Shattered Realms

by MJLCoyoteStarrk

Aizen's defeat has left a tense peace between Arrancars and Soul Reapers. The resulting isolation has lasted for 200 years, only to be broken by a covert expedition from the Soul Society that has vanished. A small group is sent out to find out what happened only to find themselves facing the affects of the past while old heroes struggle w/their own pasts. Prologue has been updated

2. Chapter 1: Second Chances

Shattered Realms

By Eduard Kassel and MJLCoyoteStarrk

Chapter 1: Second Chances

Damn it, I knew that I should have called this sooner, Byakuya thought as he tried to maintain the neutral expression on his face.

It had been about a year since the expedition to Hueco Mundo missed their scheduled return date. He had continually delayed this meeting because he didn't want to admit what had been suspected for months: the expedition had met with some kind of disaster.

He looked at the other Captains and saw that they had lost their composure to varying degrees. Even Captain Unohana's usually tranquil face had darkened. He looked at Zaraki and was not surprised to see that he was grinning like a devil.

He's hoping that we'll be crossing swords with the Arrancars soon, Byakuya thought. The thing that frightened him the most was that Kenpachi could very well get his wish.

He looked to Ichigo and was not surprised to see that he looked as though he would attack the first viable target that appeared before him. However, he was here and not running around Hueco Mundo. Byakuya was somewhat impressed with this display of partial restraint.

He's matured…but not by much, Byakuya thought.

However, some of the other Captains were starting to argue with each other. Some of them were getting too heated. Byakuya knew that he must not allow the Captains to get too out-of-hand. He increased his Reiatsu levels.

"ENOUGH!" he roared, releasing his Reishi at its highest level.

Unlike Yamamoto, he could not send lesser Captains to their knees. However, he could get their attention. They immediately became silent. He looked at each of the other Captains and saw that he had their attention, at least for the moment.

"I have called this meeting to discuss a matter of the upmost importance. It is clear that something has gone wrong with the expedition that was sent to Hueco Mundo. Now, we need to decide on a course of action," Byakuya said.

"We should have done something when they missed the return date in the first place," Ichigo snarled.

Some of the younger Captains muttered in agreement. However, their reasons differed from Ichigo's and each other's. Byakuya sent out a brief burst of Spiritual Energy to get their attention. Captain Kyoraku sighed and tipped his straw hat enough to reveal his eyes, one was now completely blind.

"Easy now," Kyoraku said. "There's no need to get hasty."

"Indeed," Byakuya said. "Plans rarely go the way they are supposed to. There were too many unknown variables in the mission, especially the situation in Hueco Mundo. It was understood that delays could occur to prevent the expedition from opening the artificial Garganta to return in secret," Byakuya said, his voice even.

"Be that as it may sir. The loss of the expedition makes our course clear."

Byakuya turned to Captain Nakamura. The crimson hawk on his Captain's haori made it very clear what Nakamura would suggest. If he was before the Nobles and Central 46, they would want the same thing.

"Does it, Captain Nakamura?" Byakuya asked. "It would seem to me that we are still in the dark."

"It's clear that our expedition was discovered and wiped out," Nakamura said. "Your own sister…IT'S AS GOOD AS A DECLARATION OF WAR!" he roared.

Ichigo turned his attention on Nakamura. The man looked at Ichigo and was about to say something, but then saw the killing-intent in the young Captain's eyes. He did not say anything, but continued to glare at Ichigo.

"This is ridiculous," Captain Saijin of Squad 13 said. "Declarations, by definition, are clear. This has not gotten to that point yet. We have no evidence that they are even dead. It's more likely that they're stranded."

Byakuya could tell that the young Captain was trying to not only keep a lid on the war that the Hawks wanted, but he was also trying to stop Kurosaki from assaulting a comrade.

"Of course it's clear," one of the younger Captains said.

Byakuya glared at the young man who was now Captain of Squad 6. He could not understand how someone who could not take proper care of Hell Butterflies could possibly become a Captain.

"What are you saying?" Saijin asked. "We need evidence. Otherwise we'll wage a costly and impractical war that could turn against us."

"Any course other than war is Treason. Did the great Renji Abarai sit back when the Soul Society was under threat? He did not. Instead, he charged forward and defied the Traitor, Aizen, even as he was tortured to death."

Byakuya suppressed the rage he felt. This pompous idiot was responsible for the glorified version of his former Lieutenant's death. He witnessed it and none of the things that the so-called "Zabimaru Squads" said occurred even happened. However, if you tried to tell Rikichi that, he would dismiss you or even call you a "Lying liberal traitor." Although for Rikichi and people like him, those three things essentially meant the exact same thing.

"Captain Rikichi," Byakuya said. "Do not mistake this Assembly for one of your…campaigns."

"Forgive me, Captain-Commander," Captain Rikichi said, bowing.

"At any rate," Saijin said. "The Truth is that we are still in the dark. For all we know there could have been a mechanical malfunction."

"Are you suggesting that the Generator I sent with Ando was inoperable?" Mayuri demanded.

"Captain Kurotsuchi," Unohana said. "No one is questioning your overall ability as a scientist. However, mistakes can be made when facing unknown territory. The creation of the Arrancar Gigai and the Garganta Generator and sending a long-term expeditionary force, using such equipment, into Hueco Mundo fall under that category."

"Captain Unohana is correct," Byakuya said. "Everything about this assignment was new territory. When we recover the information that the team gathered and uncover information about what has befallen them, then you can use that data to make further improvements on the inventions that you made. After all, trial-and-error is a part of experimentation and experimentation is one of the pillars of Science is it not?"

Mayuri thought about it. It was obvious that he was trying to find a reasonable objection to the notion, but what Unohana and Byakuya said made sense. Mayuri sighed and nodded his head in a reluctant acceptance.

"I admit that I'm not perfect," Mayuri said. "But of course perfection is something that we scientists must not want. We strive to be better than those who came before us and information is the key to accomplish that. However, if we do send out another expedition, then Nemu shall go as well. That way we can be sure that there is no user-error on anyone's part and the equipment is kept safe and functional. If she dies…" he shrugged. "I'll just make a new and improved Nemu."

No one was surprised with that last line. After all, it was general knowledge that Mayuri put explosives in his subordinates and would often times detonate one at random to make sure the explosives were still operational.

"Sir," Ichigo said, almost loud enough to be considered a shout. "I request permission to go on the retrieval mission as well."

"Permission denied," Byakuya answered without a moment's hesitation.

"But sir…"

"I said that your request is denied, Captain. My word is final on this matter. I need all of the Captains here to help build up our forces in case war is waged against us. Captains and Advisors of the Gotei," Byakuya said every bit the Captain-Commander, "I need you to vote on this matter here and now.

"As you are aware, the first expedition has missed their return date by approximately one year. We must now face the fact that some disaster has befallen them. I suggest that we send a second expedition to find out what fate has befallen them, retrieve all valuable information and bring any survivors back to the Seireitei. This has been endorsed by several of you including," he said and looked at Ichigo in particular.

"This is a farce," Rikichi muttered under his breath. "The only second expedition needed to be sent out is a raiding party to wipe out all traces of the Arrancar filth."

"Keep quiet," Nakamura grumbled.

"All of those who support the notion," Byakuya continued, "please raise your hands."

There was a moment of silence. Then, Ichigo, Kyoraku, and Komamura and, surprisingly, Sui-Feng raised their hands. After another moment's hesitation, Mayuri raised his hand as well. Toshiro sighed and raised his own hand along with Unohana. Saijin bit his lip as though weighing the pros-and-cons of such a measure and then raised his own hand. Ichigo saw that the other "Hawk" Captains were looking at each other and at Sui-Feng. Sui-Feng looked at them and her eyes narrowed. Nakamura nodded and raised his hand with the others following close behind with Kenpachi's being the last.

"The vote is unanimous," Byakuya said. "Now we must discuss how this is to be done. We shall begin with who is to be in command of this operation."

"Sir, if I may," Sui-Feng said. Her voice was slightly muffled by the veil she wore over her lower face. "I already have someone in mind for that position. They are already outside and waiting for permission to enter so that she may be reviewed by yourself and the Assembly."

"I see," Byakuya said. "Very well, send them in."

So that explains why the Hawk bastards went along with it, Ichigo thought. That would also explain why Sui-Feng was so eager to vote in favor. Damn it, Sui-Feng, what are you up to? You're becoming as bad as Yoruichi and Kisuke.

The double doors at the far end of the room opened. The other Captains looked on in interest as Sui-Feng's recommendation entered. The person had their head bent out of respect for the assembled Captains. Ichigo's eyes widened as he recognized the Lieutenant's badge tied around the arm as well as the tag hanging from around their neck. The tag showed Squad 2's Pasque Flower in the center of the Onmitsukido's emblem. However, the thing that really threatened to cause Ichigo's eyes to pop out of his head was the familiar mop of hair.

