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

9. Chapter 8: The Panther and The Dragon

Shattered Realms

By Eduard Kassel and MJLCoyoteStarrk

Chapter 8: The Panther and The Dragon

The Fangs marched in a single file line across the desert. There was no real tactical plan to march in such a way. It had simply drifted into that formation. Silence hung over them like a thick shroud.

At first, they had sung marching songs or played Chase the Reaper when they left Las Noches. But after a while their laughter and singing had given way to whining and complaining. They remained silent ever since Lysander had taken to smacking anyone who complained about being tired or whined about the things they could be doing if they had stayed in Las Noches.

As Las Noches became more and more distant, their unease grew. Tales of The Others and the barbaric tribes came to them, and the silence only gave those tales even more life.

So now they walked under the moonlight. Some tried to look unafraid with their fists clenched at their sides. Others fingered their short swords. Every so often a Fang would break the silence by whispering to the Fang in front of them. Occasionally one would look up at the moon, either in awe or in the kind of distrust that was reserved for anything new and foreign.

Lysander naturally took the lead. The lean boy had purposefully messed up his red hair to give him a fiercer appearance and had torn his white jacket sleeves to resemble a vest. He wore a smug grin on his face as he marched forward facing the horizon unerringly. He strutted like a Baraggan, believing that the world was his by right.

Behind him came the blue-haired Gracia. Her hand was ever on her half-drawn sword. Her eyes darted side-to-side regularly. A distinct air of nervousness radiated from her. She knew that something was wrong. She knew that she should speak up. But if she did then Lysander would slap her again and call her a "Mayuri". However, fear of Lysander did not cease her sense of unease to increase. Then she felt something.

She gasped and turned to her right stopping in her tracks and almost drawing her sword clear of its sheath. The boy behind her was not paying attention and walked right into her. She felt him collide with her and stepped out of the way while he fell. His fall set off a chain reaction of the other Fangs tripping over him and falling except for the green-haired boy who brought up the rear. Their cries of surprise brought Lysander to a stop.

He turned around and growled at the sight of the rest of the Fangs picking themselves up. He glared at the green-haired boy who pointed to Gracia who was pulling the only other girl in the gang to her feet.

"Sorry Helena," Gracia apologized. She released her grip on the black-haired girl's hand as Helena found her feet. Gracia sighed and turned around only to face Lysander glaring at her from the small difference in height.

"REAP IT GRACIA!" he shouted. "HOW MANY TIMES ARE YA GONNA MESS US UP LIKE THIS?"

Gracia blushed with embarrassment. She took a step back and started pressing her fingers together.

"I…I thought…I thought I sensed something…again."

"Tch, Jumpy Mayuri," he leered at her.

"I'M NOT A MAYURI!" she shouted, clenching her hands into fists. Then she saw his eyes darken and she became afraid again. "S-s-sometimes there's stuff…Hollows and…and…and ghosts and…" she said as she wrung her hands together.

"Yeah right. Well, guess what. They haven't killed us yet. I've already killed five and gotten stronger. Mayuri only eat what the rest of us kill," he sneered at her as the other Fangs gathered around, snickering. Gracia's face became even redder from anger and shame.

"Mayuri! Mayuri! Ca-ca-ca Mayuri!" the other Fangs sang.

Gracia sank up to her ankles in the sand. But the constant chanting of, "Mayuri! Mayuri! Ca-ca-ca Mayuri!" caused something inside her to snap. She frowned and rose to stand on top of the sand again.

"THAT'S BECAUSE THEY KEEP CHASING ME!" she yelled in Lysander's face, fury mounting. "YOU DON'T HAVE TO RUN FOR YOUR LIFE LYSANDER! SIX TIMES NOW I'VE BEEN CHASED OUT OF SIGHT OF THE REST OF YOU! IF I HADN'T LOST THOSE HOLLOWS BY BURROWING UNDERGROUND I WOULD HAVE BEEN EATEN!"

Lysander looked at her in surprise and then he grinned.

"If you weren't such a Mayuri you would have fought instead of running away. Real Arrancars fight and get stronger. Mayuri's run away and stay weak little girls."

"Mayuri! Mayuri! Ca-ca-ca Mayuri!" the other Fangs sang again. Gracia's fists clenched, the veins seemed to pop to her hands' surface. She tilted her head up from viewing the sands to glare at her leader's leering face.

"Lysander…I am not a Mayuri," she whispered as she met his eyes. He rolled his own eyes and leaned down to her. He put the tip of his forefinger to her forehead.

"May-u-ri," he drawled as he gave her a little shove.

She didn't know what possessed her. But that little shove and the way he drawled out "Mayuri" was the straw that broke the Hollow's back.

She punched him in the face sending him stumbling back. There was a collective gasp from the Fangs as Lysander lifted a hand to his bleeding nose. Gracia's hands shot to her mouth and her blue eyes widened in shock and terror as the realization of what she did sank in. Lysander took his hand away from his nose and looked at the blood-stained palm. His mouth gaped in surprise and then shut with a snap. His eyes burned with pure hatred as he glared at Gracia.

"I…I…I…" she stuttered, unable to think of what to say. She could feel his Reiatsu rise.

"You…little…bitch," he whispered.

Then he plowed into her with Sonído. Gracia felt all of the air rush out of her body as she was pushed to the ground with Lysander landing on top her. He pinned her neck under his forearm while the hand grabbed her dominant wrist. Fury blazed in his eyes.

"I'm the boss around here. And you do not hit the boss…you little…Mayuri," he snarled.

"G-g-get…off," Gracia gasped as his weight pressed down on her.

But he didn't get off. Instead, he punched her in the face with his free hand. Her head turned but came away unscathed. He hit her again and again pushing her head into the sands, but her Hierro kept her face relatively unscathed, although there were some bruises starting to form. Still grimacing the girl began to sink into the sands which made him smile even more.

"Yeah…that's right…run into the sands like a real Mayuri. Cry for your mother. Oh…that's right…you don't have a mother. You're just another outcast like the rest of us. NO ONE WANTED YOU AND I DON'T SEE WHY WE NEED YOU NOW!" he yelled into her face.

The other Fangs only stood aside, no longer chanting. They were looking at each other as their collective unease rose.

"He's a Grimmjow," the orange-haired boy whispered, terrified.

Helena looked at her friend as she was sinking into the sand under Lysander's fury. Tears came to her eyes.

"Gracia," she whispered.

"Get…off…me," Gracia whispered.

He spat in her eye. Her right fist shot up and struck him in the ear. He went tumbling sideways, hitting the group of Fangs. Gracia lay on her back on top of the sands. She was breathing hard while a stream of tears ran from her face.

"I want to go home," she whispered as she closed her eyes.

"I told ya these dumb brats can't even feel a proper Reiatsu level," an adult voice snickered.

Gracia's eyes flew open and she sat up straight. The other Fangs looked around and saw that they were surrounded by at least six adults.

"That's what I get for backing a loudmouth," a woman with closely-cropped blonde hair griped.

The adults wore Hollow hides of various cuts, some were long like duster coats and others were more like vests, and one of the males went bare-chested, his well-chiseled torso decorated with light blue tattoos. The women's tunics were cut to reveal a great amount of their cleavage and leave their tattoo-covered midriffs bare. Some of their pants were loose while others were tight enough to nearly hug their skin. But they all wore the same stone medallion hanging from a leather cord around their necks.

The Primeran children could sense that there was something dangerous about them before they even had a chance to look into their eyes.

"Tch…" one of the men with four scars running in a row from just above his left eye well into his hair grunted. His long white Hollow hide coat had a single light blue stripe running along each shoulder. He traced one of the blue-stained scars in agitation and nodded to the others. The others surged their Reiatsu in sync with him. The Fangs collapsed leaving Lysander trembling at his half raised stance. The blonde woman sighed as she walked over to him and kicked him lightly in the side to send him sprawling to the ground.

"HA! By the Great Panther this lot is more pathetic than the Thrall that cleans my cesspit,"
the blonde woman said laughing as Lysander moaned.

"So what do we do with these pathetic pieces of shit?" one of the men wearing an open white Hollow hide vest asked.

"They're trespassers," the scarred man said.

"Yeah, but this bunch of filth is unworthy to die by our blades. They no doubt only made it this far by being beneath the notice of the others," the bare-chested Arrancar said.

"Well, we can't just let them go," the other female Arrancar with shortly-cropped black hair with stripes dyed bright blue along the sides said.

"Can I keep the asshole? I always wanted a pet Thrall, but the Jarls hate to sell to us," the blonde asked as she leaned over the moaning Lysander. She traced his chin with a finger and smiled. "Such a pretty toy," she cooed.

The leader only shook his head and turned away from where the blonde was kicking at Lysander's side as he lay on the sand. His focus then turned to the girl on the sand. He walked over to where Gracia laid in the sand with her eyes closed. He cocked an eyebrow when he noticed that her breathing was not that of someone laboring under Reiatsu shock. He grabbed her by the front of her tunic and lifted her into the air. He held her out as though she was a piece of rotting meat that needed to be disposed.

Her eyes opened wide at him with fear. He sneered at her in disgust.

"Please…please…we…we didn't know," she whimpered.

"I don't see how that's my problem," he told her coldly.

He raised his other hand slowly, palm open as though ready to slap her. Gracia swallowed hard and closed her eyes. She turned her face away, preparing for the blow. As a result, she showed the jawbone across her cheek. The blow never came. Instead, she felt herself slipping from numb fingers.

"Commander?" the blonde asked as she looked up from tracing patterns in Lysander's bare chest with her fingers. "What is it?"

"Cordelia, you can play with the trash later. But right now come and look at this," he hissed. He held his medallion and examined the profile likeness of the Great Panther stamped on it. He then grabbed Gracia's head in one hand and turned it to where she was looking sideways. He pulled the medallion over his head and held it out next to Gracia. His eyes darted from the two.

This can't be right. The hair matches right down to the sacred lock, he thought as he looked at Gracia's unkempt hair and the bit that hung out just above the center of the forehead. If it was just the mask then I would have thought it mere coincidence, but…the facial structure…the chin…even the nose!

"World Mounting Panther," Cordelia gasped. Comprehension filled her eyes.

"I know. But…but this is impossible," the Commander whispered. "How could this be found among Las Noches trash? Leonidas was killed by the Great Panther's own hand without siring a brood, and as for his brothers and sisters... Well, how can those slain as yearlings produce a brood? But then again…"

"Everything Arrancar came from Las Noches," Cordelia said. "Maybe something was left behind or remained secret from the Great Panther's notice? Perhaps…perhaps Leonidas did sire a brood. The songs say that he was Nelliel's lover."

"But there was no mention in the Prophecies," he objected weakly.

"Well, the Prophecies did say that the Great Panther's return would be unexpected. Maybe it was referring to a reincarnation while we thought they talked about a literal return."

The Commander was silent. His mind whirled with all of the possibilities. He gave a slight nod of his head as he reached a decision.

"We have to take her to Solanssen," he stated.

"We'll have to take the others too. He'll want everything related," Cordelia pressed.

The Commander glared at her from the corner of his eyes and saw the eagerness on her face.

And I have no doubt you'll be expecting some reward. Perhaps something better than your new found play-pretty, he thought.

"Yes, he'll want everything. Cordelia, since you and your pet have become so close, you get to take care of him on the journey home. The rest of you, gather up these desert scum. We're taking them back to Pantera."

As the others bound their prisoners in lengths of cord, the Commander looked at Gracia. His expression darkened. It could be nothing, but he felt like the world was shifting beneath his feet. It was as though the Drums of the Underworld were beating to shake the world. He found it an unpleasant sensation.

Elsewhere in Hueco Mundo

The four made their way carefully up the slope. Their journey upwards displaced small stones from the places they had rested for gods know how long to tumble down to new resting places where they would remain for gods know how much longer. The wind howled its demonic song and in the distance they could make out the flashes of lightning of an electrical storm blazing across the dark sky. Tatsuki could feel the hair on the nape of her neck stand on end.

"Dust devil," Hanataro said as he stopped to look uneasily at the distant storm.

Tatsuki turned and saw that Hanataro was right. A column of white sand rose from the desert floor in the distance. The combination of lightning and moonlight made the twisting column look like it was made of glittering diamonds.

This was the third such storm they had seen in their journey towards Pantera. She didn't know what to call them and so they had simply referred to them as "Dust devils" after the desert phenomena in the World of the Living. Each time the dust devils came, they had felt the hurricane-like forces of the wind and had to seek shelter behind boulders or dig into the sand to get as far below the wind as possible.

How can something so beautiful also be so destructive? Tatsuki thought as she looked at the storm. It was an oddly comforting sight. She thought that it was because the dust devils broke the emptiness of the ever dark and still sky.

"It would appear as though the storm will not be a threat," Nemu said.

"That's good to know," Ikkaku muttered as he eyed the storm warily.

Tatsuki didn't say anything. Her focus was still on the distant storm and now she saw another column of white sand rise from the desert floor and begin to dance around the already-formed dust devil. Soon, the twisting dust devils looked more like a couple of dancers than mere pillars of sand picked up by the harsh wind whose demonic song moved them.

She felt something inside her relish the beauty and power of this destructive force.

"Commander, are you alright?" Hanataro asked.

Tatsuki shook herself from the trance she had sunk into.

"I'm fine. Regardless of whether or not Nemu's right about the storm staying put, I think we should get going. I would hate to wake up in Oz," Tatsuki said and gave a small smile at her own humor.

"I beg your pardon," Nemu said as she cocked her head.

"Never mind," Tatsuki sighed. "You wouldn't get it. Now, let's get going."

They made their way up the rest of the slope. However, they would have to be careful. Sometimes a loose stone would give way under a foot and send whoever stepped on it tumbling backwards. Other times, a boulder would fall on its own and force them to jump out of its path.

They didn't use Sonído because it would be more of a hindrance with such rough footing. They couldn't walk in the air because the winds would become the equivalent of a motorized walkway, sweeping them in the direction it was going and not in the direction they wanted to go. Plus, taking the easy way went against what they were trained to do. Even Squad 11 knew that some things just couldn't be done when certain factors were present.

At some points on their journey upwards, a gust of wind would suddenly rise and sent sand flying into their faces. From somewhere to their left, Tatsuki thought she could hear the roaring of a rockslide. She looked in that direction, but could only see a cloud of dirt rising from behind a ridge. Hanataro jumped at the sound and cowered next to Nemu who only cocked her head and sniffed the air.

"What are you doing?" Tatsuki asked.

"I am trying to ascertain whether or not that rockslide was caused by a living creature."

"Yeah, well…are we at risk for having a rockslide?" Tatsuki asked.

Nemu looked at the slop ahead. Her eyes seemed to take in every detail and file it into the computation of some internal calculator.

The again, she was built by Mayuri. I wouldn't be surprised if he wired a calculator into her brain, Tatsuki thought.

The purple haired girl looked away and began rubbing her eyes. Tatsuki was curious about that. Nemu had never shown any sign of discomfort of any kind, but she supposed that there was always a point to where a place's arid climate could get to a person. Tatsuki knew that her own eyes were starting to bother her and she would not be surprised if they were bloodshot.

Nemu stopped rubbing her eyes and looked at Tatsuki.

"The possibility of any of us triggering a large rockslide is approximately one in 250. However, we will trigger small rockslides which will only result in smaller rocks traveling approximately 35 to 50 yards downhill," she announced dryly.

"Thanks," Tatsuki sighed and rolled her eyes. She wondered if she could reprogram Nemu not to go into so much detail about her reports.

They continued their ascent until they reached the top. When they reached the ridge's saddle, Tatsuki stopped and looked at the terrain before them

Like most of Hueco Mundo, the land below them was a vast stretch of sand. She could see dim grey mountains in the distance, but there was a lone mountain nearby, standing tall and proud. Her eyes trailed down the mountain and she noticed that as it came near its base it seemed to curve outward in a pair of horns. That was when she noticed the white wall enclosing the city at the base of the mountain. She saw that there was only one entrance into the city that was located where the wall bulged out the most from the mountain. She could barely see the outline of an arc over the gateway. Considering the distance, Tatsuki suspected that the city must be large.

But it would still be considered a village compared to Las Noches, she thought.

Tatsuki looked at the area surrounding the mountain and saw smaller fortifications built around the city. From what she could see they were made of long structures laid out in a perfect square with only one breach to serve as a gate. She wasn't sure, but she thought that they were military outposts to serve as an advance guard against any attack.

"Well, I think that's our destination," Ikkaku said grinning.

"Just remember, we know that the inhabitants here can become hostile if they're provoked," Tatsuki said, thinking about the report on the Holo-Record. "If you do something that gets them chasing our ass, Ikkaku, I swear I will tear you limb-from-limb."

"Yeah, yeah," Ikkaku said. "So…what do we do now?"

Tatsuki sighed and looked back the way they had come. In the far distance she could make out the gleaming dome of Las Noches, looking small and insignificant. It was hard to believe that over 200 years before Las Noches had been one of the most important strategic targets in the Winter War. Now, it might as well be an empty shell that would stand for millennia before being completely buried by the sands.

She sighed and looked towards a city far younger and more vital to her present concerns.

"Well, that should be simple enough," Tatsuki said as she began her descent.

Ikkaku sighed and followed with Nemu and Hanataro following close behind.

The journey down proved to be easier than the ascent. Tatsuki had a feeling that they were being watched and figured that going into Sonído would most likely be taken as a sign that they were a threat. Based on what Tenzo Baarki said on the Holo-Record, she did not want to give the natives a reason to kill them.

She heard someone cry out and stepped aside just in time as Hanataro went tumbling past her. She could hear Ikkaku burst out laughing before he let out a cry of surprise and started tumbling down the hill himself.

"What the…?" Tatsuki began as she watched Ikkaku rolling past her.

"Hanataro slipped on some loose stones," Nemu explained. "It would appear as though Lieutenant Madarame made the same mistake."

Tatsuki shook her head as she made her way carefully down the slope. She kept an eye on the fortifications that she could see, but didn't see much hint of movement.

But we're being watched, she thought.

By the time Tatsuki and Nemu reached the bottom, she could see Ikkaku and Hanataro nursing their bruises.

"Well, it seems as though you two found the quickest way down," Tatsuki said.

"It's a good thing that the Hierro protected us," Hanataro muttered as he stood up, wincing in pain. "Otherwise we might have been more seriously hurt."

"What happened to him?" Tatsuki asked as she pointed to Ikkaku. Ikkaku was too busy pulling out a series of white, crystal-like quills from his thigh to respond right away.

"He…uh…he…"

"I ROLLED INTO A HOLLOW PORCUPINE!" Ikkaku yelled.

Tatsuki looked at him and then burst out laughing.

"So…so now…now you know…exactly…exactly what…what a….what a..." Tatsuki couldn't finish as she burst out into laughter. She thought back to when she threatened to prick him with the quills of the Porcupine back in Octavia. Now he had learned the hard way not to mess with a porcupine.

"Oh hardy-har-har," Ikkaku muttered as he yanked out another quill with a grimace. "I thought that having Hierro skin was supposed to protect us from these kinds of things. That Edorad guy I fought with at the beginning of the Winter War said that Hierro skin was like metal armor."

"May I see one of those quills?" Nemu asked.

"Here, knock yourself out," Ikkaku said as he handed her a quill he had just yanked out.

Nemu looked at it and scratched at it.

"It would appear that these quills have the same consistency of diamonds."

"Really? Do you think they might be worth something?" Ikkaku asked as he looked at the quills on the ground.

"They could be useful for research," Nemu said as she pocketed the quill. "Where was this Hollow porcupine?"

"Eh…somewhere back there, I think," he replied and pointed.

"Thank you," Nemu said as she rushed off.

"What was that about?" Hanataro asked.

"She's probably off to collect some more samples," Tatsuki said as she watched Nemu rush off. But there was something wrong about the whole thing. She didn't know what, but her gut was telling her that something wasn't right.

Nemu Kurotsuchi

I need more, she thought. I need more.

The Hollow meat had run out and she needed something to replace it. Nemu had kept her senses open, hoping to find any sign of Hollow life that she could get meat from. And now Ikkaku's accident had given her hope. She reached out with the modified Pesquisa that her Father had enabled her Gigai to perform.

There you are.

Her mouth became a small and sinister smile as she rushed to where she sensed the meat. She could see the small creature waddling its way up the hill to its burrow. The quills glistened like white stained-glass, but Nemu did not care about being hurt. All that mattered was the relief and ecstasy that came with the meat and blood. The creature sensed her and it turned to face her. The quills became erect and it hissed at her.

"There, there," she whispered to it. "I'm not going to hurt you."

She could feel the itching at her eyes again. Her head throbbed and she felt something chitter in excitement in the depths of her mind. Her smile widened.

The Hollow porcupine sensed that something was wrong, recognizing her smile for the teeth it showed. It hissed as it backed away from the threat. The quills began to quiver. Its bladder let go as it instinctually hoped that the noxious scent would send the predator fleeing.

"Why are you running away?" Nemu cooed. Her mouth began to water as she smelled the creature's piss. "I only want to be your friend."

