Thunder, Save Me
Summary: Two years after nearly being executed, Riina Asuka feels as if the entire world has turned their back on her. Mislead; she keeps making the wrong decisions. Where will she turn when sympathy runs out? Will she be able to stand when the pressure crushes her? Will her life come crashing down after yet another, shot in the dark?
Sequel to Rain, Forgive Me (a book about moving past guilt); Thunder, Save Me is about being your own hero and standing up when it all falls down.
Chapter Seven: Race to the Fall
Two days later...
Riina opened her eyes and heard something talking in the distance. She rolled unto her right side and her vision blurred. She felt the cozy couch underneath her. The soft fabric caused friction against her skin. She mumbled as she closed her eyes once again.
"Asuka-chan."
Riina grumbled again. Then she felt something tickling her skin, her eyes popped open and she saw a face ahead of her. "AHHH!" She screeched and moved away from the woman.
Orihime's orange hair was twined in her finger tips precisely and her face had a strange look on it. Her lips were pursed and her cheek was puffed out, it looked like she was pouting. "Asuka-chan.." Her voice was in a low whine. "We're going to miss the carnival if you don't get up." she pouted a little more.
Riina touched her nose, "Did you just?" The red head flipped over on the couch toward the cushions and closed her eyes. "Don't you know its rude to wake people up by tickling them?"
"You've been asleep for hours though and I told Kurosaki-kun we'd be there ten minutes ago." She said quietly.
"I'm sleepy, go without me." Riina snuggled against the couch.
"But, I bought you an outfit to wear."
Riina rolled back over, opening her eyes once again. She blinked, "An outfit?"
She now saw that Orihime was sitting on the edge of the sofa. The woman was wearing a pink polka dot tank top with a pink bow that tied up both of the shoulder straps. She was also wearing a jean skirt with it. The woman nodded confidently, "See?" She reached behind her and pulled out an outfit.
Riina squinted at this outfit. It was a gray top with no straps and a black bow that tied around the waist. There were also jeans to accompany it. Over all it was too girly than what Riina liked to wear but she smiled either way. "It looks nice." It was true, even though it wasn't her style.
Then again getting out of this purple shirt with fishnet sleeves was a good idea. She had two of these shirts, the other one in blue, but two shirts and one change of pants wasn't much. So she appreciated the change in outfit.
Gratefully, she grabbed the clothes. "A carnival? Well that does sound like fun." Her face brightened at the thought. But then she drooped, "But I'm still tired. And I don't really feel like having fun today. Why don't-"
"I already bought the tickets." She said quietly. It was almost unheard.
Riina frowned as she furiously grabbed the outfit and jumped off the couch, "Alright, alright, I'm going." She headed to the bathroom to change and heard a gleeful shout from Orihime.
A few minutes later Riina came out from the bathroom, freshly showered and newly clothed. She looked uncertain as she walked out. The steam from the shower evaporated into the room. All the meanwhile, her hands were pulling up the sleeveless shirt and staring downwards. "This is weird."
"Ooh!" Orihime placed her hands up to her chin, "So cute!"
Riina sweat dropped, "Please don't associate that word with me." She blushed.
Orihime merely laughed in response and jumped up to her feet. She brought along her small purse that was in the shape of a vivid green frog. She darted to the door and swung it open, causing the wind to sway her long hair. "Are you ready?"
Riina walked forward with her arms dangling forward and her back slouched. "I guess so."
The sun was bright that day. Riina was glad that she was wearing something with no sleeves. This way she would better be able to feel the warmth on her skin.
The carnival was held at the central park. There were a few small carnival rides and a Ferris wheel. Along with plenty of booths, a stage, balloons, crowds, and a rock climbing wall. There were shouts of joyous children and teens as they ran through the place in disorder. While the more civilized adults took their time and walked throughout the area.
It seemed to be a normal pleasant day in Karakura town.
