I'll be the first to admit that I have a "a thing" for exotic girls and tough girls, like Mila Rose (who exemplifies both). So I was excited by the chance to explore her character that these special Interludes offer me. Anyway, I just want to thank taity, seventhprince03 and "RG-Guest" for their reviews.

Warning: This Chapter contains mildly explicit F/F (yuri) content.

TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW

Interlude 04:
"The Lion's Den"

Soul Society...
Shinigami Academy- Female Dorms...

The three of them had served Mistress Halibell for as long as any of them could remember, before they had even regained a remotely humanoid form. Among the Tres Bestias, Franceska Mila Rose stood out, being the largest and more physically impressive/imposing of the trio. And while she wasn't as tall and buxom as her mistress, the leonine woman towered over her two fellow Fraccions.

Back in Huecco Mundo, and even in Las Noches to a lesser extent, other female Arrancar were fairly uncommon occurrence. While some might find a lack of 'competition' to be a plus, it posed something of a dilemma for a woman of Mila Rose's tastes... And so, the transition over to the Soul Realm, where the genders were more or less evenly proportioned, had taken some getting used to.

But not too long!

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Here, in the Seireitei, Mila Rose was "free" in a way she'd never truly been able to be, what with the abundance of 'female companionship'. And while she wasn't totally adverse to men, she much preferred the company of another female, which had necessitated some rather interesting 'arrangements' between herself and Sungsun and/or Apacci, as the other two Fraccions seemed to share her orientation to some degree- though she wasn't sure of the extent in either case...

In the case of Apacci, the female Arrancar greatly favored female companionship- perhaps because she seemed more comfortable assuming the 'dominant' role (as opposed to the 'passive' role, as she seemed to perceive it) in a relationship. By comparison, Sungsun was far more demur, and seemingly far more willing to entertain male companionship- as least as much as the company of her own sex.

Mila Rose returned to her dorm room, only to be surprised as she was greeted- from behind- as a pair of arms encircled her. The dusky-skinned woman quickly relaxed, turning around to return the embrace as she wrapped her powerful arms around the young female Shinigami.

"Mila..." A soft voice murmured.

"Kyoko..." Mila Rose began gently as she turned around, quickly returning the other woman's embrace, effectively scooping her up into her powerful arms- pulling her into a hug- as they shared a kiss...

The Shinigami woman seemed so much smaller in comparison to her, almost as if she might break if the Arrancar were to handle her to roughly. Mila Rose withdrew from the kiss, much to the other girl's frustration, and looked at her, through her muted green eyes, for a moment.

In many ways, Kyoko was the Fraccion's mirror opposite: with her slender feminine build, fair skin and her long blonde hair. Looking at the way her black robes hung off her narrow figure, the female Hollow felt a compulsion to shield her- to protect her from the rest of the world... She moved in close to share another kiss with the girl, darker lips brushing against rosy pink ones.

The girlish cadet smiled at her, brushing a hand through her long golden locks. "I had some time off, so I decided to drop by and pay you a visit." Kyoko explained, blushing slightly. "I hope you're not upset with me for showing up like this, unannounced..." She explained, fidgeting slightly at the last part.

"No, not at all." Mila quickly replied. "I'm always glad for a chance to see you." She added warmly, cupping her soft cheek with her hand, the dark bronzed tone contrasting against her pale skin.

When the two of them had first met, the young Shinigami woman had seemed so timid and unsure of herself... Before the two knew each other, she'd been largely passive, even in matters of her own future, living her life based on the expectations of others. The prospect of ending up with a man frightened her, not just because she'd never been intimate with one, but because the truth of the matter was that she had no desire to... even if she didn't properly understand why.

Mila Rose could relate to her predicament, having fended off more than a few unwanted advanced from some of the more brazen and foolhardy males in Las Noches. And so, she had prompted the girl to open up to her- which she had done. And as they grew close, they became intimate.

Mila Rose was her "first"... The first person she kissed, the first person she'd ever slept with. And in so doing, the Arrancar realized- that for some women- their first partner was a big deal.

