Chapter 5: Friendly Sparring
Tora's stride was normal as she strolled to her room. Her verde eyes were locked onto her feet as if something was bothering her or she didn't have any confidence to hold her head up with. The few other arrancar that she passed kept their gaze on her, wondering why she was acting like she was a punished animal that done something wrong. It was almost the complete opposite of their wondering.
She wanted to know why she always lost to him. Why did she even pick fights with the espada that outranked her? Then after a while Madoka-hime would come protect her, making her feel . . . useless.
Pushing open the door that lead to her bedroom, she shut it quickly and stared at the mound of fluff that was to her liking. Like everything else in Las Noches, her room was white. Pushing herself, she walked over to the large circle bed, letting her body fall limp once she was close enough. Scooting up a little so she could curl into a ball, a content sigh escaped the arrancar as she was enveloped in softness.
In one swift motion the white canopy that was around the bed moved to encircle the bed, blocking out any light so the woman could sleep. Staring at the darkness that was around her, Tora's pale eyelids started to close over her green eyes that were the color of fresh grass. A small soft smile took over her pink lips, showing contentment.
The only reason is because I want him to see me for who I am, she thought as a blush colored her cheeks. She wasn't sure who else knew – maybe Madoka – but she may act like she hates the sexta espada when it was the exact opposite. She was udderly smitten with the sky blue haired espada that dreamed of being a vasto lordes at one time.
Just as the slightly sore arrancar was going to fall into a deep, peaceful slumber that was needed after a long day, she heard the familiar hum of the intercom. Glaring through her eyelids, she wanted to tear it out and toss it out into the desert of Hueco Mundo especially when she wanted to be left along.
"Tora-chan~! You've been requested to the throne room." Gin's voice rang out in a chime.
It entered her ears, making her grind her teeth together. Sitting up, the canopy that surrounded the bed moved away from the bed, like a curtain being pulled away from the window to let sunshine in, she slipped off the furniture. Storming out of the room that was hers, she growled like a feral cat for not getting her nap that she needed once a day.
As she sped walk to the large room, she muttered under her breath, feeling her nails sharpen a bit at how impatient she was. Narrowing her eyes until they were slits, she picked up the pace a bit. "This better be good Aizen-sama."
Slowing her pace, she soon stopped in front of two large doors that led to the throne room. It was the room where they usually talked to Aizen in private or groups, depending on the urgency and what it contained. Without having to touch the objects to rap her knuckles against it, the doors opened wide for her.
With her eyes softening to show that she wasn't impatient at the man that made her who she was today, she still felt that urge to curse him out for the interruption. He owed a nap to her now. Walking in, she stopped at the middle of the room, only to fall to her knee to show respect to the man.
"You wanted to see me Aizen-sama . . . Madoka-hime?" She exclaimed when she looked up to meet the gaze of the defected captain. When she saw her master sitting in the chair that was only for the man she thought wanted her with her legs tossed over one arm while her back rested on the other.
A quick laugh escaped Madoka, a sound that came out as smooth as ice to Tora, as she sat up in the chair that seemed a little big for her. Throwing her feet down to the floor, she stood and smiled. "It wasn't Aizen-sempai who called you here Tora-chan."
"What do you need me for Madoka-hime?" Tora's green eyes fell to the floor, waiting for the orders that her master would give her. Hearing the sound of silvery haired woman's feet take each step slowly, she looked up at the woman that had power over her.
"I'm in need of a spar that requires a friend to talk with while that is happening. Tora-chan will you be that person and friend?" Madoka inquired as she rushed over and grasped the arrancar's hands. Looking the woman in the eye, giving her famous wide-eyed plea, she gave a little pout to add to the effect.
Tora blinked and moved her head back so her master didn't seem so close. With a small smile playing on her lips, she answered, "sure Madoka-hime."
A small squeal came from the ex shinigami as she hugged the smaller arrancar. Pulling away, she squealed once more. "I just knew you would say yes if I asked you. You're a wonderful friend Tora-chan!"
Hearing the joy that was laced in the woman's voice, Tora gave a bigger smile. Feeling her hands be taken by her superior, she was taken to the desert of Hueco Mundo by the shinigami's shunpo. Looking around, seeing the dead branches of the trees, she still got a chill on the area. Turning her attention to the ex shinigami that was spinning around, she smiled.
With one last spin, Madoka turned to face that arrancar that she asked to spar with. A smile crept onto her lips, stretching them as her zanpaku-to was pulled out of its sheath. "Your turn Tora-chan and don't hold back on me. I want to see all you have in that body of yours."
The feline-based arrancar nodded as she reached behind her. Grabbing the hilt of her long sword, she let it out, showing the blade that could be thirsty for blood if its master wanted it to be like that. A smile found its way on the face of the arrancar as she charged at her friend, watching her do the same.
Without warning, the two females clashed, a shower of sparks falling to the sand. A dust trail that they left was dying down as Tora noticed the change in Madoka's personality. The joy that she normally saw in the dark sapphire eyes had hardened into gems that had that look of murderous intent in them if she wasn't careful. The usually cheerful smile was gone into a thin line that spoke of nothing.
Madoka shunpo behind her friend, bringing her zanpaku-to across Tora's back. Hearing the arrancar scream in pain as it radiated in the spot that was abused yesterday by the sexta espada. Watching the droplets fall from her friend's back, falling into the colorless sand.
"Sorry 'bout that Tora-chan. Answer this for me if you can. Why do Jaegerjaques and you fight again? I know it isn't a friendly one especially from the way he slammed your head into the wall —"
"Just shut up about that man! Just shut up! Grimmjow's just a bastard that doesn't know his place or the way he should treat others' subordinates. I've done nothing to him and yet he treats me like this! I'm nothing but trash." Tora screamed as rage filled her body. Why bring up the man that caused her pain yesterday? This fueled her attacks, blinding her along the way.
Madoka easily parried all the swings, a vacant stare in her blue orbs as she looked at Tora and her blade that she was swinging around like someone that was mad.
"Really?" She spoke finally, blocking an attack that Tora sent to her head. She gave her points for having the killing intent that all arrancars should have. "Grimmjow seems like he's always pissed whenever you're in the same room as him. It's unusual since I've only seen him like that with Cifer."
"That isn't my problem, it's his! I hold my head high to show that I'm proud to be your subordinate. If he doesn't like that, then he can kiss my ass." Tora yelled, only to yelp in surprise as her body was pushed to the sand. Looking at the dreary sky, she felt Madoka sit down on her stomach, feeling the gaze of the shinigami on her face.
"Maybe that IS his problem, who knows? He might just see you as a smug and arrogant person because of how you carry yourself. Who knows?" The sapphire eyed woman stated as a smile stretched her pale pink lips. "Seems the tiger has fallen to the rabbit this time."
Tora blinked, only to start her grumbling a second later, hearing her master laugh at her reaction.
It seemed like they were out there forever. While they were out there, Madoka seemed to fall asleep which lead to Tora picking her up and carrying her back to her room. Sitting her friend on the bed, and laying her down, she smiled. Even if Madoka was the laziest shinigami that she knew, she was still her friend and superior.
Shutting the door behind her, she shook her head a little with that smile still on her lips. Starting away from the slumbering shinigami's room, her green eyes caught with Ichimaru Gin's as he walked past her. He didn't say a word to her, which she didn't mind.
Stopping the female arrancar looked back when she swore she saw a pair of handcuffs in his hand, with a long chain between them. Shaking her head and a roll of her eyes, the brunette haired arrancar continued on her way, ready for the cat nap she wanted for the longest time now.
Longer chapter I think. How was the fight scene? Please review.