---

After everyone had eaten they set about to doing some training. It had been maybe a couple months since most of them had done a training session like this with Ouga and Shouko, the first time being when they had been made substitute Shinigami. It was a lot of refreshing the basics to begin with, and exercising the skills that they had acquired since then. Those who were refining their swordplay or hand to hand skills would spar, while the others pursuing Kido arts would meditate and refine their focus and control. It was repetition from moment to moment, Nina was given an invitation to refresh her skills too.

After awhile they finally began to learn new skills and techniques based on the results of their prior practice. Take what they had learned to attempt to create something new, or be taught something new.

Ouga would teach Darius a new Hakuda skill, the one he asked about earlier, which Ouga used. Soushouho, or Twin Palm Cannon. A powerful Hakuda technique that concentrated Reiatsu into both hands, and having them clash at the same time as striking the target, creating an explosive strike that was two-fold. Understanding timing and distance was key to executing it properly. It boasted immense shattering power, able to break defenses and stances to open enemies up.

Bakuto's insistence on sparring with Ouga led to a steady improvement in his form. Bakuto already had the will and strength to fell Hollows outside of his league, but his precision and finer points were missing which could lead to shallow strikes or leaving openings even an unrefined Hollow could take advantage of.

Tony and Rei would ultimately spar one another and practice their skills and techniques. Tony had a grasp on fighting with longer blades, and so Ouga prior had instructed him in exclusively two handed forms and styles, while Rei had the grace for one handed. They were to develop new techniques and practice them from today onwards.

Nina and Sara were ultimately together though for different reasons. Sara was instructed in how to focus her Reiryoku more finely, that even the smallest amount could be deadly. That she need not use her entire store. Through this process she would be taught a new Kido spell. Meanwhile Nina would practice her footwork and Hoho skills to improve her mobility while fighting. Ultimately it was a kind of new improvised footwork.

---

The training grounds did not easily reflect the time of day if at all. When everyone was done, they emerged to Sagamiyama in the afternoon. They'd be allowed to go along their ways home, but tonight to also be ready to deploy if there's hollow activity. Shouko and Ouga went on ahead to be ready leaving everyone to head home, do shopping before heading home, or any other ritual they felt they needed to do. Getting rest might be paramount however, seeing as how many Hollows were present the night before, it wasn't a stretch to think there'd be some waiting for night again to begin prowling. They were told by Emi not to forget their Substitute Shinigami medallions too, since they were faster than using a Konpaku.

"Ahh... before you all go, take these too", she pulled out a small basket of what appeared to be drop candies, not unlike the konpakus, but they were all in small plastic packets. They were green on colour with the kanji for "heal" or "fix" on it. "Give anyone these, or take them yourself, if your spirit is injured. Just remember it won't fix physical injuries. Just take a bunch", she told them. "Oh and you, kid, Mitsu-something, eat one right now, and your spirit form will be healed by the end of the hour. I couldn't offer them when you all came earlier since I didn't finish this batch yet", singling Mitsuaki out with his injury, he had the chance to try them. They were sweet, but ended bitter, more bitter than raw tea leaves. If it wasn't healing candy it was some sort of prank, usually candy like this ended sweet.

"Ah of course, I recommend drinking some water with it too. There wasn't any way to get rid of the bitterness", she said, after he or anyone had tried one.

"Good luck to you all tonight and tomorrow and whatever. Don't die... Especially you Nina, you just got back", after everyone had grabbed a bunch the front door slam shut, the rushed fix job along the edges and front trembling with the threat of breaking once again, especially with the force she put into that.

Sara felt like she had trained and trained and trained and trained and trained. It had been a long day. Despite all the people she focused on the skills Hayasegawa was teaching her. She came away with improved focus and a slight increase to her Reiryoko. This allowed her to move just a touch faster. Hayasegawa also taught her a new Kido and Sara worked and worked until she could get Hado Sōkatsui to work 85 percent of the time. It was nice to have a spell that affected a wide range and wasn’t focused so much on aim. She didn’t want to become too limited.

After training Sara took the soul medicine. She also received a new soul pager, which was good since she had lost hers the night before. She wasn’t sure if the proper Shinigami were upset with her or not. Then she reclaimed her body and headed home. She waved off her stepmother, tried not to feel guilty about the pinched look of worry on the woman’s face, and headed up to her room. She wondered if she should use the soul pass or the mod soul and then decided that since she wasn’t planning to go anywhere yet and she could always change her mind later to use the soul pass. Exiting her body she sat cross legged on her bed with her bare Zanpakutō across her legs.

