Kids often don't know what's expected of them. Fundamentally, they lack something that adults do, though what that is exactly I still don't quite know. Their perceptions twist around that thing they lack to the point they believe one way is the truth. But the truth is so complicated, with so many variables, and I can see how they come up with the "my truth" and "your truth" bullshit. The truth is the truth. Experience is experience, and that's the truth.

The truth is I'm a Shinigami. The truth is I still don't know my zanpakutou's name even though he has spoken to me for nearly a century. The truth is I've been dead for three hundred sixty four years. The truth is I waited for a way back home. The truth is there is no way back home. The truth is I am doomed to walk this world by myself, alone, and shrouded in the darkness of secrecy.

That's not what everyone else knows. They just know me as an immortal hero, gifted with a sword that purifies Hollows, and this is my home. They know me as someone trustworthy, someone who helped to start the dawn of this Pro Hero era, who exists solely for their protection and safe keeping. They don't know me for anything other than television appearances, accounts of others, and my record of saving people. A Human to them, born of this world, this era, to protect them from all and everything. Merely immortal, eternally young.

It's just not the truth.

"SHINIGAMI!"

Though right now probably isn't the time for questioning the very foundation of truth, considering there is a Hollow threat.

On the ground, plenty of Pro Heroes do their best to care for the common populace, the ones who do ultimately nothing with their gifts. Though they remain wary of Hollows, almost all Humans remain stagnant at their appearance, treating it more as a glorified inconvenience than the life threatening, life altering appearance of beings that it should be. It should inspire fear, should make them wish they were stronger. But even still, the Pro Heroes who have seen a fraction of the damage a Hollow can do keep back, as close to almost too far as they can be.

I absently dodge the strike of a paw, the sheer strength behind it bringing up dirt, a few bits of brick, and an increase in the intensity of the air around us. This Hollow holds a tiger-like form, lithe body and elongated nose tense and curled back in a snarling posture ready for attack. Red eyes glint at me as it walks around me. "Shinigami, Shinigami- who would have thought a Shinigami would be here?" it mutters as it paces.

"Please, just stay still. I'm late for work," I tell it with a slight whine in my voice, taking a glance down at my watch. Though I've maintained the predominantly black color of my uniform, adjustments have been made through out the decades to simply suit my personal needs, and the reiatsu that I emit, combined with the Zanpakutou on my hip, allows Hollows to identify me quickly, easily, and with no mistakes made.

"I'll enjoy your soul, Shinigami!"

It's fast, but speed has always been my area. I was given multiple offers for the Second Division based off how fast I can go. If this Hollow had tried brute force instead of a quick kill attack, I might respect it more. I'm not particularly strong, after all. Instead I unsheathe my Zanpakutou and let the Hollow impale itself on my blade.

The sight of Hollow leaves my gaze, and I look out at the crowd of people with the smile they expect from me. Large, wide, like someone who has worked her life away to win something and finally sees the reward. Not at all the way I truly already am. But they don't need to know about such trivial matters, not when it's another day they have to live the way they want or need to live.

"There she goes again! Miss East, always there to save the day no matter what!"

"Nice to see she didn't sustain any wounds too! Hollows can get pretty rough..."

"Whoa, she's so cool. Can't wait to grow up to be like her!"

If only they knew the truth.

Damn, I'm ten minutes late. These kids are undoubtedly nervous enough, filling the room with their anxiety, but I feel butterflies swarm in my own stomach, twisting everything. Stupid Hollow just had to make me late today, on the day when the kids are taking their test to get in, to become my own students. On the day they need me to be the best they can have... I'm such a screw up.

My name is Olaug of the Third Division, I tell myself, hoping eventually I might actually believe it for myself.

I step into the auditorium with an apologetic glance all around. All of the would be students are present today, though this particular auditorium is full of only aspiring heroes. A bit of warmth flutters through me when I see them, joining Present Mic at the front of the room. "I'm so terribly late, sorry!" I chirp as cheerfully as I can. "I was handling a Hollow that appeared in downtown this morning. I hope you don't feel like I'm devaluing your importance, would-be heroes."

"It's Miss East! Holy shit!"

"There was a Hollow this morning? That's the third one in two days..."

"Ahhh! The Mother of Heroes is really here!"

