errand Outside (Greatblade)

"In the [blank] district," Hyuei said aloud as he was looking over the note. It was a nicely written note that someone had left for him infront of his door. Normally, Hyuei took this day to waste it away in the library, but he did have a few errands to run today. He was told to get his uniform tailored and a smaller size, because he'd lost a bit of weight recently, and there were some peculiar writing utensils and supplies that he wanted as well as a special book that a certain author had just published. All of which weren't found within the surrounding walls of the academy. He wasn't all that far from the academy though, he could see it's borders in the distance and there was likely many around taking a break from the academy as well. Though, Hyuei would have to go back there later. He did have some additional studying to do...Not that it would really help any.

Hyuei was excited today however. Today, he had been given a note. It was a simple one with saying he was wanted for a special event and there were some easy-to-understand directions on it. Hyuei couldn't believe that someone had taken an interest in him. He'd been here for so long and it always seemed like others always avoided him. Either because they were uncomfortable with him around or because they thought he would hold them back or probably something worse. Really, they had a right to be. But, just maybe Hyuei had finally found an opening to make friends. A chance where others didn't see him a simply some anchor to always stand in their way and hold them back in everything they do and have done. He won't have to keep feeling so horrible for being all by himself. Everyday he felt like the loneliness would swallow him hole and pull him into the darkest depths. It was hard being disliked by everyone and being poor in every single subject. Hyuei just couldn't find any purpose in his being there. Why was he trying so hard in the academy only to fail over and over?

But, it was alright now! For the first time in a long while some others had recognized him other than being an irritating, malignant problem. Today he was going to end his day with something more than just another depressing thought over his life, his failures and how he would always be someone's problem. Maybe, somehow, this would help him improve a bit too. Hyuei had been so happy that he had walked his way to a fairly isolated area. An area he would normally have no reason to ever traverse.

"Oh look, the idiot actually came."
The words felt like a dagger through his chest. Hyuei looked behind where he was, which was infront of two buildings and behind a long row of others. Behind him walked out an Academy student and he had a thick bokken resting on his shoulder. Jumping from the building at Hyuei's front, 4 others came down and landed. There were four more that walked around from the corner. Each and every one of them had their own bokken and none of them looked like they were here to offer flowers and friendship bracelets.

"Uh-" Hyuei was wondering why they had bokken. Was he supposed to bring one too? "S-Sorry I'm so late! I just got lost a little," He said, though it was more like confused for a moment.
"Of course. Such an idiot. To get lost by even those simple directions."
"You were right, Tamone"
"Such a loser!"

There was this...Building negativity that Hyuei was starting to feel. Looking down at the paper and then up at their weapons, he had a very bad feeling in his stomach. This was a really weird situation. He'd never been in anything like this before. But, looking at the many books he'd read before, he'd seen this situation a million times over. More than a million times. Following the words, Hyuei mimicked a book he read, "So this was a trap?" Though, the emotion he felt when reading those words in the book and what he felt now were different. They were opposite. Greif was all that Hyuei could express at this moment. He felt stupid and unwanted all over again. Of course this wasn't what he had thought it was. Why would anyone want to give him anything? Why would anyone consider him for anything other than...A gang beating? Unlike that hero in the story book Hyuei was talentless. He was without worth and without any ability. Unlike that hero, Hyuei honestly felt like he deserved being beaten bloody. Maybe then, his blood spilled on the floor, he would serve some sort of purpose. He wouldn't be just some endless nuisance that no one could cure.

"We're gonna get you back for when you hammered us with those kido! You could have killed us, prick!"
"We'll give you twice the beating you gave us! We'll laugh three times as harder as you did too! There are more of us here! Don't even think about trying anything."
"Sick bastard! We are going to beat the crap out of you."

They had Hyuei confused with someone else, but Hyuei probably deserved it regardless. Hyuei wouldn't argue, he didn't have it in him. Hyuei dropped the note and just looked to the floor without a word. He couldn't even look at these people that would never, ever be his friend or comrade. Hyuei wanted to cry. In fact, he could feel one coming on. He just felt so horrible. As if someone died....Maybe someone did die. Hyuei hope died. It was cut and stomped on. Why had he even come here thinking what he had? He felt so extremely stupid.

The other students were hesitant. They were waiting, cautiously. most with their bokken at the ready. They looked at each other after judging Hyuei's apparently submissive demeanor. It was was now or never. They had numbers and weapons so they couldn't be that afraid of him. Together, the group charged for Hyuei.

The first hit slammed right unto Hyuei's forehead, thrashing the poor boy backwards. He would have fallen backwards if one of the students from behind hadn't whacked at Hyuei's back with a hard slap of their bokken. His head, his back, his arms, his chest, even his kneck and shoulders were starting to drown in pain. They were batting him over and over until there really was blood on their weapons. Hyuei had fallen to the ground, a pinata without it's cord, and they were just beating it until the candy finally freed itself and they could gorge on the rewards of their effort. Hyuei felt pain everywhere. There was so much that he could hardly differentiate from the whipping and slamming of the bokken on his head to his arms. He just laid there, blow for blow, and took the horrible pain with yells, cries and exclamations. He didn't know what else to do but to yell as the tears fell. To just be beaten...But he deserved it, didn't he? This was what he should have. Maybe...It was better this way. Yeah. Hyuei was sure it was. This was good karma after all his years of being a useless being in this world and the last.

Hinsshi had been on his normal Patrol's having leap over the young trainee as he passed by soundlessly, the boy looked harmless so eh didnt even pay any attention, however then as he continued on his way, he skidded a bit and slid down the grounds into the academy with a stretch, wow it had been a long time since he had been here. He blinked some in surprise before he slowly moved forward and waved to a few of the teacher's, the massive man slowly walked forward until he stopped suddenly hearing some trainees whispering.

