Morning Breather (Closed: Akimoto/Mitsutaka)

It was the first day of Mitsutaka's involvement within the 4th Division.
The first day of a new chapter in his life, a new chapter in his studies, finally here.
He sighed with something close to happiness and leaned back in his chair. He'd been awaiting this day for scores of years- no, more than a decade now, he supposed- ever since he'd met that first Shinigami and heard his description of the Soul Society. His fingers unconsciously traced the skin above his heart. Stabbing himself to death had hurt so badly at first... the blood spurting out with each heave of his chest, slamming the knife into himself repeatedly... The pain had eventually faded, and only his heartbeat, weak and tremulous, was left, drowning out the Shinigami's yells and the Hollow's screams. Everything had begun to fade, and the blood began to come in a flow down his side. Numbness enveloped his body, and all he could do was stare at the sky above him.

Looking back, Mitsutaka supposed that was his most ingrained memory. Nothing held that sort of tenuous clarity like his first death. He didn't regret it- far from it, he was secure he'd made the right decision. Where would he be if he'd kept on living? Dead, now, he supposed. Dead and yet alive in an old man's body. And after all, what could he accomplish without strength? In an uncharacteristic moment, Mitsutaka wondered what happened to the people he had known while he was alive. He couldn't remember them- hadn't been able to since he had appeared in Rukongai, in fact. The only memory from before his afterlife was that of his death- but he supposed he must have known some friends at least. On the other hand, due to his off-putting nature, perhaps he'd never had anyone. He was a loner, after all, not through choice, but by damning experience. He shook himself out of his reverie. Action, not reflection, was what he needed now. He finished writing in his book and stored it in his desk. When next he communed with Kowareta - he stroked the black metallic scabbard hanging at his side, and felt his Zanpakuto's grin in answer - he would impart the book's contents to his inner sanctum's library. Besides, the book held another purpose... if someone was foolish enough to open the desk and take the book, Mitsutaka would know. That much Kido was child's play to someone who'd spent more than a century learning his powers on his own (though his first successful spell had taken 40 years once he'd learned the incantation... a fact he would mention to no one).

Mitsutaka stood and moved to the doorway of the quarters, then looked himself over and adjusted his school clothes (a throwback to his life before, one he was more comfortable with than the normal Shinigami robes), saw nothing amiss, and stepped through the portal. The ground floor of the 4th Division headquarters was a huge semisphere of Reishi, modeled to look as if it were made of stone. Four windows let a meager amount of light in, enough to see clearly by but nothing more. An ornate door stood at the northern wall. An elevator of sorts provided easy access to lower and higher floors. At the moment, the room was mostly empty. A few tables stood by the side of the room, nearby chairs occupied by several novices. Their conversation was undeserving of his attention, and he paid it no mind. Still... he looked more closely at the footsoldiers. I wonder if I could find a way to steal a couple of them away for some experimentation... he doubted very much anyone would mind. Not only were they unranked, but from what he'd heard said by the former 4th Division captain, extreme freedom was given to the 4th Division, as long as no officials were directly involved and measurable results were achieved.

He gave the new meat no more attention, and instead walked to the wall under the northern-facing window. He ignored the door, placed his hand on the stone and whispered quietly, "By the minds of men and the thoughts of many, by the secrets of the world and locks embedded within us, I hold the key. Permit me easy passage." Almost instantly, the wall quivered. Mitsutaka felt a short burst of answering energy, and walked through the door. That door was the first thing he'd learned about in his rise to the fourth seat of 4th Division; a rather ingenious device in his opinion. If there was one thing the 4th Division required, it was privacy. So, if anyone walked through that door without saying the command phrase, all seated members of 4th Division would be alerted. Rumor had it, though, that phrase or not their captain would be informed of all entrants. If it was true, Mitsutaka admired the captain's tenacity. The weak and unintelligent perish, he reminded himself. The strong and prepared survive.

The morning sun nearly blinded him as he stepped outside. The rest of the 4th Division compound was unremarkable- merely a field and a pathway to the main areas of the Soul Society. What was out of place was a young man lounging by the side of the path; few were bold enough to act so carefree around the 4th Division sanctum. Mitsutaka thought he must be very bold, or very foolish. The man was wearing the traditional student Shinigami robes which offset his fair golden hair. He held his Zanpakuto close to him, staring down at it. Perhaps he was planning on communing with it, here of all places? He opened his mouth to shout at the man, but as he did a slight shock of pain ran through his body. He placed his hand on Kowareta, recognizing his Zanpakuto's unique way of getting his attention. Mitsutaka didn't like it, but saw it as a necessary irritation. "What is it," he asked the blade. "Oh, nothing much," said the slightly lilting voice of his Zanpakuto. "But if you were to experiment on that man, you might find something interesting..." Mitsutaka's lips curled in an uncharacteristic smile. When Kowareta made that estimation, he knew, something interesting was always at hand.

Raising his hand and seeing the man glance up at him, Mitsutaka raised his voice. "Hey, you there," he called in a friendly tone, adopting his polite personality. "What's your name?" He smiled encouragingly at the youth.

Excellent. It has been far too long since I plumbed the depths of the human mind.

OOC: there is no way this wordcount will maintain. No worries.
[1089 words | =22GP | Σ22GP]

Aki was fairly focused on relaxation when a flash caught his eye. As he looked up, he noticed that the man he had spotted earlier was attempting to get his attention. Maybe I am worth his time after all, Aki thought to himself. The man's white hair was extremely bright in the early morning sun, and the reflection off of his glasses was a tad blinding. The man yelled out to Akimoto as he approached, “Hey, you there, what's your name?” The blond-haired student stood up quickly and, giving a curt bow, replied, “My name is Akimoto Nakamura, and I am a new student at the Spiritual Arts Academy. I apologize if I am not where I am supposed to be, and I will remove myself from the premises if that be the case.” Rising out of his bow, Aki looked back at the man, who had a very odd sort of smile upon his face.

