Grimmjow paused at the thick block of concrete that stood before him. It hadn't taken the two men long to reach Las Noches and now Grimmjow was hesitating, wishing he would have drug his feet a little. Women…sometimes he really didn't have the patients to deal with them; especially the arrancar females.
"Is that some hesitation I'm sensing, Grimmjow?" Kisuke smirked.
Grimmjow's brow furrowed as he glared over his shoulder at the shopkeeper-Now he's taunting me? What the fuck is it with these soul reaper pricks? Do they all think they're invincible?
" You'll see why someone would be hesitant to walk in here soon enough…" Grimmjow countered, his voice coming out as if already annoyed by something.
Kisuke just stood there, his lips tilted to the left, his intelligent grey eyes filled with his amusement. What Grimmjow didn't understand was that Kisuke did understand what it was like to be surrounded by strong independent women, he just didn't let them get under his skin.
Grimmjow let out a muffled curse, lifting his right hand against the cold grey stone, as if reading the energy along his palm the hidden door swung open with an almost eerie scraping sound. Kisuke didn't hesitate when the Espada stepped into the dimly lit entrance of the Espada stronghold. While their numbers were few, it didn't mean that the Espada were not formidable opponents.
"Where the hell have you been!?" An agitated voice rang out.
Grimmjow allowed his eyes to roll, not even bothering to stop. Apacci, such a nosey bitch...
"Hey! I'm talking to you! And why the hell is he with you!?" the arrancar continued to shout as she followed the two men down the rounded walls.
Grimmjow just kept ignoring her and since the Espada didn't see the need to speak to her, Kisuke didn't either. Although, he did peek at her from over his shoulder, not trusting the female entirely. While the women did know him, it didn't mean that they trusted him. The simple fact that he was in Grimmjow's company would no doubt bring on suspicion-I need to quit making a habit out of only showing up when there is trouble…
As Kisuke turned his head forward, he almost ran into Grimmjow as the Espada stopped in front of a large doorway. Nestled into the thick rock structure sat a carved throne. Kisuke's head tilted, allowing his gaze to take in the woman that sat upon it. Her skin a deep sun-kissed bronze standing out against the flowing white fabric of her new uniform, it was simple, a swash of white fabric tied at the neck, trailing over her breasts, hanging into a loose deep v-neck. Atop her head, was a crown.
It seemed the Espada had taken it upon themselves to dress how they wanted, now that Aizen was no longer the one giving them orders. Kisuke couldn't help the smile that spread across his lips as emerald green eyes met his gaze-definitely need to stop this habit!
Queen Harribel's gaze darkened at the sight of the two men, her body turning tense, as her gaze lingered a little too long on Kisuke Urahara.
" Why have you returned with…him." Harribel demanded Grimmjow.
Grimmjow lifted his gaze to her, his whole demeanour giving off a sense of…irritation. He has the gull to be irritated with me? Harribel narrowed her gaze at the male, her brows lifting as she caught a scent upon his flesh. The scent of a woman?
"Your Queen has just asked you a question, Grimmjow." Harribel spoke lowly, her gaze now searching his features more deeply.
" I've been sent back by Kurotsuchi. He's taking us up on that offer you made." Grimmjow blurted.
Harribel's eyes widened for the fraction of a second before she leaned her body forward on her throne. Grimmjow heard the snickers and whispers as the room filled around him. Grimmjow didn't even give the others any notice, keeping his head forward, his gaze on his queen.
" What have you done?" Harribel asked, her voice seeping accusation.
"Nothing." Grimmjow replied through gritted teeth.
"I can smell the female from here, I highly doubt he's been up to…nothing." Mila Rose countered.
Grimmjow didn't even flinch at the statement. He knew the others would smell Karina on his skin. Honestly, he didn't give a damn.
"What I've done in my own time has nothing to do with this." Grimmjow spoke only to Harribel.
"You don't deny it?" Harribel narrowed her eyes at him, pushing, as if she were trying to read his mind.
Grimmjow shrugged his shoulder, his jaw clenching under her scrutiny. Figures she would think this was something he did…that he was the one who brought them trouble.
" Queen Harribel…If I may address you?" Kisuke spoke up, walking to stand at Grimmjow's side.
Kisuke watched the woman sigh heavily before turning her gaze to him, her eyes lifting to stare once more at the scares upon his face. Kisuke had gotten used to it over the years, everyone he came in contact with always noticed his new battle wounds. In a strange way, he was almost proud of them.
