A Battle From Long Ago; Verathius vs. Yachiru Unohana [Private/Requested by CrowtheForsaken]

[table width=320 border=20 align=center][tr][td]"It is strange that the subordinates of her fellow captains are having so much trouble against one anomalous being that takes on a human form with a fragmented mask. Ukitake-san, what made this hollow special out of the rest if it is not a Vasto Lorde?" Unohana asks Jushiro Ukitake as he was one of those who went on a blind skirmish against an enemy that they do not know about. "I do not know, Unohana-sempai. His mask was not in one piece as only one piece was remaining." Jushiro Ukitake replies as he effortless remembers the incident. "From what I gathered from the patients and the wounded captains, I learned that he is outstanding in defense as if his skin is made of iron and he does not use his poleaxe unless he was in genuine danger which most of the subordinates appear to not pose. I will look into this as the patients are no longer in any danger." Unohana remarks Ukitake as she walks out of the barrack with her Zanpakutō in her left clasp. "Unohana-sempai! He wiped out a platoon of Quincy and more of us!" Ukitake protests before Unohana looks behind herself and gives a warm smile. "I'm not them, and he would be expecting a larger group instead of one, so I have a chance that he would lower his guard while put the men at ease to know that one of their own has avenged them." Unohana responds before she vanishes with a hoho technique.

Upon arrival to the senkaimon, Unohana continues walking as the gates opens up to permit her into the dangai tunnel. Knowing where to go, she enters the tunnel and begins to rush through the tunnel, knowing that at this time, the tunnel was dangerous to cross to begin with. The Cleaner could be on its way at any moment so all the moments count. In a short time, she reaches the other side of the tunnel and ventures through the gateway that lands her on Earth. Normally her presence would be very noticeable to those who are spiritually aware because she was considered the strongest swordsman in the Gotei 13 other than her superior captain commander, Genryusei Yamamoto. As she reaches the destination, she thinks to herself, "This is the place where the subordinates said to be where they fought. Now if the Gatekeeper is around, he would be wary of my arrival. Since it is usually a group that attacked him and even the captains failed to fight him, it would give me the advantage of being regarded as weaker for coming alone. If he is disciplined, then that advantage would be out of the question. I'm fighting against something that we have no records about, so I'm at a disadvantage against this anomalous entity." It was at this time long ago when the Japanese civilization was not as modern as it is now and it is before the Industrial Revolution in the Western Hemisphere, so not so many people can sense things like spirits while only priests and shrine maidens can see spirits. However one thing catches her attention as she waits.

Looking off to the distance to her left, she saw a silver-haired woman in a straw sun cap and peasant clothing looking straight at her. The stance was not in fear or curiosity, it is as if she knows who Unohana is and was fearless. "She is looking straight at me and she is not a miko. Could she be a human who has the spiritual awareness on her own? Silver hair marks an age beyond mere youth and yet the flesh is soft enough to be a young adult. Immortality? Impossible since no human achieved that without becoming a soul plus since the ancient era and that specific civilization was decimated into extinction because of the rivaling civilization. There is something about this human that the history texts provided." Unohana contemplates before returning her attention to the field that will soon be rocked by the battle against the Gatekeeper, the anomalous being that defeated her fellow Shinigami. "I will assist as I did before, but I will not fight unless attacked." A voice echoes into Unohana's mind, which sways her attention back to the woman observing her. "Is she really my ally or was just finding me more useful? She used telepathy and no other human can do that. Could she be that? I will have to find out when I have the time." Unohana thinks to herself before returning to the field of battle that soon to happen.[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table]

The shadow's flickered as though life was breathed into them, an audible sigh fills the air. The pressure that soon followed was easily able to reach to a Captain rank, sometimes a bit higher then that. The figured seemed to be sitting on a rock, he wasn't attacking her with pressure or attempting anything yet. His eyes of crimson opened as the sand and dirt fell from his near naked frame, clothing was something he seemed to be short on. The shadows around his body seemed to flicker and move about, almost as though they were alive. Within the right appendage's grasp a single poleaxe could be noted. The weapon was a pristine silver color, that in comparison to the man with longer black hair was quite an odd pairing. Captains had come before him before, though none were willing to really tell his story. He always let them decide before crossing the line. " As with the others, I give you a choice..I do not seek conflict, I am merely performing my job..In this job taking life isn't required..So normally I will do my absolute to spare..it." He'd begun to raise from his spot, this seat seemed to look over the gate and all the entrances there of.

