A/N: Hey guys! Update number two for the week. I will post Chapter 15 on Friday or late Saturday to get up to speed on my posting schedule. Be warned OOC is in this chapter.
Hope you all enjoy the read!
The murmurs were hushed, a gasped.
The civilians on the sidewalk stood stationary in stunned horror. Some even whimpered cries at the scene before them. There is blood everywhere, and limbs contorted into abnormal angles, only a few dismembered from the body.
There are sirens far off in the distance to approach and investigate the scene. The authorities will pronounce someone dead upon arrival.
"Damn, you know they're dead," a stunned civilian uttered as they gapped at the blood and the contorted, mangled body.
"That's one horrible way to go," another commented.
Someone wretched before a stuttering breath leaves their lungs. "Man, that's gross. How can you people stomach staring at that, that nastiness? You can't even recognize them."
"Wasn't there someone else involved? Are they alright?"
"Yeah, yeah there was a woman. Did, did she make it out of there in time? Or is, is she," a woman started to ask when she heard a male calling out to the second person involved.
"Hiromi," it was Starrk's voice that filled the sidewalk.
"Hiromi, can you hear me?"
He sat in front of her as he gripped her shoulders, lightly shaking her. An overwhelming yet sickening queasy feeling plummeted to the pit of his stomach as he stared helplessly at Hiromi's stoic state. When he heard that someone attacked her at the café, Starrk instantly regretted leaving her alone. He should have remembered that someone was watching her. Now, he almost paid the price of turning away the way he did.
Starrk managed to catch up, but he hesitated in stepping in. He should have ignored his objective to see if he was right or not, but Starrk needed to know. When it dawned on him that he could be wrong, he had to step in to save Hiromi. Starrk was glad that Hiromi removed the spurs from the boots as it came in handy. Striking Hisashi with it to release her and then kicking himself away to throw Hiromi to the side came at the right moment.
When he pulled Hiromi out of the way the mirror from the bus may have struck her arm, but the mode of transportation bulldozed over Hisashi as if he were a crash dummy. He remembers hearing the sickening splat followed by the crunching of bones rolling over the body of what was Hisashi Nakamura. That would have been Hiromi. Goddamn me to hell, I should not have, fuck I almost killed you, Lass.
His hands trailed from her rounded narrow shoulders to gently cup her face, caressing her hot flesh. "Come on, Lass, please talk to me."
Rushing footsteps sounded behind him as they called out. "Out of my way, out of my way! I'm a doctor for crying out loud!" A male shouted as he pushed his way through the concerned bystanders. "Thank you! Young sir, is she alright?" The male asked as he approached Starrk to assess Hiromi for injuries.
"She, she's in shock."
"After a near-death experience like that, I would be in shock, too. What is the young woman's name?"
"Hiromi."
"Hiromi, darling, we need you to come back to the living."
The doctor took notice of the cut on her cheek along with the light bruises on her arms. What had him worried though was the large bruise from when the bus mirror hit her as Starrk pulled her out of its destructive path. He quickly checks her arm where there is also an enormous scrape on her elbow from landing on the concrete. Phew! That is one hell of a close call! At least that blasted mirror didn't break her arm.
"What is your relationship with her, young sir? Boyfriend, husband, brother, relative?"
Starrk blinks to snap himself out of stunned state, responding to the first thing that came to mind, "I'm her fiancé."
Thankfully no one from the café followed him here to hear this lie — he is amongst a different crowd.
"Well, son, I need your help to get her to respond by doing what you normally do to wake her. Just nothing too explicit. A simple," The doctor stops himself from continuing when he saw Starrk lean into Hiromi a little to lay his forehead on hers as he lightly caresses Hiromi's jaw lovingly.
"Hiromi, come on, love, come back to me," Starrk whispers softly.
