7. Tournament

'Like i said, it's boring. Watching kids "fighting ". It's not really entertaining for me,predictable, inexperienced, slow, not strategic enough. that's why I don't really like fighting in the martial arts. There are rules to respect unlike free fights,where everything is allowed .'

"Little girl, don't you watch the match of your brother ?"

She sweep her sight towards the tatami where the fight happens " Ichigo, will soon win, and win and win the others until failing on an opponent stronger, instinctively, faster, smarter than him, more experienced maybe someone who have more willpower. The level here is not low but not high enough for a beginner, to get overwhelmed by his opponents"

The sensei feel the sight of everyone and feel a little pressured by them."Why don't you start warm up, the time one of these kids hurt " the sensei said

Astarte scoffed "You're really eager, i'll wait outside send someone ,when it's my turn"

She find her path outside at the back of the gymnasium contemplate the surroundings. "it's really a bit better than Karakura, the last time we went here was when Masaki brought me,to this rich mansion."

'Should i summon the Gemini, they're should been upset since the last time i summoned them, technically it's almost been 30 years in humans years, but for them i don't know. The time that's passes in the underworld, is quite confusing. Maybe not now but next time.So, Lugal-irra and Meslamta-ea both of you have to wait until i have the opportunity .'

"Do you finish warm up? The fight is terminated "

Astarte take the arms who just appears and do a joint key. And hear a "hiss"

"Mika don't sneak off behind me like that."

"Well, i really feel you're ready, can you let me go now"

She let her, takes her hand and lifts her from the floor.

"Well, don't test me."

"I'll not ever again " Mika said while getting redressed.

Astarte touch her nose and said "Ichigo surely already won,i bet some kids, it's already hurt"

"KUROSAKI COOME, SOMEONE IS OFF"

Astarte grinned "You hear it Mika. Let's go in, won all these old men's bets"

....

"Damn the kids this year are strong"

"Maybe, i could change my bets"

"The twos girls on his teams are monstrous, chiefly the brunette blondi, maybe i'll side with him"

"The redhead are not bad either but it doesn't mean he'll win this year "

"Naah, did you see how she kicked the kid out of the ring !? I put my wallet on her "

Mika scoffed are their attitudes.

She was outside, towards the back exit of the gymnasium, she took a break from Ichigo and Astarte's fights, especially those of her friend Astarte who was slaughtering all her opponents. Sometimes there are even people who refuted her age or her category or her attitude, because she was winning too quickly according to them or too easily. She wanted to make them run after their money so after discussion with the sensei, she decided to let it drag on a little for general entertainment.

She was little impressed by her and wish to be able to do the same. Next time, she'll train with them "Maybe she can teach me this technique "

All of a sudden, a feeling of pain goes through her and her chain starts to erode, it's like someone holding your heart in his hands and pressing really hard to extract what's inside.

She growls, and two masked creatures appears near her. One of them was trying to attack her but, an arrow pierces his hand and the creature cries out and turns his attention to the person who pierced him with an arrow. A woman appears in her blurred field of vision and greets her with a smile.

"Hi, Astarte friend "

.....

"OHOHOHOH ASTARTE CONTINUES LIKE THIS, I SEE ALREADY THE STINKY BAD FACE OF MY OLD MAN HERE!"

Astarte just finished her last fight,during the "fight" she feel, the uncomfortableness of Mika and decided to shorten the show.She take off the helmet and the gantlet, put her towel on herself. "Sensei i'll come back for my turn, put Tatsuki in my instance " and run towards the exit.

At the back of the gymnasium, where she feel Mika and start to shout out her name.

"Mika growl louder,i can't hear you!"

She heard different growling and go in the direction where there are a flat ground, the growling were louder that way she can't even miss it. She arrives where we hear the most noises and see a familiar figure who shoots arrows at 2 creatures and finishing 'em aiming for the heads. She whispers under her breath "Masaki", noticing a presence the bow was redirected at her.

Astarte was really unbothered with the arrow who's aimed at her and walked towards them let out an " Mika !", she's more preoccupied by her who was in pain,she can also feel it by the link she has created the last time. With a calm and concentrated face Masaki shoot her and one shot the hollow who was behind her , the hollow let out a cries and vanished in the area.

Their eyes meet , She observed the bow made of the particles which scattered in the atmosphere , Masaki withdraw and walk to her, the serious expression who was on his face there are 2 seconds wasn't to see right now and was replaced by worrying voice

"Are you okay?" The seriousness and concentrated expression a second ago is replaced by a doting smile.

Astarte, doesn't pay attention take the bow in her hand and hits the flying Hollow who rushes at them, 5 arrows shot in a row and disappear as if it never has been here .

Masaki showed a trace of surprises in her eyes and a light frown spread on her face.

Astarte return the bow and said aloud " Next time, Mom don't let the leftovers take us by surprise". Masaki was still and how she used her bow and the skills, she demonstrated just now. Astarte doesn't hear her reply and add "You know , it's me who must ask you how u really feel ?"

"Can you feel it ?"

"Yes,i can sense it, since the first time our paths have crossed "

"Baby, what a weird manner to say "encounter ""

Astarte grinned a little "You are used to me, don't act like it's new, Mom"

Masaki smiled back

'Yes, you're right i'm used to your attitude, lazyness, your gimmick, your naughtiness, sometimes your serious face, i'm used to you, Astarte. May be you're a Gemischt Quincy or whatever ? Who knows, you're still you'

" Well, we'll talk later" Masaki said while scrutinizes Mika. "I would like" she let it go, and look at Astarte, "I'll rest inside, there are still the fights of Ichigo, Tatsuki and you"

Astarte nods and take Mika and analyze the state of the chains , this one are shrinks during the crisis 'This damned chains had shrinking, there may be 10 cm (3,9) left'. "Do you feel better ?"

At the occurrence since Mika saw Masaki draw a arrow from nowhere, she was a little impressed by the woman, how she deal with the monster she doesn't even notice the feeling of heart tearing with the continuation of the destruction her chain has diminished with the arrival of Astarte .After her arrival and demonstration of Astarte bow skills, she questioned herself. 'It's there anyone normal near Astarte ?'

She hear herself said

'It's there normal peoples in your family ?"

Astarte thought seriously to the members of her new family. 'Ichigo looks normal overall , but there's still this little feeling'. For example earlier Masaki aimed an arrow at her and she didn't try to avoid it, neither the arrow nor the "soul" behind her, because she knew she love her so much, she can't hurt herself. At worst she would have rolled it on its side and pierce the "soul" with one of her chains ".

'And just by this, she demonstrated to me that under this appearance of kindness and "careless" , her instincts and skills, are refined and then there's Isshin...Isshin.. Aaah I'm not going to think about it more than necessary, maybe he'll surprise me in the future'

She look at Mika and replied at her question

"I don't know maybe Yuzu and Karin when they'll grown up. But let's not have high hopes, Isshin will have influence on her, i'll try to deviates that "

Mika smiled

"Ok, i feel better. isn't you are others fights"

"Okay, all right, we can go"