Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. I only own Asuna.
Please Review? It feels like I'm not getting anywhere with this story.
Taking cover in the tree nearby, Asuna and Chad watched simply as a group of Soul Reapers inspected the rather large crater left in their wake.
"This hole is huge," a Soul Reaper said in disbelief. "And there's nobody in the crater. So that must mean that their still alive. Go find them!" He commanded the rest and Asuna sighed in relief as they scurried off.
Smoke emitted from Chad's arm as a bird chirped in his ear, sitting happily in content on said arm. "Okay," Asuna glanced at Chad from her position. "So what now?"
Asuna sighed under her breath as she shrugged. "I honestly don't know Chad. I think we are pretty far from the rest of the group and we can't wait it out. They will eventually find us."
Chad nodded his head and thought for a moment. "Then why don't we split up?" Asuna's eyes briefly widened and she turned towards Chad.
"Is that a good idea? Are you sure?" She questioned and he flexed his transformed arm and nodded.
"Yeah. I'm capable of handling myself when I get into trouble and that why we can cover more ground."
She thought for a moment, her hands clenching. "Just be careful." She said before jumping off the branch, landing safely down the ground and glanced up at him. "Good luck, Chad."
With that, the girl flash stepped away, a few leaves swishing in the air behind her wake.
Its been a few minutes since she left Chad on his own, a small guilt tugging at her heart and she slightly regretted leaving him behind.
"Please don't run into trouble." She mumbled as she found herself flash stepping from rooftop to rooftop, in hopes that she might run into the rest of her friends.
Standing on higher ground, grey eyes scanned her surroundings before jumping down from the rooftop. "I don't think I'll be using flash step. That will attract to much attention to myself." She confessed as she glanced around before turning a random corner, walking wherever her feet took her, her eyes widening when she stumbled back.
"HEY!" She yelled loudly gaining their attention. "WATCH WHERE YOUR GOING YOU IDIOT!" And as she faced the person who knocked her down, her eyes widened when she found herself facing a tall, muscular man with spiky black hair, small bells hanging from the tips but the most threatening thing about him was the spirit energy that seemed to radiate from him.
A small girl with pink hair sat on his shoulder and she pulled on his sleeve, only then noticing the white haori he wore and her eyebrow twitched. "Just great. Me and my loud mouth."
"Oh look at that, Kenny." the little girl said in a small sweet like voice. "You made her mad." The Captain scoffed under his breath as he observed the annoyed girl standing in front him.
"Heh, you got some nerve gir-", her grey eyes connected with his and his eyes briefly widened. "Well what do you know? Ichimaru wasn't lying when he found you so surprising," he leaned forward slightly. "I can see the resemblance now."
The little girl seemed confused as she leaped down his shoulder and landed on Asuna's shoulder.
Inspecting her face closely, Asuna tried to swat the girl's hands away. "Now that you mention it, Kenny. She looks a lot like Byakushi." A tick mark appeared on Asuna's forehead and she growled under her breath making the pink haired girl jump back and land on the Captain's shoulder.
The Captain grinned at her. "Should I take you to your old man, or should I take you in for being a Ryoka." Her eyes seemed to widen when he mentioned taking her in and with a swift movement, the Captain found himself staring at nothing and glanced up seeing her standing a distance away.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you, Captain but I don't have the time. I'm here for a reason and I will not give in to the likes of you." With that, Asuna flash stepped away, her heart racing as she reminded herself that from now on she would keep her loud mouth shut.
"That was close," Asuna huffed as she found herself leaning against the wall for support, her heart still hammering against her chest.
"Dammit," she cursed. "I almost got captured for my loud ass mouth." She glanced around the corner of the wall she was in, watching as a group of what seemed to be a group of Soul Reapers from the 4th Division rushed past.
"I should pay more attention to my surroundings. I don't think I'll be lucky next time." Making sure the coast was clear the girl found herself running down the path her feet carried her. "I'm not going to use flash step," she rushed around a corner. "That would catch any unwanted attention."
A sudden spike of spiritual pressure had the girl skidding to a halt, and faced the direction. "Ichigo." Now knowing the direction of her orange haired friend, she started sprinting towards the direction.
"What's that fool doing?" She fussed under her breath as she found herself jumping high in the air, landing on a rooftop before she started running from building to building.