She lightly traced the metal with careful fingers. Sara didn’t want to start bleeding. Would spirit blood stain sheets. She didn’t want to use a medicine pill for something she stupidly caused. The spirit hadn’t spoken to her earlier. Could they not? Did they not want to? She wasn’t sure. The young woman didn’t want to force them if they didn’t want to. But she would like to hear the voice again. It had sounded like something out of a memory or a dream. Or maybe the memory of a dream. They had sounded like they were worried about her. Did that mean anything? But her most important question was would she hear them if it spoke again? Would she be paying attention? Her question about Zanpakutō spirits still hadn’t been answered.

She tried speaking again, “Hello. We might have to go out to fight again tonight. I’m not sure I’m ready, but I’m willing. Even if it doesn’t matter if I’m ready or not. Are you ready? You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. But I’ll try to listen if you do."

Then Sara waited. It didn’t seem like the spirit was going to say anything, but she couldn’t help but feel something from the blade. It felt like amusement and readiness and concern. It was an interesting set of emotions. She wanted to ask about it, but if the Zanpakutō spirit was only expressing emotions then any more feelings of emotions would just confuse her more. She didn’t do emotions well. The feeling of amusement increased. Wait, could the spirit feel, or hear, what she was thinking. She squeezed her eyes shut, wrinkling her nose, as she tried to project friendless. She was worried more anxiety got through than anything else, but Sara tried for friendless.

After an about an hour Sara realized that she wouldn’t be hearing anything from her Zanpakutō tonight. Maybe it could only speak to her in an emergency. Sara wasn’t sure. She looked at the mod soul looking over a book. She should get some rest, but it was early, well early-ish. With a farewell to the mod soul Sara headed out. She wasn’t sure why she was heading out. She didn’t want to be caught off guard by a Hollow, especially not the one from last night. But the room seemed too small and this way she could tell the actual Shinigami that she was doing something to do her part. She still kept her soul pager handy, just in case. Hopefully she wouldn’t lose this one.

---

Nina flashed Emi an “okay” signal in response to the request for her to not die. She didn't need to be told twice. After that, she pursed her lips in thought. Her physical body wasn’t presently even in Sagamiyama, instead having been left in a hotel in the nearest large city. While it made wandering around without being stopped by fans, hecklers, or paps easier, it was pretty inconvenient for actually doing things during downtime. Not that this needed to stop her. After all, it’d be easier to, say, hit up an arcade without worrying about drawing a crowd. Sure, why not?

She looked around to her new coworkers. Who among them seemed most likely to enjoy getting some game time in? ...Probably the one who kind of looked like he came out of one, yeah. Nina approached Tony, Soul Pager in hand, and typed out a text, and held it out screen facing the boy.

“Yo. Wanna' hit an arcade or smth?”

“Oh…” Tony looked down at the soul pager, moving his hand over the paper, “You think I would go to an arcade just because you asked if we were friends…” Tony’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. He seemed to be about to say no… suddenly a loud, happy scream was heard.

“BECAUSE I’LL DO!!!” He almost screamed, all while giving a very enthusiastic thumbs up, he has waited for a moment like this for ages, last time he went to an arcade was months ago.

With a clap of her hands, Nina grinned wide and returned the thumbs up. She wheeled around and began to walk off, then midstep, leg stretched out in front of her, stopped. She rotated on her heel, leg still held up, and faced Tony once more, now with brows furrowed and lips curled in befuddlement, her eyes looking upward as if trying to look into her own mind.

Where...was the arcade in Sagamiyama, again?

She was sure she’d seen one at...some point on her traipse from hideout to hideout looking for people earlier that day. Her brow furrowing further in annoyance at her own forgetfulness, she lowered her leg, pulled her Soul Pager back out, and tried to find a search engine app on it. Wait, did this thing even have a data plan?

After a few moments of tapping on the buttons in increasing frustration, Nina grit her teeth and leaned back with the phone raised above her head in her left hand. She then swung down, not releasing the delicate device, and returned it to her pocket. She then walked back toward Tony, passed behind him, then turned around and waited for him to lead the way. Hopefully he either knew where the arcade was, or had a working goddamn phone.

