A/N: Sorry for the wait. This isn't quite as long as usual, but it's alright.

Thanks, you all:

Eklipt, Animelover1993, Shadow of a Broken Angel, LogicOfFire, WeesnawMcGee, GaarasMyBoyzz, XxKuragari no KagexX, Shadowgouf, Adriannrod Svit-Kona Sama.

Just lovely.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, nor its character. Just the ones made up in this labyrinth called my mind.

x Fractured Hesitation x

Bleach © Tite Kubo

Fractured Hesitation © Dia de Luz

Treinta y cinco:

"The Antihero"

It's all the

Same.

The things we

Do,

The things we

See,

And the things

We

Break.

It's a

Cycle.

Don't worry

About tomorrow.

Pretend it doesn't

Matter.

She was still lying there, suspended in the air without any physical bother.

However, the subtle tension in her shoulder blades and the hard edge to her spine contrasted with that fact that Barry was at ease. She wasn't- Starrk Coyote could spot this from meters away as he fought Shunsui Kyōraku with seemingly effortless strikes.

She could feel his eyes on her from time to time, and she couldn't honestly say she did not care. It struck her as a little odd that the Primera Espada would be concerned with her actions. Given, he was a tool of Aizen's. But that tool was in the midst of fighting one of the oldest Gotei 13 Captains. She didn't want to dwell on the fact that she just became interesting in someone's eyes- an Espada's, no less- but it wouldn't leave her mind.

So with a languid movement, Barry lifted herself up into some kind of sitting position, grimacing as she cracked her spine. With slow movements she rose, almost as if it were too much labor. Like she was already tired and done. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she took a look around, olive eyes careful and alert.

Three Espada were left- she had gathered Tia Harribel, Baraggan Luisenbarn, and Starrk Coyote. Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tōsen were still surrounded by the fire and plasma. Good. Shinigami were injured, but she sensed no casualties. She couldn't say the same for the Arrancar, though, as she gazed down at the ground. Her needles were lodged into the cement. The bodies had disappeared, like all Hollow's.

That's all they were- intelligent Hollows.

Intelligent being used as a relative term in her mind.

Shifting her eyes, Barry noted a small, white-haired Captain engaged in battle with the Tercera Espada. The two were fairly well matched. And as the kid moved with efficiency, Barry caught a flash of his white Haori.

Ten.

Her face was smooth in thought, but her eyes watched every movement of the boy. He was skilled. Hitsugaya Tōshirō, if she could remember correctly.

He doesn't seem like the type.

And then the boy caught her gaze as he connected with the Espada's sword once again, causing the Espada to look through the corner of her eye. Green eyes narrowed upon seeing the navy-haired woman standing without a worry. Barry could hear her from where she stood.

"You are next. I will avenge my subordinates."

The two were still pressing against their swords, but Barry spoke anyway.

"They should have kept their distance." And she turned, grimacing as a fresh wave of nostalgia rolled right over her heart.

Ten.

"Taicho! Your orders!"

She found her mind wandering, and it only caused her frown to deepen as she walked over to where Mon was currently stationed. Said girl was only a flash of pink at the moment, and it appeared as if she were teasing her opponent. It seemed that she was quite comfortable in fighting her opponent- a small, green-haired, pink-eyed Arrancar.

Too comfortable for Barry's liking.

With a blinding flash of movement, Barry vanished. In one smooth strike the artisan had moved between Mon and her opponent, grasping their wrists with her small hands, expression clean. Although the small slope to her lips did indicate she was displeased. The Arrancar that had been about to strike Mon in the neck froze, muscles tightening on instinct.

With a closer look, Barry noted she was just as small as Mon was. A dark scowl morphed the small Arrancar's features, signifying her displeasure to being interrupted by a random, bum of a shinigami. She shrieked in Barry's ear with an indiscernible phrase, causing the artisan to lightly flick her wrist, flinging the small girl yards away.

Mon was frozen beside her, but Barry pushed her back as well, pea eyes reflecting something now.

Starrk and Kyōraku had seen this all, Kyōraku not giving it much thought whilst Starrk had a pull to his brows.

Her behavior was odd.

And then the explosive's woman spoke, her voice carrying a hint of emotion. "Knock it off, Mon."

"What the hell, Barry!"

"This is like watching two kids duke it out. You're treatin' her like she's some pushover. And vice versa," she glanced over her shoulder at Lilynette Gingerback, who stood there panting. Her eyes were narrowed on the two.

Barry's voice dropped an octave, but Starrk couldn't cast away his attention.

