When it comes to humans, instinct is the first thing that comes out of them when they are in danger. A dagger came across my blurry line of vision as my arm shot out to protect myself. The reishi around me formed together singularly into my right arm as my Blut activated. I blinked away the sleep from my eyes as they honed on one person.

Uryu looked completely the same as the last time Hichigo and I saw him, but now just with the Quincy uniform. He seemed to be taken aback by my defensiveness. "Why are you protecting him?"

"Oh," I spat back, my lip raising just about to a snarl, "why shouldn't I be protecting myself after you just tried to stab us?"

He huffed, putting the dagger away, "I was expecting Ichigo's hollow to react, but it seems I was wrong."

Hichigo poked the upper skin of my triceps. "Can you get off me? Although, I don't mind this position."

My mind couldn't process what he said until I looked down and saw his face become smothered in my chest. Uryu looked away as I screamed and suffocated the insufferable zanpakuto with a pillow. "You jackass!"

Hichigo kicked and protested while Uryu sighed in distaste. This is probably how he didn't expect talking with me, but it didn't matter at the moment, just so I could continue to suffocate that jerk. 

"I hate to interrupt," Uryu spoke, ignoring the fact Hichigo was being killed. "But I came here with a message."

I stopped my assassination attempt as Hichigo breathed with relief. I looked him in the eye the best I could, but he still wouldn't meet my eyes. "What's the message?" I asked.

Uryu looked around twice before dropping his voice. "I'm going to help you two escape."

Shock course through my bones. A way out of this frozen wasteland of a palace? Was such a thing possible? But, doubt crossed my mind. "Why would you help us? I thought you became the letter A, which means your loyal to Ywhach." 

"I was joined out of my will. He assigned it to me the day you came here. I was shocked to find your related to his majesty." He glanced over at Hichigo, annoyance crossed his face. "In fact, I'm more shocked that Ichigo's hollow became a part of your zanpakuto. Why aren't you with your actual owner?"

Hichigo scooted over and sat down on my left side, only one foot apart. "Trust me, I want to go back to my useless king, but I'm stuck here with (y/n)." For some odd reason, my heart squeezed tightly at his comment. "The space you Quincy's use is different from the regular reishi I'm used too. So, I'm stuck here with the princess here until we're sent onto the front lines."

"Wait, you're going with the Strenritters? That's insane!"

"It's our only chance at escaping." I stood up, grabbing both Uryu's hands. "Hotaru is draining my powers slowly so I can't escape, and I'm being guarded here nigh and day. The only place Hichigo and I are allowed to go to is the training room. Please, I beg you, help us escape while we deal with the Strenritters."

I could tell Uryu was struggling inside himself. I can't understand being a Quincy much since I just barely found out about my heritage. Uryu, on the other hand, has been proud to be a Quincy his whole life. To betray his own kind must be hurting him, but helping me escape is the only chance we have at beating Ywhach.

"Fine," He said, adjusting his glasses. "I want you both to meet with me at the training grounds around noon to discuss our operation. Every day at the same time until the Strenritters are sent out for battle."

I nodded and Hichigo shook his head sightly which seem to be a nod. Uryu turned around and went to open the door, staring me down. "Don't let our guard down. Just because you're the princess around here, there are some willing to kill you. They don't trust you. Act the part of a loyal Quincy princess before a week from now."

With those words, he closed the door, leaving the room silent. I turned to face Hichigo, pondering about the dagger moment. "I forgot to ask him, why was he aiming his dagger at you?"

He looked sideways at me before turning his gaze towards the window. "I made a side comment, no big deal." He chuckled as a grin spread across his face. "It was something about how you were too cuddly with me. Four eyes didn't take too kindly to my humor."

I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment. "Oh shut the hell up! As if I would ever snuggle you!"

"Then how do you explain how your chest was that close to my face with that reaction time?"

"I'm going to kill you!" I charged towards him, but before I had the chance, he grabbed my arm and twisted it back. I could feel my elbow just at the point of breaking if he bends it back even an inch closer. 

I struggled as he talked, nonchalant to almost breaking my arm. "Look here, princess. I have to be honest with you. You're worthless in battle."

His gaze towards me was serious. There was nothing of his usual teasing or chastising nature in them. The pain in my elbow ceased as I realized deep down inside what he meant. I was useless in battle.

Out of everyone that I've met, Ichigo, Uryu, Hichigo, and even Orihime, they're all had some battle experience. I don't know how to weld Zattai Kuin powers, my own zanpakuto spirit. Frustration grew intensely inside me as tears clouded my vision. Hichigo was right, I am nothing in battle.

I looked down at the ground to hide my shame. The pain in my elbow halt as he let go, seeing the tears slid down my face. I felt a sight sob choke my throat as I felt Hichigo's hand on my cheek. He bent one knee down on the ground and locked gazes with mine. There wasn't any shame or judgment in his ebony eyes. I was taken aback by the gaze, suddenly feeling better about myself.

"Look, I know I'm not the best at pep talk. You might be worthless in battle, but I've seen how you can manipulate reishi. Hell, you're Blut or whatever it's called activated within a second." He poked my wrist hard, the area where Uryu stabbed. "Your strength may not be fighting, it could more defensive or giving back up. I'll handle the violence while you shield me with your reishi, you got that?"

I nodded and sniffed a snot back up my nose. Hichigo stood up and gently smacked the top of my head. "What's the big idea crying on me? Warriors don't get to cry!"

"S-Shut up!" I growled at him, "I'm crying and now you're hitting me? You're the worst emotional support person I've ever met!"

"Then maybe you shouldn't have put your chest right on my face." He said, a teasing smile growing ever so bigger on his face.

From then on Hichigo and I made mini bickers from the week on towards the day we were to head out. Uryu helped train me my reishi manipulation instead of sword fighting, while Hichigo trained me in the art of how to dodge swords. The week flew in a blink of an eye as I geared up in the standard Quincy uniform. 

Hichigo was in his standard clothing, but he seemed tenser while we walked behind the Strenritters. Hotaru was standing five feet apart from me as we marched towards the battle. I was ready to get rid of his never-ending draining presence. It was time to fight back.