"Tch…I should have known," Rikichi sneered.

"You have permission to speak, Lieutenant," Byakuya said as the Lieutenant stopped at the appropriate spot.

"Sir, I understand that you are looking for someone to command the expedition to find out what has occurred to the Operation Izanagi expedition. I will gladly accept the responsibility should it fall on my shoulders, Sir," the person announced in a crisp and formal manner.

"Please, state your name," Byakuya said.

All of those assembled knew who Squad 2's Lieutenant was. However, ceremony had to be observed.

"I am Lieutenant Tatsuki Arisawa of Squad 2 and Commander of the Patrol Corps, Sir," Tatsuki said as she raised her head to face the Assembly.

Squad 2 Barracks, Lieutenant's Office

Tatsuki sighed and picked up the next file that lay on her desk. She frowned as she looked at it.

She knew that Ikkaku Madarame wanted to come on the mission, but Central 46 was opposed to the idea and had continuously rejected his nomination. They were afraid that he might go back to his bad habit of rushing into a fight and thus put the mission in jeopardy. However, that didn't make sense to her. She was sure that Central 46 wanted the mission to end in an incident that could provoke a war.

Maybe, she thought. Maybe they merely want to deny an officer whom they know is immune to their influence a chance at redeeming himself. They don't really care about us. They only care about their so-called "mandate from the King."

She had heard about what Ikkaku had been like in the old days. She vaguely recalled seeing him once.

That's right, she thought. He was mooching off of Keigo and his sister with that guy with the weird eyebrows. I remember thinking that they were probably gay or at least his friend was.

She didn't think that she would have wanted that one on the mission. He would have probably spent too much time whining about how the Arrancar Gigai wasn't beautiful enough to suit him. She would have said the same thing about Ikkaku. She didn't want someone who would rush into a fight without thinking things through first.

But the Winter War had changed him. The cost of his disobedience had been high and it nearly destroyed him.

A beast that has been burned once will be more cautious and respectful of the peril it faces, she thought. Ikkaku respects me…maybe not on the same level as Kenpachi, but enough to obey a direct order from me. I can work with him.

It was already decided that Nemu Kurotsuchi would come along as well. However, Tatsuki wasn't quite sure about her, but with Captain Kurotsuchi threatening to only tell Nemu how to operate the equipment, and meaning it, she didn't have much of a choice. Once she told him that Nemu would be approved, he was satisfied and began working on the new equipment for them. As soon as she had the rest of her team lined up, they would proceed with the tests and creating the Arrancar Gigai.

It wasn't that she disliked Nemu. The older Lieutenant had a record that was only blemished by the nature of her quasi-legal existence and her working with her "father." But while the others in the Women's Society overlooked many things, she and her Captain viewed that even Nemu being a die-hard loyalist to her extremely abusive tormentor an ominous sign.

Unfortunately, there would be no negotiation. Mayuri wanted her on board and no valid objection would persuade the insane Captain otherwise.

Tatsuki knew that she didn't want a large group to come with her. Her experiences in the Patrol Corps taught her that a smaller group had better chances of success than a larger force as long as they were well-prepared. She already knew that Nemu was going to come along, but two wouldn't be enough for this.

She hoped that Ikkaku would be permitted to join the expedition. However, the chances of that happening were very slim. Life, and afterlife for that matter, taught her that you hoped for the best and planned for what was actually going to happen.

As a result, she was here. Looking through the large pile of files to find members to fill the last two spots she had planned as well as back-ups in case either of her first picks proved to be inadequate in the tests. She was about to give up for the day when she heard a knock at her office door.

"Come in," she said as she tossed aside another file over to the Reject Pile.

"So, you're still at it," Ichigo said, smiling at the files that crowded her desk.

"Oh…it's just you," she said, not really interested.

"You do realize that I'm a Captain, right?"

Ichigo sat in the plain chair that occupied the small space between her desk and the door.

"Yeah, yeah," Tatsuki said, waving off the rank difference. "And I could probably still beat you in Kendo like I did when we were kids, Mr. Captain."

"Yeah, you're probably right," Ichigo said and gave a small chuckle.

"What's so funny?" Tatsuki asked. Her eyes narrowed slightly and a small frown formed on her face.

"I just still can't believe that you ended up in Squad 2," Ichigo said, still smiling. "I would have pegged you for Squad 11 easily."

Tatsuki glared at him. Ichigo, seeing her face, raised his hands in mock defense.

He has some nerve to suggest that I belong with that bunch of brutes, she thought. Well, two can play it that way.

"Is that so?" she asked. "It's funny, but…I would have thought you were more suited for Squad 4. I mean you were always so good at cleaning up other people's messes and getting in the way, Strawberry," she said, smiling a bit.

"HEY!" Ichigo cried out.

"Fair trade for that previous remark," Tatsuki said, leaning back a little and folding her arms across her chest. "But I would be careful if I were you. You seem to be channeling your old goat of a Dad a bit," she said and picked up another file.

"Oh…and the answer's no. I'm not going to let you come in some kind of disguise. So don't even bother asking," she said as she opened the file.

"I wasn't going to…" Ichigo began. However, he was cut off as the file smacked into his face as Tatsuki hopped up onto her desk.

"Oh yes you were. I know you better than that, Ichigo Kurosaki. You think that you have some kind of…of destiny to save the day, every day. You've played 'Hero' too many times in the past and now it's gotten to your head," she said as she grabbed his collar and began to give him a Dutch rub with her free hand.

A burst of Reiatsu knocked the wind out of her. Ichigo gently plucked her hand off of his coat and set her on the desk's edge.

"I am a Captain," he said slowly. "You're only a Lieutenant."

"That may be," Tatsuki said from her new seat, also getting serious. "However, Captain-Commander Kuchiki approved my appointment and has therefore assigned this expedition to me. If I say that you can't come, then you can't come. That's all there is to it."

"Heh, I should have known. You were never afraid to knock me down when I deserved it," he said with a smile. The tension that had briefly filled the small room vanished with those words.

"Yeah…and Captain or no Captain, I can still knock you down if I want to."

"I don't doubt that. So, have you chosen your team yet?"

"Well, Ikkaku's persistent in getting me to let him come. Unfortunately, Central 46 is against his nomination and so are some of the other Captains, except for Captain Zaraki of course. However, I think he should come. I trust him to obey my orders and he is an excellent fighter. Nemu is coming whether I want her to or not. Damn that Captain Kurotsuchi. He's using necessary equipment as blackmail."

"Is there anyone else?"

"Well, I'm hoping to bring a medic with us as the last member," she admitted. "You know…just in case."

"Why would you want to bring a medic?"

"Oh come on, just think about it. Suppose that some of the members in the first team are injured. They would need medical treatment. A medic was the one thing they didn't have. Tch, I bet they didn't think the needed one with all of those brutes from Squad 11 with them."

However, both knew the Truth and neither wanted to say it out loud. The reason why a medic was excluded from the first mission was because it was expected for those who were seriously injured would be put down.

"That's true," Ichigo said and sighed. "So, do you have any ideas?"

"Well, I definitely want a seated officer in Squad 4. We need one of the best. However, I want to make sure that there's as little possibility for our Arrancar Gigai to affect us in a negative way. And don't start your little rant about how they would never allow an Arrancar mentality to take over them," she growled.

Ichigo shut his mouth at that.

"Anyways," she continued. "We need to take any and all potential risk factors into consideration. I want to make sure that at least two of our members are low-risk factors. If I'm able to bring Ikkaku with me then he and I will most likely be high-risk factors due to our…natures," she admitted with a great deal of hesitation.

"Oh man, I never thought I would live to see the day. You're finally admitting that you do have a problem with your temper. I'm so proud of your progress," Ichigo said and laughed.

"Shut up before I pound you into hamburger meat," Tatsuki snarled. "Anyways, Nemu's a low-risk factor because she's…well…she's Nemu. You know what she's like."

"Yeah," Ichigo said. "She's about as assertive as a tray of ice cubes. So, you want someone who's…"

"I want someone who's as low-risk to develop a violent Hollow-like or Arrancar-like personality as I can get. Unlike the first expedition, I'm keeping a potential member's character in mind as much as their physical and mental health."

"That's very wise. You know…I may just have the person in mind."

"Oh…and who might that be?" she asked. She was curious as to whom Ichigo had in mind, but she was also suspicious.

"Well, he did help us out when I came with the others to rescue Rukia. I'm sure that he would like to have another chance at trying to help her. Although…the last time he helped out, Rukia practically cut him in half."

"Yeah, that was when you went to Hueco Mundo to rescue…" she trailed off.

"Orihime," Ichigo said. As he said her name it was as though a great heaviness fell on them. "Have you received any news about her lately?"

