Everything was relatively quiet in the barracks for the tenth squad. There were a few Shinigami tending to the various rock gardens along the southern wall and entrance of the barracks while others meditated on top of the bigger boulders. Along the western wall, more Shinigami practiced their katana with careful precision and slow, methodical steps. On the eastern wall, a few more Shinigami were talking amongst themselves with books and scrolls in their hands or laps. Needless to say, everyone was relaxing in their own way and taking in the rare moments of peace.
And then there was the Northern wall. This wall was notorious for those that lived in the Tenth Division barracks. This wall was reserved for two people: The troublemakers and the Lieutenant of Squad Ten, Haruka Katsuye. A harsh taskmaster, Haruka was the poster child of the Katsuye's special brand of brutality. A minor noble house well known for its unchecked murder of all but three baby girls per generation, Haruka was an anomaly, and easily identified as a Katsuye due to the odd grade and texture of her reddish blonde hair. One side of her hair was slightly curly and fell about her shoulder while the other was a unmanageably spiky and fell into her eyes as it flipped upwards a bit. Her eyes were a cold mix of green and blue, but every bit as unmercifully piercing as her murderous father's.
On this peaceful day, Haruka was overseeing what she called an exercise, but what her squad called an execution. Her eyes roamed over the ten or so Shinigami that had failed her rigorous physical exam, and had lost the privilege of relaxing on such a fine day. The troops were in the middle of weighted push ups with the Zanpakuto on and a fellow Squad 10 member on their back. Haruka walked up and down the line, adjusting postures and hand holds as well as adding weights to those that had been slacking. "This is the punishment you've earned yourself. Some of you may have skipped out on training or drills..." She stopped in front of one struggling young man and looked down at him, "Some of you have skipped out in both." He looked down in shame and embarrassed anger. "Squad 10 is often voted as the most relaxed of the Gotei 13. And that is because you have the option to choose whether or not to attend meetings, trainings and drills." She continued to walk. "As you can all see, your choices were the wrong one. You lack the discipline that is needed to ensure you succeed." A smirk played at her lips when one of the young women collapsed in a heap, though the man on her back helped her back into position. "I will ensure that you realize your limits. You will learn that it is just fine to need the help of your squad mates, even if it means drilling with them or asking questions. This is not a punishment of your choices. This is a punishment of your lack of discipline. You decide to skip the drills? Then fine. But I expect, and always have expected, you to pass the same tests that everyone else takes." She continued to walk along the line as the woman began her push ups again on wobbly arms.
Out of the barracks and into the training area walked Hikari with crossed arms. Near the entrance – or exit depending on how you look at thing – Hikari leaned against the wall, watching as Haruka whipped the boys into shape. A smile plastered his face. He often liked to keep things calm and relaxed in their division, make people feel as they belonged to boost their confidence. But at the end of the day they were a division within a military and had to uphold their own, which meant no slacking, and Hikari couldn't think of anyone more perfect than Haruka to remind their division of that. Hikari pushed off the wall and allowed his arms to fall to his side as he began walking forth.
Hikari could feel reigns of happiness from individual members, probably thinking he was about to save them from Haruka's punishment. "She's right!" he called out, gaining the attention of everyone in the room, even as they continued on performing what Haruka had ordered. Hikari placed his arms behind his back, pacing back and forth slowly. "I like to think that I'm rather easy-going. That's because I don't want anyone to feel too pressured or uncomfortable. I want to encourage you all to do your very best. But that means I also expect you all to uphold standards placed within our division."
Hikari halted with his pacing then turned to face everyone in the room. "We are a military. It's no place to play around or slack. You may think the lieutenant is being harsh on you but I say she's getting it through your heads. The punishment may seem harsh but once you're on the field you'll appreciate it. It's better this than ending up dead on the field and that's just the harsh reality of it. Now, show me that you're willing to be the best you can be!" After his words, the Shinigami began working faster and harder than before. Hikari smiled before walking to Haruka.
"Words can achieve a lot lieutenant," he spoke before making a motion with his hand towards the barracks, "A word?"
Haruka stepped back when her Captain began to address the troops. She had felt him from afar, long used to his spiritual energy from their time together. Her eyes softened slightly when she looked at him, but hardened again as she went back to correcting the postures to keep people from hurting themselves.
"That is why you're Captain." She joked with a wisp of a smile. A few of the troops looked at her, astonished at the smile before she whistled loudly. A little white puff ball scurried from its spot under a tree, barking loudly in excitement. Alucard has grown, and while he was still a puff ball, the bi-snake tailed dog stood at her chest. Truly, he was a terrifying beast when Haruka had introduced him as her second in command, for the dog was almost as harsh as his owner. Rumor still flew as to where she got the hound, but it had earned its nickname of Cerberus with how protective he was. "Watch them, would you Alucard? I'll be right back." The dog barked in acknowledgement then sat down with intelligent, staring eyes. Satisfied that they wouldn't slack, Haruka followed her captain, "What's going on, Hikari?"
