Chapter Ten- The Fellowship
Ichigo ran his hand along the stone grave. It was of course cool to the touch. He had to wonder if he would ever see it again. This grave. This city.
"She wanted to protect her child. In Rivendell she thought you would be safe," soft footsteps came his way. They stopped a few steps behind him. "But in her heart your mother knew that you would be hunted all your life. That you would never escape your fate. The skill of the Elves can reforge the sword of kings, but only you have the power to wield it."
Ichigo looked behind him. The Elf Lord Shunsui. "I do not want that power. I have never wanted it."
Shunsui sighed. "You are the last of that bloodline, there is no other."
Ichigo frowned, this conversation was about to go to another place. A much darker place.
"I found this sword on my travels." Kisuke handed him the blade. "It's name is Hisagomaru,"
Hanataro took the blade happily. "Thank you." he glanced at the other blade by Kisuke's side. "Not going to give up Benihime?"
Kisuke laughed. "No, she is to much for you to handle. However, I have something else for you. I wont let you go out into the world so unprotected." he pulled out a shimmering shirt.
"It's made from Hollow masks. Strongest material one can have. You'll never find another one like it, or anything stronger." he handed to Hana.
"It's so light." he said mesmerized.
"You wont even know your wearing it until it has saved your life."
Hanataro laughed. "Can I try it on?"
"I insist. Never take it off, in fact."
Hanataro quickly began to undress.
"Oh."
Hana looked up nervously. Kisuke was starring. He had forgotten that he was wearing the ring on a chain that he had around his neck.
"My old ring," Kisuke murmured his eyes fixed on the golden object.
Hanataro froze. Standing behind Kisuke, leaning over him. One hand on Kisuke's shoulder. His mouth whispering something into the blondes ear. There hands moved as one as. Kisuke and Aizen moving their arms in unison both reaching for the ring. Brown eyes and grays both locked onto the golden ring.
Hanataro did the only thing that made sense and put his clothes back on. Hiding the ring again.
Brown eyes locked onto him. A darkened furry was held in their depths. His mouth whispered something else to Urahara. The gray eyes were hazy.
Hanataro stepped back from the both of them. "Kisuke-san."
The gray eyes became unclouded. The brunette vanished from behind the blonde. "Oh, Hana." Urahara shook his head. "I'm sorry." he ran his fingers through his blonde hair. "I seem to have lost my head for a moment."
Hanataro went to the blonde's side and took a seat. This ring was very evil and he would do what he must to destroy it.
He would free Kisuke and everyone else from its spell.
The nine stood just outside the city. The elves had come to see them all off. Shunsui stood in front of all of them.
"The ring bearer is setting out on a quest. And you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Hold true to your purpose and may the blessings of, men, Elves and all other free folk go with you,"
Ukitake cleared his throat. "The fellowship awaits the ring bearer." he stepped back allowing Hana to lead, at least the way out.
The others followed.
Ichigo was the last. His eyes lingering for only a moment on the strawberry blonde elf, Orihime. Their eyes met for a moment before they both looked away. Ichigo turned away following his companions.
Ukitake led them on the quickest path to Mordor. It would be a long journey but one that must be done. "We must hold this path West for forty days. If we're lucky the Gap of Rohan will still be open." the wizard told them.
They had to cross the mountain pass. Hanataro had never seen mountains before. He thought they were wonderful. He sat starring at their beauty during a small break they were taking.
Hiyori was cooking some food for everyone. Hana, once he finished gazing at the mountains watched as Renji practiced fighting with Yachiru and Hitsugaya. The red haired man was giving them pointers. But really it was unnecessary, both were excellent fighters.
Yoruichi was standing on the edge of the cliffs. Her eyes scanning the horizon. Ichigo and Ukitake sitting together a little ways off.
Nemu was a quiet girl who spoke very little. In fact Hanataro was sure that he hadn't heard her spoke since the meeting of how the ring was to be destroyed.
So it surprised everyone when she spoke.
"If you were to ask my opinion, I'd say we were going the long way." Everyone looked at her. She stood in the near the campfire her gaze directed at Ukitake who was the leader of this mission. "Ukitake-san. We can pass through the mines of Moria. My father Mayuri-sama would give us a warm welcome."
Ukitake glanced at Ichigo. "Nemu-chan, I would not take the mines unless I had no other choice."
If she was offended by his words she didn't show it. Instead her eyes locked onto Yoruichi.
"Hell butterflies!" shouted Yoruichi.
Ukitake stood up quickly. "Everyone hide. Erase evidence you were here!" The camp fire was put out. The foot prints swept away. They hid behind what they could. Mostly rocks.
Hanataro watched as black butterflies swarmed the campsite. The flutter of their wings was the only sound.
