Kuukaku, Head of the Shiba Clan

» Name: Kuukaku Shiba » Alias: Head of the Shiba Family » Age: Unknown » Gender: Female » Race: Soul » Affiliations: Shiba Noble Family » Alignment: Chaotic Good » Marital Status: Single » Sexual Orientation: - » Height: 5'6 1/2” » Hair Color: Black » Eye Color: Green

» Appearance Written:

Kuukaku is a loud woman, not just in how she can behave, but in how she presents herself. Even without her usual outfits, Kuukaku presents a proud display of herself. With a very pronounced figure and without any attempts to hide or replace her missing left arm in casual situations. She has strong features and she often holds an expression either lax and lethargic, or daring opposition.

One would be hard-pressed not to look Kuukaku’s way whenever she entered a room. She carries herself with a seamless mix of unladylike roguishness that matches her usual behaviors.

On top of this, her outfits, and frankly most aspects of her life, are just as loud. Wearing read outfits, usually with no regard for anything but her own sense of style. This generally consists of showing quite a bit of skin as well as a very unique, rogue-like aesthetic. Even when donning garments fitting of her position of a head of a once great noble house, Kuukaku still elects to maintain her usual outfits and refrains from any sort of finery.




» Personality:

A Rogue.
Lacking any semblance of ladylike behavior and having no interest in it to begin with. Kuukaku lives her life as she wants, and thats the beginning and end of it. While at times, circumstances have brought her to observe certain traditions and practices, more often than not its in service to her own interests, and only barely a service.

When it comes to interacting with others Kuukaku is entirely capable of being calm and civil, but will become aggressive and even physically involved if the flow of her day is disturbed beyond what she will tolerate. Not above shouting over others or roughing someone up for ignoring her instructions, her interest in acting feminine is almost as sparse as her interest in acting noble.

In familiar company, Kuukaku is relaxed, enjoys herself, and can be downright joyous and enthusiastic. Adoring an opportunity to relax and bicker and just catch up with those she hasn’t seen in a while. Though at times, she can get a bit short with those who are around often.

That said, she isn’t incapable of understanding the gravity of a situation. Beneath that rough, seemingly careless exterior is the woman who has kept her family afloat through the loss of so many of its key members. Whether the death of Kaen or the sudden disappearance of Isshin. Time and time again, the Shibas find themselves falling, and she has ensured that even though her family has fallen as a Great Noble house, that they are still worthy of regard.

She doesn’t care if people don’t respect the Shibas. But she’ll be damned if they aren’t worthy of Respect.


» History:

Kuukaku wasn’t born to be the Head of the Family. When she was born, her Brother Hakuyou had already been established as the next Head for some time. Hakuyou was everything the shiba could want in a head of the family, despite his somewhat questing nature. For all that he had he still never seemed quite happy with the circumstances around him, and even in her young age, Kuukaku couldn’t help but find it endearing. Despite the conflict between Hakuyou and their parents, he truly wasn’t that different from the other Shiba as that conflict might have led people to think, and Kuukaku often went out of her way to pester himas best she could.

Naturally, as a member of the Shiba Family’s main branch, though she wasn’t given the same training as a prospective Head, she still received ample training from the primary mentors of the clan: The two teachers Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko. And while she wasn’t quite the universal prodigy that her brother Kaien was, she showed an exceptional skill in Kido even at a very young age, such that she even surpassed her brothers Kaien and Ganju by a considerable margin, a fact she often would smugly remind them of from time to time. Looking back, even she imagined she was something of a brat, something that Hakuyou certainly seemed to feel, and Ganju often being the subject of her bullying was inclined to agree. Only one person within the family saw no issue with it.

Despite childish boasting, it never deterred or discouraged Kaien. He was happier and more proud than anyone else at her abilities. And despite that one leg up she had over him, he still went out of his way to help her with her other Zankensoki. This along with urging from one of her friends in the Shihoin: the very Heiress of their clan, Yoruichi Shihoin. IN much the way that Kuukaku outshined her siblings with her specialty in Kido, Yoruichi managed somehow to be just as good with Hoho, and yet she also had that same all rounded knack that Kaien had. A talent that certainly earned her quite a bit of respect, and even the attention of their older brother. A fact that Kuukaku herself wouldn’t take long to pick up on. When the siblings would go about their training, it wasn’t usually very long until Yoruichi would show up.

