Gods Bound by Rules (Orihime and Rukia)

The former Tres Espada detected unfamiliar faces everywhere. Was that surprising? She had only seen three of this town's inhabitants and it was just briefly. How was she supposed to find them? She knew that they were young at the very least. One of them wore glasses, one had bright orange hair and the other was very tall and muscular. Tia Harribel thought that these three were probably at Karakura High School now and didn't bother to find them. She had better things to do. Like evading Soul Society. As she assisted Aizen in the Winter War, she would eventually be punished in some sort of way. Hiding from them was easier said than done, as it wouldn't be wise to return to Hueco Mundo either. There the Espada would just wait to set thier clutches into her. That was the negative side of being a traitor that had participated in a war between two of the most populated species. You were welcome nowhere.

Tia was now sitting on top of a roof at one of the buildings in Karakura Town, watching people walk by. And no one could see her... That was an assumation at least. Sometimes, she wondered if some shinigami were observing her. It was a pervertous thought, but realistic as well. It wouldn't be odd if she was observed by a potential enemy. Her reiatsu wasn't low, so she concluded that it wouldn't take much time before she was detected by the shinigami. Even how old-fashioned they looked like, these Death Gods were almost technologically superior to the arrancars. But why should she care about that? She had severed almost every bond there was with Las Noches, leaving it while the new Espada was still young.
There was one thing Harribel couldn't bring herself into leaving, though. That was Fraccion. Apacci. Sung-Sun. Mila Rose. They had been sticking together since their days as Hollows, until before that bastard took over Hueco Mundo. She had never got over his betrayal and probably never would either. But now... She should focus on something else than him. She should focus on finding the former substitute shinigami; Ichigo Kurosaki.

Orihime had finished school for another day and was on her way home when suddenly a strange feeling hit her, there was something nearby….but what? A hollow? Should she go get help? Should she go get Ichigo? She stopped herself mid thought as she realised that Ichigo couldn’t have helped her even if he was there, not at the moment anyway. It was a surreal feeling, Ichigo had always been the strong one…the one that she knew she could rely on to fight. No, now it was her turn to do the fighting. It was her turn to protect him and the others, she could do it, she would do it. She would prove to him that she was more than a weak girl, more than someone that needed to be protected. She would show everyone, perhaps it was jealously over Rukia’s latest visit that had her feeling this determined…but was it truly a bad thing?

She followed the strange feeling until it became stronger, she was close now…very close. But she couldn’t see anything, there was no hollow in sight and there didn’t seem to be any destruction that normally was left behind by one. A puzzled look came across her face as she walked slowly looking carefully for what it was that was emitting this pressure. Was the hollow hiding? No, hollows didn’t have the brains to add 2+2 let alone hide. She was beginning to think she was losing her mind as she wandered the same street again, where and what was this feeling coming from?

Running the streets, hunting for hollows..it was weird doing it alone, usually Ichigo would be by her side...but he was no longer a shinigami, he was an ordinary high school student, who was trying to enjoy life..as best as he could. She had been send to Karakura town for a months, to act as a temporary new guardian. Since she had been promoted to lieautnant of the fifth division, it seemed weird to send her on a mission even unseated shinigami could do..but since some of the hollows appearing was arrancars, a strong shinigami was needed. It had not been a surprise when she eagerly accepted the mission. Since Byakuya`s disappearance, along with most high seated officers a few months back, she had been missing her friends in the human world. Since she was staying over at Uruhara`s shop, she had, had good chances of meeting them, but the patrols had taken much of her time. She had visited Ichigo`s home the day before, having found the reunion very successful.

