Do the Weeping Angels Blink? (Rou/No Kill)

The Shinigami continued to mumble softly to himself as walked along between the grave stones. The peace and silence of the outside world were so quite when compare to the sounds inside of his head. His Zanpakuto argued with each other in such an adorable and laughable fashion that the Shinigami almost didn't notice the face that he was indeed not alone among the gravestones of the dead. In fact it was Ningy who said, "I believe we are being wacthed..." About the same time that Ryou noticed it. He began to wonder and he began to ponder... who it was that it could possibly be. This person who was disturbing his thinking time that was spent under his mental Tumtum tree. Sighing to himself the Shinigami did not feel that there was any real risk, but he was ready just in case... and so did not immediately take his Zanpakuto in hand. He wasn't sure what the being was... that had wondering into the 'Dark Puppeteer's land. It took him a few moments to realize though, that the danger was actually more than he thought... in fact... he was quite sure that he was outclassed by his guest, which by it's spiritual signature appeared to be an Arrancar, and not that... yet probably one of the upper level Espada. Which meant that his choice of not instantly showing hostile intent might end up saving his life.

Looking slightly over his shoulder, without fully turn his head the Shinigami wacthed what looked to be teenage girl right towards him... though before he could turn around to face her. She flipped over him and landed on one of the near bye grave stones in front of his position. Standing their the Captain wacthed Espada with a sense of caution that was quickly swept away by her child like actions. It had nothing to do with underestimating her, but instead it looked as though she was someone who was a kindred spirit. Ryou had quite a odd way of thinking about the Arrancar when compared to most Shinigami, even though he never voiced it. The man considered them to be something that was separate form the average hollow because of there individualism and the fact they seemed to have personality and were almost like Shinigamis. So he always considered it best to approach them with a potential open palm of friendship first, then if they didn't accept that and attacked him... well then he certainly didn't mind killing in order to defend himself. Peace was always better solution if it could be helped... since less of your family was killed that way.

His forward motion towards her position was halted by her words, as he tucked his hair back behind his ears. To make it easier for them to communicate.. and it seemed a playful grin crossed his face as he realized that this Espada like to play games... oh goody goody. Approaching at a very slow pace, and making sure his hands where far away enough form his Zanpakuto to remain nonthreatening he said, "My Missstress I do believe that a cassse of missstaken identity hasss occurred here. I am not one of thessse 'evil onesss' that you ssseek. For I have come to help you fight the EVIL ONES!!!" The excited nature with which he said the last two words gave away the fact that Ryou spent most of his time acting like a overgrown child himself. Then with a very low bow and held his top hat over his heart as he said, "You may call me Kurosawa Ryou... jussst another fighter in the battle againssst EVIL!!!" He said the last word while shaking the fist that held his hat into the hair and smiling in that large Cheshire like grin at the hollow. The Captain was really having so much fun now... If this was how Espada played around... he started to wonder about his loyalties to his current employer. It was also obvious that he wasn't trying to lure her into a false sense of security... she wanted to play and so that was what he was doing. Ryou loved games, no matter how realistically he had to play... or even what the 'cost' ended up being.

At this point the relaxed posture with which Ryou stood there would have to any other Shinigami seemed dangerous, if not suicidal... especially considering who he was standing across from. This was one of those moments that showed that Kurosawa really was a child at heart, and maybe even just as crazy as he seemed on the outside. Yes some of it had to do with the fact that he knew he was out matched by the Espada, and his best chance of living would probably be to escape. That wasn't what he was worried about though, because frankly... he wanted to play. This Arrancar seemed to be quite the playful and relaxed creature, though her child like nature came through with the conviction that every word was spoken. The Captain's eyes seemed to light up with glee at this discovery and along with that, his own child like nature was becoming apparent. It was also quite apparent to him that his reaction had caught the Espada off guard, which was to be expected... since technically he should have acted with hostility. This was not to be the case though, and she wouldn't even notice a single bit of satisfaction on his face at this fact. The Captain had always had a hard time hiding his emotions when in these more manic states. Which was why he had so much hair, because he also found it was good as a secondary poker face.