After mere minutes they were gone leaving no trace that they had ever been there. The wizard stood up slowly. "Ichimaru's spies." Ukitake sighed. "The pass is being watched." With a heavy he sigh he pointed to the snowy mountains in the not to far of distance. "We must take that path."
So they climbed the snowy mountain. It was icy and slippery. Hanataro lost his footing and tumbled. He cursed him self at being so clumsy and holding everyone back. Ichigo helped him up. His eyes went wide at the gold glinting in the snow. The ring had fallen off.
He watched nervously as Renji picked it up. He held up the silver chain that carried the golden ring.
His eyes fixed on the ring.
"Renji." called Ichigo. His hand moving behind his back where his sword hung.
"Isn't it strange that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing." he chuckled weakly at the end of his statement.
Everyone was watching them.
"Renji, give the ring to Hanataro."
The red haired man looked up. "Of course." he walked over handing the ring to the younger.
He turned to walk back up the mountain with the rest of the party.
Hanataro breathed a small sigh of relief. He hated to be wary of his traveling companions. But that man called for it.
In the newly made underground pit's the black butterflies fluttered through it searching for their master. He stood in the middle on a stand so that he could see what was going on around him.
He held out his finger as a single butterfly landed on it. He lifted the small insect up to his face.
The silver haired man smile grew. His squinted eyes peeking open slightly the red eyes shinning within the darkness of the pits. The other butterflies fluttered around him in a circle awaiting further orders.
"So Ukitake, ya trying to lead 'em over the mountains?" he chuckled softly. "And if that fails? If the mountain defeats ya, where then will ya go?"
He turned around to leave the pits. To the top of his tower was his next destination.
Hana had to say looking at snowy mountains was much better then being on a snowy mountain. It was unbearably cold and the snow storm just wouldn't stop.
Yoruichi walked on the top of the snow, her weight seemed non existent. While the others had to dig their way through it. No one was dressed for this cold weather.
Nemu and Toshiro looked unaffected by the fierce cold.
Yoruichi again walked to the edge of the cliffs. Her eyes narrowed. "There is a voice on the wind."
Ukitake pulled his faded blue hat up. He looked straight out. He focused his mind seeing through the storm, across many miles. There he could see him. His silver robes billowing around him. Silver hair being mussed by the winds. His eyes open, red eyes glowing. His mouth was moving. His hands out in front of him. He was performing a spell.
Ukitake closed his eyes and listened.
"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man!"
"Ichimaru!" hissed Ukitake trying to get a into a better position.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain!" shouted Ichigo over the storm.
Ukitake held out his hands concentrating. "Bakudo number eighty eight. Danku!"
A wall shimmered before them.
"Any spell he shoots at us will hit this. We will be fine." panted the wizard.
"On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens. Hado number sixty three, Sōren Sōkatsui!"
A blue ball of fire flew over their heads, crashing into the mountain above them. Snow began to slip off the mountain. If they were hit by that, they would be forced off the edge of the mountain.
"Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens Hyōrinmaru!" roared Hitsugaya, pulling out his blade. An ice dragon formed an icy arch over them stopping the snow falling onto them. The ice dragon caused the snow to pour harmlessly over its side and over the cliff.
"We have to get off this mountain!" roared Renji. "Make for the gap of Rohan, take the road to Godor!"
Ichigo shook his head. "The gap of Rohan takes us to close to Ichimaru." he argued.
"Ukitake-san. If we can not go over the mountain, let us go under it." Nemu spoke quietly but everyone heard her. "let us go through the mines of Moria."
"Moria?" Ichimaru sat in his thrown. His thin legs thrown over one of the armrests, his back against the other. A book open in his lap. "You fear to go into those mines, don't ya?"
He flipped another page in his book.
"The scientists created something they regret, didn't they?" he smiled and looked across the room at his table the Hōgyoku sat. More importantly he looked over at the man standing behind the Hōgyoku.
"Ne, do you know what they created?"
The dark brown eyes turned to look at him. The smallest smile gracing the man's lips. "Shadow and flame," he answered. His foot steps making no sound as he walked up to the chair.
Ichimaru turned to sit correctly in his chair. He closed the book carefully and stood up to stand eye to eye with the brunette in front of him.
"Wouldn't be a shame, if that was to wake up while they were down there?"
The other was silent. His smile was all the answer was needed.
Ukitake took a deep breath. "Let the ring bearer decide,"
Hanataro flinched and turned to look at his companions. Hiyori and Yachiru were freezing. Their teeth chattering their faces pale, cheeks and noses red. The others save for Yoruichi and Toshiro were the same. They were going to die out here.
"We will go through the mines." he at last answered.
"Very well," murmured Ukitake.
