The Storm pt. 1

[Yu'Karaya]

"H-hai" Lucia replied, trying to maintain her composure. She had spoken out of line, she deserved both responses of Grimmjow-sama and Halibel-sama. Lucia stepped back as Halibel turned to face her opponent again. Instead of tying to fight their battles for them, Lucia would just stand aside and wait to be called upon for assistance. It pained her to no be of imediate use to those whom she serves. But it pained her even more for those that she serve to dismiss her actions as annoyances and mistakes. Halibel had said that she didn't expect respect when she hadn't earned it, but she had earned Lucia unconditional respect as a servant of the Espada, and her admiration as her first friend. But the truth was that Lucia still wasn't strong enough to be of use to Halibel or Grimmjow.

Lucia stepped back a good ways from the battle and sat on the top of a brick apartment building. She was a little hurt, and even more angry at herself for speaking out of line. She watched silently as the battles raged between the Shinigami and the Espada.

[Arja]

Arja watched her superior rocket toward Ichigo. She’d seen enough scuffles between the two to know it was going to be entertaining. A pout momentarily sat upon her lips as she wished she had’ve brought popcorn with her. This could go on for a while.

Out of the corner of her eye, Arja noticed Lucia sulking off in the corner. Looping a strand of hair around her left horn, she knew she was going to have to do it. With a sigh, Usuzumiiro used a single sonido jump to catch up with her comrade.

“Lucia, I need you to do something for me.” Her reptilian eyes glanced to the woman beside her before returning their attention to Grimmjow. He wouldn’t need her help, but she was ready to jump into action. Her voice was calm and friendly. She liked the girl and had a hunch she needed a shoulder to lean on if only for a moment. “I need you to remember what I’m going to tell you. I realize that your feelings are down in the shit at the moment. Don’t let Grimmjow-sama or Halibel-sama get you so worked up. We all have crappy days and shit happens.”

Arja turned to look Lucia square in the eye. “You’re a member of the Primera’s Fraccion for a reason. If he didn’t feel you were worthy, you’d be dead already. We both know he gets when there’s a chance for him to fight.” Pointing to her own face that still had the outline of a hand print, she laughed, “A perfect example! So chill a bit.” Focusing on the battle below, her tone returned to a serious one. “To the outside observer however, it appears that you’re vying for a spot with Halibel-sama’s Fraccion. If I see it, Grimmjow surely does. I suggest you tread lightly and make your decision quickly.”

Folding her arms across her chest, the horned Arrancar rocked back and forth on her heels. The events on the ground were starting to get interesting.

"Getsuga Tensho!"

A bored expression crossed the Primera’s face at the all-too-familiar command. “Tch.” Grimmjow spit. Hadn’t Kurosaki learned by now that the attack did shit to him? Sure the kid got lucky and left him with a scar stretched from his chest to stomach. Minor detail. Countering the blast with a Cero, Grimmjow leapt towards the Shinigami. His blue eyes were wild with excitement as the sadistic grin returned to his lips as his fist had connected with Ichigo’s stomach.

“Is that all you’ve got, Shinigami!?” He chided the kid. “I thought your Bankai was better than this.”