Strike Down thy Weakness [AO, TBTP, Closed]

The scenes of what happened the other night had been playing through Yuuta's mind on the nights, even in his sleep he managed to keep most signed of fear quiet with just an occasional tremble betraying his emotions. He was excited about the future, but the fact he had almost died at the hands of a hollow when he was so young was a painful memory when it was so recent.

On this particular night his dream crossed the line between memory and nightmare. His eyes shot open as his life passed before him in his dream, in his mind Mako didn't make it in time and he had died there and then. It felt eerily real and it took Yuuta a few seconds to compose himself. He needed some warm milk to help relax. He silently made his way down the stairs in his shorts, and he was about to turn into the kitchen when he noticed Mako's bedding folded, and the man himself moving towards the door. He guessed he'd had sleepless nights too or something.

Yuuta smiled softly as his friend returned warmth to his previously shaken heart "Hey Mako" his voice was far softer than usual, quite evident that he was still quite sleepy. He made his way towards the stove and fired up the gas, pouring some milk in the pan as he asked "Would you like some milk? I can't sleep so I'm just doing some" he knew it's be pointless to ask Mako why he was awake at this hour, he figured it might well have been the same reason he was awake. Then again, Mako did strike him as the sort who would often be up at night for no apparent reason.

If Mako wanted some he'd make a glass for him too, placing both glasses at the table before making himself comfy "I hope I'm not disturbing you, if you need some time alone to clear your head I don't mind. We went through a lot the other day" he knew forcing himself on Mako wasn't a good way to get him to open up, he had to be natural about it if he wanted to get anywhere he figured.

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Total Words: 369

Mako felt Yuuta stir, but he didn't comment until the young man came down and called for him. Glancing over his shoulder-- he could feel his friends anxiousness, and let out a slow breath-- he supposed he wasn't the only one that was a bit shaken by everything that had happened. Turning, he would simply move forward-- shaking his head in refusal of the milk and instead simply moving ot sit down with the redhead. He wasn't entirely sure why-- it wasn't as though he was a talker, but he knew that being near the idiot helped him calm down-- even if it was only slightly.

As he would on about "disturbing" him, Mako would shake his head slightly and snort.

"You only disturb me when you do idiotic things. Waking up in the middle of the night after nearly being killed isn't what I would consider being "idiotic", I believe that's called a "natural response"," as he stated this he would allow his gaze to shift toward the window where the sound of crickets filled the air. It was difficult, it was true-- Yuuta was his friend. He had discovered that with the voices help, and yet with that title everything became real-- it meant that the idiot could get himself killed and it would affect him. That he had no way to turn back and say "Well he never meant much to me anyway".

His defensive barrier was gone-- and now the spirit was calling him weak for something that he didn't understand. Or perhaps that he simply didn't want to understand. Slowly his gaze lifted up toward the redhead-- it wasn't that Yuuta was actually stupid, he was just an idiot-- but perhaps he would have a differing view on things compared to his own. So, after a brief moment to center his thoughts-- he would ask a simple question for the redhead.

"Do you think I'm weak, Yuuta?" Mako's tone wasn't accusing, nor was it angry-- simply as if he was asking a fact about anything else. He figured giving the redhead as little details as possible was for the best-- it would mean that his opinions on the matter could be as varied as possible. That was what he was after-- other viewpoints on what the spirit could mean when he kept accusing him of weakness.

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Post Words: 391
Total Words: 994

Yuuta rubbed his neck when Mako was actually kinda nice to him, that felt a little weird but he liked it. The fact it came with the usual usage of the word idiot made it all the more comforting, bringing a soft smile to his face. He guessed that was a normal reaction, and it just meant he was a normal person at heart which was reassuring in itself as he didn't have to feel embarrassed about it. Even though Mako was being nice, he trusted the guy enough not to lie to him simply to make him feel better. He was fairly certain that Mako would be brutally honest regardless of the situation for the long term good.

Yuuta sipped his milk when Mako asked whether he was weak or not, Yuuta's lips instantly moved only to pause before he spoke for once. He pondered briefly before nodding "You're weak because you don't realise you're strong Mako" he let those words sink in briefly as he set his milk down to keep talking "Well I guess more accurately you don't accept you're strong and you just don't realise how strong you are. I think objectively you're strong but you're still weak because you won't release the hold you have on yourself...." he suspected Mako had long known Yuuta's deductions as to his home life which he'd made long ago, he'd never aired them but perhaps he should hint at them?

He figured he should go for it, some mild nerves surfacing "In order to do that I think you need to break the chains that have been placed on you, my instincts are telling me you can do it if you just believe in yourself Mako..... You are weak, but you could so easily be so strong if you believe in the fact you can soar" Yuuta felt like a right dork saying all that out loud, he was also a little worried he might have offended Mako.

Hopefully that satisfied Mako, even though he was kinda saying yes and no at the same time. There was nothing wrong with giving both answers anyway, as both were true in Yuuta's eyes and he had faith that Mako was smart enough to see they grey.

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Post Words: 375
Total Words: 744

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He was weak, because he didn't realize he was strong? What sort of response was that?

Mako didn't comment, tilting his head back and looking at the ceiling quietly as he contemplated this information-- Yuuta was going on about how he was actually strong, but that he was also saying that he was weak because he refused to release a hold on himself? What was he holding himself? Mako's brow furrowed as he considered this, slowly lowering his face from the ceiling to look back at Yuuta's eyes-- was he trying to say that somehow, that man was holding him back and making him weak?

Mako opened his mouth, clearly about to argue-- about to explain how that made no sense, about how he had become stronger, how he had cut himself from the man long ago when he had agreed to go to Zabel, to train underneath her, when he had begun expanding his knowledge, and his strength. But nothing came forward, instead, Yuuta continued talking-- telling him he needed to break the chains. Telling him that he could do it-- and that he was weak, that he could be strong. For the first time-- Mako felt anger. But he didn't know at what-- what was there to be angry at?

Snap.

He stared at Yuuta, and then-- his eyes trailed downward visibly-- the wood of the floor, had cracked. When had that happened?

His eyes slowly trailed toward the broken floorboard that his hand had broken-- and then back to Yuuta, before slowly, wordlessly, he hauled himself up.

"Bathroom," he muttered the obvious lie as he turned-- and moved toward the door as he shoved it open. Stepping out into the darkness, his signature completely disappearing-- as did he in a shunpou as he appeared a distance away from it all. The forest, the forest where he had always run away too in order to ensure he was safe-- knowing he could hide from the Hollow. Knowing he couldn't hide from that man. He felt the grip on his throat, he felt the pain as he doubled over-- a hand stretching out to grip the tree as he felt his pulse rising. An attack? He hadn't had an attack in years-- his last one had been with Zabel. When he had let go of all of this, when he had put it all behind him--

Weak.

