The Death and Life of Erza Scarlet

by Goshinzilla

Death is only the beginning. Erza learns that much at the tower of heaven. But the afterlife, it turns out, isn't much better than life, with all its flaws. As she becomes a shinigami, Erza seeks to make a better world- but Aizen has the same idea... (ErzaXMomo)

84. The Truth According To Ginjou

Well, good news everyone! We're back with another chapter! Before we get into the chapter itself however, I have a message from GreatKingrat88.

"Just a quick note, since my beta brought it to my attention: Ywach's name, I realize, seems very odd in English. This hadn't occured to me, since in Swedish (my native tongue), Y is a vowel, not a consonant, (in German as well) and there is no corresponding sound for the letter in English. So his name would seem like "Yehwach" or "Y'wach", which is strange. Ywach's nationality is germanic, in this fic- from Bohemia, a region of modern day poland- and would probably be rendered "Üwach" in his native tongue, which would best be pronounced as either "Ouvach" or "Eevach". That's all."

Ok, no more time to delay, so lets get to it! Please leave us a review so we know what you think!

Thanks once again to Greatkingrat88 (for writing) and jcampbellohten (for being our Beta)

Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo and Shounen jump. Fairy tail is owned by Hiro Mashima and weekly shounen magazine. I own NOTHING. This is all just for fun!

---

It was noon, and Erza had headed to the designated lunch room at the HQ to eat. She had spent most of the morning doing menial chores; paperwork, reports, accounts of their use of resources and finances- dreadfully boring, but she had forced herself through it. As a leader, she shouldn't keep putting that sort of work onto Momo just because it didn't appeal to her.

It was, however, with some relief that she heated her cold lunchbox. She was surprised to see Soifon asleep in a cot, door halfway slid open, in a room just next to the designated intelligence central, draped around Yoruichi's naked frame.

She didn't dwell on it, particularly because Yoruichi noticed her and got up, gently leaving Soifon behind to sleep. As Erza began to warm her lunch, a still naked Yoruichi walked into the lunch room, dragging a worn t-shirt behind her.

"I'm not surprised to see you asleep this late," Erza said dryly, leaning against the counter by the microwave, "but Soifon?"

Yoruichi sniggered. "She insisted on going through some data last night and didn't get to bed until it was almost time to get up. You know how she is."

"Quite," Erza said with a nod, "you do know you're still naked, right?"

"Really? I hadn't noticed."

"Clothes. Now. Please."

"You sure you don't want to check out the goods?" Yoruichi said, giving a quick twirl. "No? Suit yourself."

She chuckled and pulled the worn t-shirt over her head. The piece of cloth just barely covered all the essentials.

"Come on," she said. "No lecturing me for being a pervert? 'Honestly, Yoruichi, decent people don't go around showing their… doodads off like that!'" She cheerily imitated Erza, poorly, while wagging her finger.

"You've never been decent," Erza said with a snort. "I think you were born lewd. Also, I'd never call somebody's curves 'doodads,' either."

"True. True," Yoruichi said, quite proudly.

"So…" Erza said. "You and Soifon?"

"What?"

"You know…" said Erza, giving a shrug she hoped was quite suggestive.

"What? Like that?" Yoruichi said with a snort. "Don't be ridiculous. It's just bonding stuff. Perfectly normal."

No suggestive comments of any kind, Erza thought. Curious.

"Uh-huh," she replied. "Yeah, just… sleeping nakedly together, as friends do."

"That's normal for me," Yoruichi replied. She paused, her eyes narrowing. "So… this is what it's like when the shoe is on the other foot, huh?"

"Hm?" said Erza.

"You, teasing me, instead of the other way around."

"Me, tease?" said Erza, a look of all-too-innocent surprise on her face. "Gosh. I'd never."

Yoruichi burst out laughing.

"The real shocker is that you're not bad at it," she said, shaking her head.

"Just a matter of practice," Erza said with a smile. "I've had ages to watch you do it, haven't I? You're a bad influence. You only have yourself to blame."

She laughed, and Yoruichi laughed with her.

"Actually…" said Erza, as the laughter died down, "I was wondering about… one thing."

"Yeah?"

"So… you've been with women, right? Uh, I mean, I know you have. Right." A little flustered, Erza felt her cheeks redden.

"You know, we had this conversation already," Yoruichi said, clearly enjoying the moment.

"It's not that. Well, sort of," Erza muttered, taking in a deep breath. "I think I'm starting to… feel things for Momo. And the thing is… I'm not sure what to do with it. I could ask Isane, but it's not like those two have very… normal circumstances, you know?"

"Is it sex? I could tell you about sex," Yoruichi said briskly. "There're these amazing things you can do with just your fingers-"

"Not- not that," Erza said quickly, "not… yet."

"You sure? Because it's really, really good-"

"Not that!" Erza insisted.

"Alright. Alright," Yoruichi said, holding her arms up in contrition. "So, what, then?"

"You said you didn't have that many romantic relationships, right? But I'm not exactly… spoiled for choice. So, I was just wondering… I dunno…"

"What is it like to be in love, is that it?" said Yoruichi.

Erza nodded.

"Well…" said Yoruichi, the cheeky grin on her face dimming a little, "I've been in love- really in love, not just crushes and such- twice in my life. Once with a man, once with a woman. Neither really worked out, so… I can't say I have a lot to offer there."

"Something's better than nothing," Erza said, almost pleadingly.

Yoruichi sighed. "For some people, love is like a bolt of lightning that just strikes you in the moment. You see the right person and you're like, bam, that's the one I want. Wasn't the case for me. For me, for many other people, it comes creeping up on you like a thief in the night. You find somebody you enjoy spending time with, somebody who's kind and who puts you at ease, and before you know it you've fallen for them. But when you're there… when you're really there, they're the centre of your life. They're the kind of people you'd die for. It burns like a wildfire, and it can be just as destructive if you're not careful. I… the first time for me, I felt things so strong it made me afraid."

"If that's what love's like," muttered Erza, "then I'm all out of luck."

"What do you feel, then?"

"I…" said Erza, hesitating. "I want to be around her. I look forward to the end of the day every night, because that small time we have together before going to bed… it's started to feel really special. There's so little of it, but that makes it so much more special. I found myself dreaming about spending more time with her. But… I don't know. I can't shake this creeping suspicion that I'm just trying to help her out, that I'm not feeling something real, that it's only there to spare her feelings. I want to be honest with her, but…"

"Aren't you?"

"I think I am," Erza said, shaking her head. Behind her the microwave let out a ding, but her heated lunch suddenly didn't seem important. "I think so, yeah. But… these super strong feelings you talked about, they're not there. I feel… I know very much that there are bigger, more important things than our relationship. She's precious to me, but… I know it can't be everything. It makes me feel like I'm devaluing what we have. Like I'm too… coldly rational. Like there's nothing really there. I think I'm just paranoid, but…"

"Erza," said Yoruichi softly, "it's not the same for everyone. It's very much an individual thing, this… crazy little thing called love. It can take time. You feel more for her than before, no?"

Erza nodded.

"Then that's enough for now. Spend more time with her. See how she feels and how you feel. Don't sweat it. Don't work yourself up over nothing, and don't blame yourself for not feeling the way you imagine you should feel."

"You know," said Erza, "for somebody claiming not to have much experience, you make a surprising amount of sense."

"What do I know?" said Yoruichi with a grin. "I could be full of shit. I'm just doing my best here."

"It's good enough," said Erza warmly. "Thanks, Yoruichi."

Yoruichi nodded. "Happy to help."

There was sincerity in her voice, the natural playfulness dropped for a second. They looked at each other silently, no words needed between them. This is the best part of friendship, thought Erza, relying on each other for anything without judgment.

"By the way," said Erza after a while, "go wake up your girlfriend. I need somebody manning the surveillance station."

"You suck, commander," Yoruichi said with a snort. She stuck out her tongue and made a face, but headed out anyway. Erza chuckled to herself, and opened the microwave. She was starting to get a hang of this whole 'being social' thing, and it had only taken her a century or so.

---

Uryu had gone through the week with a growing sense of anticipation, each day feeling less bearable than the next. It was like being a small child looking forward to his birthday again, dialed up to eleven. The entire week, he had fantasized about the knights of the Vanden, the fraternity of gentleman warriors living by a code of chivalry. He had repeatedly tried to reel himself in and temper his expectations, knowing that if they were raised too high, the real thing could never measure up. He hadn't been able to stop himself, though. He had searched for images of Western-style castles on the Internet to get a sense for what he might expect from their keep, and it had only stoked the flames of his imagination. The alien grandeur of the Western styles, so rugged and hewn from grey and brown rock, had only made it even more appealing. Would it be a military-style keep, with buttresses and defense towers, or a fantastically beautiful palace with grand spires and majestic, artistically crafted walls? What would await him inside those walls? Row upon row of knights in gleaming armour, bowing respectfully to one another as they passed? Great drills of combat by chivalrous men and women, respectfully improving each other's skill set by intense bouts of mock combat?

By the time Friday arrived, it had taken considerable discipline to focus on his school work. When school had finished for the day, he had gone straight to the knights' hide-out. Saturday classes were technically optional, and he had left a note for his father- he cared not to hear the old man's warnings or lectures. It was time he saw for himself the legacy left to him by the last great clan alive. It was time he took the plunge on his own.