"Well first I would like to ask you, how is your training with Yuurei going? Are you any closer to Bankai?" Hikari kept his voice relatively low, even if they had some distance from others. He didn't want others to know he was toying with the idea of retirement. Not only did Hikari feel he had been doing the job for a while, but also because he was seeing the progress of Haruka's leading and combat ability. She had already surpassed the level he was when he was Lieutenant, and that was around the time he began making a name for himself for defeating his opponents with just zanjutsu and tactics alone. He noticed she was steadily approaching Captain-level and within a few months would probably surpass him altogether. Atleast, that's what he thought.
Haruka rubbed the back of her neck as she thought about his question. Honestly, she and Yuurei Mamoru were doing just fine. They were meshing well and were getting stronger every time they trained together. She trusted Yuurei more so than anyone else, but Bankai? She hadn't wanted to bug her for more power, not when they could take out most others while Yuurei was still sealed. "Training is going great. As for Bankai...I am unsure. We haven't talked about it in a while. But I am able to manifest her here. Did you want to talk with her?"
Hikari shook his head, smiling. "No, it's fine. Maybe another time, but I'm glad to hear that you two are working well now." Hikari reached forward and brushed a few strands of hair from her face so he could take a good look at her. "You get more beautiful by the day Haruka. I long for the day that we'll be able to just…settle down. Perhaps my retirement plans are a step closer to that," he would mumble. Before he would give her the chance to reply he cleared his throat and dropped his hands. "Anyways, lieutenant," Hikari reached into his haori, pulling out a paper and then handing it to her, "There have been scout reports of hollow gatherings in a small village. The thing is though, it seems they only attack people during certain times a day; otherwise they just…ignore the villagers. It's a new thing, but I want you to take a small team to check everything out. If you can't find a reason behind their sudden switch in behavior then wipe them out and report back."
Haruka leaned into his touch and touched his hand with her fingers before he pulled away. Her smile widened, as did her eyes when he mentioned that he was planning to retire. There were, however, bigger problems so she filed the information away to discuss that with him later. She took the scroll and read it over as she listened to his synopsis. "Hm...I'll take Alucard and two others. We'll watch the Hollows throughout the day and make note of times of aggression. On the surface...this seems too organized for a pack of Hollows...one is either leading them--which the implication is very, very bad--or they are being incited." She frowned then set the scroll in a fold on her keisen uniform. The uniform had been a hold over from her time in the Onmitsukido which kept her from tearing her garments if she ever used shunko. Her lieutenant badge rested at the middle of her bicep so that wouldn't get messed up either. "I'll take care of it, Captain."
Hikari felt a sense of contentment hearing her analyze the situation. "Sounds good. Be safe, alright?" he spoke before turning to leave. "I will. Keep these guys going, yeah?" She asked him then winked secretly. She whistled again then flash stepped away, Alucard followed her almost as quickly.
The team was stationed at the outskirts of the village, the middle-point of a hill which was riddled with trees providing the team with cover. From where they stood they could make out a group of hollow, around twenty, distant from the village. The hollow group remained still, a few pacing back and forth. Alucard, with a vision more enhanced than Shinigami, would be able to make out something weird about the hollow masks. But a closer inspection was obviously needed to tell what exactly. Haruka stood beside Alucard as she watched the group of Hollows. She frowned and looked over at her partner, "Can you get closer?" she asked her dog. The dog nodded once then slinked closer to try and get a better look at the Hollows. She stayed with the others to keep them in line.
Once Alucard got closer, one hollow would immediately turn to him. The hollow stared at Alucard before getting in a position to lunge. Before it did so the pink around the eyes of the mask, which Alucard had noticed before, flared more causing the hollow to stumble back. The Shinigami would now be able to clearly see the pink around the eyes of each hollow as they brightened. The specific hollow near Alucard was thrashing around as if having a mental fight. Suddenly the hollow dropped to the ground remaining still.
Alucard dropped into a defensive stance and growled lowly, his teeth and fangs bore in warning. The fur along his spine and ears were raised. "They are definitely being controlled...and their controller is powerful." Haruka noted to herself, even as she wordlessly motioned for one of the Shinigami to write down exactly what was happening. The lieutenant kept her eyes on the hollow even as she flash stepped to stand on Alucard's back. "You know what is going on, don't you?" she asked the Hollow in question. She wondered how far deep the mind control was. Could the controller hear her? Could it see her? Was it integrated into its thoughts and personality?
