Another double chapter is up! :D On time! Enjoy! I don't own Bleach!

"You know Val, I sense this is starting to become something of a theme." Tate commented as he shrugged his bag into a more comfortable position on his shoulder. We were currently walking through the countryside of Northern District One, having just departed from Soul City. Nobody else had initiated conversation up to that point besides 'are you ready?' and nodding, so naturally my friend took it upon himself to make small talk and fill in the slightly uncomfortable silence between our group.

"I don't think I can disagree." I said with a sympathetic smile as I continued to follow the group's leader, none other than third seat Yacub. He looked over his shoulder at the pair of us, a questioning look upon his brow (as usual, his flashing glasses made it impossible to see his eyes).

"Have the two of you worked together before?"

"It's more accurate to say that they've never worked apart." Mol chimed in, knowing all-too well them many times we had worked together. "Always beat every other group in class."

Tate shrugged, "Correction: Val always beat every other group. I'm just a support figure."

"Not true," I chastised, finding his statement more offensive than it was meant to be, as I would have never beaten the other kids without Tate's help, "you're an excellent Leader on the field. Bradley and I never would've won so many times if you weren't there with a plan at every turn."

He laughed shortly, more sarcastic than anything. "Plans that didn't work the majority of the time, you mean. Besides, you're the one everyone follows on the field." Just as I opened my mouth to retort, Yacub jutted in, a slightly irritated tone in his voice.

"At any rate, it's good the two of you know how to work together. Teamwork's something that usually has to be taught to new recruits. Am I correct in assuming you can work well with the pair, Miss Terce?" She looked to each of us in turn, hesitation in her eyes. Sure, she'd been in our classes, and we all knew each other decently well from helping each other out so much in the Magic Club, but she'd never worked with us on the field before. Shrugging slightly, but knowing that he couldn't see it, she answered his question:

"I guess we'll have to see. I know their abilities, but was never grouped with them."

Yacub nodded, not looking at any of us in particular, instead choosing to face forward as he lead the group. The fourth seat, whose name I had gathered to be Jack, took up the rear position of our group. After a few seconds of thinking, Yacub spoke again, "And what are your abilities? As the Captain had said, you are all the top of your graduating class, and to be in this squad, you should be talented in Magic. But where, specifically, do your skills lie?"

It was true. I had the highest scores out of our graduating class, with some kid I had never met coming in as a far away second. Our class was said to be the strongest the Academy had seen in awhile, Captain Mindy's the one before us. And from what I had gathered, she had graduated the Academy with two other current Captains, Lucas being one of them. Captain Gingry's graduating class, however, was considered the best. Himself and five other Captains had known each other for a very, very long time. Not surprisingly, in none of those groups was the seventh squad Captain. But then again, that could change within the next two months, depending on how stable his sanity was.

Mol answered our third seat's question first, being the most confident in herself, "Combining high-level Binding Spells with low level Demon."

"And I'm the opposite." Tate remarked soon after.

I paused, what was I supposed to say? That I was more than proficient at both? That most would consider me at a Captain's level? Not Captain Gingry's level, of course, as he was considered the strongest Captain out of the Thirteen Squads (aside from the Captain Commander, that is). But on par with Lucas, perhaps? I was just as quick (if not quicker) as Mindy, and from Mel's confidence training I could easily say that I had every Spell below seventy memorized and mastered. That still didn't answer his question though. What were my skills in? Everything but hand-to-hand, really.

"And you, Miss Vallery?" Yacub asked when he heard that I hadn't answered. Tate was going to open his mouth a talk for me, but one sharp look from Mol had him silent. She understood my dilemma. If I said I was at Captain level I would be presumed arrogant, to say the least. Not to mention rude, as I was still unseated and my commanding superior officer was the one asking the question.

"I'm proficient in everything except hand-to-hand combat and swordsmanship, sir." One glance at Tate told him not to comment. He pursed his lips and looked away, shoving his hands in his pockets. Yacub must've sensed a tone in my voice, or grew suspicious at my avoidance of the subject, as he looked over his shoulder, sun for once giving way for me to see a pair of sharp and narrow black eyes staring me down.

"What way is your best, Miss Vallery?" It wouldn't have sounded so cold had I not been staring into his piercing eyes as he spoke, but that offered no comfort as my throat constricted in fear. That look was scary, dangerous even. Gentle Flower was the one that sent as small breeze against the group, letting it wrap around me quickly after I had frozen and giving me the confidence I needed to find my voice.

"Binder's Way, sir. But I've been working on Demon's Way, so it's a close second." There, I said it and still managed to avoid the fact that I was likely to be stronger than him. I had told him of my skills without spitting in his face, and that seemed enough for him as he nodded, turning back to face the road he had somehow managed to follow while still peering over his shoulder.

