Kouki Arisaka - Shinigami [Under Rework]

Kouki Arisaka

~Shinigami of the Gotei 6~

“Sometimes we have to raise our blades in defence of this World, to strike down those who would harm the innocent. I will not hesitate but nor shall I take pleasure in it.”

Forename: Kouki

Surname: Arisaka

Alias: Ari, Ari-Ari (To his mild annoyance).

Gender: Male

Sexuality:  Apparently Heterosexual but in truth since the death of his wife Kouki would be better described as Asexual having absolutely no sexual or romantic interest in others.

Place of Birth: Japan - Musashi Province

Birthday: 2^nd June 1847

Age: 168

Apparent Age: 18-19

• Born: 1847
• Died: 1868
• Soul Burial: 1869
• Rukongai: 1869 - 1974
• Academy: 1974 - 1980
• Shinigami: 1980 - Present

Loyalty: The Gotei 6. In actual fact he likely cares more for the people and ideals of the Seireitei rather than the actual laws.

Division: Indeterminate.

Alignment: Neutral Good

Face Claim: Ryunosuke Ibuki || Hakuōki Reimeiroku

That Which Is Seen

Height: 181 cm

Weight: 149 lbs

Hair Colour: Kouki's hair is blue in colour for reasons beyond his comprehension as in life it had been pitch black. The man simply decided that it must be something to do with dying, currently his top two theories are that the Blue Spiritual Energy of the Shinigami who preformed the Soul Burial on him caused the colour change or it was somehow stained by his own blue Reiatsu. Aside from that fact his hair is exactly as it was in life being rather messy and bound back into a loose ponytail which ends just above his waist.

Eye Colour: The Shinigami's eyes are luckily just as they where in life, as Kouki's unsure he could have handled such a complete change in his appearance after arriving in the Soul Society. The shade of his eyes rests somewhere in between Gold and Orange being perhaps best described as Amber. There is a certain sharpness to Kouki's gaze which belies his Happy go Lucky appearance.

Dominant Hand: Ambidextrous

Physical Build: Kouki is a tall man who appears to have a lean build with quite broad shoulders. Even in life he had such a physique having spent many hours a week practising his swordsmanship. Due to the man's life-long commitment to the martial arts it is off little surprise that he has such a figure.

Complexion: His youthful clean-shaven and unmarked face makes him appear a little too innocent to be a true warrior. However Kouki's torso is covered in scars from his time in the Rukongai although since his joining the Gotei 6 he hasn't earned any permanent marks thanks to the skilled healers in the various Divisions.

Clothing: As a member of the Gotei 6 he views being a Shinigami as the same as being part of any military organisation as such he most frequently will be seen wearing the standard Shihakusho. This uniform consists of a white shitagi, a black hakama and a black kosode, for footwear he wears white tabi and waraji as well as a white obi.

When off-duty Kouki tends to wear clothing that looks like it was in fashion during the late Edo Period Japan. This attire always tends towards the plain and simple in design looking like something one would expect to see worn by a masterless Rōnin during said time period. This is simply due to the fact that he feels comfortable in clothing from the time period when he was a human, it helps that these clothes consist of the same pieces of clothing that makes up the Shihakusho. 

In terms of what might be deemed as "accessories" he has the tendency to wear an explosive band for emergencies under his right sleeve. Other than this he will sometimes wear a Straw Hat when on assignment to the Real World or off-duty.

No matter what he is wearing Kouki's clothes always appear a little dishevelled as if he's been sleeping in them. More than one person has made the dry comment that they're surprised the man is capable of dressing himself at all.

Gigai: Kouki's gigai looks almost identical to his real self except that it's missing his ponytail and he dresses in a Japanese School Uniform so as to fit in amongst humans.

Bearing: Kouki is a man who's naturally given to looking laid-back although it has been noted that he sometimes appears as if lost in thought or daydreaming. When around others he has a tendency to act slightly goofy or comical. Most often he will be found wearing a casual smile which seems to almost invite those he looks at to engage him in conversation.

Kouki's easy going attitude combined with a rather lazy approach to life easily gives the physical impression of a Shinigami who's apathetic when it comes to his responsibilities, this isn't helped by his tendency to slouch around when slacking off. 

