Author's Note: Thanks so much to ShihoinLady (I think I have that right) for reviewing! We've officially gotten 19 reviews ;) And that means that the next reviewer gets to have something special for the next chapter. You can put it in your review or send it by PM, because I'll get it either way ;)
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES THE FOUL FORM OF THE WORD 'CAT'
Sighing, I slowly became aware that hot water was circulating around my body despite still being clothed. Hearing something akin to the soft sound of a bucket being filled and then water being poured on my head, my eyes opened as soon as they could.
Rocks surrounded me; I appeared to be in the hot spring I had 'fallen into' earlier. Eyes searching for a few seconds, I quickly located Ururu standing in the water next to me. She was holding the bucket from earlier; I also saw some bandages lying on the small shelf. Looking at her questioningly, she answered the unspoken question.
"Kisuke-san told me to heal your injuries here." She told me. I nodded, but my eyes still trailed to the bandages. Isn't this hot spring supposed to heal everything? I thought suspiciously, looking into the water and at my tattered Shihakusho. Reaching up to rub my right shoulder, when my fingers connected with bandages I froze.
Ururu, being the good nurse she is, noticed immediately and explained. "This water has properties that cause it to heal most injuries; that injury is not one of them." She told me and I shivered, reliving the memory. "It is likely to scar." She told me quietly as I took this in.
A scar, huh…? Well, I suppose it's better than dying… I thought glumly, unaware that Ururu had filled another bucket of water. I felt the splash on the top of my head before I registered it had gone on my face. As soon as I felt it on my face I immediately began to wipe at it as well as splutter. Wiping my face even after the water had long sense dribbled away, I frowned at Ururu before looking the other way, realizing she couldn't have known.
"What's wrong, Sydney-san?" she asked me, making a small blush appear on my face while I pouted.
"I don't like water on my face." I told her quietly, squirming uncomfortable.
Ururu stared at me for a few seconds before giggling slightly, making me eye her suspiciously. "You're amazing, Sydney-san." She told me, making me leer at her.
"How so?" I asked, slightly uncomfortable that she would complement me like that. Resting my hand on my bandage as if it was preciously, I continued to stare at her.
"You can be so strong and then act so childish!" she told me, giggling lightly as she put a hand to her mouth.
Pouting again, I looked the other way. "I am not childish!" I insisted, now leering at a rock.
She laughed openly at this and I couldn't help the smile and quiet chuckle that bubbled up in my throat. We teetered off together while exchanging a warm look. She's like a little sister… Like Yuzu and Karin. I thought fondly, spluttering as another gallon of water was dumped on my face. Standing up immediately, I batted at my face while stepping forward.
Not knowing that there are circular rock steps, I stepped lower and fell into water so deep that it came up to my chin. "Oh, shit!" I openly cussed, throwing a face as I awkwardly tried to swim in the middle of hot spring. Hitting my foot against the next higher step as I attempted not to drown even though I could stand in the water safely. With Ururu laughing in the back ground as my non-aching foot finally found the next higher step, I clawed my way opposite of her, panting because of my effort not to die.
Leering at her, I quickly stood with bright red cheeks. "I think I'm all healed now!" I told her, sprinting off and thankful I was wearing my clothes. Running full speed, I quickly came upon Damien and Kisuke who seemed to be conversing as the stood close to the ladder.
"I almost died back there!" I yelled at them, stopping abruptly as I completed the triangle. Kisuke fanned himself while Damien leered at me, already knowing what the problem was.
"Died?" Kisuke asked, completely innocent. Damien smirked and I immediately stamped my feet, going bright red.
"Don't ask!" I yelled, turning on a dime and starting to storm away.
"She's afraid of water on her face." Damien supplied and I froze.
Evil aura started to flow off of my body while I slowly turned my head like a possessed doll, eyes glowing red. My fingers cracked as I repeatedly made fists. Hissing, he leered at me. "What's your problem?" He asked me, and then got a mischievous glare in his eyes. "Afraid of water, you pussy?" He hissed back and I growled, flying towards him as fast as I could, completely irked by this comment.
