What lies in the Rain.

[Darkness]

Ryuu sat in his porch with his large executioner sword wrapped in a crimson cloth leaning against one of the support-beams. His hakama was loose and his hada-juban was open and very loose like he only put it on to be some what warm outside in the rain. The countless rain drops hit the edge or the porch and made it wet and even damp in the mid-rift. His gaze in his slightly tilted downward head seemed like it was to something in the yard in front of him but his eyes held that far-off look. The man was lost within his thoughts and the feel of the chilling wind blowing against his flesh didn't seem to bother him.

The door to his home slid open and a young girl that looked in her early twenties as standing in the door way. Her kimono was hardly on her and the candle light in the back room was dwindling. She walked out and knelt down behind Ryuu and hugged his back, her face pushed sideways against his shoulders. "You can't change anything until you take the power for yourself." Ryuu turned his head towards her and spoke. "I'm stepping out for a while. Don't be here when I get back..." The girl released Ryuu and walked back inside, after she closed the door Ryuu stood up and grabbed his blade by the handle. Throwing it on his back the cloth wrapped around his chest, he didn't bother to fix his clothes. Leaving and heading towards town Ryuu stepped through the rain as if it wasn't even there.

[Fumetsu, Kaito]

With a breath of fresh air escaping my pursed lips as my legs carried me through this wretched place once more. Nigh this raining day was indeed depressing or was it? To my being it resembled everyone's issues in the world therefore someone was unhappy on the other side. This is what I didn't understand about this alternate universe known as Soul Society.

My journey was a very damp one, literally. This weather wasn't what my as it meant that most likely I would be stuck inside with my peers. Alas, I chose to continue on my own path as I always had done since graduating that damn academy. With my sight gone in one eye and only one able to view my path my awareness had been heightened. It was only natural for one to think of me as a phenom when I was in a sense one indeed.

Sight would then behold a being before me. My trek came to a stop as I had leap towards the rooftops. Landing was damn near perfect as I'll continue to walk when i caught sight of the rather large sword upon this man's back. I'll merely smile before words leaked from my visage,"Ciao-su, kora!"

[Chikyo Enmei]

For one who was so enlightened, so devote to the Middle Path, he sure meshed well with the shadows. Unlike days prior, it was Enmei's turn to be on duty. This mission was to keep count of those moving about Seireitei. He'd then report in upon completition. The life of a soldier, was that really the path that a holy man should walk? As he moved along the alleyways, his mind became caught up in this discourse. His form ever clinging to the shadows, twas down to instinct for him.

His footwork was superb, keeping his steps silent. His white cowl masking his face well, his body langauge masked by the white robe. White may not have been the best colour to hide in the darkness, but it was perfect for hiding in the light. Anytime his form passed through an area that was heavily lit, it was an added guise for him. The clouds helped to block out natural sunlight in this circumstance for it was raining in Soul Society.

Was the rain advantageous to Enmei? Perhaps, the cloak protected his uniform and upon any moment he could remove it from his personage. If he were to do so, it'd reveal a black shihakusho which was tailored like a long tail coat. Beneath it was the standard shinigami uniform. His hakama only drenched at his ankles, it clinged to his form as a result.

"32 000, 5000, 750, 56, 2...?"

Enmei was subconsciously counting the various Shinigami and keeping tabs like he was supposed to. The last number threw him off guard. He had stumbled into an unusual area of Seireitei. Along the street was Kaito, one of his nakama from the Academy days, along with Ryuu. Enmei didn't know Ryuu that well but they did indeed graduate in the same year. He was moody, seemingly had his own agenda. Easy to see how he made it to First Division. Kaito and him had some real prowress.

Yet now that they weren't in school, Kaito's prowress fell off the map. He'd become lazy, indulgent, and unmotivated. Ryuu kept to himself and his division so he hadn't bumped into him, until today. His reiatsu was hidden well, allowing his frame to simply fit into the reiyoku based structures. Kaito had called out to Ryuu, seemingly asking for trouble. Just why was the Buddhist confined to Soul Society's walls today? There was so much he could be doing outside, but he needed to earn his keep as well.