"Good, I've got a feeling we'll be needing that."

"Stay close and keep a hand on your wallets, the crowds from ninety on can't be trusted with open pockets." Yacub warned, like we have never been in a District higher than ninety before. Well, I had. Tate and Mol were both mysteries, however, as neither of them talked much about the area they grew up in. I had no right to question, either, seeing as they never asked about my home; it was respectful to not inquire about theirs. Yacub, in my opinion, was quickly loosing favor. Sure, he was a great leader, and I knew that he would be less prudish if I was somehow able to prove myself capable of independence, but as that chance had yet to arise Tate, Mol and I were all stuck with his overbearing, penny-pincher attitude. And man, was he a penny-pincher. I had thought, and had been told multiple times, that I was more than a bit hesitant with my money. Such came with my background. Yacub, however, even had the Second Squad Captain beat: and the second squad was in charge of expenses for the entire thirteen Squadrons, providing banking and savings accounts (myself owning a banking account and two separate savings; for Maya and Tif, and then myself). Yacub was beyond anything I had ever seen before. Because of him, we had spent the first four nights of our weeklong journey to the edge of the country practically backpacking; this was the first night he'd permit us to stay at a hotel or inn, as Mol and I were almost begging for showers. His words, as offensive as they could be, were true. I kept my eyes peeled as we started our way through the morning crowds in a small town inside district ninety-one. It wasn't this district that gave us an issue though, it was district one hundred and four, which we reached at about four in the afternoon from an evening of light Feathering; we were making very good time, and had no need to rush. As such, the group had collectively decided to hunt for an inn or hotel so that we could wash up and spend the night in actual beds, and perhaps eat dinner at some cheap restaurant. When we reached the outskirts of the small town, however, things I can't believe I didn't expect to hear were said:

"What poor souls…" Mol pitied as we passed by a shelter off the side of the trail leading to the main street. It was a slate of crooked and dented tin, bloodied in some places like it had been fought over, with a longer branch of some dead tree broken off and thrust into the ground to hold it up. Two scrawny and starved looking men sat below it, not bothering even a glance our way as we passed, preferring to stare at an empty and burnt looking can in the middle of the two of them. Although the others probably didn't know it, the can was no doubt used as a small fire holder in the winter, having run out of its contents a very, very long time ago. I had stayed with a few who had to resort to such tactics on the way to the Academy; the numbers who did so were less and less as I moved north. Here, though, I didn't have a doubt in my mind that such actions were common enough.

"You shouldn't pity them Miss Terce, they're likely to attempt to jump you should you let your guard down." Yacub, who, like always, had his back to me, didn't catch the sharp look I gave to his head. How rude; his constant snotty remarks were absolutely unnecessary. They were the truth, yes, but for a damn good reason- Reapers, like us, had sent them here. We had confined them to this private hell after promising a better time in the afterlife- did we not deserve it? Flaunting the wealth, the power, the honor you gained from being a Reaper so easily, and wanting to just steal it all away from them- beat them, who could had so easily beaten us, beat them into submission and make them pay. Yes, I thought with uncharacteristic venom, I understood the poor perfectly. After one last glance over my shoulder at the pair, however, the anger turned to sympathy. I, too, had been there. I was no better than them, and neither was any Reaper. Lucas had known that when he had first encountered me- I was lucky to have stolen from such an understanding Reaper; any other no doubt would've had me tossed in a prison, or chopped off my hand.

I was so caught up in my thoughts I didn't notice my fellow fresh graduates noticing my shifting moods and exchanging a number of looks amongst themselves; if I had, I would've seen the pity in their gaze as they conjointly put two and two together about my past.

Knowing it was for the best, I kept an eye on my teammates as we entered the Main Street of the town. People were here and there, not enough to call the street crowded, but more along the lines of a typical market evening. Dirt dusted over them, like the majority hadn't bathed in a good couple weeks (which I could completely sympathize with). The sun was turning the sky orange, and in the very far distance we could make out the tip of ice-covered mountains. The buildings around us were shabby and old, wood rotted in more than one place, with planks nailed into random spots to cover up holes or windows. More than once I saw townspeople casing us; though none dared to make a move after I had caught their eye. They obviously weren't the brightest in the country (not even I had cased Reapers so openly), but when they saw my apprehensive look they tended to back off. Every person's face was memorized, every detail of the town- I had a bad feeling, and I was about to figure out why. I was too distracted by a pair of arguing merchants at the side of the street to see him speed walk out of the upcoming alley on our right. He bumped into Tate, picking his pocket too fast for me to see; but making a horrible mistake in the process- a few coins inside Tate's wallet jingled on the edges of my hearing as it was hastily shoved in the young boy's pants pocket.

