Chapter 12: Fun is…
Rina was driving fast…much faster than she had when she'd had Uryu and Jelena in the car with her. She took curves like they were straight and was at her parent's house in five minutes. Having been almost twenty minutes away, this was definitely an accomplishment. She parked her car, ran up the steps and flung open the door.
She ran into the parlor to find her mother and father talking comfortably with a young woman with shoulder length two toned hair. The bottom half of her hair was black as night, while the top part of it was the brightest purple she'd ever seen. She smiled broadly and ran up to the girl, hugging her.
"LIZZY!" she shrieked, making all three of them cringe. 'Lizzy' finally found her voice and managed to squeak out something.
"Ree…need…air…" she gasped when Rina let go of her so that she could breathe. The girl smiled up at the younger woman and stood. Rina smirked and looked up into the older woman's eyes. Being tall herself, there weren't many people that Rina had to look up at.
"Sorry, Liz. It's been what? Four, five years since the last time I saw you?" she asked the other girl. They smirked and hit fists together.
"Three and a half years actually. How's Jelly belly?" the older girl watched the irritation flash over the younger girl's face.
"Don't call her that. The last time you did she cried. Be nice to her…call her Jelena or mishka, like you used to." they glared for a second, and then burst into laughter. They looked back at the parents and smirked.
"Thanks for the invite Mama Fay, but I think I'll be stayin with Ree…you know me. I'm funny about my privacy." she waved to them and they laughed as the two mock argued all the way out the door. When they go to the car, Liz jumped behind the wheel.
"You are not driving my baby!" Rina screeched and tried to pull her out of the driver seat. Liz pouted and fought back, wanting to drive.
"Oh come on…my driving isn't that bad!" she protested until Rina glared at her and held up her finger.
"Liar…I still can't even look at a Lamborghini anymore thanks to you! I am not going to let you ruin it for my mustang!" she finally gave up pulling and smirked evilly, pushing Liz over into the passenger seat. Liz cursed her good naturedly.
"You fucking pansy ass witch…it's not my fault you're a pussy!" they smirked at one another and hit fists together again. "Good to see you again munchkin." Liz said and put her head back.
"You too Leviathan…another reason I should drive is because I know the way and I want you to meet some people." her smile faded and she looked at Liz in all seriousness. "They are going to protect Jelena and the boys and watch my parent's backs while I take out Maksim." She saw Liz stiffen, then hiss. Fangs were making small indents on Liz's lower lip.
"You know not to mention that bastard when I'm here. He all but destroyed my people. Had I not been a quicker shifter, he would have gotten me too…stupid bastard." Rina noticed her friend's eyes were even more catlike than she remembered. She also had a lot more piercings and tattoos than before.
"Liz…when did you get a labret? And was that a tongue ring I saw when we were in the house? Did it hurt when you got your tragus pierced? Where did you get your industrial done, it looks a little infected?" Liz looked at her with an annoyed expression and sighed.
"I got all those things done right after Montey died. Him and Momma Syd were the only ones that I really cared what they wanted and I promised Montey not to get anymore until he didn't have to see them. When Momma Syd died I got a tattoo in memory of them and I got my navel pierced as well." there was sadness in Liz's voice and Rina understood it perfectly.
"You gonna show me Montey and Momma Syd's tattoo when we get to the party?" she asked with mischief. Liz looked at her warily.
"Depends on whether or not you got any alcohol for me. You know I don't start stripping until I've got a little booze in me." they laughed as Rina took off towards Ichigo's house. They pulled in a few minutes later and got out. However, something caught their attention. There was a blurry shape hanging around outside, trying not to be noticed.
"Rina…go make sure your sister is okay. I'll take care of this one…" Liz gave a feral grin over her shoulder and casually stretched out. "I think I'll take a walk for a second…it was a long flight from the States." she said loudly and walked straight towards the figure. It obviously didn't think either woman could see it, so Liz was going to enjoy this.
Rina smirked and ran inside, looking for Jelena. She smirked when everyone looked up at her. Jelena was pale and she shook her head. "Oh shit…it is her…there is only one person that can make you smile like that…" Jelena took another swig of the sake and groaned into Uryu's shoulder again. "NOT LIZ!" she whined and looked at Rina, whose eyes were bright with excitement.
"Oh yeah little sis…Liz is here and she's staying for a while. She went to 'stretch her legs'. She took a direct flight here so that she could spend time with us." Rina noticed Jelena pale when she said 'stretch her legs'.
"RINA…she might eat someone!" Jelena wailed and ran to her sister. "I can't believe you let her out on her own! You know how she is when she's in a new place. It takes her while to get herself under control!" No sooner had the words left Jelena's mouth that a crash was heard outside. Everyone ran out to see a much unexpected sight.
