A/N I thank all those that have read. Much appreciated. X3
PsychoIdiotLady – She did have her sword, she just couldn't grab it fast enough. :[ Yep, yep, he needed to be a Gary Stu in that chapter, but I'll tone it down. :3
dbzbnfan202 – Okay, I'll go check it out. :)
Dina Sana – I know. It's 'cause I'm giddy. X3
DreamingInThePast – Yes, he is~! :D Yep, he met them in the past, though the conditions were... bad. :[ Hopefully, they come out soon~! :D
Guest – Really? 0.o I guess? Sorta...? Maybe. :D
whitefyrefoxxy – I'm sorry, I just can't seem to stop writing cliffhangers! DX
DeathKnight KiraKira – Thank you. :D I always wanted to write a psychotic person. XD
Chibi-Onee-chan – D: My god... you are psychic! :D You got it right~! ( '.' )b Thumbs up. :D
Ha hah! Four days straight, man! :D I'm loving this. X3 I'm writing with the same enthusiasm I did when I first started writing~! =D
This may be stupid... but I loves Hijo. XD One of the reviewers figured out how Hijo found Riko and them~! :D Congratulate her. X3 And~! This chapter. Has. Several of my favourite people from my favourite group~! =D So very happy~! X3
Yeah, this is a weird question... but... do people not review some stories 'cause they're jealous of how better the story is than theirs? 0.o 'Cause I noticed a lot of transformers authors, yes I was reading transformers, didn't read the most awesome stories. That or didn't review. D: I just find that weird. Transformers is awesome. X3 That is all. XD
Also noticed it seems to be the yaoi stories that get the most readers and reviewers. X3
I'm sorry for any mistakes. DX
Disclaimer – I do not own Bleach.
Warning – Swearing.
-:-
"I'm telling ya, they've gone nuts."
All the Taichos were in the Soutaicho's office, those that were wounded already healed, all frowning and glaring at the old man. They needed orders. Something! Some of them sent Shinji flat stares for his statement, seeing him nod to show he was very serious with what he said. Heck, those damn old idiots got violent when they tried to check them out to find any foreign reiatsu on them. But it was no secret that crazy asshole did something to them before he took off like the wind.
"We get in there, see them disappear, then they're spoutin' nonsense!" Shinji said, shaking his head lightly with a scoff. "I'm tellin' ya, we don't need 'em. Early retirement~!" He sang, holding his hands up with a roll of his eyes.
The Soutaicho sent him a glare.
"Be quiet, fool!" Soi Fon snapped, narrowing her eyes and frowning. "How did they get there so quickly?"
"That dark haired fellow," Rose said, staring at the woman calmly. "He got past Shinji and I when we met them. Since he was the fastest of them it would stand to reason he was the one that got them to Central Forty-six so quickly."
"That... insane fellow," Kyoraku said, smiling at the group. "He... released his zanpakuto. Whatever his zanpakuto's ability is I'd say it's got the council under its' control." Most of the Taichos frowned.
"Well, if its' got 'em under its control why are we still listening to them?" Kensei asked, his arms crossed over his chest, turning to glare at the old man.
"'Cause they're, y'know, Central Forty-six~!" Shinji said, wiggling his fingers in a mysterious way. "Gotta listen to the old fools."
Kensei sent him a flat stare.
"Were there any survivors that came into contact with them?" Yamamoto asked, glancing at the fourth division Taicho.
"Five," Unohana answered, making everyone frown at the low number.
"How many died?"
"Over fifty."
"Eeeeh, that's unsettling," Shinji said, cringing and glancing at Rose, seeing him giving him a flat stare.
"And who are those five?"
"Sinaka Haku, Watanabe Kenshin, Chiharu Kaori, Hisako Riko, and Shigeko Kayo," Unohana answered, seeing the Soutaicho narrow his eyes. "Watanabe Kenshin, third seat of the seventh division, is currently in a comatose state due to the wound he received. Muguruma, Ukitake, and Kyoraku's subordinates have yet to wake. Only Sinaka Haku is the one that is up and walking."