The wizard led them off of the snowy mountains and to the path of the mines.
Ukitake pulled Hana close as they walked. "How is your shoulder?" he asked quietly.
"Uh, better then it was," he whispered back, wondering why they were whispering about this.
"And the ring?" Ah. This is why they were whispering. "You feel its power growing don't you? I can feel it too. You must be careful," the wizard warned. "Evil will be drawn to it from outside the fellowship, and I fear from within,"
Hanataro's eyes grew fearful. "If I can't trust my traveling companions then who can I trust?"
Ukitake smiled sadly. "You must trust yourself. Trust your own instincts and strengths."
Well those were most definitely two things he didn't trust at all.
The wizard chuckled at his expression. "Now, now. Don't make that face."
"There," Nemu pointed to a large stone wall. "The entrance to the mines is hidden there."
They walked along the wall. "Scientist's labs are invisible when closed. That is so our secrets are never seen by others."
"Yes," agreed the wizard. "Even their own masters forget how to open them if their secrets are forgotten."
Nemu frowned at the chuckle Yoruichi gave at this news.
Ukitake stopped walking suddenly. He began brushing off a section of the wall. "Yes. This is it. The seal only appears in starlight and moonlight." he murmured. He looked back up at the sky with a wave of his hand the clouds dispersed revealing the moon. The pattern of the door lit up.
"Rip," Ukitake said rubbing his chin. He starred at the door intently the one word alight, being the only clue of how to get in. He glanced over at Nemu. "Do you know the password to get in?"
Her dead green eyes looked back. "Yes,"
With a slightly strained smile he stepped back "Then by all means."
She walked in front of the door. "Ashisogi Jizō'," she said softly. There was silence.
Toshiro glanced at the door. "Nothings happening."
"The password must have changed." she said simply stepping away from the door.
Ukitake starred at her in shock. "Do you know what he would have changed it to?"
She tilted her head to the side her eyes starring at the lake. "I'm thinking."
Ukitake sat down on a rock with a sigh. The others following his example.
Yachiru on the other hand was bored. She began kicking rocks into the big lake in front of the door. At least it was something to do. Some kind of noise to eat away at the silence. Of course even that had to be ruined for her. Ichigo pulled her away from the lake.
"Do not disturb that water," he warned. He and Renji exchanged worried looks.
Toshiro stood up starring at the door. "Rip." he said. He scratched his head. "When his sword goes into Bankai, what's the extension what's he say?"
Nemu turned to look at the white haired boy. "Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō,"
With that the doors slowly started to open. Ukitake looked up surprised. "Well done, Shiro-chan,"
Hitsugaya ignored the vile nickname and followed the wizard inside. Ukitake made a ball of light in his hand as they entered the darkness.
He froze. As his light graced the room they found the ground was littered in bodies.
Nemu's eyes were wide at the sight. "Mayuri-sama" she whispered fearful.
Yoruichi looked over a body of a skeleton. "Hollows," she hissed.
Renji's eyes scanned the ground. "This is a tomb," Everyone began pulling out their blades. "We should never have come here,"
"Help!"
Everyone turned around, going back outside. Hovering above the water was a figure in white. Short black hair with three diamond shaped marks above his left eye. Behind him eight tentacles seemed to be shooting out of his back. One of those had Hanataro. "I hear one of these little ones has the ring. My master would very much like it," he laughed. "My name is Luppi and it is here that you will meet your end at my hands,"
Yoruichi was like a blur hopping from one tentacle to the other. Ichigo grabbed his blade running out to save Hana. The younger ones pulled out their blades as well.
With a quick slice Ichigo severed the tentacle that had Hanataro.
"You will pay for that," hissed Luppi another tentacle reaching for Hana.
Hiyori wouldn't let that happen. Her blade cut through the oncoming appendage.
"Into the mines!" called out Ukitake. As the Arcarnarr summoned more tentacles from his back.
"You will not get away!" he shouted at them.
The tentacles attached themselves to the door and the mine walls pulling them and causing the whole wall to collapse. Trapping the fellowship inside.
The darkness consumed them. Ukitake's form appeared in the light he made in his hand. "Well, now we have only one choice before us." he glanced behind them his features shadowed from the light. "We must face the long dark of Moria." he began walking ahead. "Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things then Hollows in the deep dark places of the world."
Gathering his courage, Hanataro followed the wizard.
A/N
So why wasn't Sauron and Saurmon in this movie more? My favorite parts to write so far. That's cause I can be a sneaky fan girl. I've already been called out on it too. *smiles* hehehe. I also can't wait for big battles. The bleach character abilities in the war will be fun I think. Thanks for the support thus far. I'm having fun writing it so I hope everyone's enjoying it.