Dragon's Fang (Renji Abarai x OC)

¢нαρтєя 8

Hotaru was late. The lieutenants meeting for the periodic report could end at any moment and she was still a far away from the building. Hotaru was anxious to hear what was going on, and Renji would be informed by the end of this meeting. There had already been an announcement letting everyone know the crossing of Eleventh Division's Madarame Ikkaku and one of the Ryoka. If the Ryoka could defeat Ikkaku, a Shinigami of Lieutenant capability at the very least, then the situation was much more dire than expected.

Although she was still a short ways away from the court of Division One where the meetings took place, she could feel Renji's reiatsu getting closer at a faster rate than she was moving. She paused for a moment and when it continued to increase, she knew he had left early.

Trying best to judge the direction he was headed and the speed at which he traveled, it seemed as though he was determined to get somewhere fast. What worried Hotaru most was that, when speaking of Renji, this meant that he was off to battle.

Hotaru switched up her direction a bit and picked up speed, fairly certain she would be able to catch him before he got to where he was going. Her assumption was correct, because a moment later, she saw his characteristic red hair in her peripheral vision.

"Renji!" she shouted as the gap between them closed up.

"Hotaru! What're you doin' here?" he called back, although by now the distance between them was a few feet. Immediately, Hotaru noticed that he was not wearing his adjutant insignia.

"I should be asking you the same question. What happened at the meeting? Where are you going?"

"Ayasegawa Yumichika was reported injured, and Yamada Hanatarou was kidnapped. I'm the only one besides Rukia who's fought this guy before, and I'm gonna be the one to kill him" Renji said in a low growl.

"Ayasegawa Yumichika? Of Eleventh Division?" she asked, rather surprised.

"One in the same. Eleventh Division is basically defeated, other than Zaraki Taichou"

"If Ikkaku and Yumichika have both been defeated, what makes you think you stand a chance, you idiot?" Hotaru asked him, hoping if she pushed him enough he might forget the fight with the ryoka and fight with her. At least she knew that way he'd live.

"Last time I checked, I was the one with the higher rank" he said, staring determined ahead.

"But they're in the Eleventh Division. That squad is basically full of lieutenants without the official rank. You know the only reason Yumichika is 5th seat is because he has this weird hang up about 4 being an ugly number...and don't even get me started on Ikkaku. He basically taught you how to fight!" she tried to reason, although there was no stopping him with her words. She looked on ahead, trying to come up with a plan, when she saw where they were headed. The tall white tower of the Shrine of Penitence loomed into view, and Hotaru realized she needed to act faster. Taking a deep breath and calming herself, she pulled her Zanpakuto from its sheath.

"I can't let you do this, Renji" she said, holding the blade against him. He had halted just in time to keep the blade from slicing his skin.

"Hotaru" he gasped, taking a few steps back in surprise.

"I'm sorry, Renji, really I am. I'm doing this because I don't want to see you hurt" she said, taking a few steps closer to him to ensure he didn't try anything funny. As soon as she thought that, though, Renji let surprise wash from his face and instead replaced it with resolve.

"I'd put that away if I were you" he warned, and Hotaru glared at him. He was inching back faster than she was inching forward, and it was just enough distance to give him time to pull out his Zanpakuto as well.