Wow, there are so many of them this year. It's intimidating, standing up here in the spotlight while they sit in the darkness, watching me. Lifting a hand, I gesture for the students to settle down. As they do, I take notice of the sheer amount of reiatsu in the room, feeling a few individuals with more than the others, but the overall amount is incredible. More than one would find in an average Shino graduating class. "I don't know what Present Mic has already told you, but I do believe it's my job to tell you about the third part of this exam. Isn't it?"

"Yes, it sure is! After all, you're the queen of defeating the Hollows, wanted all over the world when issues arise!" Present Mic shouts, loving to hear his own voice. "Which is made possible thanks to impressive support technology that allows her to transport herself over hundreds of thousands of miles within a few minutes! Oh yeah, Miss East is our number one!"

A rise of murmurings and whispered awes are heard, and I smile at them again, my eyes closing in an effort to be much lighter than I feel. "Thank you so much, students, Mic, but I think you should more focused on the task at hand. Don't wanna lose your spot, right?" The slide changes to the third part of the exam, the part I specifically judge. "Hollows, as many of you know, have been proven to be non-human beings for the last half century now, making it legal for Pro Heroes to assist or take charge in eradicating the threat they pose. Which means we have to teach you how to handle a Hollow.

"As I'm sure many of you know, it's much more difficult to take care of a Hollow than to apprehend a Villain. Due to this, there are requirements for separate licenses for Hollows on top of Hero licenses. This exam isn't meant to make you feel like less than your peers- plenty of those who failed this portion were one of the first in their class to get their Hollow licenses- but it is meant to see who is naturally more inclined to it."

I gesture to the slide above my head, which depicts the various animatronics similar to the ones on their second exam but with my own personal twist. "You can try to beat these guys into oblivion, but it won't work. In order to get to them, to defeat them, you have to call upon an inner ability that will allow you to bypass the protections I have on them and turn them off. I can't truly teach you how to access this inner power- you either have it or you don't- but I believe most of you will be surprised when you call upon it for the first time. Are there any questions?"

"If we can't access that inner power, can we still enter U.A.?" a fearful student speaks out.

My gaze turns gentle. It's a question I receive every year, one that so few are brave enough to ask for fear of the answer. "Of course! You all have it, and sometimes accessing it is more difficult. It's not something taught in school either, so this is truly something you can't simply prepare for. Anything else?"

"How does this translate to Hollows?"

"Because defeating a Hollow is much easier- possible at all really- when you can call upon that inner ability. Entering U.A. means, one way or another, you will eventually learn how to access, control, and use this power." The students are young, so I only allow a little bit of my own reiatsu to leak out, to brush along the students. I see many gazes immediately change to apprehension or confusion before I say, "You'll know if someone has accessed it. Don't be afraid of it. It won't hurt anyone unless you will it to. Hollows have this same ability, and sometimes they're so strong that the air can feel like syrup in your lungs. This power is your only protection."

I wait for someone else to pipe up and ask me a question, but they remain silent, and I give them my brightest smile. "I'll be seeing you shortly after your second exam! Good luck, boys and girls, and I hope your dreams come true!"

I leave the room, and my breath releases in a whoosh that relaxes my entire body. Present Mic strides after me, always so comfortable talking in front of anyone and everyone. He pats my shoulder as he passes, asking, "How bad was the Hollow this morning?"

"It was bad enough. I think it nabbed two Souls before I got there, but he was easy to defeat. He got cocky after eating," I say in reply, my gaze dropping down to the ground. "We were doing good too. It's been a while since a Hollow successfully consumed Souls- anywhere, actually."

Three months. Three months passed where Hollows failed to find a meal before I sent them packing. Today I failed, and two Souls paid the price for that.

"Don't be too hard on yourself now! Can't be everywhere at once, ya know!"

He's right, though I wish it were so much easier to accept something like that. Yamada, as dumb as he can seem sometimes, always picks up on my moods. The only other one to ever succeed at calling me out, in his generation at least, would be Aizawa, the two of them having trained together underneath me during their student years. The two always keep me close to them, constantly updating me on their lives, and Yamada is always the first to try to help me or comfort me when the loneliness lingers too close to my heart.

I give him the best smile I possibly can. "Of course, Present Mic. Now, let's get this exam started!"