“Oh… I see.” Tony smirked and swiftly pulled his phone out, he tapped the words ‘Arcades nearby now now’, after looking for the results for a bit, he found a place some blocks from the candy shop, “AHA!! I found the place, it’s… oh, oh no…” He seemed to grow more and more worried and somewhat scared about the place, almost like he was seeing the scene of a crime. He saw if it was open or closed, surprisingly it was open, what also stood up was the surprisingly good reviews, portraying the arcade as a quite refined and elegant place, despite looking like a nearly abandoned place… like a chuck e cheese he went one time with Kyle… weird, it’s very similar now that he sees it.

“Okay, do you wanna go here? I know it doesn’t really look that good, but… it’s probably the only, and somehow best option there is.” He showed her the place, a dusty floor and some verily present arcade machines, one of which seemed to be broken down.

Upon being asked the question, Nina sidled up behind Tony, bent down, and pushed her face through the gap between his bicep and the side of his torso, situating her head beneath his underarm like she was putting herself in a headlock using him. She used this vantage to look at the screen of his phone.

It looked passable. But just to be sure, she snaked her arm around the opposite side of his arm from the one her head was situated, to reach his phone and scroll through a few of the pictures the listing had of the place. She wanted to make sure they had-- yes! A DDR machine! Perfect. She once more gave Tony a thumbs-up, while nodding her head under his arm.

“Nice, now that I see, I think they have a dance dance revolution machine. You gotta see me dancing…” He smiles, quite awkwardly, his eyes showing some regret… “I’m terrible…” Tony also feels she’s kinda slithery, like a snake. A very friendly and mute snake.

“Anyways, we’ll go here… do you need something else?” Tony’s expression becomes thoughtful, “Ah, right you’re still a ghost. Where’s your body actually, I think you came here as a ghost?” He points at her very subtly, still with her head self-locked on his underarm.

Nina once more pulled out her Soul Pager and typed out a message for him. This time, she used the arm that was behind Tony’s back, bending it upward to hold her phone up close to his head.

“I left it in Nagoya. 'S cool."

After giving him a couple moments to read it, she lifted his arm so she could pull her head out and stand back up again. She then lifted her knee and gave him a gentle nudge in the butt, to signal he should get moving now.

“Okay, I'll move.” He said, slightly laughing. He lifted his left foot and quickly swung his right hand forward in a pointing action, “This way.” He puffed his chest out, acting like some wanna-be leader, despite the fact that he was guiding himself with his phone in his free hand.

Moving through Sagamiyama would be easy for most people who live in japan. Tony was a japanese-american, who sometimes spoke like a generic new yorker, it was reasonable that he didn’t have a single clue of how the whole town even operated at all. His pizza burger brain can only do so much to try and adapt to another country. Despite this, he always tries to be friendly with the people who live here, and that would include Nina. Since he first saw her, he knew they could be good friends, she seems so… loud, and that’s without some cheap joke.

---

OST: Precipice of Defeat

For the first night in this town's lifetime it was beset with an atmosphere of unease. The feeling of a shadow looming over each and every soul, the blissful ignorance of the unattuned, and the maddening paranoia of those with a sixth sense. The feeling was unoppressive and soft during the day, just a little bit of a strange feeling, like dejavu, something to pause for but not stop. Everyone who went about their day didn't notice it at all while the sun was up, not even the Shinigami native to Soul Society, however as soon as that sun dipped below the horizon... There it was. Like a hand reaching out for the heart, it tightened, just enough to feel constricted, but not so much that one would be choked out. And then... It was gone, those who felt this would be welcomed by an empty silence, dark streets that felt like something lurked within the shadows. On any other night there would truly be nothing there, after all, Sagamiyama was a safe town... But tonight... Tonight was different.

Shortly after sunset, all of the substitute shinigami would receive a message on their soul pagers from Ouga.

---

Sara: @LadyAnnaLee

Sara's trip out into the night was quiet, to say the least, but perhaps a little too quiet considering the excitement of the night prior. She got a message from Ouga not too long after leaving, already asking everyone to be ready and in their Shinigami forms. It seemed simply enough, stay near their homes and be on a lookout. Not to mention they didn't know the hollow's next move at all...

Yet, to the misfortune of Sara, she felt it, a presence. Coming directly from her house...

