"Have my faith without a doubt; Walk on water in the gale, If your foot slips, I'll pull you out;

The waves that toss you to and fro, that try to send you down below, cannot drown us nor prevail!"

~Mark Walters

II: Without A Doubt

(Kenpachi POV)

I had closed my eyes…

I knew the finishing blow was upon me and I deserved it. If one cannot be the strongest in battle, one deserves death. I accept victory and nothing less…

'Boy he sure is taking his time…' I thought.

That is when I heard; not felt, the impact. I heard her gasp of pain…

'Yachiru…No….'

My eyes whipped open to see her slumped over the Espada's Zanpakato, her blood dripping through the air. I saw her slender fingers touch the sticky blood and hold them up…The ghost of a smile on her full lips. The Espada ripped out his Zanpakato in a disgusted manner, grabbing Yachiru by the neck and snarling;

Nnoitra: "How dare you! You pathetic thing, interrupting the killing blow! At least I killed something, I suppose…Why would you throw yourself before a blade so defenselessly?!"

She coughed a think wet cough, blood trickling down her chin before she painfully choked out;

Yachiru: "Without a doubt…I would sacrifice myself for my…Ken-chan…"

Nnoitra smirked, disgusted before retorting;

Nnoitra: "What a foolish child….."

He tossed her aside and she plummeted to the tops of the warehouses below. I snarled, my vision tinted red and suddenly I was free of my paralyzing bonds. I launched forward and beheaded Nnoitra with one vicious blow. His expression was on of shock before his body and head disintegrated to ash. I slowly looked down seeing her…MY Yachiru on the roof of a warehouse; Motionless…

'I cannot breathe…Yachiru….Stupid girl….'

I began to make my way to where her body was laying; Overcome with many emotions.