Things Never Spoken: Severed

Chapter 16

Kurosaki-kun, why did you guys come anyways? the timid girl asked as she sat across from the spiky-haired boy sipping from her glass of water.

Ichigo scratched the side of his neck idly, We felt your reiatsu flare up. I assumed you must have been in some kind of trouble.

Orihime looked surprised, Oh I put up my Santen Kesshun, cause we got attacked by some invisible hollows.

Invisible hollows? Ichigo repeated skeptically.

Abarai-san says theyve been following him, but he got hurt trying to fight them this time It may have been--

Before she could continue the bedroom door opened and Rukia stepped out, looking quite down-trodden. She found Ichigo and Orihime sitting on the couch together with the television humming softly in the background. They both turned with curiosity and concern in their eyes.

Orihime stood with her hands clenched at her chest, Kuchiki-san?

Rukia sighed and sat down beside Ichigo, but didnt speak. The look in her eyes plainly told of her turmoil.

Ichigos mouth twisted into a crooked frown, Well? he asked, What happened,? Did you kill him?

The mellowed girl shook her head, speaking in a low tone, Im not angry at him anymore.

The boy cocked a brow, You dont look too thrilled He was worried for her, and Renji as well. There was some pessimistic part of him that looked at her face and realized there wasnt going to be a Renji and Rukia anymore.

I think Im done, she whispered in a hoarse, broken voice as the others absorbed the deeper meaning behind her words.

Orihime frowned at her friend, then looked toward the cracked door where Renji remained unseen. She walked around the couch and approached the door, peeking in through the gap. A-Abarai-san? she asked as she eased the door open and entered.

Ichigo glanced back at her before returning his attention to Rukia, Whatd he say? He was curious but also a bit cautious because of her obvious distress. He didnt want her to get upset again.

Rukia took a deep breath and then let it out, as if trying to release all the anxiety that was pooling in her system. She looked at the boy with the pout still present on her face, He asked me to wait for him.

The teen looked surprised, but? He urged her on.

She shook her head.

He frowned and gave a soft sigh before his brow rose as he noticed something, Rukia, youre bleeding.

The girl looked down and saw the blood on her shirt where Renji had bitten her. She tensed for a moment before she covered the stains with her hands. Its Renjis blood, she lied, not wanting to get into exactly what had happened or why she had allowed it to happen.

Renji was sitting on the blood-stained blanket with a distant expression on his face. He turned his head a tiny bit as he heard Orihimes gentle voice calling him, but didnt give her a verbal response. He looked back toward the far wall with an audible swallow.

Abarai-san do you want to talk? the girl asked softly as she sat beside him, avoiding the stains as she tucked her feet under her.

Renji took a long moment before he finally spoke, Its okay.

Orihime leaned forward and listened, gauging his vacant expression.

She made the right decision for both our sakes. His voice seemed eerily composed for what he must be feeling.

The girl pursed her lips and looked down at her lap, where her hands were balled tightly on her knees, Im sorry this is my fault If I hadnt been so persistent in bringing you here. Its just that, I thought

Youre still young he said with a smooth calmness as he turned his face to her. Youll learn one day It dont make a lick of difference he sounded bitter. She realized he must have been referring to their earlier conversation as he stood. I think Ill go now sorry for bleedin all over your apartment, Inoue, he said touching his freshly bloodied stomach.

The irony of what was really bleeding wasnt lost as the girl diverted her eyes and nodded faintly. She got to her feet as well but then seemed startled as she looked up at his dirty face. Two tears rolled down his cheeks, but he quickly turned away from her and tried to be inconspicuous as he wiped them away.

Abarai-san, she called sadly, approaching his back, but when he turned back to face her, his eyes were cleared and he was again eerily composed. She sniffled, feeling sympathy for him, Let me finish healing you first. You must have tore it back open.

There was a dim shroud in the room as the ex-lieutenant walked through, keeping his eyes trained on his path as he passed Rukias lithe form. Orihime followed behind him feeling miserably inadequate in her hopes to help. Ichigos eyes followed him from the sofa, and he glanced at the petite girl before deciding to follow.