"Sorry." He muttered to the Reaper, apologizing for the accidental bump, and catching my attention. Tate just grunted his acceptance of the apology, lifting a hand to brush off some of the dirt the boy had transferred onto his uniform. I was the only one to think twice about it, looking over my shoulder to see him quickly making his way down the road; one hand shoved in his pocket and the other nervously clenched. Just then, his elbow bent and his shoulder lifted in the slightest- a gesture I recognized; it was a discreet signal that he had gained another wallet. My eyes widened as I shortly gasped, immediately stepping out of the group and putting myself into a sprint after the boy.

"Stop!" I yelled to him, and he broke into a run just as I finished the word. "Pickpocket!" Tate's short curse and a ruffle of clothes was all I heard before I focused on the boy, who ducked onto a side road, nearly tripping before gaining his footing and continuing on his path. The dirt underneath my feet gave me enough traction to not make his mistake, and I was quickly gaining on him. I shot my arm out when I got close enough, but the skin of his bare back was all the breezed beneath my fingers as he made a sudden left into an alley. Cast off balance, I fell forward, ground rushing up to meet me as I tripped. Pain seared through my face as my nose smashed into the dirt, more than a bit of the filth making it's way into my mouth. My face twisted as the pain slowly but surely started to die down, allowing me enough sense to start to push myself back up. A foot collided with my side not a moment later, causing whomever it was that almost stepped on me to loose their balance. Tate caught himself, however, and with a shouted apology, he continued to go after the pickpocket. I groaned, one hand on my side and the other thrust into the ground as I picked myself up once more. Planting my feet into the dirt, I was able to lift myself back into a standing position. The creak of wood was what drew my attention into the alley- where two unsuspecting barrels stood against the wall of the right building. I knew what had happened in an instant; unable to help the small scowl, I wiped the blood from my nose off my upper lip, casting into the dirt my darkened saliva as I began my way into the alley, walking slowly as to not alert whomever was inside the barrels. Another creak of wood told me my intuition was right, and with a sigh, I lifted the lids off the barrels. The boys inside looked up to me with fear-stricken faces, and one of them, literally, had pissed himself. They were both small, a bit younger than me, with varying features. The one to the left had a bigger build than the one inside the right barrel, who looked almost starved. I had no doubt that the two of them were the drop off for the pickpocket; but I couldn't bring myself to be angry at them. With a sigh, I dropped the barrel lids to the ground, glancing in-between their frightened eyes. "Stand up."

They both did so immediately, and both with shaking knees. They glanced to each other, gulping as tears started to prick at their eyes. The scrawnier one didn't seem able to hold back his fear, because with a twisted face, he brought his hands before him in a begging manner. "Please, Miss Reaper! We didn't mean any harm! We'll give you back the wallet! Just don't hurt us! Please! We don't want to go to jail! We didn't mean nothin'! We promise! Nothin'!"

"Yeah! Yeah!" The bigger boy was quick to agree, tugging down his shirt to hide the stain in his pants. "Please jus' let us go! We don't want no trouble! We're good kids, really!"

I sighed, sympathy with their situation dulling any anger or irritation I might have possible held. "I know you didn't…" Hope gleamed in their eyes, and small smiles cracked onto their faces. "I'll let you go."

"Thank you! Thank you ma'am! We won't ever forget this! Thank you!" They both said similar things as I backed up, allowing them room to crawl out of the barrels. I held my hand out expectantly, and the scrawny one was quick to reply, digging deep into his pocket and pulling out Tate's wallet. I grabbed it from him softly, giving the two a look that said not to go anywhere. They bit their lips, thinking I had changed my decision as I opened the wallet, fingering through the bills to make sure there was Tate's original amount in there. When I saw nothing was missing (Tate always carried around one-hundred on him, just in case), I sighed, folding the wallet shut and slipping it into my pocket. Reaching into my other one, I pulled out a wallet of my own.

"Here," I said, holding out two five dollar bills. It wasn't much, but it was what I could spare, and it'd get them out of the district, at least. "You two should travel south, try to use the money sparingly. Not everywhere is like this. I know it seems like things won't ever get better, but they will. Just head to the lower districts; life is better there."

Their tears didn't stop, but the looks on their faces as they took the money told me that it had changed from sadness and fear to happiness and wonder. "Thank you! Thank you so very, very much!" I smiled, happy, at least, that I was doing something for them. I couldn't guarantee their survival, and I couldn't tell them to go join the Academy, but at least I could help ease their anger against Reapers. The wrath the two of them held against the so-called saviors that sent them here must've been immense, so lessening that was all I could hope for.

