Battle of the Pyramids Round 2... Hecudo Mundo Style(Closed)

[Kurosawa Ryou]

Whenever Hallibel started to approach the figure of Ryou in his Bankai she would notice a few things. Every time she seemed to glance in a different direction or at least take a look towards the Tre Beast… whenever she looked back at Ryou, he had moved closer to her. Unlike the Tre Beast though, she would actually be able to pick up these movements. Even in Bankai their power level’s where significantly different, but Hallibel would notice how much faster Ryou could move, since she had crossed blades with the man only moments before. He only stopped moving whenever she got close to him, and began to walk around him, but the Espada would notice that it was not Ryou’s face that was following her. It was the three lung dragon like appendages who constantly kept up with the Arrancar, even at one point going so far as to extend themselves out to examine her closely. Smirks appearing across all of their collective faces, before they pulled themselves back to Ryou. The man stood there with his arms hung loosely at his side and his face hanging down to stare at the sand. It was only when she stood in front him with Tiburon outstretched towards him that he finally looked up. His faceless visage stared right at her, tilting his head back and forth in a slow and clockwork manner. For just a moment Hallibel would understand what had frozen the Tre Beast in fear of Ryou’s Bankai.

His reiatsu was unlike before in its haunting nature. The feeling was something that slowly curled itself around the Espada’s spine and began to squeeze and tug at her very survival instincts. With their difference in power the effect wasn’t like it was on the Tre Beast, but it was something that the Espada would notice… until she got used to seeing Ryou in this form. The Shinigami barely waited for his Mistress to finish speaking before he just raised one of his clawed fingers and gentle wagged it back and forth in a chastising manner, then he pointed downward. When the Espada looked she would notice that Kurosawa was indicated that she needed to pay more attention, because when she looked down she would notice that one of his snake like tentacles had come up out of her shadow from behind and had come out of her hollow hole from the front. Speaking in a voice that was obviously Ryou’s it said as it curled itself upward to look the women in the eye, ”Do forgive the intrusssion Missstress, but do remember that we are on the sssandsss. I would hate to sssee my dear Mistresss fall the to sssword of an enemy whom ssshe felt the need to monologue to before ssstriking down.” The tentacle playfully laughed before withdrawing back to where it had come from, and Ryou adjusted his top hat before suddenly moving. Again Hallibel would probably be able to keep up with his attempt to get around to her back using Shunpo, but at the same time she would notice that the man’s speed had increased. His need for tricks was becoming… less and less.

Using Shunpo to get around behind the Arrancar, Ryou lashed out with every tentacle he had except the three with faces on them. He already calculated his own lack of control, so he decided that he would be better off if he was a bit more blunt in his use of his tentacles during this first battle. All of them would strike out towards Tiburon in order to block any attempt that the sword might make to swing. Even one of his sword tentacles tried to wrap around Hallibel’s wrist to cut into it and affect her use of her blade. At the same time his three lung dragon like tentacles dove down into his shadow, and came up in Hallibel’s. One of them used it’s sharp teeth to try to latch on and tear at the Espada’s Achilles tendon, before wrapping itself around her ankle. The other one struck out at her arm that didn’t hold Tiburon, in order to bite into the wrist and try and make it useless just in case his Mistress was able to use both hands in wielding her sword. The final one repeated its trick by attempting to go through her hollow hole and curving upward to latch its teeth on the Espada’s neck, but without biting. The last move though was made by Kurosawa himself as he struck with his claws at Hallibel’s back. He wanted to see how much sharper they had grown, and how much more damage he could do. The direction of his slash was opposite of the one that he had done before, so if the blow landed and the Arrancar chose to leave it… it would create a nice even ‘X’ like mark.

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As the haunting reiatsu ate at her despite the fear that it would cause the average arrancar instead made Hallibel’s eyes widen in a type of animalistic glee. It was a look that not even the Tres had seen in the eyes of Hallibel in many a century. Glancing at Hallibel all three of the Tres actually used Sonido and headed toward the top of a nearby pillar in order to avoid the look in her eyes. As the tentacle waved at her through her hollow hole she shook her head.

“I told you to not do that again.”

As she took a swipe at the tentacle with her hand that was not holding Tiburon. Blinking she saw it quickly withdraw and slink back over beside Ryou. His speed was surprising to Hallibel as she watched him. Raising her free hand she spoke watching the man even closer than before. There was no way she was going to allow herself to be so careless again. The last time she was that careless she was nearly killed by Hitsugaya and then betrayed by Aizen. As soon as the name Aizen flashed in her memory a slight gorwl escaped her mouth before she spoke.

“You already know that if I wanted to strike you down. You know I would have already Ryou and there is very little you could do to stop me. As despite your new self I am still far beyond you.”

She was about to speak for longer but she noticed a slight tick from Ryou. Despite her words she still felt that the blades could cut her. Any blade that could cut her could be the end of her so she would have to be careful. A tick outside of his usual quirky self that is. It was something that drew her interest but quickly she had to defend herself from his sudden attack. The shunpo much faster than she anticipated but all of his attacks would hit an image of Hallibel as she had used a Sonido with such rapid pace she used a technique similar to what she had seen used during the Winter War. Despite the use of Sonido she felt the bite of his claw on her back once again. It felt that his blade had pierced her hierro easier and she would have to make certain he would not do that again.

As she spun in the air behind Ryou the pata that Tiburon was swirled with water about it as she fired off a series of quick blasts of La Gota. The first of the blasts aimed directly where Ryou had been standing the second at a spot she assumed was the extent of his shunpo while in the form and the third at another location she quickly assumed where he would of moved toward. After that Tiburon began to glow a yellowish hue as a cero began to form around her blade ready for his next wave of attacks.

