The Fox and the Lunatic [Nazomi/Closed]

            So many voices, so many people. It was just so very, very gratifying. Granted it was in a giant sky choking monument to bad architecture and cramped spaces but that was only a small detriment to the place itself. Sure, it made him consider a little aggressive redecorating but he didn't have the time or nearly enough explosives to make any significant impact. Still, it bothered him that all the lights made it hard to see the stars. Or much of anything else except the constant mob of people that filled the streets and sidewalks. Maybe that was what it was supposed to do. But there was only so long he could swim in sea of bodies before old hungers made themselves known or his concentration would break irreparably.

            He'd retreated to the rooftops to digest every sight, every sound, every taste and touch that had been too overwhelming to enjoy them all at once. Perfumes, sweat, and fresh food. Games, voices, sometimes even singing. A burden of experiences to sift through and none of the time to really properly enjoy it. A stolen glass -a proper one, how anyone could enjoy their drink out of anything else was beyond him- and a flask full of absinthe would have helped remedy that. Sadly he would have to go without for the time being.

            What to do, what to do? He could leap down and join the swell again but that would only be amusing for so long. One of the little lambs could provide him a suitable shell for at least a little bit, enough to indulge in the vices that all the excitement encouraged. But even that didn't feel right, as if it was lacking something...something new, something better. It was slightly frustrating to have all this free time and nothing to do with it, or at least nothing that appealed to him enough to pursue. No whispers, no insight, no bright and shining soul worth chasing. And no where to be for once.

            There was something absolutely dreadful about having nothing to do. Something that made his skin itch with annoyance. What the arrancar needed was chaos, entertainment! Something, someone to make the lull worth it before he started resorting to increasingly drastic measures to cure his boredom. Whether that meant location hopping until stumbling across whatever that might be or finding the nearest military installation was still up in the air. Though if he had to choose one...

            He'd always wanted a tank.

            Ah but there was a little tingle along his spine that kept him from considering it further. Really, he should pay closer attention to the senses that his nature provided him. There was pressure in the air, heavy enough to merit whatever attention Nazomi could give it. Nothing enough to identify it though. That made hunting it out a gamble of sorts, but every chance was that they were just as aware of him. If not, did that mean he was beneath their notice? Not that he needed the excuse now but a little extra motivation never hurt.

            A short walk off the roof and he plunged down through the air, body breaking into an violent invisible energy ripped its ways through the streets towards the source of reiatsu he'd felt. When he snapped into place, a blur still being pieced together, everything moved just half a step slower than it should have. He blinked, the world moved on how it should have. Scanning the crowd the arrancar tilted his hat forward a bit to hide his eyes, razor-wire grin stretched across his face the entire time. What would it be this time? Some sibling monster, perhaps? Some mortal maybe, hopefully with an ability that would prove worth the trouble he hoped to get into. Much to his chagrin, Nazomi could only frown when finding the source he'd been hunting after.

            A hakama.

            A body moving through the crowds just as unhindered as he was.

            A shinigami.

            Well, he'd wanted someone to play with.

            "I'd tell you that I want to eat you up..." His scowl lightened a bit, slowly working back into the grin he had worn before. Not unflattering at least. If he had to share his night with a reaper then it might as well be one that was easy on the eyes. Or at least one that he didn't feel an immediate desire to treat like a baseball. But he slashed his tongue across his teeth for emphasis before carrying on.

            "But I'm afraid you might take it the wrong way." 

=========================

Word Count: 761

GP Gained: 15

If Zor was just a little less carefree, he would have been at attention the instant he felt that weight on his shoulders. He should have at least readied his stance the instant he tasted Hollow on his lips. All of his years of training should have told him to never underestimate any opponent. But that simply wasn't how Zor worked. If anything he relaxed more when he felt the pressure get closer. He even smiled just a bit as he walked into the street, unabashed by his Zanpakuto shivering in his hand with excitement. The bloodthirsty beast within in was surely drooling at the thought of being able to slice through another Hollow. 

Zor only stopped when the Hollow addressed him directly. The boy half turned to face his opponent, his vibrant green eyes instantly locking onto the monster despite the mortals that walked between them, completely unaware that their lives were in danger. The young Shinigami tilted his head and frowned thoughtfully. "Aww damn. I was hoping for a Hollow..." He didn't bother to hide his disappointment as his eyes scanned over the Arrancar. He had only encountered an Arrancar once before, and that was Takua, so it wasn't really his fault that he got the pressures mixed up. Hollow, Arrancar, they were both technically the same, right? Though he had to admit, this Arrancar had the smile of a Hollow. His lips were curled in a primal smile, eager to consume everything around him, but somehow tame enough for him to simply talk. How odd... Arrancar sure were a strange bunch. 

Waving his knife around as he spoke, Zor smiled. "Though I will say, you're a lot more interesting to look at than Takua is," he chuckled, as if he were talking to his best friend. "I like your hat. I didn't know Arrancar had tailors that made anything except white and black robes." Zor slipped his free hand into his pocket as he shifted his knife around his palm. He knew he was supposed to killing Hollows and Arrancar alike on sight, but really, was that necessary? Especially in a crowded mess like this street. And to be completely fair, he had yet to meet an Arrancar that wanted to kill everything in its sight like the Hollow did.

'Zorra, stop playing around and do your job,' the spirit growled anxiously. 

'I will, I will,' Zor thought back to his Zanpakuto, a smirk finding its way onto his lips. 'But it'd be a real shame to kill the only one giving me a bit of entertainment.' 

