Arrancar Training ((Open))

[Sakata Saburo]

"Come at me again!"

"Shut up!"

It had been like this all morning in Las Noches. Within it's chambers where the Arrancar resided, in a training area, two Arrancar had been training all day, fighting each other without releasing. One was a man with a mask remnant covering his right eye, a '3' tattoo under his left and black hair who seemed to not be too tired at all, while the other was a woman with long, brown hair with a very revealing attire and a nicely curved body who seemed out of breath, yet still stood with a Zanpakutoh in hand. Her mask remains resembled a pair of white glasses balanced on the bridge of her nose.

Quickly, she ran to him and thrust her blade forward, only for him to parry hers by swinging in a wide arc and thrusting his Zanpakutoh forwards several times. She dodged these with some difficulty and swung her blade, attempting to give him a lateral slash across the chest. Sadly, he ducked this and clashed his blade with hers, repeatedly attacking her blade. Realizing his plan to try and break her Zanpakutoh, she pulled away and took a few steps back.

"Better" muttered the male Arrancar as he prepared himself for another round.

[Tsukiyo Kyohaku]

Normally about this time the female arrancar was resting up in her chamber but today she wasn't as fortunate. She hadn't been busy, just restless mainly. She would start to do something then give up and try to find something else to do. Her life had been fairly boring in all aspects. She wasn't much into training lately, because for now, she was happy where she stood. Besides, picking a fight with one of the three espada above her wasn't happening. To her they were trivial and no need to be around. She might be able to defeat them but why take the time? It didn't make much sense, she'd rather just torment their minds than physically harm them. That wasn't really her style.

She walked down the hall slowly, trying to waste as much time as possible. If she didn't find something to do soon it would probably drive her insane, and admittedly, she wasn't that far from insanity. She heard some noises. People, though she couldn't identify who yet. Whoever it was should be more silent, they were making a ruckus. People like that annoyed her to death. She struted towards the noises. Was it? Could it be? Gabriel? And who else? Whoever it was she didn't particualrly care about them enough to recognize who they were. She tucked some green hair behind her left ear. The small white shard over her right eye stood out and the '4' tatooed in the upper center of her chest made little to no difference in her appearace because it was usually partially covered, she didn't want to look to skanky.

She held her ear to a door, listening to the people inside. She opened it a bit and peered in. It was Gabriel and some girl who she only presumed to be the infamous Aurora, his sister. She cursed to herself, of all people.

[Sakata Saburo]

The clashing of swords echoed through the room as the spar continued, Aurora barely able to keep up with him. However, that didn't stop her from trying as the two continued trading sword strikes, Gabriel with his fencing and Aurora with her more instinctive, adaptive style. Gabriel thrust his blade forwards and Aurora sidestepped. Before she could attack however, he spun around, slashing in a wide arc, and she had to duck to avoid the blade. However, as she attempted to attack, he sidestepped it, causing her to go past him.

Assuming a stance again, he waited as she turned around. She was panting and sweating, having been unsuccessful in landing a hit, while he seemed to be taking everything easy. Sighing, she fell back on her butt and sat there, too tired to continue. Nodding, Gabriel sheathed his Zanpakutoh and stood upright. It was at this point that he noticed someone else in the training room.

"Cuatro Espada, Taka Kasai. I did not expect you to be here, Kasai-san. Is there something you want?" he asked the Arrancar. Hearing him speak to someone, Aurora turned to see Kasai and immediately stood up to bow to the Espada.

[Tsukiyo Kyohaku]

She looped her arms in a crossed fashion and stepped fully into the room. She eyed Gabriel with a hteful curiosity, if she still had siblings she probably wouldn't help them, but then again, maybe he was nicer than she. As the girl bowed to her she nodded in acknowledgment, something she almost never did. She felt pity for her. Maybe her brother was trying to get her to be stronger but he would never get her to be stronger than him, even though Taka was sure the girl had the potential to be stronger than him if she really wanted too.

