Never Let Me Fall

Chapter 4

 

Rin was on her way to Kisuke's Division after having a nice lunch with Ukitake. At first, she had been sure that she would be too distracted to enjoy herself. Though, as it always was with the man, she seemed to forget her worries and enjoy herself. Shunsui had even dropped by, fortunately sober. It had been nice hearing what was happening in the Gotei 13. And, from her understanding, they'd had a few years of peace.

She had a headache at the moment, one that had plagued her the day before and affected her now. She knew Daisuke had picked up on it, but he hadn't had the time to express his concern to her. She had left the mansion quickly so he, nor anyone else, wouldn't have the chance.

Her cat, Gilepsi, had joined her on her way out and they had gone to Ukitake's together. Now, the black animal was riding contentedly on her shoulder, cleaning her ears with quick swipes of her paw.

Suddenly, the creature paused and looked forward, her amber eyes wide and searching. Rin had stopped as well. They were in a courtyard which was completely deserted. Or almost completely deserted. In the middle was a woman, slightly shorter than Rin.

She was wearing a simple white kosode and hakama tied with a fancy, dark blue sash done up in a bow in the back. One that the brown haired woman immediately recognized. She was wearing a grey jinbaori over top with the Asaje clan symbol in gold over the right breast. Her piercing amber eyes were set in a seemingly permanent glare that was fixed on the other woman.

She had long black hair, tied up with an intricate hair piece decorated with feathers, flowers, and various other lovely materials. She had the same earring Rin did on her left ear. Though they were hardly visible, Rin could see that she had two wakizashi crossed like an X upside down on her back. Rin's hand twitched slightly, brushing her own weapons and giving herself a sense of reassurance.

"Is there something you want, Junko?" Rin finally spoke first, breaking the deafening silence.

"I came to challenge you!" Junko yelled.

Rin rolled her eyes. This wasn't anything new. The rivalry between the two sisters had followed Rin into Rukongai. Whenever she and Junko met, which was a lot, too many times to be a string of coincidences, the latter insisted that they spar. Whatever the younger woman intended to prove, Rin wanted no part of it. It was the same every time, anyways. The older sibling always came out on top.

"Fuck off. I'm not going to fight you."

She continued past the shorter woman with an air of indifference around her. But she was forced to draw one of her swords and block an incoming blow from her sibling. She pushed the other away, noting the way she was wielding her zanpakuto. It seemed that she had mastered reverse style since the last time she had seen her. With an exhausted sigh, she spoke.

"Are you fucking deaf, Junko? I have no time to deal with your pointless jealousy, nor do I want to deal with it."

"Who would be jealous of a Rukon dog like you?!" Junko snarled, getting into a fighting stance and holding out her weapons. Rin didn't bother.

"You seem to be. Why is that? What is it about my life that makes it so fucking appealing to you? You've gotten what you wanted; you're the heir now... What do you have to prove by beating me? Besides the fact that you can beat a 'Rukon dog'?"

In response, Junko attacked. Rin easily held her back with one weapon. She knew that the younger woman was not going to back down. The only way to resolve this was to remind her who was the dominant one. If need be, she would even draw blood in order to get her message across. Junko obviously needed to be put in her place.

Very well, Junko. I shall humour you, she thought, feeling a rush of adrenaline in anticipation for the fight.

Junko gasped when Rin slammed her foot into her gut, sending her flying across the courtyard and into a wall. Gilepsi quickly dashed over to the edge of the courtyard to watch. Another cat was there, as well. Both of them observed with calm, amber eyes.

Rin stalked towards the smaller woman, who quickly dragged herself to her feet in preparation for an attack. The older sister grabbed the front of her siblings's robes.

"Don't you ever fucking learn? How many times do I have to win against you before you realize? You'll never be as strong as I am, even in a million. Fucking. Years."

"Don't count on it, Rin Nee-san! I will beat you! Dance with the winds, Kaze Tsuiseki*!" She released her weapons.

Rin was blown backwards by a huge gust of wind that burst outwards from her victim. She hissed in frustration as she slammed into the wall on the other side of the courtyard. Junko appeared from the dust now wielding two fans.

They were both sky blue and silver, but one had reverse colouring on it. They were intricately designed with swooping symbols of air and wind. Along the edges of each was an eastern dragon in flight.

