Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach!
A/N: My sincere apologies for the incredible and I do mean incredible wait in between the update of this chapter and the last one. This was never my intention, I knew beforehand it would be a long wait but real life has kept me from writing much longer then I had anticipated. I expect the updates will be coming at a relatively steady pace again. I'm not sure about a timeframe. One chapter may take me as little as a week while another may take me as many as six weeks. I still don't have much time to write but since I'll also be decreasing chapter length I should manage. Cause let's face it, 15k chapters is just too much of the good work! Expect my chapter length to be reduced back to somewhere in between five and ninethousand words. Which is basically the amount of words that I started with per chapter. Once again, I'm sorry for the wait, but I'm back.
Reviews:
Akuma-Heika: I'm incredibly glad you agree with on the fact of character bashing. I've hated it ever since I realized way too many writers on this site pick up on it the moment they come to realize that they do not personally like a character. e.a. Someone wants Harry and Hermione to be together (So yes my reference here is Harry Potter), this happens and the next thing that happens is that Ginny get's bashed to shreds basically because she's his original pairing and the author did not agree with the pairing that J.K. Rowling gave them.
Ichigo's Mask fragment consists of a pair of bone earrings with a sharp-looking teeth hanging from both rings. The one on the left slightly larger then the one on the right. His sword is basically Ichigo's orignal Bankai sword except it's about a foot longer and both the guard and the hilt are wrapped in cloth. And yeah, you're kinda right about his release. It is in Japanese when it should've been in Spanish a critical mistake on my part but one that's too late to correct now.
Now about the Segunda Etappa. On one hand I would like to add it sometime during the story on the other hand I might just not do it at all. The bleach Manga from the past months has grown increasingly more interesting yet at the same time increasingly more difficult to still see the clear ending of my story that I had in mind. A lot of things are al ready being changed and even more changes will be added in my legendary notebook. Nonetheless you will find out as the story progresses.
Lastly, thanks a lot for the reviews. If you have any more questions, always feel free to ask.
CollinatorGX: Thanks a lot. I've tried my very best at the character development in particular as it's always been the most interesting part about both writing and reading for me personally. I do realise Ichigo is way OOC by now and even at the beginning he was already, albeit less then he is now obviously.
RedandBlackBeads: I'm extremely glad you enjoy what I've done with Nel and Ichigo. I tried real hard to make it all seem natural and not forced and the more reviews I read about this particular aspect the more I'm starting to believe myself that I'm somehow succeeding in it despite the fact that I really do believe I could still do much better. Character deaths will (sadly) occur. More then you will like, more then I will like. Bleach is an anime serie that, in the end, always has a happy ending. Which is a good thing really. But I'm writing it my way and as much this is pure fiction and fantasy I want to write it as realistically as possible. There's a war going on. People die in wars. Lastly, the collaborate may continue someday in the future. For now it's on hold and I know me and my mate would love to continue with it yet for the time being neither of us has the time for this.
SeeKayO.o: I'm sorry to dissapoint but as long as Ichigo is an Arrancar the use of Bankai will not happen. I know many stories have implemented something like this, some of them even fairly good stories (the ones that I have read that is). But personally, I've gone a completely different way from Canon with my story. Yet at the same time I really am trying to stay somewhat close to it. At the very least in the way things work. Character relationships, known abilities, bankai, shikai, resurreccion etc. More Ichi/Nell will sadly, have to wait a while. But seeing the subject of the current chapters I'm sure you can understand. =P
maxtasy: You are right about the Japanese. I started with that because I hated the way techniques (for example Getsuga Tenshou), sound in English. And it sort of caught me and I started applying it way too much. But from here on out I can guarantee you that the only things that will be in Japanese are abilities. Meaning Shikai or Bankai abilities both, Kidou techniques. Also honorifics will be used in Japanese, obviously and possibly the Espada ranks which just sound way more badass in Japanese =P.
glon morski: I could write a giant wall of text here, commenting on everything you said but really I can summarize it in just a few words. That was (I think) THE and if not at least one of the most amazing reviews I have received for this story so far. Not only because you really do give me a lot of credit but you made it very constructive. You really did say what exactly you liked and how you would like things to go from here on out. Believe it or not, I do take into account what all of you, my readers, want to happen in the future of this story so long as it does not directly clash with what I have in mind for it. Thanks a lot for your review!
