Hueco Mundo Arc
Tired of waiting for something interesting to happen in Bleach, I've begun writing what I wish would happen. I know it won't, but it's fun nonetheless. Spoilers abound like crazy.
(And yeah, I realize that you don't pluralize Japanese words with an 's,' but figured it was the most intuitive-to-English-speaking-readers way to do it.)
Rating: PG-13 for violence.
Characters: Just about all.
Pairings: Implications of Shunsui/Ukitake, Isshin/Ryuuken, Gin/Rangiku.
Summary: Yamamoto sends most of Sereitei's forces into Hueco Mundo.
Title:
Realizing at last that doing nothing was just that, Yamamoto ordered all of the taichous and fukataichous (except himself, Sasakibe, and Hinamori) into Hueco Mundo.
Out of boredom, they were joined by several Karakura Town citizens: three former taichous, a handful of modsouls, a shop assistant, and one Quincy who really hated Shinigami but came along in hopes of seeing Isshin’s butt get royally kicked.
It was pretty easy to get into Hueco Mundo. Urahara Kisuke seemed to have portals everywhere. Kyoraku Shunsui made a mental note to ask about this later. Ise Nanao, being very practiced at reading Kyoraku’s facial expressions, made a mental note to hit him over the head later. Several times. Hard.
The seemingly-endless stretch of sand that greeted the odd group’s eyes caused many sighs and one smirk.
“Oy, Matsumoto.”
“Taichou?”
“Remember how you told me you’d cover up more the day Hueco Mundo froze over?” Matsumoto looked like she was about to comment when the diminutive taichou leaped into the air. “Soten ni zase, Hyorinmaru!” He landed with a satisfied smile. “There. Hueco Mundo just froze over.”
Matsumoto sniffed.
“You came to storm Aizen-sama’s fortress and instead you’re playing games?” The broken mask marked the speaker as an Arrancar.
“You again,” Yoruichi said.
Yammy sneered. “In Hueco Mundo I’m more powerful than I was in that little town. We’ll see if you can beat me this time.”
“Che. Not worth my time.” Zaraki looked disappointed.
“So sorry.” Trying to catch someone by surprise, Yammy swung at Ururu. He wasn’t ready for her to catch his arm and fling him away. The sand wasn’t very soft. As he blinked himself back into full consciousness, he listened to two Shinigami talking distractedly.
“… that one time on the beach?”
“I hate sand.”
“But it was lovely, Jyuu-kun.”
“You weren’t finding sand two weeks later. You were still wearing everything, down to that kimono. Never again.”
“But Jyuu-kun…”
Yammy leapt back up and was knocked down again by Jinta.
“Should I finish him?”
“Little brat!”
Kisuke shrugged. “If you want.”
That was the last thing Yammy heard. The Sereitei crew charged onward.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I thought it would take Yamamoto longer to send them.”
“We knew they were comin’, what with our spy an’ all.”
“Yes. But normally there would have been a lot of paperwork to do first… How many of the Espada are busy with the first group?”
“Only three. Tha rest are eager to go, along wi’ all the other Arrancar. Tousen ain’t ready, though.”
“Explain, Gin.”
“His shirt’s on backwards again. Some o’ th’ Arrancar started laughin’ at him an’ he threw a fit an’ won’t come outta his room.”
Aizen sighed. Sometimes he wondered if he’d picked correctly. He’d needed Tousen, of course, as Tousen wouldn’t have been fooled, but the man was rather incompetent. Aizen knew that Tousen would probably die in this battle; the only question was whether Zaraki would get to him first or Komamura. Oh well. Gin was another headache all together. He was too smart and often bored. Luckily Aizen had managed to channel most of that boredom into working with their spy.
“Is the entryway reset?”
“Of course, taichou. Everythin’s prepared. And most o’ the first wave are already beaten. Jus’ Ichigo left, and only ‘cause Grimmjow an’ Ulquiorra are playin’ with him.”
“Children and their toys.”
Gin grinned.
“You said three Espada weren’t prepared. Who else isn’t?”
“Szayel. He’s changin’, again. Tha Quincy an’ Renji messed up two o’ his outfits, but they’re out cold now, restrained like ya wanted them.”
Aizen nodded. “It will be disappointing to have to kill so many. I liked some of them. But if that’s what must be…”
“Ya promised me Ran, don’t forget. Ran, Kira, and little Shiro. Wanna play with them more.”
Aizen nodded again. “I know. I’ve already given the Espada orders.”
“When do I get ta play?”
“Later. Arrancar are expendable. You aren’t.”
“Hearin’ ya say that makes me feel all warm an’ fuzzy.”
“I’m glad.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Shinigami, modsouls, assistant, and one Quincy arrived in the entryway. There were thirteen paths.
“Apparently we will have to split up.” Byakuya almost sounded pleased by this thought. It was probably because Isshin had been playing bat-the-scarf-ends ever since they met again.
“You shouldn’t go alone, Bya-kun,” Isshin said. “You’re one of few without a fukataichou here. I should go with you.”
Byakuya’s eyes darted around the group. Anyone who knew him would call this panic. He grabbed the little green plushie, the quiet one. “There. Not alone.”
Isshin’s gaze moved to Ryuuken, who grabbed for the bunny at the same time Yoruichi did.
Cloud hopped towards Yoruichi. “I prefer women. Sorry.”
Ukitake warily picked up the bird, who smiled and found a home in his hair.
Kira grabbed Kon.