Aki immediately felt as though there was something off about the smile. It didn't look natural on this man. That was not to say that Akimoto knew everything about him, but for some reason it didn't look like it belonged there. The new student now had his turn for a question. “If I may inquire, sir, what is your name?” As he waited for a response, the young man looked over this stranger. The white hair was the most shocking feature. Not a lot of people had hair like that unless they were very old. His glasses were neat, and Aki could see his brown eyes barely through the glare of the sun. As opposed to the traditional garb of the Shinigami, the man was wearing an odd sort of uniform. Akimoto had never seen one before, and it appealed to him. The man was fairly tall, a good couple of inches above his own height, but he was very skinny. He had a sword on his hip, most likely a Zanpakutō.

Akimoto put his own Zanpakutō back on his hip, and before he could release her, Masshirona spoke out to him, “I like this fellow, Akimoto-kun. He seems very kind.”[/color] Aki looked down quickly at the wakizashi and replied quietly, “Something seems off about him though, don't you think?” “Of course there is,” she replied back, “but there is something off about everyone silly!” Aki smiled widely as he looked back up at the man. The kitsune-spirit spoke the truth. Everyone had something odd about them. That is what made them so interesting. Even he had something off about him. He was the only student who's Zanpakutō was a wakizashi instead of a katana. People often questioned him about it, but he had no idea why. Aki began to wonder what kind of Zanpakutō this man had, and what its personality was. Maybe in time he would find out.


Word Count: 483
GP: 9 (Remainder of 33 words)
Total: 18

Mitsutaka continued to approach the young man, then stopped several feet away from him. The golden-haired student introduced himself, and bowed. “My name is Akimoto Nakamura, and I am a new student at the Spiritual Arts Academy. I apologize if I am not where I am supposed to be, and I will remove myself from the premises if that be the case.” Mitsutaka shook his head, still smiling. "Unnecessary. You are fine where you are."[/b] Akimoto put his Zanpakuto back on his hip and glanced at it. Mitsutaka had enough experience with his own Zanpakuto communication to know when a silent conversation was being held. He waited for it to end, then began to speak when Akimoto looked up. He looked closely at the student's face, but couldn't read it. He was too stoic for such easy profiling.

"My name is Karahashi Mitsutaka. I am fourth seat of the 4th Division, and I welcome you to our glorious city, Nakamura-san,"[/b] the researcher politely said, and bowed slightly. His eyes were drawn to the student's Zanpakuto, and he mentioned it with a curious look in his eyes. "Pardon me, Nakamura-san, but I can't help but notice your rather oddly shaped Zanpakuto. I must say, I've never seen one quite like it. Most have longer blades. You just might be unique."[/b] Mitsutaka straightened up and laughed. "I'm sorry,"[/b] he apologized. "You have probably heard of us at the 4th Division and about our less ethical works. Well, no worries. I am no soul-eater."[/b] Akimoto didn't look worried. He had the same stoic smile as ever, Mitsutaka saw to his surprise.

"Well,"[/b] he continued, "if you are a student, then you must need some training. I, as a 4th seat, could show you much, I am sure. But, as I am sure you expect, the law of equivalent exchange demands a trade. I will give you instruction in anything you wish, and in return you assist me with an experiment I have been working on for years. Of course, you have the opportunity to refuse. But I like you, for some reason I'm not sure of, and so does my blade."[/b] Mitsutaka caressed Kowareta at his side, and felt his agreement. "What do you say? Will you become my assistant for a day, or more if you desire?[/b]

Mitsutaka stood, looking inquiringly at the gold-haired youth. He just had to get a look inside that stoic head! He couldn't wait, and neither could his blade. At his side, Kowareta thrummed happily and sent sparks up Mitsutaka's arm.

[422 words | =8GP | Σ30GP]

The strange man approaching Akimoto dismissed the idea that he wasn't welcome here very quickly. He then introduced himself as Karahashi Mitsutaka, the fourth seat of the Fourth Division. Even as Aki watched him bow, he could feel him analyzing. Watching his eyes fall to Masshirona, there was no surprise when he began to speak of how he hadn't seen one like it. Nobody had in a long time. Mitsutaka then began to explain how he wasn't a 'soul-eater' like the rumors of Fourth Division often portrayed them as. Akimoto breathed a quick and silent sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted to do was become an experiment that ended badly.

At this juncture, the fourth seat started to offer training of any sort that Akimoto required, being as he was a student and all. Before the blond-haired student could answer though, the man continued on about how, if he accepted this training, Aki must help him with something. Immediately, Akimoto became a bit suspicious. Everyone always told him to never trust the Fourth Division, and that they only became more immoral the higher rank they achieved. That being said, Masshirona vouched for him, and she was usually a good judge of character. Might as well go for it, what could possibly go wrong? Almost immediately, that thought was shoved from his mind. A lot could go wrong. This was a member of the Research and Development Division. They used anyone they could find for their experiments, and had no qualms with destroying a life or ten if need be. Or, at least that's what he had been told.

Akimoto straightened out his kimono, then looked at the man, giving him a warm smile. “I would love to accept any sort of training you may have to offer Mitsutaka-san, though I am curious as to what I will be doing to 'help' you.” Shrugging quickly, Aki continued, “That being said, I might as well leap into it. I will help you first, then we can train afterwords. You may begin whenever you are ready.” The student looked at the officer expectantly, waiting in anticipation for whatever the man had planned. There was really nothing that could bother Akimoto, and he was sure that Mitsutaka-san was going to at least keep his honor in saying he wasn't a soul-eater. At least, Akimoto hoped he would. He was an officer in the Fourth Division after all...


Word Count: 407
GP: 8 (Remainder of 40 words)
Total: 26

The student smiled and accepted Mitsutaka's offer. He felt his heart begin to race in anticipation. He gave a real smile, his first in a long time. Akimoto shrugged and offered to help him immediately. A quick shock of pain ran up his left arm, and inwardly he smiled a feral grin.

"Fantastic," Mitsutaka said. May as well get started. There were no watching Shinigami, so he began. "You know of the second release, of Shikai?" Without waiting for an answer, he broke the seal. "Reveal, Kowareta!" A torrent of spiritual power felt like it was buoying him up, and he rejoiced in the feeling for a brief moment. Dark spots began to spread outward from the sword, passing by the two of them to form a large ring. He kept the sword sheathed, but held the hilt loosely with his left hand. The sheath began to waver and shimmer.

