Chapter 7: Blue Kingdom

We decided to put off going home, the likelihood of Franceska and Emilou just loitering around our house was incredibly unlikely. She found me after voyaging to see new lands after all, I've never even seen that place again. I'm no cartographer, but I can tell you we've moved a long way since Lady Harribel picked me up.

I used my ability in brief pulses in order to find them quicker.

My ability seemed to be a Pesquisa if you took it to the next level. I always knew of the comparison, but now only the sensing part of it mattered. I watered down my Serpientes Veneno Inexistente so as to take as little from my master as possible. But still, each pulse made me frustrated for just a moment. I'd always take a sip from the ocean when all I wanted to do was sit back and admire it, not become it.

I wasn't a swimming kind of snake. Hm, glad I met only the one, such queer people to talk to.

We traveled as quickly as we could. But even then I didn't move as fast as the shark. I couldn't Sonido after all, which hampered everything. But Adjucha were still fast. It was just not all together efficient. Shame you could only Sonido if you had two legs.

But we were out searching, and we wouldn't go home until we found her. We ranged for days, sleeping when my ability told us nothing was near.

But these...stupid filthy cretins! They kept popping up after we slept!

These scum dared to wake Lady Harribel by dirtying her magnificent body by striking her.

These lowly beings made me seethe. Subhuman retards. They couldn't even gauge power! The most simplest abilities in all of Bleach!

If only I could strangle them to death and break every bone in their body, and they had the audacity to scream for help! As if they deserved any. Sadly, My Lady's generosity knew no bounds and she spared her more mentally inefficient citizens. Why was beyond me, so I complimented her for it.

Even if I was irked when they ran away without saying anything to her!

Especially when they screamed as they turned around and saw me charge my Cero to destroy the ungrateful wretch.

Why Lady Harribel had me kill none of those interlopers was beyond me. Perhaps they'd learn. They'd better or I'll break them...

Speaking of which, teaching someone as brash and uppity as these two was what haunted me. Maybe haunt is a strong word. I knew it wouldn't be too hard, but even a single second of disrespect warranted a broken organ. Or bone if the offense was light. It's just a shame Master Harribel wouldn't let me actually administer such punishment.

That said, if Lady Harribel ever ascended to ruling Hueco Mundo, as she should do, then she'll need someone ruthless. In the case any resistance against her rule comes up then one of us will have to get our hands dirty. Emilou and I would be best for such interrogative duties. Mila Rose could then execute them if she wasn't busy organising an army.

Hmm...thinking of the future puts some spring in my step. The irritatingly slow but inevitable ascension of Tier Harribel to Godhood had so many chances and opportunities for me to show them the light, all these nonbelievers will know in time...

A blissful sigh could be heard from me, I didn't mean to release it, but my joy was too great.

"What has you so happy Sung-Sun? I'd have imagined that you'd be irritated rather than content."

"I'm happy going anywhere with you, I'm only irritated because those weaklings had the audacity to scream next to your ear after they broke their arm hitting you."

I think I could hear her snort. No? There has to be a more eloquent word for that noise, only a beast like Emilou or Franceska could snort. Harribel just...made a short sound through her nose. That's all.

Huff? God no. That sounded too ugly for Master Harribel.

"I thought you'd have been over that by now."

"No My Lady, I've remembered each and every one of them, masks, skin patterns and colour, and the high pitched voices. As lamentable as the latter is."

"I didn't realise you hated sound so much. From what you've told me these two are rather talkative. Can you handle that?"

"I'm sure I can keep them quiet before they can get on your nerves. Besides, they're not as deranged as those other Hollows, so they're actually important to listen to from time to time. Besides, they're going to help you whether they like it or not, so they're voice or demands aren't going to cause much of a headache."

"Don't force it Sung-Sun. We're not criminals or villains."

"Yes, yes, ask them nicely. They'll join regardless of how we ask them, as inferiors ought to."

I could hear a sigh from beside me. Funnily enough, I'm not sure if it'd be dramatic to claim it could probably destroy a house. I honestly have no idea. I'm pretty sure it shouldn't, but after all this power who could tell? Cement would probably feel like soap at this point, and for all I knew, the sand here was probably harder than gravel for a paltry human.

But I did get the message conveyed in that sigh. Let me do all the talking Sung-Sun.

A thought I could get behind. As expected from someone who wants to get their hands dirty in their prisoners guts to hear their secrets, diplomacy wasn't my strongest point.

