Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach not any of its characters. They all belong to Tite Kubo.
Toushiro and Renji were once again sharing a room. They were slowly waking up in the upstairs of the house of the mysterious science man. Last night they had stayed up late with Tatsuki trying to think of a way to rescue their friends from the huge tower. The girl was now sleeping on the other side of the room in the only bed. Being gentlemen Toushiro and Renji had decided to sleep on the floor.
They had managed to come up with a simple yet usable plan. At night the security was tighter than at day so they needed to get inside the tower during day. That was the hardest part in their plan. Once inside they could just knock out everyone crossing their way and hide them in various closets.
To get inside the tower they would need the uniforms they stole from the soldiers in Junrin'an and a prisoner. If they didn't have a prisoner they would need to show identity passes which they didn't obviously have.
"Who do you think the prisoner will be? Tatsuki did say she knows someone who is wanted because of opposing the kingdom", Toushiro said sitting on the desk. Renji slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"Maybe it's either one of those two downstairs. I wouldn't be surprised", he said boredly and glanced at the sleeping girl from the corner of his eye. Toushiro noticed it and rolled his eyes.
"You have one huge crush on that girl", he said shaking his head with a tiny smile on his lips. Renji shrugged.
"Who wouldn't? She's great: strong, funny and certainly not a coward", he said now staring at Tatsuki without trying to hide it. Toushiro chuckled and stretched his arms above his head.
"And you're one to talk! Look at you, trying to save Karin to prove your undying love for her", Renji shot back, causing Toushiro to blush and loose his balance. With a loud crash he fell from the desk.
"What was that!? Who is attacking!?" Tatsuki yelled jumping up from the bed. Her foot caught the sheet and she fell forward, straight on top of Renji. He yelped in surprise.
"Relax you two, haven't you ever heard someone falling from a desk before?" Toushiro asked standing up and dusting his pants. It seemed like neither Renji nor Tatsuki heard him, they were too busy staring into each other's eyes. Toushiro cleared his throat to remind he was still there.
Tatsuki's eyes widened and she pushed herself off of Renji. Said man was having hard time in keeping his face from turning to match his hair in color.
"You fell from the desk? Why?" Tatsuki asked looking at the short man surprised, trying to change the subject.
"I just felt like falling off a desk. Why do you ask?" Toushiro asked rising his eyebrows. Tatsuki chuckled.
"Sorry, didn't realize you like falling", she said. Renji had now regained control of his face and brain and was standing up.
"Hey Tatsuki, who is our mystery prisoner? Is it the man from downstairs?" Renji asked reaching for a black ribbon to tie his hair to the usual high ponytail. Tatsuki turned to look at him and Toushiro didn't miss how her eyes traveled across the bare tattooed chest of the red-head before reaching his eyes. He hid his smirk behind his hand like he was covering a yawn.
"Mayuri? Hah, he would never do something like that. No, our prisoner is a friend of mine and don't worry, I trust her completely. She might be small, but she definitely packs a punch", Tatsuki told.
"So another girl? What is this, a secret girl army?" Renji asked chuckling, only to gain a punch into stomach from the black haired girl.
"Don't underestimate us girls. And by the way, how much do you work out? My knuckles hurt from punching your abs!" she said shaking her hand. Renji smirked widely.
"Ya like it?" he asked seductively. Toushiro resisted the urge to facepalm. Renji was quite charming when he didn't try to be. ONLY when he wasn't trying to be.
"You wish big boy. Now change your clothes, were going to have more girls in this house", Tatsuki said throwing the uniforms at the guys. They both caught them and when they lifted their eyes from the clothes the small girl was already gone.
"She's one heck of a girl, don't you think Toushiro", Renji said pulling the shirt on. The white-haired man rolled his eyes.
"Tell that to her, not to me. You're slowly starting to creep me out", he said taking off the long pants he had slept in and pulling on the pants of the uniform.
"Maybe I should, shouldn't I?" Renji said slowly sinking into deep thoughts. Toushiro shook his head smiling a small smile, which disappeared as he thought about another black haired girl in the town. They changed the rest of their clothes in silence.
When they had the white uniforms on they walked downstairs. Tatsuki had already changed her uniform on and was now pouring coffee into four cups.
