Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Chapter Seven
Hisana lay silently on the bed, waiting for sleep to claim her. She was exhausted and restless at the same time. Changing positions didn't help and she feared waking Byakuya. He had been working later everyday for the past week. Then he would come home and help take care of a sick wife. She felt so ashamed for being a burden for him. If she didn't spend everyday wandering through the streets of the Rukon district, looking for Rukia, and rested, the ailment would pass by sooner. Yet she couldn't bring herself to stop, even for one day.
Her throat began to burn, raw from several coughing fits throughout the day. She gently removed the covers and moved to slip on her sandals and a haori. She slid the paper-screen doors quietly and stepped out, closing the doors behind her. A cup of tea would be soothing for her throat and maybe it would help her sleep.
She didn't bother waking anyone up to prepare the tea and went to the kitchen herself. The servants always made a fuss when she tried doing things on her own. It wasn't right for Lord Byakuya's wife to do such simple acts. It took less than ten minutes to brew the tea. She washed the dishes she used and replaced them where she had found them. Carrying her cup, she returned to Byakuya and her room. She sat upon the edge of the porch and sipped her tea.
"Hisana."
She paused mid-sip and looked up at her husband standing in the open doorway. She removed the cup from her lips and smiled. "I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep."
He nodded, walking over and joining her. "I noticed."
"Do you want a cup?" Hisana asked, "We could share but I don't want you to get sick."
Byakuya reached over and took the cup from her hands. He took a sip. "I'll take the chance."
Hisana tried to take the cup back, but he held it out of reach. She gave up, settling back down. "Fine. If you get sick, it'll give me the opportunity to take care of you as you have done for me."
A small smile slide onto Byakuya's. He handed the cup back to Hisana and watched her drink.
"You're wearing my captain haori by the way," he commented, pulling on the edge of the clothing.
Hisana looked at the haori and sighed. "I hadn't even realized."
Byakuya chuckled softly. Hisana grinned, resting her head against his arm. She offered the remainder of the tea, but he refused. She drained the rest and relaxed. Her throat felt better and she was getting sleepy. She yawned loudly.
"Time for bed," Byakuya stated, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her as he stood. He entered their bedroom, sliding the doors back into place.
"We forgot the cup," Hisana reminded him.
"I'll get it later," he said, laying her down upon their bed. He removed his haori from around her shoulders and tucked her in. He replaced the haori on its peg and returned to his position beside Hisana. He pulled the blankets up and relaxed. He looked over at Hisana, saw her questioning look, and stretched out an arm for her. She smiled brightly and scooted closer, wrapping her arm around his midsection. He held her close and drifted to sleep.
Hisana awoke to clashing metal and shouts. She sat up, glancing over at Hanataro peeking through the door.
"What's going on?" she asked. Hanataro turned back to her, surprised to see her awake and motioned for her to join him.
"Another bad guy showed up," he replied, "He possessed Ichigo and went on a rampage. And now, everyone is under his control."
His last sentence ended in a whimper. Hisana moved over to him and looked through the crack in the doorway. She gasped at the scene. She saw Ichigo poised with a smaller blade pointed at Rukia. Byakuya was standing, sword in hand, across from Hitsugaya. Ikkaku held a spear against Renji, Yumichika on the ground beside them. Rangiku held her blade to Chad's chest; Uryuu had a pale blue bow aimed at Orihime and Retsu. Jyuushiro and Shunsui faced each other. Nanao lay on the porch, bleeding from a wound on her arm.
A man in black was perched on top of the roof, overlooking the grounds before him. Hisana spot a weird darkness, like a shadow, creeping down from him and spreading in web-like appendages connected to the others.
"We've got to do something," she stated.
Hanataro blanched and started shaking. "But how? Even the captains were incapacitated."
"Tell me about yourself, Hanataro."
Nanao watched Ichigo's transformation from the open doorway. Although she could sense the new enemy using his spiritual pressure, she couldn't tell how he was possessing Ichigo. It could be the amulet he's wearing, she thought. A movement to her right caught her eye. She glanced over but only saw her shadow. She turned back to the others when realization dawned on her. The sun was directly overhead now. There was no way she could cast a shadow. She swung back to the dark shadow as it attached itself to her. She felt a coldness spread over her, immobilizing her. She gasped, trying to move.
