CHAPTER 47: OUTSMARTED

Kira noticed that he was at least ten metres away from Hisagi. Coming face to face with a grinning Arana, he knew that his opponent would do anything but go easy on him. In such a situation, he would have preferred to fight alongside Hisagi and face the two Fraccion together, but it seemed as if fate had decreed otherwise. The tip of Arana's feathers began to sprout a collection of strange red objects, causing Kira to wonder what it was. The unknown, pointed objects began to glow and shot straight out at Kira. His eyes widened and he hastily dodged the spike like objects. Unfortunately, one of them was stuck on his arm. Kira began to panic a little, wondering what that strange spike-like object could do. He looked up to see Arana grin and snap his fingers. Just then, the object created a burning sensation, burning through his Shinigami robes and it extended itself, thrusting itself through his arm. Kira shrieked in pain as the spike dug through his flesh, mercilessly and incessantly.

"HAHA!" Arana cackled. "Feel my wrath, pathetic Shinigami!"

Gripping his left arm, Kira watched as his blood poured from his wound. Trying to ignore the excruciating pain, he looked up and faced the Fraccion bravely.

"Hadou 58, Tenran!"

A huge tornado emerged from Kira's palm, rushing right for Arana.

Hisagi looked away from Kira, knowing that he had to focus on his own battle. Finner was smiling at him, before quickly disappearing into thin air and aiming his blade at Hisagi's chest. Hisagi quickly defended himself from Finner's blade, using his palm to resist his opponent's offensive advance. He was determined to stay alive. Everyone was fighting with all their might now and as a Lieutenant, there was no way he would allow himself to fall without putting up a real struggle. He could not disappoint his colleagues. He could no disappoint the Captains. He could not disappoint Tayomi. He placed his palm in Finner's face and used Hado 31, Shakkaho against him. A blast of crimson energy was directed right in Finner's face and Hisagi quickly coupled it with Bakudou 4, Hainawa. The dust cleared and Finner stood there, tied up in the yellow energy rope. However, he did not seem to have taken as much damage as Hisagi would have liked, as blood dripped from a wound on Finner's cheek. Taking advantage of the chance, Hisagi quickly slashed at Finner, before he broke out of the energy rope.

Night was coming on rather quickly as the sky darkened and the moon rose. They had been at their stations since evening and other than Kira and Hisagi, none of the other Lieutenants and Captains seemed to be engaged in battle. Tayomi yawned, noticing that it was midnight. Hitsugaya glanced at her and sighed. Ichigo quickly decided to break the awkward silence.

"Um... Maybe we should take shifts and take turns to guard the area? Then if the enemy comes, we'll wake everyone else up."

"Alright." Hitsugaya nodded. "I'll go first."

"No. I'll go first!" Tayomi eagerly volunteered.

"I'm going first, Tayomi."

"Susu-chan, I'm going first!"

"No."

"YES!"

"No."

"YES!"

"Tayomi..."

"Rock paper scissors!"

"Ha."

"I lost... No! It can't be..."

"Alright. Tayomi, go and sleep. You're obviously tired."

Tayomi pouted and glared at him. Hitsugaya hugged her and kissed her on the forehead. He stroked her long black hair and tightened his grip around her, before looking down into her eyes.

"Just go..."

She looked up into his turquoise eyes and nodded slowly, before kissing him back.

"Fine." She replied, sounding slightly stubborn and reluctant.

She walked off silently into a corner and rested her head against the wall. Hitsugaya shot Ichigo a look, trying to tell Ichigo to protect her. Ichigo seemed to understand it and nodded at the young Captain, before walking off to join Tayomi.

Hinamori met Matsumoto and another green-haired girl at the South Gate. Just as she was about to ask the girl for her name, she identified herself as Mashiro Kuna, one of the Vizards. Hinamori smiled at her sweetly and Matsumoto threw an arm around the Mashiro's neck, as a gesture of friendship. Mashiro seemed fine with it and smiled back at them. Suddenly, their brief moment of peace was interrupted by a loud rumble. The ground began to shake a loud crash was heard. From the smoke, emerged three figures. One had his eyes too far apart and wore a strange smile on his face, having a hollow mask pointing upwards, like the snout of a shark. The female Arrancar was dressed scantily, with her hollow mask covering her right eye, shaped like a flower. The last Arrancar had jet black hair and golden eyes, his hollow mask resting on top of his head, covered in spikes. They were clearly enemies from Aizen's army.

Matsumoto got ready to unsheathe her Zanpakutou and release Haineko. Hinamori was all prepared to release Tobiume. As for Mashiro, she was just about to put on her hollow mask. Nothing much needed to be said. Both parties were more than ready for combat. Mashiro giggled and put on her hollow mask, before charging forward to land a kick on the dark-haired Arrancar.

"MASHIRO SUPER KICK!"

