Chapter 8:

I was able to relax as I walked toward Kurosaki Ichigo. I was still on guard, of course, but I wasn't as tense and... afraid as I was before I got my Zanpakutō back. While before I kept looking over my shoulder every few moments, now I could just pay attention to what was in front of me.

To say he was an immense comfort would be an understatement. I no longer had to stay concentrated on keeping myself hidden, he could do all that for me now, I could just stay focused on finding the substitute shinigami and staying away from the nearby hollows.

Sadly, without the paranoia to distract me, and the lack of absolutely anything around me, my thoughts drifted to other things.

The first thought that came to mind was: my dream a few hours ago. It hurt and angered me to think about, but I just couldn't help myself. The former Captain Kuchiki was so nice to me back then... he really was like a father to me. Until he began acting completely different, instead of being nice and helpful, he turned into someone who would laugh right after insulting me. He became someone who didn't seem the least bit phased by my tears...

I shook my head to clear my thoughts of him. Of course though, my next thought turned into the current Captain Kuchiki. It was impossible to deny that he was incredibly attractive. However, there was absolutely no way I could explore what those feelings meant... not with what happened in my past. He's a Kuchiki for crying out loud... he may just want to help me now, but I can't ignore the possibility that he won't do the same thing my last mentor did to me.

Too absorbed in my thoughts, I didn't notice one of the lower level hollows come into the hall I was in. It wasn't until long after I was spotted did I even notice, and only then because my Zanpakutō yelled my name, which shook me out of my thoughts.

I only just had enough time to quickly step to the side using shunpo to avoid the massive claw coming at me.

Quickly, I unsheathed my Zanpakutō and stepped back to put space between the hollow and I.

"Yuuko, what's wrong with you? You should have sensed that hollow long before he came to the hall." My Zanpakutō's angry voice seemed to resonate in my mind.

"I know, dammit. I-..." Not really having much of an excuse, I didn't even bother trying to come up with a lie. He told me before not to think of anything else, yet there I was... I'm such an idiot.

I gripped the hilt of my katana tightly, a hollow of this level could go down easily enough. The only thing I was specifically worried about was making too much noise. We were close to Kurosaki now, which means we're also close to the arrancar named Serdico. The last thing I wanted at the moment was to alert him to our presence.

Although I knew I had to end this quickly, I couldn't risk using shunpo again. Using shunpo causes a spike in my reaistu, and too much of that can't be controlled by the block my Zanpakutō puts on me.

The hollow charged at me before I could come up with the best strategy. Before I could panic, I cleared my mind and decided to just go with my instincts.

I let my katana fall into just one hand and ran towards the hollow, with my blade dragging behind me. If anyone in Seireitei saw me, they'd say I was a fool for going near an enemy without any sort defense up. Actually, they'd probably call me a no-brained idiot from the 11th division... However, at the moment, I wanted the hollow killed before it made too much noise and alerted anyone nearby, so I threw defense out the window and focused only on offense.

As soon as the hollow was just a few steps away, I brought my arm up swiftly and stabbed it in the middle of it's torso, about a foot above where its hole resided. Once my katana was lodged in its chest, I twisted and quickly tried to pull out before the hollow either screamed or retaliated, but I was a moment too late.

The hollow gripped my arm tightly and yanked my Zanpakutō out of his chest. He threw me against the wall, my katana clattering next to me. The area that the hollow grabbed on my arm burned. Dammit, dammit, shit!

I grabbed my sword tightly with my good arm. The hollow seemed so distracted by the wound in it's chest that I was able to run up to him and slice straight through the middle of his mask without him even being aware of my presence.

As I watched the hollow disintegrate, I sheathed my zanpakutō and cradled my forearm. The burning sensation wouldn't subside. After examining it, I could determine that it wasn't completely shattered, but was probably fractured.

Breathing deeply through the pain, I staggered toward the wall and began walking again in the shadows. Now that the adrenaline wasn't rushing through my veins, I definitely felt tired and drained. Normally taking care of a hollow like that wasn't a problem... then why am I so exhausted after just one?

