Kumiko stopped her futile struggling as Sota dragged her through the Forrest , it was only succeeding in cutting up the back of her thighs more quickly. Instead she tried to think of a way to escape, a way to be found. Looking down at her feet kicking up the debris from the ground, Kumiko put the heel of one foot on top of the toes of the other, pushing to successfully push off her sandal.
Small smug smile graced her lips as she watched the sandal disappear from view behind them, before moving to kick off the second. Looking at her sock clad feet, Kumiko waited a bigger distance before kicking off one of them, cool air nipping at her bare toes.
Discarding the last sock, pleased with her small trail, Kumiko grit and bare with the extra pain on the back of her heels, no longer cushioned against the ground by her shoes.
That should make it easier. Kumiko thought, wincing in pain I can put up with a little pain
looking around her surroundings, Kumiko tried to place where they were headed, the dark of night making it difficult. Craning her neck back Kumiko spotting the familiar pink hilt of her zanpakuto, jostling softly with Sotas movements.
Bastard she snarled silently, eyeing her zanpakuto nestled in the sash wrapped around her kidnapper. If only I could get my hands free. Kumiko toyed with the idea of using kido. Dismissing the idea as quickly as it appeared.
Accidentally Blowing my arm off isn't going to help me, even if it does wound Sota in the process
twisting her arms painfully, Kumiko let the palm of her hands trail against the floor, searching for anything she could use to cut through the rope binding her arms together. Leafs and twigs sat on top of spongy moss, brushing against her skin as she blindly felt round. Feeling something more jaggard, Kumiko frowned in annoyance as she was pulled away too quickly to latch onto it. Kumiko increased her concentration, ready to grasp hold of the first sharp thing she could feel
feeling a sharp point, kumiko quickly latched on, pleased huff leaving her chest as she felt the smooth weight of the stone in her hands. Fingering the rough pointed side that originally caught her attention, Kumiko manoeuvred it in her hand to slice at the rope near her hand. Trying not to jostle herself to avoid detection, Kumiko swiped at the rope repeatedly, praying it was slowly severing the strands binding her.
Shunsui ran at top speed, flash step not possible in the foreign Forrest. His keen eyes were darting around the unfamiliar space looking for any sign of Kumiko. Jaw clenched tightly, he was focusing on not letting his intrusive thoughts enter his mind. He wouldn't give into any of the scenarios flashing before his eyes.
Kumiko is okay he told himself I'm going to find her and she's going to be okay
the soft mantra was the only thing keeping his composure.
Kyoraku was aware of urahara and ukitake close on his heels, easily keeping up with the pace he had set. The same determination he felt was also coming off the other two men, each with their own solid resolve.
Shunsui subconsciously spread his spiritual pressure out, feeling in-between the trees for traces of kumikos own spiritual pressure. Easily feeling Urahara and Ukitake behind him, Shunsui spread it out further. He could faintly feel the familiar trace of Kuchiki and Renji behind them, grunting at the flickering life force of Kage, Shunsui pulled his spiritual pressure back to himself.
Sensing someone stopping abruptly behind him, Kyoraku stopped his run, turning to see Urahara standing still, squinting into the underbrush of the Forrest. Jushiro, who had also stopped by Uraharas sudden halt, walked back toward him confused
"Urahara?" He called out softly, unaware of the reason for the sudden stop
"I thought I felt something" he offered in explanation, eyes settling on something on the Forrest floor. Walking further from the path they were currently travelling, Urahara picked up his speed at recognising what had caught his eye.
Crouching down, Urahara grabbed hold of the familiar sandal, small traces of kumikos spiritual pressure on it. Smirking as he held the small shoe, twisting it around in his hand "good job Miko" he uttered softly, hand not holding the shoe coming down to brush against the upturned soil on the ground. The disturbance similar to that of drag marks
"what have you found?" Ukitake's voice pulled Urahara back to them, standing up he turned to face them, holding the sandal up for them to see
"Kumiko left us a trail" he said, nodding to disturbed land "it looks like she's being dragged that way"
Continuing swiping the jagged stone across the bindings, Kumiko was thankful for the cover of night hiding her subtle movements. Kumiko could feel the rope starting to fray, giving her some much needed wriggle room in her bindings. Aching arms thankful as the biting tightness loosened ever so slightly
Concentrating on not dropping the stone, Kumiko didn't realise the Forrest thinning out around them until they began crossing an open field. The grass under her made for an easier ride, no longer being poked and scraped by the rough forest terrain. The sound of falling water reached Kumikos ears
Kumiko struggled in Sotas hold, trying to peer around him to see where they were headed. The sight of the lake sent a heavy weight of dread into the pit of her stomach. Sota knew Kumiko couldn't swim, surly they weren't headed for the lake?
"Don't worry Kumi" Sota said slightly out of breath, playful cruelty in his voice "we aren't going for a swim"
Kumiko turned her nose up at him, no longer struggling so to continue her work on the bindings behind her.