"Well, I was mostly just wondering who was making all the noise. Now I know." She took a few more slow steps. "So, training are we?" Taka let out a half scoff half snicker. "If I had a brother more powerful than me I would certainly not train with him," Always one to speak her mind of course. "I mean, do you seriously think he would let you be more powerful than him? And believe me, you certainly have the potential to be." She smiled to herself, toying with the top three really was fun, though she prefered to mess with Sakrikao, Haydn and Gabriel were fine at times. She just hoped they didn't get the idea that she wanted their positions, though she did at an extent. If one of them wasn't in the place they were in she'd be in the top three.

She loathed them, she hated them. She couldn't care less whether any of them lived or died, though she felt that way about most people but especially them. "So, I suppose if you always want to live in the shadow of your brother then it's mot up to me. But I for one, never wanted to live in the shadows of my brothers and because of that I never did and I'm as strong as I am."

[Sakata Saburo]

Gabriel and Aurora silently listened as she spoke, deciding to be polite for the moment even if it was doubtful that Taka would be equally as polite. As they listened however, Gabriel and Aurora already felt annoyed with the woman in a matter of moments. "Hey! I know Gabriel-Nii-San better than anyone! He wouldn't do something like that!" Aurora retorted. Gabriel glanced at her, hoping that she hadn't called on the Cuatro's wrath with that outburst, before turning back to Taka.

Listening as Taka continued however, Aurora was beginning to feel something strange in her mind. Would he really? After all, he WAS a thief in his past life. What if... No. Never. He wouldn't. But, as she listened, she had to wonder. Did she really possess that potential? Looking towards Gabriel, he saw that he was unnerved. What about? Was it true? No, it couldn't. But still...

"Taka-san... If you are quite done running your mouth... Would you be so kind as to never show your face around my sister? I am not the kind to do such a thing to her. Loyalty is gold. Never forget that" Gabriel told Taka. And with those words, Aurora felt relieved. She knew his loyalty was something precious. He wouldn't betray her like that. After all, his loyalty was his strongest point.

[Tsukiyo Kyohaku]

She noticed the girl starting to crack, Gabriel as well but not to such an extent. This could fairly hard but she rarely failed. She most certainly not fail out to one of the top three, Gabriel at that. He had always been one better than her, just one better. With the other two there was at least some distance but her never treated her as an equal, he had always been just a bit better than her. She couldn't stand that, she never would be able to. She would not be bossed around by a snotty, no good like him and she would not be undermined by him.

"I admit I felt the same as you for many years, Gabriel, but your mind might change. Like you I oncehad siblings I was quite loyal to, seven of them actually and I did work to protect them. You seem to not understand that everything you say ends up being irrelivent in the end. You can't keep loyalty forever." She smiled to herself and bent her head slightly. "If you choose not to believe me, Aurora-chan then don't, but if you know anything about me, you'll know that I'm not one to be wrong about this sort of thing, I'm sure your brother is quite aware of that."

Taka tossed back her head and let out a laugh, which was a mi between a cackle and something completely insane. Even after she was done laughing a smile remain on her face. "Absoluely clueless." She muttered to herself out of utter insane joy.

[Sakata Saburo]

"Why go on with this charade? You will not succeed. Aurora-aneki is not going to be deterred by your words. We've been through enough to know that neither of us would betray each other. Or is the concept of a sibling-bond no longer understandable to you?" Gabriel asked, staring at her. He was loyal to the Espada, always treated them as equals, but he did not necessarily like all of them. Taka was one such Espada. And this was the proof.

"Y-Yeah! What Nii-san said! He'd never betray me! You wouldn't understand!" Aurora spoke back to the Espada, unafraid of her. Right now, she was just some woman who thought she could separate these siblings. However, listening to her words, she raised an eyebrow. Her brothers... Did they betray her or something? Looking to Gabriel, he noticed the hard stare on his face as he looked at Taka. Was she right?

