The Cherry And The Strawberry (Bleach Fanfic)

Chapter Sixteen

Rangiku and the others continued to walk through the forest looking for the small village that she and a few others visited a week ago. Rangiku sighed as she looked around hoping to find the markings like Cherī had showed them but she couldn't find anything, taking a step forward Rangiku came to a stop looking around hearing something.

"♪In the moonlight I felt your heart

Quiver like a bowstring's pulse

In the moon's mere light you looked at me-♪"

"Rangiku? What is it?"

"Captain? Can't you hear that?" Tōshirō and the others become silent hearing a voice of a woman singing.

"♪-Nobody knows your heart

When the sun has gone I see you

Beautiful and haunting but cold

Like a blade so sharp, so sweet-♪

"Hey! That's cherry singing!" Yachiru spoke from Kenpachi's shoulder with a smile.

"You sure about that?"

"Yup! I've heard her singing that same song once before when I came to visit her."

"She's right, I caught Cherī singing that very same song days ago." Rukia said confirming Yachiru's words.

"We better head towards the sound of Cherī's voice before moving any further." Shunsui suggested, the others agreed

"♪-Nobody knows your heart

All of your sorrow grief and pain

Locked away in the forest of the night-♪"

"Hurry! The song is almost finished!" Yachiru yelled.

"♪-Your secret heart belongs to the world

Of the things that sigh in the dark

Or the things the cry in the dark...♪"

"That's far enough Soul Reapers." A familiar voice made them stop to see the black, yellow eyed wolf standing in front of them blocking a pathway.

"You are Cherī's Zanpakutō, are you not? I suggest you let us pass." Tōshirō asked.

"I can't do that, kid." Tōshirō's right eye twitch in annoyance.

"Is she still alive? Is she okay?" Jūshirō was worried as was everyone else.

"She was given the antidote when she arrived two days ago. She can see once again but the organs are still healing. She needs to rest and this whole thing isn't helping her."

"Then let us through. We can bring Cherī back to the Seireitei so she can heal faster."

"That's the problem."

"Problem? What kind of problem?"

"She wanted me to make sure you don't go anywhere near the village. I shall carry out her wish!" Multiple clones of Ken appeared surrounding the group.

"Isn't this..." Jūshirō started.

"Yup, there's no doubt about it. This is Jigoku no ryōken. Clones of the original but they're just as dangerous as the real one." Shunsui finished confirming his friends' suspicions.

"Let's see what you Soul Reaper brats got!" Ken howled as he and his clones ran towards them.

"Let's see what you are made of mutt! It's a battle to the death!" Kenpachi laughed as he ran head on towards the pack of wolves.

*~*

"The Soul Reapers are close by but it seems they're in a middle of a fight with a big black wolf, Master Ryōken." A male voice said from outside, kneeling in front of the closed door.

"What of the girl?"

"She's still alive but is seems the wolf is the manifestation of her Zanpakutō."

"I see, I'll be outside in a few minutes."

"Of course." The man stood up walking away down the hall, with his hand on the hilt of his Zanpakutō. Ryōken let out a sigh standing up he grabbed his wooden cane making his way to the door. Sliding the door open he stepped out into the hall making his way outside.

"She's stubbornly persistent that girl. Just like her mother and father." Ryōken said to himself as he neared the front of the mansion. He's plans were coming around nicely with a few setbacks along the way caused by their child. Those damned Soul Reapers' child. The cold winter air hit him as he arrived outside. Standing on the steps he saw the raven haired woman laying on the snow covered ground. Ryōken took notice how her lips were turning blue along with her skin paling from where he stood.

"Master." Many men and women kneeled before him where he stood. He didn't bother looking at his followers. He need the Soul Reapers to hurry so they could finish this up quickly.

"Hand me my Zanpakutō." He spoke holding out his hand as a woman placed his sword in his hand as he stepped on the snowy ground walking towards the body of the young woman.

"I am tired of waiting for your friends to show up. I know your Zanpakutō is holding them off and I don't have time to waste. Call off the wolf or I just might kill you." He said unsheathing his sword placing the tip of the blade in the center of her collarbone. Cherī starred up at the man not afraid of the blade that was ready to kill her. She chuckled.

"What's so funny? Are you not afraid of dying?"

"No, I'm not afraid of death, it's that you think I would let you hurt my family. You have to get past me if you want to get to them."

"How can you say that in your situation? You're laying in the snow with my blade pointing at you ready to strike."

"I'm a stubborn person. I won't be killed by that blade of yours or your followers. I can kill all of you Ex-Soul Reapers."

"You know? That's good so I don't have to explain it to you."

"I'm going on a guess and say the Seireitei caused everyone here great pain and suffering."

"You are correct." Cherī closed her eyes with a small smile on her lips.

"Heh, I was born here and was taken in by Soul Reapers. They trained me in every aspect you can think of and I'm greatful they did." Ryōken frowned.

"Did you know at age four I became third seat in the Stealth Force?" Steel met flesh, blood splattered out on and around the young woman's body. Cherī starred up at the old man with a smirk. Blood ran down her hands holding onto the blade of his Zanpakutō, it barely cut the surface of her skin.

"Like I tell everybody else... You can't get rid of me that easily."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sorry it took so long to post!