This one wore a Haori, similar to the two he fought before. It appeared that they must of made it away after all. Though he wasn't really fighting to kill them, his clothing was but rags, standing across form the female. He pry looked like but a savage. "Do not cross the line, your people do not belong in this world..The Quincy didn't, nor do the Shinigami. This is Pandora's Box, as I said before you may turn back now..Or step across the line, for then we will wage a war..But for you..I suspect my Poleaxe will be needed, your not quite as green as the others." He'd finished his conversation now, waiting for her reply. He could sense the whole area, one of the things about his face despite being new. Was a power that allowed him a fine sense of the area, almost like a radar for spiritual pressure.

If others did come with this female, this would be a problem. By the look of her eyes and the smell, she wasn't like the others. He could only think of a couple words that fit this female's frame. her movements, everything about it was strange. He found it threatening, something about it wasn't right. So he raised his poleaxe before him. Keeping his left appendage free, with a single swing he could divide a mountain. Of course it wasn't in his nature to show off his powers. For some reason against this one, he felt like he would have too. Perhaps even use that power, something he'd been practicing for a long time. It wasn't as though she felt so different from him. Unlike other hollows he could speak, though they could as well. Just people normally sliced them or killed them soon as they could. His eyes were empty, something about them was matter of fact. But beyond that, their was a sadness that was hard to explain. This loneliness was beyond the regular that one could expect a normal creature to endure.

Verathius never bothered trying to figure out how long he'd been trapped here, to do the biding of that female. This one was different, but of course and that was something that clearly could be seen by his eyes. If she desired a conflict he would fight her. But he would not, absolutely not kill her. They weren't weak beings, he needed to be careful with this one. His darkness flickered around his body, as his hair blew in the breeze. Sand could be felt along his body, the tattered rags seemed to move about endlessly. A battle was about to begin, a battle that wouldn't but effect this gate way. It would maybe destroy everything here. Though Verathius couldn't remember his past, he didn't wish to die. Bone fragments could be seen somewhat clearly, through out his skull. They appeared to be pieces of a hollow's mask. As the sand blew, he waited for to make a move or decide how she planned to react. Hopefully unlike the countless others who just rushed forward. She would think for herself and back down.

The female seemed to have chosen her path, unlike those before her she politely seems to answer his response to those that cross the line. "Then..out of respect I will fight you..if nothing else, it's been centuries since one like you has come, though I do not long for battle..I shall grant you it.." Like pulling a cork from a bottle over flowing with water, his spiritual pressure shot outwards. He was ready to go into a battle with this Captain. Win or lose, she did have his respect. He looked at the stance, he was fairly familiar with how it worked. The nodachi as a weapon, didn't seem like much of one though people made the mistake of his. Using a sonido, this move the female and most of her kind were caught off guard by. Rather then using two hands to swing it, he brought it down on her. The head of the ax came down. Only two choices from his point of view stood before her, she could side step it yes. But he did have an answer for that. His left hand cracked as he waited for the response.

Their was a handful of things that he wished he could do, but at the moment this was going to be an interesting conflict. Then again her kind also could perform moves like this, though he suspected he may have the element of surprise. Making him have an edge, it was entirely possible the enemies spared had told her of his powers. Though not one knew of his true power, they'd only seen this. Behind his swing was a kinetic force, making the cut push outwards as it hit down. So going just to the left or right wouldn't work, the person would get blasted away by the kinetic energy built up by the moving head of his ax. His crimson eyes remained blank and empty now, he was somewhat at peace with her answer. She was to be the greatest challenge he had in so many centuries, time seemed like an endless clock. Ticking without a destination or an end, that was the best way to describe this duty. It wasn't anything special or anything of the like. His darkness seemed to still be flickering around his body, waiting for her move as well.

