Distant Futures

“Thank you, Captain.” Hanako said and bowed. So, it seemed that as of now she was a Fighting Fourth again. Who would have ever thought. Not so long ago she had held the plan to rise through the ranks of the First to one day stand beside Magnolia, Hime and others and behind the Captain Commander to put her life on the line for the Gotei, Seireitei, Soul Society and the Balance that they were sworn to defend. And suddenly all that changed. Although, as she noticed, the goal and the determination remained the same. Only now she stood at the side of Captain Kobayashi, together with the whole Fourth Division. Not bad, she’d say.

Hanako nodded.

“I can attest to the strength of Everfrost-san. I trained with her and only saw a fraction of her true power, but it was still almost overwhelming. To be honest I deeply admire her and am uncertain how she might react to this change. I hope she won’t see it as if I was abandoning the First.”

Hanako still stood in front of the bench. She felt it inappropriate to take a seat next to her Captain.

“I once saw the Captain Commander in person. I was quite far away but...I have heard that she is allegedly weak. Someone once even said to me that I could defeat her in a physical fight. But I find that hard to believe. I felt a power and presence emanating from her, different from anything else I have ever felt from any Shinigami. It affected even the strongest Individuals present. How can such a person be considered weak?”

She thought about all the people she had met. All the people she had sought out for help with her training.

“There are also people like Ulv Auber and Elyss Kishimoto. Both are very strong. I already fought on Elyss’s side once, not too long ago.”

She felt those were two names that should be added to the ‘assets’ the Gotei had. Elyss was serving in the Gotei anyway and Hanako was at least reasonably sure that Ulv was on their side. And there were some more she remembered, whom she’d met in the world of the living. Some possessed a strength so vastly different from any Shinigami that it was hard to gauge, like a certain demon and her goofy companion she remembered.

“Concerning fighting...I am ready for that. You probably remember that I am always up for a training or a sparring match. Well...most people know that, they see me running around the Seireitei after my shifts almost every day.
There is only one thing: I finally know the name of my Zanpakuto and it has granted me access to it’s Shikai. However, I...erm...haven’t discovered it’s full potential yet and I don’t know how well it is suited for training. So, should we need to step up the training to such levels I would hold back until I have learned enough about my Shikai to know whether it’s full power is safe to use under training conditions or not.”

Absentmindedly she patted the sheath of her sword. It was still the same, almost shabby looking weapon. But if Hanako had loved it already, simply because it was such a well-made sword and perfectly balanced, the affection she now felt for it was beyond any description. Sadly she didn’t realize that by loving her Zanpakuto she loved a part of her own soul, a knowledge that would be infinitely more valuable. But even so it felt like there was not only a weapon and a comrade in battle, but also at least a part of a family she must have had once, but couldn’t remember.

“If I may speak my thoughts...maybe we shouldn’t only work on our bodies. I know that you believe in our duty and our mission. I know that I do. It is what keeps me going, what gives me my determination. I...don’t talk about this a lot, but I really do believe in a greater good. If we could make our fellow Shinigami understand...I mean…”

She broke off. It was frustrating and embarrassing how fast she came to her conversational limits. The lack of practice could do that. So, how could she convey her thoughts?

“Hm...I don’t know how to express this. You know...if we can show somehow that we don’t do this for ourselves. I mean, the whole thing, the Fourth, the Gotei and all. Training and all that surely is for our benefit and fun.”

Talking shop about training and fighting was one thing. But conveying a feeling with words was a totally different story. Hanako just hoped Yoshitsune would understand what she meant. There were those that had a flame burning inside them. A flame to protect the worlds, to protect the Balance and guide the deceased to Soul Society. That was the traditional duty of the Gotei. A flame that was fueled by the knowledge to do something that really mattered. And what Hanako had tried to clumsily propose to her new Captain was that they should try to share that fire, try to lighten that flame in others. As corny as that may sound...

Hanako nodded as she listened to Yoshitsune’s words. The Captain Commander confused her. She knew little about Abalia, not more than was generally known about the woman leading the Gotei. But what her talents were, how she inspired so much confidence and trust to lead all Shinigami, while allegedly being not much stronger than a mere human. And then there was this...presence that Hanako had felt when she saw the Captain Commander in the flesh once. She had felt that. Abalia was definitely no ordinary human. Maybe she would ask Magnolia or Hime about her one day.

Once again Yoshitsune offered to help her with training, something Hanako would always gladly accept these days. There was always room for improvement. However, in the case of her Shikai, her concerns were elsewhere.

“Thank you, I would gladly accept the offer when there is time. But what I meant was the nature of Bakumusha’s power, not the scale. I will see if I’m right, when I have discovered it.” she said, half jokingly. Serious again she added:
“However, as I said, I can use it. For now it seems that Bakumusha is a melee type Zanpakuto.”

What the Captain had to say about the other divisions was grave. To her shame, Hanako had to admit that she never thought much about other divisions. She had her own work in the First and that was enough. Sometimes more than enough with the Realm Enforcement being responsible for the peace in all of Soul Society. But now she realised she had to broaden her view. And quickly.

“The Second and the Fifth...that’s Kido and Stealth, isn’t it?”

She thought about it. Wasn’t the Healing Corps part of the Second Division? If so this was indeed grave. They probably could use a stable and good Healing Corps. Hanako made a low grunting sound, giving expression to her concerns this way. Not just slowly, but suddenly and with might did she begin to realise the scale of their task. WIth so much of the Gotei in disarray, Captains missing or positions completely vacant, the Soul Society was more or less open for attack. It dawned on her how a group of Hollows could have managed to set up camp inside Soul Society. There was so much to do, so much to plan...and for Hanako so much to learn. It almost made her feel dizzy. So much at once.
At first she had been so surprised that she had just jumped in and talked about rebuilding, other Divisions and so on with the Captain. Now the reality of it had caught up with her.

Hanako hoped that Yoshitsune would have also read about the incidents with the Hollows in Outer Rukongai and the intel Hanako had uncovered about them. She was about to ask him about it and mention her recent avenue of research into the matter, when he left, so they would meet again at the Division later. or to be more precise: he vanished, flash stepping out of reach in an instant.

For a moment, Hanako stood there. She looked down at her right hip, the badge fastened there. Lieutenant Yamada. It had a ring to it. Well, she wouldn’t back down now.
She turned around and also left the scene, albeit considerably slower than the Captain. there was one duty she had to do, before she really could throw herself in at the deep end: She had to speak with the command of her...former...Division and clear out her quarters. At least the latter part would be easy: Hanako didn’t have many possessions.