The kids are positively exhausted by the end of the second exam, having given it their all to make their dreams come true. The first group lines up in front of me, combining two of the battle centers together to make it faster and easier for them and for me. The animatronics are lined up neatly, presented in rows of twenty for the children to walk up to. I catch a few staring pensively at them, as if they might suddenly become real Hollows, and others have a hard glint in their gaze, determination, like they know no matter what they can complete this and pass with flying colors.

I clap my hands, standing on a platform that gives me optimal viewing of the groups of teens and the robots. All attention turns to me, and I announce, "This is your third and final exam of today! Are you excited?" Very few actually respond, but I continue on anyway. "These are the animatronics you'll be trying to turn off today. Please, do not break them. I can't afford to replace them anytime soon.

"Now, they will move, but don't be afraid. They won't hurt you too bad- not even enough for Recovery Girl's help- so dodge them as best you can and try to get close. If you can't get through, don't worry. You'll have ten minutes to try, and then you're done for the day. And keep in mind this exam can only help you- it cannot hurt you."

The students gaze back at me, and I smile faintly at them. "Twenty of you, please step up." Some fight for their spots, all wanting to see if they can get it first, but one of them just walks up without question, staring at the robot with the gears of his mind turning. The blonde tilts his head at the one in front of him, bearing a tail that strikes like a viper, with his hands in his pockets. He'll make it in. "Please, please, just wait for your turn, okay? It won't take long at all."

My sense prickle and a chill runs down my back just as they settle. Nonetheless, I hold the stopwatch high in the sky, a hologram appearing on the ground in front of them on the wall for their viewing purposes. Several ready themselves, armed with Quirks or outright will, and a few stare questioningly at the robots. "GO!" I shout and the countdown starts.

Only the blonde doesn't move immediately, continuing to stare at the robot. I turn my attention from him to the other students, feeling with my reiatsu exactly how they're doing. Only a couple are managing to even touch their abilities. A great many are trying to beat their way inside. I can feel them searching for it, but none of them are actually reaching it.

Until a burst of reiatsu makes even me stumble, and I turn to the blonde from before. He uses his hands, explosions erupting from the palms, to enter first, easily dodging the tail as it thrashes. As if sensing some kind of resistance, he uses more of his reiatsu, the air turning soupy and difficult to breathe so some of the students have a hard time moving. He increases it again, and I use mine to combat his at last. If you remember correctly, he can easily match a lieutenant, perhaps even a captain.

Then let's hope I don't remember correctly. Now that he's used it, Hollows are going to want to eat him up. And the sheer amount he's expressing now is worrisome.

Thinking of someone?

His face flashes before my eyes, the short, young Shinigami from so long ago. The oddest combination of blue and green that colors his eyes- turquoise, as I later learned- with white hair in short, gentle spikes pushed back from his face. Big eyes filled with his youth, a youth that faded even during the time I knew him. The one all of my class feared or hated, the one the Seireitei just couldn't wait to get their hands on, the one who was an actual child that they gave a sword to simply because he could hold one long enough to stand some chance in a fight.

The vision of him fades until I see the student again, blonde spikes somehow a powerful contrast to the white I can remember. He turns the robot off and brushes his hands, grinning widely, cocky. I see it all too well. He's the type of kid who would make people jealous with how easily he entered Shino, and his Quirk is certainly powerful. If he has the smarts then- "Look forward to seeing you in class, teach," he calls to me, disrupting my own thoughts..

"What's your name?" I ask, looking at the clipboard and at least attempting to play it off. Several students murmur and look towards each other as the animatronics begin moving again, attacking the students in front of them. Still, so many are impressed and boldened by his actions, believing it easy if he can do it. If only they were capable of realizing the level of power he has.

"Bakugou Katsuki. You'd best remember it," he answers carelessly. I place his time next to his name, allowing him to walk off as he pleases. Ordinarily, I might try to stop him, might even attempt to force him to stay until the rest of his group is finished, but Bakugou Katsuki will find his way to me by himself. He'll be in U.A. and all students wind up in my office at some point or another.

I pay attention to the students again, watching them until the timer runs out. I call the groups in and wait for those to succeed or fail, a rhythm picking up easily. The students were leaking reiatsu left and right in that room altogether, but there are certain ones I can feel that take up the major bulk of it. Bakugou Katsuki certainly did, but I feel a large amount from other students whose names leave me almost immediately, their stutters lost in their victory.