Or that was what Riina suspected until she saw the group waiting ahead of them after they went through the ticket gate. Her face scrunched slightly and her head snapped toward Orihime, who was tugging gently at her arm.
"You didn't say he would be here." Her voice was low and she leaned inward.
"Heh. Oh. I guess I should have told you, sorry." She smiled and sweated a little.
Riina narrowed her eyes. She was probably plotting it all along! Orihime, that mastermind of evil. She knew Renji was coming and had forced Riina out the door! The red head flipped her head the other direction and sighed. Red strands of her hair catching on her lips as she did so.
"Inoue, I'll get you back for this." Their feet came to a stop, though Riina still looked the other way, her arm wrapped tighter around Orihime's.
"Inoue, Riina; I thought you guys couldn't make it." Ichigo pointed out.
Riina looked at the woman angrily.
The woman shriveled back a little, "Oh? Did I say that? I forgot." She smiled with her eyes closing.
"So she had other plans and then made me come here anyways? She was planning this!"Riina moved the hair that stuck to her chin and lips as she sighed, she would have to talk to the group at least a little.
"Hello, Ichigo-san." He was the easiest to talk to, Ishida and Sado were always a little awkward to say hi to. And she hardly knew the other woman, so she said hi to him first. "Ishida-san, Sado-san, Kuchiki-" Riina had to think about that... wasn't she wearing a badge the other day? Or was she just wearing something around her sleeve... she didn't remember so she just continued and said, "Kuchiki-san."
Now that she was looking ahead, she could take in the sight of the group. Ichigo stuffed his hands into his brown jean pockets. He was wearing a simple graphic tee with darker sleeves. But what stood out the most, as always, was his bright messy orange hair.
The other two males were wearing similar casual outfits. Rukia had on a different outfit though, a pretty black shirt that was loose around her arms and light colored jean shorts. The raven haired girl was in a relaxed stance, her hand on her left hip.
Riina stopped short as her vision went from the girl's dark eyes to the middle of Renji's chest. She really couldn't tell much, but refused to look him in the eyes, her eyes quickly darted away. Only catching a glimpse at his dark colored tee and shaggy pants.
No doubt they could all see she hadn't said hi to Renji so she murmured it quickly to get it over with, "Hello..." She faced him when she said it but her eyes still pointed the other direction. She didn't know what to call him, so she didn't say his name. She said it so quietly she wondered if anyone heard her.
"Since everyone's here I guess we could go look around." Ichigo suggested.
"I guess not." Riina huffed, so much effort wasted.
The group seemed to be in consensus. They all began to move toward the booths.
Riina crossed her arms over her chest, "Anyways, what are you doing here, Ishida-san? Carnivals don't seem to be your type." She wondered the same about Rukia and Renji being there too.
As if in answer to both of her questions, like the mind reader Ishida is, he replied, "It's the second day. The attack should take place tonight just like the other nights. From my calculations, the attacker has been waiting for a larger crowd to attack. Though, it likes to take cover in the darkness, I'm sure that it won't be able to resist the chance to attack this many people at once."
"Oh. Is that why everyone wanted to go to the carnival today?" Ichigo sounded surprised.
"You idiot! Did you already forget?!" Rukia clenched her fist as she yelled at the man.
"I swear you're clueless." Renji also muttered.
"Shut up." Ichigo sounded annoyed yet also defeated.
The group began to talk amongst themselves. Riina zoned out for a minute as she looked over to the stage. There was a husky man wearing a suit and shouting into the microphone.
"Last chance! There is only one more chance to sign up for today's races! Amaze your friends or better yet, challenge them! One and all come along for the annual obstacle course!" He waved around a cane and pointed at people as they passed.
As soon as their eyes met, Riina knew it was destined to be. An evil smirk came to her lips. This might just be a fun day still yet.
"Guys!" Riina stopped and interrupted the other conversations. "We have to sign up for this!"
"For what?" Riina could see the question on their surprised faces.
"It's an obstacle course thingy! A competition! Come on it'll be fun!" Riina waved her hands and pointed behind her toward the stage.
