Delinquent Knight To The Rescue

[Gaz]

Goku #1

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Sunset in Tokyo was always a marvel, especially on the really clear cloudless days when the waning suns pinkish orange hues could reflect off of the skyscrapers in the distance and make it dance in totally unique ways. It was evenings like this that Goku liked to just wander, take in the atmosphere, and contemplate… and also a way to escape his Shinigami handler that followed him nearly everywhere and tried to make him do her work.

Though today the universe had different plans instore. Down by his usual hanging out area on the bank of the river under the bridge that connected Adachi City to Kita City was a new set of problems he was going to have to deal with. The first being the gang of young men that were about his own age picking on a puppy that looked like it had no idea what was going on aside from being hungry.

The second being that they had decided that it was a fun idea to put said puppy in a bag and throw it into the river to see if it could swim. This put a look of fury onto the delinquents face as he slid down the bank.

“Todo, that’s not fair you have to make sure it knows which way is up.” One of the brats said in a nasally tone as it raised its hand with a stone in it. “I’ll hit it from above to remind it how to look up.” This got an evil cackle of joy out of the other two lads that were there.

Before the stone could come down though Goku raced in and his bare fist impacted that stone wielding idiot at full force, sending him and his stone sprawling to the ground as Goku grabbed the bag with the young Shiba Inu in it and tore it away from the other stunned delinquents. “Yama!” the other three called in unison.

“What the ever-living hell is wrong with you lot!” Gokuro growled as he opened the bag and held the dog close in a caring embrace. His eyes hard with a furious anger. “How about I knock each of you out and push you into the river?!” He growled, those aware of the spiritual world could feel his reiatsu shaking the world around him.

---

Goku: fff8c6
Todo: bf71ff
Reiko: deb5ff
Yama: 9471b0

[Smiley]

Gently, the sun kissed the horizon. With its warm, orange beams, it painted long shadows across the asphalt. Somewhere, a cat yowled and a trash can clattered. It sprinted across the street in panic. Behind it, a twisted silhouette reached a thin claw after it, before retreating back into the darkness. Something lurked in the murky alleyways...

And that ‘something’ was feeling a little lonely this evening.

Shizu’s shoulders sagged with a defeated sigh. Another attempt to befriend the cute strays had failed. For some reason, animals didn’t seem to like her. As soon as she came near, they got spooked and ran away. She couldn’t fathom why. Perhaps it was because- Oh, a puppy!

The train of thought was lost, as the ghastly goth spotted an adorable Shiba Inu sniffing about. She trailed carefully after the dog, trying to find the best opportunity to approach. This time, she would get a new friend, no matter what.

Unfortunately, the puppy was soon dognapped by a group of scary delinquents. Despite being invisible to most eyes, she still hid herself behind a support pillar. She wanted to step up, to say something, but social anxiety strangled her. Thus, she could only watch as the bullies plotted their wicked plans. Her grip on the pillar tightened with each word, until her nails began to dig into the concrete. There was a creeping chill in the air, like a frigid whisper of wind...

Just as the gloomy ghost was about to act, a hero appeared! She watched in awe, as the biggest bully got bowled over. Had she still possessed a heart, it would’ve skipped a beat. Her eerie eyes sparkled with tiny stars, as the hero voiced a wonderful plan. The anxiety released its grip. In its place, a lust for vengeance flared.

Suddenly, the creeping dread grew stronger. A wave of killing intent seeped across the area. Paranoia lingered in its wake, making it feel like something was lurking every shadow. A peculiar sound echoed beneath the bridge, like a tiny sonic boom.

In a blink, a sinister shadow appeared behind the boys. At a glance, the ghastly woman seemed human enough, with her dark dress. However, she resembled a drowned corpse, with a deathly pale skin and messy, dark hair. Her bangs cast a grim shadow over her unblinking glare. She stood on air, looming over the troublemakers.

As soon as the creepy spirit appeared, the brave puppy started barking furiously. Some said that animals could instinctively recognize safe people. ...And beware the dangerous ones. Right now, the little dog was trying to convey to its savior that this woman was definitely the latter.

