The Wolf Returns

Masamune had grown tired and was worried something bad was going to happen. He couldn't use the power of his Zanpakutō, this was something that he needed and he needed it now. His form could be located on a river, a small village was nearby. This pretty far out away from everything, he was working on it. Trying to push himself to learn his Zanpakutō's name again. Trying to get it's powers returned to him, he'd heard about a strong hollow here. One that would require even Captains to use a bankai, he wasn't concerned about the matter. Masamune didn't think the rumors were true of course, so he sat atop his rock meditating. Connecting with the sword that he'd lost so many years ago. The voice was so faint, he couldn't hear the sound of it's voice anymore. Why had he lost the blade like his temper so long, he no longer wondered. This sword required a wielder of peaceful nature and mind. Kyronmuru was a Zanpakutō that he knew the name. But after so many years, he'd lost the skill to hear it.

Now among the rushing rapids and streams of this tranquil forest with his haori he sat. The Captain's Zanpakutō resting upon the ground before him. The scene changed as he appeared to be back in the innerworld again, the Zanpakutō had pulled him in. They were going to converse, for the first time in hundreds of years. "Kyromuru, you are as majestic as always my old friend." Masamune said softly, the winds of a blizzard whipped into the frame and the image of the world around him changed. This as the Innerworld that he'd long since been away from, just because he found his way in. The snow was blowing savagely it was like the times spent here before, the winds were cold to the point of freezing the bodies of people who'd been here before. It was like standing in a blizzard naked, Masamune remembered the feeling as though it was something that he couldn't quite explain. No answe ryet from the majestic creature, who's body couldn't be seen clearly by any means for those new.

Masamune smiled looking at the creature as it advanced, a large wolf stood it's fur blowing in the breeze. "Masamune you shouldn't be here, you betrayed me why should I accept anything you have to say!" Masamune looked at the wolf and walked to a decent distance so the creature and he stood before one another in this snow storm that seemed to rage endlessly. "Kyromuru, I messed up I was angry because I lost Matsu and I lost my temper. Can't you understand that it was hard, losing my lover to that place I had trusted above everything else." Masamune said now, his eyes looking at the wolf almost pleading for the creature to understand. The Wolf huffed as she spoke again the growl like voice seeming to echo across the fabric of the snow. "Masamune you still haven't figured this out, you lost yourself since then and I will not accept it..You will not wield me till you find yourself again." Masamune had raised his hand getting ready to protest again, but the sword had none of it. He was outside of his innerworld now. He'd been splashed by some water.

His attention off that situation, he laid down upon the rock and sighed softly. "Kyrouru why can't you seem to get it..What happened was a mistake, I know you feel guilty as I do for what we did that night..We were one in our anger..I remember it well. " The scene changed again, the flashback began. Their was older people who roamed around, the Soul Society was peaceful that day. The sun rose high into the clouds, the buildings were older. A much younger version of Masamune walked around, carrying his Zanpakutō in his hand. Something of a habit even back then, the sword was able to be told as Kyromuru almost soon as one looked at the weapon . The people in the Division people he slaughtered without mercy, this was one time when he'd used his bankai for an evil purpose. Masamune was making his way back from a mission, one he'd never expected would be one of the last times he saw Matsu. A lovely woman of black hair and red eyes, she had a lovely build about her body. She was a female tht could be described as nothing less then absolutely lovely.

She wore her Vice Captain's badge on her hip, it was just something the two had discussed. Though she was a warm and cheerful person, Masamune went to debrief the other Captains each at a time. He seemed happy and warm, a friendly person as he stopped by each location. Most Captain's weren't in at the moment not being available. He spoke to the leader at the time, moving from that location he began his trip home. A trip that would end in an insanty that one couldn't describe with simple words.

