Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Hollow Charm ❯ Effort and Affront ( Chapter 24 )

Tite Kubo owns Bleach. I just borrowed the characters.

 

 

Effort and Affront

 

A feeling of disbelief washed over Rukia. In the few minutes she'd been watching the battle between Chad and Yammy she had ignored other events. As both Yammy and Chad were now bent over and panting, thus creating a natural break in their contest for superiority, she had let her eyes stray to Ichigo.

 

She's been delighted to meet up with him again and overjoyed to see that Orihime had finally accepted the test which had been preventing her development. Even when a person tried to remain the same external pressures inevitably forced a change, frequently the wrong change. From her attitude and uncertainty Orihime still displayed the uncertainty of a person forced to choose to change. She was still unwilling to accept that she was no longer the same person, but the changes had been wrought by her own desire and abilities. Once her friend accepted the alteration, Rukia was positive that she would quickly outstrip her own abilities.

 

The other reason she was pleased to see Orihime again was it was finally a chance to talk to another female about the recent developments in her own life. Not while Chad was fighting Yammy, or Ichigo was asking her to marry him. She could wait until her friend was not consumed by other absorbing matters, but all the same impatience gnawed at the edge of her control. It had been a while since she had been able to relax and giggle; putting aside her worries and hopes. After Chad beat Yammy, because she wouldn't permit her mind to entertain any suggestion that he would lose, it would have been a time for a break. The Arrancar could tend to their wounded companion, or kill him and Orihime could heal any of Chad's injuries. Then they might have a few minutes, only a short time to talk.

 

Until she had met Orihime, Rukia had not had the experience of a close female friend. Most of her companions when she was a child were boys. The girls who joined the group often disappeared, whether through boredom, fear or some less pleasant means usually within a few months. Her only ongoing friendship had been with Renji. At the Academy, her first tentative overtures had been originally accepted but with her adoption into the Kuchiki clan, that too had changed.

 

Only Orihime had ignored the outside trappings and seen her as both strong and vulnerable. Rukia wore her strength like armour, to protect the inner core of fragility while Orihime was the opposite. She appeared weak because she was scared to display her strength, fearing rejection by the people who had befriended her partly to protect her.

 

But looking at Ichigo, Rukia had noticed Orihime and seen the same blank look on her face.

 

“Oh, great. Now we've lost two of them. You're not planning to go into a trance are you Uryu?”

 

The Quincy stared at his two friends with interest for some minutes, and then shook his head. “No.”

 

“Hey, neither am I,” Renji said slinging his arm casually over her shoulder.

 

She slapped him and removed his arm. “You're always in a daze,” she teased him. “How could I tell the difference from normal?”

 

“I'm talking, aren't I? You wouldn't be able to get a word out of Strawberry unless you learned to be a venquilotrist,” he opined.

 

She smiled at him slyly. “I've already got my own dummy. You!”

 

Renji poked his tongue out at her and then nodded toward Chad. “Listen potential wife, I want to watch this fight. So less jawing and more attention.”

 

Rolling her eyes she watched as both Chad and Yammy again faced each other. For all his apparent power, the Espada was showing signs of strain and blood flowed from the many abrasions and injuries. One foot, the one Chad had targeted originally was now a bloody pulp and the Espada appeared to be having some problems with retaining his balance. Chad had become slightly paler and a pattern of blood stained his shirt. While sweat beaded his forehead he remained standing upright, determination evident. Only a slight quiver in his jaw indicated that he might also be feeling the effects.

 

“What are you trying to prove, little human?” Yammy's voice caught between the words.

 

“What are you trying to prove, Arrancar?” Chad didn't permit his voice to show any weakness.

 

“I don't need to prove anything, not to you, not to anyone. I am Arrancar, one of the Espada and you are insignificant. Not worth my time.”

 

A grim smile accompanied Chad's words. “Then why haven't you defeated me? Why are you wasting your time trying to win?”

 

Yammy shrugged and looked at Ulquiorra, obviously hoping for some support or direction, but the green eyed Arrancar remained silent. In turn, Yammy stared at each of the others on his side, but none of them spoke, instead they observed him, awaiting his answer.

 

“I'm testing you,” was Yammy's triumphant response. “As we battle we learn your weaknesses and then we know how to defeat all of you.”

 

Rukia was not surprised when Chad laughed at the answer. “I thought you could defeat us all easily without needing that knowledge.”

