I woke up not to long after the sun set and found the Sphinx glaring at me. I couldn't tell you why she didn't just leave, but my guess is she's been alone for a while.

"Why are you staring at me you fuckin' creep?" I asked, no way I was going to miss an opportunity like this. I get to mess with someone, big opportunity.

"W-what?!" She yelled, offended. "I'm not a creep!" She gave me an even harsher glare.

"Then why are you staring at me while I sleep?" I could hear her growl in frustration, a bright blush on her face. Is this funny, yes; is there a possibility that I'll die, also yes... Eh, worth it.

"You- you just fell asleep- AHHHH!" She was too worked up, but she managed to not attack me. "Just leave!"

"Plannin' on it." Instead of leaving, I sat on the ground again and closed my eyes. I needed to remember the feeling of my Reishi and seeing those spirit ribbons... Damn it, now I can't do it. "How did I do that the first time?" I didn't realize I was walking that entire time.

"HOW ARE YOU DOING THAT?!?" I looked at the Sphinx for a second and then looked down... I'm standing on air. Scared the shit out of me, but this is a big improvement. Suffice to say, I refused to let go of the Sphinx after that. Damn my phobia of heights. "Can't let you go on your own. I'm pretty sure you'll kill yourself if I don't go with you." She placed me on her shoulder and slid down the cliff.

"Not like I have much of a choice." Once more, I closed my eyes and began to imagine the Spirit Ribbons like Ichigo did in the show.

"Not anymore after that show." I paid her no mind as I continued with my sensory training. If I remember correctly, this is the first step to training for Shikai.

Ichigo was able to take the pieces and put them together to get his Shikai in about a week. Then again, I could take more time since I lack the basic feeling of Reishi. The faster I start; the better.

I opened my eyes to check to see if the Spirit Ribbons appeared. There were a few flying around, but they came from me, Sphinx, and my Zanpakutō. It wasn't good, especially since we were heading towards a town, but it was a start.

I, admittedly, got curious about what would happen if I grabbed my Spirit Ribbon. As I did, it disappeared and, suddenly, I felt something contained in my body. It was as if I was now aware of my own Reishi. Feeling it wasn't something I didn't already feel, but it was much smaller than I anticipated. There was more than I was using, but much less than I'd like.

"Catch a bug?" The Sphinx asked before I turned to her. Explaining it would be difficult since her magic could easily be confused for Reishi. Let alone that she's talking to a dead person.

"It's... Complicated. You could easily confuse my abilities for something else." I responded. No doubt she'll take this as a an insult to her intelligence. No to mention there's no way for me to show her. I'm still learning.

"If you want to keep it secret, you don't have to say anything. Everyone has something they don't want others to know." I looked at her in surprise. That caught me off guard.

"I just want to clarify... I'm still learning how to use my abilities. I can't give you an accurate description if I can't show you. Not to mention that I'm not supposed supposed to be seen by nature. There are just so many unknowns that I don't know how to explain it."

I held my hands out and tried to make a platform out of Reishi. It was common for Shinigami and Arrancar to use in bleach. So it would be beneficial for me to learn early so I could "fly" and stay out of reach of ground fighters. Admittedly, I wanted to use it to run away from Hollows that may be here. I, unfortunately, lack the same battle sense as Ichigo or his fighting skills. Proceeding with caution would be for the best for both my survival and the safety of others.

I successfully managed to make it after a few minutes. What the show doesn't tell you is that it doesn't cost any Reiatsu at all. On the contrary, it acts a lot like a perpetual circuit. My best guess is that I'm not loosing any energy because I need to constantly feed and absorb the energy to maintain it. Unlike the Cero which pushes energy out, it's almost always connected to my body and, therefore, always has a means to exit and enter my body.

However, that's only for creating it. Actually using it was another story. With focus, I could move it to any part of my body, but couldn't actually step on it. With Sphinx carrying me, it would be rude to practice a new ability and use her as a safety net. It was better to wait until we stopped for the day to get some much needed Reishi training done.

"I've actually been meaning to ask you this," the Sphinx began, pulling me out of my thoughts, "what is that sword on your back?" She pointed out my sword? Then again, I do find it a little weird that she didn't point out my Zanpakutō earlier.

"It's my sword, or the technical term is Zanpakutō. Technically, it's just a blade made of my Spiritual Energy, or Reishi. Until I get my hands on a Asauchi, I'll never fully awaken my abilities." I responded, the bomb dropped in the Thousand Year Blood War Arc still in my mind. It's not like I can't become powerful without one, but it'll save some time.

"Reishi... Never heard of it." I sighed, but couldn't blame her.

"Don't worry, even if I wanted to use the techniques to harm you; I can't. I got these abilities yesterday. Even if I did have the power or knowledge, I still wouldn't hurt you." Attacking the Sphinx would get me nowhere.if I wanted to fight, I wouldn't have slept if I intended to kill her. Hell, I don't intend to kill anyone. "I'll try to work on transportation. Sonido would work great for speed and I'm already working on a flying technique."

"Barely half an hour and you're already trying to get rid of me." Sphinx said, making me worry as I immediately tried to rectify what I said.

"I mean... I just wanted... What I'm saying is...!" Sphinx covered my mouth before I said anything else.

"I was joking Byakko. Anyway, what doesn't you're name even mean?"

"Oh, it means White Fox in Japanese. Seeing that I'm now a Shinigami/Arrancar hybrid and they originate from Japan, I thought it fitting to give myself a Japanese name based on my vulpine phenotype."

"I can definitely tell that you're well educated."

We kept moving after I finished explaining. There wasn't more to talk about after that. I continued with my training to feel others Spiritual Energy and to make the platform for flight. I managed to feel Spiritual Energy before we met any physical milestone to civilization. It still looks like we barely moved, but I don't care.

However, I can feel a very familiar Reiatsu faintly. It's intensity seemed unmatched from the others I could feel. It had to be her. It had to be Harmonia. I stood on Sphinx's shoulder as I gazed at the direction of her Reiatsu; in the opposite direction of where we're headed. Doesn't matter, after we get a few supplies, we'll be heading there.

"Something wrong?" Sphinx asked as she turned to look at me.

"Once we're done here, we'll be heading in that direction." I pointed behind her, my eyes still fixated where Harmonia's Reiatsu was coming from.

"Why didn't you say something earlier? let's go!" I tugged on Sphinx's ear which made her stop.

"No, we need food and water. She can wait."

"Who's she?"

I didn't answer, I wasn't sure she knew who Harmonia was. It was better not to tell her and hope she'll accept it.

"A friend. I can sense her; feel her. That Reiatsu is unmistakably." I released my ōdachi from it's Saya(sheath) before inspecting the blade. The Saya vanished from my hand and became Reishi for me to absorb. It seemed almost normal with the only abnormal thing being the Tsuba(hand guard) that had the depiction of two foxes; one white and the other black.

"Can you put that away, I'm nervous considering where you are. Not to mention that we're almost in town." I nodded, forgetting that she can't see me. I felt Reishi appear in my hand before I gripped it. I thought it was an ability manifesting. Much to my surprise, it pushed my hand open and created the Saya. I didn't think much of it since it saved time. I hand long enough Arms to sheath the sword. When I put it on my back, two strings tied themselves over my chest automatically. Again, saving time. "Thanks, just sit and wait. We'll get what we need and leave."

"Alright." Not gonna lie, this town will confirm something that's been gnawing at the back of my mind. The idea alone scares me. The question is simple; are there Hollows?

Sorry for the delay. I don't have a lot of time anymore. Military service and all. Anyway, have a good day!