Water Colored Droplets

by Naked Doll

Eri Riko may seem like any other ordinary human, but when her unique ability saves the lives of 9 Espadas, she ends up befriending them & finds meaning to her life again. Starrk x OC and alittle smut! Rated M for Language, Violence, Adult Content & Situations

4. Chapter 4 Let Me In

Disclaimer: You already know it no use in repeating this time. Next time for sure :3 lol

I hope this chapter you will likem, I guess since it's Halloween in a couple more weeks I wanted to do a chapter like the possession :3 yes, yes, some of these ideas are done from movies like that but I hope it is totally fun to read and I hope it's interesting, sorry for any misspells but that's writing for you.

Thanks again for reading xD

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Chapter IV: Let Me In

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Halloween was almost like a blur, even though Eri didn't drink, instead she had a major tummy ache from all the junk food she had eaten during the movie night, and only groaned as she crossed her arms around her chest, and cringed with sickness.

"Oh…" She grumbled quietly as she began to awaken, still feeling warm and safe under the blanket, and what seemed to be her bed. She opened her eyes and sat up bring her legs up to her to lay her head against her knees; apparently someone had brought her up to her room early this morning, and tucked her in. Little did she realize, someone was actually sleeping next to her too. She nearly jumped from the actual realization that someone was even in the room with her, and attempted to look at who it was through blinded vision.

She tried squinting her eyes at the lump under a separate thin blanket, only to her a light snore leave the stranger. Well, he wasn't a stranger anymore when she heard that familiar sound, and she only blinked twice and shook her head to make sure she wasn't dreaming or seeing things.

Nope. She wasn't. It was Stark. It had to have been.

In making sure, Eri picked up the edge of the blanket and lifted it off his face to feel with relief, and a very quiet giggle to leave her smiling lips. She could see that his mouth was open as she slept, beginning another pattern of snoring as he drooled from the side of his mouth.

Eri could only shake her head, and rub her eyes as she removed herself from her bed. She was curious as to why the man couldn't have fallen asleep in his room, but then again it was early in the morning, he was probably too tired to walk to his own room. She giggled again at the thought, and grabbed a few clothes for the days, knowing that it was the day she was able to get her car. She was getting excited just thinking about it.

She didn't know which one she wanted, a small four door car or a truck. Either way she was going to get a car today before going to work. It was sure to be a busy day for her, not to mention she had to still stop by the school? She didn't even want to get into what the day was going to bring, and feeling as tired as she did? She just wanted to crawl back into bed.

But, instead, Eri walked out of the room, down the hall, and into the main bathroom to take a quick shower before getting a nice cup of coffee. Coffee sounded so good to her right now, she was debating on skipping the shower, but felt that she need to wake up, and get last night's make and glitter off of her.

She undressed herself, not remembering when or how she did, she figured she was so exhausted from all the excitement that her body was still trying to catch up with her.

While under the shower head, she let the water drench her from head to toe before beginning to wash anything. She just wanted to enjoy the warmth, and the sound of the water rumbling over her, as she stood under it staring at the floor.

She started off, drifting into her own mind of nothingness, not a thing came to mind, just contentment, and grogginess…

Until she could've sworn she was seeing the shadow come closer from behind her.

She gasped softly, screwing her eyes shut. She didn't know if she was just that tired or if it was just her mind playing tricks on her again.

She thought she could see the lights behind her darken. And when she opened her eyes to look down at her feet, the light was still shining from the mirror head outside of the shower.

She slowly turned around, but nothing was there. Her heart thumped in her ears, knowing somebody was in there with her…And it wasn't any of the Espada's, or fraccions.

Eri tried to keep her breath calm, to go back to what she was doing without trying to think about what was happening. But then, as the air around her began to feel hotter and heavier, she knew it was too late. He was there with her, watching her, waiting for his moment to attack.

She attempted again to close her eyes, and listen to the water rumble over her head, but the sound began to sound more like crackling fire. The sound of wind blowing to make the ambers burn even brighter…

Eri could see the fire surrounding her, and the sounds of quiet screams crying out in pain, "No…Not again…Don't do this…Please…" She whispered to herself trying to think of something else, but just as she tried, she felt a pair of hands grab her wrist from behind.

They hurt when they clenched down with its nails dug into her skin…

Does it still hurt? The past I mean…? Here, let me make it all better for you… Hearing that terrified Eri to the point that she ripped away from the person behind her, and only came to find yet again that no one was there. She was panting now, gasping to keep herself from screaming out and bursting into tears for the whole house to hear her…Then again, maybe that was a good thing to do.

Then, she felt a pair of hands softly touch her face through her strands, making her eyes tear up and widen in horror as she felt the hands feel her chin, jaw line, and her entire face for that matter.

It has to be a dream…That has to be it! It has to be!

Her eyes rolled into the back of her head. She started to have a panic attack and after her eyes closed…Everything she seen had turned to amber flames, even the vision of the house itself in her head had suddenly mimicked the fire. She could feel the heat of it bubbling at her skin…

When the pain became too much, Eri could no longer hold back her tamed screams. She felt the flames engulf her arms and legs, filling her body with the obscenely horrible pain of her nerves being singed from the outside in like burning paper.

She screamed over and over again, the pain of her flesh being torn and her throat closing up for some reason, as if smoke had raised into her lungs, and began to suffocate…At least that's what it felt like until her body went into shock. Whether it was from the pain or from being scared to death by the supernatural phenomenon, Eri's legs fell limp and her body fell to the stone floors with a loud thud.

She laid under the water pouring over her body, her screams now being silenced by the force that now hovered over her.

It caressed her face with a long breath escaping its lips…His lips…

He then smiled, and vanished when the sound of Lilinette's voice came to the door, pounding on the wood with a panic, "Eri! Eri are you okay! Answer me! Eri!" The girl didn't waste anytime she bashed the door knob off to push the door against the wall, and opened the curtain to find the small brunette unconscious in the shower, "ERI!"

The fraccion didn't now what to do at first, but drop to her knees, wanting to touch her friend, but only felt something the girl could quite place since the day she almost lost Stark, "Oh Eri…" Lilinette soon didn't waste any time, she grabbed her friend by her torso and grabbed a near by towel to cover up her form.

Thank goodness she wasn't the only one that heard the human girl's cry of agony, and when Halibel came to the scene she too was in shock to see Eri's condition, "What happened?" Hal too came inside seeing Lilinette struggling to get Eri to sit up right while she still tried to fiddle around with the towel, "I don't know. But she woke me out of a dead sleep!"

"Yeah, me too." Hal agreed as she assist Lily by turning off the water and then helped the small fraccion with getting Eri's body out of her shower altogether. For Halibel, as her eyes observed her unconscious friend's pale skin and blue lips, it became apparent that something was wrong.

Because even though the water was piping hot, Eri's body was freezing cold to the touch. Odd

Then Lily noticed the girl's upper triceps. They were incredibly bruised!

The bruises looked like hands prints, as if someone had grabbed her, hard, till she was black and purple. Immediately, the small fraccion became skeptical about it, and gave an intense gaze to the blonde, "Hal. Look at this."

Hal made a noise of acknowledgement, then looked to the door to see that Nnoitra, and Tesla were now looking in to see what had happened; Grimmjow, Szayel and Stark only dragged behind them, and everyone now crowded around the door way to see what had occurred, "What the hell is all the commotion! It's 6:00 in the morning and the wench is making all that noise!" Nnoitra spat annoyed, with bags under his eyes and gritting his teeth.

But Grimmjow just gave a smirk and light devious chuckle, "Hm, didn't know she liked it that rough." The two got a chuckle out of that, until Lilinette glare at the panther and Nnoitra to only throw Eri's brush that was on the sink and aim straight at Grimmjow's forehead.

Direct hit, "Fucking woman!"

"Get out of here if you're not gonna help asshole!" Hearing that made Stark pass by the ruffians, and decide to make his own observation of the girl.

Not the whole time had he known her had Eri ever scream in such pain and agony.

It worried him. It worried Hal and Lilinette as well, knowing that she was attack under their watch, especially like this.

His eyes stared coldly at the marks, and then he closed his eyes sighing, "Let's get her some clothes." He assisted Lilinette in getting Eri to her bedside, and then let the girl's dress her, before he entered the room again.

When the coyote saw that she was some what properly dressed and walked over to his side of the bed where he once laid only staring at his fraccion who was sitting on the other side of Eri holding her hand with concern in her eyes.

He didn't know what to say to make Lilinette feel better, because he knew exactly how she felt about Eri. How scared she was for her friend, which was very rare to see on his counterparts face.

So, as he closed his eyes to take in the situation at hand, he suddenly broke the silence to keep himself from falling asleep again, "So, the bruises…" He trailed off yawning.

"I know. I saw them too. But-,…How did this happen? We're here all the time, we can sense hollows from 100 miles away! Don't you think we would've been able to sense the bastard in the house?"

"I suppose. Then again, some you can't detect like the others…They know how to camouflage themselves. I take it this one knows how to do it so well that not even I'm able to sense him."

I wonder why… His thoughts intervened, before hearing Lily growl, "That no good hollow…I'll bust his balls, whoever it is! I'll do it for Eri! She deserves vengeance!"

"For what she's done for us?" Stark's chuckled opening an eye to his fraccion, who was balling a free hand in the air and smiled softly down at her friend as she squeezed her hand gently, "Exactly."

Silence befell the two for a moment again. They just wanted to wait for Eri to wake up, but knew they hadn't a clue on how long it would take for her to do so. If there was a hollow after her, they couldn't very much leave her alone after that.

It made the two on edge knowing that their friend hadn't mentioned anything abnormal…

Then it hit Stark remembering the things that have been strange.