"Please," I started, ending their bout of happiness and joy. They paused from their shared grins, looking to me as I looked to the ground. I couldn't bring myself to look them in the eye- the injustice done to them was something no Reaper should ever commit. We were sworn protectors of the people- all people. Poor, rich, old, young. To force someone to live among these districts, live a life of crime, just so they could survive, and them condemn them for it, it was complete and total idiocy. After I'd find Maya, after I become a Captain, I'd change that. I have to. It was the only way I could even hope to make up for the sins of my fellows. "Please don't hold this against us. As Reapers, we-" I choked as my throat began to tighten. Clenching my fist, I swallowed as tears of my own began to rise up; memories of what I had to do to survive, ones that probably couldn't compare to how these boys had to live, were forced down. "We don't know where we send you. Please don't hold your suffering against Reapers, they- we- really don't mean for this to happen." With all the courage I could muster, I looked up to their faces. The shock was huge- both of them looked like they had just been slapped in the face. Slowly, the bigger one nodded. A quick elbow to the chest of the other, and their expressions were once more the same. They nodded, permitting me a small smile as I let out a sigh of relief. Now, to find Tate- A scream interrupted our little moment, coming from the direction I could sense the rest of my group of Reapers at. Eyes going wide, I threw a hand out to stop the two boys from rushing to their brother's aid. "Don't! They'll catch you too!"

"But- Micheal!" The skinner one intruded, fear for his friend's life pushing past his fear of getting caught.

"I'll make sure he's alright. The two of you get out of here; do as I said- head south. He'll be sent right after you." The hesitance was obvious, but who could blame them? I wouldn't listen to a Reaper in their case, not when another short scream just cut through the air. The smaller one cursed, grabbing his bigger friend's arm.

"Come on! We've got to get out of here!" The bigger one seemed less willing to follow my orders.

"Promise me!" He begged, eyes wide in fear as he stared into my own. "Promise me he'll be alright!"

"I promise! Now go, the longer you're here the less likely I'll be able to keep that!" They simultaneously gulped, and after just a moment more, the bigger one nodded, turning with his brother and running from the alley. I watched them go, heart going with them as I swallowed. Hopefully they'd make it to a lower district. Maybe- just maybe they could survive. The pickpocket's short and sudden scream brought my mind back to me, and I Feathered as fast as possible to the boy's side.

Chapter 16

"Vallery!" He exclaimed; withdrawing his hand as if they very thought of nearly hitting his subordinate burned him. The shock in his eyes matched that of Tate's, Mol's and Jack's. Yacub hesitated, searching my eyes for some trace of reason behind my actions, apparently finding none. "Wh-what do you think you're doing? Stand down, immediately!" I bit my lip, shaking my head. I couldn't do that. I couldn't go so thoroughly against my beliefs. "Disobeying a direct order…" He breathed as shock made his features grow to odd proportions, "I could have your uniform for this!"

"My sincerest apologies, sir." And they truly were. I didn't want to disobey him, but I couldn't bring myself to move. This boy was only trying to survive, live in the world we put him in; my feet wouldn't budge. Yacub's jaw dropped in the slightest, too unaccustomed to such outright defiance to even speak. Tate was the first one to get his wits about him.

"Val! The hell are you doing? This brat stole my wallet- and you're protecting him?" Tate gestured rudely to the thief as my back, who hadn't spoken a word. Jack, of course, could be partially to blame for that. He held the boy still, bringing back the kid's arms to a painfully awkward angle. Arms that, I had noticed the instant I set my eyes on the kid, were attached to a pair of hands that had more than a few broken fingers.

Broken fingers… no doubt a seemingly fitting punishment for pickpocketing.

"I took a vow, Tate. The same one as you." His anger dissipated before my eyes, but I didn't lower my guard. For a good reason, too, as Yacub finally seemed to move past his shock.

"To uphold the peace and provide justice, Miss Vallery, words that I think you have misinterpreted. Move aside, now. We have yet to regain a squad mate's wallet; and you are standing in our way of acquiring the whereabouts of his personal property." I lowered only my right arm, digging into my pocket and taking out the wallet. Tossing it to Tate, I returned my arm back to its open position.

"I swore to protect the people, sir. That includes everybody, not just my fellows. I apologize, but I will not stand down until the boy is safely released." Yacub paused, unsure of what to do. Instead, he looked to Tate, who counted his money, then recounted it.