Tatsuki shook her head feeling the threatening melancholy. The last time either of them heard she was somewhere in what had once been the United States playing "Faith Healer." There were worse places in the world these days, but the ruins of Old America were not the place she would have taken Orihime. She had tried to find her, but it was as though Orihime kept moving around, refusing to be found. The strangest thing was that Orihime seemed to have found a way to keep from dying and was using it.

"I see," Ichigo said. His voice was monotonous and it unnerved Tatsuki.

She looked at him. She knew that he was hiding something. She sometimes got that same weird look from Rukia whenever Orihime's name was mentioned. She wondered what it was all about. However, she also knew that she wouldn't get any answers from either of them.

"Orihime's not important right now," Ichigo said, suddenly.

Tatsuki looked at him in surprise. He rarely ever said anything like that. Especially about friends, regardless of how out of touch they may be.

"I'm not saying that I'm not worried about Orihime," Ichigo said when he saw the shocked expression on Tatsuki's face. "It's just that the important thing is to figure out who your medic is going to be."

"Oh…that's right. We can talk about her later. You're right. There are more pressing issues right now. So, who do you have in mind?"

"Well, I already gave you enough hints, but…"

Ichigo pulled out a folder from under his Captain's haori and held it out for her.

You bastard, Tatsuki thought. You were playing me this whole time.

She took the folder and gasped as she saw the name on it.

"Are you serious?" Tatsuki asked. "Are you actually asking me to seriously consider…Hanataro Yamada?"

"As a matter of fact…I am," Ichigo said, grinning at her. She looked at him as though he was a particularly strange bug that she was idly considering squashing. "What?" Ichigo demanded.

"You want me to take the whipping boy of Squad 4 on a deep undercover mission behind enemy lines where the enemy is likely to either be a bunch of barbarians or Spartans? Have you completely lost your mind or are you punishing me for all those times I whooped your ass at the Dojo when we were kids?" she asked him flatly.

"Oh don't be so melodramatic," Ichigo said. "I know he doesn't put out a strong front." Tatsuki glared at him and raised an eyebrow. "Well…okay…that's putting it mildly. But he always shows his grit when things look hopeless."

"Uh-huh…didn't he once lose a fight to Kon?"

"Well…I wouldn't call that a 'fight'…I mean that in a good way."

"Well, I definitely can't see Central 46 trembling in fear of Hanataro Yamada. Fine, I'll ask Captain Unohana if she can spare him," Tatsuki said, still sounding exasperated.

"Do you promise?" Ichigo asked, smiling.

"Yes, now get out of my hair…please," Tatsuki said.

Ichigo smiled as Tatsuki waved for him to leave. When Tatsuki saw that Ichigo had left, she sighed. She would ask Captain Unohana about sending Hanataro on the mission. The sooner she did so the better since she wouldn't have to deal with Ichigo pestering her about it. She looked at the file that Ichigo gave her and gave a small snort.

"There's no way she'll let her little lamb run off to Hueco Mundo."

Squad 4 Barracks

Captain's Office

"What?" Tatsuki asked, her eyes bulging in surprise.

"I shall make arrangements for his absence at once," Captain Unohana said, smiling. Her face retained its placid elegance. "I want to thank you for providing such an excellent opportunity for him."

Shit, Tatsuki thought as Unohana poured them another cup of tea.

Barracks Hallway

Tatsuki walked down the hallway after her little tea time with Captain Unohana. Even though she looked slightly irritated, or "normal" as Ichigo would have said if he saw her, she was actually practically fuming on the inside. She just couldn't believe that "Mama Bear" Unohana had so readily agreed to send Hanataro on such a dangerous mission.

Tatsuki tried to get Unohana to see reason and reconsider. However, Unohana refused and, to make her point across, gave her other smile. That smile had been more than enough to make Tatsuki drop the subject altogether.

She just couldn't understand it. First Ichigo had seriously wanted her to consider Hanataro for the mission. And now, Captain Unohana had agreed to allow Squad 4's mascot to go to Hueco Mundo…again. The last time he went there he nearly got cut into Hollow sushi.

Oh Chappy, she moaned. Maybe they're in on it together.

She tried to find out why they were so eager for Hanataro to come along. She didn't think that they were doing this to do him any favors. However, she knew that Ichigo and Unohana were not the types of people who would play games just to get rid of someone, even if it was their worst enemy.

So why are they doing this to me? Did I do something to earn their spite?

"Uh…excuse me," someone said from behind her.

Tatsuki nearly jumped as she was suddenly brought out her thoughts. Then, she recognized who had spoken and stopped. She turned and saw the object of her annoyance standing there.

Even though Hanataro Yamada was slightly taller than he had been when she first met him, he was still scrawny and nearly effeminate. She was not surprised to see that he still had that drowsy look on his face that annoyed her whenever she saw it. His black hair was slightly longer and tied back with a red hair string.

Definitely not helping you in the masculinity department, she thought.

Hanataro nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the look on her face. He took a few steps back and his eyes began to shift from side-to-side.

Wow, looks like we got a real winner here, folks, she thought and sighed.

"What do you want?" she asked, closing her eyes for a moment.

"Well…uh…I…uh…Captain Unohana wanted me to…uh…uh…come speak with you about a mission. She…she told me that you wanted me to come along," he managed to say with some difficulty.

Great, how can I tell him that I don't want him? Damn you Ichigo…and you too Scary Lady.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Tatsuki said brusquely. "Look, I'm gonna just tell it to you straight. I…"

"I know," Hanataro said meekly. "I know that I'm not exactly someone you would want to take with you. I've always been told that I get in the way or that I'm not strong enough or…" he paused for a moment then looked at her in the eye. "But…please, please give me a chance."

Tatsuki was taken aback by his words. She had not expected him to be so upfront about his deficiencies. However, that did not change the fact that she was afraid that he would become a liability. And she knew what to do with liabilities. Ichigo may have faith in him, but that did not mean that she had to blindly follow him on that faith.

"Well, at least you know what my objections are. Look, if you turn out to be a liability, I will leave your worthless ass behind. If you get in my way, I'll leave to be some Arrancar's next meal. Do you understand, Yamada?"

"Yes," Hanataro mumbled.

Tatsuki looked at him. She sighed and scratched her head.

What did I do to deserve this?

"Look, the last thing I want to do is leave a comrade behind or having to kill them with my own hands. However, I will do so if I have to for the sake of the mission and the others under my command. Do you understand?"

"I…I would expect nothing else from Squad 2," Hanataro said and gave a respectful bow.

Tatsuki looked at him in surprise.

Damn, he's just full of surprises today, she thought.

She wondered if he was talking back to her or if was just being his usual honest self. She had to admit that his honesty was both refreshing and a little uncomfortable. She could see that he wanted to prove that he was worthy to be in the Gotei. In some odd way she saw a little of herself in him at that moment.

"I can't believe that I'm actually doing this," she sighed. "Listen, I want you to be in front of the Squad 2 Barracks tomorrow at dawn. I'll…let you go through the testing period so long as you promise not to get yourself killed. Is that understood?"

"Y-yes," Hanataro said with what could have been happiness.

He gave a slight jump. She could see excitement blooming on his face. His eyes seemed to come to life. For a moment Tatsuki thought of one of the pictures that Rukia showed her. It showed Hanataro with bunny ears and a chibi bunny face holding a sign that said "GO GOTEI!" She found the thought both humorous and a little depressing.

Did I ever feel that way? Was there ever a time when I was that alive?

She shook her head as she watched Hanataro thanking her as he tried to make up his mind on what to do next.

I'll never understand why Ichigo thinks that he would be good to have along. He must see something in him that I can't.

Department of Research and Development

Tatsuki did her best to fight the cold that seemed to fill every square inch of the Squad 12 Barracks as she watched the figure doing maneuvers on the metal arena floor below.

"What are you doing here?" Mayuri snapped.

Tatsuki looked at Mayuri and sighed.

"I'm checking up on my team," Tatsuki said. "I sent you a message that I would be coming by."

She ignored Mayuri's mutterings as she turned her attention back to the "Arrancar" that was going through maneuvers under a fluorescent spotlight. It reminded Tatsuki of some kind of avant-garde dancing performance.

She had been surprised to find Nemu already in her Gigai and beginning her rehabilitation to adapt to the new body. Tatsuki thought that the skin for Nemu's Gigai was too pale. It reminded her too much of the white face paint Mayuri liked to use.

It looks so unnatural on a human, she thought. But then again…was she ever really human to begin with?

The Gigai's hair was the same color as Nemu's hair. However it was unbound and allowed to hang freely.

Probably some poor attempt at a disguise, she thought.

The top of her head was covered by a helmet-like fragment with six eye sockets, a row of three on each side

"Yes, yes, I received that," Mayuri said, brushing her off. "However, your presence here is unnecessary. Nemu is more than qualified to use the technology. After all, she helped in its development. She's not quite so incompetent as to require the likes of you to hold her hand through the process while I oversee it," he snapped as he jotted something into his notes.