So it was that while Erza jauntily bickered with Yoruichi, Uryu landed in Germany with an express flight on a private jet. His excitement had peaked at the airport, and as he travelled ever closer, Uryu found himself growing calmer. He had forced himself not to ask too many questions; he did not want to come across like an excitable child about to receive a basic tour of a museum. This was a great honour, and he would carry himself accordingly. Instead he engaged in conversation with Meninas and Haschwalth, and even Bambietta, and found their company soothing. By the time they entered the car that would take them the last stretch, to the castle itself, the brightest of his overexcitement had died down a little, instead replaced by a sudden nervousness. Meninas and Haschwalth seemed to think well of him, but what of the rest of the order? Would he not come across like the quincy equivalent of some ignorant hillbilly? Would his cool demeanour make him come across as arrogant? Would he fail to keep his cool and come across as immature? A plethora of nightmare scenarios, each one worse than the one before it, flashed through his mind. Expelled, disregarded, hated, cast out…

His nervousness had to have shown, because Meninas, seated next to him in the car, placed a hand on his and smiled reassuringly.

"You'll be fine," she said encouragingly. "Just relax yourself. You're an aspirant. People won't think about you as much as you think."

"He's his own worst enemy," Bambietta said with a snort. "I know that look. Taking everything bad he can think of and blowing it out of proportion in his head…"

"Be nice," Meninas chided her.

"She's right," Uryu admitted.

"Fuck me, that's a first," Bambi said, sounding pleasantly surprised. "I usually get that cool 'You're not knightly enough and a disappointment' kind of stare. Don't look at me like you're surprised; I know that look by heart."

"That's because everyone at home also gives it to you," said Haschwalth sardonically.

"Whatever, man…" Bambi muttered.

"As Paladin McAllon said," Haschwalth continued, "I am sure you will be fine. You are not there to make an impression- you are there to have an impression made on you. Nothing is expected of you except an open mind."

Uryu nodded gratefully. It was not the first time the grand master had said those words, but they took time to sink in.

"That said," continued the grand master, "there are some small obeisances that you must make."

"Haschwalth?" said Uryu quizzically.

"That right there, for example," said Haschwalth. "I am perfectly happy to be called by name outside of the keep. In fact, I welcome it. The weight of authority is eased when I can be just Jugram Haschwalth, not the great and powerful grand master. But inside the keep, all attending are expected to address each other by rank and with respect. In there, I am Grand Master Haschwalth, or 'milord'. Anybody with the rank of knight must be addressed as 'sir' before their name, whether they're male or female, or by their rank. 'Paladin McAllon' or 'Sir McAllon', for example. Anybody beneath that is 'cadet'. You will be addressed as 'aspirant'. Bowing is not required, but is considered a polite courtesy. His Majesty, should you meet him, is to be addressed as 'my liege' or 'Your Majesty'."

Uryu made a mental note to bow appropriately to anyone he met wearing the knightly colours.

"It's a huge fuckin' hassle," Bambi said, rolling her eyes.

"How will I do language-wise? My German is… not great," Uryu admitted. "I know a few phrases and some basic grammar, but that's it."

"Most present also speak French and English," said the grand master. "Your English is decent. I know that. You will get by."

Uryu nodded. "Are we… close?" he asked, looking out the window.

"Very soon," said Haschwalth, a content smile on his face. "Just around the bend, I think."

He was correct, and a minute later, it began to come into view. Uryu watched eagerly, staring out the window.

"To travel," said Haschwalth, a quiet happiness in his voice, "is a joy. But it is as they say… there is no place like home."

It took Uryu several seconds to realize his jaw had dropped. Slowly coming into view was a magnificent, enormous building, at least a kilometre in both length and girth. It was no beauteous palace with great spires, cast as it was from grey granite rock, but it possessed a grim kind of majesty. It was situated on a hill, as castles often were, and eight great towers rose from its walls. Crenellations lined the wall ramparts, which Uryu could see, even in the distance, were being patrolled by figures in black-and-white cloaks. A great gatehouse opened to a drawbridge lowered to welcome them, and Uryu stared in awe. There was a great courtyard, leading up to an inner keep, holding a ninth tower, taller than all of the others. The walls and towers looked beautifully crafted, a marriage between graceful elegance and blunt practicality. It was the kind of castle any architect would weep at as a work of art, and any lordling would happily defend indefinitely. It looked solid, powerful, and indomitable, like a monument to defiance.

"I cannot say I blame you for your reaction," Haschwalth said, mildly amused. "When I first saw it, I was but a lad of fourteen, and I was awed as you are now. The first stonework was laid over nine hundred years ago, and it has been built upon, expanded, rebuilt, and remade since. It's been burned and halfway razed twice. It has endured sieges the likes of which you could not imagine. It has repelled invaders and forged warriors in fire. This… this, Aspirant Ishida, is the Castra Wanden."

"Home," Bambi muttered, her usual rough demeanour muted. "It don't look bad from a distance."

"Home," Meninas said solemnly, "where our heart and hearth is."

Uryu stared silently, only barely keeping his jaw shut. It was like being transported into another world. As they drove into the court yard, there certainly were signs of modernity- other cars, wiring, electrical lights, antennae- but it was still as if the castle defied these new additions, as if the sheer weight of its intimidating presence made them null and void.

"This way," said Haschwalth, as the car stopped and a young knight in what Uryu presumed to be initiate's robes hurried up to open the door for him. Haschwalth exited, and Meninas and Bambi with him.

"Well?" said Meninas cheerily. "Aren't you coming?"

"Yes…" Uryu said, slowly exiting the car, at a loss for words.

There were no great rows of warriors lined up in fanfare, nor was it filled to the brim with intense spars, but somehow, it didn't seem to matter. There were knights around them; Uryu could see a dozen marching through the yard and up the stairs. Other personnel were milling around, lacking the tabards of the Wandenritter yet still sporting their colours on their jackets and uniforms. It was a busy, industrious place, yet as they walked toward the keep's entrance, everyone parted before them like ice before the prow of a mighty ship. The dozen knights fell upon one knee when they saw Haschwalth, each one reciting,

"The Wandenritter welcomes their grand master home! May good fortune follow him, and long may he live!"

Haschwalth waved as his presence parted the crowd, smiling happily, and Uryu realized the man was truly akin to royalty.

Taking in the new sensations and experiences, Uryu almost tripped over himself as his companions stopped, so lost in thought had he been. They had come upon a majestic stair, some forty steps high. In rows around them, knights and servants had fallen to their knees when they saw Haschwalth, and Uryu felt a little awkward to be standing up. As if she sensed his unease, Meninas nudged him.

"Don't worry," she whispered. "I'll let you know."

"Thank you," he muttered back.

"Well, well, well!"

A voice boomed out from across the stairs, and Uryu saw what looked like a young man around Haschwalth's age- which, for all he knew, could mean any age between eight hundred and twenty- wearing full plate mail, the black-and-white cloak of the Wandenritter draped around his shoulders. A well-crafted tabard covered his chest, and his shoulder guards were lined with gold.

"If it isn't the lazy, lost prodigal son, deigning to return home at last!"

Uryu's eyes widened a little. Who dared speak to a grand master like that? Meninas' smile reassured him, though. Haschwalth seemed to take it in stride, walking up the stairs one step at a time, the stranger meeting him halfway. As he got closer, Uryu saw him better. His hair was neatly shaven except for a well-groomed mohawk, and he had a cocky smile on his face.

"Sir Black," said Haschwalth with quiet cheer, "I am glad to see you are well. It seems not even my absence is enough to let your recklessness end you."

"You always were high and mighty, weren't you?" said Sir Black, grinning widely. "Welcome home, you son of a bitch!"

He caught Haschwalth in a bear hug, and Uryu was surprised to see Haschwalth heartily return the embrace. As they broke apart, Sir Black stared down at the rest of the entourage.

"What have we got here, eh?" he said. "Fresh meat for the grinder?"

"Ishida Uryu," said Haschwalth, "it is my pleasure to introduce the paladin Sir Basarde Black, one of my oldest friends. Somehow, the wear and tear of time has yet to fully smooth out his rough edges."

Sir Black snorted. "We weren't all born wrapped in silk," he said, eyeing Uryu, "and I go by Bazz. You know that."

"Not before an aspirant, you don't," Haschwalth chided him mildly. "Some formalities do have to be observed."

Bazz shrugged. "This is the life of a knight, kid," he said mockingly, turning to Uryu. "They shove a sword in your hand, tell you to wreak bloody murder on people, and then they expect you to be polite afterward."

"Er…" said Uryu, wondering quietly if he was at all related to Bambietta.

"Pay him no heed," said Haschwalth genially. "His mockery of the profession aside, this man is one of the most virtuous I've ever had the privilege to call a friend."

"You know, buddy," said Bazz, "only you can compliment me while making me feel insulted at the same time."

"It is a unique talent of mine," said Haschwalth with a smile. "But, enough dawdling. Warm greetings aside, I must speak with His Majesty on matters delicate. Meninas, I shall leave Aspirant Ishida to you."

"Yes, grand master," Meninas said, saluting sharply.