The group blinked at the same time.
"Well, It really wouldn't be fair." Uryu spoke up with a dismal voice. He fiddled with his glasses, "Any team I'm on would win."
Riina smiled as chaos ensued.
"Says the one who spends all night on calculations that don't even reveal anything." Ichigo spouted back.
"You're just too stupid to understand them!" Uryu growled.
"Either way, you're both going to lose if I join." Renji said matter of factly.
And in an instant the boys raced to the booth next to the stage where the sign ups were, leaving the rest in a puff of dust.
"They're so annoying." Rukia shook her head.
"Come on, Kuchiki-san!" Orihime beamed. "It'll be fun, I think."
"N-no!" Rukia said quickly. "I refuse to play games!"
"Rukia, come on, if you don't play we won't be able to show you up!" Renji called over at the booth.
Rukia frowned and now seemed interested as the two of them headed off to the booth.
All that was left was Riina who was smiling so hard that her cheeks hurt and Sado who just stood aloof.
She couldn't help but relish the idea of kicking Renji's butt at a game. She was so caught up with the idea that she didn't notice when the group was out of sight and signing up. She suddenly snapped back to reality and saw Chad just standing there.
"Are you going to-" Riina started to ask him.
"...The teams will be uneven if I join. I'll cheer you guys on." His voice was so low and drained of emotion that him saying such a thing was almost comical.
Riina gave a confident nod and ran over to the white booth.
"The race is about to begin! The two teams are: The Radicals-" The announcer pointed toward the males who were lined up at the starting line which was made up of some tape on the gravel path. Renji smiled proudly at the name they had chosen, or rather at the name that he had put down. Ichigo and Uryu both sighed at the sound of the name.
"And the second team: The Puffy Snuggle doos!"
"Inoue-san-WHAT THE HELL?" Riina growled an her teeth clenched together. She said it so fast that she didn't even know what words came from her lips.
Rukia seemed to agree. "Why would you make us look weak like that?!"
"It was the only name I could think of.." Orihime sweated.
The three girls were line up at the opposite side of the path.
"The first game we are going to play, out of three, is the 1 kilometer run!"
"And who the hec is he talking to?" Riina squinted at the man. There were literally, no one else besides them there. No one besides them had even signed up! So he was announcing this all to a crowd of zero- well one. Chad was there. So she supposed he counted as the audience.
"As soon as the first person finishes, they tag the second person, who has to dart over to the long jump, where they will jump over a pit of mud or fall in to their murky dooms!" He pointed next to the trail where the long jump was make shifted just like the starting line.
It seemed to be made up of two slip and slides and some mud had been poured on them. "Then those two will tag the last two standing over at the rock climbing wall. Whichever one gets up, over, down and to the finish line; wins!" He pointed next to the makeshift mud pits and over toward the rock wall.
"Lets get the players ready! Choose who you would like for each category."
Riina turned toward her group. "Alright,who wants to do what?"
"Uhm.." Orihime put a finger to her lip.
"I'm good at running." Rukia crossed her arms.
Riina nodded. "Alright, Inoue-san, sounds like you're stuck with long jump. Kuchiki-san will do the kilometer run, and I'm probably best suited for the climb."
The other two nodded and Orihime added, "Right!"
Riina could hear the males at the other side talk a little as well. Then she saw them nod out of the corner of her eye.
She hoped that she would be put up against Renji. Though, whether she was or not didn't matter as long as her team won against theirs. Then again she had no trouble with Uryu or Ichigo...
"Alright, let's get the members set up!" The announcer had to cuff his hands around his mouth to get the effect of a microphone which he didn't have at use this far from stage. He pointed at the starting line.
"This path will lead around the entire park and back. One kilometer. Runners step up to the line!"
Ichigo and Rukia gave each other a competitive glance as they each got up to the line.
Rukia smiled, "I'll try to take it easy, Ichigo."