---

Darius: @LC

Around the Stone household there was a creeping shadow of sorts, yet it's presence was not felt even as Darius arrived home to his loving wife. What was it? Why was it here? Questions that can be answered by asking the same thing to a tiger whose prey sat right in front of it. A kind of primal hunger and bloodthirst that was strong, yet so masterfully hidden. The scent of one with notable spiritual pressure lingered upon this house and so it stalked it, watched it, the one it wanted was yet here... But what is this? Who is this? Much weaker but so pure... A snack before the meal? No, it was far too light out. Such a move would bring attention... Best to wait.

---

"What is this tree... Why does it call me?" The falling ethereal petals of the Sakuhana Park sakura blossom continued to fall tonight and out of season just like it always has for the last ten years. An urban phenomenon that the people of the town have called a miracle. A new shrine was even erected at the very base of it where people would give offerings to it, believing it to be the work of some sort of kami. Tonight was a full moon and the light of which reflected off of the pink petals as they fell through the soft night breeze.

"Is it this tree itself... Or something else within it?", Regalhorn, the mighty Hollow that had gained strength during a period where there were no Shinigami sent to the human world had gained quite a level of intelligence, enough to command groups of Hollow and have a purpose for each maneuver at least. His instincts called him back to this park, or rather... This was his goal the first time he was here, yet he did not know why he came here, or why he wanted to be here.

He stood there, seemingly tranquil as his cape-like hair flowed softly in the breeze. Though, unlike last night, he was here alone... He had told the other Hollow to simply... Hunt. The Shinigami could not ignore their activity after all, meanwhile he would be here... Almost contemplating. Some Hollow would have lingered for awhile, unable to understand why he did not choose to come hunt, but ultimately their beast-like instincts and desires would have them move on and do his bidding. Such simple creatures he thought... Here at this tree, he knew... Something was calling.

Sara wandered carefully as she did her best to keep looking around in every direction. She wasn’t moving very fast, but she could only hope that it was fast enough. She didn’t want to find herself in another maze like the night before. Then, shortly after she received the text from Tatsuha, she paused and looked back in the direction of her house. There was something, a strange feeling, a not good feeling. Her face paled as her grip on her Zanpakutō tightened. The twins! Sara didn’t hesitate, all of her previous cation gone and lost. She headed straight home. This was not good at all!

Shortly before she got to her house she paused. She didn’t think it was the same Hollow as last night. The world hadn’t turned into that weird repeating maze. But she still wasn’t sure what kind of Hollow it was, if it was a Hollow at all. She wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. She certainly didn’t want to face the Hollow that had been there the day she had died, but at least she had a vague idea of what that one did. If it was a different Hollow, she wouldn’t have a clue. She looked down at the Soul Pager in her hand and then hit the emergency button. She didn’t know if anyone would respond, but she wouldn’t risk the twins.

Then she immediately headed in the direction that she had felt the Hollow. She couldn’t just wait for help to come. Who knew that would happen if she waited too long, to the twins, her father, Himari, other people. She slowed down a bit and didn’t take a direct route. If what she was feeling was right, and she wasn’t sure it was, because her spiritual sense was still shaky, but she thought that she knew a way to sneak up on the Hollow by ducking into a back alley. She tried to squish her Reiatsu down as small at possible the way she knew was possible, but never really tried before.

As she carefully looked around the corner she clutched at her Zanpakutō so tight her knuckles turned white, “Okay.” She was speaking mainly to herself and partly to her Zanpakutō, “Sneaky careful. Let’s do this.”

@LadyAnnaLee@Sho Minazuki

Sunday Night @Sagamiyama's Sakuhana Kōen

Eղiʂհi འҽi
Eղiʂհi འҽi

When evidence is on plain sight yet feinted with ignorance, no one is different from the Guilty.
When evidence is on plain sight yet feinted with ignorance, no one is different from the Guilty.

Rei envied her teammates, unlike her, they got homes to return to & it seemed to be families that presumably cares about them.

She gazed numbly as everyone walked out, repressing every emotion coursing in her mind & heart. Petty as childish it was for her to ponder, the silence of solitude like the sunset, was her company. It kept her sane, though distant from the rest, a moment earlier, she gritted her teeth for starting an awkward conversation with Bakuto.

Emotions repressed from her lack of socials.

Emotions repressed as her night job beckons.

Emotions directed to achieve the task she's given to do.

Emotions repressed from the Soul Pager that Ouga relayed.

PATROLLING.

If her performance earlier had any worth, she'd be dead already. However, dying is not an option, she recalled unpleasant memories as a Salarywoman - determined to work not only long hours of overwork but also during the night's graveyard of all schedules. Rei likened this experience to her current profile & job as a Substitute Shinigami, & the Hollows in question are irate customers, who needed cleansing.

