What A Mess!
Eight hours later brought Ichigo a headache. A big one, with red hair and tribal tattoos. He yelled as he saw Renji hovering over his bed.
"You're awake," he exclaimed.
"I am now! I didn't think you'd get here this fast," he said, sitting up and rubbing his face.
"Why didn't you tell me Ulquiorra was here," Renji asked, sitting on the end of the bed.
"Didn't think it was important."
"You're staying in a house with a demon slayer and an ex-arrancar," Renji shouted, smacking the back of Ichigo's head.
"Hey," Ichigo jumped up, rubbing the back of his head.
"I would ask that you not do that again while you're in my house," they heard from the doorway.
"Hey, Sachi," Ichigo greeting. Renji turned to him, mouth agape as he stared at the woman in the doorway. From his experience with women, none compared to the one in the doorway.
"A friend of yours, Ichigo," she asked, walking into the room.
"Yeah. A shinigami from Seireitei," Ichigo answered.
Sachiel walked up to Renji, putting two fingers under his chin. "You'll catch flies," she said, pushing his mouth closed. "I'm Sachiel Val'Novren. You are?"
"A…Abarai Renji," he answered after another moment.
"Welcome to my home. Please don't assault my other guests," she said before looking to Ichigo. He was in his sleeping clothes, she noted before walking to him, pulling up his shirt.
"Why didn't you tell me you were injured," she asked, eyeing the bandage she saw against his ribs.
"You were tired. I didn't want to bother you."
She pushed him back onto the bed, kneeling in front of him. She took the bandage off carefully, laying a glowing hand on his wound, healing it. "I must have been to not notice when we bathed," she said, putting his shirt down. She put a hand to his cheek, peering into his eyes. "Lunch is ready," she said, getting up and walking away.
Renji's eyes followed, Ichigo noticing the direction of his gaze. He smacked the shinigami on the back of the head.
"She looks better in person," he whispered.
"Yeah."
"She likes you," Renji said in the next breath.
"She touches Ulquiorra, too," Ichigo replied. "And stop looking at her ass!"
"But it's so perfect!"
He smacked Renji again. "Who's the girl by the way," Renji asked.
"Ulquiorra's girlfriend, Jo."
"He has a girlfriend?"
"Yeah. She's the medium for Sachiel. She's pretty powerful. She said her aunt is more powerful than she is."
"Really?"
"Really. Let's go get some lunch."
"Alright. Get dressed."
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Lunch was a light one, consisting of a stew Sachiel called Seafood Paella, steamed rice, chocolate crème pie and Ulquiorra's favorite…peach tea.
"I'm glad you made extra, Sachiel," Ulquiorra commented as everyone watched Renji eat his third helping.
"Me, too. He's like a bottomless pit," she said, staring in astonishment. She leaned over, nudging Jo. "Distract him with the pie while I try to save the fridge before he eats everything in there," she whispered.
Jo laughed, putting the lids on the pot of thick stew and the steamed rice before taking them to said fridge, coming back with two pies.
"Dessert, Renji," she asked.
The shinigami stared at the pastry in front of him. "That looks delicious," he said, pushing his empty bowl away.
"I imagine you don't get to eat much as a spirit," she said.
"Not really," he answered, taking a bite of pie, moaning as he chewed.
"Another compliment, Sachiel," Jo said, serving out more pie.
"That reminds me," Sachiel spoke up. "You'll be going home soon. I made zucchini bread for your father."
"He'll love that. My aunt should be home, too."
"She's already home," Ulquiorra answered. "Your father called earlier while you were sleeping. He said the operation went well."
"That's good. Did he say anything about therapy?"
"She starts Tuesday so she can relearn her muscle control," he answered.
Renji looked confused.
"Jo's aunt broke her leg at the knee. She had to have surgery to fix it," Sachiel clarified.
"Oh."
"So, what brings you this way, Renji," she asked.
Ichigo choked on his pie, distracting Sachiel for a moment.
"Well, Ichigo said he needed my help," he answered. "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't help when it was needed?"
Now it was Sachiel's turn to look confused, as did Ulquiorra and Jo.
"With what?"
"Well…he wanted to see Rukia," Renji said.
"She is…"
"The shinigami Ichigo is in love with," he answered.
"Oh. I see," Sachiel said, trying not to look sad. She turned to Ichigo. "This is the one you mentioned was the reason for breaking up with the girl?"