It was as she stood their tapping her foot that he finally noticed something else... it was the thing he had been trying to find the whole time they had been talking. Her number.... three... sitting right on the Esapda's cheek it had been hard to see at first. At that moment he truly realized the power difference, with the sight only reinforcing what he had felt. Waiting their in his still nonthreatening posture, Kurosawa continued with his at Rou even when she jumped down off the tombstone. Again he hardly seemed to react to the fact that she was closing the distance between them by a few feet. It wouldn't have mattered anyway in the long run, since he was quite sure that this Espada could cacth him if she wanted. Waiting until she spoke to him, his response to her new nickname for him came quick enough it seemed like that had been his name his entire life, "Yes what it isss it Missstresss?" It was his way of acknowledging the title, even going so far as to again bow with his hat to his heart. In this way acknowledging her as 'the leader'. They were supposed to be heroes after all... and the leader was usually the strongest hero.

Despite the fact though that he was indeed wrapped up in the fun game... Ryou was still himself, and frankly always would. This was why, when he heard the term 'Griffin' he instantly thought of the cranky yet lovable creature form Alice in Wonderland. Which to swear on such a things dead... that would be like letting someone come along and harm his new found friend... Griffin never hurt anyone. If their was one thing that Ryou couldn't do, and that was to break his principles on certain things. The main one being not to harm people you care about. Being that he cared about that character... well... he would accept the outcome, "Missstresss I regret to inform you that I can't do that. The Gryphon'sss I know are noble and helpful creaturesss who mussst be protected at all cossst. I am sssorry if you mussst punissh me for that transssgression then so be it, but I will not ssswear to such a thing. I do hope you underssstand though Missstresss, that herosss like usss who fight EVIL mussst not hurt thingsss that are noble and good like Gryphonsss." There wasn't a single bit of hesitation or thought to his words. They came out in manner that showed Ryou was speaking directly from his mind, and even stood a bit straighter than usual as though asserting his belief in his own words. Because he really did belief them... it was no act. If Ryou met a Gryphon he would never harm it... in fact the idea seemed exciting.

By this point Ryou had no wish to draw his blade against the Espada even if she cut him down. At first this was something that had extended from the knowledge that it would be useless for him to do so, but over time that view had changed. Transforming into the simple fact that Ryou didn't want to hurt this Arrancar whom he considered could be a potential friend if their view points on things continued to match up like they were. It was the Captain's desire to have someone around who was as childlike, and in the same vein as straight forward about ideals of justice as himself. There was more to it than that though, but the man really didn't understand himself... not completely at least. What he did know was that the idea of fighting this girl felt wrong. This was the reason that when he saw the Espada reaching for her blade... the man didn't move, nor did he react in the way you would expect. Instead he just stood their as though she wasn't trying to threaten, but in a way he wondered if that would make him look weak... Kurosawa hoped that this wasn't true. What he was hoping was that it made him seem more like someone who didn't back down from what they believed, nor what they said... and he had told her his thoughts on Griffins after all. So now it was time to prove those words...

He could not say that he was not slightly surprised that the Espada believed him. It wasn't that he had been trying to lie to her, but had been simply telling her what he believed. The Captain could almost sense the hostilely draining from the air, as the game continued. From what the man could see he had been able to successfully reaffirm his credentials as a fellow hero to the Espada... at least that was what he hoped. The idea of being on the side of evil while playing a game, plus being on the opposite side of a friend was not exactly the most pleasant one to Ryou. He felt quite a bit more relaxed himself when she let go of her sword, and began to speak... the Shinigami found himself agreeing with what she said, "Indeed Misstresss." Kurosawa was a bit confused by what the female was saying, since he wasn't sure if she was calling him a lair or not. So he timed his reply to come after the Espada said that he couldn't be so bad for not wanting to hurt Gryphon. By this point the air seemed to have completely cleared and everything felt like a game again to the Captain, which simply meant... we can all relax and be friendly. Even his own Cheshire cat like grin that had almost faded now was spread across his face matching the look on the tercera's.