"Right this way, then, Mr. Grand Master, sir," said Bazz. "You know, he gets awful sullen if you're away too long…"

Uryu watched as the two of them walked up the stairs and into the castle by themselves, awed as before. Only now after Sir Black- Bazz- had left did Uryu realize the sheer amount of power he had sensed about the paladin, stirring restlessly under the surface. How many more like him were there? How many were so powerful? So… colourful? He had expected Bambietta to be the exception, but it seemed clear that the Vanden were not as strict as he might have expected.

This keep had not matched his wildest imaginations. Somehow, despite not being much like them, it had completely exceeded them.

---

Between the continuous training sessions with the visored, which were literally a matter of his life or death, school, and the looming threat of the upcoming war, sparring with Tatsuki was by comparison quite relaxing. She had challenged him after school, and Ichigo, who realized he'd spent a fair amount of time away from her in the fullbringers' hideout, had accepted. He had been curious. He was aware that she had been training with Yoruichi and Soifon, both masters in hand-to-hand combat, and her power had begun to develop beyond the raw, crude mass it had been only a few months ago. They had headed to the park, found a desolate spot, and Ichigo had entered his soul form, discarded his zanpakutou, and the two of them had gone at it unarmed. It had been over an hour now, with little more communication than a few grunts about what had gone wrong and where when either one of them would inevitably bite the dust.

She had come a long way, and he had underestimated her. Every blow she threw at him now felt explosive, strong enough to hurt even when he blocked them well. He had neglected his karate for some time now, whereas Tatsuki was still fighting with the acumen of a professional, and it showed. Her movements were cleaner, faster, and sharper than ever before, and Ichigo found himself on the back foot repeatedly. His greater pool of spiritual energy helped him, even though he tried to hold it back to make sure the fight was fair. His greater reach, height, and body mass helped, as well. But, even with these advantages accounted for, she would come out on top over and over again. She would use her feet, her fists, her legs, and her arms, launching great, swooping kicks that could transition into quick jabs. She would somersault over him, outpacing his movements no matter how he tried, and it was obvious her style was evolving from just formal karate. Her tutelage under Yoruichi was beginning to pay off.

One on one, with no sword, without going all out, she was too good for him, too skilled.

"Come on," she insisted, hands up and fists balled, dancing on her feet, "again. Get up."

"Easy for you to say," Ichigo grunted, getting to his feet. He had been brought to one knee by a savage kick to his knee joint from behind, followed by a roundhouse to his jaw, sending him to an undignified collapse onto the forest floor. "I know you don't need to hold back when I'm in my shinigami form, but that hurt."

Irritably, he rubbed his jaw, and stood up. His shihakusho was dirty and dusty, and he knew his face probably looked no better.

"You ready to quit, or what?" Tatsuki said impatiently. "I know you're stronger than that. I know you're holding back."

"I'm not a teacher," Ichigo objected. "I don't know just how much I gotta hold back, or what sort of fighting you need the most."

"Come on," Tatsuki said. "I can keep going, and so can you."

"Tatsuki," Ichigo warned, "calm down. You're getting a lot stronger. I don't think you know how much stronger that is. I don't want to end up hurting you accidentally, and I sure as hell don't want to get kicked in the face like that again. You kick like a mule, damn it."

Tatsuki sighed, and relaxed her stance. "Yeah, okay. Sorry."

Ichigo grinned, and in an instant, before she could react, he was upon her at full speed. His hand grabbed across her chest, and as gently as one could possibly do something that violent, he slammed her into the ground.

Tatsuki coughed, the wind halfway knocked out of her, and as she struggled for air, Ichigo couldn't help but laugh.

"You- you asshole," she blurted out.

"That," said Ichigo with a chuckle, "is what full tilt looks like. Don't ask for it if you're not ready for it."

"Fine, we're even," she wheezed out, stretching up an arm. Ichigo gave her a hand, but braced himself, and sure enough, she tugged hard. All it accomplished, of course, was pulling Tatsuki to her feet with speed.

"Damn, you're like a rock," she muttered.

"Can't help how good I am," Ichigo said, with deliberate smugness.

She gave him a dirty look, but slowly eased into a smile.

"Alright," she said, with a shrug. "Yeah, I guess that's enough for today. I… thanks for taking me on."

"Any time," said Ichigo with a shrug. "Well, when I'm not doing any one of the million things keeping me busy these days."

"You do have a lot on your plate," Tatsuki said, "and here I thought we wouldn't be drifting apart until you finished school, got a job, and had five kids to worry about."

"Hey, we're not drifting apart," Ichigo protested. "It's just… a lot going on, you know?"

"Relax. I'm just hassling you," Tatsuki said with a snort. "But, come to think of it… it has been a while since I saw you. Or Orihime, for that matter. What have you all been up to?"

"Oh… a bit of this and that," Ichigo said evasively, and realized to his surprise that he didn't want to say, didn't want to give away the fullbringers. "Nothing too special."

"Ichigo…" Tatsuki said, and her tone said it all; he knew she wasn't buying it.

"Look, it really is nothing special," Ichigo said hastily. "It's just that Chad, Orihime and I found this place to train… well, when we get there I've had enough training for the day, so I mostly just hang out, but they use their time to get stronger. I was going to ask you, but… well, I don't think you'd get better work done with us than with the ones you already got."

"Sure," said Tatsuki, giving him a suspicious look. "You sure that's it?"

"Uh, more or less?"

"Are you and Orihime dating?"

The question was like a bolt of lightning from clear sky, and Ichigo, baffled, stuttered, "N-no? What?"

"Really now?"

"No, really!" Ichigo insisted, catching his bearings. "I mean, she's really nice and I like being around her and she's really supportive and helped me through some really hard stuff but-"

"But, you're not dating."

"Right!"

"You probably should be."

"What makes you say that?" Ichigo said, incredulous.

"Better you than some douchebag with smooth moves and an ego," she said with a shrug. "Anyway, just a thought." Her face split into a grin. "Should've seen your face just now, though."

"Are you fucking with me?" Ichigo said angrily. "Oh man, you were, weren't you?"

Tatsuki chuckled.

"That's it," Ichigo muttered irritably. "Next time, I'm not holding back anything. See how you like that."

"Just as planned," Tatsuki said with a smirk.

---

After Haschwalth had disappeared into the depths of the castle, Meninas had led him on a tour of the grounds outside the main building. Bambi had tagged along because, in her own words, 'the place is boring as shit anyways'.

Uryu followed along, drinking in the sights. As they got further into the grounds, he saw more of the knights- this time, there really were military drills, companies of quincy knights performing combat moves in unison, with perfect precision. Their faces were obscured by their helmets, and they all wore plated armour, polished and gleaming where it wasn't covered by their tabards. It was an intimidating and impressive sight to see them all mustered together, more quincies in one place than Uryu had seen in his whole life, all carrying out order after order.

"Look at you, rookie," Bambietta said gleefully, "getting all googly-eyed over just one company of knights. We got many more like 'em. You ain't seen nothing yet."

"Just… how many?" asked Uryu.

"We can't say," Meninas cut in smoothly.

"Privileged information, as Grand Master Tightass would put it," said Bambietta with a shrug.

"Privileged information?" asked Uryu.

"This tour of the castle," explained Meninas, "will show you plenty of our order… but plenty of it will be left in secret. The full secrets of our order are reserved for sworn members ranked as knights."

"I understand," said Uryu, nodding slowly. It made some level of sense. "I notice you have a fair number of non-quincy personnel working here. People with negligible reiatsu. Normal, everyday humans."

"The essential personnel are all sworn to our cause," explained Meninas, "given ranks as lay brothers of our orders. Most people, though- cleaners, repair crew, tech department, IT, electricity, mundane things like those- are just normal people traveling to and from the castle from the nearest town. As far as they know, we're just an exclusive club for rich people who like to roleplay as knights."

"Easier to explain than being immortal," Bambietta said.

"That makes sense," Uryu said, nodding. "Rich people tend to be… eccentric."

"Forget that," Bambietta said, pointing ahead. "You're in for a treat today, rookie."

"Oh my," said Meninas.

Uryu looked forward. There was a gathering of people ahead, clearly with the signatures of quincies- young quincies, untrailed and barely in control of their craft, like he had been years ago. He counted just over two dozen young men and women, all staring transfixed at the spectacle before them.

As Uryu got closer, he saw it. There was a ball, no bigger than his fist, levitating over a small device that emanated reishi. It looked like a pedestal, but no doubt housed some form of complex machinery, because the ball jerked and twisted around in the air in an area of two meters around the pedestal, occasionally surging around and twisting left, right, up, or down with bursts of speed before slowing down again.

"Target practice," Meninas whispered.

Uryu had figured as much. It would be quite a challenge to hit it for somebody as inexperienced as the youths before him. But what really caught his eye was the man standing beside the device. Unlike the knights he had seen so far, this man wore a much lighter set of armour; gleaming chain mail, lined with gold. The only concession to armour was two shoulder pauldrons, elaborately decorated with patterns in gold. The patterns were slanted, complex, and looked more Chinese than European, and Uryu got the impression the pauldrons were more decorative than functional. He wore no tabard, although he had the knightly cloak. Its rim was lined with thick, rich fur, and its edges were lined with gold thread. The outfit would have seemed a tad vain if not for the severe, dignified look of the man wearing it. He was distinctly Asian, but when Uryu looked closer, he felt sure the man was not Japanese. A neatly trimmed mustache framed his chin, and his head was carefully shaven except for a top knot, wrapped in leather bindings, trailing down from the top of his scalp to his shoulders. He looked older than most people Uryu had seen, like a man in his early forties, well-kept but worn. A spiked helmet lined with gold was tucked under his arm, and he spoke with authority to the group before him.