Unlike earlier, where Rei wished she could've chosen Shouko, this is her window of opportunity to test that decision & think like Ouga.

WANDERED.

The spiritual pressure of things seemed eerie.

Out of the blue, anyone would've been scared off someone, sneaking them & for this situation, that poor soul is Sara.

"Okay. Sneaky careful let's do this." She said so sarcastically upon greeting Sara from behind, teasing her in tandem, parroting her exact words.

"No offense but you couldn't even outsneak me, you sound like a dork for saying that & talking to themselves, who the heck talks to themselves...hmm...I guess I'll be backup." Rei said in a pure comical tone, given the situation, she picked the time to be petty for no reason.

This was Rei's coping mechanism, quipping when nervous & when in dangerously unknown situations like a certain Spider Hero.

---

As Rei and Sara circled around the house, it didn't seem like there was anything, in fact the presence she felt had disappeared... Was she just imagining things? If she went to check on her house through the windows to quickly peer in she would see everything seemed to be ok. No shadows lurking on the inside or anyone having a fit. Yet, there was a certain unease that was settling around them, a gut instinct. It was a good thing Rei was around too, meaning someone was here to watch her back, and her to watch theirs.

Something the two would need.

From the shadows of the alleyway they were in, the small screeching cry would set them off as a hollow no larger than four feet would leap out with large, long claws. It's form appeared to fade into view as it went for the nearest Shinigami, that being Rei as it appeared from behind. Just as this happened, a sound could be heard from the house itself too.

---

@BladeSS4

Bakuto's commitment to being a Shinigami was true, as lackadaisical as he appeared at times. As such, he was beginning to get a feel for the sixth sense of a Shinigami and by extension a swordsman. He could tell, as soon as he was successfully meditating, tonight was rather... Tumultuous. If he focused for long enough, he might even catch the presence of Regalhorn again for just a tiny bit, only able to due to his familiarity, but it was so fleeting he was not sure if it was him. Still, it showed his increasing skill.

For the time being, he felt only a few small presences... Near him were some basic Hollow, the kind he and the others might have encountered in training. Nothing special, humanoid, a little big, but melted with a well-placed swing from a zanpakuto. Not the kind that arrived with Regalhorn, who seemed to have brought in a bunch of somewhat stronger Hollow that bore their own tricks. He could go do a little cleanup.

He could feel something in the direction of two places right now though... Of course, he wasn't familiar with where everyone lived, but if he was, they would be coming from Darius' house, and Sara's house. He could take his pick of where to go, though a sensible mind would remember the pager... And probably let someone know where he was heading, or ask if someone needed help. Then again, it was up to him if he wanted to be sensible.

Sara jumped and tried not to scream as the other woman approached her. They hadn’t been formally introduced, and she hadn’t interacted with the other Substitute. She had worked with Tatsuha while Sara had been with Hayasegawa. Still Sara wasn’t sure she liked the other woman. They had just met, and she was mocking her? Sara didn’t even know this girl. Sara had to admit that the evaluation of her sneakiness was fair, but did she have to be mean about it? This was why Sara ignored most people. It prevented people from being mean to her and her from being mean to other people.

Sara found herself speaking without thinking through it clearly, “I wasn’t talking to myself. I don’t know you and you don’t know me. Keep your assumptions to yourself until you do.” She jerked her head down the slight alley between the houses, “If you really want to be backup, let’s go.”

With that Sara hurried off, she was slightly shocked, dismayed, and unsure of what had just happened. Her voice had been cooler than she had meant and what was she even thinking, saying that in the first place? She gripped her Zanpakutō tighter, making her already white knuckles even paler. Sara couldn’t worry about that now. She had felt something earlier. She knew she had felt something earlier. Where had it gone? Could it have lost interest or moved on? That couldn’t be right. She would have felt it leaving, wouldn’t, have she? Something wasn’t right, but she didn’t know what and that made her doubly uneasy. How much tighter could one person hold the hilt of a sword.

Then she heard a cry, and her paranoia had her flipping around and using her free hand to fire off, “ Hado Byakurai!”