As she laughed out loud, her cackling filling the room and irritating Aurora's ears, Gabriel remained focused, wondering why she was even trying this. Of course, the answer came quickly. She was a sadistic woman. Obviously. He didn't even need telling before now. Something about her screamed it. He just wasn't sure what.

[Tsukiyo Kyohaku]

Taka shook her head, still smiling. Gabriel was one of the few people she actually wanted dead, and she rarely wanted people to actually die. What they said was all true to her ears, she understood absolutely the bond of siblings, she knew what it was like to have a brother or sister your cared about to the greatest extent. Why then were they separated? Why was she here when they were probably all sitting pretty in the Soul Society? That is the unfairness of siblings.

"That's the odd thing, I understand exactly what you're speaking of! And granted, I'm not known for being the nicest or sweetest or loving espada but that doesn't mean I don't know what things are like. Sometimes when you want something there'll be casualties, and you don't have to like these, you can even cry or mourn about these but that doesn't mean that you don't need those casualties," She looked Gabriel in the eye and then Aurora both for an equal amount of time. "Because I understand you and this sibling bond I could probably understand what's running through your heads. I suppose you'd rather tell each other then me, though."

Taka wondered how long this might take. She knew Gabriel was smart and strong willed and his sister went along with everything he said, how long would it take to snap that bond? Maybe it wasn't right t try and brake the tie between brother and sister, but she wasn't doing it for her own joy this time, well, not only for her own joy. It was true that she saw potential in that girl, it was definitely there and she knew it which ment that Gabriel most likely knew it too.

[Sakata Saburo]

"Need casualties? You are mistaken. If you think your casualties made you stronger, then forget about speaking on. Every person in this world derives strength from something but my sister will not need to gain strength through such methods. Soon enough, I will have her become a member of Rangis-Ou-Sama's highly-respected Espada" Gabriel replied, a stoic face as always.

"Mind if I speak, Nii-San?" asked Aurora, to which Gabriel nodded. "Listen, Taka-Sama" she practically spat. "If you think you can separate us then forget it! You may have been betrayed by your brothers or whatever but I know Gabriel isn't the type to hold me back! When his comrades betrayed him, I was the one who stayed by him! When I was frail and weak from sickness, he was the one who stole to provide me with money for my medical expenses! We wouldn't betray each other, ever!".

Taka was right though. Gabriel did see the potential in Aurora. Although, contrary to what Taka might've thought, he was trying to unlock that potential. Make her an Espada. Maybe even a greater one than he. But nonetheless, he could not understand why Taka was even trying to separate them.

[Tsukiyo Kyohaku]

Taka shook her head and moved toward the girl. "My brothers didn't betray me and I didn't betray them. They were there for me when we were betrayed and I was who was by their side when they where dying of illness and disease. You don't understand that I know exactly how you feel from experience. Even Gabriel is a bit more than a hundred years shy of my age." She smiled at Aurora, not an 'I would really like you all in a great amount of pain' smile, like her usual smiles but a 'maybe I should at least try to be nice' smile. "I know Gabriel wouldn't betray you, he's not that kind of guy. If I wanted to really separate you two I would have a long time ago, believe me, I'm being nice."

Taka taped Aurora on the nose lightly and smiled again than walked over to Gabriel. "If you want your sister to be an Espada then she will be, and, personally, I'd rather not be mean to her, she's just in my way to physiologically messing you up Gabriel-kun, it's not my fault you can't defend her to the extent I would like." She smiled at him her other smile, the one that said 'I hate you'.

Taka stared at him, her brown eyes cold as ice. She had to do something, being nice was hard! Well for her at least. If she had to pick on someone, and Taka always had to be mean to be someone, she'd rather it be Gabriel. She wasn't one to be mean to the members of her own gender unless he really, really disliked them.