He then lightly pecks a kiss on the tip of her nose. He doesn't know why he would. He's not himself right now. He can't figure if the incident shifted something in him or the fact that Hiromi was in danger made him snap. Whatever the reason, his body still tingled oddly. He's just glad that Hiromi is safe now except she is unresponsive to his touch.
Come on, Hiromi, snap out of it!
Hiromi sat there, staring blankly and unresponsive to everything around her. She couldn't hear Starrk calling out to her or feel him gripping her arms. She couldn't even hear the murmurs or the conversation with the doctor let alone the sirens that are approaching still in the distance. The only thing that Hiromi hears is the ringing and throbbing of her heart in her ears. Her vision is clouded with unshed tears, obscuring her sight that Starrk is just a gray blur to her. She can't even comprehend what had just occurred. Her mind completely shut off, lost in a daze.
Her vision suddenly darkens followed by a heaviness on her lids. Hiromi's senses heightened as she became aware of something brushing her nose. It was a featherlight touch like thin lips. She then hears a voice, a smooth masculine voice that gave her goosebumps. What, who, who is that? What's going on?
"Please, love, come back to me," the voice instructed softly while they tenderly rubbed at her temples.
Wait, that's. "C, Coyote?" Her whisper trembles.
She no longer feels the heaviness on her lids, which Hiromi slowly opens her eyes to regard him with a watery, stunned gaze. Did, did he just?
"I'm here, Lass, I'm right here," Starrk replies gently as he continued to caress her temples and cheeks. He draws himself closer to her shaking body, embracing her lightly. "You're okay, now."
The doctor eyed the two with a knowing smile as he sat away. "Lass? That's a cute pet name for your beautiful lady there, young man."
Hiromi doesn't pay attention to the doctor only Starrk as he held her in his arms. She can feel him violently shaking for whatever reason, but it's enough of a motivation for her to move her limbs. She hesitates at first but eventually returns the embrace. His arms only tighten around her, encasing her protectively as the doctor sat to the side for the two to embrace each other.
She is the one to pull away to look him in the eye, finding him deeply concerned still. There are even traces of fear in his gaze as they stared at one another. What, what exactly happened? Why does he look so frightened?
She blinks herself into awareness, realization hitting her like a freight train when she found herself on concrete. Hiromi turns away from Starrk to glance over to her left, catching sight of the bus that is feet away from her and splattered with crimson red blood. Who, whose blood is that?
"Don't look, love, keep your eyes on me," Starrk gently urged as he turned her eyes on him again.
It took her a moment since her lips trembled, but Hiromi found her voice to speak finally. "What, what happened?"
"You nearly got plowed by a damn bus, that's what. Lucky you." A familiar voice drones unhappily.
Both Hiromi and Starrk glance over there shoulders towards the bus. Standing against the vehicle is a spirit tethered with chains.
"Hisashi," Hiromi whispers.
He sighs heavily, regarding Hiromi with a deep frown. There's no anger in his gaze, only regret.
"You know, a big part of me is glad you're alive. Getting bulldozed by a bus is not exactly a good way to go. But yet, the other part isn't. Why is that?"
Hiromi could only stare, dread and guilt slowly laying heavily on her shoulders. Her eyes widen once she noticed the chain that is connected to his chest starting to disintegrate. She also saw the chains that anchored him in his spot. Hisashi Nakamura will remain here until his chain dissolves and become a hollow. I know I wanted him dead, but not like this.
"Hisashi, I_." She starts, her voice strained.
"Don't sympathize my death, Hiromi. I don't want it. At least, I don't think I do." Hisashi interrupted.
"Why do you not want her sympathy? I don't understand why she would feel remorseful after what you have just done to her." Starrk interjects in a harsh whisper.
"I'll be honest. I have wanted to kill myself for a year now. I hate that I had unwillingly dragged you into it, Hiromi. It's something I regret the most. Hurting you."
Hiromi's features contorted into one of rage and made to yell, only to stop from a sound. A familiar sound that she hasn't heard in a long time reverberated on the streets — a howl.