He frowned at what he heard, about twelve trainee had gone out appearently in vengeance agaisnt a boy that had lost control agaisnt them earlier, he didnt like the sound of that ... He immediately spun on his heel and sent his senses outward, slowly his mind located the hundreds of tendrils of Shinigami reitsu around him, he needed reitsu that was beginning to pulse of trainee level. Hinsshi kept his eyes clsoed and then reached out as if grabbing one, and nodded, he had one of them ... he was headed tword that boy he had passed earlier, he frowned some and then dashed off, his long limbs and massive speed aiding him as he rushed forward.

Meanwhile the poor boy was already being beaten within an inch of his life, Hinsshi topped one of the walls and then saw the scene ... and his face turned to cold steel as his eyes narrowed on the boys. His pink lined robe began to flutter a bit his bright pink flowery Zanpaktou at his side beginning to pulse. The boys suddenly found someone standing over the boy, a massive bare foot in wooden thick clogs on ether side of the boy, This man had taken a hit from each of the trainee's saving the boy from more punishment.

Slowly he hissed, "And what ... do you punks ... think your doing beating on a single opponent ...?" He murmured, his eyes glowing a bright pink, normally something hardly threatening, and yet coming form this man it was terrifying. Air whipped around him as the rose petals floated around his massive frame, the trainee's feeling his reitsu rise higher and higher his ropes flickering about around him as he grabbed the nearest one by the scruff on his robe and lifted him clear off the ground lip twitching.

"You are all ... in deep ... deep trouble ... Hinsshi Niaga ... Second Squad ... your all under arrest for assaulting a fellow shinigami. A single one at that agaisnt all you opponents. Scum like you will be kicked out of the Academy and your pwoers sealed ... and good riddance ..." He tossed the boy backwards clear into the wall his eyes flaring angrily, as he stood protectively over the boy.

They all finally got a good look at the man, a tall and dark skinned man, possibly Greek in origin from his tone of skin. His orientation is enhanced by his physical build, holding himself with a large muscular build though not overly so, holding the body one would imagine a quarterback in America's 'Football' may have. Lean but well built and defined he holds every muscle with a equal strength, tone and definition.

His broad shoulder's slope a bit before angling into a well muscles chest and then moving down into a full eight pack that he's obviously worked hard to Earn. His Dark Skin is whittled in scar's and has a thin trail of chestnut brown bodyhair in a patch on his chest that forms a sleek thin trail down his abb's, hair clings to his forearms and halfway up his bicep's before becoming faint, and disappearing for the most part. His sleek muscles angle down from his groin and form into a pair of sleek well-muscled calves and legs, hair clings to his legs much the same as his arms thinning at half thigh and slowly dispersing.

As your gaze moves to his face and head you’ll see a carefree grin on his lightly bearded face, the thin beard darker along his jaw and lighter along his cheeks and lips. He has it trimmed neatly and it matches well with the hard angles of his face, his carefree smile and perfect even white teeth combine with his dreamy, honey brown eyes that can make many melt just from his sweet talk. His long brown silky curly locks fall about his shoulder’s to about mid-back. Sometimes held in a loose ponytail, on some other occasions he just lets it hang loose.

His Dark skin tone matches with his eyes and hair perfectly, giving him a incredibly attractive image to put off for all, around his throat is a scar that almost looks like he got his throat slit, likely a deathblow by how obvious it is, meaning it was a very deep strike. His light tan lips tinted with pink grin constantly or smirk around his perfect even white teeth, his angled but not overly so face matching his lightly almond shaped eyes just enough to give him a more angelic appearance but not quite.

He often has roses strewn through his hair for no apparent reason at all, in fact he doesn’t even seem to realize how they got there. As their eyes wander across his accessories and clothing now, the smell of gardens and roses, not overwhelming but soft and pleasant, fills the air. He seems to give the smell of naturally as he does not wear any perfumes or colognes. His manicured nails are well-cared for but not exactly feminine with the body hair, and dark skin lined with scar’s and calluses.

His jewelry is minimal, simple things he wears a pair of pink ruby earrings one in each ear, his tongue being pierced with a similar ring. Around his neck he holds a gold thin chain with a pink rose carved from some sort of pink and red crystal around his throat half hiding his scar. His Robes themselves are the simple robes of his ranking; he does however add a pink flair here and there along him to math his general styles, on his body and form.

At his side there is a Zanpaktou, which is a Smooth and Sleek blade, It is a thin shape even for a Katana, looking more like a Saber then a Katana. However along its sides are smooth designs of Vines and Flowers carved all the way down its sides, It defiantly represents his odd flowering Smells well, as the Hilt-wrap itself is a Bright Florescent Pink, Its studs being a Bright Green Emerald wherever the loth connects to itself along the Hilt in the Usual Katana Pattern.

The Metal underneath the wrap is a Dark brown with streaks of green through it, and the blades metal itself has an odd Green Tint along its edge and shape. At the end of the Hilt there is a slim silver chain connecting to a Bright Pink and Green Crystaled Rose hanging and swimming from its end gently, certainly not a released shikai, the Blade seems to simply have its own personality that shines through much like its Owners even though it is only Sealed.

Though a Keen eye and Nose may Notice that Hinsshi's smell of Roses and Flowers does seem stronger when his Sword is Drawn and Ready, as well as near his Waist where the blade Rests when Sheathed. The Sheath itself is a flawless Wood wrapped with Bright Pink Leather with strips of Pink silk edged with Green flowing along the Wood, at the point where the Crosshilt of the Zanpaktou reaches the Sheath, there is a Green metallic Cap with off Curving of the Metal as if in the Shape of Countless Inch-Long thorns from the Metal much like a Roses Stem just under the Flower's Rosebud oddly enough.

