CH29-Kari

I can't stop, what's going on? I stumble back from Ichimaru as I take in the fear on Toushirou's face. Suddenly all the memories of the past ten minutes come rushing back. Unsure of who I will attack I do the only thing I can think of. Spinning on my heel I run into the trees and hear Niricame's sharp bark on the wind. I dodge trees, jump over bushes and try to distance myself from them. The distant feeling starts to return and I shut my eyes trying to get rid of it. Even with my eyes close I don't run into anything, my feet unexpectedly go out from underneath me and I roll down a steep hill and land in a spring.

Hitting the bottom I push up and break the surface drawing in air. Back to normal I rest on a rock under water not wanting to move. At first the water is scalding but then I adjust to it. Looking around the hot spring I notice an entrance into the side of the hill. Swimming towards it I discover it's a cave that goes about three yards in. Returning back to my spot I look up and find that I am at the bottom of a basin. Dipping my head underwater I pop back out and wipe my eyes just as something wet hits my nose. I look up and instantly water pours on top of me. Wildly swimming I make it into the cave as the first bolt of lightning lights the sky.

Shivering I lay on my back on a ledge that looks as if it was carved out of the wall. I let the warm water soak into my skin and keep me warm as I watch the rain fall. "Oh." Jumping up I rip my sheath and sword off my hip and stick in a groove in the wall out of the waters reach. Closing my eyes I relax against the wall. A couple of stones fall into the water and I instantly crouch against the wall. In the pitch black I blend in with the dark, but with each bolt the cave is illuminated which makes me visible to those who can see me.

Listening intently I don't dare grab Niricame in fear that my high emotions will make her react. Wait, Niricame isn't in the sword. Oh Niricame please be ok, I don't want to lose you to. The cold makes me re enter the water just as I see a figure pacing along the bank in the rain. Grabbing my sword I duck behind a boulder before the next bolt flashes.

My pulse races as I brace myself for the sword to take me again and when it doesn't I set in another groove next to me, not wanting to take the chance. The person moves up and down the side, as if looking for a dry way into the cave. A round of lightning goes off and I catch a glimpse of myself in the water. My brown eyes have gone blue and my blond hair looks as if it has been scorched and now is a brown color. Covering my mouth I start to breath in ragged gasps, what has this sword done to me? Caught up in my own thoughts I don't realize I'm not alone till the hand rests on my shoulder.

I jump and hit my shoulder painfully on the rock. I look at Toushirou who is keeping himself a float in the deep water. Tucking up my legs I make room for him on the edge. "Are you ok?"

"Am I ok? I should be asking you that. What are you doing here anyways?"

"I was worried about you, especially since Niricame couldn't find you." I look down at the water and watch it swirl and ripple. I don't move my head as I ask, "What happened to me, back at the meadow?" I wait for his reply but the steady rain is my only answer. "I don't know." I sigh and close my eyes. "Only me, this could only happen to me." A bolt of lightning illuminates the cave.