So Inclined: Thanks a lot. A memorable review.
the0espada: It depends on your interpretation of soulmate. But yes I do suppose you are right, when speaking of a soulmate people generally refer to the fact that their soulmate is the only person right for them in the world and that is that. Like two halfs of a puzzle. The only two matching parts. One isn't complete without the other. That kind of thing. I guess you caught me there. I not once hinted at something of such strength no, and while the Bleach universe would allow for something that strong to be molded into a story fairly easily I do not intend to go about it that way. I want it to be purely emotional, mutual understand, one would do everything for the other, the other's happiness and their life is more important to you then your own. That kind of thing is that I'm looking to achieve. But not yet. Maybe not even for a long time to come. But there it is, the kind of thing that I have in mind for Nel and Ichigo.
darkmachines: Tesla may or may not be dead. Cirucci still lives and is trapped within the dome of fire. I doubt a bit of water could dowse the fires of Ryuujin Jakka, but that is just my opinion and how I will go about it in my story. Yammy, in this fic is only the tenth Espada, there is no zero Espada. I never liked the entire concept of it.
Chapter 18: Every War Takes it's Toll
A small frame was huddled in a dark corner of a dimly lit room. The light originated only from a small square window at the very top of the wall opposite of the small bundle of robes that appeared to be a person. It was night outside and only a small part of the moon was visible through the small frame of the window.
Mere hours ago the streets outside had been lively for that particular time of the day. Too lively. People running about in a hurry. Not just a few. Not just ten. Nor just a hundred. It might as well have been thousands. None could know for sure. Nor could the person that was huddled in the corner possibly know.
His...
Or was it her?
It's face obstructed from view, only it's black hair that hung loose around the side of it's face could be seen, even if only barely. Black hair, seemingly merging with black robes.
It was quiet. Now it was. Too quiet. Much unlike some hours ago. This place. It wasn't often loud. But nor was it ever truly quiet. Just today. It had been both already. An omen. Perhaps?
A giggle.
The person. It had raised it's head. Not it though. No, her. She had raised her head and looked around. Yellow eyes. Bright and yellow. She looked menacing, as she stood up.
Her finger. Seemed to touch the air. And then...gone. Swallowed up by the darkness of the room. Gone. Yet...there was one last point of notice.
They weren't robes. Black, yes. But not robes.
Shihakusyou.
Shinigami.
The explosion that rocked throughout the desert of Hueco Mundo was unreal. Almost all combatants, Shinigami and Arrancar alike instantly decided to continue their battles far away from the two clashing forces of reiatsu.
A wise move, Aizen thought. Right now the only two battles still going on in the vicinity of Ichigo were the battles between Starrk and Ukitake and Nel and Kyouraku. Probably the only two battles that would stand a chance of resuming their respective battles without being bothered too much by what was going on around them. Nonetheless, it would be a wise move for them too to seek a safer place to do battle.
Ichigo had progressed at a rate that not even Aizen had expected. Right now he was a force to be reckoned with and he hadn't even come close to reaching his full potential, of this the ex-Captain was sure. He would be careful not to become too trusting, too dependant on his strongest soldier. After all, too much trust could be a dangerous invitation for betrayal.
Regardless of Ichigo's strength however, the opponent he was facing was not one that anyone should ever take lightly. In Aizen's eyes it was only this man and one other that were the only two true obstacles standing in between himself and his final goal.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto hadn't been the Captain-Commander for over a millennia because he was someone that could be taken lightly. Aizen was confident that he could beat the man. But not because he was necessarily stronger no, as a matter of fact Aizen was sure that between the two of them, Yamamoto certainly had the upper hand when it concerned raw power.
