Night stalker (open)

He saw them laughing on the street below him, not a care in the world. Something about their giggling annoyed him. Like nails on a chalk board or merely a rock on a glass window. He shuddered slightly as they continued on. Stratus was invisible to humans, but he wished they could see him. The horrow on their faces would be priceless. It took a special kind of human to perceive the hollow as he loomed over the smoking teenagers. They were talking about some party they had crashed. One of them commented on how he had clogged the toilet, the others laughed hysterically. Stratus had nothing against them, he was just bored. And when he got bored he usually ate. Hunting down your meal was always fun and interesting. Rarely the same taste when it came to souls. Some sweet, others sour. It was the few pleasures he got out of his life other than the thrill of battle. The question was did he which of the five humans would he hunt. Capturing and killing all them would be too easy. Instead Stratus had a game he liked to play, a trick even. When faced with a group he'd always kill one right away and see how they group would react. At first he'd just stab someone, but over time he figured the best method to get desired results. First he would get close and pick one person at random. Most times he would pick a male, it wasn't fun to kill a woman quickly, and lift him off the ground. Since the hollow was invisible it would look as if the person was suddenly levitating. This got everyone's attention focused on target. Next he would simple rip the unfortunate bastard in half. This didn't always work out perfectly. A couple of times he ended up just ripping the man's arms off. It was just as effective, but listening to the man cry and scream was unbearable. Stratus took the time to stomp the guy's face just to make him stop. So after he'd torn the vicitum in half the fun would begin. Most people would be too stunned by the display to do anything but scream and call for help. Boring. The next type would actually try to help the obviously dead human and try keep them alive. While funny to watch it wasn't what the hollow wanted. Stratus had stopped to watch as one silly human had tried to administer first aid to a man missing half his rib cage. It had been so funny that he didn't even bother to kill the man and eat his soul. Of the many different reactions Stratus loved the runner.

A human after witnessing such a horrific sight would simply run. Ah yes, the runner. This was no simple "I'm late for school I need to make it to the bus stop" run. No, no this was "My life is in danger." run. The most primal section of the brain that senses something bad is going to happen. The people that run are truly special. It's as if for a second they can detect the hollow's presence and they act accordingly. It is possible with the spectre of death looming close the humans awaken their sixth sense. Of course Stratus never thought such things, he only enjoyed the chase and the panic that dripped off human like sweat. The horror the fear. They were the spices that flavored the already tasty soul. For a second Stratus sat there and merely cackled as he imagined which of the group would bolt once he tore the head off one of their friends.

Shikuro sighed out leaning back, sitting casually on a roof top. It was early evening, nothing much had happen to spice up this particualar evening, he had taking this task so seriosuly at first, reports of abnormal spirutal presures in the area. Just the thing to kill his boredom for a day, yet aparently not so much. As things turned out ever so dull. He kept flickering over the cellphone, figures he'd rest his senses for a bit, having a hard time sensing to far for way to long so as it was he figured he would just rely and that stupid thing, tough the bad case about that was, the report wouldn't happen before a hollow or rather the hostile being would attack or do something that would bringthem out from their masked spiritual presure.

after a few hours of doing just that he couldn't beleive that this was happening to him, it was really happening to him, not even the smallest hollow attack. H kept idealizing about a small gang of low hollows trying to sneak up on him, ust to kill the boredom. but swayed of the idea quickly, as wishing for things should be truely wanted before wishing, and he didn't really feel like running into more trouble than he could handle. "Sheesh..." He let out a very deep sigh, getting up on his feet, streching out for a few moments before starting to jump around on the roofs again, mostly in random dirrections it would seem, tough he had planned it pretty carefully, knowing how far his reach was, he wanted to cover the most space in the least ammount of time. An advice he had gotten a while back before he had become Vice Captain, from whats his name, aparently no one too important. After a short while Shikuro halted, blinking for a few momentsm he felt something, tough feint it could just be some residue hollow presure from an earlier fight, tough then why hadn't he been notified about it. After that conclueing he stepped things up a notch bring himself closer to the seemingly hostile presure, masking his presence the best way possible. As he got closer he was stunned to see a hollowlike that, at that size simply sitting there, he approached with care, tough he didn't feel the need to bring otu his weapon even tough that included danger. Before long he felt the roof beneath him make a very small light sound as he landing glaring at the hollow, even he could feel the humans beneath them on the street. "Don't even think about it..." His voice was stern and serious, his eyes quickly goign over the hollow's body if this hollow was strong he would need to pin out a weak spot quickly, it could be a matter of life and death, thoug the mask was always a good choice, though hollows tend to keep that pretty safe.

