The Death of Hollows On Christmas Day (Training)

Appearance:

Gabriel had not been in the Gotei 13 very long, but when it didn't come to his brothers he was still the same as always, a loner. Him and his brothers had joined the Gotei 13 in order to become stronger and to be the best Shinigamis together. At this current time his brothers had their Captains to train them, but he had nothing that he cared to explore. So he decided to train himself. He had taken a general mission open to all shinigami about hunting of Hollows in the Karakura Forest. He hadn't had much real experience in slaying hollows, but he had trained to kill them and he had trained to kill through out the academy. His Zanjutsu was good enough to pass the academy, but not anything special a matter of fact he was one of the worst with it in his class. In kido he was good enough to be one of the better ones in his class and out of a lot of the Shinigami his level. It wasn't as much the power, but the usage. He had always been able to use the skills he had in the best manner. His philosophy was using the least amount of actions to make the end result. The first most favorable result is defeat. The next is death. Finally his most favorable and his best way of fighting was Hakuda. Even before he was training to be a shinigami he used hand to hand fighting. He was extremely smart when it came to it and he always found it to be the easiest way. It wasn't as much that he was a perfectionist it was that he didn't like having to deal with things that took a long time. He didn't want to have to bother with things for too long, but he wasn't ether afraid or hesitant to.

A door was created to allow him to go to Karkura forest. He had a communicator that he could use to report back to the Soul Society when he decided on returning. He began out around a mile from one of the suspected areas in which Hollows had been known. There were a dozen Hollows at this site and needed to be purified and Gabriel knew this was a good opportunity to grow in strength. On a day such as Christmas many people felt sorrow and anger. Hollows were able to easily grow stronger when spirits on this specific day have more of a reason usually to not move on. Karakura was a protected place, but spirits would still wander and on this day even more so then not. One of the only good memories he ever had was on Christmas. He hated everyone and everything, but when it came to Christmas he could not help but feel a small amount of what joy Christmas had to offer. It was the only light in his world of darkness and if he could help people on that day then he would stop at nothing to do so. His brothers did not even know how much he loved this day. When you live in so much darkness any segment of light is something to be treasured.

As he walked through the door to his drop off point His first move was to the nearest tree. He would stay silent in the heights of the area in order to be able to ambush to easily take out whatever he was to find. He picked the tallest tree he could find and as he got to the top of it he observed the entirety of Karakura Forest. It was a forest covered in a blanket of white. It looked amazing to his eyes he hadn't seen something this beautiful sense he was alive, and even if he had seen it he wouldn't have appreciated it. He kind of wished that his brothers could be there to see it. He could feel the extremely light breeze that blew around the snow flakes. Each one that landed upon his face he felt the icy touch of this frozen flake followed by the melting that made it drip down his face. It was a calming and yet made him happy for a moment. He was able to get the exact spot of where the hollows were. What made it easy to spot though were the screams of wandering spirits, and the wailing of sad spirits. Looks like this would end up being something that was more than he originally thought it would be. This was not only going to be a mission to slay hollows, but to also help those spirits who needed help on this Christmas day.

Gabriel then climbed down a to a sturdy branch and first started by calling into the Gotei 13 and updating them on the current situation

"Gotei 13, this is Member of the 2nd Division Gabriel Alexander. My update on the current mission is that the situation is more severe than originally thought. There are a large amount of wandering spirits and Hollows whom are hunting them, most likely because of the Holiday. Reinforcements are recommended, but until they arrive I will begin to eliminate the enemies and help the wandering spirits pass over. Gabriel Alexander out."

After his transmission Gabriel went straight to work. He flash stepped from branch to branch trying his best to keep to the direction in which he noticed the first group to be in. He wanted to keep as quiet as possible and being in the 2nd division he also needed to train himself in order to keep his spiritual pressure unapparent to the hollows that he was approaching. It was tough for him at first he could feel how hard it was. As he kept going he remembered the basic ways to use his spiritual energy. One way which he always excelled at was visualizing it. In his mind in order to keep his spirit pressure bottled up he envisioned an aura that radiated from his body. He then envisioned it slowly focusing in the center of his body until it was merely a speck in the center of his chest. By doing this he made his spiritual pressure nearly visible. This was tough to do because of his lack of mastery with his spiritual pressure, but to be in the 2nd division it is something that he would need to master. This specific technique was one he would use for the rest of his tenure in the 2nd division so he would need to find an easier way to keep in "silent", but until then he would use this.

