Stories
Ayame heard the lock click and she was still to confused and little dizzy to know who exactly was coming in. She darted to the darkest corner of the tower as the door opened completely and a soul reaper with a captain uniform walked in.
"Stay away from me" Ayame yelled, her voice shaking.
"Its alright my dear, I mean you no harm" Captain Ukitake spoke as he stepped closer to the girl.
But Ayame kept stepping farther away, not convinced, she backed herself against a wall, shaking like a little kid. She was on the edge of screaming or passing out. Uryu caught her distress and stepped into the door, letting her spot him.
"Uryu?" she screamed suddenly.
Ayame's surroundings didn't matter to her anymore, she pushed herself off the wall and ran past the captain straight into the quincy's arms. Uryu wrapped himself tightly around her, as he felt her start to completely break now that she knew she no longer needed to be brave. Tears stained his warrior's clothing as Ayame began to sob into his chest.
"Shh, its ok now" he spoke softly, well tightening the embrace.
"Ayame" Rukia spoke up, trying not to be rude.
She stepped away a little from her quincy, whipped her face then looked over Uryu's shoulder at Rukia.
"We should get you out of here, back home."
Ayame nodded her head, and tired to step away from Uryu and walk out the door. But her body failed her, and she fell to the ground. She had been in soul society for to long, without any food or water. This tower had broken her as did Siryu and his men. Uryu felt his heart tug at him as he knelled down, and looked over his princess. Her clothes were tattered and torn, she was covered in dirt, bruises, and scratches all over her body. He felt some anger rush through him and really wished he could find Siryu and kill him. Kill a man, he had never thought of doing something like that in a long time, always hiding his true nature behind gentleness. Ayame sensed his attitude as she watched him scan her over.
"I'm alright, you said so yourself" she spoke softly, as she brought her hand up to his check.
Uryu felt the warmth and met her eyes as his face changed back to normal. The quincy nodded his head, but when Ayame tried to lift herself up, he disagreed, and quickly slipped his arms underneath her. Then he stood up, picking her up at the same. Ayame surprised by the action, blushed and hid her face in his chest. But then exhaustion finally took over her as the group began to walk down the steps, and she feel asleep.
Everyone began to reach the town some hours later, they were about to continue on trying to find the exit, but Captain Ukitake stopped them.
"Normally I would just let you leave but the head captain needs to know what happened up there at Senzaikyu. This involves this girl and you more then we know, so your words need to be heard as well."
"This isn't the time for this, I need to get Ayame home, in place where she feel safe and can get cleaned up." Uryu said.
"That can be done here."
"Here she doesn't feel safe" Uryu shouted. "I'm sorry, it might not be correct but right now she will not see any reason to trust you or anyone else here. She barley trust Rukia or Ichigo."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"You know now that you mention it Uryu, Ichigo has yet to meet up with us" Rukia said.
"O don't worry, he is probably still fighting Captain Zaraki. But I'm sure they are both fine" Captain Ukitake smiled.
Ayame shuddered a little and stirred awake without anyone noticing.
"How about you stay here Rukia. You can meet me back in the human world after you find Ichigo" Uryu suggested.
"And talk to the head captain" Ukitake added.
The quincy nodded his head with a little neglect then looked over to his friend.
"Sure" Rukia nodded.
"Good cause I just really need to get Ayame home to Ura_"
Suddenly Ayame reached up her hand and covered Uryu's month, cutting him off. He looked down at her and she shook his head at him. No one could know who was taking care of her, it was a risk even letting Uryu and the others know already. The quincy didn't quite understand what Ayame meant, but he just nodded and she lowered her hand.
"Go, the portal to the human world is that way. Don't worry the guards will let you pass" Captain Ukitake said, pointing to the left.
Uryu nodded his head, then ran off before anyone could say anything else.
"Kenpachi! I don't have time for this!" Ichigo growled.
"There's always time!" Kenpachi grinned, as he leaned in closer.
The two soul reaper's sweat drenched bodies clashed, and Ichigo suppressed a moan as he collide with the floor. Kenpachi let out a roar of laughter then rushed towards his partner. Ichigo couldn't take much more of this and he had no idea what was going on with his friends. The substitute swung up Zangetsu, and pushed out some spiritual pressure as the captain neared him. His bankai appeared and Kenpachi grin grew wider as his hand went for his eye patch. But Ichigo didn't let him get to it, Zangetsu flew through the air and slashed Kenpachi across the shoulder, and down to his waist. The captain fell back stunned, but before he could respond, Ichigo sheath his zanpakuto then sprinted off. He had to find the others.
