A Night Stroll {~Private for Lightning}

Cloud leaned against the walls of the training ground on an evening day. It was close to the weekend already and every shinigami in Soul Society was looking for a peaceful weekend to like either spend with the family, friends at bar or just stay at home sleeping. Cloud didn't yet have any plans for the weekend. His Captain also seemed to have plans of his own. Even though, a lot of the other Vice-Captains asked Cloud to hang out with them at one of the bars. He just wasn't into the crowded hang outs unless it was for safety orders. Cloud now turned his light blue eyes from the sky towards a patrol that was training on a kido attack. He sighed slightly out of boredom. They have been at this level thirty hado for hours now without being able to control it right. He had left some of the other seated shinigami try and pull it of for the others but they just ended up making all the new seated shinigami confused and starting to have minor burns. It was time for Cloud as the Vice-Captain to step in. He gave just a slow wave with his right hand as he started walking slowly to the middle of the training ground. All the patrols at the sign of seeing Cloud's wave stopped immediately and stood in lines once again. There was just about 1 hour left for their training and the Captain has been looking forward at completing this kido by the end of this week, Cloud was about to demonstrate for them how to fire a level 33 Hado.

"Observe me carefully you all" He said in a calm way as he gave them his back and was now facing the target board. He could hear whispers from behind him about how it was indeed a chance to get to watch a Vice-Captain in action. Cloud started to explain to them the basic points that they should have learnt back in the Academy then went on with the way of controlling the stream of Spiritual pressure and at the end it was time to show them a live example. Cloud stretched his right arm towards the target and started to generate the spiritual pressure he was now trying to make it at least as possible in order not to do a lot of damage and when he was ready he whispered out "Hado 33. Sokatsui" he then watched as the target got burned with the wall behind it. He at once started to hear cheers from behind him, he didn't know why at first since it was supposed to be extremely normal for a lieutenant to be able to do such a kido attack. But he didn't want to pull down there spirit right now he gave them a short smile as he went back to his spot to observe there training once again.

The hour passed by quickly and some of them were already getting the hang of it. Cloud was satisfied with the result at hand. He encouraged them all for a nice day of training and ordered them to dismiss. Everyone was happy now to be leaving. All of them looked dead tired after a hard day. It was time for Cloud to place his report on today’s training on the Captain's desk and leave as well. He walked slowly up towards the Captain's office. On his way he was thinking once again of what to do tomorrow. At first he thought of training, it was always a nice time for improvement of course. But then he looked down on his knee he had just started to heal from an injury from last week's personal training maybe it was better off to just rest this week. By now he was standing in front of the Captain's office. He knocked the door but didn't get any reply. He knew then that the Captain wasn't inside. He opened the door looking inside to find the place empty. He quickly placed the report on the desk and left.

When he returned back to the training grounds the weather had changed. It was hot and dusty from just a few minutes ago and maybe that was an outcome to the massive training. But now that weather was somehow cold and a cool breeze of wind touched Cloud's face gently. Cloud looked at the sky and smiled. It was defiantly a time for a night walk. It would for sure relax and help heal his body quick and free his mind. Yet, he had no fixed destination to head out to. He walked through the 7th division gates as the patrol guard standing there as stones bowed to his presence. He nodded back to them and completed his walk slowly leaning his back slightly backward and watching all the shinigami from around him. Some were talking about heading to one of the bars. Others were saying something about heading to something like party or whatever. He wanted to head to a peaceful spot and free his mind. Cloud never did like crowded places it made him tempered and uncomfortable. He knew that if he wants to rest in a peaceful spot it must be the bridge beside the 6th division. It was made by the Kuchiki family for their wealth of course to have something likes a lake and a few gardens surrounding it and a bridge that connects between the division and the Kuchiki-house.

Cloud thought to himself that it wasn't illegal or anything to just stand there since he wouldn't want to get himself into trouble with the Kuchiki-Heir. Those kinds of Noble families had no excuses and there words were as sharp as a dagger. And so the stroll began towards that spot. He didn't find in his way any kind of shinigami. It seems by now everyone were at their desired place. Cloud reached there in a couple of minutes. As he knew there wasn't anyone at that spot and just standing at that bridge looking to the amazing view on the other side would wash away any worries. Cloud leaned with his arms on the bridge and began observing the beautiful view in the calm atmosphere.

(OOC: I liked the wolf part btw. nice post xp)

Indeed that was the right decision to come to this spot. By now all Cloud's weird and uncomfortable thoughts were washed away like how the wind blows away any dust. Yet, there were things that even the most beautiful and amazing places wouldn't wash away and that was bad memories. Cloud bit on his lower lip now at the started to think of his past. How he lived in complete poverty in Rukongai. He began also thinking that maybe it wasn't just him now. There must be hundreds or even thousands of souls there without someone to help them out. He wanted something to be done about this case. There must a firm decision from the Captain-Commander in giving those poor souls everything they need from food, shelter and most important thing which Cloud never had is a family. Just now his chain of thoughts was interuppted by the voice of his inner Zanpaktou. At then Cloud's eyes went wide it never ever had happened since he had gained the power of his Zanpaktou to have him speak. That spirit was way too arrogant. As Cloud tried to listen carefully he found that it wasn't a talk it was more of a growl and as if it was trying to break free from his Zanpaktou.

