Under The Sky of Marseille (Open)

[ashlotte]

The events from that had to due with Aizen were over. To Ashlotte, she felt it was only one thing out of her way. In all honesty, she was going to kill Aizen herself eventually. However it seems her main priority was not complete. As she wandered Heuco Mundo, she found her way out into a city. The time seemed like it was midnight...dark, only few lights. In addition the weather was slightly cold, a occassional breeze. The city seemed like it was made upon a hill and at the top a grand church.

“Notre Dame de la Garde... I must be in Marseille, France” Ashlotte said to herself.

Although Ashlotte was originally born here, she had no memories of the city. She only seen pictures in her mind of a city, however even those were fading. Ashlotte traveled on the side walks of course unnoticed. As she walked the streets, Ashlotte passed many old features from her past but without notice. From the alley where she died, to her very own estate which seemed to be a part of Marseille history now. The church next to it was burnt down. The only thing Ashlotte thought to this was why keep an old building standing with no purpose.

Little did the Arrancar know that supposively there was another arrancar who resided and fed off the people here. The soul society was already contacted and tracking the arrancar there but was it for the right one? Perhaps they would go for the first one they see. Ashlotte made it to Notre Dame de la Garde. She stood outside for the time being looking at the church until two minor shinigami came around. They gave told her to back down and go down easily because they knew her crimes. “What crimes? Ashlotte asked however they smirked and decided to attack. She defeated them easy enough but now that she had the blood stain of shinigami on her blade. how will this unfold? She drew her symbol and prayed to the “Maker” after sheathing her blade. A travel through the city, possibly just became a battlefield and another part she had to survive. The only thing could chant was being said.

“May those who confront the followers of the Maker with dark intentions suffer within your flame and power”

[byakuya]

The sound of knuckles cracking seemed to echo through the Captain's Office of Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain of the Rukobantai - the Sixth Division. In his right hand he held an expensive ink pen, while his left hand was on top of the desk his papers were on, supporting the weight of his upper body. He was reviewing multiple pieces of paperwork, signing documents, and sending them to their respective organizational folders. This specific paperwork was a request from a lesser noble family in West Rukongai asking the Rukobantai's Captain, Byakuya Kuchiki, for a small amount of funding to expand their family compound. Formally and respectfully, he wrote a note to the Head of their Family, who went by the name Hakudoshi Rentai of the Rentai family; the note explained that while he took interest in the idea, the Gotei Thirteen was a non-profit military organization, they did not get paid for any reasons other than doing their job, and as a Captain, his funds should stay with his own family, as well as the upkeep and welfare of his Division. He thanked the man once more in his note only to sign in rather large, cursive Romaji, "Kuchiki Byakuya, Taicho no Rukobantai".

His keen ears detected foot steps fast approaching his door, and had set down hi pen, and pushed the paper aside. He looked prepared, with both of arms lavishly crossed, and him sitting formally as an unseated Shinigami, a new recruit of the Rukobantai [he could tell simply by the man's walking pattern. Untrained and foolishly strong] knocked reverently on Byakuya's door. Kuchiki-Taicho! May I please come in? the voice asked. Byakuya replied without words, only with a simple, loud, to-the-point, "Mmhm". The door flung to the side, opening too quickly. Perhaps the Shinigami brought news more important than Byakuya had thought? The black haired female who had entered the room gave a deep bow and proceeded to explain that reports from the Twelfth Division had picked up the reiatsu signature of an Arrancar in France. With most of the Captains on Soul Society on some sort of leave [as they were not particularly active in their duties] the Twelfth Division had sent word to the Rukobantai instead of any other Division. With a nod, Byakuya acknowledged this news and sent the Shinigami on her way. He would deal with it. He had enough of the Arrancar - all of Soul Society has. With the war only having just ended, this Arrancar was either a fool for coming to the World of the Living, or ignorant of the events his race had been a part of.

