"...Houkou wasn't trained to fight as Mariya, only to copy her actions and personality. Nothing more, nothing less. She was to carry out two missions. Create Distance between herself and their target, Virginia, and eliminate her own target, Toshiro Hitsugaya. Though, it seems that these orders will be changed slightly as Virginia grows more aware of the truth that something is aloof about what's been happening. She is growing smarter by the day, and soon, Houkou will be discovered by her and revealed to Toshiro and the others that she is indeed a fraud. So, it seems that to set them off, they'll have to be sent a curve ball that will confuse them enough that Houkou's identity will be safe for the time being, and the continuation of her mission will be able to happen. Though, that doesn't mean that Houkou will remain untouched...."
August
SOUL SOCIETY
Kenta's Perspective
"Kenta, you're back so soon?"
He turns, seeing Raijuu standing nearby.
Raijuu is a pretty big guy, standing at least 6'5". His skin is dark, making him appear more African then anything, offsetting his glowing yellow eyes. His golden yellow hair is kept in long dreads, cutting off about mid back. He wears cut off shorts and a plain black tee, not one that really cares about his appearance. Though, you can definitely tell he's a Bijuu by the six lightning shaped weasel tails that swing behind him.
Kenta smirks, the light catching his silver eyes.
"Yeah, Virginia was easy to confuse this time, so I thought I'd just go ahead and come back here." Kenta replies, "Besides, there's a bit of an issue."
Raijuu raises an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, seems Virginia's beginning to get suspicious of Houkou."
The two walk on.
"So are you gonna tell the Master?"
"Well, I kinda have to, I really have no other reason other then to relate her information." Kenta answers.
Raijuu sighs, looking over as they pass a hall, before he grabs Kenta's sleeve, stopping them. Kenta turns, and blinks.
"What?" he asks.
"Before we do that, let's go and enjoy ourselves for a few minutes." Raijuu says with a scheming grin.
Kenta watches him for a moment, noticing how his eyes are lighting up, before he grins back.
"Alright." Kenta says, turning back and walking down the hall, Raijuu following.
As they walk down the long and depressing hall, Kenta mind returns to the day he got the orders to seduce Virginia.
.
.
.
"Kenta."
He turns in surprise.
"Y-Yes Ma'am."
He hears the woman in front of him chuckle.
"Boy, are you trembling? Does my very presence really cause your body to quiver so?" she asks.
Kenta gulps, not knowing how to respond.
This causes the woman to laugh again.
"You are most humorous, Kenta Shohen." she says, her hand gesturing, "Come closer boy, for I need to pass on information to you the involves me entering your mind."
Cautiously, he rises to his feet, his heartbeat echoing in his head as he nears the woman, finally getting a good look at her.
The Master is a beautiful woman, looking to be in her mid 30's. She's dressed in a regal Kimono, one that looks like something a Hime would wear, the design on the outer being that of birds flying over the silk, branches sticking out from something off the tapestry that some of the birds sit upon. Her long hair looks to be almost silver, kinda like Captain Hitsugaya's, but there's a blue tint to hers, pulled back into a more official looking style dressed with Iris', her bangs falling nicely around her face. Though, her eyes are the most compelling. They seem to be glowing, the iris' seeming to be a yellowish white, burning somehow with darkness.
She grins, reaching her hand to him as he comes to stand about two feet from her.
"Come, let me show you what you are to do young man." she says.
With some bit of reluctance, he reaches his hand to her, letting her take a good grip of it.
Without warning, he's taken into what looks to be a different world, surrounded by mirrors.
"What the heck-" he starts.
...Kenta...
He blinks, turning to see something reflecting in the mirrors.
He sees a girl, a girl that looks to be about 140 years old. Her hair is curly, a beautiful gold color. Her eyes are ocean blue, seeming to be full of warmth, hidden slightly by glasses. She grins, laughing with light.
"Who..." he trails, seeming to be transfixed by this girl.
