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Chapter 39: The Other Side

A strong wind tugged at Natsuki's robes, making her shoulder length blonde hair whip around her face, but she didn't react as she watched her opponent smirking widely at her. With grey hair that curled slightly, and silver eyes that gleamed in the morning light, he didn't seem overly threatening. Especially not with his wiry frame and the appearance of someone not long out of their teens. However, the long blade in his hand, and the blood that splattered his white jacket and trousers, not to mention the fragment of a Hollow Mask across his forehead and top of his head, betrayed him for what he was.

"What's the matter, Shinigami? Lost your nerve already?" he taunted her. Natsuki glared back at him.

"You wish, creep," she spat, which made his smirk widen. She resisted the urge to look around at what else was happening around the area, already aware of how the battles were going. Her cheek stung from a long cut along it that dripped blood.

Five pillars were all that stood between Aizen, Ichimaru and Tosen, and Karakura Town. If they fell, then the barrier would be broken and they would be able to reach the town. Natsuki, along with the Lieutenants of Squads 3 and 9, as well as Ikkaku and Yumichika, were tasked with guarding them from attack. Most of them had defeated the Arrancar that had attacked fairly quickly, but not without consequence.

Ikkaku's pillar had been destroyed when he had been defeated by the massive Arrancar that fought him. Yumichika was now out as well, knocked out by Izuru when he became hysteric over Ikkaku's defeat. Natsuki sighed heavily, feeling pulsing Reiatsu all around as everyone continued to fight. Even the Captains had joined in with the fighting, and Natsuki was still fighting her Arrancar opponent.

"You thought you'd defeated me so quickly as well," Rafael Capello taunted, lifting his Zanpakuto to run his fingers down the blade. "Are all Shinigami so arrogant?" he asked her. Natsuki didn't reply, finding herself more and more irritated by the Arrancar.

'Let's just wipe this guy out, he's really annoying,' a young, female voice in the back of Natsuki's mind complained.

'That's what I'm doing,' Natsuki replied to her Zanpakuto Spirit. Raising her Zanpakuto, Natsuki rushed at him. Rafael blocked her attack, but his smirk faded when she shoved him back with the force of the swing. She followed him, and the two fought again, before Natsuki knocked his blade into the air and slashed up his front. Rafael cried out in pain, and staggered back, putting a hand to his chest.

"Honestly, you're all talk," Natsuki complained, resting a hand on her hip. "You're not even fun to fight," she rolled her eyes. Rafael glared at her, a hand to his bloody chest.

"Oh, I'm just getting warmed up!" he launched at her again, and as Natsuki braced herself, he suddenly darted away using Sonido. She looked around, and dodged his strike, but his blade nicked her arm, cutting through the black fabric and her skin. She winced, but ignored the flesh wound, turning to swing at him. Rafael avoided her swing, his smirk returning.

"He's fast…" she muttered, watching as he darted around her. "Well…I guess it wouldn't hurt…" she mused to herself. Rafael moved in again, and Natsuki blocked his Zanpakuto with her own. She shoved him back, and her Reiatsu flared. Rafael frowned at her, not understanding what she was doing. Natsuki held her Zanpakuto straight up in the air with both hands, her eyes still on her opponent.

"What are you doing?" Rafael asked. Natsuki ignored him as her Zanpakuto shimmered a bluish hue.

"Bounce, Tsuki no Usagi!" she swung down hard, and as the blade moved through the air, it changed shape. Rafael initially went to block with is sword, but as he saw it change, he moved, and the massive blade of the claymore sliced through the air. Rafael's eyes went wide as Natsuki effortlessly wielded the sword almost as tall as her. She didn't stop to show off the sword that was a pale blue colour, moving towards him and dragging it behind her before swinging up.

"That sword is huge...yet she's not slowed down by it at all..." Rafael hissed, leaping back. He was forced to go on the defensive, dodging the powerful blows that cleaved through buildings as she attacked. "Is that its power?!" he yelled at her as he landed on a house. "It weighs the same as before?!" he yelled.

"Maybe you should have let me introduce myself before you decided to attack," Natsuki told him, landing on the ground. Her Zanpakuto clanged to the ground; the sound ringing out and betraying its weight. It sounded clunky and heavy, with a dull metallic ringing to its sound. "I'm Natsuki Hamasaki: Fourth seat of Squad 11," she announced. Rafael's eyes narrowed.

"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" he asked.

"You're such an idiot," Natsuki frowned at him. "Squad 11 are known as the fighter squad. None of us possess Zanpakuto with any kind of special abilities. We rely only on our own power," she told him. "Tsuki no Usagi is a purely melee type Zanpakuto. It took a long time to gain the strength to use her, but I've had a long time to practice," Natsuki gave a bitter smile.