"What took you so long? Had to admire you muscles as you changed?" Tatsuki joked causing Toushiro to chuckle and Renji look at her with a wide smirk.
"You're just jealous you weren't there to admire our muscles", he said and Tatsuki laughed.
"You'll never know", she said shaking her head. "C'mon, I have some sandwiches and coffee. No worries, Nemu made them, not me", she continued gesturing to the table. The guys sat down , Renji next to Tatsuki and Toushiro across him.
"Is this friend of yours coming soon or who did you get the fourth cup for", Renji asked pointing at the empty space next to Toushiro.
"Oh, she's already here, she's just washing of her disguise", Tatsuki said pointing behind her towards the shower from where a sound of running water was coming.
"Disguise?" Toushiro asked confused. Tatsuki nodded and before she was able to explain what she meant the bathroom door opened and a small black haired girl entered drying her hair with a pink towel.
"Yes, I had to paint my face so that I wouldn't get recognized while coming here after Tatsuki send the message. There are posters of me all around the city", she said throwing the towel back to the bathroom and kicking the door closed.
Toushiro now realized that her face was indeed familiar. Big purple eyes and black shoulder length hair with a small bang falling gently over her nose. She was really short, even shorter than Toushiro, but her form was muscular and agile. She looked like she was used to running around the city to get away from pursuers.
"So you're the freedom fighters who need help in rescuing some comrades. My name is Rukia", the girl said sitting down next to Toushiro. He and Renji had been looking at the girl surprisedly and now started giggling.
"What's so funny?" Rukia asked confused. She looked at Tatsuki who was only able to shrug. She had no idea what the boys were laughing at either.
"You have same name as our pet rabbit back in the village. And to be honest, you even look kinda like her", Renji said giggling and suddenly got a fist into his chin. He fell backwards with the chair causing even louder crash than Toushiro had just few minutes before.
"I like rabbits. Never insult them", Rukia growled, standing on the table. Toushiro shut up really quickly not to draw any attention to him.
"By the way, does the man who owns this rabbit happen to be someone named Ichigo?" Rukia asked suddenly causing Renji to get up faster than he had ever before.
"It's practically the whole village's rabbit, but the one who brought it to our village was indeed a man named Ichigo. He even happens to be the one were going to save. How do you know him?" Toushiro asked looking at the girl on the table surprised. She smirked and got off the table.
"I was the one who gave him the rabbit. I wanted him to have something to remind him of the fact we met. He was on his first mission and got injured so I had to save him. I helped him to heal and we became close friends. The Rukia rabbit is actually our messenger. She brings me Ichigo's messages and then takes back my messages to him", Rukia told her smile softening. All the rest of the people around the table were staring at her eyes wide.
"How come everyone we meet has some kind of connection to freedom fighters?" Renji voiced the question in Toushiro's thoughts.
"Well, it's a good thing, because those who aren't connected to freedom fighters would have probably turned you in", Tatsuki noted.
"You said Ichigo got caught? How come I'm not surprised?" Rukia asked with a small sigh. She shook her head and looked at the other people with determination in her eyes.
"We need to start this rescue-operation now. Who knows what trouble that man can cause while he is imprisoned?" Rukia asked gaining three solemn nods.
"So what's the plan? Tatsuki only told me I'm your prisoner. Seems like you've already managed to get uniforms. It's a good thing you have short hair Tatsuki, the army of the kingdom doesn't have women", Rukia said nodding to Tatsuki. Toushiro noticed only now how Tatsuki had the jacket open and a loose undershirt on to hide her boobs.
"The plan is, we take you to the western tower and tell we caught you. If they want to take you inside themselves we'll show the paper out commander has given us that says we need to take you ourselves. Mayuri made the paper last night, there is no way to tell it's fake. Once inside we'll just start searching for the people we need to rescue. A good idea is to start from the upper rooms, they're most likely somewhere in there", Tatsuki explained. Rukia nodded.
"Sounds like a good plan. Simple and actually something that can work. I remember some of your previous plans. Last time I think we had to jump from the roof of a three story building to get away", Rukia said glaring at Tatsuki with a small smile. She shrugged.
"How was I supposed to know some commanders don't drink tea? C'mon, everyone drinks tea!" Tatsuki said and both of the women started laughing. Toushiro and Renji exchanged a confused glance.
