What is this nonsense? Updates so close together? Wooooah I must really like you guys or something. Unbelievable. And these are pretty lengthy updates here. What I'm trying to get at it...You're Welcome. I'm great I know. Enjoy the ever continuing saga~ or story~ or tale...whatever just read man.

Raiden was enjoying his new found freedom. He couldn't remember the last time he had been outside of the 12th squad. The sky was clear, the sun was bright, and the breeze was perfect. It was a day he never wanted to forget. He was free, and accepted. No longer was he just a lab rat; he was now a shinigami on a special unit! He knew he would have to work even harder to impress his superiors. He wanted to do a good job, and make his sensei proud of him. He even found a friend.

"So Raiden, how long have you been training to finally get here?" Enkimura-taicho asked as casually as he could. He was a figure that Raiden admired, long, pulled back blonde hair, deep light brown eyes. He had the image of a leader, or even a king.

"I'm not really supposed to talk about any of that. Genryuusai-taicho said that everything before today is classified information," As much as he admired Enkimura, he knew better than to tell anyone about himself. Sensei made it very clear, "No one should know about you Raiden, about us" And Raiden intended to listen to sensei.

Enkumura dropped the subject immediately; it was a little too quick if you asked Raiden. Maybe sensei was right when she warned me about him...he shook the thought away quickly. Friends are important and he didn't want to be known as an outcast.

"Oh Raiden-kun," Kurotsuchi-taicho's voice sent shivers down Raiden's spine, it was a voice he knew too well and wanted to avoid, "I just wanted to remind you about your daily visits to the 12th squad. We have to keep an eye on your," his gaze shifted to Enkimura momentarily, "health." Raiden nodded, he knew he would never be free, just like sensei would never be free, "Well then, if you'd follow me please,"

Raiden said goodbye to his new friend and hoped that they would meet again as he followed Kurotsuchi-taicho. His mind wandered to the time he had first seen soul society...

When Raiden was 8

"Raiden! How many times have I told you? You can't let your temper take control of you! You need to have control over yourself!" Raiden was used to be yelled at lately. Every day his Mom- or rather Sensei- would visit to teach him to meditate. He didn't like it. It was boring, just sitting there. He wanted to play, or go outside and take a nap or..

"Raiden are you even listening to me?" The yelling had gotten worse. He was bored and frustrated, he just wanted to go outside! But every time he asked sensei just sighed and told him that he wasn't allowed. It made him angry. He started to lose his temper.

That's when he transformed for the first time.

Raiden can't remember exactly what happened, he just remembers being angry, and then waking up with all kind of needles in him. Kurotsuchi-taicho was running more tests. Sensei told him what happened. He had transformed into a hollow and tried to break out of the facility. It was only 30 seconds, but he had killed one of his guards.

Raiden cried.

It was the first time he had killed anything, or anyone. I didn't mean to, I just...I wanted to go outside! I hate it in here! Raiden felt himself get angry. Yuki saw his eyes turn yellow and knelt down to him.

"Raiden, we're different, you and I," she held on to the boys face to make sure he was looking at her.

"What do you mean we?" he sniffled, "I'm the only one trapped here! You get to leave here and I have to stay here!" he grabbed the hollow skin on the back of his neck, "It's all because of this isn't it? Why do I even have this?!"

Yuki set her hand on the back of Raiden's neck, "It's not just you. I was in your shoes when I was younger, maybe one day I'll tell you the story but for now," she turned to face her back to Raiden, "I'll just show you" Yuki pulled down her robes to reveal her back; it was bare.

"Why are you showing me-" before Raiden could finish his sentence hollow skin began to cover her back. It came from her own skin and started on her spine, it spread over her entire back. Raiden couldn't help but gasp at the sight. Sensei is the same as I am?

"You have...is that?" Raiden held his hand out to touch the hollow skin, it was just like his, "how do you-"

Yuki knew that he would ask how she hid it, "It's something that takes self control, and meditation. It isn't easy," as she spoke she hid the hollow skin and put her kimono and haori back on.

Raiden's face brightened, "Can you make it show up anywhere? Or does it start on your back? How far does it spread? Can you teach me how it works?"

Yuki smiled, "I'll teach you everything I can."

"So how are your hollow skins doing?" Raiden was sitting on the examination table at the 12th squad. Thankfully it wasn't Kurotsuchi-taicho admistering the exam, but a friendlier looking person.

