Elsewhere, Kotori followed Kenpachi through the ruins of Soul Society. The flame spirit glanced around, her crimson red eyes scanned the area, taking in the Soul Reapers who had fallen to the hands of the Quincy's or were injured.
"Hey kid." Kenpachi spoke, not bothering to look over his shoulder or at Kotori. "What's your relationship with Scarlet?"
Kotori paused mid step, she looked at Kenpachi as she took a moment to think. "Um well.....it's a bit technical..." She rubbed her arm as she was wondering why Kenpachi would ask that. "But it isn't anything real, we aren't exactly seeing eye to eye. But I'm not her lover or anything, I'm more like....her daughter sees me as an aunt.."
Kenpachi stopped as he turned around and laughed. "A daughter? She doesn't seem like the motherly type if you ask me."
Kotori shook her head a little. "It isn't really her fault for not ya know....showing that kind of parenthood for her own child. You can blame Scarlet's mother, she's mainly the reason why Scarlet is well...Scarlet, but trust me. Scarlet does care for her daughter, she just...has her own ways of expressing it." She swallowed as she felt sick, having to come to defend Scarlet's parenthood for a child, she knew she needed to at least show some respect towards the Grimm girl. "Listen, this whole multi-dimensional stuff is happening because someone from my world kidnapped Scarlet's daughter. But Scarlet was able to rescue her, it's just that. She wants revenge and to kill that said person."
"Ah, that explains why you and her aren't from our world, you know. You two aren't really the first one's we've encountered." Kenpachi spoke as he rested his sword on his shoulder. "We had visitors a long time ago, went by the name of Ruby Rose and her friends and her uncle." He shook his head and smirked. "Sometimes revenge can get you killed, but." He looked towards the sky for a moment. "It will lead you down a dark path."
"That's nothing new...not for her." Kotori spoke crossing her arms. "Scarlet still has some evil inside her, that flame of darkness is still there." The Flame spirit looked away as she spoke again. "She says she isn't anything like Salem, but she's going down that path once more."
"Salem? That's the name of her mother? Well now." Kenpachi spoke.
"Salem isn't someone you want to encounter or pick a fight with, her magic is strong." Kotori mumbled quietly. "Salem is an ancient evil, from what I've learned..that and the fact that she's immortal as well."
Kenpachi chuckled. "Like mother, like daughter." He grinned widely. "Which explains why Scarlet is immortal too."
Kotori stayed silent for a moment before speaking up. "Only, Scarlet's immortality is her own weakness."
Kenpachi's grin turned into a frown. "To live for eternity, while the ones you care about die around you. Is that it?"
Kotori shakes her head. "No, there's this thing that happens to her body when she heals herself too much. Her body starts to pulse, to where anyone can see her skeleton. Or her body starts to change and become corrupted."
Kenpachi listened to what Kotori was saying, he looked down at the flame spirit. "That's a shame really." He then turned around and resumed walking. "If she didn't have that problem, she'd make for a great rival. Even if you and her aren't from our world."
Kotori blinked in confusion, but shook her head again as she resumed walking, following behind Kenpachi. "Um, where are we going by the way?"
"To the others who are taking refuge, so they can heal and recover before heading back out." Kenpachi spoke.
~~~
Once the two had gotten to where the others were at. Rukia glanced over seeing Kenpachi. "Found anymore wounded?"
"Yeah, but they're seeming to be on death's door." Kenpachi spoke. "Some do seem like they might not be able to make it here in one trip." He stepped to the side and went to sit down.
Rukia nodded lightly, but she noticed Kotori. "Commander Itsuka I assume?"
Kotori was taken by surprise, she never had the proper introduction to Rukia, but the only one who could've told her would be Yoruichi. "I assume Yoruichi told you about me then?"
Rukia nodded but her emotionless stare didn't seem to waver to one of recognition. "She did, she's still out there holding her own." She glanced around for a moment before speaking. "And your partner....?"
Kotori was wondering why the sudden question of Scarlet's whereabouts kept coming up, first it was Kenpachi asking her about the relationship between her and Scarlet. Now it was Rukia asking about her whereabouts. "She too stayed behind, but I wouldn't worry about her. She's holding her own."
"Right." Rukia spoke putting a hand on her hip. "Anyway, we just got news from the others on the other side in the land of the living. Ichigo and co should be on there way here at some given point."
Kotori opened her mouth to speak, but as she did that. She closed her mouth soon after, not wanting to ask anymore questions. The flame spirit walked around, checking in to see who was around and who wasn't. "All these poor people, losing ones they care about."
"It comes with the job..." Renji muttered who was sitting off to the side. "Most of the captains lost their lives to the enemy. And can you guess which one of them did the most?"
Kotori raised an eyebrow up curiously. She wasn't too familiar with who was who, or with what names went with what person she saw. "No, who?"
"That back stabbing son of a bitch, Uryu Ishida." Renji spoke with his arms crossed and a small scoff. "He stabbed us in the back and is working for the enemy team."
Kotori was unfamiliar with Uryu. But what she had heard from Yoruichi, Uryu is a Quincy that helped them in the past. Then it dawned on her, her stomach felt uneasy, her face paled. "Oh....Oh no." The realization that Ichigo and co were going to be on their way to assist and aid everyone made her realize. If Scarlet crossed paths with Uryu, she'd kill him...he was a former friend to Renji and them...that would just mean. Turning around quickly, Kotori rushed off. "I have to go stop her!"
Kenpachi perked his head up as he head Kotori, yelling. He knew what she was yelling about, He watched as she ran past him. Rukia chasing after her. "Don't bother stopping her Rukia, the kid knows what sh-and she's gone..." He sighed as he stood up. "Renji, hold down the fort. It seems like I have to go do some babysitting."
Renji didn't seem to say much but his silence was enough of an answer to Kenpachi. Kenpachi rushed out after Rukia, Renji just watched as he was unsure what had just happened. But regardless, he stayed on his guard.
Kotori may still be in a weak state, but she knew damn well that Scarlet wouldn't care or give a shit about someone being a former friend to someone else. The Flame spirit bit her lower lip and cursed under her breath. "Don't you dare do anything stupid..." Her crimson eyes burning with a new objective in them.