Chapter 9, version 2

4 months since the arrival

Tanya woke from her restful night of sleep and set up stretching out her back muscles. She crawled out of bed and began to get ready for the day. Her arrival in the center had been a quiet affair, Rangiku Matsumoto had set her up with room and board on the 10th division property. Then she had been left to get some sleep from the long journey. The guest room was nothing special, a bed for sleeping, a desk for reading and writing, and a cabinet for her clothing. A spartan room that was probably only used till the occupant could be transferred to somewhere more permanent.

She checked her uniform and made sure all the holes and tears in it had been fixed up. She picked up sewing in the last three weeks. It had been a pain at first, but it was cheaper, faster and more reliable than trying to locate a local seamstress who could do her work in the few hours break she had from the stagecoach. Today was the day she met her potential employers in the 10th division, she was determined to give a good first impression of herself.

Well, as good as she could with what was left of her uniform. She had replaced the damaged area with patches as time had gone on but the patches were not the same shade of green and it was kind of obvious that she had done the work herself. It was incredibly notable on the right arm of her uniform where she had been forced to sew a new lower sleeve after cutting off the shredded remnants left after the Hollow attack.

Not much she could do about it really, it was not like she could requisition a new one from the Empire. Perhaps she would get an opportunity to buy some new clothing, though she doubted that, her money reserves were drying up quickly. Hopefully, this new organization she was attaching herself to would supply a new uniform soon. Even if it was those outdated shihakushō uniforms, it would be better than the uniform that was slowly becoming more patchwork than clothing.

Getting dressed she attached her Silver Wing Assault Badge to the lower left breast pocket, fastened her Zanpaktou to her belt on her right side then put her hat on. She decided to leave her overcoat on the hook next to her polearm. This was the safest place in the Soul Society, it could be taken as an insult to carry a weapon around not necessary for her potential job.

Ready for the day she stepped outside her room and closed the door firmly. Turning around she started walking towards the sound of dining. Assuming she could get food and a good cup of coffee there. Walking through to the main hallway she took a left and headed deeper into the building, arriving at the division mess hall. There were about a dozen black robe-wearing Soul Reapers sitting around eating and chatting inside a massive room that could fit perhaps a couple hundred people. Near the back, she saw what she guessed was a chef preparing meals.

She started walking over to the food preparation area, noting a few odd looks from the Soul Reapers but they quickly shrugged and went back to what they had been doing. She assumed they had spotted her sword and dropped whatever questions they had. She picked up some food from the buffet-like system they had and got herself a cup of coffee from the small selection they had.

Carrying a tray with her breakfast, she walked to the empty table away from most of the other patrons. Taking a seat she began to enjoy her breakfast, satisfied with the start of her day. She heard footsteps coming up behind her. She waited till the person was right behind before she turned her head to see the white-haired boy in black approaching. He was looking at her coldly, scrutinizing her.

"Good morning," She said, taking the initiative, standing up and extending her hand. "Former Lt. Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff". There was a good chance this kid was a child of someone of importance since he carried a sword and wore the black robes common among the Soul Reapers. Perhaps the child of the local nobility? Whoever he was, it would serve her well to leave a good impression on him. Though as a passing thought, she noted that the boy was about an inch shorter than her.

The boy observed her for a moment, then shook her extended hand. "Third Seat Tōshirō Hitsugaya, good to meet you miss Degurechaff. I assume you're the girl Matsumoto found in the outer districts?" he inquired, walking past her towards the seat across from hers. 'Third seat? Odd military rank, sounds high up in the hierarchy but it's hard to tell from what little info I have' she thought.

"Your assumption would be correct Hitsugaya. May I assume you already heard the full report?" he nodded "Wonderful then we can move on to more interesting questions, would you join me for breakfast?" She was hoping she would signal to the boy that she was a gracious guest and a worthy colleague.

