Worst Recon Ever [North Rukongai, District 77]

[Aly]

Renjiro stopped in the empty area of the North Alley of Loitering Spirits, the jigoku cho fluttering almost lazily at his side. Spirits rarely frequented here, as there was little to offer in terms of sustenance and shelter, so they were free to investigate without disturbance.

Renjiro's hazel eyes narrowed slightly as he surveyed the empty field. It appeared peaceful: no sign of disturbance, no Hollow reiatsu . . . nothing. So why does the air feel so heavy? He had that sinking feeling of foreboding . . .

"Kouyama. What's your take on this?" he asked, looking to his younger companion.

[Suigintou]

The boy was silent for a moment as he looked around, taking in every movement, every sound...but more importantly, searching for reiatsu other than his own and Renjiro's. For hollows, for anything. And yet...

"I don't know." It wasn't something he liked to admit, but he was at a loss. "I don't see anything, there's no unusual reiatsu...but Kyouraku-taichou wouldn't have sent us here if there was nothing to investigate."

There was no question in Riku's voice, no waver that indicated a lack of conviction in his words. He trusted his taichou completely, regardless of how those of other divisions viewed him. If Kyouraku Shunsui had ordered them to investigate this place, he had a reason for it.

But regardless of how convinced Riku felt that they had to be overlooking something, his eyes told him differently. Slowly, hand prepared to remove his katana at a moment's notice, he stepped forward, fully alert for any sight or sound.

"...It feels like...there's something...like we're right on top of it, but we just can't find it..."

Could powerful reiatsu leave traces like this...? Regardless of what it was, Riku couldn't help but feel uneasy. And he rarely felt uneasy.

Perhaps it would've been better to bring more people...

[Aly]

The older Shinigami nodded, eyes hardening as he took another careful sweep of the area. Their Taichou, despite all appearances, was a careful and wise man. Riku was right; if Kyouraku-taichou had sent them here, there had to be a reason.

"I agree," he said, quietly, still trying to find out what was causing him to be so uneasy. "It doesn't feel right."

To assure himself, Renjiro consulted the jigoku cho again. The words of the mission sounded in his head. Search the uninhabited area of District 77 for any foreign reiatsu or ryouka. Any disturbances will be put down. Report any and all findings.

"From what I understood when I spoke to Kyouraku-taichou, this was a recon that was supposed to confirm or disprove some of the foreboding a handful of Taichou have been feeling. I would be pleased to say that there is nothing wrong, but . . . I agree with you. There's something . . . here . . ."

[Aki Sora]

The ever-present fatigued expression remained unmoving as chocolate tresses swayed behind the figure in the faintly glowing darkness of the Garganta. Her zanpakutou securely at her side, her strides came to a halt as light began to show through, beginning at the Arrancar's mid section and progressing vertically until her entire being was exposed to the light.

Mishelle Testudines stepped forward, exposing herself more, yet not leaving the gateway. She looked down at the two figures below and a slight grin formed on her lips.

"It seems my arrival was anticipated," she thought aloud. "This just may prove to be interesting."

Looking over her shoulder, she nodded to the hollow that had been trying to restrain himself since their arrival. The misshapen beast snarled in what could be described as glee as it passed Mishelle, leaving the gateway and descending toward the shinigami below.

[Aly]

Touryoushi was out in a humming silver arc the moment the sound of the Garganta opening was heard. The Shinigami wasn't sure what to make of the Arrancar that stood at its opening, but his mind was quickly on other matters as the Hollow leaped at them.

Renjiro brought his zanpakutou up, parrying the blow from the grotesque beast. With a grunt of exertion he forced the monster back. He hadn't released his weapon yet; for now, he felt there wasn't a need. Unless the Hollow was more than it looked, he could quickly finish it and deal with the Arrancar.

[Suigintou]

"An arrancar!?"

As quickly as Renjiro drew his sword, Riku did the same. The katana had transformed into knives nearly the instant it left its sheath, and without hesitation, he ran past the sixth seat and the hollow, lifting a hand toward the arrancar and sending all of the knives directly at her. "Hadou #33: Shakkahou!" A ball of crimson shot from his hand, following the knives; the only way he stood any chance was a relentless assault, he was well aware.

