~FIREFLY KNIGHTS~
Bleach Copyright Tite Kubo
Firefly Knights Copyright Illand Girl
'For those that need a Guardian.'
Chapter 17: The Eye of The Beholder
Byakuya Kuchiki stared down at us like we were the dirt beneath his feet.
"I sensed an anomaly in the spiritual pressure of the area and thought a strong entity was attempting to hide. But it seems it was nothing more than some scurrying mice."
A beat of silence passed, and I felt my own rage thump.
This man was the reason we were in this god damn mess in the first place. He was the one to cut down Ichigo, to stand aside while his sister was sentenced for execution. The one to retrieve her for it no less.
The worst part, however, was how unapologetic he looked the entire time.
My heart clenched as the scent of summer and chocolate skyrocketed behind us. Ichigo was in battle, and from the scent of blood that followed, it had to be that giant captain. The one that intimidated even me.
"Well, guess we can't turn back now." Ganju murmured, likely sensing the same spike in pressure.
I took a deep breath, smelling chili peppers next to me. In a snap I drew my sword and crossed blades with Byakuya. Our swords locked, surprising him. I felt a low growl in the depths of my mind as it burned up my throat. Feeling my spiritual pressure rise, I leaned into the lock and stared up at Byakuya. His own spiritual pressure rose to meet mine.
"Byakuya Kuchiki," I growled, putting my other hand onto my sword. The black-haired man narrowed his eyes at me.
"Ryoka girl." He acknowledged. In a flash he vanished, but I followed his scent behind me and shifted out of the way, swinging my blade up to meet his. He vanished again before we could connect, but I followed once more. It surprised him when I dodged his strike, switching the sword to my right and aiming to hit him with the hilt of my blade in his gut.
"You leave yourself wide open for attacks." He said as he aimed to stab me. I opened my left palm, swallowing his blade while his left hand blocked the hilt of my own sword. I grabbed the guard of his zanpakuto, stopping him from pulling back. His eyes widened; we were interlocked now, my both our hands tied up in holding the other or attacking. Despite the closeness, even though he was a whole foot taller than me and loomed above me, I glared at him.
"We wouldn't be in this mess if you weren't such a coward," I growled. He narrowed his eyes at me, but I refused to be cowed by such a meek man.
"You know nothing, Ryoka." His voice dropped an octave as he towered above me. I was unphased by the change.
"I know you don't turn your back on family. What kind of man just abandons his sister, huh? What kind of man are you?" My mother flashed through my mind, fueling my rage.
I dropped my sword, opening my right palm facing towards him as the blade of his own zanpakuto shot out. It was aimed for his eye, but he had managed to knock my right hand away just in time with his now free left hand. He then jerked his hand down and gripped my zanpakuto, which had been mid-air in that second, before thrusting it towards me.
A rope clasped onto my blade, halting it as a smoke bomb went off. Byakuya leapt back, wrenching his zanpakuto from my hold while I stumbled away. Two big arms grabbed me and pulled me away from the smoke. I coughed, opening my left hand and calling my sword back. It slid into my left hand instantly while my right hand covered my mouth.
"Ganju?" I coughed around saying his name while the large man next to me stared at Byakuya. "Why- What are you?"
"Have you already forgotten the mission?" he said calmly despite the shake in his shoulders. "If you're too busy fighting this guy, do you really think you'll get a chance to find the others?"
I regrouped, staring at Byakuya across the way.
"I want to fight him," I said firmly, standing square. Byakuya narrowed his eyes at me. "I want to know why the hell anyone would turn their back on their family like this."
I thought of my mother, vividly, and the things she just let happen. The life and struggles that happened all because she was too weak to stand up to a man that was horrible to her... and to me... Why would anyone willingly let their family suffer?
"People who walk away like that... they're trash." I said in a low voice, glaring at Byakuya. The man's hatred amplified.
"You know nothing, and in this world, you are nothing. You're just a mortal girl who does not understand the gravity of her situation," he dismissed me with those words. "You're rescue mission stops here. I do not know what sort of connection you have with Rukia, but she is beyond saving."
"I am not nothing," I growled, feeling the hollow pulse within me, my anger rising. "I have never been nothing, especially not to an aristocratic lowlife like you."