The sword groaned in response, but said nothing more. 

Shifting his weight into a more casual stance, Zor let his eyes linger over the Arrancar's form for a moment longer before sighing gently. "But, whatever," he shrugged. "I'm not supposed to chitchat with the enemy unless you have something worth saying." He shifted his knife in his palm, holding it like he was ready to slash the Arrancar's neck open. "Don't take it personal. If things were my way, I'd already bought you a drink by now." He laughed under his breath and took a step closer to the man.

[533. 10 GP]

[19 GP]

            The little black shining blade had his attention. Well, to be fair the little reaper had it first, filling the arrancar's thoughts with violent embraces. It played out in his head with brutal gratification; bodies sticky with sweat and blood tangled against one another battering each other in an attempt to take what they wanted. Invisible hands clutched his throat, squeezing until Nazomi gasped for air he never needed. Phantom fingertips raked his skin and an unknown form writhed against his own, warm to the touch but struggling against it. The knife merely added something new and exciting to his imaginative delights; stabbing and slashing him to beautiful bloody ribbons that only served to excite the merry madman that much more.
 
            "If I had things my way we'd be trying not to cause property damage with our hatefucking." He paused for a beat, biting his lip with a most excited sound until blood welled up under his teeth. "And fail horribly at it." His hand fell to his belt, thumb hooked underneath it while his fingers twitched restlessly against the fabric of his pants. Pent up or perhaps just eager relieve himself of frustration Nazomi stepped a bit closer, stopping only as a little lamb stepped past him with a blind and nervous glance in his direction.
 
            His appetites were apparently as varied as they were insatiable in the moment. Maybe that was the game to play, a little lamb to serve as their princess while they tore into one another. But it only appealed to his depravity because if the little flicker of pressure was any indication then not everyone was blind to the reaper or the arrancar. It would only be fun if they could see though, if only to watch if not dragged into it was well. Still he considered briefly enjoying her if only leave the poor girl in a similar state as the one he currently fought with. There was no guarantee that wouldn't ruin the mood though.
 
            And it just meant Nazomi would be able to spoil the shinigami with that much more of his attention.
 
            "But who determines the worth of what I say? You're the only one here, after all. And I happen to value myself a little too much to speak on it without bias." Given the shinigami hadn't immediately set him on fire as had been the case so many times before, or had yet to attack him improved his opinion of the little reaper if only by a bit. Still a threat, still an enemy, but not one that needed to be given his abrupt hostility. Not when there was still so much fun they could have.
 
            "I quite like knives too, you know. It's just so very intimate to use them. You never know someone quite as well as you do until they're on the edge of one." He'd switched subjects on a whim, never really offering a chance for the shinigami to respond. A saner man might have done so with the intent to give them room to think on it; the arrancar had done so merely because it had pleased him to do so. There were at least a dozen different blades he could have drawn to make his point, if there was even one to make, but it seemed premature to do so. They had the night to themselves to decide if it was necessary.
 
            Nazomi matched the little reaper's stride, close enough that he could almost taste sweet suffering and flesh. His eyes snapped open at the thought, the color of his irises shifting from yellow to green as his predatory gaze rested on the shinigami. The color deepened and his pupils narrowed into slits; pinpricks of sensation scratching at his neck as the whispers began. This was more dangerous than he had realized but somehow it was all the more stimulating for it. Clothing itched against his skin and he ground his teeth with hungry anticipation. The wait was unbearable, unthinkable, teasing him with every ache and desire that surged up begging to be fulfilled. How he sated them now no longer mattered.
 
            "So, how do you want to get to know me?"
 
===============================
 
Word Count: 700
GP Gained: 14
Total GP: 29
 
Action Summary

Schrödinger | Hollow Power | Direct Power
 
            Half in, half out. Nazomi's power keep him in such a state, shifting constantly between existence in a way that distorts his appearance, often to the point of presenting some monstrous countenance to others in various small ways. In this state he is not intangible in the sense that he can not be touched, but that his body offers little in the way of solidarity or resistance in order to reject the damage it might have done. With it the blade rarely finds anything deep enough to cut, the fire never quite close enough to do more than sear. And when necessary he can use his limited form of spatial control to ward against an opponent's ability to hinder or restrain him. An action is used to enter this state but not to maintain.
 
            Reject: By intuitively manipulating his own spatial presence when making an attack against Nazomi the opponent's attack power is decreased by 10 per rank for the duration of that technique. Each use of this power in this manner costs 3 stamina per check. Effects contingent upon contact with the opponent (being attacked or attacking) are negated for additional price of the effect being canceled + 3 and a skill check of equivalent or better.
 
           Ward: At advanced Nazomi is able to increase his field of spatial control enough to prevent foreign influences from debilitating or binding him. Powers or techniques that debuff or disable the target (statistically or otherwise) without direct melee contact can be negated at 3 stamina + the cost of the effect being negated per use and a skill check of equivalent or better. This does not apply to powers or techniques that use illusions, mental effects, or debuffs that result from changes to the opponent's physiology.

 
And my second action spent to sync up and turn on Mad Insight skill
 
Bonuses as follows
- Opponent Attack Speed -10
- Lowers tier to successfully dodge by one
- Damage from an attack immediately following a successful dodge is increased by one tier

His face twisted into an anxious smile as the Arrancar spoke. How lucky was he? Sure the man was well off the crazy end, but isn't that what made this all the more fun? The young Shinigami dared a step closer to the Arrancar, watching every tick of his face as he shifted psychotically. Not that Zor really wanted to associate with the loony bin, but when he saw something he liked, he made a point to enjoy that something in every single way possible. "Oh, you are just a treat," he mumbled under his breath right after the enemy had spoken. Maybe all the years of Hollow-hatred training he had went through screamed at him to just sink his blade into the disgusting flesh of this monster, but his own nature surpassed any sort of caution that had been beat into his head. 