Finally from out of his lips comes the order of a angry and completely pissed man, "All of you drop your Weapons ... and Sit down ... before I bind you all instead." he murmured angrily, completely disgusted at these Students, staying on the alert however encase he had to take them down to protect this boy.

"Listen! He started it!" Exclaimed one student.
"He beat us up first! He beat the crap out of us. Not just once either. He deserved it!"
"You act like we were gonna kill him or something!"
"Who the heck are you to get in our way anyway!?"
"Damn so close..."
"What are we gonna do?"

There was a mix of conflicting words and feelings. Some still wanted to fight, others wanted to flee and a few just wanted to get out of this without trouble.

"Run!!!" Exclaimed on, loud too. As if that one word turned on a switch inside the brains of each and everyone of those students they all bolted in different directions. They scattered like roaches when the lights were turned on. Luckily, a few moved to help the one that had been thrown backwards into a wall and the others close to Hinsshi. They did have their futures to think about. They definitely didn't want to get kicked out of the academy and, even worse, have their powers sealed away. They would much rather squash the squabble right then and there. Afterall...They had won in the end, didn't they? Blood dripping from the bokken, the dropplets created an almost spiraling design upon the ground that, coincidentally, resembled an opening flower.

There was quite a bit of blood. Standing as close as Hinsshi was, it was likely under his high sandals. However, what would be even more clear than all the small splashes of blood here and there was the sound of sobs. Hacking, the boy tried to calm himself. He could feel the tears just running down his face and mixing the ground under him with blood and tears.

Hyuei moved to push himself off the ground, to get up from being laid out flat. He was sniffing and squeezing his lips tight to keep more pathetic sobs from escaping, but the tears wouldn't stop. They ran down his face like twin rivers. He had a few cuts and gashes all over his face and there were a number of bloodied parts of his uniform where he'd been whacked hard enough to cut it. Despite being mere bokken, being pelted by a relentless barrage of swings, bats and strikes had actually managed to cut and bruise him.

Hyuei looked up at the older, stronger, useful shinigami and couldn't manage eye contact for long. Other than the pain throughout all his body, it hurt just as much that he had to inconvenience someone else. What would saving Hyuei provide? Hyuei honestly felt like this Shinigami, who was expressing himself so strongly that his energy was erupting with his emotions, was going out of his way for an insignificant good-for-nothing. Despite that...There was a feeling that Hyuei couldn't help but feel welling inside him. Something warm and something that honestly make a small light shine in that bottomless darkness.

Gratitude. Hyuei felt it was selfish. Selfish to be happy that someone had wasted their time to help him. That someone cared, even if a small amount, to not add to the blows and kicks that he probably deserved. He was glad, if only a little, that he was protected. Protected like some small puppy that could do nothing but be eaten by a pack of wolves. So useless. So pointless...Yet, Hyuei was still so grateful that it honestly made his tears flow faster and those sobs he was trying to keep to himself bursted out.

Like a child, Hyuei managed to sit with his legs crissed crossed and wiped his face as he sobbed and cried. "T-Thanks." He said, the pain being diluted by embarrassment. It hurt to move and it hurt to breathe, but it felt even worse than the sharp stinging all over his body to be seen this way. Hyuei was a big baby, wasn't he? That probably was the definition of how he felt right now. A baby being protected by an adult. "I'm s-s-sorry..." He said, to the shinigami senpai.

He watched them start to scatter and flee ... rage filled him once again. "I warned you ..." He murmured, and raised both hands. "Bakudou #15, Bunbun'unarumure!" He growled out, and suddenly thousands upon thousands of bee's burst outward, swarming over all of them however a clear bubble formed around himself and the boy, the trainee's were stuck int eh swarm, begin stung and blinded, and then he snapped his hands rapidly and murmured softly, "Bakudou #16, Yonoshiroibou."

He said calmly, and suddenly bright glowing white stakes shot out in all directions, there were about ten cries of shock and pain as the bee's slowly dispersed, the ten Students were revealed, pinned each by four long white glowing stakes against the stone wall as the other two managed to escape nursing stings and bite marks. He glowered at them, and slowly the bright pink glow of his eyes faded before he sent them a glare.

"Stay there, and behave ... or you'l be earning a Hadou #20 instead." he let the threat hang, obviously not just a threat ether by his tone, he then turned and kneeled down, helping the poor sobbing boy to sitting position he sighed looking at the blood, shaking his head. "Don't worry about it ... they attacked in the cowards way." he sighed, he had overreacted of course, they wouldn't be sealed, but punishment of some sort was certain. He glared at them.

"You will all be taught the hard way individually how you fight an opponent if you have a problem with them." He said sternly, talking tot hem like children, before he placed a large, but surprisingly gentle hand on the boys shoulder. "Hold still alright ...? Don't worry about an apology ... Its fine ... none of this is really your fault."

He smiled gently to the boy, and then kneeled down, not caring about he blood on his robes, he placed his hands over the ruined flesh and beaten marks, first on his face. His hands began to glow a bright green, his reitsu slowly flowing into the boys face, his healing Kidou flowing slowly into him. The spell mad the bruises slowly fades way, the pain disappear and all of the blood to slowly seep back into his face, leaving him scar-less as he gave a smile and then began to heal the boys body slowly as well.

"They did a number on you ..." He sighed softly, glowing hands slowly healing the busies and cuts easily, more serious wounds taking around Ten minutes, finally he stood and nodded. "There ... all better." He wiped some sweat from his brow from such reitsu use, and then turned on the other boys muttering in annoyance as he gently helped the no-longer wounded boy up. "You alright ...?"

He asked kindly, before he placed his hands under his chest with a sigh, waving his hand, "Bakudou #2, Hanko-Nensho ... Bakudou #1, Sai." He said, and they all cried out in surprise as they fell to their knee's the spikes shattering as their reitsu suddenly sealed down to limited useless levels, and their hands snapped behind their backs. He flipped open his phone and sighed sending out a text, then focused on the boy that was beaten, and offered a strong calloused large hand to the boy.

