Bait

[Yuri Nakayama]

After escaping Shin's hide out, a Hollowfied Yuri was searching the town for new prey: souls. It seemed like the consumption of the Gillian nearly completed the transformation and has Yuri in an almost dormant state. It was hoping that if it could at least consume one soul, that would be the final step in guaranteeing its full control of its would-be former host. "You had your first taste of a Hollow and soon, you'll have your first taste of a soul. I'm sure we can find one around this godforsaken town. Then, Yuri, the roles will be switched. You'll get to see what it's like to be the other half!" As of right now, Yuri was still too weak to do much fighting but she knew she had to keep trying. She wasn't going to let herself spiral downhill.

I won't let you..put innocent people in harms way! The Hollow just scoffed, continuing its hunt for humans souls. Eventually, it came across one that was suitable to its needs: A young female child. "Ah, what do we have here? Seems liek we found ourselves a small snack." As they drew closer to the child, Yuri was trying desperately to get the Hollow to stop. She it was reaching out for the child, Yuri finally gained enough control to stop it just before it could grab onto the little girl. This is my body, you understand?! I won't let you take over!

So, an inner battle begun while the manifestation was free to rampage about. As they fought, it would slam itself into the sides of buildings, causing a dent and the attention of those walking by. Of course, they were scared since it just 'appeared out of nowhere'. "It doesn't matter how many times you fight me! I'll keep coming back!""While that may be true.. I will keep defeating you each and every time!" As the battle ensued, so did the destruction. With its cat-like appearance (White Tiger to be exact), it got down onto all fours, digging its claws into the ground as it opened its mouth wide as it started to charge a Cero. "No! You can't!" As it was about to take aim at the crowd of people, Yuri managed to throw off the aim, causing it to hit the top of a tree which came crashing down.

"What's the matter? Can't stop me? You're so hopeless without your friends holding your hand! You can't do anything without them! Face the facts, Yuri! Every time I managed to get in control, it was either Ryouji,Shukumei, or even Ronin who had to free you! What makes you think you can do it alone?! It did raise a good question. Always, she had counted on their help whenever she needed them and now, they're nowhere in sight. What was she going to do? She couldn't give in. That's not what they would want. "You're right. Maybe I do depend on them too much. However.. I won't let what they taught me be forgotten. Do you think your words will cause me doubt? I won't allow it! Because..

After the hollow had fired several more Ceros that crashed into the ground, air, and even buildings, it came to a stop. Its shell was beginning to crack as Yuri was gaining the upper hand in the battle. "I know now I can stand on my own two feet! With the finishing blow, Yuri was able to subdue her inner hollow. AS it slowly stood, it was beginning to fade away. "You may of won this one.. but I leave with a warning.. That Gillian we consumed has greatly increased my power.. You know what that means, don't you?" It started to laugh before fully fading away, the hollow shell cracking off, revealing Yuri who drops down onto her knees and then onto the ground, too weak to stand or even move. Yeah.. I realize.. It just means..more of a reason to not wear your mask unless I really need to..

AS she tried to push herself up, Yuri's vision begin to blur. She then drops back to the ground, feeling horrible. It wasn't just the fact that she got more or less beaten up. She felt sick. What could of caused it? Perhaps the consumption of that Gillian. Regardless of the fact, she had to contact the others. But where would they be at this time? Azumi's place? Urahara's maybe? She'd have to try both places if she's able to. Unsheathing her Zanpaktou, she used it to help her into a seated position before trying to stand. As she tried, she just fell onto her back, eyes closed. She had passed out from being so exhausted.

[Takara Kamei]

Kamei was out in town, gathering some groceries to stock her refrigerator with. Ever since her brother and mother were killed, she's been all alone. All she had to keep her going was her hatred of Shinigami, especially Ryouji Onigata. While she stayed out of the majority of things, she did some research. Every now and then over the years, she would sense his spiritual pressure and she would check it out. She studied him over the years and believes to have a small understanding of how he thinks. Being snapped out of her thoughts from sensing a large amount of spiritual pressure. She uses Hirenkyaku (Quincy equivalent to a Flash step) to head to the source. It was there where she witnessed Yuri shed her Hollow Skin, and soon, passing out. She goes over to her, kneeling down, looking at her. She remembered seeing this Shinigami before around Ryouji. He called her Yuri, if she wasn't mistaken. "Looks like you've been through hell too, Yuri."

