Desert Rose {Closed}

[Kurosawa Ryou]

Cooing softly Ryou smiled up at Hallibel in a manner that was almost bashful, "Why my dear Halli-chan, of courssse I would never ssshy away from the face of my Mistresss. Thisss old hound thinksss that you look wonderful no matter what your face looksss like." There was no attempt at flattery in the Shinigami's voice. It was quite obvious by the way that he spoke, that he meant every word. Ryou's honest nature when it came to the Arrancar was what had earned her trust after all. Plus he had never been one to lie to someone just to make them feel better about anything. The Lieutenant really found Hallibel to be the most beautiful of all his Mistresss... every one of the Arrancar's forms had something about it which the man adored. It also seemed that every single one had things in common which he enjoyed seeing. "In fact Mistresss you could hide thisss face from me forever and yet and I would ssstill be happy to gaze apon your other face for the ressst of eternity if that wasss your wisssh for this dear old hound dog." Had he not been somewhat some what scared of what it was that his Mistress might do... the Shinigami might have moved closer to her again. His enjoyment of his proximity even in this form was such...

Ryou's eyes followed the direction in which Tiburon was pointing, and could sense the creature that tried to rise up from the sands. Like the ever watchful and good guard dog his hand instantly went to the hilt of his blade, but he didn't even have time to draw it. Before suddenly the creature that popped up from the sands evaporated just as quickly as it had appeared, leaving the Lieutenant even more amazed at his Mistress power. Looking back towards her as he took his hand off his blades hilt, Kurosawa knew that if she wanted to the Arrancar could have easily done that to him. As he listened to Hallibel speak though, he knew that this would never be the case. The way that she seemed to claim him as her own, and was firmly declaring it out to the rest of Heuco Mundo was something that touched Ryou on the inside. Kurosawa knew that Hallibel would always keep him safe, and now with the crystal that she had given him… it would extend to even when he returned to Soul Society. At the mention of his Bankai he realized that Hallibel had mistaken his question, at least to some degree… she was right. He would have to start the process of gathering information on how to bring out his Bankai in Soul Society, but as of late he felt that the actual act of doing so might fall on the shoulders of Hallibel and the Tre Beast.

“Mistresss forgive me if you misssunderssstood, but I was hoping to asssk for your assssistance in training to bring forth my Bankai. I can find the nessseccry information on how to bring it out in Sssoul Sssoceity, and do my actual training to do ssso here. If you would permit them, I believe the Tre Beassst would be good sssparing partnersss for thisss. From what I know achieving onesss Bankai hasss a lot to do with being pussshed to your very limit when it comesss to training.” He was sure that his Mistress would be able to arrange something, and maybe even spar with him some herself at some point. He knew it had been silly to ask if Mistress knew how to summon his Bankai, but he was quite sure that she and Tre Beast could easily help force it out of him. Ryou knew In’ei very well, and he wondered if put in the right situation, would she come to his rescue again? As for the idea of being able to rule the sands at his Mistress’s side, “Hallibel-sssama I will be counting down the daysss until that moment comesss. I do find my time in Sssoul Sssocity where I feel unwelcome to be getting on my nervesss more and more. Yet for you I will stay asss long asss you need me jussst like a good dog.” He just hoped that the day that Hallibel mentioned came sooner rather than later, because until it did… his Mistress was always in danger. It was something that he dreaded every day… something happening to his dear Mistress.

He stared at the sword in the ground before, and then looked into Hallibel’s eyes as a playful smirk crossed his face. Did his Mistress really need to ask this question of her loyal dog? After all that he had done for her, and all that he had sacrifice, the man felt that such a notion was a given, but Hallibel was a Queen. Yes she was a Queen to Ryou and a queen must have her knights to guard her, and any good knight should always swear an oath to his lady… or in his a case… a dog to his Mistress. “Mistresss Hallibel-sssama… you don’t even have to asssk thisss Mad Dog twice. The choice isss asss easssy asss breathing.” He stepped forward quickly and sunk down to his knees subserviently in front of Tiburon and stared at the ground, as he kneeled before his Mistress. His eyes only turned to look up at her every now and then before turning back to the ground. Not really sure what it was that she wanted from him in this respect, besides saying the oath. Yet he cast his eyes down out of respect for Hallibel unless she asked him to do something different, but he could not help the fact that they were drawn to look back up into the face of women whom he cared so deeply for… more than any other creature that he knew.

[Deleted]

“Well as I said. We can use the Tres Beasts to assist you in this. Fighting is what has made us Arrancar strong over the millennia we have existed. So I can only assume that having you can benefit from.”

She spoke rather bluntly as she stood there behind her blade. It was true that they knew full well that their world was a world of deception and destruction. A very sharp contrast from what she has heard of the Shinigami’s world. The world of peaceful existence where they could contemplate and take their time with evolution where if you where slow to evolve in the sands you died.

“I assumed that I would not need ask you to do any of this more than once Ryou. You have proven time and again to be the ally I had not thought of you when first we met. Though I believe it is time for our partnership to be more formally aligned. So I wished for you to take an oath and then I will make a mark upon you with Tiburon. I will not lie it will hurt and will hurt a lot. But when we are done it will prove your loyalty to me and the other Tres’. As you will be considered an honorary member of the Beasts.”

As she was speaking she walked around Ryou. Her reiatsu marking and scouring the sand with each step and it seemed that she was keeping it focused directly downward toward the sands. Though her movements seemed random they where deliberate as she finished speaking she was standing back at her blade. Placing her hand upon the pommel of her sword her reddened eyes looking down upon Ryou. Despite the serious look on the whole of her face she had a gentle smile upon it as she gazed at the shinigami. Internally she told herself. :: Always loved the look of a man on their knees before me. ::

“Kurosawa Ryou. Do you pledge yourself fully to the Reyes of the Sands? Do you pledge to come to her aid when requested and fight until death’s sweet release comes for you, or you are victorious over your opponent. Will you shed blood for and with the Tres Beasts and your Reyes.”

Speaking she slowly moved her hand to grasp Tiburon’s grip and pulled it out of the sands and brought it around to right beside Ryou’s left shoulder/neck area just above his shinigami robes. The blade did not move as she continued her speaking until she stopped to take a short breath. Knowing that this was a lot for the shinigami to deal with so she was giving it some time to digest with in him.

