How many times had she heard these words? These challenges? These constant little barrages from Espada and arrancar alike, wishing to battle her just to test their skills? Or perhaps, they were all thirsty to prove to Aizen how worthy they were.

She could only close her eyes, feeling nothing but heaviness weigh on her heart. 

Why did everyone insist on proving their worth only through fighting?

The vermilion bird has been flying for days and at the sight of an inviting branch on a smokey blue mountain, has decided would be a good place to perch for a while. She is drained from all the people that had called out to her, a plague had hit in the South wing again and so, she was naturally there as a guide/healer. It took a lot of strength offering so many mortals just drops of her life span to heal them. She is exhausted.

So naturally, being hurled rocks at her perch on the tree has her jumping in outrage and leave scorchmarks on the bark.

“Are ya implyin’ anything perverted with that question? Huh? I mean, yer alright looking too. Ya ain’t too skinny and got some muscles. But yer just an Espada. Tch. I guess the others would have ‘ta include Rose. He’s really good looking. Sorta musical and pleasant i s’pose.”

She’s about to mention the third when she shrugs and turns away, her ears bright red at the thought that she could have said it aloud. But for a long time, she has always thought that stupid blonde best friend of hers was good looking. He was a nice guy. And he fed her regularly. And… he cared if she lived or died. But of course, she would never make him feel obligated towards her in any way. Their friendship was more important.

“The rest are just dumb baldies. I ain’t telling you shit!”

"What? Are ya into people that are mean 'ta ya? Ya got some issues, kid."

Hiyori is just staring at Grimmjow and trying to figure out if he was a cosplayer of some kind. She doesn't know which manga he's from, but definitely not Naruto or One Piece. The blues eyes made her think Elsa but this was one crappy costume...