Hm. Perhaps I should have clarified my own position in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. Ah yes, Second Division Lieutenant. That would do me excellently! And Mila would be in the Kido Corps! Stupid dog would be staring at her hands in frustrated befuddlement. Amazing...

"So how do you feel about this journey? Is it too taxing on you? We can stop at any time." I snapped out of my daydream and replied.

"I'm quite alright My Lady. I'm thinking about placing architecture here."

I could hear her hum in interest. "Oh? I never knew you held such an interest in architecture Sung-Sun. What are you thinking of?"

"I suppose I'd have to place one of those night clubs around here. Not my sort of scene, but I suppose the populace ought to relax. Crystal Castles, some other eccentric stuff I remember hearing and I suppose I'd have a fair bit of it done. Even if it's never used, the practice and experience could be rather good for me." Drinks didn't do anything to us as far as I'm aware and a pole and a woman might make the crowd way too rowdy to put up with. Hm. Boy, forgetting how I lived before really did a number on me, can't tell if it's a nightclub I'm building or a gentlemans club.

"Hmm. Interesting that you'd build it despite never seemingly having never been in one." She looked to her right, looking straight at me as she spoke. "I'm not off with my assumption am I?"

"No, you're not, I just can't think of anything else that would fit this bit of land any better. I've also forgotten every social interaction I've ever had when I was alive. And the more proper structures should be clustered fairly close together. An office can't go here. There's just nothing important here."

She hummed, I'm sure she came around to my kind of thinking. There wasn't much in terms of land here, just two gigantic dunes. Middle of nowhere, yes, a very subtle location with barely anything of note here except for the fact we were walking in the valley of two huge hills of sand. Your entertainment can't be close to anything important, and no buildings past a certain point.

"Yes, I agree on all counts. Hueco Mundo has it's beauty because it's barren."

Ah, did I talk out loud? I dunno, and it doesn't matter really. It's about that time to taste the air and the people.

I stopped for a moment and flared my ability. But then I held it for longer than just a moment. A cluster of Adjucha. One darting forward to the one in the center. I looked to the top of the hill on our right. Hmm. Couldn't quite see the top of it, but I'm going to guess they weren't at the top. I cancelled my ability.

"Lady Harribel, I think there's a group of Adjucha on that hill to our right. They're probably killing each other." I looked to her. "Shall I kill and eat them or shall I do it in the wrong order?"

"Let's go!"

She used Sonido to get up there as I followed her using good old fashioned serpent locomotion.

We reached it in a matter of moments, my greater than normal amount of Reiryoku bolstering my speed. The sound of animalistic grunting and more human sounding taunts reverberated throughout the area we had found ourselves in. And I was struck speechless by the scene and sheer coincidence but still moved to save her.

"Wait."

And so I stopped. Waiting and observing with Lady Harribel as Mila Rose roared at the Adjuchas surrounding her, I watched her bleeding frame stand on top of a rock proudly, screaming defiance, and knew something that her supposed predator's didn't.

She was more trouble than she was worth. Just look at her, how many had she killed already? Three from the looks of it, and she would go on to mutilate so many more.

Impressive. I hadn't realised that she was actually competent.

"My...I thought she'd ride on our coattails but she's actually worth something. Do we step in Master? I doubt her miraculous bout of competence will stop her from being mutilated? Or are you observing her fighting capabilities for now?" Either would be fine with me honestly. And although this is getting off track, I must state how much I loved myself right now just...

LOOK AT ME! I tilted my head at her and smiled...as much as I could. And my mask, ohhh, my mask...it was beautiful. And the tinkle of the beads I could hear with each head movement. Within a single night I had actually mastered all head movements solely for the beads. Done at a distance hopefully far enough that Tier hadn't heard any of it.

I knew how to move my head to keep them quiet, make them loud, I knew it all. The beads really were that magnificent. And they could collapse a mans ribcage if I wanted it.

God, it never got tiring knowing how strong I was in comparison to someone else. For my accessory to kill someone...yeah, I've done something right in this life to get that strong.

"I want to observe. At the first sign of real trouble we'll move in and save her."

I yawned at the deceleration I admit. I was already feeling pretty tired as a matter of fact.

"Hmm...Mistress might I rest for a while? I don't believe I have any interest in a vulgar simpleton like her. I'll gladly step in the moment you ask of it My Lady but..."