She had drawn him in. The navy-haired woman was an enigma to the Primera, and he found her emptiness ringing out with a certain vibe that he could understand. It was ridiculous, yet he couldn't pull away.

"Stop fuckin' around. It's war. It's some serious shit."

"I am serious, you crazy pyromaniac!"

"Then look it. You know she's not as young as she looks. It's the same with you. Stop being stupid and get your shit together, or I'll handle this for you."

"You're not my mother, Barry. I can do whatever the hell I want."

"I took responsibility for your life the day you followed me from Seireitei. Wipe that look off your face. What you do here and now reflects upon me, so don't be an ass."

Barry and Mon hadn't looked anywhere but each other- one furious, the other with passive reproachfulness.

The Primera watched from his fight, seeing the companionship unfold brilliantly between the two shinigami.

The day you followed me from Seireitei...

Apparently ex-shinigami.

"Barry would not fight you, Espada-san. I am your opponent." Starrk ignored the statement as a whole, but picked the phrase apart with little notice. Fight the woman. Hell, he only wanted to be near her.

Something she radiated drew him, something about the way she carried herself. She had a purpose, yet she was begrudging. She wasn't welcome here. And then her gaze slowly rotated to the two-

Locking grey. An emotion Starrk knew too well was lodged deep into her eyes; it morphed the lines on her face to fit its needs.

And then she glanced away, crossing her arms as she watched her companion take on Lilynette. The Primera turned his attention to his opponent, face blank. She was just a woman. An enemy.

Filled to the brim with emptiness.

"Ukitake."

Brown eyes slowly opened, spotting the figure to his left. The man was sitting, no longer preoccupied with Lilynette Gingerback- Monaco was better suited for that. "Nguyen-san. It has been a long time."

"Hasn't been long enough, huh."

As always, Barry had hit it right on the mark. She knew. She knew she wasn't welcome here. She had come prepared to face the music. In Seireitei's eyes, she had never atoned for her sins. She had never been rightfully punished for her crimes. But Barry didn't care what Soul Society's opinion was on the matter.

She had lived with the fact for two hundred years plus.

"Do not misinterpret my meaning, Nguyen-san."

Barry was standing with her arms crossed beside the seated Jūsanbantai Taicho, her lips a thin line. She was watching Starrk Coyote react to his enemies around him, the fact that most of his comrades had fallen. He seemed unfazed. Like now, he was questioning Shunsui about their individual Bankai's.

Barry's face softened bit by bit during her little exchange with the Jūsanbantai Taicho before exhaling softly.

"I know, Jūshirō."

"This isn't like you, to be out in the open- OOF!"

Blinking, Barry glanced down at her friend, brows furrowing as she saw... pink?

"Would you hold that for me, Barry, Ukitake? Since it looks like... he's finally gotten motivated."

With a slow movement, Barry lifted her gaze to lock blue-grey orbs once again. That damn Espada was looking at her again. She wriggled her fingers by her sides before lightly crossing her arms, not breaking his gaze. Why was he looking at her? Was it because of before? Because she butchered that chimera hollow and slaughtered those three Arrancar without barely lifting a finger?

As she looked at the man's eyes, she tried to convey a point, tried not to show too much of herself.

But it felt as if he could see right through her.

It's not strength, Starrk-san. It's skill.

It's not unbelievable power, it's mere tactic.

And it's not will. It's duty.

He was sheathing his sword, gaze unwavering. She swallowed, narrowing her eyes ever so slightly.

He broke contact. "Yeah... I decided that I want to see your Bankai's."

From her side, she heard Ukitake's questioning tone, "He... sheathed his sword...?"

Blinking, Barry felt a sudden pit in her stomach.

"Lilynette!" Starrk called out to the girl who had been engaged with Mon, calm and secure. Barry watched the girl grit her teeth before shouting back at him, and Mon was going for the sudden opening-

"NO, MON!"

Flesh ripping.

Blood. It dripped from the wound, sliding down skin with ease.

Coral eyes opened slowly, peaking through thick lashes. Eyes widening upon sight, "Barry!"

The static of Sonído, and the small Arrancar was beside the Espada, unharmed. Barry gritted her teeth, cursing as she placed a hand on her upper arm. A deep gash now adorned the artisan's pale skin, and red seeped through her small fingers.

Mon was shocked, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. That would have...

If Barry hadn't been there...

"I thought I said... Get your shit together, Monaco."

