Exchange of Two Souls - Nori Haruo and Bailarin Mareado

Nori Haruo walked idly through the Forest of Menos. "'Go to Hueco Mundo for training!' she says, 'Don't come back until you're stronger!'. Bitch. Why the hell would I have to come to Hueco Mundo to train!? What's wrong with hell!?! Ugh... This is so annoying.." he ranted, unsheathing his sword and driving it through the mask of a Hollow that sought to get the better of him by sneaking up from behind. "I mean really, Greed and his Hell-Hunters get their own freaking personal training in Hell, and I have to come to Hueco Mundo.. It's such a pain in the ass to get here, too..." Nori's ranting had been reduced to whining as he slayed his second hollow, sending his sword into it's Hollow Hole and slicing upwards, effectively cutting the beast in half.

Bailarin Mareado perked her ears up at the noise of something in the Forest. Some foot-steps, Hollows roamed here, but they were bigger and taller, they made more louder and rumbling sounds, these were smaller. She walked around, the full moon of Hueco Mundo shining brightly below, giving great visibilty. Her gaze peered around, Is it Ardiente, could it be here, is she finally back? Letting out light breaths, attempting to not let her hopes get to high. She was in the middle of a small clearing in the forest, the full moon her only company. She grit her teeth, letting out a yell, "Why did you do this to me, why did you have to take her away?!"

Nori grunted uneasily. Someone here was capable of speech? Normally that meant an Arrancar, but it may have been just a high-level hollow. On guard now, Nori hurried his pace, suddenly aware of everything around him. Don't step on branches or twigs, listen for you enemy stepping on branches or twigs, don't get hit, don't get snuck up on, don't lose... Nori facepalmed himself. Panic wasn't necessarily something good to do... Maybe it was the thought of being here all alone to face an enemy that got to him. Taking several deep breaths, Nori slowed his heart rate and calmed himself. Maybe I should just take a break.. he thought, stepping past a gnarled bone-white tree and into a clearing.

Bailarin jerked her head around, she could sense the spiritual power, so different... so alien. A human was here? No. A Shinigami? No, it was slightly off, whoever this young man was, he had something different about him. Bailarin's tilted her head, 'He could be apart of the 11th Division... he could have been apart of the attack that seperated you and Serenata-Koi'. Her hands flexed, balling her hand into a fist, she pointed one hand out to him and calmly stated, "Who are you." More of a demand then question, she was going to strike him if he said the wrong answer.

He scowled at the woman. "It's polite to give your own name before asking someone theirs." he answered. Nori's right hand reached over it's adjacent shoulder and gripped his Zanpakuto's handle. The woman looked... nice. An hourglass figure, curvacious, sizable breasts. Did he really want to fight her? It'd be a waste to disfigure such a beautiful woman... Nori glanced to the ground for a moment to calm his nerves before once again raising his head and staring the woman in the eye.

She eyed him up and down, he hasn't attacked yet, she pondered, Maybe he's not an enemy...' 'Maybe, just maybe, he's friendly... She shook her head mentally, Don't jump to assumptions, talk to him first... She stood still, lowering her arm slowly, trying to show little aggresion, despite her urges tell her he was just like the rest of the Shinigami scum. "I-I am Bailarin Mareado, and you are?" She waited for him to respond, hoping he was different from the rest.

Nori smiled back. "Nori Haruo." he stated simply. She was being civil? Awesome! Dropping his guard completely, Nori lowered his hand from his sword and dropped it at his side. Besides, if she ended up attacking him, he could just kill her! Not that he wouldn't feel bad about it. "I hope I didn't disturb you.. My Master sent me here to train! I really didn't want to come.." he mumbled dejectedly. He did just kill a few Hollows.. That might've been her family... But then again, Hollows eat their kin, so no harm done. Right?

Quirking her brow lightly, she nodded, "Nori Haruo... now that we have exchanged names, I wish to ask you something..." Her teeth were clinched together, but not enough to be shown outwardly, she finished, "I must simply ask, are you from the 11th Division?" She looked behind him, out of the clearing seeing the bodies of the previously slain Hollows lying dead. She didn't bother caring, she hated all those foolish Hollows, she would have probably 'ate' them later anyways...

Nori tilted his head to the side. "What if I am..?" he asked shakily. He could see why she might be concerned. It wasn't as if Shinigami hadn't come to Hueco Mundo to kill Arrancar before. But, do to her specification, asking him if he was from the eleventh division, it was probably just some personal grudge. Which was good! It meant she wasn't prejudice against all shinigami!... Just those from the eleventh division. Wrapped up entirely in his own assumptions and thoughts, Nori had forgotten his vague and slightly suggestive answer..

Her heart clinched tight, "He was 11th Division?!" Bailarin had already assumed...She frowned, walking up to him slowly, making sure to stay out of the 'personal' space most people had, she nodded, "So, you are... 11th Division..." She was grieved inwardly, not wanting to fight mindlessly. She stared straight into his eyes, hoping to get a straight and truthful answer.

Nori cringed. Why was she looking at him like that? It was such a sad look.. Nori felt bad for giving an answer like that.. "No.. I'm not. I'm sorry for giving you such a vague answer. I usually don't trust people very much, so by answering like that, I expected some sort of.. Uhm... reaction? I guess.. But I'm really not! Really." he assured her, taking a few steps away from her. She was approaching him... It made him nervous.

Bailarin shook her head from side to side, taking a step back, noticing she had made the situation tense. "S-sorry, I've just... been looking for someone, I haven't seen them since... since those, revolting 11th Division Shinigami, attacked us..." She smiled, now assured that he wasn't a foe, for once, a friendly Shinigami. "I'm sorry for acting like that, I shouldn't have assumed so easily." Her body movement showing little to no sign of aggresion. "With that said... pleased to meet you Nori."

Nori calmed down. He was acting stupid. She was obviously upset.. "No, I'm sorry! It's my fault. I shouldn't have answered like that... Uhm, if you don't mind, would you tell me what happened..?" Nori asked carefully, making sure to assure her that she didn't have to tell him if she didn't want to. He prayed he wasn't prying. "Gragh, nevermind... I'm sorry for asking.." The situation was becoming akward. Nori was running out of things to talk about. This wasn't good..! At this rate, he'd start panicking again, and freeze up! And then she'd think he was a freak and leave... Or kill him. Hopefully the former.

