CHAPTER 7: JOINT MISSION

Tayomi looked over the group of members from the 13th Division, counting heads and checking to see if everyone was present. There had been reports of hollows rampaging Rukongai, District 80, Zaraki. For the very first time, Hitsugaya and she would be going on a mission together. Captain-commander Yanamoto had given orders for the 4th Seat of the 13th Division and the 6th Seat of the 10th Division to lead a group of Shinigami from their Divisions to take out the hollows and protect the citizens. She led her group to wait outside the 10th Division. Just as they arrived, a group of Shinigami streamed out of the 10th Division's barracks, with Hitsugaya standing in front of the pack. Her heart started to beat faster, but she knew she could not as openly as she did with Hitsugaya now. After all, they were on a mission and had to be serious. Hitsugaya nodded at her and the both of them set off for Rukongai, District 80.

Rukongai District 80 was extremely far away from the Gotei 13 headquarters and walking there by foot was absolutely exhausting. In order to stop the hollows as soon as possible, they had to use a Senkai Gate to get there. The gates opened, to reveal the already run-down District reduced into rubble. There was fire burning all over, houses were crushed and reduced to mere planks of wood. Screams echoed throughout the District and cries were heard repeatedly. Tayomi and Hitsugaya immediately ordered the group to split up, save as many citizens as they could and destroy all the hollows hurting the citizens. Everyone ran off into different directions and Hitsugaya and Tayomi ended up running together, trying to track down the 'leader of the pack'. There were small-sized hollows running around already and surely there would be a giant hollow leading them all.

"It's there…" Tayomi pointed to Hitsugaya's right.

A large hollow was there, as they had expected. It was easily at least ten times their size and towering over them, as it usually did. The Adjuchas was so huge that it completely blocked out the path of the sunlight, casting a shadow over both Hitsugaya and Tayomi. It roared loudly with pleasure, sensing that it was time for a full course meal. It was extremely brutal, as it punched its fist into the ground, sending more rubble and dust flying. Tayomi and Hitsugaya used Shunpo to dodge the flying rubble. This hollow definitely meant business. It roared again and two identical hollows appeared behind Tayomi, surrounding Hitsugaya and her. Her face turned serious and her eyebrows pointed downwards, as she got ready to put up a fight. She had a feeling it was going to take both her Zanpakutou and Kidou to take all three down. Maybe it was a good chance for her to try out a technique she had never tried with Inazuma Kaze.

Both Hitsugaya and Tayomi released their Zanpakutous, fully aware of what it would cause. On their own, their spiritual energy was strong enough to affect the area around them. Together, their combined spiritual energy caused a great disturbance in the weather. The two prodigies, the ice dragon and the lightning princess, leaked their reiatsu as they glowed, noticeably in their eyes. Hitsugaya's eyes turned light turquoise, while Tayomi's eyes turned light purple, every hint of blue in her eyes disappearing. Lightning streaked across the sky and dark clouds covered the sunlight, making the area completely dark. Their comrades looked up at the sky, instantly noticing the change in weather and fully aware that their leaders had found the main targets. Hitsugaya's reiatsu had caused the dark clouds to appear, while Tayomi's was responsible for the heavy rain and lightning. Ever since her last trip into her inner world, she had grown significantly in strength. She decided to start the ball rolling and knew that Hitsugaya had the same intentions as her. I have to take out the hollows behind me first, before dealing with the last one. Defense and offense at the same time, it's not going to be easy… Thank god for Kidou!

"Bakudou 75, Gochutekkan!"

Tayomi used her favourite binding spell to keep the last hollow in its place. Before it managed to break out of the binding spell, Hitsugaya and she had to fight the two hollows. As far as their strategy went, they knew that they would take on one each, helping each other in defense if necessary. Tayomi decided to try the special technique she had never used before, the last technique in the book for her Shikai. Placing her palm against the black, middle blade of her Zanpakutou, she whispered.

"Hadou 88, Hiryugekizokushitenraiho!"