Due to her pride as a Quincy, she just couldn't leave a injured female out in the open like this. Although humans couldn't see her, she could still draw hollows to her location. Then, a thought came to her. "If you've been hanging around him, then you must be someone he holds dear. Well then, looks like you can help me get my revenge." Pulling one of Yuri's arms around her neck, she tries to carry both Yuri and the groceries, eventually dropping the bags. It didn't bother her too much since she could always get more groceries. "I doubt you can here me Shinigami, but know this: I won't hurt you. Not with you being a woman. I may be fixated on revenge, but my pride as a Quincy outweights revenge."

[Ronin]

Ronin saw a girl carrying Yuri, narrowing his eyes. He dropped from the air, landing in front of them without a sound in a crouching position. He raised his eyes to the girl, a demonic look in them.

"Quincy danger level... insignificant. Put her down, I would rather not fight you..."

He got to his feet, his twin Zanpaktou on his back. He looked at the girl, hoping he would not have to fight.

[Takara Kamei]

Shifting her eyes to the new comer, Kamei just laughs. How dare he call her insignificant? It doesn't matter really since all she needed to do was buy some time for her to get home, take care of Yuri and set her plans into motion. "You have a lot of nerve to call me that, Shinigami. I'll tell you the same thing I've told this unconscious woman. I will not hurt her. The Quincy Code is something I strongly go by. Seeing how you're the insignificant one, I'll tell you what that code is. I can't stand it for someone to go after a woman and child. Since this Shinigami is a woman, I will take care of her and make sure she gets the attention she needs. You , a male Shinigami, is not covered by the Code. So, if you want to keep on talking while the Shinigami I'm keeping hold on bleeds to death, I'm afraid I'm goign to take drastic measures."

With her free hand, she took out a Hollow Bait. "This, my Shinigami friend, is a Hollow Bait. Not sure what it does? WEll, let me show you!" After snapping the bait in two, Hollows started to appear all around them. "I must be leaving you now. If you manage to see Ryouji, pass him this message: If he wants this Shinigami back, tell him to meet me alone in the field just outside town. If you or anyone follow, then I'm afraid I cannot relinquish her to you. Have fun slaying the hollows!" Turning her back to him, Kamei used Hirenkyaku a few times to return back to her house. She figured Ronin would be strong enough to defeat the Hollows and pass along her message.

For now, she rest Yuri on the couch. She took off the tattered clothes, putting some of her older clothes on the Shinigami after she bandages up her injuries. Seeing the look of discontent on her face, The quincy placed a hand on her forehead, noticing that Yuri has a fever. Sh goes and gets a wet cloth and blanket, covering her with the blanket and placing the cloth on top of her head. "Do you feel lonely, Shinigami? No, I doubt that you do. It's a cold feeling.. Something I wish for no one to feel. I..don't want Ryouji to feel that way.. More like.. I want him to understand how I[/]feel. I don't understand why I'm explaining this o the likes of you. Maybe a way of venting, I suppose. I just want revenge for Mama and my brother that Ryouji ruthlessly killed.."

[Ronin]

Ronin scoffed, preforming a single flash step and dispatching all the Hollow with one swoop. He was getting VERY tired of people taking him lightly, but while the old him would have beaten the girl to a bloody pulp, the new him decided it best to simply check in on Yuri and deliver a message to the young girl. Since he and Yuri cared for each other a lot, it was easy for him to sense her and track her to the girl's house. He squatted by the window, seeing the girl and Yuri. He opened the window, seeing the girl jump back. As she made a sudden move, he made a small flame appear by her head and then disappear, just to let her know that he was not as insignificant as she thought.

"Look, I'm just here to talk. I am no errand boy, but as you saved her, I owe you a favor. I will deliver your message. I do not care about your grudge with that dreg, but I do care for Yuri. If she gets injured in this vendetta, you will find out just how insignificant to me your 'power' is to me."

In a motion to fast for the girl to follow, Ronin was instantly by Yuri's side. He brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her cheek. He looked at the girl and was gone as quickly as he had come.

[Takara Kamei]

With the Shinigami gone, she would be able to focus on her main objective: Finding and fighting Ryouji Onigata. "Apparently, that shinigami didn't listen to a word I said about not letting any harm come to his friend. Just goes to show how stupid they really are. No matter though. I might as well get to the meeting area. He should of had enough time to pass on the message." Kamei goes over to Yuri, carefully lifting her up onto her back, holding onto her tightly so she won't fall. She still looked rather sick, but there's not much she could do. All she could do now was take her from one place to another.

As she walks out and heads to the field, the Quincy shifts her eyes to Yuri. "Don't worry.. Regardless if Ryouji wins or loses his battle with me, you'll be going with him. It's not like I was holding you captive, anyway. Probably, he may be too pissed to even listen." Once arriving to the field where the battle would take place at, she gently lies the Shinigami on the ground, standing nearby in case something were to happen. "We have our reasons for doing what we do.. I just want mine to be known. I promise that you won't get hurt. All I need you is to bait him into fighting."