"That may be, but you said fourth seat, right?" Rafael tilted his head slightly, an eyebrow arched. "Word is that the one who was defeated was a third seat. You think you can beat me?" he asked mockingly.

"Ikka was defeated by someone far stronger than you, so don't be so cocky," Natsuki's words made Rafael bristle. "And besides. I once held the position of Lieutenant for Squad 11, until I gave it up. So don't underestimate me, Hollow freak!" Natsuki started forwards, swinging her Zanpakuto.

Natsuki stared up at the large, imposing man in front of her with a determined look. He stared back at her, looking slightly bored.

"Huh. So you don't care for me as your Captain, is that right?" the man with long, spiked black hair finally spoke, watching her.

"That's not it at all, sir," Natsuki shook her head.

"Even though I just murdered your Captain in cold blood?" the new Captain of Squad 11 asked her.

"Squad 11 isn't the warm and fuzzy type, but you already knew that. We respect the strongest of fighters, and if you were strong enough to kill him in one strike, then why would I do anything but follow you?" Natsuki asked him honestly. Kenpachi Zaraki frowned at her.

"You say that, but you've just handed me your request to be moved into a lower rank," he pointed out.

"I've been looking for an excuse for a while. The last Captain refused to let me when I requested. But this way..." Natsuki smiled and crouched, pulling chocolate from her pocket to give to the little pink haired girl who had been tugging at her robes. Yachiru squealed in delight.

"Thanks bun-bun!" she bounced away excitedly, devouring the snack. Natsuki blinked at the nickname, but didn't question it.

"This way you can have Yachiru as your Lieutenant, as I figured you would. Or one of those other two weirdos," Natsuki pointed out. Kenpachi hummed as he thought this over.

"Excuse you," Natsuki glanced around to the speaker. "It's not very beautiful to call someone you've never spoken to a weirdo," the dark haired Shinigami told her, frowning.

"I'm in Squad 11. I'm not exactly aiming for beautiful," Natsuki pointed out. "I'm just cute," she suddenly winked, and he started back in surprise.

"Great, she's as weird as you, Yumichika," the Shinigami with a shaved head muttered, leaning against the wall.

"That's not nice, Ikkaku," Yumichika huffed back. Natsuki laughed, and lifted her arm. She removed the badge that was tied to it, folding it up neatly before turning back to Kenpachi, who had been listening to Yachiru as she spoke to him in a matter of fact voice.

"Please, Captain. I know I just said I'm not the warm and fuzzy type but...I only became Lieutenant to be by the side of my best friend. I don't want the position without her," Natsuki admitted. She meant it. Once Kirara had disappeared, and it had been made apparent that nobody believed she was still alive, not to mention the other Captains and Lieutenants, bar Yoruichi and Kisuke who had run off, accused of killing the others, Natsuki had lost the desire to work as as Lieutenant.

"Fine," Kenpachi finally snorted, and Yachiru squealed with excitement, taking the badge from Natsuki with a wide smile.

"Oh, can you fix it for me?" the little girl asked, looking up at Natsuki. The blonde smiled back at her.

"Of course," she nodded, kneeling in front of her to tie the badge around Yachiru's arm.

"Aizen!" Natsuki yelled up at the man rising through the air towards the gaping hole in the sky. When his dark eyes moved to her, she shivered. He was a stranger. "You...what do you know about what happened 100 years ago?" she demanded. "What happened to Kirara?" she demanded. The man who had been the Captain of Squad 5 since the disappearance of his Captain allowed a small smirk.

"Why don't you ask her that?" he asked, faint amusement in his voice. "Perhaps Yoruichi Shihoin knows where to find her," he suggested. Natsuki fell to her knees, overwhelmed by the emotions. Sosuke Aizen had been so kind, so understanding for years, always providing a comfortable link to the past that had been torn from them long ago. And he had known the entire time.

Natsuki punched a wall, ignoring the stinging in her hand.

"The talk with the Captain went well then?" she didn't look up.

"Leave me alone Yumi. I don't want to talk about how it's not beautiful to punch walls," Natsuki growled at him, rubbing her knuckles as they throbbed with the pain.

"It's not smart to punch walls, Natsuki," Yumichika commented as he took her arm, forcing her to sit down.

"He won't let me go to the World of the Living with you all," Natsuki explained as he inspected her hand. "Said that two is enough from Squad 11, and he already has to put up with Rangiku," she grumbled.

"Yes well, that is a job of its own," Yumichika muttered, and Natsuki smiled very slightly.

"It's just frustrating. Yoruichi told me that Kirara's in the World of the Living, but Captain Zaraki says we need to prepare for this war, and Captain Hitsugaya says that he wouldn't have anyone else going," Natsuki huffed irritably.