[Kurosawa Ryou]

Ryou immediately noticed the animalistic look that spread across his Mistress’s face. For moment if Hallibel was observant enough, she would notice a slight shift of Ryou’s wrappings on his face. The man was obviously smiling under them… to see that his Mistress had the capability to act just like him was a very delightful prospect to Ryou. Her rebuke of him got a very unusual response form the man, and that was simply the fact that she got no response. He just kept staring at her as though she had never spoke. All three of his tentacles though, gave a slight apologetic bow like nod of their heads. It was obvious now that while in Bankai… Ryou’s body acted more like a vessel than anything. When she spoke of being able to strike him down it was the first time that Ryou ever responded… at least physically. Adjusting his hat and tie… the three tentacles responded with his voice, ”Threatsss Mistresss are no longer needed between the two of ussse. I am your guard dog, and what you wisssh to do to me isss your choice. I only grow ssstronger in your ssservice ssso that I can do your worksss more efficiently.” Bowing slightly to the Arrancar, with his clawed hand on his chest… Ryou made his move moments later as he struck out at his Mistress. Trying to use his speed against her, the Shinigami quickly found that he would have a lot to learn from the Espada about speed.

Even though he felt his claws sinking into her body, the after image that she left behind quickly faded away. Ryou began to wonder exactly how much damage he had done, but knew that he didn’t have much time to think about it. What he did remind himself to do was to ask Hallibel how she did that. He had never been able to get Soi-Fon to teach him that. Just as quickly as he had moved in behind her, the Arrancar did the same to him. Looking over his shoulder Ryou noticed her attack charging and quickly used Shunpo to get out of the way barely dodging the first one, but the second one hit him right on his left shoulder. Tearing a large wound right through it, Ryou realized that if he had been just a little bit over he would have been killed. His Mistress was truly playing for keeps… His tentacles instantly dove into his shadow, and came up from under Hallibel to try and wrap around her limbs pull her to the ground. At the same time Ryou aimed all of his other tentacles like a blunt force instrument towards the third shot of La Gota. Not even moving so that he wouldn’t get caught in its blast by accident. He only moved at the last second once he saw his tentacles collide with the ability, incase Hallibel’s strength overwhelmed his… at least he knew the point at which most of the attacks force was applied. It was at a place of his choosing… and not his Mistress’s.

He also noticed the Cero that the Arrancar was charging up, and it would be this that two of his head like tentacles would aim for in there grab. One of the appendages tried to wrap itself around Tiburon, and the other trying to bite into Hallibel’s wrist. The other went for a simpler target which was the Espada’s belly… the teeth of the lung dragon like appendages functioned just as well as any stabbing blade. Ryou himself didn’t hesitate to follow up his attack as he put all his speed into his forward moment, the other six tentacles curled up behind him in a striking position like a large claw as they came up around him like cobra’s and down towards Hallibel. For once it seemed he moved the ones that he wanted to… with swords stabbing towards his Mistress, and the shields completely focused on bashing Tiburon outward and give Ryou one or two seconds to strike. His clawed fingers aimed right at the Espada’s neck… and the killing intent that Ryou gave off was almost palpable, yet at the last moment something happened. The man’s reiastu started to fade away, and suddenly everything about his Bankai just started to fade away… the effect was almost instant as the wrappings disappeared and so did the clothing. All melting down into Ryou’s shadow, while the tentacles retreated into his back leaving behind there girlish laughter floating in the air.

The man’s arm that had it’s claw on it only moment’s behind was holding his Zanpakuto… it’s path was easily traceable… he had been aiming close to, but beside her neck. Like with the Tre Beast… it is was an attempt at a pretend kill. The Shinigami doubted that he had succeeded, because at this point he felt really dizzy. All of the energy he had expended, combined with blood lose and Sung’s poison meant that Ryou had truly reached the end of his fighting endurance. He struggled out the words, ”I guessss thisss isss my losss Mistresss?” Laughing playfully the Shinigami started falling out of sky down towards the sands of the desert doubtful that anyone would catch him, but in way he was just to try to do much about it himself. However it was that he ended up laying on sands of that infinite desert, the Shinigami couldn’t help, but smile as he knew that he had obtained one of his biggest victories in his goal to help the Arrancars… and at the same time… in his goal to grow closer to Mistress Hallibel.

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Hallibel was ready for the tentacles this time. The cero that was charging on her blade was a technique only those in the Winter War battle proper had seen her do. As they came to bash at Tiburon she allowed it to move her as she then spun and swung the pata around. A wave of yellow cero energy emerged off her blade and bashed away the shields and blades in a singular movement. The blade like cero missed Ryou though by a few feet as she smiled at him as she expected a renewed attack but then his bankai began to fade.

Looking at him as the tentacles vanished and pulled away from him. She dropped Tiburon which flew straight down into the sands below her and sunk down about two feet. Moving with a Sonido underneath Ryou as the last of his bankai slipped away she held out her arms to catch the young man as she would of done for any of the Tres as well. Beneath the pair the Tres had started to gather up Tiburon and pieces of his uniform that had been removed during the fighting. As she floated back down with the man in her arms she spoke up.

“It may be a loss for you Ryou. But it was a well fought battle and you have earned your place within our family. You have shown us the full extent of your strength and it is an impressive strength.”

As she landed on the sands Mila approached carrying Tiburon for Hallibel. As she approached so did Apacci and Sun-sung. Sun-sung took one of her sai’s and walked over beside Ryou and held the sai out.

“Brother this shall sting but I will be giving you my anti-venom. It will of course take time for you to process it but you will be better in a about fifteen minutes or so.”

After speaking she turned the sai around and stabbed his shoulder exactly where he had stabbed Sun-Sung. He would feel the poison begin to fade from his extremities as she pulled out the sai and backed away from him. As she did Apacci spoke up as she held her shoulder.

“You know something brother. If you wanted to stick something into us you could have asked instead of using those weird tentacles maybe we could have made it more enjoyable.”

Letting out a laugh she slapped his healthy shoulder as she passed him and gave him a smile of acknowledgement. Walking past with Tiburon Mila just nodded the sentiment after she walked in front of them and headed into the place they called home. All of the Tres walked in before Hallibel who stood there with him in her arms still.

“You are a lucky man. As you know most men are not worthy of our group or can deal with Apacci’s teasings. Though I think she has a crush on you Ryou. Despite the brash exterior I feel something there beneath the surface. But what do I know?”

She chuckled lightly as she was obviously projecting herself out onto another as she walked with him. Bringing him within the quarters she walked along and placed him down on a nearby bed. If he looked he would notice that it was Hallibel’s personal quarters.