"I didn't realize that you had achieved Shikai," the older woman remarked. "You're still inexperienced in its use, though. This battle will be won with little difficulty. In fact, I'll do it with only one sword."

"You can try, Rin Nee-san, but you can't land a hit on me if you can't get near me," Junko taunted.

"Then I'll just have to attack from afar. Less work for me, now that I don't have to move. In fact, right here looks just about perfect for me..." She drew an invisible X on the ground with her foot before stepping onto it. "Rain down the fires of hell, Futago Akuma."

In her grasp was a sleek, antique pistol. The wood it was made of was burnt black, though deceptively strong and capable of taking hits. Around the two barrels and the handle were golden flames. Junko's eyes widened when she began charging a ball of reiatsu, condensing it beyond that of a simple shot. This was an attack that could kill.

Just before she shot, someone appeared and grabbed the barrel, forcing it down. The sphere hit the tiled ground, sending shards of rock everywhere. They then pressed the point of their sword to the underside of her chin. Her blue eyes flicked over so that she could stare at Kisuke. He had a grim expression on his face.

"You do realize it's against the law to release one's weapon in this part of Sereitei, don't you, Rina-chan? Especially for someone at your power level. What are you thinking?" Rin said nothing and sealed her weapon. The Squad 12 Captain allowed her to pull away and sheath it.

"I need to talk to you," completely disregarding the fact that she had broken the law, "if we could find a quiet place to talk, that would be wonderful." Kisuke offered a tiny smile as he sheathed his sword.

"One day you'll get caught by someone who won't let you off easily." He glanced down at Junko, but she was long gone. "It seems Junko-san has lost face."

"At least she won't be bothering me anymore. What a fucking nuisance. Let's go. This matter is rather important." She let Kisuke take the lead.

Once they were in Urahara's Captain's Quarters, which was filled with big whirring machinery and devices she didn't recognize, but kind of creeped her out, Rin told her old friend her story. When she finished, he looked to the side, biting his lip nervously. He was obviously thinking the same thing Yoruichi had.

"How long have you been training?" The Captain asked rather than give her his opinion. She scowled before answering.

"Roughly 7, maybe 8 years."

"8 years?" He repeated, shocked.

That was 2 years shorter than usual. But, she had been skilled with Shikai for many years before that without any intention of achieving Bankai. Paired with the fact that she learned new fighting skills fairly quickly, it was no surprise she was easily able to catch on.

"And you're nearly done?" He asked.

"Yes. I can fully manifest both my zanpakuto in this world and I have fought with one. The other refuses to let me manifest him anymore, though."

"8 years..." He whispered, shaking his head. "Impressive. You're a quick learner."

"Stop changing the subject, Kisuke," she snapped impatiently. "Will that thing you made help me?"

"..." He thought carefully about his next reply before continuing, "That form of achieving Bankai is dangerous. You could die."

"I didn't start from scratch, like you did," she pointed out. "I'm only completing it. I need it to manifest Futago."

Who had been oddly quiet that whole time, she noted. Usually he would be protesting her decision. Especially when it had to do with something that had the potential to be dangerous.

"You're sure, Rina-chan?" He confirmed.

"When haven't I been, Kisuke?" She shot back, forcing a small smirk. With a heavy sigh, the Captain pushed away from the table and stood.

"Since you're so close to completing it, it won't be nearly so dangerous. You were right about that much. Don't overdo it, though. You can still die-" Rin held up one hand.

"I've done this before, remember? Unlike most, I have two zanpakuto spirits. Though it makes it twice as hard to get a point across and they're both a pain in my fucking ass, it means I know what I'm doing the second time around. I don't need you worrying about me. Especially when I'm up against Futago, who won't kill me if he can help it. The worst I'll get is a wound that will incapacitate me, nothing more."

"I see." Kisuke nodded. "There isn't anything I can say that will change your mind, it seems."

"No, Kisuke. There isn't. We begin now."

Kisuke stood in the middle of the training ground he had made beneath Soukyoku with Rin standing across from him. The man had his hand resting on the shoulder of a white, life sized doll to help it stand on its own. The woman had one hand resting on her zanpakuto. Her haori had been placed to the side, so she didn't lose it.

