M.S.A.A. pt. 69

Hey guys.

Gotta luv school and finals, huh? NOT

I've been so busy with school that I'm falling behind! NOOOO!

Hopefully with summer coming next week, I'll be able to get caught up, and maybe even ahead

Sorry guys, enjoy pt. 69

~Maddie

"....As Julliet once said, what's in a name? A name should not carry a weight or change a situation that one is in at any time. Yet, in my situation, a name is the changing matter. Who would of thought, right? I mean, I never imagined that a name could be so important. It's just a word, ink spread onto paper in different strokes and turns. Then again, a name is what can describe a person, it's how you identify them. Why is a name so important in the first place. Who was the first person who thought 'Oh, let me call myself something specific so that I can be identified by it later'? Ok, I admit, I'm getting a bit over the top with the subject, I should just let the scenes go by and see how they turn out. But still, it's weird to think of my name as being a key....a doorway to unleashing a side even I...with my memories...never even imagined before....

June

SOUL SOCIETY

Mariya's Perspective

Her eyes widen, finding herself in a unusually familiar place. The void.

"W-What?...Why am I...?" Mariya trails.

She looks over herself.

All of her wounds have vanished, probably because of the fact she's now in her mind, not outside in her real body, falling to the Earth after being brutally injured by Nekomata.

She sighs.

...Damn...am I dead now?...

"...You did it...."

She turns, gasping as she sees the luminescent version of herself from before.

Though, she's different. 

She's just as battered, but the light has returned to her eyes.

"Y-You?!" Mariya says.

"...You unlocked the key..." her other self trails.

"Huh?" 

"...There was a key...that was holding back your memories...Toshiro...just solved it for you...."

She blinks, then finally realizes what she means.

"You mean 'Yattamori'?" 

Her other self nods.

"What does that mean?"

"...Yattamori....is our last name...."

"It is?!"

"...Damn...it was so obvious....how could they miss it?...."

"What do you mean?"

"...They picked our last name as the key...They knew that when loosing our memories, Toshiro and the others wouldn't call use by our last name...so that they wouldn't confuse you....It was so obvious...that no one could see it..."

"Their leader is smarter then we give her credit..." 

Her other self nods.

"...Well, looks like it's time..."

"Time for what?"

"...Time for you to remember...You need to rejoin with me..."

"H-Huh?! How do I do that?!"

"...Because you now know the key....you can break the seal on our memories..."

Mariya walks closer to her other self, looking over the vine-like structures that hold her caught in place. She places her hand on one of them, noticing that unlike before, there's weak spots in the power flowing through them.

She grins, Mamori Koudoutai appearing in her right hand.

Her other self blinks, taken back by Mariya's abrupt action as she sets up Mamori's blade to hit the structure.

"...M-Mariya?..."

"I'm getting back my memories...I need them!" Mariya yells, beginning to glow lime green, her eyes emanating the usual light blue sheen.

With all her might, Mariya drives her blade down into the structure, smashing it upon impact, ultimately destroying it. The vine loosens, but as Mariya cuts at more and more of the them or cut, soon her other self falls to the ground, weak as she tries to sit up as the structures vanish completely.

Mamori disappears, and soon after Mariya find herself kneeling beside her other self, who's fading a bit as she pants.

"Are you alright?" she asks.

"....You need to remember...one thing...before you can retain...your memories..." she pants.

"I do?! What?!" 

...You must remember...your true identity...

Both their eyes widen as a voice quite like their own trails off, though it's deeper, probably from an age difference.

"...What?..."

"What true identity?..." 

...You must remember...the truth behind your existence in this world...Why you are here....

The voice comes again.

"Why I'm here?..." Mariya trails.

Suddenly, some images from her past come to mind, people, places, things. 

Cree, Kayla, Bianca who stand out...another name passing her mind...

Virginia...

Her eyes widen.

"Mariya..you're crazy!...Hey, Mariya Shecker, you in there?!..."

"Shecker...." Mariya trails.

Her other self gasps, no longer fading, but becoming clearer.

Mariya notices.

Without warning, a powerful wind blasts towards them, causing them to cover their faces, their long hair intertwining a bit.

Slowly, the wind fades, and Mariya looks up to see a even more faded form laying a few feet away, seeming to be unconscious.

Her other self blinks, probably unable to tell what it is herself.

Mariya tip-toes towards the being, and kneels back down to see the person closer.

She gasps.

It's her, but...not her.

This version of her wears a tee-shirt under a jacket, boot-cut jeans and regular tennis shoes. Her hair is shorter, hitting the bottom of her shoulder blades. Her bangs are shorter, not covering her eye fully, but she does have something that intrigues Mariya.

Around her neck are two necklaces. One is shaped like a cross, closely resembling the symbol of squad 10, Toshiro's squad. While the other looks a lot like her own, a pendant with a arrow etched  into the metal, though unlike her's, this one is silver and opal, not lime green.

Cautiously, Mariya picks it up, allowing more memories to enter her mind.

Adults, older teenagers, young adolescents, Cree and the others passing through her mind. A boy...that reminds her of Toshiro.

She snaps back into the reality, realizing that these people are those she knows.

"...Mariya?..." 

"This...is the real me, isn't it? This is what I truly look like...who I really am..." Mariya trails, sensing the deep connection to the figure in front of her.

Her other self blinks.

"...She...is also me?..." her other self asks.

Mariya nods.

"We're her...we're...Shecker..." Mariya trails off again.

Suddenly, the girl's eyes open, taking them by surprise.