She was currently running through the streets, the people around her of cause not noticing her. Despite only a few months having gone by, her apperance had changed slightly. Her body had gotten more slender, her chest grown noticeable, and her hair now reached down to her waist. For clothing, she was wearing the standard shinigami uniform, the vice captain armband of the fifth division being tied around her left arm. her hair was pulled into a low ponytail, her bangs having been left loose to frame her face. Byakuya`s scarf was tied around her neck in the same style he always wore it. A silver kuchiki headpiece was tied around her left section of bangs. She haden`t grown taller for some reason, maybe she just wasen`t meant to grow taller. Her zanpaktou was located at her right hip, its red-brown gauntlet looking a little worn since it had been used a lot lately. Rukia was on the hunt for a hollow that had been on the run for two years, its ability to masking its reaitsu and shape shifting making it hard to find. It had been eating souls within the same area for two months now, so it was a good chance of catching it.

Feeling the reaitsu of a hollow, she jumped onto one of the light poles that was on the sidewalk, looking around. The reaitsu was different from a regular hollow, and much more powerful, so it was most likely a arrancar.She was about to head towards it, but a familiar reaitsu made her stop. Looking down, she immediately recognized the long orange hair. "Inoue!", she yelled in a rather loud voice, a smile coming over her face. She jumped down from the pole, begging to walk towards her. She noticed the girl had a troubled look to her beautiful face, but she figured it could wait a little. There was no one around them, at least no on the street, so it would`t look odd for Orihime to to talk.

The familar feeling of higher than average reiatsu had just been detected by the Former Tres Espada. It didn't feel like the one of a shinigami, but it wasn't fully human either... Could it be... One of Kurosaki's friends? There weren't many humans with such reiatsu so the chances that she just had run into one of them, were quite high.
As her interest rose, another reiatsu was detected, coming closer to the human. This reiatsu did without doubt belong to a shinigami. Not one on her level, though. She didn't want to hurt the shinigami, as she wanted to proof to the Soul Society that she was no threat. Tia Harribel saw herself as an ally of the Soul Society. An ally with valuable information.

With the help of her two arms, she pushed herself up from her sitting position. She wanted to be discreet, but Tia was almost sure that she hadn't hidden her reiatsu well enough to hide herself. It was only a matter of time before either one or both, found her. Perhaps it would be better if I found them first? The Former Tres thought. She didn't intend to pounce on them, kill the shinigami and take the human hostage. If so, people would believe that her intentions weren't good. And she didn't want to be remembered as "The Desperate Arrancar which killed a shinigami and was executed by a heap of captains". Besides, killing in cold blood had never been Harribel's strongest side. Except when someone invoked her cold-blooded fury...
She started to walk towards where she sensed the reiatsu before she disappeared with a booming sound following. Tia reappeared several houses away, now casting a shadow at the human from where she stood, the house closest to the street.
She raised an eyebrow as she looked at the person standing under her. This wasn't one of the boys she had seen on the monitor during the meeting. Could it be... That fourth comrade? Orihime Inoue?
But before Tia could ask her anything, another girl came closer to the human. It was the shinigami! She crossed her arms and eyed the two of them, waiting for a response.

Orihime was seriously beginning to doubt her senses as she could not find the source of the feeling, perhaps she just couldn't see it? No that was unlikely she would have been attacked by it by now. She turned her attention to the right as she felt another pressure coming towards her, but this one she recognised...this one was Rukia. Had Rukia sensed the same thing that she had? Was she hunting it? It didn’t matter Orihime would find this thing, whatever it was. She could deal with it, she would deal with it. Her thoughts were strong and determined but deep inside she could hear the doubt picking away at her resolve. Saying that she should run away, that she should just step back and let Rukia handle it….she had let everyone else do it before. No, not this time. Clenching her fists in her determination Orihime started to walk once more, with new found determination coursing through her veins Orihime WAS going to do this.