"Is it all there?" He questioned, and Tate nodded, flipping the wallet shut and putting it safely back into his pocket. Yacub's eyes returned to me. I looked into them, seeing past his shining glasses, and standing against his dark eyes. To say I wasn't scared would be a lie- I was positively terrified. I could lose everything I had worked so hard for, everything I hoped of. My chances of finding my sisters would be reduced to nothing. But I had not only made a promise, I was taken with my vows as a Reaper as well. If I was ordered to turn in my uniform for keeping to my word, then so be it. It would show just what type of person Yacub really was after all. Our third seat, after searching my eyes for one last minute, finally closed his. With a sigh, he motioned to Jack, "Let him go." The boy fell to the ground behind me, and I immediately dropped my arms, turned around and kneeling before the pickpocket. Tears of pain stained his cheeks, and his broken fingers were cradled to his bare and filthy chest. A busted lip and bloody chin told me that Yacub's slaps had done more damage than I had originally seen. Fear was in the boy's eyes as he looked around to all of us, but overtaking that was hatred. Resilient, unadulterated hatred. A glob of bloody spit landed on my cheek as the boy did all he could to get me away.

"I don't need your pity, bitch."

"You ungrateful little-" Mol stepped forward and stopped Tate from continuing on his strike. I sighed, taking my sleeve and wiping the bloody saliva off of me. The boy's glare didn't fade. In fact, he seemed to sneer even more.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Miss Vallery. Come find us when you're done here. Move out, everyone. We've still yet to find a hotel." Yacub commanded, and with a 'tch' Tate feathered off. Yacub and Jack disappeared a moment after that, and Mol took one last glance at the two of us before she feathered away. I looked up to the boy, pursing my lips as I examined his face. Dark hair, tan and dirty skin; a pair of deep brown, almost black eyes glared at me even past the fear of just who I was.

"May I see your hands?" I asked, folding my legs and sitting before him Indian style.

"Hell no." He stated, jerking them even farther against his chest and twisting away from me. He was approximately my height, leading me to believe he was not only around my age, but the oldest out of his little group of thieves.

"Your brothers are safe; I gave them each a bit of money and sent them south with the promise that I'd send you after them. I don't want to break that promise, now please, may I see your hands?" His eyes were analyzing, but warm as they searched mine for the truth. After watching me for something, anything that told him I wasn't lying, he finally nodded, slowly stretching his arms out to midway between us. "Thank you." I sighed, taking his palms into mine. I tsked lightly as I saw the damage- six of his fingers were broken, four on his left and two on his right. Pushing my soul energy into my palms, and by extension his, my brows furrowed as I focus on what little talent I had with Healing. "I'm not going to ask you to forgive them for this, but please forgive me for letting this happen. Hold your breath- this is going to hurt."

His brows furrowed in something like confusion, but he didn't take my advice until it was too late. He yelped, reflex almost snatching his hands out of my own as his fingers were snapped into place. I pushed more energy into him, hoping to ease the pain as tears once more sprung to his eyes. His cries were silenced, however, as he bit his lip to keep them from coming out. "Hard part over." He nodded silently, taking deep and calming breaths to help with the pain, which should've been all but gone with the amount of energy I was using to heal the formerly snatched appendages.

"Does anything else hurt?" I asked after awhile, and he opened his eyes to look at me. Though he said nothing, I could still see the hurt behind them. He looked away, and I took that as I yes as I scanned over the rest of his body. Two red marks wrapped entirely around his biceps, not to mention his busted mouth. The hands were the worst of the damage, however, and once those were done I lifted my glowing palms up to his biceps, where I began to heal the would-be bruises.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked at a distance, hands falling into his lap as he guiltily didn't meet my eyes.

"Micheal, right?" Shocked brown looked up to mine immediately, before he lost whatever feeling he had and looked away, nodding with something like shame gracing his features. "Your brothers mentioned your name… I was a street rat, too." I didn't meet his eyes as he looked up to me, instead focusing on his arms as I spoke. "I stole to support my sisters, until one day, like you, I pickpocketed a Reaper. They were nicer, though, and didn't beat me senseless. After that, I decided to become one. We're meant to protect and serve the people; coming from poverty like this…" I took a deep breath, shaking my head in disdain, "…it's shameful to admit there are those among us who would do this to someone whose just trying to survive. And when we put them in this situation, no less…" Done with his arms, I dropped my left hand into my lap, placing my right hand against his jaw, letting my energy restore his lip and mouth.

"Are things really better down south?" He asked, eyes hopeful. I sighed, not wanting to lie to him.

"The closer you get towards Soul City, the less poverty there is. I can't promise you free food and clothes though. You'll probably still have to steal to survive. It'll be easier, though. People carry more money on them, and food is easier to buy than snatch half the time. I wouldn't go too close, though. Reapers tend to patrol more the closer you get to the capital. There, all done. How do you feel?" I pulled my hand back into myself, leaning away from him. He hesitated, flexing his fingers in his lap. Pushing myself up, I held a hand out to him as I stood. He looked to it, glanced at me, before taking my hand. I pulled him up, giving him a small smile as I dropped his hand, instead shoving my own into my pocket. Pulling out my wallet, I quickly grabbed ten dollars and handed it out to him. Debate took his expression, and he bit his lip in indecision. "Take it," I offered, lifting the money closer to him, "it'll get you to a lower district."

