The Rhythm of the War Drum [Closed, Hoshi]

[Malik Ghanaam]

The Golden Ankh did not retreat with the setting sun. It was thriving too well to close so early, especially in the busy days of summer. Both incoming and outgoing, tourists and citizens alike, relied on the travel agency to arrange their pilgrimages to wherever they would roam, thus, there was no rest for the Ankh. Most of Malik's night shift workers were fueled by little more than coffee and the promise of payday, as he himself occasionally was, but tonight he traversed the building with a frenetic zeal. His sleeping schedule was arranged so he could sleep the early morning away, work through the rest of the day, and patrol the majority of the night without much fuss.

Of course, having a network of loyal and understanding employees helped.

"You sure look happy." He turned to face the desk of his secretary with a grin. She tutted slyly as she reached under her desk for a packed dinner. "So you noticed!"

"I always notice. I take it your meeting with the Kaiser went well?" There was an emphasis on "well" that provoked a hearty laugh from him. He had taken the prior week's leave to meet with the Order's Kaiser, Hitoshi Ishida. What a week it was! It was his turn to tut with a mirthful grin. "More than well, Dima. I can safely say we have a valuable and powerful ally in Kaiser Hi--Ishida." She tossed her chestnut brown hair over her shoulder and swiveled her chair back to the open space on her desk, laying out her dinner. "Good! And to think I was worried at all...You're heading off now, I take it?"

He slid his sleeve up, peering down at his watch. "Ah, I am! Have a good night, Dima--if a problem should arise, call me." The hours he kept were common knowledge at the Ankh headquarters. Quincys such as Dima were well aware of his patrol schedule as well; many of them had their own.

"I will, Mr. Ghanaam. Good Night!"

The electric doors glided open for him as he came out of the bright office building and into the thrumming heat of the Cairo night. The humidity that had plagued the city with muggy weather for the past week had culminated in a smattering of rainstorms, leaving the streets a mess of muck and dampened dust. They were better off for it though--the air felt cleaner than it had in weeks, and the heat was slowly beginning to dry the roads back to a point where driving wasn't a hazard.

Malik quickly spotted his bright yellow beamer parked along the gutter and after a careful check of the chassis he got in and revved it up. The traffic that was always the bane of his existence (he swore it was taking years off of his life) was a little easier tonight for whatever reason--Mondays weren't really the most active, he thought to himself.

[X]

The road he took led him out of town. The quiet half hour trip was punctuated only by the radio; Malik missed having Hitoshi by his side to chat through these longer trips. He had never realized how imposing the lack of conversation could be before, but he definitely felt it now. In the end, though, he couldn't let himself give in to loneliness or boredom. He had known, ever since he was young, that the life of a Quincy would at times be a lonely one--a life filled with secrets.

And yet this life was rewarding to him; he felt nothing but joy where his job was concerned. The humans of the world needed him, and he was determined to do his job as a Quincy.

He pulled in to the large estate that kept the Golden Ankh's horses (they were popular with tourists who wanted to ride by the Giza strip, he suspected that The Mummy had something to do with it), locking the car out of habit and approaching the stable. The family that tended the horses lived across town, they were good friends of Malik's and had a long-time love affair with horses. He had been able to get them this tract at a very low cost, and in return they had agreed to let him take the stronger mares out for tourism. He came here often to check on them and to help break in young mares.

"Badawi, here. Ssh, now; you know me, yes?" Badawi was a black Arabian, the newest addition to the stable; he got his name after multiple escape attempts. He would make a fine riding horse once broken in--he was already halfway there, and had no problem with being saddled. "A gallop before my patrols in the city won't hurt, will it, Badawi?" He smiled, stroking the mare's mane before spreading a saddle blanket over his back and strapping the saddle securely (he sure as hell wasn't going to fall off for a reason as dumb as "I forgot to buckle the saddle properly"). With a single motion he mounted and they were off, riding gallantly across the yard. The wind seemed cooler as it tousled his hair, possibly due to the sheer speed Badawi was capable of. He was certainly one of the fastest horses in the stable, if not the fastest.

Malik slowed him down to a light trot after a short run, looking leisurely at the stars above him. The urban glow of Cairo often obscured those little heavenly lanterns; a crying shame when Malik thought about it. The suburban stars were lovely, and the farther from the city one went, the more beautiful the skyward view.