Starrk held Hiromi still, his grip tightening upon hearing the howling. Shit, we need to leave, quick.
"Hiromi, Lass, we have to go," Starrk whispers in her ear.
"What, what the fuck was that? What just made that sound?" Hisashi questioned as he trembled from another howl echoing in the sky.
"Come on, we must move," Starrk whispers again, lightly tugging at her arm.
Before either of them could think about rushing off, the howling got louder. Hiromi stiffens from the sound. She's frightened by it, but only a little. She turns her gaze on Hisashi who now looks confused and scared of the loud howling noise.
"Hisashi," Hiromi lightly called out to him. She may still despise him for everything that he has done to her, but she doesn't want to see another person get devoured by these beings.
He regards her with fear starting to grow in his eyes. "What, what the hell is making that howling noise?" His voice quivered. Hisashi is never scared.
"You need to run," Hiromi instructs gently yet hushed to keep anybody else from hearing her.
"What the hell are you doing, Lass?" Starrk lightly barks. "We have to move, now."
Hisashi deadpans. "Uh, do you not see these other chains on me? I can't run. I have to stay in this area."
"Try, you dolt. Please, Hisashi, you have to run." She urged still while Starrk tried to get her to stand.
"What good is_?" His question died on his lips when something crashed down behind him, causing Hisashi to stand rigid in his spot. Um, what the hell was that?
When the exploding crashing sound boomed in the streets and buildings, people started running and screaming. Some had hunkered behind stationery items to hide behind as dust ballooned outwards while quickly receding to reveal nothing but a gaping hole in the road. Starrk had to shield Hiromi from chunks of cement bursting outwards that almost hit her. Clumps smacked into his arms as he protected her from the debris, even little pebble-like bits sprayed into their hair.
Son of a bitch! Why couldn't she listen to me? Now we're fucked.
Behind Hisashi stood an enormous hollow that appeared to be more demonic than any other that Starrk had seen. He was even taken aback by the massive maw that gaped open at the sight of the three powerful souls that eyed it. "Hiromi, we need to move." He urges again.
Hiromi doesn't acknowledge him. Instead, she looks out to see what caused the exploding crash. Her eyes grew the size of saucers at the mammoth bone white hollow that stood behind Hisashi's soul. She couldn't help but stay rooted to her spot as she eyed the being with a mixture of amazement and horror. What, what the fuck? I've never seen a hollow this large! I can't look away! I need to move, but I can't! Why is that? I think its presence is keeping me from running!
"Hiromi, we have to get the hell out of here." Starrk's voice demanded now while tugging at her.
She could only watch as the large hollow pulled the corners of its mouth into a wide, toothy grin. It growls hungrily at Hisashi and Hiromi, even Starrk. "Hmm, three very delectable souls for me to consume. One of you is sure to bring me to Vasto Lorde's status, and I believe it to be the human girl. You have such a strong life force little one."
Hisashi dared himself to glance over his shoulder at the being that is behind him, fear running rampant in his gaze. Once his eyes land on the hollow, he balks. "HOLY! What the fucking hell is that thing?"
"You, on the other hand, will make one hell of a host to possess. You have so much rage that it radiates off you like a steaming hot meal. You regret your death, don't you? That despair is consuming your soul, and it smells so damn good. I can make you invincible if I took over you. You can avenge your untimely death onto the woman. What do you say? Do you want to become stronger, have power?" The hollow's grating voice questioned Hisashi.
"Huh, invincibility, power?" Hisashi stuttered as he stared at the hollow in awe.
Well, doesn't that sounds nice, huh? You would be able to kill Hiromi if you were a tinge stronger.
What the fuck? I thought I got rid of him! Why can't he stay out of my head?
"Hisashi!" Hiromi hollers without thinking. "Listen to me for once, you dolt, run!"
"Hiromi, please, we have to go." Starrk pushes her forwards then, snapping her out of her daze.