Her eyes are hazed, but she looks around, her eyes darting a bit to take in the whole space.

Then her eyes land on Mariya, and her eyes widen.

"Shecker?" Mariya asks.

The girl blinks, then grins, seeming to know the name.

"...You finally remembered me?..." Shecker asks.

Mariya chuckles.

"I kinda had to." Mariya replies.

"...We're running out of...time..." her other self trails.

Shecker struggles to sit up, becoming easier to see and not as see through as her other self had done.

"...Yattamori...give me your hand..." Shecker says, holding her hand out to Mariya's other self.

Her other self blinks, then grins, reaching for Shecker.

"...Finally...we'll be..." her other self starts.

"...Complete..." Shecker finishes, taking her hand.

Without warning, the two vanish, turning to mist as they disappear.

Mariya gasps.

"What the-?!" she starts.

...Do not be alarmed...Your memories have merged into your complete identity...You're identity as both Mariya Yattamori...and Mariya Shecker....

Her eyes widen as the mysterious voice comes again.

"So what now?!" Mariya calls.

...Speak your name...your true name...

Mariya blinks, but nods, standing.

"Alright...here goes nothing..." Mariya trails, then breaths in a deep breath, "I am the reincarnated Captain of S. Squad T.P. Mariya Yattamori, I am the daughter of Michael and Nicole, Mariya Shecker, I'm me...I'm Mariya!"

Her shouts cause another fast breeze to ensue, blowing harder then before.

She opens her eyes as it seems to somehow stop automatically, her eyes widening to see a mirror image of herself.

Her mirror grins.

"...I remember everything....it's time you do too..."

Mariya chuckles.

"Took you awhile to realize that, huh?"

Her mirror laughs.

Then, Mariya's own grin turns to a frown.

"So, will I disappear? Will the real Yattamori come back or something...and replace me?..." she asks.

Her mirror blinks in surprise, before her expression becomes content, and she sighs.

"...You are the real Yattamori..." her mirror replies.

Mariya blinks now, then chuckles.

"Good, I want to see what happens next." Mariya says.

Her mirror nods.

"...Then do so...with your memories intact once more..." her mirror states, glowing.

"Right!" Mariya states.

With that, her mirror desinergrates, encasing her in light.

She smiles, feeling as if a part of her has been awaken by this meeting, and before she knows it, her eyes open, and she's alone in the void.

The wind eventually stops. Her hair comes to rest as it naturally does. She looks down at her necklace, and grins.

"Man, I've been out of it for forever now...." she trails.

She looks back up at what would be the ceiling.

She chuckles.

"But...I'm back..."

Suddenly, she feels a pain shoot through her body.

Mariya shrinks, wrapping her arms around her.

"Oh no...my body must be giving out...after getting the fatal wound..."

She grits her teeth.

"Damn it! Even with my memories restored and my Spiritual Pressure probably back at it's peak, I still can't do anything! At least not in the state my body is in right now." she mutters, angered by her own drawbacks.

...There's still a way....

Her eyes widen, remembering the voice from before.

She turns, not seeing the source of the echoes.

"Who's there?! Show yourself!" Mariya yells.

...Calm down...I am not an enemy...I'm a friend....

Mariya softens a bit.

"What do you mean there's still a way?" Mariya calls.

...There is a way that you can still defeat Nekomata...

Mariya gasps.

"There is?! What?! How can I beat her?!"

...Unfortunately, you are too weak in your current state to take Nekomata on....Please Mariya...let me help you....

"How can you help me?" 

...Please Mariya....You are running out of time....If you don't do anything soon...you'll be killed!...

Without warning, Mariya feels something shift.

She looks down and gasps again as she sees her foot beginning to vanish.

...Your soul...is beginning to be affected!...You must do as I say!...Please Mariya, trust me!....

Mariya grits her teeth, and groans.

"Fine! Do what you need to do, just don't touch my friends!" Mariya yells.

...I told you before...I am your friend, not your enemy Mariya...

Mariya blinks in surprise as the voice becomes a bit louder and clearer by the second, seeming to get closer.

Then, a shadow falls over her. 

She turns, and the light in her eyes vanish as she sets her sight on the being whom the voice belongs to.

"Just who...are you?..." Mariya trails.

....You will know when the time is right...Now...relax, and I'll do the rest...Do not worry, your victory is guaranteed as long as I'm in control...