"You know what Misstresss I would certainly have to sssay it isss. I have alwaysss wondered why it was everyone ssseemed to treat me as the odd one out. I guesss that what happensss to those who are good when placed among evil?" Ryou found himself in the lucky position to be able to speak the truth to the Espada even if it meant putting a different interpretation on the words. Either way... when he thought about it for a bit, she could right... people never did understand his black and white sense of justice and the harsh nature that he carried it out. He laughed a bit in his usually playful nature in a way that showed it was something done in agreement to her words. Even the look in his eyes showed this, "Now that I think about it I believe you are right Misstress, and that doesss explain a few thingsss. Before the Ssshinigami ssstole me away from my home I cut off the head of sssomeone who was evil and didn't know who elssse to take it to, to make it known people would not need to be ssscared of him anymore. Ssso the firssst person I brought it to was a Sshinigami. Guesss me being a sssilly child didn't know any better, and well they kind of ssstole me off to join them." The funny thing was... Ryou was kind of fuzzy on the details of those days, because the trauma that had come before, and the fact he had blocked most of it out. Well it left room for his mind to fill in the gaps and believe any truth that he made up, since he didn't understand the events completely himself.

Strangely enough In'ei found the situation more interesting than alarming. The blade liked to play games, as much as Ryou... and frankly if this Espada could provide anything to her master that the Shinigami had failed to do so then she didn't mind. So long as they where careful, and didn't lose all of there friends that was all that mattered. The things and people that was important to their dear Ryou-chan was important to In'ei, Ningy, and Sukai... beyond that... the world could burn for all they cared. This meant they would have to teach him some new lessons though, the next time he meditated. The main one being that you have to keep your big mouth shut about the new friend you made.

Nodding his head in agreement to her question, “Why of course Missstresss, I wasss a child and really didn’t know what elssse to do with it… it was more the head actually.” The Arrancar’s comment made the Shinigami pause for a moment, as he began to think about the possibility. At first the very idea itself seemed quite absurd, but the more Kurosawa thought about it the more he began to wonder. Strange things indeed were always coming out of the bowls of the 12th Division laboratories. They could very well be reanimating bodies in that place and bringing them back to life. For all he knew that man he had killed could be alive and well again because of such a technology… the very idea of which made him fume on the inside with a sense of deep betrayal. In fact the completely irrational thought about an event that he had no proof about, but was becoming such a reality in his head that it took him a few minutes to get himself under control. To the point that when she told him to listen… the Espada literally had snapped the man out of a dream state.

“What is Mistresses…?” Curiously he watched as the young looking creature jumped down off the grave stone and marched in his direction. The Arrancar’s movements were a mix of clumsy and graceful, that Ryou personally found to be quite amusing… and yet at the same time they reminded him of his younger self. Like in the days before he had truly found his footing with and rid himself of his bit more quiet and awkward nature. Purposefully the Shinigami let his own hair fall in front of his face, to playful match Rou’s… not really mocking… it was more like saying to himself, ‘hey look we match’. The man just stood there never moving even when the Espada approached, and was only inches in front of him. Kurosawa looked down at her curiously, while long raven locks were adjusted back over his ear, “Alright… I will try and remember that Missstress. You normally won’t find me to be a perssson who letsss what othersss do affect him in a negative way.” Once she had ascended back up to his eye level, his two black maniacal doll eyes stared into hers. Ryou was a very hard person to read, when he wanted to be… but for now he was letting his guard down a bit… on purpose of course.