The hollow continued watching each of his perspective meals. All of them deserved a grisly death, but which of them would be best? This was the most thought he put into anything. Just when he was about to make his pick his armor rattled. Although he was distracted his body was aware of the shinigami's approach. He turned to face his dark robed visitor just as he gave his warning. Stratus flexed his claws preparing for battle then stopped. Cocking his head to the side he stared at the shinigami. Did he really think he could scare the hollow? With a snort he turned away from the soul reaper and looked back upon his prey.
"Yeah, yeah." he grunted "I'll be with you in a minute." He said with a dismissive wave. Although the shinigami had more power than the kids below him; he had his black heart set on ripping the hapless humans to shreds and feasting on their entrails. The shinigami would make a nice dessert. Plus if he just killed him where would be the fun in that? With that thought in mind he jumped from the edge of the building. It only took a small amount of force to send the hollow up and into the air. The black beast's arced from the building top to the ground a mere forty feet below. With a shinigami behind him he didn't have time to be elegant. His trip came to a squishy halt as he landed right on top of one of the males. The group was stunned into silence as their friend was suddenly smashed under the hollow's weight. It was like hitting a tomato with a wooden mallet. But instead of seeds and fruit it was blood and gore being sprayed in every direction. The body had been crushed killing the man instantly. The others stood there in absolute horror not sure they had just seen what had happened or not. Rather than give them the chance to run Stratus' hand whipped out and latched upon the head of the human. His claws dug into the poor man's head and he screamed as he felt the pressure build. The others were screaming too, but not for the same reason. The shock of the death was wearing off. Already the soul of the recently deceased man was rising from smashed corpse. Stratus other hand grabbed the soul before it even had a chance orientate itself. The man gave a yelp of surprise not sure what was going on. There wasn't much to understand as Stratus' mouth opened and took a bite out of the soul's arm like would would an apple. His scream of pain mixed with that of the others. The man's forearm barely hung to his body by a thin strand of flesh. Stratus increased his grip and the other man's head. He could feel a surge of pleasure as soul tried to free itself from his grasp. As it struggled Stratus took a second bite out of the soul this time from the shoulder.

Shikuro stood stead fast, tough this was a bold mov he had hoped to draw the hollows attention away from the people down below, tough it would seem his plan had failed, cursing his sense of honor and pride. As a quick sweep and attack would have hindered what would come to them soon. His mind roamed through his knowledge as him stepping in while he held those soul would most likely be used against him, and while he knew it was his job to protect the souls that couldn't protect themselves, him getting hurt by a simple hostage situation might lead to the fall of many. He grit his teeth, moving over, while drawing his Zanpakuto, and while he was fast the time it took him seemed like a enternity to him feelign the shaken spiritual presures falters and fade. That alone was a big strike against his pride, tough the end of this combat would perhaps turn that one around.

As he had reached the end of the roof, he didn't take long scouting the area for a possible cause of action, he side stepped letting him stand in a more situatuated position, knowing the speed he knew the hollow had allready, and his own he needed to angel this so the hollow would have the least chance of doing something against him, seeing as he was pretty held up with eating the soul gave him the perfect chance, as his left hand quickly drew a triangle in the air. "Bakudo 30: Triple Piercing Beak Beam" That should send three spikes of light right into the hollow, pinning him to the building close by, the pain alone should make him release the human souls, as to where Shikuro would dash in quickly grab the wounded souls, and with another shunpo he'd take them both away from there put them there and then get back only wanting the time gained by the binding to just that.

