Toshiro turned his gaze to the center to see its layout, to learn all the hiding spots. In the middle was a tall monument with a metal sculpture of a meteor crashing down, with a large circle keeping it from touching the ground, or in this case, the top of the pedestal.

"A monument to Meteor Fall." Vincent said when he noticed the Captain staring at it.

"The comet that Sephiroth brought down?"

"Yes."

A white eyebrow raised in admiration at the work, before Toshiro turned his attention to the soldiers waiting in the shadows. They were up high, which meant they had a gun that could shoot from far away. What were they called again?

While he pondered this, Vincent was already taking the lead into the center. He stepped out from under the arch just as Hitsugaya remembered what they were called.

"Snipers!" He shouted out.

Vincent was already backing up when the first shot hit at his feet where he was standing moments before.

"Took you a while to find them." Vincent grumbled, gun out and searching for his enemies.

"They were so far off, I was trying to figure out why…we fight with swords in Soul Society, not guns, so I don't have a good grasp on their types." The white haired Captain replied.

"I should probably fill you in when we get the chance."

"I would appreciate it."

Another shot got too close for Toshiro's comfort and he cringed, his dragon roaring furiously for the snipers to show themselves.

"Mind helping me find them?" The gunman asked, taking the barrel off his gun and switching it with another, turning it into a rifle. He added a scope as well, to help his sighting.

"There's one hiding in the scaffold around the monument."

That one was gone rather quickly. Vincent was quick to find his targets.

"Another to the left of us, up on the rooftops."

He went down as well.

It took a few minutes, but with Toshiro's help, they were able to locate each sniper and take them out. When they were switching areas to hit one, a bullet pierced Toshiro's sword arm and his concentration slipped. Thankfully it was the last and the Captain could check his injury. It hurt as bad as any stab wound, but was a through and through, which was good.

"It'll take time for me to heal this, go on ahead and find that cardkey." Hitsugaya said to his companion, using the Healing Kido once more.

Ruby eyes looked with a worried gaze at the wound, but Vincent nodded and moved on, leaving the Captain alone in the alley.

The pain was messing up his concentration, though normally he didn't have this problem, so he couldn't track Vincent down. One of those snipers had to have the cardkey they needed, there was no one else around. That he could tell, anyway.

Tendrils of the Lifestream rose from the ground and brought Aerith to his side.

"Here, this will help." She cast her arm towards the Captain and one of the green tendrils rushed forward, wrapping around the wound on his arm with a soothing touch that relaxed him completely. What would have taken him ten or so minutes to heal became unscarred skin in a matter of seconds.

"I wasn't aware the Lifestream could do that." Toshiro eyed the woman.

"Materia is made from the Lifestream, and one of its properties is healing. Actually that's its main power, but it's not meant to be used directly on humans as Shin-Ra did."

"Yet you use it on me."

"You're not human, you're a spirit. What would poison humans revitalizes you."

Nodding in understanding, Toshiro stood and reached out to find Vincent.

"Thank you, Aerith." He bowed to her in respect before returning to his search.

"You're our protector; the Lifestream will keep you going when you need it." Aerith smiled sweetly at him.

This startled him somewhat, unprepared for the kind of special treatment he was getting from the planet.

"Why me?"

"You were the one chosen to come here and protect our world, so we will keep you safe."

"Then why do I feel like other Captains wouldn't be treated so kindly?"

She paused, thinking this over. If even she didn't know, then the Lifestream itself was keeping secrets.

"Who knows, it seems the Lifestream has taken a liking to you. Perhaps it is your zanpaktou spirit that calls to it; there was once an ice dragon on Gaia."

Hyorinmaru listened with interest to this bit.

"That so? While I appreciate the kindness, pampering me might prove disastrous later. I can handle myself, and getting overconfident has led me to trouble before." Toshiro reached a hand to the scar on his left side, hidden by his shirt and jacket.

"If that's what you wish, the Lifestream will only help if you ask."

"Thank you." His concentration was still fuzzy. "Why am I so unfocused?"

"The energy of the planet must be getting in the way. You'll have to tune yourself to its type of energy."

"Which would be called?"

"Hm…I guess you could simply call it Lifeforce."

"Understood."

She left him alone once more to find his companion, which he promptly ran off to catch up with. The gunman was atop the buildings, travelling with someone. Using Flash Step to meet them, he realized it was a child, a child that yelped and backed away when he appeared in front of them with a cry of 'Remnant!'