It is his strangely solemn appearance and calm countenance during a crisis which belies a more competent soul hiding beneath the surface.

Reiatsu: Kouki's Reiatsu is Deep Sky-Blue in colour which seems to swirl around him like mist and drift outwards from the Shinigami like insubstantial tendrils of fog.

His Spiritual Pressure is usually suppressed and as such is not visible but when it's not the feel of his Spiritual Energy is dependant on his mood.

Most of the time Kouki's Reiatsu can be felt by those with the ability as giving the impression of a soft breeze blowing softly against bared skin, when he's in a particularly good mood this breeze is like that on a warm summer's day. The longer they're in his presence and the less masked his Spiritual Pressure becomes the more it feels like the warm gently air is wrapping itself around them, embracing them and providing a sense of comfort. It would seem that Kouki's spiritual energy shows the warmth and kindness in his heart and his wish for those around him to be happy.

The Unseen

ENFP - The Campaigner

Enneagram Type 7 - The Enthusiast

Kouki is a very care-free man coming off as incredibly laid-back which is surprising considering that he was raised to be a warrior during a time of very strict class divisions and expectations. The main characteristic most of his peers note is his complete lack of direction or ambition appearing to be happy dealing with whatever comes up as it comes up. This combined with his habit of goofing off to do whatever comes to mind makes the man appear utterly unreliable and uncaring about his duty to the Gotei 6. Despite these traits Kouki completes his more critical responsibilities to the desired outcome and those who go on missions with him that encounter serious situations are quick to reform their opinion.

Kouki is usually quite kind and friendly with others even those who Shinigami would usually not deal with although he is known for his rather foolish behaviour at times where he will act erratically and in general silly, this can could be displayed in any range of ways, for example he has a tendency of attempting to get a rise out of those who know him for amusement although he would never say anything truly hurtful. That is not to say that he doesn't take some activities more seriously than others, one such activity that he is known to participate in are sparring sessions and duels as a means of enjoyment as well as general training although he is far from severe in these situations. However he never goes full out in such a setting keep something back from real conflict.

Perhaps the most stunning and shocking aspect of his personality is that which comes out in battle. Although Kouki takes no pleasure in harming others he fully recognises that often there will be no other choice but to do battle, in these moments the Shinigami shows a more stoic side of his personality that would not usually be revealed during his more peaceful day-to-day life. He will deal with his opponents as swiftly and efficiently as possible with all the ruthlessness that one would expect from a warrior of the Court of Pure Souls. He believe's that childish concepts such as Honour have no place on the battlefield and that one battle has begun trying to play "the good guy" is utterly childish.

One side of himself that he purposely keeps hidden is a more charitable and well-meaning persona. During his free-time the man sometimes travels to the poorer areas of the Rukongai in plain clothing. He has been seen once or twice by others to be playing with children or handing out food, having grown up here he is fully aware of out difficult life can be.

Despite his extrovert personality type Kouki is quite adept at keeping secrets and rarely reveals anything about himself that he doesn't have to. Due to this most people, allies and enemies alike, are not always aware of the full extent of his capabilities. He also seems to draw pleasure from surprising others or having them underestimate his skills. This more deceptive side of Kouki perhaps most likely stems from his life as an assassin for the Shinsengumi.

Hidden beneath all of the man's layers he is still haunted by past events, he never truly recovered from his Wife's, Adopted Son's and Daughter's deaths causing him to become more protective of those around him and he is still trapped by the memories of being forced to kill his best friend for betraying the Soul Society.

The Positive:

• Friendly- “Want to go for a drink of Sake?”

  Kouki is openly friendly with others wearing a warm smile and although he can be quite foolish at times he most frequently shows this through a simple casual kindness. This means the man is often seen as quite approachable and seemingly open making him easy to talk to.

• Calm - “Hmm...was that suppose to upset me?”

  Most people wouldn't know it but Kouki is capable being extremely stoic. In a social setting he is easily riled up and annoyed causing him to exchange insults with others or act in some other comical fashion however in battle he is known to be calm, serious and level-headed.

• Preceptive - “Heh...you didn't think I'd actually work it out, did you?”