[Mr. Hatter]

Mumei slowly made his way from the 81st district back to his home in Seireitei, his appearance from his last showing wasn’t too different, he had already felt completely annoyed even his steps were different can you believe that he wasn’t skipping? Instead he was slowly walking through the divisions, his spiritual pressure was pushing outward obviously sending chills up the spines of those passing by the rain that was falling upon his head of dark hair, letting it fall over his eyes. ..


Behind him a young girl followed, with a odd umbrella that had its top covered in oddly stitched purple colors attempting to shield him from the rain, but he continued on, letting the water flow down his face falling to the ground, his hands hidden by the long coat.

“Stop here.” Mumei said softly to the girl, his cold jewel-like eyes stared into hers as if he was trying to find her soul, they had by now entered the district closest to the gate actually they were standing not more than 12 feet away the guard who stared down at them his voice was loud and oh so annoying.

“You know that girls not coming right!?” He yelled out to Mumei of course Mumei knew who did that fool think he was? Some idiot ? Mumei turned his head to here again, he could see her sad face for some odd reason she didn’t seem to fear away from his reiatsu was she a fool? Nah maybe it was cause of that damn chibi….Damn him. Turning again quickly, he let his coat fly through the air whisking a large amount of water at the giant, his gloved hands placed both on her shoulders and said under his breath. “If you truly want to advent to the top with me, make sure next time we meet your strength makes me cry.” With the sound of a stand being knocked over Mumei had turned and took off cooly walking to the clean city, his steps no longer showing any annoyance now skipping as if he was happy… Or was it to piss the guard off who lifted the gate for him, if not for his easily pissed off aura the guard may have tested Mumei, the one who carried the mask of a hollow.

With his eyes closed Mumei went to depend fully on his natural instincts something he learned when he was alive maybe? Living most his life in the forest should have done something right? His ears were a bit sharper, as was his smell, but it didn’t take much to gain his attention when he found himself skipping to a home that was being destroyed by a young naked female, throwing clothes and furniture out the windows , breaking all that she could in the home. Being the man he was Mumei entered the home and met this woman eye to eye, her gaze on him, his gaze clearly looking only in her eyes, she had nothing worth keeping anyway. “Sake.” He said softly only to receive a surprising ‘what?’ “Sake damn it! I SEE MY STRENGTH HAS MADE YOU CRY!” She jumped back at his sudden outburst trembling she directed him to where there may have been some stashed in which he did so easily head to the back of the home, spotting a small jar, but, but there was also a gourd….

Minutes later Mumei was walking happily again hung over his shoulder by a obi sash he clearly must have stolen from the rampaged home was a large gourd of Sake, inspected, tested, and clearly fine make. As for the woman… Her clothes were found guarding the top of his guard along with the natural cover….Does this mean he kicked her out to run home naked? Oh well, all was good until…
“OI KOYRUAA, YOU DAMN CHIBI!” Mumei screamed not only seeing this blasted Chibi, but that useless, lazy, non-pipe sharing man Kaito, and some other guy who looked familiar…Who was he? With no cares in the world Mumei swung the gourd around, and pulled back some of the kimono from the top lid and lifted the gourd to his lips taking a drink out of the small hole before returning it back over his shoulder.

[Darkness]

Turning to face the man who's voice was simply annoying to his ears, Ryuu reached to scratch a itch that gnawed at his jawline. The sight of Kaito reflecting in Ryuu's dull gaze. Ryuu asked the man "What do you want?.... Nameless one." He said, not know the man's face. Were it someone he knew that he couldn't remember or someone new didn't matter, he simply didn't care about this person who interrupted his somewhat peaceful walk.

Realizing it didn't matter who the man was he turned his attention back the shop he was heading towards. A single flash of lightning in the sky caught his gaze, the only thing that he seemed to enjoy about this day was in fact the weather. Turning his head back to the annoying interrupter Ryuu saw someone that looked like a person he met once before. However with a flash of lightning behind the man in the distance sky Ryuu focused on that, these people didn't interest him, most in this boring afterlife only annoyed him. Looking closer Ryuu noticed his jar and sash in the mans hands. Looking to a rising stream of smoke coming from a direction he could only assume was home, he smirked and with slight desperation in his laugh he chuckled a bit. "This day keeps getting better and better..."

