Would you love me if you knew what I was?

Chapter Eighteen: Stay with me

Damn…Only two more chapters till twenty. Holy. Crap.

Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Bleach. If I did, I would probably be able to buy the R. Apprentice series thousand times over. –sigh-

Listening to: You're not Alone (FF IX fan vs.)

By the way, if you don't like the anime Black Cat, then too bad there's a part that crosses over slightly.

Whoo my sister got me my books! I luv her… - huggles-

Sis: Get off, people are watching

Mana: Too bad, I'm hugging you anyway

Sis: -sigh-


Just when Reisha was about to go in on the battle at hand, she felt a spark of energy. It was faint, was clearly distinct despite the battle going on here between Archer and Daichi). A wide grin 'graced' her lips as she unsheathed her sword.

"Sir, I think I'll pay her heiress a visit…" she gave a small bow of respect," May I?"

"You may, Reisha," answered Daichi who had ignored Archer's surprised and demanding look," Play with her a bit, but don't kill her just yet. We want to see her suffer under that curse, right?"

Freeing one hand from the hilt of his sword, he snapped his gun out and shot at the escaping Reisha. Somehow, he got on shot at her in the leg but Daichi retaliated by slamming his own blade into his now weak defense.

"Shouldn't have done that to my partner, Arch."

"Yeah? Well call me crazy but did I just hear a word of worry coming from my once old teacher?" Archer spat and fell to one knee in spite of his banter. The pressure that was given off was too great in that one swoop," I'm touched."

"Oh, did I say that? Must be old habit," he shrugged and then gave it a thought. "But speaking of old teachers and apprentices, what about yours?"

Already, one black wing was stretched out. The other was already two-fourths of the way as well.

Archer cursed under his breath and pushed back up, ready to finish it soon.


Reisha flash stepped into a deeper part of the woods where the spark originated from. Walking around, she had heard the sound of a branch creaking from one side, grass rustling, and a twig breaking.

"Yumi," she cooed softly and drew her sword," Where are you now? You can't hide forever with the scent of blood on your clothing," looking down, she had even found droplets of crimson liquid on the grass that lead to a small clearing with a pond," Ah, a trail of bread crumbs."

She walked up to the small pond where the blood led up to only to see the once clear water stained into a crimson river.

Suddenly, her ear twitched in anticipation when she heard something like whispers or murmurs.

"If you think making a plan to get me away will help, then you are mistaken my dear Yumi," she grinned and walked up to the source of the sound for a better look," Now, what are you planning—"

"Carriage of Thunder… Bridge of a spinning wheel... With light, divide this into six… Way of binding No. 61: rikujōkōrō"

Within one second, six flashes of lights came through the trees and planted themselves deep inside Reisha's torso. She let out a growl after regaining the breath that was knocked out of her and looked around.

"Where the hell are you!?"

"I gotta hand it to you," said a voice somewhat echoing through all sides of the forest," Hell, if it weren't for that poison you gave me, I wouldn't have been able to do this."

"Do what?" she scoffed while rolling her eyes," scamp around the trees like a coward?"

"Mm, I don't think coward is the right word for it," Yumi sighed and then flash stepped right behind Reisha with her sword at her neck," More like practical if you ask me." Her eyes were slightly narrowed and violet eyes shone with a red tint that resonated with her somewhat turbulent reiatsu. Her opponent had noticed this as well as the fact that her sword was kicked out of her hands and into the deep end of the pond.

She smiled sheepishly and struggled to shrug under the spell of the surprisingly strong kido," Don't I get to say parley?"

"Ah – no." said Yumi with a cheery tone that spiraled down into direct speech," now tell me why you're after Archer and me so god damn much?"

"Oh, so you didn't figure it out yet? After all the times you've been tracked down?" asked Reisha, actually amazed at the girl's lack of knowledge on the subject. Yumi's eyes hardened as the pillars of light pressed even deeper into her. She winced for a moment but regained ground. "For you, it's quite simple. Our society is known for its trained assassins and you were just the unlucky person someone asked for us to erase." Reisha caught Yumi's eye and shrugged," I'm afraid even I don't know who had hired us. They higher up talk to the clients and then tell us."

