Lost and found [Celes]

[Deleted]

Snowflakes fell as the temperature dropped in Karakura town. Despite it being noon, the dark clouds above blocked most of the light, sending the small city into a depressing-looking day. The only saving grace for that Thursday afternoon was the beauty of the snow, painting a pintoresque landscape with the lights of residential buildings, storefronts, and those placed for seasonal celebrations. A picture that, naturally, drew a curious Hollow who just couldn't keep themselves holed up in the same place for long.

Caballero hated the rain, since it got the little rags they considered their Shihakusho to get all wet, and their state was already poor enough that they wouldn't take too much extra punishment. However, snow was a different beast. More delicate, cool to the touch, fun to watch and play around in. Plus, whenever the little Hollow saw snow, they couldn't help but remember the first Shinigami they had officially met: Akira. He had accepted Caballero's challenge--and won, too!--, taught them a few things, and, over all, he did not try to eat them as every other living thing they had encountered before had. Well, calling Hollows 'living' might be a bit of an overstatement, of course.

Thus, the tiny little Hollow walked around the streets of Karakura, invisible to the few humans around. Their small size allowed them to easily get lost among the crowd, even for the spiritually aware. Around them, humans of all kinds and shapes walked up and down the streets. Some of them in groups, some of them in couples holding hands, some of them alone. Caballero didn't really understand any of that, but the Hollow watched them come and go as they walked as well, oversized head turning from one side to another. The lack of sun from the clouds also helped them remain out in the daylight for longer, but eventually their instincts would win, making them take a turn into a smaller, less crowded street, both to in search of proper shade and seeking to avoid the crowd. Being around far too many moving things without hiding could be deadly for a Hollow, no matter how much their curious, conscious mind wanted to keep gazing at the humans around them.

Caballero couldn't have walked for more than ten minutes when they heard something. The sound immediately threw the young Hollow into alert, making them turn around in search for any of their kin that may be stalking them. However, that was no hiss nor growl nor bark. It was not anyone taunting Caballero about how they would soon be consumed. No, it was the arrhythmic sound of someone sobbing. Naturally curious--and with part of them wanting to help--, the strange Hollow quickly through the streets, their tiny legs almost skittering on the pavement as they followed the noise to its very source. It made them take yet another turn to a smaller, more concealed spot that would nevertheless be easy to spot from above, just not at a ground level. Their young mind hadn't thought to use the roofs as a vantage point despite their abilities allowing them to do so, proving just how much they still had to learn.

At any rate, when Caballero turned the last corner, they found what they had been looking for. A lone Plus was there, sitting between trash containers in a way the Hollow recognized very well: they were hiding. Slowly but curiously, the little Hollow approached the Plus. It was a young woman in her teens, hugging her legs and bawling her eyes out. Sitting on that position, Caballero was at eye level with her.

"W-Who's there? Who are you?" she immediately asked in a loud voice, pressing her back against the wall. This startled Caballero, who was used to silence and, like any child, did not enjoy being screamed at. The little Hollow skittered back to a nearby trashcan, from behind which peeked toward the Plus. That gesture surprised her, causing her expression to shift from terrified to just mildly scared.

"I-I'm warning you. Back off."

Caballero did not leave. They left their hiding spot, and took slow steps toward the Plus. Luckily for them, not only were they actually kind of cute for a Hollow; their aura was also overflowing with positive energy. This seemed to improve the woman's disposition toward them, as if conveying a simple message.

"You... don't want to eat me?"

Caballero shook their oversized head side to side, but were still careful in their approach. They didn't want to get yelled at again, obviously! They were mindful and respectful enough that the Plus allowed them to reach her side before she broke into sobs again, although a bit quieter now. Perhaps she appreciated the unexpected company. Caballero placed the round tip of their tiny arm on top of the young woman's, as if offering comfort. In the meantime, their limited brain-power operated at maximum capacity, unearthing a memory that might be of help.

With the small weapon they had somehow acquired, taking the form of a small katana not unlike a miniature Asauchi, the tiny creature attempted to imitate the Shinigami they admired so much by taking the blade and gently moving the end of the guard toward the Plus's forehead. The poor Hollow figured that, just as a Soul Reaper performed Konso on a soul to send them to Soul Society safe and sound, they could just do the same. Unfortunately for them, the world just did not work that way and their weapon was not a Zanpakuto--not that they understood those facts, of course. Thus, Caballero attempted the maneuver again, and again, eventually drawing the Plus's attention after getting smacked on the forehead for the umpteenth time.

"H-Hey! What do you think you're doing?" she said, swatting their little arms away. Caballero hopped back again, not enjoying being yelled at, and tilted their oversized head in confusion. They had wanted to help her, but they hadn't expected this not to work.

"Listen, you should leave. There was... there was a monster. It attacked us at the same time, got my father. Mom escaped with my younger brother, but I... anyway, it may get you, too!"

Caballero didn't have much of a mind to understand the danger they might be in. But it did understand something, at the very least. The Plus wasn't alone. With that in mind, the little creature tapped the woman's index finger. Instinctively using Tendon, small, soft tendrils enveloped her right index finger, as if they were grabbing her hand. Caballero then gestured to pull her up, since they were very small, and not particularly strong.

"What are you...?"

Not really listening, Caballero pulled again and again until she finally got on her feet. They then jumped up and down happily, content that the Plus was willing to move. Staying still was bad. Staying still could get you killed. That was something they had learned in Hueco Mundo. With that in mind, they began moving with a singular purpose: find the Plus's family, and somehow save them all. As they walked, the little Hollow guided the Plus with its tiny hand, not unlike a child going for a stroll with a parent. However, their two brain cells hadn't figured out that they needed to know where to actually look for them, and it's not like they understood directions that well, either.

Thus, all on their own, they may not be able to help the Plus find her family... and a Hollow may attack them at any given time.

[Celes Castellanos]

The streets were practically barren. A thin layer of snow and ice covered much of Karakura as this years' winter rolled around. Harsher than most, many elected to stay inside and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa. Where some saw a chance for rest and relaxation, however, others saw an opportunity to learn. Quiet shivers and shifting snow filled the air as a woman stood alone in a park. It was none other than the Captain of the Tenth Division, Celes.

Her distinct lime hair turned snow-white as a thin layer of frost clung to it. As her foot sled through the snow, she took a deep breath. One would be forgiven for expecting her skin to be pale and lifeless from the extreme exposure to cold, but it would be quite the opposite. The girl was lively, shifting from one posture to the next with each breath. How could someone, even a Shinigami, function in such conditions? The answer was simple. Qi.

A fundamental principle of Chinese internal arts, Celes was positively overflowing with it. By harnessing the natural energy of her body, Celes could stave off the ravenous cold. In fact, it barely even bothered her. Nevertheless, her form was soon coming to a close. Arcing her hands upward, she allowed her two fingertips to touch before taking a last purposeful breath. Bringing both hands down together, she placed her left palm over her right fist and politely bowed.

Opening her eyes, she'd muse to herself softly, "Hmm. That should be enough for now." Taking a few steps over to a nearby bench, Celes grasped her twin Zanpakutō and tightened them around her hip. After all, it was time to get back to work. Every now and then, Celes would go to the Human World for patrols. She was sure that many Captains, even Vice Captains, likely found it above their station. Such work was best left to her subordinates. However, Karakura was special. It was a fountain of spiritual energy and attracted all kinds of powerful beings, not just Hollows. In other words, she was backup in case an Espada suddenly got bored and decided to wreak havoc. 

With that in mind, she briefly sighed. "Well, lemme have a look around, I guess." A moment later and the girls' body suddenly vanished.

Leaping from rooftop to rooftop, Celes kept her eyes peeled for any threats. After all, her ability to sense reiatsu was... barebones to say the least. Instead, she'd listen for any cries of distress. It was a worthy substitute. In fact, she'd pick up on something relatively quickly. "Get away! Leave us alone!"  The Shinigami's head twisted, focusing on its source, as she hummed softly. "Bingo." Wasting little time, the girl suddenly changed direction and rocketed off towards the sounds of distress.