Her grip on her arm tightened, and her eyes scrunched as a burning sting slowly started to course through her arm. Narrowed olive orbs flew to where the small girl stood, glowering. "She would have had your throat."

Barry was right. Mon hadn't even seen the Arrancar bring up her angled sword. It would have been over.

"Malicious little bitch..."

Barry stayed silent as she watched the Espada speak about his power- their power.

Reiatsu was strengthening in his area.

"Step back, Mon."

The small girl didn't move.

"I will not repeat myself." Barry held out a hand, forcing back the pink-haired ex-shinigami, mouth a taut line as she listened to the Espada's release.

Los Lobos. And Shunsui... released as well...

"They're the same person."

Barry was unfazed, but Mon wasn't. It didn't add up. She spoke to the explosives whiz's back.

"You're not surprised."

"No."

"Why?"

"Their reiatsu were too similar to begin with."

"Always thinking ahead."

"Yeah well," Barry stepped forward, rolling her shoulder with a sigh, "one of us has to, huh."

The Espada and Shunsui would fight and stop, fight and stop. Talk and then go at each other. It would have been irritating for the woman if she hadn't been busy analyzing the Primera Espada. She couldn't get an exact reading on the man- like his potential was hidden or some crazy shit like that. It annoyed her to no end. And then it snuck up on her.

"Cero Metralleta."

"Oh shit."

It seemed like a dozen Ceros shot from the gun-like weapon in the Espada's grasp, fusing together to create one big blast- headed straight for Shunsui Kyōraku. Of course Shunsui could dodge, Barry thought, but he couldn't dodge all of them. Barry didn't move as she sensed a shift beside her; she only looked from the corner of her shrouded pea-colored orbs.

Should you really get involved with this, Jūshirō?

"Ukitake-san...?" Mon was blinking from the side, a frown curving her heart-shaped lips. She was in over her head- she knew it. Ukitake had just swooped in from seemingly nowhere, absorbing and deflecting that Espada's attack. She hadn't even sensed him moving.

"Mon." Barry's back was still facing the small girl, and her voice was grave and dull. Not monotonous like usual, but on a more a serious note now. "You should take five."

Barry was reaching for her belt, grasping a few more pins in her uninjured hand. Blood had ran down her arm, dripping from her immobile limb.

"We both know you're in over your head here."

Mon didn't want to do that. But she knew. She was only in the way. So with a small nod that Barry could not see, she assented to this. "Alright." And she flashed to the ground, ready to start with medical relief.

Barry sighed quietly, her gaze on the confrontation before her. The three were standing opposite of one another, ready to go at it again. But a sudden tear in the sky above had Barry hesitating and lifting her head.

"A Garuganta, huh."

Her voice was tired, causing the Primera Espada to glance in her direction. She didn't take her eyes off of the hole in the sky.

"I wonder what it is this time."

There was a minuscule edge to her voice, barely there. Starrk identified it as annoyance.

"Aizen must really got game, castin' orders around and havin' these mindless Hollows followin' him around left and right. Am I right, Starrk-san?"

Olives met clouds.

A spark of vacancy.

She glanced back up, "Looks like another Arrancar, though."

He followed her gaze silently. "Wonderweiss..."

"What...what is that...?"

Blinking, Barry slowly slid her gaze to where Ukitake stood, frowning. He had stole the words right from her mouth-

Crimson.

It splattered through the air, ripping a hole right through his chest.

He was shocked.

She was somewhat surprised.

"Wha..."

Barry didn't move. Shunsui did, attempting to cut the newcomer down-

Starrk had the gun to his back. "Sorry..."

Barry started to move.

"The fact that he's here means that Aizen-sama can't wait any longer."

He took a shot.

Hitting Shunsui-

The shinigami was done.

Clink.

The Primera Espada blinked, slowly looking down at his feet. A small bottle was flashing beside his foot. Grey orbs flew up, landing on Barry's form meters away. A beeping sound. His grip tightened on his gun.

"Shit."

BOOM.

Flames.

Barry tore her eyes away from her explosion, gazing around. It smelled awful- it came from the monster that had emerged from the Garuganta. It had destroyed her barrier with just one swipe of its grizzly claws. And it had doused Yamamoto's fire with that wretched gas.

Aizen was free- but more newcomers had finally arrive.

A muttered sigh of shrouded relief, "About fuckin' time, Shinji."

-X-

"Taicho! Taicho? Oh, there you are, Barry-Taicho!"

"You're the greatest Taicho, you know that?"

"Taicho... what are you doing here? What's that... in your hand? Why... is that a remote?"

