Tercera espada, Truco Raposa

Drip...drip...drip......drip

The sound was repetitive, everyday, day in and day out, that rusted old pipe in that damp, dark corner. The sound reverberating throughout the expanse yet dull and grayed room, its entirety being comprised of hard, cold cement. In mere moments, light gradually cast itself into the dreary room from the one and only window visible. It's rather large square shape, the norm, held black bars to prevent the escape of any of it's occupants. The bars, upon closer examination, wore many abrasions and dents from failed attempts. As the light crawled further into this apparent prison chamber, a number of beds came into view, numbering a little over a dozen. Within the dirty and hole filled sheets, the occupants stirred, some twisting and turning to avoid the sunlight, while others accepted that the day had begun, that their time of bliss and peace was over. They were all sort of short in stature, their features childlike, indeed, these were all children. The attire worn by each was unique to one child, however, the overall quality was the same; tattered, torn, and filthy. They looked no older than fourteen on average, every last one of them. As the last of the children woke and got out of bed, they moved to form a long line in front of a steel door, standing perfectly still and waiting. The door had no knob or handle for the children to turn to allow themselves to exit with. Just like the barred window, the door was littered with fist sized dents and edges bent where one might slide a card to unlock the door. At one side, on the gray wall were holes where the hinges would go, but were removed long ago when an ordinary door was replaced with this smooth, unfeeling, and definite piece of commercial iron.

Keh~chuck......swuuch

The door was unlocked and opened revealing a middle aged man in a white suit trimmed in gold, his body was fairly muscular, as you could tell from how the suit fitted him, showing the size of his arms. His suit was expensive, made from the finest materials money could buy, going even further by having diamonds as cuff links and his shoes, dark brown alligator skin. On his face, was an irritating smirk with a small pointed nose, below two crimsoned snake like eyes, one which was hidden behind a bang of red hair. Looking past all that, nothing but pure arrogance as he gazed down at all the dirty little runts. This was the warden, and he despised these orphans though he was only able to afford his suit and other pleasantries from the plentiful donations of the heartbroken people, who would give him funds to increase the orphans quality of living.

"All right boys and girls, time to go to work!"

He'd exclaim while he outstretched his right arm to point down the hall to an opening to the outside. The first kid in line kept his head down the entire time, not wanting to look at any part of the man for fear of the repercussions. Hearing the order in it's usual disrespecting tone, he reluctantly took a step forward then turned on his heel to head down the hall, leading the others. The warden watched with a smug look on his face as the last orphan made her way down the hall, and then followed a foot behind them. The hall was somewhat like the room; drab, monotone, and old. The only difference, being that more windows were placed here, albeit at a height none of them could reach on their own. Even if they could, it was barred as well. The light phased through each window as they walked, stepping from the shadows into the light then back into the shadows numerous times before reaching the halls end.

The sun, radiant, high in a sky blue firmament speckled with white dashes, the day was normal. Trees, full of young leaves in the distance, which swayed in the morning's breeze, carrying the scent of pollen. This forest surrounded the area, save for an old dirt road that seemed endless as it streamed through the mass of oak. The deep tracks along each side made from the tread of tires from vehicles that came through, to drop off more orphans or to adopt one. In the center of the forest was the orphanage; it's cement walls painted white and outlined in blue. The orphans, coming out of that prison of a home, were each given a pickax and a water canteen by a tall, slender man to the right of the door. His wardrobe consisted of a brown leather jacket over a, dirt covered, T-shirt which was tucked into a pair of dusty jeans and on his feet were black boots, also smeared with either dried mud or some other muck. But what would catch the eyes of the children was the whip coiled on his left hip, an instrument of punishment that they've seen enough of, in fact if he were to merely gripped it many would flinch on instinct. There was another like him, now leading the line of orphans down a trail in the forest, opposite direction from the dirt road. This trail led to a cave where the orphans were forced to mine for gold for as long as they stayed in the orphanage. The amount of success was varying, sometimes a small nugget or nothing at all. The warden walked out of the building as the last child received their gear, he looked up at the sun then at an odd iron plate in the ground not too far on his right.

"Well, how long has he been in there?" he inquired.

"Counting today, that'd be a whole week Warden, sir." Quickly, straightening his stand as he spoke.