"Nanao?" Rangiku asked, catching Nanao's horrified expression.
Shunsui heard the concern in Rangiku's voice and turned back towards Nanao. She was frozen, her eyes wide open and mouth quivering. Without thinking, Shunsui went to her side.
"Captain, no!" Nanao forced the words out, but it didn't stop him. She watched helplessly as the shadow stretched from her and latched onto him. His alarmed features slid into a blank expression as he drew his wakizashi.
"Shunsui! What are you doing!" Rangiku cried, moving to stop him. An enormous blast of energy rocketed towards her and she leapt out of the way. Retsu and Orihime dashed away as well. The blast missed Shunsui as he advanced on Nanao. Nanao looked at him in horror, unable to defend herself. He raised the blade over his head, towering over her.
"Na…nao…" he whispered, struggling to stop himself. His body shook as he fought for control. He lost feeling in his arm and cried out as the blade headed for Nanao. Nanao was pulled away at the last moment, the blade cutting her left arm. Jyuushiro had his own katana unsheathed and pointing towards his long time friend. Nanao lay still on the floor, her arm hurting slightly. The shadow extended from her once more and attached itself to its next victim.
Rangiku landed in the yard opposite Chad. His right arm had transformed into the armored covering with blue-white energy spouting from the top. She looked at him coolly. It seemed their enemy could possess more than one person. She felt a cold grip grasp onto her and spread.
Orihime watched in shock as Tsubaki attacked Uryuu. He dodged the attack easily since Orihime's heart wasn't into it. Retsu stood behind her, unmoving, having been caught by the enemy's control as well. Uryuu glanced over at Orihime, saw her expression, and noted what was wrong. Kenta had gotten to her, too. He grimaced at his own stupidity as his movements began to act of their own accord.
Ichigo had remained still as the chaos unfurled around him. Hitsugaya shook with anger. His body would not respond to his commands. He had been captured.
Rukia listened to the outbreaks around her, but kept her eyes on Ichigo. She hadn't removed her katana from its sheath yet, even when Ikkaku was taken over. Yumichika confronted his friend first, but was soon incapacitated. Renji deflected Ikkaku's attack and left Rukia standing on her own. She always hated when Ichigo used his mask, though she understood its necessity, and it was more frightening now that he was using against her. Any moment now, he would come after her.
Ichigo struggled against Kenta's hold. The voice whispered for him to attack Rukia and he refused to do so. Despite his efforts, he found himself before her. She gazed up at him calmly, her blade sheathed still.
"NO!" Zangetsu sliced towards her. She didn't move. There was no point, she couldn't anyways. A blade repelled Zangetsu. Byakuya stood between Rukia and Ichigo, Senbonzakura held coolly in his hand.
"Brother," Rukia whispered.
A whirl of white collided with Byakuya, drawing him away from Rukia and Ichigo. Hitsugaya clashed heavily against Byakuya, forcing him closer to Kenta. A shadow shot out and attached onto Byakuya. Byakuya's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
Kenta cackled. "Now everyone is under my control."
His greedy eyes washed over the gathering before him. "Who should I have killed first? It's no fun to kill those of little importance in my lord's plan. But I could make an exception for the one who killed Masumi." He looked over at Renji, then turned towards Uryuu. "Or have the Quincy kill his beloved."
His eyes fell on Rukia. "Perhaps I should put the abandoned sister out of her misery. What you must be going through? Finally seeing the sister who callously left you in the streets. Poor thing."
Rukia cringed at his remark. She had been fighting with her feelings over the whole ordeal with Hisana. She wanted to understand why her sister left her, but knew she never would. Ichigo growled menacingly.
"Then again, it would be easier to get rid of the great and noble Byakuya Kuchiki," Kenta went on, "That would put an end to this useless scheme of revenge. I've decided."
He smiled cruelly at Byakuya. "Goodbye, Kuchiki."
Hitsugaya's grip on Hyourinmaru tightened. He pulled against the force propelling him forwards to Byakuya. Sebonzakura fell involuntarily from Byakuya's hand.
"Brother!"
"Captain!" Rangiku and Renji cried simultaneously.