"Right... Just run the Tenshintai through with the zanpakuto that belongs to Futago and he will manifest," he told her.

Drawing the weapon slowly, she prepared to do just that. Her eyes lingered on the sword. The hilt and sheath were a calm, blue colour. The tsuba was in the shape of the Buddhist 8-spoke wheel. The hilt had hints of gold on it, as well. A sword that had been made specially for her hand. Gathering her resolve, she leapt forward, slamming the weapon through the doll.

"This better work," she muttered beneath her breath. Her zanpakuto disappeared as well as the doll. Rin did not flinch when she felt a presence behind her.

"I warned you, Rina. Why must you be stubborn? Why are you doing this to me? Do you think this is some child's game, achieving Bankai? I am afraid not. This is a game that may very well end in your death.

"But, since physical force is the one thing you can understand, I shall use it to end this foolishness once and for all. And, as punishment for forcing my hand, you will never fight again after this." He leapt away when she drew her other weapon and spun, trying to hit him. Seeing him for the first time in his solid form.

He was completely white, with blue highlights and messy, short hair. He had a blue halo above his head and large feathery wings that gave him the ability to fly. He wore a light blue scarf around his shoulders that covers his mouth and nose, hiding his expression. He was also wearing a light blue pair of short, loose pants held with the same coloured sash. On his feet are sandals with straps that go up his calves.

"Don't underestimate me, Futago. I've beaten Akuma. What makes you think that fighting you will not end the same way?" She said cockily.

"You are proud because you have beaten an entity of brute force? I am insulted that you think my fighting style is anything like that of Akuma's. Unlike her, I am a tactician. Though you are an equal balance of both, my skill in using tactics far surpass your own. Nothing you do will be enough."

"...Shut up, Futago. You talk too much," she hissed, lunging at him.

He sidestepped, avoiding her stab, and aimed a fist for her head. She ducked, feeling his hand skim the top of her head. She held out a hand towards his middle.

"Shakkaho!"

A ball of red fire burst from her palm, but Futago dodged and slammed his foot into her back. She cried out as she was slammed into a nearby rock, obscured by the dust thrown up. It didn't take long for her to leap from the carnage, preparing to slice him open with her weapon. Manifesting a sword, he blocked the attack.

"Made you draw your sword," she purred, smirking a little in triumph. He pushed her away and attacked her, bristling with anger.

"As I said, I will teach you in the only way you seem to understand!" He snarled as she dodged his flurry of attacks.

Nearby, Kisuke watched, looking slightly concerned. He wasn't sure if he should have let her do as she wanted. Though he trusted her to know her limits, Rin was known to bypass them, no matter how well she knew them. The term 'fight to the death' was all too likely to happen with this woman. He stepped back to lean against the nearby rock face. He resolved not to leave until Rin had finished.

---

Aika watched as Yoruichi sparred with Daisuke. He had a natural talent for Hakuda. His movements flowed into each other liked water, almost like a dance. She had to admit, he was a very beautiful man. She was certain that he'd been eyeing her as well. Though, she hadn't caught him at it, yet.

"Alright, break time. Let's eat. I'm hungry," Yoruichi said as she straightened up from a crouch. "You and Aika can spar when we finish eating. That way I can see your progress better."

He made a point of sitting beside Aika after retrieving his share of the food. He watched her out of the corner of his eye. For the first time in a long time, he was tongue tied as to what to say to a beautiful woman. She made the first move, instead.

"You're a natural at Hakuda. It has been a pleasure watching you train," she purred. The comment almost made him choke. A woman had never so blatantly made a pass at him before. He liked it.

"And it's a pleasure being taught by a master of Hakuda. Two, actually, seeing how easily you handled Asaje-san." He smirked, taking a sip of his tea. "I look forward to sparring with you, Kawasuzu-san."

"Please, call me Aika."

"Of course, Aika." He gave her a warm smile. He then set down his tea and stood, stretching his arms above his head. He still had food left, but he hadn't gotten used to being able to eat so much. "I'm ready when you are. I'll wait for you in the training area."

He grabbed his haori off the ground and slung it across his shoulders before walking away. He was unable to sense Rin's reiatsu, though he knew she had to be challenging her zanpakuto by now. He hoped this was because she was in some place that concealed it and not because she had been defeated.

