Meeting of the Masks (Yoshida)

[Necesse Letum]

Kagamino was large city. And like any large city it had many large parks. This one particular park, the largest park in the city, in fact, was called Keikoku Park. It was renowned as one of the most beautiful parks in Japan, and was a regular tourist spot for it's beauty. Even though the park tended to get a little crowded, even the most boisterous tourist couldn't help but stay silent for fear of shattering the calm serenity that seemed to cover the park like a thick fog.

Fukuzai loved this place. No matter how many people came, they always talked in hushed whispers. No matter what happened outside the park, you couldn't hear it unless you were right there. He suspected this was because of the strong spiritual residue that lingered, probably from a huge battle of hollows and shinigami, lost to history. Whatever it was, Keikoku park was the perfect place for Fukuzai. Quiet.

Another special aspect of this park was that no hollows came here. Since his few decades of life back here on Earth, a lot of which was spent in this very park training, he had never seen, heard, or detected any hollows. This made it a sort of refuge for spirits, which also made it a hot-spot for shinigami. They left him alone though, only going about their business and leaving him to his.

Fukuzai let out a small sigh of comfort as he sat on one of the benchs that were placed every fifty yards or so along the few paved sidewalks that passed through the Keikoku Park. This was the life. No one forcing him into conversation, and no worrying about another oncoming war. Just him, his inner spirit, and that bastard of a hollow.

His eyes shot open suddenly. He knew that type of spiritual pressure. A hollow. No, wait. It seemed almost like...a mix. Another vizard? From what he had learned, they had all died off during the last war. He almost sighed in resignation. He knew a war was coming. And he could already see history repeating itself. He may not know exactly what had happened, but he had read plenty on it. He looked to his left, directly at the figure he had sensed.

[Hattori Kihashi]

A city seemed like such an ironic place for an outcast, didn't it? A colony of so many people, just to have a man exile himself into solitude and shame amongst them all. The idea of it was enough to make the exiled one laugh; cruel, cruel irony. To fall from grace and drop into the shoes of a lower world, where you knew you didn't belong. It was like walking among a field of strangers. Nobody knew you, nobody knew your sins, and it was supposed to be a clean slate. So what fate did that leave for an exiled Shinigami? His place was not with humans, it was with his brethren in Soul Society, but he would never, ever know that joy again. Pushing his glasses up toward his eyes with his middle finger, a black-haired, pony-tailed figure would push a cigarette between his lips and flick his lighter open and lit in one swift motion, shaking the flame out and closing the flip-open device and pocketing it. He took a long drag from his cigarette before walking along the streets, warranting no strange looks.

He was clearly in gigai, as could be evidenced with his blue jeans, his lightweight boots, and his gray sleeved vest. He walked along before a strong signature nearly caused his cigarette to drop from his mouth and hit the ground. His eyes widened. There had been only one time when he felt a certain reiatsu like this, and that was the first time he felt his own after the fateful battle with an Adjuchas. His slow walk slowly turned into a hurried walk, then a sprint-walk, then a jog, then a full on sprint. He weaved around people in his way; for once, he actually had the possibility to understand what was becoming of him. He had a chance to belong, and have a sense of worth among another human being again. He seemed desperate as his footwear padded against the ground, and he ran down the street toward the park where the signature came from.

He continued his sprint into the park, running past the entry arch and blitzing down the walkway. He was in a mad dash, entirely desperate to find whomever this was and get some answers. He had finally found someone like him, and he wasn't going to let a chance like this slip from his grasp. He charged down the walkway with his cigarette billowing smoke in a trail like a smoke stack, and finally slowed his pace as his feet stomped slowly into a halt. He came to a stop and just stood there for a moment, sizing up the man on the bench. His hair was interesting, and he certainly looked the type to have such reiatsu; like a devil in disguise. ''''...I know your reiatsu. I didn't think there was anyone else like me left, you know. I thought I was the only one that was exiled here for something out of my control.'' He noticed he wasn't exactly the talkative type, but he continued speaking either way, allowing his words to sink in. ''''I don't mean to intrude in on your business, but...i'm confused. I don't know what's happening, and all I need are answers...'' His voice carried with it the tone of searching, concern, and desperation.

[Necesse Letum]

Fukuzai looked upon the man who had decided that talking to him was a good idea. So, there were others like him, others who were both shinigami and hollow-kin. It was almost poetic, in a way. Someone who belonged to both worlds, but also belonged to neither. Yes, very poetic.