So many things he could do, so many things he could say. Did he let simple chit chat govern the entire meeting? Did he let actions speak louder than words? It was rare for him to find himself at an impasse, especially in a social situation, but to be fair it was also rare for him to stumble upon someone as delicious as this man. Someone who could easily be his most... intimate... friend, or his most deadly opponent. It was a fork in the road, and right now--this very moment--Zor was faced with the decision. Blood or Lust? The answer came easier than it should have. 

"How do I want to get to know you?" Zor repeated, chuckling a bit as he did so. "In every way possible." He stared back into the suddenly primal eyes of the Arrancar, completely unabashed by any sort of predatory glare that was hidden within the green and yellow orbs. If anything, the danger made him lean in a bit closer, testing to see just how close he could get before all hell would break loose. How far could he tiptoe into the enemy's boundaries before one of them snapped? How quickly could he change lovebites into a feeding frenzy.

Knife still held casually at his side and his body as relaxed as ever, save for the intense look in his eyes, he grinned again. "What about you, Mr. Arrancar?" He tilted his head curiously. "What are your plans for the evening?"

[402. 8 GP]

[27 GP]

             That was...

            Unexpected?

            Yes that was it. Nazomi tilted his head somewhat awkwardly, his brow cocked in confusion. Everything he had been expecting had just sort of gone to the wayside, the tension and the violent delights he had thought to indulge in. Had the Little Reaper changed the tempo or was there some other design at work? There was really no way for the arrancar to tell which. Not that it really mattered either way; he was content to see for himself about how it all might play out. Even if it had been something of a tease. The rager he'd worked up with his bloody fantasies was still grating enough against his zipper, in spite of his bewilderment, that he couldn't help but thinking velcro might be the better option in the future.

            "I don't know, actually." His voice had rattled a little at the end, dragging out the end of each word. His lips rubbed against his teeth in an interesting little motion while he thought about it, a smile stretching out after a moment's consideration. It wasn't like he'd ever planned anything, but less so in this particular instance. Blinking, ever so innocently of course, the arrancar couldn't help but muse over this being a first as far as interaction with his counterparts.

            "Honestly this is a bit new for me. Usually some pajama wearing asshole comes along thinking setting me on fire or trying to stab me is an appropriate way to say hello." They did seem to love setting him on fire. Admittedly it probably didn't help matters that he was so combustible, but that wasn't something Nazomi had any real control over. Really, a little consideration wasn't much to ask for. Chat, introduce themselves, maybe a handjob, and then they could try to murder one another to their heart's content. Well, maybe not murder. It always seemed a waste when it went that far, but convincing them of that was more difficult than it should have been.

            "No sense of foreplay, those ones." He gouged the air with his fingers, grin stretching out a bit more for it. It was the nervous excitement that had built up in preamble to the conflict he'd been expecting working itself out. Bouncing on his feet, glancing at the lights, at the people passing, and very aware that he'd be drowning in sensation again before long. Not a terrible idea given the company, but also a terrible idea given what the company might do. Too many little pretties about to want to run the risk of accidentally...well they just seemed to have a problem with exploding a bit too easily for his tastes sometimes.

            "Nazomi, by the by. Pleasure's all mine." A tip of his hat and he turned his eyes towards the skyline, sucking in an unnecessary breath that was all the more satisfying for the needlessness of it. All the while peeked over his cheeks to see what the Little Reaper might do with a throat ripe and bared for slitting. Or any other number of other things. Not that he'd make it that easy. It was so much more fun to make someone work for what they wanted.

            "A game of tag, maybe? You'll have to keep up if you want to dance with me, Mr. D." The arrancar kicked off the ground, flitting into the air with a small cackle of amusement still in his voice. He landed in a crouch atop of a platform of reishi drawn together underneath his feet, peering down at his play date with an inviting flick of his tongue. If not bloody delights than he'd settle for his entertainment wherever he could get it. One game was as good as another; if only to see what the little reaper could do in other...far, far more interesting ways than just bandying about with a knife. Not that he had given up all hope of including that as well. 

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Word Count: 660

GP Gained: 13

Total GP: 42

Much to his amusement, he watched the confusion work its way across the Arrancar's face, complete with an eyebrow raise and the tilt of his head. Was all of this really so strange for the man? Zor found it hard to believe that there had yet to be anyone to indulge in the man's insanity like Zor was--it was simply too enjoyable for anyone to take for granted. That being said, Zor had always been a little strange himself when it came to the norm. Always one to set himself apart in every way possible, though this was purely on accident. A simple happenstance that this Arrancar proved to be more interesting alive than dead. Pure luck on that man's part--or was it lucky for both of them?

"Thankfully," Zor beamed brightly, "I couldn't set you on fire if I wanted to. Spiritual things aren't my forte. As for stabbing you? Well, no promises there..." The lowering of his voice just barely hinted at a more suggestive definition of the word 'stabbing', but somehow boarded a threat. How easy it was for Zor to warp his words however he wanted. How easy it was for him push himself into other's comfort zones. Maybe he wasn't blessed with the ability to shoot fire from his fingertips or control the turns of the seasons, but all of that would have proven secondary to his ability to weave himself into the minds of those around him--apparently even the psychotic fell under his spell! "Besides, I think it would be rude if I didn't at least give you the tip." His stare broke when he giggled and looked away, finally finding himself at his own breaking point. How could he not laugh? How stupid was it that he was here flirting with the monster that would probably try to tear out his throat at any given time? How silly was Zor being for ignoring his Zanpakuto? This entire situation was down right hilarious.