"Acolytes!" he said loudly, in the tone of a man accustomed to giving orders. "Before you, you see the one obstacle all must master before passing on to become an initiate of our great and glorious order. You may think it a simple challenge- you may expect that you are expected to simply get a good score hitting this moving target, standing still. Quash any such expectations of laxity! You are all expected to hit this target dead centre, one hundred times in a row, while moving at least seventy kilometres per hour across this courtyard, at a distance of at least forty yards away!"

There was a quiet murmur of disbelief soaring through the group of acolytes.

"Silence!" roared the man, and the acolytes obediently fell silent.

"This order accepts only those who truly apply themselves, those who take their duties seriously and push themselves beyond what they think they can do, into what they are truly capable of! Believe you me, acolytes, thousands have mastered this challenge before you, and by all the gods this world has seen, so will you, even if it kills me!"

Uryu blinked. The man seemed quite harsh, but that was not unexpected from an instructor.

"Allow me to demonstrate," said the man, setting his helmet down on the ground. He unslung a quincy cross from around his wrist, forming a surprisingly short bow, oddly curved. In an instant he was off, having dashed forty yards away. No sooner had he launched into the air than he had fired the first shot, hitting the ball dead-centre. He soared through the sky, raced across the ground, and sped over and across wall sections, running up them like they were flat ground, firing as he went. In the span of ten seconds, he had run a circle around them seventeen times and fired exactly one hundred shots, each one hitting the target dead-centre. He reappeared where he had stood only seconds ago, dismissing his bow.

"When I came here," he said loudly, "I was a fat old man, over seventy years old and very nearly on death's door. That was well over five hundred years ago. I learned the craft of His Majesty, restored my body, and learned from scratch how to master the gift. If a man so old and decrepit can master it, then you, young, strong, and full of potential, have no excuse not to! You will all have one year in which to master this challenge. Those who cannot will never become initiates. So, find your targets, practice hard, and take your duties seriously, for this obstacle falls to you and you alone to conquer!"

The awed students, gaping at the display their tutor had just given, milled around to find their own targets. Uryu looked carefully.

"Impressed?" said Bambietta.

"It was… quite a show," said Uryu, "although this challenge in itself does not seem too difficult. I hope I do not sound arrogant, but I believe I could have passed it without trouble. It's basic accuracy, albeit pushed to an extreme level."

"You could," Meninas said reassuringly.

"He called them 'acolytes'," said Uryu quizzically. "They're not aspirants, like me?"

"Aspirants," Meninas explained, "are potentials. When you formally begin training, you are an acolyte. If you pass your schooling, you become an initiate. An initiate is assigned to serve under a knight veteran, who will determine when and if the initiate is worthy of becoming a knight."

Uryu nodded, fascinated. "Who is that man? He looks rather well-dressed for an instructor."

"Good eye," said Meninas. "You just had the privilege of seeing Lord Commander Subutai, His Majesty's war dog."

"You don't like him?" asked Uryu.

"His Grace the Lord Commander is a peerless commander," Meninas said diplomatically, "undefeated. Even His Majesty defers to his tactical expertise."

"Bu-ut," Bambietta sing-songed.

"But," Meninas said with a sigh, quietly, "he is not very… noble. I don't mean by blood; he was quite exalted in his homeland, but… he's a little… ruthless, so to speak."

"She's salty because he makes her students cry," Bambietta said bluntly. "A believer of tough love, the lord commander is. Up by four in the morning, run five miles in the mud before breakfast, do a million push-ups before lunch, push you right till the edge to see if you break. Y'know, that sort of thing."

"There's really no need for such medieval methods," Meninas said irritably, and Uryu noted she sounded rather defensive. "They can do much more harm than good depending on the student."

"Where is he from?" asked Uryu, keen to steer the conversation away from his sensei's grievances. He didn't like seeing her angry, even in a small way. "I can't place his accent. He's obviously not from around here. I know he's not Japanese. Subutai… the name, it doesn't sound Korean or Chinese, either."

"Privilege," Bambietta said with a shrug, "for now."

Uryu nodded, wondering to himself just how much of this castle would be secret to him. Why take him all this way if much of it was to be kept from him?

"I wonder," he continued. "He's the lord commander. You said His Majesty defers to him in matters military. His position sounds quite exalted."

"Second only to the king, yeah," Bambietta confirmed. "Only guy who doesn't need to bow to Haschwalth, actually. Only one equal in standing, although I don't think Lord Commander Subutai think they're equals."

"Huh," Uryu said perplexedly. "So, why is such a person training ordinary recruits?"

"His Majesty believes the leadership of an organization like ours should never be too distant from the lives they command," Meninas explained, "that we should never be too exalted, or difficult to approach. No knight should ever feel intimidated in the presence of their masters; that is his philosophy. If they trust us with their lives on a mission, then we should be accountable. His Majesty will often train acolytes himself."

"I… see," Uryu said, legitimately surprised. That, he hadn't expected. Men who went by 'His Majesty' or 'lord commander' weren't exactly the kind one thought of as personable, or in touch with their people. But then again, Haschwalth was grand master, a title just as exalted, and he was nothing but personable. The Wandenritter were full of surprises, it seemed.

"Come on," said Meninas eagerly. "I'll show you the rest of the grounds. Then we'll go inside the castle proper. There is so much to show you, and I know you'll love it!"

"Lead on," Uryu said with a smile.

"Ugh, she'll probably take you past the art gallery," Bambietta said, making a face.

"You have an art gallery?" Uryu said interestedly.

"Of course!" Meninas chirped.

"Nerds," Bambietta groaned.

---

The training session was well underway, and Subutai watched it with a careful eye from a distance. The youths were fumbling, some of them barely maintaining their bows under the stress of firing rapidly, and not one of them came close to hitting. He smirked to himself. He had seen the same spectacle a hundred times, intimidated beginners failing every step of the way, without realizing the value of failure. He had lived through the same failure, but at least he had been old enough to know its value.

"Er, lord commander?"

The meek voice was from the knight he had summoned. Liltotto Lamperd, new to the rank of paladin, was clearly intimidated by the presence of the order's first general.

"Paladin Lamperd," he said absent-mindedly, "I was wondering when you would speak up."

"I thought it would be impolite…"

"Correct," said Subutai, his gaze still fixed on the stumbling acolytes, "but to be fair, I kept you waiting for some time."

"It is no trouble at all, lord," said Liltotto firmly. "I know my duty."

"As do we all."

"I… must admit I was puzzled to be summoned here, lord," she said awkwardly. "I am sure you have a purpose in asking me to observe basic acolyte training, lord commander, but I am afraid I have not yet seen it."

"Look at them," Subutai said keenly. "So raw. So weak. So lacking in everything we are. Just as it is unbelievable that an ugly, stunted creature like a caterpillar could become a butterfly, so it is unbelievable to me that such ragged misfits could ever become knights. They are seeds, Liltotto, the most important resource our order has. That is itself reason enough to observe."

"Yes, lord," Liltotto said meekly.

"That is the essence of humanity: struggle. Ever since the first weak, lean, hungry savage sharpened a stick to fashion for himself a crude spear, to take a leap forward to advance his species, that has been humanity's nature: to improve just a little with every generation, to learn more, to become greater than the sum of his parts."

"Yes, lord."

Subutai shook his head. "I am rambling again, paladin."

"Not at all, lord," Liltotto said hastily. "Your wisdom is always a welcome presence. It is renowned through our order-"

"I have neither time nor patience for sycophants," said Subutai sharply, abruptly turning around to face her, his piercing glare fixed on her eyes. "Are you a sycophant, paladin? Are you a yes-woman, the kind who would say anything to please her superior, hoping for their favour?"

"No, Lord!" Her voice came out as something in between a squeak and a shout, and it was hardly dignified.

"Then be silent," he said. "I called you here for a reason, paladin, and it was not to philosophize."

Liltotto nodded, obediently keeping silent.

"I have called upon you before, have I not?"

"Yes, lord," she said enthusiastically.

"Do you recall what we spoke of those times?"

"I recall three instances where you spoke to me, lord commander. Each time, you asked of me different strategical questions, which I believe were drawn from real historical examples."

"So I did," Subutai said with a nod, pleased but taking care not to show it, "and you answered to the best of your ability?"

"Yes, lord commander."

"Theoretical," he said sharply. "You command seven hundred knights. You engage believing yourself to have a tactical advantage, only to realize you have been drawn into a trap, disadvantaging you totally and negating any use of superior numbers or skills. The enemy encircles you, and soon you will be surrounded. Your objective is the annihilation of your foe, yet you stand to be annihilated, yourself. What is your response, as commander?"

"I will immediately retreat," Liltotto said, after a quick pause, "sacrificing one hundred knights to act as a rear guard to cover our retreat. One hundred men will die, so that six hundred more may live to fight another day. Strike, then come back again. Find another opportunity to strike where I can turn the enemy's advantage against them."

Subutai nodded. "Solid basic strategy. But you are running very short of time, and retreat will mean losing your chance to accomplish your objectives before you run out of supplies. Escape will mean total defeat."