Orihime gasped as she glimpsed the one person she hadn't been expecting to see here. "Grimmjow!?" she yelled above all the noise. Rina gave Orihime a confused look.
"You know that creepy stalker thing? He was slinking around the outside of the house when we got here. We thought he was an enemy…" Rina shrugged and cheered Liz on.
"Ouch! Stupid bitch! I'll kill you for that!" came the voice from the 'man' that was before them. Rina gasped and stepped back at the man's reference to Liz being a bitch. Jelena whimpered and begged Uryu to go into the house with her.
"This is going to get very ugly very soon." the blonde sighed and made her way back to the house. Uryu followed, though he was slightly curious by what exactly was going on.
"What did you just call me?" Liz voiced dangerously. Her cat-like green eyes shining dangerously. She could feel the dread behind her and looked at Rina, who was smiling nervously.
"Just don't destroy this side of town Liz, okay? It would suck 'cause then we'd have to answer to the big wigs at Soul Society." Liz nodded and looked back at what she considered a dead man walking…or hobbling in his case. She'd gotten a really good cock shot on the bastard.
"I do not doubt her strength…but unless she can kill spirits, her fighting Grimmjow will only end in her getting hurt." Rina turned to see Shuhei standing right beside her, his eyes on the fight before them. It was the second time that night that something had drawn him out here. Rina blinked, and then smiled.
"I get it…he's what the Japanese call a hollow. I understand now…" she smiled and threw something at Liz, who caught it in one hand and then looked at Rina, who yelled, "Esta un Diablo…that will heal you if you get hurt really bad. Have fun!" everyone stared at her like she was crazy. She looked at them and groused. "What!?" she demanded and they all just sweat dropped.
"So…you're what the Japanese call a hollow, huh?" Liz asked, slipping the necklace over her head, and then glaring at the man again.
"What's the matter, bitch? Scared now that you know that I ain't human?" He paused when Liz laughed and bared her teeth at him.
"I'm going to make you seriously regret referring to me as a pathetic dog." she hissed and her eyes started glowing. Her tall, lithe form began to stretch and change. Her face elongated until she had the muzzle of a large, black panther. Her limbs became covered with fur and claws appeared when she flexed her hands. Her long, sharp teeth gleamed menacingly in the night. She dropped down on all fours as the transformation completed itself. She was now one of the largest panthers any of the people present had ever seen.
"What the hell just happened!?" Ichigo looked at Rina for answers. The girl looked very amused as she watched what was happening. She then turned to him and motioned with her head at the two combatants.
"You ever heard the phrase Pueblo de la Pantera?" she looked at Chad this time, hoping her had. She heard him gasp, and then look at Liz very closely.
"You mean there are still some of them alive? I though that when mankind drove into the rainforests too much, all the Pantera disappeared. That's what my grandfather told me." He looked at Rina, who nodded.
"This is only half right…it was Maksim that captured all the Pantera and used them in his sick experiments. There was only a handful that evaded capture. To hide themselves, many of the Pantera integrated themselves into human society. Liz's real name is Melisenda Evita Pontris…the last princess of the Pantera." She watched as Liz's transformation was completed and she circled the man named Grimmjow.
Grimmjow was astounded. He'd never seen a mortal that could turn into a large cat like he could when he'd been a hollow. Now…he didn't know exactly what he was. He didn't even have his hollow hole anymore. Somehow or another, he had taken corporeal form and was now stranded in the human realm. It sucked…really, REALLY bad. But there was one good part…he' hadn't lost ALL his hollow powers. He even had some new ones.
"You think a fucking illusion is going to keep me from kicking your ass, little girl? And don't think I'll take it easy on you just 'cause you're a fucking human female." He saw her eyes flash and had the odd sense that this was no ordinary woman. He was too slow in his thoughts, as she disappeared from his sight while he pondered. He barely had enough time to dodge her first attack, receiving a few scrapes on his back for his trouble.
"If you think I need you to take it easy on me, then you are blind. I have been fighting since I was a cub, and I am much older than I appear." came a disembodied voice. He looked around, then back at the large cat stalking him. He arched a brow in confusion and pointed at her, one hand on his hip.
"Are you telling me that fucking feline can vocalize like a fucking human?" The cat's eyes narrowed and she disappeared once more. Grimmjow went still and flared out with his awareness. He wasn't so lucky this time as last because she knocked him to his knees, her sharp canines at the back of his neck. Without mercy, she pierced his neck with her sharp teeth. Grimmjow let out a few choice curses and fell to the ground, immobilized.