“I hate you all,” Ryuuken hissed.
“We know,” Isshin said. “But won’t it be fun, you and me together?”
“No.”
“It was your choice to come along!” Kisuke was grinning.
“Why does he get four?” Mayuri asked. He wasn’t about to honor his former Taichou by naming him.
“I inspire loyalty. Unlike some.”
“Question. Why would we allow Aizen to control our path?”
Everyone turned to look at SoiFon.
“It’s obvious he wants us divided into several groups. Why don’t we all go down one path and see where that leads?”
“Because then all of us would be stuck with Isshin,” answered Byakuya.
“I heard that, Byakuya-kun!”
“Stop calling me that.”
“You wound me!” Isshin curled up in a corner and pretended to cry.
“He was a captain?” Hitsugaya asked. “He’s as mature as his son.”
“At least he’s not quite as stupid as his son,” muttered Byakuya. “Only almost-as-stupid.”
“I can feel Ichigo’s reiatsu. He’s fighting. Should we take the most direct path to him or another?” Yoruichi hoped the group could start focusing.
“Another. Please. One Kurosaki is enough,” said the normally-patient Kira.
“Most direct path. I want to fight Ichigo again.”
“Kenpachi-kun, that needs to wait. First we have to deal with the threats.” Shunsui almost looked mournful.
“He feels Hollow-ish to me.”
“He’s always been Hollow-ish,” said Byakuya. “From the second time he fought me. But that can be dealt with later.”
“No wonder there are still Hollows everywhere. Shinigami can’t do anything without a long discussion.”
“Be thankful for long discussions, Quincy. It’s what kept Mayuri from claiming you.” Unohana shook her head. “Let’s take the most direct path. We might find the others, and they’re probably in need of healing.”
“What if the others are on different paths? I can’t feel their reiatsu, at least.” Kira had become more outspoken since Gin left, as if to show that he could lead the Third.
“Nor can I,” Unohana said. “Maybe splitting up would be a good idea, then.”
“Yay! Ryuu-kun and I claim this path!” Isshin grabbed Ryuuken’s hand and charged down the first path.
“I pity the Quincy,” Ukitake said. “But I wouldn’t trade places.” He patted Ririn.
Kisuke glanced at the group. “As much as I’m proud of my work, I don’t think those three are enough to qualify as teammates… Here. Take Ururu, Jyuushiro-kun. Byakuya-kun, sorry to stick you with another temperamental redhead, but take Jinta. Kira-“
“I’ll go with Kira,” Shuuhei said.
Urahara nodded. “That’s settled, then. Yoruichi?”
She grinned. “I can handle myself. Cloud’s just a bonus.”
The pairs and trios set off down various paths.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Renji?”
“Here, Rukia.”
“Where are we?”
“I don’t know. I can’t even remember what happened.”
“The Arrancar changed clothes and decimated us on his return. Are we dead?”
“We wouldn’t be in the same place if we were, Quincy.”
“It’s Ishida, Shinigami.”
“Renji, then.”
“It’s dark.”
“You’re here too, Sado?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s Ichigo?”
“Somewhere being stupid, probably, Rukia.” Renji tested the strength of the chains that held him wherever he was. “Why aren’t we dead?”
“Ichimaru-taichou probably wants to toy with us.” Rukia shuddered, remembering when Gin spoke to her on the bridge.
“What happens now?” Ishida wasn’t sure he wanted the answer to that, but he couldn’t keep from asking.
“Now we hope that Sereitei sends reinforcements, because Ichigo sure ain’t gonna be enough to save us.” At least, Renji hoped that Ichigo wouldn’t save the day. No matter how much he wanted to be rescued, he was tired of Ichigo overshadowing him. He hated the look in Rukia’s eyes when she talked about Ichigo.
“Maybe Urahara will come.”
“Maybe. But he didn’t come when we went into Soul Society.” Ishida pushed his glasses up his nose. He could feel them slipping, even if he couldn’t see through them.
“That’s ‘cause he couldn’t,” Renji said. “He’s been banished.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t talk much, do you?” Renji asked Chad.
“No.”
As it didn’t seem like there was much more to say, they sat for a bit in silence.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Taichou?”
“Yes, Isane?”
“Why didn’t we team up with people who were better at fighting?”
“We can hold our own.”
“I know, Taichou, but-“
“Don’t worry, Isane. We’ll be fine.”
“If we come against Aizen?”
“We’ll deal with that when it happens. Remember that he had a chance to attack us in Sereitei and left instead.”
“He had something he wanted then…”
“Yes, but he could have attacked. More than death motivates him, though I’m not sure what it is.”
Isane sighed.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Should have brought Jyuu-kun.”
“There were thirteen paths and thirteen groups, Taichou.”
“We should have all stayed together. It would have been more fun, lovely Nanao.” Shunsui wasn’t smiling, but he was trying to keep the mood light.
“It would have been a headache, Kyoraku-taichou.”
“Hm.” Kyoraku stopped, peering into a room up ahead. “Stay behind me.”
“I can-“
“No. As some seem to have forgotten, we’re up against dangerous enemies here. They’re not just Hollows. Some of them know us, and we thought we knew them.”
“Taichou?”
“Sometimes I wish that life was easy. That I could simply sleep all day.”
“You do.”
“Only when not dealing with difficult situations.”