But an arrancar in Rukongai!? This wasn't right...why here? What was going on? And with no taichou or even fukutaichou to back them up, Riku couldn't help but feel a sense of weakness that he couldn't force away. She was a menos, and he wasn't sure they had the strength to take down even a gillian; they had no way to know, but she was just as likely an adjuchas or a Vasto Lorde!

Riku didn't normally allow himself to question his strength in battle...but he couldn't help but wonder if they had any chance at all.

[Aki Sora]

Mishelle raised an eyebrow at the younger of the shinigami. He sure was full of himself, wasn't he? Lifting a hand out of her pocket as the red light and knives neared her, she deflected the kidou and picked all of the blades out of the sky as if they were simple fruits on a tree. With just a slight twist of her wrist, she send the sharp projectiles back.

"Pretty bold move, chibi-chan," Mishelle drawled lazily as her hand slid back into her pocket.

Meanwhile, the hollow that had accompanied Mishelle was heading toward the other shinigami, baring what could be described as sharp teeth.

"Shiiiiiniiiiiigamiiiii~" the creature gurgled as it lunged forward.

[Aly]

A small noise of what sounded like frustration emitted from the back of Renjiro's throat as the Hollow set its sights on him. If he was to stand a chance against the Arrancar . . .

"Tsuisekisure, Touryoushi."

Icy wind swirled around the dark-haired man as his katana glowed and lengthened. As the gale died a dark blue naginata was poised in the Shinigami's grip. With the grace found only in an expert, Renjiro spun the pole arm, and, facing the Hollow head-on, used its momentum against it, cleaving the misshapen monster in two. As it evaporated into spirit particles, a faint flicker of light sparked to life in the jewel furthest away from the embossed silver wolf on the zanpakutou's staff.

Without stopping, he spun to face the Arrancar, razor sharp shards of ice, each about as big as his hand, forming in the blade's wake.

"Hisamekiba."

The ice shards shot forward, homing in on the Arrancar . . .

[Aki Sora]

Removing her hand from her pocket once more, Mishelle managed to deflect most of the ice shards and sidestepped the rest. She sighed softly at the two shinigami.

"You two aren't being very kind," she commented as she moved closer to the edge of the Garganta. "Aren't you supposed to introduce yourselves before attacking or some other thing like that?"

[Suigintou]

Riku's knives spun quickly, returning their aim to the arrancar target. He had full control over his weapon. Even she couldn't use it against him, regardless of her skill. Instantly the blades shot back toward her, but this time curved around in a wide arc, rapidly closing in toward her midsection. They had to either make her come out of the garganta or retreat, and the best way seemed to be with unrelenting attacks in patterns that would be difficult to block.

They couldn't afford to underestimate her.

Sparing a glance to Renjiro, Riku wondered silently what he was planning. He wasn't especially familiar with the sixth seat's abilities, making a coordinated assault difficult. It seemed to be their best chance, however...he had to trust him.

Full attention returning to Mishelle, he shifted his stance, prepared to use a defensive kidou at a moment's warning.

"Introduce yourself first. What are you doing here?"

[Aki Sora]

Needless to say, the younger shinigami's attack served it's purpose and Mishelle was nearly forced to step out of the Garganta. Smoothing out her dress as she lowered herself to the ground, she sighed slightly.

"This is unnecessarily tiring," she complained softly, turning her face to the two shinigami. "My name's Mishelle Testudines. My intentions here are none of your concern."

Placing a hand on the hilt of her zanpakutou, Mishelle prepared herself for the continuation of their battle.

"Now... who are you two?" she asked, scanning over and analyzing the two young men before her.

[Aly]

Renjiro had been about to cast off another wave of ice shards when Riku made his move first. So he was trying to force the Arrancar either in or out of the Garganta. Personally, he preferred in; if a fight could be avoided, he would be most pleased. But it seemed the Arrancar was intent on staying. What a bother . . . She doesn't seem to be Espada, but it's best not to underestimate her.