"Sure Matsumoto wanted me to chat with you anyways, though please it's Third Seat Hitsugaya. I worked very hard to get that title," he said, taking the seat across from Tanya. Hmm, Matsumoto had sent the boy to talk to her? Perhaps this was some sorta counter-intel operation? Introduce a young impressionable girl to a good looking boy in the hope of getting more details about her story. Well, that was not likely to work.

"My apologies Third Seat Hitsugaya, Degurechaff would work fine with me then. I doubt my rank of Lt. Colonel has any merit in this world and my title of Von is likely null and void as well." Tanya taking her seat.

"Yeah, what happened in your life really means little in this world, though some noble may take your former family nobility into account and offer to adopt you into their family if they find you a strong enough Soul Reaper," Hitsugaya explained.

"Hmm, it sounds likely they would not want me then, I achieved Von for my achievements while attending the War College, not though family" Tanya mussed as she took a knife to the pancake on her plate.

The white-haired boy raised an eyebrow, then said "You achieved your rank through academic pursuits? Matsumoto telling of your story made me think your noble rank helped you get into the military."

"Oh no, I joined the military first, orphans don't have many stable job opportunities, it was my efforts in the logistics corp that helped me get the opportunity to attend the prestigious War College. There I graduated among the Twelve Knights and was given a minor title of nobility. From there I ascended the ranks to Lt. Colonel." She enjoyed some of her coffee before she asked, "Which reminds me, how is the hierarchy organized here? People keep using military titles, but not in the context I'm used to." A little give and take, she gave him part of her story,now she hoped he would do the same.

"Hmm, I imagine the world of living would run things differently. Well a quick rundown, there are 20 officer Seats per division. The First Seat is held by the captain and the Second is held by a lieutenant. Each seat is meant to oversee about 10 Reapers with divisions in total making up just over 200 Reapers." Tanya stopped drinking as the math ran through her head.

"That about 2600 men over 13 divisions?" She asked slightly confused, compared to the Empire's military, that was just ONE division, and undermanned one at that, assuming that division had just lost half its forces. It would be better to say they were 13 companies in the structure of an under-strength brigade.

"Yes, I believe that last we heard we were just below 3000 in total," he said, confirming the terrible truth for Tanya. The reasons the outer district were so shit, were because the protectors did not have the manpower to do what was necessary.

"I have to say that quite a low number, have there been recruitment issues?" she fished trying to figure out how they had gotten them so undermanned.

"Hmm, no not really, I think numbers are based on traditions more than anything," he said, not concerned at all by the low numbers of their defense force. "So as a Lt. Colonel how many men did you lead?"

'A fair question to ask' Tanya thought before she said "My Salamander Kampfgruppe was made up of an infantry battalion, two airplane battalions, and two armored companies. All together I believe at full strength I could muster 1700 men".

He nodded as if understanding, "Ahh, well keep in mind that one Reaper would probably be worth 50 of your men".

"Perhaps, but if those 50 men were in airplanes, I'm not so sure about that." she mused looking around the room at the black-robed Reapers.

"Well, airplanes are not something that we have to deal with here," Hitsugaya said with a shrug.

"Probably for the best then. I have had a question for a while now, that I have not had the chance to ask. I assume as a Seated officer, you've been to the world of the living? What year would it be now?" Tanya said, poking her food in her utensil.

"Last time I checked the current year, it was 1981, though I would not worry too much about the world of living. It just distracts you and may make it harder to get through the academy."

"Of course, of course, I'm just interested in how long it's been since I passed, I wonder if they have flying cars yet" she mused quietly while internally she tried to remember all stock opportunities that existed from the 80s onwards. She of course would fulfill her duty to the Soul Reapers if she joined their ranks. But there was nothing wrong with having a large nest egg in case something unfortunate were to happen.

"Hey there Tōshirō, who have you got here, a new girlfriend? Momo is going to be heartbroken to hear that." a loud voice boomed behind Tanya. She quickly twisted around to see what caused the sound. , next time she would face the door so she could see who was coming in. Standing over her was a tall dark-haired man with a wide smile in the black robes, but he wore white haori over it displaying the 10th division iconography.