---

Diving down alleyways and roads was a blackened, hulking form. Rampaging across Karakura, this beast had found its next meal. Blood dripped from its toothy maw, staining the snow underneath. After hunting its quarry for a few minutes, it finally found them as they delved down a dead end. Two lost souls, a young boy and mother whose hand he was holding. As they looked back towards the opening to the alleyway, the beast stood there and snarled. Without a second thought, the boy stood before his mother and exclaimed, "I won't let him get to you!" 

The Hollow slowly approached, dragging its sharpened talons along the ground. Two bloodthirsty eyes stared the pair down from its lupine mask. Unlike a normal wolf, this one stood on two legs and towered far above them. Sharpened crystals akin to icicles grew from its back. There was no question about it. This predator was built for killing! This, however, did not dissuade the young man. "You'll pay for what you did to dad, you monster!" Bluster and empty threats, however, could only get you so far. The Hollow reared back, ready to pounce and the other held her son close by. It was over!

That was, at least, until a figure descended from the rooftops. Falling onto the gentle snow, Celes stood and rested her hand upon one of her twin Zanpakutō. Her eyes were entirely focused on the creature as she spoke briefly. "No further." Needless to say, the pair of souls were stunned. The Hollow stood there for a moment, studying her. Its yellow eyes trailed up and down her form. A soft hiss quickly became a roar as shockwaves glided along the buildings and caused the very ground to rumble. The Captain, however, would remain resolute. She wouldn't even move an inch as her eyes narrowed. She knew that it was time to dance.

Without wasting another moment, the Hollow rushed towards. Once more, the claw scratched along the ground. This time, however, shards of ice briefly formed around it and with a swift swipe, Celes found a hail of icicles rush towards her. Then, the Hollow leapt. Taking a deep breath once more, Celes took a stance. A surge of reiatsu swiftly tore through her arms as she moved faster than the eye could track. As the icicles approached, Celes moved only as much as she needed to. Each movement was precise, knocking her fist into the coming icicles and redirecting their trajectory outward. Her eyes drifted upward and toward leaping Hollow. 

"Checkmate." She'd mutter under breath as she finally drew her Zanpakutō. This strike, even faster than the last few, struck at the Hollow with such force and speed that it had already been defeated before it knew what happened. Landing dozen or so feet away, its body slowly slid towards the trio before creeping to an eerie halt. Sheathing her katana once more, the girl sighed. "May you find rest and peace in Soul Society." As the Hollow began to dissipate into a cloud of spiritual energy, Celes turned to the survivors. 

"Well. You two should be safe for now, at least." The mother couldn't help, but stare at Celes with her mouth agape. She was barely able to choke out the words. "H- hhh- Wha-" The Shinigami couldn't help but chuckle softly. She knew that this was normally a shock for anyone. Besides, they had already somewhat resigned themselves to their fates. Nevertheless, she'd interject. "Take a deep breath. I can take you to a place where you'll be safe." Suddenly, the boy yelled at her, "Wait! What about my sister!" Celes simply raised an eyebrow in response. "Curious. A family of Plus? Or is the sister still alive?" 

The girl tilted her head. "I didn't see anyone around, but it'd be safer for you two in Soul S-" Once more, she'd find herself yelled at. "No! We have to go look for her!" The Captain couldn't help but sigh. She couldn't let these two souls get found by another Hollow as they waited. It seemed she had no other choice. Turning on her heels, the girl motioned at them. "Come. Let's go look for her." Almost on a dime, the boy's demeanor changed and he leapt from his mothers' arms, dragging her behind him. "Thank you so much, Miss! Umm.. what's your name?" As Celes began walk, she turned her head to look down with a brightened smile. "Celes. My name is Celes." 

[Deleted]

Caballero took the young Plus from the alleyway and back into the main streets of Karakura, back among the people. The snow did not seem to bother them at all any longer, now that their mind was fixed on a proper goal. Of course, the both of them being spiritual beings, they would go completely unnoticed by almost everyone they came across as they continued to walk. Eventually, Caballero took a turn to the right, fairly confident of the direction they were taking. Then, they took another turn to the right. Then, another. Another one not too soon after. The The young Hollow was so engrossed on the search that they didn't notice anything was even remotely wrong until the Plus called out to them with a sweet, yet mildly concerned voice.

"Uhm... little guy?", she said, perhaps because they still didn't know how to handle the creature. Caballero turned their oversized head toward her, looking up with those big, empty eyes that belied no thoughts whatsoever. She brought her free hand to her chin, then pursed her lips ever so slightly.

"So you can understand me!", the Plus exclaimed, but she became hesitant again in a second. "In that case, I didn't really want to say it, but... we've kind of been walking around the same block for almost twenty minutes."

Caballero kept staring at the teenaged Plus. Silence fell between them, disturbed only by the breeze weaving around the nearest postlights. Realization struck the friendly creature like a lightning bolt cutting through their mind. The tiny Hollow dramatically fell first to their knees and then to all fours in a comical bout of despair, only just realizing their inability to properly guide her. So far, the little creature had done nothing but wander around without any destination in mind. Whenever they had needed to orient themselves, they'd just gone up to a rooftop, chosen a direction, and continued walking only to lose any semblance of an estabilished path five minutes later. Ah, what a joke of a Shinigami they were. They couldn't even help sending a Plus to Soul Society, and they could not help a Plus even move around the labyrinth of buildings that was Karakura.

"Oh, it's okay! Don't worry about it!", she crouched beside them, gently stroking the back of their oversized, helmet-like mask. Caballero was unaware, but their antics had managed to at least draw a faint smile on the Plus's lips. It was not everyday that one ran into a creature like them, after all. This certainly was not like the monster that had attempted to eat them before. "Listen, you can leave orienting ourselves to me. I think I can find my way around town."

Before she could say anything else, however, the sound of a not-so-distant commotion echoed through the streets of Karakura. This had the immediate effect to snap Caballero out of their last state. The little Hollow jumped back on their feet, brandished their blade and quickly positioned themselves between the Plus and the source of the noise, scanning their surroundings. In their mind, whenever something made a lot of noise, that something was usually one of their kin. And a hungry one, at that.

"That... that may be the same monster that attacked us. My family might be there!" The Plus attempted to begin walking, but Caballero resisted by pulling a little on her finger with Tendón. If they went that way, their instincts told them they may run into a monster. A monster that, after fighting head on against another Hollow with Akira, they were not sure they would be able to fend off. Caballero was good at running, but they had only recently learned they weren't much of a fighter. Of course, since they could barely sense energy, Caballero was completely unaware that the monster had been effortlessly dealt with by someone unbelievably powerful.

Still, the could not keep the Plus from doing what she wanted. They at least understood that much. Thus, young woman was slightly surprised when the tiny Hollow skittered in front of her in a defensive manner, one of their tiny arms on their beat stick, the other still entangled around her index finger via Tendon. It was almost as if they were trying to become a shield for her. A very small shield, granted, but a shield nonetheless.

"Alright. You can lead the way, and I will tell you where I think we should turn. Do you think that sounds fair?"

Think may have been much of an overstatement, but the Hollow seemed satisfied enough with that plan. They nodded enthusiastically, and waited for the first set of directions to guide them to the source of the ruckus, or at the very least, close enough. All the while, Caballero kept their other hand on their dagger-sized katana, trying to focus on their surroundings so that the Hollow would not caught them unawares. They may not be able to do much else, but they would at least try to protect the Plus this way. They would bring her safely to her family.

[Celes Castellanos]

Leaving the opening of the alleyway, the Captain briefly scanned her eyes from left to right. There was no soul in sight. More than that, there were no Hollows that she could see. At least not in plain sight. There was a slight sigh of relief. She could easily take down most run-of-the-mill Hollows, however, she was effectively escorting two lost souls. There was some level of vulnerability since she knew she needed to protect them until they found this missing daughter.

Given that the coast was clear, Celes made a small motion for them to follow. Stepping out into the open street, Celes continued to listen as she slowly guided the two Pluses. Thankfully, there was little to no noise pollution to reconcile. If anyone approached, friend or foe, they'd have a chance to react even if they were out in the open. Hopefully, this wouldn't become an unnecessary hassle later. After all, the reservoir of spiritual energy that was Karakura could be host to powerful threats at times.

