Part 10 "Tracking and Oppositions"

Serai and Duchira where sitting on the front step of their shabby house. They were sharing an apple when several men in black invaded their home. They barely had time to move out of the way as pandemonium erupted all around them. There were screams and yells from within as the house was pervaded upon. The two girls huddled into a corner and just watched.

"Crap eaters…. No you don't," Runi yelled as he appeared standing in a window. Armed with a slingshot, he hurled several stones at the invaders in black. Surprised at his accuracy several squad members yelped in pain as tiny pebbles made contact. "That was for Rayna." Taking aim at another Shinigami he roared, "this one is for Nonu." Shuuhei Hisagi managed to move at the last moment, but not before he appreciated the boys' initiative. He was next to the boy in an instant. Runi did not stop resisting even as he was disarmed and held by the caller of his kimono. "What? You thought I would just give up?" he said kicking out at the lieutenant.

Shuuhei had to appreciate the childs' tenacity. Fighting back a smile he easily blocked all the boys' kicks. When the blond boy ran out of energy the tattooed lieutenant approached his commanding officers with the boy still held by the collar.

Byakuya stood next to Toshiro and Rukia watching the chaos. How a member of the noble class lived in a hole like this it was beyond his realms of understanding. Not able to dwell on it, he looked down at the small boy in front of him. Blue eyes reflected deep anger back at him.

"I ain't got nothing to say to you." Runi said crossing his arms looking up at the dark haired captain.

"Where is the Lady known as Rayna?" Toshiro asked capturing the boys' attention.

"Since when do they let kids be captains in the court guard?" Runi asked his tone disbelieving.

An annoyed look crossed the blond haired captains' face. "Is the Lady Rayna here?"

There was a blur of movement as Yarinju appeared next to the boy. "No, her Reaitsu faded just before I arrived." Looking down at Runi he said "Nonu is awake and asking for you." Nodding he gave the silent command for the lieutenant to let the boy go.

Runi turned and kicked the Shinigami hard in the shin. "Never let your guard down," he said then turned and ran off. Shuuhei winced for a moment but couldn't keep the amusement from touching his eyes.

Byakuya, Toshiro, Rukia and Shuuhei all looked at Yarinju waiting for his assessment. His appearance had changed. Now, he wore a sleeveless Shihakushou. On his right arm he wore a black bracer with a golden seal placed on it. "I trust you brought only those Shinigami that can keep silent." The Akarui asked Byakuya. As the Shinigami contingent appeared waiting for their next order.

"All present are loyal to the Gotei 13 and its laws." Byakuya replied.

Yarinju took measure of them all before addressing them. "Be aware that as an Akarui I have the Kings authority to execute. If so much of a whisper of todays events is uttered I will not hesitate."

Assessing the white haired man, Byakuya decided that he probably would follow through on his word. The Akarui were talked of in legend. They were fables told to children and superstitions used to scare new recruits. The only records that existed of them were held in complete secrecy. Byakuya knew what and who they were only because Ginrei had told him. Even then all he knew for certain is that the Akarui were the personal guard to the members of the Kings court.

"Captain we don't have much time," Yarinju said as he produced a familiar orange cloak. Byakuya took it and held it up examining it. Blood coated the left side of it. If it was Raynas the wound she sustained was deep and could be mortal. The usually stoic captain was over taken with concern and rage. Rukias gasped from beside him reminded him to maintain control.

Yarinju ignored the slight rise in the captains' spiritual pressure. Turning his attention to Rukia he said, "Lady I can only assume that you have filled the captain in on other details." The contrite nod told him she had. "Then captain you are aware of the dangers that surround my lady if she were to lose control of her Reiatsu."

"Tracking her should be relatively easy." Byakuya said searching within himself for her Reiatsu.

"I can sense Raynas spiritual pressure within the soul society she is not here," Yarinju assessed, "Rayna would have sought comfort in the living world if she was mortally wounded. Kisuke is aware of our predicament and looks for her now."

"But who would do this to her?" Rukia asked taking the cloak from her brother examining it for herself.

"I felt the stirrings of an Arrancar and the boy upstairs bore traces of the same poison that affected you captain. I am certain she inflicted her own damage and was able to escape. But I fear she is greatly weakened. What little power she may have been able to control she used to cure the boys Reaitsu."

A worried look crossed Yarinjus face. "My abilities are great but I do not have the power to track her in the living world. Rayna is way too adept at hiding herself there."

Rukia was the one that spoke up. "You said Hollows are attracted to her?" she asked and idea sparked into her eyes. "What if it was a powerful Hollow, could that find her?"

Yarinju looked down at the girl in confusion. "If a Hollow or any other creature of Hueco Mundo finds her, it will be too late."

Understanding Rukias intentions Byakuya said, "come, we must find Ichigo Kurosaki."

