Ch 25: The March North

Before I knew it, I was marching towards the Quincy stronghold. The two days flew by, in a slow haze. It was a strange sensation knowing you were talking into deaths maw. Parts would fly by before I noticed, but others were agonizingly slow. I gave a briefing to the Overseer's the morning after, explaining what I expected of all of them.

"Anything that even so much as resonates in your senses I want reported. Remember these battles as well as possible and record them as soon as the conflict is over. Anything slightly out of the ordinary is to be reported." I explained. They saluted and went back to their duties.

And now we were marching. Arranged according to units, we were stretched in a column. There was no talking among the troops. There were no mutterings. There was only a hanging sense of inevitability. Everyone, myself included, was expecting to die in the conflict. I had forced a concession from Tobias and those in charge. There were six Overseers behind and ahead of the column. They were linked to myself, the kidou division and the Captains, monitoring our blind spots. The kidou Corp detachment ringed us, ready to protect from an attack.

"If you ask me, they'll probably have a detachment ready to attack a large force." Tobias had discussed with Captains Urahara and Shihouin

"That's what I was thinking." I had said boldly.

"And you are…?" Captain Shihouin asked me.

"Emma Naomi ma'am! Captain of the Overseer section of the 14th squadron." I told her.

"…Tobias?" Captain Urahara asked Tobias.

"It's true. What do you think should be done Emma?" Tobias had asked and I told him about my idea.

Which is why we were prepared when a shower of blue light came crashing down from the heavens. Suddenly the specifics came from behind!

"Quincy approaching from the east and west! Bow's are drawn!"

The kidou Corps erected a barrier that covered everyone. The attack lasted moments, then the report came in that the Quincy were retreating.

"Tell them to let them go." Tobias told me.

"Do not pursue. They could be baiting us for a trap." I ordered.

"Understood ma'am." they answered in my head.

We resumed our march, resting only when night had fallen. A guard was posted, and was linked with a woman I had put in charge while I rested. Only by using the kidou do you realize how strenuous it is to be linked to even five people.

"It doesn't matter how you look at it Kisuke. We are at a severe disadvantage!" I heard Tobias yell at Captain Urahara as I passed their tent.

"And I keep telling you I am aware of that Kyle. The point is, we have to scale their stronghold at some point or another. Is there anyone you can think of that can use such a large scale Hadou?" Captain Urahara asked.

"As far as I know, no. The closest thing would be Emma. But that's not kidou. It's her zanpakuto." Tobias explained.

"Could it work on a large scale?" Captain Urahara asked.

"Doubt it. Not on that scale. Besides, I wanted to keep the Overseers out of direct combat at all costs." Tobias explained.

"Yoruichi?" Urahara asked quietly.

"I'm sending a detachment of the Onmitsukidou to scout out their base when we get closer." Captain Shihouin declared.

"Sirs? Ma'am?" I said timidly as I stood outside the tent.

"Emma? What're you doing here?" Tobias asked me, looking confused.

"I…um, overheard you talking. I might be able to help." I ventured boldly.

"Really? Come in. Let's hear it." Tobias said with a smile, holding the flap open.

I walked in, feeling awkward about my position. By technicality, I was ranked at least a 3rd seat.

"Ah. Miss Naomi. I was wondering about your abilities. Lieutenant Tobias here said that your zanpakuto has several abilities." Captain Urahara said.

"Yes sir. I can use various techniques. Fire, water, air, earth. I can use support as well." I said, stumbling over my words.

"Tell me, do you have anything that could level a fortress?" he asked me.

"The most I have is the fire seal. It creates an explosion within an area of effect." I explained.

"Would it be possible to extend this area of effect to around several hundred yards?" he asked.

"Yes. But it would most likely kill me in the process." I explained.

"A pity." Urahara said, looking away.

"Hold on Kisuke. She might have something else useful. Well Emma? Anything that could disrupt enemy troops?" Tobias asked me.

"Um…well, I have the Swamp Seal. It creates a large area of mist. Then there's the Bog Seal which layers an area in poison. Oh! And I can combine them." I explained.