After that night together... Kyoko had seemed like a different person, far more upbeat and happy. For the Arrancar, it was an almost euphoric, the feeling as she watched the pretty Shinigami as they made love- listening to her cries of pleasure as she dipped her fingers into the warmth between her thighs, of Kyoko's smaller hand nestled tentatively against her own glistening sex, the feel of her body clinging desperately to her broader frame as they moved frantically against each other, and finally the sensation of her nails raking across her back as they climaxed together!

As the two lay in bed together under the sheets, Mila's arm snaked around Kyoko's waist as she draped an arm across her sternum, the powerful woman felt content.

It was strange, to consider that up till now, she'd been content to think only of her own needs. And yet now, here she was- cradling another person at her side. Mila Rose was fully prepared to fight anyone or anything that might come between them. This feeling- a mix of possessiveness and protectiveness- was it the "affection", or even "love" that the Shinigami and humans spoke of?

As a Hollow, these concepts were alien to her, though not necessarily beyond her. Even if she couldn't quite put a word to what she felt for the other woman, something instinctive deep within Mila drove her to want to comfort and shield Kyoko, that the blonde Shinigami was something important- something worth protecting. And as she drew in a long breath and held her lover close, she told herself that these feelings were enough for now. Perhaps, one day and with the benefit of time, when the Fraccion better understood herself and the inner workings of her heart, she could put a word to them...

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Apacci glanced up as Mila appeared, a devious smirk on the smaller woman's face as she silently eyed the amazonian female as she took a seat in the lounge, twisting the cup off of a bottle of juice.

"You've been keeping yourself pretty busy these last few months, Mila." She began, drawing the other female's attention away from the bottle in her hand. "I mean, what with the time you've been spending training the cadets," Apacci paused, smiling. "And not to mention all the time you've been spending with that cute little... pet Shinigami of yours." She added suggestively.

"Don't call her that... Kyoko isn't my pet or anyone else's." Mila fired back in a low tone, her green eyes narrowing as she regarded her fellow Fraccion darkly.

As this was going on, Sungsun was sitting quietly in a far corner of the room, keeping herself occupied with a book she'd been lent by one of the members of Lieutenant Nanao Ise's book club. Though, at the moment, she was more curious as to where this exchange was going...

The smaller woman, with her mismatched eyes, wasted no time as she grinned back at her, seemingly pleased with the response she'd garnered from her. "Oh c'mon, it's nothing to get so worked up about." Apacci replied with a shrug of her shoulders. "After all, since we're here among the Shinigami, I figure what's the harm in us sampling the, oh, local flavor, as it were-"

SLAAAP!

And just like that, before Apacci could say another word, Mila Rose had bolted to her feat and belted her across the face- her palm leaving a large red mark covering the left half side. Sungsun had seen the whole thing unfold, here eyes now wide as she looked at the scene play out. Apacci was similarly wide-eyed and slack-jawed, too stunned to registering the stinging sensation. And Mila's right hand was still outstretched, as her chest and shoulders rose up and down with her breaths...

The dusky-skinned female Arrancar stepped back from her compatriot, who still bore a look of wide-eyed surprise upon her face. Sungsun set her book down and wordless rose to her feet.

"Why, you- you stupid... gazelle!" Mila Rose exclaimed angrily, breathing in deeply. "We're not living in Huecco Mundo any more, a- and the people here around us aren't just things to be used as a means of ensuring that we just to survive for another day!" The bronzed Arrancar exclaimed.

"Franceska?" Sungsun inquired softly.

"I'm not just... just... fucking her, not using her for just a good time..." Mila declared, while images of Kyoko flashed through her mind, her face flushed as she spoke. "I'm with her, because... because I want to be with her, a- and ... because I care about her!"

"So," Apacci began, rubbing her cheek. "the Lioness isn't so hard-hearted after all." The short-haired Arrancar replied with a smug smile. "I knew a dumb ol' gorilla like you wouldn't figure out what was right in front of her, not unless she was fighting mad." She commented.

Sungsun smiled to herself, covering her face partly with her sleeve. "I'll go ahead make some fresh tea for the three of us." The serpentine woman commented quietly before turning to leave the room.

"...Why?" Was the only thing Mila uttered.

