Oh boy have I had a week. With my injury finally healed up to near perfect, and going back to work I havent had much time to write and I greatly apologize.

Rest assured that I have every intention to see this story to its bitter end. Please be patient with me!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach or any of its characters

Let's get on with it!-

"We need to ensure this witch of the king's isn't a Steel-Blood." Bronze stressed when I resurfaced.

I rubbed my face roughly, pushing my soaking hair back, "And how do we do that?"

She considered it, plopping her chin into her waiting palm. "You said you met her just the once?" I nodded. "Steel-Bloods have a reputation for picking fights. Especially, when they're feeling confined. I can't imagine she'd leave you alone for long, given your own reputation."

There it was again, the thumping in my blood that set my own body on fire. "Have you ever seen one fight?"

A shake of that red hair, "Not in this lifetime."

"So I'm suppose to wait for this legendary, century old warrior to seek me out. And then just hope for the best?"

"You've faced worse odds." I struck her with a glare, and she threw her hands up, "Fine, I'll do a little more digging. Hopefully she hasn't been worried about covering her tracks."

Bronze held out a towel as I rose, water splashing over onto the floor. I wrapped myself up, all the while thinking of that woman. I had not been thinking of her as a potential opponent then. Looking back I had been overcome with a shock I forgot I could feel. I could not remember her height, or how she stood. All I could remember was the pale of her skin and the dress that hugged her like it was made from her own skin.

And the thought of her now sent chills up my spine.

Ichigo was gone when I exited the bathing room, the balcony doors still thrown open like he had left in an aggravated tantrum. I grinned at the thought, pausing to stare out into the city for a moment before moving to dress alone.

Bronze whistled low and deep when she took me in, "Should you be wearing the armor? Your back is still healing."

I rolled my shoulders gently, the soft clink of silver against silver sounding like sweet music to my ears. "You should never baby your body after an injury, Bonnie. It makes it expect comfort from you always."

Yet, she was right, my back was screaming, begging me to remove all the excess weight my armor and Vladimir was adding to its still recovering muscles. I tossed aside their painful begs. And I hide the shaking of my shoulders well.

Bronze followed me down the hall, not once saying a word. She followed, one step behind me with her head held high, and anyone who looked our way would never believe she didn't belong.

And when I reached the last narrow hallway leading straight into the Center, I expected her to shrink away like Ichigo would have. To dissolve into nothing without a word. And some part of me thought maybe the only reason she didn't was because she knew it was what I expected of her. Then, when I glanced back at her over my quivering shoulder, I saw her expression of pure excitement, and realized it was not at all that she wanted to shock me, but instead that she wanted to see for herself what I had planned to do.

I would have to try not to disappoint her.

Men fighting had always been very interesting to me.

The way they threw themselves at each other, no thoughts, no plans. Just unbridled rage and an unspoken need to make one another bleed. I had learned long ago that, when fighting men, there would always be pride woven into their every strike. Most men did not fight for anything, did not have a purpose that drove them forward, all they had was that pride. Win, lose- it was all the same. The pride remained.

I enjoyed taking that pride from my enemies. Had enjoyed reaching into their chests and ripping it out of them. One sliver at a time.

And standing on the highest landing overlooking the Center, staring down on that very pride overtaking the large space, the fights that had turned men's bodies bloody and bruised, I could feel that same enjoyment rise within me. Felt it with every piece of my broken body as I drew Vladimir. He sang as he emerged, like he was also happy to be free from his restraints.

I slammed his blade down, the sound of his silver blade clanging against the metal railing- once, twice, thrice- it echoed in the silence that followed.

It took some time for all their eyes to find me, but I was patient.

When I had the attention of the room, I sheathed Vladimir once again at my back, and leaned forward, the railing smooth against my hands, "There has been some questions rising in your barracks. Regarding the rumors that your final task has been moved up. And I am here to tell you that those rumors ring truth." A murmur through the crowd, "The king has reason to believe a rebellion has started in The Inbetween, and now has need of as many soldiers as he can get his hands on. The sooner your tasks are complete the sooner he can send you out to fight and die for him."

I did not let myself look at Sam.

"I have advised against such strategy but your king has elected to ignore my counsel. And so, now your lives have been taken from my hands and been thrust into your own. What you do now will determine the path you will lead."

I turned, not continuing until I had reached the stairs, "Will that path be bathed in the blood of your enemies," Wicked smirks appeared on most, "And the blood of the all innocents who stood in your way?" The smirks faded. "Will you walk down the streets of this city with a target on your back that only grows larger beyond the wall? Will you step on the heads of all those below you, casting shadows over them. Soaking up all the warmth the sun has to offer."