[Fumetsu, Kaito]

Ugh! This was definitely not my day it seemed. This man truly had forgotten who I was and then again as I awaited for his response. Hopefully he'll be trying to remember. Still, this man chosen to look at me with a discontent look, but alas this wasn't going to bother the prodigy. My skills were beyond his and would forever be, this man who sought to act all big and bad. Also, sought to piss off one that would leave him slain on the ground. That person was me, but alas I digress. For this insolent bastard preferred to respond to me as nameless one...

'So he doesn't remember me...Oh well...'

The raindrops accompanying the way this man looked. Gloomy and it was my duty to merely laugh at him. Still, the fact remaining this fool referred to me as no name. That was when my eyes would then begin to look around the vicinity. Who did I come by? That damn, Enmei. It was as I always knew...He'll be somewhere lurking around, indeed. Though it seemed that he was the one on a mission this day and still I wondered where was the other. Those two were almost around each other at all times, but alas I digress. Not my business and nor did I care...I was about to go find me some shelter and enjoy my pipe.

That was when he entered the picture...Oh..My...God! He was back with all that unnecessary noise again. Why didn't he just sleep? This nigga here was truly beginning to test my nerves, but alas he did something I thought he wouldn't. Leaving the Executioner blade wielder's house and having a large gourd of Sake on his back. My eyes honed in on the prize that Mumei had found. For once, he was doing something very constructive. It even made me give a feint chuckle,"Shishishishi..." Then he yelled once more...All thoughts of him being a okay guy was now out the window.

"Kufufufu..." I would let it escape my gullet for a mere moment. For my words weren't done with this redundant before me. Calling me nameless. Then again I didn't have to prove myself. I merely just stood up from my crouched position as the rain continued pelting my being. Walking towards the nearest shelter as I saw smoke rising in the distance. It was now time for me to have a little fun, indeed. "This seems to be a good place to rest....Sake please," as my hand would drop some ryo along the table I chose to sit at. Sitting in the farthest corner where they seemed to be glorious women gathering around. It was as if these ladies knew of my identity. It seemed they sought to please a man of my caliber, but who knows I may even offer some to Enmei and Mumei. It's not like I need 'em all cause eventually they would annoy me and I wouldn't be able to get no rest at all.

[Chikyo Enmei]

Enmei was just trying to conduct his mission, yet one way or another he always bumped into Kaito. The funny story here was the role reversal. Since it was him on duty, he had to set a good example to the lazy shinigami. He'd probably be the only one to detect his reiatsu---until he heard that shout. That "nickname" that was dubbed onto his being, "Mumei-san...how in the world?"

It was as if Mumei consistently hunted Enmei, knowing his very smell, no...his ESSENCE! Which was probably how he was able to detect Enmei's stealthy personage. That or he just hit up a streak of dumb luck. Whatever the case, Mumei always seemed to run into Enmei at the most unexpected times. First there was his day off, now this? Quite frankly the Buddhist was overwhelemed with a foreign emotion. Was it annoyance? Anger? Hatred? It was hard to say but he didn't like it.

The best solution to this was to simply take off and continue his mission. Thus as Mumei drank down the sake, Enmei's white cloak fluttered in place, the rain and the wind battering it's form as it seemed draped over a crate. It gave the impression that Enmei had his back turned to Mumei, seemingly crouched over. Yep, Enmei was "ignoring" the twelfth division Shinigami at the moment, yet reality was different. He didn't ignore him, he ditched him outright.

His speed accelerating to a blur as he took to the dark alleyways below. At best, he "may" have gone into the bar. This feint was somewhat correct, but he moved to the backdoor instantly, there was no time to appologize to the owners or the barmaid who served everyone. He was on a mission and once he ditched Mumei, Kaito, etc, he'd proceed on his mission. In the distance he had caught glimpse of smoke. The rain would no doubt help to put it out but what if someone needed help? He couldn't turn a blind eye, mission or not!

