"You ready, Matsuri," Rukia asked as she placed her hands infront of her, preparing to fire the Kido at the hollows. I don't know how many floors it been in this tower, but we've been managing fine. The first few floors were basically hollows and hollows alone. Then it came with members of the Thirteen Court Guard, going from the first squad and up. We were at the Squad 12 floor, with Mr. Urahara, Lieutenant Kurotsuchi, and Captain Kurotsuchi, as well as other hollows. Our team had grown closer than it started when we came into this tower, and the floors actually got easier as we made our way up. Rukia and me were assigned to the few hollows that were to the side and the others went straight for the charge through the actually challenging part, which was the copies of the real soul reapers. I gave Rukia a quick nod as I tightened my grip on Kotomaru. "Sokatsui," Rukia shouted. The instant the blue beam flew out of her hand, I jumped forward. The beam died down as I landed next to the hollow, already preparing the last blow. I spun Kotomaru over my head before easily slicing over the hollow's head.
"Koso Renbu," I shouted. As soon as I did, my signature blue beam shot out of the ground, enveloping the hollow. The hollow screamed out for a minute before the beam did its job and ended the fake hollow's life. I slung Kotomaru over my shoulder as I turned to Rukia, who offered a smile. I returned the smile as I walked over to her. The other battle that was a few meters away from us would be over soon. By the time we would get to the fight, it'd be over. We learned this through the many times that it happened. This time we took the chance to relax instead of running as fast as we could to meet up with the others. A few minutes of chatting later, a smiling Fujimaru bounded over to us, covered with several nicks and scratches, a small number that were bleeding. Rukia, being one of the most skilled healers on our team, went and preformed her second duty on the team. Healing all injuries after battle. Hiyori healed some too, but she took a little more time. After Fujimaru was all healed, he smiled wider.
"Matsuri! Guess who dealt the last blow to the fake Captain Kurotsuchi," Fujimaru sang as Rukia moved over to Ichigo, who had several more wounds than Fujimaru.
"I guess you, based upon your mood," I said.
"Nope! It was one of the hollows that were back there! They tried to hit us with something that was like a Byakurai, but the totally missed us and hit the fake Captain Kurosuchi instead," Fujimaru chuckled.
"Its like some mystic power is actually giving us a break for once," I giggled.
"Oh yeah! Next floor should be the Squad 13 floor! That means it should be Rukia and Captain Ukitake. You up for it," Fujimaru asked.
"Of course! It'll be a snap," I said. I started walking past Fujimaru, giving him a high five on my way past as I headed for the stairs. I didn't worry about my injures, which consisted of a few minor burns from the hollows exploding. Being the some what leader of our team, I'd wait by the stairs for the others to join. One by one, they caught up and we made our way up to the next floor. We landed in a simulated Huenco Mundo, which was covered with fake hollows like every other floor we've been on, as well as the fake people standing behind them. My heart jumped to my throat when I saw who was there though. Yes, there was Captain Ukitake and Rukia, like Fujimaru guessed, but what really got me was who was in between them. None other than Kaien Shiba. You have no idea how good it made me to see Kaien after all this time. He had his signature goofy grin on as he talked to the fake Captain Ukitake. He looked exactly like I remembered... I quickly shook my head to get the thought out of my head. Remember, Matsuri, its just a fake! Its not really Kaien! He's got no memories of you or anything! Focus and get this done! My face got hot when I finally realized the feeling I got when I saw him. I shook my head again and Rukia shot a worried look at me, as well as Fujimaru. I probably looked like I had ticks or something since I was shaking my head so much.
"You okay," Fujimaru asked.
"Y-yeah," I said, hoping I sounded more confident than I actually was. "Alright! Different plan this time! I'll go in and finish those three in the back first while you guys handle the hollows, since there are a lot," I said. I didn't wait for their replies. I ran forward, once again forgetting that this wasn't Kaien, but rather a copy. I easily cleared through the hollows, which quickly closed the gap by getting closer together, leaving me basically isolated from the others no matter what. "Kaien," I whispered. My head felt light and I don't know why. I don't know why at all. It couldn't be the one feeling I swore I'd never feel again. It can't be love. Not at all. It was just giddiness to get towards the end of this tower, that's all. Kaien stopped talking to the fake Captain Ukitake and turned his full attention to me as his smile dropped. He quickly disappeared and it dawned to me that I forgot to take my sword out. I had been to busy thinking to remember. I clumsily yanked out Kotomaru and pulled it in front of me as Kaien appeared in front of me, slamming his own sword towards me. I slipped back a few feet before I planted my feet firm to the ground and gripped Kotomaru tightly.
