A sense of belonging(jun)

She had no home. No where to belone. Which left Ariel moping around what ever dark town she could find, where the people were less than pleasant. She'd been in more than a few bar brawls already, holding back because why the hell not. They couldn't kill her even if they tried. Not unless she wanted to die. A few bruises, that was the best most people left her with before she planted them in the ground, careful not to kill anyone.

It was a matter of time before she snapped though. She could feel the darkness sinking in, and she might level this town if the mood struck her. Sitting in a dark damp hotel room, a bottle of liquor she'd never tasted before in hand. This was all because the great and powerful Cero king had died. She'd tried to do good, tried to help Kagura and the girl was still dragged in by Azazael's schemes.

She'd joined the arrancar for Kagura's sake, and faught for her sake. She'd even killed the girl's father, to keep her safe from Azazael. And then he'd attacked soul society, and she went with them as back up, and he died. His death had effected Kagura badly and she shunned Ariel, blamed her. The only reason she'd been with the espada.

She could spend the rest of her miserable life her. Or she might snap and blow up the town, draw out the coalition, get in a fight worth fighting. Find someone strong enough to end her. She took another swig of the liquor, and slumped in her chair. Not today.

Aki walked into the bar, both swords still not out. He wore a baseball cap for the Cubs, a red button up shirt, slacks, and suspenders. He also wore comfortable sneakers. The Shinigami didn't know what to expect. But he did see Ariel at the bar, with several men giving her appreciative looks. But it was obvious to him that she was down in the dumps. Aki walked right up to her. "You've become hard to find..." Taking off his hat and setting it beside her, he pointed at her drink, telling the bartender he'll have the same as her.

"So...any reason you joined the Espada ranks, only to leave them after we fended off your attack? At a cost of one of our officers, mind you...and who knows how many others." Oh, he knew the number. But he wasn't going to tell her that. He worked so hard to keep her off of their radar, only to for this to happen. There were only two ways this could go...

Ariel's senses were so muddled by the boose she didn't realise he was there until he sat down, and ordered a drink. She looked him up and down and raised an eyebrow. "What the hell are you wearing?" She asked, slightly slurred. Had she really drank that much? "Yeah I imagine it was easier to find me when I was sealed away in the maggots nest." He asked her about the espada, and she looked away from him. "Diath right? I seen it happen. Dont worry, its tortured me enough already, but hey, take a swing buddy i'm in the mood to trash this dump." She said loud enough for the men nearby to hear. They got up and moved away, having already experienced her skill in drunken brawls.

She drank, but refused to look at Aki. "Are you mad I blew all the work you went to covering up for me? Finally had enough, and decided you'll just turn me in to answer for everything I've done since last time I seen you?" She asked. It was obvious when the gotei never came looking for her, that someone was looking out for her. She only guessed it was Aki, because if it had been parius' way of saying thanks that would have ended when she killed him.

Aki chuckled. "Clothes. If I can avoid it, I'd rather not fight. But if you want to like last time, I'll oblige. But get sober first." He took a swig as the men nearby stared on between the two. Probably wondering what the hell they were talking about. And a bit surprised that Aki would take her up on that challenge. "Yeah, I am upset, but I'm more upset that you joined that crowd instead of staying neutral and out of it. You even killed Parius*, a friend of ours. Have come to apprehend you, yes. What happens is out of my hands from there. You might be able to work something out with Grainne. But maybe not. It's your call. Come with me peacefully or unwillingly. I don't know how she's gonna react to you though. How you plead your case is in your hands."

Aki liked to think she was a smart girl. But then again, she did join the Espada. She was his friend, his student/rival in a way. Her abilities clashed neatly against his...it would be one hell of a difficult fight against her. But he still had some hope for her...that she will make the right choice.

*would he know of this? If not ok, then pm me and I"ll edit.

"It didn't start out that way. It was never meant to end up like that." She said. "I was training Parius' daughter. We were close, good freinds even. Then Azazael showed up, and I don't know how he got into her head, but he did. Convinced her to come with him. I wasn't going to let her go off in hueco mundo alone." Ariel said. She sipped her drink.

"He never said it infront of her, he was nothing but sweetness to Kagura's face. But he made it clear to me, why I had to kill Kagura's father. Why I had to help attack the gotei... He was using her against me. And now i've lost her. He died, and she blames me. Said I could have saved him.." She downed the last of the bottle and threw it aside. It smashed against wall. "All i've ever wanted was to be accepted. And I was, while I was with the espada. Even if Azazael was using me, Kagura, even some of the other arrancar, were nice to me. It felt like I had a home. Now...." She trailed off, as she looked him in they eyes.

"I couldn't give a shit. Bring me in, lock me up and throw away the key. Spending another 1000 years in prison is better than having nothing to live for." She waved at the bartender for another bottle. "Just let me have one last drink."

Aki took a few sips as he listened to Ariel share her story. An idea struck him. "Or...you could work off your debt, your guilt...and maybe find a place with us in the process. I'd still avoid Riku Tomoshibi like the plague, though. He and Diath were...getting quite close. But yeah...let's have some drinks together...and reminisce?"

Hopefully she'll take him up on that offer. And look back on...better days. When he assisted in her training. The cuteness of his dragons in manifestation mode causing a huge fuss with the girls. His unbridled hatred on Central 46. His various pranks. His ideas on keeping troops motivated. And things about her life as well, that she looked upon fondly...

She shook her head. She didn't deserve that kindness. But that was the difference between them, she guessed. Both of them had been condemned by central 46, both of them hated them. But Aki didn't go out of his way to kill them all. Even the ones who hadn't been part of the council when she was put away. The fact that she felt no guilt told her something inside was broken. She didn't deserve a second chance. She wanted to rot away. But she looked at Aki. "I deserve to rot. If your captain commander cut me down I wouldn't blame her." She said.. But.. it took strength to accept his offer... To make amends..

She didn't know if she had the strength for it. She wasn't Aki. She hadn't survived the past, it had changed her. They talked about the past. About the friendship they had shared, the training, All the time she'd spent helping people in rukongai. But they were just memories of a dead girl, to her atleast. Still, she said,"I'm not your friend Aki. Not the same girl who giggled at your pranks even when they were aimed at her. She's gone... But for you, I will try to be strong. Try to fix the things I've done. Because you tried for me, all those years ago, even if I didn't see it back then." She said. Her eyes watered with tears, but she swigged from the bottle in her hand and ignored it.

Aki smiled softly at her. "I know. The first step is always the hardest. All you gotta do...is take it." The man took out a handkerchief and gave it to her. But he let her vent it out. He didn't know how long they stayed before it was time for him to get back. But he took his cap and put it on and reached a hand out to her. "Shall we?"

Opening up the Senkaimon, he hoped she took his hand and both of them left the dingy bar. There was a lot of work to do, and a lot of talking to do. In the end, it would be Grainne's choice. Only thing he had to do was hope for the best. And hope he could at least fix her.

(couldn't think of anything else...leave it here or end it, your choice.)