Into The Labyrinth

Chapter Ten: So Long, My Enemy

Warning: Harsh language, possible use of drugs (alcohol included), sexual themes, violence, possible pregnancy in the future

[Rating May Change]

True to his word, Grimmjow was right. Tier and her Fracción had come to pay a visit to Rima the next morning. When Rima woke it wasn't in Byakuya's bed (which depressed her) and it wasn't from the sunlight (which depressed her even more), but to the squeaking of the heavy, white, vault door to her "room".

At first Rima had prayed it was Grimmjow or Aizen come to kill her and spare her the torture of having to face Byakuya as member of Aizen's army, but it wasn't. Instead it was Tier with Apacci, Sung-Sun, and Mila Rose. Rima's heart fluttered a bit at the sight of her old- and first- friends.

None of them smiled as they entered the room.

Rima sat up on her bed and Tier sat across from her. Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, and Apacci all stood in front of the two uncomfortably.

"So, I see you've come back." Tier said. Rima nodded.

"Not by my choice, but back nonetheless." She said, wearily.

"You sound… drained. What happened to all the spunk you had all those years ago?" Rima offered a small smile.

"Life happened. Aizen happened. Everything you can possibly think of happened." Tier nodded and then there was a awkward silence. Rima cleared her throat. "So, did you need… something?" Tier shook her head.

"No, but these three wanted to come and see you." Rima looked at the Tres Bestias and smiled. The three girls had grown so much in the time that Rima had been gone. She remembered when they were simple Hollows, nothing to be truly feared, but nothing to be played around with either.

"You three have all grown into beautiful flowers." Rima said. Mila Rose's eyes shifted downward.

"We… we seriously missed you. No matter how much these two idiots don't wanna admit it, we did." Shockingly the girls didn't begin to argue, they only nodded. "And, forgive me Master Tier, but we know you've missed Nadeshiko also." Tier's eyes softened as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I won't deny it, I did miss the fact that you weren't with us anymore. You always kept the air feeling lively and after you left…" Tier trailed off.

"We were all angry at you… and Aizen." Apacci continued where Tier had left off. "We were angry at you for not telling us you were okay and we were angry at Aizen for putting you in such a compromising situation."

"There wasn't a day we didn't grieve over the major loss we'd suffered." Sung-Sun said. "And we know you must think of the Soul Reapers as your new family, but we beg you don't forget that we're your family too. We always have been and always will be, you taught us to admire the little bit of beauty left in the world and we're grateful." All of their words made Rima feel as if not all hope was lost- their words made her feel warm inside, as if there was a chance things would smooth over and be okay.

"And looking at you now, you look like a shell. You're empty inside and there's only this tiny light in your eyes and I'm sorry, but that's not cutting it for me." Mila Rose spoke up. Rima looked at the girl- woman with wide eyes.

"Mila Rose-" Tier began, but Rima held up a hand to cut her off.

"You were so strong and vibrant. You never let anything hold you back and now… you've succumbed to your fear of Aizen and it doesn't just affect you!" Rima nodded, taking the scolding without arguing. "We were your faithful followers as well as Master Harribel, so you can't give up now. Isn't that what your mother said to you before she passed away?" Rima's lips parted slightly in shock at what Mila Rose had brung up.

My mother… Rima thought. Her mother's last words…

"You can shut everyone out, you can stop caring about the world and everything in it, but you cannot- cannot- give up, Katja." Rima remembered her mother had called her by her German name for what had to be only the second time in her whole life. "Just remember there will always be people who love you, and not only your fate rides on your shoulders, but theirs to. So, never give up. Sie sind ein Jäger!" Rima had remembered those words as if they'd been said only the day before. It was the first time in a long time her mother had spoken German to her, ever since her family had abandoned their Quincy beliefs they had abandoned the Quincy language as well as their Quincy names, but the words still rang in her head.

"Stop putting pressure on her Mila Rose." Tier said. "She said it herself, she's not here by her choice and I'm sure she doesn't want to feel worse while she's here." Rima shook her head as her chest tightened.

