Shes got a Gun [Sabre, Vanyel, Kenichi]

If Sabre had no idea how things would unfold, Kenichi was undoubtedly in the same boat. He didn't quite know what he was doing here. What was the method here? What would he say to Vanyel? They hadn't even talked in a minute, and here he was, convincing Sabre to join him in speaking about everything that happened. How did one even do that?

By all accounts, he was a charismatic man, but to say he could singlehandedly alter a man's perception would have been false. Sabre proved very receptive, but he knew Vanyel would not be so open or understanding, at least not at first. Even so, he persisted. Turning to Sabre with a sheepish grin, Kenichi took a moment to wave his hand to assuage her worries. He had already resolved that he would help her. She didn't need to worry about it being a sensitive situation. He'd do his best to handle it.


"A promise is a promise, right? I said I'll help you, after all. Part of that is attempting, at least, to try and reach an understanding with my friends. Now, I just need to see if Vanyel's on duty right now so I can talk with him..."

He exhaled softly, sighing as though realizing how much of a headache that would inevitably be. Heh, easier said than done, right?

Getting Rita back was both a relieving and stressful experience. On one hand, she was back, on the other, he was making sure she was okay, questioning her on where she'd been, who had taken her, what happened after that, regaining any weight she might have lost. But, regardless of how busy he had been as a result, he was relieved that she was back.

That did not, however, prevent him from keeping a watchful eye on her as often as he could. This also meant him keeping an eye on anyone that approached their base of operations, even if they were friendly or accompanied by such.

So, upon seeing Kenichi coming with a...shockingly tall Arrancar woman in tow, needless to say, he was pretty suspicious. He stepped outside, a hand resting on a jet-black jian at his side, fingers coiled around the handle as he slowly began to draw it from the sheath.

"Fuck's this?"

"At ease, Vanyel. She's a dear friend of mine."

His tone was firm, his gaze equally so. Since she was a relative stranger, imposing in stature, his tapping at the hilt of his weapon was an expected reaction. He anticipated a stronger reaction once he elaborated on Sabre's purpose in being here, knowing that the inevitable road was but moments ahead. Stepping ahead of Sabre, he stood before Vanyel, maintaining a firm stance in position. What were his next words? Clearing his throat softly, Kenichi chooses to answer the man's oncoming curiosity about her purpose here. Of course, half of the other explanation would have to come from Sabre, and perhaps there was a little white lie he could add in there, but he had to be careful about that.

"Sabre is the one who looked over Rita during her absence."

Now, that was an understatement if there ever was, but he hadn't quite thought about how he would elaborate on that, let alone describe it with precise clarity. Public Restoration never was one of his strong suits. In any case, he had his fists clenched at the side in preparation, deliberately waiting for Vanyel to strike, gauging his reaction with hazel eyes.

Even with that explanation, Vanyel's hand remained on the weapon. A dear friend of Kenichi's? That was something, at least. His grip loosened slightly, but even with a loose grip, the idle stance he had remained. She was notably soft-spoken for someone so tall, and for an Arrancar at that. But, then again, their whole negativity theme could affect them like that.

Slowly, he started to let the weapon drift back into its sheath, until Kenichi mentioned that she was the one who looked over Rita during her absence. His eyes narrowed with a notable irritation to them as his grip suddenly tightened around the handle, though the weapon remained inert in the sheath.

"Looked over her? Well, then I've got a lot of questions. First off, where the hell did she go? She just disappears off the face of the Earth, nobody knows where she went, nobody can find or sense her? Where'd she end up being taken? Soul Society? Hueco Mundo?"

In his head, the latter was considerably more likely. From what he understood of Shinigami, their world, their ethics, their organization -- they didn't just take people from the planet, and she likely wouldn't have returned in the condition she was in.

"Second...if you were lookin' after her, why the hell didn't you try and find any of us and tell her where she was? Or, better yet, bring her back?"

He wanted to be fair -- despite how little he trusted her, so, while he was still in a cautious stance, he tried to keep calm and listen to her, even as she went to her knees and set her sword down in front of her. From what he knew about Arrancar, like Shinigami, they were a big part of their powers.

Before she started explaining, Vanyel took cautious steps forward, reaching out with a foot to slide the sword away from her. Even if he didn't end up having to fight her, he wasn't taking any chances. He at least wanted to make sure there was one method of attack neutralized. Continuing to use his foot, he slid the weapon back to where he was standing prior, before kicking it up into his free hand.

Maybe a bit much, but he didn't want to take his eyes off her for a second. As she went through her version of events, though, his fingers gripped the hilt of his sword tighter, his gaze colder as he fought his growing temper. Maybe if this were back in his yakuza days, he wouldn't have bothered to listen to the whole story, just went to beat the shit out of her.

But, after everything he'd went through, he was at least trying to be better. So, despite him wanting to punch or stab her, he relented. As she stopped, asking if she could continue, he took in a deep breath to try and ground and calm himself, before finally responding.

"So, rather than do the sensible thing and get her to an outpost or hospital that could help her, you take her to an abandoned wasteland that has no food, water, or medical supplies? Great fuckin' call."

Despite the dripping sarcasm from his words, he gestured for her to continue. There was one more question he had, but it was best to save it for the end, once he had her side of events.

"Mm..."

Kenichi wouldn't pretend what graced his ears was exactly pleasant during Sabre's recount. There was information even he was unaware of, it seemed. To be certain, he won't pretend he approached the matter as studiously as he should have, an acknowledgment that brought no small amount of regret, but he decided to keep a level-headed approach. Reflecting on her words in contemplative silence. In regards to everything else she said, Sabre was correct. He could attest to the series of adventures wherein he assisted her, her intent ever to eliminate anything that would compromise her hunts. That had always been the agreement between them.

"Huh... I don't even think you told me that much, Sabre. Kaaah..."

Sighing softly, he sheepishly ran a hand through his hair, pacing back and forth until he worked past the memories that bothered him. The blood that stained his hands. His choice. It was thoroughly unpleasant, but if Vanyel even noticed one slip in his expression, that might well provoke him further... wouldn't it? He didn't quite know. Either way, he wasn't particularly willing to test the extent of the man's patience, either. When she finished, he slowly stepped in front of her to look at Vanyel with a stern gaze. Parts of her story bothered him. There was no uncertainty about that, but he still cared about her. He still wanted to help her. A product of his foolishness? Perhaps...

"I won't pretend she didn't do anything wrong. In fact... we confronted each other directly after, and... part of me was fighting with the other about what I should do. Revenge? Or mercy? Sometimes, I wonder if that was the right decision, but... she expressed regret in the aftermath. I know it doesn't wash anything away, but I don't want to hurt her. I care about her. I don't want to fight her. She knows I can't bear the thought of that, recognizes it, and wishes to assist us and ensure Rita's condition is well. That's my stance on this."

His body reflexively assumed an offensive stance, standing before the man. He obviously knows they might well come to blows. He will not let this turn into a conflict without his involvement. The idiot dragon, through and through.