Squad Ten back in those days was a lovely place, though it pry is now as well. Back then their were cherry blossom tree's planted around and giving it a peaceful old Japanese charm that couldn't bested in a million years. It was a place where happy moments were had, Masamune came in that night finally after dropping off his reports to the others. The retaliation by those people was all but done. The battles going on due to mainly people with different views being around were pushing towards destroying the Gotei 13 at the time. They weren't strong enough to do so of course, but that was due to the hard work and dedication of the Captains. Masamune went to his and his Vice Captain and fiancee at the time. Matsuki Shiro, the two were of relation yes but at the time the blood the family demanded a wedding. The two were an item since childhood, to understand the Shiro clan. Is that they had separated the clan in two, the halves never got along anyways. It was also one half or both halves that ordered the death of Matsu. Masamune had arrived at her room to find her blood soaked and several people getting ready to take liberties with her.

It was at this moment kindness and gentle Masamune died, he said a word that sounded like Bankai almost without a hesitation. The air in the room froze, several of the men charged Masamune only to have swords break from freezing. The sounds of vicious growling could be heard, it sounded as though a wild animal, no several wild animals were in the room. Those who got close to Masamune were sliced down, the others began pouring in. The invisible wolves charged, exploding around the room. Five of them making there moves. His defense and offense were so perfect at the time, the people were freezing to death. The combination of his weapons within his sword were making a death toll go higher and higher. He was swinging his sword around for what was like hours, the scene seemed to fade now. The image of Matsu's face was the last thing one could see. She looked absolutely shocked and taken off guard, she died being abused by those she fought to guard. Masamune's eyes dripped water on to his Zanpakutō, he punched the stone by it he seemed to be breathing heavily..

The memory was a haunting thing, he never did let go. He came back and did it to be a nice man, this was simply something he needed to do. His eyes remained focused on it as the tears fell upon the swords sheath. He grabbed the weapon spinning it to be held within his hand. "We'll discuss this more later, we both need to let go..it seems" Masamune used a shunpo, going to a small house nearby. The place was a one room cabin, he wasn't going to quit on this just yet. It was getting closer to night, his eyes were wet with tears. He'd been crying remember what happened to Matsu, it brought so much anger and sadness into his heart. The reason he'd not tried for Squad Ten was simply he wanted Squad Five instead, he didn't feel like the pain would of vanished. He'd caused a mess of damage to that place, Masamune wasn't sure about this honestly. But he knew Kyronmuru and he were both stronger as a team, something that he could simply put a finger on. But he walked in, to the Cabin the bed was soft and something special. He laid down now, putting his head on the pillow.

"I must return to the way I was before this madness, before the hate and sadness came from losing her. Matsu you were the one thing keeping me from going off, when they took and did what they did. I lost it, I only can hope to be forgiven someday for the blood I spilled..Kyronmuru I have given this so much thought, but we need to move forward..The people we must protect now, our power is needed again. Come to me my friend please, forgive me for what has happened. But someday, we will need to be one again and fight as a team." Masamune laid down closing his eyes, resting this day had been a straight forward one. Training and learning his Zanpakutō over, this had been such a troubling task. Imagine swimming up a waterfall without anything to break your fall. A Zanpakutō is like giving the user the power and help to make the climb up the waterfall. Right now it was like losing the skill to swim.

Masamune's eyes opened and looked up at the sword now, his hand lifting it up as he sighed a bit. Things had been so very rough lately for him with his return, he'd been remembering the painful past that had happened to him. He hadn't brought his violin, which showed an amazing amount of focus from the Captain. He was so ready to push himself harder then he imagined was a possible thing for him. His eyes shut now holding the Zanpakutō, he dreamed of a blizzard.Sitting among it for months, the world was a pitch of white that couldn't be described as anything less then a mountain. He wasn't within his inner world, truth be told the two were still talking. Just she'd locked his powers up and told him no. So like a child he was fighting to get back what he'd lost to his Zanpakutō. This night wasn't easy to believe, he awoke in the middle of the night. This wasn't simply a process that he was willing to give up on, glancing through the window. His eyes remained focused outside the building.

A bright blue light lit up his eyes pupil as it examined the stars outside, he made a silent wish. "I wish to be forgiven of the past, to leave it in the past and forget it all. Rather to remember I've done this, but to be able to come to terms with and leave it there." After his wish was finished, the male simply passed out and slept for a good amount of time. Before he got up, going outside he fished for a little while still trying to reach his sword. He made a small fish dinner for his breakfast, eating this was the beginning for him. He walked back to his stone, using a flash step to land on it. A small dent in the stone from his fist yesterday could be seen, he sat down among the stream. Having finished the dinner, he ate it after cooking it above an open fire. The fire was put out, but smoked still as he sat cross legged upon the stone. His sword before him again, he began to meditating and focus. This time, remembering the feeling he did it.