"No!" She exclaimed. "Mila Rose is right… more than right. By being here and by giving up the way I have, I'm not fulfilling my mother's last wish. Thank you Mila Rose, I'm sorry you all had to see me so worn down, but I have faith. I have faith that I'll get out of here and I swear I'll keep in contact with you all." All the women stared at Rima as she smiled. Tier waved them all off and the exited the room. Tier and Rima sat, staring at each other.

"I believe in you." Tier said, finally. "I believe in you more than I do Aizen. And that Kurosaki boy, I believe in him too. You and him will be the determining factors in the Soul Society, I don't know for what, but it will be something. And I want you to know, I am backing you one hundred percent." Rima nodded, a newfound determination burning in her.

You little shit. Her Hollow said to her. I can't believe it took the Tres Espada and the Tres Bestias to get that message across to you. Rima smiled as she wrapped her arms around Tier.

"Thanks Harribel," Rima said. "I promise I won't forget to keep in touch with you four this time, nothing could ever make me forget my girls." Tier squeezed Rima uncharacteristically, but soon let go. Rima did the same and watched as Tier walked through the door. "Tell the girls I said bye!" Tier nodded and shut the door behind her leaving Rima to herself. Rima sighed and curled back into her comforting ball.

"My dearest Zanpakuto," She began. "If you're deciding to finally listen to me and we're on the same page, then we need a plan."

As the day dragged on Rima finally began to hear the sounds of fighting in Las Noches and she could feel Orihime's spiritual pressure not too far away. Rima's fingers found the hilt of her Zanpakuto.

"Ready to begin?" She asked. She could hear her stubborn Zanpakuto let out a huff but chose to ignore her attitude. Rima left her room and quickly found her way to the throne room, thanking God she dodged Mai and Chojiro only to run into the first at the door of the throne room. Mai snarled.

"What the hell are you doing out of your room, dumbass?" She said venomously.

"I need to talk to Lord Aizen." Saying Lord Aizen made Rima feel sick. She would sooner be bent over by Grimmjow than be forced to call Aizen "Lord Aizen" again. Rima began to knock on the large door as Mai slammed her against the wall. Mai wrapped her hand around Rima's neck and began squeezing as hard as she could. Rima's body slid up the wall as she clawed as Mai's hand. The latter didn't grin, nor did she smirk. She simply stared at Rima with cold eyes.

"I don't know what you think you're doing, but whatever you have planned I will figure it out and I will kill you." Rima smiled.

"Sorry, but Grimmjow already promised me he would get to me first." Mai grinned.

"Then I'll kill Byakuya first and I'll let you watch while I do it." Rima slammed her fist into the side of Mai's face, slipping from her grasp and landing on her feet. As Mai uprighted herself Rima spared her no mercy as she leapt on the woman, pushing her to the ground. Mai let out a yelp and kicked at Rima's side, switching their positions.

"You won't do shit." Rima spat at Mai. Rima drew her Zanpakuto and swung it upwards at Mai. Mai moved back just in time for half of the right side of her hair to be sliced off. Mai's eyes widened in horror as the strands fell to the ground.

"You bitch!" She cursed. Rima brought her blade down on Mai's shoulder and felt a prick of satisfaction as the woman on top of her began to bleed. Mai grunted and drew her purple hilted Zanpakuto. She put it to Rima's throat as Rima put her own blade to Mai's throat and the two stared at each other, hate simmering within them both. Rima placed her palm against Mai's breast.

"Hado Number 33. Sokatsui!" A torrent of blue flames came from Rima's palm and Mai moved quickly to dodge them as they hit the ceiling above the two of them. Rima stood and followed Mai with her eyes. She wasn't going to get away. Not after the earlier threat she'd made. "Bakudo Number 63. Sajo Sabaku!" Rima raised her palm up and closed it into a fist. A thick, yellow chain came down from the atmosphere and wrapped itself around Mai. She fell to the ground with a scream, struggling to get out of the chain. Rima walked over to her and raised her Zanpakuto. "You were too easy." Mai opened her mouth and a purple light lit up inside of her gullet. Rima's eyes widened as Mai fired a large Cero at her. The chain around Mai dispersed and she stood up once more, finding Rima in the dust surrounding them. She took Rima by the front of her dress and punched her in the face. Rima drew her arm up, scathing Mai with her Zanpakuto. Mai grunted.

