Hello, all! So, I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update this story due to moving and whatever else life throws my way, but I will try to do my best, and I'm sorry that it took me so long! Whether it's once a week or once a month, this story has been trapped in my head and I have to get it out. Thanks to those who favorite/followed and reviewed, and please enjoy!
Ahh, yes, and, as always, I don't own Bleach or anything about it, just the OC and other original things connected to her. R&R!
Shuhei and Saori spent two hours just sitting together in the lavender field, enjoying each other's company while getting to know one another.
"You know, when I first saw you, you seemed sad. But this whole time, we've done nothing but laugh and have a good time. You're a genuinely happy person after all."
"I like to think I am. But you're right, I was sad when you first saw me," Saori sighed. "When my brothers came to visit me a week or so ago, we got into a fight and they left before anything was resolved."
"So they don't live with you anymore?"
"No. They live in the Seireitei, in the Squad Eleven barracks."
"Squad Eleven, huh? What are their names?"
Suddenly, Saori jumped to her feet, tension running through her muscles. Shuhei slowly stood up beside her, confused and worried at her actions.
"Sorry. If you don't want to talk to about your brothers, it's understandable. We can talk about something el-"
"Move."
"What? What's wrong, Saori?"
"Move now!" Saori screamed just before slamming her shoulder into him, knocking Shuhei back a few paces.
From seemingly nowhere, a hollow appeared right in front of Saori, slashing where Shuhei had been standing, landing a blow on Saori's stomach. Shuhei immediately flew into action, drawing his zanpakuto and taking out the hollow in one fatal swipe. Spinning around, he saw Saori with a hand to her stomach, a confused look in her purple eyes as she collapsed to her knees.
Shuhei threw himself to the ground, kneeling next to her. Saori slowly removed her shaking hand from her wound, which was a long, deep cut in her stomach that was bleeding profusely, staining her pale blue yukata a deep crimson.
"Dammit, Saori, why did you do that?"
"Wanted…to protect…" came her weak response.
"I'm the lieutenant of the Ninth Court Guard Squad. You should have just warned me instead of going and getting yourself injured."
"…Sorry…Shuhei…"
"No matter, I'll get you to the Seireitei so Squad Four can tend to your wound. Just hang in there. It'll hurt when I pick you up, but please just bear with it."
With a weak nod of Saori's head as affirmation, Shuhei gathered her body into his arms as gently as he could. After a few painful gasps, Saori was settled close to Shuhei's body and he took off at a fast pace, being careful not to jar her.
When Shuhei made it to the West Gate, he yelled to Jidanbo to step aside so that he could enter, but before he could, a voice inquired from behind him, "who is the girl, Shuhei?"
"Captain," Shuhei greeted with surprise. "I met this girl on the outskirts of the Rukon District and we were attacked by a hollow. She was injured protecting me, and I want to get her to the Squad Four barracks as quickly as possible, Sir."
"Hmm, very well then. You may stay with her for as long as you deem necessary. Jidanbo, let Lieutenant Hisagi through," Captain Tosen ordered.
"Thank you, Captain," Shuhei said over his shoulder as he ran through the door.
He made short work of getting to the Squad Four barracks. Practically bursting through the doors, he found Lieutenant Kotetsu and instantly began demanding her help.
"Calm down, Lieutenant Hisagi. Lay her down here," Isane gestured to an empty cot just behind her. "Now tell me what happened while I ascertain the damage."
"We were attacked by a hollow. It slashed her."
"I see. Do you know her name?"
"Saori."
"Alright. And does she have any family that you know of that should be notified of her condition?"
"She told me that she has two brothers, soul reapers from Squad Eleven, but I don't know their names."
"Hmm…Harunobu, go to the Squad Eleven barracks and, when Captain Zaraki's permission, see if you can find this girl's brothers."
"Yes, Ma'am," the Eighth Seat responded before sprinting out.
"Now then, her injuries are indeed severe. Along with the wound in her abdomen, she has some light bruising, presumably from falling, and was most likely in shock before losing consciousness. With that said, I do believe that she can fully recover, but it will take some time."
"Please do your best. I'll try to stay out of your way, but I refuse to leave her side, at least not until she wakes."
"As you wish, Lieutenant."
Six minutes later, Harunobu Ogido arrived at the Squad Eleven barracks and made his was to Captain Kenpachi Zaraki.
"Captain Zaraki, I am Harunobu Ogido, Eighth Seat of Squad Four. I'm requesting your permission to speak with your men in order to find the brothers of a new patient from the Rukon District on the orders of my Lieutenant."
Without even looking up from his lounging position, Captain Zaraki approved Harunobu's request. Since there were a few Squad Eleven members hanging out in this main hall, Harunobu decided to ask them all at once, figuring that would eliminate a small chunk if no one in this room knew who he was looking for.
"May I please have your attention, Squad Eleven members. I am looking for the two brothers of a young woman named Saori. Does anyone in this room know of the men I'm searching for?"
"Why do you ask?" Ikkaku's wary inquiry.
"This young woman was gravely injured by a hollow and looks to be in critical condition for the time being. Lieutenant Kotetsu wishes for her family to be informed."
"Dammit! How the hell did this happen!? Never mind," Ikkaku cut Harunobu off when he began stuttering. "I'll find Yumichika and we'll head over now. That okay with you, Captain?"
"Sure, go ahead," was Kenpachi's bored response.
"Right. You, Squad Four guy, get back to your barracks and look after my sister. We'll be there soon!" With that, Ikkaku went running off to find Yumichika, who was just as upset upon hearing of their younger sister's perilous condition. Together, they raced towards Squad Four's barracks.