"Because," Apacci started, still rubbing her cheek. "If she's worth getting that mad about, and if she's as important to you as you say," She paused. "then, don't you think it's about time you did something to let her know that she means that much to you... Like, I don't know, making it damn well clear that you're ready to fight to keep her? I mean, that kind of crap means a lot to girly types like her, right?"

The powerful leonine woman was at a loss as to what to say to that. However, after a brief moment, her posture eased and she nodded. "Yeah, you're right, it does..."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

The Next Day...

The students in the Academy, both male and female, were taken by surprise when word of a bronze-skinned woman, with light green eyes and a flowing main of wavy chocolate brown hair strode onto the grounds, with a determined look on her face and a confident stride in her step.

Really, it was all anyone could do, but watch as the tall, built female walked past them without so much as a word of explanation, as if they were merely obstructions in her way to her goal. After all, it wasn't every day that a powerful Arrancar waltzed into the campus, as if her presence amongst the Shinigami was perfectly normal. Yet, despite the looks of confusion as she passed them by, Mila Rose continued on her way, undeterred... searching for something, or in this case, someone...

And as she navigated the grounds, she left a swathe of turned heads in her wake.

Before word of her arrival at the Academy had a chance to spread, let alone to be processed, countless pairs of eyes turned as the the doors of the cafeteria swung open. Again, no greeting was offered as she walked inside- past more shocked onlookers- scanning the area with the gaze of a hunter... Not unlike the way a lioness might while out stalking its 'prey'... but who or what was the prey?

Franceska Mila Rose frowned slightly, spotting Kyoko in the distance... The petite blonde woman was attempting, unsuccessfully, to rebuff a male student. The misguided young man wasn't being hostile in his actions, but the Fraccion recognized a 'failure of communication' when she saw it.

He practically turned to stone as she clamped a hand on his shoulder. "Sorry, lover boy." Mila quipped as she brushed past him, confusion visible in his gaping expression.

"Kyoko," the Arrancar woman started. "I'm sorry for not doing this sooner..."

"M- Mila?" Kyoko began uncertainly. "What are you talking about- doing 'what' sooner?"

"This." She replied, flashing a confident smile, her hand moving behind the smaller woman, where it came to rest on the small of her back, drawing her body flush against her own.

Everyone in the cafeteria watched, enthralled as the scene played out... Including Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Matsumoto of the Tenth Division, who had just happened to be passing through when Mila Rose had burst into the large, congested dining hall.

"Mila, wa- what are you doing?" Kyoko asked frantically, now blushing furiously.

The Arrancar in question looked once again to the young man. "Well, Romeo, sorry to have to break it to you like this, but I'm afraid that you're too late." Mila Rose proudly declared in a low husky tone as her other hand went to the back of Kyoko's neck.

"Whaaat the hell?" Toshiro spoke in annoyed confusion.

"Oh, wow..." Rangiku murmured softly with a smile.

In a single, fluid motion, Mila tipped Kyoko backwards (at a perfect 45 degree angle) and moved in to kiss the pretty blonde Shinigami firmly on the lips! In the process, a few of the onlookers began to hoot and howler... followed by others, with them all soon cheering them on as they kissed.

The Arrancar then drew back from the breathless girl, her pale cheeks flushed brightpink. She had little trouble as she scooped her up in her powerful arms.

"Kyoko, no matter what might happen... Wherever, or whenever: if you need me," Mila spoke as she effortlessly held the female Shinigami aloft (not unlike how the prince in a story book would hold their princess in their arms). "All you have to is call for me, and I'll be there for you." She proclaimed in a calm steady tone, before capturing her lips in another kiss!

This was followed by a spontaneous round of uproarious applause!

(- End of Interlude 04 -)

For those of you guys who are old enough to have seen the movie and appreciate it: Yes, the final scene depicted in this was an intentional homage to the iconic ending of "An Officer and a Gentleman." I'm hardly a fan of romantic movies, but I have to admit to enjoying this one and the fact that it has one of the best final scenes in recent contemporary film history (c. 1971 to Present).

Thanks for reading. I don't want to spoil anything, but I will say that the next update is going to be a major one. So you might not want to miss it.