"Speak…" Harribel replied; allowing the man his moment after addressing her with respect among her subjects.
" It's true that Captain Kurotsuchi has sent Grimmjow to collect on the offer you made. What I sense is that you seem to think this is somehow Grimmjow's fault…I'd like to clear up the confusion." Kisuke started.
Grimmjow's brows shot up, his gaze peeking over at the shopkeeper-why the hell would he speak up on his behalf?
"Go on…" Harribel replied reluctantly.
" Something is about to attack the human world. Something not even the soul reapers can pinpoint." Kisuke began.
"Why would I care about the humans?" Harribel countered, noticing the tick in Grimmjow's jaw as she spoke her feelings.
Kisuke just smiled, as if he'd expected it from her.
"If the human's are killed in rapid numbers, it's going to cause some nasty side effects…the balance between the three worlds will be knocked out of alignment, maybe even forcing some sort of catastrophic consequences to even this world. More importantly; your crown itself could possibly be another of their targets." Kisuke stated.
Grimmjow's head turned at that bit of information; was there more to Ayumi's vision? Had she hinted to the idea of a massive take over? Grimmjow allowed his head to fall forward as his mind raced with the possibility. Is that what they planned? To enslave the human race and wipe out the others?
"Why would they seek my crown? What motive would these beings have to take it?" Harribel countered.
" Why not? Take over the humans, the main source of food for the hollows, weaken the barrier between the human world and hueco mundo, attack and claim this place for their own only to gather up enough strength and come after the soul society. It's really nothing we haven't already seen take place…" Kisuke retorted; his grey gaze turning more intense as he stared into her eyes.
Harribel swallowed deeply, the reminder of when the Quincy had shown up, overtaking her with such ease. Already, she could feel the cool cut of metal on her wrists. How it had felt to be stripped of her power, to be…helpless.
" I wouldn't have my crown if not for Kurotsuchi and his…kindness…" Harribel spat the last word; another reminder slicing through her as the pain of being infected with the virus resurfaced. Never had she ever been weaker.
"Do you seek revenge on those who infected you, Queen?" Kisuke asked, his smirk returning to his lips. I got her…hook, line and sinker.
Harribel leaned her frame forward, her gaze hardening, emotions swimming within her emerald eyes. Comprehension seeming to dawn as she stared back at him, her lips parting-were these beings responsible for her debt? Are they the ones who put her and her subjects at the mercy of that crazed scientist?
"Queen Harribel; you can't be seriously thinking in aiding that madman!" Mila Rose interrupted; appearing in front of her. Apacci and sung-sun standing right behind her. Harribel turned her gaze to her fraccion, her brow furrowing at her.
"Do you forget that without him we would no longer be alive? I would no longer be alive! " Harribel countered.
Mila Rose allowed her head to lower; a show of submission to her queen as she growled her response.
"Who could ever forget!"
"The only reason you're acting like this is because he almost didn't heal you at all." Sung-sun taunted Mila Rose. Only to have the dark skinned woman turn on her heal and growl in her direction.
"I was looking out for our queen while you were laying down awaiting death!" Mila Rose gritted between clenched teeth.
" Enough!" Harribel demanded them, her gaze moving to meet Kisuke's once more.
" Return to the soul society, Kisuke Urahara. Inform the soul reapers that we will fight." Harribel stated.
"Queen Harribel…" Mila Rose began, but was cut off by the woman's intense gaze.
"Find Nelliel, inform her of everything we have learned and prepare yourselves for war!" Harribel ordered, her voice stern, filled with finality.
"Very well." Kisuke smiled, lifting the brim of his hat to the queen of Espada before turning on his heal to leave before pausing to look back at them sheepishly.
"Anyone mind opening another Garganta?" Kisuke asked, realizing he didn't have the means to open one by himself.
"I'll go back with you." Grimmjow stated.
"You will not." Harribel interjected quickly.
"What!?" Grimmjow spat.
"You and I have something else to speak about, Grimmjow. I will send Nelliel in your place." Harribel answered.
"You don't understand…" Grimmjow began, but didn't know how to explain Karina. How the hell do I say this without sounding like some love sick moron? Because you are a love sick moron…Idiot!
" There will be plenty of time for you to explain it to me." Harribel countered, her mind already made up.
Grimmjow stood with his fists clenched at his sides; he'd already gone against her wishes by leaving, by going into the human world to escape the constant cat fights, the boredom. Is this how she's going to punish me? Is she going to forbid me from ever seeing Karina again? Grimmjow shook his head hard. If that's what she thinks; she's never been more wrong!