Cloud at first was very surprised but he then ignored that voice since he had his own pet wolf back at home Fenrir. He also had times when he started growling without a certain reason. Cloud had came here to relax and didn't want anything to bother him even if it was his Zanpaktou spirit itself. Anyway, He wondered if it would have been a good chance to bring Fenrir with him. "The poor thing doesn't go out now at all" Cloud whispered himself. But he then sighed as he imagined Fenrir and all the trouble he might cause in Soul Society. He wasn't a dog after all, he was a wolf and by nature they weren't that much of an understanding creatures. Yet, he decided it would be just fair to also not lock him up all day like that, maybe he could take him out tomorrow for a walk outside Soul Society where there wouldn't be much of either Souls or Shinigami. Some place where he could run and play for a while.

The place around him was too quiet to a degree that he felt his eyes were starting to grow heavy and as if he was going to fall asleep while standing but before he could even doze off he heard a soft voice speaking. His eyes opened quickly but he didn't turn his head to see who it was he just looked with the corner of his eye to find a woman not so far from his age. But he was forced to turn and look to her as he began to think before examining that she must be a higher-up since he didn't feel her presence and he was right he found a haori put over her but couldn't tell what division captain she was. Cloud quickly went down on his knee and bowed in respect to the presence of a Captain level. But he was wondering why he never saw her before. It was quite weird yet Cloud rarely left his division for anything unless it was an order. Anyway, before running into many assumptions he quickly talked in a low tone "Please accept my humble apology, Captain as I didn't mean to relax at such a place." As he bowed down he could see also a wolf. But it wasn't a normal wolf. It didn't have flesh. It was made of Spiritual pressure. His eyes went wide slightly as he started to tell who the female in front of him was. He had heard stories about an extremely skilled Female Captain who has perfected her bond with her spirit to a degree that she can materialize her spirit in it's true form without trouble or having hard time to control it. Yet, Cloud thought it was just a bluff from some of the Shinigami.

Cloud was actually starting to feel praised in being present in such a higher-up rank. Although she seemed to have hidden her spiritual pressure completely to a degree that you can't tell if she's a soul or a human. Cloud now shacked his head slightly as he found it very rude from him to not have introduced himself till now. He kept his bowing stance and called out in a calm tone "I am Cloud, 7th division Vice-Captain at your service"

(OOC: hah thanks unfortunately i am brain dead due to heat and this one sucks))

With each step taken upon the hard wood surface that was the bridge beneath her Lightning’s boots created audible footsteps in the calm and silent night. She stopped as she neared the blonde haired man whom Zetsu-maru had been so dead set on meeting, cool breezes that were carrying the scent of the night blew her loose and rather oversized captain’s haori along behind her gently. It was obvious it was not made to her body shape nor size as it billowed, it had in fact belonged to Byakuya Kuchiki. She would return it when the time came that he could have his division back, for now the central 46 had ruled those that went missing un-trustworthy and they therefore could not have their old positions back. It was a decision that at first Lightning approved of, but after realising that it stripped Byakuya of his title she changed her tone on the idea rather quickly. Surprised was the word to describe Lightning’s facial expression as the man before her knelt on one knee and spoke in a manner she had not heard since leaving the spirit realm. He was speaking very formally, the reaction caught her off guard momentarily as she looked down at the kneeling man before her.

“You are indeed formal in your speech Cloud, but there is no need for such formalities. As Lightning approached the railing that Cloud had been leaning upon moments before a cool breeze blew past them both carrying the gentle aroma from the nearby cherry blossom trees. Allowing the wooden railing to take her weight as she leant her forearms upon it’s surface she closed her eyes for a moment enjoying the soft breezes that were a welcome change from the heat of the days. “I wouldn’t worry about being here, after all what is the point of having such a view if no one is able to see it.” Lightning could hear the rather loud and over exaggerated sound that was Zetsu-maru sniffing, it seemed that this man had caught his interest a great deal. As Zetsu-maru sniffed rather frantically at the lengths of Cloud’s pants Lightning could not help but wonder what it was that had her comrade so entranced by this man. If she had to go by the scene unfolding in front of her Lightning was inclined to believe that Cloud had either a feline type zanpaktou spirit or another canine related one… then again there was that time that Zetsu-maru had merely taken an instant liking in a human woman once. A small smirk crossed Lightning’s lips as she watched him circle around his new found interest, a memory crossing through her mind momentarily.

“I am Lightning, I am the active captain of the 6th division.” Lightning was always careful as to how she phrased those words, she was in her eyes only a temporary fill in for the divisions true captain; Byakuya. “My zanpaktou spirit Zetsu-maru seems rather infatuated with you. He doesn’t tend to take kindly to strangers, it is an interesting development.”

(OOC: That's okay xD)

All Shinigami had the ability to sense spiritual pressure but what Cloud had is something that other's didn't posses and it was detecting a person’s Aura. That’s an art that could be found at temple people who believe in Yin Yang and all that. But Cloud had that ability as a gift from his birth. A person's Aura was something that showed rather his emotions and feelings. If the Aura was cold and dark it showed how evil and uncomfortable that person but if it was warm and shiny it showed how this person had achieved inner peace. Cloud from bowing down at a close distant from this captain could feel a very comfortable Aura spreading from her. Also her wolf spirit was wondering around Cloud in a manner that he didn't yet understand. At first he thought it was getting ready to attack but he knew there was no reason for it to do such a thing. She caught Cloud's attention as she started speaking. Indeed Cloud liked to stick to being Formal. Captain levels had to be respected for their rank but as she told him that there wasn't any need for formality anymore, he stood up and observed the Captain as he noticed her eyes were following her wolf which was still circling Cloud.