"Hinsshi Niaga, Unseated of Second Squad." He said with a kind smile, his other hands sliding into his robes pocket with his phone. As they talked, five more second squader's landed around them, and took away the trainee's two at a time, "They wont be expelled ... but they will be disciplined heavily, and likely be in the academy an extra four to eight years with a discipline notion before even becoming a true shinigami."

He explained, hoping to give the boy some measure of peace over the incident, "Do you have any idea why they had decided to set such a trap up? ... It was such a cowardly, and weak thing for them to do." he frowned, obviously honestly concerned about the boys physical and mental well being after such a incident as what had happened here.

"Ah-" Hyuei was startled as energy was being rushed into his body. It felt...Strange, but not unfamiliar. For some reason it sparked up some distant remnants of some past event that he couldn't recall. This injury and this sensation...They were very familiar. Hyuei was baffled. Really, this was not usual. This was rare and weird. Sure, this person had saved him, but to offer such charity wasn't something he was used too.

Usually, others that helped him wouldn't even glance at him. As if he had given them some reason to stay away from him in the first place. But, not this Shinigami? They were, again, going out of their way to help his injuries now. This was something that managed to forcibly halt Hyuei's incessant sobbing, but only caused the tears to flow endlessly. Gratitude wasn't the only thing Hyuei had running through his mind. That small, flickering, tiny light that he'd seen was slowly expanding to become a warmth that was erupting in his heart. Hyuei's could hear his heartbeat, quickening, as his face flushed slightly.

Wow was all he could think. As much as Hyuei tried, he could never be this useful to someone. He lacked the power and the intellect...yet, without having anything given to him or offered, this Shinigami put his energy towards healing Hyuei and for a long duration. It had to have been 10 or 12 minutes that the Shinigami had been putting his effort to healing him. Hyuei tried to think back to what had happened, thinking if there was some time where Hyuei asked for this...But he couldn't.

Why? Why would he go through all of this? I don't even know his name...Oh no! I don't know his name! He went out of his way to introduce himself and I hadn't been paying attention... Hyuei thought, remembering that he had experienced a sharp ringing in his left ear once when he had it whacked by a bokken. But, that was gone now. All the pain was gone. He felt pretty good actually.

"Hinsshi Niaga, Unseated of Second Squad."
Why did Hyuei feel some strong sense of pride in those words. A strong, unsaid and unclear undertone that was so strong that it caused Hyuei's own heart to skip a beat. All he could think of was how much of a amazing person this was. As the shinigami went on to explain, Hyuei was honestly frozen. He couldn't think or say anything in response. He wanted to be a little happy that the others wouldn't be expelled. Unlike him, they weren't useless...But the thought was so far at the back of his mind that he couldn't focus on it enough to care. Hyuei was stuck in some sort of web of admiration, daydreams and slight envy. He couldn't help but be astounded by this person. Their courage...Their valor...It was just like when he met that intelligent Vice Captain. It was just like that time.

"Uh-" Hyuei was being addressed? He only caught a short end of what had been asked by him. Hyuei took the hand and was pulled up to his feet, to which he stumbled a bit. What was he supposed to say? How did talking work again? Hyuei's brain was just scattered all over the place. "I-" I? Hyuei didn't know what that even meant. Where was he going with that word? Back track. He had to back track. What had the man been talking about before the qestion?

Something....Oh. It was about the students. Hyuei figured that much. What else other than "why?" would the Shinigami be asking? It took Hyuei a good 3 minutes just to figure out that self exclamatory concept, "Well, I mean, I-" He started, looking down. He couldn't hold eye contact for very long. Hyuei moved his hand to his arm. "I'm not a very good...Well, I-I am n-not..." He stuttered, trying to find some way to say it. He felt that warmth starting to dull and become a calming cold that would lead him back into that frigid frost.

"I'm really a bad shinigami. I-I'm not goo-good with anything and, I guess, well...I deserved it. I a-alway-always cause everyone tr-trouble and, I just, guess, um, well, that I deserved..." His sentence trailed off, becoming weaker and weaker as the words came out. Hyuei released a slow, disheartened sigh. How could you tell someone so amazing as this shinigami that you were a worthless being that would probably be better used as a punching bag? All that pain...All the blood...His torn clothes; Hyuei deserved all of it. All of it dozens of times over at that.

"I'm so sorry...You used energy to help me and you even had to fight for me...I just-I mean, well, I-I don't want you to waste your time with someone like me," Hyuei said, his eyes slowly rising to meet Hinsshi's gaze. Those eyes were a lot stronger than Hyuei's. Hyuei couldn't see his reflection in those eyes. All he could see was a bright future and a strong resolve. Those were the eyes he lacked. The eyes he would never have. Looking at those eyes only seemed to remind Hyuei that he had been so easily rescued. Hyuei looked away quickly, apparently frazzled by the split second of information he received. By his facial expression it looked like he'd just seen something terrifying.

"T-thanks...I wish I could do more, but I really do-don't have anything..." To give. To offer. To one day pay in exchange. Nothing. He had nothing and would never have anything. 'I owe you' was something that Hyuei was completely incapable of. What could a homeless person offer to someone in a mansion with a happy family and many friends? That's what Hyuei felt like. He felt like that one with nothing before someone with...Well, everything.

Hyuei sucked in his lip and bit down on them, cutting his eyes and clutching his right arm with his left. He felt so pathetic. So stupid. So...Pointless. A pencil was more useful than he was right now. A rock even. Dust...Hyuei was worse than dust.

