Eyes of the Soul

by operation meteor

Passing beyond the veil, Itachi finds himself in an afterlife that is far from the hellfire he'd steeled himself for. With a chance encounter involving a pervy sage, a Flash Goddess and a healer whose angelic appearance hides more than a hint of steel, the bane of the Uchiha Clan finds a chance at a second life... and perhaps redemption. Slow burn. M for language and violence.

21. Chapter 21

Author's Notes: Hello there! This one took a bit longer than I had planned, so sorry for the wait. Definitely longer than the previous chapter, although still not nearly as long as the behemoths that came before. Still trying to find the right balance with these going forward, definitely a work in progress.

Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-One: A Working Vacation

One year later…

139 years before Rukia Kuchiki's arrival in Karakura Town

Falling back across the training yard, Twelfth Seat Jiraiya grinned as he deflected a series of quick slashes from Lisa. "Someone's fired up today! Something I missed? Got a hot date planned for tonight?"

"Nothing like that," Squad Eight's Lieutenant replied as she pressed her assault, a confident smirk on her face, "I've just got something I want to try out on you today."

Jiraiya chuckled as he fended off a swipe at his legs. "Oh, really? Using me as a test dummy for your secret techniques now? This should be fun!"

"It's a secret for me," Lisa clarified as she switched to a flurry of thrusts aimed at Jiraiya's torso, "but it's one you know quite well. I've been waiting for the chance to use it against you."

Jiraiya laughed as he parried her attacks. "Well, then this should be entertaining! Hit me with your best shot!"

She's had two years of serious training with it now, he mused as he counterattacked and went on the offensive, I'm expecting good things here, Lieutenant!

As if she'd read his mind, Lisa quickly delivered. Holding her sword only in her right hand as she deflected a sequence of crisscrossing slashes from Jiraiya, she held her left hand palm up. A very familiar swirling sphere of blue-white energy materialized, and she thrust it at him a moment later with a triumphant grin.

"Rasengan!" she shouted.

It hit Jiraiya square in the chest and sent him flying across the yard. He skipped off the floor before hitting the far wall, grimacing at the impact as little chips of stone fell around him. Climbing to his feet, he looked over his shoulder and saw that he'd put a rather noticeable dent in the wall, and his chest felt like it'd been hit by a punch from Gamabunta.

Lisa stood in the middle of the training yard with a very satisfied smile on her face. "The look on your face when I hit you with that… so worth the wait!"

Jiraiya sheathed his sword and gingerly rubbed his chest. "Man, that packed a wallop… forgot how it felt to be on the receiving end of a good Rasengan."

Lisa looked concerned as he approached her. "Did I overdo it? Should we get you over to the Squad Four barracks?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "No, it's fine. I just need to take a load off for a bit."

Lisa gestured at a nearby stone bench. "I'll join you. I could use a bit of a break myself."

The two of them sat down, and the Lieutenant passed Jiraiya a flask. He took a sip from the water within, savoring the sensation of the cool liquid streaming down his throat. Closing his eyes for a moment, he took several deep breaths, and the pain in his chest began to ease.

"That was very well done," he complimented her as he returned the flask to her, "From creation to execution, you pretty much nailed the Rasengan. You've come a long way in two years."

Lisa smiled. "I've had a good teacher."

Jiraiya grinned. "Praise? From the Lieutenant? Oh, mark this day on the calendar!"

Lisa rolled her eyes and gave him a mock shove. "Don't let it go to your head."

Jiraiya chuckled as he stretched his arms. "Too late for that!"

The two of them shared a laugh. It had become almost a regular post-sparring ritual of sorts over the past two years; a sign of the Lieutenant's growing respect and admiration for him, of her considering him to be more and more of an equal despite the fact that his rank was still several steps beneath hers. She might have been a Soul Reaper for longer than him, but Jiraiya had proven that there was much she could learn from him, and she had been eager to master the Rasengan after seeing him wield it against the cold drake.

His promotion and Lisa's studying of his jutsu had hardly been the only changes to take place over the two years that had passed since Squad Eight and their allies had vanquished the second wraith. Word of Jiraiya's feats in the battle had spread quickly throughout the Seireitei, and he'd soon noticed more junior Soul Reapers giving him respectful nods in passing. He still wasn't entirely used to it; most of the time he was accustomed to people running up to him in order to ask about when he'd be releasing his next book.

Seems my reputation as a fighter is finally catching up to the one I have as an author, he thought, I suppose I can't complain about that.

The changes had been more than simply reputational. Captain Unohana had taken note of his success, and upon the resumption of their healing practice sessions after his return she'd actually upped the complexity of the lessons. She could clearly sense his newfound power, and she had wasted no time in putting him through his paces. Squad Four's commander would make him maintain the healing energies required for Kaidō for hours on end, pushing his concentration and endurance to their absolute limits. They had moved beyond healing cuts, bruises and broken bones; now she was instructing him in finer arts such as poison removal and even minor surgeries. Jiraiya didn't think he could quite measure up to a veteran member of Squad Four or a fully trained medical Shinobi just yet, but he was getting closer with each passing lesson.

Of course, he'd been doing much more than passing on Shinobi techniques to Lisa or practicing healing with Unohana over the past few years. Squad Eight's workload had only seemed to increase following the elimination of the second wraith, as if the Head Captain felt that the only suitable reward for their success was to push them further. It was nice to know that the old man had such faith in them, but lately Jiraiya felt like it was becoming a bit much. They were almost constantly on the move, either jumping about the various Realms of the Living or patrolling the Soul Society itself in the eternal quest to stamp out Hollows and guide lost souls to their proper place in the afterlife. It was becoming more difficult to set aside time for his writing now, let alone visit with friends from other units like Squad Two.

Feels like it's been forever since I last grabbed a drink with Itachi, he mused, or swapped notes with him about our big Shinobi search in the Rukon District. I know he and Shisui are working their butts off, too. So is Little Miss Vissy… although she'd probably prefer I call her Thirteenth Seat Vissy.

"You all right?" asked Lisa, bringing him back to the present, "You seem a little out of it. Sure you don't need to go see Squad Four?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "Nah, I'm good. Just feels like it's been a while since I've been able to sit back and catch my breath for a bit, you know?"

Lisa nodded. "Yeah. Seems we're a bit too proficient at our jobs for our own good. Squad Eight's reputation is on the rise, and that means our talents are in greater demand than ever. It's tough to be popular. I know the Captain's trying to get us a bit of breathing room before we start burning out. Hope he's able to work something out with the Head Captain."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow; this was new to him. "He's really gone to the old man about this?"

"Of course," Lisa replied, "A Captain's duty is first and foremost to the well-being of their subordinates. The Soul Society may require our services, but we're not going to be of much use to them if we're dead on our feet. It's a Captain's responsibility to recognize when their unit's being overworked and to address it."

"And you think the Head Captain will listen?" asked Jiraiya, "I mean, no offense to our Captain, but we all know his reputation, and Old Man Yama knows him better than most. He might just write it off as our leader wanting to lounge around for a bit."

Lisa shook her head. "He won't. The Head Captain can recognize the difference between Kyōraku's antics and a genuine need for a break. I imagine the two of them will arrange to split up some of our work between the other units, perhaps even rotate us back towards a more defensive posture for a period of time. It's not too unusual for some units to change fields of responsibility in order to give others a chance to recuperate."

Jiraiya smiled. "A bit more time in the Seireitei for us? I guess that wouldn't be a bad thing."

"I could do with it," Lisa concurred, "It'd be nice to have a little downtime. Of course, that means the Captain will be hitting up the local taverns in short order and getting into trouble, but I don't mind dealing with that if it means I get a chance to unwind. Then again, if you join in his shenanigans like usual, I'm sure I'll have my hands full."

Jiraiya chuckled. "I'll try not to cause you too much trouble!"

Lisa smirked. "An offer of restraint from you? I wonder if Hell's frozen over. Do you see any flying pigs overhead?"

The two of them laughed again, and Jiraiya could feel his worries fading into the background. Lisa could be a harsh taskmaster at times, but she was a kind woman at heart. She'd become a good friend of Jiraiya's ever since he'd joined her unit, and moments like this made the dangerous field assignments and tough training more than worth it.

I hope the Captain manages to talk the old man into easing up on us for a little while, he thought, I could use more chances to just kick back like this and enjoy life for a bit…

His mind started to wander as he looked up at the sky. It was a warm late summer afternoon, but despite the heat Jiraiya's thoughts began to drift towards a land that was most certainly not known for its sunny disposition.

Two years and hardly any word from the north. Just the occasional bit of news, but it's all impersonal. I wonder…

Missing a certain someone?, asked Jinsei no Kenja.

Maybe. Hard to forget a woman like that.

If things eased up and they got some time off, there was the temptation to just lounge around the Seireitei. However, Jiraiya's curiosity about how things were going with a certain winged warrior woman was stirring in the background of his mind. It was so hard to get any kind of detailed information all the way down here.

If he were to head up there, though…

He shook his head; there was no way he'd be able to get the time for that kind of a trip. "Nah… not going to happen anytime soon."

Lisa looked at him curiously. "What? You mean us getting a little time off? That seems a bit pessimistic coming from you."

Jiraiya smiled. "Oh, I didn't mean anything like that."

Lisa regarded him carefully. "Everything okay with you? If there's something you need to get off your chest, I've got time."

Jiraiya appreciated the offer, but he didn't want to worry her. "It's nothing. Just some idle musings. Little daydreams, that's it."

Lisa smiled. "Well, if it becomes anything more serious, you know where to find me."

Jiraiya nodded, more than grateful for the offer. "Indeed, I do."

….

A week later…

Holding his right hand palm up, Jiraiya grinned as he looked at the sphere of sea-green energy floating over it. Churning within was a swirl of blackish-purple liquid that he'd extracted from the bowl before him, leaving naught but clear water remaining in the dish.

"What do you think?" he asked Unohana, who was sitting across the bowl from him.

Squad Four's Captain smiled. "Very well done, Jiraiya. Flawless extraction, with not a hint of the substance left in the bowl. Were this poison you'd pulled from the bloodstream of a patient, they'd be well on their way to recovery."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Wow, that's pretty high praise coming from you! Now, uhm… where do I put all of this? I'd hate to stain your floor."

"Just set it back in the bowl for now," Unohana replied.

He did so, and she took the dish outside to dump it. She returned only long enough to put the bowl away before heading back out to sit on the patio and look up at the full moon gleaming in the night sky.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him. "Care to join me?"

Far be it for him to turn down an invitation. "Sure!"

"I can have Isane prepare some tea," she continued as he settled down next to her.

Jiraiya shook his head. "Thanks, but I think I'm good for now. Besides, she looked kind of tired when I saw her earlier. You've been keeping her busy."

"Well, I did just promote her to Sixth Seat," said Unohana, "I need to make sure she can handle the responsibilities of her new rank."

Jiraiya smiled. "I don't think there's any need to worry on that front. She's quite capable."

Unohana nodded, and Jiraiya could detect more than a hint of pride in her voice. "She certainly is. She's come a long way… and you are to thank for part of that."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Really? What makes you say that?"

"You've helped her gain confidence," Unohana answered, "Your bouts with her at the Blade Dancer Festival over these past few years, the encouragement you give her both there and whenever you visit here; it all adds up. She is still nervous and has much to learn, but she's taken a considerable step forward. I do hope you'll continue to provide inspiration for her in the years to come."

Jiraiya smirked. "You sure you want me as a role model for her? I might start giving her certain ideas!"

Unohana actually laughed at that. "You might! Of course, should any of those ideas lead her down a path that I don't approve of… well, you don't need me to elaborate, do you?"

Jiraiya quickly shook his head. "Nope!"

"Good," said Unohana as she turned her gaze skyward again, "She fancies you, you know? Won't say it openly, of course, but she's not hard to read."

Jiraiya scratched the back of his neck. "No, she's not. I'm flattered, but… well, she's a bit too innocent for me. A real sweetheart like her deserves someone better than a mischievous oaf like me."

"I concur," Unohana replied matter-of-factly, "I don't think she'll come out and confess to you, but on the off chance she works up the courage to do so… please, let her down gently."

Jiraiya nodded. "I will. I promise."

Unohana smiled. "Thank you. That is all I can ask. Given the genre that you write in, I know you understand the heart better than you let on. I can rest easy knowing that you'll be kind to her and help her find her path forward."

The Captain then regarding him curiously. "Speaking of your writing, it's been a while since your last release. In fact, unless I'm mistaken, your schedule seems to be slipping a bit."

Jiraiya was a bit taken aback by that. "I didn't know you'd been following that. You actually read my work?"

"I like to keep your works stocked and up-to-date for my patients," said Unohana, "They're quite popular and help raise their spirits. As their caretaker, it's my duty to make sure that I give them reading material that brings about a positive mindset. A happy mind goes a long way towards helping a healing body."

Jiraiya didn't miss the omission. "Your patients read them, but do you?"

Unohana smirked. "No comment."

Jiraiya chuckled. "You know that I'm the kind of guy who'll take that as a yes, don't you?"

"Take it however you like," Unohana replied casually, "You still haven't addressed my point of concern. Your slowing release schedule; is it simply due to your unit's current workload, or is there something more to it?"

Jiraiya sighed. "As much as I'd like to just blame it on work, it's not that. It's… kind of hard to describe, actually."

"I have time if you'd like to try," said Unohana.

The smile she wore now was gentler, and it went a long way towards convincing Jiraiya to open up. "Well… I guess the best way to put it is that it feels like there's this… haze in my mind whenever I try to sit down and write. I can get a little bit done, but then the fog starts growing thicker, choking off any creative lines of thought I might have. I've never experienced anything like it before, and it's throwing me for a loop."

"Perhaps the early onset of writer's block?" Unohana suggested.

Jiraiya found himself taken aback by that. "I… I don't know. Maybe? Now that I think about it, I don't think that I ever really experienced that back when I was alive. Maybe in really short intervals, but I could always work past it if I just sat down to meditate or relax for a bit. What's happening now… maybe it is a more serious version of that."

Unohana nodded. "I believe it is. From what you've described to me, it's clear that you're entering a creative malaise of sorts. That can come about when someone's distracted, overworked or has fallen into the rut of an unchangeable routine."

Jiraiya felt like she was onto something. "That… might be it, actually. How do I get myself out of it?"

Unohana smiled again. "This might be an overly simplistic approach, but have you ever considered taking a vacation? Not just a week or so off, but something more along the lines of an extended trip? Get away for a bit, experience different scenery, escape the confines of both the Seireitei and the Rukon District? Some time out in the wider world that's not related to a mission might be just what you need to rejuvenate your creative powers."

The thought was definitely appealing, but Jiraiya wasn't sure if it was feasible. "It'd be nice, but are Soul Reapers really allowed the luxury of that kind of thing? I mean, I know we have extended leaves of absence, but mostly that's used as either a substitute for retirement or to allow someone to deal with health or serious family issues. The only real breaks I've really taken since graduation come down to a few days off lounging around in the Seireitei."

"Those are normally the kind of breaks that we're encouraged to take from time to time," Unohana replied, "but there are allowances for longer absences. You've been an active-duty Soul Reaper for a few years now, and your performance has been exemplary; I'd say you're due your first real vacation. Talk to Shunsui, and I imagine that he'd agree."

Jiraiya smiled as the notion started growing on him. "It couldn't hurt, I suppose. He did just finish a meeting with the Head Captain yesterday, and it sounds like things are finally going to slow down a bit for our unit. A change of scenery might be just what I need."

Images of rolling hills blanketed with snow and a certain winged warrior woman floating overhead bathed in golden light flashed through his mind, and Jiraiya's smile grew. "In fact, I think I know just where I'd like to go."

….

Three days later…

Pounding back another cup of sake, Kyōraku grinned. "Well, it's about time you asked for a vacation! I was starting to get worried."

Reaching across the bar that they were sitting at, Jiraiya grabbed the bottle and poured another cup for his Captain. "I wasn't exactly sure what was allowed for someone like me. Rising star or not, I'm still pretty new to all of this. You'd really be okay with me leaving for a while?"

Kyōraku chuckled. "Are you kidding? I was going to suggest it myself tonight if you hadn't already brought it up! You're more than overdue for one. I really wish the Academy taught you all more about this sort of thing. Duty and training are all well and good, but it's important to know when to take a step back and give yourself a breather. They focus so much on developing your abilities and getting you ready to dive right into the action that they forget to explain to you that it's okay to come up for air every now and then. I'm pretty sure they've got the Head Captain to blame for that, at least partially."

Jiraiya smiled. "He founded the institution, right? I guess it's only natural that he would want its instructors to emphasize his values."

Kyōraku shook his head. "Even Old Man Yama knows that Soul Reapers aren't machines. He might not know what to do with a vacation if one smacked him in the face, but he understands that the rest of us need one from time to time. I just wish he'd pass that along to the Academy staff so they'd give just a bit more thought to letting you new recruits know it's okay to ask for one."

This was going well so far, but Jiraiya was still concerned that what he wanted might be a bridge too far. "Well, maybe you can suggest that to him the next time you two have a chat. In the meantime… what I had in mind is more than just a week or two off. I was hoping to get away for a while, and by that, I mean from the Seireitei and the Rukon District altogether."

Kyōraku didn't look surprised. "I had a feeling that'd be the case. Got a particular place in mind, or just looking to roam around for a while and find yourself? No harm in doing both."

Jiraiya smirked. "Might be a bit of both, although I did have a certain direction in mind."

From the look in his eyes, it was clear that Kyōraku could already tell where this was going. "Let me guess… is it where the land is cold and brutal, and the ladies even more so?"

Jiraiya figured he might as well come clean. "Sounds about right."

"Not exactly the first place that most people would pick to spend some time off in," Kyōraku noted, "Then again, you're hardly what I'd call most people. Still, I have to ask; why the north? It's got plenty of natural beauty, not to mention some incredible women, but the environment isn't exactly what I'd call vacation friendly."

"I'd like to think I made a friend or two during our mission up there," Jiraiya replied, "I was hoping to check in, get to know them and their culture better, maybe learn a thing or two."

Kyōraku didn't seem completely sold. "All well and good, but that all seems rather generic for someone like you. What aren't you telling me here?"

Jiraiya smiled. "Well, I suppose I'd be lying if didn't admit that there's one woman in particular I'm hoping to become better acquainted with up there. Besides, from what I recall, she and a few other members of her Order are fans of my books. Heading up there and spending some time with them might be just what I need to get the writing moving forward again."

Kyōraku nodded as he took another drink. "I see. Well, just don't go causing too much trouble up there. The Starmont Clan played nice last time because they needed us to deal with their wraith problem, but normally they don't like Soul Reapers poking around their Principality. I doubt they'd openly bar you, especially considering you were part of the group that got rid of the wraith, but they'll probably be wary. Better to stay clear of their local forces if you can. Our lovely friends in the Order of the Valkyries should give you a much warmer welcome."

Jiraiya grinned. "That's what I'm hoping for!"

Kyōraku laughed. "And Lisa thinks I'm the one with issues! Be careful with that lot. They might be on good terms with you and me now, but if you're planning on engaging in 'research' for your next novel, they might not take too kindly to some of your methods if you catch my drift."

Jiraiya smirked as he poured himself a fresh cup and downed it. "So I've gathered. Lisa had a rather interesting tale to tell regarding your misadventures with them! How many of your ribs did Kara break when she caught you peeking on her, again? Keep forgetting if it was three or four."

Kyōraku chuckled and winced as he rubbed his chest. "It was five, actually… and she cracked four more for good measure. Still, totally worth it!"

Jiraiya gave a mischievous smile. "You're not exactly discouraging me from going for a repeat of your performance here!"