He got closer and closer and as he approached he could hear screaming of multiple spirits. From where he was he could hear 3 or more, but as he got closer it was easier to distinguish. When he arrived to the area it was filled with trees around 5-10 feet apart from each other in varying places. 5 Spirits were being chased by a group 4 hollows. The spirits were running in a frantic way most likely because of the fear, but unfortunately not all of them had the speed to evade them for long. From Gabriel's point of view the Hollow to the farthest left was a standing Hollow. He looked about 9 feet tall 6 feet wide with claws on either hand. The next one to the right of him from Gabriel's point of view was on it's fours around 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide with a large toothed looking mask. It had a large sweeping tail with what seemed to be a pointed end. The Hollow to the right of that was on it's fours as well which actually was more like sixes. Having six legs but also lacking a tail compared to the other. Finally the last one followed behind the three standing up straight much larger than the other. It is sized at around 25 feet tall and 12 feet wide with each step smashing through each and every tree. He needed to keep his spiritual pressure down as long as possible to finish off this group quickly.

He made his way to the right of the group of hollows right as the hollow to the farthest right jumped in the air to pounce on a spirit who was a young lady from the looks of it when she died in her younger 20's with brown hair and a skinnier build. Mid-air Gabriel flash stepped onto the back of the hollow and quickly unsheathed his Zanpakutō stabbing it through the back of the Hollows head and flash stepping to the trees on the opposite side that he was in previously. The hollow fissured away as it was slain. From there the others came to a complete stop as the spirits continued to run away. A side thought popped into his head momentarily even though it wasn't the best time to have one

*I cannot let them turn into Hollows, but I can catch them after I've finished*

His next action was to step forward so the Hollows would not know his exact location. It was difficult to keep his focus right now, but he had to keep it up. If he couldn't keep it up now then he wouldn't be able to call himself a 2nd division member. The hollows had stopped in their footsteps looking in the area where he had landed. He needed to make his next few moves very quickly so his first one was to position himself higher in a tree above the standing Hollow. As he was going though he began a chant in a dull but constant roar for Bakudo #9 Geki

"Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat!"

He released Geki upon the middle Hollow that was on his fours and a red light shined around it's entire body completely stunning it. Arriving at the top of the tree above the standing hollow he dropped from the tree, but unfortunately because he had used the Bakudo the hollow was alerted to his position so as he dropped the hollow tried to step forward to dodge. So to counter Gabriel flipped forward and performed a heel kick to the top of it's head disorientating followed by stabbing his Zanpakutō into the back of the hollow and dragging it down it's back slaying it. With the hollow in the middle stunned for only a little time more he pointed his middle and pointer finger at the head of the hollow and shot off a bolt of lightning through it's head slaying it as well. With the Final hollow having it's sights on Gabriel he decided to walk out in front of him and as he looked up at his the Hollow spoke to him.

"Good for you Shinigami. But now it is time to die."

This was odd, but what this meant is that this Hollow had progressed to a point where it had a certain degree of intelligence. Gabriel was going to make the first move, but before he could the Hollow slammed both of his hands down towards him with a great force. Gabriel rolled to his right and as he rose back into the air Gabriel dashed at it's left leg and dragged his Zanpakutō across it's knee and through the back quickly twisting it and tearing it out towards the outside of it's leg. After he did that the giant hollow dropped to it's knee and at the same time Gabriel jumped backwards. Gabriel then pointed his right hand at the neck of the hollow and yelled

"Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and tear out your own throat!"

A yellow tendril shot out of his hand and wrapped around the Hollow's neck. He then ripped his right hand back pulling the hollow to it's back and Gabriel stepped forward and chopped it's head off. Gabriel then looked up towards the direction and sheathed his Zanpakutō. He would not allow these spirits to suffer the same fate as these Hollows. He easily caught up with the group and stopped in front of them. When he did they all stopped and stared at him.

"Stop. If you stay like this you will turn into that which you were running so fearfully from."