"This is your target, Kenta."
His eyes widen, taken back.
...My target?...Does that mean I'll have to...kill her?...
He hears laughter, which must belong to another, as it's darker.
"No, boy, you are not to kill this girl. In fact, quite the opposite." The Master says, "You are to have her join us."
Kenta blinks.
"Why?" he asks.
"Because, even though he might not look it, this girl has a vast amount of power. Power that can be used."
"What kind of power?"
"Her zanpakuto will be strong, but she has not achieved it. Actually, let me put it like this. She does not know she contains a zanpakuto. Or even of the Soul Society." The Master explains.
His eyes widen.
"Then, how do you know about her?" he asks.
"She is a companion of your old Captain, Mariya Yattamori."
Kenta grits his teeth.
"That bitch."
The Master giggles.
"Yes, but it seems she's good at making friends with powerful people. Just by watching them, three of her other friends do show zanpakuto potential, another almost the same power level as the girl you've been assigned."
"So why am I only trying to get one of them?"
"Because under my control, she will be able to defeat all of those girls...including the one person in the world you detest."
"She could beat Yattamori?"
"Not just beat, if this girl, Virginia, was to fight Yattamori at full strength...she would be able to kill her."
Kenta's eyes widen.
"That is why I want you to go, find her, influence her powers to awaken, then, once she's here in our world, seduce her into becoming our ally."
He watches the pictures of Virginia for a moment, then he smirks.
"So Kenta...Are you up for it?"
"...Hell yeah."
.
.
.
"Kenta."
He blinks, looking around to seem them walking towards the cells.
"Y-Yeah?" he asks.
"Dude, what's wrong withcha?" Raijuu asks, "Don't zone out on me, you'll find yourself regretting it."
"My bad, I just started thinking about-" Kenta starts.
"About how your stupid plan is falling apart."
They both blink, looking into the cell to see the real Yattamori sitting in the corner of her cell, her eyes glaring him down. Because they're not allowed to play with her as much as they did before, she seems to of gained some of her strength back over the past few days, her eyes now shining some with their old glimmer of power. Though, that doesn't mean she looks any better. Her clothes are still torn, her hair dried with old blood that has stained over most of her uniform and haori. Her lime green accessories have faded to a darker greenish brown shade as she's used her arms to whip away the blood on her face. Her arms are now in front of her, as the shackles are now in front.
Raijuu snears at her.
"You should be quiet bitch." Raijuu spits.
Yattamori isn't phased by him.
"I'm just stating that you fools were idiots to think that Virginia wouldn't notice anything. Out of all my friends, she is probably the one with the highest senses. I'm not surprised that she's catching on." Yattamori says as she stands.
Kenta sighs.
"How do you even know about that?" he asks.
"Virginia went to see my body in our world. When she touched me, her mind connected for a moment, and she saw what you idiots do to me for laughs."
His eyes widen.
Virginia has been able to contact the real Yattamori?!
Yattamori notices, and smirks.
"What is it Kenta? Did I ruin your mission?" she asks.
His eyes flash in anger.
"Why you-!" he starts.
"Don't be getting angry with me because your Master's plan has flaws. It won't win you anything." Yattamori interrupts.
Kenta glares her down.
Raijuu notices, and decides to get even.
Without warning, electricity runs through his hands, pointing it at her.
"Crack."
Yattamori's eyes widen.
"A-AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!" Yattamori screams.
Kenta blinks.
"H-How? She didn't release her Spiritual Pressure-" Kenta starts.
"Like that Cree girl, I can control electricity. Just tell me when to stop." Raijuu says with a smirk.
Kenta looks back at Yattamori, watching as blood begins to drip from her mouth and ears, causing something in him to jolt.
"AHHHHHH!"
"Alright, alright, that's enough." he says.
Raijuu sighs, but closes his hand, cutting off the electricity that's flowing through Yattamori.