“Now rest Ryou. We will be inside of the main room. As soon as you are better come out and join your sisters and I.”

She gave him a smile as she shifted back to her arrancar state with the white jaw bone remerging. Waiting for a moment in there she headed into the main room to await him to refresh himself.

[Kurosawa Ryou]

A warmth spread though his body as he halted in midair by Hallibel strong arms, and pulled gentle into her grasp. Lazily he put his arms around her neck, and rested his head on her shoulder, long black hair spilling everywhere and leaving a stark contrast to Hallibel’s white bones. This was where he wanted to be more than any place he wanted to be right here in Hallibel’s arms. The Lieutenant couldn’t think of a safer place than to be tucked so close to his Mistress, cradled in her grasp… and near to her protective nature. That was what this entire battle had been about, the permission to stay among the Tre Beast and to get close to Mistress Hallibel, so that maybe one day she would think of him as more than just a special guard dog. Whenever she spoke to him, Ryou found that he was having a hard time responding not only because of the satisfaction that he felt at her statement, but simply because of how tried he was from the fights that he had just survived. Still the man felt that he needed to get out something to respond to his Mistress’s praise, “Thank you Mistresss Hallibel-sssama it is a real honor that you allow me to be one of you. Without judging me for the thingsss that other put off by, and passed over me for, but sssimply be looking at the ssstrength and abiltiesss that promissse to ussse ever bit of to protect all of you.” It was a promise that he would make again and again.

Whenever they were finally on the ground and Sung-Sun came over, Ryou only turned his head slightly to acknowledge her. Despite the fact that he hated going to the Fourth Division to have his injuries heal, the man knew that he had too many this time to ignore like he always did. He found her explanation to be quite curious, because during their flight he had seen no implications that the weapons where hollow in any manner. The fact that there was an anti-venom, did soothe his worries slightly, since it meant that he wouldn’t have to explain why there was so much venom running through his system. The small amount that would probably be left was surely something that could be explained away. Kurosawa hardly seemed to acknowledge the actual pain of the stab itself… only noting the spot where she was stabbing him with his eyes, “Tch… a bit of a nassstolgic with that one. You are certainly a clever girl Sssung-Sssun.” It was a wound that he would make sure to keep if only so him and his sister would be matching somewhat. He knew that Arrancar’s didn’t really scar up in the same way that Shinigami did, but that didn’t matter to him. It was the thought that counted, and the memories that would go with all of these wounds that he had received form his sister, and his beloved Mistress Hallibel. Whenever Apacci spoke up, he turned his head to acknowledge her.

Not able to keep himself from laughing, there was obviously quite a bit of pain in the act. As he grabbed his side, but despite this he still let himself laugh happily. Pain was irrelevant… Right now all he wanted to was to enjoy the time that he was having with his sister. Because all he knew was that any moment could be there last out here on the chaotic sands. Still at the same time, what she was implying made the Shinigami blush a deep red, and very adorable looking blush, despite the fact that he found it amusing. Trying to think of quip to come back at the other he said nervously, ”Be careful Apaaci-chan sssomeday I might take you up on that offer becaussse you would like that wouldn’t you?” After taking his verbal swing at the Fraccion the male quickly retreated back into the safety and comfort of Hallibel’s shoulder. Nuzzling softly against it with his nose the Shinigami stole a single kiss on it whenever he was sure that the Tre Beast where not looking. Because he wasn’t sure if the fact that he had to hide how he felt about Hallibel was still in effect. The male just hoped that by this point the Tre Beast accepted him enough that maybe he could start being a little bit more affectionate with the Mistress while out in the open. It was something that he would just have to see about… and move slow with.

Hallibel’s words flustered the Shinigami as he read deeply into them, and understood what the Espada truly meant. Reaching up she would notice his blushing face as he caressed her cheek, ”What do you know Mistresss… Oh there are a lot of thingsss that you know. You took thisss hound dog in and made him feel sssafe, and gave him back hisss sssanity. You turned that insssanty into a weapon that now you can wield with a word. You know that you have gained a loyal companion who like the Tre Beassst really caresss for you and would do anything for you in the whole world.” In that moment he paused to give the Espada who was holding him time to get through the doors of what he quickly realized where her quarters. He didn’t let that faze him though, as he finished up what he was trying to say, “One thing I alssso want you to know isss Hallibel… that you now have sssomeone who caresss for you very very much, maybe even lovesss you. If he may be ssso bold asss to sssay sssuch a word without it bothering hisss Mistresss and what ssshe desssires from him.” Ryou’s blood loss obviously loosened his tongue a bit when it came to his inner most thoughts, that didn’t make them any less honest… when realizing what he said though, he just hope that he had bothered Hallibel to much by letting her know how he felt.

As she laid him on the bed the Shinigami could feel the room spinning slightly and knew that it was time to rest, and hopefully the Arrancar’s would let him sleep. The male did one last thing though before he finally fell asleep, “Goodnight my beloved Mistresss Hallibel…” This time Ryou truly would not realize what he said unless Hallibel told him. The feeling of it was right from the heart, but at the same time he seemed almost half awake when he said it. It would be a few hours before the man ever woke up, when it did he rubbed his eyes sleepily… taking a few seconds to remember where he was. As slipped out of the bed, and pulled his robes close around him and slipped back on his sandals. Noticing that In’ei was laying at his bed side, he picked up the blade and put it in his sheath before fixing his hair a little bit. Then walking to exit of the bedroom, and then to main hall, where he noticed the Arrancar there, “Very nice Mistress I do have to say you have a pretty place. Looks nicer every time I see this palace.” Ryou had an idea for one addition… he just hadn’t run it across Hallibel yet.

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"No Ryou the words do not fluster me in the least. You... you are not the same as most the male arrancar are out in the sands. Using and abusing the female arrancar and then consuming them after the finished their brutal assaults. But it does hearten me to know that I have brought sanity to you and that you hold me with such high regard."

Smiling her pearly teeth at Ryou as she laid him down she placed a hand onto his head. Knowing that the blood loss he experienced during all the fights had to be loosening the tongue of the usually tight lipped man. It gave Hallibel a sensation she had never felt deep within her chest as she stood from placing him in her bed.

