I don't own Bleach okay? Today's prompt is 'mask' and with this being Bleach and all, this gives me some area to work with what with Hollows wearing masks and all. But enough of this A/N, on with the fic!

Ichika looked at her father and uncle with slight nerves. She was still in the academy herself but was given special permission to attend a routine Hollow cleansing because of her grades on her tests. Her uncle also had convinced the headmaster that she needed some hands on experience and as a member of the Soul Society women's society, she was willing to give Byakuya Kuchiki just what he wanted without any fuss. He did owe the headmaster a dinner date, but it was worth it to him just so he could take Ichika out while she was training. Renji had agreed to come along so she would know what to expect from her captain when she was finally assigned to a squad.

"I have complete faith in you my red pineapple." Rukia said as she checked in on her husband and brother.

"Mom, you're embarrassing me." Ichika said. "I'm going to graduate the academy soon. I'm not a little kid anymore. I'm shadowing Dad and Uncle Byakuya because I am so good."

"I know. It's just hard to believe my little baby is growing up." Rukia said.

"She will be in good hands. No need to fret." Byakuya said.

"Thank you elder brother." Rukia said.

"I figured since Ichika is showing potential and skill, and has access to such rare opportunities, she should use it." Byakuya said.

"And I won't go easy on you kiddo." Renji said. "This is a serious mission we are doing, even if it is routine. You need to learn."

"Yes sir." Ichika bowed, remembering how strict her uncle was on duty and proper protocol.

"We should be back within 24 hours. No need to worry about us dear sister." Byakuya said.

"Be safe." Rukia said to Ichika as she headed off with her uncle and father to cleanse souls.

Ichika traveled along and looked around in the human world. She had been here a few times before but never before was she here to perform konso or defeat hollows. She knew the theory of them well. She knew they were former pluses who had the chain of fate dissolved. The mask was what became of their heart. The look was never pleasant and kind of scared her in the textbooks and now she was going to face the real thing. She wasn't alone but she was afraid of looking like a fool in front of her father and uncle. They had begun to walk along the streets, looking for any pluses that needed to be guided.

"Over there." Renji said, pointing to a young man chained up to street sign.

"A soul?" Ichika asked.

"Yes. I see he hasn't become a Hollow yet, but he could be." Byakuya said. "How well are you with the Konso spells?" He asked turning to Ichika.

"Pretty good, I guess…." Ichika said nervously.

"You can do it." Renji said as he gave her a thumbs up and she took her zanpakto and headed over to the ghost.

"Relax mister." Ichika said, trying to be calm but she was rather nervous. She knew that the chain of fate was what kept the human soul to where it was. Why this one was chained to a street sign, she didn't know. All she wanted to do was to have him cross over and show her father and uncle she wasn't hopeless. "My name is Ichika and I'm here to help you cross over."

"Why? It was my fault we all died. I didn't see this damned sign and drove head first into a truck, killing my whole family. My baby was hardly a month old!" He yelled.

"I am sorry to hear that. However, I will finally put you to rest." Ichika said as she placed her Zanpakto to the soul's forehead.

"No! I don't want to go! I cannot face Michiko and Akamae when I was the one who killed them." The ghost said. "It is my fault! They moved on just fine but I cannot!"

"This could get bad…." Renji said, tightening his grip on his zanpakto.

"We've handled souls like this before." Byakuya assured Renji. "We can't jump in too soon or Ichika may lose confidence herself."

"But what about an old lady who died in her home peacefully? They usually go without a fuss." Renji said.

"Ichika wouldn't be happy. Sure, she'd handle it easily but she desires that challenge and wants to prove herself." Byakuya explained. "We are here if something goes wrong."

"Why is it my daughter opens up more to you than me? Her own father?" Renji sighed.

"She's afraid of disappointing you." Byakuya said simply.

"I was intending that to be rhetorical…." Renji sulked as he noticed something over near Ichika. "That chain of fate!"

"That is eroding away. It looks almost like it is going to disintegrate soon." Byakuya said and he tightened his grip on his zanpakto as well.

Ichika looked on and held it up to the forehead to begin the cleansing spell when she noticed a hole forming in the soul's chest and white coming from his face. "This isn't good! There's a mask forming! Help!"

"You almost got it Ichika!" Renji said. "Finish the konso and he'll move on before he becomes a hollow."

That mask is so scary. I can't look at them in the textbooks…..She thought trembling as she grabbed tighter onto her Zankpato. "I cleanse your soul and with this you will move peacefully to the other side."

"But…." The soul said as it started to melt into a pool as she pressed down harder. "You will find the peace you need for you and your family." She insisted as she looked sympathetically into the man's eyes.

"Really?" He asked as the mask started to fade.

"Really. I promise." Ichika said.

"Fine." The spirit said as it became a puddle with a flash of blue light and a black butterfly flew from the spot.

"That was intense." Ichika said, the image of the mask forming in her mind.

"Not bad for a first time." Renji said. "And your uncle picked a tough one for you."

"Yes." Byakuya said. "I knew you had the ability to do so. Great job."

"That's high praise coming from him." Renji said as he thumped Ichika on the back. "Proud of you kiddo."

"Thanks dad." Ichika smiled. "Those Hollow masks are scary…."

"I noticed you were afraid but you overcame it. That's what's important." Renji said. "We got to tell your mom about this."

"Once our shift is over." Byakuya said. "There's still more souls to cleanse."

"Sure thing!" Ichika said with a smile.

So how was that? Good? Bad? Short? Long? Let me know in a review. I'll try to add more when I can but how fast, I don't know. I do want to thank those who have read and faved and followed so far. Couldn't do it without you. So remember to read (well you just did) and to review. Ciao for now

Otherrealmwriter

Aka

Realm.