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Previously:
The others kept their heads down as they walked. Risa closed her eyes trying to calm down. She knew Shinji was right. She had to be strong. She couldn't break. An alarm sounded calling all Captains to the First Division barracks. Shinji turned to Risa and then looked to all the Lieutenants.
"You should all accompany your Captains. You need to be in the know," he said firmly and they all nodded.
The First Division Barracks…
Risa slowly headed towards the First Division barracks, still holding her ribs in slight discomfort. When she entered the Captains were all lined up waiting. She carefully slipped behind Kisuke and didn't speak or move as the others came in. She made eye contact with Renji, who stood behind Byakuya, also quiet. He gave her a weak smile before turning to face forward. She saw that Byakuya was nursing his arm silently. Kisuke turned slightly glancing at her from the side.
"Are you alright?" he asked almost inaudibly, eying her side.
Risa swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Y-Yes," she whispered and he turned to face forward again.
She noticed something was dripping off his haori slowly and frowned. Then her eyes widened when she realized it was dark and red. He was bleeding. He'd been hurt. She tried to put it out of her head, the urge to tell him to go to the Squad Four barracks. She held back the urge to reach out and tend to him, to hold him tightly. The Head Captain cleared his throat.
"Today we have realized just how great a threat we are facing," he started.
Risa watched Kisuke tense up, his body becoming ridged. He never once reached for his wound. Perhaps it wasn't his blood, she silently hoped. She turned to see Sui-Feng with her head down, shaking. She was trying to hold back tears. She noticed her friend's leg was cut and bleeding steadily. The Head Captain spoke.
"Our enemies are strong and merciless. They kill without consequence. They were sent to Hell for a reason. This fact makes them almost unstoppable...almost. There is always a way to kill someone even if it's for a second time. I do not wish to lose any more people. I've had the barriers to the Soul Society increased and you'll all be taking shifts. I will also be taking shifts," he said and then turned to Unohana.
"After you tend to him, send Ichigo and his friends' home. The situation has become too out of control," he said and Unohana nodded once.
Risa knew Ichigo would resist even though it was the right call...that was if he woke up before they left.
"Captain Ukitake you will take first watch with your Lieutenant. Dismissed," he said and Ukitake nodded, heading out with Rukia.
The rest of the Captains dispersed and Kisuke headed out silently. Risa followed behind him as he headed down the corridors. When she realized he was heading towards the lab and not the Squad Four barracks she reached out and touched his arm. He tensed quickly and pulled away turning around to face her. She ignored the pain in her chest and kept her face passive.
"You're injured," she said calmly.
Kisuke stared at her, but his eyes were elsewhere.
"It's nothing," he said and turned to head to the lab.
Risa sighed and flash stepped in front of him. He stopped walking, his face stone.
"You're bleeding," she said quietly.
"I'll deal with it in the lab," he said and moved around her.
In the Squad Twelve Lab…
Once inside, he began working vigorously forgetting that he just told her he'd deal with the wound. Risa sat at Kurotsuchi's desk, out of his way. She didn't speak, just sat, nursing her bruised ribcage.
Time passed quickly and soon the sun was rising. Still, Kisuke didn't stop working once. She didn't suggest that they go get breakfast or mention that they hadn't eaten since noon the other day or that his wound had stopped bleeding and was probably getting infected. She didn't speak, just sat.
Time passed quickly and soon it was their shift. They walked around the barracks silently. No problems occurred and as soon as it began, their shift ended and they returned back to the lab. She resumed sitting at Kurotsuchi's desk, out of the way, and he resumed working. She didn't speak, just sat.
Time passed quickly and soon the sun was lowering with no sign of the six. Risa was starving, but suppressed the need. The moon was shining brightly when Kisuke set his tools down and the typing, clinking, and clattering stopped. He turned his head to the side glancing at her.
"Why don't you go get something to eat..." he said calmly and Risa looked at him.
"I'll go if you go," she said carefully.