Ichigo said nothing, just glaring daggers at Renji for opening his mouth.
"I came to bring him to Seireitei for the day. I was surprised to learn he had regained his powers and when he called me, I thought it would be a good idea for him to go," Renji went on to explain, ignoring the increasingly dirty looks Ichigo was giving him.
Ichigo turned to Sachiel, trying to read her expression. She stood abruptly, startling Renji and Jo, Ulquiorra sensing her hurt through their link.
"That's fine if you wish to go visit," she said calmly. "Just have him back in six hours for his return to the dig site," she finished, staring blankly at Renji. Turning to Ichigo, she said coldly, "Have a good trip. We'll see you back to the site on time." She walked into the house, not looking back.
"Ichigo," Ulquiorra spoke up, drawing his attention. "In future, please clear anything such as this with us before they happen. Sachiel does not like surprises. She tends to get upset." He got up, going into the house after his sister.
Jo looked at the two men nervously. "I'm…just going to go inside," she said, standing up and quickly leaving.
Ichigo waited until everyone was out of sight. "What the hell, Renji," Ichigo yelled at him. "I thought you said you were going to help me!"
"Relax, Ichigo," Renji said, hands up in defense. "This will work. Jealousy is always a good tool."
"Yeah? Where'd you hear bullshit like that?"
"Well…I got this book from Kyōraku-taicho," he admitted sheepishly, pulling out a book that Ichigo grabbed from him.
"What? The captain who doesn't ever do well with women? Why would you go talk to him and get a book called 'Women: How to Know What They're Thinking?"
Renji looked sufficiently cowed. "It says in there that jealousy is a tactic proven to work to get a woman's attention."
"I already had her attention, Renji!"
"Go talk to her, Ichigo," he said.
"I can't. If Ulquiorra says that surprise upset her, it's best to let her cool down," he replied, looking at the red haired shinigami. "Wanna go to town?"
"You sure?"
"Yeah. I need some air…and time to think."
"Alright."
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Sachiel sat on her bed, looking forlorn. Ulquiorra sat next to her, his hand on her back.
"I'm ok, brother. Really."
"It didn't feel that way. It also didn't sound that way," he said.
She fixed her luminous green eyes on his.
"That bond works too well, I think."
He said nothing, merely keeping his eyes locked on hers.
"I guess I forgot for a moment," she said after a few moments. "The feeling of that first contact, the need of wanting to be wanted. I thought he would be the one. We enjoyed our time in training and outside of it so much. I forgot for a while that I'm not human."
"It's been easy to forget since we aren't reminded every day that we are different or of what we are," he said.
"Michael told me that one of them would be my path to redemption. With his mannerisms toward me…I made a mistake."
"Did you?"
"Yes. I forgot my reason for being here to begin with."
"And that is?"
"To protect this town, the people," she answered.
"You would stay forever?"
"If needed. There's going to always be a need for a slayer here. Until we shut down the ritual room, the demons will still come."
"In regards to that room, I have a theory," Ulquiorra said.
"What is it?"
"For Memnoch to be pulling the amount of demons that he has been, if indeed he has been luring them, he must have found a way into it."
"Then we have to find a way into that room as well," she said. "Then I can return to my true purpose. I don't have much time. Michael said I have three years."
"One has past already," Ulquiorra said in response.
"If I don't complete my objectives, I'll go back to my cell," she lamented.
"You want that?"
"No."
"Part one of my redemption is complete, Sachiel. Yours is the one that looks impossible."
"I know," she sighed. "Who could ever love an angel? A fallen one at that. In eight months, I'll begin to revert to my demon form," she said.
Jo looked her from the doorway, Ulquiorra staring at the floor. Neither knowing what to say to her.
"Well! No use dwelling on it," Sachiel said. "My fate was sealed when the bargain was made."
"It's just not fair," Jo mumbled.
Sachiel got up, going to the girl and pulling her into a hug. "Life isn't fair, sweetness," she said to her. "This changes nothing of who I am. We'll just have to make the most of the time I have left."
The three didn't see the large man at the top of the stairs, listening to their conversation.
"Is she dying," Sado thought to himself. "She looks healthy enough."
Sachiel felt him at that moment, turning toward him from the doorway.
"I…heard voice," he said.