  Although many wouldn't think it Kouki is actually quite skilled at working out patterns or puzzles, this leads him to having a tendency to gain an insight into others both inside and outside of battle. It can not be said he was always like this but rather a trait he picked up from a life of war and a continued martial experience after his death. Although sometimes able to analyse other people's abilities after observing them he largely operates on intuition and "feelings".

• Protective- “Get back! Let me handle this.”

  Kouki is extremely protective of others, this includes not just his friends or allies but also any innocent who gets caught in conflict. The simple matter of it is that the Shinigami can't stand seeing those he cares about or the powerless in danger. This trait stems from his drive during life to protect others. This is the reason he joined the Shinsengumi, it is the reason he adopted to children from Rukongai and it is the reason he eventually became a Shinigami.

• Confident - “I don't require the acknowledgement of others to know who I am.”

  Kouki is completely confident in himself as a person and doesn't require the recognition of others or their approval. This leads to Kouki being quite dismissive of any criticism aimed towards him and having an almost unshakeable self-confidence. That is not to say that he over-estimates himself bur rather is fully able to recognise his abilities and limits without his view being trained by arrogance or humility. This also means he has quite a strong sense of belief in himself which can give him enormous willpower when facing those who wish to break him down.

• Adaptable - “Plan? Nah I'm just dealing with things as they happen.”

  Kouki isn't a very plan orientated person, rather he just handles whatever problems occur as they occur. A life of poor fore-thought has equipped him with the tools needed to survive changing encounters and to come up with a new approach in a short amount of time. Relying on his quick thinking and perceptiveness has worked for him so far after-all!

The Negative:

• Lazy - “Err the paperwork? I...uhh...the dog ate it?"

  If there's one thing that Kouki dislikes that is being forced to do things that he hates. He will often duck out on doing anything which he won't enjoy, a prime example of this being any sort of paperwork he has to fill in after a mission. This is also the reason his transfer has been pending for months now as he hasn't bothered completing the correct forms to get transferred to another Division. It is quite possible that Kouki is unable to overcome his natural Sloth due to a subconscious wish to not repeat his living life's mistakes where in his own success and competency cursed him to an existence that he never wanted.

• Independent - “Ah sorry, I had planned to do things my way."

  Kouki is more certainly an extrovert but he has a tendency to go off and deal with situations on his own without thinking about others who should be consulted or involved, whilst he is certainly no loner and enjoys working with people it will often not be the first thing to come to mind. This can lead to him trying to tackle too much alone or angering someone who should not have been kept out of the loop.

• Deceptive- “Sometimes it is...wise to remain silent on matters unless necessary.”

  Kouki was once an assassin for the Shinsengumi and during that period he had to live apart from his comrades and brothers in the Squad. He found this quite difficult but did it as duty commanded, in that time he took part in many distasteful missions and activities for what he believed to be the Greater Good. Even with all the changes he's gone through since then, and the person he has now become, he still finds it difficult to fully trust people. It has become so second nature to use secrets to his advantage, doing so subconsciously most of the time. He will also withhold information from people if he thinks it's in their best interest preferring them to be happy and safe rather then knowing all the facts.

• Protective- “You will have to go through me!”

  This is as much a weakness as it is a strength. Kouki will protect others even if it means to the determinant of his own safety however in such situations he puts no thought towards his own safety. More than once in the past he has sacrificed his own well-being to protect another.

• Spontaneous - "I dunno, seemed like the thing to do at the time!" 
  The Shinigami has the horrible tendency to act without completely thinking his actions through and then completely relying on his intuition to keep him right once things go wrong. Although he's certainly an adaptive person he wouldn't get into trouble in the first place if he actually thought through his actions beforehand.
• Underachiever - "Responsibility? That sounds like "Here's some more work" to me."  
  Kouki is a perpetual underachiever feeling quite happy with things as they are and this combined with a habit of ducking out on work can only lead do a rather unimpressive professional life unless some outside source interjects. The biggest shame in this fact is that Kouki himself fails to see it although he does seem a bit annoyed at the fuss people make when they discover that he was one of the highest scoring students in his year at the Academy. In the end this means if he is to ever excel he will need outside influences to push him into it. Again this may be because in life he was considered a protégé and a genius but instead of raising him up his own abilities only meant he was assigned to the dark world of an assassin.

Bits and Pieces

Likes

• Swordsmanship - “Duel? Yeah why not!"