“The ryoka weren’t that bad. You took care of the one-“
“I don’t just mean the ryoka.” He sighed. “You weren’t around at the time of the Quincy-Shinigami War, as they call it now. You weren’t around for the two wars before that. This is the fourth in the history of Sereitei, and from all of them I have regrets. Stay behind me, Nanao-chan. I don’t want your death to be added to those regrets.”
When he put it like that, Nanao couldn’t refuse.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Why is it always redheads.” It wasn’t a question as much as it was a statement of stress. Sure, the plushie modsoul on his shoulder was quiet, but the little one wouldn’t shut up.
“But then I knocked him into tomorrow! You shoulda seen the look on his-“
“Shut up.”
“You’re rude.”
“You’re tiresome.” A good part of Byakuya was horrified that he was being drawn into this argument, but he was too frustrated to really care. Normally this wouldn’t happen, but three hours of long hallway with a jabbering, obnoxious redhead… he was surprised to find himself missing Renji. At least Renji knew when to shut up.
“Your hair is funny.”
“I’m going to feed you to the next Arrancar we meet.”
“I’m stronger than you. You better not even try.”
“I’m not joking. I don’t joke.”
“Hah! He’d eat you instead!”
He would not cry. He would remain stoic and noble, and not stoop down to this creature’s taunts. Byakuya refused the temptation to trip Jinta. He could feel Senbonzakura calling to him, telling him to release her and let her teach the boy manners. It was such an elegant idea… No. He could deal. He would deal. Maybe he’d give the boy as a gift to Aizen. That would probably break the traitor. Repressing a smile, Byakuya strode on, finally able to ignore Jinta.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I am a purse, you know. You could wear me around your chest.”
“I’m quite aware of that.”
“It would be more fun.”
Yoruichi laughed and then shifted Cloud’s position. “Better?”
“Much!”
“Good. Now, which way…” They’d come to another path-branching. One lead upward and she could see outside light, as much as was in this place. The other lead underground.
“Up. I like light. The other looks dark and dingy. It’s hard to keep this form from mildewing, you know.”
“Up it is, then.”
“Whee!”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They ran in silence. Iba knew that his taichou preferred it that way. As there was nothing he could say, he didn’t even try. Ever since that day Komamura had been changed. Never talkative, now the Fox was even quieter. Iba didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t understand; that much was clear. At least the three fukataichous that lost their taichous had each other. Komamura didn’t have someone to lean on at his rank. Not that he would go to them. But that the possible support wasn’t there made it worse.
Komamura wasn’t bothered by the silence. He still didn’t know what he would do when he found Tousen. So many years invested in a friendship that apparently wasn’t what he thought it was… The grey skies loomed above them suddenly as they came across an open part of the path. Looking up, they could see Ichigo fighting in the distance.
Iba frowned. “Do we go to him?”
“I don’t care about him. We’re here for Tousen.”
Iba nodded. They ran on.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I should have stayed home. Ichigo has twin sisters, you know. And they hug me.”
“Do they.” Kira couldn’t care less. He was here for one reason, and that reason did not include paying attention to some blathering modsoul.
“And then they put me in dresses. Maybe I’m better off here.”
“Maybe,” said Shuuhei. He was just as distracted. When it came right down to it, Shuuhei didn’t know how he’d respond to Tousen. No matter how he tried to quash it, a part of him wanted Tousen to explain everything to him, wanted Tousen to make perfect sense.
“I wish Matsumoto had taken me.”
“She had her Taichou with her.” The word still hurt. Shuuhei knew that now he had an excellent chance of becoming a Taichou, but what he wanted so much more was for Tousen to still lead him.
Kira frowned. Shuuhei figured the word still hurt Kira too. At least they weren’t as messed up as poor Hinamori. He’d gone past the Fourth Division Headquarters as he headed to the portal, and could hear her pleading with Unohana to save Aizen. And yet… he wanted to save Tousen. Maybe they were as messed up as Momo. At least they hid it better.
“I think we’re getting there,” Kira said.
“Where?” asked Shuuhei.
“Oh, Matsumoto…” murmured Kon.
“The end of this path. There’s a larger opening up there.”
“Might mean a fight.”
The fukataichous shared a heavy glance.
“We can take an Arrancar,” Kira finally said.
Shuuhei nodded.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“This is fun!”
“You’re an idiot.”
“We’re on a grand adventure to save our sons! Doctors to the rescue!”
“Would you shut up already?”
“Ryuu-kun sounds angry. He needs to cheer up.”
“Seriously. If there’s any sort of ambush set up for us, we might want to be a little more careful.”
“We’re the best pair ever! We can handle anything!”
“You couldn’t handle a puppy.”
“You know you love me.”
“I dislike all Shinigami. You’re a Shinigami. Therefore, I do not love you.”
“So hurtful. Do you need a time-out?”
“Isshin! Is this why they kicked you out of Soul Society? You drove them all nuts?”
“I wasn’t kicked. I left helping a friend escape their cruel clutches. Isshin to the rescue!”
“I wish I had that bunny…”
“He wouldn’t be good for backup in the heat of battle.”
“He’d be better conversation.”
“When we get home I’ll make you cookies. That will cheer you up.”
“When I get home I’m having my ears removed like that one Shinigami.”
“But then you won’t hear my protestations of love!”
“Exactly.”
“I still love you, no matter what you say. I know you’re just grumpy because you’re worried about your son. When we find him you’ll cheer right up, and then you’ll snog me senseless.”
“In your dreams.”
“Yes. All the time.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Which way?” He looked at the five paths.
“That way!” She pointed at the darkest one. “It looks like the most fun!”