"I will not be talked down to by a classless human." His spiritual pressure rose up, the smell of chili peppers overwhelming. He was stronger than Tousen, that was for sure, much stronger. However, on the edge of my awareness, I could faintly smell cologne and cinnamon again. Not here, but somewhere nearby, like it was following along the edges.
Roses and apricots danced along with it.
My spiritual pressure pulsed, but before I could make a move Ganju's hand clasped my shoulder. I paused but didn't look away from Byakuya.
"Look kid, I get it. You've got something to prove. But even if you beat this guy, what's the next move?" he asked, holding me steadfast. I gripped my zanpakuto tighter.
"Then we go find the others afterwards." Ganju sighed at that.
"And you call Ichigo an idiot." He pulled me behind him, surprising me as I stared at his shoulders. "Look, I don't have the skill to help you, and this guy, he's in a whole other league from someone like me. So I think you should run for it."
"What?!"
"I can't help you if things go south, and I'm not letting a lady fight any battles for me, no matter how strong you are. Not to mention Ichigo will never let me hear the end of it if you're hurt." He grumbled the last part, his shoulders tense.
"Ganju..." He was sacrificing himself so that I could get away? But why? Why would he do that?
"He can't track you, even Ichigo couldn't. He must've felt my spiritual pressure then if he found us. Which means we can't keep moving together." Ganju gulped. "Standing next to you stops his spiritual pressure from affecting me, but the moment you move away I'll slow down. So you better move quickly."
Chili peppers-
I moved in front of Ganju and locked swords with Byakuya, not letting him gain another inch.
"Ganju," I grimaced, putting more effort into my sword as Byakuya loomed down at me. "You mocked me and Ichigo for sharing a brain cell, so..."
I broke the lock with a rebound, surprising Byakuya as he skidded a distance away. I stood tall, squaring my narrow shoulders.
"In what world would either of us abandon our friends?"
Byakuya's gaze was scalding, he watched with disgust as he stared down his nose at us.
"Are you certain your rescue mission is worth it, Ryoka girl? Surely you can see the fatal flaw in your plans." He took one step. "You cannot hope to defeat all of us, even if you attempt to strike a few down. It is simply impossible."
I scoffed.
"Truth be told, I don't even like Rukia." I admitted. Byakuya looked suspicious as I frowned. "I can't say I ever had a positive interaction with her, but that might be my fault."
"Then why would you ever come here?" He asked, more like demanded, as if he couldn't fathom an answer. I smirked, my eyes narrowing.
"Because it felt like that right thing to do." I took a step forward as well. "Sometimes that's really all it is."
It was, apparently, not the right thing to say.
"Recklessness. The bug beside you gave you a single chance to escape, and you spit on that opportunity. You won't get another one." He held the zanpakuto near his face, his spiritual pressure rising as the flat side of his sword reflected the sunlight.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura."
The blade vanished into cherry blossoms. The wind swept them around us, and a horrible feeling crept up my spine.
Danger.
I gripped my zanpakuto tighter, feeling like something was lurking right behind me. Chili peppers could be smelled all around me as the petals danced in the breeze. My hair brushed the back of my neck and immediately I tensed.
Danger.
"Ganju!" I spun, grabbed his collar, and shoved him away just as the blossoms struck me. Dust flew up, clouding my vision.
"She's usin' it again." Gin hummed, grinning ear to ear. "Who'd've thought the little tyke had it in 'er?"
Sosuke watched from his position atop a nearby building. He silently gauged the battle. Gin noticed the focus of Sosuke's attention and chuckled from beside him.
"If I didn' know any better, I'd say ya were smitten, captain." He teased, enjoying the taunt as Sosuke hummed.
"Smitten is such a strong word. I suppose intrigued might suffice." He felt the cold rattle through his body, deep into his chest. Despair, agony, depression. He didn't have an exact word for it, but it was as if all the warmth in his body ceased as that spiritual pressure permeated him. He easily deflected it out a moment later, but it was such an odd reaction that he'd never felt from someone's spiritual pressure before. Kaname had not been lying when he said she was bizarre. She was the inverse of Ichigo in every way.
