Chapter 21 : The Girl in Despair
Sanosuke continued to run towards Jonouchi. His hand slowly fell back to his and he came to a halt as he saw his fellow Captain clearly. A white mask had formed over the right half of Jonouchi's face. It looked as if it were the mask of a Hollow. Sanosuke drew his Zanpaku-to as a Cero fired from Jonouchi's finger tip. He managed to deflect it, but barely. The Cero hit the ground nearby, scortching the grass and dirt. He had fired the Cero so quickly. If he had been any slower, the Cero would have surely hit.
A frown slowly spread across Jonouchi's face as the Cero was negated. He growled, making a fist. He kept his hand directed towards Sanosuke, and opened it. Another Cero was shot, this one quicker than the last. Sanosuke broke into a full run, avoiding the on-coming attacks. Jonouchi fired, Cero after Cero. Sanosuke was barely quicker, narrowly dodging the blasts.
"Captain Uchiki!" Sanosuke called from a distance, all the while continuing to dodge. "It's me! Captain Inohatta!" Jonouchi paid no attention. He just smirked and continued to attack faster than before. The attacks were getting to be too fast for Sanosuke. Sanosuke swung his blade in attempt to deflect another blast. He succeeded, but was hit by a blast following directly behind it. He hit the ground, gasping for breath. It hadn't done much damage. It was fired too soon for it to charge fully. But a few more hits like that and he was a goner. He glared at his attacker. He could clearly feel the Reiatsu of a Hollow. Finally, he decided to go on the offensive.
He charged at Jonouchi, who fired yet another Cero. Sanosuke Flash Stepped around it, and paused. Jonouchi had suddenly stopped firing. He looked like he was in pain. Jonouchi's right hand was shaking violently. The red glow grew, but quickly faded. Jonouchi's left hand flew over and grasped his right wrist tightly. It was as if his left hand was fighting to stop the right. An erie shreak echoed from the mask as the two limbs struggled.
Sanosuke grinned, shaking off the surprise. He charged again, reaching Jonouchi as quick as he could. He smashed the guard of his Zanpaku-to against the forehead of the mask. All motion from Jonouchi stopped suddenly as the mask cracked. Sanosuke gave it another firm bump from the bottom of the hilt, and the mask shattered. Jonouchi's eyes closed, and he fell to the ground, unconcious.
Sanosuke sat on the ground cross-legged in front of Jonouchi and let out a long sigh. "Geeze... Why am I always assigned the jobs that are such a hastle..." he laughed, crossing his arms.
"Maybe it's cause we're the new guys?" Noah grinned, coughing. Sanosuke looked over his shoulder.
"So, you're finally awake?" Sanosuke grinned. Noah was standing behind him, holding his badly beaten body up with the sheath of his un-released Zanpaku-to.
"Yeah, fortunately. You think that attack should'a killed me."
"Nah. You're too tough to die by a guy like him. Besides, you can't leave me alone with the rest of the 5th Squad." Sanosuke laughed.
"You're right, you'd go insane in no time."
"I'm already insane if I'm fighting battles like this." Sanosuke grinned. "And you too."
"Yeah..." Noah answered. He gasped as he fell to one knee. He couldn't move on his own anymore.
"Come on." Sanosuke said, picking Noah and Jonouchi up onto his shoulders. "I'll get you guys to Captain Unohana. And we have to get Ichigo some help as well."
"How is he?" A voice echoed in the distance.
"He'll be fine. Just a few minor cuts and bruises. I'm surprised this is all the damage he's sustained after all of that."
Everything was black. But he could hear everyone so clearly. He painfully opened his eyes to the bright light and realized where he was. Jonouchi was back in the 4th Squad infirmary. He looked around, taking in all of the smiling faces around him. "Is it just me." he spoke. "Or do I seem to end up here often?" Jonouchi sat up in bed as several of his friends laughed. "And don't you guys have anything better to do that wait around for me?" he said, laughing along with them.