Verathius knew based on the block a counter attack was coming, sadly he had gotten ready for this. Raising his left hand point black at the female, like he was going to catch her blade. He'd not released the Poleaxe, simply positioned himself correctly. And his hand fired, it was a giant wave of energy. The cero expanded and if the female didn't back off or get out she would experience a fairly dangerous injury. The blow wouldn't kill her if she did take it. Of course the woman was still capable of dodging, he'd attacked her during her own attack. Verathius still had one last trick up his sleeve, it was waiting eagerly to move into play. The female was skilled, he should of know the tactic wouldn't work without more planning. So he thought for a couple moments now about the next move, perhaps she would make it for him. That certainly would make this matter so much easier. Verathius had observed moves similar to his own, this female among swordsman was tough. So he would from here on out, be fighting with his weapon's correct form. Sliding his right hand up, he carefully gripped the middle, now it's weight was correctly evened out.

As his blast had gone quite a distance, before leaving a path of burn ground. He had another trick up his sleeve, that cero was special though. In the aspect, that one can't simply go right or left, they may either move up or die. However the amount of power behind the attack was enough simply to wound her, he pulled the weapon from the ground. It was just about time for his two aces to be shown, this female's others hadn't yet used her Shikai or Bankai, not to his knowledge. The bankai was a verbal based release, the Shikai he believed depended on skill. The fight was far from over in any way or form.

Not quite caught off guard, he watched the female's move. So she was able to use some interesting shielding moves as well. As she got closer and came into range it happened, the second trump card came to life. From his cloud of flickering darkness it came, taking the majority of the impact. He dodged most of it a small chunk would of pry hit his skin, but the shadow reacted and guarded. It took and cushioned the last bit of damage. He turned on his heel so he faced the female, his poleaxe held now within the middle. Before he'd tried a power strike, to break her. But her skills as a fighter were far better then he'd predicted. But his bags of tricks were just beginning. He was pondering an attempt without his weapon, but that would be foolish. He was beginning to ponder a more offensive advance, he didn't want to crush her to the point of no return. She wasn't going to back down, this was the female resolve. So perhaps it was close to the time where he showed her what she was up against.

Most regular hollows couldn't fire a cero at will like he did. Only the Menos Grande class were able to send them out. He pointed his finger out at her, the distance wasn't to big. He had it glowing before lowering it, he simply lowered the weapon sighing. This one wasn't much like the others, so why should he really battle her. He'd lowered the weapon completely, if she was one to strike him down now was her chance. "I'm done, I don't fight with people I like..I have no duty to stop one such as you..pass if you want." Verathius, had met very few respectful people due to his hollow nature. He seemed to be walking back to the location of his stone. His crimson eyes were still quite sad looking, if one was able to read him well enough. Through the emotionless calm, they would find that within it all. His loneliness was what stuck out, he knew not what he was before all this. He simply remembered being awoken here, ordered to guard and kill. Though somewhere deep down her was kind.

He could of done more, it should of been very clear he was holding back alot of his power. Though out of respect he should of fought her at full power. He didn't quite see a reason to do so. The male's eyes remained solid on her form as he returned to take his seat. It wasn't being disrespectful or anything like that. If her duty was slaying him then it would be a battle, but he didn't seem to desire this pointless fight any further.

"I do not like fighting so I only aim for death if the enemies are rude or attack first with an intent to kill me..I didn't detect killing intent from you, I am satisfied that you are strong enough to handle whatever comes. " Ah the big question came, what was he, if only he had an answer for that. It wasn't clear to him at all. "Honestly, I don't know, I awoke here and was ordered to protect this place from people coming in who would do harm to innocents..though a rare thing here, innocence life does exist." He said calmly, answering her question. He only knew what he'd found out, waking up and fighting Quincy. His eyes looked at hers, no lies would be seen within his gaze. The truth was he couldn't remember what he'd been doing before hand, where he'd come from or anything like that. Perhaps he was simply a regular of the line hollow, he became a boogeyman of sorts. His poleaxe rested now on the ground, not able to cause anymore harm or damage.

"I have noticed your people use moves similar to cero at times, both for offense and defense. It seemed rather odd, but they name them different things. Bakudo and Hadō..I am guessing Hadō is for a destructive purpose like my kinds ceros. And Bakudo is more of a defensive art..If I am incorrect please educate me further." Unlike most of his brothers and sisters, Verathius was polite and very calm. He didn't often like going into conflicts unless he had to beyond any reason.