Hey everyone. Hope everyone is going well and enjoying this story. We're going to start getting into action here, and a lot of it. So for reference to me and everyone else I've laid out the troop unit sizes. (these are not how the unit sizes are really set up, there are usually more men in each unit, but I made it close, and these are only soldiers not including the officers)
Squad-10 men (Officer)
Platoon (four Squads)- 50 men (Corporal)
Company (four Platoons)- 200 men (Colonel)
Battalion (four Companies)- 800 men (Major)
Regiment (four Battalions)- 3,200 men (2nd Lieutenant)
Brigade (two Regiments)- 6,400 men (1st Lieutenant)
Division (two Brigades)- 12,800 men (Captain)
As I said these are approximate numbers that I'm modeling after military units. And each unit has its own commander but I'm still modeling the command structure of Bleach and I'm using military officers (whether or not they are in the right command order) as leaders…forgive me if you are in the military as I am not trying to cause offense by this structuring and officer command, I'm simply trying to organize the armies. Thank you.
Here's to the reviewers for last chapter.
To insomniac1970– yeah there was that braveheart influence there…should I have made him scream freedom? lol
To misshansson96– I stopped there cause I'm going to continue it in this chapter.
To ruby the hedgehog– thank you, I hope that this is a good chapter for you
To scr3am1ng1ns1l3nc3– if he cringed at that then he should read that torture scene from OSTS, lol.
To Omonomonom– haha, yeah it was pretty bad, though it could have been worse
To Sam Matthews– BINGO! Someone finally connected the dots! :D
To Rukes– yeah as I said Renji is going to try and make up for being an ass
To KatLady13– well thank you for taking the chance, glad you like it
To xwhitemoonx– lol, hopefully it will get more intense.
Disclaimer- I do not own bleach or anything that has to do with the military
Rukia rode on the back of the blue dragon, holding onto the spike in front of her as Byakuya held onto her from behind. There was a row of spikes running from the middle of his head to the tip of his tail which had three spikes pointing straight out on all sides for an equal twelve spikes. There were ridges above his eyes that were made of bone and two small spikes about half a foot long above each nostril. She patted the dragon's head and he snorted, puffs of smoke coming out of his nostrils.
Rukia smiled and chuckled a bit, thoroughly enjoying flying. Byakuya looked relaxed as they rode on the dragon's back and he yawned. Rukia looked over at the pink dragon that Kenpachi was riding with Ichigo in his arms. The pink dragon had a double row of spines from each ridge above the eyes down to the tail. The dragon had four big spikes about three feet long all pointing in the same direction towards the tip. There was a spike on the tip of the tail that could elongate much like a telescope.
The blue dragon suddenly closed his wings and lurched down and Rukia let out a small shriek and wrapped her arms around the spike tightly as Byakuya wrapped his arms around her. The dragon flipped his wings open and slowed down a bit before slamming into the ground. Rukia felt a jolt shake her body as the dragon touched down and she gathered herself before she jumped down, Byakuya right behind her.
"Ichigo!" Nel jumped up from where she had been sitting and ran over to Kenpachi who had jumped off the dragon's back. Byakuya ran by her and took Ichigo by the legs and set him on the ground. She turned around and watched as the blue dragon shrank down and turned into Grimmjow who was on all fours. He pushed himself up and walked over to where Ichigo lay.
"We need to get him to the palace," Grimmjow said and Kenpachi shook his head.
"He won't make it that far. He's lost too much blood and his heart weakens with each beat. We have to fix him up as best we can here Grimmjow," Kenpachi said as he took a kit from his bag and brought out a needle and thread. "He's lost too much blood already."
"Grimmjow," Ichigo moaned and Grimmjow knelt at his side. "Take Rukia and Byakuya to the palace and make sure they are safe."
"Yes Captain," Grimmjow said and Ichigo took his hand and held it tightly.
"Thank you Lieutenant," he said and Grimmjow rushed over to where Rukia and Byakuya were sitting.
"Rukia, Byakuya, come with me," Grimmjow said and led them a ways away.
"Where are we going?" Rukia asked.
