So much Love ((OPEN))

Of course Kaiyo had been warned that the Soul Reapers of Soul Society were not exactly loved by everyone; especially those of the lower districts. That still didn't prepare the young soul for all the stares and aggressive snarls that were shot her way. The only reason she'd even decided to venture so far in her uniform was because of a delightful little bakery she'd found in the poorest district of Soul Society. Rukongai may not be the grace of the after-world, but they sure knew how to make good bread. That, and Kaiyo was growing quite attached to her uniform, it fit even her small stature very well and she enjoyed the floating material swaying against her skin with each step. Unusually, she had even equipped herself with her black Zanpakuto. The blade born of resilience that more recently had grown prone to literally scolding her. Like any relationship it needed time and work, and Kaiyo was clearly a sucker for punishment.

The crisp air of the morning made her withdraw her stature slightly but the natural warmth of the girl seemed a little resistant to the cold weather. A particularly grumpy man spotted her. His over-zealous stature and stance caught Kaiyo's attention long before her was anywhere near her. She continued to walk down the beaten path though, her light smile reflecting an absent mindedness that was somewhat a façade. Her was drunk, his pupils very large and his ability to stand still without swaying a very obvious give-away. A bristle of worry brushed along her skin as the girl moved closer, not altering her speed of stance, but keeping her peripheral vision planted on him.

The other patrons seemed to cheer him on with their eyes. He stood, silently marching towards her as her hand naturally moved across to the hilt of her blade. Her shoulder barged her, his eyes fixated ahead as he went. She passed him, not feeling any more secure, her next step faltered. She heard it, the single step of the large man. Kaiyo twisted around, grabbing his outstretched arm and gripping him by the ribs. She flipped him over her small frame and took a short step back as he skidded loudly and painfully along the rubble coated ground. Her eyes wandered across to the other angry patrons, her expression of pride waning severely as they each rose from their seats. 'Kill her!' Their fallen comrade screamed; staggering back up to his feet for another try.

Panic grabbed her, adrenaline coarsed through her body as she nervously tried to un-sheath her blade in time. Mustering only a feeble reply, 'Shit...'

Today was a nice summer day down in the Rukongai, All was normal as can be down in the busy streets as people began there normal routines. Small shop's began opening up as the sun rose over the horizon signaling the beginning of the day, farmers began arriving in town to sell there wares and supplies. Drac manage to gets some free time from his squad like duties and so he put on his shinigami robes and gauntlets on and headed toward the Rukongai, because no matter where he was this was his home. Drac walked through the streets while carrying supplies for a farm women and her son to the small shop that she had own, Drac knew the woman well because she used to help out at the store that Drac's foster parents use to own. "My My you spend your free time coming down to the rukongai to help me out, thank you Drac." said the woman, by the way she looked she was right around her early 30's, she walked toward the small store and unlocked the door so that Drac could walk in. "Its no problem....I just wanted to help out that all after everything you did for my parents its the least I could do for you." Drac smiled as he placed the supplies on the counter and spread them out for her to sort out.

"Aw thanks....toroshi why do you go outside and play for awhile.......sigh I wish they were still alive its not the same without them. You going to visit their grave after this Drac?" said the woman with a sad expression on her face. Drac went into deep thought as he watch her son rushed outside and ran over to a group of kids to play kickball "Yeah......." Drac looked back at the woman "Need anything else before I take off?" the woman shook her head "No, you go ahead. I take care of everything here." Drac smiled and walked out of the small store, as he did the woman's son came over to Drac. "Drac do you know that person....she look like she need help."said the boy as he pointed at shinigami woman, she seemed to wear academy clothing. "No, I don't but your right.....those drunks seems to be bothering her." Drac walked past the child toward that direction.

As Drac made his way over he watched as the small woman flipped one of the drunkards and slammed him into the ground. The others nearby jumped out of there seat as there fallen comrade screamed at them to get her. Quickly Drac rushed toward two of the other patrons "What the-." Quickly Drac sent a left jab toward one of the drunk's ribs then a palm strike toward the man's chin knocking him to the ground. The other notice Drac and tried to to swing at his head with a right jab, but Drac quickly ducked underneath it and jump up and delivered a uppercut to the man's jaw dislocating it and knocking him unconscious. "I would advise you to leave now." Drac looked dead at one of the drunkard with a cold stare.

Kaiyo was about half-way through her genius plan to run for her life when the stranger intervened. Catching the girl off guard by just his seeming appearance from nowhere, she was dumbfounded. Still cowering behind her saviour as each blow caused a somewhat over-dramatic wince of empathy from the girl. Her only involvement was a quick yelping sidestep to avoid the falling body of the punter unfortunate to take a palm strike to the chin.

Kaiyo took a step back to inspect the shinigami who had potentially just saved her life. His imposing stature was enough for her, but from behind him, all she really noticed were the metal gloves and heavy boots; and the long brown hair. She peered quite curiously at him, silently trying to guess just how much taller than her he was...It was quite a bit. Then he spoke.

Unable to quench her curiosity, the girl peered around the man's hip. Like a small child hiding behind their father. The last drunk-man standing seemed to weigh his options for a while, bitterly mumbling to himself as he stormed back inside the dingy little tavern. Kaiyo twisted around the man in fluid movement; grinning like she'd just met a real life unicorn. 'Heh, that was close hey?...' Her smile waned as she dropped her head to her feet. Ruffling the back of her hair with her had as she looked back up to the man, he definitely had a ruggedly handsome thing going on there. 'Thanks though, I think i'd be road kill if you hadn't shown up. I'm Kaiyo by the way, nice to meet ya' the girl held out her hand, flashing her signature smile as she did so.

Never were things so simple for Kaiyo. A gruff rumbling caught her attention. Her hand still hovered mid-air as she slowly turned her head around; frozen in her friendly smile as she watched about ten burly souls swarm outside. Each one seemed more angry than the last, and something about their entrance seemed like they weren't about to introduce themselves in such a polite manner.

As quick as a whippet, Kaiyo stepped to the side of the man, just behind him really. She patted him on his forearm (as she couldn't reach any higher) 'Come on Hulk, round two!' she cheered. Seeming a little more optimistic of her odds this time, she may even attempt to hit some of them.

