Stark wanted to keep her close, where he could keep an eye on her and step in if the opponent proved too much for her to handle. But, that in itself proved difficult as the moment they stepped through the large Garganta, meeting the amassed group of Shinigami Captains and officers, she disappeared.
Sonido'd with increased speed. Stark was proud of her, that she had mastered such a thing common to the Arrancar. It proved that not only was she fairly powerful but also intelligent. The ideal mate for him. It didn't even bother him that their omnipotent leader along with Ichimaru and Tosen had become trapped within minutes of their arrival by the Soutaicho's Bankai.
A wall of flames entrapped them, but even then, Stark only regretfully reflected the fight was just beginning.
"I'm taking command!" Barragan's gruff voice rolled over him.
Stark shrugged; he couldn't have cared less. Lilinette tugged on his arm, her one eye glanced sharply toward the Shinigami line advancing, perhaps under the delusion that the Espadas without their leader, might turn and flee. "Let's find Rukia!"
(**) Las Noches (**)
Byakuya's anger was preferable to grief. Grief meant that there was no chance of her being alive somewhere. But, anger proved that even her brother didn't believe what was before them. It was too perfect. Too neat.
Ulquiorra's first words had been about her, nothing else. Reassuring him of her demise. That she had been lost to them forever. Ichigo refused to believe it. Her reiatsu may have been long gone, but he just knew her. The Rukia he knew and loved, wouldn't have fallen so easily to the Espada's blade. She had to be alive somewhere-!
"It is strange." Byakuya's chin tilted up, slate gray eyes opening from the meditative state. Ichigo turned to him sharply, "what is?"
"I sensed Rukia's spirit pressure momentarily.." the Kuchiki noble glanced with contempt reflected in his gaze, "I have no doubt that you did not feel it, being so inept." Ichigo's mouth opened and closed several times. The nerve-!
"However..." Byakuya's look darkened, "it was with that of an Arrancar of Espada level."
~To be continued~
AN: sorry about the length ^^; but, anyway, thanks for reading!
No flames-haters-stupid comments!
Reviews appreciated ^^