"Ichigo's palace in the mountains," Grimmjow said and quickly changed back into a dragon. Rukia shook her head and stepped back towards Ichigo.
"Rukia lets go!" Byakuya snapped and grabbed her arm.
"No, I don't want to leave him! No!" Byakuya dragged the screaming Rukia onto Grimmjow's back and patted the scales on his neck to signal him. Grimmjow launched into the air and winged it towards the north where a small mountain range sat. Rukia held on tight, craning her neck as she tried to get one last look at Ichigo before the clouds enveloped them. Rukia faced forward again and felt tears come into her eyes.
"Come on Rukia. You'll see him again," Byakuya said and Rukia nodded as she covered her face with her hands and sobbed into them. Byakuya rubbed her shoulder as they flew through the air. Soon enough Rukia became quiet and started to slip off Grimmjow's back but Byakuya caught her and held her as she slept the rest of the flight.
Byakuya looked down and watched through the occasional breaks in the clouds as they flew over forests, rivers, plains, lakes, cities, and finally into the mountains. Byakuya shook Rukia lightly and she slowly opened her eyes and looked around at the snow covered mountain tops that peeked out above the clouds. Byakuya and Rukia both looked down and saw a cave entrance in the rock below with a small ledge where Grimmjow quickly lighted.
"It's nothing but a cave," Rukia said and slid off Grimmjow's back, Byakuya right behind her.
"Careful now," Grimmjow said as his bones snapped back into place. "It may look like a cave, but this is the only entrance that everyone knows…there is another one that only Ichigo and I know about though," he said and walked towards the dark mouth.
"But look at it. How can a palace be hidden in the mountain?"
"That's the ways it's built," Grimmjow said as he waited by the pitch black of the cave. "But trust me, it looks better than you would think," he grabbed a large tree branch from the ground and breathed a small stream of fire onto the tip which flared up.
Rukia and Byakuya followed Grimmjow through the cave until they reached a large gate 20 feet high. The gate was made of iron and had dragons carved into it along with large strips of iron bolted horizontally across the gate. Rukia and Byakuya stopped as Grimmjow held up a hand and lifted the torch high.
"I Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, Lieutenant to Captain Ichigo Kurosaki of Division 5 of the Dragon Warriors, have returned with two humans, Byakuya and Rukia Kuchiki of Seireitei City. I seek entrance to the Palace of the Moon."
"Entrance granted honored Lieutenant. Any word on Captain Ichigo?" one of the guards called out and the gates started their slow creep backwards. When they were at their full open position Rukia and Byakuya blinked at the two lone guards who stood there holding large halberds in both hands with shields attached to their right arms. They wore steel chest guards, steel greaves, and steel bracers; the chest guards had Ichigo's orange dragon form on the front.
"He is gravely injured but is being looked after by Captain Zaraki and Lieutenant Kusajishi of Division 11," Grimmjow said and walked forward, motioning for Rukia and Byakuya to follow him. They walked past the gates, torches lined the walls along the inside to give enough light to see.
"Where are they?" the guard to the right asked quickly as he fell into step beside them.
"Miles south of here. They should be along shortly after they patch up Captain Ichigo."
"Should we call Captain Kurosaki and make sure he's here when they arrive?" Grimmjow stopped for a second and looked down at the man.
"Yeah, that may be a good idea," Grimmjow said and then shook his head. "We need rooms set up for the Captains and for our guests."
"Yes sir!" the man saluted him with hand over heart and gave a short bow before he jogged off.
"If you two will follow me I'll show you to the palace," Grimmjow said and walked up to another smaller gate to the right when the cave came to a fork with a gate on the left and a gate on the right. The gate swung inwards and they were met with a platoon of soldiers being led by a man with long black hair and green tattoos under his eyes. More torches set in the walls lit the corridor.
"Welcome back, Lieutenant Grimmjow," the man said in a clam emotionless voice and placed a hand over his heart and gave a short bow.
"2nd Lieutenant Ulquiorra Schiffer. What are you doing with a platoon Ulquiorra? Shouldn't you be with your Regiment?" Grimmjow greeted him with a salute.