The Hollow porcupine hissed and the quills darted out into the reaching hand. Nemu ignored the pain the blood leaking through the cracked Hierro. This was all that mattered now. Her hand closed around the creature. More quills dug into her as she tightened her grip. It let out a terrified squeal as Nemu hoisted it from the ground, still keeping her firm grip on it even as it struggled to get free.

"You and I are going to be very, very good friends," Nemu cooed as she brought it close to her.

She held it to where its soft belly was exposed. Her other hand began to stroke it. The porcupine continued to struggle in her grip, but the struggle became weaker as she continued to gently stroke the exposed belly.

"There now, you see. I'm not so bad. Regardless of what Master Mayuri says, I do have friends. And now…" She allowed her hand to dig into the stomach. Black blood gushed from the torn flesh. The creature cried out in dying agony as her fingers dug into the ruined stomach.

"…you're my friend too," she whispered as she brought the steaming entrails to her mouth.

Tatsuki Arisawa

"What's taking her?" Tatsuki muttered under her breath.

"Lieutenant Arisawa, I'm worried about Lieutenant Kurotsuchi," Hanataro said. "She…she hasn't been acting…like herself."

Ikkaku chuckled a little guessing the healer had been about to say "normal" only to think better of it.

"Yeah, I…" Tatsuki began frowning.

"I'm sorry that I caused you to worry," Nemu said as she appeared out of Sonído. Hanataro and Tatsuki jumped in surprise.

"Gods damn it," Tatsuki said. "You really need to stop doing that. You nearly scared the crap out of me."

"Oh…I apologize if I frightened you," Nemu said.

"So…did you have any luck finding Ikkaku's friend?" Tatsuki asked.

"I'm afraid that the specimen got away," Nemu said monotonously. "However, we may be having company soon."

"What are you talking about?"

"A group of six Arrancars is coming our way from one of those fortifications. Oh…they arrived a bit sooner than I thought."

There was the sound of Arrancars of coming out of Sonído. Ikkaku tried to reach for his sword, but he was knocked to his back by a woman wearing a pair of Hollow hide trousers and a small vest that covered her small breasts and was held shut by two leather cords tied together with bits of bone handing from the ends. Her exposed midriff was decorated with a tattoo of a prowling blue panther. Her mask fragment was a thin bit of bone just under her jaw with small fangs at the cheeks. Tatsuki looked at the two light blue stripes running along the vest's shoulders and wondered what they signified.

The woman pressed the tip of her rapier against Ikkaku's throat and casually brushed aside a bit of blue-black hair that had strayed in front of her left eye.

Tatsuki looked at the Arrancars who surrounded them. She saw that they were not looking at Hanataro with as much intensity as they did to Nemu, Ikkaku, and herself. However, one would occasionally look at him as if to make sure he wouldn't run off.

They mustn't view him as a threat, Tatsuki thought in relief.

She then noticed that all of the Arrancars had ornate light blue tattoos on their faces or bodies. They each wore a stone medallion around their necks from a leather cord.

"It's wise if you don't try to fight us," the woman said as she looked at Tatsuki. Her grey-lavender eyes looked into Tatsuki's brown. "I assume that you're their leader."

"That's right."

"What Tribe are you from? I know that you're not a Panteran nor are you a Son. And you're intelligent and not some idiotic malformed mutation or brute. I suppose you could be a Triple even though you don't wear the veil."

Damn it, Tatsuki thought. How do I respond? Damn it all. We need more intelligence on these tribes and their politics. We should have asked more questions in Las Noches. Then again, doing so could have drawn too much attention to ourselves and could have blown our cover. Damn it.

"I'm…from…uh…uh…"

"Your hesitation tells me that perhaps you are Rovers," the woman said. "Pathetic Arrancars displaced by the Great Schism. It's a sad fate to not have a Tribe. Even the stupid Berserkers and the savage Eaters are more fortunate than your kind."

Tatsuki thought she could hear genuine pity in her voice beneath the smugness.

"Come, you are more than welcome to come with us at least to our outpost. I am Asha Mormont, Second-in-Command at Fort Kufang. Who are you?"

"I am simply known as Eurydice," Tatsuki replied. "These are my companions: Judea, Madarame, and…"

"Thrall," Asha said simply when Tatsuki pointed at Hanataro. The other Panterans laughed softly at that. Asha smirked as she looked at Hanataro who gulped and tried to sink into the sand. "I must say though that he's a rather handsome Thrall. I hope he's good at something other than looking pretty." She gave Tatsuki a sly wink. "But enough of that," she said and looked at Ikkaku who was still caught under her foot. She leaned in close to him and smiled.

"So…your name is Madarame. You know, there's a demon in our Histories called that and, like you, he's completely bald. Were you named for him because of that, Baldy?"

"HEY!" Ikkaku shouted. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING 'BALDY'?" Asha's smile widened.

"You're a silly little creature. Do you really think that the best way to look fierce is to try to duplicate a Soul Reaper devil that was able to kill one of the five Great Panther's Attendants? Let me give you some advice. If you want others to fear you, grow a mane. Otherwise, all that we have to do is powder your face and people will think that you're a eunuch…like the real Ikkaku Madarame."

Tatsuki saw Ikkaku redden with fury and shame. She hoped that he wouldn't lash out. But she had a feeling that if he tried then this Arrancar woman would not be easily beaten, to say nothing of the entire group. Ikkaku seemed to know that it wouldn't do any good to fight, so he mumbled something under his breath that Tatsuki figured was not "Have a good evening." Asha must have heard what it was because she just laughed, but was the least bit offended.

"If you need to prove your manhood, then I'll be more than happy to oblige you. But I should tell you that men mistake a dagger for a spear all the time."

Ikkaku grumbled something else under his breath and Asha laughed harder at that. Tatsuki had a feeling that Asha's idea of entertainment included shaming a man where it hurt most.

"Men are so much fun to tease. Wouldn't you agree?" she asked Tatsuki.

"I suppose you're right," Tatsuki said. She was finding herself liking this young Arrancar woman. There was something in the way Asha held herself that spoke of confidence, predatory sensuality, and power.

"Asha, the Commander warned you about becoming too friendly with Outsiders," one of the Panterans, an older-looking man with a mask fragment shaped like a horned helm, said. "Besides, the Commander will want to speak to them."

"Damn. Thanks for reminding me. Alright, let's get moving. Eurydice, you can travel at point with me."

"Why?"

"Let's just say that I really want to find out about what's going on outside the Great Panther's Realm," she said doing her best to hide her enthusiasm.

"Well…I…I don't really know what I can tell you. We haven't really had that much interaction and…" Suddenly an idea came to her mind. "Sure, I'll be more than happy to tell you what I know."

Asha's eyes gleamed and she put a hand on Tatsuki's shoulder.

"Then come with me," she said and led the way.

Tatsuki didn't find out much on the journey to Fort Kufang. Asha didn't give her an opportunity to ask anything. And whenever Tatsuki tried to ask a question, Asha was on to the next before she could ask anything. Before too long, they had reached Fort Kufang.

Tatsuki looked at the twin panther statues standing at attention at the opening. She now realized that the long buildings not only served as a protective wall, but were also the barracks and storehouses for the fort. She noticed that the side of the buildings facing into the courtyard had doorways and windows carved into the stone. Luminescent crystal lined the doorways and windows.

Arrancars dressed in Hollow hides in a variety of cuts and styles marched along the top of the buildings, as though watching for something. A small group sat in front of what must be the kitchen and looked at them as they ate. At the center of the courtyard was a statue of a roaring panther with five figures around it facing outward.

"The rest of your companions can wait by the gate," Asha said. "Simon, give them back their belongings. I doubt they'll try anything foolish in the midst of so many Panteran warriors."

"As you command," Simon, the horned-helmed Arrancar, said as he put down their bags by the entry.

"Eurydice, come with me. I'll take you to the Commander." Tatsuki looked at Ikkaku with a scowl.

"Don't try anything stupid while we're here," Tatsuki whispered. "If you do, I will make you a real eunuch."

Ikkaku only grumbled something about women under his breath as he slouched against the wall.

"I can keep him out of trouble," Simon said as he placed a large hand on Ikkaku's shoulder. "We're about to go into drills. I'm sure that will keep this sorry lot busy."

"Eurydice," Asha said again.

Tatsuki nodded and followed Asha across the courtyard. When they reached the main building at the far end of the courtyard, they climbed a set of stone steps up to a balcony that overlooked the courtyard. Another flight of steps went up to the fortified roof, but her guide did not go to them. Asha stopped in front of a stone door and unleashed a wave of Reiatsu. Tatsuki's eyes widened at how powerful it was and knew that she had made the right decision in not giving her grief.

These Arrancars are on a completely different level from those in Las Noches, except for Starrk, she thought.

There was another burst of Reiatsu coming from inside, as though in response, but this one was even more powerful.

Asha looked at Tatsuki.

"The Fort-Commander will see you," she said and pushed open the stone door, which Tatsuki noticed was the only door.

When she stepped inside, Tatsuki saw that the walls and ceiling were lined with the luminescent quartz. A roaring fire blazed in a hearth on one side of the room. Then she saw the man standing and looking at her from behind a stone desk. His hands were folded behind his back. Tatsuki saw that he wore a long trench coat as opposed to the rag-tag assortment of Hollow hides. His head was completely bald except for the thick sideburns dyed light blue. It should have looked ridiculous, but it did not. His icy-blue eyes were cold and unsettling as they passed over her. His face was stern and deeply lined. His scowl seemed to have become permanently carved on his face.

"Thank you, Second-Commander Mormont. You may leave."

"As you wish, sir," Asha said and gave off a quick salute before walking outside. She closed the door behind her.

Tatsuki looked at the four light blue stripes on the shoulders of his coat and the gold and sapphire buttons of his coat. She looked at the medallion hanging around his neck and then to the ornate medals made of bone and stone and metal that seemed to have been tied to the breasts of his coat by bits of leather.

"I suppose I should be polite to a guest and introduce myself," he said in a cold, rumbling voice. "I am Commander Stannis Tywin Martell, Warden of Fort Kufang. And you are?"

"I am Eurydice…sir."

"What Tribe do you belong to?"

"I'm…a Rover, sir."

The Commander's frown deepened slightly and he went around his desk to walk towards her. His steps were firm and authoritative. Tatsuki knew that this was a man who commanded respect without having to demand it. He put a hand under her chin and lifted her face to his. His scowl deepened, and she found that she couldn't consider knocking away the offending hand.

"Maybe you are and maybe you aren't. Tell me, what are you doing here?"

"I'm…" she began steadily.

"I should warn you that I will know if you lie to me. And if you lie to me again…" He trailed off, but the blaze in his eyes told Tatsuki that the consequences would not be pleasant. He released his hold on her chin and returned the hand to behind his back.

"We are looking for some lost comrades," she told him. Commander Martell said nothing. But his eyes bore into her as though demanding more. "My people have been in isolation. Ever since the Schism we have left the rest of Hueco Mundo alone and we've been mostly left alone in return. A few years ago we sent out a party to see the world and bring back what they learned. None returned," she told him as she selected her words with great care.

"When in doubt," Sui-Feng's voice said in her mind, "always tell enough of the truth to satisfy the interrogator and enough lies to mask parts of the truth that you don't want revealed. That is what a good scout does when they gather information or are forced to face an enemy interrogator."

"I see," he said and released his hold on her. Tatsuki knew that he was considering her words very carefully. "So, you're searching for a band of holdfast Rovers. Well, at least your kind is more civilized than your nomadic cousins. But you're still nothing more than a bunch of inbred cowards hiding in the Borderlands and the Periphery. Where do you call home?" he demanded with a casual but harsh authority.

For a moment Tatsuki was reminded of her mother, both the mother she knew while alive and her adaptive mother. There was no threat and he had not raised his voice but power and intimidation were clear. It was like the brush of a cloak revealing the pommel of a dagger for just a moment.

"I will die before telling a stranger of my home," she answered honestly. The Commander walked closer to her. He held her gaze even as he now stood towering over her.

"Do you think I am no one because I stand at the Borderlands rather than the heart of Pantera? That is how other Tribes evaluate worth: one's proximity to the heart of their domains with contempt for those at the Fringes and the Outside. But that is not our way.

"Our way is the way of Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, the Great Panther, and the greatest warrior of the Espada. It is not economic power or ideals that drive us, but the passion of waging war. Panterans hold those at the Borderlands in the highest regard for we stand on the front lines. We are the first to wet our blades with the blood of would-be invaders. We are the first to charge over in invasion against our foes.

"I have held Fort Kufang for nigh on fifty years, Girl. I have held it from the many ambitious challengers from my own ranks and those who hunger for the glory and honor that I have tasted from the city. I follow the road of the One True King: the Panther King. I have ceased to count my battles for my reputation walks ahead of me under the moon. I am the iron wall and the iron fist. I do not waver or crack even before the swarm of Eaters from the mountains or the brutish Berserker wanderers or the horrors of Octavia.

"And you would refuse me an answer here in my fortress," he demanded coldly.

Even though it sounded like a boast, Tatsuki knew that it wasn't. He was reciting his resume just to inform her how deep she was in. And she recognized it as truth. She knew that he believed it and he was not the type of person to speak of delusions of grandeur. His grandeur was earned by his actions and he knew it.

She knew his type. Her own adaptive mother was like him and so she recognized him as the type of Officer one did not keep waiting. And when he wanted an answer he expected you to have it already prepared. And gods help the subordinate who wasn't prepared.

Fortunately she was prepared to answer.

"Do you think I find my life precious? You Panterans seem to think yourselves great warriors, but you aren't the only ones. I was raised by a warrior. I knew how to survive at birth. But she spent years to teach me how to die.

"I don't care much about your politics or even your way of life. My leader may care about those things, but I don't really give a crap. I only care about finding my lost comrades for one of the lost ones is the mate of my best friend. And I promised to bring her back to him alive. I would rather die than live by having you make me break my promise to him." She met his steel gaze with her own. Martell gazed back at her impassively.

"I think I understand. You wanted this friend for yourself. Perhaps you still do. Yet you would bring back the rival who defeated you rather than using loving comfort to gain your desire," he said flatly. Tatsuki recoiled as if struck.

NO! No one knows that. Not even Orihime knew, Tatsuki thought. Anger at the exposure of a secret that she had nearly forgotten herself stopped her guard in a way that would both enrage her and be thankful for. She was thankful because it seemed having unearthed her deepest secret Stannis assumed her other secrets would be in a similar vein. Thank the gods for screwed-up priorities, she would think later.

But for the moment she was regaining her composure despite her extremely red face. She was surprised that she was actually able to say anything without blurting it out in a non-cohesive babble.

"She's a pretty girl, small in stature and chest. She is very fair-skinned with mostly black hair save for a white streak. Her mask fragment is the beak of a bird over her nose trailing to touch her eyes. She has a calm demeanor that conceals a violent temper. She would have been travelling with a group of warriors and scholars."

"I see. I should inform you, Girl, that I examine all who pass through my domain, dead or alive. And I forget nothing. I have never seen this woman you seek.

"However, I did receive orders to detain a woman matching that description. But the order was brief and never elaborated on. I do not know how or if the matter was settled."

Tatsuki nearly panicked at what Stannis said, but it only verified what she already knew. The important thing was that Rukia had apparently avoided Stannis Tywin Martell.

And if she had to make a last stand she would not have been so soon forgotten, she thought. These Panterans strike me as the type who honor and remember courage. And they would want such tales to spread in order to ensure their soldiers become even more courageous in battle.

"I know that you are keeping things from me," Martell continued. Tatsuki swallowed hard as she faced his hard gaze. "But the secrets of a Rover, regardless of how impressive she may be, do not interest me. I will let you pass. My reason is two-fold. First, I can tell that you are no threat to Pantera. And second, you put duty before your own desire. Even among Rovers such honor is to be respected."

Tatsuki could tell that there was another reason, but she supposed it did not matter. Instead, she watched him walk to his desk and pull out a drawer. He withdrew a wax tablet and a stylus. She watched in fascination as he carved a series of numbers into the tablet and then he withdrew a seal and stamped the wax surface. He looked at it and nodded before handing it to her.

She noticed that the seal he stamped in the bottom right corner was of a roaring lion's head with a mane of fire with a spear behind it with the spearhead up. Around the image were the words "ROARING WITH PRIDE."

"This will grant you passage into Pantera for a time. I do not give you my blessings. You have not proven yourself worthy of that. But you have my approval to pursue this errand. And we will see if your will survives the Panther's Den."

He sat behind his desk and waved for her to leave.

Tatsuki got her face back under control and gave him a quick nod. He didn't return it. Angry and grateful she left resisting the urge to slam the door. As she left she saw Asha's grinning face in front of her as though she had been waiting. She managed not to punch it.

Gracia

Gracia did her best to suppress her body's desire to give in to utter panic. They stood in the courtyard. She looked at the building ahead of her and swallowed. She knew that she was in front of some kind of palace since she had seen such structures in Las Noches, even though many had fallen into ruins. She looked at the tall stone wall carved with a prowling panther under a crescent moon above the main doorway. Silver-leafed ivy crawled up the sandstone walls. She looked at the carved panthers' heads that topped the pillars and felt as though those stone beasts would come to life at any moment to devour her.

She turned away and looked to where the Fangs stood, watched over by Cordelia who was rubbing Lysander's shoulders. Her eternal smile set off alarms in her head. The Unit Commander stood behind her. His hand rested lightly on her shoulder.

She knew that his hand being there was a threat. She had felt its strength and knew he could shatter her Hierro skin and bones with very little effort.

I want to go home, she thought. I don't care if I have to clean the cesspits of Las Noches for the rest of my life. I just want to be safe under the sun again.

She then noticed a man sweeping the paved courtyard. He did not radiate a sense of being dangerous like the other savages. Instead, his face was down as if not daring to look at anyone. And for their part, her captors did not seem to see him. If she was offered then she would gladly switch places with that ragged man in an instant.

"Please, I just want to go home," she told her captors. Her captors didn't say anything. "Why did you bring me here? What do you want with me?"

She was answered by a sudden weight in the air that pressed down on her with lazy hostility. It wasn't as vast as the pressure she had felt whenever she strayed too close to the Tower of the Sleeping King, but there was a menace here that had been absent in the heart of Las Noches.

Gotran Solanssen

The Steward frowned as he reached the outer court of the Steward's villa. The gate guard had given him the brief message to indicate a matter of great importance. And he had come. It was true that he had been bored but he considered his time valuable even if he was wasting it himself.

But he detested others wasting his time. And seeing his strange niece and her surly boss with a bunch of Thralls darkening his doorstep reeked of wasted time. He scowled as he approached.

"You said you had a matter of utmost importance, Thane. For your sake you had better not be wasting my time."

The Unit Commander visibly repressed a nervous swallow. The threat was transparent. Cordelia, of course, wasn't intimidated. Solanssen thought that getting killed by someone of his class was most likely her preference of death.

"Mighty Steward, we bring a gift for you from the Sands," Cordelia said as she bowed her head. She stroked the red-haired head of one of the Thralls that his Reiatsu had brought to the ground.

That was when he noticed that they weren't Thralls. Their clothes were wrong for any caste among the Thralls. And their foreheads were unmarked.

"These scavengers from the Sand may please a noble who's seeking free Thralls. But they are beneath even my contempt. Explain yourselves before I decide that you are wasting my time," Solanssen growled.

Cordelia smiled wider as her Commander pulled up the face of the girl he was holding and turned her to the side to show her face in profile.

"My Lord, I beg you to look at her," he pleaded.

The Steward looked at the girl and his frown deepened. He blinked once and then his dark grey eyes widened. There was no need to check his medallion. He knew those features too well from the many pieces of art in his home and the Panther's Den at the top of the stairs that led up the mountain.

"That's impossible," he muttered. For the first time since the Eater Swarm had gotten into the Panther's Domain he was at a loss of words. But, like back then, it didn't last long.

He walked forward with hair trigger restraint and grabbed the girl. She looked up into his eyes and he saw still more proof in her blue eyes.

But she's so weak, he thought. No, not so weak.

He saw that even though she trembled like any yearling, she did not collapse even as he released more localized pressure. And her Hierro was holding when it should have shattered. He could sense that her Reiatsu was suppressed, but it was still there. He turned his attention to the others and sent out a pulse that made Cordelia stagger a little. The weaklings collapsed, vomiting from the physical pressure he was putting on them. He lowered his Reiatsu levels and turned to the face the Unit Commander.

"This is a great gift indeed," Gontran Solanssen said. "You will be well-rewarded for this and your shoulders shall bear the rank from two stripes instead of one."

"Thank you, Lord," the Commander said and bowed.

Solanssen swept the girl into his arms bridal style. He was already thinking of what to do with her. But he would have to have the scholars and priests administer the tests first. And then there would be questions.

"What of the others?" Cordelia asked.

Solanssen nearly ordered her to kill them. But they might have some use. And after all, they were the girl's companions and so she probably had some attachment to them.

And the last thing I need is to do something to bring down the Destructive Fist of the Great Panther down on my head.