And as she jumped high enough, in the distance she could spot a head with orange hair sprinting and grinned. "Found you."
With new found determination, the girl flash stepped across the rooftop and with a grin, landed a distance in front of the sprinting orange haired teen but her grin dissapeared when his body crashed into hers, sending them both tumbling down the ground, and rolled to a stop.
"Gosh Ichigo", Asuna mumbled as she stood up dusting herself off. "If I knew better I'd say you were excited to see me."
Ichigo huffed, an annoyed expression on his face when he pointed a finger at her. "What the hell, Asuna?! You can't just appear outta' nowhere. You scared the crap out of me," he roared and she smiled sheepishly.
His gaze softened and he stood up, before dusting himself off. "Are you alright? Didn't run into any trouble?" She rubbed the back of her neck and laughed nervously.
He growled and grabbed her collar before shaking her. "Well?! Answer me?!" The girl gulped and placed her hands over his.
"I ran into a Captain", she yelled closing her eyes. Ichigo's own eyes widened as his eyes quickly roamed across her form, looking for any signs of wounds or bruises and sighed in relief when he found none.
She opened her eyes slightly as he let go off her. "Well I'm just glad your alright." He said rubbing the back of his neck and Asuna blinked at him.
"Why?"
He stared at her with confusement. "Why what?!" She closed her eyes and clenched her hands beside her.
"Why are you so worried about me? Your so concerned for my well being and yet you hardly even know me." He blinked at her as she stared at him.
He frowned and looked away. "To tell you the truth, I don't know why. But I can tell you this," he looked at her with a light smile. "Your my friend. And no matter what, I'll always protect my friends."
Her eyes slightly glimmered with awe and he suddenly groaned in pain and gasped leaning forward. The girl retracted her fist from his stomach.
He coughed and stared hard at her. "What was that for?" He demanded as he stood up from his crouch, holding his stomach.
"Your such a stubborn idiot," she said softly. "Making me all mushie and soft." She shook her head and patted his shoulder. "Come on Strawberry." As she ran off, she couldn't help but smile when she heard him yell behind her.
"My name isn't Strawberry!" But nonetheless, Ichigo sighed as he followed behind her. Asuna glanced at the running teen beside her.
"So where's Ganju?" She questioned and he glanced at her as they rounded a corner.
"We ran into some trouble when we landed from the blast. Ganju ran off the second he saw the chance. The guy I defeated was the third seat of the 11th Division, Ikkaku Madarame." Ichigo explained. "And he told me that the other guy that was chasing Ganju was the fifth seat from the 11th Divison as well."
Asuna's eyes briefly widened. "So that means this guy is the fifth strongest from the Captain on deck." Ichigo nodded his head and they continued to sprint down the pathway.
"I know. And if that's the case, I have to rescue Ganju because there's no way he can defeat that guy on his own. But how the hell are we suppose to find him since all I see are these same stupid walls all over the place." He snapped before coming to a halt.
"That's it," Asuna's eyes widened when she spotted a dead end beside Ichigo's direction, a group of Soul Reapers sat there huddled together. "Now I'm really mad." He took a deep breath and Asuna's eyes widened.
"Ichigo don't-" but it wasn't any use.
"HEY GANJU! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!? IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, SHOOT UP SOME FIREWORKS TO LET ME KNOW! YOU DUMBASS!"
She facepalmed and shook her head. "And here I thought I was the lo." She patted his shoulder. "I'm sorry Ichigo, but this is all your fault." He glanced in the direction of the Soul Reapers.
His eyebrow twitched. "That's just great," he stated. "Now I gave us away."
The group shot to their feet. "There he is! The orange haired Soul Reaper!", "You won't get away!", "Let's kill them!", "For the honor of Captain Zaraki! Capture them!"
Ichigo's eyes widened comically before he turned around and ran like a hell, Asuna merely following behind him. "Get them! Their getting away!" As the four pursued them, Asuna grumbled.
"God Dammit!" Ichigo cursed as they continued to outrun the group. "Ganju where the hell are you?!"
Asuna merely rolled her eyes and sighed. "This is hopeless!" She huffed as they turned another corner. "We will never outrun them!" Ichigo continued running yelling out Ganju's name every now and again.
"Ichigo," Asuna snapped. "You do know that yelling that loud would only summon more of them and then we'll be flooded with them by no time." Ichigo instantly keeped his mouth shut as the men behind them yelled.