"Looking over those videos," Kurotsuchi said, gaining everyone's attention. "It seems that Hisako Riko knows the crazy man."
"Ya talkin' 'bout yourself?"
"Be careful, Hirako," Kurotsuchi said, sending the man a glare. "I may use you as my next experiment."
"Oooh! So scary!" Shinji said, wiggling his fingers at the man as he stuck out his tongue.
"Why do you say that?" Kenpachi asked, stepping forward and glaring down at the man.
Kurotsuchi glanced at him, narrowing his eyes slightly as he observed him, Kuchiki, and Hitsugaya. They were still covered in blood. After all, they had this meeting right after Central Forty-six started demanding they release prisoners. But it was strange how Zaraki got offended so quickly. Ignoring it, Kurotsuchi looked towards the Soutaicho.
"But it would seem she does not know him," Kurotsuchi said, making people frown. "Though I managed to find a file in the systems matching his descriptions."
"So, what's it say?"
Everyone jumped in surprise when they turned their heads to see Ichigo standing in the room, all staring at him curiously. What was he doing in there? Never mind that, how did he even get in there without them noticing? He rolled his eyes, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared at everyone with a frown. Well, he obviously didn't make it in time. Shinji glanced at the zanpakuto he had on his back.
"I see ya got yer zanpakuto," Shinji commented, seeing the substitute shinigami nod.
"As I was saying," Kurotsuchi said, looking at the Soutaicho once more. "It would seem there is almost no information on him. Though the last people that tried to assess him and assign him a district to live in were killed when they found him. Only two out of five made it out alive." He held up his hands, seeing some people open their mouths. "They are dead now. It was quite a while ago."
"How long ago?" Hitsugaya asked, arms crossed over his chest, frowning uncomfortably when he felt his robes dry with blood.
"Over three hundred years," Kurotsuchi answered, looking up. "His file is read, "Dangerous. Do not approach."
"Well, from what we saw I'd say that's correct," Ichigo said, scowling to himself. "If I had been faster...!" He grumbled, huffing and looking to the side.
"There is nothing you could have done, Kurosaki," Komamura said, seeing the orange haired man look up at him with a frown. "None of us could have seen this coming. Do not blame yourself."
Ichigo nodded before he smirked and patted the wolf's arm with a grin, earning him a huff from the Taicho. Aw, they were all getting soft on him. Byakuya was staring in the distance, his eyes hard. He had heard Kaori screaming when they tried to fix her arm. It was in a cast now, but... that didn't make him feel any better. Her lung had collapsed, along with her two friends. They were all fine now. He narrowed his eyes. When he would see that man next he would die by his hand.
"So what? You're going to send people into the Rukongai to look for him?" Ichigo asked, pausing before he scowled. "Never mind, that sounded stupid."
"Why?" Shinji asked, quirking a brow.
"You know why, the Rukon is huge!" Ichigo said, huffing and looking away. "So, we're stuck."
"Perhaps not," Ukitake said, gaining everyone's attention. "Central Forty-six ordered to release Reta Tetsuya, along with the people that were arrested with him."
"Are you nuts?!" Shinji asked, gawking at the man. "We arrested over six hundred friggin' people! You think we're gonna let them all out?"
"...I was talking about the eight he invaded the Seireitei with." Ukitake said, seeing the blonde man blush from embarrassment before he grumbled and looked away. "If we can just tell them what has happened they may listen to us."
"And do what?" Shinji scoffed, rolling his eyes. "The damn Central Forty-six is expecting a fight! A fight! That means that those guys came here, put some weird thoughts into their heads, and now they're expecting a fight. Meaning..." People frowned when he paused dramatically. "They're going to come back to fight that Reta an' his buddies."
Ichigo widened his eyes. "Seriously?! That's it?! That's why they did this and killed all those people?!"
"Apparently," Kensei said, narrowing his eyes with a frown.
"So what? You're gonna let these guys out?" Ichigo asked, glancing at all the people in the room.
They stayed silent, all turning their heads to stare at the Soutaicho. He frowned and opened his eyes, making them straighten up when they saw his gaze. Ichigo blinked, frowning as he stared at the man, waiting for his decision. He had no idea who these guys were, but that must mean they're dangerous if the old man is cautious... right?