"I am honored actually to be in a presence of a Captain level" Cloud said as he put up a small smile and turned his sight to look at the wolf. He reached with his hand slowly to like try and pat the wolf. He didn't know if it would bite him or allow Cloud to touch him. Yet, before he could reach with his hand he stopped when she introduced herself. Cloud once again turned his focus once again to her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lightning-taichou" he replied to her in a friendly way. He wondered what had brought her here. "Was she here to relax to the view as well?!" Cloud asked himself. He didn't yet have an answer for her presence. She may want him in a task or just spotted him and wondered who he was that's all.

She once again spoke in her soft way telling Cloud how it was rather odd for her spirit to have an interest in a stranger. Cloud was also surprised why her spirit would find interest in Cloud. His only assumption was that maybe because Cloud liked wolves. He once again smiled to her "I am praised to be of interest to the Zanpaktou of someone like yourself" he intended now to ask her about how the reason behind her presence. He was sure she would maybe laugh at such a question but he wanted to remove the tension that was starting to build up in the atmosphere.

He looked once again at the lake as the moon light reflected itself as an image in the water. "Amazing night don't you think?!.. Better than heading off to bars like other Shinigami. I prefer freeing my mind here. What about you?" Cloud asked as he leaned once again on the bridge. He wasn't a person who talked much but he definitely wanted to know more about Lightning.

The growls of Cloud's Zanpaktou Spirit was starting to grow once again as Lightning's Zanpaktou spirit circled Cloud. He still ignored him and his odd behavior but looked down to the lightning based spirit and smiled "I am sure if Fenrir was here he would love to play with you" It was very rare for Fenrir to find another wolf wondering in Soul Society to tag along with. Creatures like that were forbidden from strolling around in Soul Society. Cloud himself went through a lot of trouble to keep Fenrir with him. “Well I hold no grudge to anyone in Soul Society. Furthermore, I am training hard myself to reach such a level one day" he said with a cheerful smile on his lips. Zetsu-maru's bark surprised Cloud for a second there he didn't expect him to be able to bark like a normal wolf but he soon collected himself again and watched as he returned back to his rightful place.

Just now Cloud was able to look for the first time directly into her eyes. Her spirit was somehow making Cloud feel uncomfortable. It seemed like it was searching cloud for something, something that it wanted but gave up on. Anyway, Cloud just now noticed how beautiful her eyes were. It appears she didn't just have power but looks as well. But her eye color was the thing that grabbed Cloud's attention. It wasn't just its beauty. Her eyes were deeper than Cloud could see. He felt like he would be falling into a maze if he stared like this for a while longer. He couldn't tell if she noticed how foolishly he became from staring at her like that but she broke up the silence that was just about to spread. "I agree. There is nothing like a peaceful solitude" Cloud replied in a calm way turning his eyes to look at the water. He was just about to fly with his thoughts to how this could be the first time for him to see her. He was a Vice-Captain; he should be surrounded with everything in Soul Society but before he could think deeper or harder. She seemed to have read his mind or something as she asked him the same thing he was starting to wonder.

He kept silent for a few second trying to find a proper reason behind such a reasonable question. Cloud was definitely away from all the other divisions and all what was happening in them. He blamed himself for that. He would have to get to become more social with everyone else around Soul Society if he ever wants to earn a proper high rank. He shacked his thoughts away and turned to look to her calm peaceful face as he replied "Maybe the reason behind such a thing is that I stick to my division more often" he paused for a moment as he some cherry petals started to fall down onto the water. "Moreover, as you see i am not that keen into being around others" he stated in a friendly way keeping up a smile. He started to feel by saying those words of solitude and loneliness that her Aura was starting to become unbalanced. It was as if his words may have bothered her or reminded her of something dreadful. Cloud was curious to know if there was really something that made her maybe feel lonely or it was just a false misunderstanding from Cloud "Excuse me, I know this will sound weird. But I can detect a person's Aura and i can tell that yours just now isn't balanced!!. Would it bother you if I knew why?! “Cloud asked in a respectful way as he waited curiously for the reply.

(OOC:oh no my posts are shrinking xD lol i will try to make them longer))

Lightning waited silently for the moments that passed before Cloud’s answer was spoken, she could see in his expressions and body language that the topic bothered him. Why? Well that even someone as intuitive as she could not simply tell you. Lightning sensed there was something of a kindred spirit standing next to her, exactly why that was she wasn’t sure on either. As his answer was spoken something that Lightning had suspected was confirmed, he was indeed one to remain close to home. If Lightning herself had the option she too would remain close to what she deemed home, she was not one to go out and party nor socialise in large groups. Perhaps that stemmed from her childhood years, orphaned at a young age Lightning was forced to learn to fend for herself by any means necessary. Many young orphans of the Rukongai districts opted to join gangs or form groups to survive, each member helping the others in any way they could. Lightning on the other hand opted to remain a loner, she didn’t trust anyone enough to lay her life in their hands. It was tough but Lightning got through it using any means she had to whether it be legal or illegal. She was not proud of all of the things she had done in her life, but if they had gotten her to where she was now then she deemed them necessary.

A most unexpected question passed from Cloud’s lips, for a moment it had the captain stunned. That was before she saw the humour in the question. “hahaha There could be numerous reasons for that. But I suspect the one you are seeking is that I too know solitude well. If it were not for the aid of a certain Shinigami I may never have made it to where I am now. I may never have been able to leave the slums of Rukongai.” Lightning wasn’t one to speak of her past, but for some strange reason she felt as though she should, that she could tell him. Perhaps this was the reason that Zetsu-maru had lead her to the bridge, was she suppose to find a kindred spirit here in the moonlight breezes? Yeah…right. That was giving him far too much credit, no doubt Zetsu-maru was interested in nothing but Cloud’s zanpaktou spirit. But still something about this lieutenant had her thinking such strange and frankly abnormal thoughts, shaking her mind of these thoughts Lightning looked out into the scenery across the lake..

