#bleach arc

This is war, so he shouldn’t have been surprised that the former reaper had a few tricks up his sleeve. They’d faced a number of threats. The Quincys were strong, the destruction of the soul society was all the evidence needed.

That’s why he was still caught off guard by the woman that seemed to appear as if out of thin air. Orihime was trying to reinforce her shield, and he’d jumped in front to ensure that she would not be harmed, even though he wasn’t in much better shape.

All he saw was the glint of a blade, and the enemy that had been giving their speech was cut straight across their chest. Blood splattered to the floor, the enemy staring in shock as their body hit the ground.

“I-Impossible..”

The Quincy spoke, eyes shaking.

They were weakened, and possibly about to retaliate, but the swing that followed ensured that wouldn’t happen.

Suddenly Kisuke’s words about his reinforcement made sense.

“She isn’t someone to be taken lightly. When she fights, it’s to ensure that the enemy is eradicated. I was hesitant, but given the circumstances, I believe we need the help.”

Kisuke sounded almost conflicted on even involving you. Looking at the almost empty look in your eyes, Ichigo could see why. You’d cut down the enemy without so much as a word.

Maybe he would have felt more prepared if you’d at least worn soul reaper robes. You were holding a sword, so it’s obvious you have a zanpakuto. At least that’s the assumption.

Orihime lowered her hands, and Kisuke landed next to you.

“Good timing.”

You nodded, turning to Ichigo.

“There’s more of them ahead.”

You hadn’t even looked, yet you spoke so surely.

He meant to speak, ask you a question, but you disappeared, and the speed had sent a small burst of wind that tossed his hair. He was certain all he did was blink, and you returned to their side.

Ichigo could only stare as you now held another member of the Quincy on your blade. Your sword ran right through their chest. You pushed the body to the floor uninterested as they fell face down.

Orihime looked a bit startled and even Sado adjusted in place.

You just looked over, still with a lack of any kind of emotion.

“Quite handy isn’t she!”

Kisuke patted your back with a grin and Ichigo’s face blanked.

“W-What kind of psycho commends someone like that!!”

Ichigo smacked Kisuke who face planted. Orihime just laughed awkwardly as a bead of sweat ran down the side of Sado’s cheek. As Kisuke was picking himself up off the ground, he rubbed his head.

“I didn’t exactly have a choice. You might think she’s emotionless. Despite her clear indifference she does have a weakness.”

From what he saw that didn’t seem likely.

“She’s an exceptional fighter but she has a weakness for-”

Kisuke’s words were interrupted by Hisagi and Kensei. Both men landed at their side, and Ichigo turned, clearly relieved to see comrades rather than more enemies.

He felt like he needed to inform you that not all the Quincy were enemies. They still intended to help Uryuu, and at the rate that you were cutting down enemies, he didn’t want his friend to get hurt.

Ichigo turned to state just that, but the look you wore seemed to be another curveball.

You were actually blushing and your gaze was fixed on…

“Do you have a girlfriend!!”

The statement caught everyone off guard, and Kensei looked confused when you stood before him.

“What the hell?”

“Are you single, please be my boyfriend!!”

You were still blushing and Kensei’s eyebrows twitched as Kisuke laughed.

“Her weakness is handsome rugged men.” He explained.

Everyone fell back comically at the unexpected statement.

It’s clear that they were expecting a more dire weakness.

Kensei was still glaring in your direction.

“Now isn’t the time to be messing around!” He lectured.

You’re about to reply, but your expression changes, and the blank stare catches Kensei’s attention.

“Watch out.”

That’s all you say before you grab Orihime by the waist and jump out of the way. Kisuke follows your lead, and the rest of them dive in different directions the minute those sapphire arrows come into view.

The attacks collide with the concrete, lifting the dirt and Orihime stares as the wind beats against her hair. You land a few seconds later, placing her down. The second you take off again, Ichigo and Kensei are searching for the enemy. Something shines in the distance.

“There!” Ichigo yells.

All eyes move to the direction, and your body pivots through the air. Ichigo is a bit astonished. He hadn’t given much instruction, and only pointed in a general direction. It could be a trap, but you’re diving head first. More arrows seem to be coming again, and they all brace, but you swing your sword, and the strength of that one move levels what is left of the broken concrete structure before them.

Hisagi gapes, and Kisuke just folds his arms, looking over as you continue on your path. Your attack has removed any kind of shelter or defense for your enemy. Now in the open, the man you see grits his teeth, hands lifted to summon another attack.