Not only was there the phone call by this Tyler person, there was also when she was in school dancing, her expression wasn't brighten by a smile, but overwhelmed with distress and tired. And last night when Eri had jumped into his lap, he thought it was from the movie, but he slightly remembered her looking into the kitchen after the lightening hit… And again, she woke up in the middle of the night, whimpering saying she was afraid. Of the dark? No, after seeing this it wasn't the dark she had been afraid of. It just couldn't have.

This had to have been going on since the day they all met Eri, he was sure of it.

She may have never showed it often, and Stark's was usually sleeping when Eri was around but when he first met her she was covered in mysterious bruises. From time to time she'd still get them in odd places, and she'd always blamed it on work or something else.

Everything was becoming a puzzle to Stark's, with each piece he beginning to see the bigger picture of what was happening to this poor girl. Eri was hiding something much more deeper than anyone had imagine, but why was it happening to her?

And if this was a hollow, what kind of hollow could it have been to hide himself away without being detected by Espada's?

Unfortunately, the Primera's thoughts were cut short when a light knock came to the wide opened door.

"Hey Stark." Halibel gave one wave and walked in through the threshold.

"Hmm." He took one look at Hal and closed his eyes tilting his head away.

"Hmm? Is that all you can say wolf-y?" She chuckled coming to the wide window seal with two big throw pillows to sit back against on of them for support.

"Sorry, still tired." He replied slowly, covering his eyes with his arm this time with one leg dangling off the side of the bed.

"Maybe I should go make some coffee." Hal mentioned smiling, "Knowing Eri, she's going to want it when she wakes up." Lily laughed at that, and nodded knowingly, turning her now solemn smile to the girl sound asleep.

To Lilinette, Eri looked so peaceful. So peaceful, the fraccion placed her hand upon her friends forehead.

Her temperature was no longer alarming, and the color had finally returned back to her face.

Halibel wasn't one to get all up tight about this sort of thing, but by the way Lily was so silent, and very much herself at the moment, the blonde sat up from the throw pillow, and exhaled through her nose as she stared at the pink/red eyed girl, "Don't worry Lilinette. She'll be up before you know it." Hal could tell she needed to hear something of that caliber; anything to make her stop worry over her friend, but it could only ease so much of that.

Lilinette was still troubled over her no matter what.

Eri and her had become so close over the past year, now going on two sooner than they knew it…They were considered best friends, and she was going to be damned if someone was going to hurt her under her watch. She sure as hell wasn't going to just sit by and do nothing about it! "I know. I just wish I could kick the douche bag between the legs for what he did to Eri!"

"What is with you and hitting people in the testicles?" Stark had to ask, only to get socked in the stomach, now groaning and heaving as he held the place Lilinette had made contact with. He started to cradle himself back and forth, "W-Why would you do that…? It was just a simple question!"

"You're an idiot." Was all Lilinette could comment sounding disappointed.

"Oh, you two…always-, always-, always bickering and poking fun of one another. It really becomes a bore when you've seen it already." Suddenly another voice entered the room making everyone looked to see the pink headed doctor Szayel smirking from the door frame with his small little pocket book in his hand. Or at least that's what it looked like to the others.

"What are you doing here?" Hal was the first to ask so bluntly, but Szayel just gasped and placed a hand over his heart, "I'm hurt Halibel, really. I just wanted to see if the poor girl was doing alright. Or if she's even awake."

"You?" Lily was now questioning the mad doctor as he made his way into the room, little by little, "Is she not letting me stay here for free? Did she not do the same for me, as she did the rest of you? If wasn't even for Eri here, we'd all be long." He said as a matter of fact. It was an odd answer, but no one rebutted while Szayel began to examine the sleeping brunette himself.

He took her temperature, checked her eyes with a light he had in his pocket, her ears, and her mouth, and her even took her blood temperature to see if her heart rate was accurate.

Although, when he noticed the bruise making its way around her upper arm the doctor become intrigued by the meshed mark he saw, "Oh my…How peculiar…" He mumbled more to himself than anything, but then turned to the others as he lifted Eri's arms to them, "A possession maybe?" Szayel asked with curiosity twinkling in his eyes while he scanned the rest of her.

He didn't need to touch her like he did her arms this time, instead he just looked with his eyes, humming to himself as he came to a conclusion, "Mm…this isn't good, not good at all."

"So? Possession or not?" Stark interjected, making eye contact with the pink haired man, but Szayel just sighed straightening his back as he poked at his chin, "I'm afraid so. The signs point to yes, but we'll just have to see for ourselves."

"How?" Asked Hal getting the doctor to shrug at her, "Oh, you know, usual case of unusual behavior, reitsu flare, change in temperature, and the soul should appear as a hollow, or it could even be Eri herself." That made Lily's eyes widen a bit, but Stark and Hal's face stayed focused.

It was really their first time dealing with a possession such as this one, so knowing that Szayel had researched this sort of thing before made it easier to know that they could help in some way.

"Alright. So, should we tell Urahara? Or Soul Society about this? Technically we're suppose to be guarding her, but it's considered the other way around as well." Halibel was curious to know if there was any consequences in doing so, but Szayel sighed and closed his eyes, removing his glasses to rub his lids, "Maybe. But if anything, they'll just probably send a few of their Reaper friends to come down and keep a better eye on her. Don't you think the house is crowded enough already?" Out of all that, it was the house being crowded that worried the scientist?

Go figure.

"I wasn't asking if the house was crowded Szayel, I was asking if we should call in more help. They have that friend of theirs; Orihime Inoue who has almost the exact same powers as Eri. You should know you were there when Aizen brought the girl to Hueco Mundo." Hal was almost glaring at the scientist until he scoffed in disbelief, "Seriously people, of all people to have faith in my work, I would expect it to be all of you." Szayel again sounded hurt, after all, he had a few tricks up his sleeves as well, but Hal just laughed softly at the face he was making and leaned her elbows into her knees, eyeing the man, "I just didn't think you'd want to help anyone let alone a human. I don't know, ou just look like one of those guys who had standards about helping unless it involves cutting something open?"

The way she made it sound, it only made the pinked haired Espada become baffled before he suddenly began to laugh loud enough for everyone to hear, "My dear, it's not about standards but what I get to test."

Then he looked to Eri's slumbering face. His small smirk grew even wider with each passing second, "As Ms. Riko once said, It'll be a win, win. I get to experiment without punishment."

"You're not experimenting on anything, you're just examining her, remember…?" When Szayel saw the look in Stark's eyes, and the tired, yet threatening face he was making it only made the doctor's chuckles soften and decide to take it easy on the ideas of testing anything out on Eri…

For the mean time.

"Oh come now don't give me that look." Szayel gave a small pouted before laughing through his nose when he swiftly turned on his heels to leave the room, "I promise I won't do anything to hurt your poor little Eri. She'll be in good hands, I give you my word on that." As much as he didn't sound anywhere near convincing, Stark rolled his eyes and pretended to go back to sleep as a way of excepting what he said.

The doctor left with a wave of his fingers without another word, and Hal felt like she couldn't wait around for Eri to get up, so instead, she felt she needed to make better use of her time by going downstairs, "Well guys, I'm going to go make that coffee. I'm sure you'll let me know when she's awake."

"Right. No problem. thanks Hal. For-, you know-, hangin' for a bit."

Halibel waved back at the girl, as she left, "Eh, what can I say. I grew a small soft spot for the kid. So sue me." Both Lily and Stark smirked at that, and then Lily looked to her counter part, "What should we do now? Eri said she has to work today, and she still wanted to look for a car."

"She might have to wait if she doesn't wake up. And if anything we'll call in for her."

"You mean you?" She retorted, only to make the Primera cock a brow, and then laugh in his throat, "Yeah…Sure." That surprised her, she was expecting him to retort and complain to make a smart ass comment, but he didn't.

She began to become suspicious. Of what, she wasn't really sure, but then she gasped and began to slyly giggle, "Ooh…I know what's going on. You slept with her didn't you?"

"You're nuts. I don't think I'm her type." Stark laughed, but it only hurt him on the inside for some reason when he said that. He could only wonder why that was, but hid it away as he looked to Lily who was just pucker her lips, "Mm-Hmm. Like I believe that. For goodness Stark, you went to her school and painted with her. You barely play with me when I want to play tag! What the hell!"

"Oh shut up. It wasn't suppose to end up like that. She was showing me her art work and things just got out of hand. End of story."

"Admit it you like her." Again, Stark gave a small smile and chuckled at his fraccion, "Why are you so persistent on knowing if I like her or not?"

"Because I know you like her." Suddenly Eri's voice cut into the two, "I really hate it when you talk about me Lily…I'm going to kill you." She didn't mean it, but it definitely got Lilinette to change her tempo.

The green headed girl gasped and wrapped her arms around Eri for dear life, lifting her up out of bed, and squeezed the human tight to her, "Ah! Lily! No! C-Catch my breath." It was only when Eri winced and gasped in pain did the fraccion let her go, and Lily gasped again in panic, "Oh God! Eri I'm so sorry. I-, I got carried away. I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at me!" Lilinette released her friend in fear of hurting more.

But Eri just patted her hands and put her forehead to them, feeling already drained of energy, "It's alright. I'm fine." Her voice was very soft and calm, almost as if even speaking was straining her ability to sit up.

"Are you sure? By the way you were screaming in there you woke the entire house. We thought someone was attacking you." Lily realized what she said and stopped herself, "Actually, you were attack to be correct!" She was wailing her arms frantically at Eri, but the human girl just grabbed her friend's shoulders and smiled softly .

"I promise. Don't worry. I just saw a spider. It-,…It landed on me. I panicked."

"A spider? That's it?" Lilinette wanted to say more, but she looked to Stark to see he was just skeptical as his counterpart was by her answer.