The large yard was more than large enough to practice his mounted archery, but just as he considered it, a blip of reiatsu in the distance caught his attention. He tried to smother his own reiatsu as he returned Badawi to his stall and retrieved his implements. He had an ill feeling about the reiatsu--it wasn't malevolent enough to be an arrancar, but he feared that the Shinigami had caught on to their rising numbers.

Dima, take care of yourself...

[chrollo]

Hoshi fastened himself t1o as he fell through a thick smog of dry heat. Brown earth collapsed beneath his feet as he landed. Hoshi could only wonder why any one would willingly choose such a harsh climate to make their home in. However, a certain such group had. Quincys, the word was stirred in his mind until a string of unpleasant thoughts began to form. This is what he knew. Some remnants of the Quincy clan were most certainly here. This was by far enough reason to investigate.

Hoshi knew though that these remnants were far more than loose ends. They were born from the ancestors who were survivors underneath his rule. They were the kin of the man who struck him down. They were not weak and they were no longer of numbers that could be ignored by the higher ups in Soul Society. For all intensive purposes this was to Hoshi's benefit. The sudden rise of those who were once insignificant were now weeds in the garden of the human world. Yes, they were weeds, and Hoshi was the Gardener. I will poison the entire yard if it means killing one of these weeds, Hoshi thought.

Of course first thing was first, he would need to find those pesky weeds. If only they were as unsightly and recognizable as regular weeds Hoshi could quietly pluck them in their beds. Unfortunately these Quincy's were smarter than that. They were not the type to blast their reiatsu through the air touting power. That's good it would be unfortunate if they were stupid enough to give themselves away he thoughy. However, he still needed to find them, and by now any and everyone that could sense reiatsu had already noticed him while in turn concealing theirs.

Hoshi figured most people would probably think of concealing their own reiatsu by now, but not Hoshi. He remembered the conversation he had with one of his suppordinates who had suggested such a tactic at their meeting. He also remembered his quick reply. The words paced through his mind," Would I be any closer to finding a Quincy if were to quietly walk around in his gigai hiding his reiatsu, No, instead I would be bait. Imagine a captain of the gotei 13 flashing his reiatsu like giant siren all the while under the limiter from soul society. He would be easy killings for any up and coming Quincy. To say they had killed a captain level shinigami, limiter or not, would surely bring praise from the others of their kind." His plan was simple, move towards the edge of town and wait. Wait for anyone who dared make contact. Of course such a risky plan only drew worry from his seated shinigami. Perhaps Ishould have felt gratitude for finding members who would actually worry over his well being, he thought to himself, but he knew there was no other way to get his revenge. Hoshi had to find that man.

Hoshi had now grown accustomed to his surroundings. He adjusted his whire shihakushou and wiped some light brown dirt off the bottom. He then proceed to use shunpo to gallop through the night sky above the country side.

His face seemed to be at ease, but one could immediately tell that his eyes were at full alert. They did not move from side, but they were weighed down by information. They caught and processed everything at once. They were a valuable assets attained through experience.

He made his approach towards the suburbs of the city when he spotted a small ranch. There was a single man riding a horse. The color and breed was hidden by the night. However, there seemed to be something familiar about the man. Hoshi then realized the man's hair resembled that of the man who's arrow had pierced him so many years back. A quick and violent rage began to stir inside Hoshi. He stopped an dropped from the sky to the ground near the man. His shoulders stiffened as he looked for a way to vent his smoldering hatred.

[Malik Ghanaam]

The city…it needs me.

That was his only thought now as he locked the stable behind him and tucked his cross under his shirt—the chill of the metal against his skin felt sharper than it should have as his nerves tensed in an unpleasant electric twinge. Even so, his eyes remained calm as they wandered across the sands. There would be no patrol tonight; the shinigami’s broadcasted reiatsu guaranteed that. The slightest heat crossed his cheeks, equal parts caffeine high and annoyance. Did this shinigami think the Quincy of Cairo to be fools?

The buzzing of his phone in his pocket allowed no further thought. Leaning against the stable, shoulders loosened and breathing just barely calm, he reached for his phone with deliberate but trembling hands. His IM icon was blinking lazily, unaware of the troubles of the night.

>malum_malestrom: feel that?

A message from Dima’s personal e-mail. They used personal accounts for Quincy business, keeping a wall between it and Ankh affairs. He let out the breath he had held unconsciously, quickly typing out a reply.