Byakuya was well ready, and was able to skip readying himself for a trip, as he had his Haori, he has his scarf, and he had Senbonzakura. He lavishly made his way from his Captain Quarters all the way to the Sixth Division Courtyard, where a Senkaimon and a Hell Butterfly were waiting. Upon the dismissal of the female Shinigami, Byakuya had instructed her to inform the keepers of the Rukobantai Jigokucho and the Rukobantai Senkaimon to ready them both for him. He had decided not to send Second Seat - Leiutenent Renji Abari for the simple reason that every time he departed for the World of the Living, he seemed to catch up with Kurosaki Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia and get himself into some sort of trouble. Despite Kurosaki not having his powers anymore, he was sure he and Rukia could get themselves into some sort of trouble. Which is why he was going, and not Renji. He had in his hand his Taicho-Soul-Phone, with the coordinates of the Arrancar already plotted. It seemed the darned thing was in a city dubbed "Marseille" in the country of France. Either this Arrancar had taste, which Byakuya somehow doubted, or there was a deeper reason for the Arrancar to be in France. It wasn't every day an Arrancar chose NOT to go to Karakura, as it was the city with the most spiritual activity. Meaning the best food for creatures of the hollow race.

Through the use of the Jigokucho, Byakuya did not have to pass through the Dangai Precipice world on his way to the World of the Living, and instead arrived right in France. The Senkaimon was to put him 50 meters in the air, and not on the ground. It gave him the advantage o hopefully remaining unseen, while at the same time allowing him to get a good look at the city and interpret any possible damage. Upon exiting the Senkaimon, Byakuya quickly noted that it was dark outside, and by the position of the stars, distribution of light in the sky, and human activity, Byakuya would guess anywhere from an hour before midnight, to two hours after midnight. The exact time did not bother him a bit.

Instead of conducting the earch with near flawless precision through the continued use of the Shinigami Soul Phone, Byakuya relied on hi personal use at detecting Reiryoku. He made a mental note that despite the limiter placed on nearly every Shinigami who enters the World of the Living, the very same limiter that reduces a Shinigami's reiryoku output by 80% [this was so that Shinigami don't come to the World of the Living, and their energy do massive amount of destruction.] if the Arrancar were a good detector himself, he may be able to detect Byakuya's presence before Byakuya could find him. It wasn't entirely likely, but it was a possibility. His search for the Arrancar led him passed an alleyway. There were bodies of two dead Shinigami laid nearby, which Byakuya took note of as he passed. He followed his senses to the city and to a female with dark skin, white clothing, with white hair. She bore a striking resemblance to Yoruichi Shihoin, though that was simply because the dark skin and oddly colored, long hair. Aside from that, she had a zanpakutou strapped to her waist, and it appeared rather droopy. Byakuya cleared his throat, and stared at the woman, who would know of his presence in a matter of moments. What is an Arrancar doing in the World of the Living? he asked, his voice relatively monotone like usual, with only a hint of curiosity.

[ashlotte]

“What is an Arrancar doing in the World of the Living?”

“And shall the Maker--”

Ashlotte stopped in the middle of her prayer as she heard the captain speak in a montone way. She turned, of course not being able to see except sensing the reiatsu around him. The power he let off began to even make hers activate slightly more then it does. Her red reiatsu leaked a bit faster but she didn't pay much attention to it. She stood up and then turned her body around completely, the chain rattled the blade went back down to the ground after positioning herself to stand. Ashlotte then moved her hair away from her face then breathed slightly and calmly sighed. The wind of the night shifted by her making some of her hair fly towards the right.

“Shinigami...? You are the same as those, which I have fought earlier but stronger... Perhaps I can get your name? You seem a little more understanding then those which I met up earlier... they were reckless and ruthless attacking me with no explaination. Perhaps you would give me the explanation I am looking for... the explanation that would give you the reason to attack me? I wandered here not long ago through a portal.. Walking the streets of this city. Its quiet and peaceful.. and this chapel really does seem like a fitting place to see... The maker enjoys it as well... but... what he did not enjoy was the fact that I, Ashlotte, The Scarlet Priestess was attacked for no reason. Its as if all shinigami have a blood desire... Hear me now, I know you didn't come straight for blood and you want answers from me too... which is why the Maker decided you shouldn't die by me, which is why I have no desire to fight you. You came here by pride and meaning to protect. Am I right...?”