(OOC: I think the same thing is going with me xD)

Cloud heard her out carefully and became surprised as she finished speaking. She was not much different than him. She had faced a lot of difficulties in her early life similar to him. Her childhood was full of loneliness and emptiness .Yet, despite all that she was able to reach a Captain level and earn the respect of each and every Shinigami in all Soul Society. This was the first time for Cloud to meet someone a captain level who reached such a rank with just pure skill and ability. He was delighted to have met Lightning. She was the spark of hope he was looking for to achieve his goal. She was picked for Captain Level by Central and the Captain-Commander without looking at her past or commenting that she wasn't of noble birth. If she was able to do it so could he. He smiled a warm smile to Lightning as he felt like telling her a brief of his past as well.

"I am surprised and delighted at the same time to hear such a story. I too have had a lonely childhood in Rukongai. Not to mention poverty but despite all that you were able to become one of the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society" Cloud replied to her in an honest and low tone. He still felt that she was cautious slightly in speaking and that was something normal after all he had just met her. Cloud now kept silent leaning once again on the bridge and enjoying the amazing view.

(OOC: Well don't push your luck. Your magic is starting to wear off xp)

There seemed to be something of a misunderstanding to what he said to her or maybe he got the wrong idea from her reply. All his words weren’t just some praise to like try to impress her. She didn't know that real reason behind all this. If she knew his goal, she would probably understand what he meant. Cloud was far beyond the word flirt in his talk. He didn't like to flirt around like most of the other male shinigamis. So his intensions were honest and straight forward. Yet, for some reason he didn't want to comment on her statement thinking that it may bother her. Cloud scratched the back of his head thinking of some kind of reply. He then all of a sudden got a spark of idea. It was best suited if he wanted to talk about the Rukongai and all it's wrong living there. There was no one better to talk with about something like that except a captain who lived there.

Cloud leaned with the right side of his body on the bridge to be facing Lightning. This was indeed a good opportunity especially that she opened the talk in it. "You know.. I think a lot of things need to be changed in the Rukongai Districts. A lot of Souls there can't live a normal life with some very small but essential things in our daily life like food, shelter, honor, freedom " Cloud paused for a moment as he became a little driven away with his emotions there. He started to remember his past life in Rukongai as well. But there was something about that past that made Cloud in the position he is now. Who knows maybe if he had ended up in a noble wealthy family he would have become a spoiled brat. He was still thankful for the poor and empty childhood that gave him other valuable facts like ambition and responsibility.

He was now floating away in his own thoughts that he was just about to forget that Lightning was standing beside him before she delivered a question. Cloud looked at her and smiled. "No, Fenrir is my animal pet. He is a wolf actually so I can't say his that much of a peaceful pet but his also my first friend in this Soul world. I think his the reason for me behind gaining an electric wolf based Zanpaktou" he said in a friendly way. He then stood silent for not longer than a minute or two when he realized that he had a similar Zanpaktou spirit as her. Her Zanpaktou spirit was also a wolf and it must be an electric based one. “What a coincidence!!...We both have similar Zanpaktou spirit. I guess that was why Zetsu-maru had found an interest in me" The weather was starting to catch a slight breeze of coldness as the wind was starting to blow more heavily now. It was indeed close to midnight Cloud assumed as he turned his light blue eyes to watch the gardens in front of him once again.

Cloud took a deep breath as the air was really refreshing and he could feel that the noise around Soul Society was starting to vanish it seems the Shinigami who were out partying or at the bar had either got knocked out or left and went to sleep. Cloud was hearing out Lightning's words carefully regarding Zetsu-maru. he was able to conclude that that was the reason behind his Zanpaktou's spirit growls. "It was reacting to Zetsu-maru then" Cloud whispered himself. The topic anyhow changed as she started to speak about the issue that Cloud presented the Rukongai slums and how to provide for them a better life. She seemed to suggest reporting this matter to a higher-up like the Captain-Commander. Cloud felt a little uneasy to the idea. He had never yet met the Captain Commander and didn't know how he treated lower ranks. He knew a lot of stories about Yamamoto and his cold way of treating others but he never got any idea about how Hiyro could look into the matter. Yet, according to Lightning's words she trusted that he would give the matter an attention. That somehow gave Cloud a little hope. But why?!..It was starting to become weird how Cloud trusted her words without doubt. Even if she was a Captain she could be just decorating her words about the commander in order not to fall in trouble others might think. But Cloud weirdly trusted her. He wasn't that good at trusting people and maybe the reason behind that would be the time he lived in Rukongai where you should trust no one but yourself.

Cloud gave her a friendly smile "I appreciate your intentions to help me. Yet, I wouldn't want to put you in trouble. Since who knows if the Captain-Commander would agree to such a thing or not?" he stated in a calm way. Cloud started to think now if his presence was maybe bothering her as it was getting late and maybe she was waiting for him to leave so she would as well. She had stated that she came here as Zetsu-maru was the one behind it and maybe she wasn't the type of person to stay up late like this. He didn't know how to put the matter up to her. But after keeping silent for a long moment he collected himself and started to speak "I hope my presence here isn't causing you much of a trouble. I am more of a night person" he said in a low tone as he didn't know how she would respond to that. Captains always had tons of work to do. Not to mention the meetings they had to attend. It truly wasn't child's play to be a Captain. The honor and respect you gain comes with an exchange of hard work and responsibility. Cloud still had a lot to learn of that rank and he wasn't in a rush to fight his way to Captain Rank. He believed that everything should take it's time. He had first to learn perfectly his duties as a Vice-Captain before he was ready to jump to the next level.