Mariya can't help but watch as this being takes the helm, her wings spreading full as her eyes glow with the intent to keep her word, ready to strike at first chance...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toshiro's Perspective
Suddenly, there's a great flash, wind blasting at him at intense speed. He covers his eyes to protect them from the intense gust and light, not needing anymore injuries then that he's already gotten.
After a few moments, he senses the air become still, allowing him to look to see what exactly has happened.
He looks up, and his eyes widen.
Yattamori has vanished.
"Where'd she go?!" Aneko asks, seeming to speak his thoughts.
"Did she hit the ground?" Rangiku asks.
"No, we would of heard it through that gust." Toshiro replies.
"Then...where is she?" Kayla trails.
They suddenly hear laughing from above.
"Hehehe HAHAHA!!! FINALLY, THAT BITCH IS GONE!" Nekomata spits.
Toshiro grits his teeth.
"Nekomata! Where's Mariya?!" Rangiku yells.
Nekomata looks down at them and smirks.
"How the Hell should I know?! HA!" Nekomata yells, "But who cares, that wound is impossible to heal quickly! SHE'S DEAD-!"
"You should check your facts...or else you will end up looking more like a fool."
Nekomata's eyes widen with the others as a sudden shock of a strong Spiritual Pressure fills the air.
"What?!"
"T-That's impossible...even if she was able to move with those wounds...her Spiritual Pressure shouldn't-" Aneko starts.
"-Be so...over-powering..." Toshiro finishes.
"But, where is she?" Kayla asks.
Toshiro looks around, still not spotting anything of Yattamori.
"I don't see her." Toshiro says.
Nekomata grits her teeth.
"Bitch! Come out! Stop hiding like the priss you are!-" 
She's suddenly cut of as a sword comes to her neck.
Her eyes trace the long, clean blade, which is etched with many unknown symbols, each seeming to glow with a power that's all there own.
"Here is a tip, do not try to anger your opponent when they are stronger then yourself...it will most likely lead to your demise."
Nekomata turns her head and gasps.
Toshiro and the others follow her gaze, and gasp too.
Behind Nekomata is Yattamori, holding the hilt of the blade being Mamori Koudoutai.
But...she's different.
Everything except her two necklaces has changed.
Her Bankai has transformed into an outfit similar to what it is in the stage, but more intricate, and her wings have vanished. Instead of being black and grey, it's white with black outlines of the curly patterned. The top is new in itself. It's become a off shoulder with long sleeves that have the curly line pattern running down all the way, coming to a point, the pattern also seen in a strip down her front until the bottom of her breastline where a now black band cuts it off. The way the haori extends under the band is the same, but has also turned white, the pattern at the bottom changed slightly.
Her hair is different too. Now, instead of being in the usual ponytail held by her lime green ribbon, it's been pulled into a lower ponytail, her hair also tied near the end with the lime green ribbon. Her bangs have moved out of the way of her eye, laying slightly over to the side. Her long locks she usually wears freely in the front are pulled back about half way, pulled back into the ponytail. In her hair is some kind a head dress, a symbol identical to the shape beside her bellybutton, a backwards, curlicue S, held to her forehead by a silver cord.
Her eyes burn light blue, narrowed more then normal at she coolly glares at Nekomata.
Nekomata looks over her, seeing only a few pointers to shows that she had injured Yattamori.
Her eyes widen.
"H-How did you-" Nekomata starts.
"You have talked enough, cretin." Yattamori interupts, her voice seeming a bit older, though still her's.
Nekomata turns, swatting Mamori away, though not moving Yattamori as she now holds her at her side.
"What did you call me?! You BITCH!" Nekomata yells as her nails elongate, coming to a point as she goes for Yattamori's head.
"Mariya!" Kayla yells.
Suddenly, Nekomata stumbles into nothing, surprising everyone, even herself.
Her eyes widen.
"What? I am still here."
Nekomata gasps as she turns to see Yattamori standing only feet away, exactly the same.
"Wait, when did she move to dodge it?" Rangiku asks.
"I-I don't know, that was too fast to use flashstep, so could she of redirected her attack?"  Aneko replies.
"No...she couldn't of..." Toshiro trails.
"Then how?" Kayla asks.
He just stares at Yattamori for a moment.
...She's never been able to do anything like that...What the Hell...happened?....
Nekomata grits her teeth.
