#last wish to the shinigami

[talefoundryshow]

NEW VIDEO!

We all have to face death sooner or later… so why not give it a face (and a personality)? No metaphors or poetic phrases here, we’re talking about the character of Death.

[kiame-sama]

Humans Are Extinct Yandere TWST x Fem Reader Monster AU pt 46

(Vil's father is a more traditional coloration for Peacocks, and he is regarded as one of the most attractive actors in media. On top of being an actor, Eric is an impressive producer, playwright, and composer. When it comes to the creation of entertainment, Eric knows quite a bit. Vil is determined to stand on his own in the acting world, so he took on the last name of his Mother instead of his father's last name. Eric is extremely proud of Vil in every way possible.)

Warnings; yandere, multiple yanderes, platonic and romantic yanderes, unreliable narrators, myths are partially true but mostly false, descriptors of the Ursus Minor and Major, mention of injury/gore/sickness, gentle scolding, ice cream, smoothies, Harpies, Dragon, Shinigami, Hellcat, mention of Alicorn, mention of Unicorn, mention of Cervitaur, mention of Selkie, mention of Drider, mention of Raiju, mention of Vampire Bat

~~~~~~~~

You walked at a slow and relaxed pace through the field in front of you. Wind gently moved the long golden stalks of wheat in slow ripples. The air was warm and ever so sweet smelling as if something delicious were being cooked not too far away.

Deeper you went into this field as you enjoyed this blissful moment of peace. Even as the plants slowly moved around you, it was hard not to feel relaxed among the dancing fronds as they swayed in the wind. A low rumbling noise filled your ears and you vaguely thought it sounded like slow and heavy breathing.

"... Hello?"

Everything suddenly went still and silent the moment you spoke. The wind died. The wheat stilled. The breathing stopped.

From beyond the field a shape lumbered forward, dark ooze running down the open wounds of the beast as it cried out a feeble roar. Standing before you was a pathetic bear with no meat on the skeleton bones that covered its carcass. Still the carcass moved.

Standing on all fours, the pitiful bear almost looked like it was missing half of it's face. Where fur and flesh should have been, a large gaping wounds covered in flies and rotting from the bone of the skull was on clear display. The 'eyes' of the beast were no more than pits that has been plucked clean by cruel hands. Even the black fur of the beast seemed to be dripping with some kind of decay as the foul stench of the rotting blood inside the creature assaulted your nostrils.

Nothing about this beast was natural and the twisted fangs that glinted in the maw of the beast only made pity weigh down your heart. Each fang had been broken by the neighboring tooth, all overgrown and twisted in the maw of the creature. Some teeth grew up and back into the gums, some teeth grew out jaggedly though the mouth of the creature, and some were empty sockets where a tooth once was.

The beast lowed and huffed, sounding like it was struggling for air as it breathed out ragged sounds of pain. It was a dead bear walking, yet the beast longed for freedom. It needed the release of death yet was cruelly kept away from ever knowing that peaceful end. The rotted blood inside the wretched bear bubbled up past the throat as it cried again to you in agony.

You wished you could help it.

As hideous and beaten this beast was, you were determined to help it, even if that meant shutting the bear's eyes forever. It had long since been a shambling corpse even before it had gotten to you and the pained way it walked on broken limbs hurt your heart as you were forced to hear it cry. This creature deserved the dignity of a swift death.

As you raised your crossbow, another thought occurred to you; the sound of heavy breathing was back. Surely it was just the pitiful and wounded bear that you heard so heavily and deeply drawing in breath. Yet... The bear before you was hardly able to gasp, let alone make the sound you had heard while you were in the field.

The bear standing in front of you was not the bear you had been hearing.

Shadows fell over you as you turned to what could have possibly blotted out the sun. Lumbering behind you, coating by broken weapons that stuck out of the ragged and torn flesh like trophies clicked with the heavy and slow movement of the beast. One blind eye rolled around in the socket of the bear's exposed orbital cavity to look at you.

As the beast turned its head a scream caught in your throat when you saw what this monster had for a second eye. Lodged in the skull of the bear was another skull. An unmistakably Human skull. It was frozen in an eternal scream as the orbital socket of the Human skull was fused with that of the bear.

The Human skull's eye sockets glowed with a faint blue light as they seemed to lock onto you. The bear- or beast, as would be more accurate- reared up high above you, even dwarfing some trees as it let out a loud and piercing Human scream.

~•§•~

You woke with a startle, entire body shivering with each panted breath as cold morning air nipped at your skin. Nothing seemed familiar was you stumbled back, the forest wheeling around you. Your foot caught on something behind you and a sharp shriek left your lips while your body fell.

But you didn't hit the ground.

Instead, you fell into a pair of arms that broke your fall. Standing behind you, just as shocked and surprised as you, was a familiar face you immediately recognized. The older Sphinx Trein stood there holding you in his arms gently as he helped you back up and onto your feet.

"Pr-Professor Trein-!"

"(Y/n), what on earth are you doing out here, Little Cub?"

"What am I doing? What are you doing?"

"Responding to your collar pinging me. You are supposed to be in bed resting like Lord Hades said, what could possibly possess you to come out here alone?"

You finally took a moment to look around, seeing the tall forests around you looming like the trees that seemed so abundant. Above the trees you could see the top of Night Raven College and you knew you weren't far from the school given how close it seemed. If anything, you likely hadn't been in the forest for very long.

"I... I didn't realize I was out here. I was dreaming and then... Woke up here."

"Is walking away from your home normal for Humans while they sleep?"

"... No."

As you began to shiver, Trein was quick to pull his own burgundy top coat off of his shoulders and draping it over you. The warmth already clinging to the clothing seeped into your bones as the Sphinx picked you up suddenly. It was only at that time that you realized you were barefoot and had several cuts along your feet and legs from your unpleasant trip into the woods.

"Come on, let's get you back to your dorm and back to bed. This part of the forest is no place for anyone, with or without magic, let alone a Human."

Trein was nice and warm as he held you, carrying you back to your dorm and ensuring you were cuddled up safely in his arms. Part of you wanted to question the old Sphinx about his cryptic words, hoping they were just in reference to the plentiful poachers that likely stalked nearby. It was during your hesitance to ask that another thought occurred to you; why didn't poachers grab you.

All around you, the woods were unnaturally quiet. There were no birds chirping in the early morning light. There were no squirrels jumping from tree to tree. There wasn't even the sound of poachers scurrying away.

The forest was silent.

"Professor?"

"Yes, (Y/n)?"

"... What did you mean by what you said earlier? About the forest being 'no place for someone with or without magic'?"

"There are things that live in the untamed parts of the world that are best left undisturbed."

"What kind of things?"

"The kind that will kill a child as easily as they would kill an adult all for the crime of disturbing their rest."

You went quiet at this, wondering just what beasts lurked in the darker parts of the forests of Sage Island. Thinking back to that odd dream of yours, you realized that you had seen the smaller of the two bears before. That first night you arrived at Night Raven College and met Grim was the first time you had seen that thing.

Rook had called it some odd name when he explained the wounded and rotting creature to you. It had since slipped your mind as to what these creatures were called, but you just so happened to have your very own History professor with you. Maybe he could shed some light on the dream you had.

"... Do bears live on Sage island?"

"No. Not any that are actually considered alive, at least. Why?"

"I remember seeing one my first night here. It tried to attack me but Rook stopped it. What do you mean 'considered alive'? Are there dead bears here?"

The older Sphinx sighed as he moved with you through the forest, his back leg still dragging behind him. He didn't seem eager to explain himself despite your prying question. Still, that only served to rouse your curiosity.

"Yes. They are known as Undying Ursus Minors. Bears that are the offspring of the Undying Ursus Major. They typically look like shambling corpses and cannot be killed. Many have tried."

"... What is the Ursus Major like?"

This actually made Trein stumble somewhat, seeming to be thrown off by your question. Part of you worried as Trein rarely seemed riled by anything, but was clearly unsettled by your questions.

"The Ursus Major is a true monster. There are many legends that surround the Ursus Major and very few actual facts. He is larger than any other bear, scarred and covered in weaponry from those who have attempted to kill him. Even Lord Hades was unable to contain the beast. He sleeps for ages and is deadly when woken. He sleeps here, on Sage Island, where he is far from the mainland."

"... Why does he have a Human skull in his face?"

This question actually made Trein stop in his tracks, his wide eyes locking onto you in surprise and concern. His response only confirmed to you that the beast you saw in your dreams was the same beast Trein spoke of. But how could you dream of a beast you have never actually seen? More importantly, why would you dream of this beast?

"How do you know that?"

"I had a dream before I woke up out here... There was this golden field that led into the woods when it came up behind me. Its face was torn to shreds, and the one eye it had looked blind. The other eye... It was exposed bone and a second skull- a Human skull- was fused into it. I don't think I've ever seen a bear like that one before."

Trein frowned at this, but said nothing else and continued to walk back to the school. As he emerged from the tree-line, you realized he was not the only one who had responded to your collar pinging. Every Housewarden, Vice-Housewarden, guard, visitor, and all of the NRC staff were frantically heading towards the woods.

You could see the way their panic visibly melted away as they saw Trein emerge with you safely tucked in his arms. Even as they fussed over you and herded the Sphinx carrying you back inside, you were somewhere deep inside of your own mind still, thinking of the beast that came to you in your dreams.

~•§•~

"Little One."

"Hm?"

The sudden voice of the elder Shinigami made you break away from your intense thoughts, staring at the man in surprise. He seemed to be looking at you expectantly and you had to scramble to think of what it was he must have said. Perhaps he asked you a question and you didn't hear it?

"Are you alright?"

"No. Yes. Maybe?"

You had been sitting in the large nest in your room with the elder Shinigami. Despite your fever finally going down, the older man had decided that you should continue to rest. Thankfully, that did mean that he continued to keep Malleus and your other over-eager guards at bay. They had only been allowed into your room when you requested it. It was truly wonderful to feel like you had your own personal space back, even if only for a little while.

"Young Mozus tells me you were walking in your sleep when he found you out there. He also tells me you saw a rather unusual bear in your sleep."

You frowned at this, wanting to confide in the Shinigami, but not wanting to seem insane for what you had to say. Perhaps the elder could offer you some advice on your situation and even offer council. He had been rather honest with you since the moment you met him and it soothed you to know the ancient man didn't seek to deceive you.

"I did. ... Papa Hades, what can you tell me about the Ursus Major?"

"He is father to all Ursus Minor and has walked this world for several millennia. His official name is Mor'du, but most simply know him as the Undying Ursus Major. He is deadly when woken, impervious to all magic used against him, my own included. Many have tried to kill him and very few survived him. Young Mozus is one of the few to survive the beast."

"Trein did?"

"Yes. There are many a legend as to where Mor'du came from, but none are certain to his true origins."

You hummed, leaning back against the large Shinigami as he spoke. The fact that this beast was immune to magic made you wonder what happened to cause such a thing. Magic seemed all powerful, so a beast that could resist magic seemed even more dangerous.

"What do you think he is?"

"... I think he was Human. He has a skull embedded in his face, a Human skull, and I believe it is a remnant of his old existence. Humans don't have magic, so by him having magic like that overwhelmed him completely and turned him Feral."

"Do you think him once being Human is why I dreamed of him?"

This actually surprised the elder as he turned to look at you fully. It would make sense if that were the case. He knew of several species that had prophetic dreams of related family or friends, why wouldn't you dream of a beast that may have once been Human? Perhaps there was something more to your thinking, but the elder didn't want you to believe you could face the beast either. Nothing he knew of could kill Mor'du and he refused to risk your safety for a hunch.

"It's possible. For the time being, I think you need to have one of your guards back in the room with you. This wandering away in your sleep is not healthy for you and it could lead to greater injury than a few scrapes."

"... Hey, Papa Hades, have you ever had ice cream?"

~•§•~

You stood next to the churn, watching it spin and cool the heavy cream, mixing in the sugars and the vanilla. All three of your churns were working and you were thrilled to try and share what you have created. To your left was a blended smoothie of fruits that you planned to add into one of the churns for flavoring.

Naturally, any time you were in the kitchen, your guards were close by trying to sniff out what it was you were creating. They had been more distant from you and you realized that it was was likely a result of Papa Hades also hovering nearby. Whatever he had said to them when you fell ill clearly stuck with them.