Soi Fon frowned, narrowing her eyes. Turning back, she glared at the camera that was following her and her two soldiers. Miyagi and Sentako. Rai rolled her eyes with a small sigh when the Taicho looked away, heading into the cells. Who they were looking for, she didn't know. But she wanted to make sure Satoru and Anya were okay. Takeshi... eh, she didn't care what happened to him. He can take care of himself.
They arrived at the first cell, Soi Fon stopping and narrowing her eyes. She frowned in disgust when she saw the man, seeing him laying on the cot... drooling. Rai made a face and glanced at Akio, seeing him staring with a cringe. The Taicho cleared her throat, frowning when he didn't respond. Stomping her foot caused a little tremor, watching as the man opened his eyes lazily.
Sitting up he let out a loud yawn, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Wha...?" He grumbled, looking around before his eyes fell onto them tiredly. "...Hm..." He barely reacted before laying back down.
"Get up," Soi Fon ordered coldly, hearing the man grumble before pushing himself up once more. "Tanaka Zenaku... there has been an incident."
He grumbled and pushed himself back up. "Ah, don't tell me it's 'cause I punched one of the guards." Zenaku said, glaring at the three.
Rai widened her eyes slightly when she got a look at his face, trying not to react when she saw he did not have a pupil in his right eye. A long scar ran across his eye, which was most likely the reason he couldn't see out of the eye. She stared at the scar that ran across his face from the tip of his left eyebrow, across his nose, and ended on his cheek. Short, spiky hair was on top his head, watching as the man yawned once more.
So this was Tanaka Zenaku.
"You what?!" Soi Fon snapped, widening her eyes in rage. "You pitiful-"
"Does it look like I give a flyin' fuck what ya think?" Zenaku asked, staring at the woman flatly. "I don't. Now, say what ya want, 'cause I wanna catch up on my sleepin'." He said, smirking widely as he crossed his arms.
Back at the office, Ichigo snorted loudly, which gained him strange stares, all the Taichos watching through one of Kurotsuchi's many holograms.
Soi Fon told the man what had happened, frowning when his expression didn't change. She noticed during the last two years his hair was no longer covering his eyes, shorter than when he first arrived. How he cut it, she didn't know. When she finished... they were all stumped when he threw his head back and started laughing, leaning against the wall for support. He banged his fist against the wall, as if that would help stop him.
"Hahahahaha!" Zenaku took a deep breath and turned with a smirk. "Ya serious? Someone attacked the high an' mighty Central Forty-six?" He asked, snickering loudly. "I don't give a damn what happened," He said, narrowing his eyes with an amused look crossing his face. "I ain't gonna do shit they say."
"What?!" Soi Fon widened her eyes in shock. "But-"
"You listen ta what they say," Zenaku said, leaning his right arm on the bars and bending down until he was close to her height as he could get, smirking widely. "I don't. So, ya can tell them ta shove that order up their asses." He said, snickering before he turned, sitting down on his cot. "So, ya can leave now." He called, laying down and crossing his arms behind his head.
Soi Fon narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth. "When your comrades agree to-"
"When?!" Zenaku started laughing again, turning to roll on his side and facing them, holding his head up with his hand. "Woman, ya don't know 'em as well as I do." He narrowed his eyes and smirked. "They ain't gonna agree."
"Well, what can we say to get you to agree?" Rai asked, flinching when she received a glare from the Taicho.
Zenaku raised his eyebrows slightly, which made everyone frown. A wide lecherous grin crossed his face, making Rai blink with wide eyes.
"Strip an' I'll agree."
"WHAT?!" Rai screamed, eyes growing wide, everyone at the office that was watching staring in shock.
He stared laughing once more, waving his hand dismissively and saying he was just kidding.
"Hah! Man, I haven't laughed this much in two years," Zenaku said, rolling onto his back, scratching the bridge of his nose with a smirk. "Ya guys are amusin'."