He was also still stuck on the question of why he couldn't sense her spiritual pressure. Not just him, no one seemed able to detect her unless she used her spiritual pressure in battle. Initially he suspected a Kido, but considering her lack of reaction to even his overbearing spiritual pressure he was having his doubts. Did she harbour impossible levels of spiritual pressure? Or was there something else? It was intriguing to him, to say the least. The idea that anyone had more spiritual pressure than him, save for the head captain, was laughable, and yet not out of the realm of possibility.
"She's quite the strange lil' thing, I must admit. I never thought Hiroshi the type," Gin paused, sideways glancing the boss. "Unless o'course, this was your doin'?"
"Don't be so presumptuous Gin." Sosuke said dismissively. Admittedly, this was an event Sosuke didn't have his hand in. Perhaps that was the fascinating part in it. She had not been part of the plan at all.
"Well, she may not survive this battle. Captain Kuchiki's looking mighty fierce towards 'er. No doubt she's runnin' her mouth yet again." Gin chuckled, ignoring the cold in his chest. He shivered involuntarily, still watching his boss suspiciously. Gin had never known Aizen to pay too close attention to anyone, much less a human. Perhaps it was Hiroshi's involvement? Who knew what could possibly be going on in that head of his.
"She will survive." Sosuke was confident in that. Gin hummed, not entirely believing in his unfounded confidence.
"Do you doubt her, Gin?" Aizen asked, amused by Gin's feigned indifference. Gin chuckled, ready to take any jab he could at the man.
"I don't think ya see her the way I see 'er." Gin taunted back, knowing full well his words had two meanings. Aizen's gave a sideways glance, his smirk receding ever so slightly. Then it returned as he continued to watch the battle.
"Perhaps you are correct," he conceded, surprising Gin. "I was not the one holding a soft spot for her, after all."
Gin chuckled stiffly, biting back the frown from spreading across his lips.
"Ya can't blame me. She's a sweet lil' thing when ya get up close." Gin teased. "Well, she looks it, but 'er mouth sure ain't."
Aizen hummed.
"And that was why you didn't kill her then?" he asked, sounding unassuming. But Gin knew better. Everything Aizen said had an ulterior meaning. "I never expected you to develop a soft spot so quickly, especially when the instructions were to leave Ichigo Kurosaki alive but kill anyone else who makes it into the Seireitei."
"Hm? Nah, it's more like... nostalgia than sympathy. 'Sides, ya did the same thing Captain. Ya had the chance in the cells. She was all alone, all vulnerable, so why didn't ya kill 'er?" Gin quipped back easily, knowing full well Sosuke was not ever going to admit to having a soft spot for the kid. As if it even existed, but on the off chance he did because of personal history, Gin wouldn't hesitate to rub it in.
"Better yet, why'd ya show her Suigetsu?"
Sosuke watched the battle for a little while longer. Then he turned his back and closed his eyes as he remembered the time in the prison cell.
"'Something only has value if someone values it.'" Aizen quoted, confusing Gin. He didn't elaborate. "I'd like to play this little game for the duration of our stay. Who knows what might pan out in our favor from it."
I felt the hollow surfacing and struggled to contain her.
Control.
Horns sprouted from my head as I took a deep, controlling breath. If I didn't use any of her strength, that attack would've cut me to ribbons. But in using her strength it came with the need for absolute control over her. She was laughing in the back of my skull, waiting for a slip up.
The Reiryoku from the hollow lingered on my skin, becoming so dense that it made Tousen unable to cut me, so it was only fitting that I tried the same for Byakuya. It worked. The blades barely nicked me in several places and outright failed to cut others.
Control.
Byakuya's eyes widened when he saw me through the dust. I felt his spiritual pressure flash in reaction to seeing me. Was it fear? Shock? Suspicion? He was a hard man to read. I licked my wounds while watching him, feeling the healing effect taking over as they sizzled. Byakuya noticed as well, a frown gracing his mouth.
"Ganju." I said between licks but received no answer. Turning, I realized the man was on the floor doubled over. His breathing was heavy, sweat spread across the back of his neck.
"Can't... Breathe..." He choked out. It dawned on me then that I was no longer helping him with my spiritual pressure, I was now part of the problem.