She said with her english accent mixed with the cold and hollow banshee-like tone. The arrancar stood with her arms folded, with body language she showed no reason to fight without the explanation first. Few birds flew from the trees and eventually behind her... the mark that she drew from dirt blew away as well. She slowly waited for the captains reply hoping he would make any sudden movements, as she said she wanted answers as well and if they were to fight neither of them would get what they want.

[byakuya]

The Arrancar turned, Byakuya obviously having startled her or removed her from her thoughts. It wasn't like he cared, either way, because that's exactly what he was here to do. Regardless, she turned to Byakuya and started speaking. She called him a shinigami, then said he is the same that she fought, but only stronger - the ones she fought definitely weren't of the Captain Class. She asked for his name, to which hi initial thought was similar to when former Septima Espada Zommari asked his, You want my name? Why bother. We aren't even on the same level.... Supposedly by coming here to rid the Arrancar of her presence in the World of the Living, she had came to the conclusion that he was more understanding than the others. Others have attacked her 'without reason' she said, and she wanted an explanation for that. She believed Byakuya was not here for blood, and she concluded that is why the Maker didn't have him die by her hand. She questioned his being-here, making a bland assumption that is was due to pride and meaning to protect. Only partially right.

My name is of no use to you. he replied incredibly bluntly, the look on his face the scowl he kept so dearly. He decided not to reply to any of the the things she said after, up until the part where she made her assumption. You do not know me, do not try and guess. he replied, closing his eyes and walking forward, completely passing the female. This was a bold move, but more of a show of fearlessness than anything else. After he was a few stride behind the female again, as if he was about to leave, he simply stopped. The flea has no reason to know about the dog. he concluded, implying that she, as one of the hollow race, was a flea, and that the shinigami were the hot: the dog. He sought answers, not questions. He cared little for the answer, as he has already drawn the appropriate conclusions from an earlier scenario. Those two dead shinigami had to have been from her. Fresh corpses, no other hollow... an Arrancar who spoke of shinigami attacking her. It had to of added up.

He didn't even bother to ask, there was no point in it. He had got the idea to perform his signature Senka and simply end the Arrancar in one hit. It wouldn't kill her, but it would remove all her powers. Since the Arrancar and Shinigami spiritual anatomy were more or less the same, if Byakuya's Senka were performed, the jab in the center of her chest would effectively remove all of her powers. He had performed this technique on Ichigo Kurosaki, which it worked effortlessly on. However, the strawberry-headed boy had developed his own powers, not Rukia's, through the training of Kisuke Urahara. However, the thought of performing Senka was quickly diminished, it would do him no good to leave an Arrancar corpse on the ground, as that is exactly what he would do. She wouldn't die, and he wouldn't take her else where, so she would simply sit there, beaten and mangled. No, performing Senka was not the thing to do.

Behind the female's back, and likely where she would not be able to see it, but surely hear it, he placed his right hand on the lavender hilt of Senbonzakura. Effortlessly, he drew the sharp and deadly blade, and held it carelessly by his side. Tell me, it was you who killed those two Shinigami by the alleyway, wasn't it? he asked calmly, his eyes still closed, his head tilted slightly downward. The answer to this question was all he needed. Whether or not she said yes, no, or spoke in long sentences [which he would personally not recommend, as if she spoke in long sentences, he would strike her as she spoke] he would attack anyway. Such was the duty of the 13 Court Guard Squads.

[ashlotte]

“May those who confront the followers of the Maker with dark intentions suffer within thy flame and power”

She said clearly giving the hint that she was the one who killed them. She read the captain like a book from how he treated her. She didn't like his tone however, she did like how he showed his honor. Seeing how the shinigami walked behind her made her feel quite uncomfortable. It was obvious, he was thinking of doing something but what? Regardless the arrancar walked a away and turned around.

“Allow me to be persistent and ask what your name is once more. If you do not answer, you will not get anymore questions from me. Also I can try and guess especially if I'm correct... Do not let your ego get in the way of how social you can be... Either way, there is always going to be a being higher then you... and thats the Maker... So, what is your name Shinigami? And what is your intentions of attacking me?”