Despite her assurances that her zanpakuto would never kill her, he couldn't help but be concerned. After all, his zanpakuto had tried to do so to him. And he had only been achieving Shikai. Suddenly, the man whipped around, blocking a punch with his forearm. Aika smirked, pulling away.

"Good reflexes," she remarked.

"I can't tell you how many times it's saved me. Are we starting?" His arm was tingly from the blow.

"If you're ready to get your butt kicked," Aika laughed.

"Heh, I don't think I'm the one about to get their butt kicked!" Daisuke shot back. He put space between them before falling into a fighting position. She frowned.

"Who taught you that stance?" She asked.

"Asaje-san did. I originally came up with it on my own, but she helped me refine it," he replied, puzzled by her query. She nodded in understanding before coming to his side.

"That explains why it looks a bit sloppy. I noticed Asaje-san using something similar in our fight as well. Here, put your arm like this." She gently grasped his wrist, moving it into the right position. She nudged the toe of her shoe against his foot. "And shift yourself to the right more, it will give you better balance."

He did as he was told, finding that the position felt much better.

"That does feel right," he voiced his thoughts out loud. She smiled at him.

"I thought it would. Now we'll begin." She returned to her place, getting into a fighting stance. "The first strike is yours."

"Very well," he agreed.

He leapt forward, feigning to the left. She caught on to his tactic and, when he switched directions, she was easily able to block his punch.

"You need to stop telegraphing. Though you went left, your eyes told me you were going right," she advised as she slipped past his second punch.

Her own fists were tucked in as if she were preparing to send a returning blow. What Daisuke didn't expect was for her to lash out her leg, catching him point blank in the chest.

"Like that. You thought I was going to punch," she said with a smirk. His eyebrows furrowed as he thought on her words.

"Okay, I see what you mean. Let's try this again."

He lunged, confusing Aika when he did the exact same thing as last time. Only when he disappeared seconds before connecting did she realized what he was doing. She spun, catching his fist with both hands, but he still caught her shoulder with a follow up. They exchanged more blows below leaping back. Aika rubbed her shoulder.

"That was good," she commented. He shrugged.

"Not good enough. You still blocked it," he replied, frowning a little.

"But you got my shoulder. That counts for something," she pointed out. "Okay, let's see how you do while on the defensive."

Aika leapt forward, making the first strike. He held out his forearm to block it, but, instead of punching it, Aika grabbed his arm and used it to propel herself above him. She easily flipped over him high above his head.

"You moved too soon and let me change tactics," she shouted as she landed in a crouch behind him. Spinning, she kicked Daisuke's legs out from underneath him and letting him fall heavily on his side. Aika paused when Yoruichi joined them.

"Hah, you two don't need me at all. I'll leave you to your fun. Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Yoruichi said, winking at the two combatants. She then left before they could say farewell. Daisuke sat up, frowning at the spot she had been a second before.

"I guess she's gone to check on Asaje-san..." He murmured. He looked up when Aika placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry. She'll be fine. Let's see if we can take your mind off of Asaje-san, shall we?" The man smiled at her implication.

"That's true." He got to his feet. "Okay, let's continue."

---

Yoruichi walked up beside Kisuke, who was seated with his legs dangling off a large rock. He was watching Rin as she fought with Futago. They were evenly matched, and hadn't let up since the fight had began. The dark skinned woman sat down beside her old friend and leaned back on her hands.

"How is she?" She asked.

"They've been at it for almost two hours now nonstop and it doesn't look like they plan on stopping anytime soon. I'm worried, though. Rina-chan isn't fighting at full strength," he replied with a deep frown.

"What do you mean?"

"Look at her movements; they're stiff. She's still recovering from old injuries. I hadn't noticed until now, but it looks like they were pretty serious at the time. It gives her zanpakuto spirit the edge he needs. I'm not sure she'll be able to win in her condition." Yoruichi stared at him with wide eyes. Finally, she smirked.

"You know her better than that, Kisuke. She's too stubborn to lose, no matter what the circumstances," she assured him. "Get her wounds patched up and give her a good meal and she'll recover by the next morning. You worry too much." He laughed once, smiling as well.

"You're right, Yoruichi-san. But still..." He sighed.