He was uncertain though, if Ichigo could beat the old man. Personally, he had his doubts about that. But in the end, Ichigo had surprised him more then once. Had done things he shouldn't have been able to before. He would not let the young Espada surprise him again.
"Utae.."
Kyouraku's eyes narrowed when Nelliel's Zanpakutou started glowing a dark black colour and a purple haze was starting to emit from it.
"…Gamuza!"
A bright yellow flash blinded him albeit briefly before the storm that Kyouraku now knew was the power of the TerceraEspada broke loose.
Her spiritual energy exploded outwards, forming a dome-like shape all around her. Dust, sand and debris was blasted away from her violently, causing many a Shinigami that had been foolish enough to be as close as they were to be crushed by the unrelenting force that was Nelliel tu Oderschvank. A large explosion resounded far too close to them for comfort at the location on which he was sure Yamamoto was fighting the Primera Espada. The impending danger however was instantly put in the back of his mind as Nelliel's reiatsu skyrocketed once more. A raging typhoon of sand and dust largely obstructed her from view and the only thing he could really make out amongst the chaos in front of him was a single pair of bright crimson red dots, presumably eyes, staring right at him.
One last surge of power required Kyouraku to cover his eyes and head to protect himself from the obvious danger of her resurreccion before it suddenly died down, revealing her released form for all to see.
His jaw almost dropped.
Gone was the cartoonish skull that was once adorned so nicely on her kind face. Replaced by a skull mask eerily similar and yet completely different. It's large eyesockets gone, replaced by thin, wicked slits with a pair of large, curved and extremely sharp-looking horns. The general design had remained the same except everything looked somehow more threatening. To top it all off, the slits that were now it's eyesockets glew an eery red.
The light brown eyes that had earlier looked at him with kindess, compassion and a mutual understanding, but also with fierce determination and one time, rage, were gone entirely. The iris and pupil in both of her eyes had vanished completely. Causing her to look at him with eyes that said nothing, that were empty.
The rest of her face was covered as well by a large fragment of mask that had sprouted from the sides and back of the skull on her head. It looked wicked and animalistic as it covered the sides and back of her head as well as extending in front of her face, covering her mouth and the majority of her nose. Only a small part just below the back of her head was opened up, allowing her hair to spread out onto her back.
Two exact replicas of the skull at the top of her head could now be seen sported on both her left and right shoulder. Green and orange were the colors of their eyesockets.
Her hands, legs, feet, chest and shoulders were all covered up completely. The only skin still visible were her arms, stomach, neck and a little bit just around her eyes.
She was wielding a Daito with a triangular shaped guard that was significantly longer then his Katana. The Daito was pitch-black with what appeared to be stains of red at the edges. Wether they were real, or just for appearance sake, he truly did not know nor did he really care.
One last thing he noticed was a Kanji on the forehead of each of the skull masks on Nelliel's body. From left to right to her head the Kanji's stood for: Compassion, Reason and Sanity.
Nel raised her head, still getting used to the all too familiar feelings that awakened within her every single time she used her resurreccion. Primal instinct, the hollow within her crying out for blood. She knew she could control it just fine though.
Yet, she was also well aware that dragging out the battle too long could only prove dangerous for every single person on the battlefield including herself and her friends.
Looking Kyouraku in the eyes, she spoke. "No more games." Her unearthly voice surprised her and it took her a second to realize that it was her own.
She charged.
Relief had flooded her very being when she realized that Ichigo was still alive. Seconds later, dread had consumed her almost entirely when she feared for the Captain-Commander's life and their impending defeat in this war. She was glad Ichigo was alive and fighting again. She was glad Yamamoto was not nearly as wounded as she had feared he was. But above all she once again feared for Ichigo's life.
"Rukia!" A panicked voice called out in what she interpreted as fear.
