I didn't think I would get this far. Had to change two of the chapters around because I finished this one before the original chapter 7. Thank you all my loyal readers and reviewers!! Not to disappoint you here is chapter 7
Chapter 7: The Demon Within
Red eyes gradually opened, a red ceiling hit his eyes hazily.
"Bout time you woke up, Sleeping Pineapple!"
He shifted himself off the ground and shot the Sexta espada a dirty look. He rubbed the back of his head with his large hand before he inspected the room. Green walls with white pillars from floor to ceiling, the room seemed to stretch in the distance for an eternity.
"Where the hell are we? Where's everyone else?"
"How should I know, I only woke up a few moments ago."
"Great! So I'm stuck with you, of all people."
"I could say the same thing, shinigami." The pair growled furiously at each other.
'Stop your fighting Grimmy, now is not the time.'
He looked around trying to find his elusive woman.
'Heh, given me a pet name already? How cute. Anyway, come on out woman, wherever you're hiding.'
'I'm not hiding. I'm behind you.'
He spun his head round and saw her vibrant purple eyes staring straight at him before speaking.
"I've scouted around and I can't see any of the others."
"So it's just us three." commented Renji
"Looks that way doesn't it pineapple."
"Listen you, I ain't taking any crap from you alright." Testosterone filled the room as both men stood up and faced each other off.
"Oh really, PINEAPPLE! Cuz I'm just in the mood for making fruit salad outta your ass!"
"I'd love to see you try, might end up cutting you own sorry ass instead."
"Oh yeah!"
"Yeah!" Their faces were so close together, each had a grip on the hilt of their swords, snarling.
"Stop it." Tsukiko pushed her way in between the snarling men, placing a hand on each of their chests, trying to push them away from each other.
"We have no time to fight each other, we need to find the others." Moving away she began to walk off.
"Don't think this over pineapple. When we get outta here, I'll prove to you whose the better fighter."
"Can't wait, blueberry."
"I've been waiting for you all."
Everyone stood their ground as a familiar voice echoed around the room. Grimmjow growled and Tsukiko's face drained of colour as she backed away and grabbed on to Renji's flapping sleeve for dear life.
"Szayel. Show yourself, you bastard!"
"My, my, rude as always, Grimmjow."
Stepping out off the darkness, the pink haired espada presented himself to trio, hands behind his back smiling deviously at them.
"Oh, a shinigami and…awww the lovely Tsukiko, did you miss me?"
Her eyes narrowed at him but she still huddled close to Renji's side as the pink haired man smirked over at her, running his tongue over his lips.
"Who is this dude?" whispered Renji whilst keeping his eye on Szayel.
"Let me answer that. I'm the 8th espada, Szayel Aporro Granz. Nice to meet you."
"Lieutenant of the 6th squad, Aba…"
"I know who you are."
"I didn't realise I was so famous" smirked Renji.
"Only to me, but you're probably wondering why I know you so well, the clue is in my name."
Renji blinked, still puzzled. He didn't like people playing games with him. He was a straight forward man, who wanted straight forward answers. Then it hit him.
"Ilfort Granz."
"Ah so you figured it out, Ilfort Granz was my older brother."
"Older brother?"
"Yes but he was a reckless, worthless sack of parasites who deserved to die."
Renji looked disgusted at him.
"Despicable."
Szayel eyed him with mild surprise at the response.
"I didn't expect you to say that. I am telling the truth though. Before he recklessly invaded the Real World, he was injected with tiny parasites which recorded the data I needed from your fight with him. So, I know everything about you." A sly grin appeared on his face.
"Oh really? Let's see how much you really know about me." Renji took a step forward but his sleeve was still in Tsukiko's tight grip.
"Renji…be careful."
He patted her on the head and smirked.
"Don't you have any faith in me? I'll wipe the floor with him. Go stand by blueberry over there, this shouldn't take long."
"The name's Grimmjow, jackass! Use it."
Renji snorted at him and walked closer to Szayel. Tsukiko slinked sadly over to Grimmjow. His arms were folded and he had a deep frown on his face, watching Renji with mild irritation.
