Tatsuki had learned from defeated members from the 11th division where Rukia's quarters were located. Urahara had warned her that the 11th division was the strongest, but it was the only way to get the information she wanted. She was now making her way to the quarters, but was finding it difficult to sneak past the numerous guards. She decided to follow Urahara's advice and avoid fighting when possible, especially after a tough battle with supposed high-seated shinigami.
She found a large vacant building, and decided to stow herself for just a little while to rest and regain some strength. She was very tired. She hadn't slept much at all since arriving, hoping to make as much progress as possible. According to the directions she was using, she should be able to make it to Rukia within a day if she kept her current pace. She had to keep her current pace, so she stood on her own feet and decided to keep moving.
She heard a very faint noise. It could have been the wind or a rat but she knew instinctively that someone had found her. She prepared a fighting stance, and began backing away slowly, swallowing, waiting.
Someone suddenly touched her shoulder from behind. She turned quickly, and almost punched his face, but was able to stop herself when she realized it was Ichigo.
"You scared me," she said with a mixture of anger and relief.
"I'm sorry," he told her softly. His voice seemed smoother and more elegant than usual. "I had to sneak in here to make sure no one saw me. Don't worry. We're alone."
"I found out where Rukia's quarters are. We should start moving again soon."
"What's the hurry? Don't you want to spend time alone with me? There are shinigami outside all over. Why don't we rest for a little while longer? You seem tired, and you're hurt."
"It's... nothing."
"It looks serious. Let me see." He held her hand, to see her injuries, but continued holding it for longer than necessary, causing her to blush. He found her other hand, then stepped forward so that there was almost no distance between them. "I never told you before, about how much I appreciate you coming all the way here with me."
"It's... no big deal. I also want to Rukia... so we really should get moving."
"You're such a kind person. I wasn't aware that you got along well with her. Aren't you jealous of her?"
"Jealous? Why would I be-"
"Quiet. You don't want anyone to find us, do you?" He put a finger to her lips to hush her, while his other hand traced through her hair. He kissed her on the lips perfectly, worthy of fulfilling any girl's romantic fantasy, but she pushed him away violently. "What's wrong? I'm hurt. I thought you liked me."
"You're not Ichigo!"
"So you found out," Grand Fisher chuckled, effectively breaking his disguise to make it seem as though Ichigo were dying.
"You're tricks won't work on me this time!" She had been trained for something like this, but she was almost fooled. For a time she really thought it was Ichigo, and for a time still after, she hoped.
"I can see that, but this won't be the same as last time. It seems the poison is already taking effect."
"Poison?" After hearing the word, it was like a signal for the pain to take over her body. It spread throughout, numbing her legs and making it hard to breathe.
"Did you really think I would want to kiss you? Don't kid yourself. Not even the real Ichigo would have."
When he attacked, the poison had already disabled most of her prowess and was unable to defend herself. Soon she was blasted against a wall and felled to the floor, unable to lift herself. It looked to be over, but with sheer grit, she willed herself to summon her zanpakuto and deal a large gash into the hollow's side; however, it seemed to be her last effort and it did not deter him. Her zanpakuto lost her shine and reverted to a regularly sized katana.
He extended his tongue to envelope his prey, but he suddenly found his movements restricted in a similar way to the poison. He instantly recognized the spell as a shinigami technique, and his intuition was correct as the one who cast it was Rukia.
"Leave," she commanded.
"I refuse," was his reply.
"I've won against you before. Shiwato, Shiwatorimaru!" Her zanpakuto's released form at first glance appeared only slightly larger than its previous form; however, there were slits along its surface breathing out steam.
She quickly stabbed his shoulder, with an exponential increase of power over a standard strike, as the burns caused from the steam were more intense than any fire. While he staggered from the blow, she quickly raised Tatsuki over her shoulder, and directed the steam to cover the room, allowing her to escape. When they were a safe distance away, she stopped and gently placed Tatsuki on the ground.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I came here to save you, but you saved me instead. It doesn't matter. Ichigo's probably searching for us. We can escape."
"No, I'm sorry," Rukia stung darkly. "You came here to save me; however, I'm not waiting to be saved. Instead..."
She used another spell, causing Tatsuki's body to convulse as she emitted harsh screams of pain, but they were silenced as a hand roughly stopped her mouth. Tatsuki's quavering eyes saw the other hand grip the hilt of the steaming zanpakuto, and watched it melt into and underneath her skin.