Bailarin noticed the odd behaviour quickly, shaking her side to side, "N-No, it's fine..." "I've just never met a... decent Shinigami before, one who didn't want to hurt me just because I was a 'disgusting' 'monstrous' 'abomination'..." She affirmed herself, "But, don't think I let them, I gutted everyone of those dogs, I spare NO Shinigami that tries to do me harm, man, woman, or age matter little to me." She noticed her quick shift of behavior, she didn't want to seem to aggresive, to cause someone who was 'ok' to leave because of her anger. She emphasised with a horizantal hand-motion, "B-but, if you want to know, I'd be glad to talk about it, I haven't had anyone to talk to since she's been gone, not even my brother..." Her sorrowful eyes peering into his, wanting to make sure he was fine with her.

Nori caved in under those eyes. Why did she keep looking at him like that? Was she really that lonely? Disgusting, monstrous abomination... Nori repeated the words sorrowfully in his head. How could she think that? She was beautiful! Nori raised a hand to his face to hide his blush. He shouldn't think things like that... Envy had told him not to become attatched to anything. And yet she practically got wet anytime Sloth walked by her.. Bitch, she can rot. Nori removed his hand from his face with a quick motion and smiled back at her. "I'd love to hear." he stated simply, yet reassuringly, as he took a seat on the ground. He hoped she would do the same. Otherwise he'd look like and idiot.

The young Arrancar didn't notice the blush he sported, luckily. She nodded, taking a seat down infront of him, and began to tell her tale of the events she dreaded so much. "Well, it was around 10 years ago... I had a friend, a fellow Arrancar." "She and I were close, friends... lovers..." She looked away from him, hoping he wasn't thinking she was revolting to him.

She..? Nori considered things for a moment. Lovers.. he thought... She was a lesbian! Nori felt like screaming. How come every girl he came across that was beautiful, or pretty, or attracitve, or hot was interested in someone else!? This one wasn't even interested in men! Nori let the disapointment show on his face a little.. "Go on." he encouraged. This was no reason to hate her. If anything, it was yet another reason to hate himself..

Bailarin nodded, noticing out of the corner of her eye the dissappointment he had felt. He seems nice, and he hasn't left you yet, he's not disgusted. She assured herself slowly, continueing on as she crossed her legs, "It's been so long... we were seperated, by 11th Division Shinigami, they felt like 'having some sport'." The words rolling off her tongue with a potent venom. "They attacked us, out-numbered... I took as many as I could, and so did she, but, after the battle was over, she was gone..." "And so were some of the Shinigami, I had killed 6 of the 15, and she had killed 4, so I assume the other 5 took her..." She gulped down fear, "I don't know if they made it back to the Soul Society, but, I've been looking for her ever since..." She looked at him again, towards his own eyes, "D-do you know what it feels like, to be so alone, without somebody, it hurts... hurts so badly..." She felt cold on the inside just thinking about it, she felt weak infront of him, but she wasn't going to act 'strong' this once, just this once.

"I know how it feels.." Nori growled, his own anger boiling up inside of him as he recalled the event which caused his current paranoia. He shut himself up before it became too much to supress. "Uhm, wait, what about you brother? Even if you can't talk to him, he's here, isn't he..?" Nori thought about his own words. Her brother. Was this some sort of trap? Would she stab him in the back when time came for him to return? Was this all some sort of ruse to get him to lower his guard? Then again... Nori dismissed the thought. If that were true, she'd probably be coming on to him by now. Not that he would mind..

Bailarin shook her head, grimacing slightly, "My brother?" She scoffed loudly, "I care for him and all, but, I haven't seen him in too long a time, I last saw him when I was still a simple Hollow." "He left, saying that my 'attitude' was beginning to wane his 'precious' patience, that I was becoming a hinderance to him." She shrugged, "So, I left, I wasn't going to be a problem anymore for him, I eventually hunted other Hollows, taking my anger out on them, and finally, to Ardiente, my lover." She frowned, "Sadly, I don't know where my brother is, or what he would think of me..." She sighed dejectedly, "He probably hates me."

Nori's mood darkened. She mentioned her lover again. "Most likely. Unless he did his feeding here, in Hueco Mundo, it's more than likely he's dead. Shinigami tend to kill any Hollows in the Human World who become too much of a problem. And Hell is... well.. not a very pleasent place to be. But if he came here, there's more enough reasoning to assume that he became an Arrancar, or basically, that he's still alive. Unless he got eaten by another Hollow..." he mumbled to himself, drawing out the possibilities. It wasn't as if him getting eaten would keep him from dying, either. In a Hollow, the being with the strongest concious is in control. If he was as prideful as Bailarin made him sound... Sure he was alive. This didn't brighten his mood up at all, unfortunately, and he had no intention of revealing these thoughts.

Bailarin nodded, "I doubt he would want to see me." "Not like it matters, not like he ever cared for me anyway." She let out a deep-breath, trying to reduce her stress, just now noticing that he had mentioned Hell. "Hell.... how would you know?" "Your a Shinigami..." Her gaze quickly turned inquisitve, her now asking the question.

Nori faltered. Was he supposed to tell? "Uhm, well... Technically, I'm a Hell-Hunter, because I work for the Demons.." Nori sighed. This sounded incredibly stupid and unrealistic. "So I really have no afflitiation with the Soul Society or Gotei 13 whatsoever... Yeah.. Uhm, basically, there's the ruler of Hell, and he has his own Government, and among them are the Cardinals, who represent the seven sins, and I work for one of them, Envy, but most of the time she's a bitch!" Nori gasped for air. He should have paused somewhere during that sentence... Now he just looked stupid.

Confused, she nodded, she had heard of different realms, and she knew that Hell existed, just not to the extent the boy had told her. "I see..." "So, apparently, there is more out there then just the realms we know." Nodding slowly, "I see, she sounds like it." "Sending you out here for 'training', I can sense your power, you seem strong enough, well enough to not waste time on Gillian and Adjuchas Hollows." She shrugs, "I usually just eat them whenever I'm bored." She smiled, hoping to re-assure herself, she liked this boy, he seemed kind, for once a friendly person in this waste-land. "I know this sounds odd, but, would you mind, being friends with me?"

Nori was stunned. "F... friends..?" he repeated, blushing slightly. This time he made no move to cover it. "I mean, I'd like to.. but... why? I don't think I'm a very nice person to be around.." he admitted sadly, head lowering slight, as he suddenly became unable to meet her gaze. It was true; he was a horrible person. He sold his soul. He couldn't give what wasn't his. Besides, if Bael or Envy or anyone found out that he made a new friend, they'd use it against him.. And then he'd be all alone again.

Bailarin frowned, he didn't look to happy with himself, she reassured him comfortingly, inching a bit closer to where he was sitting, allowing him to see her genuine smile. "I just, well, your kind to me, you don't think i'm... anything like others assume I am." She let out a gracious look, "And, your honestly, the first person I've talked to in years, and... If you don't want to, I get it..." She frowned, getting on the defensive, not wanting to seem weak anymore, not wanting to open herself up, just to be let down like so many other times before.