She swung her blade sideways, projecting the Hadou spell towards the hollow with increased strength. By using Inazuma Kaze to project Kidou spells, the spell's power would increase by three folds. However, for lightning and electricity-based Kidou spells, its power would increase by ten folds. With her Hadou 88 ten times stronger than it would be if she used her bare hands, the spell caused a massive explosion, damaging the Adjuchas. The Adjuchas was angered and roared loudly, attempting to slash at her by swiping its claw quickly. Tayomi dodged its attack instantly and slashed at it with Inazuma Kaze. Inazuma Kaze, having a sharp middle blade and two other spiked blades at the side, gave the hollow three deep wounds, causing it to bleed profusely. This hollow was not much of a trouble for her and she concluded that it was the weakest out of the three hollows. She decided to finish it off quickly, swinging her blade sideways.

"Ya*!"

A lightning arrow shot right through the hollow's mask, shattering it and causing the hollow to disintegrate. She saw Hitsugaya finish off his hollow as well, secretly smiling inside, delighted that he had gotten so strong. Just as the second hollow disintegrated, the last hollow broke out of Tayomi's binding spell. It was definitely mad and its speed had suddenly increased, attempting to strike them. She immediately used Bakudou 39, Enkosen, to defend herself as Hitsugaya went to strike back at the hollow. For some reason, Hyorinmaru was unable to slash through the hollow. Hitsugaya jumped back, surprised that his Zanpakutou was unable to cut through the Adjuchas, who was busy cackling away.

"You little midgets! That won't work…" It laughed, full of evil in its voice. "No Zanpakutou can ever cut through me… I will crush you both and have a good meal!"

"If my Zanpakutou can't do that…" Tayomi snarled. "Then I'll let my Kidou do the work."

"As if your tiny Kidou spells could hurt me! They're probably as pathetic as your size!" The hollow was enjoying itself as he mocked his opponents' heights.

"Laughing at my height is one thing… But laughing at my height and making it sound as if it's related to my strength is another!" Tayomi was starting get absolutely furious, lightning bolts ejecting from her body and enveloping her. "You are going to drop dead. NOW."

She raised her arm and pointed it at the hollow.

"You should be honoured that I'm trying this spell on you. Hadou 91, Senju Koten Taiho!"

Hitsugaya watched her fire a level 91 spell at the hollow, without incantation. She was a real prodigy at Kidou, indeed. If she was weaker at the other Shinigami Arts, Captain-commander Yanamoto would put her in the Kidou Corps for sure. He was glad that she was all-rounded and they would keep her in the Gotei 13, near him. He decided to back her up with a Kidou spell. He was not a prodigy in Kidou, but he was proficient in it.

"Hadou 58, Tenran!"

He fired the spell at the hollow, destroying it. The skies cleared again and the weather returned to normal. The sun popped out behind the clouds again and everything was fine. Tayomi took out her communicator and sent a report to Captain Ukitake, telling him that the mission was completed and to send members of the Gotei 13 to rebuild District 80, Zaraki. She opened the Senkai gate and together with Hitsugaya and their team, returned to Soul Society.

At night, Hitsugaya and Tayomi lay on the soft grass together, gazing at the stars. She sighed in content, satisfied with her performance today. Yawning, she was well aware that she was exhausted and felt sleepy. Turning on her side to face Hitsugaya, she smiled at him and he turned on his side as well, facing her.

"You were great during today's mission. It's not often I get to see you as serious as I am." He sighed.

"Thanks…" Tayomi blushed. "You were great too… I hope we get more missions together."

With that, she closed her eyes and fell asleep on the soft grass. Hitsugaya watched her sleep, before moving closer to her and stroking her hair. He kissed her goodnight, on her pink cheeks, before falling asleep himself, with his arm still around her, protecting her from harm.

Translation:
*Ya: Arrow

Author's Note:
Yay! I hope you all liked this chapter. Going on joint missions can be fun :D We are 3 chapters away from the major MAJOR CONFLICT! It's a half-yay and half-boo...
Next chapter, it's time for a recruitment, and they're both going to have fun trying to let the Shinigami Academy's graduates see how nice their Division is! Stay tuned and please review! ^.^ Thanks!