Rayna stumbled for the last time and fell forward. Dropping her Zanpakato she braced herself from the pain of the fall. A hissing breath escaped her as she hit the ground. Cradling her bleeding wound with one hand she used the other to roll herself onto her back. Staring blankly at the sky she sought comfort from the warmth of the late day sun.

The left side of her body was sticky with blood from the wound she had sustained. Her fingers where drenched with her vital fluid in an effort to try and stop the bleeding. The green cap she used as a bandage had long ago been soaked through. The wound was mortal and it probably would kill her, but that was the least of her problems. The poison that spread through her was quickly consuming her Reiatsu and eating its way to her soul. Icy breath escaped her as she gasped for air.

Unsure of where she was, it was too late now to make it to help. Finding herself in unfamiliar territory was not surprising. The control she needed to open the gate had already begun to slip. Afraid of losing the tiny bit of restraint she had on her Reaitsu she had only called on enough to get her to the living world. That meant she could not predict the place the gate would open.

This was the second time in her life she faced death. Fear was overcome by the powerful will to control her spiritual pressure. As much as she wanted use it to burn the poison out of her she was afraid of losing control over it. Deciding that she would not allow frenzy, she put all her energy into keeping her Reiatsu under tight control. That meant the poison would kill her if the wound didn't.

A warm wind blew hair across her face and she began to review the events that brought her hear. When Nonus' soul had called to her Rayna had no choice, she had to go. Approaching her home, she had sensed the second wretched soul. Saezu lay in wait for her. Ii was a clear trap. Raynas mind worked furiously. Traps lost a lot of their effectiveness when they lost the element of surprise. That did not make the situation any less dangerous. It just meant she was aware of the trap.

Landing neatly on the roof, Rayna watched surprise cross Saezus face. Nonu lay at the feet of the dark haired boy, blood trickling from the wound on the side of his head. Searching furiously Rayna could sense Runis spiritual some distance away. The blond boy must have gone foraging for food. Relief washed over her momentarily.

"You are early, I thought I was going to have to wait a while." The Arrancar drew his Zanpakato. "Should I pierce his skin now and let you watch his soul freeze." He raised his sword to stab the unconscious Nonu. Rayna was beneath him in a flash, Shaditsukaya taking the blow.

With her left hand she concentrated the purest of her lights and focused it into the boys' eyes. The momentary blindness would not last more than a second. The desired affect was achieved as Saezu stumbled backwards in surprise.

Tactically this was the worst position be in for combat. Having to defend oneself and another put the odds in favor of the Arrancar being able to wound or kill either of them. Rayna sensed that he was not yet aware of the advantage and charged the boy.

Rayna swung at the delicate midriff area only to be blocked by Saezu Zanpakato. It did not stop her assault as she whipped her blade around to slash at the exposed throat. Rayna was only prepared to kill as a last resort. Defending Runi against one of Aizens ranks meant she had no choice.

With her last attempt at killing the boy blocked Rayna lost her advantage and the boy went on the offensive. Strike after strike reverberated through Rayna and she found herself standing over Nonu. Choices where limited. If she did not increase her power they both would succumb. Rayna began to slowly let her Reaitsu rise. As she did so power flowed into her Zanpakato. "Shaditsukaya Genkae," she said swinging the blade. A white orb exploded from the tip. With lightning speed the light wrapped itself around Saezu. He was helpless to defend against the light as it struck his chest with enough force to throw him back word.

"It is time for you to die. Sebatsu Goganza!" Saezu yelled and slashed his Zanpakato at Rayna. Thousands of tiny arrows sped at her.

Rayna planted Shaditsukaya in the roof as her pressure increased to levels that could be felt across the Seireitei. The power of it burned up the arrows before they could hit her. Nonu sharp intake of breath distracted Rayna. Unprepared, she hissed in pain as Saezu followed the attack impaling her lower chest with his Zanpakato. Looking up Hazel eyes met with the hollow reflection of corruption.

Saezu spit blood on her as he laughed. The wound he had sustained had torn a hole in his chest. "Week, and for a moment there I thought I might have a challenge on my hands I guess I was wrong, just another worthless Shinigami." Jerking up he pulled his Zanpakato from Rayna. The hole it left was jagged and bleeding profusely. Rayna had to fight to control shock as she heard her own blood spatter on the roof. Satisfied that she would soon die, the Arrancar grabbed his chest and disappeared.

Rayna fell to her knees next to Nonu. The poison from Saezus blade was working through her quickly. Examining Nonu, the injured woman plucked a stray arrow from the childs shoulder. It burned up in her hand when she concentrated her power on it. The spiritual pressure from the boy started to fluctuate. Weakening quickly, Rayna focused the last bit of her control into cleansing the Reiatsu of Nonu.

