Welcoming The Lost Into The Land Of Glum

A shadow…

As the two of them passed through the dimensions, Kuro wondered if his companion would remain there. Demons… Everywhere… Kuro's mind came back into focus again as he realized that he could stand once more… but even if he could stand, he could not see much.

As he opened his eyes, he was greeted with a silvery mist. Standing in that mist, Kuro could not help but feel the change beneath his feet. The horns on his head seemed to make things feel just a smidge more comfortable… but overall, he felt out of place. Demons. I'm surrounded by them. Kuro blinked, his eyes narrowing slightly. He could no longer hear Piero's voice in his mind. He and the demonic presence had become one, at least for now. "Anyone there…"

He asked the space before him. Of course, he could sense the other individual in this clearing; their voice gave him an indication, and the shadows against the mist still spoke to him, clear as day. For his part, his energy was mostly under control. At least, what he was used to controlling. On the other hand, a small undercurrent of menacing bloodlust could be felt, almost… demonic in nature.

"...But…" The words slowly came out of his mouth as the black-garbed Shinigami stepped from the mist, stopping before the woman. "...The one… who painted my home black, is it…?" A voice asked, as the horned, white-haired male looked directly at her. His eyes seemed almost... manic. They had peace, but it was the stillness of the grave. He hardly seemed to breathe... almost as if he was a ghost, an empty shell.

Kuro Okami laid both of his hands to rest at his sides. There was no intent to fight this woman. Upon examining her, he had learned everything he needed to know. He even felt he knew who she was... she looked familiar. He was not sure where... either from the First Squad, back when he was a member... or from his research into the interactions between Shinigami and Demons. Research that he had done at the behest of the former Captain Commander... research that was done to help him learn how to read.

His Zanpakutō was still on display on his belt, but a black band of shadow sealed its use, at least at the moment. "...Demons… and Shinigami…"

That small voice let out, one that was still slightly hoarse from lack of use. If Saiko could in fact sense despair… he was cloaked within it. Like a great beast, sitting on the doorstep of his soul. In a way, it spoke to the fortitude of the house… But not because the house was strong.

The house merely refused to budge.

Like a dark cobra, that blackness wrapped around Kuro's heart. But it could not squeeze out its life… because that heart did not allow for the fight to begin. A man who drifted between the light, gray, and darkness… One who continued only for the position he held..

This journey, too, was for his job. In a way... but at the same time, it was for Kuro himself. He did not want for his subordinate to fall into blackness as he had. He did not want to see him break. So he would pursue him, even into the depths of hell.

"…….I will not harm you." Kuro spoke gently, out of necessity more than anything. "I'm… Kuro Okami." He introduced himself to her at last, looking at the woman before him with his dead eyes. He did not believe that any introduction was required than that. After all, if this woman understood international affairs of demons, she would know what that name meant. It was one of the most infamous in its handling of demons. It represented a man who did not quit, who relentlessly pursued and slayed. It was even possible that if this realm knew who he was, he would be hunted down.

From his body, the white symbol of the Gotei began to form on his chest. It was formed from Piero's energy, using the same material as the cloak that used to envelop Kuro when he released. As she observed, the emblem became tattered and worn, before finally the white within it changed to gray. That was his home, and no matter how far it fell, he would not forget it.

But for now, he was a visitor. A visitor with a task, self-directed. One of the few times in Kuro's life where his self-direction lead to creation rather than destruction. "Do you… know... what we're doing…?" He continued, needing to verify that with her. Once that was established, they would be able to continue...