Chapter 7 is done! Time to start chapter 8...
-Translations-
Akina (name): Spring Flower
Kiyoshi (name): Quiet
Nami (name): Wave
Arigato: Thank you
Nii-san: Brother
Baka: Fool
Zanpakuto speaking will be italicized.
~Three Months Later~
The sun was just beginning to rise making the sky full of pale colors. Akina quietly slipped out of her room and into the yard. The dewy grass wet her bare feet and the cool of the morning left goose bumps on her exposed skin. She tried to pull her skimpy robe tighter and then sighing in defeat when it didn't cooperate. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, trying to warm them as she crossed the bridge.
Just as she walked under the cherry blossom trees, Byakuya suddenly flashed stepped in front of her, making her jump.
"You need to teach me how to flash steep!" she huffed out.
"If I did I wouldn't be able to catch you as easily." He said wrapping his arm around her and pulling her into his chest.
"That's not fair." She pouted, sliding her arms around his neck. He chuckled before bending down and kissing the pout off her face.
"What are you doing up this early?" he asked as he kissed down her neck.
"Oh, I was just going to go for a walk around the districts." She said making him pull his head back to look at her with a raised eyebrow and a disapproving face.
Giggling and stepping back she said, "I'm joking! I got up to see you before you left for your mission. You real didn't think I would go anywhere in this skimpy robe, did you?"
"I like your skimpy robe." He said with a wicked smirk as his eyes wondered over it.
"Byakuya!" She exclaimed.
"Now I'll have something to think of while I'm away." He said pulling her back into his arms.
"How long will you be gone?" she asked resting her head on his chest.
"Just for the day, I should be back tomorrow morning." He said setting his chin on top of her head.
"Okay, I guess I'll have to find something entertaining to do while you're gone." She sighed, her arm locking around him.
"Promise me you won't put yourself in danger while in away." He said.
"I won't." she said.
"Akina, Promise me!" He said sternly.
"Alright, I promise! No finding any danger." She stated smiling up at him.
Seeing his unsatisfied look, she starched up on her tippy toe and lightly kissed him. She stated to move away but was pulled back into a more passionate kiss. Using his hands, he tipped her head back for better access and his tongue slipped into her open mouth. She let out a low moan as they separated for air. She squeaked in surprise as his other hand moved down her waist and grabbing her ass. With a smirk, he pulled her tighter against him and attacked her mouth again. Byakuya ended their kiss just as Renji flashed stepped onto the property.
"Damn, where are you Captain?" Renji quietly called looking around.
"Renji, watch you language. I don't want Kiyoshi repeating that." Akina scolded, as she stepped around the trees and into Renji's view.
"Sorry, have you seen Captain Kuchiki?" Renji asked.
"Lieutenant Abarai, that's no way to talk to a lady." Byakuya said disapprovingly, as he walked up behind Akina.
"Yes Captain." Renji sighed then turning to Akina he said, "I apologize Miss Akina, I won't let I happen again."
"Arigato." Akina said with a smile.
"Captain, it's time to leave. I'll meet you over at the Gate." Renji said before flash stepping away.
"Be careful and come back in on piece." Akina said, looking away as her eyes welled up with tears.
Byakuya lifted her chin up as a single tear ran down her cheek.
"Do not worry, I will." He said as he leaned down and kissed away her tear.
He bulled her into a hug and she buried her head into his chest as more tears slid down her face.
"Why am I always crying?" she mumbled making him chuckle.
Untangling herself from him she said, "You better go before I make you late."
"Alright, good bye my Spring Flower." He said before kissing her one last time and then flashed stepped away.
"Good bye, Byakuya. I love you." She whispered as she walked back to her room.
~That Evening~
Walking through the forest Akina kept a tight grip on the handle of her sword. The memories of her last trip, flashed through her mind.
'There is no need to fear, Mistress. I'm with you this time.' Nami comforted.
'Arigato Nami.' Akina said, closing her eyes and taking a deep calming breath. A small hand tugging hers made her open her eyes.
"Where are all the light bugs?" Kiyoshi asked with a pout.
"The fireflies are coming." Akina said with a sweet smile.
"Why aren't the here?" he asked looking around.
"They must be sleeping." Rukia said walking up next to them.
"We need to wake them up." He said walking ahead of them.
"Light bugs wake up. I have a nice jar to catch you in." he called.
"Look there's one coming this way." Rukia said, pointing to their right.
He excitedly ran over to it trying to catch it in his glass jar. He squealed in delight as he was suddenly surrounded by dozens of fireflies.
'I hope Byakuya's doing alright.' Akina thought.
'Senbonzakura told me he would take good care of him. He promised me they would both come back to us.' Nami said.
'You two certainly have gotten closer these last few months.' Akina said.
'Yes, but he still won't show me his face behind his mask.' Nami sighed.
'I'm sure he will in time.' Akina encouraged.
'Yeah, I know. I just hate waiting.' Nami huffed ending the conversation.
Suddenly a gust of high spiritual pressure rushed past them and followed by a hollows scream. Akina's eyes widened in fright and gasped for air she struggled to stay standing. She looked to her left to see Rukia, having the same reaction and little Kiyoshi sprawled out on the ground, in a slight daze.