As the crisp night air hit Renjis face there seemed to be a relief of sorts. He stepped down onto the first stair before glancing back at Orihime and Ichigo standing in the doorway. He looked as if he wanted to speak but the right words wouldnt form, so he remained silent.

Oy, Renji, the teen called over Orihimes shoulder, Hows the hallow situation? There was an obviously concern in his tone, but he was holding back the full bulk of his emotions as he watched Renjis impassive face.

Renjis response was dry and distant, Its getting easier everyday. It may have been such up until now, but he had a feeling things would turn bad tonight. The hallow was screeching inside of him at this very moment, its rage and frustration pooling in his veins like a searing poison... just another reason he wanted to leave.

Ichigo seemed slightly nervous as his eyes flickered to the ground, Your reiatsu seems to be fluctuating

Renji sighed softly, Ill be alright. He turned back down the steps, Later, Ichigo Inoue

Bye, Renji

As the ex-lieutenant walked down the dreary alleyways, making his way back to his makeshift home, he tried not to care as the hallow clawed angrily at his sanity. He told himself it was okay-- that it would be okay. The hollows voice, however, strongly opposed his disgustingly guarded submission.

You cant fight forever, Renji. Youll break down sooner or later, and Ill be there when you do.

He brushed off the hollows threats and forced the swirling in his chest to calm. So distracted with his inner turmoil was he, he didnt immediately notice the dangerous spirit pressure at his back.

Hello, Abarai Fuku-Taichou.

Renjis eyes went wide as saucers as he quickly spun around, his mouth gaping in shock as he laid eyes on the familiar man, Aizen

Oh, Im sorry, youre not a lieutenant anymore. Youve dug yourself into quite a rut, havent you, Abarai-san?

Renjis reiatsu immediately began to flare as he became increasingly agitated, Youre the one behind this He growled, squaring himself off as waves of crimson flared off of him.

Now now, dont be rash. Im sorry for leaving you unattended for so long. I had intended to fetch you sooner, but Ive just been so busy as of late. Aizen said with a devious smile on his lips.

The red-head could hardly contain his anger, What the fuck do you want from me!? he screamed as he yanked Zabimaru from its sheath and pointed it at his old ex-captain.

Aizen waved his hand in front of him as if in casual conversation, No no, you have it wrong. Its nothing personal. You just. fit the part, thats all.

DONT FUCK WITH ME! He screamed as he lunged forward in a fit of rage. Sparks flew from Zabimarus edge as it screeched against Aizens blade. Ill fucking kill you.

Aizen shook his head as if disappointed, Youve still got that bad temper, Abarai-san so predictable Maybe youll hear me out if I indulge you, hm? he said calmly as the weapons trembled between them.

Renji edged forward, I dont wanna hear your bullshit, Aizen. You ruined my life! Just fucking die! With that he swung his shikai out and Aizen jumped back to dodge, maneuvering skillfully around the tumbling bricks that fell from Zabimarus impact. The swords scream echoed through the cityscape as the skeletal snake morphed into being, Bankai! The red and white mask was present on Renjis face as he flash stepped in front of the former captain and swung.

Rukia? Ichigo called softly to the closet door, Im going out a bit your phone keeps flickering I feel like somethings up, and Orihime said something about invisible hollows earlier, so

Rukia slid the door open and held her hand out. Ichigo slipped the phone into it and she brought it up to look. I dont see anything

Ichigo shrugged, The radars flickered like three times. Im just gonna go have a look. He seemed to be tip toeing his way around her as he spoke, You. need anything?

She shook her head and handed the phone back to him, but startled as it again flickered to the hollow radar before going blank again. It did that earlier today too That invisible hollow that fought with Renji She looked up and her eyes met with the Shinigami boys.

I can feel Renjis reiatsu Its wavering, she said as the pair hurriedly ran through the city heading toward their friends spirit pressure.