"(Y/n)?"

You glanced over your shoulder to see a familiar and tired expression. Vil seemed hesitant to approach too quickly or be as proud as he usually was, clearly still shaken by what had happened with his mother and your following illness. The Harpy was a welcome sight and you allowed him to approach you despite how hesitant he seemed to be.

"Hey, Vil."

"How are you feeling?"

The Harpy settled for leaning against the counter next to you, watching you keenly as you poured your blended concoction into the churn. He- not so subtly- sniffed in the direction of the blended fruits, seeming curious about the mixture. You figured he could smell the various fruits in the blender and may have liked what he smelled.

"I'm... Not fully healed, but I guess I'm better than I was."

"Why didn't you tell us how stressed you were by all of this?"

"When did I have the chance to tell any of you? I've been dealing with Overblots, near Overblots, a possessive and protective Dragon, a world I don't understand, and others trying to kill me. I haven't really had the time to say that I'm stressed."

"I'm sorry."

You turned to look at Vil in surprise when he spoke, his voice a soft and sad sound which only made you worry about him. Ever the one to want to help and fix things for others, you didn't like seeing Vil so downcast and withdrawn. If anything, you wished Vil would return to his haughty and proud self. It would put you more at ease than the way he behaved now.

"Don't be sorry, Vil. Be better. I know you can be and I know you push yourself so hard just to feel deserving. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to be loved. You deserve it, Vil. I never want you thinking that you don't."

"You're a good person, (Y/n)."

"And you are a beautiful Harpy, Vil. Now, taste this and tell me what you think."

He seemed surprised as you poured the contents into a cup and handed it to the Harpy. At first, he seemed dubious as to what you gave him, but his nose told him whatever it was happened to be delicious. Despite his slow attempts. Reaching his tongue into the cup to sample the flavor his eyes widened. Within moments he slurped down the contents of the cup, reminding you of a greedy bird stuffing their face with available food.

It was difficult to stop yourself from giggling when you saw how eager the Harpy was. Vil slurped down the drink and made an odd cooing sound in his throat. His feathers gently fluffed up as that cooing sound continued, clearly pleased.

"What is this beautiful concoction?"

"Humans call it a smoothie. Usually made of blended fruits, occasionally vegetables, and sometimes sugar. That one is strawberries, blue berries, raspberries, and some sugar. Nothing too wild, but I plan on making more smoothies as well. Guess I can count on you to be a taster?"

Vil let out a purring coo as his wing tips fluttered excitedly at the prospect. Perhaps it was just your perception, but some color seemed to return to Vil's face and he gave you a genuine smile. You couldn't help but smile at Vil's soft cooing and pet his head, letting the Harpy lean into your touch.

"The ice cream should be done soon, I'll go get Tsuno and the others."

Vil hovered behind you as you walked out of the kitchen, noticing the several eyes that flicked in your direction. They all seemed eager to greet you despite how they held themselves back. Despite how the others seemed to temper themselves, Grim didn't have the same hesitation and ran straight into your arms. Though he had been allowed to spend time with you during your illness where the others didn't, he was always happy to see you.

"Mama! What were you doing in the kitchen? Did you make something yummy for us?"

"I did! It is ready for everyone to have some. Why don't all of you come get a bowl?"

This seemed to be the triggering words for everyone as they all rushed forward to have their own taste of what you created.

Despite the week Heartslabyul was assigned as your guards being over, they remained in the dorm with you as another group had not yet been assigned. This meant Riddle, Trey, and Alistair were keen to see what new treat you have created for them and keen to group up around you. Silver seemed pleased with the ungulate company as he rallied up with the three centaur men like a Herd.

Similarly, Vargas, Ace, and Deuce were keen to stay with this forming group of hoofed species. It was almost funny to see how easily they grouped together and took turns looking out for their fellow Herd members.

Cater was even a good member of that Herd despite the fact he was not a hoofed species like the others. He had thankfully been able to settle back into his own routine and took protecting your peace on Magicam very seriously. Apparently he blocked anyone who made any kind of suggestive comment on your pictures and had already blocked several thousand people.

Beyond the Ungulate species forming a Herd, the winged and avian species seemed to be forming similar alliances. Vil, Crowley, Trein, and all of the Shrouds grouped together like a big flock of feathered beasts. Even Lilia and Malleus seemed to group up together with the flying folk despite the difference in their wing types. Sebek simply stayed with Malleus while Rook stayed with Vil.

The forming groupings interested you, seeing how similar species kept together with one another. It was fascinating to you to observe the way they all seemed to find common ground, especially those who were often in conflict like Alistair and Riddle. Even in the groups, there was an obvious hierarchy that seemed to lend itself to how the men all behaved. The only two who didn't group up were Sam and Divus, but they seemed more keen to stay near you.

As you relaxed and doled out the ice cream, it was obvious you were supposed to sit at the left side of Papa Hades who took the head of the table for his own seat. This time, Malleus refused to allow anyone other than himself to take the seat next to you. Unsurprisingly, Malleus was not going to let you get too far from him after being forced to keep his distance during your illness.

He nodded in greeting to you as you set the large bowls of ice cream out and settled down. It was clear Grim was eager to eat the cold treat as the others regarded it curiously.

"Go ahead and take what you all want, just don't eat it too quickly or you may get a brain freeze."

Vil was first of the cautious group to get his own bowl of the treat, letting out a loud coo as he took a spoonful of the fruit ice cream. That was enough to encourage the others to take their own bowls and try the cold and creamy snack. It seemed like the others were pleased with the treat as well and Riddle even let out a thrilled whinny.

Malleus was the one who had the most extreme reaction of the group as he put the spoon in his mouth. A sudden warmth filled the room, akin to the feeling of cuddling in a group of trusted friends on a cold evening. His pallid face flushed a deep almost black shade as a loud and thunderous purr erupted from his throat. The Dragon swayed gently in his seat, humming and continuing to slowly eat the treat you had gifted him.

Grim impatiently grabbed your hand with his paws, pulling it down to place the spoon in his mouth. He began purring the same way Malleus had at the sweet taste, his tail waving excitedly as he let out little mewls. The others seemed in agreement and Malleus leaned over to you, affectionately rubbing his cheek against your shoulder.

"My dearest (Y/n), I would give you the riches of Briar Valley if only you continue to allow me to sample this decadent treat. Such flavor... And so soothing. Numbing. What do you call this beautiful creation?"

"Ice cream. Right now we have Vanilla, a fruit mix, and chocolate- thanks to Sam- so feel free to enjoy the flavors."

"All the more reason for me to adore the many things you do... What a truly magnificent treasure trove you are."

[kaibutsushidousha]

What are your thoughts on orihime?

Ichigo's little group of friends exist to be basis of Bleach's arcs. The Soul Society arc is envisioned as Rukia's arc, which is a no-brainer because Rukia is a Shinigami. The Lost Agent is envisioned as Chad's arc, and even if it fails that role, the choice is understandable due to Chad being a Fullbringer. The Blood War is envisioned as Uryuu's arc, obvious again because Uryuu is a Quincy. But Orihime is a Fullbringer, so realizing what makes her fit at the center of the Arrancar arc requires a little more thought.

Well, I'd say the answer can be found about as early as possible. Orihime simply isn't like any other character in the good side. A whole lot of characters in Bleach have tragic pasts, but only Orihime is shown having a tragic present. The other Karakura people have comfortable houses with providing families. The Seireitei is a high class place directly contrasted with the poor Rukongai. The Visored and Xcution are united communities. Unclear about the Quincies in Silbern because we never the status quo there before the times of war.

Meanwhile, Orihime lives alone thanks to cutting ties with her parents at age 4 and losing her brother at age 12. She survives out of part-time jobs and financial support from distant relatives who determine how much money she gets based on her grades. The status quo of Bleach is pretty rough on her, and if I'm not forgetting anyone, her alone. She's doing what she can to survive under a constant threat of hunger, which is something Bleach otherwise only portrays as the lifestyle of a Hollow. I'll get back to this later.

The point here is that Orihime's life sucks. But that's not a thing that ever shows. Orihime in public is just a silly airhead constantly presented as the most cheerful person around. Her screentime in normal school situations is marked by her filtering her unpleasant reality with outlandish imagination. Her antics make her look really stupid, but we're shown that she isn't as she has 3rd best grades in their school. Intentional as her silliness is, she can't afford to be a bad student because that affects how much bread she gets to every month, as mentioned above.

And Bleach wastes no time explaining why she's like that. Still in volume 1, it's already established that Orihime spent her whole life being protected by others. First Sora, then Tatsuki, and now Ichigo. And because she grew up like this, her greatest wish is to not be a problem.

She let Sora bite her because life going on without him was being a problem to him and having to protect her was being a problem to Ichigo. She puts on a smile at school and keeps her conditions a secret to avoid being a problem to anyone who could care about her living situation. She let Ulquiorra take her because she didn't want to be a problem to anyone willing to fight Aizen for her sake. Her experience in Soul Society should have told her that this last one would backfire tremendously, but in her moment of weakness, she couldn't fight against her ingrained habit of avoiding being a burden.

Another key point of her early characterization is obviously her relationship with Ichigo. He was just a cool funny guy at first, until Sora's incident made him interesting, so she asked Tatsuki about him, and only really started caring after hearing about Masaki's death. This happens in a volume where she takes the cover and her opening poem is "If I were the rain [...] could I tie hearts together?". The rain is the symbol of Ichigo's grief, and Orihime falls for Ichigo by associating the lost of his mother with the loss of her brother. She connects best by relating to suffering, which shows later in the many, many, many times she's shown healing Arrancars after years practically living like a Hollow when in the world of the living.

This is kinda of a sudden change of topic, but things are sorta moving in chronological order here and the next big checkpoint is Orihime's first fight, so I'll conclude the talk about her position there and now talk about her powers.

Orihime gets Shun Shun Rikka, a Fullbring centered around rejection of events. Like Bleach abilities tend to do, this power goes incredibly well with Orihime's established characterization. Reality sucks for her but she keeps things by rejecting it through her filter of imagination. She can attack with this power, but it's best suited as a shield (preventing causing problems for others) or healing (making people forget their problems).

She then proceeds to not do much in Soul Society, then early into the Arrancar arc, she loses to Yammy and gets to negatively compare herself to Rukia, who did well in her first on-screen fight ever. Her feelings of uselessness pile up and compound into the 5 lives scenes, which as I already told you before, I consider the emotionally powerful dialogue Kubo has ever written. Not much to comment on it, the moment speaks for itself.

For Orihime, the bulk of the Arrancar arc is spent interacting with Ulquiorra. It's a really challenging experience for her because Ulquiorra has zero emotional depth. He was an ancient Hollow with no eyes, ears, nose, or mouth, being unable to perceive the outside world until Aizen broke his mask. Starrk, Barragan, and Grimmjow's backstories establish that Arrancars inherit experiences from their Hollow selves. Breaking their masks didn't change who they are. But Ulquiorra has no experiences because his Hollow life was spent entirely in the nothingness of himself.

Orihime has always been engaging with people through a smile-shaped web of lies, social conventions, and bravado, but Ulquiorra still haven't experienced humanity enough for that to work on him. He responds only to cold truths, so Orihime's typical conversation strategies are proven useless. It forces her to change her ways. She can only teach him about the heart by being honest and direct. Arrancars are about literal broken masks, but Orihime makes herself part of their story by having her metaphorical mask broken.

After that, we have the Lost Agent arc, which doesn't really take Orihime further (and doesn't really need to since Arrancar was her main focus arc) but does an amazing show of progress for post-Ulquiorra Orihime by introducing Riruka, a tsundere who hangs with Orihime a lot. While Riruka is as full of walls and bravado as Orihime originally was, this Orihime gets to be effortlessly vulnerable, recapping her horrible backstory to her new friend, being called creepy for her apparently fake smile, and clarifying that she actually can smile for real because she was already saved from her past.

The final arc doesn't do much with her aside from putting her in the final boss battle, so I guess I'll use this space to talk about how her progression in combat participation feels really well-paced. She goes from being squarely away from major action in Soul Society to not interfering with the fight but making a point to stay near the battle vs Grimmjow to start tactically throwing shields vs Ulquiorra to getting Ichigo actively ask for her help vs Ywhach.