He noticed the mans simple human-garb, and couldn't help but compare it to his own. Fukuzai wore a maroon t-shirt, no designs or logo of origin. His pants were simple jeans, dark blue, and a little baggy. He hated wearing tight clothes. His shoes were white mid-top running shoes. His garb was simple, yes, but he liked it that way.

Fukuzai stared at the man for what seemed like an eternity, when it was only around thirty-seconds. He leaned back onto the bench, a simple sign that the man could sit down. He laid his head back, looking into the slighly cloudy sky. It would rain soon, he could smell it.

He sat there for a few minutes, knowing the man expected a reply. A reply he did not wish to give, for it would only disappoint him. The man seemed so eager, so happy that he had found someone the same as him. Someone who could give him answers. He turned his head slightly, looking at the newcomer with eyes that told he was sorry. Fukuzai's reply would not be answers.

"I have none."

[Hattori Kihashi]

He paused for a moment after he spoke, although the long pause between the two before the other Vizard decided to speak seemed not to bother him. It was clear he was a patient man by this point, and when the red-haired ex-Shinigami moved to offer Yoshida a place to sit, he did just that. He paid close attention to his new acquaintance, and he was amazed how his face could say so many things his mouth didn't bother to. He watched the man's head tilt back as his nostrils slightly dilated; he was smelling something, and Yoshida recognized it as well; the smell of rain. It would soon be upon the park, but Yoshida was at home with any type of water; a little rain wouldn't bother him at all. He figured the other Vizard would be channeling his thoughts in attempts to come up with an answer.

Before the Vizard could project the same confusion and emotion Yoshida had in his own tone of voice onto his facial expression, Yoshida already figured he was just as lost and confused as he was just by the delay in his answer. The easiest way to answer would have been vocally, and if that answer hadn't been delivered by now, it could only mean he meant little, if anything, more than Yoshida already did. The fiery-headed Vizard's head turned slightly, a sense of apology reflecting off of his eyes. He recited his three-word reply in a simple tone, but Yoshida was nowhere near done yet. He let out a sigh and clasped his hands together into a single balled fist, resting his chin upon the structure of his two hands.

''I knew an elderly man in Rukongai, you know. He was one of the wisest men i've ever met in my life. He tackled questions with a simple philosophy; the strongest and most effective answers are the ones that you find yourself. From that, i've already got a course of action. I'm just going to continue protecting the people here, no matter how powerful that threat, until I learn what this...curse, is all about.'' He had stated a very simple and easy to understand philosophy. He intended to learn about this new curse of his through personal experience, and in the same notion, possibly motivate this fellow Vizard to do the same thing. After that, he would hold his tongue and save his breath to await the reply of the other being. If he was quiet, he could possibly be an interpretive listener, as well.

[Necesse Letum]

Fukuzai was already getting a little annoyed. While he was glad that there was someone like him out there, that someone talked too much. After the man had finished his story, one he could understand, Fukuzai turned his eyes back to the sky. The clouds had completely covered the sky now, and the wind had picked up a little. From what he could tell though, it would be a warm rain.

The drizzle started, coming down slowly and in small droplets. It only took a few seconds for it to start coming down hard, easily soaking him. It was funny in a way. Rain was seen as a sign of growth. If he guessed right at what this black-haired man was asking, then they would both be growing soon. Growing and learning, either how to rid themselves of this curse, or to learn how to make it a gift.

Fukuzai raised one hand to the sky, watching as the droplets bounced off his skin. This seemed to be all the signal he needed, even though it was a predictable one. His decision should of been predictable, as well.

Fukuzai lowered his hand, crossing it with his other over his chest. He turned his eyes back to his new acquaintance, and his lips curled into a small smile. His eyes showed the delight he felt at finally having someone to actually figure this out with. He couldn't learn on his own, not with what had happened last time. He held out his hand, less a sign of greeting, and more a sign of acceptance, and a sign of his willingness to learn with what he was sure would be a new friend.

"Tatsujin Fukuzai."