"For a moment it sounded as if you were complimenting her," Tatsuki mumbled to herself.

She would have rather said it straight to his face. However, she knew that it was always best not to insult someone who was going to perform an operation on you in the near future. That was especially true if the person happened to be Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

"Are you ready for your own insertion?" Mayuri asked. "We finished your Gigai only two hours ago."

"Not right now," Tatsuki said. "I want to finish getting my team lined up first."

While I still have all my faculties, she thought.

"Then get out of here and do so. Time is a resource that I do not have in abundance and having to deal with you is only wasting it."

"Fine," Tatsuki said. "Oh…one last thing," she said and gestured to Nemu. "Why is she naked?" she demanded.

"She hasn't put on her new uniform yet. Now…good day," he snapped.

Squad 2 Lieutenant's Office

Tatsuki sat at her desk, waiting for the one she expected to come. She kept her small closet-office almost as neat as her superior kept her own office.

Although, she thought as she pulled out a drawer. Captain Sui-Feng doesn't have such a large stash to keep hidden.

She lifted the false bottom out and revealed a pair of cookie boxes, contraband from the World of the Living she acquired when she broke a smuggling ring. The records showed the captured stash to be smaller than expected. Of course, she had written the report after all and there were certain items that she decided to keep.

She pulled open one of the boxes and took out a small chocolate-covered cookie. She popped it into her mouth, savoring the flavor. The stash of cookies in her desk was just for easy access. Her real stashes had a lot more good stuff.

Despite holding herself above the eccentricities that plagued most of the higher officers she did have one guilty pleasure. Nakamura had his karaoke and Saijin had his collection of manga, but Tatsuki had her sweet tooth. In fact, only Lieutenant Yachiru had a bigger sweet tooth than her. However, she was far superior to the "Pink Menace" in safeguarding her treasure.

She kept her focus on the files on her desk. Her sharp ears picked up the sound of footsteps coming down the hall and towards her office. She smiled a little as she began the countdown. She returned the false bottom to its place with practiced ease.

"…three…two…one…and…"

The door burst open as Ikkaku Madarame rushed into her office.

"Hello, Baldy," she greeted. "What can I do for you?"

"I just got a response from Central 46," Madarame said, ignoring the nickname and Tatsuki's tone. "My application was rejected."

"I know," she said flatly.

"DAMN THEM! Tatsuki, I told you that I would do anything to go. Some of my closest friends were on that mission," he raged as he began to pace her office.

She thought that it was rather pathetic. His long strides were making the rounds a mere three-step affair: turn-around, step, and turn-around again, and repeat.

"I know, Ikkaku," she said and looked up at him. She could see the look of his desperation on his face. It was not something she was accustomed to. "I did what I could. I spoke on your behalf. Unfortunately, Central 46 decided that you shouldn't take part on this mission for…obvious reasons," she shrugged.

It wasn't that she didn't sympathize for the man who helped to show her the ropes when she first entered the Gotei and before she entered Squad 2. It was that facts were facts.

Ikkaku shook his head. He looked at her and Tatsuki could see the anger as well as the desperation.

"But…isn't there something you can do?"

"What more can I do?" she asked, a bit disturbed now. "You have a history of insubordination and don't forget that you…"

"DON'T REMIND ME!" he roared, slamming his hands onto her desk.

"Ikkaku," Tatsuki said gently, ignoring the files that fluttered around them. "You know why very few trust you on having anything to do with any vital missions for the Soul Society. They're rejecting you for the same reason they rejected your application for the first expedition."

"I know that I made a mistake. There's not a single day that passes that I'm not haunted by it. But…I need this, Lieutenant Arisawa. I need to restore my honor. The only reason that I'm still is a seated officer is because Captain Zaraki still trusts me, and yet I still can't take any comfort in his trust. There are days that I wish that I had been stripped of all my ranks. It would have been something like atoning for…for what I did.

"I need to prove to myself that I'm worthy of that trust; that I'm still worthy of my place among my comrades. Please, Lieutenant Arisawa, can't you do something."

It was hard for her to watch this proud warrior begging for something that she knew he needed. Her eyes drifted to the red feather firmly strapped to his right arm like a badge. Everyone in the Gotei knew about that story.

He's still punishing himself after all of these years, she thought.

Tatsuki sighed and looked at Ikkaku's file. She knew that he would at least follow her orders. She had spent some time training with him and he had been sent on a couple of minor missions with her. He demonstrated that he could follow orders and they had developed a bond of trust between them.

Tatsuki had to admit that Ikkaku would have been in any group she would have liked to work with. She was already stuck with Hanataro and Nemu. One she trusted, but did not have the necessary skills for the mission; the other she did not trust, but had the necessary skills. Ikkaku was among the only ones whom she could trust and had the necessary abilities for their mission.

"I'll tell you what," she said. "I'll talk with the Captain-Commander. Perhaps he knows of some rule or anything that will let me by-pass Central 46's authority in this regard."

"Thank you. That's all that I can ask of you," Ikkaku said and bowed to her.

"Hey, what are friends for?" she asked.

She smiled at him and received a smile in return.

Las Noches

The figure walked alone down the hall. Her white battle gown flowed around her feet and the sandaled footsteps echoed off the pale stone. She stopped when she saw her face being reflected on the smooth wall's surface. The face reflecting back at her had a slightly troubled and tired expression.

This can't be me, Nelliel Tu Odelschwank thought. Where's the joy? Where's the innocence? Where is the real me? Or is this the real me now?

She sighed and looked away from the sight and continued walking. She ran a hand over the ram's skull capping her head. Like the scar that used to run across the bridge of her nose, the mask was long since restored by the grace of Orihime Inoue. Its wholeness was reassuring, but she had learned the sad lesson that all must face at some point: some scars can never be healed.

The uniformity of the hall came to an abrupt end as false sunlight poured in to shine on her. It looked as though someone had simply torn away the wall in a frenzy some time ago judging by the layer of sand that covered the floor at the entrance. Nel stepped forward, her footprints marring the undisturbed sand, and stood on the brink. She stood a few meters above the expansive sea of white sand that seemed to shimmer like bone dust under the deceptive glamour of a blue sky.

In the distance she could see some of the buildings that made up Las Noches. White cubes and crimson towers and domes of colored quartz rose out of the sand like islands in an otherwise unbroken sea. Far in the distance she could make out the five tallest towers that seemed to pierce the sky.

She took it in, but any interest that had been in there was gone. She brought her right hand up to her mouth and forked the forefinger and middle finger and blew. The Reiatsu-enhanced whistle pierced the silence. She became quiet again and waited for a few seconds.

Suddenly, the sand in front of her exploded as something leapt out of the depths like a great fish. Nel formed a shield of Reishi around her that kept the sand off her and form a ring to mark the shield's boundary. The dust cloud cleared and she smiled.

"BAWABAWA!" the giant worm that reared in front of her cheered.

The creature was purple except for the lavender underside. Its eyeless head was crowned with a mask with two back-curving horns. Its opened mouth revealed rows of sharp teeth, most of which long-since dulled. A large purple tongue emerged from its mouth and licked the creature's mistress from knees to face.

"Stop it," Nel said, giving a slight laugh.

"BAWABAWA!" the creature cheered again.

Nel cleaned herself off with a burst of Reiatsu. She dug her hand into her battle dress close at the neckline and pulled out a small packet that fitted neatly in the palm of her hand. The worm cringed away from it, either from the mere sight of it or the bitter scent that came from the contents.

"Come on, Bawabawa. It's good for you."

"Bawabawa," the worm said gloomily as it lowered its head to the sand.

"Come on. Open up for Nel," she said in a more cheerful tone.

Bawabawa let out a little whine, but did as told. Un-phased by the sight of the sharp teeth, Nel threw the packet down its throat as though she was throwing a baseball.

"Good boy," she said, smiling.

"Bawa," the worm whimpered. It lay down on the sands and stuck its purple tongue out in disgust.

"I know what will cheer you up," Nel said, giving a small smile.

She leaped from the opening and landed nimbly on top of the skull plate. She sat down cross-legged and began to pat Bawabawa's head. The worm raised itself and cried out its name in a cheer. Lifting his mistress high off the ground, Bawabawa turned away from the wall and began to slither across the sands.

Nel closed her eyes as they raced across the desert. She recalled simpler times and lost friends.

"We are survivors of another era," she whispered.

That was the heart of it. She and Bawabawa were survivors. They were not "relics" as some would say. Regardless of how long they lived, a living creature is not an object.

She opened her eyes in time to see a red Bala streak into the sky at an angle. The Bala dissipated long before it reached the false sky above. She allowed her Pesquisa to flow from her and felt the echoes return to her.