He still seemed iffy, but he took the money anyway, slowly taking it from my hand and shoving it into his own pocket. I gave him one last smile, waving slightly as I turned around, preparing to go find my third seat and formally apologize. Who knows whoat would happen if I didn't.

"Wait!" He called as I was ten steps away. I paused, looking back over my shoulder at him. He bit his lip, red taking over his cheeks as he blushed and looked away, "I never got your name…" I barely caught his mutter, but with a smile, I turned away.

"Vallery Wilkenson!" I shouted back at him before feathering off to where I felt Yacub.

"And he just… forgave you?" Mol asked from across the room, dabbing her hair dry with a towel. She had offered to take a shower last, allowing me the warmer water (bless her). The two of us shared a room just across the hall from the three boys; it was small, and definitely needed a good dusting, but a bed was a bed as I lay across the mattress, talking with my squad mate, who sat on her own bed.

"Yep… it was weird, though, he wouldn't look at me." I admitted as I folded my arms beneath my head. "Even though he didn't seem angry at all. Not disappointed, either… I honestly couldn't tell what he was thinking." Mol sighed, standing from her bed and crossing the room to come sit by me. With a small smile, she leaned against the wall of the room, eyes lingering on her own bed as she fell into silence. Seeing that she wanted to talk, I said nothing as she sorted out the words in her head.

"Why…" She finally started, breaking the silence, but still not looking at me, "why did you stick up for that kid? I mean, it's your business and all, and you know it's not a big secret about where you're from, but still… why did you stick up for him? By the law, he should be in jail right now, or missing a hand or something. But you still stood up for him, even when Yacub threatened to have you thrown out… I would've stepped aside."

"I don't think you would've." I admitted honestly. Her words were untrue, in my position; she probably would've done the same thing. She just didn't know herself well enough to see it. My statement brought her eyes to me, and I continued when I saw I had her attention. "I made a promise to his brothers to keep him safe- they're the ones who had Tate's wallet- and I couldn't get them to safety unless I promised I'd get their brother there too. Besides, Mol, it's like I said: we all took vows to protect the people. The status of a person doesn't matter: vows are vows. If I broke those I'd feel so guilty I'd probably have to resign, anyway." She paused, blinking for a few seconds. A smile broke out across her face soon after, and she laughed lightly while pushing herself off my bed.

"What?" I asked, not getting what was so funny. I was being completely serious.

"It's just ironic that the kindest person I know happens to not only be one of the youngest, but also the strongest in the entire Thirteen Squads. You're modest, strong in your beliefs, and courageous enough to stand up for them. I used to think you were scary, Val, but I just can't help but relate you to a teddy bear now that I see that soft side of yours."

"Teddy bear?" I questioned as she flipped off the lights, moving through the dark room over to her bed.

"Yep. A giant, fluffy teddy bear." She answered as she crawled under the covers, her smile audible in her tone.

"How am I a teddy bear?" I asked as I did the same. She just laughed lightly, further confusing me.

"Goodnight, Val." Seeing that no amount of pestering would get the answer out of her tonight, I just filed it under things to discuss later, as I was a bit more than tired from how much energy I had expended today.

"Okay, then. Goodnight." My dream that night consisted of said animal as I pondered just how I could be related.

"Captain Level!" He shouted again, glaring at the sky as he pulled on his hair. Our third seat was showing an uncharacteristic amount of anger, though I suppose it was well-deserved. We had arrived at the hollow infested area, only to have Jack taken hostage by a Hollow. We managed to get him back, but Hollows started to swarm the area and surround us. So, naturally, I destroyed them all with Thunder Roar Sear, which had become something of a specialty after I had mastered it. After the third seat had recovered from shock (he had been ordering us to fall back, but the Hollows had two children captive, so I once more disobeyed orders), he had taken to screaming and ranting and pulling his hair out. Mol had returned the two children to the Canadian authorities, and was currently healing Jack's wounds as we started on our long way back to Soul City. Tate was busy trying to avoid Yacub's wrath, as he had just suffered a very intimidating session of 'and you knew about it?', delivered by the only still angry person in the group. So, when I say well-deserved, when taken in that this was the second time I disobeyed orders, and not to mention that I might have accidentally showed him up this time, his anger was rather well placed. "And you didn't feel the need to tell me?"

"I really am sorry, sir. I thought it'd sound rude…" I stated for the millionth time. I really was sorry though, as deceiving him was never my attention.

"Rude? Hah! Of course I wouldn't have believed you! But a little heads up is better than nothing, Miss Wilkenson!" I winced, avoiding his eyes as he fumed. "Captain told me you were gifted, but what in the seven hells was that?"