Kuukaku enjoyed the woman’s presence, always finding it entertaining. While she herself certainly had a habit of torment and bullying her siblings whenever the opportunity presented itself. Yoruichi was a chaotic element that she enjoyed more than anything else. Not just an impish nature, but an unpredictability that Kuukaku always got a kick out of, even on the rare occassion that it would be at her own expense. And yet thanks to that connection, the two of them grew quite close and the Shiba Siblings all came to respect and enjoy the woman’s presence.

For all of their varying skills and temperaments, all three siblings desired something more than anything: to one day become shinigami just like their older brother Hakuyou. And Kuukaku herself had ambitions of joining the Kido Corps, and in her heart of hearts, she relished the idea of earning the position of lieutenant before her older brother Hakuyou could. Something she could hold over him, but as it were, that connection would be strained.

Following the war with the quincies, the times Hakuyou spent at the estate soon became strained. Arguments between their older brother and other members of the family became frequent, and in the wake of such turmoil, though the younger siblings tried to assuage the tensions, it finally came to a head when Hakuyou left the estate. And walked out of their lives. Temporarily for Ganju and Kuukaku, but as fate would happen, it was permanent for Kaien.


In the absence of their Head Hakuyou, it was Kaien that became the next in line to become the head of the family. His training suddenly became much more harsh and strict, but even through it all, as their circle of siblings felt the emptiness left by their older brother, Kaien at the very least was a beacon of warmth. It wasn’t long before he and Kuukaku joined the academy. But he proved a far more eager student, and before she knew it, he had not only graduated, but earned himself a seated position with his early graduation. Kuukaku in the meantime, maintained her steady progress, and though she hardly matched her brother, she still managed to graduate early. It was at that point that their younger brother Ganju set his sights on the Academy as well.

Rather than pursuing her notions of becoming a Lieutenant of the Kido Corps, Kuukaku instead wound up in the Ninth division, following in Hakuyou’s footsteps. she always insisted that it was out of a desire to outdo her brother by the time her returned, but to Kaien it was clear, she wanted to finish the climb that Hakuyou had started, and thanks to her early graduation, she had a head start in that endeavor, and with her progress, her superior officers felt that sucha c limb might be entirely within reason. But that wasn’t to be.

When her brother was slain by a member of the Kuchiki after having been infested by a hollow, the scandal was barely acknowledged by herself. The loss of her brother was a shock all of itself. For the second time, the Family was forced to pass the responsibility of Head of the Family down the line of siblings. Having lost not one, but two of her brothers, she soon dropped out of the Ninth Division and the gotei altogether. Although she was, officially, ‘in reserve’, she ultimately cut ties with the Thirteen Court Guard squads entirely. It wouldn’t be until much later that Captain Ukitake would reach out to them and explain the death of their brother. But even knowing that, Kuukaku stubbornly developed a hatred of the soul reapers. A mere fifty years prior to her brother’s death, her close friend Yoruichi was exiled from the gotei, and branded a traitor alongside her own close friend Kisuke Urahara. One by one, that close ring of bickering, happy people that had filled her life had winked out of her life one by one.

But the only thing more bitter than the loss of her brother, was the thought of what he would do if she simply crumpled. And so her training to be the Head of the family began. Ganju attempted to help in his own way, often causing trouble, mixing with some flamboyant types from the rukongai, and always finding ever more ridiculous ways to bring attention to himself and off of his sister, something that no doubt she felt came a bit from Isshin beginning to spend more time around them despite gaining his position as Captain.

The hatred that she felt still burned, and in her defiance she began to neglect her zanpaku’to. Pouring all of her training and effort into mastering Kido and developing her Hoho and Hakuda, but in her own mind it wasn't about meeting the clan's expectations. It wasn't even about following in Kaien or Hakuyou's footsteps. But rather, that she couldn't dare to call herself the head of the family if she wasn't sure that if Hakuyou or Kaien were to show up on her doorstep, that she could expect anything but pride in their eyes.

With Kurosaki and company's invasion into the soul society, she garnered at least a light at the end of the tunnel. Ganju was mostly grown up, and as it turned out, she came face to face with the family Isshin had been starting on earth, something that Yoruichi had informed her of previously in her rare visits. And in time she came to be proud of her Cousin.