"you're awfully quiet, that's not like you" he continued to tease, not letting up on his walk, pace quickened on the flatter surface of the field
"I've got nothing to say to you. Traitor" Kumiko snapped, unable to see the grin on his face
"don't be like that Kumi, you'll hurt my feelings" he replied, coming to a stop at the waters edge, rocky formation to their right that lead up to the waterfall noisily sloshing down into the lake.
Sota turned, Hand still tightly gripping Kumikos scruff to face her. A smile played sadistically on his lips at the small yelp she gave as he roughly tugged her up, her feet scrambling to find Purchase at the sudden vertical ascent
Sota stared at her pretty face, eyes tracing her split lip, dark bruise forming over her eye. Enjoying the marks left on her by his own hand as she looked back defiantly. His lips twitched in amusement at her act, he could see the fear in her expressive eyes, the way her she tried to control her breathing.
Reaching up to cup her face, ignoring the way she recoiled away from him, Sota brushed his thumb across her full bottom lip. Pressing down harshly at the split on the left side, Kumiko hissed gently as the wound began to gently trickle blood once more. After Using his thumb to gently spread the blood across her cheek, Sota brought it to his mouth to suck it clean.
Kumiko watched him carefully, finding it difficult to wrap her mind around the man before her. This wasn't the man she had called friend. Her playful troublemaking friend. Someone she had gone to for entertainment, for comfort, for pleasure. Her stomach twisted painfully at the memories of his hands on her skin. Kumiko couldn't work out when he had began to change into the man before her, or if he had always been this person and she had just never realised.
Feeling the rope around her arms loosen a fraction more, Kumiko continued rubbing to stone in the same spot, praying the rope would break under the strain.
"still so beautiful " Sota muttered, tracing kumikos swollen cheek with his finger. Kumiko fought the urge to pull away from him, hoping to buy more time on her feet. Slowly continuing rubbing at the rope, praying it would snap before he discovered what she was doing.
Come on, break already she thought desperately please, please!
"where are we going?" Kumiko asked purposefully soft, hoping to earn some more time stationary
Sota turned and nodded to the waterfall behind them "there's a cave hidden behind the falls. I've already set up barriers, we will be well hidden until Kage finishes his job" he turned back to Kumiko with a sadistic grin "unless they kill him first, of course"
Sota heard kumikos sharp inhale at his words, finding enjoyment in it. "I wonder who you're hoping will win? Not that it matters, they'll all fall in line soon enough" he said offhandedly, bringing his hand up to cup the side of Kumiko neck "until then, we'll have plenty of time to get reacquainted "
Kumiko tried not to gag at his hot breath settling on her lips as he slipped a hand down to her waist, pulling her into him. Closing her eyes tightly, Kumiko thought of the rope behind her, testing the give it gave as she pulled her arms against it as Sota pressed his lips into her own. Keeping them firmly pressed together as he moved against her, Kumiko swiped roughly at her bindings, gasping as she felt them snap.
Sota took advantage of her gasp, plunging his tongue into her mouth. Kumikos eyes snapped open, quickly wrapping her arms around him to grab her zanpakuto. The sound of smooth metal being unsheathed quickly registered with sota, hand leaving Kumiko to fist his own zanpakuto, bringing it up quickly to clash against the sword coming in for his neck
Breathing hard, Sota watched amused as Kumiko took a big jump back, zanpakuto held up ready for an attack. Looking between them Sota saw the frayed rope laid on the floor, a breathy chuckle left him. "Well done Kumi, I didn't think you would've escaped that quickly"
Kumiko gave him a steely gaze, shifting the weight on her feet "your mistake was underestimating me" she told him quietly, pointing her zanpakuto at him "that's the last time you'll be touching me"
"such conviction!" Sota spoke loudly, throughly enjoying himself "you've yet to win against me in a spar Kumi". He taunted, expertly twirling his zanpakuto in a flashy show of skill "why don't you be a good girl and come willingly? Save me ruining that pretty face of yours"
Kumiko watched his movements carefully, paying closer attention to his feet than the over the top sword twirling, all too familiar with Sotas distraction techniques. The pair began circling eachother slowly "you forget I've been training with captains while you were playing dead" Kumiko warned him, hoping he wouldn't see through the bluff. While she had been training with captains, it hadn't improved her fighting significantly"I'm not going to be so easy to beat"
"and you forget I only need to cut you once" Sota retorted mockingly "do you think you'll be able to beat me before I get one scratch on you?"
Kumiko growled deep in her chest. Damn it she thought bitterly he's right.
Sota grinned menacingly, taking a few slow steps closer "now that you understand" he began, raising his hand to show a glowing palm, the beginning of a binding kido forming "id be willing to forgive this one act of disobedience if you give up"
"never" Kumiko grunted out, lunging forward to swipe at him with her weapon. Seeing his eyes widen momentarily before blocking her hit was satisfying to Kumiko. Resolving that, she may loose, but she wasn't going to go down willingly.
Sota quickly changed from defensive to offensive, slamming his zanpakuto down heavily in an onslaught of strikes. The strength behind them pushed Kumiko back, feet quickly finding purchase on the solid ground. Choosing to dodge, Kumiko ran backwards, familiar movements from training with Urahara, helped to clear her mind.