Ok, that last is probably more about Ichigo himself having learned to ask for help 10 minutes ago after cringing at Uryuu's inability to rely on his friends and taking him as an antithesis model (pun intended).

But still, I love this kind of step-by-step character growth model, it reminds me of how Yugi and Atem's dynamic grew from Yugi unaware to Yugi aware to them starting to talk to them working together vs Pegasus to Yugi dueling alone to Yugi defeating Atem. Always great to see an author commit to a flowchart of development like that.

[mixelation]

i'm still thinking about "tori panics and gets orochimaru's arms back for him"

he goes along with it as one part "this woman is going to drive herself insane and i'm here to watch. plus i don't have anything better to do" and one part actually wanting his arms back

(he seems to have arms late randomly....? so my headcanon is bodyhopping morphs his soul slightly so he has arms/hands but only sometimes)

neither of them expected to end up with four hokage souls even though they absolutely should have

the shinigami is like "why is that one gross (points at tori)" and now she has to deal with that and also every single hokage witnessed this

orochimaru and tori now have some sort of horrible metaphysical joint custody over the hokage. free will questionable. no one likes this except orochimaru. put those assholes in jars

like tori SHOULD have equal control over the hokage but she is not a ninja and also she's early plasticity tori so she's only kind of got a spine and can only make fuinjutsu that might blow up and kill you.

regretfully the hokage decide she is their best bet for freedom. also she's a weak-willed civilian woman. sad :(

orochimaru absolutely lets her have access to them because he also realizes this and it's really, really funny

the hokage game is one in which they have to play nice with her such that she lets them out of the jars to chat (with her and with each other). minato+tobirama are sure that with enough time they can figure out some sort of seal to free them but are unsure tori is talented enough to actually execute it. also they have to be nice about it to get her to even try

tori is offended no one is taking her feelings or wishes into account. do they really think she hasn't figured out what they're doing? fuck you. teach her fuinjutsu and she will turn around and act stupid to prolong this and they'll believe her. keep those assholes in jars!!!

tori out here making decisions based on variables no one would even think to contemplate. obito? alive. aktasuki? a problem. the moon? haunted. orochimaru? surprisingly a minor road block in the grand scheme of things but also she would like to leave please

orochimaru is like "i feel GREAT i will be moving into a new body now" and tori has to be like "hold on. what if i told you akatsuki has a shadow boss who can and will end the world, which will prevent you from doing what you want, and we need sasuke's soul to stop it" and orochimaru is like "tori i am like 70% sure your future vision is bullshit, and the last 30% is just that i simply do not think you're a talented enough grifter to have the knowledge you do, so you better produce some evidence"

tori using the hokage's random collective knowledge to put together an insane conspiracy board that obito is still alive and the akatsuki shadow boss, also maybe something about kaguya

orochimaru: huh. minato: wait what the fuck

bizarro orochimaru-tori roadtrip to save the world but they're carting around hokage souls in jars to be summoned when convenient

[rivereclipse]

Ichigo's Ray of Light

Hi! This is my first post related to IR and although I read several IR theories and analysis, I just wanted to share my cents about IR so please bear with my grammars as it was not my first language and there's a lot of spoiler written down there.

--

So as the title mentioned, we all know whom Ichigo's ray of light is. Well, it's definitely Rukia. Now, I always wonder why Rukia is Ichigo's ray of light. I think her name was based on a plant which sounds Rukia (sorry I can't find the said plant) and her name was actually written in hiragana. Kubo Tite also found out that her name's meaning was "Light" which fits the character and her purpose to the main character.

Rukia is really a catalyst to Ichigo. Aside from that she was the one who gave him the power and strength to protect his loved ones and people around him. He also mentioned in the end of Rukia/Soul Society rescue arc "Thank you, Rukia. Thanks to you... I think the rain... has stopped."

But how Rukia was able to stop Ichigo's rain and what was the connotation of rain on Ichigo?

Ichigo's mother died when he was nine years old. He truly believes he was the one who killed her because her death was unexplained and was no justice given. I think his inner soul was raining throughout the years he was depressed and was drowning in a lot of emotions. Loneliness, powerlessness, helplessness, disappointment. Those are the emotions he was feeling before meeting Rukia. I believe that he was grieving alone for his mother every year that they come to his mother's grave.

Ichigo was confronted by Rukia suggesting that his mother's death might be caused by a hollow which, he denied it and claiming that he was the one who killed her. Which leads them in a heated argument.

Rukia gave him space and waited for him to warm up to her and ready to share his burden with her which I think that lights up his heart a bit since he felt someone understood him. Someone understood what he really needed. He needed space for himself to digest what really happened and for him to allow his emotions to be channeled properly. I think she was very intuitive and understand how deep she will dive to his emotions. It is actually same goes with him but that's another topic.

I also think that Ichigo was not really able to talk how he feels about his tragic past and still in the process of figuring out how to deal with his emotions since he is still a teenager and that incident happens when he was a nine year old boy.

When Ichigo learned the truth about the young girl six years ago. How his mother was eaten because Grand Fisher's favorite was a woman when he was supposedly the one baited and will be eaten due to his high Spiritual Pressure. His emotions was stirred up and tries seeking for revenge and justice by settling it on his own hands when he was faced to Grand Fisher and mold his bait into the appearance of his mom.

His mother's last thoughts were transferred to the hollow so Ichigo was able to see her thoughts in which, she was grateful and proud of him. She also wanted him to leave peacefully and happy. Although he didn't defeat the hollow completely as it escaped but it did gave him a closure to his tragic past.

His father also comforted him and told him that he was not blaming Masaki's death. He wished him to get over his depression and live well and happy according to his mother's wishes.

He got a motivation to continue on being a shinigami and be strong since he wanted to protect and seek revenge for his mother's death or else his pride as a son, brother, and as himself can't face it.

If he wasn't a Shinigami, I think Ichigo will continue to carry on his grieving for his mom. He will not learn the truth about his mother's death. Worse, he will be much more drown to a lot of emotions while growing up and if he didn't address those, he may be miserable as an adult and a lot of traumas may resurface that he needs to address.

Rukia was the one who lights up and stopped the rain on Ichigo's world. She was the one who shed the truth by suggesting that a hollow may be the culprit. Somehow, she became the bridge on Ichigo's closure towards his tragic past. She also the one who gave him powers not only to protect his loved ones and people around him, but also an opportunity to defend his pride by not participating on his battle and help him.

She knocked his senses whenever he was feeling down whenever he feels disappointed in himself when his friends got hurt like Inoue and Chad when the espadas first visited the Living World and attacked them. She also believed him when he first feeling the hollow inside him. She is also the one who brings back his powers when he lost and feel powerless to Ginjo. She also uplifts him when he was betrayed by the people he loved and alone. She put faith on him when all the people in Soul Society thought he will sided with the enemy once he got his power back.

Somehow, I just wanted to give an emphasis on this panels/episode since I think it shows how Rukia was able to bring light to Ichigo and healing his past wounds by bringing closure to him. Although she did not do it directly but crossing paths with her ignites the destiny, knowledge, power, and transformation on Ichigo's life journey.

Truly, Rukia is the catalyst on Ichigo's life and truly the light of his life.

[wheelsome]

Klub Outside QnA (601-700).

Q604

This is a question about Kidō Corps. In the original story, there is a description of them opening the Senkaimon, but what do they usually do? Like covert operations, depending on their characteristics

A604

The Kido Corps are in charge of the research & development of Kidō, more specifically in “making Kidō easier to use”. Shinigami can use Kidō is because the methods of learning it have been well established thanks to the Kidō Corps research.

Q605

Regarding Kyoka Suigetsu's complete hypnosis, for example, if you use a camera to photograph something that appears to be something else during hypnosis, will the photograph or video appear to be the original thing?

A605

If the person taking the photo or video is already under hypnosis then they will not be able to see the real thing.

Q606

Byakuya addresses individuals outside his family either by their last name or full name, so is there some reason why he calls Renji by his first name?

A606

It’s because Rukia called him by his first name. 

Q607

In volume 35, chapter 313, there’s a part where Nnoitra says in a flashback, “I want to be cut down…”, but is that a scene where he was talking to Tesla rather than being a monologue to himself? If so, was Tesla the only one who knew about Nnoitra’s wish (if that’s the correct way to word it)? I love the flow of those scenes from the words in that flashback to the moment when Tesla collapses, and it’s forever etched into my memory. 

A607

That’s correct. He’s speaking to Tesla.

Q608

I’d like to ask about the change of shape in the Zanpakutō belonging to the 5th Espada, Nnoitra. In the flashbacks, during the time he was 8th Espada, there was one crescent-shaped part, but later it increased to two. What is the primary cause behind this change of shape in his Zanpakutō? I’m thinking that it involves factors such as amplifying the amount of basic Reiatsu and changes to the mind and body through training, but what do you say?

A608

It’s a change in the quantity and inherent quality of his Reiatsu. An Arrancar’s sword is their power itself, so changes in Reiatsu are likely to manifest in its shape.

Q610

Is Captain Ukitake's grave on the site of Ukendo? Or was it built somewhere else?

A610

Ukitake’s grave is located in the old site of the Ugendo Quarters found in Squad 13.

Q611

When souls arrive at Ryukongai after being buried, do they just appear out of nowhere? Or do they pop up in a predetermined location once they're buried?

A611

After the souls are exorcised they just spawn randomly in Rukongai.

Q614

Genryusai Yamamoto Shigekuni was erased by Yhwach, but Szayelaporro told us that is in Hell. So, will a Shinigami not be destroyed even if he is hit by the Quincies spirit bow?

A614

Quincy arrows were originally designed for Hollows, so they cannot erase anything else.

Q616

What do Gigi and the others think of Bambi? Also, do the five of them get along?

A616

It would be hard to explain that here but all four of them have different opinions on Bambi and whether they get along with each other depends on how you view things.

Q617

Regarding the captain's haori, in the First captain's and Gokui Meimei-hen versions there was a slit at the back hem, but is it possible to choose whether the slit is made with the sleeves or without it?

A617

The first gen captains haori, which used to have a slit in the back to make it easier to carry their zanpakutō but it's not there nowadays because the captain's rarely carry their zanpakutō's due to a long period of peace.

Q619

I love how cool the Arrancars mask patterns are! Are the mask pattern different for each individual? Or was it given to them by Aizen as an influence when they became Arrancars, like the numbering of the espada?

A619

Each design is unique and differs between individuals.

Q622

If Hōzukimaru is in sealed state and chants "Rip" Hōzukimaru, will he be released into the Sansetsukon state? Or is "Rip" not a release command, but rather a way to turn from a spear into the three-section staff?

A622

Hozukimaru’s release command is “Stretch”, which assumes the spear form. Whereas “Rip” is a special command which assumes the Sansetsukon form when releasing his Shikai.

Q623

Shinji Hirako has been appearing since the first volume, but was he scheduled to appear earlier? If so, I'm curious as to what role he was supposed to play...

A623

Even though that was the initial plan, he ended up not becoming one of Ichigo’s classmates, because I thought people would go like “Oh, he’s been in Ichigo’s class this whole time. Just like Uryu?”. His character would’ve been the exact same though, regarding everything else.

Q625

During the TBTP arc, Tessai was shocked saying " Did the vice-captain stopped my Hadōwith a chantless Danku". Would Tessai’s Hadō 88 have broken through the barrier and ignored the “block all Hadō's underneath 89” property if the chantless Danku had been casted by an average Lieutenant?

A625

Yes, it would have and prior to Aizen, no Lieutenant has ever used a chantless Danku.

Q626

Is it possible for Yhwach to bestow holy letters to Shinigami, Hollow & Arrancars?

A626

If he so wishes, he could grant them schrift as well.

Q627

If a member of the Gotei 13 is not granted permission to carry a Zanpakutō, where is it stored?

A627

All the Zanpakuto's that haven’t received a usage permit yet are stored within the personal office of each Captain, VC and soldier station.

Q628

Can Ginjo's bankai be stollen by the Sternritter's medallion? Or is it impossible because it has hollow power mixed in?

A628

It cannot be stolen by the Medallion, due to it being mixed with Hollow power.

Q631

100 years ago, the 9th squad captain Muguruma wore a special white uniform similar to captain's haori, but why did commander-in-chief allowed it? Did he not get angry and say "No it's too complicated!"?

A631

Captain commander did get mad but since Muguruma already made it he was using it.

Q638

I believe that the Loyd & Granz brothers are identical twins while Karin & Yuzu are fraternal twins. Is that correct?