"So you thought you'd check?"
He nodded.
She accepted that. "You both came to do your packing for the week?"
"Yes, unless you had something for us to do for you," Ishida answered, drawing Sado's attention away from the group in Sachiel's room. "Where's Kurosaki?"
"He went to Seireitei with Renji," Ulquiorra answered from the doorway.
"But I saw them in town as we were leaving. I thought he'd come back here already," Ishida said. "And why go see Rukia? Ichigo all but severed his ties completely with Seireitei when he lost his powers in the war."
"Renji said that Ichigo is in love with Rukia and he had arranged to take him to see her," Sachiel said.
"That's news to me," Ishida said with a shrug.
Sachiel stood still, staring at the blue eyed man as her mind raced in different directions. "I'm going for a flight," she said. "I need to clear my thoughts."
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Ichigo still felt like clocking Renji for what he felt was a ruin of his chances with Sachiel. He passed a shop, staring absently in the window before moving on, Renji taking in the sights around him.
It was as he was walking that he felt it. Looking up, he caught a brief glimpse of Sachiel's wing as she flew overhead. Not thinking twice, he used his badge, exiting his body, scaring Renji. "I'll be back. Take my body to the house," he said, jumping into the sky.
He raced after her as quickly as he could, losing sight of her around a butte. He stopped, no sign of the woman anywhere. He turned, looking around.
"Why do you follow me," he heard in his mind.
"Sachi?"
"Why are you following me," he heard behind him this time.
He turned, seeing the slayer standing behind him, a blank look on her face.
"I…"
"Wanted to say goodbye? Not necessary. You are not bound here," she said. "As long as you do not forget your commitment to the school project."
"You're upset."
"I will admit that I didn't see this coming, but I am not upset. You had a life before you came here. Who am I to interfere with that?"
"You're my friend," he said. "I don't want to see you upset."
She stared at him for a few moments, trying to decide what to do next. "Fly with me, Ichigo. I feel the need for air," she said, flying past him. She flew at a breakneck speed, Ichigo hard pressed to keep up.
She flew into a patch of clouds, their coloring dark; lightning flashing randomly among them. She reached out, grabbing hold of a bolt. Ichigo stopped, staring at the woman as she handled it. After a moment, it changed color from it's yellowish tint to a brilliant silver before she released it. She flew among the clouds, lazily touching bolts here and there.
"I can control lightning and storms," he heard again in his mind.
He gaped as she took two bolts, spiraling upward with them before creating a brilliant lightning ball that she tossed into the storm clouds before flying off again. That's when Ichigo looked down, seeing the eye of the storm; she was playing with a hurricane.
"Should you be doing that," he yelled over the roar of the storm.
"Not really, but storms relax me," she said, stopping the storm. "This one is out in the middle of the ocean. It won't harm anyone."
"You know, most women go to spas," he said.
"Why?"
He flew toward her, grabbing her hand and flying away from the storm as it resumed it's path.
"To relax, get a massage, get their toenails painted," he answered.
"How fast can you fly, Ichigo," she asked, changing the subject.
"I've never clocked it. Why?"
"Just curious," she answered, flying lazing around him. "Why haven't you gone to see the girl you love?"
"I don't know why Renji said that, to be honest," he answered. "I had never planned that. I just asked how she was."
"I'm confused."
"About?"
"You broke Orihime's heart because you were in love with Rukia. Your friend comes and offers to take you to see her, but you won't go. Why?"
He was stunned. Why didn't he go? "Well, she's extremely busy according to Renji. She may not have time to see me."
"Oh! She doesn't know, does she," she exclaimed.
"Is it that obvious?"
"It is now. Wow!" She giggled, flying around to stand in front of him.
"This is embarrassing," he said sheepishly.
"Were you trying to make me jealous?"
"What?"
"It's a tactic men and women employ to get someone to notice them," she said.
"Renji wanted to see if you liked me," he said.
"Of course I like you! You're my friend!"
"Great…the friend box," he thought to himself.
"Why did you look upset earlier," he asked.
"Like I said, I didn't expect it. I was shocked to say the least," she answered with a shrug before flying slowly away from him.
"Are you going on patrol tonight," he asked, following her.
"Yes. I'll be alone but it's alright. I can handle it."
"Well, I can come if you want company."