"Damn! Those guys are awfully persistent!" Asuna sighed and turned around, and began to run backwards.
"Hey idiots!" They continued to pursue them, yelling out threats. A grin spread on her lips and she thrusted her palms forward. "Bakudō #9. Geki." A red energy bursted from her palms and shot towards the advancing group, the said group yelling out as the red light engulfed them.
Ichigo skidded to a halt and he turned around, his eyes widening when he saw the advancing group that pursued them was now laying paralyzed on the ground. "What did you do to them?" Ichigo questioned in disbelief as Asuna stood with her foot on a man's back, her hands placed on her hips, a grin formed on her lips.
As she was about to answer, the two then glanced up when fireworks exploded into the sky and Ichigo sighed. "He's over there. Well its a little late for that," Ichigo informed as Asuna huffed smiling.
"Come on let's go." With that the two ran into the direction, hoping they would find Ganju along the way.
But fate had a different side and it wouldn't allow them to get to Ganju that easily and soon enough, they were both surrounded by men from both sides -blocking their paths- that Asuna assumed was from the 11th Division because they all had the same cocky attitude.
As the Soul Reapers muttered their threats and taunts, Asuna sighed under her breath but yelled out when they all lunged forward.
She flash stepped away, not wanting to be crushed underneath all those men and winced when they all landed on Ichigo. Pushing them with all his strength, Ichigo managed to hurl them into the air. "Get off! Give me some space you bastards," Ichigo yelled before rushing towards the direction Asuna now stood in and rounded the corner. "So that we can get the hell outta' here."
Asuna stumbled forward as Ichigo's hand wrapped around hers and dragged her alongside him, the mass of Soul Reapers right behind them. "These guys are friggin' everywhere. How many are there of them anyway?!"
Asuna rolled her eyes as they rushed around a corner, stopping when they heard a voice calling their names. "Ichigo! Asuna! Just in time. I can really use the back up right about now." Ganju yelled but his eyes widened when he noticed a even bigger mob of Soul Reapers chasing them as well.
Asuna rolled her eyes as Ganju yelled at them. The two merely ignored them as they slid underneath Ganju. "Ganju," Ichigo yelled as he swung Zangetsu towards the mass of men. "Duck!"
"What are you doing swinging a overgrown blade so close to me you moron," Ganju yelled once Ichigo had hit his said targets, only managing to wipe out a few. "You almost took my friggin' head off." He finished as Ichigo stared at him in annoyance.
"Shut up. I told you to duck, didn't I?" Ganju jabbed a finger at him as he stared at Ichigo.
"What good is a warning if it comes at the same time as the thing your getting warned about?!"
Asuna sighed as she sweat-dropped at the situation. "Guys, I don't think this is the time to be arguing. We have other things to worry about." She said, her grey eyes landing at the group of men surrounding them.
"It seems as though they backed up with your surprise attack", Ganju commented nodding after what Asuna said. "But I have a feeling that it isn't gonna work a second time. And we're heavily outnumbered."
Asuna nodded as she tapped her chin in thought. "We're gonna need a miracle." And it seems as though their prayers have been answered when a figure came stumbling through the crowd before landing in front of the three.
Asuna's eyebrows furrowed together. "Hey Ichigo, Asuna. I think I have a idea of how we can get ourselves out of this place." Her eyes widened when she seemed to catch on what Ganju meant.
"Is that right?" Ichigo questioned thinking the same thing. "Me too."
The figure glanced up and Asuna almost gushed at the cute face the boy made. "So you guys are trying to find a way to get out of this place," he trailed on. "But why would you try to get away from here, unless ofcourse you happen to be the Ryoka everyone is so worried about." He seemed to come to the confirmation at the last end, and knew that it was the last option.
Ganju lunged forward and grabbed the boy's sleeve, Ichigo pointing his zanpakutō at the boy's head. "Now back off and let us outta here," Ganju yelled as the boy seemed confused.
"Or else your little friend is going to be missing some pieces." With that the boy's face went wide as he yelled out, anime tears pouring out his eyes.
"Ahh! Do what they say! Do what they say! Or else I'll be-," it seems as though their little plan wasn't working. Asuna sighed under her breath and rubbed her temples.