"Sorry," I apologized but returned to watching Byakuya. "Listen, you're going to take a running start, if you can."
Ganju wheezed in response.
"What sort of abomination are you?" Byakuya snarled, his face scrunching in disgust once the shock had subsided. I smirked.
"That's rich coming from a lowlife like you." I snapped back, licking another wound close. The hollow was scratching the surface, and I suppressed her down with a wave of spiritual pressure. The pulse caused Byakuya's eyes to widen slightly. He definitely felt that then.
The cherry blossoms swiped again, but this time they didn't cut me. I grinned.
"What's the matter, Byakuya?" I taunted, feeling the rise of pride in my chest. "My spiritual power can be condensed and pressed to my skin. Allowing me to evade getting cut even by those tiny blades."
Ganju coughed, I stepped away from him and stalked towards Byakuya. He frowned, then vanished. I dodged a strike as his blade returned to him, then attacked with my own zanpakuto. He'd gotten much faster, and I felt a rumbling laughter in the back of my skull as I struggled to keep up.
"You should abandon the lump, or this guy will kill you." The hollow laughed. "You can't keep up the Hierro forever, after all."
Is that what she was calling it? Hierro? Well, unfortunately she was right.
By building up this Hierro, I could feel the immense weight on my body. I was carrying both mine and her power like solid lead on my skin. It groaned and creaked at the hollow's added spiritual pressure just like last time. I felt like a balloon filled with too much water. I'd burst at the first sign of weakness, and it became obvious that I had not recovered from my battle with Tousen like I initially thought.
I jumped out of the way of Byakuya again, but he vanished before I could regroup. It took a half second for me to realize he went for Ganju. The man had begun to crawl away from us, attempting to breathe. Byakuya appeared in front of him, his blade scattered. Ganju barely glanced up at him in the time it took for the petals to regroup around their master.
"It's a trap." The hollow snapped, but I disregarded it as I felt my body move at an impossible speed. I appeared behind Byakuya, which startled him as he spun with wide eyes. I struck him at the same time his petals struck me.
Byakuya moved away, a cut across his chest as I stood stock still. His blood dripped from my blade as I trembled from the extra effort it was being put under. A heaviness that wouldn't budge as I tried to remain standing blanketed me. Blood trickled from several points on my body where his petals made it through my compressed spiritual pressure. It was obvious I needed more practice in this considering it wasn't second nature yet. But there was immense satisfaction in me at the long shallow gash that stretched straight across his skin.
"You move at incredible speeds, I will give you that," Byakuya said, completely disregarding the strike to his chest like it wasn't there. "But the immense pressure is already getting to you. You're suffocating underneath your own power. Perhaps because you are inexperienced with it, you are unable to control it as well as you would've hoped. But regardless, my Sebonzakura was able to cut you this time."
I felt blood seep down the side of my face as my first instinct was to heal. Byakuya wouldn't let it happen though as he struck at me again. I dodged away from the petals as they rained down on the spot I just stood, struggling not to wince as my added armor began to slow me down.
"You are slowing down," Byakuya said from behind me. I didn't move, tensing my shoulders in preparation. "Perhaps with more training you'd be a challenge, but as it stands, you are nothing."
I scoffed, turning and glaring up at him.
"I have never been nothing." I reiterated, feeling the ire rise again. I hated the look of disinterest he had in his eyes and felt a thrum inside of me. The hollow pulsed, ready to rise to the challenge.
"Let me out. Let me kill him!" She cried out. I winced, struggling to keep her back. She pressed forward while I shoved her back down.
A smoke bomb burst behind us, clouding our vision as warm hands grabbed me again. Ganju yanked me in closer to himself.
"Now's your chance kid. Go." Ganju was shaking, looking exhausted. "I... I can't follow you."
"But-"
"I said go!" He shoved me, which was a surprise. The petals burst into the smoke and blindly struck. Some hit Ganju, others struck me. I jumped out of the smoke and found Byakuya waiting there. He directed the petals to me.
In the split second I had, I acknowledged that Ganju was trying to make sure the mission continued. That he believed what I told him in the sewers and that we needed an exit strategy. And in the next split second I thanked him silently for being stronger emotionally than I was in all of this.