What a ridiculously strong group. The public will be safe for a time yet.

"You're late," Shouta comments as soon as I step foot onto the grounds for the exam. While the students without recommendations all gave their best a few days ago for their chance at entering U.A., this day I have devoted to testing the recommendation students for their natural inclination with reiatsu. "You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago. They've been waiting for you."

"Sorry," I say to him, straightening out my uniform as best as I can. "I ran out of time getting ready this morning, then Spain called with a Hollow situation, and then-"

Shouta interrupts smoothly, "I didn't ask."

A pout covers my lips, and I punch his shoulder as I pass by him to view the students hoping to get in on recommendations. They're already lined up in front of me, most of them either cockily standing or emotionless. I allow a disarming smile on my expression, radiating warmth as best as I can. "So these are the kids who I can expect the most from, huh?" I ask, and the reaction is as expected. All of them grin and express their smug attitude in one form or another, be it through words or through a narrowed eye. "I should tell you, just because you got here, to the recommendations, does not mean much to me at all. Expecting more from you might not be what you want."

"Miss East doesn't give breaks! The Mother of Heroes is here to test you for a specific ability, so make sure you respect and does as she asks without being too difficult!" Present Mic says as he walks to stand beside me. "Don't let her appearance fool you; Miss East is one of the hardest teachers to impress at U.A.!"

"Don't scare them yet, Mic," I scold playfully and gesture tot he machines. "It's the same as the regular students. Doing this won't hurt you, but it can help you significantly. Some people have made it in based off this test. No one has failed because of it. Remember that. A very simple set of instructions, but far harder to grasp than any of you realize just yet. Think of this animatronic as a Hollow, but don't be afraid-"

"Hollows don't scare me," one says evenly, staring straight at me.

I finally take the time to look at him and find the exact shade of Todoroki Enji's blue eyes staring back at me, paired with a grey color that contrasts sharply. I chill immediately, regarding the boy as he regards me, lacking the smile and any other form of warmth on my expression, the Shinigami gaze I keep tucked away. No doubt in my mind. "Let me guess. Endeavor's son?" He dips his head once- a nod. "You wouldn't be afraid of Hollows. Your father would never allow that, would he? No matter. If you're afraid of a Hollow today or not doesn't matter- even Endeavor has yet to see their true strength, and they only get scarier."

"The hell kinda difference in personality was that? She was so warm just a second ago, and now she's as cold as ice!"

His eyes narrow the slightest fraction, and a small wind moves his hair just enough I see the scar over the blue eye. I guess the rumors are true then. She really did scar her son so he looked less like his father. Todoroki's voice is cool enough to put almost anyone on guard as he says, "Endeavor insists they're nothing."

"He would, but only because he's only ever seen a low grade Hollow. Now, please, allow me to finish?" Todoroki dips his head in the same fashion again, merely blinking once at me, and I roll my shoulders before offering that bright smile again. "Anyway! These guys are going to move around a lot and try to attack you, but it won't hurt too bad! Worst case scenario, you'll receive a pretty harsh bruise, but you'll know all about those by the time you finish your first year in the academy. Your challenge is to reach inside for a power that will allow you past the barriers I've made and turn them off. Some of you will be able to access that power, and others of you will not."

Yamada holds a stopwatch behind me, and Shouta heaves a large sigh. "You really do lay it on too thick," he complains beneath his breath, and I take a step back from the children. "Your test starts... now."

They all run at the robots immediately, even Todoroki's son. And the barrier holds them all back so they bounce off like a trampoline. I turn my gaze from the son of Endeavor and look to the others, specifically to the girl on the end. Her body holds some extra weight, a bit of flab, and her ponytail fluffs up behind her head as sweat beads her brow. Deep in thought, I sense her reiatsu moving about her, trying to make her notice the power she has. While she doesn't have much of it, her control must be astounding.

"Don't overthink it, Yaoyorozu." Her head jerks up at me, eyes wide. "You know where it is. Now use it."

