A/N: Well, well, well…it seems the tables have turned. Have they not? MWAHAHAHA!! If this has any form of success, whatsoever, I will find those who have read it and DESTROY YOU! End of convo. I will send Darcie's unborn child after you and that is physically impossible. Honooooo…you are loved by so many. Like, 50 people. Even if 30 of them aren't solid, it doesn't matter…doesn't really matter…tooooo meeeeeee. Yeah, I like, totally don't listen to Queen. So, enjoy the fame, darling. I loves you tooz. (THIS COMPUTER HAS SPELL CHECK!!!! YESSSS!) BEWARE THE OOC-NESS CHILDREN!! OOC-NESS!! (THERE IS A SURPRISE ENDING!!!)
She's Fresh To Death
Honoka admitted that the one thing she missed about the Human World was when it rained. Her eyes stayed glued to the wasteland called 'Hueco Mundo' that surrounded Las Noches. Everything seemed colorless and lifeless in that world outside her window, giving her a feeling of nostalgia that twisted and churned in her stomach. Her face contorted into a pained look, a sigh erupting from her chest. Moments like this made her want to be back in the Soul Society, the Human World, anywhere but Hueco Mundo…back with Renji…
Quickly shaking the thought from her straying mind, she pushed herself off her bed with ease, landing like a cat on both feet with utter grace. Even without a clock or watch, Honoka immediately assumed it was somewhere near nine o'clock p.m. The moon outside was shining its beams down into her barely-lit room, making her pale skin glow. The small girl reached up, tying her hair into a messy ponytail. She had to try and forget anything had ever happened. She had to let go of any sort of conflict in her head…it was just so hard to forget him…
"Abari, she's a spy for Aizen. Do you really think anyone here is going to support her staying?!" Hitsugaya raised his voice to the red-headed lieutenant, fire burning his words. Renji felt like he'd been struck by ten-thousand bricks when he had heard the news straight from her mouth…
"Renji, please, don't be mad at me. I just wanted you to know the truth…and I don't want to be your enemy, either. You don't know how hard this is for me! Aizen…h-he…this whole court-guard system is corrupt and…Aizen knows I'm strong enough to fight by his side! So please don't blame yourself for any of this…"
The memory ran cold down his spine. He shuddered, lowering his head to the captain in front of him. Renji felt completely torn and ill. His stomach wouldn't stop screaming at him and his head was pounding without rest. Everyone was pitted against her, but he still wanted to believe somewhere inside himself that she was doing this for a reason; a good cause. He wanted to believe that she loved him enough to stay.
"Renji, you're letting your conflicting emotions get in the way of your morals. You can't let her stay. She has betrayed Soul Society. Everyone saw it from the start…she's an arrancar, Renji. She will always be a misfit here," Hitsugaya tried to sound comforting, to console his friend, but was without luck. Renji grit his teeth, raising his head so he could stare the captain down. His face was so mixed up it made Hitsugaya feel a bit guilty. He knew that it was hurting the lieutenant more than it should have…
"You don't know her at all! She would never do this to us without reason!! Has she ever betrayed us before?! This isn't fair! It…it's not fair…" Renji could feel the breakdown coming like the calm before the storm. Instead of continuing, he shut hi s mouth and sat back down, his entire body filled with unwanted conflict. Hitsugaya sighed, placing a hand respectfully on Renji's shoulder, trying to muster up a friendly smile, but all he could get was a melancholy grin.
"I'm sorry, Renji…but there's nothing I can do,"
Honoka knew the story by heart, but she wished she didn't remember any of it at all. She, honestly, wanted to beat her head against a sharp rock repeatedly, but voted against it later on. Instead, she repeated a mantra to herself, staying calm. 'It's all over, it's all over, it's all over'.
"Honoka?" Kitty leaned in her friend's doorway, grinning like a Cheshire cat. Her eyes glowed bright blue in the moonlight as she stared the blonde down.
"Yeah?" Honoka replied in an annoyed tone, hand on her hip. Kitty and Honoka used to be mistaken for sisters in Soul Society, having the same blonde hair and blue eyes. They talked the same and had, for the most part, the same attitude towards everything. Of course, it was easy to differentiate between them, knowing that Kitty was an inch taller than Honoka and Honoka was ever-so slightly smaller than Kitty. They both weighed in at a mere 93-96 pounds, and this made them easily looked down upon. Honoka was ranked 11th espada after all of Grimmjow's fraccion had been killed. Though, Machi Jeevas had taken that spot when she defeated Ikkaku of the Thirteen Court Guards in a battle, leaving him in critical condition. Kitty was 12th espada, leaving Honoka at 13th, even though many speculated that Honoka was, by far, stronger than Kitty.
"You have a friend who wants to see you," She cooed cockily. In the faint light, Honoka could see her '12' tattoo on her revealed shoulder.