In refusing to say anymore for the mean time, Lilinette merely smiled softly at her very plain face friend and changed the subject to her to think of something else, after all, Eri just get out of a really bad ordeal.

If Eri wanted to lie about it, then there was obviously something wrong, and there needed to be more digging before coming straight forward with the brunette, "Right. So, should we stay home for the day? Maybe we can go get your car tomorrow."

"No, no. I need that car for work tonight. Don't worry, we have plenty of time to do that before I have to go."

"Are you sure? You look pretty out of it." Eri looked to Stark who she could tell was observing her with a cocked brow, but the girl smiled at him contently and nodded, "Yeah. Um, Sorry, did something happen?"

"Uh, yeah? You don't remember?" Lily asked quizzically before seeing the blank look on Eri's face as she shook her head, "No. Why?"

"Because you were screaming! You woke everyone and their mother up within a 10 mile radius!" The little arrancar explained wailing her arms at her again.

"Oh, well then no, I don't remember." She said laughing so softly she almost sounded sickly to the ears. Then suddenly Eri looked down at her clothes, "But I do remember being in the shower. Why am I dressed like this?" Noticing her clothes were somewhat missed matched with her work shirt and a pair of sweats she shook her head laughing, "Did I drink last night or something?"

"N-no. You…You were in the shower when it happened. You mean to tell me you don't remember anything of what happened while you were in there?"

"Not a thing. I remember sleeping, somewhat of water happening…but that's it."

"Hmm." Was all Stark could say before yawning and sitting up from his position.

"That's all you can say!" Lily exclaimed loud enough to hear before a slam of a door from outside could be heard.

Apparently one of the guys had left their door open, and the loud noises were bothering them. It could only be one Espada that Eri could think of and she rolled her eyes at the thought of him.

Nnoitra…

After that thought, Eri's eyes wondered over to the clock on her nightstand, and gasped as she lifted her wobbly self over to the dress to get proper clothes, but then she looked over to the bathroom to see her original chosen articles on the counter, staring at her.

And she stared back, dazing off for a moment before she decided to get a different pair. She felt something coming from the bathroom, an unwilling force that Eri felt she was waiting to pop out at her. But nothing came.

Instead she looked to her drawers and pulled out another set of clothes, and walked into the walk-in closet to dress herself, "You know I could always leave if you want to get dress." Stark replied chuckling only to get Lilinette to squint her eyes at him.

He noticed this, and cocked a brow at her, flinching when she continued to stare him down, letting a grin take her lips slowly, "What?" He asked panicking. Was she going to pounce on him?

Oh, he hoped not. He wasn't ready, and it was way to early for his stomach to be taking more abuse. Any more fists to the guts and he was sure to vomit…Or worse.

But no, instead Lily just laughed, and swiped her index fingers together, "Naughty, naughty Stark."

"Hmm? What?"

"You're such a perv."

"Why am I pervert?" He asked with scrunched brows, "You say you want to leave but really? You don't."

"You're right. I want to sleep." She attempted to smack him upside the heat, but he blocked her hand. And he blocked her again another when she tried again.

Like before, he couldn't take anymore to the stomach, and lifted himself off the bed, away from the rowdy fraccion of his, "Okay, you know what? I'm just going to go see what Hal's doing, she did want to know when Eri was awake." He made an excuse and left with his back turned to the door, not realizing he was heading straight into Grimmjow who was only walking by.

"Oi! Watch it!" But it was too late, the boys both collided into one another and fell to the ground, getting Lilinette shocked before she gave a loud booming cackling. She began to laugh so hard she doubled over and threw herself against the bed too rolling in her fit of laughter.

"Owe…S-Sorry." Stark tried to apologize, but Grimmjow just glared daggers from his position.

"Get. Off." Was all the panther threatened huffing from his nostrils before feeling the coyote's weight shift off of him.

And since Stark's did feel like it was somewhat his fault for running into the panther in the first place, so he attempted to help the blue haired Sexta to his feet. But Grimmjow was in no mood for assistance.

Hell, he never wanted assistance! "Che, I don't need yer help!"

It was obvious he was either still tired, or he was still mad that he was sat on by the Primera Espada.

"I said I was sorry. It was an accident." Stark replied flatly, only to have the panther growl and ruffle his hair, "Yeah, sure."

Then, Grimmjow noticed something else in his line of view behind Stark's frame.

Eri had walked out of her closet, fixing the bottom of her light blue frilly tank top that was trying to restrain her breast back, and as she fiddled with her belt buckle last, the black tight jeans were really giving the panther something to look at.

Until she put on a sweater to hide it all and swiped her hair from the back of it before zipping it up just passed her chest, "Well, well, Riko's finally awake. What happened in there tiger? Masturbate too hard?"

Hearing her last name being called, and the last comment made Eri looked to the panther with a glare, but suddenly felt absentminded when she turned to Lilinette who was still trying to catch her breath, and wiping the tears from her eyes, "Exactly how long was I out for?"

"Um, heh, heh! I don't know*snort*, m-maybe like fifteen to twenty minutes?"

"Oh. That's not long at all. Anyways, yeah I'm awake. And what the hell is so freaking funny? What did I miss?" She asked switching her glances between the group, until her full attention turned to Lilinette who just busted up laughing, "N-Nothing, HA HA! Stark was trying to get away from me, and ran right into Grimmjow!" Again she fell into tears bawling in fits of titters that left both of the boys glaring at her.

Eri tried to resist a smile by shaking her head at Lily, "Oh Lil…" And then she looked to the boys with sympathy, "You guys alright?"

"Yeah." Stark rubbed his neck as he looked up at the ceiling.

"Che, Speak for yourself." But Grimmjow interjected Stark, sneering at Primera to get him to hum in his throat. Now they were both staring one another down.

The panther on the other hand, noticed the look, and merely gave an inaudible grumble as he made his way down the stairs, "I need my coffee."

"Best human product made." Eri stuck her head out with a chirp, pointing out that it was 'human made' but Grimmjow just continued to make himself scarce, until he was out of sight. He could careless what kind of product it was, he needed it, especially after being waken up from his beauty sleep.

Stark looked from the stairs to Eri who was slowly yawning. She stretched out her limbs and puffed out her chest, until she was bending herself back, and cracked her spine in the process, "Oh yeah…That felt nice. I love myself."

Just the comment she said made Stark snort a little and give a gentle smile, "I heard that. Sounded painful."

"Yeah. My back's a little stiff but I can always make an appointment to see my chiropractor."

"You're what?" Lilinette asked coming up behind Eri with a big bear hug, "Curse you Lily, I said stop doing that."

"Doing what again?" She asked clueless, making Eri sighed, "Scaring me…And jumping on me for now…" Her heart couldn't take it, especially in her condition right now. She still felt so weak.

As if she had been drained of darn near every ounce of strength and energy to live, "Sorry. Bad habit." She tapped her head out of forgetfulness, and Eri smiled laying her chin on her arms as she closed her eyes, "It's alright. Just remember I'm bruised."

The moment she mentioned that, both of the Arrancar went silent. They both looked at one another, and then Eri. Eri did the same, exchanging the two uncomfortable looks, "What?"

"Well, you think you would've noticed your arms, Eri." Lily said stating the obvious, but Eri just smiled, as if hiding another emotion, "Oh. Yeah, that. Don't worry about it."

"Uh, a little late for that lady! You better start answering my questions or I'll force'em out of ya!"

"What are you talking about?" Eri cocked a brow back at her friend, but she began to noogy her, "Owe! Hey stop that!"

"Who's hurting you!" Lilinette declared.

"You are!" Eri protested, flipping Lily onto her back to straddle her, "Ha! I win."

"Nah-uh!" With another flip Lilinette happened to flip herself on top of the brunette, "Lilinette be careful with her." But it was too late, before Stark could warn her, the girl accidentally pressing her palms into the bruises of her arms to make Eri jolt upward, "Ah!" She yelped gasping and cringing this time feeling her torso begin to hurt.

"Oh! Eri!" Immediately Lily jumped up helping her friend to her feet, with Stark already coming to assist the two girls, "I'm sorry. Again!" She sputtered having a look of such guilt.

But Eri gave a soft nervous laugh, and sighed leaning her head against a shoulder. She wasn't sure who's but it must've been Stark since he was the tallest, "Maybe you should just go back to bed." Yep, it was definitely him. She could feel the vibration against her forehead, "I-It's okay. Maybe rough housing isn't the best right now…But I still have a lot of things to do today. No buts…" Eri laughed softly, and wrapped her arm around Lilinette's neck to pull the two with her towards the stairs, "Come on, I'm feeling for some coffee."

"Right. You need me to balance you?" Both Lily and Stark let her grab the rail of the stairs herself, and watched her carefully to make sure should wouldn't strain too much, "I'm okay. Thank you. Both of you."

They followed behind her into the kitchen. Eri was able to get her cup of coffee, and now she was thinking of making breakfast before getting out and about.

Something about a good hardy breakfast sounded like a good, tasty idea, and as she began to prep her oven, Lilinette was the first to poke her head over Eri's shoulder to see what the girl was dishing up and out of the fridge.

"What'cha makin?"

"Breakfast." Was all Eri replied giving a wink to her friend as she shut the door with her foot.

"For everyone?" Again, Lilinette sounded hopeful, so did her smile.

Eri only tried to keep a straight face, but it was no use. She smiled brightly and rolled her eyes, "of course. You guys feel for a hardy breakfast?"

"With hash browns!"

"Yeah."

"I'll help!" Lilinette was already reaching into the freezer to get the box of frozen hash browns, and placed them on the counter next to the other ingredients Eri had put out; all the while Stark was watching the two as if he was just that interested, but at the same time, his mind had wondered somewhere else as he watched the Eri mix the eggs with milk, and Lilinette wanting to mix it with her-, instead, Eri let her, and Eri slipped some bacon on the stove only to finally put in the hash browns once the oven was preheated.