For now, however, there wouldn't be much to worry about. In fact, Celes felt a tug at her sleeve for a moment. Her eyes and the mothers' locked for a moment before she spoke. "Thank you again for saving my son and I, Miss Celes." The lime-haired Shinigami's cheeks suddenly flushed. They burned with a rosy tint. Her hand gently gazed the back of her head as she laughed nervously. "O- oh it's really not a big deal! It's part of my job. I'll certainly feel better when you all are in Soul Society. It's certainly safer than here." 

The mother nodded thoughtfully as the boy exclaimed as was par for the course. "Soul Society? What's that?" The Captain briefly hummed contently, "I guess... you can think of it like heaven. We Shinigami are its guardians." A glimmer of sorts arose in the boy's eyes. "Wowwww. So, you're sort of  like an angel, huh?" Once more, a blush struck Celes' cheeks. "One could say that..." Describing the Soul Society as heaven was the simplest allusion to the modern understanding of the supernatural that she could make. This description, naturally, oversimplified it.

The Soul Society was not some perfect paradise. It had its flaws. The Rukongai, especially in its outer districts, had crime. These outer districts were akin to slums and needed to be policed regularly to maintain social order. That was part of the problem though. There was rarely a time for a Shinigami to police these outer districts. They simply were not important enough to most of the upper echelons. That was, at least, until Celes began offering relief efforts after the Hell invasion. After all, these districts were struck the hardest. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that their aid was long overdue. The Seiretei had failed its own people, but Celes wanted to right those wrongs. 

As they continued walked, Celes would answer questions from the two Plus as they came up. Eventually they'd go silent and Celes could finally concentrate on finding this damn girl. She had no idea where to start. There were no leads. The only thing that was left was for her to systemically scour the streets of Karakura with her eyes as she continued to ensure the safety of her escorts. The two of them would begin calling out into the streets, "Clara! Clara! Where are you? We're worried!" "Sis! Say something if you can hear us!" Celes, in the meantime, kept her eyes peeled for any lingering threats. After all, the calls could potentially lead any nearby Hollows to them. She had to be ready to act at a moment's notice. To cut them down if necessary! One thing was for sure though. She wanted to find this girl sooner rather than later!

[Deleted]

With the Plus's guidance and Caballero's... well, good intentions, the two of them made their way toward the source of the ruckus without getting lost again. The Hollow kept dutiful watch of their surroundings, ready to intervene in case any of their kin tried to help themselves to a nutritious meal. While they did not notice or understand, the Plus felt a little strange, walking around so many people and being unnoticed by all of them. Only the Hollow that had attacked her and Caballero seemed to pay her any mind, which sparked her curiosity if nothing else. Talking to someone would also help to calm her nerves, even if that someone could not give them a spoken answer.

"Little guy, can I ask you a question?", she said, making Caballero turn their gaze toward her for a moment. With the two black, empty circles on their mask focused on her, the Plus understood that she had their attention. "You have a white mask, like that thing from before. But... you're not a monster, are you? You didn't try to hurt me. You were even a bit scared of me when I yelled at you". Her lips had curled into a soft smile as Caballero's head tilted ever so slightly, trying to make sense of her words. While complex queries were something that they still had a lot of trouble with, this one was simpler, so they could answer it. They gave a quick shake of their helmet-like mask before returning to watch duty. No, they were not the same. Beyond their delusions of being a Shinigami, the people and Hollows they'd met so far seemed to think so, at least.

"I knew it. I guess you really shouldn't judge a book by its-"

"Clara! Clara! Where are you? We're worried!" "Sis! Say something if you can hear us!"

Of course, they were too far away to hear the complete thing, but enough got to them that the young woman stopped dead on her tracks. She froze for a moment, making Caballero immediately worried that a Hollow had spotted them. However, nothing could be further from the truth. They were not in danger: it was the exact opposite.

"That's... my mother's voice! And my brother's, too!!!", the Plus said, her expression immediately softening up as worry and anxiety gave way to sheer happiness. They were alive. The Hollow had not killed and eaten them. Caballero turned their oversized head to look back, her sudden excitement also infecting them. The tiny creature moved the arm with which they gripped her finger, as if urging her to move forward so she could be reunited with them. They did not need to tell her twice, because the Plus broke into a run, nearly catching up with the tiny critter's speed.

Amidst the euphoria, a sudden thought flickered through the Hollow's mostly empty mind, although it was quickly buried by their self-imposed mission to bring the girl to safety. The other Pluses had said 'Clara', a word Caballero did not understand. Was that a name, like Akira's? And, if that was the case, if a Shinigami like Akira and a Plus like Clara had names, did that not mean that Caballero must have had one of their own?

Regardless, the young mind of the Hollow was not ready to ponder such existential questions yet, and so that bout of pensiveness was overpowered by giddiness as the two of them ran across the streets of Karakura. With the insistent calling of Clara's family to guide them, Caballero no longer had as many trouble orienting themselves, and they were able to consistently stay in the lead at all times. They almost forgot that Hollows could still be lurking nearby, and they certainly didn't stop to think that, even if they got the family together again, they would be utterly useless if another monster attempted to attack them.

Cutting through the streets and following their voices, Clara and Caballero finally took a turn that put two people in their direct field of vision. The moment Clara saw her family, the girl got even faster. Her running became a full-on sprint, overtaking Caballero and making the Hollow flail about in the air while they held on to her finger for dear life. Their small frame and very limited weight made this surprisingly easy for the young woman, fueled by the desire to take her loved ones into her arms. It almost looked like she was trying to fly a Hollow kite. Had Caballero had a voice, this would've been the moment to yell in surprise and beg her to slow down, but alas, the tiny Hollow couldn't even do that. However, being also excited to have finally brought Clara back to her family, they merely looked ahead--since everything was blurry, they did not notice who was also there, with the Pluses.

The moment Caballero felt Clara open her arms to almost crash into her parent and sibling, Caballero smoothly undid Tendón, letting go of her and gracefully landing on their two tiny legs. The Hollow watched the entire family tenderly embrace one another, a festival of happy sobs and grateful tears. The joy of reunion spread to them as well, and the little Hollow jumped up and down excitedly, their two little arms poking out of the rags that enveloped their body in celebration. Even the tiny creature understood that Clara was with whom she was supposed to be now... and only at that moment did they spot the woman behind the family, as if they were the dividing line between two different worlds.

Curious, the Hollow's head peeked from behind Clara's family to take a better look at her. They saw the Zanpakuto, and immediately lit up. Then, they saw the Shihakusho, and got even happier. Then, their big, black eyes noticed the white haori and Caballero's excitement turned into complete awe... and fear.

[Celes Castellanos]

As they kept walking down the quiet streets, Celes' tension slowly faded away. If there were any other Hollows seeking out these two Pluses, then they didn't seem to be around. After this brief reflection, the Shinigami let out a puff of air. "I really need to relax more." Thankfully, it seemed that the, admittedly short, search would be over. Amidst the calls for their missing family member, Celes could make out a very faint voice in the blowing wind. "That's... my mother's voice! And my brother's, too!!!

Stopping in her tracks, Celes turned her head in the general direction of the source. She couldn't perfectly pinpoint it, but she had highly developed senses which allowed her to make an educated guess. As she stared down the alleyway, the pair of Pluses she was escorting stopped. The mother tilted her head. As usual, the boy made his inquiry, "Miss Celes? Is everything okay?" Shifting her gaze over to the pair for a brief moment, Celes smiled. "Seems she must've heard you." Both of them looked at each other with a slight hint of confusion. Then the cogs began to move. Finally, it clicked. "W- wait! You can't m- mean.." 

Almost as if on cue, Celes took a step back and revealed the approaching form of Clara and her unsuspecting companion. As expected, the mother almost broke into tears right then and there and the boy, much like Clara, broke away from his mother to run towards Clara at full force. Upon overcoming her shock, the mother soon followed. Celes couldn't help but smile brightly. It was a heartwarming scene. It reminded her of her own Division. Each one of them came from different walks of life. They all had varying personalities. Hell, some of them did things that got on Celes' nerves. Despite all that, she still cared for each one of them likely family. 