"Is my order to annihilate the enemy at all costs?"

"Yes."

"Then I will retreat from disadvantage, sacrificing the hundred men still, yet preparing to strike back immediately."

"You are outnumbered."

"Do I possess superior mobility?"

"You do."

"Then I will circle round their flank, harrying them mercilessly, always striking where they are weakest. I will make it a prolonged engagement, and avoid direct conflict, turning our strengths into advantage."

"You have increasingly limited space to move in."

"Then I will proceed with my plan of battle anyway, and look for a mistake from the enemy lines. I will attempt to goad my enemy to break formation, and isolate and destroy parts of his army."

"The enemy commander is too skilled, and familiar with your tactics."

"I will look for any advantage I can find, be it from the terrain, from a surprise manoeuvre, whatever I can think of in the situation. If I keep a level head, and my opponent does not, victory might still be in my grasp."

"You are at this point reliant on your enemy's foolishness rather than your own strength."

"I am, unfortunately," Liltotto admitted.

"You are cornered and encircled," Subutai continued firmly. He could see the girl thinking, trying to find a way out of his riddle. There was usually an answer. Would she find it?

"Lord commander," she said, after some time, "this scenario is becoming increasingly difficult, I would say bordering on impossible."

"Or, beyond your grasp."

"If I am surrounded, outnumbered, and disadvantaged…" Liltotto said thoughtfully, rubbing her chin. "Can I negotiate with the enemy commander?"

"You can," said Subutai, "but he has a history of deceit, and is not considered trustworthy. Surrender may damn you and your soldiers to death or worse."

"That being the case," Liltotto said slowly, working through all possible outcomes, "I see no other options, except… to draw blades and fight to the last man, hoping to wound my enemy badly enough that my allies will find them weakened when they come to retaliate."

"At the cost of your life, and the lives of all your assets?"

"There seems to be no other choice."

"Correct," said Subutai, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Never let yourself be cornered. Impossible is nothing. These two things, I teach to all my sub-commanders. But sometimes, you cannot win, no matter what. If that time comes, then sell your life dearly, and serve your lord by weakening your enemy. Surrender only if it would benefit you."

"The answer is that there is no answer?" Liltotto said, surprised. "Lord, you've spoken to me before with riddles like these, and there was always a way out."

"Often, there is. Sometimes, there is not. That is reality," Subutai said with a shrug.

"That is a disappointing lesson, lord."

"The truth does not care whether it disappoints you or elates you."

Liltotto nodded. "You are wise, lord."

"Come," said Subutai. "Walk with me. These younglings can handle training by themselves for a bit."

"Yes, lord."

They walked away from the training fields, toward the castle. As they entered through a sculpted archway of granite, Subutai said, "You may wonder, perhaps, why I have asked this of you before, Paladin Lamperd."

"No, lord," said Liltotto. "I was sure you had a good reason. I only wait for you to reveal it to me."

"Your loyalty does you credit, paladin," Subutai said, giving her a scrutinizing gaze. His centuries of life had given him an acute sense for people, and he could usually tell if they were less than sincere. Analyzing Liltotto carefully, he sensed no flattery about the paladin.

"I have watched you for some time," he said at last, as they passed through a hallway decorated richly with tapestries, "ever since you first made chevalier. You always excelled at military doctrine. First in your class."

"Oh, that…" Liltotto said dismissively. "I just-"

"You must not," Subutai said firmly, almost harshly, "underestimate your own ability. Arrogance is a poison, but so is humility. I know of my worth, and I make no secret of it. So must you. You were the best of your peers. This makes you exceptional."

"…Yes, lord," said Liltotto, taken aback. "Yes, I suppose I am. Exceptional. It just seems… normal."

"Your normal is, objectively, exceptional," Subutai said firmly.

"Yes, lord commander."

"The purpose," said Subutai slowly, "the reason for which I have tested you, has it dawned on you yet?"

"As I said, lord-"

"I know you wait for the truth to be revealed in due time. Speculate anyhow," said Subutai dismissively. "Why would the exalted lord commander, second only to His Majesty, take such interest in Liltotto Lamperd? Such a young an untested potential, so raw and lacking in experience?"

"Lord, I..."

"Come now, girl. Think," Subutai said impatiently.

"It is well known that you pay close attention to the order's ranks. As a new paladin, I didn't find it strange you would test me. Your lordship believes in being sure of the quality of your soldiers."

"Close, but not close enough."

"Lord, I do not understand," said Liltotto. "I am but a paladin among other paladins, and of my rank I am among the youngest and least accomplished. What particular purpose you might have for me, I do not know. Forgive me, but I have no idea."

"We must do something about that humility of yours, girl," Subutai said, making a face. He shook his head, then grimly continued. "The time will come, sooner rather than later, when this order will need capable military leadership. I have watched you, as I have watched every student who shows promise, and I have tested you as I have tested all up-and-comers. Out of all the people in our order not already in a position of command, you have shown the most promise. I tested you, and will continue to do so, because the burden of leadership will fall on you in due time. You will send men and women to die in battle one day; so say I, lord commander of the Holy Knights of Vanden."

Liltotto blinked, and gaped.

"Lord Commander, you honour me too highly-" She cut herself off, seeing the hard look on his face. "I mean, I did not expect this at all. I- I will struggle to live up to your expectations, lord."

"Struggle," Subutai said with a nod. "Yes, that will summarize it. You may watch many die in your time, good comrades whose presence you will miss sorely. Responsibility for victory or defeat may lie on your shoulders. Will you shoulder that responsibility, paladin?"

"To the best of my ability, lord commander."

"Good," Subutai said with a curt nod. "Yes, I will expect nothing less. Accept the severity of this duty when it comes, but also relish it, for there is no greater joy to the world than a warrior."

Liltotto bowed deeply.

Subutai nodded again. "Run along now," he said, "and meditate on the fate bestowed upon you. I have youngsters to teach yet, and at least one of them is bound to have hurt himself by now."

"Yes, lord commander!" Liltotto said excitedly, elation and worry both running through her chest as she hurried away. Subutai shot her a glance as he watched her go. He'd once had that swagger, of a youth shouldering responsibility for life or death, glad and terrified all at once. Hopefully, she would show the same kind of steel as he had when she had been tempered in the forge of battle.

---

After lunch had been dealt with, and Erza had made sure to check everything was alright as usual- it was, thankfully- she was left with a number of possible tasks to deal with, as was always the case in her time as commander. She could go check up with Nozomi and Urahara to see if they'd found anything useful. She could pen a report for Yamamoto; the old man had been requesting them more frequently after the last attack, although it would be a waste of time to write a few thousand words that added up to 'all normal'. She could go through the goings-on of her division back at the Gotei, or review the expenditures of their expedition so far to see if they were in line with the economic projections by the Gotei's clerical servants. If nothing else struck her fancy, she could head out on patrol and leave the minutiae of bureaucracy to Momo, or Nemu, or anyone else who had a greater affinity for it.

But, something had eaten at her since this morning. Orihime had struck a bit of a nerve this morning, but with some time to reflect, Erza was starting to come around to her side.

The woman she had been over a century ago, before her death, would never have doubted that just about anyone could turn their life around and become a better person. But, that had been a teenager, yet to be blunted by the cruel realities of life. That had been a different Erza, one who hadn't seen her friends butchered before her eyes, one who hadn't been betrayed, cast out, isolated, and forced to endure one encounter with death after another.

Looking back at who she used to be, she knew she had hardened. The woman she had been wouldn't have dismissed even Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez so quickly. Orihime… she was still young, still innocent. That, Erza reasoned to herself, wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It had reminded her of something old and important.

She was, and always would be in her heart, a member of Fairy Tail and bearer of the indomitable spirit it represented. Wearied and battered in her beliefs, but stubbornly holding on to them all the same. Tempered, but not broken.

Abruptly, she stood up from her desk and marched out of her makeshift office, passing Momo on the way.

"Commander?" Momo said, careful to observe rank now that they were on the clock.

"Are you busy?" said Erza. "As in, really busy?"

"Do you need me?"

"Come along," said Erza, gesturing to her.

Mystified, Momo got up from her desk, leaving her paperwork behind.

"Commander, what's this about?" she said, perplexedly.

"It's about second chances," Erza said cryptically. She headed for the basement, and took a leap down the ladder, landing smoothly on the dusty ground of the artificial landscape. Momo followed closely behind. Erza marched toward where Grimmjow would usually loiter, Momo jogging to keep up with her.

"Erza- commander, what are you going to do?" she said anxiously.

Erza stopped abruptly, Momo almost walking into her.

"Nothing drastic," she said, "but I'd like you to see. I… I don't trust myself to be objective right now."

"What, you think I am?" Momo huffed. "With you, of all people?"

Erza smiled. "True enough, I suppose. But it's better than nothing. I… I might just be a little silly. I might just not want to do it alone."

"Do what?"

"Like I said… nothing drastic," said Erza with a shrug, and she began walking again.

Before long they came upon Grimmjow, who lay stretched out at rest, rather like a sunbathing cat. And, just like a feline, he smoothly jumped to his legs, stretching himself out, yawning.

"Yo," he said, staring Erza down.

He had that mildly malicious look about him, superior and confident. It was clear he was enjoying the privileges of having both arms. But most importantly, he didn't seem hostile.

"Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez," said Erza, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword, "you came here some time ago, voluntarily giving up your freedom and valuable intelligence on Aizen Sousuke. Until now, you have been denied anything in exchange for services rendered."

His eyes narrowed.

"What, this is when you finally got tired of me?"

"You've been a bastard," Erza said bluntly, "an insufferable piece of shit, for the most part."

"You think flattering me will make it all better?" he said with a snort.

"But," she continued, ignoring his jibe, "as you've demonstrated a willingness to co-operate and a change in attitude, I have decided as commander of this operation to provide you with… something."

"Gonna cut me loose?" Grimmjow said, cocking his head.

"You're not… going to do that, right?" Momo said.

"No," said Erza, shaking her head, "but I will give you a chance to earn a bit of trust, Grimmjow."

"Well, whoop-de-fuckin'-doo," Grimmjow said dismissively.

"Momo," said Erza, "we still have room in our budget to commission a gigai, right?"

"Oh?" Momo said, blinking. "I mean, yes. Easily."

"We will fashion a fake body for you," said Erza, "and allow you, once a week, a few hours free to yourself amongst the humans. Your power will be seriously limited, of course, and your movements will be supervised at all times, and if you show up late, you will not be allowed out again. There will be no tolerance for screwing around."

"Still a dog on your leash, huh?"

"Do you want to stretch your legs a bit, or do you want to be cooped up here all the time?" Erza shot back.

"Who says I don't like it here?" Grimmjow said stubbornly.

"Fine," Erza said, turning around. "Momo, let's go back. We're wasting our time here."

"Alright, alright, alright!" Grimmjow snapped. "Shit, I was just kidding. Don't get your panties in a twist, red."

"That's what I thought," Erza said, turning back around.

"So, how will this work?" Grimmjow muttered.

"For starters, the gigai will be custom made to ensure that any type of violence will trigger the seal on your neck. Even self-defense. I will not be the reason you broke somebody's neck in a street fight."

"Fuckin' hell, cut my balls off while you're at it, why don't you?" Grimmjow grumbled.

"That could be arranged," said Erza, deadpan. Momo suppressed a snigger. Grimmjow shot them both a dirty look.

"I don't mean that technical shit anyway," Grimmjow muttered. "This whole… free time shit. What am I supposed to do with it, anyway?"

"What humans usually do, I guess," said Erza with a shrug. "That part is up to you."

"Well, I'm not sure you noticed," Grimmjow said sarcastically, "but I ain't human. Don't give me any of that shit about how we're more alike and shit- I flat out don't know what humans do."

"You were human once, weren't you?" said Erza. This was something she hadn't considered.

"Sure, sure," Grimmjow said, shrugging, "only it was ages ago. So long I forgot what my name was. So long I forgot how humans treat other humans. So long I forgot what bein' human means, besides bein' weak as shit. I don't know, red."

"How could anyone forget that?" Momo said confusedly.

"Try spending a lifetime or two in a featureless desert doing nothing but fight for survival, dumbass," Grimmjow snorted. "I don't know any hollow that remembers who they were before, and I ain't an exception. That shit… it fades away. When you become a hollow, you become someone else. It just… goes away. Melts into nothing, until all you know is fighting and killing and licking your wound. Most hollows don't even have names. Takes evolving to have a proper consciousness to get that far."

"That sounds terrible," Momo said, her voice trembling a little. "I'm so sorry to hear that."

"Fuck me, spare me the pity," Grimmjow said, rolling his eyes. "I don't mind being this way. It's just that it's kind of, I dunno, a problem. You, red," he said, nodding to Erza, "you're more like 'em. Whadda humans do?"

"I don't get out much," Erza admitted.

"Fuck me," Grimmjow said, groaning. "Yeah, fat lot of help you are. I'm guessing the twig next to you ain't any more social than you are?"

"I read books," Momo chimed in helpfully, "or train. When I'm not working. But I get out… sometimes."

"Figures," Grimmjow snorted.

"Go to a bar," Erza said bluntly.

"A bar? The fuck's a bar?" Grimmjow replied.

"A place where alcoholic beverages are served. It generally functions as a meeting place for humans to interact with each other for various reasons, usually to alleviate stress of different kinds. I haven't been to very many, and I think they're overrated, but humans prize them highly. We'll even give you money for drinks, I guess."

"Money?" Grimmjow asked.

"A unit of currency used to trade in exchange for goods and services," Momo said.

"Yeah, because I understood that sentence," Grimmjow said. "Fuckin' humans and their rules…"

"Well, you could always do the much cooler thing and go for a quiet walk in the park," said Erza.

"Don't do sarcasm, red. It don't suit you."

Erza shrugged. "I'm giving you a chance, but I'm not going to hold your hand. Go out for a couple hours when we give you the chance, and do whatever. Stretch your legs, go for a run; I don't care. Or, stay down here and mope. This is your problem, not mine."

"This is so fuckin' stupid…" Grimmjow muttered.

"Well, glad to see you're back to your usual self," Erza said, sighing irritably. "Who else could turn an offer for more freedom into a chance to complain?"

"Alright, alright," Grimmjow muttered. "You know what? I'll do it. Take the chance. Go out and paint the town red, or whatever they say. Figuratively!" he added the last work quickly, seeing the look Erza was giving him.

"That's more like it," said Erza. "You show us that you can live up to this, and…"

"-And we'll all hold hands like old chums and figure out we ain't so different after all. Whatever." Grimmjow snorted. "Need me to bark a little as well?"

"If you really want to."

Grimmjow made a face, then grinned, and raised his middle finger. "I'll be a good boy," he said. "Woof, woof."

Erza rolled her eyes. It was like dealing with an unruly teenager.

As she and Momo turned and left, leaving Grimmjow to his idle loitering, Erza waited until they were out of earshot and out of sight, before stopping her walk. She let out a sigh.

"Commander?" Momo said.

"I…" Erza said, shaking her head. "Am I doing the right thing here, Momo?"

"Commander-"

"I'm asking as your friend, not your superior," said Erza. "I'm… giving a chance to a mass murderer like him. This could go wrong. Badly wrong. And I can't even know it will work out. For all I know, he might still stab me in the back first chance he gets."

"He might," said Momo, "and… you're being a lot more generous than anyone I know. But… is that so bad?"

"It could be very bad," said Erza. "Damn it, I'm basing this on the whims of my daughter and some old memories of a younger, more naïve version of me, and… if this somehow leads to complete havoc, it will be on me. A huge part of me just wants to go back there and tell him the deal is off. It would be a nasty thing to do, but there would be no danger involved. Nobody would get hurt."

"Sure," said Momo, "but since you seem determined to make the worst case for yourself, I'll try and make one in the other direction. If it does work out, then he might just become a better person. Very slowly, but he might. He could become a useful ally. He could show the world that hollows aren't monsters by nature. You could do some great things, Erza, if you gave him the opportunity. Great things he won't do if you don't give him a chance."

"Do you really believe that?"

"Not for a second," Momo said without blinking. "He's a relentless monster who's killed our own people again and again. I think it might be a terrible mistake. But I don't think you think that. If you did, you wouldn't have gone out of your way to do this, would you? Because I doubt this was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing, even if it felt like it. You've thought about this, haven't you?"

"Since Orihime talked back to me…" Erza muttered. "No- since before that. Ever since I first met Aizen's foremost hollows, I've known they're not all monsters. I've seen Grimmjow be an absolute bastard. I was almost killed fighting him. But, I've also seen him be… human. I've seen him in pain. I've seen how he cares about things besides himself, even if he won't admit it. I… really do think people can change. Even hollows. Even broken creatures can pick themselves up, Momo. I believe it. It's hard to believe in, even for me, but I do believe it."

"If anyone else said it," Momo said with a smile, "I probably wouldn't believe it. But, you know it better than I do, even if it seems unbelievable. If you say it can work, then maybe it could. And, if it doesn't… well, like you said, he won't be able to hurt anyone. A single slip-up, and he's back in the cellar for good."

"For good," Erza agreed. "And, Momo…"

"Yes?"

Erza sighed, and smiled. "Thank you. I wasn't sure what I was thinking for a while. This… is why I didn't want to do it alone. I needed to reason a little, with someone… someone who understands."

Momo blushed lightly. "Well, better me than Captain Soifon or Captain Kuchiki, then."

"Too true," Erza muttered. "Anyhow… let's get back upstairs. We've got work to do, haven't we?"

---

After his sparring session with Tatsuki, Ichigo had found his feet taking him toward Ginjou's place. He had meant to go home, but without even thinking about it, he had started heading there. It wasn't late yet; he had the time… no, time was not the issue.

He'd started enjoying his time there; that was the truth of it. Ginjou understood, and he was the only person in Ichigo's life who asked nothing of him. He loved his mother and father when all was said and done, but they were parents and parents had a duty to make sure their kids stayed on the right track. There was Erza, busy as she was, whose main contribution was training him- which was of course useful, but also intensely demanding. It was… nice. Just sit back, relax for an hour, have a drink…

That was how he found himself on Ginjou's couch. He had greeted the other fullbringers by name as he came in, like they were old friends already. Not all of them were as friendly as their de facto leader, but Ichigo understood, having never been overly friendly himself.