"Goodnight to you my beloved watchdog. Now get that rest you need. Cannot have you returning to the shinigami near death after all."

Leaving the room her and the Tres worked on making sure their own wounds had been healed except for the single scar Hallibel left upon her back as a momento of the day they brought a new member into their family. It took Hallibel a few hours to look over and make sure the Tres where being healed correctly so they could enter the main hall and take their places relaxing upon a set of five chairs around a central firepit.

Glancing up she saw that Ryou had awoken and she gave him a nod of acknowledgement as she had her uniform pulled up tight over her chest as she spoke with the Tres about mundane things. Though the Tres all waved to Ryou as he awoke and spoke to him.

"Good to see your awake brother."

Mila was the first to acknowledge him as an equal to the central members of Hallibel's Reyes court. Which til that day was just the four of them. Hearing him speak up drew Hallibel's eyes to look at him. The eyes that Rou would of gotten used to seeing as cold and distant seemed warmer and closer as she looked at him. It was the same look she had when she looked at Tres, but there was a slight twinge to it that meant it might have other connotations to it.

"Oh? Well we took over what was left of Las noches. Moved what we wanted then destroyed what we didnt. Had to make this place our own and secure it so we could have a place to live. Despite this I know Neliel is somewhere nearby, but I do not mind her as she at least stays at peace with us and causes no trouble."

[Kurosawa Ryou]

He made a noise that sounded almost like a growl, but combined in was a sound of pain, “Then it ssseems I have ssso much more to do than to sssimply protect my sssisters, and my Mistresss. Any beassst that would do sssomething ssso horrible to female Arrancar mussst be dessstroyed. You once told me that a long time ago you brought the Tre Beassst to your ssside ssso that you guysss could be together asss female Arrancar for protection. Maybe that help needsss to be offered to othersss…” Smiling softly at the idea the male was fading in and out of consciousness. He was happy that Hallibel accepted his words of affection, and even more so that it brought her satisfaction to know that she had helped him. He wondered if he had awoken any feelings for himself in the Espada, and even if he hadn’t… he was quite sure that there was a certain amount of affection there for him that a flame could be sparked one day. He had only to keep trying, and hope that Hallibel would show it. Whenever she laid him on the bed and touched his head, the Shinigami cooed adorably while nuzzling into the hand. The last thing that he heard from his Mistress was her words that she said while he was slowly passing out, and sadly he found himself unable to respond… exhaustion over took him before he could even open his mouth, but it left him with the most pleasant of dreams. Dreams of love and adoration between him and Hallibel… they were happy and peaceful dreams, the kind that he had not had in so very many years.

When he finally did awake and began to walk inside of the main room, Ryou was a little unsure of what to expect, but he found the place that was revealed to him to be very cozy. He even noted the fact that there were no longer four separate chairs around the central fire pit, but instead there were five. A spot at Hallibel’s inner most circle had been added for himself in a much more permanent way. Bowing slightly, as was Ryou’s custom, as he entered the room whenever Mila acknowledged his presence he said, ”It isss good to be awake Mila. I do hope that I didn’t hurt you guysss to badly during our fight. Going all out and fighting with everything one hasss isss required when an Ssshinigami isss fighting to gain their Bankai. If did leave anything permanent… that wasss unwanted, then I do apologize.” He added the last part in knowing that Mistress Hallibel had kept a few scars on her back as a way to show him marking her, in the same way that she had marked him. Smiling softly at the Espada, the male noted the look with which she gave him had warmed considerably. This was even the case for the Shinigami, whose normally stoic face just held a small but affectionate smile. The biggest difference was that the haunting reiatsu that always followed him… seemed quite a bit more pleasant.

Walking around to sit by all of them his eyes were staring around as he looked the place over, ”Really now… I guesss it ended up being a firssst come… firssst ssserve on who claimed the palace. Good thing it wasss you and the Tre Beassst, sssince it isss much easssier to rule a place when you have a central building like thisss to do it from. Plusss I do like what you have done with the décor, it almossst looksss like it has a bit more of a homey feel too it.” Whenever he went to pick out which of the love seats he wanted to sit at, instead of going to the empty one that he assumed would have been for himself… the Shinigami went over and joined Hallibel in her seat one of his eye brows raising when she mentioned the nearness of one of the other Reyes. He asked her, ”I have alwaysss wondered about what you thought of her. It isss good to know that at leassst you have peace, but what hasss sssurpirsed me isss that you two are not under the sssame banner. Both of you want peace for your fellow Arrancar, and both of you are female, and from what I know her male Fraccion are jussst asss harmlesss asss me. Never really sssaw Neliel asss the ambitiousss type either… ssso I doubt ssshe would mind you asss a leader asss long asss your goalsss remain sssimilar. It would certainly tip the balance around thisss place in your favor if done properly.”

The curious way in which Ryou asked the question only showed that it was a simple suggestion brought about from his years of practice in intelligence. So it was simply spur of the moment and not part of a grand scheme that Hallibel would have to worry about. Plus now that he was a part of their little family… he did want to try and be helpful to his Mistress on things such as this. ”It wouldn’t be the firssst time you have formed a pact for mutual protection with sssomeone. Ssso I doubt ssshe would have any reassson to dissstrust you.” He nodded his head towards the Tre Beast when he spoke of mutual protect pacts. Getting all of Hucedo Mundo together would be hard without something to tip the balance in one parties favor. In Ryou’s mind Neliel’s power yet lack of ambition made her a good tipping point, they would just have to be careful to make sure that they offered a hand of mutual defense, and not strength for war. War could come later… since one of the other Reyes was the type like Apacci who could be goaded into attacking. It was then that he remember something that he had been meaning to ask Hallibel, it was about what she had said to him right before he passed out.

Scooting closer to Arrancar, Kurosawa made sure that his attempt to close the distance was not unwelcome before he gently leaned over and rested his head on her shoulder. Though tried not to touch her body to much… just in case he was stepping out of line… he knew that Hallibel could easily pull him closer if she desired. Nervously he asked her while letting his long hair hide the blush on his face, “Mistresss, when you left me in the bed room… you sssaid that I wasss your ‘beloved’ guard dog… did you really mean that?” He wondered if that was something that she would have said to any of the Tre Beast. He did not doubt that considering Hallibel’s affection for them, but at the same time the way she looked at him made him wonder if there was something special about its meaning when spoke to him.

