Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Chapter 21
Silent as a panther, Hitsugaya tracked Rukia's movements from the Shihoin Manor to the tea room. She stopped short of entering the building just as he felt an unnerving, massive wave of spiritual pressure. "When will that boy ever learn?" Hitsugaya asked himself quietly.
"You know he can't control himself when it comes to Rukia." Renji replied appearing out of nowhere.
"I'm just shocked that Byakuya hasn't knocked him out yet." Hitsugaya said with a huff. "Ichigo is going to get us caught even if he is wearing a suppression bracelet. You can feel his spiritual pressure at least five miles away." He stated shaking his head. Hitsugaya would never admit to this but he was always impressed with the kid's raw talent.
"Byakuya is not going to do that because he needs Ichigo to be the main distraction, captain. You know this better than anyone since Rukia will be your focus." Renji replied sarcastically. He was still a little bummed that Byakuya chose Captain Shorty to protect Rukia.
"I thought Rukia was going to be the distraction, then I pull her out of the fray once Ichigo and you arrive." Hitsugaya replied thoughtfully reviewing the details of their plan in his mind. He knew Rukia wasn't going to take kindly to being removed from the fight, but Byakuya insisted. Inwardly, Hitsugaya agreed with Byakuya, but he dreaded having to fight Rukia since she'd want to help her two best friends.
"This is Rukia we're are talking about, Captain Hitsugaya. Byakuya is not going to let anything happen to her even if it means foiling her own plans." Renji stated with a smile. He knew that Rukia was so going to kill him and Ichigo after this was all over with.
"True, but I doubt Byakuya included Kurosaki's feelings into the equation." Renji looked at Hitsugaya in shock. "Come on! If Yuushiro has one paw on her, Kurosaki will put on his hollow mask and go after Yuushiro unless Rukia can stop him." Hitsugaya leveled his eyes at Renji. They both knew Hitsugaya was correct.
"Maybe we could grab her before they meet? It would save us from having to pry Ichigo off any male except Byakuya." Renji raised a tattoo eyebrow at the captain. Hitsugaya liked Renji's idea, but he some big concerns mainly being Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki.
"You fail to see the issue in your own plan, Abarai. We'd be the ones who'd rescue Rukia, and we'd also be the ones Kurosaki saw with her. Who knows what his mind set will be, especially after you told me what happened at Urahara's! Sure he'd acknowledge that Rukia was safe, but she still would be with other males."
"So? Rukia would be safe!" Renji replied.
"What if his hollow wins during any of this? Did you think of that? I'd rather Kurosaki not level half of this district fighting one of his friends, especially if it's the two of us rescuing Rukia." Hitsugaya stated as he tried to get his point across.
Renji stared in awe of Captain Hitsugaya. He never would have thought of that dilemma. "Besides, Rukia would kill us for screwing up her plan more than we have too. She scares me worse than her brother at times." Hitsugaya stated as a chill ran down his body. He didn't want to upset the petite soul reaper too badly. Rukia knew his weakness. Hell, she knew all the rescuers' weaknesses. Hence why Hitsugaya took the liberty of stealing her zanpakuto from her room at Kuchiki Manor and hiding near the small flower garden by the Japanese maple trees. He had to help her in some way dealing with all these idiots. At least she would be happy with him when this was all over with.
Renji shook himself out of his thoughts as he saw Hitsugaya with a creepy smile on his face. Releasing a sigh, Renji realized that he was almost behind schedule, and he remembered the reason he came to check on Hitsugaya in the first place. It always amazed him how Rukia could get men side tracked when she wasn't even there. "By the way, Captain Hitsugaya, Byakuya wanted me to make sure that you were in place before all the chaos begins." Renji replied with a goofy grin as he scratched the back of his head.
"Where else would I be, Abarai?" Hitsugaya asked as he felt another wave of spiritual pressure. "Why don't you go calm down Kurosaki or knock him out. He'll only make matters worse for us if he doesn't quit with these waves."
