The lies within the truth...

Eyes tracing over the shards embedded in before narrowing she tugs on the black gloves covering her hands,reaching to draw Sagishi.Gripping her zanpakuto tightly Akkei studies Destadi through narrowed eyes for long moment,purple reiatsu bubbling around her hands. Suddenly flickering out from sight in burst of speed she passes by Destadi,stopping couple feet behind him and turning around.Six of the twelve shards on him are now in her free hand, staining glove red,with cuts opening on him where they have been cut out.Flicking blood of her blade Akkei smiles darkly,feeling of barely held back power pouring off her in waves,eyes acquiring glow that makes purple seem almost red.

About to pounce at Altria nad Reitei, He is caught off guard, suddenly feeling waves of pain rip across his already injured and bloody body. Roaring in fury as Akkei's blade slashes through him, he whirls around, growling darkly and in hatred see Akkei holding six of his twelve shard in her now blood stained hand. New cuts opening over his body, streams of red pouring from them, he begins charging another cero before rushing for akkei in a fury of claw swipes. Most of his thorny tail having regenerated, Destadi whips around in a circle bashing it against her, he lands heavily on the ground, causing the ground to indent slightly from his weight. Snarling darkly, he rushes at mikiru swiping at him in an upward claw strike before aiming his cero and firing. he then turns his attention back to Reitei and Altria, pouncing towards them, claws aiming for Reitei.

Parrying barrage of claw swipes with precise,fluid sword strikes,seeing his tail coming at her she blocks it with flat of her blade,skidding back couple feet.Sonido-ing to Mikiru's side she blocks Destadi's claw swipe,bearing her weight down on the blade and pushing him back,at same time putting arm around Mikiru and jumping further back.Seeing incoming Cero Akkei narrows her eyes,holding her hand out.Purple energy gathering around it she slams it into the Cero,redirecting it's path and sending flying to the side,while disrupting energy holding it together to weaken force of explosion.

Staring up into Reitei's eyes she turns fifty different shades of brightest red in embarrassment, too mortified to move.Hearing clang of blades and static sound that usually follows firing of Cero she tilts her head up more,staring at upside down picture of the world,focusing for a moment on Akkei and Mikiru before seeing Destadi pouncing for her,sharp claws aimed at Reitei.Snapping out of frozen embarrassment Altria quickly wraps her arms around Reitei,holding him closer to herself,and rolls to the side,avoiding Destadi's pounce.Ending up on top this time she locks eyes with Reitei for a moment before immediately springing up,holding her zanpakuto in defensive position. "Rei-kun,hurry,get out of here.It's too dangerous." Sounding concerned for his safety,thinking in rage he's in Destadi's quite likely to target his copy Altria shifts into defensive stance,shadow circle beneath her feet bubbling, tracking Destadi's movements attentively.

Having slower reaction time from being injured in previous fight, Mikiru barely had enough time to draw Tatsutahime, let alone block Destadi's strike, half expecting to get thrown in the air and from the claw swipe. Surprised and relieved look flashing across his face for a moment when Akkei appears by him and parries the swipe, and redirects the cero else where, he sighs in relief. "thank you.. Kei-chan." He smiles slightly, then turns his gaze on Destadi, seeing him just miss Altria and Reitei and lodge his claws into the ground where they were instead. seeing an opening, Mikiru shunpos at Destadi, then seems to vanish in an instant, only to appear near Altria and Reitei, blood dripping from his scythe's blade. He turns to face destadi, standing a bit defensively near the two of them, a cool emotionless expression settling over his face, managing to hide the pain he's in from doing such quick and difficult movements.

Completely missing Altria and Reitei after she rolled to the side to avoid his claws, Destadi ends up lodging them into the ground deeply, and roar in fury as he tries to pry them back out. Seeing Mikiru for only a second, only to feel nothing but burning pain on warm blood pouring out from newly opened wounds. two of his remaining six shards end up becoming dislodged from his body after a deep slash in his side wells up with blood and spills out in a steady stream to the red stained ground. Hissing in rage, he rips his claws from the ground, only to have the exposed bone part of his arm snap off and hit the ground, causing red droplets to splash up before it disintegrates away. He roars in agony rearing back, he turns snarling in rage as his arm begins to regenerate fully. With his injuries healing fully, but at a slower rate due to the loss of eight hogyoku shards he advances slowly, before vanishing from view, and appears by Reitei, and smacks him into the air, before jumping up after him slashing, clawing and biting at him, ultimately attacking him in nothing but blind rage.