"Take them to the Thrall District. Have them branded before the hour is out," the Steward said. "Thane, fetch the priests and scholars. I will summon you to bring the rest of your unit later to grant them a boon."

"Can I have the ginger?" Cordelia asked and pointed to the red-haired Thrall-to-be whom she had been rubbing earlier.

"I don't see why not," Solanssen said rolling his eyes. He turned, already forgetting them. The tests awaited but he was certain what this girl was. But what did her appearance mean? It could change nothing or it could change everything.

"Please, I want to go home," the girl whispered around watery eyes.

The Steward of the Great Panther looked down at her and smiled.

"My dear, you are home," he said as they stepped inside.

Tatsuki Arisawa

Tatsuki looked in awe at the wall rising before them. It was not the bland white of the outer wall of Las Noches and it was not the black steel of Octavia. It was the light tan-white of stone. It seemed to glimmer with the moonlight, like the sands from which it was made. Atop either side of the single breach, two great stone panthers reared up in combat. Their struggle to rip out the other's throat, captured forever in stone, seemed to form an arc.

The craftsmanship is a lot finer than what I expected from Grimmjow's people, Tatsuki thought. However, the imagery seems to match what we've heard about him.

Panteran warriors dressed in their Hollow hides or old uniforms that their forefathers must have taken from Las Noches during the Great Schism kept watch on the wall and on either side of the gate. Tatsuki noticed that the only ones who wore any kind of metal were those dressed in long trench-coats with light blue stripes on the shoulders. And based on how one female Arrancar dressed in a trench-coat with three light blue stripes along the shoulders and iron armlets was barking out orders, Tatsuki guessed that the coat was the equivalent of an Officer's uniform.

If that's the case, then the blue stripes are most likely used to signify an officer's rank, she thought.

As they got closer to the entrance, the soldiers on the wall and on the ground began to pay more attention to them. The female Officer eyed each of them carefully, except for Hanataro whom she only gave the most cursory of glances before looking back to Tatsuki.

"Halt, Outsiders, you are approaching the Sacred City of the Great Panther. Have you been given leave to enter?" the Officer demanded.

"Uh…yeah…we have," Tatsuki said as she dug out the pass that Martell gave her. "We have permission from Commander Stannis Tywin Martell of Fort Kufang."

The Officer gave a slight start at that and there was a murmur from those around her.

"SILENCE YOU SAND-KITTENS," she roared and they fell silent. She took the pass and looked at it, turning it over in her hands. "Well, I suppose that means that you had a run-in with my little sister as well."

"Your…sister…do you mean Asha Mormont?" Tatsuki asked seeing little resemblance. However, it seemed as though the Arrancar viewed adoption nearly on the same level as blood ties. But after Octavia she was not prepared to say the Tribes would have much in common with each other.

But wasn't that the point of the first expedition? It was to figure out exactly what the Arrancars have done and become after they were left to their own devices, Tatsuki thought.

"That's her. How that runt got lucky enough to be stationed at a border fort is beyond me," she growled as she read the numeral code.

So, Martell was right. These people really do hold those stationed near the border in high regard. I thought that was just something they said to keep those on the fringes happy, Tatsuki thought. I wonder what Central 46 would make of that.

"Well now, so you're looking for that group that made such a ruckus a few years ago," the Officer said smiling.

Tatsuki gave a start at that.

"You…you know of them?"

"Why do you think I'm here serving as a glorified doorman?"

I suppose it's because your predecessor was fired for letting them escape, Tatsuki thought but did not say.

"Well, at least I earned a stripe for killing one of their fighters," she said rather proudly. "He was good, but I, Commander Olivier Nymeria 'The Iron Wall' Mormont, was better." She glared at Tatsuki as though daring her to say anything against her actions.

"So…uh…what did…did they do?" Tatsuki asked, doing her best not to let the glare of those cold, dark blue eyes get to her.

"They mocked the Great Panther," Olivier said flatly as she ran a hand through her platinum blonde hair. "They should have known better. If one mocks the Great Panther in His den, then they shouldn't be surprised when they get scratched from brow to groin. I trust that you're not foolish enough to make the same mistake."

Tatsuki looked at Ikkaku and saw that he was nodding his head in approval. It was obvious that he understood where Olivier Mormont was coming from. The fact that this woman had killed on of his fellow Squad 11 members in combat only seemed to impress him more. Hanataro looked frightened and she couldn't blame him. Nemu…was just being Nemu.

"You may enter," Olivier said, but then pointed at Hanataro. "But the Thrall may not. There is no place for weakness in Pantera. Julius, find some Thralls to escort this one to his proper place. If you can't find a Thrall, then just use a Healer who isn't busy. Aside from aiding the Breeders recover or prepare them for the mating ritual they're of little use. However, if even the Healers are occupied, then escort him yourself."

The young Arrancar male whom Olivier was addressing was about to say something and was only met with a cold stare. Julius jumped to attention and saluted.

"As you wish, Commander Mormont," he said before rushing away in a burst of Sonído.

"Tch…fetching Thralls is all that the new recruits are good for until they've gotten a couple of actual battles under their belts," Olivier growled. She handed the pass back to Tatsuki who was looking at her in surprise. "And all that you Outsiders are good for is getting in our way and causing trouble. If I hear that you or anyone else in your group has done something to cause us to hunt you down, then I will hunt you down, even to the Underworld. Is that understood, Outsider?"

"Yes," Tatsuki said carefully.

Nymeria scowled and her Reiatsu uncoiled slightly.

"That's too bad. I could use a diversion from mere sentry duty."

Tatsuki didn't respond. Instead, she led Ikkaku and Nemu under the arcing statues.

She was glad that the square behind the gateway was deserted. It seemed that people did not linger here when they were either going into the city or going to their posts at the wall. She led Ikkaku and Nemu to a far corner where a warehouse seemed to have had an entire corner taken out in order to form the edge of the square.

Tatsuki still felt something insider her chest continue to growl at Hanataro being practically hauled away like a piece of luggage. Even with him giving that nod of acceptance to her and the lack of hostility from the Panterans beyond them being pompous assholes, it irritated her. Her teammate may not be in any real danger but he was not to where she could keep an eye on him.

They shouldn't touch my stuff without my permission, she thought. Tatsuki's eyes narrowed a little in confusion at the thought.

Wait, am I seriously considering Hanataro to be "my stuff"? What the Hell is that about?

She was shocked that she actually considered Hanataro to be nothing more than a mere piece of property. She never viewed anyone in that way before.

Damn it, I'm starting to sound like one of those domineering sociopaths. Hanataro's not a piece of furniture, he's a person, she thought.

"So…what now?" Ikkaku asked as he and Nemu huddled close to her. Tatsuki shook her head, hoping to clear it.

"We should split up," Nemu said before Tatsuki had a chance to say anything. Tatsuki looked at her, somehow able to conceal her surprise. It wasn't so much that Nemu suggested it, but it was the tone of her voice. Tatsuki could detect some heat to the suggestion that, for any normal human being, would have been fairly normal if a bit eager. However, Nemu wasn't exactly normal. In fact, that heat felt like something that didn't belong.

"Are you sure that's a wise move? With a city this potentially hostile I was thinking that we should stick together," Tatsuki answered casually. She looked at Nemu with hawk-like intensity. And for a brief instant, Tatsuki thought she saw the corner of Nemu's right eye twitch slightly. But it was so quick and subtle that Tatsuki wasn't sure that she had seen it at all.

Maybe it's just my mind playing tricks with me, she thought.

"Yes, but it is for that reason that we mustn't linger here," Nemu pressed. "We can gather more data and depart sooner if we split up."

"I don't care either way," Ikkaku said as he fidgeted with his sword. Tatsuki felt that Ikkaku was so oblivious to anything out of the ordinary that a hippo in a pink tutu could have danced past him and he wouldn't have even noticed.

"Fine, you can go on your own if you like. Ikkaku and I will stick together and gather as much intelligence as we can. I would also like you to see if you can find out where Yamada was taken to," Tatsuki said. Nemu nodded and Tatsuki felt a shiver when she saw the slight upward curve at one corner of Nemu's mouth. Even though it was very small and very quick, Tatsuki was sure that it had been there.

"Thank you, I shall find him," Nemu said as she took a few steps backwards.

"Judea, before you go," Tatsuki said.

"Yes?" Nemu asked and looked at her.

"I'm giving you a direct order. Don't do anything that could put us in jeopardy. Is that clear?"

Nemu cocked her head slightly and nodded.

"Yes. The mission comes first," she replied and began to walk down one of the side streets before Tatsuki had a chance to say anything else.

Tatsuki frowned as she watched Nemu go. She couldn't quite pinpoint what caused her increasing unease around the stoic Lieutenant of Squad 12. As far as she was concerned Nemu was just being her usual self. However, there was something in Nemu's tone that seemed to hint that she was up to something more than merely gathering intelligence and specimens for her "Father" or that she was just going to look for Hanataro. There was some other motive.

Well as long as it doesn't interfere with the mission, Tatsuki thought, or put all of our lives in jeopardy then I won't have to do anything. It's unfortunate that every Squad has its secrets, especially Squad 12. Well, Squad 11 doesn't really have any secrets. With them what you see is what you get.

"Well, Commander, what are we gonna do now?" Ikkaku asked turning her attention from her inner thoughts.

"Well, since Judea…"

"Who's Judea?"

Tatsuki stomped on his foot in agitation prompting a curse from him. She gestured in the direction that Nemu went to remind him.

Honestly, can't he remember, for once, that we're undercover?

"Oh…that's right," Ikkaku said as he rubbed his foot.

"As I was saying, since Judea is off to find Yamada, we can have a look around."

Tatsuki looked down the long broad main avenue of Pantera. She could see that it was lined with uniform buildings of flat-roofed houses whose line was broken up after every six doorway into a side street. She figured that these houses were more like apartments or military housing. She looked at the wall that surrounded the city and again noticed how strong it looked.

I think I might actually come to like this place.

Indeed, the more she thought of it, the more she felt that this place gave off the same air as the Gotei Squad barracks, especially the barracks of Squads 2 and 11. This atmosphere spoke of strength and precision: the very things that she valued. But there was something else that lied beneath the surface of this seemingly civilized city. Like with Octavia and Las Noches, she was certain that something was lurking out of casual sight. She couldn't quite place it except that she recognized that it was like a great beast lying under the surface of a lake waiting for the unwary to step foot into the cool water.

She knew that she would have to keep her senses opened. She looked again at her surroundings, taking in as many details as she could.

The city is named Pantera in honor of Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Tatsuki thought. She looked at how organized the city seemed to have been laid out. The societies in Octavia and Las Noches modeled themselves after their patron Espada. In that regards, Grimmjow's city could only be a martial state. However, I couldn't see him organizing something like what Stannis has going on. All reports on Grimmjow indicated that he's too wild and chaotic to really organize anything. Even a kid's birthday party would be difficult for him to organize.

Tatsuki felt her frown deepen. She stuffed both hands into her pockets as they walked. The streets were oddly deserted. But ahead of them they could hear the sounds of shouting and the pulsing beats of drums. Tatsuki bit her lower lip.

Please, don't be another slave auction, she prayed. She knew that she would stand by and do nothing as duty required. But she also knew that it would kill something inside her each time she did so. She had always been a person of action. Sui-Feng had called that her greatest strength and her greatest weakness.

Now I understand a little of what she meant, Tatsuki thought. A person's greatest strength is also their greatest weakness. And being a person of action makes me feel vulnerable whenever I have to stand aside and do nothing.

That thought made her Inner Dragon rumble in her chest. She released the pressure it made with a sigh.

Ikkaku glanced at her as they walked down the main road that led straight ahead.

"So…we just keep walking to where those sounds are coming from?"

"I don't see why not," Tatsuki replied with a shrug. "We don't know where we should go. Sneaking around for no reason would just ask for trouble. And besides, those drums and shouts may indicate some kind of gathering. And if you want to hide a tree, you do so in a forest."

As they continued walking down the main road, Tatsuki found that she was coming to like this city. Despite the danger lurking beneath the surface it felt so much better than the others. Octavia had been like going through an insect hive with its residents crawling over her. Las Noches had been sad and lonely, a city long past its prime and trying to cling to the glory days of a past long gone and never to return. But Pantera…Pantera felt alive and healthy whatever else it proved to be.

"Something to trade?" a male voice called out. The two spies in disguise stopped and glanced up to one of the rooftops to their left to see a male Arrancar perched on the roof with his legs dangling in the air. His long white jacket was undone to reveal a plum-colored vest over a blue shirt. He had an olive-colored scarf wrapped around his neck. His shoulder-length black hair was messy and somewhat greasy. His dark eyes had a mischievous shine to them.

"What?" Tatsuki demanded.

"Trade, verb, defined as being an exchange of goods between two or more parties," he said. "In an ideal world, a trade would benefit all parties involved. But, alas, we don't live in an ideal world and so trade all but often is to the benefit of one.

"Your look of surprise tells me 'No'. Normally foreigners such as your selves are here to escort some trader or some dignitary. You have nothing to trade and you don't dress like an ambassador's guard. That begs the question: why are you here?" the man asked as he drew a thin stone tablet out of the pouch at his side.

"Why do you ask, Panteran?" Tatsuki rebutted.

"Ah, a question for a question, and an answer for an answer, eh?

"I am a scholar who has been tasked with anything from bean-counting to crafting ballads and epics of war and warriors. A man of learning seeks noteworthy matters to set in stone, and while sitting here contemplating a routine report of the Ceremony, I saw something interesting passing by.

"It is the Panteran way to reach out and take what we want. So I ask my question and I shall answer yours. This Panteran's name is Lucas Sefton," he said with a bow. "I have the pleasure of being a warrior, scholar, poet, and gentleman Jarl. And I have the pleasure of being at your service oh porcupine-haired beauty of the sands."

"Uh…okay..." Tatsuki said and looked at Ikkaku who was trying his best not to burst out laughing. "So…uh…I'm looking for some lost friends and…" She saw the Panteran's mouth draw into a smile that looked as if it might stretch from ear to ear.

They watched as the Panteran pressed his feet against the building and launch into the air. He somersaulted in the air as he fell and struck the pavement in front of them boots first in a thoughtful pose.

"We just meet the most interesting people don't we?" Ikkaku chuckled.

"Indeed," Lucas replied. "We do meet people who become more interesting by the moment. Yet, a man has to be off to his duty. Would you care to accompany while I go about my own? What is dull to one may be bright to others and enjoyment is nothing if not contagious."

"Where would we be going?" Tatsuki asked. She had learned in Octavia to become suspicious of anyone who offered to take them anywhere. She had thought of why Dorian Narciss hadn't just lured them into a trap but could never come up with a good answer. She had her suspicions, but the more she thought on them the more questions they raised.

"I'm taking you to where the people are: the Festival of Sowing. It is the Celebration of Beginnings." His smile faded as he took on a more solemn tone. "We remember the past as we prepare for the future."

Tatsuki looked at Lucas in honest surprise.

Arrancars have festivals?

The thought filled her mind with curiosity even beyond her assignment. From the way his tone had become solemn she supposed that this "Festival of Sowing" was of the religious variety. But even religious festivals could be joyous occasions.

Gods know that there's very little true joy in this world, Tatsuki thought. The thought that Arrancars could have festivals never occurred to me. I suppose I've heard too much of The Vanguard's anti-Arrancar propaganda.

"A festival eh," Ikkaku muttered. "What exactly is involved?"

Tatsuki looked at Ikkaku in surprise. He had actually taken the initiative to actually gather intelligence! Would wonders never cease?

"Well, before the main ceremony begins, the arena needs to be prepared. After all, 'Strong grounds make for a strong crop,' as the saying goes," Lucas said. Tatsuki was confused about that. She didn't know much about farming, but she was pretty sure that rocky soil was not ideal growing ground.

Maybe it's a metaphor for something else, she thought and felt heat rise in her face at the thought. Fortunately Lucas went on, distracting her from such thoughts.

"We do this by holding a variety of competitions to represent each of the four High Panteran Virtues," Lucas continued, eager to share this information with these strangers. "The first competition is a series of races. The second is a series of fencing competitions. The third has our brave Panteran Thanes enter into the arena to fight and kill some of the Eater abominations. The final event is a show of strength. Is there any better display of strength than wrestling a Panteran?"

It sounds almost like the Olympics, Tatsuki thought. It seems as though each Tribe is determined to go against my expectations.

"Sounds like fun," Ikkaku said grinning. "Can anyone participate?"

"Oh yes," Lucas said smiling. "We permit visitors to participate to show them that we Panterans can beat their asses." He burst out into laughter at that. "We rarely get anyone who is eager to try their hand though."

"Well, we would at least like to see this Festival," Tatsuki said warily.

"I'm sure you do. However, the main ceremony is for Panterans only or for those Outsiders who are deemed worthy to witness the holy event. But there's no harm in seeing the opening games. Indeed, it's all for the best for the glory of Pantera to be better known. Please, follow me."

Lucas began to walk down the road towards the statue that stood at the far end of the road. Tatsuki looked at Ikkaku whose grin was becoming even wider the closer they got. She did not like the look in his eyes. However, if he could participate then she would let him. Gods knew that he needed a way to relieve some of his pent-up aggression, especially after Maki-Maki. And it was better than having him take it out on Hanataro, as he usually did, or for him to keep it bottled-up to fester to the bursting point.

I hope Hanataro's alright, Tatsuki thought as she followed the Panteran. I would hate to have to face his "Mother" if anything happened to him.

For a moment, Tatsuki thought she could feel Captain Unohana standing right behind her, smiling down at her.

There were some horrors that she very much doubted Hueco Mundo could match.

Hanataro Yamada

Hanataro had been surprised to find that he was fairly good at Sonído. Aside from any skills that were related in any way to the healing arts he had become accustomed to being bad at most things to various degrees.

The only problem he found about Sonído was that it made for a poor ride. And that was putting it mildly. If you were the one driving you could keep track of things depending on the level of your skill. But if someone dragged you into Sonído then the world was reduced to nothing but a blur.

And in poor Hanataro's case, it resulted in motion sickness at times.

His journey with the young Panteran warrior was easily the roughest he had experienced in Sonído. As the world came back to focus the Panteran had even tossed him into the air. He landed face first in the sands and did his best to keep from vomiting. Unfortunately, it was a battle he lost and when he was able to get his head up, it was covered with the vile substance.

He pulled out a rag from his sleeve to wipe his face clean only to be kicked in the back. The Arrancar warrior leered down at him in a combination of satisfaction, disgust, and self-assurance rooted in a bully's vanity. Hanataro knew the look all-too-well. It was the look of Squad 11. And he knew not to try to meet it.

"Hah! Isn't that just typical? Even with filth across it you've still got a girl's face! You hang out here with the rest of the trash, Thrall, until your lady collects you. You better hope she doesn't forget you or you'll get a nice new brand. Either that or it'll be the pits," the Panteran taunted before he burst into laughter. A burst of static announced his departure. Hanataro sighed in relief.

He remembered that Ichigo would sometimes talk to him about standing up to bullies. But those brave words were for those who could actually back them up. According to Hanataro it was a sad fact that Fate picks its favorites and its doormats. And he was Fate's doormat and there was nothing he could do about it except make the best of it.

Wiping his face clean with the help of bursts of Reiatsu, Hanataro got to his feet to see where he had been dumped.

He stood before a row of curving buildings. They had no windows and made him think that it was a wall for a moment. But he thought that it looked too weak and flimsy to be a wall. He could see areas that had been reduced to rubble and reassembled with carelessness. He noticed that at some parts there were sand banks that either sloped against the wall or had actually tumbled inward, filling the gap with soft sand instead of hard stone. From what he could see, this area came very close to the main Panteran walls.

He saw that parts of the wall before him were so uneven as to provide a series of rough handholds that could be used to get to the top if he needed to. He went into a burst of Sonído and stopped when he reached the roof. His eyes widened as he looked out over the Thrall District.

It was a roughly circular complex composed of what must be living areas that ranged from very that were multi-storied to mere huts, and storehouses. Some of the structures were in relatively good condition with only slight signs of erosion. But many were in such a state of disrepair that it looked as if a single kick would send them falling. Some of the structures looked to be nothing but a pile of rubble with bits of fabric that must have been Hollow hides draped on them to give their residents some level of privacy. He could see that the windows for the structures were covered with thin and tattered Hollow hides.

The roads between the structures were extremely narrow and twisted about like the labyrinth of the Minotaur. At the very heart of the Thrall District was a small plaza with a crumbling fountain filled with brown water at the center. He could make out a pair of massive puddles that spread from the fountain that must have been leaking and had covered nearly half of the open space.

He closed his eyes and went over to one of the areas where the wall had collapsed. When he looked through the gap he was surprised to see that he was looking into what must have once been a kitchen of some kind with only a small stone hearth and a couple of stone jars in one corner left on that floor. He could see the pile of rubble far below and the sand starting to fill the first story residence. It reminded him of photos of those long dead ghost towns in the Sahara or in the Mojave being reclaimed by the sands.

"Well, only one way to go," he whispered as he faced forward and walked towards the edge.