 

The non-plussed look Yammy threw at him made even Rukia smile. When at the Academy there had been a debate regarding the importance of psychological pressure used during battles. One side argued that it was rarely needed because Hollows were not that developed and a few swift cuts disposed of the problem.

 

“You may not always be fighting Hollows,” their instructor reminded them.

 

Rukia had lost interest in the rest of the debate as it degenerated into an argument about how often that would happen. Instead she wondered about how she could apply her mind to help her win a battle. Her body and muscles were being trained to respond instinctively to a variety of attacks, but when the instructors mentioned something about mental awareness, she hadn't completely understood the theory.

 

Now she was watching someone who had been tutored by Urahara, Yoruichi and Renji use both his physical and mental abilities to apply pressure. If she had the chance, when this war was over, she was going to request training from both Yoruichi and Urahara. They may be renegades from the Seireitei, but they had an advantage over many of the instructors and Captains she had encountered until now. They did not have to follow the prescribed rules and regulations and they had been forced to survive in an unfamiliar world. Sure, Urahara was a pervert, but she was pretty sure she could defend herself against the man. If not a swift knee and a sharp kick had extricated her from difficult situation before now.

 

Yammy was bellowing at Chad. “No more talk. Fight now!”

 

A nod indicated that the tall boy agreed with the Arrancar. Talking to Yammy was not a great way of spending the time, anyway. It wasn't at if they needed the talk to uncover the plot development as was often necessary in wrestling shows to make the whole thing more interesting.

 

It was also interesting for her to watch Chad's development as a fighter. His skills now far outstripped those he'd had when he'd invaded the Seireitei with Ichigo. In such a short time she thought he could easily rival at least a fourth seat, maybe even a third seat Shinigami. One thing she had noticed was Chad seemed more focused and determined than many of her peers. Even through the exchange of insults, his eyes remained fixed and his expression was set. As he isolated the part of the enemy he detected a weakness she saw his eyes flicker as if he had noticed something that had eluded him until now. Lifting his hands he aimed his next attack at the Arrancars shoulder.

 

Yammy staggered back, his expression changing to an outraged fury as he clutched his shoulder. “You dare!”

 

“I should have remembered,” Chad's voice contained a large amount of self reproach. “That battle with Yoruichi and Urahara. Your arm was damaged. It had not had enough time to heal.”

 

Yammy turned his body sideways, placing the injured limb in a position that would be difficult for Chad to target. “It is repaired. There is no problem with it.” The Arrancar lapped at the sheen of sweat on his top lip and then dragged his sleeve over his face. “You should worry about your own arm, little human, and the other injuries you suffered.”

 

Rukia was certain that Yammy missed the subtle glance that Chad gave the unaware Orihime and the slight curve his mouth took. “I am well and have no old injuries that have not healed.”

 

He circled the Arrancar who responded by moving carefully to keep the injured limb out of range, but his damaged foot gave way and he stumbled. Taking advantage of the momentary lapse, Chad released his attack, and Rukia almost jumped when she saw a change developing. Until now she had only seen Chad use his right arm to attack. The fact that he had developed the `Giant's Strike' which, despite her fear was effective against the Arrancar was miraculous, but now his left arm was changing also.

 

It appeared that Chad had noticed the development about the same time she did. A flicker of his eye and a quiver that ran through his left arm showed that while he wanted to check what was happening, he didn't want to remove his eyes from his opponent. It was probably a wise choice in the situation they found themselves, but if it had been her, she would have at least shown a bit more animation.

 

“The big guy's changed,” Renji said as he put an arm around her waist to pull her close. To anyone else it would look like an ordinary embrace, but Rukia was aware it was serving a dual purpose. She giggled and gave Renji a push, acting out the role of flirting with the man while they exchanged observations.

 

“Yes, but he's too caught up with the fight to try to do anything with it,” she replied, pretending to pull away.

 

Laughing, Renji released her only to grab her more securely as he bent his head close to hers. “I think we might get involved. I'm bored standing here only watching. And it will give him a chance to see what he can do. You take the girl with the short skirts and I'll see what I can do with Yammy's buddy.”

 

Then it stuck her. Of course Renji didn't really want to waste his time fighting any of the Espada except for Ulquiorra. All this time she had known he wanted to prove himself a fighter that could at least equal her brother, though his dream was to outdo him. The Espada, from what she could work out, might have similar powers to Captains. If Renji could defeat one, especially one who they all bore a grudge against, it might bring him closer to realising his dream.