They received dark stares for that, which he ignored. Rolling back over he told them to leave, hearing the man snore not even ten seconds later. Soi Fon narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth, deciding to head for the next prisoner. They had separated all of them, in case they tried to communicate with each other and attempted to escape.
Arriving at the next cell, Soi Fon frowned, hearing the man snoring loudly. Did all they do was sleep? Waking him up by hitting the bars was enough, seeing him jolt before he pushed himself up, muttering before he stood and walked over to the small urinal in the cell. Rai's eyes grew wide, quickly looking away in embarrassment when he did his business. Turning around, he blinked when he saw them.
"...How long were you there?" He asked, quirking a brow curiously.
"Long enough," Soi Fon said, glaring at the man. "Kobayashi Renzo, you have been called upon by Central Forty-six."
Renzo blinked and scrunched up his face. "Hell no! I'm not going to willingly go to be death!" He yelled, waving his arms and shaking his head. "If they wanna execute me they're gonna have to fight me." He said, holding up his fists.
"Not for an execution."
"Oh, thank god!" Renzo yelled, placing a hand on his chest. Looking up he raised his eyebrows curiously. "What for, then?"
When she finished... he started snickering before bursting out in laughter. He fell to the floor, kicking his legs up in the air, gasping for breath. Rai frowned. Did they all laugh? He hit the floor repeatedly with wide eyes, standing up and rushing towards the bars. Rai and Akio moved back from the action, though the Taicho stayed rooted to where she was.
"Tell me again!" Renzo said, grinning widely. "Tell me how they got by your defences~! Tell me how they got to Central Forty-six. Oooooh~! I wish I could've been there to see their reactions~!" He said, turning and waving his arms dramatically. "We, Central Forty-six," He said, talking in a deep voice. "are weak, worthless bunch of old bastards." He bent over and started laughing, hard.
Soi Fon narrowed her eyes. "Be serious!" She ordered, noting that his hair was now short, his ponytail long gone.
"I am~!" Renzo said, looking up with a wide grin. "Let me guess, you're expecting me to agree?" He asked, receiving no action from the woman. He snorted. "Over my dead body! They want my help I want them on their knees, begging me." He said, leaning forward with a grin. "Until then... ta ta~!" He said, turning and walking away. He stood on the other end of his cell. "...I, uh... have nowhere to go, so I'm just gonna wait until I hear your footsteps fading away."
Soi Fon huffed in irritation before heading to the next cell.
And the next one.
And the next.
And the next.
And the next.
They all said no! Soi Fon pursed her lips, heading for the last cell. Reta Tetsuya was still in Maggot's Nest, thankfully not causing trouble. Seeing the cell come into view she narrowed her eyes in confusion when she saw it was dark. Rai and Akio shivered, frowning before continuing after their Taicho. When she stopped they stood behind her and folded their arms behind themselves. At the office, all the Taichos frowned, staring at the lone man sitting in the middle of his cell.
"Yamato Nikito," Soi Fon said, seeing the man turn his head slightly, his back facing them. "I am sure you have heard the sirens."
"...I don't hear much anymore..." Nikito murmured, his hair covering his eyes. The Taicho noticed his hair was also short, wondering how they were able to cut their hair in jail. "...What has happened?"
She told him, frowning when he stayed quiet. At least he didn't laugh like his friends.
"...What do they expect me to do?" Nikito asked, sitting in the darkness.
"Are you agreeing?" Soi Fon asked, a little surprised.
"No," Nikito lightly shook his head. "I'm not agreeing. I suppose you can call it... a rhetorical question. What would they expect me to do if I agree?"
"We are not sure yet. Central Forty-six has yet to give us orders, with the exception of releasing you," Soi Fon said, glaring at the man's head. "Why do you not face me?"
"I suppose it is because people get so angry whenever they see my face," Nikito murmured, sitting straight. "And please... as if you would want to see a prisoner's face."
Soi Fon narrowed her eyes. "Will you agree? That is all I am here for." She said, seeing the man turn back towards the wall.
"...No..."
Soi Fon reached the end of her patience, glaring at the man darkly. "Why not?! You were given orders to be released, and you shall be released! Whether you agree or not!" She snapped, ignoring the stunned stares from her subordinates.
