Path to the Valley

His eyes narrowed at the Shinigami Captain, his red eyes growing colder at the mocking tone aimed at him. Without saying anything further, Masataka suddenly erupted with power. Darkness crawled upon his eyes as the hand on his face flowed with lashing darkness-like spirit energy, a huge aura of crimson and black flowing over his form like a tsunami.

The Hollow mask quickly formed on his face. It stretched over both parts of the face, from the head to just near the bottom of his lips. Two ear like parts were up to the air, crimson markings flowing along its skin. It looked like a fox face, but holding insanity within its depths. Two amber filled eyes peaked from below the inside of the mask, eyes of a cold stare. Masataka pulled his hand away and then shot forward.

The genius quickly slammed his Bankai sword into the Captain's chipped Zanpakuto. His muscles strained for a moment as he tried to hold Kenpachi back, his arms tensing. Even with his battle armor and the power of his Hollow, Kenpachi was still known to be a monster of battle, so it was no wonder that the beast of a Shinigami could match him. Finally he began to push back the man, a smooth smirk slipping over his lips beneath the mask, his distorted voice echoing

"Not trying hard enough? Heh, I wasn't even trying in the first place. That ends now."

Kenpachi gae a wicked ear-to-ear grin as all of his reiatsu was being exerted. He matched Masataka, holding him in place as their power met. "That's it..." Kenpachi said in a wicked, excited tone. "That's the opponent I've been waiting for all this time. Now I can really let loose!" He pushed the masked boy back with his arms as he moved in, dashing to slash wildly at him once again.

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The young Captain's eyes widened as he could do nothing to stop her attack. His reiatsu was low, his body was thrashed, and her power was beyond his own. He watched sa he saw his life was about to end. The sword connected... but not with Hitsugaya's flesh.

Akio was in between them. His Senkei Buster sword blocking Saikah's large blade. His body was still glowing with the power he'd shown Jenova, but it was now lighter than before, as if it was fading. He looked up at her and said, "So, it's true after all. You're deep in darkness like that guy said... Saikah-neechan... I won't let you throw everything away!" He swung his blade to deflect hers. His breath short as he was panting wildly. He definately couldn't handle a battle of this magnitude. If he was at full strength, maybe, but that wasn't the case.

Saikah simply stared at Akio as she let go of Hitsugaya's sword. her shadows released his leg as well. "...Who is this Saikah you speak about?" she said before pointing her sword at him. It quickly extended at lightning speed at Akio.

"Heh.."

Masataka seemed to dance around most the strikes, yet was stil hit by quite a few. Still, because of his Hollow mask most of the dangerous wounds were redirected to it through the union power of the Inner Hollow, cracking it slightly and chipping away at it. After a few passing minutes the genius finally had enough, launching forward with a burst of Advanced Shunpo.

His form lashed straight past the Captain, phasing behind him in an instant. The Vaizard never said a word as he span around and pulled back his Zanpakuto with all his strength, the edges of the blade suddenly erupting with flames. Then, just like that, the man slashed out to the Captain, his flame licked steel Zanpakuto trying to meet the skin of his enemy

Akio jumped up to avoid the attack, wondering why Saikah would say something like that. Hitsygaya, on one knee, yelled out to him, "Akio! Saikah has hollowfied! Your fighting a hollow now, not the true Saikah! Your words won't reach her!"

Akio closed his eyes and said, "Just like he said, huh? My words won't reach, so I'll reach you with Kage Hyouten!" He started to descend down from the sky he was standing on, ready to strike. However, he stopped as a dark gateway oppened near them. A girl walked out to them, moving her glasses up and said, "Saikah-chan, Jenova-sama is growing impaitent and he wants you and Masataka to gather the materials and return now."

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Zaraki turned, slashing his sword into the flamed sword of Masataka. An explosion of colliding forces shook the room and broke the walls as Zaraki grinned at Masataka. "Not bad at all... I'm gonna get a real kick outta this..."