He let the young trainee gather himself as he stuttered and tried to speak, he watched as the boy wrapped himself up more and more over and over and sighed crossing his arms under his chest. He was like he had been when he first came her, but worse ... he was down as Hinsshi had been when his friends had been massacred infront of him, his eyes softened a bit and he placed a hand on his shoulder's in an almost fatherly way, his eyes showing a great age and wisdom that did not match his body.

"Ne ne ... catch your breath and speak Kid ... dont try to rush it, you were just beaten after all." He watched the kid pant and stutter a bit more, handing him some water to help him calm down, then he leaned back and listened to the boy begin to stutter out, but at least in fuller sentences, why he thought the boys did this, he believed himself useless it seemed, he had once been there, it was not a fun place to be mentally or emotionally, and it could break your spirit if you weren't careful.

He smiled some and then nodded hearing him and then actually laughed softly. "You say your bad at everything ... you act as if your spirit is broken, and that your worthless. And yet, what I see is someone who has led a hard life without anyone there to help share the burden. Pain makes us strong, but only if we have the support to carry the pain and grow from it. You haven't been given that chance ... that's all."

He shrugged some and then took his hand firmly in a shake, "Lets start with names ... I'm Hinsshi like I said, whats yours Kid?" He smiled a bit kindly, he wasnt unkind, his voice was firm and strong, his other hand still in his pocket as he seemed patient and calm, giving an air of peace and calm now as the petals of roses floated around him gently, the smell having become mcuh more garden like and peaceful now that the adrenaline rush had ended.

He gave him a firm shake of the hand and then glanced to the side his eyes locating a nearby bokken and he sighed, scooping it up and wiping it clean as he walked over and handed it to the boy. "And next ... lets get you training. You don't just need someone beside you, you need a teacher that won't give up on you ... you need a friend, and a sensei. So how about I help you out?"

He smiled kindly and ran a finger slowly along his Zanapktou's bright pink hilt wrap his warm brown eyes calm and completely serious as they watched this boy so very like himself so long ago, when he had lost everything, but he was able to get over it with Kuro-Taicho's help and Kaiyo-Chan's affection and friendship.

He would help this boy, as they had helped him in his time of sorrow, he was determined to do such as he leaned down and crossed his arms under his chest, eyes watching him curiously for his answer as the large man's stance shifted to one much more at ease, aiming to relax the boy for this conversation. Suddenly out of nowhere a large black female cat leap from the building and landed on Hinsshi's broad shoulder with a purr and began to rub agaisnt him happily as he chuckled softly, scratching her behind the ears.

"Oh ... sorry, this is Liana ... my other friend, and yours as well if you'l have her." he picked her up, rubbing her belly before lifting her face to face with the boy, she mewled, and licked his cheek before squirming out of His grasp and perching back onto the large mans shoulder, drawing an amused chuckle from his chest. "She likes you, she's just a bit unsure because of the smell of blood ... why don't we get you back to the academy so you can get some new robes and cleaned up?"

He smiled kindly."And dont worry about the energy I used, I'll gab something to eat on the way and it'l be all good." He nodded an affirmative and winked a bit with a laugh motioning for the boy to walk beside him, his large frame moving easily through the street's, moving with an unnatural grace for someone his size, most likely how he managed to become of second squad despite his obvious unusual size and power.

As they walked his size become less and less a intimidating thing however, Hinsshi began to hum softly under his breath cheerfully,t he cat purred and rubbed back and forth agaisnt him as they walked and he constantly gave off strong swirling smells of Flowers and gardening, a peaceful and almost carefree aura about the man now.

No longer was he the strong and collected strategically warrior, he showed his natural side now, one of calmness, healing and politeness, his personality, much as one would show their friend as he intertwined his finger's through his own, cracking his knuckled and sliding them up to the cat caressing her gently making her arch and purr happily at the affection. "How old are you Kid ...? And do you know what squad you may wanna join?"

He arched a brow to the boy, according tot hose thugs of trainee's, the boy had some skill with Kidou, hell he may have even more then Hinsshi himself did, if that was true then it'd be one hell of a helpful thing. he rolled his shoulder's, the boy had to have his strength's, if only he could get him to show them off. He sighed some before he leaned back a bit as they walked, the Academy was beginning to come into sight now as he asked his questions care freely, flipping out his phone and sending off a Text for them to prepare a warm bath, food, and some new robes for the kid.

"H-Hyuei," The startled boy said, shaking hands. His handshake was pretty limp, but that was because of a number of reasons.

Hyuei's eyes widened from shock and his grip on his hand relaxed before he looked up at the older, smarter and wiser Shinigami. Hyuei's mouth parted a bit, surprised by the words that were said to him. His eyes were so desperate, though they started to glow almost. Those cold, weak things in his head were now a little more focused and confident than before. Hyuei didn't blink. He didn't want too. What if he had just daydreamed all that? The hand on his shoulder, the encouragement...Hyuei swallowed as Hinsshi went to go and grasp the bokken.

I don't deserve so much praise...But, I can't help but feel better. So much better. I want it. Too feel this way, Hyuei had a single last tear slip down his cheek and they would stop. Hyuei had been completely reassured. The implications behind Hinsshi's words filled Hyuei with a strong, powerful sense of purpose that he hadn't felt in a very, very long time. In fact, the sensation was so unfamiliar that Hyuei was honestly confused by it. Hyuei's hand went to his heart a moment, as if he would be able to feel just what the reason behind all this was. As if his heart could explain everything to him.

Hyuei was distracted when Hinsshi brought up training. Hyuei smiled, so boldly that he almost looked like a different person, "Really?" He gushed, elated. He couldn't help it. He couldn't help but feel strangely happy and excited. "Y-you don't have too, I mean, well, I-" He didn't know what to say. He was on some sort of high. Some sort of long running feel-good that was filling his body. Hyuei fell into a full bow, "Just the offer is enough, really. I, um, am a hopeless person. I wouldn't want to waste your time. Thank you so much for the offer," He said, smiling from that bow. He couldn't have asked for more.