If the student was surprised, Mitsutaka didn't notice. "Here's how the experiment works," he said. "Let me demonstrate." He willed the dark motes toward Akimoto, and a vague image began to form between the two Shinigami. There was a woman, her form blurred but face fair and distinct. She looked imploringly to to Akimoto, and Mitsutaka hungrily awaited his reaction.

As it began, a jumbled flow of thoughts broke into his mind. He relished it. No/Yes/Wait/GoBack/Recognizer/OathTaker/Lost it/Whoknows, the wave alternately pleaded and screamed at him. He began to sift through the thoughts, trying to isolate the student's mind. HE KNOWS! He knows? More voices burbled from the depths.

What makes you tick, strange Shinigami?

[261 words | =5GP | Σ35GP]

As soon as he had accepted the offer from the Fourth Division officer, the man took action. With a simple, two-word phrase, the man released his Zanpakutō into its Shikai form. Nothing too dramatic changed, there were some heat waves emanating from the sheath. Not too impressive in Aki's opinion. Then the dark spots drifted forth from the blade, forming a ring around them. A bit more impressive, but still Aki was not afraid. They were dark spots, which did not seem to have any malice about them whatsoever. Then Akimoto's mind was blown wide open.

In front of him an image appeared. The figure in the image was female, and she was looking at Akimoto with a very intense look. Who was she, thought the golden-haired student. Immediately he heard his thoughts aloud, along with various other thoughts. He can hear me, he thought again, and again, the words rang out. Then the image of the woman in front of him snapped into crystal clarity as he remembered who she was. He didn't even have to think her name and it was ringing out into the courtyard...along with everything about his relationship with her.

Fumiko/why/of course you can/please take my money/no I beg of you/i have nothing left/please take it/I just want you to be happy/don't worry about me/i'll be fine

Akimoto tried to blank out his mind, but there was nothing for it. His memories of this woman he loved so much continued flowing out into the morning air.

Why are you sad/please cheer up/no don't do that/put the sword down/WHY?!/I couldn't keep her happy/I failed her/she died because of me

At this point, even the happy-go-lucky student could not restrain his tears. They tore down his face like mighty rivers, trying to wash away his grief and sadness. Instead of washing them away, however, they were replaced. By anger.

I will never fail again/not again/I will succeed/get out of my head/get out/GET OUT!!!


Word Count: 326
GP: 7 (Remainder of 16 words)
Total: 33

As soon as the golden-haired student looked at the girl, Mitsutaka had the gratification of seeing his face lose its stoic smile. More than that, he had the pleasure of seeing his entire façade crumble. He looked shocked beyond belief, and stood with his entire body tensed. Unrestrained, his thoughts flowed into the mix encapsulated by the sphere of black motes. "Yes, that's right!" Mitsutaka cried with unrestrained glee. "Like an open book! Love lost, no? How exceedingly tragic!" The stream of thoughts continued, jumbled and mixed, but tinged with Akimoto's regret.

Fumiko/Iloveyou/heknows/we'reallwatchingyou/don'tfail/pleasedon'tleave/wearebeholden/ijustwantedmywish/fulfillme

The sphere spat out a new verse, some words cried by a baby's voice, some gurgled by a dying man's last breath.

Whydidyougo/youhurtme/Iamnothinganylonger/Itoldyouwewerealike/Oneandthesame/thesame/thedifferences/
westillwaitforyoutoreturn/Ifailedherandwhatwehad/Ifailed/Youfailed/GETOUTGETOUTGETOUT/NOTAGAIN/WHYWON'TYOULEAVE

Mitsutaka laughed ecstatically as the youth began to cry, overcome by the vision before him. "A bit of a womanizer, are you? It was your fault, you know. It was you that killed her, even as you strove to protect her! But then," Mitsutaka spoke more quietly, "that's always been it, hasn't it? Your so-called protection just harms those you wish to keep safe. Can you say that none of your companions have been hurt by your mistakes? How can you ever become close to anyone ever again, if all you do is bring pain and suffering?" There was a twinge in his chest, but he ignored it. The experiment is running, he reminded himself. I've only begun to figure him out.

The stream of thoughts had turned ugly, and Mitsutaka could see the boiling rage within Akimoto. Time for a change of scenery, he decided, and moved the motes again toward the student. He found it more difficult to do this time, for some reason he could not understand, but shrugged it off. A new memory began to form- a young man, unlike the one in front of him. Mitsutaka watched as the man talked and laughed with another who had golden hair, and then felt his heart race as the time shifted and the man was slowly, tortuously, killed. The torrent of thought became confused and broken, then howled a dirge of agony.

Welcome/notmyfault/he'sdoingthistous/watchcarefully/mixedandmangled/overandoverandoverand/
whycouldn'tyouhelp/unfoldedanddied/hereandnowbothatonce/HOWCOULDYOU/findME!/WherehaveyougoneandhowdoIfindyou

Kowareta cried out in ecstasy beside him, and Mitsutaka had no choice but to do the same. "That's it! Show us your true self!"

To himself, he could only think that this man was nothing short of fascinating.

[509 words | =10GP | Σ45GP]

The man started rambling on almost maniacally, poking and prodding at Akimoto's emotions. He was trying to get the student riled up. The tears still flowing down from his face, Aki's mind began screaming as the image changed. This time it was an old friend of his, they lived together in the Rukongai for many years. All the scenes replayed while his thoughts bombarded the courtyard. The Fourth Division officer, still laughing ecstatically, was digging into his past, he could feel it. Aki needed to regain control of his mind, to rise up and face this mental barrage.

Thinking as hard as he could on a particular memory, he found one that he had never seen before. The image in front of him changed, slowly at first, but then fully commanding center stage. The picture was one of a golden-haired man, in a kimono, much different from the one he had on now. In his arms was a beautiful girl, looking into his eyes. Off in the distance was a great mountain, one that should be easily recognizable to someone who was in the world of the living as Mt. Fuji. It was far off in the distance, almost more a vague shape than a mountain. Two voices flooded the courtyard ate the same time, echoing over and over.