"This plan won't work." She mumbled shaking her head and glanced around, ignoring what was happening around her, the girl felt familiar spiritual pressure heading their way.
Chad.
Blinking she turned towards the current situation. "So when it comes to Squad Four,-" she frowned lightly. "-we hate them! So if you wanna kill this one, go right ahead. We don't mind." Asuna's eyes widened at this and she sweat-dropped.
"Wait a minute," Ganju yelled. "Don't you think its kinda cruel recommending death for someone just because they have different responsibilities?" Ganju questioned as Ichigo deadpanned.
"That almost makes sense." He admitted and Asuna rolled her eyes and sighed when the Soul Reapers finally decided to attack.
Just as they were getting ready for a fight, a sudden impact had the side of the wall exploding, sending dust and debris of the wall flying everywhere. "What the hell was that?!" Ganju questioned as Ichigo grinned.
"I don't know and I don't care. What counts," Ichigo said as the three of them turned around running towards the other mass of Soul Reapers. "Is that it just cut the enemies numbers in half."
At last second Ganju grabbed the unknown boy, throwing him over his shoulder as they pushed threw, throwing and taking out every enemy in sight.
Asuna peeked threw the small space from the door, making sure the coast was clear and closed it before turning towards the three men, her grey eyes landing on the unknown boy.
Ichigo and Ganju were sitting on the floor, discussing things under their breaths. "I'm Hanatarō Yamada." Asuna blinked at the sudden introduction and stared at the boy she know knew as Hanatarō.
"Dude," both Ganju and Ichigo started. "That name is so lame!" Asuna's eyes widened and she turned sharply towards them.
"What are you talking about? I like my name and it most certainly is not lame." He protested and Ichigo deadpanned.
"Well your wrong. Where I come from Hana means Flower and there's nothing lamer than that. Might as well call yourself Blossom." Ichigo stated as he waved a hand in front of his face.
"Come on, that's not very nice." Hanatarō stated and Ganju pointed a finger at him.
"Why should we bother learning the enemy's anyway." Not giving Hanatarō a chance to reply, he continued. "And why are you being so friendly, introducing yourself in the first place."
As Hanatarō thought about why he did introduce himself as Ichigo grabbed a hold of Ganju's collar. "Here's another question: what you bring him for?,"
"I couldn't help it, okay. He was just sitting there so I picked him by accident."
"How do you pick something up by accident?! What are you, a garbage man?! You just pick up whatever you see lying on the ground?!"
"Shut up! You didn't notice him until now so what's the big deal."
"Enough with your stupid bickering," Asuna snapped as it went quiet, everyone's eyes on her. "If you two do now stop with your blabbering, you will lead the guars straight to us."
This seemed to get to them and they both instantly shut up. She turned her grey orbs towards Hanatarō and sighed. "Sorry about these two idiots. They do not know the concept of manners." She said before crouching down beside him.
"My name is Asuna. Its a pleasure to meet you." She said smiling warmly at him, ignoring the bickering duo behind her. "Don't mind them," she jabbed her thumb towards Ichigo and Ganju. "Their always like that. Can I ask you a favor?"
Hanatarō sighed and nodded his head. "Since you asked so nicely, why not."
Asuna took a deep breath. "Do you know anyone with the name Rukia?" His eyes widened at the name and he nodded. Asuna smiled standing up.
"Excuse me," Hanatarō started as Ganju and Ichigo glanced towards him.
"Just stay out of this will you? We're doing some serious strategizing here."
"Why don't you just beat it kid? Your not going to be any use to us anyway," Ganju gulped seeing the menacing stare Asuna sent his way. "No offence."
Ichigo nodded. "Good idea-"
"Its Rukia Kuchiki your looking for isn't it?" This seemed to capture his attention and he turned towards Hanatarō.
"I thought so," Hanatarō said confirming the disbelief look on Ichigo's face. "It all makes sense now. The younger sister of the Squad Six, Captain Kuchiki is currently being held as a capital offender. And that means that the white tower you mentioned earlier must be the Repentance Cell." Hanatarō glanced at Asuna and sighed.
And all the while, Asuna's eyes were wide the entire time.
Was she somehow related to the Captain of Squad Six? If so, something told her it wouldn't be a heart warming reuinion.
"If you'll trust me, I can help you. I know a hidden way to that tower."