Lost Child Part 11

~Into the Lion's Den~

“Shit!” Chappy cried out, dodging yet another blow as an enormous claw thrust toward her.   Where the hell did all these hollows come from? They freakin stuffed the back entrance with them! There’s so many, I can’t get through! Chappy glanced at Urahara who seemed to be absentmindedly fighting several hollow while looking thoughtfully into a corner of the room. Well HE doesn’t seem to be that concerned.

“Look out Miss Chappy!” Ichigo cried, pointing behind her. Without missing a beat, the replacement soul turned on her heel, bringing her other foot around in a beautiful spinning hook kick. The hollow reeled backward, clutching it’s now cracked mask. I can’t fight properly like this. Ichigo’s weight on my back throws me off…

“Chappy!” Urahara called out, swinging his sword to deflect yet another blow. She looked up, seeing a spark of red energy as a cero began forming. “Cero!” came the scream from one of the more advanced hollow. Lunging to the side, Chappy avoided the worst of the cero, turning in midair to avoid a hollow that reached out to slash at her back. Ichigo’s eyes widened and he let out a yell of fear. The long nails dragged across the replacement soul’s side instead, causing her to yelp in pain. In a flash, Chappy drew out two long knives, slicing through the hollow’s arm. She panted, taking in her current situation.  Her back was against a wall now as several hollow drew closer, the injured one still howling in pain. Slowly, Chappy removed the straps around her back, setting Ichigo down on the ground. “Promise to stay behind me so I can protect you.” Ichigo nodded somberly and stepped back, taking in all the chaos.

“Ooooh! A silly little  gikogan  is going to try and fight us?” Sneered a particularly nasty looking hollow. He had the body shape of a centipede, his legs ending in sharp claw-like feet with the torso and head of a praying mantis, his red eyes burning with anger. “Your mistress couldn’t really fight, what the hell kind of a chance do you think you have?!”

Her lips curled upward in a small smile. “It’s true that I’m only a gikogan …a replacement soul for my mistress when she is fighting. It’s also true that Rukia-sama’s strength does not lie in kendo or hand to hand combat. However…” She glanced upward, a sudden fierceness in her eyes. “That does not apply to me as well. Do you honestly think the noble Kuchiki family would give her an untrained soul?” She held the two knives expertly in her hands, long silver blades with white glittering handles, resembling the hilt of Rukia’s zanpakto. On each of the handles, a small chappy bunny was carved into each side.

The hollow who’s arm still gushed blood from her previous attack snarled at her. “You won’t last five minutes. “

“ Try me.” Chappy crouched lower, standing in a perfect middle stance position. The hollow all glanced at each other and roared, charging the girl as she smirked, readying her knives.