"He's where I am heading next." Renji replied.
Renji turned his back to leave when Hitsugaya called out, "Watch yourself out there, Abarai. We aren't alone out here." The white haired captain warned. Renji nodded in appreciation.
"You too, captain. Send a signal if you need one of us." Renji stated before he disappeared.
Rukia felt Ichigo. She didn't know if it was their bond, their sharing of powers, or just her heart calling for his. She prayed that the others wouldn't feel his spiritual pressure. Now, she understood why two guards had already vanished on their way over to the tea room to "check on something." She assumed that something was none other than the annoying carrot top or possible a tattooed pineapple.
A shout drew Rukia's attention as she turned the corner of the tea house. A young man, whom she assumed was Yuushiro, sat at an outside waiting for her as she slowly approached. In all honestly, the man really couldn't be anyone else because he literally looked like a male version of Yoruichi with shorter hair.
Maybe he was less insane than his sister... Nah, he'll probably be a lot like her, but possibly not as smart. Hmmm... I wonder if the good, old feminine charm tricks work on him? Yep! He looks to be slightly drooling starring at me now... Great! I can work with this!
Rukia was a vision of beauty. Her short bob was half pulled up in a cherry blossom clip while the rest of the of her hair framed her face. A light dust of make up covered her face to enhance her natural beauty. She wore a dark pink kimono with white cherry blossom petals lining the ends of the kimono. The dark pink made Rukia's pale skin pop while her white sash wrapped around her waist highlighting her elegant curves. Her overall appearance magnified her femininity; yet, it hid Rukia's secret well. The kimono concealed a small, tight stealth force uniform that she found in the bedroom next to hers. Yoruichi was only to kind to retrieve Rukia's "favorite" kimono to make her date with Yuushiro look real. In reality, Rukia chose her attire because the dark pink kimono was easy to remove while her strong, white sash could serve as a rope in tight spots.
Yuushiro's eyes lit up when Rukia appeared in front of the table. To him, Rukia looked like a beautiful cherry blossom. He hurriedly stood up and greeted Rukia with a kiss her on the cheek rather than the formal bow. Yuushiro could feel the frost burn on his lips from his impromptu kiss, but he was on cloud nine.
"It's rude not to ask permission before you kiss someone when you are not on a first name bases with them." Rukia scolded.
Yuushiro just smiled at her blindly. He was happy with himself for sneaking in a kiss, even if it was on the cheek, to none other than Rukia Kuchiki. Instead of retaliating or commenting, Yuushiro just extended his arm so Rukia could chose for herself this time.
Since she was "rude" for scolding Yuushiro, Rukia took pity on the young man and took his arm with a bright smile, but she kept a sizable distance in between them. Rukia changed their direction as they walked closer to the table. Instead, they walked along the Japanese maple trees and flower gardens that surrounded the tea house. A few butterflies flew around allowing the path allowing Rukia to scan the landscape for her friends without getting caught. She just smiled and nodded at Yuushiro's insistent chatter.
Suddenly, a gentle cold breeze caressed her cheek. Rukia followed the flow of ice particles with her eyes while Yuushiro went on and on talking about butterflies. The ice led to a patch of tall flowers in the garden past the trees. It was the perfect place for hiding a zanpakuto; her zanpakuto to be precise. Rukia bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling at Toshiro's thoughtfulness. He probably snuck in and retrieved it for her since she knew that Byakuya wouldn't have wanted her to be anywhere near Sode no Shirayuki. Thank you, Toshiro!
A plan formulated in her mind. "I have a wonderful idea, Yuushiro!" Rukia clapped her hands together. "Why don't we go look at the flowers over there? They look so beautiful, and maybe we can find some more butterflies!" She exclaimed happily!