He stiffened, and his panic attack halted as his body shook-- anger and more emotions that he wasn't sure how to handle radiated through his body as his eyes slowly lifted upward, and to his shock-- he was no longer in a forest. Instead, his hand was braced against the cold castle wall-- stone. He didn't know where he was-- had he been teleported somewhere? No, that was impossible, he'd felt no reiatsu-- not even the slightest amount.

Slowly, his breath released from his lips as his eyes focused on the stone hallway before him-- where was he? What was this place? It was cold and dark-- there was only a single torch in the distance casting a flickering light through the damp, sunless corridor.

"Where ..?"

The murmur was lost into the darkness as if it was absorbed by it instead of echoing.

"This is your inner world, Mako." A voice behind him spoke-- impossible, he couldn't sense it. Spinning, the teen's hand shot to his hip, where the tantou should have been-- but there was nothing. Kidou then, whatever it was it had--

"Now now, there's no need for that nasty fear of yours," the voice filled the air-- and this time, his panic subsided enough for him to recognize the voice-- the same one that had helped him save Yuuta. The same one that called him weak.

"My Zanpaktou spirit?" the voice was simple and blunt-- monotone as ever, as the man-- if you could even call him that-- stepped from the shadows. Simple black robes, ragged and worn, sandaled hands, he would look like a kind monk if it wasn't for the face-- a skull, lacking all muscle, with skin stretched tautly over it were two sunken sockets housed eyes that stared at him. Yet, despite the disturbing appearance, he felt no fear.

"You wouldn't-- after all, I'm a part of you," the spirit spoke simply before he would move toward the hallways. Was he asking him to walk? But the corridor stretched endlessly, there was no point in walking.

"If you want to talk we can do it here," he stated bluntly, staring into the man's eyes as he would examine him, before releasing a brief sight through his revealed teeth.

"Oh very well, honestly, you're so predictable," before Mako could counter the illogical decision to try and walk in the first place, the spirit had focused his gaze on the young boy-- and his words silenced him like a knife stabbing into his chest.

"You are weak, Mako. Do you know why?" Mako stiffened-- and stared, wordless, unable to respond, unable to comprehend the statement-- and he felt the emotions begin to well up in his throat once more. Unable to place them, uncertain what to do with them. Fear. Anger. Resentment.

"Well then, shall we break these down one at a time? I believe that is the "logical" approach, yes?" Mako had no way to respond, he felt frozen, and the spirit simply continued on as he lifted a hand slowly.

"Fear." within the hand came an image, like a reflection in water, of the man that claimed to be his father-- and he felt his chest clench in pain, his hand lifting to it as he fell back from the image, his pulse quickening, his heart clenching. He wasn't supposed to be afraid. He was done, he had broken all ties with that man, he had put him away from his heart and moved on--

"You did no such thing. What you did, Mako was run away." The words were like ice, and he felt the chill run down his spine-- and he realized, instantly, the truth in those words.

"You didn't face him. You didn't end anything-- you ran away into Zabel's warm embrace, eager for the affection, the attention that you craved even if you feared it with all your might-- because you feared that man far more. He was your demon, your boogie man, the monster that went bump in the night-- and like the terrified little child you were-- you ran." The image shifted, and Mako slowly sank down against the stone wall, his hand lifting to cover his face. He didn't want to be afraid, he didn't want to fear him-- but--

"Now, anger." Mako's pupil slowly expanded-- lifting to face the man-- the spirit that resided within his blade.

"Why are you angry, Mako? What did Yuuta say-- that made you so angry?"

He'd said he was weak. That he hadn't broken the chains. That he could be strong. That--

"That you were weak, because you didn't realize that you were strong. Why did that make you so angry at him, Mako?"

He hadn't been angry at Yuuta-- he was his friend, he had only meant well, only told him the truth--

"And who, pray tell, decided that a friend-- or that the truth-- couldn't make you angry? Why, Mako? You're avoiding the question-- just like always, running away, like the cowardly child you are. Afraid of your father, afraid of your emotions, afraid of your anger-- that's why you ran from him. You ran from Yuuta, because you were afraid you would attack him. So-- what made you so angry, that you would attack your only friend?"

Mako didn't want to think, he wanted to hide, he wanted to suppress his energy, to disappear from the world and force the thoughts from his mind-- but the question kept coming up in his skull. Scratching at the back of his head like a wild beast that demanded to be free-- it was welling up, the rage he had felt, the anger he had felt looking into Yuuta's eyes-- clueless eyes that thought they knew, thought they understood when they understood--

"NOTHING!" Mako roared, slamming his hand against the stone so hard he felt his skin break, and he didn't stop. Again, and again, and again.

"DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT! DON'T PRETEND TO KNOW! DON'T ACT LIKE I'M STRONG!" he screamed, he yelled, he struck-- again-- and again-- and again. Fear, rage, anger-- at Yuuta, for thinking that he could make such a claim, for thinking he was strong, for thinking that he knew anything at all.

"That's not all-- is it?" the voice cut through his hot rage like a blade of ice, Mako froze, blood dripping from his ruined hand as his head slowly lifted up to look into the eyes of the spirit-- and they burned with the same anger that he felt in his heart. But unlike his own, it was calmly under control. If he had erupted like a volcano-- his spirit's rage was like the bottom of the ocean, infinite pressure, infinite cold, unadulterated hatred.

"You're not just mad at Yuuta-- you're mad at someone else too, Mako-- who?"

Himself.

The word instantly came into his mind, and he felt his jaw clench slowly as his head lowered-- droplets of blood fell from his hand as he stared down at the wall. He wanted to be strong. But he was weak-- he was always weak-- compared to that man, compared to that titan that had ruled over his life with an iron fist. No matter how strong he got-- he could never make the claim. He was nothing, weak, a street rat that was desperately trying to be strong. Nothing but a--

"Frightened child." The spirit finished calmly as Mako felt tears welling up in his eyes, his arms slowly wrapping around his knee's, his anger replaced with a cold emptiness-- something he had not experienced for so long that now, it ached, It felt horrible as if his very soul was crumbling inside him.

"You want to be strong," the spirit murmured simply, as his hand slowly lowered-- and to Mako's astonishment-- he felt the cold hand, like that of a corpses, pet his head. Yet the cold was comforting, gentle-- like a cool wind during summer. Slowly, his head lifted as he looked up at the spirit.

"I want to be strong," he murmured softly-- feeling his throat clench in terror.

"Strength does not mean power, Mako. It means facing the things you fear-- you envy Yuuta's bravery, no? You call him an idiot-- but you desperately wish you had that confidence he has-- that ability to dive head long into anything without fear." Mako had no retort, he felt his jaw clench as he slowly looked down at the floor once more.