The chorus of screams filled the hollow's ears as he took the third bite out of the unfortunately spirit. The tortured soul's cries weren't heard by his friends, but the shouts of the man Stratus' hand was squeezing had gotten him some attention. Frantically the man clawed at the invisible hand that was holding him. His fleshy fingers could not pull the bone like claws from his skull. Already the points of said claws were drawing blood from the young man.
"Help me!" he screeched the pain growing by the second a slow and painful death following a quick and painless one. This was the extent of Stratus' mercy, the kindness of a hollow. He snickered to himself as he chewed the recent mouthful of the wailing human soul. It was funny how being the man was dead, and it still had mortality. Dead only to die again. Not something the hollow thought about, it was savoring of the fear and pain from his targets. This moment of enjoyment was disturbed by the flare of spiritual power from behind him. Still chewing Stratus turned to look in the direction of the sudden pulse of reiatsu. Sure enough it was the shinigami. Stratus sighed. Didn't he know better than to bother someone while they were eating?

Apparently not. He saw the shinigami's trace the air with a yellow light. A puzzling move to the feasting hollow. It only only seconds later that the gold bolts came flying at him. As the glowing energy came at him he reacted to a rather disastrous results. The arm holding the man by his head closed; crushing his skull. Blood, bones, and brain matter sprayed all those present. Stratus didn't mind, but those remaining humans were horrified. Now they ran away not sure what was going on, but knew they had to get away from that street. As for the other hand it pulled the spirit in the way of the oncoming projectile. His other arm wasn't so lucky nor was his lower torso as the energy slammed into him and then to the wall. The spirit he held wasn't so fortunate. When he hit the wall his head jerked back as he let out and ear splitting scream the shinigami's kido had caught him right above the chain that was fastened to his chest. It was all too much for him. After screaming his body went limp. It was unsure if the man was still breathing. Did spirits even need to breathe? Stratus was more concerned with his own right arm being pinned down and similar bolt in his mid section. At least he had one hand free. He wasn't very happy with the shinigami ruining his meal.

Shikuro cursed to himself, as it didn't go as planned even though useing a binding kido, should have prevented doing something like that. Had he used a hado the chances would've been higher. But alas nothing to do about this now, he now only have to look further gaining some injurries early on could make this fight in his favor. So he moved forward, trying to use up the time it would tak for the hollow to either find out how to break free, or wear it down useing his brute force. His Zanapkuto in his hand, he had moved up close having noticed the hollow still had a free hand, really didn't leave him much choice, his swing was first aimed for the arm, both to damage and to sway it away from further interwiening, next he send a swing dwn from above, wanting to carve from the mask and down the torso, though he didn't really beleive he could hit the mask but really it was ust about leaving his marks here.

He wouldn't just leave it be there, beleiving the hollow would attempt to pull away the bindings with his free arm, he simply kpt moving and whenever the arm would try to either block or pull a energy bolt away he would attempt to bash kick of slash it away useing all his might. This stradegy might be good yet not lasting, he would simply attempt to lnflict the most damage possible during the limited time he had to do so, he wasn't a kida master afterall, had he been that it wasn't this binding he would've have used also the banding would have been harmless the humans having much more potential, further more it would proberly have been the last kido the hollow would live to see, while this one would most likely not last to the hollows final breath.

As the hollow struggled to free himself from his current situation the shinigami advanced. It was understandable that the creature's attention wasn't completely focused on him. Still the fact he was advancing wasn't missed. But he only had one arm, hopefully that would be enough. Already the shinigami had his weapon out, it would have to be. His free hand met the blade head on. The weapon hit against his armored claw and bounce off. Perhaps his worries were unfounded. Again and again the man tried to strike at him and each blow was met by his left hand. This was getting him nowhere and the man's constant moving was annoying him. Being pinned to the wall was hindering his movements. Even with his best effort the shinigami managed to land glancing blows on his body. A few of the strikes found his flesh, but the rest ricochet off his bone like armor over his chest. Stratus snarled like a feral beast. Every muscle in his body flexed and with a mighty surge he jerked his body forward.