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Everything was foggy. Her body was heavy. Each limb felt like they weighed 200 pounds. Noise. There was noise but Rukia couldn’t really register it. Her eyes stayed closed as she struggled to breath, rasping heavily. Sleep was calling her. The deep sleep of darkness where she would not have to worry about anyone or anything. It slowly pulled her under. Rukia no longer had the strength to resist. A yell. The yell of a small boy. Why did that bother her so much again? She couldn’t remember. What..who’s yell was that? Someone…with orange hair…what’s his name? Sleep caressed her, making her head feel very heavy. It was getting harder to think. Name….what’s my name….what…does it matter? Blood dripped openly from her mouth now as it hung open, her body limp in the restraints as life slowly drained out of her. “Ichi..” her lips barely moved, her voice as soft as a whisper.

~~~~~~~~
As far as Ichigo could see, hollow body parts where flying. Blood doused his clothing as his somber amber eyes watched Chappy dance with her blades. Every time a hollow tried to get passed her, she was ready, slicing through mask, throat and limb like butter. In the midst of the battle cries, Ichigo’s head suddenly snapped up. He thought he heard someone call his name. It sounded just like Rukia! Without thinking, Ichigo ran through the mess of hollows, ignoring Chappy’s yell of admonishment and the curses that followed after. He stopped in front of a huge metal door, wondering how on earth he could open it. “I don’t know how…but I know Rukia is behind here. I have to save her. She’s my princess.” Ichigo scowled, his familiar scowl if anyone had been around to notice although it looked slightly comical on such a young boy.

“Got ya!”

Ichigo jumped, turning around to see the blue haired espada walking toward him. “You’re the guy from the park! The one who hurt Rukia!”  Without any fear in his amber eyes, Ichigo scowled deeper. “Where is she?”

Grimmjow cackled loudly. “Don’t worry…I’m sure you’ll see her very soon. She won’t last much longer. She might already be dead!” He raised his right hand, red energy swirling around. “Goodbye you orange haired bastard!”

“Cry Benehime!” Urahara’s zanpakto disrupted the espada, his cero bouncing against the ceiling. Debris began falling everywhere and Ichigo did his best to duck and hide as the shopkeeper crossed blades with the espada. “I figured you were behind this.” Urahara’s lips curled into a small smirk. “It was pretty good timing on your part.”

“Shut yer fucking mouth!” Grimmjow threw cero after cero, Urahara, deflecting them against the walls and ceiling. Ichigo cried out and jumped out of the way as one fell almost on top of him, nicking his cheek and forming a small scratch. Coughing, the small boy crawled back towards that door. His eyes widened as the smoke cleared enough to see. “RUKIA!” he screamed, the wall next to her door having been blown partially away.

Rukia’s eyes moved slightly under their lids. It was bright. The bright light was keeping her from sleep. That dark deep beautiful sleep that called her name. It was so bright. The sun must be shining. She hadn’t felt the warmth of the sun in a long time. Her lips curled ever so slightly as she started to sink under. Something jerked her back awake. A sensation. A feeling. A soft touch on her cheek? Rasping with each breath, Rukia slowly opened her eyes, barely able to see and only opening them halfway. Shimmering amber eyes gazed up at her as a small boy with orange hair touched her cheek. It took Rukia a full minute to recognize who it was. “Ichi…” She breathed, coughing harshly at the effort  and spitting up more blood. Everything inside her chest felt like it was on fire. Tears started to fall from those amber eyes as he continued to gaze up at her. “Rukia…”

A sudden explosion startled Ichigo, tearing his eyes away from Rukia. Chappy ran inside, her knives still in her hands and dripping with blood. Anger flashed in her eyes as she spotted Ichigo.  “I told you not-“ She stopped, suddenly realizing what was behind him. “Rukia-sama.” Chappy stood there in shock for a moment, frozen at the condition her mistress was in. Urahara stumbled in behind her. “I think I’ve occupied the espada for a moment but we don’t have much time.” He glanced up, taking in the look on the small boy as well as the rasping breathing of the petite soul reaper. “Chappy, undo her restraints. She can breathe easier with her arms down. Ichigo, you help me hold her. She can’t stand on her own.” The replacement soul snapped back to reality, jumping up and slicing through the chains. Urahara stood under her, catching Rukia in his arms. The raven haired soul reaper let out a small scream of pain, her body shivering uncontrollably. “Ichigo, sit down and hold her head in your lap.” The shopkeeper instructed. Without a word, Ichigo sat down, gently stroking Rukia’s hair as her body went completely limp on the ground. Urahara took out a small vial from his pocket, opening it and pouring its contents into Rukia’s mouth. “Miss Kuchiki, please swallow if you can…this will help…” He held her mouth closed and tipped her head gently back so she would swallow. He then took out a needle and a second vial.

“What’s that for?” Chappy eyed the needle with suspicion. Ichigo was doing his best not to run away as he continued to hold Rukia’s head in his lap.

“I need her reistsu. The first vial contained a special formula I invented. It stops blood loss, eases breathing and has a pain killer mixed in. It will temporarily give Rukia some energy. But with her injuries, it only buys us time. She needs serious medical treatment and soon. Her best shot is Ichigo.” He slipped the needle into her wrist, withdrawing some reistsu and hurriedly mixing the vial. “Hold out your hand Ichigo.” Little Ichigo whimpered softly but held out his hand, looking away when Urahara slipped the needle into his arm and shot him with whatever was in the vial. “It will take several minutes to take effect. “ There was a sudden crash outside as the howl of the feline espada filled the air.

“How long is several?” Chappy whispered, gripping her knives again.

“Ten more or less.” The sandy haired soul reaper looked down at Rukia who’s eyes had started to flutter open. She coughed again but sat up, wincing slightly in pain. “Urahara? Chappy?” She turned and saw the small boy beside her. “Ichigo! What-“

“No time to explain. Can you stand?” Rukia nodded, standing shakily. Her chest had stopped bleeding at least. “What I gave you Rukia is temporary…your injuries-“

“Don’t bother.” She interrupted. “I understand. Just get Ichigo out of here.”

“We only have to wait about ten minutes until the antidote takes effect, Rukia-sama.” Chappy bowed slightly. Just then, another explosion shook the floor as several rocks came flying at them. All three split in different directions, Rukia holding Ichigo protectively. “Do we even have ten minutes?” She whispered, seeing Grimmjow and Ulquiorra step through the debris. Her arms tightened around Ichigo as she kissed his orange hair. “It’s up to you baka.”