He took another swig of his cola, having already downed two. Ginjou was in his usual good spirits, talking, joking, and chatting about everything and nothing. The topics varied, but as usual it came down to the business of supernatural peacekeeping, of hollows and the many misadventures associated with them.

"So, that's when I jumped back, landed on my ass, rolled over up on my feet expecting to get skewered any second, and I realize I cut the beast's mask without realizing it," Ginjou chuckled. "Gotta be the third luckiest save I ever had. It just started disintegrating in front of my eyes, you know? There I am, heart pounding, and it takes a good few seconds for it to sink in that okay, I'm not going to die."

"And that's when another hollow jumped you from the side to give you another impressive scar?" Ichigo joked.

"Not this time, kid," Ginjou said with a smirk. "Believe it or not, but I do come out of these unscathed sometimes. I ain't a master of the blade, but I learned it well enough just by doing. You pick the skills up, or you die."

"True enough," Ichigo said with a sage nod, "although in my case it was more because my aunt was going to kill me if I didn't learn."

"Gotta love family." Ginjou laughed. "You love 'em, even if you sometimes wish you didn't."

"Yeah…" Ichigo said, trailing off. Truth be told, the comment about Erza had been bait, to see if Ginjou would show interest, if he would pry and prod a little, if he wanted the inside scoop… and the bait remained in place, untouched.

What if he really was just a nice goofball who liked to keep things quiet?

"Hey…" Ichigo said.

"Yeah?" said Ginjou, having just downed the last of a beer. He put down the bottle on the table by the couch.

"I wanted to ask something."

"No beers," Ginjou said, mock strictness in his voice. "Alcohol is forbidden for minors, young man."

Ichigo chuckled. "Not that," he said, shaking his head. "No, it's more… serious."

"Oh?" Ginjou said, reaching for another beer. He popped open the cap with his thumb, a trick he seemed quite proud of.

"You were a shinigami."

"Yeah, I think we established that."

"You worked for the Gotei Thirteen."

"Uh-huh."

"I want to know the whole deal," said Ichigo earnestly, "if it's alright with you. I want to know where you came from, man. You got all these crazy stories, but… it's obvious something went down. Something big enough that you spend your life in hiding. I don't like to poke my nose where it doesn't belong, but that's a pretty big secret to keep. So…"

Ginjou's mirth seemed to die down, and he gave Ichigo a long, studious look as he took a long swig from his bottle.

"That," he said slowly, his tone changed entirely, "might not be a story you like, kid."

"Why?"

"I don't like to pry either," said Ginjou, "but since you made some obvious statements about me, I'll make some about you. It's clear you're from power by birth. You're crazy strong, stronger than me by far, or probably anyone here. You seem pretty damned knowledgeable about the Gotei, and you're a substitute for them, just like I was. Either your daddy or your mama was a captain or a noble of sorts, or you're some kind of freak of nature they swept up. You were trained by someone real good, too. The point I'm getting at is… chances are, you may be looking at the Gotei with rosy glasses, if you catch my drift. You might not want to hear everything I got to say."

"Ginjou," said Ichigo firmly, "everything you said is true, except the rosy glasses part. I… went there during summer. Quite an adventure. Wound up fighting a captain, and I won, too. It's a long story, but they were going to kill a friend of mine over nothing, and I nearly died several times, as did friends of mine. I don't think the Gotei is good, as such, at all. They're better than the alternative, but good? I don't think so. I know they're responsible for some shitty things. If you worry I won't believe you, you're worrying for nothing. There are good people in the Gotei, but the organization itself… they're as shifty as any powerful government."

Ginjou nodded. "Glad to see a kid your age with his eyes open. It took me twice as long to wise up."

"If you don't want to talk…"

"There's some painful stuff there."

"I get it," said Ichigo, nodding. "I won't pry again-"

"I'll tell you," said Ginjou severely. "It ain't something to forget. Does me good to be reminded of the past, good times and bad times both. We gotta know where we come from, don't we?"

"Yeah," Ichigo said, a bit of eagerness in his voice. "So, you'll…"

Ginjou nodded. "Let me see… I think I had just turned thirty. Was just an average guy, really. Part-time worker, doing hours in a store back then. Normal-ass hobbies. Going to the bar on Saturdays, going for runs in the morning, keeping healthy, hoping to get myself a higher education when I saved up a bit of money…

"All that changed one morning. I ain't gonna bore you with the details, but I found a wounded shinigami and a hollow rampaging not far away. He made me the same deal you got. I got his powers temporarily, and unlike you, it was temporary. But, his sword awakened real potential in me. The Gotei saw it. To be honest, I think they were just curious what would happen, but they gave me a sword and let me grow my power. You know most of the rest. Drunk on power, living a cool-ass double life… being a superhero by night was pretty damn awesome when you work a menial job in a store with some pretty shitty hours and low pay. It was my escape. When I had the shihakusho and the sword on, I was someone, not nobody. Someone. I had a few close encounters, but my handler, Ukitake Jushirou, he was a hell of a convincing guy… he even taught me basic swordsmanship. Great guy. Even now, I think he was the real deal. And, it made me stronger, too. Not just in body, but in mind. I walked with my back up straight. I got the nerve to talk to girls for real, and I had been real awkward at that before. When you've stared death in the eye, talking to someone when the worst that could happen is being rejected… hell, it was nothing.

"I'd talk back to punks in the street, where before I'd just run along. Most of them would just shrink back, because that's how bullies do. The few that didn't, I could mess up pretty easily. I got to work with new energy, and even got a promotion as assistant manager at the store. For a while, I had… a hell of a time, you know?"

Ichigo nodded along. Ginjou had clearly done his stint as a substitute longer than Ichigo had, and it was fascinating to see how it had affected him.

"But, it didn't last, I take it?"

"Nope," Ginjou said, nodding. "It weren't nothing too dramatic. I just… had an especially close encounter, and I realized this whole thing was affecting me. In my personal life, I had started to get arrogant. Overconfident. Kind of a douchebag, really, all because I was high on my own power. I could get laid, but I couldn't get anyone to stay. Old friends would become… distant. So, I sat down and thought to myself, is this the life I want? A life where people stay away from me and all I really got is risking my life for a little extra money? The whole spellbinding effect of being a supernatural badass with a sword… it kind of wore off. I realized I didn't like myself anymore. Wasn't worth the money, or the high. So, I talked to Ukitake about it one night. He told me he'd see what he could do, that he'd revise my contract. Figured it was the end of it. Hung the cape on the wall, so to speak. Focused on work. I felt a lot better about myself then. And, for two weeks, two nice goddamn weeks, I figured I was out, that I was done. Hadn't heard jack about no contract, but since they weren't in touch, I figured it was over and done with."

"It wasn't."

"Nope," Ginjou said, shaking his head. "One night after I closed up shop, one of the bastards showed up out of nowhere. Dressed in all black, tight clothes, face covered by cloth. Looked like some kind of goddamn cartoon bandit, except the sword on his hip looked real sharp."

"The stealth corps…" Ichigo muttered.

"That's what they're called?" Ginjou said with a shrug. "Yeah, one of them."

"He jumped you?"

"Nah, not yet," Ginjou said, shaking his head, "but we'll get there. He gave me a real lecture. Guilt tripped me about leaving innocent people in danger, about being a lazy piece of shit, so on and so forth. I was shaking at the knees, 'cause I doubted I could even defend myself- if I pulled out my badge, he could probably get me before I changed. So, there I am, about to shit myself, and I dunno if it was balls or stupidity or both, but I stand my ground. Tell him I'm out, okay? I'm done, through.

"I get another lecture. He tells me in no uncertain terms the Gotei ain't done with me. That disloyalty is unacceptable. That was when I realized that the Gotei was not something you could opt out of. I never visited the place, but I got some sense of how strong they were. I was scared shitless, but eventually, the masked bastard upped and left. I hurried home, you know? Locked the doors, for all the good that would do me. Threw up. Couldn't sleep a dime that night, sat up on my bed clenching my sword, staring at the door, expecting them to come barging in at any time. I was terrified."

"Christ…" Ichigo said, pausing. "I mean… did he threaten you? Did he tell you you were going to get yours?"

"Look, I know you ain't very old," said Ginjou seriously, shaking his head, "but I don't think you're so naïve that you think the only way to threaten someone is telling them to their face what you'll do to them. Yeah?"

"Sure, sure," Ichigo said, nodding. "I'm not saying you're making it up, I'm just… trying to understand it, that's alll."

"I got some harsh words about being disloyal and how disloyalty is shameful, and he worked in some insinuations about what happens to traitors… now, this is a guy with his hand on a sword and a mask on. Not friendly, you know? You got to take my word for it, but then and there, I was sure my life was in danger."

"I- I believe you. Go on," Ichigo said encouragingly. Ginjou seemed a little shaken, the old memories surfacing with a vengeance. "Or, uh, don't. If you're not comfortable-"

"Screw that!" Ginjou snarled with a sudden burst of anger. Seeing the surprised look on Ichigo's face, he added, "I mean… I'm okay. Just… some old emotions coming back to haunt me."

He took a deep breath, leaned back, and continued.