She stopped, walking on the air back toward where he had stopped. "Oh…I dunno. I thought you had work in the morning. You can come if it's no trouble." She smiled as she stopped in front of him, giving him a playful smile.
His heart melted as he stared into her eyes.
"Let's go swimming," she said excitedly, changing the subject as she was beginning to grow uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Um…we're a bit far from the river. And home."
"Pfft," she grinned, taking his hand as the familiar green glow surrounded them.
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The scream they heard tearing through the air startled them, interrupting their conversation. All heads turned in the direction it came from. All they saw was the huge splash in the middle of the river as two figures fell out of the sky.
"Sachiel is back," Ulquiorra said blandly as they watched the two surface. Jo smiled, watching the woman splash in the water as Ichigo sputtered.
"I don't think he was expecting that," Jo said, laughing as she got up, running to the river and jumping off the small ledge to land in the water by them.
Renji looked at Ulquiorra, unsure of what to say.
"Sachiel has an affinity to water," he explained. "And she loves to play in the river at any opportunity."
"Ulquiorra! Come play," Jo yelled at them.
Renji was surprised to see the arrancar get up, going to join them.
They played in the water for about an hour. Renji sat on the bank, noting how Ichigo paid extra attention to Sachiel, staying near her whenever possible. That's how he got his idea.
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"We should all go out dancing," he suggested at dinner a few hours later.
"Can't," Sachiel said quickly. "Ichigo, Ishida and Sado leave in a few more hours and don't come back until Friday. But… There is a festival this next weekend."
"Festival?"
Yeah! Dancing, music, food. We're even getting a carnival this year! It's a big town party," Jo answered enthusiastically.
"What's the festival for?"
"Well," Jo said, wiping her hands and face. "It's called Cinco de Mayo or May Fifth. It's in celebration of the day Santa Ana was defeated in the war with Mexico. New Mexico, Arizona and Texas won their independence so they could join the United States."
"There's dancing, huh," Renji asked.
"Oh yeah," Sachiel piped up. "Every year, the town puts on a parade, huge cookout, dancing…a big party."
"Sachiel learned all the dances last year," Jo added. "I think she wore everyone out!"
"I was having fun," she defended, pouting a little.
"So this celebration is a big deal," Ishida said.
"Yup! We end the night with a big fireworks display."
"Sounds like it'll be fun," Renji commented.
"You'll be staying," Sachiel asked.
"If you don't mind," Renji answered.
"You can sleep in the boys' room. They won't be using it during the week," Sachiel said. "Sado, did you ever learn the dances of Mexico?"
"I…No. I never learned," he answered.
"Oh. Well I could teach you if you want to learn," she offered. "Jo and I could teach whoever."
"I'll learn," Renji said. "It might be fun."
"Great! We can come by after they're done for the day at the dig site."
"Isn't that when you go on patrol," Ishida asked.
"I can send my sensors out so I can keep track," Sachiel said. "Besides, my brother will be better in another week."
"Your brother," Renji asked.
Sachiel and Jo both pointed to Ulquiorra.
"He's your brother?"
Sachiel looked confused before looking at Ichigo. "You didn't tell him?"
"Slipped my mind," he shrugged, taking another bite of broiled fish.
Sachiel again explained about her confinement and Ulquiorra's part in her healing.
"So, he's my spirit brother," she finished. "Bound by our past together and the pact."
"What pact?"
"To find our redemption," Ulquiorra answered.
After a few hours, the two jeeps were heading to the archaeological site. Sado and Ishida, with Ulquiorra and Jo, Renji and Ichigo with Sachiel.
During the trip, Ichigo described to Renji the importance of the site from the school's perspective, not leaving anything out, including the importance of the ritual room.
"So you're helping to keep the archaeologists from finding this secret room," Renji asked.
"Yes. There's already a fissure here that is allowing demons to cross over. The surrounding energies are already high enough to attract demons that didn't come from here. The demon classes are increasing as far as individual strength. Then there's my perpetual pain in the rear," she finished with a sigh.
"Like a nemesis," Renji asked.
"Something like that," she said, showing the security guard her pass. She pulled the car over to the tent, everyone getting out and helping unpack.
"I think that's everything," Jo said after a while. "I gotta get home. Dad's gotta leave early in the morning. My aunt will need me when he's gone."
"Ok, kiddo," Sachiel said. "You're still gonna help me teach these guys later this week?"