Following the war with Aizen, Kuukaku enjoyed a brief period in which she was able to relax ever sos lightly and enjoy the company of her family and friends. Not just in her friend Yoruichi, but she even eventually came to visit the Kurosaki family on earth. Seeing Isshin for the first time in decades, and at long last meeting the family he had made in the world of the living. Happy to see that the Shiba spirit lived on not only in Ichigo, but also in his younger sisters.

Though her visits never became a regular occurrence, there was still a sense of closure in feeling a sortof mending of the family even in some small way.

But this was not a sentiment that would last forever. With the Ender conflict, trouble started back up. Even worse as the demon incursion took place and soul society came to be occupied, she found herself once again in her old position. Her friends and family all had renewed and frantic purpose, and she retained where she always did with the family. ON the sidelines, supporting the members of the family that chose to get involved in the wars and conflicts, but keeping a distance from the Gotei as it underwent so many changes.

The Loss of Ichigo Kurosaki was heavy. Not just as a cousin, but as the spiritual successor to Kaen Shiba in many ways, his funeral was something that felt all too familiar. It was a heavy loss, but it was also an incredible source of pride. While the Gotei struggled to handle the war effort, that Ichigo had fought and died in the purest roots of what he loved and cared about. She was proud of the Hero he had become, and that all the realms remembered him as such.

She allowed the Kurosakis to grieve the loss of their brother and so her occasional visits halted for some time, other than some interaction at and immediately after the young man’s funeral. She didn’t offer any idle platitudes such as offering them a place in the soul society. Earth was their home, and Isshin knew very well that if he or the girls needed one, they had a home.

When Hakuyou finally returned from his travels to West Branch, she had admonished him for being gone for so long, but ultimately, she was glad that he had come back. Not just as a matter of seeing her brother back, and having someone to fight with, but the sense of purpose within him was something she quite enjoyed having around, and in many ways hoped would rub off a bit more on Ganju.

However, it wasn’t without dark linings. Not long after Hakuyou’s return, did Yushirou meet his end. She was tangentially aware of the issues and drama occurring within the Shihoin. More than that, she perhaps knew more about a number of aspects that others remained entirely unaware of by merit of her relationship as one of Yoruichi’s closest friends.

All the same, after the funeral, she maintained a limited interaction with the Shihoin family, and instead focused on keeping a distant eye on Hakuyou’s involvement with the gotei. Having another family member involved with the 13 Court Guard Squads wasn’t something she was the most fond of, but she respected what it was that Hakuyou wanted to do, and so she made sure to keep tabs on what was going on with him. He continued to grow, he continued to improve, and in time he even came to become a Captain much like their Uncle had once upon a time.

If only it could have lasted.



» Natural Abilities:

Will of the Big Sister

The Shibas have always been a durable breed, but Kuukaku especially perhaps because of her somewhat rough and tumble mannerisms has always been the enduring type. Not just in terms of literal durability or physicality, but she has a very strong constitution. An iron stomach that will tolerate just about any food, and with stamina that most would balk at. Kuukaku may not revel in trappings of nobility, but she still endures by the notion that as the Head of the Shiba, she be strong enough and have anough grit to be able to lead the pack and stride without faltering even when others long since would have collapsed.

A Woman’s Instinct

While she has areas of expertise when it comes to her brains, intellect is not what she utilizes in most instances outside of her adoration of Kido. Rather, she relies on her gut and her instincts when it comes to most situations. IN this way, she can often surprise individuals who are more logically inclined when she comes up with conclusions naturally where others have worked towards. Those that have asked, she has simply stated that it’s because she’s a Big Sister and therefore her instincts have been sharpened to sense when her dullard family gets themselves into trouble, something that’s only, in her mind, grown stronger when dealing with Yoruichi and Kisuke.

Fireworks Expert:

An nobsession she’s had since she was very young. While Kido has fulfilled a great amount of her enjoyment of producing these pyrotechnic wonders, she also has a deep fascination with what goes into making mundane fireworks. As such, she’s developed a love and expertise in chemistry, pyrotechnics, and even engineering as she has strived not only to make fantastic fireworks, but structures capable of launching them.

Bizarre Architect:

Initially inspired out of a need to build structures from which she could launch her fireworks, she actually found she had quite a knack for building things and in the interest of pursuing her interests, even came to make things like an entire house that was part of a fireworks cannon. However this soon expanded into structures and designs that were a bit more ridiculous. If she doesn’t have something so specific as the necessity of a purpose like a fireworks platform, her designs can be a bit insane. Amazingly, this has never bitten her in the ass, and she always manages to somehow make structures both sound in design and to fit her needs. Due to her desire to continuously change the location and design of her home resulting in her developing means of producing structures with Kido to help build, she still has a sound understanding of making solid structures.