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Mila just waved her hand to Ryou. Each of the Tres was walking a little slower than normal but it was nothing they hadnt encountered in the past.

"We are made of sturdier stuff than most the shinigami there brother. We will be fine within a few days. I have to admit that claw of yours is sharper than it was when we first met. A welcome sight."

Hallibel smirked at Mila's words as she watched Ryou walk into their main room and then listened to Ryou;s response to why it is her and Neliel have a peace. It was true that the pair where allies in the loosest senses of the word. Though she thought on it for a moment and nodded to him. It was true she had never thought of what could of happened if her and Neliel brokered a peace between themselves. Such an arrangement would be beneficial to both.

"You are correct Ryou. We have never spoken about it as we are still trying to maintain our distance from one another. The last time we Reyes met let us just say a lot of usurpers tried to attack us and we had to defend ourselves from them. Killed well over a thousand hollows between the four of us,"

As Ryou sat beside her on the couch Hallibel showed no issue with his being so close to her. It was something he had earned with the sheer fighting that he had managed to survive through the previous day. Though as he spoke about if she meant what she said before leaving him a few hours earlier. She nodded to him as she spoke and reached over and patted him on the shoulder.

"You are my beloved watch dog now Ryou. We are a family here and we hold the others close to our heart. That is why what we did was so critical. You needed to show that should we get attacked that you would not be dead weight... but there are other reasons I said that as I must admit you have grown on me. No longer that annoying little shinigami. Now you are something much more for myself. Just hold that internally alright Ryou? As I do not honestly know how to speak about it. Just when you get hurt we feel your pain... When you are happy we are. Myself more than any of the Tres."

[Kurosawa Ryou]

Ryou’s eyes examined over the Tre Beast to make sure that they had all healed up, and from at a glance they seemed ok. He was sure that it would take a while for the Arrancar to gain back there full strength. “It isss that ssstudinesss that I find myssself jealousss of on quite a few occasssions, especially if one day Hecudo Mundo endsss up being my home and I am left without the care of the fourth divisssion’s healersss. We Ssshinigami can’t jussst regenerate the sssame way you guysss do, and after a long time I will have to worry about my ssscars building up and getting thrown out becaussse I am no longer eye candy for dear Halli-chan…” Laughing softly he whinced at the pain in his side, bring his hand to hold it… as he smirked in the direction of his sisters, “I am not the only one here who hasss gotten ssstronger Mila-chan… the passst 50 yearsss hasss done nothing if not sssharpen the bladesss of the Tre Beassst asss well. The only difference that allowed me to gain a victory today, wasss that I obtained my Bankai when I needed it the mossst, now all that isss left bessside me getting it to the next level will be you three obtaining your next level of power. However long that may take.” His last words had a playful and challenging tone to them, that he was sure would mess with his some of his sisters.

Turning to Hallibel he found her reason for a lack of an attempt at an alliance to be quite odd. Considering that such enemies could be slaughtered very easily, and meetings and alliances could be arranged through intermediaries without risking too much time in a face to face meet… Ryou really didn’t see the problem. Neliel pension for being the least violent Reyes really opened up a lot of possibilities in this regard, because it meant she could be approached by an intermediary with very little worry of that intermediary being killed. “Well Hallibel-sama if the issssue isss what could happen becaussse of a face to face meeting, then why not sssimply limit thossse by usssing a third party? You could limit the amount of timesss that you two meet, and maybe Neliel’s trussst for Ssshinigami might be put to ussse in thisss matter? Me and one of the Tresss could easssily handle that, sssince I don’t sssee Neliel asss the type to ssstart killing people who come to her presssence asssking for an audience. After a period of time… meetingsss between the two of you can be arranged directly in a more sssecure location ssso that the sssituation that arossse lassst time doesssn’t repeat itssself.” Ryou suggestion to bring along one of the Tre Beast stemmed back to the Espada’s past when Azien had betrayed her. The man wanted her to know that everything he did was for her benefit and not some scheme that he was cooking up for himself. She had seen his powers after all… and would know that he didn’t have the ability to pull the wool over her eyes in the way Azien did… and if anything else… the way he treated her should have shown his loyally anyway.

When the Espada put her arm around him and patted his shoulder the Shinigami cooed softly like he did back in the bedroom. This time it was a sound so low that only Hallibel would be able to hear it, because Ryou only wanted her to know that she had made him happy. The man understood perfectly what the Arrancar had been trying to do to him. The sands where a ‘dog eat dog’ type of place, and there was no room on it for weaklings. In fact he would have made a horrible guard dog to his sisters, and Mistress Hallibel, since on a battlefield one person not doing their job could get everyone else killed. Kurosawa didn’t want his own weakness to become a danger to those he cared about, but it seemed that this was no longer a problem. He had passed the Arrancar’s test and now he could stand with them as a trusted equal in battle. It seemed though that Hallibel had even more to say about the subject, the words of the Espada began to make him blush as he scooted closer to his Mistress. Leaving his head resting on her shoulder, he softly pressed his body up against hers, again not going any further so that the other would be able to decide if she wanted him any closer.

The way that he rested himself up against Hallibel caused the male’s long hair that normally covered up his face to fall out of the way. Allowing the Tre Beast to see the red blush that the Espada’s words had so easily painted across his face because he understood exactly what the Arrancar was trying to say. The other just wasn’t used to displaying or showing such emotion for another person in the same way that most where able to. Kurosawa had always been like that himself, it was only his Mistresses who had ever been able to steal his heart in anyway. Until he had grown closer to Hallibel and the Tre Beast… he had wondered if he could truly care for anyone else in any deep or meaningful manner. The Arrancar had revived something in him that had died that night many years ago… along with his young sisters. Nuzzling his face affectionately into Hallibel’s shoulder Kurosawa looked so innocent and adorable in that moment almost like the dog he claimed to be, “You ssspeak about it better than you think Mistresss. Mossst people that I know want to be ssso direct about how they feel or what they are thinking, while othersss go a little over the top in how indirect they try to be. There sssilly hintsss about their feelingsss becoming meaninglessss at that point. I will hold it internally, becaussse sssuch poetry isss sssweet to hear. Maybe one day we can both learn to ssspeak about it better, sssince thossse are feelingsss that don’t alwaysss require wordsss.”