I love you/i love you/love/i/you/i love/you I
I love you/love I/you love/you/love/you too

Then, in the middle of the echoes, a great explosion was heard, and a cloud shaped much like a mushroom grew in the near background. One last “I love you” was heard and then the image became nothing but fire.

Silence.

Not a single sound came from the courtyard. Akimoto realized that the scene that just played out before him was his own death. His tears had dried now, and a new resolve found its way into him. He looked at the sinister being across from him directly in the eyes and began to muster as much spiritual pressure as he possibly could. This man would not break him. Not now. Not ever. Akimoto would prove that to him.

Word Count: 351
GP: 7 (remainder of 17 words)
Total: 40

The golden-haired youth still cried as the images shifted, and the torrent of words drowned in sadness and regret. Mitsutaka laughed all the louder, ecstatic at this excellent glimpse into the student's character. "So that's what drives you as well," he stated. "Love for your friends as well as for that girl? Don't tell me it's some childish notion of protecting all you can." Another twinge in his chest. Control of the motes began to slip away, and some of his thoughts entered the mix, echoing hot and cold.

Foolish/whywouldyou/imissher/notthatunlikeyou/whywould/notmyfault/rememberhowitusedtobe/can'tyouunderstandhim/yourownsoul


Angrily, he wrenched the field back under his jurisdiction. Kowareta's laugh became all the louder, but Mitsutaka no longer felt merriment. A shift came in the flow of the particles, and he paused. Was the student... actually drawing the particles towards himself? The black specks flowed into him, and as they reached him a new image wavered into focus between them. It was he, the same golden-haired youth, holding a beautiful girl in his arms. They kissed- another damned twinge in his chest, why now of all times- then, shocked, looked over as a giant mushroom cloud unfurled itself in the sky. They clutched each other tightly, then all was dust and fire. Was that... when he had died? What was that odd explosion, then?

Fire/burns/ithurts/whynow/youknowwhatitmeans/thesamethesamethesame/lookatyou/shewantedit/allIcouldholdandsave/meoryouoryou


Disconcerted, Mitsutaka wrenched the field back to him. It was nigh-unto impossible now, and took him several attempts just to overpower the massive spiritual force that was coming from the youth. A little shocked, Mitsutaka continued with his speech. Kowareta's laughing was really grating on him, but he focused past it. "Was that the strength of your will? Fantastic!" He congratulated the student in front of him. "This is the first I've seen someone choose a specific memory! Was that your first death?" He paused suddenly, reading the expressions on Akimoto's face more carefully. He said the first thing that leapt to his tongue, though it made no sense. "You... didn't remember that before now?" He felt shocked by this new revelation. This was different from anything he knew the blade could do! If it could detect forgotten memories, it could functionally be the most useful artifact he could think of! Who wouldn't want to know about their previous life, and who afterwards would say no to a little experiment? Suddenly, Mitsutaka stood bolt upright.

If it could see the past of someone's life, then couldn't Mitsutaka see all of the formative events culminating in that one's present personality? He threw his head back and laughed wildly at the sky. "Yes," he yelled. "This could be what I've been look-" There was dead silence in the courtyard.

No thoughtstream, no whispered intrusions, no audible or visual projections from the image, now frozen, between the two Shinigami. Mitsutaka lowered his head and looked around. All of the motes were gone, absorbed by that golden-haired youth. As he watched him, Mitsutaka could feel the spiritual pressure around him lowering, sucked in to the core of the man that stood before him. Suddenly hesitant, Mitsutaka took a slight step back. If he was sensing it correctly, there was a huge amount of spiritual energy, compressed and contained, within the stoic student, no longer crying. Mitsutaka began to sweat, and thought he might finally understand the reason for his Zanpakuto's constant laughter. Without warning a single string of thoughts broke into his consciousness with enough force to stagger him.

Notoveryet/littlemaster/loveher/willnotbreakme/showyou/itends/WILL NOT GIVE!

A searing pain erupted behind his eyes. He cried out in pain as Kowareta sighed in pleasure. "You really do enjoy seeing me learn in painful ways, don't you," he demanded of his Zanpakuto.
Kowareta's only response was laughter.

Mitsutaka turned to face the gold-haired youth- no, he thought, he's earned more than that. Akimoto Nakamura, he had said. He turned to face Akimoto, and waited for the inevitable barrage to come. He supposed it was time to give him some training, as per their agreement.

[726 words | =14GP | Σ59GP]

Akimoto was through with this man's games. He was outright pissed off. There was no scenario in his head that played out with him not attacking this man. Not a single one. Even as the man's own thoughts tore into the courtyard, Aki payed them no heed. He did not care what the man had to say, nor what was going on in his head. All he wanted at this point was to get his hands on this fiend. Mitsutaka was exactly what he had said he wasn't.

Souleater/youlied/why?/lies/souleater

The golden-haired student raised his head, looking the man dead in the eye. All the anger, all the hatred...all of it was being focused into this one stare. If the glare had any physical form whatsoever, it probably would have killed this demon. At this point he heard a very faint, yet familiar voice. Masshirona, reaching out to Akimoto, spoke to him in her sweet, child-like tone. “Oniisan, don't be angry at him. You agreed to this. Its your fault too. Let it go...please, Oniisan?” Akimoto heard the words as they melodically wound their way into his conscious mind. His Zanpakutō didn't like seeing him angry, and it often made her sad. Aki hated making anyone sad, especially someone that was like a little sister.

The death-glare immediately dissipated. The anger and hatred vanished from his face, and in its place a smile began to grow. It continued to grow until it covered his entire face. The courtyard echoed out with new thoughts that reflected his new mood.

forgiven/noworries/itsokay/youdidnothingwrong/allmyfault/youareforgiven

Akimoto spoke for the first time during this entire session, “So what exactly is your experiment? To see what makes me tick? To understand who I am on my deepest levels? To mock my existence openly? That is okay with me. You may continue, if you like. As long as it makes you happy.” With that, he smiled at the man, no ill will on his face or in his mind. The spiritual pressure he had gathered in rage was released in a rush back into his surroundings, and the little dark spots floated back into a ring around them. Aki made one last gesture to Mitsutaka-san, indicating the floor was his.