"Trying to make me look like a fool?! Die, you damn brat!" Nekomata yells as she goes for another attack, Yattamori turning around to face her.
This time, as Nekomata whips her arm at Yattamori's face, Yattamori just stands there 'til the last moment, before doing the unthinkable.
She catches Nekomata's wrist, stopping the attack just inches from her face.
They all gasp in shock.
"No way-" Rangiku starts.
"SHE CAUGHT IT?!" Kayla yells.
"No way..." Toshiro trails.
Nekomata seems to loose some of the color in her face, pulling her arm away quickly, jumping back.
She breaths uneasily, not knowing what to do now.
Yattamori sighs.
"My, things seem to really have gone into chaos, has it not?" Yattamori asks, "It appears that you have run out options, am I correct?"
Nekomata doesn't reply, too dumbfounded to reply.
"I will take your silence as a confirmation. Now, it's time we finish this, correct?" Yattamori comments, holding her sword out in front of her.
Suddenly, Mamori Koudoutai begins to glow, the symbols glowing erratically as the blade transforms into a bow, causing the life to drain from Nekomata's eyes.
"No...it's impossible...You're as powerful as you were when you..." Nekomata trails.
A arrow appears, Yattamori drawing it back until the string becomes to tight to move any further. She looks down the shaft of the arrow, aiming with the index finder of her left hand right at Nekomata.
"Down with the imbecile..." Yattamori trails, partly taunting by using a phrase similar to the one Nekomata had used before, "Iteza."
Yattamori releases.
Without warning, multiple arrows fly at Nekomata, leaving her no where to run as the number seems to be larger then ever.
Her eyes widen in horror, turning to run.
Arrows begin to hit their mark.
"A-AGRHHHHHHHH!!!!" Nekomata screams, before it cuts off, overtaken by the sound of arrows cutting through the air.
Toshiro and the others watch in shock, looking as the arrows fade, leaving not a single trace of Nekomata in sight, her pressure vanished. Then, he looks back at Yattamori.
She pants, finally showing some weakness through her serious expression. She lowers Mamori to her side where she vanishes, before Yattamori falls to her knees.
He reacts, flashstepping at first chance up to her. He runs over, kneeling beside her in the air.
"M-Mariya, are you alright?" he asks.
She replies with more panting, and as she looks up at him, he notices her eyes are still light blue, but warmer.
As she registers it's him, she grins, and chuckles.
"I guess I scared you." she comments, still talking with a difference to her voice, "I'm fine."
Suddenly, there's a weird noise, sounding a bit like electricity. They look down to see what a minute ago was fine is beginning to reopen.
"Damn it, the instant is wearing off..." she trails, beginning to breath harder.
"Instant?" he asks.
"It's when you can instantly heal a wound, but it only works if you have the right amount of Spiritual Pressure, and it takes a good toll on that quickly." Yattamori explains.
Then, she falls into him, panting even harder.
"H-Hey, Mariya!" Toshiro stutters.
She replies with hard exhales, the healing becoming more undone.
He sighs, but puts his arms around her.
"You'll be ok, I'll get you to Squad 4." he says.
She closes her eyes, taking hold of the front of his kimono, pulling herself even closer to him.
He blushes a bit.
"Uh, Mariya?"
She rests her head under his neck, taking him by surprise as she's never done anything like this on purpose.
Though it's when she starts kissing his neck that he begins freaking out a little, not knowing what to do as his face turns red.
....W-What is she...doing?!....
Before he can even find a way to register her actions, her clothes and stuff begin to change, causing him to be even more flabbergasted.
He looks back down at her as she slumps in his arms, revealing that she's back to normal.
Well, almost normal, considering she only in her pjs, which have been torn left and right (though luckily no where weird), and her hair loose, her ribbon just dangling as her locks blow in the wind.
The wound takes full effect, beginning to bleed again.
Working carefully so to not make her be in any more pain, he cradles her, and lifts her from the ground, turning to see the others running up.
"Is she ok?" Aneko asks.
"Her wound reopened, we need to get her healed." Toshiro answers.
Rangiku nods.
"Right, let's get her to Squad 4." Rangiku says.
"Sounds good." Kayla adds.
Toshiro turns back and flashsteps, followed quickly by the trio.
Holding Yattamori close, he hurries, though he's still trying to register what happened.
And the truth....is too large for him to even considering possible...

