Tesla had learned an incredible amount from his shadow days as Nnoitra's servant. Mostly, to err on the side of caution in his subordination. When Nnoitra said to finish them off, pull out a sword and cut them down. When Nnoitra said step aside, tread quickly to the sidelines. Do not interfere with a fight.

But Tesla had such a difficult time with the latter task. It was almost painful to watch Nnoitra lose, especially to someone Tesla knew would wound more than Nnoitra's body. Neliel.

Nnoitra had said simply, a few nights after accepting Tesla as his Fraccion, that he wasn't one for teaching anything or any of that "shit". If Tesla got in the way, if Tesla disobeyed Nnoitra, he got what he deserved. Tesla knew he would deserve death, so he was certain Nnoitra would kill him.

Watching now from the dusty corners of the battlefield, Tesla winced, very lightly. Blood ran from the corner of Nnoitra's mouth and Tesla longed to step in and ... at least stop the battle, get killed and save Nnoitra-sama the pain. It was such a comically stupid idea, but he could feel his muscles longing to move, draw his sword.

Neliel was proclaiming the fight over and Nnoitra, from his stooped position on one knee, was glaring daggers, as she sheathed her sword and turned her back. Nnoitra's bloody hand, trembling slightly, reached around his own sword and Tesla could tell he was pushing all of his energy into the final blow. Neliel-sama was far too quick again; as soon as Nnoitra had reached her, her hand had flown to her side.

Tesla was already half there as soon he saw Nnoitra move to pick up his weapon and now moved to block the blow Neliel was throwing his way, causing Neliel to stop inches from Tesla's throat, with a surprised expression. It softened slightly and she sighed, holding the sword aloft at his throat until Tesla dropped his into a cloud in the sand.

"Tesla ..." She shook her head and said no more as she turned and left, leaving Nnoitra panting, spent and angry and Tesla frozen in the surrender position, only moving to swallow, sweat running down his face. He could feel Nnoitra's gaze on his back and turned to look over his shoulder, but was caught by the neck.

"I told you, didn't I," Nnoitra breathed, "that I wasn't into punishing you, wasn't I?"

"Nnoitra-sama would've surely --" Tesla stammered. His dry mouth formed the words "died", but the sound faded from his voice.

"Don't you think I fucking know that?" asked Nnoitra and threw Tesla to the ground. He blinked for a moment, and Tesla could tell he'd said something he clearly did not mean to. His expression righted itself soon as he glared down at Tesla through his one eye. "Count yourself lucky today," and kicked Tesla in the chest.

It was the only injury for which Tesla ever felt like giving thanks.