 

“That only takes care of two. There are more people there. What if they decide to join in?” It was not possible to predict the type of rules that the Arrancar observed. If a battle started they might feel that they could join in or they would observe. Having gained an impression that not all the Arrancar were honourable, as evinced by Loly and Menoly, and that they had welcomed Aizen and the others, she didn't hold much hope that they would have many rules which they observed.

 

“Uryu's itching to fight. Can't you tell?”

 

The teens face betrayed nothing. He was watching the fight, with what appeared to be polite interest, but aside from the fact he was rubbing his thumb over the bow he still held, indicated nothing to her.

 

“No.”

 

“Trust me, he is.”

 

She wanted to giggle at Renji. Why did he inspire her to act in an unsuitable way so often? Was it their shared history? Of that being with him made her remember the good things in her life rather than the depressing incidents. “I don't believe you. And Ichigo and Orihime can't help us at the moment.”

 

“Yeah, I've noticed.” Renji's face flickered as if he was considering the other options. “Do you think those, ur, friends of Ichigo's will help?”

 

Her urge to laugh was nearing hysteria. From looking at them, it was more likely they'd run away, or sit down sharing popcorn and ice cream while they watched the fight rather than join in. She wondered why Renji had even suggested it. “I don't think so.”

 

“I don't want to wait around until Strawberry snaps out of it. And why did Orihime get involved? Losing one of them was bad enough. He really choses his moments to zone out, doesn't he?”

 

Sighing, Rukia shook her head. From her few conversations about the Hollow she'd had with Ichigo, she knew he didn't choose. His work with the Vizored had led her to hope that he'd got the problem under control, but now he seemed stuck. From her reckoning, it must be at least 10 minutes since he'd become locked in an internal battle and 5 minutes since Orihime joined him. As her previous experience with these had only lasted for minutes she began to fear he was in trouble. In a brief conversation he'd mentioned that he'd battled the Hollow for nearly an hour while with the Vizards battled him. His explanation wasn't very clear, and her questions didn't make him provide a clearer account, so she'd given up. They hadn't had much time to talk about it, and a later interrogation seemed possible. Now she was wondering if there was going to be a later.

 

“He doesn't choose the time. I could strangle Urahara! But that's not fair. He didn't mean for Ichigo to have the Hollow; or did he? What do you think?”

 

In answer he tickled her, providing enough distraction so that Yammy took his eyes from Chad and looked at them. Clubbing at the larger man with his left arm, while blasting him with the full force of his right, he gained the advantage while Yammy was staring at the `flirting couple' and brought the Arrancar to his knees.

 

“What? What's happening?” Yammy seemed genuinely confused and the sharp blow to his left temple from Chad's heavily armoured arm prevented him from saying anything further. Falling face down onto the ground and the Arrancar lay still.

 

“I do not believe that fight ended fairly,” Chad said, his chest rising and falling rapidly from his rapid breathing. “He lost focus.” Without any apparent concern he sat down and rested his arms on his knees.

 

“No fighter can afford to get distracted,” Renji told him, releasing Rukia as abruptly as an infatuated man could. It took many seconds.

 

They turned and looked at Ulquiorra. Why they expected him to provide an opinion that mattered, Rukia couldn't tell, but they waited.

 

“Yammy is a fool. For all his high ranking, he forgets fundamental rules. Loly, Menoly, take him back and get him healed. Make certain you get attention also. You have already been defeated by Orihime, no matter what you say. You are shamed by that and should make certain that you never make that mistake again.”

 

For a moment it looked like they might protest, but the severity of Ulquiorra's expression was a warning against any protests. Grumbling to each other and casting hateful looks at the frozen Orihime, they picked up Yammy as best they could and began to drag him back to Hueco Mundo.

 

“He's too heavy. We're injured,” wined Menoly.

 

With an impatient gesture, Ulquiorra indicated the man with the fuzzy black hair. Rukia had wondered briefly if he was an Elvis Presley impersonator, but she couldn't remember if Elvis had ever had an Afro. It didn't seem likely, but she couldn't be sure.

 

“Gantenbein, you help them, but come back. This is not over.”

 

“Why me?” The man seemed offended to be chosen.