[Hattori Kihashi]

As he spoke, he could clearly see that this man did not enjoy conversation as much as he did. He seemed annoyed, but Yoshida continued to speak his mind, living his life unhindered by opinions or hesitations. In the end, it seemed that the philosophy he shared with the fiery-headed Vizard had struck a personal cord. He suddenly didn't look as annoyed, and look a bit more understanding. A calm, gentle smile struck itself across Yoshida's face as he leaned back and stared to the sky, taking in the ''sweet'' (in his opinion) smell of rain. He let out a sigh of comfort and relaxation even amongst the rain, and peered over to his soon-to-be comrade as he lifted his hand into the air and felt the rain drops bounce off of his hand. He watched him curiously for a minute, then went back to his own thoughts and devices.

Noticing his cigarette now had a long chunk of ash hanging from it, he used his tongue to move the stick over the the corner of his mouth and flick the butt of the health risk, freeing the ash from the tip. He wasted no time and pushed up his glasses as he took a long, slow drag from his cigarette, his nerves seemingly calming with the ingestion of nicotine into this gigai body. Smoke was exhaled from his nostrils, yet at this point, it didn't seem to bother him at all. A drop of rain fell right down from the sky and bopped the cherry right out of the cigarette, effectively extinguishing it. Letting out an annoyed sigh, the Vizard would spit the doused cigarette into the trash can to his left. He used his altered calm to think a bit deeply before he would speak again.

Before he could speak, he seemed to be interrupted by the offered hand of his new friend. He listened to his name be spoken, and he bowed his head lightly with respect and acceptance. He noticed Fukuzai was finally smiling, and he returned the same one back to him as he shook his hand gently. ''Suzuzaki Yoshida.'' And with that, it seemed as if a new friendship had just been signed by actions. Yoshida chose to speak again, although briefly, perhaps it being a matter of respect for the other Vizard's preferred silence for now. The rain picked up as Yoshida released his grip from Fukuzai's hand, yet it didn't seem to bother him at all. He almost seemed at home with rain, or rather, water entirely. ''If rain bothers you, we could go get something to eat or something if you'd like to not be outdoors.''

It was so strange how circumstances could play out sometimes. Two exiles, of all places, having been amongst each other socially for so many years, now found a new home in a new world, coincidentally a sense of belonging as well. The days following this one would no doubt be that much easier now that the two had found another person that shared the same curse.

[Necesse Letum]

Fukuzai was glad the man, Yoshida, had decided to actually give Fukuzai his name. He had sometimes introduced himself to people, something he didn't do very often, and had actually not gotten a reply in return. Something that had made him very, very annoyed.

The rain started to pick up, almost to the point of stinging rain. Fukuzai was not a fan of rain. Though for someone with a fire-based zanpakuto, it didn't bother him as much as it would of some. He saw it as a necessary thing, something that brought life, while his element was one that destroyed life to pave the way for the rains to come and bring it again. A cycle.

Fukuzai was glad when Yoshida offered to go somewhere away from the rain. It showed on his face clearly, a small grateful smile. He stood up, preparing to leave the park. As he stood, his stomach growled loudly, showing what he wanted to do.

"Sugoi Burgers?" He suggested. Sugoi Burgers was a small burger joint right across the street from the parks nearest exit. It was small, but served great food and was generally quiet, as the same air seemed to hang around it. Again, the old reiatsu that held hollows at bay. This fog of reiatsu clouded a little bit out of the park, including Sugoi Burgers and some other small establishments. After that, it became loud and chaotic, and filled with hollows looking for meals.

[Hattori Kihashi]

Standing from his spot after having it become quite clear the rain was bothering Fukuzai, Yoshida rose to his feet and tucked his cigarette pack into the torso of his vest, keeping it nice and dry for now. He looked down the way and across the street to the burger joint with a smile. He patted his stomach as it offered a soft growl, and nodded to Fukuzai at his offer. ''Sure thing, Fukuzai. My treat.'' He patted his front pocket, making sure his wallet was there. It was a bit odd how he didn't have a job but somehow wound up getting money, but that was one of the only convenient sides about being an exile. Some people actually took pity on you, no matter how much they judged you, and as such, that was where Yoshida's flow of money came from. He had an apartment of his own and he had a squad member from his old squad visit him now and then to give him some money to get by on, so long as he protected Earth like he had so vowed.

Thanking the money fairy for the delivery days earlier, he waited until Fukuzai got up to start walking. He stuck by him, not leading him, but not trailing him either. He simply continued to walk along Fukuzai's side as they slowly approached the end of the park's walkway and made their exit. Pushing the button at the stop light to allow them to cross safely, they were given the signal, but some jackass decided to blow through the light as Yoshida went to step into the street, causing him to hop back quickly. He growled, then hurriedly crossed the street with the other Vizard. He pushed up his glasses as he opened the door for Fukuzai and they stepped inside the burger joint. Walking up to the serving bar, Yoshida took his seat and patted the one next to him, scootching over to offer some room.

