Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
"Promises are like the full moon, if they are not kept at once they diminish day by day."
Chapter Five: Oaths
"How long does this freaking tunnel go on for?"
"Be quiet Ichigo. You're being annoying."
"Annoying? What's annoying is you falling into a giant forest of hollows and getting us side tracked!"
"It's not like I asked for that to happen!"
"Well maybe you should be more careful!"
"I was being careful, but I was sort of stuck in the quick sand!"
"Both of you be quiet! You sound like an old married couple!"
"We do not sound like a married couple!"
Rangiku chuckled at the arguing couple. The group moved along in a long line through the near pitch black tunnel, lit only by a small flame made by Renji's kidou. The group stopped abruptly.
"It's a door," Uryu stated.
"That'll get you into the new building," Nel responded, holding onto Ichigo's sleeve.
"Well then," Ichigo grinned, "What are we waiting for?"
He moved to the front of the group, breaking Nel's grip off his shirt. Once he was at the large, steel door he swung his sword wildly, letting go some spiritual pressure go at the same time. The door broke open, reveling the room in front of them.
"Finally!" Ichigo cheered, "A place that's not falling apart!"
The group moved into the room. Its plain yellow walls were lined with torches, and the fire bounced off the gray tile on the floor. They stepped into the middle of the large room, and stared down five dim hallways.
"The path splits here."
Suddenly, a heavy spiritual pressure filled the room. Everyone hung their heads a little lower, but Ichigo stood up straight.
"Nel. You and your friends need to go back the way we came. I have no idea what's up ahead, but it's to dangerous for you."
Nel's two sidekick quickly grabbed her, and began moving back the way the came. "Come on Nel, we need to get out of hear."
"Ichigo!" Nel yelled, kicking and screaming, "Ichigo! Let go! Ichigo! Ichgio!"
Her two friends both sighed as they had to carry her away.
"Ichigo! ICHIGO!"
Her screams eventually disappeared, and the group was left alone in the room.
He gazed around room, glancing down each hallway. "I guess we take it hallway by hallway then," Ichigo commanded.
"No," Rukia replied, "We'll all go our separate ways."
"Are you crazy? It's much safer if we travel together! These are Espada Rukia!"
She crossed her arms, "Are you insulting me Ichigo?"
He was a bit taken back, "What? No, of course not I-"
Rangiku raised her hand, "You know Ichigo, to worry about someone on the battlefield is actually an insult."
"If you don't want to insult me, then let us split up. I can handle myself fine, as all of us can."
He sighed, "Fine. We'll split up."
"It's settled. Everyone, put your hands in! I have something that will bring us good luck!" Renji boasted loudly.
The group did as he said. Renji put his hand out first. Rangiku placed hers on top of his. Uryu fixed his glasses, the reach his hand out. Rukia smiled and threw her hand on top of theirs. They all looked towards Ichigo, who sighed a little before sliding his hand in.
Renji looked at the group of hands, and then started to chant loudly.
"Now we head towards the battlefield!"
"Believe, and our blades will not brake!"
"Believe, and our hearts will not bend!"
"Though the roads we take may be different, our iron hearts beat as one!"
"Swear, that even if the earth is torn asunder, we will live and return here once again!"
The group broke apart, throwing their hands into the air.
Ichigo was sprinting towards his hallway with a grin on his lips, when suddenly a familiar hand grasped his. He stopped, and heard the footsteps of his friends disappear in the distance.
He turned, for a split second was able to make her features out. They moved closer to him, almost to quick for him. And in a quick flash, it happened.
She pressed her lips up against his, and ran her hands past his neck. He immediately responded, kissing back and grabbing her waist. He was almost lifting her off the ground.
The couple broke up and she glanced up at him. He gazed down and could only fumble with her name.
She flashed her comfortable smile, "Quit slacking off Ichigo."
He threw his hands up in the air, "You were the one who kissed me!"
She turned around, and began heading towards her hallway, "Enough with the excus-"
He turned her around, and pressed their lips together again. This time, the kiss lasted much longer. They broke apart, and they were close enough to make out every last detail of each others face. Their foreheads were pressed gently together.
