Chapter 1 – Rhapsody Sung in Silence
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its relating material. All rights go to Tite Kubo and other official holders.
Sin comes in colors
The lighter the clouds become
The darker it rains
Silbern - Gate of the Sun
"At last, our time for reckoning is upon us."
"Always ready to burn things down, aren't you Bazz-B?"
"Your damn right. After a whole millennium, it time for us to reclaim the light and finish things."
"Heh, how amusing."
"You think this is funny Najahkoop?"
"Not at all. In fact, I like your optimism. I just hope the All-Father blesses us for the war to come. Blood shall be spilled."
"Having second thoughts coward?"
"No. I already know what to do. There is a man that interests me, and I plan to take him out myself."
"And who is this unlucky fellow?"
"A man of great power and melancholic qualities. According to his file, he will be easy pickings."
"Sounds just like you. Attacking the weak or handicap like a monster that stalks on disabled children."
"Bazz-B, I have a proposition for you?"
"And what is it?"
"I want you to land at this location. It will make my job much more easier."
Soul Society – Third Division Barracks
Rojuro "Rose" Otoribashi was alone in his office, staring aimlessly at the white walls. There were no decorations, trophies, or posters, only the divisions symbol and insignia, the marigold. It was fitting for the captain that the marigold represents despair, a feeling he has been secretly harboring in the pit of his gut. A premonition of sorts for the things to come.
For almost two years now he has been the captain of his old division. It was insane to think about. So much time has flew by, often making Rose reflect his century old banishment as nothing more than a dream. Originally, he served for about twelve years until that fateful day happened. The day Aizen betrayed them all and made him his science experiment. He lost so much yet learned to move on despite the heartaches it brought.
Rose shifted in his seat.
It was eerily quiet for the captain, the calm before the storm in a sense. It was so quiet that it was loud, making his ears ring in anticipation for sound. Normally the entire division is busy and noisy, not some sad scene in a horror movie. Most of his men were out and about in Seireitei, preparing for the war efforts Head-Captain Yamamoto ordered. Everyone was on high alert; an atmosphere Rose utterly detests.
According to the emergency captains meeting this morning, this "Wandenreich" will defeat Soul Society in five days. Not even Aizen can proclaim something so ludicrous such as that. The Seireitei has been around forever, withstanding countless invasions over the years. If memory served him correctly, at least for several thousand years, with Soul Society itself being millions of years older. Yet the enemy believes it could do so, grown bold with their earlier invasion today.
It pained Rose when he attended Lieutenant Sasakibe's funeral and cremation service. He was ambushed and killed in minutes, denied in having a fair fight. And after hearing his eulogy, he surely was a powerful and well-reserved shinigami. Him knowing bankai was a shock, but apparently the enemy can make it asunder using some unknown technique. Best to be cautious in any future battles.
But what puzzled Rose was the fact Captain Kurotsuchi said they were all quincy. By all rights they should be extinct, so how come they are here apparently? It makes no sense.
Izuru Kira, his lieutenant, informed him that he inquired with Captain Yamamoto shortly after the captains meeting. He believes that the Wandenreich and hollow disappearances are connected, but not the thousands of disappearing rukongai residents. He suspects foul play from Captain Kurotsuchi but has little evidence to back it up. And sadly, Rose believes every single word his lieutenant says. Kurotsuchi is a shrewd man who will do anything it takes to justify his viewpoint.
Placing his hands behind his head, Rose began to slowly rock in his seat while gazing at the ceiling. The low fan cooled off his forehead, allowing his damp hair bangs to claim it. Patting them away. Rose saw his classic Gibson Flying V guitar laying against the wall. It pains the visored to admit that for the last two weeks, the passion to stroke the strings have seemingly vanished. Like his guitar refuses to accept his love or hold it anymore.
Prying his eyes away, Rose was thankful that Head-Captain Yamamoto was safe from the earlier invasion. Unlike a few members of the visoreds, Rose never held any negative feelings about him. And despite being older than dirt with one arm, he can kick some major ass if it comes down to it. But against enemies whose abilities are unknown, he could have been placed in grave danger without being prepared for it. Nonetheless hundreds of men, including the lieutenant was killed this morning. A major loss regardless who died.