She was ignoring the familiar presence of Rukia and focusing upon the strange one, in doing so she didn’t notice that she was heading closer and closer towards Rukia. Her attention was grabbed by a voice that called her name, jumping to face the person with adrenaline running through her veins. Orihime’s body relaxed slightly as she saw the familiar face. Rukia had changed over the time that she had been gone, she seemed to have filled out and gotten a slightly more adult figure. But most noticeable was her longer hair, it had grown quite a bit since the last time Orihime had seen her. After quickly looking around to make sure no one was around Orihime spoke. “Oh, Rukia. What are you doing here?” Yes Orihime may have known the answer but she was at a loss as what to say otherwise, she knew she maybe should have said hello and how nice it was to see her again but at the moment perhaps it was not the time for such things…not with the strange presence still lingering. She was rather distracted by the whole situation.

"On buinesses for soul soceity..", she said out loud, having for a moment forgotten she was on a mission, and not just here to catch up with Ichigo and the others. Rukia spend a moment taking in Orihime´s apperance, she haden`t changed much on a few months, but then again she was human, it wasen`t like they underwend complete changes on such a short amount of time. Since Inoue didn`t seem surprised to see her, either Uruhara or Ichigo had told that she had come here. Rukia was pleased to see Inoue again, she would eventually had run into her at the shop at some point, but seeing her outside the shop was somewhat more relaxing. A gust of wind blew up around them, causing her long scarf and their long hair to blow around for a moment. Rukia followed the movemoment of Inoue`s hair for a moment, being lost in thought. As her gaze briefly dropped to the ground, she saw the shadow that was being cast.

As she lifted her gaze, she laid eyes on Tia, finding the source of the strange hollow reaitsu. From what she could see, she wasen`t gonna attack, and she wasen`t carring any weapons. Of cause Rukia didn`t know who Tia was, or even that she was a former espada, she had never seen or spoken to the woman. Insteed of drawing her sword, she simply looked back at Inoue, her face seeming seriouse, her eyes being soft through. "Is she one of your friends?"

The arrancar stared at the two standing under her. Their lack or reaction amazed her. But what could she expect? They didn't know that she was a former Espada, after all. As a wind passed by, Harribel's hakama and messy hair blew around and her bangs briefly covered her green unenthusiastic eyes. She was asking if she was a friend of the human? You are asking me if I am a friend of this human, shinigami? Her voice didn't have a threatening tone, it was as calm and collected as ever. She offered the female shinigami a gaze. The death god looked quite young, perhaps as old as the human? She was much shorter though, perhaps reaching the other girl's chest. This girl can't consider me a friend. We have never met before. I do, however, mean no harm.
Tia shifted her glance to the human again. Orihime Inoue, I assume? The confirmative question was necessasy in this case. Tia could call refer herself as an "ally" of someone she didn't know.

(Sorry for the short post...)

"As long as you mean no harm, i don`t consider you a threat..", Rukia responded in a unsual relaxed voice, her eyes remainning soft. Despite her relaxed stance and soft face, her left hand was only a few inches away from her zanpaktou handle...as a shinigami, you could never lower your guard. Rukia began to think. if this blond haired woman with a strange reaitsu knew of orihime, it probably meant a certain store owner had a finger involved. Rukia stepped up on Orihime`s side, her small size of 4.8 becomming clear. "I am Kuchiki Rukia...". The fact that she didn`t mention her rank, either meant she didn`t saw it important, or didn`t see Tia as anything harmful.

"You know a man named Uruhara Kisuke? If you are his ally, you are our ally". She would have asked if the woman knew Ichigo, but since ichigo had seemed so surprised when they got reunited a few days ago and he haden`t asked her about any blond woman, she figured he haden`t meet her. A wind rushed over them, rustling the long white so it whirled around her for a moment. Rukia held a hand onto the scarf, preventing it from blowing up into her face. The scarf seemed to long for her to wear, and it could get in the way during a fight, so it was weird she was wearing it. People who didn`t know byakuya, or what had happen to him, would`t understand.

How I learned your name and identity is not confidential, Inoue Orihime. The tone of Tia Harribel's voice was cold and calm, almost like she didn't care at all. She hoped that Orihime wouldn't ask any more questions, but suspected that the auburn-haired girl wanted more information. Mainly about who she was, where were she from and so on. Tia did not think that such information was necessary yet. Sooner or later, though, she would have to reveal her identity and past to her allies. When a certain group of elite arrancars would arrive... Such things couldn't be predicted, though. Tia would have time to gain time. If it was much or little could no one tell.