A638

You are right.

Q640

I have a question about Mayuri's makeup. Mayuri-sama's makeup doesn't come off even in intense battles, so does he uses cosmetics that contain some special ingredients (ingredients that never come off?).

A640

He has a specialized device that draws a pre-programmed pattern on his face when inserted in.

Q644

Is Hikifune Kiryu's normal state, plump or skinny? I believe it's the skinny form because Shinji didn’t recognized her in her fat form and she loses a lot of weight when cooking, so she stores up fat for that process specifically.

A644

I believe the "form" she spends the most time in is her normal one.

Q647

Do Arrancars take bath? If they do, wouldn't Nelliel for example be unable of wash because of the mask on her head?

A647

The mask remnants are not stuck on arrancars bodies and actually hover above the skin slightly, which should allow them to wash underneath.

Q648

When Toshiro's Bankai was stolen by the medallion, He described it, as if the soul of Hyorinmaru itself was also stolen. However, does the fact that he could still use Shikai does mean that Shikai can be used without zanpakutō spirit?

In the Zanpakutō Rebellion arc, only those who had learned Bankai could use Shikai even though their Zanpakutō had materialized and defected. So does this mean when a shinigami masters Bankai, the power of Shikai becomes shinigami's own power rather than that of the zanpakutō spirit?

A648

Shikai is the state in which the wielder’s power is reflected onto the sword. While Bankai is the state in which the "ego" born is developed and manifested onto the sword.

Q651

Akon was portrayed in the Hell chapter to mainly fight by using various substances and devices. While Mayuri does have a zanpakutō which he uses, do the other members of R&D don't have one to carry with themselves?

A651

Akon certainly has a zanpakutō, as well as other members.

Q652

At the end of Volume 6, Episode 50, it is reported that Rukia was found in this world, is the search for these missing Shinigami also the work of Onmitsukidō? Or is it work of a special division yet to be revealed?

A652

It is indeed the 4th Onmitsukidō division, called Hichoutai that is in charge of locating missing shinigami's and due to the nature of their work, the unit has deep connections with the Research & Development Department, sharing a lot of their work.

Q654

By removing their mask, an Arrancar takes on a human-like appearance. But do any further changes happen due to aging and other such factors? Or is it like in Nelliel’s case where her appearance changed due to external factors like having been weakened?

A654

It ranges from those who change after a few years to those who stay the same for hundreds of years. In general, physical changes occur. However, it’s more so due to spiritual and reiatsu changes rather than aging.

Q655

In case of Arrancars who have a human appearance, does it reflects the original appearance of the soul that the Hollows consumed when they become a menos? Or is the appearance of the souls that they’ve attacked up until then also mixed in randomly?

A655

Generally, it’s the appearance of the “devourer” that remains.

Q657

If by the time a person in the Living World has already awakened some spiritual sort of power before they pass over to SS, could they enroll in the Shin’o Academy or even become Shinigami, if they wish to do so? Also, are there any characters that have gone through this process?

A657

It’s possible. But I will neither confirm nor deny the existence of such individuals.

Q658

When I was discussing about the wound on Hinamori's chest with a friend, it came up how in the Arrancar Arc Kisuke said how the 4th Division Captain and Vice Captain's Kaidō was better than Orihime's power of rejection, which got me curious and made me leave this question. Leaving aside the recovery of Reiatsu, which one provides a more efficient treatment?

A658

All three of them use different methods so they can’t be compared with one another. Kisuke’s statement was in regards to Orihime’s prowess at that point in time as well as a means of keeping her away from the front lines.

Q660

Does Aizen decide the Espada replacements? Or is it similar to the title of Kenpachi, in which the victor replaces the previous one and Aizen simply assigns them a number?

A660

Both scenarios are applicable.

Q661

Are the standards for appointing seated officers in the Gotei 13 differ from squad to squad? Considering their distinctive characteristics, I assume seated officers appointed for the 4th and 12th divisions are also accounted for their healing and research capabilities apart from their combat skills.

A661

Generally, the upper ranking seats are appointed by the captain. So rather than the standards differing from squad to squad, they differ from captain to captain.

Q664. 

In "Hanketsu ni Saku (Blooming in the Cold Moon)" Rangiku and others showed fireworks to Hitsugaya but did Rangiku requested Kūkaku or the 12th Division to launch those fireworks? If it was Kūkaku, I wonder when the two made contact and whether Kūkaku would accept a request from a Shinigami, given the incident with Kaien.

A664 

Those were set off by a fireworks maker in the Seireitei. There are several schools of fireworks makers in the Seireitei, one of which was founded by the Shiba family.

Q665

"Are Aaroniero and Szayel doing well in hell?"

A665

Yes.

Q666

What are the abilities of Isane Kotetsu’s zanpakutō, Itegumo? Since she’s a member of Squad 4, I imagine they’re healing related.

A666

It’s an ice-snow type with healing properties.

Q667

Ukitake gave Hitsugaya candies because their names were similar. Was there any other reason for doing so besides this?

A667

Ukitake is simply affectionate towards children by nature so he doesn’t need any particular reason to do so.

Q670

I have a question regarding Yayahara Yuyu. When she arrived to the Living World in the Hell arc, I didn’t see her carrying a zanpakutō, but instead she was fighting with her bare hands. Was she using Hakuda? Or does her zanpakutō transform into her nails while in Shikai?

A670

Her Shikai is indeed her nails. She often uses her Shikai for styling, despite being scolded about it from the members of other squads, that is.

Q671

Did Katagiri and Masaki ever talk to each other when they were at the Ishida Residence? I thought it would’ve been cute for two girls of close age talking to each other. Katagiri’s tenure as a servant seemed quite long and it didn’t seem like she had many friends either.

A671

They did. Since Masaki is the type of person who talks to everyone, Katagiri who was close to her age was like a friend to her.

Q673

Is there any male character from Bleach media out of the Living World, Soul Society, Hueco Mundo or among Quincies that you think is the most handsome (or that you consciously draw in a way that would be considered handsome)?

A673

Hitsugaya, Byakuya, Szayelaporro and Haschwalth. All of them fit the “beautiful character” archetype so I draw them accordingly.

Q674

I have a question regarding Stark. How strong is he really? I can't imagine him being stronger (or more lethal) than Barragan, so I guess it’s his spiritual pressure?

Also, regarding the timing of him joining Aizen's forces, judging from the way it was depicted it appears that he joined the Espada after Aizen had already acquired the Hogyoku.

If so, then:

1) His spiritual pressure was so strong prior to splitting that even someone of Aizen class couldn't detect it.

2) Aizen had sensed it, but considering his spiritual pressure it could have been difficult to deal with him, so I guess that Aizen decided to leave him until the situation had settled.

I really like Stark, but he doesn't appear much and I have little hope that he will return in any future media. So I would like to know more about him!

A674

 It’s 2). I think Stark's appeal is that he's a guy who’s difficult to read.

Q675

If Chad, Orihime and Uryu were to be given an Asauchi and they trained properly with it, could they also obtaine Shinigami powers in the form of a zanpakutō in addition to their own unique powers?

A675

I think they can.

Q676

In the past, when Urahara was promoted as the captain, Aizen seemed to have a somewhat meaningful answer to Hirako's response. However, since Aizen’s reply seemed a little deeper, could it be that Aizen had Urahara in his sights since before he was even made a Captain? Did Urahara already make a name for himself by that point through some kind of research? Or were they classmates during Academy days?

A676

Aizen had known Urahara since before he started getting involved with Yoruichi.

Q677

Even among all the defeated characters, I feel like Szayelaporro is the one character that has returns the most. Is he one of your favorite characters?

A677

Szayelaporro is a very eccentric man so even for short lived scenes he stirs things up, which is why I end up using him.

Q678

Q: When Hiyori kicked Urahara in the groin back in the TBTP arc, she was left in agony. What did Urahara had hidden under his hakama?

A678

It was an iron loincloth.

Q679

I’m really happy that the scene with kid Shunsui made it in and wasn’t cut!! Thank you so much!! When did you come up with the visuals for it?

A679

It’s not just Shunsui, but as I was drawing their kid versions the story just happened to flow like that. It’s not something I consciously thought about.

Q680

The Monk is said to be the person who gave names to all things, but how are the names of Zanpakutō techniques decided upon? Are the techniques named along with the name of Zanpakutō?

A680

Techniques that make use of Zanpakutō abilities are mainly decided by the Zanpakutō themselves.

Q681

I believe Chad has been living alone for a relatively long time, but how good is he with housework?

A681

Regardless of his skills, Chad likes cleanliness, so he keeps his room real tidy. He doesn’t cook much because he’s always focused on training, but he’s good at it.

Q682

Where do the ingredients that Seireitei residents and Shinigami eat come from (mainly meat, fish, and fruits and vegetables)? I can't really picture it, but are there any fields or ranches in Seireitei? Or are they procuring meat and cultivating fields in the mountains and forests of Rukongai? I feel like the latter is likely to be ravaged by people with spiritual powers or Hollows.

A682

There are Seireitei territories in various parts of Rukongai, where hunting, farming, livestock farming, and fishing are carried out.

Shinigami are also assigned to manage each area and management is passed down from generation to generation.

Q685.

What’s the difference between Shunpo and Sonido? I'm especially curious about Sonido which has the characteristics of slipping through the perception senses.

A685

Shunpo is mainly done through training the physical body, Hirenkyaku is done by training the ability to manipulate Reishi, while Sonido is executed by converting the Reishi within the body into “something that is not Reishi”.

Q688.

Are the names “Kojaku” and “Ginrei Kojaku” passed down through the Ishida family? Or did Uryu come up with them himself?

A688

The names come from documents regarding Japanese Quincies, which are found in the Ishida family.

Q689.

Regarding the Aushwalen that was used in the later part of the story, the Bambies & Bazz-B still continue to use their Schrifts and there’s no evidence of them having lost their powers. Taking into consideration that they’re relatively part of the younger generation quincies, is it safe to say that they survived due to Aushwalen targeting old quincies first and having already taken the necessary amount of power that was needed at the time?

A689

The necessary amount of power is taken from old and weakened Quincies, in that order. Also, Bazz-B and the girls are young and their abilities are also high level, therefore their protection against Aushwalen is naturally high which resulted in them only having their powers “reduced”.

Q692.

Do Ichigo and Renji ever cook?

A692

Renji can cook, although it doesn’t look or taste particularly appealing. Ichigo thinks he can cook better than him, but he sucks at it in reality.

Q694.

When you thought of the name “Hirako Mako” (「平子真子」), was there something that inspired it? I found it unusual to read "Mako" (「真子」) as "Shinji" (「シンジ」), so if there was an original source, please let me know.

A694

Since Hirako’s theme is “upside down” , I chose letters that were almost symmetrical so that they could also be read when written upside down.

Q695.

Is Yūshirō, Yoruichi’s only sibling? I wonder if she has other brothers because her name contains “numbers” and “time of day” (Night & Evening). If others do exist, do their names also include “numbers” and the characters for “Morning” & “Noon” respectively?

A695

Whether there are other siblings or not is a secret. However, children who can potentially become heads of the family receive names containing characters that represent “numbers” and “time”.

[str0yberries]

Aoi's (possible) MDD diagnosis

MDD, phonetics [em-di-di], refers to Major Depressive Disorder also known as clinical depression. It’s a mental disorder characterized by at least two weeks of pervasive low mood, low self-esteem and loss of interest in things previously enjoyed. So when I saw a few TBHK fans say the MDD diagnosis doesn't apply because the BPD one applies more, I have to take them up on the challenge!! Just to clarify one last time, I agree with the BPD diagnosis, but pushing off the MDD entirely out of the equation is simply reckless. Let's go ahead and refer to Canon media for pre-timeline Aoi (given we know close to nothing to the new timeline Aoi!)

Criterion A needs to meet 3 requirements: 5 or more of the following symptoms, Occur for at least 2 weeks and At least (1) or (2) must be present.

1. Depressed mood indicated either by subjective report (e.g., feels sad, empty or irritable) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful)  Aoi's mood is something she masks. As you read the proof I've provided underneath each symptom, you'll see Aoi's "sadness" and feeling easily hurt always ties back. She is a petty character, and petty character will, undeniably, make themselves miserable. This is an exemple of her aggressively lashing out at Akane (by this point, the drug has dissipated, for context to those that might've forgotten.)

2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated either by subjective account or observation made by others) Anhedonia. Aoi is known at the start of the manga as Nene's best friend and her gardening club buddy. While the manga has never explicitly detailed her love for gardening, there is a scene in chapter 59 where Aoi asks Akane to take a walk in the garden with her, which he declines (but that's besides the point) which shook her. This suggests a possible connection to her love to plants and gardens, but it's not a clear indication of a love for gardening itself. Aoi's other interests, such as her love for raspberry pie, giraffes, and quiet winter nights, are more explicitly mentioned, but here, she looks so gloomy to flowers especially considering her interest rapidly grows the second Hakubo destroys it accidentally (please refer to the 9th symptom).

3. Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month) or a considerable appetite change. N/A, the manga does not focus enough on Aoi to point this out. 4. Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day. N/A, the manga does not focus enough on Aoi to point this out. 5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down) When Aoi was kidnapped by Shinigami-san (Hakubo), she didn't react quickly or wiggle out as desperately as she wished. Seemingly slowed down. Although it only was showcased once, it is important to mention that Nene and Akane are much more panicked than her. Her mind is obviously telling her to move, get away, get out of this situation, but seemingly her body isn't following. Her instinct to live isn't moving according to her obvious will to get out. Even when Akane grabbed her, she doesn't react, her body slowing her down.

6. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day N/A, the manga does not focus enough on Aoi to point this out. 7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive self-deprecation or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day  Aoi seems to experience this inappropriate amount of guilt and take things Nene does personally instead of thinking the obvious: Her best friend is a weirdo. This could be excused with the fact she cannot see Supernaturals. Regardless, it led her immediately to presume Nene hated her. She also shows excessive self-deprecation when talking about herself to Akane, claiming if she married him, he'd be disappointed.

8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, (either by subjective account or as observed by others) Aoi isn't a character that showcases her indecisiveness. She can be stubborn like any other human being and she's prideful, but when it comes to Akane, she is known to be indecisive whether to indulge him or let him go (because she doesn't think he truly loves her). That's why I look at this symptom and just want to scream "I SEE IT!! I SEE IT!!" But I can't find any proof besides this panel in chapter 68 when she's making an all-time decision between leaving him behind or staying with him.

9. Recurrent thoughts of death (not just the craving or fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation, or a suicide attempt or specific plan for committing suicide Aoi is an interesting character. Not only is she ACTIVELY interested in the occult and horror stories (when initially she claimed it was only because Nene liked them) but she thinks about death more than the main character who is plagued and doomed by the storyline due to her short lifespan. Here are a few examples of her expression softening, or even how peaceful she looks when death faces her.

Criterion B: The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Canonly, it causes impairment in the social department of Aoi's life as Akane annotated. She struggles with making viable and long-lasting meaningful relationships due to not putting in energy to reach out first to individual.

Criterion C: Exclusion criteria- Not due to another mental disorder (e.g., bipolar), medical condition or drug. Note that there can be another mental disorder, but then this becomes a depressive episode, and therefore not Major Depressive Disorder. Here it's arguable on whether or not she fulfills this criteria. The version of the manga I have doesn't clearly state she was drugged, plus, quite a bit of her behaviour came out despite the drugging, which is why I decided to still put them down in this diagnosing. On top of it, no canon mental disorder is confirmed for Aoi (even if BPD is very much implied).

Take this with a grain of salt, I do think Aoi has BPD with traits of MDE (Major depressive episode - otherwise known as High functioning long-term depression). This was only a fun revision for my psychology class on why it isn't entirely inconceivable for Aoi to have MDD. Feel free to provide more proof or even just tell me if you think I'm wrong on a symptom. I had a ton of fun making this!

[snailtrain]

With regard to the Shinigami Eyes plugin issues, I want to stress how important it is to Trust, But Verify.

A tool can be wrong. This one in particular is curated by a team of human people who can and will have biases. Any easy blacklist curated by real actual humans is going to be open to their biases. AI or Bot driven lists* aren't affected by biases, but they also aren't smart enough to tell "Rowling" from "growling" or "terf" from "butterfly". Honestly, the bot/program that identifies words is more reliable in the long-run vs the one that relies on human input. It still needs checked, obviously, but it's largely free from human bias. A little guy that just points to words and goes 'it has these letters in this order!! Be Aware!' but doesn't assign Good or Bad to it.

It's truly unfortunate that Shinigami Eyes has been made unreliable through bias. This sucks! I wish it was not the case! It was a useful tool for a lot of people for a very long time, and the fact it's being weaponized now against my community is incredibly saddening.

Much in the way you cannot trust a callout post blindly, you shouldn't trust any labeling or blocking tool blindly. It's unfortunate that many people will be learning this through this debacle. :(

Links of reference:

As an addendum, because I did do some cursory lookin' and the link above to firefox reviews does reflect this: Things seem to have taken a downward turn in the last 5 months, though this problem of false flagging was absolutely present before. A tool that relies on user reports is not a reliable tool. Any number of factors can lead to false flagging. Humans and programs are equally fallible (for different reasons) and both can give you a wrong result.

Stay safe, friends. It's truly unfortunate that a tool trusted to protect us from constantly seeing rampant transphobia online has turned against the community it was built to protect.

*systemic biases do influence machine learning, ai, and bots. for the purposes of this, I used generalized words to mean 'an algorithm that blocks things based on a word or string of words without consideration for context', which is how tumblr's blacklist function works.

[catboymettaton]

kira wins AU where light keeps Mikami locked up in his house all the time. 662 words. enjoy. not even remotely edited.

read on ao3

Kira will be home soon. He takes his glasses off and stows them away.

He doesn’t need them to see, not since the shinigami blessed him, but he’s a man of habit and always has been. He clings to the habits he had before his God plucked him from his mortal life, brought him to Heaven to perform his divine judgements.

He’s not allowed to go to the gym anymore, and at night his body aches. He does push-ups while Kira is gone, fights to keep his arms in shape.

Kira doesn’t like it when he works out when He’s around. Kira doesn’t like it when he wears his glasses. Kira doesn’t like anything that reminds Him of Before, when He and his Disciple lived separate lives.

He takes off his shirt and changes into his Kira-sanctioned wardrobe. Letting him keep his old suits is another concession from God, one that he is eternally grateful for. He knows that He could have him disappeared with a wave of His hand, and it is just his eyes that keep him safe.

He hopes his eyes will keep him safe. He knows it wasn’t enough for the Girl, whose name He refuses to speak. So he does his best to be a good Disciple for his God.

Blank white shirt that hides the muscles of his figure. Jeans that chafe his skin. He kneels at his altar by the door, offers the Notebook up for God to inspect with his divine, yet mortal eyes.

Kira’s key turns in the door and he looks up to watch Him enter. He looks powerful in his suit, shiny black shoes clicking over the doorway till he steps out of them.

The Disciple remembered to take his socks off this time. Kira was quite angry last time he forgot.

Kira reaches down to pluck the Notebook from the table. He skims through it, notes the neat and orderly rows of names and deaths. He pats his Disciple on the head. “Good work, Ryuzaki.”

Ryuzaki swallows. That is not the name he sees when he looks in the mirror, and he and God know this equally well. It is not his true name, not the name that would make him vulnerable to an enemy. But it is his name in Heaven, in this house of Kira’s wisdom.

Kira insists that this is a safety precaution. He insists that it is safer for both of them if they do not speak their true names. He is Kira, and his Disciple is Ryuzaki.

Who they were before is irrelevant.

He can see the kanji burning bright above God’s head. Moon Night-God. A fitting name for the man who has brought order to society, eliminating crime entirely. The world is at peace, all thanks to Him and Ryuzaki’s pen.

The shinigami laughs behind Him. Kira ignores it.

Sometimes Ryuzaki wishes the shinigami would stay home with him instead of following Kira. What a selfish request, to ask that the creature stay with an ordinary man rather than following God. If he had his choice, he would stay by Kira’s side as well.

He’s learned things about the man Kira was before. Things he is not supposed to know. He’s seen the pictures of the old Ryuzaki, the man whose name he wears like a corpse. He knows that man kept Kira on a chain, by his side at all times.

Sometimes he wishes Kira would extend him the same grace.

He follows Kira to the bedroom. Writing names is half of the service he provides, and when night falls, he slips into his other role.

Sometimes he misses his old eyes. Sometimes he wishes the world would blur around him, rather than perpetually remaining perfectly crisp. But he was never that nearsighted, so regardless, Kira’s smile would remain in focus as he fell to his knees again.

He is grateful to be God’s Disciple. He is grateful for the privilege to serve.

[rays-of-fire-and-ice]

Sentinel

Two Weeks of Hitsuhina 2024 - Day 7: Your Courageous Back / This Light I See

Rating: K/General with mild themes and mentions of injuries.

Setting: end of the Thousand Year Blood War arc.

Synopsis: In the immediate aftermath of Yhwach’s defeat, Momo reflects on Toshiro's strength and the lengths he's gone to to obtain it.

AN: I decided to listen to both This Light I See and Momoiro no Hana to see if either gave me an idea for this day, but in the end, they both inspired me, so I’m writing for both themes. And would you look, it’s yet another ‘Momo reacts to Toshiro’s Completed Form’ fic! How original XD In this case, I wanted to take it in a slightly unexpected direction.

This one ended up being a bit of a mess, but hopefully it's an enjoyable one!

__________________________________

The air is still and silent, but thick with the smell of broken concrete. This isn't what makes Momo raise her head and focus on it. A thrum runs through it, one she and most Shinigami only experience when a battle has come to an end. One that said the battle was over. Sometimes, especially in times like this, that sense can be wrong, that there's another threat lurking beneath that needs to be dealt with.

She's drawn away by the faint coppery scent of dried blood.

She glances at her unconscious captain, checking one of his wounds hadn’t reopened in the last twenty minutes. The fresh bandages she’d wrapped around him are still clean. She brushes the hair that’d fallen across his face to make sure the gash on his forehead and the cut on his cheek hasn’t opened either. It’s of little comfort to discover no blood. She wishes he were awake.

Still, it could be far worse for the two of them. Momo grimaces thinking about the others buried beneath the debris. She can sense their reiatsu, all faint and flickering from injuries.

She turns her gaze to Toshiro. She has to stop herself from doing another double take at the sight of him. He stands a short distance away, back turned, Hyoruinmaru drawn at his side, and somehow a fully grown adult.

She bites the inside of her cheek remembering her initial reaction, how she’d gaped at him after he’d landed in front of her and tried to instruct her move further from the battlefield. The giant Quincy was distracted by Byakuya, and she was caught off guard by the sudden new appearance of his childhood friend; so much so she kept staring at him as he led her to safety and she nearly dropped her captain while carrying him away.

The building he’d taken her to had one side completely caved in while a lone wall remained, facing the battle taking place in the far distance. Until Toshiro had returned, she’d gone between looking around the wall to watch the battle from here and keeping her captain propped up against the wall to continue tending to his injuries.

“Kuchiki is searching the area,” Toshiro had informed her. “He knows I’m here, he’ll come to us when he’s confirmed there’s no further threats.”

“You didn’t want to check with him?” she’d asked. In hindsight, she wonders if she'd sounded ungrateful; it certainly hadn't been her intention.

He hadn’t answered right away. “I checked the area on my way here, it was safe. Aside from you, Kuchiki, and I, there’s no active Shinigami in the immediate area.” He’d gestured to Shinji. “How’s Hirako?”

“He’s all right, I’m almost done healing him.”

He’d turned away. “Keep going then. I’ll keep watch.”

And that’s how it’s been for the past hour. Not another word has been spoken since, and she’d wrapped the last bandage around her captain's arm twenty minutes ago. In all that time she’d wanted ask how he came to be like this, but she’d held back.

She takes stock of herself. The weariness and razor-edged anxiety she knows comes from being in quiet battlefield. The dread in the pit of her stomach is from the war itself, that their enemies had powers beyond anyone’s imagination, and that they were leaving the fate of all the worlds to a Human far too young to be in a battle like this.

The daring hope and meagre relief -- hampered by the other emotions and sensation running through her -- that clamber through her chest is from Toshiro’s survival against the giant Quincy, but it’s paired up with an uneasiness. She wants to chalk it up to his sudden change in appearance – it had been jarring afterall to see him suddenly not look as she’s always known him – but it feels like only a part of the reason.

She checks her captain over one last time before standing up. She winces at the stiffness in her leg, taking a moment to stretch them. Toshiro turns his head a fraction, a corner of his lips and his lashes coming into view. After a beat, he returns his gaze to straight ahead.

