Their swords clashed, and she could feel the strain put on her body, demanding that her knees give way underneath her. Before she relented, the pressure vanished. Not a second later she twisted her body around to be met with the same force once more. He had used shunpo to dart behind her, in an attempt to attack while she remained unaware of his movements.
He obviously did not foresee her anticipating the oncoming attack, as the strength behind the swing was downplayed. However, he increased the pressure once the swords held still against one another, up until the girl's sword began shaking, her body finally showing the exhaustion of an hour's worth of practice.
The two jumped back and paused, swords still pointed and ready to attack.
Byakuya stared at the petite girl in front of him, who was practically gasping for breath, sweat sliding down her face and then dribbling off her chin. He had to admit, he had broken a slight sweat himself. He didn't dare ask if she needed a break. It would certainly hurt her pride, especially with her having held her own so gracefully up to this point.
Instead, his grip tightened on his sword, just as she vanished from his sight with the use of shunpo. Her sword came crashing down above him from the side, and he spun on his heel to counter. While he had expected her to arrive from above- something she had to rely on shunpo for on account of her height- he did not expect her to change before the swords clashed, shunpo at work and setting her above and behind him now.
He was shocked, both by her attack and the lack of his ability to see such a move. This time, when their swords met, she was flung backwards. She flew quickly through the air, mere seconds before she collided with a dense tree.
Byakuya employed shunpo the moment he realized his mistake, darting to the tree now forever with a blasted imprint on its trunk. She let out a moan, her head rolling to the side and eyes opening the slightest to meet her brother's silver ones. With shaky arms, she pushed against the tree to pop herself out of the temporary containment. She dropped to the ground; and he couldn't help but notice how her legs wobbled, daring to give out on her at any moment.
"I-I'm fine." A puff of breath left her, and before she could bring her sword out in front of her to attempt a continuation of the battle, she was forced to stab the ground with it, or else find herself face first down. She let out a muted groan, and she fell to her knees but refused to release the hold on her sword.
"Rukia-"
"I... I said I was fine. Please, Brother..." She hauled herself back to her feet. He couldn't miss the grimace that crossed her features and the held breath in an attempt to remain silent. The sword was pulled from the ground, and she pointed back at Byakuya, demanding the battle continue.
However, his sword remained limp at his side.
"I should apologize to you... Rukia."
Her sword wavered, and then she lowered it.
"I should not have used such excessive force. I was surprised by your last move, and, in an attempt to prevent contact, I let my strength overpower me." He hesitated before continuing. "Such an injury should not be taken lightly. Yet it is also a great feat to remain standing after one. Do you believe you can still walk?"
A barely perceivable unease washed over her. Instead of waiting for a reply, Byakuya stepped closer. With a gentle hand, he reached for her sword and slid it out of her grip before sheathing it in her scabbard. He placed one hand around her back and the other on her stomach. "We must go to Squad Four to get your injuries looked at."
With a nod, she wrapped one arm around his own back and took a cautious step forward. Her legs nearly gave out; but instead of dropping she gripped the material of his haori and pushed on with the next foot, until they were walking at a slow, yet steady, pace.
He would not force a strain upon her body when he could leisurely walk, and he would not force her to submit when she clearly had enough pride to refuse any further aid. He refrained from reaching out on the few instances that her body seemed prone to give up on her. (He wouldn't believe she was the one giving up.) Rugged steps as her feet dragged along the ground and the occasional half-moan as a movement irritated whatever wound her back suffered were the only sounds Byakuya's ears focused on.
Nothing else mattered but his sister's safe arrival to Squad Four, where he would assure that she received the rest and treatment she deserved.
After all, she had just been dealt an unadulterated blow by the Captain of Squad Six and was able to literally walk away from it. No matter his guilt, he would have to find a way to inform Rukia of the sheer strength she possessed. Until then, he could only stand by in silence as she trudged on ahead, pushing past the effects of having taken his hit head-on.
End