Hiya~!
I really, really hated writing this chapter. I don't know what it is about fight scenes, but for some reason they're so much harder to write than the normal stuff. Which is why this sucks. A lot. Izuru is also getting a little bit scary. Not that he wasn't before. Because he totally was. But he's getting progressively worse. I'm sorry to any Kira fans I'm pissing off! He just seems like the perfect person to have a previously suppressed dark, twisty side. Don't you think?
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Shiro-chan stumbles back in shock.
"You dare draw your weapon against a Captain?" He exclaims. I feel my mouth hanging agape, but make no effort to close it. Izuru's actions before this point weren't exactly the brightest, but at least he wasn't breaking Soul Society rules. Even worse, I know the fight between the two wouldn't be fair! Shiro-chan would completely obliterate Izuru, without a doubt.
I struggle to my feet, cradling my injured arm. "Izuru, don't be a fool. Not only could you be demoted and stripped of your responsibilities, but you could also get seriously hurt. Please, put down your weapon." Come on, you must listen to reason.
"Now you care about my wellbeing, dear Momo?" Izuru cocks his head to the side in mock confusion. "Just a second ago, you were spurning my love and begging me to leave you alone." Visibly agitated, he takes an angry step in my direction. I stager in the opposite direction, but my fear is unnecessary.
"You won't lay a hand on her," Shiro-chan cries as he leaps in front of me, shielding me with his body. "If you take one more step, I'll have to use physical force to subdue you." He draws his zanpakuto, and my breath catches. Will he really try and kill Izuru? But my panic quickly subsides, as he does not release it. Izuru appears unaffected by this show of defence; his lips tense into a harsh line and he sends a look of pure venom our way. Oh, if looks could kill...
With a taunting smile, Izuru takes one large stride towards us.
"Sit upon the frozen heavens, Hyorinmaru!" Shiro-chan releases his zanpakuto and his small figure blurs before my eyes. Just as suddenly, he disappears. Looking left and right for his little white head, I notice Izuru is missing as well. Where did they go? I'm so exhausted; I can't even follow basic flash step. Swords clash from above, and a wave of reiatsu sends me crashing to the ground again. Second time in five minutes! I really need to start training again, I'm so weak.
Rubbing my sore behind, I tilt my chin up and search the skies for movement. There is none. I hear explosions to my left, and find the two shinigami with their swords locked. Izuru's lips twist into an amused grin and he pulls away. Why? This makes no sense. Physically, he's probably stronger than Shiro-chan, so why would he abandon his momentary advantage? Shiro-chan holds his zanpakuto up high, ready for the next attack. Gradually, his face contorts in pain and I resist the urge to run to him and offer my help. But I would probably do more harm than good.
Realisation touches Shiro-chans features as his grip on Hyonrinmaru continues to weaken. With each passing second, it becomes harder and harder for him to keep it above the ground. "I should have known."
Should have known what? Why am I always the last to figure these things out?
Most probably to humour me, Izuru elaborates. "You're aware of Wabisuke's special ability, Captain Hitsugaya. With each strike, it doubles the weight of whatever it touches. By now, your zanpakuto should weigh about 470lbs. I'm surprised you're still on your feet. Very admirable."
Oh no, no! I completely forgot about Izuru's shikai. I cannot believe this is happening. As much as I hate admitting it, Shiro-chan is a Captain. He can't possibly be losing to a lieutenant, can he?
Still struggling with his heavy zanpakuto, Shiro-chan only manages a grunt in response. Izuru approaches him calmly, and leans down to whisper something in his ear. Words of farewell? He touches Wabisuke once more to Hyorinmaru, and with a moan of defeat, Shiro-chan collapses. Lifting his sword above him, Izuru prepares to deal out one final blow.
Not if I can help it.
Faster than I thought possible, I'm at Shiro-chan's side. I brace myself for the horrible sound of Wabisuke cutting in Shiro-chan's skin. But instead I find myself holding strong to my own zankpakuto, blocking the attack. I honestly didn't think I'd be quick enough. Don't fail me now, Tobiume.
"Well, well. You think you can really face me in your condition? How noble, to try and save your best friend." Izuru raises an eyebrow, obviously amused at my desperate rescue attempt. I grind my teeth, seething in a mixture of fury and resentment. When did he become so heartless? This is certainly not the Izuru I thought I knew. I may be in the process of recovering, but that doesn't mean I can't kick his scrawny butt. Even if Shiro-chan couldn't. People should stop underestimating me.
Tobiume suddenly drops like a rock. Despite my best efforts, I keel over slightly under the immense weight. Damn, that's unfair. I won't bow my head to the likes of Izuru, though. Even if he was my friend. I can feel my arms quivering, but with a newfound resolve, I manage to lift my zanpakuto once more. That's just fine, Izuru. You may be my superior physically, but I still have skills you surely can't match.