Kenta turns back towards Yattamori, watching as she sways on her feet, coughing up some good amounts of blood. She looks up, and makes eye contact with him, her eyes burning with pain, as the rest of her body. Tears begin to form in the corners of her eyes as she seems to pass out, falling to her knees.
"This...isn't..." she trails as she begins to fall forward, "...fair."
Unconscious, a small pool of blood forming around her as it trails from her mouth.
He walks away, turning to continue to go see the Master. Raijuu raises an eyebrow.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Raijuu asks.
"I need to inform the Master about what has happened." Kenta replies.
Raijuu watches him for a moment, then sighs.
"Whatever Man." Raijuu replies, watching Yattamori for a moment before turning and walking the other way.
Kenta sighs, and turns out of the hall, walking quickly to enter the great entrance to The Master's chamber.
Though, it seems he doesn't have to wait.
"Ma'am-" he starts.
"So, the girl has begun to investigate us, hmm?"
Kenta's eyes widen as the room suddenly lights up around him, transforming more into a glass sphere that he just happens to be in the middle of. In front of him forms a great throne like chair, the Master appearing in it, resting her head on her palm.
"She's a smart girl, Master." Kenta comments.
"Yes, I am aware. That's another reason why I want her." The Master replies, "Yet it seems she's not willing to play along with us."
"What are you thinking we should do?" he asks.
The Master doesn't reply for a moment, thinking over the answer to his question. Then, a sly grin comes over her face.
"Well, it seems all we'll have to do is keep them confused and in the dark." The Master says.
Kenta blinks.
"What do you mean?" Kenta asks.
"Tell Shukaku to go and have some fun in the Sereitei. Take Soukou, Raijuu, and..." the Master trails, before smirking, looking back at Kenta with destruction in her eyes, "Yamata."
Kenta's eyes widen in alarm.
"Y-Yamata?!" Kenta stutters, "Master, she's the eight tails!"
"I am aware of that. But I believe it's about time she earns a turn to beat up some kids." the Master replies, before looking at him with question, "What? Are you afraid that Houkou will be hurt? Trust me when I say I will make sure Yamata won't go after her."
"I am not worried about Houkou." Kenta says surely.
She blinks, before she begins laughing.
"No, don't tell me...You're beginning to care for your target's well-being?"
His brow furrows, causing The Master to chuckle more.
"You're beginning to get soft Kenta."
He flinches.
"I'm not worried about Virginia either. I'm just saying that shouldn't you wait til the great invasion to release Yamata on them? The shock of her power would only guarantee victory." Kenta answers.
The Master's eyes flash.
"Kenta, are you saying that I will not win if I go through with sending Yamata now?" she asks.
His eyes widen.
"N-No!" he answers, "Master, I-"
"Silence Kenta." she answers, ice in her voice.
He gulps.
"Go, and tell them. They are to attack by midnight. That is an order." she says.
Kenta nods. Without another moment, the room disappears, leaving him shaken.
He pants, and quickly leaves, not knowing what to do, other then follow her orders. He walks down the hall, and soon hears Shukaku's laughter, coming from the hall. He groans, but follows the sound, until he finds Shukaku laughing his ass off as Yattamori hangs onto the rail of her door, panting as blood trails down her cheek.
"You did it again?" Kenta asks.
Shukaku blinks.
"Again? What do you mean again?" Shukaku asks.
"Raijuu already shocked her today." Kenta replies, "Oh, forget it for now. You got a mission from the Master."
Shukaku grins.
"Oh really?" he asks, "And what may that be?"
"You are to take Raijuu, Sokou...and Yamata to the Sereitei, and mess with Yattamori's friends." Kenta says.
Shukaku's eyes widen.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait. You're bringing in 8 tails?" Shukaku says.
Kenta nods.
"Damn, I mean, she's scary. She's the second strongest out of all of us." he comments.
"Yeah, well, go get her from where ever she is, and get moving, Master wants you guys there before midnight." Kenta says.
Shukaku groans.
