The Fresh Salty Air [Private]

A large foot stomped down right outside the city. The Hollow that the foot belonged too was a big one, but not necessarily a strong one. How strong it was mattered not though, for it was trying to attack the small fishing town before it. Pissed off that it was not feeding right now, the Hollow stomped down again, trying to squish the Shinigami that was delaying his meal. Stomping again, it began to forget about eating as it tried to land a hit, or more specifically its foot, on the Shinigami.

As the Hollow stomped about in its weak attempt to get rid of the Shinigami, Mayonaka decided that he would stop humouring the Hollow before some sort of property or a human got hurt. Leaping back high into the air, Mayonaka stopped midair and began drawing out the symbols for the spell in the air, before recited the incantation for the Bakudo. "Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat! Bakudo 9: Geki!"

The Hollow became completely paralyzed in a red glow. Dashing forwards, Mayonaka quickly cut the Hollow's head, defeating it as it disintegrated, bound for Soul Society. The people of the small fishing town were safe from this Hollow, nothing had been broken and nobody had been hurt. Another job well done, Mayonaka thought as he sheathed his Zanpacto.

There were not many Shinigami around these parts. Although there were not that many people, it was still a relatively easy meal for a Hollow. Mayonaka had arrived just before it could attack though, vanquishing it before harm was done. He would have to remember to ask about getting a Shinigami posted somewhere in this area, nobody too important, just someone who could protect the place should another Hollow come along.

There was not very much rush to get back to Soul Society. Mayonaka rather liked being in the human world, and tried to be here as much as possible, even if that meant doing extra patrols or such things. In situations like right now, he felt he could afford to stay a little while and enjoy the scenery. There were no pressing issues, nothing he needed to do, and so he looked to the city and gave a little smile. Coming back down to the ground from where he stood, Mayonaka relaxed his body a bit in the salty air.

Taking yet another one of his famous pointless strolls, Arata smiled in the darkness. His hair hung low and occaisonally poked in his eyes, where he blew the strands away every now and again, often he just left them alone. His face, pale as ever, seemed to glow a tad in the moonlight. In the distance, he sensed a great amount of spiritual energy. He wondered who he would see, he contemplated on going towards the source. Then he thougt it over, the creature could get violent. He decided against it.

Walking around a rather large rock, he stood in front of it and sat down on it. It overlooked the ocean. The smell of the salt rose in his nasal passages, it was to calming, so peaceful. He looked out at the ocean, the gentle waves dancing under the moon, the serenity of it all was overwhelming. Arata closed his eyes and relaxed his muscles. He began to free his mind of all worries and just sat calmly, disturbing nothing, silence surrounded him.

Looking up to the moon, Mayonaka basked in the calm light of night. A seagull flew overhead in the salty air above him. The port town was asleep, the windows of the houses all dark. They hadn't noticed the slight commotion outside the town, and if anyone had they didn't seem to be showing it. This would remain a peaceful place. Turning from the port town, Mayonaka began walking away.

He made his way along the shoreline, laxly walking while enjoying the night. Perhaps he might find a quiet place to meditate with Kuregi. Somewhere nice and quiet, and rather isolated. Walking along the shore of the ocean, the salty breeze blew his hair around. Mayonaka was not a seafaring man, never had been, but this place was rather relaxing. The waves swept onto shore, the breeze hit your face, seagulls cawed overhead. Everything was as it should be. Seeing a grassy area up ahead, Mayonaka made his way towards it. That would be a good spot for Jinzen, he thought to himself.

He ignored the world surrounding him. Arata was now the only being on Earth. In his protective bubble of peace he sat there still as the very rock under him. He appeared to be at complete peace with the world, his mind shut down. He nearly fell asleep in this trance-like stage. The world was his. The world was peaceful. He had not felt like this in year. He missed it greatly.