"And Archer?"

"Ah yes, the prissy," she murmured gained a long cut on her arm," what the hell, I was kidding!"

Yumi rolled her eyes. "I don't think sarcasm is the best time right now."

"Speaking of time, you really want to know why we're after the kid?" she asked as Yum nodded. Reisha sighed but then a strange smile spread on her lips,

"So you really don't know. Archer was – is a part of our society: Aeon; also said to originate from another group named Chronos years ago. He was somewhat of an ancestor to that deserter as well and retained the name," she stated," Number thirteen: The Black Cat."


A small voice cried out to the distance.

The retreating back of a loved one never to return again….

Back in his home, now empty at the moment, he curls up on his bed, head resting on his knees and arms hugging his legs.

Despite knowing this would happen, it still hurt him to see Daichi leave. It was bad enough that Archer was now going to take care of his younger sister by himself, but he was hardly even able to protect himself.

The key in his hand felt like it was burned into his skin, leaving an imprint on his palm from grasping it so tightly.

"Onii-Chan!" called a small voice. A small figure opened the door to Archer's room and saw him on the cot. "Hey, do you know where Onii-Chan went, Archer-punn?"

Archer raised his head and made sure that his eyes were no longer red from being on the verge of crying. When looking into the girls chocolate brown eyes, he managed to grin almost sheepishly," Yeah, the knuckle-head went away for a while."

She tilted her head curiously for a moment. "Where did he go? Why didn't he bring us with him?" Archer motioned her to get on the bed as well. She took his extended hand towards her and pulled herself up.

"He probably thought we were too young for him to bring us." He answered with a shrug.

"But he's young too!" she whined with a pout and the crossing of her arms over her petite form," and besides, you're already nine!"

"And you're seven!" he pointed out while slinging his arm around her shoulder so that her back rested against his chest.

The girl growled and poked his side harshly," Seven and a-half!"

Archer rolled his eyes. "Oh, sorry for being so off in my years."

Somehow, in that one short conversation, the girl understood the thing that was bothering him the most and jumped off the bed while swiping the key from Archer's hand in the process. He let out a yelp of surprise when she suddenly punched his shoulder hard and then ran to the door of his room. Before leaving, she turned halfway and smiled weakly, almost hesitating in whatever she was going to say.

"Archer Nii-San. You don't need to protect me all the time. Even if Dai Nii-Chan is gone, I'll protect you too!" Then, she had left; simple as that.

Here he is, a nine year old boy who had been raised up from the bottom slums of Rukongai and was saved. He grew up with bloodshed and even trained with Daichi after he was rescued but he still could not bear fight someone.

Compared to the small girl that was hardly even his age, she never felt blood on her skin. She didn't even have the nerve to ever want to kill someone. But there she stood, knowing full well that her brother was gone and she was left to fend for herself with him. Saying that she'd protect both of them could be called laughable. But…

The room felt cold again as Archer actually began to feel tears streaking down his cheeks.

He was pathetic


Daichi hesitated for a brief moment as Archer took this chance to do a backhanded side cut with his sword. He managed to nick him near his ribs when they passed each other.

"You saw it didn't you." Said Archer raising the tip of his blade above his waist in a ready position.

"Resonance," he breathed and held his side to staunch the bleeding. "Same goes to you; did you see? It's pointless to keep trying Arch."

"Damn it Dai, snap out of it!" Archer snapped and narrowed his eyes once more.

Daichi simply sighed and took Akumu in his hand and let the one remaining wing spread even farther, causing more anger to surge through his opponent.

"Are you even listening?"

"It's not that I'm not listening," he sighed and shook his head," it's just that you don't understand."

"I don't understand?" Archer growled," What about her, huh?"

He froze and stopped to think about what he had said. Taking this opportunity, Archer continued," Are you just going to leave her behind when you promised us…her," he shook his head and thrust his sword into the dirt and put his gun back into its holster, making him completely open," If you still think that you can't keep that promise, end it now. If you do, then show it!"

Daichi tensed for a good long moment before grasping Akumo tightly.

He charged.


"What do you mean by the Chronos numbers? What do they have to do with Aeon?" asked Yumi, attempting to conceal her true curiosity on the information given.