She did not even get enough time to realize why the voice sounded so panicked or who it belonged to as something impacted with her head, sending her flying. Looking up, mid-flight she saw the enraged form of Grimmjow speeding after her, making her realize she'd been a fool to lose focus.
Gripping her Zanpakutou tighter she stabbed it in the ground below as she flipped over, using both her Zanpakutou and her feet to skid to a halt. Raising her gaze she met Grimmjow's all too soon, him being no more then a handful of yards removed from reaching her.
Rukia grinned, holding her Zanpakutouupside down.
"Mae, Sode no Shirayuki,"
She could clearly see Grimmjow's eyes narrow in response, it was too late though.
"Some no mai, Tsukishiro!"
A large glowing white circle instantly appeared around Rukia. She was sure without a doubt that this was one of the largest she had ever produced. Looking back at Grimmjow who was currently making a slashing motion with his Zanpakutou directed towards her neck, clearly full of rage of the earlier beating he had received at the hands of herself and Hisagi she saw a slight glimmer of fear in his eyes, not knowing just what Shirayuki'sability was going to do.
As the large pillar of ice shot up from the ground dozens of yards up into the air Rukia heard a soft sound that she could not immediately identify. Nonetheless, it didn't matter their was a fair chance that she had just ended this fight and leave herself, Hisagi and Renji to help the other Captains. And even if it wasn't finished just yet, Grimmjow would be severely wounded. Tsukishiro was, in the end, her Shikai's most powerful ability. It's use was just somewhat limited and situational, the ability was easy to dodge if one wasn't coming at you at full speed, that combined with the long incantation left plenty of warning for any opponent to avoid it, especially if they had already seen it before.
Dispelling the ice, she was once again warned by a panicked shout of whom she now realized was Renji. Turning around she quickly shunpo'd away. Knowing that this time Renji would have acted. Not disappointing her she soon after heard Zabimaru impact with the ground below.
As she arrived back where Renji and Hisagi were both retracting their thrown Zanpakutou she quickly noticed Grimmjow had halted on the middle of what they had come to realize was their private battlefield. He was intently staring in the direction of where she could clearly feel an immense increase in reiatsu. Not even giving her a chance to understand how he had escaped her attack unharmed she looked over in the same direction and saw who she thought to be Nel covered in a dark black mist mixed with a purple haze.
No more but a second later, the mist exploded outwards completely obstructing anything and everything within a five yard radius from view. Nel's reiatsu was skyrocketing higher and higher with each passing second. Rukia was certain it was quickly becoming almost twice as high as her original amount. Her jaw dropped slightly as she thought she knew now just why Nel was the Espada that was granted the number three.
Slowly but surely the mist cleared and when it was entirely gone, the sight that she got to lay her eyes upon her made her eyes widen considerably. She could not believe that the figure she was looking upon, the figure standing opposite of Kyouraku was the kind hearted Arrancar that she had gotten to know as Nel. The eyes atop her mask glwoing an eerie red, her cartoon like mask had changed so drastically that it looked extremely intimidating, going as far as to cover her entire face except the upper part of her nose and a small area beneath her eyes. Two more of these masks were placed upon her shoulders and almost her entire body was covered in armour that looked way too similar to those frightening masks. On top of all that she wielded a black Daito that appeared way too large for a woman such as herself, larger even then Kyouraku's Katana which was considered well above average length. Rukia could spot no scabbard or anything as such. Just a single plain black sword contradicting the bone-white colour of Nel's resurreccion.But what frightened her above all were Nel's eyes, gone were the beautiful, kind and compassionate brown eyes, replaced by wicked eyes with no pupil, no iris, just plain white eyes.
"Tch. So it's true after all." Rukia was distracted by Grimmjow's voice who, as she turned to look at him, was looking at Nel with an irritated expression on his face.
When Grimmjow turned to look at her she questioningly raised an eyebrow.