He managed to enter his inner world, it had indeed taken him sometime to remember how to get this far in. "Well Kyronmuru, shall we continue where we left off..We must let this go, we are stronger as a team..Why can't you understand that I made a mistake, why is it you are so unforgiving of sucha thing..I misused you as a weapon and didn't even let my mind think about the fact it may of bothered you. Please forgive me Kyronmuru, I miss you and miss your voice being with me. It was all I had for the longest of times. You were the thing that made me humble and understanding, please come back to me Kyronmuru." He finished saying his peace, he waited for hours maybe for the sword to answer though he got nothing. He and the sword just were like an old married couple as some of the younger kids may of put it. He did this for hours, not moving trying to make way with his sword. Who stood but said nothing, the Zanpakutō seemed to be thinking about the next answer carefully.

Masamune got up and went to bed finally, perhaps this wasn't going to work after all. Kyronmuru wasn't answering him, he was beginning to wonder if the sword had any love or compassion left to it. His eyes closed as he used a shunpo once more, heading home for the night. Thing's had been very hard on him, if only his sword understood how much being left alone like this hurt them both. They needed the companionship of the other, neither one was getting it. So the wounds were just festering and may as well of been like an infected wound. "Why, why can't I reach you my Kyronmuru." It wasn't a question, more of a pondering. So far it had taken two days while here, thing's hadn't gotten any better with him and his Zanpakutō. He knew he needed the help of his one friend he had left of the old days. Something about tonight would be different, though Masamune wouldn't know of the difference as he was so stuck upon his sword. The male arrived at the cabin, he began to lay down and get ready for another night of sleep. He'd been eating once a day, trying to keep his focus on returning.

Masamune began to doze off once again, it was almost that time again where he wished him and Kyronmuru could be there together again. "What has happened to us Kyronmuru, you were the closest person to me even beyond Matsu..You know how I was in those days, perhaps the best chance for us to recover our relationship would be closer if you could just talk to me. We could make head way and maybe get even further down a path of understanding." Masamune had tried reasoning with her, he soon fell asleep.

The night air awoke with screams and running, what was going on were the first thoughts to cross his mind. Masamune pushed himself from bed, standing up her finally rushed outside. People were being torn apart by a hollow, he used a shunpo having sword in hand. His digits clasped the weapon, he tried using haro a Kidō like cero move he devised, the move simply bounced off the hollows chest, it wasn't going to work. It was immune to Kidō and most sword moves failed against it's skin. Masamune didn't know the latter till a moment later, he rushed in attempting to perform a slash across the 15 feet tall creature's midsection, only for his sword to bounce off. A captain being made ineffective against a hollow, he felt the claws tear into his abs, ripping across as he got flung across the ground losing his sword in process only a few feet. He'd hit and rolled a few times upon the ground, he grabbed hold of his still sheathed sword. "Kyronmuru, not for my sake, but for the sake of these people..Return to me, please..I cannot save them alone, they will all die..Please KYORNMURU!"

A voice said fine in his mind, the creature a tall wolf walked beside him his spiritual pressure doubled and he began standing up, he was a bit weaker. But now was the time, he pulled the Zanpakutō free of it's sheath, the blade sparkled in the moon light. He smiled softly and said the words, something he'd done ages ago, but this time standing across from the rural village, a new purpose was forged. He would save them, his bankai would save these people. Set them free, but his sword's powers were unlocked all at once. He already had experience with both shikai and Bankai. "Freeze Kyronmuru." His sword sparkled as nothing seemed to happen, but he knew better and his reiatsu did as well. The hollow made it's run, he gave his sword such a speedy slash upwards the hollow pry didn't notice. The freezing was effective, but the amount was too little. He began to ponder, making quick slashes and moving around the creature rapidly.

