CHAPTER 296-297: Thick Tension

Thump. Thump. Thump. The cave shook as Apacci's fists connected with its wall. She had been punching the same spot since Harribel and The rhythmic thud echoed, shaking the cave. Apacci's knuckles struck the same spot over and over. Dust and small fragments of rock crumbled under her relentless assault — she had been at it since Harribel and Sung-Sun rejected her request. Her excuse was simple. Nelliel was out there. Why couldn't she be there too? However, Harribel and Sung-Sun wouldn't budge no matter how much she pleaded.

"Those are some nice punches. I can learn a thing or two from her," Lilynette whispered, appreciating Apacci's boxing session enough to evolve from a small-time fan to a permanent follower. She poked Starrk's cheek. He lay sprawled on the sandy ground beneath her, arms folded behind his head. His chest served as her makeshift chair. "Starrky, we got many people—friends. Let's go talk to them?"

Gone were the days of them roaming Hueco Mundo on their own. Being part of a family had helped Lilynette make friends but Starrk… He still loved to lay his head out of everyone's sight. She knew it was Starrk's nature to be a lone wolf. But as his Zanpakutō Spirit and Partner, she did want him to make an attempt at the very least.

Starrk opened one eye lazily, glancing at the small group gathered in the cave. Despite the thick tension everywhere, there was a strange comfort in their shared company. "Now's not the time for socializing. Don't forget what we're here for."

"Hmph, idiot. You're always saying that. What's the point of friends if we don't spend time with them?" Lilynette pouted. Her gaze drifted to Menoly, who sat alone near the cave entrance, her knees drawn to her chest. The distant look in Menoly's eyes stirred something akin to concern in Lilynette. "Come here, Menoly!"

Menoly blinked, pulled from her thoughts by the unexpected call. She hesitated before rising slowly and walking toward them. "Yes?"

She was incredibly polite and respectful as though she did her best to avoid offending Lilynette. Lilynette might be a bit air-headed but she was sharp enough to observe the mask Menoly put in front of them.

Lilynette offered a friendly grin. "You've been awfully quiet. Everything okay?"

Menoly shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. "I'm fine. Just thinking about… things."

Lilynette tilted her head, her gaze becoming devoid of emotion. "Thinking about returning to your Espada buddies?"

Menoly's eyes widened, a flash of fear crossing her features.

Starrk grabbed Lilynette's arm. "Lily, slow down."

Lilynette shook off his hand and gave him the 'Don't interrupt me' gesture. "Menoly has been sulking in the corner for a while. I think she is missing her old pals."

"I don't…"

Lilynette bounced to her feet and gripped Menoly's shoulders. "Kazuya ain't the type to keep people against his will. If you wanna leave, we'll let you go."

"Stop doubting me. I don't want to go!" Menoly yelled and slapped away Lilynette's hand, surprising everyone, including the green-haired Arrancar herself. Even Apacci paused for a second to see the commotion. "They abused me, betrayed me, and then left me to die. Kazuya… He saved me. He gave me another chance. I'm a bitch but I know when to be grateful and when to stab someone in the back."

Her usual demeanor cracked under Lilynette's edging.

"Menoly, you—"

"Listen to me!" Menoly took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "I chose to follow Kazuya on my own. Even before that… I was sick and tired of the bloody politics in Espada. I wanted to leave but there wasn't anywhere I could go."

Lilynette studied Menoly's resolute expression, and a small smile its way to her face. "I'm glad you're being honest now. The bootlicker act was getting on my nerves."

Menoly let out a sigh. "I was trying to mix in. I didn't think it'll piss you off."

"We like genuine people. Moving forward you hafta be yourself."

Menoly nodded, despite knowing that Lilynette would be the first to stop her in case she showed her true self. Loly Aiverrne may have goaded her but she never felt about any of her terrible deeds. She had inherited some of Loly's messed-up personality despite the constant abuse and bullying.

Menoly looked towards the direction where Kazuya's Reiatsu could be felt. "He is fighting the strongest Espada. I was just concerned about him."

"Hehe, we aren't worried. Right, Starrk?"

"I'm worried for his opponent," Starrk calmly replied. "And that maid."

They all shifted their eyes to the mansion's maid punching the hell out of the wall as if it was her greatest enemy.

***

A few meters away, Sung-Sun observed the exchange while leaning against a smooth section of wall. Her eyes drifted to where Mila Rose stood, arms crossed and expression calm. "Kitty, Sensei got an assignment for you."