"Why won't you just die?!" She shouted. Rima spit out a bit of blood as Mai wiped the blood from her nose. The ceiling above them was falling in tiny bits and pieces as the ground below them cracked like a shattered mirror. "I'll have you with this one!"

"Purge Them: Kami no Fukuin-"

"Bite: Serpient-" The door to the throne room burst open and Aizen emerged alongside Gin and Kaname. Both the women in front of them lowered their Zanpakuto as Aizen assessed the damage with a frown.

"Oh my," Gin said. "I didn't think they'd be able to do so much damage in such a short amount of time. And look! They both got some nasty bruises on 'em too, Lord Aizen." Aizen looked at Mai and Rima disapprovingly.

"Tell me, what do you two think you're doing?" Mai and Rima looked at each other and pointed their blades at one another.

"She hit me first!" They said in unison. Mai and Rima both gave each other the "What the hell? You liar!" look and scoffed. "No, you hit me!" They said pointing to themselves. "What?! I'm the victim here!" Rima's face turned red with frustration. "Stop copying me!"

"Quiet!" Aizen yelled. "I don't want to hear another word from either of you. Mai you know better than this and this is also the reason you're now a Privaron Espada. Not because you were ineffective, because you couldn't follow the rules, and I see you still can't. Even after your ranks been dropped." Aizen turned his attention to Rima. "And you," He said menacingly. "I never want to see you fighting another one of my subordinates ever again lest you seek death." Rima nodded and got on one knee.

"Forgive me Lord Aizen!"

Bend me over Grimmjow. Rima thought to herself in disgust.

"I came here to apologize for my earlier insolence and to tell you I will join you in combat against the Soul Society!" Aizen stared at Rima, the latter feeling the need to squirm under Aizen's intense gaze.

"Good, I'm glad you've come to your senses." Aizen said. Rima nodded and stood as she felt Aizen' hand on her shoulder. "We leave tomorrow." At that moment Rima felt something so familiar it warmed her insides, nearly making her crack a smile in Aizen's face. Aizen made a face.

"Ah, it seems your other friend has appeared, and," He slid his eyes coldly over Rima. "I'm guessing you were counting on that, weren't you?" Rima's eyes widened as Aizen picked her up by the throat.

Damn! Rima thought. He saw right through me. Aizen smiled.

"Just how stupid do you think I am Nadeshiko?" Rima clawed at Aizen's hand.

"Haven't… I told you… not to call me that?" She choked out, swinging her Zanpakuto upwards in an arc. She didn't even manage to nick Aizen as backed away, dropping Rima to the ground. She scrambled up and headed towards the hall, looking back only once to see if Aizen was chasing her. He wasn't, but when she turned back around another familiar was facing her.

"Sorry, but I can't let ya through." Gin said in a mocking voice. Rima narrowed her eyes at him as she came to a screeching halt.

"Well sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not staying here either." Gin drew his Zanpakuto and brought it down on Rima's arm. Rima smiled when Gin saw the results of his attack. Rima's arm had crystallized and his blade had stuck in the thick layer of gleaming rock. Rima pulled her arm away from the Zanpakuto and went for Gin's face who narrowly dodged her punch. No sooner had he looked down did he see Rima's leg coming towards his. Gin grunted as Rima's shin made contact with the back of his knee and he fell to the ground. Rima spun around, facing Gin's back, and kicked him in the back of the head. That time Gin went down and didn't get back up.

"Lord Aizen, do you want me to go after her?" Rima heard Mai ask. Rima turned and wiggled her finger at the woman.

"Come and get me!" She shouted before beginning to run again.