Her thoughts were interrtuped when she noticed that the shinigami took a step forewards, introducing herself. Kuchiki Rukia... Wouldn't that mean... Is that girl the former container of the Hogyoku? Tia remembered something Aizen mentioned in a speech to the Espada about this Kuchiki Rukia. It could wait, though.
Tia lowered her eyebrows as Rukia asked her if she was loyal to him. Urahara? She had tried to locate him in a while now, without any appearent success. Before she could speak, another wind blew by and caused her left eye to be blocked by her bangs. How strange... I never knew that winds blew so often in this town she thought as she tried to catch the shinigami's gaze. I am afraid I haven't met Urahara in person yet. I have been trying to locate him for a while now, but to avail it seems. If you could bring me to him, it would be great help for me. She had noticed that the Shinigami had been handle of her Zanpakuto earlier, but didn't offer it much of a thought.

Rukia observed the two in silence, letting inoue lead the word. She noticed that the very tips of the scarf was bothering Inoue, but due to the brief surprised look on her face, she had realised who`s scarf it was..or rather, whom it had belonged to. Rukia took a firm hold of the scarf, pushing the ends behind her back, so they hung down her back, reaching her ankles. Moments after Inoue had asked the blond woman why she wanted to see Uruhara, her "phone" began to beep. Oppening it, she saw two hollow signals closing in from a distance, the woman`s leaking reaitsu was probably attracting them. She closed the phone, looking at the two other female`s with a serious exspression, her soft eyes having turned hard. Even through the woman`s reaitsu was strange, she did have a fair amount of it, the question was if she knew how to use it or not. Inoue knew how to fight and defend herself, but it would be acting out of duty, if she let her fight alone. She would wait to take any action until the dark tanned woman responded.

Tia remained silent for a while, watching Rukia's scarf as it moved in the wind. They were still suspicious towards her, but that was no surprise. They had just recently met, she had a hollow-like reiatsu. What could be expected? She would have acted similar towards the two of them, in a more silent manner of course.
The Former Espada noticed that the wind was getting stronger, a storm was possibly brewing. No good sign... Not at all. She tightened the muscles in her crossed arms, forcing them closer to the underside of her breasts. The felt a slight cold creep under her thin clothes, but it wasn't noticeable. Tia had been outside since she had arrived in Karakura, two weeks ago.

Tia took the step over the edge of roof, starting to slowly fall down towards the girls. Thanks to the reishi-rich area, her fall was slowed down heavily. Her messy hair almost danced around her head and her braids moved wildly as the air resistance met her. Her right foot hit the ground first, making a weak tap sound. Her left foot soon followed with the same sound. Her haid stopped the wild movement around her head and her braids soon landed where they were usually were; one hanging over her right shoulder and two other hanging on her back, almost reaching the sheath of her Zanpakuto. As she stood close to the girls, the difference in their height became clear. Tia were several feet taller than the tallest of them. Why I am looking for Urahara? Tia responded when the auburn-haired girl asked her about her business with him. My reasons are secret for now. Her tone was cold, almost intimidating. I would like to meet someone else before you lead me to Urahara... Her voice was left hanging in the air as she turned her back to the girls.

Inoue`s sudden outburst caused Rukia to look at her with a raised eyebrow, oddly enough, it didn`t surprise her that she bursted out like that. When Tia said that she wanted to see someone else first, Rukia had also thought of ichigo. "Inoue, calm down please..", she spoke in a soft, yet somewhat forceful tone, placing a hand onto her taller friend`s shoulder. having made sure that Inoue had calmed down, she turned towards the tall woman, removing her hand from Inoue`s shoulder. "I noticed your carring a zanpaktou, but i don`t reconize you, and your reaitsu is diffrent from a shinigami..it has traces of hollow in it".. Rukia, who`s face remained calm and collected, narrowed her eyes at the woman, before letting her face soften up. "ichigo is no longer a shinigami...he is a high school student who is enjoying his life, which he more than anyone, deserves to. I respect that you won`t tell us your name or race, but Ichigo`s life as a shinigami is over, it would be rude to talk with him about things he isen`t invovled with anymore".