“If you swear to this oath then accept my blessing.”

A bluish flame perked up on her blade as she asked the final question. This was the final moment for Ryou to back out from the oath at this time. As he accepted Hallibel moved her blade and cut and then burned the skin at the base of Ryou’s neck with a single movement. Though she did it at a quick enough pace that the wound would be sealed by the flame instantly leaving a clean line upon Ryou’s neck. The blood upon the blade dripped into the sands but it did not last that long as she moved the tip of her blade over to her mouth and allowed a few drops to touch her tongue. As it did a visible shudder went through her and her Reiatsu swirled about the pair. Turning her gaze back to Ryou she smiled at him a little droplet of the blood on her lips.

“Rise then Ryou. The Guard Dog of the Reyes of the Sands.”

[Kurosawa Ryou]

Laughing in his usually maniacal manner, a sound that the Shinigmai had held back during his first couple of meetings with Hallibel… only letting it out after he realized that she trusted him. He looked up at her, “Your asssment of Sssoul Sssoceity isss not that far off my Lady Hallibel.” Ryou sometimes like to make variations on what he called his Mistress, but they all meant the same thing even if there occurrence was rare. “The Ssshinigami who live in comfort do not truly know what it isss to ssspend all of the time fighting for sssurvial. It isss sssomething that hasss been lossst sssince their old daysss. It hasss made them weak in waysss that they problaly don’t underssstand. I jussst hope that I wasss spared from thisss by In’ei’sss sssadistic treatment and the conssstant fight with my own inssstable mentality.” He knew what it would mean to fight the Tre Beast as training, and the Shinigami relished the idea of being pushed to survive in such a manner, “Ssso I am sssure that any benefit’sss I can receive at the handsss of Sun, Mila, and Appaci will be quite sssubstantial.” Kurosawa was glad though that his Mistress wanted to see him get stronger, and would do anything to help see to it at that end. He could not let Hallibel down in this regard… Ryou had to make sure that he achieved his Bankai.

As the Espada explained to him the ritual, Kurosawa found himself slightly amused. Did his Mistress not know him well enough by now to understand how much he enjoyed pain. The fact that it would be inflicted on him by her in order to mark him as her own only made things that much better. This was a moment that he knew he would relish for the rest of his life, and it would be a scar that he would never let heal… even if it meant asking for Hallibel to reopen whatever wound she planned to inflict on his body. The idea that he would soon be a honorary member of the Beasts humbled the Lieutenant, as he bowed his head low to the ground, “Thank you ssso much Hallibel-sssama for giving me thisss honor. I promissse you that I will not fail you without the failure being the end of my life, asss I have alwaysss promisssed to do when it comesss to protecting my Mistresss and the Tre Beassst.” He would not raise his head until he heard Hallibel starting to walk around him, but the Shinigami didn’t follow her with his eyes. The man showing how much he trusted the Espada by this very action, since he knew that he could trust his Mistress with his back turned to her, because… Hallibel was now the one he could depend on for protection… and he wouldn’t have been a very good hound dog if he couldn’t trust his Mistress.

The Shinigami laid his head softly again the blade that rested on his shoulder. His face nuzzled into it as he stared at Hallibel with a look that showed his complete faith and loyally to her. Barely had she finished speaking than Ryou answered her, taking the oath that she was giving him without a single moments thought or hesitation. Had he ever had any doubts in his mind if he was a loyal servant of his Mistress, they were no longer present. All that mattered at moment was the oath that he swore to her, “My Missstress Hallibel-sssama Reyesss of the Sandsss… Thisss Mad Dog plegdesss hisss life, loyalty, and sssoul to you above anything elssse in the world. Nothing ssshall harm a sssingle hair on you or on the head the Tre Beassst except over my dead corssspe. Whatever your will isss, I will be your arm and inssstrument to carry it out. My blood isss your to shed, my sssword isss your to ssswing, and body isss yoursss to do with asss you will. Anyone who isss your enemy isss mine, and anyone you order me to kill… isss dead unlesss death ssshall take me while I am in your ssservice. Thisss I swear to Missstrress Hallibel-sssama Reyesss of the Sssands, my life isss yoursss to command.” The Shinigami bowed low once more before rising back up so that Hallibel sword rested on his shoulder. He didn’t need any time to digest the oath that he swore, because to him any promise that he made to Hallibel, was absolute.

The moment that Hallibel started to cut the Shinigami didn’t even show a single sign of pain. Not a wince or a hiss, but instead just a grin that spread from ear to ear. Clearly visible to the Espada, because Ryou had pulled his hair out of the way, allowing her to see the happiness on his face at this moment, and avoiding his hair being caught in the blade. The Lieutenant also slightly leaned his neck into the blade, just enough to make sure that his Mistress’s cut would leave behind a scar that would not fade, yet not enough to seriously injure himself. Kurosawa wanted the Arrancar to know how seriously he was taking the oath that she gave to him, and how much the marking that was being placed around his neck gave to him. In fact he saw it as a something even more than that, which as Hallibel finished he brought his fingers up to gently touch over the scar as he noticed the Reyes licking his blood from her blade. The taste of which seemed to have a noticeable effect on his Mistress, and he could only think to himself, “There isss more of that whenever you want it my Mistresss.” Rising up he stood there before he when he finally spoke, “I am honored Missstress that you have finally put a collar on your beloved guard dog. One that will be around hisss neck till the end of hisss daysss… wither that be at your ssside or fighting in your ssservice.”

[Deleted]

As the blood swirled on her tongue she felt the shinigami’s reiatsu within the blood swirl within her and that is what caused her to shiver and shudder. It was a new sensation for Hallibel and it was a rather exciting one to her. She was still used to the reiatsu enriched air and food from within Heuco Mundo. So the fresh blood of the shinigami hit something deep and primal within her. When he spoke about her wanting to do that whenever she wanted an evil smirk crossed her face.

“Be careful with a pledge such as that Ryou. You may enjoy pain but I might bleed you dry and then you would be useless for your Reyes. As that blood of yours tastes sweet compared to the dull blood of the hollows of the sands. Always hard and their blood thick, but yours is like a fine wine. One that is only to be savored at special occasions and times.”

