Hoshiko Maramou entered Karakura Town with an exasperated sigh, reaching up and finger combing her shoulder length white hair that was knotted from sleeping on the bus ride. She had been travelling non-stop for the past few weeks. Trying to find somewhere quiet in hopes of having a break from the creatures that plagued her.

Hopefully I might be able to find someone to help me here, Hoshiko thought to herself as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, the golden glow of the sunset settling on her face. Her teal eyes vibrant in glow.

Being on the constant run from black monsters that have seeked to devour her was exhausting. Ever since her brother was taken from her, she had been on her own, spending no more than a month in each place. Because eventually the creatures always found her. Without her brother being there to protect her, she's learnt to run and run fast at that. Hiroshi always stood up to the creatures, either killing them or wounding them, they always got away.

It wasn't until one fight, that Hiroshi died. One misstep, one mistake, and the creature got him. It was the biggest one they had to thwart. Coincidently the size of the creatures equalled to their smarts. And this got Hiroshi, it was all her fault.

Hoshiko was 16 at the time and her brother Hiroshi was 22. Her brother had explained to her that they were extra tasty because they could see them. She still never understood it.

Looking out the window she realised the bus station was getting closer as they reached the centre of Karakura Town. Passing the school on the way, heading towards the shopping district.

Gathering her backpack and jacket that she had on the seat beside her, Hoshiko got up and made her way to the front of the bus as it was coming to a stop.

It was winter in Japan, the snows already settling in for the cold season. Christmas lights adorned the shopping centre nearby. The sun had set in the time she had arrived in Karakura.

"Karakura Town, Shopping District", The buses female automated voice sounded,

Waiting for the doors to open Hoshiko thanked the bus driver as she climbed down off the bus and onto the snowy ground. Careful not to bump into the people waiting to get onto said bus, she made her way to the seats at the shelter nearby. Standing at the height of 5ft3 Hoshiko was shorter than those around her. Setting the backpack down and slipping on her jacket to protect from the chilly air. Flicking her hair out from under the jacket, she slipped on her low sitting backpack, pulled her phone out and googled the nearest backpacker lodge she could find.

With her destination set she started following her phones directions and made her way there.

In the 13th Division Captains Quarters

"I'm going on patrol tomorrow in Karakura." Rukia stated to her husband Renji as she entered the spacious room,

Renji looked to her in the mirror from across the room, as he let his red hair down from the ponytail he usually has it in.

"Did the head captain ask you to?" He questioned as he started to undo his shihakusho, letting the top of it slid off his shoulders leaving his bottoms tied,

"He seems to think that a large scale spiritual disturbance has occurred there. I'm going to visit Ichigo as well to see if he has noticed anything amiss" Rukia watched her husband undress,

"Is anyone going with you?" He questioned turning to her,

Rukia nodded her head, walked up and embraced Renji.

"You know you don't need to worry Renji." She sighed as Renji held her close,

"Oh, I know my captain," He jested ruffling her hair as she pouted up at him, "I could come with you, it's been a while since we've seen Ichigo."

"That is true but who will make sure Ichika won't get herself into trouble hmm?" Rukia raised her eyebrow,

Their daughter that resided in the room next to them, was asleep, thirteen years old and a pure mischief maker.

Renji sighed in defeat, realising that his wife was in fact correct. He seemed to be the only one that could convince their daughter to behave. Bending down he touched his lips against hers,

"As always, you are right my dear," Renji whispered as he captured his wife's lips again.

Leaning up into the kiss Rukia smiled,

"It shouldn't be too much of a problem, probably a few hollows at best you know." She giggled, pushing away from her husband she shrugged out of her haori and hung it up in the cupboard.

"Who's going with you by the way?" Renji asked as he turned towards the bathroom to wash the day off his body,

Rukia seemed to pause and think for a moment – who was going with her?

"I honestly don't know, I'm sure the Head Captain has asked one of the other squad leaders to accompany me." Rukia mentally kicked herself for not paying attention towards the end of the meeting, it had already been along day for her.

"I'm sure it's been a long day for you," Renji poked his head around the door frame, "care to join me?"

