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Chapter 43: In The Balance

"I'm Kirara," the little girl with short black hair introduced herself with a friendly smile. Natsuki, who wore the girl's clothes while her own dried, stared at her, before looking down at the cup of tea in her hands.

"Why..." Kirara's smile faded at the question. "Why are you being so nice to me?" Natsuki lifted her head, her eyes swimming with tears again.

"Why?" Kirara repeated, looking confused. "Why wouldn't I? You looked so sad..." Natsuki's eyes widened at the innocent answer. Kirara just blinked back at her, looking confused.

"Don't mind Kirara. She has a habit of trying to help anyone in need," Kotoba smiled as she walked back in. Kirara went red at the comment. "No matter what the situation, Kirara will jump in headfirst, even if it means putting herself in danger," Kirara went even redder.

"Mama!" she whined. Kotoba laughed, and Natsuki couldn't but do the same. "So what happened? Why were you soaking wet?" Kirara asked, and Natsuki's laughter faded.

"I...I fell in a koi pond," she mumbled.

"Hmm..." she glanced at Kirara, whose arms were folded. "Someone pushed you in," she accused, and Natsuki's eyes widened.

"N-no! I fell in!" Natsuki insisted.

"Please don't pay Kirara any mind, Natsuki," she glanced to Kotoba, who set down her empty cup. Kirara immediately edged over and poured more tea into the cup for her, and Kotoba smiled fondly at her, her hand settling on her stomach. The action brought Natsuki's attention to the slightly swollen belly, and her eyes widened slightly. "She often says what she thinks, especially when she thinks she know what's going on," Kotoba smiled.

"I do know! It just makes sense!" Kirara protested, before huffing and folded her arms childishly as her mother patted her head, smiling at her. "Hey Natsuki," the blonde girl looked at her again, and Kirara grinned. "Stick with me. I won't let anyone push you into koi ponds again," she told her confidently. Natsuki stared at her with wide amber eyes, before smiling back brightly.

"Sure!" she nodded happily.

"Natsuki!" the blond fourth seat let out a groan as her dreams were interrupted by a voice calling her name. "Wake up, this isn't exactly your wisest place to take a nap," she felt a light tap on her face, and moaned irritably.

"What is your problem Yumi?" she demanded, opening her eyes and sitting up. As soon as she did, she let out a cry of pain, putting a hand to her shoulder where Aizen's blade had cut through her.

"Careful, Natsuki!" Izuru pleaded with her, and she glanced around. The young man was covered in bandages, and looked exhausted.

"You're lucky we found you," she looked to Yumichika. "Everyone's preparing to leave," he sniffed, looking irritated. Natsuki frowned.

"What...what happened?" she asked. "The last thing I remember was...Momo..." Natsuki breathed.

"Ichigo Kurosaki defeated Aizen," Izuru told her softly. "Everyone's preparing to return to the Soul Society," he explained as Natsuki stared at him.

That was it? She missed it?

"Thanks Izuru," Natsuki smiled at him after a moment, knowing he was responsible for healing her wounds. He just nodded in response, getting to his feet. Natsuki glanced down at her own body curiously. Half of her kosode hung off, revealing that a great deal of her upper body had been bandaged, and it all still hurt a great deal, but it was nowhere near as bad as it had been.

"Let's go already, I'm tired of this place," Yumichika commented, getting to his feet. He helped Natsuki up, and she nodded, agreeing with him, before her eyes widened.

"Kirara! I've got to-"

"She's with Captain Unohana still," Izuru said as Natsuki stumbled, almost falling into the fifth seat of her Squad. He steadied her, and Natsuki frowned.

"Then I've got something to do," she ran off before the two could stop her.

"Just what are you doing?" Yumichika asked as he caught up to her. Natsuki had stopped around a destroyed building, looking around. She knocked rubble out of the way, her eyes scanning the ground. "You know, it's not very beautiful to ignore someone," he muttered, and cried out in pain as a rock collided with his stomach.

"I'm still mad at you, you know," she turned a glare on him.

"What did I do?!" Yumichika demanded, a hand to his stomach.

"This?!" Natsuki gestured to the cut across her cheek. "And maybe gotten all hysteric to the point where Izuru had to knock you out like a little bitch?" she demanded, and he stopped, looking away.

"I'm sorry," the words were so quiet that Natsuki almost missed them. She sighed, touching his arm lightly.

"I was worried about you," she admitted, then turned away quickly, walking away when Yumichika looked up at her again. "How's Ikka?" Natsuki called as she continued looking.

"He'll be fine," Yumichika told her. "What are you looking for?" he asked her curiously, and as he made to follow her, his foot connected with something and he heard a low clink of metal. Looking down, he found a sword partly buried. "What the..." he muttered, crouching and lifting it.