"I get it. Rest now. I'll stand guard over you both."

I smiled at her declaration and settled down into the cozy sands that were responsible for lulling me to sleep. I know the scales on my back were reflecting a dull white thanks to the moon as I coiled up in my sleep. Mistress hadn't even the chance to intervene before I succumbed to slumber.

Strangle To Death, Anaconda!

I slept for what felt like quite a good time. Must have been this way since Mila Rose was injured. Her Majesty wouldn't ever make us uncomfortable if she could help it.

I did indeed wake to find that time had passed. There were no corpses to look at, Mila having eaten them, and it was never easy to eat a hollow no matter what you were, just too much to eat no matter your species.

Hmph...perhaps I should take care of my deep sleeping habits? No, they were alright as they were right now.

My Lady looked asleep but I could never tell with her. I wanted her to rest as peacefully as possible. My eyes glided over to the third largest of us all, finding her in a much better condition than she used to be in. I also found her wide awake, which more than likely meant Lady Harribel was awake too. Her attention was on Lady Harribel with an intense focus until she noticed my movements, her eyes went over to me and narrowed.

"Hey! You're that Adjucha that stood by and did nothing!"

It was then I understood the nature of the Tres Bestia's relationship with one another. "Ugh, do you have to yell about everything? All you seem to ever do is roar like some dumb animal."

"What did you say you bitch?"

"My, your mouth really is like some sort of garbage compactor isn't it?"

She reared back and gasped. Quite visibly offended. "You little bitch! How dare you! Are you trying to start something?!"

"It wasn't me that was trying to start anything. That was all you, in case you've forgotten. Did those runts try kill you because you opened your mouth?"

"Grrrr, you're just asking for a pounding you know that!"

I deliberated over my answer for a second.

Did I want to say maybe and mean it in a sexual way? I mean, tall people were already my thing, and I knew how tall and...muscled she could be, it was practically a fetish at this poin-oh...yes, that could work.

"Maybe, but not by you." She reared back, clearly incapable of handling any innuendo. "Just look at you, you'll get your wretched ape hair all over my fair skin. A lady like myself would never settle for an overgrown stray like you."

"Bitch!" What was most amusing was seeing her mask actually change into a snarling face. Would have been real funny to hear metal screeching too.

"Stop it you two."

"Yes, Lady Harribel."

I think I wasn't the only one surprised when mine wasn't the only voice to say that.

We both looked at one another, but not a word was exchanged.

"Alright, since you're both in top condition, we can go back now." It seemed like Her Majesty wanted to say more, but she seemed to exasperated to speak anymore.

This was actually because of how quickly Mila Rose had ended up following Sung-Sun's habits. Tier had no idea how this kept happening and began to wonder if it would be a bad thing to hope Emilou wouldn't so easily follow in treating her like royalty.

Eventually we decided to walk back to the house in the mountain that we had going on. I always kept forgetting to ask about the torch and how My Lady carved her home from the stone.

And this instance would be no different. My natural sleepiness combined with self admiration pushed those very smart questions to ask right out of my mind. That and Mila Rose kept arguing with me. But that banana eating ape woman never won a single one.

"Hmph, I'm amazed Lady Harribel was gracious enough to keep a handicap like you around Sung-Sun."

"Yes well I'm better than you by a fair margin kitten, so perhaps you ought consider picking a different kind of fight serf?"

"Surf? What the hell does that have to do with anything?"

I sighed. "How hopeless...at least you'll make a good battle monkey. To be honest if I had to show you how to respect Lady Harribel you'd be more trouble than what either of us ought to bother with."

"Hey! I'm not even a monkey you idiot! I'm a proud and noble lion, you treacherous little snake! Besides, what the hell do you do anyway?!"

"Hmph. I don't recall any lioness with a mane...feel like explaining that one? And besides, you hair is atrocious, and I take care of anything Lady Harribel might need." I tossed my head to the side. Goodness...winning really was bothersome when you only won. No wonder Aizen handed Ichigo the keys to victory...even when that was on accident.

"Ha! And yet you haven't told me what a single one of those things are! And my hair is the greatest thing there is! Don't you insult it ever again!"

"It's quite simple really, I take care of whatever she might need at the time. Someone to keep her warm at night, someone to make sure no one disturbs her, someone to take care of pesky enemies. Whatever she needs me to be at the time. Besides, I'm not wrong, if you feel so strongly about your hair then why don't you take care of it?"