As their sobs quieted down, however, Celes' eyes trailed over to an unexpected guest. It had a small frame, but almost immediately her eyes descended upon the white mask-like helmet. It didn't take much more than that for Celes to realize just what this critter was. "A hollow? What the hell?" As Celes looked down just a tad bit more, her amber eyes met Caballero's black swirling void-like eyes. They were as black as night itself. The strangest thing about all of this though? It was simply... staring at her? 

The Captain's eyes narrowed. This was undoubtedly a Hollow and yet it wasn't pouncing upon the Plus like a ravenous wolf. The green-haired Shinigami cleared her throat and calmly approached the family and the accompanying Hollow. Assuming that the Hollow wouldn't do much more than sit and stand, she could send these souls off to Soul Society. Perhaps then she could decide how to deal with the little one. "I am sorry to interrupt, but I need to send you all to Soul Society." Whether this was phrased to include Caballero or not was unclear.

Clara looked up and spoke softly. "Soul Society?" The girls' brother nodded. "Yeah, sis! Miss Celes is gonna send us to heaven." Once more the Shinigami nodded, a hint of apprehension in her voice as she confirmed, "More or less." She'd pause for a moment, staring at the Hollow somewhat suspiciously. She was looking for any sign of aggressive moment. Any hint or tell that Caballero was going to show some true colors. Still... nothing. In fact, the flickers of reiryoku that Celes could sense revealed a warmth not unlike Celes' own spiritual energy. She couldn't help, but hum at the revelation.

Conflicted and confused, her eyes returned to the group. "When I send you to Soul Society, you'll find yourself in the Rukongai, or District of Souls. You'll be safe there." This all seemed to be a rather run-of-the-mill process. That was until the mother made her contribution to the conversation. "Will we be together in this... Rukongai?" The Captain remained silent for a moment. Able to read her silence, the boy chimed in quickly, "No! We can't be seperated again! I won't allow it! We won't go!" The Shinigami cursed under her breath softly.

She couldn't just allow them to not go to Soul Society. After all, they would inevitably become Hollows if they weren't purified. Seems like she'd have to bend the rules a little. "-I'll f- fight y" Tensions were high, but Celes raised her voice above the boy's. "Enough!" There was a stern tone to her voice initially. After creating room to speak, she'd continue. "Listen. When you arrive in Soul Society, I want you to find one another and ask for a member of the Tenth Division. Tell them to organize for you all to be put into the same family. If they give you pushback, just tell them that whoever defies my order will by sparring partner for a month. Trust me, they won't take that chance..." Celes truly empathized with this family. She wouldn't let them be split apart like that.

Each one of them nodded briefly. "Excellent. Turn to me please." Each one of them turned towards Celes as ordered. All except for Clara. The girl, before following through, looked at Caballero and smiled brightly. "Thank you for helping me find them. I won't ever forget this!" The Captain's eyes briefly traveled over to the Hollow. "Huh. So it escorted her here then?" It seemed that this was becoming more and more bizzare. A Hollow that wasn't constantly hungering for more was already an oddity. A seemingly benevolent one? That was practically unheard of.

Nevertheless, Celes couldn't ignore this. Before she dealth with Caballero though, the Shingami slowly unsheathed her Zanpakutō and gently pressed the hilt against the mother's forehead for a brief moment. Allowing her reiryoku to pour into her, her body slowly dissapeared into the spiritual energy and in her place was a Jigokuchō, or Hell Butterfly. "Ah! What happened to Mom!?" Celes chuckled softly. An expected response from the Plus. "It's okay. Her soul was brought into Soul Society. Speaking of which..." She'd repeat the same process with the boy. Finally, she'd tend to Clara and allow her soul to pass over as well.

As the girls' body began to shine, breaking down into reiryoku, she gave Caballero one final smile before the Jigokuchō formed. The black butterfly flew over to the Hollow, fluttering before its mask for a moment. Afterwards, it gracefully flew away. Celes let out another puff of air and focused her attention to Caballero. Upon inspection, the Hollow seemd to wear rags. Not only that, but Celes caught a glimpse of a sword hilt along the Hollows' back. She stared at him silently, contemplating what to do. On one hand, Hollows were intended to be purified by Shinigami. They needed to be properly reintegrated back into the Soul Cycle. On the other hand, this Hollow was... unique? Needless to say, the girl was conflicted...

[Deleted]

The family reunion was heartwarming, but now that Caballero had made sure Clara was safe and sound, his Hollow instinct of survival had taken over the joy he had felt before. How could it not, when there was nothing else but a CAPTAIN of the Gotei 13 standing right before him? The mere sight of that white haori would be enough to send a shiver down the spine of a Hollow with any sort of worldly experience. Even if one didn't have any, and despite Caballero's inability to sense energy, it was impossible for them not to tell the difference in power between them at first glance. However, the Shinigami didn't directly attack, not yet; she merely eyed Caballero suspiciously. Their eyes met for a few seconds, and the tiny Hollow could feel their body trembling ever so slightly until she instead before returning her attention to the family of Plus.

Believing that they were not in mortal danger anymore was enough to, at the very least, allow Caballero's conscious mind to reemerge. With it also came back the deep admiration Caballero naturally felt toward one of the highest ranking Shinigami in all the thirteen squadrons. As such, they patiently waited and watched how a true hero handled this situation, instinctively knowing that Clara and her family were in good hands. Caballero hadn't even been able to perform Konso, after all; perhaps they needed a refresher on the technique?

Celes Shindazu, captain of the tenth division, proceeded to tell the souls they would be sent to Soul Society, where they would be safe. She explained enough the process to ease the minds of the Plus, all while still keeping an eye out for Caballero. The tiny Hollow misunderstood, and waved at her from their position, as if introducing themselves. The time for formalities would come later, once they would be face to face; they just wanted to let their superior know that they acknowledged her presence and that everything was alright on their end.

Clara's family only had issues with the purification ritual because there was no guarantee they would end together. Now, Caballero did not really get what Konso entailed, obviously--just that they needed to do it to help Pluses--, but what they did understand was that they should not be separated. Clara's tears were specially fresh on the Hollow's mind, and they bravely, or rather foolishly, began to approach Celes directly with the intention of standing in the middle ground between her and the spirits. However, the Captain's yell was enough to make them cower, not unlike before. Caballero skittered toward the nearest lighting pole for dear life, then peeked from behind while quivering in their non-existent boots.

"P-Please, don't yell! You'll scare the little guy!" Clara pleaded, defensively.

However, there was no need to fear for the family. Celes gave them a set of instructions that were too complex for Caballero to properly follow, but that seemed to appease the family, because they ended up nodding while still huddled close to one another. The little Hollow remembered Akira taking them on his arms in a not so different way. They still didn't understand, but a mild feeling of warmth surged from within his pitch-black, void-like body. Again, the Pluses looked to be safe. That was enough for Caballero.

Feeling better about the situation, the tiny Hollow came out of their obvious hiding spot, just in time for Clara to turn toward them with a bright, warm smile. "Thank you for helping me find them. I won't ever forget this!" Caballero felt fuzzy inside again, and waved a tiny arm from within their 'Shihakusho', bidding her farewell. Joy was infectious, specially for someone with a mind as young as the little Hollow; in fact, they kept themselves from jumping just to remain dignified in front of their Captain.

Now, it was finally time for the true goodbye. Celes went one by one, performing Konso onto the now-willing Pluses. The eldest would go first, and Caballero watched Clara's mother become enveloped in a faint glow as her body slowly turned to spiritual energy. Then, she disappeared without a trace, with only a tiny creature--even smaller than Caballero!--remaining in place, fluttering away from their sight. The humans were surprised, but the Hollow recognized the ritual, so they were not taken aback by it in the slightest. Clara's brother would be the second to go, now at ease after receiving yet another explanation from Celes.

Lastly, it was Clara's time to pass on to a safer place. When Celes performed Konso on her, she turned to Caballero one last time, and gave them a final smile. The tiny Hollow, who by this point had begun to feel a certain kinship with the Plus, took a subconscious tiny step forward; they would remain in place, however, as this was necessary. She too vanished in that flash of light, leaving behind only the Jigokuchō, that incredibly small creature. The butterfly didn't go off like the rest; it moved toward Caballero instead.