Sota darted forward, thrusting his zanpakuto towards Kumikos stomach. His face had lost all the sadistic joy, now expressionless and cold. Fear gripped Kumiko the instant they locked eyes. Flash stepping quickly, Kumiko felt her opponent's zanpakuto cut into her clothes, ripping a slice across her stomach. Thankfully missing the soft flesh underneath
"Kumiko!"
A panicked voice rang out across the darkened field. Kumiko let out a sigh of relief, immediately recognising the deep tones. Turning her head slightly, Kumiko could see Shunsui, Urahara and Ikitake, all holding their own zanpakuto half a field away
"Shunsui" Kumiko called, a sob threatening to break in her relief. The momentarily lack of attention was quickly utilised by Sota, who ran back into Kumiko with another attack, snarl leaving his lips as she countered just in time. Their arms were shaking with the force each were using. Kumiko grunted with force, her zanpakuto was steadily being pushed closer to herself from Sotas superior strength
The heavy footsteps from her rescuers could be heard approaching swiftly, but Kumiko didn't dare take her eyes away from her opponent. Using all her strength, Kumiko pushed her zanpakuto higher, running it along the body of the other. Sota used the space to deliver a brutal kick into Kumikos abdomen, sending her stumbling back. Using his own flash step, Sota blocked her fall, wrapping an arm around her chest as his zanpakuto laid threatening across her throat
Kumiko froze in place, arms held out at her sides in surrender as the painful bite of the zanpakuto pressed into her exposed neck
"Drop it" Sota commanded darkly in her ear. The three captains stopping a few meters in front of them. Kumiko loosened her grip, letting her zanpakuto drop to the floor. Her heart was beating rapidly in her chest, breathing quickened as she laid eyes on the trio.
Ukitake appeared calm and collected, taking in the situation clearly. The furrow of his brow and the tightness around his lips told another story. Catching the bruises on Kumikos face, His hands gripped his duel zanpakuto tightly, knuckles whitening around the hilts.
Urahara looked murderous. Hat low on his face cast a dark shadow over his eyes, giving him an ominous look. His jaw was clenched tightly, breathing heavily through his nose. He too was holding his zanpakuto tightly, hand shaking around it with rage. His eyes locked onto Sota in a way that made Kumiko shiver
Shunsui locked gazes with Kumiko. The wide eyed look he gave her clenched at her heart. He looked terrified. Lips parted slightly as he breathed shallowly, Shunsui raised his hands up slowly in a calming fashion. Only then did Kumiko realise he had returned his zanpakuto to his sheath.
"let her go" Shunsui said evenly, taking a tentative step forward, freezing in place as Sota pressed his zanpakuto into Kumikos neck more, making her gasp.
"that's not happening" Sota said calmly, adjusting the hold he had on her to hide more of himself behind her. "I'll give you one chance to turn around and leave"
"like hell" Urahara snapped as Ukitake took a step forward
"youre out numbered" Ukitake pointed out evenly"let Kumiko go, we don't want to have to kill you"
"speak for yourself Ukitake" Irahara growled, raising his zanpakuto threateningly, waiting for an opening
Sotas eyes flicked to Urahara, a wide grin appearing on his face "nice to see you again, captain Urahara" he said casually "I didn't know if you had survived our last encounter "
Uraharas eyes widened in realisation for a moment before anger consumed his features once more. This was the one who had landed him in hospital, the one who had plagued his thoughts, made him doubt himself "let Kumiko go" he growled out "you won't land another hit on me"
"I don't need too" Sota chuckled, eyes flicking to Uraharas neck, the faint scar visible to his keen eyes in the moonlight
Ukitake watched the exchange carefully, following Sotas gaze to Uraharas neck. Replaying in his mind what Kage had said earlier " Sota, tricked, possessed " Ukitake caught on a moment too late, his call of warning unheard
"take over, Ningyō-shi"" Sota chuckled over Ukitakes desperate "Urahara! Get out of here!"
Shunsui followed Ukitakes panicked shout, to see Urahara a stiffen for a second before he disappeared. A pain filled gasp whipped them both back around, the air becoming thick and heavy around them
Kumiko felt a searing hot pain rip through her stomach, taking her breath away. Time seemed to stand still as Kumiko lifted her hands to her stomach, feeling the hot, sticky wetness. She tuned her hands over, scarlet red staining her palms. Gasping around the pain, Kumiko looked down wide eyed at the blood seeping through her clothes. Her blood. Body trembling weakly, Kumiko followed the wound to the zanpakuto buried in her body, and up to look into the misted over eyes of her attacker
"Kis...uke" Kumiko choked out around a mouthful of tangy blood. The warmth of Sota behind her disappeared with an amused huff. no longer being held up Kumiko swayed on her feet before Urahara ripped his zanpakuto from her, watching unseeing as she fell heavily to the ground gasping for breath
"no!" The broken scream of Kyoraku echoed across the field "no, no, NO!"