Looking confused to everything that just happened, he replies to Altria with a confused sound, only to find himself suddenly sailing through the air. "Waaaaaaaaaaaah???" Quickly righting himself just in time to see destadi coming at him in a variety of slashing, clawing and biting moves, he dodges agilely avoiding every attack. He keeps this up until they both land on the ground, seeing Destadi's continuous strikes coming for him, he dodges and evades while doing so in a zigzagging pattern before jumping up and front flipping to land a hammer kick square on the top of Destadi's head. Using the momentum he gathered from his flip he rolls forward along Desta's back before jumping off and slamming him into the ground before landing a little ways near Akkei. He turns to look back at Destadi, a slightly confused and timid look flickers in his eyes. "huuh??"

*With Loki*

Seeing Loki's injuries healing slowly, Uriko focuses more of her reiryoku into the healing kidou, speeding up the healing process and mending the rest of his wounds quickly. She looks him over carefully, while delicately and timidly brushing her fingertips over his arm. ' Loki-kun..... T T ... please be ok... please be ok...' not realizing her thoughts slipped out slightly, she carefully takes out a small vile with a healing serum and uncorks it, bring it to his lips and getting him to drink it. Uriko looks at him in worry, hoping he'll wake up after the medicine finishes replenishing reiryoku and anything else, while mending any internal wounds she couldn't with kido.

(note: uri's medicine is always incredibly sweet tasting)

Hitting the ground hard, and becoming extremely dizzy after Reitei's hammer kick to the top of his head, the remaining shards he possessed become dislodged and fly out in different directions, leaving bloody streaks as they do. Growling angrily, he stumbles up, hissing at Mikiru, Akkei, Altria, and Reitei, slowly taking a step forward, his glowing red eyes glinting dangerously. Having old injuries open anew, he falls back down in a coughing fit, blood pouring from his mouth to the ground, his resu. form disengaging from lack of energy to maintain it. dark red staining his usual white uniform a deep scarlet in color, he wheezes painfully, eyes returning to their usual deep blue color. He lies on the ground, glaring up at altria and everyone else in hatred, coughing blood, before wheezing horribly. "... nrrrrg.... damn you... " his eyes glint darkly, still possessing a feral and unyielding spark in them.

Gathering remaining shards in burst of sonido and pocketing them all she turns attention to Destadi,with retrieving mission accomplished.'As promised,I got the stolen shards back.. with compensation..good of Arcana has been taken care off..now,to attend personal matters..' Dark smile forming on her lips Akkei stop near Destadi,flexing her hand.Locking gaze on him,eyes swirling between shades of dark purple and red,bright glow adding otherworldly tint to them. "You should not have bitten off more then you can chew,tiger." Raising Sagishi she stabs it down through Destadi's back,near the heart,missing vital spot by inches with practised precision.Smiling darkly Akkei leans down,voice as cold sounding as her eyes are dark,"It's the end for you,Destadi Rangari." Gripping Sagishi's hilt tightly she slowly pushes it closer to the heart,cutting through bone and tissue painfully.

Feeling her blade stab through his back, he merely winces. He growls up at her darkly upon hearing her words, his teeth and fangs stained red with his own blood. the ground around him steadily becomes soaked scarlet as his blood slowly pools around him. Cringing painfully, a small whine escapes him as her blade slowly and torturously through his bones and soft tissues, inching ever closer to his heart.

Having been recovering after his soul had been returned to him, Shiro gets up shakily to his feet. Looking around, and becoming slightly disgusted with the heavy scent of blood filling the air, he looks around trying to figure out what had been going on in the area. Picking up a mass amount of reiryoku and reiatsu signatures around, he figures there must have been some kind of battle going on while he was dozing. he wanders a little ways over, eyes widening seeing Akkei with Destadi and attempting to take his life, he freezes for a moment in his tracks. 'Desta... you traitor... no no... I can't let him die... but he... he killed me... he's getting what he deserves...' he pauses in his conflicting thoughts, shaking his head, eyes setting in determination, ' .... I can't forgive what he's done.... but... I can't just stand by... and let him die... even if he deserves nothing better....' suddenly shunpoing towards Akkei and Destadi, he draws his zan, and points his right hand at Akkei, ' I won't stand idle and let him die like this... I won't let anyone die like this!!!' "Hado #1: Shou!" with a burst of reiatsu, he forces akkei away from destadi, and lands near him, standing defensively in front of him.