He stepped off of the wall and his quick descent told him that this place was even worse than he thought. He walked forward and looked around him, taking in the decrepitude around him.

The narrow street was covered in sand that rose higher in the alley ways, almost choking them. But this sand wasn't the clean white sand that covered Hueco Mundo. This was stained into grey and there were splotches of darker shades. And there were clumps that were not sand at all but lumps of something petrified.

Some of the alleys were completely choked with rubble and he could see Hollow hides hanging in front of entrances to spaces in the rubble large enough to be used as shelter.

Then the stench hit him and it stopped him in his tracks. It was the smell of filth and decay, cheap alcohol and smoke, shit and piss and cum brought together into a noxious perfume. And underneath it was another scent. It was a scent he was all-too familiar with. It was the scent of despair.

As vertigo seized him he clapped his hand over his mouth and nose to shut out the stench. It helped, but not much.

"HEY!" someone cried out in irritation. Hanataro looked up and saw a blonde Arrancar woman with a row of teeth on her brow leaning out from a hole in a wall, looking at him. Her bare breasts hung heavily as she leaned out. Her teeth were rotting and her lips were black while the skin of her surrounding her mouth had a bruised look. Most of her skin was a sickly yellow and her eyes were bloodshot. She took a swig from a stone jug she was holding and squeezed a large breast with her free hand. "WANNA FUCK?"

Hanataro was back on top of the wall in a burst of Sonído. He was panting and his eyes were wide with fear.

Too close, he thought as he tried to catch his breath. It's too close. Sand instead of mud but still…still…still…

Drowned Rat, Sometime Before the Winter War

The stench from the trash and shit that ever clogged the river rose into the afternoon of the Rukongai District known only as Drowned Rat to the inhabitants. Prostitutes leaned form windows or stood at alleys with their calls of pleasure. The grunts and screams that came from their trade rose from darkened alleys and the brothels.

Drunken men and women staggered in the street singing bawdy songs. A bored-looking prostitute was slitting one of the drunk's throats and tucked his coin purse into the valley between her large breasts as he bled out. A knot of red-faced men cheered as their comrade ravished the corpse of a dead woman.

The District Bosses met in back alleys with the Soul Reapers sent from the Seireitei to monitor the outer districts and money changed hands. While some of the other Soul Reapers quickly left others would stay to go to any one of the many opium dens or brothels or beckon to one of the children who would be standing just outside of the entrances to the brothels and give them a mon in exchange for getting on their knees and accepting what they were given.

The cries of children being dragged into the brothels by their parents or other relatives to be sold was as common as the dead corpse floating in the river.

But that did not stop people from the safer districts or even the Seireitei from coming to indulge in their darker desires. And they were ripe pickings for the hordes of pick pockets and cut-purses and cut-throats who lurked in their midst. And he was one of the pick pockets.

He had no name. He only wore the rags on his back. His life was composed of nothing but lurking in the shadows, stealing what he needed, avoiding the Gobblers, and surviving. At night he would sleep under the bamboo floors beneath any number of taverns or opium dens or brothels. And he would hear the cries as the Gobblers found more future prostitutes while he was showered by piss and alcohol and blood.

Like the others who lived in Drowned Rat, he just accepted this as being the way things were and did the best he could not to get trampled. But that didn't mean he liked it. Instead, he wanted his suffering to end.

"Soon," he would always whisper to himself as the winters fast approached. "One day, it'll get so cold that I'll just fall asleep and never wake up. It's happened. It happened to that kid who used to live under the docks. It'll happen to me and then I'll truly be free."

But each winter it was the same story. He would hope to freeze to death. He would hope to just fall asleep and enter the never-ending dream. But in the end, the instinct to survive proved the stronger. When he became tired, his body and mind would disobey his desire to just give in. In the end they would always find a corpse, frozen in whatever position they had gone to sleep in. But it would always be someone else's and not his.

Whenever he tried to tie a noose or sink a sharp broken piece of pottery into his wrist the instinct to survive would kick in and he would become afraid. Sometimes he would try, but something would always go wrong.

And each day would be the exact same cycle: waking up, rummaging through the garbage for scraps or something pretty to sell, avoiding the Gobblers, stealing what he could in order to survive, finding someplace safe to hole up for the night. He had no real home to go to. He had no one to tell him a bedtime story. He had no one to help him wash the ever-caking layers of dried mud and shit and blood off of him. He only had himself.

He had almost been caught once.

It had been on an autumn day when it happened. He was eating a loaf of bread he had managed to steal from one of the brothel's kitchens when the man approached him.

"Hello there," someone said.

He looked up and saw the man looming over him. The man was dressed completely in black and had a Zanpakuto by his side. And around his arm was some kind of badge held by a band of white cloth wrapped around his forearm. The only thing he could make out was the kanji for 11. The man's face was completely obscured by shadow.

He shrank back. No good came out of being noticed. It was a fact of life.

"Don't be scared little fella. I won't hurt you."

That's what they all say, he thought. He thought of the number of times he heard the grownups saying that to the children of the slums and some had said it while offering candy. He knew what happened to them. He had seen it happen time and time again. And anyone who says that is a liar.

"I bet you're hungry. Would you like something to eat? I know some nice people who have plenty to eat. I was heading there when I saw…"

That was more than enough. He knew what this man was. He had heard similar lines before, but had never thought that he would have to face one of them. He got up and ran.

"GET BACK HERE!" the man yelled.

He didn't slow down. He could hear him giving chase and knew that if he didn't get someplace safe fast then he would be caught.

"HEY! I GOT ONE! CUT HIM OFF!" the man roared and more feet joined in. "CUT HIM OFF YOU FUCKING IDIOTS! HE'S GOTTA BE WORTH 400 MON AT LEAST!"

THE GOBBLERS! THE GOBBLERS! His mind yelled those two words over and over again. Those two words kept him from giving in to the fatigue he was feeling. He looked around trying to find someplace he could hide where they wouldn't be able to reach him. But he saw nothing. Instead he kept running…and running…and…

Panteran Thrall District

Hanataro shook his head, ridding himself of the memory. He wiped away the tears that the memory brought to him.

No, this is not Drowned Rat. I am not one of the Nameless anymore.

But he knew that this place was like Drowned Rat. It had the same feel of being a hell made by those who lived there. And it was permitted to fester because those with power and wealth and prestige did not deem it worth their time or energy to bother with.

And yet I was rescued from that life, he thought and smiled.

"I am Hanataro Yamada," he said to the slum spreading before him. His hands tightened into fists as he made his way to the wall's ledge again. "And I have a job to do."

He leapt down to the sands below and started walking. If there was something valuable to the mission here he would find it.

Tatsuki Arisawa

Tatsuki could hear the sounds of cheering becoming louder. Lucas quickened his pace.

"Come," he said. "They must have just started the games. If you want to enter, then you have to do it before that event begins. Fortunately, the events last a good time because so many Panterans wish to compete to show off what they can do. Sometimes the soldiers stationed at the Borderlands are given leave to participate. The forts have always had something of a rivalry between them and, for them, this is just another battlefield for them to show-off on.

"Too bad Commander Martell rarely gives his soldiers any leave. I heard that he sees anything less than true combat or training to be a waste of time. I also heard that he's so rigid that it's a miracle that even the slightest shift in the sand he stands on doesn't send him toppling over. But, more important, I heard that his Second-in-Command is quite a looker and a more refined brand of vicious. But we have to make do with her older sister."

Tatsuki looked at him. She was about to tell him that she had met Commander Martell and that she felt the same way about him. However, she decided to remain silent. There was no need to give this Lucas any more information that was absolutely necessary.

The sound of drums and the cheers became louder as they approached the large open area between the main city of Pantera and the mountain. Tatsuki could feel the Reiatsu rise around her, charging the air like lightning. She could feel the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

The energy washed over her like a wave. She knew that this wave was not just made from Reiatsu alone. She had known this sensation long before the Spirit World had invaded and ended her life. It was the electricity born of unbound enthusiasm surrounding cherished, momentous events.

She stepped into the plaza to the edge of the crowd. The plaza wasn't packed since the crowd was concentrated further ahead, towards the fields as she knew from experience. The jostling in front of her, the spectators perched on pillars or watching from the rooftops reminded her of any major sporting event.

She saw an open basin near the edge of the crowd and watched a teenage boy dip a water-skin in and fill it. As she drew closer the pungent aroma that wafted from the basin confirmed that the contents were not water.

"Help yourself. The moss wine is free until it runs out. Then we get more informal brawls until it gets refilled and the brawlers go back to drinking," Lucas said and chuckled. He took a sip from his own flask. Judging by his attitude, Tatsuki guessed that it held some higher quality of liquor.

"Not bad, not good really but not bad," Ikkaku said as he sampled the drink from a cupped hand.

"Madarame, that's hardly…" She had been about to say "hygienic", but a rosy-cheeked brunette woman stumbled up to the basin. The woman stuck her head in. She emerged, drenched with moss wine and her cheeks bulged, filled with the liquor. She swallowed the wine in a single gulp before stumbling away.

Tatsuki could only watch her go, unable to say anything.

"Tch, buzzed already. That one is not going anywhere her first time," Lucas said and shook his head.

Tatsuki was going to ask what he meant, but thought better of it. Instead she focused on Ikkaku who was taking another handful of the pungent drink.

"Don't get drunk, Madarame," she ordered.

"Hey, I'm not a light weight when it comes to alcohol like you are, Eurydice. Besides, this is my first drink in ages."

Tatsuki was about to say something, but Lucas put a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't scold him. It's bad luck to keep anyone from their drink during the Festival. This is a time to cut loose and let discipline give way to pleasure. You'd best take a drink yourself. It's even worse luck not to indulge." Lucas chuckled as he took another swig from his flask.

Tatsuki watched him with a raised eyebrow. He looked like he was having fun, but he didn't seem to be lying. She supposed that refusing free booze would be suspicious. She knelt by the basin and sniffed at the fumes of the cheap wine.

No wonder Commander Martell hates this festival. But I suppose a martial society needs times like these to enjoy the spoils of conquest, she thought frowning at her reflection in the murky liquid. She cupped her hands and scooped up some of the green liquid and drank it.

It tasted bitter and burned as it went down her throat like alcohol should. She coughed and stood back up. She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth at the earthy aftertaste filling her mouth. Her head began to swim as the alcohol started to take effect.

"I'm not a light weight," she told Ikkaku who was trying to keep from laughing at her discomfort. "And don't even think about trying to prove your own ability with cups. We're here on business."

But she was a light weight, as Tatsuki knew from personal experience. The few times she did end up drunk always ended in humiliation, usually waking up topless in the kind of places that only a member of the Stealth Force would wake up in not knowing why.

Rukia had given her grief about finding her hung over in the attic of the Kuchiki manor for weeks.

Ikkaku was going to say something before a man walked up with a giggling, and completely naked, green-haired woman in his arms. He dumped her into the alcohol and she shrieked in delight. The man left smiling while the woman reclined in the wine like she was taking a relaxing bath.

A drum beat started up from somewhere and Lucas focused on it intently over the sounds of the crowd. Tatsuki found it odd that he was more interested in the beating drums than a naked woman doing something that only celebrities and the extremely wealthy in the World of the Living could do. She didn't know whether it said a lot about Pantera or only on Lucas.

"Ah, this is most excellent! The fencing tournament is going to begin soon. They'll be a while lining up the competitors, but we need to hurry to get a good standing," Lucas said smiling.

Scholar or not, the thought of blood-sport seems to excite him, Tatsuki thought. Then again, that could be unfair. I don't know what kind of competition it is. For all I know it could just be a friendly competition. Although, with Grimmjow in charge, I find it hard to believe that it's nothing other than a fight to the death.

Ikkaku grinned at the announcement. He looked in the direction that Lucas indicated and rubbed his chin in thought.

They proceeded through the crowd with surprising civility. Tatsuki had expected a drunk and wild bunch, but it seemed that most of the drunks were at the edge or had been pushed there. She wondered if this was what Lucas had been implying earlier concerning the younger Arrancar getting drunk too quickly.

They came to the front of the crowd, or rather to the edge of a set of large concentric steps. The steps led a few levels down before dropping off to form a sand pit below. Her eyes turned to where one side was sloped like a steep ramp with the roaring quartz statue of a panther roaring at the night above. In front of the statue was a stone framework with leather straps dangling from chains. She wondered what it was normally used for and found that she didn't want to know.

Her eyes turned to the side closest to the mountain and saw that it was a straight drop to the sandy surface below. On the raised dais stood a group of male and female Arrancars wearing white robes with blue stripes at the sleeves and running down from the neckline to the hem. Their arms were held out over the sandy pit with their hands facing palm down.

Her focus was then drawn to the sandy surface of the pit below. She watched as a group of six naked Arrancars, each only wearing a Hollow hide face mask with an F-like rune painted on it in red, were raking the sandy surface while a large man wearing only a loincloth displaying a blue tattooed body paced the sands.

The man was chanting and she could only make out about one word in three as his deep resounding chant was accompanied by the beating of a drum tucked under one arm. Tatsuki looked around and saw raised platforms holding more drummers. They stood behind the large fixed instruments, beating the drums in a quick rhythm. Male and Female alike were dressed only in white kilts.

Modesty isn't exactly a high priority with these Arrancars. Tatsuki sighed internally at the thought. She hoped she could get through this mission without having to bare her assets to a stranger. She could do it if she had to. Her training had included unsavory problem solving if the situation demanded it. But that didn't mean she had to like it.

"What's this about?" Ikkaku asked and pointed to the masked Arrancars.

"The Dishonored are clearing the sands so it's prepared for the glory of the fencing tournament. The priest is asking for blessings from the Great Panther on the event and calling down curses on those who shame themselves today," Lucas replied with a wave of his hand.

"Well," Madarame grinned and began to make his way down the steps.

"What is he up to?" Tatsuki grumbled.

"He's most likely going to sign up for the next event," Lucas said, either not knowing or not caring that the question had been rhetorical.

"What exactly is the next event?" Tatsuki demanded.

"Fencing, which will endow the ground with the virtue of Stamina," he answered not even looking at her.

"Wait, you consider Stamina a virtue?"

"Of course; these events help to endow the sands with the virtues of Speed, Stamina, Courage, and Strength. This will help the Brood that will be created during this festival to be able to achieve those virtues."

"What about Duty and Honor?" Tatsuki asked. She was taught that the chief virtues for the Gotei were Strength, Courage, Duty, and Honor.

"There's no need to pray for those virtues. Duty and Honor runs in the blood of every Panteran, even the lowliest Thrall," Lucas said as though explaining to a child. "But Speed, Stamina, Courage, and Strength can only be gained by those able to reach for them. And no Thrall has the capability to do so. It's a fact of life that the weak can never achieve the same level of Virtue as the strong. Their sole purpose is to serve their betters."

Tatsuki frowned a little at that. It reminded her too much of how many in the Gotei, especially those involved with The Vanguard and their offshoots, viewed the Pluses in the Rukongai.

"It's important that for a society to be virtuous, then they must keep the chafe separate from the wheat," Lucas continued and looked at Tatsuki. "Wouldn't you agree, Outsider?" he pressed clearly curious.

"It depends on what your view of 'the chafe and the wheat' is," Tatsuki said.

Lucas looked at her in surprise and laughed.

"I suppose you're right. But for Panterans, the chafe and the wheat is pretty clear." He took a swig from his flask and handed it to her. "You should make yourself merry at least. It's bad luck to refuse a drink."

Tatsuki took the flask and sniffed at it. She thought it would smell as moldy as the wine the Panterans were drinking. However, it didn't smell moldy. It smelt like…

"Is this whiskey?"

"That's right. I got it from one of the soldiers in exchange for a tailor job on his uniform. He got it off of the corpse of one of those wandering Primerans who've been infecting their lands with their weakness. Tch, those fool Primerans are better off staying in Las Noches…at least for now."

"What does that mean?"

"Don't worry. You'll hear the story about that before the main ceremony. And perhaps you will share the story of how a Rover is so familiar with fine alcohol?" Lucas grinned at her.

Not if I can help it, she thought kicking herself for the slip. Fortunately, the scribe was already talking about something else.

"To celebrate the future one must remember the past for it is only through the eye of the past that one can truly appreciate the future. At least that's what the Steward says. I bet you he'll say, 'To prepare for the future we must remember the past,' or something along those lines when he comes to begin the actual ceremony."

Tatsuki sighed. Back when she was a high school girl in the World of the Living she had found History to be among her least favorite subjects. She only saw it as learning about people and events she could care less about; despite their teacher telling them that those people and events helped to shape the present.

But I guess I'll have to grin and bear it if I'm to get any necessary information and not upset the natives, she thought.

"ATTENTION! ATTENTION PANTERA! THE GROUND HAS BEEN BLESSED WITH THE VIRTUE OF SPEED!"

Tatsuki looked down to the floor of the pit where a male Arrancar with a mask fragment shaped like twin crests on the left side of his head and wearing a long flowing white robe with blue stripes running down the chest and along the shoulders stood. He had his hands raised high.

"That's the High Priest of the Sacred Knights of Pantera," Lucas whispered. "He's said to be one of the few who remembers the Great Schism. I call panther shit on that," he said and gave a sly smile.

"Why?" Tatsuki asked. It could be important after all.

Lucas's grin only widened and put a finger to his lips. Tatsuki returned her focus to the High Priest who gestured for two Arrancars in semi-transparent robes with blue markings running down the sleeves to carry in a stone jar.

"ALL OF LIFE IS GOVERNED BY FATE!" the High Priest cried out. "IT IS FATE THAT DICTATED AT BIRTH THAT YOU WERE WORTHY TO BE THANES OF PANTERA! IT WAS FATE THAT DICTATED THAT THE GREAT PANTHER, GLORY BE HIS NAME, DEPART FROM US TO BECOME STRONGER FOR THE DAY WHEN HE SHALL RETURN TO LEAD US TO GLORY! IT IS FATE THAT DICTATES WHO IS BLESSED WITH THE SUPREME VIRTUES OF SPEED AND STAMINA AND COURAGE AND STRENGTH! IT IS FATE WHO CHOSE THE GREAT PANTHER TO BE DESTINED TO BECOME THE ONE TRUE KING OF HUECO MUNDO!"

"EUAN! EUAN! EU-OI-OI-OI!" the Panterans cried out.

As they cried out, many held up their drinking vessels and poured out the wine into their mounts, allowing the liquor to drench them. Many stomped their feet in rhythm to the drums.

"NOW, FOR THE DRAWING!"

"THE DRAWING! THE DRAWING! THE DRAWING!" the Panterans chanted.

Some of them stepped down onto the sandy surface at the bottom of the steps. Tatsuki wasn't surprised to see Ikkaku making his way to the bottom with them.

"I wonder if your companion has any idea what he's getting into," Lucas said grinning.

"He does," Tatsuki replied. "He's not the type who will refuse a fight whenever it's offered."

"HA! He better hope he doesn't mind losing. Although, this just might make the High Priest's evening."

Tatsuki could only shrug. She watched as the Panterans lined up in front of the stone jar. One-by-one, the Panterans stepped up to the jar while the Priest looked on. They would pull out a token and raise it in the air and cry out whatever the mark carved on the token was.

"So that's how they do the drawing?" Tatsuki asked.

"What other way is there to do it?" Lucas asked. "Besides, it's fairer than drawing sticks or using dice."

Well, I can't argue with that, Tatsuki thought.

Ikkaku Madarame

Ikkaku felt his blood simmer with anticipation. He longed to get into a real fight, but knew that Tatsuki wouldn't appreciate it if he got them into trouble. When he first heard about the upcoming event being a dueling contest, he knew that he had to participate. It seemed as though the Fates were throwing him a boon for his restraint during the mission.

It'll help keep me from getting rusty too, he thought.

He waited while the Arrancars ahead of him put their hands into the stone jar and pull out a stone token with markings that he had never seen before on them. When they called out the marking they would either wait until their match was called or they would walk up to their opponent and go into various pleasantries and threats.

"NEXT!" the High Priest shouted.

Ikkaku took a deep breath as he approached the stone jar. It wasn't that he was nervous. No true soldier of the Eleventh was ever nervous about a duel. It was rather that he hoped that he would get a good match and not end up with some weakling.

"Hmm, I've never seen you before," the High Priest said. "Do you hail from Pantera or from one of the outer fortresses?"

"Uh…I don't know what that means."

"Ah." The High Priest smiled and shouted, "AN OUTSIDER HAS COME INTO OUR MIDST TO PAY RESPECT TO THE GREAT PANTHER BY BEING DEFEATED!" The other Panterans laughed and applauded.

"No, I came to win," Ikkaku shot back. The Arrancar only smirked at him, seemingly amused by the declaration.

"We'll see, Outsider. We'll see. Now, draw your token and let Fate decide who will give you the honor of being defeated by a true Panteran."

Ikkaku fought back his temper. He hated being humiliated in any way.

I'll show them, he thought as he reached into the stone jar. I'll show them that I can beat any one of them.

His fingers brushed over the stone tokens before closing around one. He pulled it out and looked at the arrow-like rune on it. Okay, what now? The High Priest looked at it and held up Ikkaku's hand that was holding the token.