Why was she even bothering to talk to the unconscious woman anyway? It's not like she could hear a word that's being said. Although, it felt strangely odd to speak her mind. IF things happened differently, where would she be now? "Who knows? If things had of happened in a different way, maybe we could of been.. No, I doubt it. I was always told how Shinigami and Quincy could never get along. No matter though. Once I get what I need.. I can finally be happy."

[Ryouji Onigata]

Having left the Urahara shop in pursuit of the Quincy whom was holding Yuri hostage, Ryouji appeared out of a flash step and stared around the surrounding area, in case this was to be some sort of ambush, he needed to survey the area and see to it that he couldn't be ambushed. He didn't feel or see Yuri so why was it that this Quincy asked him to meet her here anyway. If they were to fight would it be so that half of the city wouldn't be destroyed. He pulled off his mask and crushed it in his hand to break the link between himself and his hollowfied powers.

The only thing that was left for him to do was to greet this Quincy and maybe rid the world of another useless moron, though even with what he did, he couldn't be to heartless. He was responsible for the death of her mother. He doesn't remember anything about his mother so he couldn't relate to what it feels like. Though he has come close to losing his sister, and wife. If it was anything like that...then what she was going through was a struggle indeed.

"I don't have all day, I have places to be and someone's ass to put in his place. Show yourself and lets be done with this."

After speaking out, he continued to scan the area with his eyes, knowing that in unfamiliar ground he needed to be on his guard for you never know what the enemy may have planned for you.

[Takara Kamei]

From seeing him show himself and speak, Kamei showed herself, having Yuri with her as she places her on the ground. "Before you get the wrong idea, I didn't so anything to harm her. I was out minding my own business until I felt something similar to a Hollow appear. By the time I arrived, the Hollow I saw more or less had shed its skin, revealing this Shinigami. She had grave injuries and what seemed to be acidic burns from a Hollow." Why she had to justify herself to him, she wasn't sure. Maybe it was just to let him know that she was taken care of while she was in her care. It wasn't to get mercy or nothing. It was because of she had nothing to hide really. Plus, her theory was proven that it was someone he cared for since he even bothered to show. Since she lost the people she cared about, she wouldn't wish that feeling even on her enemies.

"I took her home after meeting with another arrogant Shinigami who seems to care greatly for this woman. I bandaged her up and tried to lower her fever. So, that's the whole story. As for getting you involved.." As she revealed her Quincy cross, she began to collect Spirit particles, it forming into a bow. She then draws back an arrow, aiming it at him. "I want my revenge for what you did those years ago! You took away someone who meant everything to me!" However, if that was really the case, wouldn't it be revenge enough to take away this woman? No, it wouldn't be right. After all, she had already thought of it and wouldn't want it to happen to anyone else. Besides, it would go against the Quincy Code. Regardless, she would keep the idea she had before coming here:Whatever the outcome, he will get his friend back. However, she needed to motivate him into fighting.

"Here's the rules. Defeat me in battle and you can have your friend back. That's fair, right?"

[Ryouji Onigata]

Ryouji saw how visibly upset she remained with him and he sighed before rubbing the back of his head. She was determined to do whatever she saw fit in the name of revenge. He couldn't bring himself to fight with her....not anymore. He doesn't feel wrong for what he did, it was a hollow and it had to be dealt with before it brought harm to another soul. She didn't seem to understand that the hollow he killed was no longer her mother.

"No it isn't fair...to you or to me for you to make me fight for my former pupil. You don't seem to understand why I did what I felt was necessary. Your mother was dead and a hollow was harboring her soul. I did the right thing by freeing her although it might not have looked like that to you. Its my job as a Shinigami to guide the souls of the dead to the Soul Society, where they can forever live in peace. Free of a world of torment and hatred."

Ryouji glanced down at Yuri, seeing her there. She took care of her...even though she was a shinigami. Wasn't that against some code they made up in the days of old? He never understood the Quincy ways nor did he want to as a Shinigami.

"Things are much different now. I'm a husband and a father to be. I don't think your mother would want you fighting for revenge...Quincy. Return the Shinigami to me and be on your way. Live your life as you intend to. There is no need for either of us to get hurt here today."

[Takara Kamei]

How dare he tell her what her mother would or wouldn't want her do do? In a fit of Rage, she fired the Arrow, but at the last moment made it curve out of the way to avoid injuring him. In a way, he was right. When she thought about his words, it made sense. Her mother was a gentle person and disliked fighting with a passion. When he mentioned he was a father-to-be, she couldn't bring herself to hurt him. It just didn't seem right. "..You're right. That's not what she would want." The Bow soon dissipated, Kamei looked down to the ground. Part of her knew that the Hollow that had taken her mother wasn't her mother at all. She just didn't want to admit it and wanted to believe that she could of saved her.