Meanwhile, the fighting pair had begun to argue as they fought.

"Stand down, Rina!" Futago yelled.

He had his opponent at a distance using his pistol, preventing her from coming in close. It was all she could do to dodge them and fire back with her own, but her breathing was heavy and she was finding it almost impossible to move properly. Unfortunately, Futago, having noticed this, only pressed harder and harder the slower she got. At this rate, the win would be his.

"I'll stand down when you rid me of my arms and legs!" Rin yelled back, ducking immediately after when a ball of reiatsu was sent towards her head. It was a kill shot, she realized. The first one he had sent at her throughout the whole fight.

"Be careful what you ask for!" Futago snarled, his eyes flaring a deep red.

He appeared in front of his master, swinging down his zanpakuto, which had returned to sword form. He intended to cut off her arm, but she leapt back. Blood ran down her left arm still, having been nicked by the blow. Not letting her catch her breath, the white spirit continued the attack, this time going in close.

Rin winced when she received a cut above her eye. Said eye was quickly blinded when blood began to flow from the wound into it. She jabbed at his middle with her now sealed zanpakuto, but he blocked it. His eyes widened slightly when she pointed two fingers at his shoulder.

"Byakurai!" Futago gritted his teeth when the spell ripped a hole through his shoulder. He quickly disappeared. Rin looked around, searching.

"Come out, coward! One hit and you're running away?!" She yelled, trembling with anger.

"I never said that." She cried out and was sent hurtling into a rock when a ball of reiatsu slammed into her back. Futago stepped into the spot she had been a second before, the pistol clutched tightly in his hand. "Do you not know better? Never turn your back on me."

The woman staggered out of the dust cloud, covered in cut and bruises. She wiped the blood away from her mouth.

"Bastard. You made me bite my tongue..." She scowled. Futago bristled at her leisurely response.

"That is all you have to say?" He snarled.

"There's also 'I'm going to fucking kill you' and 'I'm going to cut out your fucking tongue just so you'll stop whining and nagging me'. Other than that, go fuck yourself," she snarled. She lunged at him. "Rain down the fires of hell, Futago Akuma!"

A large ball of fire was sent hurtling towards him, screaming for his blood. He deftly dodged the attack and met Rin head on. They traded blows with their swords once more, ducking and weaving between each others' attacks and landing the occasional hit.

Rin was caught off guard when Futago abruptly backhanded her, throwing her off balance. He slammed his foot into her ribs, the force enough to crack and break most. His brutality surprised the young woman. Just as he pointed his pistol at her, obviously preparing to finish her, she yelled out.

"Bakudo #39: Enkosen!"

She summoned a shield to prevent the blast from hitting her. Dust was still thrown up from the force of the attack, blinding both. Rin struggled to her feet, wincing at the pain in her chest, as if someone had stuck knives in her and was twisting them each time she moved or breathed.

"Are you trying to kill me?! That shot was condensed, Futago! It would have blown a hole right through me!" She snarled, her sword raised just in case she needed to defend herself.

"I know how powerful my attacks are. My technique is far more refined than yours is," he shot back. His voice came from behind her. She spun around, barely blocking his attack. He watched her with narrowed, red eyes. "Stand down and let yourself be healed, Rina. Blood with fill your lungs if you continue to fight, slowly suffocating you."

"And you think that'll stop me?!" She shouted.

The urge to cough almost overwhelmed her, but she stifled it. When she disappeared, he stumbled forward a step, slightly surprised. The woman rarely resorted to shunpo in the middle of such a dangerous battle. He gasped when she ran him through the chest from behind.

"I win...!" She gasped.

Her hand slipped away from the sword and she fell to the ground, coughing up blood, with Futago shimmering back into a zanpakuto. Kisuke and Yoruichi were by her side in an instant, but she had already fallen into unconsciousness when they got there.

"She'll be fine, but we might want to get Unohana-san's help for her ribs..." Kisuke murmured. He looked at Yoruichi. "I'll start bandaging her wounds. You get us the supplies we need and then we'll bring her back to Ginrei-sama's once she's stabilized."

"I'll be back soon, then," Yoruichi replied. The dark skinned woman disappeared.

---

* Kaze Tsuiseki- Wind Tracker