The tiny Hollow watched the butterfly flutter around their mask, and they slowly moved their two tiny arms out of the rags, as if gently reaching for the creature. However, in the end, it too took off, leaving Caballero behind with their arms still extended. Watching what they understood to be Clara leaving, the Hollow slowly lowered their arms, although they still kept looking until the butterfly was out of sight for them.

Now that the Plus were finally in Soul Society, Caballero's young mind focused on Celes. As dreadfully powerful as she was, her aura was... warm. The little Hollow wouldn't know, but that was similar to their own. Feeling a little more at ease, they respectfully walked up to Celes, never once making any show of grabbing their weapon. Once they were at a proper distance, Caballero bowed deeply; perhaps a bit too much, since they stumbled and had to wave their tiny little arms to balance themselves before hitting the ground face first. Of course, this bow wasn't just them acknowledging Celes; it was displaying both humility in front of a Captain, and gratitude for doing what they had been unable to.

Once they stood up again, rubbing their mask with one tiny arm, they studied the Shinigami with even more curiosity before realizing that there was one basic courtesy they had forgotten to observe. Whenever they had met someone, they had asked for Caballero's name. Unfortunately, the Hollow didn't even know that simple fact, but they had learned it was the proper thing to do.

They slowly bent one 'knee' and put their arm on the ground. A harmless usage of Tendón painted a very simple stick figure on the ground; a circle with two horns on the side of their head. Caballero pointed at the improvised shape and then at themselves, in the best way they currently had of making a proper introduction.

Hopefully, the Captain wouldn't take this as a Hollow trying to attack.

[Celes Castellanos]

Thankfully it seemed as though the situation would de-escalate rather quickly. The Pluses had been properly informed which seemed to calm their nerves. Additionally, a set of instructions was given to ensure that the family would remain together once they passed on into the Soul Society. As the Captain finished the final Konsō, her eyes followed the Jigokuchō that had been formed. Almost as though the girls' consciousness had been imprinted onto it, the black butterfly slowly approached the Hollow and remained there for a moment.

Responding in kind, the Hollow seemed to raise its hands to touch the butterfly. Before it had the chance, the little critter departed with another wingbeat. It was quite charming, to say the least. Seemed that this Hollow had built quite a rapport with the young woman. Needless to say, the Shinigami was intrigued. Celes' trained her eyes on this little Hollow after that cute little display. Locking "eyes" with the Hollow, Celes watched it slowly walk up to her.

The Captain remained unmoving. It wasn't in her nature to strike at anyone who wasn't picking a fight. This was the next feeling she got as she observed the Hollows' movements. There was a carelessness to its stride. Though purposeful it was not with malice. Celes' eyes narrowed as kept watching its movements. Then... the unthinkable struck. The Captain's eyes widened in shock. "W- what the... what's going on..." This Hollow was actually bowing to her! She was at a loss for words and utterly frozen. 

The tension in the air suddenly lightened up as the Hollow comedically tried to regain its balance by flailing its little arms. It fell over with a softness into the snow below. Celes cheeks flushed a light red. The girl slid her hand in front of her lips as she giggled to herself gently. "Clumsy little thing, aren't ya?" There was a bit of a motherly, doting tone to her voice. Leaning down and gently gripping the Hollow's blackened arm, she helped them straighten back up. Next? She'd greet the Hollow with a bright smile.

This entire situation was odd, even to her. Celes knew Hollows to be bloodthirsty beasts who struck at every living creature around them. Their ravenous hunger knew no bounds and they even, eventually, came to turn upon one another in their quest for more power. Yet here this Hollow was, given a perfectly good opportunity to devour not just one Plus, but three of them. Celes' presence may have worked to dull its survival instincts, but they usually attacked, nevertheless. Despite that opportunity, the Hollow had not only let the Plus go, but actively escorted them to their family. 

She tilted her head for a brief moment as the Hollow went to one knee. Manifesting another arm from beneath its cloak, it seemed to make markings in the snow. After some time, it began to shape into a drawing of sorts. The drawing possessed little finesse, but Celes saw the Hollow pointing to themselves. Ever since meeting with the Shikai of the Captain of the Second, Celes had gotten better at interpreting nonverbal cues. Her hand briefly brushed the snow. "Huh. So this is you?" 

It was rather charming and seemingly innocent in its own way. The girl hummed to herself softly. She had taken notice of a small detail. This Hollow didn't talk. Not a single word. If nothing else, it seemed to emote. Clearly there was sentience here. Anyone could see that. "That begs the question... does it not talk due lacking the ability to or by choice?" Despite her thoughts on the matter, the Captain gently pressed her hand against her voice. Hollow or not, it had introduced herself. It would be impolite for Celes not to respond in kind. She'd point to herself as she spoke, "My name is Celes. I'm the Captain of the Tenth Division, one of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads." She'd pause for a moment as she hummed to herself again. "I have to admit... you're not like any Hollow I've ever met." 

[Deleted]

After falling mask first onto the snow, Caballero was nothing short of mortified. It was hard to blame them, considering that the soul they had been in their past life all but worshipped the Shinigami. To stumble and crash as they bowed, on their first encounter with one of the highest ranking members of the Gotei 13, made the tiny creature experience shame and embarrassment like never before, if that was even possible. It was even worse, hearing Celes giggle after that pathetic display. However, Caballero had misunderstood her amusement, because she was soon right next to them, helping them up again and saying that they were a clumsy little thing. When the Hollow looked up at her, surprised at the sudden contact, their instincts were subdued by the fact that she was smiling.

Caballero had seen their brethren flash a grin towards them, typically when the beasts thought them cornered and with no chance of escape. This, however, was a different kind of smile. There was nothing menacing or threatening about it; in fact, it even put the tiny being slightly at ease, completely subduing the previously only suppressed bestial instincts that told Caballero to run for their lives. They looked up at her with their big, void-like eyes before fully processing what she had just said. 'Clumsy little thing?' Of course not! Caballero was big and strong, and they weren't clumsy. Perhaps in an urge to impress a Captain of the Gotei 13, the little Hollow shook their head side to side, then put both tiny arms on its non-existent hips and puffed their chest out slightly. Of course, them being so nervous made the 'slightly' turn into 'too much', making them lose their balance for a second time. Unlike the first, however, Caballero quickly stepped back and recomposed their stance, hoping that the Shinigami wouldn't have caught that... although any bystander would've been able to tell. The fact that they had been able to learn from the previous experience should be the final clue into the tiny being's sentience.

Celes kept observing them as they made the quick drawing on the snow via Tendón. She quickly understood that they were introducing themselves, asking whether the drawing was Caballero as her hand trailed over the snow where their black tendrils had previously extended. The little Hollow nodded a few times, their arm back to its tiny size and stubby shape. They then looked to Celes, with their head tilted. After they recent experiences, they were now expecting that the Shinigami would speak--that had been the pattern so far. Step by step, with great efford and dedication, the lost creature was unraveling the secrets and mysteries... of the most basic forms of human communication. Truly, a mind to impress all sentient beings in the world!

Soon, Celes would introduce herself formally as the Captain of the Tenth Division, a title that would awaken a paralyzing fear in the heart of most Hollows, and complete admiration in Caballero's. This wasn't like meeting any other human, or any Shinigami, even, so the little creature did not know how to act. They fidgeted a little bit, looking away for a few moments. Part of them wanted to challenge her to a friendly duel, but their survival instincts simply would not allow them to. Title alone implied just how skilled she was; Caballero didn't need to test her mettle with the sword, no sir.

She got their attention back when she said that they were not like any other Hollow she'd ever met. That same assessment had been said not too long ago by the first Shinigami they had ever encountered. Silly Akira and silly Captain Celes! Caballero was not a Hollow, of course not! No, Caballero was a Shinigami. Perhaps they didn't see their Shihakusho and their Zanpakuto, since they were so small? Confused that they wouldn't, considering they were fellow Soul Reapers, Caballero would get closer to Celes and tapped on her uniform first. Since the Captain had made physical contact before, their instincts thought this action to be safe. Then, they pointed at the rags covering their body--their own uniform. This same process was repeated as Caballero pointed to Celes's Zanpakuto first and then presented their own. The fact that the tiny Hollow had somehow gotten their little hands on a katana that was conveniently shaped to be suitable for a being of their own height only helped the creature's mental gymnastics, cementing the belief that they were a Soul Reaper.