• Slacking Off- “I think I'll just have a short nap.”

• Joking Around- “Arisaka kick! What? It's not my fault you didn't see me coming!”

Dislikes

• Hard Work - “But I don't want to do that!”

• Killing - “There is no place for hesitation on the battlefield...but I don't have to like it.”

• Paperwork- “No! Please no! Not another damnable form!”

Languages 

• Japanese (Primary) - "Uhh... I am Japanese. What exactly were you expecting me to speak? Spanish?"
• English (Fluent) - "There's a lot of English speakers in Rukongai, this one woman Louise taught me for years."
• German (Iffy) - "Haben Sie noch ein Zimmer frei? I think....no wait that might be wrong."

Hobbies

• Training with the rest of his Division.

• Practising Zanjutsu and the sub-skill Iaido.

• Napping.

• Playing with kids around Rukongai.

Views on other Races

• Hollows - "It's a shame but they must be killed at any opportunity. It's for their own good...being forced to consume other souls just to survive is no way to exist. If we let them live then they'll keep killing humans and consuming souls."

• Arrancar - "They're not bound by the curse of Hollows any longer but they did spend centuries as soul eating fiends. Still we shouldn't judge them for being what they are, they're more like us than we'd care to admit truth be told. I'll consider each one on a case-by-case basis. I've only ever actually met one...mind you that one did try to kill me."

• Shinigami - "Protectors of the Balance. We're necessary to keep Souls passing on and to stop Hollows from running rampant...but we should do more. I wonder just how many of my kind have grown apathetic to the suffering of others."

• Quincy - "Never met one. Apparently we already "culled" this race centuries ago...those history classes made me sick I'll tell you that much. Look there really can't be that many of them left so can't we just leave them be? Yes...I know the balance but..."

• Humans - "Well obviously we should protect from the dangers of Hollows and other spiritual entities. Otherwise what the hell is the point?"

Zankensoki - Views:

• Zanjutsu - "This is perhaps the most enjoyable activity around! No wait seriously! Think about it! You get to spend time with your buddies, whack people over the head without any consequences! Besides weapons are cool, right? Zanjutsu and Napping is all a man needs!"
• Hakuda - "I really need to spend more time on this but it's hard and I get tossed around like an idiot. Still yeah okay it can be useful if something happens to your weapon."
• Hohō - "Definitely keep on the ball with this training. I mean what's the point in being awesome with your sword if your so damned slow that you can't hit anything?"
• Kidō - "This stuff can be cool and all, definitely flashy but have you seen the instructors at the academy? They couldn't make it more boring. Application is awesome but theory is boring as hell. Leave that stuff to the 3rd."

The Blue Fox [To be updated]

"Get serious Kouki."

Zanpakutō Name: Mizuiro Kitsune (Roughly Translated: Sky-Blue Fox)

Zanpakutō Type: Kidō.

Zanpakutō Spirit

Mizuiro Kitsune takes the form of a fox made entirely of Sky Blue Reiatsu although she can choose to either solidify herself so that she appears a normal, if oddly coloured, animal or to become as insubstantial as mist so that she loses her shape completely. Most frequently the spirit prefers to have the definite outline of her shape but to keep the rest of her body ethereal with tendrils of energy rising of her back like mist .

Mizuiro Kitsune represents Kouki's hidden deceit and the more serious side of his personality. She prefers to fight enemies solely through trickery and would rather Kouki stabbed everyone through the back rather than ever trying to battle others face to face, she is also far less care-free than her partner and finds his constant foolishness to be supremely annoying. In truth the Zanpakutō spirit main issue with her Kouki is that her partner's blatant laziness is holding them both back and she continuously can be found wishing he'd recognise his true potential.

Despite this issue they have a good relationship although Mizuiro Kitsune takes an inordinate amount of amusement in poking fun at her partner and trying to get a rise out of him, not unlike how Kouki acts with his own friends.

At least part of the reason they get along so well is because they see each other as equals and other halves (although in her opinion she's the much better half) and Kouki has never seen her has a separate part of himself nor considered Mizuiro Kitsune to "belong" to him.

Zanpakutō Inner World

His inner world appears as a large Japanese water garden with slow flowing rivers, calm ponds, lakes and the usual ornamentations one would find in a stereotypical garden. There is also a number of varying structures such as bridges and empty single room buildings which makes it the perfect location for both meditation or Zanjutsu practice.