At that moment, a dark gateway appeared behind Zaraki. The black haired Shinigami, Jenova walked out, looking at Masataka. "So, this is what you were doing this whole time. Put your toys away. Its time to return now...."

Zaraki glared at the man and barked out, "Who the hell are you to ruin my fun?! If your in that much of a rush to die I'll be happy to make it happen for you!" He charged at Jenova, who simply extended his blade. His sword was extended, in its Shikai state. He jumped up, avoiding the beast and lightly said, "Octoslash..." Upon landing, he dashed forward, attacking Zaraki's back. Kenpachi turned to block the strike, but Jenova broke through. His blade struck with seven slashes, before he charged forward in a SHunpo, the final strike causing an explosion that sent the beast to his back.

"His reiatsu was lower than I expected..." He turned to the genius and said, "It seems you had a difficult opponent. It would be a problem if more of them arrived now..." He raised his hand and snapped his fingers. All over Seireitei, large dark portals began to open. Dark reiatsu was leaking from them all. "Are you coming... Masataka?"

Saikah stared at her, a small hint of confusion in her eyes. They widen in a split second, as if someone shot her so suddenly. Her bankai faded away, along with her mask, as she returned to her original form. She looked unstable as she stared at Hittsugaya and Akio with half open, souless eyes. She opened her mouth to say something before passing out onto the gorund.

"'His reiatsu was lower than I expected' - No shit, dumbass! I've been fighting him for the past half'an hour" came the nigh' cocky bark of the essence of his Hollow, the inner personality leaking into his for a brief moment. Masataka turned and looked at the body of the harmed Captain before pulling back his sword, letting all the power reach the tip of his blade before letting it explode over the Zaraki

"Kaseihauringu!"

An explosion rocked the area from the blast and the genius shook his head, turning to the man and letting his mask fade away, feeling his emotions and mind alike become one once more. The scar along his face inflicted by Kenpachi had already healed, and the many a wounds had become nothing more than faded bruises thanks to the mask

"Lets go, I'm bored of this. Here, this is the data you wanted, right?"

"We'll see when we return," Jenova said as he walked to the gateway he created. "Tsubaki will take Saikah, so you needn't worry about her well being. Then again, all things considered, it probably wouldn't concern you anyway..." He stepped through the portal, which remained open for Masataka.

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Upon Saikah's fainting, Tsubaki caught her, holding her as she began to walk through to portal. Akio rushed in front of her with his SHunpo, holding his blade and said, "Let her go, now! She's not going with you..."

Tsubaki gave a small smile and said, "Jenova-sama thought you Shinigami would be difficult, so he told me to tell you that as we speak, hollows are entering Seireitei in mass doing as they please."

Hitsugaya's eyes widened. He yelled out, "Jenova... he said what? How could he infiltrate the Soul Society, and bring hollows with him no less!"

"Jenova-sama used the Gate Gauntlet that allowed us entry to this place, opening a gateway between Seireitei and Hueco Mundo. All hollows can walk in and out of the gateway as they please, and sensing the large amount of souls, they would most likely enter in very large numbers to all eat their fill."

"You cowards!" Hitsugaya yelled out as Tsubaki took another step towards her portal. Tsubaki simply smiled and said, "To Jenova-sama there is no cowardess, only strategy. Thank you as well, Akio-kun. The hollow you defeated was how we were able to advance our technology to do such a thing."

Akio gripped his blade, about to slash her until the glow around his body faded and his eyes grew blank. He passed out from exhaustion, allowing Tsubaki, with Saikah in her arms, to enter the portal and close it.

"...."

He didn't say a word at that, his mind flashing back to Saikah, a hint of worry breaking through. Finally Masataka shook his head as he took one last glance around before stepping in the portal, making sure to grab one last thing. Without a word he arrived at where the portal let people exit, his hand stuffing something in his pouch

In the warehouse-like labrotory, Tsubaki stood with Saikah in her arms as Masataka walked through the portal. She smiled and said, "Welcome back, Masataka-kun. I trust you gathered the needed data..."