Perhaps that’s what bothers her. He hasn’t said a word or looked her way for the past hour. This war might still be going on in other parts of the palace, and there might be battle still to come. They both need to be vigilant until they see or hear otherwise.

Yet, she’s still bothered by his silence and refusal to away from what’s ahead.

Her footsteps scrap along the ground, coming over small bits of rubble and the remains of the tiled floor. He doesn’t give any indication that he’s aware of her approach. Funny, it’s usually him who sneaks up on her.

“Captain Hitsugaya,” she tries, but still he doesn’t move. “Is everything all right?” He must be in deep thought; he has no other reason to not look her way.

The closer she gets, the more he fills her view. There's something about his stance. It’s strong, solid, a typical posture for any alert Shinigami. The uniform he wears is mostly ruined. She notices the patches of dirt and rips in the white fabric and black fur lining. The ice trimming on the ends and encasing his shoulders, forearms, and shins glimmers in the light. Hyourinmaru shines, and she shudders at the freezing waves emanating off the blade and brushing over her.

His back is straight, strong, not a hint of weariness or weakness from injuries. His shoulders at wide, and she suspects they would still look that way even without the ice that encases them.

It all inspires a her a strange confidence - no, reassurance – within her. He’s like a sentinel, watching out for her and Shinji, ready to eliminate any threat that comes their way. This is the strongest she's ever seen him, and judging from how his reiatsu dispurses across the area like a cold wind, it might even be close to his full potential as a Shinigami. Whatever he had done to become like this, she never thought anything would lead to him achieving the milestones of Shinigami before he even graduated, let alone whatever made him turn into an adult.

Caught up in these thoughts, she reaches out and touches a hand to his back. Before he reacts, the jolt of cold racing up her arm makes her realise what she’s done. She expects him to startle and spin around to confront her. She has an apology ready on her lips, but not an explanation.

She blinks when none of that happens. His posture stiffens and he lets out a surprised grunt, even lifts Hyourinmaru a fraction, but he otherwise remains motionless.

“What’re you doing?” he asks without looking back. His bewilderment is evident in his tone, but there’s also a tightness in his voice.

She flinches her hand away, even locking her opposite one around it and bringing it to her chest for good measure. “I, uh – I’m sorry! I don’t know why I did that.”

“…You don’t know why you did it?”

How lame, she thinks. “No, I…”

His head lowers, then turns, enough for her to see his eyes over his shoulder through his bangs. “I wouldn’t do that again without saying something. While I’m like this, I can control what I freeze if it touches me. It might slip if it’s something unexpected.”

That explains the sudden cold. She thinks to step around and speak to him face to face, but again she doesn’t. She stands behind him, his shadow casting off to the side, beside her. “I called out but you obviously didn’t hear me.”

He says nothing, which only makes her the furrow in her brow deepen.

“What is this? Why are you like this?” she finally asks.

He inclines his head away. “It’s Hyourinmaru’s Completed Form, an extension of my bankai.”

She gasps. “You mean this is the next stage of it?”

“Something like that.” He raises Hyourinmaru out to the side, his arm at the level of his shoulder. “I couldn’t fully access Hyourinmaru’s abilities as I am, so I needed to age up into this. form”

A pang runs through her heart. “What?”

His arm slackens, half bringing the blade back to his side. “It’s not permanent, if you’re worried about that.”

“Oh, no, that’s not – even if it were, we’d --” She shakes her head. “I just can’t believe something like this is possible, that’s all." She takes him in from head to toe again. To think something like this could come from Hyourinmaru. "How did you, uh, discover it?"

“It's a result of my training in the caves.”

She remembers those days. After they’d reconciled, she’d learned about his excursions to the caves in the Rukongai, even came to visit him a few times with snacks for him. He never really gave a reason for why he was so focused on training. A Shinigami is expected to train often to maintain or improve on their skills, but she always felt his was excessive during that time.

“It took a lot,” he continues. “To tell you the truth, I don't like it. It feels..." He jerks his head up. "But it’s proven to be essential in this fight. Still, that Quincy showed me I still have much to learn.” His grip on his zanpakuto tightens. “ I’ll get better, until it’s truly perfected.”

Another pang runs through her. This time it shows on her face too. She wonders if he saw her he’d take his words back. “Captain Hirako made me realise everyone has their limits, and that’s okay. We should always aim to get stronger, but there comes a point where we can't go any further."

"I'm not at my limit," he says, adamant. "I know I can still get stronger. Just watch me."

She cringes. Her words were meant to to be a reassurance, but it seems to have had the opposite effect. She lets out a quiet, tremulous sigh. "But you've always been strong, Hitsugaya-kun."

He says nothing. He needs to hear more.

Slowly, her hand returns. Just as she expects, there’s no cold racing up her arm. Something about that relaxes her, makes her lower her guard and lean forward until her forehead presses into his back as well. He doesn't tell her off, doesn't even make a sound.

“You’ve always had to carry so much on your shoulders," she says. "Did you become this strong to carry it all?”

She feels through his back before she hears the hitch of breath. “What’re you saying?”

“Even before you became an unseated officer, you had so much put on to you," she says. "You achieved milestones that most Shinigami don't achieve until they're nearly a century into the role. Some don't even achieve Shikai before their service comes to an end. And there you were, a child with bankai before you were even an unseated officer." She lets out a huff. "It's incredible, you're once in a generation really...but it must have come with a lot, right?"

Still he says nothing, but senses something change in him. It's in the longer breaths in and out, and how his free hand curls into a loose fist.

She doesn't understand why she's bringing this up now of all times. It comes pouring out of her, locked away for decades. She'd watched him afar, seeing him grow and becoming more powerful as the years went on. Many senior figures had high expectations of him, and the whispers among many Shinigami spoke of him as a prodigy, some even going as far as to claim he was a reincarnation of a legendary heavenly guardian that was born into the Soul Society every few centuries.

She hadn't stopped to think about the effect such things would have on him until after Aizen's betrayal. He was always up to the task, to show others he was indeed a prodigy and giving more weight to the reincarnation myth with every milestone he achieved, but that didn't mean he needed to That didn't mean it affected him in other ways. Did it make him feel he needed to be a sentinel for her and the others? To always put himself in harms way to protect everyone?

She thinks back on his training. Why had he trained? She always had her own ideas, but maybe one of them was true. The one where she thought he didn't think he was strong enough. Perhaps some would say he wasn't, but it's not the sort of strength he needs. The one he did need he already has. It's the one that she wished more would recognise in him.

"You’ve been strong for so long," she says softly. "It’s okay to rely on me and others too."

“What?” His head comes over his shoulder. “I know I can. Don't discount your own strength.”

She can’t help but smile. “I know that too, but you often try to do these sort of things by yourself. You don’t want to burden anyone else or you fear they’ll get hurt.” Her grip on on his jacket tightens. “If an enemy shows up, we can fight them together. If you sensed it before too, and the battle here is really over, then...you can rest. You don't have to be like this anymore. I don’t need you to protect Captain Hirako and I right now."

She frowns at the shudder that runs through him. She lists her head upwards, but his face is gone, head bowed. Is he overcome? “Hitsugaya-kun?”

He murmurs something, and she must have misheard. "What is it?"

His shoulder stiffen, as if realising he said something he wasn't meant to. “I’m fine, just…tired.” The hoarseness of his voice says otherwise.

She listens to his heartbeat through his back while be collects himself. Then, to her surprise, he begins to turn. She quickly leans back and comes face to face with him. She would’ve smiled and perhaps even joked she’s not used to having to crane her neck to speak with him, but his gaze stops her short.

It's soft and warm, and his usual frown his gone, replaced by a pained pinch in his brow. She's never seen him so vulnerable, it makes her want to envelope him in a hug. She resist the urge, settling for holding his free hand instead. The gesture makes him swallow and close his eyes.

She isn't blind; he's quite handsome like this. It's him, years into the future in a strange way. She can even feel a faint heat beneath her cheeks with how he gazes at her with such a face. But it's not him as he is now.

She smiles. "I'm here."

That makes him open his eyes again. His lips part, about to speak, when the reiatsu comes to both of their senses. Toshiro snaps to attention, and Momo looks back him. In the far distance, a figure sprints and jumps over the ruins.

"It's Captain Kuchiki," she says.

When she looks back to Toshiro, that softened look is mostly gone. There's remnants of it in his eyes, like the glowing embers of a dying campfire.

"Thank you, Hinamori," he says hoarsely, before turning away from her. Her smile remains, albeit a bit diminished. She'd hoped to speak with him more, to hear what he had to sya just now. Maybe he'll tell her later.

For now, watching him take several steps ahead to meeting Byakuya, she remembers what she thought he's murmured earlier. She keeps telling herself she misheard, and yet, her heart hopes for the opposite.

It's always been for you.

[aeleif]

A whimsical poll for the people of tumblr

Hope people enjoy this. I spent a long time making it and I'm really proud of it :D

You are walking through the woods and suddenly you come across 7 tree stumps laid out in a perfect circle.

As you move into the circle, an unknown voice starts speaking, "I've been waiting for you."

Searching for the owner of the voice you look around, but find no one. You decide to look at the tree stumps instead. On each of them lay an item.

"You may choose only one, each come with great power. Choose carefully as you cannot change your mind after," the faceless voice stated.

Only look below the cut once you've chosen.

Once you pick up your item, a scroll appears right in front of you. The ivory paper wrapped in a crimson ribbon floats before you, waiting for its contents to be read.

Once opened it reads,

(Go to the item you chose)

The Golden Potion - This grants you immortality immediately once drank. You will not age past your current age and not die from anything that would kill you otherwise. The immortality can be broken at any time you choose, but you won't continue aging, you will instantly die.

The Silver Pocket Watch - You can use this to manipulate time. You can do this by moving the hands of the watch in the direction you want time to go. The time that shows on the watch will be the time in reality. You can also stop time by stopping the watch from moving.

The Black Notebook - Ah, the elusive death note. With this notebook any person in the world can be sentenced to death, all you need to do is write their true name in it along with how they die. No one will find out you did it. This version also comes with no consequences and no shinigamis.

The Rainbow Jellybean - The jellybean before you can turn you into any creature of your desires. Whether that be a vampire or a werewolf. A fairy or a mermaid. Or a mysterious monster made out of pure darkness. You can be whatever you wish to become. This lasts for the rest of your life, so choose wisely.

The Pink Sketchbook - With this sketchbook you can bring anything you draw inside of it into reality. Want a nice cake to eat? Just draw it in the sketchbook! Have an OC that you desperately want to be real? All you have to do is draw. The sketchbook works perfectly no matter the skill of your art. If you draw a really bad looking cake it will come out looking like the cake that you desire.

The Purple Book - This book is actually a spellbook! It contains all the spells you need in order to become a powerful mage. Want to become an evil wizard and destroy the world? This book can help with that! With spells ranging from destruction to conjuration, all you need to do is work hard to perfect the spells inside and you'll be the world's most powerful being in no time!

The Red Shoes - When you wear these shoes you gain the ability to be transported into any world of your choice. Whether that be from your favourite film or one you made up. But do not let that fool you, you can still get harmed and die in these worlds, choose carefully! You may take off these shoes once in the world, but you will need them to get back to this world, so don't lose them.

-

I made this more writing heavy that I should have as an excuse to practice writing. I'm not a writer but I want to try writing at some point and have no idea where to start.

I hope people like this and aren't put off by all the words. Thank you to anyone who takes part <3

[kiame-sama]

Humans Are Extinct (Yandere!TWST x Fem!Reader) Monster AU pt 51

(Jasper is a student of Royal Sword Academy and has taken an intense interest in the Human that lives in Night Raven College. Where most RSA students have joined up to the 'Save the Human' fan club that has gathered in strength an numbers, Jasper feels it is a ridiculous club that is no better than the many poachers that have tried to move to Sage island. He believes that the Human should only be 'saved' if they want to be and that trying to save them against their will makes the students no better than the Poachers that have arrived in abundance. Jasper has also become rather well known for picking fights with poachers when he sees them among the general populous of Sage Island.)

Warnings; yandere, yandere behavior, multiple yanderes, platonic and romantic yanderes, conflict between yanderes, arguing, hurt feelings, semi-peaceful moments between stressful ones, Kalim refers to his father as 'Baba', party, confrontation, yanderes don't like being called out for being yandere, wishes, Shinigami, Dragon, Vampire Bat, Naga, Genie, Merfolk, Cecaelia, Selkie, Hellcat