A wind blew accros them again, this time catching Rukia`s scarf and hair. Despite her small size, she was quite imposing. "..I`m Kuchiki Rukia, vice captain of the fifth division. How about you? You can at least provide us with your name". Her face remained soft, yet the tone of her speaking was almost to gentle.

Tia Harribel's face remained unfazed as the auburn-haired girl lashed out against her. What did she think of her? Did she suspect that she was going harm the one she wanted to visit? Ridiculous. But what could she expect from a human? And as Tia hadn't mentioned her intentions, it could easily be assumed that they weren't good. She couldn't say that they were good, but they were better than doing nothing...
She slowly turner her head to the left, as the shinigami started to speak. It seemed that she took it better than the girl, at least.
The former "Tres" Espada turned around to face the two female as the Shinigami started to speak about her Zanpakuto... Then suddenly change the the subject to Ichigo Kurosaki. She already knew about his fate. "In a situation like this, we can't simply care about politeness, Rukia Kuchiki. His life as a shinigami may be over, yes, but I believe his powers are needed in a situation like this." The tone was almost concerned, but still cool. Her green eyes met the Shinigami's. "Every single being in Karakura will be involved in this. It's up to the Soul Society if they are in it too. But I won't inform them about anything before my position is secured." she turned her back to the girls again, signifying that she was finished speaking.

Tia felt another wind hitting the area, causing her bangs to block her sight. Again. It was definetly a storm brewing. She noticed that the Shinigami introduced herself. So I was right... This girl is Kuchiki Rukia. she thought and heard that the girl wanted to know her name. Tia glanced at the girls over her shoulder. "Harribel. Tia Harribel."

Once again she put her hand onto Inoue`s shoulder, tugging it slightly, giving a friendly smile to her long haired friend. "Inoue...calm down". Her words was spoken softly, and not meant in a commanding way. Rukia knew that Inoue always was protective when it was about Ichigo, which wasen`t a bad thing, but sometimes she could overreact, just a little. Rukia then turned towards the tall blond woman, looking up at her with a almost judging gaze. "He does not have any powers left...he has tiny bits of reaitsu surrounding him, but thats all. Its only normal that very little would remain, considering how high his reaitsu had reached when..". Rukia bit herself in her tongue, knowing her last words probably would`t concern the woman, and the mentioning of Aizen`s name would probably make Inoue uneasy. "I made him a shinigami and drew him into the life as one...he has fought for soul society, his friends, and for Karakura for a long time..now that his powers are gone, he deserves a normal life".

She let the words sink in, before she began speaking against. "Every buieness you have with Ichigo concerns me..", she looked over her shoulder at Inoue, before looking back at Tia. "And Inoue". The roaring of the hollows could be heard in the distance, and Rukia placed a hand onto her zanpaktou hilt, looking around for a moment. "Now, Tia..since you probably can hear these roars, it means we don`t have a lot of time left to talk. Please answer Inoue`s question, what do you want with Ichigo"

((I am really sorry about such a late post. School has consumed most of my sparetime, plus I have been terribly ill...))

Tia briefly looked at Orihime, before looking away. Poor girl... She damands so many answers. I can't give her all of them. Not yet... Not when Soul Society's eyes and ears stand next to her. she thought and shook her head slowly. This was going to be long long night... Hopefully, the others wouldn't show up. She did need some time to explain the situation to Orihime and maybe someone else, but not Soul Society. Not yet at least. Let's just hope this girl knows how to keep a secret... For her own good. Though the thought of using violence in order to silence this girl was rather unsettling, it was necessary to do so if her mouth started running.
Tia's gaze tried to catch Rukia's as shinigami spoke. It was almost relieving to know that Rukia considered Aizen's name to be taboo. After all, Tia doubted that she could contain her cold facade if his name had been mentioned.
Rukia Kuchiki. Do not expect me to listen to any of your arguements. Her cold, calculating voice had a threatening undertone.