She kept her aim bad and wide on purpose. She didn’t want to hit the other woman even if she was rude. She managed to draw her Zanpakutō at some point and even managed to hold it in a fairly respectable defensive position across her body. Her free hand was still extended, ready to fire off another spell. Her nerves were wire tight and she knew she was twitchy. Then she heard another sound, this one coming from the house! Sara’s neck whipped around, and she took two steps in that direction, her only thought to protect the twins. Then she stopped and turned back to her ally and the new revealed Hollow. She didn’t like it, not one little bit, but she couldn’t just leave the other substitute alone. Who knew what the Hollow could do? Who knew? That sound could just be someone getting up to get water and her running to them would just make them a target. Right now, the best thing to do would be to finish this Hollow quickly and then rush to investigate. At least Sara hoped it was the right thing to do to do.

A soft barely heard voice, “Steady Sara.” She gripped her Zanpakutō tighter and tried to even out her breathing “We are stronger today then we were yesterday. Steady.”

---

Rei would feel cold claws slice against her skin, only for them to be stopped as a beam of white lightning came between her and the Hollow. Byakurai was a fast kido spell, but required precision to do any sort of damage, though it seemed hitting something was not her goal this time. The small Hollow revealed to have an assymetrical face on an almost perfectly circular mask, with one eye larger than the other, similar to a chameleon's eye. Well, at the very least it's main ability was obvious, though it was small, a runt, not nearly anything that would warrant being able to be sensed, if anything it was the exact opposite.

It didn't wait for another move however, wise to it's own strengths and weaknesses it lunged for Sara, briefly fading from view before reappearing to her flank, having identified her as a ranged combatant, it anticipated another spell such as Byakurai.

Meanwhile, an observant Bakuto from above would find himself spotting something slithering around the house through the windows. It was unsettling, to think that some Hollows would hunt in such a clandestine manner, when almost every Hollow they had encountered thus far were much more direct in their methods. Still, if they hid away from Shinigami to hunt, then they must not be powerful fighters themselves.

---

@McNephelim Tony

---

This night would find itself to be quite restless... The reasons were obvious of course, but it always felt like something was writhing around in the shadows just out of sight. The air itself was crisp, but just a little too chilling, enough to make one consider putting on an extra layer, yet when they do, only to find that it's just a little too much. The silence of the night did not help much for this either, rather it was more quiet than usual, and for Tony he would find his immediate area was rather... Devoid. Uncomfortably.

The pager would begin to go off, breaking him from whatever train of thought he had running, it was Bakuto. So it seems something was going down over at Sara's place.

Whether he would turn in the direction of Sara's place, or start walking forwards if he was already facing it, or even just deciding to stay put... A silhouette beamed in the distance. A rather large, lanky hollow just... Stood there, at the end of the street, bathed in the artificial illumination of the street light. It's blue mask was rather striking, most hollows had white masks, but occasionally they would find ones that were slightly discoloured, though still within the realm of white. Such hollows were just... Oddities, nothing too special about them.

Yet this one had a mask clearly not white, or rather it did, in the horns and patterns. It just... Looked up to the sky, as if basking in the moonlight, it didn't look like it noticed Tony just yet... It seemed peaceful almost, but the menacing smile and glowing golden eyes peeking out from the blue mask... Why was it here? It didn't seem like it had anything to do with Regalhorn too. Was it just an odd Hollow? Hopefully that's all it was...

---

Tony raised an eyebrow at the appearance of a hollow. He decided to go out to see what was actually happening, and he quickly dashed towards the hollow. He had his interest piqued by this, although this was dangerous; who knew what that hollow could do to him. Yet it doesn't seem to be actually doing anything but moonbathing, it's... weird, at least in the same tier of weird like the other types of rare hollows.

Tony arrived close to the Hollow, who was still looking at the moon. "So you're a rare one?" Tony commented, trying to get their attention. He reached for his blade and unsheathed it. The sword shone with the light of the moon, which also cast shadows around Tony and the hollow.

"Well, I shouldn't talk too much with you... You seem rather... hollow-brained." Tony grinned at his terrible joke before looking down in self-realization. He suddenly pushed his blade forward, reaching close to the hollow's chest. This didn't affect them; the hollow remained silent, looking at the moon. "Wow, you're truly hypnotized by that thing." Tony snarkily said.

For a small moment, Tony thought about lowering his zanpakuto. The hollow didn't seem to be that powerful (or even interested in him), but something in his mind pushed him to maintain his guard and the posture of his blade, a low and powerful voice which said in the inside of his skull, - he's not the same one you met, stay alert -. Tony didn't understand these thoughts that were hitting him; it was all nonsensical. He didn't know this hollow before crossing paths tonight.