Shizu glared at the animal abusers. “Unforgivable...” She repeated the word beneath her breath like a mad mantra. The hero’s suggestion from earlier rang in her mind. Her lips parted, revealing a set of monstrously sharp teeth. “I shall drag you all into the depths...”

---

Post 1
Gaz

[Gaz]

Goku #2

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The scene turned into something of a brawl as the spooky spectre stalked onto the scene from behind a pillar of the bridge. Goku whilst holding the puppy, still in its sack, close to his chest with one arm as his other moved and pushed a punch to the side causing one of the bullies to stumble. The other one got hit with a kick to the gut and as he leaned forward to cover the wounded area Goku hit him with a righteous headbutt.

Then he looked to the spirit with a warrior’s hard gaze, authoritative in nature as if to tell it to stop what it was doing and to leave the fighting to him alone. He knew what she was, he had dealt with Rabirria not too long before. The puppy was struggling and yelping in fear the entire time, the hand holding it released a finger to scratch behind the dog’s ear in an effort to remind it he was there to protect him.

The original boy he had socked in the face had come screeching back into the fight with a nose still dripping with blood. The blow was avoided and Goku socked him again in the exact same spot. With a pathetic yelp the boy Yama was sent sprawling onto his back beside the arrancar. “YAMA!” One of the boys shouted, ruining the surprise attack he had prepared with both of his fists pressed together raised above Goku’s head.

“Don’t you dare touch these idiots, Arrancar. They aren’t your fight.” He growled as he pulled his fist back and planted an elbow into the ribs of the sneak attacker. He collapsed just as the final bully stood on shakey legs and was fiddling for his phone.

“You better be calling some ambulances, shit head.” Goku spat as he shifted his gaze to the boy, intense and full of hate for the people who were going to kill a puppy for fun.

---

Goku: fff8c6

[Smiley]

It felt like Lady Fate herself had decided that today’s coincidences needed to get under Shizu’s skin. She visibly bristled upon catching the familiar name. Her glare focused on the downed bully. “You...” Slowly, she crept closer. Her claws twitched. “You are not worthy of that name...” She would strip it from him, right along with the flesh from his bones.

Beneath the wrath, the ghoul was growing... Hungry. She had been forbidden from hunting humans, but... These were just trash bags masquerading as humans. Trash bags with souls. That made them fair prey. She didn’t even care if they tasted foul.

However, the blunt growl stopped the creepy ghost dead in her tracks. Her fury deflated quicker than a balloon hugging a cactus. The brave hero... Rejected her...? “B-but I...” She stammered, glancing between the combatants. “...only... wanted to help...” Her eyes began to water. Sniffling weakly, she clutched her dress and tried to choke back the bitter tears.

Too late...

The dam burst.

It started as sobbing and quickly grew into mournful weeping. Shizu wiped her eyes desperately, but the waterworks just wouldn’t stop. The harsh rejection tore all the old wounds open. Collapsing to the ground, she faced the sky and bawled hopelessly.

Suddenly, without any warning, a massive beam of pale blue energy erupted into the sky. A savvy warrior would recognize it as a Cero of a devastating caliber. Aimed like that though, it shouldn’t pose much danger. ...Right? Well, as a savvy warrior might also guess, what went up also had to come down at some point...

Even as the Banshee kept wailing and firing, the first droplets were already coming back. Tiny blasts, each the size of a raindrop, were covering the sky above them. Everyone around the Arrancar was in grave danger. It was a terrible day for rain...

---

Post 2
Gaz

[Gaz]

Everything that had happened was insane, Goku had flown into a beat down whilst he was outnumbered and handicapped by holding a young Shiba Inu. The Arrancar he had told to not interfere had sunk to the floor and had started to bawl her eyes out. This normally wouldn't have phased the young delinquent but it did, because she was firing streams of pure negative energy into the air.

With a glare and the permeating pressure of a hollow spirit lingering by the remaining bully dropped his phone and ran. He ran like his life depended on it with tears in his eyes. That had resolved the initial issue.

The next issue was this Cryong spirit. Her energy beams had dispersed in the air and started raining down like droplets of despair and loneliness, each one made the ground sizzle when it made contact.