Watching Eri smile and laugh as the two began to talk about things he seemed to ignore at the moment, he began to notice his fraccion fiddling with the radio on the window seal over the sink. It was static at first, but when Eri heard a familiar rhythm she gasped, smiling even wider, "Turn it back, turn it back! That's my song!"

"Your song?" Stark sounded amused to see her look back at him while she began to sway her hips to the beat, "You betcha. When I walk in the room, it's the first song they play."

"Right." He tried to resist a chuckle but it couldn't be helped, it left his mouth like he was merely breathing, and then he looked down into his cup that he had made. He stared down at it, trying to keep his mind from going back to those bruises in the mean time, only to think of ways to keep an eye on Eri without having to stalk her.

He would just have to keep a close eye on her reitsu while she was away from the house, since he wasn't prepared to make her feel morel like prey. Even though it would matter how I watch her, to Eri it'll probably still feel that way…Oh well…

Just then, a big hot plate of food was placed in from of him to get the coyote to look up at the smile-y face of Eri.

He smiled back, feeling his mind ease a little when he saw this, "Thanks."

"Don't mention it." She made her way back to the counter to make a few more plates, only to have Grimmjow and Halibel walk in to see Lily and her making food, "I hope you're not gonna eat all that by yourselves?" The panther strolled in eyeing the food, before Eri eyed him and shrugged, "Maybe."

"Bullshit, Yer gonna eat all of it?"

"No…Here ya go." Already the girl had a plate in hand ready for him, and she wasn't even looking at him, she was taking bites out of her own plate.

"Sweet." Was all he said before heading back into the living room.

Until-, "Oh no you don't! At the table with that!"

"Yeah, Stark's not gonna bite ya!" Lilinette added as she handed Halibel her portion.

Grimmjow groaned and reversed himself back to the counter sitting in the fourth seat away from the coyote to eat his meal in peace, "Take it easy Grimm, you're gonna get the hiccups." Eri warned but the panther just growled and continued to stuff his face.

Like Stark's was. They were men, and needed their bellies full, so she could see why they were so in the zone. It's like the Carl's Jr. Commercial…

"Anyone else that wants a plate of hot food better be down here before we eat it all!" Eri gave one last exclaimed to get the others to finally come down from their rooms as well, apparently surprised to see that the girl was awake and making food for everyone.

But everyone almost ate in near silence, the only people talking were Lilinette and Eri about the car, "So, when did you want to get going? I'm just so excited to get on the move!" The green haired girl cheered.

"I know. It's still sprinkling outside, but I hope that's not going to be a problem with you Sonidoing us to the Car Shop."

"Ha! You kidding? You've the others Sonido." Eri nodded, "True."

"But!" Lily proclaimed, "After we're done picking up your car, you have to show me where your school is"

"Sure."

"Can I come? If you don't mind, I'd like to see how that painting came out." The girls heard Stark intervene, making everyone else stare at the Coyote oddly at his request. Not like he cared, he just wanted to know if he could go.

But even though the others were looking at the Primera like he was an idiot for asking, Eri smiled happily, "Yeah. We can make a day of it! Hal, you want to go?"

"Sure. Nothing better to do. Why not?"

"Awesome, so since there's more people going I guess we should start getting ready."

"Hey!" Suddenly everyone looked to Grimmjow who had called out to them, "I want to go too."

"Really?" Eri cocked a brow and arched her upper lip to make a face, but that apparently irritated the Esapda, "Is that a problem!"

"N-no, I'm just surprised after you destroyed my car that you would want to be in the same proximity as me" She joked but Grimmjow gritted his teeth at her before snapping back, "Shut up! I'm goin' whether you like it or not!"

"Alright, alright sheesh pushy. I guess everyone's going." Eri's head felt like it was being drilled into with a jack hammer, "Except me." Nnoitra glared in the girls general direction until she waved him off, "Yes, yes, except you. But Tesla is going this time." She assured.

"Ha! That's a joke."

"I'm serious, the poor guy never gets out and he has to be miserable because you don't like the position you're in? Fuck you."

"Ooh, I oh so do love it when you spit at me Eri, it's just so attractive." He wiped his cheek as if spit had landed on him, but Eri just gave a smug smile swaying her hips towards the table as she leaned over it till she was face to face with the mantis, "Good! I'm glad! I hope I got it in your food too!"

Then, she knocked his water into his lap, walking away the moment he gasped at the ice water hitting his crouch, "Ah! Damn it Riko! These are new pants!"

"Then go buy more with Soul Society's money ass wipe! AND I HOPE YOUR BALLS SHRINK WITH THEM!" Eri was wasting time with this mantis.

She had already finished her plate and in trying to keep herself from blowing up on Nnoitra again, she cleaned her dish, as well as a few of the others before stepping outside to get a breather from the suffocating air around her.

She noticed that the clouds were still going grey and strong, but the rain had stopped for the moment to give Eri an opportunity to grab a cigarette from underneath a secret stash she had, in case of emergency.

She didn't want to smoke, in fact she hated it with a passion, but she felt she needed it. Bad.

The beatings were getting worse, and she couldn't hide it for very much longer from the others. She was scared. She knew she had to tell someone about this.

If she didn't, this man that haunted her could be the death of her. Literally.

Eri sighed looking at the pack, feeling guilty in even wanting to take one, but her urge to relax was greater. She opened the unopened pack, and slowly pulled out a stick to hold it in her mouth.

She put the pack back in the hiding spot under the balcony, and then pulled out a lighter from her back pocket.

She made sure no one was around, and let the flame flicker in the wind as it lit her nicotine fix. She inhaled it and blew softly looking out into her open back yard listening to the wind and the sound of the tree blowing in its current direction.

This whole morning had been a nightmare. Eri could feel the spiritual pressure meshing in with hers, hiding itself. Perhaps telling others is best…I can't hide him away like this anymore…He's too much for me…At this rate-,

Just as Eri took another puff, she heard the door slide open behind her, startling her as she turned to see Stark stepping out now with different pair of clothes than resembled the same outfit he had on yesterday.

He really did have a thing for spandex, and he wore dress up pants to go with them. It was like his style of choosing was to look formal. But what Stark's wore really suited him.

But in all, Eri smiled up at him as he closed the sliding door, "I was wondering where you went. You just disappeared."

"No I didn't, I did the dishes and then I decided to take a break. Get my head on straight."

"Mm. I see." It went silent as he noticed the smoking stick Eri was inhaling, and walked over slowly to squat down in front of her, staring at her as she puffed the stick, and then held it lightly in between two finger that were dangling like her wrist on her knee, "Did you want to talk?" She asked getting his attention again before he took the cigarette, and cringed at the smell of it.

And then he stomped it into the ground under his boot.

He apparently didn't like seeing Eri smoking, and stared her down with a frown, making her feel somewhat shameful, "What?" She asked innocently trying to look away, but Stark could tell something was one her mind. But some drove him to grasp her chin lightly so she was gazing at him

And by the mist in her eyes, she was about to cry if he hadn't come out to see her, "You don't smoke. That's what." He said it so simple, that she could only look at him with her eyes subconsciously widening a little to his remark.

It was true, in the whole time they've known each other, she never once had to open that pack…But today…?

Today was different, "I know, but I-,…I just need to relax."

"You can relax inside, where it's warm." He added feeling how cold her skin was from the wind blowing the way it did, and Eri smiled softly at how he was slightly concerned for her.

This time, Eri looked up at him, "Thanks. But I just need a minute."

Stark wanted to ask questions now.

Ever since she woke up from her attack she's been oblivious to everything that had happened to her. It was only a good time as any to ask Eri if she knew anything now, "Eri…" He started softly, letting go of her chin to be more gentle about the matter he was about to bring up for the second or third time.

But he stared at her a little longer, making her blush and shift her eyes back and forth between him and the ground.

He couldn't help himself…She was a beautiful woman, and seeing her so sad made him ache where his hollow hole laid…

It really ached. Seeing her smile, or even seeing her beat the crap out of Grimmjow was more contenting than this.

Finally, he balled up the nerve to ask her what had been on his mind, "Are you sure you don't remember anything about your attack? You know, anything you say, can and will help us in understanding what's going on with you."

"With me? Nothing's going on with me. I woke up this morning, took a shower, and then poof! Nothing." Stark wanted to believe her but he didn't. Her eyes were telling him everything already, how much sorrow, anguish, and exhaustion were running through them even though she tried to stay positive.

"Eri…" Again he said her name, cupping her hands in his, as a more different approach to get her to talk to him, "I know we haven't known each other long enough to know your past…But, if this has anything to do with Tyler, or anyone from your past, I can't help you unless you help me." His voice was encouraging, soft tone, and deep.

Just the way he said those words, it made her insecurities to trust, open up just a little more, but she buttoned her lips still and shied away looking into her lap, "I'm…I'm afraid…"

"What are you afraid of?" He asked feeling the sprinkle of the rain begin again, but Eri was his main focus at the moment. She wasn't looking at him, and her breathing was becoming heavy, "I can't."

"Eri, we know about the bruises, you can't hide everything forever. What're you going to do, wait until it all explodes in your face, and then there'll be no hope to actually help you?"

"Why?" She suddenly blurted out, feeling pressure inside her chest that made her ask the one question that had been on her mind, "Why do you want to help me!…" She stopped herself, realizing she was yelling at him.

She didn't why, and pulled her arms around her legs leaning her forehead against her knees, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell." Stark was surprised by her tone of voice. How quiet and meek her apologies were to him, but the coyote didn't want any of her apologies.