Reisha sighed," There are the top thirteen in our group. Normally, we're numbered by the time we join, but the strongest in the group get the top numbers. Am I done yet?"

"What do you think?" she answered whilst pressing her blade harder against her exposed neck," After all the crap you've put be through, should I even let you off the hook?"

"Depends," a subtle smirk appeared on her lips," Can you even hold me in with your pathetic kido?"

As if on cue, the pillars of light embedded into her torso shattered into pieces and Reisha took this chance to punch Yumi in the gut. She growled but began to buckle over. Her spirit wouldn't be able to take the strain of the seal much longer.

"Ah, I almost forgot. We need you alive for the boss," she sighed but a wicked grin was apparent," Well, maybe just a little go wouldn't hurt." Reisha took her sword and grabbed Yumi by the collar of her robes and flash-stepped away.


"Leave," murmured Daichi, silver eyes glinting dangerously at Archer who remained frozen on the spot when the tip of his blade was just at his sternum. Daichi seemed to be struggling with something but it was hard to pin point.

"Dai—"

"Boss, I finished up!" Reisha appeared with Yumi slung on her back which caused Archer to tense. She saw this and laughed a little. "It wasn't really hard you know."

"Reisha," Daichi spoke with a serious tone that masked over his inner struggle. "Switch. You deal with cat boy and I'll watch the girl."

"Fine," she rolled her eyes but handed over Yumi to Daichi. "I better get something god for this then."

"But of course." He replied held her so that she was standing and her arms twisted behind her back. Yumi let out a pained grunt and winced. "Just don't take too long. The currents aren't going to be clear all the time."

"Damn, and I was hoping I could enjoy this." Reisha complained but drew her sword. "Oh well. So, let's have some fun, shall we?"

In a matter of moments, it ended up with Reisha's sword broken. As for Archer?

Almost every fiber in his body was screaming for rest and his reiatsu was down to a dangerous level. Not only was he drained physically, but mentally as well at Reisha's verbal assaults paired up with her swift attacks that he could just barely keep up with.

Archer struggled for breath at the amount of pain in his body.

"Archer, I want you to do something for me."

His opponent grinned sadistically as she brought her blade closer to his neck. "The poor kitty. The one simple task you were given and you couldn't even complete that."

He growled and used his gun to shoot her blade out of her hands and jumped a good distance away. "Shut up!"

"Eh? Alright but you owe me!"

"This is too easy," she yawned while continuing with her beating. Even without her sword, sharp claws were enough. Tainted Daemon blood ran through her veins and it was beginning to awaken Archers own bloodlust. With a shake of his head, he willed that side of him away. This distraction was all she needed and she made a thrust to his chest with threatening talons.

"So I will,"

He let a very cat-like hiss escape his lips as her hand was still embedded within his left shoulder…right near his heart. Yumi let out a cry of disbelief of pain before she was hit with the sheath of her captor's sword in the back. She fell to the ground with a grunt but kept her eyes on Archer. Silent tears streamed down her face.

"Archer…!"

She was crying…for his sake?

"When the time comes, I want you to remember this."

"Tch, pathetic," he said and stomped on her back, gaining a pained whimper. "Hey, why don't you scream? You're battered, bruised, and I'm pretty sure I've broken quite a few ribs."

Archer's eyes widened as his gaze snapped to the young girl worriedly, despite the great amount of pain when he shifted," Yumi…?"

"Reisha!" she barked despite her current situation. "I told you that this was my fight."

Reisha shook her head and made a small gesture of sarcasm," Ah, princess saves the prince. How romantic!"

"If you find something important to you, protect it to the end."

A hand gripped the claw so deeply embedded into his shoulder and pulled it straight out, ignoring the immense amount of pain that bloomed. Archer then took his gun and aimed it at Reisha's head. He took a shot but she just barely dodged. Instead, it hit her hairline and gave her a long cut. She screamed in fury and launched herself towards him, blood boiling.

"If it's someone you want to protect, don't let them die."

