AS you read this, you're probably thinking: What, the next chapter's already here? Is she a wizard of some sort? Okay, probably not that last one, but you get the idea. I worked as hard as I could for the to get this out quickly and I'm personally pleased with the arrival. This is the continuation from the last chapter and guess who's back again~
You must read to find out, so continue on, my dear readers!
"Charge and Crush. Del Toro."
Renji's eyes widened as the Arrancar disappeared behind a cloud of smoke. He scanned the sky, watching his back for a surprise attack. As the smoke cleared, Renji choked on his breath. From the smoke, a horn stuck out, flying at Ururu.
"Your face has "what the hell?" written all over it..." Yylfordt informed. Renji continued to stare at the transformed Arrancar before he spoke again.
"In case you didn't know, this is how we Arrancar release our Zanpaktōu. This is our Ressūrection."
Renji cringed as Yylfordt flung Ururu off his horn, as if she was nothing. As she flew into the air, a hand grabbed her sleeve and pulled her close.
"You...you bastard!"
Jinta swung down his kanabō, hitting Yylfordt. His eyes widened as the Arrancar merely glanced at him. Jinta braced himself, expecting a fatal blow to end his life. He meekly peeked open one eye, then both in utter shock. Renji stood between the two, Zabimaru separating life and death.
"Run! Get out of here, kid!" Renji ordered. Jinta stared at Renji hesitantly. He didn't want to leave, he couldn't. But, as Zabimaru began to crack from the pressure, he knew that he had to abandon the air and get help for Uryuu. Jinta grimaced in self-loath as he gripped Ururu tighter. Renji stayed focused on the human boy as he ran off, making sure he wasn't coming back. Pain shot through his body as Zabimaru broke into a number of pieces and Yylfordt's horn pierced his skin. He sprung away, blood soaking his hand as he grasped at the wound. Yylfordt dully observed the weak Shinigami, growing quite bored.
"Were you honestly planning on stopping me with that, brother? Pitiful. Absolutely pitiful..."
Shit, he's really powerful. I can't take anymore of this…What am I gonna do!
Then, as almost as to answer, he heard a voice.
"Taichō, Renji! The limit release has been approved!" Rangiku called to her fellow Shinigami. As it registered in his mind, a sly grin spread across his face.
"Finally, I was getting tired of waiting..." he muttered, pulling at his Shihakushō, revealing the 6th division's symbol. Renji smiled at Yylfordt as he took in a breath.
"Limiter Release!"
A deafening explosion of reiatsu engulfed the Arrancar, as well as the Shinigami. As it cleared, Yylfordt realized, that half of his horn had just disengaged. He looked at Renji, feeling the overpowering reiatsu burn his eyes.
"What was that...just now...?" he questioned. Renji glanced at the Arrancar.
"Limit release is a process applied to all the taichōs and fuku-taichos in the Gotei 13. It's used to prevent unnecessary ripples in the balance of this world. When we come to this world the symbols of our respective divisions are placed on a part of our bodies to limit our reiatsu. It's an extreme restriction, sealing around 80% of our total capacity. In other words, after removing the limit, our power, when compared to it's previous level..."
Zabimaru rocketed towards Yylfordt, hissing loudly with it's new power. Yylfordt caught it and tried to push back, but it was no use.
"...is 5 times greater..."
Yylfordt flew back, tumbling through the air. He came to stop, breathing heavily, and blood streaked on his face. Renji stared at him, and was ready for the next move, unlike the Arrancar.
"Hikou Taihou!"
Out of Zabimaru's mouth, a bright red ball formed. Yylfordt could hear another Fracciōn telling him to retreat, and didn't hesitate. He flew off, hoping the beam couldn't reach him.
"Fuck...no.."
The Arrancar was engulfed by the red light and when the cannon exploded, Renji knew that he was finished. The dead Arrancar fell from the sky and disappeared, his blood soaking the air. Renji sighed.
"Shit..."
Zabimaru broke apart and the segments fell to the pavement, along with the Shinigami. Renji hit the ground with his knees, and his arms became tense, trying to support the rest of his tired body. He breathed heavily, and grimaced.
That was close. The limit release...good thing it surprised him. I was finally able to get an opening on the bastard...but...it was only luck. If it had been a minute later, I could be dead...