You could see it in his eyes that there was pain there… like a dog that has been beaten over and again. The only difference is… that this dog was one that had grown up, and now it bit back. Basically… he was the type who had seen enough and his loyally could be taken up by someone who gave him a better offer. Kurosawa was certainly willing to prove it. This was mostly due to the suffering he watched when he was younger, and now even of his Lieutenant. Kurosawa didn’t like the idea of fighting for this high minded system of feudalism that treated those even has loyal as his dear Vice Captain like dirt.

Nodding his head in agreement to her words he spoke with a certain venom as he adjusted his top hat down, as a fire swept through his eyes, “Mistressss I can tell you that not only have they made me do bad thingssss, which form one I can now sssee was helping to harm any of your comradesss. Which I mussst apologize for. Plusss the many yearsss I ssspent fighting for an evil sssystem that hurtsss…” If Ryou’s eyes could have been on fire they would have been, but he quickly began to cool down, remembering the Espada’s words… that he shouldn’t blame himself. “Sorry Mistresss… it isss a bit to take in at once, if you know what I mean?” That Cheshire like grin returned to his face, as he stared at Rou. The Shinigami wasn’t stupid… he knew that she was still a hollow, and what that meant was that he had to be cautious around her. Kurosawa didn’t want to leave the Gotei 13 short of a Captain for no reason. No if he did that, then it was going to be because someone else gave him at least some more respect than simply what his rank afforded him, and he wasn’t simply a powerful ‘Mad Dog’ on a proverbial leash.

For a second Ryou almost opened his mouth to disagree with her words. Even he himself considering the situation now could look back and take pity on the Arrancar’s who didn’t know better. They had all been manipulated by a very clever enemy, which he had only wanted to use them for a different gain. So it was because of this that he couldn’t see them as at fault either, especially considering that there was nothing they could have done in the first place. From what he knew they just were not strong enough to have defended themselves anyway. That was why her words stung a little, because he knew it meant there would always been a barrier of mistrust between him and new friend. In fact he could not help but let the words slip out of his mouth, “I hope you don’t think the sssame thing about me Missstresss.” Kurosawa actually did sound concerned, because he was. He was the type of person who did not like to have his friends have a bad opinion of him. Though the Captain knew he would have to prove himself to his new, but gaining such trust came in time. So there was probably no need to worry.

Still he felt he had to same something in those old Arrancar’s defense, “You mentioned that they had what wasss coming? Doesssn’t that ssseem a little harsssh, since they could have very well have jussst been brainwassshed like myssself. That Shinigami was known for hisss abilitiesss to be really good at brainwash afterall.” He hoped that the Espada wouldn’t take it as a challenge to her ideas, nor as insult, since the male was simply giving her a little something to think about. Plus it gave him a moment to ponder the fact that, this Esapada had a 3 on her body. That could only mean that their at least had to be a 2, 1, and potentially the 0/10. Beyond that was guesswork… and he couldn’t really be sure withier or not they had formed into a group yet, so he decided to keep his mind open. It didn’t really matter to Ryou overall, but if she was by herself, then she would certainly be easier to make friends with than in a group.

He couldn’t help but laugh softly as he looked at Rou with a bit of a sheepish smile as she patted his head, “You know I sssometimes thing I already went crazy a long time ago Mistresss-sssama.” The Shinigami just continued laughing as he reached out and imitated Rou’s actions, but instead ruffled the Arrancar’s hair playfully. Which mentioned about him being lucky the male became curious, “Indeed… tell me… what makesss today my lucky day, besides a hero such as yourself. Don’t really remember finding a clover?” He watched as suddenly the Espada spaced out before his eyes… now this was interesting. The young women definitely was a creature that lived with same mindset and world as himself. In fact the Captain himself started to phase out of reality for a moment, until sudden Rou’s voice snapped him back. Her explanation seemed just a fair though, “Ah the dear ssshadow cats, sssuch is destiny I mussst say. At leassst it wasssn’t sssomething bad leading the way, the Bundersssnacth and Jabberwock could have ruined the day.”