"I decided to come and meet you with a small platoon of men as an escort sir," Ulquiorra replied and Grimmjow nodded slowly.
"Very well," he said and then motioned to Rukia and Byakuya. "These two are our honored guests here at the palace."
"Welcome to Palace of the Moon, home of Captain Ichigo Kurosaki," Ulquiorra said and gave them a small bow before turning back to Grimmjow. "The Captain's sword appeared outside the gate Lieutenant. We've placed it in the Captain's room. Is he okay?"
"Captain Ichigo is being injured. He's being watched over by Captain Zaraki and Lieutenant Kusajishi. They should be along soon and possibly with another human," Grimmjow said with a small frown and then motioned to Rukia and Byakuya. "Watch the gate carefully Ulquiorra. We may be having some trouble soon," Ulquiorra saluted them again and motioned to the soldiers who marched through the gate as Grimmjow lead them into the inner caves.
Rukia stopped mid step, her mouth dropping open at the sight that greeted her in the large cave that held a small city. The large castle that stood in the center of the cave was made of white marble though the out walls where made of stone. The towers rose high above the city and had arches, and long winding walkways that were open to the air, and gardens with fountains and small waterfalls. The walls of the cave were made of some glossy stone that reflected the light from the lanterns and made the cave shine like the moon.
"This is why it's called the Palace of the Moon," Rukia said in awe and Grimmjow nodded.
"Yes, it is. This is known as the most beautiful palace of the Dragon Warriors," Grimmjow grinned and smiled at Rukia and Byakuya. "Captain Isshin had this palace built for his wife Masaki before Ichigo was born. Ichigo was raised here his entire life, and when he became of age Captain Isshin gave Ichigo the palace as a gift."
"So where did Captain Isshin move to?"
"He has a second palace not far from here actually. About half a day's flight east of here," Grimmjow said and walked towards the 20 foot tall wall. The gate opened forwards with a wooden screech and the metal portcullis was raised with a loud clanging. There was a large pool of water around the palace with a small bridge that lead up to the front double door of the palace.
"And how are you getting a message to him?" Rukia asked and Byakuya shook his head.
"You haven't told her all this stuff? Why haven't you told her about Dragon Warriors?"
"We were attacked by a Dragon Warrior and her sister, my wife, was killed. She swore to kill all dragons. I couldn't tell her that she was going to marry one when she was older."
"You could have told her that not all dragons are evil," Grimmjow said and rolled his eyes.
"She's hardheaded. She wouldn't be able to get it through her thick skull," Byakuya grinned as Rukia fumed next to him.
"Hey! That's not nice Bya," she said and pouted making Byakuya and Grimmjow laugh. Suddenly Grimmjow stopped laughing and he looked at them.
"I'll get one of the Palace guards to show you to your rooms. I'm sorry to leave you now, but I have to see to our defenses. Good day and make yourselves at home," Grimmjow said and gave them both a short bow before leaving. A guard in a full suit of black metal armor, with an orange dragon on the front breastplate, approached them. His helmet was also black though it had two horizontal slits where the eyes were and three vertical slits where his mouth was. He held a large halberd in his hands and a tall shield on his left arm.
"You must be the guard that's going to show us to our rooms," Rukia said and he nodded.
"That I am Princess Rukia. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. We've been waiting on you for a long time," he said, his voice echoing from the slits in his helmet. "If you will follow me please," he turned on his heel and walked up the narrow bridge that would allow maybe four men abreast to pass over easily.
Rukia and Byakuya followed the guard up the walkway and through the door. The inside of the palace was filled with tapestries and portraits hanging on the wall. One of the portraits caught Rukia's eye and she stopped to look at it. A smiling woman was sitting in a wooden chair with two men behind her, each man holding a small baby. The woman had long brown hair that was so light it was almost orange. The man standing by her right arm had short black hair and a small smile on his face, the baby was wrapped in a pink blanket and had a small head of light colored hair. The other man she knew very well, his scowl in place beneath those beautiful amber eyes and bright orange hair, and in his arms was another baby also wrapped in a pink blanket though this one had black hair and a matching scowl on her little face.