He looked from each, grinning. Pretty much everyone was there. Koukeisha, Kalinda, Captain's Zaraki and Hitsugaya, even Captain Sanosuke was present. And one other that he didn't recognize. A shorter, female Soul Reaper. She looked a bit shorter than Kalinda. She had light-brown shoulder length hair to match her light-brown eyes. He wore a puzzled look as he looked into her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" Koukeisha asked, crossing her arms and smirking.
"Fine, actually." Jonouchi grinned, stretching.
"At least that goes for one of us..." Sanosuke laughed. "You put up one hell of a fight, kid." Jonouchi looked to Sanosuke and frowned. Sanosuke's stomach, shoulder, and left leg were all bandaged.
"Sorry..." Jonouchi apologized.
"Don't worry about it. It's just a few minor burns is all. Nothing that's gonna keep me away from my duty." he grinned. Jonouchi smiled.
"And YOU." Jonouchi smiled, looking at Kalinda. She looked as if she was in her own little depressed world. She snapped to attention.
"Oh, Hello..." She grinned. She leaned in and kissed him, and he returned it.
"Don't look so sad." Jonouchi grinned. "I'm coming home tonight. So let's spend the evening together. Okay?"
"Sounds good to me." Kalinda smiled.
"Anyway... Down to business." Captain Hitsugaya spoke up.
"It's always business with you, isn't it Captain Hitsugaya?" Sanosuke laughed.
"We need to get to the bottom of this Arrancar mystery as soon as we can. If we don't the Soul Society could be in serious danger." the silver-haired Captain replied with an offended glare.
"We knew Aizen was going to make his move soon, and he made it. What's there to solve? We all need to take some time to relax and let our wounds heal before we storm back to the battlefield." Sanosuke yawned.
"We don't even know if it was Aizen who ordered the attack." Hitsugaya argued. "I need to hear what happened from Captain Uchiki."
"Give the kid a break, Captain. He just woke up, and you already want to question him. I know you mean well, but lighten up. It's ok to show that you care every once in a while." Sanosuke smiled.
"Whatever." Hitsugaya frowned, standing and turning towards the door. "I've got to get back to my Squad and prepare for a counter attack." he said as he left.
"Hard ass..." Sanosuke said, making a face towards the door.
"Well, I'm off as well." Zaraki said. "I need to stay with my Squad as well, just in case the Commander gives an order. I can't wait to tear into one of those Arrancar." he grinned, licking his lips. He picked up his bandage-wrapped Zanpaku-to and pointed it at Jonouchi. "Get well soon, kid. We still have a rematch, remember?"
"Will do." Jonouchi grinned. Zaraki walked out of the room, and all grew quiet. Jonouchi looked around to his friends and again came across the same girl as before.
"Koukeisha, I have a question." Jonouchi said.
"What is it?" she asked, confused.
"Who's the new girl?" he asked, pointing to the short brunette.
"Oh, she's a new friend of ours. Kaze met her and introduced us." Koukeisha replied.
"My names Aya. I'm the new Vice-Captain of the 9th Squad." she grinned.
"They're really giving the higher positions to children nowdays, aren't they?" Sanosuke and Jonouchi asked at the same time. Both looked to the other and grinned.
"Hey!" Aya shouted, stomping her foot. "I could take you both on, anyday! Only reason I wasn't given a Captain position is because I can't produce a Bankai!"
Jonouchi and Sanosuke continued to laugh while being screamed at by their new friend. Koukeisha's eyes didn't leave Kalinda. There was something different about her. She seemed to be in despair over something.
"Oh!" Jonouchi spoke. "Speaking of Kaze, where is he?"
"He's back at the our Squads HQ, taking care of your make-up work. He has been since you left for Karakura town." Koukeisha said.
"Poor kid has had hardly any time to himself..." Aya frowned. "And you call yourself a Captain."
"Hey!" Jonouchi exclaimed.
"See ya!" The girl smirked, sticking her tongue out and running out of the room.
