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Post by Captain Nori Mutsu on Dec 30, 2015 17:31:13 GMT -6
Nori chuckled again at Renji's outburst, "Because he would get it right every time he repeated it. Your Captain is a perfectionist or have you forgotten that tidbit of a fact about him?" She nodded slowly and stepped up to Kairo and whispered in his ear.
He moved back slightly from her and chuckled. "Really?" He shrugged. "It will work and no one will be the wiser on that one."
Nori nodded and moved to Ichigo whispering in his ear then to Renji. She stepped back and looked at the three of them. "The word is not to repeated aloud. It's a safety word for when you are under doubt from the others. Use it wisely, and I believe it should be changed to something new at least once a week--more if it seems they are catching on to us."
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Post by Ichigo Kurosaki on Dec 30, 2015 18:04:12 GMT -6
Ichigo nodded. “It seems a good idea as long as we don’t get mixed up.” He turned around. “But we can deal with that after we see what monsters lurk in the closet.” He paused, suppressing a shudder at the weird quiet beyond them. It reminded him of the time Aizen had touched his chest. And then everyone had attacked Hinamori. He pushed the terrible memory away, not letting it fester the wound of his grief.
“Mutsu-san," he called out, "I know you’re a captain, and I don't mind you leading, but I think it will be better if I go first. They want my blood the most.” He took a step forward. “I’ll be the bait and lure them closer.”
“Even if you’re on half power?” Renji murmured.
Ichigo shrugged. “I didn’t have those powers when I chose to imprison Aizen. I’ll do fine. And I like making them think I am cocky.” He waited for Mutsu to reply.
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Post by Captain Nori Mutsu on Dec 30, 2015 18:21:24 GMT -6
"That's fine," She nodded, "Just don't get too cocky. We need everyone, not just a choice few." They moved forward putting a little space between them as they moved along. Renji and Kairo in the center since his clones were out running the Maze ahead of them. Nori bringing up the rear. They walked causally, but on guard of their surroundings.
The silence was unbearable around them so Nori sent out a wave of wind to at least give them a gentle sound to hear, but not deaden the sound of movement or footsteps. Ahead there was the sound of rustling like leaves in the breeze. As they rounded the corner large vines were found growing up a few of the walls. Nori looked up.
"I wonder..." She spoke softly. She grabbed one of the vines and tugged hard.
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Post by Lt. Kairo Namori on Dec 30, 2015 23:35:57 GMT -6
Kairo chuckled as the vine held in her grasp. "Well you're not turning any colors or your eyes dilated, so I think it wouldn't be some terrible trap." He inspected the vine carefully. "Kita said there was no way out of this maze but through it, but does that mean..." He grabbed ahold of the vine. "I'll be back." He leapt up into the darkness, leaves rustling as he went.
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on Dec 30, 2015 23:48:42 GMT -6
Renji leaned against the wall as the silence stretched out around them. “Did he get eaten by something already?” he muttered.
Captain Mutsu’s eyes narrowed.
“Sorry,” Renji replied. “I’m just-”
All three of them jumped as a huge BANG echoed out and the smell of burnt vegetation filled their noses.
Renji’s head darted upwards. “HEY! I was just joking. I didn’t mean for you to set off an explosion instead!”
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Post by Lt. Kairo Namori on Dec 30, 2015 23:52:59 GMT -6
"It didn't kill me," a shadow image of Kairo stated from behind him. Renji spun around. Kairo smirked and addressed the group. "Follow the vine up. There's a platform further up, and I disabled the sledgehammer that swung downwards. It opened a passage I think you should see it." The image of the ninja turned. "Oh, and careful about going higher. The vine's poison seems to be in its thorns higher up."
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Post by Ichigo Kurosaki on Dec 31, 2015 0:26:12 GMT -6
Ichigo walked over to the vine. “Will shunpo work or do we have to climb?”
“That is a very good question,” Kairo’s illusion murmured. “Let me see…” He cocked his head and vanished. A few minutes later and sparks popped in front of their eyes as the illusion fell to the ground at their feet. “In case you couldn't tell with that light show, there’s a force field preventing such maneuvers at your level,” the lieutenant reported.
Ichigo rolled his eyes and grabbed ahold of the vine. He paused. “What is it that you have found?” he called up. “Can you describe it?”
Renji snickered and walked over. “Not much of a climber, Sub-man?”
“I prefer fences,” Ichigo muttered, keeping his tone neutral.
He hoped this wasn’t an example of the maze playing on his weaknesses. It had been Karin and …. Tatsuki who had excelled in those kinds of sports. Ichigo had never gotten the hang of just pushing himself up on the ropes and had slipped more than once at the gym.
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Post by Captain Nori Mutsu on Dec 31, 2015 0:32:14 GMT -6
Nori looked up sending a Kido flare for some light, again sparks popped and hissed around them. "Kairo!? What do you see, and be careful. Only Gods know what might find you up there. Are you on the walls edge or just a platform on a shorter wall?"
"It's a shorter wall tapped onto the towering column behind me and I think I see more like it further in the maze. But then again, I can't get to them. What I do see is an open door a short jump away with lettering above it. It's a message from the Snake. 'Congratulations, you're daring and quick on your feet, now take this shortcut as a treat.'."