The chef simply pointed above his head at the food choices which were displayed on a bright board. After a small ''hmm', Yoshida decided to place his order. ''I'll take a Katsu Burger, with some Karaage as a side dish. Oh, and put a little delay on the dessert; i'd like some Dango.'' He nodded with a humble, gentle smile, then awaited Fukuzai to put in his order before speaking. He was at least going to let him think, for pete's sake!

[Necesse Letum]

Fukuzai almost said no to Yoshida treating, but he then realized he didn't have his wallet, and merely kept his mouth closed, like he usually did. He was glad to be getting something to eat, especially from Sugoi Burgers, they always made the best burgers.

Once they made it inside, he saw that only a few people were scattered around the tables, eating and talking almost in whispers. The old cook, somewhere a little over middle age, could be seen cooking in the back. As soon as he heard the small bell at the door though, he quickly made his way to the front, ready to take their orders.

Once they sat down and Yoshida made his order, Fukuzai almost said nothing. The cook knew what he wanted, since he ordered the same thing every time he came in here, but he knew Yoshida might no understand that and might think the chef rude. Fukuzai could say he almost loved the man, since the chef himself also liked silence and little conversation, so he couldn't have his new acquaintance thinking that of him.

"Kyo Burger with sake." A simple meal, but Fukuzai loved it simple. The burger itself was merely beef with cheese and a little ketchup, nothing else. The chef went quickly to the back, though he could still be easily seen from where they sat. The burgers wouldn't be ready for a while, so he decided a little light conversation was in order. Hopefully Yoshida would be doing most of the talking though.

"How long?" Fukuzai meant not only how long had he been exiled, but how long he had been like he was now.

[Hattori Kihashi]

Yoshida had to smirk a bit at Fukuzai's simple order. He then quickly remembered he had ordered nothing to drink, so he called over the counter for some sake to drink as well. He watched the chef nod with a smile, though more at Fukuzai than himself. He figured Fukuzai must have came around this place for quite a long time now, as the chef seemed very comfortable having him around and taking his simple order. Yoshida nodded with respect to the chef as he walked off and into the kitchen to prepare their food for them. He peered around to the people around the pair of Vizard, never actually having visited this place himself. It wasn't exactly ritzy, but it wasn't slummy either; just your basic eatery. Yoshida made a note to keep his elbows off the counter, minding his manners.

Fukuzai spoke up, asking a simple question; how long had Yoshida been both a Vizard, and how long had he been exiled? ''Well,'' he began, ''I first became one...well, not too long ago. A little under a decade ago, actually. Then my exile followed swiftly; as soon as my squad found out, I was reported. It only took four months for them to report it and I was exiled just like that. So i've only been around here for a few years, actually. It's still all so sudden.'' He pushed his glasses back up into place with his index finger, shrugging simply. ''And what about you, Fukuzai?'' He decided to ask the question right back, as it seemed like a subject Fukuzai was fairly interested in; anything to keep the conversation flowing, really.

Soon after asking his question, the smell of cooking meat filled Yoshida's nostrils, with the smell of poured sake following soon after. It didn't help the chef had left the door to the kitchen propped open, so such smells were easy to latch on to. A smile crossing his face, it was clear Yoshida was fairly eager to receive his food and get to eating. He felt the inside of his mouth water at the appetizing smells, but showed a bit of self restraint as he kept his calm and humble demeanor.

[Tatsujin Fukuzai]

"Me?" He said simply. He closed his eyes, his face the epitome of serenity. It looked more like he was about to fall asleep rather than think. This was merely how he looked when he thought. When he brought his memory's to the surface. He didn't just remember, he relived those moments.

"Eight years, two months, twenty-seven days." There was no need to say anything else. The day he had become a vizard was the day his self-exile had begun. The 4th squad had not delayed in letting the Cental 46 of his condition. Hell, they knew of it before he did.

Before he could think on it more, the food arrived. The chef put the burgers before the two, on a platter along with Yoshida's side dishes and their drinks. He took his burger and sake from the platter, gulping down the sake saucer first, as was custom for a former-monk like himself.