Her hand sat on the hilt of her zanpaktou in her mind she still had no reason to fight the shinigami. She followed the makers will directly. She didn't care for what Byakuya presented or shown, she would be persistent and continue unless she got answers. She continued to think back in her mind through all of this as the wind blew.

“Could it be the maker sent me here...to slay this other Arrancar … perhaps, it Is my duty to end his pathetic life... being on the maker's realm yet not being worthy... perhaps so... perhaps not”

[byakuya]

It was as though he could feel it; he could feel that the way he moved made her uncomfortable, though only slightly. He could tell she wasn't entirely fond of him, as not many were. But he could, however, know what she meant by her odd sentence. She had confirmed in her own strange way that she had indeed killed the Shinigami. What irked Byakuya is the talk of this "Maker". A spiritual being, Shinigami or not, should know there are no gods. A god is something a human perceives. Humans perceive the Shinigami as angels, and their leader as God, while the hollows were perceived as demons, and their leader Satan. She must have some sort of human mind, that was further from the general mind set of Shinigami and Hollow. Did she not know entirely what she was, or the truth about the World, or was it Byakuya who did not know? He preferred the latter explanation. He heard the foot steps of the Arrancar as she turned and walked away. She was in his view now that he made a few adjustments to his very own position.

She has insisted upon knowing the man's name, but Byakuya simply would not budge. I will not repeat myself he replied simply, before raising his sword up, where the tip was pointing the sky, and it ran parallel with his own body. He closed his eyes as he began the release of his shikai. Chire... he began, reciting the Japanese word for "scatter". As he said it, his entire blade shone of pink, Senbonzakura he finished, allowing the blade to disperse into a few thousand cherry-blossom blade fragments. Instead of attacking with them off the bat, he simply released his blade, allowing the blade fragments to make a large mass behind him. They sounded as though they were leave rustling in the wind, but it was simply the noise made from the wind bouncing off and passing through hundreds upon hundreds of pieces of steel. He wanted this over quickly, but not without a slight explanation.

You are of the Hollow race. he stated simply, a fact this female had to know. If she hadn't remembered her time as an individual among countless other Menos Grande, then shame on her. He would make this explanation as simple as he could. And I am of the Shinigami race. he said once more, as deeply monotone as ever. The hilt of Senbonzakura was gripped firmly in his hand, with the blade in a large mass behind him. He gripped it a bit tighter as he continued on, Us Shinigami in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, the Gotei Thirteen, are charged with killing you, the hollows. he continued. He wouldn't dare go into details - if she would not be able to see the justification in the act, then possibly upon purification of her soul, along with the countless others, she would see. That's all there is to it. he finished, while at the same time directing the hilt of Senbonzakura calmly towards the female Arrancar, while concentrating the mass of blade fragments to fly towards the Arrancar. He did so in a fashionable manner, making the mass flow out in intricate streams, jutting out in curves, but all headed towards the same destination. They weren't aimed for a specific part, like the head or the chest, rather, they were aimed to mass around the female and cut her from any conceivable angle. Let this end quickly.

[ashlotte]

In Ashlotte's view, all she could see was the reiatsu of the petals moving around her. She wasn't impressed and was rather calm about the situation. Around the wind was strong and things looked fearsome but she didn't say any words. She just sonido from within it and stood further away from Byakuya off to the side. She would've jumped upon Notre Dame's bell, however, she did not want it harmed.

“For one to call me a hollow, you have a hollow personality, high ego, lack of social skills, quite a cold personality... I will give you that your ability is quite a beautiful sight. I don't feel like raising my blade to someone the Maker believes to feels should not suffer the fate of death... I do not feel like sparring with you and to be blunt red and pink don't match...”