"Demon's Way Sixty three, sir. Thunder Roar Sear."

His face fell, "You've mastered a level sixty three spell to the point of not having to call its name?" I hesitated, sensing something was off, but nodded after a moment of silence. The third seat paused, examining me to see if I was telling the truth. Not that there was much to lie about, mind you, as I had preformed the spell right in front of his face not moments ago. After the silence had become too much to bear, I snuck a glance at the third seat, finding him still watching me past those flashing glasses. "What, Miss Vallery, is your ultimate goal?"

"To find my little sister, sir." I answered automatically. I had thought he'd known, seeing as I told everyone that ever asked, but he didn't seem to be looking for that answer.

"After that, I mean. Do you eventually want to become a Captain?" His tone was serious, intimidating. I bit my lip, nodding.

"Yes, sir. If I become a Captain, I can help with the poverty in the lower districts easier, sir."

"…You wish to get rid of poverty?" His tone was skeptical. Perhaps even a bit on the mocking side. I knew it was a childish thing to hold as a goal, but it was a goal nonetheless. I couldn't let things continue as they were in this country. Not with so many suffering, starving. Children dying of hunger and people murdering each other over necessities… it was too sad for me to not want to fix. The meeting with Micheal and his brothers had only made me certain of that objective.

"As much as possible, sir." A snort, and then a chuckle erupted from his mouth. He palmed his face, turning around and away from me as he continued to laugh. I winced, pursing my lips at his rather rude behavior, but finding it altogether a good sign. If he was laughing, he was less likely to slap me upside the head or give me extra chores for my insubordination.

"Come on now, everyone. Let's go home." He stated, smile still in his voice as he started to walk away, hands shoved in his pockets. Tate and I shared a skeptical look, but quickly fell in behind him as Mol continued to support Jack, who leaned on her from his injuries as he took the rear. A few bouts of light laughter came from the third seat's chest every now and then, making me slightly worried for his sanity as we began our way back to Soul City.

"Vallleryyy…. I'm not gettinnng iiiit…" Our fifteenth seat complained as I passed by the training grounds. With small rivulets of tears running down his face, I couldn't help a sweatdrop at the timely over-dramatics. What I meant by that was simple: just like every other seated officer that happened to need something, it was always when I had just started my break that they would spot me to ask for assistance. Powers that be forbid if I was actually busy.

My shoulders caved as I sighed, stepping out from under the shade of the pavilion with my hands shoved in my pockets as I approached him, "What are you needing help with, Walker?"

"Demon's Way fifty four…" He complained, tears building as I blinked in shock. What? He was still on that? I had helped him with it three days ago!

"Are you still not putting enough energy into it?" I asked; brows furrowed. I had thought we had gotten it down pat. If he needed more help, though, who was I to deny him it? The stronger the individual, the stronger the squad.

He shook his head, at a loss of what to do, "No, my energy is the same. I don't remember what I'm doing wrong though… Help me? Pleeeease?"

"Of course." I took a single step back, motioning to the straw doll at the end of the field. "Show me what you've got." He nodded, discouraged look still on his face as he turned away from me, facing down at the doll. With a swing of his arm and the call of the spell's name, purple energy morphed into the Abolishing Flames before he sent it flying down the field, where it went straight off target, hitting the wall five dolls down. I snickered lightly, seeing his problem immediately. His arm dropped, and he looked to me with a grieving expression.

"Don't laugh! It's not funny!" He tucked his arms up to his chest, worming around with the tears coming back, "I had it perfect yesterday!"

"Walker, Walker, Walker..." I sighed, shaking my head as I patted his arm in slight pity, but mostly amusement. "Which way was your palm facing when you aimed your attack?"

Walker blinked, snapped out of his exaggerated movements when the simplicity of his mistake hit him. Purple swirls of depression quickly formed over his head as his shoulders drooped, "Up… It's supposed to be down… I'm such an idiot… dragging you all the way out here only to be making such a stupid mistake…"

I laughed lightly, waving him off, "It's fine, really. Just chalk it up as a learning experience. Besides, it's little things like that that get the best of us sometimes." Clapping a hand on his arm once more, I turned around and folded my arms behind my back as I began my way back to the break room, where I would finally get the chance to relax for the day.

"Thank you, Vallery!" He shouted, and instead of replying, I just shot a thumbs up in the air before Feathering off.