Word Count: 372
GP: 7 (Remainder of 39)
Total: 47

Mitsutaka bent low and weathered the storm of his opponent's Reiatsu flow. It was boiling outward from Akimoto, unfurling and- it felt like- coiling around him. He began to sweat harder and he bowed his head. Where was all this spiritual pressure coming from? Had these emotions unlocked a power untapped within the young student? "Fascinating!" Mitsutaka crowed. What brilliant potential for growth! To be able to unleash such potential during a strenuous moment... Is truly amazing, Kowareta finished for him. Still, they both reflected, the punishment was at hand. The youth looked him full in the eyes, and Mitsutaka could feel the hatred pouring off him. Such purity of emotion... another twinge in his chest. The thoughtstream spat rage and barely-coherent murderous intent.

Endyou/cleanseallsouleaters/liar/insufficient/LIAR/thoughtyouweredifferent/why/liedtome/souleater

Then, to Mitsutaka's complete surprise, the rage present in Akimoto's face completely evaporated. There was nothing left in his expression but calm acceptance, and a smile once again graced his features. The spiritual pressure present disappeared, and the black motes returned to the circle. The thoughts surrounding them too returned to a place of quiet acceptance.

It'sfine/nomatter/acceptance/you'relucky/whylethimgo/samethesamethesame/no worry

Akimoto spoke for the first time since Mitsutaka had begun his Shikai. His voice was calm and pleasant. “So what exactly is your experiment? To see what makes me tick? To understand who I am on my deepest levels? To mock my existence openly? That is okay with me. You may continue, if you like. As long as it makes you happy.” Despite himself, Mitsutaka laughed. "Another fascinating part of your personality! You're just full of surprises." He thought for a moment. "All right, I'll tell you what the experiment is, but you'll have to let me speak for a moment before." Without waiting for an answer, Mitsutaka released his Shikai- Kowareta sighing- and adjusted his glasses. The motes swirled in to converge upon his blade, then disappear, and he took a deep breath.

"You," he began, "are a womanizer. But not in the sense as some might use the term. You become attached to one person and one person above all else. It's that feeling of connection- love, really- that keeps you going and it's that feeling you are always striving for.

"You are kind. Almost to your detriment, as a matter of fact. Why are you kind? Because you can't bear to see sadness on the faces of the people around you. You know it too well to wish it upon anyone else. For this reason, you give people second chances, but once they have lost your good will they are hard put to gain it back. You cannot stand those who revel in the sadness and despair of others.

"Furthermore, you don't value yourself as highly as perhaps you should. And you value yourself too highly at the same time." Mitsutaka tapped his foot against the walkway. He felt Kowareta's happy thrum in agreement with his estimations. "It's complicated," he continued. "You don't value yourself highly enough because you are the purveyor of happiness to those around you. None need look any further than to you for a laugh, a shoulder, or an arm. They look to you for hope, and because you are too easy to give it, you place your own needs to the backburner.

"At the same time, you are not humble enough because you perceive some of this effect you have on others. Besides, you know the power having a goal gives you over those who do not, and it gives you a sense of superiority. Remember, that power is only yours as long as you are actively striving towards your finish. Many of those you see below you are the same as you, but have forgotten which way their goal lies. Beware their plight.

"Finally," he finished, You are not easily roused to anger. The fact I could do so is due to several things: one," he said, holding one thumb up, "I involved that girl. Two," he put the first down and held up his pointer finger, I tried to manipulate you. But most heinously, and one most people would ignore, he stated, raising the thumb again alongside the pointer, "I lied to you. And that is unforgivable."

Mitsutaka coughed. He was tired from talking so much, and he sat down upon the nearby grass. He looked to the gold-haired youth across from him, eyebrows raised, and asked him "Close enough?" Beside him, Kowareta continued to thrum.

[764 words | =15GP | Σ74GP]

The man laughed at his statement. He laughed. Aki made the attempt at suffering for the man's enjoyment, in order to try and make a friend out of a man he definitely did not want as an enemy, and he laughed. So much for diplomacy. Then the man did something unexpected. He withdrew his Shikai, allowing the dark spots to return to his blade and vanish. At this point the man began to rattle off what he thought was a good description of the inner workings of Akimoto. He spoke of love, of kindness. He detailed the way that Aki sacrificed himself to the other people around him. Every word that left his mouth was truth. The talk of superiority and anger, of lies and forgiveness... it all hit Aki like a ton of bricks. Never in his life had anyone known so much about him. Not for a lack of opening up, but because nobody cared about him enough to find out.

This man had done in the span of maybe ten minutes, what nobody in his life had accomplished in decades. Why? That was the only question that the student had for him. Mitsutaka had no reason to try and learn the inner workings of Akimoto as a friend, they had just met. He said it himself that this was an experiment. So what did it prove? The young student intended to find out. Keeping his smile exactly where it was, he looked at the Fourth Division officer and said, “You are spot on, kind sir. You know officially know more about me than anyone I have ever known. Why?” His smile now started to fade slightly, but still held a resounding dominance over his facial features. “Why did you want to figure that out? Why torture my mind to do so? I care not as to how you accomplished it, nor am I upset, I am simply curious as to the reasoning behind your 'experiment'.”

Walking over to the grass where Mitsutaka sat, Aki took up a patch of grass next to him. The dew seeped into his hakama, and the chill of the grass hit his legs in a refreshing burst. Aki plucked a long blade of grass and put the lower end of it in his mouth. Resting his forearms on his knees, he looked over at the man next to him. Raising an eyebrow, he patiently awaited his response.


Word Count: 407
GP: 8 (R=46)
Total: 55

When Mitsutaka looked up to see the effect his words had taken on Akimoto, he was rewarded with a very small, very slight widening of the student's eyes. He was beginning to see through this most interesting youth's stoicism, if only enough to catch surprisal. Still, Akimoto recovered quickly. The frozen but life-filled smile stayed right where it was. He looked at Mitsutaka with curious eyes. “You are spot on, kind sir. You know officially know more about me than anyone I have ever known. Why? Why did you want to figure that out? Why torture my mind to do so? I care not as to how you accomplished it, nor am I upset, I am simply curious as to the reasoning behind your 'experiment'.” Then, to Mitsutaka's continuing surprise, this astonishing man walked over and seated himself next to him, chewing on a picked piece of grass.