Masamune knew what he needed to do, but he slowly made the creature come back with him, fighting it and annoying it. His ribs were sore, but that was part of the problem, the slice had sent him bouncing, with his Kidō or Zanpakutō he was a weak Captain. His position was that stone, where he stopped when the creature began it's charge. The world seemed to stop as he stood beside the Wolf, within the inner world. "We are doing it again, but this time for a different reason. Our strength will only be used to protect the weak and destroy evil, this I vow." Masamune said not looking at the wolf, this was his way of simply handling things that came to him. His eyes were focused and almost pinning a stare at the hollow, when Kyronmuru spoke. "Don't forget, we are one and next time don't let yourself become that creature, Masamune you are my most precious friend. I don't wish rain to cloud our snow storm, I was so upset with you it clouded my judgement, what I saw those many years ago."

Masamune nodded, understanding the wolf's words in his heart and mind. He smiled as he said the next line softly. "What's say we give this big guy a scar, the offense mode has been offline a bit long..But I think I can still manage it.." Masamune said now, the world returned to it's natural order. The grayness that overtook the skies and this world slowly faded away. He raised his Zanpakutō up and said his next phrase clearly, his face cleared of doubt and ready for a battle. They'd lost too much for this to fail, him and Kyronmuru wouldn't be beaten, not today or ever. "Bankai!" The creature fired it's cero, to which Masamune simply raised a hand firing a blue ball at it, the harro slammed into it. Simply counter acting the action entirely. The lake around Masamune began to freeze solid, the air around his entire body became ice cold. The creature rushed in, swinging it's massive meat hook claw, only to have it freeze.

With a swing of his sword, he smashed the creature's one percent frozen arm, it seemed perplexed. "Offense." He said within his mind, here it came. Growling and snarling began to be audible around the hollow, the area seemed colder and the sounds of growls seemed to echo, it was a scar tactic normally. One remained beside the frame of Masamune, two after a moment. The creature's were forming, but how was simply a matter of his Zanpakutō. By making the air around his body and over all air so cold that a match couldn't light. He created a pack of wolves, five of them. And here they went, the first three dove on the hollow. It wasn't a match for Masamune's Bankai, not this mode anyways. He'd not seen it in so long, Masamune was fully aware of the Bankai's locations and how to fight along side it. The three bit different locations on the hollow who stood up on two feet, one grabbed the right meat hook and the other the left, while one had bit it straight at the top of it's neck.

It wouldn't see the truth before it's eyes, not this time or ever. It was far to late for any chance to recover, now it was time for the creature to pay. The wolves began to explode, pillars of ice where they were formed. An invisible explosion of such cold air hitting the hollow and the environment that ice simply began growing there without reason for the normal persons view, ten meters worth blew up right on top of the hollow. Three times over, it's whole body froze from head to toe. It was finished obviously, Masamune walked forward, the snarling and growling quite. As the water froze beneath his feet, he pointed his katana at the creature. Performing several slices at such a high speed that the creature was cut into a million pieces, the damages were done here on this land. His bankai had been released, he put his finger out. Calling for a hell butterfly now, as he handled it. "Send help out to my location, I am at a small village near the lake in the Rukongai. "

Masamune smiled and closed his eyes as he vanished from this again, the Bankai ended and he stood before the wolf again. He walked right up to her, hugging Kyronmuru not caring about the blood on his chest. Or the fact that he had been out here simply arguing with her for so many days. "I've missed you so Kyronmuru, you were the one thing that made this life of mine easier, something I could truly bare you know.." The wolf licked at his hand softly, smiling herself. The two halves were now one, what had been once broken was restored. And the enemies of the Soul Society would know their strength once again, when he was the Captain of Squad Ten previously. His time was spent for a different purpose, now he had renewed strength and would see this thing through. He had Kyronmuru with him once more, he left this place. Deciding though, he would finish today's meditation and try to get some work done. He'd already bonded, now was the day to themselves.

Masamune gathered his things and later returned home, it was time for the Captain to be just that. A Captain for his people. the one they can look too and trust. For though he was strong, power wasn't available to him and thus couldn't support those who truly mattered.