The hollow looked up at Haruka almost as if studying her. Haruka would get the feeling that there was more than a hollow watching her. Suddenly, each hollow began clawing at its own mask furiously. Pieces chipped away until the masks broke away fully. The hollow would all then disintegrate, leaving no trace of them behind. Haruka's eyes narrowed as she dropped down from Alucard. She licked her lips and looked over at Alucard. "Discretely look around, Alucard. If you sense nothing within...thirty meters, come back. If the controller can make them suicidal any further out than that...that is someone that we shouldn't tangle with without backup." She ordered him.
The dog nodded once in understanding before he flash stepped away to see if he could sense a scent or a spiritual energy trace. Haruka began to scan the area quietly but thoroughly after she sent the non-scribe Shinigami to gently inquire into the attacks on the nearby village. After a moment of being alone, Haruka's attention would be drawn to the barely audible sounds of footsteps approaching from behind, the footsteps of someone who had been trained in stealth. The person let out a breath, standing tall with shadows hiding their facial features. Their hand laid rest on the hilt of the Zanpakuto strapped to their side. "Oh? Lieutenant of Division Ten?" The voice indicated male, one who chuckled. "The pink haired wonder. And what brings you here at this lovely hour?" The man waved his hand, a motion towards the sunset. His tone seemed genuine but was obviously more condescending.
The Lieutenant didn't seem surprised as she continued to search the area. "Yes. I am quite surprised that my old academy nickname would show up some two hundred or so years after my graduation." She noted quietly. "Though...I wonder what else others have called me. Would you care to elaborate? Or were you attempting to be an original?" She ran her fingers over the tracks left behind by the Hollows. "As for what brings me here, I should be asking you that. I don't recall a report of a Zanpakuto user being sent to this area." At that, she turned to face the man, though her naturally apathetic countenance was on full display.
"Beautiful is one I hear people call you. There's another B word I hear often, but you seem like the hurt the messenger type so I'll refrain from saying it." The man smirked before moving his hand away from the hilt of his Zanpakuto. He took a couple steps back before speaking again, "I was just taking a stroll. Nice and peaceful stroll that has now reached its end. I'd really rather not get in the way of your work. After all, not paying attention to things may prove rather dangerous. Wouldn't you agree, lieutenant?" The man turned and began walking. As he did, around a dozen hollow began running towards the village with the same pink glow around the eyes of their mask.
Haruka chuckled quietly to herself and closed her eyes with a smirk. "Come now. I'm sure you know that I don't believe that." She opened one eye as a slit, "I would like to believe that you would give me more credit than that, assuming that you know exactly who I am." There was a crackle of lightning as Alucard howled out loudly and appeared from the trees. His body cleared the tree line easily as he swiped at packs of Hollows easily with her paws and tails. One even found its way into his horns while another was crunched between his teeth.
"Well...this just got interesting. Then again...he has been getting a little chubby lately." She chuckled lightly. Her eyes flashed, a cruel and murderous gleam shined unapologetically. "But for now, let's get to know each other a bit better, hm? At least buy me dinner before you start the foreplay and dirty talk, yeah?" She said before she followed him. She kept her steps loud, so he knew she was right behind him. She motioned for the other two to support and protect Alucard while he took on the bulk of the forces, which left her quite alone.
The man halted before looking back to see the dog tearing through the hollow. He sighed, turned his body, and then walked towards Haruka. He stopped, darkness from the shadows hiding most of his face again except for his mouth which was scowled. He remained silent, hand going for the hilt of his Zanpakuto, before opening his mouth. "What is it that you'd like to know exactly, lieutenant?" His tone was less condescending and now hinted towards frustration.
"I want to know your name. I want to know why attack this village and how you are controlling the hollows. I want to know how you have a Zanpakuto and aren't dead. There are many things that I'd like to know." Her right hand was wrapped around her sheath, thumb up against her wakizashi guard. "So, make this easy on me. Come in quietly, and I won't throw you straight to Squad 2's prison. I'll give you that chance to tell me what I want you to tell me. Sounds pretty cushy, right?"
The man scoffed. "And what proof do you have that I'm involved with all of this exactly? Coincidentally taking a stroll? I doubt Center forty-six will lock me up for such a thing." He smirked. "And what gives you the idea that I can control hollows? I didn't recite a Kido incantation nor did I ever unsheathe my Zanpakuto to display such ability. I think this is goodbye lieutenant." The man turned and began walking once again. Before Haruka could act, one of the Squad Ten Shinigami ran up to her panting and bleeding from the shoulder. "We need you in the village!"