"Yup," she answered, taking Ulquiorra's hand before they left the tent.
They waved goodbye to the two as they pulled away. Sachiel watching for another moment before turning to the three.
"You guys wanna show Renji around while I talk to Professor Ruiz?"
"Sure," Ichigo answered.
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"Hey, Ulquiorra?"
"What is it?"
"Um...what do you think they're playing at?"
"Who?"
"Ichigo and that Renji guy?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"No."
"Renji also likes Sachiel. That's why he threw the story of Rukia out there," he said.
"To make your sister jealous?"
"No. To remind Kurosaki that he's supposed to be in love with Rukia, despite the fact that he really likes Sachiel. Thereby creating an opening to try to win my sister for himself."
"Oh. And so, if Sachiel likes Ichigo, her heart will get broken and she might go running to Renji?"
"Something like that."
"But she's not even human. Or elf for that matter," Jo said.
"As far as Renji knows, she's a human demon slayer. The rest, think that she's an elf. The fact that she's a fallen angel has no bearing at this time until Kurosaki accepts her. He's already developing feelings for her. When or if he ever acts on it, will determine her fate."
Jo looked at Ulquiorra, sadness filling her as she revisited their earlier discussion with her. "I want a good fate for her," she whispered, taking Ulquiorra's hand.
"So do I, Jo. So do I."
They drove on in silence, both lost in thought. As he pulled up to the house, they could see that her father was already home, her aunt Cathy's truck was also there.
"Want to come in for a minute," she asked. "You can meet my aunt Terra."
The elusive aunt was one Ulquiorra had been curious about since Jo first mentioned her. According to Jo and her father, she was a well off woman who had traveled until her illness kept her from doing so any more. They had also stated that she was the family matriarch, despite being second to youngest in the family. She influenced many things in the family and was also a powerful seer and magic user. This was the woman that had sent Jo and her family to help him and Sachiel.
"Alright," he said, turning off the vehicle and exiting with her. He'd never been in the house, having only seen the villa from the outside. She led him through the stone archway and down the path that was covered with a trellis that was covered with flowering vines. He admired their beauty in the moonlight as it played off the vibrant colors.
She opened the huge front door to the house, pulling him inside.
"Dad! Terra! I'm home!"
"I'm in the parlor, Jo Lynn," a female voice answered.
Leading Ulquiorra in that direction, they found her aunt sitting by a lamp, a large book in her lap.
"Auntie," Jo greeted happily, giving the woman a hug.
"Watch my leg, mija," she warmed quietly as she returned the hug.
"Sorry," Jo said, scooting a bit away. "How was the hospital?"
"The same. Bad food, bad attendants. Who's your friend," she asked with a knowing smile.
"Oh! That's right, you've never met him. This is Ulquiorra. One of the ones we're helping," Jo answered, going to his side and hooking her arm with his, bringing him forward.
Her aunt tilted her head, Ulquiorra feeling as if her golden brown eyes were looking deep into his soul. Her caramel colored skin and reddish brown hair reflected the lamplight, making her eyes glow.
"So you're one of our guardians that Michael sent," she said softly. "I'll admit, I thought you might be bigger."
Jo giggled. "Terra, he's very powerful. For now, only Sachiel out powers him."
"Oh yes, the fallen angel," she mused. "How is her redemption coming along?"
"Not nearly as well as mine," Ulquiorra answered. "There is a man whom she thinks may be the one."
"The former soul reaper?"
"You know of him?"
"There isn't much I don't know," Terra said vaguely. "Rest assured, she will find a way to draw him to her like bees to honey. I have foreseen a good future for her."
Ulquiorra looked away. "As long as she doesn't have to go back to that cell," he said quietly.
Terra looked at him curiously. "Would it break your heart if she did?"
"She believed in her brother. She put her faith and everything of herself in him only to find out too later that that faith was misplaced. She was punished for her actions. She accepted that. She had a family, however. A family that witnessed her execution. She had no memory of her crimes when she was an angel but she was happy there. Then to have that ripped from her…I'm just saying that she deserves better," he defended vehemently.
Terra smiled at the arrancar. "So, you've found your heart, Ulquiorra. You have completed the next stage. There is only one left now for you. Sachiel has completed her second stage as well. She will complete the first stage very soon, I think. Worry not, Guardian."