He grinned. “Yeah, it does.” He charged down that path, one arm behind him making sure she didn’t fall off. He was going faster than normal; he wanted to beat everyone to Aizen. This would be the fight of his life.
“Yachiru…” he growled when it ended up being a dead end.
“Oops. Why did you go this way, Ken-chan? We should have taken the path with torches!”
“You pointed this way!”
“Did not!”
“Did too!”
He ran back up the darkest path and started down the one with torches. He’d get there, and he’d get there first. No one else was in a rush to take care of this. Emotions were eating at all of them. He had one emotion raging through him, and that was elation. Aizen took out Komamura with one kidou cast; he stopped Ichigo’s sword with one finger. Kenpachi figured he’d die today, but that was all right as long as he killed Aizen too. And Yachiru could grow up knowing exactly what the best way to go was.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Is this… a lab?” Mayuri looked around. He felt like a kid at a candy store. Everything was high-tech. Gadgets he didn’t know the use of glistened. Vials filled with liquids bubbled. Mayuri was in heaven.
“There are creatures in some of the cages,” Nemu reported, peering in. “They look artificial. Artificial Hollows.”
“I should have joined Aizen when he asked. I didn’t know what he was implying, though. I was too busy trying to show up our former Taichou.”
“There’s still time,” Nemu said. The possibility of Mayuri switching sides didn’t bother her. She would follow him, no matter what he did. He’d made sure of that when he made her.
“This is better than Yamamoto has ever given me. Look at this, Nemu!”
“Yes, Mayuri-sama.”
“So you’re Kurotsuchi Mayuri.” The voice was drawling but unfamiliar.
Mayuri turned around and eyed the pink-haired Arrancar in the doorway. “And you are…?”
“Szayel. Aizen-sama’s scientist. This would be my lab.”
Mayuri tilted his head to the side, analyzing the Arrancar. “It’s very nice.”
“Thank you. Shall we fight outside, then, so as not to mess it up?”
“Must we fight? I find all of this rather fascinating…”
“Aizen-sama said to kill all of the Shinigami except for three specific ones. You’re not one of those three.”
“Why don’t you take me to Aizen-sama? We can… discuss things.”
After a moment of hesitation Szayel nodded. “This way.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“We’re going to kill them all.”
Hitsugaya wasn’t sure if that was a question or not. “That’s Yamamoto’s orders.”
“No prisoners.”
“He doesn’t want to risk them breaking free.”
“Hinamori will be devastated.” She didn’t add that she would be too.
Hitsugaya frowned. “If Aizen is dead, maybe she’ll be released from the horrid things he did to her.”
“What if… what if the others were under Aizen’s spell?”
“Tousen wouldn’t be. Remember how he said it affected only those who could see?”
“What of G-what of Ichimaru-taichou?”
He was young, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew that Matsumoto had feelings for Ichimaru. “You heard what almost happened to Kyoraku and Ukitake when they defied Yamamoto. You want to deal with that?”
“But what if-“
“Matsumoto. We have our orders.”
She sighed heavily. “Yes, Taichou.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
SoiFon stalked down the halls. During the first mess with Aizen she’d been able to do nothing. She’d stood there and watched as he ascended. Now she intended to rip his head off. Probably after poisoning him, that was. It would be easier to tear that off if he was already dead.
Omaeda walked behind her. He was a constant source of annoyance, but at least it kept her angry and sharp. She’d be ready for anything.
Except, when the first attack came, she wasn’t. The cero blast came from behind her, and she and Omaeda both just barely dodged it. The two Arrancar that stepped out of the shadows smiled, bowed, and then attacked again.
“Bankai!” SoiFon was going to teach these fools what it meant to mess with a Taichou.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Ah, there he is.” Ukitake shaded his eyes to watch Ichigo better. He was fighting an Arrancar that looked more like a cat than anything else.
Ririn bounced on his shoulder. “Come on Ichigo!” She looked around, sheepish. “I don’t like him or anything. Just so you know.”
Ukitake patted Ririn, still watching Ichigo. “We should get a bit closer. I think if we take a right up there it should do the trick.”
“He won’t lose, will he?” Ururu looked up at Ukitake.
“Of course not. But we want to be there when he’s done with the fight in case others attack.”
Both of the little ones accepted this, and Ukitake moved on. He wished he was with Shunsui, but there was too much to deal with for Taichous to stay together. All the same, they’d fought side-by-side in every other event. He’d have to find a way to run into Shunsui later.
From some mysterious place Ririn produced mini-pompoms and was squeakily cheering Ichigo on. Ukitake repressed a smile, knowing it would only upset her. Urahara really did do excellent work.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I do such excellent work.”
“Of course.”
“So. Time to recollect the merchandise first, I think.” Kisuke flipped open something that looked like a stapler. “We’ll want to go down this path a few more minutes before taking a right, and then… yes. We can get to it. Only a couple of Arrancar in the way.”
“No former Shinigami yet?”
“They’re not in the way, yet. After we have my Hougyoku we can deal with problematic people. I do want to test my new toys on Aizen…”
“Which one?”
“All of them, if he survives long enough. While I don’t enjoy pain like my successor, I do want to make sure that all of these will work against any threats Sereitei might face.”
“There’s no guarantee that killing Aizen will redeem you in Yamamoto-soutaichou’s eyes.”
“I know. And I realize I said Sereitei instead of Karakura Town. I miss having a squad. Modsouls aren’t enough.”