Hisashi snapped out of his stunned state when he heard the seriousness in her voice. Maybe I should listen to her and run. She may not know much about me, but Hiromi knows something that I don't, I'm so confused here. And what's with this chain on my chest and everywhere else on me?
Take the deal, you fucking waste! Take it!
"Thanks, but no thanks," Hisashi answered.
What!?
The hollow frowns. "Excuse me?"
The hollow noticed Starrk and Hiromi rushing off, it quickly flings the damaged bus ion their direction, blocking their path. Once the bus moved, more people started running and screaming. The bus propelled forwards at the rushing pair, aiming to end their lives in that instant.
"Hiromi!" Hisashi screams.
Starrk was able to see the vehicle fly in their direction and pulls Hiromi back to avoid getting hit. Just as he did, Starrk had to lurch forwards and shove Hiromi to ground with him over her while shielding her head. The bus flew over them then crashes into the building behind them. The now beyond repair mode of transportation crumbles to its side, bringing bricks with it and parts from the undercarriage exploding out onto the sidewalk and street with a clatter.
A massive eruption of screams sounded among the streets along with squealing tires from cars coming to a stop. Feet scampered across the asphalt to reach a safer distance as the unseen hollow tossed a bus followed by another that aimed directly at two individuals.
Starrk saw the second car come barreling at them that he barely had enough time to lunge them out of its damage path. Both him and Hiromi collided onto the hard surface of the asphalt, gaining new scrapes. They found themselves cornered now as Hisashi stood in front of them but is facing the hollow that is advancing on him.
"What do you mean you don't want that power? Your chain is already disintegrating as we speak. Consuming your soul would only accelerate the transition process!"
"Just stay the hell away from me, you ugly freak!"
"Hisashi, please, run!" Hiromi screams. Wait, why am I trying to, her thought trails off from the hollow yelling over her.
"Shut up!" The hollow bellows.
It intended to slam its fist down on Hiromi, which Starrk quickly stood in front of her to take the blunder. Except, the hollow's fist stopped when Hisashi stood in front of them. He is relatively surprised that he was able to stop them being from striking her. Where did I get this kind of strength? Eh, doesn't matter.
"You are not to lay a hand on her. If you mean transitioning, I can only assume I would turn into something like you. I would much rather let it happen on its own. I don't need your assistance. Besides, I want to have my consciousness when and if I ever do want to kill her, which is very unlikely now. Now back the hell off."
Hiromi stares at him bewildered. "Hisashi, what, what are you doing?" She whispers. What is he doing? Why is he protecting me?
"Big mistake," the hollow growls then pounces.
"Damnit Hiromi, run!" She hears Hisashi yell.
Starrk tries to get her to move, but Hiromi remained reluctant. What the hell? Why won't she move?
Hiromi stares at Hisashi as the hollow pounced at him with its maw opening wide, ready to consume his soul. Except, Hisashi isn't going down without a fight. Despite his chain quickly disintegrating because of his despair for getting killed and almost bringing Hiromi with him, Hisashi is determined to fight the hollow off.
She watches him deftly avoid the hollows outstretched arm that was to pin him. The second attempt nearly caught him, but the third finally managed to pin him. Hisashi's last-ditch effort was him using his hands to keep the hollows jaw at bay. She can hear him struggling to ward it off, even Starrk's urgency to get Hiromi to run. The thing is, her body is so overwhelmed with the hollow's intense spiritual energy Hiromi can't move.
She couldn't look away. She should, but Hiromi can't bring herself to divert her gaze. Hiromi is stunned by his sheer will to remain here on earth. She doesn't know if she should admire his determination or be afraid of it. There is a painful grunt filling her eardrums when the hollow clamped its jaw on Hisashi's arm, forcing him down on the ground. Hisashi!
"Get off of me!"
"I'm going to force you into becoming a hollow! I'll devour every inch of you. Then it will be the girl. Her fear smells delicious."