Blood.

Fire.

Flames.

"Tai...cho... You... You..."

Death.

"That's some Gillian, huh, Starrk-san."

Barry was hovering in the air still, seated Indian fashion. She was facing her old comrades, watching them disperse and settle. Finishing those Gillian and arriving as cavalry for others. She wasn't surprised in the least that the Espada survived her mediocre explosion almost unscathed. A cigarette burned between her fingers as she exhaled slowly.

"Sorry about that. It was just a Molotov Cocktail. I bet you're just fine."

"You seem worse than Captain-san."

"I doubt it. Shunsui can be pretty lazy."

"Unfortunately, you know that's not what I mean."

Barry's lids slowly fluttered shut, and she sighed quietly, shoulders slumping.

She knew that the Espada's gun was pointed at her head. "Why don't you shoot?"

"If you run now, I'll look the other way."

A bark of mirthless laughter escaped the artisan's lips, and she slowly moved to stand, cracking her crooked spine in the process. Turning to face the Espada, the gun was indeed now pointed at her face. Plucking the cigarette from her lips, olives stayed passive.

"I've never heard an enemy say that before."

"Why does it seem that you are unwelcome here, Barry-san?"

A small frown tipped her lips, and she scratched the back of her head. "I didn't realize you noticed."

Starrk was silent as he held her at gunpoint, waiting for an answer.

He received an indirect response.

"Soul Society kinda sucks, y'know. Back in the day, it was real unjust."

She glanced away, suddenly tired. Too many lives and years were weighing her shoulders.

"I'm a murderer, Starrk-san. It's a real simple concept- ostracizing a murderer."

Grey eyes stilled. The woman before him was nonchalant and worn. There was no murderous intent underlying her words or actions. Except... when she butchered Allon and Harribel's Fracción. There was something in her then, but not now.

Definitely not now.

"Ahh, you're fallin' for it too, huh."

A blinding flash-

Heat suddenly emitting, searing. A static sound, and they both had moved. There was a small burn on his arm, sizzling flesh. A cut on his face, just below his eye-patch. Barry stood casually before him, tossing a small object between her hands.

"You see, Starrk-san, Soul Society fucks up time and again, but sometimes they're dead on in their actions. I was unstable to begin with," she plucked a piece of steel from the small device, tossing it in the Espada's general area. His eyes widened as another explosion rocked the town, barely escaping with his flesh intact.

But Barry was there again.

"I was Jūbantai Taicho at one point."

Ten.

"Taicho!"

"And Division Ten... It had a peculiar duty back in the day." She shifted in her stance, leaning on her leg.

Starrk made no move to shoot.

"A couple hundred years ago, its prime duty was interrogation."

"Taicho... I didn't... Please. I swear to you, it wasn't me!"

"Particularly stubborn kids were hard to crack. It only goes so far- then you have to rely on some real reliable techniques."

"No, I swear!"

Blood.

Starrk sensed where this was going. "Torture."

She gave a slight nod. "My division wasn't too popular. But now, all of Soul Society's shit is covered real well. It's all clean there," her expression twisted bitterly, "I was more or less hated to begin with. My job was never pretty, but I did it.

"I wasn't victimized. What I did was my choice. I admit, at times I felt a little under-appreciated- after all, I was just fulfilling my duty to Seireitei. I was loyal enough. But I was a nut. I cracked."

She dropped her cigarette.

Moving her hand to her belt, Starrk was weary, but she only dug out a small, black pebble.

There was now a clean crack splitting it in two.

The Primera Espada vaguely recognized the reiatsu.

"And now, this changes things." Her hand gripped the smooth stone, and Starrk narrowed his eyes.

That was the reiatsu... of...

"WAIT, INOUE!"

CRACK!

That blonde shinigami with the mangled arm.

"So, I'm sorry, but... it doesn't look like I have the choice to run."

"You fight for a group who does not care if you live or die."

It doesn't make sense to you, but me.

That void look had returned to her face.

Her pea eyes didn't reflect a thing.

"What can I say," she was drawing a small sword her from back.

An accumulation of a strange, ghastly reiatsu was stirring in the air. The source- Barry's curved blade. A shining Scimitar was held lightly in her hand, like this was the norm. It was ghostly and grotesque. Like Starrk could see the blood it had spilled in past times. It almost gave him the chills.

"Insanity fucks you up."

-X-

You'll be washed

Away.

They all are

Eventually.

There is no

Security.

Watch that hourglass.

Time's a tickin'.

Thoughts, please. :)