Their actions happened at the same time. Just as the Arrancar--Nazomi as he had mentioned--looked up, Zor stepped forward, closing the majority of the space between them. Bodies nearly touching, breaths interlocking, Zor's bright eyes stared relentlessly at the Arrancar, a smile hinting at his lips when the beast finally looked at him. "Zor," the word came out more of a heated whisper than anything else, though anything louder would have proved obnoxious for how close they were now. His fingers itched at the hilt of his knife, his knees shifted just slightly. He had no doubt in his mind that he could do it right now. He could slit the Arrancar's throat and be done with the beast. He'd probably go back home to praise and honors for taking down one of the infamous Arrancar. They were, after all, monsters to be feared. Most of them were literally the strongest of Hollows, perched at their highest form of development. Zor could be a hero right here, right now.

But that wasn't exactly the main thought going through his head. His thoughts had taken a turn down a more lustful path. Mind you, it was still bloody, but in far different, more exciting ways that made him doubt his own sanity for a moment.

And then they were gone. All those thoughts snapped away when the monster jerked upwards. His lips tilted downward in a slight pout, disappointed at the distance between his new object of interest, but the frustration was gone before his eyes could even meet Nazomi's again. He exhaled loudly and crossed his arms. "You're really going to make me work for this, huh?" He chuckled dryly as he shook his head. "Should've known a Hollow-breed wouldn't put out at first glance." Zor wasn't much of a chaser in any form. He was not mobile, nor fast on his feet when it came to hunting down people, nor was he patient enough to put up with flirting games for any period of time. That being said, he didn't really want to waste such an opportune moment, as he would probably never see this Arrancar again (at least not in the near future), so he found himself at an impasse. Amused, green eyes stared up at the Arrancar who continued to taunt him with a flick of his tongue, as Zor weighed his options. 

To chase or not to chase? 

He dropped his arms to his sides and with a wide grin fueled by his intoxicating excitement, he lunged for the Arrancar.

[757. 15]

[42 GP]

Pretty, pretty thing.

            But not nearly fast enough for it to matter.

            Lingering air in his lungs froze in anticipation, the lunge failing to satisfy all that had been expected of the little reaper. Static noise. A flickering form. The shinigami would find himself grasping at empty air with Nazomi's teasing laughter lilting from the vacant space. Warm breath and a suggestive groan preceded the tongue that flashed against Zor's earlobe before the Arrancar skated effortlessly back into the crowd of bodies that surrounded them. All that just to leave his tie draped over his playmate's shoulder; that and to have a little taste for the sake of his curiosity.

            "Oh no, no. This simply won't do." Cursing at his frustration he circled through the crowd, darting from one spot to the next if the little reaper's gaze came too close. So many people, so many lights, and all that desire coursing through him made more intense through their shared lust. It was just so overwhelming; which fire should the arrancar throw himself into first? Each was as warm, just as inviting as the next. The thought of letting them rage against one another to see which would consume him first left Nazomi shaking with excitement.

            It couldn't last. It shouldn't. Marveling at the world for all the changes or vibrancy it possessed would not last long enough for it to be truly fulfilling. All the pretty noise could be captured in color, bled upon a canvas for a lasting monument to a place and time that would change more quickly than any of the little lambs realized. His conflict was the mysterious young caller who had captured his interest equal measure. Someone who like Nazomi was ageless in an aging world. As enjoyable as humans might be with their inconsistent chaotic lives they rarely lasted long enough to be truly fulfilling.

            Supposing that was the symmetry of his existence what choice did Nazomi have but to give in? Choking laughter, fingertips flitting through the air just for the comfort that each glancing touch brought him was as much an end to their game of hide and seek as it was confirmation of what the Arrancar yearned for. Silence. Distraction. Emptiness came for him once more as it always did with the end of his merriment. Of all the noise surrounding him it was the ticking that his focus was drawn to, the surety of the clock's hands dragging his blank gaze back to the little reaper.

            "It's not fair, you know?" He called out, not caring for an answer. It was a wasteful question prompted by a sweet scent and a passing youth. A small smile came and went, the corners of his lips curling for an instant when his imagination strayed. With the fading grin still fluttering on his features the merry madman tugged his pocket watch free of the fastener.

            "There's just so much I want to do at the moment. But even if I could find a canvas and the materials for it the scene would have become another sort of beast by then. For better or worse I'm simply not prepared to capture it in the way it deserves." A sigh. A squeeze. The watch became the weapon that had been hiding behind the ticking seconds. Chain coiled lazily around Nazomi's forearm while his fingers tightened around the dark sackcloth that swaddled the handle, his reflection grinning back at him from the blade's silvery sheen.

What big teeth you have.

            Slipping the edge underneath the collar of his shirt the Arrancar sliced each button out of the way. One by one they tumbled free until in his impatience Nazomi felt the tip gouge his skin. A moan slipped out mixed with a gasp, the sensation of cold metal and air against his flushed skin making his nerves crawl. His body seized, chin forced upward by the spasm until finally settling into an almost drunken sway.