"Captain Shiba, can you please not jump to outlandish ideas like that. This is Former Lt. Colonel Tanya von Degurechaff, the new recruit that Rangiku found while in the outer districts" Hitsugaya explained. "Deugerchaff, this is Captain Isshin Shiba, Commander of the 10th Division." The now named Captain Isshin Shiba took a moment to observe her, putting his hand chin as he thought.

"Wait really? This the kid who killed a Hollow? She looks like she wouldn't hurt a fly." He put his hand on top of Tanya's head and messed up her hair. "I mean, with a bed head like this she…" no one in her first life had tried that stunt on her, she had spent years cultivating the respect of her adults, Years. To be treated like a kid, irked her, and in a moment her mask dropped her frustration caused eyes to sharpen into glare, and a subtle amount of spiritual pressure began to leak into the room. A moment later the Captain had stopped and pulled away, and she regained composure.

Clearing her through she said, "Yes, I'm the one who killed that Hollow. I have had a lot of practice at fighting stronger opponents over my life. I'm sure anyone with my type of training would be able to do the same." She brushed off her outburst by changing the subject and, after a moment, adding a bit of humbleness to her preserved personality.

The captain recovered quickly stating back "Don't sell yourself short, most Soul Reapers can barely carry swords when they join the academy. You not only accomplished that, you managed to kill a Hollow. I expect you to make a wonderful Seated Officer in the tenth. How are you with paperwork by the way?

"Adequate, I get my own done, and only my own," Tanya said remembering what Rangiku said.

"Well maybe not a Seated Officer then," the captain said with a smile leaving Tanya to wonder if he had just made a joke.

Before the conversation could continue, Tanya spotted Rangiku Matsumoto enter the cafeteria. She looked around then spotted them and walked over. "Good morning Captain Shiba, Tōshirō, I see you've met Tanya."

"Rangiku, good to see your bosom is back, and yeah I was just getting to know your new little firecracker," Shibe commented before taking the seat next to Tanya. Rangiku for her part seemed to not care. "I have a good feeling about her chances of being accepted into the academy."

"Well, Degurechaff does seem to have surprising control over her spiritual energy," Hitsugaya commented. "She probably gets through practicals of the entrance exam without issue."

Rangiku nodded and said, "Yeah the only thing she will probably have issues with is stuff she has to study for, some laws and codes of conduct, but I plan to take her to get the resources she needs to study and some academy supplies she will need."

Tanya was taken aback by the low to nonreaction of Shiba comments, in her first life as a human resource officer, she had to have men fired or sent to sensitivity training for such comments. Was this the preverlige of nobility or were they just so used to his behavior that no one cared? Whatever it was, she pulled herself back to the moment and asked. "How much time do I have to prepare for this entrance exam?"

"One month, it starts with the new year," Rangiku said as she smiled.

"One month?" She was going to be busy for quite some time then. She was not likely to pass as she is if the exam included history or legal tests of some sort, she would need to study hard for it. She stood up from her chair, not caring that Captain Shiba snuck some bacon off her plate as she said "Well then, I should begin preparing, miss Matsumoto please show me what I need to do to prepare." Then nodded to the two other officers of the division. "A pleasure meeting you both," she said before walking alongside Rangiku towards the exit..

Some elements of Soul Society were frankly ridiculous, the building she passed as she walked the streets looked like they belonged in ancient japan, but then when she went inside she saw rather modern conveniences. She had seen light fixtures, ceiling fans, and few other items that would need power, and inside the uniform supply shop for the Spiritual Arts Academy, she had seen electric-sewing machines that looked like they belonged in the 60s.