Going against the voice in his head, Tony lowered his sword and took a small sight at the sky. It was mostly clear, with some clouds here and there, but the moon could be seen perfectly. "I don't understand what you see there, it's just the moon." Tony gave them a side glance at the hollow. He saw it, the eyes of someone he didn't seem to remember fully. "What are you?"

Sara was upset that her spell had hit the other woman and was relieved to see that it didn’t appear to do much damage. Not that there was much time to think about that as the Hollow suddenly appeared next to her. Sara’s eyes went wide as she stumbled back and lashed out with her Zanpakutō. She was just lucky enough to avoid the other woman’s blast. For once she thanked the fact that she didn’t have much in the way in proper sword skilled yet. However, as she narrowly avoided both her partner and the Hollow with an almost elegant backflip, Sara realized that a narrow alleyway was not the best place for this fight. There wasn’t actually much room to move.

During her backflip she saw something from the corner of her eye, and snice it seemed the current Hollow was occupied she looked at where she had seen just a flick of movement. It could have been a trick. She was on high alert and adrenaline did funny things to the brain. Her eyes flashed over the alley and then landed on Bakuto. Why was he just sulking on a rooftop? She resisted the urge to yell at him. She didn’t want to draw even more attention to this cramped fight. What they really needed was space. Abandoning her ally for a moment she rushed to the main street.

Turning back to face the threat she fired off again, “ Hado Byakurai!”

She didn’t put as much power into this blast, and she took the time to aim properly. If she was lucky the Hollow would come after her and the open street, giving her more room to move. Yes, the Hollow would have more room to move, but it was two against one. Maybe three against one. Unless … Bakuto had seen the slither too. If there was more than one Hollow, that would make Bakuto’s sulking make sense. No matter, she needed to finish this fight quickly and get to the twins. That was her only real priority. Sara had to focus on the here and now.

She took the stance Tatsuha spent far too long trying to drill into her head. Feet shoulder width apart, one slightly in front of the other, shoulders square, Zanpakutō in both hands pointed out and slightly across her body. She couldn’t afford to waste all her Reiatsu at the start of the fight. That had been her mistake last night. She was going to rely on her swordsmanship and gymnastics for now. She may prefer staying back and taking a long-range approach, that was what she was good at. But she had just set herself up as bait to get her and her allies more room to move. She had to be ready for the consequences of those actions.

---

The small, weasely hollow would find itself in a tight spot, the very fast Sho from Rei would manage to catch it before it could move out of the way, only to stumble and be struck by a Byakurai. Attempting to block, the claws on one hand would break, and the mask would graze. Such damage from just a basic spell, a single focused sword stroke would end this little rat, and like a little rat it squealed before disappearing in reflex, hiding itself in the shadow like it did before.

There was a moment of reprieve for the two, with Bakuto watching above he could probably predict where the little Hollow was moving, that is if his eyes weren't glued onto the strange movement from inside the Nicholson house. They had a chance here, it looked very unlikely the small invisible one would attack them without getting the advantage somehow, especially with the damage it has sustained, making it weaker, but on the other if they had to deal with something powerful then it could catch them at the worst possible moment. There was a chance other Hollow might appear too, given the activity, and that tonight seemed to be more active than normal.

The pager also went off as well, it seemed like Ouga was on his way, but it would be a little while. No word from Shouko though.

---

@McNephelim Tony

---

The strange, blue Hollow simply... Stood there, still bathing in the moonlight, even with the quip from Tony. It didn't matter at this moment that the pager seemed to be rather active, because with each passing moment there was a rising sense of danger from this... Curious thing. There was silence. For what seemed like a long time... Silence... Then, before Tony could feel the need to say more, it's head, turned, creaking and twitching, tilting and staring directly at Tony. To his question, it did not speak, it simply opened it's mouth, slowly, a low growl ringing out before it would finally roar, getting onto all fours in a distorted way, head tilting. What was this thing? Why did it move this way, unusual even for Hollow? And of course why was it a colour all it's own? Well... The overwhelming weight of it's strike would get one thing clear to Tony at least. This was a Hollow in a whole different league. Whether he would try to weather the blow, or evade, leaving behind a crater where he used to be, the battle had already begun for him. It's lanky body would be a pain for it's range, and it's unusual movement for keeping up with it and reading it.