"So with a simple plan for once, let's get going! Your friends aren't going to rescue themselves!" Tatsuki said standing up so quickly she knocked her chair over. Renji followed lead, except his chair was already on the floor.
"Hey Shorty", Rukia whispered to Toushiro. He glared at her coldly.
"You're calling me short? You're even shorter. My name is Toushiro. Please use it", he said shortly. Rukia laughed at patted Toushiro's head as they followed Renji and Tatsuki out of the door.
"Sure thing Toushiro. So, I was going to ask if that red-headed friend of yours has a crush on Tatsuki. He's following her like a small puppy. Or is he usually like that?" Rukia whispered so quietly that neither Renji nor Tatsuki heard her.
"Yup, he has. I've never seen Renji act that way", Toushiro said shaking his head as he watched his childhood friend tease the short black-haired girl. Both were smirking widely.
"Seems like Tatsuki is interested in him too. Or at least she enjoys his company very much. She hasn't been smiling and laughing like this after Orihime was captured", Rukia said staring at the duo too.
"Pardon me for being nosy, but what is your relationship with Ichigo? I mean, I'm really surprised I haven't heard anything about you, I live in the same house as Ichigo as does Renji", Toushiro said after a moment of silence.
"Were close friends. I asked him not to mention me to anyone so it would be easier for us to send messages. Otherwise someone might start to think I'm not trustable and he couldn't send any messages anymore", Rukia said smiling.
"And now you must pardon me, but could you tell me about this Karin were going to save", Rukia asked and Toushiro looked at her surprised.
"Tatsuki mentioned her name earlier, but for some reason she didn't mention Ichigo. I guess she mentioned that Karin because she was surprised to hear there is a female freedom fighter. As am I by the way", she explained. Toushiro nodded and was silent for a moment, trying to think how to describe Karin.
"Well Karin is a hot-head just like Dad. She doesn't seem to be girly at all, but she has her female side too. I don't think many people have seen that side of her, but she's a pretty close friend to me. She's strong and fast, a really good fighter and has is a quick thinker. I couldn't imagine our village without her", he told with a small smile on his lips. Rukia looked at him curiously and when he finished his explaining and was staring into the air deep in his thoughts smiled secretly.
"Oi Rukia! We need to tie your hands now or this'll look suspicious!" Tatsuki called as they approached the streets. Rukia nodded and hurried to her friend. Toushiro walked slowly behind her.
"Oi Shiro, wake up dreamer. You need to be sharp when we go to the tower", Renji stated waving his hand in front of Toushiro's eyes. He blinked few times and looked at Renji like he had just woken up. The red-head shook his head and sighed.
"Love-sick fool", he told. Toushiro glared at him.
"I could say the same thing about you."
At the tower Karin was slowly waking up. She sat up carefully and moved her hand to poke her ribs. She felt only some throbbing pain, but not nearly as bad as it had been earlier. With a quick move she jumped down from the top bed she had been sleeping in.
They had decided with Orihime that she would sleep on the top bed because Orihime feared she would fall. Considering the clumsiness of the girl it was a good idea.
Looking behind her Karin noticed Orihime was still sleeping. She smiled at her and walked to the closet, digging out the shards of glass and the chicken bone. She had been removing unnecessary bone and now the bone was sharp and a little bit smaller than a pencil. It had been quite a big job, but she had been doing it almost whole night.
Sitting on the desk and looking down at the busy town she continued shaping the bone. After some minutes Orihime started shifting in her bed and finally she rolled around and fell out of the bed.
"Are you okay?" Karin asked surprised and rushed to Orihime's side to help her up. She laughed and dusted her shirt.
"No worries, that happens every morning. I'm not used to sleeping in so narrow bed", she said rubbing the back of her head. Karin sighed and shook her head.
"It's a really good thing you didn't sleep in the top bed", she said and Orihime giggled. Suddenly the door was opened and a soldier came in carrying a tray of food.
"Here is breakfast for you. Aizen if expecting to meet with the freedom fighter in two hours", he said placing the tray on a small desk near the door. Without waiting for an answer he left the room and closed the door behind him.
"Aizen is going to be disappointed. I don't plan on being here after two hours", Karin mumbled and walked to the tray to check what was on it. There were two cups of steaming hot tea and some scrambled eggs.