            "But if I cannot indulge in one desire, I will most certainly indulge in the other." With hunger in his voice Nazomi lunged, his body flung forward with more than Sonido propelling him. Dancing invisibly around his playmate he stepped out of the air behind the little reaper, quick to slip one arm around the shinigami's waist and the other over his shoulder.

            "Now is the point I'd normally suggest finding some place quiet and dark to enjoy what comes next, but I'm just a little bit curious about who I'm about to-" Cutting himself off with a sudden need that wouldn't wait to be sated Nazomi found bare skin at the nape of his playmate's throat and bit down. Blood welled up under his teeth that tasted of copper and ecstasy. His empty hand tore at the uniform until finally he could rake at soft flesh beneath, almost digging his fingers into the shinigami's belly before dragging them higher. He could have torn apart the little reaper, devoured him whole, and still the savagery wouldn't be anywhere close to being enough to satisfying him.

            The knife tapping against the center of the little reaper's chest brought his attention back from where it had been so intent to go. One thing at a time, no matter how incoherent or unreasonable his impulses might be.

            "I have nothing but empty space where this should be. Yet I feel everything so much more intensely than you could ever believe. I want for nothing, not hunger, not contentment, not even inspiration. I'm more complete than most of your kind could ever hope to be." An empty sort of laugh snuck out. It was a sad thought really, but one Nazomi was far too busy lapping at the wound he'd caused to entertain. The Arrancar pressed a bit closer, draping his weight along his playmate's shoulders. A voice crept into his ear singing a lullaby so possessing that he couldn't help but hum along with it. It was just such a shame the little reaper couldn't hear the music yet.

            "But what about you, hmm? I want to know what defines you, Foxy boy. Something about you just keeps worming around in my brain to the point of madness and I simply must know what it is. Because no matter what I do the same passage keeps repeating in my head when it comes to you. Can you tell me why..." A groan rattled in his throat, the words burning on his tongue and in his head. Uncertain of his reasoning the merry madman could only wonder what had provoked the quote.

"That is not dead can eternal lie, and with strange aeons even death may die."

=========================================

Word Count: 1113

GP Gained: 22

Total GP: 64

GP CLAIMED

His attempts to keep up with the lunatic were only vain efforts. His feet came stumbling forward, unprepared for there to be nothing to break his lunge. Even his fingertips, which had been so eager to snatch a fistful of that madman's jacket, were awfully empty as the Shinigami's robes settled onto his frame. But maybe his second attempt would come with better results? As the warmth of the groan wafted by Zor's neck, he foolishly granted himself just a fraction of a second to indulge in the heat before he spun around. Though, once again his eyes only saw the mindless bodies of the unaware humans who shuffled by. Zor truly was no textbook example of speed, nor did he ever make an effort for that to change, but this Arrancar was complete madness on his toes, completely vanishing from the boy's vision anytime he even tried so much as to look at the monster. 

He let his head loll back as a loud sigh of exasperation escaped him. "Are we going to go play these games all night, Naz?" He called out as he stared at the sky, content to simply give up the stupid chasing he had never wanted to do in the first place. His hand came up to snatch the tie around his shoulder, only to fling it to the ground as he let his chin dip back down. "If you're not going to put out, I might as well just kill you now." But his words fell upon deaf ears, for Nazomi seemingly didn't care what the fox had to say. Too caught up in his own delusional world, the monster hummed from the safety of the crowd, babbling on about something "it" not being fair and how a canvas had something to do with it. Symbolism that made no sense to the saner of the two, but symbolism not completely lost in sanity. 

Swirling around in the back of his consciousness, he felt Kuroi Tsume growl in agitation--in fear. A weapon so keen on self-preservation that he dare not enjoy the simple luxuries that Zor was happily accepted. A weapon so stiff and obstinate in every single idea that made him who he was, even if his warnings were of good nature, they met against the wall Zor had built between the two of them. A wall that sometimes cracked just enough for Zor to laugh in the face of wiser of the two. Why should someone so driven by his lust even bother to give such a being the time of day? Especially when something far more interesting was right in front of him, daring to test the boundaries between enemies and partners.

Even as the beast draped his arms around the skinny Shinigami's body, the boy found himself only relaxing that much more as he exhaled the breath he had been holding. How intimate did Zor dare for this little dance to play? How quick would he let the beat hammer against his chest before he found himself drawing a line? Was there even a line he could draw? Even as the teeth of a predator sliced through his skin, the line was not drawn. Maybe, judging by the way the boy found himself gasping and clenching his eyes shut, he even went as far as to step away from the boundary. The erotic pain reeled him in too quickly--made it far too easy for him to melt into the arms of the enemy. In this moment, he was not a Shinigami. He was not a soldier bred to slaughter the masked demons. He was a being of pure desire, demanding for every lust he felt to be appeased right then and there.

And this desire had a face and a name. A desire Zor could so easily personify even at a subconscious level, but somehow was always lost at the tip of his tongue. A name, a body, a voice all there, but only looking at him from a distance until moments like this edged it forward. A terrifyingly beautiful thing that went beyond words that coiled around every logical thought and snuffed it out of existence, leaving only an agonizingly delicious need for everything. Such a being was deadly when combined with the fox's weak control, for it could lead him into the traps Kuroi tried to pull the boy away from. But then again, there was a reason this inhumane desire was on Zor's side of the wall, while Kuroi Tsume found himself clawing away at an insurmountable barrier. That was why Zor did not hear his sword yelling at him to fight back. That was why he caved under the pressure and let himself drown in the burning abyss of this moment.

