Miraculously, Orihime had made it outside safely. To her relief, she found Ichigo and one of the captains recovering there with Nel.
"I… Inoue?" Ichigo stammered, "How did you get away?"
The sight of her friend nearly brought her to tears. Through stifled sobs, she struggled to answer. "A Shinigami helped me, she gave me this," the girl said, tugging at the cloak that covered her. "She told me it suppresses reiatsu."
"That explains why we couldn't sense you anymore," Ichigo realized.
"I was wondering where Shiramori ran off to," the bulky captain stated.
Over his shoulder, the small pink-haired lieutenant popped up looking worried. "Then where in Mitsi-chan?"
"She stayed behind in the room they had brought me to, but no need to worry, Yachiru-san, I think it was part of her plan."
Captain Zaraki huffed in irritation, "She's probably planning to create a diversion so we can get the girl out of here without issue. Stupid woman."
"What's so stupid about that? I think it should work."
"Except the part where they take her prisoner, or kill her," he shrugged like it was nothing and turned to walk.
"Wait," Ichigo called after him, "shouldn't we go after her?"
The captain shook his head, "we need to find the others and get you home. If she doesn't make it back with us, they'll send a group to bring her back."
No one was happy about the answer, but it was the way things were. Every mission had the potential for disaster, but that didn't change their goal. There was limited time on this specific mission, and it didn't allow for this type of complication. It may not have been the best option on Mitsuki's part, but the truth was it would help the other complete the assignment faster.
"We should find the others quickly."
Her patience was strained. It was taking far longer than she figured it would for someone to check the room. Laying still and silent she continued to focus her energy on hiding her reiatsu. It was a struggled against boredom not to relax her guard. Despite her efforts, she couldn't keep her mind from wandering. She wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for him. No, that wasn't true. She had made her own decisions, but it hadn't helped that he made her feel the way she did.
It hadn't always been that way. When they first met, she found him arrogant and difficult. She even contemplated finding someone else to help her train. Overtime, though, he dropped the arrogant act and got more serious. As her skills improved, he actually had to put forth effort when they sparred.
The first time she ever beat him happened to be the first time she ever thought of him as more than a friend. It was nearly two year since she started training with him. In that time she had graduated from the academy, learned to release her Zanpakutō, and became a member of the 5th Division. Most notable, however, was her improvement in strength.
Their training session had started out as it always did. They reviewed anything from the previous session, and then they covered anything new. The only difference she noticed was Renji. He seemed a little off, like he couldn't quite focus on their training. He'd watch her, yet he couldn't explain what she was doing wrong when even she knew. Then when he moved her through the motions, he went slower than usual, holding on for a few seconds longer than was needed.
Finally they began the sparring match at the end. Never before had she landed so many hits on him. It almost seemed like he was letting her win. If that was the case, then she'd take advantage of it. The next few strikes she landed again, although not hard enough to hurt him. He blocked a few more, but never moved to attack her. Even more surprising, though, was the fact he hadn't said a single word since they began sparring.
"What's with you? If you keep this up you're going to lose," she said to him, hoping to focus his attention on their match.
"Shut up," he told her as he charged with a weak attack.
Mitsuki easily deflected it. After making a few more moves, she disarmed him and pinned him to the ground. Straddling him, she lowered her sword.
"I told you if you kept it up you were going to lose," she taunted.
Gently he placed his hand behind her neck and pulled her close. "And I told you to shut up."
Before she could respond, his lips were pressed against hers. She certainly wasn't expecting it, but she definitely enjoyed it. As she responded in turn, a slight moan of pleasure escaped her throat. Shocked by her reaction, she pulled away.
"I'm sorry, Mitsuki," he whispered.
"It's alright," she reassured him, "no need to apologize."
Renji sighed, "that's not it, I'm sorry because I don't think I can continue training you anymore."
A frown of regret formed on her face as her voice sounded with a sad tone, "why not?"
Softly, he brushed his fingers across her cheeks. "Lately I've realized how much I care for you and it's becoming next to impossible for me to raise my weapon against you."
Mitsuki blushed, and then quickly pushed to her feet. Extending a hand, she pulled Renji off the ground.
"Will you still train me without the sparring? I'm sure I can find someone to practice my skill with if I need to."
"I'll continue training you under one condition," he said with a smirk.
She raised her eyebrow in a curious look, "and what would that be?"
"You have to let me take you out after each session."
A sheepish smile appeared on her face. Moving in close to him she said, "I think I can live with that." This time it was her turn to kiss him. He responded favorably, sealing the deal.
She loved the memory and hated it, all at the same time. It was a very happy time for her, but now it ripped her heart up knowing things could never be like that again. Caring about Renji was causing her a lot of trouble as of lately.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she sensed a presence outside the door. She didn't recognize who it was, but they felt strong. Preparing herself to attack, she unsheathed her Zanpakutō. Remaining under the blanket, she waited for the door to open. Slowly, and cautiously, the person entered. All she could do now was hope for patients until the moment was right.