Ulquiorra looked at her, stunned by her words. "To clarify, the soul reaper cares for her on a level beyond yours, Arrancar. I would say that in the next few weeks, he will make this known to her."
Silence hung thick in the air.
"And now you can see why dad said she can be creepy."
"Jordan!"
"What?"
"You're still as brash as your father."
"Yes, but you wuv me," she smiled.
"Yes, I do, munchkin," Terra said. "Now…kiss Ulquiorra good night and help me up."
Jo did it in reverse, helping her aunt up before walking with her aunt to the stairs where she kissed Ulquiorra goodnight before he left.
"Nice boy," Terra said.
"Yeah…I like him," Jo answered.
"He'll make a good husband."
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
"Well we'll just have to see about that. Now let's get you to bed, missy."
"So bossy…"
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"Here," Sachiel said, tossing a vial at Ichigo.
"What's this," he asked, examining the pale lavender glow of the vial.
"Tomorrow, when you eat breakfast, take it afterward. It will keep your energy up until you can nap. It won't overtax your body either," she said.
"Ok," he said, putting it in the coat of his shihakushō.
"Ready?"
"Yeah," he answered, jumping as his daiko badge began to wail.
"Hollows? Here," he said, bewilderment on his face.
"Really? How close?"
"Well, that I don't know…" he turned, closing his eyes and feeling for the strongest sense of hollow energy. "That way," he pointed.
"Ok!" Sachiel took flight, Ichigo beside her as they followed in the direction he felt the strongest.
"My badge is attuned to hollows," he said. "This should prove interesting. It's probably only one."
What they found wasn't one…or two…or even three hollows. They found six low level arrancar and they weren't alone. They looked to be talking to someone.
Memnoch turned, sensing the slayer and Ichigo behind her. He flashed her a welcoming smile. "Ah…just in time, my dear," he said saucily. "I brought new friends to keep your substitute busy."
"Why am I always the substitute," Ichigo groaned.
Sachiel shrugged at him. "Well you are."
"These arrancar won't last long," he said. "Who's the guy?"
"My nemesis," she answered. "Proverbial pain in the ass."
"You got him?"
"Yup."
Nodding to her, Ichigo flew into the group of arrancar, his sword flashing quickly. As he predicted, they didn't last long; not even a full two minutes.
Sachiel landed in front of Memnoch. "Speak your piece and leave," she said menacingly toward him.
"Come back to us," he said.
"Not gonna happen."
"Don't be like that."
"I'm not going back. To you, that cell or for more punishment. Tell Lucifer to spread his lies elsewhere."
"We would protect you, Sachiel."
"Like you did when I was captured?"
"Captured," Ichigo asked as he came up next to her.
"We did not know they had laid a trap for you," Memnoch said. "We couldn't find you. Afterward, when it was too late, is when we found out."
Doubt filled Sachiel's eyes, Ichigo watching the confusion clearly on her face. "You…looked for me?"
"We all did. You were our general. We needed you, just as we need you now," he said, holding out his hand.
Sachiel stared at it, Ichigo watching as she began to lift her hand. He moved in front of her, blocking her way. She looked at him as if seeing him for the first time. "Ichigo?"
"Don't, Sachi."
"Move, whelp! You keep her from her destiny!"
Ichigo turned to the man, sneering. "I don't know who you are and I don't really care to know. But you seem to be partly responsible for the torture she received. I won't let her go back to that," he said.
He felt a hand on his arm, turning him to her. He could see the questions in her eyes. "I will protect you, Sachi," said softly to her.
Memnoch growled. "She is mine!" He pushed Ichigo aside roughly, lunging for Sachiel as she brought her sword up, pointing it at the man's throat, stopping him.
"You will not touch him again," she said calmly, looking down her blade at him.
"He is but a worm, Sachiel," he said, switching to angelic. "He is but an obstacle."
"An obstacle to getting me to return, to turn my back on my Father, my brothers and sisters?"
"They turned their backs on us first! For them! For humans!"
"I am human now. For them, I fight. For them, I do as my Father commands. I am the one given a soul. I have created life with my own body," she said in angelic. "I know that you are wrong. And I will never go back to that fold!"
"You make a grave mistake, Sachiel," Memnoch said, speaking in a language Ichigo could understand. "From here on, you will no longer be given quarter."