 But that moment was fleeting, and just as soon as Nazomi's teeth freed themselves from the boy's neck, another sigh allowed him to regain his composure. His own arm moved up slowly, daring to test the patience of a monster who seemed to have nothing of the sort. The wait would worth it though, for they were both monsters at heart that lusted for the tingling warmth of pain. The tip of his knife dug into the wrist of the Arrancar, breaking the skin just enough for the blood to leek out as Zor pulled the blade along the back of his partner's hand. "What defines me?" He restated, if only to grant him a few more seconds in this position. Just barely tainted with blood, Kuroi finally got to taste what he oh so wanted to taste, only for the moment to be ripped from his grasp, denying him of the one thing he sought after. No sooner had Zor started to dig the side of the knife between the Arrancar's bones did he jerk the blade around to come between himself and the enemy's weapon. Pushing the blade back and twirling around, the fox slipped from the lunatic's grasp, dancing back a few steps in tandem with the melody of the wild song that defined this moment.

The line had been draw, but only drawn in sand. A temporary line that reminded the naive boy who he was and his entire purpose. Eyes consumed with the haze of toxic thoughts, he stared at the humming beast and, just for a moment, desperately wished he could see more than just a monster. Oh how he longed for the waves of denial to come and erase all of those boundaries that were set between the two of them. How he wished this evening wouldn't end in one of the dead, for if he were to return home, his clothes laced with Hollow Reiatsu, he would find himself helplessly coming up with excuses for not slaying the demon on sight. But maybe, he mused, being rejected from the Seireitei wouldn't be all that bad...

"I..." His lips parted just as his clothes settled onto his frame. Too many thoughts occupied his mind right now for him to think on such a deep level, and even if he did have the luxury of doing so, he couldn't pull out an answer because that was a question he had been trying to answer for centuries. His mouth closed in frustration as he continued to pull out no good answer. "I don't know."

His free hand clenched around the open wound on his neck, reigniting the wonderful pain, though such a pain was no where near as entertaining when done upon himself. Fingers madly dove into the tender flesh and drew out even more blood which cascaded down his wrist and stained the sleeve of his robe. How could he be at a loss for words? He had always had something to say--always had an answer for every question that could be thrown, no matter how awkward the pitch. But questions like these? Questions that seemed to come from no where, but demanded and answer on the spot, were something foreign to the fox. Part of him wanted nothing more than to force out an answer, even if it was a lie, but the other part of him needed the subject to change--needed him to escape confronting such a simple thing. 

[1,372. 27]

[69]

"How sad."

            What delight there had been washed from his features. A half-step forward was all the motion he made towards the little reaper, the tip of his foot grinding into the ground before he thought better of it. What exactly had he done wrong? Was it the knife? It was probably the knife. For some reason everyone seemed to think drawing it, or any weapon, meant he intended them some harm. True it would probably be in his best interest to make use of it now but the foxy boy had not decided to press the opening he'd created for himself. If it hadn't so thoroughly ruined his mood Nazomi would have been inclined to make a joke about the opening that had been created in his hand as well, followed by any number of suggestive comments.

            Instead he opted to let the knife take the ticking shape of the time piece again, stuffing it into his pocket without further ceremony. Whether it was necessary or not he had no need of it. Far too wasteful a thing to do. Of that much he was certain. The pain was no worse than any other he felt, even with the split in his flesh, the uncontrollable twitch of his fingers and the nerves that had been damaged by it. There had been hesitation in the cut. That, coupled with the pitiable answer he had been given, told him enough of the little reaper.

            His eyes flickered with color.

            "Do you know the difference between lust and love? Between a boy and a man?" Grasping his wounded hand Nazomi squeezed, forcing the wound together as flesh quickly knitted itself whole. A swipe of his hand and it was gone save for the red smear or sensation that caused his fingers to continue to twitch at the feeling. Drawing it closer to his face he could smell steel and copper, blood that tasted colder against his tongue than it should have. It was almost enough to excite him again.

            "It's the choice. And I have to wonder now just how many choices have been your own and not another's. Either forced on you because you were too weak to make your own or too weak to realize how they would indoctrinate you given the chance." He couldn't help but scoff at it, even knowing just how it might sound. But it needed to be said all the same.

            "I suppose this is another choice for you too. Am I right or am I wrong? Because I have trouble believing I'm wrong when you can't even give me such a simple answer." He toyed with the brim of his hat, grinning at the thought that suddenly took him. Oh that would certainly make things more interesting. Then again, gambling always did. And on such an interesting soul, even a reaper, it may well be worth it to see just the young soul might do. The worst the Arrancar stood to lose was his life; a paltry thing given what he hoped to play for.

            So it was decided. With a flick of his wrist he flung his hat at the little reaper's face, lunging forward the instant he had to seize the foxy boy's knife hand. Firm but not threatening, or at least he hoped, Nazomi forced the blade to his throat and locked his gaze with the Shinigami. The merry madman grinned and growled, fighting himself to even allow the reaper that much control but important enough that his will could suppress his nature. For a little while, at least.

            "And while we're on the subject of choices, let me offer you one that will at least entertain me. If I am wrong, if you can tell me what it is that defines you, then split my throat and take my head as a trophy for your brothers. I won't even resist." To that point he leaned into the knife edge, letting it split the skin, blood surging onto the black blade as it welled up from the cut. Oh how his smile stretched in such an inhuman way, the shudder on his lips even as he reached up with his other hand to place his thumb against the foxy boy's. He held it there for a moment before dragging it down the little reaper's chin, gently gripping him by the neck.