"Bastard!" she cursed and lunged at the Archer. His cat-like eyes bore darkly into her dark ones as he dodged with a side step and hit her in the gut with his knee with incredible speed. The blood of his ancestors pulsed through his veins.

Reisha pointed her finger to Archer and started an incantation. "Way of Destruction No. 33: Sōkatsui!"

The wave of fire was too quick and wide in range for Archer to dodge so he took a direct hit. With a yell of pain, he was engulfed in blue flames for a moment before being blasted into a row of now destroyed trees. Reisha grinned in victory and appeared before Archer. A smug expression remained on her lips.

The sight wasn't so good. His jacket was torn, slightly burned, and the whole sleeve of his right arm was torn off, bleeding and most likely broken. Archers black shirt had a thin slash mark across his chest added to the not completely closed wound in his shoulder. Along his face were streams of blood running from his temple.

She knelt down and leaned over so she was a breath away.

"It's a shame that you couldn't have joined us, Archer. Then we wouldn't have had to gone through with this," her hand went up to lips his chin and he hissed slightly in the jerk of movement in his sore body. "Any last words?"

"G…"

"Oh? You do have something interesting to say!"

"…" his eyes met hers in renewed resolve, however still wavering. "Go…to hell." Archer spit in her face.

Jeering away, she then backhanded the cat angrily and yelled," I'm the one supposed to go to hell? Me!?"

Her fist collided with his cheek

"It wasn't my fault that I'm like this!"

Another with a sickening crack

"Don't fuck with me!"

Turning around, she went to grab her broken sword and aimed it at his neck with a shaky grip

"No one understands what I've gone through, hell and all."

A swing of cold steel

"Reisha!"

"Archer!"

'Clang'

"Did you honestly think I would let you get away with that?" asked a sudden voice that felt unfamiliar to all but one person. Her strawberry blonde curls were lifted from the swift flash-step and silver eyes bore into Reisha's purple ones. A Fukutaicho's emblem was fitting on their arm and a picture of a daffodil was drawn on it.

"Rangiku-Chan…?" Yumi gasped but felt something like a whiplash when her captor lifted her up harshly by the wrist and deemed it necessary to knock her out by hitting a pressure point in her neck.

"Shit, someone found us." Daichi growled and pulled Yumi closer to his chest," Rei, open the gate!"

"Bossy," she hissed and cut open a door with her broken sword," let's go. I have a feeling they're after this missy."

Hurriedly, both went into the portal leaving Archer behind in a slumping position on a tree. It was two seconds later when a gate opened and out came Hitsugaya Toshiro garbed in his white haori and zanpakto strapped on his back. He ran over to Archer and bent down on one knee.

"If you're this beat up, then I can only assume you're not out to kill her, right?" he said, already checking on Archer's wounds. The one on his chest worried him the most, though.

"Her? Who are you…talking about?" he asked, coughing a little and growling from the pain all over.

"Miyamoto Yumiko. She's my subordinate and was sent here from Soul Society."

Immediately, Archer's temper flared to life and his eyes hardened. His hand went straight for Hitsugaya's throat as he held it in a surprisingly firm grip," You sent her here!? You idiot bastard!"

The snow haired captain winced for a bit before taking his hand on Archer's for a release that never came. "I wasn't the one that sent her,"

"Bullshit," he spat and dug his nails into skin," She would have been fine if you damn Shinigami hadn't interfered!"

Hitsugaya's eyes widened when it hit him," Daemon…"

Archer chuckled," How interesting that you know. But what good does that do? She's gone damn it…!" his hand loosened and just gripped his haori, staining it with a bit of blood.

He sent him a pitying look and moved his hand to his shoulder. "I don't know exactly what the Shinigami have done to those souls in Rukongai…but we're trying to mend that, understand. But I need to know: where is she?"

"…The rift. If the currents are still down you might be able to catch them. There's a separate route that only opens when the currents are on but they'll force their way through if they have to." Archer explained and leaned against the bark of a tree once more.

"Thank you," Hitsugaya nodded and called Matsumoto.

"Taicho,"

"Get this man to Captain Unohana but secretly. Don't tell anyone else and that includes Soi Fon and everyone else." He said and gave her a note. "Give this to her, alright?"