Hisashi's eyes narrow. "You stay the hell away from her." He struggles a growl, groaning.
Why are you resisting, you idiot? Let him take over! You won't have to listen to me anymore!
Bullshit!
No, I'm serious! You'll get rid of me!
I don't believe you?
Trust me!
Trust you! No way!
"Hiromi, please, we have to leave." Starrk urged tightly.
"Gah, damnit! Get Hiromi out of here!" Hisashi demands towards Starrk.
"Why do you care? You attempted to kill her!" Starrk snaps viciously.
"I realize that! I, fuck! I can't explain everything right now! Just get her away from here!"
What are you doing? Don't let her leave! Kill her once your one of them!
Just shut the fuck up!
"Hisashi, what_?" Hiromi starts to question only to stop once she saw Hisashi's determined expression.
He shoots her a sad, mournful smile. "I'm doing everything in my power of what is left of me, to protect you, Hiromi. I've been trying to do that since I met you."
"What, what are you saying? I don't understand. I thought,"
"You'll understand everything eventually, now go."
"Hisashi,"
"Damnit, Hiromi, run!"
Hisashi screams then. The hollow slowly but surely swallows itself down Hisashi's throat, Hiromi watched in stunned horror as the hollow devoured every inch of him. The chain that suspended from Hisashi's chest and around his soul quickly disappeared. His hollow hole nowhere to be seen. His screams echoed in her ears as a memory from her childhood sprung up like a jack-in-a-box.
Mommy.
Daddy.
Hiromi was only four than when she and her parents were involved in an accident. The aftermath led to her sitting just outside the mangled car, shaken and confused about what had happened. Young Hiromi can hear her parents arguing still even though they are spirits now and are not paying attention to her like always. She watched them from the corner of the car, sniffling and crying. She opens her mouth to call out to them only to stop when she heard a horrifying howling sound filling the air.
Hiromi trembled when she saw these white scary looking beings crashing onto the earth, snarling wide grins. These things eyed her parents as they fell backward in horror at the sight of them.
She can hear her mother yelling, "Keep them away from me! Leave me be!"
"Yokino, run!" her father screams before one of the beings chased after him, leaving his wife and child behind. She can hear him crying when it crashed down on him, taking possession of his anger and despair. Hiromi watched it all unfold with tears streaming from her eyes before looking away. She looks towards her mother who ran as instructed, but the other creature jumped in her mother's path, blocking her.
"No, please, stay back! Keep away from me!" She cries hysterically.
"Doesn't work that way. It's your daughter's fault that you're dead now! Use that anger, your despair and kill that wretched girl of yours for good! She doesn't deserve to live!"
Hiromi watched as her tears continued to fall as her mother succumbed to her darkness and let the being take over. She can hear the screams and cackling escape her mouth that all Hiromi could do was sit there watching her parents slip into their unsustainable thirst for power.
"Mom, mommy, daddy," Hiromi hiccups. "No, no! Mommy! Daddy!"
Before she knew what had happened, a hollow of what used to be one of her parents lunged at her, forcing Hiromi to run only to get captured.
The last thing that Hiromi could remember was finding herself back here and crying. She doesn't quietly remember what had happened then because it was all a blur to her. The only thing she knew was that Kisuke Urahara found her and saved Hiromi from passing on. That was eighteen years ago. Now, it's happening again with someone she despises, and against their will. I'm sorry, Hisashi.
"Hiromi move now!" Starrk's voice yells at her then shoved her forwards.
She stumbled at first that she fell to the pavement, scraping her knees through the thick fabric of her jogging leggings. Hiromi grunts as she got back onto her feet then started forwards when someone grabbed her. She turned on her heel to fight them off, only to stop when they forced her to the ground again when a tire flung overhead. Just as the object cleared, Hiromi was pulled up and was urged to run. She quickly realized that Starrk is dragging her down the sidewalk while gripping her hand tightly.