It was something normal for Cloud to suspect the Captain-Commander and Lightning seemed to also understand Cloud's point. Cloud observed as she explained how Hiyro was different than the old Captain-Commander. She seemed to have had some previous meetings with him. Well that actually made Cloud pleased to hear. It wouldn't cause any trouble to take permission first from his 7th Squad captain and then pay the Captain-Commander a visit. He was sure his Captain wouldn't argue with him about a request like that since he wouldn't want the Rukongai district to have some rights. Anyway, Cloud started to wonder now how the Captain-Commander looked like he had an image in his mind of a very fat and old Shinigami, maybe with some little hair and a rough voice. Cloud actually had a shiver at the back of his neck from the thought. He was going to have to meet or at least see him sooner or later. "I see, Well that is good to hear" Cloud replied while he started to play with a cherry petal between his fingers.

"How Ironic!!" Cloud whispered himself as she stated that she also was a night person. This person in front of him had a lot of similar facts like Cloud. He hadn't spoken with her for very long yet he started to feel relaxed and comfortable in her presence which was something unusual for Cloud who always liked to be found alone. Maybe it was her gentle and soft way of specking that was getting into Cloud. He wasn't able now to stare at her eyes for very long he found himself looking away at the other views as soon as they got eye contact. This still wasn't something normal for Cloud and he couldn't find any proper explanation to it. Yes she had an attractive look that grabbed his attention but there was something more than that.

He didn't want to give the whole matter much of an attention. After all it could be just the feeling of finding someone that passed through the same trouble just as he did. He looked at her once again to find her enjoying the beauty of the weather. He was just about to open a new topic to discuss to break the silence but he all of a sudden felt and saw a dark evil aura spark at the Far East for a moment then fade away. The feeling itself was faint which showed that it was too far away possibly out of Soul Society's gates. Whatever it was it was something that had hid it's spiritual pressure trace very well since for Cloud he could hardly sense anything from this far out. It looked like the peaceful night wasn't going to last. He began to think of heading out there to check it out. He couldn't go and tell his captain about it. Everyone was probably far asleep by now. He looked at Lightning in a slight worried expression. He hesitated at first to tell her or not. But he made up his mind in the end to just tell her what he had seen. "I don't think you may have felt or seen this. Maybe Zetsu-Maru may have. But there is a strong evil Aura that is located outside Soul Society. I can still see a faint thread of darkness but can't sense any kind of spiritual pressure. I think I’ll go take a look at it" He paused as he became confused in the matter of asking her to come with him or not but he made up his mind quickly " It was a real pleasure meeting you" He added in a calm way as he decided he shouldn't risk and take a captain level with him if it was something awfully dangerous it was better off for the Captain-Commander to know about first then plan a strategy to all the other Captains. But to have her come with him into the Unknown like that was such a foolish thing that Cloud wouldn't feel easy with.

As Cloud began to fiddle with a lone fallen cherry blossom that had wafted it’s way into his grasp his words gave Lightning hope that perhaps he would seek out the captain commander and raise his cause. Lightning wondered why it was she had not done so previously, she too had come from the same slums of Rukongai. She too had fought for the very basic ingredients needed for life, and yet she had swept the whole topic to the back of her mind like a mischievous child would dirt under a rug. It was wrong of her, and she was beginning to feel rather guilty about the fact that she was someone that might have been able to help but that had done nothing to try. It made her happy to know that although she herself had not done anything to aid the people of Rukongai, that her words had convinced someone that definitely could do so. She could get the feeling from Cloud that he was a determined individual that would not give in, yet he did not seem to be one to push boundaries unnecessarily. She watched him fiddle with the delicate cherry blossom for a few moments, it might sound silly but she could learn a lot of from seeing even such simple actions. What I hear you asking? It was obvious to her that Cloud was a strong person, and yet the cherry blossom petal was not crushed nor was it damaged. In the hands of someone rough that very same cherry blossom petal would have been destroyed, even if they did not mean it. After all could you imagine Kenpachi Zaraki fiddling with a cherry blossom petal and not damaging it? It showed Lightning that Cloud may have been strong and determined but he knew how to delicate around issues and things that required such attention.

Lightning looked to the skies once more, it truly was a clear and starry sky. The stars shone brightly against the almost black sky background like fireflies within a cavern. She couldn’t help but wonder what was on each of them, what was there? Lightning had always been one to sit quietly and stare at the marvel that was nature, as a child it was one of the few things she could do freely. Sitting or laying down under the stars and staring up, simply gazing was how she would spend the time she was not searching for food. She had heard many old tales from her parents before they died about the stars, did those that die truly make their way there? Were they really watching down upon those they left behind? Such ideas were not ones that Lightning found easy to believe, she had become quite sceptical over the years that passed after their death.