“At least they’re easy to keep track of.”
“That much is true. All right, then. Recollecting my toy is top priority.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
(And yeah, I realize that you don't pluralize Japanese words with an 's,' but figured it was the most intuitive-to-English-speaking-readers way to do it.)
Rating: PG-13 for violence.
Characters: Just about all.
Pairings: Implications of Shunsui/Ukitake, Isshin/Ryuuken, Gin/Rangiku.
Summary: Yamamoto sends most of Sereitei's forces into Hueco Mundo.
Title:
Realizing at last that doing nothing was just that, Yamamoto ordered all of the taichous and fukataichous (except himself, Sasakibe, and Hinamori) into Hueco Mundo.
Out of boredom, they were joined by several Karakura Town citizens: three former taichous, a handful of modsouls, a shop assistant, and one Quincy who really hated Shinigami but came along in hopes of seeing Isshin’s butt get royally kicked.
It was pretty easy to get into Hueco Mundo. Urahara Kisuke seemed to have portals everywhere. Kyoraku Shunsui made a mental note to ask about this later. Ise Nanao, being very practiced at reading Kyoraku’s facial expressions, made a mental note to hit him over the head later. Several times. Hard.
The seemingly-endless stretch of sand that greeted the odd group’s eyes caused many sighs and one smirk.
“Oy, Matsumoto.”
“Taichou?”
“Remember how you told me you’d cover up more the day Hueco Mundo froze over?” Matsumoto looked like she was about to comment when the diminutive taichou leaped into the air. “Soten ni zase, Hyorinmaru!” He landed with a satisfied smile. “There. Hueco Mundo just froze over.”
Matsumoto sniffed.
“You came to storm Aizen-sama’s fortress and instead you’re playing games?” The broken mask marked the speaker as an Arrancar.
“You again,” Yoruichi said.
Yammy sneered. “In Hueco Mundo I’m more powerful than I was in that little town. We’ll see if you can beat me this time.”
“Che. Not worth my time.” Zaraki looked disappointed.
“So sorry.” Trying to catch someone by surprise, Yammy swung at Ururu. He wasn’t ready for her to catch his arm and fling him away. The sand wasn’t very soft. As he blinked himself back into full consciousness, he listened to two Shinigami talking distractedly.
“… that one time on the beach?”
“I hate sand.”
“But it was lovely, Jyuu-kun.”
“You weren’t finding sand two weeks later. You were still wearing everything, down to that kimono. Never again.”
“But Jyuu-kun…”
Yammy leapt back up and was knocked down again by Jinta.
“Should I finish him?”
“Little brat!”
Kisuke shrugged. “If you want.”
That was the last thing Yammy heard. The Sereitei crew charged onward.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I thought it would take Yamamoto longer to send them.”
“We knew they were comin’, what with our spy an’ all.”
“Yes. But normally there would have been a lot of paperwork to do first… How many of the Espada are busy with the first group?”
“Only three. Tha rest are eager to go, along wi’ all the other Arrancar. Tousen ain’t ready, though.”
“Explain, Gin.”
“His shirt’s on backwards again. Some o’ th’ Arrancar started laughin’ at him an’ he threw a fit an’ won’t come outta his room.”
Aizen sighed. Sometimes he wondered if he’d picked correctly. He’d needed Tousen, of course, as Tousen wouldn’t have been fooled, but the man was rather incompetent. Aizen knew that Tousen would probably die in this battle; the only question was whether Zaraki would get to him first or Komamura. Oh well. Gin was another headache all together. He was too smart and often bored. Luckily Aizen had managed to channel most of that boredom into working with their spy.
“Is the entryway reset?”
“Of course, taichou. Everythin’s prepared. And most o’ the first wave are already beaten. Jus’ Ichigo left, and only ‘cause Grimmjow an’ Ulquiorra are playin’ with him.”
“Children and their toys.”
Gin grinned.
“You said three Espada weren’t prepared. Who else isn’t?”
“Szayel. He’s changin’, again. Tha Quincy an’ Renji messed up two o’ his outfits, but they’re out cold now, restrained like ya wanted them.”
Aizen nodded. “It will be disappointing to have to kill so many. I liked some of them. But if that’s what must be…”
“Ya promised me Ran, don’t forget. Ran, Kira, and little Shiro. Wanna play with them more.”
Aizen nodded again. “I know. I’ve already given the Espada orders.”
“When do I get ta play?”
“Later. Arrancar are expendable. You aren’t.”
“Hearin’ ya say that makes me feel all warm an’ fuzzy.”
“I’m glad.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Shinigami, modsouls, assistant, and one Quincy arrived in the entryway. There were thirteen paths.
“Apparently we will have to split up.” Byakuya almost sounded pleased by this thought. It was probably because Isshin had been playing bat-the-scarf-ends ever since they met again.
“You shouldn’t go alone, Bya-kun,” Isshin said. “You’re one of few without a fukataichou here. I should go with you.”
Byakuya’s eyes darted around the group. Anyone who knew him would call this panic. He grabbed the little green plushie, the quiet one. “There. Not alone.”
Isshin’s gaze moved to Ryuuken, who grabbed for the bunny at the same time Yoruichi did.
Cloud hopped towards Yoruichi. “I prefer women. Sorry.”
Ukitake warily picked up the bird, who smiled and found a home in his hair.
Kira grabbed Kon.
“I hate you all,” Ryuuken hissed.
“We know,” Isshin said. “But won’t it be fun, you and me together?”