My zanpakutō seemed to be paying extra attention to my thoughts now, because he answered that question. "It seems not all of that hollows powers have left your system yet. Serdico, was it? I could tell the moment he touched you that he did something to affect your reaitsu, when I helped you earlier, I thought everything was flushed from your system, but it seems to have lingered a bit. Just stay focused and try to ignore it for the moment. I'm sure the longer you're with me, the less affect it'll have."

I nodded and took another deep breath. "Alright... let's just hope we don't run into another one anytime soon..."

We were so close to Kurosaki now, I could feel his spiritual pressure in the air. I could tell when I first met him that he had an enormous amount, but what I felt was ridiculous. Does he not know how to control it at all?! We were maybe a dozen rooms away from him still, yet the power I felt here seemed like he was only a couple doors down. Renji wasn't lying to me about his power... this is incredible.. It definitely wasn't this out of control when I first met him.

I still felt extremely weak and light-headed so I stayed near the wall, keeping a hand on it to support myself as I walked; my other arm currently cradled inside my shihakusho as a way to support the broken bone.

Serdico, the arrancar that held me captive, was in the door right after the substitute shinigami.

My zanpakutō seemed to be correct. As I walked, although I still felt weak, I could tell his presence alone was helping whatever it was go out of my system.

When I was only a few doors away, I slowed my pace. I didn't want to make too much unnecessary noise. I lowered my hand to the hilt of my katana, ready for anything that might come.

My heartbeat picked up as I continued walking. Kurosaki was only two doors away now... so close. One wrong move such as accidentally dragging my feet, or even a breath too deep, could alert the arrancar to my presence. Although it hurt my arm to do so, I gripped the inside of my shihakusho as a way to calm my nerves.

Just a few moments later and I was standing in front of the door the substitute shinigami was in. I glanced at the door a few meters away and reached for the handle slowly, disliking that my hand went away from the comfort that my zanpakutō brought.

As soon as I opened the door, I noticed two things. First: it was definitely a lot brighter in this room than in any other room I have come across so far. Torches were lit all around the room, there must've been at least 20 torches total. The second was: a wooden chair in the middle of the room, with Kurosaki strapped to it with chains that seemed to drip with their very own reiatsu. A seal of some sort?

The shinigami looked up at me as I walked into the room, eyes lighting up once he recognized who I was. I smiled at him and took a step inside the room. He spoke very softly to me, "I didn't think you'd come, Yu-" His eyes widened immensely as he looked past me, cutting himself off in mid-sentence, he yelled: "BEHIND YOU!"

The smile on my face disappeared immediately, I only had time to turn around half-way before I was grabbed by my neck and thrown into the still-open door; the door clattered loudly as it banged into the wall.

The arrancar, Serdico, held onto my neck with a sinister smile. "Well, well, seems as if my lil' pet came back fer more, miss me too much, eh?"

The way he spoke sent chills up my spine, my back against the door burned. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't lift the arm inside my shihakusho to try to fight back. My other pinned by the arrancars arm not gripping my neck. I spoke with a lot more confidence than I felt, "Go fuck yourself! The only reason you're able to take me on is because you're a coward who can only attack from behind!" Although I didn't believe it for an instant, I saw Ichigo trying to break the bonds he was in and all I could hope to do was buy some time.

Serdico arched an eyebrow. "Ya really think that, missy?" He laughed loudly, making my ears ring for a few moments after his laughter ended. "Yer gonna regret sayin' that when yer a bloody mess on tha' floor." He let go of my neck and arm, backing away to the other side of the room; which was only a few meters away, still too close for comfort for me.

I rubbed my neck with my good arm, wincing at the ache his touch left. I didn't feel intoxicated like before, so whatever he did last time, he didn't do this time around.

It seemed like he was waiting, quite impatiently from the looks of it, for me to get ready for an actual fight before attacking again. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down before I reached down to the hilt of my zanpakutō, not drawing it though.

I tried to move the fingers in my right, and injured, arm first. They were stiff, but moveable, barely. I definitely wouldn't be able to wield a sword with it though. The most I could possibly hope to do with it, if it moved quick enough, would be maybe block an attack with it... although, if I injure it anymore, there's always the chance that it-...

"Yuuko! Quit thinking about 'what ifs'! Just stay focused. He's giving a chance not many, if any at all, enemies would, you can't take that for granted. I wish I could help you more than I am, but you'll just have to deal with what you have... if only for a little while."