Karina lifted her hand to shield her eyes as she followed Mayuri a little too closely down a dirt pathway. She had been surprised to hear that he had decided to take her with him in search of the other fullbringers. In search of someone who might be able to help her become stronger.
At first Karina had wondered if Ayumi would be upset about her going out alone with Mayuri, but when she'd witnessed the heated kiss between husband and wife all worry had been erased instantly. To have such love between them, it almost made Karina want to weep out of sheer frustration. Would she ever be greeted with that kind of emotion?
Karina let out a sigh, turning her head as a group of soul reapers stared at her, the whole lot of them gawking as if she were what was out of place-that's because you are out of place here! Karina allowed her eyes to close briefly, deciding she wouldn't look back at those who stared at her as if she were the main attraction within a circus act. I don't think my guide is making this any easier on me.
Karina noticed the way the other soul reapers were giving Mayuri a wide birth, going out of their way not to be in his way. Did none of these others even really know this man? Honestly, after seeing him with his family, Karina couldn't find it in her to be afraid of him. Maybe the others are a lesson to you, Karina. After all, I am not a member of his family…
Deciding she wouldn't over step the man's boundaries Karina slowed her pace a little, she was getting too close to his back as it was out of sheer nerves. If she happened to accidentally run into him, she may very well piss him off, and she really needed him to like her right now. I don't think I have ever felt this uneasy in my life!
Mayuri turned his head then, looking over at her under his headdress, the black paint shrouding his eyes, making them glow within the afternoon sun as if to highlight her inner thoughts.
" We will have to leave the inner walls of the Seireitei. I would suggest being vigilant." Mayuri stated.
"I'll keep that in mind." Karina answered as a thought occurred to her. Why was he going to such trouble for her? Wasn't the upcoming battle more important then her finding another fullbringer?
"Captain Kurotsuchi; Why are you the one doing this?" Karina asked him.
" Because I would not send Akon on such a mission outside of the walls." Mayuri answered.
Karina pulled her bottom lip between her teeth; realizing she was probably nothing more than a burden on the man. Karina scowled at the notion-Good! I didn't ask to be brought here in the first place!
" I could have asked another to assist me, but then I wouldn't have been able to study the outcome for myself. Honestly, I really have nothing else to occupy my mind at this moment." Mayuri continued.
"Is that what I am, then? A distraction?" Karina countered, trying to understand it from his viewpoint.
"I am about to embark in a battle with beings I no nothing about, in which I have no way of studying beforehand. Yes, Karina, you are a distraction!" Mayuri snapped. Better a distraction than a burden, I guess.
"Do you think these people, these, Fullbringers you are looking for will even help me?" Karina decided to ask.
"I cannot say. I myself have not shown them much personal attention, never having a reason to seek them out." Mayuri answered honestly.
Karina blew her purple bangs out of her eyes as she followed the man at a better distance. Karina thought she was beginning to understand him, but she didn't want to get too comfortable.
If these other beings didn't want to help her, she was doomed to try and figure everything out on her own and the thought of sitting around waiting for another black out didn't sit well with her. What if she accidentally bit someone innocent? What if she got frightened and bit Ayumi? Karina closed her eyes at the panic welling in her chest-I just have to be extra careful, I can't allow my emotions to get the better of me anymore! I will not suffer Mayuri Kurotsuchi's wrath! Goddamn it, Grimmjow…I need you to come back for me!
Shunsui Kyoraku's gaze narrowed at a space within the trees right outside of the squad 1 barracks. As his grey eye focused on the spot his intelligence was rewarded when the very air seemed to ripple before him, as if looking into a moving puddle of water. Shunsui's brow lifted when the first splotches of black ripped through the dimension.
Waiting patiently for the rift to come full circle, Shunsui stepped outside two large pocket doors into the courtyard. He'd known Kisuke had intended to go with Grimmjow to hueco mundo. One reason why he hadn't bothered to follow the Espada himself-I guess the explanations didn't take that long…
Shunsui paused as Kisuke's form seemed to spill forward from the inky black tunnel. Shunsui allowed a smile as Kisuke stepped out onto the green grass under the trees, but it wasn't the shopkeeper who caused the reaction. Behind Kisuke was a familiar face, one Shunsui hadn't thought he'd ever see again.