Hyuei slowly looked up from the bow when the beautiful cat flopped down on it's friend. Hyuei stood up, a little amazed. It was a long time since he'd last seen such a creature. Gasping, Hyuei lost his breath when it was held close to him, "My...Friend?" Hyuei played with the thought for a moment just before he was licked.

"New clothes..." Hyuei thought, looking down. He was pretty much in bloody rags. Though his wounds had been fixed, the clothes still looked like they were fresh from a combat zone. Hyuei looked back up at Hinsshi not knowing what to say. He was struck silent by Hinsshi's kindness. "O-o-ok," Hyuei responded after Hinsshi said not to worry about the energy.

For once in his life, Hyuei actually picked up on a hint. He was so hopeless sometimes, but he actually did realize that he was being asked to accompany Hinsshi. Did that mean Hinsshi didn't mind traveling with Hyuei? Talking with him either? Even offering to train him meant that Hinsshi wouldn't mind being around Hyuei for long periods. What was this? Was this...A friend? Hyuei had managed to find a friend? Just like that? Was this really true? It wasn't a trick? No. It couldn't be. Hyuei didn't consider himself to be lucky or fortunate or deserving of much, but he did believe this was absolutely real.

"I!" He started, there was a renewed pep in his step, so to speak. There was an energy there that had no existed since the moment Hinsshi had met him. Hyuei was genuinely happy and it was clear in the way he was carrying himself and in his words. He wasn't looking to the ground, he wasn't so hesitant and, most importantly, he was smiling. Though, he was still a bit intimidated by Hinsshi's gaze, he wasn't so gloomy anymore. To think, that a simple bit of praise and understanding could flip his script, "I am 136 years old and I've been at the Academy for a long time. And-" He started, though he didn't know how to continue. What squad did he want to join? When you can't pass anything and you are filled with the doubt that you will never graduate, you don't worry about those sorts of things. Considerations over your future squad are usually left to those that are knocking on the door to graduation.

"I don't know...What squad to join," He was considering his options, but he really didn't know what the major differences were. Hyuei didn't know just which squad to go about joining. "Maybe...I'll figure it out soon..." He said, a warm smile on his face.

He smiled a bit and nodded at the answer, "Hyuei, nice ta' meetcha Kid." He noted how limp and unsure the handshake was, before he chuckled and slid them away into his pockets once more. Finally he then leaned forward and began to walk, blinking as Hyuei seemed to just stare at him and gape, he poked his forehead with a chuckle and nodded as he managed to hold the bokken. He then turned and eyed the trainee's as they were led away sighing in annoyance at them, he smiled some and shook his head before his eyes moved back tot eh kid and he blinked some. "Dont be silly. I dont mind teaching you ... Thats what you need, some friends, and some training."

He smiled a bit and then the cat mewled softly in agreement before she hopped down and began to purr and rub against his leg causing a chuckle to roll out of Hinsshi broad chest. "She likes you." He said with a grin before he walked forward and then blinked as he followed behind him, he chuckled some eying his cloths again and shaking his head. "You know, maybe you should add your own flair tot he Uniform like I did ..." Motions to his Pink. "Being more of an individual may help you attract more friends, being different can help make up for struggling power."

He smiled a bit, "Personality over Power. P.O.P." He winked, having made that up out of thin air, but it was pretty true. He headed tword the school sliding the phone away as the Cat mewled and walked alongside Hyuei, drawing another chuckle out. "Hm ... you want to keep her? I cant be here all the time, but she could be." He arched a brow as he walked along, the Academy getting closer and closer to view as he walked along beside the kid. He scratched his chin a bit and nodded some, the boy had gained alot more confidence then before, with just a little bit of encouragement he already had a far brighter perspective and was even walking with a brighter pep to his movement.

The cat mewled and followed him along happily, jumping up and sitting on the boys head expertly balancing with a adorable snuggle and mew. Hinsshi just grinned at their antics as he walked along the Academy finally coming into sight, he watched the boy patiently. It seemed he was alot like Hinsshi, but in other ways totally different, this boy had alot of potential, even he could see it, but all he needed was a more positive outlook on himself and others. "Hm ... we'll start training tomorrow. Meet me by the sparring grounds of the Academy." He nodded a bit, more to himself to make sure he remembered.

"Alright, now the first step, new robes ..." He walked tword the main rooms were a female Ninth squader smiled to him and handed him the new robes, his eyes fell on the boy once again. "If you want anything unique added to them, just ask me and I'll have it arranged for you." He smiled a bit cheerfully, and then tapped his lip. "Far as Squads ... you dont seem like much of a Fighter to me, so I would say try for Espionage, Information Gatherer, Healer, or Teacher." He smiled a bit. "For all of those, work on your speed, and Kidou the most ... and the squads would be Second, Thirteenth, Fourth, or Ninth for those things ... then again I may be wrong and you could be an excellent warrior. So it all depend son you."

He smiled helpfully, before he ruffled the boys hair and tucked his hands into his pockets, handing him his new robes. "I'll wait out here for you to change." he nodded a bit and made a motion for him to go get dressed, the Cat mewled and followed Hyuei, and sat down outside the door awaiting him. Hinsshi meanwhile simply looked around the academy main hall waiting, seeing if anything had changed since he had been here, but it didnt seem like much had. he chuckled and shook his head, it had seemed like years since he had graduated, but really it hadn't even been one yet, close though.

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, he wondered if he was really ready to help train the Kid yet. But ... there was no backing out now, the kid needed help, and maybe hell, this would help Hinsshi grow as a Shinigami, and teacher as well as experience as well. He sighed and glanced around quietly, before slowly sitting down and crossing his ankles, sitting in a Meditative like stance while he waited for the boy to finish changing, he also whistled, and the cat scampered over as he handed her a wet cloth she bit it and carried it over, when Hyuei walked out she would give it to him to help wipe off any remaining dried blood.