Ichigo narrowed his eyes, Somethings wrong

With his reiatsu? Rukia asked apprehensively as they touched down on a rooftop before they shunpoed into the night air again.

No I mean the area around him. It feels warped somehow Its really weird, Ichigo said with a quizzical expression.

As the two grew closer the spirit pressure became increasingly thick, and even Ichigo was finding his breath being sucked from his chest. W-What What is this? he cringed.

Rukia was significantly worse off than her young friend and collapsed to her knees with a gasp, Ah! T-This is suffocating This cant be Renjis

Ichigo strenuously drew his weapon, Somethings here

Almost on cue Rukias phone beeped as a blood-soaked Zabimaru flew through the street like a runaway train, ripping through an unseen assailant with an ear-piercing scream. The air warped and deformed as the creature cried and fell against the building. Bricks and concrete showered the street as people screamed from within the structure. Zabimaru whipped around as the earth shook beneath their feet.

What the hell was that?! Ichigo yelled as the invisible body flickered away in a black, ashy smoke.

Renji wha Rukia whimpered from the ground as she appeared to be sagging deeper and deeper into the concrete.

Rukia! Are you alright? the boy called as he ran back to her, Oy! Get a hold of yourself, Rukia.

The building beside them suddenly seemed to shatter like glass as Zabimaru came rushing through it with a crimson reiatsu swirling in its mouth as it fired a blast that seemed to suck all the sounds from the air as it burst around them.

Ichigo threw himself over Rukias petite form as she let out a shallow shriek. When the blast cleared, the substitute shinigami sat up and found a white figure standing beside them. His eyes went wide.

Kurosaki-san it may not be the best time for a nightly stroll As you can see, Abarai-san is hm less than pleased right now, Aizen smirked down at the pair.

Ichigo! What the hell?! Renji yelled as he landed, the majority of his face covered by the hollow mask. As Ichigo sat back to reveal Rukias lithe form, Renjis eyes widened a hair.

I wonder if theyre real, Abarai-san. Aizen said as his eyes looked back to the ex-lieutenants masked face.

The red-head clenched Zabimarus hilt and sneered, Fuck you, Aizen!

Ichigo too clenched Zangetsu, but he grew concerned as he looked down to see Rukia limp in his arms. Rukia Rukia!

Renjis eyes narrowed, Im not

The white-clad man remained calm as watched Renji with interest, Oh dear. Arent you going to help her? You love her, dont you?

Fuck you! Im not falling for your bullshit, Renji screamed as he raised his sword overhead.

Shell suffocate

Black and gold eyes hesitated as they flickered from Aizen to the limp girl in Ichigos arms.

Rukia! Ichigo yelled as he shook her, Shes dying!

Zabimarus deadly fangs flew past the pair and snapped violently, narrowly missing the tip of Aizens pristine, white cape. Renji appeared in front of Ichigo, readying himself to defend the both of them.

Oh God, the boy sighed in obvious relief, Shes breathing again. He looked up to find Renji before him, Renji, what are you doing?! Your back is wide open.

The red-heads eyes narrowed puzzlingly, What--, his words were cut short however as Zangetsu plunged through his neck. Zabimaru screamed as it shattered away into its original form along with the mask that shielded Renjis face from view. The blade dropped to the road with a clang as trembling hands reached up and grabbed the familiar blade in disbelief. Blood spilled down his chin as Ichigo stepped forward with a smile on his lips, Told you your back was open, stupid

Y-y-yurgo Renji tried to speak but only succeeded in producing wet garbled sounds as the crimson liquid flooded his throat.

No matter how much your mind tells you its not real Love is a weakness you just cant overcome, isnt it Abarai-kun? Ichigo asked as the image melted away to reveal Aizens conceited smile.

Ichigo tapped the phones screen as he stood on the top of a buildings fire escape, overlooking the city. He looked across the light-speckled metropolis once more before he shoved the phone back into his sleeve and turned with a sigh. How do you find something thats invisible anyways he mumbled as he shunpoed down from the railing, and leisurely headed back home.