Drac watched as the last of the drunkards mumbled something under his breath as he ran back into the little tavern on the right of them. Drac let out a light sigh of relief for he wanted to enjoy the little free time he had without a causing much disturbance, but it was slightly too late for that for he notice that almost every one had watch his small display of his fighting capabilities. As he was about to head onward toward his foster parents grave, the woman he had helped had swung around to face him "Heh, that was close hey?" said the short mysterious blonde haired woman, before he could reply the woman quickly bowed and in respect he bowed toward her as well "Thanks though, I think i'd be road kill if you hadn't shown up. I'm Kaiyo by the way, nice to meet ya" Drac smiled as Kaiyo raised her hand toward Drac. "Heh, I don't think you would've been road kill. You seem like you can handle yourself quite well. My name is Gabriel Dorakyura but you can call me Drac, its a pleasure to meet you Kaiyo." Drac raised his hand and shook hers, Suddenly the drunkard from before came staggering out of the tavern only this time he brought more friends.

Drac turned to face the patrons as he did Kaiyo slipped behind him and patted him on his forearm "Come on Hulk, round two." Drac let out a light chuckle "Hulk huh? Well I guess I better smash then." Drac looked at the drunken group with a cold gaze. "Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and tear out your own throat! Bakudo#9: Hōrin." Drac stuck out his left hand suddenly an orange hued tendril with spiraling yellow patterns to erupt from his hand and around the group of men, he watched as it encircled all of them into one giant ring that binded all the men together. Drac watched as the men struggled to break free while bumping into one another, he slowly made his way toward the now trapped group of men "I warned you before to leave......I guess I didn't get the message through to ya." Drac began cracking his knuckles, slowly he began knocking each and everyone of them with out with jabs and palm strike to their heads making sure they got the point to not mess with them anymore. Drac hated using force to get his point across for it was out of his character, but he knew that if he didn't they surely would've come back for revenge.

"Now....I hope you got the message this time.... for your sake." Drac walked back toward Kaiyo and smiled "I don't think that they will be bothering us anytime soon."

Kaiyo's light giggle opened to a full blown grin when hulk-man said he'd better smash. It probably made her smile too much, but it was the little victories she held on to. Still holding to their little joke she couldn't help but let out a quick squeak of shock when orange strands spiralled from the mans hands; the light reflected along her blue eyes as her jaw dropped ajar. 'Wow' she whispered quietly to herself. Of course she'd seen people cast kidou spells before, but in the bottom set she'd been placed in for that discipline, she rarely saw it performed with such success.

Ever helpful, the girl employed her best intimidation glare ( which really was about as scary as kitten in a mug). Kaiyo smiled back up at Drac when he returned to her side, peering around him once more to get a final look at the very sorry looking group. She nodded in agreement, 'I think i definitely owe ya one now...how about a drink? There's a really nice bakery nearby and they do good drinks as well' the girl's cheerful demeanour shone back through the slight fluster still lingering around her flushed cheeks. Still, something in the man's face seemed a little off colour himself. There was on add thought, a real life shinigami that had saved her just moments ago and kaiyo just wanted to ask him what it was really like, she'd never really met a proper shinigami before...well, not under such pleasant circumstances. Kaiyo had a mild habit of falling into trouble, but today, hulk-man had saved her.

Kaiyo moved a rogue strand of hair back in to place, catching sight of a young boy and a woman from the direction Drac had appeared, she smiled across to them, unsure if calling a greeting was socially acceptable.

'I think i definitely owe ya one now...how about a drink? There's a really nice bakery nearby and they do good drinks as well' Drac noticed that the small woman was slightly flustered when she asked him for a drink he began to wonder why but quickly dropped it, he also notice that she had smiled toward someone behind him. He took a quick glance around and notice the woman and her son toroshi standing nearby, they have been watching him ever since he left the store, the boy had a cheerful expression like he just watched his favorite superhero beat up bad guys while the woman had calm expression on her face as she smiled back at Kaiyo and Drac. Suddenly Drac remembered why he was in Rukongai in the first place, he looked off in the direction of where his foster parent's grave where at I did come here to see their graves but...... He quickly looked back at Kaiyo I don't want to be rude and turn down her offer, she seem like a nice woman, plus I better go with her just in case those drunks do decide to come back after her. Drac nodded his head and smiled "Sure, I wouldn't having a drink."

"Oh.... Seems like Gabriel has a girlfriend grinned the woman in the distant as she watched Gabriel agree to Kaiyo offer, toroshi looked at his mother and tugged at her clothing "Mom....I want to be like Drac when I grow up." said toroshi with a cheerful expression, the woman smiled looked at toroshi "Well he is someone to look up to, and I hope you do too. Now let go back inside and leave those two alone, beside we got customers waiting."said the woman as she gently grab the boys arm and went back inside the store.

Drac knew exactly what bakery Kaiyo was talking about and slowly walked toward its direction. "So Kaiyo, tell me a little about yourself." he asked as he walked toward the bakery. A few minutes passed until he finally reached it the little bakery, he quickly grab the door and opened it for her for he was raised to be gentleman and open doors for women.

Her gaze followed Drac's as he glanced off for a moment and a pang of guilt hit, Kaiyo didn't mean to keep him from anything. Just as she was about to retract her offer, he turned back and agreed. A glint that had dimmed, sparked back in kaiyo's eyes and she nodded up to the man. He seemed to already know where they were going, a comfort even that a shinigami knew of her little haven brought a smile to her face. Kaiyo smiled with a light surprise as Drac held open the door for her, it was rare to ssy the least.

Her small frame saw only the top of her blonde hair bounce up to he counter, she lifted herself up with surprising grace as she smiled at the familiar face of the shop owner. 'Hello dear, the usual?' There was an un-mistakable kindness to the womans voice, her aged face drawn in a constant and serene smile. Kaiyo nodded, glancing back to Drac as she replied, 'Mhmm, but for two'. A smirk hit the ladies face as she nodded and turned to prepare their order.

Kaiyo picked her usual seat, gesturung for Drac to sit down next to her. 'Me?' She musec out-loud. Was it weird that nobody hd asked before now. 'Well, what would you like to know...how about you? What brings a shinigami round here, were those people your family?' She smiled. Getting a better look at the man now.

Drac let the door swing back shut as he and Kaiyo went to the front counter, he knew that she was small but didn't realize how small until she got up to the counter and watch her lift her self up to the top of it with fair amount of ease "Hello dear, the usual?" said the old woman behind the counter "Mhmm, but for two."said Kaiyo, Drac recognize the old woman behind the counter. He knew her ever since he was a little boy because he used to help the woman clean up around the bakery in exchange for some of her pastries, but it would seem that the woman forgot about him mostly due to the fact that its been years since they last saw each other. He was about to say something to the old woman until Kaiyo picked a seat and gestured him to sit next to her, he made his way towards her and sat down next to her "Me? Well, what would you like to know...how about you? What brings a shinigami round here, were those people your family?' Drac smiled as he got a better look at her.