"A Hollow…" Rukia gasped.
"I feels like a big one and its close." Akina said stumbling over to them.
"Is it a monster, Okaa-san?" Kiyoshi asked still dazed, as Akina picked him up.
"Yes, don't worry he won't get you." She stated.
"Don't let him eat my light bugs." He said tightly holding his jar of fireflies.
"He won't." Rukia reassured.
The Hollow screamed again, sounding even closer this time.
"Rukia, take Kiyoshi and get him somewhere safe." Akina said, handing him to Rukia.
"What about you?" Rukia asked taking him.
"I'll take care of the Hollow." Akina stated.
"No Okaa-san!" Kiyoshi said, weekly struggling to get free from Rukia.
"Go now." Akina pleaded.
With a nod, Rukia flashed stepped away with Kiyoshi just as the hollow stepped into view.
The Hollow stood as tall as the trees above her, his mask crooked and his three eyes terrifying empty pits of darkness. He had two, long snake like arms ending in sharp points.
"I just love chasing my food." The hollow said liking his lips.
"You'll have to deal with me first." Akina said pulling out her sword.
She rushed at the Hollow but before she could reach it, one of hits snake arms came swinging at her. She moved narrow escaping the deadly slice to her torso but not fast enough to stop it from slicing down her left arm. She tumbled to the ground and screamed out in agony as the pain shot through her body.
"Mmm, you blood smells delicious." The Hollow said.
Akina stumbled to her feet as the Hollow came towards her. She fled deeper into the forest, with every step she took it got darker and more ominous. Her heart pounded through her chest and her lungs burned from breathing the cold night air. She kept running forward not able to turn back now.
"Byakuya… My love… I'm sorry... I couldn't keep… My promise…" She panted as she dropped to her knees, her legs not able to run anymore. The hollow's laughter could be heard not too far behind her.
She looked down at her dirty and blood spattered clothes. The long gash down her left arm throbbed with every slight movement. The knuckles on her right hand, turning pale white as she tightly clenched her sword.
She barely felt the light ran drops falling on her as her body began to numb over.
A snake like arm wrapped around her torso and lifted her off the ground. She didn't struggle or even scream because she knew it was coming.
"Did you really think you could out run me?" the Hollow bellowed lifting her up to his ugly face.
"I won't rush in killing you. I like to play with my food first." He said with a toothy grin.
"Why do I always attract scum?" She gasped out as the arm squeezed tighter around her waist.
"You're an exquisite creature and you smell of pureness. Maybe I'll have you fulfill one of my other needs first." He stated his many eyes looking her over body.
"You won't live long enough to do anything to me!" She stated angrily, lifting her sword.
"How will you stop me? My arms are faster than any swing of your sword." He said.
"I still have one more trick left. I just needed to get close enough..." She said, slightly coughing up blood from the pressure on her lungs.
"What harm can it do? You don't have much strength left, if any at all." He laughed.
"S-scream... N-nomi..." She choked out as she pointed the tip of her sword at the hollows mask.
Her sword glowed as red as the blood on her arm. Suddenly, waves of high pitched screaming hit the hollows mask and shattered it instantly.
As the hollow disintegrated she fell to the ground in a heap, new pain shooting threw her body.
"That was one hell of a kill shot. Not bad for a woman." A male voice called.
Akina weakly looked over to see Third Seat Ikkaku and Fifth Seat Yumichika, from the Eleventh Squad, rushing to her with Rukia in front of them.
"Akina!" Rukia said, looking worried as she leaned over her.
"W-where's Kiyoshi? I-is he s-safe?" Akina asked spitting up more blood.
"He's fine. Don't speak anymore, your badly injured. We're going to get you to squad four." Rukia said her eyes watery.
"Yes, you're not looking very beautiful at the moment." Yumichika said with a frown.
Akina tried to laugh but choked on more blood and moved her good arm to hold her ribs in pain.
"We need to get her to see captain Unohana, now!" Rukia shouted franticly, as Ikkaku carefully picked up Akina.
Akina drifted in and out of consciousness as they all flashed stepped back to Soul Society.
Opening her eyes Akina realized she was in a privet recovery room in Squad Four. She sat up slowly her body felt stiff but no longer in pain. Looking to her right she saw Byakuya standing at the window with his back was to her.
"Byakuya, your back." Akina said happily.
He turned to her with a tired and concerned face.
"How was your-" She began to say but was silenced by Byakuya's lips against hers. The kiss was filled with passion and desire. One of his hands holding the back of her head and the other around her waist protectively. He pulled back leaving her breathless and her lips swollen.
Resting his forehead against hers he said, "Akina, you promised me you wouldn't get into danger."
"I never promised I would get into danger, I promised I wouldn't find danger." She said.
"You knew what I meant." He stated, pulling away.
"I'm sorry." She quietly said, putting her head down in shame.
Lifting her chin up he said, "I don't like to see the people I love get hurt."
"L-love?" she questioned.
"Yes, I love you Akina." He said.
"I love you t-" she began to say but was cut off by Byakuya's lip on hers again.
Okay you know the deal... No new chapters until you review! Tell me if my story is starting to suck or is getting better.
Thank you to all my Reviewer's so far... I'm glad you are enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. Without you I would'nt continue writing this story.