When she was done Rayna was too weak to even help him down from the roof. She had to hope that her burst of spiritual pressure would draw attention and help would come soon. Covering him with her bloody cloak, she whispered, "I'm sorry."

Fighting against biting cold Rayna drew the pendant from her neck. She needed help. There was only one other she could trust to have enough power to help control her Reiatsu if she couldn't. Standing, she fought against the pain as she stepped away from Nonu. She disappeared into the gate that had appeared.

Rayna found herself on a deserted shore. She had walked less than ten feet before she couldn't carry herself any more. That was where she lay now. The sun streamed down on her as the wind blew hair across her eyes.

Water lapped against the shore as Rayna watched the sun. Gratefully Rayna could no longer feel the burning cold that had immobilized her limbs. A strange peace overcame her as she thought of the many that she loved. Images of her family, Yarinju, Yoruichi, the family of children all flashed before her eyes. A dark haired captain made its way into those images. Rayna almost smiled even now he looked at her disdainfully.

A familiar gold ribbon blew across her line of sight and images of her father caressed her. "I promise, I will die first," she said out loud. Holding onto her Reiatsu keeping its power at bay she denied herself the only means to help herself. One last golden image appeared standing over Rayna. It whispered 'I will stay til it is done and then we both go together.' Hazel eyes flickered and closed as the sun kissed the world with its orange evening glow.

Ichigo and Orihime were walking out of the ice-cream shop

when they were greeted by several Shinigami. "Hey," Ichigo said. "What's the emergency?" Looking around nervously, he scratched the back of his head.

"We need your help Ichigo." Rukia said pulling on a glove and punching him in the mouth. Ichigo flew backward out of his body, flipped over once and landed face down.

After picking himself of the ground the substitute Shinigami yelled, "I could have done that myself." Ichigo stood over the petite woman shaking his fist. "I am a substitute soul reaper you know."

"Yeah, but her way was more fun," Renji said smiling broadly, with arms crossed over his chest.

"We don't have time for this?" Yarinju said interrupting their banter. "If this boy can help we need to find Lady Rayna."

"Oh, right." Rukia said as she looked from the Akarui back to Ichigo. "Ichigo we need your help to track a powerful Reiatsu. There is an heir to the royal bloodline here and we need to find her. She is wounded and may be in danger."

Ichigo scratched his head and said, "I am no good at that get Uriu to do it."

"Ichigo you are going to have to do it as your alternate self. Lady Rayna has a spiritual pressure that can attract Hollows. That is what makes her unique and dangerous. You may be the only one that can find her in time." Rukia said all playfulness leaving her.

They were all surprised by a new voice. "Ichigo, my boy, I was just looking for you. But, I see that good ideas come in pairs." Kisuke said as he fanned himself. "I guess they told you that we need your help to track very special Reiatsu."

"I will try, but…" Ichigo said trailing off in embarrassment. Looking at Rukias face he took on a familiar determination

"Ichigo Kurosaki, we are running out of time." Byakuya interjected his impatience not showing in his tone.

"When you look for it, the Reiatsu will feel unlike any you have ever felt. You will know when you sense it," Yarinju added also losing patience.

"OK, then…" the 15 year old raised his hand to his face as a white mask appeared. The crowd before him watched hopefully as he searched within himself. Sensation filled his black eyes as he said, "can you keep up?" He disappeared using flash-step. Byakuya and Yarinju were the only ones quick enough to fallow.

"I think we best get back to the shop. I have a feeling stronger barriers are going to be needed." Kisuke said stepping out in front of the crowd leading the way back to his shop.

Byakuya and Yarinju fallowed Ichigo to the edge of Karakura Town next to a large lake. Byakuya stopped short behind Ichigo staring at the scene in front of him. Raynas lifeless body lay on the ground next to the shore. Covered in dirt and blood, her body looked as if it had been broken it two. Crisp breaths of cold let Byakuya know she was still alive, barely.

That was not what held the attention of the three Shinigami. It was the golden horse shaped beast that stood over her that captivated the men. Its horse frame was covered in golden scales that sparked with pure Reiatsu. A glowing white main of feathers grew from the top of its head spiking down its back and ending in a long feathery tail of ivory. A white stags' horn protruded from the middle of its forehead. Intelligent honey colored eyes surveyed them as it stomped heavy claw like hooves.

Yarinju knelt down before the great beast. "Shaditsukaya Genkae Akemiharu, I present myself humbly in your presence." Byakuya and Ichigo stood behind the man. Ichigo unsure of what was taking place stopped to watch the scene. Byakuya recognizing the manifested form a Zanpakato could only wonder at the marvel of it. When the Shinigami was unconscious Zanpakato could not be manifested.

The great best shook its head and blew heavily out of its nose. "Traitor?" it whispered in a melodic female voice.

"Not I, Not ever," Yarinju replied vehemently bowing before the great best.