Mitsutaka couldn't help it. He laughed. He laughed for several moments before he could regain his composure. When he'd finally taken control again, he answered truthfully. "All this, all this 'torture,' as you call it, is to figure out what makes you... you." He reached into his school uniform's jacket and pulled out a worn, weatherbeaten book. He handed it carefully to the golden-haired man sitting next to him. "That," he explained, "is a compendium of my knowledge of how people work. There," he said, pointing out a set of pages, "details how traumatic events shape people's lives and personalities. Here ,though," he continued, "Is a list of all the ways those same people have overcome those difficulties, or failed to. You see," and at this he rose up and began to talk animatedly. "I seek an intersection of all this data." He began to walk back and forth, gesturing powerfully. His posture was straight and he held his head high. Mitsutaka's brown eyes at that moment shone with a violently bright light.

"What makes good people do good things? What makes bad people do bad things? What power makes a weak man go to hell and back with no gain but his own value many times over, and what brings a strong man to his knees with a soft word? How can two men, faced with the same stressor, with nearly identical backgrounds, have radically different reactions? How can two different men have the same reaction?" At this point, Mitsutaka was breathing hard. "In short, what makes you, me, and them? What creates us and how do we create ourselves?" He pointed strongly at the book Akimoto held still. "That, so far as I have collected, and this-" he tapped his head and his Zanpakuto- "allow me to peer into these questions and answer some of them. I can predict almost anyone with some degree of accuracy. You, in contrast, were almost easy-" Mitsutaka bit off the last of his sentence. He paused.

TELL HIM, Kowareta raged. You owe him, and yourself that much! Shocks of pain ran up his arm, but he paid them no heed. It was long moments before he could finish. Akimoto, to his credit, did not interrupt.

"I can read you because..." he hesitated one final time, then turned away. "I used to be a lot like you." He walked back and sat beside the student, face still averted. "I'm sorry if I hurt you." He really was, a revelation that surprised him. He decided to set that aside for later, along with necessary reprimanding of Kowareta for his quiet laughter. It was most distracting. "At some point, it became more of a personal contest than one between Shinigami. I wanted to feel it, so..." he trailed off, broken apology hanging useless in the air. "I'm sorry," he finished lamely. "I have no further experiment to conduct. I've learned all I need to from you. You're free to do as you like, now."

It was interesting, sitting this close to this most unusual Shinigami. Almost simply looking at him put glare in Mitsutaka's eyes- such was the force of his radiant personality and smile. Besides, his hair caught the light in such a way as to blind him irrevocably. That was certainly the reason he was turned away even now.

[699 words | =14GP | Σ88GP]

Mitsu...was like him? Aki's mind was blown wide open. There was no way that he could be anything like this man...could there? This man tortured his mind for data. Nothing else. How could there possibly be any way the men were alike?

Akimoto leaned back, laying flat on the grass. The morning dew was slowly soaking into his kimono and wetting his back. “You were once like me? Now, call me a critic, but I fail to see how that is possible. The sheer magnitude of what you just accomplished is far beyond anything that I would attempt. I am a caring and kind person, who tries to learn about people by listening and friendship. You went out of your way to open my brain up like a book, flipping to the pages you wished to see. I would never be able to do that,” the student paused briefly, taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air, “...nor would I even consider it. That being said, I for some reason can see why you did what you did, and I understand that you got carried away. Maybe... a long time ago, I could have made a choice that may have ended in me being more like you. I however find that very unlikely.”

The golden-haired youth closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of the grass on his skin. The air was chilly, but not yet to the point of cold, and it made each breath he took crisp and refreshing. It was impossible to be angry or spiteful towards someone in conditions like this. The smile on his face grew a bit wider as he thought about what Mitsu had said. He had a wondrous goal, but the method he chose to pursue that goal was an odd one. Gathering data on human life was a hard task to accomplish. Akimoto chuckled quietly. “You are a very odd person Mitsutaka. There is much I would like to know about you, but then again...I like learning it over time.”

His eyes still shut, Aki handed the book to Mitsu. “Take your data. Use it to pursue your goal. I am curious to see what you find. As for what I want...” Akimoto trailed off still decided exactly what it was he wanted in return for the mental assault, “...I want nothing. You are free to do as you please.”


Word Count: 404
GP: 9 (R=0)
Total: 64

Akimoto leaned back and narrowed his eyes slightly at this latest proclamation. He was checking whether it was true before he made a rebuttal, Mitsutaka knew. It was all so predictable to him. He would introspectively look at himself, then look over Mitsutaka for similarities. He would focus on the actions the researcher had taken, at least the ones that seemed contrary to Akimoto's inner values, and he would use them as fuel... Mitsutaka listened carefully as the youth followed exactly that pattern in his refusal. But, Mitstkaka thought, it's not so easy... we share too much to be dismissed that simply. Though my actions seem deplorable to him... he listened again as Akimoto took a breath and continued. Again, his pattern was exactly to Mitsutaka's expectations. He didn't understand the researcher's actions, but he could try to. And he admitted that once, they might have been the same.

The student then closed his eyes and smiled broadly. Fascinating, isn't he? Mitsutaka could only agree. What kind of person went through all he'd been put to, and didn't hold anger towards his antagonizer? An interesting person. Kowareta smiled. Sure enough, your prediction that people show most of themselves when their emotions are provoked seems to be correct. And, he paused, testing Mitsutaka, what does it say about him, that he's roused to negative emotion with such difficulty? The researcher thought for a moment. Finally, he answered with what he thought was the truest answer. It says he's internalized a great part of himself. Surely he has a reason for it... but I'm not sure what it would be. He adjusted his glasses and gave a few hypotheses. Actually, knowing him, it likely has something to do with that girl we saw- or another we don't know about. Maybe he hurt her and has never forgiven himself. Either way, it's not healthy. He swept his hand across a patch of grass, gathering dew on his fingertips. His pants felt damp. Maybe I can fix him in exchange for some more experimentation, he mused.