Rose looked back at his guitar, appearing more fragile than a minute ago. Like it now begging to be picked up and played to release the cries of the fallen. Feeling animated by sudden passion, Rose got up and picked up his favorite instrument. The cool feel to his palms felt right, helplessly caressing the black exterior that dared to be touched.
Going back to his seat, Rose stroke a few strings, loving the iconic melody he grew accustomed to his Flying V. And like magic music became alive, flooding the office with sounds of his choosing. The moment reminded him when he first performed in front of his fellow visoreds, loving the attention and recognition for his skills. More than ever he wished his partner, Love Aikawa, was here with him. Upon becoming captain, he rarely if never hears back from his century's old teammates. The disconnection placed an unnecessary heavy burden in his heart. If it wasn't for Shinji, Kensei, Mashiro, and his third division being here, he would have folded from the depression. A pitiful reality to accept for a captain-class warrior.
Mind consumed in negativity, Rose's fingers froze up. Air growing stale with sudden silent numbness, Rose unceremoniously placed the guitar next to the wall. Standing up, Rose walked to the window and gazed outside. It was sunny and bright, a direct contrast to what he was feeling inside.
Birds were flying above with the leaves from persimmon trees swaying in the wind. It appeared almost peaceful, like no war efforts were in motion.
Boom!
Right before Rose's eyes, supreme pillars of blue fire erupted. The intensity alone eradicated all available clouds, burning the sky in a dazzling light. Catching his footing, Rose was alarmed to see so many sprouting from the ground. The tremors they caused were unreal, daring to level all buildings in place.
But what alarmed Rose the most was the level of reiatsu felt. It felt like dozens of captain-class forces were springing to life, each being stronger than the last. At least sixteen could be sensed, with more likely to appear.
Having a gut feeling that it was the Wandenreich making do with their promise, Rose picked up his haori and zanpakuto. Fastening them to his being, he left through a side door to his office.
It was time to defend the Seireitei.
Rose couldn't believe his own eyes. Already dozens of explosions were occurring throughout the Seireitei, sensing the deaths of hundreds of Shinigami. It was mind boggling, almost too depressing for the captain to bear.
Halfway to the base of a recent explosion, Rose stopped dead in his tracks.
His hands were shaking, dumbstruck by what he just sensed.
He sensed a platoon consisting of his finest men eradicated from the face of the planet. Seats three, five, and six were killed instantly, handpicked by him for their skills. In fact, all three were close to lieutenant potential, so feeling them being wiped out came as an utter shock.
But what surprised him the most was the disappearance of his beloved lieutenant. He fell instantly and the first among said platoon.
"Izuru Kira. No, it can't be."
Knees daring to buckle, Rose's eyes widened upon hearing an incredible explosion nearby. It was near the blue pillar he first saw, which was where his second strongest platoon was stationed at. It consisted of all seats between seventh and sixteenth, all lead by the fourth seat, Saitama Nobunaga. And dozens of lower-level men were there as well, burdened with the duty to help protect the east side of Seireitei.
Using his fastest shunpo, Rose sprinted whole miles in minutes. And to his dismay, all his stationed soldiers were disappearing left and right. A single foreign reiatsu was all he felt yet was just as strong as he was.
They stood absolutely no chance against it.
Jumping over a high-rise building, Rose was dumbfounded at what he saw below. While falling to the battlefield, the sun allowed perfect visibility to all his slain men. Bodies were littered everywhere, few intact to all their limbs.
Landing on a relative safe patch of concrete, Rose was mortified by the senseless level of carnage.
"Captain…is that you?"
Seeing a body moving, Rose was shocked to see somebody still alive.
"Stay put soldier. I am coming."
Moving bodies off him, Rose recognized the man instantly.
"Seventh Seat Shinoda Mizuki, is it really you?"
"Yes."
"Tell me, who did this you?"
"I…couldn't tell. He was too fast…and strong. Rolled us over…like we were trash. Fourth Seat Nobunaga tried his best….but still failed."