M.S.A.A. pt. 68

"...A simple word can unlock a great amount of secrets. Though, it seems in our case, the secret is something of my memory, locked away in someplace beyond the bounds of my mind. In my weakened state, it seems the secret will never be uncovered, considering that I'm on the brink of non-existence. In the beginning, I thought there might be a trick I could pull or a magic trick that I could design that could save me from this stupid idea of a battle. Yeah...I must admit that it was pretty dumb of me to think I could of had a chance against Nekomata in the state I'm in. But, right now, from my stand point, I have nothing to loose, so what is the difference to anyone if I loose my life or not? In the end, everything will be over, not only me, but this rivalry with the Bijuu and their master. So, who cares?..."

June
SOUL SOCIETY
Mariya's Perspective
"Ngh!"
Mariya catches herself, flipping before she falls.
As she pants hard, she feels blood escaping the new cut on her forehead, dripping down her cheek.
Nekomata laughs above, enjoying beating Mariya to a pulp.
"Why don't you just stay still? If you would, we could of been done at least five minutes ago." Nekomata comments.
"No..." Mariya trails, "I'm gonna fight...I have to...it's my duty..."
Her Spiritual Pressure rises a bit, illuminating her a bit in lime green light.
"You're pathetic. Look at you, you're a shell of the girl who you used to be. I can't believe that those who have been failing at helping you even can call you Mariya. It's not only a disgrace on you, but all you once were."
"Shut up..."
"Why should I? You know, I'm kinda disappointed. When I first saw you fight, I thought that this confrontation would be a lot more entertaining, considering how strong you were. I made it a mission to beat you at top power, but since I took your memories, you've become nothing but a scared little girl, and it would be a waist to use my full potential on such a weakling."
Mariya grits her teeth. 
"Then why did you take my memories?!" Mariya yells.
"It was an order from above. And besides that, I didn't think that taking your memories would effect your strength. I just thought it would make it harder for you to come up with a winning strategy to use against me." Nekomata explains, before raising an eyebrow, "Wait a minute, just now, when our swords met, I thought I sensed something different about you. What did you do?"
Mariya doesn't respond.
Though somehow, Nekomata makes the right guess.
"You've lost some of your Spiritual Pressure?! Ha! No wonder I'm easily beating your ass." Nekomata laughs, "This is fantastic, what, did you think that if you went up against me, your Spiritual Pressure would magically be restored? That's great!"
"I couldn't take you slaughtering people who mean a lot to me-" Mariya starts.
"-How do you know if that mean a lot to you?! Hell, you couldn't even remember your best friends, so how could you remember these simpletons?" 
Mariya's eyes widen.
"That doesn't mean anything. They're important-"
"How are they important?-"
"THEY RISKED THEMSELVES FOR ME!"
Nekomata blinks, surprised by Mariya's outburst.
"These Soul Reapers went up against you so that I wouldn't have to, I must hold them special, if I didn't, I couldn't call myself a leader or even a Captain. I would be a greedy child hiding behind others so that I didn't have to get hurt! I might not remember a lot about myself, but I do know that I'm not one to let people fight my battles, especially when someone could get injured, or even die!" Mariya explains, "I hate to carry the burden of knowing I sent someone prematurely to their grave. It's despicable."
Nekomata chuckles.
"Well, you may be weaker, but you still can talk pretty big. Though, I don't think you should be, it just makes you look more pathetic."
"I don't care if I look pathetic. That's how I feel. Everyone has a say in his or her opinion, and that's mine." Mariya replies, "Besides, I think you're pathetic."
Nekomata tenses, narrowing her eyes.
"What?" Nekomata asks.
"You work under someone. 'Master', you call them. Out of all the Bijuu, I can't imagine you as the type to bow down to someone. It seems out of your nature." Mariya explains, "So, that must mean that you're either weaker then them...or..."
"Or what?"
"Or you're afraid." Mariya finishes.
Nekomata's eyes burn with fury.
"You're so scared that you can't even bring yourself to go up against your master, afraid to loose your life. So, here you are, taunting my subordinates and I, saying we're weak."
"Why you..." Nekomata growls.
"You're a hypocrite! You're the one that's truly weak!" Mariya yells.
"YOU DAMN WENCH!" Nekomata yells.
Taking her sword to her right side, Nekomata launches herself right at Mariya.
Mariya's eyes widen, putting her hands into a sign.
"Barrier!" Mariya says.
Instantly, the illuminated box begins to form around her, creating protection.
Though, it's slower then usual, and weaker.
Nekomata swings her sword right at the barrier, shattering it before it's fully formed.
Mariya's eyes widen.
Nekomata turns back towards her, striking right at Mariya, missing only as Mariya jumps back.
"How dare you call me WEAK! You know nothing!" Nekomata yells, still trying to stick her.
Mariya dodges to the left, flashstepping. 
"I'm stronger then you could ever be!" 
Again, Nekomata swings, catching Mariya before she can dodge.
She grits her teeth, holding her sword tight to parry Nekomata's attack.
The impact sends her flying, caught by her window, which shatters upon contact, finally stopping as she slams against her bedroom floor.
"Ack!" Mariya grunts, blood splatting from her mouth.
After a few moments, she staggers to sit up.
Because she's only wearing a tank top with shorts, she had no protection from the broken glass making contact with her skin, now she bleeds from all over her arms, a great cut on her head, more blood dripping down the left side of her face to drip onto her hands that prop her up.
...I need...to heal myself....or else I'll bleed out sooner or later...
Without warning, she grabbed by the back of the neck, causing her to catch her breath.