“No.”
“It was your choice to come along!” Kisuke was grinning.
“Why does he get four?” Mayuri asked. He wasn’t about to honor his former Taichou by naming him.
“I inspire loyalty. Unlike some.”
“Question. Why would we allow Aizen to control our path?”
Everyone turned to look at SoiFon.
“It’s obvious he wants us divided into several groups. Why don’t we all go down one path and see where that leads?”
“Because then all of us would be stuck with Isshin,” answered Byakuya.
“I heard that, Byakuya-kun!”
“Stop calling me that.”
“You wound me!” Isshin curled up in a corner and pretended to cry.
“He was a captain?” Hitsugaya asked. “He’s as mature as his son.”
“At least he’s not quite as stupid as his son,” muttered Byakuya. “Only almost-as-stupid.”
“I can feel Ichigo’s reiatsu. He’s fighting. Should we take the most direct path to him or another?” Yoruichi hoped the group could start focusing.
“Another. Please. One Kurosaki is enough,” said the normally-patient Kira.
“Most direct path. I want to fight Ichigo again.”
“Kenpachi-kun, that needs to wait. First we have to deal with the threats.” Shunsui almost looked mournful.
“He feels Hollow-ish to me.”
“He’s always been Hollow-ish,” said Byakuya. “From the second time he fought me. But that can be dealt with later.”
“No wonder there are still Hollows everywhere. Shinigami can’t do anything without a long discussion.”
“Be thankful for long discussions, Quincy. It’s what kept Mayuri from claiming you.” Unohana shook her head. “Let’s take the most direct path. We might find the others, and they’re probably in need of healing.”
“What if the others are on different paths? I can’t feel their reiatsu, at least.” Kira had become more outspoken since Gin left, as if to show that he could lead the Third.
“Nor can I,” Unohana said. “Maybe splitting up would be a good idea, then.”
“Yay! Ryuu-kun and I claim this path!” Isshin grabbed Ryuuken’s hand and charged down the first path.
“I pity the Quincy,” Ukitake said. “But I wouldn’t trade places.” He patted Ririn.
Kisuke glanced at the group. “As much as I’m proud of my work, I don’t think those three are enough to qualify as teammates… Here. Take Ururu, Jyuushiro-kun. Byakuya-kun, sorry to stick you with another temperamental redhead, but take Jinta. Kira-“
“I’ll go with Kira,” Shuuhei said.
Urahara nodded. “That’s settled, then. Yoruichi?”
She grinned. “I can handle myself. Cloud’s just a bonus.”
The pairs and trios set off down various paths.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Renji?”
“Here, Rukia.”
“Where are we?”
“I don’t know. I can’t even remember what happened.”
“The Arrancar changed clothes and decimated us on his return. Are we dead?”
“We wouldn’t be in the same place if we were, Quincy.”
“It’s Ishida, Shinigami.”
“Renji, then.”
“It’s dark.”
“You’re here too, Sado?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s Ichigo?”
“Somewhere being stupid, probably, Rukia.” Renji tested the strength of the chains that held him wherever he was. “Why aren’t we dead?”
“Ichimaru-taichou probably wants to toy with us.” Rukia shuddered, remembering when Gin spoke to her on the bridge.
“What happens now?” Ishida wasn’t sure he wanted the answer to that, but he couldn’t keep from asking.
“Now we hope that Sereitei sends reinforcements, because Ichigo sure ain’t gonna be enough to save us.” At least, Renji hoped that Ichigo wouldn’t save the day. No matter how much he wanted to be rescued, he was tired of Ichigo overshadowing him. He hated the look in Rukia’s eyes when she talked about Ichigo.
“Maybe Urahara will come.”
“Maybe. But he didn’t come when we went into Soul Society.” Ishida pushed his glasses up his nose. He could feel them slipping, even if he couldn’t see through them.
“That’s ‘cause he couldn’t,” Renji said. “He’s been banished.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t talk much, do you?” Renji asked Chad.
“No.”
As it didn’t seem like there was much more to say, they sat for a bit in silence.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Taichou?”
“Yes, Isane?”
“Why didn’t we team up with people who were better at fighting?”
“We can hold our own.”
“I know, Taichou, but-“
“Don’t worry, Isane. We’ll be fine.”
“If we come against Aizen?”
“We’ll deal with that when it happens. Remember that he had a chance to attack us in Sereitei and left instead.”
“He had something he wanted then…”
“Yes, but he could have attacked. More than death motivates him, though I’m not sure what it is.”
Isane sighed.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Should have brought Jyuu-kun.”
“There were thirteen paths and thirteen groups, Taichou.”
“We should have all stayed together. It would have been more fun, lovely Nanao.” Shunsui wasn’t smiling, but he was trying to keep the mood light.
“It would have been a headache, Kyoraku-taichou.”
“Hm.” Kyoraku stopped, peering into a room up ahead. “Stay behind me.”
“I can-“
“No. As some seem to have forgotten, we’re up against dangerous enemies here. They’re not just Hollows. Some of them know us, and we thought we knew them.”
“Taichou?”
“Sometimes I wish that life was easy. That I could simply sleep all day.”
“You do.”
“Only when not dealing with difficult situations.”
“The ryoka weren’t that bad. You took care of the one-“
“I don’t just mean the ryoka.” He sighed. “You weren’t around at the time of the Quincy-Shinigami War, as they call it now. You weren’t around for the two wars before that. This is the fourth in the history of Sereitei, and from all of them I have regrets. Stay behind me, Nanao-chan. I don’t want your death to be added to those regrets.”
