Rukia Kurosaki

((@ Ari: xD Rescued 'im by shooting me in the chest... thanks~ DCW is back online for me \o/)) Ash heard Vivi pound on the bed. "Vivi!" she called, "Are you alright?!" She still couldn't move, but she glanced to the side as the girl answered blankly, "Better than you." She sighed and stared at the ceiling. There were three hundred and forty seven small square tiles in the ceiling, which she knew from counting during previous visits. 'I gotta spend less time 'ere...' she thought, remembering why she knew the exact number. 'I wonder if Misaki and Brent an' the others're alright...' Ash smiled at the other girl, fully aware that Vivi wasn't listening as she spoke, but feeling the need to say it nonetheless. "Thanks fer savin' my a** back there, Vi..." As pi**ed off as she was at Petya and his senior officer for the bullet in her ribs, she was twice as grateful to Vivi for helping her out. Neither girl had ever been close to other members of the rebellion, least of all each other. She figured antisocial fighters would pretty much avoid as much attachment as possible; but she was glad as hell she wasn't alone during the fight, even if that T guy stepped in and stopped the combat.

Ash heard Vivi's comment, but could only laugh before once again passing out. She had no idea how long it had been, but by the throbbing in her chest it had been a short while since then when she once again heard voices. Hushed cries and murmurs brushed over her mind as she tried to pull herself from unconsciousness. But rather than the present, Ash found herself viewimg the recent past. The man who was known only as T... she could see him again, speaking to Vivi and ordering the armed forceless to hold their fire. 'Too interesting' is what he called Vi... did he help us just to involve her in some twisted study? I have to find out about him. Ash forced her eyes open. She was back in the infirmary at HQ. 'Been a while,' she thought sarcastically, glancing around. She spotted Vi laying on the bed beside hers, bandaged and sleeping soundly. She wanted to call to her and say thank you, but she didn't want to disrupt the rest the girl obviously needed... and she didn't think she had the energy to speak. Ash waited silently for someone to notice that she was awake and tell her what was going on, willing her energy to spread out and allow her to move.

Ash stirred. She was groggy and annoyed at the jerk who'd fired on them, but she let tha go for the moment. Wincing, she mumbled, "'Ey, ya alright, Vi?"

((Alright, Ari... I'll go along with the hit for now, but you can't injure her further while she's out, and no incapacitating the only other nubinelle member either, to avoid unfair advantage. Shooting in the chest first fight... kinda rude xD)) "Ah-" Ash froze for a moment, glancing at the enemy she hadn't seen. Then she looked down at her wound. "Dammit..." Her hand shook, and she barely kept her grip on her scythe as the figures around her started to blur. I won't pass out... I won't pass out... She looked out over the mass of fighters, searching for Vivi. Please be alright... She spotted the girl taking down an enemy, but before she could say anything, the world dissolved into darkness. A moment later she hit the ground.

"Yes!" Ash unleashed Reaper's Touch as he raced into the fray, dodging slashes and delivering blows to countless armed 'forceless.' As she dueled her way toward the center, she spotted Petya loitering in the lull of the eye, injured and accompanied by another. She locked in on him as her target, avoiding eye contact but dashing forward to slash at his torso.

Ash drew her scythe and held it out, brushing her short green hair out of her eyes. She looked out over the area, watching those in conflict and gripping her scythe tightly. "Ready to go, Vi. What do ya need me ta do?"

Ash pulled back, sensing Vivi's reluctance. She nodded, jogging beside her. She had never been cloe to anyone, but she knew that in order for the rebellion to succeed, they had to have unwavring trust in one another. While she tried not to become attached and hold up the group with emotion, she supplemented her cynicism with teamwork. "I und'rstand. Is yer bird okay, Vi?" she asked as they neared the origin of the chaotic sound.

I KNOW! Uzumaki was awesome! And Ibitsu, too~

USUI X MISAKI!

Ash followed at a run, still suspicious of the younger girl's strange reaction. "If ya know 'im, please tell me, 'specially if ya believe 'e c'n be trusted. I'll follow ya on this if that's the case." She jogged beside Vivi, adding, "I'm glad yer partner's got ya ta lean on, Vi. Yer one of our best allies, despite what they try ta say 'bout yer age." She smiled and popped her shoulder, waiting on Vi's answer.

-- sorry... I was writing a response to Detsu-chan at the same time you were and didn't see it. ^^" Then I had to log off an' go ta bed. Ash watched Vivi fiddle with the generator. Gripping her left arm she knelt to look in the panel. "Vi, d'you 'ave any idea what that guy was?" After that light, everything ached. He was an enemy... but why would he reverse blind-eye...? At least he didn't touch Vivi or the others. She reached out and touched one of the wires, teying to feel what kind of energy had flowed through. This is very strange as well... (time for school, then helping at the play... back in about 14 hours, but it's friday, so I can post later as well.)

Ash nodded. "O' course... An' just as a pr'caution, since the generator's off. Don' make eye contact wi' the gen'ral no matter what, 'kay? That's 'ow 'e temp'rarily messed up m' sight~" She smiled and patted Vivi lightly on the back, staring off into space. "But... I think ya should 'ead back up ta HQ and' get fixed up. If ya tell me the names o' those who need 'elp, I'll take care of it, but I don' wanna risk you bein' 'urt further. From th' sound, you 'ave multiple bullet wounds, still bleedin'... I 'ave a roll of bandages and some pain killers, but you're gonna need stitches. Will ya head back an' trust me on this?"

Ash had heard the explosion that happened just after Misaki had left. Before anyone could tell her not to, she disappeared, headed in its general direction. Precious minutes later she arrived at the area, and promptly drew her scythe. "Damn armed forceless." She could tell by the sound of their weapons that they were ganged up on two people... and then she heard a familiar voice, "Good opportunity." Ash hurried to that area, knowing from the tone who it was. Vivi, another rebel. Hoping she was facing her, she asked, "You alright, Vivi?" Ash felt somewhat responsible for the younger girl's safety. If I'd just finished the general, she wouldn't be injured. "Is Petya 'ere? I got a score ta settle with 'im..." She brought her scythe down over an enemy behind her, sighing.

Ash shook her head. "No way am I sittin' out 'cause of some temporary blindness. I got info on that run yesterday that there was another shipment comin' through the 8th Battalion's guys. I c'n help get to there an' back, at least. Gen'ral's attack c'n only last so long anyway." She smiled. "'Sides, I ain't leavin' it ta Brent. 'Im an' me still got a contest goin' ta see who c'n take down th' most armed forceless~"