Her response to him stopped right as he spoke once again. Speaking about her finally putting a collar upon him made her smirk even wider turning it into a wicked smile. Turning on her heel she reraised her blade. The reiatsu about the blade made it shimmer and sound like it was humming because of the hollow cavity within it.

“I could always make it a true collar. You would want me to do that wouldn’t you Ryou?”

She asked as she turned her eyes wild as she looked at him. Tiburon hung in the air for a moment before she took the step in and cut the other side of his neck to create a matching scar. This time however she reached down and lifted Ryou to his feet with the flat of Tiburon. Moving in she bit the bas of the collar scar as she drew blood from him. Taking several moments to drink the blood as a vampire would she took a few steps back from him as a Garganta opened behind him.

“Go Ryou… Go before I use Tiburon and cleave you in twain in order to drink in all the blood that you have pumping within your veins.”

The hand was trembling that was holding Tiburon which was causing the large blade to do the same. It was evident she was more animalistic, more wild, less in control of her higher faculties. Stabbing Tiburon into the sands once again she used it to stand tall and proud despite the obvious animal nature coming back up.

“I said to leave now Ryou. Before I feast on you.”

[Kurosawa Ryou]

The man noticed an almost animalistic look in his Mistress's eyes at that point as she tasted his blood and stared at him. For a second the Shinigami actually became concerned. Yes Ryou did trust Hallibel with his life, but she was an Arrancar after all... and there was always the possibility that she might strike him down accidently in a state where she wasn't in her right mind. He couldn't help though, but enjoy her compliment because it was as though the Espada had been reading his mind. It also told him that he didn't completely have to worry about potentially being hurt by Hallibel yet. Laughing in his usually minical way Ryou winked at her saying, "It isss alwaysss the job of the guard dog to sssatisfy hisss Mistresss and sssee to her happinesss Halli-chan. It is more than the pain that I enjoy, but the fact that knowing you enjoy my blood ssso much that bringsss me the mossst pleasssure. Jussst let me know whenever you want it Halli-chan... and consssider me not only your guard dog, but alssso your persssonal wine cellar." He chuckled at his own play off what Hallibel had said about him... The Shinigami considered letting his Mistress drink from him to be an honor.

The Shinigami found that he was to get his wish, in more ways than one. "Nothing would pleassse me more Halli-chan... no dog is complete without a full collar after all." The instant that she moved in he repeated what he had done before. Leaning into the blade to deepen the cut, but being careful not to injure himself to much... and this time taking great care to quickly pull his hair out of the way. Letting it fall back forward over his shoulder, before suddenly he found that Hallibel had closed the distance between them. A look of confuse crossed the Shinigami's face, until the Arrancar grabbed him and sunk her teeth into the base of his neck. A soft moan escaped from Ryou's lips as he realized that the Espada was taking him up on his offer. "Oh Halli-chan..." Wrapping his arms around her neck loosely running one of his hands gingerly through her hair on the back of her head, Kurosawa pressed himself against her to cause the bite to go even deeper. The soft sounds of pleasure that escaped Ryou's lips showed the man was enjoying him immensely, and if his body could have handled it... he would have let Hallibel continue for as long as she pleased.

This was why when she finally pulled away he made a small noise of disappoint, as he reached up to rub his fingers over the mark that she had left. His fingers caressed through the warmth of his own blood, and gingerly poked into the holes that Hallibel had left behind. Kurosawa felt about the bite, the same way he did about the scar around his neck. That it was a symbol that his Mistress had claimed him as her own, and he would always belong to her... no matter what happened. He planned on taking good care of these marks... and doing even more to avoid them being accidently healed by some 4th Division idiot. It was why there where so many scars under Ryou's clothing... the man was very good at making sure things like that where never treated. He always wanted to have something that would remind him of a good fight. Yet even as Hallibel stepped away from him... Kurosawa knew that something was wrong with his Mistress. Like any good guard dog he could sense it... and the wild eyed look that she stared at him with only confirmed. The Espada was becoming more animalistic as the moments went on. He wondered exactly in how much danger he was in, but his suspicions where quickly confirmed when Hallibel told him to run.

Freezing in place Ryou found that he just couldn't do it. Even now when Hallibel wanted him to run... even now when she was doing it to look out for his own safety... Ryou found that he couldn't abandon his Mistress. Thinking quickly he began to wonder if it was her second release that was causing it. She had after all only started to act like since she transformed, and he couldn't recall any other time that she had. In a way it seemed to have reduced her to a more primal state, and he wondered if he could get her to come back. Steeling himself for something that could potentially sign his death warrant, Ryou knew that what he was doing was something that was in the service of his Mistress. Shaking his head, he stared directly into Hallibel fierce red eyes and said, "No... a good dog never abandonsss hisss Mistresss, even when ssshe isss the sssource of danger. Jussst lower your Segunda my dear Halli-chan, my eyesss have had plenty of time to feassst on it'sss beauty which I am sssure that I will get to do many timesss." Slowly he walked towards he knowing that at this point the Espada couldn't control herself fully, and anything that happened might be on accident.

Smiling softly at the Arrancar he reached out and placed the tips of his fingers on top of hers which rested on Tiburon. "Pleassse Mistresss jussst let it go, thisss old dog trussst you enough to know that you won't hurt him. If I am wrong though, then ssso be it... I can think of no better honor than to be cut down by my dear Mistresss blade, ssso that I may end up a feassst for her." Rubbing the top of her hand, he stepped forward again and wrapped his arms around her in another embrace. As he chuckled softly, while resting his head on her chest, "That way I could truly become one with my Mistresss forever, and nothing could ssseperate usss, becaussse I would alwaysss live in here." Gently he poke at the area above her heart, the double meaning of her eating him... and the fact she would always remember was something that he hoped she understood. "Whateveryou decide to do Mistresss... thisss old hound dog will be quite happy."

[Deleted]

Hallibel fought within herself as she had the desire to go around and kill as she had before she evolved into her state before becoming an Adjuncha. The hunters mind was taking over her mind as she started as a touch was felt on her fingers. Her head started up and glared at Ryou as he stood there. Hearing his words made her catch a breath in her throat. As she did the garganta behind her would shut suddenly as her reiatsu suddenly spiked as it hovered at her maximum levels for a moment as if she was trying to understand his words.