Byakuya, Rima thought. He's here now. Rima ran as fast as her feet would take her as she felt Byakuya's spiritual pressure growing weaker, but only slightly. And then there was Zommari's spiritual pressure rising. He's fighting against Zommari. Rima thought. I hope Shuhei didn't come with him- this isn't the place for him. Rima didn't know why Shuhei had found his way into her mind, but she certainly didn't have to time to stop and wonder.

Rima came up on a dead end and seen Mai behind her. The black-haired woman grinned and twirled her Zanpakuto around her fingers. Mai walked closer and closer to Rima until the latter's back was against the wall.

"Hmm, looks like you'll have to use that Shikai, finally. I don't think you'll win without it, especially not after I release my Zanpakuto." Rima grinned.

"No," She replied stubbornly. "I think I'll be able to fare pretty well." Mai swung her Zanpakuto barely giving Rima enough to time to bring her own up to guard her face. Mai kept relentlessly swinging her blade around, her patterns becoming erratic. Rima sped up to dodge more at a faster rate. "You know," She breathed, out of breath. "I don't quite understand… why you… hate me so much!" Mai struck Rima's Zanpakuto hard enough to make a noticeable crack in the gorgeous blade and Rima grunted.

"I spent years- hundred of years- trying to reach the top of Lord Aizen's affections, but when he told us about you- about you being alive- he became so… absorbed with you." Mai made a face full of hate. "You had achieved something I'd worked for without even having to lift a finger!" Rima could understand- the longing for an affection you could never reach. She'd felt the same way about Aizen at one point in time.

"I know how you feel." Mai shook her head.

"No," She said. "You don't!" Mai slammed the butt of her Zanpakuto into Rima's chest, sending the woman flying through the wall behind her and into the the sand of Hueco Mundo. Rima landed hard in the rolling sand dunes and coughed out a round of blood as she tried to regain herself. Mai was already there, Zanpakuto in hand and swinging. RIma rolled back and onto her feet, bringing her Zanpakuto up just in time to block an incoming attack to her chest though it still nicked her side. Rima leapt away from Mai and rubbed her side, feeling weary. She was tired and Mai looked as if she couldn't have been better.

I'm going to have to use my Shikai. Maybe even my Bankai, she's so strong… Rima raised her head as she stuck her Zanpakuto in the ground, holding her suddenly heavy body up.

"If you don't mind my asking, what number were you before you became a Privaron Espada?" Mai grinned.

"I should officially introduce myself, shouldn't I?" She said, going to back to swinging her blade around. "Mairi Seguna, Privaron Espada Number 100 and previous Espada Number Zero." Rima gasped. She'd assumed Mai had been lower in the ranks, maybe Number Eight or Seven, but nothing more. She didn't expect that at one point Rima had been more powerful than Espada like Harribel, Starrk, or Baraggan and she certainly hadn't expected a workout from the woman. "I was removed from my spot as Number Zero, not because Yammy was stronger, but because I had a bad temperament. I didn't like to follow the orders I was given and it irritated Lord Aizen, but not to the point where he wanted to be rid of me."

Rima shook her head. This couldn't be right, Mai couldn't be on her level- no, above her level.

I haven't even released my sword yet though. Rima thought, trying to pump herself up.

Neither has she. Her Inner Hollow brought her back to reality. I could help you… Rima didn't reply, not wanting to feed into the voice in her head. Mai raised her Zanpakuto once more and charged Rima. Rima, not having enough time to react, caught the blade in her hand and flinched at the sharp pain running through her hand.

"Purge Them: Kami No Fukuin Kesshō!" A cloud of cold mist rose around Rima's shielding her from Mai's next attack and enveloping said enemy. Mai's eyes widened as her fingers began to crystallize, slowly moving up her arm. Rima grinned as the second form of her Zanpakuto was revealed in all it's glory. Mai smiled, blood dripping from the area where her fingers used to be.

"A crystal executioner's blade… seems like you, daughter." Rima laughed.

"Does it now?" She replied, coyly. The two women stared at each other in silence as Rima adjusted her grip on her Zanpakuto. A dark aura began to form around Rima's lower body as if apparitions had suddenly sprouted from the ground. "I'm going to end this," She said. "And quickly." Mai grinned.

