Chapter 10: Two Were Saved

It seemed to Yoruichi that Byakuya was spending far too much time unconscious lately. First it had been the sudden drop in reiatsu, then the first wolf attack, and now a second. Either he was in the middle of something horribly dangerous or the Kuchiki heir was just plain unlucky. Judging by what Kisuke had told her, she was more inclined to go with the former rather than the latter, but even so, she made a mental note to caution him to be somewhat more careful.

She flash stepped toward Urahara's shop holding Byakuya close and carefully reaching out with her senses to make sure she was not followed. She sensed nothing behind her, but she knew it would be asking too much to hope that the wolf creature would simply give up on looking for Byakuya. She had seen that, although it seemed quite willing to inflict damage on Byakuya, it hadn't been trying to kill him…only to force him to return to Hueco Mundo. And Byakuya had been bent on reaching Kisuke, That, in itself, told her that he must have discovered something crucial in the family histories.

Tell Urahara…there were not four…there were six…Tell him…tell him…two were saved.

He might have been stunned and losing consciousness, but he had been desperate for those words to reach Kisuke. And now Yoruichi would stop at nothing to make sure that they did.

She reached Urahara's shop and slipped quietly inside, moving down the hallway and into one of the bedrooms. Easing the unconscious noble into bed, she loosened his clothing and carefully cleaned and bound his wounds. Finishing that, she moved silently down the dark hallway to wake Kisuke.

"Ah…argh…oh, it's you," Kisuke mumbled, blinking in the darkness, "What's on your mind?"

"Byakuya is here," she whispered, "I found him near here, injured and pursued by one of those wolf creatures, and desperate to reach you with a message."

Kisuke stretched and yawned.

"Sounds like someone needs to tell his nobleness to be a bit more careful, eh? This sounds pretty serious," he said, rising and pulling a robe around himself.

They walked back to the room where Byakuya rested. He was still not moving, but seemed to be resting comfortably, so Kisuke left briefly to make tea, while Yoruichi sat at the captain's side, trying gently to wake him. When Kisuke returned, he was still not responding.

"I don't understand what is going on," Yoruichi admitted, "He wasn't terribly injured. But…the wolf creature did do something unusual. It touched his forehead and there was a bright flash of power. Perhaps it induced a longer period of unconsciousness to allow for the length of the trip back to Hueco Mundo. That is where it was trying to urge Byakuya to go. Kisuke, there is something going on there that can't proceed without him."

Kisuke nodded.

"He and Renji are caught up in something pretty dangerous. Since you first told me about these wolf creatures, I've been looking into just what kinds of beasts live out there in the desert among the hollows. I found some pretty impressive stuff, too! You know, there's a pink-toed, scaly…"

"Kisuke…"

"Huh?"

"We should probably try to focus on the task at hand. We can discuss other interesting creatures of Hueco Mundo when Byakuya, here is out of danger…" Yoruichi suggested.

"Ah, right…sorry," he said, grinning sheepishly.

He took a sip of tea and cleared his throat.

"I found several references to wolves. There were two main types. There was the wolf hollow, a huge nasty character with a lot of brute strength, and then there was the ookami seirei…the spirit wolves. The hollow wolves are not sophisticated enough. They wouldn't have the level of intelligence of the creatures you described to me. So, I think what we're dealing with is the ookami seirei. That being the case, Renji and Byakuya are in for a whole mess of trouble."

"How so?"

"Yoruichi, the ookami seirei are not like the regular hollows. They are something quite different. And don't be fooled by their appearance, they are not just animals. These are pack-minded creatures with human intelligence. They are savvy and know how to use strategy to get what they want. Their wants and needs are also more sophisticated than normal animals and hollows, too."

"That sounds like what was described to me. I think you're right. I think that what attacked Byakuya was one of these spirit wolves. But why do you think they took the soul reaper, Kenta? Why do they want Byakuya so badly?" Yoruichi asked.

"Well…the ookami seirei don't just exist in wolf form. The wolf form is more of a physical form, but they have a humanoid spirit form as well."

"You mean to say that they aren't just wolves? They're…human?"