Nori pretened not to notice her inching closer to where he was sitting. "No.. I'd love to!" he blurted akwardly. Maybe he should just kill himself. It seemed sensible enough. Right? Because he was so weird and flustered. "I.. I'm sorry I'm like this.." he mumbled. This wasn't right. She was opening up to him. He should be stronger than this.

A warm smile graced her face, the first one she had held besides the others she recieved from the wonderful memories of her and Ardiente. She nodded, "So, do you, like this Envy?" The question she asked held no ulterior meaning, it was simply what it was asked. "You sound like you do, and despite all this, maybe... she just wants you to become stronger, in case you were ever to be faced with a stronger opponent?" Smiling, she felt more open with him now. The first person in 10 years she could trust sat before her.

"Well, I mean, I do... But she expressed clearly that she has no interest in me besides our 'professional relationship', and that she doesn't want to mix her work with her personal life, which is hypocritical, seeing as she gets all flustered and blushes every single time Sloth even remotely mentions her.." he replied dejectedly, sighing slightly as he finished. He didn't mind telling her. She was so open with him! There was no reason not to.

Bailarin nodded, "I understand, I'm alot like her whenever I was around Ardiente, but she loved me back, so..." She shrugged, "But, I was wondering, could you help me?" "Help me find Ardiente?" She sighed, a depressed frown filling her lips, "If you don't want to, that's fine, I can continue on my own, it's just, you have connections, and me, well, I'm not even close to acting 'human' much less blend in as one."

"You're acting a lot like one right now." Nori stated seriously narrowing his own eyes, "And... that's kind of.. Uhm.. How do I put it? I'm like a... pet. Kind of. Not exactly. A slave or a worker. But! Hell is going to be invading the Soul Society, and Hueco Mundo, and the Human world soon!" Nori clamped his hand over his mouth. How could he be so stupid?! Why was he telling her everything!? But I want to tell her...! After pausing slightly again, Nori continued quietly. "So if I see an woman arrancar during any of the invasions, I'll be sure to check if it's her. Is that okay..?"

Bailarin smiled cheerily, standing up quickly, going over to Nori, giving him a heart felt hug, "Thanks!" She didn't care that it was breaking her personal space, or the fact that he had revealed his plans, all she cared for was knowing that she could fully trust him, and in so short a time. She held onto him a few moments longer, waiting for his response to her abrupt action.

Nori tensed. She hugged him..! Her chest felt good pushing up against his chest. It only took a few seconds for the entirety of his face to turn red. Was this his first real hug? It wasn't like anyone had ever hugged him. He knew what a hug was. He was sure he'd experienced it before. But this was... "Uh.. I.." Nori stuttered, unsure of how to react. He wrapped his arms lightly around Bailarin, tightening the hug just a little. Would that do?

Bailarin was confused at his actions, but she enjoyed it, it was the first contact with another person, that didn't involve bringing pain to another. She smiled letting go of him, "Thanks, I was wondering, are your 'friends', Envy, and whoever else, going to be mad at you for helping me, much less talking to me?"

Nori's face was still red. He didn't care. "They don't have to know!" he shouted enthusiastically. There was no reason they had to! She could be his secret! Like when a little kid sees a cat at the park, and goes 'I want kitty!' and then asks their mom if they could keep it, and she enjoys crushing her child's dreams, of course, and says no, but the little kid somehow sneaks the cat home anyway but forgets to feed it and it ends up dying on a pile of clothes in the kid's closet, the corpse's rotten stench covering the house before the parents finally figure out what happened. Yeah, it could be like that!

Her heart leapt, "Alright, that sounds good to me." She was glad she had a friend. He was going to help her find Ardiente at last! She smiled warmly, this was going to be a good friendship. "Ardiente, I'll see you soon, it won't be long, I'll be united with you Koi, after so long, I'll finally be with you again." Bailarin stood up, "Want to talk a little more, I'm fine at the moment, not hungry, or tired, and well, your intresting." She smiled, not knowing her comment could have been misread. She would spend the night talking to him, a new friend in heart. And a way to find Ardiente was found.

She called him... interesting? Nori swallowed loudly, trying to keep the butterflies in his stomach from preventing him standing up. "Sure... that sounds nice.." he said nervously, taking a few steps foward. It suddenly occurred to him that he had no idea where he was going. "Would you mind leading..?" he asked, shyness overtaking him. He was trembling. Why was he such a coward..? He could handle this! Despite Nori's newly found confidence, his trembling continued, and his face was still red.

Emerging Friends
-The two kindred souls would become friends through their walking and talking through the Forest of Menos, but fate is a cruel mistress, anything could happen in the dark full moon's light.-

Bailarin had accepted taking the lead, she had walked into the forest, showing him several places. But, the next place, was her favorite spot. A perfect setting, a small clearing. A glistening pond. Forest all around, some rising stone pillars, perfect for ambushes... or enjoying the beautiful night. She smiled at him, "This is where I left my brother, and where me and Ardiente." She smiled, "I was wondering, could you... show me your 'spiritual power', I was just wanting to see how powerful you were."

"Uh.. If you want, I guess.." Nori mumbled. Staring straight ahead, through Bailarin, it wasn't very hard for Nori to space out. Finding his center, he experienced that ever present nagging feeling, like something was tugging on his insides. He'd figured it out by himself that this was him supressing his power; it was nearly impossible to do so without feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Taking a deep breath, he let it all flow out. All of it. His power. A crater formed at his feet, disintegrating the grass around him, and spreading to the lake, where the water invaded the crater and swirled around Nori in a pseudo-funnel around his person. The spiritual pressure that was pressing down on the area was gradually increasing, cracking the pillars around him. And then, all at once, Nori stopped. The water in the air simply dropped down towards the bottom of the crater. And Nori walked out, exhausted, but relatively okay. "S-sorry... I didn't mean to.. I don't have a lot of control.." he admitted sadly.

Nearby, in the forest, Otoko Senshi sensed the rise in Spiritual Pressure in the area and thinks to himself "I wonder what that could've been. It didn't belong to a Hollow and certainly not a Shinigami but a darker mixture of the two. I haven't felt anything like that before."

Bailarin looked at the performance before her. He was strong, but like before, so alien. It was a unique attribute he had. She nodded, "I'd show you mine, but, I don't want to attract any unwanted attention, Hollows can be a real pain around here." "Their constantly seeking a fight, to become stronger..." She pointed to herself, "I myself, have that same issue..."

"But you can handle yourself, right~?" Nori asked playfully, punching her in the arm. He winced... She had a strong Hierro. Bailarin probably didn't even feel anything. "Anything else you'd like to know? About me, or Hell, or... other things..." he prodded.