"Bring it," she sneered, her green eyes flaring brightly in the darkness.
Faster than Ichigo could follow, a golden hammer came out of nowhere, followed by another that hit the demon square on the chin, knocking him back. Sachiel ran at him, jumping at the last moment, driving her sword straight at him. When he caught her blade, she spun, landing on his shoulders and using her momentum to flip him over.
Before he could hit the ground, his wings came out, catching air. He hurled a fireball at her, deflected by a translucent shield around her. Silver light glowed as she hurled a lightning bolt, the demon dodging it.
She ran at him again, disappearing from sight just as she reached him, her blade slashing into his arm. As he turned, she reappeared behind him again.
"Gotcha," she said, grabbing his collar as a torrent of golden lightning surrounded them, striking the demon repeatedly. She turned, driving her foot into his midsection, throwing him back away from her. A red ball of energy struck him, causing him to scream in pain.
He managed to roll to the side as Sachiel drove her sword down, using the force of her jump. Golden fire suffused the ground, causing the demon more pain. He jumped into the air, preparing to attack when a golden shield struck him full in the face, knocking him aside.
Red yellow energy ribbons surrounded the demon slayer as she threw another hammer at him, relentlessly pummeling him with one after the other.
She walked up as he lay panting on the ground, unable to move from the numerous strikes.
"Give up," she asked.
His laughter filled the valley they were in.
"Hardly," he manager to say, smiling.
"Shit! Ichigo," she scream, turning just in time to see several full grown demons and five times as many hollows appear behind him.
"Try to save him now, slayer," Memnoch laughed, taking flight as the creatures descended on the shinigami.
She was at the pile in a blink, slashing her way through to get to him.
A suddenly rumbling made her stop, looking down at the mass of bodies.
"Ban…kai!" was all she heard, just as she was thrown back by the explosive force of his release, flipping in the air to land on her feet, covering her face from the dust. Opening her eyes, she saw him standing there in the same attire he wore in training, his sleek black sword in his hand.
"Are you alright," she said, running toward him.
"Fine. Now I'm pissed, though. Like that small group was gonna take me out? That's bullshit," he answered.
"I see. Well then, how about this," Memnoch said, hundreds more hollows and demons appearing in the air around them.
"Ready, Ichigo," Sachiel asked, looking around at the swarm.
"Yeah," he answered, getting into the crouch she'd taught him that worked for both offense and defense.
They fought fiercely, in sync with each other as they worked their way through the hollows and demons. Energies flew through the air, the earth taking a beating for each missed getsuga from Ichigo or lightning strike from Sachiel.
The creatures were replaced as they fell, pressing in in an attempt to defeat the two fighters.
Ichigo spared a glance over his shoulder to see Sachiel busy with four demons, her sword and spells flying faster than he could keep up with. He noted that she was starting to look tired, as if the battle were taking too much energy from her.
"Sachi!"
She turned to him, startled to find him so close to her. "There's too many," he said. "We should finish them as quickly as possible."
She nodded. "Combine them then," she responded. "It's our only way to take them out quickly and in larger numbers.
He let his energy build, feeling Sachiel build hers up as well.
Raising their swords as their powers began to peak, their voices could be heard above the roar.
"Getsuga Tenshō!"
"Tentou Jouka!"
Their simultaneous release wrapped around each other, Ichigo's fang aura changing from red to silver around the black energy attack, sweeping across the valley as it grew, purifying and destroying all incoming demons and hollows.
They repeated this twice more before they were done. Memnoch had disappeared during the fight, making his exit while they were preoccupied.
"Whew! That was intense," Sachiel remarked, falling down onto her butt.
"Yeah. I need a bath," Ichigo chuckled, looking down at his blood soaked clothing.
"How much is yours?"
"Not much."
"Good," she responded, throwing a healing spell on him. "Let's go to the river. At this hour, the portal is closed. We can clean up."
He smiled. "Yes, ma'am."
"Ma'am? Why so formal," she asked, quirking a brow at him.
He chuckled. "After seeing you hand that demon his ass on a silver platter and then beat the crap out of that horde…you got my respect."
She laughed, jumping into the air as her wings came forth. "Come on, Ichigo. You smell."
"I smell? What about you?"
"Never said I didn't," she said, flying off toward the river. "Jerk!" he heard in the distance.
He laughed, following after her.
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