 

“Those two cannot manipulate you,” Ulquiorra explained.

 

That seemed an unusual thing to say and made Rukia curious about how the females manipulated others. They appeared to be unhappy at the choice and made faces at the green eyed male, but only when they were certain he wasn't looking. As they moved further into the distance, carrying Yammy with difficulty, the buzz of complaints faded. Soon there was silence and they were subject to the scrutiny of their foes.

 

“What has happened to him?” The remaining female Arrancar flicked her fingers at Ichigo. “Is he having a fit, like weak minded humans do?”

 

“He's busy,” Renji said.

 

“And the girl? She's wearing our uniform?” Cirruci didn't want to let it go.

 

Rukia decided to keep her answer short. “She's busy.”

 

“You're battling for your lives and your friends are busy. Is this human friendship? It is not a trait I have noticed previously,” Doldooni appeared genuinely interested in the answer. “But why is she dressed that way?”

 

Ulquiorra spoke curtly. “She agreed to belong to Aizen sama. She is now betraying that agreement.”

 

“You muttered something about that before. I couldn't believe you were serious. Why would your special friend want anything to do with a weak human?” Cirruci was plainly astounded.

 

“Jealous, are you?” Renji said while wearing a large grin. “Did you want to be favoured by that man?”

 

“No!” The immediate and loud denial seemed to support Renji's suggestion. “I will mangle you for even suggesting that.” Then she laughed, but it sounded feeble and forced.

 

“Mangle my future husband? I don't think I'll let you,” Rukia said and unsheathed her zanpakuto. “Show me that your fighting is an improvement over your conversation.”

 

“You dare!”

 

The woman was irritating Rukia. She acted superior without knowing anything about the people she faced. It appeared that she believed her own sadly distorted view of her prowess. From what she had witnessed it was possible that she did have some particular skills but had only shown disdain. “Of course I dare. Who do you think you're facing? Someone who is easily impressed by a badly dressed arrogant want to be Goth?”

 

A brief frown on Cirruci's face indicated she might be unfamiliar with the term. “I know not what this Goth you mention is, but I believe you were trying, poorly, to insult me.”

 

“Good guess,” Rukia said. “Did it work?”

 

She heard her male companions trying to stifle a laugh at her retort.

 

Cirruci's expression turned to one of astonishment. “Don't you know who I am?”

 

In an effort to insult the woman even further, Rukia pretended to examine her carefully. The female was an Arrancar; that much she knew. More than that she didn't care to know. “One of Aizen's pets? Is that a collar you're wearing around your neck?”

 

“You dare…”

 

Abruptly Rukia tired of the woman's posturing. “Of course I dare. Why wouldn't I dare? Do you know who you're talking to? You don't and you wouldn't give a handful of nuts to learn who I am. It's not important.”

 

“But I'm…”

 

“An Arrancar. Big rich deal. I'm a Shinigami, but you know that. Now we've established the basic facts I have one question for you. Do you fight was well as you pose?”

 

Renji pounded her on the shoulder in an unromantic way, but one that showed he approved. “That's my Rukia.”

 

“Words do not speak louder than actions,” Uryu agreed. “And the actions I've seen so far do not impress me.”

 

Chad said nothing, but nodded in agreement. His breathing had steadied and he was observing their opponents carefully as if assessing their potential weaknesses.

 

Ulquiorra raised a measured eyebrow. “Is this leading anywhere or are you both content to continue insulting each other.”

 

With resolution Rukia pulled out her zanpakuto. “I think enough words have been said.”

 

Suddenly Renji's grip became stronger on her shoulder. He glanced from the Arrancar to his betrothed and turned Rukia to face him, gingerly, obviously careful of her blade. “This might be a mistake. I know you've gotten over being in prison, but these guys are something else. Can't I fight her for you?”

 

Staring at her loves face she tried to work out what was going on in his mind. Was he making the offer because he cared for her, which was very flattering and sweet? Could he possibly that protective? Noticing the slight glance he shot behind her, it became clear. “You want to fight her. Not because you want to protect me, but because Chad got to fight Yammy and you don't want to be left out.”

 

A slight shift in his eyes indicated that she was correct in her guess. “No. That's not true. I'm worried for you.”

 

“Bull,” she pulled his hair. “You've been itching for a fight since we got here and don't want to miss out. You can fight that other guy, but it's my turn. For once, you can watch and admire me.”