"Change is not that simple. You cannot be Yuuta," the words made his chest clench. He knew that. He knew he couldn't ever be like that idiot-- he knew, he was too much of a coward to ever be that way.

"But--"

Mako blinked, slowly allowing his gaze to lift upward toward the skull that stared down at him.

"You can take a single step-- a single step, Mako, out of your shell. A single step, down a very long road to be like him-- you'll never be Yuuta-- but there's no reason that you cannot take traits from him-- there's no reason you cannot be like him." The words struck a chord closer to his heart than he had ever expected. He felt his chest clench slowly-- and then realized what he meant.

"N-no, I can't, I can't do it-- I'm scared, he's too strong, he'll just--"

"He'll hurt you. He'll beat you. He'll force himself on you. He'll make you cry-- and laugh at your suffering as he takes his wrath out on you." Mako bit his finger, his hand that had been covering his face clenched in agony at the memories-- the memories he was so terrified of-- that haunted him, that made him want to die.

"Yuuta, thinks you can do it," the man stated calmly as he stared down at Mako, and the single statement made him halt.

"You've never had that before-- have you, Mako? No one's ever believed in you. You were so wrapped up in your anger-- you forgot that last bit of what he said, didn't you? What was it?"

Mako felt his mind slowly fall back--

"In order to do that I think you need to break the chains that have been placed on you, my instincts are telling me you can do it if you just believe in yourself, Mako. You are weak, but you could so easily be so strong if you believe in the fact you can soar."

Soar-- him?

"Break the chain, Mako. Break it-- and be free-- feel your first true taste of freedom-- and make him pay, for everything."

Silence greeted the statement, before finally, in a small-- terrified voice of a child, a child that Mako had pretended he had left behind long ago-- filled the air.

"Will you help me?"

"Of course. But you must take the first step."

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Post Words: 2,208
Total Words: 3,202

Yuuta was getting some very unusual vibes from Mako he'd never known the man to show any signs of anger, the fact anger was present meant he had to be right. He was hoping he was wrong, that Mako had in fact broken the chains already but life wasn't so fortunate it seemed. He flinched slightly at the sound of snapping, his eyes glanced down, it looked like Mako's hand had done it and going by the sound it was probably a floorboard. He had no idea how he was going to fix that silently in the night or explain it to Yuki.

Yuuta didn't question Mako's blatant lie, he knew full well that if Mako didn't want to be followed he wouldn't. A soon that became evident when all trace of Mako vanished as soon as he left the door. Mako was strong in the power sense, so he would probably be okay and there was nothing he could do in any event. His mind turned towards the cracked floorboard, sipping the last of the milk and blinking he failed to find a way to hide it from Yuki or fix it before morning. He'd just have to hope his mum overslept and was in a rush to get to work, so somehow didn't notice it....

Any thoughts of hiding the damage were shattered when he heard movement upstairs.... why did his mum have to be coming down now! He used a quick shunpo to switch sides on the table, sitting over the crack, doing his best to look completely natural. As soon as Yuki's foot reached the bottom of the stairs she noticed Mako wasn't here, she covered her mouth as she yawned "Where's Mako. Yuuta?" Damn it, he couldn't lie to his mum because that was a near impossible task "He just went to get some air, he'll be back in a minute" Yuki's eyes narrowed on Yuuta, clearly not impressed with his answer yet anger or irritation didn't show in her voice "You shouldn't let him out this late on his own you know" if they were normal teenagers he'd understand, but they could more than handle themselves as they'd proved just a few days ago, but he knew Yuki saw Mako as basically a second son recently "He'll be fine.... probably" he couldn't be certain but he could almost guarantee it.

A sharp slap found it's way against the back of Yuuta's head, his mum certainly had her head slapping technique truly mastered "Probably?" Yuki raised a brow, she knew she never had to raise her voice to her son, he knew when to push his boundaries and when not to. This was not one of those times. Yuuta sighed as he looked into his cup "I'll look for him in a minute, want to give him a minute or two alone though means he just left" Yuki seemed satisfied with this, pouring herself a glass of water before heading back to their room. Phew, at least Yuki wouldn't know about the floor just yet, hopefully Mako could fix it with kido or something. In any event, he had to go and look for Mako or Yuki would kill him. He grabbed a coat off the hook near the door just in case it turned a little cold before he headed out.

There was something strange though.... he could feel Mako's energy even with his poor perception, and the energy seemed all over the place. He ran full pelt towards where he could feel the energy, catching up very quickly. Yuuta went to place a hand on Mako's shoulder but pulled back at the last second, he knew Mako didn't like being touched "Mako....." his voice conveyed the messages he couldn't, he wanted to know Mako was okay, he wanted to know he hadn't offended Mako, and he wanted to know Mako was safe.

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Post Words: 649
Total Words: 1393

Take the first step.

With a single blink-- the corridor was gone-- instead, he was surrounded by tree's, the forest had returned to his vision-- but blood still dripped from his damaged hand, though it didn't appear as severe-- bruising instead of broken-- though he didn't really notice it. It was just pain, he was used to pain. He felt an odd calmness-- despite the terror that clutched his chest, like a cold hand wrapped around his heart-- he didn't why. It was a similar sensation to when he had stepped up to the edge of the cliff years ago-- prepared to jump, prepared to end himself.

But this fear was different-- it was something more primal-- more emotional-- he didn't know how to handle the foreign sensation. Despite the fact he had made the decision-- his feet wouldn't move. He could feel his spirit shifting inside the tantou at his side-- about to speak, he felt the familiar tug within himself that he had begun to recognize as the voice of the spirit beginning to manifest. However, before he could speak-- he felt a presence near him, approach and then appear-- Yuuta. The redheads voice called out, causing him to slowly turn his head to look back at him-- dried tears had run down his face-- blood from his lip where he'd clenched his jaw too tightly and torn his gums.

However, he didn't make a comment on any of these facts-- instead, Mako's eyes-- red from lack of sleep, and crying-- looked into Yuuta's own. He was here-- even when he had no reason to be when it was clear he had wanted to be alone-- he always appeared at the last minute. Mako couldn't tell if it was a gift or a curse. A weak noise erupted from his lips, and he wasn't certain what it was initially-- shocking himself as he slowly blinked once, then realized-- it was a noise similar to what Yuuta constantly did. Laughter. He was able to laugh-- for the first time-- when he was gripped with such fear?

What the hell was wrong with him?

Slowly, he lifted the hand that was dripping blood from ruined knuckles and his bite marks on its middle digit to place over his face-- wordlessly wiping the residue of the tears from his face as he slowly lifted his eyes to look into the redheads own eyes quietly.