Loud detonations sounded from the building on which Kenta was standing. The aftershock trembles nearly knocked Kenta off the roof. He fell forward, rolling towards the edge. He managed to stop himself from tumbling over by grabbing onto the outside railing and dangling off the side. He hauled himself back onto the roof and gazed down at the building beneath in bewilderment.
"What the hell is going on!" he shouted, grasping his amulet.
"Fulfill, Akeiro Hisagomaru!"
A red, concentrated discharge shot in-between Hitsugaya and Byakuya, heading straight for Kenta. It blasted to the left of Kenta and caused the whole building to collapse. Kenta plummeted, screaming into the debris. Hanataro stood beside Ichigo, his zanpakto in its shikai form.
Ichigo exhaled with relief as the coldness disappeared and he was able to move him own body again. The others around him dropped from their battle stances, no longer under Kenta's control.
"Way to go, Hanataro! Rangiku cheered.
Hanataro blushed. "It…it was nothing."
"I didn't think you had it in you," Ikkaku commented. Yumichika nodded in agreement.
"He's not dead," Nanao pointed out, stepping down beside Shunsui.
"Nanao! How's your arm?" Shunsui asked in concern.
Nanao revealed her arm. "Hanataro healed it. That was how he was able to use his shikai."
"Wow, that's quick thinking, Hanataro," Orihime praised, "You're so brave."
Hanataro sputtered, embarrassed. "Really, I didn't do much. Hisana was…"
Another powerful explosion interrupted Hanataro's sentence. Large pieces of debris went flying, revealing Kenta, his eyes glowing red with anger and a black, double-bladed katana in his right hand. Hisana was sprawled on the ground before him, bleeding from a small gash above her left hip.
"You stupid woman!" Kenta cried, grabbing Hisana around her neck and dragging her up from the ground. She grasped onto his arm with one hand, staring defiantly at him. He snarled at her, not noticing her other hand reaching towards him. He hurled her back to the ground. She hit the terrain hard and rolled a few feet away from Kenta.
"Hisana!" Rukia cried, dashing towards her sister. Byakuya held out an arm, stopping her.
"Brother, why?"
"Watch," Byakuya commanded. Standing still and doing nothing while Hisana was in danger went against every fiber in his being. But he knew what she was doing and trusted her.
"You've ruined everything," Kenta ranted, "Lord Raiden's pathetic affections towards you won't save you anymore. Your damn meddling destroyed us once, but never again. I will put an end to you!"
Kenta reached to grab hold of his amulet, preparing to use one of his many tools to dispose of Hisana. He fumbled and gazed in shock at the absence of his talisman.
"Looking for this?" Hisana held the amulet, daggling it from its chain. Red energy danced around her hand, destroying the amulet little by little. Hisana dropped the remainder onto the dirt beside her.
Kenta's face reddened with fury. "You….!"
He launched towards her, reckless and full of openings. Hisana grabbed the zanpakto lying beside her and held it in front of her, hoping the blade would protect her as she planned. Kenta didn't see her actions until it was too late. He fell onto the blade, piercing him in the center of his chest. His eyes widened, his own blade disappearing into a cloud of smoke, and his limbs went slack. Blood streamed from his wound down the sword and onto Hisana's hands. His dark mass melted into blue-white particles and evaporated into the air.
Hisana stared at the sword in her hands. Her hands began to shake as realization of what she had done washed over her. She had just killed a person. It wasn't a hollow, even though she always felt remorse and sorrow for killing them as well. Slender arms wrapped around her shoulders as a pair of hands gently pried the blade from her own.
"I'm surprised Senbozakura allowed her to use him," Hitsugaya commented, "I always figured zanpaktos would never allow anyone but their owners to utilize them."
"That's true," Jyuushiro stated, "But our zanpaktos know what is in our hearts. Even though Hisana is not the same one that was Byakuya's wife, Senbozakura must have understood who she use to be."
Rukia hugged Hisana from the back. She was relieved that Hisana was alright despite her wounds. Hisana held unto Rukia's arms, trying to push away her feelings. She knew she did what was necessary and inevitable. She patted Rukia's arm and moved to stand up. Rukia released her hold and helped Hisana to her feet. Hisana smiled sadly at Rukia when she faced her.
"What's wrong, Hisana?" Orihime asked, "You're crying."