With the same burst of speed I had used to get behind Byakuya, I vanished from the area. The moment my feet touched the ground again I dispersed the hollow spiritual pressure, effectively vanishing from detection once again.
"It's called Sonido, y'know." The hollow lazily mused. "It's a high-speed movement that creatures like me use."
Creatures like you?
There was no answer. Figures.
I fell back against a wall, covering my mouth with my hands to minimize any noises I made while I caught my breath. That short burst of using the hollow's strength was so taxing that I felt like I had when I finished fighting Tousen again. This felt like it had been a bit longer, and I had maintained full control this time, but still. It was so exhausting.
I wasn't too far from Byakuya and Ganju, but I couldn't risk turning back now. My best bet was to remain hidden and hope Ganju's sacrifice was not in vain.
My chest ached at the thought of leaving him behind, and I felt shame despite knowing it was likely the only way to get away from the captain. I clenched my fists, wishing I had been strong enough to fight him off. Part of me prayed they wouldn't kill him, but there wasn't any way of knowing that unless I-
No- focus Naomi. Getting upset isn't going to solve anything. In fact, it'll probably make it all worse in the long run. I needed to stay focused in finding our friends.
Ichigo's spiritual pressure had lowered, and for a moment I worried it was fading out. It was moving rapidly though. Was he simply moving away? The fight had ended, but I could still smell both parties if I focused. Maybe Ichigo had to abandon the fight as well?
Focus Naomi.
Right, the first task at hand was figuring out where everyone else was.
Night had fallen, I was beginning to lose more strength.
I'd spent the entire day evading people, finding storage areas that were mostly empty, and hiding behind crates when I had to. I had smelled Ichigo's spiritual pressure rise again, along with Byakuya's, but then they settled down and Ichigo moved back to where he had been when I first ran from Byakuya. So, I didn't turn back, instead I remained hiding for the evening. It was, oddly enough, how I managed to find some of my friends.
In one of the storage areas, I was trying to clean the dried blood off my arms. One of the issues I had with the healing effects that hollow had was the fact that it didn't just erase any evidence of the previous wounds. I was still covered in blood from Byakuya's attacks, and part of my Shihakusho had bloodstains on it from my fight with Tousen and Renji even if the wounds were healed.
I heard the door to the storage open and froze, lowering myself down behind some crates.
"Looks empty, we should hide in here and get some rest." A rather familiar male voice said.
"Good idea Uryu!" A soft feminine voice said in reply. Immediately I sat up, looking at the door.
"Orihime? Ishida?" I asked, surprised to see them. Orihime screamed while Uryu tensed beside her. It melted into relief though as Ishida shut the door while Orihime rushed for me. She caught me in a bone-crushing hug as she rambled.
"Naomi! Oh my gosh I'm so relieved! We thought something terrible happened to you and since we can't feel your spiritual pressure, we didn't know how to ever find you. Oh Ichigo was losing it and we all thought the worst- oh not because we thought you can't take care of yourself but because this place is huge-"
"Orihime, I'm not sure if she's breathing." Ishida said nervously. I gasped when Orihime released me, wincing slightly from the sting of my wounds. Man was she strong, my neck was cracking from the strength she held me with. She looked at her hands, seeing the blood all over them and gasped.
"You're injured?! Why didn't you say anything?!" Her hands went to her clips. "Soten Kisshun, I reject!"
I was enveloped in a dome of yellow light moments later as I sat on the ground. My eyes darted everywhere, not quite understanding what was happening. I looked to my hands, seeing the drying blood slowly vanish.
"What is this?" I asked, impressed. Orihime looked sheepish as she scratched the back of her head.
"It's my healing ability!" She explained. I looked at my body and watched the remnants of blood vanish from both my clothing and skin. This was not healing, no it felt more like- time reversal? No, if that was the case wouldn't I be seeing some wounds re-open and then close? It was like she was simply erasing my wounds from me...
"This is incredible." I said softly, watching her work on me with awe. Orihime blushed, looking shy as I smiled at her. Ishida crouched next to me; arms filled with food. My eyes bulged as my stomach growled. Other than that apple captain Aizen gave me I hadn't eaten in days. Ishida noticed my gaze and held some rice balls out to me. They swept past the barrier and were in my grasp, then my mouth, in seconds.