Haruka laughed loudly but left the man alone. She looked at the bleeding Shinigami then nodded once. "Get your partner and rest. Alucard and I will finish this." She said to the Shinigami with a smirk. "Give me a sitrep. I trust that you helped evacuate the village?" She asked as she made her way to the village, double time.
"I'm sorry Lieutenant, ma'am, there were simply too many hollow to try and get everyone out. I-I got some out...b-but my partner urged me to come and find you. I'm not even sure he made it. We must hurry!" The Shinigami began picking up his speed, though obviously nearing his limit especially with his injury.
Haruka listened silently for a while before she frowned, "Rest here. Stay out of sight." She gripped him firmly by his good shoulder so he knew that it was an order. "I'll find your partner. Wait here for my signal. When you get it, flash step ahead of me to Squad 4 for treatment and debrief." She told him before she flash stepped away.
When she came upon the village, Haruka let her spiritual energy raise to the point that the ground below her began to crack under the weight her spiritual pressure. When she was sure that she attracted most of the Hollows away from the innocents she whistled quickly to Alucard. The massive beast shrunk down to his normal size and began to herd the Hollows towards the Lieutenant and away from the rest of the populace as he searched for the scent of the missing Shinigami. Soon would Alucard pick up the scent that leads him to a small hut which the Shinigami stumbled out of holding his bloodied side.
His eyes widened at the number of hollow nearing the Lieutenant. "To make up for my failure..." The Shinigami held his palm out, "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!" The crimson red orb charged in his palm before shooting forward, colliding with the group of hollow. The Shinigami could only hope he helped. It was his final thought before fainting, both from blood loss and reiryoku loss. Unlike his partner, there was no chance of survival.
Alucard barked at him to try and stop the Shinigami, but even he understood the sheer force of will one would find when they wanted to protect something. After all, it was how he had found his true form: When Haruka was surrounded by waves of spider-like Hollows and their allies had fallen. Gently, the dog lifted the Shinigami with his snake like tail and laid the bloodied form on his back. His fur became stained with red but he cared little. The man had been a true warrior to his last breath, and had sacrificed himself to even the odds for his leader. Alucard hoped that the man lived the life he would deserve in the next one.
Carefully, Alucard carried the man into the Lieutenant's view, which drew and pained breath from the woman. Death was always a possibility in the profession she had chosen, but a sacrifice...a selfless death for the sake of others. That was a bittersweet pill to swallow. She had been astonished by the appearance of the orb, and even more so at the devastation it caused amongst the Hollows' ranks. "You have truly embodied the soul of your squad today..." Her words were soft as a crackle of white flame ignited along her shoulders. "I will make sure your death was not in vain. Shunko!" An inferno blast surrounded her immediate area as her hair blew from her face at the force. A pillar of fire accompanied the blast at her back, which roasted the Hollows that had sought to sneak up on her. Her movements were a blur of fire and rage, her arms and legs wreathed in swirling flames that flared with every punch or kick. In only but a minute or few did Haruka manage to wipe out the rest of hollow that, much like previous two groups, had that pink glow around their eyes.
Due to the flames of her technique it managed to spread across the grass and into the village. The flames seemed to have not caused major damage as the villagers were able to put it out, but one hut had caught some flames. Plus the Hado from earlier had caused a bit of damage to the surrounding grounds, not counting the hollow group managing to destroy some property and take some lives. "If it isn't hollow then it's some Shinigami not caring about our land," an elderly male soul spoke aloud, staring at Haruka. The elderly man shook his head.
Haruka rushed over to help where she could within the village once she was finished with the Hollows. She'd managed to reign in the rest of her flames and spiritual pressure to keep from creating more collateral damage. Unfortunately for the old man, she'd heard him. "Keep your mouth shut. A good man gave his life today to keep more of your people alive." Haruka stared right back. "You may not be grateful to be keeping your life, since I'm sure you've lived a nice long one." Her eyes narrowed, "But I'm saddened that a child would show more respect than the man that is supposed to know better. Buildings can be rebuilt, dead kids, mothers, fathers, and GOOD men and women cannot. Next time you're facing down Hollows, YOU can stand between them and 'your' people with me so you can understand a few things that you've must have forgotten." She said before she stalked off to help the villagers with whatever she could. Really, she was just securing the village before she would return to her Squad.
Back at Squad Ten, after reporting in, the mission turned out a success. Despite the casualties, the threat was neutralized and the village was secured. The injured Shinigami was going to survive, currently being treated at Division Four. As well they had a potential suspect on their hands. But being a Shinigami it was now in the hands of Division Six. "You've done good work today," spoke Hikari to Haruka in his office, sitting behind his desk, he smiled. "Maybe work on that Shunko fire though. I'll write up to the First Division, you're dismissed."