"Can you control it?"

[Hattori Kihashi]

As Fukuzai answered, Yoshida couldn't help but realize how much his self-exile had affected him. Fukuzai had just told him the exact date of his exile, including how many years ago and months ago it was. He was simply amazed but kept his jaw from dropping as he listened to the fellow Vizard speak. Yoshida opened his mouth to speak in reply, but before he could, the chef brought the food with a beaming smile, placing it on the bar in front of them on a platter. Fukuzai took his food but gulped down his sake first, an odd custom, but one that Yoshida would come to respect his right to exercise anyway. Yoshida scooted the platter between them, offering to share his side dishes with Fukuzai if the burger didn't fill him up a good portion.

The black-headed Vizard plucked a piece of fried squid meat from the platter with chop sticks and popped it into his mouth, chewing on it slowly and politely. A smile crossed his face as he recognized the spices, then he ate a few more. He had a sip of sake to wash it down then showed some restraint incase Fukuzai wanted some of the assorted fried meat chunks. He listened to Fukuzai's question intently, replying soon after he finished. ''Well, I suppose not. It's never even surfaced before...I just feel like there's another mind behind my own waiting to spring forward. I've never had it surface before. It makes me think it's just waiting for an opportune time to do so.'' There was a hint of worry in his voice, as if he knew it was inevitable he would have to face it some day.

He lifted his burger and took a big bite of it after he finished talking, again chewing slowly. It was better than for how the place looked; Yoshida made a note of the place to return sometime.

[Tatsujin Fukuzai]

Fukuzai nodded. His hollow had only surfaced once before, and all that was left of his opponent was an unrecognizable bloody mess which he hadn't remembered creating. Body parts and brain matter was not the most pleasant thing to come back to. At least not for him, having lived the life of a monk.

Why these hollows chose to wait though, he had to wonder. He had heard about how some vizards mask wouldn't appear till their charge was almost near death. Was that something the hollows needed to awaken? No, because his had awoken the one time not from near-death, but from rage. Where the rage had come from, he had also forgotten. So apparently it must of been near-death or very strong emotions that triggered the awakening.

His thought showed on his face clearly as he ate his burger. These thoughts were interupted when he noticed how Yoshida offered his food. Silently at that. He appreciated the gesture, but Fukuzai had never eaten much, so politely refused with his hand. He finished the rest of his burger in silence, contemplating everything he had read about vizards.

Once he had finished his burger, and Yoshida had finished his, he left a large tip on the counter for the chef. Fukuzai left the small restaurant, the sounds of the street assaulting him. Again, due to the aura though, everything seemed a little muted, as if anything too loud would shatter the reiatsu surrounding the park and couple of buildings. He turned to look back at Yoshida and said one word.

"Spar?"

[Hattori Kihashi]

There wasn't much to say after the fellow Vizard had spoken the simple one-word sentence. The word held so much power in so many ways, and all of those ways peaked Yoshida's interest. To only way to truly know a person inside and out was to fight them, and to this end, Yoshida jumped to the occasion; his knew comrade was certainly not the talkative type, so one of the best ways to get to know him would be a spar. For the first time in a long time Yoshida would experience combat other than a stray hollow, and that led Yoshida to wonder why exactly it was he and Fukuzai hadn't met before; was it because they were mistaking each other for Seireitei operatives sent to guard this town the entire time? The thought was laughable. Yoshida followed suit with Fukuzai's mannerisms, not speaking, only offering a smile and excited nod.

Hurriedly gobbling down the bits of meat and then finishing his burger, the Yoshida lifted his dango from his plate and drank his sake quickly. He left the money inside the bill, making sure to slip Fukuzai's tip into the check as well. He rose from his seat and bowed his head in respect for the chef's excellent culinary experience, then waited for Fukuzai to follow as they headed out of the store. They began walking at a steady pace down the street to their chosen destination.

There was only one worry in Yoshida's mind, however. He had felt that prescense of a second mind behind his own for a very long time now, and never before had it decided to surface. If this spar came as close and neck and neck as the black-haired Vizard claimed in his mind it would, would that second mind attempt to seize advantage of his fatigue? He decided he would have to hold back to avoid that from happening; the very thought of it had become an extreme phobia, something that woke him from his sleep at night in cold sweats. He dreamt about it constantly.

Only the match would tell at this point.

--THREAD CONCLUDED--