"So… didn't sleep properly for three days. Nearly blacked out. Wound up using some sick days to just stay at home. Seriously thought of leaving the country, you know? But for whatever reason, I didn't. So… on the fourth day, I get a message. One of those hell butterflies, you know? Ukitake's own voice. Tells me all friendly-like there's been a misunderstanding, and if I come to the park this night, we'll sort it out. Cut me loose. Make a deal. Me, I was going crazy, so just hearing his voice, hearing somebody I liked tell me it was gonna be okay, I couldn't take his word on it fast enough. So… that night, I walked out, sword in hand, leaving my physical body at home. But as I got closer… hell, paranoia had been wrecking me all week, you know? The worst case scenarios played out in my head, each one worse than the next. I thought of all these little things about the Gotei, far as I seen it, that seemed harmless at the time. The way they were all about loyalty, duty, obedience… how they didn't take well to failure or disobeying orders. Seemed to make sense for a military organization, you know? But when you think about it, kid, those things can turn dark real fast."

"They can," Ichigo said, knowing the Gotei had been little better from what he'd actually seen.

"So, I get close to the meeting spot, and as I approach it, I get to thinking about one of my hollow hunts. Bigger bastard of a hollow, would hunt in packs. Sneaky fucker. Deadly. Killed several shinigami on his own. When I got to it, I got blindsided by one of its smaller friends. I was ready for the first, but not the second, and I wound up with some real scars to show for it. An ambush… that's what it felt like, even as I saw Ukitake Jushiro. I got closer, and the closer I got, the more scared I got. He was waving to me, and called out to me, and that's when I lost my shit. Turned and ran. I'd had enough. Didn't trust this. And what do you know… two of those masked bastards jumped out in front of me, swords drawn."

Ginjou paused.

"The thing about paranoia is, it's just your mind getting worked up and making things way, way worse than they ever are. Almost always, that's the way it is. But there I was, alone at night, facing off with a powerful organization, and I'm like, fuck me. You know what it's like to be scared shitless and realize the worst case scenario you been working yourself up about is actually true?"

"No," said Ichigo earnestly.

"They drop down, right?" Ginjou muttered, staring out into space, seeming lost in thought. "Blades out. I know I got a second at most before they're at me. I'm already running, got the momentum up, and I swing my sword. There's a whole lotta blood, and the guy to my left falls down dead. The one on the right surges forward to stab me, but I kick him in the gut and cut him hard as I can. I'm just… terrified, you know? I've been hunting hollows all this time, and sure, they're ruthless, but they're just malicious animals. These, they're trained killers. I think they'll get me any moment, that if I blink I'll die. So… my sword cuts in, and it's not until later I realize I got him in the neck. Seeing them both dead and bleeding on the ground, I'm stunned. I see him, Ukitake, calling out to me, telling me to wait. As he comes toward me, I just lose it and run. Run, like the devil's on my heels and I'm about to be dragged down to Hell. I… I get away, somehow. Maybe he let me go, or maybe I'm just real good at running. I dunno. Everything after that is kind of a blur. I know I had to have stopped by my apartment, because the next I remember, I'm standing on a train platform in my real body with a case of clothes, some essentials and all the cash I could get from my account."

"Ukitake… set you up?" Ichigo said in disbelief.

"I… don't know," Ginjou admitted, shaking his head. "I really don't know. On a good day, I think one of his superiors made it happen. That maybe he didn't even know. On a bad day I hate 'em all and think they're serpents, even him. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't, but the long and short of it is that I got to be a substitute, and when I wanted out, the bastards tried to kill me. I… I guess I could have saved us a lot of time by just saying that, huh?"

"No," Ichigo said, shaking his head, "I'm glad you told me."

Ichigo, although not an expert on human behaviour, still thought of himself as a decent judge of character. Ginjou seemed truthful, honest. The expression on his face… sadness, barely contained, the confident mannerisms about him all gone. This seemed to all be true.

"What happened next?" Ichigo asked.

"Went on the run, naturally," said Ginjou. "Tried my best to suppress my reiatsu. Traveled the world for a bit, doing odd jobs. Always looking over my shoulders. If the Gotei thought me leaving was enough to try and kill me, I could only imagine what they'd do to me for murdering two of their own."

"It was self-defense," Ichigo said emphatically. "I… killing someone is terrible, but it's not your fault. They came at you, right?"

"Sure did. Not that I think they saw it that way."

"So… you travelled the world?" said Ichigo awkwardly, unsure of how to respond to this. Ginjou seemed openly vulnerable in a way Ichigo hadn't been prepared for.

"Yeah. Came back when my savings were all out. I… I was in a pretty shit place. Not sure what to keep going for. That… that's when I found Shuu."

"Tsukishima?"

"Yeah," Ginjou said with a nod, "just this lonely kid who'd lost his parents. He had… powers. I saw a hollow creeping up on him and I… that moment, I think that's the first time I called on a real fullbring. I'd worked on new ways of developing powers without making it a shinigami thing; didn't want anything to do with that, you know? But, seeing him in danger, I called on it, and it answered. Beat it solidly. Shuu, he saw it, and… there was something there, that moment. I saw a kid, crushed by the death of his parents, suddenly have an expression of awe on his face. I felt like… like I'd done some good there. Beyond just saving a life. So… I wound up teaching him what I could. Eventually he became my travelling companion. I picked up more along the way. Jackie, on one of my travels. Giriko, Riruka, Yukio, Moe… I went from being a scared outlaw with nothing to live for, to being… somebody who mattered. It changed everything."

"I can only imagine," Ichigo said, impressed. "For them, too, I bet."

"I like to think so," Ginjou said with a smile. "We had a couple… close calls. Twice, the Gotei found us, tried to get me. We fought them off both times and ran. We've been keeping a low profile ever since."

"I… see," Ichigo said, taking a moment to take it all in. "That… that's a hell of a story."

"True to the last word, I swear it on my life."

"I believe you," Ichigo said hastily, "but… damn. You had quite a life, didn't you?"

"Mmmh," Ginjou grunted. "Yeah, I have. I know I won't be able to do all this normal shit, like having a job, getting married, having kids… and I can't give the kids that either. But I can at least give them a life. And, at least… at least we got each other."

"So, why Karakura?" said Ichigo. "This place is brimming with spiritual activity. There's shinigami here."

"Not usually so many. This is… pretty unusual."

"True," said Ichigo, "but still."

"Well," said Ginjou, "what can I say? It's home. It's also got people being victimized. If… anyone were to need my help, I want to be where I can help 'em. Like Chad. Or, Orihime."

Ichigo stared at the man, scrutinizing him. He really was like a father to these people, the closest thing they'd ever have.

"I know I'm putting them in danger," said Ginjou. "I know I'm wanted. It's a bit… selfish, I think at times. Like I'm doing this as much for myself as I do it for them."

"I don't think they see it that way," said Ichigo.

"I hope so," said Ginjou, a faint smile on his lips. "Yeah… So, that's me. I didn't give you every detail, but then we'd be here all night."

"It's fine," Ichigo reassured him. "Really, it is. Thank you."

"And you think I'm for real?"

"It doesn't sound like something they wouldn't do," Ichigo said thoughtfully. "It's… plausible, shall we say."

"I'll take it," Ginjou said with a laugh, returning to his regular, charismatic self. "Anyway kid, want another drink? I'm almost done with mine."

"Yeah…" Ichigo said thoughtfully, "sure."

As Ginjou left to get drinks by the bar, Ichigo stared at the man thoughtfully. Assassination out of convenience? The Gotei Thirteen had a sordid past. But… what if there was more to it? He wished he could hear the other side of the story.

---

Operative Kishida watched the red-haired teenager leave the run-down building from afar. She had been tasked with investigating the place by her captain, the commander of the stealth corps, and she intended to do so most thoroughly. Kurosaki Ichigo had left, and the spiritual presences of neither Yasutora Sado nor Inoue Orihime were present in the building. Quietly, she crawled closer, keeping her reiatsu at an absolute minimum.

The commander had been right to order this investigation. Operative Kishida could sense multiple signatures of empowered humans inside, rough and poorly structured, but powerful still, possessing a crude kind of elegance, like a well-made club.

She couldn't sense quite how many there were in there, though. She looked around, and crawled to the edge of the roof she had been occupying, intent on getting closer. Seeing nobody move anywhere near her, and sensing the reiatsu signatures were all at peace, she launched herself over to the next roof in an elegant leap, her landing barely even disturbing the broken brick tiles. Immediately, Operative Kishida went prone, crawling ever closer. She had to at least get a good head count before she could return to the captain and report. She would have to recommend at least a full scout-out of the area, although knowing the commander, they would likely take part in a full-on raid of the place. Commander Soifon did not believe in leaving potential threats outside of her control.

She was focused, fully focused- too focused, actually. All of her attention was trained on the signatures inside the building.

Operative Kishida never sensed the shadow creeping up on her from behind.

---

And with that, we are now begining to aproach the climax of this arc. That's to say the next chapter will end it. (it wont.) but we're approaching the end point.

I do hope that you all like Ginjou's backstory. The lack of one in cannon really didn't do his arc any favor's. Here though, I think he's super relatable. Assuming he's telling the truth that is. I really want to know if you guys like what we did with this.

Uryu has finally made it to the palace and we get to meet more of the Stern ritter. I have plans for Liltotto, thus why I wanted to show her off here. Grimmjow has also been allowed some more freedom too. Will he screw this up, or will things work out for our renegade arrancar?

Not much more to say, Im just eager to hear what you all have to say about this chapter.