"Wait. I might have an idea then." Urahara said suddenly. "If we were to layer their stronghold in this poison mist, they would rush out as soon as one died. From there, we could extend the fog while removing the mist. They would be lost and confused. From there, we use Lieutenant Aizen's ability to create illusions off the mist, confusing them further, and causing them to attack one another most likely." Urahara went off.

"Don't mind him he's in evil genius mode." Tobias explained with an annoyed look on his face.

I was dismissed from the tent and went to lay down. Within seconds, I was asleep.

The next morning began horribly. Over two thousand hollow attacked at daybreak!

"Attempts to flank sighted on the eastern side!" Natsuki yelled, her voice being heard by everyone.

"Sasumi! Bring your forces to that area!" I ordered, tracking his movement in my mind.

We were utilizing an incredibly powerful, and usually forbidden, form of Kidou. 7th Overseer Natsuki, myself, and 3rd Overseer Adeline Jerico's consciousness's were floating over the battlefield. Due to the fact that the Nexus was unable to be used, we were allowed to use this. The problem was, our bodies were left completely unoccupied. So they were defenseless, or open to invasion. Tobias was guarding them personally.

"They're coming from behind now. But the numbers are thin." Jerico warned, his English accent bugging me like always.

"Kenton! Get over there!" I yelled.

While we were up here, the other Overseers were busy fighting along the front. I watched from the air as they were swarmed by Hollow, and then cut the Hollow to ribbons. I felt pride in the fact that we were some of the strongest here.

"Ma'am. The battle is nearly over. We are down to the last hundred or so Hollow. Requesting permission to join the fray." Jerico asked.

"…granted." I said after a quick survey of the area.

"Thank you ma'am." Jerico said. Then the reiatsu that had been floating in the air disappeared and I saw his body spring to life.

He grabbed his zanpakuto, bowed to Tobias, and ran for the nearest group of Hollow. He dived into them. I watched as he sliced another Hollow's head off. Then, he grabbed one by the arm, and threw it into another group. As I watched, I began to remember the small amount of past I knew of his.

"My name is Adeline Jerico. It's a pleasure sir!" Jerico had greeted our then Captain.

I watched with disinterest from my monitor. His grey/white hair bugged me. It laid across his head and trailed to his shoulders. He was taller than I was by a few inches. But it was always his accent that got me the most.

"Nice meeting you ma'am." Jerico greeted me as he sat down at his monitor.

"Right." I returned, not looking at him anymore, my interest exhausted.

However, he was a demon with a sword. He was muscular, his body all hard edges. He'd had his choice of the 11th or 14th when he entered Seireitei. I still think he would have been better in 11th. Even though he had climbed the ranks rather fast.

"Transmogrify, Getsujinamida" I heard Jerico say, releasing his zanpakuto.

His sword and sheath shattered completely. The shards began to circle Jerico's fists. Then they melded together forming a large ax! Jerico swung the ax in a large arc, cleaving several hollow. Then the ax shattered and formed a shield as a low energy cero lanced at him.

"He's pretty strong huh ma'am?" Natsuki asked me, her voice echoing in my head.

"Focus. Yamada! Prepare your division to treat injuries." I ordered, sending the Shinigami scurrying. "Pack it up Natsuki. We're out."

"Yes ma'am!" Natsuki said.

Our consciousness returned to our bodies and we got up.

"Bored?" I asked Tobias.

"Kinda. But then again, the company of two unresponsive women was helpful." Tobias said with a grin.

"Captain!" Natsuki said suddenly, bursting into laughter.

"What? Stop laughing and tell me!" I ordered.

"Here." Tobias said, tossing me a mirror.

"…you…bastard!" I yelled as I saw my face. There were drawings all over my face! "I'll kill you!"

"He's already gone ma'am." Natsuki said, holding her sides and still laughing.

I cleaned up my face and turned to Natsuki.

"You're dismissed." I said to her. Natsuki left, her pale blue hair bobbing slightly.

I suddenly wished that Maria were here. She'd been recovering fine when I left, but you never knew. And then there was that bastard Tobias! He drew all over my face! But then again…I hadn't told Natsuki that he'd drawn on her too…