Still, the Captain may have not been convinced at a first glance. Thus, as if to prove their point, Caballero recounted the rather short example of their actions as a Shinigami so far. After stepping back a short distance, they turned to the right and used Tendón to form a sort of head with a gaping maw--they would've made roaring noises if they could. Then, they moved ahead, turned the opposite way, and played the part of a scared Plus, making a frightened gesture. Finally, they would brandish their katana and jump right to the middle point between the two representations, pointing the tip of the sword at the imaginary enemy. For someone as experienced as Celes, it probably would be easy to tell that the tiny being's stance was full of holes. Bad leg placement, leaning too much on their good side, perhaps even the grip on the blade itself. After all, they were completely 'self-taught', if one could call following their instincts such. They would then turn toward where he had represented the Pluses, and use the hilt to mimic the same Konso ritual Celes had just followed with Clara and her family.

Believing their stunt to be fairly convincing, Caballero would turn to Celes and tilt their head in curiosity, waiting for her response. That explanation was as complex as the tiny being's mind could handle, so hopefully it would be sufficient. Never once through the entire representation, however, had Caballero pointed their blade at any of the humans wandering around them, oblivious of the friendly encounter between the captain and the oxymoronic being.

[Celes Castellanos]

Having finally introduced herself, Celes watched the movements of the Hollow. She picked up on the gentle shakes that this critter seemed to experience. Was this fear? The Captain wasn't sure. This one did not seem to be utterly by a hunger like its peers. The Hollow had already demonstrated a courtesy that made it come across as more of a Shinigami than anything else. Ironic given the Hollow's reaction to Celes comment about its behaviors.

Shortly after, the tiny figure began to approach Celes. She continued to hum softly, unflinching at the Hollows' approach. It was a bold move but the Captain wasn't particularly worried. She was a decorated Officer of the Tenth Division, a Squad which prided itself on its combat prowess. Celes was no different. She could easily cut this Hollow down. However, the girl also had a soft side. She was not about to strike at anyone who did not mean her any harm. There were exceptions, of course, but this was not one of them.

Upon briefly placing its hand on the girls' Shihakusho, the Hollow moved its hand to the torn and tattered rags it wore. The Captain's eyebrow raised for a moment. Almost as if to confirm her suspicions, the critter now pointed at her Zanpakutō. It then went ahead to brandish its own. Celes' eyes danced all across the small edge. Its craftsmanship left much to be desired, but it was perfectly crafted for the Hollows' stature. The display of the blade didn't seem aggressive. Quite the opposite. The Captain felt a sense of... kinship emanate from the Hollow. She couldn't help but bite her lip as she held back a boisterous laugh. 

The courtesy it had shown this far, its escorting of Clara just a few minutes ago, and the Hollows respect for Celes all began to click into place. "Huh... does this little one really try to act like a Shinigami? Could it even believe itself to be a Shinigami?" Part of her doubted the latter, but Hollowdom had a way to warp the victims' mind. Instead of bastardizing and perverting their very duties, the Hollow seemed to want to be a part of it. At this point, Celes was utter disbelief. It was mind boggling to know that such a Hollow existed.

To further drive the point home, the Hollow even comitted to a bit of a "scene". Using the extension of its blackened form, the critter seemed to reenact some kind of a scene. The extension coiled to make a "scary" face with a gaping maw. Then the Hollow seemed to cower before the prop, pleading for its life. "Another Hollow perhaps? Maybe even a Plus?" There was a clear language barrier and Celes was struggling a little with the specifics her interpretation. Perhaps watching would reveal more? Almost as if on cue, the Hollow "jumped" in between the two and drew its blade to face off against the Hollow. 

A little curious, Celes did indeed take note of the Hollows' stance. It was... well. Serviceable would be a kind gesture. Just from a glance, Celes could tell that the Hollow did not have much experience. It's balance was entirely off, its grip was too tight, and its stance left much to be desired. Almost instinctively, Celes drew her Zanpakutō. Using the flat of the blade, the Captain gently tapped against the Hollow's stubby legs. She wanted to shift the left leg to the side. Carefully moving her Zanpakutō again, the Captain used her blade to attempt to move the Hollows' mask-like head a little back to even out its balance a little more. Assuming that the Hollow was receptive to the Captain's advice, it would find a much more stable base from which it could pivot a lot better.

Smiling a little at her work, Celes blinked as she realized what she had done. She gently slid her hand upward to her lips as she giggled softly. Much like with Kimiko in the past, the Captain's nurturing instincts had kicked in as she did her best to assist the Hollow. If the Hollow continued, Celes would see it utilize the hilt of its blade while turning to face the "Plus". She'd immediately pick up on it. This was meant to be Konsō. She smiled for a brief moment as it reminded her of Rose. After all, the Nakabakki Quincy had used some of her own reiryoku to fashion weapons that could purify Hollows. "Hmm. I wonder how Rose is doing of late..." 

Shaking her head a little bit, the Captain returned her focus to the tiny Hollow. She hummed softly as it tilted its head inquisitively at her. Was it awaiting some kind of response? Celes gulped for a moment and sighed. "I see. So we are one and the same, you and I?" She'd smile for a moment. If the Hollow agreed, then Celes tapped her finger briefly against the thin layer of snow. Was it right for her to feed the critter's delusion? To allow it to continue its antics? Perhaps it could be of great benefit to Soul Society. The Captain smiled for a moment as she gently tapped the Hollow on its white mask-like head almost as though she was patting its head. It seemed that not even a Hollow would be safe from her doting.

[Deleted]

Celes's expression remained rather unchanged throughout the first part of Caballero's little representation. Given the Hollow was not the best communicator, it was hard to blame her; still, the tiny being continued with their antics, perhaps way too focused on that now to remember that they were effectively playing a rather silly game of charades with a Captain of the Gotei 13. They continued to mime their little scene, only really interrupted the moment they brandished their blade in a mimicked attempt at defending the imaginary Plus behind them.

At this point, Celes took out her Zanpakuto; Caballero was too engrossed in their play to notice. With the flat of the blade, she gently nudged the Hollow's tiny limbs into a proper position, rather than the haphazard placement that they had been using so far when fighting. She began with their stubby legs, shifting their weight ever so slightly. Then, she moved on to the Hollow's oversized, helmet-like mask that covered their entire 'head' and easily made up almost a third of their body. Another slight press of the Zanpakuto made Caballero move it back a little, ensuing it would not be lunging forward.

It all clicked.

Had they had any proper eyes--beside the big, void-filled holes on their mask--they would've opened wide. Caballero's already low center of gravity had only shifted position ever so slightly, but for some reason the tiny Hollow felt infinitely less encumbered by their own weight and body. The Hollow attempted to take a step to the left, then another to the right. From that stance, their stride was shorter, but the degree of maneuverability was much higher. Thanks to their tiny size, Caballero was able--and required--to kick the ground at a much faster pace than anyone else in order to move around the battlefield. This new stance allowed them to make the most out of it, at least for their current experience level. There was still a lot of room for improvement as far as the tiny creature was concerned, but this was a definite start, a point from which they could continue to develop.

They turned toward the captain with nothing but definite glee. As if to showcase it, the Hollow mimicked their stance they had just been taught, and took a few steps here and there, running a few quick laps around Celes. Their effective speed might have increased after that quick lesson, although in her eyes they would probably be as sluggish as before. Even so, the tiny Hollow was always eager to learn, and their young, developing mind absorbed things like a sponge. It might be surprising, but Caballero was far better at picking up new things than they may have seemed at first glance.

After getting through the rest of their play, the end of Caballero's representation made Ceres hum for a moment. The tiny Hollow saw her sigh, an action that the creature could not know was good or bad, but then the Captain said the same thing Akira had during their first encounter. "I see. So we are one and the same, you and I?", she asked with a smile on her lips. Finally knowing that they had gotten through Caballero's oversized head bobbed up and down in a funny nod, happy that they'd managed to express themselves correctly. It wouldn't do good for a Shinigami to be unable to communicate with the rest of the squads, after all!