"...Then why are you here, asking for permission?" Nikito asked, tilting his head to the side. "...Unless something else has happened and you are not telling the whole truth about Central Forty-six..."
Soi Fon stiffened. "No. I am not lying."
"Hm..." Nikito slowly turned around, still covered in the shadows, staring at the Taicho. She could feel his eyes on her, though it made her uneasy. "...Hmm... I cannot tell whether or not you are lying, but... your words... something seems to be missing." He said.
"Do you agree or not?!"
"I gave you my answer... I will not change it unless Reta-sama agrees," Nikito said, narrowing his eyes slightly. "If you are not mentioning him... that means you have not gone to see him yet... am I correct?"
Soi Fon narrowed her eyes. "...Yes." She said tightly.
"...Then leave. I have no need for you to be distracting me from my business," He said, waving his hand around the cell. "It was nice to see you again, Soi Fon Taicho." He said, turning around to face the wall once more.
Soi Fon gritted her teeth and turned to walk away.
"Maybe you can order the guards to stop abusing us."
Those words caused her to stop and widen her eyes in shock. She turned, staring at the cell with anger in her eyes. Was he implying the guards took advantage over them and abused them? At the office, all the Taichos frowned in confusion, staring at the hologram. What was he talking about? The guards wouldn't...
"What are you saying?" Soi Fon asked, turning to glare at the man.
"...Do you honestly think everyone in the Seireitei has a heart of gold?" Nikito asked, chuckling wryly. "Don't be foolish... you have no idea how much they take advantage of our positions." He said, rising to his feet.
Turning, he walked towards the cells, raising his head to stare at the small woman. Soi Fon widened her eyes slightly when she saw his black eye and swollen lip, thankfully his eye wasn't swollen shut(so that meant it happened a while ago), hearing both her subordinates inhale sharply. Though his wounds stood out, it was his eyes that stood out. Frowning slightly, she looked into his eyes, noticing... there wasn't much life as there was two years before. She stepped towards the cell, clenching her hands into fists.
"Who has done this?" Soi Fon asked, glaring at the man.
Nikito blinked. "I'm not sure... I don't keep track anymore..." He said, turning to look in the distance. "...I guess... they just find us amusing." He said, staring at the woman before nodding. "Taicho."
Turning, he walked back to the middle of his cell before lowering to his knees, sitting still once more.
Frowning, Soi Fon's eyes hardened. She'll find out who was abusing their positions.
The man turned his head slightly. "Is that so...? Hm... Well, there's not much I can do, I'm afraid." He said, turning and smiling. "I find no reason to come back out. You can deal with this yourselves." He said, giving a close-eyed smile.
Soi Fon narrowed her eyes dangerously. "You will agree or-"
"Or what?" He asked, tilting his head slightly. "You will lock me up? I'm afraid, Taicho, I already am."
Soi Fon turned sharply, stomping towards the exit. These fools... were infuriating! She could feel his eyes on her back, feeling better when she left the area. At the office, all the Taichos were frowning, letting out frustrated sighs and closing their eyes. Ichigo crossed his arms and tapped his foot, pursing his lips.
"Hey!" Ichigo looked up with a grin. "Didn't you say they had a little girl?" He asked, holding his hand out below his waist to demonstrate.
"Yes," Ukitake said, smiling at the man with furrowed eyebrows. "That 'little girl' happens to be Hisako Riko. She is by no means little, Ichigo."
"Y-Yeah, but if she talks to them maybe they'll come out of those dinky cells, right?" Ichigo asked, grinning at the group.
Kenpachi snorted. "Don't care if they come out or not." He grumbled, crossing his arms and glaring off to the side.
"Why?"
"Her father has issues with Kenpachi~!" Shinji said, grinning widely at the tall man.
He jumped away when a laugh when the man swung his fist towards him. Ichigo quirked an eyebrow before shrugging it off. He glanced at each and every Taicho, seeing them narrow their eyes in consideration. Unohana stepping forward.