"She lies dying and you bring a corrupted soul." It said this as it paced over Rayna scattering dirt with its heavy hooves.

"He is human not Hollow, it was the best way." Steely grey eyes flashed to Ichigo. Taking the hint he, reached up and removed his white mask. It disappeared with a pop.

"There is no threat." Yarinju ventured a look at the creature and took on a defensive position. Shaditsukaya was about to strike.

Byakuya sensing what was about to take placed shoved the entranced Ichigo back just before the beast attacked. Pulling Senbonzakura, he barely had enough time to move himself."Damn it," Yarinju yelled blocking the path of the Zanpakato before it could reach Ichigo. Gravel and dirt flew from behind him as he held the beat at bay. The horn that was meant to pierce Ichigo tore at the flesh of the Akarui. Yarinju hissed in pain as the gash nearly severed his left arm from his body. Shaditsukaya shook her head and the motion threw the white haired man several feet away.

The skilled Akarui landed on his feet facing the manifested Zanpakato. Planting his right hand on the ground in front of him he bowed before the great beast. Grey eyes met yellow ones, "Sheath your weapons. She will not return to an unreleased state as long as she senses a threat." Blood tricked down his left arm.

"Traitor," she whispered again crouching for another strike.

"Never, great Shaditsukaya, destroyer of shadows, know that my intensions are to help the Lady Kurirayna Hirosasuke."

Not satisfied the golden horse charged again. Its speed was surprising for such a large animal. Yarinju was able to move at the last second, neatly sliding underneath the great best unharmed. Turning, he yelled "No!" Ichigo had drawn his Zanpakato prepared to strike. Byakuya appeared in front of him blocking the boys' blade.

"You want to help her you gotta stop that thing!" Ichigo yelled still not understanding.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, stand back. This is not a fight that can be won with force." Byakuya said holding him at bay.

This action drew the attention of the horse like creature. Byakuya watched sideways as it approached him threateningly. "What does a Shinigami warrior know of clemency?" It whipped its tail around and Reaitsu fell to the ground in a glorious shower.

"I know that fear causes distrust." Byakuya said stoically as he turned to face Raynas Zanpakato. Sheathing Senbonzakura, he hoped that Ichigo would follow suit. The blond understood and replaced Zangetsu on his back.

The horse like creature drew ever closer. It stood over Byakuya. Golden eyes met dark ones, neither flinched. "You smell of my mistress. You carry her spirit within you." Hot breath blew in Byakuyas' face as it continued. "It caused her great pain to heal you. Would you betray her?" She raised a hoof prepared to strike if the answer didn't satisfy her.

Byakuya had not known the cost of healing the poison that had once threatened his life. An unfamiliar twinge pulled at him. "It would not be honorable to betray one such as she." Byakuya said in a detached voice. This angered Shaditsukaya but she did not strike. Scrapping her front hoof on the ground she sent dirt flying behind her.

"If you truly intend to spare my mistress you will need more than your honor." Shaditsukayas' voice said with authority. Satisfied, the horse backed away from the captain. The golden entity shook its great main. She started to fade into glittering particles. The fragments swirled brilliantly through the air before forming once again into a sword next to Rayna.

While the magical creature was distracted, Yarinju had taken the opportunity to begin to heal the wound in Raynas side. Approaching the two Byakuya watched the man heal Rayna with a powerful Kido. The Reiatsu coming from him was as powerful as Captain Unohanas, The wound was healing quickly. The legends of the Akarui were well deserved. Yarinju had sustained a serious wound and was still able to heal the girl with astounding skill.

With the immediate threat seen to Byakuya took in the rest of Raynas appearance. He was disturbed deep within his soul at the icy blue pallor of the redhead. Raynas body was almost frozen stiff. Fingers had a coating of white ice, and her face had beads of frozen sweat covering it. The breath that escaped blue lips was a frozen vapor.

Yarinju sat back on his haunches his spiritual pressure was waning. The wound he had taken was weakening him and quickly. "Captain, if her Reiatsu is not restored she will die. I have healed the wound enough eliminate its immediate threat but now it is up to you. Kisuke will be prepared and waiting."

Pleading grey eyes met his. Deftly he reached down and picked up Rayna. Cradling her against him, he ignored the cold of her skin as it burned him even through his clothing. "Ichigo, assist Akarui Saenon," he ordered. The Shunpo master left without another word.

This was almost a lot longer. I had to split chapters again. Sorry It is so late in coming but once the sun came out and distracted me.....all I can say is AHhhhh.

So todays background noise. T.V. was 'Juno' and music, for the fight scene I definitely had the song 'Devils Night' From The Crow original movie sore. It seemed to fit. Other selections included the music entrancement of Kokia.

Nope, I don't own Bleach Tite Kubo does, I don't get paid. I just get the satisfaction of quieting the plot bunnies in my head....well mostly...