Arriving on the scene, Otoko announced "Indeed I do. I'll start with what are you and we'll continue from there."

Bailarin was about to respond to Nori's attempt to 'punch' her arm, it wasn't a very good one. She mentally shrugged, and was about to respond to ask him a question about said things, she glanced towards the direction of the interruption. A lone man. She gave him a look once over, checking him up and down from where she stood. She rose a brow, answering before anything else could be said or done, "I don't think it's very polite to interrupt our conversation." She was making sure not to tense up, Friend or foe, which is he? "Watch what your about to say..."

Nori raised an eyebrow as well, and after carefully considering his words, he chose not to speak. He'd probably end up saying something stupid and then look like an idiot.. Still, he glanced at Bailarin. She didn't seem very welcoming of his intrusion... And the way the man had just suddenly appeared out of nowhere like that alarmed Nori. Why did this always happen? Why couldn't he just be alone with someone for one night?

He took her bluff and replied "Or what?" daring her to make a move.

Bailarin grit her teeth, her thoughts rampaging, 'How dare that little worm!' She clinched her fist tightly, "I'll tell you the best response I can think of..." "He is a Shinigami, and I am a Arrancar." She quirked her head to add sarcastic emphasis, trying to keep her mood light.

He announced loudly "You lie!" He points to Nori and continues "I happen to know thanks to his Reiatsu leak that he is not of Shinigami race. So I am asking what is he?"

Nori shifted slightly. He didn't say anything. This wasn't good.. Why couldn't this man just leave..? Taking a few steps back, Nori moved himself strategically behind Bailarin. She looked stronger than he was.. Could she just fight while he was support? "B-Bailarin, I don't really want to fight.."

She grit her teeth, something felt for him, he was scared, it reminded her of the past, fears and doubts she herself had. She nodded, "It doesn't matter what he is." She smiled, enjoying the feel of the protector role. She smiled, grabbing her Zanpakuto off the side of leg, a small Nodachi, it's sheath was covered in colorful golden threads, her kama being blown lightly by the night's winds. Bailarin kept her hand there, waiting for the man's move. "I don't advise aggresive action, I'm quite the 'beast' in battle..."

His gaze narrowed coldly "I am not trying to start a fight. I am only asking what he is. Comply or I will be forced to beat the answer out of you." He gripped the handle of his Katana tightly.

"It's none of your business, just go away.." Nori implored, his hand gripping the hilt of his own zanpakuto tightly. Butterfly effect... Nori thought to himself. If he fought this man, Bael would notice his release. If Bael noticed his release, he was going to wonder why Nori was releasing against such an inferior being. Eventually, it would get out that he made a friend here, and then Bael would want her. He couldn't have her. Staring at Bailarin semi-possessively, Nori steeled himself for battle.

Bailarin frowned, she noticed the way Nori was acting, it wasn't something she was familiar with. She wanted a grey zone, a middle ground. "Nori..." Her voice calm. "I know, that none of us are looking for a mindless brawl here, who knows what... or who else it will attract." She offered a reassuring glance, making sure only Nori could hear her, "You can tell him, I'll protect you no matter what, ok?" Bailarin kept her eyes on Otoko, her blade still in hand.

Otoko frowned "No? Well alright then." Without warning, his mouth gaped open widely and fired a powerful orange Cero at them.

Nori's eyes widened. Placing his hand on Bailarin's shoulder, he used Kogeru to teleport them to the nearest possible safe-zone; right behind Otoko. "..!" Her shoulder was warm... And.. Was that muscle? Did she really have more muscle than him? Wait, what am I thinking about, she's a lesbian.. Without waiting for Bailarin to respond at all, Nori unsheathed his Zanpakuto and lunged at Otoko.

Bailarin had hardly enough time to process what had just happened, first she was talking, then an orange flash of spiritual energy, now teleportion. Her head was swimming from so much thought and motion in such few seconds... Noting his actions, apparently, it was now a fight, she needed one. Finally, someone to fight besides Hollows! She unsheathed her blade was well, but made sure to stay out of the close-combat, not wanting for their attacks to somehow glance eachothers.

He glanced around and, with a quick unsheathe and slice motion, sent Nori into a tree "Those are some quick moves. What was that move you used to get away?"

Nori hit the tree, then fell to the ground. Everything was fuzzy again! Just like when flew throught the windshielf of Envy's car! Oh, wait, she was lying about that. There was no way he, who was a superior and awesome man, could possibly forget to put on his seatbelt. But that wasn't important now.. Nori wanted to go to sleep..

Bailarin gasped in shock, using Sonido to teleport to his side. "No..." Her rage beginning to meld with her mind, she glared up at him. This was beginning to take a much more...personal turn. No one was going to hurt anyone she cared about, Herself, Nori, Ardiente, or her brother... no one! She brought her Nodachi up in front of her, holding it vertically, her arms extended outward, making sure she had good-balance. She placed her dark yellow Bala unto her sword, creating and sending a six-pointed star shape towards her new found enemy, Otoko.

Opening his mouth wide again, he fired a golden Bala at hers. The two collided in mid-air and exploded. "So your an Arrancar. How original and boring. But he is something different. Wake him up, I wish to fight him. Not you."

Nori groaned. Once he got up, he would be mad... But for now, Nori wanted sleep..

Bailarin frowned, "He's out of it for awhile..." She smirked, "Never leave a man to do a woman's job anyway..." She grinned, her Hollow Mask glinting in the moon, she twirled her Nodachi skillfully, she smiled, "Baile Cero!" The silver and yellow Cero forming infront of her fore-head, she launched it at a tree from an angle, instead of launching it towards her enemy, she knew he wasn't anticipating what it was going to do...

The Cero bounced off of a tree and redirected towards Otoko. His eyes widened and he used the Naki enhanced version of Shunpo to get away just in time. He stood above the two and walked down the tree next to them "What a strange Cero you possess... It is capable of bouncing off objects."

Bailarin frowned, he had been quick, quick enough to evade it. She nodded, "Like?" Her armored hands flexing, smirking, she brought herself infront of Otoko, using her blade in one hand to aim for his face, her free hand opened wide, the tips of them claw-like, perparing to slash him afterwards.

Unexpectedly, Otoko opened his mouth wide and fired another golden Bala at her as she was charging.

The female Arrancar had little time to react, she was hit full on by the Bala, she fell backwards several feet, skidding across the rough ground, falling close to the pond. She hissed in pain, the Bala's spiritual power burning her, smoke coming off her little clothing and metallic gloves and boots. She growled, her anger fueling her strength and speed. "Your going to regret that." Pulling herself up, she stood, waiting for him to attack.

His expression didn't change "Awake him. I do not wish to fight you any longer."

