/* Hi all! Dropping chapter 8 for you. It's a short one (sorry!), but we are getting much closer to Grimmjow and Haruka's reunion! Thanks as always for the reviews, follows and favorites! Hope you enjoy! */
It was dark and dank when he finally came to. His hands were shackled to the ceiling and his feet to the floor. Special runes had been drawn all over his skin, likely to seal away his reiatsu. Whoever these people were, they had a wealth of knowledge beyond his own. He had to be cautious.
"Welcome, outsider." The familiar baritone voice from the forest revealed itself from the corner of the wooden walls. A tall, built man walked slowly across the room. Grimmjow's eyes were sharp and able to pick up the finer details even in the pitch blackness. The man stopped in front of a small wood-burning stove not far from Grimmjow's position. Silently, he stacked the wood inside and lit a fire. It was the only illumination and the only reprieve from the dampness.
"This don't feel like no welcome to me." He replied calmly, feeling out his capture.
The man smirked. "Well, you did injure several of my soldiers. You left me little choice."
"They attacked first."
"On the contrary, it was you who attacked them. They were simply investigating the cries of a young woman pinned against a tree by her neck." The man grabbed a chair and dragged it, letting the legs scrape against the dusty wooden floor before dropping it in front of Grimmjow. Then he sat. "There was a name that was spoken; a name that I have not heard in what feels like a millennia."
Grimmjow's eyes lowered into a glare. He carefully analyzed the intimidating figure in front of him. The man's face was hardened as if he had seen centuries of war. While his body was perfectly sculpted, it was littered with old scars and slight malformations. The sheer size of him alone was enough to give any experienced warrior pause.
Grimmjow decided he wasn't going to play along. "Where's the girl? And how the fuck did we get here?"
The man grimaced, "I can already tell you are not going to be a humble house guest." He stood up from his seat and paced around his chair. "I want to know-"
"It was that 'Nova Luna' thing right? That your ability? Blinds the mind of all its senses so you can move the body around as you please?" Grimmjow theorized casually while simultaneously enjoying the annoyance he evoked out of the man.
His guard stopped in front of him, his cold gaze pinned to him. "Where is she?"
"I don't know who the fuck you're talking about and even if I did, I'm not telling you shit." Grimmjow chuckled harshly before his capture's fist slammed into his gut. Grimmjow grunted before hunching forward. Then he laughed. "That it?"
The man nearly growled as he landed a second and then a third punch. Grimmjow's knees had given out, though he was still cackling maniacally.
"Where is Akiyama-san!?" The man shouted angrily. Grimmjow's laugh immediately stopped. He planted his feet slowly and pushed himself to a stand before meeting the man's glare. He literally snarled.
"Where did you hear that name?" Grimmjow barely got the words out he was so enraged. Whoever this asshole was, he knew Ruka and that didn't sit well with him.
"Where is she?" The man asked again.
"I'm going to fucking kill you." Grimmjow lunged, his chains barely holding him even with the runes lessening his power. The man took a step back, his brow furrowed with confusion.
"If you won't tell me, then I'll just have to get it out of your companion. She seems more reasonable anyway." He said finally before turning towards the door.
"Get back here! I'm not finished with you!" Grimmjow screamed; his frustration was a loud guttural noise.
The man ignored him; only glancing back once before shutting and locking the door and leaving the screaming beast to his own struggles.
"What were you thinking!?" The loud shrill of Haruka's voice was muffled by the enclosed room, but it was enough for the passing nursing staff to know something wasn't quite right.
"Will you keep your voice down? We don't need any more attention…" Ishida hissed as he glanced out the blinds into the hallway.
"Why did you tell him?" Haruka ground out more quietly. "That was my job!"
"You don't need any more stress, Haruka. You've already had a scare and setting him straight is the best option. He was supposed to stay away from you-"
Haruka scoffed, "yea sure, who didn't see this coming? You're lucky he didn't have a complete mental breakdown!"
"It's better than him thinking he was going to be a father." Ishida countered.
"It was still my job to tell him that." Haruka replied angrily.
"Will you stop? You're going to put yourself into labor again and if you truly want to be discharged today, you're going to have to calm the hell down." Ishida snapped back.
Silence followed as Haruka settled. Her mind wandered to Kenji's situation and what would happen now. "Is he dying?" She asked, breaking the momentary silence.
Ishida glanced up, his hands pressed against his hips and his face looking completely exhausted. He casually brushed a few stray locks of hair out of his face before responding. "The body is slowly decaying, but the soul is getting stronger." He answered.
"How is that even possible?" Haruka sighed.
"They are misaligned, but I believe that isn't the only reason. The soul is acting like a parasite, feasting off the body until it is fully restored and can return to Soul Society." He answered. "That is our theory anyway."
"Return to Soul Society…"
"My son and I have been working with Urahara to find out who these souls are. We are finding they were all once prominent figures within Seireitei though we have not figured out the precise link they have yet. It does appear they have been hand-picked." He continued.
"Hand-picked for what?"
"That is what we need to figure out. For now, you are going home and as far away from Kenji as possible. You should probably stay with someone…"
"I'll be fine at home. I have Crey and Mimi." She insisted.
"A couple of Mod souls will not be sufficient if something were to happen." He responded with an air of arrogance.