Renji breathed out with relief and shakily rose to his feet. He surveyed the atmosphere for any other presences. Only one, and that was the Espada that Ichigo was up against.
"Shit Ichigo, be careful..."
"Excuse me, are you alright?"
Renji's eyes widened. A human? Could a human see him? He spun around and looked for the voice. There stood a girl, her blue hair blowing in the breeze. Renji could now see that she was no human. Even slight, her presence was of an Arrancar's. Her white clothes, with the black lines that crossed in a plus, were from Sōskue's army. Renji jumped back and grabbed Zabimaru, who had retorted back to it's unreleased state. He pointed it her, his reiatsu raising. She tensed up, expecting to be killed. Renji didn't move, but watched her carefully.
"Why didn't you draw your sword?" he questioned. She opened her eyes and looked at him.
"I..I don't have one..." she responded. Renji snorted.
"Liar. What kind of person comes to a fight without a weapon?" he said. The girl shook her head.
"I really don't have one! And, I didn't come here to fight. I need your help..." she pleaded. Renji narrowed his eyes, studying her. She was as skinny as Rukia, yet looked to be a only a few inches shorter than Renji himself.
Her reiatsu...it's not normal. I can sense the Arrancar part, but only if I strain to read it. Otherwise...it's pure human..
"Why would I help you? You're the enemy..." Renji argued, trying to sound the way he meant. But, truthfully, he couldn't convince himself that this was the enemy. Something about her screamed that she was different, that she really did need his help. Renji couldn't say that just yet though. The girl sighed.
"I know, it's unbelievable. I'm an Arrancar, and I should be trying to kill you. But, I really do need your help. I need to escape from Sōskue and you, you're probably my only help. So..."
She began to come closer and Renji found that he couldn't move. It's not that he was paralyzed or caught in a trap caster by her, but rather, he didn't want to move. He couldn't run from her, and honestly, he didn't want to. Renji held his breath as she gently took his hands.
"...please be my savior!"
Renji stared down at the girl. Her bright blue eyes echoed out from her hair, and they begged for him to help her. Renji nodded.
"What is your name? I'll help you, but you must tell me your name." Renji said. She looked up at him and let go of his hands.
"I..I'm Jeagerjaquez, Hitomi. Thank you..thank you so much..." she replied, happy tears brimming Renji felt a small smile creep onto his face as he went out and wiped away a tear.
"You're welcome. And, despite what others are going to say and attempt to do, I'll try my best to help you..."
Above them, a Garganta quietly opened. A blind man stepped out, surveying the area. He could sense none of the Arrancar who originally came, except for two. And he was making sure her presence was masked.
"Grimmjow."
The blue haired Espada's eyes widened as a hand came to rest on his shoulder.
"Sheathe your sword, Grimmjow." he commanded.
"Tōsen! Why the hell are you here?" Grimmjow spat. Tōsen narrowed his unseeing eyes.
"Do you really not why I'm here? Attacking the Human World, mobilizing six Arrancar without permission and leading them all to their deaths. And, finally it was all against orders. You should realize, just how furious Aizen-sama is. Grimmjow, let's go..."
Grimmjow's eyes widened as the words sunk in.
Six Arrancar...The sixth is...
"Hitomi! No, I have to find her!" he shouted. Grimmjow scanned the sky and tried to sense his younger sister's presence.
"Hitomi! Where are you, Hitomi?"Grimmjow cried. He couldn't feel her presence anywhere, but he didn't want to believe it. He just couldn't.
"Tomi-chan! Tomi-chan, where are you?" he yelled again, calling out her nickname, the one, that no one besides her and himself, had ever heard. Grimmjow coughed from his raw throat as Tōsen tightened his grip.
"I don't think you heard me, Grimmjow. I said six Arrancar. She's dead, Grimmjow."
Grimmjow bit his lip in anger and overwhelming saddness as he ripped his arm away from the blind man.
"Your punishment will be decided in Hueco Mundo. Now, let's go."
Grimmjow turned and stepped into the Garganta. He look a look at the bloody Substitute Shinigami that he had just fought, then out to the horizon. A silent tear rolled down his cheek.
"Tomi-chan..."