Kyōraku shook his head. "Whether you decide to follow in my footsteps or not is up to you. I won't deny that it's a hell of a view, but if you're going to be staying with them for a while then you would do well not to wear out your welcome. The north's not a good place to go without shelter. Speaking of which, when were you planning on setting out? It's late summer right now, which isn't a bad time to start heading on up that way. You'll have a fairly easy trip compared to the one we made. Getting back is going to be the tricky part; you might be stuck up there until spring at least."

"Would it really be okay if I was gone that long?" asked Jiraiya, "I wanted to get on the road within the next week or two."

Kyōraku nodded. "Sure. I can clear it with the Head Captain easily enough. Of course, all of your faithful readers will be upset at the resulting hiatus, but I imagine we'll forgive you if this journey helps you get your groove back!"

"That's one of the reasons why I want to do this," Jiraiya confirmed, "I'm in a bit of a creative funk right now. Spending some time in a faraway land with some powerful women might be just what I need to get the spark back."

Kyōraku grinned. "I've heard worse excuses for travel. Go up there and enjoy yourself, Jiraiya! If it helps you find new inspiration for your books, so much the better."

Jiraiya refilled both of their cups before raising his. "To the women of the north!"

Kyōraku laughed as he clinked his cup with Jiraiya's. "To the beauties that'll kick your ass when they catch you peeping!"

….

Six weeks later…

It might have been only fall in the afterlife, but it sure as hell didn't feel that way to Jiraiya as he hiked up the broad stone steps carved into the mountain. Sure, the weather had been pleasant up until now; even after he'd passed the Whitefell Mountains, the breezes had merely been comfortably cool, with a bit more of a chill at night, but nothing to really complain about. The vast rolling hills and forests of the north were quite beautiful in autumn, and while the thick fir trees that dominated the land's vegetation didn't go through quite the same colorful transformation as the leafier plants down south did, they were still lovely to behold. Wolves had howled in the distance every night, but a quick flaring up of Jiraiya's spiritual pressure was typically enough to convince the various predators that they were better off hunting elsewhere. It had been a relaxing journey, almost like a prolonged leisurely stroll, with Jiraiya letting his mind drift about freely as his feet carried him onward.

That was no longer the case now. His journey had taken him far deeper into the north than the mission with Squad Eight two years ago. He had passed the seat of the Starmont Clan's power, the grim fortress-city of Wolf's Haven, three days ago. That had been after already passing through a second mountain range, with snow flurries a frequent occurrence despite the fact that winter was still months off. Now he was within a third mountain range, known as Hresvelgr's Aerie, and the prior flurries were now a steady downpour of thick white flakes. Jiraiya was thankful for the thick fur cloak he'd acquired prior to starting his trip; he would've been freezing his ass off without it.

I did my homework, he mused as he continued his climb, I knew it'd be rough going once I reached this point. Still, didn't think it'd be quite like this…

There was only one path that led to the home of the Order of the Valkyries, the one Jiraiya found himself on now, and it was suitably foreboding. The staircase winding up the mountainside was quite wide, but the distinct lack of guardrails still made the climb rather unsettling. The dull grey cliffs were to his left, but apart from the occasional statue of either a Valkyrie or what Jiraiya assumed was one of their various acolytes or apprentices, the only thing to the right of the staircase was a very long fall. Thankfully, the wind was nothing more than a light breeze at the moment, so as long as Jiraiya minded his footing he was in little danger of tumbling over the edge.

Despite the dangerous terrain, Jiraiya had to admit that he was loving this region so far. As long as he could ignore thoughts of what would happen to him should he fall, the view to his right was nothing less than spectacular. The entire world seemed to stretch out below him, with sprawling hills and forests going as far as his eyes could see. At least a few rivers were visible in the distance, and it wasn't uncommon for eagles to fly right on past Jiraiya as they returned to nests hidden in the cliffs. In fact, he'd even spotted dark silhouettes in the clouds above of what had to be even larger birds, perhaps the ones that had given this mountain range its name.

Jiraiya was here for birdwatching of a very different sort, though. Pulling out his crumpled map, he double checked his position. There was little real need for it; the stairway was the only one of its kind, so it was impossible to get lost. There weren't many landmarks up here for Jiraiya to properly orient himself by either. Still, there was just enough detail in the map for him to compare it to the rest of the terrain and get a relatively good idea as to how much further he had to go.

"Just another kilometer or so," he muttered as he brushed fresh snowflakes off the map before folding it back up and tucking it away, "Should be able to make it before nightfall."

He would have to hurry; the sun was already well on its way down in the west. The effect was quite beautiful, as the snowy peaks were stained a brilliant shade of red, but it was a harbinger of danger to come. The steps were slippery thanks to the snow, so keeping his footing had been a considerable task even during broad daylight. Once night fell, Jiraiya's peril would become exponentially greater.

He moved as quickly as he dared, mindful of each step. He'd tackled a few mountains during his travels in the Shinobi World, but none could compare to the treacherous peaks of the afterlife. Mount Myōboku was a paradise compared to Hresvelgr's Aerie, and that had hardly been the worst of the peaks that Jiraiya had experienced over the years. A dire wolf's howl echoed in the distance, soon joined by the replies of several more. Jiraiya could take some comfort in the knowledge that the sound was coming from well below him, but only a little. The north's fearsome wolves were known to be highly adaptable, and it wasn't unheard of for travelers to be accosted by them even high up in the mountains. They were as cunning as they were swift, able to keep their footing just as well as the mountain goats that they so relentlessly pursued.

Surely your powers are far beyond anything that mere dire wolves can contend with now, Jinsei no Kenja noted, I hardly think we need fear them.

I'm taking nothing for granted up here.

Fair enough.

The armored toad had actually become much more sociable ever since Jiraiya had unlocked his Shikai. Despite his gruff demeanor, Jinsei no Kenja could be a sparkling conversationalist when the mood struck him. Those moods had become more frequent over the past two years as Jiraiya had continued his training, and Jiraiya had come to enjoy their chats. The hulking amphibian could either be plainspoken or cryptic depending on how he was feeling at the time, and he possessed a decidedly dry wit.

Prudent caution aside, you ought to be more worried about those inhabiting the fortress ahead rather than the creatures that prowl these mountains. This is an organization of fierce warriors first and foremost, and they do not know that you're coming. You only know a few of them, and there is no guarantee that any of them will be present to let us in when we arrive. I'm not looking forward to sleeping outside should we be denied entry.

It won't come to that. I've got a way with the ladies, remember?

Your charm may not be enough here, and that's assuming our would-be hosts decide to even hear you out in the first place. Nothing's stopping them from attacking you on sight. You are a stranger in their lands, and they would be within their rights to strike first and ask questions later.

Jiraiya had to chuckle at that. "Wouldn't be the first time I've had a lively welcome from the ladies!"

Take this seriously. If we fall on your vacation, I will haunt you in your next life.

"Looking forward to it," Jiraiya muttered under his breath.

The wind started to pick up a bit, sending a fresh chill through Jiraiya despite his thick cloak. He would begrudgingly admit that he was making a gamble here; there was no guarantee that the Valkyries or their subordinates would grant him entrance to their abode. Perhaps he'd scored some points with a few members of their order thanks to the wraith hunt, but there was no guarantee that it would be enough to buy him shelter for the night, let alone for the duration of his vacation.

Better turn on the charm, he silently told himself, or you're going to be sleeping in the cold tonight.

Rounding a corner several minutes later, Jiraiya saw the staircase widen considerably. The final ascent was before him, with both sides of the stairs now illuminated by brilliant orange flames blazing away within upraised stone bowls. Much to his relief, the sheer drop that had been to his right for much of the climb was now replaced by a wall of stone as the path now took him inwards rather than continuing to run along the side of the mountain. Jiraiya couldn't begin to imagine the process of carving all this out, and that was just the path; the ultimate destination was even more impressive.

A good chunk of the mountainside had been literally hewn away, and standing in its place was an imposing fortress. Carved from the same stone as the mountain itself, the outer wall was more than just a thick and formidable battlement; scenes of ancient clashes between the Valkyries and various beasts were engraved upon its façade. Some of the creatures looked like highly stylized versions of Hollows, while others struck Jiraiya as quite similar to the cold drake that they'd slain two years ago. The carvings gleamed in the light of the flickering torches and the setting sun, and as Jiraiya peered closer he realized that they were actually inlaid with silver.

The north's got that in abundance, he mused, along with tons of other precious metals and minerals. Still, didn't realize they had so much that they could afford to decorate their forts with it.

The outer wall curved back on both sides until it merged with the mountain itself. In addition to the usual cutouts that allowed sentries atop it to peer out and take aim at potential threats, the upper edge was lined with rows of nasty looking black spikes; an unpleasant welcome for anyone who dared try to scale the wall. Four watchtowers, two on each side, loomed ominously, the faint light of torches flickering within. Jiraiya's keen eyes spotted shadowy figures moving within, and he had no doubt that sentries were already taking aim at him. The central gatehouse was a rather interesting piece of art in its own right, with a stone awning in the shape of a bird-of-prey's beak extending out to offer some shelter from the elements to guests waiting to be allowed entry.

Beyond the outer wall, Jiraiya could spot the roofs of what were likely storehouses, stables, and other such support facilities. None of those really captured his attention, though. His eyes were fixed on the grand tower rising up beyond them. It vaguely reminded Jiraiya of Itachi's descriptions of the Moon Tower, although this one neither gleamed with the energy of a wraith or the brilliant light of a celestial body. Perhaps it couldn't compete in the beauty department, but in terms of size it was nothing to sneeze at. It matched its eastern rival in height, a dark and foreboding spear thrust towards the heavens. The structure was carved with nine sides, all coming together in a point at the top. Jiraiya could spot several balconies at the summit, and the thought of what the view must be like from up there both excited and terrified him.

The great tower might have been the fortress's most prominent feature, but Jiraiya knew that there was far more to the Valkyries' home than that. The base of the citadel merged into the mountain itself, and he was certain that the bulk of the Order's home was actually carved within. Who could say just how deeply they'd dug in constructing their base of operations? Jiraiya couldn't wait to find out.

As he climbed the last of the stairs and came to a stop at the gatehouse, he saw two women waiting for him. Both wore thick cloaks, but in the gaps Jiraiya caught glimpses of red fabric; they were acolytes. Both were well-built, and each had a spear in their hands. That wasn't the only weapon on them; Jiraiya saw that both had a small axe held in place at their hips, ready to be drawn should their polearms prove ill-suited to whatever foe challenged them. Up on the battlements above, Jiraiya could see the silhouettes of at least a dozen or so more women, all taking aim at him with their bows.

One wrong step, and you'll be a pincushion.

Do you really think so little of me?

Remind me how you died again?

Hardly the same, my friend.

Hmph. Get on with it, then. Let's see if your diplomatic abilities can match your combat prowess.

The woman on the right, her flowing red hair spotted with snowflakes and her brown eyes narrowed in suspicion, was the first to challenge him. "I am Annveig, stranger. Announce yourself, and quickly. The Order of the Valkyries does not suffer outsiders lightly."

Jiraiya smiled as he spread his arms. "What about friends forged in the fires of battle?"

The woman on the left, a brunette with her hair tied back in a ponytail, leaned forward slightly, her light blue eyes gleaming with curiosity. "What battle do you speak of?"

Annveig rolled her eyes. "Don't indulge him, Erna. Men can be so tiresome when they're allowed to boast. Speak your name, stranger, before we toss you down those stairs that you worked so hard to climb."

Before Squad Eight's Twelfth Seat could speak, though, a familiar voice from behind the sentries beat him to the punch. "It can't be… Jiraiya?"

Looking past Annveig and Erna, Jiraiya grinned as he saw a certain blonde woman garbed in a blue apprentice's tunic. "Ingegerd! Long time, no see, eh?"

Ingegerd smiled as she rushed forward to greet him. "Indeed, it has been! Annveig, Erna, stand down. He is a friend of the Order."

Erna's eyes actually widened slightly. "Jiraiya… you mean the author?"

Annveig likewise seemed to recognize the name. "The one that Lady Gunnr spoke of…"

"One and the same," Jiraiya confirmed.

Ingegerd laughed as she offered her hand in greeting. "Climbing Hresvelgr's Aerie by yourself so close to nightfall… I knew you were a brave man, but I never expected something like this from you!"

Jiraiya chuckled as he shook her hand. "Well, what can I say? Seeing old friends like you is worth the risk!"

"Flatter all you like," Ingegerd replied as she batted her eyelashes at him, "Who knows where it might get you, hm?"

"I'm hoping it'll get me out of the cold, for starters," said Jiraiya, "Mind if I come in?"

Ingegerd nodded. "Of course. Please, follow me. We have suitable guest quarters available for you, and I can give you the grand tour."

Annveig and Erna could only look on in bemusement as the apprentice led the Soul Reaper through the gate. Jiraiya gave them a playful wink over his shoulder before turning his focus towards the spacious courtyard that lay beyond the fortress's wall. There wasn't much activity to speak of at the moment; a few caretakers were going about their errands, while a handful of acolytes were throwing axes at targets set up against one of the walls, but overall, it was rather quiet. Likely most of the inhabitants were indoors preparing for dinner or settling in for the evening.

"Welcome," said Ingegerd as she spread her arms in a broad encompassing gesture, "to Steinskjöldur, bastion of the Order of the Valkyries. It has been our home since long before the founding of our organization, and may it continue to be so until the end of days."

Jiraiya smiled as he looked around. "It's certainly impressive. I can't imagine what it took to build."

"Technically, you could say that the building never really ended," Ingegerd replied as she led him towards the central citadel's entrance at the far end of the courtyard, "Even now, caretakers specifically trained in the craft continue to carve out new passages and chambers within the mountain itself. There is always room for growth and improvement, after all."

"Who handled the initial construction?" Jiraiya asked, "No offense, but Valkyries don't strike me as architects."

Ingegerd paused before the entrance, a pair of broad and thick wooden doors, each engraved with the image of a Valkyrie raising an axe over her head. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. This fortress predates even the old kingdom. I don't even know if the chief lore master of the Order has ever been able to confirm who commissioned it or why."

"A mystery lost to time, I suppose," said Jiraiya as the apprentice opened the doors, "Sometimes it can be better that way. What's life without a little wonder inspired by the unknown, after all?"

Ingegerd smiled as the two of them stepped inside. "I should've known you'd see it that way."

The two of them got many odd looks from the various acolytes, apprentices and caretakers that they passed as Jiraiya followed Ingegerd through a spacious entrance hall and then into one of the side corridors. The came to a stop before two flights of stairs, one heading up and the other going down.

"We maintain guest quarters both above and below the surface," she elaborated, "Some visitors prefer the view from the citadel and the chill of the mountain air entering their window, while others would rather maximize their warmth. This place was actually built over a series of hot springs, so the subterranean chambers are quite pleasant. That being said, some can find living underground to be… unsettling. I suppose I can't blame them for that."

Jiraiya pondered it for a moment. "A room closer to the hot springs is mighty tempting, but… well, I'd like to enjoy the view from above. This place is rather spectacular to see from the outside, and I bet the view looking from the inside out is really something."

Ingegerd nodded. "It truly is. If that's your preference, then follow me."

Jiraiya grinned as she led him up the stairs. "Those hot springs you mentioned… are they open to guests?"

Ingegerd looked over her shoulder with a knowing smile. "They are, with some specifically set aside for them. I would advise that you keep to them and do not wander to those reserved for members of the Order. A certain Captain once failed to heed that advice, and I believe Lady Kara made him pay dearly for it."

Jiraiya chuckled. "So that's how Captain Kyōraku got those scars! I'll keep that in mind."

"As well you should," said Ingegerd.

They climbed a good way up before Ingegerd finally led him away from the stairs and into a gently curved corridor that ran along the rim of the citadel. Looking out one of the windows, Jiraiya was surprised to realize that they were about a quarter or so of the way up the tower.

"Here we are," said Ingegerd, "I hope this is to your liking."

She held a door open, and Jiraiya peeked inside. The room he saw was rather sparse, but it did at least look comfortable. There was a blanked with thick fur blankets along the right wall, a small window with wooden shutters should he wish to keep the wind out, and a small fireplace carved into the left wall. A modest closet was available, although Jiraiya hadn't packed much in the way of clothing that he could put in there.

He stepped inside and went towards the window. Leaning forward, he took a deep breath and relished the cool air. The view was quite something; he could take in most of the front section of the fortress, and he was high enough that seeing over the wall and out into the world beyond wasn't difficult in the least. If this was to be his temporary abode, he could definitely do worse.

"What do you think?" asked Ingegerd hopefully.

Jiraiya turned around and smiled. "It's perfect."

Ingegerd bowed. "I'm glad to hear that. Now, care for that tour?"

"Sure you don't want to eat first?" asked Jiraiya, "It's around dinner time for you, right?"

As if on cue, the apprentice's stomach rumbled, and she gave him a sheepish smile. "Well… if you wouldn't mind?"

"Not at all," Jiraiya replied, "As long as I can join you, that is."

Ingegerd eagerly nodded. "Oh, of course! Let's go."

The two of them trekked back down to the ground floor, and Ingegerd quickly led him to a large dining hall. Long wooden tables were arrayed in three extended rows, with both torches and multiple fireplaces providing light and warmth. The chamber was fairly crowded, with what must have been at a few hundred women preparing their meals or already digging in. They were all either caretakers, acolytes, or apprentices; there wasn't a single full-fledged Valkyrie in sight.

Ingegerd smirked as she watched Jiraiya scan the room. "Looking for someone in particular?"

"You could say that," Jiraiya replied, "I'm noticing a distinct lack of ladies with wings in here."

"The Valkyries take their meals in private," Ingegerd explained, "That long table at the back of the hall is reserved for them and guests of honor, but they'll never actually eat in such a public venue."

Jiraiya nodded in understanding. "Right. The whole not showing their faces to others deal. I don't really get why that's so important to them."

"Traditions are important here in the north," Ingegerd answered as she led him towards the west end of the hall, where several caretakers were bringing out fresh food from the nearby kitchens, "and all the more so for the Order of the Valkyries."

"There's got to be more to it than that," Jiraiya pressed as they loaded up on delectably cooked meats, along with bread, assorted greens, and mugs of ale.

"There is," Ingegerd confirmed, "In joining the Order of the Valkyries, we give up our old identities. When one ascends to our highest rank and becomes a true Valkyrie, that goes a step further. The prior identity of the Valkyrie in question is completely left behind, replaced by dedication to defending the north and its people above all else. Masking their faces is meant to serve as a symbol of that dedication. The protection provided by the helmets is just a bonus."

"Sounds rather harsh," Jiraiya noted as the two of them sat down, "I can appreciate the devotion, but giving up who you are in the process sounds a bit extreme."

"Valkyries aren't without individuality or personality," Ingegerd countered, "You've met Ladies Gunnr and Kara, after all; you've seen firsthand both their similarities and differences. We are still very much people, regardless of how high we climb in the ranks. We just understand that we serve something greater than ourselves, and we give that the reverence it's due. If our ways come across as extreme… well, this is the north. We don't do things halfway up here."

"No, you certainly don't," Jiraiya concurred as he started eating, "Given how harsh the environment up here is, I guess I can't really blame you for that. Half-assed efforts in a land like this are a good way to end up dead."

Ingegerd inclined her head. "Quite so. That's a lesson that one must take to heart simply to survive up here. When one joins the Order of the Valkyries, that lesson is only given further emphasis."

They spent a few minutes after that concentrating on their food before another familiar voice caught Jiraiya's attention. "Ingegerd, there you are! I just heard the strangest… wait… so, the whispers are true! Jiraiya, do you remember me?"

Looking over his shoulder, Jiraiya smiled as a raven-haired apprentice approached their table. "Hey, if it isn't Eidunn! How've you been?"

"I could ask you the same!" Eidunn shot back, smiling as she sat down next to Ingegerd, "What in the name of the Soul King brings you up here?"

