Hey everyone! This is my new story that I'm writing with my good friend Pupcake! I hope you will enjoy it because I know I am so proud how this turned out. Leave a review please so we know what to improve on and whatnot!
The car cautiously drove up the long gravel drive way only to stop at the darkened house. From inside the car, Allison glared up at the ominous house. With a sigh, she cut the engine off and stepped out of the car. She slammed her car door shut and winced slightly at the noise. It was about ten at night and it was completely silent in these woods, making the hair on the back of her neck stand up on end.
"Okay, Renji," she mumbled as she pulled her leather jacket closer around her small torso and walked up to the door. "I'm here, what could you possibly want?"
As she got closer to the front door, she noticed that it was slightly ajar. Strange. What was going on? Renji always has one light on in his house. Why had he sent a text saying to get here as soon as possible.
Allison gave a small shiver, the cold air slicing into her exposed skin. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the thick wooden door the rest of the way and stepped into the hallway.
"Renji?" she called hesitantly. "What's going on?" She took a few more steps, not liking when her boots hit a weak spot in the floor and it gave a groan.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her and she froze.
"The hell are you?" came a deep, menacing voice. Allison gulped. Should she turn around? Who the hell was this? This wasn't Renji! Why hadn't Renji told her he had company? Or…maybe it wasn't Renji who sent the text at all. Shit! What has she gotten herself into! "I said, what the hell do you want!" the voice shouted, and something cold and sharp pressed against her neck.
"I…I—I," Allison stuttered, clearly terrified by this.
"Quit your sputtering! Spit it out, or I'll kill you!" The man shouted. Allison cringed, which she regretted for she felt what felt like a knife graze her skin painfully. She opened her mouth to scream when:
"Shuuhei! Knock it off!"
"Shut up!" The man—Shuuhei—growled to the other shadow, and pressed the knife harder.
"No, hang on, Shuuhei!" The other voice called. "She isn't who we were looking for."
"What?!" Shuuhei barked. Allison noticed that the blade still didn't relieve its pressure. Even in the dim light, Allison thought she could make out what looked like orange hair.
The man stepped closer and Allison could clearly see who it was. What kind of game was this?! What caused HIM to act out like this?!
"Oh, man," Ichigo breathed, then looked sideways at Shuuhei. "Yeah, Shuuhei? I wouldn't be holding a knife to her throat."
"Why?" Shuuhei focused his attention back at the helpless girl in his grasp.
"Because, well, she's sort of with Renji. And…Renji will definitely kick your ass when he finds out you put a knife to her."
Slowly, Shuuhei drew the knife away from Allison's throat and returned it to the holster on the side of this thigh. With a gasp, Allison ran into Ichigo's grasp and clung to him for dear life, shaking violently.
"Ichigo!" she cried, frightened by this new character she didn't even know about. Ichigo hugged her tightly and sighed.
"Sorry, Allison," he apologized. "I told Renji to mention you to the other guys, but he didn't listen to me," Ichigo said. Allison felt a pang of anger spark in her heart. That stupid, stupid man… "As for YOU, Shuuhei," Ichigo glared at the black-haired man, his russet eyes locking with the pair of dark-grey ones, "consider this your first strike. Now get out of here before I call Renji," Ichigo barked. With a scoff and what sounded like a curse, Shuuhei turned and walked back into the darkness. Ichigo let go of Allison and sighed in frustration. "Did he hurt you?" Ichigo asked. Absentmindedly, Allison gripped the side of her throat and in relief, shook her head.
"No, but it scared the hell out of me," she replied.
"It would scare me, too. C'mon, I'll take you to Renji."
Allison followed him. "So that dummy IS here!"
Ichigo rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, but he was busy with Ikkaku and Rukia, so when we heard a car approach, I think he forgot he told you to come. Shuuhei being Shuuhei ran out of the room to 'take care of the intruder', and Renji wasn't really listening." Ichigo cast a sideways look down at her and smirked. "Lucky I saved your ass."
Allison frowned and punched him in his arm. "Watch it, that wasn't my fault."
"You're right," Ichigo easily agreed. "It was Renji's. Here," he took hold of her arm and steered her around to the entrance to the garage. He opened the door and gestured to the inside. "Ladies first."
Allison rolled her eyes and walked into the room, being momentarily blinded by the sudden harsh fluorescent lights. Oh sure, so THIS is the room that has its lights on. Typical.
Inside the room, crowding around a table that sat in the middle, Allison quickly identified the bald guy as Ikkaku, and right next to him was Yumichika, Shinji and Izuru stood a little outside the group, Gin and Ulquiorra seemed to be admiring the knives being displayed on the wall, Rukia was standing on top of a chair—either to be roughly the same height as everyone or to be heard, Allison wasn't sure, and next to her was…
Allison growled. Oh, that red head pineapple would PAY!
Renji looked up and smiled at Allison.
