Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Hornet and Phantom. Enjoy the 1200-word chapter. I don't own Bleach, Tite Kubo and a few others do.

Sui looked out over dozens of soldiers, the wooden stage she stood upon? One draped with her clan's banners? It felt more like a child giving the speech to a group of children than a serious military affair, still? Sui felt the need to address her troops.

"Our mission is to capture the enemy. According to intelligence gathered by those of your peers?" Sui questioned and cast a gaze at Riku. "We know that the target is very powerful. I do not know if this enemy happens to be an obscure Hollow, a rouge Espada, or an Arrancar. I DO know that we have been tasked with the duty of engaging and capturing this creature. Since the majority of the enemy has been wiped out? We will be engaging the remains." Sui added, crossing her arms across her back as she did so.

There were no questions initially. Her men didn't want to provoke her ire, much to her chagrin. She turned to Riku who cast another supportive grin with amusement. He knew just how much Sui was willing to fight, but she was slowly breaking her shell, just like he wanted to. It just took time for the somewhat scared Soul Reaper to chip away at her shell.

"Are there any questions when it comes to this operation?" Sui questioned as she brushed off her uniform. "I cannot stress enough that this mission is important," Sui stated while closing her eyes to take a breath.

"Captain, is it true this mission is going to take several days?" One of the reapers questioned to which she nodded. "The hollows are concentrating their forces? That's almost unheard of." The reaper added as Sui clicked her fingers together as she stepped down to allow her lieutenant to take charge of the questions.

"That was interesting," Riku said while he looked over his shoulder at the woman. "Are you ok, Captain?" Riku questioned while he raised an eyebrow.

Sui was silent as she silently chuckled. She knew Riku was simply toying with her as he had been before. It was something she made sure to enjoy while she could consider the severity of this mission, it was almost enough to make her chuckle if she didn't know he was just trying to cheer her up in his way. It was enough for her to realize that she was beginning to enjoy slowly allowing another besides…

She paused, frowning as her hands balled up into fists before she motioned for Riku to walk with her. Sui refused to blame what happened between her and Captain Yoruichi on Riku, it wasn't even slightly fair to judge her friend based on that information.

"Yes, it was. I assume you and your squad are prepared for business?" Sui questioned while she shook her head.

"There as prepared as possible when it comes to it, yes," Riku said before softening his tone. "What about you, Sui? How are you holding up? I know whoever is in charge of a horde of Hollows? They have to be strong, I'm curious why they wanted the leader captured." Riku added to which Sui sighed, unsure what to say.

"I believe they wish to test why he's in charge of hollows," Sui responded, setting her hands in front of her. "They wish to see if we can improve on the technique and how it can best be used to fight them more effectively." Sui also added as she dusted off her jacket.

"Do you think it's too dangerous to risk it? We could end up with a lot more pain than usual." Riku said to which Sui nodded.

"If we are not willing to risk the wellbeing of ourselves? We risk the entire Soul Society." Sui responded, getting hums from Riku as he shook his head. "Do you wish for me to point out I requested your squad assist me and the Lieutenant? I trust you enough to tell you I am far more unsure than when I think about it." Sui said, crossing her arms over her chest and such.

"And how bad will it be if we take them head-on in a fight like this, exactly?" Riku questioned, raising an eyebrow as he fell into step with her once more. "The longer we risk a way to peacefully exist with the Hollows… Well, with their masters? The more we end up giving away in the end. We might lose more than we have now." Riku said, pausing as he paused to think about how it would go.

He was quite confused about the measures when it came down to it. Both were curious about this operation.

"Do they know?" Riku asked as he looked over his shoulder at his friends. "My squad doesn't know; I don't know how they'd react for it to be like this," Riku stated, closing his eyes as he did so.

"I don't know how ANY of the reapers would react if they knew," Sui said as she looked over her shoulder as well. "Things aren't so easy. Would you like me to remind you just how much fun we have dueling?" Sui questioned, a wry smile crossing her lips as she did so.

"What would Captain Kenpachi say?" Riku said with a chuckle as the two friends began to walk back. "My squad is ready; we help you with the enemy commander if we encounter them," Riku stated as he shook his head.

"We both know tonight is the night we handle them, there will be Reapers dying, you know," Sui stated as she paused, rubbing at her temples.

"It won't be in vain; we both know that for a fact," Riku said, leaning on the railing as he did so. "But you should know something. When I first woke you up? I was terrified you'd kill me…. And now? I see you terrified of people seeing your vulnerable." Riku said as he turned to walk away.

"You shouldn't be scared people can see you unsure or even just as terrified," Riku said as he turned to her with a smile. "All it tells me is we're equally unsure, something they'd see as being as human as them…. Sides, everyone's scared, I'm scared tomorrow I might not be here… But I trust you enough to say it." Riku added before he turned and walked away.

Sui was left to ponder to herself as she watched her friend slowly but surely left, leaving her with her thoughts.

'Why out of everything does the student who can barely fight me give good advice?' Sui thought as she sighed, she'd let her lieutenant handle the first phase of the operation tomorrow.

Hopefully? This went smoothly.

Author Notes

Phew. Another chapter is done! I want to point out that the next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will show a talk and Sui and Riku fighting Hollows. I apologize if the lack of villains and such is boring, I wanted the bonding and training to big a big part of the story. The next chapter will be 900-4500 words and such. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!