Ingegerd leaned forward. "I meant to ask you that as well, actually. While we're both pleased to see you, why have you come out this way? No word was sent via our normal diplomatic channels with the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; we had no idea that any Soul Reapers would be paying us a visit."

"Are you a messenger?" asked Eidunn, "Is Squad Eight returning to deal with a new threat and requires our help again?"

"Any threats that require outside aid to deal with are threats that you and I would have learned of well before Jiraiya's arrival," Ingegerd pointed out.

Jiraiya gave them both a reassuring smile. "There's no threat to deal with this time, at least not that I'm aware of. Actually… I'm here on vacation."

There was a moment of silence as both women simply blinked at him. They looked at each other and then turned back to him, both clearly struggling to process what they'd just heard.

"Forgive me," said Eidunn, "I must have something in my ears. I couldn't possibly have heard you right."

Ingegerd nodded. "Yes, that must be it… Jiraiya, I know you're fond of jests, but please be serious here. Why have you come to our home?"

Jiraiya chuckled. "It's no jest, ladies! I needed some time off, and I decided to come up here and pay you all a visit. It really is that simple."

Both women burst out laughing, with Ingegerd nearly choking on her ale. It took a good few minutes for the two of them to recover enough for coherent speech.

"Now I've heard it all…" Ingegerd muttered as she struggled to regain her composure.

Eidunn shook her head. "That makes two of us. Of all things… vacation? In these lands? Jiraiya, with all due respect, have you lost your mind?"

Jiraiya grinned. "Probably!"

Ingegerd smiled at her fellow apprentice. "Well… at least he admits it."

Eidunn rubbed her forehead in exasperation. "Clearly. Jiraiya… while we'd be happy to host you for a while, surely you understand that our fortress is not some inn for travelers seeking amusement."

"I know," said Jiraiya, "I didn't come here just to lounge around and mooch off of you. Truth is, I'm here for more than just the chance to see some familiar faces. I was hoping to learn more about your Order, and what better way to do that than go to its home base?"

"Neither of us would have any objections to that," Ingegerd replied, "You proved yourself to be a friend of the Order. However, most of our members don't have the same kind of experience with you that Eidunn and I do. Ladies Gunnr and Kara may vouch for you when they return, but I cannot guarantee that their words will be enough to sway the rest of the Council."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "When they return? Where are they now?"

"A field assignment," Eidunn answered, "although they should both be returning soon. I hope."

There was something in her voice that sounded off to Jiraiya; she seemed worried, yet was trying to hide it. "Everything okay? Just how dangerous is the mission that they're on?"

Eidunn sighed. "Truth be told, I don't know. Neither of them was actually supposed to be out in the field today. Lady Sigrún summoned them quite suddenly this morning, and they departed shortly thereafter. It was most unusual."

"They didn't tell either of us anything as to what their mission might be," said Ingegerd, "They only said that they couldn't bring us with them this time. That's… never a good sign."

"Most Valkyrie missions typically involve both Valkyries and apprentices participating," Eidunn elaborated, "Along with the obvious benefits of having additional personnel in the field, they allow for our greatest warriors to train their proteges under the most realistic of circumstances. Very rarely are apprentices excluded from such excursions. It means the situation is a very serious one."

Both looked very concerned, and if there was one thing that tugged at Jiraiya's heartstrings, it was seeing women worried in front of him. "Is there anything I can do to help? If they're in danger, say the word and I'll head out there after them with you."

Ingegerd shook her head. "If we knew more, perhaps we'd take you up on your generous offer. Unfortunately, they were not permitted to tell us where they were going. They both seemed confident that whatever their assignment was, it would wrap up by early evening. Still… well, you've seen the north twice now. You know just how dangerous it can be up here. Even Valkyries are not immune to its perils."

Eidunn slammed her fist on the table in frustration. "Damn it, I hate this! They know that they can count on us to aid them in any battle, yet they were not permitted to let us help in this mission? They could be in mortal danger right now, and we'd know nothing of it!"

"Can't you talk to Lady Sigrún about it?" asked Jiraiya, "She was the one who gave them the mission, right?"

The two apprentices traded nervous looks before Ingegerd spoke. "Jiraiya… just how much do you know about our Order?"

"Not a whole lot," Jiraiya admitted, "There's not much information to be found on it in the records that I'm allowed access to back in the Seireitei. I tried to do some homework before heading up here, but I couldn't find out much more beyond what I learned during the wraith hunt."

"I thought as much," said Eidunn, "Did any of your readings happen to mention Lady Sigrún?"

It took Jiraiya a moment to remember if they had. "Once or twice, I think. There wasn't much written about her, but what little I came across suggested that she's one of the strongest of your number."

"A considerable understatement," said Ingegerd, "She is by far the oldest and most powerful of our Order, and she leads the Council. Lady Sigrún is wise, and she does care deeply for the members of the Order, but she can also be strict and unforgiving. She would not take kindly to us questioning her decisions."

"What about the rest of this Council you've mentioned?" asked Jiraiya, "She doesn't speak for all of them, does she?"

Eidunn shook her head. "No, but there is a strong tendency to defer to her. Ladies Gunnr and Kara are amongst the few who display any willingness to speak in opposition to her, but even they will only press matters so far."

The gears in Jiraiya's head were already spinning away. "Just how large is the Council?"

"Not very large at all," Ingegerd answered, "Each Valkyrie is automatically given a seat on the Council, but since the number of Valkyries rarely if ever goes beyond single digits, our ruling body is correspondingly small. If you're hoping to turn a majority of it against Lady Sigrún, you would be wasting your time. Most are firmly with her in all matters, and the words of an outsider and two apprentices would hardly be enough to sway them."

Eidunn smiled. "Jiraiya, we really do appreciate your willingness to help in this matter, but there is nothing that can be done right now. All we can do is wait and…"

Her voice trailed off as the apprentice's gaze suddenly turned towards the door. Eidunn and Jiraiya's quickly followed, and they could all feel two very familiar sources of spiritual pressure quickly approaching. The apprentices smiled, and Jiraiya couldn't blame them; their fears had just been put to rest.

Their smiles quickly faded, though, as a third source of spiritual pressure made itself known. Jiraiya felt a chill go down his spine; it might have been suppressed, but the latent power was unmistakable. If the Valkyries that he had encountered before were storms of energy, then this one was a typhoon forming in the distance behind them. Even though it was subdued, the power it hinted at was more than a match for any Captain that Jiraiya had met so far, and he could only imagine what the full extent of it was.

Jiraiya suspected he was going to meet the leader of these fearsome warrior women earlier than he had anticipated.

His suspicions were confirmed a moment later when the door to the dining hall opened. Gunnr and Kara entered the room first, and while Jiraiya had indeed come here to see both the Mistress of War and the Lady of Wrath, his gaze only lingered on the two of them for a moment before shifting to focus on the third Valkyrie.

Gunnr and Kara were already tall women to say the least, but the one standing behind them was a head taller still. Her height wasn't all that set her apart. While the Mistress of War and the Lady of Wrath wore dark armor, the protective chainmail and plating worn by this Valkyrie was polished so finely it looked like she was garbed in gold, with only crimson over the chest plate providing relief from the glare. Her helmet was likewise brilliant gold, with two wings rising up from the sides of it and curling upwards over her head while protective sheets of chainmail draped down to guard her neck. The 'lips' of her stylized helmet and the immediate area around them were red, as if she'd personally sunk her teeth into the flesh of a foe. Her signature Valkyrie wings were folded behind her, but even so they were stunning; dark red and black feathers peeking through layers of golden armor. Barely visible over her shoulders were the edges of what was surely a massive double-bladed battle axe, and Jiraiya shudder to think of just what kind of damage this woman could do with it in the bloody throes of combat.

Whatever lingering doubts he may have had as to this woman's identity were swept away by the silence that filled the dining hall. Ingegerd and Eidunn wasted no time in rising and then immediately bowing as the three winged women approached them. Unsure how else to act in the presence of such an esteemed figure, Jiraiya respectfully inclined his head and hoped it would be enough.

Gunnr and Kara parted to let their companion step forward, and Ingegerd was the first to speak. "Ladies Sigrún, Gunnr, Kara… how might we serve you?"

Sigrún, Chooser of the Slain and leader of the Order of the Valkyries, answered in a surprisingly deep voice that Jiraiya found to be both authoritative and melodious. "You may tell me why you have allowed a stranger into our home."

"Lady Sigrún, with all due respect, Ingegerd had not allowed entrance to a stranger," Eidunn countered, "This is the Soul Reaper Jiraiya, who fought bravely with us against the forces of the wraith that infested our lands two years ago."

Sigrún turned to Gunnr. "He's the one you've spoken so highly of over these past two years?"

Gunnr nodded, her silver eyes gleaming beneath her helmet. "One and the same, Lady Sigrún. Welcome back to the north, Jiraiya. This is a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one."

Jiraiya smiled. "What can I say? I like to keep the ladies on their toes!"

Kara actually chuckled. "You take after your Captain in that regard. Speaking of which, has he come as well?"

Ingegerd shook her head. "Jiraiya is the only Soul Reaper here, Lady Kara."

The Lady of Wrath and the Mistress of War shared a brief look before turning to their leader. There was a moment of silence, and when the three Valkyries turned their attention back to Jiraiya, he didn't like the looks in their eyes.

"You've come alone, so may I take that you're here on personal business?" asked Gunnr.

Jiraiya nodded. "You could say that."

"We do not take on guests lightly," said Kara, "However… your timing is fortuitous. Perhaps the Fates have not yet turned their backs on us."

Emerald eyes gleamed beneath Sigrún's golden helmet as she appraised him. "Lady Gunnr has regaled me of your efforts against the cold drake. Most other Soul Reapers, I would send packing with the dawn, but you… tell me, Jiraiya, how long were you hoping to stay amongst us?"

Jiraiya suspected there would be a catch, but he knew an opening when he saw one and seized it. "Through the winter, if possible. There's much I was hoping to learn and see in the north, and especially here."

Sigrún nodded. "I see. Such a request would normally be considered outlandish, but we find ourselves in rather unique circumstances. I am willing to entertain your request, provided you are willing to earn your stay here."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "And how exactly would I be earning it?"

"There is only one way an outside warrior may earn the favor and respect of our Order," Sigrún answered, "Through battle. A fierce one looms, and Lady Gunnr's praise of your abilities means I'm willing to go beyond our Order's ranks for the coming fight… if you have half the nerve she believes you to possess."

"Just what kind of fight are we talking about here?" asked Jiraiya.

"I can say no more until you are committed," Sigrún countered, "save that it would not be against any foe that you or the Thirteen Court Guard Squads consider an ally. Time is of the essence; I would have your answer here and now."

What's that expression you're so fond of? Nothing ventured, nothing gained?

Hit the nail on the head.

Well, then what are you waiting for?

Jiraiya grinned as he met Sigrún's gaze. "Very well, then. I'm in."

The leader of the Valkyries actually gave a small chuckle as she turned to Gunnr. "As bold as you said he was, and then some!"

The Mistress of War looked at Jiraiya, and the glimmer in her silver eyes was all he needed to know that she was smiling. "Of course. Would you expect any less from one that had the courage to fight alongside me?"

"True enough," Sigrún conceded, "In that case, come with us. Eidunn, Ingegerd; you as well. Your masters will require all the aid they can get in the trial to come."

Jiraiya and the apprentices followed the Valkyries out of the dining hall, and they began to ascend the tower. Sigrún had taken the lead, and she was setting a brisk pace. Acolytes, apprentices and caretakers scampered out of her way, bowing deeply as they passed and sending more curious looks Jiraiya's way. Jiraiya liked being popular, but there was no time for him to stop and chat up the onlookers.

It was a good thing that the Legendary Sannin knew how to pace himself, because whatever their destination might be was clearly a good way up the tower. They climbed past the quarters that Ingegerd had shown him in short order and kept on going. The air had been on the thin side already down on the ground floor, and their ascent wasn't helping matters.

Climbing these stairs daily would help anyone get in shape, he mused, No wonder every woman here looks strong enough to kick me off the mountain. Tsunade would fit right in with these lovely ladies.

Their climb eventually came to an end about as close to the top of the tower as they could get. The group paused once they exited the staircase, no doubt as a courtesy to Jiraiya. He didn't really need to catch his breath, but he took advantage of the opportunity to look out a nearby window and admire the view.

He nearly regretted doing so. If the view from the guest quarters he'd been given was nice, the one from up here was downright breathtaking, and in more ways than one. Vertigo was a serious risk up here, even for someone like Jiraiya. The citadel and outer wall of the fortress barely even registered to him as his gaze took in the harsh drop past the stairs that led up to Steinskjöldur. Jiraiya had certainly never been this high up before in the Soul Society, and he doubted anywhere he'd been in the Shinobi Realm of the Living could come close to it. It was a very long way down, with the blanket of clouds surrounding the mountain making it feel like he was at the tip top of an island amidst a foamy sea. The sensation was as exhilarating as it was terrifying, and Jiraiya couldn't decide if he loved or hated it.

Turning back towards the others, he saw Ingegerd look at Gunnr in confusion. "Are we really having a Council meeting? I didn't think there were enough Valkyries currently present to hold one."

Gunnr nodded. "The numbers are less than ideal, but the matter is urgent."

"Four of our sisters are still out in the field," Kara added, "Only five of us are here; we will have to be enough."

"We will be," said Sigrún as she stepped towards a pair of thick wooden doors, each one carved with the image of a Valkyrie swinging her axe at what appeared to be the stylized head of a Hollow, "Come. Geirdriful and Eir await."

Indeed, Jiraiya could sense two powerful sources of spiritual pressure just beyond the doors. Sigrún pushed them open a moment later, revealing a spacious circular chamber. Stone bowls carved into the walls held orange flames within, while nine ornate stone chairs were arrayed in a ring. In the ceiling was carved a scene of some ancient battle, with Valkyries and what Jiraiya assumed were acolytes and apprentices engaging hordes of Hollows in fierce combat. There were three other entrances, each one corresponding to the cardinal directions. Only two of the stone seats were occupied at the moment, one on the right and one on the left of the room, each one by a Valkyrie that rose to greet their leader.

The one on the right wore a pale helmet with stylized black tears running down its face. Her armor was a mix of black and silver, with ashen grey and black feathers adorning her wings. In addition to the axe at her hip, Jiraiya saw that her wings themselves were weapons; the armor adorning them had its edges deliberately sharpened into deadly blades.

Meanwhile, the one on the left was rather unusual in that she wore decidedly less armor than her comrades. Leather and bronze protected her torso, but much of her legs and arms were exposed, revealing incredibly pale but well-muscled limbs. Her helm was a rather curious thing, with two horns sticking out and then two small wings folding forward in front of them. Bright crimson feathers dominated her wings, with gleaming bronze and gold armor protecting them. Rather than an axe, the weapon she carried was a scythe, a rather sharp departure from her sisters. The crescent blade gleamed over her shoulder, and Jiraiya wondered just how many foes had seen that gleam before their lives had been snuffed out by it.

"Welcome, Lady Sigrún," greeted the one on the right.

"You are earlier than we'd expected," added the one on the left.

"I would hope so," said Sigrún as she beckoned for the others to enter, "although I was momentarily delayed by word of an unexpected guest… one who might be able to aid us in our moment of crisis. Please, introduce yourselves."

"Or course," said the one on the right, "Welcome, stranger. I am Eir, Master of Healing for the Order."

"And I am Geirdriful," said the one on the right, "Master of Arms and chief overseer of our acolytes' and apprentices' training."

The Legendary Sannin bowed. "I'm Jiraiya, Twelfth Seat of Squad Eight. It's an honor to meet you."

"Twelfth Seat now?" Gunnr chimed in, "Good to see that your superiors are beginning to reward your talents."

Eir regarded him curiously. "Jiraiya… the one whose books so many of our younger members cannot put down?"

Jiraiya smiled. "The one and only!"

Geirdriful looked at Gunnr. "The one you said aided you against the corrupted cold drake… yes, I think I'm beginning to understand his presence now. That experience will be a great asset."

Jiraiya looked around as the five Valkyries took their seats while the apprentices moved towards the center of the chamber. "What's going on? Got another cold drake you need help slaying? I wouldn't think that a group of warriors as powerful as you would require my aid with something like that."

Ingegerd turned towards Gunnr. "Is that what your mission earlier was about? Are there problems with the drakes?"

Eidunn's eyes narrowed as she looked at Kara. "That cannot be it. We've aided in such missions before; they were never given such secrecy."

"That's because none of them involved the creature that I sent your masters to investigate," Sigrún replied, "Gunnr, our worst fears are confirmed, yes?"

Gunnr nodded. "They are. Fafnir is dying… and the Hollows are gathering."

There was a sharp intake of breath, and Jiraiya saw both apprentices go deathly pale. Whatever was going on, it definitely wasn't good.

"Uhm, mind filling in the guest on the details?" he asked, "I get Hollows gathering is never good, but who's Fafnir?"

"A cold drake," Kara answered, "More specifically, the oldest and most powerful one that we know of."

"Cold drakes are a very long-lived species," Gunnr elaborated, "It's not uncommon for them to survive well over two millennia. Fafnir is a very special case. If our records are to be believed, he is very nearly five thousand years old."

Jiraiya whistled. "Wow! That's… well, old. How'd he last this long?"

"A mystery that I have long labored to solve," Eir chimed in, "Alas, I never found a satisfactory answer… and now, it seems I never will."

"How long do we have?" asked Geirdriful.

"Three or four weeks, I believe," Gunnr answered, "Of course, that's if things play out naturally for him. The massing Hollows have other ideas."

"I take it they're out to devour him when he's vulnerable?" Jiraiya ventured, "I mean, bad way to go, sure, but isn't that kind of how nature works? Wouldn't the best approach be to let the Hollows converge on him and then wipe them out in one fell swoop? This looks more like an opportunity than a crisis, to be honest."

Sigrún turned to the Mistress of War. "Gunnr… you have vouched for this man in the past, but I would ask one more time. Can we trust him?"

Gunnr nodded without hesitation. "Yes, we can. I understand your wariness, Lady Sigrún, but I firmly believe that Jiraiya is worthy of our faith."

Jiraiya could tell that he was missing some crucial bit of context, and he didn't like it. The way the other Valkyries looked at each other didn't help matters, and even the apprentices seemed nervous.

Finally, Sigrún's gaze settled on Jiraiya again. "The cold drake that you encountered in the past was one that resided in our shared afterlife. Fafnir… resides in Vanaheim."

The name rang a bell; Jiraiya had come across it in his readings. "Vanaheim… that's one of the Realms of the Living, right?"

"Correct," Sigrún confirmed, "To be more precise, it is the one that cold drakes originally come from… and it is also the home Realm of the Living for most of those souls who now reside in the north. It is sacred to us, and we do not share its secrets with outsiders lightly."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed; he had more information now, but he still felt like he lacked something. "Okay, then. So, he's in a Realm of the Living, and he's dying. When he passes, he'll just leave a corpse behind there for the Hollows to eat; his spirit will come here. I still don't see where the problem comes from."

"If he is allowed to pass naturally, then things will play out as you just summarized," said Gunnr, "However, the Hollows have a vested interest in making sure his passing is not natural… and that it is as painful as possible."

The missing piece finally fell into play for the Legendary Sannin. "They want to torture him so badly that when he dies, his spirit won't be able to move on… and then they can devour it."

Sigrún nodded. "Precisely. Cold drakes are creatures with naturally powerful spirit energy, and Fafnir's is far stronger than most. Any Hollow that feasts upon it will likely experience an exponential growth in might. Bad enough should a regular Hollow gain such power… but infinitely worse should the Menos Grande be allowed to partake in the meal."

"But that would never happen!" Ingegerd protested, "Fafnir resides in a great cave, right? With only one way in or out? It should be a simple matter for him to keep the Hollows at bay. He's an intelligent creature, and he's more than capable of blocking the entrance so that he may pass in peace."