She could feel two Arrancars sparring with each other. Their Reiatsu-levels were on par with those in the Privaron, but she didn't recognize them as members. Even then she knew that she could bring both down with very little effort. There were several weaker Reiatsu-levels surrounding them. She immediately knew what was going on: a sparring event with the weaker ones serving as spectators to cheer for their favorite to win.

A part of her was glad that the weaker Arrancars had a place where they could survive. However, she was also repulsed by the abundance of weakness. She had to fight the urge to interrupt what was probably seen as a great fight and show them what true strength was.

Hold on, she thought. Don't get too hasty. It's just a friendly contest. Let the masses have their fun. If things get too out of hand over there, the Privarons can sort it out.

She sighed and tapped Bawabawa's mask remnant in a rhythm. Bawabawa understood the command and turned away from the spectacle. She took a scenic route, or what passed on for one between the various compounds, to her final destination. Along the way she saw vacant pedestals that were meant for some great statue or a faded mural. She even saw the remnants of a great statue sticking out of the sand like figures crying for help even as the sea swallowed them.

How would it look to someone who has never seen what these had been?

The thought made her sad. She remembered. She turned her focus away from the sight of the ruins as she got closer to her destination. She could feel her rage and bitterness rising as she saw the broken dome rising out of the sand.

The dome was surrounded by cubes in various states of ruin. Broken covered corridors and bridges connected the structures to the central dome. Each of the outer-cubes originally had an ornate 8 above the great doors, but those had long since been wiped out during the Purge.

When Bawabawa reached the base of one of the grand stair-cases that led up to the doorway of one of the cubes, Nel leaped off and landed on one of the marble steps.

"Alright," she said. "You can go. I'll call you when I'm finished."

Bawabawa gave a whimper. She knew that he didn't like her fighting and so she did her best to not get into any fights. This was one of the few places where she could unwind a bit. She watched as Bawabawa retreated into the sands and turned her attention to building in front of her.

This place was a reminder of progress and betrayal. Even a pacifist like her could ravage it to her heart's content and not feel any shame or guilt.

She shivered as she felt the rage building up in her, heat trapped under the Hierro. She steeled herself and walked up the cracked and broken marble steps to the large entry way. The ornate gates had long since been blasted to pieces by her Ceros. The remnants still lay in the entryway. She made her way over the pieces, crushing some under intentionally heavy steps. She raised her hand and slowly gathered a Bala. She pictured the heat in her forming into a ball of energy.

She released it in a vicious jab at the largest pile of rubble she could see. She smiled as she watched the pile burst into several smaller pieces and scatter.

"Now then, what should I destroy next?" she whispered.

She made her way through the empty halls. The walls were badly charred or completely destroyed by the Ceros and Balas that were either from the time of the Purge or from her previous visits. She finally found her quarry, a large frieze of Szayel Aporro Granz creating his adoring Fraccion. Her last visit uncovered it when she blasted the rubble that had protected it form her sight all of this time.

The Day of Reckoning she had planned for it had come.

"TAKE THIS YOU FUCK!" she roared and fired a Bala at Szayel Aporro's pompous face.

She smiled as bits of stone flew out from the wall, wiping out Szayel Aporro's revoltingly handsome face. She turned her attention to the Fraccion and destroyed their adoring faces one-by-one. She savored the act of destruction, but made sure to save the one she wanted to destroy the most for last.

She didn't say anything after destroying the other faces on the frieze. Instead, she looked at the face she hated the most. She felt ill just looking at the nauseating adoration on that thin face. She gritted her teeth. For a moment she swore that she could hear his mocking silky voice.

"Unforgivable," she snarled. Her fist was clenched so hard that her nails dug into her palm. "This…is for all of those you sold out, you fucking bastard-Shinigami-ass-kissing-psychopathic-sociopathic-SACK OF SHIT!" she roared and fired a Bala at the crotch. "Shit, I wish you were here that way I could do that for real. But, then again, you might enjoy having a hole where your master had one," she snarled and fired a Cero at the carved knees. "How do ya like that? You're nothing but a cripple now." She laughed and then stopped as she eyed the arms. "Oh…but that won't do. You can still get around and you left others off in far worse conditions."

She unleashed a series of Balas at the carved arms in successive flashes. More stone broke free, severing the carved arms at the elbows. The whole wall began to crack from the destructive force Nel unleashed.

If Ichigo or Orihime saw her like this they would not have recognized her as the Nel they knew. But that Nel was gone. The fiery hatred in her eyes was so great that it would have caused Nnoitora to flee in terror.

"There, now you're the worm you really are. But then again…being a worm would be too good for you. Bawabawa's life is more important that yours…YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!"

She bit her lip and allowed the blood to flow into her mouth. She fought down the reckless urge to unleash that power. Instead, she settled for a humbler Cero burst from her mouth with her scream obliterating the torso from the chest down. She smiled viciously showing off her teeth. She looked like the powerful predator that she truly was. A few moments later she was panting for breath.

There, she thought wearily. May your body be torn to pieces by carrion eaters you fucking Reaper-wannabe.

She felt a whole lot better. Sometimes an act of destruction was needed to help regain a sense of equilibrium and she found that the best way to do that was to take it out on something with the image of the one you hated the most. And she could not think of anyone viler than the Octavian Director, Pytr Todesengel, for what he did.

She looked at the hateful face and lashed out with her fist. She didn't notice the pain as stone dug into her Hierro, drawing blood. She only wanted to destroy that hateful face in all of its incarnations. Nel brought her fist out of the hole she made in the stone wall and looked at the blood trickling from the wounds in surprise. She sighed as she held the bleeding hand in front of her. Self-consciousness regained its place in her mind.

"Damn it. Now I'm gonna get my battle dress all messy," she sighed.

She began to chuckle slightly when she saw that her once-pristine white battle dress was already dirty from the dust and sand that were slowly swallowing the long-abandoned complex. She made her way forward, searching for something else to destroy before heading out.

She stopped when she heard something she never expected to hear, especially in this forsaken place. From somewhere ahead she could hear laughter. But it wasn't just any laughter.

She smiled and used Sonído to reach the location where she thought she heard the sounds coming from. She stopped a few paces away from a doorway that led to one of the open lounging areas in the complex so that way she could better conceal the static sound of Sonído. She crept to the doorway and looked outside. Her eyes lit up and she smiled as she saw the small group of children.

There were about five of them, each one did not look any older than eight or nine in human years. She could smell at least one, maybe two, females in the group, but it was difficult to tell which one was the female since they all wore ragged robes and had long uncut hair. They were laughing as one, who was blindfolded, chased the other four around the ruined complex.

"TAG!" the chaser cried out as he caught an orange-haired child. "YOU'RE THE OCTAVIAN!"

"NO FAIR!" the tagged child said to the raven-haired chaser. "YOU PEEKED!"

"DID NOT!" the chaser cried out as he…

No, that's one of the females, Nel thought. I don't know how I know, but I just know.

The raven-haired girl took off the blindfold and held it out to the orange-haired boy.

"YOU'RE THE OCTAVIAN FAIR AND SQUARE!"

"Are you crazy?" one of the others, a blue-haired youth with a jaw-bone mask fragment along one cheek.

The other female, Nel thought.

The blue-haired girl looked around.

"You might wake up the ghosts," she whispered.

"Oh…that's right," the chaser whispered dramatically. She hoped onto a boulder-sized piece of rubble and crouched as she looked at her playmates gathered at the base. "We have to be quiet. If you yell too loud here, you'll wake up the Octavians and they'll grab you and eat you."

"That's a lie. There's no such thing as Octavians," the orange-haired boy protested. However, he looked around as though afraid of seeing an Octavian jump out to grab him and eat him.

"Sure there are," the blue-haired girl said. "There are also the Others as well who live underground. If you get too close to their caves…they'll take you away."

"Who cares about the Others? They don't exist. Now come on, Alessandro is the Octavian now," the chaser said and held out the blindfold to him again. "That is if he's not too Mayuri to do it."

"Come on," a child with bright crimson hair said. "We all know that Alessandro is a Mayuri. Ca-ca-ca," he crowed. "Mayuri, Mayuri, Mayuri…"

The other children took up the chant and the orange-haired boy began to blush with embarrassment and rage.

"I'M NOT A MAYURI!" the boy yelled and grabbed the blindfold.

Nel smiled as the children began their game again. She watched them run, jump, laugh, and occasionally Sonído as they traded jovial insults.

Children's games are such useful teaching tools, she thought and then frowned.

Watching them play brought too many memories. She could remember the sounds of her laughter filing the desert with Pesche and Dondochakka as they played their game of Endless Tag. That ended when they encountered Ichigo.

Her heart began to ache and she put a fist to her mouth. Hot tears prickled at her eyes. She turned and walked down the hall that she came from. The sound of the children's laughter came from behind her. It saddened her and yet brought comfort.

How long has it been since I heard that sound?