"R..Ryou... Y..You would willingly let me..."

As she spoke she felt him close in and wrap his arms about her once again. Once again she did not try to push him away in fact she instinctively wrapped ehr arms around him as if she was protecting him from an unseen enemy. Despite that the words seemed to have the desired effect as her reiatsu slowly started coming down from its peak.

"Willing... None would of... None ever have willingly..."

Her words came out as she let go of Tiburon and almost instantly the Segunda shedded away from her leaving her in her normal Ressureccion. It would take up to fifteen minutes of her just standing there holding him before she seemingly came to and spoke once again.

"You... did not have to stay. I would of.. been fine after a time. Thank you Ryou. Thank you."

[Kurosawa Ryou]

The Shinigami meet the Espada's gaze with an unflinching stare as he waited to find out exactly what his fate would be. He meant every word that he said when he told the other that he was willing to give his life for her, so why shouldn’t he be willing to give his life to her as a meal as well. Kurosawa took his oath to make his Mistress happy in any way he could very seriously, and ever since the night his sisters had died… ever since he had started to collect his Mistresses… his own life meant nothing. All Hallibel had to do was ask and Ryou would slit his own throat for her, she had already given him the thing he had wanted most. So why wouldn’t he do the same in return, he could not think of any reason to deny her request. As Hallibel’s retaisu spiked around them, the Lieutenant was glad that he had grown used to over these years. Even now he found his legs shaking under the strength of Hallibel’s power and being so close… It was only the support of Tiburon under his hand, and then his own hold on his Mistress body that kept him standing, as he looked her in the eye and said, “You have only to asssk Hallibel. I will fall on my blade myssself if that isss what you require, or would you prefer it a bit fresssher?”

Cooing softly when the Espada wrapped her arms around him, Ryou simply melted into the protective hold that she had on him. It was just like before because the Shinigami had a sense of safety when he was in Hallibel’s arms, but this time things where a little different, because at the same time Kurosawa felt like a protector. Pulling his Mistress closer to him, Ryou was letting her know that he was there with a simple gesture as he listened to her speak with such a sense of disbelief. He realized something about her in that moment… she truly was the Aspect of Sacrifice. It seemed like his dear Mistress was trying to protect him, but at the same time she was in such disbelief about the fact that he would willingly give so much to her. He waited a few moments before finally speaking, “Why are you ssso sssuprissed my dear Mistressss. Hasssn’t thisss old hound proven that he will do anything for you. Give anything ssshould you require it of him… including throw away the life he hasss alwaysss known. Why ssshould throwing away my life itssself be any different ssshould you require me to do so.” Looking up at the Espada who held him, Ryou brought his fingers up and cupped her cheek with his hand. The Shinigami’s long hair fell back over his shoulders to revel that large smile across his face that the man showed when he was happy.

“You told me once that you where consssidered to be the Assspect of Sssacrifice right? Ssso then Hallibel-sssama, why ssshould The Guard Dog of the Reyesss of the Sssands be any different than hisss Missstresss? In fact a guard dog isss jussst another extensssion of hisss Missstress. I ssswore an oath that my body, blood, and sssword where yoursss. Ssso doesssn’t that make thisss old hound by extensssion an Assspect of Sssacrifice by hisss Mistresss command?” He paused for a moment before continuing, “Whatever you asssk of me Hallibel I ssshall sssacrifice it for you without hesssitation. Pleassse know that you only have to sssay the word. Nothing would pleassse thisss dear old hound more than to sssacrifice for hisss Missstress.” Ryou let the silence fall over both of them as he simply stared into Hallibel’s eyes, there was a certain innocent about the man even though you could see the insanity swirling in his eyes… you knew one thing about Ryou. That his honesty was one that could almost be called childlike, and though it was sometimes to a fault, this was only the case when he was with his Mistress. Only Hallibel seemed to bring out this side of him, that was so trusting and willing to give in and trust that she wasn’t going to hurt him. Normally he was a very paranoid individual, and only Hallibel had earned his trust beyond a shadow of a doubt… even more than Soi-Fon ever had. When he saw that she finally faded back into her normal Ressureccion, the Shinigami knew that the Espada had decided that he should live another day. Either choice would have been fine with Kurosawa…

Letting Hallibel hold him in her arms, Ryou simply enjoyed the silence and serenity of the moment. His thumb gently stroking over her cheek as he smiled, wondering if she was going to break the quite… and indeed the Espada did exactly that. Her words of appreciation brought a smile to the Shinigami’s lips as he simply leaned up and did something that he hadn’t dared to do before. Planting just a soft kiss on his Mistress’s cheek, the gesture was something that was a mixture of both platonic affection and the more intimate feelings that Ryou truly felt for his Mistress. He just hoped that he wasn’t overstepping any bounds which was why he quickly added after he pulled back, “Your welcome Hallibel-sssama, a good guard dog never abandonsss hisss Mistress no matter what the sssituation. He alwaysss ssstaysss by her ssside until the very end, and that isss what I ssswore to do for you.” Pointing at the scar on his neck he then loosely wrapped his arms around hers and continued, “Ssso ssstand by your ssside till the very end issss what I will alwaysss do, wither it be asss a meal… or asss your faithful guard dog.”

[Deleted]

“There will be no sacrifices from you or from the Tres Beasts. That is why you all follow me. So I am the one to make the sacrifice for you all.”

Speaking plainly and calmly it was obvious that her mind was slowly coming back to her. To her it was a problem that her Segunda did to her. Returning the Reyes back to the self she kept carefully locked down and away. Though after her words of thanks where given and received and they had descended back into silence she received a shock. The feeling of Ryou’s lips onto her cheek. The usual bone covered and hardened cheek was soft to the touch and she felt the area heat up after the kiss.