"Allison!" he called to her. With a scowl, Allison raced over to Renji, nearly pushing Rukia off her stool, and landed a blow on his head. "Ow! What was that for!" Renji yelled.
"For not telling that idiot I was your girlfriend, you moron!" Allison yelled, still pounding on Renji's head. Everyone sort of stood back and watched the little quarrel go on. After a minute of watching, Izuru scooted next to Ichigo.
"Ichigo, what's happening?" he whispered, obviously dumbfounded about this whole new situation on their hands.
"Your cousin almost killed Allison because Renji forgot to mention to half of you guys she was his girlfriend," Ichigo explained. An embarrassed blush spread across Izuru's face. His cousin was known for getting into fights. That is, if he feels threatened or if he feels his family or friends are in danger. But Allison? A threat? To an ant, maybe.
"Sorry about that, I'll talk to him about it later," Izuru offered. Ichigo shook his head, still watching Allison and Renji struggle with one another. However, something else was on his mind.
"Say, where's Grimmjow?"
"Ah, I was just wondering the same thing," Gin smiled and practically glided to stand next to Ichigo, who, in turn, shied away slightly.
"I really wish you didn't do that," Ichigo frowned.
Gin opened his eyes and stared mockingly at him. "Do what?" He asked innocently, his bright blue eyes gleaming.
Ichigo moved a few more steps away. "Uh, nothing. Go talk to Rangiku or something."
"Ya know," Gin began, "you shouldn't feel comfortable enough to tell me what to do. I'd still watch your back," he smiled and turned to walk back over to Ulquiorra.
"Was that a threat?" Izuru quietly asked Ichigo.
He shrugged. "Ah, who cares. I'm not worried about him." Ichigo glanced over at the still quarreling couple. "It's them I'm worried about."
Izuru followed his gaze. "Do you think Renji will tell her?"
Ichigo sighed. "He has to. He can't put it off any longer."
Izuru solemnly nodded. "If I was hiding that from Momo…"
"Hell," Ichigo breathed. "I know what you mean. If I were to keep that from RUKIA…"
As if hearing her name, Rukia hopped off her chair and looked to Ichigo, giving a small smile.
"I don't know what Renji's thinking," Ichigo said. "But he can't keep this up."
"Allison, stop! I said I was sorry!" Renji pleaded, holding Allison's wrists above her head while she flailed and tried to kick Renji where it hurts the most. He's never seen her this furious. If it weren't for this serious situation, he would've commented that she looked cute with her face scrunched up and how she looked cute looking like a frustrated puppy.
"No, I will not!" Allison yelled, finally breaking free of Renji's grasp. With a grunt, Allison glared at her so-called boyfriend. "First of all, why the hell didn't you tell me anything else going on here?!" Allison yelled.
Renji opened his mouth, "Allison, I—"
"And second, who in the hell are all these people!" Allison cut him off. She swung her arm out to the strangers she didn't know, referring to Izuru, Gin, Ulquiorra, Shinji, and though was not currently in the room, Shuuhei.
"Allison, please let me—"
"And THIRD OF ALL, what possessed you to have some guy come after me and nearly cut my throat! Your own girlfriend! What is wrong with you, you idiot!" Allison, her face bright red, lunged at Renji and began pounded at him once again. Somehow, with much ease, Renji lifted her up by her waist and held her away from him as if holding a mad cat in his hands.
"Allison, calm down! They're here for a reason!" Renji managed to finally get out. Allison glared at him, clawing at his arms and making him wince.
"Oh, yeah? Give me the reason then!" Allison yelled, but as soon as Renji was about to tell her, Yumichika hopped to his feet.
"Everyone be quiet!" he whispered. Instantly, the room froze and silence filled the room like a thick fog. Yumichika was right about hearing something. There was some sort of faint, but close commotion going on. It sounded like it was coming from inside the house, and when a pain-filled holler broke out, Izuru gasped.
"Shuuhei…"
Ichigo wasted no time in falling into action. "This is it!" he yelled, grabbing for one of the long knives, "Everyone get ready!"
Renji's eyes widened and he looked down at Allison. The look in his eyes was enough to make Allison stop struggling.
"What—?" she began.
"I'm sorry," he interrupted her. Then without a seconds hesitation, he pushed her away from him, sending her stumbling backward. Footsteps were heard barreling down to the garage. The door flung open and a bullet whizzed past and ricocheted off the wall.
"Yumichika!" Renji growled, ducking and grabbing his own gun. "Get Allison and Rukia out of here!"
"I'm not leaving!" Rukia shouted, jumping over a table and falling down beside Ichigo.
"Like hell!" Ichigo said. "You're leaving. Look, Allison's going into shock over there! Go with her and get her out!"
"She is not!" Rukia said at the same time Allison yelled, "I'm not!"
"Damn it!" Izuru hissed.
Reaching into his holster strapped to his belt, Izuru pulled out his own gun and started firing. For a few seconds the room was filled with loud pops and Izuru cringed when a bullet grazed his shoulder, drawing blood.