 

His grimace of pain was met with her grin. Then he nodded. “This might be a bad idea, but how can I deny you anything, especially when you ask so nicely.”

 

She allowed the tip of her tongue to show between her teeth fleetingly and then gave Renji a languishing look which she couldn't maintain for long. She giggled and ignoring the growing volume of insults she was receiving from her potential opponent she kissed him quickly and fiercely.

 

“I can hear you,” she told Cirruci as the scathing comments grew even louder.

 

“I refuse to battle someone who has no consideration for her opponent,” she was told.

 

“One more word and I will send you back as well, Cirruci. The woman will fight you, of that I am certain, but permitting her to upset you first will only make your victory more difficult.”

 

The Arrancar stood there, a small frown on her face as she thought about what Ulquiorra had said. Incensed she turned on her companion. “Are you suggesting I won't win?”

 

There was no reaction. No muscle of his face moved, his shoulders remained static and Ulquiorra once again stared at the horizon, apparently oblivious to the others around him.

 

“Why am I waiting?” Rukia asked. Very delicately she danced with her blade, placing it exactly in the measured positions she knew, and awaited the result.

 

While she was doing so she could hear her foe jeering at her, commenting that a person who was adept at fighting wouldn't use their zanpakuto to doodle in the dirt. Blocking out the noise she concentrated on obtaining the right mental attitude for the upcoming fight. Caution and bravery seemed to be the things necessary. The previous time she had fought an Arrancar she had been unprepared for some of the attacks and in the end had proven too careless to notice the approach of another foe. She would not permit that to happen again. If she did, Renji would be both horrified at her lack of skill and would later tease her incessantly. Her married life could be ruined if she didn't win this battle because while she loved the man, she acknowledged that he did have a tendency to appear superior to her in both strength and abilities.

 

Her concentration unbroken she finished her preparations and Cirruci was surrounded by ice, for seconds, the expression of shock frozen on her face mirroring the ice that encased her.

 

“I don't think that was quite fair, beautiful lady. The lady over there expects her opponents to tell her that they are about to attack,” the man who had been addressed as Doldooni said. “I'm afraid I must free her.”

 

He produced a sudden flurry of air which melted the ice and left a shivering, outraged female Arrancar. “Don't interfere with my fights, you fool,” she stormed. “Why do you interfere?”

 

“Concern. You know the penalty,” he answered smoothly without any sign of rancour. “We need to support each other.”

 

“I need nothing from you or anyone,” and quickly she flung a disc like object at Rukia.

 

Guessing that her attack would not go unanswered, Rukia blocked the disk with an ice shield while wondering about the weapon. It seemed an odd device to use in an attack, but from experience she knew that there were probably features that weren't yet evident. The fact that the woman was in the company of both Ulquiorra and Yammy indicated that she must be a formidable fighter, for all that her clothing indicated otherwise.

 

While she was thinking, Renji had drawn his zanpakuto and was challenging Doldooni. “Don't interfere in the fight. Otherwise I'll help Rukia so it will be a fair fight.”

 

“Then to amuse ourselves, rather than watching the ladies battle, why don't we test each other's reflexes, Niño.”

 

“I'm not your boy. I'm a man, the man who's going to beat you and call you coward,” Renji had turned a little red with rage at the implied insult.

 

Doldooni smiled pleasantly and spoke gently. “I didn't mean to insult you, but you would be younger than me and therefore a boy.”

 

Cirruci moved and Rukia's attention became solely focused on countering any attack she offered. It was true they had fought the Arrancar before, but now they were in their normal habitat, it was impossible to predict the advantages, if any, it would offer. She had not lost sight of the fact that it was possible that the skills of their foes had not yet been measured and hoping for an easy victory should not blind her to the possibility that these battles would be difficult.

 

“I can do this,” she assured herself. “Or I'll die trying.”

 

Author's Note:

 

Halfway through the original chapter 24, a brick wall appeared in my imagination. In order to fool the wall this chapter was written. One kind reviewers made the suggestion and I would like to thank you. It means I have had a necessary break from the morass of problems that were rising to the surface. I don't know why the Hollow has such a problem with not being the main character.

 

Even while the next chapter is half completed I wouldn't expect a speedy delivery as I am being dragged away to participate in that tribal rite of a family holiday. Once I'm released from the mental institution I'll see what I can do.

 

Please review.

 

MS