Despite the initial shock the contact was not wholly unwanted. After her rampages that usually occurred when she lost her mind it was always the soft voices of the Tres that had brought her back to reality and helped her calm down. Instead of becoming prickly and angry about the kiss she instead just smiled as she did not move her arms from around him as she listened to him speak.
“Then you are a great guard dog… You are a very lucky man. You are the first to place a simple thing as a kiss upon my cheek and not have my wrath fall upon you. That is because here in the sands a mouth is used to eat an opponent. There is no tenderness, no soft intentions inside the mouths of the arrancar or hollows of the sands.”

Pulling back Hallibel looked down at Ryou with her smile on her face. Her words only cut off because she needed to take a few breaths. While she caught her breath she brought her hand up and touched the spot that Ryou kissed on her cheek. It still tingled just a little as she looked at him and continued speaking.

“Yet you shinigami. Your mouths can be filled with promises, sweet tenderness, and yet treachery all within the same breath. I know you have heard me speak on Aizen in the past but… do not think that my own anger would be subdued should someone else betray me. If they betrayed me I would not stop until I had them dead before me. Remember this Ryou. As for what you have done…”

Moving her hand she ran her finger on the marks she made on him. A faint smirk on her face as she admired her own handiwork upon the man’s skin. Shortly after that she reached and grabbed his chin to tilt and hold his head in place. Speaking up softly as she looked at him.

“Consider this repayment and a chance at testing to see if we can at least attempt to see that same tenderness that you shinigami hold so dear to yourselves.”

Without another word spoken she leaned down and gave the man a brief kiss before backing up smiling at him. Releasing her hold upon him she just smiled at him as she looked at Tiburon moving to a stone nearby and sat upon it.

[Kurosawa Ryou]

Gently he patted Hallibel’s cheek affectionately, before bring his arm back down to hang loosely around her shoulder again. The look on the man’s spoke volumes of his amusement, “That isss one promissse that thisss old guard dog would have a very hard time keeping. If I wasssn’t willing to sssacrifice for you Hallibel-sssama ssshould the moment ever arissse, then I would be negligent in my job asss a guard dog for you and the Tre Beastsss. I will promissse to be careful though, if that will satisssfy my Mistresss.” Ryou had no plans to throw his life away for no reason, but if it was something that Hallibel required of him then he would gladly do it without question. Like the human samurai’s of old, prepared to give there life for their Master… Ryou would do the same for his Reyes. Standing there in his Mistress’s arms Kurosawa careful watched the Espada’s face to gauge the reaction of the kiss that he had planted on her cheek. The observant Shinigami noticed the soft blush that spread across her features almost immediately, the sight of which warmed his heart. He had never seen such a reaction from his Mistress in all the years that they had spoken, despite the fact it was something that he had always sought after. Just knowing that she enjoyed his token gesture of affection was all the Shinigami really wanted.

Cooing softly when the Arrancar paused to run her fingers over the spot where he had kissed her. Ryou reached up and gently placed his hand on top of hers. “I wouldn’t sssay that my dear Halli-chan. Becaussse from your mouth thisss old hound dog’sss earsss have been filled with nothing but sssound of tendernesss and affection. The promissse of sssafety for loytally which hasss never once been betrayed… The tender praissses of a Mistresss to her Mad Dog whenever he doesss a job well done. All these thingsss and more I have heard fall from the lipsss of an Arrancar over the passst five decadesss. You my dear Mistresss are thisss great Arrancar who hasss tamed thisss crazed dogsss mind, with thossse kind wordsss. Ssso pleassse don’t compare yourssself or the Tre Beassst with the othersss who inhabit thessse landsss.” Ryou always included the three Fraccion in such things, despite the fact that most of his compliment was directed at Hallibel. He just didn’t feel right not giving the three whom he had grown a certain affection for their due… even it wasn’t the same thing that he felt toward Hallibel. He stopped talking whenever his Mistress began to speak again, knowing very well what she meant by her words. It was something that he had experienced for himself on a daily basis, and why he had turned himself from prey to predator at a very early point in his time as a Shinigami. It bothered him deeply that the Mistress had been so wounded by what happened with Azien that it affected her ability to trust him even to this day.

At least that was how he interpreted it. Even though he knew that his Mistress trusted him completely… sometimes it seemed like at the back of Hallibel’s voice there was always some lingering doubt. It was why Ryou worked almost non-stop in order to reassure his Mistress that he was nothing like that evil bastard who had betrayed her. “Mistresss if you have any doubt in your mind of my loyalty, then pleassse ssstrike me down and feassst from my body, and I won’t resissst. Thisss Mad Dog would rather hisss Mistresss know that he wasss fully loyal to her, from the act of hisss own death… than to live and caussse sssuch doubtsss to linger in her mind.” Ryou was quite sure that by this point that he had proven himself to the Espada many times over, but he just wanted to reaffirm it for her if there was ever any doubt in her mind. He would always be there for her, and he would always do whatever he could to protect his Mistress and the Tre Beast that served her. The mark around his neck was the symbol of his loyalty and was something that he took very seriously. Staring into the Espada’s eyes as she traced over his neck, Ryou cooed soft at his Mistress’s light touch. Leaning into the feeling of her hands on his skin ever so slight, the Shinigami smiled softly and closed his eyes as he enjoyed Hallibel’s caress.

Only opening his eyes again when she grabbed his chin, his large black orbs gazed affectionately back into hers when she spoke to him. He tried to speak, “Mistresss you don’t….” Yet his words where interrupted the moment that her lips touched his. For a second there it felt like his entire world stopped, everything frozen in place with their lips connected to each other. The Shinigami couldn’t even feel the beating of his own heart, the only thing that existed was the feeling of Hallibel’s lips touching his. What in reality was only a moment seemed like an eternity to Ryou who had finally been given the thing that he had desired for so long… a simple taste of his Mistresses lips. It meant more to him than anything, the fact that she was showing him the affection that he had showed her. Even when the Espada pulled away Ryou could swear that he still felt the lingering press of her lips upon his own. Standing there in what seemed like a stupor for a few moments even after Hallibel had walked over to the rock, the Shinigami whose face was now painted over with an adorable blush didn’t even move. It was quite obvious that the Reyes had caught him off guard, and even more obvious how much that kiss had meant to the man. When he finally recovered from the shock of it he just looked in Hallibel’s direction and uttered a single breathless word… “Mistresss…”

Even as it escaped his lips he had already started to walk over to the rock to sit down beside the Arrancar. Hoping that by this point he was no incorrect in his assumption that she didn’t mind his closeness, as he laid his head gently up against her arm. Pressed up next to his Mistress like this, was indeed where Ryou felt safe, “Hallibel-sssama, if that wasss a tessst to sssee if you could ssshow tendernesss, then I have to sssay that you passsed with flying colorsss.” A soft smile appeared on his shy and blushing face as he spoke. The male wondered exactly what the Espada had meant by those words, and he could only hope that it was what he had waited so long for. Whatever it meant, he was just glad that Hallibel had been willing to show him a side of her that he knew was probably rarely if ever seen.