I was so happy I could cry. Little tears started up in the corners of my eyes at the joy I felt.
"Ah! I was starving! It's been so long I can't believe I'm alive still." I said, feeling better than when Hanataro had healed me. It was like my injuries were never there in the first place, my energy levels felt better too.
"Sounds like you had a rough time," Ishida said. I nodded, looking between the two. "Why don't you tell us what you've been up to?"
I did tell them around two more rice balls everything that had transpired- sans my fight with any captains, Ichigo and I kissing, and the hollow part to my soul- in the past three days. There was no need to freak them out right now. I explained my woes of leaving Ganju behind, but Ishida seemed to be the most understanding for it.
"If you couldn't guarantee a win, splitting up was the right choice. Especially since you're undetectable for pretty much everyone when you're in this state." Ishida assured. It didn't make me feel much better, but I did relent.
"Wow! You had quite the adventure Naomi! Uryu and I have mostly gotten by without any problems." Orihime giggled, looking more at ease. "It's good to know Ichigo and Ganju made it that far though."
"That reminds me, have you guys seen Chad?" I asked, gaining a curious gaze from both of them.
"His spiritual pressure was up for a while, but I can't tell where it is anymore." Ishida explained. I nodded, feeling relieved they had at least felt him until recently.
"As it stands, I get the feeling Ichigo didn't make it to Rukia yet."
"How do you know?" Ishida asked.
"Well because the world hasn't imploded. Call it a gut feeling, but I can smell him coming from a different direction right now." I began, trying to get back on track.
"Wait smell?" Orihime looked at me curiously. I crossed my arms, feeling oddly defensive.
"Y-Yeah... I can smell people's spiritual pressure. Everybody has a distinct scent too, which lets me track them-"
"Oh wow! What do I smell like Naomi?" Orihime gushed. I blushed, not sure how to explain.
"U-Um... Truth is, there's so many smells I can't smell lower spiritual pressures but-" I leaned closer to the edge of the barrier and sniffed her gently. I raised a brow, finding her scent curious. Her eyes widened as she stared at me anxiously.
"... It smells like..." I sniffed again. "Spring... Like fresh air and flowers blooming."
Orihime's face turned bright pink. I smiled at her and she gushed.
"Wow! What does Uryu smell like?" She urged. Ishida looked uncomfortable.
"Orihime, this isn't exactly-" I sniffed, cutting him off as he stared at me. I tilted my head at the smell.
"Salt and... water... like in a river..." I looked at him, and he seemed unamused with my words. He coughed a few times, clearing his throat. Orihime was still enamored.
"Oh what does Ichigo smell like?" I smiled, immediately knowing the answer.
"Like warm chocolate and a humid summer's day." Ishida snorted at that, making me roll my eyes. "I'm not kidding, everyone has a different smell. It was why I knew Gin was on the other side of the wall before Jidanbo lifted it. I could smell him."
"That is a rather unusual ability," Ishida said, refocusing. "I can't say I've ever seen sensory abilities manifesting as scents."
"Kisuke said the same thing. Man smells like rice and vinegar but thought it was amazing." I cleared my throat. "Anyway, as I was saying. Ichigo hasn't reached Rukia yet, which is probably a good thing. Instead of trying to reach her, we should probably look into a way to escape once he has her."
"You're putting a lot of merit into Ichigo being able to pull it off." Ishida said, adjusting his glasses. I huffed.
"I can tell his spiritual pressure is strong enough to do it. There are only five scents in all of Seireitei that are stronger than his right now, one of them he took on already, so as long as he doesn't lose to the other four before saving Rukia, I think we've got a fighting chance of getting out of here."
"I see," Ishida nodded. "So it's not about defeating everybody, just about getting the task done before losing."
"Correct. If we have an escape plan then maybe we can plot our exit immediately after Rukia is rescued. We can probably aim to escape and regroup in the world of the living before they come after us. At least that's my hope."