"I don't like it." She turned to look at him, clasping onto the edge of his jacket anxiously.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I don't like the way you are around that pineapple head."
"His name is Renji and he is one of my closest friends."
"Yeah, a bit too close for my liking."
'Grimmjow, why are you being like this?'
'I being like this because I don't like how close you are with him, it makes me sick!'
Her head tilted down, releasing her grip on his jacket and clasped her hands together tightly.
'He is like a brother to me, how can you say these things? I've known him longer than you and I have to say trust him more than you.'
Her inner voice was getting more and more intense, causing the colours of their minds to rapidly change but she regretted saying her last comment as Grimmjow frowned fiercely.
'So, you still don't trust me?! After everything I've told you, after everything I've done for you! Thanks woman, thanks a fucking lot! Now I know where I stand with you and where your fucking priorities lie!'
'Grimmjow, that's not what I meant!'
But it was too late; he concealed himself behind the barriers. Tsukiko looked over at Grimmjow but his back was now to her. She let out a sad sigh and watched Renji prepare to fight.
"I don't really want to fight you." Said Szayel, holding his hands as if to surrender. Renji was astonished at such a request, a war between hollows and shinigami was raging and this joker didn't want to fight? Ridiculous!
"Don't try and worm you way outta fighting me, unless you're too afraid."
"Heh, don't insult me, I may not be as strong as you in physical strength but I more than outclass you in intelligence."
The insult hit a raw nerve, not liked being called stupid, Renji narrowed his eyes and stood in his fighting stance.
"You're gonna regret saying that! BANKAI!"
Dust from the ground whirled around him, Szayel merely smirked at the sight of Renji's bankai. He swung the enormous snake towards Szayel, waiting for impact but was stopped short and it simply crumbled away to dust. Shock spread across his face, Renji couldn't believe what had just happened.
"Oh I forgot to tell you, I analyzed your reiatsu and what you weapon can do. You can't use your bankai here. This room was specifically created for that purpose."
"Son of a bitch!"
"So? Who's next?"
"Oi! I ain't finished with you yet!"
"I say you are pineapple." Grimmjow stood by his side, hands in his pockets.
"Step aside, I'll show you how to take out the trash properly!" Hand resting on his sword, he glared at Szayel.
"Hey! I ain't finished with that freak yet!"
"Oh I think you are! What else can you do without your shitty bankai?"
Renji growled in response. He was right, without his bankai, he couldn't match an espada's strength, his shikai would barely leave a mark and using kidou was out of the question, he was useless at it.
"Fine, Mr Big Shot! Let's see what you can do!"
Grimmjow smirked, knowing he was going to show Renji up good and proper.
'Grimmjow, be careful.'
He glanced over his shoulder at Tsukiko, her eyes were staring straight into his. He shrugged off her comment and suddenly charged at Szayel, sword slicing at him. Fist flying at him. He was on a roll, nothing could stop him! He rained attack after attack at Szayel, who didn't seem to put up much of a fight, which annoyed Grimmjow because he wanted an enjoyable fight.
"He he he he."
Grimmjow paused a moment, hearing the soft laughter.
"What's so funny Pinky?"
"HA HA HA! You really are just a dumb animal!" The voice came from far away. Grimmjow looked down Szayel, only to see him turn to dust.
"What the hell?!" Grimmjow stepped back to examine the pile of dust that was Szayel.
"Behind you!" A sword ran deep into Grimmjow's shoulder, letting him growl in annoyance.
"You little shit!" Swiping behind him with an angry hand, Szayel jumped out the way, ripping out his sword as he watched in delight at Grimmjow as he clutched at his bloodied shoulder, blood dripping through his shaky fingers.
'Grimmjow' Tsukiko began to run towards him.
"STAY BACK!" His voice bellowed through the room. She paused, watching him get to his feet.
"I don't need your help to take this bastard down!" He stood up and composed himself.
"Besides I'm doing this for you." His whispered words echoed in her ears. He was still wound up about the terrible events that happened days earlier. He wanted to exact revenge on Szayel for hurting his pride, the one person close to him and she knew it was pointless to interfere. She knew from experience that the battle will go on until one of them is dead. She stepped into her place next to Renji and watched apprehensively.