He then waited in the quiet as they all looked at each other. Only a few moments passed by before one of them asked

"What do we do then?"

He walked over to the one who said the and unsheathed his Zanpakutō.

"Passover."

He then put the bottom of his hilt to the man's head and his entire body became light as he rose into the air and disappeared. He would then follow by doing the same for each and every spirit within the group. To make sure he checked in with Gotei 13 he spoke through his communicator and said

"2nd Division Member Gabriel Alexander reporting in. First group of 4 hollows encountered. All dispatched along with a group of spirits sent over. I am going to continue forward and will keep in contact. Gabriel Alexander out."

After finishing his communication to the Soul Society Gabriel shook off the light snowfall which had continuously draped over his body while he was performing his mission. The snow had a sensation that he never found in the Soul Society, because in all the time that he had lived there he had only known a clear night and day. That was an unfortunate circumstance about the Soul Society. Even though the beautiful daytime sky and the luminous night served as a welcome substitute it could never replace an atmosphere like this.

With Gabriel's Zanpakutō now sheathed he reflected upon what he had seen and done. He began with his battle against the hollows. His strength and speed still lacked in every way. If he were faster he could have eliminated those first three hollows in one move, but instead he was forced to only dispatch them one at a time. Those effected by this time of year deserved all that he could give. His current speed was an insult to those whom relied on his blade. With that thought he would not allow himself to stand there any longer. He could sense more hollows in the distance, and time was not on his side, so once again he hid away his spiritual pressure and focused his energy upon his legs and feet. In his mind his resolve was now clear. First he would slay all hollows in this forest, second he would do it quickly and with every last bit of strength he had, and finally he would save every spirit within his reach. Gabriel took one flash step forward and while focusing his energy on his lower body he increased his speed. Each step saw less snow catch his body and more air rush past it. He stepped a farther distance at a quicker speed than ever before. There were scattered hollows through out the forest hunting spirits, and before he eliminated the larger groups he would make sure that there was nothing left of the stragglers separated through out the forest.

Gabriel did his best to become like the wind. The first Hollow he came across was on four legs and chasing two spirits. It acted like a beast with a wild roar that struck fear into the powerless. Gabriel flash stepped branch by branch and his last one set him to the left of the Hollow. Facing the same direction of the Hollow, Gabriel slammed his right elbow down upon the Hollow's spine stopping it's assault and he followed that by lowering himself and sweeping his left leg through the hollow's legs tripping it over. Quickly standing to his feet following the sweep he placed his left hand on the hilt of his Zanpakutō and with one final unsheathing strike beheaded the Hollow. Gabriel disliked how much he had to use his blade, but it was necessary in order to defeat these Hollows. He glanced to his left seeing the two spirits had hid close to the fight. He walked over to them and sent them to the other side.

He needed to continue on so he decided to go on a spree. He can then gather those who were being chased and send them off later. He jumped to the closest tree and kept his Zanpakutō unsheathed in his left hand with the blade pointed down. He knew if he were to do this with any speed his strikes would need to be a fly by type of tactic, and in order to accomplish that he would use quick strikes and stabs with his left hand and Hadō with his right.

Gabriel raised his head and closed his eyes focusing on the Hollows in the area. He felt 6 spiritual pressures of Hollows withing 300 meters of him. Two groups of two and two others who were singled out. Gabriel took a deep breath and as he exhaled he opened his eyes flash stepped towards the first group of two.

Hollow slaying wasn't something he had very much experience in, but what he did know is that a strike that can kill a human will usually do the same to a Hollow, and that principal is all he needed to know in order to slay these pitiful souls. Gabriel felt sorry for those who turned though it never stayed his blade.

This group was a combination of a four legged Hollow and a standing Hollow with four arms. The four legged hollow charged wildly at Gabriel followed by the standing one doing the same. Gabriel flipped his blade upwards and slid under the four legged hollow stabbing his Zanpakutō into it's torso and splitting it in half. Once he reached the other side his right hand's pointer and middle finger was pointed at it's throat shooting off a Byakurai lightning bolt and finishing him off.