"Alright, alright, don't getcha panties in a twist."
With that, he walks off, probably trying to think up a good strategy. Kenta sighs.
Suddenly, he feels something grab his sleeve.
"Hmm?" he says, turning.
"Who...is Yamata?" Yattamori says, her voice cracking.
Kenta blinks.
"Get off Yattamor-" Kenta starts.
"Kenta, tell me, damn it!" Yattamori says, her eyes burning, "What are you sending towards my friends?!"
He gulps, not knowing how to respond.
Yattamori somehow makes contact with his wrist, and her eyes widen. Then with what strength she has, she takes a tight hold of him, pulling him into the bars, taking him by surprise.
She looks him dead in the eyes, the blood from her last seizure still dripping down her face.
"You listen to me, you hear!" Yattamori snarls, "If you let a monster like that near my friends, people that aren't even from here, I will tear you apart myself, limb by limb, muscle by muscle, cell by cell!"
His eyes widen, somehow feeling her Spiritual Pressure seeping through him, intimidating him about as much as the Master.
"And Virginia! You really want Virginia going through Hell like this?! You're the one trying to seduce her, right? Don't you care at all if she's put up to a monster?!" Yattamori screams, "And Toshiro...I swear to God if you do anything to him, I'll kill you now!"
"Yattamori! You shouldn't talk so big!" Kenta yells.
She pulls him closer.
"You shouldn't talk like your gonna live past this." she growls.
He gulps.
Without warning, her eyes blaze blue, and he hears the beeping.
He smirks.
"You're an-" he starts.
Without warning, he feels his body seize, jolting as the volts take over his entire body.
"A-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" he screams.
"NOW WHO'S LAUGHING BASTARD?!" Yattamori screams over him.
With the end, he falls into the bar, gasping as blood spats on the ground, running down his chin. He looks back up at her, meeting her eyes again. She's panting, as it seems it took some work to make the electricity run through him, and not her. Now he understands. Her pain wasn't a joke. It was horrible...and she had to experience it at least once a day.
He sighs.
"You get that monster...away from them...from Toshiro..." Yattamori pants.
Kenta watches her for a minute.
"Why do you want my help?" he asks.
She again looks up at him, her expression different then before. She looks scared, like she's begging him with her eyes for him to help her for once.
"You are...the only person that knows my friends...knows me..." she trails, "Only you will be able to get the message to them....At least...tell...Virginia."
He watches her.
She's getting weaker by the moment. He looks down, taking hold of her clenched hands, gently pulling them from him.
"You're crazy Yattamori." he says, his eyes flashing.
She chuckles.
"I'll be crazy if it'll mean my friends will be alright."
With that she slowing gives, consciousness taken from her as she falls over. For a moment, he looks over her, before, he sighs. With a special power, the door to her cell opens, and he walks in, coming to stand above her. She looks like a helpless child who simply fell asleep, though her tattered clothes and bloodstained hair explains her real situation. He leans over, resting her head on his shoulder as he reaches under her knees and back, picking her up off the ground. She breaths unevenly, though soon she relaxes as he turns around.
Before she left, Houkou had returned to see Yattamori. With her, she brought a pillow and blanket, though Yattamori refused to use it, not wanting help from an enemy. Though, he sets her down, putting the pillow on the bench before resting her back.
Her face looks more peaceful then it has in a long time as he puts the blanket over her, patting her on the shoulder.
He sighs again.
"You really are insane."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Virginia looks around, feeling a shift in the air.
She turns, looking in the north.
Cree notices.
"Virginia, something wrong?" Cree asks.
She turns back to face her.
"N-No...Nothing." she replies, turning back towards the group.
She looks up, and seems surprised, as it seem Mariya, who's actually Houkou, is on edge too, looking around as well.
"I'm gonna go take this to Toshiro. Be right back." Houkou says, walking away.
Kayla blinks.
"Alright then." she calls as Houkou flashsteps away.