"TIWAZ!" he cried. "THE OUTSIDER HAS DRAWN TIWAZ!"

"Uh…is that good?" Ikkaku asked.

"It's whatever you make of it, Outsider. Now…WHO HAS TIWAZ?"

There was a pause while some of the Panterans looked at their tokens.

"I have Tiwaz," a rather short and thin Panteran who appeared to be in his late teens said stepping forward. For a moment, Ikkaku was reminded of Captain Hitsugaya back in the old days.

The youth had been part of a group of Panterans who were wearing long sleeveless jackets with a red sash tied over the jacket. Ikkaku's eyes widened when he saw that they all wore their hair the same way. The right side of their heads were shaved, leaving only stubble, but the left side was grown long, wild, and dyed a cranberry red. The memory of another Arrancar who wore his hair the same way came to the surface.

Now that was a fine duel, he thought as he remembered is fight with Edorad Leones over Karakura Town.

"No way," Ikkaku whispered.

"I'm Second-Commander Roland Chambers of…" the youth began and then trailed off when he looked at Ikkaku. "A eunuch? Are you serious, Holiness? Did the Fates really send a eunuch to face me?"

"I'M NOT A EUNUCH!" Ikkaku shouted.

Roland only shrugged his shoulders and smiled lazily.

"Whatever you say, Baldy."

"AND DON'T CALL ME 'BALDY', YOU HALF-PINT SHRIMP!"

At that moment he felt a blade pressed against his throat. He looked down and saw a young girl wearing the same uniform and hairstyle as those in Roland's group glaring up at him from her crouching position. The point of her dagger dug into his skin.

"You should show more respect to the Second-Commander of Fort Leones," she hissed. Ikkaku sneered at the threat tapping a finger against the blade's edge.

"That's enough, Aileen," Roland said. "If the Fates wish me to fight a eunuch then I would rather have him intact."

"Sir, with all due respect, but a eunuch is already not intact." Roland sighed, but he couldn't help but give a little smile. Normally, Ikkaku would have laughed at the joke, but since he was the butt end of it…

"You're right, Aileen. What I meant to say is that I would rather fight him alive and as fit for combat as possible."

"I'm not a eunuch," he snarled, face nearly purple from embarrassment and rage.

"As you command, Sir," Aileen said and withdrew her dagger. She sheathed her dagger into its scabbard tucked into the red sash at her narrow waist. "I shall pray to the Great Panther that you make sure that this…" She turned her focus to Ikkaku and lowered her voice. "…Outsider learns proper respect for his betters."

"You're not seriously suggesting that this little runt is my better are you?" Ikkaku asked.

"Silence, eunuch," Aileen hissed again and fingered the hilt of her dagger. "If you're not already a eunuch then I will make you one."

"Aileen, remember what I ordered you to do," Roland said. Aileen looked at Roland, her eyes wide. She suddenly went onto one knee and planted a fist on the ground and covered the face with the other hand.

"I apologize, my liege. I have disgraced myself in the presence of Pantera. I shall take the Fe rune and purify my disgrace."

"Aileen, you really need to stop being so melodramatic. You were only defending the honor of your superior officer," Roland said with a hint of irritation and a wave of his hand. He turned his attention back to Ikkaku. "You're fortunate that Commander Boudicca isn't here, Outsider. She would have your head on a spike for such insolence. And there are still a few vacancies on the walls of Fort Leones."

"Oh…is that so?" Ikkaku asked, almost daring him to fetch this Commander Boudicca.

"Careful, Outsider, those who underestimate the Panterans do so at their peril. And when you stir up the wrath of Pantera, blood always flows on the thirsty sands."

Ikkaku fell silent at that. He remembered the last entry on the Holo-Record. He felt as though he knew where some of the heads on the walls of Fort Leones came from.

Elsewhere in Hueco Mundo

She was alone on the Pilgrim's Road. She looked up at the white walls of stone that rose on either side of her. The crescent moon was looking down on her from its place in the empty heavens.

"PERSEY! WHERE ARE YOU!" she cried. The only answer was her echo.

A cold wind rose around her. Isra stopped as the wind seemed to whisper something like a word or a name that was both familiar and yet foreign to her. She strained to hear what it was, but the wind only sang its usual song.

Then she heard footsteps coming behind her. She turned and saw that she was no longer in the canyon. She was in the middle of the desert. She looked around her, wondering how she got there. Then something drifted down in front of her. She held out a hand and caught it. She looked at the white cluster on her palm. Her first thought was that it was sand falling from the sky, but closer inspection made her realize that it was not sand. She looked as more white clusters fell from the inky-black sky.

The hand grabbed her shoulder and turned her around. She was forced to look into a creature of nightmare. The creature was missing its lower jaw and its torso was torn open, exposing the empty cavity within.

"GOH'HA!" Straum's ruined corpse cried out in glee as the white clusters fell around them.

Isra's eyes flew open and she began to breathe heavily, afraid of seeing the ruined corpse above her. Instead, she was looking at the waning moon carved into the stone ceiling's surface. The ceiling was painted to look like the night sky, but there were stars painted on the dark-blue surface, arranged in the constellations she had heard about and only saw in dreams. The nightmare was driven from her mind as she looked up at the painted sky. She remembered how she had wanted to make a crescent moon, but Persephone had pulled her aside and explained who used the crescent moon as a symbol: the Sons.

She realized with relief that she was in her own bed. She could smell her scent and, to a lesser extent, Persephone's scent on the soft thick blanket wrapped around her. The softened Hollow hides shifted with a soft rustling sound and she could picture the fine sand beneath filling out the sleeping basin.

How did I get here? The last thing I remember was…

She shook her head as she tried to remember. She could remember Persephone's arms wrapping themselves around her. She remembered the smell of blood and gore that covered her and yet the feeling of being safe.

Isra pulled herself from the warm cocoon and sat on the upraised basin that was her sleeping spot. She was nearly naked save for the linen skirt wrapped around her waist and she noticed that she was not covered in blood. In fact, she could not smell the blood and gore that she had been covered in as Persephone held her close.

If there was any trace it would only make me afraid, she thought guiltily. I can accept being weak, but being a coward…that would be a stone of shame around my neck. And not even Persey's assurances could make me feel better.

She looked to the larger basin immediately next to hers where Persephone slept. It was so close that she could, and often times did, roll into it. She especially rolled into it when she had one of her bad nightmares. She saw that it was immaculate and empty. The blanket neatly covered the sand and the pillow made of dyed silk and filled with feathers rested on top of the blanket.

"Wonderful, I was about to get you up," Persephone's voice said.

Isra looked to the spiral staircase at the far end of the long room. She smiled when she saw Persephone standing halfway down the stairs holding a crystal cup filled with water. Her big sister's veil was pulled down resting limp against her chest.

More like on top of her bosom, Isra thought, resisting a sigh as she looked at her own flat chest.

Persephone's resemblance to the Goddess was clearer and less distinct without the veil. Her nose was pretty but not the same, and while she had the same cheeks her chin was a bit too blunt. Finally her lower cheeks were covered by the sweeping patches of fine white scales that were her mask fragment. She was not the Goddess, but she was still so beautiful.

Covering the top of the cup, Persephone went into Sonído to appear in front of Isra's bed. She held out the cup of water to her and Isra accepted it. She began to gulp down the water.

"Not so fast. Or you'll need to urinate sooner than you may wish," Persephone chided gently. "When you're ready we need to go."

The announcement made Isra completely forget her dream and her worries.

"Go? But we just got back," Isra whined.

"Exactly and how does a Pilgrimage end?" Persephone asked.

She took back the crystal cup as Isra frowned, almost visibly thinking. Then her eyes widened and a wide grin spread on her face.

"WITH THE RETURN FEAST!" she cried out. Then she clapped her hands with joy as the answer connected with her situation. "WE'RE GOING TO THE PALACE?" she asked as she jumped out of bed in excitement.

"That's right. Now that you have your veil you will sit at the Royal High Seat next to me." Persephone smiled as she put a calloused hand on the bare pale shoulder.

"Will Orion be there?" Isra asked eagerly.

"That's Lord Orion, Isra. He may be family but in public you need to give people their proper titles." Persephone gave a gentle squeeze.

"Oh…that's right," Isra said. "I'll be perfect Persey. The Queen won't get mad," she declared. She didn't see her sister's eyes widen at that last statement.

The former Heir Apparent to the Shark Throne often wondered if, for all her slowness, Isra was actually quite perceptive. That only made it even sadder since she knew Isra could behave perfectly but so many, including Queen Freya, would still see her place at table as inappropriate.

Isra was now babbling about the last time she explored the palace with its generations of sculptures and friezes and tapestries. Persephone smiled as she looked at how the girl had turned her blank walled home into practically a gallery. She thought that Isra's talent was only outstripped by her enthusiasm.

You are too good to be a warrior, my innocent little sister, Persephone thought. She put a hand down on top of Isra's head. It was a gesture that always got the girl's rarely undivided attention.

"You'd best get into your formal ware, or we might miss the party," she teased.

Isra naturally took it seriously. After her jaw dropped and eyes popped in a look of horror, the small Arrancar became a whirl of Sonído trying to get dressed quicker than was possible. Persephone shook her head. The Return Feast would not start for another couple of hours, and that would be enough time for her to get formally dressed as well. She watched Isra trying out different formal dresses in front of the full-length looking glass and laughed lightly.

Persephone looked over the once blank walls that the odd girl had filled with life. Isra was truly a blessing that Persephone had long since considered a gift from the Goddess. And she dared anyone, be they Triple or Son or anything else, to try to harm her.

Pantera

Ikkaku Madarame

"Pick your weapon, Outsider," Roland said and gestured to the base of the dais where the weapons were either leaning against the wall or laid out on stone benches. "I would advise that you choose the one that you know best."

Ikkaku hesitated for a moment as he looked at the youth. Throughout the other competitions that occurred before it was his turn, Ikkaku had noticed how well the Panterans fought. They didn't just fight with the brute force that he was used to in Squad 11, but they also fought with the grace and speed and finesse of Squad 2. Ikkaku found himself wishing that he had trained in more civilized methods of fighting.

Well, I'm here now. He looked at Roland who was tapping one foot on the sand. Damn it. I can't let him see me hesitate too long. I'll just look even weaker.

"Are you sure that's wise, Kid? I would hate for this contest to be too one-sided," Ikkaku said smugly.

Roland didn't say anything. Instead he gestured again to where the weapons were arranged. Ikkaku gave him a smirk and strolled over to where the quarterstaffs leaned against the wall.

"Quarterstaff," Ikkaku said as he took one. "Would you like me to try to find one that's kid-sized for you, Kid?"

"Insolent whelp," Aileen snarled.

"Damn it, Madarame, don't provoke them," Tatsuki muttered under her breath.

"No," Roland said as he took one of the long quarterstaffs. "This will suffice."

"ARE YOU KIDDING?" Ikkaku shouted. "That's more like a long staff for you."

"It's the proper six to nine feet. Hence, it's a quarterstaff," Roland said matter-of-factly.

"Still, it will be awkward for you to use."

"As I said before, Outsider, it will suffice."

"Very well," the High Priest said. "Go to your sides. The rules are simple. First, no special abilities, this is a dance of weapons. Second, you cannot fight outside the arena. Finally, the first who strikes their opponent thrice is the victor."

"Three times, eh," Ikkaku muttered. He eyed his opponent as he was searching for the right balance point to hold the quarterstaff. "This will be easy."

Roland nodded as he gripped the quarterstaff and then held it by his side as though holding a walking staff.

"Don't think that just because you're a kid that I'll go easy on you," Ikkaku taunted. "However, if you decide to just stand there then I'll make your defeat as quick as possible."

Roland didn't say anything. He didn't even look at Ikkaku. Instead, he was looking at the sand, kicking at it a little with one foot. Roland closed his eyes and began to hum.

This is going to be easy, Ikkaku thought.

"BEGIN!" the High Priest shouted.

Ikkaku roared as he rushed Roland. Roland opened his eyes and smiled.

"What a fool," Roland said.

Ikkaku brought up his quarterstaff, preparing to strike. Roland crouched and swung the quarterstaff at Ikkaku's legs. Ikkaku tried to leapt, but before he could…

"One," Roland said as the wooden pole struck Ikkaku's legs.

"YOU LITTLE…" Ikkaku shouted as he raised the staff over his head. He swung down to strike the crouching boy, but the boy rolled out of the way and he struck nothing but sand.

"You're wide open, eunuch," Roland commented from behind him just as he struck Ikkaku in the back. "Two."

Ikkaku yelled out as he stumbled forward. This was impossible. He was Ikkaku Madarame, third seat of Squad 11, the best fighting force in all of the Seireitei. He had achieved Bankai and fought in the Winter War and the Second Aizen War as well as a dozen more armed conflicts. There was no way he could be beaten by a kid! Yet, that was what was happening.

"I…won't lose," Ikkaku snarled. He looked at Roland and grinned at him. "I won't lose to a little runt like you." Ikkaku twirled the quarter-staff in his hands and got in a defensive position. Roland didn't seem impressed. He sighed as he tapped his own quarter-staff against his shoulder. Ikkaku roared at him in challenge, but Roland only shook his head.

"Three," he whispered and rushed Ikkaku.

Ikkaku smiled.

I have him, he thought. I can strike him. I will strike him.

Ikkaku was preparing his own counter-attack and was about to dodge Roland to strike him as he passed. However, he didn't even have the chance to pivot. The next thing Ikkaku knew he was lying on the ground with Roland tapping his chest with the quarterstaff.

"Four…five…six…" Roland said with each tap.

"GET OFF ME!" Ikkaku roared as he jumped up and swung his fist at Roland who didn't flinch but instead caught the fist with one hand. "HEY…LET GO!" Ikkaku demanded as Roland's grip tightened.

"I won't release you until you yield to me, Outsider. I am Second-Commander Roland Chambers of Fort Leones and Marshall of the Volcanica Execution Force. I have fought many battles, Outsider, and have earned the Panther's Heart of Valor fighting off the raiding bands of Berserkers, Eaters, and worse. It was only inevitable that our fight would be short."

Ikkaku grimaced as Roland's grip tightened.

"LET GO!" Ikkaku roared as he swung his free hand at Roland who merely dodged it.

"You may fight with passion and valor, yet you don't know how to truly fight. You think that fighting is all about brute strength? If you do then you are a fool. Fighting is also about thinking five moves ahead of your opponent and knowing their vulnerabilities. Your defenses were filled with holes and I merely used them to my advantage. However, you have potential. It's a waste to sacrifice potential for brute strength. Now, yield."

"No."

"Yield," Roland said again as his grip tightened. Ikkaku grimaced as he felt the Hierro crack a little and saw droplets of blood begin to flow between Roland's fingers.

"I…will…NOT!"

"JUST YIELD ALREADY, YOU IDIOT!" Tatsuki shouted. "He beat you fair and square."

"But…"

"DAMN IT, MADARAME! SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE AND ADMIT DEFEAT!" she roared.

Ikkaku swallowed. He hated the idea of admitting defeat. The only times that he ever admitted defeat were after he first met Kenpachi Zaraki and his first battle against Ichigo Kurosaki. However, Roland Chambers was an Arrancar and he would never admit defeat to an Arrancar. He…

"IKKAKU, NO! THE CAPTAIN ORDERED US TO STAY HERE!"

Ikkaku stopped in his struggles as Yumichika's voice came back to him.

"No," he whispered.

"IKKAKU, LOOK OUT! IT'S BEHIND YOU!"

"No," Ikkaku whispered again as his mind filled with the sound that the great sword of Koku-Jô Tengen Myô-Oh made as it crashed where he had been standing until Yumichika had pushed him out of the way. He could still hear his own cry of despair as the Seireitei burned with the fires of Aizen's vengeance and the treacherous deaths brought about by his cowardly Bankai.

"Do you yield?" Roland asked bringing Ikkaku back to the present.

My pride, Ikkaku thought. Yumichika died because I only thought of the glory I would receive if I killed Aizen myself, or just died in that awe-inspiring battle. I didn't see. I didn't know. I…I…

"I yield," Ikkaku whispered.

"Alright then," Roland said and he released his grip on Ikkaku's fist. Roland looked down on Ikkaku staring up into the sky as though measuring him with his eyes.

"Admitting defeat is the greatest thing a warrior can do aside from being victorious."

Ikkaku looked at the small, bleeding cracks in his hand. For the moment he didn't feel like a warrior at all.

Tatsuki Arisawa

"MADARAME, YOU ARE SUCH A DUMBASS!" Tatsuki shouted. Her hands were planted on her hips. "I mean the whole fight for pride thing is bad enough, but you nearly turned it into a brawl. WE'RE HERE ON BUSINESS! Hey, are you even listening to me?"

She glowered down at Ikkaku who was sitting on the ground next to a moss wine basin. He dipped the crude sandstone chalice that one of the Arrancars gave him when he climbed out of the arena into the wine. After he had drained the wine that had been in the chalice he sat himself by the nearest basin that wasn't being used as a bathtub. He had not stopped drinking since.

"A fucking brat," Ikkaku muttered for what must have been the umpteenth time.

Tatsuki left eye twitched in agitation.

"Would you…STOP YOUR BITCHING?" she yelled as she kicked him the head. Ikkaku went falling into the basin, sending the dark green liquid splashing over the edge. Tatsuki stepped back in order to avoid getting any of the cheap alcohol on her uniform. Ikkaku emerged from the liquor spitting out some of the green wine. His face was red and not just with being drunk.

Tatsuki returned Ikkaku's glare with her own trademarked pissed-off Squad 2 Officer look. Squad 11 may be the most brutal and Squad 12 may be the most sadistic, but not even the Spirit King could help those who pissed-off Squad 2. Squad 2 home to the…

Tatsuki failed to detect the motion. She knew that someone was behind her, but that was normal in such a festive atmosphere. Her heightened senses sensed the motion, but because there was no real ill-intent behind it and her focus was completely on Ikkaku, she thought nothing of it until it was too late.

She felt the hand slap her ass and the surprise and force behind it caused her to fly forward. The surprise of the blindside insured that she hit the wine face first. The top of her head hit the bottom of the basin while her feet still rested on the edge.

Ikkaku blinked in surprise. He was clearly torn between concern and laughing his ass off at what just happened. He turned to look at the assailant.

The large muscular Panteran towered over them. His bare chiseled torso was covered in light blue tattoos that seemed to clash with his dark skin. He returned his outstretched arm back around the curvy naked Arrancar female draped over one broad shoulder. He had another naked Arrancar female under his other arm. The two woman laughed and pointed at the mostly submerged Officer.

"Angry women should drink more," he declared solemnly. Then he threw his head back and roared in laughter. "OR PERHAPS THEY SHOULD FIND SOMEONE TO HELP THEM UNWIND!" he roared as he stomped off laughing back to the crowd of celebrating Panterans.

"Uh…Eurydice…" Ikkaku began as he stood up in the basin and tapped what he thought was her head with his foot. Then the sole of her sandal was in his face. Ikkaku staggered back, clutching his bleeding nose as Tatsuki emerged from the wine.

She stood up, glowering and shook her head like a wet dog sending droplets of the green wine flying. Her clothes were stained green and clung to her. Ikkaku noted that while her spiky hair was drooping it still held its basic shape.

Does she keep her hair shaped with Reiatsu?

"That's…it," she snarled clenching her fists. "Someone…is going…to…"

Before she could finish, more of the alcohol was poured over head. Tatsuki's left eye twitched even more fervently and she didn't look back to the solemn-faced, steel-grey haired Arrancar standing behind her.

"You mustn't let your temper get the best of you," the Arrancar instructed as he lowered the stone pitcher. "This is a festival. If you're not fighting then you should be doing two things. Drinking is one of them."

"And what's the second?" Ikkaku asked.

The Arrancar shook his head and sighed. He walked away, muttering under his breath.

"Uh…are you…?" Ikkaku began.

"LUCAS!" Tatsuki shouted. The Jarl reappeared without even the sound of static of Sonído. He smiled at them.

"Ah, I see that you're enjoying yourselves," he remarked.

"Lucas, can I kill him?" she grated as she gestured to the man with the stone pitcher over her shoulder.

"It's bad luck to kill a Panteran at a Festival," Lucas said shaking his head. "If you wanted to kill something then you should have participated in the gladiatorial rounds against the Eaters while you could. Unfortunately, all of the Eaters we held are dead. However, if you still have some aggression to work out then there's always the wrestling tournament to consider," he said never losing that easy smile.

Later

No way. There's no way I'm doing this.

Tatsuki stood at the edge of the steps leading to the arena floor. The wrestling competitors who already signed-up were on the sandy surface stretching to prepare their bodies or posing for the audience. Tatsuki couldn't help but think about some of the boxing or wrestling tournaments she attended or took part in.

Lucas leaned into her line-of-sight. His smirk contrasted with her scowl.

"It may not be as honorable an event as fencing, but the sheer ruggedness, fighting with only your body and wits, appeals to a baser thrill," he supplied. "It should help you relax." However, Tatsuki did not find the idea of something baser than blood-sport to be relaxing or appealing.