There is also a grove of Cherry Blossom trees that Mizuiro Kitsune herself claims to enjoy sleeping under.

The weather tends to reflect Kouki's current mental well-being for example when consumed with overwhelming fear or worry rain storms may occur with gale force winds which destroy the garden's structures and layout.

Kouki finds that he greatly enjoys this setting and finds his visits to the Inner World to be extremely relaxing as it reminds him of his life as a human and some of the places he studied Kenjutsu.

Sealed Zanpakutō Appearance

In it's sealed form Mizuiro Kitsune looks like a perfectly normal Tachi with purple diamonds running along the wrapped tsuka, the sword rests in a black saya with a tan coloured sageo. The sword's tsuba is circular and the kashira has a small fox engrave on the bottom.

It is worn with the sageo wrapped around the belt in an iaijutsu (Iaido/Iai) style.

Release Phrase: “Flow Mizuiro Kitsune!” (Japanese: Nagare Mizuiro Kitsune!)

Release Stance: To make the release work Kouki has to move into the sword stance known as Chūdan-no-kamae, in this stance the left foot is placed slightly behind the right with both feet parallel meanwhile he sword is held with the hands in front of the waist and the tip of the blade is pointed at the opponent's throat.

Released Zanpakutō Appearance

When released the sword does not change shape or form but the blade becomes sheathed in Spiritual Energy which resembles a Sky-Blue Mist, this energy rolls along the blade and rises off the weapons in fog-like tendrils. It is of note that this mist is exactly the same colour as Kouki's own Reiatsu.

Shikai Power

Mizuiro Kitsune's power is the ability to make a person's Reiryoku flow or "bleed" away, what this means is that when the Shikai comes into contact with another it will cause their stored Energy to leak.

How quickly it "cuts" away at another person's spiritual energy is largely dependant on the contact made with the opponent for example if someone was wounded by Mizuiro Kitsune then their Reiryoku might diminish swiftly where as if their Zanpakutō clashed with the Shikai then it might only cause a small flow of energy to leave them.

Once enough Reiryoku begins to bleed from the target it can become visible as their Reiatsu flowing away into the air around them.

Theoretically this ability should have some sort of noticeable effect when facing Spiritual Weapons or perhaps even Kidō but at the moment the Shikai is too immature to find out.

Zanjutsu Style

Kouki doesn't believe in relying too heavily on his Zanpakutō's special ability and as such he doesn't release his Shikai unless he's facing an opponent where he knows it's his only chance. However the benefit of this is that he's focused on technique when employing normal swordsmanship.

Due to his own past-times he's also studied Iaido to an extent although largely for enjoyment rather than trying to reap the martial benefits.

No matter what approach he takes to combat he fights with a detached calmness and serenity that would surprise others given his usual energetic conduct.

Current Division: Pending transfer from the defunct Sixth Division. Too lazy to seek a solution until forced.

Previous Divisions: Kouki served in Sixth Division for 34 years and whilst his performance was satisfactory his lack of drive or anyone steering his unfocused behaviour means he was never granted a Seat. Due to Sixth Division having their duties absorbed by Second Division Kouki is now technically still pending transfer due to his own apathy in terms of following up on a transfer.

Timeline:

Timeline of Important Events:

A Detailed History: 

A Mortal Man

1847 - 1868

A Beginning

Kouki was born into the Arisaka family, a minor clan belonging to the Samurai caste. Kouki's own father was a Gokenin, a lower vassal of the Shogun standing under the rank of Hatamoto. Due to Kouki's mother having died during childbirth the newborn was largely raised by his uncle, a priest who had given up his right to carry a sword in exchange for a life of service to the Heavens. This arrangement was made because Kouki's traditionalist father felt he had no place in the early life of the boy and, privately, he despised the child that had stolen his love away from him. 

Growing up Kouki delighted in the old religious tales his Uncle told him, a young soul's laughter often ringing throughout the old Temple but he forever yearned for his father to return however the warrior only ever paid his son short visits seemingly uninterested in getting to know his child.