Drops had hit his shoulder and hand as he looked about and saw the rainstorm that was now going to burn him and one of the other bullies. Which was lucky as the other was under the bridge.

"Shhh, you need to stop you're going to hurt the puppy of you keep crying like this." Goku said as he ran over, covering the dog as best he could as raindrops sizzled his skin. The damage was lessened by the fact he was in a physical body but over time it'd have a nasty effect.

"Why don't we stop the tears and we can go to the park with the puppy?"

[Smiley]

As the sizzling rain fell, only the Arrancar herself was unaffected. For her, the dangerous drops acted much like water. The spiritual energy splashed harmlessly against her infused skin and cascaded gently down her figure. It mixed with the hopelessly flowing tears.

When it came to stopping the assault, Goku had the right idea... Buuut poor wording. Shizu recoiled at the mere mention of hurting the puppy. “Not the puppyyy!” She let out another hopeless wail. The beam flared bigger and shortly afterwards the rain grew even heavier.

Fortunately, the second attempt proved more successful. The crying ghost latched onto the promise. “T-truly...?” The upwards torrent ended. Yet... The rain still kept falling. Suddenly, she shook her head. “I... I c-can’t stop it!” She sobbed. “The rain... I-it won’t stop... U-until the Cero runs out...” Guilt stabbed her heart. The puppy would get hurt and it was all her fault...!

...Unless!

Wiping the tears, Shizu scampered onto her feet... And vanished with a peculiar booming sound. In a blink of an eye, she was behind the brawler. Stepping onto empty air, she loomed over him. She couldn’t stop the rain... But she could shield them while waiting it out. Gently, she wrapped her hands around him. It wasn’t quite a hug... She was too anxious for that... So instead, she hovered over him like a goth-shaped umbrella.

As for the poor mortal who had been caught without protection... Well, the ghoul didn’t care. The heartless bully could die for all she cared.

After a full minute, the dangerous rain finally ended. Even short moments felt a lot longer while waiting. Shizu backed away, twiddling her fingers meekly. Her face was a mess of tears, snot and runny makeup. She was avoiding his eyes, instead directing her gaze onto the dirt. The safe, non-judgemental dirt...

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Post 3
Gaz

[Gaz]

Goku #4

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The rain was coming down and there was no end in sight for the young delinquent, from where he was, he could tell he was in the heaviest part of it and that the unconscious bully was where it seemed to be lighter. That kid was going to escape with what would feel like the worlds worst sunburn and some ragged clothes. That was going to suck, but he and the puppy were in a dire situation.

That was when the Arrancar responded to his promise to go to the park with the puppy and stepped up to protect him from her own actions. The looming dark presence was a strange comfort as she hover hugged the young man and the stray. He looked up from his huddled form and saw her face, a smile gracing his own as he realised what had happened.

“Thank you.” He said, sincerely. She did not have to put herself between him and the burning rain, but she did, and he appreciated that. Goku opened his arms and let the unharmed puppy lick at his face a few times, it still shook with a hint of fear, but his warmth and happiness were a counter to that… reassuring the little thing.

“C’mon let’s get outta here.” Goku said as he shifted his feet and began to walk slowly up the embankment. “I know not all Arrancar are bad, just misunderstood.” He explained, after his encounter with the half masked Rabbrria the view that all hollows were naturally evil was replaced with this current outlook. The young man reached the top of the embankment and looked down to the Arrancar and outstretched his free hand down to her, open and inviting for a handshake and to help her to the top.

“Call me Goku, it’s short for Konmaru Gokuro… It means I’m ‘the root of all problems’.”

---

Goku: fff8c6

[Smiley]

The kind words reeled the grim woman back from the brink of depression. She warily glanced up to find a heart-warming sight. ...Not that she had a heart, but for a moment, the hollow space in her chest felt a little less cold. She trailed quietly after the young man. Her steps were dead silent, as if she was merely drifting across the ground.

Shizu was caught off-guard by the offered hand. She gave it a startled stare, like a bouquet of flowers had been suddenly thrust at her. T-this man... wanted to... h-h-h-h-hold hands?! A pink blush flared on her pale features. Her vivid imagination painted a rosy frame around the handsome stranger. Light sparkled in his eyes. His velvet words echoed in her ears.