Harribel didn't even flinch when she heard the hollow's roar. When one had lived decades, perhaps even centuries in Hueco Mundo, listening to the noise of the hollows would be considered a routine. Why I want Ichigo? There's so many reasons why I want to meet him... I mainly want to meet him in order to see how much his reiatsu he has lost. That would tell me how much his soul needs to be trained in order to restore his powers. She took a short break in order to get the girls' reactions and then continued. What's happening? Well... That is complicated. I am unsure if I can reveal it right now. We have just met. But... I have to say it to someone, before it is too late. I know I can't trust you, Rukia Kuchiki. Tia took another break in order to look at the Shinigami. Yet, I feel like I can trust you more than other shinigami. I am well informed about your past with Ichigo Kurosaki and thus, your direct loyality would be somewhere between Urahara and Soul Society. I can't be concrete, as you have been promoted since last time you were in Karakura... Tia closed her eyes. She had to tell it now. There were no turning back. The Espada is back. Their strenght greater than last time. The danger is grave... And it is no good saying who their leader is. She opened her eyes and gave Rukia a strict glare. Please do not ask me about the source of this information. That is confidential. Also, please refrain from telling Soul Society about this. If you do... I will find you. Her reiatsu rose to a dangerous level, letting the threat float in the air. The reiatsu made dust dance around her, before she lowered it to a less detectable level. Why I need Ichigo? Why do we need Ichigo? If that isn't obvious by now... She tightened her grip around arms. Also, you will be able to see some familiar faces among the Espada... Harribel was pretty sure that the human did know Ulquiorra. He had brought her to Las Noches and taken care of her. The question was; How well did they know each other?

"The espada!?". Rukia`s widen eyes and sudden fast breathing, confirmed that the news shocked her. She turned her head to Inoue, finding the girl`s determined words quite imposing. The presence of the woman`s briefly released reaitsu confirmed Rukia`s surspisions. Tia`s amount of reaitsu could compare to the espada, a high ranking espada in fact. Since she was wearing civilian clothes, and haden`t killed them yet, she was most likely one of the former espada. The only espada Rukia had meet, and actually defeated, was the ninth whom had taken the form of Shiba Kaien. Rukia let her gaze fall down to her feet, spending a few moments in silence to think over Tia´s words. Finally speaking, she reached up to her left arm, grabbing the vice captain band firmly, without taking it off.

"Its fully understandable that you don`t trust me...after all, i am a shinigami and your a hollow". She was speaking in a soft tone, indicating she wasen`t angry over the mistrust Tia showed her. "The only reason why i became a vice captain, was because that was what Nii-sama would have told me to do..and because i wanted to do something so i would`t miss my human friends so much..". Even through Rukia had let out the dissaperance of most captains and vice captains, her words were mostly true. "I am currently living at Ichigo`s place..he does not wish to regain his powers from what he told me. It is true that his powers, in the final battle, was stronger than any shinigami or hollow could ever dream off..it is true that he defeated many strong arrancars. But the fact is that..". Rukia lifted her head, looking Tia directly up into the eyes. "Kurosaki Ichigo is a normal human now, when his powers dissapeared, so did his role in battle". A wind stirred up again, catching both her hair and scarf this time.