"Yuuta-- can you walk with me for a bit?" he murmured the question simply, his voice was the same-- monotone, bleak-- and yet it audibly shook. His entire body, he realized, was shaking-- terror. Absolute terror. It gripped him like the claws of a reaper-- how ironic since he was soon to be one himself. He didn't want Yuuta to come the whole way. He didn't want him to have to deal with his father-- he didn't want to risk his father harming Yuuta. But-- he wanted to have him near. Even if it was just for the walk there-- then he could maybe have just a hint of the courage that Yuuta seemed to have in spades.

He wouldn't force the redhead-- but knowing him he'd happily agree. A twisted smile, full of fear formed on Mako's lips-- being brace made you predictable, he supposed.

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Post Words: 549
Total Words: 3,751

Mako was injured..... the fact it was his knuckles and his jaw lead him to believe either he had been attacked or far more likely he was taking his anger out on a wall and was biting himself. He'd never actually seen Mako like this but he didn't show fear, nor did he show judgement. He was the same Yuuta he always was, warm and and accepting to all, especially to his good friend. He made a mental note to give Mako a brief patch up in the morning so he wouldn't have the reminders of tonight for long, Yuuta wasn't actually that worried about the physical injuries. Mako was so close to breaking  point, but he'd be there for him.

He nodded softly at Mako's request, his words equally as soft as his smile "Always Mako" the only reason he hadn't followed Mako straight away was because it would have been impossible. Mako was being so strong, he was physically shaking but he didn't once speak or indicate he wanted to go back. He had to tell Mako this "You know.... when I stood in front of you. In front of the hollow" Yuuta gulped, it was a painful memory and a very fresh one but Mako was being brave so he had to be as well "In those moments just before I smiled I remembered something mum once said to me. It gave me the strength to smile to you when I thought it was the end.... She said -being brave doesn't mean you're never scared, it's not that simple Yuuta. Being brave is not stopping just because you're scared, fear can't make you weak unless you let it. So always be brave and kind" He bottled up the pain from that night, and instead held hope that his soft smile and Yuki's words would give Mako the strength to do what he had to do tonight.

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Total Words: 1712

Mako simply began to move forward as Yuuta agreed-- he was glad, but the shaking wouldn't stop. Terror-- terror he hadn't felt in so long that he had grown used to being free of it, having it sealed away in the back of his mind-- and now, it was rampaging forward and filling his body. Each step felt like his legs had weights strapped to them, the physical effort required to push on alone was exhausting-- and yet he had made this decision. There was no room to turn back. Yuuta alongside him helped-- he wasn't sure how, but it did-- it felt like the cold grip around his heart was slighted by the redhead's never-ending warmth.

Then, Yuuta began to speak-- and the quote caused him to feel a weak smile to briefly form on his lips as he glanced down at the tantou that rested on his hip.

"He said the same thing," he murmured simply in reply, though the spirit had left out the kind part-- and he had little interest in it. Kindness had never done anything for him-- and he doubted it ever would-- but, the rest was worth thinking on. It helped ease his mind as he closed his eyes-- allowing the words to run through his mind. Bravery was facing your fear-- that was what he was doing.

That was what he was doing.

But the steps didn't feel lighter thanks to the words-- instead, with each step came the weight of what he was about to do. The sensation and realization that he was about to face a demon-- face the demon that had hounded him since his birth, made him suffer all his life-- constantly hunted by his own nightmares-- unable to escape them even in the safety of others embrace. He felt his stomach sinking until it felt like a bottomless, empty pit rested in his stomach-- the shaking wouldn't stop. His head slowly lifted as he stared down at familiar streets-- he could still remember each cubby, every hiding hole, ever rat infested ancient sewer.

Always buried in the darkness, the muck, nursing wounds that burned and seared as blood dripped from his body from the abuse. His hands slowly clenched into fists-- causing the scabs that had begun to form on his knuckles to crack at the sensations. He felt his chest tighten slowly before he took a single step forward-- the alley that led to that man's home before him. He couldn't reach out, his sensory was gone-- he didn't dare use it, didn't dare feel how powerful the man had become in his absence, the rage of him disappearing surely had caused him to shoot to even greater heights.

He couldn't force himself to move forward-- so many memories, none of them good. Each alley that he'd been tossed down in and used. Each mud puddle he'd been tossed into, kicked, and beaten into until the mud turned red. His shaking kept him locked in place-- he tried to speak, to tell Yuuta to leave-- but the idea of the redhead going caused his throat to clench. He didn't want to be here. Every cell in his body screamed at him to run, to run away and never come back, to never face him-- to avoid it and all and put it behind him.

But he knew it wouldn't work that way. He would haunt him-- forever-- unless he faced him now.

Break the chains.

His mouth opened, and at first no noise came forward-- but finally, he murmured a single statement to Yuuta.

"Wait here for me," with that-- he stepped forward, each step stiff-- jerking, almost robotic as he forced himself forward. Alone. Alone and cold-- the terror closing in on his chest as he felt his pulse quickening, the doorway to the rundown home approaching him and with each foot he grew closer to it-- he felt his hearts rhythmic beating increase, felt the weight on his chest that threatened to halt his breathing, felt the cold hand wrapping around his throat just as that man had so many times. He halted at the door-- and stared at it, unable to push it, unable to touch it.

He'd taken the first step.

Help me-- please-- I can't--

"You are not alone."

The words caused Mako to halt-- the deep voice washing over him from within, causing him to slowly lower his head-- he had always been alone. Cold, injured, empty-- alone-- sitting in the darkness wishing for death but too scared to end his own life. But now--

"You aren't alone, Mako. Yuuta. Moriko. Zabel-- and me."

It was only four beings-- four individuals, but it was more than he had ever had in his entire life. He wanted to be strong-- he wanted to protect them. Slowly, his hand lifted-- reaching out, until his fingers touched the half-rotten wooden door. Behind it rested a demon, the boogie man that had haunted his every dream-- and turned it into a nightmare. But even as he shook-- even as he felt the twisting fear in his stomach-- there was something else inside his chest. A warmth, a single flame that burned from a single realization: he wasn't alone.

Mako's hand pushed the door open.

Immediately-- the scent of a rat and fungus infected home washed over him in a wave. He didn't flinch-- he had been raised in this smell. It was familiar, a familiarity that made the memories that much stronger, clawing at the back of his mind as he stood in the doorway, staring into the pitch black home until he heard something move. He flinched-- and his eyes shot toward it, feeling his throat clenching in fear as the grumble of a man filled the air-- and then he saw the flash of a pair of eyes in the darkness. Saw them settle on him-- and he knew them. A wave of cold washed over his body-- terror. He wanted to run, everything told him to step back, to run away and escape-- danger-- instinctually he knew he was in danger, he was going to be hurt, beaten, pinned and taken until he--

A hand shot out of the dark, clenching around his throat and slamming him against the wall as a maniacal laugh filled the air-- his father was caught by the light, and Mako froze. The man held him by the throat, pinning him to the door as he began to rant madly in a singing tone-- his rancid breath washing over the teens face.