"I was told not to deviant from my instructions. Even now, I'll probably get in trouble with my big sister for walking too far from the table with you." He replied. Yuushiro had notice Rukia's attention drifting off, but he didn't think too much of it until she asked to walk further away. Since when was the petite woman so interested in the butterflies and flowers? She basically tuned her out when he was giving a lecture on butterflies. His eyes narrowed at Rukia as his glaze scrutinized her face for any sign of guilt, shock, or anger.
"Oh, come on. Do you really follow everything Yoruichi says?" Rukia asked innocently fluttering her eyelashes at Yuushiro.
"I think you're trying to get away from me…" He concluded due to the usually feisty woman's usual request. She was too docile right now.
"But... But the snowdrops over there are my favorite, Yuushiro!" Rukia pointed toward the flowers with enthusiasm. "You can hardly find them in the Soul Society anymore. Are you really going to make me pass up a chance to see them up close?" A pout appeared on Rukia's face and big, fat fake tears were brimming in her eyes.
The tears sealed his decision. "Please don't cry! Yoruichi would kill me if I upset you! She said to keep you extremely happy!" An emotional Yuushiro wrapped Rukia into a hug, which caused her body to tense, but she forced herself the relax and return the hug. Little did the know a certain orange haired soul reaper was watching the scene.
Rukia pried herself out of Yuushiro's grasp as she felt the familiar waves of spiritual pressure flow around them. She sensed Ichigo's rage and panic. She searched the wood line wildly for those amber eyes she adored; yet, he hid from her. Throwing a glance at Yuushiro, he seemed unfazed by the influx of extra spiritual pressure.
How is it that I am the only one feeling Ichigo's spiritual pressure? Another amplified wave passed over her. I need to cause a distraction now!
A light bulb went off in Rukia's head. She started forcing herself to cough causing Yuushiro to grow concerned. "Can you go get me some water while I sit here? I think the pollen got to me." She asked so pitifully as she continued her forced coughing fit. Yuushiro could do nothing but comply with her request.
As soon as he went inside the tea house, Rukia yelled, "Ichigo, get your ass out here now!"
Suddenly, an orange blur appeared before her and squeezed her in a bear hug. "Ichi… I can't breathe!"
"Sorry, Rukia!" He said as he placed her back on the floor sheepishly. Finally, Ichigo steeped back allowing him to study this new Rukia in front of him. His breath was just taken away by her beauty.
A shove to his chest brought him crashing back to reality. "You need to leave before Yuushiro comes back! Actually, you need to leave the whole freaking Soul Society before they do something to you!" Rukia hissed at him as her hands wrapped around his shihakusho. Ichigo saw the worry in her eyes. They were pleading so hard for him to vanish without her.
His hands wrapped out her shihakusho pulling her closer. He leaned down. They were almost nose to nose. "I'm not leaving without you, midget! Don't ask me to because you know that I will stay until you're safe." Ichigo said in a husky voice. Amber met violet. The sparks flew between them in the contest of wills.
"Well, surprise, surprise…" A voice came around from behind them. The two turned around shocked as they released their grip on one another to see none other than Grimmjow sitting on a rock watching the couple. "It's so touching. You might as well get a room, Ichigo."
"What did you say?" Ichigo growled lightly, shoving Rukia behind him to protect her.
Rukia glared daggers at the blue haired Espada. "Awe, look! She wants to save you; yet, you're to damn stubborn to listen the her." Grimmjow replied with a smirk to egg Ichigo on.
Ichigo started towards Grimmjow, but Rukia's hand wrapped around his wrist stopping him. "We need to leave, Ichigo." Her violet eyes plead with him. This time, he knew that they would leave together - the hollow and the man were satisfied with her solution.
"Go to hell, Grimmjow!" Ichigo replied.
Just as Ichigo was about to scoop Rukia up to get the hell out of there, Grimmjow opened his big, fat mouth. "What's the rush? Don't want another man looking at her? She's really is beautiful, isn't she, Ichigo? A man could really sink his teeth into her tender, pale flesh." Grimmjow smiled evilly winking at Rukia, but she just rolled her eyes. She knew what Grimmjow was doing, and he was succeeding.
