"Oi! Yachiru! Have you seen Tsubaki?" Kenpachi asked with an uncharacteristic look of worry.
"Ne~, I thought I heard one of the men say she was facing down two Ryoka after like a hundred of our guys let them go." She said from her place on his head.
"Idiots, anyway she should be back after all it doesn't take that long. That and since the huge rumbling we felt earlier, I feel like something went wrong." He was cut off as a small black butterfly landed on his desk.
"A Vasto Lorde hollow has been spotted near the outskirts of the Soul Society. All available captains are to go and capture it. If you are unable to capture it, kill it."
"Ne~ Kenny that's near Fire Lady's area, I wonder if she's okay."
Both flashed away instantly. On the way there, they spotted the supposed hollow flying through the air. She had two pure white swords that were shooting Ceros. The hollow was a cat of some kind as she had cat ears and a tail. She looked at them and her eyes widened in surprise and she blasted pure white fire from her feet, and flew away faster. She had the swords stop shooting and sheathed them. As they followed her, her movements became more erratic like she was fighting herself.
She finally blasted away at high speeds that even Soi-fon would be jealous of. As the duo looked at the fleeting figure, they had a strange sense of dread that the hollow was no normal hollow.
Kenpachi sighed as they made their way back, well tried to. "It's that way Kenny!" And there they go in the opposite direction of their division.
Tsubaki sighed before standing "Sorry. I thought I had her locked up. Guess I was wrong." She stated to Ichigo who was leaning against the wall.
"Aren't you going to tell everyone?" He asked as his eyes narrowed slightly.
"I'm supposed to, but...I won't. Consider it a thank you, I wouldn't be here without your help." She said with a sigh.
She began walking out before stopping and glancing back at him, "See you at the execution, Kurosaki Ichigo."
Ichigo was silent as she continued to walk away before flash-stepping to who knows where. Was she actually going to keep quiet about it? Tsubaki seemed honest when she said she wasn't gonna turn them in, but who knows...She could've planned this from the beginning and he was simply falling into her trap.
His scowl deepened before turning away, I guess I'll just have to trust her...Even if it is stupid. He thought.
Tsubaki glanced around quietly before letting out a deep sigh, "I know you're there, listen I don't particularly feel like fighting anyone at the moment, so do me a favor and just run off like I tried to decapitate you. Makes my job easier." She said while stuffing her hands into her pockets.
Damn, I feel like I've grown soft… She thought as the reiatsu faded signalling the Ryoka listened to her and ran.
She shook her head and flash-stepped to the 11th division with her lips locked in a grim frown. How am I going to explain this...What if they connect me to the hollow? I'll be in jail for sure. She thought in a near panic.
The revelation of this fact had brought her to her senses, she acted like an entire different person. She didn't want to kill the Ryoka's, she was scared...It was if she were possessed up until the hollow took over.
And it's all because I let my guard down. She thought bitterly while making her way to a non-destroyed courtyard.
Her hair blew wildly as someone flash-stepped in front of her, well, two someones to be more exact.
"Hi, Kenpachi-kun." Tsubaki said with a surprised blink.
"Where were you?" He had an uncharacteristic look of worry in his eyes.
"Oh, um, I was chasing after one of the Ryoka. He managed to escape, I have a feeling he'll be captured though." She explained with a look of uncertainty while her eyes drifted, "Was there a situation going on?"
"Ya, there was a strong hollow near you. All of the captains were sent out to confront it hours ago." He explained causing her eyes to widen.
Dammit! That means he could've noticed me! Tsubaki thought while her hand drifted to one of her swords.
"She had two swords, just like you!" Yachiru added while pointing to said swords.
"She did?" Tsubaki bit her tongue while feigning surprise. "That's one hellish hollow...Wonder why it had two swords…" Her eyes were glued to the ground as she tried to figure out how to escape his gaze.
"It managed ta escape and everybody's goin crazy lookin for it." Kenpachi stated with a rather grumpy look.
"Kenny wanted to kill it." Yachiru said while pointing to the big man.
Tsubaki nodded as Kenpachi peered down at her, "What the hell happened to you? Ya acting as if someone told you that you're dead tomorrow or something."
Tsubaki shook her head before backing away, "Nothing happened, I'm fine! Just tired!" She said while waving her hand.