Eidunn nodded. "Ingegerd is right, Lady Sigrún. I understand a potential need to monitor the situation, but even on death's door, Fafnir is hardly vulnerable."

Gunnr shook her head. "You forget, apprentices, the fiercely territorial nature of cold drakes. As the oldest and strongest of his race, Fafnir's domain is wider than most… and he does not suffer trespassers lightly. With Hollows encroaching on his territory, do you really think he will content himself with holing up in his cave? It would be the smart thing to do, yes, and he is normally quite clever… but he is also profoundly prideful. He has defended his domain against rivals for millennia; he will not cease to do so now, even with the end of his long life finally in sight."

Ingegerd sighed. "Yes… you're right, Lady Gunnr."

Eidunn rubbed her forehead. "This is a mess… what are we supposed to do? If Hollows are allowed to feed upon his soul, we could experience an unprecedented surge in attacks. They might become strong enough to overrun Vanaheim, and then the north!"

"Not if we make sure he can cross over in peace," Jiraiya countered, understanding just where all this was leading, "Not if we can hold the line and keep the hordes at bay."

Gunnr's gaze met his, and he was sure that she was smiling beneath her helmet. "A stand against the oncoming tide… the kind of battle that us Valkyries forge our legends in. It's not often that we invite a Soul Reaper to partake in such a clash."

Kara actually chuckled. "We're rather selfish when it comes to such fights! Be honored that we're willing to share this time."

Jiraiya grinned. "I didn't know Valkyries could be so generous!"

"A good fight is like a feast for the likes of us," said Gunnr, "You've demonstrated that you're worthy of partaking, and I look forward to seeing how your powers have developed since the last time we fought side by side."

"And I am looking forward to seeing just how someone like you was able to impress our Mistress of War in the first place," Sigrún added.

Ingegerd's eyes widened at the implication. "Lady Sigrún… you're going to take the field?"

Sigrún nodded. "I will, yes. With our sisters spread thin, I cannot remain idle in our citadel. Our force will consist of myself, Ladies Gunnr, Kara, and Geirdriful, you and Eidunn, and Jiraiya. Lady Eir, you will hold down the fort."

Eir inclined her head. "As you wish, Lady Sigrún."

"When do we depart?" asked Eidunn.

"Tomorrow morning," Sigrún answered, "I will have the necessary supplies prepared tonight. Understand that this will not be a quick engagement. Once we arrive, we will remain in the target area until we have confirmed Fafnir's passing, and that will likely take weeks. All of you must get as much rest as you can tonight, for this is going to be very much a prolonged battle. Council dismissed."

The Valkyries rose and began to file out of the chamber, but Gunnr stopped next to Jiraiya. "I must confess, I had not dared hope to find you here when Kara and I returned from our mission, but your presence is comforting. That you are willing to join us in battle when you do not have to… we are truly within your debt, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya chuckled as he scratched the back of his neck. "Hey, stop that! You're making me blush here."

Gunnr laughed, and it was music to Jiraiya's ears. "So easily flustered? Not what I'd expected from a man of your reputation!"

Jiraiya smirked. "I'm not sure how to take that."

She surprised him by putting a hand on his shoulder. "Take it as gratitude from one who would consider you a friend… and one who would like a moment to catch up with said friend. Care to join me at the top of the tower?"

Jiraiya grinned; no way in hell was he going to pass this up. "A private late-night rendezvous with a Valkyrie? How could I ever refuse?"

"There will the night sentinel up there," Gunnr pointed out, "but she should grant us our space. Come with me."

It only took a minute for them to exit the Council chamber and ascend the last flight of stairs. The Valkyrie led Jiraiya into a rather spartan central chamber, past a single curious acolyte, and then out onto one of the balconies. A cold breeze blew a flurry of snowflakes in Jiraiya's face, but it passed quickly enough. Joining Gunnr at the railing, he had to fight to keep his jaw from dropping.

And I though the view from that window earlier was something special…

The vista before him was spectacular. Dusk had given way to night, but to Jiraiya the mountains were even more beautiful now than they had been during his daytime trek up here. The sky above was mostly cloudy, but a few gaps allowed the light of the moon to filter through, and it illuminated the snow-capped peaks around them. Tiny orange specks below were the only sign of life in the fortress itself as the torches flickered in the wind and caretakers scurried about to keep them fueled. Once again, he was struck by a rush of vertigo, and he needed a moment to steady himself.

"Invigorating, isn't it?" Gunnr noted, "Whenever I need somewhere to clear my head, this is where I come. I shall never get tired of watching over our lands from this perch."

Jiraiya nodded. "I can't blame you there. The Seireitei can't hold a candle to this."

"Perhaps, but it has its charms," Gunnr replied, "I did enjoy seeing it during the recruitment exhibition. It made answering the Starmont Clan's odious request a bit more bearable."

Jiraiya winced as he recalled their first meeting. "They were using you as nothing more than a prop… sorry about that."

Gunnr shook her head. "You have nothing to apologize for. It might not have been my favorite assignment, but it had its perks. Meeting you was one of them."

Jiraiya gave her a wry smile. "Are you trying to flatter me?"

"Valkyries are above flattery," Gunnr countered, although the mischievous glimmer in her eyes suggested otherwise.

Jiraiya smirked. "Right… whatever you say, Mistress of War."

The two of them stared out at the surrounding mountains in contented silence for a moment before Gunnr spoke again. "Jiraiya… while I'm truly grateful that you are here, I must ask; what has brought you to our domain in the first place? After our last encounter, I was not expecting to see you again for quite some time, let alone find you in our citadel. You say you are not here on an assignment, and I believe you, but it does make your presence all the more mysterious. What personal matter would compel you to venture all the way up to our home?"

Jiraiya grinned. "Believe it or not, I'm here on vacation… and I really wanted to see you again."

The Valkyrie tilted her head quizzically. "A vacation… you're being completely serious here, aren't you?"

Jiraiya nodded. "That's right."

There was a long second of quiet before Gunnr chuckled. "I should've expected it'd be something like that, but even so… as ever, you are full of surprises. With regards to your second stated reason, should I be flattered or worried?"

"I would hope flattered," Jiraiya replied, "You've got nothing to worry about with me."

Once again, though he could only see her eyes, he was sure that she was smiling. "Oh, really? I recall a certain Captain saying something along those lines to Kara… barely a day before he was caught trying to spy on her in our hot springs. I would hate to visit upon you the wrath that Kara unleashed on your commander."

With any other woman, Jiraiya might have pressed his luck. Not with a Valkyrie, though. That would probably end about as well as the time Tsunade had caught him trying to sneak a peek at her in the bath, and he wasn't feeling down for broken bones and new scars if he could help it on this trip.

"And I'd hate to be on the receiving end of it," said Jiraiya, "I understand if you don't completely trust me on this, especially given my reputation. For what it's worth, I'd really rather not get tossed out of here early, so I'm not going to do anything that would jeopardize my stay."

Gunnr regarded him for a moment before nodding. "I will take you at your word. Don't make me regret that."

Jiraiya gave her a sincere nod. "I won't. I promise."

You, of all people, vowing not to peep? Who are you, and what have you done with Jiraiya?

Hey, a real man knows when and where to draw the line.

Perhaps, but will your restraint hold in a place like this? A fortress inhabited by nothing but beautiful warrior women is the ultimate temptation for you. This should be amusing to watch.

Glad I can keep you entertained.

"I will hold you to that," said Gunnr, "Should you remain true to your word, not to mention survive the ordeal that awaits us when we depart tomorrow… you may find the reward to be more than even an imagination as wild as your own could have ever come up with."

Jiraiya's eyes widened, and he smiled. "Is that so? Well, I'll be holding you to that!"

"And you will find that I am very much a woman of my word," she replied, "All Valkyries are, for good or ill."

The distant howls of wolves echoed from below as the two of them looked out at the world again. The wind was starting to pick up, and Jiraiya was about to pull the hood of his cloak up when he found an unexpected source of shelter; Gunnr was actually spreading her wings, with the right one curling around him as an impromptu shield.

"It's a shame that you've come here under such unfortunate circumstances," she said softly, "While I enjoyed fighting alongside you two years ago and have no doubt that it will be a pleasure to do so again… I would prefer to spend more time with you in peace."

"Who's to say we can't have both?" Jiraiya pointed out, "We'll be in Vanaheim for weeks fighting to ensure that Fafnir passes on properly, right? By the time we get back here, your land's fierce snows should be in full force. Since I'm travelling on my own, it won't be safe for me to return to the Seireitei until early spring. The way I see it, that gives us plenty of time to spend together in peace once we've dealt with this little crisis."

Gunnr laughed. "I have no doubt that one such as yourself could make the journey regardless of the weather! Still… it is a good excuse to keep your around for a while. It should satisfy the others, and give us plenty of time for leisure. Of course, you must understand that I will not be able to remain completely idle; duty will call even after we have attended to this matter, after all."

Jiraiya nodded. "Of course, and I wouldn't dare to keep you from it. Actually, I'd be willing to help even beyond this matter with Fafnir. Have to earn my keep, you know?"

"Oh, I have no doubt that you will do that," said Gunnr as she looked up at one of the nearby peaks, "Jiraiya… you may carve out your own legend among us yet."

Jiraiya grinned. "I'm looking forward to the chance to do just that!"

….

The next day…

"These aren't going to be enough," Jiraiya noted as he hefted the pack of supplies that he'd been given, "I'm not trying to sound ungrateful here, but if we're going to be out in the field for potentially several weeks, then we're going to need more than this. Especially if we're going to be fighting off multiple waves of Hollows."

"Acolytes will bring us additional supplies as time goes by," Ingegerd reassured him as she adjusted her cloak over her own pack, "This is simply what we need to establish our base camp and get through the opening week."

"Do you have everything?" asked Eidunn as she finished checking her rations, "The others are already waiting below. We cannot delay much longer."

Jiraiya nodded. "If you're sure this will be enough to get us started, then I think I'm good. Let's go."

The first rays of morning sunlight were peeking through the clouds as Jiraiya and the apprentices left the storehouse and headed back to the central citadel. Some of the other women up and about gave them respectful nods; word had gotten around that they were heading out on a dangerous mission, and that the strange outsider was joining them. Jiraiya supposed it was a step up from the curious and distrustful looks many of them had given him just the day before. He hoped that they would be more open and trusting of him once he and his companions returned victorious.

Don't get ahead of yourself, Jinsei no Kenja chided him, Hordes of Hollows await you, and that's not even getting into the matter of the cold drake.

Last I checked, we're protecting the cold drake rather than picking a fight with it this time.

Yes, but will the creature recognize that distinction? It's intelligent, but as your hosts said, it is also territorial. The Hollows might be the ones out to devour it, but it might not consider them to be the only challenge to its supremacy. A dying king grows all the fiercer as the end draws near.

Jiraiya would admit that it was a valid concern. He was sure that the Valkyries were aware of it too; they knew Fafnir far better than he did, after all. There was every possibility of them getting caught in the crossfire between the ancient beast and the Hollows.

Watch your back, he silently told himself as he followed the apprentices down into the subterranean depths of the fortress, and be ready for anything.

The stairs went on for quite some time, and when they finally came to an end Jiraiya guessed that the group was now close to a kilometer or so underground. The smoothly carved walls of the upper fortress had given way to rough corridors, barely more than caves with torches lighting the way. It was simple and utilitarian; just what he expected from the people of the north. Periodically they would pass ancient statues, some of Valkyries and others of what their subordinates. Occasionally there was a section of wall that had been engraved with the scene of some long-forgotten battle or figure. The apprentices gave Jiraiya no explanation; there was no time for a history lesson right now.

Eventually, they entered a cavernous chamber illuminated by orange flames blazing in ancient stone lamps. Looking up at the ceiling, Jiraiya marveled at the height; one could easily fit the Leaf Village's Hokage Residence inside it and still have room to spare. A brilliant blue glow was coming from the far end of the chamber, and that was where the apprentices were leading Jiraiya.

"This is it, then?" he asked as they approached, catching sight of Sigrún, Kara, Gunnr, and Geirdriful standing by the source of the glow.

Ingegerd nodded. "Yes. This is our Heimshliðið, or what you Soul Reapers would call a Senkaimon."

"Our portal to Vanaheim," said Eidunn, "Unlike the Senkaimon you have in the Seireitei, though, this is not a bridge to many Realms of the Living. Vanaheim is the only destination that can be reached through it."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed as he studied the portal. Carved into the far wall of the cave, it consisted of little more than a stone archway with light blue runes shinning over it. With the archway itself was the swirling blue light; there was no actual door. A pedestal with a circular stone top was to its left, with a strange sphere embedded in the center of it. Dark swirls of blue and purple energy writhed within it, and a caretaker was studying it intently. Jiraiya could detect her sending minute amounts of spirit energy into it, and he took it to be some sort of calibration or guidance device. Upon closer inspection, it reminded him of a similar dial system that Soul Reapers used to help adjust the Senkaimon back in the Seireitei so that, when combined with the aid of Hell Butterflies, they could reach the particular Realm of the Living that their mission was taking place in.

Indeed, the comparison proved itself to be an apt one. Not only was there the dial, but there were a trio of creatures settled onto Sigrún's wings. They were larger than Hell Butterflies; in fact, they were actually ravens with a beautiful blue sheen in their otherwise black feathers. Jiraiya surmised that these were in fact the Valkyries' own version of the Hell Butterflies used by Soul Reapers to safely traverse between the Soul Society and the Realms of the Living.

Gunnr gave them a curt nod as they drew near. "Good, you've made it. Are you prepared?"

Eidunn nodded. "We are."

"Is the Heimshliðið properly set?" asked Ingegerd.

"It is," Kara confirmed, "If all goes well, we should come out the other side at the outskirts of Fafnir's territory."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "And if something goes wrong?"

"Then we'll have quite a hike ahead of us," Sigrún casually replied, "I trust you'll be able to keep up?"

Jiraiya smirked. "Of course!"

Sigrún shrugged her wings, and two of the strange ravens took off. One settled upon Gunnr's left wing, while the other landed on Kara's right.

"Let us be off, then," said Sigrún, "I will take the lead. Kara, the middle is yours. Gunnr, you have the rear. Everyone else, remain between them. That goes especially for you, Jiraiya. It would be a shame to lose you before we even arrive at the battlefield."

The group formed up, with Sigrún turning to the caretaker operating the dial. "Final adjustments complete?"

The caretaker, a slender woman with close-cropped red hair, nodded. "Yes, Lady Sigrún. You are free to go. Good hunting!"

The leader of the Valkyries nodded before passing through the portal. The rest of the group followed, vanishing into the swirling blue light.

….

A few minutes later…

At first glance, it looked like they'd just popped out in some random patch of northern wilderness. Getting his bearings, Jiraiya saw that the group had emerged in the middle of a small clearing surrounded by great fir trees. A light sheet of snow covered the ground, and scattered flakes were shaken loose from the trees as squirrels and chipmunks went about their daily lives. Thankfully, it wasn't nearly as cold as the path up the Valkyries' mountain had been. The sky above was overcast, and Jiraiya thought it could possibly snow later, but the clouds weren't too thick; no sign of any big storms inbound. A few birds chirped beyond the tree-line, but beyond that and a slight breeze it was pretty quiet.

"Are we in the right place?" asked Jiraiya as he made sure his sword was still secured at his hip.

Gunnr nodded as the ravens that had accompanied them flew off towards the trees. "Absolutely. We came out right on target. This is the very edge of Fafnir's territory."

Kara pointed at a small dirt path at the eastern edge of the clearing. "That way. We should have just a few kilometers of forest to go. The ravine will be beyond, and then the bridge should be just a little ways due south. After that comes the ruins and the mountain."

"Let's get moving," Sigrún ordered, already heading towards the path, "We'll want to reach the ruins by midday so we can establish our base camp. Geirdriful, Gunnr, Kara; take to the skies. You're on scouting duty."

The Order of the Valkyries' Master of Arms, Mistress of War and Lady of Wrath spread their wings and took off. Within moments the three of them were mere specks in the distance, and soon not even that.

"Come, you three," Sigrún said to the others, "Our work begins now."

"What about the ravens?" asked Jiraiya, glancing back towards where the birds had flown off to, "Don't we need them to get back when the mission is done?"

"We do," Sigrún confirmed, "and they'll return to us when I signal them to."

"They respond to the fluctuations of a Valkyrie's spiritual pressure," Ingegerd explained as they trudged through the forest, "Apprentices can command them in such a manner as well, but it's difficult for us. It takes many years of fine tuning the control of one's energy."

"It's better if the ravens remain in the forest for now," Eidunn added, "We don't want them falling prey to the Hollows or getting caught in one of Fafnir's attacks. They'll be safe here. They're quite intelligent, you know?"

Jiraiya shrugged. "If you say so."

Following the Valkyrie and the two apprentices, Jiraiya focused on taking in the surrounding area. Out here in the wilderness, it wasn't hard at all for him to pick up on the latent nature energy. Entering Sage Mode would be a breeze here, especially with the help of his Shikai.

"Kara mentioned ruins earlier," he said, "What kind was she talking about?"

"There was once a city in these lands," Sigrún replied, "Its name is lost to history, but its fall is something of a favored tale amongst our Order. A reminder to respect those ancient and powerful creatures found in nature, as well as a lesson in the great follies of insecure men."

Jiraiya smiled. "Sounds like a good story. Do we have time for it while we walk?"

Sigrún nodded. "It's not a particularly long one. You recall how we spoke of Fafnir's fiercely territorial nature, yes? In truth, he wasn't always like that. Thousands of years ago, he once shared these lands with humans who settled here. He was a patient, powerful, and wise guardian of sorts… all because of his mate."

Jiraiya smirked. "So, there's a Mrs. Fafnir, if you will? A ball and chain for the big guy?"

Ingegerd giggled. "Jiraiya!"

Eidunn rolled her eyes. "How juvenile…"

For her part, Sigrún simply continued as if Jiraiya hadn't spoken at all. "What they called her has also been lost to the fog of time, but her very presence served as restraint and temperance. They made their home together in the mountain, hunting only what they needed to survive in the surrounding lands. Any Hollows that intruded were swiftly dealt with; none could withstand the might of the twin behemoths."

"I'd imagine so," said Jiraiya, "Wouldn't their might also scare off humans, though? I find it hard to picture people settling in lands that they know are ruled by two powerful creatures like cold drakes."

Sigrún nodded. "It normally would, yes, but desperation can be a potent motivator. In those ancient times, the Hollow menace was much worse than it is today. The Valkyries and those that supported us in our eternal fight were spread even thinner than we are now, and the beasts ran rampant. The lands guarded by Fafnir and his mate were one of the few places that the creatures gave a wide berth. A band of humans who had been hounded relentlessly by the beasts stumbled in here, and Fafnir destroyed the Hollows that had pursued them. He might have done the same to the humans were it not for his mate, who seemed to be intrigued by them. Eventually, they were allowed to settle these lands."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Just like that? Because the other cold drake was interested in them?"

Sigrún shrugged. "Sometimes a simple whim can be enough, especially when said whim is that of a powerful creature. The two sides did come to an arrangement of sorts. These lands were rich in ores and minerals, not to mention silver and gold. The cold drakes had no need for them, and so they let the humans mine them in peace. In return, the humans would often leave excess livestock as offerings for the mighty creatures. Fafnir and his mate would prowl the lands, slaying or driving off any Hollows that dared approach, and the humans came to view them as sacred protectors. In the city that the people eventually built, they carved many statues in honor of these two guardians. Life could still be hard in these lands, of course, but there was peace. For many years, that was enough."

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "Until one day it wasn't, right?"