"Virginia, are you sure nothing is wrong?" Bianca asks.
She nods.
"Yeah." she says, "I'll be right back."
"Where are you going?" Cree asks.
"A girl's gotta pee hun." Virginia calls back.
In reply, Bianca and Kayla burst out laughing, as Cree giggles.
Virginia grins as she turns the corner.
Though, when she's pulled aside, her happiness is cut off.
"W-What?!-" she starts.
"Virginia."
She blinks, looking up to see Kenta holding her. She glares.
"Kenta-"
"You need to get out of here." he says.
"Huh-"
"Something bad is coming." he cuts her off again, "You need to get somewhere else."
She watches him, and realizes that for once, his silver eyes...aren't exactly silver. If anything, there a darker green color.
"Kenta, what's going on?" she asks.
He looks around, seeming to be on edge.
"Virginia, I can't explain." he says, "Just get. out."
"I'm not leaving Mariya and the others." she says.
"Virginia, I'm not doing this with you. You need to go, and hide." he says.
"What is your problem?!" she asks.
"I just don't want you involved with Yamata."
"Who the hell is Yamata?"
"The eight tails." Kenta replies, "She's one of the most powerful Bijuu, and she's a force that can't be stopped by your friends."
She watches him for a moment.
"Why did you come to warn me?" she asks.
He doesn't answer for a moment.
"To tell the truth, I don't know." he replies, "I guess I'm just keeping a promise."
"To who?"
"That's not important. Now, get moving-"
"No."
"Virginia!"
"Kenta, you are an idiot.You think I'll abandon Mariya, and Cree, and everyone else." she says, "I'm not going to leave them to face her alone."
He watches her, their eyes connected.
"She's not the only one...Shukaku, and the Bijuu that originally took Yattamori are coming." he says, "Plus there's a hot headed one that can do major damage."
Virginia gulps.
"How much time do we have?" she asks.
"I don't know, I left before I knew when."
She sighs.
"Thank you, but I'm not abandoning them." she says, turning and beginning to walk away.
"No!" he says, grabbing her wrist.
"K-Kenta!-"
"I'm not allowing you to walk into your grave!" Kenta snaps.
Her eyes go wide, not knowing how to react to this guy. One minute, he's a pain in the ass which she can easily see as the one who tried to murder Mariya. But, another, like right now, he actually seems to...care, and he acts like an alright guy who's just putting up a jerk mask to hide whatever it is inside that is human. But, one thing always comes back to bite him. And that is the fact that he is working for the Master of the Bijuu.
His brow furrows in slight annoyance, and she groans, as she knows that he probably just listened to everything she just thought about.
"Stop getting in my head!" she yells.
"I don't try to half the time, you let me in!" he answers.
She blinks.
She's letting him into her mind?!
"Kenta-" she starts.
"There's more to me then you know Virginia, you can't just assume those things about me." Kenta replies, looking her straight in the eyes, the silver returning, "I'm not a good guy."
She looks over him.
"Yet at the same time, you're helping me because you care enough." she answers.
She watches as he clenches his jaw, not knowing how to respond.
And, back with the group as Houkou returns, she picks up his sneaky Spiritual Pressure.
Houkou looks over her shoulder in the direction Kenta and Virginia are.
"Mariya?" Bianca asks.
"Yeah?" Houkou answers.
"Something wrong?" Kayla asks.
"No, just wondering where Virginia went." she replies.
"Oh, she went to the bathroom." Cree says.
"Oh, I see." Houkou answers, turning back towards them, "Well, let's not waste any more time, she can catch up, let's go train-"
"So these are the bitches?"
Houkou's eyes widen in alarm as she looks up, the life flashing as she sees what she was fearing.
"B-Bijuu!" Cree yells.
Virginia's eyes widen, turning to run to them.
"What?-" Virginia starts.
"No!" Kenta says, pulling her back into his arms.
She struggles against him to get free.
"K-Kenta! Let me go!" she screams.