Rei watched the Hollow just found itself in a tight spot, and that's great since it'd mean that alongside her band, they're winning. Although quite early to celebrate, like a horror movie, if there's no body-bagged, then it's not dead and just like any zombie movie, it's best to double tap. Realizing that her follow-up successions of Kido, was working, she ought to do more and maybe end the fight.
T'was weakened?! Rei quickly deduced that with enough damage, it'd flee and so it did. It looked like it got an assymetrical face with a night-perfectly circular mask, with mismatched eyes. The very image that Rei focused her sights on, as she went after it. You're not going anywhere...

Rei followed up with an indiscriminate Sho, once more, having locked her target & followed up a second, no...a total of 3 Sho, having felt its faint spiritual pressure. A time like this would be great for spamming, and that's her MO of among all things, spam until it dies. It's a waste of energy but knowing when to fold your opponent's the MO.

"Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and tear out your own throat!! — Bakudō. 9: Hōrin."

She's prepared to throw another Byakurai, if there's another Hollow, then she'd spam the same tactics, but locking it up until it dies, might not be a bad idea.

---

In the latter half of the day, Darius had gone quiet, focused intensely on the lessons taught by Ouga, and on performing them correctly. Surrounded by energetic youths, he found himself pushing harder than he normally might to keep up. It meant withdrawing a touch, bordering on antisocial compared to his usual demeanor... And, it meant he was absolutely exhausted by the time they finished training for the day and began to filter out towards their homes for the afternoon. Skipping over his usual errands, he had made his way straight home from the sweets shop, and collapsed straight into bed when he got there. He didn't even remember his head hitting the pillow, and he hadn't woken when Aiko returned home and drew the covers up over him. That deep, dark sleep of a body that needed it was a familiar one to him, a welcome comfort after too long with nothing to push him.

It was in the deep hours of the night that the dreams began. A brief disturbance outside, a feeling of dread that crept into his unconscious mind, made him stir. The quiet blackness of his rest swirled with colors, and resolved into a wide open field. Wildflowers blanketed the ground all around, seeming almost painted over hills and dips in the ground, splashes of color over dark earth that he saw, on closer inspection, was not hilly at all, but rather pockmarked with craters big and small, as if the land had once been sieged. Chuckling at the strangeness of the dream, he stopped to run his hands through the flowers, wondering, with the obtuse logic of any dream, whether he might be able to bring some home to Aiko. Just as he thought of picking a few to try, a cold wind rippled across the field, bringing with it a spine-deep shudder that has him casting his gaze about, feeling as if something watched him, from just out of sight. A sound like chimes caught his ears, quiet and just on the edge of hearing. Again, louder, like bells now, and he could swear he heard a voice within.

_{...watched...}

The wind blew again, cold and sharp, tugging at his hair and clothes, scattering flower petals all around. He turned his back to it, and found himself faced with blinding light, reflections of the sun off of... Something, something vast and silver and beautifully reflective. The bells came again, so loud they set his teeth on edge, made his ears ache, and this time the voice was unmistakable.

YOU ARE WATCHED. DEFEND YOURSELF. DEFEND THE OTHERS.

He was sure the ringing would burst his ears. Whatever spoke said more, but he couldn't understand anymore through the noise. Cupping his hands over his ears, he grimaced, turning around again just in time for another blast of wind. It tossed him back, and with the feeling of falling, he awoke from the dream with a gasp, the deafening ringing replaced by the insistent, but far gentler, chime of his soul pager, half buried under his pillow. Sitting upright, he grabbed it hastily, flipping it open to read the message from Ouga, nearly half an hour old by now. With a soft curse, he tucked the pager away, and snatched up his combat pass from where he'd left it on the nightstand, clapping it to his chest. Within moments, he was out of his body and standing ready in his soul form, carefully laying his body back under the covers beside Aiko. With Ouga's warning, and the strange dream still lingering in his mind, he slipped out of the window and into the night. Warily, he stalked around the boundaries of his home, hand resting at the ready on the hilt of his zanpakuto. He couldn't shake the feeling, now, of a watcher somewhere in the dark, head turning constantly, eyes searching every shadow, corner and roof as he began a slow, steady patrol around his home. That path took him out in a gradual spiral, around his neighbors, and their neighbors, until he reached the edge of his neighborhood and began to spiral back inwards. Over and over, sometimes on the ground, sometimes on the rooftops, but always watching and listening. He had the feeling, somewhere deep down, that he was late to the party.