Kouki would cry many nights over his fathers apparent lack of love towards him and even at such a young age he would frequently blame himself for his mother's death. Although his Uncle cared for him dearly, a life of service to a higher power had made him aloof in many ways and he could never truly fill the paternal void that Kouki wished for so badly.

Shortly after his 7^th birthday Kouki's father returned and claimed the boy. This act went against his brother's wishes who wanted the child to become a priest too but ignoring his “weak” sibling the man brought his son back to the Arisaka Family Manor.
In truth “Manor” was a little too grand a title for the Samurai's residence but Kouki was just glad to be home and with his father at last. It was at this young age that Kouki's father began to harshly train his son in the arts expected of a warrior especially Kenjutsu and Iaijutsu, a style which was a deviation of the more common Ittō-ryū. For the first time the father showed approval of the son as Kouki turns out to be a protégé in the art of the blade.

At the age of 12 the unexpected happened when a visitor got into a heated argument with Kouki's father and cut him down, seeing this and in a rage the young boy attacked the stranger killing him. After a cousin of the Arisaka family discovered what happened he informed Kouki that the visitor was a Hatamoto and so reported to the local official that he found the two men together neglecting to mention the child. He then sent Kouki away to train under a friend of his from Tosa province who had recently opened a Dojo in Edo.

In the year of 1859 the young Samurai arrived in Edo and began training under the Sensei in a Tosa sword style not often seen as far West as the Capital. Kouki lived a very happy life here for the next two years until at the age of 14 he begins to see ghosts and strange monsters. His master comforted him in a paternal manner than he had never experienced before and instead of fearing these strange phenomenon he instead grew curious about them but following the man from Tosa's advice he instead ignored them, feigning a complete ignorance in the existence of these strange beings. In time it became second nature to simply pretend that everything was normal.

This happiness came to an end a year later when the Sword Instructor passed away in his old age and lacking a senior student to take over the school it would soon close.

Despite only being 15 at the time Kouki decided to take to the road and began wandering looking for a new instructor that he could become the disciple off, it was in this year of 1862 that the young swordsman found himself at the Shieikan where he was granted membership into the Tennen Rishin-Ryū, a turn of fate which would change his life forever.

The Wolves of Mibu

In 1863 Kouki would follow the 4th Generation Master of Tennen Rishin-Ryū in joining a large group of organised Ronin who were charged with protecting the Shogun Iemochi during his time in Kyoto, this unit became known as the Rōshigumi and would be the happiest period of the Arisaka Samurai's life.

SPOILER: Click to show

 

Prey

Death was not the end it would seem.

Shinigami Hopeful

1972 - 1980

Academy of the Spiritual Arts

In 1972 Kouki took the entrance exam for the Academy after deciding he wanted to join the ranks of the Shinigami sadly for him it didn't seem that the Academy was quite as enthusiastic as he was. His entry was declined due to failing the exam.

Sixth Division

Roleplay Sample:

The sword began to slide from it's scabbard.

Was he cursed? Did some greater power despise him?

At this very moment in time it seemed like a fair enough question. For years he had served the Sixth Division as a patroller, it was a basic job perhaps the most basic of any Shinigami. Simply go around your predetermined route in the real world or the Soul Society and deal with any issues that arise. Easy. Clear Cut. No complications. So why? Why had the officer demanded that Kouki of all people be assigned as reinforcements to the Hunters?

The sword came free, glinting in the moonlight.

Cursed? Maybe that was too mild a term for it. He had went with them, reluctantly and loudly but he had went. As hateful as the job seemed an order was an order in the end of the day and even Kouki wasn't so lackadaisical about his job to disobey a command. So if that wasn't bad enough then why had the other Shinigami decided that splitting up was the best way to search for their prey? What was worst than that? Kouki had been the one to find their target.

The sword was raised, a blur of movement as it approached.

And who was their target? Who was their prey? Akira Fujioka. Kouki's fellow classmate at the Academy and the first Noble-Born student who had shown kindness to the man from Rukongai. Akira Fujioka. The student who had chosen to join Sixth Division alongside his friend. Akira Fujioka. The greatest friend Kouki had been granted since his admission into the Gotei 6. This was why he had been chosen for this mission, this is why his superior had wanted the Lazy, Foolish, Kind-Hearted Kouki to be part of a squad of Shinigami killers. That bastard.

The sword falls, singing through the air.