"Like Inoue...i want to protect that orange haired idiot...". The words were spoken with a brief smirk, indicating she meant every word of it. She placed her hand onto Inoue`s shoulder, looking up at Tia again. "Instead of Ichigo..take us. Inoue dosen`t have as much Reaitsu or power like i do, and she cannot use Kidou, and she hates fighting in general..but her abilities would scare off most enemies, and her willpower and feelings is stronger than anyone ive ever meet" . Rukia smiled softly again, this time letting it stay on her lips. "She`s not gonna accept a no, and neither will i". It seemed like Rukia was done, but she added a last thing. "And Don`t worry about the information getting leaked to soul society..they are to busy to even contact"

Tia slowly closed her eyes as Orihime started to yell about taking her two training instead of Ichigo. As she calmed down, Tia started to speak. "Inoue. As Kuchiki stated earlier, there is no hollow or shinigami that matches the level Kurosaki was on during his final battle." The Former Arrancar Tercera consciously avoided the use of Sousuke Aizen's name. "Life isn't fair, Inoue. There's nothing we can do with that. I can train you, but not in the same manner as Ichigo. You're growth development isn't like his abnormal one. He can go from human to shinigami faster than you can develop your powers. I have been a witness of that myself..." She opened her eyes as she let the mysterious statement sink in. She turned her back to the females, again. It was an old habit she had got from the time she lead her Fraccion through the desert of Hueco Mundo during their Hollow-days. She didn't see it as a turn their back to them, but rather leading them towards something new or showing them something without saying anything... But how she gained that habit was another story.
It was barely noticeable, but Tia flinched when Rukia told her that she was a Hollow. "I am not a Hollow. Hollows are beings of instict. They lack reason. I have a logical mind. I do also have reason." Tia informed the lieutenant from lieutenant. If she were a hollow could be discussed, but this was at least her point of view.

"I believe that neither of you want Ichigo dead. He'll will eventually perish if I don't train him. Just watch." saying such things was very melodramatic and somewhat harsh, but it was the truth. After all, the it looked like the Espada preferred to have Ichigo dead and buried than to face the threat he would become. "Also, do not ask me about what I used to be." While she had spoken, she had turned her head to left in order to glance at the girls. "I can show you instead." Tia turned fully around towards the girls. Her green eyes stared intense at the hand Rukia held on the Inoue's shoulder. Then, her right hand rose and grabbed something below her breasts. The hand moved upwards, while the denim-jacket started to part itself, revealing bone-like remains around the underside of her breasts. The Former Espada briefly stopped, almost like she was hesitating.
"Do not be fear what you are going to see now." Now she since she had warned them, she could continue. As the jacket split more, a small space with skin was shown, revealing her cleavage. But if they were looking, they would see more than her cleavage. On the left side of her right breast, the number "3" was tattooed. However, the middle was striked over, signifying some sort of defection. The hand continued upwards, unzipping the entire jacket. The hollow-mask remains on her chest-area was now visible, but as she wore a scarf in front of her mouth the most frightening part was hidden from sight.

"Former Tres Espada Tia Harribel, formerly the third most powerful warrior of Sousuke Aizen's Arrancar Army and Hueco Mundo's only source of water." Damn... It is hard to get this introduction away from my mind. At least I didn't forget the fact that I am formerly, not currently. she thought as she had finished her introduction. She wanted to close the jacket again. Showing her former loyality and hollow-remains was almost embarassing, but for some reason she let it open.
"May we continue this conversation another place? There is a storm brewing and this girl," she nodded towards Orihime. "will risk catching a cold and die." This request was not just made due to her relatively kind heart for an arrancar, but also because Orihime was a valuable ally. Losing her would a terrible blow, but Tia doubted that she would die. She just wanted to go to a more private place, where others couldn't eavesdrop.