»  Racial Abilities:

Kido Savant:

Kuukaku’s skill with Kido is somewhat legendary. Not just in her ability to use it, but also the utilization of very powerful spells unique to the family, such as the one used to fire the Kakaku Taihō.

Unique Shiba Kido

• Kagizaki 拘咲, Arrested Bloom
  
  A Spell utilized in order to fire the Kakaku Taihō. This is technically a class of spells which are designed to initiate the firing of the device in different styles.
  
  
• Kakaku Shahō Niban 花鶴射法二番 Flower Crane Archery 2nd Style
  
  The specific Spell used to fire the Ryoka led by Ichigo into the Soul Society. Consisting of two parts initiated by the initial igniter of the canon, and then by an occupant of the cannon ball in order to control the trajectory and flight of the cannonball.
  
  
• Kakaku Shahō - Hoshikai Enken 花鶴射法 - 星壊猿拳 Flower Crane Archery - Starbreaking Monkey Fist
  
  A component of the Flower Crane Archery Second Style combined with Hakuda. During the launching process of Style Two, Kuukaku uses special Spirit-binding cloth from her headband to confine the energy to her fist so that it is funneled into the Ignition Circle at the base of the canon to execute the ritual. However, Kuukaku found that by neglecting the safety measure of the dampening cloth, this portion of the sequence results in a shroud of intense kido energy. Dangerous when trying to launch a canon, but perfectly useful in combat once refined and controlled.
  
  This technique wreathes the user's limb in flames. Upon making contact with an intended target, the user can then unleash the Kido and execute a terrifying burst of energy capable of launching them a tremendous distances. Kuukaku even mastered the control of this ability to allow her to eject unwanted guests from her property, sending them entire districts away without so much as singing their clothing if she so wished.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Seppa 石波 Stone Wave
  A Unique kido technique developed by the Shiba Clan, which can turn ordinary material to sand by obliterating the bonds between reishi and scattering them, thus disassembling objects at a fundamental level.
  

Hakuda Expert:

A very capable physical fighter, Kuukaku is decently skilled in Hakuda and will often utilize it to pacify her siblings and house guests if need be. Being head of a particularly rowdy family, and having grown up with Isshin as her uncle, her skills in Hakuda are not only something she’s well-versed in, but something she uses regularly.

Hoho:

Capable of utilizing Shunpo fluently and efficiently. She is not an expert by any means, and frankly her current level of skills is likely thanks to assistance and urging by Yoruichi. But its hardly the flagship of her skills.

Shunko/Kagihoshi 咲星 Arrested Star

Originally a technique Kuukaku developed when perfecting her Kagizaki spells for the launching of the Kakaku Taihō, shaving down on the equipment necessary for the ritual such as the Ignition Circle and the Spirit Dampening Cloth. It was, in fact, Yoruichi's suggestion that concepts of hakuda be used to confine and control the flow of the spell. Fast forward a few years and Kuukaku came to develop Kagihoshi, a far more ritualistic approach which ultimately still culminated into the technique. That said, Kuukaku refuses to use the name yoruichi came up with. In shunko, Kuukaku becomes wreathed in, you guessed it: flames. However, as a byproduct of utilizing shunko with a missing limb, to complete the circuit of energy through her body, compensation was required, and as such during Shunko, that shroud of flames fills in her missing limb, resulting in her stump being covered by a fist made from circulating kido energy. This results in a 800% boost when used.

• Kagihoshi Hikigoe 咲星低声 Arrested Star Whisper
  
  A low energy version of Kagihoshi by which she is able to partially induce shunko along a portion of her body. This allows her to initiate smaller, controlled versions of the technique, and even utilize the kido arm that comes with the technique without the explosive burst the technique usually involves.
  
  
• Kagihoshi - Ashurakazan 咲星阿修羅火山 Arrested Star - Volcanic Asura
  
  A perfection of the technique. Not only is it magnitudes more potent than normal, but the shroud of kido energy takes a more dense and consolidated form, creating not only a burning halo and a monkey's tail, but a ring of floating arms made from flames which hover behind Kuukaku's back, able to be manipulated and attacked with as if they were extensions of her own body. During combat, these fists can change shape and either shrink or increase in size to execute attacks.
  