"I'll be fine." Her jaw clenched. "I know how to use a phone and can call my midwife if something happens. There is also the ambulance. They know how to come pick me up." Her sarcasm made his brow strain.
"Haruka-chan-"
"Ishida-sensei, I appreciate everything you're doing for me and have done for me, but believe it or not I can take care of myself." She said with assurance.
Ishida sighed before approaching her. His hand fell to her shoulder. "Just be careful, Haruka-chan. Please. I don't like any of this."
Haruka frowned but nodded. "I will."
A knock at the door interrupted the two. "Hello, hello! Are you ready to go home, Akiyama-san?" Urahara's playful voice announced.
"Yes, I am." Haruka said while immediately getting up and gathering her things.
"Not until the physician discharges you." Ishida interrupted.
"Are you serious?" Haruka pouted.
"I thought you were a doctor, Ishida-san." Urahara teased.
"I'm not her doctor. I'm her boss. Now sit." He ordered. "I'll go find him."
"My, my, so bossy that one." Urahara mentioned when they were alone.
"He's just doing his job." Haruka relented. "Speaking of which, have you heard anything?"
"Since last night?" Urahara asked coyly.
"Yes, since last night…"
"As a matter of fact, I have. I got word from Soul Society that our group may have stumbled upon a shady operation. Yoruichi-san is attempting to gather help in the Seireitei to investigate, but our new so-taicho is resisting. It's hard to find support when their home is in shambles." Urahara explained while taking a seat next to Haruka on the bed. He shuffled through her breakfast tray before continuing. "I wouldn't worry about it though. There isn't much we can do from here. Let's leave it to the experts."
"What is Grimmjow doing while Yoruichi finds help?" Haruka asked intuitively.
Urahara paused, taking a bite of food before answering, "She did not disclose that information to me."
"Liar." Haruka seethed.
"I am not lying to you, Haruka-chan. I did ask, and she simply stated 'being Grimmjow.' You can try and decipher that if you wish, but I rather focus on what we can control." Urahara snickered.
"If he's being himself, then it can't be anything good…"
"Try not to worry. As careless as he used to be, I'd say you've definitely rubbed off on him over the years." Urahara smiled.
"Let's hope so."
The night had brought a bitter cold with it. She remained quietly next to the fire, watching the flames dance around the logs placed upon it. There had been silence for hours aside from the random set of footsteps walking passed the door every now and again. She half considered banging on it to get anyone's attention, but that could just cause her more trouble than she was already in.
She had woken up here, limp on a sofa crafted from wood and furs. Her unruly companion wasn't anywhere in sight. She had tried the door, but as she expected, it was locked tight. So she simply opted to sit by the fire. She waited and waited.
Because what else could she do?
Every time she tried to do something, tried to help someone, she failed. She had always had Haru there to catch her when she fell; and before that, she had both Haru and Kenji. She had her opportunity to help save Kenji and what did she do? She let a crazy Arrancar lead her into the depths of a dangerous forest and got herself captured. She had no weapon, no power, nothing- she was helpless.
Tears formed at the corners of her eyes and she furiously wiped them away. "Now's not the time for this, Satomi!" She scolded herself. "I need to find a way back to the Sereitei and find a different way to help Kenji."
A knock at the door caused her to jump. "Y-yes?" She questioned, confusion and apprehension clear on her voice.
The harsh sound of the lock sliding echoed into the room. It was followed by the door slowly creaking open and the thud of loud boots against solid wood floors. "Good evening." A tall, intimidating man stated as he entered. He had a tray with a tea pot and several cups.
Satomi simply stared at him while sliding herself as far away from him as possible.
"How are you feeling?" The man asked, his voice rumbled and sent shivers down her spine. He placed the tray on the small table in front of her.
"I'm fine." She replied. "I'd like to leave."
The man quirked his head curiously while taking a seat on the opposite side of the sofa, being sure to give her plenty of space. "No concern for your companion?" The man asked as he poured the steaming liquid into two cups. He offered her one and she refused. "It will warm you up."
Satomi stared at the cup as if it were an offending object, but eventually took it. She simply held it while her eyes moved to the fire. "I have no concerns for that beast." She replied bitterly.
"So he was attacking you then." He nodded while taking a hearty sip of liquid heat.
"What do you want from me?" Satomi's molten eyes shot back to her kidnapper, her glare nothing but accusatory.
"I believe you have information that I am looking for. If you give me that information, then I will release you." He leaned forward and placed the cup on the table while matching her stare with his own hardened look.
"What do you want to know?"
"The location of Haruka Akiyama."
Satomi's expression immediately changed. "Akiyama? What do you want her for?"
"That does not concern you. You stated her name so I believe you know where she is. I want to know." He stood up and walked closer to the fire, outstretching his hands to warm them against the pleasant heat.
"I know where she is." Satomi said simply as her eyes lit up. "But first, I have a question for you."
The man smirked. "Not that you're really in a position to be interrogating me, but sure. Ask away."
"Are you the one bringing souls back from the nether?" Her voice nearly trembled.
His whole head turned to regard her, smiling proudly. "Yes."
Satomi's head started spinning with her eagerness. This was her chance. Finally she had a chance to do something for her family, for her brothers. "Then I have a proposition for you."