The kido the Shikuro had launched had pinned him to the wall was strong, but brick weren't. It didn't take much for him to rip himself free of the stone shattering the rock with ease. The gold glowing fang still stuck out of his body, but the hollow was no long held. Even with the bolt stuck in his forearm he was more than able to move his hand. Stratus lunged at the shinigami, his right claw aiming at the man's face. His left hand was held back prepared for the followup strike at the soul reaper's mid section. It was time for dessert. He was going to rip the shinigami to pieces.

Shikuro cursed slightly, feeling the carelessness having been punished now, seemes this hoolow weren't a simple one to mess with, seeing as he could normally sweep down some of the even medium strong hollows. But seemes this one was close to his level, ofcourse he wasn't striking with his full might yet, no where near the full extend of his powers. He stepped back finding out the hollow wasn't the dumbest of the batch, Shikuro quickly leapt back wanting to increase the distance to pull out further powers, yet the distance werne't nearly enough as the hollow came charging at him.

He quickly moved his head down, knowing that aiming for the head was too much of a risk for a single attack he got his blade up block the last, his feet setting of the ground allowing the momentum of the blow to let him fly back. Seeing as this hollows might weren't no weren't a simple matter the distance would be pretty great, so that even if he came charging at Shikuro he would have more than enough time. Putting his other hand on his wrist he builded up presure. "Blacken them all, Hikage!" His left hand retracks having the claw of his shikai nicely placed onto it. He could feel the power surge through his body, increasing his abilities, now they where on better footing. He let his sword spin around, heating up the blade as it carvs through the wind, warming it up so that it cuts through air with much greater ease, a simple battle technique but in this form waiting was his power, and this would only increase the benefit of doing just that.

With ease the shinigami dodged the first strike and then defended himself against the second. Stratus was less then thrilled, but he loved it when they struggled. This one didn't seem all that powerful compared to shinigami he faced in the past. Still he seemed quick on his feet. But just as he was ready to start the next attack the shinigami's sword changed. The hollow clicked his tongue. This wasn't his first time fighting a soul reaper. When their blade transformed two things happened; they got tougher and the new weapon gave them some kind of power. Nine times out of ten it was troublesome to deal with the new form. Fire from their asses, flying on a giant squirrel it was never something simple. While the spiritual power he felt from the man had grown, it was still something he could handle. It was the weapon he was more worried about. Correction; weapons. The man had a claw on his hand now. Rather than rush forward he knew he had to be cautious, or not. Stratus raised his hand up and faced his palms at Shikuro. From both hands came a spray of green slime. Let's see how he handles this! Stratus thought to himself as the sticky fluid shot forward in a wide arc. The substance came from his body was like rubber and more potent than any human made adhesive. The man's sword and claws wouldn't be able to cut the strange liquid. With the amount that the hollow was using it would tangle the shinigami up and leave him bound much like he had just done to Stratus. Once he had confined the soul reaper he would take his time in killing him. Perhaps the method of tearing him apart similar to what he had planned for the humans. That would be delightful. He wondered if the shinigami was a screamer or not. Only time would tell.

While Shikuro wasn't afraid neither was he stupid, he wasn't going to test and see how that slime would affect should he ever get hit, rather just not get hit at all. He dashed backwards at first deciding that a upfront close ranged fight would most likley put him at a disadvantage. He keeps his feet moving noticing he would have to move away if he was going to stear out of the slimes, he jumped up. Soon being on the nearby wall, taking a quick glance down the place to see what kind of lighting he had to go with seeing some of the street lights being his option he leapt forward, adjusting so that his shade would be dirrectly at the hollows feet, he knew however that this wasn't going to be very strong attacks but it would be anough to cause consern in the hollow, as he whispered out. "Kage Yaiba" Unleashing the power of his first Shikai ability, from his shadow, being dirrectly at the hollow's feet a Shadow blade jabbed up, though as Shikuro was in the movements it would only be able to make a slash against the hollows lower side, however it would be hard for the hollow to catch the attack before it was too late, as he would most likely be holding his attention to Shikuro's body not his shadow. He smiled lightly, dashing over to the next light wanting to continue if the first strike was a success.