"This looks edible. You hungry Orihime?" Karin asked over her shoulder. Orihime smiled brightly.
"Always. A growing girl needs to eat, doesn't she?" she said as Karin lifted the tray and carried it to the desk next to the window.
"How old are you? You look older than me and I'm already 19 and certainly not growing anymore", Karin said confused. Orihime shrugged.
"I'm 21. But hey, at least I won't start to shrink if I eat well!" she exclaimed happily. Karin stared at her before bursting into laughter.
"You're a weird one Orihime", she giggled and handed the plate to the orange-haired girl.
"My friend Tatsuki used to say the same thing. You remind me of her. She is the same kind of a fighter from her soul", Orihime said smiling a little sadly. Last night Orihime had told how and why she was captured and spent a long time telling about Tatsuki. Karin patted her head.
"Don't worry, I'll get us out of here and then we can your friend. I owe it to you because you healed my ribs", she said taking a careful sip from the cup.
"So your plan is working? When are you going to get out of here?" Orihime asked. Karin had been talking a lot of getting out of the cell they were in.
"I should be ready in half an hour. If there are no guards or only one guard in the hallway at that time I can start the plan right away", Karin answered. The bone was already almost ready.
Below Toushiro, Renji, Tatsuki and Rukia arrived at the tower. They had already managed to get a group of soldiers to escort them when they recognized Rukia. She was doing a great job in pretending to be a prisoner, glaring at everyone and spitting to the faces of the soldiers who came to close.
"What do we have here?" asked the soldier at the entrance of the tower. He looked at Rukia curiously. "You have managed to catch the little bitch who has avoided us all this time. Good job, I'm sure your commander is proud of you. Go on, you deserve the honor to escort her to her cell. She should be put to one of the highest cells", the man said. Renji, being the scariest looking of the three people dressed as soldiers, nodded and gestured Tatsuki and Toushiro to move.
"Thank you. I'm just glad there is one less person to oppose Aizen", he said and followed Tatsuki and Toushiro inside.
"That was easier than I would have guessed. We didn't even need the fake papers. How come no one has ever escaped before", Tatsuki said while untying Rukia's wrists. She rubbed them gently.
"You didn't need to tie my hands so tightly", she complained to Tatsuki.
"Yes I had to. What if someone had tested the knots and realized how loosely you were tied?" she asked raising her eyebrows. Rukia sighed.
"Fine, but remind me again, why did I agree to do this?" she muttered and followed after Renji who was looking around the corner for any soldiers.
"Because you like me too much to not agree to do something I suggest", Tatsuki told smirking and peeked around an open door.
"He guys, look what we have here!" Toushiro said from across the hallway. He had peeked in from another open door and found something really familiar.
"These are Ichigo's swords and here is Karin's sword and her guns", Toushiro said holding the weapons. Everyone turned to look at him.
"You found their weapon storage! Well done! The question is, how are we going to take these to Ichigo and Karin?" Renji said taking his friend's swords from Toushiro.
"It's simple. The same way we carry our own weapons", Rukia said matter-of-factly. Tatsuki chuckled as Renji blushed in realization how stupid he had sounded.
"But won't they get in the way?" he continued, trying to make some sense. Toushiro shrugged tying Karin's sword to his back.
"Not more than our own weapons will get. Here Tatsuki, you get these", he said throwing Karin's guns to Tatsuki.
"Wow, these are some quality guns. These could actually make some damage!" she said examining the weapons. With a swift movement she tied the belt the guns were in to her waist and tightened it.
"Do I have to carry both of Ichigo's swords? C'mon guys, these are heavy!" Renji complained dropping the larger of the two weapons.
"Don't be a crybaby. I can take this, you be a man and carry the bigger", Rukia said with an amused snort as she took the long sword Renji was still holding. He looked after the petite girl with confused expression. Quickly he shook his head, picked up the kitchen-knife like sword and hurried after the rest of the rescuers.
"So now we'll just need to get to the top of this tower without anyone noticing us", Tatsuki said and walked straight into a soldier who came around the corner.
"What did you just say?" Renji teased unsheathing his sword with a quick move. Before the soldier had time to yell he swung the sword downwards and the soldier fell to the ground without a sound.