Then again, maybe it could be relaxing. Tatsuki felt irritated enough already. The way that some of the haughty Panterans were posing only made her irritation increase.

They're not panthers, they're peacocks. I can easily take any one of them on.

"Well, aren't you going to enter? There's not much time left to do so," Lucas said.

"Tch, forget it. I don't need to prove something to a tribe that's not my own," Tatsuki replied and turned away from the arena.

"HA! She's a smart one!" someone called. There was nothing but mockery in that tone, and Tatsuki hated to be mocked. She stopped, left brow twitching in agitation.

Just keep walking. There's no need to get involved.

"I can't say that I blame ya. You would only make yourself look like a bigger dumbass, Outsider."

Tatsuki turned around and faced a muse haired Arrancar woman with four white horns smirking at her. The woman's shirt was barely restraining her large breasts.

"What was that?" Tatsuki snarled, the Dragon rousing in her chest.

Listen, bitch, no one mocks The Dragon.

"I said that it would only make you look like a bigger dumbass. Your friend was an idiot. He thought that he could do anything besides eating blood and sand against a Panteran. You, however, are smart enough to see that you have no chance of winning. You're beneath us," the woman said.

Lucas cringed as the woman's teeth were shattered by a fist and she collapsed back on the tier below the edge. Tatsuki walked down the steps to the arena floor and took an empty spot amongst the candidates. Some looked at her in surprise as she dispelled the flecks of blood on her hand with a burst of energy. One of the priests looked at her and smiled.

"What do you want, Little Girl?" he asked.

"Sign me up before I change my mind," Tatsuki demanded.

Tatsuki's first opponent, chosen by drawing tokens from a stone jar, was with a relatively weak Panteran. She figured that if she planned carefully then she had a chance to emerge victorious. She was glad for all of the training that Sui-Feng had put her through as well as all of the tournaments and years of karate she had been through while alive. While the High Priest explained the rules Tatsuki put together a plan of attack.

Her first match didn't last long and when she emerged victorious the Panterans were silent for a few moments before breaking out in wild applause. She noticed that the High Priest was smiling and shaking his head, as though he believed her victory was a mere fluke to be indulged.

If that was the case then her next six fights, with each opponent stronger than the last, were also flukes.

The High Priest's smile got lost somewhere along the way.

Like I thought, they're all nothing but peacocks.

Tatsuki watched from the sidelines with the other Contestants who were heading into the next round as she waited for her next opponent. She kept her eyes on each round, making mental notes of all those who could be her opponent. She had to admit that she was impressed with many of those who remained. They were clearly not mere peacocks.

She noticed that many of her potential opponents were looking at her, some in admiration and others in disgust. She had beaten the Panterans' expectations just by making it past the first round. She could tell that her making it this far was unbelievable for the Panterans. She had an idea that she was probably making this a very memorable festival for them.

Alright, let's keep this up, girl, Tatsuki thought as her name was called.

Just doing this was very nostalgic for her. Even though her career as a competitive martial artist was very short in her total existence it had been a key part of her. Standing in the ring, facing an opponent while people chanted her name had given her a sense of identity and accomplishment. Even though her training, spars, and missions had been intense they just didn't have the same thrill as the ring. There was something about the crowd and competing for the mere sake of competition that made her feel truly alive that no training session or mission ever could.

It's like coming home after being away for so long, she thought as a wave of nostalgia came over her. For a moment she felt as though she was back in the dojo and across from her was that stupid orange-haired kid with the goofy smile.

The applause brought her out of her nostalgia-induced trip down memory lane. She shook her head and faced her next opponent.

Tatsuki's eyes nearly popped from their sockets when she saw the towering giant across from her. He looked to be made of pure muscle and his long blonde hair was tied back with a leather cord. She had seen him fight, and his matches had been brief enough to tell little beyond one very important fact: he was not to be taken lightly.

"BEGIN!" the High Priest roared and shot a greenish Bala into the night sky.

Tatsuki focused her attention back on her opponent. He was smiling at her.

He's getting ready, she thought as she watched his stance. Any mo—

Without a word or further signal, he rushed her. Tatsuki rushed him in turn, already moving into the best position to counter the attack. They collided, pushing against each other. Tatsuki knew that her smaller size and lighter weight already gave her a disadvantage, but she dug her feet into the sandy surface.

"Do you seriously think that a light-weight like you can stand your ground against me?" her opponent asked. He didn't seem to be mocking her and Tatsuki thought that he was simply puzzled.

She didn't say anything in response. Instead, she pivoted and released her grip from around his waist. He was surprised at the sudden motion that he didn't realize that Tatsuki had grabbed his arm and was actually twisting it.

He can't complain that they allow this, she thought savagely as she pulled his arm out of his socket.

There was a loud popping sound. She remembered that when she was a school girl, that sound would have bothered her. But it didn't bother Tatsuki Arisawa of the Squad 2. Her opponent roared in surprise, pain, and rage as he looked at the useless arm dangling at his side. He fixed his attention back to Tatsuki and smiled through his pain.

"Well it looks as though you're not as weak as I thought you were," he said and then actually laughed. "You just made this fight a little more interesting to me, Girl. What's your name?"

"Eurydice."

"Well, Eurydice, I'm…" he began as he grabbed his arm with his good hand, "…Bjarki." He twisted his arm and there was another popping sound as his arm was popped back into the socket. He rotated it a few times to make sure that it was working properly and smiled again. "I guess that means I don't have to go easy on you then. Excellent."

"Oh, are you going to go into Resurrección? I thought that wasn't allowed," Tatsuki said grinning.

Bjarki smiled widely at her as he charged her again.

Whenever Tatsuki found herself in a situation where she could not defeat an opponent right away then time seemed to stand still. This was one such situation. But that sensation of timelessness was only heightened by the never-ending night. The only way Tatsuki had to measure how long a fight lasted was by the onset of fatigue.

She hoped that her opponent's size would cause him to fatigue faster and thus slow him down enough to where her greater speed would become the winning edge. Unfortunately, stamina is not only dependent on size but also training. She had only a few weeks to prepare her Gigai for combat situations, but Bjarki had a lifetime of such training. His stamina, as a consequence, was superior and she had to admit that his skills were not those of a mere grunt.

Tatsuki could feel her legs growing heavy as her breaths grew shorter. Her head swam and her body was drenched in sweat and blood that ran from the cuts his fists had opened in her hierro. She smiled a little when she saw that he was breathing hard. But he was nowhere near as fatigued as she was.

"Well I'm surprised…you're still…standing," he panted as he wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his fist. "What Tribe are…you from?"

"I'm…just a Rover," Tatsuki answered trying not to betray how tired she was.

"I thought…for sure…that you…were one of the Lost Ones."

Tatsuki didn't know who these "Lost Ones" were and didn't care.

She only cared about winning.

But how can I beat him? He still has plenty of energy left, but…but I'm…I'm just too…tired.

Her vision swam and blurred. Black blossoms bloomed over her vision as the fatigue was becoming too much for her to bear.

The Hierro, she had never gone to her limits in it, not like this. The trapped heat was cooking her inside her skin. She felt the burning as the trapped heat escaped through her wounds.

Pain she hadn't been trained to handle ran through her body. Or was it just her mind playing japes on her dulling senses?

Please…no…I…mustn't…don't let…me…faint, she pleaded weakly. Mother…would be…

The thought trailed off as she felt herself falling into darkness. She wanted to embrace its cool release, but a part of her wanted to keep fighting. That part wanted to win through the fire. But that part was fading as she fell, guttering out like flames in a rainstorm. It felt as though she was falling through some great abyss to which there was no bottom.

And what point was there in fighting it?

There is none, she realized dully.

And so she allowed herself to fall…and fall…and fall…and…

The Inner World

Tatsuki opened her eyes and saw that she was not in Pantera anymore. She stood in the center of a ring of rock slabs on top of a barren stony hill. The shadows of the stones danced as hot howling winds buffeted her. Drawn by fear and undeniable curiosity she walked to the edge of the circle where the hill dropped away in a cliff of naked rock. The night surrounding her was broken by the blazing fire of burning cities far below and the glisten of the hoard of plunder that was heaped around the hill's base.

The treasure of the burning cities, she thought, razed by conflict and set down before this altar of stone upon which I stand.

"Where…am I?" she asked backing away from the edge.

"WHY SHOULD THAT MATTER?" a voice roared from behind her.

Tatsuki whirled around and was taken aback by the figure standing where she had arrived.

Golden bat-like wings veined with crimson stretched out from the slender young woman's back. White hair flowed from behind the dragon-skull masked figure. The pale breasts were covered by a bone chest-piece made to look like the claws of some great lizard with gems embedded at the tips of each silver-veined finger. Her stomach was covered by a girdle that looked to have been made from a lizard's hide dipped into gold and etched with silver that was the source of the ornate chest coverings. A flowing white dress covered her from waist to ankles and was held up by a series of inter-connecting steel rings wrapped around her waist.

Tatsuki thought she was wearing gauntlets set on fire over her hands, but realized that they were not gauntlets. The young woman's hands resembled the scaled hands of a lizard and fire burned around them. Smoke poured from the mask's mouth. But the thing that caused Tatsuki to really pay attention to it was the eyes.

The eyes were golden yellow surrounding twin slits of fiery red. And they blazed with rage.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?" it roared. "ARE YOU REALLY THIS PATHETIC?"

"What?"

"Tch, I should have known. You really are a weakling. You're nothing but a babe crying for its Mommy while shitting its diapers."

Tatsuki felt rage build within her. She didn't even realize that she wasn't tired anymore.

"Who are you to speak to me like that?" she demanded as she stepped forward.

"Who am I?" the woman asked thoughtfully. "Who am I? WHO AM I?" it shouted before bursting into a storm of cruel laughter. Puffs of fire poured out of the mask's mouth with each laugh. "Oh…that's rich. 'Who are you?' it asks. Well I'm surprised that you don't even know. The real question is 'Who do you think I am, Smaug the Golden?'" it said, mockery dripping from its voice like blood from a blade. Tatsuki didn't say anything. She was afraid that she already knew the answer to that question. She didn't want to say it because she was afraid that doing so would make her fear reality.

"I'll tell you what, Sister Light. I'm gonna answer. I'm…" The woman raised a blazing lizard-like hand and struck the mask. The mask cracked and then shattered in an explosion of bone and fire. Tatsuki lifted her hands to cover her face and cried out in surprise. When she allowed herself to look, only the mask's lower jaw remained. "…your Sister Dark. I am The Dragon. I am you and you are me," the albino Tatsuki said. Her deep purple lips became a smile.

"You're my Inner Hollow," Tatsuki said. "Rukia told me what she knew about Ichigo's problem with his own Inner Hollow. What do you want with me? Why are you here?"

"Gnothi Seauton," her Inner Hollow replied. "I'm here to help you 'Know Thyself.'"

"Liar," Tatsuki snapped. The albino's smile widened.

"Fine, don't believe me. I didn't really expect anything different. But you're the one who called out for me because you're too tired and weak to do anything by yourself. And you know it. You know how weak you are underneath that mask you wear. What you need is The Dragon to awaken. But beware, Sister Light. Beware of your vicious Sister Dark. Beware of The Dragon." The albino Tatsuki grabbed her and embraced her forcefully before whispering, "For The Dragon is hungry."

Tatsuki ignored their ascent into the ash-filled sky. She was too busy struggling against the albino's embrace. It was not warm or comforting. It was invasive. It made her think of Chizuru. She had never liked that girl. It wasn't homophobia, but rather it was Chizuru's predator-like assumptions.

Her struggles did her no good. The albino, her Inner Hollow, her Sister Dark, had her arms wrapped tight around her pinning her arms to her side. She couldn't budge and her feeble attempts by kicking the creature were answered with the other's legs wrapping around hers.

"Yes, fight me," the albino purred. "That's how we do it. That's how we start. You've always tied your love to fighting. That's why you were so lonely. That's why they all left you. First there was that boy who you protected and then that girl. You need violence to kindle your love. And your so-called 'Mommy', you could love her so easily because she taught you violence and used it on you," the albino whispered into her ear as it rubbed her cheek with its own.

"Stop it," Tatsuki moaned.

"Admit it," the albino continued. "You love being kicked-around and kicking others around. It makes you hot…and wet…and…"

"STOP IT!" Tatsuki roared.

"No, we've only started," her Sister Dark said sighing. The pale woman grew hot against her like a bronze basin filled with burning embers. Tatsuki cried out as her own spiritual pressure suddenly spiked. The pressure burst from both of them, and they both cried out one in pain and the other in ecstasy. Their clothes and armor burned away from them, leaving them both naked.

"Ahh," the Inner Hollow sighed as it moved its hard body against Tatsuki. "Embrace me…join me…give yourself over to me…lose yourself…let my pleasure become your pleasure…and your pleasure my pleasure…oh yes, yes, yes, YES!"

Tatsuki's vision went red and she broke the grip only for her arms to stop suddenly. A strange sensation filled her. She looked to where her arm was and she screamed in surprise.

Her arms were fused with the other's limbs where they had been touching. It was like bits of clay rammed together. She could feel its hands on her back begin to sink into her. To make it worse, she could feel the arms invading her up to their still free elbows. She tried to push the other away from her, but she couldn't. She tried to push with her foot, only to feel the foot sink into the other's leg.

Tatsuki found that the sensation was not painful like she expected, but was instead like taking a dip into a cool lake on a hot summer's day. She could feel relief fill her.

I'm becoming whole, she thought. This is what it truly means to become whole.

But that did not stop her confusion as the flesh melded together. Sister Light and Sister Dark were merging into one, causing the air around them to ripple. She felt her Reiatsu rise and fall, rise and fall as the Hollow-like Reiatsu began to merge with the Soul Reaper Reiatsu.

I'm becoming…a goddess, she thought.

Her mind began to swim with visions of Soul Reapers, humans, and Hollows alike bowing before her. She had visions of men and women coming to seek her favor and give her offerings of meat and gold and their bodies. She had visions of nations going to war against each other for her favor or of her raining fire and destruction upon those who displeased her.

Power and love, the voice inside her mind said. Everything that you've ever wanted will be yours. All that you have to do is embrace me. Give yourself to me and you will never feel powerless again.

She allowed the other to pull her back into the full embrace. They were one from the waist down, two upper bodies tied to a single set of light ash-colored legs. Sister Dark's chest pressed into her. Their breasts began to merge. Tatsuki looked down and saw that she was becoming more beautiful and yet more terrible than ever before.

Then a new vision entered her mind. It was of her fulfilling one of her deepest and darkest desires, a desire that she had long suppressed and wanted to forget. It was Id made Ego; it was darkness brought into the light. All she could see was a stranger in a familiar body. That was when she realized exactly what the price for surrender would be.

No, I don't want this, Tatsuki thought. I don't want to lose myself.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Tatsuki cried out in fear and anger.

"I'm only doing what's natural," Hollow Tatsuki said. Soul Reaper Tatsuki opened her mouth to demand this to stop. She needed this madness to be gone. It was an opportunity that the albino was all too pleased to take advantage of. The albino pressed her lips to Tatsuki's.

Tatsuki was taken aback at the act. She tried to pull her head away only for the other to follow. They were two heads on a pair of shoulders atop an ashen form in the sky. Two sets of breasts merged halfway between them as they faced each other.

The seam closed. The hierro white blending into Tatsuki's cheek and the other's head relaxing as the healthier looking one tried to shake it off. Tatsuki found that she couldn't even close her jaws. The merged tongue filled their mouth was unyielding to her teeth.

A twinkle in the other's eyes warned her that something more was coming. Tatsuki knew that she was powerless to stop it. All that she could do was to scream down the other's throat. Flames rose in answer to her. They filled her mouth. Smoke drifted out of her nostrils as the fire poured into her.

It was hot. It was consuming her even as it filled her. The fire could not escape even as it poured into her as a great torrent. They were rising higher and Tatsuki knew that she would burst into flames. The ash in the air coating them was now billowing around them, cloaking them in a gray version of the other's attire as it hung close to them.

Tatsuki's eyes fluttered shut as the colors faded in, adorning them in Sister Dark's raiment.

She felt fiery breath enter her. Then she was rising…rising…rising…until…

Pantera

A burst of Reiatsu caused Bjarki to look at his downed opponent. He lowered his arms that he had raised in victory and took a step back. The Panteran spectators pressed in closer, eager to see what the strong Outsider would do next. Despite being somewhat drunk, Ikkaku felt what was going on. His eyes bulged as he looked to where Tatsuki laid.

"Oh no," he whispered.

"Heh, looks like yer command'r ain't had 'nough," one of the drunk Panterans said and nudged Ikkaku's arm.

Ikkaku didn't say anything. Instead he continued to look at Tatsuki's still body.

She's not moving, he thought. Maybe I'm just being a little too jumpy.

He jumped a little as Tatsuki's body seemed to rise from the sandy surface like a puppet being pulled up by invisible strings. He saw her eyes were blazing much like Ichigo's eyes had supposedly done when he faced Byakuya on top of Sokyoku Hill when he invaded the Soul Society to rescue Rukia.

Oh…shit.

Tatsuki let out a burst of harsh laughter that sounded more like the roar of a great lizard.

This is bad, Ikkaku thought. That's not her laughter. That's the laughter of…of…of something. I need to do something, but... He looked around him and his stomach sank. What can I do? I'm surrounded by the enemy. What can I do if the commander completely loses it?

Tatsuki's blazing golden eyes locked onto Bjarki and went into a burst of Sonído. Bjarki smiled with satisfaction.

"You truly are a warrior," he said as he balled a hand into a fist. "But, you're a foolish warrior." He stood his ground and moved his feet into a defensive stance. He watched the blurred form coming towards him in an erratic bestial pattern. He swung his fist into what looked to be open air, striking Tatsuki in the face as she unwittingly entered the path of the blow. Tatsuki immediately came out of the Sonído and fell back to the ground. Bjarki shook his hand as if it was sore from the blow.

"You need to learn when to stay down," he sighed.

"COMMANDER!" Ikkaku shouted. "ARE YOU ALRIGHT?"

Bjarki looked at the form on the sand. He could feel her Reiatsu and knew that he hadn't killed her. However, that did not change the fact that she wasn't moving.

"Maybe I hit her too hard," he whispered. "DISGRACED, FETCH SOME WINE!" he shouted to one of the masked Arrancars with the Fe rune. He turned his attention to the unconscious Tatsuki and smiled. "Well fought, Little Warrior. Well fought."

The Inner World

Tatsuki gasped, breathing in the ash-smoked air. Her head swam and she looked at her Inner Hollow who was holding onto her by her throat and stroking her hair with the other pale hand. Tatsuki noticed that even though the albino was still clad in its raiment once more, she was completely naked and stained with ash.

"You know. I've changed my mind. I'm not in the mood for merging with you. Why should I?" The albino's maniacal grin widened. "That would mean sharing. And The Dragon hates sharing."

"Fuck…you…" Tatsuki gasped.

"Ooh, defiance…I like it," the albino purred and stroked her cheek seductively before giving it a condescending pinch. "But I can only take so much defiance before it becomes tiresome."

"Why…should I…care?" Tatsuki demanded. She grabbed the hand holding her. "Why…should I…bow to…to the likes…of you?"

Her Sister Dark grinned and tilted her head.

"Don't you know anything, Little Fool? Don't you see the answer, or has the ash made you blind?

"I'm still garbed and you're naked. I am the Master and you are the Slave. And the Master…" She pinched one of Tatsuki's nipples, causing her to cry out in pain. "...can do as she pleases. And since I am a kind Master, I'm going to do you a favor."

The albino brought her hand from Tatsuki's breast and went back to caressing her face. It was not a comforting gesture. The warmth from the touch was not soothing. Instead, the touch seemed to cause all of Tatsuki's doubts and fears to come to the surface. Her Sister Dark smiled.

"I'm going to let you play for a little bit longer. It's my gift to you. But when the time comes…" She licked her dark purple lips with a forked black tongue. "Well, The Dragon does need to feed."

She released Tatsuki who could only go with the fall. Her grip on the wrist was as weak as she feared. She looked at the albino standing above her, high in the air, and saw that she was smiling down at her. She could now see that her teeth were fangs as sharp as swords.

"Remember, sweet Sister Light," Sister Dark said. "When the time comes it's going to be a feast for The Dragon."

Pantera

Tatsuki opened her eyes and saw Bjarki standing over her.

"Well…you're alive, Little Warrior," he said smiling. The smile and the sincerity in his voice surprised Tatsuki.

"I…don't…feel alive," she groaned.

"It'll pass. Heh, you really surprised me with that last burst of energy. I swear by the Great Panther that your eyes took on the look of the Hollow-crazed. You must really hate losing."

"You have no idea," Tatsuki groaned as she got up. She felt sore all over and her head felt as though someone, perhaps The Dragon, was hammering away at the back of her skull.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of, Little Warrior. You fought like a true Panteran. As a boon for the exercise you gave me, I shall grant you a request," Bjarki said as he helped her ascend the steps from the arena floor.