[Deleted]

“It was a test Ryou. One for the both of us. For you to see just how far your devotion went for me. As if you let me do with you as I please than I know you do not fear me but you respect me. That respect includes your willingness to do things that most would shrink away from me for even thinking that they could do that. So I gave you an appropriate response. You are a good man Ryou and you are the first male let into this Reyes’ private court.”

She gazed out over the sands just beyond Tiburon as she spoke. It seemed the millennia of inner loneliness was easily evident on Hallibel. She always wanted someone to just speak with and not attack on sight. At first the Tres filled that role adequately but after meeting the man sitting beside her she had grown curious which had evolved since then into a mutual friendship. Now she was feeling happy and rather content with him being there beside her.

In the far distance she felt three extremely familiar reiatsu signatures coming toward her and Ryou. A smirk crossed her face as they where closing in on her. Reaching over she patted Ryou’s hand as she stood and began to walk toward Tiburon. Speaking as she walked.

“Now no mention of what occurred to the Tres. They would hurt you rather severely for the slightest favoritism I may or may not of shown. Though they will see your scars and will welcome you as a brother so be ready to get hit, teased, and more or less harassed by them for the foreseeable future. But I think you are alright with that aren’t you Ryou?”

As she placed a hand on Tiburon she resealed herself as the Tres entered sight range and Emilou Apache landed beside Ryou and smirked as she hit him on the middle of his back with a open hand.

“Welcome to the family shrimp.”

As she spoke Sun-Sung and Mila Rose landed beside Hallibel and they all chuckled lightly as they looked at Hallibel.

“We felt your reiatsu Hallibel… Is everything alright with you and Ryou-san?”

The words came from Sun-Sung as she looked back and forth between the two. Hallibel shrugged and smiled before speaking.

“Just an annoying adjuncha. It found out why it is you do not mess with a Reyes… That and Ryou is now one of us. He is the first male we allow into our inner circle so be gentle.”

[Kurosawa Ryou]

Nuzzling his head into the Arrancar’s shoulder, Ryou intertwined his fingers with those that where closest to him. “Why would ever ssshrink away from anything that my Mistresss requiresss of me? The idea of doing so isss jussst inconceivable becaussse all this poor hound dog wantsss is his Mistresss’s happinesss. Whatever I can do for my Mistresss that will bring her pleasssure, isss all thisss sssilly guard dog needsss to feel pleasssure himssself.” He found Hallibel’s trust in him to something that he cherished and he didn’t plan on letting the Arrancar down. The fact that she had let him become one of an inner circle that before had only included females, let the Shinigami know that he meant something special to the Esapda. “I am delighted at the dissstinct honor that you have bessstowed upon me Mistresss, and I can promissse you that your confidence in me isss not missssplaced. I ssshall do everything I can to continue to honor the faith that you and the Tre Beassst place in me.” Speaking of the Tre Beast, Ryou wondered if they would be showing up any time soon. The three Fraccion did not always appear at his meetings with Hallibel, but over time he had meet them enough that he had gotten to know them. In a way the trio reminded him of In’ei, and in some other ways his three younger sisters he had failed to protect… it was a mistake that the Lieutenant would not make twice.

Sitting there quietly at Hallibel’s side the Shinigami sighed softly as he listened to Zanpakuto scoff at his comparison of them to the three Arrancar. Sukai’s voice ringing out in anger, “What do you mean like them, I am nothing like that blue haired clown.” Even Ningy seemed to find herself insulted, “Yeah and the one with the big boobs doesn’t even know how to have fun cutting people into tiny bite sizes snacks.” The reaction that surprised Ryou the most though was In’ei’s… the sound of it was just dripping with venom, “If you even dare to compare me with that snake women Ryou dear… I swear I will do a little chopping of my own when it comes to you. We will see how far you get with Hallibel-sama then.” Ryou couldn’t help but chuckle out loud at his Zanpakuto’s annoyance over the whole situation. It was not that they disliked Hallibel or the Tre Beast, in fact they adored them, it was simply that they didn’t like being compared to the latter. It was one of his ways of teasing the three, and speak of the Tre Beast… Ryou picked up there reiatsu about the moment that Hallibel did. His only delay came from the fact that he had been slight distracted by In’ei and his proximity to his Mistress. Letting go of her hand that he was hold just as she patted it Kurosawa sat Indian style on the rock as the Espada stood up.

He understood exactly what meant, because he knew the Tre Beast long enough to know that they could be jealous creatures. The first time that he had met them, they had tried to kill him, but luckily the Mistress intervened. At this point though Ryou didn’t worry about it as much, since the trio seemed to have accepted him as one of their own, which was something that had taken time. So he knew that if he could make anything come of the way he felt for Mistress, then getting them used to that would take time as well. “I do not expect, nor hope that you would ssshow me any unnecesssary favoritisssm Halli-chan. After all I am sssimply your humble guard dog, and loyal ssservent and ssso there isss no reassson for me to expect anything more or lessss. That isss essspecially true if it would end causssing dissscord in our little family.” As for the very mentioning of the fact that he would get hit and teased, the Shinigami could only laugh, “My dear Hallibel-sssama I may not have told you thisss before, but thisss isss not the firssst time that I have had three playful sisssters to deal with. Believe me I know Sun-Sung, Apacci, and Mila well enough to now that I can handle anything that they ssshould throw at me. Bessside… a little pain jussst makesss thingsss all that much more enjoyable.” No soon had these words left his lips than Apacci had landed beside him and gave him a smack right on the back.