Grimmjow smirked over at the pink haired espada.
"Heh, I'm surprised, if you really wanted to kill me, why not stab me somewhere where it will actual do some damage, dumbass!"
"I don't want to kill you just yet, I want to make your demise as slow and as painful as I possibly can, so much so that you will be begging me to kill you."
Grimmjow sent him a cocky grin.
"Yeah right! I'd just love to see you try, in fact, come over here right now and try and kill me, come on, I dare ya!"
Szayel smirked slightly and sonido-ed towards Grimmjow, sword crashing down at him but was deflected by a simple wave of Grimmjow's hand. Ready for a second attack, Szayel swung his sword across and made a gash on the side of Grimmjow's face. Counterattacking, Grimmjow punched him square in the face, hard, making the pink haired man recoil slightly. Sweat was pouring down Grimmjow's face. The fight hadn't properly started in his books and he was already sweating buckets.
"What the hell?" He muttered to himself but Szayel heard him and smirked.
"So the drug has taken effect?"
Grimmjow's usual smirk faltered.
"That wound I made on your shoulder, was just so I could get it into your system. You'll feel drowsy for a while. You're at stage one at the moment, sweating, but stage two will come soon, blurriness."
And on cue, Grimmjow's vision became clouded and shaky. Rubbing his eyes furiously to rid the blurriness but to no avail
"Heh, it's gonna take more than that to bring me down." Swords clashed violently together, attacking each other at high speed.
"Stupid blueberry, he's getting himself killed." Renji tutted, shaking his head in disgust.
"RARGHHHHHH!" A giant shadow loomed over the pair roaring as it prepared to strike. Renji dived at Tsukiko, pushing them both over to a nearby wall as they narrowly missed being squashed by a giant fist.
"Damn, that was close." Gasped Renji. The dust cleared, an enormous arrancar was looking around for them as more of them creeped out, wanting a piece of the action.
"Stay here, while I fight these guys." He didn't really want to leave her side but if they were going to survive he would have to fight them.
"Renji, wait" Grabbing onto his sleeve, he turned to glance at her.
"I want to help."
"No. Stay here, I will deal with them, besides you have no sword, how you going to defeat them?
"Renji…" Her voice was still quiet but very firm.
"I've watched as everyone else has fought for a cause whilst I did nothing because I was afraid of my powers but not anymore. Let me fight."
He wanted to talk her out of it but seeing the seriousness on her face, he just couldn't say no.
"Alright."
"Wait. We need to get this bracelet off me."
Renji looked puzzled.
"Now's not the time to worry about breaking your jewellery."
"That's not what I meant. This bracelet suppresses most of my power, I've been trying to work out to remove it but so far no success."
"Here let me try." He held onto her wrist and examined it, twisting it round her wrist, inspecting all sides. He noticed a clasp.
"Silly girl, there's a clasp on here, you could easily take it off." He went to undo it but it didn't move. He tugged at it but it still wouldn't break.
"Renji, look out!" She pushed hard at his chest, making him slide out the way of another attack from one of the arrancar.
"Howl Zabimaru!" Swinging his snake like sword at the arrancar, cutting it in half. He dived right into the huddle of arrancar, shouting and attacking. Again Tsukiko was left out the action. In front Renji was attacking arrancar but looked like he was having a tough time, taking quite a lot of damage. Behind her, Grimmjow was still battling Szayel, barely managing to hurt him, his body was slowing down and his attacks were becoming sloppy. Tsukiko held her head in her hands in frustration. Not being able to help, seeing the people she cared about getting hurt. She couldn't take it anymore.
"ARGH!!" Her head shot up just as she saw Renji shoot pass her eye line and collapsing in a bloody heap. He'd defeated Szayel's Fraccion but at a heavy cost.
"Renji!" She ran over to him and wiped away the blood that collected around his eyes. His top was ripped and his hakama were dirtied and scuffed. His eyes were half open and his breathing was heavy.
"Oh dear me. He's not very good is he?" Tsukiko looked over and her eyes widened. Szayel was smiling widely as he held a drowsy Grimmjow by the back of his shirt. He chucked him over to her, his body sliding across the ground towards her.
