Predator and Prey [Mizu, Sabertooth Striker]

On today's episode of Mizu's Hollow Hunt, brought to you by Otoribashi Rose and the Funky Bunch, the petite blond finds herself tracking a particularly dangerous beast in the wild lands of balmy Cuba. The dossier on this Hollow, code name "Juggernaut", details a monster with a mighty hide and incredibly aggressive behavior which creeps into a nearby village in the dead of night and causes chaos amongst it's residents.

According to reports the Juggernaut Hollow has slaughtered others of it's kind and, if left unchecked, could eventually become a problem for patrolling Shinigami. Soul King forbid it ever evolve and eventually turn into an Arrancar, then it would surely become a nuisance. Reality had other plans however as Mizu stood by it's fallen body, her Zanpakuto having pierced it's thick mask a moment prior. As the Hollow was purified and began disappearing Mizu noted the various injuries already on it's body when she'd arrived to finish it off. What could have caused such damage...? she wondered to herself.

With a start, Mizu heard a deeply unsettling voice attached to the visage of a Hollow and immediately switched into a defensive stance with her Zanpakuto drawn and ready for battle. A beast of great size and ferocious attributes, this latest enemy seemed far more intelligent than it's predecessor, ready and willing to hold a conversation with her. Still, it was hardly the first Hollow Mizu had met that spoke to her; usually an attempted surprise attack would follow. Throughout it's introduction and explanation of the other Hollow's physical state the blond Shinigami kept her golden gaze trained on Cortada, every movement considered suspicious to her.

"I don't make a habit of introducing myself to Hollows who will be dead soon." spoke Mizu, a carefully restrained edge to her voice belying her girlish appearance. Perhaps to a Hollow she may seem easily manipulated, she thought, but she would never fall prey to their machinations. Not when she knew exactly what they are capable of. Choosing to emphasize her words, Mizu raised her left hand and displayed a small, though growing, sphere of blue energy upon her palm as she prepared to release a Kidō spell aimed directly for Cortada.

Mizu remained unperturbed by this Hollow's remarks, having long since gotten used to the taunts their kind would unleash when confronted. Whether out of fear, hatred, or simple egotism Hollows would often hurl insults and provocations at her. The only concern Mizu had was the more articulate a Hollow's taunts, typically the more dangerous they would end up being. Evidently as they grow in strength they also gain more sentience and intelligence, both of which would only empower them in fights with Shinigami who may underestimate their natural enemies and dismiss them as mere animals. Mizu would do no such thing as she is well aware of the danger they impose.

"All that matters is you are a Hollow and I am a Shinigami. Nothing will get in the way of a Shinigami's duty to protect humans, and that especially inclues your kind! Hadō #4: Byakurai!" From Mizu's raised hand the blue energy would further concentrate before releasing in the form of a pale lightning bolt aimed directly for Cortada's torso, it flying through the air at a breakneck pace as one might expect from an electrical current. Though she didn't want to underestimate this sly Hollow Mizu figured a spell like this would be a good gauge to ascertain what it's capable of, and if it's intelligence does indeed correspond to great danger.

Garganta?! Mizu was bewildered by Cortada's actions, having never witnessed such fanciful feats from a Hollow before. Typically they would either barrel into her or flee on foot, not use Garganta to deal with Shinigami magic and disappear. Intent on not being caught by surprise Mizu swiveled in place, her Zanpakuto in hand, and used every sense available to detect the Hollow's possible return. For one as intelligent as Cortada she could not be sure fleeing truly meant feeling and not a mere feint.

Her golden eyes darted in every direction for several straight minutes as Mizu remained alert. It wasn't until about five minutes had passed that she began letting up and returned to a more relaxed stance, her weapon hanging idly at her side. "That Hollow is going to become a threat if it is not dealt with." she said to no one in particular, summarizing her thoughts on their short encounter. It may have seemed diplomatic but Mizu had no doubt it would become as vicious and deadly as any other Hollow or Arrancar, and worried for the next Shinigami that may encounter it. She reluctantly placed her Zanpakuto in it's home at her hip and prepared to leave the area, perturbed about the situation but at least glad she had accomplished her original mission.