"Who's this?" Toshiro raised an eyebrow at the man in red.

"He knows who has the cardkey." Vincent replied with a shrug.

"I thought it would be one of the snipers."

"N-no." The child stuttered. "He's hiding I-in the building ahead."

Searching with his Spiritual Pressure, there was indeed a Deepground soldier inside. But the presence was so weak; he was surprised to find him at all. It had to mean they were onto him…or he needed to do what Aerith suggested and tune into the Lifeforce of Gaia's people.

"You healed rather fast." Vincent noted.

"Had a little help." Toshiro glanced at the kid before turning back to the building where their target was. Whether Vincent got the message or not, he couldn't tell, but the gunman did start moving forward again.

"Any other soldiers I should worry about?"

"No." Toshiro and the child said at once, causing them to glance at each other, the latter being nervous to do so.

Shaking his head with a somewhat amused expression, Vincent moved on and stepped inside while Hitsugaya stayed outside with the kid. For the most part, Toshiro ignored the child altogether, keeping a lookout for any other weak soldiers trying to sneak up on them and practicing with sensing their form of energy. He also searched for other survivors, considering this kid had escaped his radar already. That brought a question to mind…

A shot rang off in the house and the weak presence faded. Vincent had the cardkey now for sure.

"Think he's okay?" The kid dared ask.

"He's fine, the soldier was weak."

"How do you know?"

"It's hard to explain."

Looking far braver than before about asking questions, the kid opened his mouth to ask another when Vincent stepped back outside and cut him off. Toshiro silently thanked his luck.

"Easy find." He said, and this time gave it to Toshiro. The Captain had been giving them to Vincent because he didn't know how they were used. "Thanks kid."

The boy nodded, but something in his demeanor changed. Noticing this first, Toshiro watched him warily, before raising an eyebrow as he began crying. Why was this kid suddenly crying? He'd meant to help them, right?

"I couldn't…do…" The crying became more noticeable sobs, causing Vincent to frown. "Mom…and Dad…I couldn't move…"

Toshiro could see where this was going and took a step away, feeling uncomfortable. He was no good at comforting people.

"I was too scared…but…but…"

A sympathetic expression crossed Vincent's face and he knelt down in front of the child, who hid his eyes behind the flap of his cap. Toshiro didn't take the gunman as a kid kind of person.

"Please!" The child suddenly looked up at Vincent, locking eyes with him. "Please, help me avenge their deaths!"

The sound of the rain took over everything as things grew quiet, occasionally interrupted with sobbing.

"We'll do it."

Vincent turned to Toshiro, raising an eyebrow. The tiny Captain had his back to them, keeping his expression hidden from both gunner and child.

"Captain –"

"You don't have to help me." The head of white hair turned slightly, showing only Vincent the determined glare of someone who understood just what this kid was going through. "Deepground has already become a dangerous enemy of Soul Society, even if we're not threatened directly. And honestly, the bastard running this group reminds me too much of someone I hate with all my soul."

Vincent stood just as Hitsugaya turned towards the kid.

"I will avenge your parents and anyone else these soldiers have killed. I swear it."

"Th-thank you." He wiped his eyes, though the rain just wet his face again, and managed a smile at the Captain.

Nodding, Toshiro turned away and started the walk towards where he could see the electric blue gate glowing faintly in the distance. Valentine was quick to catch up with him.

"Why did you do that?"

"He's a spirit."

This caught the gunman off guard.

"What? That's impossible."

"It's a little harder to tell here, but I know the difference now. That child was a spirit looking for someone to avenge his family, and his determination kept him earthbound. I gave him a reason to move on."

"So what you said-"

"I still meant every word."

He kept walking, never faltering, and hid his emotions inside. Beside him, Vincent's respect for the Captain grew. Remnant? Only in looks. This young Soul Reaper was someone with war experience and the ability to battle not only the enemy but people's own fear. Where he would have left the child, knowing vengeance wasn't the answer, Toshiro gave him a reason to go on.


Because i like you guys i worked in an extra chapter for Valentine's Day! It was rough, but it think i got it :)

Now Shiro has a name for the energy of the Gaians and a plot twist comes into play. Hyorinmaru? From Gaia? We'll see...*evil laugh* Nah, i have no idea, i just stuck that in there. Anyway, hope you enjoy!