“You really think you reapers will-”

You’re behind him in seconds, and all he truly processes is the sound of metal tearing through flesh. His body staggers, and he looks back in fear at the sword that is rammed into his chest.

“H..How did you..”

He coughs up a mouthful of blood, and you lift your hand.

“Hado No. 3, Soukatsui.”

The blast of blue light is blinding, they all lift their hands to protect from the rubble and wind. When it dissipates, what is left of the man’s body falls to the ground.

Ichigo blinks, and you land right at his side.

“We need to keep moving.”

He’s not sure how to react anymore. The way you switch is even more frightening than the power you clearly possess. All of them begin to join in the middle. Kisuke seems ready to provide a plan to move forward.

“We’re exposed from this position. We need to move carefully and avoid any obvious places.”

He has a good point.

Orihime jumps down from her spot, right next to Ichigo.

“Thank you.”

She’s smiling at you, and you just give a curt nod.

“(Y/N)-chan here is the best around, a trained terminator.” Kisuke praises.

“That’s not something to be proud of!” Ichigo yells. Sado lets out a sigh. Kensei looks down at you.

“You’re strong.”

Your face seems expressionless until he makes that statement.

“Does that mean you’ll be my boyfriend!!”

You’re glowing and he sweat drops. Clearly he needs to be careful with his words. Hisagi runs a hand over the back of his head with an awkward laugh and Ichigo merely frowns.

The biggest task might actually be to keep you focused on anything other than your weird interest, because you just might switch sides if you happen to find a more attractive man on the enemy’s side.

The battle carries on, and you seem diligent in your movements.

With each member that is defeated, you encounter more comrades along the way. The presence of another captain wasn’t lost on you. He wasn’t ignorant either.

The shorter reaper looked over at you, suspicion on his face when Ichigo had given a small introduction. Kisuke had taken another route, you supposed that’s why he was now looking at you as if you were someone to be weary of.

“Why have we never heard of you before? What are your relations with Kisuke Urahara?” Toshiro questioned.

Everyone present paused, and your form, nor expression hadn’t so much as changed.

“I don’t answer to you. Pipsqueak.”

An irk mark popped up on his forehead and Ichigo stepped forward, holding Toshiro back as he began to frantically protest about your comment on his size.

Ichigo spent the better part of that time trying to calm him down, and Orihime just sent you a friendly smile.

“I know you’re a nice person (L/N)-san.”

She sounded so confident in her words.

“A nice person huh.”

It was a funny thought.

“We need to get moving.” Kensei ordered. He was glaring at the group, and that one instruction was all it took for you.

“I’ll follow my boyfriend anywhere!”

“I’M NOT YOUR BOYFRIEND!!”

It was a trip to say the least.

At some point the group splits up. Injuries are to be expected, and when Ichigo had finally confronted Ishida, you saw that look that he wore. You knew he assumed you would charge ahead, remove the threat, but you lowered your sword, turning to Ichigo.

“Go ahead and save your friend.”

Ichigo’s eyes widened, because that was the first time since all of you had been traveling that you showed something other than indifference towards him. There was actual understanding in your eyes, and he couldn’t help but feel grateful. With a determined look, he nodded, taking off.

The end result of that battle and all the others was not what you expected.

For one, you were sure there would be more casualties.

You were aware of all who were lost, and you felt it, the weight that came with the lives that were sacrificed to ensure peace, not just in the Seireitei, but everywhere. Ichigo had been looking at you as if you were some all powerful being when he’d been the strongest one there. All his power had simply been untapped.

As reunions started, you watched the somewhat happy expressions of the people you’d been standing with. Kisuke stood in the background with a smile on his face. You had to admit, it was nice.

“You don’t enjoy fighting.”

Kensei stepped to your side, and you looked over. You didn’t think that he would pick up on it. After all, you were all in the heat of battle. There were bigger things to worry about. Obviously he’s more perceptive than you give him credit for.

“I detest war, and bloodshed even more.”

He wasn’t surprised that he’d been right. He saw that look in your eyes. The indifference everytime you lifted your sword. It wasn’t some cocky display of power. It was possibly a coping mechanism. You didn’t take pleasure in fighting, or tearing down the people you did throughout those days of battle. But you did it, regardless of personal feelings.

“What are you going to do now?”

“I’m going to stick around to ensure the threat is eradicated. Then I will return to my life in the World of the Living.”

Kensei grinned.

“I guess we wouldn’t mind having you here a bit longer.”

Your eyes widened.

“Does this mean you’ll go out with me!!”

“NOT A CHANCE!!”