"That is the Kurosaki Family," the guard said and Rukia looked at him, then around the room.
"But, the woman, she's not in any of the other portraits," Rukia said and Byakuya looked around and nodded in agreement. The guard motioned them to keep walking and continued to lead them into the palace.
"That is the Lady Masaki. She never liked having her portrait painted as she saw it too lady like. Back in a time over 200 years ago it was considered a great honor to marry a Dragon Warrior and have a family. The Lady Masaki, though she just likes to be called by her first name only, was a maid to princess who was very ugly to her. When Captain Isshin came to the palace to find his wife they gathered the princess and her five sisters. Well it just so happened that each princess had a maid with her and Lady Masaki was out there. Captain Isshin ignored all the princesses and asked the Lady Masaki to come walk with him. At first she said no because she thought that only royalty could marry a Dragon Warrior, but Captain Isshin was persistent and soon they were married."
"Wow," Rukia stood in awe of the story of how the two had met. "So why isn't she in any of the other portraits?"
"She never liked to pose like a lady because she always remembered what that horrible woman did to her."
"So she doesn't like to be royalty?" the guard nodded. "Wow. So who are the girls?"
"Those are the Captain's twin sisters. Princess Yuzu is the light hair child and Princess Karin is the dark haired one. Those two came out complete opposites is beyond everyone at the palaces," the guard scoffed and reached a large wooden door. "This will be your room Lord Byakuya," he said and Byakuya gave him a short bow.
"Thank you for your help."
"That's my job sir," the door closed behind Byakuya and the guard led Rukia to another door at the other end of the hall. "These are Captain Ichigo's rooms. You will be staying here with him."
"Thank you for the help," she said and the guard saluted with a fist over his heart before he walked away. Rukia opened the door and walked in, taking in the room around her. There was a large open room with lounge chairs, tables, portraits on the walls, large bowls of fruit on the tables, and a two fireplaces; one at each end of the room. Rukia's mouth dropped open at the sight and she saw another portrait on the wall, this one had Ichigo with his arms around his mother, his smiling face staring at them over her shoulder.
Rukia looked around and saw four doors in the walls, one on the right, one of the left, and two doors across the room in front of her. She walked over to the door on her right and opened it slowly. She saw a large bath area that had a large pool big enough for a dragon to bathe in. Around the pool there were columns and benches between those columns. Rukia had a sudden image of Ichigo bending her over each bench and fucking her senseless.
Rukia backed from the room and closed the door before she walked to the other door on the left side of the room. She opened the door with a small creak and she looked at the large room with bars and large stones and bricks. There were benches and chairs and complicated looking machines everywhere. Rukia walked over and touched one of the stones. It was smooth and it had grooves that she assumed was for handholds to lift them onto the machines. She turned and walked out of the room and stood there staring at the two doors.
She walked to the one on the left and opened it. There were weapons, armor, dummies, and the floor was covered in some sort of soft mat. There were also wooden practice weapons on the wall covering everything from small knives to large battle axes, short swords to maces, long bows to crossbows, and everything in between. She was astounded by all the weapons she saw, both practice and real.
Rukia walked over and grabbed one of the practice swords and swung it around for a moment before she replaced it and grimaced. She had lost her sword while fighting in Seireitei City as she and Byakuya escaped from the castle. In fact she had lost most of her weapons including her crossbow with which she had killed a confirmed 23 dragons and thought another 8 more. She sighed and looked wistfully at the weapons before she walked from the room and opened the last door knowing what is was going to be but not prepared for what she saw.
There was a large four poster bed against one wall, big enough for at least 5 people to lie on comfortably. The canopy above it was made of a material that was somewhat see through as were the curtains that hung over the windows. There were more curtains in front of those which were thick and heavy, used to keep out the cold. Two large wardrobes were set against the wall to her left and a large table with a mirror sat against another. It was a large room, but even then it seemed full with all the chests, chairs, cushioned benches, and large moveable shelves that held books, much like her personal library at home, which she had had to leave behind, though it was dwarfed compared to the one she stared at now.
