"Have you finished your report Fifth Seat Blair?" Captain Pearce asked her subordinate.
"Yes ma'am. I would like you to note the increase in Hollows I have recorded and that included a field survey of Blackwater's reishi readings. I have been noticing some strange occurrences that I feel should be investigated further by Twelfth Company ," James stated in a formal tone. Captain Pearce sighed and looked at James with sharp green eyes that sparkled with mischief.
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Evelyn?" Captain Pearce said running a petite hand through her spikey blue pixie hair. She wore the standard black military pants, combat boots, a white tank, and black buttoned down top that revealed the top of her breasts, her dog tags nestled between them.
"Always once more, Captain," James stated. Evelyn shook her head and leafed through James' report.
"You killed fifty Hollows in the past two weeks alone?" Evelyn arched a thin eyebrow. "Are you handling the situation well? I can always send assistance if you are having issue dealing with them all."
"That won't be required ma'am. I have the situation well under control," James stated. Evelyn got up and approached James. James couldn't help but smirk at the vast difference in height between the two as she gently touched his arm.
"James you know I only want the best for my men, but don't push yourself too hard. If you work yourself too hard you'll only end up getting careless and get yourself killed. I really don't want to tell your sister you got killed because you were being stupid," Evelyn said softly, a soft smile teasing her thin, sensual lips.
"Understood Captain. Is that all, Captain?" James asked.
"Yes. You are dismissed. I can sense your sister is getting restless." Evelyn returned to her desk as James gave a crisp salute and left the room. He passed a tall slender woman with shoulder length dark red hair. She wore black tactical gear that fit her frame well and was made of a breathable mesh designed for snipers. Her dark green eyes watched him as he passed her.
"Lieutenant," James nodded. She returned the gesture before entering the Captain's office. James exited Sixth Company's barracks and found his sister leaning against the barrack's wall. She was short with a slender but well defined figure. Today her auburn hair was highlighted with blue streaks. Her green eyes twinkled as she hugged her older brother. She like her brother wore the standard black combat boots, military cargo pants, white tank, and dog tags.
"Ready to go have some fun?" She giggled.
"You changed your hair again," James frowned.
"So?"
"You know I don't like it when you do that, Michelle."
"So? It's not like it's your hair. Besides your captain's hair is dyed, why can't mine be?"
"Captain Pearce doesn't change her hair every week," James stated as he brushed his own shoulder-length dirty blonde hair out of his blue eyes. He started down the street, Michelle falling in right behind him.
It was another typical day in the American Soul Society. New recruits were marching about the grounds to the bark of drill sergeants, their dog tags jangling of their chests as their black combat boots stomped out a steady cadence. The sun beat down from on high and it made James miss the cool temperatures of this deployment area. The heat made James want to remove his long-sleeved black shirt.
Michelle waved to members of her squad as they passed. Her superior, Lieutenant Gautier, was leading the group. He was tall, a few inches taller than James even, with well-defined muscles hidden under black military gear. His dark brown hair whipped around his face as the wind picked up and his blue eyes smiled as he flashed Michelle a crooked grin. He nodded at James who returned the gesture.
"Brady, take Squad Eleven over to the firing range!" Lieutenant Gautier barked, a slight southern accent colored his tone. "I expect you to working on Hados one through five when I get there."
"Sir, yes, sir!" A short kid with black hair replied. "Squad Eleven double time!" The twenty other Soul Reapers gave a resounding roar and took off around the corner. Lieutenant Gautier came over and patted James on the shoulder.
"Good to see you back on base, Fifth Seat," Gautier smirked.
"Good to see you too Lieutenant," James replied.
"Come on, drop the formality, it's just us now," Nick teased.
"You started it," James retorted.
"What you doing tonight?" Nick asked.
"What you got planned?"
"I was figuring we could have a little celebration now that you're back from your deployment," Nick explained.
"I won't be here long," James explained. "I'm due to ship back out at the end of the week."
"But you just got here!" Michelle whined.
"Blackwater has become a hotspot for spiritual activity recently Michelle, I can't abandon my post for long," James explained patiently. Michelle stuck out her lower lip in a pout and crossed her arms. James sighed and messed up her hair. "Hey don't be like that. First rounds will be on me."
"Great!" Gautier grinned. He took off running to catch up with his men. Over his shoulder he cried, "See you guys at the Officer's Club at seven! Oh and bring Gwen!"
James shook his head and turned back to Michelle. She was still pouting.
"Come on, we both knew when we enlisted that we would end up getting separated and not get to see each other much. There's nothing I can do about my deployment schedule," James explained.
"I know," Michelle sighed. "It's I just never get to see you anymore."
"I'll make it up to you and buy you something at the store this week," James said trying to get his little sister to smile again.
"Oh, the next edition of Dark-Hunters is in! You could get me that!" Michelle beamed.
"You and your romance novels," James shook his head. "How about instead of ogling Nick and reading those damn books, how about you actually ask him out?"
"He's my commanding officer! I can't!" Michelle whined again. James just chuckled and messed up his sister's hair again.
Later that night James, Michelle, Lieutenants Gautier and Romanov were gathered at the Officer's Club on the edge of the base. It was loud and rowdy like usual, already packed with Soul Reapers, with the waitresses and bartenders working hard to keep up with the crowd. A bubbly blonde in a black skin-tight dress came over and took the gang's order.
"So two beers, one strawberry margarita, a red wine, and three burgers, and a chicken alfredo," she stated. "Is that all for now?"
"Yep," Nick smirked, flashing his crooked grin. The blonde giggled and took off, her plump rear swaying sensually.
"Damn, the girls here are hot!" Nick grinned.
"You sure you weren't drinking beforehand?" Michelle glared.
"Nope," Nick grinned. "So James see any cute girls at your outpost? Come on, got to be plenty of good-looking country girls in Blackwater."
"Yeah, you've been drinking," James shook his head.
"Just a little," Nick winked.
"It is unbecoming of a lieutenant to act as such," Romanov glared.
"Oh loosen up," Nick stated. Then he sighed and leaned back. Michell blushed and apologized for her commander's behavior. James shook it off; he had dealt with Nick's drunkenness before. The bubbly blonde returned soon with the gang's food and drink. The gang thanked her and quickly dug into their food. The burgers were thick and juicy, the alfredo well-seasoned, and the drinks chased it all down smoothly.
James groaned in satisfaction after finishing his burger and draining his beer. He flagged the waitress and requested more drinks. They soon arrived and Nick called for a toast.
"To another successful deployment!"
The gang clinked their glasses and took a deep swig of their drinks. The night progressed smoothly until Nick and James got a little too drunk and started a fight with some of the men from Fifth Company. Lieutenant Romanov had to help break it up, apologizing for the disruption and then reprimanded both Nick and James. Michelle just laughed at them all.
"Hehe, big brother's in trouble," she said in a sing-song tone.
"Shut up," James growled. Michelle just stuck her tongue out at him and Nick laughed.
"You are all a disgrace to the Soul Reaper name," Gwen sighed. James hmphed and soon the gang left the club. Nick and James were singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic as they headed down the street. Gwen had to support Michelle as they stumbled their way home. When they arrived at Tenth Company's barracks, James gave his sister a hug and kiss on the forehead before leaving.