When he put it like that, Nanao couldn’t refuse.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Why is it always redheads.” It wasn’t a question as much as it was a statement of stress. Sure, the plushie modsoul on his shoulder was quiet, but the little one wouldn’t shut up.
“But then I knocked him into tomorrow! You shoulda seen the look on his-“
“Shut up.”
“You’re rude.”
“You’re tiresome.” A good part of Byakuya was horrified that he was being drawn into this argument, but he was too frustrated to really care. Normally this wouldn’t happen, but three hours of long hallway with a jabbering, obnoxious redhead… he was surprised to find himself missing Renji. At least Renji knew when to shut up.
“Your hair is funny.”
“I’m going to feed you to the next Arrancar we meet.”
“I’m stronger than you. You better not even try.”
“I’m not joking. I don’t joke.”
“Hah! He’d eat you instead!”
He would not cry. He would remain stoic and noble, and not stoop down to this creature’s taunts. Byakuya refused the temptation to trip Jinta. He could feel Senbonzakura calling to him, telling him to release her and let her teach the boy manners. It was such an elegant idea… No. He could deal. He would deal. Maybe he’d give the boy as a gift to Aizen. That would probably break the traitor. Repressing a smile, Byakuya strode on, finally able to ignore Jinta.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I am a purse, you know. You could wear me around your chest.”
“I’m quite aware of that.”
“It would be more fun.”
Yoruichi laughed and then shifted Cloud’s position. “Better?”
“Much!”
“Good. Now, which way…” They’d come to another path-branching. One lead upward and she could see outside light, as much as was in this place. The other lead underground.
“Up. I like light. The other looks dark and dingy. It’s hard to keep this form from mildewing, you know.”
“Up it is, then.”
“Whee!”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They ran in silence. Iba knew that his taichou preferred it that way. As there was nothing he could say, he didn’t even try. Ever since that day Komamura had been changed. Never talkative, now the Fox was even quieter. Iba didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t understand; that much was clear. At least the three fukataichous that lost their taichous had each other. Komamura didn’t have someone to lean on at his rank. Not that he would go to them. But that the possible support wasn’t there made it worse.
Komamura wasn’t bothered by the silence. He still didn’t know what he would do when he found Tousen. So many years invested in a friendship that apparently wasn’t what he thought it was… The grey skies loomed above them suddenly as they came across an open part of the path. Looking up, they could see Ichigo fighting in the distance.
Iba frowned. “Do we go to him?”
“I don’t care about him. We’re here for Tousen.”
Iba nodded. They ran on.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I should have stayed home. Ichigo has twin sisters, you know. And they hug me.”
“Do they.” Kira couldn’t care less. He was here for one reason, and that reason did not include paying attention to some blathering modsoul.
“And then they put me in dresses. Maybe I’m better off here.”
“Maybe,” said Shuuhei. He was just as distracted. When it came right down to it, Shuuhei didn’t know how he’d respond to Tousen. No matter how he tried to quash it, a part of him wanted Tousen to explain everything to him, wanted Tousen to make perfect sense.
“I wish Matsumoto had taken me.”
“She had her Taichou with her.” The word still hurt. Shuuhei knew that now he had an excellent chance of becoming a Taichou, but what he wanted so much more was for Tousen to still lead him.
Kira frowned. Shuuhei figured the word still hurt Kira too. At least they weren’t as messed up as poor Hinamori. He’d gone past the Fourth Division Headquarters as he headed to the portal, and could hear her pleading with Unohana to save Aizen. And yet… he wanted to save Tousen. Maybe they were as messed up as Momo. At least they hid it better.
“I think we’re getting there,” Kira said.
“Where?” asked Shuuhei.
“Oh, Matsumoto…” murmured Kon.
“The end of this path. There’s a larger opening up there.”
“Might mean a fight.”
The fukataichous shared a heavy glance.
“We can take an Arrancar,” Kira finally said.
Shuuhei nodded.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“This is fun!”
“You’re an idiot.”
“We’re on a grand adventure to save our sons! Doctors to the rescue!”
“Would you shut up already?”
“Ryuu-kun sounds angry. He needs to cheer up.”
“Seriously. If there’s any sort of ambush set up for us, we might want to be a little more careful.”
“We’re the best pair ever! We can handle anything!”
“You couldn’t handle a puppy.”
“You know you love me.”
“I dislike all Shinigami. You’re a Shinigami. Therefore, I do not love you.”
“So hurtful. Do you need a time-out?”
“Isshin! Is this why they kicked you out of Soul Society? You drove them all nuts?”
“I wasn’t kicked. I left helping a friend escape their cruel clutches. Isshin to the rescue!”
“I wish I had that bunny…”
“He wouldn’t be good for backup in the heat of battle.”
“He’d be better conversation.”
“When we get home I’ll make you cookies. That will cheer you up.”
“When I get home I’m having my ears removed like that one Shinigami.”
“But then you won’t hear my protestations of love!”
“Exactly.”
“I still love you, no matter what you say. I know you’re just grumpy because you’re worried about your son. When we find him you’ll cheer right up, and then you’ll snog me senseless.”
“In your dreams.”
“Yes. All the time.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Which way?” He looked at the five paths.
“That way!” She pointed at the darkest one. “It looks like the most fun!”