Ichigo glared but also smiled, "Right, that is if I don't pass you up on the first bend."
"Long jumpers, get ready to be tagged behind them. The loop will lead right back here and you two will head over to the jump right after you've been tagged."
Inoue nodded and Uryu stiffened.
"I would have been better suited for the run, Kurosaki." Ishida frowned. Then he calmed and looked over at Orihime, "Do your best, Inoue-san."
The girl smiled and they both got ready.
Riina jumped as soon as she realized she had been matched against Renji. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her lips curled upward.
"The two climbers, head over to the rock wall and get equipped."
Riina headed over to the rock wall which was several feet away. Over grass and she walked around the slip n' slides. She kept her arms crossed but still smiled. The walk over was a little awkward because Renji was next to her.
"Riina-"
She cut him off, "You ready to lose?" She sneered and finally looked into his eyes. The male was much taller and she had to tilt her head up in response.
His long hair was pulled back into a ponytail that was loose and his hair came around to his shoulders. The deep red strands swayed a little as he walked forward. Sleek black glasses were over his forehead.
The male didn't seem to share her enthusiasm. Instead he had a very serious look on his face. "Is that why you wanted to do this? Just so you could beat me?"
Riina stopped walking. Her fists clenched at her sides now. "It doesn't matter." She continued forward, "People are depending on you. So let's race."
"I'm not going to race you just because you want me to."
Riina could hear his pace slow. She didn't bother to turn around. The rock wall was getting closer. "I don't care if you want to race or not. One way or the other, I'm going to defeat you." She said coldly.
Finally, the two were standing right in front of the tall rock wall. Riina had to say it was about one hundred feet tall. There were already climbers on it and no doubt it was the star attraction of the entire carnival. Still there were two paths set aside for the two of them to race on.
She couldn't tell what emotion was on Renji's face because she wasn't turned that way. But as the two instructors came over to help them gear up, she saw something in the corner of her eye.
She turned and saw Renji refuse the climbing equipment.
Riina snapped, "What, chickening out?"
He frowned slightly. "I said I'm not going to race just because you want me to."
The red head also refused the climbing equipment, "Fine, then you'll lose."
"Ma'am, I can't let you go on if you don't have the equipment on." One of the instructors said and held out a helmet for her.
"We'll see about that." Riina moved the helmet away, her fierce eyes catching Renji's.
And in an instant it looked like he understood that she was planning on climbing the wall without the gear.
"If everyone is ready, then go!" The announcer called out in the distance, as a go he shot off a small pistol. It was a blank but the crack was loud and scared birds from their nests. Riina jumped at the sound and saw Rukia place something in her mouth.
Suddenly, the girl was in her shinigami form. She sped off in an instant.
Riina couldn't quite hear Ichigo but he looked angry as he took out his soul badge and placed it to his chest. In a second, he was off as well.
She smiled to see that they had gotten so competitive.
"Riina, you can't go up there." Renji warned her.
"You won't be able to stop me." She whispered back. "The only way you will even be able to try is if you climb the rocks with me."
Renji was trapped now, she knew it. He would either try to stop her by climbing after her or he would just stand back and watch.
She could see that her plan was working when she heard him sigh.
She looked over and saw his form come out of his body, his shinigami clothes were on now and his eyes narrowed at her. "Alright, you win. Let's race."
Riina smirked and gave a nod.
It didn't take long at all for Ichigo and Rukia to end up at the starting line all over again. They had looped in it under a minute. They both quickly tagged the other two players.
"Go Inoue-san!" Riina cheered.
Uryu jumped over the slip n slide easily where as, Inoue fell and slipped. Mud flew into the air and the girl was unrecognizable.
They were still out of ear shot but she saw as Uryu went back for the girl and helped her out of the mud.
Riina face palmed. It was supposed to be a race not a sympathy match. She watched unamused as the two casually walked over. Riina tapped her foot expectantly.
"It's just a race, Riina." Renji sighed.