"I knew you'd come back to daddy, Makky~ Missed your dear old da's embrace, right? Right?~ Yah got a lot prettier-- lookit you, all pale and scarless-- so much more for me to mark up now-- good boy!~" The words continued, ranting madly about his new clothing, how he smelled good, how he was going to be broken back in quickly. But Mako didn't hear any of it, instead, he stared at the man-- the man he had thought some overwhelming demon, some force of nature that he could never escape.

Skin and bones. A beard that hung down to his stomach-- knotted, disgusting, chunks of mold growing along it in areas-- hair messed and greasy. His hand around his throat was nothing but bone and tendon, there was no muscle, no strength, no power. Nails ruined-- he was dotted in injuries, clearly having been beaten and attacked recently-- likely by those in the other homes around them. Faced with it all-- his fear melted away, and was replaced by only one singular emotion: disgust.

This is what had haunted him? This pathetic excuse for a being-- for a person-- for even an animal-- was what had tormented him so?

He saw himself in this man-- the boy that had been beaten and abused, matted and disgusting-- madness, terror, broken-- they all reflected in the man's eyes that danced in the light. Slowly, Mako felt his hand slowly lift upward, placing it over his face as the man's ranting finally stopped-- because it was replaced by a sound that Mako had only experienced once, and now, he couldn't help himself.

It started as a weak chuckle, and then it slowly shifted, turning into an all out cackle-- maniacal, uncontrollable, causing the man to jump back in confusion at the response, watching him warily as Mako cackled into his hands like a madman. It was so idiotic-- how could he be so foolish? The man had been terrified to enter the forest-- because he was too weak to fight the Hollow. He had abused him-- because he had been weak and abused himself. He was nothing-- a shell of a man that was no longer even considered such a thing, even by his fellow, weak, disgusting peers.

It was downright hilarious. His cackles echoed out across the alleys as rats scattered at the noise-- until the sound of a fist smashing against him ended the laughter, Mako stumbling back against the wall as his father stared at him with wild eyes, his fist reeled back for another blow.

"Tha' hell is wrong with you boy?! I'm gonna make ya' cry you littl--"

Mako's laughter slowly petered off into soft chuckles.

"Ah-- I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it, laughing at my own illogical delusions--" slowly, he raised a hand and placed it over the place the man had struck him-- not even a bruise. Not even a tinge of pain, even if the man wanted to beat on him-- he could no longer even scratch him. Weak.

Slowly, Mako's laughter died as he stared at the floor-- his father unable to comprehend the situation, staring at his fist, and Mako's cheek-- trying to understand why his attack had done nothing. Slowly, Mako released a breath as he straightened-- and stared at the man before him. This demon that had controlled him for so long-- disgusting, weak.

"I suppose I should be angry with you-- I suppose I should feel some desire to make you hurt, even a fraction of the pain you made me feel-- but--" Slowly, he would allow his gaze to meet the man's own.

"All I feel for you is pity. What a pathetic creature that acted as my sperm donator." The man's eyes widened slowly-- before his rotting teeth clenched-- and he charged him, a mad, enraged scream that the one thing he had been able to control-- had clearly finally outgrown his little game. His fist extended, reaching out to slam into Mako's face, but instead, Mako's hand lifted, catching the punch solidly in his palm. Then his own hand clenched-- the sound of bones snapping, and tendons ripping filled the air as he crushed the man's hand in his own-- his howl of agony filled the air as he fell to his knee's before the teen.

His eyes slowly lifted, staring up into Mako's own-- searching in terror for mercy, understanding, anything-- they found only dead disappointment.

"Mako-- make him suffer. Let us make him bleed, make him feel a fraction of what you-- we-- have endured."

Mako heard the voice echo out from the tantou-- and would slowly stare down into the man's eyes-- and he felt it. Every beating he received, every violation, every strike-- rage welled up inside his mouth, bile, hatred, pain-- mixing with the disappointment-- and he realized: the disappointment was not in the man, the pity was not for this man. It was for himself. He had been such a fool.

"I lied," Mako murmured simply to the man that had fathered him-- but never been his father.

"I'm not going to kill you, instead, I'm going to make you feel it-- everything-- everything that you ever did--" The words echoed out from his mind, from his zanpakutou spirits lips as well as his own as he slowly lowered his hand, grasping the tantou at his belt as he drew it slowly-- the man tugged at his broken hand. He wailed, and cried, begged wordlessly-- and Mako saw, for a brief moment-- a vision of himself in the same place. A sick, twisted smile of satisfaction formed on his lips.

"I'll make you writhe in agony-- and you'll help me, won't you?" the name echoed from the blade-- filling his mind, fitting into his heart like a single piece of a puzzle that he'd been missing all his life. "--Soushishi?"

There was no explosion of reiatsu, no wave of power-- instead, the change was silent and cold. The tantou slowly molding like black liquid, flowing into a pitch black katana-- and in that blade reflected the wailing face of his father, as others beat him, as he lost his wife, as he lost his power, his money, everything-- every trauma, every dark thought, every bit of bad luck. Every bit of suffering.

The man's eyes widened slowly-- shaking his head-- and a single scream of terror filled the air as Mako stabbed his blade through the man's hand, pinning it to the floor-- as the nightmares began. Continuous contact with the blade, damage caused by the blade, a tidal wave of his suffering washed over him like a wave-- and with them, Mako felt his own memories filling in the blanks. The man was forced to feel it all-- every bit of suffering he had ever endured, and all the suffering he had forced on Mako all his life. The screams were that of a mindless beast, and Mako could only smile-- the sweet sound of the man's suffering filling the air as he clawed at his own face with his free hand, writhing on the ground, flailing, kicking, tugging his arm that was pinned.

Until he yanked his arm so hard he sliced his own hand in half trying to escape-- but the nightmares didn't fade. They remained, and so he continued-- writhing, suffering, ripping at his own skin as madness and agony overtook him-- until the desperation caused him to crawl, bleeding, sobbing, toward the darkness. There was only a single sound of metal clinking-- and the gurgle of blood being pushed through a slit throat. Then-- silence.

"A fitting death-- by his own hand, crawling around like a worm in his own filth, alone, suffering, where no one will care or even think about him until his rank stench attracts those around him so he can be dumped into a ditch and forgotten."

Mako's smile, finally, lowered-- his eyes staring into the darkness that the man had crawled away into-- and slowly, his gaze turned downward toward the blade that pulsed in his hand. He had struck down his weakness, his chains had not been broken-- they had never existed in the first place.

How foolish.