"Well, how long have you been in the academy and what squad do you plan to join afterward? Drac looked around and examine the bakery before looking back at Kaiyo "Me? Well I grew up in this part of the Rukongai, so this is pretty much my home I came here to visit my foster parents graves. Oh those two, they sort of are...that woman used to help out at the shop my foster parents used to own when I was a kid. So I thought I would do the same for her here and there on my spare time."

Kaiyo shrugged, at current it felt like she'd been at the academy for a decade at least. It couldn't have actually been so long thought. 'Not too long, i don't really know much about the squads, but the academy teachers have said i could be a candidate for the second squad' she paused, her gaze lifting back up to Drac, was it rude she didn't know which squad he was from? Casually leaning back in her chair, she followed on, 'sorry, which squad are you actually from?'.

The girl leant back in as Drac began his story, her hands clasped gently together at the edge of the table. Her eyes screamed for a moment when he mentioned visiting his foster parents graves. She was keeping him from something so important. Still looking a little ashamed Kaiyo nodded, 'thats nice' she summarised. It was rare to see shinigami so down to earth and kind, at lest it was from kaiyo's experience of them so far. Then again, people often got the wrong end of the stick when dealing with her as well, she didn't like to be the type who judged. She shrugged it off, he thoughts had a habit of running away with her if she let them.

The lady came back over with a tray of goodies, pastries and bread for them both and a pot of green tea. Bliss. A moments silence pass between the pair, filled by kaiyo pouring herself a mug of green tea. she traced her finger around the rim of the ceramic mug, chewing her bottom lip slightly before she dragged her thoughts back again. 'How did your foster parents die?' She asked with as much kindness and respect possible, but she knew the question could be taken the wrong way still. It wasn't meant with offence though.

Kaiyo didn't know anything about her family, or her time alive. In fact, unlike most other souls, she didn't even remember waking up in soul society; she just happened about one day and was shown to the academy by a shinigami who knew why she was so hungry. 'So how do i learn how to beat up guys as well as you did?' She smirked slightly, not meaning her words with malice, she was just impressed and a little in awe of the mans battle prowess.

'Not too long, i don't really know much about the squads, but the academy teachers have said i could be a candidate for the second squad' said Kaiyo, Drac was slightly shock at what she told him, he began to think of a estimate of her skills while he smiled " 'sorry, which squad are you actually from? He grinned "No need to apologize, I'm actually from Squad 2 maybe after you graduate I could put in a good word and possible get in you in Squad 2....If you want?" Drac stopped and looked toward the direction of the old lady as she brought a tray of pastries, bread, and a pot of green tea. Drac quickly grab him one of the pastries with strawberry jelly inside of it, it hot and sweet aroma made Drac lick his lips then he bit into it. A rush of sweetness filled his mouth as he bit into the delicious pastries, a taste that he had tasted in a long time. "These are the best I haven't had one of these in a long time." Drac started smiling as he satisfy his urge by eating fast but not so that it looks like he's pigging out. He manage to stop himself from eating the last strawberry jelly one just to notice that Kaiyo had already poured a cup and was about to ask a question.

"How did your foster parents die?' Drac stopped licking his lip as the mind began to replay the nightmare that happen on that day, watching his parent being eaten by a hollow. Drac laid back in his seat as his whole expression changed into a depress one. "They....were killed by a hollow not that far from here. Eaten alive." Drac began to slowly pour himself a cup of green tea as continued thinking about it, replaying every single detail in his mind over and over again until Kaiyo spoke. "So how do i learn how to beat up guys as well as you did?" said Kaiyo, Drac quickly stopped thinking about it and smiled "I learn from my foster father....for an old farmer he was pretty skilled with his fist and a sword. I just been honing it ever since he taught me." Drac took a small slip of his tea before looking back at her "So....what reason are you doing down here in the rukongai, beside eating pastries with me?"

She held her grin. He was from squad two...She could feel her cheeks flushing red before she could help it. Smiling to hide her utter shame she bowed her head, sways of blonde hair dropped down in front of her eyes. 'Ha, well if you ever wanna train any future applicants' she looked back up, moving her hand forwards to sweep her hair back into place, she ruffled it slightly at the back. 'But yeah, a good word would be great thanks'

Kaiyo's expression matched Drac's as ut dropped to a stoney silence before he replied. Her eyes danced cross the tray of goodies, plucking a raisin scone from the tray and breaking it apart over her plate. She held both pieces in her hands as the man finished. Eaten alive. 'Sorry' she noted, her empathy crept through, she really did feel bad for him. Especially when she met his gaze, a glazed look faded him away from the room. Perhaps she'd been too hasty in asking, for all she knew it was only recently as well.

She put down half her scone and took a bite of the other. She smiled quietly to herself, that tasted delicious. Her free hand tugged at the material that had bunched around her legs, she shuffled in her seat; crossing her legs to get comfier. Kaiyo glanced back up to Drac, a more playful expression sparking in her eyes again. 'Maybe i was hoping to run into someone interesting who shared my love of pastries and tea?'. She took a victory gulp from her cup, it was a little too hot to drink in such large quantities so soon, but her victory sip stood its ground, despite her now scolded tongue.

She shrugged as casually as she could with a burnt mouth. 'Or, i just came out looking for a fight' she shrugged once more. Honestly though, it was probably a bit of both. Kaiyo was getting over her fear of combat and it was giving her a taste for fights, but she just enjoyed the speed of them really, even if she wasn't all that confident in her unfortunate situations, she was just on the look-out for something fun to do normally.

Drac looked at the last strawberry filled doughnut on the tray then back Kaiyo as she reached for a raisin scone from the tray as soon as she did he grab the last strawberry filled doughnut for he took this as a sign that she didn't want them. After he ate the last one he wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked back at her 'Ha, well if you ever wanna train any future applicants. But yeah, a good word would be great thanks' Drac smiled and nodded his head in response "Of course, I dont mind training you at all. Drac grab his cup a blew on it slight as he took another slip of it. Again dead silence between the both of them until Drac told Kaiyo about how his foster parents died "Sorry." Drac shook his head "Don't worry about it happen a couple years ago, just lately it been on mind that's all." silence again between the two, as Drac decided to try the raisin scone too he put the sweet scented pastry in his mouth. It had a rich texture but it was also very sweet as well, Drac smiled and tried another until Kaiyo reply to his answer "Maybe i was hoping to run into someone interesting who shared my love of pastries and tea?" Drac quickly smiled and looked dead at her in those blue eyes as he watched gulp down some of that hot tea, he could tell that it burn her for her face was getting red but she was holding that same expression.