[Deleted]

Hearing the cooing noise come from Ryou she quirked a brow and closed her eyes. To her it was a noise of submission from the shinigami and despite her not wanting to it made her feel powerful. Her bone covered mouth smirked a little as she felt him lay over and rest his battered body against her.

"Be careful there Ryou. Mistress Hallibel has been known to eat male's whole without much of a second thought."

Mila's voice chimed up as she glanced up before turning back to stretching as she seemed to be getting ready to train for the day. Apacci stood against the nearby couch her gaze drifting around the room ignoring everything going on. Though seeing Ryou as he was and blushing she smirked and spoke up.

"You know brother. Any closer to her and you would be i think the term is intimate with her. Though if that is your intention you might want to try and take it into the private quarters. Though we should tell you to watch her bite."

Hallibel smirked under her mask once again as she looked at Apacci and shook her head letting out a light laugh. It was obvious that such a topic was not all that taboo for the Reyes and her inner court. Just such a thing was never spoken about in the public eye.

"Well that is good to know. As I try to understand my opponents as best I can but now.. that knowledge comes to assist us. Now it assists me in understanding you just that small bit better."

[Kurosawa Ryou]

To Ryou submission to Hallibel was his only mindset, he couldn’t comprehend anything else. The only time she would ever see him act dominate was if she asked him to, and he highly doubted… and secretly hoped that she never would. Chuckled at Mila his dark eyes trained in on her, as he playful joked, ”Thisss little hound dog isss here for whatever Hallibel needsss him to be Mila-chan. Wither it isss a guard one day, or an sssnack the next. I am perfectly happy to do whatever I need to do to ssserve. Misstress Hallibel knowsss thisss very well… or elssse I wouldn’t be here.” Despite the playfulness in his words, you could tell me the way the Shinigami spoke that he would do it in a heartbeat. The way he would sometimes look at Hallibel with those large black eyes… almost like a school boy with a crush. It was indeed an adorable sight especially coming from him. The Shinigami decided that since Hallibel had yet to push him away, that she didn’t mind the closeness. So he moved himself until he pressed even closer to her, allowing him tried form to rest against the strong body of the Arrancar. When sitting beside her like this, he felt so safe that it wasn’t even funny anymore. As long as he was close to Hallibel’s side it seemed like no could touch him… no one would dare touch him. The Mistress would always take good care of him just like she had done for the Tre Beast over the years.

It was a feeling that he had never experienced in all those years of being around Soi-Fon. If he had then he wouldn’t have thought twice about betray the Gotei. Ryou found it so ironic that it was here among a den of what most would have considered loins… he found himself the safest… he found himself at home. The comment that Apacci made got his attention, and made the color of his face turn red again, but it didn’t leave him without a quip. As he let his shirt shoulder slip in an absent minded manner, to reveal the scar from the bite that Hallibel put on his neck he teased at the Fraccion, ”Now tell me… why ssshould I fear sssomething that isss ssso enjoyable or isss it that your jussst jealousss ssshe findsss me to be a more interesssting chew toy than yourssself.” His laughter showed that he meant no disrespect towards Hallibel and was only joining in the fun game of teasing that his sisters liked to play. ”Bessside my body belongsss to the Mistresss to do with asss ssshe pleassses, wither or not that meansss ssshe wantsss to take her conquessst here or in her own quartersss isss not my choice to make. Asssuming thossse are her desssires in the firssst place.” Leaning up he gently kissed the Espada on the cheek. Planting his lips right on her bone mask that covered up that area… to Ryou it was something he hardly noticed… just another piece of Hallibel that made her so beautiful. Before he went back to resting his head back on Hallibel’s shoulder, softly nuzzling his cheek into it lovingly.

The way he spoke about Hallibel was not with a self-assured confidence of a man who expected to get something. No… it was of a more submissive and servile nature that was simply stating something which he considered a fact. His body and soul belonged to the Reyes now, and she could do with him whatever she pleased. He would not object because he had no desire to… whatever made Hallibel happy was what made him happy. Kurosawa almost began to wonder how close the Espada would let him get to her. He knew that there was a certain barrier he wouldn’t cross without her invitation, but now that he had fought for the right to be able to be close to her. He wanted to know exactly what point the Arrancar minded his presence… if it was ok for him to cling to her like he wanted to. To feel the fact that he was now close to the Mistress he cared for dearly and served so faithfully. Just like that moment on the sands when they had held each other close, in order to calm the Espada down from the raging animal that her truest form brought out. Gently he reached over around her stomach in a gentle hug, but nothing more… doing his best to simply relax against the Arrancar and be close to her. Without acting like the male Arrancar that had caused the other so much pain in the past… he wanted to prove that he didn’t see Hallibel and his sisters in such a primal and animalistic way.

”That processs of learning will be what ssstrengthens our bond Halli-chan on a level far deeper than anyone can image. When two groupsss have to learn a new method of communication together it becomesss an ssshared experience that they can ussse for common ground. Two warring groupsss with nothing in common who want peace are forced to learn sssign language to underssstand their mediator. Now they have the common ground from which to ssstart the processs of peace that they desssire. Our goal may be different, but the method isss sssimilar. In the end we will ssslowly come to underssstand that which we hopefully wisssh to give to each other on a deeper level… and through that ssshared experience… we will have sssomething that no other two people can sssay they have.” The Shinigami hoped he didn’t seem a little presumptuous with his words, but wither or not his feelings for Hallibel ever flowered into anything on her part… they would still both learn a valuable lesson. They would also grow closer as Mistress and guard dog, and it would leave them with a better understanding of the other species. As long as Ryou didn’t have to leave his Mistress’s side… he wouldn’t mind in the end, even if left a little heart broken.

[Deleted]

"Well she has eaten many over the years since we met. What would one little shinigami be for her? A snack perhaps?"