Inching blade slowly towards Destadi's heart while avoiding hitting anything to cause quick death with precision and knowledge of the body only a doctor could posses she lifts her head startled,hearing words of a kido addressed in her direction.A solid force collides with her seconds later,wrenching Akkei off her feet.Pushed back she stumbles,Sagishi held tight in her hand getting ripped from Destadi's back before it reaches it's mark.Back hitting tree with a thud her witches hat flutters down,exposing black ram like horns positioned on sides of her head.An ominous low growl of a predator interrupted during a kill spills from her throat. Pushing away from the tree Akkei strides forward,stopping few feet from Shiro standing defensively in front of Destadi.Face set into a merciless,cold unmoving mask she speaks in freezing tones of winter storm,concealing icy rage,"What do you think you're doing, Shinobimaru?" Crimson blood stains her gloved hands,showing starkly against black leather,and paints her zanpakuto red,dripping from the tip into slowly forming small puddle. Eyes locking on Shiro,shifting between dark shades of purple and red in continuous stream, pupils acquiring unsettling glow that makes them look crimson,she keeps steady gaze on him that's bitingly cold."Get out of the way you little fool!Who do you think you're trying to protect?He'll sink his claws into you the second you turn your back!" Eyes narrowing into slits her reiatsu spills out in deep purple color,gathering around her,air becoming heavy and oppressive.Hair floating about her on unseen air currents,markings on her face glowing brighter color,deep purple glow of reiatsu outlining her figure,Akkei emits feeling of old,old power and danger,untold centuries showing in her eyes,a glimpse into what's hidden beneath the surface.Looking like true predator,savage grace in her stance, power you can practically touch wrapped around her like cloak she speaks in tones of command,not request."I have things to settle.Get out of the way Shinobimaru.Or I'll remove you myself."

Quivering in pain half expecting to feel Akkei's blade slice through his heart, his eyes widen upon hearing a familiar voice addressing words of kido, only to see Akkei thrown away from him, with Shiro suddenly standing in front of him in a defensive/protective stance. coughing blood and wheezing, he glances up at shiro with effort, barely managing to whisper, "sh... shiro?? wh-what... what are.. you doing?"

Standing firm between Akkei and Destadi, he refuses to move, undaunted by Akkei's murderous, and predatory intent towards Destadi. He shakes his head, and stares Akkei right in the eyes, no fear or sign of backing down reflecting in them. "I don't care... I refuse to move aside and let you slaughter someone who is completely defenseless and unarmed!" HE glares at Akkei, sheer determination and will reflects in his sapphire eyes, icy purple reiatsu beginning to manifest around him. "I can't just stand by... and let him die... even if he deserves nothing better." he holds out his arms, to further block akkei incase she were to try going around him to get Desta. "I can't forgive what he's done.... but I trust him...." he pauses, cold look settling in his eyes displaying an unwavering force of loyalty and will. "You can say what you want Akkei.... but I will not move aside and let you murder him! and if doing anything to get at him means cutting through me first..." he pauses before adding quietly, "then so be it."


OOC: alright everyone... The thread is wrapping up, so keep it moving so we can finally call this chapter to a close! ^-^

Staring at Shiro with same cold stare her shoulders begin to shake,quiet dark laugh sounding. Stopping just as suddenly Akkei grows serious,reiatsu drawing closer and blanketing around her."You.Are.A.Fool.You trust him?After he had you for dinner without second thought?You're ready to lay your life down to protect him..HIM?Did you give any thought to those that risked their life's to save you..from him?That's a slap in their faces,Shinobimaru." Flicking blood off her zanpakuto with a slash her eyes glint darkly,voice carrying hardness of steel."But I care not,for any of it.I'm settling a matter that's only between him and me...and it does not concern you.We are responsible for our actions and consequences that follow with them.He started it..I shall finish it.That's all." At his accusation of her trying to kill someone defenseless and unarmed Akkei narrows her eyes, anger barely kept in check."I shall give no mercy to one who kills others mercilessly." Image suddenly fading she appears right near Shiro,looking up at him being much shorter. "You're very naive,child.I don't need to cut you down,only disable for long enough."Placing petite hand on his chest she sends him flying backwards into a tree with light push fueled by glowing globe of her reiatsu.Following suit she appears near once more in burst of sonido,hitting specific points on his body in quick succession with light dexterous fingers, creating blocks in body's natural balance and leaving him unable to move properly for the next minute.A short span of time but enough to accomplish her goal.Without a second glance she turns around and stalks back for Destadi,eyes glittering dark red,reiatsu hanging around her like a dark shroud,giving somewhat demonic appearance.Sagishi,attuned to her emotions swirls with multitude of all possible and impossible shades of red.'I will make him pay for what he's done to Miki-kun!I'll erase his existence!!No one hurts my Mikiru-kun and gets away with it. ' Eyes glowing with cold,infinite hatred,memories of events still fresh in her mind Akkei stops near Destadi, preparing to deliver killing blow.