He just wanted to help, "It's alright Eri. As much as I hate yelling, yours isn't so bad compare to Lilinette's." That's all he could say to get the girl to somewhat smile behind her legs, but what really surprised Eri, and even Stark's himself, was that even though his hands were only holding the brunette by her shoulders, he could feel his heart beating a mile a minute, and his palms became damp when she suddenly leaned into him.

At first, he thought she was going to kiss him, which made his eyes widen, and his lips quiver with nerves that made his spine quiver. But then, instead of his assumption, Eri merely laid the side of her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his back the best she could.

And Stark froze. As much as he felt wanted to comfort her, he had no idea on what do to when a woman were to embrace him. His arms stayed above as if she was contagious, but as the girl nuzzled her face into him feeling the warmth and safety of being in someone's protection.

Stark's eyes slowly mellowed and his body relaxed all together as Eri continued to hold him they way she did. He couldn't say he was use to it, but he did admit he liked it coming from Eri. It was the first embrace or woman contact he's had in so long, it was just some new, confusing, and yet welcoming at the same time. Then, the Primera felt an urge to do the same.

For whatever reason, he felt the need to make some kind of contact with her. And he finally put his hands upon her shoulder blades, he realized he liked it. He like hugging Eri.

And thought Eri was surprised that he even hugged her back, she suddenly smiled and held him tighter, and until Stark's tall frame hovered over her entire body, and his chin was placed in her shoulder.

It was weird for him to hug her like that, out of the blue and what not, but Eri took it in for a moment, feeling her head haze over when she softly took in his soft musky scent. She didn't know why but that smell was almost like lavender to Eri. She leaned her nose into his shirt as he wrapped his arm more securely around her, bringing her knees to the dry part of the floor board where he moved over to get out of the rain.

They both sat there in silence…None of them passing a sentence for what seemed like forever. It felt so incredibly safe being in a pair of arms. Eri was still so use to being alone, that she had forgotten what it was like to be held. By anyone.

She was so overwhelmed by the small embrace she actually began to hide her face into the crook of his neck, shaking, and tangling her knuckles into his shirt.

When Stark heard a soft cry escape from the girl, and his eyes lit up in worry, until she held him as close as she possibly could, and continue to tremble and cry on his shoulder, "Oh Stark…I want to tell you…I just don't know if you'll get hurt because of it. I don't-, I don't want you or anyone to get hurt because of me. I just want to deal with it on my own and fix it, but at the same time…I'm just-, one person. I can't do it all alone." She cried even harder conflicted.

He could see that, and he pulled away a little to face Eri's tear stained face, only to have him make them vanish with the back of his hand, "But your not alone. I know what it feels like to be alone, and knowing you'll never find hope in being with others like yourself. But that's not true, in your case. You have us here, and I've told you that before. Why are you so stubborn to except that?" His heart was swelling again, beating out of rhythm over and over until he swallowed back and cleared his throat.

He hadn't noticed until now how close he was to her, and attempted to hide his blushing face from her when he pulled back, and helped the sluggish brunette to her feet, "Huh, don't take it from some one that's just as stubborn as you are, but whenever your ready to say something I'm all ears. So are Lilinette and Halibel."

She gazed up at him, his handsome features becoming even more attractive as his hair became more and more damp. Both of them were become wetter by the second the more the rain sprinkled down on them.

She couldn't help it, he was staring down at her so long she felt that at any moment she would burst into flames.

All she could feel was her heart rising in her throat and her stomach began to tighten as she licked her lips and looked away before Stark could see the red blush heating up her cheeks, "Okay. I will…" She whispered it softly, and again she leaned into his chest to hide herself away, "Stark..?"

"Mm-hmm?" The Primera Espada didn't move nor did he say much to response, he just stared down at the brunette as he watched her fingers slightly brush against his hollow hole. He nearly gasped and jumped back at the contact, but stopped when he suddenly heard Eri whisper, "Thank you."

Stark eyes slightly fluttered at her words, and how sincere she meant them.

He certainly wasn't use to a woman's kindness like this, but as he let it settle in his mind, Stark took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, bringing his hands to Eri's shoulders with a tender squeeze, "No need to thank me. I'm just being a friend…" He didn't seem to realize what he said until it happened. He stumbled when Eri looked up at him, eyes blinking blankly just as he surprised as he was to say those words, "Uh-, I'm-, I'm not good at this sort of thing. But…I'll try-, you know-, being a friend?" He seemed confused with himself, or was it the way he worded it?

Eri wasn't sure but she softly giggled and patted his chest looking down at the hole see seemed to stare into, dazed, "No, no, of course we're friends. What else would I call you? Listen, I know I haven't been myself lately, but-, please. Try not to worry. I have it under control."

"And if you don't?" He asked tone serious again more than it was gentle like before.

She didn't say anything out the fact she was stunned before her brows knitted like his did, "Then, I will ask for help. Deal?" She smiled trying to make the coyote relax a little, but even though his insides didn't want to be patient, it was her decision altogether.

And with a deep sigh, he shrugged giving up for the mean time since it was the only thing he could do to win this battle, "What can I do? You're just as stubborn as I am." With that he gave her a small smirk, and placed a hand on her head, "But we will be keeping an eye on you. Just know that."

"Alright, alright. Anything to make you stop worrying over little ole me." Stark suddenly had a thought pop into his head as he looked up under consideration, then he looked back down at Eri confused, "How old are you exactly?"

"What? You don't know how old I am?"

"Never bother to ask I guess. I don't care either way."

"Oh that's reassuring. Huh, we'll I'm twenty-four. I'll be going on twenty-five in March."

"Oh yeah. I remember now. I fell asleep after drinking too much." Suddenly can to realize also what forgetful coyote he could be sometimes, and rubbing the back of his head blushing, "Hee hee, it's okay, not that big of a deal, I fell asleep too after drinking a lot, ha, and smoking a little too much." He cocked a brow her before she waved at him, "Never mind."

"I'll ignore it for now, but no more smoking. Your too pretty to be doing something like that." Her face couldn't help it anymore. It went as red as the flower pitcher that was over filled with rain water near the small flower garden Eri had going around the house, "I-, I-, just mean-,"

Just then the screen door opened again, Lilinette, and Halibel were prepped in their rain gear, ready to go as they were told, "There you are! And all alone?" Lilinette teased, making kiss-y faces at the two since they were so close to one another.

The two blushed madly as they pulled away, "Hey I was having an emotional episode give me a break." Eri laughed nervously trying to make it so her voice wouldn't shake out of embarrassment, but it was too late, they had already thought the worse, and they both tittered, "Huh, didn't look like that to me, looks like you were both pulling away from a kiss!"

"Shut up Lilinette! You're so annoying. I was just comforting her." Stark tried to stand up for Eri, but again Lilinette just teased as Halibel watched snickering behind her hand.

"And you stop laughing Hal! You're not helping!" Eri declared pointing a guilty finger.

But then another voice came with interest of what was going on, "Who's kissing?"

"Ah crap!" It was Grimmjow! This was just getting worse by the minute, so Eri threw her hands up in surrender, "Oh my god! We were not kissing! He was just giving me a hug! Is that a crime? God you people are so nosy! Let's just go before you all drive me plum loco with your asinine delusions!"

"Hey now, wait up! Why are you going around the side of the house?"

"Because, you all are blocking my entrance!" She yelled wailing her arms, before disappearing on the other side of the house to leave Stark there with the others, "Wait!"

"And I need a new sweater!" She proclaimed before slamming the front door. Everyone turned their heads to see Eri stomping her way up the stairs, passing by Tesla who had his empty plate with him, "Hey Tesla!" She grabbed his arm to feel him tense her soft grasp, making her release quickly, "Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"Oh n-no it was my fault really. I was just going to put my plate in the sink."

"Did you still want to go with us to the Car Center?" Eri's voice was gentle hoping he'd say yes, but by the look in his eyes he was afraid to go anywhere without getting punish by spoon man.

Then, she came up with an idea, "Tell you what? How about you tell Nnoitra, that I told everyone to kidnap you and you tried to get away, but our force was too strong?"

"I-I couldn't do that." He whispered bashfully, trying to walk away from her, but she persisted, "You don't have to say it, I will, and I'll make sure the others back me up on it. Technically, he can't get mad at you for getting kidnapped."

"But he'll yell at me for being weak."

"Then let him yell. Who's really the weak one here? You might be his fraccion, but you have a mind of your own as well, you don't have to follow him around because he says so."

"Well you don't know him like I do." He declared becoming offensive to Eri's words. She was taken back by it as he continued his dishes, this time, everyone had apparently still been around the door, but they were all in the their own conversation, still trying to egg Stark into telling them that you two kiss.

Eri being still a little stunned, she sighed and closed her eyes, finding a resolve in herself before she looked up at the back of Tesla's sandy blonde head, and began to fiddle with her fingers, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by that. I'm sure you two have your history together. But…Don't you want to have fun? One time? You're not abandoning him. You're just going out for the day. Making friends of your own. You'll still be his fraccion but you're not attached to his hip. I just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out with us. Trying to stand up for you I guess."

"I don't need you of all people, a human to stand up for me. I don't need to hang out with anyone. I just want to be left alone!" Eri was shocked at his sudden switch in attitude.

He seemed to be shock himself. It was like Eri was being to Stark earlier all over again, but instead, Tesla realized everyone else had turned to him, and he looked to Eri wanting to say something…But in embarrassing himself, at least to him, he closed his eyes in frustration and brushed passed Eri to have her stare at the spot he once stood. Her hair swayed slightly to the breeze passing between them, but Eri refused to move as she heard Tesla run up the stairs.

Once the sound of the door closed upstairs, Eri stood frozen at what just happened until she blinked and shook her head to bring her attention to everyone else.

"Eri? You okay?" Lily's voice tried to coo.