The blade slowly shifted, turning back into a tantou as he stepped into the light of the moon-- and slowly lifted his gaze upward at the sky. The shaking was gone-- beyond that-- he felt lighter. As if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders-- he felt free.

But he wasn't ready to soar-- not yet. But the first step had been made.

Slowly, he turned his head to look toward Yuuta-- his sensory honing in on the boy with ease, his senses and control no longer blurred by his emotional distress. He was calm-- calm, and tired-- and yet, he felt more alive than he ever had in his entire life. But he also had to wonder how the redhead would react-- he had told him to do this, but he knew-- he knew his reaction had not been normal. He wasn't normal-- and part of him worried that now that Yuuta had heard that, possibly even seen that in full force-- a part of him wondered.

Would this be the point that he finally lost the redhead? He felt a chill run down his spine-- he could only wait for the man's judgment.

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Yuuta could only assume the he in question was Mako's zanpakuto, it was probably for the best that he had somebody within his own mind who he could be with. That way he wouldn't even have to be alone when he was sleeping, he could only hope that the zanpakuto spirit was a good person, and not one who would try to hurt Mako as many have done in the past. He nodded when Mako asked him to wait, yet he didn't listen, he just followed shortly after and waited just outside the door to listen.

His heart skipped a beat when he heard Mako's father speak, and the sound of a body against a wall. He clenched his fist, his nails digging into his palm and drawing blood as it took every ounce of willpower to stop himself from bursting into that room and punching Mako's father's head clean off for what he had done and continued to do. His father's words added not only a violent edge to the abuse he'd long assumed, but sexual too. Blood dripped on the floor as the urge to attack was about to pique when he heard Mako laughing. His fist loosened, he knew Mako was in control and not his father.

Yuuta stood there in silence, a slight bit of pride coming over him despite the horrific acts by Mako. Not content with just listening, he peered into the home and saw the scene unfold. It turned his stomach slightly, but the man deserved everything he was getting, and oh so much more. As far as Yuuta was concerned he'd got off very lightly for all his sins, he could only hope that in his next life he would be a better person.

His spirit settled, locking the discomfort from what he saw deep inside so he could greet Mako with an innocent smile. He was likely concerned about being judged right again, but there was no need. A hand extended, curious as to whether Mako would accept it or not but he doubted it "Well done Mako, you're finally free. Let's go home" Yeh, it might only be a for a few more days but Yuuta hoped Mako saw his and Yuki's house as a home. After all, home is the place where your friends are, the place you can be safe and be yourself.

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Mako felt a wave of relief. He wasn't glaring at him, he wasn't looking at him in horror-- there was only peace dotting his facial expression. Slowly, Mako nodded his head, just once-- he didn't take the hand, instead, he carefully sheathed the tantou at his side-- and he felt that pleasant chill creep along his hand as he glanced down at it. The scabbing had stopped the bleeding once more, but it would need to be cleaned and wrapped-- he could ask Zabel to help him, but after their last encounter he wasn't certain that was a good idea. Better to let everything rest for now.

Instead, he simply moved forward along the alleys as they made their way, slowly, back toward their home-- Mako felt his eyes lower slightly as he came to that realization. Home. What an odd feeling to realize that he saw that place as a home, more of a home than he'd had before-- Zabel's home was not his own, it had been a strange place, reserved for training and blocking out his thoughts. But Yuki and Yuuta's home was different-- it was somewhere that he could feel as if he belonged, without being judged. Releasing a slow breath, finally-- he allowed his emotions to return to their bottle, his face melting into its usual mask-- but his eyes had a slight light to them-- a will that had been absent there previously.

"Let's go home, then." he murmured simply in response-- and compared to his walking previously, he could feel the weight gone-- how foolish he had truly been.

--
The morning several days later, Mako would slowly haul himself up from his bedroll once more-- for the first time, he'd had a dreamless sleep. It was almost unsettling, as he slowly pushed himself to his feet, his gaze sliding through the slight rays of light that signaled the morning. He began his normal ritual, rolling his bed up, tucking it against the wall, and getting water to drink so that he could begin his usual morning regimen-- before he halted, and realized what today was. Slowly looking down toward his hand as he flexed it a few moments-- today was the day that they were to meet the Shinigami.

They were to join the Academy-- and he felt an odd feeling wash over him that had not been there previously-- excitement? He wasn't certain, nervous, he could be certain about, however-- was he really strong enough? Soushisha had given him his name-- but he didn't want to reveal a power like that if he could avoid it. That meant he had to rely on his other skills-- something he doubted was going to be something easily done. In contrast to his own nerves-- Mako had little doubt the redhead was going to be bouncing around happily preparing to do all he could to prove himself.

He sighed, shaking his head a bit as he would finish his water-- feeling the stir of the two energies above him as they made their way down as well, and glanced over his shoulder, stating in his usual monotone, bland voice-- "Morning."

A greeting that had become normal for him the last few days-- a new habit that Soushisha had told him to try and build, he didn't understand the point of it, but it had made Yuki and Yuuta happy when he had done it, so he supposed it was fine.

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Yuuta had barely been able to sleep that night, he was far too excited. He promised himself he'd be asleep by eight so he could be well rested to wake up at five, but the hours started to pass by yet sleep wouldn't catch him up. It was eleven pm when he got fed up of waiting about, he pulled on a simple t-shirt to match his shorts and headed outside for a run. He returned two hours later, finally burning off some of the excess energy so he could get a couple of hours before he had to head off. It still took the young soul another hour to finally settle down back to sleep once he'd had a quick wash, he hated sleeping in his own sweat.

His body clock woke him up at five AM exactly. A loud yawn greeted him into the world of the consciousness, he made his way downstairs in just his shorts as he always did. He quite liked the habit Mako had been getting into by saying morning, he tiredly said "Good morning~" back, still managing to sound somewhat cheery despite that. He strolled into the kitchen and buttered some slices of wholemeal bread, adding a generous dose of Jam before splitting the three sandwiches between three plates. He handed one over to Mako, and another on the table for Yuki. Yuki started making her way down in an oversized t-shirt. It was Yuki's day off, but she sacrificed her lie in so she could see her two boys off to the academy.

Yuuta practically demolished his own sandwich with a big grin, the excitement about today filling him with energy once again "So Mako, you ready for today? What time is the registration? How early should we be?" He had to hold himself back from firing off more questions. He knew all the answers, but he just wanted to double check just in case.

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Like a trail of ants attracted by the scent of sugar, Yuuta and Yuki followed in his wake-- meandering down with yawns and stretching, as he would simply pour himself a glass of tea and sit down with it calmly-- he never ate until after he had finished training, a trick Zabel had helped him learn. Then, of course-- came the questions as Yuuta began his assault, causing the paler teen to glance at him for a moment. He knew the answers to all this-- but he wasn't certain Yuki did. Releasing a slow breath of exasperation, he would placate to the other young man's idiocy.