This diversity in style had led her to wonder if perhaps the 9th division which she knew was in control of arts and culture were keeping modern materials and designs from being used in building construction. It was not a wildly impossible thing, the more she saw this place seemed to have a very central planning way of doing things. Perhaps they had committees on what they would adopt from the world of the living? If so, her earlier plans about making a technology town were doomed from the start. She would have woken up one day to a bunch of black-robed goons burning her shop down for being too progressive with technology or some other accusation to keep people dependent on the government.

She had gotten a fitting for an Academy shihakushō which apparently were white compared to the black of the Gotei 13, and had gendered colors. The uniform for women had red hakama style pants, an undershirt, and a stripe down each arm of the white overshirt. It looked like it would be a lot lighter than her current green military uniform, so that was a plus. Though she was not a fan of the sandals.

She understood the tradition that led to why they existed. But frankly marching through Russy had given her a better understanding of the need for good boots. She'd put up with sandals for now, but she had seen enough variation in uniforms of the Gotei 13 that she would inquire about using boots at least on campaigns outside of Central.

From there she had been taken to what amounted to a book shop. Where she used the last bit of her money to pick up a few of the books she would need to get ready for the entrance exams. Being effectively broke was not a preferable situation, but a worthy investment inorder to attend the academy. She had gotten a history book that she suspected had been edited to fit the worldview of the Soul Reapers. A book on Shinigami edicts and mission objectives and priorities, which informed her their Gotei 13 was not the government. There was something above them called Central 46.

Now back in her borrowed room in the 10th division she was reading these books with interest. It was good that whoever had put this government together had put some kind of watchdog on their military. But she was not sure Central 46 was the greatest implementation of a watchdog. 40 "Wisemen" and 6 Judges were meant to keep control of the Soul Society and prosecute any Shinigami who broke the law. It was a massive judicial branch and as far as she could tell there was no representation for people. Yes, the 40 Wisemen were apparently meant to check that box but with near-immortality being a thing, and with them living inside a forbidden city here in Central. She could not see them having much idea what really happens out in the modern world. They had been assembled a thousand years ago, chances were good they were massively out of touch.

She would have to get her hand on any law book to read up on their decision to avoid falling into any pitfalls and getting declared a heretic or traitor. And on the subject of religion… Soul King, details were sketchy but it would seem the ancient Japanese idea of an Emperor worship still exists in this world. People worshiped this Soul King as some form of god. Thankfully it would seem he lives in one of those other minor worlds she heard about, and Central 46 derived their power from the mandate he had given them.

She did not know if this Soul King was the being X equivalent of this universe, or if he was just a high-powered being that convinced everyone that he was god, but for now, she planned to just stay as far away as she could from this Soul King.

Looking through the rest of the book she also found the official statement on what the Soul Reapers were meant to be doing. The first two she knew already protect the capital and move souls to the Soul Society. The last two there were concerning the deployment of forces to enemy territory and deployment of forces to the world of the living. The second one made some sense, perhaps there was a Hollow invasion into the world of the living and they needed more than just a couple of Reapers there to deal with them. But the first one, what was enemy territory if it was the world the Hollows came from, you'd think they'd just use its name. But they did not say deployment to Hueco Mundo they said enemy which proposes there were forces the Soul Reapers did not like to talk about.

If there are forces they didn't like to talk about, that could mean that they rivaled the Soul Society or they thought they had been exterminated and didn't want to talk about them anymore. She would have to keep her ears open on such matters in the future, and she reaffirmed her commitment to not being on the front lines this time.

Looking through the last of the book she found references to four fighting styles that made up Soul Reaper combat. Kido, which was the magic of this world as far as she could tell. Though they made reference to a need for key phrases in order to make use of it. Perhaps the mathematical formulas bypassed this rule, if so, could she adapt some of the mathematical formulas to run some of the Kido spells? Not shouting out what you're doing would be a massive advantage in combat she would like to retain.

Zanjutsu or swordsmanship would be one she'd probably have to train. Most of her previous combat experience was with guns and bayonets. So having to pick up swordsmanship would be a new experience.