A flashstep later, and Mariya opens her eyes to see Nekomata glaring her down, holding her now from the front.
"You're just asking to be killed, aren't you?! To call me weak is going to be worst thing you could of ever thought of doing, you BITCH!" Nekomata hisses.
Mariya's eyes widen.
...She's gonna kill me!...
A punch to the face takes her by surprise, the impact throwing her out of Nekomata grips, allowing Mariya to finally take a complete breath.
Blood drips from her mouth, though she passes it off, whipping it away as she staggers, trying to stand.
Mamori appears in her hand.
"Guess I can't back out now." Mariya comments, holding Mamori straight down as her eyes glow light blue, "BANKAI!"
Glowing greater then before, she's engulfed with lime green Spiritual Pressure.
Her pj's transform into her normal Bankai outfit, wings spreading on her back.
"Skipping right by Shikai and going to Bankai are we? Hmp! Well, it's not like it'll save you..."
Nekomata comments.
Finally, Mariya reappears, her sword now a bow and arrow.
"Bankai, Jumon Mamori Koudoutai (Spell of the Zodiac Charmer)!" Mariya says.
Nekomata glares at her.
"Pathetic girl..." she trails.
Mariya pulls back on the arrow in her hand along the wire, lining up her shot at Nekomata.
"Eshaku Iteza (Sagittarius Bow)..." she trails, pulling the arrow back 'til it's tight, when it begins to glow, "Furai (fly)."
Releasing, the arrows multiplies many times over, flying straight at Nekomata.
Nekomata's eyes widen, surprised that she has this much power still, even in Bankai.
In the mirage of arrows, Mariya can't pinpoint where and when she hit Nekomata, or even if she did. As the last of the arrows disappears, she pants, the attack using much of her power.
"Did I...get her?..." Mariya asks herself.
"Mariya!" 
Her eyes widen, and she looks down.
Toshiro is awake, looking up at her with shock in his eyes, probably a bit worried about her number of wounds.
She grins.
"I'm alright Toshiro." she calls back.
He sighs.
"Get down here! We need to get you and everyone else to Squad 4." Toshiro answers.
She nods.
"Right-"
"WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!" 
Both their eyes widen as Nekomata reappears, only slightly injured, though panting.
"The battle is still on?" Mariya comments.
Fury in her eyes, Nekomata launches herself right at Mariya.
"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" Nekomata yells.
"Uh, Tenbinza Tanjuu (Libra Pistols)!" Mariya yells.
Automatically, Mamori transforms from her bow and arrow form to her Libra form, two pistols.
Taking one in each hand, she aims.
"Shinme (Shoot)!"
With that, shot after shot rings from the gun, flying straight at Nekomata.
Nekomata does her best to dodge, but each at least grazes her body, one hitting her arm right in the muscle.
"ARG!" Nekomata screams.
Furious, Nekomata takes her sword from her injured right arm, and disappears.
Mariya holds the guns close, prepared to pull the trigger at any moment.
...Where could...she be?...
Mariya pants.
...I've lost...a lot of...blood...
Without warning, she senses something looming from behind.
She whips around to see Nekomata towering over her, her sword ready.
"BITCH!" Nekomata yells.
Mariya does her best to get out of the way as Nekomata stabs straight.
Sadly, because of her weakened state, it stabs her skin, though only that.
"NGH!" Mariya grunts, stumbling back as Nekomata pulls her sword back.
"Hehehehehe...." Nekomata chuckles, "Well, well, well, how should I finish you?...Should I decapitate you?...Maybe slice you right down the middle?....Or stab you right in the heart?..."
Nekomata steps closer, putting the tip of her blade to Mariya's neck.
The life in Mariya's eyes dips as she holds her side, unable to understand what has happened.
....No...
Nekomata smirks, looking down to see that Toshiro is watching in agony, held back by his own wounds.
"What do you think I should do boy? Hmm?..." Nekomata asks.
Toshiro grits his teeth.
"Damn you..." he trails.
"Oh, I know! I'll kill you!" Nekomata yells, racing towards Toshiro.
Mariya and Toshiro's eyes widen, not expecting this.
Aneko and Rangiku move in front of him.
"No you-" Aneko starts.
"-DON'T!" Rangiku finishes.  
"Don't want me to kill him before you two, that's fine with me!" Nekomata yells, glowing dark purple.
Rangiku and Aneko stand ready.
"DIE!" 
Blood splats as Mariya catches Nekomata's blade with her left hand, appearing in front of the two and Toshiro.
Nekomata blinks in surprise, taken back by Mariya's action, considering how injured she already is.
Aneko gasps.
"C-CAPTAIN!" Aneko yells.
Mariya throws Nekomata's sword back, allowing her blood to drip from her new wound.
"Wow...I thought that would take off the top of my hand....Good thing I drink a lot of milk..." Mariya comments as she pants.
"FORGET ABOUT THE MILK, YOU IDIOT!" Kayla yells, appearing by Rangiku.
Mariya blinks.
"Hmm?" Mariya says, turning to face them.
The four fall silent as they see the extent of Mariya's injuries.
Toshiro steps in front of the two.
"Toshiro, you're alright....I'm glad..." Mariya trails.
He doesn't respond, too appalled to answer.
...She's...hurt so bad...how can she still smile?!...
Mariya's eyes widen as Toshiro's thought runs through his mind.
She chuckles.
"I smile...because I know everyone's ok..." Mariya trails.
His eyes widen now.
"Well, you DEFINITELY AREN'T!!" 
Her eyes widen.
Suddenly, one of her wings is grabbed, and with some strength, she's thrown right back into the air.
"MARIYA!" Toshiro yells.
She turns, catching herself.
"What now?!-"
A blade cuts across her chest, blood bursting from the large wound.
Her eyes widen bigger then before.
...What?...
Nekomata cackles.
"DOWN WITH THE CAPTAIN!" Nekomata yells.
Mamori Koudoutai falls out of Mariya's hand as what happened takes effect.
Life escapes her eyes as she falls, blood still trailing out.
Toshiro watches, horrified.
"She...she was defeated..." Rangiku trails
"No...she couldn't be...." Kayla trails.
Toshiro cracks, one word echoing from him, one that changes...everything....
"YATTAMORI!!"