Kisuke shook his head slowly.
"I'm working. I'll eat later," he said, still not looking at her fully.
Risa nodded and resumed her act of blankly staring at the desk.
"Risa—"
"—I'll wait," she said quickly and Kisuke felt the crack in his composure widen.
"I don't want you to wait for me. Just go," he snapped and Risa looked at him.
"Kisuke—"
"—I don't want you here," he broke slightly and stared at her.
Her eyes widened slightly.
That look...
She stood up quietly and tried to keep her face calm.
"I'm going to bring Captain Unohana here to look at your wound," she said and turned, exiting the lab.
She managed to make it outside and flash stepped away from the Squad Twelve barracks before leaning against a wall and trying to compose herself. She knew he was hurting and that she could take. But that look. It reminded her of the look her parents used to give her. Risa held her ribcage tightly as pain coursed through her body from all the movement.
Does he blame me for Yoruichi's condition?
She shook at the thought.
I doubt he blames me...
She stood up and took in a deep breath. That breath caught in her throat when she heard screams and then an explosion rocked her ears. She raced in the direction of it pushing passed some Soul Reapers, ignoring the increasing pain in her side. Her eyes widened seeing Shinji going head to head with Syther. Ryo stood off to the side grinning evilly. Risa's breathing stopped. In his arms he held a lifeless body.
Hiyori.
It took less than a second for the fog to take over and Risa to appear before Ryo, whose eyes widened in shock.
"Bankai! Kubomi Juuyaiba!"
The mask clung to her face and she let out an inhuman roar.
"Give her back!"
Risa's hand wrapped around Ryo's throat viciously. Ryo gasped and dropped Hiyori to the ground. Shinji turned to her while kicking Syther back.
"Don't let them take her Risa!" he called and his Visored mask appeared on his face.
Risa growled viciously squeezing Ryo's neck tightly.
"I'm going to kill you again! Slower this time!" Risa cackled.
Then she felt something cut into her back and stumbled.
Dozer.
"Thought you killed me eh? My flash step is just that good!" he chuckled holding his now bloody zanpakuto.
Risa shrugged off the pain in her back and side and kicked Dozer square in the face sending him flying back a few hundred feet.
"Flash step that asshole," she muttered darkly and turned to Ryo.
"Light her up, Kurai Homura!" Ryo yelled, but Risa grabbed the zanpakuto with her clawed hand tightly.
Ryo's eyes widened as Risa stopped the attack midway, blood trailing down the blade from where she grabbed it bare handed. He stared into the frightening mask.
"What did they turn you into?" he asked and Risa tilted her head.
"What did I turn you into?" she whispered and head butted Ryo hard.
Ryo cried out painfully. Risa shook her head.
"Unfortunately, that didn't crack your skull open. Let's try that again!" she roared and her head hit into a barrier that immediately separated her from Ryo.
Risa stumbled back, still ignoring the pain in her back and side and saw Zoru drop beside Ryo.
"We need to retreat. More are coming," he said softly.
Ryo shook his head.
"Not yet! She needs to be punished for what she did!" he snapped.
"And she will be. Starting with the woman on the floor. She'll be dead any minute now. We need to go now," Zoru said calmly.
Syther stopped fighting Shinji and found his way to them. Shinji quickly landed by Risa. He was cut up nicely. He turned to her.
"That's a pretty nasty wound on your back there Risa," he whispered calmly, lifting his mask so it rested on his head.
Risa didn't take her eyes off Hiyori, who lied at Ryo's feet. There were still others missing, surely hiding and waiting for the right moment to attack. Risa growled.
"I won't let you take her," she seethed and Ryo forced a smile.
"But I already have. She's gone. And I don't think I'll allow you to say goodbye to her. We'll take her with us," he said calmly.
"You're lying. She's not dead," she snapped.
Ryo smirked.
"When you killed me...how did it feel?" he asked and Risa glared at him.
Ryo nodded.