Moving to the grassy knoll up ahead, Mayonaka could see something in the middle of the field. There was a rock there, and sitting on the rock there appeared to be a person. They were perfectly still, perhaps meditating. Mayonaka had been right about this area being a good spot for meditation it would seem, though someone had beaten him to it. Quiet so as not to disturb them, he got closer and closer.

As he got close enough, Mayonaka realized that he recognized the face that sat on the rock. It was Arata, the one that had been with Vice Captain Izueo when they had met up in the forest. He had stayed true to his word and not told anybody n Soul Society about it. Neither of them would get in trouble over what had happened.

Mayonaka approached until he was but a few feet from Arata. He had not made any noise, and merely stood there silently, waiting for Arata to finish. Ever so slightly, Mayonaka released some spiritual energy. It was not much, and was only for a moment. Hardly anything, but perhaps Arata would notice at such a close range. It was certainly not enough to startle hm awake suddenly.

Arata was close to falling asleep when something changed in the atmosphere. His stomach began churning, as though something awoke in him and wanted out. With his eyes still closed, his eyebrows drew closer together in confusion, his mind began to stir. His face contorted to the perfect expression of confusion, he shooks his head like a dog to make it go away, and when it didn't, every fiber of his being longed to know what was causing all the commotion. He slowly opened his eyes with a look that could kill, but was surprised at what he saw.

Before him stood a familiar face. He was not expecting anyone to even be there. For a moment, it would appear he was lost for words. And for the first time in awhile, he had been. He was nt sure what to say, or why he was there. He wondered if he was distrubing him, or maybe he lived here and was tresspassing? He stared blankly at Mayonaka.

Finally, after a few moments of silence, he began slowly working up his nerve. come on, grow some balls already! he said angrily to himself. He looked Mayonaka in the eyes, his own warming up slightly, now it seemed someone was alive behind them, in comparison to how coldly and lifelessly he was staring before. "Mayonaka..." He said curiously, the question; 'what are you doing here?' was to follow, but the words never left his lips. It annoyed him. He continued to gaze at him, he was numb, his emotions, his speech, was just numb, no feeling. He felt like a robot.

Mayonaka was slightly surprised to find that Arata seemed speechless to see him. Was it really that weird to see him? The encounter was rather random, he had to admit, but it had made Arata at a loss of words? It would seem it had. Wanting to try and get things going a bit, Mayonaka greeted Arata.

"Hello Arata, we meet again. What might you be doing way out here? This is an awful long ways from the forest in which we last met."

Smiling to the man, he tried to seem friendly. Mayonaka had nothing better to do, and was simply leisurely walking about. It was good fate that he would find Arata here. Maybe they were meant to meet up again.

"I was just in the area to defeat a Hollow, and finding myself in this beautiful place on this beautiful night, I figured I would take a walk and perhaps meditate in the peace. You seem to have beaten me there though."

Laughing slightly, Mayonaka's smile grew heartier.

Arata Genji.

Yes, That would be dark.

Arata uncurled his legs and stood up, looking directly in Mayonaka's eyes. He had never really paid close attention to him before, but there was something odd abou him Arata could not quite place. He was oddly friendly, he remembered how his fake smile was plastered on his face, almost too nicely, so nice it was creepy. He wondered if Mayonkaka smiled like that all the time, Arata hoped not. It was not a smile you would want to see everyday.



"Yes, it is a bit of a walk, isn't it. Well, I, much like the wind blowing through your hair, am all over, I go this way and that and never truely know why I am there or what I ought to do when I get there." Arata grinned. He liked playing the mysterious monster, it was quite fun at times.



"It is quite peaceful here, the ocean with its gentle music, and the trees whispering their secrets. The grass whistles quietly while the sky merely drifts overhead without a care in the world. The sights and smells alone are enough to make one fall asleep happily, but the music is overkill. Absolutely perfect." Arata said aloud more to himself than to Mayonaka as a wide, warm smile spread to his lips. He closed his eyes and breathed in it, exhaling and opening his eyes. The beauty of nature excited and pleased him, and nothing could take that from him.

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