"I'm as ready as they are allowing me to be. Another three to five years of training would have been nice. Eight to ten. If I had my way, two hours-- however fifteen minutes should do just fine." the answers came smoothly, one after the other as he sipped at the tea his hands had wrapped around quietly, his eyes examining upward as he debated what was to come-- the Shinigami Academy, huh? Tilting his head slightly-- he reveled briefly in the freedom that he still felt. It was odd-- almost unnatural, perhaps because he had been trapped inside his own mind for so long-- but it was refreshing realizing that so many of his fears had been unwarranted-- even if he knew many were not the same at all.

Taking a single breath-- he would wait until Yuuta and Yuki had finished eating before he would haul himself up, arms crossed behind his back.

"I'm going to go for my morning routine-- I'll be back in an hour as per usual-- we should probably plan to leave in two so that we can get there with a bit of time to play with." It was a long walk, and Yuki didn't know shunpou-- he would offer to carry her, but he doubted she wanted to be carried bridal style by him flickering through the Rukongai. Better to just leave a bit earlier for her benefit. Straightening he would begin moving toward the door-- not doubting that Yuuta would want to come even though the fool had likely already pushed himself this morning, knowing him.

Still, he wouldn't argue if the redhead followed after him-- and if he didn't that was perfectly fine as well-- neither was going to interfere with his regiment in any way, thankfully.

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Yuuta was somewhat reassured by Mako being as blunt as he always was, there was no messing around and it made sure Mako got his point across very quickly. It wasn't like he was particularly worried about everything but his nerves made him want to just double check everything, so nothing could go wrong, okay so that was contradictory but to Yuuta there was a very clear difference. It wasn't to be long before both himself and Yuki had finished their food, Yuki being a bit slower as she wanted to make the food last.

As Mako announced his plans, Yuuta planted a quick kiss on his mum's cheek as he ran after Mako. Now it had warmed up a little Yuuta really didn't care about going out in just his shorts, if people were bothered they could always look the other way as they were passing through. He gave his mum a quick wave and a sweet smile on his way out "I'll see you in an hour mum, stay safe" He knew his mum could handle herself, but he still worried about leaving her alone sometimes. He'd even went to her workplace so he could walk her home if she was going to be walking home in the dark. Yuki waved her son and Mako away "See you soon boys" she did hope they'd stay safe when they were so close to starting their dreams

Once the pair were gone for a minute or two she'd set to preparing everything they needed ready to go. She knew if she asked both boys would probably have said they're fine, but she wanted to be useful and not just there to watch. Meanwhile, Yuuta would be walking along with his arms wrapped behind his head with a rather large goofy grin on his face, clearly very eager to go now he'd had his five minutes of bullet speed questions. He was going to give this training session even more than he usually did, he was just so pumped up he had momentarily forgot the word "limits".

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Training went about as well as it usually tended to-- Mako's regimen was fairly standard, at least in his eyes. Running, sit-ups with his feet hooked over the branch to add more duress, vertical push-ups, and similar actions to work each aspect of his body. The more he trained, the more he forced himself forward of course-- but this wasn't really his "training", it was just his workout regimen to ensure his body didn't get rusty. Training usually involved other things for Mako now-- the shinigami didn't do anything about the pain here in the Rukongai. So he had begun to do so instead.

Yuuta didn't ask where he went-- because it wasn't like the boy could track him anyway. However, if the boy paid any attention-- the rumors had begun to swirl of a man cloaked in black cloth and rags slaughtering anyone that caused trouble. Gangsters, known abusers, muggers, it was all the same-- that was where Mako was getting his "training". But it was also his way of expressing his freedom-- killing the welp that had claimed to be his father, had freed him from binds that had never been there in the first place. But even more than that-- it had felt good.

Killing others, making them suffer-- tormenting them with a fraction of the pain he had endured, brought him satisfaction. Even if washing the blood off himself later, it was why he had started wearing black rags-- it made it easier to just discard it afterward. Slowly Mako was coming to terms with a small fraction of who he was-- and he was enjoying that realization. Enjoying what it meant he could do, it was like an itch-- once he had begun scratching he never wanted to stop-- and the more he scratched, the more blood was drawn.

After the workouts-- he fell from the tree lightly, fluidly flowing back into his upright position as his eyes trailed toward the redhead calmly.

"We should go-- we'll be late if we take much longer," he stated it simply, figuring that Yuuta already wanted to try and push himself anyway-- but today they had plenty to do in any case. Stepping forward he would lead the way carefully back toward Yuki's home after sliding his feet back into his geta. Raising a hand to brush his hair from his face as he approached it-- it didn't take him long to grasp the single bag that was full of "his" possessions-- when really it was mostly just shit Yuuta had shoved in his bag since he didn't own anything.

It was pointless, and he saw no need for it-- but he knew arguing would cause a fuss. He would return them slowly, one item at a time placed into his room and then as time passed so that he'd never notice or realize. Rising upward, he would then move on-- offering a simple "Bye, Yuki-- thank you." Before moving toward the gate, figuring Yuuta would catch up and want a few moments alone with his mother. The walk was going to be long anyway, they could shunpou once they were together again.

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Yuuta was acutely aware of the timing of the recent murders coinciding with the times Mako went out, and the time Mako freed himself from his shackles. Yuuta could not support murder, nor could he encourage it, but Mako was being selective with his victims. The criminals were all vile, who were either going to kill more people or make another's life a misery so Yuuta wasn't going to take any action to protect those people. As much as he wouldn't do it himself because he didn't agree with people taking the law into their own hands, but he wouldn't do anything to stop them when the law wasn't actually in place in these areas.

Yuuta's workout was somewhat different from mako's, he was focusing on controlled strikes on a tree, practicing his kicks, knees, and elbows. He was putting in just enough force to lightly chip the bark but not take it down. Each blow was smooth and perfectly balanced. His speed gradually increased until he was at his full striking speed yet the force didn't increase. As much as he loved just smashing stuff to pieces, control helped to develop technique which in turn helped create further destructive power.

He lost track of time and only stopped when Mako pointed out they didn't have much more time. He knew better than to argue on this fact, given he was right and he could also try to kick ass later.  Once they got back he noticed Yuki had put the stuff Mako allocated for Mako in his bag.  He'd guessed Mako wouldn't fight it now, and he also guessed that Mako would try to return it slowly thinking he wouldn't notice. Yuuta fully intended to return them in the same manner, it was really quite funny in Yuuta's mind.