Sigrún looked up at the sky for a moment before answering. "Yes. According to the old tales, the people who settled these lands eventually decided upon a lord to rule them. This lord and their descendants governed justly for many generations… but it only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch, as the saying goes. Inheritance was strictly through the male line, and eventually a son came along who had no respect for the temperance and wisdom of his forebears. He was fearful, greedy, and vain. He saw Fafnir and his mate not as guardians, but as rival powers. He believed that only he should rule these lands, and his arrogance led to tragedy."

"He set a trap for Fafnir's mate," Ingegerd explained, "The lord knew that he and his forces couldn't take on the cold drakes together, but they didn't have to. The creatures would often prowl separately, and take their offerings from the humans separately as well. That was their opening."

Eidunn sighed. "One day, when Fafnir's mate came to feast upon the cattle offered as tribute, the lord and his army sprang their trap. She fought bravely, but great ballista bolts pierced her eyes. From there… well, it was simply a matter of time. When she fell, she let out one last roar… a cry for justice… or perhaps vengeance."

"Vengeance was what she got," said Sigrún grimly, "for Fafnir had heard her cry and knew who and what had taken her from him. His wrath was terrible, and simply devouring the lord and slaughtering his army was not enough to slake it. He turned his baleful gaze to the city that the humans in his land called home, and he laid it low in a great rampage. What few people survived scattered to the winds, bringing tales with them of Fafnir's unbridled fury and the devastation he had wrought. What forbearance and tolerance he once had for humanity was all but extinguished that day. Ever since, he has prowled these lands, driving off those foolish enough to venture close and devouring those who are even more foolish and refuse to heed his warnings."

Jiraiya shook his head. "That's a shame. Also, that doesn't bode particularly well for us. We might be here to help him pass in peace, but we're also human, and you're saying he's not fond of our kind for good reason. What's to stop him from trying to kill us while we're fending off the Hollows?"

"Nothing," Sigrún casually replied.

Jiraiya blinked; that hadn't been the anticipated answer. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me quite clearly," said Sigrún, "There is nothing stopping Fafnir from deciding to attack us while we are fighting the Hollow. He is very old, and has nursed his grudge against our species for a very long time. The Order of the Valkyries gives him a wide berth for good reasons. We do not normally venture into his domain unless the need is dire."

"So… what do we do?" asked Ingegerd nervously.

"There are certain factors in our favor," Sigrún answered, "While Fafnir might hate our species, he also hates Hollows. He will always seek to eliminate them with extreme prejudice. The fact that we will be targeting them and not him may be enough to save us from his ire. He is a stubborn creature, but he has not survived this long by being stupid."

"But now he's on death's door," Eidunn argued, "He may feel that he has nothing left to lose and attack anyone and everyone, regardless of whether or not they're friend or foe!"

Sigrún nodded. "He may indeed. Should the worse come to happen and he does turn his wrath upon us, all we can do is try to avoid him. Our weapons may be directed at the Hollows, but we can only have one eye on them. The other must always be on Fafnir."

Jiraiya sighed. "Talk about a real mess…"

"As good a way as any to put it," said Sigrún, "Such is our lot. This was never going to be an easy assignment, Jiraiya, and it is far too late for you to back out now."

Jiraiya smiled. "I was never going to back out. When I start something, I see it through."

Sigrún looked back at him over her shoulder, and the gleam in her emerald eyes suggested to him that she was smiling. "Do you, now? Hmm… perhaps Gunnr was right about you. We shall find out together one way or another."

The rest of their journey through the forest passed in silence. The few kilometers they had to traverse seemed to pass by all too quickly, although perhaps that was due to Jiraiya's preoccupation with the story he had just been told.

I knew this would be a unique mission, he mused, but even so… to bear witness to the passing of such a being, to protect it even as it could well try to kill us out of misguided but understandable wrath… I'll have one hell of a tale to tell Itachi when I get back to the Seireitei, if nothing else.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch, Jinsei no Kenja admonished, I believe you still have to survive this mission before you can regale your friend about it.

Eventually, the surrounding trees began to thin out. As they reached the edge of the forest, Jiraiya could see increasingly large gaps in the foliage that revealed glimpses of broad open lands and a mountain in the distance. Finally clearing the woods, Jiraiya stopped in his tracks as he took in the surrounding landscape.

He might have been standing on the ground now instead of atop a high tower, but the view was no less breathtaking. Plains of short grass covered in a thin sheet of snow along with scattered stubby bushes extended out from the tree-line until they came to a sudden halt at the edge of a ravine. A stone bridge crossed the chasm just a little way to the south, with statues of what looked like cold drakes carved on both sides of it. Beyond the ravine, the plains gradually gave way to rolling hills, with one rising up over the others. Jiraiya could make out the jagged and worn remains of many stone buildings atop it; crumbling homes and towers, partially collapsed outer walls, and more beside. Past that, looming over all, was a great mountain. Its shadow fell upon the abandoned city, an apt metaphor for the fabled downfall of those that had once inhabited it.

Standing just a little ahead and to the right, Sigrún turned towards him. "Quite a departure from your Seireitei and Rukon District, hm?"

Jiraiya nodded. "You could say that."

"Vanaheim is a Realm of the Living possessing great beauty, even in its harsher environments," Eidunn noted, "I've only been a few times myself, unfortunately. Normally such travel is restricted only to the Valkyries themselves; apprentices like myself and Eidunn only go with them when the need for support is great."

Ingegerd sighed. "It's a shame that we have to visit now under such grim circumstances. I must confess, I've always wanted to lay eyes upon the great Fafnir… but I never imagined it would be in a situation like this."

Jiraiya suddenly felt a familiar spike in spiritual pressure, and there was a corresponding flash of golden lightning in the distance. There was a faint chorus of howls on the wind, and Jiraiya instantly recognized them; Hollows. Then came a rumble, and for a moment Jiraiya thought it was from a distant thunderstorm until he remembered that the lightning he'd seen was from Gunnr. The rumble sounded again a few moments later, and Jiraiya became aware of a new source of spirit energy… one that felt very old and powerful.

"Is that…" he murmured under his breath, already knowing the answer.

Sigrún gave him confirmation a moment later. "Yes. That was Fafnir. It seems that Gunnr has already established contact. That was quick."

"Should we go help her?" asked Ingegerd.

Sigrún shook her head. "She does not need our help at the moment. I will know when that changes. Our immediate goal remains the same; get to the ruins atop the hill and set up our base camp. Once Geirdriful, Gunnr and Kara return to give their initial reports, we will set up a patrol rotation and prepare for the inevitable onslaught. Let's keep moving."

Eidunn inclined her head. "As you command, Lady Sigrún."

The leader of the Order of the Valkyries spread her wings and took to the air while Jiraiya and the apprentices trudged along on foot towards the bridge. The Legendary Sannin kept one eye on the distant flashes of golden lightning, wishing he could be out there with the Mistress of War.

Be patient. You'll get to fight alongside her again soon enough.

You're right.

….

Later that evening…

Standing atop one of the sturdier surviving sections of the eastern wall, Jiraiya leaned against the old stone battlements and peered out into the night. Flashes of white lightning would periodically lance towards the ground, and a chorus of shrieks and howls would ring out immediately afterwards; Sigrún was having no trouble in finding roving packs of Hollows to dispatch. Jagged forks of orange lightning would occasionally join in as Geirdriful likewise showed the marauding monsters the error of crossing her path. Every so often, a low rumble could be heard somewhere in the distance, and Jiraiya knew it meant that Fafnir was on the prowl.

"You really should be getting some sleep," said Gunnr as she climbed up the stairs behind Jiraiya and joined him, "Your vigilance is appreciated, but you will do none of us any good should you drop from exhaustion."

Jiraiya smiled. "Don't worry, I'll hit the hay in a few minutes. Just wanted to take in the view. Not every day that I get to set up camp in a place like this."

It was true. The ruined city was eerie, but it was also fascinating. Walking through it earlier in the day had been quite the experience. He'd passed by chipped and eroded statues of what were undoubtedly Fafnir and his mate, a partially collapsed mansion that had almost certainly belonged to the foolish lord who had brought about his city's demise, dried up fountains covered in snow, and much more beside. It hadn't been unusual to find scattered gold and silver coins, dinnerware, or other finely crafted objects strewn about in the cobblestone streets or sitting in the windows or doorways of long abandoned dwellings. Jiraiya remembered what Sigrún had told him earlier, so it made sense for the various treasures to still be here; no looters would dare to try their luck in the middle of Fafnir's territory, regardless of what kind of rewards there might be for the taking.

"I would've thought that your duties as a Soul Reaper would take you far and wide," Gunnr replied, "Surely these aren't the first ruins you've seen."

Jiraiya shook his head. "They're not, but we don't usually stick around long enough to really take them in. From everything that was said before we left your fortress, it sounds like we're going to be here for a while. Might as well familiarize myself with the layout and surrounding terrain. Besides, this really is an interesting place. It'd be a shame to not savor my time here, and it has a lot to offer even if it is just a ruin now."

"Spoken like a man who wants to make the most of his travels," said Gunnr, "You have an adventurous spirit, Jiraiya."

There was something off in her voice, and it took Jiraiya a moment to place it. "Are you… jealous of me?"

Gunnr sighed. "I suppose I am. For all my power, my ability to travel is limited. The bulk of my time is spent either in the north or Vanaheim; journeys to the Seireitei like the trek I made for your Academy's recruitment exhibition are the exception rather than the norm. Your freedom to see the broader Soul Society and the various Realms of the Living is something I envy."

"It's not like being a Soul Reaper means I can go wherever I want, whenever I want," Jiraiya pointed out, "Most of the time I travel, it's because of my missions. Coming up to the north to see you and your friends is really the first trip I've made for pleasure rather than business since I became a Soul Reaper, and I was on duty for years before I was able to set up such a vacation."

Gunnr chuckled. "A vacation… one would be hard-pressed to believe that you are on a 'vacation' right now!"

Jiraiya laughed. "Eh, let's call it a working vacation! Wasn't what I'd originally planned on, but that's how life goes, right? Or should I be saying that's how 'afterlife' goes? I never thought being dead would make these little things so tricky."

Gunnr regarded him silently for a moment, and there seemed to be a curious light in her silver eyes. "I know you Soul Reapers usually consider this taboo… but you strike me as a possible exception. I suspected that you had come to the Soul Society through death rather than having been born in it, and you have just confirmed that. Your original end… was it in battle?"

Jiraiya nodded, his mind flashing back to that fatal confrontation in the Village Hidden in the Rain. "It was, yes… against a former student of mine who had gone down the wrong path. I tried to stop him, and I failed. Thankfully, another student of mine was able to succeed not long afterwards, although it came at the cost of my former student's life. I suppose I was avenged, but… I never wanted it to go like that. Nagato, Naruto… had they met under different circumstances, I think they would've gotten along quite well together."

"Which one was the former student that slew you?" asked Gunnr, "Nagato or Naruto?"

"Nagato," Jiraiya answered with a sigh as he looked out at the mountain, illuminated by more flashes of lightning from Sigrún and Geirdriful, "although he called himself Pain when we fought. I've been trying to find him in the Soul Society ever since I learned of his passing. Haven't had any luck so far, though. The afterlife is much bigger than I'd imagined."

Gunnr tilted her head slightly. "You seek the soul of the man who killed you? Why? I would normally guess revenge, but you do not strike me as the type to seek it."

Jiraiya gave her a bittersweet smile. "No, I'm not. What I really want is to talk to him. To find out where it all went so wrong… and help him find peace where he is now."

Gunnr nodded, and Jiraiya suspected she was smiling beneath that helmet. "I should have expected as much. When this mission is over and we return to our citadel, would you be able to describe him, possibly make a sketch? The least we can do after you've volunteered to help us is keep an eye out for your wayward pupil, and send word to you should we find him. If we can play a part in the reconciliation between master and apprentice, we would be happy to do so."

Jiraiya's eyes widened. "You… you really would do that? I… I don't know what to say."

The Valkyrie reached out and put her hand on his shoulder, with a surprisingly gentle touch given the armored gauntlet she was wearing. "Valkyries train many apprentices, so we understand well the precious bonds between student and teacher. For such a bond to be shattered, for mentor and student to face each other in a deathmatch, is a great tragedy. If such a wrong can be righted, the Order of the Valkyries would be honored to help you in that endeavor in any way we can."

Jiraiya smiled again, this time without the melancholy. "Thank you, Gunnr."

"You are welcome, Jiraiya," she replied.

The two of them looked out beyond the battlements, taking in the flashes of lightning and the occasional distant roar of Fafnir. There would be hard fighting ahead in the days to come, but if Jiraiya could face such battles with a woman like Gunnr by his side…

…then he had no doubt whatsoever that they would prevail.

….

The following morning…

Rolling left to avoid the swipe of a Hollow's claws, Jiraiya then rose and countered by first cutting off the creature's right arm before swinging his blade into its neck. The Hollow shrieked as it dissolved into black dust, but Jiraiya paid its death throes no mind. He was already looking for the next threat, only to realize that there was none; they'd already dispatched this particular pack.

"Nice work," said Gunnr as she hefted her axe over her shoulder, "Very efficient. Your swordsmanship has clearly improved over the past two years."

Jiraiya nodded as he sheathed his blade. "Thanks. What now?"

"We keep moving," said Kara, already flapping her wings and taking to the sky again, "Fafnir is just beyond the next hill, and it would not be wise to stay still for long."

Gunnr turned to Eidunn and Ingegerd. "I want you two to stay with Jiraiya. Kara and I will draw Fafnir's attention. You three, go to the top of the hill and keep watch for fresh batches of Hollows."

"Understood," the apprentices replied together.

Jiraiya smiled. "They'll be safe with me."

Gunnr chuckled as she joined Kara in the sky. "They hardly need your protection… although the thought is appreciated."

Ingegerd giggled at Jiraiya. "Ever the gentleman!"

Eidunn groaned. "Don't encourage him."

Jiraiya nodded at the hill in front of him. "Well, you heard Gunnr. Let's get moving."

There was a great roar as the three of them made their ascent, and Jiraiya's blood chilled. He shared a look with the two apprentices. None of them uttered so much as a word; they didn't need to. They all knew what the source of that roar had been.

Well, I wanted to see the big guy up close…

They crouched as they crested the hill. The slope beyond gently descended, leveling out into a plain of snow-covered grass and scattered brush. Jiraiya and the apprentices had no eyes for the scenery, though; their gazed were locked on the creature occupying the center of the plain.

"Incredible…" he whispered.

If the corrupted cold drake from two years ago had been a giant, then Fafnir was an outright titan. The ancient king of these lands had to be at least twice as long as the creature that had been enslaved by the wraith, and taller by more than half. Its hide was a sheet of grey and black scales, cracked and scarred by battles with long-dead foes but still possessing formidable toughness. The creature's great tale ended in no mere knob of bone like what Jiraiya had seen before, but one that was bristling with spikes, chipped and notched but no less lethal. Its legs were practically scaled trees, while its claws were longer than any spear and thicker than even a giant of a man like the Lieutenant of the Kidō Corps. Moving further up, the cold drake's head slowly swung back and forth as it scanned the environment, and its fierce yellow eyes were hardly dulled by advanced age. Its teeth were long and curved, and while definitely worn down over millennia of use Jiraiya did not doubt their lethality for a second.

To his right, Ingegerd inclined her head in reverence. "The great Fafnir… amazing."

"How long I have waited for this day," murmured Eidunn, "To lay eyes upon him at last… if only it could have been under better circumstances."

The hair on the back of Jiraiya's neck bristled as Fafnir's gaze turned towards them. "Eyes up, ladies. We might need to…"

He was going to say 'move', but Fafnir turned away as both Gunnr and Kara flapped overhead. The ancient cold drake let loose with a thunderous roar before plodding off after the Lady of Wrath as she led him westward while Gunnr circled above and kept watch. Jiraiya had expected Fafnir to let fly with a blast of freezing azure flame, but much to his surprise no such attack came forth from the creature.

"I don't get it," he said softly, "He's clearly not happy about us being here, but why hold back?"

"Perhaps he's saving his energy," Ingegerd suggested.

"Or he might actually recognize that we're not here for a fight," Eidunn argued hopefully, "He does have some experience with our Order, after all, and he could understand that we're not a threat to him now. That roar could just have been a warning not to get too close."

"You willing to bet your life on that?" asked Jiraiya.

Eidunn shuddered. "I don't know…"

"In the end, it's going to come down to who Fafnir hates the most," said Ingegerd, "Hollows or humans… and it wasn't Hollows that killed his mate."

A fresh chorus of howls rang out, and Jiraiya knew what that meant. Sure enough, more Hollows were approaching, this time from the north. Fafnir was between this bunch and the trio, which made deciding their next move somewhat difficult.

"Should we stay back?" asked Eidunn as she studied the approaching Hollows, "Leave them to Lady Gunnr or Lady Kara?"

"Probably for the best," Ingegerd concurred, "We're not in a good position to intercept this batch."

Jiraiya was about to agree when he felt a considerable increase in Fafnir's spiritual pressure. The cold drake's neck began to glow with icy blue light, and the Legendary Sannin knew what was coming. Sure enough, Fafnir unleashed a stream of azure fire a moment later, and the entire pack of Hollows was literally frozen in their tracks. The cold drake then turned around and shattered the lot of them with a contemptuous swing of its tail. Jiraiya and the apprentices could only look on in awe as the magnificent creature returned to its slow plodding, trudging along after Gunnr while keeping one eye on Kara.

"Makes you wonder if we're really needed here…" he muttered under his breath.

"We probably aren't," Eidunn pointed out, "Between Ladies Gunnr and Kara and Fafnir himself, they have more than enough power to deal with any of the Hollows that we've seen so far."

Ingegerd's brow furrowed in thought. "This doesn't make any sense. We're only seeing basic Hollows at the moment. The only way those could take down Fafnir would be if they attacked with insurmountable numbers, and so far, they've only been showing up in scattered packs. All they're really doing right now is annoying him and us."

"That's true," Eidunn realized, "These pathetic wretches stand no chance, and they must understand that. Even beasts have self-preservation instincts, but these Hollows seem to have thrown those completely to the wind. Fafnir would die of old age long before these pests could put so much as a scratch in his hide."

Jiraiya knew that they were right, and his mind had already moved several steps ahead. "They're meant to keep him on the move, constantly patrolling his territory and wearing him down. The more energy he spends chasing them off or killing them, the less he'll have when the real assault begins."

Ingegerd and Eidunn traded looks before the former replied. "I suppose that's logical, but what incentive would all these lesser Hollows have to sacrifice themselves for the purpose of wearing Fafnir down?"

"Simple," said Jiraiya, "it's fear. More specifically, they fear what's behind them more than they do what's in front of them."

Eidunn shuddered as she processed the implications. "What's behind them… Menos Grande. It has to be."

"But Menos don't think strategically," Ingegerd argued, "What we're seeing has the makings of a methodical plan, and Menos don't do that."

"You're thinking Menos of the Gillian classification," Jiraiya pointed out, "Those, while powerful, are little more than dumb muscle. In fact, I expect we'll start seeing Gillians along with the small fry as time goes by. It's the ones above them that likely came up with this scheme."

"Adjuchas…" Eidunn whispered.

Jiraiya nodded. "Exactly. I'll bet anything that's why Lady Sigrún is really out here with us. Between hordes of the small potatoes, the ranks of Gillians that will surely be coming down the pipe, and the Adjuchas waiting for the final assault, we're going to need all the power we can get. She recognized that, and so do the other Valkyries."

Ingegerd sighed as her gaze went off into the distance, perhaps checking to see if the Gillians were going to start coming over the next hill at any moment. "It makes sense. Still, it's one thing to understand the enemy's plan and another to actually counter it. What should we do?"

"We stay on our guard and do what we can to conserve our strength," Jiraiya answered, "This will be a marathon, not a sprint. Working together, watching each other's backs and knowing when to step back and let someone else take up the fight; that's going to be what gets us through this."

