Squad 11 barracks

Kaien rose from his kneeling position, sheathing his sealed blade back into its position over his right shoulder. He turned from the mess of eleven bodies and sighed. He had no last name, so getting a soul pager was going to prove difficult unless......unless he adopted the name of his home district, Zaraki. 

He mulled that over for a minute. Kaien Zaraki. The name suited him. Moving on, he passed a man muttering angrily about the state of the barracks. By his spiritual pressure, Kaien assumed that this was the Third Seat, Shiro Sora. He nodded at the man, exiting the barracks. The sun shone brightly, and he took a deep breath in of the fresh air. A strange feeling washed over him as he looked at the symbol painted atop the barracks. 

For the first time in his life, [i]he was [b]home[/b][/i]. 

Happiness took on his upper features not hidden by his wrappings. His feeling of happiness was short-lived however, when he gazed at his right hand, which resumed its tremors. He cracked his neck and Shunpō'ed his way to squad 1. 

—-----------------------------Kakashi AKA Kenny--------------------

(Skipping ahead BACK to the Seireitei)

The Maggot's nest. The free-reign prison where inmates were free to do as they liked, but not to leave. At least two members of the Omnitsukidō guarded the entrance, with as much as 90 overlooking the inmates at any given time. It was also of note that the two stationed on entrance detail were seated members, grizzled veterans capable of handling any inmate who threatened to escape. 

Kenny nodded to the guards, and hefted up the still unconscious Sayuri. Sometime during their trip, Kenny had bound him with Bakudo #9: Geki, and the Kidō had still not worn off. The doors opened and Kenny walked down. Also sometime during their trip, he had asked Gio to report to the head captain while he dropped off Sayuri. 

A stirring sensation in Sayuri's spiritual pressure was felt, followed by groaning. The man tried to move, but couldn't, realising he was bound by Kidō. He, of course, struggled, swearing and groaning in protest but gave up once he realised where he was. Acceptance turned to panic as he was handed over to an Omnitsukidō member and literally thrown into the area for inmates. Kenny turned and left, a small smile playing across his features as the screams of Sayuri echoed throughout the cavern. 

As he reached the surface, he flash-stepped off toward his barracks, intent on wrapping his hands and forearms once again. Wind played across his unhidden face as he wished for his mask as well.

---------------------------Proud Squad 11 member Kaien Zaraki---------------------

Kaien had barely got a meter away fro the squad barracks when a voice tugged at his ears. 

[i]Kaien.[/i]

He knew the voice well, and knew what it meant. He closed his eyes, and blinked before Shunpō'ing to the roof of Squad 11's barracks. He sat cross-legged, placing his sword on his lap. Closing his green eyes, he entered his inner world. 

[b]Kaien's inner world[/b]

Kaien sat in the centre of the black house, the windows showing a desert of endless sand. The walls, ceiling, and floor were all pitch-black, but not by paint. Rather, the black colour appeared as if it was blackened by fire. Across from him sat a samurai in full armour, the colours being black, red, and most predominant, orange. There was not an inch of skin shown, but from the mask, grey eyes met Kaien's green ones. 

[i] Ahh. I see you decided to come to me. [/i]

"[b]Why wouldn't I? A swordman must listen to his sword. We are a team, are we not?[/b]"

[i]It would seem I have taught you well, Kaien. You are becoming a true swordsman. But that is not why I called you to your inner world. I did so for another reason entirely.[/i] 

The Zanpakutō spirit looked at his master and sighed. He placed a hand atop Kaien's wrapped one and continued. 

[i]The road ahead of you is tough. It is fraught with death and the possibility of dying yourself. But if you are commited to [b]that[/b] dream...we will accomplish it, together.[/i]

Kaien snapped his eyes open, his inner world and the voice of Kage no Kagayaki gone. He had no idea what his sword had meant in the conversation, nor would he claim to. Kage no Kagayaki had never led him astray; after all, Kaien had been wielding him since the age of 80.