POLL RESULTS

POLL RESULTS!

:3

You guys guessed for the month of Cree's Birthday....

JULY!

Unfortunately, that's wrong ^^"

Her birthday is actually in September

Good guessing, new poll up soon!

~Maddie ^o^

M.S.A.A. pt. 67

I'm SOOO SORRY guys!

I've been so busy that this part took forever to come out.

To make up for it, I'll be posting the next 2 or 3 parts over the weekend, not only to catch up, but to apologize.

Enjoy!

~Maddie

"...I can't remember pretty much anything except for Toshiro. I don't even remember these girls who tell me I'm their best friend, that I'm their Captain, that they're fellow Soul Reapers that I was once close to. I hate this! This world seems to taunt me, letting me see something but keeping it out of arms reach. No matter how hard I beg or pray for my memories to come back, they won't, and all I seem to do is cause pain for someone else. This fight is appalling to watch, I can't take it. Watching all these people who I used to know fight and be slain is too much to take. I have to do something, if anything, I must give the bijuu what they want. I could care less about me now, what's important is protecting everyone that're still trying to fight. Even if that means I have to take matters with my weakened spiritual pressure..."

June
SOUL SOCIETY
Mariya's Perspective
"Damn it, where is she?!" Mariya says, irritated.
"She probably stopped to help someone in the defense group...calm down..." Toshiro trails as he watches Mariya trot back in forth by the coach.
"Well, it's frustrating!" Mariya answers, "You said a half hour ago that she was on her way! And she still isn't here yet!"
"Mariya..." Toshiro trails, "You're becoming bi-polar..."
She blinks, confused, turning towards him.
"Huh?" she asks.
"Well, before...you were quiet and shy...Now, you're all loud and tempered..." he explains.
Mariya looks away, thinking over what he said.
...Damn it...he's right, it looks like even though I've gained more of my memories...I'm still not complete...and god Damn, why do I keep cussing? Crap, I did it again!....Man, this really sucks...
As Mariya trails on in her thoughts, Toshiro chuckles.
"Deep in thought, and easily distracted...at least that's normal..." Toshiro trails.
When she turns back, she notices that Toshiro is no longer looking at her.
"Toshiro?" Mariya says.
He doesn't respond.
She rushes over, kneeling beside the coach.
"Toshiro?" Mariya says again, shaking him.
Once again, he doesn't respond, causing her to get a bit worried.
She stands over him, and gently turns his head back to face her.
Somehow through all this, his unconsciousness has taken him, leaving him out cold, but breathing normally.
Mariya sighs.
"Damn...now we're really screwed." she comments
"Hey, anyone down there?!"
Mariya's eyes widen as she hears the woman's voice, recognizing it a bit.
"Rangiku? Is that you?" Mariya calls.
Her call is quickly followed by quick footsteps, revealing a tall, blonde...great busted...woman.
"Mariya, you're ok." Rangiku says, wrapping her arms around Mariya.
"Y-Yeah Rangiku, I'm fin-" Mariya starts.
"C-Captain!"
Without warning, Rangiku pulls Mariya off of her, hurrying over to Toshiro's side.
"Rangiku, calm  down-" Mariya starts again.
"W-What happened?!" she asks.
Mariya sighs.
"He was injured by some glass when it exploded from the impact of an attack against the barrier." Mariya answers, crossing her arms in front of her, "I healed him up, but he was still pretty beat up, so he needs rest."
Rangiku's eyes widen, turning to face her.
"You what?" Rangiku asks.
Mariya doesn't respond for a moment.
"You used your powers?!" Rangiku asks, "Mariya, your powers are diminished now, you know that right?!"
She looks over at Toshiro, before walking over to his side.
"Sorry man..." Mariya whispers.
Rangiku's eyes widen as Mariya silently turns Toshiro over on his side.
"Wh-What are you-" Rangiku starts, before Mariya steps aside.
She gasps as Mariya reveals the bloodied tears in Toshiro's kimono and haori.
Walking over, Rangiku traces the fabric.
"He protected me..." Mariya trails.
As Rangiku looks up at her, the scenes replay in Mariya's head, causing her to shrink a bit in her skin.
"I...I couldn't...let him suffer...with that poison..."
"Poison?" Rangiku repeats.
"Yeah...they used some forbidden bakudo to put poison into the attack." Mariya answers, "I luckily got it out, but with draw backs..."
"Like what?" Rangiku asks.
Mariya sighs, rubbing her neck.
"Well-" Mariya starts.
Suddenly, the ceiling begins to crack a bit, a loud boom vibrating the building.
Rangiku grunts.
"We need to get you two out of here, the barrier must be beginning to weaken a bit." Rangiku says.
Mariya nods, putting on the flip flops she had worn down, still only in her pjs.
"Yeah, you're right." Mariya responds, before turning back to Toshiro.
With what looks like ease, Mariya puts Toshiro on her back, then turning back to Rangiku.
"Are you sure you can carry him?" Rangiku asks.
"It's my spiritual pressure that weakened, I think I can still carry the guy that still weighs less then me." Mariya replies with a chuckle.
Again, there's a great boom, causing more of the ceiling to crack off a bit.
"Let's go, move!" Mariya says, running up the stairs.
"R-Right!" Rangiku answers.
Running up the stairs, Mariya's met with glass as it hits the walls around the hall entry.
"Damn it, not good!" Mariya says.
"Mariya!"
Rangiku and Mariya turn as a barrier forms around them.
"Aneko!" Rangiku says.
"Hey, I went by Kayla and Bianca, and they said you were still locked up in here." Aneko says, "What's wrong with Captain Hitsugaya?"
"First tell me something. Where's Cree?" Mariya asks.
Aneko doesn't respond for a moment.
"Aneko?" Rangiku asks.
"Unconscious in a Squad 4 medical room."
Mariya's eyes widen.
"What?..." Mariya trails.
"She killed off the three tails on her own, after he attacked Rikuto...and almost killed him." Aneko trails.
Mariya gasps a bit.
...Rikuto....Cree...both of them were involved in fighting a Bijuu?....
"Cree used her sped healing to save him, but after using the rest of her spiritual pressure to kill the Bijuu, she passed out." Aneko explains, "Apparently she was over-raged by what happened to Rikuto. Though, on the bright side, she has no serious injuries, and Rikuto carried her in to the medical barracks on his own."
"Where's Rikuto now?" Rangiku asks.
Aneko grins.
"Sitting by Cree's bedside waiting for her to wake up." Aneko answers.
Mariya's eyes widen a moment, before she chuckles.
"Oh, and he wanted me to relay you a message." Aneko says.
"Really, what?" Mariya asks, blinking in surprise.
"He said..."Thank you for shooting me down, I think I know what's right now."
Rangiku blinks, confused.
"Huh?" Rangiku asks.
Mariya grins.
"Is that so?" Mariya comments, turning away.
Aneko nods.
"Yeah, but right now, we need to get Captain Hitsugaya to Squad 4, and you out of the Sereitei." Aneko says, "Follow me."