"Not if I can help it." Mai raised her Zanpakuto in the air. "Bite: Serpiente!" Mai's body began to gruesomely transform into what looked like a snake. The lower part of her body was now a long, skeletal tail, whipping around threateningly with a stinger on the end. Her head was covered by what looked like a bone crown that dipped down and into the middle of her forehead. As Mai smiled Rima seen two pearly white fangs protruding from her mouth. Rima made the first move this time. She immediately went for Mai's jugular but her snaky tail whipped around, the stinger embedding itself in Rima's arm. Rima yelped as she ripped the stinger from her skin.

"You're too reckless," Mai examined. "If you plan on surviving this battle you'll need to be a lot quicker on your feet and in your head. One wrong move and you're done. That was your warning." Rima put her hand over her new wound and frowned.

"I don't need warning shots. If you have the opportunity just kill me." Then Rima got an idea. If she could get to each one of Mai's blind spots, even once… Rima rolled to Mai's left side, but the former Espada had already turned on her tail and was facing Rima. Mai ducked her head down to reach Rima and Rima spun away from her, already having laid her trap. As she was going to the other side of Mai she felt something like a rapid thumping in her chest, it was too fast to be her heart and too painful to be any sort of busted vein, but it was there and it was distracting. Rima laid her next trap right as Mai's tail whipped in front of her, slashing her cheek.

Rima wiped the blood from her face and swung her large Zanpakuto around, catching Mai's tail by the stinger an slicing it off. Mai screamed as a fountain of blood shot from the place where her severed stinger used to be. She looked at Rima with pure hate in her eyes.

Another trap laid… Rima thought to herself. Only two more to go and she's mine. Dead and gone. Rima held a hand to her chest as the thumping grew louder and louder. Mai dived for Rima and the latter did something unexpected. She threw her Zanpakuto at Mai's face, catching the woman's abdomen and ripping a part of it open. Mai's screamed caused Rima to smile as she laid her last two traps. Before she could utilize what she'd been planning she fell to the ground as the pain in her chest became too much to bear. She coughed into her hand and said body part came away stained red.

Rima's eyes widened and Mai grinned, blood dripping from her mouth.

"About time that poison… took effect." Mai said, out of breath. "I can't believe you managed to injure me… like this… in such a short amount of time." Rima gasped.

"P-poison?" Mai nodded.

"Remember your "warning"?" Rima bit her lip, cursing herself for not being more careful.

Come on, one more step closer and I have you. Rima could feel her mind zoning in and out, her eyes focusing and defocusing. The more she tried to squint the worse her eyesight became.

I'm going to pass out. She thought, drowsily and in pain. But out of the corner of her eyes she saw Mai move a step closer and she grinned. Mai stopped rambling on about whatever she was saying and forwned.

"Why the hell are you… smiling?" She asked. Rima moved her finger as if in a "come here" motion and Mai stopped as she felt blood drip from her cheek.

"Kurisutaru No Mojiretsu," Rima said. "Every time I tried to attack you and failed it was for a reason. Everything I did was for a reason. Those strings you see are made of extremely sharp, durable pieces of crystal. Taking one step can be fatal." Mai laughed.

"And this is how you plan on taking me out?" Rima smiled and shook her head.

"No, you're going to do that yourself." She said. Mai's grin fell.

"What?" The strings of crystal began to glow a light blue.

"My Zanpakuto's power is split into two different categories of abilities. Crystal, and the other you're about to witness; energy. Pure, white-hot energy that's going to burn the flesh off your skin. All the spiritual pressure you're producing is causing the crystal to react in a way it's not used to so it signals it's energetic partner to finish the job. So long Mairi Sugen, Privaron Espada Number 100. Shi No Otoshiana." Mai let out a roar as the strings around her lit up a brilliant blue, nearly blinding Rima. She didn't keep her eyes open to watch her horrorfest in front of her as the feeling of Mai's blood and flesh hitting her face was enough to make her pass out.

And she did.