"Quincies aren't suppose to help Shinigami.. She was a woman though. We tend to look out for them and children. Somehow, I doubt it was the Code of the Quincy that inspired me to save her. Perhaps.. it was the right thing to do." As she heard him talk about guiding the souls of the dead to Soul Society, she chuckled. Maybe he actually did save her without her even realizing. If it had to come down to it, She would of killed the Hollow and then her mother would be truly gone. "Soul Society, huh? You think Mother could be there?" At least the thought gave her some comfort.

She walks by Yuri, shifting her head to him. "Maybe..Shinigami aren't so bad after all. I wonder what caused them and Quincies to hate one another. Go on, take your friend. I know I said you'd get her back if you defeated me, but I had made up my mind to return her back regardless of the outcome. However, don't forget, Shinigami! We're still rivals! You got that!?" With a slight laugh, she just gave a wave, going to wave, but stopped. It seems his actions not only saved her mother, but herself as well. "This is the first and last time I'll say this, Shinigami. Thank you..for saving not only my mother.. but me as well." After saying that, she walked home. Who would of thought thta things would of turned out the way they did?

[Yuri Nakayama]

With all the voices, it was hard to stay unconscious. Though still out of it, she could hear two voices. One sounded like a male and familiar at that. The other was a female who didn't sound familiar at all. Soon, the voices stopped, and Yuri was able to finally come to. Her eyes slowly opened, her eyes adjusting to what little light there was. Everything happened so fast, she didn't know where she was anymore. Noticing that what she was lying on wasn't tiles or wood, she slightly moved her fingers across the ground, feeling the textures of the grass. Outside? But how? Then it hit her. She remembered that her Hollow had gained control and it ended up escaping from Shin's location. She even remembered it consuming one of the Gillian that was in the room. Just the thought of it made her cringe and curl up with disgust.

She felt horrible. Like she was sick or something. What a fine time to catch a bug. Everyone is counting on her to be of help. How could she be if she was out of commotion like this? It wasn't before long she sensed someone. It seemed so familiar, but she just wasn't in the right condition, or state of mind for that matter, to recognize it. All she knew is that it was familiar and kind of safe. "W..Who's there?" She hated to feel this way and wasn't just going to lie there. Slowly, but surely, she managed to push herself into a seated position. Just sitting the way she was made her feel extremely dizzy. Still, she had to return to the others. She had to let them know that she was okay.

As Yuri got to her feet, she was barely able to stand still without swaying. When she went to walk, she just lost her footing and was about to fall until something stopped her and lifted her off the ground. This..seems so odd.. Why do I feel like I've been through this before? When she looks up, she was able to see who had caught her and who the male voice was that she heard. "C..Captain.." Of course, he wasn't a captain anymore but it just felt right to say it. She would have to explain what had happened. He must be steaming if he had to come looking for her instead of Ronin. "I..got to tell you what happened.."

[Ryouji Onigata]

Glancing down at Yuri, she looked like at any moment she could just lose her lunch. It wouldn't be a good thing, especially since she was leaning against him. She looked so pale, it was almost to hard to look at her, but considering what she had gone through, her being sick and losing her balance was the least of his worries. When she said that she had to explain what happened. He felt he already knew enough to want to kill a certain someone but wouldn't because of how important he was to her.

"If its about Ronin handing you over to that soon to be dead Shinigami...then you have nothing to explain to me. I would much rather you relax for a moment and gather yourself before we head back."

What in the hell was that boy thinking when he made her go with that Rogue Shinigami. Sighing, Ryouji rubbed the back of his head. He wasn't sure what he should make of this situation, if only he wasn't so stubborn and quick to prove himself none of this crap would be happening now. Its not like it mattered anymore, the important thing was that Yuri was back where she belonged at least for the moment. Ryouji sniffed and noticed that Yuri wreaked of hollows and blood. He tilted his head to the side wondering why that was. Even if her hollow had gotten a hold of her, she shouldn't smell the way she does now. It would probably be best not to say anything to her about it. Ryouji Picked her up so she wouldn't have to move on her own in case she would collapse again.

"Have you anything to add on to what Shi has already explained to me. Ronin handed you over to the Rogue Shinigami? What else happened. Why do you look so sickly and why do you smell of hollows and blood?"

Ryouji jumped into the air and began heading back to the Candy Store, he had to move slowly or causing Yuri to feel even more sick than she looks.