CH25-Confrontation
I hear Toushirou struggling to exit his injured giaga but finding it impossible in its weak state. Glancing down at my sword he smirks, "And what do you plan to do with that? Your little friend isn't here so what do you plan to do?" I stiffen at his comment but I don't look away. How does he know that I can't access Niricame's power if she is too far away? "I can easily defeat you." Surprised at the strength that rang clearly in my voice he looks closer at me. "We shall see about that." Coming at me I run to meet him, not wanting him to get anywhere near Toushirou. If I die he can move on, but he can't die because of me.
Our swords clash and I hear his roar but mine stays silent. Darn it Niricame where are you? Is she so far away that she can't even sense me? He increases his spiritual pressure, trying to knock me down, but I stay standing and do the same. Our spirit pressure matching I watch his brow deepen and a small laugh escapes through my teeth. Jumping apart we continue to just clash swords. Jumping apart for the umpteenth time he tilts his sword to the ground, "Very impressive but can you handle this?"
In front of him stood a complete copy of himself, smiling I lift my sword, waiting and ready for his attack. "You don't look surprised."
"I've heard about your little trick, it's very good. But can you control it and fight me?" I spit the challenge and the fake Aizen comes at me. This is way too easy he can't be serious. Easily blocking its attacks I slice my blade across it and after getting bored I end it by a quick pierce to the heart. A rush of air goes past me and I block a blow to my arm. Turning I watch in fear as he heads for Toushirou's defenseless body. Flash stepping like I was taught I catch up to him and stop him before he even swings. Putting all of my strength into it I push him away, but not far enough.
I can't fight here, not this close to Toushirou. My anxiety rises along with my desperation to keep him safe. Charging at Aizen I try to push him back but now my focus has been broken. Smiling he turns behind me and I barely have enough time to block. The force of the blow sends me rolling a good ten feet away. I raise my head and look for him. I find him standing over Toushirou, my body's throat already cut. "No!" I get on my knees cursing Niricame for running away.
Tears form behind my eyes and I force them to stay down. He lowers his blade slowly and it rests on his neck. My anger mixed with my anxiety and desperation makes my spiritual pressure go in and out. Obviously amused by my sudden lack of control he pushes a little harder making a small trickle of blood appear. "STOP!" I yell across the clearing straight at Aizen, cold blooded fury shines in my eyes. Fear glints in his eyes for a brief second, then he disappears behind a wall of flame. Toushirou now surrounded by a protective wall of flame I don't bother wondering where it came from or that the ribbon is turning from red to black.
I run across the clearing and leap through the fire to stand in front of Aizen, his hand burned by the flame. At that moment nothing mattered to me anymore, except his blood. My grip on my sword switches from defensive to deadly. All of my focus and attention goes towards my enemy and I feel my blood pump faster as I crave for the kill.