"Why you!" Jonouchi jumped up from his bed, but quickly fell back down, clutching his bandaged side and wincing in pain.
"Jou-kun!" Kalinda exclaimed, helping him back down. Sanosuke and Koukeisha both laughed.
"We should probably be heading out." Sanosuke said to the group. He needs his rest if he's gonna be out tonight.
"Right." Koukeisha said. "Get well soon, Captain!"
Kalinda leaned in and kissed him once more. "See you this evening..." she frowned as she turned to leave.
"Oh, Koukeisha!" Jonouchi called. She turned around and smiled.
"Yes, Captain?"
"Could you send Kaze in. Tell him his Captain said it's an order." Jonouchi smirked.
Koukeisha smiled and nodded. "Sure thing."
The night sky was setting in quickly. The moon was very visible in the darkening sky. Kaze Akurei silently walked the outskirts of Karakura town, yawning. He sat on a nearby fence post and stared off into space. "The Captain said to take a few days to relax... So much for Karakura town being an interesting place. Been here an hour and I'm already bored out of my mind... Of course with my luck, nothing interesting happens while I'm here."
"Hey, girlie!" came a call. Kaze looked down the dirt trail and noticed a three figures. Two older teenage boys, probably about 14, and a younger girl. She looked about Kaze's age. Her hair was very dark, but still shined under the starry sky. "You shouldn't be traveling on your own at this time of day!" One of the boys grinned, grabbing her by the wrist.
"Yeah, you might run into someone who ain't too nice. Mind if we walk you home, girlie?" the other laughed.
Kaze watched and grinned. "Seems my luck has turned."
The boy who had a hold of her wrist suddenly began to lead her in the opposite direction. "Come on, girlie!" he ordered. The young girl fought back and pulled away.
"Let me go..." she commanded.
"You're not one to be giving orders!" the boy said, raising his hand. He began to bring his hand down fast, but something stopped him. The violent wind picked up.
"I'm afraid you've got it all wrong, you son of a bitch." Kaze stood there, holding the older boys wrist.
"What you call me!?" the boy growled.
"You heard me." Kaze smirked. The boy brought his knee up towards Kaze's gut, but Kaze was too quick. He jumped slightly, and kicked off of the boys knee. As he jumped off, Kaze brought his own knee up, smashing his knee into the boys jaw. He kept a hold of the boys arm as the boy went down. Blood gushed from the teenager's shattered jaw. There were clearly a few teeth missing from his bloody mouth.
"Ah! L- Let go of me!" The boy cried in pain, pulling away.
"You're not one, to be giving orders..." Kaze growled, pulling on the boys wrist. Kaze brought his knee up as the boy was quickly pulled towards him. The boy's nose was bashed off of Kaze's knee, breaking it. Kaze let go of the boy's wrist, and the boy ran away, trying to stop the bleeding. The other teenage boy was already long gone.
"Scumbag." Kaze growled, kicking a few teeth from the blood-stained path in front of him. "You ok?" Kaze asked, turning to the girl.
"You, saved me..." she gasped, surprised.
"It was nothing." Kaze grinned. He could clearly see her now. Her hair was a deep dark red. She wore a pink and black dress, and a white tiara in her hair. The tiara was linned with clear, shiny gems that looked like diamonds. She also wore a necklace. Bright white tooth-looking gems of various sizes were lined along the silver chain. It was captivating, yet erie at the same time. Kaze looked into her grey eyes and frowned. She had those eyes... The same eyes that he once had. Eyes longing for a purpose. Eyes longing for a reason to keep moving forward.
"My name's Kaze Akurei." he said, managing a small smile. "What's yours?"
"Selena." she said, the frown still planted on her face.
"Well, Selena..." Kaze grinned. "Nobody will be bothering you for a long while. Not as long as I'm around."
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Looks like Kaze made a new friend! Yay Kaze!! He doesn't seem to be too good at that... Haha...