Mila Rose scowled. "You aren't my teacher here. Keep your book lesson shit to home."

Cirucci stepped to Mila Rose's side. "Why not hear her out?"

She owed Sung-Sun too much and decided to persuade Mila Rose into doing Sung-Sun's bidding. Of course, she would be the first to reject Sung-Sun if this so-called assignment was unreasonable.

Lisa arrived by Sung-Sun's side. "Yeah, Rose. Hear out your friend for a second."

"Tch." Mila Rose clicked her tongue. "Alright. What is it?"

"Look at her," Sung-Sun murmured, her sleeve partially concealing her concerned expression. "It hurts me to see Apacci like this. Calm our upset friend for me and our husband. He'll be sad if he saw her tortured like this."

"Don't manipulate me with his name," the lioness growled. "Besides, punching stuff blows off the frustration. It's the least we can do after stopping her."

Sung-Sun nudged her. "Taking her mind off of Kazuya would be even better."

"Like anyone here can do that."

His Reiatsu was just that prevalent to anybody familiar with him. They could focus on nothing but him as long as he continued his battle.

"Please, Rose. Even Harribel-sama is beginning to worry. We can't have our queen go into a war with a heavy heart."

Mila Rose glanced at Harribel, who leaned against a wall in the corner, her eyes observing Apacci's every movement. Her calm for show as anyone could feel her turmoil through her heel restlessly tapping the ground.

Sung-Sun would've done it herself but she would be the last person Apacci would listen to right now. After all, she had supported Harribel in denying Apacci's request.

The lioness let out a heavy sigh. "What do you expect me to do? She's not exactly in a listening mood."

"You have a way with her," Sung-Sun said. "When you're not at each other's throats, that is."

Cirucci patted Mila Rose's shoulder. "Just be yourself."

Her friend had a natural talent for touching people's hearts with her passion. She had lasted so long with a broken heart because of Mila Rose.

"Ugh, fine," Mila Rose growled, running a hand through her wild mane. "But you all owe me for this."

She walked up to Apacci and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Apacci, save this energy. We'll be fighting a lot of boneheads later."

"Leave. Me. Alone." Every word was accentuated with a heavy punch against the wall. Being in a Gigai limited her Reiatsu and physical ability, otherwise, the cave would've long collapsed on top of them.

Mila Rose moved with the grace of her lioness title and stepped between Apacci and the wall. Her palm caught the next punch.

Apacci's glare was murderous enough to kill. "Move."

Instead of backing down, Mila Rose grabbed the front of Apacci's maid uniform. "Stop acting like a big baby," she roared, her voice reverberating in the cave. "Do you think you're the only one pissed about this? Do you think I want to stay here when my mate is out there fighting a fucking Espada? Harribel cares for him like a mother. Do you think she doesn't want to go out there for him?"

Apacci could only stare, taken aback by the raw emotion in Mila Rose's voice.

"But he told us loud and clear to stay put no matter what happens." Mila Rose released Apacci's uniform and placed a hand against her cheek. "We should respect his decision like a good wife."

Apacci's fist unclenched slowly, shoulders slumping. "I know. I fucking know, dammit. I just… I just want to protect him. We promised each other that. I feel fucking useless like this."

She was sick and tired of never getting a chance to fulfill her side of the oath.

"Me too, Apacci." Mila Rose stepped closer and brought Apacci in her arms. "But following his orders, by waiting here when he wants us for the main event. That's a form of protection too."

Apacci let out a bitter chuckle as she pushed Mila Rose away. "Wise words coming from someone who wanted to claw his eyes out for being a man."

She could hardly believe Mila Rose was the same person who held a grudge against Kazuya on their first meeting. The lioness had changed for the better.

The tension dissipated as the two recalled their old days, when they had been just a group of five roaming Hueco Mundo, ducking from Barragan's wrath. And today they were going to topple the empire Barragan made with the friends from Shinigami, Visored, and Arrancars side.

Mila Rose smiled. "Fuck you. I have been working hard, observing, analyzing… sinking my fangs into new tricks. I've been leveling up, grinding my ass off to become the best mate possible."

She hadn't stopped to think a bit ever since she bounced back from her depression. Nobody would stop her from achieving her goal.

"Yeah, yeah. You're becoming real wise. That also means you're getting old. In other words, you're becoming a hag."