"WELL IT'S NOT LIKE I CAN WITH FOUR PAWS NOW CAN I YOU BALD BITCH!"

I gasped aloud. "How dare you!? Don't you ever bring that up again or I'll skin your filthy hide!"

"You and what appendage!?"

"You little wh!-"

"Ladies."

"Yes Lady Harribel."

It was a minute of us eyeing each other up until I finally put that little trollop in her place. "I'll forgive you since you also serve Her Majesty, but if you keep shouting like that you're going to give her a headache. I suppose I should also tell you that when we go out ranging like this that Her Majesty's mentally challenged test subjects interrupt our sleep. So one of us should stay up so that those talentless rejects don't touch us."

"Ha, you think you can boss me around? I don't know who you think you are girly but you can't just go bossing me around like that-"

"Yes yes, just remember to stay quiet and drag any victims far enough away so we can't hear them scream. If that means behaving like a circus animal then do so."

"Why you..."

"We're here."

"Huh?" As expected, Mila Rose displayed that gorilla like stupidity of hers. Though, I suppose to any unenlightened individual it just looked like a mountain. Lady Harribel went and uncovered the entrance, smoothly pulling out the gigantic slab of rock and revealing a smooth marble staircase. "Woah..."

"Impressive isn't it?" I was sorely tempted to tell her to not dirty it with her hair, but Harribel would definitely admonish me for that.

"Yeah, did you guys make this?"

I squinted at her. Hmm...guys? What an odd phrase to say when we were all women. Or was that just me?

"I built it. Make yourselves at home. I may not have much, but what's mine is yours."

"Lady Harribel..." Mila gruffly called out. I guess I could understand. This kind of charity from Hollows was unusual to say the least. An oasis in a desert was the most fitting descriptor for her charity.

"Hm, I see you know how to show gratitude Mila Rose. I...suppose you aren't that bad." Saying that I followed in my Mistress's footsteps, leaving Mila at the door with those words. Oh. "Don't forget to close the door. And don't dirty it with the blood of those losers from before."

Yeah...you and what appendage, bitch. Better start using that mouth for something useful for once.

Strangle To Death, Anaconda!

We were gathered in the living room, resting at the stone table. The only rock I've seen in Hueco Mundo that was actually white. No chairs sadly.

Lady Harribel had just finished telling Mila Rose about the situation we were stuck in.

In regards to the future that is.

Had no idea she'd do it so quickly, I would have waited for at least a day but I wasn't Lady Harribel.

"And that's that, I can't make any guarantee that you'll live, but I'll give everything I can to make sure we all make it through this." Tier ended it there.

I observed Mila's stunned stupid expression and found that I couldn't really blame her. And as loathe as I was to admit it, I couldn't fault her if she acted out and forgot who she decided to serve. This was fairly unbelievable after all. A new realm of power beyond Baraggan and Sōsuke having killed Lady Harribel without any difficulties despite having the new power. It was all hard to chew on for a regular Hollow.

All was silent for a long time. Harribels unspoken offer being left for her to take, she could leave and we wouldn't begrudge her. We waited for Mila Rose to say something, it was about half a minute before she finally spoke. "I...I don't know about all this, but if I'm going to get more power from this...then I guess I'm okay with sticking my neck out for you two."

"Hmph." I tilted my head in the top left direction and looked down at her. "In case you didn't know I'm the one sticking my neck out for you, and Lady Harribel just swore to protect you, the nerve honestly..."

"Thank you Mila. I know this can't be easy for you, but I'll do my best, I'm not the smartest but I think I have a plan in place to handle all this."

"You do?!" We bursted out. First time I've heard of this, I was in just as much awe as Mila was. I hadn't thought of anything! Was I just too concerned with Tier in the short term aspects?

"Yes. Simple, but it's still got it's kinks. As you know Mila there's a human with a truly abnormal amount of Spiritual Power out there, enough to defeat Aizen. Sung-Sun tells me there's two great Shinigami there, she doesn't know their rank, but I'll assume the worst. What's important is that I buy time for Sung-Sun to take all his potential power. Problem is, these two are either Captains, or have become so in their isolation, and although they are hostile to Aizen they're not going to support our plan. Mostly because the plan is to make you, Cyan, and Emilou into Vasto Lordes."

"Emilou? Whose that?" Mila interrupted.