"All well and good," said Ingegerd, looking out at the cold drake that was at the heart of this whole mess, "but what about Fafnir? There's no guarantee that he'll cooperate with our plan, after all."

Jiraiya shook his head. "No, there's not. All we can do is keep an eye on him… and try not to get caught in the crossfire."

Eidunn nodded. "Well said. We should get moving. Fafnir is old and slow now, but he still covers far more ground with a single step than we do."

"Right," said Jiraiya, setting his gaze on the scaled titan, "Onwards. Keep your eyes out for Hollows. What we're seeing now is just a drizzle; the true rainstorm still lies ahead."

One week later…

Gathering spirit energy in the open palm of his left hand, Jiraiya cut loose a moment later. "Hadō 33: Sōkatsui!"

A stream of blue-white flames flew forth, washing over a cluster of Hollows and reducing them to ashes. That wasn't all of them, though. The group was surrounded by the beasts, and the roars of Fafnir in the background weren't helping matters. Luckily for Jiraiya, the apprentices of Valkyries weren't ones to lose their nerve so easily.

As a Hollow tried to sink its teeth into him from behind, the creature suddenly found itself headless courtesy of a mighty axe swing from Ingegerd. Another one had charged in from the left and was about to swipe at Jiraiya with his claws, but it was stopped cold by Eidunn as she drove her axe into its chest. For his part, Jiraiya focused on the creatures who were coming at him head-on, his sword raised and ready for the onslaught.

The blade flashed through the air, stabbing one Hollow in the throat and another through the left eye. More were coming, though, and his sword wouldn't be enough to stop them. Fortunately for Jiraiya, he had plenty of other tricks up his sleeves. Crouching down, he lowered his head so that his great mane was facing the oncoming beasts, and as the Legendary Sannin's spirit energy flowed in it his glorious white hair quickly hardened into spikes.

Hair Needle Senbon!

A storm of tiny white flechettes shot out and perforated the charging Hollows. It wasn't enough to kill the creatures, but it caused them to shriek and writhe in pain. That gave Jiraiya the opening he needed, and the Soul Reaper Flash Stepped forward. A few silver streaks in the air were the only signs of his strikes, and the beasts were reduced to wisps of black ash by his sword.

Ingegerd laughed behind him as she drove her axe into a Hollow's face. "Oh, I love that trick of yours! You have to teach me how to do that sometime!"

Jiraiya chuckled. "Grow your hair out some more, and then we'll talk!"

"Save it for later!" Eidunn shouted as she cut down another monster, "We have another wave incoming!"

Indeed, they did. Jiraiya steeled himself for the next round, only for a volley of gold and white lightning bolts to rain down from above and annihilate the charging Hollows. Jiraiya didn't need to look up to know who the source was; Gunnr and Sigrún were more than earning their keep today. The surviving Hollows scattered, leaving themselves easy prey for the Soul Reaper and apprentices. All three of them charged in, sword and axes lashing out and cutting down the stragglers.

Looking around, Jiraiya saw that they finally had a bit of breathing room. Lowering his sword, he wiped the sweat from his brow. The Legendary Sannin was thankful for the light snow that had been falling for much of today; the cold was downright refreshing after a workout like that.

Over the past week, the Hollows had ramped up their siege of Fafnir in incremental steps. No Menos Grande had been sighted yet, but packs of lesser creatures were now popping up like clockwork. The Valkyries, apprentices and Soul Reaper had been busy, and Jiraiya knew that they were stretching themselves thin. Geirdriful and Kara were currently resting back at camp after a long night's worth of combat, and Jiraiya was sure that he would pass out as soon as he laid down after today's work was done.

A menacing growl coming from behind him told Jiraiya that he wasn't quite done dealing with threats just yet. Slowly turning around, Jiraiya saw Fafnir glaring at him and his companions from atop a small hill. The behemoth's eyes were narrowed, and Jiraiya could sense his spiritual pressure simmering like a pot about to blow its lid.

Meeting the cold drake's gaze and confident that they had a bit of a reprieve from the Hollows, Jiraiya made a show of sheathing his sword. The two apprentices looked at him in confusion for a moment before they saw the leviathan scowling at them, and they likewise put their weapons away. Gunnr and Sigrún floated overhead, both ready to step in the moment Fafnir decided to make a move.

It wouldn't be the first time; the ancient titan had signaled his displeasure with their presence in his lands quite vocally and violently on multiple occasions over the past week. There had been several close calls, including one where Jiraiya had been mere centimeters away from losing a leg to the behemoth's freezing flames. However, starting yesterday, Fafnir's mood had seemed to shift somewhat. After the group had eliminated a particularly large and stubborn band of Hollows, they'd found themselves staring down the cold drake, and Jiraiya had been convinced that the creature was about to attack. However, Fafnir had only scowled at them and growled for a few seconds before turning around and slowly marching away. Jiraiya and the apprentices had been forced to duck to avoid the creature's swinging tail, but the gesture seemed more like mere negligence on the cold drake's part rather than an actual attack.

They stared down the cold drake for a good long moment before the creature huffed and turned away. The ground rumbled with each step, and Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief as the behemoth trudged onward.

"Maybe we're getting through to him," he ventured, "Being out here for the past week killing Hollows on his behalf… he might be coming around."

"I would like to hope so," said Ingegerd, watching Fafnir nervously, "because we'll be in a world of trouble if he's not."

Eidunn nodded as she checked her axe for signs of battle damage. "Agreed. The Hollows are intensifying their attacks, and the last thing we need is Fafnir deciding to kill us for the sake of an old grudge."

"Still no Menos," Jiraiya murmured under his breath as he saw Gunnr descend towards them, "What are they waiting for?"

"It's still early," said the Mistress of War as she landed before him, "There is time yet, and they no doubt have plenty more pawns to throw our way before taking the stage."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "You have sharp ears."

Gunnr chuckled. "This helmet hardly hampers my hearing, Jiraiya. You'll find my kind to be quite difficult to gossip around… unless you're sharing said gossip with us. Then it's another matter entirely."

Jiraiya smiled. "Good to know. Thanks for the save earlier."

"It was the least we could do," Gunnr replied as she looked up at Sigrún, who was continuing to circle over Fafnir, "It would not do for pests like the beasts we've been fighting thus far to wound you. Their attacks grow fiercer with each passing day… almost desperate, I would say. Whatever Adjuchas is in charge of this little campaign of theirs is whipping them up into a frenzy."

"When do you think the Gillians will begin taking the field?" asked Ingegerd.

Gunnr was quiet for a moment before answering. "At the rate things are going, I'd say within the next week or so at the most. Constantly patrolling his territory while wasting away from within is taking its toll on Fafnir. Our enemy must surely realize that."

"I don't know," said Eidunn, "Fafnir doesn't seem to have changed since our arrival. He's keeping the same pace."

Gunnr shook her head. "You do not know him as I do, Eidunn. Long have I watched him, as have my fellow Valkyries. It may not be noticeable to your eyes, but trust me when I say that he is weakening with each passing day. Whatever ails him, whether it be simple old age or some sickness, is taking its toll. He has mere weeks left at most… and the Hollows can sense it. They are eager to strike him down and then devour his soul the moment it emerges in torment. They are mongrels salivating over meat kept tantalizingly out of reach."

"Charming little mental image," Jiraiya muttered.

"Indeed," said Gunnr as she appraised the three of them, "You're all good to continue, I trust?"

Ingegerd nodded. "We are, Lady Gunnr."

"Lead the way," Eidunn added.

Gunnr looked at Jiraiya, and he smiled. "I'm not about to throw in the towel anytime soon!"

"Good," Gunnr replied as she spread her wings and took to the sky again, "because our work has only just begun."

One week later…

They were two weeks into their bloody marathon when the first Menos Grande appeared.

Jiraiya had seen them before, but only from a distance; the Captain and Lieutenant had always insisted on taking them on while the others hung back to watch out for reinforcements. Of course, it didn't take a genius to figure out that the leader of Squad Eight and his right-hand woman wanted to keep their subordinates safe, and Jiraiya had appreciated the concern. Given how strong he'd become over the past few years, though, he'd suspected that Captain and Lieutenant alike might sing a different tune the next time a Menos was encountered in the field. Jiraiya had hoped that his first proper fight with one of those powerful Hollows would be while side by side with his Captain and Lieutenant, but taking one on in the company of the Valkyries and their apprentices would do just fine.

It had been around midday when they'd first sensed the creature's spiritual pressure. Jiraiya, Ingegerd and Eidunn were in the midst of doing what they did best, tearing lesser Hollows apart with their blades while Gunnr and Geirdriful rained down electric death upon those that threatened to overwhelm the trio. The ground had shaken, and for a moment Jiraiya had thought that the source was Fafnir before realizing that the rhythm of these footsteps was different than those of the cold drake. Sure enough, as he'd climbed a nearby hill to get a better look, the great beast had come into view.

It towered over the surrounding landscape, a black skyscraper with a hole in the middle that plodded along on two feet clad in comically large white boots. There was no way to tell if the creature was male or female. Like the rest of its kind, the Gillian's only identifying features apart from sheer size were the ring of white spikes protruding from what Jiraiya assumed was the base of its neck, and the white mask with the long nose and blazing red eyes. It marched towards Fafnir, an inexorable pillar on its way to crush the scaled titan under its heel.

Its baleful gaze locked on the Soul Reaper and apprentices as they fought off a pack of lesser Hollows. A black sphere rimmed with crimson light appeared in front of its face, and then the orb became completely red as the Gillian's mouth opened. Jiraiya's blood chilled; he knew what was coming.

"Cero!" he shouted as he cut down another Hollow, "Scatter!"

Before any of them could do so, though, a winged form zipped by overhead. Jiraiya's eyes widened in horror as Gunnr interposed herself between the Menos and the trio. The Gillian let fly a moment later, and a torrent of crimson energy raced across the sky. Jiraiya saw Gunnr fold her wings in before he had to turn away; the light from the shot was overwhelming. There was a tremendous crash as the attack hit the Mistress of War, and for a moment Jiraiya feared the worst.

Then he felt a flare of familiar spiritual pressure. Decapitating a Hollow, he then risked a glance skyward. Sure enough, there was Gunnr…

…completely unscathed.

She actually tanked a Cero with her wings, he thought in stunned amazement, Just what the hell are those things made of?

The Mistress of War then spread her wings, and they were engulfed in golden light. Sparks danced around her, and she pointed her axe straight at the Gillian.

"My turn, mongrel!" she decreed.

A large concentrated blast of lightning shot forth from the head of her axe. It zipped through the air in a flash, caught the Gillian right in the chest…

…and utterly obliterated it.

In the blink of an eye, the might beast was reduced to the echo of a dying roar and wisps of black ash on the wind. Jiraiya had seen Gillians fall before, but never in quite so spectacular a fashion.

She wasn't even looking at him, but Gunnr clearly knew who was watching her. "Focus, Jiraiya! Our battle is not yet done!"

"Jiraiya, duck!" shouted Eidunn.

On instinct alone, Jiraiya did just that. Arcs of blue energy shot forth from Eidunn's axe, and they nailed a Hollow that had been about to attack him from behind right in the head. Shaking off the awe he'd experienced at Gunnr's earlier display, Jiraiya threw himself back into the fight, striking down a Hollow that was attempting to flank Ingegerd. The blonde apprentice immediately returned the favor, nailing a beast was about to swipe Jiraiya with its claws square in the face with her axe. A salvo of orange lightning bolts rained down around them as Geirdriful cleared out the rest of the mob.

Taking stock of the situation, Jiraiya saw that Fafnir was being accosted by a horde of lesser Hollows. A swing from the cold drake's tail sent many of them flying and scattered the rest. Then the scaled titan's throat glowed with blue light, and a great river of freezing flames poured forth. Fafnir swept his head from left to right, entombing the Hollows foolish enough to attack him in ice. He then swiped at them with his claws, shattering them into a thousand tiny pieces.

Jiraiya smiled for a moment as he watched the cold drake dispatch its foes, only for that smile to fade as he saw the creature groan and shudder. For a moment, he feared that Fafnir was wounded, but he could see no sign of injury on the massive beast. There was a hoarse rumble, and the cold drake then proceeded to cough up a truly disgusting mixture of phlegm and blood.

"It may not be noticeable to your eyes," Gunnr's words echoed in his mind, "but trust me when I say that he is weakening with each passing day. Whatever ails him, whether it be simple old age or some sickness, is taking its toll."

The behemoth's gaze met Jiraiya's, and the Legendary Sannin could suddenly feel the weight of the creature's encroaching demise. This being was truly ancient in every sense of the word, and its time really was drawing to a close. It lent a somber air to this battle, as if it were really a prolonged memorial service of sorts. These really were its final days.

"You've had a long road, haven't you?" he muttered under his breath.

The cold drake's eyes narrowed; could it really hear him? Jiraiya wasn't sure, but there did seem to be some sort of comprehension within those old and weary eyes.

"We've got another wave incoming!" shouted Geirdriful from above, "Brace yourselves!"

Raising his sword to meet the oncoming tide, Jiraiya gave one more look over his shoulder at the cold drake. He met Fafnir's gaze and nodded before turning to face the fresh Hollows taking the field.

"No further," the Legendary Sannin growled in quiet menace.

He lunged forward, and the Hollows shrieked as his blade found its mark.

….

One week later…

Standing atop the ancient wall and peering out into the night, Jiraiya turned to his companion as flashes of white lightning lit up the horizon. "Can she really manage on her own for tonight? I know she's powerful, but even so… there are a lot of Hollows out there."

To his right, Gunnr nodded. "Lady Sigrún knows what she's capable of. She has more battle experience than any other member of our Order, and she is by far the strongest among us. Perhaps not to the level of your Head Captain, but I wager she could at least give him a good showing and go down in a glorious last stand. If she says she can handle tonight's work by herself, then we should trust her on that."

Jiraiya believed her. He'd been given three weeks now to see the leader of the Valkyries in action, and she more than lived up to her reputation. Whether it was by raining down withering barrages of white lightning on the Hollows or swooping in to mix it up with them directly and tear the beasts apart with her mighty axe, Sigrún's power and battle prowess were undeniable. That being said, Jiraiya still had cause for concern.

Howls and shrieks echoed in the distance, followed by multiple red flashes as unseen Gillians unleashed their Ceros. Brilliant flares of white answered them, and the screams of dying Hollows rang out. The Menos had shown up in their ones and twos over the course of the first few days of the past week, but there had been a shift come the latter half. Now they were showing up in groups of three or four, sometimes five. All Gillians, of course; wherever the Adjuchas commanding them was hiding, it apparently still didn't feel like the time was right to reveal itself. Of course, there was always the possibility that multiple Adjuchas were behind this siege. One way or another, Jiraiya suspected they'd find out the truth quite soon.

"Do you think she was right?" asked Jiraiya, "About Fafnir, I mean? He's really only got a week left now?"

"Yes," Gunnr solemnly replied, "Were he less prideful, perhaps he'd be resting in his cave beneath the mountain. He would last longer that way. He cannot abide the filth of Hollows on his land, though, and so he continues to march. It will be his undoing, although I suppose remaining out of sight and sheltering would only delay the inevitable now. Perhaps he recognizes that and wishes to go down fighting."

As if on cue, there was another flash in the distance; a familiar jet of blue flames. The faint sound of ice shattering came just a few moments later, followed by a defiant roar. Fafnir's time might be coming to an end, but he clearly wasn't about to go quietly.

"He's definitely not about to let the Hollows have it easy," said Jiraiya, "I suppose I can respect that, even if I think he should've stayed in his cave."

Gunnr stretched her wings. "He embodies the stubbornness of our people. When he finally crosses over, I suspect he'll be right at home in the north. We shall welcome him with open arms, albeit from a respectful distance. It wouldn't do to get frozen solid by the newest resident of our lands."

Jiraiya meant to reply, but he found himself distracted by her wings. His mind flashed back to that moment a week ago when she'd blocked the Cero with them without taking so much as a scratch.

She looked at him, and the glimmer in her silver eyes told him that she'd caught him staring. "See something you like, Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya smirked. "Maybe!"

She flexed her wings, rustling the black, gold, silver and bronze feathers. "I normally wouldn't say this, but since it's you… go ahead. Touch them."

Jiraiya blinked a few times; this wasn't the usual reaction he got from women who knew he had his eyes on them. "Excuse me?"

Gunnr laughed. "What's the matter? Got something in your ears… or have you simply lost your nerve? I thought you were made of sterner stuff than that, Jiraiya!"

Jiraiya smiled; if she really was willing, then far be it from him to turn her down. "Well, if you insist!"

He gingerly reached out and ran his fingers through her plumage. Like her comrades, she had some plating adorning her wings, but the feathers themselves were quite soft and warm to the touch.

"Beautiful…" he whispered, more to himself than the Valkyrie.

"I'm glad you think so," she replied, "As we never show our faces save for extraordinary circumstances, the only way that a Valkyrie can really express herself in a purely aesthetic sense is through her wings. We take great care in maintaining them; they're as much a part of us as your Zanpakutō is for you."

"I'd always wondered about them," said Jiraiya as he studied them closely, "I can feel the energy flowing through them… it's all yours. Your wings… they really are alive, aren't they? Not a part of your armor, but of your very body."

"Quite perceptive," said the Mistress of War, "Most outsiders assume they're merely attached to our armor. The truth is much more complicated than that."

"They're organic," Jiraiya noted, "but… you weren't born with them, were you?"

Gunnr shook her head. "No, I was not. Every Valkyrie starts off as human as you or anyone else. We climb our way through the Order's ranks, but only a rare few are capable of going all the way to the top. Creating our wings… and surviving the fusion with them… is our final test, and by far our most challenging."

"Where do you get the feathers?" asked Jiraiya, "They felt natural, so I'm assuming they come from an actual bird."

Gunnr nodded. "They do, indeed. Tell me, Jiraiya, do you remember the name of the mountains that our Order has made its home in?"

It took Jiraiya a moment to recall it. "Hresvelgr's Aerie, right?"

"Correct," Gunnr confirmed, "All manner of great birds of prey make their homes in the cliffs of those mountains, but one species in particular reigns supreme. They are fearsome predators, hunting not just with keen eyes and sharp talons but with their spirit energy as well. Our Order's legends paint them as descendants of an ancient wind god, the one that lends his name to the mountains that they reside in. In reverence, we give them the same name as their legendary forebear, and so we share our homeland with Hresvelgrs. After an apprentice has demonstrated the potential to become a true Valkyrie, she is tasked with hunting down and slaying one of these great birds. Should she succeed, she must then bring the entire body back to our fortress. No small feat given the terrain we live in, not to mention the size of the bird the apprentice must carry."

"I imagine," said Jiraiya, "Shame about having to kill one of those birds, though. They must be magnificent to see."

"They truly are," Gunnr replied, "It is a solemn rite of passage, and that is why we demand the entire body be brought back to Steinskjöldur. The creature's wings become the basis for our own wings, and the rest of the body is used for our needs. The meat is cooked, the unneeded feathers are put into bedding, and much more besides. Once she has completed this task, the apprentice then spends a week in isolation as she concentrates on imbuing the wings with her spirit energy in addition to the residual energy of the fallen Hresvelgr. She is only given water and bread to survive, and only small portions at that. It is an arduous process, but child's play compared to the final fusion."

A slight shudder went through her wings, and Jiraiya could sense that her mind had flashed back to the fateful day when she had passed that rite. "The attachment is… excruciating. The physical pain alone is beyond description, but even that is not the worst part. All the energy that the apprentice imbued within those wings comes surging back into her, and she must find a way to balance it. Should she succeed, she will become a Valkyrie. Should she fail, the energy will run rampant… and destroy her from the inside out."

Jiraiya gulped. "You've seen this happen before, haven't you?"