"That woman," Grimmjow explained as he pointed a finger to Nel. "None of the Espada ever believed she was worthy of the rank of Tercera. She was powerful for sure, stronger then me I know that!" He almost shouted out the last part in fury. "Yet third-strongest? Many people doubted that to be true. She was too kind-hearted." He grinned, his grin soon turning into a chuckle, his chuckle becoming a soft laugh and his laugh quickly turning into outright maniacal laughter.
"Which makes this even better! Kind-hearted Nel Tu, becoming the complete opposite of everything she is and stands for! It's ironic, it's crazy it's... inspiring!"
Loud bangs and swords clashing could be heard from where Nel was fighting. When she noticed Grimmjow looking over, grinning like a maniac she could see Kyouraku was actually bleeding. Kyouraku one of the most powerful Captains to have ever lived seemed to have met his match.
Returning her gaze to Grimmjow she felt his maniacal grin becoming somewhat intimidating.
"This guy is something else Rukia, he reminds me of Zaraki." Renji's voice spoke up from her left.
"He does indeed, from here on we should tread carefully. He is number seven, so there are 6 stronger then him, but also three weaker then him. He has proven he's a force to be reckoned with by surviving two very powerful attacks. Stay together, focus and find his weakness!"
Loud laughter interrupted them as they found Grimmjow roaring with laughter, throwing his head back in the air.
"A weakness?" He spoke in between laughing. "I am the king! I have no weaknesses. This where you'll die Shinigami, let me show you the true power of an Espada!"
Holding his blade horizontally by his side he laid his finger nails on the blade. Once again, Rukia could feel the ground starting to tremble by the increasing power from the Espada in front of them. Sand was rising up in the air, the blade started to glow a bright blue color as Grimmjow's grin only widened with every passing second that the sound of his increasing reiatsu was muting all other sounds around them.
"Kishire,Pantera!"
Quickly whirling around she saw the panicked faces of Renji and Hisagi shouting something at her. But she couldn't hear. Before the sandstorm that was caused by Grimmjow's increasing power reached it's climax and covered both herself, Renji and Hisagi completely she faintly saw Zabimaru starting to glow a bright red colour. Renji was using his Bankai, it appeared. Rukia however refused to use her own. Not yet.
When the sandstorm lay low again and she found that she was being carried by the huge form of Hihio Zabimaru her jaw dropped as she laid eyes upon Septima Espada, Grimmjow Jaegerjaques.
Ggio dodged another horizontal slash at his midsection and quickly sonido'd away knowing the blonde-haired Shinigami that introduced herself as Matsumoto Rangiku was behind him, ready to take advantage of his compromising situation.
Reappearing behind Kira he slashed at the lieutenant-Shinigami only for him to turn around and parry his blade, smirking. Before Ggio had a chance to wonder why Kira had smirked so obviously he had could feel his Zanpakutou was being pulled to the ground. Refusing to give in he redoubled his efforts to raise his blade and as he saw Kira aiming another slash at his Zanpakutou rather then at Ggio himself in a situation such as this, where he was wide open, he knew enough. He quickly Sonido'd to a safe distance again.
"That was a mistake, Kira Izuru," Ggio stated flatly, still having trouble adjusting to the new weight of his Zanpakutou.
Kira's eyes narrowed every so slightly as he spoke. "Quite the arrogant one aren't you? Whoever says it was my intention to…"
"That's exactly what I'm referring to," Ggio interrupted. "You call me the arrogant one but you're the one who thinks that I don't know exactly what you were trying to do. The moment after my Zanpakutou touched yours it became severely heavier which honestly I could think of half a dozen of reasons or techniques that may appear to have such an effect. You only gave yourself away when after that instead of trying to use the opening you created you directed your attack straight towards my Zanpakutou again, intending to assure your victory I'm sure."
Kira's eyes widened as realization dawned upon him but he quickly regained a neutral look on his face. "Maybe so, but no man can fight effectively with a sword that is twice as heavy as it normally is. My Wabisuke will double the weight of anything it cuts. We may not yet have won but for as long as you're using your Zanpakutou we won't be far from it either."