With a nod from both Rangiku and Mariya, they begin running out of the room, another boom taking toll on the building as the ceiling begins to give way a bit.
"Damn it, the building is beginning to fall apart." Mariya comments.
Suddenly, Kayla appears.
"Kayla!" Aneko says.
"Hey, why aren't you guys out yet? And what happened to Toshiro?" Kayla asks.
"He was injured, and Rangiku took longer then we thought." Mariya says, "Where's Bianca?"
"Sorry, I had to help move a person to Squad 4." Rangiku comments.
Kayla sighs.
"Bianca used up her power and is also in Squad 4. She'll be fine. Alright, c'mon, the Bijuu are moving in." Kayla says.
"Right, I'll put up a barrier so they don't see us leave." Aneko replies.
"Sounds good." Rangiku says, "Now let's go!"
Pulling Mariya by the sleeve, the group rush through the home, until they make it to the front door, the windows blown out.
"Crap, they're fighting on this side." Kayla comments.
Mariya's eyes widen as she sees the outside for the first time.
Above, many members of her Squad, Squad 1 and 10, fight against Nekomata, Shukaku, and another Bijuu, though they're failing.
On the ground...are many fallen members, puddles of blood formed around most of them, others trying to get to some of the Squad 4 members so that they can help them.
Trembling, Mariya steps back a bit.
"Oh my God..." Mariya trails.
The others look over at her.
"Mariya?" Kayla asks.
She doesn't respond, too overwhelmed by the sight.
...The Bijuu...they're trying to kill me...These people...
"What's the matter, you idiotic Soul Reapers?!" Nekomata yells from above, a sword drawn in her hand, "Can't you give up that girl, and save yourselves? Don't you see you're just sending yourselves to your deaths?!"
"Quiet Bijuu! Our Captain can't fight, so we will take her place!" one of the Soul Reapers from her squad yells, "Now die in the name of Mariya!"
Mariya watches as he, and about a dozen others from different squads rush at Nekomata, swords prepared and released.
Nekomata laughs.
"You truly are imbeciles!" Nekomata yells.
With that, she slashes across the whole advance at amazing speed, taking them all by surprise as blood suddenly spills from their bodies.
"N-No..." the same Soul Reaper says, before falling to the ground, "Captain....Mariya...we're sorry...."
...These people are dying because of me....
Mariya cracks a bit, her eyes widening as she hears Nekomata laugh above.
Worried, the others try to calm her by holding her shoulders, but it doesn't stop the trembling.
Then, she takes them all by surprise as she puts Toshiro down, holding him by his arm.
"Rangiku, take Toshiro." Mariya says.
She nods, quickly taking her unconscious Captain from Mariya as she turns back to look at the outside.
"Mariya, what are you doing?" Aneko asks.
Mariya doesn't answer for a minute.
Without warning, Mamori Koudoutai flashes past their eyes, held in her sheath on Mariya back, though she soon disappears with a blink.
"Finishing what I started." Mariya comments.
Their eyes widen.
"Mariya, no!-" Rangiku yells.
But it's too late, as Mariya disappears.
Aneko clutches her fist tight.
"That idiot!" Rangiku says.
"What?" Kayla asks.
"She's gonna try to fight Nekomata." Rangiku answers.
Aneko's eyes widen.
"She can't, her powers will diminish!-" Aneko starts.
"They already have!" Rangiku snaps.
Aneko blinks in surprise.
"You mean she already used her powers?!" Kayla asks.
Rangiku nods.
"For what?! What could be so important that she'd-" Aneko starts.
She immediately stops as Rangiku turns around to show Kayla and her the bloodied rips down the back of Toshiro's haori and kimono.
"He would of bled out...." Rangiku trails.
Aneko stares in shock, before trembling.
"Mariya...." Aneko trails, before looking out to the outside, "YOU'RE RUSHING TO YOUR OWN DEATH!"
Above, not knowing the commotion, laughs, loving the Soul Reapers helplessness.
"This is just rich!" Nekomata comments, looking around at all the fallen Soul Reapers.
She stops as her eye spots the one Soul Reaper from before moving, still conscious.
She raises an eyebrow.
"Hmm? You idiot of a man, you should of stayed still..." Nekomata says, pulling her sword out, pointing it at him, "Now, I'll finish you for having the guts to try to escape. DIE!-"
"STOP!"
Nekomata's eyes widen as Mariya's voice sounds from behind her.
She turns, seeing Mariya standing out in the open, alone.
Her eye brow raises.
"You came out...." Nekomata trails.
"Leave them alone Nekomata, they're not who you're after." Mariya comments, "Right now you're just making useless slaughter."
Nekomata laughs.
"Well, well, big talk from little Mariya." Nekomata says, "You do realize that I'm killing because I wanted you to come out, correct?" 
Mariya nods.
"I assumed that you were trying to bait me out by doing this, but I decided that I would just come." Mariya replies, "But now that I'm here, you shouldn't attack them anymore."
"You're such a good person, aren't you? Caring more about others then yourself. It is admirable. But why make such a decision when it comes to the life of those below you?-"
"No one is below me! A life is a life, no matter who's it is!" Mariya snaps, "One of their lives is just as important of a life as mine, Toshiro's, or even the Head Captain's! You don't deserve to freely take their lives away with such a pathetic excuse as the value of the person's life!"
Nekomata stands and watches her for a moment, stunned a bit by Mariya's outburst.
Then, she grins.
"Alright, so what are you going to do about it? You're too weak to kill me, so what's the big idea behind coming out to face me?" 
Mariya doesn't respond for a moment.
Without warning, Mamori Koudoutai, away in her sheath on Mariya's back, hanging by a blue sash around Mariya's chest, appears, taking Nekomata by surprise.
"Yes, I may be weak, but that's only in the pretense of my physical strength. My Spiritual Pressure has no effect on the strength of my mental strength." Mariya says.
Suddenly, she glows lime green, though a bit dimmer then usual, it still burns with an intense glow as Mariya's eyes begin to glow a sight light blue.
Nekomata blinks in surprise.
"I'm can still fight you...though I'm not promising anyone that I'll succeed."
Without warning, Nekomata breaks into histaric laughter.
"So, you pretty much know you're going to die? Ha! Well, I'll give you credit for having guts, but that's all you're getting from me. Especially when you're still in your pajamas!"
She pulls out her own sword, leading to Mariya pulling her's.
Below, Aneko, Rangiku, and Kayla walk out to see the horror of Mariya setting herself up for her own doom.
Though, as they watch, no one seems to see Toshiro stir.
He blinks a few times, before looking around.
"I'm happy..."
His eyes widen as he hears Nekomata, looking up as everyone else.
"Just get this over with. Soon, you won't have to worry about me." Mariya comments.
Nekomata smiles.
"I'll be the one to kill you!"
Toshiro goes pale, his first sight to behold...watching Mariya ultimately kill herself...for the sake of protecting.