Chapter 12: Rooftop Rendezvous

Night descended over Akachou. Boisterous laughter of gangsters echoed throughout the alleyways onto the streets. Howls of pleasure broke out of well-kept shacks. The noise of nightlife arrived at the center of the street where a lone building stands under the bright moonlight. Late autumn winds twisted down the streets causing the sparse pedestrians to head for warmth. The low foot traffic added to the unique scene unfolding on the littered main road of Akachou.

A youthful man stood down the street, facing the lone building. A straw hat enshrouded his face, casting shadows over his attentive eyes. His Mino ruffled as the wind picked up. The limbs of his body begged for warmth yet he doesn't concede. He calmly stretched his cold, tightening muscles. At the sound of a sliding door, the man's drooping eyes sharpened. Two figures step out of the lone building.

He tilted his straw hat up for a better view. A tall red-haired man and a short young woman with pigtails walked side-by-side. Gripping the katana at his side, he watched the tall man place his hands on the young woman's shoulders. Their conversation was unintelligible given the breeze and distance. Not a minute later, the red-haired man placed a hand on top of the young woman's head, only to have it slapped away with vigor.

The man with the straw hat felt another gaze latch onto the back of his head, the sensation was faint. Like the batting wings of a small insect hovering around one's ears. His eyes flicked over his shoulder where he discovered a young woman with round glasses peeking over a pile of rubble. Her long black bangs nearly hid the large eyes that fixated on him.

Astonishment shone on his face, the young woman with glasses was nearly 200 meters down the road, yet she met eyes with him. Observing him like a hunter, she stalked in cover. Some seconds passed, and the young woman's round glasses flashed as she got up and left her hiding spot, revealing her petite frame and long black hair tied in a ponytail.

He was beginning to see, North Rukongai offered some real oddities. A small smirk spread on the man's face as his face turned back to see the tall red-haired man separate from the young woman. A single violet eye homed in on him, causing his skin to ripple in anticipation. He could tell, with the scar over her left eye as evidence, her strength was not something to trifle with. She could offer something.

Nodding their heads, a tacit agreement was made. Thirty meters was cut down to ten as the two paced toward each other. Facing one another, the man took off his straw hat before giving a polite bow and introduction.

"Outogawa Furuoki."

He tossed his straw hat to the side of the street. His free hand began to loosen his Mino until it fell to the ground revealing his clothes underneath. The young woman's eye widened in disbelief at the young man's Shihakushou. A murmur leaked from her mouth.

'Shinigami…'

A grin grew on the man's face as he took over the small talk with a 'diplomatic' attitude.

"You must be around the level of a lieutenant, impressive. Seeing as how you're not a Shinigami, I'll refrain from using my Shikai. I do hope you know what that means?"

The young woman nodded her head in understanding; however, her face was a little stiff. The manners she had been forced to learn kicked in. Her usual crude tone became subdued.

"Saitou Tengoku Furoufushi. We duel over honor?"

"We shall. As much as I like the edge of life and death, I will set us to fight until you cannot continue. Death may befall you by chance. I request you do not hold it over me if you pass. Do you agree?"

His condescending attitude didn't fail to provoke the young woman.

"I agree!"

She was fired up and ready to go. Gritting teeth in anger, however, if one was watching closely, they would notice her relaxing muscles. The man rested his hand on the handle of his katana. Breaths aligned as the two shared a moment of realization.

""I thank you for this honor.""

"…"

"…"

**Whish**

*CLANG*

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[??? POV]

I hopped onto a roof to get a better vantage point of the scene. I was nearly 100 meters from the rumored teahouse, but my vision was clear as day. The odd perks of having glasses I suppose. Meeting eyes with that Shinigami earlier was a little unsettling. Shinigami are truly powerful, able to do whatever they pleased. Take whatever they please...

*fwoo*

"Brrrr~."

Getting on top of a roof to watch a fight in freezing late autumn is another one of my not-so-bright ideas. But I had to see if they were really who I thought they were. The view of 'Fu-chan' and the Shinigami walking toward each other like some weird ritual baffled me. Aren't you supposed to fight? What's with all the charades? Whatever.

They stop around ten meters away from each other. As the two interact, my eyes glimpsed at the red-haired man I met around a week ago. His eyes showed a fair bit of concern as his hands clasped together behind his back.

Was he really the 'Red Revenant'? Isn't he supposed to be more ferocious or bloody looking? I guess I'll have to check out the fabled tea house tomorrow.

Shaking my head to clear the wandering thoughts. I focus on the tense exchange between the two fighters. The wind picked up causing the hair on my skin to rise. A Hanten and thin wool clothing underneath wasn't enough for this 'amazing adventure'. I should've brought my Hakama when I left, I can feel a cold coming on.

*fwooo*

"achoo~!"

"Bless you."

"Thank you!"

"…"

"WHOA!" *thud*

The red-haired man was standing next to me with his arms crossed as if everything were casual. When…no, how did he even get up here? Regain my composure. These people are thugs, brutal killers who bathe in the blood of infants. Not that I haven't ended a few adults myself. Maybe I was a little brutal… all self-defense! And never babies! The innocent, a line that shouldn't be crossed. Yes.

"Miss, it looks like you've seen a monster. Is everything okay?"

*sigh*

Sometimes they just slip out. Reel it in. I push my glasses up taking in his profile. The passing breeze had caused a few loose strands of red to fall over his face. His black eyes are staring at me. My reflection in his eyes makes me look like a terrified toddler. Am I really that wimpy? Time to work my magic.

"Ahem~! Sorry about that. You surprised me a little there, mister errrr~"

"Tengoku Kenji. And you are?"

Best be honest.

"Katori Batsu'unsai. But I like to go by Batsu."

It's really him. Should I ask him now or later? He's super strong, right? Is there a point though? He probably won't accept…

"Cheer up little lady. They'll start soon."

He broke me out of my thoughts. Sitting on the roof, knees tucked to my chest, the two fighters finished their exchange of words. 'Fu-chan' was displaying a lot of agitation on her face, however, her muscles were anything but. With company beside me, I send the hush away with a question.

"This 'Fu-chan', she's strong enough to face that Shinigami?"

I heard him scratch his chin next to me as he took a seat on the roof. His voice was tentative.

"Hard to say really. If by pure power. They're closely matched when it comes to Reiryoku, her being lower than him. Reiryoku's kinda like a natural spiritual power within them, like superpower fuel tanks. Fu-chan's around peak Average level. The Shinigami is around the low Lieutenant level. You'd be at about a low to mid Average level, which is quite impressive given that you're not a Shinigami. Most people aren't born with your kind of distinct potential. I'm assuming you've never trained."

I didn't even answer. I felt like he knew all the answers just by looking at me. But low to mid Average level huh…

That isn't nearly strong enough if those two down there are a benchmark.

"And how strong are you?"

He's my best option at the moment, knowing his strength will help me decide.

"Well. If you asked me a long time ago, I would've said 'the strongest' like an arrogant brat. But I'm old as hell now, so my strength has really dropped from my heyday. Now all I can do is pour tea and skewer sweets on a stick."

Dodging. He knows I want something from him. He gave a hush, shutting my mouth before I could continue.

"Shhh~. They're starting."

Guess it can wait until tomorrow.