            "But if you can't and you still try, I'll crush your throat. I'm sure we'll make a perfectly lovely couple of corpses, after all. If you can't figure out something so important and want to be a stubborn ass you might as well die while you're still pretty, right? Or, there is yet one more choice I can offer you..." The one in his opinion, even if he didn't intend to share that much, that would be far, far more fun for the little reaper to take. As a happy by-product it was more productive than the others since there was the whole part where they both got to live a bit longer. Probably. Maybe.

            "Or, simply because I'm so fond of you, admit I'm right and I will help you find out what defines you. What should define you. There is no shame in it, accepting my help that is." There was a fire in his smile then, a flickering thing he quickly hid with a grin. There were things he wanted to act on in that moment, to throw aside the knife or let a different sort of violence take them, but he dared not. This was far too important, for himself and for the little reaper. Nazomi could ill afford to let his convictions appear so weak when they should matter the most.

"Because that is what defines me, my foxy boy."

Whether it was wanted or not.

"My purpose is to set you free."

Regardless of what it would cost either of them.

"Try not to disappoint me."

As if he could. Not when Nazomi had already hedged the bet in his favor.

========================================

Word Count: 1007

GP Gained: 20

‘Zor. Are you even listening to me?’

His fingers stopped twitching against his neck, though that pained look of restraint continued to consume his expression.

‘Zorra! Clearly you’ve gotten in over your head. Back out and leave while this thing is letting you go.’

How was it possible that Zor wanted nothing more than to kill this psychotic beast and fuck him at the same time? This had to be the work of trickery of some sort. A curse the Arrancar was laying down on him.

Zor exhaled when Nazomi didn’t instantly close the gap between them, but instead seemed reluctantly content to give them both a breath of fresh air. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, Zor couldn’t decide. It definitely gave him more reason to focus on what the Arrancar was saying, rather than the way his lips moved.

The Shinigami wished he didn’t have to hear the Arrancar. The way his flippant tone waved back and forth so casually and almost melodically. As if he didn’t have a care in the world. As if everything he was saying could have been brushed off without a moment’s thought. But then he had the audacity to make his words have meaning—to pretend he knew Zor and everything the young Shinigami had done. He had made his own decisions before! Like…

Like…

His face flushed a bit at the realization that nothing he had ever done was by his own choosing. The Academy? His friends wanted him to. His division? Assigned to him. The decision to come out here tonight? His superior telling him to take a break from training.

He set his jaw and parted his lips, ready to argue against the Arrancar despite the truth of his statements. But instead, he found himself jerking back and reaching up to cut away a flash of green. A true reflex to attack anything that came his way, but even his reflexes were denied by the pure speed of the beast. His wrist was trapped and before Zor could put two and two together, his knife was being forced against Nazomi’s throat.

‘Lean forward. Take his head off right now!’

Kuroi Tsume was always so quick to kill. Quick to take any opportunity that came his way. At one point in time, Zor had been the same way, often diving in head first and getting himself in trouble. But right now, he truly did not want to kill the Arrancar. Not when he dared to make such bold promises such as bringing Zor’s purpose to light.

The boy swallowed a bit, his bright, green eyes transfixed on the even brighter, yellow eyes of Nazomi. Completely ensnared by the monster’s gaze, he didn’t even flinch as the cold fingers of a killer wrapped around his neck, giving the illusion of a threat despite the less than impressive grip.

Zor’s fingers tensed on the knife he was holding. Why was Nazomi so infatuating? What was so captivating about him? Was it the promise of finding Zor’s identity? The promise of being “set free”? Or was it that devilish grin and intoxicating demeanor?

‘Zor… You’re not seriously considering taking this beasts’ offer, are you?’

“You know, it’s funny,” Zor chuckled a bit, his expression finally settling in a slightly more relaxed one despite staring into the face of what could become his killer. “I was so excited to become a Shinigami and kill monsters like you. At least, that’s what I was told to be excited for. I just wanted to cut things and be famous, ya’know.”

‘Enough of your games!’

“But I guess… I really am weak for just falling in line like a good little pet,” he shrugged a little. How much of a disgrace was he being right now? He was breaking almost every rule in one simple conversation, and now he was about to break the biggest rule.

“So… You’re right, Naz.”

[657. 13]

[82] 

            "Hush now, foxy boy." A coo in his voice and hesitation in removing the tender grasp on his playmate's throat. "You just made a choice for yourself, would have regardless of which. Quite the first step, I would think." Alas, Nazomi did loosen his grip enough that his hand slumped, sliding almost numbly against the little reaper's chest, dragging enough that his fingers could appreciate finer details. Like a good tease his touch never went low enough to give the fox what he wanted, but enough to make it hard to resist wanting to take advantage. Very, very hard in the Arrancar's case.

            God damned his own playfulness.

            But still, it was impossible to stop. A finger against his own throat to soak his blood into his skin and then to the lips of the reaper, a teasing brush against them first then dragging, pressing with need that caused his body to ache. Somewhere between the moment he fumbled with what little self-control he possessed and realizing what it was he had done, Nazomi had seized the boy by the wrist to drag the hand the reaper had bloodied to his mouth.

            The air in his lungs froze there with the first taste of flesh and blood that his tongue crashed against, almost sucking at the boy's wrist in an effort to drug himself on it. Hungers, too many to separate, all touched off a sensation that burned his synapses with pleasure. It had been far too long since he had eaten but the feeling had not been all that different from the first time the Arrancar fed on a living thing, making his insides squeeze and shift all the more violently with greedy desire.