"Ichimaru?" Nori questioned quietly. She took hold of the vine and started to climb. After a few feet off the floor she looked to Renji and Ichigo. "Come up one at a time. I think it would be safer that way. We don't know how much weight these vines will hold."
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on Dec 31, 2015 1:33:16 GMT -6
As she started to climb again, Renji tugged another stalk near him and tested the weight. It had been a long time since he had been climbing, too. But instincts learned on the streets didn’t go away that fast. Turning, he nudged Ichigo. “Shall I go first so you don’t fall?” he teased.
Ichigo went beet red and grabbed a stalk with a determined gleam in his eyes. “It’s been a a while. That’s all.” He halted, unsure how to start.
Renji couldn’t help himself and snickered into his palm.
“It’s not funny!” the Substitute growled.
“It actually is,” the redhead stated. He wrapped his stalk around his hand. “Here, watch me.” He started to show Ichigo the ropes and when Ichigo could actually get up a couple feet, he slid back down. “Keep going. And I will be up behind you.”
As Ichigo faded into the darkness above, Renji allowed himself a small, genuine smile. It felt good o be better than his best friend at something. Pulling his ‘rope’ close, he started up after him.
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Post by Captain Nori Mutsu on Dec 31, 2015 1:42:59 GMT -6
Reaching the top Nori looked around not seeing Kairo anywhere in sight. Using a small Kido she formed a small light and dropped it to the platform giving them a small glimmer of light. Hearing the the vines rustle she turned to see Renji standing and dusting himself. Ichigo appearing soon after. Nori nodded and turned back continuing her search for Kairo.
"Kairo, where are you?" With her calling his name she saw him stepped from the darkness. She stepped toward him seeing his swollen and red hands. She took Kairo's hands and looked at them. Flipping them from palm to back. His hands were bright red from the poison he spoke of in the thorn of the vines. Quickly she sent a healing Kido though the one to see what would happen. As it started to heal she sighed in relief.
"Did they stick you any other place?" She asked him taking the other hand healing them both at the same time.
Renji chuckled softly as he looked around the platform they were now standing on. "You're asking the second biggest pervert in the Soul Society a question you might not like the answer to, Captain."
Nori looked to Renji with narrowed eyes then over to Ichigo as he was now chuckling. Kairo joining them as her gaze moved to Kairo. He cleared his throat pulling a hand from the female captain, combing his fingers through his hair as he looked sheepishly away from her.
"I am glad the three of you find this so comical." She looked between the three of them then back to Kairo. "Well... was there any other place you were pierced by a thorn?"
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Post by Lt. Kairo Namori on Dec 31, 2015 2:00:16 GMT -6
Kairo couldn't help but chuckle and then sobered. He spread his arms wide. “Though I usually could ask a woman to strip me and find out, and contrary to this ape’s beliefs, I am now completely faithful to my bubblehead.” As the boys snickered behind him again, mumbling about him still being able to flirt, he continued. “I do admit, however, to having a small scratch on my chest and my right leg, but I don’t think poison got in either place. Beautiful skin and muscle, Captain~”
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Post by Captain Nori Mutsu on Dec 31, 2015 2:09:16 GMT -6
Nori huffed and pushed him softly back a step or two. "They forgot to add conceited." She turned and stepped the direction Kairo stepped from. "Flirting with a Captain is punishable by Caning, Lieutenant. Shall we see how tough and beautiful your skin is after I have beaten you?"
She gave him a side glance and winked, "Or is that something you would get into?" Looking forward again, she took a couple of steps changing the subject. "Is this the way of the opening you found?"
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Post by Lt. Kairo Namori on Jan 1, 2016 13:02:18 GMT -6
As she changed the subject, each of the boys showed varying signs of embarrassment at how she had silenced Kairo. Ichigo made an incredulous face, eyes wide, and face turning three different shades. Renji looked away and coughed, while Kairo brushed at the lock over his eyes, still grinning.
Ichigo, ironically, broke the awkward moment. “If it is, it’s small, wide enough for two people to enter at a time.”
Kairo’s grin faded. “I know, but I don’t think the Snake would be lying about that message. There may be something important in there. IF we go in.”
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Post by Captain Nori Mutsu on Jan 1, 2016 13:46:22 GMT -6
"The question is where will it take us? I am not so worried about what might be inside. It's where it will land us. Deeper within the Maze or right back where we started." The three males nodded as they watched the Captain walk toward it.
Before she entered and not looking back she announced. "Well don't stand there. Let's go find out. Nothing gained if we just stand around." She disappeared into the opening hearing their footsteps quickly coming up behind her.
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Post by Ichigo Kurosaki on Jan 1, 2016 14:16:13 GMT -6
Ichigo followed after her, the others on his heels. Taking a breath, he entered the dark entranceway, following Nori’s figure and then… rocked to the side as the room tilted. A door slid shut over the entranceway, blocking Renji and Kairo on one side and the captain and substitute on the other side.
Ichigo growled. “Tell me why we followed any of Ichimarruuuuuu-”
Ichigo pitched forward as something oozed from the door, turning the tilted floor slick as butter.
“Damnnnn itttt!” The substitute ground his teeth, hands on either side of the walls, but could not halt himself from sliding down, down, down...
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