"They're fine," Raiden began to take off his uniform to reveal the hollow skin. I still can't hide it...not like sensei can...

"Oh? In your record it says its only three separate pieces on your spine..."

"Is there a problem?" Raiden didn't like the tone of her voice.

"There are five pieces now..."

"What?!" Raiden angled himself in the mirror so that he could see. She was right. The skin became visible at the base of his hairline and traced his spine down three inches, then there was inch break before another piece that sat on top of the bone of his spine. Where there were three of those pieces they now extended further down, and now were five. No.

No.

No!

No! No! No!

Raiden felt his stability leaving him. He had finally gotten out of this hell of a place and now his freedom was being threatened! What is he to do when Kurotsuchi-taicho gets the report? His mind was racing, his life was playing in pictures in his mind. He saw the smiles of all the new people. He felt how much he wanted to prove himself. He felt all of his effort going away because of two inches of hollow skin.

I can't let that happen.

"Ah, aha" Raiden put his hand to his forehead, "The record write it in groups of two. There are 6 separate pieces total, but three groups of the same length," he smiled as genuine as he could, "You had me scared! I thought it was getting worse," as he laughed he looked at the girl, believe me, just laugh...just believe me.

"Oh is that so?" the girls blushed and hit herself on the forehead, "I knew I should have listened to Nemu vice-captain more before I came in...you'll keep it a secret that I didn't know right?"

Raiden smiled, "Of course! Why would I tell on a pretty woman like you?" Raiden watched her carefully as she filled out the record. It read: Number of hollow skin on spine: 3.

Raiden sighed in relief. He would not have to say goodbye to his new life.

So we even lie now?

Since when do you even care?

This is why you aren't ready. You can't accept your own fate. You have to make sure it goes your way.

As if you would understand, I never want to be trapped again.

You have no idea what being trapped is like.

Raiden left the exam. He knew this wasn't the end. He would have to somehow protect his freedom. If Kurotsuchi-taicho learned of the new skin he would lock Raiden back up for sure. How did that new skin get there? How can I get rid of it? I need sensei to teach me how to hide it. Maybe then I can...maybe then

His head hurt. He never had to think like this, secrets. Could he even tell sensei? Would she understand and protect him? Raiden didn't even know why the thought crossed his mind, Sensei is just like me, of course she'll help me. Without a doubt.

"Raiden-kun!" a familiar figure waved.

"Ah, Uncl- I mean, Hitsugaya-taicho." Raiden even bowed. It was a funny scene that they both laughed at.

"Don't be like that, if it's just the two of us, let's be comfortable hmm?" Hitsugaya patted Raiden on the back. For as long as he could remember Hitsugaya was with Raiden. All the way back to his first memory...

Raiden's Fourth Birthday

Raiden was in his bed, pretending to be asleep. He could hear his mom, she was making his breakfast for his birthday. Raiden knew that if he opened his eyes now, he would ruin his mom's efforts and he might even lose his presents. So laid still, and listened.

"Yuki wouldn't it be nice if we went to the park?"

His mom sighed, "Renji, you know I want nothing more than to take him out of here. But Kurotsuchi-taicho would never allow it. He's forced to live in this cell..."

"I know you're having a hard time, being a captain and raising a son. But you know how you know you're doing a good job?" there was a pause, "Your son loves you enough to pretend to be asleep while you prepare his birthday surprise."

Raiden shot up in bed, "Ah! Uncle Renji! Why would you ruin it like that? I wanted everything to go right for mom!" They all laughed and they all were genuinely happy.

"When's Uncle Toshio coming?" Toshirou was too complicated for Raiden at the time, so his nickname was Toshio.

"How many times have I told you my name and you still can't get it right?" Hitsugaya stood in the door way.

"Uncle Toshio!" Raiden ran over to him and jumped up into his arms.

"Ho ho, why do I even come to the birthday party of someone that doesn't even know my name hmmm?" Hitsugaya lifted Raiden over his head and spun him around.

"Ahhhhh. Uncle Toshio! Ahhhhhh"

"You want to come get a drink with me?" Hitsugaya smiled at Raiden, "We have to celebrate after all," he patted Raiden on the back again.

Raiden nodded. He felt his chest get warm. Uncle Toshirou is proud of me. We're going to celebrate my success. I made him proud.

You spoiled brats. Don't expect this from me all the time ok? I swear I'm a busy person and I don't just sit around typing out this story all day...at least not every day... :D