A satisfying grin made its way across the man's face."Oh, really now. Lets see if our little silver boy has had a change of tune, shall we." Both casually walked over to the iron plate, the guard picking up a long steel bar on his way, to stand just above it. It was rusted as well and had a hole in it for some insertion. The guard placed the bar into the hole and began to push downward on the part he held, causing the iron plate to be lifted revealing that it was much thicker and heavier than it appeared.


Truco was abandoned, at such a young age, he doesn't even recollect anything of his parents. Brought here by some stranger, who believed they were doing the right thing. Truly, not knowing what actually goes on at this prison. Once he got to the age at which he could work they sent him to work in the mine, like a slave. No matter what type of weather; rain, sleet, or snow, like the others, he worked. If he didn't, the whip would make him. The warden became a bit fond of him, because Truco of all the orphans had found the most gold pieces. Granting him the nickname, silver-boy due to his hair color and because the warden believed silver to be lucky, yet he preferred gold and its value. One day he had decided it was enough, he was fed up with working for them. As expected he was whipped numerous times for disobeying, leaving his back riddled with scars and lashes, yet still he resisted. Forcing the guards and Warden to think of a new punishment because using the whip had become futile, so the Hole was dug. A nine foot deep and four feet wide hole was dug and sealed with an iron plate, for him to serve solitude time in for a day or more, depending on his actions, without food or water.

He was now twelve going on thirteen in a few months. This time he had refused to work once again by spitting in the guards face, and was thrown in the hole for a total of seven days. The hole wasn't really that bad to him, he preferred it to the whip but it became difficult when the downpours began and the rain water filled the hole up to his neck, before the soil could soak it up. At those times he would acquire a bad cold or worse, pneumonia. It was dark and the only senses he could count on were sound and touch, since all he could smell was the earth that confined him. Light illuminated the hole, he looked up as the lid was removed by the guard and the warden standing beside him.

"Goodmorning, silver-boy"

Truco; hair grown fully to its max length and wildly unkempt, so much so that his eyes down to his nose was concealed. His attire, a grey shirt with a few holes in the front and a pair of ragged black shorts. Hearing what the warden called him, brought his hands into fists and his teeth to grind. He hated being called that. Not having much energy still he began to speak.

"...Not...my..name..." he struggled with his words as they came out dryly.

"Excuse me, I can't seem to hear you? Speak up." He said jokingly, as he applied his hand to his ear in some foolish attempt to increase his hearing.

Oh, how Truco wanted to kill this man, if only he had the strength. "...Thats not my name... My name is Truco!" he yelled coarsely, and without any moisture in his vocal chords he began to cough.

"So you still got some energy in ya. Thats good, then you can just forget about this water in my hand and get to work!" The guard, apparently still pissed from being spit on, snapped on. He was quickly slapped on the back of his head by the warden.

"Idiot. How is my lucky silver going to work without water. Give him two canteens, a pickaxe and send him to the mine." Speaking as he walked off towards a rather nice looking car that had pulled up moments ago.

"Y-yes sir!" he said quickly as he rubbed his head.


While the guard got Truco out of the hole, the Warden spoke with a blonde woman who had two girls at her side. The Warden would point to the oldest girl about the age of twelve, who had flowing pink hair, dazzling red eyes, dressed in a bright yellow sun dress, and wore a silver bracelet on each of her wrists. The blonde woman would lightly push the girl over to him and open the car door to put the younger girl inside. They weren't sisters or anything, not friends, just two kids who were now orphans. The Warden placed his hands on her shoulders as he walked her over to the guard and Truco, as he was hurriedly gulping down the water from his second canteen.

"Forget about sending silver-boy to the mine today. We have a new employee who needs to learn how things are done here. So, Truco show miss Lucia around for today, and if she doesn't know everything by tomorrow you will take her punishment." With that, the Warden would take his leave followed by the guard as he spit in the dirt, the irritation clear in his face.

Truco would move his wild hair out of his face so that he could see who this Lucia girl was. Upon sight of her his brows would rise in awe as his heart skipped a beat. Their eyes locked, his icy blue in her blazing red, both blushed then instantly diverted their sights. From that moment on a bond was forged between the two, a fox and a flower.


Of course it happened, Truco and Lucia had developed feelings for each other, him caring deeply for her and her for him. As time went by they seemed to enjoy their time spent together, despite living in a work camp disguised as an orphanage. They had learned all there was to know about the other, their quirks, strengths, fears, and favorite foods. Lucia and Truco equally shared their love for sweets leading Truco to often steal some, from a gluttonous guard who always carried at least two bags full of them on his person, and share the stolen goods with her. During the day, they couldn't really enjoy each other's company because of the constant work they were forced to do. Resting for too long would incite the whip, and if either would be whipped the other wouldn't waste a single moment to stop or take the lashing themselves. So the only true time they spent together was at night.