Hakuda she'd probably have no problem with, though it was hand to hand combat from its descriptions. And she had plenty of experience with that though she preferred to have a knife in one hand while doing it.

And finally, there was Hoho. This one sounded a bit ridiculous. It was all about controlling agility and speed to move faster than the eye could detect. She found it hard to believe that that could really be pulled off. Then again, strictly speaking they weren't physical bodies anymore. They were Souls, perhaps there was some limited range teleportation ability that came available when you don't physically have a body. It was listed as a defensive technique but she knew how speed and agility could be useful in an offensive capability from her time over the Rhine. All in all, this running technique would probably be on the top of her list to learn just for the ability to get away from a problem if things go badly.

Sitting in her desk chair she stretched out her back and prepared a mental schedule. She had a month to get herself ready for practical even if the test was as easy as showing them that she had spiritual pressure, she would still need to pass whatever legalese and history tests they threw at her to make sure she was a good student for their program. And assuming they would want a test of her swordsmanship as well, she would probably need to practice that with someone who could reasonably give her an idea of what would be required of her. As the sun began to set outside an idea began to form.

Third Seat Tōshirō Hitsugaya had expected a few possible things today. Captain Shiba sliding his paperwork onto his desk, Rangiku drinking herself under a table in celebration for a mission well done, having to give Konoye and Shirosama another lecture on proper office etiquette because they were using Shunpo to race down the hallway again. What he had not expected was Degurechaff to approach him in the division office with a request.

"You want to duel me?" he asked, trying to puzzle out her motives.

"Nothing that dramatic," the blond girl said with a shake of her head. "A practice spar would be a better way to understand my position. I am more used to fighting with a finger on a trigger and a blade on the end of a rifle. Sword fighting was not something that happened in modern war, but it seems it is a skill I will need to pick up before I enter the academy."

She was correct, in a sense, but normally the academy dealt with the training after students entered. The test was a simple examination of a student's ability to use spiritual energy and if the student would be willing to give up their lives for their friends and humanity, and if not, could they be taught that. The first she had in spades, the second, he was not sure, but maybe this was an opportunity to find out? Besides, someone trying to self improve with hard work was worth some time out of his day.

"Sure I can go a couple of rounds with you, there's a training area next to the cafeteria. Meet me there at noon?" he offered.

"Sounds like a plan. Thank you for your help" The blond said with a smile before she walked out, probably to ready herself.

"Wow, Rangiku, did Tōshirō just agree to a date with Tanya? Did you bring back a witch who can bewitch even his cold heart?" Isshin joked the moment the door closed.

"Fewer jokes more report finalizing," Rangiku shot back busy with a hill of paperwork.

"Come on, you have to have some humor in the situation. I mean girls got the same mindset for hard work as Tōshirō. If they don't hook up we need to tease them for at least being the gender-bent reflection of each other," Isshin said with a smile as Tōshirō sighed in annoyance.

"Captain, as cute as that idea of those two being item is, she freaked out when you touched her, and I believe she's not ready to talk about why yet. Those kinds of jokes could give her reason to keep herself walled up." Rangiku said as she put down her pen to look across the room at the Captain.

The captain shrugged, "I think you're overthinking it, Rangiku. She was a military officer right? Probably just doesn't like being treated like a kid." he stated as he wrote something on the form in front of him.

Tōshirō got up, "Well as much as you two are having fun playing matchmakers I think I'm going to go do anything else." He said picking up what was left of his weekly paperwork and leaving the room. He would go get his work done in the cafeteria then see about Tanya's spar.

"Are you sure about this Degurechaff?" Tōshirō asked, as he stood in the training yard across from the blond girl.

"I need to have a baseline of what I will be required to achieve" She responded, drawing her one-handed blade from her scabbard.

"I can understand that, but should we not use practice blades for your first spar?" Tōshirō asked a bit concerned for everyone's safety. As to answer that question Tanya's eye began to glow blue soon followed by her silver blade.

"I have covered my blade in a repulsive spell, right now it is as dangerous as a wooden stick." She said matter of factly.