She walked over to the bed and sat down on it, running her hands over the soft cotton coverlet and the satin pillows. She ran her hands under the coverlet and felt a soft fuzzy blanket and silk sheets under that. She sighed and closed her eyes, just imagining what Ichigo would do to her in that bed. Her eyes snapped open and she found herself staring at the canopy, the heat between her thighs almost unbearable. She quickly stood up and walked over to the door that she had just noticed between the two wardrobes. She walked over to it and pulled on the handle but found it locked. She furrowed her brows at it and tried again with the same result.
Rukia scowled at the offending door and opened the wardrobe on the left and found it filled with shirts and pants for Ichigo. She opened the door to the other wardrobe and found it empty so she figured it was for her. Rukia closed the door to the wardrobe and walked back over to the bed and stared at it for a moment before she yawned. Rukia pulled back the covers and tugged at the laces of her armor.
"Can I help with that my lady?" Rukia whirled around at the voice and saw a dark haired girl with her hair in a bun standing there, staring at the floor.
"Um, please," she said and the girl came forward quickly, her eyes still on the floor. She stopped by Rukia's side and started to pull carefully at the laces. "So, what is your name?" Rukia asked and the girl fumbled with the laces on the other side.
"I am just a humble maid my lady, not worthy of your time to name me," she muttered and helped pull the leather armor off Rukia's back.
"Well how am I supposed to get your attention if I don't know your name?"
"Well, the other servants call me Momo, my lady," she said and moved to the side as Rukia untied the laces of her shirt and pants.
"Okay, Momo, are you supposed to be my servant?" Rukia asked and looked at her. Momo gave her a slight nod.
"Yes, my lady," she whispered and Rukia stepped up in front of her. Rukia placed her hand under Momo's chin who flinched.
"Look at me," Rukia commanded and Momo slowly raised her head but kept her eyes diverted. "Look at me, Momo," Rukia said and Momo looked at her.
"I'm not supposed to look you in the eyes," she said and Rukia saw tears forming.
"Why not?"
"Because you're a lady, you're higher than me," she said and Rukia narrowed her eyes.
"How said that?" Momo shook her head. "Who said that?"
"It was how I was trained before Lord Ichigo found me," she said and Rukia raised an eyebrow.
"Where were you trained?"
"I was trained for Lord Aizen's chambers as his bed maid," Momo said, the tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
"Doesn't Ichigo train you well?" Momo immediately dropped her eyes.
"Yes, my lady, he does."
"Then why are you still like this?" Rukia asked as she slowly removed her shirt.
"I was beaten to train me, my Lady. I guess I'm still afraid of that," Momo said and walked into the large room with the pool. She came back just as Rukia was slipping out of her pants. Momo held up a fuzzy robe in her hands. Rukia was used to getting dressed by maids, but she had to get used to Momo. Rukia stood there in the semi-cold air, goose bumps popping out on her flesh and her nipples hardening into stiff peaks. Momo came forward quickly and Rukia turned around and held her arms out allowing Momo to slip the robe over her.
Rukia slipped her arms through the sleeves and tugged the robe around her body, tying it in the front. She nodded to Momo and patted her shoulder, having always been nice to her servants and maids.
"Thank you, Momo. If I need any more help I'll be sure to call," Rukia said and Momo left the room with a quick bow. Rukia walked over to one of the windows and looked out of it down at the streets below. The people looked like busy little ants, just like normal people though she knew that most of them were dragons.
"Why did I ever think that all dragons were evil? All these people here live together like a large family, whether Dragon Warrior or human. They lived in peace and here I am trying to destroy that," Rukia said and wiped away the tears that started to overflow her eyes. Rukia turned back to the bed and slipped the robe from her body, letting it pools around her feet, before she crawled into the bed.
Renji rode through the meadows as fast as he could. He watched as the large pink dragon lifted off the ground and winged away as fast as it could. Renji urged his horse on after the dragon, completely oblivious to the large amount of mounted soldiers following him.
Well, I hope you all liked it. It took me forever to get it finished. Reviews please