[First Book]
Emiko Kurosaki is a 15 year old teen who has no memory of her past. All she remembers was waking up on the streets, at the age of seven, cold, confused, and starving. Luckily, a kind couple pick her up and brought her into their home. I...
Aizen's hand transforms right before he thrusts it right through Rukia's chest. Pulling out a small round object, Rukia collapses to the ground with a hole in her body.
"Interesting. I didn't expect it to be so small."
We watch as the hole in Rukia's chest shrinks until it disappears completely.
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Aizen safely tucks away the Hogyoku as he addresses this.
"Oh, the soul is completely unharmed. What an incredible technique this is."
He grabs Rukia's collar once more and holds her in the air. At that moment, everything in my body screamed at me to do something. But...what exactly?
"Unfortunately, you are no longer of any use to me. Kill her, Gin."
Gin faces away from the others and draws his zanpakuto as he neared Aizen and Rukia.
"Oh, well, it can't be helped."
No.
"Shoot To Kill."
Please.
"Shinso."
Gin's blade suddenly began extending towards Rukia. Getting up, I race to Rukia's side, much to Ichigo's and the other's dismay.
"EMIKO!"
Ignoring my brother's call, I manage to get between Rukia and Gin's zanpakuto. Not ready to die, but ready to keep her safe. After all, I can't let Ichigo blame himself for her death.
Just as the blade was about to connect with me... I'm grabbed from behind. I was saved...alongside Rukia.
"...But..."
I look up at the one who saved us shocked.
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Byakuya, a bloody mess, held Rukia and I close and out of harm's way. He used his free hand to hold Gin's blade...that had priced his chest.
"Brother..."
"...Why did you...?"
What happened? Why did he save us? Did his battle with Ichigo cause him to have a change of heart like Renji? If so, I understand Rukia...but why me? He could have just let me die. So...why?
Gin retracts is blade, and Byakuya instantly falls to his knees. Now standing, Rukia catches him before he completely collapses to the ground. I take a step away from the two, still as shocked as Rukia.
"Why...Brother? Why did you save me...?! Brother?! Why?!"
Byakuya simply doesn't answer, instead, he tries to catch his breath. Aizen, on the other hand, smiles our way as he takes a few steps close to the three of us. Rukia watched, terrified, as she hugged her brother close.
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Placing his hand on the handle of his sword, he gets ready to attack.
"..."
Taking a few steps, I simply stand in front of the two.
"Emi...ko...?" I hear Rukia speak.
I kept my eyes glued to Aizen.
"You would kick a man while he's down? How cowardly."
"...What do you intend to do about it, human girl."
His smile makes my skin crawl.
"...That's right, I am human. I don't have any fancy soul reaper powers. Between my older brother and I, I'm usually the intelligent one. However, what I'm doing now can be deemed as very, very stupid. I guess you can say Ichigo rubbed off on me from all those years living together."
I look back at the Kuchiki siblings before facing Aizen once more.
"However, Rukia is a dear friend of mine, just like she is to the others. She cares about her older brother, just like how I care for Ichigo, and my little sisters back home. If she wants to protect him, then I will do everything I can so you can't hurt him. Besides, he just saved my life just now...so I owe him big time. I will keep him and Rukia safe, that's a promise."
"A promise, huh?"
I nod.
"And here's the thing, I take my promises very seriously. They're like sworn vows to me. I never break a vow. So beat me, stab me, torture me, tear my soul apart piece by piece... Do whatever you want to me. Just don't touch them..."
"...Interesting. I must say, your courage is commendable."
"Well, when you're living on the streets like I was, you can't be afraid of anything. That's how the world breaks you."
"...I see."
He unsheathes his zanpakuto. My hands were shaking a bit, but I still remain tall. I have to...
"Goodbye, Ryoka girl. It's sad to see courage like that go to waste."
"Emiko."
"Hmm?"
"My name, you jerk. Emiko Kurosaki! Remember it as the first human that wasn't afraid of you."
"..."
His smile was now gone. He did not like that.
"You're lying. I can see it."
Suddenly appearing right in front of me, he was about to cut me, killing me where I stand. Yet, he never got that chance.
"Aizen, you bastard! Long time no seen!"
Nagi stood, protectively, in front of the three of us as she clashes blades with the evil man.