"Huh," A barrier Kido around the blade? Not something he had seen before, but give him the time he thought he could replicate it. "Alright, simple rules then, I hit you or you hit me, that's a win, force me or I force you, out of the square, that's a win, understand the rules?" he explained, drawing his own blade and taking a two handed stance.

"Yes," Tanya confirmed, taking a stance with her blade in her right hand in front of her, her free left hand parallel to her chest.

Since it was her first time he thought he would go easy on her, he could use Shunpo to close the distance faster than she would be able to see, but that would do her no good. So he moved just fast enough she could see him bringing his sword to the right. She counted with her own blade knocking it away and sidestepping to his left. She attempted to slide under his guard but he blocked and sent the blade back with a shove of his blade.

'That was an issue she would need to work on,' he thought, 'her one-handed blade would not have the strength to knock my two-handed blade away, which meant her only hope was to find some way under my guard.' He moved to strike her again, but this time she moved her open hand to block. He started to pull back not wanting to slice her hand off, when his blade hit a solid barrier that formed in front of her hand. She then poked under the barrier that was keeping his blade occupied and hit him in the shoulder.

"Not bad," he said, stepping back to give her some room. Her blade work was rudimentary but she knew what she was doing in a fight. "So I have a question, why did you join the military? I understand you didn't have many options as an orphan but putting your life at risk like that seems foolish?"

The girl returned to her stance as she stepped back, "The Empire was heading for war, I could see it and I knew it would be devastating. I simply wanted to be in a place best suited for me when the time came I thought I could get far enough up the ranks things would be better."

'Huh, she gave up her childhood to try to prevent the war or make sure it was not devastating? Either one spoke volumes and it really didn't matter which it was, the goal was to protect human lives, which meant she had a good chance of making it in the academy.

"A noble goal." He steadied his blade. "Let's go again" he used Shunpo to move to her flank faster than her eye could keep track, catching her by surprise, but he let her have the opportunity to recover before he attacked. She blocked his attack with her barrier, but this time he pulled back before she could counter and swiped her blade down onto the ground before he kicked the barrier. This time she was forced to step back a couple of feet and over the line of the square.

He let his guard down and was about to ready for the next spar when he noticed something, she was breathing a bit heavily from the hit but she was smiling. "Are you having fun?" he asked.

"No no, it's just adrenalin running in my system." she said stepping back into the square, "Care for another spar?"

Author's note

No new issues with the chapter, in fact, I liked how this one flowed more than some of the others. But we'll see what you good folks think.

Please comment, review, and generally enjoy yourselves…

betad by: BuzzTech

Response to reviews

bossboss: here you go

Kadzuki Kurokami: are you sure about that?

EricFreak: considering i was more concerned people would light me up for even proposing something other then a Victoria x Tanya, I not worried anymore, now i'm just let what happens happens. hmm will have to Rangiku get along with Viktoriya. she should be showing up soonish. how you enjoyed the current chapter May being T be with you.

PsylentFox: I will consider it, right now leaving that segment won't cause too many problems. also yep her Shikai and Bankai will be fun... if I ever settle on the concept for more than a week. I will say this on the Tanya/Visha thing, Carlo Zen is apparently against the ship and when I think about I remember this quote by J.R.R Tolkien, that goes little something like, if you think Sam and Frodo were more than friends... you never had a friend. So yeah Tanya/Visha thing might not happen, or might happen. I'm simply going to write what comes to my head, and see what folks think.

Spica75: well there an overwhelming amount of fanfiction, but I building a bunker for shipper bombers that will come so everything should be fine.

Ikasuki: ah her old comrades will show up when they are needed for a story, but i'm going to make the story about them. Tanya the focus point. when Ichigo shows up will probable learn about the invasion mostly from Tanya point of view.

Grocamol: well then here hoping 5000 is even better.

Lord Feunoyr: opinion seemed to be the girl has been through some shit and needs some friends.