"Or we can just walk straight up and beat anyone standing in our way", she said shrugging. Renji flashed a wide smirk showing almost all of his teeth.
"I like that plan better than the first one", he laughed. Rukia looked at him a bit suspicious and Toushiro rolled his eyes.
"Renji has never been one for thinking. He likes to just do things", he explained to the short girl in a quiet voice.
"I heard that! I'm not deaf!" Renji called over his shoulder. Toushiro shrugged nonchalantly.
"But you are like that. I mean, no one could say you are the brain of any operation and if someone did I would never take part in that operation", he deadpanned.
"Well, you're right. I wouldn't take part in that operation either", Renji said shrugging. Tatsuki laughed and slapped his arm.
"You're one odd guy, did you know that Renji?" she asked and Renji looked at her confusedly.
"C'mon you two, no time for flirting", Rukia said as five soldiers came running around the corner. It seemed like they had heard the first soldier even though he hadn't had a chance to yell.
"This is all? Do they honestly think five guys can stop us?" Renji complained getting ready to fight. Beside him Toushiro also drew his sword from his back.
"Karin, I wouldn't want to bother you, but how exactly do you plan to escape this cell? No one has done it before?" Orihime asked when she finally got frustrated in just trying to figure out what the younger girl was doing by watching her. Karin lifted her eyes and smirked at the orange-haired girl.
"I have something those guys didn't", she said smirking even wider. Orihime cocked her head in question.
"What exactly?"
"A chicken bone", Karin answered moving her eyes back to the bone and by doing so missed Orihime's confused look.
"How is a chicken bone going to help us?" she asked getting interested. Smiling at the younger girl she sat down on the bed next to her.
"I have some experience in using chicken bones", Karin stated shortly. A small smile was still playing on her lips, even though her eyebrows were pressed together as she concentrated on the bone. This was the hardest part and if she screwed up now they would have no change to get away.
Orihime sat quietly next to her and followed how her hands used the shard of glass to sharpen the bone with skill that could only come from experience. How Karin had experience in shaping chicken bones Orihime couldn't have even guessed.
"YES! It's done! Now we can get away!" Karin said jumping to stand up and waving the bone, or what was left of it, around in her hand. Orihime smiled at the girl's enthusiasm but was getting quite excited herself.
"I heard the guard's footsteps about two minutes ago, which would mean it takes him another ten minutes to walk by here again", Orihime told. She had been in the cell much longer than Karin and had grown accustomed to the guards' rhythm.
"Wow, thanks! That gives us enough time to get away. Saving Ichigo will be a bit harder but I think we should be able to do that on time too", Karin said walking to the closet with quick steps. She took one of the white jackets (not army version but close) throwing another to Orihime.
"This way we won't raise so much suspicions, though it would be better if we avoided the soldiers all together until I have my sword and guns back", she told putting her arms through the sleeves. They were a bit too long and she had to roll them up a bit so that they stayed out of her way.
"Now, I really hope this lock is as simple as it looks", she mumbled and knelt down to peek to the lock. It seemed familiarly simple and carefully she pushed the chicken bone inside.
With her left eye constantly pressed against the keyhole she worked slowly to open the door. Finally after five minutes the lock made a quiet click sound and Karin pressed the handle down. The door opened.
"You did it! That's amazing Karin!" Orihime exclaimed clapping her hands. Karin moved her finger to her lips to shush the older girl. She slapped her hands over her mouth. The hardest part was over and now the most dangerous part began.
Karin peeked around the door to make sure no one was in the hallway. The road was clear and she opened the door completely and gestured Orihime to follow. The girl nodded, still holding her hands over her mouth.
Sneaking quickly across the hallway Karin knelt down beside Ichigo's cell's door and pushed the chicken bone in. Trying to work as quickly as she was able she moved the chicken bone around while Orihime was watching around, ready to warn if the guard was coming.
"Shit", Karin whispered loudly when the fragile bone broke. Now how I'm going to save Ichigo? C'mon, think Karin ,think!
"Karin! I hear footsteps!" Orihime said worriedly. Karin cocked her head and noticed the footsteps too. Someone was climbing up the stairs.
"Quick, let's hide to our room. But don't close the door", Karin said and the two rushed over the hallway back to their cell. Karin pulled the door as close as she dared, but not so that it would lock again.