Nel couldn't remember and that drove the sadness home for her. It seemed as though that as time went on the Breeders produced less-and-less in their broods. Then there was how fewer of her fellow Primerans were willing to take on children that survived the development stages.

There had been a time that getting the pick of the brood was a sought-after honor. Now this…

She had a strange feeling that the five she encountered were among the Neglected. They had formed their own smaller tribe to help them to survive.

Such a condemnation to Las Noches, she thought. She didn't want to risk discovery by the children and so used Sonído to return to exit. However, as she stood among the rubble of the entryway she began to curse herself.

Coward, she thought. You shouldn't be afraid of children.

She sighed and looked at the vast expanse of Las Noches and her eyes drifted to the Prime Towers. The five central towers rose high as if to pierce the sky. She thought of a bit of poetry she had read once in the Land of the Living that seemed to capture the heart of Las Noches perfectly:

"Behold this city, which has become a corpse," she whispered.

She didn't care about who said it. She only cared that it was true. She focused her gaze on what used to be called "The Fifth Tower." Even looking at it made her feel the immense force contained within. Her habitual frown deepened into a scowl. She began to think about the children and how many others who were born were like them.

Damn you, she thought, rage deepening.

"DAMN YOU!" she roared as she unleashed a Bala at the tower.

She watched as her Bala flew across the expanse. However, it never got near the tower. As soon as it made contact with the greater force of the tower's occupant, it immediately dissipated. Nel looked at what was now called "The Tower of the Sleeping King."

"Which is worse?" she spat. "Is it the cruel tyrant who uses their realm as nothing more than a tool or is it the leader who does nothing as their realm crumbles around them?"

Nel's shoulders sagged as her fury left her.

She felt tired, but sleep wasn't something she could afford.

How long? She asked herself. How long until I can finally rest? How many more miles must I travel until I reach the End?

She didn't know. She only knew that she had to remain strong.

She whistled for Bawabawa.

As she rode across the sands she began to wonder how to make the upcoming meeting work in her favor; in favor of Arrancars like those children who innocently played among the ruins of atrocity.

Seireitei

Squad 2 Barracks

The automated doors slid open silently to allow the young Captain to walk into the parlor of his fellow Captain. The first time he had paid a visit to this place he had been surprised at the décor. It had gone against all expectations. However, he was now somewhat used to the cat wall hangings and the wall paintings that showed black cats amidst a forest scenery. But he still felt that it was all at odds with the strict woman at the tea table, still in uniform and mask.

"Ah," Captain Nakamura said as he noticed his younger colleague enter. "I see that you're on time as always."

"Of course," Captain Rikichi said. "And I see that you're as early as usual."

Sui-Feng rapped a knuckle against the table top. Rikichi hastily took a seat where a second tea cup was laid out. When he was seated, Sui-Feng poured some tea into the cup. However, she did not pour herself any tea. He found it odd that even when she played hostess for them, she refused to share tea with them. However, it wasn't as odd as the fact that she kept her face hidden.

Sui-Feng looked at the younger man and saw him tracing the black tattoo over his left eye. She saw him tapping the table with the forefinger of his right hand in a steady, but quickening rhythm.

He's rather impatient today, she thought. That means he will be more difficult to control right now. Gods, the last thing I need for him to go off on one of his tirades about how The Vanguard is becoming too weak or too open. Why do I even bother bringing him to these meetings?

She knew the answer to her question. She put up with Rikichi because he was supported by people whom she despised but whose support she needed.

"Captain Sui-Feng," Nakamura said. "We're ready to begin."

"Thank you," Sui-Feng said. "Captain Rikichi, I trust that we won't have to endure one of your tirades. After all, they're extremely counter-productive."

The Squad Six Captain glared at her. Sui-Feng couldn't help but notice that he looked as though he wanted to go off on one of his tantrums right then. However, he held his tongue and only nodded.

Good boy, Sui-Feng thought.

"Very well," she said. "I wish to go over Lieutenant Arisawa's choices for those who are going to accompany her on the retrieval mission to Hueco Mundo. I must admit that I'm a bit…confused about her choices, especially…Hanataro Yamada from Squad 4."

"Tch…this mission is doomed to failure," Rikichi said. Even though he sounded despondent he looked extremely gleeful. "Perhaps that will finally convince the Arrancar-lovers on the Captain's Assembly to finally realize their mistake. If they refuse, then perhaps we can force them to recognize the Absolute Truth: Arrancars are vile creatures that must be destroyed, the sooner the better."

"I highly doubt that we can force them to see anything that we want them to, Captain," Nakamura said as he glared at Rikichi. "The Captain-Commander and his allies are entitled to their opinions. They are our peers."

"Don't you mean 'their treasons'? I don't see traitors as my equals, Captain Nakamura. I'm sure that we can all agree that trying to maintain that farce of a Treaty is the equivalent of cowardice and, at worst, treason." Rikichi turned his attention to Sui-Feng who felt a sense of unease. "I admit that I find it rather…odd that you actually approached Byakuya Kuchiki about this retrieval mission," he said, spitting the last two words as though they were poisonous. "I hope that you're not becoming soft on us. But then again," he gave a soft, condescending smile. "You are a woman. It's perfectly natural for you to become soft. If that's the case then you should resign from The Vanguard. We can't afford any weak-links in a strong chain."

"That's enough," Nakamura growled. "Learn your place, Captain Rikichi. Captain Sui-Feng is your superior officer on all levels, including within The Vanguard. She and I agreed to approach the Captain-Commander about this matter after serious deliberation."

"And yet you left me out of the picture," Rikichi snapped. "Are you trying to cause the Zabimaru Squads to split from the rest of The Vanguard?"

"Not at all," Sui-Feng said calmly. "We merely did not want to distract you from your recruiting campaigns in the Seireitei. That is your role in The Vanguard after all. The story of Renji Abarai being killed at the hands of Yammy Riyalgo is one that needs to be told in order to stir up the lower ranks in our favor."

Rikichi nodded sternly, but the pleased expression on his face made Sui-Feng glad for her mask. She had heard his accounts of how Renji died and none of them were slightly true. Renji was not tortured by Aizen and he did not scream "Victory for the glorious Gotei" before Yammy squeezed him to death. From what she heard, his death was as quick as being crushed beneath one of Yammy's feet. And his final words, before the foot crushed him, were "Oh fuck." And those words had been moaned and not shouted. That sounded much more like the Lieutenant Abarai she knew. However, Rikichi loved to embellish the myth that his hero had become. He even named the group that followed his extremely far-right agendas after Renji's Zanpakuto.

She knew that it must anger Kuchiki's supporters that the former Lieutenant's legacy was now being used as a tool against them. She had to admit that it was a low tactic, but she had been taught by Yoruichi to use all tools without any hesitation to achieve her goals. However, that didn't mean that she had to enjoy it.

"What confuses me," Nakamura said, "is why you chose Lieutenant Arisawa to lead the mission. There's no question that she is a capable commander. However, you could have surely chosen someone else."

"Would you have preferred me to give the assignment to a member of The Vanguard?"

"Preferably a member of the Zabimaru Squads," Rikichi stated plainly.

"I have my reasons for giving the assignment to Lieutenant Arisawa," she said. Her voice had become lower and softer, but she did not allow the two men to hear the sorrow she felt.

"We don't doubt that," Nakamura said. "A highly-regarded commander such as you does nothing on a whim. What we wish to know though is why you chose Arisawa in particular. If you wished to undermine the retrieval team, then I would have to agree that one of the Zabimarus would suffice. However, you chose to send a valuable Soul Reaper on this ill-fated venture."

"Lieutenant Arisawa is one of my best students. She has served under my tutelage for over a century in my squad as well as serving with excellence in the Punishment Force. The task of attaining knowledge from Hueco Mundo and returning it to the Gotei is one she is capable of."

"You would trust a long-time acquaintance of that…that…half-breed, Kurosaki?" Rikichi demanded, heat rising as he spoke. He was answered with cold eyes falling on him.

"She was alive and associated closely with Captain Kurosaki for less than twenty years," Sui-Feng said evenly. "She has loyally served me for far longer than that and has earned my trust to carry out missions of a delicate nature many times over."

Rikichi cowered under her gaze, but then he rallied himself. He looked at her in the eyes and he gave her a knowing smile. He chuckled softly and his eyes narrowed.

"Oh…I bet she has earned your trust over the decades she has shared your bed since your own master left it," he sneered. Sui-Feng's eyes narrowed and a cold rage burned in them. However, Rikichi ignored it. "I wonder what you'll do when Arisawa also grows tired of your sweet kisses and your hands caressing her…"

Before he could finish an open hand slapped him across the face. Rikichi went sprawling out of his seat and onto the floor. He looked up, rage filling his face.

"Captain Rikichi," Nakamura said in a cold and even tone. "For such a high-ranking Conservative you have all of the tact of a savage. One does not insult either allies or superiors…especially when you're their guest. Regardless of whoever is backing you, you yourself remain the least among those at this table. You will control yourself or I will teach you the difference between a dog and a true Captain."