"Another handmaiden like yourself, don't interrupt Mistress again." Still though, I'm surprised I never thought of this. The wrinkles in this plan would be interesting to listen to though.

"Anyway, as I was saying I'm putting off this plan until we have Emilou. We need as much insurance as possible. If we buy enough time for Sung-Sun then we've got three Vasto Lorde class Hollows fighting two Captains. And we may have more to go, if this Ichigo Kurosaki can defeat the Cuarto Espada and Aizen in succession then he may have more power."

Mila interrupted again. "For a human to have such power..." She leaned forward. "Do we know why that is? It's not toxic to us right? We won't explode if we make it ours will we?"

"How dare you!? Are you trying to tell me my power is a slacker? It's better than whatever you've got, besides he hasn't blown up yet has he ape?"

"Hey! I'm just trying to cover all our bases, what if he's an alien or something!?"

Tier thankfully put an end to her stupidity. "We don't know why he's as powerful as he is, but I figure we can put all the missing puzzle pieces together the closer the future gets, besides, we'll know once Sung-Sun gets her fangs on him. She's used her powers on humans and Shinigami I'm sure, so Ichigo Kurosaki will only be a question of time."

Mila spoke again. "A question of time against two Shinigami Captains who's capabilities we don't know. I can see why we're waiting for Emilou before we actually do this." Rose turned to me once again. "Sung-Sun, do you know how long it'll take? Are we expecting any kind of reinforcements?"

"Enough power to turn the Fourth Espada to dust? Although my power targets only Reiryoku it's still going to take a long time. I can speed up the process if I get my hands on him however. But no matter where they hide him I can still take his power. And as for reinforcements...I don't know, I know the Soul Society can monitor the living world but one of the Captains we're facing is from Squad Twelve. The other is from Squad Two however, so I'm not sure how they're evading notice." Either method put us at a disadvantage. Not even knowing which really put us on the wrong foot on top of that.

"Dammit! A pencil neck and a sneaky one. If only it was one of those Squad Eleven morons."

"I know, have you heard the gossip about them? Unwashed barbarians that shave using their Zanpakutō. What heathens..."

"Heh. Oh yeah? You should hear the talk about Squad One, I hear it's full of nobodies. So much for being one of the greatest Squads out there, I even hear the Vice-Captain of it is utterly unremarkable."

"Hm, no wonder the Head Captain leads it, they're utterly helpless without him. And I thought it was Squad Twelve that did all the paper pushing. Unbelievable."

"I know right? God," She gave a very unladylike snort of derision. "Can't believe I was worried about reinforcements from them for a second."

"Indeed." I replied. "It sounds like the Twelve Court Guard Squads have mass produced Paper Cutters rather than Soul Cutters."

"Hah! I'd sure like to see em' try and scratch us with that, those big babies are gonna wet themselves when they see my Zanpakutō!" She brandished her claws for effect.

"Not a smell I savour Mila but I suppose it's inevitable. Seems all Squads are rather weak, but then again we are Adjuchas."

"Right, right, so this girl is going to be an Adjucha when we get her right? So what other wrinkles are there?" Mila turned to the Master at the end of that sentence.

Tier began speaking. "The biggest is that we don't know how they're hiding. If it's done by using the methods of the assassination Squad then our job becomes much trickier and we also put the future in jeopardy. These two are stated to be vital to putting Aizen down, and we're already fighting two Shinigami Captains, they'll send more once they know we're there. Kisuke Urahara is a genius, if lazy man. Which means they'll bring attention onto us and hide once they know they've triggered whatever surveillance system they have in place."

We descended into silence.

Multiple Captains. The prospect alone was unsavory, and then you had the Squad Lieutenants that might come along to learn something. What a shot in the dark...

But if we won then we had the power of Arrancar.

"So are we going to do this?" Mila.

"Mila?" Myself.

"Are you sure?" Tier.

"Of course. We don't exactly have a lot of options left right? So this our best option, just to make sure, this Ichigo is going to get his powers back right?"

"Yes Mila. But where is this confidence coming from?"

"Well we can't just sit here and nibble on a bunch of weaklings. This pansy Aizen could get away with getting strong where no one can harm him but we can't. Hollows are stronger because we're always used to the risk and know how to handle it. As long as we don't completely destroy our insurance then we're fine. Even this Emilou kid can handle it. All we've got to worry about is this Soi-Fon character right? The rest we can handle."