As Hiromi ran alongside him, she noticed his fierce determination in his eyes to keep her safe. She felt something swell in her from the sight of him protecting her. Hiromi opened her mouth to say something only to stop when she heard a building from overhead crumbling from a massive fist colliding into the structure. She looks up to see a large chunk of drywall came barreling down at them. Thinking quickly, Hiromi shoves Starrk forward while she jumps backward, only to fall on her back. The second she did, the large piece of drywall crumbled to the pavement in front of her and inches from her feet.
She coughs as dust billowed in front of her before looking out over to Starrk who immediately stood to his feet once he recovered. "Co," she coughs. "Coyote, are, are you_."
Starrk pulls her up from the ground harshly, prompting her to start running again. "We don't have time for this, Lass, now move!"
"Where do you think you are going? You can't escape me!" a familiar yet deeper voice sounded in her eardrums as they quickly approached.
Wait, that's Hisashi. Did he transition into a hollow already?
Fear quickly started to bubble in her stomach that it slowed her footing, causing Hiromi to stumble and fall. Except, Starrk is quick to keep her upright and tried to get her to move, but Hiromi barely moved.
"What the hell? Get your ass moving!" Starrk yells. That's when he noticed Hiromi's terrified gaze. What the fucking hell is, Starrk's thought is interrupted when Hiromi talks over him.
"He wants me, not you. Let me be, I can take care of it," Hiromi mumbles lowly.
"Are you out of your god licking mind? You are not facing a hollow alone, Hiromi! Now move!" He snaps as his grip tightened and tried to get her to run.
Hiromi defies his request as she stayed rooted in her spot as Hisashi's hollow form charged after them. However, she snaps a fierce yet watery gaze on him. "And have you get killed protecting me! I don't want," she stops herself when a memory from three years ago played in her mind. No, I won't let him. I won't let Coyote die for me.
Starrk regarded her with a frown when he noticed that haunted expression of hers grace her features. Someone died to protect her from harm. I won't make that mistake.
He leans slightly to lock his gaze on hers with equal passion. "The only way I will die protecting you is fighting to save your life, Hiromi. I won't allow you to sacrifice yourself for my sake. I'm not worth dying for anyway; now move."
He sees her lips quiver briefly before attempting to open her mouth to counter him, but he didn't want to hear it. At least, not right now. Starrk forced her to move again when Hisashi's hollow form rushed at them. Just protect and keep her safe for now then retire back to Las Noches. I'll figure out what to inform Lord Aizen about her.
Once they started moving again, Hisashi was just a few feet away from gaining on them. Starrk urged Hiromi down an alleyway, hoping that there would be something to shield Hiromi from his approaching battle. Alas, there was nothing. Great. With a heavy defeated sigh, Starrk pushes her forward and leaves his gigai in a flash.
When Hiromi propelled forward, she instinctively twisted to land on her back. A grunt escapes her lips as she hit the ground, but a startled yelp quickly follows when Starrk's empty gigai fell on her. What she wasn't expecting was his face planting in between her bosoms. It wasn't intentional. It just happened that way. Except, Hiromi didn't see it that.
"Seriously now!" Hiromi bellows as she watched Starrk charge at Hisashi's hollow form.
He has a grace about him as he swiped his zanpakutō in front of him, slashing at Hisashi's face. She hears him howl in pain from the metal blade slicing Hisashi across whatever part of his face then charged himself. Starrk maneuvers with precision to avoid the large jaws before swiping again. His katana misses its mark but continued to aim for the head. It's the only way to kill it.
Hiromi watched as he neared to strike down on him, except something happened. Hisashi's form morphed to shield itself from harm, blocking Starrk's swing. She hears him curse as he dived sideways to avoid an attack then charged forwards. He had hoped that his next move would make its mark when Starrk gets one hell of a surprise. Instead of making a swipe at him, Hisashi's jaw clamps on Starrk's left arm. A grunt of a groan leaves his lips as Hisashi lurched forwards, forcing Starrk to release his zanpakutō that it clattered loudly.