If he had to say one thing, the shinigami was nimble. Almost as soon as he started to shoot the man began to move. His slime peppered the area the shinigami had occupied. Stratus did his best to follow the man's movements and persisted in shooting more slime after him. The liquid went splat against the wall and windows of the building as Shikuro dodged. It didn't matter if it hit, but it kept him well out of range of using his sword. That alone was a plus for the hollow until he thought up something else. Unfortunately nothing was coming. Instead he hoped that his slime would catch the shinigami and do most of the work for him. Just as he readjusted his aim he felt something poke him. A jab at his stomach, he just barely felt it. He took his eyes away from the target to look down. There was nothing to see. At least Stratus didn't see anything, but he was sure he felt something hit him. Quickly he returned his attention to the moving opponent. For a moment he was tempted to use a cero, but that would take too long. Instead he decided to stick with using his slime, but he decided on a different approach. Stratus let the slime build up in his body. He kept firing at the shinigami as the pressure increased in his chest. Next he turn his head skyward and opened his mouth. It was like a geyser had gone off as the sticky substance flew high into the air. 40 feet, maybe 50? It was hard to tell how far up it went. It was only seconds later as all came falling down. It was like rain. Sticky slimy rain. Everything around him was pelted by the green stuff. Buildings, cars, everything a large radius was being hit. With that much slime Stratus had no way to control it's path, but it didn't care. Let's see him dodge that Stratus thought as some of the slime started to land on him as well.

Shikuro didn't really know what to do, he knew he wasn't going to let his feet land in the puddles of slime, to get some on him was by all means impossible at this point, but it was how he went by it, and how he used the momentum before having the slime on him that mattered, and that brief time was getting shorter by the second. He dashed forward, the set off alone makign cracks in the wall as he did, his claw ready to block while he wanted to let a slash go by Status right side, his own shadow forming a blade stabbing into the ground allowing him to set off another time to change dirrection and move further without his feet ever touching the ground. He would move in circles around Status accelerating as he went by knowing that he wouldn't be able to to do alot of slashes before the slime would catch him. He would be a blur in speed ofcourse no where near his maximum capabilities here, but it was still very strong cuts and carves. Along his movements, but he knew that he would have to think of a quick way out should that happen, it became more and more clear to him, he wasn't going to be able to take this hollow down at his current state. Not unless he could come up with something extreemtly clever.

The emerald downpour continued. A mass of green slime was steadily collecting on every flat surface. What missed the tops of buildings hit the roofs of cars. From the distance the goo was dropping it was enough force to put dents on the vehicles. Stratus was rather proud of himself for thinking of doing it. Even as the globs of the substance hit him as well. He had no problem with it on his body as with a little focus it began to slide off him like water. It only would be a matter of time until the man would be caught in his web. With all the green liquid falling the shinigami didn't pause for a second. Instead of trying to retreat or defend himself he came charging forward. For a moment he thought the soul reaper was suicidal. Such thoughts made him lower his guard slightly as the man came charging in. The hollow watched him waiting for a chance to strike. It was then the man made a sudden acceleration to close the distance his blade leading. Stratus raised his arm as the shinigami tried to strike him down. The bone like armor met the metal blade and sparked. A spark that quite easily set the slime aflame. Stratus eyes widened as he realized too late what was about to happen. For a moment it seemed like time slowed. The solitary spark flying off where the hollow's arm and the zanpukto met. It fell like a shooting star, too fast to be caught. And yet a droplet of slime collided with the spark midair and the burst into flame. The burst ignited another droplet and then another in a horrifying chain reaction. Shikuro was already moving to make his next attack when the fire roared to life. Everywhere that the slime had touched was now fair game to the growing blaze. And so the fire ate it's fill, it moved along the ground consuming the green slime. Stratus didn't bother to summon more slime and armor himself, instead he used a flash of his spiritual power to crystalize what slime that was on him from being part of the inferno. As the fire snaked down the street one of the cars sitting on the side of the road exploded as the fiery tendrils wrapped around it. The whole block was becoming a lake of fire. And it was already spreading. As more slime fell there were random burst of more flame. The droplets that fell on Stratus turned to crystal, but the fire was already licking at his feet. He took to the air his lower body smoking from the intense heat in the night air. Up he rose above the flames and heat they brought. It had been chilly before, now it was warm.For once he was happy the Madoka had trained him to "fly", still he wasn't too relaxed as the now the fire had woken up the neighborhood. People had noticed the blaze and there were screams as the buildings quickly became deathtraps. Stratus ignored this as he focused on the shinigami. It would seem his night of hunting was completely ruined now, but he would get his meal one way or another.