Ichigo growled at the Espada. He was fighting his hollow now. He didn't want to scare Rukia with his possessiveness so he forced out a warning. "You need to leave before I kill you."
"Why? I think its time we have that rematch. The winner gets to keep the princess. What do you say?" Grimmjow asked Ichigo as his vivid, blue eyes light up in delight seeing the soul reaper struggling for control. "Of course, I have a little help to make sure you both behave during this fight."
Ichigo turned around to see Yuushiro grab Rukia from behind and threw her over his shoulder. But Rukia wasn't having it - not this time! She kneed Yuushiro in the face when he tried to adjust her on his shoulder. He dropped her to clutch his face as blood poured down his nose. Ichigo watched with a smirk as he watch Rukia escape. She whirled off her kimono revealing her stealth force uniform causing all three men to stare.
Ignoring the numerous eyes on her back, Rukia ran to her hidden zanpakuto. Just as she reached for Sode no Shirayuki, Renji appeared above her with his sword drawn. Rukia thought he lost his mind as he raised Zabimaru at her, but soon a clash could be heard over her head. Grimmjow had shift his attention from watching Ichigo to seeing the petite soul reaper bring down the head of the Shihoin house because he under estimated her. Now, the red haired soul reaper stood in his way.
"Thanks, Renji." Rukia murmured low enough for him to hear it as he pushed Grimmjow back.
Ichigo appeared by the trio in a flash taking on Grimmjow himself so he could draw the Espada away from his friends. "Get her out of here, Renji!" Ichigo yelled as he braced for Grimmjow's attacks.
Once Rukia and Renji were a short distance away, he yelled, "What the hell were you thinking!" Renji's face matched the color of his hair as he noticed Rukia's outfit.
Rukia wrapped her fingers around her zanpakuto in a death grip while an unusual scowl graced her face. "I'm thinking about turning this place into a damn blizzard if you do not lower your voice." She commanded. He flinched because he knew that tone and the look she was giving him. He received both of them from Byakuya all the time.
Grimmjow sent Ichigo flying into a tree because he was preoccupied Rukia's whereabouts. Suddenly, Rukia flash stepped to Ichigo's side. "Get the hell out of her, midget!"
"No! I'm staying to fight, strawberry!" Rukia yelled at Ichigo while he shot a glance at Renji for help. "Dance! Sode no Shirayuki!"
"Let her. I'm not dealing with her again." Renji replied as he helped Ichigo up.
Grimmjow charged Ichigo while he was distracted, but Rukia cut him off. "Some no mai, Tsukishiro!" A white, circle began to form around Grimmjow as ice began to in case his feet.
"Shit!" She heard the Espada exclaim as he broke free of the ice right before the ice column formed. "Smooth, princess."
"You haven't seen anything yet!" Rukia replied with a smile as she called out "Tsugi no mai, Hakuren!" The blue haired Espada dodged her attack barely while both of them kept smiles on their face.
Ichigo was at an impasse with himself as he watched Rukia fight with Grimmjow. He knew the Espada was playing with her, but he also knew that her bankai could stop him in a heartbeat. Now, the question now, did he get her out of here or did he let her fight? Finally, his heart won. Rukia could hold her own plus it helped that she stayed with him. Ichigo looked over to Renji. "Go warn the others. They need to be prepared for anymore of Yoruichi's surprises."
"Are you sure?" Renji asked skeptically. He didn't want to leave his two best friend alone.
"Yes. Who knows what else they'll have waiting for them. We can take care of this one." Ichigo stated with confidence.
Renji thought about it for a minute and nodded. "You got it!" He flashed stepped off in search of his nearest accomplice, but it was too late judging by everyone's spiritual pressures. The games have already started.
Well this concludes Part 1 of the Escape! I hope you enjoyed it! Much more trouble and fighting will occur in the next chapter as well as why some guys were not in their "designated" spots! Thank you for reading and reviewing!