Drac chuckled as he grab his tea and blew on it slowly before gulping down a large quantity of it. "Or, i just came out looking for a fight." He notice a slight crack in her voice mostly because she burnt her mouth, Drac continue on chuckling as he shook his head. "Well, you certainly found both today Drac let off a small grin as he looked at her, then again silence as the between the two off them. Drac was starting to get nervous for he didn't know what to say next, he began tapping his foot slightly "So....uh.......what are you going to do after this?

Her attention was drawn instantly by the tapping. Was she really boring him so much. A nervous shuffle forced her muscles to twinge slightly; she showed no sign of reaction though. She smiled all the same; as we her usualy expression anyway. Kaiyo lifted her cup towards Drac with a mild cheers of agreement, pulling the steaming luqid closer as she inhaled in steadily.

She shrugged casually, sliding her now empty cup back on to the table. 'I don't know yet, things just usually happen' she mused. It was true, for better and worse, Kaiyo often found herself in the thick of situations; thrust into action. It was just something she accepted, her next adventure was usually right around the corner.

The shop owner shuffled back to the pairs table; this time smiling as Drac. 'I thought they might still be your favourite' she smiled, gesturing to the crumbs of pastries left on his plate. Kaiyo raised an eyebrow, it made sense given that Drac said he grew up here, but it was still odd. 'So how did you two meet?' the woman added, a kindness attributed to her age gave an edge of wisdom to her words. Kaiyo beamed back at her, 'He saved my life'. As plain and simple as that, it was how the girl saw the events that had transpired. Perhaps she was being a little over-dramatic with that summary. 'Well then, i think you both deserve some more cakes. You should be careful of the people around here, some nasty gangs about'. Kaiyo tilted her head to the side, unsure of why this sweet old lady would know about any gangs. She picked up the girl's look and rolled her eyes slightly, 'i'm not as sweet as i look...They've been hassling me about paying them some kind of protection fee for a while now' her voice trailed off. She didn't sound all that scared though; Kaiyo knew the lady was a bit of a character, but she didn't realise to what extent.

The woman packed up the tray of finished cakes and turned to clean it all up. She stopped dead in her tracks. Kaiyo was wiping a rogue crumb of scone from her mouth; so when she looked up, she was all too late. The girl's blue eyes glistened with panic as she saw from the side, a single trail of blood at the side of the woman's head. The tray smashed. Shattering against the floor as kaiyo leapt to her feet, catching the woman in her arms.

Her head whipped round to the wall, a bullet was lodged between the pictures that had been so meticulously arranged. blood began to seep onto the students white uniform, she stood, paralysed. Out the shop window, Kaiyo saw a man running away, a large red X emblazoned on the back of his jacket. Maybe the woman should have been more concerned about the gangs...Or maybe Kaiyo and Drac shouldn't have so quickly left their battles from earlier.

Tears swelled in the girl's eyes, her spritual energy spiked. Her heart pounded against her chest, beating harder and harder with each second she did nothing.

Drac lifted his cup and smiled toward Kaiyo as she did toward him, he took another sip of his tea as he looked at her 'I don't know yet, things just usually happen' said Kaiyo as she shrugged her shoulders. Drac stopped his tapping as he put his now empty cup on the table "I see so things just find you." as soon as he got done speaking, he notice the old woman making her way toward them as she smiled 'I thought they might still be your favorite' said the old woman, a surprise look appeared on his face, he thought the woman didn't recognize after all those years but she did. A huge smile appeared on his face. "Ah...so you do remember me and here I thought you forgot about me, and you remember my favorite pastry......Thank you." Drac got up and gave the old woman a gentle hug then he sat back down. 'So how did you two meet?' Drac smiled a little and before he could respond Kaiyo had already explain "He saved my life." Drac's cheeks flustered a little at the thought "Its no big deal....I was just doing what was right thats all." Drac chuckled a little.

'Well then, i think you both deserve some more cakes. You should be careful of the people around here, some nasty gangs about' Drac looked at her with stunned expression "Now what idiots would dare bother a sweet old lady like yourself." Drac grab his cup and plate and placed it on the tray. 'i'm not as sweet as i look...They've been hassling me about paying them some kind of protection fee for a while now' Drac looked at her with a concern look on his face "Well If they cause anymore trouble to you let me know so I can handle for you ok." Drac watched the old woman pack the tray with the rest of unfinished cakes and began making her way to the kitchen. Suddenly Drac heard a quick whizzing sound and the woman stopped dead in her tracks. He notice a trail of blood from the side of her head NO... A look of shock and despair appeared on his face as he and Kaiyo rushed toward her.

Drac kneel right next to her unconscious limp body, he began to scan the room for what had hit her and notice a bullet in the wall. He quickly heard the shuffling of feet outside the bakery and notice a man carrying a gun with a big red X on his back. Tears poured out of his eyes as his heart was beating fast, he couldn't believe that someone would kill this sweet woman. A second Drac sat there speechless and stunned at the horror he just witness I failed........I failed to protect someone again...........Who would do this? Suddenly Drac's spiritual power spiked so much that an aura appeared but it was different. Its color was crimson red and dense, Drac stood up and looked outside. Pure hatred and anger shown on his face, all he cared about now.....was getting revenge "I swear Kaiyo......Whoever did this will PAY!!....And anyone associated with them." Drac bolted out the door and began scanning the area to see where the man with the X on his back went. He notice the man turning a corner down the end of the street and quickly ran after him.

Drac was notice about this man get away with the murder of that old woman, He was willing to throw away his sense of justice just so he can make this man suffer. As he speed around the corner he had a clear view of the man was quickly gaining on him.

Before she could even fully register the extent of what had happened, Drac had bolted out the door. Kaiyo sat still for a moment, haunted by the silence that descended upon the shop. The pool of blood that had drenched her uniform had attatched a stench of death that the girl suspected might linger with her for longer than she wanted. Kaiyo lifted the woman as she stood, her motionless body at least looked peaceful beyond the blood. Placing the eldery woman's delicate frame on the counter, she folded the ladies hands across her chest, one on top of the other. Kaiyo took a step back. Unable to move her vision for a moment. Her lungs choked for air as she realised she'd been holding her breath. Her cheeks were stained with tears and for all her dismay, she couldn't muster a voice to cry.