"Oh Vallery~!" Yacub's voice called as I rested in the break room, stretched across one of the fluffy couches offered. After being caught right in front of the door (after helping Walker earlier this day), I had to run a few errands across Soul City for Jack, who was too busy picking up the Captain's lunch to complete everything on hand. And then after that, just when I began to make my way back from delivering all the papers, I was caught by Lucas, who asked if I had a moment to spare to help the Third Squad's Lieutenant (whose name I finally learned to be Trevan) plant a few flowers out in the courtyard. When that was finished, I was attacked by Mindy once more, and with no one to save me, I finally managed to wriggle free of her, only to race around for a good hour trying to get her off my tracks.

Needless to say, it was approaching dinner, and I was exhausted.

"Yes, sir?" My voice strained as I tilted my head to the door, where I heard Yacub's voice coming from. His glasses glinted in the room's lighting, as a wide smile seemed to be permanently swept across his face. He had been in unusual high spirits ever since the mission's end, enough to give near anyone chills. Mindy was so scared she wouldn't even enter the barracks (which was a good thing for me, so I wasn't complaining too much). I hadn't been reported to the Captain either, apparently, as no scolding for my insubordination had been dealt.

"Could you help me with filling out some of this paperwork? I promise I won't make you run around like everyone else has today." He bargained, entering the room with a three-pound stack of paperwork. I sweatdropped, unable to deny him help after seeing the load that was put onto him.

"As long as you promise." I stated, curling my legs up to my chest before pushing myself into a seated position on the couch. He beamed, flouncing over to my side before plopping down beside me. Setting the papers on the coffee table before us, he whipped a pen out from his pocket and handed it to me, before pulling a clipboard out of seemingly nowhere and doing the same. Despite being just a bit creeped out at my third seat's uncharacteristic behavior, I set to work, grabbing the first set of stapled papers and beginning to read through them. Fifteen minutes and two sets later, I could barely take the silence anymore. It just wasn't comfortable with me; even though the third seat seemed to be just dandy with it. Every now and then, too, he'd laugh to himself just lightly enough to make me question whether or not I had heard anything at all. So it was with great hesitance that I broke the silence; "How is everything going for you, Yacub?"

He blinked, glancing at me from his paperwork for the slightest of seconds before his smile grew even bigger, "Oh, nothing too important, really. Just enjoying life."

"More so than usual?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Slightly, yes."

"Mm-hmm." I confirmed, not really knowing what to say. Did that mean the rumors about him getting promoted were false? I bit my lip as I signed another paper, marking it a-okay before taking it from my clipboard and setting it in the growing pile of sets completed. "I heard a rumor you were going to be promoted; is it true?"

His smile bloomed into a grin, but he said nothing on the matter. "How is the paperwork coming, Val?"

I blinked, unused to him using my nickname. He almost always called me Vallery, and when angry, Wilkenson. But then again, if he was in such a good mood, why spoil it for him? Besides, his ever-growing smile told me that the rumors just might be true. "Fine. It's not that bad, actually. Though I can see how it becomes toilsome after a couple hours."

He chuckled, shoulders shaking at the sound; "Oh, just you wait." My brows furrowed, what did that mean? But he didn't give me time to ask, as he quickly brought up another subject: "Everyone seems to be rather impressed with you lately, Miss Vallery. I've heard nothing but compliments on your patience and hard work ever since you joined the squad, did you know that?"

"No, sir," I shook my head, "I didn't." Not that I didn't deserve it, though. I had been working very hard, putting in extra hours here or there when necessary. It had come to the point that I had, just a week ago, went down to the bank and set up a system for my pay- I had more money than I knew what to do with. As such, I had them set out percentages of my paycheck to be taken and deposited automatically, so I never had to handle money, really. A debit card and just a bit of cash was all I carried in my wallet; as it was all I needed. But that didn't mean that the work was for the money- not by any means. In fact, the smallest portion went to my actual spending account. The rest was savings, savings, and more savings for the day I would find Maya, so I could spend it all on her and Tif. Get them a nice home in a nearby district, perhaps. Let Tif attend the Academy while I watched Maya- that would be nice.

"Well, when it comes time to reap the rewards of your labor, don't be afraid to do so. I won't, in any way, be offended."

"Um, okay…" I droned off, not really getting his evasive and confusing statements. Had he even answered a single question directly today? Probably not, knowing his good mood. Something told me, however, that he wouldn't answer if I asked him just what he was referring to; so the paperwork was finished in a quiet much more comfortable than the first- and I went straight to dinner, catching the meal before going out on a light jog with some squad mates and afterwards crawling into my bunk below a log-like Mol Terce, exhausted from the day's events.

Another whopping double chapter! :D Yayness! So, after yesterday's note, i really don't have much more to say. Just plot, plot, plot, blah blah, blah really. Oh, and an GI-FRIKIN-NORMOUS thank you to bleach-otaku, who reviewed last chapter even though they knew I'd update today :] Means a LOT! Really! :D Thank you!

Hurray for back on schedule-ness! See you next week! Please review!