As the woman revealed her rank, or rather her former rank, and stated her name again, Rukia simply briefly raised an eyebrow. "I would not fear you...if you had come here to kill Inoue, you would have done so already, taking me down as well". Tia then said that a storm was coming up, and that they should take shelter so Orihime would`t get sick. Rukia looked to Orihime, who offered they could stay at her apartment. Looking up at the sky for a moment, she noticed that the sky had darken. The winds had also gotten more violent, which explained why their clothes, their hair and her scarf was blowing around them like madly. A hollow roar caused her to look to the left, they were getting closer to their location. Looking towards Tia, she made a small nod. "Lets go then..please follow me". Rukia slided her arm around Orihime`s waist, looking up at her with an apologizing look. "I`ll carry you, it will be faster...please bear with it for a few moments, Inoue". Her face grew serious and she looked forward. She took a single step forward and began to use shunpo, heading towards her apartment. Despite Rukia being shorter than Orihime, she could easily carry her because of being a shinigami..and the fact that Orihime weren`t so heavy helped a lot.

After around 2 minutes using shunpo, they appeared in front of Orihime`s apartment. Rukia let go of the orange haired girl, using a moment to catch her breath. She weren`t used to carry others when using shunpo. Standing up fully again, she looked to the woman, as to see if she was with.

(I`m sorry for god-moodding a bit with the traveling part, but i figured it weren`t the most exciting thing to post about. If you want me to edit, i can..also sorry its short)

Tia thought that she should really tell them that she weren't alone in Karakura, but this was not the best time of doing so. But she thought that she should check her Fraccion, as they could have bitten the heads of each other while she was gone. The three of them didn't get along, at least not when Apacci was around. She had always been the troublemaker of the three. Things had been calmer when it was only those three of them in the desert of Hueco Mundo. Then, she had spotted Apacci being hunted by that male hollow...
"Your apartment? Very well. I will simply trace your reiatsu, I have a certain errand to run before we meet up again." Tia said softly, before disapparing with Sonido.
She reappered several districts away, in a dead-end street. It looked relatively clean, no trash was flowing over. Tia thought that it wasn't odd that humans didn't enter this street, as it looked like someone occasionally cleaned it... Before she could think deeper, three shady silhouettes tread out of the shadows. They were obviously female.

One of them was tanner than the others, with long brown hair flowing down her shoulders and had some masculine features. The other had short blue hair with a horn sticking out of her forehead. She had a red ring around her right eye and suffered from heterochromia. This woman too, had some obvious masculine features. The third and last, had long olive-colored hair which almost reached her tailbone. She had three dots under her violet eyes and long eyelashes. She constantly covered her mouth with one of her sleeves. The last was easily the most feminine of the three and seemed to be the calmest too. "Welcome back, Harribel-sama." the three of them said at the same time. Tia simply gave them a weak nod, before she turned her back to them with her arms crossed. "Well, did you get through?" Mila Rose's deep voice was heard behind her, obviously questioning her. "Of course she did, Mila Rose! Harribel-sama manages to do what she want to! Unlike you!" Apacci yelled at her fellow Fraccion.

Then, the two started to yell something Harribel didn't bother to hear towards each other. "Please stop. Your fighting just makes you look weak." Sung-Sun's calm voice cut throught the bickering like a knife through butter. "Sung-Sun! Stop it! Or do you want me to kill you too?" she yelled, while having an almost comical expression on her face, while grabbing Apacci by her collar. "I just want you to stop looking weak." the olive-haired arrancar replied once again. Tia slowly closed her eyes, waiting for the three of them to stop. Appearently, none of them planned to. "The encounter went well." Harribel's voice caused the three arrancars to stop fightning between themselves. "I simply returned in order to tell you three that it won't be long until you can meet the humans. But for now, it will be between me and them. Please do also take care of the Hollow that has entered town. I don't want anything to stop or delay this meeting." Tia started to walk away from the three female arrancars, but right before she sonido'ed away, she could hear a clear "Hai!" being shout from behind herself.

She reappeared where the three had met, now alone. It seems like the two of them has left before me. she thought and started to search for their reiatsu. They can't be that far away. she thought. Before she could think of anything else, she felt a combination of reiatsu not far away from her. The Former Tres Espada concluded that it had to be them and disappeared with a booming sound. As she arrived, Tia saw the two girls in front of her. "I am sorry, but that issue had to be dealt with." Her voice wasn't apologizing, just the usual cold tone.