"No!" he says again.
That's it.
Without warning, her eyes burst a bright blue, her Spiritual Pressure surrounding them. Kenta's eyes widen in surprise, not knowing what to do as ice begins to freeze over him.
"D-Damn it." Kenta stutters.
Easily, Virginia breaks free, letting the ice cover him more.
"Sorry, but you can't keep me from helping my friends." Virginia says, before running around the corner.
Kenta grits his teeth.
"V-VIRGINIA!" he yells.
"Hmm...now these are some hot girls. No lie."
Houkou gulps, not knowing what to do. Raijuu is big, and definitely powerful.
What are they doing here?!
"Raijuu, stop your drooling and think about the mission at hand."
As Virginia rounds the corner, she gasps as she sees Sokou.
"YOU!" Virginia yells.
Sokou looks over.
"V-Virginia-" Cree starts.
"You're the bastard that took Mariya!" Virginia yells, pulling Yukitora from mid-air, "Now to get some payback!"
"Virginia, stop!" Houkou yells, turning her head to look at her, "These guys are bad news-"
"Got that right."
Houkou's eyes widen as she turns back to see crimson eyes staring her down. She feels herself go white.
"N-Not you..." Houkou trails, "...Yamata."
"Yamata?" Kayla repeats.
Virginia's eyes widen.
..."Who the hell is Yamata?"
"The eight tails...She's one of the most powerful Bijuu, and she's a force that can't be stopped by your friends."...
"Guys, get out!" Virginia yells, "She's more powerful then all of them combined!"
Cree and the others' eyes widen in alarm.
"Why are you-" Houkou starts.
"Hello Yattamori."
Houkou turns her head to see Shukaku.
"Shukaku!" she yells.
Without warning, Shukaku slugs her right in the gut, taking her by surprise as she hears cracking through her body.
"M-Mariya!" Bianca yells.
The impact of his fist sends her flying back about 20 yards over the railing, landing hard in a billow of debris on the ground below.
"And goodbye for now." Shukaku laughs.
Kayla grits her teeth.
"Why you!" she yells, pulling her blade from her sheath, "Soar, Washikaen!"
Shukaku snears.
"I remember you...Raijuu!" Shukaku yells.
"Got it, let's get them started fried." Raijuu answers with a laugh.
"What?-" Bianca starts.
"Crack!"
Without warning, electricity surrounds them.
"WHAT?!" Kayla yells.
Cree stays silent.
"This is not good." Virginia says.
"Fry girls!" Raijuu yells, the electricity shooting at them.
"No!"
With that, Cree pulls her sword, holding it up as the volts shoot. Forcefully, the bolts hit her and the sword with violent jolts, causing her to clench her teeth just to keep from screaming as the impact causes her feet to scratch back on the wood.
"C-Cree!" Bianca stutters.
Raijuu laughs.
"Girl, you are dumb to think you could take this on your own!-"
"Ugh, you're a big talker like that Isonade guy." Cree says.
Raijuu raises an eyebrow.
"You're still able to talk?" he asks.
"You sound surprised. Guess that means that no one told you our powers." Cree says with a small smirk, "Well, hate to burst your bubble."
Without warning, the electricity disappears, taking them all by surprise.
"Strike..." Cree trails, beginning to glow yellow, "Hebi Denkou!"
With that, her blade contorts and begins to glow wildly as the electricity cracks. Raijuu's eyes widen as her blade finally morphs into a bolt, causing her to grin as she brings it to her side.
"So, you're fighting fire with fire." Cree says.
Raijuu grits his teeth.
"Another who can wield electricity." he says.
"C-Cree." Virginia stutters.
"Come at me, and let's see who's better with it." Cree says as the bolt sparks at her side.
"No."
Cree's eyes widen in alarm as she turns, met with a fierce blow to the gut, and like Mariya, she goes flying.
"CREE!" Kayla yells.
