Inner Demons Have Names

The house and what was built here was gone, the family that played God. Despite the actions taken and the many sins against the Soul Society. How could one run away from the blood inside them? It was like running away from being a species. This place was suitable, for many reasons. His journey and understanding everything that went on. The first stage to finding the problem was acknowledging one existed. But taking steps to address it was the next thing. He remembered days spent here, his mother and father both around. A sting of sadness went through his core, the consequences of his actions. In some case this place remained traumatic, his hands still shook near here. Memories of pain and so much more, his frame settled down.

Slowly bringing his legs to cross in front of him, it was time to begin training for it. His Bankai, he'd felt the nudging of his Zanpakuto spirit often towards it. He didn't know what he expected, as the pieces of the world fragmented around him. Her figure appeared sitting across from him. She sat with a pipe in her hand, her clothing and attire matching that of a geisha. Her figure held a smell that reminded him of his mother. She tapped her kiseru pipe in the palm of her hand. "So, you've come to learn it?" She said her voice stern as she looked at him. He lowered his form slightly as his shoulders didn't give way. This was what he'd come here for.

"Yes, master I've come to learn from you and grow my knowledge and experience." He said waiting for her response, he kept his head down now as he knew respect was key. They were partners, but only she could teach him. Only she could truly make him aware of how to use her power. That was what made this partnership a different thing. The threat that Akuma posed didn't exist within her. But it did exist within the abilities she had, danger to those around him and her. He could see her eyes looking him over, judging and carefully making a choice. She brought her pipe towards her lips, her fingers wrapping around it.


"Very well, I'll teach you, but you must first pass three tests. The first is the test of the past." She blew a smoke cloud towards him that struck his body. The entire area changed, his eyes saw a youthful and vibrant boy swinging his sword. Moving it around, ordered to train at the Kuchiki Manor. Given the place to work on his Kendo. Trying to mimic his uncle in every aspiration and goal. Never once accepting that he wasn't able to do so. His aunt and Uncle were both idols to this boy. The female who came and made crass jokes was one Ulv Auber. His eyes softened as he watched them. The first meeting of a friendship he abused and mistreated. A knowledgable woman he failed in every single capacity.

"The first meeting, where you aspired to be your Uncle's shadow. Trying to grasp at straws to become a Hoho expert. This woman Ulv Auber haunts your thoughts to this day. This meeting shaped a path and many bad habits you have." She said softly watching the scene progress, his own gaze never broke. The way that boy spoke, so arrogant and full of himself. Hearing only parts of what the woman told him. His digits curled into fists slowly, clenching as his jawline tightened. This was his past, his story. The events that shaped him and made him. "Would you change it?" Her words came, breaking him from his silence. Not allowing him too long to think on the subject.


His tension released itself as he sighed softly. No excuses or way to change the past, would he if he could? It was a fruitless exercise, there was no point in trying to talk that boy out of it. "The question has no merit, the boy standing here and I, we are different. Even if I could go there and talk him out of it, he'd never listen. He would take action and dishonor our Uncle and Aunt somehow. " His eyes like stormclouds looked at her now, disregarding this scene before him. He needed to focus and concentrate on the task at hand. "The past isn't something one can reverse, it is something you must accept. " His voice was even and it caused her to smile, the answer was better. She expected a yes, that he would change it and prevent the entire thing.

That route showed a disconnection, or a desire to disconnect himself. From that problem and the ones that haunted his trail. That was the path of failure, though the past was still more. There was more to be seen and to do. That was the answer to the first puzzle, but others laid in the incense ahead.