"Didn't Shihoin also say that your friend wouldn't want to be found?" Yumichika asked, letting her hand go. "It'll bruise, but you didn't break anything, this time," he added.

"Well I want to see her," Natsuki muttered childishly. "I want to know why she's been hiding so damn long, and didn't tell me that she's alive. Ca-Aizen played me for a fool Yumi, he knew all this time," she hissed angrily as her fury bubbled up into her chest again. Yumichika sighed heavily, rolling his eyes.

"If Ikkaku and I have a chance, we will look for her," Natsuki looked up, her fury dulling to make room for her surprise. "If it'll stop you moping, we'll try and find your friend. Because your sulking really isn't very elegant," Yumichika told her, rolling his eyes and looking away irritably. Natsuki found herself smiling, and the Shinigami tried to pretend like he wasn't blushing from his offer.

"You're the best Yumi!" he let out a cry of surprise as Natsuki threw her arms around him with a laugh.

"Get off me, you know I don't care for your hugs! We are members of Squad 11, we do not-let me go!" his protests went unheard as Natsuki laughed, tightening her arms around him before releasing him. Her own cheeks were going red as he glared at her, flustered. "I didn't make any promises. I merely said that we'd look if we had an opportunity to," he muttered, flicking his hair out of his face.

"Thanks, Yumi," Natsuki smiled regardless, finding herself hopeful again.

Another building crumbled with a loud crash as Rafael flew through the air. Blood stained his clothes, not unlike Natsuki, who hadn't escaped unscathed. Her uniform was ripped and covered in blood and dirt, as dust from the wreckages clung to them both.

"You're not going to win!" Rafael caught himself and pushed back at Natsuki, pushing up to avoid her massive sword. He swung his own blade down at her as she looked up in surprise, before dropping down suddenly. Rafael's sword sailed through the empty air, and as he was caught off balance, Natsuki's leg caught his from behind, and he stumbled forwards, right into the path of her Zanpakuto's thrust. He barely managed to block it, but his arms sang with pain. "Enough!" he roared, throwing out a pulse of Reiatsu that pushed Natsuki back.

"Throwing a tantrum?" she mocked him. Rafael's silver eyes narrowed even more as he glared at her.

"You think you have this won...I haven't even released my Zanpakuto yet!" he yelled at her. Grasping his Zanpakuto tighter, he pointed the blade towards himself. Natsuki's eyes widened in her confusion, wondering what he had planned. Rafael then smirked again. "Prepare to lose, Miss. Shinigami. Spark, Nube de Tormenta!" he thrust the blade towards himself, but as it touched his skin, smoke exploded around Rafael.

"What...is he doing?" Natsuki murmured, regripping her Shikai.

'Oh...is he gonna be fun now?' Tsuki no Usagi wondered, but Natsuki didn't respond to her. Her head lifted when she heard Rafael laugh, and the smoke cleared partially around him, swirling around him in what Natsuki realised were clouds. They sparked, lighting up, illuminating Rafael's appearance even more. His hair was down past his waist and curled out, sparking as well, and his eyes were glowing.

"I've been told that my Nube de Tormenta is quite a painful way to die. You deserve no less," Rafael smirked at Natsuki, whose eyes narrowed. He suddenly moved, using Sonido again, and Natsuki used her Shunpo to dodge his attack. However, sparks flew from his sword and hit hers, making her cry out. It took everything she had not to release her Zanpakuto as her hands jerked uncontrollably. The shock ran up her arms before dying out, and Rafael laughed. "And that was just from passing close by. Your Zanpakuto might be a powerful weapon, but it's entirely made from metal. You're just a mildly irritating conducting rod!" Rafael taunted her, lashing out again. Natsuki leapt over his head, doing her best to dodge his attacks, as well as the sparks.

"This is annoying, not fun," Natsuki complained, moving to the side when a bolt of lightning flew by. "There's only one thing for it," she suddenly turned, and shot at him. Rafael smirked, and more sparks flew at him. He moved to meet her, only for Natsuki to suddenly hurl her Zanpakuto at him. His smirk hadn't faded from his face when her Zanpakuto, reverting back to its sealed form, impaled him through the stomach.

"Wh...what?" he groaned, coughing up blood. Natsuki was suddenly in front of him, yanking her Zanpakuto free.

"Tsuki no Usagi's unsealed form might be entirely metal, but her sealed form has this," she ran her fingers along the white wrapping down the handle. "It was enough of a barrier to stop a real shock," she then yanked her sword free, and kicked him in the gaping wound.