Rukia nodded and started undoing her shihakusho, letting it fall around her as she strode into the bathroom.

Hoshiko found the lodge easily thanks to her phones directions. She still had money to pay for her phone on the credit card that her brother had given her a few years before. Enough on it to keep paying the phone bill and get food every now and then.

She sat on her bunk, pulling out her charger block and cable for her phone. Turning to her left she turned on the lamp on the bedside cupboard to see if there was a socket on the wall she could plug it into. Not finding one to the left she shifted and turned to the right. Spying one that was nearby she plug it in and started charging her device – 28% shouldn't take too long to charge if I don't use it.

Hoshiko settled in on the bottom bunk of the bed she was assigned. Luckily for her no one seemed to be sleeping above her. Most of the room had already turned in for the night. Angling the beside lamp down to prevent the light scattering onto the people that were sleeping, she grabbed her art book and went through her sketches of the monsters she's seen since her brother died.

They seemed to be getting more and more terrifying, progressively getting larger each one she encountered. Miraculously Hoshiko seemed to escape each one narrowly. Becoming specialised in sneaking and hiding from these creatures that no one seems to see besides her.

Flipping to the next page, there was a sketch of Hiroshi, of how she remembered him. They didn't have any photos together, so this was the closest she could get to it. Always afraid of forgetting what he looks like. Pulling out her pencil case she went to the next page and started sketching. Starting off with one of the monsters' masks, Hoshiko started sketching the one that got her brother. Almost primate-esk, she could remember the mask vividly. A grin plastered on it. Being the size of a double decker bus, Hiroshi and Hoshiko were easily dwarfed by the creature.

Shuddering at the memory Hoshiko closed the book and pushed it back into the backpack. Gathered her pencils up, placing them within the case and shoved it back into the bag also. Fastening the pack closed and lifting it to shove it under the bed, Hoshiko got ready to rest for the night.

Before turning off the light beside her, she rolled and grabbed her phone that was being charged, unlocking it then going her contacts on the phone. Tapping Hiroshi's name, as it dialled she pulled it up to her head listening to the ring tone. As it rung out she got to the voicemail,

"Hey Hoshi, I'm busy right now. I'll call you as soon as I see this. I promise everything will be fine." She could almost hear the smile at the end as she hung up. Her brother simply called her Hoshi instead of Hoshiko. This had become a ritual for her to hear her dead brothers voice – It was worth paying to keep the number.

Within Squad Twelve's building.

The Head Captain, Shunsui walked into Mayuri's lab with Nemuri, who had let him in, at his side.

Mayuri didn't turn around at the captain's entrance almost as if he didn't realise someone walked into the room, instead was staring intently at the many monitors that were in front of him, leaning his head on a hand that was propped on the arm of his chair. One of the many was displaying Karakura Town currently, and the hotspots of spiritual pressure that was unsettling the area. A few of the soul reapers that were stationed there, reported the debilitating feeling when something entered the town. Ordered to keep an eye on the situation, cutting down any hollows that were near didn't seem to help with the problem.

"It's almost as if Reiatsu is being leaked out of something." Mayuri mumbled to himself as he continued to look at the monitors.

Nemuri stepped forward the small step she could manage being childlike.

"Master Mayuri," She stated with a bow, "The Head Captain Shunsui is here to see you."

Mayuri turned around in his chair, looking up at the clock above the door 3:20 am, and saw the captain standing nearby the doorway patiently.

"Tsh, what do you want Shunsui." Mayuri spat turning back to the monitors, irritated that he had been interrupted,

"No need to be like that Kurotsuchi," Shunsui chuckled at the man's tone, "I forgot to mention in the meeting earlier that I would like for you to accompany Rukia to Karakura Town tomorrow."

Mayuri's face tugged into a grin, "Excellent, I will at least get to see this disturbance first hand."

"Nemuri, make sure everything is ready for me to take tomorrow," He said turning from the monitors to head out of the lab, "I'm sure you know what you need to get for me. You may leave now head captain."

With a nod, Shunsui turned and headed back down the hall he came from.