Without warning, the eerie Arrancar latched onto the hand. Her touch was as cold as the grave. Heavy, raspy breaths scratched at her throat. A disturbing smile spread across her features. Her eyes burned with peculiar madness. “N-nice to m-meet you, Mister Goku...” She stammered, as her grip tightened.

With a wavering voice, the creepy girl introduced herself. “M-my Hollow name is Banshee...” She hesitated, unsure if she should even explain why. “Because I... cry a lot...” Hollows could be so cruel. Sticks and stones she could shrug off with her Hierro, but words left psychological scars that even her regeneration couldn’t fix. “B-but my f-friends call me Shizu...” Indeed, she had friends these days. A whopping three of them. Er, three and a half? Maybe?

Which name would Mister Goku use?

By now, the delinquent knight might notice that the gloomy goth was dragging out the handshake. In fact, she was clinging on very insistently. If he tried to wrench himself free, he would find she was just a little stronger than the frail frame suggested. She didn’t seem to have any intention of letting go... Ever.

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Post 4
Gaz

[Gaz]

Goku #5

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“Shizu is a cute name.” Goku said as he maintained the hand contact, helping the Arrancar to her feet and to a stable footing. It was a weird feeling but he ignored it, allowing the more volatile spirit her comforts. Could his friend have eventually turned into something like this if he was left to roam as a monster?

“Now, let’s go to a park and we can let this puppy walk about.” He said, gently pulling his hand away to pet the dog behind the ear to help alleviate some of the fear that it still had. Seeing as Goku was remaining calm and happy the dog was soaking in that emotion and started to get accustomed to the vengeful spirit.

This Shizu reminded Goku of one of the socially awkward girls that was in his class, the one the other girls bullied for no reason. He was always one to look out for the week and a Spirit that had no confidence needed that guiding hand, the girl in his class was flourishing now she had actual friends. “See, puppy is starting to like you too.” He said with that same assuring smile as they walked.

The park was not all that far away from the bridge, and after a short walk he entered it as the waning sunlight was replaced by the soft glow of the streetlights. “Are you feeling better now, Shizu? You look better when you’re smiling from the heart.” Goku said before leaning down to put the puppy on the floor to run free in the open park.

---

Goku: fff8c6

[Smiley]

‘Cute...’ The word left an echo in Shizu’s mind. In an instant, she imagined herself in a wedding dress in a chapel, staring at her future husband. She was so distracted by the daydream that her grip loosened. Reflexively, her pale claw grasped the empty air in a futile attempt to hold the young man’s hand just for a little longer.

The gloomy goth followed the kind brawler like a grim shadow. She cast weird, icy glances at the puppy, who was basking in the tender love. Jealous thoughts swirled inside her skull like ink, painting every thought black. It wasn’t fair... She wanted to be petted too... Ah, but it was impossible to be mad at the adorable puppy. Just looking at it was warming her empty chest. A small beginning of a smile played on her lips...

As the two arrived at the park, the quiet girl instinctively withdrew into the darkest shadow she could find. Her dark hair squirmed in the evening breeze, disrupting her shady silhouette. Silently, she just lurked like a ghastly horror creature.

Caught off-guard by the sudden comment, Shizu glanced up from the puppy. No one had ever complimented her smile... “T-truly...?” A sudden realization hit her. This had to be... the fabled act of... f-f-f-flirting! She had never experienced it first-hand! Unsure what to do, she simply smiled. “T-thank... you...” Her lips twisted into a crescent grin, revealing a row of inhumanly sharp teeth. It was like looking at a shark.

Then, another, smaller realization came creeping to the creepy girl. She lost her smile. “Ah, but... I don’t have a heart...” Her head drooped and shoulder sagged. Gently, she touched the empty hole beneath her clothing. A heart... If she had one, maybe then she could smile better?

