Chapter 7

So in a review from my newest chapter for Precious Wings I had a guest reviewer say they wanted the next chapter for this story! Well, here you go~! I hope it turns out okay since it's been so long since I've touched this story…

Fight

After everyone calmed down and Yoruichi had gotten dressed (though he had no idea where the clothes came from) she continued with her explanation, "I used this artifact to get you here. By the way… Is the wound on your stomach okay? Normally screaming that loud would cause the wound to open up."

"Gah! I'm sorry I didn't notice Ichigo!"

"Be more careful in the future."

Ichigo grit his teeth trying not to clutch his reopened wound. Infra flittered around him unsure of what to do.

"OI! OI!"

Everyone glanced up and turned to the cave entrance.

"H-Infra! You bloody- don't just disappear on me like that dammit!"

"Ah! Fred!" Infra jumped up and scuttle to the entrance, a curious Yoruichi following after making sure Ichigo wouldn't get up. "Yoruichi-chan do you think you could let Fred in? He's going to help us!"

"Fred?"

"Un~ He's from Avalon and he's frustrated with Central 46! He likes causing chaos so he agreed to help me cause mischief all over the Seireitei."

After Fred was let in, Infra quickly whispering that these people didn't know he was truly dead already, they all made their way back to Ichigo who was studying that strange spiky device the cat lady had had. She gave a quick explanation that had both Infra and Ichigo peering at it curiously. Fred just sniffed and stated that Avalon had much better ways of getting around.

"Well, do you have any of these awesome devices?"

"Well, no…"

"Then shush while we admire this one!"

"So with this… you just put spiritual pressure in it and you can fly," Ichigo asked trying to summarize Yoruichi's explanation.

"Yeah! It's a very unique artifact in soul society. You should feel honored."

"Why should such a treasure end up in your hands…? You shape shift, you cure wounds, and you have something like this… Yoruichi-san… Who ARE you?"

Ichigo was right… all of this added together made a very dangerous opponent considering Yoruichi could easily control her reiatsu. Aizen had not warned him of this person, whether she was shinigami or not. Who exactly was this person…?

"That's…" Her answer was cut off by a very heavy pressure. Spiritual pressure. One that both Ichigo and Infra recognized.

"This spiritual pressure…! It's him!"

Infra jumped up and tried to stop his friend from leaving. But it was no use, a serious Ichigo is a powerful Ichigo.

"It's from the direction of the Senzaikyuu! Hold it, Ichigo. Where do you think you're going," Yoruichi demanded as Ichigo swiped his Zanpakto off the ground. Wait… Did his sword look different?

"Hanatarou and Ganju were going there. If I don't go… Who will save them!?"

And then the orangette was gone using the special artifact they had just been admiring.

"Wow, that guy sure is a whirlwind…"

"Fred," Infra yelped in irritation. But he ignored his old friend of following after his soon to be pack member. Really, Infra was the only one that stood a chance of catching him in the air. But… DAMN that boy was fast! Apparently the more reiatsu you stuffed into that stupid thing the faster it flew. And Infra was pretty damn fast if he did say so himself. But this was pushing the limit!

With a sigh of relief he caught sight of Ichigo standing and talking to Rukia on the bridge.

"Ichigooooo!"

He landed with a hard thump right as his fist hit the back of the substitute shinigami's head. Ichigo didn't stand a chance. He ended up face first on the hard ground.

"I-Infra-san," Rukia yelped.

"You idiot! You are severely injured and you want to fight, not one but two, shinigami captains!"

"Infra-san is right. You're wounded everywhere. You dummy…!"

Ichigo grunted and pulled himself into a standing position again. "So then you can both get mad however you like later. After," the orangette turned his glare onto Byakuya Kuchiki, "I defeat him!"

"Ichi-Ichigo…"

"What," he asked annoyed. Infra snorted and glanced warily at the two shinigami who were just standing there. Why weren't they attacking…? "You're not going to tell me to run away are you? I'll never do that." Too stubborn for his own good. "Don't make me laugh. It wasn't easy coming all this way you know. No matter how you say it, it won't make a difference… I'm going to drag you out of here if I have to!"