"My patients have yet to awaken, Soutaicho," She said, seeing the old man frown. "We have to wait before we request her help."
Shinji huffed loudly and looked away.
"So? Are we gonna use her?" Ichigo asked, glancing at the old man.
"We may have no choice," Yamamoto said, frowning to himself. "Central Forty-six might take desperate measures if we do not do as they order."
"Old bastards."
Everyone turned their heads to stare at Shinji, seeing him blush and look away with a whistle. Rolling their eyes, they decided to ignore the man. Ichigo sighed and crossed his arms, looking to the side. Well, they had something to watch while they waited for the answers. Speaking of those guys, they were...
Kinda weird.
They were suppose to be "bad guys?" Two of them kept making jokes, one was smiling the entire time and said he didn't care, one was growling that he didn't give a flying... crap what was going on, one woman was smiling politely, and one... well, Ichigo wouldn't admit it, but he shivered when his eyes locked onto Soi Fon's. They sure didn't act like... well, like Aizen, for example. Like how bad guys were supposed to be.
"So..." Ichigo said, seeing the Taichos glance at him. "...What have you guys done while I was gone?"
They sent him flat stares.
The meeting was dismissed, the Soutaicho telling each and every person in the room to think of plans on how to get the men out of the their cells. So far, they had nothing but trying to get the woman to talk to them to get out. Shinji just said maybe if they held off long enough Central Forty-six would forget they even issued the order. Some Taichos shrugged and said it might not work, but they'll wait. As soon as the meeting was done, Byakuya, Kenpachi, and Hitsugaya went to head for the fourth division, ignoring their fukutaichos when they asked where they were going.
Yachiru stared at Ken-chan as he walked away before smiling.
"See you back home, Ken-chan!" Yachiru yelled, seeing him pause before he looked back and nodded. "Make Red-chan happy~!"
"Ya got it!" Kenpachi yelled back, heading after the two Taichos.
Hitsugaya narrowed his eyes and frowned, staring ahead seriously. "...We're not becoming friends... right?"
"Hell no."
"No."
"Good."
Unohana had to smile when she walked after them, knowing where they were heading. They were rushing, already far in the distance. Closing her eyes, the sides of her mouth tilted downwards when she thought about the people that had suffered. She had seen her small television, what it had shown of that man. For a moment, one of his victims ran away and hid. But... he found her.
That man was dangerous.
Completely insane.
Possibly more than her, in her past life.
Night came around, everyone still cleaning the streets. Some people lost it and threw up at some of the scenes they came upon. Some of the Taichos were busy into the night, still finishing up their reports. Some ignored it while others continued to relay what they had seen. Those that ignored it were those three in the fourth division.
Kenpachi sat in the chair, his eyes closed and leaning back into the chair. He opened his mouth and yawned, opening his eyes blearily before looking around the room. Kuchiki and Hitsugaya were still up it seemed. Huh... He didn't even remember falling asleep. The women had yet to wake up, so many hours after their surgeries. He frowned and stared at the bed he had set the chair next to, staring at the unconscious woman.
Why the hell did she go after that guy?
Was she being brash and stupid like she usually was? Eh, he didn't know. Letting out another yawn he glanced at the other Taichos, seeing them staring tiredly at the women. Stupid thing, they decided to put all the women in the same room, which meant they were in the same room together, yet again. Why couldn't they stop hanging out with each other? He rolled his eyes with a scoff.
"...He didn't go for their vitals," Hitsugaya murmured, gaining their attention. He frowned slightly. "...He let them live..."
Byakuya stared at the redhead. "He intended to torture them."
"That's what I'm guessing," Hitsugaya said, frowning before he reached out and grabbed the woman's hand.
"Sick fuck," Kenpachi scoffed, closing his eyes with a frown. "He was fuckin' spouting crap. How the hell would he know her?" He asked, glancing at his former subordinate.
"They have had past lives," Byakuya informed him, sending him a cold stare. "Meaning, she may have met him in the past."
"And just doesn't remember it," Hitsugaya finished, staring at the woman.