"You did it so quick and easy. As if you didn't even care you were doing it. That's how I'm going to kill the people you have grown to love. Quick and easy with no remorse because that's what you did to me!" he snapped.
He went to pick up Hiyori when Risa charged.
"Risa, don't be reckless!" Shinji yelled, but ran to back her up anyway, slipping his mask back on.
Ryo's eyes widened as Risa was in front of him in seconds.
A huge explosion of reiatsu occurred and then all was silent. Smoke filled the surrounding air so thick that no one could see. The other Captains and Lieutenants arrived with Ichigo's group, that hadn't left yet. The smoke slowly began to fade and everyone's eyes widened. Shinji and Risa stood in a large crater sized hole in the ground. Both breathed heavily, donning different masks on their faces. They didn't move. Shinji held Sakenada close, blood dripping from the blade. Yamamoto stepped forward only to be stopped by a barrier. His eyebrows furrowed and he looked around.
"Are they still here?" Hitsugaya asked scanning around.
"It's a dissolving type of barrier. I've seen this before. It gives the user a chance to escape. It should fade shortly," Hachi said.
Shinji flinched and blood spurted from his chest. He lost his footing and fell forward onto his knees, his mask dissolving. Risa's black eyes shifted to him.
"Shinji," she whispered, but he shook his head.
"I'm fine, it's just a scratch," he breathed looking up at her.
Risa turned her attention back to the woman she was hovering over, lying motionlessly on the floor. Her eyelids grew heavy. Shinji seemed to regain his bearings then and carefully sat down so everything would stop spinning. He let his head fall in his hand.
"There's blood on Sakenada. I caught one," he said quietly.
Risa shook Hiyori lightly. Shinji's eyes lowered. The pain in Risa's side was incredibly intense now and she was certain she was bleeding internally.
"Lieutenant Inari, Captain Hirako, what took place here?" Yamamoto demanded.
"What do you think?!" Risa hissed causing eyes to widen.
Silence.
"Risa, take that mask off," Shinji said softly and Risa pulled the mask off after hesitating briefly.
Her eyes remained black as the mask dissolved and she focused on Hiyori. She gently caressed the woman's cheek.
"I asked a question!" Yamamoto said firmer.
"The six Hell demons returned. Risa and I tried to stop them, but as you can see...Head Captain," he explained frustrated.
Kisuke's eyes widened and he looked to Risa, who was currently staring at Hiyori.
"Just keep her breathing! Isn't there anyway to take down this barrier faster! They need help!" Ichigo yelled angrily.
"She stopped breathing a few moments ago," Risa muttered and all eyes widened.
Shinji stared at her, his eyes becoming glassy. Risa didn't blink as she stared at her old friend. Kisuke pressed his hands to the barrier. He wanted to get to her as soon as possible. His heart ached. Shinji closed his eyes.
"Hiyori..." he whispered.
Risa also closed her eyes and when she opened them they were green again. She pulled Hiyori closer to her and held her tightly.
"This is all my fault. I'm so sorry, Hiyori," she mumbled as her tears hit Hiyori's cheeks.
Shinji rubbed his eyes sadly. Risa shut her eyes tightly, feeling the fog gently nudging her mind. She took Hiyori's hand tightly and took in a deep breath.
"Shinji..." she spoke and he looked at her.
"I'm going to try something. You may want to step back because I'm not very good at controlling it," she whispered and his eyes widened.
Risa stared at him. Then she closed her eyes tightly and concentrated. Unohana stepped forward.
"Inari-san, that is not wise in your best condition no less the condition you're in now," she spoke up causing all attention to fall on her.
Risa ignored her words, continuing to concentrate.
"What is she doing?" Ichigo asked and Unohana let her hand press against the barrier, testing its thickness.
"It won't fade in time...Captain Hirako, please stop her," Unohana said calmly, but something in her voice relayed distress.
Shinji's eyes widened.