The hit made the man lurch forward just a little, before he looked over his shoulder and winked at the Fraccion with a smirk of his on, “Glad to be here, ssshrimpet… I almossst didn't sssee you down there for a moment.” Ryou was much more likely to be playful, and less likely to use honorifics with the Tre Beast whom he thought of as his siblings, but that didn’t mean that he didn’t color his words with the same respectful tone he gave Harribel, whenever they were being serious. At Hallibel urging for them be gentle Ryou couldn’t help, but saying, “Aww Mistresss you don’t have to sssay that on my account. I am can handle whatever thessse three decide to throw my way, essspecially Apacci… becaussse sssomeone hasssn’t been doing there pusssh upsss…” His joke referring to the weak nature of her hit. Of any of the three he liked to joke around with Apacci, because she was much easier to play with. If he wanted serious conversation Sun-Sung was the better medium for that while Mila was simply the middle ground in Ryou’s eyes. “Ssso I guesss it isss official, I am now part of thisss one big happy family… it feelsss good. Tell me though, did you three find anything interesssting while you were out ssscouring the wasssteland?”

[Deleted]

“I outta hit you for that shrimp… But enough fighting for the day. Cause we have something to celebrate now don’t we.”

Apacci dropped down to the sands beside the rock Ryou was sitting on. For the first time she extended her hand to assist the man off the stone. Though when Ryou took her hand she pulled him down onto the ground face first. Laughing loudly as she turned from him. After a minute she walked over beside the other two of the Tres and Hallibel. Mila Rose was standing a few feet from the rest of the group as she was standing guard as she always did as Sun-Sung was standing there speaking with Hallibel about anything they had seen. Hearing the question arise from Ryou Sun-Sung gave him the usual snake like grin and spoke up.

”Well we saw a few of the followers of Grimmjow, but since wea re in the neutral lands we did not strike at them. We left them to wander as they seemed to be lost. Though they seemed to be headed toward our home.”

As the words came from Sun-Sung’s mouth a slight twitch came across Hallibel’s features. It was evident she hated some of the lesser adjuncha and hollows that followed her fellow former Espada Grimmjow Jaegerjaques. Grasping the hilt of Tiburon she turned on the heel of her boot and then spoke up.

“Come Mila, Apacci, Sun-Sung, and Ryou. We have some hollows to destroy. Need to make an example of them to keep them from coming back and to instill the fear of the Reyes into them.”

Hallibel’s hand twitched as she held Tiburon hard in her left hand. Sun-Sung pointed out with her sleeved hand in the direction that they where to head. Mila approached behind Ryou as she took up the customary position at the tail end of the group as to guard their back as Hallibel was at the forefront. Taking a breath Hallibel spoke up and then Sonido’d out toward the direction they where heading to confront the hollows.

“No mercy for them my Beasts. Make them eat the sands firsthand.”

It took several minutes and they where there as a group of seven hollows stood there. Obvious that there was four adjunchas within the group and there was one standing upright that looked a lot like a vasto lorde caliber hollow. Hallibel smirked as the obvious leader walked out in front of his group.

“Sssssooo… I ssseeee that we have drawn ssssome attention. What can I do for you Misssss?”

The obvious lack of respect made Hallibel’s hand flex around Tiburon. She was getting angry at the male hollow and if he continued with his disrespect she would not hesitate anything. That would not take to terribly long as the man made a bad joke to the other hollows about Ryou and Hallibel glared at him before moving quickly and kicking the hollow into the air before following him in the air.

“Beasts. Not a single survivor from the group. Slaughter them all.”

As she caught the Vasto in the air she saw him smirking at her. Though the smirk did not last long as Tiburon began glowing golden as she swung her sword slicing the hollow in half in an effortless swing before she raised her hand up. A large cero began charging on her hand as she spoke up.

“And this is what happens to those that disrespect the Reyes Queen of the Sands.”

Firing off her hand a massive Gran Rey cero that incinerated the man as she looked down watching the Beasts fight.

[Kurosawa Ryou]

“By all meansss Apacci-chan… hit away. Of anyone except the Mistresss I did alwaysss enjoy your ‘hitsss’ bessst…” Playfully he teased and slightly flirted with Apacci at the same time. Though he wasn’t serious about it, given that his heart belonged to Hallibel… the Espada was the only one he would ever truly flirt with. At the moment he reached out and took the others hand, Ryou somewhat expected a trap, but that was the way he wanted it. Because he knew it would leave an opening for him to get Apacci back. Just as he suspect, his body was quickly slammed to the ground, a small chuckle emanated from his mouth as he looked up, and his hands snapped out to wrap around her heels. Holding tight as he pulled backwards to trip the Arrancar, “Have a nice trip Apacci… sssee you next fall!” His words had emphasis when he pulled back on the others legs to bring her to the ground. All the while laughing loudly as he watched the Fraccion face plant, and standing on his own two feet. Kurosawa though knew Apacci well enough to know that she would try and get him again if given the opportunity. So he eliminated her ability to do so, by reaching down and helping the Arrancar up, but not by the hand… yet by the back of her collar. Pull Apacci to her feet he smirked at her in a mischievous manner, “Come now my dear, I believe Mistresss Hallibel hasss a tasssk for ussse.”

Joining the other Tre Beast he ended up catching the tail end of what Sun-Sung was mentioning some hallows who dared to invade there home. When it came to factional alliances among the hallows of Heuco Mundo, Ryou could really care less who they were. If they were allies of Hallibel-sama then they were allies of his, but if they were the Mistresses enemies, then he would give them no quarter. He could even see the same anger in his Mistress’s eyes as she heard the news the Shinigami knew that he was going to get to flex his claws for the day. I had been too long since he had let In’ei out of her cage, it had always been to long since he let In’ei out of her cage. Laughing the Shinigami was quick to follow behind his Mistress, using his Shunpo to keep up with the Arrancar. Ryou’s dark black eyes seem to show with a bit of a blood lust as he followed… Kurosawa wanted the Mad Dog side of himself to truly come out. He was he Guard Dog of The Reyes of the Sands now… and he planned on making sure that these foolish hollows remember that in their moments. No one mess with Hallibel-sama, not over his dead body. As they neared the group of hollows Ryou had already picked out his target as he skidded to a stop in front the one that he assumed to be the second strongest of the group.