Kisuke seemed pretty keen that we could escape, so I wasn't ruling it out as a possibility. However, it was also a possibility that he was sending us in blind to our own deaths. I would never forgive him if I found out this was a setup...
"And what sort of escape plan did you have in mind?" Ishida asked. I hesitated, then scratched my head. "You don't have one, do you?"
I looked away, a little embarrassed.
"Well, first part was getting everybody back together so..." I technically hadn't failed yet by those standards. Ishida sighed, sitting back on his palms as Orihime pulled the barrier off me a few minutes later. She munched happily on the remaining rice balls while we all regrouped.
"I guess the next goal would be to grab Chad and then figure out an escape plan then." Ishida said. I nodded, looking between the duo, then froze.
That sour smell was getting stronger...
I knew that smell. Was it- that creep from the captain's meeting?
"You okay Naomi?" Orihime asked. I snapped back but frowned.
"There's a captain nearby." I explained. Both look surprised as I stuck my nose out the door quietly. The scent came from the right. I pulled myself back in and pointed in the direction.
"Huh, guess you really can smell us." Ishida mused. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"You thought I was making it up?" I asked. He adjusted his glasses and pointedly ignored the question.
This guy...
"Alright, you take Orihime and try to find Chad then." Ishida said, standing up to look at me. I frowned, crossing my arms.
"And just leave you behind? What good would that do us? We'd be in the same boat as before." I defended. Ishida adjusted his glove, ignoring what I had to say.
"Look, Orihime is not fit for battle. Sure, you have experience, I respect that, but chances are we'll be swarmed. Besides," he pulled out a bow, eyes looking cold. "I'm not a fan of Soul Reapers, and I'd like to have a chance to get my frustrations out. If you understand."
I don't want to fight in front of Orihime.
That I guess I could understand. Orihime was a gentle soul, our medic, and as such it wasn't in her nature to be cruel or to fight. Even defending herself she hesitated to do battle. So Orihime couldn't be in the fray at all costs. I sighed, looking between Uryu and Orihime.
"We'll be on the outskirts then, just don't take forever to fight them, alright?" Ishida nodded at my words. "He'll be easy to find. He's wearing a white coat and had white face paint with yellow eyes. Guy gave me the creeps."
I shivered just thinking about him.
"Got any info on him?" Ishida asked. I shook my head.
"Not really. He mostly threatened to dissect me if I'd come along quietly." I shivered at the thought. Uryu's lip curled in disgust.
"You? Go quietly? Heh, yeah right," I rolled my eyes as he looked at both of us. "Take care of Orihime."
"Uryu wait!" Orihime called, but I stopped her from leaving as Ishida stepped out the door. She looked back at me, fear in her eyes at separating. I took a breath and steeled my gaze for her as i squeezed her shoulder.
"Let him do this Orihime." I urged. Orihime struggled against my grip for a few moments, but then conceded. Instead, she stared off at Ishida's back while he continued in the direction of the captain's scent.
"He'll be fine." I assured. Worst comes to worse I grabbed Ishida and Orihime healed him, but I had an odd feeling that the quincy was stronger than I initally thought. I didn't know much about Quincy, just what Kisuke gave me as a crash course when he first revealed the truth to me, but I knew they could be some seriously dangerous opponents.
After a short amount of time, I pulled Orihime out of the storage unit and in the opposite direction. Orihime hesitated for a moment, still staring after Ishida.
"Be safe, Uryu," she said quietly, then turned to follow me.
I've decided Gin and Aizen are my favourite characters to write. Hands down they are the most fun.
Well, admittedly if Nao had stayed to fight Byakuya she would've had her ass handed to her, but it's the thought that counts. I've equated Naomi to a teddy bear with a spiked collar in these situations. like she wants to prove a point but she's not at a point on contention yet.
But don't worry, there are still many more battles for little Nao to come. Specifically a few people that may or may not be looking for her. Hmmmm
Anyway, there were no reviews last chapter so I- sadly- have nothing else to say. I have been agressively writing these past few days though, and have already mapped out some of the finer points to the arrancar arc now so hopefully I keep in the mood. I have noticed reviews are just all around down these days, which is super bizarre, but maybe it's just me? Oh well, thanks for reading.
Cheers y'all,
Iland Girl