Floating in half conscious haze Loki relaxes,feeling pleasant warmth of healing kido and Uriko's spirit energy enveloping him,enjoying soothing warm sensation washing away feeling of bones,muscle and tissue mending.Light touch brushing over his arm,warmth lingering in it's wake Loki groans and shifts,trying to rouse himself into full consciousness. Feeling vial at his lips he drinks it weakly,incredibly sweet taste filling his mouth and sending a jolt,replacing copper taste he had in his mouth and lingering on his tongue long after medicine is drunk.Another wave of warmth washing through him with medicine getting to work it slowly dies down into refreshing coolness."Merphhhgg.." Shifting Loki slowly opens his sky blue eyes,blinking couple times and after quick sweep of surroundings settles them on Uriko.Pulling up more he rolls his shoulders,bones cracking and back popping.Throwing his arms up over his head he stretches slowly from fingertips down to his toes,heaving relieved sigh."Ahhh...man,that's better." All the injuries and wounds healed Loki looks much better,no longer appearing about to keel over.His shihakusho top barely hangs in few strips,almost fully shredded away,pale scars running over his chest standing out against tanned skin.To his relief hakama fared better,only torn at the bottom,and miniature messenger bag bearing his gear,strapped to his leg,suffered no damage,precious contents safe.Smiling at Uriko he takes her hand,"Uri-chan...thank you.You're a life saver..thanks a bundle.Thought I was about to be a goner there.Damn Hollow." Withholding from hugging her with blood covering him in patches in different stages of drying Loki grimaces,stripping off torn remains of his worker gloves and wipes it from his mouth and face first,continuing down,managing to clean about half of it off."Yech.." Chucking now bloodied cloth he pulls Raijin closer,holding blade in alert and looking around,trying to puzzle out what occurred while he was out."So what happened?Is that bastard dea.." Freezing feeling sudden out pour of heavy reiatsu,so old and powerful it's suffocating Loki stumbles to his feet,moving in front of Uriko protectively,eyes searching source.Seeing Shiro standing over Destadi in disturbingly protective pose his eyes go wide in surprise and incomprehension."What the hell's that git doing!!" Eyes then landing on Akkei he shivers,instinct kicking in and screaming to get as far away as possible.Watching their exchange and Shiro getting shoved away he remains unmoving,unsure what's going on and what to do.'Man...this can't be right...Shiro's not protecting that homicidal,backstabbing bastard..is he???'

Getting slammed back, Shiro cringes, feeling something crack as he slumps to the ground. About to get up, he finds himself paralyzed after Akkei's quick jabs to specific points to his body. Wincing he stares after Akkei, pained look in his sapphire eyes. '... I know... I know..... he was my fraccion.... no... my..... my friend.... I trusted him... I don't care...' he pauses in his thoughts struggling to get up, '.... he saved me... so many times.... he was with me... all those years.... even through exile.........' he tries to get up again without any luck. ' desta.... >< I can't forgive you for killing me.... but... I owe you to much to let you die like this!!!'

Watching the exchange with Shiro and Akkei, Mikiru moves the long blade of Tatsutahime around in front of Akkei, making it so that the tip of Sagishi is against it, preventing her from making a killing blow to Destadi. He calmly steps closer to Akkei, placing his hand gently over hers, "kei-chan.... that is enough...." his voice is calm, almost soothing, as he carefully pushes her arm down, angling Sagishi away from Tatsutahime so it's at Akkei's side. " Kei-chan.... no more.... this battle... has already been won... anything more is unnecessary....." he moves her hand holding Sagishi, and sheathes it, before pulling her into a hug. he whispers quietly: 'bloodshed begets bloodshed..... love begets hatred.... so is the endless cycle of revenge a path of carnage and despair.... Kei-chan...' he pauses, holding her close keeping his voice in a soothing tone. 'all things recover or mend with time...... as will this one.... though... wounds inflicted up others through rage and malice... afflict more than just the one whom they are targeted towards.... will not heal as easily....' he raises his reiatsu, keeping a soothing calmed feeling about it, wrapping it around them both, 'kei-chan... no more.... stay your blade from this path... revenge... only causes more pain and suffering... which this one.. has seen too much....' his voice has a sad undertone to it, almost pleading. 'kei-chan....'

