Kazuya ignored the piercing stares from Yoruichi and Soi Fon as he sprinted through the corridors of Las Noches. The Quincy movement technique 'Hirenkyaku' muffled his footsteps against stone, preserving Lisa's peaceful rest in his arms while his spiritual senses swept outward, searching for Harribel's presence.
The heroine of today's story meandered through Las Noches with a number of followers trailing behind her. Most had submitted out of fear and respect, while others were simply exhausted from living in constant terror of being devoured by stronger predators. For these weaker Hollows, joining Harribel felt like a dream come true. Their numbers weren't insignificant either.
A smaller faction hoped to witness Las Noches' elite Espada return triumphantly to crush Harribel. Unfortunately for them, they remained unaware that the elite were dead. Ulquiorra, the only alive Espada, couldn't be counted as his loyalty to Aizen was as strong as a sand castle on the beachside.
From time to time, a group of Arrancar would launch desperate ambushes, only to get absolutely whooped by Nelliel or Sung-Sun. These would-be attackers either joined the growing corpse count littering the floor or swelled the ranks of followers behind the aloof sovereign. With the Espada eliminated, the duo of Snake and Horse moved like wolves among sheep. None could resist them.
Kazuya used Hirenkyaku to appear right behind Harribel's core group of her, Sung-Sun, and Nelliel. Surprising them would be impossible, so he met them in the open. Countless eyes locked onto him in that moment—fear, dread, and awe rippling through faces. They had all felt his overwhelming presence in the very beginning of the war, if this one-sided conquest could even be called that.
He had been the ultimate deterrent to any resistance against this makeshift army beneath Espada's notice.
Harribel raised her hand dismissively. "Find somewhere to settle until I call for you. No need to follow us further."
The group immediately dispersed at Harribel's command.
"Husband!" Sung-Sun purred, rubbing face against his arm before recoiling with a frown. The metal armor was far from comfortable against her soft skin. Her attention shifted to the sleeping figure in his arms. Seeing that it was her best friend, she playfully poked Lisa's cheek. "Awww, little teddy bear is sleeping."
"She fought a hard battle."
"We 'watched' everything," Sung-Sun said, gently patting Lisa's cheek. "Should I send her back?"
"It's alright. She can rest here." He moved past Sung-Sun and nudged Harribel with his elbow. "Feeling tired?"
"I barely lifted a finger…" Harribel's voice carried a hint of helplessness. She'd never considered herself the type to lead the charge in battles. However, being forced to stay behind the lines and give orders had her reminiscing about those old days of leading the battles.
The culprit of her suffering was none other than her beloved.
He chuckled at her rueful expression. "You'll get used to it."
For her vision of paradise to flourish, she needed to embrace this new role—one where others acted on her commands. Managing the only power in Hueco Mundo dedicated to protecting the weak would drain anyone. She couldn't work on it alone. What's more, even her most devoted followers would lose respect if she handled everything personally, leaving them with nothing meaningful to contribute.
Humility and hard work were admirable qualities but only to a point.
Harribel studied him intently, wishing to herself he would transform into his female form again—just so she could tease him to her heart's content. Unfortunately, that wish would remain forever unfulfilled. She would never catch him using that form again; it would exist only in the memories of a select few.
Her craving of 'revenge' only grew stronger when he gave her a quiet thumbs up.
His smile suddenly cramped when he caught Nelliel sneaking glances in his direction. She might have gotten away with such furtive looks around anyone else, but no Hollow possessed senses as acute as his.
{Hehe, Partner. You KNOW what this is about, don't you?}
Masking his awareness behind a curt nod, he asked, "Nel, everything alright?"
"What would happen to me?" she replied to his question with a question of her own in a firm voice. "Wouldn't I be useless if I can't handle this much? I'm stronger than I look… you had just caught me in a vulnerable position before…"
The memory of her tears embarrassed her until now, prompting her to give a forced justification that couldn't convince herself, much less others.
Sung-Sun's eyes held a strange gleam of light as she whispered, "Did my husband catch this mare stuck in a stable?"
Her unexpected innuendo nearly made him choke.
'What the hell? How does she know about that… genre?'
{I have a feeling she'll be pioneering adult entertainment in this timeline.} Nami snickered wickedly. {Partner, you should hurry up. Horses are made to be ridden!}
Kazuya put Lisa in Sung-Sun's arms and punished her with a sharp tug at her cheek.
"Hmph." She glared at him before pouting and walking ahead with Lisa.
He was utterly speechless.
The escort slowly made its way through the sprawling corridors of Las Noches, well, until they were stopped dead by a familiar Adjuchas.
Nelliel stepped forward in her Resurrección form, her calm gaze settling on the sky blue-haired warrior who would be recognized by most of Kazuya's acquaintances from Karakura Town.
"Grimmjow, have you become Kazuya's enemy?"
She harbored no remorse over Yammy's death, and she wouldn't hesitate to kill again. Blood already stained her hands—what was a little more? Still, she preferred crossing blades with worthy opponents rather than cutting down the weak.
'Whoever wants to harm Kazuya must… die.'
A/N: Yandere??????
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