"Stop calling me that!" Riina snapped. "It's Asuka-san to you!" She turned around ready to go, her hand behind her back, ready for Inoue's muddy hand to tag hers.
The instructors ran up to the two and were about to pull them aside and stop the race but it was too late. At the same time, the two were tapped. And the red heads raced up the giant rock wall.
"What do you mean, call you Asuka-san?" Renji sounded agitated.
They were even on the rock wall. Both of them climbing at the same pace.
Riina grabbed another rubbery stub and hoisted her way up another foot. "I don't want you acting so friendly with me, Abarai-san!"
One of the nubs was thin and hard to grasp and he lost her grip for a second. She dangled but swung her way back up.
Now Renji was ahead of her. "Why not? Why are you so mad at me?! Why are you calling me Abarai now too?"
"You should know why!" Riina yelled back. This was the hard side of the rock wall because it curved inward and made it so that you had to have a very hard grip just to stay on the wall.
"I don't! Stop trying to play some childish game."
Riina raced up and got even with him. "Childish? I'm not being childish!"
"What do you call it then, being mature?" He huffed as he struggled.
Riina was noticing the difficulty as well. The two of them were already almost all the way up. There were people watching on the ground, Riina noticed as she almost lost her footing. They were all cheering and some of them seemed to be in awe at how fast they were climbing.
Or maybe just at how fast she was climbing. She was sure a handful of the crowd couldn't see Renji in his spirit form.
"Why don't you just can it?" Riina inhaled deeply and she held it for a few seconds as she got over another tough spot.
The heights didn't concern her at the moment. She was more absorbed into the race.
They were nearing the top and she was so furious, she actually ended up going faster. She took the lead by a few paces. She flung her leg over the top. The top was moderately thin for such a large structure. It was much thicker at the bottom.
All the sudden, she heard a loud crack! Her eyes widened as she looked down and saw the ground open up and the people all scream desperately. Their cries could even be heard so high up.
But what had cause the large gape in the earth? She turned her head to see three large hallows. One of them had pounded their fists into the ground by the looks of it. And it had caused a rift in the dirt.
Nothing huge but it was enough to knock the tower unstable. It snapped to the right as it couldn't handle the pressure any longer. The wood snapping was loud like a bomb. Each timber crunched to the right.
Soon the whole top part was falling off. Leaving Renji and Riina in a mist of destruction as the two fell down to the earth.
More screams were heard but it was all a blur to Riina. She wanted to catch unto the ledge of the half that was still standing but because of how fast she was falling, she only managed to break off a good chunk of the wood.
She was once able to stand in the air but for some reason she couldn't catch her footing. Maybe it was because she was falling too fast, maybe this new gigai was unable to let her do such a thing.
It did seem heavier. Like a fake weight was pulling on her. She couldn't understand why she wasn't able to stand in the air. But it didn't really matter. She was falling. She was going to be woken up by smashing of her bones against the ground if she didn't think straight.
She didn't doubt she would live. She did doubt her chances of not being injured though. Her hand reached out once more for the ledge and this time, success!
The wood of the top of the tower plummeted past her. It barely missed skimming her. Though she also saw something else falling with it. Renji?
Was he somehow unable to catch himself? Why was he falling? Was something odd pulling him downwards as well?
No, that didn't appear to be the problem, his face was bloodied. When the tower had cracked, perhaps a wooden projectile had cut him?
There wasn't time to think as she stuck out her hand and caught him a millisecond after. Her left hand gripped the nub on the surface harder. It nearly gave way from the weight. But Riina was confident that she could hold unto the man.
However, she was wrong. Her right hand was slippery from the climb. And he began to slip.
He looked as if he was unconscious. His body was meek and limp.
"Hey!" Riina called out. She tried to get him to open his eyes. Her right hand slipped from his more. "Open your eyes!" She struggled to hold him.
Soon she only had the tips of his fingers in her grasp.
One second later, his fingers slipped entirely.
"RENJI!"