He dodged quickly, making my eyes widen as I sailed freely in the air. Landing with a controlled tumble, I flew around and came face to face with Damien's sword. Freezing, my now short hair flew past me a little as my eyes widened accordingly. Jumping away, I hissed as he kept his sword pointing towards me. "What's up with you?" he called, and my eyes flicked between him and Kisuke, who was fanning himself and watching me casually. Frowning, I chose not to reply. "You're a lot slower than you used to be."
My eyes narrowed at this and I unsheathed my sword, feeling anger and jealousy at his comment. If you're stronger you shouldn't rub that in people's faces! I hissed at him mentally and settled for grinding my teeth, glaring at him. My grip on my sword tightened as he smiled at me confidently, looking like he owned the world.
Damien's the strongest…! I reminded myself. And right now I'm the weakest… I realized, eyes narrowed as they stared at him angrily. I growled under my breath and he raised an amused eyebrow. "What's wrong? Unable to find the courage to fight me?" He asked.
I started to shake. Visibly trembling, I lowered my head and my hair shaded my eyes. Seeing this, Damien continued to fuel my growing anger and jealousy at an alarming rate. "You know, I don't think you're strong enough…" He said suddenly. Unable to force out his words, I was forced to listen. "To save Rukia Kuchiki." He hissed and my breath hitched, my eyes widening in the shadows. My anger simmered within me; it was growing blind and unforgiving. "You're not strong enough to."
I snapped. Screaming in rage, I ran towards him suddenly, my blade ready to pierce his chest with no regrets. He laughed openly, jumping away. Swinging my blade where he had been, Kisuke Flash Stepped out of the way.
Blinded by my own rage, I snarled as Damien seemed to appear a few feet away. Lunging towards him, we repeated this process for a few minutes with him laughing every time. My anger slowly started to become so hot, it turned cold. Now with his demise in my head only, I kept up my façade of going after him while thinking of how he could be so fast and seemingly disappear. He might be using Flash Step. I told myself.
Keeping my eyes on his face while I lunged again so I wouldn't be caught, I only glanced at his feet when I knew he would disappear. Watching with narrowed eyes and heightened adrenaline, I eventually realized he was Flash Stepping. Growling under my breath, I attempted to copy him but tumbled into the ground. With Damien laughing like a mad man behind me, I slowly picked myself up with a growl.
Turning around and full on glaring at him, I lunged again before I realized my mistake of adding too little power beneath my feet. Adjusting this while he disappeared, I quickly followed after, now able to see him.
His eyes widened as I came up behind him and sliced through the black material on his arm, having gotten a little ways with my incomplete Flash Step. He Flash Stepped away and I followed with difficulty; he was better at it than me, and could keep it up a little faster.
Growling under my breath, my eyes narrowed once more as I tried to think about a plan instead of run and slash blindly. Cursing under my breath as I had to jump away from a surprise attack, I tried to think about what I could do to even the playing field. He's faster than me. He's stronger than me. He's smarter than me. But does he know…about me? I asked myself, suddenly smirking.
Damien's eyes narrowed at this and I cackled openly, stopping a few feet away from him. He eyed me nervously while I gripped my blade with two hands. Focusing my power into it, I spoke. "Scream out, Miru Koto Garasu!" My blade glowed quickly before turning into the familiar shape, and I instantly felt better about fighting. I'm much more natural with the scythe-and it definitely helps.
His eyes did not widen; instead, he grinned. I hissed lowly while power circulated around me, shifting my clothing and hair. "You think you're the only one with Shikai?" he asked me lowly, making me frown as I felt myself being forcibly inched towards a corner. Gripping his sword with both his hands, he took a fighting stance while his spiritual pressure increased.
"Race…Basho Kajiki." He said grimly, his power escalation further like mine had. I watched, immersed, as his blade glowed blue. It shifted into a blade that a knight would have; save the hilt, which had rounded edges. The middle part of the blade was a dark blue, much like the ocean. The outer part, the sharp edge, was a light, green blue that reflected more of tropical water qualities. I let out a hiss of a breath; his spiritual pressure was stronger than me, and my mind had instantly translated the name of his blade. Sailfish are the fastest in the sea… I remembered.