Clearing the stairs, I strolled casually toward the far wall, so thoroughly covered in spears and bows. I took my time picking a weapon.

Manipulation can be an easy thing.

Usually isolation is the most effective, but it can work well in groups if you take your time. The worst thing you could do is rush your speaking, your actions. It gives the recipient too much time to think back on your words. Too much time to properly think through their emotions. Pace yourself, allow yourself to keep a calm and relaxed posture.

I picked up a particularly long spear, running my fingertips over the delicate, integral patterns carved into the wood. I could feel their eyes on me, not as skilled yet in detection, minds too young to look past the surface. I used such youth, lifting my chin, feeling my neck stretch. And instantly I felt their attention shift from my harsh words, and to the slender curve of my jaw. Even Hisagi's teeth clenched, as he tried to bite down the undoubtedly conflicting emotions bubbling in his adolescent mind. I've never understood the attraction men have towards a woman's neck.

"I have been to war," A long real pause, as I struggled past my very real demons. The silence was heavy, as I had intended it. "A war I fought just after my tasks were complete. Sam and I left our homes with nothing but our newly heard Silver Blades. We bled for the safety of these walls. we earned the silver. I have no doubt you will all thrive as we have." I looked to Sam then, and his face was just as I knew it would be. His mind back on those dirt fields filled with the bodies of our squad mates. "Although, thinking back, seventeen of us had entered that war and only three had returned…"

It pained me to speak so casually about it. To use their deaths to my advantage, but I could see the words seep into the young boys before me, seep into them like my bath soaps. Changing them.

Good.

I wanted them to know. To understand that these were not just words. This was the reality that would soon be upon them. This was the path they had chosen the moment they stepped into this very room. And not all of them could survive it.

"And so you will train harder than you ever have before. Until your body has nothing left to give. Until your very soul quivers with exhaustion, and then," I mirrored my father's smile. The one that made my stomach turn and my skin itch. I knew I had masked myself well by the flash in Sam's eyes. "Then, I will send you out to the crows. And let Morta take her pick."

They all jumped, even Bronze still up on her high balcony, as I slammed the point of the beautiful spear into the ground, "Now take a lap. No one stops until their feet bleed."

They scurried like chickens, pushing one another out of their way. And through them I saw Hisagi, hesitating as he watched me. I met his eyes across feet and bodies and he did not back down, it had only been a week since I'd last seen him, yet somehow, even with the distance between us I could see how tall he'd grown. He would certainly tower over me now.

Juanca appeared at his side, and nudged him along by the shoulder, and only then did our eyes break. He fell in with the others, his body becoming indecipherable from his comrades.

They were already two laps in before Sam approached. By his posture I could tell he was not pleased, but he knew better than to question me where the men could hear. He waited until they were clear across the Center, "You think scaring them will make them turn?"

"I wasn't trying to scare them." I scoffed.

Sam opened his mouth and then bit his tongue as the recruits drew nearer. Once they'd passed he hissed out in a questioning tone, "And saying you'll feed them to the crows?"

"Some facts can be scary, my dear commander."

"But I thought-"

"Patience."

He rubbed roughly at his mouth, and I could hear his teeth grind in his simmering annoyance. I could feel the heat from his body rise, along with his unruly temper. "What the hell is she doing here?"

I glanced to where he was already glaring. Bonnie was not trying to hide her presence, and she certainly didn't pretend to miss Sam's clear distaste. She watched us from her position, perched on the railing. She even gave Sam a little smile and a mocking wave.

I nearly choked on my retort, "I didn't ask."

He didn't take his eyes off her, "I don't like it."

I turned to him, not feeling the need to call his attention to me, "You don't need to like it. Have you done what I asked?"

He slid back, finally returning his eyes to me. I knew what he was going to say before he even opened his mouth, "The bastard wouldn't let me in."

Resenting the word, I chewed on my lip. A shining knight appears on the board. With Sam now at my back I only had one person standing between me and the king.

Devon.

There was a reason my father kept him close. Blind loyalty is a necessity to any court. A war could be won on the back of one loyal soldier, and Clark would never believe me to be unquestionably loyal. I could forgive it due to my current circumstances. If Clark was not with me then Devon was always close behind, and it had always been a relief to me, but now…

A problem that could wait. "I suppose she'll sniff me out soon enough."

"I'll find a way in." I could tell the failure was weighing on him. But I was not in the mood to play pick me up.

"Do or don't, it makes little difference." I remarked, truthfully and Sam clicked his tongue.

I returned my attention to the task at hand. I hadn't been keeping count but I was sure the boys were now nearing their tenth lap, I watched them move. Somehow they were still too slow; almost sluggish in their movements. I wasn't sure whether or not it was from a lack of endurance or merely the heavy thoughts I'd planted like seeds weighing them down. It mattered not. For either would work well for me.