Nelliel's vibrant clover green eyes scanned the area before her booted foot hit the green grass. Her gaze taking in where she and Kisuke had been let out. Normally, the Garganta's always hit one of the outer districts, but this time, she'd opened it right in his backyard. Shunsui wasn't sure what to think about that as the woman allowed the vortex to close in on itself behind her.
Shunsui's brow furrowed, wondering why Kisuke had left with one Espada only to return with another-Had the queen of hueco mundo decided to punish Grimmjow by keeping him away from that woman? Shunsui let out a sigh, thinking he already knew the answer to his question.
"Didn't take you long…" Shunsui called out to the pair.
Nelliel turned her gaze to him, her smile spreading across her soft features. Out of all the Espada; Nelliel would be the only one greeted as if she were a true friend. For all the help she had given Linake and Ayumi in the past, Shunsui just couldn't bring himself to think of her as anything else, even though he'd only caught a glimpse of the female being awake. Linake had swindled him all those years ago, waiting for the Espada to wake up from her coma in order to storm hueco mundo on her own.
It wouldn't have chafed Shunsui so much if Linake hadn't of been pregnant with Akio at the time, feeling him with a sense of dread at the return of her husband. There were some things a man didn't want to deal with; and a pissed off Kenpachi Zaraki was one of them.
"Hello, Head Captain." Nelliel greeted him with a soft voice. Softer than he had been expecting.
"Well, hello there. Have to say, I was expecting you to come back with the same Espada you left with." Shunsui spoke to Kisuke.
"Who am I to argue with a Queen?" Kisuke countered; hinting that Shunsui's earlier thoughts had been right on the money.
"Head Captain, I have been told by my queen to inform you that she will uphold her promise. We will fight." Nelliel announced officially.
"Well that's good news. I'm just sorry we had to remind her of it." Shunsui sighed, still feeling anxious about the impending situation.
"Has Mayuri made any further progress?" Kisuke asked.
Shunsui shrugged his shoulders at him, honestly kind of confused by the squad 12 captain's actions. Instead of trying to study what he could, he'd ran off with Karina for the day in search of the other fullbringers.
"Damn…" Kisuke mumbled under his breath. If Mayuri hadn't found anything else, then that meant there wasn't going to be anything else to find until they were all face to face with the enemy.
"All we can do is try and pinpoint the area of attack and hope for the best." Shunsui stated, his features looking less than enthusiastic.
Kisuke tilted his head, seeming to be caught in deep thought, Shunsui wondered what had the man's wheels turning when he stopped suddenly and turned to him.
" I think I'll go pay Squad 11 a visit." Kisuke blurted without any further explanation.
Shunsui let out a sigh as he watched Kisuke walk away from him then. Nelliel turned on her heal, calling out to his back.
"Would you mind if I came along? I haven't seen Linake in months…"
Kisuke paused, turning to look at her over his shoulder, his grey eyes gleaming. Now I have an excuse to show up on Kenpachi Zaraki's doorstep. As much as I hate to admit it, I need Linake to help me pinpoint their location. She's the only one who can read the human sky as if it were a map.
"I don't see why not…" Kisuke smirked.
Nelliel smiled excitedly as she increased her stride to catch up with him. Shunsui shook his head, watching the Espada run after the former soul reaper as if the two of them were nothing more than friends-well, she did save his life all those years ago…I guess that's one more reason I should consider her a friend as well.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi paused in front of a large structure, his sigh making Karina feel a bit nervous about her situation. They had been walking for hours, Mayuri even changing their direction twice before they continued east for what felt like forever.
Karina lifted her arm, brushing her it across her forehead. She couldn't remember the last time she'd walked like this, trudging down the pathway after a man who would just as gladly kill her as help her if she didn't keep herself in check. Instead of dwelling on the situation she turned her head up, her brow furrowing at the sight of what looked like some strange kind of house…along the sides were two carved out arms holding up some form of sign above the structure.
Before Karina could even ask about it a woman seemed to appear in the doorway. A very beautiful woman wearing a red top with a swirling symbol on it, a long straight white skirt with slits going up either side of her thighs. Something told Karina this woman was just as dangerous as she was beautiful. Karina's lips parted as she noticed the woman was missing her right arm entirely.
"What brings you around here, Kurotsuchi?" the woman called out to him, her blue eyes narrowing with what looked like suspicion.
"I've come to seek out the ones you harbor here, Ms. Shiba." Mayuri answered her.
The woman's eyes glanced back in the direction of the home, seeming to be debating about something. Was she going to lie to him and tell him they were not here? Come now, Kukaku, you should be wiser than to keep me from something I am looking for…
"Just a minute." The woman answered him, seeming to make the better decision after all.