She mewed happily at being given a task and sat down to await her new friend as Hinsshi waited as well patiently, legs crossed and hands resting in his lap eyes closed as he opened his mind tot eh world around him, it would likely take the boy a fair amount of time to clean up and dress up, so he figured he had some time to meditate and think about his new duties to the boy.

"T-Thanks," Hyuei flushed again when he said he wouldn't mind training him. He felt almost as if he were in the wrong place. He couldn't be this fortunate, could he? After all the years upon years of being a burden...Worse, a no-talent burden he was being treated with such kindness. Honestly, Hyuei felt really great right now. He couldn't see all the negatives so clearly at the moment. Friends. How many times Hyuei had read that word and thought it over in theory. The many daydreams he had thinking of what it would be like to laugh with others. To have someone to share with and others to listen too...They had only been dreams before all of this. Just wishy washy desires that he lacked the will to every try and implement with his own hands.

"Ah?" Hyuei said, startled a moment as something jumped on his head. He slowly moved his hands up, but he realized what it was before he could grab it. "She likes you" Hyuei looked down slightly embarrassed as he felt the cat on top of his head. The cat was affectionate and, quite frankly, Hyuei was new to that. It wasn't that even animals knew how worthless he was, but this was pretty new to him. He'd never really been around a cat before. "R-Really?" Hyuei asked, slowly looking up. He was moving his head extra careful so that he didn't tip Hinsshi's friend off his head.

"Flair?" Hyuei said, managing to have his attention in the right place. Though, the word didn't register. Hyuei had a general guess on what it meant, based on the sentence, but he didn't know how he could use the word. What was flair? Pink? Was it always pink? Should Hyuei go and find something pink too? No. Hyuei must be misunderstanding. If he meant only pink, Hinsshi would have said to get something of that particular color, right? So then what was it that Hyuei was going to look for? His mind started to wander and he didn't quite catch what Hinsshi said about the personality over power.

"Keep?" Hyuei looked up again, trying to focus. He was squinting his eyes a little, trying to keep his attention on Hinsshi and not a possible completely rose colored uniform, "Wait, you mean-" Hyuei said, genuinely surprised. Just like that? Hinsshi trusted Hyuei that much? Hyuei honestly would love too, but he didn't know the first thing to do with a living creature. What to give it for food, any special attention it needed and even how to treat it. He didn't want to upset it.

"I don't think that, um, I would be able to. I'm really not all that reliable," He said, an awkward grin on his own face as he nervously and lightly scratched his cheek. Hyuei thought he should make it clear that he was probably the worst person to leave something important with. He knew he wouldn't be able to handle it. Sure, he was feeling great right now, but he didn't forget who he was. He wasn't someone that ever could do things right, he had difficultly learning, he was terrible when it came to physical exercise and even his knowledge with energy based skills was severely lacking. Hyuei was probably the worst person to leave something too in the entire Soul Society.

"Tomorrow..." Hyuei said, in disbelief. Was this really real? Hinsshi wanted to meet with him tomorrow and to help Hyuei out even. Hinsshi was truly a great person. Someone caring and compassionate and kind. Hyuei felt a strange sensation welling inside. It was some incredible mix of respect and awe blended together to make a smoothie of colorful admiration. "Y-Yeah!" Hyuei said, nodding with a bright smile. He was already excited. That feeling probably wouldn't last long though. Maybe through the night, but Hyuei couldn't really enjoy training no matter what type it was.

"O-Okay. I'll, uh, yeah." Hyuei said, now worrying over the flair portion. He looked down at the rags that he was wearing. Bloody, messy, torn and ripped. He looked a mess. For once though he didn't look like how he felt. He felt great right now. So great he simply couldn't wash the smile from his face anymore. Hyuei took the clothes that were presented to him and, taking a step backwards, quickly lost his balance.

"Wooah," He said, almost falling on his back until he caught himself. "Whew," He sighed in relief. Were it any other day, Hyuei's fate would have been to embrace the floor. Maybe, he was a little luckier today.

"Thank you very much. For everything," Hyuei said, trying hard to show his appreciation. Words weren't enough. Even actions couldn't be enough. Hyuei honestly didn't feel that he would ever manage to pay this shinigami back for everything. Hinsshi helped Hyuei out so much, even more than Hyuei realized at the moment. Hyuei was so grateful that he didn't know how to express the gratitude that he was feeling.

Hyuei quickly changed and returned, considering the explanation that Hinsshi gave about the squads and the duties of the ones he explained. What was his preference? Where were his skills? Speed? Kido? Fighting? Intelligence? None of the above. Being a teacher would be a mockery to the word and Hyuei really lacked the skills for espionage. The rest was pretty much everything he delt with and failed day after day.

"I'll definitely try," Hyuei mumbled, to himself mostly. If he didn't try, how would he improve? Hyuei couldn't give up. He had to keep trying over and over. Losing faith would only throw him into a life even worse than this one. He had to have hope. Hyuei would continue to fail until he got it right. Hinsshi made him feel as if there was a light at the end of this long, dark, cold tunnel.

Hyuei didn't know what else to say. He was smiling, in a new fresh uniform that he normally would have had to pay for, and was greeted by such a nice person. He felt like he should leave before he felt he owed Hinsshi more. Hyuei didn't want to test his luck anymore than this either. He felt it wasn't going to last any longer if he continued to be treated this way. "Thanks again," Hyuei would say with a quick bow.

A short errand outside of the academy had turned from a violent beating into this...This salvation. Hyuei could almost feel a little bit of pride in Hinsshi and he hardly knew the man. "Tomorrow then," He said, hopeful and completely reeled in. Hyuei was sure that Hinsshi would be there and that the training would begin. He had been attracted to every last thing that Hinsshi said that he was almost hypnotized by the higher ranked Shinigami. Hyuei didn't question anything. It would all go just as Hinsshi planned somehow. Hyuei had some faith of his own in that.