The crescent moon high in a dark bluish-violet night sky, casting it's silvery nightglow upon the trees, ground, and the orphanage. The stars, in their multitude, complementing the natural satellite with their sheer quantity rather than with their dwindled incandescence, due to the distance from the world. The frigid night breeze, shuffling through the branches of the trees compelling them to sway gently and generate a slight rustle from any stubborn leaves that still stuck to their branches, temporarily disturbing the silence which always came and flooded the night within mystery and suspense. Everyone was sound asleep within the orphanage, save for two. The moonlight crept into the cold, hard cement room through it's only barred window. Peering onto those who slept peacefully yet clung to their old and worn sheets for warmth on this cold night. Beneath that window, two figures sat close together bound by a single sheet, silver and pink hair illuminated by the glow of moonlight. There Truco and Lucia sat with their backs to the wall, wrapped in the same tattered sheet as the others. All the beds were taken, first come first served, leaving them to spend the night on the floor like a few others. But thanks to their combined body heat they were okay, still cold but okay. Lucia laid her head onto Truco's shoulder as he leaned his to lay gently on her head. His hair was no longer wild or as long as it used to be due to Lucia cutting it so that it wouldn't hinder his sight any longer. Truco was truly glad he had met Lucia, she had given him something that he never had till now, love. Lucia would move to raise her head and look into Truco's iced eyes, which were now much more warming than cold.

"I almost forgot something, I have a present for you." She whispered, smiling as she lowered the blanket from her shoulders to rest on the lap of her dress, which had lost it's vibrant color and dulled so much from it's past quality when she first arrived here. "Now give me your hand." continuing to whisper while she took off one of her silver bracelets, grabbed his hand, and fastened the silver jewelry onto his wrist. "There, well, do you like it?"

Truco was surprised and a bit guilty because he didn't have anything to give her in return. He was very happy still, and moved his hand into the moonlight to examine the gift better. On the top was the symbol of a flower in bloom. "This is the best gift I've ever been given. I love it, thank you Lucia." he whispered smilingly. To be correct this was the first and only gift he has ever been given, on account of how young he was when brought here.

"I'm glad, but there's more. Turn it over, see." she gently grabbed his wrist and then turned the underside of the bracelet up, revealing words that were etched into it. Bringing his face closer in order to better read the words, "...Always together, Truco and Lucia..." merely speaking those words caused his spirit to flutter in sheer bliss. Turning to look into the gleaming rubies that were her eyes becoming lost within them, a type of lost to which he wished to remain forever completely complacent in this time, with her, together. Their shadows cast from the moon's luminescence, began to move slowly closer and closer until they were one.


Now came the freezing winter, leaving many of the orphans with only colds and fevers, if they were lucky. However, Lucia was not so fortunate for she had contracted a severe flu virus leaving her to be put on bed rest and Truco to be at her side constantly worrying, wishing for her to get well again.

There on the bed she lay, her eyes closed, her body rising and falling with each contraction and expansion of her lungs, under the white blanket. Her hand with it's bracelet escaped the white sheet as it gripped another with the same bracelet, Truco's. His eyes no longer attributed to ice as they had melted into water that had streamed down his cheeks many times. Standing beside her bed, he had stayed by her side for days now, not moving from that very spot. There was a chair behind him for sitting but he preferred to stand. Thoughts of what the nurse said flowing through his mind,"Theres nothing more that I can do. All I can say is if she pulls through, then good but if she doesn't, then……i'm sorry." The tears began to flow once more at the thought, the thought of her not…… His hand was gripped tighter by her own, glancing up he'd see her eyes barely open and her gentle smile.

"…Don't worry. I'm going to be just fine, wait and see." Her voice was low and soft in tone. Forcing a smile on his face to ensure her, he nodded his head in agreement. "Yeah…i know you will. Now just continue to rest, okay." he said as he used his other hand to move a strand of her pink hair out of her face and bringing it to cup the side of her face.