>LimoWreck: yes…are you alright?
>malum_malestrom: /we’re/ fine. Feels like it’s heading your way :/
>LimoWreck: Let it come! long as they leave you all alone, idgaf.
>malum_malestrom: For the love of god, be carful
>malum_malestrom: *careful
>LimoWreck: Don’t worry.
>LimoWreck: I’ve got this. :T
>malum_malestrom: don’t fight this guy if you don’t have to
>malum_malestrom: idk if he’s close enough for you to catch it but he’s powerful

Of course, the moment he looked at her latest message, he felt the shinigami’s reiatsu. That meant he was far too close for Malik’s liking; moreover, Dima was right, even if something seemed so wrong…why would a shinigami be flaunting their reiatsu like that only to come all the way to the suburbs? It was possible that he wasn’t aware of the rest of the Holy Cross’s members. There was another possibility: this shinigami may have been targeting him specifically. He ducked into the covered stable, picking through his Gintou and pocketing some. They were always a good thing to have and as he reached down to pick up a few more, Malik’s hand grazed against his main asset: his Seele Schneiders. This particular set had been given to him by Hitoshi as a parting gift.

He looped them onto his belt, mentally noting that this incident would need reporting after it was all said and done regardless of his condition. The shinigami were on the offensive toward them, a move he had long anticipated. He sighed resignedly, glancing at his phone again. Leaving Dima in the dark would be a poor plan. He would ignore her questions for now. He straightened his shoulders, sent a parting message and stepped outside. The shinigami was just visible at the yard’s edge, decked in white and seemingly seething. Malik sighed resolutely.

>LimoWreck: I know.
>LimoWreck: He must be eliminated.

[chrollo]

Now at eye level Hoshi was able to give the man a second glance. He could immediately tell he was not the same. This person seemed to have a much less sinister presence. His face and skin type were also a fair bit different, and he seemed younger as well. However, the hair was almost dead on as far as length and color. The anger subsided as he realized he was gripping his zanpakuto so hard he had started bleeding. 'What am I doing' he thought to himself.' almost attacked an innocent person just because he had similar hair cut. Maybe I'm starting to lose my mind again.'

For the first time in a long time Hoshi began to wonder if his rage was really necessary. He secretly knew he could sympathize with that shinigami's story and actions. He had also lost a parent much too soon. However, instead of forgiving him, he was becoming a lose cannon. He had started to act irrationally. Even daring to challenge the saisho's authority in front of the other captains. Of course, even with these thoughts swirling inside there was still the resolution that he was right. The Quincy could never learn to put down their bows. They would always fight the hollows to protect those they loved. Even if it meant the destruction of all humanity in the process. Of course this meant that Hoshi must be prepared to fight for what he loved. He couldn't let the selfishness of a few people take away his happiness.

Hoshi released his grip and turned his back to the man. He doubted the man had the reiatsu to withstand his own, and he quickly lowered his own. There was no reason to let normal people be dragged into my feud. A strong wind began to pick up over the night sky as walked away, but then he felt a sudden pulse of energy towards his right. Hoshi released Sayuri from the illusion of the harisen and deflected a cero.

Before him now stood an elongated man dressed in white. He had straight red hair and sinister black eyes. He was probably about 8 feet tall. A mane of bones jutted out of his neck and connected to his collar. Finally there was a rather large perfectly rounded whole in his chest. "Whats an ugly fellow like you doing in such a beautiful place arrancar" he asked the unsightly fellow. The arrancar answered him with another blast of cero and dashed in after the initial blast. Hoshi shouted,"Hirogari hon Tsubasa Sayuri." Two overgrown blades connected by a long black grip sprouted into Hoshi's hands. They were locked in a position to that of a spread apart yin-yang symbol. He Deflected the cero with one end and the arrancars kick with other. "Well if you don't have a reason for being here, would you please die for me." Hoshi asked with a smile upon his lips.

[Malik Ghanaam]

Malik quickly realized that the shinigami seemed to be standing down without much need for reiatsu-based threats and showboating. Thank God. Malik much preferred to keep out of the affairs of Shinigami, and an excuse to avoid a fight with one was a blessing indeed. No need to rekindle the flames of war, right? He was unsure of the man's association with Soul Society, but could guess that he was at least lieutenant-level. Should he decide to fight (Malik sure as hell wasn't going to instigate anything, Hitoshi would have his head on a pike if he did), he would certainly prove formidable.