            By god he wanted to strip the flesh off the boy, tear him to bits and pieces.

            Not nearly enough blood. Not enough. Never enough. Flesh cleaned of it Nazomi moved to the fingers, lapping the intoxicating copper from each until closing his lips around the reaper's pinky. Teeth grated into the fox's skin, barely able to restrain the urge to severe it entirely, but forgot just as quickly what the impulse desired of him when something fresh and sweet welled up against his tongue. His eyes rolled back before settling into a drunken half-gaze that left his brain feel like a fine fuzz scraping the inside of his skull.

            A flick of his tongue's tip against the pad of the reaper's finger and Nazomi settled back on his heels, grinning and ever so pleased with himself when he added for the hell of it "I've been wanting to do that since I got my first taste for you." Which he punctuated with a laugh that half sounded like a groan. So much light, so much blood, left him feeling woozy on his feet.

            "Would you like to come with me? No more orders, foxy boy." Again his voice came out in delighted hazy half-song, pacing about the reaper and tugging at the robes that were really just in the way at this point. He stopped though, lips curling and expression as if the thought had just come to him out of nowhere.  "I'll still be here when you blink, happy to indulge with you." Whatever that mattered. Selfish, contemptibly so, but he couldn't help but want to sate his avarice with such a pretty little thing that wouldn't age, wouldn't disappear in a flash of years. Always there one way or another, just as endless as the Arrancar was.

            "Oh but somewhere darker, please? Quieter so I can focus on...mm if I just had a canvas! God damnit, you give me such ideas!" As delighted as he had sounded, Nazomi paused, just realizing how poorly he had phrased that. A small blush touched his cheeks for only a moment before he cackled, scratching at his cheek with the amusement still crinkling his features. "Besides those, not that I mind either way." Clapping at his own admission Nazomi walked away, not so fast that the reaper could not follow, but certainly not slow enough to let himself be caught too quickly. That wouldn't be any fun; no, no fun at all.

            "And then we can answer another question for you, perhaps" At which Nazomi turned to peek over his own shoulder with a suggestive little grin on his face that did not do nearly enough to do justice to every rampant little fantasy that vied for his attention.

            "What is it you want at this moment?"

==========================================================

Word Count: 751

GP Gained: 15

In all of this seriousness, Zor had almost forgot about lust he was feeling not but seconds ago.

Almost.

Any bit of arousal that might have been lost was returned with interest when Nazomi slid his hand from Zor’s throat, trailing down his body in an agonizingly slow rate. Teasing him. Testing his limits. Testing everything. Test, test, test. If Zor would have known about this, he would have studied harder.

He leaned forward just enough for him to feel his weight on his toes, his body aching for the fabric boundary between them to be shed, if only for a few minutes. Or hours. Perhaps days if they didn’t end up killing each other. Though, by the time the Arrancar’s fingers seemed to almost tremble with excitement, Zor would have been alright just about anything.

A kiss. Hair pulling. Biting. Anything.

A gasp escaped his lips when suddenly the monster’s mouth was pressed against Zor’s still fresh wound, tongue pressing and swirling against the blood in a sort of controlled frenzy that simultaneously made Zor want to pull back fear of losing his hand and moan from the chills it gave him. The odd feeling was only mad worse when the madman trailed his tongue up to the Shinigami’s fingers, meticulously cleaning each one and not sparing a single chance to make Zor shift his weight and bite back the urge to just tackle the man right then and there.

Part of his mind wanted to scold him for being so easy and eager, but the sub in him didn’t much care. Especially when finding good partners in the Seireitei was a career in itself.

Thoughts of the Seireitei gave him a moment of pause, though not nearly enough to ease the tension that was growing thicker and thicker each time Nazomi made eye contact with him. His division would come looking for him if he just ran off with an Arrancar. And how would he be able to explain running into an Arrancar and not killing it? Let alone reporting it? So many thing he was going to have to deal with…

“Right now, I’d follow you anywhere,” Zor said in a not-so even voice as he promptly followed the only thing that now held his attention. “I do have to say, though, for someone who can talk up a storm, at least half of it is nonsense. What did you mean by canvas? What ideas?”

Curiosity momentarily won out over lust, though to suggest anything different when referring to a fox would be downright criminal. Not to say that he couldn’t feel both at once, but no one really wants to get hot and sweaty and then have someone ask them a deep question. Mood kills like that were probably the reason Zor died in the first place.

He picked up his pace a bit more when the gap between them became a bit too large for Zor’s comfort, though passerbys felt it necessary to pretend to block his path by weaving in front of him, only to subconsciously move out of the way again. Lord, he hated how mindless Humans were. With a bit of a jog for a moment, he made it to the Arrancar’s side right as the beast turned his venom gaze to the little reaper.

A blush touched his cheek as a gentle reminder that there were issues that desperately needed to be taken care of. Preferably without any more pointless banter.

“At this very moment?” Zor questions, just to be sure this wasn’t another cryptic message of some sort. Though, he didn’t really leave much time for Nazomi to respond before he blurted: “I want to see how much property damage we can cause before the news helicopter comes out here to report on all of the bombs going off.” He ended his statement with a light huff, staring hard at the beast that seemed so content to mercilessly tease his playmate.

“So, I have to know,” Zor continued without much of a pause. “Are we seriously going to fuck, or are you just playing some sort of trick on me? Because it’d be a shame to let this go to waste.”

[701. 14]

[96.]