That night Truco accidently fell asleep in the chair, his hand still grasping Lucia's. When morning came, so did heartache as Lucia had passed on, unable to beat the virus that plagued her. And with her, a piece of Truco went as well, he was broken. His eyes became frozen, for days on he wouldn't speak nor would he work causing him to be whipped again and again, the pain didn't phase him none because he knew no amount of physical pain could dissolve this abyss he was now lost in. The moment he knew she was gone, he had fell deep into a torrential abyss of sorrow...grief...and anguish. No longer able to see her beautiful red eyes...her sweet smile...and never ever to hear her angelic voice again tore at his very being. Truco believed he was no longer really alive, that he had just came to life when he met Lucia and then died along with her to enjoy the afterlife together. That he was only having a nightmare at the moment until it ended and to which he would awaken to see her gentle form beside him, to embrace her. Oh, how he wished this were only a horrible nightmare.

His mind was continuously occupied with thoughts of her, his daydreams as he stayed in the hole, and his regular dreams. He couldn't take it anymore, this life...in this world...devoid of her existence. So, he forced himself to be put into the hole multiple times to starve himself and wait for death's unmerciful grasp, which it did taking Truco from his body turning him into a spirit with a chain of fate upon his chest.

After realizing he was now dead and a spirit, Truco started to look for Lucia in hopes that she was somewhere in the world in the same form as him. His hopes high as he believed he'd find her and they would be together once again, his search began. Days turned to weeks...then months...and years, he looked for her while little by little his hopes diminished. Truco began to fall once again into despair, resulting in his chain of fate to deteriorate until when he was overwhelmed with his sadness once more and underwent hollowfication, as his transformation occurred Truco never took his eyes off the bracelet Lucia had given him.


Sand. In every direction...there was white sand. The air, chilling, there was no type of warmth at all. Above, a grand crescent in the midst of a sea of darkness. Within this vast colorless desert, camouflaged in the whiteness, lay a small yet strange white fox. Strange because normally foxes only possessed one tail while this one possessed three. The fox stirred as it began to rise from it's lax position to stand on all it's paws.

"W-where...am I? More importantly...just who am I?" The fox spoke as it looked around and rose it's left paw to scratch it's head, which let loose a small clink sound. Gazing at it's paw the fox saw a silver bracelet with a flower on it. Inspecting the trinket further, he found an engraving on the underside of it, "Always together...Truco...and...Lucia." After saying that which was engraved, a tear fell from the fox's eye into the white sand. "What? Why am I crying? ………well atleast I know my name now, Truco, because its surely not Lucia. Whoever that is." Truco then began to walk off into the distance.

He followed his instincts in eating souls to satisfy the void within him, but it was never enough and he eventually started eating other hollows. Leading him to find a massive inter-devouring of his kind resulting in his evolution into a Gillian, a massive hollow made of lesser ones fighting for control. While he was in this form, it was just this swirling clamor of discordance till a voice that sounded familiar yet unknown rang out in his mind above it all, reaching towards that voice like a light at the end of a tunnel. Truco evolved once more, into a much larger three tailed white fox, the bracelet still around his left foreleg and a cyan colored "V" now on his head between his brow. Truco now became much more concerned with the silver trinket, exactly who Lucia was, and how they were connected. Time went by; months…years…decades, Truco had eaten numerous hollows and had grown considerably, although it didn't show as he didn't look any older, becoming what they call a Vasto lorde. Then one day he suddenly took off his mask, gaining a human-like form and new abilities. He soon went to Los Noches and joined their ranks as the Terecera espada. He still has dreams about her, for some reason he is happy in them but when he awakens the despair returns. He tries to just ignore it most times but the dreams are truly blissful and leave him wanting them to last. Then he decided upon a goal that he would work toward, a goal that would need him to become the strongest in order to achieve it. This goal he would cut down any man in his path towards it.


In Seireitei, a young shinigami raced towards the squad four barracks. Pink hair flowing behind her, red eyes full of determination, as she entered the barracks and stood before the squad and it's captain.

"Lucia Rose, here! Hehe." she giggled while bringing her hand to a salute causing the trinket on her wrist to clink. The silver bracelet was marked with the symbol of a flower upon it. The captain would nod and direct her to assume her position with the rest of the squad, where she stood by another girl somewhat taller than herself.

"Ooo, I like your bracelet! Does it have anything else on it besides the flower?"

"Oh thanks, it's my most prized possession. And yes it does, see." Lucia said as she turned the bracelet over to show it's inscription.

"Ah, who is Truco? Is he your boyfriend?" she inquired.

"Hmm, I don't know. But I do see him in my dreams a lot." smiling as her gaze turned to the sky above her.