Brushing the thought aside, the gloomy goth tried to stay positive. She had been invited to the park by a handsome boy, who was f-f-flirting with her... That made this... A romantic date! With a determined huff, she prepared herself to flirt back. “Um... Uh... Y-you l-look good... Too...” She started carefully. Trying to smile, she flashed her monstrous chompers again. A dark whisper crawled from the depths of her throat.

“G-good enough to eat...”

There, now she was flirting as well.

---

Post 5
Gaz

[Gaz]

Goku #6

---

Seeing how the Arrancar reacted to thinking that she didn’t have a heart made Goku feel a soft pang of guilt. Ai had always explained that Hollows were formed after their heart broke or was stolen away from their soul. That is what changed them into monsters that always hungered to fill that hole that was left behind. But that didn’t explain the mask and where that came from. He always liked to believe that the mask was the remains of the heart formed in a way to hide the pain these souls were feeling. He assumed that because to cleanse a hollow the Zanpakuto had to cleanly remove the head from the monstrous body or bisect the mask for their blade, a manifestation of their own heart, to forgive the monster and bestow it humanity.

“Thanks, but I don’t think I’d taste very good, Shizu.” He said as he watched the puppy squirm around, wanting to get to the floor so it could run around their feet. Sensing its need he placed the dog down and watched as it started to run around the pair, sticking closer to Goku but not being afraid to approach the Arrancar.

“I’ve been told there’s nothing good about me and I’m a waste of space and potential.” He said in a matter-of-fact tone, shrugging his shoulders. “Which is why I’ve taken it upon myself to prove all of that wrong.” He flashed that charming smile again as he carefully hooked his foot under a stick and flicked it up into the air so he could catch it.

He whistled softly to get the puppy’s attention and waved the stick. As the dog yipped and looked at him, he pulled the stick back and gently threw it to the side for the little tyke to run and catch. “Just like I work to prove everyone wrong you should work to prove your heart does exist… it’s just not where you expect it to be.”

---

Goku: fff8c6

[Smiley]

Confidence quickly swirled down the drain, when Shizu found her compliment partially deflected. Well, it was a whole lot better than the usual reaction... Which usually started with screaming... She was left with a flock of questions swirling around her head. The most prominent one stopped to flutter before her blank stare.

Now what?

The gloomy goth had never gotten this far. A handful of exceptions aside, people were usually running away from her at this point. Desperation began to bubble inside her. She needed to say something. Anything. “H-humans taste delicious, e-especially strong ones like you.” She blurted out.

Falling silent, the creepy girl considered the heroic man’s words. His kind smile made a lovely wave of heat wash over her cold body. A wistful sigh slipped from her lips. She twiddled her fingers together meekly. Any and all responses fled her mind. For an awkward while, she could only stare at him longingly.

Luckily, the nice sentiment had registered in some corner of the lonely ghost’s mind. “My heart...?” She pondered with a quizzical mumble. Instinctively, her hand was drawn to the fragmented mask piece hiding beneath her fringe. It felt... oddly warm.

As the little puppy returned and dropped the stick, Shizu crouched down and picked it up. With a careful toss, she sent it twirling into the air. Much to her delight, the dog deftly caught it before it hit the ground. So cute...

While watching the innocent bundle of joy play vigorously, the eerie ghoul was sinking deeper into her thoughts. One of the biggest questions drifted from her lips. “Do you think even an awful monster can become a good person again...? If she truly tries...?” Leaving the question hanging in the air, she hugged her knees and huddled into a little ball of sorrow.

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Post 6
Gaz

[Gaz]

Goku #7

---

Shizu posed a very deep philosophical question, something that many philosophers over the thousands of years that humans had existed had tried to answer. Many of those philosophers had different answers to it, Goku had one too. “I think so. The past is the past and with work anyone can get over their nature to be a good person. After all we’re just specs of dust on the cosmic scale.” He said, looking up into the sky now that the blood red sunset had vanished, leaving a purple haze that masked the stars of night. To the east the moon was hanging low, but it was full.

“It’s not easy but people who go against their nature end up being the best of us.” He said, bringing back his smile as he moved to sit in front of the insecure arrancar. “Look at me, I hate the world. I think society as it is, it’s just awful… but If I turn into a bitter hateful person that means it won. It beat me down.” Goku explained, shaking his head softly. “I live with my mum who gave up and blames me for everything failing. I lost my dad to the society, and he couldn’t take the shame of losing to it…” His smile wavered.

