Chapter 4: Promises and Arguments
Orihime jumped for joy as she produced the orange shield. Her zanpakuto's new name was Shune no Rikari. Shune being a tall man with dark red hair tied into a low, neat ponytail and Rikari being a little girl with her pale green hair tied into pigtails. Shune had yellow eyes that looked like the harvest moon while Rikari had large, navy blue eyes. Shune was serious and Rikari bouncy and energetic.
"Now remember, Orihime," Shune lectured. "I'm for healing while Rikari is for attacking. Don't get us mixed up or you could end up in a bad position. We aren't just a shield anymore. Rikari can shoot projectiles or change into any weapon you want."
"But I'm not a combat person…" Orihime objected as Rikari played with Hebi's collar.
"You're going to have to be. The 4th Division is the most vulnerable Division in Seiretei. It's even more so now that Retsu Unohana is dead. You must rise to the challenge, Orihime. Aren't you tired of having to be protected by everyone? Tired of living in their shadows as they grow before you?"
Orihime looked down. Indeed she was. She wanted to be useful; not the scared little girl she'd been all of her life. Sora had protected her, then Ichigo, then Uryu and Chad, then Ulquiorra, and just so many others. She couldn't fight like them she knew, but she could try. And Shune no Rikari was her chance to try. She would learn to give her all; just like all of her friends have done for her for years. It was her turn to step up to the plate and take the bat. It was her turn to shine and hit a homerun.
"You're right, Shune…I can't keep hiding on the sidelines…letting others risk their lives while I sit and play doctor or damsel in distress." Orihime could feel a new fire. She couldn't be that ditzy little girl anymore. It was time that she grew up and took some responsibility. It was time that she became the woman that her mother wasn't and that Sora had wanted her to be. No more shaking in fear; fear would fuel her.
"So we'll learn and grow together!" Rikari fist pumped cheerfully, letting go of Hebi's collar. Hebi rubbed his neck in aggravation, pouting that he wasn't getting Rikari's attention anymore. Shune shook his head.
"Then stop with the games and let's get started already. We have much to learn and do in such little time. We don't know when our enemies will strike, so we must be as prepared as possible."
Orihime was reminded of the song from Disney's Mulan, and it began playing through her head:
Let's get down to business
To defeat the Huns
Did they send me daughters
When I asked for sons?
You're the saddest bunch
I ever met,
But you can bet
Before we're through
Mister I'll make a man
Out of you
Tranquil as a forest
But on fire within
Once you find your center
You are sure to win
You're a spineless, pale,
Pathetic lot
And you haven't got a clue
Somehow I'll make a man
Out of you
I'm never gonna' catch my breath
Say goodbye to those who knew me
Boy I was a fool in school
For cutting gym
This guy's got 'em
Scared to death
Hope he doesn't see
Right through me
Now I really wish
I could swim
(Be a man)
We must swift as
The coursing river
(Be a man)
With all the force of
A great typhoon
(Be a man)
With all the strength
Of a raging fire
Mysterious as
The dark side of the moon
Time is racing towards us
Till the Huns arrive
Heed my every order
And you might survive
You're unsuited for
The rage of war
So pack up, go home,
You're through
How could I make a man
Out of you
(Be a man)
We must swift as
The coursing river
(Be a man)
With all the force of
A great typhoon
(Be a man)
With all the strength
Of a raging fire
Mysterious as
The dark side of the moon
(Be a man)
We must swift as
The coursing river
(Be a man)
With all the force of
A great typhoon
(Be a man)
With all the strength
Of a raging fire
Mysterious as
The dark side of the moon
HUH!
"Orihime."
"Huh?"
"Focus. What were you thinking of?"
"Oh, I'm sorry! I was just playing a song in my head. It totally fit this situation and it was awesome! You're going to have to watch the movie Mulan one day, it's really good. The song I was thinking of was_"
"Focus, Orihime," Shune said again. "You mustn't lose focus. That is one of, if not the most important rule to battle. Never let your guard down. I could've killed you in over a thousand different ways during this time and you wouldn't even know it." He didn't have to add the just like you did last time part; it was clearly understood. Orihime sighed, nodding. She'd already broken her promises to herself just a few moments before.
It's so hard…How will I ever be able to accomplish this? Orihime shook her head. No. You can't give up now! You can't depend on everyone like before! It's your life to live and not just theirs! Orihime nodded, grabbing her zanpakuto. "Okay! I'm ready! Let's go!"
o0o
Renji smiled as he watched Orihime train. Hebi stayed out of the way, but it was obvious he wanted in on the action too.
"That boy has such an obvious crush on Rikari…" Saru muttered, shaking her head.
"Yeah. But ya' gotta admit, it's cute…in a somewhat disturbing way…would that be classified as bestiality?"
"Shut up Renji. You're an idiot." Saru rolled her eyes, leaning against the wall of the window. But the kid needs a friend his age. Sogyo no Kotowari are the closest ones to his age, but they're too childish and prefer to play pranks than spend time with Hebi. And ever since Karin died and matured, Hebi lost her too. I hope Rikari can treat him a bit better than others have. Sure, the kid has me, but I'm only his other half; like a sister. Kids need more than family in their lives.
"Hey, Saru, you okay?"
"Yeah, just thinkin' to myself," Saru murmured. He won't be on the outside anymore with any luck. "You know, despite your previous crushes, you and Orihime are obviously true soul mates."
"How so?"
"Her zanpakuto mirrors yours, dumb ass. Think about it. A grown man; I'm a grown woman. A girl in her late preteens, early teens; Hebi is a boy around the same age. Even your zanpakuto add up."
"Well…I guess you're right," Renji muttered. "That's wild…so why were we so drawn to others? Wouldn't it have clicked the moment we saw each other?"
"Damnit, Renji, love isn't that simple. It doesn't just pop up and say 'HIII I'm love! I'll be with you for the rest of your life! Got any roses?!' out of nowhere. Sometimes, it's more subtle; harsher and colder. You and Orihime were caught up in childish dreams that didn't want to let you go. Rukia was your anchor and reason to get stronger while Ichigo was Orihime's ray of sunshine in the darkness of her brother's death. Your minds and hearts hung onto them desperately, hoping that they could be there forever to guide you.
"But when they broke away, you woke up and smelled the coffee, realizing that there were more options. There was one among all the others."
"Did you get into Rukia's romance books or somethin' again?"
"You fucktard! See if I ever give you advice again!" Saru raged, baring her sharpened canines, eyes flashing. "And Kami knows you need all the advice you can get, ya' ginger moron!"
"Saru, calm your fuckin' nips, okay? It's a joke, so quit bein' a bitch!" Renji shot back.
"If you could keep up when someone's talking to you, I wouldn't have to be a bitch!"
"You'd be one for fun!"
"Just like you'll be a moron for fun!"
"Don't throw my words back at me!"
"Don't open yourself up for them!"
"Well…uh…"
"Yeah. That's what I thought."
"Don't hurt yourself."
"Like you do every time you try?"
"Haha."
"I know, I should be a comedian."
"Quit tryin' to have the last word, damnit!"
"Why, too much work coming up with comebacks?"
"NO!"
"Yes…"
"Shut up."
"I refuse."
"If you two do not stop arguing and let me work in peace, I will turn you over to Kurotsuchi Taicho for experimentation," Kuchiki Taicho interjected the "heated debate" icily, not looking up from his paperwork.
"Yes sir…"
A/N: Okay, another chapter done! I thought I'd add a little humor in this one, so I hope y'all don't mind. Please don't forget to review! CX Ta~