Jenova placed the papers on the nearby table and said, "Look it over, Tsubaki. When you're content, begin tuning the Gate Gauntlets to the frequency on the maps. As soon as you have, pack everything here away and get ready to move. Masataka, you can assist her." He started to walk away. He moved to another room, laying down with sweat dripping from his face. He was panting.

Tsubaki turned to Masataka and said, "Masataka-kun, we'll be able to work together this time. I'm happy I have someone to help me with these things now."

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Meanwhile, Soul Society was overrun with hollows. The portals had all closed, but the damage was done. The sheer nembers were more than the current captains could handle, and they were too spread out. With Zaraki, Akio, and Hitsugaya unable to assist, it seemed very grim indeed.

Masataka stared at the girl for a moment before nodding once. It was still strange how much she acted like he used too, but after a few seconds staring at her, he finally shook his head. He walked forward, throwing off the completely torn cloak to reveal broken battle armour and scarred firm skin, his form turning to the fellow genius while crossing his arms

"Very well, whats first?" he asked with a blank stare

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OOC: Pretty much this -

Saikah groaned as she tried shifting her body out of Tsubaki's arms. there was a pause as she opened her eyes. She glanced around, trying to remember exactly what happened. She was sore all over, drained from energy, and she's being carried by a girl....makes more sense than Zaraki not looking for a fight. She turned her head and saw Masataka. Glancing away, she said. "I'm sorry....I was weak. Hitsugaya got through me...and I just lost control..." She lowered her head enough to cover her eyes with her bangs. "I'm just useless, aren't I?"

"Saikah..."

Masataka took a step forward and brought the girl into his own arms, holding her figure softly. His eyes held a warm caring glint, and his face was relaxing for passing seconds. Finally he pulled away and stroked her cheek, his features staring into her own as his voice echoed around the vicinity, his normally dull and harsh voice possessing a comforting hint

"Useless? Far from it, Saikah-chan."

He bowed his head and, without giving her time to react, captured her small pale lips with his own in a quick peck. His pale cheeks were sparked with a thick blush before he shook his head and sighed, continuing as he held the wounded girl within a blanket of his own strength, seemingly ignoring Tsubaki for the passing moment

"As long as I'm alive, I will always protect you. I will always care for you."

His lips twitched and he flashed a rare smile

"Nothing will change that."

Saikah's eyes widen at the sudden kiss. All she could do was stare at him. Soon, after what seemed to be an eternity, tears started to form in her eyes. She shut them tight and buried herself in Masataka's chest. "...You can't say that...You can't just say that so freely..." she said, her voice muffled. "What am I suppose to do? I want to be with you, I don't want to fight you...but what about the Seireitei? I....I can't fight them in the state I'm in...Please....tell me what I should do, Masataka..."

"All we can do is follow our hearts..." Tsubaki said softly, answering Saikah's question. "My heart tells me to follow Jenova-sama, as he was the only person to understand my worth in this world. He's felt rejection from life like I have, so I know he understnads me." He turned to her, her glasses masking her kind eyes as she smiled. "I see that in you two, Saikah-chan, Masataka-san. Masataka-san can never return to Seireitei, and Saika-chan's place is with Masataka-san. Jenova-sama gave me the strength to help him, so Masataka-san can give it to you, Saikah-chan..."

"No..."

Masataka uttered with a low soft tone as he held the smaller girl, the only being left in the world that he truly cared for. He breathed in her beautiful scent and relaxed, just letting himself enjoy holding her form. Finally he backed off and looked in her eyes, the crimson pair meeting his own. A few tense seconds ticked by as he studied her features, his voice echoing with a tone of finality

"Go home, Saikah-chan. Go back to Soul Society, and say I controlled you. Go back to Akio and those who care for you."

His lips moved and he stared into her gaze

"This is not your story.”

"...What about you....?" Saikah muttered as she looked at him. "I would still have to fight you...otherwise everyone will be suspicious..." Sheglanced behind her, lowering her voice. "And what about Jenova...? I'm sure he wouldn't want such a thing..."