Snapped back to reality as Cloud broke the silence, Lightning returned her gaze to eye level before turning to face him. Several things went through Lightning’s mind as Cloud spoke but the most dominant thoughts echoed out loudly in her mind. Cloud was a lieutenant, he should not leave the Soul Society without permission from his captain or at least an escort from one of the captains. But that was not the thought that sounded louder than the others, she didn’t want to let him go alone. Not fully understanding why it was that the thought of him walking into danger made her uncomfortable and uneasy Lightning struggled with the decision she knew she would have to make. If he was leaving to check on the aura he spoke of then she had to either stay or accompany him. “And I you, But I can’t let you seek out this possible danger alone. What kind of captain would do that now?” Once again Lightning’s words covered her actions like freshly fallen snow, it was not the true reason she was going…. But it was the only one she would ever admit both to herself and to anyone else. “Lead the way”

Cloud didn't know what he might be facing out there it could probably be something very simple that didn't require this entire alert but at the same time, the probability for it to be something with overwhelming power was also equal so the best solution to that was to go and check it out as he intended to do. Although he was just about to leave and flash step towards the Aura, he stopped suddenly. He didn't think that Lightning would actually say no. But he was surprised to find that she would come with him. "Huh?! Why?" he asked himself. The 13 squad Captains were Soul Society's secret weapons. Cloud wouldn't forgive himself if something would happen to him and her there. Even though, somewhere in his mind he couldn't believe that was the reason since he was taught in the Academy that a Captain is ready to die at any moment with pride but that wasn't the case at hand. He felt that he wanted Lightning to stay behind for her own safety something that had nothing to do with laws or orders. Cloud found his mind about to scream out to her and say something like "No, Lightning stay here" but he caught the words at the last second from the tip of his tongue. What was he just about to do? It appears Cloud had forgotten his position he was a Lieutenant and she was a Captain her words were more of an order than anything else. He shouldn't mix his emotions right now with something like this. Cloud squeezed his grip for his helpless position and turned his eyes to meet with her eyes. "Very Well" he said in a defeated tone.

Cloud turned around and started to flash step towards the faint Aura knowing that Lightning would be just behind him to her this kind of flash step must be child's play. As they both got nearer his worries started to decreases he had been giving the matter a thought in the case of Lightning. She was after all a skilled Captain level who wouldn't get killed out that easy. It took Cloud about 3 minutes of continuous flash step to reach that faint Aura. When he landed he looked around him carefully to find himself somewhere in the Rukongai he couldn't tell where exactly because the place was filled with mist that made the vision about impossible to see. He then found the remains of soul that seemed to have been killed with a rather sharp slash. That faint Aura was coming from the slash in the dead soul's body. At seeing that he knew that there was something around close that must be doing the killing. In a blink of an eye he unsheathed his Zanpaktou in its sealed form and placed it in front of him looking around him cautiously for any kind of weird motion. It was hard for him to sense any spiritual pressure maybe because he wasn't yet a professional at having a sharp sense. Add to that, there wasn't any trace of Aura other than the one he just found. This "thing" was no laughing matter for it to even suppress a massive dark Aura like that from Cloud it meant that it was something powerful. Cloud started to wonder if maybe Lightning was able to sense it. She was a captain level after all and her sensing ability was far shaper than his. "I prefer that you unsheathe your sword, Lightning" he said in a rather serious tone. Cloud was focused from around him carefully that he didn't notice that he called Lightning without the proper suffix. This peaceful night was indeed ruined now. Just when Cloud thought he could enjoy a peaceful midnight and keep on talking with such a beautiful Captain, he might end up dead here right now.

Lightning wasn’t sure why but she could sense that Cloud was not exactly over the moon that she would be accompanying him. She thought that he would be glad to have another accompany him into an unknown situation, perhaps he sought to be alone and she had interfered? She thought of perhaps simply allowing him to go as his defeated tone echoed throughout the silence, no… she couldn’t do that. Not only should she not but she found herself not willing to do it either. Following after Cloud as he flash stepped away Lightning was impressed with the speed he showed. His technique was also rather impressive, she began to wonder how much time he had practiced the art of the flash step. Lightning noticed that they were heading towards the Rukongai districts as she followed after the leading lieutenant, it was not one of the districts she was very familiar with however. The buildings seemed to be in moderate condition and the streets relatively clean and well kept, it seemed that they were in one of the moderately well off districts. As they travelled to their destination the air began to fill with a thick and ominous mist that clouded and restricted vision rather severely.

Lightning followed Cloud’s gaze and soon figured out what it was he was staring so intently, a lifeless body lay upon the ground. As Lightning approached both Cloud and the corpse the cause of the death became truly apparent as the body lay sliced open from abdomen to chest. Lightning kneeled down to examine the corpse closer, after all she needed to know what it was that had caused the man’s death. Reaching her hand out to touch the body Lightning noted a strange feeling cover her fingers as she touched the wound’s edges, as her hand retracted away from the wound the feeling dissipated. It truly was an odd thing she had not seen before, touching the pool of blood that ran from the man Lightning noted that it was still warm and had not began to congeal as of yet. Lightning spoke loud enough for Cloud to hear her as she stood from her crouched position by the man’s body. “The blood is still fresh, the killer is not far gone”

Cloud’s request to unsheathe her zanpaktou stunned Lightning slightly for two reasons; she thought for sure he would have noticed her distinct lack of a zanpaktou on her persons, and the fact that he did not call her name using a suffix. This didn’t bother her in the slightest however, it merely stunned her that Cloud had done so. She figured his preoccupied mind at the moment did not realise that he had forgone the suffix, one as proper and polite as he would not have done so knowing. Lightning didn’t say anything about it as she actually found it rather…. Nice. Lightning’s eyes looked to Cloud’s own Zanpaktou, it was indeed an impressive and beautiful blade. “As you wish” As Lightning positioned her hand that hung by her side in manner suited to hold a blade’s handle hundreds if not thousands of tiny, pink and glowing particles began to spin around rapidly. As they did so they began to condense and form the shape of her blade, once all particles had formed into the shape of a glowing pink blade they momentarily shone brighter before disappearing completely leaving only her blade remaining gripped in her hand.