"Yes but…"

"I'll get Miyamoto, just go!" he repeated and called Soi Fon over to get to the gate. Matsumoto nodded and opened her own way into Soul Society and supported Archer by his shoulders.

"C'mon, let's get you fixed up." She said softly. It was then that Archer passed out from exhaustion and blood loss.


Daichi frowned when he saw the pathway hadn't been opened. It seemed like he would have to open it himself and it was something he really hated doing. He took his sword and readied it at one of the walls while Reisha watched for any uninvited guests. Everything seemed normal… Unless you count the red-eyed dragon coming straight for them from behind.

"Sit upon the frosted heavens, Hyourinmaru!" Hitsugaya called his blade as the icy spirit responded to it with a mighty roar, successfully stunning both Reisha and Daichi with its chilling yet majestic air. The chain end wrapped around Reisha's neck and flung her to the other side where Soi Fon and her Stealth Corps. Awaited. Now it was just Hitsugaya and Daichi.

"So, you're the captain I've heard so much about," said Daichi while narrowing his eyes. "I must say that your spirit is much more intimidating in person, but anyone can slay a dragon." He took his own sword and clashed with Hyourinmaru despite Yumi still in his arms. "Would you dare even try encasing me in ice when I hold your subordinate hostage?"

Hitsugaya barely suppressed a flinch at the mention of her and pushed harder against steel. Daichi smirked but that quickly vanished when Hyourinmaru circled around behind him and made a direct hit on his back.

"Shit…" he cursed and pulled away from the tenth division captain.

Yumi had been thrown from Daichi's grip from the force of impact. However, she felt chilling warmth encase her in mid-air just in time before hitting the ground.

"Miyamoto," a voice whispered, urgently but gently. It shook a little for a moment in worried but the owner quickly reined it in.

"Taicho…" she murmured hoarsely, unable to find her voice quickly as she coughed. Very quickly, both had found that some blood made its way inter her lungs causing her to cough it up. A small trickle of it ran down the corner of her mouth as Hitsugaya held onto her tighter and began making his way outside the currents while Soi Fon's Stealth Team finished off the rest of them.

"Hold on, I'll get you to Unohana-Taicho," he said, still attempting to keep his voice calm but his trembling grasp was denying him the right.

Yumi's eyes began to droop and her body grew lax," hurts…"

"No, don't you dare go to sleep!" he snapped and just exited, flash-stepping out and racing to the fourth division. The speed he was going at would make the Goddess of Flash proud. "I swear if you go to sleep I'll never forgive you."

"Sorry," Yumi continued but her eyes closed as the darkness caved in," can't…"

"Miyamoto. Miyamoto damn it!" Hitsugaya shook her slightly but got no response. She felt it, but everything was getting cold and numb. Was it from her wounds? Or maybe it was her captain's reiatsu spiking up every now and then. Yumi didn't know nor did she care. She just wanted everything to disappear because it hurt so much.

However, just before all her senses were lost, she heard something cut through all the pain for just a moment.

"Stay with me, Yumiko…"


Omake Theatre

Mana: I'm so evil

Ichigo: Well it's about time you got out of that arc

Mana: Ah shut up. You're supposed to be training!

Yumi: So…what's with the crappy beginning and lateness?

Mana: …honestly?

Ichi: -nods-

Mana: … A.) Family member died. B.) I'm swamped. C.) I have confirmation soon so I got even more work. D.) I have to go to the Hospital—

Everyone: wtf?

Mana: Oh, I say everything else but 'hospital' gets you?

Archer: Well it's not every day you go y'know.

Mana: Well I'm a nurse apprentice so that's why

Everyone: Ohh

Mana: -slaps forehead-

A/N: Sorry about the crappy parts with the italic. I wasn't feeling too good and plus some were done in separate parts. Like, I did the ending first and then when I got to a certain point, I just added it. Hehe, i'm so bad. -sweatdrop- Also, at the end when Archer's getting beaten up, he's thinking of the impact of Yumi's actions and Daichi's words a few chapters back (I'm losing count here). lol, hard to follow and late. such a bad combo... The pure italic part in the middle was my head going boom (I needed some kind of background check for Archer!)

Review?