"E-even two Captains? We don't know how they'll attack us or anything. I've never seen the capabilities of their Zanpakutō, so how are we-?"

"We just need to hold out Sung-Sun. As long as we keep it a defensive battle we'll win since we've poisoned them all. Even the Shinigami know that Vasto Lorde are stronger than Captains. Besides, you've already told us that these two are are jokers that don't take anything seriously." I was speechless before Mila's approach to this.

"You're right Mila Rose." Tier spoke up. "As long as we keep it defensive and make our purpose unknown we could even go multiple times. So long as we don't incur multiple casualties it's possible." She paused as a thought entered her mind. "But that's impossible with the Twelfth Division Captain there. Kisuke Urahara will certainly prepare for us once he notices what's been taken. And that's the best case scenario, they're likely to notice in the middle of the fight, a spiritual being as strong as Ichigo will have a rather noticeable lack. So it's bound that they'll attack us even if they're reluctant too."

So they'll strike when they notice what's happening. Brilliant, and we can't do it twice since it'll be trapped to every rock and back.

"..." I thought as hard as I could. How could I manipulate this to make it so we could exploit this. But then came the thought of someone we never once tackled in this discussion. "Aizen..."

I heard inquisitive sounds from the two of them. "If Aizen twigs onto what's happening in Karuka Town...then surely, the consequences..."

Lady Harribel interrupted me. "That's okay Sung-Sun, just like with Mila, if he wants to get to you then he's got to go through me." I turned to her, my shock visible by my body. But it didn't stop there. "I'm the one doing this after all, I should be the one to take responsibility. Not anyone else. I want to get through all this without any other casualty than Aizen Sōsuke's, if mine is the price to pay for that world then I'll gladly pay it."

We both spoke out. "What?! No!"

I began speaking. "I'm alright with facing any consequences, I'm doing all this for you after all. If I hadn't, I'd-" I didn't know what I'd do. "I'd argue against it!" A lie. "You don't have to worry, the consequences don't mean that one of us has to die, just that things get uncomfortable. Let's do this, right Mila?!"

I turned to her. "Uh, yeah, it's not like he'll actually know anyway right? The plan's that those useless pencil pushers don't find us and we don't gotta hurt anyone."

Tier was quick to reply. "Yes. But do things ever go according to plan?"

Conflict really was inevitable. Even those without a Bankai weren't jokers when it came to this. Two skilled at finding and knowing what they shouldn't, I was skeptical about the odds of them not knowing what we were doing and finding us in the middle of our stay in Karuka. But still, Mila spoke. "We'll make it work!"

We were silent. All of us being absorbed by our thoughts. But then I realised the futility of that.

"Well," I spoke up. "Bit useless to be haunted by our own thoughts, we're going to do this because it's the only other option available to us, right? No point in second guessing ourselves."

My Lady looked to me. "Sung-Sun..."

I looked at her in turn. "Lady Harribel, do you doubt my conviction? You have saved my life, thus, I owe it to you. It's only natural, a woman such as you should go on to to live at the expense of a servant such as I. And maybe even teach others, that's why I cannot stand Aizen, Baraggan, Yamamoto or even the Soul King assuming positions of powers. Lady Harribel, I vow to you now, that if I live through this that I shall place you in the greatest position, that all may idolize you as I do." It was heartwarming, my heart and feelings laid bare for the person who I adored the most in this world.

Except Mila interrupted it "Y'know Sung-Sun that's probably not healthy. I'd say you get that checked out but there's no head doctors here."

"Mila!? You uncultured heathen! I knew you were no good at all! Interrupting my moment with Lady Harribel! You-"

"Sung-Sun..." I turned back to Lady Harribel. "I...thank you..." I looked down and blushed, pretending that they could see it. "But you're not alone. Seeing you now, I doubt only your body's capabilities, not your soul itself. And I never had the right to judge that for a second, so I didn't, and won't. We'll all look out for another." I looked up at her, those fine features, her eyes, her hair, her skin. I adored her. Completely and utterly. "And although I appreciate your vow...I'm afraid I can't take it." Lady Harribel held her pata to the air, displaying the flat side to me. "This sword does not exist to take lives, but to defend them. I will incur no casualties if I can. Not you, not Mila or Apacci will be harmed. Nor will I assume Baraggan's position as ruler." She closed her eyes.

