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Chapter Eighteen - Trek to Las Noches

"Shiro," Kasumi said one her best friend had succeeded in destroying the Hollow that had came to greet them. She tried to keep her voice steady as she posed this question to him, asking it even though she already knew the answer that he was going to give. "This isn't going to be the last time that we're attacked is it?"

Shiro shook his head, sheathing Hyourinmaru with one fluid motion. He heard the slight tremor in her voice that she had tried to hide and he felt guilty for allowing her to come along with him. "The first of many attacks I would assume."

"Great," Kasumi said, the sarcasm in her voice plainly evident. It wasn't that she was regretting her decision to accompany her friend to Hueco Mundo but she had to admit that she wasn't looking forward to the many battles that they would be forced to fight.

But even this didn't lessen her determination. She would follow Shiro wherever he chose to go, regardless of the danger that it put them both in. Solely because of one undeniable truth;

She loved him.

Kasumi wasn't entirely sure when her feelings of fondness for her best friend had turned into love but never the less couldn't deny her feelings for the white haired prodigy.

"My dad's gonna freak when he finds out," she thought to herself, a grin spreading across her face despite the rather dire situation that she found herself in. Owing to the fact that Shiro was a Shinigami, Kasumi was fairly certain that her father would make a fuss about any relationship that they may have, at least at first.

But that didn't deter her from wishing to pursue such a relationship at a later date.

"What are you lost in thought about?" Shiro asked, noticing the rather strange expression that had appeared on her face.

Kasumi blushed as her thoughts returned to the here and now. Shiro was staring at her with a quizzical expression in his teal eyes and the young woman found herself feeling grateful for the fact that, although he was a genius, when it came to romantic matters, he didn't have a clue. "It's nothing," the girl said dismissively. "Anyway, we should probably get moving. Before the next wave of Hollow decide to throw us a welcoming party."

Shiro wasn't even slightly convinced by her assertion that she had been thinking about 'nothing' but didn't press the issue. Perhaps once they had accomplished their mission he'd force her to tell him exactly what had caused that strange look in her eyes.

"Surely I didn't imagine it, did I?" the white haired teen thought to himself, glancing at his companion out of the corner of his eye. He didn't want Kasumi to realize that he was looking at her but couldn't resist.

Because she had confused him. Not an easy thing to do under normal circumstances but Kasumi seemed to have an infuriating knack for it.

In the throne room of Las Noches two small children were bouncing up and down, identical smiles on their faces. "Nii-san's here, Nii-san's here!" they chimed, their voices blending into one.

Heikichi nodded as he watched the Kurosaki twins bouncing around. These two small children had been the first to recognize the massive reiatsu that had invaded Hueco Mundo, a fact that had came as something of a shock to the young man. He hadn't expected for Shiro's siblings to be so advanced at such a young age although in hindsight he wasn't exactly sure WHY he hadn't expected it.

After all he'd seen what their parents were capable of.

Which was one of the major reasons why he had allowed the man who had kidnapped the twins to leave unharmed. It was a far worse fate in store for him upon his return, whether he chose to go to Soul Society or the world of the living.

"Stupid bastard's going to pay for his cowardly use of small children," the young man thought to himself, a slightly sadistic smile spreading across his face.

"It won't be long til Nii-san's here right Heikichi?" Masaki asked, turning amber eyes to her brother's friend.

"Shouldn't be," Heikichi replied, a thoughtful expression on his face. He had no idea how many obstacles that Kurosaki would have to face on his journey toward the palace but he was anxious to see how the younger boy faired. "Let's see how much you've improved Kurosaki," he thought to himself, a gleam in his brown eyes.

Having achieved the rank of captain, Heikichi was well aware that the white haired youth's skills must have increased considerably and he actually found himself anxious to see what Kurosaki was capable of.

"My Lord Heikichi…"

The brown haired youth had been expecting this intrusion and he glanced up as Solara once again entered his throne room. He arched a brow questioningly as she walked toward him before sinking to her knees in a low bow. "What is it?" he questioned, even though he already knew what she was here to tell him.

This had to do with Kurosaki, without a doubt.

"Yet more intruders have found their way into Hueco Mundo," she informed her master, getting to her feet and gazing at Heikichi. Her gaze briefly flashed to the twins before she shrugged off their presence as unimportant. It was clear that she was seeking permission to deal with the problem.

"I am aware," Heikichi said, his voice calm and collected. He gazed at his subordinate for a moment before speaking again. "I won't forbid you from engaging them in battle. Do what you have to do."

A light shone in Solara's eyes as she received this bit of permission from her master. She had been afraid that he would forbid them from attacking these intruders as well but was grateful that this wasn't the case. "Thank you my lord. They shall be dealt with immediately."

Heikichi nodded, watching as the Espada turned and exited his throne room. Then, once she was gone, his gaze once again shifted to the twins who were standing together a few feet away. Kaien and Masaki seemed unaware that their brother and his best friend were the intruders of which he spoke. Both still held excited expressions on their faces, oblivious to the danger that their older brother faced.

"And all because he has this incessant need to save everyone," Heikichi thought to himself as he sat down on his throne. Gazing at the far wall he pressed a button on the arm rest of the throne, causing a large screen to descend from the ceiling.

"This should be entertaining…" he mused.

Shiro and Kasumi traveled in silence for awhile, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts. This was interrupted however as they were surrounded by yet another group of Hollow. The white haired captain made a move to grab his zanpaktou but didn't get the chance to draw Hyourinmaru. In a blur Kasumi leapt past him, releasing her own sword before her companion and superior even had the chance.

The moment that she held the bow in her hands Kasumi began to systematically execute the Hollow. The reiatsu arrows flew through the air at a blinding pace, followed by the cries of the Hollow as they fell.

"That was impressive," Shiro commented once Kasumi had taken care of the enemies. She offered him a smug look as she made her way back to his side however it faltered as she heard the sound of someone else.

"Impressive indeed. But let's see how well you fair against a more worthy opponent."

A/N - End of another chapter, hope that you enjoyed!