As if on cue he disappeared. My eyes widened a second later, registering he had used Flash Step, but it was too late. My sleeve had already been cut in warning; I realized I was no match for him. Turning on a dime and hissing, I tried to jump away only to find that he had cut my Shihakusho across my stomach-it was barely hanging on now, what with the gigantic cut Kisuke had put in it earlier.
Landing on the ground, I threw myself to the side as it was cut again, now only attached by a small section of fabric. Reaching back quickly I ripped it off, knowing I could use it. Hissing lowly as my eyes traced the ground, I recognized a rock move and brought my blade up, barely blocking as Damien came in for another attack. Not able to let go of my scythe unless I wanted to be beheaded, I settled for spitting in his face.
He recoiled instantly, rubbing his eyes and Flash Stepping away while he cussed. I was left panting for a few minutes; trying to figure out how I could win. He would definitely not be happy after that last move I pulled. Well, no one said I had to fight fair…
I spun here and there occasionally whenever something was disturbed; I didn't want to be taken off guard by his almost-impossible to notice Flash Step. Eyes narrowing, I thought about his common way to move in battle so far. Flash Step. One of the three ways to move quickly. I mumbled this in my mind absentmindedly. Think, what's a weakness…? They never really said-no one did. But it's one of three! I remembered. But how could I use the other ones when I have no one to copy…?
Spinning again, my eyes landed on a rock that had been tossed towards me. I stared as it rolled towards my feet, not daring to pick it up. Spinning around and raising my attack, my scythe met Damien's as he viciously attacked me. Feeling something pulsate in me as my strained brown eyes stared into his angry almost black ones, they widened in terror of its familiarity. No! I begged. No not! Hollow please, if you're listening, don't kill him! I tried to beg for his life with all my heart.
She cackled within me. But you are losing; do you want us to die? You'll kill us at this rate! She protested, making me growl as Damien brought down his Shikai heavily on mine. I'll win! I'll just use Flash Step! She growled inside of me; my heart froze a little as I repeatedly brought my scythe up to stop Damien's slashes. You're Flash Step isn't worth shit! You're terrible at it! My heart fell at her outburst, knowing it was true.
My Flash Step is terrible… I only learned it from copying, and it feels so unnatural… I'll never be able to get my feet to do it right; I start with my right foot and write right handed as well. That's rare. I told her mentally, sounding defeated. And Flash Step starts you on your left foot… Not paying attention, I went to block too quickly and Damien gave me a gash in my arm. I jumped away while he smiled sinisterly.
Glaring as I shook from defeat, I forced the babyish tears away as I tried to keep my head in the fight. That's right. You'll never be able to master Flash Step! With her distorted voice she laughed at me, making me bite my lip as I started to overload from the stress of trying to win. But if you leave things in my hands… Even for a second! I can show you the path to victory… She said ominously, making my eyes widen as I stared at Damien.
He drew his eyebrows together in confusion; not understanding while all of the emotions were on my face and moving as if I was talking to someone. Shakily I let out a breath, drawing up my posture to stand normally as I held my blade with one hand, letting it go to my side. "G-Giving up?!" he asked me, unsure of himself as he tried to act confident.
Fine. I agreed solemnly, closing my eyes as silence rained down around me. I'll let you take over for a few seconds.
Hahahaha! She cackled inside of me. I knew you were reasonable! I'm glad we see eye to eye~ She told me as I felt the darkness pull at my conscious. I let myself drift into it; I did not let myself completely go. I needed to know if she was worth trusting or not… I could fight my way out of this if I needed to. Feeling the darkness completely envelop me, I opened my eyes and watched the fight.
My hollow raised my head, slowly opening my eyes to reveal the black had completely consumed the white; the yellow standing out starkly. Damien's eyes widened, not knowing what was going on. She adjusted my posture, taking a step forward and leaning in like a predator about to strike. She smiled wickedly with sharp teeth, taking up an abnormally large amount of space. I winced; my face was going to ache when I gained back control.