[Sakata Saburo]

Now Aurora raised an eyebrow. That wasn her plan? And she wasn't betrayed by her brothers? Then what the hell was her plan? This whole fiasco was confusing Aurora to the point that she just didn't care anymore. After all, she barely understood any of it. If she did understand what this girl was getting at, then maybe she'd understand.

And then, of course, it came. As it turned out, she didn't want to separate them. Rather, it turned out she just wanted to get Gabriel angry and attack her. How crazy that was. After all, couldn't she have just attacked him instead? Or was it more like she just wanted him to be angry? Aurora wasn't sure.

Staring at her, Gabriel ignored Taka's 'I hate you' smile. Like he cared wether or not she liked him. He respected her, true, but he didn't necessarily like her. And he didn't care for many other's opinions of his self.

"Physiologically messing me up? I see. So all you want is a fight? I shouldn't have expected any less from you" he answered back. "Or is it that you just want to make me suffer in some way for a one-sided grudge?".

[Tsukiyo Kyohaku]

Taka frowned. "Believe me, once we're done today that grudge won't be one-sided any more. I don't want to fight you, not now. You of all people should know I prefer different methods to gaining power. Relax, I'm not here to batter with either of you. I believe I've made my point very clear." She stepped back from Gabriel a few steps. "Let me ask you this, Aurora, if Gabriel was killed, no that doesn't mean I'm going to kill him. If he was killed by someone who was a complete stranger, what would you do? Kill him back? Because that's certainly what I'd do. Now say he was killed by someone you knew but didn't like, also not implying that I am going to kill your brother."

She looked at Aurora. By her answers to these questions Taka could draw a lot about what she was like. "Now say her was killed by someone you knew and trust, maybe you were friends even. Would you kill the person? And lastly, say you were in love and he was killed by that person. Would you kill him for your brother or let him live for yourself?

[Sakata Saburo]

"Of course. Out of all the Espada, you are probably the most dangerous, regardless of the fact that you are neither strongest nor fastest" Gabriel responded as he watched her, as if to make sure she didn't step out of line in any way. It was true. Her cruel nature made her a dangerous foe. She did not even need to fight to be threatening. Gabriel knew that.

Aurora, now the center of Taka's attention, now listened as she began asking her what she'd do if someone killed her brother. The thought was frightening. The Tercera Espada? Killed? As if! She gulped a bit however. What would she do without him? Her loving brother who had taken care of her for so long?

"If he was a complete stranger, I'd kill them! If he was someone I knew but I didn't like, I'd kill them! If he was killed by someone I knew and was friends with, or even lovers..." she paused for a second, her resolve steeling and her fists clenched. "I'd kill them! For someone I know who I like to kill my brother, that would be the ultimate betrayal! I'd never forgive them!".

[Tsukiyo Kyohaku]

Taka nodded and smiled to herself at Gabriel's comment. He was, of course, completely correct. "Just as I thought. Now think of it this way. That person had a sibling and the pair were as close as you and Gabriel are. Maybe Gabriel didn't like that sibling and killed it. Now the sibling which was your friend did the exact same thing you would do in the circumstances. What would you do then? Would your brother be the betrayer? If you could understand the killers logic behind his logic, what would you do?"

She was begining to like the girl more and more. She was wild and freespirited. She reminded Taka of an old friend, one whose where abouts she was not aware of. The thought of this friend made her skin crawl. In that case...was she the betrayer?

[Sakata Saburo]

Aurora seemed to hesitate a bit, as if unsure. If such a thing did happen, it would be some situation indeed. However, clenching her fist tighter, her resolve toughened her and she proceeded to speak her mind, uncaring of the consequences.

"Even then... I'd kill him! A life for a life isn't a fair trade, and if they really loved their brother, they'd understand exactly what'd happen if they did the same to mine! Nothing would justify it, because they'd know the pain!" Aurora spoke back. She hoped, of course, that it made sense to Taka. And hopefully, it did.