Her gaze turns hard with determination, and a rod appears at her side- a weapon- before she approaches the robot again. Many ignore her in favor of their own task, but I keep my gaze directly on her, making sure she can feel it. The barrier rejects her again, and both of my former students turn their attention elsewhere for the time being. Her mouth moves, and she approaches the barrier again, her reiatsu wrapping tightly around her like it's own barrier-

And it completely shatters mine. Pieces of the barrier infused with my reiatsu falls to the ground, orange in color. I've never seen that happen before, at least not in this fashion. Yaoyorozu didn't use a Kido spell or anything, she just... she just touched it.

This generation is proving to be stronger than previous. Much stronger.

There's no way that's a good thing either, I tell him.

Pessimist.

Yaoyorozu pauses, completely caught off guard, then stumbles out of the way of an attack. Her feet scramble against the ground, traction lost, and she launches herself into a roll to avoid being hit again. Yaoyorozu turns it off and looks up with victory in her gaze, bright and full of youth. It's an effort to hide my shock and apprehension before she can see it and give her the biggest smile I have.

"Congratulations, Yaoyorozu Momo. You passed," I tell her and nod to Yamada to put her time down. "Let's hope you did well on the other parts of this entrance exam. You're free to go when you please."

"Thank you!" she replies with a bubbly voice, nearly skipping on her way out.

I turn around to view the others as they reach the seven minute mark, specifically the son of Endeavor. He has no fear of the Hollows, true, but he keeps himself at a distance- the same tactic his father uses- and tries freezing the barrier into submission. "It doesn't matter if you freeze it so it can't move or messes up the circuits," I call to him, "because it's not what I'm looking for."

His eyes narrow, and his frown deepens, and I feel it immediately, a shiver climbing my back and spreading to the rest. It's not the cold of his Quirk- as if anyone else would know- but that of his reiatsu. It swirls around him, some bits hot as the inferno he can wield and others as cold as a glacier. His reiatsu is interesting enough, but the amount of it is almost as overwhelming as that Bakugou Katsuki. Almost as cold as the prodigy, and almost as hot as the Captain Commander.

If he goes near it now, he'll enter the barrier.

Todoroki launches himself forward, and his reiatsu splits the barrier apart- not shattering it like the girl from earlier- and he turns it off. A release of breath is seen- visible due to the intensity of his body temperature dropping. "Good enough for you, Miss East?" he asks, turning his body to me.

"It worked, didn't it? You pass. Feel free to leave," I reply.

"As if you could stop me anyway." His mutter carries to me, and I have to stop myself from proving a point. He isn't my student. Yet.

The only other one of the students to succeed is Yaorashi, who is impressive with his Quirk on his own, and his reiatsu reflects it to a certain degree. While not overwhemingly powerful like Bakugou Katsuki and Todoroki, he would still be promised way into Shino. Once all of the students have left, I take a deep breath and decide to leave the robots here for now, turning to my former students and saying, "We're going to dinner tonight. My treat. Get your things and clear your schedules."

"I love it when you do this!" Yamada shouts, raising his fist into the air. "I always feel so trusted!"

"You should," I giggle as Aizawa pulls his phone out and sends someone some sort of message. Not a date, sadly, I think to myself as I peer over his shoulder, using my reiatsu to lift into the air. He puts his phone away and gazes at me blankly, the gears turning in his head. He wants to know what's wrong now, not later.

My name is Olaug of the Third Division, I remind myself. My captain is Ichimaru Gin. I'm a Shinigami. My name is Olaug of the Third Division.

My name is Olaug of the Third Division. My captain is Ichimaru Gin. I'm a Shinigami. My name is Olaug of the Third Division.

The Hollow thrashes when it lands in the open desert outside of town, clear of any danger it could pose to the civilians and their belongings. I land on the ground softly, the news crew behind me recording and commenting in their native tongue. It flips over at last, too close to a roach for my comfort, and hisses at me before chittering quickly. "Shinigami, you- chtchtcht- really are a- chtchtcht- pain in my ass. Let me eat, won't you- chtchtcht?"

"Not a chance," I reply, pulling my zanpakutou from its sheath and holding it at eye level, blade pointed directly at the Hollow. I can hear the growls of my companion in the back of my mind, hungry for a taste of something. For justice, more so than anything else. "You've eaten three children Souls, excluding the pregnant woman and her unborn twins. You've had enough."

