Chapter Fifty-two

Battlefield…

'They found us…,' Renji read the beginnings of a new chapter in the book he borrowed from Tatsuki. So far the story mirrored Tatsuki's dream almost exactly. No names are given just general titles and set in a different time period perhaps someone in her family line writing about an earlier time.

In this story a common man in love with a princess is struggling to run away with his true love to another land. He defied the king's wishes (princess's father) and crushed the prince's pride. The prince was chosen to marry the princess in the story since birth.

Because the common man knew the plot to kill the princess the king was lenient choosing not to kill him on the spot instead sentencing to jail time.

While in prison the common man met a masked man who placed coin in his hand and led him to his escape. Led out to the wilderness with nothing but the clothes on his back he walked for what seemed like days before coming to a spot along the river

The spot on the river that Tatsuki explained in great detail was the same spot he was taken from earlier. The common man found the princess. The princess had run away using the river and a borrowed boat. She told him there was no time to explain further and the two ran for their lives using the tiny boat to escape.

Their escape was short-lived as a new attacker caught up with them. Their wounds were fatal but he managed to say those words in the next chapter. The words: They found us.

Renji didn't want to read more. If this was indeed how his story was meant to repeat over and over for his life span he'd rather not know how it was all going to turn out. It seemed as if each woman in her family line had some dramatic love story.

Just as he closed the book he was called to duty. His assignment surprised him as he thought he was on vacation. The enemy was attacking Karakura once more. It was unclear what they hoped to gain from the attacks, numbers perhaps. Given the goals of the group building an army seemed useless especially given that the Shinigami had the edge in battle strength.

000

Orihime would never get used to the scene of a battlefield. Everyone relied on her for healing and that made things more difficult. As soon as she walked one way someone else sprang up with a problem that they deemed more important.

Her heart squeezed in her chest seeing Renji walking straight for her. Dangling limply in his arms was her best friend Tatsuki. Tearing her eyes away to his face she noticed as he gave her a look of desperation no words exchanged as she quickly sprang into action.

"Renji are you hurt too," Orihime asked looking over Tatsuki and focusing all her energies to save her friend.

He shook his head.

"Tatsuki," he asked.

"She'll be fine it's nothing," she tried to convince him as he had to return to battle.

"Thank you Orihime please do all that you can," he said.

A thanks wasn't necessary Tatsuki was her friend. She wasn't going to let her friend die. Looking over her wounds they didn't seem to be healing at all. Orihime drew a steady breath struggling to stay in control and tried to concentrate without panicking.

She noticed the engagement ring on her friend's finger. The others must have realized her healing spell seemed to have no effect on Tatsuki's wounds.

"Someone is blocking my power," Orihime said holding Tatsuki's hand.

"You were working on others before," Renji said.

"I know but nothing is happening," Orihime said the tears springing to her eyes now.

"I'll take her to the hospital," Uryû said suddenly.

Orihime just realized that he was there in that moment. Something about his presence poured strength into her and she wiped the tears away.

"Uryû you're needed on the battlefield as is Renji. I'll get help and take her to the hospital myself," Orihime said.

"Can you make sure she gets help Orihime," Renji said.

"We have it covered," she said pointing out her team which seemingly came from nowhere to join her.

Immediately they started to work on her using their resources. An entire team sent to her aid she wondered who was behind it but quickly brushed aside such thoughts only grateful they were there at all.

"Good let's go then Uryû," Renji said about to leave before Orihime pulled him aside.

"Renji did you give her the ring," she asked.

"Yes," he answered.

"You could have told us…the both of you-

"Now is not the time," he said.

"I know," she said.

"We have to leave Renji," Uryû said.

While Orihime and Renji talked Uryû managed to stitch up some of Tatsuki's wounds and left the bandaging to the rest of Orihime's team. It was a temporary fix but one that Orihime thanked him for as he left.

The thought that they should have taken care of them when they had the chance did enter their minds. The truce was short-lived and this time Athen stayed away from the battlefield.