He just stood there silently as he rested his hand on the hilt of his blade and chanted, “Ayatsuru In'ei no Ningyôtsukai.” The blade formed up around Ryou’s hand into a bladed gauntlet, as his reiatsu flared out giving off the creepy and oppressive atmosphere around himself. The Adjunchas regaurded the Lieutenant curiously asking, “It sssseeem thattt theeee ladiesssss havveee founddd themslevesss aaa newww pet. Tellll me Ssshinigami diddd theyyy trainnn youuu wellll to make youuuu sssoo docileee? Or are you jussst a toyyyy for Hallibellls pleasssure” Kurosawa’s reiastu flared out even more, as he growled at the creature, “Nobody insssults the Mistressss like that.” His fingers started to flex and run the metal of the blades together in a clinking sound as he waited for his Mistress to give him the order to cut this creature down. There was no hesitation on Ryou’s part the instant that the Espada gave him the go head, “Yami no akumu…” Out of Ryou’s shadow six little grimlen looking creatures began to crawl. All them looked sleepy and tried, complaining about the fact that they were called for, and also each pair having matching glowing eyes of blue, green, and pink. The instant that his pets surrounded him they all turned to face the Adjunchas with a hungry look in their eyes, and long tongues hanging from their mouths. One of them that sounded like Ningy asking, “Is that the one we are going to eat Master?” Ryou laughed in a murderous way as he pointed to one of the weaker Adjunches whom Ryou felt needed an opponent saying,

“Kill that one my dear petsss, thisss one in front of me hasss insssulted the Missstresss and itsss life isss mine.” Hissing as he turned on the ball of his foot Ryou charge at the creature which tried to punch him, only to find it’s hit blocked by a kick which knocked the Adjunchas arm back. It also tried to hit him with its other arm too, Ryou mutter to himself, “Kage no tate…” A large wide shadow tentacle came up behind the man and intercepted the fist as Ryou pointed at the creature’s face, “Sssay good night… sssilly boy… Kage no ken…” A large sword tentacle shot up right out of Ryou’s shadow and came down on top of the Adjunchas, effectively slicing the creature right down the middle. As it faded away Ryou gently lowered his foot to ground, it was just about this moment that the hollow that he had sent his six little creatures after was also fading into dust. Deciding that it would probably be best to take out the last of the weaker ones before they interfered in the Tre Beasts fight, Ryou extended his gloved hand towards it and four of his shield tentacles flew in it direction grabbing each limb before it could escape. Then with a quick flex of his fingers the tentacles tore the hollow limb from limb, while two of his little creatures jumped up and used there sharp claws to tear it’s head from it body. Ryou quickly looked around to see where else he would be needed… not planning on letting any of his sister or his Mistress be hurt in the most minor way if he could help it.

[Deleted]

From her position in the air she saw the battle unfold beneath her. Mila, Sun-Sung, and Apacci dove straight in taking on three of the middle powered adjuncha. The sudden diving attack from the Tres catching them off guard and sending them flying toward a nearby dune. With a trio of fully powered ceros the nearby dune exploded as it impacted them.

A wide smile crossed her face at which the effeciancy and prowess the Tres dispatched their opponents. Her attention turned to Ryou and his zanpaktou. Having seen it in action in the past its abilities did not surprise her but the way he used them and with the ease he performed moves that at one time taxed him made her smile widen into a near chesire cat like grin. As the adjuncha was sliced in half by the tentacle she just let out a laugh as she floated back to the ground.

"Very effective there Ryou. You do a hell of a job. So much better than the weak kneed man on the glacier. So ruthless and so effecient. Now let us get going. The aftermath of a battle usually attracts the weaker hollows to feast on the losers."

Raising her hand a garganta opened for Ryou.

"Ryou get back to your kind. Just be careful my beast. When I need you I will call you."

With that spoken the Tres took off heading toward their base and Hallibel stood there as they exited earshot. She reached for his hand and gave him a squeeze of his hand.

"Be safe Ryou. Do not let any push you around and when we are ready to train contact us."

Releasing his hand she gave him a smile as she stood there collar zipped up tight to cover her mask.

[Kurosawa Ryou]

Laughing heartily as he quickly and effectively finished off the rest of their enemies the man bowed with a flourish towards his Mistress, “Thank you… Thank you… my lady… and germsss…” He said the last part playfully while turning to look in the Tre Beast direction. More specifically he was looking at Apacci. “Your praissse isss alwaysss a welcome sound to thisss preforming puppy dog.” He knew that she right though about the appearance of the weaker hollows, and despite the fact that Ryou knew he would be able to hold his own against such creatures. At the very moment he was not in the mode to fight them, given that he had to get back and make sure that no one noticed he was gone. Not only that but he had to secure some items that he could use to cover up the scar. He would probably use a scarf at first. Yet he wanted to get a collar and talk to a man he knew to get the stone turned into a pendent to hang down from the collar. Ideas where churning through his head on how exactly he was going to make sure that everything was covered up, and so that few… if any questions were asked. It was Hallibel’s words though that got his attention, “Why yesss of courssse Mistresss I will be waiting for your beck and call the moment that you need any more of my assssistance.”

Letting his fingers intertwine with hers for just a few short moments, he nodded at her softly before leaning up and planting a soft kiss on the Espada’s lips. “Do worry for me Mistresss jussst the thought that I will get to sssee your beautiful face again one day isss what will keep me on my toesss everywhere I go. Bessside now I am the Guard Dog of the Reyesss of the Sssand. What reassson do I have to hang my head low for another day. Such things will make my Mistresss look bad.” Laughing playful he gave her another kiss on the cheek as she let go of his hand, “Goodbye Mistresss and until next time we meet. I ssshall sssend word to you where I want the Tre Beassst to come pick me up for training.” Ryou had an idea of where he would be waiting, and he was sure that it would be a very safe place. It was one place that he had always felt draw to, a desert plain about 20 miles outside of Cairo, within view of the Pyramids of Giza. For some reason Ryou had always felt drawn to this spot… an old battlefield where it one felt the sense of history and the old death that had stalked it many years before. With his goodbye he retreated through the garganta and headed back to Soul Society confident that his presence had not been missed.