Voices Cursing Helplessness [Kaito, Kurai]

Kaito couldn't remember when he fell asleep. All he could remember was waking up to a cold, dark basement. He looked at himself, hearing the gentle clink of chains, his clothes singed and ragged. Had that woman taken him? All he could remember was hearing a voice amidst the chaos and visions, before suddenly being pulled into darkness.

He started looking around, seeing his Zanpakuto across the room, displayed so openly that it felt like a taunt. He just needed to get to it, then he'd at least have something to defend himself with. Shakily, he got to his feet, using the wall as support, before trying to take a few steps forward, but the chains were quick to stop him, causing him to stumble and collapse.

As he got back into a sitting position, he realized something else -- he didn't know if he was even in the Soul Society anymore. His breathing started to grow more panicked. He didn't know where he was, if the woman was still around, what she would do to him...or if he'd even make it back home. This was the person who burned his home to the ground and personally slaughtered his family.

As far as he knew, there was no way to predict what she would do. All he could really do was wait.

In his panic, he hadn't noticed that he wasn't alone. At first, he recoiled at the sight of another person. He fully expected to see either that redhead in front of him. But, rather than red, jet black blended well with the room. Her question only made him tilt his head in confusion. She had taken another? Why? A question he didn't have the opportunity to get answered, nor did he believe he would truly get one. So, he sat down, holding his knees close to his chest.

"...The Shuei District. It...well, it was the furthest districts in the Rukongai. Who are you? Where am I? Am...Am I even still in Soul Society anymore?"

The panic gradually began to fade away, replaced by melancholy and fear. His eyes constantly looked to the side, glancing at his Zanpakuto. It was the first time that it was so far away from him, and he was hating every second of it. It felt wrong to suddenly have something so intrinsic to him be torn away and held like a carrot on a stick, teasing and taunting him from across the room.

She knew of the Soul Society, but not its districts or outer community? Wait...was she a human? As she scooted forward, Kaito found himself instinctively recoiling and leaning back, only to find his back pressing against the cold wall. As she confirmed his suspicions, Kaito's head whipped back to look at his Zanpakuto. He was in the Living World...Kaito turned his head back and nodded in response to "Asuka," before looking back at his displayed weapon.

"I'm on Earth...but, why did she take you? Then again, I don't even know why she took me...I'm not important, strong. I don't hold value as a hostage. I don't get it. But, if I can get my sword, I can open a Senkaimon and get out of here."

The word "toy" confused him at first. But, as "Asuka" clarified, Kaito could feel his skin crawl in response, his eyes widening in disgust, and, to another extent, fear. He could theoretically attack them all with Kido, even her, but, he doubted that it would get him far. With how easily the woman had lit the fire that quickly spread through the entirety of Shuei, he knew he'd have to figure out his opportunities carefully.

Kaito found himself scooting backward, letting more of his back press against the cold wall. Beyond the clink and jingling of their chains, there wasn't anything else he could hear, even from a short distance away from the cell. So, he turned his attention to "Asuka," his lips parting, only for him to hesitate momentarily. Eventually, he'd respond to her.

"...Kaito. Why'd she take you? Maybe it'll help me figure out why I'm here."

Weeks? Potentially even months? Kaito looked visibly concerned and horrified at that revelation. The fact that she didn't... "get played with by her" much these days already made him aware of why he was there. In all likelihood, he was there as a replacement, something new to spice up either her interest or someone else's. His head turned to look at his Zanpakuto, then to his shackles.

He didn't want to stay here. He didn't want to become some plaything for the person who murdered his family and burned down everything he had been working toward. He slowly worked his way on getting to his feet, feeling around on the wall and smacking it every now and then, trying to see if there was either a hollow area or just a general structural weakness.

"The...the renting out part. What...what goes on with that? What kind of people?"

Maybe there was a consistent pattern that he could latch onto. If the renters were all human, then, there was a chance he could defend himself. But, if they were all more powerful figures like she was, then...

Kaito didn't want to think about the vain struggle that would ensue.