"Don't turn your back on the enemy Strawberry." Of course he was ignored as he continued his rant.

"I'm not going to listen to whatever you say, so don't bother IDIOT!"

"Wh-What's that supposed to mean!? You're ignoring the rescuee's opinions!? What kind of strange rescue attempt is this!?"

"I totally agree miss banshee," the hollow mumbled under his breath never taking his eyes off the two captains. Kuchiki looked somewhat annoyed. How did he know this? Practice with Ulquiorra's face, of course. The other white haired one looked somewhat amused.

"SHUT UP! You're being rescued so stop babbling! You should crouch in the corner, shiver in fear, and scream 'help! help!'" This time Infra did turn an incredulous stare onto his friend.

"…You never change do you? You're still the same as before. You still ignore everything I say…"

"Of course! You always nag and worry about me. You should worry about yourself right now," Ichigo responded turning back to the threats. "Don't worry," he glanced over his shoulder with a grin. "I won't die yet!"

"As if I would let you," Infra sniffed.

"Don't look at me like that. I've gotten stronger while you were away."

Infra's head twitched as he heard someone's dulcet tones. It didn't sound like Kuchiki so maybe it was the other one? Then Kuchiki answered and Infra lips pulled into snarl. Ichigo was not a nobody and the bastard captain thought to destroy the strawberry he would have go through Infra first!

"Ichigo," the hollow warned as his friend started forward.

"I'll be fine. I can handle myself in a fight. Haven't I always?" Infra humphed but followed behind as the injured boy started forward. "Look at you standing there so carefree," he snorted addressing the emotionless captain. "Didn't even move forward while I talked to Rukia for so long."

"… Who do you think you are talking to? Why would I… need to sneak up on the likes of you? Don't think too highly of yourself, Insignificant Scum!"

Infra blanched as the captain let lose his spiritual pressure. In the gigai he couldn't release his own to match… He choked while Ichigo slowly moved into an attacking position. How was he supposed to protect his friend if he couldn't stand this pressure?

"Oh. Didn't even budge an inch in front of this spiritual pressure. It seems that you have gained strength. I don't know how you reacquired the power of a shinigami… But you should have just returned to your normal human life instead of throwing away your life that you so luckily kept. How foolish!"

"I'm not throwing away my life. I'm going to defeat you and then go home."

Infra panted and stepped sideways to clutch the railing of the bridge. If this kept on… the only protection he had now was a wind barrier and some projectiles.

"Don't think too highly of yourself, scum!"

Thank the heavens that he had to contend with Aizen's shunpo for nine days or Infra really would have been lost… he shifted uncomfortably against the rail and stepped away when Ichigo blocked the sudden strike.

"Don't think too highly of myself… I saw every single step, Byakuya Kuchiki."

"I see…" Infra felt a little too close to the battle for comfort so he slowly started shuffling backwards. Ichigo was handling it for now. "You improved more than I thought. In that case…" Well that didn't sound good. "Before you become full of yourself, I will show you…" The captain brought his sword vertically in front of his face. "What you can't compensate for with a thousand years of training. The decisive difference in strength."

And then suddenly there were bandages wrapped around Kuchiki's sword and Yoruichi slowly stood.

"Yoruichi," both captains exclaimed.

They knew her? Who was this person?

"Yo-Yoruichi…"

"Who is that," he heard a faint voice ask. Must be Hanatarou… "Do you know her?"

"No," Rukia answered softly. "But I've heard that name before…" Infra turned his full attention on the slip of a girl. "The Ex-Commander of the Onmitsukido and… The Ex-Captain of the Second Division…" Say WHAT!?

"Yoruichi Shihoin. I haven't seen your face in a while. It's been a few hundred years since your disappearance… Everyone thought you died."

Oh damn… Aizen had warned him. He had only called her Shihoin though… Great…

"Yoruichi-san… Did you come to save me? Thank you… But please move aside. I have to defeat him." Of course Ichigo wasn't even phased by what they were saying. Either he was ignoring it entirely or he didn't understand… Typical.

"Deafeat him? By yourself? Idiot."