Akimoto chuckled and continued his thought. "You are a very odd person Mitsutaka." The researcher laughed quietly. Who's the strange one? "There is much I would like to know about you, but then again...I like learning it over time.” Mitsutaka nodded, but noticed Akimoto's eyes were shut. He took the opportunity to blink his uncharacteristically-moist eyes. Damn this morning wind, he thought viciously. It must be stinging my eyes. Kowareta, for once, didn't contradict him. Then the absurdity of it struck him, and Mitsutaka couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. What an absurd way to ask for friendship! Still, he couldn't deny it was a little heartwarming. A little. Akimoto handed Mitsutaka's book back; he looked through it briefly, skimming past pages of notes and equations. Akimoto spoke once more. “Take your data. Use it to pursue your goal. I am curious to see what you find. As for what I want...” at this he paused and considered the statement. Mitsutaka was incredulous. How could he not know what he wanted? Finally, he decided. “...I want nothing. You are free to do as you please.” At this, the researcher couldn't stand it anymore. He fell back on the grass and laughed.

When he finished, Mitsutaka looked up at the sky and watched the clouds. The moment quickly became too nostalgic, and he began to talk aloud. "You know, most Shinigami say they can't remember anything about their corporeal lives, but I remember mine in little fits and starts. Perhaps it's part of my Zanpakutou's ability, but I've always been haunted by slight feelings of deja vu and the like. Take this scene for example." He waved his hand at the sky and dropped it to his stomach. "I must have spent a great deal of time looking at clouds like these and reading, because I long for the feel of a book in my hand whenever I stare so..." Mitsutaka fell silent and watched the sky for some time longer. Eventually, he looked over at the strange student. "All right. Friends?" He held out his hand. It has been a while since we had a companion, hasn't it, my partner? Kowareta asked, voice also tinged with nostalgia. Mitsutaka agreed. A long, long time since anyone worthy of it came along. So, partner, what shall it be? Shall we add another to our party? I suppose it depends on what the boy says, Kowareta reminded him. I know this man, and I know he would not refuse, Mitsutaka responded.

But still, his outstretched hand shook minutely.

[769 words | =15GP | Σ103GP ]

“Friends?”
[/b]
Akimoto almost burst out laughing. The man that just ravaged his mind was now offering his hand in friendship. Aki would have to think about this for a second. The best way to learn about someone was via friendship, and the fact that he said that they were alike meant that they would probably stay friends. Of course he would become a companion to this man. There really was no reason not to. Reaching out with his own hand, he took Mitsu's offering. “It would be a pleasure, my good sir.”

After a firm shake, Akimoto lay back on the grass once more, eyes closed, relaxation taking hold. The young student was quiet for a time, simply ejoying the morning sun before he spoke again. “The fact of the matter is, Mitsu-san, I enjoy friends. The more the merrier simply doesn't apply, however. I would prefer to have a few, close friends that truly like me for who I am than to have a multitude of acquaintances that only claim to be friends. If you truly wish to have me as a companion, you had better expect me to actually be one as opposed to just claiming the title. On the same coin however,” Aki propped himself up on one elbow, opening his eyes to look Mitsu dead in the face, “If you are not willing to be there for me when I need a friend, do not call upon me. If you are so sure that you used to be like me, then you understand exactly where I am coming from, and you know that you are going to be the only person to receive that ultimatum.”

Closing his eyes, Aki lay back onto the grass once more. The sun was rising ever higher in the sky, and he knew that soon he would have to run off to class. For the time being, however, this was nice. Relaxation and friendship. Masshirona decided that now would be a fun time to pipe up, saying, “So...should I mark him up as a friend Oniisan? He seems like a good person deep down, but I am not sure how often he is going to show that side of himself...” “Yes you should, little one. He says he is like me, remember? He will be a wondrous companion. I am fairly certain of that much.”


Word Count: 400
GP: 8 (0)
Total: 8 (Claimed previous)

Mitsutaka waited for Akimoto's confirmation, and when he had it, let out a short breath he didn't know he'd been holding. He received the gold-haired trainee's hand and shook it. The youth's hand was cold and a little wet from the grass, but held warmth just under the skin. Akimoto retrieved his hand and sat back, just relaxing. For his part, Mitsutaka took out his book and a small pen, and began to write on a new page. "Akimoto Nakamura," he titled it. After pausing for a short moment, he began to write. Driving force: love, 8. Tainting factor: unknown. Work: unknown. Tainting factor: unknown. Shake: death, loss. Response: acceptance, betterment. IN(F/T)J. He looked at the page, noted several other factors, and put pen and paper back in his pocket. He would preserve the information, along with other insights he'd gained from the morning, inside his inner world's library. An outside observer might have trouble subsequently finding the volume among hundreds of other such referential tomes, but Mitsutaka had no fear he would lose it. And how does it feel to find someone like you after all this time? Kowareta asked him. Bittersweet, he replied reflectively. Like I found something I'd lost many years ago. I wonder still which of us has taken the purer path... He looked to his new friend. Akimoto sat partially in the sunlight, part out. The light reflecting from his hair was as blinding as usual, and his smile was fixed back where it belonged. Well, we can tell who's happier, can't we?

After a moment of relaxation, Akimoto began again. “The fact of the matter is, Mitsu-san..." Mitsutaka laughed quietly at the endearment. "I enjoy friends. The more the merrier simply doesn't apply, however. I would prefer to have a few, close friends that truly like me for who I am..." of course, the researcher thought. Quality over quantity. You handpick those you allow close to you. Just as I'd expect. "...you had better expect me to actually be one as opposed to just claiming the title." Mitsutaka nodded, and at that moment Akimoto sat up to look his listener straight in the eyes. “If you are not willing to be there for me when I need a friend, do not call upon me. If you are so sure that you used to be like me, then you understand exactly where I am coming from, and you know that you are going to be the only person to receive that ultimatum.” Once he had finished, the youth lay down, eyes closed once again.