Mizuki began to cough up blood, hacking up a storm. It was clear to Rose that he was slowly suffocating from internal bleeding. He wouldn't make it.
"What does he look like, or what are his powers? And where did you last see him?"
Not hearing a response, Rose blinked with realization that his own man died within his arms. Gripping onto his shoulder tightly, Rose with great care set him back down before closing his eyelids.
Not even bothering to wipe his fallen subordinates blood off from him, Rose stood up with great purpose. Here he was, surrounded by his entire division's bulk of manpower lying dead at his feet. No words, actions, or wishes was going to bring them back. Doomed to go through the cycle of transmigration and become reborn as a new entity from the flames of Samadhi. No wretched fate could be worse than to forget everything that once composed of you.
Unable to mourn at the death of so many comrades, Rose unceremoniously took out his zanpakuto, needing to hold something sharp and dangerous. His bloodlust was growing along with his inner tears.
An earpiece delivered to him earlier by the S.R.D.I. buzzed to life. Rose instinctively knew that no good news was going to be communicated through.
"In the 3rd district, Nagareo, North 3032, 27 soldiers have died. The reiatsu of 3rd seat Togakushi, 5th seat Gori, and 6th seat Katakura have vanished. In addition, lieutenant Izuru Kira has also disappeared."
A chilling breeze passed over Rose, confirming what he knew all along. He wished more than ever that the technology deployed by the 12th division was inaccurate, along with his senses.
From the corner of his eye, Rose saw a humanoid shadow staring at him. Turning his head slightly, Rose found what he was looking for. There was no mistake about that.
"Looks like you just heard some bad news."
Staring at the newcomer, the individual was a dark-skin man wearing white clothing. Bizarrely he had black and white teeth and an odd hairstyle similar to Love Aikawa. A reflective reddish-orange mask covered his upper face, hiding his eyes.
Without a doubt the man was a quincy. The one responsible for this massacre.
"I see now."
The quincy folded his hands into his pocket, observing the captain.
"Did someone die" asked the quincy, tone laced with mock politeness.
"There's no need to answer."
"Ahh, but there is reason for it. I can already tell which division you belong to, and a bunch of reiatsu disappeared likely belonging to yours captain. And from the look of things Bazz-B did it. Though if the guys are not dead means that Bazz-B failed us."
The quincy made a toothy grin, sickening Rose to his core.
"Are you trying to find fault in your comrade's ways? That is not art."
The quincy lifted his right knee, feigning at stretching to display apathy.
Rose lifted his zanpakuto, staring at the swords reflective surface. His heart briefly convinced him he saw Izuru instead of himself.
"Watching over Izuru always provides me with the most remarkable of inspiration. Just by being in his presence, I find the melodies well up like tears unbidden."
"Sounds gay."
"If Izuru is truly deceased, my Flying V will mourn to the far reaches of space." Rose's hair bangs rolled down his face, hiding the killer lust growing in his eyes.
"Sorry man. I do not understand any of this art stuff."
An eerie breeze rushed through the terrain.
"But don't fret. Both you and your Flying something won't even find the time to shed any tears. In five minutes, you're going to die." The quincy waved a hand in front of him, showing five fingers to represent his statement.
"That's really not art. There isn't one guitar in existence that wouldn't cry at the sight of so many deaths."
Rose positioned his zanpakuto in a threatening manner, electing a wicked grin from the quincy. His heart was pumping from the adrenaline, loving the killing intent from the captain.
"My guitar and I are already crying. Do not expect to go home alive quincy."
"Come and take my life, shinigami."
With that Rose rushed forward, zanpakuto aiming at the quincy's face. Getting into position, the quincy was ecstatic, prepared to take his biggest kill yet.
Author Notes: Hello everyone, this will be a short series that details a battle I always wanted to see animated/drawn. Plus this will give Rose his well-deserved spotlight, a visored level captain I feel is constantly shorthanded. So please sit back, put your feet up, play your favorite OST, and enjoy the show that is about to begin.
And just like some of my other works on this site, a accompanying haiku shall be written to hint at the chapter's theme. I find this therapeutic and cathartic for me.