The captain then tapped the snow where Caballero had painted, which had the side effect of beckoning the tiny creature closer, not unlike a curious animal. The Hollow was then surprised by Celes gently placing a hand on top of their big head, almost as if she was patting it. Of course, this kind of positive physical contact was something that may seem innocuous to many, but for a Hollow like them, it was a bigger deal than it might seem. Being part of a race that thrived on conflict and death--even hunting their own brethren to gain power--, if something managed to grab you or reach you in any way, then they would most likely be doing so to damage or kill you.

This was different. It was the second time the tiny Hollow had been on the receiving end of such doting, but their young mind still couldn't wrap itself around it. All that they understood was that the warm, fuzzy feeling spreading inside them was pleasant, and that they were no longer shuddering under the Captain's presence. Looking up at Celes with her hand still on the mask, they looked at her in an almost wide-eyed way, as if she could explain exactly what was going on at that moment. Then, they remembered that the last time this had happened, the Shinigami had left them behind moments later. Even though Caballero had actively done their best to told Akira that it would be alright, the Hollow had learned--throughout their many interactions with humans, Shinigami and other beings alike--that they did not like being alone. Of course, a child-like being would be hasty in forming attachments to any source that gave them positive feedback.

Perhaps instinctively, perhaps consciously, the Hollow moved one of their stubby arms to Celes's Shihakusho, very small tendrils wrapping around the black fabric and clinging a little to it. Only moments later did they realize that they were dealing with a Captain of the Thirteen Squads, and thus Caballero attempted to behave with a warrior's decorum. It wouldn't do them well to cling, but their subconscius wanted to know whether Celes would leave soon--even though, consciously, Caballero knew Shinigami lived in Soul Society. The poor thing's mind was nothing short of a mess, but conflicting natures would easily do that to a being like them.

Thus, to clear their doubts, they drew something else on the snow, three separate pictures where fewer people had stepped on. The first one had two stick figures again; one of them representing Caballero with the big head and horns. The other one was taller, had a few lines meant to represent hair, and, after looking at Celes again, the Hollow added eyes and a smile. The second picture, linked to the first with an arrow, was of Caballero standing alone, next to a bigger circle meant to be a portal. Finally, the third was just Caballero, standing alone. A little messy, and difficult to get any point across, but the Hollow wanted to know.

Would they be wandering the Human World on their own again?

[Celes Castellanos]

So the truth had finally been revealed. Through a mighty gesture, the Hollow had revealed themselves as a "Shinigami". As she gently tapped the top of the Hollow's head, she briefly reflected on another moment. The day she had been sent to assess the Septima Espada's presence within the World of the Living. In much the same way as this Hollow, Ailene Haschiro seemed fairly peaceful and courteous. Knowing her ties to Camila had sent the Captain berserk though. It was one of the few times that Celes had attacked someone without provocation. She hummed to herself softly again until her concentration shifted to the Hollow.

For the briefest of moments, Celes could feel small tendrils grip at her Shihakusho. Shortly thereafter, it had moved away from her and went to draw more shapes in the snow. Celes' eyes briefly darted over the first drawing which showed a small critter and a stick figure with hair and a smile. The Captain couldn't help, but giggle softly. "How flattering." Despite the need to interpret each time that the Hollow tried to communicate with her, Celes didn't find it annoying. Quite the opposite. It was... charming. Extending an arrow outward from the first drawing, the Hollow seemed to draw another. This time it was the tiny critter besides an ominous circle. Needless to say, Celes was a little confused.

Nevertheless, it seemed that there would be more. A final arrow linked to a third drawing and showed a drawing of the tiny critter standing alone. Despite using no words or extreme detail, Celes could sense a bit of loneliness from the third drawing. Her eyes shifted quickly, looking at the Hollow, locking with its large swirls of void. The arrows definitely displayed some kind of timeline. Could the portal have been a Senkaimon? Was... this Hollow worried about her leaving? 

The girl let out a small puff of air. She couldn't take this Hollow with her. Not only would there be countless questions, but she'd likely have to deal with the old man for shirking her "divine duty". That would be a headache for all involved. Not only that... but this little Hollow would be condemned without a shadow of a doubt. It could do so much good here as a Hollow rather than languishing as a Plus in the Upper Districts of the Rukongai. However, she also couldn't just sit here and look after them... 

She sighed. This was quite the conundrum. Nevertheless, her motherly instincts took over rather quickly. "Oh, poor thing. No worries. I can stick around for a bit!" She gave a bright smile to accompany her words. Admittedly, a part of her was a little curious about that blade that the Hollow carried. Despite its improper form, Celes could see the beginnings of a swordsman. As she helped balance out the Hollow earlier, it immediately seemed to acclimate and even played around with its new sense of freedom. It reminded her of her first time holding a blade at Shin'ō. 

The girl rose to her feet and let out a soft groan as she stretched. She'd lower her eyes to meet the swirling black voids once more, offering a smile as per usual. Her eyes became trained on the blade that rested upon the Hollows' back. "How did it get its hand on a blade, I wonder? What made it believe that it was wielding a Zanpakutō?" These were all questions that swirled around in Celes' mind. Part of her really wanted to challenge the fledgling to a duel. To really test its capabilities. She briefly thought about it before discarding the idea. "Most Unseated Officers are scared to face me. There's no way such a little thing would be wanting to go toe-to-toe with me... right?" 

[Deleted]

The tiny critter was getting used to Celes's giggling. As opposed to the taunting cackles of the Hollows they had faced in Hueco Mundo and the Human World, Caballero liked the sound. In their innocent mind, they had just made a new friend, and if their friend was happy, then how couldn't they be happy, too? Thus, they kept at their drawings, feeling a little more at ease, but still fearful that they'd be left alone again. By the time they had finished their third drawing, Celes understood what they had meant to say, letting out a soft puff first, and a sigh a little later. It was far too early for Caballero to understand the type of problems she'd throw herself into if she didn't return to her duties, let alone if she took them with her to Soul Society. A Captain, being buddy-buddy with a Hollow? It would be an outrage.

At the very least, the Hollow's concerns were eased when she said that she could stick around for a bit. Past that childish behavior, however, a small part Caballero's mind understood that staying "for a bit" meant that she would be leaving soon. This would be completely understandable for anyone with the slightest capacity for understanding the real world, but the tiny Hollow didn't have such luxury. Regardless, they nodded, and once again felt happy that she was smiling. Smiles were also good, they meant friendship. Perhaps the Hollow was skipping far too many steps, but that was just how they worked.

Caballero noticed that the Captain wasn't staring directly at them. No, Celes was looking behind them, and when they turned their oversized head to see, they found the hilt of their blade. The little Hollow took a few moments, but when they finally interpreted what the Shinigami may have been thinking they quickly turned back to look at her, almost in awe. It couldn't be, could it? Did a captain of the Gotei 13, one of the highest ranking Shinigami, actually find them worthy enough of dueling them? This could surely not be happening, could it? No, no, surely this had to be wrong! However, during the following moments, the idea quickly took root in Caballero's conscious mind. The tiny critter realized that the only way to be completely sure was to actually issue a challenge. Now, with the Hollow instinct for survival finally subdued now that they innocently believed Celes would never harm them in any way, Caballero was finally able to do just that.

The tiny Hollow quickly skittered back, then looked around just in case any human would be near so they would not hit them with their blade. After ensuring nobody would get harmed, the tiny being struck a pose first, bowing to the Shinigami--making sure they would not lose their balance again!--and then taking the blade from their back, a stubby arm envelopping the hilt via Tendón. Perhaps not surprisingly, given their capacity for adapting and absorbing new lessons, Caballero entered a battle stance with the corrections Celes had just showed them. The tiny Hollow pointed its weapon to Celes for a few seconds, and then swung it to the side as a declaration of intentions.

Fear them, if she dared...! Or something to that effect. After all, there was not an iota of malice in Caballero's aura, their intentions, or swordplay. In fact, a creature with their appearance trying to look tough would probably look adorable rather than command any respect whatsoever.