"Jenova-sama never cared one way of the other..." Tsubaki said, adressing her again. As her head moved back to the papers, she spoke. "If you left and went to Seireitei now, it would still be too late. Jenova-sama told me everything he wants to do, and you leaving now wouldn't interupt it... Saikah-chan, if you care for Akio-kun, you should return. Jenova-sama has a plan to target him specifically, as the strongest remaining Shinigami." She sat down the papers and said, "Lerning to love is something that can't be explained by science, but love means letting go. I let go of things I can't remember, but my life has been shifted so many times... Saikah-chan shouldn't do it if the one Saikah-chan loves would suffer..."

"..." she stayed silent, trying to think of what to do. Should se return to the Seireitei, where her friends are waiting? Or does she stay with Masataka, forever named a traitor and could never get the chance to be with them again? She forced herself not to turn to Tsubaki and kill her. "You better not die..." she said to Masataka, refusing to look at him. "I won't forgive you if you do..." With that, she disapeared waway from them.

There was a passing tense silence. The red eyed Shinigami stared at the spot where Saikah previously was and bowed his head, his hair falling over his eyes. He could no longer help it. Tears, small specks of unleashed sadness, trailed down the edges of his pale cheeks. They were never ending in anguish and sorrow, a testament to how much he cared for the girl

"I-I won't die, I promise you."

Then, why did that sound like such a lie to his ears?

Masataka finally shook his head and turned to the fellow genius, an almost icy wall building up in the depths of his gaze

"Lets.....just get to work."

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"H-Hai!" Tsubaki said as she handed him some of the paperwork, helping him in what still needed to be decifered.

(OOC: At this point, not timeskipping this would give away the future plot too much.)

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Meanwhile, on Earth, the hollow crisis was somehow averted in Seireitei, and within the confusion, Akio managed to escape into the Human World. His body still weak, he ran through, searching for any trace of Saikah or Masataka he could find. "I won't believe it..." Akio said to himself. "I'll save them from that darkness no mater what I have to do!" He jumped up into the sky as the sun began to slowly rise. The dawn was approching, but only to foretell of the upcoming darkness....

Saikah appeared in a neighborhood near the Hisaki house, but she did not know where she was. "Damn...I can't go back to Seireitei since I gave up my position as shinigami...what do i do...?" she muttered, sweat dropping form her face as she panted heavily. She was still drained and weak from the sudden bankai and hollowfication and could pass out any moment as she slowly started to walk

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Zeiya sighed as he looked out his window from the third floor. ~Wonder wher she is...~ he thought. He paused as he sensed akio running around again. Looking out, his eyes widen as he saw how injured Akio was. "Akio-kun!" he shouted. "Stop! If you come any farther-!"

Something shot out from betwen the Hisaki house and the neighboring house into the sky. The figure unsheathed the sword that was in her hand and slashed down at Akio.

Akio barely managed to lift his sword, still in sheathe, to defend himself against the strike. "Wh-what was that thing!" Akio said. "Hey, who are you, and why did you attack me? I've had enough of meeting people I don't know and fighting them. I just wanna find Saikah-neechan..." His reiatsu actually started to build as he spoke, like a self-recovery.

"Naoki, stop! He isn't a bad person!" Zeiya shouted as he jumped out of his window an dlanded on the roof from the second floor.

Naoki stood there before sheathing her sword. "I apologize." she said. A clearer view revealed a young teenage girl with short white hair. she looked like a maid, only with a more simple dress.

"You'll have to forgive Naoki, Akio...it's just because of the recent masses of hollows lately..." Zeiya said as he reached them. "What are you doing here? and what happened ot you?!"

Akio blinked lightly and said, "Oh, hi Zeiya! A lot happened, but I can't really stay and talk about it. I gotta go find Saikah-neechan." He then looked up slightly, scratching his head in thought, "But I can't seem to sense her anywhere... Whenever I leave Seireitei, I come here, so I thought she'd be nearby too..."