Tatsuki looked at him in surprise and stopped their progress up the steps. She forgot about her aching body. She hadn't expected a Panteran to actually offer their assistance. She had been too afraid of making them angry. But now…

"Well, there is something. I'm looking for a friend. She's on the small-side with violet eyes and black hair with a white streak. Her mask fragment is…"

"The beak of a bird?" Bjarki asked. "Was she in the company of a group of other Arrancars?"

"THAT'S HER!" Tatsuki shouted. Some of the Panterans looked at her before returning to their revelry. "What do you know?"

"I only know that her group caused trouble. The order was given to the other forts, via synchronized awareness, to apprehend them. I think that the warriors of Fort Leones actually gave chase to them, but I'm not sure."

"What did they do to warrant such a response?" Tatsuki asked warily.

"Well, one of them was heard to say, 'If Grimmjow's so great then how was a brat like Kurosaki able to beat him three times?' It's a terrible taboo to mock the Great Panther in any way, and any who does so is deserving of the Great Panther's Wrath. And to mock those legendary battles is considered to be among the worse of sins. Since the mocker wasn't even a warrior, well, that only made the sin graver.

"I was stationed with the gate guards at the time and wished to give chase, but our commander forbade it. As a result, he was properly executed, but we who were there had to purify ourselves of the disgrace by donning the Fe at the next Mating Ceremony. We should have defied him regardless of rank for such un-Panteran orders," his voice became a growl with that last bit.

"What happened to them? Which way did they go?"

"As I said before, I was only at the gate. I heard rumors later, but I would not trust rumors, if this is something important to you. However, someone from Fort Leones would most likely know the true details."

"So, who would I talk to?" Tatsuki asked.

"Well…ah-hah, here's someone who might help. SECOND-COMMANDER CHAMBERS!" Bjarki called out and held up his hand like a man hailing a taxi.

Tatsuki saw the boy who Ikkaku had sparred against followed by the young girl, Aileen.

"Ah, Bjarki," Roland said and nodded as he joined them. "The Great Panther smiles upon your victory." He saw Tatsuki and gave her a polite nod. "The Great Panther smiled upon your endeavor, Outsider. A defeat after giving your all is equal to a victory. Now, Bjarki, why did you call me?"

"The Little Warrior is looking for that group that caused us that bit of trouble a while back. You know, the ones that were led by the bird-nose," Bjarki replied.

"Is that so?" Roland asked, seeming a bit amused.

"So, you knew those mockers?" Aileen asked and glared at Tatsuki.

"Peace, Aileen," Roland said sighing. He looked at Tatsuki clearly weighing her.

"I can understand your hesitancy at asking about them. And you would have been right to be cautious. Despite nearly everyone here being drunk, they would still want to make those who mocked the Great Panther pay for their trespass. But since you proved yourself worthy of our respect, you have nothing to fear.

"Aileen and I were part of the hunt for those mockers, and I'll tell you what I know."

Roland paused for a bit as though putting his words in order. Tatsuki ignored the beating drums as the next match was beginning. All of her focus was on the young Panteran. He turned his attention back to her and his blue eyes seemed to demand her attention.

"This was about three-and-a-half years ago by World of the Living Standard; seven years by Hueco Mundo's Standard; three years by Soul Society Standard," Roland said. Tatsuki was surprised at the amount of detail he began with. It reminded her of how she usually presented her own reports. "The mockers had escaped Pantera, but not without their own losses and Commander Boudicca made sure to take a couple of heads back for Fort Leones. The order to apprehend them had been given shortly before Aileen spotted them.

"We had our orders on what to do. So we…"

Roland's Tale (Three-and-a-Half Years Before), Part 1

… chased the mockers over stretches of vast wilderness and over mountain passes in a constant south-western direction until we reached the range known as the Panther's Fangs. Then we traveled due south. We could tell that their commander was hoping to find a way to lose us, but we of Fort Leones are more capable at tracking than they realized.

Perhaps if your friend was alone then she might have escaped sooner. However, she was surrounded by incompetent warriors who only knew how to fight but not evade pursuit.

They made too much noise and left too many signs. Their burdens hindered them whenever they tried to enter Sonído. We could have easily had them, but we wanted to make them pay dearly for their mockery by denying them a quick and honorable end. That was our mistake.

However, at the time we wanted to chase them as a cat chases its prey. The thrill of the hunt and the lust for battle was upon us.

We knew that they knew they were being followed. But unlike them, we made sure to keep hidden. The best way to defeat a foe is to fatigue them mentally as well as physically. As such, whenever they stopped to rest we would launch an assault while they were unprepared. We would cut down one or two of them and then retreat into hiding before they really had a chance to counter.

It took about three such assaults before they realized what we were doing. They made sure to stay on guard whenever they stopped, but that did not stop us from getting close to them. We launched another two assaults and we lost four in our number. By that time they were down to less than twenty and we took another six of them on those last two assaults.

We knew that we had to be quick because they were nearing the Shark's Domain. If they got out of Panteran territory then they would have proven themselves worthy to escape us.

"We have to stop them before they can escape," I said to the remaining warriors with me. "Once they get past the next range of mountains they'll be in the Shark's Domain."

By this point they were in Voider territory, but Voider territory might as well be Panteran territory. The Voiders don't really care about anything and, like their Patriarch Espada, they consider their own lives meaningless.

But the Triples…. They're touchy when it comes to their lands. We've waged a couple of wars against them, but to no avail. We knew that we would not be able to reach them without attracting that troublesome bitch, Persephone's, attention.

Those next three nights, by World of the Living Standard, were torture on both of us. They were feeling the fatigue that we wanted them to, but we were feeling the pressure of cutting them off from escaping. However, based on…

Present

"…something that Aileen overheard, we knew that we could at least have done enough to fracture them," Roland concluded.

Tatsuki looked at the girl who was still glaring at her and standing at parade-rest. She was still processing some of the information that Roland's story had given her. However, hearing that the girl had overheard something that could indicate dissension caught her attention.

"What did you overhear?" Tatsuki asked.

"I don't recall having to take orders from you, Outsider," Aileen snapped.

"Aileen, the Outsider has proven herself worthy of our cooperation," Roland said. "And don't go into that whole melodramatic bit of 'donning the Fe.' I can only stand so much of that at any given time," Roland said. Aileen immediately shut her mouth and glowered at Tatsuki.

"Know this, Outsider. I do not answer your question out of respect to you. I do it out of respect for my superior officer."

Man, how can they maintain that Grimmjow is their patriarch? Based on the files I read, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez never showed this kind of respect to anyone.

"As my superior was saying," Aileen said. "I did overhear a conversation that their commander, a young petite woman with a beak fragment, had with two others. I was…"

Aileen's Story

…doing reconnaissance work, as Second-Commander Chambers ordered. He understands that I am greatly skilled at doing such work and since he was my superior officer I was more than willing to oblige him. It wasn't much fun for me, though, since they were too easy to approach.

I highly doubt they would have noticed me walk behind them while they took a shit. That's how incompetent they were. I couldn't help but think that they had all the competency of a Son of the Mantis. Regardless, they were resting-up for another push south.

I was focused on the petite young woman with the beak and the two others who were with her. They seemed to be important for some reason, and therefore were the best targets for my attention. Plus, aside from the five guards they had posted, the others were asleep. It's a pity that we just didn't go ahead and kill them right away, but I digress.

As I was saying, she was talking with two other Arrancars. One was tall and muscular with a mask fragment like the horns of a bull. The other was a smaller male who looked like a rat.

"They're like cats with a mouse," the rat-like man said.

"That may be, but it appears that tightening security has helped," the petite girl said.

"Yes, but it'll only be a matter of time before we're too tired to fight back," the bull-man said.

"Are you sure they're still following us?" the rat-like man asked. "It's been four rests since they last attacked."

"I know they are," the petite girl said. She turned to the bull-man. "How many soldiers can you spare, Hayato?"

"I can spare another five. It's fortunate that the majority they've killed were members of the research team."

"How is that a good thing?" the rat-like man squeaked. "We've lost valuable research."

"Shut up, Ando," Hayato said. "It's your fault that we got into this mess."

"How is it my fault? Sendai was the one who set them off and that woman chopped his head off before he could do anything."

"Sendai was part of your team," the petite girl said. "And you knew that he had a drinking problem."

"How was I supposed to know that substance was alcohol? I didn't detect any of the…"

"That's enough," Hayato said. "Commander, if we continue this way then we might as well surrender. I doubt that they would be very accommodating. As far as that group of savage beasts is concerned we might as well be guilty-by-association."

I couldn't help but think it was odd that the petite girl was their commander. She looked weak compared to the tall and muscular male, Hayato. How can the weak command the strong?

I suppose they do things differently in some Tribes.

At any rate, I could tell that the girl was troubled. She seemed to have a good idea of what we would do once we got hold of them.

"I would have to agree with you on that one, Hayato," she said. "Our best option is to keep moving. Ando, I want you to wake everyone up. Gather the remaining members of the research team to divide the equipment between you and some of the security team. I trust that you don't mind, Hayato."

"You're the Commander," Hayato replied.

"Why should I trust delicate equipment to this bunch of ruffians?" Ando protested.

"Would you rather leave it for these 'Panterans' to find?" the petite girl asked. "I would think that your Captain might punish you for losing such 'delicate equipment.'"

The rat-like man, Ando, mumbled something under his breath that I couldn't quite catch as he departed. I could only shake my head at his show of disrespect for his superior officer. I returned my focus on the petite girl and Hayato.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, Commander, I have work to do. I might as well update my report as well."

"Not just yet, Hayato," the petite girl said. "I have some things I need to go over with you."

"What kind of things?"

"First, what's the food situation like?"

"I'm afraid that we're running low on supplies. The items we got at Octavia and Las Noches have nearly run out. Some of the men have already started eating the Hollow meat."

"I thought I gave you specific orders that we…"

"I understand your criticism, Commander. However, the men need to eat to keep up their strength. So far eating Hollow meat has had no negative affect on them."

"But we still don't know what that meat can do."

"Some of the men say that it's like eating a well-done steak, Commander. In my opinion, it's no big deal, especially with everything else."

I had to agree with the male on that one. Eating Hollow meat is no big deal at all. I didn't understand what the problem was. But, I suppose she might have a point if they got the meat in Octavia. Never trust an Octavian.

"I see. I recommend that you keep a close watch over the men eating the meat. If any negative affects show up, inform me at once. I don't care how insignificant it may be."

"You still have your doubts?"

"I do."

"Well, if that is all…"

"That is not all, Hayato. There is another matter," she snapped. Clearly this was the true matter she wanted to discuss. I leaned in closer to ensure I did not miss a word.

"And what might that be, Commander?" His disrespect for the girl was not blatant, but it was still there.

"Back in that city, when the situation was out of control, you gave an order that completely undermined my command. And to make matters worse, you stood aside while those Panterans rushed me." The girl's voice was calm, but it was cold enough to be Panteran.

"I…thought you could handle those savages on your own, Commander. Was I wrong?"

"I could have been killed if Maki-Maki hadn't stepped in. And I gave the order to retreat while you ordered that we stand our ground. I don't know about you, but I sure as fucking Hell didn't want to do a reenactment of the Battle of Shiroyama."

There was silence for a moment. I leaned out a little more from my hiding spot, eager to hear more. I could tell that there was dissension in the ranks. If we could use that to our advantage and make them scatter, then we could easily pick them off one-by-one.

"I apologize," Hayato said. "I was always taught that we never retreat before such as them."

"I was taught that we never retreat unless there's a good reason for it. However, I'm sure that they don't teach you such basic information in your own division."

"What are you…?"

"I know who you're working for, Hayato. I saw you before we left. I'd rather have had only the members of Squad Eleven on this mission. For all their faults they are admirable in not letting politics come before duty. But I didn't think that you intended me to die. At least, I hope you didn't," she continued. I hate to admit it, but my respect for her as a Commander grew a little.

"If I thought that you would have lost your life I would have intervened," he claimed.

The petite girl nodded at that and smiled.

"Well, just keep in mind that I'm in command. If I give an order then you must obey it. That's the best way for us to survive this."

I could only roll my eyes at that. It was clear to me that he had little faith in her and she had little faith in him. A Commander who can't trust their subordinates or whose subordinates can't trust them is clearly not suited for leadership and must be replaced. The little idiot should have at least killed him to end further dissension against her authority.

However, because she didn't kill him when she should have, any respect I had for her diminished.

Anyways, I could tell that they were done with their conversation and so I…

Present

"…snuck back to inform Second-Commander Chambers of what I had overheard. He agreed with my assessment that there was indeed dissension among their ranks and we could use that to our advantage."

"Thank you, Aileen," Roland said and looked at Tatsuki. "Are you satisfied?"

Tatsuki thought about what she had heard. It was clear to her that she was wise to refuse Sora Katsu's offer to suspend the mission for her to get a new team together. Central 46 would have only pushed their own puppets onto her and that would lead to trouble.

Rukia, I think you were wrong about Hayato. I suspect that he did intend for you to die at the hands of the Arrancars. He's one of Central 46's lapdog and they want justification for a war. If they're willing to sacrifice someone like you in order to get their war…

Tatsuki shuddered at the thought.

"There's one thing I need to hear," Tatsuki said. "You keep hinting that they escaped from you. Is that correct?"

Roland and Aileen looked at each other. Roland seemed to kick the ground and both lowered their heads. Tatsuki couldn't help but think of two kids who had been discovered with their hands in the cookie jar.

"They…did," Roland admitted.

"We…we didn't want to tell anyone that because…because of the shame," Aileen said. "But we had to make a full report."

"Of course, we all donned the Fe to purify our disgrace," Roland said. "But Steward Solanssen told us that there was no need to be ashamed. We did our duty, though we didn't do it properly, and at least we learned from our mistakes. But we insisted that it would help purify the disgrace that we felt to abase ourselves before the Great Panther."

Man, they're really high-strung about this "Great Panther" nonsense.

"Right, well, I want to know how they escaped."

Roland sighed and nodded.

"Well, I suppose that we should tell you the rest. You see it…"

Roland's Tale, Concluded

…was on the final night of the chase. We knew that they were approaching the border to the Shark's Domain. If they crossed it they would be out of our reach.

"Spread out," I ordered. "Make sure that they go any direction but south. Use Sonído if you have to."

I knew that we had to herd them someplace where they wouldn't be able to escape. I wondered why they wouldn't drop their packs. Weren't their lives more important than whatever trinkets they had with them?

Well, I thought, if their lives mean so little to them, then we can just take it away from them. Then we can see what trinket is so valuable that they would rather die than lose them.

They understood what was happening. One of our brave comrades got too close to the one with the bull horns and he immediately gutted him. The petite girl was shouting out something and then pointing. My heart sank when I saw what she was pointing at. It was unbelievable, but it made sense from their hopeless situation.

"STOP THEM!" I shouted. "THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO THE UNDERWORLD!"

There was no way I was going to let the specters have them. I wanted to bring all of their heads back to Pantera to show them that Fort Leones would no longer be second to Fort Kufang. But I couldn't help but think that if any of Commander Martell's officers were in charge then they would have just killed them right away and be done with it.

However, if we could bring back their heads then we would have shown how far we were willing to go for the honor of Pantera. But if our hesitation to kill them outright let them slip through our grasp…

"GET THEM!" I shouted."SONÍDO!"

We all went into Sonído, but by that point they had reached the cave entrance at the base of a rock cluster. They were starting to make their way down with those carrying the heavy packs in the lead while the others had their blades drawn.

"DRAW SWORDS! KILL AS MANY AS YOU CAN!" I ordered.

We drew and we attacked.

"HURRY, GET BELOW!" the petite girl shouted.

"What about you, Commander?" one of the mockers asked.

"I'll be fine, Maki-Maki. Now get moving. I'll bring up the rear."

I had to admit to myself that it would be a pity to have to kill her. I admire any Commander who is willing to be the last to flee to safety.

But my pity only lasted for a moment. The next, I was crossing blades with the bull-horned Arrancar. I could hear the sound of combat around me. Blade clashed against blade as we danced the warrior's dance. I could hear screams, but did not look to see who had gone down. I could only focus on my own fight.

"COMMANDER, GO!" he shouted.

"HAYATO, I ORDER YOU TO GET BELOW, NOW! WE'RE ALMOST OVERWHELMED! WE CAN HOLD THEM BETTER IN THE PASSAGE BELOW! NOW, OBEY MY ORDER! GET BELOW, NOW!"

"Damn it," he snarled. He pushed me back, hard. I felt myself falling away from him and I lashed out with my blade.

I didn't kill him, but at least I made him bleed. And based on the way he started limping, I knew I at least maimed him a little.

Their Commander looked at me and then rushed into the darkness below.

"Roland, are you alright?" Aileen asked as she reached me.

"How many?" I asked.

"We killed five more of them and they killed three of us."

I couldn't help but frown at that. They were better than we thought if they could manage getting one of us for nearly every two of them and still escape.

"What should we do now?" Aileen asked.

"Let The Others have them," I said. "The Underworld is not our jurisdiction and is off limits for us."

And so…

Present

"…we sealed the cave entrance at once. Of course, there are many paths in and out of the Underworld. But we made sure they wouldn't be able to leave the same way they entered."

Tatsuki thought about what he had said. She looked down to the sand-covered arena floor below where the last fight was taking place between Bjarki and another large and muscular Arrancar. Something troubled her about his account and it was based on other things she had heard. One question that came to her mind was: why didn't they just use Ceros and Balas to wipe them out? However, she figured that the Panterans deemed such things the same way that Squad 11 viewed Kido. The second question, however, was far more important.

"It seems that everyone is rather superstitious about the Underworld, although I heard it referred to as the 'Menos Forest.' Why is that?"

"We Panterans don't fear the Underworld," Aileen snapped. "We only don't see any purpose going there save to hunt as many Tribes do from time-to-time. However, many fear the Underworld because of The Others."

"But who are these 'Others'?" Tatsuki asked.

"They're The Others," Roland said shrugging. "They are what they are: Outsiders beyond Outsiders. All that we know about them for certain is that they were the first."

"The first what?" Tatsuki asked. Aileen frowned at Tatsuki as though the answer should have been obvious.

"They were the first to leave Las Noches," Aileen replied.

Tatsuki thought about what Aileen said. She knew that something had caused the bulk of the Arrancars to leave Las Noches, possibly related to Harribel being practically erased in favor of Starrk. However, she had thought that it was a single mass exodus that was tied to one major event. However, the way that Aileen said "the first to leave" had made it sound as if the exodus from Las Noches had occurred in a series of waves.

Yes, the surviving Espadas had a falling out and Starrk is the type to just let people walk away than fight to keep them. But…there's something we're missing. I suppose that the exodus occurring in waves does make sense. However, these "Others"…

I bet most of the unease around them comes from them having very little contact with the other Arrancars. Part of the unease could also be that these "Others" decided to favor the underground forest rather than the sands. They could have developed differently as a result.

Tatsuki felt uneasy about the idea of Rukia heading towards a group that could either be friend or foe. If "The Others" were at odd with the other Arrancars, well…

The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend.

Tatsuki knew that she had to find out more about this mysterious faction. It was possible that The Others held the key to help her find Rukia. Whether it was dead or alive would depend on what this mysterious group was like.

However, before she could inquire more about The Others, there was a loud roar. The drums began to beat frantically.

"THE GROUND IS BLESSED WITH THE VIRTUE OF STRENGTH!" the High Priest roared.

She turned and saw that the Panteran whom Bjarki had been wrestling had his hands up in the air. Tatsuki felt disappointed that the Arrancar who beat her had only taken silver, but Bjarki didn't look disappointed at all. Instead, Bjarki was laughing and dumping a flagon of moss wine over the victor and slapping him on the back.

"The games are over," Roland said. "Aileen, Commander Boudicca instructed us to return as soon as the games ended."

Aileen nodded and looked at Tatsuki with a smirk.

"I wouldn't continue looking for your friend, Outsider. The Others have taken her as they have done so many other foolish enough to venture into their realm without being properly prepared. The Forest will have its due. See to it that it isn't you."

"Uh…thanks," Tatsuki murmured.

"Outsider," Roland said and snapped off a salute by pounding a fist over the left side of his chest. "It's clear that nothing will stop you from going to the Underworld. However, I must warn you that not all of Panteran lands are safe for such as you."

"What do you mean?" Tatsuki asked.

"Your friend had a run-in with the Sons," Roland continued. "I would be cautious of them, especially since they're becoming bolder in establishing outposts in other lands. They even presume to desecrate the Panther's Realm with their filth. Commander Martell alone has razed three of their settlements and put all to the blade, but that doesn't stop them. If they capture you, they will make you their Chattel, a fate worse than death."

"If these 'Sons' try then I'll make them regret it," Tatsuki said, her Inner Dragon seemed to purr at the thought.

Roland nodded and smiled.

"I have no doubt. Now, if you'll excuse us, we must return to Fort Leones to fulfill our duties. The Commander does not have her active troops indulge in what's to come. It was a pleasure meeting an Outsider who can actually stand their ground."