She cackled and I saw Damien shiver visually. She might really win! I realized hopefully. But I will take back control after a few seconds… She stalked closer to him and he automatically backed up, bringing his sword up, ready to defend himself. "You think that we'll give up…?" She asked him, not bothering to hide her distorted voice. His eyes narrowed as he continued to back up, trying to keep space in between them.
And suddenly, she was right up next to him. Their faces were barely apart. My eyes widened as I realized what she had done. Using some other kind of Flash Step, she had ducked her way under her sword to get in his defenses. She grabbed his wrist and held it out, keeping the blade away from her. She smiled and quickly flicked him so she was facing his back, bringing his arm behind him in a painful hold. He grunted, not used to be putting in such a painful position and struggled. "Ah ah ah!" She tsk'ed him lightly, smirking confidently.
I watched as he struggled, still contemplating what she had done with our feet. Something blue caught the attention of my eyes; glancing over, I realized his sword had lost its shape and was hurtling itself towards us in a liquid state. Watch out! I screamed at her, making her eyes widened as she 'Flash Stepped' away. I know that's not Flash Step… What is it! I called out to her desperately, feeling that it started on the right foot.
She cackled, replying to me aloud. "That, child, was Sonido." She told me and my eyes widened. T-That's what hollows use though! I stressed mentally, not believing that it felt so natural for us to use it. She cackled and again replied aloud. "Who the hell do you think you are, kid?" She asked me, making me frown.
Not liking how she handled the situation, I began to struggle, making her frown. You've had your fun and games. Now let me out. I told her with the most serious voice I could muster. She was silent for a few seconds; I could feel her contemplating what to do.
Feeling the darkness fade away from around me, I knew she had relinquished her dominant role. Thank you. I told her as we passed each other, her walking into the darkness and I walking into the light. We each stopped, facing away from each other in the small expanse of grey that blocked the two. She was silent; so was I. We started walking at the same time, her silence meaning more than words. She entered the darkness and it swirled around her, the light doing the same to me.
Opening my now normal brown eyes, I watched Damien carefully. He was now facing me, and he looked freaked out. "What was that…?" he asked me shakily as I shrugged confidently.
"Who knows?" I called, looking away and obviously knowing. He stared at me with a frown, and I felt his anger spike like mine had earlier. I smiled at this as I looked at him mischievously.
He growled in his throat and I noticed he was still holding his now empty hilt. Water seemed to seep from the ground at his feet, making my eyes widen as it started to circulate around him, flowing in a circular current. "Enforcement." He supplied gravely, making me frown at his defense. I watched, transfixed, as some of the water left and went to his sword, the blade reforming and hardening. My eyes narrowed as we stared at each other, unsure of who was going to make the first move.
I lost my patience first.
Retracing what my hollow had done with our feet mentally, I reviewed it before trying it.
It worked perfectly. I barely made it past Damien's defenses; apparently he didn't expect me to be a natural at using hollow attacks. His eyes widened and he gaped, the water immediately starting to swirl in between us. With a battle yell I brought my sword down hard on his shoulder before jumping away. The water caught me by my foot and quickly swarmed me, covering up my face. Squeezing my eyes shut I immediately began to try to shove it away and swim out, but nothing worked.
Holding my breath with my eyes closed, I knew I wouldn't last long like this mentally; there was a reason I didn't like water on my face. Images began to flash behind my eyelids; I couldn't stop them as I was forced to relive one of my worst memories.
It was the first time she almost succeeded in killing me. We had been at the lake. Mommy almost never went out with me to do fun things, so I was of course excited. She had taken me down to water's edge and told me to look over and see if I could find any fish. So I did, being the innocent child that I was.
Unforgiving hands tangled in my hair painfully and I was shoved under; she grabbed my hands and held them tightly, waiting for me to lose my breath and drown. I fought as hard as I could; disbelieving that Mommy would do such a terrible thing.
I heard nothing as a man came running down, slapping my mother and letting me go just as I released my last few bubbles of breath. I came up, staring wide eyed as he stood over my unconscious Mommy, scratches on his arms and blood from her nose painting his fist. He called the police and they came quickly, taking both me and Mommy.
They separated us…almost for good.