Bailarin hated being in this position, what did this strange man even want?! She slowly walked over to Nori, a slight limp in her step, she placed her cold metallic hands on his face, focusing some of her own spiritual energy into his mind, focused intently on renewing his mind, to awake itself. She sighed, hoping it would work, she wanted to know what this man was after, and why specifically Nori...

Nori stirred slowly. He was trying to sleep.. But something was pulling him back into conciousness. It was so annoying! Why couldn't anyone let him sleep? It wasn't like he got it very often! With Envy being such a bitch all the time, he was lucky to get even six hours... Wait. Why didn't he just think to spend his time training, asleep? It'd be awesome! It wasn't like he was going to get any stronger without another deal with Bael... Nori's eyes snapped open. "Hallo Bailarin.." he mumbled, confused as to why he was on the ground, and she was leaning over him with her hands on his face.

Otoko smirked at his awakening "Finally. Now get up, unkown. I plan to find out what you are one way or another tonight."

Bailarin smiled warmly, despite the situations, her metal covered hands still touching his face, "Nori... Nori... wake up, you need to wake up." She was re-affirmed as his eyes shot open. "He wants to talk to you... and fight you it seems." She didn't even notice her hands remained on his face, despite reliasing he was awoken. She peered quickly over to Otoko, giving him a violent leer.

Nori didn't look her in the face. WIth her staring at him like this, it was very likely for her to notice him blushing, which could lead to other assumptions... But if he didn't look at her in the face, she wouldn't peer into his eyes like she always did, and he wouldn't blush! It was perfect! Awesome, even! But first... "Bailarin.. could you take your hands off my face, please..?" he asked politely.

She immidately caught onto her actions, "Oh... sorry, thought you were preety knocked out of it." She removed herself away from him, standing up tall. She waited for Nori to stand.

It only took a moment for Nori to get back on his feet. Taking his Zanpakuto off his shoulder, he held it out in front of him, the hilt pointing straight up in the air. "Weed out, Nasuka." Nori stated dully. His Zanpakuto lengthened considerably, became straight and round, and then became covered with spikes, several of which piercing his hand and causing blood to drip down to the ground below, staining it. Nori stared straight ahead. What now? It wasn't as if he was going to attack first.

Appearing in front of him, Otoko blasted his foreheaded onto Nori's offensively.

Nori sighed, raising his Zanpakuto in the path of Otoko's forehead and sidestepping, moving himself out of the way. If Otoko cut himself, he'd be infected with the neuro-toxin, and that would make things much easier.. Unless, of course, he could somehow move his head out of the way or stop on a dime. Which would be incredibly annoying.

Bailarin noticed the quick and effective movement, they were on par with her skills, she had several thoughts cross her mind, the highest ones being, 'What type of Zanpakuto were these?' and 'I hope Nori survives...' She wasn't going to interfere unless need be, she wanted to see their capabilites, and this was the first and quickest route to seeing said powers. She smirked mentally, today was to be a night of blood-shed.

Otoko's eyes widened and he quickly used the Shunpo enhancement to get away from the barbed staff. He thought to himself "That was close..."

"Pffft." Nori slammed the end of Nasuka that was closest of the ground downwards, releasing his reiatsu into the soil. "Seiiku!" he shouted, watching gleefully as roots curled and dug themselves into Otoko's legs, rendering him unable to move. Next, he pointed the same end of Nasuka at Otoko's chest, willing it to elongate. If Otoko didn't find a way to move, it would pierce his chest.

The beautiful Arrancar watched in awe as the fight insued, both of them performing abilities she had never heard of, they were so much more different then her own, which were based on feeding her anger, and basically turning her into a berserking monster. She gulped, watching as both of them performed their combat. Bailarin, was beginning to become amazed.

Otoko gritted his teeth frustratingly "There's something about that guy's Zanpakuto..." He quickly slashed the staff away with his own sword and fired another Bala down at the roots to burn them. When given only a few seconds, he breaks free from the charred remains of the roots and flies upward.

Nori sighed. Since they were within the forest, there was a limit to how high Otoko could go. Oh! That was right! Nori channeled his reiatsu into the ground once again, this time without saying the name of the technique. Roots began to thinly spread over the ceiling above them. In the meantime, Nori would stand here and await Otoko's counter-attack.

Bailarin had few words to say, she had even gasped during the fight, the Reiatsu from them both could be felt, but one thing was wrong, if she was going to help, she'd need to build up her anger, but at this rate, she wasn't going to be able to, and if needed to help, there was not way she could keep up to par that quickly, and so early. She frowned, 'I don't want to use any of my abilities, this place already has enough of a Spiritual presence, she would wait, but, it wouldn't be long before she engaged.

He pointed the tip of the Katana at Nori and exclaimed "Rain down, Keibatsu!" His sword transformed into an enlargened sword with a long red handle and black blade with several glowing gold Kanji runes on it.

Nori rolled his eyes. "Tanpopo!" he shouted. The roots that he had previously spread across the ceiling grew hundreds of Dandelions, which then shed their respective seeds. The seeds floating downwards gently, forming what looked like on big, gigantic, fluffy cloud. It engulfed Otoko.

She couldn't wait any longer, the fight was going to go on without her, the thrill of it, she needed to feel it, there was actually a worthy opponent now! She used her Sonido to get in a strategic position, sitting on the opposite side of the small-pond, from where Nori was. She tensed her body, perparing her Spiritual Pressure for her Cero Baile, this time he would be hers...

Diving out of the cloud was not Otoko but a beam of yellow light that shot towards Nori.

Nori blocked the brunt of the beam with Nasuka, but it still blasted him a considerable distance back, into another small tree. Unfortunately for Otoko, his cero disturbed the fragile cloud, which caused a few Dandelion seeds to fire their thorns. These thorns struck other thorns, creating a chain-reaction that caused the entire cloud to erupt in a shower of spikes. "Heh.."

Bailarin was too busy forming the neccesary spiritual pressure to notice the spikes shooting in all directions. She blinked, a spike had crashed near her, and another near her face, it was too close, but she was almost ready, her Baile Cero began forming, this one with more compact and condensed Spiritual Pressure, hoping to make a bigger bang, much quicker. She focused with an intent zeal, she prepared herself as the Cero began forming itself at the front of her shattered Hollow Mask, she launched it towards one of the large stone columns, one of the several near the pond, destroying it, and bringing it crashing down, she was hoping with the angle, it would either hit Otoko, or get him in the wide-open. With that, she let loose her Cero, hopefully it would work.

Otoko managed to get out of the barrage with only a few thorns stuck in him he pulled them out quickly for fear of toxin or infection. While doing so he noticed a Cero flash up at a stone column, smashing it, and bouncing it up toward him. He smirked "That again...?" He then used his enhanced Shunpo to get away from the blast.