Luckily, Cree catches herself, skidding some on the air, whipping her head up to see who hit her. Though, she doesn't get a long breather as the shadow flies at her.
"Looks like Yamata picked out her opponent." Sokou says.
Virginia's eyes widen.
"Oh, no!" Virginia says.
Sokou turns back, and meets her eyes, causing Virginia to shutter.
"Raijuu, take care of fire girl and the blue head." Shukaku says.
"Her name is Bianca, dumbass!" Kayla yells.
With that, Raijuu sends another electric wave at them, which Kayla and Bianca barely dodge.
"Guys!" Virginia yells as she begins to run towards them.
"Unfortunately, he is not your opponent." Sokou says, landing in front of her, "I am."
Virginia grits her teeth.
"Damn bird!" Virginia says as she glows.
Shukaku grins, using their distractions to help him follow after Houkou unnoticed. He chuckles as he jumps over the rail, landing about 2 yards away from Houkou as she struggles still to stand. She looks up, and snarls at him, her eyes flashing red.
"Oh, poor Houkou." Shukaku laughs.
"Bastard, why did you attack me?!" Houkou asks in her own voice.
"For the fun of it."
"I am your ally, idiot!"
"I'm following the Master's orders, Houkou."
Houkou blinks.
"The Master's orders?" she repeats.
"Yes, to attack the group to confuse them."
"But, why? Why do you need to confuse them?"
"Because the Virginia twit is beginning to put the puzzle together."
"What does that mean?"
"She's beginning to realize that something is going on, and if we left it be, you would be exposed as a fraud."
Houkou's eyes widen.
"But...how-" Houkou starts.
"That's not important. Right now, we need to make everything look like we're trying to get Yattamori." Shukaku interrupts, beginning to walk closer.
"How d-do you plan to do that?" she asks.
Shukaku smirks.
"Simple."
Without warning, she's encased in a sand claw, trapping her.
"H-Hey!" she yells.
"Na, ah, ah. Remember? You're Mariya Yattamori!" Shukaku yells, "Now sound like her!"
With that, he slams her into a tree, knocking the breath out of her.
"Ack!" she breaths, her voice subconsciously changed back to Yattamori's voice.
Shukaku smirks.
"You're helpless considering that your powers have been banned of use while you're in that form. You can do nothing but scream!" Shukaku laughs as he throws her again, knocking her into the concrete side of the building.
The impact causes her bones to crack some, a good high scream escaping her throat. Her body is limp, unable for her to get control as what Shukaku said is true. So not to risk her powers seeping out and revealing her true identity, Houkou had to set a ban on her abilities, which can only be broken if she returns to her true form. But now it's working against her as now she has nothing that can protect her from Shukaku's attacks.
Everyone seems to be at a disadvantage here, as Cree is probably the one in the worst situation above, Houkou able to hear her off tone screams as she's attacked by Yamata. She hears Virginia doing her best to fight off Sokou, probably winning as he's the weakest out of all of the Bijuu. And as for Kayla and Bianca, it's hard for her to tell. They're probably not doing too well, considering Raijuu is the 5th strongest. They couldn't even take out Shukaku, the second weakest, though she shouldn't be talking, as she's being beaten to wits end by his sandy attacks.
Shukaku laughs at her helplessness.
"Feel the pain I will instill for the slaughter of Nekomata!" Shukaku yells, sending another, more powerful attack at her.
She squeezes her eyes shut, fearing the pain.
"Hyorinmaru!"
Her eyes widen in alarm as finds that the sand has been blocked, the sand holding her beginning to freeze over.
"This is..." she trails, before looking up.
As expected, she sees Toshiro, a look of worry on his face.
Shukaku sneers at him.
"Bastard!" Toshiro yells, whipping his sword down, causing a great ice dragon to form off the tip, flying at Shukaku at high speeds.
His eyes widen, trying his best to escape being frozen over by Hitsugaya's attack. Using the dragon as a distraction, Toshiro flashsteps over to her, moving his sword a certain way to cause the sand to crack and break apart, freeing her. She only falls a foot before Toshiro catches her in his arms, holding her tight as he flashsteps to a corner.