~~~~

"You wished to speak, Lord Hades?"

The elder Shinigami turned to regard the Dragon that stood next to his typical Bat attendant, the both of them finally darkening the doorway to the dorm lounge. Where it was technically not Hades' domain, the Ramshackle dorm was where he had been staying for this complicated situation. Humans were a cherished and precious thing, it was only natural those around this last Human felt compelled to protect such a treasure.

"Yes. Come in, young Malleus. Take a seat."

The Dragon and Bat entered the lounge confidently, sitting across from the large Shinigami and his descendants. Idia and Ortho were not present, but their parents were as they sat expectantly watching the pair of Fae.

Shinigami and Fae typically got along well, especially those of the Night Fae variety. As they were both species that tended to live a long time compared to others, they were typically viewed as kindred spirits among one another. Even more so the Dragon Fae that lived until killed. This pair of Fae had no reason to believe that the Shinigami wished to discuss anything other than the wellbeing of the Human for this fact alone.

"I am certain you have been made aware of the Little One's recent transformation to that of a Selkie despite her lack of magic."

"Yes... I am surprised it happened so quickly and that she took to it as well as she did."

"Interesting you should mention your surprise, I would have assumed that you were acutely aware of the events taking place given you have poured so much magic into her already."

This comment made a cold expression take over Malleus' face, a kind of dark shadow settling in the crease of his frown. All his reaction did was prove that he was far more aware of the situation than even Hades had initially assumed. Where the Shinigami elder knew the temperamental and youthful Dragon would likely have some claim lain over the cherished Human, he was surprised to realize there was a level of intent laced over that claim.

Most Dragons claimed others unconsciously. Showing intense protective behavior and eventually integrating that individual into their Hoard without much fuss or theatrics. Putting their magic into others was common during this integration process, but Malleus just showed this was no instinctual call or misstep. It was intentional.

"..."

~•§•~

Kalim watched you with a pleasant smile on his lips, laying across the counter of the Scarabia kitchens. Despite how difficult it had been for the Genie to convince his fellow dorm leader to allow you to spend the evening among Scarabia students, he was happy you were around all the same. It had taken no less than a fair chunk of gold, Thaumarks, and a promise for a future debt to be repaid, but it was worth it to Kalim.

Even though the three Mercreatures had also accompanied you to the sandy dorm, it gave Kalim time with you. Jamil remained nearby just to keep Kalim from granting any wishes as you and the Naga cooked together.

Azul- despite his desire to not share an ounce of your attention- was rather pleased with how he came out on top in this interaction. It was worth it for the price the Genie paid and for the way that you smiled. You were so thrilled with the assortment of spices available to the sand-warmed dorm that it was hard for Azul to feel anything other than joy.

Naturally, Jade and Floyd were keen to bother and pester poor Jamil even while the Naga cooked. Jamil was trying quite hard to not show his irritation and present anything less than a cheerful disposition while you were around. The Twins took this effort of Jamil's and decided to take advantage of it, compelling the Naga to indulge their curiosity.

Even little Grim was thrilled to be around the kitchen as the official taste tester, his little wings fluttering whenever he got a spoonful of the food. Jamil was also keen to ensure the Kit stayed safe among the many heated surfaces and sharp objects, using his long tail to guide the Kit to safe spots.

As you moved around the kitchen, Kalim followed you with his eyes, eager to stay within view of you and keep you within his own view. Anything you needed was quickly retrieved by the Genie who was trying so desperately to be helpful to you. Even Jamil was surprised by how useful Kalim could actually be when he was the one aiding and not the one being aided.

"Once you're done, we can have a whole feast in Scarabia! I know the others in the dorm are so excited to have you with us like this, (Y/n)!"

You smiled, checking on the large pot of rice simmering on a lower heat. Where Kalim had initially insisted that you didn't need to cook, you had happily jumped in to help Jamil and ensure that the dish was not so spicy you couldn't consume it. Jamil didn't taste spice the way others did and Kalim was used to extremely spicy dishes, so you decided to step in for the sake of your own stomach.

"I'm glad to hear that, Kalim!"

The Genie wriggled with excitement at the sound of your praise, soaking up the affectionate behavior from you. What he wouldn't give to have you stay in Scarabia all the time. Even as the two of you chattered away about anything and everything, Kalim found himself leaning in more to hear what you had to say and hanging off of your every word.

"Hey, (Y/n), when everything is cooking and underway, do you want to go on a quick carpet ride with me?"

"Kalim," Jamil quickly interrupted, frowning at the ditzy Genie, "that is not safe for (Y/n) and you know it."

"Aww, come on, Jamil! It is just a bit of fun."

"No, Kalim. (Y/n), don't encourage him."

Somewhere in the distance, as Kalim whined and tried to convince Jamil to let you go with him, you could hear the faint sound of thunder. You rest a hand over the Magestone around your neck, a kind of crackling like static seemed to come from the magically charged item. It felt like something was happening just beyond the confines of Scarabia.

~•§•~

Malleus was slowly feeling rage build in his stomach, not knowing what game the elder Shinigami was playing at. The accusation directed at him certainly made it difficult to keep his emotions in check, especially without his Treasure nearby.

"Whatever do you mean? I simply protect her the way I would protect everyone in my Hoard."

"Do not play coy with me, young Dragon. I am aware that Dragons posses a unique kind of magic that is used to prolong the lives of their mates. This same magic is obviously growing in the Little One's presence. That Magestone she wears is more than telling."

Thunder rumbled in the distance.

"It is so I can protect her better. Those who parade around as her guards have done poorly in keeping her safe. I won't allow anyone to bring harm to her."

"Where it is true the others have allowed for injury to befall her, it is not your place to force your magic upon her without her knowledge."

"She is well aware of what that Magestone allows. I told her as much when I gifted it to her."

"Have you told her you are binding her life to your own so that age cannot claim her?"

"..."

The thunder was louder this time, shadows swallowing up the sky as the Dragon glared. He was doing everything in his power to keep his most precious Hoard member safe, how could he possibly be in the wrong?

"Have you told her that the further you entangle your souls, the harder it will be for her to adjust? I heard she could understand the language of the Fae when she confronted those captured during a kidnapping attempt. Now, why would she be able to do that unless your magic were already seeping into her being?"

"..."

"Furthermore, have you informed her that the longer she wears that Magestone, the more power you have over her?"

Green lightning struck the ground not too far from the dorm, thunder shaking the very foundation of the building as Malleus glares. A kind of glowing intensity took over his eyes as he left visible trails of light when he moved, the smoldering flame of rage igniting within the Dragon.

He was not in the wrong. He refused to let others tell him he was wrong. Malleus had lived enough of his life alone- placed on a pedestal others could not reach and always kept at arms length by almost everyone- he would not allow this Shinigami to tell him he was wrong.

Centuries spent in suffocating loneliness where only the few Hoard members he could claim would even approach him, let alone speak to him. His magic had left him sitting above all others he cared to interact with, leaving him isolated aloft a throne that he didn't want. Was it truly so wrong for him to want just one friend that he could claim as his one and only? Was it wrong that he wanted someone who wasn't an equally detached family member or a grandfathered in Hoard member to sit by his side?

Was he truly so wrong to want someone all his own to care for and protect?

"I won't use that power over her so long as she stays safe. She is constantly hunted and chased down by poachers who would sooner see her body used for their benefit than those who wish to keep her safe from such manipulation."

"By keeping her safe, you are justifying keeping her in the dark about what your magic is actually doing to her. You are using your magic on her and claiming that it is for her own good when you are seeking means to your own ends."

An even louder crack of lightning split the sky, shaking the ground with the force of the impact. Malleus didn't care how angry he was getting. He didn't care that others could be outside trying to flee to safety from his storm. He didn't care that his anger was getting out of hand.

He only cared about the infuriating words of the elder on his extremely fragile heart and psyche.

"And you aren't seeking to use her for your own means? I know you seek to use her body to create your own Humans. When you have gotten what you want from her and have more Humans to call your own, will you throw her away just as you did with your previous home in Tartarus?"

This actually managed to make the elder scowl, not typically one who was quick to anger or feel any kind of frustration despite who he spoke to. Naturally, his growing displeasure was obvious to everyone present as those witnessing this argument became acutely aware of the danger. Both Malleus and Hades were powerful beyond those who sat around them and their anger combined could easily flatten the island they were currently on.

Lilia glanced to his phone in concern, wondering if he shouldn't request your presence to soothe the growing tension between the two. It would be better for everyone if this conversation stopped here and now.

~•§•~

"You know, (Y/n), I have been wondering why I can grant wishes for you and not others, but I think I figured it out."

"Oh?"

You were seated next to Kalim at the head of the banquet. Around you, both members of Octavinelle and Scarabia enjoyed the combined efforts of your and Jamil's cooking. The atmosphere was light and the conversation was buzzing with energy while the other students conversed and happily discussed things amongst themselves.

The genuine feeling of relaxation that filled the air was valuable to you, having found it so difficult to find anywhere that didn't seem to be on high alert whenever you were nearby. Perhaps you would have to visit Scarabia more often if this was as common as it seemed. Even the students seemed happier to have time to talk together and spend time enjoying the feast they had been presented with. Some Scarabia students were even comforting a few Octavinelle students who had burst into joyful tears upon tasting the meal you had created.

"Yeah! I've been thinking about it a lot and I only recently realized it is because of your aura!"

You froze at this, feeling your heart race and your mind begin to sprint with stress. How could Kalim possibly know about your aura? When else did he know?

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, every species has an aura- Genies communicate and survive using our magic, after all- but your aura is so unique even from Genies or any other species. Genies are made of magic and survive off of magic, so we can see auras where others don't. Some, like Unicorns, can sense aura too, but not as well as Genies can."

Kalim gestured around himself at the constant golden glow that seemed to hum from his very being. Odds are, that golden glow was his own aura shining through in a visible way around the Genie.

"My aura is golden, just like my Baba's aura. Most have a set aura that often shows their intentions and helps create a comradery between species, but your aura is different. Auras all have colors and wavelengths that show what they are like. Usually there is only one color per aura and most auras tend to stay within certain wavelengths. When a wavelength or color match between two creatures, they tend to get along a lot better. Your aura is like a rainbow over an Oasis."

Kalim picked up your hands, holding them close to him with an excited smile. He noticed the way your pretty aura shifted to more golden tones, rising in wavelength frequency to match Kalim's own- rather erratic- aura. That synchronicity soothing Kalim and his volatile magic to something more tamed and controlled.