The bell on Notre Dame rang as strong wind blew from Byakuya. The hollow was still facing his direction of course it was unknown if she were looking at him or something else. Her hand was still calmly on her Zanpaktou. After that Sonido a little more of her reiatsu leaked but shortly after cooled down. Fighting for no reason wasn't Ashlotte's intentions and none of her questions were answered. She could only oblige if it was the right judgement. She thought of what he said about her being a hollow and him a shinigami. “I know what I am... Simple Shinigami.. perhaps rabid Hollows, can be punished and purified but all for no reason is pitiful, Maker shall I purify every single one of them or are there those whom understand? For some to call themselves gods of others... yet not even give an explanation as to what is going on...tch”

She began to walk down the steps without care. She didn't care much about the shinigami. She just wanted to think possibly about the other Arrancar around here... or what she needs to do here. Two possible answers could be made, especially since she has a hostile Shinigami about her. She kept her hand on her Zanpaktou is it dragged on the ground. You're able to hear the sheath hit some of the stone steps.

[byakuya]

Byakuya was impressed at the speed in which the Arrancar escaped his Senbonzakura with. For being a bit low on the power scale, she had an impressive high-speed-movement. His eyes followed her movement, however, as her speeds were no match for his, thus it made tracking her movements all the easier. His eyes followed her to landing on top of a building, near a bell used for some sort of University. She called Byakuya himself hollow, for calling her a follow with the personality traits he possesses. Her words meant nothing to him, as they were made out of opinion, unlike his which were wrought of simple fact. Things in life didn't have to make sense or be completely justified - opinions don't count in a world filled with undisputable facts. One would have to simply agree to this simple fact, and live life accordingly. Like Byakuya did. He lived life by the facts, and did his job. He would not sleep any less at night knowing he had somehow upset this female, or anything of the like.

A strong gust moved by, which moved the bell, causing it to ring slightly. The female began a subtle departure, turning around and walking off. She walked off, her body slightly becoming less and less visible as she made her way down stone teps. Each step caused the sound of metal against stone as she drug her Zanpakutou. Byakuya wouldn't have such a simple departure - it was an insult. With a shunpo likely quicker than the female could fathom, he simply swooshed up to the top of the building, where she was departing down steps. He lifted up his left hand, his hand that was not holding the hilt of Senbonzakura. His blade fragments were flowing calmly behind him. Without a care in the world, and the Arrancar female in his sights, he pointed the first two finger on his left hand at the female, and spoke, Bakudo nu Rukoju-Ichi, Rikujokoro. and almost like magic [lol, magic... kido...lol] six rods of condensed energy appeared from thin air and slammed into the female's midsection. He knew his power was limited, but was also confident it would hold for a reasonable amount of time. The difference in power was rather high, after all. You're not off the hook... he said, referring to the death of the two shinigami from the alley.

OOC: Sorry for the short post. I shall compensate ^_^

[ashlotte]

She due to her perception of seeing and sensing reiatsu she could still follow his movements, and then stopped when the shinigami summoned the bright yellow rods of reiatsu and surrounded her. She stopped and crossed her arms over her face and her head tilted down for a moment. Suddenly a strong gust of wind came around her. Suddenly her bright red reiatsu's power emerged. However this was only 5% it is unknown how it looks until she uses ressurection. The wave of reiatsu spreaded out to the rods and it with the reiatsu disappeared... During this you could hear Ashlotte's loud cry out as if it was slightly painful. Once it released, She had little cuts on her arms and legs but nothing that wouldn't heal from a day or two.

The wind stopped and Ashlotte looked back at him.

“You don't have a reason to try to attack me and since you're so pitiful to not give me an answer nor a name “Shinigami” I rather just ignore and treat you as if you didn't exist. I have things to do and take care of... One to be finding out just exactly what is going on here since you are powerless to answer it. You show such power yet I feel you have no intelligence to answer even the slightest questions... There must be a reason why the two shinigami attacked me other then the fact that “I'm just a hollow”. For one, they seemed like they knew what they were after as if a Arrancar wanted to be known and thats the only clue... anyways I must be off “Shinigami”.”

Once again she sonido'd out. A red reiatsu flashed to increase the speed and Ashlotte had moved from Notre Dame. She arrived at the docks, it was well lit by street lamps. The moon reflected off the water, heavy waves came in. Her head moved side to side as if she was looking for someone. She felt as though she may feel the captain's reiatsu shortly. So she began to walk into town possibly pick information up .. that is if she could...