((OOC: the blade forms really quickly but I had to explain it so you understood what he would see xD))

The scene over there wasn't the most pleasing or beautiful. Cloud had a bad feeling about what they both were waiting to see. He heard her out with a worried expression as she mentioned that the killer wasn't far away now. It wasn't fear of getting killed that made him worry as much as having Lightning with him here. He was starting to regret telling her back at the bridge what he saw. It would have been better off if he had just lied and told her that he was heading to bed maybe or any other excuse and came alone here to see this matter. Anyway, there was no going back now what happened had already happened and he had to deal with reality now. He had to calm himself down and focus on the matter at hand. He soon returned to his normal self and was completely surprised when Lightning told him "As you wish" just now he noticed that he had asked her to sheath her sword without giving her the prope suffix. He wanted to apologize immediately at what he found a rude action from him. But there were far more important things going on now than a simple mistake Cloud had fallen into.

Another surprise Cloud witnessed which was how her Zanpaktou wasn't with her. He noticed that after he had asked her. There wasn't any kind of sword wrapped around her waist or placed behind her back. He watched amazed as she somehow materialized her sword out of thin air. Cloud became stunned by her capability. He was just about to comment on how beautiful her Zanpaktou was and to praise her on the interesting way she materialized it but his eyes rather turned to look at something else behind her something completely dark with red glowing eyes. The creature was a figure wrapped up in a black cloak and what could be seen from him is nothing more than bones although he seemed to have sharp claws has hands. It was something similar to a reaper. The creature didn't seem to have spiritual pressure or it maybe was hiding it yet it had a massive amount of evil dark aura flowing from around him. An aura that made Cloud feel like all the happiness in the world had been washed away. Lightning appeared to have not noticed the creature that was rushing towards her. The thing reached with it's claws trying to deliver a slash towards Lightning. Yet, Cloud quickly flash stepped grabbing Lightning just in time as the slash left a slight cut in his left arm. "This thing doesn't seem to be an arrancar or even shinigami. It doesn't have spiritual pressure" he told Lightning while gripping tight on his left arm which was starting to bleed. Cloud was sure if this creature had spiritual pressure that Lightning would have been able to dodge the attack easily but with the thick mist clouded and this mysterious creature having no trace of spiritual pressure it appeared that Cloud and Lightning would have to work together to get themselves out of this alive.

(OOC: omg epic fail post xD))

Mere seconds passed after Lightning materialised her blade before the action began, she was caught of guard by Cloud whom had flash stepped and grabbed her taking her with him. Lightning really had no idea what he was doing, she had sensed no attacks or enemies heading their way so what was the major rush for her to move?. As the flash step ended Lightning noticed she had been moved quite the distance from her original spot, she was about to ask what on earth Cloud was doing but before she could even open her mouth he beat her to an explanation. His words made no sense to the confused captain What was he talking about? Her blue eyes darted to the fresh wound on Cloud’s upper arm, he was bleeding?! From what? She was positive she sensed nothing coming, even if they hid their reiatsu she should have known something. Turning around rather rapidly Lightning was stunned to see a creature like nothing she had ever seen before staring at the pair with it’s glowing red eyes, it’s body was covered in a torn and tattered cloak preventing her from knowing it’s body make up. Judging by the hands and face she could see visible it was skeletal in nature, truly something she had never even heard of. Hovering above the ground with no legs to be seen from beneath the tattered end of the cloak the creature licked it’s claw that had inflicted the wound upon Cloud.

How had she missed it?! Anger aimed only towards herself began to boil within her, because of her lack of attention Cloud had been injured. Even with the fact it held no spiritual pressure was no excuse for such a fault on her behalf, furrowing her eyebrows Lightning tightened her grip upon her Zanpaktou. This thing would learn the hard way not to piss off a Royal Guard. “Spiritual pressure or not everything can be killed.” Releasing a great amount of her spiritual pressure for a just a moment to intimidate the creature Lightning smirked as it showed fear, it seemed the creature was not much of a fighter as it hissed and started to back up away from the pair. If it felt such fear from the amount of spiritual pressure she just released momentarily then there was a pretty good chance she could take it, even if she had to access more then she just had. With a raspy and ghostly voice the creature hissed out it’s words. “You are ssssstrong I sssssee” Sensing the danger from the two shinigami before it the creature let out an ear piercing howl.

Raising her free hand to her head Lightning’s face winced in pain as the sound echoed throughout her mind, as it resonated in her head Lightning felt her body beginning to grow weak. Her limbs were becoming heavy and her mind completely fogged as the painfully punishing howl continued on, almost as if defending itself on it own her body began to raise her spiritual pressure in order to fight off the effects of the howl. Lightning looked to Cloud whom seemed to be suffering the same effects as she was, so it was not just her that could hear the creature’s howl. Anger began to well within her once more at the thought that he in pain. Falling to one knee as her mind throbbed in pain as the howl still continued on Lightning wondered if it would ever end. Her vision would not focus as she looked to the creature once more, it was not attacking. It was not moving, it seemed that in order to keep the howl going it had to remain stationary. At least they would not be attacked while unable to move but it was of little consolation as it felt like her head would explode if it did not cease quickly. Unable to move and unable to focus on the target enough to use kido Lightning did the only thing she could, she had to stop this noise. Lightning yelled as loud as she could yet it was barely audible over the creatures howl. “Zetsu-maru!!!!” Lightning knew that in her current state she would be unable to manifest Zetsu-maru much at all, but she had to get that thing to stop it’s sound.