Thus he took off in speeds almost untraceable to a non-hoho specialist. Would he meet up with the naked girl leaving Ryuu's home?

[Mr. Hatter]

Lets take a quick look back in time shall we? After things with that lazy, no good, useless, fallen star bastard Kaito, and that damn chibi finally ended Mumei found himself with a little present that was from the blacksmith of course it was bought and passed to him by Enmei-chan, but who knew? His reservation was still quite new, but when he went into the bar sure enough thoughshe was waiting obediently he felt a bit odd considering the only woman that he even followed up to meet with was his previous to be wife, who did so painfully die before his very eyes, and just the thought of it brings him into a rage, but that’s what repressed memories are for right?

There was no sign of rain anywhere and his steps were lighter than normal, the mask he was so proud of hung from his sash in perfect condition, the look in his eyes was gentle like liquid within a jewel, looking into her eyes he took a seat, and sighed the rain had just begun coming down at that point, it was like a movie standing outside the window you could see the two talking, no joy, but no sadness, but she smiled, and the drinks continued all the way until they left..

Moving along the crowd Mumei was in quite a good mood now, walking under the umbrella with her, his hand on her waist it was odd for this shinigami, but … Wasn’t he just going to use her for an experiment?
Maybe that’s how things go right? Well what could have possibly happened between the bar and to the end of the road? Who knows, but one thing was for certain when he saw that chibi it was like a wolf that just spotted a human missing a leg., but while his head was tilted back drinking down that beautiful whine that seemed to give his body life again, chugging away the gourd of Sake, but when he finished… That chibi was gone and he was left amazed until he saw the fire burning. After all Mumei was a scientist he remembered perfectly what house that was, and jesus what was he made of? The fact that he had a bloody alcohol tolerance like that!?!? But he knew what must be done, and he jumped to it running through the next few building just blocking his eyes he made his way running to the building screaming “Save the sake.” And that he did passing that Chibi, and then naked woman he braved through whatever may be wrong with that bloody house and came out with two more gourds of the Sake.

“…Woman my strength has made you cry, yet you almost let Sake die.”

[Darkness]

Deciding it was best to get it over with and go check his home, Ryuu smirked and looked over to the hostess and ordered a bottle of warm sake too go and while ordering he threw a few coins at her, though he was over paying it wasn't much and he didn't really care. The girl hurried and got his order, trying not to stumble when she brought it out to him. Stepping back some she bowed and wished him a good day but Ryuu only made a grunting sound in reply and took the bottle before he was heading home. Skipping streets and turns he got on the top of the dividing walls he jumped from wall top to wall top until he was on the outer limits of the seireitei.

Seeing his home with smoke leaking from the roof and small flames licking at all the wood on the inside. Ryuu got closer, seeing the guy with his sake again, this time the guy came out of Ryuu's house with even more sake. Walking up to him Ryuu approached him from behind as mumei spoke his nonsense about making people cry, placing his sake bottle down Ryuu snatched his sake back from Mumei and walked closer to his home. Holding the sake in his hands he looked on with emotionless eyes. With a single underhand swing from both his arms he tossed the sake back into his home crashing onto the floor shattering and spilling all over the floor.

"hmm hmmm hehe.."

As the flames from the bedroom meet with the sake the washed into it the fire grew and spread like a wild animal. Ryuu stood there, his smirk became a grin that turned into a chuckle and that chuckle soon became a soft laughter and as the shinigami who acted as the "Fire Department" showed up Ryuu was laughing hysterically as he walked back and took up his bottle of sake. Turning he looked at the girl and mumei while he pointed at his home and continued to laugh at it. It became so hard his breaths were quick and shallow, as Ryuu lost his balance for a moment he caught himself and became walking away from the girl and Mumei. Walking away he passed Enmei as his laughter was now at its loudest, he didn't care if the fire department failed to put it out or not, he knew a hostess who would give him a bed for the night.

"Hehehehe hahahahahah!!!"