The guard walked slowly to the hallway, whistling out of tune. Karin glared at him from the keyhole and Orihime leaned over her to look from the crack of the door. The guard yawned and covered his mouth with his hand.
"I have a plan", Orihime whispered to Karin. The black-haired girl looked up surprised. Orihime smiled and looked out of the crack again. As soon as the guard was past their door she slid it open and sneaked behind him.
"Hiyaa!" she suddenly yelled swiping the man's feet from under him. With a yelp he fell to the ground, hitting the back of his head to the floor with a painful thud. Karin grimaced understandingly and stood up from her position.
"That was a good idea. I didn't realize you knew martial arts, you seemed to be more of a healer", she said looking at the man. He seemed to be unconscious. Orihime was digging his pockets and suddenly she exclaimed happily.
"Found it! Look, now we won't need that bone anymore", she said shaking the guards keys. There were about ten keys in a ring.
"How come he has so little keys? What if they won't fit the lock?" Karin asked worriedly. Orihime shook her head.
"Don't worry. Every guard had keys for the cells in two floors. That guy has the keys to all of the cells on this floor", she said spinning the ring around her finger.
"Aaand the right one is—this!" she said taking a random key. With quick steps she walked to the door and put the key in. She turned it in the lock and the door clicked open. Karin raised her eyebrows surprised and chuckled.
"You're a natural talent", she said and walked next to the busty girl and pulled the door open.
A very confused, very naked Ichigo glanced over his shoulder. His back was towards the door and a towel was hanging over his shoulder, drops of water falling from his flat hair.
Karin and Orihime automatically screamed and Karin slammed the door shut, cheeks flushed. From the corner of her eye she noticed Orihime had the exactly same expression. She smirked at her and soon the girls were rolling on the floor laughing.
"Hey Karin, was that you?" Ichigo asked knocking the door.
"Yeah, it's me", Karin answered slightly out of breathe from laughing so much.
"How did you get out of your cell? No, explain that later, just let me out!" he continued.
"Are you dressed?" Karin asked and the color returned to Orihime's cheeks. Ichigo sighed from the other side.
"Yes, I'm dressed. Man, you would think there was a dead body in here from how you screamed", he muttered. Karin decided to ignore his comments for once and put the key back to the keyhole opening the door and letting Ichigo out.
He was now wearing the pants of his freedom fighter uniform and a white t-shirt. His hair was even messier than usually, and had a bit darker color because it was wet.
"Now how did you get out? I thought these cells were like the best in the world", Ichigo said looking at the black haired girl curiously. Karin shrugged nonchalantly and smirked at him.
"Actually I need to thank you and Renji for that", she chuckled. Ichigo looked at her confused. It seemed like he hadn't noticed Orihime yet.
"You remember when you and Renji locked me to the cellar of the kitchen a couple of years ago. You actually did it a few times", Karin said. Ichigo nodded and smirked.
"Good times. It was fun to hear your threats when we were safely on the other side of the door", he laughed. Karin glared at him.
"It wasn't so fun when I got out and executed my threats, now was it?" she asked and Ichigo winced at the memory.
"So what about that? I don't even know how you got out every time. There are no windows and we searched the room for any secret passageway", Ichigo said.
"Yeah, I used a knife to shape a chicken bone so that I was able to pick the lock. When Grimmjow earlier threw the bone at us I kept it and used it to get out", she explained. Ichigo's eyes widened and he looked first surprised and then suspicious until finally his expression changed into approving.
"You're a smart girl Karin", Ichigo said shaking his head. "But you didn't open my cell's door with a chicken bone, that's for sure. It was way too quick."
"Well, Orihime stole the guards keys and the made the job a lot easier", Karin shrugged. Ichigo looked from the black-haired girl to the orange-haired who had stood a little farther from the two. She waved at him brightly.
"Hi! I'm Orihime, I shared the cell with Karin", she greeted. Ichigo looked at her curiously and glanced at Karin.
"We can trust her, she helps freedom fighters. That's why she is here", Karin answered to the unasked question. Ichigo nodded and his pose relaxed clearly.
"My name is Ichigo. Nice to meet you", Ichigo said stepping over the guard lying on the ground to shook the girls hand.
The guard mumbled something unintelligent and it seemed like he was going to wake up. Almost like accidentally Ichigo kicked his head with his feet and the mumbling stopped.