"Good work Yumi!" Natsuki smiled when she saw it in his hands. "Now just one more to go...ahah!" she pulled Kirara's Zanpakuto free from the rocks it was buried under. "Here, catch!" she called, and Yumichika barely managed to catch the sword thrown at him.

"You know you're not supposed to throw these, right?" he frowned. "Whose are they?" he asked.

"One is Kirara's..." Yumichika's eyes narrowed at the mention of the young woman. He didn't care for her in the slightest. He was puzzled, wondering just how it had ended up there. "And the other is Hiyori's...now where...there!" Natsuki practically dove into the rubble.

"I think you could stand to explain what happened after I was knocked out," Yumichika complained as Natsuki reappeared, trying to pull a short woman up with her. Blood ran down from her head, and she was out cold. "Oh good grief...swap with me," he rolled his eyes, taking Hiyori in his arms as he shoved the two swords into Natsuki's hands. "Who is she?" he asked after a moment.

"Later Yumi, come on," Natsuki leapt through the air, and with a growl of irritation, he followed her.

"Hiyori!" Lisa was the first to spot them, and all but Unohana and Shinji looked up quickly to see Natsuki and Yumichika landing lightly, carrying the unconscious Vizard.

"Still out cold, huh?" Love muttered as he took her from the Shinigami.

"Unsurprising. One of Kirara's kicks to the head could probably have done more damage if she didn't hold back," Rose murmured, his purple eyes returning to the woman in question. Lying on her back and covered in bandages, she didn't move, unconscious as well. Yumichika's glare had faded when he saw the state Kirara was in. She was still very pale, but her breathing had slowed, and blood stained the ground around them.

"I found these too," Natsuki held out the two Zanpakuto. Rose took them from her carefully. He winced a little at the movement; bandages showing under his open shirt.

"Thanks," he spoke softly. Natsuki's gaze then returned to Kirara, and Yumichika stood beside her.

"Perhaps we should go. You aren't fully-"

"Not yet Yumi..." Natsuki's voice was soft, but he'd known her long enough to detect the stubbornness in it. She wouldn't move until Unohana was done. Silence fell over the group, until the barrier finally faded, and Unohana stood up.

"I'm finished. That should do it for the time being," she announced.

"For the time being?" Lisa demanded, kneeling beside Kirara as Unohana turned to walk away. Her shirt had been replaced with bandages around her chest, much like Love, whose entire torso and arms were bandaged. Kirara also now had bandages around her chest and waist, as well as around her burned shoulder. "You mean she might not make it?!" Lisa's worried question made Natsuki's heart leap into her throat. Yumichika glanced to her when her fingers curled around his sleeve, her eyes not moving off Kirara.

"What I can do with Kido is really no different from medical treatment," Unohana glanced away. "We've completely healed the body. Eventually, as long as she doesn't give up her will to live, she will regain consciousness. As to whether or not her will is strong enough, well, you know her a lot better than I," she pointed out to the group. "You have more insight to her state of mind," Unohana stated.

"She certainly is stubborn enough..."

"Yumi!" Natsuki's scolding yell was accompanied by a punch to the gut and a grunt of pain.

"Well...he's not wrong..." Love sighed. Despite their worry, Rose and Lisa couldn't help but smile slightly. Even Hachi seemed to look less worried.

"Thank you...Unohana," Shinji murmured, his head lowering.

"There is no need to thank me. Thanks are not necessary, when helping a friend," Unohana turned away from them.

"Friends...huh?" Shinji sighed as he looked down at Kirara. "Well...that's exactly the kinda crap Kirara would say..." he shook his head. "Thank you so much..." his voice was even quieter, and he reached out, taking Kirara's hand. The others glanced around as Hiyori suddenly groaned, opening her eyes.

"Wh...what? What happened?" her voice was groggy as she looked around. Love set her down carefully, but kept a grip on her to ensure she didn't suddenly collapse. Hiyori put a hand to her head as it throbbed painfully. "I...Kirara?" her voice went very quiet as she saw the motionless Vizard on the ground, her breathing slow, with Shinji sitting beside her, his head still lowered.

"Hiyori..." Lisa started carefully.

"What happened?!" Hiyori's voice rose in volume and pitch as she pulled away from Love. "Tell me!" she demanded.

"You lost your temper and rushed Sosuke," Hiyori froze at the soft words from their leader. "Kirara knocked you out of the way," Hiyori's breathing became erratic at Shinji's words.

"No...no I-" she backed away as her golden eyes grew wide. Disbelief, horror, anger; a multitude of emotions whirled through her, making her head hurt even more.

