Visiting The Host Of The Shadows....

Henrex bit his lip as he received Kuro's judgement. He needed more confidence....that was a big fact, but he was mainly nervous about messing up, which probably cost him some points on the grade for this. So...90 points. Out of 100? He wasn't sure. But then the next sentence cleared one thing up for him, but also confused him again. Where...did he think the last ten came from? What in the world was that supposed to mean? What caused him to lose the last ten points of the grade? His head was a mess, trying to figure all of this out. He heard Kuro say something about what position would he grade himself. Well, based on his clumsy performance, he reconsidered even asking about the idea of becoming the Vice Captain. This performance, and the way he presented himself gave him no reason to accept the request. He might as well try, right? I mean, what could hurt to ask? Aside from....a possible angry outburst from him, to which he was starting to become....afraid of asking. Kuro didn't seem like the type to yell, but you never know. This was his only thought as he contemplated Kuro's question.

"When this was first going through my head before I got here.....I was hoping to become the Vice Captain, but I'm not sure....."

Henrex looked at the pancake, embarrassed by his pathetic attempt. He looked at Kuro, seeing that he was expecting an answer, and soon. He looked down, unable to focus on one thing at the moment. He really...didn't know what to say. He hated grading himself on things, because he normally left the grading up to the supervisor, because he never trusted his own judgement on things, especially on this. He couldn't even describe it, the feeling was just too complicated. He looked back up at him, his gaze not changing.

"I...I can't grade myself....it's really hard to explain but....I guess a simple way of putting is I have never been able to trust my own judgement....I just...can't...do it....

Henrex closed his eyes, bracing himself for anything....

Henrex's eyes shot open in surprise as Kuro flicked his wrist, sending the pancake flying into his mouth, causing him just stand there in surprise. What....was that? Did that.....really just happen? He had actually....flicked the pancake into...his mouth. What....how....Henrex's mind went into a frenzy, trying to process the crazy events that took place in mere minutes. He just...launched....the pancake....into his god. Damn. Mouth. How...in God's name did he DO that?! He heard him ask him where all that attitude went. How should he know? It all just...vanished, as he listened to him. He didn't feel angry, or confident. He just felt....void. He felt as if his arms were pinned by Kido, but he knew this wasn't the case. He was just in too much shock to move, much less pull the pancake out of his mouth.

Henrex listened without argument as Kuro explained what it would be like to be his Vice Captain. It's not like he could argue, with a frickin' pancake in his mouth. He had no choice....this was very odd, but, he had to eat his way out of this. He slowly started to chew, eating the pancake he made. As he ate it, it made him feel....sad. It reminded him of the way his mother use to make pancakes when he was a young, reckless little kid while living....before...

He quickly cleared his thoughts of the depressing memory, and continued listening. He wouldn't have a say in anything? Not much of a surprise, he would be a VC, not the actual Captain. It's not like he would be making a say in many things unless he felt it absolutely necessary. He would follow his orders down to the letter? He saw that one coming. He was the Captain. If he were the VC, his job was to obey him, no matter what. He knew his place in the world. Never doubt....his comrades? That was....much more difficult. He would have to know his allies to know their abilities, but sometimes....he was unsure about certain things. But, if he were to become a part of the Stealth Force, he would just have to accept it. He finished eating the pancake, coughing slightly, then he looked at him and nodded.

"I...I understand....sir. I understand if you don't want me to be the Vice Captain, but even if I get put as a just a member, I swear, I will work my hardest."

Henrex knew that now, he had to walk hard, not only to possibly become friends with Kuro, but to become the Vice Captain he should be. He would work as hard as he could. He wanted....to make someone proud for once. He would prove himself to Kuro Okami, by working as hard as he could.....

Henrex watched in minor shock as Kuro's expression changed from...sadness...to pain. What....was going through his head? Painful memories? That's what it seemed. Did he hit a touchy subject on accident? Oh crap....this could be bad. He wasn't picky? O...k? That was a good thing, right? But....was it really what he should do? I mean, hell, he hasn't even unlocked his Shikai yet, as of now! Oh....that....was something that completely slipped his mind. He kinda forgot about that when Kuro threw the pancake in his mouth. He watched as Kuro pulled out a document and a pair of scissors. But these scissors seemed.... odd. This had "ni", in kanji. The Japanese word for "two". What did these do? he had no idea. He listened as he explained that if he signed this, he would be obligated to kill anyone if he needed to, and that they were the first and last lines of the Gotei. Henrex nodded as he explained, but when he stopped he knew that he had to tell Kuro this.

"U-Um....Kuro....I just remembered to tell you this....I...don't have my Shikai..."

Henrex felt like an idiot. How could he have let that slip his mind!? He knew he had a good reason behind forgetting, but still, he had a decently good memory, and he forgot. He felt like such a dunce. He did a mental face palm. He remembered the reason why he was probably going to be just a member. He hadn't unlocked his Shikai. He knew his Zanpakutō's name, but he had refused to let him tap into his power. Knowing the name of your Zanpakutō wasn't everything. He groaned and put his face in his hands, still slightly humiliated and embarrassed from his forgetfulness. He rubbed the back of his neck, removing his face from his hands, waiting for what Kuro would say....

Henrex watched as Kuro....simply stated the obvious. "He's mad." He thought. he could tell just by the silence. He didn't know what Kuro was like when he's mad, and he sure as hell didn't want to find out, nor did he want to know what happened to people who disobeyed. He slowly followed him, his heart racing, and he could hear his heartbeat in his ears. He wasn't ready....he was goddamn terrified! He was nervous on what he was going to do, so he just....followed orders. He followed him outside, a hand on his sword at all times, praying to every single Chinese and Japanese god he knew. Nu Wa, Ne Zha, He Bo, Ao Kuang, he prayed to them all. He figured Kuro was twice as deadly, and scary when he was mad. This...wasn't good....he was planning something, and it wasn't going to be pleasant.....

"Gods and demigods.....help me...."