Liz sat on her haunches and gave a very cat-like grin. "If you have someone that can heal him, you'd best do it now, or he will die. He is not immune to my attacks." She looked at them and noticed the busty red head that walked forward. She also saw a man with orange hair grab her wrist and shake his head. She smiled sadly at the young man and he let her go. She walked over to them and gulped as she got closer to the large cat.
"N-nice…kitty…" she paled when Liz got up and stretched. She skirted Liz's form and sat beside Grimmjow. She spoke lowly to him, chastising him for picking fights with unknown variables…mainly, Liz herself. Liz stared at the girl from inside her panther body. The girl was much smarter than she originally appeared, just very innocent. Liz instantly took a liking to the girl.
"Don't worry about hermanita…I won't hurt you." she purred soothingly. She carefully padded over to the girl and laid down, her head on the girl's lap as she watched the procession. She looked at a glaring Grimmjow, who was glaring at the girl, not at Liz. A purr of menace emitted from the large cat. "You put your hands on her after she heals you and I'll kill you for real this time." she threatened the odd looking man.
To her, and the red head's, surprise, he gave them a pouting frown. "I don't like owing stupid fucking humans and damned favors. She's got me by my fucking balls if she heals me…again." he said crudely. Liz noticed the girl blush brightly and the beginnings of tears at the corner of her eyes. Liz hissed and batted him in the face with her large paw. She knew Grimmjow was seeing stars from the blow.
"You will not use such language around my hermanita. She is still too young for your crass tongue, pendejo." Liz growled out, her eyes flashing. She heard him murmur something else and she swatted him again. "Come mierda y muerte, cabron!" she hissed again, giving him a death glare. Grimmjow looked up at her and growled himself.
"I can't fucking understand you woman!" he yelled and then looked up a
t the girl, who looked about to cry. "Fucking shit…don't you cry, girl…I mean it. Don't you dare fucking cry!" Tears slowly leaked out of the red head's eyes and Liz hissed, getting to her feet. The growling coming from her throat proved how angry she was.
"Chingate, pendejo. I'll kill you here and now if you don't apologize to hermanita right now." she crouched, ready to strike. Stuck between a large cat and a hard place, he decided that it was just better to do as he was told, for now, and then get his revenge when they least expected it.
"Fine…sorry I was mean." he said and crossed his arms over his chest. He then glared at Liz, who was lying next to the girl again. "Happy now!?" he growled at the large cat. He said something under his breath that got him another swat to the head.
Laughing interrupted the would-be swatting war as the orange haired guy walked up and held his hand out to the girl. She smiled and let him pull her up before he wrapped her in his arms and glared at the ex-Espada. He whispered something to the girl, who blushed and put her head on his shoulder, smiling.
"LIZ!! I have some Vorsctaf with me! And I won some sake off Rangiku-san! So we can go have a good time!" everyone saw the large cat look over at Rina with affection, then glare back at Grimmjow.
"You are coming with me so I don't have to worry about you messing with hermanita." she hissed and closed her eyes. Snapping bones and groaning muscles made everyone pale as Liz's body contorted back to her human appearance. She looked at them with a sheepish look. "I forgot how unnerving my transformation can be for forasteros. My apologies." everyone looked at her with shock. Even for a hot tempered feline she held herself like the princess she was.
"Never seen a princess that looks as odd as that…" Ikkaku whispered to Yumichika, who nodded. Cracking knuckles was heard from right behind them and they found said woman behind them, glowering.
"And just what is so odd looking about me, baldy? And you ain't got much room to talk featherhead. If I didn't know for a fact you're shinigami, I'd think you were un maricón." everyone raised their eyebrows, except Rina, who burst into laughter.
"Glad I'm not the only one that has a beef with those two fruit loops." Rina smiled at Liz, and then glared at the two males, who hid behind Shuhei. Rina arched a brow and put her hands on her hips. "You think hiding behind him will save you? Piss me off enough and I'll go through him to get to the two of you." she turned her back on them, but stiffened when she felt something looming over her. She turned to see Shuhei staring deep into her silver-blue eyes.
"Go through me will you?" he asked in a slightly husky voice. She arched a brow and smirked wickedly at him. He was slightly caught off guard by this. She pressed her front to his and continued smiling at him.
"Through you, around you, over you…whatever it takes." she smirked when he lightly blushed at her enunciated 'over'. Her mirth didn't last long however, when he leaned down to whisper something to her.
"You never said anything about under…afraid you might have met your match?" he heard her breath catch in her throat at this and he looked at her with amused eyes. She blushed and made her way past him, not looking at anyone else.