With now warning at all Yoruichi's hand was suddenly sticking deep into the orangette's stomach wound. What had Aizen said? They used to call her the goddess of the flash step…

"Wha-what are you doing… Yoru..ichi…"

"Yoruichi-san," Infra growled.

"It's a drug isn't it," The white haired captain spoke. "Either Gaten or Houten. Releasing a strong tranquilizer directly into the body… You're trying to save him, Yoruichi."

"Ukitake…"

So that's his name. The Captain of the 13th division.

"No… Senpai won't be able to leave freely."

"Ho. Learned to talk big, Byakuya? When have you ever beaten me at a game of Onigoto?"

"Should we try again?"

And then they were off. Infra gaped as the two appeared and disappeared along the bridge. "You can't catch me with that level of Shunpo," the cat lady said mockingly. "Three days. In three days I'll make him stronger than you. The fight between you two is postponed until then. If you want to follow you may, but… Yorichi Shihoin won't be caught so easily!"

"Yoruichi-san! Keep the ginger with you! He can help training~! I'll be fine," Infra cheered, even though he knew she wasn't going to help him anyway. Her main concern was Ichigo. Actually he was Infra's main concern as well but he was in good hands and the hollow would prefer to stay away from people dangerous enough to make him lose his cover.

"Hey, hey! Where are you going Byakuya," Ukitake called out to the retreating Captain. "What about the others! Isn't that why you came here?"

"I lost my interest. Do whatever you want with them," was the cold reply.

"Ho… He always does whatever he wants at any given moment," Ukitake said scratching his head.

Thump. "Rukia-san!"

Infra straightened up once the pressure was lifted and looked over to see Rukia collapsed on the ground. Why?

"Oi! Sentarou! Kiyone! Please come out!"

Eh? More enemies? Infra was sure he could handle the sick captain but if more seated officers came… A male with a goatee and ropes around his arms dropped to the ground along with a very short haired female.

"So you did come along after all. How long were you here?"

"Since, 'Phew. Ho ho that was scary,' Captain!"

"So since the beginning… Didn't I tell you it was dangerous and not to come?"

"I'm very very sorry! But I respect the captain too much and I couldn't help but follow the captain anywhere he goes!"

"Ah! That was cheap, Kotsubaki! Captain, I feel exactly the same," she yelled tugging the man behind her. "Actually no! I like… respect the captain even more!"

"What!? No! I respect the captain most! You're such a booger girl!"

"AM not!"

Infra couldn't help but laugh. He clutched his sides and toppled to the ground. Everyone blinked and stared and then suddenly Ukitake was standing right in front of him.

"Wah!"

The Captain stared at him while absentmindedly giving orders to his followers to call the 4th division and put Rukia back into prison. Infra stared right back with wide green eyes. Something was off about the glint in that man's eyes.

Jushiro stared at the teenager sitting on the floor. Really, he looked so adorable! He wasn't quite a child but those green eyes were too cute. He ignored how his two 3rd seats were arguing. This boy reminded him of something. The teen cocked his head and his eyelids fluttered like a curious puppy. That's it! He reminded him of a puppy. Too cute~!

"Uh, um…"

He turned his attention to the 4th division member that was shuffling nervously.

"Are you trying to ask why I'm helping?"

"Ah, yes…"

"Of course I'd help!" Jushiro turned to glance at puppy child on the ground before standing and stepping over to the severely injured body of the Shiba. "Until we figure out who murdered Aizen… you trouble makers are the prime suspect and sources of information. So I can't let you just die here."

"And just because we appeared trying to save Rukia it means we murdered this Aizen? Isn't the man a Captain? We have yet to defeat anyone that strong and the only one of our number that actually might be able to is Ichigo! He wasn't even in the area when that happened and he's not very stealthy so I'm telling you now it wasn't us."

He turned his attention back to the green eyed boy. "Interesting that you would say that…"

If this was true then only one of their own number could have slaughtered Aizen. A captain perhaps?

"Maybe this is true. But I must still take you all in." Green eyes narrowed dangerously. "And even though it was very clumsy, you tried to rescue a member of my own division. So, of course, I can't just stand here and watch you die!"