Tatsutahime moving in front of her,impeding Sagishi's path,Akkei draws up to her full height,whole body high strung with tension.Masterly hiding jolt Mikiru's touch produces she allows him to push her arm down,letting it drop to her side.Remaining unmoving like a statue,letting Sagishi be sheathed Akkei lets out a shuddering breath when Mikiru pulls her into a hug. Tension slipping from her small frame she relaxes and sinks into Mikiru's warm embrace,clutching fabric of his top tightly.'I wont lose you..I'll destroy anyone trying to take you away from me..' Held close,feeling his familiar warm and calming reiatsu wrapping around them,hearing his words,sad undertones to his voice;the raging fires of anger and hatred,called forward so easy to her darker hollow nature and waking it further,slowly recede and wash away.Dark heavy,hollow presence of her reiatsu lightens before sinking back into her and dissipating. Slowly,her eyes lighten into deep purple, ceasing cycling into red,pupils fading from crimson to proper black.Calming herself Akkei leans into Mikiru,remaining like that for long couple moments.Finally moving back reluctantly she gazes at him calmly,turning to look down at Destadi.'He is not worth making Miki sad.' Staring at Desta with nothing but blank coldness she turns away."Let us leave,Mikiru-kun."

Shuddering she quivers,drawing in shaky breath.Collection of all the powerful negative energy in one place having a reaction,mark on her neck burning painfully.Quivering Altria clutches Tsukiyomi tightly with bloodstained,still bleeding hands.With Akkei pulling back her reiatsu she breathes easier,hazy red mist edging vision clearing.Collecting together she runs over over to Shiro in worry,ignoring sharp stabbing pains."Shibu!! Are you alright?" Kneeling near him she inspects for injury,looking worried.

Looking between everything that had just happened, Reitei looks highly confused, seeing Mikiru and Akkei as they are about to leave, he goes over to them both, looking highly curious and inquisitive. Seeming a bit shy he tilts his head slightly to one side, and looks at Mikiru then to Akkei, his deep blue eyes giving a pleading look, "um... could Reitei... go with you? o o" he looks like a mirror image of Destadi, though with a long scar that goes through his right eye, reddish brown hair slightly less spiky and bangs not hiding either of his eyes, hollow mask fragment also sitting on the left side of his head instead of the right. He continues to stare at them with wide almost lost puppydog eyes that seem to say, 'please take me home too.'

Cringing for a bit, Shiro glanced over at Altria, slight smile playing at his lips. "yeah... I'm fine.. just a bit achy from being slammed into a tree... nothing to major.." he slowly stretches his swore limbs, finally getting some feeling back in them after Akkei's quick jabs temporarily disabled them. 'nnrrgh... that really hurt.... - - .... note to self, be more careful around Akkei... she stings like a fickin bee...'

Turning around to look at Reitei her eyes narrow,studying him with frightening intensity. 'He looks just like him...twin?No...ahh..perhaps??' Looking thoughtful she glances at Mikiru questioningly before looking back at Reitei.'If he is...it would be beneficial for him to come with us..' Leaning down to pick up her hat,dropped earlier,she dusts it off,putting back on.Looking over Reitei once more Akkei sighs,only wishing to get away from the scene at the moment,his puppydog eyes making her think of a stray kitten and feel bad at idea of abandoning him alone. "Reitei,was it?You may come if you wish so.." Giving short nod she glances at Mikiru,to see if he's alright with it.

Looking over to Reitei with a soft gaze, he has a contemplating look. Seeing the puppydog look in reitei's eyes, Mikiru feels a bit guilty about leaving him behind, and seeing Akkei nod to him, he sighs. "alright Reitei-kun... you're welcome to come with us." He smiles warmly, and opens a distorted senkaimon back to Arcana, taking himself, Akkei and Reitei back to HQ.