To them, it must've look like she was about to cry, but she only smiled at them and nodded, "Yeah. I guess I must've pushed a little too hard. Anyways, let's go, let's go, we ain't got time to stand around." She told them in sign language, but none of them seemed to notice it, "But what about your sweater Eri. Go change it."

"No I'm okay. Come on, please, please, please? I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really-,"

"Fuck! Sonido her already Lilinette! Shut her up!" Grimmjow was literally smothering his face with his hand, becoming so annoyed with the girl's consistency, that both of the girls both jumped and squeaked to his demand.

And no more than a second later did Lily grab Eri's hand tightly, and Sonido the girls to the Car Center, "Damn, annoying as hell, I swear..." Grimmjow followed after, than Hal and Stark after who were wearing blue streaks and sweat drops across their faces…

---

The next thing Eri knew she was in front of the Mall's Car Center that had just certainly opened for business, and everyone walked into the show room where all the cars laid displayed.

"Awesome, and we're just in time for them to be open." Eri was looking down at her watch to see it was about 10:30 where there weren't many customers, and the cars were in her price range, "Perfect."

They all spread out to eye the shiny automobiles, the boys most interested as they listened to some of the dealers try to sell them a car…Although Grimmjow wasn't in the mood to hear anyone ramble, and stuffed one the car dealers into one of the large plant pots.

"Grimmjow…" Eri gritted her teeth to push the Espada into the group that had formed once again.

Apparently everyone had already had their fill of cars, and so was Eri. But only one car seemed to call out to her as she scanned the area one last time.

There it was…Just what she needed.

A Station Wagon!

It was one just like her family use to have, and it was perfect for how many people she lived with. Plus, it was one of her favorite colors. Green.

"Bingo! We have a winner!" Eri literally hugged the front of the car and rubbed it with a gentle hand, grinning so wide it reflected off the car, "Awe…You want to come home with me little one? I'll take real good care of you. I promise."

The others were looking at her like she was insane, and Lilinette was just trying hard not to just drop to the floor in a fit of laughter, "It's just a car Eri, it's not a pet."

"Yeah, and soon it'll be mine….I'm taking this." She reassured them happy with her decision.

"Are you sure?" Stark asked looking it over, "I mean, will it hold all of us."

"This thing has six seats, and enough room for groceries. If I need furniture I can always call a u-haul. But right now, there's no furniture involved, just people." She shook her head with her head held high, until suddenly she noticed the car dealer walking by, "Oh excuse me sir?"

"Yes ma'am?" The tall handsome blonde smiled as he leaned in with his hands behind his back, "I'd like to look into getting a car like this please? The station wagon is just what I need."

"Excellent. Would you like to take it out for a test drive?"

"Please and thank you." With exchanged smiles the two went to take out a different model, but the same color and price as the other. It felt comfortable, and there was definitely enough seats for the others to fit in. It was also exceptionally good for tall people like Stark who was furthest in the bad, laying down…

Once the test drive was over everyone stepped out of the and Eri finished up her paper work in the office leaving the others to wait outside patiently…

Well, most of them, "How long does it take to get a freaking CAR! HURRY UP ERI!" Grimmjow was so full of demand, but Lily threw a shoe at the Sexta face to have him catch it, and toss it back to her, "Next time I'm keeping it!"

"I don't care! Stop yelling! You're giving me a headache!"

"You're giving ME a headache!" He spat.

"You both are giving us a headache." The other two silent ones finally spoke before noticing Eri was finally shaking the man's hand, and getting her keys to her new car.

For how long they had been waiting they were up on their feet the moment the girl came coming out with her hands up in the air like she had won the lottery, "Yay! New car new car! Let's go!"

"Finally! What the hell took so long!" Grimmjow zipped up his black jacket and top it off with a lift of his collar.

"Oh so sorry Lord of the Universe, but it's called paper work. They have to look into my background, my credit, make sure I can pay for the car, sign a few agreement forms here and there…. So yeah, it takes time."

"Tell me about it woman. In any case, where to next?"

"My school." She replied happily smiling. It didn't take any time to get into the car. Once the key was in the ignition there was no turning back, "What do you humans have at your schools? Is it anything like training?" Halibel was the first to ask out curiosity.

"Well, if you count wrestling, and other self defense classes, then yeah. And in a way, yeah, school is like training…For the real world."

"That cool. Maybe I should take up a class there." Eri headed for the freeway and made their way towards the Karakura University in record time, "That'd be awesome, then we could hang out at lunch!"

"Heh, sure."

"What about me! I want to go to school too! Can I take the same classes as you!" Lilinette poked her head in between her and Halibel since the two were in the front, and began to literally poke at Eri's head, which Eri tried to swat away, "Not while I'm driving Lily!"

"Oh sorry Hee hee!"

"We're almost there don't worry. But once my class begins you guys gotta bounce. I can't have you all distracting me while I'm trying to learn."

"Wow, Ms. Determined…I like that. Straight A student?" Her green haired friend teased having Eri giggle, "No, I wish. Mostly B's…Average C's…D on one occasion." She admitted biting her lip as she looked through her side mirror to merge over.

"What did you get a D in?" Stark asked from the far back seats quite curious as he sat up to reveal his head from the back, "Chemistry. I dropped that hell of a class the moment I realized I wasn't going to be using it any time in the near future. I'm not planning on going to medical school so there was no point."

"What are you going for?"

"Mm, not sure. I like chirography, and then there's an art teacher…And make up artist. I think I preferr number two since it's the more attainable job."

"Really. I could never picture you a teacher Eri." The coyote was just as surprise as the others, but the girl smiled revealed her pearly whites, "Well, there's a lot of things you don't know about me Mr. Coyote." Hearing the way she called him that made Stark blush slightly before he attempted to hide it with a small smile she had caused him.

Well, he couldn't help the pink rising to his cheeks, no one had ever called him that before, and coming from her…Well…

"Oh look, yay, we're here!" Lilinette pointed to a familiar building. One that caught Stark's attention as they entered the gates, and headed into the back parking lot.

Once they were parked everyone jumped to stretch themselves out. After all it was a 10 minutes drive, not long, but for these Arrancar, it was probably hell for them, "I'm never getting into one of those things again, not with that many people." The panther spat to the ground as he began to walk into the street to cross over.

"What are you talking about? The car wasn't even that crowded." Lily said.

"Yeah, but I had to sit next to you." He added, glaring down at the small fraccion before trying to hold her back from biting on his head, "Get away from me what are you doing!" He growled attempting to hold her up by her arms.

"I'm kick your ass for running your mouth!"

"Bring it baka!"

"YOU'RE THE BAKA!" Feeling the little fraccions rage flare she spun her foot up into the air until her heel made contact with the Espada's chin causing him to bite his tongue.

When Lilinette landed on her feet, gracefully, she suddenly began to run along side the building to get Grimmjow to chase her, "You little-!"

"Wait guys! Do you even know where you're going! The entrance is this way!" Eri jogged a few feet forward to see if she could call after the nimrods, but they were already too lost in their qualm that it would have been a total loss in any case to Eri intervening.

Little had she noticed she stopped right in the middle of the road, between the sidewalk of her school's building and just a couple of feet from where they were parked. It was no big deal at first since there were no incoming cars, so Eri sighed frustrated looking up at the clouded sky.

She did it for only a merely second when Stark and Halibel noticed a car rolling out in her direction, "Hey Eri." Halibel tried to call out first, hoping the girl could hear her.

She did, but she thought it wasn't anything important…Until she heard the engine getting louder, and Stark now calling out to her in a panic.

The car that had rolled out began to punch on the gas and head straight for the girl.

Eri heard that engine roar, and she felt her breath hitch in her throat when she threw her head up to make eye contact with the vehicle. It was going faster and faster, until Eri had no chance of getting out of this…She was just frozen stiff, and she frightfully shut her eyes closed to wait for impact until suddenly a gust of wind came swarming around her, and a steal shield abruptly ceased a car to a complete halt.

At first, Eri thought she had already died, but when she opened a blue eye, she suddenly noticed Starks holding her on one side of him, while his other arm blocked the large heavy metal with one hand.

Eri was stunned, not just by the coyote's strength, but by the fact that a car could just come to life on its own! "No one's in the car…" She finally said with her voice full of terror.

Halibel was already at their side but looked from them to the car as well in awe. They had just witnessed the car coming to life and deliberately aiming itself at Eri.

Either they were all crazy or there was something serious pissed off.

In the Espada's mind, they knew it was the more likely hollow related one, and in an instant Stark's attention turned to Eri's flabbergasted face, her eyes still glued to the disastrous scene before her.

Stark then looked to Halibel who was also looking at Eri.

It didn't need to be said that she knew what she saw, and gave the Primera a look of knowing. He did the same as he looked back down to the girl, and his arm that was securely wrapped around her with protection, "Eri…?"

He suddenly noticed her chest rising at a fast pace, and her hands clenched her heart as she attempted to keep herself calm. She couldn't even comprehend what almost happened that she was so distraught. Her friends could see it.

"Eri." His voice becoming low and filled with concern, Stark shook the girl in his grasp to get her conscious, but it only worked to the point of getting Eri to look up at him, "Are you alright?" At first she didn't answer, she just looked back to the car softly panting and swallowing back her urge to break.

She wouldn't break, she wouldn't…

Once the school guard found the group the police were called to investigate on Eri to make sure she was alright.

Unfortunately they couldn't tell them that there was no one driving the car, so they decided to tell the cops that the person driving the car left he scene. Once the three were released, they crossed the yellow tape to meet up with Lilinette who had waited for them patiently…

Unlike a certain panther who vanished off somewhere, obviously, "What happened!" Was the first thing out of the fraccions mouth, her palms out.