"Well," Kisuke said, sipping his tea, "I don't know if I'd claim they're all that human. Many of the human-looking things in Hueco Mundo are far from it. Looks, in many cases, can be deceiving…and in this case, rather than describing them as something like a human…I would describe them as something akin to a demon."

Yoruichi gasped softly.

"They are in serious trouble," she breathed.

Kisuke nodded.

"It took me a lot of time for Tessai and me to translate the texts we found that had references to the ookami seirei. They don't like for too much to be known about them. People who learn too much about them usually end up dead…or just…one of them."

"One of them?"

"From what I can tell, the ookami seirei can reproduce in two ways. Two spirit wolves can mate and produce a wolf offspring, but it will only contain a wolf spirit…no human…or demon form. They use these offspring as underlings, fighters…shock troops. They are group thinkers, so they see the need to have strength in numbers. This accomplishes that."

"What is the other way they can reproduce?" Yoruichi asked, glancing down at Byakuya.

"Well, if I translated that section correctly…it involves the possession of a human spirit…that, and a sacrifice of blood and reiatsu."

"A sacrifice?" Yoruichi hissed.

"Yeah, that's what I said," Kisuke assured her, a dark look in his eyes, "Now you said that Renji and Kenta 'chose' Rikichi and Byakuya, right?"

Yoruichi nodded.

"That's what Renji told me. So two are the spirits that will be subverted and used, while the other two are the ones who will be sacrificed. But Kisuke, how do we know which is which?" Yoruichi asked softly.

"Isn't it obvious?" Kisuke said in a low voice, "I don't think sacrificial offerings are given much choice in the matter, Yoruichi. The fact that Byakuya and Rikichi were chosen, and that, as you said, Kenta and Renji can only receive reiatsu from them, now, only points to the obvious. Byakuya and Rikichi are the sacrifice."

Yoruichi nodded, her face pale.

"Kisuke, what do you know about how it happens?" Yoruichi asked, "How can we stop it? Can we stop it?"

"I don't know about stopping it, but I did learn a few things about the process," Kisuke explained, "The bulk of the spirit wolves have whitish…or grungy yellow teeth…normal, if you will. The spirit wolves who can create wolves with a human spirit in them are different. Apparently, the sacrifice of blood leaves them with blood red fangs. When they reproduce, they use their fangs to draw the blood of their sacrifice. At the same time, the red fangs drain the reiatsu of the sacrifice…a pretty nasty process, if you ask me. Not something Byakuya and Rikichi want to experience. Anyway, this sacrifice always takes place under a full moon…something about harmonizing with the moon's power. When the sacrifice has been made, the subverted soul enters a sleep stage. When it awakens, it is one of them."

"Kami, Little Byakuya is in big trouble," Yoruichi said quietly, her eyes drifting to the captain again, "So that is why they want him back. Kisuke…what happens if we just keep him from being taken?"

Kisuke lowered his eyes.

"We could probably save Byakuya and Rikichi, but Kenta and Renji cannot control their reiatsu…and the longer they remain in that state, the more their ability to accept Byakuya and Rikichi's reiatsu will fade."

Yoruichi blinked slowly.

"You said you don't know how to save them."

"No, I don't," Kisuke said apologetically.

"Wait!" Yoruichi said suddenly, "Kisuke, when I found Byakuya, he tried to tell me something. He told me to tell you that…there weren't four…there were six. Two were saved. Do you know what he meant?"

Kisuke's eyes widened.

"He said that?" he asked, staring.

"Yes, it was very clear. He clearly said, two were saved."

Kisuke nodded.

"So it looks like it may be possible. But we still need to know how."

They were distracted by sudden motion as Byakuya stirred. His eyes opened slightly and his lips moved, but no sound issued from them.

"Byakuya?" Yoruichi said, touching his face gently, "What are you trying to say?"

"R-rikaku…zetsumei…seppun…" he stammered, shifting uncomfortably.

Kisuke's eyes went wide again. His eyes met Byakuya's and a silent understanding passed between them.

"I think I have an idea!" he said excitedly, rising and dashing out of the room.