"Hm?" It would appear that Bailarin was fighting now. Did she want to fight him, too? Nori began to doubt himself.. then quickly shook it off. Sighing, he stimulated the roots on the ceiling once again, making them dig further into the sandy roof. This would take some time.. but it would be maginificient when his plans came to fruition.

She glanced towards Nori, her attention off, from the recent evasion of their combined attacks, and the facct that Nori was no longer holding back suprised her somewhat, she didn't even know him and she was acting like she did... She frowned, her mind wandering in the moment of the fight.

Taking the distraction that Bailarin was offering, he fired a golden Cero at her, confident her friend would try to save her.

Nori hated to be predictable, but this was a special circumstance. Not that it would be very hard to save her. "Seiiku.." he muttered a second time, causing a tree to spring out of the ground beneath her, launching her up into the air and out of the way. Nori furthered the progress of his roots into the ceiling. It would only be a little longer now...

Bailarin hadn't even noticed what was going on around her, and she suddenly found herself in the air. Her eyes widening, she did her best to land on the ground, coming with a crash, landing on knee, the ground under her crackled and creating a small impact. She grit her teeth, "Tsk tsk..." Using a mixture of Garganta and Sonido, she quickly teleported herself multiple times upward, appearing directly infront of Otoko, the serrated blade of her Nodachi pointed directly downward at his left arm.

He screams in pain and clutches his bleeding wound as his detached limb plummets to the sandy ground below.

Nori giggled. Several branch-like plants shot out of the ground, wrapping around his arm and pulling it into the sand. He would be getting it back. Grunting for a moment, he noticed he wouldn't be able to activate his trap with Bailarin so close...

While Bailarin remained in the air with the now one-armed Otoko, she smirked, "I suggest you surrender... if not, make peace with your gods..." She brought her clawed hand rushing foward, not waiting for a response, her hand in a claw like position, lunging, to choke Otoko. If it would reach, she would make sure to let Nori see and talk to him first, but she would alteast deal this final blow to end the battle.

Suddenly, Otoko's arm regenerated out of thin air. He screamed in pain at this but shook it off and quickly side-stepped Bailarin's approach. When she was in reach he drug his arm back with his hand tightened into a fist and blasted it hard into her face.

Nori grunted. He didn't care if Bailarin was there anymore. She'd make it out alive. Making his roots reach the breaking point, he caused the roof to cave in one the two, sending literal tons of sand crashing down on the two.

Bailarin looked as the rubble and debris, huge chunks of the roof collapsing, sending tons of sand unto them. She was going to feel this one, plus the earlier punch didn't help. She closed her eyes, waiting for the sand to crash them into the floor's clearing below. She offered no screams or expressions, for that would show fear, and she had no fear in the face of danger. She was willing to sacrafice for the advantage in battle...

Otoko went wide eyed by the sight of the sand falling down on them and muttered in his mind "Oh crap, this is gonna hurt..." Everything went black after that for him.

"B-Bailarin!" Nori screamed. Immediately, he threw away his zanpakuto and began digging through the sand. She had to be okay! She was tough! This wouldn't kill her! It wouldn't even hurt! All she'd have to do would be to take a shower, to get some of the sand off of her! And Nori could watch.. Disgusted with himself for thinking such thoughts while Bailarin might be dead, Nori immediately vacated them from his mind and continued to dig.

Bailarin could hear something, the voice was muddled, but it was there, faint. She felt some sand on her face move, and then some more. A hand touched her face, she was shocked, her mind wrestling against herself, 'How could you be so weak?' 'You were defeated, not even by your enemy!' Her mind scorned herself. She was fine with that, a sacrifice for the victory was fine with her, honor was key. Suddenly, she felt the warmth from the sand leave her face, it had been uncovered. She slowly opened her eyes, things still blurry from the rough fall. She had taken too much of a beating in that fight... She could make out Nori's face, it was a good thing she couldn't read his mind, or he would have been hurt there and then on the spot. She gasped for air, pulling herself up into a sitting position, the sand gathered around her eyes, irritating them, plus the sand in her mouth didn't help, giving her a light choking fit. The only thing in her mind right now... was that someone else had tried to save her...

Buried deep within the sand, Otoko thought of himself. How he looked buried in that sand. He was curled up in a ball, defeated, and buried under piles upon piles of sand. It was dark. His mind echoed "I wonder if the Arrancar woman died in the burial. I wonder how this all happened. I wonder..." Slowly he drifted off into deep slumber.

Nori, being as simple-minded as he was at the moment, could only think to ask the stupidest question possible. "Are you okay?" Nori asked the person whom he'd just buried alive under a mountain of sand. He wanted to hug her so badly! But she was covered in sand. And coughing. And it was in her eyes. Somehow, he didn't think a hug was appropriate.

She shook her head side to side, coughing between words, "No... I'm... not." She eventually got as much sand out of her eyes and out of her mouth as she could, it still burned her throat and eyes, even bringing a few small tears, but overall, she was thankful her Hierro had protected her... and him. she frowned, looking around the pile of sand, "Where's the... other guy?" A cough entereing mid-sentence, "Did he escape... is he buried?" She was hoping their attack hadn't been in vain.

"No.. I mean, I didn't see him escape.. So.. I think he's buried.." Nori mumbled. This was horrible. He just tried to kill his new friend... She would hate him now. Nori inched away from Bailarin. Maybe he could get away before she could kill him.

Bailarin frowned, noticing him walking off, was she disgusting to him now? Was it because of her more vicious side...? She attempted to get up to stop him, but a problem arose, that she wasn't going to enjoy. She let out a light yelp, her leg was either sprained or broken, it hurt, feeling as if needles were pressed unto the ankle. She sighed, looking around the sand, 'Your so weak, so pathetic, look at you...' 'Your worth nothing, just like your brother said, nothing...' She frowned, wanting to get angry, but in too much pain at the moment to care about the past. "Please don't go, I can't stand..." She added, trying to sound stronger then she felt she was, "And plus, we need to find out if the man is alive..." Making sure her gaze didn't lock with his.

"Ah.." Nori felt bad. If she was mad at him, he deserved it. Sliding underneath her arm, he grabbed her side, and helped her to her feet. She was.. actually kind of heavy. Or maybe it was that Nori wasn't strong enough. It didn't matter. "I'm sorry, Bailarin.. It's my fault.." he mumbled dejectedly. He didn't need to meet her gaze. "But we're probably not going to be able to find out if he's dead.. It was really a pain to get you out of the pile, and it's huge.. I don't have the energy to dig anymore... I'm sorry.."