Mayuri gave a curt nod, allowing her whatever time she needed to demand that the two he sought come out and speak with him freely. Mayuri was in a better mood today than he had been anticipating, no doubt the night spent with Ayumi the reason, but it didn't mean he wouldn't do what was necessary to gain the fullbringer's undivided attention.
Karina took a step back, closer to Mayuri's side as two men stepped out onto the porch, a third seeming to linger in the doorway with a speculative gaze. The first of the men had shaggy dark hair, his body type athletic looking, as if he spend a good time working out in a gym, yet, Karina was sure there wasn't one near by. He wore a thick chain across his chest, standing there in nothing more than a tank top and jeans. Mayuri had already confided in her that these fullbringers had one major difference from her; they had died in the human world.
"There's a lot of talk going around about war. Is that why you've come?" Kugo called out loud enough for them to hear.
"On the contrary, I merely seek your assistance on a more personal matter." Mayuri replied, turning his gaze to Karina, putting her in the spotlight.
The man's eyes squinted as he looked in her direction. Was that recognition she just saw in his eyes? Does he know what I am just by looking at me? More importantly, will he help me!?
"There's nothing I can do for her, you're just wasting your time." He called back before giving them his back.
Karina felt the breath leave her lungs as she took three desperate steps forward.
"Please! I-I need your help! At least speak to me about this!" Karina yelled.
Kugo's gaze shifted to the man by his side, a tall slender man with dark shoulder length hair and dark eyes. As his gaze lifted and he met Karina's, she felt an involuntary shiver roll down her spine.
"You seem to be different than we are." The slim man began to explain.
"How could that be?" Karina countered; her brow lifting in apparent confusion as she turned a questioning look to Mayuri.
"I did tell you that you had differences. They hold power within objects, yours seems to overtake your body structure, almost as if you were born half hollow." Mayuri decided to elaborate a little too late.
"Bloody hell…" Karina mumbled under her breath.
Karina turned her gaze back to the thin man as he walked closer to her.
"Tsukishima!" Kugo called out, his tone seemed to be filled with…warning?
" What would it hurt to get a closer look?" Tsukishima smiled over his shoulder at Kugo. His curiosity seeming to get the better of him as he closed the gap between them completely.
Karina tilted her head back in order to look the man in the eye, from farther away he hadn't looked as tall as he really was. Karina tried to stifle her shock, he had to be well over six feet.
" Do you happen to have an object that means a lot to you? Something you never leave without?" Tsukishima asked her.
Karina paused, her lips parted as she pondered his question; as her eyes lowered, she noticed that the man was holding a book in his left hand. Had he been reading when they showed up, then?
"I don't." Karina answered him honestly. She had never felt such an urge, other than constantly dying parts of her hair purple, something her mother had always hoped she would grow out of doing.
As if reading her thought process, Tsukishima raised his free hand, boldly taking a light purple strand of hair between his fingers.
"This doesn't appear to be natural." He spoke as if contemplating something.
"Now that you mention it, her skin does change to a similar hue." Mayuri blurted.
Karina turned her gaze to him as she frowned. I just like the color is all, how could me dying my hair be something significant? So many human women do it!
"Maybe it's just a coincidence then?" Tsukishima smirked, his dark eyes seeming to gleam as he stared down at her.
Karina felt her body take a step back, forcing the man to let go of her hair. It was then that she noticed the scar above his eyebrow. Karina couldn't place it, but something about this man was strange to her, as if her very instincts her giving her some kind of warning.
"Careful, Fullbringer. I can see the wheels inside that mind of yours moving…now is not the time for you to ponder playing games." Mayuri warned, reminding Tsukishima just who had brought the woman to see them. If anyone would be able to figure out a way to bypass his Book of the end, it would be Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
"What a shame, it seems like you've been lucky enough to make a friend in a high place." Tsukishima countered.
Karina shook her head, not understanding why this man felt the need to play with her at all. Was he taking the piss? Did he find her situation amusing?
"That would be the only way I could help her." Tsukishima smiled, turning his gaze to Mayuri.
"In that case, I believe Kugo's earlier statement was correct, we've been wasting our time." Mayuri decided.
"Wait! What are you talking about? What would you have to do?" Karina demanded, not liking the way the two men seemed to be talking in a code only they could understand.
"Tsukishima's power is the ability to place himself within your past memories as he chooses. For instance, he could make you remember false events, even create a bond between the two of you that never even occurred." Mayuri explained.