"COYOTE!" Hiromi screams as she slowly eased herself out from underneath his heavy gigai. I have to help him! I got to!
Starrk lands roughly on his side while his left arm is in Hisashi's hollow mouth. He feels the teeth sink deeper into his shoulder, threatening to rip it off and swallow it whole. Starrk tries to stand, except he was pushed down and is rendered immobile, pinning him. Hisashi hovers over him with a low growl, twisting its head slightly to inflict more pain.
"Gah, damnit!" He groans through clenched teeth as he moved his legs around to gain leverage.
"I'm going to swallow your whole damn arm!"
No! Stop! Back off!
"Have fun digesting it, you piece of trash! Eat all of me if you like! You stay the hell away from Hiromi!"
"Like I'm going to listen to you. I don't know what you are, but your spirit energy will help me gain enough strength to kill her once and for all. I will overpower the little fucking bitch that you seem to have taken a particular liking to. I will take my precious time torturing her by devouring you first!"
Must regain control!
Starrk groans from his arm pulling harshly, about on the verge of ripping out of its socket. "You stay the fuck away from Hiromi! Just rip my damn arm off already so I can kill you!"
"Gladly!" Hisashi barks.
No, stop!
Starrk prepared himself for the unbearable pain to come, but luck was on his side. Out of nowhere, a desperate battle cry sounds in his eardrums. He snaps his gaze over to see Hiromi charging in with a long metal pole in her hands. What the fucking hell is she doing?
That metal pole plunges deep into the chasm of Hisashi's teeth where a couple of small bits break away. He stares stunned as Hiromi effortlessly twists in midair as the pole gave her leverage to plant the flat of her heels into Hisashi's eye. Her quick movements pried open Hisashi's jaw where Starrk quickly rolls out of the way.
He sat there for a moment to compose himself, stuttering a breath from his lungs. While he did though, Starrk saw Hiromi advance forwards and struck the skull as if it were a sword. If it had been a mallet, she would have cracked his head. Just, what in the hell is she doing? Sh, he doesn't finish his thought when Hisashi swung his arm at her and connected into her side. She is flung sideways into the wall with a sharp, painful yelp and collapses in a heap. Hiromi lays motionless as her choice of weapon rolled out of her hands.
No, Hiromi!
A soft moan leaves her lips that is barely audible to Starrk's ears. He watches in stunned horror as Hisashi towered over her unconscious form, a hand slowly inching forwards to touch her. That's when a fuse snapped — Starrk storms in as he snatched his zanpakutō and slashes at Hisashi. A desperate and angry cry leaves his mouth as he overwhelmed the hollow again, slicing across its jaw and down his face. Hisashi jumped backward when Starrk surged forwards to swipe downwards on his skull. Starrk made another attempt to finish him off when Hisashi decided to retreat, bloody.
His form vanishes as he ascended into the clouds above, to the other side of Hueco Mundo.
Starrk groans as he collapsed to his knees, exhausted. He breathed heavily as a rush of adrenaline coursed through him, weakening him. Damnit all, he got away.
He glances over his shoulder at Hiromi who still laid unconscious from being hurled into the building. Starrk doesn't get up to walk to her side. Instead, he half drags, half crawls his exhausted self over to her. Starrk's left shoulder bled from Hisashi's teeth breaking his skin, but he didn't care. He just needed to get to Hiromi. It may have taken a minute or so, but once he was at her side, Starrk gently scoops her head into his hands and cradles her close. His fingers lightly brush at strands of her hair to not only free her vision but to gently wake her.
"Hiromi," he calls softly.
She doesn't stir.
Starrk leans over her while still caressing her face. "Come on, love. Wake up."
Hiromi remained motionless for a minute more while Starrk continued to call out to her. His soft pleas became a mantra as he sat there with Hiromi, caressing her smooth skin tenderly. His eyes grew heavy from exhaustion slowly overwhelming him. Even his limbs grew weak. Damn, I'm tired, but I can't sleep, at least not yet. Come on, Lass, you need to wake up.