I sheath Tobiume and take a deep breath. Izuru looks on in confusion, but a small smile crosses Shiro-chan's face. He knows very well what I'm about to do. I square my feet, and hold my hands straight out before me, right palm braced against the back of my left.
"Hado 33, Sokatsui." I murmur, forgoing the long incantation. I know the strength of my attack will be greatly decreased, but I don't wish to harm Izuru. Only stop him.
An enormous blast of blue spiritual power erupts from the palm of my left hand, encompassing a completely astonished Izuru. As he flies backwards through the air, I can't help but be reminded of the hapless cloth dummies we used to train with back at the Academy. He didn't think I'd have energy for that kind of attack, I gather. Everyone thinks I'm out of practice, but the truth of the matter is Kido is part of who I am. A part that doesn't fade with time.
He lands in a rumpled heap several yards back. At first, I think I've knocked him out cold. But somehow he finds the strength to pull himself to his feet. Standing there, wobbling slightly and leaning on his zanpakuto, he's hardly a threat. The combined damage inflicted by mine and Shiro-chan's attacks have left him exhausted and visibly wounded. A trail of blood leaks down from a deep gash on his forehead and a large, discoloured bruise is beginning to form on his left cheek.
I narrow my eyes, irritated by the force of his determination. Though I begin gathering inner strength for another spell, it soon becomes clear that it's unnecessary.
"Relax, there's no need for any more Kido. Any further attacks would be simply excessive. It seems as though you've won your battle." Izuru smile is full of pure malice. "For today." With a wink that sends chills rushing down my spine, he vanishes.
I exhale, a long release. Sinking to the ground beside Shiro-chan, I realise how tired I actually am. I doubt I would have been able to successfully execute another spell. Luck must be on our side, or else we'd be at Izuru's mercy right now. Glancing beside me, I note that Shiro-chan's back on his feet. He dusts himself off and fixes his haori. God he's meticulous. And he doesn't meet my eye, which I find exceedingly strange.
The silence becomes too much for me. "You're very welcome!" I joke, hoping to lighten the mood. "How does it feel? Being saved by a girl! Oh, I'll use this one against you in the future, mark my words. A big, mean Captain gets rescued by a lowly Lieutenant. The Shinigami Woman's Society will get a kick out of this one! They'll just roll on the floor with laughter."
My rant is short lived; Shiro-chan doesn't seem to be paying much attention. It's no fun to make jokes at his expense if he's not listening. He makes me so angry sometimes! Oh, that reminds me of something I've been meaning to bother him about.
"Why didn't you stay last night?" I stick my bottom lip out, pouting. I'm such a baby sometimes, and it kills me. "You promised you would. But then I got stuck with Rangiku! I had to watch her and Ikkaku play these awful practical jok--"
Shiro-chan cuts me off. "I had important things to attend to." He reminds me. His voice is so cold and emotionless. Looking down at me, with those harsh turquoise eyes of his, I can't help but cower. Seeing my unhappy expression and probably pathetic demeanour, his expression softens and he extends his hand down towards me. I stick my tongue out at him and cross my arms over my chest. Does he really think I'll comply? His gestures just scream false sincerity. I don't need his help. Ignoring his hand, I begin to push myself up, using Tobiume as a crutch.
I am independent.
I am self sufficient.
I am—
My arms give out before I'm even three feet off the ground. Curse my exhausted arms. Shutting my eyes tightly, I prepare myself for the inevitable impact of the hard concrete. It doesn't come. I feel strong arms catch me around my waist and shoulders. I blink and find Shiro-chan rolling his eyes at me. They are no longer tinged with cold indifference. His thoroughly arresting gaze is filled with a mocking contempt, and if it could speak I'm sure it'd say, "I told you so." But there is also something else there, hidden but not undetectable. A strange look that I can't seem to place...
"Don't be so difficult," Shiro-chan breathes into my ear. "Everyone needs help sometimes. Even big, mean Captains like me." So he was listening then.
He scoops me up off my feet and into his arms. The inane need to test his resolve wins over the sheer pleasure I feel by having his arms around me. I begin to struggle. Kicking my feet out violently, I expect him to give up and drop me. But he holds tight. After several ineffective moments of wild thrashing, I'm the one who gives in. I'm too tired for this kind of effort.
Satisfied that I won't be putting up another fight any time soon, he swings me up onto his back. I hook my legs between his arms and wind my grip around his neck. Resting my chin against his shoulder, I enjoy the gentle rhythm of his sandals clapping on the pavement as he makes his way towards the 5th division headquarters.
"Thank you, Shiro-chan."
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It's summer vacation! Finally!
Meaning I'll most probably be finding more time to write. But I need to get through exams first, so I don't think I'll have a chance to update anytime soon. I'm really sorry, but it'll be at least a couple of weeks until the next chapter goes up.
But I promise the wait will be worth it!!
As always, thanks for reading!
Please review ;)
