CH28-Niricame
Whimpering I crouch down onto the ground. She is losing control and getting stronger by the second. Nimbly she maneuvers around their attacks and teases them by pretending to cut them. I watch as she enjoys herself and dances circles around them. I jump up and yelp in surprise as I watch her send Aizen flying and prepare to kill Ichimaru, the joy gone from her eyes. Wolves love to fight, we feel alive when we fight, but we don't like to kill. No, killing is the last thing we want to do. I paw at the ground wondering what to do. If I knock her down she will attack me, if I don't she will kill Ichimaru and make it even harder to get out.
Movement out of the corner of my eyes makes me turn my head. I watch as Toushirou struggles to sit up and the fire disappears. I whimper as he gasps in pain and watch Kari as she goes rigid. Turning her head slightly she watches, eyes wide, as he gets up and looks at her. Fear fills his face replacing the pain. Stumbling back from Ichimaru I feel her struggle to regain control. I close my eyes and reach out to help her but am pushed back by the Bankia. I see the film leave her eyes and catch a glimpse of her helplessness as it returns.
Suddenly she turns and runs into the woods away from the clearing. I bark at Renji and Ichigo as they turn to follow her making them stop. "Renji, take Toushirou and Kari's body back to the Soul Society." I notice that Aizen and Ichimaru have left and ignore it, "Ichigo I want you to go home but keep an eye for Hollows." Shaking his head he stares down at me. "I'll go with Renji."
"Ok fine, Kenpachi has been looking for you lately." Hesitating he gives in and runs back to his house. I watch as Renji drags Toushirou and the empty body into the portal. Once they have gone I run after Kari. Scanning through the undergrowth I find that her scent is hard to find. Going through bushes wipes her scent away so I have to check the surrounding area. I look up at the sky and see the encroaching storm. I have to hurry before the storm hits.
Franticly I run over the ground with my nose on it. Shifting through every scent I search for one particular smell. I jump as a bolt of lightning flashes across the sky and like the flick of a switch rain pours down from the sky. Running I try to pick her scent before it washes as but just as I find one trail it ends at a tree. Whimpering I turn back for the Soul Society.
Soaking wet I enter the room where Toushirou lays still in his giaga. Renji looks at me expectantly and I shake my head sadly, "the rain came before I could get her trail." I look at the floor cursing myself for taking so long and for not doing anything to help her when I hear the slight thud of feet hitting the ground. "There's no pulse!" A soul reaper from squad four goes running out. I look up and growl at the now open window.