» Zanpakutō Name: Kasha Taiho 火車大砲 _{Flame Chariot Cannon}

» Zanpakutō Spirit: Kasha Taiho takes the form of a large Crane with brilliant orange feathers. Sparks and flames are produced along its spine and crest. On rare occassions, they will appear as a beautiful \ woman often garbed in feathered ornate finery and usually with a fan. IN this more human form, they have wild orange hair with yellowed tips, seeming almost like flames.

» Inner World:

Kuukaku’s inner world is a massive ornate tower reaching up to the sky, seeming like a palace all on its own. Entirely furnished and filled with expensive and elaborate decorations. However this tower doesn’t have any natural windows and so instead has holes blasted through the walls by Kuukaku in the past. Despite being a palace, Kuukaku describes it as an ornate cage.

» Sealed Zanpakutō Appearance:

In it’s sealed form, Kasha Taiho takes the form of a short katana usually sheathed on her right stub.

» Sealed Zanpakutō Power: None


» Shikai Release Phrase: Tobitatsu 飛び立つ
(Take Flight)

» Shikai Appearance:

Upon release, Kasha Taihō takes the form of a thick Black Tonfa with gold detailing in swirls similar to the shiba household symbol.

» Shikai Abilities:

Due to her neglect and detestment of her zanpakuto per association with shinigami, Kuukaku does not receive a boost when utilizing shikai.

Hibanachiru Dangan 火花散 弾丸 (Fireflower Scattershell)

The primary ability of her zanpakuto is the production of these bursts of flames that scatter sparks and embers as they fly. These can be fired simply like projectiles or they can explode at will. They are primarily produced from the zanpakuto on either end, the blunt sections of the tonfa wil open up and fire like the barrel of a cannon.

Hibanachiru Gishki Teikyō-mono 火花散 儀式提供物 (Fireflower Ceremonial Offering )

Rather than firing bursts of flame, the weapon swells in length and begins to glow hot before either end opens up. Rather than firing bursts, instead a liquid flame pours out from the weapon to form a tuft like the end of a brush. This is then used to mark the ground, not only creating burning swaths of liquid flames, but also allowing Kuukaku to draw on surfaces or the air itself for the purpose of setting up attacks. This additionally spreads the embers intrinsic to the zanpaku'to constantly, allowing for an easier setup for Vermillion Bird Roost.


Suzakune Gurahakka 朱雀塒 発火 (Vermillion Bird Roost Ignition)

A Special move which utilizes the sparks and embers scattered by her zanpakuto. The embers flare to life and grow into full flames which fly into the air and swirl in a bright firestorm. This serves as a saturation of energy in the air, and the flames closest to Kuukaku spiral inward and collect in the barrel of Kasha Taiho before unleashing a tremendous blast. The strength of this blast increases by 50% for every post that either Scattershell was used or Ceremonial Offering was present, up to a cap of 300% (bonus resets on use). This move was named because of the way that the flames flaring and swirling into the air look like a flock of birds taking flight.


Suzakune Hasshin 火花散 発進 (Vermillion Bird Roost Departure)

A move utilizing the sparks and embers scattered by her shikai. Rather than congealing into a concentrated burst, this instead causes the embers to flare to life and ignite the air, creating tremendous tornados of flame which can sweep out and devastate an area. Whereas Ingition utilizes the embers to create an overpowered shot, Departure instead results in a massive boost in size. Rather than a boost in power, this instead increases the destructive area of her attack (50% per post of Scattershell or Ceremonial Offering, up to a cap of 300%).


» Bankai Name: N/A

» Bankai Release Action:

» Bankai Appearance:

» Bankai Abilities:


» Equipment:




General Attributes
» Durability: D
» Speed: D
» Strength: D
» Soul: A

Will Skills
» Willpower: Adept
» Deduction: Advanced
» Focus: Adept

Shinigami Skills
» Hoho: Adept
» Kidō: Elite
» Zanjutsu: Adept
» Hakuda: Adept


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»  Character Intent:

Relevent to the current events on PH. With the death of her brother Hakuyou and a major attack on the soul society coinciding with his death. Kuukaku is in a position where she is very much interested in the cause of her brother’s death. All the more, she can also no longer ignore Kurosaki’s causing chaos. Her brother had once the desire to seek Kurosaki. Now she has deemed it necessary for her to seek out the once member of the shiba family, to either knock some sense into him, or to put him out of his misery.