A howl sounded out above the creatures own as Zetsu-maru ran past Lightning and Cloud towards the creature and leapt through the air towards it. Seeing the oncoming threat the creature was forced to abandon it’s howl and move to dodge the leaping canine’s fangs. Missing his target Zetsu-maru disappeared before touching the ground, he was gone but he had managed to do what was needed.

This was indeed a rough moment for Cloud to even think. He was just able to grab Lightning out of the attack but still he had to figure a way to beat this thing. He noticed how lightning became somehow frustrated from the sudden attack. Of course it was something that had to do with her pride as a Captain. Cloud started to feel over pressure as she started to release her spiritual pressure. It was amazing how powerful Lightning was. Cloud could feel that he was going to be crushed at this distance to her and so did the creature. He could see how it became frightened at the sight of observing how powerful Lightning was but it appeared to still have some tricks to play. Cloud stood up once again and took grip of his Zanpaktou as he placed it in front of him waiting once again for the creature to attack but it started to speak and its words appeared to be directed to Lightning. It had a very rough and evil tone in speaking as it stated that Lightning was indeed strong but as soon as its words ended a sudden ear piercing howl took place.

Cloud fell on his knees covering his ears from the painful howl. He felt that his body was somehow stunned and couldn't move. But to his surprise he found his Zanpaktou spirit speaking out in a serious tone. "Cloud.. Don’t listen to the howl"..He at first could hear his voice clear but it then began to fade away slowly as well as his vision. He had his eyes concentrated at Lightning but she was somehow vanishing in front of him. It seems the creature was using some kind of mind control ability as Cloud lost control of himself and found himself falling in his inner world. He landed to look around he had been here before when he first gained his Zanpaktou. He found his Zanpaktou spirit standing in front of him as it growled out "I warned you...!!!!!!!!" he shouted out at Cloud. Cloud didn't yet understand full well what had happened. "Why am i here?" he asked Le Loup Solitaire ignoring his past statement. His Zanpaktou spirit explained how that creature has now taken over Cloud's body and the creature is going to use Cloud in order to get rid of Lightning. Cloud quickly stood up with a firm look on his face as he asked Le Loup Solitaire if there was any possible way to break this connection. He nodded as he said with a rough voice "Have some faith in yourself." as the spirit vanished towards its castle

Far away now in reality, Cloud's body was standing to look at Lightning with rather dark black looking eyes. He grabbed his Zanpaktou and without any warning he speeded towards her and delivered a side slash towards her shoulder.

(OOC: Sorry, running out of thoughts here Dx)

(OOC: Thanks xD)

Cloud stood there in the middle of his inner world unaware of what His Zan's spirit meant. "Have faith?!" Cloud repeated his words. He didn't understand what he had to do and from his place he could see himself outside attacking Lightning. As soon as he saw that scene he became very angry. The last thing he wanted to see was himself crossing blades with Lightning. He smashed the ground in anger to how helpless his condition was. He kept looking around him for a way to regain control but in vain. After several attempts of like increasing his spiritual pressure to break free he fell on his knee in defeat as he just hoped Lightning wouldn't leave herself get beaten up for any kind of reason. He knew this battle would end up soon with his death then with the death of the creature. Cloud didn't feel scared now he actually was delighted to have his end on the hands of such a beautiful Captain. Cloud observed the castle of his spirit as he waited to see this whole inner world fall apart, crumble and get's demolished.

On the other hand, In reality Cloud's attack was blocked and he jumped back for a moment his voice itself was somehow completely different than the old Cloud. "I am going to kill youuuuuuu and there is nothing you could do about ittt !!!!!!!!" he shouted out in a rough way as he once again rushed towards her and starts swinging with his Zanpaktou randomly in every direction towards her.

(OOC: Mine arn't that good as well i think it's an infection xD)

Cloud was still trying every possible way to gain control over himself but he seemed to be trapped in his own inner world. But he had given up on that as he waited for Lightning to kill him off. Yet, she didn't seem to be doing so she was just dodging his attacks without delivering the fatal blow. Even Cloud knew she was forcing herself to do so. Cloud was helpless in his current state outside there. She could have his head off in a blink. "What's taking her so long?!" he asked himself curiously as he started to conclude that this could just end up in her getting hurt and for what reason she was holding back. Cloud closed his eyes and started to focus from around him as he was able to trace a faint dark aura coming from close by he was sure that was the connection between here and out there. He flash stepped to the spot and caught the dark thread and flowed through it his own spiritual pressure hoping that he would be able to take control once again.

Still outside Cloud was trying all he can to slash Lightning but he failed in each attempt and she kicked his legs from under him as he fell hardly smashing his head to the ground. He got up once again still holding the dark looking eyes. He put up a very wide evil smile as he was generating energy to deliver an accurate attack but before he could strike he stopped suddenly. It appears the real Cloud was somehow fighting to gain control and he succeeded. His eyes returned to normal but he quickly placed his hands on his face as he started to speak in a painful tone to Lightning. "W..h.at are y..o..u doing?!" he paused as he got onto his knee trying to fight the mind control "L-Lightning..Fi..nish me off already" He was trying as much as he can to keep himself from falling once again but he wasn't going to stay like this for long. Lightning was going to have to kill him while he still holds his pride as a Shinigami. Meanwhile, the creature itself seemed to be observing closely from the mist to the whole scene.