"It's reiatsu transference. Forbidden within the Soul Society," Kurotsuchi spoke up.
Kisuke froze. Then he turned to the barrier.
"Risa stop!" he called.
Risa jolted when he called to her, but didn't stop. Ichigo panicked.
"What the hell is reiatsu transference?!" he asked.
"Let me put it in terms your simple mind would understand. She's basically giving some of her life force to Sarugaki so that she has a chance to live," Kurotsuchi spoke up.
Ichigo's eyes widened.
"But there are severe consequences if this goes wrong. I would have thought Risa thought of this after the last time," Unohana said softly.
Shinji stood up unsteadily and walked over to Risa. He could feel the reiatsu building in the barrier.
"Risa, I don't want you to die," Shinji said bluntly.
Risa opened her eyes as blue energy surrounded her. Shinji dropped to his knees.
"I don't want her to die," she spoke, her voice hoarse.
Shinji's eyes lowered.
"This may not work!" he called over the increasing spiritual pressure.
Risa nodded.
"You're right!" she mused.
Suddenly the blue energy began encircling Hiyori and Risa closed her eyes tightly. Sweat poured down the sides of her head. Shinji moved closer even though the spiritual pressure was beginning to affect him. And just as suddenly as it was there, it disappeared. Hiyori shot up gasping for air and everyone's eyes widened.
"Hiyori?" Shinji whispered unsure whether to believe it or not.
Hiyori rubbed her head groggily.
"What the hell happened?" she asked.
Risa let out a relieved laugh and Shinji joined her.
"Welcome back to the land of the living," he chuckled and Hiyori frowned.
"What the hell are you dumbasses talking about?!" she snapped, but this caused them to laugh more.
Shinji stood up and helped Hiyori to her feet. Risa stood up and looked at the barrier.
"When do you think this will fade?" she asked and Kurotsuchi looked at a small machine in his hand.
"It will dissolve in approximately two minutes," he concluded.
"Great! Two minutes stuck in here with the two of you!" Hiyori rolled her eyes.
Risa chuckled and then grabbed her side suddenly, the pain knocking the wind out of her. Then her world became dizzy and she dropped. Shinji caught her before she could hit the ground and she glanced at him.
"I'm fine," she got out.
Shinji rolled his eyes.
"You need medical attention," he stated bluntly.
Risa sighed softly and leaned against him, her head resting on his chest.
"I'm so tired," she whispered and Shinji smiled weakly.
The barrier completely dissolved and Squad Four headed towards them.
"She's in a lot of pain," Shinji said and Unohana injected her with a high dose of morphine that hit her immediately.
The pain dispersed and she slumped against Shinji.
"Whoa...I don't feel a thing anymore," she chuckled drugged.
Kurotsuchi nodded.
"I approve of that dosage level," he said and Unohana nodded.
"She needs it. It will wear off once we get to my barracks," she spoke calmly.
Kisuke flash stepped in front of Risa and she stared at him tiredly.
"You looked at me...like my parents used to look at me," she blurted out deliriously.
Kisuke's eyes widened. Risa chuckled weakly, her eyes glazing over.
"Before they threw me away. You looked at me...like they did," she mumbled.
"They didn't want me. They made it very clear...when they took me out to the woods to play hide and seek, except I never found them. They were really good hiders," she laughed drugged.
Shinji held her tighter. Risa wiped at her eyes.
"Right Shinji? They were really good hiders? Either that or I was a really terrible seeker. But I searched for days. Nothing..." she slurred.
Then she looked at Kisuke, who stared at her wide eyed.
"Don't look at me like that ever again, okay?" she asked weakly and then giggled.
"Because it hurt," she added.
"I-I would have died for that dumb cat..." she murmured looking at him through half lidded eyes.
Kisuke couldn't breathe. Risa nodded.
"With...out...hesitation...stupid, stupid man..." she mumbled and then closed her eyes.
Unohana walked over.
"Let's get her to my barracks."
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