After what seemed like five minutes, Hiromi finally stirs. A soft groaning moan is heard followed by minimal movements. Starrk feels her start pushing herself away, but he was quick to pull her back, holding onto her tenderly.
"C, Coyote," she called out lightly when he encased her in his arms. Is, is he hugging me?
"It's alright. You're safe now. We're safe." He remained to hold her close as Hiromi slowly got her bearings. Stubborn girl, you almost got yourself killed.
Hiromi finally manages to acknowledge her surroundings then gently pushed herself away from Starrk's comforting embrace. She winces in pain when a sharp, throbbing pain jolts through the side of her head that Hiromi could barely stand on her own two feet. Damn, Hisashi must have slammed me harder than I expected. I'm a little dizzy here.
"Easy," she hears Starrk urge lightly as they both stood.
He remained to hold onto Hiromi as he helped her up then settled her against the building. "Wait here."
Hiromi stood on her own as Starrk lightly trudged to his gigai, watching him sag in exhaustion. "You're hurt," she states.
"I'll manage until I get back to Los Noches. I'll heal up quicker there." He responds gently.
She stood away from the wall to approach Starrk, disorientated and severely confused. "No, please don't leave. Let me tend to your injury."
"I said I'll manage. I'll escort you back to your apartment, and then I'll leave from there." Starrk argued lightly while avoiding eye contact with her. Don't show emotion, don't give in.
Hiromi comes up on him then gently places a comforting hand on his injured shoulder. He tries to stand away from her, but she roots him in his spot when her warm small hand found his.
"Please, let me patch you up, it's the least I can do. I owe you. Please, don't leave me just yet. You deserve an explanation of what happened today." Even I need an explanation so that I can understand.
Starrk regards her then. She's not looking him in the eye; in fact, Hiromi is staring at his wounded shoulder with tears welling in the corner of her eyes. He realized that Hiromi feels guilty for him obtaining this injury to protect her. Starrk sighs as he reached out and gently cups her cheek. She leaned into his touch, trembling still and tears threatening to fall. Poor girl is shaking. Maybe leaving her alone is not a good idea after all.
"Okay," he responds while tenderly brushing his thumb at the corner of her eye to wipe away a tear.
"I'm, I'm sorry about earlier, I should_."
"It's alright, don't worry about it. I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have left you alone." Starrk quickly counters.
"Come on, let's get you home," Starrk adds before slipping into his gigai.
Hiromi watched him for a moment before she started forwards only to stumble. Starrk quickly took notice of her disoriented state from the impact of slamming into the building. She's not like them where they can walk it off as if nothing happened. Hiromi can't walk all on her own right now.
He approaches Hiromi then scoops her into his arms, carrying her as if she were a bride. "Just rest, Lass, I can get there from here."
"You sure?" She asks softly while settling herself close to hug his neck gently.
"I'm sure, just rest," he whispers as he nudged her head with his.
Hiromi lightly smiles when she felt something other than his head tap her. She even discreetly inhales to see if he had a scent like Grimmjow does. Hiromi is not disappointed when she picks up cotton, leather, and wood. He has a subtle rustic scent that fits him perfectly. It's calming, soothing and warm. It felt like home. I find it very strange that he along with Grimmjow have signature musks that match their personalities. Why is that?
Hiromi contently sighs as she huddled closer, actually getting drunk off his rustic, warming scent. She falls into a light slumber relatively quickly which Starrk notices. He hid a smile at the serenity of her features when he looked down on her. He's thankful that she did; otherwise, Hiromi would have been poking fun at him for wearing the cowboy hat. The paper shopping bag with his obnoxious accessories is hooked on his left arm as he held Hiromi then left the alleyway to start down the sidewalk.
"A cowboy is a gentleman with or without his hat and boots, spurs excluding."