Life had been and was still somewhat awful to the young man, he fought against the system. Not because it was cool or the hip thing to do. But because the very system itself had failed everyone he loved. “If I can go against the nature my parents expected me to have to be what I am today. You can fight that nature that you think makes you a monster and be a good person.”

---

Goku: fff8c6
Ai: ff9f9f

[Smiley]

Hopelessness hung like a tiny rain cloud over the gloomy goth. “You truly think so...?” She had considered that question a lot recently. Pondered it. Dreaded it. She didn't care much for the answer that kept creeping into her mind. It lurked in the back of her skull, grinning with sharp teeth. Being compared to a speck of dust didn't make her feel any better either...

However, the miserable ghoul was at least polite enough to listen. Cocking her head, she let the words flow through her. The confession came as a surprise... And she looked at him. Quietly appraised him. It was strange... To her, this young man didn't feel like someone who hated the world. Nor did she see someone worth hating or blaming. Perhaps there was something her eyes simply couldn't see?

Scooching closer, Shizu reached out carefully. Her cold claw fell gently on the dark tuft of hair. “There, there...” She offered comforting words to go with the head pat. Kind gestures made her usually feel better, so... She had to at least try.

A little awkward?

A little awkward...

Nevertheless, the creepy girl managed to crawl out of her imaginary shell. “You are... Rather different from me, I think...” She confessed carefully. In truth, they were the exact opposites in many ways. More ways than she even realized... “I have no memories of my parents... No life to remember anymore...” More importantly, though... She didn't hate the world.

Shizu withdrew her hand. “I... love the world...” She mumbled weakly. “All the beautiful sights, wonderful souls, tasty flavors... I love them so, so much...” Lowering her head, she hugged her knees tighter. “I wish I could hug the whole world...” Her tone darkened. “And never let it go.” Her gaze drifted past the man before her. Those empty eyes burned with peculiar madness. There was no love behind them. No warmth. No joy. Only hunger.

Slowly, a horrid imitation of a smile twisted the ghoulish creature's features. “The world... Its people... Every single soul...” Drool dripped from between the razor-sharp teeth. “I just want to...” A grim mutter clawed its way out her throat. “...devour it all.”

A sudden bark snapped the Arrancar out of her trance.

The small puppy placed itself between the man and the monster. It growled as fiercely as its small, cuddly frame allowed. Despite trembling from the snout to the tail, the brave dog defiantly stood its ground. It vehemently refused to let this creature any closer to its savior.

Shizu recoiled. She quickly covered her mouth behind the large sleeves. “S-sorry...” Her voice wavered with a weak sniffle. The lurking answer in the back of her skull felt all the bigger.

---

Post 7
Gaz

[Gaz]

Goku #8

---

Goku let Shizu awkwardly comfort him… it was strange, not because she thought she was a monster, but because she was the only person he had really opened up to about his life. This woman… dead and ominous as she was saw the deep depression that he bottled up and despite all of her own worries and sadness felt he needed to be helped. Just feeling it helped put some part of him at ease.

Yes, the pair were very different, in many ways the souls were opposites… but in others they had a stark similarity. They felt that they were alone in their own sufferings. Her hand moved away from his head, and she kneeled down and hugged herself.

Then the puppy came barrelling in, shaking and barking at Shizu as a creepy look came over her face. The young Goku leaned down and picked the little tyke up. “Shh, it’s okay.” He said to both the dog and to Shizu… there were demons in her that Goku could see now, a part of her that hungered… like normal hollows.

“When was the last time you had human food Shizu?” Goku asked as he shifted his weight and used his free hand to dig in his pocket to see how much change he had. It was a few thousand yen… enough for some cheap but filling ramen. It was his usual go to on days like this when his mum was off of work and with a new boyfriend… she didn’t want him there to ruin it… and remind her of the past.

“If you’re hungry you should have told me! Let’s go and eat. My treat ok?”

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Goku: fff8c6
Ai: ff9f9f