Dragon's Fang (Renji Abarai x OC)

¢нαρтєя 6

          It was hard for Hotaru to wake up that morning; however, she knew that she had no chance of seeing Rukia again before the execution unless she got up early.

Rising from bed, she quickly dresses herself and brushes out her hair. Looking in the mirror, she noticed her brown eyes had more orange to them today and her hair seemed to be cut more sharp and jagged, and if she wasn't mistaken a little redder than usual. She smiled, no worries, since it only meant her control over her soul slayer was progressing. Just like Renji's tattoos had been multiplying along with his training, so were Hotaru's fiery qualities increasing.

Hotaru yawned and slid open the door of her room, fastening her shoes on her feet and leaving to go see what little of the procession she could. Checking the small pocket watch she kept on her person, she saw the procession had begun and that she needed to get going. She broke into a run, heading straight towards the Shrine of Penitence, a gleaming white tower that could be seen anywhere in Soul Society. Before she reached the stairs she stopped, seeing the four guards surrounding Rukia walk along the bridge connecting the tower to the prison itself, all led by a Shinigami with distinct bright red hair.

Hotaru sighed. She had given Renji such a hard time the past few days, and although at times his idiocy deserved it, he really did care for Rukia. It was a closer bond than the average family tie. It wasn't a sister he was born with, it was one he chose. Hotaru vowed to herself that she could no longer give him such a hard time when she was certain he had to be dying inside.

After they had disappeared from sight, Hotaru remained where she was, all the while staring at the new cell her dear friend was locked in.

"Ah, 'mornin Uchiumi-san! Whatcha doin' way up there?"

Hotaru jumped at the voice, having been lost in thought. She looked around and remembered where she was and why she was there; still staring at the Shrine of Penitence, she had made it up onto a nearby roof where she had sat, she found for two hours when she checked her watch.

"Nothin', just sitting" Hotaru grumbled as she hopped down from the roof and walked closer to the 4th seat of Division 6, Maeda Katsurou. He was a skilled fighter and a hard worker, as well as an outstanding person. Although he had only recently been promoted, Hotaru felt very comfortable speaking with him. He was not in the least bit threatening to her, nor was he hostile or snappy towards her, despite the fact that she held the spot he was now after.

Katsurou looked behind them at the Shrine of Penitence. "Are you gonna be ok, Uchiumi-san?" he asked, and Hotaru sighed.

"I'll be fine. What's the plan today?" she asked lazily, and Katsurou scratched his head.

"Not sure. I probably have field training with my squads today. Otherwise I'm looking at yet another boring day" he said, and Hotaru sighed again.

"Maeda-kun, wanna take over squads 4, 5, and 6 today? I'm not in the mood for training" she said, and Katsurou patted her on the shoulder.

"You know what? Yeah I will, I'm sure people can understand you're upset" he agreed and Hotaru snorted.

"Tell that to the Captain. Anyways, I think I'm gonna find Abarai-kun and see how the procession went" she said, and Katsurou smiled.

"Ah, didn't you hear? An emergency officers meeting was called about an hour ago. Renji is probably there now, but it should be getting out soon"

"Oh really? So he should be over by Division 1 now?" she asked and Katsurou nodded. "Alright then, I'll head that way. Thanks, Maeda-kun."

"See you later, Uchiumi-san" he said and waved as he continued on without her. Hotaru turned and instead made her way over to the Division 1 courts, deciding to take her time. Moments after she had decided this, another alarm went off.

"Warning! Warning! Intruders detected within Sereitei! All Divisions please report to your position! Repeat! Warning! Warning! Intruders detected within Sereitei! All Divisions please report to your position!" the voice blared across all of Sereitei, and Hotaru picked up the pace. Apparently the officer meeting had already been let out, because Hotaru ran into her captain and vice-captain way before making it to the Division 1 court.

"Uchiumi Hotaru, where are you off to in such a hurry?" Captain Kuchiki asked her. She bowed her head and answered.

"I heard the alarm and wanted to get the full report and instructions, Kuchiki Taichou" she responded and he continued walking past her, although a few steps farther, he stopped and looked skyward. Both Renji and Hotaru did the same.

"Wh-what is that?" Renji stammered, watching the ball of light hit the Syakonmaku that protected Sereitei. They all watched in shock as the foreign object broke through and separated into several pieces, each piece shooting out to a different part of Sereitei.

"Uchiumi Hotaru" the Captain said, and Hotaru looked back down towards him.

"Yes, Kuchiki Taichou?" she asked.

"Return to the Division court and assemble the squads for when we return. I will be giving instructions shortly" he said, his back already turned by the time he finished. Renji looked despairingly at Hotaru and Hotaru nodded at him. He must have had a lot on his mind, but thi