"Ugh, who would that be? Is it that Wondy kid? If it is, please tell him I'm waayyy too old for him," Honoka toyed with her hair, stepping into the light of the doorway, inches from Kitty.
"Noooo. He's older. And hotter," she added playfully. She grabbed the smaller girl's hand and led her into the hallway, giggling happily. Honoka couldn't help but smile, hardly remembering the last time she heard Kitty sound happy. When she had made her way into the hallway, she knew exactly who Kitty was talking about…
"Hello, pretty lady," Starrk stood, his wavy hair barely brushing his shoulders when he moved his head slightly to the left. Her face turned a pink shade, a sudden cough emerging from her mouth.
"Um, hello, Starrk…" It felt completely wrong for her to like someone so…so…old. She was only eighteen when she died, but did that make it right if she had already died twenty years ago in a car accident with Kitty?
"Aizen-sama wants me to escort you to him. We're having another important meeting..." He explained, rather vaguely, but still held out his hand to her. Honoka felt like she was an animal being cornered. She looked to Kitty for help, but of course, Kitty was leaning against Grimmjow's chest, looking rather love-drunk. Honoka rolled her eyes at her, feeling alone in the situation. 'Wait…when did Grimmjow get here?'
"Come on, sweetie. I do believe he meant sometime this week," Starrk teased, capturing her hand in his, pulling her gently along-side him. She nearly whined, but decided against sounding like a moron. Luckily, Kitty trailed behind, being aware of Grimmjow's wish to not be too public with affection. They both stood a bit too close to not arouse suspicion, but neither seemed to care. Honoka walked silently at Starrk's side, hand lingering in his. She felt uncomfortable, but at the same time, safe. Starrk was strong and warm and sweet. This was something Honoka hadn't had for a long time. She knew to stop her thoughts there, trying not to regurgitate those thoughts of Renji…
Suddenly, a warm hand snaked it's way around Honoka's waist, pulling her close to her superior. It made Honoka jump a bit, but when she heard Starrk's calming voice in her ear telling her not to be so jumpy, that he wouldn't bite, made her melt. They walked this way, meshed together with Kitty and Grimmjow trailing behind silently, for a while. They made their way through Las Noches, getting closer and closer to where Aizen's spiritual pressure resided…
"It seems you've started a parade, " Ulquiorra took a few light steps before he was standing next to Honoka, looking directly at Starrk. Coyote grinned, clamping his hand even tighter on the small girl's waist.
"Well, I guess if you're gonna join, we can call it a freak show, too!" Even though the first espada was obviously joking, Ulquiorra didn't take this comment lightly. He glared at the superior espada, hands at his sides.
"You really shouldn't test me, Starrk," The espada said, in a tone that didn't quite fit his words. His voice was neither venomous nor angry. He plainly stated it, continuing to walk along side Honoka. The blonde looked up, his eyes meeting his bright green ones for a moment, then it vanished. She had spoken to him before, but never this casually.
"Hey, now, don't try to steal this one. I caught her up, fair and square," For once, Starrk actually sounded like there was purpose in his voice, something rather uncommon for the lazy man to do. The fifth espada looked down to Honoka, noticing how meek and innocent she tried to seem in the situation. Her eyes pleaded for him to help her, but she still smiled like it was something funny.
"Hm. We'll see about that…" Ulquiorra said blankly, starring straight ahead as they began to enter the doors, immediately seeing the large 'thrown' in which Aizen was sitting upon, looking like a king. His smile was fake, of course, just like Gin's. It was more reassuring, though…
"Ah, Honoka. I'm glad you're able to join us today. It would seem our meeting's…topic, seems to relate to you. Well…your past, shall I say…" Suddenly, her heart dropped into her stomach, boiling in acid. She felt like she was going to throw up. It was going to happen…it was all going to fall…
"Actually, our topic is here with us…Yammi, would you please bring out our guest?" The large Espada grunted in agreement, a smirk spreading across his face. He immerged from the darkness of the shadows, kicking the body of a soul reaper into the open. The soul reaper's red hair was drapped on the floor, shining brilliantly like blood…but soon, it was hard to tell where his hair ended and the blood began…
"O-Oh…m-my god…R-Renji," her voice shook, her knees wobbled, and everything was getting black. Even Kitty had gasped at the sight of her former lieutenant sprawled on the tiles, bleeding.
"Ah. So you've met,"
END OF PART 1!!! I TRICKED YOU ALL!! DEAL WITH IT, HONOKA! I WILL POST ANOTHER CHAPTER LATER!! THIS ONE IS TOO LONG RIGHT NOW! I LOVE CLIFF HANGERS!!! WHY IS THIS ALL CAPS?!?! GRIMMJOW DANCING TIME!!!