Hisana felt the warm tears streaming down her face. "It's nothing…really."
She lifted a hand to wipe at the tears but froze at the sight. Blood stained her hands, causing more tears. Hisana's face crumpled and she began to sob. She wiped her hands on the sleeve of her robe vigorously. The gash on her side was throbbing and she was getting dizzy with blood loss. Rukia grabbed hold of Hisana as she swayed, bracing her.
"Let's get back inside," Rukia decided, beginning to guide Hisana. She paused when Byakuya approached, Senbozakura sheathed once more at his waist. Hisana looked up at him wistfully. He reached down and casually lifted Hisana into his arms. Hisana continued to cry, resisting her automatic response to cling to him and folding her arms to her chest.
"As much as I hate to do this, I believe paying a visit to Kurotsuchi will help us find where the enemy is hiding," Uryuu declared, displeased with the thought. He wasn't particularly fond of the crazy scientist.
"I'll go with you," Chad offered.
"Captain, let's go, too," Rangiku said. Hitsugaya rolled his eyes but followed as the group left.
"Time to head back," Ikkaku stated, waving nonchalantly over his shoulder. Yumichika followed behind. "Captain'll want to know about this."
"See ya!" Ichigo called.
"I'll go heal Hisana," Orihime decided, traipsing after Byakuya.
"What should we do?" Rukia questioned aloud.
"After Hisana is treated, Retsu should be able to return to her usual duties," Jyuushiro pointed out, "Shunsui and I will go to the Captain Commander and relay what we know so far. I believe it's best if you and Ichigo stay here and help watch over Hisana and Byakuya. If anything else happens, it'll revolve around those two."
"If captain's going to stay, I'll be returning to squad six and watch over things there," Renji said.
"Thanks, Renji," Rukia said. Ichigo nodded with a smirk. Renji returned the expression, waving slightly before flash stepping away.
"Rukia," Ichigo began, scratching the back of his head. Rukia turned to face him with an inquisitive look on her face. "I'm sorry about earlier."
Rukia smiled reassuringly. "It's okay, Ichigo. I knew it wasn't you."
Ichigo grinned, melting out of his bankai form. He replaced Zangetsu onto his back and followed Rukia as she headed inside.
Toru scowled as Kenta's spiritual pressure disappeared and Raiden's flared in anger. They had gotten so far, yet everything seemed to be unraveling because of one small girl. At first, the possibility of getting revenge along with accomplishing their main goal was intoxicating, but now, he wasn't sure it was wise to continue involving Hisana. Keeping up this pretense was wearing him down, he had yet to even enter the same vicinity of the Captain Commander let alone get close enough to initiate the final step.
"Captain Kurotsuchi!"
Toru paused, turning around to face the young soul reaper, a subordinate of Kurotsuchi. The man hustled quickly towards him, stopping a few yards and kneeling.
"Captain Commander Yamamoto requests your presence," he stated, huffing from exertion.
What perfect timing! Toru thought. "Very well."
"Also, Captain Hitsugaya wishes to speak with you."
"Ah, but I'm afraid I can't keep the Captain Commander waiting."
"It won't take long," Captain Hitsugaya replied, appearing beside the young man. Rangiku flashed beside him with Chad in tow. Uryuu following along using his own Quincy methods.
"Yes, yes, yes, alright. What do you want?" Toru asked with disappointment. He waved his arms in an exasperated manner before resting them on his hips. The whole appearance and movements of this particular captain was hard to keep up.
Uryuu gazed at Kurotsuchi in suspicion. There was something off about the captain, more than usual.
"Do you have any leads on the enemy's location?" Hitsugaya asked.
"Oh, that. Nope, nothing as of yet. Maybe you should speak with the Secret Corps. It is their job after all."
"Hmm…you're right. Let's see with Captain Soi Fon."
"One moment," Uryuu requested, stepping up beside Hitsugaya. He looked squarely at Toru.
"Where's Kurotsuchi?"
A/N: Forgive me…there were snow storms this past week and my electricity was out. And then the internet was down. The list of complications go on….I want to thank everyone who has stuck with me so far. Your feedback has been really inspiring:D I'm already working on the next chapter, I hope to get it up sometime this week. Till then.3