The thug was sprinting will all his might. His large arms pumping quite uselessly at his side, but he could still feel that damn shinigami gaining on him. Desperate to increase the gap between them; he flung the gun to the ground. It sped him up slightly, but his capture was still inevitable. He just needed to reach the gang hideout; they had plenty men there, enough to beat of this poxy shinigami for sure. He stumbled around a corner, flinging market items behind himself to slow down his chaser. A barrel a box, anything he could sling backwards did; hurtling towads Drac.

Kaiyo slowly raised her head. Streaks of blood dripped from her stained hair. Without a word, she leapt out of the shop, running with all the speed she possesed to catch the two men. The sky began to grow darker, thick clouds coating the once pale blue air as large droplets of water erupted downwards as the heavens opened. The weather only spurred on the girl, her sadness quickly evolving into pure rage; a kind of anger Kaiyo had never felt before.

'Shit' the thug shouted to himself, drenched to the bone he skidded around the already muddy path, hurtling up along the path as he reached the end of the raod; he leapt into the trees. Branches scratched and snagged on his clothing, cutting and slicing him as he glanced back over his shoulder. Fuelled by his own self preservation, his reached a clearing within the woods. A large complex seemed as run down as anything in Rukongai, but it was buzzing with energy. Hidden in the forest. He reached the open doorway and threw his now worn-down body through.

A crack of lightning light up the sky, she was hot on Drac's heels. Her blood stained shirt clung to her body, melting the blood across the rest of her once white uniform. At her hip, her Zanpakuto bundled silently along; the swords anticipation for combat was palpable.

Rage and Hatred drove Drac forward in pursuit of the man with the X on his back, he was right on the man's heels. He watched as the man discarded his gun to gain a little boost of speed but it did not help for Drac was still right on him running with all his might to catch him, the only thing on Drac's mind was catch this man and make him suffer for killing the old woman back at the bakery. Fond memories of the time when he was a child at that bakery flowed into his mind, working for the woman everyday greeting the customers with a smile. For his reward she would give him the delicious pastries that she would serve to them, a small stream of tears fell down his cheek as he relieved the memories till the came to a screeching halt at the image of the woman's dead body laying motionless on the floor. Suddenly the aura around him became denser and the color of it became redder, Drac became so enraged that he became unaware of the people around him, knocking them over and running over them to catch the man. Drac notice the man beginning to throw market items like boxes and barrels in a desperate attempt at stopping Drac from catching him. Drac finally put his free running skills to good use as he cartwheel and front flipped over boxes and barrel while maintaining his speed.

Drac was so focused on catching him that he didn't notice that the sky began to grow darker as huge, thick cloud blocked out the sun and covered the sky. Rain began pouring down on Drac, drenching his entire body and clothing, the water soaked into his outfit causing him to run just slightly a little slower but so did the man. He continued running towards the end of road and jumped into the forest right behind the man, branches torn at his skin but Drac barely felt it due to the adrenaline rush. Drac finally came upon a opening in the forest and quickly notice a run down complex in the middle of it, he notice the man rushing inside of it before the door had close.

He slowly made his way toward the front entrance until he began hearing the sounds of footsteps that was making it way toward him, he spun around quick with his hand on his zanpakuto. As he did, he notice it was just Kaiyo and quickly turn back around and made his way toward the complex "He went in there.........He's not alone........Kaiyo..........if any stand in your way...........Kill them." As they approached the gate Drac raised his left hand "The fires of hell, a scrap of your power, another damned soul. Hado#5: Kakyuu!!" Suddenly a ball of fire erupted in his hand and shoot out toward the door, blowing it wide open. Drac made his way and already unsheathe his sword ready to fight.

The bedgragelled girl leapt through a gap in the branches of another towering tree; splayed to one sideby the onslaught of the weather. The dank air still held that putrid metal smell of blood, blood of a woman who didn't deserve to die. Kaiyo rolled back up to her feet, unphased by the thick forest that hurteled towards her. The small fram of girl was build for speed, and her image blurred through the dark trees with an impressive grace, not slowed at all by the rougher terain. Even for Kaiyo, she travelling very fast. As quickly as his silhouette had dawned her horizon, Kaiyo leapt next to Drac. He seemed in no better mood than the girl, and had she not been of his equal wavelength of utter rage, she would likely have found him quite a terrifying man.

Kaiyo was not smiling anymore, her blue eyes no longer shone with happiness, they swirled deeper, darker and her stoic expression dropped a dark shadow across her face. If ever Kaiyo looked a force not to reckon with, it would be now. She made no joke or quip to Drac's words, instead she drew her sword with a solemn silence. The rain beat harder through the trees and thunder roared louder in the skies above. What an apt setting their massacre had allowed them.

Both hands on her blade, she bounced in her stance slighty, her eyes glazed with determination; fixated on the entrance to their litle safe haven. It sure as hell wasn't safe anymore. The fire exploded through the door and Kaiyo pounced forwards. Flickering shadows crept and danced through the trees as the flames began to lick higher; fast engulfing the building itself. About twenty men total, caught off guard enough by Drac's initial shot to be unprepared for the girl who leapt through the flames.

Kaiyo crept low, her speed an advantage of her first surprise attack, she grabbed the nearest ankle andflung the man attached to it backwards. A timely spin intersepted an attacked from behind as she brought her sword horizontaly through his mid-section, damn nearing cutting the poor sod in half. The shouts and yells of the men blurred into the roaring skies and screeching flames. A large beam droped in front of the girl, exploding up swirls of ash and embers that danced in front of her. Her charred hand held to the wood as she leapt over the beam, roling straight back into combat, sword in right hand her left went straight for a throat, dragging it to her side as she flipped the man in question and stabbed another asailant, in the same fuid motion she ducked under the choking man, serving an uppercut that cracked his jaw so loudly that they probably heard it breaking on the floor above. Kaiyo had never fought with such gusto and had never been so succesful but for each man she struck down, another seemed to appear. She saw no sign of the red X man.

As Drac blasted the door wide open to the gang's hideout and walked right in, Kaiyo rushed past him with her blade drawn to shed the blood of those who would get in her way toward the man with the X on his back that killed the old baker woman. The sense of justice was long gone only revenge and pain was visible in Drac's eyes as he made his way toward a group of thugs sent to stop him and Kaiyo from reaching their comrade and killing them in the process. The flames licked and dance around them as the gangs once safe haven was now becoming an oven, the flames on the outside where slowly being contained as the rain flowed down upon it while the inside of the building got hotter and hotter. One gangster charged Drac with a blade in attempt to cut him vertically, but to Drac the gangster was moving in slow motion he step to the left and dodge the man's attack and grab the wrist that held the blade with his left hand and then twisted it 180 degree while his arm was still stiff. He could feel the man's wrist breaking under his hand as the gangster let out a terrible cry of pain that alerted his other comrade that Drac meant business, the gangster let go of his grip on the blade but before it could drop Drac had let go of the man's wrist, grab the blade and jammed it into his throat.