Infra stared at the candy in his hand. It had been put there by Captain Ukitake after Captain Unohana from the 4th division had appeared and they had been put in a cell.

"Oh! You're finally up!"

Infra turned and glanced at the quincy who had a small freak out over Ganju's bandaged face.

"Why were our injuries treated?"

Infra huffed, " Cause they wanna know who killed Captain Aizen."

"Sado-kun!? Infra-san!?"

"Mmnf." The hollow turned his attention to the very tempting candy in his hands ignoring the explanation Chad was giving the other.

"I see so we got arrested for interrogation…"

"But if my reiatsu wasn't sealed by these cuffs I could easily break a hole in the wall with a stone blast," Ganju complained tugging his wrists apart.

Infra frowned down at his own handcuffs. At first he had been afraid that they would dissolve his gigai but luckily they did nothing on him. His wind wasn't spiritons after all.

"Anyway, Even though we're we survived, we're locked and cuffed up! This is the worst possible scenario. But one thing is for sure… If the enemy doesn't want to kill us, the others are probably still alive!"

"If all four of us are captured… then Inoue who isn't good at fighting probably also got captured," Chad rumbled.

"Hime-san is good at hiding," Infra declared in her defense. "But without fighting she can't do much…"

"So that just leaves Yoruichi and Ichigo. I'm waiting for Ichigo. He will definitely come and get us out of here. Until then the only thing we can do is heal up and prepare for the next battle!"

"Let's wait for Ichigo," Ganju cheered.

"Well it's going to be more than three days before he has time," the green eyed male muttered. "Yoruichi is training him…"

The quincy groaned and Ganju faceplanted.

The hollow popped the last candy in his mouth savoring the taste. The food they served wasn't exactly fit for kings as bland as it was. Infra was never more thankful to candy in his undead life.

"Oh, look. A butterfly! How cute~ Is it spring in soul society?"

The brunette almost choked on his candy. Had Ishida really just said that?

"Mumbling to a butterfly… you're hopeless. If you want you can chase it around too, Uryu. I won't tell anyone about this." Infra quickly spit out the candy so he wouldn't have to die a horrible death of asphyxiation.

"D-don't try to trick me! I won't chase a butterfly! Also, don't call me by my first name! We're not that close!"

"Eh, I don't think we're close either," Ganju sniffed.

"Then don't call me by my first name! And stop bothering me!"

"What is it Chad," Infra whispered quietly to the giant besides him.

"Bothering people is what Shibas do best! Stay away if you don't like it!"

"SHHHHHH!"

"Huh?

"What's up?"

"Ah. I hear it now too. You must have supernatural ears to hear that over their bickering…"

"Now that you mention it…"

There were screams and more bickering coming from outside the wall. How had he not heard that before? Seriously…

"Sounds like it's coming our way… not?"

"Hmm, it stopped…"

Then the ceiling had a ginormous hole. Ganju was screaming his heart out, Chad was silent, and Ishida was mumbling to himself.

"You… You're…!"

"Oh, Zaraki Kenpachi. And he brought his minions and Orihime! Hime-chan," Infra cheered bouncing behind the captain without a care. Everyone in the room gaped at him as he kissed Orihime on the nose with a 'Chuu~!'

" Infra-kun! Ishida-kun! Chad-kun! Ganju-kun!"

It wasn't long before the party was completely lost within the maze that was Seireitai. He had, of course suggested taking to the rooftops but the little pink haired brat had put that idea down. He wasn't quite sure if he liked her or not… No, Lili was much better by far.

Really, though, he wasn't exactly keen on staying with the group. He'd already fallen to the back and was just waiting for a chance to slip away. It wasn't until Infra sensed two captains and two vice- captains hiding the same direction they were heading that he threw caution to the wind. The group turned another corner (that looked exactly like all the other ones) but the hollow held himself back. Making sure no one noticed his absence, he took off in the opposite direction towards the cave that Yoruichi, Fred, and Ichigo were training.

AN: Alright. I hope this turned out okay… Good news is that writing this chapter renewed my interest in this story! Hopefully I can start the next chapter soon~!