"Kouki! Move!"

The words hammer into Kouki's brain and his mind snapped back to reality. Over a century of Iaido training floods back to him and his blade soars free from it's saya knocking the attacking sword aside as he jumped back to gain himself some distance.

"What are you doing Kouki? He's trying to kill you!" Mizuiro Kitsune snapped angrily.

Ignoring his Zanpakutō he stared at his opponent. Kouki smiled but the expression was forced and unnatural, the vibrant energy that usually burned in the Shinigami's amber eyes was missing replaced instead with a mad desperation.

"Kouki?"

"Hey Akira...what are you doing? Is this some silly joke? Enough...let's go home..." The patroller suggested with a shaky voice.

Akira raised his blade above his head into Jōdan-no-kamae.

"Hey Akira...what are you doing Akira?"

"I'm not going back Kouki Arisaka." The attacker, the old friend, finally responded.

The use of his full name made Kouki's hairs stand on end, a feeling of queasiness washing over him. He hadn't spoken to him in such a way since their first meeting.

"I'm never returning. The Soul Society, The Seireitei, The Shinigami. They're all corrupt. They claim that we should fight the evil that they themselves have become. You've seen it! Suffering in the Rukongai! Captains bending to the will of corrupt nobility. The growing strength of the Hollows! I won't go back, I will find a way to become more powerful than any Shinigami and then I'll make them change." he snarled hatefully.

Kouki could only stand in shock at this man who was once his friend. The anger, the rage. He had never seen such things in him before, was it all new or had he never truly known the man at all.

Suddenly Akira smiled "Come with me old friend! Together we will right the wrongs of this world! We just need to find the power! Make ourselves unstoppable!"

"Power?" Kouki asked softly in a tone that caused Akira's smile to vanish completely. "That is all you seem to care about...the rest is but an excuse. Let you harm the Soul Society? Have you gone mad? Come back with me Akira...it's the only way to stop this foolishness."

Akira snarled and threw himself forward in a renewed attack. The world seemed to slow for Kouki and he watched as the man he had trusted above all else came at him once more with the intent to kill.

"I'm so sorry."

"So am I." he thought.

Kouki moved into Chūdan-no-kamae and his Reiatsu exploded outwards causing the enemy Shinigami to falter.

"Flow Mizuiro Kitsune." he whispered sadly.

-----------------------------------------------------

Kouki awoke in his bed breathing heavily and drenched in sweat. He held his hand over his face as he tried to steady his nerves. That damned dream again...it had been nearly a decade ago, was he going to be forced to relive it over and over again?

"Hey! Arisaka! Get up, we've patrol duty in the World of the Living. We're leaving in an hour!" a voice shouted from the corridor.

With a sigh Kouki swung out of bed. "Yeah, yeah I know!" he shouted back.

Quickly he washed and got dressed, throwing on the same messy clothes he'd worn the day before. He looked at himself in the mirror and saw the messy Shinigami staring back at him, his hair in it's usual state of disarray. Relaxing the man smiled at his reflection as the relaxed friendliness that so often lit up his face flooded back into his expression. The past was the past and there was no point worrying about it.

Grabbing his Zanpakutō he ran out of the room, if he was quick enough then maybe he'd actually get to have breakfast before heading out for once.

OOC - The Other Stuff

Player Alias: Ari, Kouki, whatever!

Desired Starting GP: Err 2000? Maybe? Honestly I've no idea if this app is that good or not. I'll just trust the staff

Were you referred by anyone?: Found via Google-Fu

Other Characters: Nope! Noob 'ere.

Please Note: I might need some OOC help getting a Division for Kouki, since his transfer is "pending" (only being reassigned because of the Sixth Division Merge). Since ICly he's just faffing about he might need to be reassigned by a Superior officer. (Personally I think he'd suit either the Jack-of-all-trades or Fighting Divisions best) Either way it might make more sense for him to be told where he;s going rather than given a choice?

OOC Goals for Kouki: 

• Finding a way for Kouki to become a better Shinigami despite his laziness.
• Mastering his Zanpakuto.
• Career Progression.
• Finding a Squad to which he'll properly fit.
• Getting to know the Shinigami community.
• Would be interested in some sort of darker story plot, maybe somewhere down the line being infected with an inner hollow.