Blood poured out of the man's throat and ran down Drac's arm but his eyes was unwavering as it was still fixed on the other gangster with the same intense hate as before, the other four gangster staggered back in shock but then they whip out their guns and aimed it at Drac and began to open fire. Drac quickly got behind the now dead gangster body and rushed toward while holding on to the blade to steer it, the bullets rain down on the dead gangster's body taking it while protecting Drac from them. As Drac got closer to them in their disappointment they ran out of bullets, quickly they tried to reload but it was too late. Drac dropped the body and in one mighty horizontal swing he decapitated all four gangster, their heads rolled of their shoulders and hit the floor. Drac, now covered in blood, was now making a right at a corner he could hear the footsteps of a gangster in a room nearby him.

"We need to kill them and get the hell out of here before-" said the unsuspecting gangster as he walked out of a room and turned his head and faced Drac, Drac ran his sword threw his heart just as he did another gangster came out. Terror struck him as he reached for his gun, but Drac had reached for the gun of the man he just killed and shot the other gangster in the head. Drac was getting angrier as the minute passed trying to find this man, he dropped the gun and continue on looking forward.

Small rivulets of blood trickled down Kaiyo's face; she was so unused to such heavy combat and her body was starting to show it. The veins in her face were bulging under a heavy strain as her arms wobbled to keep the man grappling with her at bay. It was only at this point that the danger of their situation even registered to the girl. The fact that she herself might die never even factored in to her thought process. Kaiyo couldn't say much on her fear- adrenaline was coursing so sharply through her veins that even her wounds seemed overwhelmed. Exciting, if anything. The taste for combat was something she herself had never expected.

Kaiyo grunted as she threw her body weight over her shoulder and rolled over the man, pinning him to the ground with her elbow as her free hand scrambled along the broken ground for her dropped sword. A pain pulsed through the back of her head as she fell forwards, losing her vision amongst the fiery abyss; it titled and swayed beyond recognition as another strike to her gut seemed to draw back the world to proportion.

She ducked, rising back up in a very ungraceful manner as she leapt with her shoulder into the man's gut, dump tackling him across a broken beam. She rolled off him, almost certain that his back had just broken. Her head was pounding, but she could ignore it for now. The room was lit by the flames that had swept around the building, over-shone periodically by the cracking lightning that beat down above them. The rain was giving its best shot at subduing the flames, but it would burn to the ground first.

Her torn skin found her blade just in time, still crouched on the floor, Kaiyo spun around with her own sword to meet another. Utilising as much speed as possible, she shifted her weight, moving her hand out she twisted like a wound up coil, her foot connecting with a man's jaw as he dropped like a sack of potatoes. A bullet grazed her arm; she'd add that to list. Kaiyo felt un-harmed, engulfed in her own rage she could do nothing but fight on. The girl flipped in the air, following her bodies momentum with her right hand as she flung her Zanpakuto like a spear across the room. It stapled he shooter to the wall, his own desperate cries hidden beneath the crackling flames.

Then her gaze caught him, racing and stumbling like a hunter deer. The man with the red X, terrified, and trying to leave through the door that Drac had busted them through. She yelled across to him, her voice carrying more power than she might have ever assumed even possible. 'Drac! Door!' she roared. Withdrawing her sword as two more men charged at her. They were on their final numbers; that man was going to die...hulk style.

Adrenaline was pumping through Drac's body at an incredible rate so much that he could hear his on heart beating at a rapid pace, all his muscles and vein were at full alert twitching to every sound that was made in search of the man with the X on his back. Drac was becoming angrier as seconds went by looking for the man with the X on his back, he knew that he had to find him soon for every second he couldn't find was a second that man was getting to escape and Drac was determine to not let that happen if it meant he would die in the process. Drac was continuing down the path he took before into he ran into two more thugs with sword, though something was different with these two the way they carried themselves and how they got into an offensive quickly told Drac that these guys were trained. Only question that remain in Drac's head as he got into a defensive stance was......How long would they last before he killed them? Two men charged at Drac, one from his left and the other from his right, the one on left made a vertical swing with his sword at Drac's head, while the one on his right made a diagonal swing toward Drac shoulder. Drac blocked the right one's attack with his Zanpakuto and caught the left one's attack his open hand.

Drac parried the thug's sword on his right and threw back the thug on his left sword back with his open hand, but they continued there pursuit throwing a flurry of thrusts towards Drac. Drac was easily dodging their attacks until a piece of the ceiling fell behind Drac and he trip over it, quickly seizing this opportunity they thrust their blades at the same time into Drac's body. The pain of being run through didn't register until after four seconds had passed, Drac began to stagger and was losing concious. He losing a lot of blood and the world around him was becoming blurry...until he heard a voice 'Drac! Door!' said Kaiyo, with his little bit of strength he looked toward the entrance they came from, that when he notice the man with the X on his back trying to escape.

Suddenly an unspeakable rage consumed him completely as he look upon the face of the man that killed the old woman, he spiritual power spiked tremendously while the aura around him became red as blood and swirled around him wildly. "GRRRRRAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!" Drac raised his sword and with a mighty swing cut off both of the thugs arms then pulled their sword out of his body. He didn't care about the two thugs who arms he just cut off as he charge towards the man with the X on his back, the only thing right now that matter was to catch that man and kill me. Drac ran with all his might to catch up with the man as the building around him began to become unstable due to the fire. Like a bull charging at something red. Drac was fixed on killing this man getting ever so closer, the man was running with every fiber of his being to escape out the door but Drac was right on his heel. Suddenly a beam fell from the ceiling a few feet from the man forcing him to halt, he tried to go around it but at last it was too late......For Drac saw his opportunity and tackled the man to the ground.

He watched as the man tried to wiggle his way to freedom but he was pinned down due to Drac's weight, he tried to bargain and plead for his life to Drac. Not word of it reached Drac's ears for the voices in his head kept screaming to kill him"I'm going to make you SUFFER FOR WHAT YOU DID TO HER!!!" Drac unleashed a flurry of punches at the man's face without the intentions to stop.