Mitsutaka took a few moments to think. Fair, right? Hush, he commanded. To make such demands of him! Who did the cocky little upstart think he was? Mitsutaka slammed his head into the grass. That kind of thinking was useless, he reminded himself. But still... to make such an agreement with a "friend"... he moved the book to where he could see it and flipped through the pages. Hidden in these pages, he thought to himself, lie the secrets, failings, and inner demons of everyone I've collected data from in the past year. People are weak... aren't they? Am I not weak as well? Your inner world is in turmoil! Kowareta laughed at the wavering schoolboy. Want to see? Mitsutaka sat up slowly and looked to his new friend. Akimoto still sat, eyes closed, enjoying the morning. Old habits die hard, I suppose. It doesn't seem wise to leave my unprotected form here when he could easily harm me. Still... trust. After a moment more of uncertainty, he quietly unsheathed his Zanpakutou and laid the sword on his lap, both hands placed upon it. He slowly closed his eyes and sought connection with his soul's companion.

Mitsutaka opened his eyes to find himself seated in Seiza, facing an altar below a banner with several Japanese characters inscribed in black ink. He slowly turned his head to the right. A large pond stood after a surrounding ring of grass, home to water lilies and several animals. A bamboo forest stood at its edge. He turned his head gently to the left. A rock garden was arranged in complex spirals and interweaving patterns, lines often running up rocks and around obstacles. Kowareta was right, he thought to himself, and heard his same sentence ring out through the world as a sort of undistorted echo. He sighed, rose, and walked to the western doorway. He opened it and paused. The hallway was curved and distorted, seeming to run in a horizontal spiral, touching ground and ceiling each in turn. Breathing deep, he walked on and endured the changes in balance.

He emerged into a library that would not have seemed out of place in a small college. It was divided into three sections: business, as he called it, pleasure, and _________. He had "memorized" every important psychology book he'd ever read, and they sat to the right awaiting his review. To his left, long rows of bookcases held character profiles he had created due to long years of intensive experimentation and study. In front of him...
"So what do you think?" Kowareta's voice came from just behind him. Without turning, he surveyed the damage. The bookcases held their charges still, but the room appeared much like the hallway Mitsutaka had come through. It twisted and turned in mind-bending ways, impossible any other place besides in a place where reality was, at best, only simulated. I don't know, Mitsutaka answered. I may as well start fixing it. He pointed a hand and painstakingly rearranged a bookcase with his mind. Then, after making sure it was secure, he moved on to the next... and the next... and the next. After what felt like hours, he had finished. Mitsutaka turned to Kowareta, only to find his Zanpakutou laughing quietly. His spirit pointed behind the researcher, who spun around to find everything the way it had been before he had begun. He growled and sat again in Seiza, willing his mind to quiet. He stared at the third bookcase in the center of the room and thought about what it meant. He thought for a long time, introspectively digging pieces of himself to the surface and examining them for error, then returning to his surroundings once more. Always, he thought of his goal; the purification of the world. Grudgingly, he even apologized to the people he had hurt during his experiments. It was a topic he'd never thought of before, but Akimoto's obvious pain at the memories he had dredged up had driven that point home. Slowly, quietly, the room shifted back into its correct position. Mitsutaka breathed out and stood. Feel better? Kowareta smiled as he asked it, but he knew Mitsutaka was no longer in turmoil.

Gradually, he came back to himself. The feeling of the morning's grass returned first, then the slight wind, and finally the sun's warmth on his face. Mitsutaka opened his eyes and spoke quietly to the man laying next to him. Judging by the position of the sun, only several minutes had passed. Nakamura-san... he began, but stopped and restarted. "Akimoto-san, I appreciate all you have been willing to show me, and I apologize once more for my harsh treatment of you. Often, I lose sight of people as I watch my goal... I certainly don't want to miss you for my eccentricities. You're the first person like myself I've met in a long time, and I want to be your friend as long as you will have me.

"Worry not about my being there. I have no obligations beside my own and I value your friendship. I would not toss it aside so pettily. I do understand your feelings, and I apologize once more for the form my research played. I did not intend to show you such a worthless side of me." He laughed, long and easy. His voice no longer betrayed any sign of self-doubt or loathing. Now, it was filled only with tranquility and self-assurance. He sat straighter, now, head jutting slightly forward and eyes bright. "I look forward to many adventures with you. Perhaps we can even further each others' ideals as we go. I don't think you'll find them so different. Also," he finished, smiling broadly, "should anything ever threaten your treasured goal..." he pulled on his belt with his smallest finger, making sure Akimoto could see. Kowareta, exercising his power, shifted the tie's hue, making it a bright red. "And should you find yourself unable to protect her sufficiently, please do not hesitate call upon me. Whatever face you may lose pales to insignificance compared to the pain of losing her." He lifted his pinkie from the belt, and it returned to its original color. That said, Mitsutaka fell back on the grass and sighed happily. The morning really was beautiful.

Sitting alongside such a person as Akimoto, he couldn't help but see the beauty in everything.

[1494 words | =30GP | Σ133GP ]

Mitsu-san spoke nothing but the truth. The fact that he might not be able to protect the one he loved was true, but would he actually go so far as to ask another to help him? He did have his pride to keep track of. Of course he would! Why on earth was he even considering not doing so?! If he couldn't muster up enough strength to protect her, then he would ask Mitsu for help. That being said though, would this man help him no matter what situation they were in? Aki thought about the coming storm that Hikari had spoken of, and how he would probably be banished from the Soul Society, or executed, for helping her. Would he help him, even if the same punishment would be doled out unto him? Aki had to ask, but at the same time, release no information as to who or what the situation pertained to.

“You say you will help me to protect her? At what point would you draw the line? At what point do you say that my request bears too much of a consequence on your part? Would you help even if it meant possibly dying? What about if it meant your companions disowned you? I am not saying that anything will happen, or that this is the case, I am simply...gathering data.” Akimoto chuckled a bit. 'Gathering data.' He was quite the jester today, as it were. “All I want to know, is if I were to call upon this offer of yours, are there any circumstances where you refuse this service?”

Opening his eyes, the young man sat up again, looking the officer directly in the eyes. He required the most serious of answers right now, and if the man truly was like him, he would understand the look that was being given. The smiling was gone now from his face, the humor fading away with all thoughts of the storm. He was going to be sacrificing everything for her, and if this man was willing to be called upon to aid him, he had better be prepared. If it actually got to the point where he needed Mitsu's help, then shit would have hit the fan, and he might already be fighting on the other side.


Word Count: 384
GP: 7 (34)
Total: 15