I gasped at this memory, letting water flow into my mouth as I tried to stop the memories and the liquid. My grip tightened on my sword out of fear; it began to glow as I unconsciously poured power into it. Swinging it upwards reflexively, a Getsuga Tensho shot out of it, causing the water to part. Sonidoing, I got out and as far away as I could and hid behind a rock, rubbing my face harshly as I attempted to stop the water in its path. I choked and spluttered from not only the water, but the memory as well.
Gritting my teeth as I listened to the silence, I tried to devise a plan to get into Damien's defense. Peeking out from behind the rock, I eyed Damien who was somewhat far away. He looked like he was concentrating; staring at his Enforcement. My eyes narrowed at this as he remained unmoving, the water smoothly flowing around him.
A breeze enveloped both of us. A rock stirred behind him and he flew around, looking like he had been caught off guard. The water shifted, and some of it spilled back onto the ground without him realizing.
My eyes widened at this. His weakness…is concentration! I realized, knowing that I had one the battle by now. Suddenly smirking, I brought my sword up as I used Sonido to run to the boulder closest to him. He was still facing that rock, not moving as he concentrated on the water. He faced away from me, making it easily. Laughing quietly mentally but not daring to breath in reality, I held my breath as I started to creep closer.
I slowly walked over to him in plain sight, probably shocking anyone who was watching. My foot fell silently, my eyes watching the ground as I took careful steps as not to disturb anything. I stopped in front of the circulating water. I eyed it before eyeing Damien; he was so focused he still hadn't realized I was here yet. Bending low and being thankful my back didn't pop, I slowly but surely inched my way under his Enforcement.
Slowly and silently raising myself up behind him like a shadow. Raising my scythe, I silently made sure he would be hit with the butt of the curve that faced towards me on the actual staff. Raising it up, I was mindful of making sure the shadow was invisible to him; he might realize I was there otherwise.
I brought my scythe down silently, enjoying the meaty sound of smacking him on the head and the sound of his unconscious body falling to the earth seconds after all the water came raining down. I stood there, staring at his unconscious form for a few minutes, not understanding if I had really beaten him or not.
We won. Miru told me. We won with a combination of all our powers. I fell silent at this; I knew it was true. The skill of all three of us working in perfect sync would be important for later on.
Hearing Kisuke walking over to us, I watched as his blade returned to normal and retreat into his sheath. "Was it worth it?" Kisuke asked me quietly. Was it worth it to have such a fight because of my anger and jealousy…?
"Yes." I responded quietly, but easy. "It was worth it." I told him grimly, turning and walking away to search out my other friends for battle.
"Wait." Kisuke's voice stopped me, but not entire willingly. I did not turn to face him… I felt like he was disappointed somehow. I couldn't face him like that. A silence passed between us and I almost started to walk again before his voice caught me. "I believe we should train together." I believe I should keep an eye on your hollow.
I half looked back at him, suddenly feeling tired. Nodding, I was unaware that my eyes told him I was drained. That that fight had not only taken a physical toll on me, but a mental price as well. We stared at each other for a few seconds, him trying to read me and me trying to find some tangible anger that was still in my system to fight with.
My hand automatically tightened on my scythe as he unsheathed his sword. We faced each other, two lean predators ready to clash.
But is the fight worth it? Miru questioned.
And is it really two predators? My hollow questioned.
And am I really fighting if I have nothing fueling me? No hate, no anger?
Automatically I blocked the first heavy blow that he landed on my scythe as strength started to seep back into my body and my eyes started to light up once more.
Yes; I am fighting. But I do have something fueling me.
Because I'm going to save Rukia Kuchiki…
And I'm going to be a hero.
Author's Note: I couldn't help but feel like this chapter wasn't as good as the others…Meh… Sorry if that Damien and Sydney battle wasn't as good as you thought it was XP Harder to write than I anticipated, if you'll allow excuses. Oh! By the way! I changed the cover of the book~ I made this one myself :D Oh and if anyone has good skills in photo shop and the like, and is willing to help me, I'm looking for a way to make an even better cover ;)
And remember, review so that you can request something special in the next chapter!