"Car accident…" Was all Stark could reply before looking down at Eri who was now using a blanket to cover her shoulders with. From all the people surrounding the crime scene, it was only a good idea to get the girl out of the commotion and away from the gossiping humans who were pointing in their direction.

To Stark, Hal, and Lilinette, it was the most annoying thing to be poked from afar like they were common animals. It made Lily growl when she heard a boy just out of her reach talking about them , "Yeah I know that chick."

"Dude she's hot."

"Yeah, I'd bang her."

"What about her frie-, Gah!"

"YOU BASTARD!" Lily began to wrestle the boy to his knees, and looked to his friend who was just frightened to death of the girl attack his friend, "AND WHAT'RE YOU GONNA DO PENCIL DICK!"

"AH! Nothing!"

"Hey don't run off!" It was only a matter of seconds before Lily's stuck her boot at the last guys ass and pushed him into a puddle before barking at him to get lost, which the guy gladly did following his friend who was long gone.

"Come on Lilinette, there's no time. I've already miss most of my classes." Eri replied softly trying not to laugh at her friends major temper issues as she took a quick glance down at her watch.

Just as she did though, the lunch bell rang, "Ah man, I missed already half of my classes because of this." The brunette whined, pouting slightly.

"No big deal, just tell them what happened this morning and you should be okay."

"Yeah. I know. If anything, we should go grab some grub." She advised just in time for the lines to get shorter, and for Lilinette to be happy with a large pork bun in her mouth, and two in hand.

While she happily ate to herself at Eri's art desk, Eri herself, and Stark set up the canvas they brought as a replacement, and set the paints aside for another session, "My teacher should be happy now."

"Right. And the painting came out…Very well." Stark wasn't sure how to put that, but the abstract painting came out unbelievable in all honesty.

"Yeah." Eri smiled, "It did. I like it." After getting another good look at it the two looked to one another with a smile, and helped one another bring it down to the ground, "So, how should we do this? Do we fold it, or…"

"Yep, fold it. Here, like this…Since it's really big, and the canvas is as thin as almost regular paper, you just take the sides like this….And like this…" After she showed Starks how to help her, the painting was folded.

But Eri handed it to Stark who just looked at it confused, "What…"

"Well you'll be going back to the house before me, so…If you don't mind, could you take it for now?" He didn't know what to say except smile and nodded before putting it behind his back just his belt and himself…

They all had a pretty good lunch together considering they were walking around most of the time besides stopping at the art room, but once Eri had to get to class the others left, but reminded Eri that would be watching out for her spiritual pressure to keep an eye on her.

She had no choice but to agree to it, and with that she was off to class, and zooming through them like no tomorrow. First there was math, art, history, and then last but not least…Dance class.

Once school was over, Eri went back to the classes she missed earlier and got the assignments to finish up later at home. She wasn't looking forward to it, but it had to be done, and once she was done with school, it was off to work!

Eri's day was more of a handful than she could've imagined. Every window, every corner, she thought she had seen something…When she was in class writing down notes for geometry she looked out the window for a second only to see a tree on fire.

She had to double take to find the tree was normal, just red and orange from the change in seasons…But that's not what she saw, it wasn't the colors screwing with her…She saw fire! The tree was on fire!

Just the thought of the flames back her gulp back as she held onto her steering wheel tighter. She was on the road in a matter of minutes just trying to keep her mind on other things like work since she was going to a very important company for this little number and she couldn't afford to screw up her career over a little old thing like this.

Okay so it wasn't little…

And it wasn't a thing…

Either way! She wasn't going to let it bring her down!

Getting back on track with her real life, Eri looked up at the street posts to find her exit and seeing it was coming up she looked in her back mirror to get over.

It was so far so good as she got over the first couple of lanes, but when she was about to merge over to get off her exit, she took one look in the rear view mirror and saw the laughing face of that man.

He was just laughing hysterically as he burst into flames.

Eri screamed startled, almost swerving right into BMW. Hearing the honk was the only thing that brought the girl back out her frightful state, and when Eri got the car more steady, she pulled over to the side of the road just off the way to her work, and looked into the back to find no one there…

Again, she was all alone…

Eri slowly turned herself around again, and slunk into her seat. She laid her head back as she cupped her face, a distorted look of sorrow covered her features behind her hands, and with a long inhale, the girl let her sobs escape her.

She let the fear swarm her heart, hoping in letting herself cry the feel of fright would disappear, maybe she could move passed it…

Once she could regain herself, Eri wiped the tears from her eyes, and attempted to look at her reflection in the mirror. She looked into her eyes for a moment, then closed them taking a deep breath, "Okay…It's okay…" She repeated that mantra over and over again until she felt more at ease to drive….

But just as she opened her eyes again to get a grip on reality…All that she did was thrown right out the window.

The man was still there…This time he waved at her, chuckling, I'm missing you bad babe. I promise dying is not as bad as it sounds…Once you get use to it He gave a high pitch laugh that sent a chill all the way down her spine. It wasn't even anywhere near pleasant, just pure fright filled Eri till her eyes couldn't stray away from his…

She couldn't even speak, Awe…You're mad at me…?

She only glared at the hollow, and sneered, "You're a monster…You should just give it up already…I'm never gonna die…Not by you…Never…" She wanted to sound convincing, but the hollow just boomed with laughter.

You're such a piece of work. Pretty too. I always knew you'd be up to my standards

"I'm at my own standards!" She rebutted bitterly trying not to shake as much as she felt herself doing. She tried so hard and yet it worsened when the hollow was suddenly chin to shoulder with her.

Eri gasped and clenched her teeth down from chattering as she attempted not to scream out in pain when he grabbed onto her arms through the seat she was in.

He could see her eyes screwing shut and her face twisting in pain, And yet you're still at my mercy…God you're such a fool! You'll never be able to get out of my grasp…Never!

"Don't make promises you can't keep…Taiyou." She knew how to grind his gears.

Which in returned she only got a wild grin that caused her face to fill with worry as he leaned into her ear and looked into her reflection in the mirror as he licked his lips with excitement, Oh…You know me all too well Eri… You KNOW I keep my promises…And to get a little taste…Here…We'll start with a test drive.

Pulling back harshly on the girl's sensitive hair, Eri yelped when he pulled her back and forced his mouth over hers…But not in a kiss…

It may have started out with touched lips, but as the hollow pulled away, it was shown to only Eri that Taiyou, the one she called Taylor was re-entering her body through her mouth.

Until he had completely vanished into the young girl's body, causing her skin to grow pale, and her eyes to blacken over as she screamed from the new invasion, but it was too late, when she had finally stopped screaming, her eyes rolled into the back of her head, and with her head laying against the steering wheel,, Eri was gone…

And she was on the side of the freeway, alone.

---

Back at the house it was already starting to pour cats and dogs.

Stark had went to bed in his room, and locked the door to finally get some much needed sleep. Since Eri wouldn't be home until later tonight, he figured now was a good time as any to get some shut eye, but still remembering to watch out for her reitsu for anything odd to come out of the ordinary.

But a couple hours after being home, everything seemed to be going smoothly.

Lilinette was actually leaving him alone for once….

BANG! "YOU'RE ASLEEP ON THE JOB!" She kicked right in the back, causing them both to fly onto the floor as Lilinette wrestled the coyote onto his stomach, still squirming, "Lilinette! Get off me!"

"No! You were suppose to be keeping an eye open for anything suspicious on Eri! If anything happens to her I WILL blame you, mostly." She assured getting off Stark's back finally so he could sit up and leaned his back against the pillows he called a bed.

He sighed, heavily, catching his breath before shaking head to regain consciouness, "All I wanted to do was close my eyes and have a few hours to myself. I didn't say I was going to forget about the girl." He reminded his fraccion of his duty as she sat there on his bed staring at him intently with her legs crossed…And now her arms "Well good, so then go call her and make sure she's alright!"

"Why don't you. You're the one that's more worried about her than I am. She isn't a child Lilinette, Eri's a big girl and can take care of herself." He tried to make her feel better about her friend being out in the world alone, but then again she really had nothing to worry about…

Well, she was at work…Right?

RING, RING! RING, RING!

Just out side of Stark's room, the phone suddenly decided to go off the hook, making both of the arrancars look to it before looking back at each other curiously as if the other was going to get it.

When Stark never made a move, Lily was glad to jump towards the door, and grab the phone with the click of the button, "Hello! Riko Residence!"

There was silence of course, and carefully Stark's began to listen in on the few words that Lilinette said, "Oh? No, she's not here. What do you mean she's not there?"

Another pause came.

"Yes. Yes. Okay, I'll keep you guys posted if she returns. In fact, I'll have her call you, no worries. Okay, good-bye." Stark heard the phone click again, and Lilinette appeared in the doorway, "Eri's not at work." She sighed worriedly.

"What?"

"Yeah, that was her boss calling to see if she was home, but as you can see-, THIS IS WHY I DON'T WANT YOU FALLING ASLEEP ON THE JOB!" In the blink of an eye the girl was whacking at the poor Primera's head, repetitively announcing he was a jerk.

"LILINETTE! LILINETTE I'M SORRY, OWE! OWE! STOP THAT! AH! EEK! ALRIGHT I'LL FIND HER! I'LL FIND HER!" Stark's was literally trying to scramble around and out of the room to avoid Lilinette's attack.

"You better! Damn it Stark why didn't you just stay with her!" Lily was on the verge of tears as she again began to call him names until they were out of the house with a few of the others that had heard their commotion.

Now, it was Stark, Lilinette, Grimmjow, Halibel all trying to look for Eri in the city.

They had to start somewhere. Anywhere Eri would go to hang out, eat, or even go to vent if she had to, but all the places failed when they found no trace of her.