Rukia's eyes darted all over the palace, never focusing on anyone or anything. It had been way to long since she had been in the head captain's presence, especially in a business matter. There were a couple of coughs and whispers echoing the walls as the rest of the captains gathered and waited for their leader to enter the quarters. The high ivory double doors slammed open drawing everyone's attention, but instead of the head captain, Ichigo stood there. He was breathing heavily and his soul reaper uniform had been tattered from the battle before. A roar echoed behind him, sending some chills down his back, Kenpachi had caught up. The substitute soul reaper side stepped the charging captain who stopped dead at the doorway when he realized where they were. Ichigo let out a sigh of relief as he watched the crazed reaper become composed and sheath his zanpakuto then step into the room completely, closing the doors behind him.
"Glad to see you both could make it" Captain Ukitake spoke, as he walked over to them.
"Yes, well we were a little busy" Kenpachi grinned.
Ichigo groaned a little, trying to forget the encounter, then walked over to Rukia.
"Where are the others? What happen?" He asked her.
"Aya's fine, Uryu protested to take her home. We are here to talk about what happen, so if you just wait you should find out soon."
"Then again it would have been better if your friends stayed behind for little while, seeing how that quincy actually fought Siryu" Captain Ukitake added.
Rukia nodded her head with some hesitation, as her mind wondered back to the pair.
Uryu banged on Urahara's door like crazy, the former captain opened it with the same amount of urgency.
"You found her!" he exclaimed, with relief.
He took Ayame from the Quincy's arms, holding her tightly as he rushed them both inside.
"Were you followed?" Urahara asked, once they were safe inside one of the back rooms.
"Why would you think that?" Uryu asked, shaking his head.
"Just precaution... Aya are you alright?"
Ayame nodded her head as she hugged Urahara a little before he let her down. She tired to let herself get use to the new surroundings, breathing in and out slowly. It was good to know she was safe, and home.
"Sensei can you get me some water?" she coughed out, quiet softly.
"Of course, of course" Urahara answered, running out of the room.
"Are you really ok?" Uryu asked.
Ayame met his eyes and nodded her head again, but then neither of them could pull away. The moment got more intense as they both noticed what was rising, and they slowly started move closer. Just before it hit Urahara came sprinting into the room. The couple moved their faces away quick, both blushing and looking in the opposite direction.
"Here you are" Urahara said, to relived to notice the mood for once.
Ayame smiled, taking the glass and sipping it slowly.
"We should get you some food too" Uryu started, wanting to forget the awkwardness now drifting in the room.
He stood up quick, and tired to rush out of the room, making sure not to meet his princess's eyes. Afraid he would turn red again.
"Wait.. I.. uh.. would like to.." Ayame tired to say.
"Get cleaned up" Urahara finished for her.
Ayame nodded her head again, sipping more water, to help her speak. Uryu turned a little and agreed as Urahara stood up to go help him.
"It shall be ready when you get out. Did need help moving?" the former captain asked.
Ayame shook her head this time time saving her voice, then slowly placed her hand below her and tired to push herself up. She succeeded, shaking a little and going at a slow pace, but still able to stand.
"I'm good" she said, then turned and scuffed to the bathroom.
"She'll be alright"' Urahara assured the quincy, seeing him watch her with worry. "Its nothing to concern yourself with, she just need some food in her system. Its the only reason why she is still shaking."
Uryu nodded his head then followed the former captain into his makeshift kitchen to keep himself busy.
Ayame slipped out of her outfit slowly, taking care not to touch her wounds. Little groans escaped her lips and stomach, as she shifted and finely got under the hot water of the shower. A soft moan released as the heat enclosed her body, the aches and pain slipping away as the water rushed over her body. She sat in the tub at first, not bothering to move or wash for at least a half an hour. Then she slowly grabbed a bottle of soup, she had left there and rubbed it over her body. The smell was nice, and felt normal. She had always left some of her things at Urahara's just in case she would stay the night after visiting, this little shop was truly like her home. With easier movement now, Ayame relaxed in the water a little longer once she finished washing her body, hair and face. Then a knock sounded on her door, as she turned the water off.
"Its ready" came Urahara's voice.
Ayame replied back loudly, glad to see her voice was back to normal. Then Urahara walked off as Ayame got out of the tub, dried off, and put on nice clothes. She slipped on the pair of yoga pants and a t shirt slowly, still tiring to avoid the bruises and scratches. Once dressed, she put some ointment on the worse ones, then put her hair up and stepped out of the bathroom.
When Uryu saw her, he was completely relived to see she looked almost back to normal. Still a little pale, but he couldn't help but take notice to the damages and slow pace. Some color appeared as their eyes met, and she sat down in between Uryu and Urahara. This time the former captain noticed, and couldn't help but grin. Then the white disappeared all the way, as Ayame started to eat, consuming almost everything they had made. The two boys took very little portions, as Ayame tired to eat slower, her girlishness showing.