"Yes," Gunnr answered, so softly her voice was barely more than a whisper, "It is a risk we all take. That is why there are so few of us, Jiraiya. A woman who can pass that rite, who can endure the utter agony of the attachment, is rare indeed… and the procedure only works for women. We do not know why, but the only recorded attempts by men all ended in the same fatal way."

Jiraiya nodded. "That explains your recruitment policy."

"Partially," said Gunnr, "There is another reason why we only take women into our ranks; to protect them."

"What do you mean?" asked Jiraiya.

There was a moment's pause before Gunnr spoke again. "The north is a hard land, and we are a hard people. This can, unfortunately, extend into the household… with horrific consequences."

That was all Jiraiya needed to know where this was going. "Your Order's an escape route. If a woman's in an abusive relationship, you provide a way out."

"We do," Gunnr confirmed, "but that way is not easy. If a woman announces her intention to seek us out, her husband cannot stop her; should he attempt to do so, the punishment is death. If she is truly committed to her choice, she must then make the same climb that you did on your visit, and you should know just how treacherous those steps can be. Should she survive the ascent, she is welcomed within our home. We care for her, nurse her back to health if she has suffered on the journey, and then offer her a choice. As we have a close relationship with the Starmont Clan and are partially subsidized by them, we have considerable financial reserves. We use those reserves to fund a woman's journey south to the Rukon District if she wishes to start a new life there. If she wishes to stay, then she is inducted into our Order. Whether she wishes to serve in a support capacity or train to fight in the field is up to her, but either way, the oath she takes is binding. When a woman joins our Order, Jiraiya, she does not leave except through death. In that sense, we're not so different from you Soul Reapers."

Jiraiya looked up at her, and for the first time since they'd met, she almost seemed… vulnerable. What she was telling him clearly cut close to home. Jiraiya had a brief moment of internal debate, but ultimately could not stop himself; his curiosity was simply too powerful to keep in check.

"Is that how you found your way into the Order?" he asked.

A cold silence followed before Gunnr responded. "It was."

Not knowing what else to do, he reached for her hand and took it in his own. "I'm sorry."

She momentarily stiffened at his touch, but then he felt her relax and her fingers intertwine with his. "Thank you."

She met his gaze, and her silver eyes gleamed within her helmet. Was she smiling? On the verge of tears? Both?

They looked at each other for several long seconds before Gunnr released his hand and folded her wings in. "We should rest, Jiraiya. The dawn will be here soon enough, and I expect our enemy to grow all the fiercer as their final assault draws near."

"Gunnr, wait," he said.

"Yes?" she replied, regarding him curiously.

Jiraiya smiled. "Thank you… for sharing that with me. If you ever want to talk again while I'm staying with your Order, I'd be happy to do so."

There was a glimmer in her eyes, and he knew that she was smiling this time. "I might take you up on that. Sleep well, Jiraiya. I look forward to fighting alongside you come the morrow, and for however many days beyond that it will take for us to finish our labors in these lands."

….

One week later…

A broad swing from his spiked club sent a cluster of Hollows flying, but the move didn't buy Jiraiya much in the way of breathing room. More of the beasts surged forward, and Jiraiya leapt into the air. With both spirit and nature energy flowing through him, he brought his Shikai down hard upon the creatures, utterly obliterating one with a direct hit and launching the others airborne along with several chunks of earth as his unsealed Zanpakutō carved a crater into the landscape. Azure arcs of lightning from the axes of Ingegerd and Eidunn caught the Hollows that Jiraiya had launched into the air and reduced them to wisps of ash.

The attacks of the apprentices were mere sparks compared to the thunderstorm raging around them. It wasn't a natural storm, but a symphony of white, orange, gold and red lightning courtesy of Sigrún, Geirdriful, Gunnr and Kara. Entire clusters of lesser Hollows were wiped out by single bolts, while the closest Gillians either found themselves the target of multiple jagged lances of energy or got a Valkyrie's blade right to the face. The occasional jet of blue fire would rip forth from the creature at the center of this storm, freezing both lesser Hollows and Gillians, with only the barest of warning given to those fighting alongside the cold drake unleashing those cold flames.

He's finally accepted our efforts in earnest, thought Jiraiya as he swung his club into the back of a Hollow's head, I wish it had come sooner, but better late than never.

It was about as late as Fafnir could get; the scaled titan was definitely on his last legs now. From what Jiraiya could see whenever he glanced at the magnificent creature, it was taking almost every ounce of strength that the cold drake possessed to simply keep himself upright now. After every burst of freezing flames came a series of hoarse coughs followed by streams of blood and spittle dripping from the cold drake's mouth. Its tail swings, while still deadly to any Hollow caught by them, were few and far between now. Even simply swiping at nearby Hollows with his claws was proving to be nearly too much for the aged behemoth. It was all too clear that Fafnir would be dead before the day was out, one way or another.

"They're relentless!" Ingegerd cried out as she sank her axe into a Hollow's neck.

"We need some breathing room!" Eidunn added while loping off another beast's arm before sinking her weapon into its chest.

His mind racing as he crushed a Hollow's torso with his club, Jiraiya knew what the solution was. "Cover me! I just need a few seconds! Gunnr, I'll need your lightning over here!"

Hoping the others had heard him, Jiraiya focused on weaving the proper signs with his left hand while keeping his club at the ready in his right. While he'd practiced it over the past few years, this would be the first time he'd attempted to use this particular jutsu in actual combat as a Soul Reaper. The power boost courtesy of Sage Mode would hopefully be enough to achieve the wide coverage that he needed, but in the end, there was only one way to find out.

His left hand was a blur as he made the signs, and then Jiraiya slammed it into the ground. "Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld!"

The combined spirit and nature energy he'd gathered surged into the earth, and the oncoming tide of Hollows suddenly became mired in muck. Snow swirled with mud in a disgusting looking mix, and the beasts thrashed about in confusion. With enough time, they might be able to fight their way free, but luckily for Jiraiya would not have that luxury. The Mistress of War had indeed heard his request, and a salvo of golden lightning rained down from her outstretched wings. Scores of Hollows shrieked in agony as the electricity arced over and through them, and the monsters dissolved seconds later.

"Well done!" cheered Ingegerd.

Eidunn actually laughed. "Yet another new trick! Fighting alongside you is never dull!"

What kind praise from the ladies, Jinsei no Kenja noted in satisfaction, and not a word about your altered appearance. Really, you should've used Sage Mode sooner. Four of the women here have already seen your form in that state, and I doubt the other two care at all if your nose has grown and sprouted warts.

I know. Still, a guy can be self-conscious about this sort of thing! A gentleman always puts his best face forward for the ladies.

For these ladies, your best face is the one that lets you fight to your fullest potential. I must say, the Valkyries and their apprentices are growing on me.

That makes two of us!

The muck would stick around for a little while, temporarily securing their western flank as far as the smaller Hollows were concerned. The east was still an area of concern, but Jiraiya had a plan for that, too.

"You two, up front!" he ordered, "I need a bit of time to warm this up. Gunnr, get another volley ready! You'll know when to let fly!"

He was outside their chain of command, yet the Mistress of War and both of the apprentices acknowledged him without hesitation or resistance. Confident that he could make this work, Jiraiya began gathering saliva in his mouth and converting it to oil. He would need quite a bit to cover the area in question, and prepping that much in the middle of the battlefield wasn't easy. Luckily for him, though, Ingegerd and Eidunn held the front with fierce determination while Gunnr circled overhead, lobbing single bolts of lightning in support but keeping most of her power held in reserve until Jiraiya needed it. A few moments later, Jiraiya determined he had enough.

Ninja Art: Toad Oil Bullet!

The Legendary Sannin practically hurled up a river of oil and spewed it across the land. For the life of him, Jiraiya couldn't recall having ever saved up and unleashed this much of it before. It was hell on his mouth, and the aftertaste wasn't doing him any favors either. Still, a ton of Hollows and the land they were rushing across were now soaked in the stuff, and that was what Jiraiya wanted. A barrage of golden lightning from Gunnr swiftly followed, and the field became a sea of flames. The Hollows screamed as they were burnt alive, with only a handful of stragglers managing to escape the inferno.

Taking a moment to assess the situation, Jiraiya saw that most of the small fries had been dealt with for the moment. There were some scattered ones about, true, but those that came forward found themselves at the tender mercies of Ingegerd and Eidunn, and neither apprentice was feeling particularly charitable towards their foes. The two of them could handle the little guys for now; it was the big ones that Jiraiya now turned his gaze towards.

Never actually taken on one of these things before…

First time for everything. Show them the power of Squad Eight's sage.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

There was a cluster of nearby Gillians trying to take down Gunnr, and Jiraiya would start with them. The towering creatures filled the sky with Cero blasts, but the Valkyrie bobbed and weaved through the crimson lances with graceful ease. With their focus on the airborne threat, none of the Gillians were paying the slightest bit of attention to Jiraiya.

That would be the last mistake they'd ever make.

He had a plan, although the spell needed for it was a matter of concern; Jiraiya had never tried it on something this big before. There was also the question of whether or not he had the strength needed for what came next. Sage Mode combined with his Shikai was a potent amplifier of his physical might, but even that had its limits. All Jiraiya could do was roll the dice.

And hope I don't have Tsunade's luck.

Flash Stepping forward, he was amongst the black behemoths in the blink of an eye. Their gazes were still skyward, but they wouldn't be for long once Jiraiya got to work.

Raising his left palm, Jiraiya cast his spell. "Bakudō 63: Sajō Sabaku!"

A long yellow chain materialized out of thin air and wrapped itself around the middle of a Gillian, with Jiraiya holding the other end. Simply making the chain this long was no small feat, and that paled in comparison to what Jiraiya was about to try next. The Gillian in question looked down at the binding, seeming more puzzled than anything else. Jiraiya couldn't blame the creature; he doubted anyone he knew was crazy enough to try what he was attempting now.

Taking the handle of his club in his teeth, Jiraiya gripped the chain with both hands and pulled with all of his might. Were it not for Sage Mode, his efforts would have amounted to nothing, but the Gillian trembled as Jiraiya yanked on it harshly. The beast was taken completely off guard by the move, and as a result it lost its balance. It fell to the right, slamming into another Gillian. What followed was a ludicrous chain reaction as the entire cluster proceeded to topple over, their giant feet wiggling in the air as they fell like colossal dominoes. Dissolving the chain, Jiraiya gripped the club in his right hand again and leapt into the air. He came down atop the Gillian that he'd used as the trigger for this ridiculous chain of events and smashed the spiked club into the monster's face.

Gunnr's laughter echoed overhead as she unleashed a withering barrage of golden lightning, making short work of the remaining Gillians in the pile. "Just when I thought I'd seen it all! Jiraiya, may you never cease to keep surprising me!"

Jiraiya grinned. "What can I say? I aim to please!"

Bolts of white, orange and red lightning arced down from on high as the other three Valkyries obliterated more clusters of Gillians. Great black rifts tore in the fabric of reality as more of the towering creatures came forth, and they were immediately met by the Mistress of War unleashing a wave of golden energy from her wings. Behind him, Jiraiya heard Fafnir roar defiantly as more Hollows entered his domain; even on death's door, he would not let such a transgression go unchallenged.

And that was when Jiraiya felt it. A new source of spiritual pressure, similar to the Gillians but more powerful and sinister. Closing his eyes for a moment and focusing only on sensing the energy, Jiraiya bit back a curse; the Adjuchas behind this siege had finally taken the field.

And there was more than one of them.

There were three of them.

Two seemed to be related; from what Jiraiya could see at this distance, they both had the same general form of humanoid creatures with broad demonic wings. One was primarily red with streaks of black and gold in its hide, white the other was dark blue with several green and violet stripes across its body and wings. Neither was armed, although their claws and talons looked more than sharp enough to make up for that. Both descended from on high, flying over the Gillians and leading their foot soldiers to attack the cold drake and Valkyries head on.

As for the third, that one was on the ground, and it looked for all intents and purposes like a mockery of Fafnir himself. Taking the form of a giant pale blue lizard, its white mask ended in a mouth with dripping fangs. The creature wasn't as large as the great cold drake, but it was still plenty big…

…and it had its sights set on Jiraiya and the apprentices.

Jiraiya stepped forward; he knew what had to be done. "You two, hang back. Keep the small fries away from Fafnir. The Valkyries will handle the airborne threats and the Gillians. I'll stall this guy until one of them can help me out."

Ingegerd stared at him like he'd lost his mind. "Jiraiya, you can't stand alone against an Adjuchas!"

"Let us help you!" Eidunn insisted.

"No," Jiraiya firmly replied; he could feel this thing's spiritual pressure, and he knew it would be too much for them, "You're both no match for it, and you know that just as well as I do. In my current state, I can at least hold out for a while, but I won't be able to give it everything I've got if I have to worry about you being targeted."

Ingegerd sighed bitterly as she relented. "Damn it… fine. Do not die, Jiraiya!"

"You are forbidden to do so!" Eidunn decreed, "Is that understood?"

Jiraiya smiled. "Aw, you two do care! Don't worry; I haven't come this far just to fall to an oversized lizard."

There was a hoarse grumble from behind him, and Jiraiya winced as he looked over his shoulder at Fafnir. "Sorry, that wasn't aimed at you, big guy! Uhm… please don't kill me?"

The cold drake scowled at him for a moment before it shifted its gaze beyond him, glaring at the Adjuchas. Jiraiya could feel it seething as the Hollow approached, and he knew what the ancient creature was thinking.

"No, big guy, you need to sit this one out," he said, "Let me take this bastard. He's not worth your time."

It was big talk, and Jiraiya had to wonder if he could back it up. What was more important than that, though, was keeping Fafnir away from the Adjuchas. Could the titan handle the Hollow? Were he in his prime, without question. He wasn't in his prime, though, while the Adjuchas was moving with speed and purpose. It might not have been as large as the cold drake, but it was certainly faster and definitely not on death's door.

Fafnir bared his teeth, and for a moment the Legendary Sannin thought the behemoth was about to attack him. The creature then huffed and took a step back, seemingly content to let Jiraiya act as his guardian. Hefting his club, the former Shinobi strode forward; it was time to put his money where his mouth was, as it were.

Glancing overhead, he saw the Valkyries redeploy. Sigrún and Kara were setting up to attack the winged Adjuchas directly, while Geirdriful was already laying into the Gillians with barrages of orange lightning. Gunnr hung back for a moment, and Jiraiya saw her gaze turn towards him.

He shook his head; she needed to help Geirdriful clear out the Gillians. Jiraiya could play for time against the third Adjuchas. Would she trust him to do so?

Jiraiya was worried that she might insist, but then he saw her nod and shift her focus towards the Gillians. Bolts of golden energy flew forth from her wings, joining Geirdriful's and hammering the oncoming Gillians. The lumbering beasts fired back with volleys of crimson Ceros, but the Valkyries were as agile as they were powerful, not to mention tough. It would take more than random blasts from the Hollows to threaten them.

Well, I do want to get my name out there and climb the ranks, he mused as he closed the distance with the reptilian Adjuchas, I guess taking on this son of a bitch is one way to do so.

Assuming you survive, of course.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

The lizard-like Hollow gave him a contemptuous look, and its mouth opened. Jiraiya knew what was coming, just as he knew that there was only one move he had that might be able to counter it… and that would be a big gamble at best.

I'm going to need everything you've got here.

You will have it.

The very air itself seemed to tremble as a sphere of crimson energy formed in front of the Adjuchas's mouth. Jiraiya charged forward, his left hand raised as he began to gather energy. A great sphere of swirling blue and white power formed, already twice as large as the Legendary Sannin and growing larger by the second. He'd worked hard to increase his strength over the years and bring this move back to its former glory, but this would be Jiraiya's first time using it in actual battle.

He could only hope that it wouldn't be the last.

Sage Art: Ultra Big Ball Rasengan!

The swirling sphere was ten times the size of Jiraiya himself as he thrust it in front of him. It wasn't a moment too soon; the Adjuchas let fly with its Cero, and the energy in the attack was much greater than the ones the Gillians had been firing off before. The Cero collided with the giant Rasengan, and Jiraiya dug his heels into the ground. The impact threatened to push him back, but neither his attack or the Hollow's yielded. An unstoppable force had met an immovable object…

…or had it?

Unlike a Cero, which had its energy focused in a single direction, the power of the Rasengan was based as much in the orb's rotation as it was in the pure strength put into it. That rotation was saving Jiraiya's life now, because it was shifting the Cero. It was hard for Jiraiya to see much of anything beyond the giant bright blue ball in front of him, but towards the right of his peripheral vision he became aware of a growing red glow. A few seconds later, the entirety of the Cero was redirected to the right, zipping right past Jiraiya and slamming into a nearby hill. Said hill became chunks of flying earth and snow as it disappeared in a fantastic detonation…

…while the Ultra Big Ball Rasengan remained intact.

Jiraiya grinned as he recognized his opportunity and pressed forward. He could feel the Adjuchas already charging up another Cero, and the Legendary Sannin didn't know if his Rasengan would be up to tank a second one. It didn't have to, though. Jiraiya closed the distance as fast as he possibly could, and the great orb of power hit the Menos right in the face. There was a tremendous flash as the sphere finally detonated, followed by a great roar. Blinking in stunned amazement, Jiraiya saw the Adjuchas go flying back, tumbling through the air before landing on its back with an unceremonious thud.

"What the hell was that?" the beast shouted as it rolled over, clearly shaken by what had just transpired, "What the hell are you?"

"Your worst nightmare!" Jiraiya shot back as he charged forward.

The Hollow's mask had been cracked by the attack, and so Jiraiya aimed for that as he leapt into the air and swung down with his club. His foe wasn't about to go down so easily, though, and it lashed out with its right front claw. Jiraiya pulled his club back in to protect himself, but he was still swatted out of the air and hit the ground hard. He struggled to his feet, and he could feel his legs shaking. He'd taken harder hits than that before, and he knew it wasn't the impact from either beast or ground that had gotten to him.

I used up way too much power with the Ultra Big Ball Rasengan.

You did say to give you everything I had.

That I did.

He still had enough nature energy within him to maintain Sage Mode, but Jinsei no Kenja would need to time before he could really refill the tank as it were. Ultra Big Ball Rasengan, or even just Big Ball Rasengan, would not be viable attacks now. Hell, Jiraiya had to wonder if he could create a mere normal Rasengan with the energy he had now. Meanwhile, he could sense the power flowing through the Adjuchas as it glowered at him; the beast still had plenty of fight left in it.

Jiraiya rushed forward. He could no longer rely on heavy attacks; cunning and speed were what he'd have to go with. The Legendary Sannin juked to the left as the Menos lashed out with a claw, and he was beneath the creature a moment later. He swung his club at the beast's left leg, and the Adjuchas groaned. The spikes in his club dug into the Menos's hide, but the damage was purely superficial.

"I'll crush you like the ant you are!" the Hollow bellowed.

Jiraiya had no choice but to Flash Step out from under the Adjuchas as it suddenly dropped, avoiding getting squished by just a handful of centimeters. He ducked to avoid a swipe from the beast's whiplike tail, and he could already feel the Hollow's spirit energy spiking; it was charging up another Cero. Knowing he only had seconds to act, Jiraiya hastily gathered a bit of oil in his mouth and ignited it the instant it spewed forth.

Fire Style: Flame Bombs!

He would've preferred to use the technique after coating the target with his Toad Oil Bullet, but there wasn't enough time for a multi-layered attack like that. The flames caught the Adjuchas in the face, getting in its eyes and the cracks in its mask. The Menos Grande roared in pain and, more importantly, lost control over the energy it was gathering for its Cero. The gathering red light dissipated, and the beast lashed out wildly with its claws. Jiraiya ducked and rolled like a madman; these random strikes were, in a way, much more dangerous than the more focused attacks that the Adjuchas had been trying to hit him with before. One wrong move, and he'd be impaled on the creature's claws.