Tatsuki watched as Roland and Aileen left with their group. She remembered that the Holo-Record had mentioned something about the Sons and that Rukia's team had a little trouble with them. Apparently Rukia had to lose some dignity upon that encounter. Tatsuki had a feeling that Rukia's team had probably stumbled on one of those outposts.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sounding of a horn. It was the first time she had heard something other than drums being played. She looked up and saw that the dais on the far end was beginning to be cleared of the priests save for the High Priest who was now bowing as he faced the mountain.

She watched as a broad-shouldered man descended the steps. He was dressed in an outfit similar to the Panteran Officers, except that the shoulders of his trench-coat had six light blue stripes with two gold tassels dangling from his lapels. His expression was stern and his left hand rested on the pommel of the sword hanging at his side.

He was followed by two older-looking Panterans who were dressed in long white coats with blue stripes at hems of their sleeves. The two were carrying tablets and Tatsuki thought that they were most likely scholars.

The Panterans bowed in respect.

"He must be the head honcho around here," Tatsuki muttered as she watched the broad-shouldered. He didn't have the same grand presence that Benvolio had. However, if Benvolio had been a grand monarch, this was the ideal Fascist leader. He carried himself with power with a certain intellect and a military practicality.

"That's right."

Tatsuki gave a start and turned to see Lucas standing beside her.

"Where did you come from?" she demanded.

"Oh, I just came from where your friend is getting drunk with some of the lower Panterans," Lucas replied. "They escorted him since he cannot witness this part of the festivities."

"Uh…then…shouldn't I be with him?" Tatsuki asked warily. She did not want a chase like Rukia had gone through.

"No. You proved that you could fight like a Panteran. The High Priest made an exemption for you and you alone. Now you get to witness something that very few Outsiders have had the honor of witnessing."

Tatsuki frowned a little, wondering what she would be witnessing. Then she turned her attention back and her eyes on the head honcho. She bent slightly at the waist in order to be polite.

"So, who is he?" she asked Lucas.

"He's Gotran Solanssen, Eleventh Steward of Pantera. He's in charge of Pantera until he is either replaced by someone else or the Great Panther returns."

Tatsuki nodded and watched as he stopped to whisper something to the High Priest who seemed to flinch before nodding his head in understanding.

What was that about? Did their High Priest do something wrong or is it something else?

When the Steward reached the edge of the dais he raised his hands.

"PANTERA!" he roared. "AS WE PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE, WE REMEMBER THE PAST!"

"I told you he'd say that," Lucas remarked.

"We remember when the Great Panther led our forefathers out of Las Noches as it began to fall into the decay that comes from the weak leading the strong," Solanssen said. "We remember when the Great Panther led them to their new home before he departed to prepare for the day when we shall return to Las Noches and overthrow the Weak King so that he may take his rightful place."

Tatsuki could feel the Panterans listening with reverence as the Steward went into the account of Pantera's founding.

The Steward's Tale

Long and hard was the journey from Las Noches into The Night and the sands. The weak fell by the wayside, failing the test the Great Panther put before our forefathers. Some left to return to Las Noches, disgracing themselves to kiss the feet of the unworthy Dog King. Others decided to forsake the True King for one of the false kings or the unfaithful queen who betrayed her pledge to the True King. However, a few of the faithful fell behind in the great storms of the Plains of the Demon Winds and became the Lost Ones who still seek their way home.

Soon, the journey became too much for some. Indeed even those who called themselves his most faithful servants started to voice their lack of faith.

"Where is the home you promised us?" they demanded. "How much farther until we reach the lands set aside for the strong?"

Oh they were foolish yearlings. They forgot the lessons of the past. They forgot that the Great Panther's wrath fell upon his own brood when they complained to him and made demands from him. They forgot how his sword slew his yearlings save for the one who he deemed worthy enough to live. However, even that sole heir, as an adult in his prime, died by the Great Panther's blade for daring to oppose his sire with steel in hand.

No sooner had their faithless words leave their lips that they grasped their heresy. With holy terror, they waited for his righteous fury to sweep their existence from the sands.

However, the Great Panther granted them a boon.

It was at the base of this mountain when their weakling grievances were laid before their King. He could have killed them all where they stood, but his wrath gave way to his mercy. The Great Panther strode to the heights and proclaimed before all:

"Here shall I establish my Kingdom. However, you faithless wretches are not worthy yet for me to lead you. Though you bore witness to the weakness of The Day and the unworthiness of the Coyote, you are still tainted by them. Your grumblings have made me see this and so I must depart from you for a time.

"While I am gone I give you two charges: the first is to purify yourselves of weakness and become stronger; the second is to erect a city on this very spot as a temple to that strength. Do not let the weak weigh you down. Do not allow your hardships to cause you to fall into grumblings and complaints for such things are the ways of the weak. The strong overcome hardship and grow stronger for their tribulation.

"This city shall be the measure of your strength. Instead of conquering far and wide like those who follow the false kings and the unfaithful queen, you shall hold this city and strengthen its territories until it and you are invincible.

"Finally, you shall build me a den. You shall raise it atop the mountain where it is most difficult to build. This shall be the symbol of your faithfulness to my person.

"I, in turn, shall become stronger in my solitude as I did in the times before Aizen. When I am strong enough to defeat all the false kings and the unfaithful queen then I shall return to you. If I find you are worthy to be led to glory then I shall lead you, but if you are not then I shall destroy you and all you have raised."

Hearing this, our forefathers were greatly distressed. They were like mere yearlings, not understanding how to fend for themselves.

"Please, Great Panther!" they cried. "Who shall lead us? We do not know who to follow in The Night! How shall we achieve all you have set before us?"

The Great Panther looked out among the throng and pointed to one who he deemed worthy.

"There is your new leader. Follow him, but if he fails in his tasks then he must be replaced by one stronger. Slay the weak leader and whoever slays him shall take the mantle of leadership upon their shoulders. This way all may see that the next leader is stronger than the last. Let this be done until I return."

"WE SHALL!" our forefathers shouted. "But when will you return? How will we know?"

"My coming shall be unforeseen," the Great Panther replied. "I shall return to you when my time of glory comes, no sooner and no later. However, look to the sands for to the sands I came from, to the sands I go, and from the sands shall I return."

And with that, the Great Panther departed from his people.

The First Steward and the Stewards who came after built this city as instructed. We took the name Pantera to demonstrate to all that we are to be like the Great Panther's sword, his instruments to hold dominion over all. So we have strived to become strong and worthy of the Panther's Glory. When he comes again, we shall be prepared or we shall fall like chafe before his razor claws.

End of Tale

When the Steward finished his tale Tatsuki couldn't help but roll her eyes. The tale he told was obviously a distortion of fact. She highly doubted that Grimmjow would make such a long and flowery speech like the one Solanssen had told. As for him pointing to "one who he deemed worthy"…

For all Grimmjow cared, he could have been pointing at a rock.

The thought of the Panterans following a rock made her want to laugh.

As for building him a palace on the mountain, that was most likely him being an asshole.

However, there were some things in there that did seem to match the Grimmjow from the reports. One such thing was the idea of Grimmjow killing his own children because they annoyed him. Plus Tatsuki could tell that there was something that spoke of whatever caused the rift between Las Noches and the other Tribes in that story.

"Lucas, what can you tell me about Grimmjow's children?" Tatsuki asked.

Lucas only shrugged.

"It is bad luck to speak of them in detail. However, there is a song written about the battle between the Great Panther and his only surviving son, Leonidas. They'll be singing it soon as a way to defy Las Noches."

"What do you mean?"

"There are so many songs written about the Great Schism," Lucas replied with a sigh. "Unfortunately, this is the only song we bother remembering."

Tatsuki listened as the Panterans started singing:

"And who are you," Great Grimmjow spoke, "to think you can lay me low?

Only a cub with velvet paws; not worth staining my blade."

"Though they be old or they be young, a great cat still has claws

And mine are long and sharp, Old Cat, more so than thine own."

The melody, despite the smirking tone, was melancholy to Tatsuki's ears. The son of Grimmjow was like a lion struggling in vain against his father as Las Noches trembled and cracked in war. She wondered if the Panterans made this song or stole it from another group.

And now the winds sing o'er his grave, with none to mourn his bones

Yes now the winds sing o'er his grave, and none to mourn his bones.

When the Panterans finished they burst out into applause and cries of "THE GREAT PANTHER!" Tatsuki felt uneasy and was tempted to glance in the direction of Las Noches. There were so many questions that she should have gotten answers for before leaving that dome.

The Steward raised his hands out over the pit.

"This soil is blessed with Speed, Agility, Courage, and Strength. The seed is blessed with Honor and Duty. Let the two now become one. LET THE MATING BEGIN!"

The drums began to beat wildly. The Panterans began to hum in unison, their Reiatsu rising and falling like the chest of a person taking deep breaths.

Tatsuki watched as a young male and female Arrancar were brought onto the sandy surface of the arena floor. She could sense their potent Reiatsu pulsating like the beating of a heart. Their nude painted bodies glistened with oil. The male was handsome and fit while the female had a firm and attractive body despite her left eye was missing with a scar peeking from under the patch. Solanssen stood and spread his arms to the assembled. The drummers continued their slow, rhythmic beating.

"He who earned the right to free the previous brood by killing his opponent in holy combat is also worthy to have his seed become the next brood," the Steward said.

"The Great Panther shall mount the world," the Panterans whispered in holy awe.

"From the dust of the past, the mighty walls of the future rise," Solanssen said.

"The Great Panther shall mount the world."

"Now, bring forth the libations that shall make the brood strong."

The drum beats quickened as a group of nude Arrancars came forth. The two in front, a man and a woman, carried a stone platter with a heart, red as a ruby, resting on its rough surface. The others carried basins filled with rippling blood.

The Arrancars assembled began to stomp their feet.

"MAY THE THANES OUTWEIGH THE THRALL! MAY THE GRAIN OUTWEIGH THE CHAFFE!" Solanssen roared.

"THE WEAK SHALL DIE AND THE STRONG SHALL THRIVE!" the Panterans shouted.

The mates took the hearts from the platters and held them over their heads like trophies.

"THE STRONG COMES FROM THE FLESH!" the two shouted in unison. "MAY THE STRENGTH FROM THE FLESH STRENGTHEN THE SEED AND SOIL!"

"Are…are they going to do it right here in front of everyone?" Tatsuki asked.

One of the assembled Panterans looked at her before taking a sip from her chalice of a stronger wine than the moss-wine that was watered-down with Hollow's blood. It smelled noxious and somehow fitted the atmosphere that Tatsuki felt around her.

"Of course they are. Every sacred act is done under the sight of the moon and in front of the Clan," she said quietly but with a smirk. "Besides, it won't matter. All of these kinds of feasts always end up in a celebration of flesh and blood."

Tatsuki did not like the sound of that. It made it sound as if the festival would end up in some kind of orgy. Her attention went back to the two below and she saw the woman lie on her back and spread her legs. The male lowered himself into the fork that was made. Both still held the dripping hearts in one hand. She wondered what they would do with the bloody muscles and had to fight back the desire to retch as one thought came to her.

The drums became slower to where it truly sounded like a beating heart.

The two mates bit into the muscles they held. Blood dribbled from the corners of their mouths and down their chins. The woman arched as drops from the male's heart fell on her and slid over her oiled and painted Hierro. As they chewed the male entered the female. His thrusts were in tune with the beating drums. They chewed the hearts' meat together. They swallowed together. They took the next bite together.

Tatsuki could feel the Reiatsu rise from the two lovers as the Mating Ritual continued. The Panterans were now stomping their feet and clapping in rhythm with the drum and with the lovers. The naked Arrancars on the sandy floor began to march in rhythm as the two who had brought the hearts led them in a procession of one ring going right-to-left while the other went left-to-right. They dipped their fingers into the basins of blood and flicked droplets of blood on the mating pair as they continued to eat the hearts while continuing their slow and steady thrusting.

Tatsuki felt the part of her civilized upbringing protest with revulsion. But another part, a more primordial part, felt a desire to become one with the Panterans in their celebration of fertility mixed with death. That part was raw and savage, but it was somehow in pure symmetry with the scene thrust upon her.

The drumbeats became faster and the Panteran's stomping became faster. Some began to leap into the air. Shouts and songs rose into the air as Pantera prayed, discord rising.

Below, the two lovers' movements became more frantic and ever more animalistic. The male forced the female up and onto her knees and mounted her from behind. The female let out a cry of pain and pleasure and took another bite from the heart she still held. The male took another bite from the heart he held and rubbed her back with his blood-stained hands. The marching Arrancars with the blood-filled basins were no longer merely flicking blood at them. They were now practically splashing and smearing them with blood. One took in a mouthful of blood and spat upon the lovers, showering them with blood.

Tatsuki didn't fully comprehend the significance of this sacred act. However, she had seen enough of Pantera to know that it was a society that worshiped blood-shed and relished in it.

This was their way of praying for the brood that would result from this union to be made of strong warriors who would stain the lands with blood at the Great Panther's Return. For the Panterans, the road to greatness was paved with ceremony and blood.

The female grew tired of being on her knees and forced the male off her back and forced him onto his back and mounted him. The hearts they had were nearly completely devoured. Tatsuki could feel their Spirit Energy rise and merge. However, she didn't realize that the Reiatsu was being focused in the groin area. It was as though the two lovers were putting as much of their Reiatsu into their sex organs to make them become…

Fertile seed and fertile soil makes a bountiful harvest. The thought went through her mind nearly unnoticed.

Tatsuki saw that even the priests and scholars were somewhat caught-up in the energy that seized the crowd. She stood alone, a sole stone in the current of frenzied movement, but she stood like one in a dream.

The drums' beating quickened and the songs of Panterans became louder. Some tore their clothes with roars and others with moaning, baring their flesh to the night and clawed at their Hierro skin to allow their own blood to flow. Others grabbed their neighbors and pushed them to their knees before mounting them. Tatsuki was surprised at how little resistance that she could see.

Tatsuki felt slightly disoriented by this display. She had never seen anything like it. The closest thing she could think of were videos taken from those corners of the world where time had ceased at the Stone Age or the areas in America that had been sent back by the Downfall. Even though she had seen how cultured and disciplined the Panterans were, she could now see that they still placed a heavy value on the deepest and darkest parts of their psyche: the primordial desire for blood and flesh. The thing that frightened her was that she felt that part of her own psyche raise its head and roar in defiance of the knights and walls that society had trained and built.

She could tell that the two mates in the sand pit were nearing their climax. The dancing Arrancars were becoming wilder and more liberal in their outpouring of blood from the basins. Then she saw a troop come dancing in bearing the heads of dead Arrancars and Hollows, thrusting the grisly trophies high in the air. She had no idea what this was about until Solanssen roared at Pantera.

"FROM DEATH NEW LIFE SPRINGS FORTH! DEATH IS LIFE AND LIFE IS DEATH! FROM LIFE SPRINGS DEATH AND FROM DEATH SPRINGS LIFE! THE GREAT PANTHER SHALL STAIN THE LAND WITH BLOOD!"

As if that was a cue, the mates climaxed and the Arrancars with the basins of blood stepped forward. They poured out the remaining blood in their bowls on the lovers as the two screamed in the ecstasy of their orgasm. The blood covered them and pooled on the sand beneath them. The blood clung to them and Tatsuki felt as though she was seeing two demons, coated in blood, committing inhuman fornication on the red sands. The heads were thrown to the sand. The Arrancars stomped on the heads, shattering them and adding still more gore. The Panteran scholars and priests raised their hands, curled into fists, to the moon.

"STAIN THE LAND WITH BLOOD, OH MIGHTY PANTHER KING! FEAST ON THE FLESH OF YOUR FOES! THE STRONG SHALL INHERIT THE WORLD! THE STRONG SHALL BUILD THE FUTURE! AND THE WEAK SHALL PERISH! SO SAY WE ALL!"

"SO SAY WE ALL!" Solanssen shouted, thrusting his own fist into the air.

"SO SAY WE ALL! SO SAY WE ALL! SO SAY WE ALL!" many of the Panterans shouted.

The drums beat in a vicious Bacchanalian song. The Panterans danced with joy and fervor as the blood-coated mates separated. Both were panting from the energy they exerted and both had difficulty standing up. As their Reiatsu fell, the blood flowed over oil as it should, revealing them as something closer to mortal once again.

The female placed a hand where her womb was and smiled as she felt the male's seed begin to grow inside her. Tatsuki would learn how Arrancar and human reproduction differed. While human reproduction was one sperm merging with one egg to begin the process, Arrancar reproduction was countless sperm devouring each other as well as feeding off of the female's Reiatsu to grow. In thirteen to fifteen of Hueco Mundo's months they would be ready to be spilled onto the sand. However, in order for the sperm to survive the transition into the female, both mates had to increase their Reiatsu and focus it into the sex organs otherwise the sperm would die. Arrancar pregnancy was not something that could occur by accident like human pregnancy.

"It is done," Lucas whispered to Tatsuki. "Now the Panterans will feast, pouring out their energy even more to ensure that the brood becomes strong and healthy. After all, Pantera has no place for the weak except to be kept as Thralls to serve or fed to the beasts to fatten them up for slaughter. That is the natural order of things."

Tatsuki couldn't say anything to that. Instead she could only nod. Her head swam as the smell of sweat, cum, and blood filled her nostrils, further awakening her Inner Dragon.

Ikkaku Madarame

Ikkaku looked at the Panterans passed-out around him. He had been tempted to drink more of the moss wine, but the Commander had ordered him not to get too drunk. The last thing he needed was for Tatsuki to get on his case even more.

The Panterans around him had led him away from the other Panterans before they got to the main ceremony. Ikkaku had been curious about it and was disappointed that he couldn't at least watch from a distance.

"Why didn't the Commander get led away as well?" he muttered as he tipped the stone chalice with one finger. "She's an 'Outsider' too. Tch, she probably impressed them with her combat skills. Shit, why did she impress them more than me? I'm the Third Seat of Squad 11. Hell, I could be Lieutenant if I wanted to. I should have been able to beat that fucking kid."

He banged his fist on the stone table and sighed.

"Still bitching?"

Ikkaku turned around and saw Tatsuki standing behind him. She kicked at one of the Panterans who only let out a snort and hugged the stone jug in his arms closer to his chest. She frowned and shook her head at the sight. Ikkaku snickered as he recognized the look on her face as her Captain's expression.

"I suppose," Ikkaku replied in a slightly better mood than before.

"Well, stop bitching and let's get moving."

"Oh, did you find out what you needed?"

"Yeah, Rukia and her team escaped and fled southeast before being forced underground. I'll give you the details later," Tatsuki replied. "That young Officer who beat your ass was most helpful in that matter."

Ikkaku grimaced as he drained the rest of the moss-wine in his chalice.

"Well, let's get going then," he said as he tossed the empty chalice away.

"Not without the other members in our party," Tatsuki replied.

"Aw, do we have to?" Ikkaku moaned.

"Yes, or perhaps you'd like for She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to come after your ass."

Ikkaku swallowed and shook his head. The last thing he needed was to have the wrath of Captain Retsu Unohana fall upon him. He had been joking, but that monster's wrath was beyond the realm of joking.

"Fine, we'll collect the squirt and the freak and get out," Ikkaku said and stood to follow Tatsuki.

As they made their way down the main street to the gate his curiosity about what the main ceremony was about returned to him.

"So, what exactly was that ceremony about anyways?" he asked.

Tatsuki glared at him and Ikkaku fell silent. As soon as she faced away again, he sighed and shook his head.

What's her problem? All I did was ask a simple question.

Tatsuki Arisawa

Tatsuki made her way to the main gate where she would follow the wall in the direction that Lucas had indicated the Thrall District to be. She could hear the drums still beating and the sound of revelry. From what Lucas told her, the feasting would last a bit longer until the horn sounded again to signal an end to the celebrations.

But what of my feast?

Tatsuki nearly stopped when she heard The Dragon rising up from the depths of her mind.

My feast will never end, Sister Light. I will feast on your tears and despair as I destroy all you hold dear. I will feast on your horror and your ecstasy as I make all of your darkest desires a reality.

After all, my hunger is without end. My feast shall be the Feast of The Dragon.

End of Chapter 8

A.N.: When Eduard and I first started out mapping this story, we knew that we would have to go expy-heavy in order to flush out this vision of Hueco Mundo and to breathe life into it. As a result, the more thought we put into it the more layered and complex the story became. However, this is still a story and the plot does go forward.

We also knew that we were going to have the Arrancars be more Id-based (Id was the term Freud used to describe the more primal aspect of the human psyche). We pretty much mapped out the Tribes before we knew what would be the overall story to it. The overall story came in the beginning stages of development and we have the film Apocalypse Now, inspired by Conrad's "Heart of Darkness", to thank for that.

The Battle of Shiroyama was mentioned in this chapter. It was essentially Japan's version of Custer's Last Stand. On September 24, 1877, 500 Samurai faced the Imperial Japanese Army of some 30,000 troops and were killed to the last man. The battle heralded the end of the Satsuma Rebellion and the samurai class.

Next chapter will focus on Hanataro's and Nemu's experiences.

Thank you for reading and please review.