She ran off with a stressed look on her face causing him to flash-step after her. Yachiru hopped off of his shoulder, searching for a certain bald man.
Tsubaki was caught in the hold of the bigger man before punching him in the gut and flash-stepping away.
Kenpachi grimaced before flash-stepping towards her again and grabbing her by her wrists. He flash-stepped to his house and shoved her against the wall.
"Tell me. Now." He demanded causing her to growl and shake her head.
"I can't tell you!" She stated with a threatening glare.
He ignored the glare and pressed on, "Why not?" He said with a glare that leveled her own.
"I just can't! I'm a monster, if I did tell you, you may turn me in, dammit!" She screamed while tears welled up in her eyes.
"Why the hell would I turn you in?!" He asked causing her head to fall.
"I-I, I can't tell you, dammit! I'm dangerous-!" She was cut off by a slap to her cheek.
"Cut the crap, in case you haven't noticed you're talking to the most dangerous man in the whole damn Soul Society!" He yelled causing her eyes to shake while a tear fell.
"D-Damn…" She mumbled before looking at him, "Fine! Kenpachi-kun... I have a hollow sealed inside of me!" She screamed while her fists clenched so hard that blood flowed from the wounds.
His eyes widened and she turned her head away, "There, now you know the reason why I'm so dangerous." She said in a softer tone.
"That hollow…" He began but her gaze cut him off.
"Yes. I was that hollow. She managed to take over my body and decided that the Soul Society was the perfect target for her anger. I was stupid enough to believe I had sealed her permanently." Tsubaki glared at the ground while the tips of her hair lit up ever so slightly.
They were both silent as Tsubaki continued to curse under her breath. He finally let go of her wrists causing her to fall forward into his arms.
"Ya could've saved yourself trouble if you just said it in the first place." He stated causing her to shake her head.
"I didn't know...if you would turn me in. That dumb clown would've had his way with experimenting with me had you." She mumbled while her eyebrow twitched at the "clown" part.
Kenpachi's face twisted into a scowl at that, "I'd kill the shithead if he tried ta experiment on you. If he wants experiments, he should get actual goddamn hollows."
Tsubaki blushed ever-so slightly at that before letting out a small laugh, "Knowing me, I would accidently burn off his hand, it has happened before."
Tsubaki sighed before lifting her head to the ceiling, "Has it been that long?" She mumbled.
"What do you mean?" Kenpachi questioned.
"They're moving Rukia Kuchiki, her execution will either be tomorrow or the day after that." Tsubaki stated while lying her head on the man's chest, "The Ryokas are probably going to interrupt it and perhaps Kuchiki might live. Who knows…" She shrugged at the last part.
"Seriously though, ya acting like a completely different person." Kenpachi pointed out causing her to shake her head.
"Same person, I guess you can say I got a reality check. After the hollow took over, it made me realize...that this isn't just a game that I'm playing anymore, this a real serious situation. I can't just shrug it off and continue playing the game anymore, I have to stray from the path." Tsubaki said in a melancholy tone.
"And what's that supposed ta mean?" He questioned while forcing her to look at him.
"It means I have to be careful now, especially since my hollow has already freed herself, despite all odds. Yesterday I was carefree, today I have to watch my actions. I'll probably return to my former attitude afterwards, but for now…" She trailed off while her hand twitched.
"You're a smartass." He finished causing her to slug him in the nose.
"Don't call me that, sure I may think before drawing my sword but that doesn't make me a smartass." Tsubaki grumbled with a pout.
"What, can't you just kill the damn hollow?" Kenpachi stated causing her to tilt her head in thought.
"Huh...Never thought about that." She blinked in surprise before grinning. "And I know the perfect way."
"You what?!"
Tsubaki winced as both of her zanpaktous fumed at her words, "I said I wanna try and kill her. Didn't you get the point?"
"That...thing...is a Vasto Lorde!" Alex yelled while Tsubaki shrugged.
"Who cares, I can kill her, don't you believe in me?" Tsubaki grinned as Darkie shook his head.
"We do believe in you, my queen. We just believe that she may be too strong for you." Darkie stated.
Tsubaki let out a small laugh, "Then we must use these days wisely. The time will come for when we will have to fight."