Gabriel stood up and patted himself down this wasn't the last of them so he quickly moved on to the next group. He went on to use quick fly by tactics on the remaining four to eliminate them. By the end of them he sheathed his Zanpakutō and rounded up the the fleeing spirits sending them all of. By the end of it he spoke into his communicator

"Gabriel of the 2nd Division reporting in. Another 6 Hollows dispatched. I will soon be approaching the larger groups with most likely stronger hollows. I will report in when I have finished the last of them. Gabriel Alexander out."

Knowing the location of the hollows gave him an advantage, but they must have noticed by now that the others had been killed. They would most likely be on high alert, but it didn't matter. No matter the odds the same consequences were still their. Those of which that Gabriel could not allow. He hadn't used much energy up until now because this was his way of fighting, but from here on out it would be more difficult. These fights wouldn't work with his hit and run tactics. So he had to use his speed and strength in a head on battle to determine this fights outcome.

Shunpoing through snow that blanketed the ground and trees was odd to him. It must of been how kids felt when they ran through the snow on a day like this. He wondered how many kid spirits were out tonight. How many of them yearned for their families on a Christmas morning or a present to be entertained with for days to come. It just made it more apparent to him that the spirits that he needed to save on this day deserved to move on and be saved.

From what he could tell there were three major groups within this forest. He didn't know the specifics, but he thought the easiest was just going left to right. The first group he was to approach seemed to be hanging around a river bank. Gaining on the group he moved to the river in order to get a better view of the opponents he would have to take. At this point there was no reason for him to hid his spiritual pressure until it was tactically beneficial for him. He held his Zanpakutō with his right hand with the Zanpakutō pointed upside down.

Approaching his targets there were 4 of them. Two smaller 10 foot tall humanoid type hollows on either side of the river standing like on two feet. The other two were on the right hand side one nearly 40 feet tall and standing on two feet with four tentacles on his back and the other on all fours with a nasty huge jaw. Death wasn't an option for him so he must make it a reality for them.

Veering to the left Gabriel closed in on the shorter hollow and just as he noticed his arrival Gabriel Shunpoed past him stopping a few feet away from the hollow as it's head slowly fell off and the body fissured away.

"Welcome to the end. It's time for you all to die."

The hollows let off a savage roar and charged at Gabriel. The tentacles from the largest of them extended at quick speeds with pointed ends towards Gabriel as the other two approached him behind them. He couldn't dodge them all, but removing the threat of them would allow him to take it out more quickly so with the first that came he snatched with his left hand and slapped it to the ground cutting off the tip with his Zanpakutō. The second tentacle stabbed into his left arm so he chopped off the tentacle. With the last two coming at the same time Gabriel jumped in the air above him with his body horizontal to the ground and spun cutting of the tips of the rest.

With the two hollows following immediately behind he couldn't take them both on at once. So he pointed his left palm at the larger one and quickly chanted

"Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat! Bakudo #9 Strike!

A red aura then enveloped the large jawed Hollow paralyzing him. With other hollow still charging the first blow that came was a savage right strike which Gabriel ducked under. He then wrapped his right arm around the arm of the hollow and yanked his blade through the arm slicing it off followed by sweeping it's legs and stabbing his blade through the head of the hollow eliminating it. His moves were cold, calculating and purposeful. It was clear that he did not want to waste any time in doing what needed to be done.

As the red aura disappeared that had been around the other hollow Gabriel shunpoed on top of its back and stabbed into it dragging his blade across his back and ripping it out the other side killing it. With the final Hollow in his way it they both charged each other. Hollow rose both of his arms into the air forming his hands into fists and slammed them downwards towards Gabriel. He replide with rolling forward and landing on his right knee stabbing his Zanpakutō upwards into it's right arm. Unfortunately this was like poking a giant with a tooth pick. It swung it's arms into the air in pain. So the only way to kill it was to directly strike it's head.

"Hey you slow son of a bitch catch me why don't you."

The hollow then let out another savage roar and reached his right hand at Gabriel. This was going to hurt like a son of a bitch, but it was the easiest way. The hollow grappled Gabriel and brang up to his mouth squishing him between his hand. With his body beginning to crack and hurt so he stabbed his Zanpakutō into it's palm releasing the grip. He held onto his Zanpakutō for dear life and used the palm to push off and stab straight into the Hollow skull twisting his blade and purifying the hollow dropping him to the ground.