Hinsshi chuckled a bit at how the boy seemed to try hard to take in everything he said, the kid was really in need of this ... and he wouldn't give up on him. He had the personality of a Fourth squader too, so maybe that would work best, the squad that was Hinsshi's own secondary choice when he learned Healing Kidou here. "Hm ... we'll try Kidou first then tomorrow." He nodded some when the boy moved off into the changing rooms, He thought about how similar he had been to this boy not but maybe ten months ago. He shook his head in amazement, friends ... that's what this boy needed, people to care and look out for him, if he could get that then maybe he could surpass these limitations and failures he thought he had. Hinsshi slowly opened his eyes as the boy came out explaining about the cat, and eh grinned softly and ruffled his hair as he slowly stood up.

He glanced around admiring the academy, all the memories and things that were here that he missed so much, he smiled softly and chuckled, he was glad he had met the kid, it gave him another friend, as well as help him make up for all the mistakes he made as a Trainie and Rukongai soul. Hell, it also let him come see some very old friends that he missed alot, he shook his head and gave a soft laugh of amusement before he looked up at the center point of the main hall, and with a tilt of his head he traced the outline of it, before eh cam back to earth for the problems at hand, or at least Hyuei's problems with taking care of his Cat. he grinned a bit and began to explain, using a few simple hand gestures and pointing tot eh cat as he told him gently.

"Hyuei-san ... she -is- a spirit. Not to hard to care for us, just feed her twice a day with any meat ... and beyond that, just go by instincts. Keep her ... it will help you start to understand some real compassion twords you I think." He smiled softly, and the cat mewled and looked up at Hyuei from his feet, nuzzling him gently as she nibbled softy on his toe, revealing she still had some kitten in her. The cat was pure black except for a thin trail going down her tummy of a soft grey, grey spots coated her back and along her limbs much like a leopard ... but no, surely this man wasnt try to take care of a leopard cub. She mewed again, revealing the rows of long teeth and snuggled against Hyuei's legs happily.



The cat seemed to now be determined to go with Hinsshi's wishes, circling and purring butting her head gently against his legs and being just overall adorable with soft mew's and nuzzles. Finally she sat down beside the trainee, and began to purr and rub continually against his leg, Hinsshi smiled and offered a helpful hint, "She likes to be scratched behind her right ear." He then fiddled in his robes front, and pulled out a slim black notepad, handing it to the boy with a soft grin and a shrug of his shoulder's as he then began to explain what he anted him to with it before he got confused.

"Also ... every night from now On, I want you to write down what happened to you during your day in this. Take a page each day ... label it ... keep it safe." He smiled, not telling the boy why he desired for him to do this, Hinsshi knew however he still kept his Journal, because it allowed him to see how much his lie had begun to change for the better with friends, and how determined he had become. In-fact now that he thought about it, without his friends he would still be failing, and then he remembered what his dead wife had once told him, and his eyes softened, and repeated those words now to this boy.

"And dont worry about failing or loosing ... everyone will fail a hundred ... a thousand times, before they finally get to win. All it does ... is make that Victory the sweeter." He grinned some at the bow, and bowed back formally, before he slid his hands into his pockets and nodded a bit. "Tomorrow it is, just bring yourself and Liana... you can call her Ci-ci too." He smiled some and gave a wave, "Don't worry to much ... just get a good night sleep and a good breakfast in you, I'll ask some old friends to make sure that the other students at the least stop treating you like a criminal ... I cant make them your friends, but I can help you feel more comfortable so maybe you can."

He chuckled and turned, waving brightly before the cat mewled and butted against Hyuei's leg again and placed her upper-paws on his leg, obviously she wanted up as Hinsshi meandered off twords the Fukutaicho of Ninth squads building, obviously intent on his promises as he gave a final wave. "Tomorrow, sparing grounds!" He called over his shoulder, then disappeared into the door, the cat mewled again and snuggling into his leg happily. She purred and circled him several times before letting out an adorable mew again and then nuzzled and looked around, obviously looking for where he was going to take her, curious about this mans room,s eh revealed how intelligent she really was.

Hyuei was struck stupid by Hinsshi's persistence. Did he believe that Hyuei could do it? Hyuei wanted to think that he could do it too. 'O-Okay," Hyuei said, giving in. He would try. If he was too afraid to do something like this how was he going to go through with what he had already said he was going to do? He was going to keep trying until he didn't fail all the time.

"Hehehe," Hyuei practically giggled after the display of the energetic cat. He would move to pick her up, being sure to be extra careful. He didn't want to hurt her when he was moving to lift her up. If he managed to pick her up he would scratch her right behind the ears. Hyuei took the notebook next, offering a number of thanks. He was being given so much he didn't know what he would do.

"Everyday," Hyuei repeated trying to get the words locked into his head. Then came the advice. Hyuei had been thinking of something similar. But, when Hinsshi said it Hyuei felt as if it would absolutely happen. It being said by someone else made it feel like more than just hope. Like it was the future.

"Y-yes of course!" Hyuei said, unable to wash away his grin now. He was excited for tomorrow. When Hinsshi was leaving, Hyuei waved back, "Thanks for everything!" He said, wishing he could do more than just say thank you over and over again. Hinsshi left and Hyuei was still waving, with the hand holding the notebook. Suddenly, Hyuei realized something.

Looking at Liana the cat, Hyuei remembered one important detail, "Uh oh. What do you eat?" He had a strange feeling that ordinary food that Hyuei ate might not cut it. Then again, he could always try, right? Trial and error would get him through his next challenge.

"Tomorrow," Hyuei would say happily as he would pet Liana.
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