"Looks like you had fun again", he said to Karin nodding towards the guard on the floor. Karin shook her head smiling.
"That was Orihime. She might not look like it but she's a pretty strong fighter", she said and Ichigo looked at the girl clearly surprised.
"That's amazing. He's so much bigger than you", he praised and Orihime scratched the back of her head embarrassed.
"It was just something my friend Tatsuki taught me. She said I should be able to protect myself", she told.
"Why wouldn't it have been amazing if it had been me who knocked him out? He's even bigger compared to me than to Orihime?" Karin asked angrily. Ichigo shrugged.
"I already know you fight like Dad so that would have been no surprise. Sometimes I wonder if you're a girl at all", Ichigo said and earned a hard kick to his ribs.
"Watch your tongue", Karin growled. Ichigo rolled his eyes holding his side with his other hand.
"Girls shouldn't be so violent", Ichigo mumbled quietly and got a fist into his nose. He lifted the hand that already wasn't at his side to his nose to stop the bleeding.
"Don't you tell me how girls should be. I am what I am", Karin said not even looking over her shoulder to check if Ichigo was okay. Why would she have, she was the one who had injured him.
"You two, maybe you should fight later. I really want to get out of this tower, I've been here already for so long", Orihime said trying to calm the arguing freedom fighters. Both looked at her and Karin shrugged.
"I guess you're right. Let's try to avoid from running into anyone", she said and Ichigo nodded in agreement. Before they left anywhere they closed both of the open doors, dragging the unconscious guard to Ichigo's cell. They were trying to get more time to get away.
The trio moved towards the stairs and downwards as quickly as they dared without making too much noise. Few times they were almost caught when groups of two or three soldiers were running up and down the stairs.
"Seems like they've noticed our escape. We should be even more careful from now on", Ichigo said as they had barely time to jump into a small closet.
"I'm surprised that they were this quick. I would have though they wouldn't notice were missing before I was supposed to be taken to Aizen", Karin said glancing around from the crack between the two doors of the closet.
She was already pushing the door open when Ichigo noticed shadows from the corner of his eye. Quickly he stopped her hand and gestured towards the shadows outside. Karin pressed her eye to the crack and tried to see what was happening.
Suddenly Orihime drew in a short breathe and was holding her hand in front of her mouth. It took Ichigo about a second to realize she was going to sneeze.
"No!" he whispered and pressed his hand over her mouth to at least suppress the sound. Orihime sneezed, but it was quiet enough that even Karin was barely able hear it in the silent closet. The problem was she moved her head forward so quickly that neither Karin nor Ichigo had time to prepare.
Orihime's forehead hit the back of Karin's head and she lost her balance causing her to fall. The door flew open and she was lying on the floor while Ichigo and Orihime were trying to press closer to the wall, Ichigo's hand still covering Orihime's mouth.
The conversation the people in the hallway were having was cut and Karin was practically able to feel the eyes in her back.
"I can explain", she said with a nervous smile as she turned her head to look at the people. To her surprise the first thing she noticed was a familiar pair of teal eyes and white hair.
"TOUSHIRO!" she exclaimed jumping to her feet. The man was staring at her with confuse and relief in his eyes. Without thinking Karin rushed to hug the short man.
"You came to rescue us! That's so nice", she said crushing Toushiro into a tight bear hug. He drew in a surprised breathe.
Over the shoulder of her friend Karin was able to spot another familiar face.
"Renji!" she exclaimed letting go of Toushiro, still keeping her his shoulders, like she was pushing him away to get a better look of the man. The tattooed man smirked and waved his hand.
"Hi Karin! I can tell you I didn't expect you to be bursting out of random closets", she chuckled at ruffled Karin's hair. She tried to swat the hand away but wasn't able to contain her wide smile.
"Did you say Renji?" Ichigo asked peeking from the closet. His best friend noticed him and the said read-head's face brightened.
"Ichigo, c'mon out of the closet you fool!" he exclaimed taking two long steps past Karin and Toushiro. Karin's other hand was still on Toushiro's shoulder and there was no way Toushiro would complain about it.
Meanwhile Ichigo had finally let go of Orihime and stood up. Renji grabbed his friend head to the crook of his arm and rubbed his head with his fist.