Ggio looked down to the ground as he went over Kira's words. Turning his head around he saw his master, Ichigo, in his resurreccion fighting his very hardest against the Captain-Commander of Soul Society. A veteran Shinigami with over two millennia of fight experience and it seems he was actually holding his own quite well. Ichigo was Ggio's prime example of what a true warrior should be like. And it was Ichigo that once more inspired Ggio.
"You may be right," Ggio started. "But my master has taught me better, he has taught what it is like to be a true warrior."
Both Kira and Matsumoto's eyes narrowed to slits when they heard Ggio utter the word master. "So Aizen has gotten his pets to call him master now has he?" Kira shouted. "You Arrancar are…"
"Aizen!" Ggio called out, chuckling softly. "No, not Aizen. He may be my creator but my master is not what I would call him. It doesn't matter. Regardless..."
"A warrior's strength is not defined," Ggio spoke as he loosened the grip on his Zanpakutou until it dropped to the ground. "By the sword that he wields."
Kira and Matsumoto looked at each other, both clearly wondering whether this Arrancar was either far more powerful then they had thought, far more arrogant then they had come to believe or had simply lost it's mind.
"But," Ggio continued as he raised his head, "By his determination for victory and his reasons for fighting!" Ggio shouted out as he disappeared from view, reappearing in between the two Shinigami and knocking Matsumoto to the ground with a backhand while blocking Kira's swing by grabbing him at the upper arm before send him flying too with an uppercut.
Quickly turning around he was just in time to Sonido away from the ash-cloud that Matsumoto had already send his way. Turning around he had time to spare to duck, making Kira's swing pass right over his head, leaving the Shinigami wide open, yet again. Grabbing the man by his fist, ensuring that he would not swing his Zanpakutou at him again, he pointed his finger at Kira's chest and started a charging a Cero.
Fear was evident in Kira' s eyes as he used his unoccupied hand to pummel Ggio's head which, protected by his mask, barely affected him. An increase in reiatsu behind him however distracted him, without looking, he was confident he knew what was coming and stopped charging his Cero, once again vanished with the use of Sonido. Reappearing at ground level he found that he'd been right as Matsumoto was only just in time to stop her ash-cloud from harming Kira.
He realised that, while he was definitely taking the fight his way, even without a Zanpakutou, chances were high he would be unable to defeat these two Shinigami together if he continued like this. Something had to change and he thought he might have a plan, even though it had it's risks.
Looking up, he saw Kira appeared to be chanting an extremely complex Kidou spell. He knew it was Kidou because he recognized it from everything Ichigo had told him about it. While Matsumoto had her eyes closed and her Zanpakutou at the ready.
He decided to go for his plan the moment Kira finished his chant.
"Bakudou #62 – Hyapporankan!"
Ggio sped off towards his destination as a glowing blue rod appeared in Kira's hand which was instantly thrown towards Ggio. Looking at the rod he surmised that if he kept running at this speed it would land slightly behind him. His eyes widened, when the single rod quickly turned into dozens that he, undoubtedly would not be able to dodge if he kept his speed at this level.
Using Sonido, he reappeared about twenty yards ahead of himself and was only just in time to halt, dodging a rod that landed right in front of him. Jumping to the side he dodged two more and with a final Sonido he reappeared another fifty yards ahead of his currently location, only ten more removed from his destination.
As he kept running he looked behind his shoulder once more, this time to discover that another few dozen rods were coming at him. He was too late, he couldn't dodge them anymore. Using Sonido once again he reappeared five yards ahead of his previous location yet he realized he had not gotten far enough when he felt something impact with his left shoulder, his face hit the ground and he grunted in pain when several more rods pierced his body. Pushing himself up he managed to get back into a standing position just five yards away from his destination. It was then that something entered his field of vision yet again. It was greyish and blurry and sped towards him too fast to dodge, he would not be able to dodge it at his current speed, he tried to run, but lost his footing and fell down as Matsumoto's ash-cloud finally impacted in his back.
