Hello again! Finally the next chapter is up, though I'm sorry it is pretty short even by my standards but I really liked where it ended and figured that it was better this way. Thank you for your patience!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach or any of its characters.

Lets jump in—

Ichigo let Hisagi explain. The young boy was nearly buzzing inside his own skin. His tone cracking at times as he stumbled over his words in his excitement.

It seemed Ichigo had sought out Hisagi nearly immediately after their first meeting- after Ichigo beat me nearly to unconsciousness. And they had been training in secret ever since.

Ichigo crossed his arms as I turned to him, he waited patiently for me to react. And I could tell from the tightness in his stance that he was not expecting it to be pleasant.

I did not speak. Did not know what words to say. I looked at him, feeling nearly lost.

"Why?" The word slipped out softly and tenderly. It stopped Hisagi fidgeting and allowed Ichigo to relax.

"I don't need a reason to help someone." He shrugged, as if indifferent. But his averted gaze spoke the truth far clearer than his words ever could.

Hisagi, seeming eager for my attention, said, "Ichigo has been patient with me, Orihime. I've learned a lot through our sessions."

I gave him a small smile, "Oh is that right? Show me what you've learned." Nerves flashed in his eyes and he threw a glance at the man beside me, who just lifted a arched brow and gave him a 'what are you waiting for' hand motion.

Not needing any more encouragement, Hisagi lunged. But not with his body, that had grown strong and sturdy. It was his spear that sliced through the air, aimed right for my throat.

At the last moment, where he would have killed me with a clean strike to the windpipe, Hisagi hesitated.

My hand snapped up to wrap around the wood frame of his weapon and yanked it to the side, holding it steady, even as he pulled in an attempt to free my grip.

Hisagi watched me as I grinned. "Look at little Hisagi, going straight for the throat."

But Hisagi was not looking at me, he was not watching my feet or my grip on his weapon. His eyes were behind me. Locked into the shadow that slumped up my neck and settled in my spine.

I dropped the spear right as Ichigo lunged.

I just barely slipped free of his grasp, no doubt as he had anticipated. For Hisagi was already there, attempting to trap me in the embrace of his long arms. Which I scarcely avoided.

Neither allowed me to properly steady myself between advances.

They moved together seamlessly. Almost as if they were herding me towards one another. Neither could get close enough to touch me, I made sure of that, but I could feel myself stumbling. That heavy feeling of being backed into a corner clouding my mind.

Any attempt I made to shift the edge of power into my favor was halted immediately and then I would struggle to even remain on my feet as they retaliated.

Heart pounding, throat seeming to close as I began to lose whatever form of self defense I had left.

And with a flash of memory- Hisagi was no longer Hisagi and Ichigo was no longer Ichigo. They were faceless shadows. A looming and soul wrenching threat that made my very soul quake.

My back connected with stone. And with nowhere left to retreat, my entire body, my mind and everything inside it, screamed:

Never again.

It was a thought that clanged through me. Vibrating down my spine and settling in my toes like a bolt of lightning.

My body was its own protector, and it did not need my minds assistance as it rushed forward.

One moment, I was prey. Back to the wall. Throat ready to be split.

And the next-

I kicked Ichigo's leg out from under him, he stumbled, his face nearly connecting against the wall behind me. It was an opening, small and closing quickly.

Without Ichigo's reassuring presence, Hisagi became unsure. Unbalanced and out matched. I advanced on him, and he stumbled back. His feet catching on themselves. And with not even a touch from me he crashed to the ground.

Suddenly, before I could even think to attack, two twin arms wound around me. Crushing me to a solid chest. Ichigo squeezed until I could hardly breathe in a strangled gasp.

Hisagi was already up, and as Ichigo lifted me clear off the ground, Hisagi reached for my legs. And I knew the moment he secured them, this fight would be over. I flailed, kicking and struggling.

"Just submit," Ichigo growled into my ear. The strain of holding me steady evident in his tone.

No sooner as the words left his tongue, I hauled both legs up and kicked Hisagi firmly in the chest. Shoving myself back against my capture with every last remnant of defiance in me. I only knew when Ichig's back hit the stone wall by the rush of hot breath at my ear as the wind cleaved out of him.

I threw my head back, not knowing, or caring what part of his face it connected with- or that my own head spun. All that mattered was his arms loosening their ironclad hold.

Breaking free, I heaved my elbow back into his stomach. I had no clue if it did him any damage, for I was already throwing myself at Hisagi's approaching form, we both slammed into the centers floor, a cloud of dust flying up around us.

I was already above him, my foot at his throat, pinning him to the soot, before the dirt cover cleared.

I stared down at him, daring him to attempt an advance. He didn't. "You have learned well enough." I admit, "But wars are not fought in pairs. What will become of you when the battle lines are split and you are alone." It wasn't a question. We both knew exactly what it would bring. "Learn to protect yourself, with nothing but your bare hands, or it will all be for nothing."

Keeping my foot to his jugular, I turned my head to his mentor, "You should not be encouraging such behavior."

Ichigo looked on from his position against the wall. With crossed arms, he shrugged, "We were just implementing a newly learned strategy."

I scoffed, "What strategy would that be?"

But it wasn't Ichigo who answered. Though I'm sure he had a smart remark thoroughly planned.

No, the response to my mocking question was given to me as I slammed into the unforgiving ground, back spasming as it's newly healed wounds screamed out.

Hisagi grinned over me as I winced, "It's called a hustle."

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And there it is! Would this be considered a cliffhanger? Probably not but oh well let's pretend shall we?

Till next time—