It wasn't that the bespectacled Captain doubted the nature of Sui-Feng's relationship with her closely-kept students. It was because propriety had to be considered. And when the Gotei was allowing beasts like Zaraki and madmen like Mayuri to become commanding officers, it didn't really matter if a model officer happened to have…different tastes.

Rikichi got back to his feet. For a moment he looked as though he was going to reach for his Zanpakuto. Fortunately, he thought better of it and merely bowed.

"I…apologize. Perhaps I have become so used to rallying for the cause amongst the ignorant that I have forgotten how to conduct myself among the faithful. I shall withdraw and will wait for a report on what you have decided," he said, his tone solemn and almost sincere.

Sui-Feng watched as Rikichi left. Nakamura merely sipped at his tea.

"He will remember that," she said.

"I should hope so. That boy has forgotten too many lessons. Bankai or not he is less fit than Zaraki to wear the white. Zaraki may be a beast, but he knows he is a beast and he is too proud to allow himself to be used."

"True," Sui-Feng said.

"Now that it's just us adults talking, do you wish to elaborate on your reasons?" he asked as he adjusted his glasses.

Sui-Feng did not say anything.

It was true that Tatsuki wasn't her best student, at least in terms of power. But the spikey-haired girl was the one who refused to be drawn into The Vanguard. She had cited a severe dislike of the group's agenda. However, despite their severe differences in political views they were still able to form a bond with each other. That bond made her invaluable to Sui-Feng.

There was no sex in it, despite what foolish men said. Her longing for Tatsuki was from the heart and not the loins. It was a relationship built on trust and understanding and admiration, much like what she had with Yoruichi.

She knew that Tatsuki would return and tell her exactly what happened. She would not favor either side with falsifications in her report. She would be straightforward and to the point because, when it came to matters of duty and honor and pride, she was a true soldier. That simple fact made Sui-Feng proud.

"I have no other reasons to share with you, Captain," she finally said.

Nakamura sighed and nodded his consent.

Unlike the boy, this one's a real Captain, she thought. However, there are some things that are never meant to be shared. I alone choose who I show my face to.

Squad 1 Barracks

Tatsuki Arisawa sighed as she stood in front of the large, intimidating doors that led to the Captain-Commander's office.

Better get this over with as soon as possible, Tatsuki thought as she raised a fisted hand and knocked on the door.

She really hated coming to Squad 1's domain, but not for the same reason she hated going to the Squad 12 Barracks. It was just that it reminded her of the times she was sent to the principal's office back in the old days.

The doors opened and Tatsuki was not surprised to see the ever-cultured Squad 1 Lieutenant, Chojiro Sasakibe, standing before her.

"Ah, Lieutenant Arisawa," he said with the polite restraint of a gentleman. "Please, come in. You've been expected."

Tatsuki was surprised at those words and walked into the spacious office. The room was as bare as it always was, except for a vase filled with branches of cherry blossoms on a cherry-wood pedestal in one corner.

Byakuya was sitting at the large desk and was examining one of the many files that were neatly stacked next to him. It called to mind her struggles with the dreaded stacks.

The badass never had this much paperwork to do in those anime shows, she thought with amusement and annoyance.

"Lieutenant Sasakibe, please wait outside until I summon you," Byakuya ordered.

"As you wish, sir," Chojiro said and gave a European-style bow before departing.

"Lieutenant Arisawa, you may approach," he told her, not looking up from the file he was examining.

Tatsuki always found it a little intimidating how the Captain-Commander could be so dismissive and yet so polite at the same time.

"Thank you, sir," she said and approached the desk.

"I know why you're here," he said and looked at her. He placed the open file in front of him and Tatsuki was somewhat surprised to see that it was Ikkaku's record. "You wish for Third Seat Ikkaku Madarame to go on the retrieval mission. However, Central 46 has already rejected his application."

"That's correct sir. I understand the reasons for their decision. However, I must…respectfully disagree," she said, managing to remain calm under that cold gaze.

"I see. However, I must agree with Central 46's decision in this matter." Tatsuki looked at Byakuya in surprise and was about to protest when he gestured for her to remain silent.

"I have my reasons for not wishing Officer Madarame to go," he continued. "However, I approved of your appointment to head this mission and you have your own reasons for wanting Officer Madarame to go. I am a Pragmatist. I do not bestow authority only to undermine it immediately. I want you to give me one good reason why I should overrule Central 46's decision on this matter."

Tatsuki nodded. She knew that Byakuya was the type of person who rarely changed their mind on anything. The situation with Rukia over 200 years before proved that. However, he was at least giving her a chance to plead her case.

"I need someone who I can trust and who has the skills necessary to ensure success."

"I see. Please continue."

"Sir, neither Officer Hanataro Yamada nor Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi have both requirements that I'm looking for in a Second-in-Command," she elaborated as she tried to keep herself from sweating.

Damn it. This really does feel like being back in school and having to go up to the blackboard to solve a really difficult problem. I thought all of that stress was over.

"Why would you need a Second-in-Command?" he inquired in his cold, monotonous tone.

"I need one in case something happens to me," she said with a touch of heat creeping in to her tone. "I want this mission to succeed as much as you do sir. Lieutenant Kuchiki is one of Ichigo's…I mean Captain Kurosaki's friends. I still owe him for rescuing Orihime in the Winter War. I think this will finally make us even."

Oh shit, she thought, realizing what she said. Talk about unprofessional.

Byakuya looked at her and Tatsuki's heart sank when she saw him frowning.

Squad 2, Training Dojo

"That's enough," Sui-Feng declared.

The Reiatsu that filled the dojo subsided as the other Soul Reaper allowed her Reiatsu to drop to a more relaxed level. The Captain walked towards her student's Zanpakuto as it returned to its sealed state and pulled it out of the floor.

"You've improved," she continued as she made her way to her student.

She leaned forward to offer her hand to the spikey-haired woman lying on the floor. Tatsuki grabbed the hand and allowed the shorter woman to help her to her feet.

"I don't feel like I've improved," she muttered. "I mean, a hundred years later and I still can't beat you unarmed with my Zanpakuto."

"I'm never unarmed," Sui-Feng said, smiling at her pupil.

Tatsuki folded her arms across her chest. Her face took on an annoyed expression.

"You know what I mean, Cat Lady," she said.

However, she deflated with a moan as Sui-Feng began to giggle.

Honestly, Tatsuki thought, extremely annoyed, no one would believe me if I told them that the Captain actually has a sense of humor…especially when it comes at my expense.

"You know that you have improved. It's taking me a good deal more effort to put you under my feet, Porcupine."

Tatsuki moaned at the mention of the well-worn nickname.

I always thought that I was supposed to be a dragon. But no…I'm a lame porcupine.

Tatsuki accepted the Zanpakuto with an irritated look and re-sheathed it. Sui-Feng left through the sliding door while Tatsuki gathered her uniform. It was an ordinary assassin's uniform except that it was backless. She dressed herself with an ease of decades spent performing the same motion and followed after her Captain.

As usual, Sui-Feng was sitting in the adjacent tea room, the only one in the compound without cat decorations, pouring juice into two saucers.

"Please, have a seat," Sui-Feng said and gestured to the mat across from her. "You must be anxious about your assignment."

"Yeah," Tatsuki moaned as she sat down. "Lately, however, I've been asking myself why I even accepted your recommendation. Come to think of it, what went through your mind when you approached me about this? You gave me a choice rather than an order. That's not like you."

Sui-Feng smiled as she sipped some of her juice.

"It's funny. I was originally planning on not telling you, but…" Sui-Feng fell silent.

Her gaze went to the saucer of juice in her remaining hand. Tatsuki held her tongue as the silence stretched on. She knew that her Captain was putting her thoughts together. However, she wondered exactly what she those thoughts were. Sui-Feng sighed, but did not raise her eyes.

"Did you know that the first time I saw you I saw a bit of myself in you?"

Tatsuki was taken aback by that. She wondered why Sui-Feng, who was reputed to have never formed any personal bonds with her subordinates, would take her under her wing. She had been sent to Squad 2 when she graduated from the Academy and seized the offer. It was only later that she began to seriously question why that had been.

As time went by it seemed as though the strict and impersonal Captain had changed in their training. She had formed a bond with very few of her subordinates with her female students receiving most of that small reserve. But none of the other girls were as close to the Captain as Tatsuki was. She had wondered about that even more as the differences between them became clear. She thought that Sui-Feng would have developed a closer bond with some of the others since they shared similar views.

"Well, this is a surprise. The Wasp is getting sentimental," Tatsuki said, trying to bring the conversation back into safer waters.

"And once again the Porcupine has shot out its quills without thinking," Sui-Feng said, smiling.