"Hiyori," Shinji's voice was louder and froze her where she stood, preventing her from fleeing like she wanted to. "She did it to protect you. Don't run away," he looked up and finally met her gaze. Hiyori fell to her knees. There was no blame in his eyes. Why didn't he hate her? It was her fault. It was all her fault.

"Listen to me, everyone!" they all looked around at the frantic voice of Lieutenant Sasakibe, who was sprinting towards them. "You have to get away from this place quickly!" he yelled, stopping beside the raised ground they were on. "It's Captain Kurotsuchi! He's about to release the Tenkai Kecchu! It's very dangerous here!" he warned them.

"What is with that guy?" Natsuki groaned.

"We have to go," Yumichika told her. Natsuki hesitated, watching as Shinji carefully lifted Kirara into his arms. Her head leaned against his chest, and her brow furrowed for a moment before relaxing again.

"Ri..right. You're right," Natsuki sighed, turning away.

"Hamasaki," she stopped, looking around in surprise. Shinji's eyes were on Kirara's sleeping face; an expression on his face that Natsuki couldn't work out. "Thank you," he told her.

"Why are you thanking me, idiot?" his eyes widened, and they all looked at Natsuki in surprise. She grinned back at them. "Sorry, couldn't help but channel Kirara there. You don't have to thank me. Like Captain Unohana said, thanks aren't necessary when you're helping out friends," Natsuki told him with a smile, before leaping into the air with Yumichika.

"I can see why Kirara likes her so much," Rose mused quietly.

"Are you alright?" Yumichika's voice was disinterested, but he looked at Natsuki as they hurried to the evacuation point that would bring them back to the Soul Society.

"Yeah..." Natsuki nodded, but her voice quivered, and Yumichika glanced to her. He sighed, looking ahead again as he chose not to comment on the tears streaming down her face, running through the dirt and blood that coated her face. She put her hand to her shoulder as the pain reminded her of its presence.

"She'll be alright, you know," Yumichika finally spoke as they moved towards the evacuation point.

"But will I see her again?" Natsuki challenged him, looking at him with a scowl.

"Of course you will," Yumichika's scoff took the anger out of her. "Besides, I want to challenge her to a fight…she insulted me one too many times," he growled. Natsuki blinked at him, the last of her tears falling, before she laughed. "What?" he scowled at her.

"It's funny, seeing you get all agitated by her," she told him. His eyes widened for a moment in alarm, before he scowled, turning his head away.

"How stupid…I am not agitated," Yumichika muttered, and increased his pace. Natsuki followed, still laughing at her friend.

Jogging back home, Kirara glanced up to the sky and bit her lip nervously. The dark clouds were gathering overhead, looking ominous. She wondered if it would have been wiser to stay with Natsuki at hers, instead of returning home. Too late for that, however; she was already closer to her own home on the other side of the district.

Thunder rumbled overhead, and Kirara stopped abruptly, looking up. Thunder rumbled again, reverberating through her chest, and she swallowed. Rain began to pour, heavy and thick, and within moments, Kirara was soaked.

"Well...I guess it doesn't matter either way now..." she sighed, picking at her clothes as they clung to her.

'Kirara...' her head lifted and she looked around quickly as she heard her name being whispered.

"Who's there?" she called, but the area was silent. Kirara's heart hammered against her chest as she scanned her surroundings. She was sure she'd heard someone, but there was nobody around. Frowning, Kirara turned and continued jogging. The mud squelched under her feet, the ground slippery but not slowing her down as she hurried home. It was getting dark fast. She needed to get home.

Kirara stopped, her body locking into place as a low roar echoed through the area. Her breathing erratic, Kirara slowly turned, her eyes wide as she faced a massive white creature who towered over her. A cold feeling trailed down her back as the Hollow stared at her with glowing golden eyes, drool mixing with the rain as she took a step back. Tears burned at her eyes as she tried to think of what to do.

"Hmmm...your fear...it smells almost as good as your Reiatsu!" the Hollow laughed. Kirara couldn't respond, terrified. The entire place was in danger, unaware of the monster who had stepped inside. "I'm looking forward to devouring you...little girl!" he lunged at her, his massive jaw opening.

'Kirara!" she finally snapped back into focus at the yell, and dove aside. Mud splattered her entire body as she hit the ground, scrambling to try and get out of the way. The Hollow laughed again, but it stopped abruptly and was replaced by an agonised scream as blood burst from a cut down his leg.

"What the hell?! Who did that?!" the Hollow demanded, thrashing around and looking for someone else. Kirara looked around curiously, before someone appeared nearby.

"I didn't expect to see one of you bastards out here...but you're making too much noise for me to ignore you," Kirara watched with wide eyes as a man with dark hair streaked with silver walked towards the Hollow. He walked with a slight limp, and wore normal clothes, but carried a Zanpakuto by his side.