Apaci spoke up obvious that anger and annoyance in her voice. Shaking her head as Apacci and the others noticed Ryou place a light kiss on Hallibel's cheek. Hallibel however did no move as she was kissed though her eyes did look at Ryou a little quizzically. Remembering that she had told him to only do that in private, but she knew that he had earned the right to show his affection within the presence of the Tres.

"It may be my choice Ryou... Maybe I will have to take you up on that. Just not til you are able to take the rigors that such a thing might entail. As I doubt I would be gentle to you as the women of your shinigami divisions would be."

Hallibel spoke rather frank as she squeezed the mans shoulder once again. She listened to his words about that the communication between them and smirked under her mask. It was obvious that the truth that it had taken them almost half a century for the pair to even get to this point. Let alone go beyond this very point.

"Well communication between hollow and shinigami has always been strained. I mean it wasnt more than fifty years ago you did not know about the Espada or anything about us in Heuco Mundo. Now they specifically avoid us as they know any intrusion would be a full on declaration of war once again. For some reason i doubt that the shinigami would be ready for another full war with us right now."

Shaking her head from side to side she took a few minutes before speaking once again. Taking a few minutes to collect her thoughts. As she did she glanced at the Tres whose attention was away from the pair as she leaned over and placed her hand onto his cheek. Ryou would know she couldnt actually kiss him while in this form because her lips where sealed behind her mask.

"Just be careful there Ryou when you return home... There is something in my gut that feels a bad battle incoming. It is just as before the Winter War."

[Kurosawa Ryou]

Ryou’s goal was not cause strife with his sisters, but Hallibel had told him that they wouldn’t mind so much once he was fully accepted as one of their own. Maybe it would simply take them getting used to the sight of him being affectionate with the Mistress. When he noted the quizzical look in the Espada’s eyes he simply shrugged slightly as he turned his attention to Apacci, “Well if I am only a sssnack for her Apacci then a sssnack I will be, but I can tell you that it will be the mossst delightful sssnack that Hallibel-sssama hasss ever had. Or will eat again…” Now that his face was exposed the Tre, it would allowed Apacci to see the Cheshire like grin as he spoke. Kurosawa lack of fear of being eaten was a little odd, but then again odd was par for the course when it came to Ryou. It was that oddness which actually for the first time ever brought out what could actually be considered a slight sadness in Ryou. It was an emotion that the Arrancar would have never seem him display when he was around them, simply because there presence made him happy. A frown crossed his face whenever she mentioned the female Shinigami, they had avoided him the entire time he spent in the Gotei. Only one ever wanted to be around him on purpose, and she was too young… he thought her more like a little sister. This was even the case Soi-Fon whom he called Mistress… that was different kind of affection because he knew that no matter what it would always be unrequited.

Nuzzling his cheek into her shoulder he sighed heavily, “The very idea of you doing so Mistresss isss the greatessst honor you could give me. Trussst me when I sssay, and you will find out why if you ever asssk thisss guard dog to ssserve you in sssuch a manner… that there isss no pain that you can inflict on my body which hasssn’t already been inflicted.” Letting down his robe just a tiny bit so that the Espada could see part of his chest, she would notice the high number of scars all across it and those where just the ones that the 4th Division had missed. Covering it back up he continued, ”Asss you sssaid the lassst time we met you chossse not to hit me, becaussse I probably would enjoy it. I am not going to lie to you Halli-chan, becaussse I would have enjoyed it.” He sounded like it bothered him to speak about it as he continued to the next topic, ”Believe me when I sssay thisss though that even if that were not the cassse Mistresss it would not matter. I have nothing to compare it to in the firssst place. The women of the Gotei avoid me like the plague except when it comesss to being professsional and doing there jobsss. A rare few are friendly, but not much more than that, while that one girl I mention sssseem to like me, but I believe that isss a sssimply a young one who hasss a crusssh on her teacher. However you desssire to treat me Mistresss, I don’t mind, becaussse I don’t know of any other way.”

Hallibel squeezing his shoulder did relax him a bit though, and allowed the man to calm himself. As what Espada said made him curious and he asked her, ”Why war with them Hallibel? In a way the Ssshinigami created what you are now. Not meaning that in an insssulting way, but there wasss Ssshinigami influence involved in what happened and the creation of you and your fellow Esapda. What needsss to happen isss peace and not conflict. The Ssshinigami ssshould be ssshown that you are not what they fear you to be, but inssstead what I have come to know you all asss. Plusss they do have a resssponiablity for what happened to you and the Esssapda. If you underssstand what I mean… and ssso that is why I ssssugessted peace and not war. Really if you think about it, that isss another reassson that Neliel would be ussseful if you could get her to ssside with you. Ssshe hasss previousss relationssss to the Ssshinigmai and might be able to communicate to them on thisss matter. Ssspecifically the heirsss of the Kurossskai line might be willing to lisssten to her more than any other. Then their influence can be usssed with the fourteenth Divisssion and ssso on. It would take time, and I doubt you could include the other Reyesss, but from the way thingsss are ssshaping up in Sssoul Sssocity. The Gotei isss going to need all the alliesss it can get… ssso the avail isss prime for ssstriking and they will want a peace… maybe even alliance. The current Captain Commander isss a good women, kept me out of the Maggot’sss Nessst… and I doubt ssshe would ssstab you in the back asss long as you don’t betray any agreementsss you make. Like before he didn’t speak like someone who had a grander scheme in mind, but instead someone who only seemed to want what was best for the Arrancar in general. In a way Ryou played his hand on his desire for the for the more peaceful Arrancar to find a way to live in relative peace with the Shinigami, but if that had not become obvious by now then this was the time it would.

Nuzzling gently into the hand that was placed on his cheek, Ryou smiled softly… letting out that submissive cooing noise. He just couldn’t help it sometimes, and it was one of the things that he did to show when he content. The Shinigami also understood the sentiment that Hallibel was giving him, because of the fact she couldn’t kiss him, the Espada was showing her affection this way. What she said though bothered him, enough that the Arrancar would feel the man’s grasp tighten up on her slightly, “What every it isss that isss coming Hallibel-sssama, pleassse don’t trouble yourssself with worrying. I am the guard dog to you and Tre Beassst now, and whatever happensss I will sssheild the four of you from it with my body and life if need be. Whatever ssstorm comesss… my being will be the ssshelter for the four of you no matter the sssacrifice I have to make. Of everything though, I will protect you mossst of all Halli-chan. I know how you feel about it, but you have sssspent your entire exsssitance being the one who Sssacrifice’s. Let ssssomeone elssse who caresss about you be the one to do that now. Leaning forward he kissed Hallibel right were her lips would be and said softly, ”Let thisss old hound be you and Tres umbrella form the coming rain.”