Rafael smashed into a house with a loud crash, and Natsuki sighed. "What a pain," she complained, and turned. Spotting Captain Komamura in front of a small barrier, Natsuki leapt towards it, landing lightly. "How's everyone holding up?" she asked softly.

"Lieutenant Kira is patching them up well," the fox-faced Captain of Squad 7 told her, before looking down at the woman who was a little worse for wear. "Perhaps you should allow him to look you over as well?" he suggested, but the blonde shook her head.

"I'm fine," she smiled, even though it wasn't entirely true. Her gaze moved to Izuru, who was already tending to four other injured Lieutenants. He already had enough to do. Natsuki wouldn't add to his work load when she could still fight. "How are the other fights going?" she asked.

"It seems that only one Espada remains," Komamura said, his golden eyes going back up to where Ukitake and Kyoraku were tag-teaming the one remaining Arrancar. Not far off, Soi Fon and her Lieutenant were watching a massive smoking pile that Natsuki assumed had been their opponent, and even farther off, Hitsugaya was standing by a massive ice-flower; with another Arrancar trapped inside.

"Wow, I certainly took my time then," Natsuki murmured. "Oh!" she remembered suddenly. "Yumi and Ikka, where are they?" she asked curiously.

"They're safe, out of the way of the fighting," Izuru told her in a quiet voice, looking up. He looked tired already.

"Good..." Natsuki murmured, relieved that her friends were out of the way. Of course, she was going to kick their asses for going down so quickly.

Feeling a tremor, everyone looked around quickly to see a hole cracking open in the sky.

"What? A Garganta...?" Izuru breathed, still healing the massive wound in Rangiku's side.

"It's so big...what the hell could be coming through there?" Natsuki asked aloud in her horror. Slowly a small figure with a large purple sword on his back, and a mop of blond hair, walked out, looking around with a dreamy expression. Everyone had stopped what they were doing to watch in horror as the small Arrancar looked around, and as he stepped out of the Garganta, he was followed.

"Hey look, now something else is coming out..." Izuru called. A massive purple monster that barely fit through the hole finally stepped into the light.

"That thing...it's huge," Natsuki mumbled.

"That's the eye...from before..." Komamura spoke softly, making her glance to the Captain. His eyes narrowed. Suddenly the small Arrancar moved, and Natsuki's hands flew to her mouth as he reappeared behind Captain Ukitake, thrusting out his hand.

"Captain Ukitake..." her horror was muffled by her hands as the Arrancar pulled his hand free of the white haired Shinigami's chest, letting him fall. When Kyoraku went to attack, he was blasted by a massive blue Cero from the Espada they had been fighting already. The two began to fall towards the ground, and the newcomer took a breath.

He let out high pitched scream, making them all wince, and the shockwaves shattered the ice flowers, revealing the Espada inside to be unscathed. He then screamed again, clearing away the thick smoke cloud, and the Shinigami found that the other Espada was also still alive.

"No...they're all...it's like they weren't even hit!" Natsuki cried out in her horror.

"Captain Komamura," he and Natsuki looked around at Izuru, who bowed low. "We'll be fine here. Please sir, go," he requested.

"Are you sure?"

"You must go!" Izuru yelled, taking them both by surprise. He never raised his voice. "I know your presence here is keeping us safe Captain, but our survival means nothing, if everyone else is wiped out because you stay with us!" he insisted, looking up.

"I'll stay, and make sure they're okay," Natsuki volunteered. However, before the Captain could decide to move, the giant purple creature opened what seemed to be its mouth in a breath, and began to blow on the flames in the air. They began to go out, revealing the three who had been trapped inside. "Dammit..." Natsuki hissed. Blood pounded in her ears as she stared at Aizen, Ichimaru and Tosen, all clad in white like their Arrancar allies, looking amused. Aizen looked down at them, and Izuru inhaled sharply.

"This is it...we're finished..." he groaned, his head dropping. Natsuki couldn't help but agree as any hope of winning began to fade. Two of their most powerful Captains were down. Soi Fon had lost an arm, Hitsugaya was looking exhausted as well, and four of the Lieutenants were badly wounded, while another had exhausted himself trying to heal them.

Natsuki closed her eyes, lowering her head as well. Izuru was right. They were done for.

"Not so fast," Natsuki's eyes shot open as her heart seemed to stop. She knew that voice. It was one she hadn't heard for a century at least, but she knew it all the same.

"No...it can't be..." she whispered, looking up slowly. Her heart sped up as she hesitated to look, before finally seeing the group of nine standing in the air above. Nine figures whom Natsuki never expected to see again. Her hands dropped to her sides, before her legs gave in and she fell on her knees at the sight.

"It's been a while, hasn't it Sosuke?" Shinji smirked at his former Lieutenant, who had lost his amused smirk.

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