"I…I'm sorry, Captain."

"There's no need. It's just the two of us and I would rather have you being this way. It's refreshing to talk to someone who's not afraid to speak their mind to me, but does so in a non-insulting manner."

"In that chase…" Tatsuki said, grinning.

"Don't even think about," Sui-Feng said with a light but clear sternness. "It's bad enough that most of the men in the Gotei call me 'Pussy-lover' behind my back, and they're not just talking about cats."

"Tch…men…is that all they can think about?" Tatsuki asked, rolling her eyes.

Although, I can't deny that I was worried that might be where she was going for a few years in our student-master relationship, she thought.

"Pretty much," Sui-Feng answered. She took another sip of juice. "There are exceptions of course, but not enough to make me reconsider my views on men in general."

Tatsuki chuckled a little at that. She took another sip of juice.

She knew that most of the Gotei would find it odd that Sui-Feng could be like this when she was around people she could trust. However, they would be even more surprised with how she could be around those on the much shorter list of those she could be at ease with.

"Of course," she said airily. "They were like that with me and Lady Yoruichi back in the day. The rumors were completely false, but that didn't stop them from spreading. Then Lady Yoruichi had to go and spread her own rumors about me and Urahara." Her expression soured at the memory. "Gods that was embarrassing."

"Yeah, well…I just hope you don't do that with me and Ikkaku," Tatsuki said, laughing. Her face went blank when she saw the mischievous look on her mentor's face.

"Well now…you refer to him by his first name. Such familiarity…" Sui-Feng said like a detective uncovering a vital piece of evidence.

"Don't even think about it, Captain. Ikkaku is a friend and is the only person in Squad 11 whom I can get along with. He's also one of the few people whom I trust."

"So that's why you wanted him on the retrieval team," Su-Feng said, becoming serious again.

"Yes Captain," Tatsuki replied, slipping back to business.

"Did you know that the Captain-Commander was set on agreeing with Central 46 on this matter?"

"He…told me about that."

"Yet, he has revised his position. You must have said something very profound to get him to change his mind," Sui-Feng said, smiling knowingly.

Tatsuki was not expecting that. She looked at her Captain.

This must be some kind of joke, Tatsuki thought. There's no way that Byakuya would change his mind. He almost never changes his mind on anything.

"I…I'm sorry, Captain, but…but did you say…?"

"That's right. He's agreed to send Ikkaku Madarame on the Retrieval Mission. He said that you were quite persuasive on the matter. Congratulations."

Tatsuki looked at her saucer of juice and smiled. There was one thing that would never change over time: it felt good to win.

"There is…something I want to ask you," Sui-Feng said, interrupting Tatsuki's happy moment.

"If it's about joining your War Hawk Party, you can forget it," Tatsuki snapped.

"Tch…we got rid of that gods-awful name a long time ago," Sui-Feng said, grimacing. "We now call ourselves 'The Vanguard.'"

"It doesn't really matter what you call yourselves. I'm not joining and my reasons have not changed one bit from the first time you asked."

Sui-Feng smiled and Tatsuki smiled back.

"I just wanted to make sure that you weren't becoming an ass-kisser. I can't stand that type. It's bad enough that I have to put up with them all day. It's also the reason why I chose you to go on this mission. Despite what Captain Kurosaki and his allies may think, I only act for the good of the Soul Society.

"That's why I can't afford to look weak around those whom I cannot absolutely trust. If I did, then I would lose all sense of authority, even among The Vanguard. Right now, Nakamura and I are the only authorities in The Vanguard who are keeping them from charging into a war that could be more devastating than either the Winter War or the Second Aizen War. That fear is why I will not allow partisanship influence such a critical mission," she declared and drained her saucer.

"However, that does not mean that I don't support its overall goals. As long as the Arrancars exist, they're a threat that must be eliminated. However, I don't want it to come at the cost of weakening the Gotei."

"I kinda figured that," Tatsuki said, relieved. "Is that all you wished to speak to me about?"

"No," Sui-Feng admitted after a lengthy pause. "There is…something else.

"As I said before, you remind me of myself when I was younger. I've…I've never told anyone about the real reason why I took you and the other girls under my wing. The reason is because of the fear I mentioned. If any of the other commanders in The Vanguard found out, they would depose me immediately, Nakamura included. He may be a man of honor, but Nakamura despises weakness. So, I've had to keep it a secret.

"However, I…I need to confess to someone."

Tatsuki looked at her Captain. She had never seen her look so vulnerable. She felt uncomfortable about this, but she felt compelled to be there for her Captain.

"Why? Why do you need to confess?"

"I need to do it for me," she said and looked at Tatsuki.

"When I served under Lady Yoruichi, our bond was more than just a matter of officer-and-subordinate. My clan has always been more of a military institution than an actual family. My value was based purely on my merit as a soldier.

"With Lady Yoruichi it was…different. It was as though we were…family. Before I entered her service I was merely content, like someone who has lived-off scraps and never being able to fill their belly. She changed that. She changed me. She gave me something that I never knew I was missing.

"Then…she left me behind. I had found my heart…only for it to be broken. When I took her place after she went into exile with Urahara I swore never to become attached to any of my subordinates. I tried to go back to what I had been, and even her coming back into my life didn't make me fully renounce the effort. But then…" she trailed off.

"You lost your Lieutenant in the Winter War."

Sui-Feng nodded, her eyes were becoming wet with tears.

"Yes, he died saving me. I lost an arm," she said and looked at the stump where her left arm ended at the elbow, "and he lost his life.

"At first, I felt nothing but hatred. However, I didn't just hate Baraggan and his race. I hated my own weakness forcing Omaeda to such an act. Then, as time passed, I realized how alone and empty I felt ever since Lady Yoruichi left. I tried to restore that old relationship with her, but I just…I just couldn't. So, I decided that I would try to form a relationship like that. That's why I brought you and the others under my wing. I…I suppose you probably hate me for using you to try to fill that void," Sui-Feng said, averting her eyes in shame.

Tatsuki sat in silence to let the words and their importance to settle in. She knew why Sui-Feng told her this before she left and in such a private area.

She carries a heavy burden, Tatsuki thought.

She knew that her Captain's greatest regret was not telling Omaeda "Thank you" for his loyalty before he was consumed by Baraggan's Respira.

She trusts me enough to tell me the truth and she wants me to know in case I can't come back. What can I say to that? It's not every day that someone bares their very soul to you. How do I repay that kind of trust?

"Captain, may I say something?"

"Go ahead," Sui-Feng whispered.

She's afraid. This is the "Wasp" and she is more afraid of what I say next than anything else I have seen her face in 150 years other than showing weakness to any who would take advantage of the situation.

Tatsuki knew that she had to press on. There were things that needed to be said.

"One can never copy a relationship," Tatsuki said in what she hoped was a firm and yet gentle voice. "Otherwise, it's not really a relationship. However, I never felt that you were trying to copy any kind of relationship with me. While I do view you as my commanding officer, I do feel that you've become…"

Tatsuki sighed. She knew how to repay Sui-Feng for the trust she showed her. However, that did not make it easy.

"I was able to cheat a bit with the 'Goodbyes' to my own family," Tatsuki continued. "It wasn't as heartbreaking as I thought it would be. I was closest to my father. He always came to cheer me on in any of the matches I was in, despite his illness. My mother was different.

"She wasn't a bad woman. She supported me. But I realized at some point that I didn't fit into her plans for me. However, she never seemed to recognize that. She said that she gave up on her hopes for me to become the 'perfect daughter,' but after Dad's death, she became more demanding and more distant every time I failed at meeting her standards. She never really let go of the idea of me becoming the ideal daughter she always dreamed about. But that…demand…that distance…" Tatsuki shook her head.

"Shit, I guess what I'm trying to say is…is that you're the kind of person I would want as my mother."

Tatsuki sighed as she finished her own confession. She never told anyone about her family life. They had their own respective tragedies and airing out her personal dirty secrets would have been in bad taste. However, it was out.

Sui-Feng looked at Tatsuki and did something that she rarely did and would have never done in front of a subordinate: she cried.

What happens now? Where do we go from here, now that some of our skeletons are out? She thought.

Tatsuki swore to herself that she would never tell anyone about this. She drained her saucer and looked at it.

I wish she could have given me something a bit stronger than juice.

End of Chapter 1

A.N.: Time and circumstances change people, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worst. As a result, many of the characters will be different from how they are in the manga and anime. For example, the Rikichi of the anime is light-hearted and a bit naïve, a far-cry from how he is in the story. However, this change was partially due to his hero-worship of Renji and his desire to make Renji into a larger-than-life figure. This type of hero-worship is very common, but it does take away a person's humanity until one can no longer distinguish the difference between the person and the myth.

Also, when the children in Las Noches call someone a "Mayuri" it's the equivalent of calling them a "Chicken."

Thank you for reading, and please review.