"Grimmjow!" She ran over to him, grabbed him by the shoulders of his shirt and slowly dragged him next to Renji. He was in the same state as Renji but he was breathing and sweating more. Placing he hand over his forehead, feeling him burn up, a gasp escaped his lips as he felt the heat scorching his insides.
"It's going to be ok." She was reassuring herself more than him
"So what you going to do now?" Szayel's smug grin goaded her, but also scared her. The same grin present when he tortured her, chilled her to the bone. She looked back at the two broken men on the ground. Her anger was building immensely inside her like a volcano ready to erupt. Her body started to shake as her bracelet rattled slightly on her wrist.
"Woman…" Grimmjow painfully eased himself up off the ground, feeling her intense anger he also felt something else, something really strong and disturbing, a suffocating evil aura flowing out of her.
"Take off my bracelet."
Grimmjow just stared at her with his azure eyes.
"I don't… think that's a good idea."
"Take it off NOW!" Grimmjow was shocked at her sudden change. He never heard her raise her voice like that and it was so fierce and raw.
"I need to fight him! I've seen battle after battle, I know that it what is expected. Fight to the end, the death. Everyone is fighting but I'm not! That despicable freak violated me, tortured me for hours and made me feel so small, so vunerable, so helpless. I will not let him get away with it. I must do this. I must battle my fears and I must do this alone and don't try and stop me!" Grimmjow took her hand into his. He could feel her anguish and fear but he could understand. The wounds in her mind needed to heal and this was her only way of doing it.
He didn't want to do it, let her be exposed to such danger but he had no choice, he looked at her silver bracelet.
"Alright then. Aizen made it so no one but me and him could remove it." He moved his hand up to the bracelet and held onto it as he flared up his reiatsu enough for the bracelet to easily come away from her arm. The sudden surge of power which was locked away for so long, hit her hard, like a ton of bricks as she doubled over trying to adjust herself, hissing.
"Tsukiko…" He held onto her shoulders as she shook slightly.
"I-I'm fine." He stroked her hair, trying to soothe her as she stopped shaking. She looked up into his eyes and gave a reassuring smile
"I guess I better face my demons now." She walked round to Renji, who was now unconscious and gently hugged him. She moved round back to Grimmjow and hugged him tight.
"I love you." She whispered in his ear and softly kissed his cheek. Her hands slipped out of his and walked over to Szayel. He touched his cheek where she left her kiss and smirked
'I love you too'
"Hmmmm, this is interesting, you're going to fight me alone. How lovely. Once I've defeated you, I'll take you back to my lab and have some 'private' time together. We didn't manage to finish what we started."
Her eyes bore into his intensely but she didn't respond.
"Oh, not talking to me?" He walked over to her and began twisting her ponytail between his fingers.
"You're so irresistible."
"Get your hands off her!" Grimmjow shouted at him as he watched Szayel touching his woman.
"You're in now position to give orders, no matter what number you are, besides she's mine anyway. Isn't that right?"
She didn't dignify him with an answer resulting in a slap across the face.
"You filthy bastard!" Grimmjow shifted on the ground, trying to get up but his legs were like jelly, no matter how hard he tried he couldn't stand up.
"Now, are you going to answer me now, or do I have to ask again with this." He pointed his sword directly under her chin, tilting her head up. Her steely gaze was faltering slightly, knowing that one wrong move and she was going to get seriously hurt. He suddenly moved his sword away from throat and smiled evilly.
"Or maybe…"
He sonido-ed over to the weakened men and grabbed a chunk of blue hair, pulling him up off the ground.
"I should do away with this vermin and then there will be no one stopping me from taking what's rightfully mine. Hmmm I wonder where I should cut first. His neck or maybe stab him in his stomach, make him suffer a bit."
"Why don't you go to hell!!" Grimmjow spat right on Szayel's cheek. Wiping it away with his free hand, he punched Grimmjow in the ribs, shattering a few.
Grimmjow growled in pain. Tsukiko looked on in horror. She was foolish to think she could do something. Looking at Grimmjow's dirtied face and broken body made her sick to her stomach, as she watched Szayel exact more punishment on him.