Finding himself beneath the Hollow's head, he swung his club up and whacked it right in the lower jaw. The Menos's head snapped up for a moment, and there was an audible crack as additional fractures began appearing in the mask. That wasn't enough to stop the Adjuchas, though. It quickly brought its head down and tried to bite Jiraiya, and only a Flash Step saved him from the creature's fangs. However, the Menos had also lashed out with its left claw at the same time, and it swiped across Jiraiya's chest while sending him flying backwards. He hissed in pain as he hit the ground and felt blood seep from two long cuts. The creature had luckily just grazed him, but even a graze from an Adjuchas was nothing to sneeze at.

I might be in trouble, he mused as he climbed to his feet again, I don't know how much longer I can keep this up.

Help wouldn't be coming over the next hill, either. Ingegerd and Eidunn had their hands full with the lesser Hollows, their axes blazing with azure light as they fought ferociously to keep the beasts at bay. Overhead, the sky flashed with white and red lightning as Sigrún and Kara clashed with the two flying Adjuchas, with the pair of Menos returning fire with crimson blasts of energy. The winged combatants wove circles and spirals through the air, jockeying for position as they traded shots before closing in for melee combat. They met in brief exchanges before breaking off to gather energy for their next salvos, an aerial dance as beautiful as it was deadly. As for Gunnr and Geirdriful, their hands were full with the Gillians advancing forward beneath their winged masters, and the two Valkyries were carving into them with lightning and axe or, in the case of Geirdriful, scythe. Individually, the towering Menos Grande were too slow and clumsy to be a direct threat, but their sheer numbers meant that the Mistress of War and Master of Arms couldn't afford to take them lightly.

Taking deep breaths as he raised his club, Jiraiya knew that he'd have to play his cards very carefully if he wanted to survive the next few minutes. Thanks to his Shikai he could still stay in Sage Mode, but his bag of tricks was limited right now. He would have to wage a delaying action against a creature that currently outclassed him in terms of pure power, and that was a dicey proposition.

What will you do? Fall back and harass it with lesser spells and jutsus?

No. It'll expect that, and it has the pure power needed to render that irrelevant.

What's your plan, then?

Simple; do the last thing it expects.

Attack.

He Flash Stepped forward, closing the distance as fast as he possibly could. The reptilian Adjuchas actually paused for a moment, clearly taken aback by this sudden display of aggression from a clearly weaker foe. Its confusion wouldn't last for long, though, and Jiraiya needed to make the most of it.

He broke to the right, ducking beneath a swipe from the creature's claws. Jiraiya then leapt into the air and landed on the beast's back. The Twelfth Seat hammered the Hollow's back repeatedly his spiked club, puncturing the creature's hide but doing little more than superficial damage. It was enough to piss the Adjuchas off, though, and it responded to the incessant battering by rolling over in an attempt to crush Jiraiya beneath it. He had no choice but to leap free from the Menos Grande's back, but he wasn't about to retreat. Instead, he went for the beast's head and took a swing at its eyes. The Hollow made a frantic swipe and backhanded Jiraiya, sending the former Shinobi tumbling through the air before his back hit the ground.

"Sorry, pal," Jiraiya grumbled as he got back on his feet again, "but it's going to take more than that to put me down for good!"

It was tough talk, but Jiraiya wasn't sure if he could back it up. His body ached like hell; the hit hadn't been fatal or even crippling, but it definitely hurt. The Adjuchas's hide might not have been as tough as that of a cold drake, but it was still plenty hard. His chest was bruised in addition to the prior cuts, and Jiraiya was certain that he'd suffered at least a cracked rib or two. It was nothing that he couldn't treat with Kaidō, but he had to survive the fight first if he wanted a chance to heal himself.

Survival was looking less likely by the second. The Adjuchas was glaring daggers at him, and Jiraiya could feel its spirit energy surging. It charged forward, its mouth opening as it wound up another Cero. Jiraiya raised his club, well aware that this could be his last stand.

Then a thunderous roar rang out from behind him, and he felt another surge of spirit energy… along with a distinctive chill. Acting purely on instinct, Jiraiya dodged to the left, and not a moment too soon. The Adjuchas cut loose with its Cero, but the blast of energy was met halfway by a tidal wave of azure flames.

Jiraiya could only look on in awe as Fafnir's deadly freezing fire actually stopped the Cero cold, and that was quite literally. The Academy instructors had repeatedly emphasized just how deadly the ultimate attack of a Menos Grande was, yet he was watching one here and now turn to ice under the cold drake's onslaught. Could all members of the species do this, or was it a feat that only the oldest and strongest of those grand behemoths could achieve? Jiraiya didn't know for sure, but he suspected it was the latter.

The Adjuchas began to tremble as it poured everything it had into its attack. Fafnir's response was only to double down, and the wave of freezing flames became nothing less than a tsunami. The stream of red energy from the Menos Grande was overtaken by the azure fire and became what Jiraiya had assumed to be an impossibility; a lance of frozen power. There was an abortive shriek from the Adjuchas, perhaps the beginnings of a curse, before the lizard-like beast found itself immerged in the freezing inferno. A crackling sound filled the air, and when the blue flames finally faded there was a statue of ice that would make a master artisan proud.

Jiraiya turned to look at his savior, but Fafnir strode right past him. The scaled titan walked right up to the frozen Adjuchas, spat a globule of blood and phlegm on its face, and then shattered it with a mighty strike from his right claw. Then a shudder went through the ancient creature and it collapsed to the ground. He groaned as he struggled to breathe, and Jiraiya realized that, in saving his life, Fafnir had thrown away almost all of what remained of his own.

A fresh chorus of howls echoed a cluster Gillians approached, sensing that their time had finally come. Fafnir glared defiantly at them, but his energy was spent. Knowing it was futile, Jiraiya interposed himself between the magnificent cold drake and the oncoming black towers. If this was going to be how it ended, then he would at least go down in defense of the creature that had put aside millennia of hatred to save his life.

He looked over his shoulder and smiled at Fafnir. "Thanks… and sorry to throw away your hard work. For what it's worth, I think you're all right. The humans who used to live here did wrong by you, but not all of us are like them."

The cold drake said nothing, not that Jiraiya had expected it to. He doubted the species was capable of conventional speech, although if it was then it wouldn't have been the first time he'd conversed with a talking animal. Fafnir had a resigned and tired look in his eyes, although Jiraiya thought he detected just a hint of something else. Gratitude, perhaps? Respect? Not that it would do him much good, but the thought was comforting.

He stared down the Gillians, gathering every last drop of spirit and nature energy that he could muster. If the tale of Jiraiya the Soul Reaper was going to end here, then he was determined to go out swinging. He steeled himself, sighting in on the nearest Gillian. Perhaps he could take out its legs, topple it in front of the others and at least momentarily stall its brethren before they got him. Jiraiya decided he'd do just that…

…only for a thick beam of golden energy to utterly vaporize his target.

Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock as the pillar of light swept across the entire cluster, reducing the collection of Gillians to black wisps. He felt a familiar spiritual pressure coming from the source of the blast, and as he looked up and behind himself and Fafnir he saw Gunnr floating overhead. Her wings glowed so brightly that they were almost blinding, and her axe was held out in front of her, with yellow sparks dancing along its blades.

The Mistress of War turned towards him, and Jiraiya knew that she was smiling beneath her helmet. "You've fought well, Jiraiya, but there will be no glorious last stand for you today. Remain at Fafnir's side; we will take things from here."

A piercing shriek rang out from above, and as he looked up Jiraiya saw Sigrún's axe cleave off the right wing of the red Adjuchas at its shoulder. The Hollow struggled to keep itself afloat, which only gave Sigrún the chance to bury her weapon in the beast's chest. It howled it agony, but it didn't dissolve, instead clinging fiercely to life through sheer rage. Not that it did the Hollow much good, for Sigrún then ripped off the left wing with a single pull from her left hand. The only thing keeping the Menos Grande airborne now was the fact that Sigrún's axe was still embedded in its chest and the Valkyrie still had the weapon gripped in her right hand. Jiraiya could only watch in awe as she then thrust her left hand forward, her gauntleted fingers piercing the creature's neck before she ripped the Hollow's throat out. The Adjuchas's death cry was barely more than a rattling whisper before the monster dissolved.

The second flying Adjuchas was still contending with Kara, but the Lady of Wrath had the Menos Grande on the defensive and was going in for the kill. She drove the beast towards the ground, effortlessly dodging a Cero before lunging forward and slamming her helmet into its head. There was an audible crack, and Jiraiya saw shards of the Hollow's mask fall to the ground. The Menos screamed in tortured rage, but its fury was impotent against the might of the Valkyrie. The finishing blow came as Kara brought her axe down on the Menos Grande's head, splitting it clean in half.

Remind me never to piss these ladies off!

As if you could ever forget after a sight like that.

With all three of the Adjuchas that were leading their horde now dead, the remaining Gillians and lesser Hollows became a disorganized rabble. Some charged forward, while others tried to beat a hasty retreat. None of them found success. Between the zealous defense put up by the apprentices and the aerial attacks from the Valkyries, the Hollows were doomed. A veritable storm of gold, white, red and orange lightning bolts rained down upon the creatures, blasting apart the monsters and rending the land itself with jagged fissures. One final chorus of howls and shrieks rang out before the air was filled with wisps of black ash, and then there was nothing but silence upon the field and rolling hills.

The battle was finally over.

A groan from behind Jiraiya served as a reminder for why they were really here. As the former Shinobi turned around to face the cold drake, he could sense what little energy it had left fading rapidly. The four Valkyries landed around the creature, and the two apprentices ran forward to join them. Together, they could only look on in silence as Fafnir struggled simply to breathe.

Jiraiya lowered his club, sealing his Zanpakutō and sheathing the blade as he released what nature energy he had left. As his features returned to normal, he placed his hand on Fafnir's snout. The Soul Reaper met the cold drake's gaze, and he could see the darkness encroaching in the titan's eyes.

He gave the ancient beast a small nod and smile. "It's all right, now. It's over. They're all gone now, and we couldn't have done it without you. You can let go. It's time to pass on. Close the book on your first life… and get ready to begin your next."

Slowly but surely, Fafnir's eyes began to close. Before the light of life vanished forever from his gaze, Jiraiya saw something within those brilliant orbs. Contentment, perhaps? Relief? Both in small measures, but one sentiment above both.

Peace.

Perhaps the first true peace Fafnir had known since his mate was so cruelly taken from him. Jiraiya wanted to believe that, at least.

Then, the great behemoth's eyes shut completely, and it exhaled one last time. The last spark of spirit energy within Fafnir's enormous frame finally went out, and the magnificent creature who had lorded over these lands for the better part of five thousand years was no more.

….

Several months later…

Early spring, 138 years before Rukia Kuchiki's arrival in Karakura town

Standing on the southern-facing balcony at the top of Steinskjöldur's tower, Jiraiya closed his eyes for a moment as he breathed in the evening air. Winter might have been over, but snow was still falling, albeit not nearly as heavily as it had been over the past few months. There was no wind tonight, which was a pleasant change of pace; the biting gales of the mountain could be damn near torturous if one was caught in them. Opening them again, he could see the light of the full moon peered through a gap in the clouds, illuminating both the citadel and the surrounding peaks. It was a beautiful sight, one that Jiraiya wanted to etch into his mind's eye before his impending departure.

"Time flies when you're having fun…" he murmured.

"Indeed, it does," said a familiar female voice from behind him, "I'll be sorry to see you go tomorrow morning, and I know I won't be the only one."

Looking over his shoulder, Jiraiya smiled as Gunnr strode forward to join him. "Rubbing off on you ladies that much, are I? I'll have to include a special word of thanks in my next book!"

"I look forward to reading it," the Mistress of War replied, "You've cleared your writer's block then, I take it?"

Jiraiya nodded. "I think so. A change of pace and scenery really was what I needed to get the creative juices flowing again. When I get back to the Seireitei, I know exactly what direction I want to take my story in. I've got you and the rest of the lovely ladies in this place to thank for that."

Gunnr chuckled. "If providing you with inspiration is what we give you in return for your aid with Fafnir's defense, then I'd say that we're getting off rather easy!"

Jiraiya shook his head. "It's not just that. I've learned a lot up here, and I'll be putting that knowledge to good use when I return to my duties as a Soul Reaper."

That was certainly true. The months after Fafnir's passing and their return from Vanaheim had not been idle ones. Between studying the lore of the Valkyries in their library, watching their healers work and taking notes, training with the acolytes and apprentices, and joining Gunnr and the other Valkyries for patrols and Hollow hunts, Jiraiya's vacation had proven to be a very productive one. It truly was a working vacation, yet despite said work Jiraiya still felt both relaxed and rejuvenated. Getting away from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and exploring another aspect of the Soul Society had been a rewarding experience, one that Jiraiya would eagerly take full advantage of when he made it back to the Squad Eight barracks.

Old Man Sarutobi would be shocked if he could see me, Jiraiya thought with a smirk, Actually working during a vacation instead of lounging around and chasing women… he'd probably assume I was an imposter!

Well, Jiraiya supposed that he had done some chasing of the fairer sex during his time here. It had been of a very cautious sort, though. As tempting as it had been, he'd refrained from trying his luck with spying on the Valkyries and their subordinates in the bath; he didn't need the wrath of Sigrún or any of the other winged warriors coming down on his head. Even if he had helped them out in a time of need, Jiraiya knew that their acceptance of him had its limits. He was still an outsider, albeit one that was treated with the courtesy and grace of a welcome guest. So, Jiraiya had limited himself to seeking out various members of the order for drinks, pleasant conversation, and general merriment. They'd happily taken him up on all of it, so despite being snowed in for much of the winter he hadn't lacked for entertainment.

"I hope what you've learned here helps you continue to grow and prosper," said Gunnr, "Seeing you now and comparing that to what you were back when our paths first crossed, I'm most pleased with your progress. You have a very bright future ahead of you, and the Thirteen Court Guard Squads are most fortunate to count you amongst their number."

Jiraiya bowed. "High praise indeed, coming from someone like you. If you ever find the opportunity, you should make your way south again sometime. After all that you've shown me of the north, the least I can do is return the favor and give you a proper tour of the Seireitei. Well, at least the prettiest parts of it, anyway."

"I would like that," Gunnr replied, with more than a hint of wistfulness in her voice, "I'm sure you would make for an entertaining and knowledgeable guide. Alas, the chances for such a journey are few and far between. It may be a very long time before we ever see each other again. I presume that's why you wanted to meet with me up here tonight, yes?"

Jiraiya smiled. "Pretty much. That, and I wanted to share the view with you one more time. It doesn't get much better than a night like this, right?"

Gunnr looked up at the sky. "No, it does not. As a backdrop for one last pleasant conversation, we could definitely do worse."

"You sure you can't accompany me for a bit tomorrow?" asked Jiraiya, "At least for my climb down the mountain? You could say you're escorting an important dignitary as a final courtesy. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch from the truth."

Gunnr shook her head. "As much as I might want to, I'm afraid I cannot. Lady Sigrún has a new assignment for me, one that I must embark upon after you depart. The deep north calls, and it is my duty to answer."

"What could possibly require a Valkyrie's attention up there?" Jiraiya countered, "The deep north's nothing but frozen wastes, right?"

"For the most part," Gunnr conceded, "but Hollows do like to appear there before sneaking south. Its remoteness makes it a good gathering spot; it's vast and difficult to patrol, and the beasts can move quite quickly when they put their minds to it. Going up there to keep them from gaining a solid foothold is necessary from time to time. This time, it's my turn to show them the price that must be paid for such trespass."

"I could come with you," Jiraiya offered, "I'm sure I could put off my departure for a little while longer."

Gunnr looked at him for a long moment, and the light in her eyes told him that she was smiling. "I'd like to take you up on that… but I think we both know better. Linger in our lands for much longer, and your superiors will become suspicious. Your Captain might be reasonable, but from what I understand, I doubt the Central Forty-Six would be so lenient. Stretch out your vacation much longer, and in their eyes the line between that and desertion might become blurred. I would hate for you to draw their ire solely because you wished to help me. No, Jiraiya, you must set off tomorrow… though I wish it were otherwise."

Jiraiya knew she was right. "That makes two of us. I'm going to miss this place, the people here… and you most of all. I don't know how long it will take, but I will find my way back here someday. I promise."

"Take care when making such a promise," Gunnr cautioned, "lest it be beyond your power to fulfill… or that it might be fulfilled in a manner other than that which you wish."

Her cryptic words were haunting, and Jiraiya was concerned. "I'm a man of my word, Gunnr. Do you know something I don't?"

She turned her gaze towards the glowing moon above. "I've lived for a very long time, Jiraiya. When you've seen as many centuries go by as I have… well, experience can be a harsh teacher."

Jiraiya suspected there was a story behind those words, but it didn't strike him as one that the Mistress of War would likely wish to share; simply her tone was enough to hint at deep-running scars. Even so, he remained quite serious with regards to his vow.

"I don't doubt it," he said, "Still, I do plan to return here someday. So, you'd better watch your back out there, both on tomorrow's mission and all the ones that come after, because I will see you again."

"I very much hope so," Gunnr replied as she looked at him, "Time has taught me to take precautions, though… and I would not have us part with regrets."

Before Jiraiya could ask just what she meant by that, he saw her gauntleted hands go up to her helmet. His heart began to race as he realized what was happening, and sure enough, the Mistress of War removed her helmet a moment later.

Jiraiya's breath caught in his throat. He'd seen plenty of beautiful women in his time. Tsunade had always been number one in his book, although Captain Unohana could give her some fierce competition. Now that he could finally look upon the Valkyrie's face, he could safely say that there was one more woman worthy of joining their ranks.

She was stunning. Her pale skin gleamed in the moonlight, healthily contrasted by a pair of thick and welcoming lips. Black hair with streaks of silver spilled out and framed her face, falling to her shoulders and glistening as snowflakes began to fall upon it. Now that he had the complete picture, her silver eyes became so much more striking, putting the finishing touch on an utterly entrancing portrait. She smiled as she held his gaze, a sight so alluring and mesmerizing that Jiraiya could've lost himself in it from now until the end of time.

That smile became a smirk as she recognized the effect she was having on him. "What's this? Have I stolen all words from the amorous author?"

All but one.

"Beautiful…" Jiraiya whispered, completely captivated by her.

She leaned down and planted a soft kiss upon his brow. Pulling back, her eyes met his again, and her smile became so gentle and delicate that Jiraiya feared to speak another word lest he shatter it. If there was a sight that he wanted to hold onto until the day he died again, it was her as she was now.

"If it is your vow to return to our lands someday and seek me out," she said, "then it is mine to survive until that day comes. For good or ill, Jiraiya, may we meet again. Let fate decide how that might play out, and may fortune smile upon us both in the meantime."

Jiraiya nodded. "Yes… and may our next meeting be a joyous one."

"I will pray that it is," Gunnr replied as the two of them looked up at the moon together, "May spring's thaw ease your journey home, Jiraiya… and know that you will always have a dear friend amongst the Order of the Valkyries."

Author's Notes: So, let's start with definitions. Steinskjöldur, the name of the Valkyries' fortress, is supposed to mean 'stone shield' in Icelandic. As for the Heimshliðið, the Valkyries' version of the Senkaimon, the rough translation should be 'world gate', again in Icelandic. As usual, Google translate was the source, so apologies to any native Icelandic speakers if I screwed it up. As for pronunciation… yeah, you're on your own there.

Feels good to give Jiraiya another chance to shine, so it's nice to get this chapter up. The next one's going to be decidedly more Uchiha-centric, and I'm not just referring to Itachi here.

Unrelated note, scheduled for my first dose of the Covid vaccine this coming Wednesday. Hopefully that goes off without a hitch, I took off work that day anyway because I'm lazy and have saved up paid vacation time. Being a soulless corporate drone does have its perks!

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Please review, stay safe, and I'll see you all next time!