I didn't understand what if meant by 'only a little while', but that wasn't what caught my attention, and anger. Instead of just saying it in my mind, I ended up mumbling it instead, "If you really wish you could, then freaking do it."

Serdico raised an eyebrow at this, but kept silent. He just tapped his foot on the ground as he waited impatiently.

My zanpakutō spoke to me, softly. "Believe me, if it was that simple, I would. But I won't, not yet."

I swallowed down the pain those words caused, although I should be use to it by now, it still hurt.

Tightening my grip on the hilt, I slowly drew my katana.

"You done procrastinating yet, missy?" Serdicos voice made me shake slightly, but I gripped my sword tighter and willed myself to calm down.

Might as well try to prolong this a bit more... or just anger him more. "Whoa, whoa, such a big word. I'm surprised your brain didn't fail half-way through it."

The arrancar smirked darkly at me. "Yer in luck, I like my toys with a bit of spunk, missy."

"And I told you, I'm not a toy!" With that, I steadied my sword and charged.

Serdico caught on quickly and unsheathed his own zanpakutō that was hanging in his waist band.

When our swords met, I could tell immediately that he wasn't using his full strength, that he was just using enough to push me back a step.

I staggered for a moment, but tried to hold my ground. However, every moment it seemed the arrancar gained strength.

Clash after clash, I was the one losing ground. And still, I felt that he was only playing a game. The entire time, his smirk never left his face.

"C'mon, missy! What happened ta me bein' a coward?" When he began to laugh loudly again, he closed his eyes for a moment.

In a split second, I swung my zanpakutō and tried to aim for his chest. In that same second though, he stopped laughing immediately and backed away. My sword still struck, but it only caused the smallest of scratches along his upper chest, cutting into the fabric of the white, tightly-fitted kimono he wore.

He looked down, seemingly shocked, although it only seemed like an act to me. "Damn... I really liked this kimono. Shit, now it's got a drop of fuckin' blood on it too!"

I was almost completely out of breath. We'd only been fighting for a few minutes at most, and I could barely breath, with multiple cuts and bruises all over me... while he was perfectly fine, the cut I gave him healed almost right away too... high speed regeneration? Dammit, how the hell am I going to do this?!

I saw him look up and charge at me again, I barely had the time to lift my katana up to block, but the pressure was too much, my feet gave out on me and I fell back, crashing into the floor. I felt my right arms shoulder dislocate as soon as I hit and I, much to my shame, clenched my eyes shut tightly and screamed loudly.

After hearing a moan from above me, I opened my eyes.

"Mm... that scream. Care to do it again?" His smirk grew as he lifted his leg and stomped on my fractured arm, not hard enough to do any damage to the bone, but enough to cause massive pain.

A tear embarrassingly escaped from my eye because of the pain and I gasped loudly when his foot made contact again.

I couldn't move, anytime I tried to stand up, he kicked me back down and repeatedly stomped on my arm. Instead of just the pressure he did before, it kept growing in strength. I heard Kurosaki yelling in the background to stop, but I couldn't do anything myself to stop him.

When I opened my eyes, the arrancar above me seemed to be completely enjoying himself. I still hadn't screamed again, and I wasn't sure he'd stop until I did. He aimed at my stomach next and kicked me harshly. As much as I wanted to give in and just scream till I couldn't anymore, I knew it wouldn't help any... and I definitely didn't want to give this bastard what he wanted.

I saw him lift his leg again, and I braced myself for the blow that I was sure would follow, but a mass of pink clouded my vision suddenly.

Thousands, or even more, swirling petals surrounded Serdico. I heard him scream, and after a few moments, the arrancar in the middle of the petals disappeared.

The petals all seemed to retreat. I couldn't help but look at them until they all formed a thin line, becoming a light silver color, before becoming a blade in the hands of Kuchiki Byakuya, who was standing in the middle of the doorway.

-End of Chapter 8-

Authors Note: Hope you all enjoyed! I told y'all I'd be bringing Byakuya back, so here you are! ^.^

I know, yet another cliff-hanger, but I can't help it, it just... happens. :P

Please review to let me know what you think, I can't begin to express how much your comments mean to me.

Chapter 9 in ONE WEEK!

-The Neko Lover

June. 29th, 2013:

P.S:

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