Deliverance... And A New Hero
''Bailarin and Nori had fought, and triumphed over Otoko, his end is unknown and neither are sure if he is dead or alive, but he has been defeated. She was saved by a person she had just met, a new friend in mind, but Nori, now a hero in heart.''

Bailarin nodded, "Alright..." she hissed as he helped her up, "It hurts..." She let him guide her, and understood, he couldn't have time to un-bury all the sand, it would have taken too much time. She also noticed the look he 'wore' a sad look, it made herself feel bad. She shook it off, she was glad they had survived, she's slap him for burying her later. Bailarin hardly notice that she held unto him for dear life.

Nori smiled. Bailarin clinging to him was nice..! Though.. if she took off her gloves he might actually be able to feel her hands.. "Where are we going..?" Nori asked uneasily, shifting sightly to take more weight off of Bailarin's good foot. This should feel nice for her now.. Though he was practically carrying her. He didn't mind! But it would be easier of he could release his energy and do it...

Bailarin sighed outwardly, from the mixture of pain and the question, "Las Noches..." "There are ruins there we can recooperate in, and maybe some left over medical supplies..." She frowned, "I'll have to wash off someplace else... there's hardly any water in this hell-hole." She noticed the extra help from Nori's actions, and she appreciated them. "It's east as soon as we get out of the Forest..."

Nori grimaced. This was annoying. There was no way he was carrying her all the way out of the forest. Pausing immediately, he dropped Bailarin to the ground in annoyance, and walked off to find his Zanpakuto. How stupid could he be? He could just heal her! Though it's hurt for a moment..

Bailarin let out a grunt as she fell to the ground. That was odd, he had just left her, great. She sat momentarily. Looking around as she waited for him. She huffed outwardly, crossing her arms. Men! How chivilerous they act one second, now look! Groaning she tried her best to pull herself, but she only made about 3 feet before she was tired. She let out another loud groan, 'He better hurry up, or I'm going not going to slap him... it'll be much worse!'

Where the hell was his zanpakuto!? Why did he throw it away when he started to dig?! Nori sighed... He saw it. It was up in a tree. How ironic. Using Kogeru, he simply appeared up in the tree, grabbed it, then traveled back to Bailarin. "This is going to hurt." he stated dully, before piercing her leg with his zanpakuto. He didn't need to wait for her reaction, but he wanted to see it anyway.

She grit her teeth, he had just stabbed her in the leg, her face contorted from pain to anguish, and then very quickly to anger. Her armored hand reaching upward deftly to his shirt, pulling him down directly infront of her face, her teeth gritted and her eyes able to kill any man. "I'm going to k.i.l.l you." Her other flexed into a fist, "You better have a VERY good excuse for just doing that!"

Nori flinched. If he had been this close to her face at any other time, he would have blushed. But this was scary. He was paralyzed! This wasn't good.. He couldn't respond.. Instead of explaining that part of the Zanpakuto had the be in contact with her in order for his ability to work, Nori whimpered in fear, shutting his eyes tight. After she beat him, he could heal himself and Bailarin..

Bailarin cracked her knuckles, but the look in his eyes shocked her, the look of fear, right before they closed. 'No... your not a monster...' She let go of him, apologizing sincerely, "I'm sorry!" "I didn't mean to.. I shou-" Her eyes clinched as she remembered the blade in her leg. "Could you please, if your going to help me, do it now, it's beginning to wobble around, and it's not healing it any..." She looked around, 'You are the monster...' 'Just leave after he heals you, or he will, he knows your a freak, and in the end, he'll just heal you so you won't beat him to death...' Her eyes saddening, threatening tears perparing to fall.

"Gahou." Nori stated uneasily, removing Nasuka from the wound. It began to heal! Perfect! Hugging Bailarin tightly, Nori laid his head on her shoulder. "You don't have to be sorry. It's not your fault. It's mine. I shouldn't have let it drop on you like that.. Then you wouldn't be hurt in the first place.." he mumbled sadly. If he let her go, she would leave. So he would cling to her and make her stay.

She stayed there, it felt nice. Warm. She caught herself enjoying it... 'Stupid...' She mentally frowned, 'Plus, your not attracted to guys, and Nori is into that Envy anyway, right?' She said nothing, staying silent, letting him hug her. She smiled, hugging back. "Thanks." "I really need to get myself cleaned off and get these clothes washed... it's been awhile since they have been." She scoffed, 'Oh, that was nice, tell him you haven't taken a shower or bath in awhile... idiot.' Slapping herself in her mind

"Maybe that's why you smell!" Nori said cheerfully, in an attempt to cheer Bailarin up. He punched her arm playfully again. As hard as he could.

She made sure that when her eye twitched, that he didn't see her do it. He was just trying to keep his mood light, and that was fine with her. "Yeah... anyway, thanks for healing me." She frowned, looking around, "We need to head to Loc Noches... it's been abandanoned for awhile, and I think there were some working showers there, or maybe a sometype of springs, I don't know..." She shrugged, "I need to head there anyway, who knows, my brother or Ardiente may be there." Las Noches was her destination, even if it was a short trip...

"Well... do you wanna race?" he offered, raising an eyebrow at her. They could race! Or, rather... Nori could race, while Bailarin struggled to keep up! "We can make it interesting!" he prodded, poking her.

She tapped her chin momentarily, "Fine..." "I'm up for a race." She stood up, wobbling lightly. The wound was healed, but it always felt strange after regenerating. She nodded, "Sure, what's the intresting part then?" Her expression and body motion showed she was all up for it.

"A friendly wager?" Nori guessed. He could think of some pretty humiliating things for her to do if he won. But he wanted to hear what she wanted first. "What do you want if you win?" he asked carefully. Why was she so confident? Nori felt the pressure of intimidation, if just for a brief moment.

"Friendly?" In her mind she crossed out 'punching him for pay-back'. "Hmm.." Pondering audibly. She tapped her chin once more, "Ah, I have it!" "If I win, I want you to get me some new clothes, these are getting tattered, oh, and I want some decent food." Adding instinctively, "Eating nothing but Hollows is beginning to get old..." She smiled, "Unless you want the wager to be 'better' then this, these are just small things I want."

"I want it to be better than this." he stated sternly. That wasn't enough to motivate him not to lose. He could just steal those. "But there are some rules. No garganta. You're allowed to hit the other person. And releasing is not allowed." he instructed, awaiting her approval.

He had met the challange she had wanted... "All right, I got the rules." "And if you want it to be better, if I win." She smiles wickedly, "I want to meet this 'Envy' person." She knew that was going to hit the spot. "Plus the other things I already mentioned..." Bailarin smiled, "And, what do you want if you win?"