Although I felt she was about to explain I couldn't help but speak. "I see...well, that can't be helped for now. I suppose I take the role of Fenrich then. But...you will see sense, all other braggarts are taking a position that belongs only to you. If you wish to seek power in a group, then I will give you an army, I-"

I heard a snort. "Listen to yourself Confucius, getting a bit ahead of yourself are we? Killing Baraggan and the Soul King? I didn't know snakes had such thick heads." Mila, the runt snorted. "Guess it can't be helped since you can be stepped on."

"Oh?" I began my retaliation. "What do you call a female kitten? Is it still a bitch? Perhaps runt since you're so small you can't even bite my head from down there, you slobbering ogre."

"Slobbering ogre huh? Well I'll have you know that-...wait! Was that an insult about my face?"

"What do you think you tangerine faced idiot?"

"Tangerine?! I don't even eat fruit or vegetables!"

"Still doesn't change that golem like face of yours, or the colour either. Is your skull hard enough that you attack with it? I've never seen you fight after all."

"You little-"

"Mila, Sung-Sun." Hm, guess I'd have to sort her out later, along with whatever colour her face is. "I'd never force someone to fight something that they don't want to. That's why all of you can walk away at whatever point you want to. What we're talking about is likely to get us all killed."

"Hm." I quietly hummed to myself and decided to let Mila Rose answer it.

"Are you posing that question to Emilou? Because we're more than ready Lady Harribel, there ain't nothing that's gonna stop us!"

Harribel was silent for a moment. "Alright then. Once we're a quartet we'll march onto Karuka Town and seize what we must."

And of course we'd be doing it Harribels way. Which meant killing as little as possible and parlay. Typically I'd hate that, but I knew what these two might be capable of...

But that would not stop me. If I adored Lady Harribel more so than I did myself, then I'll go and give my life for her purposes. No matter how overwhelming and alien our opponents were going to be. Ah well, we had time to grow stronger as Lady Harribel conversed with them.

I wasn't blind like Mila, I knew how wide the gap was, and we were going to close it. Then I could finally be rid of this dreadful hesitation.

I haunted the dreams of Shinigami for Gods sake! A little kitten couldn't stop me!

Wait...why a kitten? Oh, Mila, that's why. "So what is that shade of vomit Mila? With your name I thought you would have been going for red. Or are those spikes the thing that put the Rose in your name?"

"You!-"

Strangle To Death, Anaconda!

Omake, turn on!

What the hell?

I peered down from the roof, the lower half of my face being hidden by my sleeve, but my wide eyes gave it away.

"Hey..." Emilou and Mila looked at each other before deciding to let Mila talk.

"I thought you said he'd get his powers back?"

"I...I assumed that to be so..."

"Then why's he fighting with one arm?!"

Ichigo Kurosaki was indeed using just one arm.

And he was winning against Grimmjow.

Tier Harribel spoke up. "It was the way in which Sung-Sun must've used her powers. Young Ichigo's body had a spiritual, and physical liability for an arm, so everything seems to have fled to the other. In one way, he's become stronger."

Emilou spoke up. "Oh...he's gonna be so pissed once he figures out who you are Sung-Sun."

"Urghhh..." I can't believe this is happening to me! "This is unbelievable...I guess it's because I never let anyone lived after I used that part of my power on them...hmm...hmm..." I breathed in deeply.

I prepared to scream and shout.

Strangle To Death, Anaconda!

Post Script:

I'm updating this to an M rating by the way.

Tier is operating on the fact he isn't actually a Captain class Shinigami, not really. Since she's been told about all three ways to become a Captain and that the Zanpakutō of both aren't known by Cyan Sung-Sun, well...you see the wrinkle in the plan. The uncertainty of it makes it somewhat questionable. So many what ifs that'll kill you if any happen. All she was told was the Divisions.

Of course...Tier WOULD have suspected the existence of something like the Visored without being told of their existence. Ichigo and his power had to come from somewhere, and she knows that Aizen can't be perfect, can't get it all right in one, especially after hearing about the difference between natural Arrancar and marbled Arrancar.

Partly why she thinks he got in by recommendation than anything else. She knows Kisuke Urahara must've done it to Ichigo. Let's just say Kisuke occupies a very unique part of her mind and leave it at that shall we?

The intelligence to have basically done something that he never had to have seen is impressive. Aizen isn't clumsy, and Kisuke is an ex-Shinigami for a reason. A small puzzle in her mind. But there is a small measure of desperation forcing her to do such a casualty inducing thing like this.