"I am Minamoto no Renjiro, Sixth Seat of Hachibantai." His voice was quiet. "I know not what your intentions may be. However, from past experience, an Arrancar's intentions bode ill to the Seireitei." A blast of icy air, like a rattlesnake sounding off. "Begone. Hisamekiba!"

With a sweep of his Zanpakutou Renjiro sent another hail of ice shards at Mishelle. Without hesitation he had Shunpo'd three times, each stop producing a new volley of ice. Another Shunpo brought him back at Riku's side, another attack already on his mind and lips.

"Toukan Chouyaku."

The Shinigami felt the faint boost that his attack gave his Shunpo, and lunged forward as ice formed in a thin cone-like shape before the tip of Touryoushi. If his ice shards didn't hit, then hopefully they created enough of a distraction to cover this one.

[Suigintou]

"Kouyama Riku. Unseated." And that was all the introduction Mishelle would get, as Riku launched into yet another attack, following the momentum of Renjiro's. A step of shunpo and he was behind her, sending a pair of knives after her; another, and he was to her side with a mirrored attack; another and he did the same from a different direction. Speed was one of his primary strengths, and from what he'd heard about the arrancar, he would need it.

But though he wasn't afraid, he couldn't help feeling unsettled - it was enough that an arrancar was here, and it wasn't a surprise that she didn't intend to tell them why, but that question was one that he couldn't suppress. Why? What would the arrancar want with Rukongai? They wouldn't dare consider attacking Seireitei! Even an army of hollows would surely stand no chance.

There was one thing he was certain of, though...the taichou had been right. Something was wrong.

[Aki Sora]

"This is growing tiresome," Mishelle sighed as she drew her zanpakutou and stepped off into a Sonido, knocking away Riku's knives in the process.

She rounded the younger shinigami slashing him diagonally twice across the front and once more behind him.

"Try again... chibi-chan," she whispered as she continued to move quickly, heading to the icy shinigami and leaving the kid behind.

After knocking away the ice shards, Mishelle stood face to face with the older man. She grabbed onto the wrist that held his zanpakutou and yanked it down at an almost ungodly speed, closing the gap even further. One of her eyes opened and she exposed an emerald iris to the man, an action that rarely occurred with Mishelle. Though if both eyes were opened, both of the shinigami would be in trouble.

"You bore me," she said to him with an unemotional expression as she swiped her katana across his abdominal section. "And here I was sure a seated shinigami would keep me entertained. I guess I was wrong, ne?"

[Aly]

Shit . . . ! Renjiro flipped and skidded to a stop on one knee, facing the Arrancar. His reflexes were good enough that he had managed to stop Mishelle from hitting anything vital, but the wound was still deep. He could still fight . . . but not for a prolonged period. A Shunpo brought him to Riku's side.

"Kouyama." His voice was low but urgent. "Use the jigoku cho to alert the Seireitei of this Arrancar. I hate to admit it, but we may not be powerful enough to fend her off. We need back-up, and we need all the bantai prepared to counter her-" here he hesitated before continuing, " if we should fall."

His eyes went to the gems in Touryoushi. The single ice-blue jewel glimmered faintly in the shadow cast by his hand. If he could land twelve more strikes . . . but with this woman it will be easier said than done. He had to cover Riku while the boy sent the message. Rising slowly to his feet, wincing slightly, he tightened his grip on his weapon. In his mind, the words of his human instructor rang. Never give up! Never flee! You are a proud son of the Minamoto clan. The blood of countless samurai flows through your veins! Never surrender! Never submit! Stand tall, Minamoto! Stand tall and fight!

"Lend me your strength, Touryoushi," he murmured to his Zanpakutou. "Hisamekiba!"

Renjiro unleashed four volleys of ice shards, and then lifted his hand as his lips formed the incantation.

"Whole; the body is. Drowned in the soil, release the soul through the severing of their bond. Bakudo number twenty-one: Karimaisou!"

Chains of linked bone burst forth from the ground at Mishelle's feet, their intentions to wrap around her neck and drag her until she was neck-deep in dirt. She was fast, Renjiro had learned. If he could immobilize her, or at least slow her down, he could achieve what he wanted.