Karina sucked in a breath, taking another step backward. For fuck's sake! What the hell would someone need such power for!? Still, Karina felt herself hesitating to write the man completely off. If he could give her memories of how to control her aura, how they control their fullbring, then maybe it could give her a jump start?
"I wouldn't recommend entertaining such ideas…" Mayuri continued to warn her.
Karina lifted her gaze to Tsukishima once more, trying to decipher the gleam within his gaze. Would he simply play with me? Make me think things that would possibly change me? Why would he even bother being so callus? Unless he get's off on it…
"If I were to allow you to use your power on me, would you actually help me?" Karina decided to ask, keeping her gaze locked on his, not even daring to blink.
"You'll never know the difference." Tsukishima shrugged, his tone teasing her.
Karina scoffed at his answer, allowing her eyes to close as she twisted on her heal intending to walk away from the opportunity. What was it with these people? It seemed like every time she turned around someone was trying to fuck with her mind even more.
"Karina, do not give him your back!" Mayuri yelled at her a fraction of a second too late.
Karina jerked her body around to face the fullbringer, just in time to feel an immense pressure across her lower abdomen. Karina lowered her wide gaze as her shaking hands lifted to the blade sticking straight out of her back, but there was no blood.
In a flash Mayuri appeared between them, his right hand gripping Tsukishima's wrist, his cold tone sending shivers down Karina's spine even though the words he spoke were not even directed at her.
" Place the information she needs within her memory and nothing more and I won't peel your very flesh from your bones. You have to the count of three, Fullbringer, or I make you my newest test subject!" Mayuri threatened, the edge of his Zanpakuto lifted to the side of Tsukishima's throat.
"Tsukishima! Don't be stupid!" Kukaku Shiba demanded from behind him, giving the Fullbringer enough motivation to pull his sword from Karina. Mayuri Kept his blade pressed against the man's neck, but let go of his wrist in order to catch Karina against him.
"What do you remember?" Mayuri's voice demanded her.
"I'm impressed, she didn't even pass out." Tsukishima smiled.
" You asshole!" Karina breathed, trying to gain her footing so she wouldn't have to lean on Mayuri. The fucking prick was about to stab her in the back! What kind of man would do that!?
"What memories did he give you!?" Mayuri repeated, his voice raising higher with his apparent agitation.
Karina felt her body sway as her mind clouded. When she looked up at Tsukishima again she tried to fight the recognition that wasn't real. Like a flood her mind filled with memories of being trained by him, of being taught how to control her own aura.
"I don't remember anything that's not useful to me in some way. He slipped into the past right before I started university, gave me two months with him as his…apprentice." Karina explained.
Tsukishima met her gaze once more, the sides of his lips lifting at her.
"You're welcome, Karina Reiko. If it doesn't work out with the Espada, come and find me." he muttered.
Karina felt her fists clench at her sides, never had she ever been more violated! Her memories, her private memories had been read by him like a fucking book! Karina stilled as Mayuri gripped her by the shoulder, pulling her backwards with him before removing the edge of his blade from the Fullbringer's throat.
Karina parted her lips, about to tell the man exactly where he could shove his offer, but felt her body being lifted from the ground at such a high speed, she almost felt as if she'd ceased existing for seconds at a time. When Mayuri finally stopped, he tossed her away from him, his gaze the most intense she had ever seen it.
"While I am aware that you do not comprehend how Grimmjow and I have come to know one another, I personally do not want to be the one to inform him that your carelessness has gotten you killed. The next time you find yourself among someone you don't fully understand, it would be wise not to give them your back!" Mayuri scolded her, seeming to be fuming within.
Karina stared back at him as she swallowed deeply.
"I do know what happened between you and Grimmjow. I'm sorry…Mayuri." Karina blurted.
"So I see the beast has taken it upon himself to share our little secret with you?" Mayuri stepped closer to her.
Karina lifted her hands as if showing him she wasn't a threat to him.
" They deserved to die, you won't ever hear me speak of it, ever!" Karina promised.
Mayuri scoffed, turning his body away from her, the back of his captain's haori twirling with his movement before he barked over his shoulder at her.
"See that you don't! I'd hate to have to add you to the list Tsukishima has just placed himself upon!"
Karina inhaled a deep breath, forcing her feet forward as she managed to gain her bearings. Mayuri had placed himself between her and Tsukishima…for Grimmjow. Could it be that the two men actually held respect for one another under all the animosity? C-could they be…friends?