Nori faltered. Envy? She wanted to meet Envy!? Maybe he could talk her out of it! "There's gotta be something else you'd want, right? You don't want to meet Envy! She's a bitch! Don't worry about it! Change the bet!" he growled, nearly ordering her now. Envy would not be allowed to see Bailarin. She would hold it against him.

She shook her head side-to-side, extremely content to see Nori act the was he was, he had almost stuttered mid sentence. "No, I think I like the bet." She smiled, "Better make sure you don't lose..." She tapped her foot lightly on the ground, "No... what do you WANT if you win?" Tilting her head, "Unless of course, your a coward..." Her eyes meeting his, hoping for a decent reaction.

Nori backed off slight, dejectedly. This wasn't right! He shouldn't have said no to her first thing! He had to think of something that she wouldn't like, so that she would call off the bet! "You have to let me watch you shower!" he shouted boldly, then immediately wished he hadn't. Not only was this perverted, it showed that he had no problem saying perverted things. Not to mention that she was probably about to beat the tar out of him.

She smirked, walking, pointing towards the far distantance, the citadel of the once powerful Espada seen. "It's a good thing your going to lose." "Or I might have actually taken offence to that." She smirked, "Just don't expect me to go easy on you..." She popped her neck twice, standing ready, her body pointed towards the city, "And also, we keep our bets, if you lose, you give me clothes, food, and I get to meet Envy." "If I lose, well, you know what you want to see..." She rolled her eyes, not even a challange, her ego and cocky attitude was kicking in.

"Go.." Nori stated simply, seemingly disintegrating, and then reappearing a good distance away in the form of a red outline. He was already in the lead! Using Kogeru again, he once again did the same, this time allowing himself the luxury of looking behind him. He was sure she was still stunned, standing there with an awed look on her face.

She smirked, 'Taking a head-start?' 'This was going to be fun!' She was ready, using her Sonido to teleport, slowly catching up to Nori, she was now half way to him. 'Fancy tricks don't match pure skill'... She smiled, he was in range, Bala forming on her hands, "No way, I am just going to let you win!" The bala extending outwards, unleashing five in his direction, their speed and distance increased by focusing more spiritual power into them. Hopefully they would make contact, a good vengence for him taking the lead,

Ironically, Nori was hit by one of the bala, but it blasted him further into the lead. "You don't have to! I'll do it without you letting me!" he screamed. The bala had hurt. He was having trouble running now. Continuing to use Kogeru, Nori began weaving back and forth inbetween trees. Hopefully this would keep her from hitting him again.

She smirked, 'Why do all 'prey' make the same decisions?' She smiled, her hand forming Bala on it again, this time, she left it on there, not bothering to go around the trees, chopping several done with her brute force, the Hierro and Bala obliterating some bases of the trees to splinter. "You can swerve all you want, I'll take a more direct approach..."

Nori appeared in front of her. Horizontally positioned in the air, he pushed off of her stomach with his fight, sending them both in opposite directions; Nori foward, and Bailarin backwards. "You're going to have to do better than that.." he chided, giggling to himself. Did he really want to see her naked? Finally breaking out of the forest and into the actual desert, Nori picked up the pace. It would only be a short time before he won.

She growled, her blood was starting to pump, 'Blasted leg!' She couldn't keep up at this rate, she smirked, forming her Cero on her fore-head, 'One last time', she reduced it's power and Spiritual Pressure, but focused intently on fueling it with more of her Spiritual Power, just to cause a big enough explosion to bring the splinters from the trees it would break, the dirt, and sand flying, enough to blind him momentarily. She made sure it's reflection would bounce several times, and saving the most powerful for the 5th reflection. "Baile Cero!" The silver and yellow Cero blasting at an angle, reaching one true, shattering it, then hitting the 2nd tree. It had destroyed them both. By the 3rd reflection, it had bounced ahead of Nori, and was on it's 4th reflection. The splinters from the trees and upheaveled dirt were all over the air, causing enough debris to cause a good enough distraction. The 5th reflection of the Baile Cero was pointed directly towards Nori's stomach. "Mine now."

Nori winced. The cero struck him directly in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him and sending him flying backwards. He was covered with dirt and everything now! At this rate, he'd need to take a shower too... Something swept past him. Was that Bailarin? Was she getting ahead of him!?! Disapearing again, Nori began dashing foward desperately, in a frenzy to regain the lead. He could take it back! She didn't have to meet Envy..

She smiled, she could see it clearly, the desert was wide open, the Forest of Menos left behind. She was having a hard time though, the leg, plus she had used simply too much Spiritual Power in the day, three Baile Cero's in a day exhausted her. She could see him catching up, but she couldn't waste anymore time on abilities. She wanted those new clothes, and the food... but honestly, she didn't believe she could win. Her pace was slowing down considerably...

Nori sped up even more, using Kogeru to quicken his pace, Nori went even faster. Thud! Both him and Bailarin crashed into the ground as Nori crashed into her. "S-sorry..." he mumbled, scrambling to get off of her.. He was so close! He could win! But not if she kept him here.

Bailarin winced as she felt Nori hit her painfully from behind. She gripped him tightly by the ankle, the citadel of Las Noches was only about 30yards ahead. The terrifying place, now ruins, the dome long ago shattered. The shadows of the place fell upon them. Her hand weakly holding on, "You know what, I think I should haven't used that last Cero..."

Nori dug his hands into the sand, pulling them both foward. "It's okay, you can rest all you want after the bath!" he shouted enthusiastically, hesitating to kick her in the face in order to win. It would hurt her. Instead, he twisted his leg; and her hand, by extension; in an attempt to get free.

Bailarin giggled this once, she tried her hardest to stay attached, her hand slippery thanks them being metal, and the sand... and the sweat... didn't help. She yelled out, "Crap!" She hustled to pick herself up knowing that she was going to lose, and that meant not seeing this 'Envy' person, she wasn't worried about the other factors of the losing bet... she should have been.

Nori scrambled to his feet, using Kogeru to allow himself to gain the lead, once again. Bailarin was still very close behind him... He staggered foward, hoping to reach the ruins as soon as possible. Would she really let him see her in the bath..? If she kicked him out after he won, he'd have no complaints..

She smirked, she had one last trick, placing her hands on the ground, she used Sonido for one last burst. Sadly, her aiming was off. She tackled into Nori, both of them hurdling over and over, till they were now in the entrance of Las Noches, finally... She got up as quickly as possible, not enjoying the close contact, "Well, it looks like I won." Bailarin wasn't even sure she had made it through first, but heck, she wasn't going to let Nori see her in the shower or bath...

"It's a tie." Nori moaned, standing up shakily. "... Can I see anyway?" he asked hopefully, looking her directly in the eye. He didn't flinch. If she was going to meet Envy, then he should be able to see her...