"You alright?" he asks, sitting her against the wall.
She pants, looking up at him. His teal eyes are alive and on edge.
"Y-Yeah..." she trails, "But I'm not the person you need to be worrying about right now."
"What do you mean?" he asks.
"Cree...she's been made Yamata's...target." she gasps, the wounds finally taking effect on her.
"Who's Yamata?"
"The eight tails!" Houkou answers hoarsely, "She'll, she'll kill her...she's one of the most powerful..."
Toshiro's eyes widen in alarm.
"Not good." he comments, "Luckily, I thought ahead."
She blinks.
"What do you mean?" she asks.
"Whoa, looks like a real war zone over here."
Houkou's eyes widen, looking up to see at least two dozen more Soul Reapers above them. They're not from Yattamori's Squad, but as two men in white haoris show, she discovers they're of two other Squads.
Squad 8 with Captain Kuoraku, and Squad 5 with Captain Aizen.
Kuoraku looks down and spots her.
"Wow, Mariya, you're beat up bad." he comments.
Houkou sighs.
"You don't think I noticed?" she replies.
He chuckles.
"At least you still have your sense of humor." Kuoraku answers.
She grins.
"Here, let me get her someplace safe."
Toshiro and Houkou turn to see Yattamori and Hitsugaya's childhood friend Momo Hinamori walking towards them.
Toshiro nods.
"Alright-" he starts.
"Wait, wait! I can't leave Cree and the others!" Houkou fights, putting on a good show.
"Yattamori, you're too wounded." Toshiro replies.
"I'm fine-" Houkou starts as she stands.
Suddenly she feels a jolt of pain come from her rib cage, causing her to fall back over, coughing, some blood coming up.
"See?!" Toshiro says, coming to be beside her, looking back up at Hinamori, "Get her out of here."
Hinamori blinks.
"Shiro, don't you want to come with Mari?" she asks.
His expression becomes annoyed.
"Really, now you're calling me that dumb name?" Toshiro asks, before shaking it off, "No, I have to deal with an idiot who I still have a score to settle with."
"That sand Bijuu?" she asks.
He nods.
"Why?!" Houkou asks, feeling somehow protective of her target.
He looks at her, his eyes meeting hers, her voice lost.
"After what he did to you, I won't allow this guy off. He'll die by my blade." he answers, before turning back, flashstepping to go meet Shukaku.
Her eyes are wide, her heart beat picking up.
"Toshiro..." she trails.
"Alright, c'mon Mari, we need to get out of here." Hinamori says.
"But Toshiro-" Houkou starts.
"He'll be fine Mari, with that resolve in him, we won't go down." Hinamori interrupts, looking hopeful, "You'll see, Toshiro will take care of him for you."
She watches her a moment.
...For me?...No, not for me...it's all for Mariya...for Mariya...
Houkou closes her eyes.
...But, for now, I'll just allow myself to believe it really is me....that he's fighting for...protecting...
"C'mon Captain."
She opens her eyes to find Aneko now beside her, carefully putting her arms under her legs and back, picking her up from the grass. She looks around, realizing that Yattamori's Squad must of just arrived, as Squad Members wearing the T.P. uniform appear, their swords drawn. Though one catches her eyes, a young man who seems determined and rushed.
As Aneko flashsteps higher, Houkou sees where he's headed.
Right towards Yamata.
He must want to save Cree. But why?
"Rikuto, that idiot." Aneko says, "If Cree can't take her, then he definitely can't."
"But Rikuto will go anyway, he will protect Cree." Hinamori says, "That's just how he is about her now."
...Why does he hurry to his death? And for a girl like Cree?...Yes, she is good, and fun, smart, and pretty...but what does that matter?...What is it that makes these beings want to protect someone other then themselves...what is it?...
No comments:
Post a Comment