Nel could clearly see Kyouraku raise his guard as she charged at him. Within seconds she arrived at his location and swung her Zanpakutou diagonally at his chest. He reacted by sidestepping her assault resulting in Nel twisting her foot and aiming a backward kick at his chest which connected, sending the veteran-Captain skidding a few yards across the dessert.
She did not pause as she Sonido'd behind him and thrust her Zanpakutou towards his exposed backside. Kyouraku reacted with skills only obtained by centuries of experience; he turned around and pushed her blade of course causing it to miss his side by mere inches. This move however left Nel wide open and was quickly taken advantage of when the usually good-natured Captain swung both of his Zanpakutou at her horizontally from two different directions, one going for her neck and the other for her abdominal region.
Nel, still having to get used to the new reflexes and speed that came with the resurreccion that she had used only once before, was forced to improvise and could only hope she would come out okay. She ducked ever so slightly at about the height she knew the higher Zanpakutou would pass over her head, then pushed her feet off the ground and twisted her entire body in such a way that the two Zanpakutou passed both over and underneath her respectively.
Landing again, she saw Kyouraku's eyes widen ever so slightly, indicating his surprise. Now however, was not the time to pat herself on the back as she instantly went back on the offensive and swung her Zanpakutou horizontally at him once more. Kyouraku, still struggling to regain control of the speed that his Zanpakutou had created when he had hit nothing but thin air, saw no other option but to jump back. Sadly however this didn't prove as effective as he had hoped and he grunted in pain when Nel's attack grazed his chest. Had he been any slower in reaction, that attack would've turned the tide of their battle in the Espada's definitive favour.
Nel would not give him a chance to turn the tide of the battle against her again. With renewed vigour, knowing the attack that she had just landed against him could cost him victory in the end even if he managed to turn the tide yet again, she attacked. She launched a flurry of incredibly fast attacks at the Shinigami-Captain that forced him even further on the defensive. Nel quickly noticed that he had trouble defending against her assault even with the use of two Zanpakutou.
"Eh, Nel-chan…" Kyouraku stuttered, trying his very best to defend against her assault. "Why don't we take it easy for a second, this isn't…" His words were cut off however when she managed to cut him deeply in one of his upper legs. He had to bite back a groan of pain and decided he had to get his act together as he shunpo'd several dozen yards away.
Much to both his surprise and relief, he noticed Nel was still standing at the exact same position where he was before he shunpo'd. He had to admit it though; he had been interested in seeing an Arrancar's resurreccion and had wondered whether it was any similar to a Shinigami's Shikai or Bankai. He heard it was. But so far he had not spotted a single new ability yet the increase in her power, speed, agility and general reflexes was astounding. He was certain that right now, she matched him in most if not all and even exceeded him in some.
What surprised him most however was neither the increase in power nor the increase in speed. What surprised him most of all was just how incredibly ruthless her assaults had been. The previous, unreleased Nel had been strong, fast but both her way of attacking and defending had portrait a certain measure of respect for the other combatant. All of that was gone, right now she was fighting for blood, she was fighting to kill. She had not spoken any words other then 'No more games' at the very beginning of their resumed battle and thinking back to that unearthly voice of hers now, Kyouraku realised he was rather glad.
It was time for him to get serious too. He had to admit that he doubted he could ever possibly defeat her like this but he still had two aces to play. And if this was all that her resurreccion had to offer he had to admit to himself that the battle was already over.
Meeting her narrowed eyes, he mimicked them. Getting back in a battle stance, he slowly spoke.
"Hana kaze midarete, kashin naki, tenpu midarete, tenma warau, KatenKyoukotsu!"
(When the flower wind rages,the flower god roars, when the wind of heaven rages, the god of the underworld sneers. Flower wind rage and flower god roar, heavenly wind rage and heavenly demon sneer.)