Kaiyo wasn't doing brilliantly, her clumsy style of fighting wouldn't even hold the same elegance as drunken boxing but so far it was getting the job done. She could refine technique when her life wasn't in danger. It was learning curve though, to think that fights weren't quite as controlled and reasonable as her training thus far had led her to believe. Despite herself, a part of the girl, a small part that she hadn't known had existed or rather, remained; relished the combat and the risk of her arena.

Kaiyo lost her concentration as she watched Drac leap onto the X-man; she had no doubt in Hulk though- he was as good as gone. Still, her lapse had a price to pay. A leery grin glinted in the firelight as a man hurled himself at her. Knife sweeping towards her belly she danced to side, grabbing his wrist and in two clean movements, he howled at the break. The knife dropped to the darkness, shrouded in a deep smoke that was invading the air. Too eager to move on, his remaining good hand lunged up at the girl, gripping tightly to her hair as he dragged her to the floor. They scrambled over the knife, both wrestling in the thick of the smoke. Kaiyo choked down her panted breaths as she was pinned to the ground. Her hand thrust upwards at the man's chin as he he lay a few good punches at her face. She grabbed his hand on the third strike, yanking it across her body as he dropped next to her. As quickly as he'd hit her, she rolled higher on to her shoulder blades, bringing her knees up tight as she raised his good arm, snapping her right foot against the extended bone; another crack was devoured by the skies above. She could see a bone this time.

She stumbled away from him, already feeling the swelling in her face as she squinted around the now derelict building. Two more left inside, and X guy outside. The building surely couldn't last much longer. A deep thud dropped next to her, the collapsing ceiling spiralling up golden embers that danced like fireflies amidst the ashen smog. She coughed and spluttered a few paces, wiping blood from her eyes as the smoke burnt her vision. Kaiyo rolled to the side and winced as shards of glass lodged themselves into her hands. She was at full capacity here, not even understanding how she was coping thus far she held her mind on her immediate present. The task at hand- the last two guys.

Her shaky hand found her Zanpakuto and she dived across some fallen debris. Heading for the main door. The last two men had the decency to try and save the guy getting pummelled to death by Drac. Kaiyo was hot on their heels though and a lot faster than they were. One man raised his sword behind Drac and Kaiyo lunged forwards. Her first strike was weak, only managing to glance off the mans back. It had been enough to make him turn at least. Kaiyo's foot collided loudly with his kneecap as soon as he faced her. He dropped down on his weakened side, slicing his blade up at the girl as she dodged backwards. Directly in the middle of the spine, his second man punched at Kaiyo front behind. Instinctively, her back arched backwards, as the man's fist whistled past her jaw. She was younger and faster though so before he had a chance to withdraw his hand to safety, she'd clamped on around his wrist. Flicking her shoulder downwards as he tumbled over her small frame and dropped onto his friend. Kaiyo ducked down and quickly picked up her Zanpakuto, just metres away from Drac.

'Come on Hulk, smash' she snarled. Lunging at the wobbling men behind Drac. Vertical strike down. Block to the right. Push kick to a gut. Jumping roundhouse for a headshot that dropped a man like a sack of potatoes. Sparks flew as the last man surged forwards against the girl, his own sword skill more proficient than her own. She was pushed back in a panic, parrying and blocking as best she could. The maelstrom above them had quelled, the torrent of rain settled to a steady beat as the final structure of the building amidst the forest crumbled.

Kaiyo fell backwards, rolling to her side to avoid a boot. Her Zanpakuto quaked in front of her eyes as she blocked a heavy strike from above. There was no way in hell she could lose now. She took one final deep breath, her lungs screeching for more oxygen. Acting quickly, she shifted her weight, still holding the weight of his blade at her own, she swung the right side up. Smashing the hilt and guard into the mans face as he tumbled along the ground. Before he even knew it, she was above him, flames dancing along the reflecting of blade as she cut his throat. Kaiyo dropped her sword and fell back onto the broken earth. She had only a few moments before adrenaline slowed and she became fully aware of the extend of her injures. For her utter exhaustion, there wasn't a single speck of the girl's being that believed their revenge un-just. She dragged herself up to watch Drac deliver the final blow.

Left, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right, this same pattern continued on with for minutes as Drac delivered punches to the man's face with tremendous force. Drac's face was complex it shown signs of rage and anger but also signs of satisfaction for every his punches would hit the man's face. Drac was in his own world long gone from reality, in this world the only thing that mattered was beating the man until he exhaled his last breathe from his body and he was going to see to it that the job was done. The man manage to wiggle his arms around and brought them up to his face to protect himself from any more blows to the head from Drac. Drac got angrier as he watched the man try to protect himself, as he got angrier his aura became redder until it started to turn black. Drac grab the man's forearm and pulled them away from the man's face "DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT WILL HELP!! HERE LET ME HELP YOU THEN!!" Drac shift his legs around and placed both his feet in the sockets of the man's shoulders, then pull the arms some more until they laid straight across his knee. Drac began pushing down against his wrist while raising his knee higher and higher, the man's arms was beginning to strain while he felt pain in his elbows.

Drac continued pushing down harder while raising his knee's higher, tremendous pain was felt through both the man's entire arms, mostly in the elbow, so much that he began to scream in agony until......CRACK!! The elbows gave way and it snapped, the bones stuck out of his arm as the sky was filled with his scream. A wicked smile appeared on Drac's face as he let go of the man's arms and shifted his weight forward so that he's knee's were now on top of the man's chest. "AH.....seem I broken your arms........but thats nothing......COMPARE TO WHAT I'M GOING TO DO TO YOU." Drac continued beating the man's face in with jabs, uppercuts, and haymakers to the man's face completely ignoring what was happening around him.

Drac kept on punching as the building was beginning to fall apart, the beams from the ceiling kept on falling knocking up the fiery embers and smoke around the area. They swirl around in the air like fireflies in the night, the smoke choked Drac's lungs making it slightly discomforting to breathe and it blurred his vision, while the embers burned into his back and neck. Even though the building was crumbling down Drac was determine to get his pound of flesh, the beating sounds were getting louder and more gruesome by the second as the man's plea's became small grunts of pain. He feel the man's skull giving way cracking and breaking underneath his fist, suddenly Drac snapped back into reality as he heard a thud noise behind him and quickly looked around only to see Kaiyo looking at him. He looked at the face of the once beautiful blonde hair blue eye shinigami, who now had cuts and bruises on her face while a stream of blood ran down the side of it, as she looked at him with those blue eyes 'Come on Hulk, smash' said Kaiyo.