[Deleted]

As Ryou said that he would be a snack for her Hallibel just shook her head. That is the one thing that she would never do even if they asked her to do it. The Tres and Ryou where now family and she would eat any of them out of hunger or survival. When Ryou lowered his shirt and showed off the scars he left unhealed she smirked at him.

"A shame. Those femles know nothing about the real man that you are Ryou. I will only treat you as you wish to be treated. As you are a good person there Ryou."

As she felt her hand be nuzzled into she felt a light blush come through her face. It made her inwardly smile as she felt the singular passion of being there with a close friend was in with her. Though calling him a close friend might just be a misnomer. She felt like that Ryou was closer to her than just a simple person or friend though her outwardly speaking about it would be a sign of weakness and showing weakness in the Sands was a way to die.

Though as Ryou spoke softly about letting someone else do the sacrificing for once. She shook her head at him though she stopped as she felt him kiss the spot where her lips where underneath the mask. Blinking a few times she looked directly at Ryou her hand slowly drawing up to his face. Cradling it in her hand she scratched the side of his neck lightly with her fingernails before dragging them around to his cheek again.

"To sacrifice is what I know to do Ryou. Though such a burden can be shared with someone else. As you wish to help shield us from the coming rain. Then let you and I be the one to shield the Tres from the coming storm. For we will guard and protect them and we will be the ones to guide through this to emerge unscathed on the other end."

[Kurosawa Ryou]

“Asss long asss I have my way Hallibel-sssama. They will never know any more than they do now. It wasss their losss for sshunning me in the firssst place, and ssso it will be their losss and not mine. I belong to you now, and that isss all that really mattersss to thisss old hound dog. I have alwaysss been happy that you treated me ssso well, dessspite what happened to you in the passst. Your ability to forgive and trussst again in that manner Hallibel… to give tolerance another chance… isss a quality that mossst ssso called pure and noble don’t have. Alwaysss remember that… promissse me that if you remember nothing elssse from the time we ssspend together. I want you to remember that you are jussst asss good asss, no… you are better than any sssilly Ssshinigami male or female.” It was the way that she didn’t shrink away from his creepiness, and the way that she seemed to enjoy those details about him that bothered everyone else. That was what made Mistress Hallibel different, and the one he wanted to cling to for safety and affection. Even if the Esapda didn’t know how to show her love for him in a meaningful way yet, Kurosawa was sure that such a thing was simply only a matter of time. For a moment he began to wish that this was a celebration between just the two of them. Having his sister around was nice, but if Hallibel’s words rang true and a battle really rang on the horizon then he wanted to spend what might be one of the last times he had with her… just the two of them.

He understood perfectly the reason that the other was so vague with her affection. He hoped to slowly overtime pill down those walls, and at least get her to show that side of herself in private. It would be a similar process with him as well, though he was willing to show his affection a bit more openly than the Esapda to a point. Once that point was reached they were both the same in that aspect. It was only another reason for him to try and bring peace to Hallibel’s world, so that maybe the women could slow down and actually not have to worry about someone killing her or the Tre Beast because she expressed her affection to him. One where Hallibel’s banner untied all peaceful Arrancar, and Soul Society let them alone to flourish. Such a dream seemed so far out there, but the Shinigami knew that it would be worth fighting for if it meant that his Mistress never again had to hold back an ‘I love you’ from him no matter where they might find themselves. He wondered though, if it was even possible… maybe, but only if he got stronger… only then would he be able to influence things in the world to the extent that he needed.

Looking the Espada dead in the eye with his own as she held his face, there was a very satisfied smile that appeared across it. One which only grew when she scratched across his skin and the man-made something akin to a purring sound, but it was more human than cat like. Kurosawa was obviously enjoying himself under his Mistress’s tender ministrations. He began to wonder what those fingers would feel like running all over his skin, or at least through his hair. If there was one thing that Ryou enjoyed it was being petted. It didn’t distract him though from listening to what Hallibel had to say, and Ryou was very quick to read between the lines and it only made that purring sound happen louder. As with a happy sigh he opened his eyes, and looked at Hallibel with most adorable and loving look, “Ah Hallibel-chan… you really know how to sssay ssso much, with ssso little and ssstill turn it into a beautiful poem. It makes me happy to know that you are finally willing to expresss how you feel out loud…. He stopped right there just in case the Tre Beast might be listening, because he didn’t want Hallibel to get into any trouble or seem weak in front of the three. It was doubtful though that they had not figured it out already, but wasn’t going to stop Ryou from respecting the wishes of his Mistress. He knew though that he would still have to do one thing.

The male realizing that now if anytime was the time to say what he had always felt, but what Hallibel had always know. He wondered if he could teach the Espada a lesson in how to express affection. To him they had always been just words that people exchanged in such a seemingly formal fashion. Resting against Hallibel though, he began to understand their true meaning, and what it was that was truly being exchanged. Even if his words had to be a bit more secretive in their delivery they could still come out the same… they could still express the same sentiment. With a soft loving smile on his face Kurosawa leaned in closely and whispered into Hallibel’s ear, ”I love you too Hallibel. Pulling back slowly and steadily he gave the Esapda a few minutes with which to react or process what he said before asking, ”You mentioned earlier about a bad feeling and that got me thinking about wither or not it could come to passss. Ssso I wasss wondering do you maybe want to go sssomewhere and ssspend sssometime in private with jussst the two of usss. If sssomething really doesss happen we may never get the chance to do ssso peacefully and uninterrupted again. The way Ryou spoke held no tones of innuendo, but simply a desire to spend time alone with Hallibel away from the Tre Beast. Were he knew that his Mistress acted different and could be free to be herself somewhat, in a way that he had never seen her around them.