Byakuya turned his head towards Kaori quickly when she started shaking, gritting her teeth and sweating profusely. Leaning forward in his chair he grabbed her hand in between his, staring at the redhead intensely. She started gasping, shaking her head, her eyebrows pulled together.
"Don't...!" Kaori arched her back. "Get away...!"
"The hell is she dreamin' about?" Kenpachi asked, frowning at the woman's actions.
Byakuya ignored him, sending reiatsu through his hands to hers, causing her to furrow her brows before she started to relax. Reaching up he brushed her hair away from her eyes, keeping his hand around hers. Turning his gaze he stared at the cast around her right arm, narrowing his eyes slightly when he felt a twinge of anger. What had she been thinking, heading off like that? Did she want to get killed?
Riko murmured in her sleep, scrunching up her face, which caused Kenpachi to quirk an eyebrow curiously. Was she having a nightmare, too—That thought quickly left his head when he heard her stomach growl, sending the woman a flat stare.
"...Idiot," Kenpachi said, hesitating before his hand hovered over hers.
Should he?
Just as he was about to Kayo shot up with a loud gasp, her eyes wide, causing the Taichos in the room to jump. Hitsugaya stood, holding his hand above her back. She cried out in pain and held her hand over her stomach, her eyes closed tightly. Soon her eyes opened, quickly looking around the room in fear.
"He's not here... is he?" Kayo asked quietly, pulling her arms close to her body.
"Who?" Hitsugaya asked, staring down at the woman worriedly. "Lay back down, you might open your wounds."
"T-That man," Kayo said, her eyes wide with fear. "T-The man that was... going to kill us...!" She said, closing her eyes tightly.
"...It'll be alright, Kayo. Go back to bed," Riko murmured sleepily, rolling over before she yelled in pain and sat up. "My shoulder!" She yelled, her eyes wide before looking around the room in confusion. "Where am I?"
Kenpachi grinned and sat forward, seeing the woman turn her head to stare at him with eyes wide in confusion before she frowned at him. Why was he there? Never mind that, why was she there? Looking up in thought she frowned, turning her head to glance at Kayo in confusion. Kayo looked up, her eyes wide with fear, causing Riko to widen her eyes when she remembered.
"Did you guys catch that man?!" Riko asked, glancing at all three Taichos.
Hitsugaya frowned. "No. They had a way out since the beginning." He said, placing his hands on the woman and laying her back down.
Kayo rolled onto her side, whimpering in pain before she grabbed his hand. He paused before furrowing his eyebrows, sitting back down and holding her hand. Riko quirked a brow, staring at the two before laying back, staring at the ceiling with a frown. So, he got away. Closing her eyes she curled her fingers into fists.
She... knows him from somewhere.
But from where?
"How big..." Byakuya widened his eyes and leaned forward, seeing the redhead open her eyes and stare at him through pained eyes. "...was the death count?"
Byakuya grasped her hand in both of his. "They are still counting." He said, seeing the redhead furrow her eyebrows before her eyelids closed.
Riko opened her eyes and frowned at the three men. "Why're you guys here?"
"I would think that would be obvious," Hitsugaya said dryly, sending the woman a glare. "What were you thinking?" He asked, seeing the woman send him a confused stare. "They are like this because of your sudden impulse to see the fight up close!"
"You think I don't know that?!" Riko hissed, pushing herself up sending the prodigy a glare. "I didn't tell them to come with me! Hell, they followed me willingly!"
"Why did you go?" Kenpachi asked, frowning in confusion.
"I recognized that guy!" Riko growled, seeing the man frown in confusion. "I can't remember from where, though...!" She said, gripping her head with a frown. "All I know is that I remember feeling..." She hesitated before lowering her head and sighing. "I remember the same amount of fear when I saw him... And... when I saw him I couldn't grab my sword fast enough... He was in front of me not even five seconds later..." She murmured, furrowing her brows. "I wasn't strong enough..."
"You were scared?" Kenpachi asked, frowning before he snorted. "Bastard's not that scary."
"He cut off a man's head," Kaori said, sitting up with a scowl. "How is that not scary?"