"Whoever you talk to or touch, your aura matches their color and synchs up on the same wavelength as theirs. Even mine- which is always fluctuating and changing- is so soothed and calmed by your aura. It has to be that your aura communicates with mine in a way others don't! Genies often match their aura with whoever is making a wish so that wish is fulfilled in the desired way. My aura doesn't like matching up with anyone, so that is probably why I can't grant wishes the way my Baba does. But with you... Your aura synchs up to me, not the other way around."

As you felt an immense interest overcome you, your phone suddenly buzzed with an urgency. You had assigned most of these monsters to their own ringtone and recognized the playful tone of Lilia calling you. The Bat had encouraged you to spend time in Scarabia and promised to keep Malleus mostly calm while you were away, so it seemed odd that he was calling you now.

"Hold on, Kalim, I have to answer this."

When you answered the call, your phone switched to speaker automatically, the loud sound of howling winds and thunder overpowering the electronic as you heard a voice within the storm.

"How dare you accuse me of such an abhorrent act?!"

You somewhat recognized the voice though the tone was far too aggressive for what was usually the calm and measured timbre of of the voice that had once crooned to you so sweetly. Lilia was calling you because he couldn't stop the fight that seemed to be taking place. As the sound of wind from the phone picked up, you noticed the rest of the party had gone silent as they all stared in your direction.

"(Y/n)! Come quickly to your dorm! If they keep this up, they're both going to Overbl-"

The phone went silent as the call dropped, leaving an deep and yawning stress in your body while you stared at the screen in front of you. Your silence was louder than any words you could say as Kalim suddenly turned serious.

"Kalim, I need to get to Ramshackle right now, or who knows what will happen. It is my wish."

"... Wish granted."

[recurring-polynya]

How do you compare and contrast rukia’s relationships with ichigo and renji?

Rukia and Ichigo:

She saved his life and then he had to put up with her

After some amount of initial frustration, built an intense friendship over a short period of time based mostly on admiration of each other's ideals and character

Rukia takes a mentorship role early in their relationship. Later, he greatly surpasses her in power, although she still occasionally gives him encouragement and support (largely by yelling at him)

Ride or die for each other

Tend to see each other for relatively brief, emotionally charged situations, with separations in-between. Although Ichigo was unhappy during the period that it seemed he might never see her again, this generally seems to work out for them. ("This isn't going to be the last time I say [good-bye], so who cares how many times I say it?")

Come from different planes of existence. Frequently find each other's views and behaviors to be weird and nonsensical, usually in a teasing way.

Can fight as a team, or part of a larger team, but show no particular preference for doing so. Ichigo tends to team up with most of his friends (and sometimes enemies) but his nature as the extra-powerful protagonist often has him fighting solo.

During the initial course of their friendship, they had a lot of solo time, but once Ichigo's shinigami powers become general knowledge, they are more likely to be seen as part of a larger group.

As far as we know, their relationship has no romantic or sexual aspects to it. This is a shounen, so they wouldn't show that anyway, but obviously through the power of fanfiction and wishful thinking, all things are possible.

Rukia and Renji:

She saved his life and then he had to put up with her

After some amount of initial frustration, built a strong friendship over a long period of time based on shared experiences, common ideals, and admiration of each other's character.

Although they have periods where one or the other pulls ahead or falls behind, are generally equal in power and rank. (Rukia yells at him just because she can)

Ride or die for each other

Work in the same organization, have a shared social circle, and (based on filler episodes) hang out regularly. Were both deeply lonely and unhappy during the period where they separated due to societal pressures.

Are very frequently the exact same flavor of batshit insane.

Will often preferentially team-up during combat scenarios, even though they are in different squads. Have basically been joined at the hip from the end of the Soul Society arc onward.

Sometimes they have to put up with Byakuya, but spend a lot of time (which is to say most of the Blood War and two New Year's episodes) one-on-one.

Are married, cohabitate, and have a child. This is a shounen, so they wouldn't show it, but Occam's razor would suggest that they are romantically and sexually attracted to one another. Obviously, once again, through the power of fanfiction and wishful thinking, all things are possible.

[rainbow-journalist]

Imagine being mistaken for a child or teenager even though you are an adult.

Haha, pretty much my case, being someone who is 4'11" in irl, people who don't know me and have never seen me in my life, confuse my age, and are surprised when they find out the truth.

It's understandable that some people don't like it, and feel uncomfortable, but in my case, I find it funny, I've been called cute at school, and I liked it. I have my disadvantages of being weak and having to climb on chairs to reach high places, but that's not a big deal.

Tw: spoilers mdarc

In Makoto's case (and also Yuma), the choice of low appearance is clearly for narrative and aesthetic reasons. The creators chose this height for a high age and responsibilities, it is clearly to make the story more interesting, and Yuma has a much more rookie look. I thought this was brilliant, and quite cute. The thing about them having big eyes would be to facilitate their facial expressions, but also, I think about moe culture Japan. And I don't think it has anything to do with Loli/Shota, nor do I like that word for personal reasons that you must understand.

The last character I saw who would be the same height as me would be Himiko Yumeno from Danganronpa v3: Killing Harmony. Natsuki from Doki Doki Literature Club, She also has the same height, although her height is confusing, in the original game it is listed as 149 cm, but in the Plus it is 150 cm, I don't understand. (And I ship her with a my short female oc, but that's not the case, COUGH)

At first, when I started seeing more of Rain Code, I thought that Yuma's small appearance was the result of the pact he made with the Shinigami. Like, "wow, supernatural effects, probably in the end it will have a standard look", But I was wrong, right?

In my case, being short is more of a genetic issue, because my biological grandmother was a short lady, and I probably got that from her. After I turned 18, my physical appearance hasn't changed that much in the last few years, nor has my face.

In Yuma's case, I've seen theories saying that it would be a question of physical health because he's short and weak, I don't really have an opinion on that, if we think about it in game. I'm not a person who gets sick easily, but I still feel pretty horrible and vulnerable when I have a cold. ;-;

If you ask me something about headcanon, I probably won't be able to answer anything, I'm terrible, and I follow other people's headcanons more thinking that it might be Canon. The age of the characters according to Kodaka is not important to the story, and perhaps the intention is to make the game as accessible as possible? The protagonist does not have an official age, which means that any player of any age can identify with they without any barriers. I think this is cool.

I decided to leave my arts and stories ambiguous for you guys to interpret as you wish, I still think that Makoto would be stuck between 20-24 years old forever. (but I also support the characters growing older with you every year)

[captastrophe]

All of Ichigo’s chocolate stash has been stolen! All of his snacks have. All of it. Gone. With only a wrap left as a clue…

The air snapped—a sudden, violent crackle of Reiatsu that surged out from Karakura Town like a shockwave. It rattled windows, sent birds fleeing from rooftops, and made the sky shiver.

In the Seireitei, several Shinigami stumbled mid-step, eyes darting to the sky. Murmurs spread like wildfire. Were they under attack again? Was it another Quincy invasion? An Espada revival?

In Hueco Mundo, Hollows shrieked in instinctive terror, their wails echoing through the bleak desert as they scattered into the shadows. Even the mindless ones could feel it—something apex was stirring, and it wasn’t on their side.

Back in the Kurosaki household, Ichigo stood in the kitchen surrounded by nothing. No chocolate. No Pocky. No cookies. Just silence, and a single torn wrapper left behind like a taunt. His fingers clenched around it, crumpling it with a slow, precise grip.

His family? They knew better.

Not even Isshin would touch Ichigo's snack stash unless he had a death wish. They all remembered the last time—three days of pure, passive-aggressive hell: cold silences, swapped labels, and doors opened just a little too hard. No one wanted to endure that again.

Ichigo turned without a word, storming up to his room. He reached under his desk, grabbed his Shinigami badge, and pressed it to his chest. His soul slipped free with practiced ease, his human body collapsing safely onto the bed behind him.

His spiritual form’s eyes glowed faintly, the low simmer of his fury heating to a boil.

He stared at the crumpled wrapper in his hand, focusing his Reiatsu into it—searching for any lingering trace of spiritual residue. Whoever had touched it, however faintly, had left behind a fingerprint of Reishi.

"Zangetsu," he said internally, his voice dark with intent, “Giving them the Ginjo treatment would be the merciful option.”

Across the worlds—Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, even the World of the Living—any spiritually sensitive soul felt it.

A pulse.

A chill.

A gnawing hunger creeping through the threads of spirit energy that bound the realms together. Not for food, not for vengeance.

But for the hunt.

And it came from him—Ichigo Kurosaki.

The Apex Predator was awake.

And someone was going to pay.

[kiwicopia]

🌸 Byakuya & Shunsui w/Son!Reader | Bankai before Shikai HCs 🌸

❗Small spoilers for the mention of Azashiro in the novel.❗

Requested by: @lufenianwol

Note: Requests aren't open, but will be at a later date.

It struck him as peculiar for his son to gain his bankai before ever achieving his shikai, yet he knew it wasn't impossible. After all, he knew that Azashiro achieved his bankai without ever gaining a shikai. Still, he found it rather strange at first, but he couldn't deny how unique it made his child out to be. Everyone gushed over the fact that you achieved your bankai first, and as much as you might have enjoyed the attention, you knew this would only make training and fighting a bit tougher for you.

It was more tedious than anything to have to fight without a shikai. Your bankai was always your last resort, however, Byakuya knew this and often had you train alongside him to further your capabilities. He knew better than anyone that a shinigami shouldn't depend solely on their bankai, and so he devoted his free time to helping you to at least try and gain your shikai. It wasn't easy, but these things never were, and your father wasn't the same man he used to be.

Byakuya was a lot more understanding of your situation than you thought, but he also didn't see you as any less for not having a shikai. He also didn't work you to the bone during training. He took things at your pace, and would oftentimes include Renji in the training sessions.

Now, some would call your father a bit overprotective for this, but he grew worried ever since a mission to the World of the Living ended up with you badly injured. He felt awful when you told him it was because you tried to not rely on your bankai as much, to which Byakuya told you to forget he ever said such a thing. That if you need to use it, use it without hesitation. Your life and well-being mattered more to him than restraining yourself like that.

Other shinigami have resorted to nicknaming you "the second Azashiro", but you don't care. Byakuya does, though, and such a silly thing is immediately put to a stop.

If you ever do gain your shikai, your father will sport a smile so proud that it would definitely be the talk of the barracks. However, if you never obtain a shikai, that's okay, too. Byakuya won't ever see you as weak or anything different. He could never think of such a thing with his son. If you still wish to continue training to not rely on your bankai, he'll happily do so.

His son achieved his bankai before his shikai? He's surprised. Very, very surprised, but no sweat. He knows the same thing occurred with Azashiro, especially since that man never achieved a shikai in the end. That just makes you special in his eyes. Now, Shunsui obviously knows the little complications that come with not having a shikai, as well as what can happen when a shinigami relies too much on their bankai. He'd pull a Byakuya and try to train you. Emphasis on try.

It's not that it's difficult, but he can see how bored you get training each and every day with him. As much as he knows it'll make you stronger, he can't bear to see you unhappy like this. So, instead of training you to unlock your shikai, he'll just focus on improving your basic swordsmanship skills as well as your bankai. Shikai be damned at that point.

You're the talk of the Soul Society, though. People are even comparing you to the still imprisoned Azashiro, and you don't care. Neither does your dad with his little carefree personality. Sure, you don't have a shikai like that man, but that doesn't mean you're going to be like him.

Shunsui does get a little concerned when you're on certain missions, though, but you always come back with little to no injuries. For anyone who ever doubted you and your strength, because it certainly was never your father, you prove yourself each and every time. It puts a proud smile on your old man's face. To the point where he always has to brag about you. Nanao never hears the end of it.

He knows you don't need a shikai. Honestly, not with how strong you are now. Though if you ever do get one? He'd be THE proudest dad. Might even bust out a good bottle of sake for such an occasion. Though if you never get your shikai? That's fine, too. Shunsui knows these things take time. That or your Zanpakutō is quite the stubborn one.

Either way, he won't ever see you any different than him or the other shinigami. He also won't take any slander to your name on that, either, and will always bring up the fact that it's the same as shinigami not achieving their bankai. Your old man will always have your back on this.