"Byakuya-sama? What are you doing?" Hisana got to her feet and approached them. She reached out and grabbed hold of Deha's shihakusho, trying to pull her out of Byakuya's grasp.
"Leaving," was the only answer she got before Deha managed to unsheathe Kurobara and, with a very shaky, but precise slash of her zanpakuto, hacked the woman’s arms off. She fell backwards and her detached hands lost their grip, hitting the floor and rolling away, their mechanical innards on display for all to see. Deha felt sure Byakuya would be horrified by what she had just done but when she turned to face him, he was completely apathetic.
"That was my finest piece of work," Azdeha heard the oddball captain unsheathe his zanpakuto and groaned. She was barely able to keep her balance and if Mayuri was about to fight then Byakuya would need his hands free. She pushed away from him, and stumbled back to the table, steadying herself. Byakuya whirled round to catch her again, but she shook her head.
"You just concentrate on him. I can take care of myself."
Byakuya nodded and pulled Senbonzakura free of his hilt. They both knew that Mayuri's Zanpakuto, Ashisogi Jizo, was a formidable blade. Its shikai had the ability to spew poison and was feared throughout Seireitei.
"Are you sure this is a good idea Kuchiki-sama? After all, you've been fighting for days now." Mayuri grinned.
"I have no doubt that this will be my easiest battle yet."
"Even with a distraction?" Mayuri nodded once, and Nemu reappeared, her own zanpakuto ready.
Byakuya looked unfazed. "I will beat you both if I have to."
"Oh it's not you Nemu is going to be fighting."
Azdeha turned just in time to shield herself from Nemu's attack with Kurobara. She cursed audibly and stumbled backwards. Mayuri's drug still hadn't worn off completely and she knew Nemu was near impossible to take down given that Mayuri had created her to be practically invincible.
"Deha?" Byakuya called back to her, without taking his eyes off Mayuri.
"I'm fine!" she lied. She knew that this was going to be a struggle but if Byakuya could concentrate on his own fight and take down Mayuri, as long as she managed to hold Nemu at bay, they might just be able to get out of this place in one piece.
Fortunately for her, Byakuya was in no mood to play around. While she darted from spot to spot, avoiding Nemu's attacks and blocking the ones that got through, Byakuya was attacking Mayuri with a fury she had never witnessed before. After days of being stuck in this place, she wasn't surprised. She was frustrated herself and she had only been here a few hours. She couldn't imagine what effect being here for as long as he and Renji had would have on a person. Clearly loss of patience was one of them.
Azdeha smirked, noting that Byakuya had clearly resurrected some of the suppressed childlike impatience Ukitake Taichou would so often remind him of. She wanted to tease him, but now was clearly not the time, especially as Nemu was swiping her blade at knee level, trying to take her legs out from under her. Deha jumped back and landed awkwardly, the drug still coursing through her veins. She grunted as she hit the floor, skidding along it on her back, and Nemu took the opportunity to launch herself at the weaker girl, blade pointed directly at her chest.
Azdeha winced, preparing herself for contact that never came. Instead she found herself upright, locked in a steely, one armed embrace. She looked up and found Byakuya staring ahead, eyes flickering between Mayuri and Nemu, both of whom were annoyed at his sudden intervention. "Don't move an inch." he whispered, barely moving his lips. Deha nodded and braced herself. She knew what was about to happen but had never been this close to Senbonzakura's blades.