"Stop it." He turned his face to her and laughed.
"What was that? I didn't quite hear you."
"I said…" Her eyes burned with fiery anger, her voice calm but fierce. "Stop it!"
A loud growl escaped her mouth, dropping to her knees, covering her face, Tsukiko screamed making Szayel dump Grimmjow back to the ground and observe the situation.
'Tsukiko, what's wrong?'
'I-I don't know…Grimmy…I'm scared.'
'It'll be alri…what the hell is going on?!'
Tsukiko's inner person was fading into the distance and any other person took her place.
'Who…Who the hell are you?'
'All in good time.' Came the reply before the mental barriers shot up.
Outside Tsukiko's body was changing, her clothes were gone and sleek, shiny white fur eclipsed her body, a long tail curled around her body. Her hands and feet changed into white paws. Her face distorted into feline features. Pure purple eyes, tainted with an evil look. White cat ears perched on her head.
Szayel was genuinely surprised as he looked over at her. She prowled over to Grimmjow and Renji, making him retreat and stood in front of them, growling, instinctively protecting them.
"Very fascinating! The cat instinctively defending its territory." He laughed manically. Noticing an opening, she bounded over to him and swiped him off his feet, hitting the floor hard. Snarling at him, she placed a paw over his chest, pressing down hard, cracking a few of his ribs. Saliva dripped from her large fangs onto his face, deliberating how to end his pitiful life.
"Ok,ok I give up, I give up! Don't kill me!" waving his hands desperately in front of his face. Tsukiko just snarled but slowly lifted up her paw.
"Just kidding." Smirking as his sword ripped into her side, making her whimper in pain. Her blood staining her white fur, dripping on the floor. He smiled again, striking his sword again across her other side, she was brought down to the ground, whimpering heavily.
"Hmmm I better not do too much damage, I didn't manage to finish my experiment on you, but I guess I'll have to put an end to this." Raising his sword above her head, ready to stab her when it flew out of his hand. He clutched his hand as a burn began to form.
"What you waiting for woman?! Fucking finish this already!" Grimmjow shouted at to her.
"We've got your back!" Renji was awake and ready for action as he and Grimmjow shot a cero and uncontrolled kidou to distract Szayel. She was in trouble and they had to do something.
She shakily got back onto her paws and charged at Szayel with ferocity, grabbing his shoulder between her sharp fangs, ripping at his flesh as she shook him violently around. Tired of that, she let him drop to the floor like a dirty rag. He cowered in fear, hands in front of his face, pool of blood collecting on the ground.
"Don't please! Please I beg you!" She wasn't going to fall for that again as she bared her teeth at him and savagely sank her teeth into his leg, making sure he wouldn't be able to get up to escape. She moved her attention to his mid section and began chomping and tearing at his flesh. Nothing was holding her back, revenge was sweet. The more she tore into him, the more she revelled in being in control, being the dominant one, wanting him to feel the pain she suffered at his hands and knowing that she could let him live or die. Taking one last bite into his neck, the tremendous force of her jaws snapped his neck. She dropped his floppy neck back on the floor and retreated slowly back to Grimmjow and Renji. Her revenge was complete and her worst nightmare over.
Grimmjow couldn't believe what he witnessed. The savagery, the sheer intense evilness of her was unbelievable. It excited and scared him at the same time. She paused a few feet away and closed her eyes.
'Impressed?'
Draw back into their minds, the mysterious person walked over to Grimmjow, his hands in his pockets, frown on his face.
'Whatever, who the hell are you? What you done with Tsukiko?!'
'My name is Miyuki and I am Tsukiko's demon side. What you normally see is her human side, she had me forced to another dimension in her mind out of fear, which is understandable, but I forced myself out, knowing that she was in serious danger and anguish and took over.'
Grimmjow still frowned but sauntered over to the woman. She was exactly the same as Tsukiko but slightly older and wiser looking. Her eyes were almond shaped and dark purple including the whites of her eyes. Long black fingernails and silver rings decorating her long fingers. A long flowing black and white kimono covered her body and a striking necklace dangled from her neck.