"What? You?" the Hollow sneered. "You can't even walk, let alone fight me!" he taunted the man, lashing out. The man leapt out of the way, and cut down his arm. The Hollow cried out, and used his other hand to counter. The man blocked, but was knocked back, and when he landed, he staggered.

"Damn leg..." the Shinigami hissed, and the Hollow punched him hard. The man slammed into a tree, and grunted in pain.

"I should help..." Kirara whispered, and a flash of something caught her attention. She looked to the trees nearby, and spotted a glimmer of gold. She stared, looking around the trees for any more signs.

'Kirara...' the voice whispered again, before the Shinigami cut through the Hollow's arm, making him roar in pain.

"Who are you?" she asked, and the lights flickered back into view, cutting through the darkness.

'You know who I am, Kirara. Don't you want to help? He cannot win alone,' the deep, male voice echoed.

"But how? There's nothing I can do...I have no power," Kirara lowered her head.

'Of course you have power Kirara...' the voice told her, and the lights gleamed even brighter. 'Call my name...and you will have the power to save him,' Kirara looked up to see the man dodging another attack.

"But I don't know your name..." she whimpered, tears burning at her eyes and overflowing, merging with the rain that soaked her face already.

'Of course you do...just call me, Kirara...just call me,' the voice breathed, and Kirara's fists clenched. She pushed up, running at the Hollow.

"Hey kid, stop!" the Shinigami saw her, and let out a yell. She rushed past him, and leapt into the air at the Hollow.

"Kokoro no Kage!" she yelled, and she swung down as there was a flash of light. The Hollow shrieked as the blade raked down his Mask, but not deep enough. However, the man jumped up as well, cutting through the Mask. The Hollow roared, and disappeared.

"Kid...that was stupid," the man turned to Kirara, who was staring at the sword in her hands. "But..." he sighed. "I owe you my life. Thank you," he bowed his head, and she looked up.

"No, you don't! You saved me first!" Kirara insisted, her eyes wide. "Are...are you a Shinigami?" she asked. The man gave a small laugh.

"Third Seat of Squad 1. Kuroro Tsukino. Or at least, I was," his words made her frown. "This leg of mine...doesn't work so good any more," he told her, before looking back up. "But that is definitely something I didn't expect to see out here...your own Zanpakuto. You're an unusual kid alright," Kuroro commented. "What's your name?" he asked. Kirara looked down at the sword in her hand, the adrenaline fading from her body.

"Kirara...Yamada..." she mumbled, swaying. The Zanpakuto fell from her hands, and clattered into the mud as she fell too. Kuroro limped over, and gave a small chuckle.

"Definitely an interesting kid alright," he murmured.

The silence was deafening as the Vizards returned to the warehouse. Hachi barely even moved as he raised the barrier instinctively with a snap of his fingers.

As soon as they stepped inside, Hiyori was off like a shot, disappearing down into the training grounds. Nobody tried to follow her. Kensei immediately headed for the upstairs, carrying the sleeping Mashiro on his back. She snored lightly, drooling on his shirt without the silver haired man noticing.

"We should probably eat," Love was the first to break the silence.

"I want a drink," Lisa's stiff reply followed, her eyes still on Kirara's unconscious face.

"I wouldn't mind one either," Rose nodded, his voice soft and his gaze on the ground. After a moment, Love hummed in agreement. As they fell into a quiet discussion, Shinji made his way up the stairs, to Kirara's room.

Setting her down on the bed, Shinji watched her sleep for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh, taking a seat on the ground beside her, his back resting against the small table.

"It's over…it's finally over," he murmured, leaning his head against his knuckles. His elbows rested on his knees, and his eyes were closed. "Of course you'd sleep right through it all," Shinji cracked one eye open to glance at Kirara, who didn't respond. "Unohana said that your will had to be strong to survive…" he closed his eye again. "I've never met anyone so stubborn. If anyone can pull through from force of will…it's you Kirara," Shinji couldn't stop the words tumbling from his mouth.

He leaned forwards, pressing his knuckles harder into his forehead and ignoring the pain that came from the cut above his left eyebrow. "Dammit Kirara…why do you have to be so impossible?" he hissed. "Why did you have to tell me something like that right then? Why not before? Why…why didn't I say it before?" he demanded of himself.

After a moment, he sighed, leaning back and resting his head against the table. "You're right Kirara, I am a damn idiot," Shinji muttered bitterly, glaring at the ceiling. "I'm sorry…I should never have let you get hurt…just…please…" his voice was quiet, shaking with each word. "Please wake up," he pleaded, closing his eyes again. All he heard in response was Kirara's soft breathing.

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