Yuki smiled at Mako as he said his goodbyes "Stay safe Mako, good luck" Yuuta hugged his mum before Mako had even left the door, he was very attached to his mum and he fully intended to visit regularly to check his mum was okay. He was concerned she'd be lonely, he was concerned she might get hurt. He was going to miss her too, but he didn't cry. He smiled at his mum and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek "Thanks for everything mum, I'll visit regularly" Yuki knew it was hard for her son, but she was proud at the young man he'd grown into. She ruffled his hair with a warm smile "You've made me so proud Yuuta, it doesn't matter what happens you're my little hero" Yuuta pouted ever so slightly at the little comment, but Yuki's words warmed his heart "I'll speak to you soon mum" Yuuta released his hug and toodk a step back as Yuki said her own goodbye.

Yuuta walked out of the house steadily, not wanting his mum to think he was running away. As soon as he left the house he used shunpo to catch up with Mako with an excited grin "Today''s finally the day" he said simply, no ore words were really needed, his reiryoku said how excited he was.

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The redhead caught up to him quickly, practically glowing with excitement-- causing Mako to release a brief sigh-- he could get hyped about anything, he'd already known that. But this was taking it to a new level-- stepping forward, he would simply remain silent as the teen stated the obvious. Once he'd caught up fully, the only words that mattered left Mako's lips.

"Let's go," with that, the teen disappeared in a shunpou, flashing forward through the streets as they rapidly approached the gate-- landing lightly before his eyes glanced around them, as he had sensed, there were the same individuals as before standing and waiting for them. The leader hopped up-- Sorta, had been his name, Mako was fairly sure. But he halted briefly as he glanced at Mako, he felt the difference in the boys reiatsu-- and the cold look in his eyes that had replaced his held back terror. A slow grin spread over his lips.

"Dunno what the fuck you kids did, but looks like it did some good," he commented simply before his eyes trailed toward Yuuta as he grinned.

"Alright-- we'll take you to the Academy, you have to take the ceremony as per usual but it won't be an issue for you two to pass something like tha--" "We don't have too." Mako interrupted him calmly, causing the man to halt, and glance down at him slowly.

"The hell are you on, short stuff? Doesn't matter how strong you are, unless you have a recommendation or a higher up interferes, you have to take the exam--" The man was interrupted again when two slips of paper were shoved under his nose, causing him to blink slowly before he opened them, and stared in confusion.

"Two letters of recommendation from Zabel Kohara that we are skilled enough to skip the entrance exam to go straight into our studies," Mako stated bluntly, causing Sora to stare a few moments, before laughing out loud and offering them back. "Well, fuck me. Alright, kid, you got me. You're right-- it's got the stamp and everything. You can both skip the exam-- suppose that means we have to take you straight to the Academy head, get your classes sorted out and get you both placed into the advanced courses." Mako remained silent, accepting the pages and placing them back into the top of his kimono as he briefly glanced toward Yuuta, offering his usual blank look to any questions the boy may have.

Of course, before they were able to get further-- the redhead would speak, causing Mako's eyes to narrow a bit slowly on him as he waited to see what he was trying to say, Sora, and his men halted as well-- brows arched curiously toward Yuuta.

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A wide grin spread across Yuuta's face as he saw Sora at the gate, he'd almost forgot about the challenge he made. It was all coming back to him now, in all his excitement, he forgot he had the joy of having a chance to fight an actual fully qualified shinigami. That would be an awesome way to get some street cred amongst his new classmates, hopefully they'd see the fight and as long as didn't get completely destroyed he should score some cool points.

He was really looking forwards to the tests, he'd went over his notes endlessly and pushed himself physically every day to make sure he would definitely pass. So needless to say, when Mako they don't have to do the exam, he was quite irritated. His eyebrow twitched slightly, only to develop into a full blown scowl when Sora called Mako short stuff. Mako was just over a foot taller than Yuuta, so he took quite a bit of offence at the remark in a completely non-spiteful manner. Yuuta had to take a deep breath to stop himself snapping at both Mako and Sora for their respective reasons.

Yuuta rubbed his forehead as it transpired that Mako had letters of recommendation from Zabel, though he'd more or less figured this out from his earlier comments. He rubbed his forehead with his thumb and forefinger, he felt like he was turning into Mako for a brief moment then with his mannerism; he supposed the guy was bound to rub off on him a little. As the others were about to move, Yuuta held up his palm to indicate they stop as he spoke "Now wait just a minute. I've been studying and working my ass off and it turns out we have recommendations so don't have to do a test or anything?" It was pretty obvious but he had to verbalise it to make sure he wasn't going crazy.

He looked up at Sora, looking him straight in the eye as a thought crossed his mind and an innocent grin started to spread across his face "I don't want to get in unless I feel like I've earned it, so how about me and you have our fight first before we do all the official paperwork given I'm more or less accepted now" it was quite clear from his eyes he wouldn't easily take no for an answer.

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Mako noticed the increasing ire coming from the redhead-- how could he not? But he didn't really pay it any mind just yet, he assumed it would be due to an idiotic reason-- probably something like "he had wanted to do the exam", or even something even more idiotic-- the man was completely unpredictable. Then, sure enough-- the words came forward. He was complaining about his studying and working not bearing fruit, and a slow sigh passed through Mako's lips as he turned slowly as he then demanded a fight from Sora to top it all off.

"Yuuta," Mako stated bluntly as he looked into the redhead's eyes. "You're saying that your training was wasted-- isn't the entire point of it that you get stronger? An idiotic test that just exists to weed out the weak is a pointless waste of time." His own words didn't even make sense-- but he was placating to the redhead, hoping that it would mean less work for him in the end and they could just move on when he was addressed with logic. Sadly, however, it would appear that Sora had other ideas-- as the man laughed openly.

Not the best way to calm someone down, laughing at them.

"You really wanna' go don't you shrimp?" He stated with a wide grin, before he shook his head. "Look, I can't fight you unless you're an official member of the Academy-- and then it's not a fight if someone asks it was a 'Training Match' and we gotta do it on Academy Grounds. If you want to do it now, we gotta at least get to the Academy first-- and you'll have to accept that letter of resignation first." He pointed a finger at the papers that were tucked into Mako's shirt, who was rapidly losing patience with the entire fiasco, a slow sigh passing his lips.

"That'll mean all your "hard training" will "go to waste"-- you really alright with that?" The man grinned, Sora had no particular opinion on it all-- as long as the two brats were Academy Students that was all he cared about, they were too strong to let run around the Rukongai-- besides, the Gotei could use strong souls.

Mako, meanwhile, had lost patience. Sighing he turned and walked forward toward the gate.

"Hurry up and decide, then catch up, Yuuta. I'm going ahead-- I can find it on my own without difficulty, you'll need someone to give you directions." he had no desire to stand around wasting time while Yuuta bashed heads with another meathead. He was going to lose IQ points if he lingered around two fools at once for too long.

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