Drac watched as she continue to fight off a enemy behind him, he nodded his head and continue on his brutal beating. As he continue on the man stop making noise completely the only sounds were Drac beating his brain in literally. Crack, crack, crack, crack, Drac felt the man's skull breaking underneath his fist and blood began splatter from his head onto Drac's hands and face. Minutes passed, Drac was beginning to tire so with one last effort his clasp his hands together and brought it down. Drac slowly got up and looked down upon the blood mess of brain matter and broken bones that was once a face, his aura had finally return to normal and his rage subsided, finally Drac was back in reality as he notice that all hell was breaking loose around him. "Oh shit....We got......to get out of here." Drac got up off the dead body and placed a hand on the wound around his stomach as he notice Kaiyo down on the ground looking dead at, he quickly walked near her "Its over.........We got our revenge." Suddenly he notice the final structure of the building was about to crumble "We got to get out of here."

Drac quickly place one arm around Kaiyo's back and another underneath her knee's and picked her up, she was fairly light so it didn't strain him at all. He rushed with all his might toward the entrance that he had made before just as the last support fell and the building clasped, a huge cloud of smoke and ash kicked up and out of it rushed Drac with Kaiyo. He took in a huge breathe of clean air as the rain came down upon his blood stain body, Drac stood there for a sec as the rain mixed the blood in his clothing and washed some of it off his face. He looked at Kaiyo "Sorry....that I put you threw harm......I'll take you to a Doctor." Drac began to make his way toward town in search of medical attention.

A few minutes past until Drac came upon this small building deep within the Rukongai, a small knock was heard on the door of the building as a middle age man walked up to it "Hmm, I wonder who it could be so late at night?" the man open the door and standing there was Drac holding Kaiyo, the man had a shock expression on his face "....Drac......is that you boy.....By god what happen!!" said the man "No time Doc......to explain.....this woman needs medical attention ASAP!! said Drac as he walked into the building and place her on a medical table, he quickly summoned a hell butterfly "These wound are serious...........you need to get some medical attention yourself Drac." Drac push the butterfly toward Kaiyo. "Call for help........." Drac sat down on another medical table, suddenly he fell back as his vision slowly became blurry then.....lights out. Drac laid on the table unconscious as blood poured out of the two wounds in his stomach.

The vibrant colours swayed around the darkness that centered her vision. Had she not been helped, Kaiyo doubted she would have been able to move. The dull sound of the world rang like alarms through her mind, her hand stuttered forwards to Drac, he was hurt. She blinked slowly, the darkness engulfing her for a moment of serenity. The flickering lights of a room awoke her, the cold metal that sheered against her wounds. She couldn't identify individual pain, she just knew she hurt all over. Her mouth was dry; unresponsive to her needs as she croaked out noises. A man stood over her, Drac was behind him. They both heard the thump of his body dropping.

The torrent against her senses was un-relenting and into her vision swayed the hell butterfly. 'We need healers' she managed to whisper out. More than likely, Soul Society was aware of their battle, given that two shinigami had clearly scorched some earth nearby and that required spiritual energy.

The dark ceiling was stone, it rolled around above her head. She shut her eyes. The darkness was comforting, but she had so many questions. The hell butterfly had gone, and she could hear a faint clinking of metal. Kaiyo tried to sit up, her bloodshot eyes unable to account for balance and broken ribs. She flopped back down. The darkness returned, bringing a muffled silence to the world. The healers arrived quickly, all she saw was the door flinging open and shinigami bolting through. 'H-him....first' she announced with a meager voice. Wrapped close beneath the cloak of midnight tendrils, she allowed herself to submit to the darkness. She passed out. The healers began their work.

Drac couldn't see a thing in the cold, hard darkness that was his vision as he laid motionless on the cold metal table bleeding out. Even though his vision was slighty gone he could still hear the doctor doing as much as he could to save the woman while also tending to Drac's wounds. The Docter rushed around the room grabing everything he could to help both Drac and Kaiyo, he began by placing a towel on Drac's wound while applying pressure for a minute then he rushing over toward Kaiyo placing a clean cold towel on her forehead. The adrenaline was gone and the pain coarse through his body quickly every muscle in his body was in tremendous pain so much that it woke him from his unconscious momentarily, he looked toward Kaiyo as the docter began to sew up the wound on her forehead while wiping the blood off her face. He notice the hell butterfly flying out the window as he laid there the doc looked back at him "Oh thank heaven you alright Drac......she called for help. They will be here soon......Just rest will do as much as I can." said Doc, a smile crept on his face as he looked back up at the ceiling and once again his vision became blurry and he past out.

Drac awoke some time later laying in a bed as sunlight filter in the room through the window. Drac slowly got up as he recognized all to well the room he was in, it was Squad 4 recovery room and this now made the third time he been here and again it probably wouldn't be his last. The room was all white even down to the bed sheets he was laying in, he notice a IV stand next to his bed with a bag of blood attached to with a rubber tube flowing down to a needle in his arm. The bag showed a O-blood type on it which was also Drac's blood type, he pulled back the sheet and notice multipe bandage on his body including two huge ones near his stomach. "Ah........feel like shit." Drac placed a hand on his head as he experience a splitting headache, he tried to recollect what had happen the night before. Quickly he remember that he was carrying kaiyo to get help "Oh crap......Kaiyo....where is she?" Drac looked around the room and notice a curtain seperating him from another patients, he pulled it back to reveal Kaiyo sleeping calmly in the bed. Drac let out a sigh of relief for that she was alright.

It was the beeping that woke her up, if you could call it waking up. It felt different, it always did. Her eyes fluttered open, unable to process the stark lighting of the room as she groaned slightly, moving her hand to her eyes to help return the darkness she winced. Recognising at least that she hurt, she sighed. The machine next to her head continued to beep, radiating waves through the room that felt like a steady beating drum behind her eyes. They opened slowly, taking long while to remove the blurry ceiling into focus. She smiled to herself, amazed she was even alive.

Caught aware of someone standing nearby she turned her head to the swept aside curtain. 'Heeyyyy' she grinned, genuinely glad to see her friend again. The night flash through her mind like a sleepless dream as her smile faded. Was that it? The end of their adventure; even for all their fighting it felt abrupt and Kaiyo's mind returned to the image of the dead woman in her arms. She shut her eyes slowly, scrunching them shut for a moment to stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks.

With a sorry look in her eyes, she appeared a bit more coherent. Kaiyo shuffled slowly up in her bed. Glancing between the machines and bags she appeared to be plugged in to, and her bandages body. She laughed, 'We must be made of tough stuff...I'm glad you're alright Hulk' she joked lightly, her spirits apparently un-festered with angst any more.