Healing Up (Open to One)

Her whole fucking body hurt and as the bandaged 4th Seat looked over the field of her defeat, she wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it all. She’d been humbled by the Captain, defeated so easily that she’d barely made any mark on her superior at all. It was both disgusting and embarrassing for the blue haired beast but at the same time, she felt rather invigorated as well. Her weaknesses had been laid out in front of her, so clearly that even she’d been forced to acknowledge them. There was so much more to learn, to discover and while there had been many instances where she’d considered leaving the Gotei due to her lack of desire to conform, she had to admit that there was more for her to gain as a member for the time being. She’d joined for power and until she’d managed to master her own, there was unlikely to be a better place for her to train.

There was another reason for her staying and that was the promise that she’d made the Captain at the end of the contest between them. Armina had vowed to face her again, once she’d reached her peak and that was quite the motivation for the six foot savage. Respect was something that she simply didn’t feel for those around her and while she doubted that her pitiful display made much of an impression on Captain Nagoshi, Armina had come to respect the fighting prowess of her superior. More than that, she felt a similar rumbling, that desire to take life without a moment's hesitation. That killing instinct was so lacking among the Gotei and to finally find it among the organisation was somewhat of a relief. Captains had come and gone during her time and none of them seemed to have the intent of the current 4th squad Captain. It was enough for Armina to remain.

For once, she wasn’t in the training grounds to practise her own skills and was simply drinking from a flask that she carried with her. Strong spirits that could probably knock out a weak stomached peon but Armina wasn’t in the mood for anything less and after the beating she’d taken, she felt that some booze was in order.

“The girl who healed you said that you shouldn’t be drinking so soon.” The voice of her Zanpakuto uttered in her mind, teasing as always.

“That’s rich coming from you. You’d never listen to a Healer if your life depended on it.” Armina growled.

“I wouldn’t get hurt in the first place.” Her sword snapped back.

“I’ll hurt you in a minute...” The six footer warned in return.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time. Maybe once you’ve healed I’ll consider it.” The voice chuckled darkly before disappearing.

“Bitch.” Armina grumpily hissed.

To be snapped out of her inner musings quite so suddenly was a surprise and Armina’s head snapped around rather quickly, with a gaze that could melt lead. She didn’t recognise him but that was hardly a surprise, given the fact that the 4th Seat rarely spent any time with her squadmates, outside her small group and most of the rank and file had quite the grudge with her anyway after she’d frozen them solid during her spar with the Captain. Not a great way to form bonds but she couldn’t have given less of a shit about that. Captain Nagoshi had offered some pearls of insight but not one of them was regarding getting closer to her squadmates. Just the opposite in fact.

On any other day, she wouldhave told the man to fuck off and leave her alone but today was one of reflection. More than that, Armina simply lacked the strength to get into another confrontation so soon. The acid that she had been struck with had been brutal and even after healing, she could still feel its sting. So, instead of biting his hand off, she’d fumble around for a second cup, before handing it to him, followed by her flask. “Help yourself.” She answered simply, looking irritated that she’d been interrupted but nothing more than that for now.

Taking the flask back, Armina would pour out another cup for herself and knock it back without any real thought, the fiery liquor somewhat easing the pain of her wounds. How long had it been since she’d last been defeated so easily? The answer was rather simple. Never. Defeat wasn’t something that she’d experienced in her pre Gotei days, when she’d simply slaughtered all those who’d stood in her way. Sex, violence and blood had been her life back then, with there still being moments now when the 4th Seat wished she could return to those days. Life in the Gotei simply couldn’t compare to the freedom that the Rukongai had granted her. Yet, her craving for power had led her to the squads and like it or not, she was stronger for joining.

Sensing that the male was still close by, she’d gaze at him once again, as though her blue orbs were trying to pierce through him. Now that she had a better look at him, the 4th Seat still couldn’t recognise him although that was as much because Armina never looked at a guy twice. A woman? Well, that was different.

Still, he seemed cordial enough and eventually she broke the silence, her tone rather grumpy still but not overly hostile. “I take it you’re in the 4th as well?” She mused it was probably the case but hotheaded Shinigami from other divisions were known to sometimes come, looking for a challenge.

“Armina Willsaam, 4th Seat.” The six footer replied in kind, feeling hospitable enough to at least reveal that much. She noticed his glancing towards her rather battered form and mused to herself that his assumption made sense. There wasn’t a day that went by where at least one of the squad were getting their asses handed to them although Armina had honestly not expected to have ever been in that position herself. Still, it’d given her that push she needed and her training once she’d recovered would be ten times as hard. There was nothing else for it at this stage. In order to progress further, she’d have to go beyond her limits.

She pondered whether to explain the reason behind her condition to him or not but given the looks he gave her, Armina figured that it’d probably come up anyway in the end. “The Captain’s work. I requested a spar against her and this is the result. Never been defeated so quickly in my life.” Her tone made it clear that she wasn’t exactly happy about it but there was respect there too for her, their superior. She had served under many in her time in the 4th but Captain Nagoshi was something else. An aura of death was what she had, something that Armina would be lying if she said that she didn’t crave too.

“Mmm.” The six footer replied, uncertain as to whether she should say likewise or not. He seemed alright compared to most of the scum in the Division but Armina had never been fond of men and there was still some suspicion on her part. A fight was, for once, not what she was after though and so she refrained from being overly rude. Her mind kept drifting back to her fight with the Captain, every strike, every parry and every painful wound that had scarred her body. That bloody acid was foul and Armina knew that next time, she’d have to be fucking ready for it, otherwise she’d be in serious trouble. Captain Nagoshi was hard to read but the woman had at least offered her a rematch in the future which the 4th Seat considered to be a compliment or as close as she would get from the Captain.

“I hit her with all I had and turned this training ground into an ice rink but all I did to her was freeze her damn feet.” She recalled with an unhappy sight, disappointed in herself for just how little she had accomplished. Yes, there was obviously going to be a difference between herself and her superior but to find out by just how much had been startling. “Her acid went straight through my Bankai’s armour like a knife through butter. Embarrassing doesn’t begin to describe it.” Saying such things pissed her off somewhat but it was the truth and there was nothing she could do about it. All she could do was train hard enough that it didn’t happen again.

To hear that he’d been on the receiving end of the Captain’s wrath wasn’t that surprising to the 4th Seat and she mused. “I’m not at all surprised. I doubt that anyone comes out of battle unscathed against her. It's an inspiring thought to have a Captain who is so ruthless though and I certainly plan on scoring a strike or two on her the next time I fight her.”

In answer to his question, she’d cock an eyebrow and reply. “A few days I imagine. I’d quite happily return to training now but the 2nd Division were rather insistent.”