A bright flash blinded Nel who had to close her eyes. When the flash passed and she opened them, the Eighth Division Captain stood there holding a pair of heavily curved, black Scimitars with silver edges. Each of them sported a long red tassel dangling from the end of the hilt and despite the fact that they appeared perfectly identical Nel could still make out their difference in size. This most likely meant that one was still meant for speed strikes while the other was the power-house out of the two. Just like before he had released them. Nonetheless they remained an impressive sight to behold.
Deciding she had waited long enough, she charged. Within a second she was already halfway to the Captain's location but he quickly reacted by holding both blades in opposite direction and rotating at an extremely fast speed causing two large blades of what Nel guessed would be wind to speed towards her. The two blades were almost completely connected and she managed to dodge them only by jumping up into the air. Yet one of her feet still got caught by one and it felt like it wrapped itself around it. She quickly retracted her foot but she had clearly felt dozens upon dozens of small stings that indicated it was indeed a wind-natured attack.
Landing again, she stumbled slightly, having to readjust her weight to her wounded right foot before she continued her charge. She could clearly see Kyouraku assuming the same pose again with both blades held in opposite directions. Deciding upon a plan she jumped as she charged a Cero with her unoccupied hand. As expected, Kyouraku altered his pose slightly.
"Bushogoma."
The Captain spoke and another set of wind blades that quickly connected together in a tornado-like figure sped at her. Smirking she released her Cero before it got too close and the resulting explosion caused her to be blasted downwards as Bushogoma passed over her with plenty of room to spare.
Yet again stumbling slightly on her wounded foot because of the harsh landing she quickly regained her footing only to find that the Captain was already coming at her. He quickly swung his Zanpakutou and forced Nel on the defensive for the first time since she had released her resurreccion.
"You're the first to be so quick to evade my Bushogoma," Kyouraku stated, still assaulting her viciously. "Then again, it may have something to do with the fact that it doesn't look all that dangerous but in reality it's speed and damage exceeds that of most attacks that I know. It's far harder to dodge then it looks is it not, Nel-chan?" Kyouraku somewhat tauntingly stated, obviously referring to her foot.
Nel reacted by dodging another swing and parrying a final one before jumping backwards slightly and kicking him in the chest sending him skidding a few feet, creating some distance and allowing her some room.
"Don't become arrogant now, Kyouraku, it doesn't suit you!" Nel's unearthly voice called out angrily. "This battle is far from over and you know it, start by drawing some actual blood other then a few scratches on my feet and see your own arrogance justified!"
Readying her blade in a battle stance she charged again.
Kyouraku realized now that Nel had indeed become a completely different person the moment she unleashed her resurreccion. It was a shame because he was sure that in another world, another time and if they weren't separated by the Shinigami and Arrancar boundaries, they could've gotten along well. Narrowing his eyes, he got ready to end this once and for all.
"Very well, Espada-san,"
Getting back in a battle stance he waited for the right moment, the moment he knew he should strike, the moment that had come all too fast. With regret he spoke the final word that he knew would end this battle.
"Takaoni."
When Nel had almost reached his location he took two long strides, pushed off from the ground and prepared to jump over her.
Nel smirked as she swung at the form passing over her head; her smirk faltered when she realized she didn't hit anything and saw a single Scimitar coming at her. Altering the course of her blade she was only just in time to parry.
Nel screamed out in agony as their two swords clashed against one another. Nonetheless a large and deep wound appeared in between her neck and shoulder, exactly where the blade would've struck had she not parried it. Her legs could no longer hold her and she dropped to her knees before they gave out too and she fell down on the ground entirely. Her world went black.
A/N: Seeing as you have arrived at the end of the chapter I say, thank you for staying with me despite the incredibly long wait for the next update. Minutes after I finish writing these Author Notes I will start working on the first paragraph of the next chapter and I expect, (READ: "Expect") the next to be out within two weeks. Chapter length will be similar, possibly somewhat longer but definitely not shorter.
~Bruuz out.