'Different dimension?'
'Yes, when she meditates, she is taken mentally into a different dimension, most of the cat demons have this ability, they sometimes use it to do battle with one another when their bodies aren't capable of battle but she uses it to contact her father.'
'But isn't he dead?'
'His body may be gone but his soul lives on in her dimension.'
'I see…'
'I must be leaving, I will send her back, she is quite worried about you and Renji, you know.' She turned her back on him and walked away.
'Wait!'
'You have to be quick, my power is waning.'
'I just want to say…thanks.'
She turned her head back to face him and smiled.
'That's most unlike you, but I accept your gratitude, I know how much you mean to her and how much she means to you, I will not allow her to die so easily. Just something I need to ask of you.'
'What is it?'
'Look after her and… don't hurt her.'
And with that she disappeared. Grimmjow was forced out of his thoughts by a crash as Tsukiko collapsed to the ground.
"Kiko!" The two men rushed to her side as she slowly began to change back. Her white fur was shedding, lying all around her. Her hands, feet and face went back to normal but as they watched waiting for her change to be complete, it stopped. Her hair had grown down her back, long pointy claws on her hands, white furry cat ears on top of her head and her long white tail curled around her.
"She's…not gone back to normal."
She was breathing but heavily after the injuries she sustained. Grimmjow's hand curiously touched the tip of her ears and it suddenly twitched. Her eyes slowly opened.
"What…what happened? Szayel!" She bolted upright but too quickly, making her feel faint as Grimmjow caught her before she fell back onto the ground.
"You kicked his ass!!"
"I did?" she looked over her shoulder, seeing Szayel's mangled body and turned her head back in repulsion, burying her head in his chest.
"I did that…how?"
"One minute you were normal, next, you turned into some wild cat…well demon that's what she said."
She looked up at him perplexed.
"Who did?"
"Miyuki. She's your demon side. She broke free when she knew you were in danger. She saved your ass back there."
Taking in this new information changed her perspective of her heritage, for years she feared her demon side and looking at Szayel's bloody body, it still did, but she saved her life. For that Tsukiko owed her one.
"I'm going to find a way out of here." Renji got up, clutching his bloodied side and wondered around, touching the walls in case of a hidden door.
"He's right…we need to find…" She didn't manage to finish her sentence as she lost consciousness. Her body was limp under Grimmjow's hold.
"Tsukiko!" Her bleeding had slowed down and was starting to heal due to her accelerated healing factor but her unexpected use of her powers and unleashing the demon within had seriously sapped at her energy. He lifted her body and cradled it in his arms as he got up to help Renji search for an exit. A long silence ensured as the pair wondered the expansive room, realising it was far bigger than they first imagined.
"Grimmjow, was it?" Renji, finally breaking the silence.
Grimmjow looked at the pony tailed shinigami and snorted at him.
"Yeah?"
"I just want to say…thanks." Grimmjow halted in his tracks, staring at Renji in bewilderment.
"What's with you all of a sudden?"
"As much as I dislike you and wish I could just slice you into little pieces, I have to say thank you. I've never seen her smile so much and that's because of you, so I thank you."
"I didn't know shinigami were so soft." Chuckled Grimmjow, making Renji growl in annoyance.
"Shut it blueberry! Just don't hurt her alright! She trusts you more than is necessary and loves you too, to be honest she's too good for the likes of you, I dunno what she sees in you."
"She sees a hot, sexy, powerful arrancar who she can't get enough of!"
"Whatever! Just don't throw away what you have with her."
"Are you outta your mind!? She's mine now and what's mine stays mine! Besides this woman has done something to me, made me feel things I've never felt before and I love it!" He smirked at the shocked Renji, who then shook his head and carried on searching but a huge explosion forced him back into the opposite wall.
"Oi pineapple! You alright?" A huge hole in the wall was created. As the dust settled a figure could be seen, staggering into the room. A familiar reiatsu was felt by the two men as bright orange hair was seen, holding something in his arms.
"Ichigo!"
Another chapter done! Rate and Review! Next chapter: Conflicting emotions and familiar faces greet Ichigo and Rukia but is all as it seems?