"If you don't mind me asking, I'd like to know exactly what happened" Urahara said, seriously once they were done eating.
The couple shook their heads, then began to explain what happened. Uryu balled his hands into fist as Ayame described what Siryu and his men did. Treating her like a rat as they transferred her to the white tower. Dragging her around, and throwing her about. They never actually beat her, but the gashes came from their roughness, when she collide with the walls and floors they appeared. Then Uryu began his story, talking about the trip, the battles, Siryu and his weird sword. Ayame grabbed for his hand as he mentioned her parents death. Then the questions came.
"Ayame, the hybrid thing" Uryu started, not wanting to call her by the name Siryu had used. "Do you know about it? I'm mean those songs, I've never known a quincy to be able to do it."
Ayame shook her head, worried a little. Now she was this thing...
"I've always been able to use it since I was little. It kinda just happened out of nowhere. I was singing to a song, enjoy myself when Keisuke noticed, hollows appearing around us. It was the first time I saw him use his soul reaper powers. I was to young to really do anything."
Urahara nodded his head, remembering the incident but still confused by it. He heaved out a long sigh, realizing it was time Ayame new the whole truth. Especially if it would help defeat that monster Siryu.
"Aya, there's something you must know, I met your parents when your mom got pregnant with you.''
He stopped for a moment, letting this sink in. Then started again.
"It was during a battle against the quincys and soul reapers. I had just left the soul society only weeks ago, and I saw your parents fighting. When I noticed your mother's pregnancy, I disguised myself and jumped in to help. After the battle they thanked me and then told me something quite surprising. The daughter they were about to have was quiet special. At first I thought, any child is special to its parents, but then they added something about knowing she was destined for something different. Your mother had lost her quincy abilities as soon as she got pregnant, like you were drawing on the powers from her womb. She two had this different abilities, nothing like your singing. She was just a stronger quincy, apparently all the women in your family had been like this. She said it was something to do with when the child is born, they take their mothers powers along with their own, and it makes them into this... Hybrid.
I was amazed by all this as your parents went on, describing the hiding they had to go into with the war going on. That's when they asked if I'd be willing to watch over you if they ever passed on. I was surprised even more but agreed, guessing the day would never come. And when I didn't hear for them for years I kinda pushed it aside. But then you showed up on my door step that one day, and well taking care of you I started up on any research I could get my hands on. Using my sources from the old days, trying to see what I was in store for. I found much more then I expected, and I can show it all later. There are a few things I remember about the type of zanpakutos you described.
Ayame took a long moment to process this all. It was a lot, and as she thought Uryu moved his hand from hers to around her shoulders. There was still a lot that didn't make sense. That white path she saw, then she actually didn't mentioned to the boys, unsure of what it was. And now her singing seemed even more confusing.
"I understand that the singing works by connecting whoever I wish to the words. I can feel my spiritual pressure travel through the lyrics, then tie in with the others spiritual pressure. Kinda making them drawn to me, it's hard to explain" Ayame spoke.
"No I think I get it, especially seeing how I have felt it before" Uryu said.
Ayame nodded remembering herself trying to sense him during her transport to calm herself.
"I have to ask, is there anything else different that either of you experienced that could be related to all this?" Urahara asked.
Ayame shook her head fast still not wanting to mention her new found vision. But Uryu thought for a moment.
"Well during the songs, I could actually feel it inside me. Like it wasn't just connecting to my spiritual pressure, it was to my soul. I wonder if Ichigo and Rukia felt that to."
"They wouldn't of... The song was just meant for you. I'm actually surprised they heard it, I guess I didn't have complete control." Ayame fidgeted.
Uryu blushed a little, wishing they were alone now. Urahara grinned again, glad to feel that he didn't have to put on serious face. He was still worried, and angry but glad. A part of him wanted to join the group when they fight Siryu again, which he hoped would be far away, just for Ayame's sake. But also hoped it was closer, and in the human world, so he could fight.
"Well if you can't think of anything else, I'll clean up" the former captain said, standing and grabbing for the dishes.
Uryu was about to stand and help but Urahara shook his head, pushing the quincy back down, and rushing out of the room. He was decided to grant Uryu's wish, staying in the kitchen super long, actually washing the dishes.
Author's note: this feels a little filler recap-ness, and I wanted to add more but then the chapter was getting to long haha. Don't worry I plan to post the next one soon cuz I actually have loads of ideas... hopefully I didn't just jinx myself lol. Well anyway enjoy, please review. O ps.. yes Ichigo's and Kenpachi battle was meant to sound like that, I'm a little yaoi devil. If you didn't catch it well, it was rather accidental at first, but the it made me giggle at the dirty hints I unintentional said.