Yoruichi shook her head in confusion and turned back to Byakuya, rubbing his wrists and talking to him softly. Slowly he regained awareness.

"Well," she said, smiling, "It is good to see that you have rejoined us. How are you feeling, Little Byakuya?"

He started to scowl, but reconsidered, remembering that she had, in fact, just come to his rescue (something that, rather ironically, only made him want to scowl even more). He sat up slowly and accepted a cup of hot tea.

"Arigato," he said softly, "for the tea…and for your assistance."

"It was no problem," Yoruichi smiled, "It was the least I could do. I might have abandoned you and left you among those stuffy nobles all of those years ago, Byakuya, but I wouldn't willingly leave you to die."

"I know that," he replied, sipping the tea.

"So…where were you when this wolf creature caught up with you?" she asked.

"I was in the family archives beneath the manor."

Yoruichi's eyes narrowed.

"Byakuya, only the Kuchiki heir can enter the archives…" she began.

"Yes…only the heir. The other is an heir from the past…one long thought dead. And, really, he did die a long time ago, but his spirit lives within the spirit wolf leader. He followed me to the manor and entered the archives planning to force me to return with him to Hueco Mundo."

Yoruichi looked troubled.

"Do you know, Byakuya? Do you know what is happening to you and the others?" she asked softly.

"I am aware," he replied, looking down, "Four will become two and the two will join the ookami seirei, forever to roam the desert of Hueco Mundo. Yes, I know all-too-well what is happening."

Yoruichi touched his face, gently bringing his eyes back to her.

"We're not going to let it happen," she said, her golden eyes determined, "All of you are going to be okay. I give you my word, Byakuya. We'll find a way out of this."

"Again…arigato," he said softly.

"Byakuya…you said something to Kisuke that made him run off a moment ago. What was that?"

Byakuya paused, looking down at his tea.

"I…I'm not entirely certain what it was I said. It was likely just something I found in the histories that he found interesting. Perhaps it will help him come up with something."

"Well, while he does that, we have some catching up to do, Byakuya."

"Oh?"

"Yes," she said, smiling, "I have news about the conception of your child," she said, her smile growing.

Now his lips twitched softly, but he resisted the smile he felt forming there.

"I see. And what is this news?" he asked.

"Well, it's very early and a million things could still go wrong…but…it seems that we have been successful."

He couldn't hide his smile now, or the fact that he was blushing. Yoruichi giggled.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, not quite able to make eye contact.

She nodded.

"I wouldn't have told you if I wasn't sure. Byakuya, you are going to be a father!"

He blinked slowly, absorbing the thought.

"Renji doesn't know yet?" he asked, glancing up at her.

She shook her head.

"We just confirmed it today. So when you go back, you can tell him."

The smile faded from Byakuya's face. Yoruichi leaned forward and took his hands.

"You and Renji are going to come out of this okay, Byakuya. I promise you. Kisuke and I are going to make sure that we help you get out of this alive and well. You have to believe that."

"I do," he assured her, "But I'm worried, Yoruichi. These creatures are not simply strong. They are intelligent and they are determined about this. I wield a great deal of power, Yoruichi, power that should be making a difference, but the truth is that this isn't about power. This is about outthinking them…anticipating and undoing their moves. I am good at creating strategy, but I already underestimated them. That is why I've been taken by surprise."

"That is over," Yoruichi said, placing an arm around his shoulders, "We will outthink them. We will get you, Renji, Rikichi, and Kenta all out of this.

"I hope so," he said softly, "Renji and I have a great deal to look forward to. I want to believe that everything will work out, but there is something weighing on me, Yoruichi. I have a very bad feeling about this. I know there is a way out…and that Kisuke will find something that will help us get to it…but, I don't know. I have this very cold feeling inside."

"Drink more tea," she chided him gently, "the tea will warm you up."

He smiled back, but she could see the uncertainty in his eyes. Byakuya was not one to worry unnecessarily. The fact that he was so unnerved sent up a red flag in her mind, but there was really nothing that they could do. They had to wait to see if whatever Kisuke was conjuring up would prove useful. She gazed down at Byakuya and for the first time she could remember, she was extremely afraid for him.