OOC: Don't think Shikuro is ever going to post so I'm just ending this thread.

The shiningami stupidly rushed him again, he hadn't learned anything from their last exchange. As he approached Stratus noticed the wisps of smoke trailing his body. There were patches on his black garb where the slime had touched. The fire hadn't been close enough to ignite these pieces, but the overall heat had an effect on them. Stratus looked at the burning buildings. His simple hunt had quickly escalated. The hollow was reconsidering staying longer than he had too. Already the human authorities were on the move. Flashing lights and sirens filled the streets as the emergency services rushed to save lives. If he wanted to leave he'd have to deal with the shinigami first. Before the aforementioned soul reaper closed the gap between them something came at Stratus. While he was unsure what was moving his armor separated and intercepted it. The claw hit against something black. A second claw batted whatever it was away and the tendrils hovered around his body. It was good that they did as more black shapes lashed out at him. It became obvious that it was the shinigami's doing. The man had vanished, but Stratus was tracking his spiritual power. From behind? His eyes shifted as he felt the signature behind him. Sure enough the man appeared and tried to slash the hollow across his back. This attempt was thwarted by a tendril while another tried to skewer him. Once his blade was blocked the man vanished again. The shinigami was fast, but judging from the minimal damage he had done; not very strong. Still he was succeeding in delaying Stratus' escape. The shinigami was moving again. He could barely make out his form as he danced across the sky. Thanks to the light from below he was able to see flashes of his blade as he moved. The tendrils seemed to read his movements just as well. More black shapes were repelled. His armored serpents danced. Small sparks shot off as they stopped the dark blades. They had to be blades with the way they hit. It would seem this was just as frustrating for the shinigami as it was the hollow, but the one to make the first move was the soul reaper. There was a flash of yellow light from Stratus' right. He rose quickly and the three bolts passed under his last position. As he his eyes rose he saw too late the shinigami coming straight at him. A simple trap, but he had fell for it. Dodge one attack to fall prey to another. The man was bringing his sword down, but Stratus could see if not feel the energy radiating from the weapon. There was more to the blade, it wasn't something he wanted to take head on. But with no time to prepare he had little choice. But his tendrils made the choice for him, they lashed out first. They had seen what Stratus had not. The man's attack left little room for defense, they went for the opening. But before they got close black shadows twisted around the shinigami blocking the attack. Still they did not relent. The man was frozen in the air as the tendril swiped and slashed at him. Each attack met with a black shape and bounced off. There was the clang as claw met shadow again and again in rapid succession. It would seem they were at a stalemate. But quickly Stratus noticed there was a difference between the two. Unlike the hollow the shinigami's attack wasn't as automated. He could see the man's eyes keeping track of the tendrils. He was guiding the shadows. Stratus could concentrate on other things, in this case it was a slime in both his hands then quickly changed into glowing orbs. It was his turn to vanish and appear to the opponent's left and launch both one of the spheres at him. Purely reflexively he sent his shadow to attack it. Too late he realized his folly. When the shadow hit the gem exploded. There was a hiss as emerald fragments went flying in every direction. A ball of flame engulfed the spot the shinigami had been. Stratus wasn't going to wait for the smoke to clear he rushed right in and struck with all his might. His hand hit against something warm and hard. It was a black sphere. He could feel the shinigami's spiritual signal inside. The hollow smiled and pulled back his fist again. There was no need to hold back. He struck again, this time with everything he had. The bubble shuddered as his fist made contact. There was a crackling sound and the ball was knocked from it's perch in the sky. It dropped like a bomb onto the burning city below causing several building to shatter as it dug into the ground. This was as good at time as any for him to get away. With a flicker he was gone into the starry sky.