Kenpachi frowned and shrugged, which caused the redhead to look away and lay back down. She winced and held her arm, letting out a pained groan. Riko had her head lowered, staring at her hands with a frown. It was her fault they were like this. Closing her eyes and clenching her hands she frowned, feeling her shoulder pulsing in pain. It was making her drowsy. It wasn't long before Kaori and Kayo were feeling the same way, both blinking blearily.
Riko stared at the ceiling once more tiredly, closing her eyes and frowning.
"Woman," Kenpachi grunted, hearing the woman hum lightly.
"...What?" Riko asked, opening her eyes slightly to glare at the man. "...Still hate you."
Kenpachi frowned. "Oh, yeah," He snorted, rolling his eyes with a scoff. "I came here jus' ta poke fun at you. Not 'cause I care or anything." He said, crossing his arms and looking away with a snort.
Kayo and Kaori blinked. "Why are you guys here?" The redhead asked, glaring at the Taicho holding her hand. "...Holding my hand..."
They blushed before removing their hands, causing the two Taichos to frown slightly. Byakuya raised his hand and placed it on Kaori's shoulder, making her frown in confusion as she stared at his hand before looking at him with a scowl. Hitsugaya grabbed Kayo's hand once more, smiling slightly when she blushed and avoided looking at him.
"Kaori," Byakuya said, not reacting when she frowned at the use of her given name. "I may have transferred you, but that does not mean I do not care for you."
"Bullcrap," Kaori scoffed and looked away. "Transferring means not caring... Asshole... son of a..." She started grumbling under her breath. "You can leave now. I'm alive, I'm health... Well, I'm fifty-fifty percent healthy. I did... something that was not good and got hit for it," At this Riko snorted. "But I am fine, so you can go now."
"Yes, I can tell you were smoking," Byakuya said, seeing the woman blush before looking away. "I am not leaving."
"W-What?!" Kaori turned her head sharply towards the man and widened her eyes. "Why are you staying? You can leave!"
"You can leave, too, Hitsugaya Taicho," Kayo murmured quietly, staring at their hands with furrowed eyebrows.
"...You leaving?" Riko asked, glancing at the tall man.
"No."
Riko scowled and glared at the ceiling, wincing before she let out a small sigh. Damn... All three women frowned when the Taichos said they weren't leaving, no matter what they said. Closing their eyes they decided to go back to sleep, trying to ignore the presence of the Taichos. Kayo let out a surprised noise when Hitsugaya stood up, kicking off his sandals. She watched in confusion as he lifted the covers.
"Move over," Hitsugaya said, seeing the small woman widen her eyes and blush profusely. "N-Not like that, I'm just... tired."
Kayo furrowed her brows before moving, letting out a wince every now and then. Kaori was watching through one open eye, smirking to herself when the small Taicho shook off his haori and laid down. The small blonde squeaked when he wrapped his arms around her and placed his head on top of hers. Kayo blinked before blushing profusely once more.
"...Aw," Riko smirked and rolled over, closing her eyes. "And you're too big." She commented, just as the Taicho was about to reach for the bed.
Kenpachi frowned and sat back into the chair, crossing his arms with a scowl. Byakuya sent him a flat stare, receiving a glare in return. They stayed silent, deciding to stay in their seats. It wasn't long before the women were sleeping, all breathing softly as they slept. Keeping sure she laid on her back and didn't hurt her arm he stayed up; Byakuya stared at the woman with furrowed eyebrows.
"It is my fault," Byakuya murmured, gaining the other Taicho's attention, the two the only ones up. "...If I had not transferred her she wouldn't be..."
"Kuchiki, don't be stupid," Kenpachi scoffed, seeing the noble look towards him. "Nobody could've seen this coming. Especially with this idiot here." He said, motioning towards the sleeping woman. "She ran out there with... Riko, willingly." He frowned. "All we can do is try to find the sick fuck that did this."
"Try..." Byakuya murmured, staring at his and Kaori's hands, which were intertwined.
Silence.
"We, uh... we aren't becomin' friends, right?"
"No."
"Good."
Okay, stupid question. Is THAT a cliffhanger? 'Cause I'm not sure. XD
February 6, 2013