"I thought you were suppose to be watching her Stark? What the hell!" Grimmjow spat as the group search from the high skies, but Stark was in no mood to answer him. He continued to have his eyes on the ground, scanning for anything out of the ordinary that could lead him to the missing girl.

Then, as they passed over the long freeways, and tunnels into Karakura, they noticed a vehicle abandoned to the side of the road with the same make and model of Eri's new car.

"There." The Primera called out and lowered himself far down to the ground until he could walk up to the car and peer inside of it.

Unfortunately, it was empty, with only Eri's things and her keys still in the ignition, "So, if this is…Her car…Where's Eri…?" Lilinette's voice was more than filled with fright, she was confused and devastated to see that her friend had disappeared without a trace.

She wasn't in panic mode yet, but her gut was filling with that sense of lost. She wouldn't think about no! She couldn't give up just yet, it was too early in the game.

They would find Eri, they just knew it, "Can anyone sense her presence better than the lazy ass over here!" She exclaimed.

"Hey!"

"I sense her, but she's back all the way up on highway 4."

"I'll go." Stark replied getting the others to look at him.

"Oh no you don't! You were the one that was-," Before Lilinette could finish her sentence, Stark was already gone, leaving behind the others in a cloud of dust for some reason.

It was just so unlike him to move so quickly that it left the others wondering, "The hell's his problem?" Again, the panther asked only to get silence from the two women.

Whatever had made Stark want to take off like that, it was obviously important for him to do so. He wouldn't have done it just out of the blue. No. He knew something had happened to Eri.

He had his mind set on one thing, and that was trying to find her.

Earlier today he thought he had complete control on tracing her reitsu… Until now.

He was still surprised to know that him of all people had just-, lost her. It was as if she was here, but her body was off the map. It wasn't right.

He felt like a dog chasing its own tail!

He never lost a sight of his own senses before, which had him believing that whatever was happening to Eri had to stop here. As much as Stark wanted to sit by let the girl take care of herself, she was obviously in need of help.

How could I have been so laid back about this situation? He thought lazily.

As he dashed above from the sky to buildings, he suddenly heard light gasps, and yells as he soon spotted a figure power walking in downtown, with no umbrella, no jacket, and apparently very distraught.

Everywhere she looked she jumped and screamed, running faster to get away from people that would simply pass her by.

Stark could see it was Eri, but he was only curious as to why she was so frighten, and why she was jumping at every face she came in contact with.

The Primera narrowed his eyes to her figure, and slowly lowered his reitsu when he found an alley to come out of. Since he was wearing a heavy brown coat, Stark hood his head from the rain, and watched Eri closely as to where she was going.

She apparently had no particular place since she was whipping around corners and pushing her way through crowds of people who were waiting for the light, "Hey watch it!"

Starks eyes went from observing to wide in miliseconds when suddenly a truck honked its horn when Eri stepped out into the street, completely oblivious to the green light that was for the vehicles heading straight for her!

Eri's eyes too widened frantically and she shook trembling, her hands raising to her face as she clenched her teeth tight for impact.

Nothing came. Just the sound of screeching tires, and a very angry drivers, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING I COULD'VE KILLED YOU!" The trucker screamed out his window. But Eri didn't stick around, she sprinted to the other side of the street even more frightened than before.

She was running faster and faster, to the point that Stark had to power walk after her, and jump up to the side of the buildings again to make sure he didn't loose sight.

Then, out of nowhere, Eri ran into a church. Since it was the only place that she could find silence, and nobody would find her, she knew she could be safe there…She felt safe.

Sure, she wasn't religious, but there was something about a sanctuary that made her feel at home. But this time was different.

Eri dropped to her knees the moment she passed the small bowls of holy water. She felt heavy, and sick. The rain that was once washing her face, was no sweat from the hot flashes that began to progress as she continued to crawl on her hands and knees.

She was panting hard, gasping for air, but it felt suffocating in the Haven. Her eyes grew wide with panic when she saw two people rising from their seats to see who was making the noise. Of course it was her, but as they looked at the pale woman….

All Eri could do was pant even harder, and give out an enormous scream in terror as she stared at the two. Their distorted faces, and glowing white eyes…

They just looked like demons to her…Everyone she looked at and everywhere she turned they were all demons screaming back at her…She could take it.

It was becoming too much, and finally with a lift of her hands…The girl released a bright orange light from her palms…

Eri's eyes leaked of tears, and with a release of her reitsu, her ball of energy burst from her, and at the two visitors who ran for cover.

Luckily, from the third mysterious visitor, he was able to redirect the attack into the side of the building.

The two innocent bystanders were scared but looked to the man revealed his face behind his hood.

Stark. He looked to the two, glared at them. He wasn't really meaning to, but given what he just witnessed, what else could he do?

"Go." He told the visitors, and without another word the two left in fear for their lives, and never looked back.

As for Stark, his eyes looked to Eri now.

For a moment, it seemed like she wasn't even there. It was as if her eyes were replaced with reddish brown ones…But they flickered between blue, fighting back whatever was in her…

Then, Stark felt it. It was faint but it was a sense of unknown pressure that had him glaring back at Eri…Well, her body at least, "Eri…?" He attempted to call her, to see if she would even respond, but all she did was pant and growl at him.

Stark took a few more steps towards her, until she was literally growling loud enough for him to hear, and as the primera kneeled down to her level, he stared directly into her eyes…

Her face was no longer the calm, or irritated feature he was so use to, but a grim and angry one that had him worried if Eri was even still in her own body.

"Where is she?" He asked with a low cold tone.

It made no recognition at first, but as it began to understand…It smiled deviously. Chuckling and then laughing in the coyote's face.

Stark made no reaction to it, but kept on staring until it answered his question, "Where. Is. She?" He asked again.

"Wouldn't you like to know…" Whatever answered, it definitely wasn't Eri.

It almost sounded like the whisper of a man's voice, but hollowfied. Well, it definitely answered his question though, and Stark's stared hard at the thing, "I would."

It laughed even more, "Awe, you care so much and yet you know so little. Too bad big boy…She's mine! MINE!" Just then, something really got the primera's attention…

A mask…It was faint, but it was so little he had barely noticed it before. It was just under her chin like she had scrapped it, and as he cupped the side of her face to see it, the hollow pushed Stark's hard into one of the benches closest to them, "DON'T TOUCH ME!"

Like a switch, Stark smirk to himself, and calmly raised himself to his feet, dusting himself off as he began to speak, "So that's what it is…She was so relentless to tell us what was going on with her, I was beginning to think it was just a regular hollow…But I see we're dealing something much more bigger than a mere hollow…You must be an Espada yourself to have been able to mask yourself for so long…"

The demon felt he was being admire and raised its brows with a big grin, "Well, I have been known to swallow and Menos or two, but ya got me all wrong…Primera…"

"Oh? And why's that?"

"Because I'm not an Espada…Just a really good hider." He laughed…

But then the laugh was cut off when its face suddenly went shocked, and Eri's body began to choke.

Stark watched in wonder, surprised by this abrupt out come of Eri falling back to have what looked like a seizure.

But in all truth, the real Eri was trying to rebel against her capture, "What…No! Eri stop this! STOP!" The hollows voice cringed foaming at the mouth, and crawling on its belly as it attempted to keep the girl tamed.

Stark just couldn't believe what was happening, Eri was trying to take control of her body again, and as the battle between souls dueled, the others burst through the door to finally catch up with the stunned Coyote, "Stark!"

The others walked closer into the church now to see Eri lifting her back off the floor, and clenching her teeth so tight her gums began to bleed, her nails were digging at the floor to the point on of her nails broke from completely from the skin, "ERI!"

Lilinette hands were at her mouth, she couldn't say anything to what she was witnessing. She was scared now. Her best friend was fighting for her life, and she couldn't do anything except pick up her cell to call The Urahara Shop for this emergency, "I NEED HELP! IT'S LILINETTE!"

"What's going on? And do you have to shout?" A voice replied annoyed

"YEAH I GOTTA SHOUT! ERI, THE GIRL YOU HAD US PROTECT, SHE'S IN TROUBLE!"

With one suddenly final scream, Eri used all that she had to push this hollow out of her body, and in repelling the beast, and dark substance flew out from any Orpheus it could.

Unfortunately, since Eri wasn't as strong as the others, the hollow only hid itself deep inside her body again, being put back where she had kept him once before. It was painful to feel him re-enter her body, but as long as the girl had her body back, she was happy.

She was strip of strength, and fell to the floor limp, panting, with tears flowing from her eyes as she cried once it was over…

Her body was shaking, now just from all the strength she mustered to keep this man tamed. Now, it was over…For now.

Stark was the first to approach, seeing that Eri was in shape to move.

She could barely breath still.

With the last bit of energy she had, Eri's now blue eyes looked up to the Coyote, his eyes soft, and concern for her…And all she could do was sob, "Stark…" She called meekly. Her voice was very dry, and rasped that it literally caused the Primera's heart to melt.

There was barely any life in her.

"Help me…" She gulped back trying to talk over her shaking, "Please…" This time, unable to hold back her fear, Eri's heart swelled and her eyes over flooded with tears…

She sobbed hard, and curled up into a ball on the floor, ashamed, "I'm sorry." She said hoarse, "I thought I had him…I thought-,"

"Shh…Don't speak…" Stark ushered her softly as he pulled her up into his lap, just enough where he could wrap his arms under her legs and back, and as he looked back at the others, Stark walked out of the darkened church to keep the proper help Eri so desperately need.

---

Chapter V: Timelines

---

Well that was fun! :3 at least I thought so. Some parts may have been fastforward through but then again I was up to 40 pages when I was done with it. So there you have it chapter 4! I hope the next you'll like just as much. I haven't really gotten any ideas for it yet, but I'm sure the title will give me something, unless I decided to change it lol until next campers! Siiiiing...Sing a SONG!