"Master Mayuri, what are you expecting to find?" Nemuri asked as she glided around the room grabbing the things she thought would be essential,

"I don't know" Mayuri returned with another grin, not allowing Nemuri questioning him to upset his love for the unknown,

Nemuri smiled at his demeanour, liking the change from his usual attitude. Not daring to push it by asking more questions she just toiled away getting vials and syringes ready for his trip in the morning.

"I'm going to sleep for a few hours, everything better be ready before I leave." He commanded as he turned to leave the room not seeing the nod Nemuri gave. He strode towards where his quarters resided.

Back at the hostel Hoshi was fast asleep, her dreams vivid.

"Hoshi, you need to run for me," Hiroshi yelled grabbing the attention of the few people around them on the street that couldn't see the beast that lumbered in front of them.

With a quick nod Hoshi turned on her heel and took off in the other direction. Running hard and fast. She could hear Hiroshi a few lengths behind her.

Their footsteps heavy, with a roaring beast following them intently. The roar shook their very bones.

Running through a park that was scarce, lit only by the lamps that were along the pathway. Tightening her backpack straps so it was higher on her back.

"We can't stop Hoshi," Hiroshi grabbed her hand and pulled them away from the path.

Breathing heavily, they continued through the parks dense forestation. The thunderous footsteps behind them getting closer no matter how fast they ran.

"You keep going Hoshi," Hiroshi gasped as he pushed his little sister forward, "I'll hold him off as long as possible."

Hiroshi turned and stood his ground, his little sister stopping a bit further ahead and hiding behind a tree.

The monster pulled to a stop in front of him. The grin that was plastered on its mask seemed to salivate. Hiroshi's hands seemed to glow like the sun as it was set alit with white blue flames. Gathering the fire between his hands he threw a fireball at the creature.

The creature reared back, its grin splitting as it opened its mouth in a torturous scream. The smell of its flesh burning engulfed the area.

"RUN HOSHI!" Hiroshi turned seeing his sister only meters away.

In that moment of distraction, the creature bent down from it being hit with the fire, mouth already agape, grabbing Hiroshi with his large apelike forearms.

"HIROSHI" Hoshi screamed in disbelief as her brother was being lifted to the mouth of the creature,

"HOSHI JUST RUN!" He yelled as the masks mouth closed around his waist and bit down, showering the area with blood.

Hoshi turned with tears in her eyes stifling the scream that was begging to erupt from her lips, she ran off into the darkness not knowing which way to go. Only knowing that she needed to get out of there.

Shooting up with a fright, the scream threatening to erupt from her throat continued from the dream to her feeling of dread right now.

Tears streaming down her face. She never forgave herself for Hiroshi's death.

Looking over to her phone she could see the faded numbers of the time, 5:30am. Gathering up her stuff, grabbing her backpack and charger. She pocketed her phone, went to the door of the room and left going down the stairs.

Her jacket was under her arm and backpack slung over her shoulder as she climbed down the stairs to the reception area.

"Oh, good morning, leaving so soon dear?" The lady at the desk said as she looked up

"Yeah, got to start early," Hoshi said lightly,

"Now are you paying with cash or card?"

"Cash."

"That will be 1500-yen sweetheart."

Swinging her bag in front her, Hoshi reached in for her change purse. Fishing out three 500yen notes she passed them over to the lady who grabbed them quickly and stuffed them into the draw in front of her.

"Stay safe dear." The lady called as she walked out the door,

"I always try to." Hoshi returned with a smile.

Continuing out onto the darkened street, the sun barely breaking out on the night sky. Hoshi dropped the backpack and slipped into her jacket. It was still very cold, the snow piled high on the sidewalk. Not sensing any of the creatures nearby Hoshi shouldered her backpack and started in a direction. Hoping to find a nearby park to spend the day, to clear her mind and do some drawing.

The two captains, Rukia and Mayuri, were walking up to the Senkaimon. With them each having their seals been placed. The captains stepped through the gate and into Karakura Town.

"This should have placed us near the disturbance," Rukia stated as the stepped into Karakura Town, being invisible to everyone they could be on their way without a hitch,

They were near a park that was practically empty, being so early in the morning. The Yumisawa Children's park, according to the sign they walked up to.