He grinned. “Yeah, it does.” He charged down that path, one arm behind him making sure she didn’t fall off. He was going faster than normal; he wanted to beat everyone to Aizen. This would be the fight of his life.
“Yachiru…” he growled when it ended up being a dead end.
“Oops. Why did you go this way, Ken-chan? We should have taken the path with torches!”
“You pointed this way!”
“Did not!”
“Did too!”
He ran back up the darkest path and started down the one with torches. He’d get there, and he’d get there first. No one else was in a rush to take care of this. Emotions were eating at all of them. He had one emotion raging through him, and that was elation. Aizen took out Komamura with one kidou cast; he stopped Ichigo’s sword with one finger. Kenpachi figured he’d die today, but that was all right as long as he killed Aizen too. And Yachiru could grow up knowing exactly what the best way to go was.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Is this… a lab?” Mayuri looked around. He felt like a kid at a candy store. Everything was high-tech. Gadgets he didn’t know the use of glistened. Vials filled with liquids bubbled. Mayuri was in heaven.
“There are creatures in some of the cages,” Nemu reported, peering in. “They look artificial. Artificial Hollows.”
“I should have joined Aizen when he asked. I didn’t know what he was implying, though. I was too busy trying to show up our former Taichou.”
“There’s still time,” Nemu said. The possibility of Mayuri switching sides didn’t bother her. She would follow him, no matter what he did. He’d made sure of that when he made her.
“This is better than Yamamoto has ever given me. Look at this, Nemu!”
“Yes, Mayuri-sama.”
“So you’re Kurotsuchi Mayuri.” The voice was drawling but unfamiliar.
Mayuri turned around and eyed the pink-haired Arrancar in the doorway. “And you are…?”
“Szayel. Aizen-sama’s scientist. This would be my lab.”
Mayuri tilted his head to the side, analyzing the Arrancar. “It’s very nice.”
“Thank you. Shall we fight outside, then, so as not to mess it up?”
“Must we fight? I find all of this rather fascinating…”
“Aizen-sama said to kill all of the Shinigami except for three specific ones. You’re not one of those three.”
“Why don’t you take me to Aizen-sama? We can… discuss things.”
After a moment of hesitation Szayel nodded. “This way.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“We’re going to kill them all.”
Hitsugaya wasn’t sure if that was a question or not. “That’s Yamamoto’s orders.”
“No prisoners.”
“He doesn’t want to risk them breaking free.”
“Hinamori will be devastated.” She didn’t add that she would be too.
Hitsugaya frowned. “If Aizen is dead, maybe she’ll be released from the horrid things he did to her.”
“What if… what if the others were under Aizen’s spell?”
“Tousen wouldn’t be. Remember how he said it affected only those who could see?”
“What of G-what of Ichimaru-taichou?”
He was young, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew that Matsumoto had feelings for Ichimaru. “You heard what almost happened to Kyoraku and Ukitake when they defied Yamamoto. You want to deal with that?”
“But what if-“
“Matsumoto. We have our orders.”
She sighed heavily. “Yes, Taichou.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
SoiFon stalked down the halls. During the first mess with Aizen she’d been able to do nothing. She’d stood there and watched as he ascended. Now she intended to rip his head off. Probably after poisoning him, that was. It would be easier to tear that off if he was already dead.
Omaeda walked behind her. He was a constant source of annoyance, but at least it kept her angry and sharp. She’d be ready for anything.
Except, when the first attack came, she wasn’t. The cero blast came from behind her, and she and Omaeda both just barely dodged it. The two Arrancar that stepped out of the shadows smiled, bowed, and then attacked again.
“Bankai!” SoiFon was going to teach these fools what it meant to mess with a Taichou.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Ah, there he is.” Ukitake shaded his eyes to watch Ichigo better. He was fighting an Arrancar that looked more like a cat than anything else.
Ririn bounced on his shoulder. “Come on Ichigo!” She looked around, sheepish. “I don’t like him or anything. Just so you know.”
Ukitake patted Ririn, still watching Ichigo. “We should get a bit closer. I think if we take a right up there it should do the trick.”
“He won’t lose, will he?” Ururu looked up at Ukitake.
“Of course not. But we want to be there when he’s done with the fight in case others attack.”
Both of the little ones accepted this, and Ukitake moved on. He wished he was with Shunsui, but there was too much to deal with for Taichous to stay together. All the same, they’d fought side-by-side in every other event. He’d have to find a way to run into Shunsui later.
From some mysterious place Ririn produced mini-pompoms and was squeakily cheering Ichigo on. Ukitake repressed a smile, knowing it would only upset her. Urahara really did do excellent work.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I do such excellent work.”
“Of course.”
“So. Time to recollect the merchandise first, I think.” Kisuke flipped open something that looked like a stapler. “We’ll want to go down this path a few more minutes before taking a right, and then… yes. We can get to it. Only a couple of Arrancar in the way.”
“No former Shinigami yet?”
“They’re not in the way, yet. After we have my Hougyoku we can deal with problematic people. I do want to test my new toys on Aizen…”
“Which one?”
“All of them, if he survives long enough. While I don’t enjoy pain like my successor, I do want to make sure that all of these will work against any threats Sereitei might face.”
“There’s no guarantee that killing Aizen will redeem you in Yamamoto-soutaichou’s eyes.”
“I know. And I realize I said Sereitei instead of Karakura Town. I miss having a squad. Modsouls aren’t enough.”
“At least they’re easy to keep track of.”
“That much is true. All right, then. Recollecting my toy is top priority.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*