"Who do you think your kidding," Kaien asked as he readied his sword.
"About what," I asked, readying my own sword. What he said next froze me for a minute.
"Matsuri died." In the minute that I was froze, Kaien brought his sword down and easily made a large gash on my chest due to my dropped guard. My hands went limp and Kotomaru fell out of my grip as I fell backward. The last thing I heard was Fujimaru scream my name before I hit the ground and blacked out.
I flinched when I heard voices. They were fading in and out, and I couldn't make out most of what was being said, but I heard them, none the less. I slowly opened my eyes but quickly closed them once more. I must have been knocked out for some time, because my eyes weren't adjusted back to seeing light. I started to sit up when pain shot through my chest, causing me to fall back against the sandy ground. "Matsuri," a voice shouted. I was so out of it... It had to be one of my friends, but I couldn't place their voices to their faces though... I slowly turned my head and saw Rukia on one knee next to me.
"You okay," Rukia asked.
"As okay as I can be after getting almost cut in half," I muttered.
"See what you did? I can't believe you think that I'd let you join us," Fujimaru's voice snarled.
"What's going on," I asked. I didn't see Fujimaru anywhere near us, and he usually never argued with someone unless he was really mad.
"I said I was sorry! I didn't know that this was the real Matsuri," a voice insisted. I felt a blush creep onto my face. That voice... It can't be...
"Somebody's got a crush," Rukia teased in a whisper.
"Oh can it! I do not," I said. If it wasn't for the fact that I'd be in pain if I sat up, I'd give her a piece of my mind. But until then, I guess that will have to be on hold.
"Even so! Your nothing but an imposter of Kaien! You actually think that we'd let you tag along! The thought of working with someone who almost killed my sister and is nothing more than a fake makes me sick," Fujimaru snapped.
"You have to let me! I have to make it up to you guys," Kaien insisted.
"I don't care! All you can do for us is-," Fujimaru started.
"Stop it, you guys," I said as Rukia slowly helped me sit up against a rock so the pain wasn't as bad. The two looked at me, startled.
"B-but-," Fujimaru started again.
"Any help we can get is good. I have a feeling things will be even harder as we go on," I said
"Thanks, Matsuri," Kaien grinned. Fujimaru, on the other hand, just turned the other way.
"So... What happened after I got hit," I muttered. Part of me wanted to know, but another part didn't. I didn't want to be reminded of losing an easy fight, but curiosity got the better of me.
"Fujimaru snapped and busted his way through the hollows and got you out of harms way until we finished everything off," Rukia said. I turned to Fujimaru, who was still looking the other way with his arms crossed.
"Thanks, Fujimaru," I smiled. Fujimaru turned back to me, smiling once more with his usual smile.
"Its the least I can do," Fujimaru said. "But Mr. Urahara said that we could only have eight people in a fight. Those are the rules," Fujimaru muttered. I went silent for a minute. Hiyori and Shinji were a good team, so we couldn't separate them. The same with Captain Kuchiki and Fujimaru, as well as Rukia and me. That meant that either Ichigo or Yoruichi had to go. Ichigo was a strong fighter, but unless he was in bankai, he couldn't keep up with everyone else... Yoruichi could keep up with us, but she couldn't give out as heavy blows as Ichigo...
"Well, who are we going to have go," Rukia muttered.
"I can go," a voice said. We looked over and saw Yoruichi walking over to us.
"But-," I started.
"Its fine. I'll go down with Kisuke and watch your progress from here," Yoruichi smiled.
"Alright then," Fujimaru muttered as Yoruichi disappeared, leaving us all quiet for a few seconds. "Well, Matsuri. How long do you think it'll be before you can get back onto your feet again," Fujimaru asked, obviously worried.
"As long as I can stay in back, I think that I'll manage," I muttered.
"Are you sure," Rukia asked. I nodded. Heck... Who was I kidding? I don't think I'll even manage to get a hit in without using kido... Rukia slowly stood up and held her hand out to help me up, which I eagerly took. Pain coursed through my body, but I managed to get by without showing any sign of pain but a wince. After Rukia let go of my hand, I felt like I was going to fall over again, but before I could, Kaien quickly grabbed my hand to help me keep my balance. Rukia kept back a laugh as I felt my face starting to get hot. Just my luck... This was going to be a long day.