"You had better come back alive Rukia," he told her.
She could help but smiled, "Stop worrying." The two broke apart and began walking away from each other, their hands slid out of each others grasp. "We'll be just fine Ichigo, everything works out."
Without looking back at her he responded, "It does. It really does."
He watched the screen carefully. The room was silent, except for his master's finger tapping upon the desk. He gazed at the screen.
There were five beings. Three very strange ones had just left, leaving only five.
He seemed hypnotized by these beings.
One in particular grabbed his attention. His eyes were glued to her image on the screen. As he gazed at her, he could hear his voice talking to her.
"I am this squad's new captain. And you must be my lieutenant. So let me give my oath to you. I will protect you and this entire squad even if the cost is my life. In return, I expect you to follow me to the end of the world. Do you accept this oath?"
"Of course I accept. And I also offer you my own oath. I am here to lay down my life for yours. I am your guardian. If you fall into the pits of Hell, I will be jumping in after you."
"Diavolo," the pink haired Espada called out. He barley heard. The words still consumed his thoughts. The scene kept replaying over and over in his mind. He could see himself talking to her, in a place he had never seen before. He gazed up, still disillusional to a certain degree. "That women there, the tall one. Aizen wants me to gather her. So go and get her. Hurry up."
He bowed, and exited the room. He stumbled through the hallways, trying to get a hold of himself.
"So they really went to Hueco Mundo... huh."
The two men sat together at the kitchen table. A single light above them shinned down, contrasting the darkness outside and in the rest of the house.
The sound of the a beer being slid across the table bounced off the walls of the desolate house. The man with glasses caught it and sight, "I told him to stay out of the affair of Soul Reapers."
The other man laughed, "I think it's not really Soul Reaper business. They left from Urahara's shop. No captain either. There was only a few of them."
"Still, I don't like him medaling around in my enemies affairs."
Again, the other man laughed, "Your so harsh my old friend. Our sons our great friends, let them use their friendship to help them win battles. And besides, the Soul Society is a much different place now."
They both lifted their bottles, and put them down at the same time. The man stroked his chin hairs, "So are your worried about Uryu?"
Ryuken fixed his glasses, "Not at all. I am not going to even bother asking you about Ichigo."
He grinned, "Your right. Ichigo really is a powerful soul. Both of them are."
"Are we going to assist them?"
There was a silence, and Isshin looked at his friend. He put his hands on the table and confidently said, "Of course. This is men's work, and their just boys after all."
"That stupid idiot! Who does he think he is barging straight into the enemy's base like that! It's just suicide! Complete suicide! What a stupid moron!"
"Calm down Hiyori. Ichigo will be just fine."
"He's going to die! He can't even hold his mask on for twenty seconds!"
"Have some faith would ya? He's much stronger than all of us."
The group was silent. They all stared at Shinji, expecting him to say something more. He sighed, falling back against and old beat up chair. Hiyori pulled at her hair, obviously ticked off.
"So," Love Aikawa asked, "What are we going to do?"
"We wait."
Kensei shook his head, "That's all we ever do it wait. We should bust in there and knock some heads in."
Some of the group nodded in response. Shinji shook his head, "Listen up everyone. I'm only going to say this once."
He stood up in front of all of the Vizards, and began pacing back and forth.
"I know that we all seek revenge on Aizen. Trust me the time will come for that. But we need to wait just a moment longer. With Ichigo and his friends invading Hueco Mundo, the events of this war are unfolding. Ichigo is Aizen's one true threat. So what is the logical choice for him? Lock him in Las Noches. While their stuck, Aizen and most of the Espada leave to take down the Soul Society. What's left of the Soul Society anyway? They have lost four captains. They don't stand a chance against Aizen and the Espada. It will be complete chaos. And that's where we step in."
He picked up the cup of tea, and sipped enough to satisfy him. He placed it down on the small table. Across from him, the dark skinned women sat with her legs and arms crossed.
"So what are you thinking there?"
He smiled a bit, "Were going to have to help Ichigo no matter how I look at this situation."