"Izuru, get back!" Renji shouted. Allison, though trying to put on a brave face, froze and nearly screamed when she felt a bullet rocket past her and through her hair. "Dammit!" Renji yelled again, putting Allison in a headlock and slamming her to the floor. For a moment, Allison was stunned and couldn't breathe with the combined weight of Renji and the impact of the floor. It was then that Renji saw this as his last chance.
"Yumichika, hurry! Get them out of here!" Renji yelled again. This time, Yumichika was able to sling Allison over his back while dragging Rukia by her arm out the side door to the outside, Rukia kicking and spitting every curse word she knew existed.
With a sigh, Renji could finally focus at the task at hand. He held up his gun and aimed for the door, ready to fight.
"You've all gotten better since I left," came the sly voice that sent shivers up everyone's spine. Ichigo's eyes went wide at the cackle that came next. Anger made the knife tremble in his hands as aqua eyes finally shined from the darkness.
"You girls get out of here," Yumichika demaned as he pushed Allison in the Jeep and slammed the door. She had just come out of her daze and was confused to say the least about what was going on.
"But what about Renji? What's going on! Someone tell me!" Allison yelled. Her reply was a smirk from Yumichika.
"Sorry, but maybe another time. Rukia, you know where to go." Rukia nodded. Just as she started the Jeep, multiple bullets richochetted off the side of the jeep, putting a hole through the window. "GO!" Yumichika roared and Rukia slammed on the gas and sped away from the house. Yumichika turned and drawed his gun, pointing it forward.
"My, my, look at what we have here, Nnoitra," a man with long, curly black hair snickered. Yumichika was outnumbered. Dammit…
"A little lost peacock," Nnoitra smirked. Yumichika took a step back and kept his gun pointed.
"I'll have you know only my closest friends call me that," Yumichika corrected. Both men laughed.
"Well then, I guess you won't mind us becoming your closest friends since the ones you sent away won't be making it to their mark tonight," the man said, pointing a finger. Yumichika hesitantly turned his head to see a large green Jeep speeding down the road where Rukia and Allison had drove off to.
"No…" he gasped. Distracted, Yumichika didn't see Nnoitra swiftly and silently lunge toward him and elbow him in the gut, letting all the air escape from his body. Falling to his knees, Yumichika dropped his gun and coughed up blood, gasping for air and struggling to breathe.
"Now I see why they didn't want you on the battle field. You're just as pathetic as a bird. Let's get him, Charlotte," Nnoitra growled, gripping Yumichika by the back of the head and slamming him to the ground.
"Grimmjow…" Ichigo breathed.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Ikkaku demanded with a murderous look.
Grimmjow ignored him and even with guns pointed at him from Renji, Ichigo, and Shinji, he still appeared completely at ease. His aqua eyes landed on Renji and he felt a large grin stretch across his face. "Renji, I believe I saw a girl running out with Rukia. Tell me," he licked his lips, "that wouldn't happen to be your girlfriend, would it."
"Don't you dare even think about touching her!" Renji ordered with enough venom in his voice to send Ichigo widening his eyes.
Grimmjow sighed lightly. "Oh, I won't…but my men, you see, I can't always tell them what to do. They like their own idea as much as my own. So once we saw them running like the weaklings they are, well," he gave a noncommittal shrug, "things happen."
"You bastard!" Renji and Ichigo yelled at the same time.
Grimmjow's eyes gleamed. "So if you want their guarantee safety, you'll drop your weapons and we can talk like real men."
Renji and Ichigo cast sideways glances.
"What did you do to Shuuhei?!" Izuru suddenly blurted out, his gun pointed at him with his entire body shaking with anger. Grimmjow only chuckled.
"You mean tiger-face?" Grimmjow mocked Shuuhei's scars along the side of his right eye. Those scars he got protecting his younger cousin, Izuru…who at the moment was severly enraged. "He put up a good fight, I must add," Grimmjow smirked, rubbing his right shoulder as if in some sort of discomfort, "but let's just say he won't be fighting for a while," Grimmjow finished with a demonic chuckle. Ichigo's hands clasped around his gun tightly as he felt Izuru's rage radiiate off of him.
"You mother of all scum!" Izuru growled before racing past the blue-haired assassin. Renji felt helpless. Just what the hell was Grimmjow's motive? What caused him to snap like this? Renji knew he was untrustworthy when be came here with Ulquiorra and Gin, but…
"Ahem," Grimmjow cleared his throat after an ominous pause. "Now, as I was saying, are we going to settle this like men, or what?"
Ichigo and Renji gave one last at glance to each other.
"Times wasting," Grimmjow sneered. "Better decide quick."
Renji exhaled and nodded to Ichigo. Slowly, they brought their arms down and the rest of them unwillingly followed suit.
"Perfect," Grimmjow smiled.