Things had taken a sudden and most undesirable turn for the worst. More Fractured Masks had appeared from virtually nowhere. Even though they enter from the dimensional rift usually created in the sky, neither he or the others had been able to detect their arrivals and all had met the initial reinforcements' attacks with hasty counters…some better than others. Ichigo could hold his own – they all could. He had given a quick check on the boy before his eager and tense eyes scanned the clearing dusty clouds for his primary target. He couldn't see her yet. Why couldn't he see her? Why hadn't he found her yet?
He endeavored to keep the apprehension from his movements, attempted to prevent it from rendering them furtive and therefore lessening his effectiveness. She hadn't completely healed from the last Fractured Mask battle and the suddenness of this attack had left her doubly handicapped, leaving no time for her to enter combat form. His Soul Slayer was at his side, ready, eyes still scanning, and legs locked ready to bolt forward. At least this latest blast had blown the hat away and saved him the precious time of removing it for full vision.
The high-hung pony tail and erratic strands of hair cupping her face struck through the smoke first and he gave rapid glances around the both of them, scouting for enemies in the proximity. The cloud covering her continued to clear and his heart seized and throat clenched as her bent shoulders spoke of a hunched over posture. She was down, to her knees. She was hurting badly. He flashed as quickly as it took to reach her now.
It was all immediate, his actions; all automatic in his desire and what he acknowledge as true desperation. She must have felt him coming for the way she looked up, for how her eyes met his, for what they said.
I'm fine, really. No, I'm not.
It's only a little pain; nothing I can't handle. Oh, god, it hurts.
I can keep going. Don't worry about me. I'm sorry, Kisuke.
He'd looked into hers for the briefest of moments as his arms moved behind and under her shoulders and legs, hefting her up into a cradle as he sped away. There was only a deeply pained exhale before his load lightened considerably and he adjusted his cradle. He kept his focus forward in their flight. He understood. There was less to hurt in this form.
"It's alright. I'll just hold you a bit closer tonight, Miss Yoruichi," he said, smiling gently as a paw lightly clawed at chest exposed by his top, the points momentarily poking him before withdrawing. She would be alright if she could chastise him so.