"They seem slower than usual." I said to Sam loud enough for them to hear as they passed before us. "Has my absence made you forget the Tasks ahead?" I hollered louder, my words echoing along with their quickening footsteps.

I threw a glance up at Bronze, looking right to where I could feel her eyes, watching. She stood tall now, her hands just barely gripping the rail before her. I held her eyes, letting the undeniable calm inside them soothe the pounding of my heart, and silence the screaming in the back of my mind.

Her head tilted, just slightly. A question and yet, somehow, a dare.

And when the recruits passed before me, breaking my contact with that smoking wildfire, I took three breaths.

One to breathe in the smell of the man beside me; a smell that reminded me of all the bad things I had done.

Another, deep and slow, to completely clear my mind of all the madness. Allowing me to enter into such a disconnected, hollow state.

And the last to fill my lungs to the brink before I took off running.

They truly were slow. So undeniably slow.

For even in my wounded state, with the familiar weight of my Silver armor constantly trying to pull my shoulders forward, like a magnet pulled to the ground, I caught up with them before they even knew I was approaching. Their unpreparedness made the next events come easier, locking it into my mind that it was a needed lesson.

I did not pull Vladimir, knowing that he was, no doubt, thirsty for blood, and I did not want to wound them long term.

Three were already down before the rest noticed me among them.

Two more dropped before any could even get their arms up.

There were seventeen left. More than plenty to overwhelm me- if they timed their attacks properly. Yet I must have expected too much of them, for they should have surrounded me. They had the numbers, the height, the speed.

But they all remained before me, arms just slightly raised in the defensive position. I let my own arms drop to my sides, dumbfounded as I watched them knit even closer together. And I could tell by their faces that they believe it the right move. And perhaps it would have been if there had been thirty of me.

I shook my head, jaw clenching tight. "Disgraceful."

I waited for the calm to break. For one of them to find the courage. And to give them a little nudge I kept my arms down, hanging loosely at my sides.

Hisagi, to my surprise, charged first.

I took all of one step towards him, ducked under his swing and swept his legs out from under him and he scorpion dived straight into the ground, his long legs bending over his head. But I silently applauded him as I straightened once more, just in time for the rest of his comrades to follow his brave lead.

Fighting men. Truly reckless creatures.

I swerved to avoid the first fist, barely having to adjust my footing to do so. His brawny body couldn't stop as he rushed past me, tripping on Hisagi, half hunched over, they both crashed hard. Ducking fast as thin arms lunged for me from the side, I cupped my left fist in my palm, and swung my elbow with all the strength of my upper body directly into his soft stomach, he had no air left as that same elbow cracked up against his slacked jaw. He hadn't even finish falling when I swung my arms back, practically propelling my body forward, lifting my right leg to connect with a solid kick to another faceless man's chest.

Not at all learning from their companions mistakes, three more left their legs wide open, making it all too easy for me to force their entire bodies off balance with a carefully placed scoop of my foot.

Juanca came close to getting his arms around me from behind, but he miscalculated the burliness of my armor, it caused his hand to slip, basically falling off my shoulder, I gripped that wrist and twisted, shoving my shoulder up into his dipped armpit and slammed him over my shoulder into the waiting boy already wounded before me.

It all took only half a minute.

I rushed out a breath as Juanca winced, rolling off the other fallen soldier with a harsh thud.

"One year." I began, with a tone as quiet as my conscience. "You have trained everyday in this room, with warriors far your senior. You have surpassed countless others on the road to this moment. To the moment you realize how very unprepared you are. To the moment you accept the death your decisions have brought you. Most of you are older than I am. All of you are taller; bigger. And yet, with fifty lashes on my back and fifteen pounds of silver slowing me down, you have all fallen." They wouldn't look at me, choosing instead to look to the ground, to their laps, or clenched fists. I clicked my tongue, huffing in real disappointment, "None of you belong here."

My words hung, heavy in the air. I counted to five, "Take this opportunity to defect, with no consequences. Pack up your things and leave tonight. Go home to your mothers, and nurse your wounds. I have a war to fight, and I would rather fight it alone than with such liabilities at my back."

I stepped away from the circle of their bodies, not even once looking back. You could have heard a pin drop.

And it wasn't until I turned to see that Sam had vanished-perhaps finding it hard to watch, or maybe just not wanting to hear yet another ruthless Heir speech- that I felt the impact of my words. Knowing, full-well, what their consequences would bring me.

Bronze was gone when I looked up, Ichigo appearing in her place.

He did not smile.

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Thank you for reading! And once again thank you for my long breaks between chapters.

Till next time-