Fortune smiled on him tonight as long as this shinigami did not challenge him.

As the tension in his chest finally ebbed away, he smiled, easing back into a state of relaxed optimism. He was considering attempting to converse with the unknown shinigami, asking him what he was here for, why he would broadcast himself so. Such questions were to be expected after that show, yet Malik felt as though asking may provoke the man, remind him of some dark purpose for which he had originally arrived.

There was no time to dwell on that, it appeared. The beauty of the sands was marred by the arrival of a disgusting creature, an arrancar, who fired a cero at the shinigami. The shinigami occupied the thing with his release (which looked impressive), giving Malik time to engage his bow. The sweeping golden weight of Alemqeds Alesqer felt good in his hands, steady and real in the face of everything he had weathered to date. He nocked an arrow, smiling as the crimson bolt hummed with growing power. As it reached its peak charge, he released it, spearing the arrancar with raw reishi.

The attack kicked up a torrent of dust, and Malik quickly disassembled the bow on the off chance that it had survived. The choice proved wise, and much to his chagrin, his arrow had done little to harm the arrancar. ”Well…I suppose it was worth a try.” A small, embarrassed smile flitted across his face as the arrancar turned its attention to him.

[chrollo]

An azure light burned into the atmosphere and exploding in a stunning beauty near the arrancar. Hoshi could feel the immense pressure of the reiatsu behind the arrow as it collided against the arrancar's head. A cloud of dust and reishi swarmed through the area. Hoshi's mouth was agape as he turned towards the black haired man holding a quincy bow. Fear began to sprout in his hands and legs causing sudden shakes. He could immediately apprehend that this man was quite a powerful being. The thought of him quarreling with a captain level shinigami and surviving was not completely implausible. The power he let out was enough to vanquish a normal arrancar he thought to himself as the dust began to clear, there was no way he would still be alive. Yet the face of beast was completely unscathed.

This is really not good he thought himself as the arrancar let out a deafening roar. It seemed to be enraged by the Quincy's sudden attack. It charged straight ahead using sonido. Hoshi was perplexed at what to do. This beast was clearly terrifyingly strong. As a captain he should be calling for his limiter to be released right now, and fighting alongside the quincy. However, the white, crimson haired beast was now about to fight his enemy for him. Hoshi debated his next action for only a split second. The answer was obvious. He sent out the call for permission to have his limiter removed. The Quincy were his, and his alone to kill. To let a filthy arrancar take away the joy of cutting into this mans fresh unscathed flesh would be a disgrace to his name. Hoshi called out, "Tsubasa Ekirei, Nagai." Two black wings of immense length sprouted from his back, and Hoshi could feel the empowering sense of speed as he flash stepped after the red haired arrancar . Meanwhile his shikai changed positions, forming a long double bladed staff. Hoshi unlocked the blades,and like a whirling flail, swung at the beast who was engaging the black haired Quincy.

[Malik Ghanaam]

((Criminy jimjams, it’s awful that these are taking so long. You’re awesome for being patient with me, urgh…))

Malik glanced the way of the Shinigami, unsure whether to consider him ally or enemy—against the monster before them, he was sure that petty arguments had no place. Its approach was blindingly quick, and Malik chuckled; it seemed his back attack had angered it. There was no time to ready another shot, and even if there had been there was no guarantee that one more could destroy it. With a glint of steely confidence in his eyes, he unhooked a Seele Schneider and it hummed under his touch. He anchored himself against what was sure to be a powerful opponent, taking a guarding stance as it flashed forward with clawed hands.

It was powerful beyond any other arrancar he had encountered; all of his strength had to go into throwing it back. It was only when he succeeded that he realized that the captain had joined the fray. I can certainly say I have never seen a zanpakutou that could do that… Such a grim appearance—almost arrancar-like. [/color]

The captain’s weapon sliced through the arrancar’s hierro as though it was paper, the force sending it right back at Malik. He wasn’t about to let an opportunity to do some damage slip away. As the beast whirled around to attack the captain, Malik retreated with hirenyaku and brought out his bow. The Seele Schneider would be stronger than his own arrows, and faster, but he felt a tinge of dismay at the prospect of wasting it. He bit the proverbial bullet and nocked it without further hesitation, firing it once again at the beast’s back with a flash of white light.

Good…if we can keep turning it around like this then this battle should not be too hard. I hope you enjoy tennis, shinigami…[/i]