She placed her hands on her knees, "That's great. I've been looking forward to a fight."
"I fear it's not going to be one fight. The Soul Society isn't going to join in. I'm positive about that. The old man has never been one to go back on his words."
"You honestly think they won't send help?"
He shook his head, "To Yamamoto, a traitor is always a traitor."
Their eyes meet and they both chuckled, "That's one thing me and you know for sure"
Yoruichi stood up, and carefully walked to his side of the small round table. She knelled down behind him, and hung her arms on his shoulder, her hands falling in front of his chest. She placed her head next to his and she breathed in.
"Guess we'll have to go at it again."
Urahara smiled, tilting his head towards her, "It seems were always going at something, doesn't it?"
"The group contains Uryu Ishida, Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Rangiku Matsumoto. All once trusted Soul Reapers and allies, they care now considered traitors and enemies to the Soul Society. We will not be aiding their invasion of Hueco Mundo in anyway. Any aid to them will be seen as a crime against the Soul Society and the traitor will be stripped of their position and given severe punishment. Please inform your squads immediately. Your are dismissed."
The captains moved out of the heavy air of the small room, and into the long hallways of the First Squad Headquarters. At first none of them moved. They exchanged glances, trying read the other captains thoughts.
Then, the female voice rang, "I believe we all understand the Captain-Commander? Yes?"
Everyone stared at Unohana, and the laugh of another captain arose, "This is all very annoying. I am a very busy man and these meetings are such a nuisance." Mayuri walked down the hallway alone, leaving the group of other captains.
Ukitake stepped towards the front of the group. "I know it's hard to see what the Captain is doing at times like these. But please, be assured that the safety of the Soul Society is his number one interest. We should all be going now, we all have better things to do."
Ukiatake, Unohana and Shunsui turned away from the group and walked together. They were followed by Komamura, who eyed the two reaming captains suspiciously.
"Well Kuchiki," Kenpachi grinned devilishly, "It's just you and me. When are we leaving?"
"I am not aware of the matter you are talking about."
He laughed, "Don't give me that. You can't possibly think that they are really traitors. And besides, Rukia is there. You have to go and save her right?"
There was silence and Byakuya began to walk away from the eager captain.
"Whatever," Kenpachi laughed, "More for me. These are some of the strongest hollows that the world may ever see. I'm not missing my chance. But you can stay here for all I care."
Byakuya stopped and turned, "I never said I wasn't going."
He chuckled, "So you really do care about your Rukia."
He shook his head, "I never said that either."
"Whatever you say Kuchiki, let's just get the hell out of this place. The old man has really lost his mind."
Byakuya nodded, "For once, Kenpachi Zaraki, I agree with you."
She flew down the hallway. The sound of her footsteps was the only noise in the silent path. Her long, orange hair danced behind her. The torches on the wall seem to go on forever, and she just kept running.
I know your here Captain.
She glanced down the hallway. It seemed to continue forever.
I can feel you here. I just know it's you.
She really could. His energy was all around her. She swore she could even see it. White lines began flashing in the hallway. For the first time in a long time, she truly smiled.
I'm going to find you!
She sprinted faster, her feet now moving as fast she could possibly go. Sweet built up on her forehead but she ignored it.
We are go to b-
Her feet stopped.
She shut her eyes, and listened to the noise echo off the walls of the hallway. The blood hit the floor.
She glanced down.
The black sword had pierced her stomach.
She glanced up.
"It's you."
She began to cry.
He was there.
His striking, white hair.
His piercing, turquoise eyes.
Her tears feel, splattering against the blood that was already on the floor.
"It's really you. I foun... I fon... I... y.. you."
She passed out, and he withdrew the blade from her. Her body fell onto the floor, and the blood splattered up onto him and his ghastly white uniform.
He examined her laying on the floor. And suddenly, a scene played out in his head.
"Rangiku! How much did you drink!"
"Ugh... Captain..."
He held his forehead. Then, he felt his mask, the hard material felt cold against his hands.
He leaned down, and threw her over his shoulder.
They disappeared together.