"Judging by the position of the sun it's close to 7am here." Mayuri informed Rukia.

Rukia nodded, "We should go and visit Ichigo if nothing comes up here."

The started walking down the path going deeper in the parkland. Coming across people jogging in the early morning, not worrying about being seen. Until the pressure changed, Mayuri and Rukia looked at each other as they recognised the charge in the air.

"I'm assuming you felt that Mayuri." Rukia asked,

"Tsh, of course I did." He scoffed in return.

They turned and walked in the general direction it was coming from.

At that moment Hoshiko entered the parklands, took her an hour and a half to walk there from the lodge. Closing the map app on her phone and locking it – 75% damn.

The park seemed quite and secluded enough to get some much-needed time away from people. Even if one of the creatures were to come, she would have no worries in getting away.

Walking further into the parkland, following the path inwards towards a children's playground. Deciding to sit against a tree that was basking in the early morning sunlight. Walking towards the edge of the cleared area, Hoshi pulled her backpack off swinging it round in front of her she searched and got out a towel from it. Satisfied she dropped the pack on the snow-covered ground and laid the towel down in front of the tree before lowering herself to the ground.

Settling into a comfortable position with her back propped up against the trunk. She scanned her surroundings, pleased with how secluded it was and that she couldn't feel the usual feeling she got when the creatures were nearby, rather she felt something else nearby – I will have to keep my eyes peeled, could be something new.

Reaching over to the backpack she grabbed out her art book and pencil case. Planning on sketching the nearby playground. She had always been an adept artist, finding that sketching real life places kept her brain active when she found time to kill.

Hoshiko started out sketching it the part of the playground that was further away from her, on the other side of the clearing near where the path wound away.

She had been sketching ten minutes before she realised a pair of peculiar people that she had sketched without realising that were standing at the edge. She looked up, seeing that they weren't standing there, she must have imagined it. Looking back down she began to erase them. Looking back up to see what she needed to draw there instead, Hoshi saw them standing further back in the tree line instead. Unable to make their faces out. She only saw them as black masses with a white coat on.

Having the feeling of sudden dread come over her, she decided to quickly pack up and move on to a different spot.

"I swear this is where the pressure is coming from," Rukia mumbled as she looked around,

They were coming up on a children's playground after walking for a while. Noticing that a person was sitting on the other side of the clearing to them, seemingly engrossed in their art book that they were sketching away in.

"What's to bet that that there is our disturbance." Mayuri queried,

They stood there for a few minutes watching the girl sit there and sketch away. Solidifying that this was what the cause of disturbance was. A mere human with an immense spiritual pressure.

The girl stopped for a moment looking closely at the drawing, then back up directly at them. Almost as if she could see them. Which wouldn't be a surprise seeing that if it is her spiritual power making the disturbance she would be able to see what was not meant to be seen.

"I suggest we get to the tree line." Mayuri advised,

Rukia nodded and proceeded to flash step to the just beyond the tree line, in the shadows of the trees. But still being able to view the girl where she was sitting. Mayuri followed her fashion and joined Rukia.

The girl looked confused towards where they were, turning she grabbed an eraser from her pencil case next to her. She furiously started erasing them. Then looked back up, directly at them again.

"Curious." Mayuri mumbled he watched as her eyes lit up with fear,

Hoshiko had to get away quickly, shoving her eraser and pencil back into the case. She could feel her fear prickling up her spine, it wasn't one of the creatures, but something similar. She was sure of it – What would Hiroshi do?

Shoving the book and case back into her pack. She gathered the towel and shoved that back in as well. Flinging the backpack over her shoulders and fastening the straps so it sat high on her back, she took off directly behind her. Running into the forest. Not stopping until she felt that she was a safer distance from them. She dropped low behind a bush and climbed into its underbrush. The cold from the snow seeped in through her jacket.

Being too focused on the feeling she was getting from them, she didn't realise the other feeling that was getting closer.

The creature could smell a delicious meal nearby and started to seek it out.