The dark-haired Arrancar yelped in pain as Mashiro hit him square on his head. Suddenly, he grinned and swung his fist at her. Mashiro leapt back with agility, perfectly avoiding that hit. The female Arrancar charged at Hinamori and sneakily took out her dagger-like Zanpakutou, attempting to slash Hinamori. She quickly dodged it and gasped. What a violent girl... The last Arrancar, with his Arrancar mask pointed like the snout of a shark, rushed towards Matsumoto. Matsumoto hurriedly unsheathed her Zanpakutou and defended herself from his attack.

"Who are you three?" Matsumoto asked.

"Gee-Roy Linker." The Arrancar replied.

"Lolee Airvirnne." The female Arrancar snapped.

"Dio Vega." The dark-haired Arrancar smirked. "You don't need to remember this name, since neither of you will be able to remember a thing after this fight. Dead people don't have memories."

"We'll see about that." Matsumoto grinned.

I have to find some way to distract Arana. Then I can reunite with Hisagi and we can back each other up.

Kira thought hard as he came face to face with Arana, his arm still throbbing from the spike that stabbed his flesh. Arana had seemed to get the impression that Kira was vulnerable, as he continued to shoot the spikes at him, complacently assuming that most of them would hit Kira. His opponent was awfully stuck-up and that fact could not be clearer to Kira. Complacency was probably Arana's biggest failing and Kira knew he had to take advantage of that fatal flaw. He remembered the priceless words from his Shinigami days, before his promotion. Never be complacent and take your enemy for granted... He can spring an attack on you anytime. Don't let him catch you off guard and catch HIM off guard instead! Kira knew he had to get out of his predicament first and somehow make his way back to Hisagi. Hisagi seemed to be having a little bit of trouble with his opponent and he appeared reluctant to release his Zanpakutou. Sighing, Kira knew he had to distract Arana and bridge the distance between his friend and him. Just then, he had a brainwave. Maybe if he could physically push Arana towards Hisagi..?

"Hado 1, Sho!"

The spell pushed Arana towards Finner a little. Arana was bulky and large, the spell merely made him shift a little. Creasing his forehead, Kira went for a higher level spell and used Hado 33, Soren Sokatsui, using the force from the massive blue blast to push Arana further. Arana smirked as he did not receive much damage, obviously not noticing that he was shifting closer and closer to Finner. Kira was stern and serious on the outside, but trying hard and silently rejoicing in the inside as he continued to hope that his little ploy would succeed. Hisagi seemed to notice what Kira was doing, but decided against doing the same thing. Finner was probably sharp enough to notice his plans behind every move. He pretended to be oblivious to what was going on over in Kira's mind and continued to slash at Finner, randomly casting Kidou spells to defend himself.

Yes, they're close enough now!

Kira was overjoyed inside, glad that his prediction was true. Now, the only thing left to do was to overpower the two Fraccion, along with Hisagi. Hisagi's eyes lit up all of a sudden, his frown turning into a slight smirk.

"Reap, Kazeshini."

He threw one of his chains off, aiming it straight for both of the surprised Fraccions' faces. It exploded, creating a massive explosion, blinding their sight with the great amount of smoke. The smoke dissipated and the two confused opponents regained their clear view, a clear view of Hisagi's new blade before their very eyes. Hisagi's single blade had transformed into two huge, black scythes, connected by a black chain. Kira had released Wabisuke as well, with his blade transforming into an odd shape. Arana laughed, thinking that there was no way Kira could defeat him with such a strange looking blade. Kira's resolve strengthened and he nodded at Hisagi. Their next move would be absolutely risky and they desperately hoped it would work as well as they wanted it to be.

Just then, the ground began to rumble. Shunsui looked up for once, Soi Fon's eyes widened and Kenpachi was no longer to contain his excitement.

"YEAH!" Kenpachi screamed and cackled in anticipation.

Soi Fon simply rolled her eyes as Kenpachi went into a maniacal state of laughter and Shunsui finally woke up from his nap, slowly making his way towards her at a snail's pace. A deafening explosion was heard and all three Captains cringed as the noise blasted into their eardrums. Soi Fon looked up and in the doorway of the Underground Assembly Hall, stood a lady with long blue hair. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail and she wore a white dress, with a black stripe around her turtle-necked collar. It's the New Espada. She had sharp, bright green eyes and a sneaky, sarcastic smile. She licked her lips and clicked her tongue. Soi Fon was ready to release Suzumebachi and beat up that Espada. Shunsui sighed and shook his head, slowly and steadily placing his hand on the hilt of his wakizashi. Kenpachi was too excited and already a step ahead of him, as his Zanpakutou was already unsheathed and all ready to slice into the flesh of his opponent.

Author's Note:
WHEEEE All the battles are getting started! :D Battle spam! Haha I'm so excited for the upcoming battles, I hope you are too.
My exams begin on the 7th October and end on the 15th October T.T Within this time period, I won't be uploading any new chapters. But once 15th october is over, I'll definitely be back to upload more chapters and continue this story, so keep an eye out for the new chapters! XD
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please review! Thanks! ^.^