"H-Hag?! Fuck off!" Mila Rose flipped Apacci the middle finger. "I'm young. I haven't even gotten the chance to bear Kazuya's cubs. That's how young I am!"

Apacci grinned mischievously. "Uh-uh, having babies has nothing to do with age. Just accept that you're becoming an old cat. You gotta act fast, or you'll lose the chance. You. Will. Become. Infertile!"

Mila Rose's eyes widened in horror. "No way! That's… that's impossible!"

"It's a thing. Go ask Sung-Sun for confirmation."

She gritted her teeth and waved her fists around. "I'm pushing him down tonight and taking all of his seed for myself. Nobody will get in my way of receiving his baby!"

Flame of determination burned in her eyes.

"Huh?"

Her determination turned to surprise the next moment. Both women froze, their eyes widening as they processed what they felt. They threw their hands in the air together.

"He won! Let's fucking go!"

"He'll be coming to us!"

"I wouldn't celebrate too early," Sung-Sun chimed in. "You see, Husband's Shinigami companion was hurt. He'll prioritize her over us."

"Who even cares about those Shinigami losers?" Apacci grumbled. "He should just ditch them in some cave and return to us."

"That's so racist," Mila Rose said with a chuckle. "But I'm with Apacci. Us Hollows mates are far superior to those corporate grim reapers. They all have as much personality as a paper towel."

"So true. So true. They also don't have our devotion. We'll be his loyal hussies till the day we die."

Sung-Sun hid her smile with her oversized sleeve. "I thought I was fucked in the head, but you two are on another level."

"Is someone talking shit behind my back?" Lisa's sharp voice made them almost jump in surprise. "I definitely heard someone saying Hollows are superior to Shinigami."

"We are," Mila Rose said with a feral grin. "That shouldn't concern you. You ain't a Shinigami anymore, girl. You're more of a Hollow."

Lisa touched the hilt of her Zanpakutō before letting out a sigh. "I'm neither a Shinigami nor a Hollow… I'm not part of any world."

Neither side would accept her for the abomination she had become. There were exceptions, and those exceptions brought some much-needed colors and warmth to her life.

Sung-Sun hugged her from the side, bringing her head down to her chest and stroking her hair. "Whatever you are, you'll forever be my friend and a part of this silly family."

"She is right," Cirucci said. "I'll let you be the aunt of my kittens."

Cirucci knew the feeling of alienation from her time in Espada. She'd be more than willing to be Lisa's friend, which she hadn't done due to Lisa's Shinigami background.

Lisa's eyes sparkled in delight. "Awww. I can't wait to get my hands on those little furballs. They are so darned adorable."

"Just don't hurt them."

Sung-Sun took Lisa's hands and stroked her fingers. "Look at these nimble digits. They're made to handle everything fragile."

Lisa yanked her hand away. "What does that even mean?"

"Lisa, I know you stroke your kitty down there with these fingers when nobody is around. I may or may not have heard Husband's name coming out of your mouth during your 'leisure activity.'"

Lisa's eyes widened. Her best friend had exposed her deepest, darkest secret. Her best friend had betrayed her. "H-How do you know that? I shut the door every time I do it…"

"The mansion also has windows, girl," Sung-Sun whispered with a cheeky grin. "But you were too caught up in your fantasies to notice me observing the entire process from there."

Mila Rose, Apacci, and Cirucci gave her the meanest looks. Lisa did her best to maintain a straight face but her attempts couldn't keep her steady like a mountain. Her pale cheeks flushed in pure embarrassment.

"Snake, I hate you." Lisa turned her back on Sung-Sun. "You aren't my best friend; you're my worst enemy."

Sung-Sun patted Lisa's butt with her knuckles. "I'm sorry if I went too far. It's hard to control my sadism sometimes…"

"I don't care. You are… you are a treacherous snake!"

"My, you're making me remorseful for my actions." Sung-Sun's laugh was gentle as she hugged Lisa from behind. "Let me make it up to you by being your wingwoman. I'll have Husband falling for you like a puddle."

"Izumi already promised that. I trust her more than I trust you. You—" 

"What's better than one wingwoman? Two wingwoman!"

Lisa shook her head. "I'll conquer his heart with my own hands, using my charm. It'll feel cheap if I do it with anyone's help."

"Then I'll be cheering you on. All of us will."