Now, while their dismal ability to sense energy kept them from knowing just how completely and utterly out of their league they were, Caballero knew what the Captains were: the most powerful Shinigami, and as such, the tiny Hollow's biggest heroes. They were those who fought for the safety of everyone in Soul Society and the Human World; as such, there could be no bigger honor for the little creature than to be recognized as worthy of challenging their mettle. Of course, if Celes did accept the duel, anything she may do that didn't result on Caballero's immediate loss might be her simply doting on the tiny Hollow a little more.

If it was about testing their own abilities, then this would be the ultimate challenge. Caballero could only feel excited at the prospect of fighting her on a friendly bout; so much so that they had actually forgotten about setting up a point system like they'd done a few times before. This battle would directly show them where they stood in this world... for good, or for bad. For how would a Hollow react, when coming face to face with their own weakness? How would they fare, confronting the reality that they were at the lowest of the low, when their opponent was at heights they couldn't even hope to discern from the mud?

Needless to say, Caballero did not attack first. They had stated their intentions, and now had to wait for their opponent's answer. Thus, they would not move until Celes accepted the duel, and both parties were prepared to begin the fight. Regardless of the difference in level, the tiny Hollow's customs dictated that they would conceded the first move. As the challenger, it was only the polite thing to do.

[Celes Castellanos]

It seemed that her stare had not gone unnoticed. In fact, it allowed another thought to blossom in the tiny critters' mind. As the Hollow skittered backward, it'd stare back at Celes. The Shinigami tilted her head in confusion. Her mind raced. "Ahhh! Did I do something to scare them?! Almost on cue, the Hollow bowed to Celes once more before brandishing their blade. "Wait... they couldn't be..." Soon the blade would be pointed at her before slashing to the side. The Captain stared in disbelief. 

The Hollow would be unmoving. It simply stared at Celes with anticipation. This practically confirmed the Captain's suspicions. The etiquette, formality, even the ritualism of it all pointed to one thing. "A duel?" It seemed that the Captain and the Hollow shared a great many traits after all. Almost as if able to pick up on her thoughts, the Hollow surprisingly issued her a challenge for a duel. Given their delusions, Celes did not believe it to be a malicious act either. Perhaps they simply wanted to prove themselves.

Needless to say, this fed into Celes' hunger for battle. She loved good sport and this kind of scenario was downright perfect! The girls' eyes practically lit up with excitement. Her hand lightly grazed her Zanpakutō as she hummed. Finally, she'd declare, "It's not often that I get challenged to a duel. Such conviction should be rewarded!" She grinned and sunk her stance a little. "I accept your challenge, little warrior!" Her eyes quickly darted around, surveying her environment. As she did, her hype died down a little. 

They were in the middle of Karakura. More specifically, the residential district of the town. Celes had incredible self-control and rarely used her full force, but accidents did happen on occasion. Besides, their skirmishing could attract more Hollows and even other unsavory folk. Needless to say, she didn't want their fight interrupted by some Quincy. The girl lowered her hand and relaxed a little, likely to the Hollow's dismay. Was she going to deny them their duel after all? 

Nope. Quite the opposite, in fact. Approaching the tiny Hollow before them, Celes knelt down so they were roughly eye to eye. "I'm so sorry to inconvenience you, but I don't think it'd be wise to have our bout here." Then where were they going to have their skirmish? Celes wasn't entirely sure either. They couldn't go to Soul Society, after all. Perhaps it'd be wise to allow the Hollow to decide. After all, they issued a challenge and with it, the terms. "Do you know a good place to go? Preferably somewhere open where nobody else would be at risk?" As usual, she'd smile, warmth and positivity practically radiating from her. 

[Deleted]

The tiny critter was incredibly happy when the Captain not only accepted their proposition to a duel, but also seemed rather happy that they'd chosen to do so. "It's not often that I get challenged to a duel. Such conviction should be rewarded! I accept your challenge, little warrior!". Those words inflamed the little Hollow's competitive spirit, and they jumped up and down a bit to express their glee.

Caballero's excitement would be short lived, however, as Celes quickly brought their duel to a stop before it had even begun. She apologized for the inconvenience, shedding light on a particularly important issue: the middle of a crowded street was not the time nor the place for anyone to have a fight of any kind. The tiny Hollow looked at their surroundings; with the eagerness to test their mettle slightly subdued, they finally realized that they might be putting the humans around them in danger. That was nothing a Shinigami would do, no, sir! Bobbing their heads up and down in a nod, Caballero acknowledged the Captain's well-warranted concerns. Nothing like this had happened to the Hollow before, so they were unsure on how to proceed until Celes suggested that they could have their "battle" someplace else, perhaps somewhere else, in an open area where nobody would be at risk of getting harmed because of collateral damage.

The tiny Hollow tilted their head to the side, and then mimicked one of the people they'd met before and folded tiny, stubby arms in front of themselves, mustering all the limited power in their braincells to think of a place that had the characteristics that Celes had described. The sight wouldn't be unlike witnessing a child doing their best to ponder the correct answer on the complicated conundrum of that was whether to have pancakes or waffles for breakfast. Hopefully the Captain would be patient, because Caballero was not precisely the most educated of Hollows.

Then, after what may have been between half a minute and forty-five seconds, they realized there was somewhere they could go that would not put any humans or Pluses in danger. Someplace open... if a bit inhospitable. They quickly unfolded their arms and lightly jogged back to Celes's side, drawing her attention to them by pulling on her Shihakusho--even if she was looking at them already. Then, Caballero painted a much simpler picture: a desert with many scary faces, and a crescent moon. Hueco Mundo. Since the Captain had put the choice on them, the tiny creature made the decision rather unilaterally, and immediately put themselves to work. After all, if the Captain knew somewhere else they could go, she could always let them know and they would respect their superior's command. It was just the proper thing to do as an unseated officer!

There was just one thing. As a Hollow, it fell on them to somehow open a passage into Hueco Mundo. Of course, Caballero's delusions caused them to believe that, as a Shinigami, they'd just be opening a Senkaimon to the place in question. But how to actually open that gate, then? The tiny critter thought back at the limited times they had seen other beings opening portals, arms folded again. They had absolutely no idea how Akira had created his gate to return to Soul Society, and they had no idea how the Hollows in Hueco Mundo had opened the dimensional rift that had led Caballero to Karakura in the first place. However, between the two, only one of those two memories sparked a sense of kinship and familiarity within the tiny being... and it was not the one used by the Shinigami.

Caballero's lacking ability to process abstract thoughts and ponder about the deeper questions of life made them blissfully unaware of why this was the case, and they instead focused on actually opening a way for the two of them to have their duel. They had seen the Hollows perform the technique to tear down space so they could enter the Human World, so it shouldn't be that difficult to replicate, right? Confident in their abilities, Caballero nodded to themselves and began putting in the work. With a simple gesture, they brought their tiny, stubby arm forth, holding it in an extended position. Nothing happened.

Caballero would've frowned if they had a frow to burrow, but this wasn't the case. Instead, they tensed up a bit, slightly annoyed, and they brought their 'hand' forward a second time. The situation quickly devolved in them making haphazard gestures with their stubby little arms, first with one of them, then with the other, and finally jumping up and down as they waved the two limbs frantically, clearly trying to make something happen in front of them. Luckily, they had enough rational capacity to have put their weapon at their backs before all this; the last thing they needed was them accidentally cutting down someone.

Then, after landing from one of those jumps, a sudden realization struck the Hollow like lightning for the second time of the day--in fact, they could've sworn thunder echoed in their head.

Caballero brought both tiny hands to the sides of their mask. The tiny being hadn't realized until that moment since they hadn't intended to return, but they had no idea how to actually go back to Hueco Mundo. They just knew a portal was supposed to be opened through Kumon, although they were unaware of the technique itself. Of course, Caballero was also not thinking about the dangers of trying to using Kumon right in the middle of an area filled with humans and Pluses, so perhaps Celes would want to ensure their passage into Hueco Mundo would be in a quieter, more remote area.

The tiny creature looked toward Celes in search of moral support only to hung their oversized head low, mortified in their embarrassment. This spectacle was far from befitting any of the Shinigami they admired so much. And in front of a Captain, no less! What were they supposed to do now? Was their honor as a Soul Reaper completely and utterly destroyed, dragged through the mud?