"I have to bring more for my lord!" It chitters again, and I sneer, teeth bared, before Shunpo launches me forward, slicing through the Hollow's mask. It's a weak Hollow, either new to the game or foolish enough to overestimate its abilities. As it disappears into the air, I find myself hoping those Souls still somehow find peace somewhere. The news cameras follow me as I straighten myself and sheath the blade. Congratulations surround me, despite the lost ones, and I find it in myself, somewhere deep down, to smile at the camera and pretend I'm still happy with the outcomes of today.

By the time I make it back to the school, there's thirty minutes before homeroom starts, and Shouta stands at the door to my office, holding a file in his hand. "Hollow?"

My name is Olaug of the Third Division.

I take a deep breath and nod. "Yeah."

"Casualties?"

My name is Olaug of the Third Division.

"Three children and a woman pregnant with twins." Six Souls. "Why are you here?"

He shows me the file, several pages inside, but the top one is the most important. "I have all three of the students you wanted us to keep an eye on," Shouta says, tucking his hands into his pockets. "Bakugou Katsuki, Todoroki Shouto, and Yaoyorozu Momo, the three students who caught your eye specifically during their Hollow exams. Any idea what you're going to do with them?"

"I'm not in the business of making soldiers, Shouta, and you know that." Shouta and Yamada have managed to glean some information about me over the years, coming to conclusions and putting me in scenarios where I can't lie to them about anything- not that I would if I could. While they have yet to come up with conclusive evidence I'm not Human, they are aware of enough of my background to call it militant. Enough to know I was a soldier in some form or fashion, that I still am due to my job of Hollow hunter.

"Will they be in danger of being made into soldiers?" he asks.

I draw in a deep breath. "I... Should they find the children, then yes, I have little doubt they'll turn them into soldiers or put them down, or worse. Bakugou Katsuki is incredibly powerful individually, with the ability to easily claw his way up the ranks should it be to his liking. Todoroki Shouto is the son of Endeavor, and they'll see it as something in his biological makeup to make him geared towards violence- you know the rumors as well as I do, and the versatility of his abilities. Yaoyorozu Momo shattered my barrier, and I can think of a number of ways they would like to use her."

Shouta is quiet for a moment, and I swallow again. I know exactly what his question is. It's one I've pondered for years, one hundred and eighty years, that as the days pass becomes more likely. My voice is soft when I say, "The chances of them finding us are low. As long as we get them to be Heroes, they should be fine. They'll handle their own, and that's what we need, what they need."

"What are you going to do different now compared to last time?"

Guilt fills my chest, and I feel my mouth go dry. "Everything," I answer. "I won't be making that mistake again. They either have it or they don't, and I won't try to mold them into a Hero they can't be."

"I understand." Shouta takes a step closer to me. I hand the file back, my reiatsu reaching out to wrap around him comfortingly. His eyes close, and an affection blossoms within me, feeling more like he's my son than anything or anyone else. "She was my friend, Olaug. We have to take care of them this time."

"And we will," I promise. "You should head to class, Shouta. I'll be watching from a distance, okay?"

"You've been watching her for years now. What are you going to do?"

His nail scratches along the wood of his throne, a ghastly thing that stretches and looms behind him. He remains in his pocket dimension, watching her from above. He hates every bit of her. Her appearance has been frozen in that of an eighteen year old for the last century, since he was born and conscious enough to know who she is. Her hair starts blonde at the top of her head, slowly darkening to the same caramel color of her skin then to obsidian black, strands framing her eyes. One eye is completely mightnight blue, beautiful, and the other is a swirl of silver and that same midnight blue.

Oh, yes, he hates her. He hates everything about her. "Olaug of the Third Division..." he murmurs softly, like speaking to a lover. "She's been a thorn in my side for years. Killing Hollows no matter how weak or strong they are. I hated her before, and my loathing has only grown since. Killing her... that's too easy. So I want that world, that world she calls her home."

"The portal is open. Hollows trickle in and out, but the Shinigami have yet to find it again. Which means Aizen didn't know about it." The voice slithers about him, scaley and slinking, a whisper of who she once was. "Arrancar would love to go into this world, make the rift larger, and then..."

"Then she'll be found. The Shinigami will feel threatened... Central 46 will order the execution of the Heroes-"

"And they'll be defenseless. Leaving you..."

His lips stretch back in a smile, as charming as any handsome celebrity. "Leaving me the world that I want and her dead body."