"What an idiot you are to get caught! Do you have any idea how hard it is to save idiots?" Renji teased. Ichigo struggled against his hold and they fell to the ground.
"HEY! I'm no idiot!" Karin yelled angrily. He and Toushiro were used to Ichigo's and Renji's constant wrestling but the rest of the girls in the room were staring at the duo with confused and amused expressions.
"Toushiro, are those two always like that?" Tatsuki asked carefully. Toushiro sighed and nodded.
Orihime, the only person still in the closet stood up and stepped out when she recognized her friend's voice.
"TATSUKI!" she exclaimed and grabbed the shorter girl into a tight hug. Surprise crossed Tatsuki's face before it was replaced by happiness.
"Hime! You were here! How did you get away too?" she asked from her friend. She was sniffling with tears in the corners of her eyes.
"Karin helped me out. What are you doing here? You'll get caught. Oh, Rukia, you too!" Orihime noticed. The shortest girl waved with a big smile.
"Hi there Orihime. We're helping these two idiots in their rescue operations. Everyone knows they would never succeed without us", she said. An annoyed 'hey' came from the floor where Ichigo and Renji were rolling around.
"So you're Orihime. Tatsuki told you're a close friend to her. My name is Toushiro and the red-haired idiot on the floor is Renji", Toushiro introduced himself politely. Renji didn't probably hear his name-calling.
"Hey, you're the kid Karin told me about! I'm Orihime!" she said and grabbed Toushiro's hand to shake it furiously. Toushiro looked at her a bit wierded out but it was replaced with a small smile.
"Toushiro, who are these people and how did you find them?" Karin asked looking at Rukia and Tatsuki warily. Probably the only thing aside from fighting she had learned was not to trust new people easily.
"These are Tatsuki and Rukia. Both are fighting against the kingdom on their own and they agreed to help us", Toushiro said. Karin relaxed and smiled.
"I'm Karin but I guess you already knew that", she said smiling. "You have the same name as our village's pet rabbit", she continued to Rukia. She smiled.
"I think I'm the reason it's named so", she said. Karin cocked her head questioningly.
"It's a long story, I'll explain later", Rukia promised waving her hand. It really wasn't the best place and time for chit chat.
"Okay, but I'll be waiting to hear it", Karin agreed. "Oi, you two, KNOCK IT OUT! We need to move", she yelled over her shoulder to Ichigo and Renji. The red-head had managed to pin Ichigo down and was holding his arms with both of his arms. Ichigo was just getting ready to kick Renji with his knee.
They both stopped squirming around and looked at Karin. Usually she didn't act like a leader, or command anyone, but sometimes she just did like she had seen her father did so many times.
"Rukia!" Ichigo noticed when he lifted his eyes. The purple eyed girl smirked.
"Hi there Strawberry. Missed me?" she asked. Ichigo's jaw was practically hanging open. Karin's expression wasn't different.
"This is part of the long story, I'll explain it", Rukia said to Karin and she nodded, glancing at Ichigo from the corner of her eye, raising an eyebrow. Ichigo didn't even notice it.
"Are you alright Karin? I mean, I saw you fall of the wagon once but we had no way to help you back then", Toushiro said glancing Karin up and down worriedly. She smiled at him.
"I'm fine, don't worry. Orihime is an exceptionally good healer", she said and smiled at the caramel-headed girl who smiled back warmly.
"Tell me what has happened while you two have been here", Toushiro commanded, still not quite believing. Karin sighed.
"I'll tell you as we move out of here. This is not the safest place in the world", she said and Toushiro nodded. Everyone expect Ichigo and Renji moved quickly towards the exit. The duo was having some trouble in getting up without dripping to each other.
dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dundun dun dundundun dun dun dun dun dun dun dundun dundun, BOOM, dundun dundun dundun, BEEP, dun dun dun dun dun
I'm sorry the update took so long, but I have lots of school work. So try to understand.
But hey, good news for me! I got a summer job. Which means I'll have even less time to write stories during summer. Well, I'll try to finish Three things before the vacation and I'm sure this won't be as long as it is. And at least I won't have school work during summer which means I have more time to write :D.
Song quote: Sandstorm by Darude
Big hug to everyone and remember to review!
Good night!
~Vilu